2013 ALBERT CAMPBELL COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE MODEL UNITED NATIONS

PRESENTS…

GAME OF THRONES Committee

Lead Chair: Ravena Rasalingam

Chairs: Bharvjit Parmar and Adeel Malik

Introduction

Welcome delegates to the 2013 ACCI Model United Nations conference! Your head chairs for this committee will be Ravena Rasalingam and Bharvjit Parmar. This committee will be based on the book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire” and the HBO show, “Game of Thrones”. Disclaimer: Albert Campbell nor the chairs of this committee claim the proceeding as our original content; everything was invented by George R. R. Martin in his fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. In this committee, the topics discussed will include the use of magic, sorcery, and the aid of supernatural creatures during wartime, the crisis involving the White Walkers, and the current economic state of Westeros. But be advised, this is a crisis committee. Please try to act in character and feel free to act in your own best interest. Plotting, scheming and clever use of personal relationships are encouraged! This council’s goals are to maintain peace and stability in Westeros, and to ensure the interests of the King.

Good luck delegates, and remember- when you play the game of thrones, you either win or die.

History:

The Dawn Age (Prehistory- 1000)

Westeros was initially inhabited by the Children of the Forest (a mysterious race of human-like creatures), giants and other mystical beings. The First men invaded Westeros in 1200 bringing weapons and bronze. The First men had larger numbers, were stronger, bigger, and more technologically advanced than the Children of the Forest and eventually established hundreds of small kingdoms throughout Westeros. In 1000, the pact of The Isle of Faces was signed declaring the warfare between the two groups to end. The pact gave the First Men control of the open lands and gave the Children of the Forest dominion of the forested areas.

The Age of Heroes (1000- 8000)

The White Walkers invaded Westeros from the North in 8000. These creatures killed and raised the dead, almost extinguishing the entire population of Westeros. In the Battle of the Dawn, the First Men and the Children of the Forest united to defeat the Others with weapons made of dragonglass (obsidian) and pushed them back to the Far North. Bran the Builder (the founder of House Stark) led the building of the Wall, made of ice and ancient magic to stop the evil from beyond the Wall from re-entering. The Sworn Brotherhood of the Night’s Watch is made to man and protect the Wall. After taking their vows, the men of the Watch cannot own any land, marry, or father children and remain faithful to their duty.

The Andal Invasion (6000- 4000)

The new religion the Faith of Seven originated in 6000 in Essos in the Hills of Andalos. The Andal Invasion also occurred in this time when the Andals crossed the Narrow Sea to the eastern shore of Westeros in today’s Vale of Arryn. They fought both the First Men and the Children of the Forest. For centuries, the war waged on, and eventually the six southern kingdoms fell and adopted the Faith of the Seven although the Kingdom of the North remained under the rule of the First Men. The Children of the Forest gradually moved further into the forest and beyond the Wall. The Iron Islands fell to the Andals and are assimilated to the native beliefs of the Old Way and the Drowned God.

Age of Valyria (5000- 100)

In the eastern continent circa 5000, dragons are found and are tamed with the use of magic by Valyrians, resulting in them establishing the Valyrian Freehold. Its capital of Valyria prospers with the use of magic and other trades. The Valyrian Freehold won many wars with the help of dragons, which resulted in their expansion to Slaver’s Bay. Because of the Freehold’s expansion westward, the Prince Garin the Great of Rhoynarrose an army of 250 000 to oppose the Valyrians, but fails against the dragons. Circa 700, Nymeria, a Rhoynish warrior-queen, sent refugees to Dorne in southern Westeros. There, House Martell is formed when Nymeria marries Lord Mors Martell and it becomes the ruling house of Dorne. This results in new conflicts within the kingdoms. Circa 500, a religious sect called the Moonsingers find the Secret City of Braavos, bringing refugees as well. Circa 200, the Valyrian Freehold gained a small island in Blackwater Bay, off the east coast of Westeros. The Targaryens, a Valyrian noble family, take control of this island. Many of the dragons of Valyria are wiped out around 100 when heavy volcanic activity supposedly destroys Valyria. Its many city states declared independence and are known today as the Free Cities and the cities of Slaver’s Bay. The warrior-nomads of the eastern plains become more emboldened after the fall of Valyria, and their dominant tribe, the Dothraki, begin to raid surrounding lands. The Targaryens may be in possession of the last three dragons in existence.

The Seven Kingdoms (3000- 350)

House KarStark is a cadet branch of House Stark was created by Karlon Stark in 700 after she defeated the eastern sea-raiders. In the West, the Ironborn of the Iron Islands rise to power and control the western coast at their peak. House Bolton rebelled against House Stark in the North, but was always defeated by the Starks. The Storm Kings expand their territory north of the Westerlands to include the Riverlands up to the Neck around 350 but the Iron conquered the Riverlands from the Stormlands soon after. The Ironborn King, Harren Hoare builds Harrenhal.

Targaryen Dynasty (1AL- 270AL) (AL= after landing)

In 1AL, Aegon the Conqueror invades Westeros and unites six of the seven kingdoms under his banner of Targaryen. He constructs the new capital of Westeros, King’s Landing. He was not able to conquer Dorne, so it remains independent. Orys Baratheon (Aegon’s half-brother) is given control of Storm’s End, Highgarden was given to Harlen Tyrell, Riverrun was given to Edmyn Tully and is named the Lord of the Riverlands and Pyke is given to Vickon Greyjoy and he becomes the Lord of the Iron Islands. Targaryens breed through incest, so around 37AL when Aegon’s son Aenys I took the throne, the Faith of the Seven rejected his placement. This caused riots throughout the kingdom which the Aenys’ Hand, Maegor, dealt with through massacres and war, earning him the name, Maegor the Cruel. This conflict ended with King Jaehaerys I who declared a truce and agreed to end the violence in return for the submission to Targaryens in 48AL. The first civil war in Westeros’ history occurred in 129AL between Aegon II and his half-sister Rhaenyra Targaryen over their father’s throne. This war saw the end of the Targaryen dragons and ended with Aegon II being crowned in 137AL. In 157AL, King Daeron I invaded Dorne successfully, but left Tyrell of Highgarden in control which resulted an uprising because the Tyrells and Martells warred often. In 161AL, Daeron I is killed when he returned with a new army. In 161AL, King Baelor the Blessed (a septon King) made a peace treaty with Dorne. In 195AL, the second major civil war occurred when Daemon Blackfyre (bastard son of King Aegon IV) claimed the Iron Throne based on Daeron II’s illegitimacy, but is eventually defeated and killed. In 197AL, Dorne finally joins the Seven Kingdoms through the marriage of Daeron II’s younger sister Daenerys to Prince Maron Martell. In 212AL, the Second Blackfyre Rebellion took place. Blackfyre supporters attempted to launch the rebellion, but Bloodraven (the King’s Hand) exposes the plans. Blackfyre’s sons and other supporters were executed. Bloodraven is exiled to the Wall later, becoming the Lord Commander. In 262AL, Aerys II became King and appointed Tywin Lannister as the Hand. King Aerys marries his son, Prince Rhaegar to Princess Elia Martell instead of Tywin Lannister’s daughter, Cersei Lannister.

Robert’s Rebellion (282- 283AL)

In 282AL, Rhaegar Targaryen abducts Lyanna Stark. Lyanna’s eldest brother and father are killed for insisting King Aerys control the situation. Aerys also demands the heads of Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark from Jon Arryn, but instead, houses Arryn, Baratheon, and Stark raise rebellion. Robert claims the thrones, and so Robert’s Rebellion (or the War of the Usurper) begins. The Tullys join the rebellion while the Tyrells remain loyal to the King. The rebel army defeats the royalists in the Battle of the Trident and Prince Rhaegar is killed. The Lannisters turn against King Aerys and is killed by Jaime Lannister. Princess Elia Martell, her children, Aegon and Rhaenys Targaryen are murdered as well by Lannister bannermen. Lyanna Stark is found dying by Eddard. Robert becomes the King and marries Cersei Lannister. Loyal Targaryens send Aerys’ youngest children, Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys, to refuge in the Free Cities.

Current Events:

Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos invites Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen to stay in his city with him and offers help to reclaim the throne.

The Hand of King Robert, Jon Arryn, mysteriously dies, leaving Eddard Stark as the new Hand (after heavy persuasion from the King).

New sightings and evidence of White Walkers alarm the Night’s Watch.

Robert’s extravagant spending has left Westeros 6 million golden dragons in debt.

Setting:

The High Septon of Westeros, the High Sparrow, (the head of the Faith of the Seven) saw signs of danger in the realm. He recommends the Lords of the Kingdom and their counselors convene in King’s Landing to resolve any immediate conflicts. The High Sparrow saw an invasion of the Walkers, a brutal and quickly approaching winter, and the re-appearance of dragons and magic in his visions. You are to work with other kingdoms and leaders to resolve these issues before other issues surface. Map of Westeros and Essos

Political Map of Westeros

Political Structure of Westeros At the top of the social pyramid is the king. Theoretically, whatever the king says or does is law, and the king has ultimate power in all matters. He is the chief executive, the legislative body, and the supreme judge. In reality, the king is constrained by political realities, as his power relies on the loyalty of his subjects. Since kings cannot retire, if the king loses power, he must also lose his life. Directly below the king are the lords. The lords paramount are the leaders of the great houses, and rule over vast regions of the kingdom. Each one of these lords is a very powerful figure, and if two or more are able to form an alliance, it could rival or surpass the power of the king. Ensuring the support of the Lords Rickard Stark, Hoster Tully, Jon Arryn, Tywin Lannister, Balon Greyjoy, Robert Baratheon, Mace Tyrell, and Doran Martell is absolutely critical. Warden is an honorary title given to Lords that signifies that they are the protectors of a border of the realm. The Starks are traditionally Warden of the North, the Arryns are traditionally Warden of the East, the Martells are traditionally Warden of the South, and the Lannisters are traditionally Warden of the West. Each Lord Paramount has lords beneath them called high lords, and often these high lords have minor lords beneath them. Minor lords usually have landed knights and sworn swords beneath them. Each minor lord is responsible for raising troops (called levies) for his high lord’s wars, each high lord is responsible for raising levies for his lord’s wars, and each lord is responsible for raising levies for the king’s wars. In return, each higher level of the social pyramid grants parcels of land that he owns to the lords beneath him, and offers protection of that land. By this system, the King originally owns all land, and chooses to grant pieces of it to certain subjects, or vassals, in return for loyalty. In turn, these vassals grant pieces of the land they are given to their own vassals, and so on. Each lord owes ultimate loyalty to the lord directly above them, so that if a lord paramount rebels against a king, typically all of the high lords under him rebel as well. The common people of Westeros, or “smallfolk,” do not have many rights. Certain laws exist to prevent the abuse of the smallfolk by the nobility, but the enforcement of these laws depends on the character of the local lord. They are not expected to rise above their social class in their lifetime, though certain rare exceptions exist, and they are not expected to obtain any significant government office. They have little to no say in the way they are governed, and are expected to fight and die for their lord. Nevertheless, keeping the smallfolk happy is important for a lord, or even a king. Peasant rebellions and banditry are known to occur, and can have severe military and economic consequences. Remember, the commoners outnumber the nobility ten to one. In addition, the more prosperous the smallfolk are, the more taxes flow into the treasury.

Major Houses/ Characters

House Baratheon: “Ours is Fury”

King Robert Baratheon

 his wife Queen Cersei, of House Lannister  their children: Prince Joffrey, heir to the Iron Throne, Princess Myrcella, Prince Tommen  his brothers: Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Drangonstone, Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm’s End  His Small Council: Grand Maester Pycelle, counselor and healer, Lord Peter Baelish, master of coin, Lord Stannis Baratheon, master of ships, Lord Renly Baratheon, master of laws, Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguards. The principle houses sworn to Strom’s End are Selmy, Wylde, Trant, Penrose, Errol, Estermont, Tarth, Swann, Dondarrion, Caron. The principle houses sworn to Dragonstone are Celtigar, Velaryon, Seaworth, Bar Emmon, and Sunglass.

House Stark “Winter is Coming”

Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, Hand to the King

 His wife, Lady Catelyn of House Tully  Their children: Robb, the heir to Winterfell, Sansa, Arya, Brandon, Rickon, and the bastard Jon Snow  His ward, Theon Greyjoy, heir to the Iron Islands  His counselr, Maester Luwin

The principle houses sworn to Winterfell are Karstark, Umber, Flint, Mormont, Hornwood, Cerwyn, Reed, Manderly, Glover, Tallhart, and Bolton.

House Lannister “Hear me Roar!”

Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West, Shield of Lannisport.

 His wife, Lady Joanna, a cousin, died during childbirth  Their children: Ser Jaime, knight of the Kingsguard, called the Kingslayer, heir to Casterly Rock, a Twin to Cersei, Queen Cersei, wife of King Robert I Baratheon, a twin to Jaime, Tyrion, called the Imp, a dwarf  His counselor, Maester Creylen

Principle houses sworn to Casterly rock are Payne, Swyft, Marband, Lydden, Banefort, Lefford, Crakehall, Serrett, Broom, Clegane, Prester and Westerling

House Arryn “As High as Honour”

Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East, former Hand of the King, recently deceased

 His wife and widow, Lady Lya of House Tully  Their son, Robert Arryn, a sickly boy, now the Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale  Counselor, Maester Coleman

The principle houses sworn to the Eyrie are Royce, Baelish, Egen, Waynwood, Hunter, Corbray, Belmore, Melcolm, and Hersy.

House Tully “Family, Duty, Honour”

Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun

 His children, Catelyn, the eldest daughter, wed to Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Lysa, the younger daughter, wed to the late Lord Jon Arryn, Ser Edmure, heir to Riverrun  His brother, Ser Brynden, in the Arryn household  His counselor, Maester Vyman

Lesser houses sworn to Riverrun include Darry, Frey, Mallister, Bracken, Blackwood, Whent, Ryger, Piper, and Vance.

House Tyrell “Growing Strong”

Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Warden of the South, Defender of the Marches, high Marshall of the Reach

 His wife, Lady Alerie, of House Hightower of Oldtown  Their children: Willas, eldest son, heir to Highgarden, Ser Garlan, called the Gallant, Ser Loras, the Knight of Flowers, their youngest son, Margaery, their daughter  His widowed mother, Lady Olenna of House Redwyne, called the Queen of Thorns  His counselor, Maester Lomys

Principle houses sworn to Highgarden are Vyrwel, Florent, Oakheart, Hightower, Crane, Tarly, Redwyne, Rowan, Fossoway, and Mullendore

House Greyjoy “We do not Sow”

Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, King of the Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, Lord Reaper of Pyke

 His wife, Lady Alannys of House Harlaw  Their children, Asha, their daughter, captain of the Black Wind  Theon, their sole surviving son, heir to the Pyke, a ward of Lord Eddard Stark Lesser houses sworn to Pyke include Harlaw, Stonehouse, Merlyn, Sunderly, Botley, Tawney, Wynch, Goodbrother

House Martell “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”

Doran Nymeros Martell, Lord of Sunspear, Prince of Dorne

 His wife Mellario, of the Free City of Norvos  Their children, Princess Arianna, eldest daughter, heir to Sunspear, Prince Quentyn, their elder son, Prince Trystane, their younger son  His counselor, Maester Caleotte

The principle houses sworn to Sunspear include Jordayne, Santagar, Allyrion, Toland, Yronwood, Wyl, Fowler, and Dayne

The Sworn Brothers of the Night’s Guard

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, known as the Old Bear

 Jon Snow, sworn Brother, bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell  Cousellor, Maester Aemon

Background on Topics Discussed

The White Walkers

The White Walkers are mythological creatures that most people believe no longer, or never did, exist. They appear to be taller than humans and have wrinkly, pale skin with bright blue eyes. It has been eight thousand years before Robert’s Rebellion since anyone has seen them. Eight thousand years ago, during what was called the Long Night, winter had lasted a generation. During the Long Night, thousands died as crops could not grow, and all these corpses were buried beneath the snow. White Walkers came to Westeros from the furthest north, the Land of Always Winter and began to resurrect the dead as Wights to kill the living for them.

White Walkers can only be killed by weapons made of Dragonglass. When stabbed, the body will begin to become ice from where it was stabbed. It will eventually fall apart and its body will shatter into powder. Wights are resurrected humans with the use of magic, without the signs of decay or rot. They are immune to injuries that during life would have been fatal (decapitation, stabbings, etc). Even amputated limbs have the ability to move on their own. However, they are highly flammable. Even the smallest amount of flame can cause the Wights to burn. As a safety precaution, the Free Folk burn their dead so they cannot be revived.

Eventually the Children of the Forest and the First Men joined forces to defend themselves from the White Walkers in a war known as the War for the Dawn. Ultimately, the White Walkers were defeated and forced back into the far north.

From this, the seven hundred feet high Wall that stretches from one side of the continent to the other was constructed and the Night’s Watch was born.

However, as mentioned before, most people believe this to be nothing more than myths and bedtime stories for the young.

As the War of the Five Kings began, there had been several reports of White Walker sightings. However, due to the fighting amongst the lords for control of Westeros, the reports have been ignored. This leaves only the poorly equipped Night’s Watch to defend Westeros from the White Walkers.

Dragons

Dragons are creatures that existed in Westeros and Essos, and up until recently were considered extinct for over a century and half.

Daenerys Targaryen, of the House Tagaryen, was given 3 dragon eggs for her wedding to Khal Drogo. The Targaryens were known to be have a close relationship with dragons and still remain the sigil of their households. Although Daenerys knows nothing about her background, she still feels a connection with these ancient creatures and tries to hatch them by placing them in fire. When they do not hatch, she removes them from the fire with her bare hands, unscathed.

They do not hatch until she places them on top of Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre, lights the pyre and walks into the burning pyre. Her followers believed that she was dead but in the morning she was found with three newborn dragons.

They do not eat uncooked meat, and are about the size of small cats. However, they grew throughout their entire lives. Even at a young age, they can breathe fire. They begin to fly at an early age without any guidance. Dragons cannot be tamed but they can be trained or mastered.

Aegon the Conqueror commanded three dragons in battle. The deeper the bond between the human and dragon, the better the humans can master their dragons. Dragons are also very protective of their masters.

Direwolves

Direwolves are considered to be near mythical in most of south Westeros. People of the North know they exist but are rarely encountered. There may have been large populations of Direwolves in the past, but human development on their territory has pushed them to the Furthest North.

There have been confirmed sightings of Direwolves beyond the wall and the Wildlings who live Beyond the Wall claim there are Direwolves in large numbers in the Haunted Forest to the north of the Wall.

The Direwolf is the sigil of the Stark House. They are incredibly intelligent and unusually large. An adult direwolf is as large as a small horse, and can rip a man’s arm from its socket. The house Stark has adopted six orphaned direwolf cubs; one for each child.

Additional Readings: http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Direwolves http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Dragons http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/White_Walkers http://gameofthrones.net/ http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Main_Page http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Game_of_Thrones_Wiki http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season1/