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When our group decided to play Kingmaker, I knew that I wanted to make the feel of the game one similar to my favorite book series, Game of Thrones by George RR Martin. These are the adjustments I made in my campaign to make that happen. Hopefully some of you will find at least part of these ideas useful or interesting.
Bear in mind that none of this is even remotely canon, as the noble houses of Brevoy have been expanded into Dukedoms, with lesser noble houses underneath of each of them for greater political complications and possibilities. The Swordlords have been expanded from a bunch of itinerant dueling swordsmen in Restov into a quiet force equal to any of the standing Dukes. Additionally, the Churches of Abadar and to some extent Gorum also wield a great deal of influence and power, though not quite to the degree the noble houses do.
My party started out in a fictional town of Tammerling, located in the lands of the Baron Manning, a minor Rogarvian noble with amicable ties to the Swordlords. It was actually the Baron who commissioned the party to head into the Stolen Lands, not the Swordlords or Brevoy. The Swordlords approved obviously, since it gave their side more resources and land and places a buffer between Restov and Mivon. Surtova doesn’t really have any involvement in this venture, which allows the GM to involve the Royal Brevic guard either as allies, neutrals, or enemies, depending on the circumstances.
Personalities of the Duchies of Brevoy
House Surtova – very cunning, manipulative, opportunistic, use their wealth gained as a merchant family to open up doors for future advancement. Some of their extended family are secretly pirates upon the Lake of Sea and Mists, and raid in conjunction with House Lodovka. Noleski is fond of his station and the wealth, luxuries, women, and adoration it brings him. His sister has far more ambitious goals, and wants to eventually sit on the throne directly. Her idol is Abrogail of House Thrune, who she sees as a guide for enlightened rule. To assist her in her ambitions, she has fostered and allied herself with a heretical brance of the Church of Abadar that believes in using force and intimidation to maintain order and law (LE). This house is played similar to the Lannisters from GoT, minus quite so much gold.
House Medvyed – straightforward, old school, steady and reliable, strong, worship the Old Gods (Erastil/Green Faith), and rule over lands that are mostly untamed wilderness. This house is played similarly to the Starks from GoT, with a bit more political savvy.
House Orlovsky – proud, fierce, intractable hill people, who are much influenced by their Iobarian roots. They were close allies to the House Rogarvia, and do not look favorably upon the current Regent situation with a Surtovan pretender sitting on the throne. They never miss a chance to remind the regent of his true title, and speak as if the Rogarvians are merely on an extended vacation and will soon return to set things right. They will never give up ground when they don’t have to, and are politically patient and calculating in their dealings. They have a longstanding feud with House Lodovka and have see House Surtova as simpering lackeys. They are a very dangerous enemy and currently the one most in the sights of Surtova. If the Regent can stabilize things in the south enough to act in the North with a free hand, there could soon be a Crown War over the title of King. This house plays like the Scotsmen of the Northern Highlands, a la Braveheart.
House Lodovka – extensive ships, water dwelling folk, quite a bit of piracy and raiding, treacherous when dealing with anyone but House Surtova. This house is played similar to the Ironborn (Greyjoys) from GoT, only toned down a little so it is slightly more weasily and less burn and destroy everything.
House Garess – reserved, tend to stay out of disputes, hold back their allegiance until they can gain the most benefit, interested in what they payout is more than any loyalties. Played a bit like the Freys from GoT, though if the elder Lord Garess passes and his dwarven heir takes the ducal throne, this kingdom could become a bit more assertive and posturing.
House Lebeda - tempestuous, driven, prickly about their honor, in short, much like the Swordlords. The current matron of the House wants to marry her daughter off to Noleski Surtova in return for her support in his becoming king, and plans to strongarm the Swordlords who have domains in her lands into her way of thinking. Ideally, her son will be married off to a Swordlord ruling family, cementing her local alliances as well. Despite her lofty goals, Dame Sarrona has not really thought things through, nor consulted with many of those involved in her schemes. Her daughter is in love with a Swordlord scion already, and plans to keep him as a lover once she marries the king, possibly re-marrying him if something “tragic” were to happen to the king. Her son wants more than anything to adventure and see the wonders of the world, and has very little interest in ruling anything currently. He doesn’t mind ruling, he just wants to sow his wild oats and experience life some before being chained down to a title the rest of his life. He secretly plans to steal away to this new kingdom in the Stolen Lands where there are risks and adventures aplenty, if the bards and rumors are to be believed. This house is played like the Tyrells from GoT, ambitious to align themselves to the ruling power of the realm, whoever that may be. The have their fingers in many endeavors and tend to cover their bases by playing both sides of the fence at the same time, so they come out on top no matter which was the situation resolves itself.
