This is the thread for the initial discussion of the game. We will discuss: our characters and their playbooks; the creation of your faction or factions; and the options for the setting.

The first topic is this: What part of the world do we want to be the host for our adventures? I'm expecting it's somewhere in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, but if you want to start in the Stepstones or the Free Cities or across the Narrow Sea, we can make that work too.

In reply to Master of Ceremonies (MC) (msg # 1):

I would prefer a Westerosi game to one in Essos.

I would be open to a game that included some Narrow Sea elements like the Stepstones or Disputed lands, as these lands have occasionally been fought over by Westerosi rulers.

In terms of regions within Westeros, I think my preference would be a focus on Dorne or the Vale or King's Landing [likely in that order of preference]. The North is often a fan favourite, but I think the other regions can be just as flavourful.

I would also prefer a Westerosi campaign to an Essosi one. I'd also be open to some of the Narrow Sea elements PC-2 described. As for where it's set, I think a campaign in the Reach or the Vale would be fun.

The Reach is a good setting, because it has a good balance of courtly politics [especially in Oldtown or Highgarden] and powerful lords feuding with one another. Throw in the Dornish Marches and the Starry Sept, and its almost a setting within a setting. I'd be happy with a game set there.

We have three players now, which seems like a good core group to start discussing a time period?

I was about to suggest the reach. I was hoping to get buy-in from everyone before we moved on, but I don't think anyone would object to the reach.

Now, as for the historical period. I don't want to run a game before, during, or shortly after aegon's Conquest.

We could set our game around the dance of the Dragons, the civil war between Aegon II and Rhaenyra Targaryen, but I feel like that wouldn't be as good a scope for a role playing game.

I have better hopes for the first Blackfyre Rebellion, or the time shortly after it.

I also have good hopes for the reign of the Mad King, Aerys II. That might well lead us into Robert's rebellion, and the setting of A Game of Thrones.

I'm good with the Reach. Either the Blackfyre Rebellion or the Mad King's rein works for me as a time period.

I'm also happy with any of the options suggested. I have a slight preference toward the Mad King's reign, as I've had less experience with that setting than the others that have been suggested.

So we're leaning towards the Reach during the reign of Aerys II. Fine.

Let's talk about your House.

Your group is going to be sworn to a landed knight, himself sworn to the service of a noble house in the Reach. This is the lowest tier of nobility in Westeros. Most noble-born people would consider you to be hardly more than smallfolk. Still, it is a position with certain privileges in the knight's land.

Does anyone have suggestions on what the houses' name should be?

Oof, that is low indeed.

I'm not familiar with many landed knights in The Reach.

One suggestion I would have is "The Lowtowers" as a kind of pun on "Hightowers", and have the knight be distantly descended from that.

Alternatively, if the landed knight is in the Dornish Marches, they could be named after mountains, defending, or a weapon type.- "House Surewatch" "House Trueward" House "Redspear" House "Swordhill" etc etc.

So are we members of the landed knight's family, or actual smallfolk?

I do like the lowtower idea, but I feel like the name would be too obvious in my opinion

If you have relations to the Hightowers, you might be in the vicinity of Oldtown or the Marches.

Other suggestions:
Skytower
Highkeep
Brighttower
Dawntower

In reply to Master of Ceremonies (MC) (msg # 11):

I like Dawntower!

Dawntower or Brighttower both look good.

These are the roles that the knight has in his court. You can select any of these roles and characterize it as you see fit.

1 illegitimate son and 1 illegitimate daughter, of different mothers.

His first wife gave him
1 daughter, then 1 son.

After his first wife passed away, he married again.
The current Lady of the house.
She has 1 son, and 1 daughter.

The knight keeps a ward, who stands hostage against the behaviour of a noble family.

The knight keeps a seneschal, who mainly watches after his coin.

The captain of the army.

The captain of the garrison.

The maester.

A septon.

A Septa.

The sheriff, who keeps the law among the smallfolk.

A courtier.

A fool.

An Oracle.

The knight's Champion.

A lady's maid, a woman of low birth who helps the ladies of the court.

A lady-in-waiting, a woman of gentle birth who keeps company with ladies of the court.

A midwife, a woman who provides healing and advice to the smallfolk, especially related to pregnancy and children.

I'm thinking an illegitimate son or a ward