The difference between King's blood and regular blood is probably not relevant to Qyburn's paradigm.
He's a man of science, not some weird mystic who pays attention to superstitions like that.
Or in other terms, he's Frankenstein, not some evil Cleric or Wizard, to him meat is meat and blood is blood.
If we had gotten the magic-maester from the Citadel, or a Quarthi Warlock this might be worth considering, but that isn't the case.
[X] Execute him. One pretender less and the small-folk will appreciate the spectacle.
He doesn't know that though, or does he?
Melisandre for example knows what she can do with King's Blood, obviously in canon, but I didn't have the impression that Qyburn thinks like that.
He doesn't know that though, or does he?
Melisandre for example knows what she can do with King's Blood, obviously in canon, but I didn't have the impression that Qyburn thinks like that.
I think you are mixing up "scientific minded" with "rejects any idea that does not conform to current real-world science out of hand".
If he gets his hands on kings blood, he will check if it's really different of commoner blood as many mystics claim.
Edit: To lift a quote with him from the wiki:
Jaime: Do you believe in ghosts, Maester? Qyburn: Once, at the Citadel, I came into an empty room and saw an empty chair. Yet I knew a woman had been there, only a moment before. The cushion was dented where she'd sat, the cloth was still warm, and her scent lingered in the air. If we leave our smells behind us when we leave a room, surely something of our souls must remain when we leave this life? The archmaesters did not like my thinking, though. Well, Marwyn did, but he was the only one.
Why people keep consistently assuming he is the type to rant about silly superstitions when faced with the hidden arts is beyond me.
Makes sense then, if that idea is already present in Westeros and in Qyburn's knowledge.
I kinda thought someone who's lore primarily comes from the Citadel's medicine-courses and some experimentation on non-noble subjects wouldn't necessarily get the idea that kingly blood is special, but if it's a known idea, sure.
-[X]We find him guilty of conspiracy to Usurp the rightful kings throne. He shall pay for his crimes. The choice is his, whether to swear the oaths of the nights watch and be transported to the wall to serve there for the rest of his days. Or to be marched to the headsmans block for a swift execution.
I've been enjoying this quest so I'll throw my hat into the ring.
[X] Send him to Qyburn for experimentation.
I think letting Frankenstein get us some kings blood lore is just much more interesting. I have always liked Qyburn and he was a much better dad to his creature then Victor ever was. I think we just need to be a better Cersei to manage him.
Maybe Tyrion and his sister can sibling bond by dunking on their father together. Though I don't know if the valonqar prophecy exists in this timeline; that would make Cersei extra paranoid.
We need a way to bring the North in to either help or stay out of our way.
No one is looking for lost Stark kid maybe we souls have our Hand look into it. It will play well with the Starks at least.
We need to start thinking of offering a way Out for the Old Lion that lets him save Face, if cornered he might do something stupid/dangerous.
(Evil magic made him do it?)
[X] Execute him. One pretender less and the small-folk will appreciate the spectacle.
-[X]We find him guilty of conspiracy to Usurp the rightful kings throne. He shall pay for his crimes. The choice is his, whether to swear the oaths of the nights watch and be transported to the wall to serve there for the rest of his days. Or to be marched to the headsmans block for a swift execution.
Adhoc vote count started by Azel on Jan 24, 2024 at 3:57 AM, finished with 76 posts and 13 votes.
[X] Plan: Fuck Tywin
[X] [Pycelle] Execute him for treason. Expose Tywin Lannister's betrayal of the crown.
-[X] Arrange for the executioner to be as drunk as possible to prolong the beheading. Traitors will be punished severely. Afterwards, have the body fed to the goats.
[X] [Replacement] Pycelle was always dismissive of the supernatural. See that you find someone more open-minded to advise you. (Locks 1 Action)
[X] Try to send someone to treat with the Lady Velaryon. She might have come to regret her late husbands disloyalty and could be willing to swear to the crown once more.
-[X] Inquire as to what happened on Dragonstone and see if she could be of any help in either killing Aukar Brightfyre or rescuing the hostages. Promise a pardon for her and her family if they swear loyalty to the crown.
--[X]Letters
--[X] Write to your son, King Joffery, of the marriage alliance you've brokered with the Tyrells and the small council position you've offered. Apologize for marrying him off without his input, but remind him that the situation is extremely dire and we need allies to survive. Ask him to keep an eye for talented knights to shore up his Kingsguard while he's on campaign, especially considering Blount's cowardice. Advise that Boros should be sent to the wall and replaced - ideally Riverlander and Reach knights should be considered as those kingdoms will be vital to the Realms stability in the coming years. Finally, tell your son about your grandfather's betrayal and warn him that Tywin likely plans to imprison Joffrey at Harrenhal and declare himself Regent. You do not believe he was behind the assassination, but nor do you believe it was Stark or Tully. We already have enough enemies without inviting more. Nonetheless, you're proud of him, and believe he has what it takes to reunite the realm and expel the invaders. He's growing into a fine young man, and a good king.
--[X] Send Ravens in a general proclamation that the Starks and Tullys are innocent and that they were not behind the king's attempted assassination. At the same time, pardon those (except Tywin) who took part in the attack on the Stark and Tully troops as they were misled by Tywin Lannister, who has betrayed the Crown and is trying to seize the king to rule through him as a puppet.
--[X] Send a letter to Darry where Robb Stark was seen headed last. Apologize for the trouble he experienced in the Riverlands, say that we know that he was not behind the king's attempted assassination, that the Crown does not intend to go to war against his family and that Tywin has gone rogue.
--[X] Send a letter to Duskendale to Edmure Tully, Loyal Hand of King Joffrey, protector of the realm. Pronounce him innocent of the attempted assassination aimed at King Joffrey and invite him to King's Landing to take his place as Hand.
[X] Plan: Consolidation of Power
-[X] [Pycelle] Force him to volunteer to the Nights Watch.
-[X] [Replacement] Let the Citadel assign a new Grand Maester as it is custom. (Free)
-[X] Try to recruit some trusted informants of your own.
-[X] Speak with the Tyrell household. You will soon be family, so it is a good moment to learn more about Olenna and Margaery.
-[X] Write to your son, King Joffery, of the marriage alliance you've brokered with the Tyells and the small council position you've offered. Ask him to keep an eye for talented knights to shore up his Kingsguard while he's on campaign, especially considering Blounts cowardice. Advise that Boros should be sent to the wall and replaced - ideally Riverlander and Reach knights should be considered as those kingdoms will be vital to the Realms stability in the coming years. Finally, advise your son that you expect his grandfather really will try to take either the Handship or Regency for himself. Father always was too proud for his own good, and desires control more than anything, increasingly to the point of self sabotage. You do not believe he was behind the assassination, but nor do you believe it was Stark or Tully. We already have enough enemies without inviting more. Nonetheless, you're proud of him, and believe he has what it takes to reunite the realm and expel the invaders. He's growing into a fine young man, and a good king.
[X] Plan: Consolidation of Power
-[X] [Pycelle] Force him to volunteer to the Nights Watch.
-[X] [Replacement] Let the Citadel assign a new Grand Maester as it is custom. (Free)
-[X] Try to recruit some trusted informants of your own.
-[X] Speak with the Tyrell household. You will soon be family, so it is a good moment to learn more about Olenna and Margaery.
-[X] Write to your son, King Joffery, of the marriage alliance you've brokered with the Tyells and the small council position you've offered. Ask him to keep an eye for talented knights to shore up his Kingsguard while he's on campaign, especially considering Blounts cowardice. Advise that Boros should be sent to the wall and replaced - ideally Riverlander and Reach knights should be considered as those kingdoms will be vital to the Realms stability in the coming years. Finally, advise your son that you expect his grandfather really will try to take either the Handship or Regency for himself. Father always was too proud for his own good, and desires control more than anything, increasingly to the point of self sabotage. You do not believe he was behind the assassination, but nor do you believe it was Stark or Tully. We already have enough enemies without inviting more. Nonetheless, you're proud of him, and believe he has what it takes to reunite the realm and expel the invaders. He's growing into a fine young man, and a good king.
[X] Plan: Preparing For The Firestorm
-[X] [Pycelle] Quietly sweep the treason under the rug. Fear and a guard detail will keep him in line.
-[X] Try to recruit some trusted informants of your own.
-[X] Speak with local traders to organize better food supplies for the city.
[X]Plan: Pardons, Weddings and Bloodlines
-[X] [Pycelle] Quietly sweep the treason under the rug. Fear and a guard detail will keep him in line.
-[X] Hold court. Speak judgements and hear the complaints of the people.
-[X] Speak with local traders to organise better food supplies for the city.
--[X]Letters
--[X]Send Ravens in a general proclamation that in the name of King Joffrey (titles titles titles) Any Prince, Lord, Lady, Knight, Sworn sword, freerider, or Common man-at-arms of Westeros whom Swears loyalty to King Joffrey shall henceforth be forgiven crimes carried out during the course of the war. So that the loyal Nobles of Westeros might defeat the invaders who claim descent from the Mad King.
-[X]Send a letter to Darry where Robb Stark was seen headed last. Offering to renew the betrothal between House Stark and House Baratheon. Robb may choose From Myrcella Baratheon or any of her Lannister cousins or any other Unwed Lannister Lady not already spoke for whom he might desire in a match.
-[X]Send a letter to Duskendale to Edmure Tully, Loyal Hand of King Joffrey, protector of the realm. Pronounce him innocent of the attempted assassination aimed at King Joffrey and invite him to Kings Landing to take his place as Hand. Further, he shall be offered his choice in betrothal of any unwed Lannister Lady not already spoken for that he might desire to seal the crowns Alliance with House Tully.
-[X]Write a Letter to Dragonstone. Queen Cersei accepts the ransom of her Niece Shireen Baratheon and the princesses mother Lady Selyse Florent. *On condition* that they be delivered safe and unharmed to the Mud Gate Gatehouse and into the custody of a captain of the gold cloaks and their identities confirmed. Thence, the full ransom shall be paid to their captors. This letter promises safe passage to the bearer and those who accompany them, and we swear by the Seven that upon delivery of the hostages their erstwhile captors shall be permitted to leave, unharmed, and with the ransom in hand.
-[X]Write to Maidenpool and Joffrey. We are proud of him for his actions in the war, and as regent we humbly request that he return to Kings landing to join his forces with the Tyrells and marry his bride to cement our Alliance with House Tyrell, thereafter he may either return to the field at the head of a Tyrell-Baratheon Army. Or to stay in Kings landing to defend it and rule.
After all these months in which she had almost stopped scheduling Small Council meetings, it had become lively all of the sudden. Instead of just Pycelle and Varys prattling down their reports, the room was full. To Cerseis right sat the Hand, Edmure Tully, still chatting with the Master of Ships Rykker to his right. The time spent on campaign together seemed to have fostered a friendship between the two. To her left sat Qyburn, who had not formally been declared Grand Maester to not needlessly antagonize the Citadel, but who performed all the same duties as Pycelle before him.
Next to Qyburn came Varys, who was still sorting through his pile of documents as usual. War reports. Ever more of them as the realm descended into madness. Baelish had finally come back too, taking up the next seat. He had snuck out of the Vale on a small ship from the Fingers before the Targaryen hosts began occupying most major roads. In private, when reporting to her directly, he had called his mission mostly a failure as he could not sway Lysa Arryn to release Tyrion even if the matter could be resolved differently. By now, the queen almost regretted sending him. Having Tyrion executed at the Eyri would have solved more problems than it would have caused now.
There was only one member missing which is why Cersei was somewhat surprised when instead of the High Septon, it was Olenna Tyrell that stood in the doorway. Without saying a word to the quiet council, she took the chair right at the door, opposite to Cersei, which had been set aside for the High Septon for symbolic reasons. The fat man in question waddled in right after, took one look at who had taken his place and meekly took the chair next to Rykker that was reserved for the Hound.
While the High Septon was still fumbling with his chair, the Queen Regent locked eyes with the Queen of Thorns. "Is there something that you wish to bring to the Small Councils attention, Lady Tyrell?"
"Oh, a great many things, my dear. But there is no hurry. I have ample opportunity to do so." She chuckled while drawing a letter from her sleeve. "You offered my grandson Garland the seat of Master of Laws and since he is busy stabbing people in the kings name, I've decided that I will take the seat in his stead. For the duration."
"I see," Cersei replied even if she did not. Last she knew, Small Council seats were not things to be gifted on at will.
Varys coughed once. Twice. A bit louder the third time and finally drawing all eyes to him. "Shall I give your majesty the most important developments in the war as usual?"
She glanced briefly back at Olenna, but shook her head. This was not the time. "Proceed, Lord Varys."
"As of the last reports I received," Varys began, "the hosts of Black Walder Frey and Roose Bolton have left a small force at Raventree Hall to maintain the siege and marched on to invested Riverrun." Edmure flinched as he heard that, though the Master of Whisperers either did not notice or not care and kept going. "The host of the traitor Tywin Lannister has taken control of most of the south-eastern Riverlands and pushed into the Crownlands along the Blackwater. Multiple Riverlander lords have already surrendered to him and his raiders have devastated farmlands in the northern Crownlands."
"It's Clegane," Edmure cut in. "Gregor Clegane that is. My outriders saw the villages and it's the same thing he did in the Riverlands."
"Can hardly declare Tywin Lannister a traitor any harder," Baelish quipped. "Nothing to lose for him in disregarding the royal decree to arrest the Mountain."
Before the byplay could go on, Varys coughed once more and went on. "From the west, I've heard that Balon Greyjoy has killed multiple influential lords and their families for conspiring against him, most notable are the houses Harlaw, Drumm and Goodbrother. He then proceed to crown himself the Iron King, and sent the Iron Fleet to invade the Westerlands."
"Oh Seven protect me," the Queen of Thorns mumbled loud enough for all to hear while rolling her eyes. "Iron this. Iron that. Does he need to announce to the entire world that it is no longer getting hard? I did not wish to know in that much detail." For a brief moment the only thing that could be heard in the small council chamber was the flow of Arbor Gold into Olennas goblet as she helped herself to it.
In the end, Varys elected to ignore her. "The last we know is that Kayce has already fallen to them and the Lannister fleet was defeated at sea. They are sieging Lannisport and Casterly Rock as we speak."
"This is good for us," Cersei declared with an absolute certainty that brokered not disagreement. Not even in her own head, where a nagging voice was outraged at the thought of Ironborn scum defiling are home. "It will require the Westerlands host to split its attention and take pressure from the Riverlands."
"Might not be enough to matter. The Riverlands have all but fallen to Tywin and his allies already," Edmure added in a gloomy tone.
"Which leaves the east," Vary concluded. "Though I believe Lord Rykker is the better person to inform you of the status."
"I am quite happy to say that at sea, the outlook is good." The lord of Duskendale began with a false cheer and a few worried glances at Edmure. "Dragonstone is back under the thrones control, though not Crackclaw point. Most of the Velaryon fleet now is under our command and the remnants of the Redwyne fleet have arrived too. There are issues with piracy growing in the coastal waters of the Narrow Sea, though the high seas are patrolled by the fleets of Braavos and remain safe. The sea lanes are open once more, your majesty. At least until the Stepstones."
This announcement got some positive murmurs from the rest of the council while Rykker spoke on. "On Dragonstone we also secured Selyse and Shireen Baratheon who will be brought to the capital in the coming days. After the Lady Velaryon noted that the the Targ bastard you had drawn and quartered possessed two dragon eggs and had promised her husband one, we managed to find one of them on Dragonstone. She said she is happy to let it fall to the crown. Though neither we nor Velaryon and Celtigar men were able to locate the other. The Valyrian Steel sword he wielded was apparently his own, so it falls to the crown too I presume. "
"Good news indeed, given the situation we find ourselves in." For once the cocky smirk was not on Baelish face. In fact, ever since he looked over the books, he seemed uncharacteristically worried. "While the Queen Regent managed to assuage the fears of the Iron Bank through a tax, the treasure situation has been developing unfavorably since then."
"So, the throne is broke." Olenna threw in.
The old hag was beginning to get on Cerseis nerves. Queen of Thorns indeed. She had been much more pleasant the last time they had spoken. "I do not think your commentaries are quite adequate for the Small Counsil, Lady Tyrell."
She answered immediately with a wide grin. "You will get used to it, my dear."
Littlefinger smiled thinly. "Not quite as bad just yet, Lady Tyrell, but we are getting there. With food cut off from the Riverlands and likely none coming from the Crownlands, we are soon going to see a famine in the capital. Proceeds of the tax enacted in my absence are already tapering off. The fleet expansion is weighing heavy on the budgets. The coffers of House Lannister and the gold of Casterly Rock are no longer available to the throne. Simply put, our creditors, including the Iron Bank, are wondering how we intent to service our debts to them and the small-folk is wondering what they are going to eat next month."
Food is getting scarcer in Kings Landing by the day. How do you address this?
[] [Food] Buy more food from the Reach through House Tyrell.
[] [Food] Lean on the traders and the Faith that had organized previous shipments from the Reach.
[] [Food] Open the larders once more. There are surely a few more years of summer to restock them.
"A new tax then. The Reach has not born the brunt of the war so far." Tully looked very, very carefully over to Olenna as he spoke. "We could tax the peasantry of the Reach."
"Oh, absolutely not," she answered with a bright cheer before taking a sip from her wine. "The small-folk in the Reach is already struggling to keep our armies fed, probably soon keep the capital fed and paying their dues to their local lords. Any more taxes and we will have a famine in the Reach while the grain is shipped elsewhere."
Then she turned to the High Septon who looked startled at the attention. And as Cersei looked closer at him, she noticed that he was not quite as fat as she remembered him. He almost looked haggard, with his skin hanging lose on his body. "Why don't you make yourself useful for once? You have not been able to reign in the Faith in Oldtown, so, can you at least give another loan to the crown?"
He looked between Olenna and Cersei, before settling his gaze on the former. "The Most Devout are rejecting my leadership these days. The religious courts in Oldtown are their doing and they refuse to put a stop to them. I told you that. They also have cut me off from the Starry Septs coffers and the Great Sept of Baelor has spent more on alms than it received in donations."
"They also send another two letter, requesting once more to have you removed from office." Qyburn kindly noted to the High Septon, who wilted at that news. "The Queen asked me to pen some rejections for her."
"Well, maybe you should take the hint, step down and become Septon in Highgarden instead," she said in annoyance. "Would get along great with my oaf Mace."
The crown once more is having problems to service its debts. Where to find more money?
[] [Money] Ask for a loan from House Tyrell.
[] [Money] Ask for a loan from the Most Devout.
[] [Money] Ask for a loan from Lyseny and Myrish banks.
[] [Money] Raise taxes on the Reach. Blocked by Olenna.
[] [Money] Confiscate property of the Faith in the Crownlands.
"There is something I would like to know though," the Queen of Thorns went on in a serious tone. "Where is the king these days?"
Most eyes turned to Cersei. Only Varys, who had given the report to her, was aware of the details so far. "The Lannister riders in Maidenpool tried to detain him when my proclamations arrived there. Lord Varys knows that they failed, though they did manage to sack the keep and the city and took Lord Mooten as a prisoner to Harrenhal. The Kingsguard managed to flee and is making way to capital with the king." She looked over to Varys and dared him to gainsay her, but he did not. The truth was no one know where the Kingsguard and Joffrey were since the sack. But either she was right or lying to the Small Council would soon be the least of her worries.
"Then I hope that he won't let his bride her in the capital wait for much longer, or do I need to take a ship to Harrenhal to see that wedding through?" Silence fell once more as Olenna carefully swayed her cup in her hand. "Make no mistake, Cersei. You are the Queen Regent, not the Queen Regnant. All this talk here is just hot air without a king to give it weight and yours was away for a long time and is now missing entirely."
Cersei took a deep breath and a consciously small sip from her own wine goblet. "Things will be sorted out."
"I'm sure they will be," the old Tyrell matriarch replied with a condescending grin.
AN: Back to the regularly scheduled mess that is Kings Landing.
I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, Tywin has positioned himself between us and the Reach and could easily intercept food shipments therefrom. On the other hand, if we are somehow able to convince the Reachers to accept cash on delivery rather than payment up front (lol), this could be a way to bait them into actually fighting Tywin.
