Word to the wise, don't believe everything you hear from other players (including me 
).
Yes, well, chronic backstabbing is one of the hallmarks of these games, with quite a few epic examples of betrayal (including King's Landing blowing up and killing half a million people). I'd recommend reading over The Lion and the Rose as a good example as how we play, but the idea is for players to interact with each other, make decisions to crisis, lead their armies (this is crucial) and handle intrigue in order to survive.
I do plan on changing the gameplay this time, I'm toying to make a week of RL time into a month IG and eliminate formal three-month turns, but I have to consider whether it will work. Additionally, I will be borrowing the "special abilities" idea from Badgate and X, and repeating the guest POV idea from The Lion and the Rose.
Important:
I want to give the game a different feel based on the background, so I'd like to see the possibility of changing the outcome of a few events in A Game of Thrones or Season 1 to give us a different storyline. For example, I'm considering having Viserys Targaryen survive and never meet Khal Drogo, or having Ned Stark survive or even win (temporarily) the power struggle in King's Landing.
Would people prefer an altered storyline or everything being as it was on the book+show at the start of the War of the Five Kings?
For me, I'd need to know the specific alterations (ex: I'd be fine with Viserys surviving, but am not so keen on Ned surviving the KL struggle b/c it'd give Stannis an unfair advantage).
How is drastically affecting the fortunes of one claimant OK but another not? I assume that Lumine will think of a way to balance these things out so there's no (non-Tyrell) superpower. Any changes that are not purely cosmetic (like replacing some bit characters or practically unknown vassals) will end up creating large changes to the calculations each lord would make in Westeros.
Just from that example, I'd be interested in the possibilities leaving Ned alive would create because it would actually give the Starks something to do other than revenge-secession. Plus, in every game we've played so far King's Landing has been practically worthless and the primarily KL based players (such as Tyrion, Littlefinger, and Varys) have had little to do and quickly lost/left because of it. Keeping the cold war in KL going a little longer gives those players something to do while making the Tully/Lannister/Ser Beric spats pretty illegal violations of the King's Peace, which could require more diplomacy on that front.
As I indicated in my previous post, I don't think a total replay of the War of Five Kings is fun. We know EXACTLY what each player/faction will try to achieve for a while. For example, know Tywin will recruit mercs (not allies though, because nobody like the Lannisters) and try to save KL while burning the Riverlands, the Starks will attack anyone in the Riverlands while waiting for the inevitable Bolton betrayal, the Ironborn will ineffectually raid, the Tyrells will fight for Renly because of their marriage pact, Lysa will futz around until dying, and the Martells are too far to do anything until the Targs come. Some player might sit at the Wall with little to do while another might try to scheme to little gain in King's Landing. The only players with much capacity for changing how they operate are the Targaryen and MAYBE Lysa and Stannis.
I support as much variation from the original scenario as you are willing to do Lumine. Make us actually have to think (in and out of character) about what our objectives should be and what to do to succeed with them instead of running on book/show autopilot.
Well here's my idea:
Ned accepts Renly’s offer to take the throne for him. Cersei, Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen are spirited away beforw Renly can take power, but not before the Hound, fed up with Joffrey, willingly surrenders. Renly then marries Margaery, securing Tyrell support.
Stannis meanwhile, seethes on Dragonstone. He declares Ned's reputation for honour null and void, and begins raising a force of mercenaries to attack King's Landing. He approaches Yohn Royce of the Vale to gain the support of the Vale lords for an alliance. Royce is able to convince others to join Stannis, and the attempt to convince Lysa to support Stannis. Yohn is known as an honourable man, and likely would be shocked and disgusted by Ned supporting Renly. Lysa, being herself, becomes hysterical, but this time, she orders houses still loyal to her to raise arms against Royce and those declaring for Stannis. Royce and the others are left with no choice but to raise arms in defence of their own lands, with Stannis forced to send what forces he's raised to the Vale in support of his allies.
Ned supporting Renly also creates a moral issue for Robb. His father has instructed him yto lead the fight in the Riverlands, but Robb is struggling with his father’s decision to support Renly. After all, Stannis is the rightful ruler, yet his father supports Renly. This creates a bit of a moral quandry for Robb, who will have to eventually decide to respect his father’s decision, or hold up his own honour and support Stannis, perhaps driving the North into civil war.
Tywin meanwhile attempts to forge an alliance with the Greyjoys, offering them independence in exchange for their support in the war. He also temporarily goes on the defensive, focusing on holding the ground he has, while flexing his political muscles to play his enemies against each other, while he spends time raising large groups of mercenaries to continue the fight.
Meanwhile, Viserys is not killed in Essos, but rather kicked out of Vaes Dothrak. He swears revenge on Daenerys and goes searching for mercenaries to support him. Many see an opportunity for land and loot should he be victorious, and while he manages to raise a large force, its loyalty and and reliability is dubious at best, and they may slip away at signs of defeat or if supply becomes an issue.
Daenerys meanwhile, travels with Drogo's Khalasar, the two preparing for the imminent battle with Viserys. However, an attack from another Khalasar leaves Drogo dead and his host scattered. Daenerys is able to rally a handful of survivors, but many refuse to follow her. She wanders the desert, trying to avoid Viserys and desperately searching for an army that she can counter him with. However, her dragon eggs hatch, giving her potential weapons to use once they are grown. As a result of this, the Martells find themselves facing a difficult question. Which Targaryen do they back? Or do they abandon the Targeryens and thrown their lot in with one of the others?
Meanwhile, reports start filtering down from the Wall of a supposed army of Wildlings gathering under a King Beyond the Wall, and that they are moving south. The reason why is unknown.
Poll
