History Fanfic / ZeroRequiem

** A few of the smaller Crownlands houses ask about Donnall for their daughters as, even though he is a bastard, he is to be Lelouch's cousin and right-hand man.

* DistressedDude: Addam was taken prisoner by Lashare early in the story, with Lelouch making it his number one duty to rescue him and taking revenge on Lashare a close second. Addam's situation becomes much worse later on when Lashare sold him to the dothraki before Lelouch could rescue him.

* TheRival: Jaron Velaryon and Ormund Baratheon are the leaders of the two main political power blocs in King's Landing and never miss an opportunity to snipe at one another.

* ButtMonkey: The Stepstones pirates. Lelouch bullied them to support him in his war against the band of nine. Ormund used them as deniable privateers and potential scapegoat during the war. Even worse, the Westerosi later planned to drive them out of the Stepstones altogether to solidify their control over the islands, though at least they planned to reward those pirates who fought for them.

* TheLancer: Cici very quickly edges out Donnall in taking this role for Lelouch. Owing to their past lives, he trusts her more than he does even his own blood and has her regularly take important missions on his behalf.

* SilentScapegoat: Ormund Baratheon takes responsibility for the failure at Naques, telling Aerys that the lords will be clamoring to blame someone and, with the commander of the sentries dead, the fault must lie with him so that it cannot be attributed House Targaryen. He then hands over command of the armies to Gerold Hightower and returns home.

* WeHaveReserves: This is Westeros' biggest advantage over the Band of Nine. No matter how much more skilled and disciplined the Golden Company are, they are horribly outnumbered and Westeros can easily replace any casualties they suffer.

* AFatherToHisMen

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Lelouch's motivation throughout the war is to get brutal revenge on Lashare and his conspiritors.

* OhCrap: Adarys' reaction when he heard that Maelys thought he was betraying the Band of Nine. He immediately put all efforts into winning an alliance with the Westerosi out of fear or what [[MakeAnExampleOfThem Maelys would do to him]].

* OhCrap: Adarys' reaction when he heard that Maelys thought he was betraying the Band of Nine. He immediately put all effort to win an alliance with the Westerosi out of fear or what [[MakeAnExampleOfThem Maelys would do to him]].

** Jaron fervently ships Lelouch with Rhaella, though it was mostly for political reason than personal ones. Aerys also seemed to ship Lelouch with Rhaella occasionally.

** The [[UnusualEuphemism "ample dowry"]] remark in chapter 18 is an almost certain reference to a different but similar term in a [[Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail famous medieval movie]].

* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: While the story focuses on Lelouch and his exploits, every now and then the author would mention someone else's accomplishments in passing as a reminder that [[HeroOfAnotherStory other characters also had their share of glories and adventures, even if the details are scarce]].
* OhCrap: Adarys's reaction when he heard that Maelys thought he was betraying the Band of Nine. He immediately put all effort to win an alliance with the Westerosi out of fear or what [[MakeAnExampleOfThem Maelys would do to him]].

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Not even the Golden Company likes Maelys and he’s well aware that the only way he can hope to rule Westeros is through respect and [[TheDreaded fear]].

* BetrayalByInaction: Maelys murders his cousin Daemon due to believing Daemon had committed treason against House Blackfyre by advising his uncle against taking the opportunity to try and claim the Iron Throne during Lyonel Baratheon’s rebellion.

* BlatantLies: Lelouch claims that it was a complete coincidence that the Kingswood brotherhood was found while he was out hunting, and he just ran into and joined up with the knights while he was in the forest. Lord Wendwater is impressed enough with Lelouch’s results that he’s willing to play along.

* ButterflyOfDoom: Lelouch’s mere existence throws canon completely out the window. Because of him, when Jenny of Oldstones brought the Ghost of High Heart to court, she never gave the prophecy of the prince that was promised to Jaehaerys. So Aerys and Rhaella weren’t forced to marry, Rhaegar was never born and the Westeros’ political landscape was completely altered.
* {{Catchphrase}}: Lelouch has “If the king does not lead how can he expect his subordinates to follow?” as in canon and a new one: “Greed is ever the downfall of men.” Many of the villains and other characters in the story lose the good position they were in by overreaching and trying to gain even more.

* CoolUncle: Addam Velaryon to Lelouch. Lelouch is probably closer to Addam than he is to his own father. When Addam’s failed escape attempt from Myr ends with him getting captured by Lashare, rescuing him is Lelouch’s driving motivation throughout the entire war. [[spoiler: Sadly, Lelouch fails and Addam is [[MadeASlave given as a slave]] to the Dothraki.]]

** Essosi magisters are even worse about it. Zoutos adds saffron and macadamias to his porridge, just for the sake of making it expensive, even if there’s no one there whose judgment he cares about.

* DecapitatedArmy: Maelys attempted to do this at Naqes by trying to kill Aerys which would remove House Targaryen’s only male heir and destroy the Westerosi army’s morale. Luckily, Lelouch’s defence and the arrival of the Lannisters made this too risky and Maelys retreated. He later tried it again during the Battle of Three Armies and, learning from his previous experience, committed himself fully to either kill Aerys or die trying.

* ExactWords: Lelouch reassures Aerys and the king that the Myrish on Driftmark “are as free as they are in Pentos.” Which if you examine it closely is [[IndenturedServitude not]] [[LoanShark very.]]

* GildedCage: When Myr is besieged by the Jolly Fellows and no one is permitted to leave the city, Lelouch and his men are accommodated in Rasporos’ luxurious manse. They’re well aware that they’re still prisoners.

* HeadInTheSandManagement: King Jaehaerys and the rest of the Small Council have been trying to ignore what Maelys has been up to and ignoring Jaron and [[TheSpymaster Lord Sloane's]] warnings. They change their tune once Lelouch brings them proof of the scale of what they’re up against.
* HeroicBastard: Donnall is Lelouch’s bastard cousin and closest friend. His [[UndyingLoyalty Loyalty]] to Lelouch is completely unshakeable. Purposely {{Invoked}}, as Donnall wants to disprove the stereotype of traitorous bastards.

* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Maelys’ justification for his many horrible actions is that they were all necessary to put House Blackfyre on the Iron Throne and secure his rule over Westeros. He appears to genuinely believe this and expresses sadness at murdering his cousin Daemon and while he never shows any reluctance when doing evil, he is never shown to enjoy it either.
* IllBoy: Both Jaron Velaryon and King Jaehaerys. Most people agree that each only has a few years left to live. It’s noted that the air in [[WretchedHive King’s Landing]] is doing Jaron’s health no favours. But his political ambitions make him refuse to leave for long.

* ImpoverishedPatrician: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]] for House Velaryon. They are by no means poor and are still in good standing with the Targaryens, but their wealth, power and influence are far from what they were before the [[CivilWar Dance]]. Returning his house to its former glory is Lelouch’s goal at the start of the story.
* IneffectualDeathThreats: Jaehaerys warns Aerys against making these, when Aerys suggests threatening the lords who are trying to avoid coming to war with execution if they don’t hurry up. When Aerys admits he wouldn’t follow through on it, Jaehaerys tells him not to make threats he won’t carry out as otherwise people will feel free to disobey him.

* {{Knighting}}: Lelouch suggests knighting Aerys to help the army’s [[LosingTheTeamSpirit morale]] after the [[CurbstompBattle Battle of Naqes.]] Lelouch also gets knighted by Aerys immediately afterward.

* LeeroyJenkins: When the Golden Company withdraws at the Battle of Naqes the Reach knights mount an unsupported cavalry charge against the prepared Golden Company. Unsurprisingly they can’t break through the shield wall and are shot to pieces by the Golden Company’s archers. [[WhoWouldBeStupidEnough Maelys is astonished by their stupidity.]]
* LetsFightLikeGentlemen: In the Free Cities there are supposed to be strict rules for how “disputes” are conducted. Such as not burning fields or cities or not killing too many peasants. They tend to look down on Westeros for its barbarity in not having such customs.

* LoveAtFirstSight: Lelouch’s father fell in love with his mother as soon as he saw her after he was shipwrecked on Tarth. For her part, when he came back to ask her to marry him she didn’t even remember who he was.

* MarryForLove: [[AvertedTrope Averted.]] Rhaella knows that as a princess, she’ll never be allowed to and is rather bitter about it. Her aunt Rhaelle tries convincing her that although she can’t be totally free in who she marries, her choice between her various suitors is one that her parents will listen to and shouldn’t be ignored.

* MistakenForRomance: Literally everybody thinks Lelouch and Cici are sleeping together, mainly because it’s the only context where their relationship makes any sense to the Westerosi.
** This misconception actually benefits Lelouch’s pursuit of Rhaella, as the idea that Lelouch can love another person that way humanizes him to her. Though once [[spoiler: they get engaged,]] it becomes more of a problem.

* MortonsFork: Ormund Baratheon tries to put Lelouch in one by asking if he expects a place in the war tent for strategy discussions. Lelouch would come across as arrogant and immature by saying yes and gives an excuse to be shut out if he says no. Lelouch [[TakeAThirdOption takes a third option]] by saying he wouldn’t presume to demand a place and gives reasons why it would be a good idea to allow him in.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Lelouch has a minor one after seeing [[spoiler: Emmon Frey’s corpse]] after the battle of Naqes. After ordering hundreds of his men to their deaths to mount a defence, Lelouch realises that he was happy to arrange the death of someone who, as far as he knew, had done nothing to deserve it.

* NoHonorAmongThieves: No member of the Band of Nine holds the slightest loyalty to the others and will betray them in a heartbeat if they feel it’s in their best interests.

* PyrrhicVictory: Lelouch manages to escape from Myr but his men sustained heavy losses, Adamm remained a prisoner and his escape let’s Lashare cement his hold over the city.

* RefusalOfTheCall: They can’t outright refuse but many of the lords of Westeros don’t take the threat of the Blackfyres seriously and repeatedly delay and make excuses for not bringing their armies to King’s Landing when war is declared.

** Varys and Serra, Illyrio’s second wife in canon, are siblings here, as well as [[spoiler: members of House Blackfyre.]]

* RelationshipSabotage: Lelouch takes any opportunity he can find to screw over Rhaella’s other suitors. Such as challenging Ronnel Arryn to a rigged drinking contest and upstaging Ormond Yronwood’s gift to Rhaella of a tapestry looted from Lys by sending similar tapestries to almost everyone Lelouch knows.

* TheRival: Jaron Velaryon and Ormund Baratheon are the leaders of the two main political power blocs in King’s Landing and never miss an opportunity to snipe at one another.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Lelouch’s motivation throughout the war is to get brutal revenge on Lashare and his conspiritors.
** Lelouch’s retaliation toward the [[spoiler: pyromancers, for maiming Allara]] is swift and [[KillItWithFire appropriate.]]

** There is a House Wells on Driftmark with the motto of [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/deep-wells-deep-deeds-asoiaf-oc.768584/ “Deep Wells, Deep Deeds”]] the name of Paladinus’ fic about a Northern House of the same name.
** [[Literature/TheDresdenFiles Lys was on fire, and it wasn’t Lelouch’s fault.]]

* SkewedPriorities: In Donnall’s opinion at least. When he informs Lelouch that Cici has stowed herself away in Lelouch’s cabin, Lelouch’s only objection is that Cici is eating pizza on his bed.

* SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Lelouch [[ExploitedTrope exploits]] Westeros’ belief in this to motivate and shame the lords of Westeros to help fight the Blackfyres by convincing with the High Septon to declare a crusade against the institution of slavery in the Three Daughters.

* SpannerInTheWorks: Jaron repeatedly bemoans Lelouch’s tendency to screw up Jaron’s plans with his own schemes.

* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Pizza for Cici naturally. She makes a point of introducing it wherever she goes so she’ll always have someone capable of making it for her.

* TryToFitThatOnABusinessCard: Essosi introductions are extremely long. It takes the herald over a minute to say Lelouch and Adamm’s assorted titles (including the names of every ship in their fleet) when introducing them to Rasporos.

* WeHaveReserves: This is Westeros’ biggest advantage over the Band of Nine. No matter how much more skilled and disciplined the Golden Company are, they are horribly outnumbered and Westeros can easily replace any casualties they suffer.

* WickedStepmother: Addam’s wife Eunice towards Donnall in much the same way Catelyn Stark is to Jon Snow.
* WideEyedIdealist: Aerys and Lelouch’s brother Corwyn are both deeply shocked by the realities of war.

* [[YouCanKeepHer You Can Keep Him:]] Lashare couldn’t care less when Lelouch takes Nine Eyes hostage.

** Once the pirates and sellsails Lelouch allies with at Bloodstone get tired of besieging the Golden Company and try to assault their camp Lelouch has his archers fire on both sides while they’re fighting. This prevents the pirates from posing a problem for him later if they change sides and he doesn’t have to share as much of the loot.

** This comes to a head in Myr, when after Lelouch and his uncle disagree over how to escape the city two in three men side with Addam and abandon Lelouch.

* DeliberateValuesDissonance: Steffon is dismissive towards the idea of democracy and he's probably not the only one who do among the Westerosi.

* MagnificentBastard: Lelouch, as always.

* OhCrap: Adarys reaction when he heard that Maelys thought he was betraying the Band of Nine. He immediately put all effort to win an alliance with the Westerosi out of fear or what [[MakeAnExampleOfThem Maelys would do to him]].

* PassiveAggressiveKombat: How all negotiations in Essos were done, apparently. During his peace talk with Tyrosh Lelouch notices that Adarys purposely gives his lackey the title Master of Ships, the same title Lelouch's father hold to imply that Lelouch is even less important than Adarys' lackey and later spends an entire day disputing titles just to rile him up. This is simply their introduction by the way. The Volantenes also try a similar trick during the negotiation with Ormund and Aerys, though Aerys doesn't give a shit about it either.

** Cici's [[StealthHiBye appearing and dissappearing out of nowhere]].

* WarIsHell

** During The battle of Three Armies Maelys uses Lashare's men to keep Lelouch's army in place before ordering his elephants to go through both of them. An arguably justifed case too, as Lashare's trustworthiness is very dubious and Maelys cosiders this as defeating two enemies in one move.

* AwfulWeddedLLife: Lelouch's uncle Addam and his wife Eunice.

* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder : Lashare's biggest issue. He betrayed his homeland Myr. He betrayed his ally Nine eyes who had helped him taking Myr in the first place. Later he also tried to betray Maelys to the Westerosi, until it was clear that the Westerosi wouldn't have any of it and he switched back to Maelys, who's predictably already tired of Lashare's duplicity.

** Even back at the early part of the story, despite the woods witch never giving her prophecy and Rhaella remained unwed with Aerys, the Summerhall incident still happened.

* OCStandIn: A necessity, since majority of the characters here are barely [[BitCharacter Bit Characters]] in canon. Chiefly among them are Ormund, Jaehaerys, and Gerold.

* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: A standard protocol in Westeros. Aerys is certainly eager to prove his worth by joining in the campaign and fighting along with his men since it's his family throne at stake. The other lords are more doubtful of this arrangement though, as Aerys is the sole male heir while Jaehaerys' health is far from the best.

* OhCrap: Adarys reaction when he heard that Maelys thought he was betraying the Band of Nine. He immediately put all effort to win an alliance with the Westerosi out of fear or what [[MakeAnExampleOutOfThem Maelys would do to him]].

* NonActionGuy: King Jaehaerys, thanks to his frail health. This is why he entrusts his Hand Lord Ormund to lead the army. On the Band of Nine's side Alequo Adarys is also this, who as far as we know is the only one among them who never fights or even leading his men in any battle. Makes sense, while the other members of the band are pirates and sellswords Adarys is a former banker turned bureaucrat.

* NonActionGuy: King Jaehaerys, thanks to his frail health. This is why he entrusts his Hand Lord Ormund to lead the army. On the Band of Nine's side Alequo Adarys is also this, who as far as we know is the only one who never fights or even leading his men in any battle. Makes sense, while the other members of the band are pirates and sellswords Adarys is a former banker turned bureaucrat.

* OhCrap: Adarys reaction when he heard that Maelys thought he was betraying the Band of Nine. He immediately put all effort to win an alliance with the Westerosi out of fear or what [[MakeAnExampleOutOfHim Maelys would do to him]].

** The tigers and elephants of Volantis who usually squabble with each other unanimously agree that the Westerosi sacred struggle is a threat and they need to act accordingly to stop the sacred struggle. Some characters note how [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Out of Character]] this is.

* NonActionGuy: King Jaehaerys, thanks to his frail health. This is why he entrusts his Hand Lord Ormund to lead the army.

[[folder:Tropes: 0 to M]]

* DistressedDude: Addam was taken prisoner by Lashare early in the story, with Lelouch making it his number one duty to rescue him and taking revenge on Lashare a close second. Addam's situation get much worse later on when Lashare sold him to the dothraku before Lelouch could rescue him.

** During The battle of Three Armies Maelys uses Lashare's men to keep Lelouch's army in place before ordering his elephants to go through both of them. An arguably justifed case too, as Lashare's trustworthiness is very dubioua and Maelys cosiders this as defeating two enemies in one move.

* PassiveAggressiveKombat: How all negotiations in Essos were done, apparently. During his peace talk with Tyrosh Lelouch notices that Adarys purposely gives his lackey the title Master of Ships, the same title Lelouch's father hold to imply that Lelouch is even less important than Adarys' lackey just to rile him up. This is just their introduction by the way. The Volantenes also try a similar trick during the negotiation with Ormund and Aerys, though Aerys doesn't give a shit about it either.