Lord of the Crossing: a new kind of ASOAIF game

[Garlan Gunter]

Hello everyone. I have played in most ASOAIF games, finished and unfinished, since the Lion and the Rose (where I joined halfway through as Aurane Waters) and greatly enjoyed them all; for some time I have been thinking about starting another along slightly different lines.

I think these games become particularly amazing when people pour story-telling, comedy-value and sheer out-of-the-box initiative into them as much as more than killer strategy.

They can also all too often stall when people - especially indispensable players - burn out and/or have to address real life commitments.

So I wanted to moderate a new game with lots of human intrigue, relatively low stakes, a relaxed atmosphere and a sort of make-it-up-as-you-go-along vibe.

Welcome to Westeros, 295 AC, the Riverlands, the Crossing, the Twins.

Welcome to House Frey. Welcome to Lord of the Crossing.

***

You didn't say mayhaps!

'Lord of the Crossing' is a game played particularly by the children of House Frey of the Crossing, involving a lot of shouting, arguing, whacking with sticks and falling into water. It is also, of course, a fitting image for the struggle to rule the Twins.

In my game each player will control a branch or in some special cases, maybe an individual member of House Frey. I myself will NPC the ancient, proud and capricious Lord Walder Frey.

Players will jockey to improve their position within the family, impress Lord Walder, outdo their relatives and ready themselves for life after the Lord's passing.

When (and if!!) Lord Walder dies the game may or may not end, depending on how things are going at that point. Be aware that the eighty-seven-year-old Lord of the Crossing is in excellent health and very, very difficult to murder, though players are welcome to try (risking dire consequences).

The game will centre on the extensive Frey domain within the northern Riverlands, though other areas may become important as a source of allies, information, luxury, marriages, sellswords, singers and so on. But the action will never become about conquering Westeros. King Robert's court will be very distantly and occasionally involved.

The game is about pleasing Lord Frey and preparing for a profitable life in the tragic event of his passing. Military activity will play a role but peacetime will be usual and political intrigue more important.

Subjective rather than objective success will get you ahead. I / Lord Frey will give credit to hilarious, unexpected ideas over dice-rolling calculation (though the latter will also, of course, play a role).

Possible players / families include:

Ser Stevron and the Senior Line of House Frey [played by King Saul]
Ser Walder Frey, called Black Walder, acting alone (or is he?!) [played by leonardothered]
Ser Emmon Frey, Lady Genna Lannister and the Lannister Freys [played by Elmo]
Ser Aenys Frey and the Wylde Freys
Aegon 'Bloodborn' Frey and the Outlaws
Ser Jared Frey, Septon Luceon, formerly Frey, and the Swann Freys [played by Kingpoleon]
Ser Hosteen Frey and the Greater Crakehall Freys
Symond Frey, Betharios of Braavos and the Braavosi Freys [played by Metis]
Ser Danwell Frey, Merrett Frey and the Lesser Crakehall Freys
'Lame' Lothar Frey, Steward of the Twins, and the Blackwood Freys [played by JacksonHitchcock]
Ser Perwyn Frey and the Rosby Freys
Annara Frey, Lady of the Crossing, and the Lady's, or Farring, Freys
Ser Walder Rivers, called Bastard Walder, and the Frey Bastards

Apply here if interested!!

[King Saul]

I am Interested in Stevron Frey.

[Orwell]

Which line would big walder from Winterfell be?

[leonardothered]

I dunno how well this will turn out... but I'll take Black Walder.

I've wanted to run a game like this multiple times, so I'm excited to see where it leads.

[Garlan Gunter]

'Big' Walder is a member of the Blackwood Frey branch, led by Lame Lothar. He's only four at the time of our setting, strictly speaking, but the setting year and the turn length are both still a bit negotiable. Once he's a bit older he will show the cunning he does in the books! Certain Freys will have political ability, military skill or in a few cases both factored in...

Delighted to have a Ser Stevron and a Black Walder - the latter will make the former's game much more challenging!

PS: bit embarrassing, I never spell ASOIAF right...!

[Garlan Gunter]

Further family detail for prospective players:

Ser Stevron’s Line (The Senior Line of House Frey)

Head: Ser Stevron Frey (widowed)

Heir: Ser Ryman Frey (widowed)

Other males: Edwyn (married), Ser Walder (called Black Walder), Petyr  ‘Pimple’ (married), Aegon ‘Jinglebell’, Walton (married), ‘Sweet’ Steffon, Bryan

Females: Perriane (sister, married), Walda, Perra, Maegelle (married), Fair Walda

Marriage alliances:

In the Vale, Houses Royce, Waynwood, Hunter, and Hardyng

In the Riverlands, Houses Haigh (also a Frey bannerman) and Vance

In the Westerlands, House Lydden

In the Stormlands, Houses Swann and Caron

Strengths: Legitimacy, power, political talents in Ser Stevron, and Edwyn

Weaknesses: Black Walder’s disloyalty*, Ser Ryman’s drunkenness, Edwyn’s cowardice, Petyr’s youth, Aegon a lackwit

*Black Walder has military and political talent and is born within this branch but has his own agenda


Ser Emmon’s Line (The Lannister Freys)

Head: Ser Emmon Frey / Lady Genna Lannister (married couple)

Heir: Ser Cleos Frey (married)

Other males: Tywin, Willem, Ser Lyonel (married), Tion, ‘Red’ Walder

Females: None

Marriage alliances:

In the Vale, House Royce

In the Westerlands, Houses Lannister and Crakehall

In the Riverlands, House Darry

Strengths: Huge riches, independent lands in the west, favour at court through Lannister interest, political talent in Lady Genna

Weaknesses: visitors to the Twins, outsiders in the Riverlands, few allies, weakness of Ser Emmon, youth of Tywin, Willem, Tion and Red Walder, no brides to gain alliances


Ser Aenys’s Line (The Wylde Freys)

Head: Ser Aenys Frey (widowed)

Heir: Rhaegar Frey (Aegon ‘Bloodborn’ disinherited) (widowed)

Other males: Robert, Jonos, Aegon Bloodborn (disinherited outlaw)

Females: ‘White’ Walda

Marriage alliances:

In the Vale, House Royce

In the Stormlands, House Wylde

In the Crownlands, House Beesbury

Strengths: far up succession, military talent in Ser Aenys, political talents in Ser Aenys and Rhaegar, both in Aegon Bloodborn*, possible connection to Riverlands outlaws

Weaknesses: Aegon Bloodborn’s disaffection, little wealth or power, minor allies, youth of Robert and Jonos

Note: mixed history of sympathy for Targaryens with both positive and negative implications

*(Bloodborn could also be played separately and solo)


The Swann Freys

Head: Ser Jared Frey (widowed)

Heir: Ser Tytos Frey (married)

Other males: Zachery (training at Oldtown), Septon Luceon (in King’s Landing among the Most Devout)

Females: Zia, Kyra (married)

Marriage alliances:

In the Riverlands, Houses Blanetree and Goodbrook

In the Stormlands, House Swann

Strengths: political talent in Ser Jared and Septon Luceon, excellent Faith connections and good sources of information, relative importance and legitimacy

Weaknesses: few in number, limited resources (apart from distant Septon Luceon), minor allies, shortage of heirs


Ser Hosteen’s Line (The Senior Line of the Crakehall Freys)

Head: Ser Hosteen Frey (married)

Heir: Ser Arwood Frey (married)

Other males: Androw and Alyn (young twins)

Females: Lythene (sister, married), Ryella, Hostella

Marriage alliances:

In the Westerlands, House Crakehall

In the Riverlands, Houses Hawick and Vypren

In the Vale, House Royce

Strengths: military talents in Ser Hosteen and Ser Arwood, political talent in Lady Lythene Vypren, higher than average physical strength, fighting ability, health and fertility from Crakehall blood, adequate resources

Weaknesses: Ser Hosteen’s limited intellect, relatively far down in succession


The Braavosi Freys

Head: Symond Frey / Betharios of Braavos (married couple)

Heir: Alesander Frey (a singer)

Other males: Bradamar (a ward in Braavos)

Females: Alyx

Marriage/wardship alliances:

In Braavos the Betharios and Tendyris families

In the Westerlands, House Crakehall

Strengths: exceptional Narrow Sea, Braavos, mercantile, commoner and singer connections and information, more than adequate resources, generally high political acumen, Crakehall health

Weaknesses: scarcely regarded as noble, little martial ability despite Crakehall heritage, few allies in Westeros


The Lesser Crakehall Freys

Head: Ser Danwell Frey (married)

Heir: Merrett Frey (married)

Other males: ‘Little’ Walder, Ser Pate of the Blue Fork (hedge knight married to Amerei Frey), Sandor (ward at the Gates of the Moon in the Vale), Ser Raymund (married), Robert, Malwyn (in Lys training as an alchemist), Jaime, Tywin

Females: Amerei ‘Gatehouse Ami’ (married), ‘Fat’ Walda, Marissa, Cynthea (ward of House Waynwood), Serra, Sarra, ‘Little Bee’ Cersei

Marriage/wardship alliances:

In the Riverlands, Houses Whent and Darry, and commoners through Ami’s disgraceful antics and marriage

In the Westerlands, House Crakehall

In the Vale, House Waynwood

In the Crownlands, House Beesbury

In Lys, the Alchemists’ Guild

Strengths: numbers, adequate resources, Crakehall strength and health, good connections and alliances, Narrow Sea information, political talent in Lady Mariya Darry, Gatehouse Ami and Fat Walda

Weaknesses: uselessness of heir Merrett Frey, disunity, far down succession, few martial adult males, bad reputation of Gatehouse Ami


The Blackwood Freys

Head: ‘Lame’ Lothar Frey, Steward of the Twins

Heir: Ser Jammos Frey

Other males: ‘Big’ Walder, Dickon, Mathis, Ser Whalen, Hoster

Females: Tysane, Walda, Emberlei, Leana, ‘Merry’ Merianne, Morya (married), Tyta ‘the Maid’

Marriage alliances:

In the Riverlands Houses Blackwood and Paege

In the Westerlands Houses Lefford and Brax

Strengths: political talent in Lame Lothar and Big Walder, adequate resources, well-connected at Twins, solid Riverland and Western alliances

Weaknesses: below average fighters, distrusted by other Freys


The Rosby Freys

Head: Ser Perwyn Frey

Heir: Ser Benfrey Frey (married)

Other males: Osmund, Maester Willamen (at Longbow Hall), Olyvar

Females: ‘Deaf’ Della, Roslyn

Marriage/maester posting alliances:

In the Crownlands, House Rosby

In the Vale, Longbow Hall

Strengths: military ability of Ser Perwyn, political ability of Maester Willamen and Roslyn, both of Olyvar, adequate resources

Weaknesses: few in number, youth, far down succession, short on allies

Note: the Rosby Freys have a reputation (not necessarily completely accurate) for relatively honourable conduct which a player may or may not choose to follow


The Lady’s, or Farring Freys

Head: Lady Annara Frey, Lady of the Crossing, wife to Lord Walder Frey, previously of House Farring

Heir: Wendel Frey (a page at Seaguard)

Other males: Colmar, Waltyr, Elmar

Females: Shirei

Marriage/wardship alliances:

In the Crownlands, House Farring

In the Riverlands, House Mallister

Strengths: intimate influence and access at the Twins, good resources, political abilities of Lady Annara

Weaknesses: most of branch under age, rumours about Black Walder, no formal martial members, far from succession, few allies


The Bastard Freys

Head: Ser Walder Rivers, called Bastard Walder (married)

Heir: Ser Aemon Rivers (married)

Other males: Maester Melwys (at Rosby), Ser Martyn, Ryger, Ronel

Females: Walda Rivers, Jeyne, Mellara

Marriage/maester posting alliances:

In the Riverlands, House Charlton (also a Frey bannerman)

In the Crownlands, House Rosby

Strengths: military and political skill of Bastard Walder, military ability of Ser Martyn, political ability of Maester Melwys and Walda Rivers

Weaknesses: illegitimacy, scant resources, disunity

***

That's it for now! We don't need all of these played to kick off either, just a good healthy number, anything from half a dozen or so players

[Orwell]

Ill take Lame Lothars branch

[Garlan Gunter]

Excellent!

[Emmon Frey]

Ah, I missed the boat for Lothar!

Guess I'll go Emmon/Genna

[Garlan Gunter]

Cannot wait to see what you do with their hefty pockets!

[Metis]

I'll pick Symond. Of course.

[Garlan Gunter]

Of course

[King Saul]

'Big' Walder is a member of the Blackwood Frey branch, led by Lame Lothar. He's only four at the time of our setting, strictly speaking, but the setting year and the turn length are both still a bit negotiable. Once he's a bit older he will show the cunning he does in the books! Certain Freys will have political ability, military skill or in a few cases both factored in...

Delighted to have a Ser Stevron and a Black Walder - the latter will make the former's game much more challenging!

PS: bit embarrassing, I never spell ASOIAF right...!

I want Ser Stevron,please.

[Garlan Gunter]

King Saul, I’ve already added you to the players list as Ser Stev!

[King Saul]

King Saul, I’ve already added you to the players list as Ser Stev!

Oh,Okay, is that I thought you had not seen my previous review, so I asked again.

[Kingpoleon]

Ser Jared, please.

[Garlan Gunter]

Interesting choice Kingpoleon, very glad to see the Swann Freys in play!

[leonardothered]

What are we thinking for player number?

[Garlan Gunter]

I’d happily start with six (one more) but the more Freys the merrier of course! Also perfecting tweaked up updated rules, so will give it a few more days till kick off

[Garlan Gunter]

Only just spotted we have six already silly me! But more would be fun so I’ll wait a little longer

[King Saul]

Do we have to wait for a Thread IC of the game to be created to start or not ?.

[leonardothered]

Do we have to wait for a Thread IC of the game to be created to start or not ?.

Yar

[Garlan Gunter]

I'm going to be offline Friday-Monday so first turn will be up Tuesday without fail, unless I get it up and running while I can today! If I do then I'll put it up for you all to chew on, but I won't be able to read and respond to PMs properly until Tuesday. We'll aim to have the first turn last till the Tuesday after that.

New players are welcome to emerge in any case! I'll add them to the turn if necessary.

[Garlan Gunter]

First turn up!!

Feel free to start plotting. Some of you need secret info that I will only send you on Tuesday; forgive me, I will be punctual when I can. Also forgive me for short-changing most of you on pix - it's a massive headache finding ones that work but I will track them down properly (with a Riverlands map into the bargain) on Tues as well. In the meantime, hope the turn entertains and whets the appetite...!

[King Saul]

Sorry, but how I'm going to sending messages (PMs) to other people on this site ?, I'm having a hard time understanding how this works here.