Narratives and Databases in Game of Thrones - Game Play: Paratextuality in Contemporary Board Games - page 138

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Narratives and Databases in Game of hrones
When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. here is no middle
ground.
Cersei Lannister, A Game of hrones
he mighty families of Westeros are at war. Robert Baratheon, king and ruler
over the seven kingdoms, has died. North of Moat Cailin, the Starks maintain
their hold on the fortress at Winterfell with an eye toward the Iron hrone at
King's Landing. But south of Riverrun, ive major families also vie for control—
the power-hungry and rich Lannisters, the bitter and sea-faring Greyjoys, the
ierce and unforgiving Martell family, the ambitious yet chivalrous Tyrells,
and the troubled and strong-willed Baratheon clan (the seventh family, House
Targaryen, has been nearly decimated and its surviving members lie in exile
of the board). An alliance develops between the Greyjoys and the Baratheons.
he Lannisters, trying to make inroads into the center of Westeros, have spread
their troops too thin. House Greyjoy and House Baratheon ponder: should they
march? Should they defend? Should they attempt to gain power? he Martells
and the Tyrells join forces. In a shocking turn of events, House Baratheon betrays
House Greyjoy! Greyjoy attempts to piece together a defense, asking Martell
to support their defenses. Martell refuses. House Baratheon destroys House
Greyjoy, claiming Castle Crackclaw as their own and winning control over the
kingdom of Westeros. he great families may ally with one another, but there
can be only one king.
Meanwhile, on a smaller scale, the same war over the future of Westeros
rages, as characters from House Stark and House Lannister attack and defend
using cards depicting diferent House individuals. In play sit three Lannister
cards: Maester Pycelle, whose scholarly, alchemical, and science training allow
him a seat on the king's inner council. Next to him, the Lannister Men-at-
arms, a series of indistinguishable, helmeted knights, provide military power.
But the true hero of the Lannister deck is Ser Jamie Lannister, who not only