Western Westeros Background Guide 1 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Simulation Structure 4 Factions 5 Faction Strengths and Weaknesses 6 Roles 11 Participant Conduct 16 Simulation Systems 17 Glossary 19 2 Introduction On behalf of Western Washington University’s Game of Thrones Club, Foul Play: A Murder Mystery Club, and the International Affairs Association we welcome you to the first annual Western Westeros simulation. The simulation is intended to be a fun, exciting and surprisingly thought provoking simulation of an original crisis occurring with the fictional environment of George R. R. Martin’s best selling series A Song of Ice and Fire, (or A Game of Thrones for the lowborn). Although a relatively short simulation, this temporality belies the simulation’s true depth. Our staff have worked to craft a simulation where any participant, regardless of familiarity with George R. R. Martin’s work or experience in political simulations can interact with fellow university students to shape the experiences and outcomes of their peers. Participants will work both as individuals as well as part of a greater whole to pursue their interests, wage war, and lay claim to the greatest prize of all: the Iron Throne of Westeros. Contained within this document is our guide to everything that you need to know about this simulation, including how to participate, what to expect, and how to excel. If you have any questions about the simulation, please feel free to contact our staff before, during, or after the event. Valar Dohaeris, Director of Simulations Charlie Walentiny Chief of Staff Jesse Barnett 3 Simulation Structure Participants in the simulation fulfill a role within the fictional world of A Song of Ice and Fire. Their role is defined by their job description and the faction that they belong to. There are 3 Simulated Factions: the forces of King Joffrey, the forces of King in the North Robb Stark, and the forces of King Renly Baratheon. Each of the 3 factions has 10 Members, who collectively make up each faction’s Small Council. All Small Council Members fall within two categories roles: Advisory and Bannermen. Advisory: These roles, such as Master of Coin, Master of Whispers, and any other role that isn’t part of a Bannered House, work to advise the King, represented via the Hand of the King. There are 7 Advisory roles on each council. The Advisory members do not have lands or military forces of their own, but do have the power of the King to work with on a closer level than the Houses. They ultimately serve the efforts of the crown, first and foremost, and work to further it’s greater goal while making a better life for themselves. They make their requests, ideas and moves known to the hand, who then present it to the King for consideration, to which he will respond accordingly. Things like declarations of war, production of units and facilitating marriages will be discussed by these members. Bannermen: Bannermen, such as House Tully, House Tyrell, or House Clegane, have more independant power than the Advisor roles. They have their own military forces, naval powers, and allies that can work for or against their cabinet. Being that they attend to their own lands and people, they are more removed from the efforts of the crown’s inner politics, but server a greater role in the actual battles as they are the main force of war for the crown. The Kings cannot hope to win wars without their bannermen, but the bannerman rely on the support and infrastructure granted by the crown’s authority. They make their desires, offerings and appeasements to the King’s Hand, but also have the ability to defect from their faction and join another if it is more strategically viable. There are 2­3 Bannermen per Faction. 4 Factions Forces of Joffrey I of the House Baratheon Hail to Joffrey of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. The son of King Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister, Joffrey is first in the line of succession for the realm and is followed by his younger sibling Tommen I and Myrcella I. Despite his surname, the Forces of Joffrey are drawn primarily from the Westerlands and the Crownlands. The Westerlands, famed throughout the world for their productive gold mines, considerable wealth, and led by the indomitable Tywin Lannister of House Lannister provide the true strength of Joffrey’s forces. Complementing the Westerlands economic base, the Crownlands contains the cultural and political soul of Westeros, and is home to Kings Landing, the largest city in the world and capital of all of Westeros. The Forces of Joffrey are famed for their wealth, ambition, and willingness to succeed at all costs. Forces of Robb of the House Stark Hail to Robb of the House Stark, King in the North, King of the Trident, and Lord of Winterfell. The son of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Stark (nee Tully), Robb is the eldest son of the Stark family, consisting of brothers Brandon and Rickon, sisters Sansa and Arya, and the bastard John Snow. After Eddard served the King Robert Baratheon in Robert’s Rebellion and Robert claimed the Throne, he withdrew to the north, maintaining the hard border at Moat Cailin while maintaining his claim on the riverlands south of the Neck and north of Highgarden. To the north is The Wall, a 700 foot barrier of ice and rock that divides the the frozen tundra from the civilized lands below, guarded by the Night’s Watch. Due to it’s isolation and location, the North rarely sees unrest from the south, though the claims on the riverlands do bring contention, and a recent rebellion from the Greyjoys to the west have resulted in tensions from along the Western shore. Lord Eddard rode south to serve as Hand of King, and Robb has ruled in his stead with his mother Catelyn as an advisor since. Forces of Renly of the House Baratheon Hail to Renly of the House Baratheon, Lord of Storm’s End, Master of Laws, and King of the Seven Kingdoms. As Renly the younger brother of the current King of Westeros Robert Baratheon and the current Lord of Dragonstone and Master of Ships Stannis Baratheon, Renly Baratheon was raised in a life of privilege and luxury. Too young to participate in his elder brother Robert’s rebellion against the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, Renly was fostered in the Baratheon fortress of Storm's End. Despite this upbringing, Renly enjoys little support from the Stormlands, and has instead forged deep ties with the Reach's House Tyrell. Drawing upon his own personal charisma as well as the considerable diplomatic and economic resources of House Tyrell, the forces of Renly Baratheon are not to be taken lightly. Renly’s interest in ruling is largely a result of his conversion to the faith of the Red God R’hllor, a faith which despite the fervor of its worshippers, has made adherents of the more traditional faiths wary. 5 Strengths and Weaknesses Forces of Joffrey I of the House Baratheon Strengths All the Wealth of Casterly Rock: Maintaining access to both the historical wealth of the Westerlands as well as control of the Royal Finances, King Joffrey is the wealthiest of the claimants. Not only can Joffrey rely upon the constant production of Gold from his family's holdings in Casterly Rock, Castamere, the Pendric Hills, Golden Tooth and Nunn’s Deep but he may also borrow from others against the Crown’s considerable assets. As a result, Joffrey retains close ties with the Iron Bank, the financial arm of the Faith of the Seven, Essosi lenders and other merchants. Loyal Bannermen: Joffrey ­ and in particular his grandfather and Lord of Casterly Rock Tywin Lannister ­ commands the absolute loyalty of his vassals, ruling through fear, intimidation and outright violence. The Lannisters are seldom crossed without repercussion, giving rise to the phrase “A Lannister always pays his debts”. The House Lannister does not tolerate insubordination let alone rebellion, and has even gone so far as to annihilate the rebellious Houses of Reyne and Castamere. Joffrey can expect that his bannermen will remain with him until the end and will not betray the faction. The Seat of the King: With a contingent of Lannister soldiers, the knights of the Kingsguard, and the city guard, Joffrey maintains control over King’s Landing, the site of Aegon the Conqueror’s first conquest and the traditional capital of Westeros. In addition to the City’s strategic location ­ sitting upon the convergence of the Goldroad, the Kingsroad, and the Roseroad ­ the city confers legitimacy onto Joffrey’s cause. So long as Joffrey holds King’s Landing and the Iron Throne his claim cannot be ended. Wed and Bed: Despite his quirks, Joffrey remains the most eligible bachelor in the Seven Kingdoms. In addition, his younger siblings Tommen and Myrcella have also yet to be engaged and remain useful bargaining chips. Marriages could be used to either to ensure the loyalty of those bannermen already pledged to Joffrey or to establish ties with families that remain uncommitted to the Lannister cause, or even committed to one of their foes. Weaknesses “Harder!”: Although no one would be so foolish as to say so aloud, Joffrey Baratheon is quite simply unhinged. Despite the best counsel of many of the Kingdom’s wisest advisors, Joffrey ultimately gets what he wants. Even on 6 matters that gain the Small Council’s complete agreement, the King may choose a contradictory course.