A Clash of Kings: An RPG of Ice and Fire
is a Play-by-Post Game hosted on Sufficient Velocity. As the name suggests, it is set in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire.
In an Alternate Timeline where Ned leaves King's Landing before things go to hell, the wars to come prove far different than expected. When Robert dies, Tywin Lannister marshals his forces to support his grandson's claim. In the Reach, Renly Baratheon unites House Tyrell and House Baratheon of Storm's End to press his own claim, while on Dragonstone, Eddard Stark prepares to back Robert's rightful heir Stannis. Houses Martell and Greyjoy watch on, hoping to find a chance to avenge past slights. In the North, the Wildlings are preparing to march south, united under Mance Rayder. And across the Narrow Sea, the last scion of House Targaryen is preparing to reclaim her birthright.
What unfolds now, no-one can say.
Contains examples of:
- Adaptational Badass:
- Joffrey, amazingly enough. Sandor manages to whip him into shape such that he manages to give Brynden Tully a decent fight before being slain.
- Edmure Tully manages to acquit himself well in defending the Riverlands, winning a few battles and personal duels before being captured. He also personally kills Amory Lorch, in the process avenging his former capture.
- Death by Adaptation:
- Ramsay is Killed Off for Real after forcibly marrying Lady Hornwood — Roderick apparently kills him in battle, and even if Ramsay switched places with Reek, Catelyn orders Reek executed after he describes Ramsay's crimes.
- Greatjon Umber is slain fighting Barristan Selmy.
- Dies Differently in Adaptation:
- Amory Lorch is killed in the books by being thrown nude into Harrenhal's bear pit. Here, Edmure kills during the Lannister retreat from Harrenhal.
- As opposed to being poisoned at his own wedding, Joffrey is cut down by Brynden Tully while trying to escape Harrenhal.
- Faking the Dead: After surrendering to Stannis, Tyrion arranges things so that it appears that Marcella and Jaime were killed in an attempt to flee the Westerlands - Jaime apparently slain by Barristan while Marcella was trapped on the escape ship when it was accidentally set aflame. In truth, the two fled East across the Narrow Sea, finally able to live in peace.
- For Want Of A Nail:
- The vast majority of the changes in this universe's version of The War of the Five Kings can be attributed to how Ned handles being attacked by Jaime at King's Landing and Robert's effort to declare the feud over — instead of sucking up and becoming Robert's Hand again, Eddard denounces Robert and leaves the city with his daughters and household, eventually landing at Dragonstone. While at Dragonstone, Ned reveals his investigation to Stannis, who in turn reveals his own investigation and that Joffery, Myrcella, and Tommen are Cersei and Jaime's bastards. Ned tries to warn Robert, but Pycelle intercepts the letter and sends it to Cersei, who accelerates her plans to murder Robert.
- Joffrey actually puts his motion to create a royal army into practice, and manages to create a small fighting force out of smallfolk under the tutelage of Sandor Clegane.
- Balon decides to start his invasion early, indirectly burning any bridges he had with Theon. As such, Theon never goes to Pyke and stays loyal to the Starks.
- Renly's forces actually see combat and take King's Landing, forcing the Royal court to flee and link up with Tywin.
- Joffrey ends up breaking with his grandfather over the latter trying to cow him into submission, leading the boy to try and flee Harrenhal with his personal forces. Due to monumentally bad timing, they end up encountering an infiltration party lead by Brynden Tully, who slays Joffrey. Cersei, already unstable due to the ongoing conflict and other factors, poisons herself and Tommen, leaving Myrcella as the last of the Lannister grandchildren.
- Brienne was apparently rebuked by Renly, leading her to join up with Stannis, who make's her Shireen's guard.
- Stannis winning most of the battle's he fights precludes him from getting into a position to relieve Castle Black, which falls to the Wildlings. This opens up a new front in the war as the Northern forces head back over the Neck to defend their homes.
- Asha and Sandor make Heel Face Turns earlier than in canon, with both agreeing to swear fealty to Stannis — Asha because she realizes that Balon's way of thinking is detrimental to the Iron Islands, Sandor out of remorse for the crimes he has done.
- Prophecy Twist: The valonquar that Cersei fears ends up being Jaime, who hurls her off the battlements of Harrenhal after she tries to poison Myrcella and succeeds in poisoning Tommen.
- So Proud of You: When Ned arrives at the Wall to help with the Wildling invasion, he commends Jon for managing to become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
- What the Hell, Hero?: While genuinely touched when Ned offers him praise for becoming the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jon Snow also takes the opportunity to call out Ned for allowing the Watch to deteriorate to the point that a Wildling army made it south of the Wall.
