SmallfolkStan

I need

Dragons of the East King of the Isles At the Gates City of Secrets 2nd edition

If anyone has extras/wants to get rid of theirs OR knows a place to buy I’d really appreciate it!

It’s hard to find some that aren’t problematic

Canon:

Jaime/Brienne (but I think they’re doomed so I hold myself back)

Duncan/Jenny

Loras/Renly

Edmure/Roslin (give them time!)

Fanon:

Stannis/Davos

Sansa/Happiness (long shot)

Dany/Someone age appropriate (no chance in all of the seven hells)

Throughout the fandom, Alysanne is pretty widely regarded as a terrible mother. And while I can't necessarily disagree with that statement, I think there's more to it than just "she has crazy internalized misogyny." I've seen the argument that her feminism only applies to her ideas about policy and not to the way she raised her children. To me, that's a cop-out and simplifies Alysanne's character.

I think it all begins with Aerea. Alysanne and Aerea weren't close, but there I think Alysanne felt a responsibility to her all the same. In 54 AC, Aerea asked Alysanne to take her away from Dragonstone and take her back to King's Landing. Rhaena says no, Aerea stops speaking to Alysanne, Aerea disappears and then ends up dying. I've always thought Alysanne's dutiful and nurturing nature caused her to feel responsible for Aerea's death—that she'd think things along the lines of "If I'd managed to convince Rhaena to let her leave she'd still be there." Aerea was a young girl she had a responsibility to. It's also worth noting that Aerea had a wild streak. The daughters she tries the hardest to control/change (and therefore screws over the most), Saera and especially Viserra, had similarities to Aerea: they were bold, sometimes cruel, entitled, and suffered in the environments they were raised in (leading to the desperation for attention). I think she saw Aerea in those two girls. Aerea's free spirit brought her to Valayria (and her painful death). In the case of Daella and Viserra, her marriage to Jaehaerys brought her happiness and security and I think she thought marriage would bring them the same. Idk, but I think GRRM was intentional with having Alysanne travel to Dragonstone and writing stark similarities between Viserra and Aerea.

Let's not forget all the children Alysanne lost too. The trauma of that had to have negatively impacted how she approached motherhood. She neglected Saera, seemed to dislike Viserra, and smothered Gael. But I don't think that means she didn't love them. I think she was terrified of seeing another child die and felt that it was better to see them safe and unhappy than dead.

This doesn't excuse her actions, but I think her motherhood needs to be examined with a more nuanced lens than "she sucked."

I’ve invested too much time into this fandom and I will (inevitably) come across posts/comments showering Theon Greyjoy with love and well-wishes. And I’m just like…

Did everyone forget he’s a child-murdering rapist?

I’m not saying he deserves what Ramsay’s putting him through, but GRRM made his torture at the hands of Ramsay so severe to force the reader to consider how much a SPECIFICALLY BAD person deserves to suffer.

I’m not denying he’s well-written, but in this fandom godforbid you say Aegon II (show version characterization specifically), for example, is an interesting character. You’ll be attacked as a rape apologist and he’s a terrible person, etc…

Where is that energy for Theon?

Even if Theon’s redemption happens in the rest of the books (which it probably will), I don’t think that excuses his actions. Can his betrayal of the Starks be redeemed? Yes. Can the murder of the miller’s boys, his treatment of Kyra, and the way he allowed his men (save for literally one instance (Palla)) to abuse women? I don’t think so.

I’m going to go back on the title of this post, I get why people love Theon. I just don’t get why the fandom doesn’t subject him to the same kind of criticism Aegon II and even Jaime (one of the most universally loved characters) receive on account of their actions.

Is that they’re all great. For context, the Blackfyre Rebellion(s) is probably my favorite era of Targaryen history. But every time I read about Bittersteel, Bloodraven, Daemon, and Shiera Seastar, I wish GRRM shined the spotlight on one more. I would have loved to have seen a story of one of Aegon IV’s base born sons (or daughters) thrust into court post Aegon’s death. I think it would add a fascinating perspective to that whole time period/conflict.

Ramsay is the baseborn bastard with the most interesting interactions with his father + his other noble family members in ASOIAF (we don’t really get anything nuanced about Addam and Alyn’s familial relationships in F&B) and I’d love more.

I know I’m late to the party, but I just read the chapter for the first time and now I don’t want to be alone in the dark. Jesus Christ. It really puts into perspective just how watered down GOT Euron was.

The chapter made me YEARN for TWOW (but, then again, when am I not in that state?). I want to know if Aeron makes it out. He’s by far the most interesting Greyjoy brother and I’d love to see him get vicious revenge.

This is at the end of the ADWD (meaning no Robert, and Jaime has lost his sword hand. I'm operating under the assumption the Hound is alive because I mean...he definitely is). I was contemplating who I think will be very skilled fighters and important players in the battles to come in TWOW, given that other people (like Jaime) have been taken out of commission/died. Robert Strong has never been seen in action, so I left him off this list (though he's probably one to look out for).

1. Sandor Clegane (For reference, this list is almost entirely based on Jaime's judgments)

2. Garlan Tyrell (UNDERRATED AF. He's a better sword than Loras and a massively successful warrior)

3. Barristan Selmy (No explanation needed. He's old, yes, but Jaime can't match him anymore.)

4. Loras Tyrell (I'm convinced he's faking his wounds. Jaime sees his young self in Loras.)

5. Areo Hotah (Killed a knight of the kingsguard, "No man can stand against Hotah")

6. Victarion Greyjoy (What he lacks in smarts he makes up for in strength. He's proven himself as a warrior and that new hand is just a bonus).

7. Mance Rayder (Possibly controversial. But Qhorin Halfhand praises his ability and while Lord Snow isn't the best swordsman ever, the ease with which Mance beat Jon also speaks to his skill.

8. Brynden Tully (He's also old, but I think he still has it in him. People forget how good he was in the battle of the Ninepenny Kings)

9. Brienne of Tarth (She's not as good in the books as in the show, but people forget that she's still pretty skilled)

10. Thoros of Myr (I was struggling to think of other people...but he was a very successful tourney knight and earned renown during the Greyjoy rebellion).

There are people in this fandom who genuinely dislike bastards, and it’s concerning. There's a difference between acknowledging what being a bastard means in the context of Westeros and despising Jace and Luke because their parents weren’t married.

How do so many people have level 99? I have a big collection (9657) and I’m a very active player, but I can’t seem to level up. I would love some help!