Wandslinger's A Song of Ice and Fire

Game Master Wandslinger

Wait are we using the Original or A Game of Thrones Edition?

Cause it would take me a little bit to get the Original Edition PDF from my friend... But I have AGoT Edition readily Available.

Game of thrones edition. I have it in pdf, and the original in hardcopy with my own alterations for the errata. Though it's not like much changed anyway.

Don't have that book, is that going to be a problem? I'm sure I can get a hold of it

Do you have the original? I could just point out changes in whatever you use to build the character.

Don't have either. I'll get it soon. The new one?

Game of thrones edition, yes.

I'll get on it

Reviewed the primer and chargen rules tonight. Not too complex, and there's enough tightness to the rules that my "do everything" impulse is pretty much pre-empted and corralled, though a small part of me does want to now play a bastard maester that used to be an assassin for his noble father...

Also interesting that the Maester quality isn't actually necessary to be a maester, just to be one that's considered to be really good at his job.

Apparently the Maester Quality represents a Maester who has Forged his Chain.

The handiest resource for ASoIaF Player to have.

But...don't you have to forge your chain to be a maester outside the Citadel? Or am I missing something that the Primer doesn't cover? Details are apparently needed.

I guess I mean a Maester who has finished their training and gained a Chain in some form. They are actually recognized as a Maester.

You can study at the Citadel without actually becoming a Maester, it would just be represented by higher knowledge skills. However, you won't ever be able to gain the title once you leave the citadel, and no house is going to hire you as a maester if you don't have the title.

If you are dead set on playing one properly, then yes, you need the Quality, and the house has to invest the 10 Wealth required to actually have a Maester.

Hmm. Guess I need to downgrade his age category by one if I actually want to have a Destiny Point free and uninvested at start then.

Why don't you wait on character design until we actually find out where we are and how our house shapes up, hmmm?

Because aughgihguhguhghggh!

Yeah I'll just keep reading the book until everything makes more sense. Hopefully your sixth man chimes in soon, I'm guessing we can't really do this without everyone involved being "on deck" as it were.

Got the book. I'll look over it

I am glad my concept is usable no matter what way we go with this.

Yes, though I don't know of any lord that will simply let you leave when you please. I kinda got that vine fron your concept pitch.

If yer all full up Wandslinger, I'll volunteer to be an alternate.

According to George R.R. Martin's short stories dealing with ASoIaF: Travelling Swordsmen are actually a common sight in the world. They typically use Hospitality and fight for the Lord then when they find they aren't needed they move on.

Though these Swordsmen are typically from beyond the 7 Kingdoms. A few are displaced Knights from fallen houses or Bastards who chose to set out and find their own path.

I wish I could find the story that he actually references one such Vagabond Swordsmen... The story actually deals with a bastard son of a lord whom goes against his father by siding with The Usurper.

Yeah you can't really just leave when you want if you're a hedge knight it seems. There's an expectation of service until the lord no longer needs you.

I mean...you probably could leave whenever, but you'd get a bad reputation and would probably be regarded as little more than a low mercenary, not the best reputation for a fighting man in the Seven Kingdoms.

Yeah I am sure. But there is a difference between a Hedge Knight and Travelling Swordsman. Still not sure which I am planning on running.

I think I know which story you're talking about actually, but I'm not really versed in the lore much so I didn't really know if it was a big element of the setting or not. The book certainly doesn't cover it in its archetypes, but then again the game is focused around playing more permanent fixtures of a House at its base, so not surprising.

If I'm reading this right, it seems like the party is all full up. If I can throw my hat into the ring as at least an alternate behind spazmodeus I will.

The Game focuses only on the main Books. Not any story outside off that.

I am thinking of making him a former Traveling Swordsman who has become a knight of the House if we go that route. He could have taken the Black simply to get out of trouble. Or he could still be a Vagabond as part of a Mercenary Group.

To all applicants for alternates: please send me a PM so that I will remember this.

The rest: given that most of us wish to play a minor house story, I was thinking of having some small interludes where we would have you guys be members of the Night's Watch. That's the only way I'm gonna have members of the group become Night's Watch guys (unless we suddenly switch gears and all decide to take the black). I'm wiling to try and run very disparate threads of story for you who wish to be intrigue focused vs combat focused, but I am not going to separately track the story of one person hundreds of leagues from everyone else.

Azaelas: I can accept a former vagabond who has finally found someone worth serving. it would be interesting to delve into the desire for wanderlust clashing against the oath of servitude. Besides, if things go badly for the house, you all might be out on your keisters, and then your character will have the upper hand!

Hmm... Doesn't the GoT Edition include a Quality for Contacts?

Yeah, the clash between intrigue and violent action kinda defines the books doesn't it? Maesters kinda straddle that line a bit in that they advise everyone on just about everything though. Should be interesting.

Yeah, I think that's an interesting way to go. Would feel very much like the books.

I was thinking if we have an Heir or such I would probably work out a deal to where I was their Bodyguard or such.

I am trying to figure up how old he would have had to of been a Adolescent that fought in the Battle that is on the Cover of the GoT Version.

You could just be an adult if you were a young adult during the battle of the trident.

Would it be acceptable for me to be from Dorne? I was thinking that or being a bastard of Connington. I think that would make for some interesting play, but that's just me,

True... It did only occur 14 years prior to AGoT...

@Crom: I am planning on being a Bastard of a Lesser Northern Lord.

Well in that case I'll just be a man-at-arms. Jolly old sellsword, eh? I don't wanna step on any toes ;)

Oh no I think have 2 Bastards would be interesting.

Oh! Well by all means then. I just think it might be problematic being a bastard of connington for me because the last connington in westeros was prince rheagars best friend.. But being a bastard of Umber would be just as awesome if I could swing it lol

Umber or Lightfoot, if from the north.

Actually, IIRC that was the last Connington who held any significant power. Though Umber would be interesting... Really there are a lot of options. Heck, even Baratheon would work. Doesn't Robert have a 17+ Bastard?

I'm trying to decide if I want to go Weapon Savant and wield a Bastard Sword as my main weapon or go a Spearman Route.

Oh great 2 Snows... Well I guess Winter is Coming...

Bastard sword is my favorite weapon ever.. So for me I'd like to either do that or mace/warhammer. But really its up to you. I'll either be from the north or the riverlands.

Oooo... Twin Vagabond Swordsmen both wielding Bastard Swords. I see some awesome things in that...

@Windslinger: Would we be able to spend Downtime Training or such?

Like while someone does intrigue or Travels I could train to increase my Marksmanship or study t increase my Knowledge or Cunning?

Phelan Rivers...
I like the ring of that. Man-at-arms from the riverlands, weilder of the bastards blade.

Edrik Snow was my first thought on a name.

Though I was thinking having actual Twin Bastards wielding the Bastard's Blade would be interesting.

Weapon Savant is amazing for this type of Build. Unfortunately it requires a massive investment. But if you wield any weapon that requires Training it is amazing.

Ooh I like that as well. I'll have to check on the class

It is a Quality... Class? ASoIaF is open. It doesn't have classes.

Sorry, force of habit

Ah! I understand that. But I actually like the fact that ASoIaF doesn't have any Classes and instead has Archetype Guidelines.

Let's focus on house creation first. I know you all are frothing at the mouth to begin, and soon we will. I need to be able to envision the setting first though.

EDIT: I also have certain rules about character creation that you'll need to see first.

My last guy dropped, so I've asked The Hunter, who first pm'd me about filling a spot, to join in. we'll start house creation as soon as he posts.

So, assuming he comes through, our player list will be:
UltraFennec
Michaellane
Azaelas Fayth
Cromofthebloodhammer
Irnk, Dead Eye's Prodigal
The Hunter

Now: I am willing to field preferences for house location. After all, I have my own preferences as well.As to having two bastards, it might be possible, though I would find it more interesting to have a Ward tossed into the mix as well.

Ooooo... I had forgotten about Wards...

I am just designing the Outline that way I can get him up as soon as I can.

Still trying to figure out a Good Stat Block Layout for this game...

Yeah I laughed a bit when three of us fielded Bastard ideas. Will have to futz with things, see how we can field out good ideas without all tricking the same pony as it were.

HOWS KREATUN! My vote is obviously that we lay it out right away, who knows when this Hunter character will post?! PANIC.

I...I think my only preference is NOT the Iron Islands lol. As much as everyone likes the North from what I've read I'm really OK with just about anywhere. I suppose if pressed I'd lean slightly to uh...the Neck? Whatever region houses the Vale of Arryn and environs. And Dorne, but I'm 100% sure that was vetoed right out. And OK maybe the North, if only because they have the coolest of the weird super-critters.

Hmm...I wonder if building a Maester that becomes a skinchanger is possible...that sounds like a LOT of investment in varied skills.

Actually I think it will just require a lot of Destiny Points...

I am thinking I will go with the Ward idea...