Let's Play: Game of Thrones, during the time of Robert Baratheon's Rebellion

[angel of derp]

Well, I needed a break from the Fatimids. It's a little too boring because they are so safe, and expansion isn't difficult. The Islamic thing is very cool, though. I'll have to revisit them at a later date.

...

So... new game.

The time of Robert's Rebellion, and his claim to the Iron Throne of Westeros.

I am Lord Paramount Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock, ruler of the Westerlands. Age 40, formerly wed to his cousin, Joanna Lannister... who died in childbirth. (I love the Lannisters!)

Lord Tywin's children are the twins, Jaime & Cersei Lannister (age 16 or so at the start of the game), and Tyrion Lannister (a dwarf), age 8 or so (and the cause of Joanna Lannister's death). Jaime has taken up the vow to be part of the King's Guard, and is inelligible to be Tywin's heir. Thus, the disgusting dwarf, Tyrion, is Lord Tywin's heir... something which I must correct.

Westeros is ruled by the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen, the second of his name. Due to the Mad King being rather mad, roasting his servants alive and such, there is a civil war going on. Lords Paramount Robert Baratheon of the Stormlands, Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Hoster Tully of the Riverlands, and Jon Arryn of the Vale have all banded together to fight against the Mad King and his subjects.

On the Mad King's side are Lord Paramount Mace Tyrell of Highgarden, Prince Doran Martell of Dorne, and a host of minor Lords.

House Lannister & the Westerlands... we remain neutral in the conflict. Lord Tywin's son is a valued servant of the Targaryens in King's Landing. The Lannisters have no particular reason to join either Robert Baratheon or the Targaryen side of the conflict at this time. So I watch.

As Lord Tywin is unmarried, I looked around for a suitable bride. Seeing none, I coveted the Mad King's wife (and sister), Rhaella Targaryen. Without choosing a side in the war against King Aerys Targaryen, I elected to plot to assassinate the Mad King. Even if I am neutral, I can still do things. And with the Mad King being quite unpopular amongst his terrorized courtiers, it was easy to get near 200% in favor of assassination.

Queen Rhaella joined the plot, and planted a viper in the King's bedroom. AND THE MAD KING DIED! Unfortunately, my name was leaked as part of the plot... instantly gained the Dishonorable trait. Queen Rhaella dies of natural causes on the spot (?!!)... so no new Lady Lannister for Lord Tywin. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, son of the Mad King, gains a -150 Vengeance modifier to his relationship with Lord Tywin Lannister due to the knowledge that Tywin was behind the assassination. Truly a bad result.

Due to the Vengeance modifier, King Rhaegar Targaryen, the new ruler in King's Landing, had a -100 relationship with Lord Tywin Lannister. This meant that there was no point in staying on the sidelines. In order to survive, Lord Tywin Lannister was required to join Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark, and the rest of the rebel Lords Paramount against the Targaryens.

At first, the war goes well. Lord Tywin's 30,000-odd army crushes several smaller loyalist armies... and that's when Jamie Lannister, son of Lord Tywin, decides he wants to remain loyal to the Targaryens. Problem #1.

Next, Lord Terence Kenning of Kayce (my vassal) decides that he wants to switch sides, and he joins King Rhaegar Targaryen's forces. That's problem #2.

Problem #3... King Rhaegar's large army stack is smaller than mine, but large enough to threaten. Also, one of Rhaegar's early victories included a battle against the Northmen, led by Eddard Stark. Unknown to me at the time (I noticed it after looking around Westeros), King Rhaegar Targaryen slew Eddard Stark in single combat... leaving Winterfell to his newborn son, Jonnell Stark, third of his name. (This scenario takes place before the birth of Robb Stark, so there's none of that "I marry for love" nonsense)

So, the armies of Lannister and the Iron Throne meet in King's Landing. Lord Tywin sees King Rhaegar on the battlefield... and damn, I lose. Rhaegar slays Tywin. Game over, man. Game over.

Tywin Lannister, dead at the age of 41.

...

This means I am now Tyrion, the Imp. At age 10, Tyrion Lannister becomes Lord Paramount of Casterly Rock, and ruler of the Westerlands. His elder brother Jamie remains part of the loyal Kings Guard. And Jamie's twin, Cersei, becomes Tyrion's heir and regent.

I have the option of rethinking the Westerland's role in Robert Baratheon's rebellion upon Tywin's death. I check out King's Landing... the Targaryens are not upset with the Lannisters now that Tywin has died. I look at Winterfell, and that's when I notice Eddard Stark had already been killed by King Rhaegar Targaryen (as Prince Rhaegar at the time of Eddard's death)... and, after the death of Eddard Stark, the North has declared neutrality in Robert's war against the Targaryens. Stannis Baratheon, younger brother of Lord Paramount Robert Baratheon, is sitting in prison, having been captured in battle.

Long story short, it's time to check out of the war against King Rhaegar Targaryen. The Mad King is dead, the Starks have run away... there's no point to the rebellion now. Lannisters are officially neutral yet again.

And, as I said, with young Tyrion ruling in Casterly Rock, that meant Cersei Lannister (age 18) was his automatic heir as the remaining eligible child of Tywin Lannister.

Cersei was also the regent for Lord Paramount Tyrion Lannister. Uh oh. This is a HUGH JASS problem for Tyrion because anyone familiar with the TV show or the books knows that Cersei is a horrible beyotch of a sister.

Assassination attempt after assassination attempt occurs... and, Tyrion being a Dwarf & having all sorts of negative relations with the Lannister bannermen, I'm quietly hoping Cersei succeeds. Cersei would have a much easier time than Tyrion.

After about 3 or 4 months, Lord Paramount Tyrion Lannister is murdered by order of Cersei Lannister.

All hail Lady Paramount Cersei Lannister!

[angel of derp]

This is way too easy.

Cersei has put virtually the entire realm north of King's Landing (except the Iron Islands) under the rule of the Lannisters. All of this was due to Cersei's amazing cun... er, ah, cunning (Tyrion Lannister joke).

The Lord of the North, Jorrell Stark, third of his name, somehow permitted a matrilinear marriage between Cersei & Benjen Stark (who took the Black in the novels, but did not in my game, partly due to Eddard's death in battle against Rhaegar Targaryen). Or perhaps it was Rhaegar Targaryen as liege lord... but I forget. It was matrilinear, though. And Benjen Stark, the uncle of Jorrell Stark, was heir to Winterfell & the North.

Unfortunately, poor little Jorrell Stark had an accident and died, leaving Winterfell & the North to his uncle Benjen. I wonder how that happened...

With help of her on again, off again lover, Devon Lannister (Cersei swore off Jaime after he sided with the Targaryens against their father, Tywin), Cersei produced a son for Lord Paramount Benjen Stark of the North. Of course, I named the son Eddard Lannister in honor of poor stupid Ned. Now, Eddard Lannister is heir to Winterfell AND Casterly Rock. What fun!

Then, Cersei was able to betroth Eddard Lannister to the (10-years old at the time) Lady Paramount Mela Arryn of the Vale, daughter of Jon Arryn & Lysa Stark. This was automatically patrilinear, so Eddard Lannister's children will be inheritors of Winterfell, the Eyrie, AND Casterly Rock.

When Benjen Stark died a maimed cripple, Cersei was able to marry Edmure Tully... matrilinearly! As liege lord to Edmure Tully, King Rhaegar Targaryen blessed the matrilinear arrangement. Of course, Edmure Tully was not a Lord Paramount due to Hoster Tully being alive, but Edmure was heir to Riverrun and the Riverlands. Convenient, yes?

Unfortunately, Lord Paramount Hoster Tully of the Riverlands died soon after (I SWEAR I had nothing to do with it this time), leaving the Riverlands to Edmure. Again, through Cersei's lover & cousin, Devon Lannister, Cersei produced an heir for Edmure Tully... Edwyn Lannister.

So the Lannisters will also inherit the Riverlands through the power of Cersei's cunning. Pure blooded Lannisters rule in the North & the Westerlands, will rule the Riverlands... and Lannisters will rule the Vale. Hear me roar, indeed.

If only there were enough time to produce heirs for all the other Lords Paramount of Westeros...

(I think this mod is perhaps a bit off. Or maybe it's just the power of being an Attractive female ruler with no morals. Everyone agrees with me, and whatever, I do what I want!)

[angel of derp]

Once I said it was too easy, my situation got messed up pretty fast.

Lady Paramount Cersei's son "with" Lord Paramount Benjen Stark of Winterfell, Eddard Lannister, was heir to the North by Benjen Stark AND heir to the Westerlands, as Cersei's heir.

So Eddard Lannister inherited the North when Benjen died a cripple. Eddard wed Lady Paramount Mela Arryn of the Vale, and they had a son, Garth Lannister, heir to the North and the Vale.

So, as Lord of the North, Eddard Lannister was a loyal servant of King Rhaegar Targaryen. When Robert Baratheon rebelled AGAIN, Eddard stood with the Targaryens. Lord Eddard's army faced off against Lord Robert's, and Robert slew Eddard in single combat! (which is rather amusing, Robert killing Ned, aside from it ruining my plans)... which meant that the infant Garth Lannister was Lord Paramount of Winterfell.

The war dragged on, the Lannisters of Casterly Rock under Cersei again sided with the Targaryens. I wanted to avenge poor Ned Lannister against the Baratheons, but the war ended: Robert Baratheon lost again, but Rhaegar let him live. The North broke away somehow in the midst of this... and Garth Lannister became King of Mountain and Vale, independent of the Targaryens. Winterfell was given to House Dustin, with Garth Lannister as liege lord.

As for Cersei and the Lannisters of Casterly Rock... inheritance bounced around a lot after Ned Lannister's untimely death. I'm not sure why Cersei's heir changed from Garth Lannister (Cersei's grandson), to Rickard Lannister (Cersei's son, Ned Lannister's younger brother), and back and forth a few times.

Eventually, it was Rickard Lannister who inherited Casterly Rock, which meant that I would not rule as King of Mountain and Vale in the North. DANG IT.

Rickard Lannister married Lady Margaery Tyrell, the Summer Rose of Highgarden. They had several children, including two boys. However, the Targaryens stole the Reach from the Tyrrels, making the match with Lady Margaery of lesser importance (at first).

Of course, I (as the Lannisters) had claim to the Reach through Margaery, so when the Targaryens were embroiled in yet another war against the Baratheons, Rickard attacked whatever minor Targaryen that Rhaegar installed as Lord Paramount of the Reach (I forget the name).

In the end, the Lannister armies took the Reach in the name of Margaery Tyrell, and I didn't even have to call in help from the Lannisters of the Riverlands. The Targaryens were far too busy with the other internal conflict against the stupid Baratheons. And, with Margaery Tyrell's sons being Lannisters due to the marriage with Rickard Lannister, the Lannisters were the ultimate winners.

Unfortunately, Rickard died fighting the Baratheons soon after (rejoining the Targaryen conflict against the Baratheons, and in support of Rhaegar)... and Edwyn Lannister, Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, died soon after.

That was bad news all around. Theomore Lannister became Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and the Reach, and Raynard Lannister became Lord Paramount of the Riverlands... both of them underage, and under threat of rebellion.

However, I preservered in the Westerlands/the Reach, putting down three different claimants to the throne (two in the Reach, and one in the Westerlands). And, as the young Lord Paramount Theomore Lannister, I sent my armies to join forces wtih Raynard Lannister against his enemies... preserving the Lannister claims to the Riverlands.

So, scorecard...
+ Winterfell & the North? Ruled by House Dustin, vassals of Garth Lannister, King of Mountain and Vale.
+ the Eyrie & the Vale? Ruled by House Lannister under Garth Lannister, first of his name, King of Mountain and Vale.
+ Riverrun & the Riverlands? Ruled by House Lannister under Lord Paramount Raynard Lannister, first of his name.
+ Casterly Rock & the West? and the Reach? Ruled by House Lannister under Theomore Lannister, first of his name, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, Lord Paramount of the Reach, Warden of the West, and Warden of the South. (my current character)
+ the Stormlands? Ruled by House Baratheon under Lady Paramount Dalla Baratheon. (She has a patrilinear marriage to Edgerran Peake, so the Baratheon line dies there.)
+ Dorne? Ruled by House Baratheon under Princess Helicent the Vain. (She has a patrilinear marriage to Paxter Selmy, so the Baratheon line dies there.)
+ the Iron Throne? Ruled by House Targaryen under King Gaemon Targaryen, first of his name.

I would like to take out the Baratheons for killing Eddard Lannister (and a Lannister always pays his debts). They have killed themselves off fairly well, though, due to their wars against the Targaryens.

At age 18, Theomore Lannister is a powerful and experienced warrior... he has a legitimate shot at the Iron Throne even without the help of the King of Mountain and Vale, Garth Lannister (Theomore's cousin).

[angel of derp]

And then, it happened, after many hard years of peace, all hell broke loose.

Theomore Lannister, at age 42, was the Hand of the King for the Mad Dragon, Gaemon Targaryen. As Castellan for the Iron Throne, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and the Reach, Warden of the West, and of the North, and of the South, Lord Theomore was a loyal servant of the Targaryens. He was King Gaemon Targaryen's hammer fist.

The Baratheons had all but died out. The Lannisters were installed in the Riverlands, in the Vale, in the Reach, and the Westerlands. The Tyrells, allies of the Lannisters and Dorne, held the Stormlands. Dorne, strangely, was ruled by the last of the Baratheons... and friends of Lord Theomore.

Lord Theomore's children were well placed. Lannister cousins married cousins across the Lannister demesnes... in Riverrun, in the Eyrie, and in Goldengrove (the seat of Lord Theomore's realm). However, Lord Theomore's heir Lord Lancel Lannister of Casterly Rock, married the eldest daughter of King Gaemon Targaryen, the Princess Allyria Targaryen (a Genius, a trained warrior, and having all sorts of positive traits... aside from being the product of incest). This would cement Lannister rule for a long time... so I believed.

...

So, King Gaemon Targaryen ordered the armies north, to press de jure claims to Winterfell and all the North. As his Warden of the North, I took a sizeable army from the Westerlands (not the Reach) into the North to conquer the usurper King Theo Dustin, who had previously stolen the North from King of Mountain and Vale, Garth Lannister.

(Garth Lannister died in the succession wars in the North, leaving the Kingdom of Mountain and Vale to his son, Cadwyn Lannister... who then died of pneumonia, leaving the Kingdom to his very young son, Cadwyn Lannister, second of his name.)

We crushed King Theo's forces... and then, my kinsman Cadwyn Lannister (the second), King of Mountain and Vale, called me into his claim against Heward Dustin, the new Lord Paramount of the North.

Somehow, this didn't alarm me. The new Lord Paramount of the North should have been a vassal to King Gaemon Targaryen, but he wasn't... and I didn't bother to check, so I joined my kinsman's fight against Lord Heward of Winterfell anyway.

Meanwhile, in King's Landing, the Targaryens had their own internal conflict. Halys Targaryen, cousin to King Gaemon, was able to lead a rebellion while King Gaemon's forces were in the North.

Of course, this led to instability. Halys Targaryen was not a lunatic like King Gaemon, but he was a usurper & not my puppet/protection on the Iron Throne. I had to make my move.

As soon as the North was firmly in the hands of Cadwyn Lannister, I sent everything south. Immediately, I established the Faction for my own Targaryen's claim to the throne... Allyria Targaryen, the bride of my heir, Lancel Lannister. All her children would be heirs to the Iron Throne if I could win her claim. It was not my intention to put a Lannister on the Iron Throne so soon, but this was my opportunity with a weak usurper and a heir in hand.

With something like 650% of the soldiers compared to the usurper, Halys Targaryen, and the support of anyone that I felt like bringing into the fight, it was no contest. We crushed the banners of the would-be King Halys, and installed Queen Allyria Targaryen on the Iron Throne.

Now, at age 43, I am perfectly placed to ensure Queen Allyria's rule over Westeros, and a Lannister heir to the Iron Throne.