High above the bustling city of King's Landing, you stand on the balcony of your chambers within the Red Keep, gazing out over the sprawling capital. The sun dips low, casting a warm, golden glow that bathes the city in hues of amber and rose. Your decision to give the New Gift back to House Stark, a direct repudiation of an act made by one of your most storied ancestors, the good King Jaehaerys I Targaryen the Wise, is heavy in your mind. The emotional weight on your shoulders becomes palpable as you confront the vastness of the realm you are tasked to rule.
The sun's descent mirrors the sinking feeling within you—doubt, like an insidious shadow, claws at the edges of your confidence. The enormity of the responsibilities that come with the crown presses upon you like the relentless tides of the Blackwater Rush. Each wave carries the weight of expectations, and you are standing at the precipice of a vast and uncertain future.
As the wind whispers through the towers of the Red Keep, it carries with it the echoes of the past – a haunting chorus of voices and memories. The stone beneath your fingertips is cool, grounding you in the present while the burden of the Targaryen legacy rests heavily on your shoulders. You close your eyes, seeking solace in the familiar sounds of the city, hoping for guidance from ancestors who have long since departed.
But a profound sense of isolation creeps over you. The absence of family casts a long, dark shadow over your thoughts. The Tragedy of Summerhall, a day etched in the annals of history, claimed the lives of your grandfather, grandmother, and your favourite uncle. Their laughter, wisdom, and vibrant spirit were extinguished in a single cataclysmic event, and the weight of their loss reverberated through the Seven Kingdoms.
Your father's sudden illness and your mother's grief-stricken demise this year have further deepened the void within your heart. The love they shared, once a beacon of warmth in the halls of the Red Keep, now hangs in the air like an ephemeral mist. You suppress the grief that threatens to bubble to the surface, a stoic facade masking the profound sorrow that simmers beneath.
The Red Keep, once a bastion of familial warmth and royal authority, now stands as a solemn testament to the fragility of life. The halls that once echoed with laughter and whispered secrets are quieter now, haunted by memories and the emptiness left behind. The throne room, where your forebears held court and dispensed justice, feels colder and more foreboding.
Only a few short years ago, the Red Keep echoed with the footsteps of your grandfather's wisdom, your grandmother's grace, and your uncle's vibrant spirit. Now, the corridors are silent, and you, Rhaelle, and little Rhaegar are the last flickering flames of a once-blazing hearth.
A gentle knock on your chamber door interrupts your contemplation. Ser Barristan Selmy, friend to your father and member of your Kingsguard, enters with a bow. "Your Grace, the small council awaits your presence. They seek your guidance on matters of governance and the state of the realm."
With a nod, you follow Ser Barristan through the dimly lit corridors of the Red Keep to the Small Council Chambers.
Interaction Choices:
Diplomacy (Pick two):
[] Delegation to a Free City: Send diplomats, envoys, and cultural ambassadors to foster stronger diplomatic ties and explore opportunities for cultural exchange. Pick one: Braavos, Pentos, Myr, Lys, Tyrosh (DC 40).
[] Host a grand tournament: A prestigious event attracting knights and lords from across the realm to showcase their martial prowess and compete in various contests. The tournament provides an opportunity to build positive relations, display the strength of House Targaryen, and create a festive atmosphere that transcends political boundaries (DC 35).
[] Send Ravens: Exchange letters with one of your Wardens or Lords Paramount. This allows for measured and strategic communication, addressing concerns, offering support, and reinforcing the bonds between the Iron Throne and its vassals (DC 30). Pick one Lord from the list: Lord Rickard Stark, Lord Kermit Tulley, Lord Jon Arryn, Lord Quellon Greyjoy, Lord Steffon Baratheon, Lord Luthor Tyrell, and Princess Myria Martell.
[] Investigate claims: Launch an investigation into outstanding claims of lands and rights that should belong to House Targaryen. This diplomatic effort includes scrutinizing historical records, consulting legal experts, and discreetly assessing the legitimacy of land claims to ensure the realm recognizes your house's rightful boundaries (DC 60 – Opens Targaryen holdings expansion chain).
[] Host a Great Council: Convene a council of major houses and influential figures from throughout the realm to discuss matters of succession, laws, and major policy changes. Write in the topic of the council (DC 70).
[] Mediate a dispute: Have the Iron Throne be a neutral arbitrator in regional conflict and prevent an escalation of conflict. (DC 40).
[] Offer fostering to a Great House: Extend an offer to foster a young member of a Great House at the Red Keep. This gesture can strengthen ties between your house and another influential family, fostering loyalty and camaraderie. Choose one Great House: Stark, Tully, Arryn, Greyjoy, Baratheon, Tyrell, or Martell (DC 35).
[] write in…
Stewardship (Pick two):
[] Reduce taxes: To ease the burden on your subjects and stimulate economic growth, implement a temporary reduction in taxation. Choose from smallfolk, nobles or merchants (DC 25).
[] Raise taxes: To bolster the treasury and fund crucial initiatives within King's Landing, implement a temporary increase in taxation Choose from smallfolk, nobles or merchants (DC 65).
[] Conduct a census of the Crownlands: In pursuing a comprehensive understanding of the Crownlands, you initiate a thorough census (DC 55 - Opens up Crownlands improvement chain).
[] Survey Summerhall: Once a lightly fortified castle and royal residence was destroyed in the Tragedy of Summerhall. The survey aims to assess the ruins' current state and understand the restoration challenges (DC 65 Opens up the Summerhall restoration chain).
[] Invest in Urban Planning: Undertake a comprehensive urban planning initiative for King's Landing, reorganizing districts, improving sanitation, and ensuring efficient land use to create a more livable and thriving city (DC 50 – opens King's Landing chain).
[] Negotiate Trade Agreements: Initiate negotiations to establish favourable trade agreements, boosting economic prosperity and fostering positive relations. Pick one: Braavos, Pentos, Myr, Lys, Tyrosh (DC 45).
[] Launch a Trade Expedition to Yi Ti: In the spirit of the famed Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon, send a grand trade expedition to the distant and exotic lands of Yi Ti in search of great wealth in spices, silk, and jade (DC 90).
[] write in…
Martial (Pick one):
[] Increase the size of the Goldcloaks: A larger and more formidable City Watch of King's Landing would enhance its security and be a visible deterrent to potential threats (DC 30).
[] Recruit a member of the Kingsguard: Launch a search for a new member to join the prestigious order. The chosen candidate will stand as a stalwart defender of the crown, lead your armies, and contribute to the prestige of House Targaryen (DC 30).
[] Royal Fleet Expansion Chain: Allocate resources to improve and expand the Royal Fleet, ensuring maritime dominance and safeguarding the coasts of the Seven Kingdoms (DC 62/300)
[] Combat the Broken Men menace: Task your knights, led by a member of your Kingsguard, to eradicate the bandit threat and restore law and order to the Stormlands and the Reach. (DC 50).
Learning (Pick one):
[] Patronizing the Alchemists' Guild: advance alchemical research, unlock the secrets of transmutation, and harness the practical applications of alchemy (DC 40 unlocks alchemic advancements chain).
[] Support arts and culture: Patronize artists, musicians, and scholars to enrich the cultural landscape of the Seven Kingdoms. A realm that values the arts can cultivate a refined and enlightened populace (DC 30).
[] Explore ancient knowledge: Continue your grandfather's work of exploring how to hatch dragon eggs (DC 65 – Opens higher mysteries chain).
[] Improve the Royal Library: Invest substantial resources in expanding and organizing the Royal Library housed within the Red Keep (DC 40).
Intrigue (Pick two):
[] Establishing Spy Networks in a Free City: In pursuit of broader influence and intelligence, dispatch skilled agents to establish covert spy networks in one of the Free Cities. Pick one: Braavos, Pentos, Myr, Lys, Tyrosh (DC 50 – opens Free City spy network chain)
[] Investigate your court: Initiate discreet investigations into the loyalties of individuals within the court. Ensuring those closest to you are trustworthy is paramount to a stable reign (DC 55).
[] Curb corruption of the Goldcloaks: As guardians of King's Landing, they must be free from corruption to maintain law and order. Launch a campaign to investigate and eliminate corruption within the ranks of the Goldcloaks. (DC 60).
[] Disinformation Campaign: Spread misinformation to confuse potential enemies and safeguard the true intentions of House Targaryen (DC 50).
[] Set up spy networks within a Great House: Send spies to work in a great house. Pick one house: House Stark, House Tully, House Arryn, House Lannister, House Greyjoy, House Baratheon, House Tyrell, and House Martell (DC 45 - opens Great House spy network chain).
[] Monitor your Queen Consort: Compel one of Rhaelle's ladies in waiting to report on the Queen's actions and activities (DC 40 - opens Queen Consort spy network chain).
[] Gaining Intelligence in the Stepstones: Confronted with the lawless and fragmented territories of the Stepstones, decide whether to send agents to establish covert intelligence-gathering operations (DC 50 – opens Stepstones spy network chain).
[] Infiltrating the Sept of Baelor: The sept is a center of religious and political power, and gaining insights from within its sacred halls could provide valuable information on the Faith of the Seven and courtly machinations (DC 35).
Personal (Pick one):
[] Pray with the High Septon: Devote your energies to renewing your faith with solemn prayers at the Great Sept of Baelor. Seeking guidance from the High Septon may strengthen your spiritual connection and garner support (DC 30).
[] Spend quality time with Rhaella: Dedicate precious moments to your marriage by spending quality time with your wife. Whether it's a quiet evening together, a stroll through the royal gardens, or attending courtly functions as a united front, nurturing your relationship can enhance stability and support at home (DC 55).
[] Practise swordsmanship: Train with your Kingsguard to keep your combat skills honed. Regular practice maintains your physical prowess and martial capabilities (DC 30).
[] Hold court: Embrace your role as king by holding court sessions where your subjects can present grievances, seek justice, or request an audience. Engaging with your people directly allows you to understand their concerns, demonstrate fairness, and solidify your connection with the nobles, merchants, and common folk (DC 35).
[] Go on a royal hunt: Gather your noble companions, skilled huntsmen, and loyal courtiers for an expedition into the pristine wilderness, where the thrill of the hunt awaits. (DC 35)
[] Spend time with your mistress: Indulge in the company of your mistress, sharing intimate moments away from the responsibilities of the throne. This may bring personal satisfaction and relieve the stress of ruling (DC 15).
[] Exchange ravens with family: Take the time to correspond with your family members (DC 25). Pick from the list: Lady Rhaelle Baratheon, Steffon Baratheon, and Aemon Targaryen.
[] Spend time with Rhaegar: Set aside moments to engage in fatherly activities with your young son (DC 30).
QM Note:
There is a 12-hour moratorium to discuss plans before voting.