Review responses at the bottom
This is actually not a chapter. Over on AO3, a breakdown of all the factions was requested.
... I went totally overboard on that request and wrote out more than 20 pages in factions.
Also, this was a bitch to format in html.
Anyways, you are not getting a title quote today.
Furthermore, the devided reception to chapter 22 has lead me to formulate a blanket response in addition to all the individual review responses. Both can be found at the bottom.
Lastly, I have updated the improved chapters all the way to chapter 13.
In the wake of improvement, there have been changes to chapter 8, 11 and 13. The sequence of events remains the same, if you cannot be bothered, but a few characters have been... fixed. That. More info in the blanket response.
So long, and continue to enjoy.
Factions in Westeros
Stark-Lannister-Arryn-Greyjoy faction
Leaders:
Rickard Stark, Jon Arryn, Tywin Lannister
Other known people of interest:
Quellon Greyjoy, Rodrik Stark, Kevan Lannister, Genna Lannister Frey, Tygett Lannister, Shella Whent, Stevron Frey, Brynden Tully, Eddard Stark, Ashara Dayne, Elbert Arryn, Cersei Lannister, Grandmaester Pycelle, ?
Objectives:
• Overthrowing the Targaryen dynasty
• Dissolution of the Seven Kingdoms into constituent nations
• Expansion of influence in other regions of Westeros
• ?
Forces:
• The armies of the North, the Westerlands and the Vale
• The Iron Fleet
• Allied forces in the Riverlands (Whent, Mallister, Blackwood, Frey, ?)
• The Company of the Rose and the Wolf Pack
• ?
Further assets:
• The custody of Rhaenys Targaryen, allowing for possible alliance with the Dornish faction
• The marriage of Eddard Stark and Ashara Dayne, possibly splitting the cohesion of the Dornish faction
• Betrothal between Robert Baratheon and Lyanna Stark and foster-brotherhood between Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark, making an alliance with Stormland forces possible
• The gold of the Lannisters
• Unofficial neutrality agreement between Lannister and Florent forces
• Various spy networks in Westeros and Essos, headed by different PoIs of the faction
• Loyalty of Grandmaester Pycelle to Tywin Lannister
• ?
Group cohesion:
Good, to be cemented 4 months after the Wedding that Never Was at the latest, through engagement of Cersei Lannister and Benjen Stark and the settling of Ironborn on the Stony Shore.
Threats:
• Targaryen loyalist factions within, most likely in the Vale
• Targaryen custody of Jaime Lannister
• Known dissident forces in the constituent regions, e.g. forces of Balon Greyjoy, mountain clans in the Vale, conflict between Houses Stark and Ryswell, the Sistermen
• Alliance-internal points of conflict, e.g. Stark support of dissident forces in the Vale
• Unknown value of Robert Baratheon as possible ally as his support in the Stormlands is unclear
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Good. Probably.
Aerys II Targaryen's faction
Leader:
Aerys II Targaryen
Other people of interest:
Owen Merryweather, Qarlton Chelsted, Symond Staunton, the High Septon, Grandmaester Pycelle (in theory), Varys the Spider (in theory), Lucerys Velaryon (in theory), Rhaella Targaryen (in theory), ?
Objectives:
• Keeping Aerys II on the Iron Throne
• Disinheriting the pesky crown prince and installing Viserys Targaryen as heir
• … burn stuff?
• ?
Forces:
• The loyalist armies throughout the Seven Kingdoms, particularly in the Crownlands, the Riverlands, the Vale, the Stormlands, and the Reach
• The Dornish army, as long as it is not pointed against Rickard Stark
• The Royal Fleet and the Redwyne Fleet
• The Kingsguard
• The Gold Cloaks
• ?
Further assets:
• The custody of Elia Martell and Aegon Targaryen, binding the Dornish forces to the throne
• The custody of Jaime Lannister, forcing Tywin to support Aerys (in theory)
• The most legitimate claim to the Iron Throne at present
• The pyromancers' guild
• A liaison of the institution that is the Iron Throne has been sent to the Sistermen
• ?
Group cohesion:
Poor. Just… poor.
Threats:
• Aerys II Targaryen
• Aerys II Targaryen's lack of support amongst the nobility and the smallfolk (a problem in its own, and in comparison to Rhaegar Targaryen's support amongst both nobility and smallfolk)
• A split in the loyalist faction in support for Aerys and Rhaegar
• Unclear loyalty of Aerys' inner circle, including the Small Council, the Kingsguard and his wife
• There is a not so small possibility that Aerys might just say fuck it and 'Burn them all!'
• Tywin Lannister might just decide Jaime is a lost cause and fight against Aerys anyways
• Did I mention Aerys Targaryen? Like, in general
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Reasonably well regarding Aerys. He is not complicated. Regarding his allies? Proceed with caution.
Rhaegar Targaryen's faction
Leader:
Rhaegar Targaryen
Other people of interest:
Jon Connington, Myles Mooton, Richard Lonmouth, Arthur Dayne, Elia Martell (in theory), Rhaella Targaryen (in theory), ?
Objectives:
• Getting Aerys II off the Iron Throne and putting Rhaegar there
• Preparing the Seven Kingdoms against prophesized threats
• Breeding a third head for the dragon, preferably with Lyanna Stark
• NOT burn stuff. I think this deserves a mention
• ?
• Founding Westerosi Idol and dominate the competition with dreamy voice and kick-ass harp skills (#fansubmission)
Forces:
• Household troops of Dragonstone
• Loyalist forces that do not like Aerys anymore
• Loyalist forces that do not like other loyalist forces anymore
• Some non-loyalist forces that like neither Aerys nor any other factions
• ?
Further assets:
• Marriage to Elia Martell and father to Aegon Targaryen, lending possibility to garner Dornish support
• More liked than Aerys due to NOT burning stuff
• Second best claim to the Iron Throne at present
• VERY open to negotiating with other factions
• Connington is garnering support in the Stormlands
• A liaison of the institution that is the Iron Throne has been sent to the Sistermen
• Rhaegar might not have a problem with polygamy and can, therefore, bind more houses through marriage
• ?
Group cohesion:
Used to be good, pre-Tourney at Harrenhal. Used to be ok, pre-Lyanna Stark's disappearance. Now? Questionable…
Threats:
• Aerys II Targaryen
• Rickard Stark
• The lords and smallfolk are disillusioned with Rhaegar's conduct regarding Lyanna Stark
• Rhaegar's Dornish allies (?) are probably unhappy. Including his wife
• Rhaegar's wife, who is a captive of his father. Whoopsie
• Rhaegar's allies in the Kingsguard are definitely unhappy
• The Starks have Rhaegar's daughter and his best friend's sister
• Rhaegar might be disinherited in favor of his little brother
• Rhaegar's prophecies might just be wrong, or they might not apply
• Rhaegar might just be mad because of incest (but at least he does not burn stuff. Yet.)
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Definitely not complete. Expect the unexpected.
Aegon VI Targaryen's faction
Leaders:
Rhaella Targaryen, Elia Martell
Other people of interest:
Aegon VI Targaryen, Lucerys Velaryon, Jaime Lannister, the Most Devout, ?
Objectives:
• Maintaining Targaryen rule in Westeros
• Getting Aerys II off the Iron Throne, preventing Rhaegar from taking said throne and securing it for baby Aegon
• Reestablishing credibility in the Targaryen dynasty
• Ensuring Rhaenys Targaryen's safety and maybe getting her back
• Occupation of prominent positions during Aegon's regency
• Pacify the North, the Vale, the Westerlands, the Stormlands and Dorne again after Aerys' and Rhaegar's many fuck-ups
• Survive
• ?
Forces:
• The Royal Fleet
• Loyalist forces looking for a better alternative than either Aerys or Rhaegar
• Jaime Lannister
• ?
Further assets:
• Almost no one knows that there actually IS an Aegon VI Targaryen faction, leaving Aegon VI Targaryen without explicit enemies
• Rhaella is cutting deals with the Most Devout. What kind of deals? Good question
• No one knows that the Royal Fleet's loyalty lies with Rhaella
• Loans from the Iron Bank of undisclosed amounts
• If Aegon gets a Regency Council, positions are up to be bartered
• Aegon has the third best claim to the Iron Throne at present
• Dornish support for Aegon's claim is all but ensured
• Both Rhaella's and Elia's hand might be available for further alliances
• Jaime Lannister might sway Tywin Lannister to their side
• Lysa Tully might become lady-in-waiting for Elia Martell
• ?
Group cohesion:
Tentative. Depending on the decisions of Doran Martell, Elia might split. Otherwise good.
Threats:
• Almost no one knows that there actually IS an Aegon VI Targaryen faction, leaving Aegon VI Targaryen without explicit allies
• Both Aerys Targaryen and Rhaegar Targaryen
• All the leaders of this faction are currently hostages
• Possibly Starks, Lannisters and Arryns
• Leaving the loyalist forces too splintered, or the Faith
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Spotty. Hearsay and speculation. Maybe Rhaella just rediscovered her faith?
Tarth faction
Leader:
Selwyn Tarth
Other people of interest:
Galladon Tarth, Septa Roelle a.k.a. Wenda the White Fawn, ?
Objectives:
• Net gain of influence and wealth for House Tarth
• Eradication of House Cafferen, or at least the Lord and his heir
• ?
Forces:
• The army of House Tarth
• The remnants of the Kingswood brotherhood
• ?
Further assets:
• Links to the leadership of the Golden Company
• Allied with House Swann
• Very mercenary in attitude, can choose the winning side
• Geographically easily defensible on an island in Shipbreaker's Bay
• ?
Group cohesion:
Great. I mean, does it count as a group if it is basically just one dude as of yet?
Threats:
• Golden Company might have better offers or different loyalties
• The other factions might just take issue with the Golden Company coming to Westeros AGAIN
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Lackluster. We only know the barest of the bare bones of the Tarths. As of now.
Dornish faction
Leader:
Doran Martell
Other people of interest:
Oberyn Martell, Mellario of Norvos, Ormond Yronwood, Areo Hotah, ?
Objectives:
• The safety of Elia Martell, Rhaenys Targaryen and Aegon Targaryen
• Securing the birthright of Aegon VI Targaryen to the Iron Throne
• The expansion of Dornish influence
• ?
Forces:
• The army of Dorne
• ?
Further assets:
• Diplomatic ties with Norvos and the Bearded Priests
• Possible alliance with the Stark-Lannister-Arryn faction
• Possible alliance with the Aegon VI Targaryen faction
• Connections with the Second Sons
• ?
Group cohesion:
Tight. Keeping it all in the family. Mostly.
Threats:
• Aerys Targaryen has custody of both Elia Martell and Aegon Targaryen
• Rickard Stark has custody of Rhaenys Targaryen
• The situation in Essos is becoming… difficult
• House Dayne's loyalty may be to another faction, possibly Rhaegar Targaryen's or Rickard Stark's
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Unclear. We only have the lens of a non-native to go by. Though, she does have a better grasp on the Essosi situation.
Florent-Tully faction
Leader:
Alester Florent
Other people of interest:
Hoster Tully, Randyll Tarly, Jonos Bracken, ?
Objectives:
• Taking the paramountcy of the Reach away from the Tyrells
• Maintaining the paramountcy of the Riverlands in the hands of House Tully
• Keeping a Targaryen king on the Iron Throne for stability
• ?
Forces:
• The army of House Florent and its allies, including House Tarly and House Crane
• The army of the Riverlands loyal to House Tully
• ?
Further assets:
• Unofficial agreement of neutrality with House Lannister in return for land concessions in the Reach
• Presumably, the element of surprise regarding the Tully-Florent coalition when attacking House Tyrell on different fronts
• Probably the neutrality of House Hightower, as Oldtown is sandwiched between Horn Hill and Brightwater Keep and as Leyton Hightower is married to Rhea Florent
• The nominal leader of their primary enemy faction is Mace Tyrell
• ?
Group cohesion:
Probably very good. Everyone's family or about to be family. And the Tullys (specifically Hoster) were given a chance to keep a hold of power through this alliance. Necessity builds trust.
Threats:
• House Tyrell commands more men than House Florent. Right now
• The Redwynes are linked to the Tyrells twice in as many generations
• The neutrality agreement with Tywin Lannister is unofficial
• Horn Hill borders Dorne
• The Hightowers might break their neutral stance
• Both the Reach and the Riverlands are politically very fractured
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Unknown. All available information is based on the testimony of third people.
Tyrell faction
Leaders:
Mace Tyrell (nominally), Olenna Tyrell (actually)
Other people of interest:
Paxter Redwyne, Mathis Rowan, Arwyn Oakheart, Mina Tyrell, ?
Objectives:
• Maintaining the Tyrell's paramountcy in the Reach
• Maintaining the Targaryen dynasty's hegemony in the Seven kingdoms
• Protecting the Reach's territory from infringements from other kingdoms
• Quelling the expected Florent revolt
• ?
Forces:
• The armies of the Tyrells, the Rowans and the Oakhearts as well as other sworn banners
• The Redwyne fleet
• ?
Further assets:
• Mina Tyrell is heading towards Essos to procure sellsword companies and slave soldiers
• Vast funds in the Bank of Oldtown
• Mace's three sons are available for betrothal contracts
• Mutual support with a Targaryen faction, probably Aerys', maybe additionally with Aegon's
• ?
Group cohesion:
A tight core exists, primarily between those Houses bound by marriage: Tyrell and Redwyne primarily, Rowan to a lesser degree. The prioritization of the objectives of Houses Rowan and Oakheart is likely to differ from that of the Tyrells.
Threats:
• The Florents
• Dorne and the Westerlands
• Maybe the Riverlands and Stormlands
• At least one of the Targaryen factions
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
The basic information is probably solid, but much else might be based on speculation.
Hightower faction
Leader:
Leyton Hightower
Other people of interest:
The Starry Septon, Malora Hightower, Maester Marwyn, the Seneshal and the Conclave(maybe), ?
Objectives:
• Continued prosperity of House Hightower
• Continued unity of the Faith
• Neutrality in the coming war
• Ideally a Tyrell victory in the Reach
• Ideally a power shift in the Faith from King's Landing to Oldtown
• Ascertaining the current state of magic and the inherent dangers of it
• ?
Forces:
• The army of House Hightower
• The Oldtown city guard
• ?
Further assets:
• Familial ties to both the Tyrell and the Florent-Tully faction
• Large amounts of influence with the Faith in the Reach and beyond
• Large amounts of influence with the Citadel and the assignment of Maesters
• Ownership of the Bank of Oldtown
• ?
Group cohesion:
Difficult. The objectives of House Hightower may differ from the objectives of the Starry Sept and the Citadel. Little is known.
Threats:
• A protracted civil war in the Reach, forcing the Hightowers to pick a side
• A fracturing of the Faith
• Varys being up to stuff
• Known status as former Blackfyre supporters
• Whatever is happening to magic, though, that may be a threat to everyone
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Obtuse. Anything dealing with magic is. The stance of the Citadel in general is unclear.
Sistermen faction
Leader:
Triston Sunderland (nominally), Grendl Borrell (actually)
Other people of interest:
Godric Borrell, ?
Objectives:
• To be left to their own devices
• To continue as a safe harbor for smugglers
• For House Borrell to usurp House Sunderland
• ?
Forces:
• Armies and fleets of the Sisters
• Smugglers?
• ?
Further assets:
• Offer to be installed as fleet harbor from the Iron Throne
• Control of the Bite
• Geographic defensibility (and manipulation of guiding lights)
• Diplomatic mission with the Starks
• ?
Group cohesion:
Hard to guess. Probably no fondness between Borrells and Sunderlands. Information may be faulty.
Threats:
• Any type of law enforcement
• Tax collectors
• Victims of piracy
• Potentially the Vale, the North, or the Iron Throne
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
False information is a pet peeve of Sistermen. They use fake guiding lights to sink ships! Therefore, never trust information from a Sisterman!
The Night's Watch
Leader:
Lord Commander Qorgyle
Other people of interest:
Maester Aemon Targaryen, Denys Mallister, Maester Mullin, ?
Objectives:
• To hold the Wall
• To guard the realms of men
• ?
Forces:
• ~1.000 brothers of the Night's Watch
• Some ships off Eastwatch-by-the-Sea
• ?
Further assets:
• Not involved in internal conflicts of the Seven Kingdoms
• Probably halfway decent relationship with several noble houses of the North
• Familial ties to the Targaryen dynasty
• Probably the support of Rhaegar Targaryen against vague threats of prophecy
• ?
Group cohesion:
Unknown. A penal colony of murderers, rapists, and thieves with the odd volunteer. Does not seem to be a promising mix.
Threats:
• Those-who-Come-with-the-Cold
• The wildlings, or free folk
• Decline of the order over a time of ~280 years
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Terrible. We have not seen the brothers of the Night's Watch interact with each other a lot.
Those-who-Come-with-the-Cold
Leader:
He-who-Rules-the-Winds-of-Winter
Other people of interest:
He-who-Buries-Mountains-in-Snow, ?
Objectives:
?
Forces:
• An unknown number of White Walkers and ice spiders
• ?
Further assets:
• A treaty with House Stark
• Magic(?)
• ?
Group cohesion:
Unknown. Leader known as god-king, though. Might have different connotation within the Other race.
Threats:
• The Night's Watch (probably)
• Humanity (maybe)
• The Children of the Forest (likely)
• Fire and obsidian (they know)
• Valyrian steel (they do not know)
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Lackluster. Most information is dated, around 8.000 years old. Much is lost. Do not trust anything.
Miscellaneous factions in Westeros
Diverse factions we have not seen much of, but which are (probably) there (somewhere in Westeros), of which we know little to nothing in terms of leaders, people of interest, objectives, forces, assets, group cohesion or threats
• Former Blackfyre supporters, amongst others House Peake, House Butterwell, House Osgrey
• The regional centers of the Faith in King's Landing and Oldtown and beyond, presumably in Sunspear, White Harbor, Highgarden, and the Eyrie
• The mountain clansmen of the Vale
• The Green Men on the Isle of Faces
• The Orphans of the Greenblood
• The different free folk tribes beyond the Wall
• The Citadel
• Pirate kings in the Stepstones (debatable whether that counts as Westeros or Essos)
• ?
Factions in Essos
Blackfyre faction
Leader:
Serra Blackfyre
Other people of interest:
Varys Blackfyre, Illyrio Mopatis, ?
Objectives:
• Usurpation of the Iron Throne and overthrowing of the Targaryen dynasty
• Reestablishing House Blackfyre in Westeros
• ?
Forces:
• ?
Further assets:
• Varys Blackfyre, sitting on the Small Council as Master of Whispers, supports House Blackfyre
• The Blackfyres command a vast spy network in Westeros and Essos
• House Blackfyre possesses known connections to the Golden Company
• House Blackfyre possesses known connections to many noble houses in Westeros
• Illyrio Mopatis is rich, filthy rich
• … slaves?
• ?
Group cohesion:
Tight. Serra has her co-conspirators by the balls. Literally.
Threats:
• Many connections to houses in Westeros are defunct
• Myles Toyne, leader of the Golden Company, might prioritize other things above Blackfyre supremacy
• There is no eligible male claimant to the Iron Throne of the Blackfyre line
• The Blackfyres are not exactly the most popular family in Westeros
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Difficult to evaluate. Varys might be running a counterintelligence campaign.
The Golden Company
Leader:
Myles Toyne
Other people of interest:
Harry Strickland, Black Balaq, ?
Objectives:
• Money
• Restauration of exiled Westerosi houses
• Maybe replacing the Targaryen dynasty with House Blackfyre(?)
• ?
Forces:
• 10.000 fighting men, including 500 knights and 1000 bowmen
• 25 war elephants
• ?
Further assets:
• Ties to the Tarth faction
• Ties to the Blackfyre faction
• Ties to numerous houses in Westeros
• Maybe possession of the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre
• Stellar reputation among all Free Cities and other forces in Essos
• ?
Group cohesion:
Unknown.
Threats:
• Mistrusted in Westeros due to support of Blackfyre rebellions
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Uncertain. Proceed with caution.
Braavosi factions
Leader:
Sealord (disputed)
Other people of interest:
Syrio Forel, Keyholder, Magister, Faceless Men, ?
Objectives (varied, but include):
• Continued Braavosi hegemony at sea
• Suppression and control of Pentos and Lorath
• Abundant trade
• Economic interests of the Iron Bank
• The abolishment of slavery
• That Volantis remains ruled by the Elephants
• ?
Forces:
• Fleet of Braavos
• Army of Braavos (?)
• Contracted sellsword companies (?)
• ?
Further assets:
• Fighting Bravos in the city, possible to conscript
• The Faceless Men
• The elite guard of the Sealord, including the First Sword of Braavos
• The economic power of the Iron Bank
• Pentos and Lorath remain under Braavosi influence
• ?
Group cohesion:
Cordial between some forces within, not so much with others. Difficult to estimate.
Threats:
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by Tigers
• Dothraki
• Norvos
• Revolts in Pentos and/or Lorath
• Possibly Ibben
• Possibly Myr, Tyrosh and/or Lys
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Mostly speculative.
Pentoshi factions
Leader:
Prince of Pentos (largely ceremonial)
Other people of interest:
Magister, Illyrio Mopatis, Serra Blackfyre, ?
Objectives:
• Independence from Braavosi influence and repeal of concessions
• Independent pursuit of wealth by the various Magister
• ?
Forces:
• 20 warships
• ?
Further assets:
• Great wealth of the many magisters
• Relatively good rapport with the Dothraki
• ?
Group cohesion:
Probably pathetic.
Threats:
• Braavos
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by the Tigers
• Dothraki
• Possibly Myr, Tyrosh, Lys, Norvos and/or Qohor
• The Windblown sellsword company
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Terrible. Seriously.
Myrish factions
Leader:
?
Other people of interest:
Magister, ?
Objectives:
• Maintaining their technological advantage in manufacturing
• Conquest of Disputed Lands and the Stepstones
• ?
Forces:
• Myrish fleet
• Crossbow companies
• ?
Further assets:
• Great wealth of the many magisters
• Relatively good rapport with the Dothraki
• Technological advantage
• ?
Group cohesion:
Also probably pathetic. Better than Pentos, though.
Threats:
• Tyrosh and Lys
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by the Tigers
• Dothraki
• Possibly Braavos, Norvos and/or Qohor
• Pirate kings of the Stepstones
• Summer Islander slave liberators
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Terrible. Seriously.
Tyroshi factions
Leader:
Archon of Tyrosh
Other people of interest:
Magister, ?
Objectives:
• Control of the dye market
• Conquest of Disputed Lands and the Stepstones
• ?
Forces:
• Tyroshi fleet
• ?
Further assets:
• Great wealth of the many magisters
• Relatively good rapport with the Dothraki
• ?
Group cohesion:
Also probably pathetic. Better than Pentos, though.
Threats:
• Lys and Myr
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by the Tigers
• Dothraki
• Possibly Braavos, Norvos and/or Qohor
• Pirate kings of the Stepstones
• Summer Islander slave liberators
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Terrible. Seriously.
Lyseni factions
Leader:
First Magister of Lys
Other people of interest:
Gonfaloniere, Magister, ?
Objectives:
• Hegemony in the trades of flesh and poisons
• Conquest of Disputed Lands and the Stepstones
• ?
Forces:
• Lyseni fleet
• ?
Further assets:
• Great wealth of the many magisters
• Relatively good rapport with the Dothraki
• ?
Group cohesion:
Also probably pathetic. Better than Pentos, though.
Threats:
• Tyrosh and Myr
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by the Tigers
• Dothraki
• Possibly Braavos, Norvos and/or Qohor
• Pirate kings of the Stepstones
• Summer Islander slave liberators
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Terrible. Seriously.
Norvoshi faction
Leader:
Head of the church of the Bearded Priests ( unknown)
Other people of interest:
Bearded Priests, Magister, Mellario of Norvos, ?
Objectives:
• Continued dominance of the Bearded Priests in Norvos and the expansion of their influence
• Pulling Lorath into its sphere of influence (replacing Braavos) and gaining control of their port on the Shivering Sea
• Eradication of the church of the Black Goat of Qohor
• ?
Forces:
• Holy Guard
• ?
Further assets:
• Diplomatic ties with Dorne and House Martell
• Relatively good rapport with the Dothraki
• Historical alliances with Qohor against expansionist Volantene ambitions
• Fanatical zealots
• ?
Group cohesion:
Monolithic. Bearded brother is watching you.
Threats:
• Braavos
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by the Tigers
• Dothraki
• Historical enmity with Qohor (in particular the church of the Black Goat of Qohor)
• Possibly Myr, Tyrosh, Lys
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Reasonably solid. Horribly incomplete, though.
Qohori faction
Leader:
- (fractured)
Other people of interest:
Priests of the Black Goat, sorcerers, ?
Objectives:
• Continued dominion over the Forest of Qohor
• Continued control of trading routes to Vaes Dothrak
• Maintaining their advantage in smithing technologies
• Freedom from roaming Dothraki khals (especially khal Zekko at the moment)
• ?
Forces:
• Small city watch
• Unsullied contingents
• ?
Further assets:
• Well-established hunters' guild
• Superior weapons and armor
• Historical alliances with Norvos against expansionist Volantene ambitions
• Fanatical zealots
• ?
Group cohesion:
Generally terrible, but united against foreign threats.
Threats:
• Dothraki
• Volantis, if it comes to be ruled by the Tigers
• Historical enmity with Norvos (in particular between the church of the Black Goat and the Bearded Priests)
• Possibly Myr, Tyrosh, Lys
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Uncertain and largely incomplete.
Volantene factions
Leaders:
• Elephants: Doniphos Paenymion, 2nd Triarch of the Elephants
• Tigers: Malaquo Maegyr
• Slave insurgency: The Widow of the Waterfront (Grace)
• Church of R'hllor: Highpriest Benerro
• Criminal Gangs: The Fourth Yearling, the Father of Orphans, the Slum Dog Keeper, the Prince of Knives, the Widow of the Waterfront, ?
• ?
Other people of interest:
General Brevanno Tagaros (Tigers), Batanes the Bloody Blade (2nd in command to the Prince of Knives), ?
Objectives:
• Elephants: Proliferation of trade, ?
• Tigers: Military expansion, ?
• Slave insurgency: Freedom for the enslaved and the abolition of slavery, ?
• Church of R'hllor: Defeating the Great Other, ?
• Criminal gangs: Proliferation of wealth, increase in influence, ?
• ?
Forces:
• Elephants and Tigers: The armies of Volantis, slave companies, sellswords, the city guard, ?
• Slave insurgency: The enslaved proletariat, ?
• Church of R'hllor: The Fiery Hand, zealots, ?
• Criminal gangs: Enforcers, murderers, thieves, fences, pick-pockets, informants, etc., ?
• ?
Further assets:
• Unity of Tigers and Elephants, overall leadership subject to yearly election of Triarchs
• Accord reached between criminal gangs about division of the city and specialization of work
• Slave insurgency and Church of R'hllor speak to the same people, partially aligning interests
• ?
Group cohesion:
Varied. To many groups to go into detail. Dependent on external threats.
Threats:
• Something is wrong with magic. Does the Lord of Light have the answer? Will he tell his followers?
• The Slave insurgency does not really get along with members of the Old Blood, be they Elephants or Tigers. Not surprising, considering they have to be slaves to someone before they are freed
• The Tigers coming into power would probably see the entirety of the rest of the Free Cities find common ground against them. Whoopsie
• Dothraki
• Braavos, Qohor and Norvos, the Three Daughters
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Sketchy. While the political forces are well established and the Church of R'hllor a known quantity, the other forces are operating in the underground. Maybe there isn't even a Slave insurgency?
Lorathi faction
Leaders:
Harvest Prince, Fisher Prince and Prince of the Streets (nominally); Council of Magisters (publically); Braavosi ambassador (hush hush behind the scenes)
Other people of interest:
magister, textile merchants, ?
Objectives:
• Continued protection of Braavos against Ibbenese and Norvoshi incursions
• Greater autonomy beneath Braavos' boot
• Maintaining their significant stake in the textile trade
• Continued control of Morosh and its further colonial development
• Control and acknowledgement thereof of the Bay of Lorath and its fishing grounds
• Continued survival in relative isolation
• ?
Forces:
• …
• ?
Further assets:
• Nobody really considers Lorath a threat to their own interest (they really aren't)
• Lorath status as a Braavosi protectorate (preferred euphemism in Lorath for puppet state)
• It is unlikely that even an expansionist Volantis under Tiger rule would grow powerful enough to bother threatening Lorath's meagre objectives
• Lorath itself is comprised of islands. Dothraki don't bother them, because water
• I just have to repeat this: Dothraki don't bother Lorath, because water
• ?
Group cohesion:
Like… I don't know? Seriously, it took me several read throughs to realize I forgot writing a Lorathi faction. They're, like, really insignificant. Nobody cares to know how well they stick together, for even united Lorath isn't really a threat to anyone.
Threats:
• Braavos increasing their protection fee and their raiding of Lorathi fishing grounds
• Ibben increasing their raiding of Lorathi fishing grounds, or straight up seizing Morosh as their own colony
• Norvos gaining an interest in acquiring a Shivering Sea port
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
There is a Lorath. That much is certain. Aside from that, everyone agrees Lorath is to insignificant to bother gathering in-depth intelligence on.
Qartheen factions
Leader:
• Pureborn: Sitters of a Thousand Thrones
• The Thirteen: The Thirteen (duh!), among them Xaro Xhoan Daxos
• Tourmaline Brotherhood: The Tourmaline Father
• Ancient Guild of Spicers: The Most Ancient Guildmaster
• Sorrowful Men: The Man of Sorrows
• House of the Undying: Undying Ones
• ?
Other people of interest:
Keeper of the Long List, Opener of the Door, ?
Objectives:
• Pureborn: Power and influence, ?
• Thirteen, Tourmaline Brotherhood, Ancient Guild of Spicers: Proliferation of trade and wealth, ?
• Sorrowful Men: Proliferation of wealth, assignments, ?
• House of the Undying: immortality, the Philisopher's Stone, the One Ring, ?
• ?
Forces:
• Pureborn: Civic Guard, camelry, Qartheen fleet, ?
• Thirteen, Tourmaline Brotherhood, Ancient Guild of Spicers: Merchant fleets, sellswords, ?
• Sorrowful Men: themselves, ?
• House of the Undying: warlocks, ?
• ?
Further assets:
• The Pureborn control the Jade Gates, giving them the possibility to disrupt mercantile trade.
• The 3 merchant organizations are wealthy. Very wealthy.
• The Sorrowful Men serve the highest bidder, their contracts are not personal.
• Who even knows what tricks the warlocks have hidden?
• ?
Group cohesion:
Depending on the faction atrocious to great.
Threats:
• Dothraki
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Qarth is a place far away, so information may be exaggerated, outdated and sometimes simply wrong. Scratch that. Information exaggerated, outdated and sometimes simply wrong.
Dothraki factions
Leader:
Dosh khaleen, khals (e.g. khal Zekko)
Other people of interest:
?
Objectives:
• Fight
• Fuck
• Feast
• ?
Forces:
• Hordes of light cavalry
• ?
Further assets:
• Support of Slaver's Bay
• Wealth in gifts from the Free Cities and Qarth
• Fearsome reputation, Free Cities and Qarth bribe them rather than fight them
• ?
Group cohesion:
Inside Vaes Dothrak? Good. Outside Vaes Dothrak? Bad.
Threats:
• Kingdom of the Ifeqevron (do they even still exist?)
• Literally every city in Essos west of the Bone Mountains, but they would rather bribe the Dothraki
• Ibben is pissed because their colonies are gone (a few times over)
• Every Dothraki in Vaes Dothrak is unarmed
• … dunno, dragons?
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
As Dothraki do not have a written language and their knowledge is passed on orally, the truth contained in this report may have changed on the way.
Slaver's Bay factions
Leaders:
• Meereen: Great Masters
• Yunkai: Wise Masters
• Astapor: Good Masters
• New Ghis: ?
• Temple of the Graces: Green Graces (Meereenese Green Grace: Galazza Galare)
• ?
Other people of interest:
?
Objectives:
• Proliferation of wealth by trading in slaves
• ?
Forces:
• Meereen: City guard, pit slaves, slave swordsmen, ?
• Yunkai: around 5.000 slave soldiers, ?
• Astapor: Unsullied, pit slaves, mounted Astapori guards, ?
• New Ghis: Iron legions, ?
• ?
Further assets:
• Good relations with the Dothraki
• Wealthy slavers
• Good business relations with all Essosi cities except Braavos
• ?
Group cohesion:
Unknown.
Threats:
• Dothraki
• Braavos
• Summer Islanders
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Non-existent.
Saathi faction
Leader:
?
Other people of interest:
?
Objectives:
• Reestablishing the Kingdom of Sarnor
• Reconquest of the area of the Kingdom of Sarnor
• Killing Dothraki
• ?
Forces:
• ?
Further assets:
• Ibben's got their back (probably)
• ?
Group cohesion:
No idea.
Threats:
• Dothraki
• Braavos
• Ibben withdrawing their protection
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
No. Just, no.
Ibbenese faction
Leaders:
Sitters on the Shadow Council
Other people of interest:
The Thousand, ?
Objectives:
• Hegemony in the Shivering Sea
• Monopoly on the whale trade
• Reestablishment of Ibbenese colonies in Northern Essos
• ?
Forces:
• Large fleets
• Penal colony soldiers from Ib Sar
• ?
Further assets:
• Great Wealth
• Great defensibility
• Good trade relations with pretty much every seafaring nation
• ?
Group cohesion:
Unknown.
Threats:
• Dothraki
• Braavosi fleets (?)
• Slavers
• ?
Quality and accuracy of information in this report:
Scratching the bottom of the barrel.
Miscellaneous factions in Essos and the rest of the Known World
Diverse factions we have not seen much of, but which are (probably) there (somewhere in Essos, Ulthos, Sothoryos or in between) of which we know little to nothing about people of interest, objectives, forces, assets, group cohesion or threats
• Diverse sellsword companies in Essos (e.g. Second Sons, Windblown)
• Summer Islander factions (divers)
• Naath
• Pirates of the Basilisk Isles
• Lhazareen (Hesh, Lhazosh, Kosrak)
• Mantarys, Elyria, Tolos
• Port Yhos, Qarkash (under Qarthi influence)
• Cities on the Cinnamon Straits (Faros, Vahar, Port Moraq, Zabhad)
• Jogos Nhai
• Kingdom of N'ghai (Nefer)
• Yi Ti
• Leng
• Church of Starry Wisdom
• Factions of Asshai-by-the-Shadow:
̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ Shadowbinders
̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ Spellsinger
̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ Aeromancers
̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ Warlocks
̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ?
• ?
With this Part I of "Idiots, lackwits and imbeciles - The Trials of Rickard Stark trying to save Westeros from Incompetence" has reached its conclusion.
Tomorrow Part II starts, the chapter is already written. Here's a spoiler for you: The next chapter title is "Burn them all!"
So, before I go into individual review responses, this is the first (and hopefully only) time that I am writing a blanket response as the reviews and opinions on my last chapter were… divided. That. Also, apologies for the length of this blanket response.
Do not worry, this will not be a rant against any review you guys posted, because I am thankful for all of them. I also AM replying to each review individually further down. Now, to a certain point I understand both sides, those that like my treatment of the B/A/N dynamic and those that just do not care about the plotline.
Because honestly? I, for example, do not really care for Jon's or Dany's chapter in GRRM's books. Their plotlines just do not do it for me. And yet, there are fans that read ASOIAF primarily because Jon's (or Dany's) plotline is their cup of tea. I mostly read them for plot relevance, to be honest.
Now, back to my story, quite a few reviews have complained about the B/A/N storyline is taking over the whole story, out of character, uninspired, getting stale, irritating or based in my unending loathing of Brandon as a character. And I have read those, looked at my story so far, did some in depth reading and looked for mistakes I have made. It's just.
The thing is, I… do not hate Brandon. Like, at all. I mean, his character is the one I put the second-most effort crafting into. He is one of seven characters that has gotten more than one POV (3 out of 36 to be exact, counting Vic's diary), tying in frequency with Shella Whent. He is a relevant character in other POV's at times, but even in the first of Ashara's two POVs he is only addressed a little at the beginning. Now let me address the criticisms (which I even partially agree on).
Looking at the B/A/N part of the story against the politics and everything else, the dynamic isn't even taking up a fifth of the whole story. And at the same time, it is drenched in dynastic politics and tied to Rickard vs. Hoster. So, the whole thing isn't even separate from the political aspect of this story.
In short, I just do not really see their dynamic taking over the story. Especially considering that already in chapter 8 I set up the split of the group with Brandon going south to Starfall after the wedding. The plotline between the three NEEDED a conclusion post-Riverrun. Cause, it was the erstwhile end. Brandon is going different places from Ash and Ned now. So, for the first time in the whole story, chapter 22 featured no politics. One chapter, out of 22, that is just not taking over the story.
Now, is Brandon out of character? Yeah. Canon-wise, I mean, he should be dead, for one. But then, we just don't know much of anything about canon-Brandon. Looking at canon, ASOIAF plays more than a decade after the time I am looking at. I am saying, we do not have reliable canon characters for the time I am setting my story in.
Now, imo, the biggest mistake I made for OOC characters is that my own characters are inconsistent between chapter 1 and chapter… 13ish (?). Thing is, this whole story started as a humorous one shot over on AO3. Then it snowballed chapter by chapter into something serious. And yet, by chapter 5 Brandon hat been cast as physical comedy relief and Ned-in-absentia had gotten a reputation as a Casanova through third-people-mentions. Cause, at the time I found it hilarious. So, Brandon kept getting slapped and Ashara and Ned were used for very unsubtle innuendo.
… that is a terrible cast of characters to tackle something like sexual assault. Especially as I kept the three in their old roles when other characters were in POV. I think I was trying to hold onto the cast of the comedic one-shot this started as. What I am saying, the way I introduced my Ned, my Shara and my Brandon, they are incompatible with the storyline I set them on. And, reading my own story, that was jarring. That had already been a motivator to improve the earlier chapters.
The good news about all that: I've (imo) fixed my chapters up to chapter 13 now. That included significantly toning down physical comedy involving Brandon and Ashara's behavior in public. The most significant changes are in chapter 8, 11 and 13, namely Ned's and Ashara's arrival at the group, Ned's wedding negotiation with Rickard and the whole voyeuristic Ned-Brandon discussion. It's still a voyeuristic discussion, mind you, but the set up is heavily changed and the smut is… better. Probably not good, but less terrible.
Now, uninspired is the one accusation I actually resent, and the one I believe every single writer would. Is a storyline involving sexual assault the new invention of the next big thing? No. Is it something inherently bland because another writer has written a sexual assault storyline? That is ridiculous. I am more of a style over substance writer, and I believe character arcs or progression are almost impossible to invent anew. Most of anything has been written before. But, it's been written differently.
I actually do not think I've read a story where Brandon is the big bad to Ashara. Callous? Sure. Promiscuous? Sure. Pump-and-dump? Like, somewhere in the background? Thing is, on one hand accusing a writer of intentionally copying preexisting content (on a fanfiction site of all thing) I consider somewhat bad taste. I mean, there definitely is unconscious influences on a writer's work from stories they have read. But that a writer emulates formulaic character stereotypes and dynamics because of laziness, or projecting intentions (especially nefarious) onto the writing of a certain character? You can dislike a story, but those assumptions about the writer can be disheartening.
Well, that's enough on that, to stale and irritating for last. Like, my bad? I can't talk you into liking plotlines you don't like, or decisions characters have made. Maybe here it might be rooted in the OOC-ness I addressed above, or it's just not for you, like my problem with Jon and Dany. (Or Euron in the series, god did I hate his adaption). Still, if you found the story line stale up to here, I mean, it's been resolved for the foreseeable future. Secondary focus of the story is likely to shift from B/A/N to elsewhere now (wink* death of magic *wink).
Well, that's it. If any of you still feel I attacked you personally, well, that was not my intention. And hey, just as everything before, I am open to discussing this blanket response, too.
Now, on to individual review responses.
Review responses
Guest: Keanu says what?
ashenerden: Not gonna lie, that of course bums me a little. Still, as said above, Brandon has split from the party including Ned and Shara now, so you won't have to read their dynamic again too soon. Aside, do continue to enjoy and thanks for your comment.
HaywireEagle: Well, like above, that bums me a little and the three have been split up now. Aside, what do you mean by overly done? As in, other writers wrote the same in droves and mine's just stylistically adequate, or it has taken too much from what you like in my story? Also, I always associated melodramatic with shallow, languid tragedy. Which I honestly cannot see in my B/A/N dynamic because I have written them to spit fire at each other. Therefore, I am curious how you mean melodramatic. Hope the next side plot will not have you skipping chapters and thanks for the comment.
Chillingbear: :D
Bishop1775: Well, Brandon is probably not going to kill himself. And aside from Ashara, the others don't hate him (just as I don't). Like, Ned's conflicted and Rickard is ensuring Ned's succession as uncontestable, but they've always been nuanced towards Brandon. Like I have tried writing him nuanced, especially in his POVs. Besides, original stipulation is that Rickard cannot give Brandon a minor holding… Also, I'd say old Walder is probably the most vile being to ever live in public, and in canon he's at his 8th wife. In Westeros, you cannot be vile enough! Aside, thanks for the comment and next chapter (already written) is back to politics again.
Dovack: Thanks! I hope?
Siriusly Grim: Thanks :D Glad you enjoyed it; I actually consider last chapter to be my best dialog so far. Catharsis was absolutely what I was going for.
Estralde: Glad to entertain you :D When I wrote the title and the first chapter I had pure crack in mind, and after I actually just wanted to have Rickard randomly appear in scenes where characters are behaving stupid to slap them hard and set them right. … than I wrote chapter two. Well, snowballs. Happy to have people enjoying the B/A/N dynamic here! I've often seen forgiveness easy to preach for others. I… just don't agree? Awesome that there are people agreeing in not agreeing!
red demon161: Acceptance and forgiveness are simply different beasts. I highly admire people who can forgive serious offences. I do not think I could. But yeah, cleaning the wound before healing. Great to see you enjoy my story.
larsdewit: Well, we are back to politics the next chapter. And politics and assassination the one after. Plus, an upcoming entry in Vic's dairy. Diary. That. No need to feel sorry for preferring part of my story over the other. Writing a purely rational political scheming fic wouldn't do it for me, I guess, and with relationship writing I've got more growing pains. And smut. Well. Live and learn. Do continue to enjoy.
00-night-eyes-00: And more is coming. Tomorrow. Politics and history. Stay tuned 😊
Ruki88: Rickard's the next POV. And the way peeps are swooning over Rickard, I better do decide who he is gonna end up with at some point. Thanks for enjoying.
BadReader: Like, unreadable is a stretch. And ruined the story, too. Also, this story started as a one-shot crack fic. 22 is the only chapter so far that is solely about B/A/N. And I honestly do not see where Brandon ever comes off as incompetent, except from his time in storming KL. Wrong, callous, and amoral? Yeah, I can see that. Though, I have not written him stupid. The good news, I AM over this part of the story, for now. As written since chapter 8, Brandon splits from the party here. And I honestly do think it a shame you skipped my last chapter because imo I have written my best dialog there thus far. Aside from that, back to politics next chapter. I hope you enjoy that more. But if you comment on other fics in the future, please do not use words like unreadable or ruin the story. Us writers, even childish revenge fic writing character bashers, are not characters to bash.
moonstar99: Happy to hear that 😊I don't know yet if Ashara will ever forgive Brandon, but for now time apart will do them good. Cersei will have an arc I am looking forward to quite a lot, and I hope I can write it to your satisfaction. So long, continue to enjoy
BlueTdragon: That's, well, kinda sad to hear. That you skipped the chapter, I mean, because it's been the conclusion for B/A/N's arc so far, and despite what you think, I do not hate Brandon at all. Or went about bashing him, all the time. I've been careful to write especially Brandon's character in his POVs as nuanced. Your comment makes me think I partially failed in that, but then, character bashing I usually associate with characters that while starting out terrible are also continuously written as nothing BUT terrible. And the amount of content dedicated to Brandon really is rather small, overall. Anyways, Brandon ain't dying soon, but he's off the stage for now. Thank you for your comment, but when you start with the fact that you haven't read a chapter, I am a little hesitant on your advice on how to handle the characters from exactly the chapter you skipped.
Karmic Acumen: I… actually do not know of any dedicated anti-Brandon fanon? And as you said, we almost know nothing of Brandon than the fact that he pushed Ashara towards Ned. Isn't it my prerogative, then, to ascribe him with motivation if we have not been given any? Also, it's usually easy to recognize people you know intimately pining for someone. You do not have to be perceptive for that. But all that is a matter of disagreement where I don't think your standpoint is definitely wrong. Where I strongly disagree is with your presumption on how I intend to handle Lyanna. Not because it may be wrong or right, but because it is patronizing to me as an author. Just as people telling me what exactly I should focus on, but that is more explainable by preference than wild and possibly unkind assumptions. Now, why could I not have left it with Brandon having screwed up at court? Because I did not want to, and this is my story. It would have been a shallow thing, considering Aerys' madness. I'm kinda sad you find Ashara unsympathetic because of empathy with the perp in her case, but tell me, what IS any story except fabricated? Anyways, your comment had me rather heated, not because of our disagreement, but because of an incendiary writing sprinkled with assumptions towards my intent coupled with the presumption of stated-as irrefutable advice on how I should have written and continue to write my story. The thing I appreciated most about your comment, though, is that you are obviously invested and at least a little passionate about my story, which I am happy about. But your assumptions I resent.
Max20.7: God, I hate redemption through sacrifice! Do not worry, that will not happen here. Not saying Brandon might not die, not saying that might not be PART OF any redemption he may receive, but the situation you described will not happen. And yeah, just because the wound has been cleaned now does not mean the B/A/ N dynamic will get any less messy. Just, removed from the story for now. Aside from that, even after Benjen marries Cersei, Brandon's place in the succession is probably more somewhere behind any daughters Lyanna might have. Yeah, that far back. His story simply is not about reclaiming his succession rights. Nobody wants to have allies that are too strong, but just as the Lannisters and the Starks have their hidden cards, so too do the Arryns. Sistermen are coming up more in the chapter that'll be up tomorrow. Thanks for your comment and stay tuned 😉
-Black-Riddle-Malfoy: Hard to read bad because so many emotions or hard to read good because so many emotions? I am assuming good, so thanks, but if I'm wrong do tell. Thanks for your comment
judedota: Yours is one of my favorite reviews I've received on this story so far, so I am warning you that this is probably going to be a lengthy response (and that the structuring might be a little all over). Well, first of, the banquet and Rickard vs. Hoster have been amongst my favorite parts to write in this story, so I am glad you found so much enjoyment in them. Of course, the opening chapter was a blast to write as well, but that was a different beast from everything that followed. This whole story has not followed a master plan (or much of a plan at all in the beginning) but grew with each chapter. Not like GRRM gardener, there was not even a reference frame. Rickard for me was also the pivot from dignified and stern dude to realpolitik-abiding cutthroat with a bleeding heart for unfortunate daughters. And that flip was fun, so as I wrote on, I continued flipping characters. Ned became a silver-tongued sex god, Brandon started pining for his lost love Barbrey, Elia became the exact opposite of a meek hostage and Rhaella was elevated to possible queen in the shadows. The other characters developed as foils of those, or dependents. After, I just started throwing in known unknowns like Shella and Mellario. We always knew they existed, but they could be anything. So, I ran with that 'could be anything'. Well, I just started throwing stuff together with time to see if I could break the escalation scale, and that just continued to be fun to write. Now regarding the part you termed not so great. The one thing I apparently see differently from my readers is that B/A/N is intricately linked to many political plot points. The Tullys. Dorne and the Martells as well as Rhaegar's faction through Arthur. The Ryswells, and by association the Dustins, Boltons and other discontent Northmen. Securing a stable succession in preparation of continent-wide political upheaval and the disinheritance of the prior heir. It is all political. And yet, the part we see through Brandon's and Ashara's eyes is deeply personal. Which terrible meshes with the way their characters were first cast in the follow up of my humorous one-shot turned first chapter. The problem I had been wrestling with in the last chapters was that I would have had to retcon some of my earlier writing to make B/A/N compatible with the way their characters were introduced. Which is something really galling as a writer, because by ironing out the old content you are also erasing the validation of your own growth. Now, many do this by launching the same story as a rewrite. That, to me, was not an option. So, after your comments amongst others, I decided to do the necessary retcons. Ned might still be a sex god, but now he is one behind closed doors (still a damn good poet, though). Brandon has become less of a receiver of slaps (-tick, sorry I could not prevent that awful pun). Ashara has become less… vocal. Yeah, less vocal. In your words, I dialed back the way I went too far. This had the most impact on Ashara's and Ned's introduction proper, Rickard's approval of their betrothal and the previously terrible and now less so smut scene. The bigger focus on Rickard's and Ned's betrothal discussion I'd credit at least in part to you. Now, the return to Riverrun post-Chaos was necessary. There had not been a wrap-up to the plot there, not with Brandon passed out drunk after giving his confession. Yet everything that was hinted at or played out in Essos in the months following I placed there because there will not be much of a focus on Essos for the rest of the story. Glimpses, yes, of Asshai, Blackfyre, Golden Company and so on, but there is as of yet no focus planned on what is going on in Essos. Chaos to the East specifically I wrote mostly to remove Essosi interest in Westerosi conflicts to come. So, a return to the story proper was in order, after explaining the mechanics of Chaos to the East in Chaos to the South. Just as Chaos to the North answered the question on magic from Chaos to the South. Anyways, the split is done now and there cannot be continuation ad nauseam of the dynamic. And, before 22, there have only been two entire lines of dialog between Ashara and Brandon. 22 is the first time those two came to blows since Harrenhal. I mean, how else is Brandon actually supposed to be confronted with the actual consequences of his actions? Well, I am actually really interested in how you think I should have resolved their story thread differently, and please no cop out that I should have simply dropped it after the confession scene. That would have only been bloodletting, without catharsis for either Shara or Bran. Anyways, the story will be back on track tomorrow with a pre-Twins chapter (because my planned Frey chapter just ballooned). You will see more of Ned in his role as heir then. In conclusion, thanks a lot for your comment and I am looking forward to the comments you will leave on this story in the future.
Chillingbear: I do not have a problem with you disliking the B/A/N side plot, but the way you overstate its part in the whole story leaves me with little choice but taking your comment with a heavy does of salt. Brandon's not been apologetic for any of his chapters before 22, he's not been slapped since chapter 8 (now even since chapter 5) and less than 20% of the POVs even was from the relevant characters, let alone speak of their troubles. The way you wrote you comment actually lead me to compiling a POV list and having a look at the amount of attention other POVs pay B/A/N. Your statement was just incendiary in that way, and that is not something a writer likes to see in the negative about their work, especially if it is factually wrong. So, while I am thrilled by the obvious enjoyment you found in my story, the way you wrote your comment was… counterproductive, I'd say. Still, Brandon is off the board as of the next chapter for a while, so I do hope you continue to enjoy.
-Black-Riddle-Malfoy: To be fair, after I replaced tons of he/his/him/she/her with actual names in the first chapters, I reckon it is actually way more clear who is doing what. Still, I am glad you found enjoyment in your second reading through 😊
wawo20: I'll just use this place to say thank you for all three of your comments, and that I hope you will continue to read, enjoy and comment on my fic going forward!
Redery: Well, I am glad curiosity brought you here. Seems the title still draws attention, even if it does not quite fit the story anymore. Thanks for the compliments, and just out of curiosity myself, how bad did you expect the story to be before going in?
mlkoolc86: I also do not think this confrontation could have happened any other time. Outside crack fics I always try to think of characters as people, for how else are they to appear genuine? I am especially glad my words turned your opinion on Brandon, and you tried to emphasize with all involved. It is sometimes a little funny to me how peeps laud my opinions on Rhaegar and condemn the same on Brandon, considering both their situations are similar. I mean, Rhaegar is obviously not sound of mind here and Brandon was drunk when he tried to rape Ashara. Of those two, I'd even think that maybe insanity may be more excusable, as it bears less of a personal responsibility than getting drunk. But that is a fine difference, and I am not sure if that. Regardless, cause should not be used to excuse effect. Glad you enjoy the story.
Guest: Thanks. How does my story seem to have stalled?
Guest: Your comment just shows me I managed the things I wanted to get across right (at least partially, looking at other comments). No spoilers on Cersei, but I have big plans for her.