Table Of ContentBy Robert J. Schwalb
Game Concepts: S K , n l , c P , & r J. S
teve enSon icole indrooS hriS ramaS obert chwalb
Additional Design: J c & J S Development: S K
oe arriKer eSSe coble teve enSon
Development Assistance: c P Editing: K h
hriS ramaS ara amilton
Peril at King’s Landing Design: Steve Kenson
Additional PaKL Design: R. Kevin Doyle, Jon Leitheusser, Nicholas Logue
Proofreading: b e. K , c P , e S
rian irby hriS ramaS van aSS
Art Direction and Graphic Design: h m
al angold
Cover Art: m K Back Cover Art: P P
ichael omarcK aolo uggioni
Interior Art: t g , J h , v J , J J , b K , P l ,
ed aladay eff immelman eronica oneS aSon uta illy ing at oboyKo
b m , g n , t n , P P , c S
ritt artin erman obile orStein ordStrand aolo uggioni hriStoPhe wal
Cartography: J b , K c & a l
ared lando eith urtiS ndy aw
Publisher: c P
hriS ramaS
Green ronin Staff: Bill Bodden, Joseph D. Carriker, Will Hindmarch, Steve Kenson, Jon Leitheusser,
Nicole Lindroos, Hal Mangold, Chris Pramas, Rich Redman, Evan Sass, and Marc Schmalz
PlayteSterS: Tyler M. Carey, Cody Carver, Tom Castelli, Jacob Chabot, Adam Doochin, Michael Elster, Andy Frades,
Mark Hugo, Doug Justice, Brian E. Kirby, Jan Philipp Gürtler, Kristian Hartmann, Dan Heinrich, Lyle Hinckley,
Kevin Hamilton, Daniel Hodges, Travis Hodges, Sean Johnson, Glen Kyle, Joe Quarles, Clemens Schäfer, Conrad Schäfer,
Michael Simonds, Norman Simonds, Owen K.C. Stephens, Nathan Summar, Rich Tomasso, Bobby Turman
A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying: A Game of Thrones Edition
is © 2012 Green Ronin Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reference to other copyrighted
material in no way constitutes a challenge to the respective copyright holders of that material.
A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying, SIFRP, and associated logos are trademarks of Green Ronin Publishing, LLC.
A Song of Ice and Fire is © 1996-2012 George R. R. Martin. All rights reserved.
Printed in China
Green Ronin Publishing
3815 S. Othello St.
Suite 100, #304
Seattle, WA 98118
[email protected]
www.greenronin.com
TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS
INTRODUCTION .....................5 CHAPTER 4:
Survival ..................................................67
CHAPTER 1: ABILITIES & SPECIALTIES.....53 Forage .........................................................68
Hunt ...........................................................68
A WESTEROS PRIMER ......... 7 Orientation .................................................68
aBilityranK ...........................................53
Track ...........................................................68
SPeCialtieS ..............................................54
WeSte,roS ..................................................8 Using Specialties .........................................54 thiev ery .................................................69
laKnind gS os Lf aWndeiSntge .r..o..S.. .....................................................................1101 aaBBiilliittyy u&S eSSP .e.C..i.a..l.t..y.. .d...e.S..C..r..i.P.t..i.o..n..S.. ....................5564 PSSltieecikagl hL..t.o. o.c.f.k. H........a..n......d.... ..............................................................................................................................667990
ThThee NIroonrt Ihs .l.a.n..d..s.. ....................................................................................1123 aAGiclriotbya .t..ic..s. .................................................................................................5566 Warfare .................................................70
Command ...................................................70
TheRiverlands ............................................14 Balance .......................................................56
Strategy .......................................................70
MountainsoftheMoon ..............................14 Contortions ................................................56
Tactics .........................................................70
TheWesterlands .........................................15 Dodge .........................................................57
The Reach ...................................................18 Quickness ...................................................57 Will .......................................................70
The Stormlands ...........................................18 animal handlinG ...................................57 Coordinate ..................................................70
Courage ......................................................70
Dorne .........................................................19 Charm ........................................................57
Dedication ..................................................70
Beyond WeSteroS ...................................20 Drive ...........................................................57 CHAPTER 5:
of KniGhtS & KnaveS .............................21 Ride ............................................................57
Customs & Laws ........................................21 Train ...........................................................58 DESTINY & QUALITIES .......71
TFaeicthhn &ol oRgeyl i.g..i.o..n.. ..................................................................................2223 aCthlilmebt .i.C..S. ....................................................................................................5588 deStiny PointS .......................................71
Knighthood ................................................24 Jump ...........................................................58 Spending Destiny Points .............................71
Maesters of the Citadel ...............................25 Run .............................................................59 Burning Destiny Points ...............................72
CHAPTER 2:
Strength ......................................................59 GainingDestinyPoints ...............................72
GAME RULES .....................26 Swim ...........................................................59 Investing Destiny Points .............................72
Throw ..........................................................60 DestinyandQualities .................................72
Using this Chapter ......................................26 aWareneSS ...............................................60 Qualitie S ................................................72
Empathy .....................................................60 QualityTypes .............................................76
theBaSiCS ..............................................26
The Character .............................................27 Notice .........................................................60 BenefitS .. ................................................76
The Dice .....................................................27 CunninG ..................................................60 Accurate . ............. .......................................76
Decipher .....................................................61 AcrobaticDefense ......................................76
teStS&diffiCultieS ..............................27
Logic...........................................................61 AdeptNegotiator .......................................76
TypesofTest ...............................................28
Memory ......................................................61 AnimalCohort ..........................................76
ModifyingTests ..........................................31
Difficulty .....................................................31 deCePtion ..............................................61 Anoint ed ......... ...........................................77
Act ..............................................................61 ArmorMastery ..........................................77
arChetyPeS .............................................32
Bluff ............................................................62 Artist ..........................................................77
UsingArchetypes ........................................32
Cheat ..........................................................62 Attractive ...................................................77
AnointedKnight .........................................33
Disguise ......................................................62 Authority ...................................................77
Godsworn ...................................................34
Heir ............................................................35 enduranCe ..............................................62 Axe Fighter I . .............................................77
Resilience ....................................................62 AxeFighterII ............................................77
HedgeKNight ............................................36
Stamina .......................................................62 AxeFighterIII ...........................................77
Maester .......................................................37
Noble ..........................................................38 fiGhtinG .................................................63 Beastfrien d .................................................77
Attack .........................................................63 Berserker ....................................................77
Retainer ......................................................39
Scout ...........................................................40 healinG ..................................................63 Blood of the Anda ls ... ................................77
Diagnosis ....................................................63 BloodoftheFirstMen ...............................78
Squire..........................................................41
CHAPTER 3: TreatAilment .............................................63 BloodofHeroes .........................................78
TreatInjury .................................................63 BloodoftheIronmen .................................78
CHARACTER CREATION ....42
KnoWledGe .............................................63 BloodoftheRhoyne ..................................78
Education ...................................................63 BloodofValyria .........................................78
TheNobleHouse ........................................42 Research......................................................64 BloodoftheWildlings ...............................78
CreatinGCharaCterS .............................43 Streetwise....................................................64 BludgeonFighterI .....................................78
StepOne:House&Lands ..........................43 lanGuaGe ................................................64 BludgeonFighterII ...................................78
StepTwo:CharacterConcept .....................43 marKSmanShiP.........................................65 BludgeonFighterIII ..................................78
StepThree:AssignAbilities ........................49 Attack .........................................................65 BraavosiFighterI .......................................78
StepFour:AssignSpecialties ......................50 TargetShooting ..........................................65 BraavosiFighterII .....................................78
StepFive:DestinyPoints&Benefits ..........50 PerSuaSion ..............................................65 BraavosiFighterIII ....................................79
StepSix:Flaws&Drawbacks .....................50 StatuS .....................................................66 BrawlerI ....................................................79
StepSeven:StartingPossessions .................51 Breeding .....................................................66 BrawlerII ...................................................79
StepEight:DerivedStatistics .....................51 Reputation ..................................................66 BrawlerIII .................................................79
StepNine:PlaytheGame!..........................52 Stewardship ................................................67 BrotheroftheNight’sWatch .....................80
reWardS&imProvement ........................52 Tournaments ...............................................67 Cadre .........................................................80
Coin ............................................................52 Stealth ...................................................67 CautiousDiplomat ....................................80
Glory ..........................................................52 BlendIn ......................................................67 Charismatic................................................80
Experience ..................................................52 Sneak ..........................................................67 Cohort .......................................................80
2
Compelling ................................................80 Sponsor ......................................................89 thehouSeinaCtion .............................122
Connections ...............................................80 Stubborn ....................................................89 Months&Actions ....................................122
CHAPTER 7: EQUIPMENT ....124
Courteous ..................................................80 Talented .....................................................89
DangerSense .............................................81 TerrainSpecialist .......................................89
DeadlyShot ...............................................81 Tough.........................................................90 money & Barter ...................................124
DeftHands ................................................81 TourneyKnight ..........................................90 TradeGoods .............................................124
Dexterous ...................................................81 Trade ..........................................................90 PerSonal eQuiPment ..............................125
DoubleShot ...............................................81 Treacherous ................................................90 ClothinG ...............................................126
Dutiful .......................................................81 TripleShot .................................................90 food, drinK, & lodGinG .......................127
EideticMemory .........................................81 Warg ..........................................................90 WeaPonS ................................................127
Eloquent ....................................................81 Warg Dreams .............................................90 WeaponDescriptions ................................128
Evaluation ..................................................81 WaterDancerI ..........................................91 armor ....................................................131
Expertise ....................................................81 WaterDancerII .........................................91 mountS & domeStiC animalS .................133
FaceintheCrowd ......................................81 WaterDancerIII .......................................91 exotiC & SPeCial itemS .........................134
Famous ......................................................81 Wealthy ......................................................91 PoiSonS ..................................................134
Fast ............................................................82 Weapon Mastery ........................................91 CHAPTER 8: INTRIGUE .......139
FavoredofNobles ......................................82 WeaponSavant ..........................................91
Favored of Smallfolk ..................................82 Worldly ......................................................91 intriGue eSSentialS ...............................139
Furtive ........................................................82 draWBaCKS ..............................................91 The Exchange ...........................................139
Fury ...........................................................82 BastardBorn ...............................................92 Influence ...................................................139
Gifted Athlete ............................................82 Bound to the Bottle ....................................92 intriGue StatiStiCS ................................140
GiftedTeacher ...........................................82 ChildhoodDisease......................................92 Abilities ....................................................140
Great Hunter .............................................82 Craven ........................................................92 Intrigue Defense .......................................140
Greensight .................................................82 Crippled ......................................................92 Composure ...............................................140
Guttersnipe ................................................83 Cruel Insanity .............................................92 intriGue StruCture ...............................140
Hail of Steel ...............................................83 Cursed ........................................................92 Step One: Type .........................................140
Hardy .........................................................83 Debt ............................................................92 Step Two: Scene........................................142
Head for Numbers .....................................83 Disturbing Habit ........................................92 Step Three: Objective ................................142
Head of House ...........................................83 Dwarf .........................................................92 Step Four: Disposition ..............................143
Heir ...........................................................83 Eunuch .......................................................93 Step Five: Initiative ...................................146
Heirloom ...................................................83 Fear .............................................................93 Step Six: Technique ..................................146
Improved Armor Mastery ..........................84 Feeble ..........................................................93 Step Seven: Roleplaying ............................148
Improved Weapon Mastery ........................84 Flaw ............................................................93 Step Eight: Actions & Tests .....................149
Inspiring ....................................................84 Forgetful .....................................................93 Step Nine: Repeat .....................................150
Keen Senses ...............................................84 Furious ........................................................93 Step Ten: Resolution .................................150
Knowledge Focus .......................................84 Haughty ......................................................93 Other Factors ............................................150
Landed .......................................................84 Haunted ......................................................93 an examPle intriGue .............................151
Leader of Men ...........................................84 Honor-Bound .............................................93 CHAPTER 9: COMBAT .......152
LongBladeFighterI ..................................84 Ignoble ........................................................93
Long Blade Fighter II ................................86 Impaired Sense ...........................................95 ComBat eSSentialS ................................152
Long Blade Fighter III ...............................86 Inept ...........................................................95 Rounds, Turns, & Actions ........................152
Lucky .........................................................86 Lascivious ...................................................95 Damage & Defeat .....................................153
Maester ......................................................86 Marked .......................................................95 ComBat StatiStiCS .................................153
Magnetic ....................................................86 Maimed ......................................................95 Abilities ....................................................153
Man of the Kingsguard ..............................86 Mute ...........................................................95 Combat Defense .......................................154
Massive ......................................................86 Naïve ...........................................................95 Health .......................................................154
MasterofRavens .......................................86 Nemesis ......................................................95 Movement ................................................154
MiracleWorker ..........................................86 Outcast .......................................................95 armor ....................................................155
Mummer ....................................................87 PoorHealth ................................................95 Bulk ..........................................................155
NightEyes .................................................87 Reviled ........................................................95 WeaPonS ................................................155
Pious ..........................................................87 Sickly ..........................................................95 Weapon Traits...........................................155
Pole-Arm Fighter I ....................................87 Supreme Arrogance ....................................95 ComBat StruCture .................................159
Pole-Arm Fighter II ...................................87 Threatening .................................................95 Step One: Battlefield ................................159
Pole-Arm Fighter III .................................88 Ward ...........................................................95 Step Two: Detection .................................162
Polyglot ......................................................88 CHAPTER 6: Step Three: Initiative .................................162
Respected ...................................................88 HOUSE & LANDS ..............96 Step Four: Action .....................................162
Shield Mastery ...........................................88 Step Five: Repeat ......................................165
Short Blade Fighter I .................................88 Step Six: Resolution ..................................165
Short Blade Fighter II ................................88 Creat inG t he h ouSe ...............................96 defeat & ConSeQuenCeS .......................165
StepOne:TheRealm ..................................97
ShortBladeFighterIII ..............................88 damaGe ..................................................166
Sinister .......................................................88 Step Two:S tarting Resources .....................99 Damage & Lesser Characters ...................166
Skinchanger ...............................................88 Step Three :HouseHistory .......................102 Reducing Damage ....................................166
StepFour:Holdings .................................106
SpearFighterI ...........................................89 reCovery................................................166
StepFive:Motto&Arms .........................113
SpearFighterII ..........................................89 Damage ....................................................166
StepSix:TheHousehold...........................119
SpearFighterIII ........................................89 Healing .....................................................167
3
tournamentS .........................................167 AppraiseAnimal .......................................203 TooFast ....................................................238
Jousting .....................................................167 Case ..........................................................203 TooSlow ...................................................238
OtherTourneyEvents ..............................169 ConcealAnimal ........................................203 TooTough ................................................238
advanCedComBat ..................................170 EvasiveManeuvers ....................................203 TooWeak .................................................239
Tests ..........................................................171 Falconry ....................................................204 TooFarAfield ...........................................239
Initiative....................................................172 Heraldry ...................................................204 Partone:theKinGSroad .....................240
AttackModifiers .......................................172 Identify .....................................................204 SectionSummary ......................................240
UnarmedAttacks ......................................172 Impersonate ..............................................204 AGrimDiscovery ....................................241
AttackingObjects .....................................172 Leap&Catch ...........................................204 Dag’sInn ..................................................243
AdvancedActions .....................................173 LongDistanceRunning ...........................204 TheGreatStag ..........................................246
AdvancedReach .......................................174 MoveSilently ............................................204 Part2:WelCometoKinG’SlandinG .....250
Fatigue ......................................................175 Recognize .................................................204 SectionSummary ......................................250
CHAPTER 10: WARFARE .....176
SizeUp .....................................................204 ArrivalinKing’sLanding..........................250
Threaten ....................................................204 APlacetoStay ..........................................252
WarfareeSSentialS ...............................176 Trick-Riding .............................................204 IdleHands ................................................253
Scale..........................................................176 VaultintotheSaddle .................................204 TheWildHunt .........................................259
Time .........................................................177 SettingDifficulties ....................................205 Part3:theKinG’Stourney ..................260
Commanders ............................................177 exPlorinGWeSteroS .............................207 SectionSummary ......................................260
Orders .......................................................177 Sustenance ................................................207 TheTourneyBegins ..................................261
Heroes ......................................................177 Temperature ..............................................207 TheUnwelcomingFeast ............................261
Victory&Defeat ......................................179 Travel ........................................................208 Jousting .....................................................264
ComPonentSofWarfare .......................179 Chases .......................................................208 OtherTourneyEvents ..............................265
Abilities ....................................................179 Hazards.....................................................210 Dannett’sFall ............................................266
Defense .....................................................179 noBlehouSeS ........................................212 ContinuingtheTourney ...........................268
Health .......................................................179 YourRole ..................................................212 Part4:PoiSonedWordS .......................269
Movement ................................................179 OtherHouses ...........................................212 SectionSummary ......................................269
EquippingUnits .......................................179 HouseFortunes.........................................212 TheMelee .................................................269
SpecialEquipment ....................................179 maGiC ....................................................213 TheGrandBall .........................................271
Discipline ..................................................181 Magic&theGame ...................................213 Revelations&Accusations ........................272
anatomyofaBattle .............................181 adverSarieS&allieS .............................214 TheJusticeofKingRobertBaratheon .......274
StepOne:Battlefield ................................181 PrimaryCharacters ...................................214 TheFinalChapter? ....................................276
StepTwo:Unit&LeaderPlacement ........183 SecondaryCharacters ...............................214 PlayerS & PieCeS ....................................279
StepThree:Parlay&Terms ......................183 TertiaryCharacters ...................................215 HouseDannett .........................................279
StepFour:Initiative ..................................183 PromotingNCs ........................................215 HouseLugus .............................................282
StepFive:SiegeWeapons.........................184 ImprovingNCs .........................................216 OtherCharacters ......................................285
StepSix:FirstPlayerActions ....................185 DemotingNCs .........................................216 a Guide to KinG’S landinG ...................287
StepSeven:Orders ....................................186 SampleNarratorCharacters .....................216 HistoryofKing’sLanding ........................287
StepEight:2ndPlayerActions .................187 Creatures...................................................218 GeographyofKing’sLanding ...................288
StepNine:ResolveStandingOrders .........187 Steeds .......................................................221 KeyLocations ...........................................290
StepTen:Repeat .......................................187 SupernaturalCreatures .............................222 Crownlands ...............................................293
Step Eleven: Resolution PlayStyleS ............................................224 Alchemist’sGuild .....................................294
& Consequences ....................................188 Adventurers ..............................................224 Law&Order:TheGoldCloaks ...............294
advanCedruleS .....................................190 FreeFolk ...................................................224 TheRoyalCourt .......................................295
AdvancedOrders ......................................190 TheGameofThrones ................................224 Bannerhouses ............................................296
Facing&Formation .................................191 Historical ..................................................225 PreGenerated CharaCterS ....................302
anexamPleofWarfare ........................193 Night’sWatch ...........................................225 Lord Rhys .................................................302
CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 12: JOURNEY Ser Merik ..................................................303
THE NARRATOR ................195 TO KING’S LANDING ........226 Maester Rudolphus ...................................304
Nicholas Rivers .........................................305
Squire Jonah .............................................306
BaSiCConCePtS ......................................195 Summ ary .................................................226 Septa Alanna ............................................307
Time .........................................................196 TheCharacters ..........................................226 APPENDIX:
Scenes .......................................................196 SceneOne:OntheRoad ..........................226
REFERENCE TABLES .........308
Rewards ....................................................197 SceneTwo:AttheCrossroads ..................228
Story .........................................................198 SceneThree: Bandits’Challenge ...............230 INDEX .................................314
Chronicle ..................................................198 furtheradventureS..............................232
CHAPTER 13: PERIL CHARACTER SHEET ...........318
GoodnarratinG ...................................198
Preparation ...............................................198 AT KING’S LANDING ........233
Details ......................................................198
GroupDynamics ......................................199
PlotSummary ........................................234
EmulatingtheBooks ................................199
Orten’sPlan ..............................................234
manaGinGtheruleS ..............................202
DarkWings... ...........................................235
RoutineSuccess ........................................202
SoWhat’sOurMotivation?......................236
Abilities ....................................................202
...DarkWords ...........................................237
ExpandedSpecialties ................................203
WhenBadthinGShaPPen .....................238
AnticipateStrategy ...................................203
4
IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN
“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”
—C L , A Game of Thrones
ersei annister
In a roleplaying game, anything is possible. Your character can head off in structured or unstructured scenarios called stories. The PCs, then,
to explore the world, take part in convoluted intrigues, wage war against are the principal characters—the protagonists—of the story.
rival houses, and just about anything else you can Of course, a story rarely tells itself, and while the play-
come up with. But it is still a game, and ers make the decisions about how their
as a game, this book has rules, guide- characters act and react in response to
lines designed to help players and certain developments in the game, the
Narrators tell the stories they world does unfold around them, their
wish to tell in a way that’s nemeses still plot and connive
both consistent and fun. As in the shadows, and their foes
you make ready to dive into take steps against them. Each
the rest of this rulebook, you player is in charge of his or
should know a few things up her particular character, but
front. These basic game con- who, then, is charge of the rest
cepts should help you along of the world? The Narrator.
and give you an idea what all The Narrator has the best
the numbers mean. job of all. It may very well be
The Basics entertaining to portray a par-
ticular character, but the Narra-
tor doesn’t have to settle on just one: the Narrator gets to
play them all. The Narrator plays the villains, the minions, and all the
A Song of Ice And fIre roleplAyIng (SIFRP) is a game in which the
other supporting characters who help make up the story. Furthermore,
players take up the roles of notables in Westeros, distinctive personas
the Narrator also shapes the story, decides on the plot, what happens
that have a place and purpose within the larger society that makes
when, and is clued in on all the things that go on in the background.
up the Seven Kingdoms. These personas are called player characters
The Narrator might use a published story from Green Ronin such as
(PCs) or just characters. In most games, each player creates just one
Peril at KinG’S landinG, or she might spin out a story of her own.
character and uses that character to interact with the imagined setting
A Game of Thrones Edition
A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying was first published in 2009 as a full color hardback book.
A smaller format black and white softback version, the Pocket Edition, was published in 2010
and later offered as the PDF Tablet Edition. When stock on the original rulebook started get-
ting low, we had to ready a reprint. By this point the latest novel, A Dance with Dragons, had
been released to much fanfare and HBO’s Game of Thrones TV show had brought Westeros to
life on the screen. With interest in A Song of Ice and Fire running high, we decided we had to
do more than a simple reprint. Thus A Game of Thrones Edition was born.
The book in your hands (or on your screen) is essentially a deluxe edition of A Song of Ice
and Fire Roleplaying. The core rules are the same, so long time players needn’t worry about
wholesale changes to the game. We have tried to implement all known errata, so this becomes
the definitive version of the rules. We have also added a short introductory adventure that
previously appeared in the Quick-Start Rules and the entirety of Peril at King’s Landing. This is
a full length adventure that was originally published separately. We have folded it into the core
rulebook so new Narrators can have an example adventure at their fingertips.
A Game of Thrones Edition was also a chance to revisit the look and feel of the rulebook.
The most obvious change is Michael Komarck’s stunning new cover illustrating the climactic
moment of the Battle of the Trident. We’ve also added a dozen new interior illustrations and
revised the presentation of stat blocks. Altogether, these changes make A Game of Thrones Edi-
tion the best looking and most comprehensive version of A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying. Now
get thee to Westeros and begin your adventures!
5
The Chronicle System
Every roleplaying game is a combination of setting and game system. The rules of
this game were designed specifically for A Song of Ice and Fire. They can, however, work
just as well for settings other than Westeros. We’ve thus given a name to the rules
engine of A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying: The Chronicle System. You’ll find other
Green Ronin products bearing this logo and all of them are compatible with A Song of
Ice and Fire Roleplaying. Whether you are using these rules to run a game with a different
setting or you’re a SIFRP Narrator looking for new options, Chronicle System products can add more to your campaign.
It’s a big responsibility being the Narrator, but it’s also the most re- up, and comparing them to a number called a Difficulty. If the sum of the
warding one of all. dice equals or beats the challenge, the test succeeds. If the sum of the dice
The Game is lower than the challenge, the test fails.
What Next?
Whether you are a player or a Narrator, everyone uses the same rules
in SIFRP. Game rules are an important part of any roleplaying game Now that you’ve read the basic concepts, the rest of the book awaits
because they help define what is possible and impossible. They ensure you. From here, you might want to examine the rules in more detail
a certain level of fairness that comes from a shared understanding of in ChaPter 2: Game ruleS. Alternatively, you might be intrigued by
how things work. Also, they help guide a player and Narrator in making the role of the Narrator and feel like taking a stab at the best job in
decisions about the characters they portray by presenting meaningful the game. If so, you’ll want to read this entire book, paying special at-
numbers that reveal vital components about a character, such as his abil- tention to ChaPter 11: the narrator. But then, you may just want
ity with social interaction, how well she swings a sword, or how big or to create a character and get started. This path is fine too, and honestly,
small, weak or strong, beautiful or hideous the character is. who can blame you! Go ahead and turn to ChaPter 3: CharaCter
But, to cite a cliché, rules are meant to be broken. Unlike other Creation, and you’ll have everything you need to get started.
games, roleplaying games are famous for being fluid when it comes to If you really want to learn the game, start with ChaPter 2: Game
rules, and if a certain rule doesn’t fit with a group, it’s not just okay to ruleS, and then take a look at the abilities described in ChaPter 4:
dump it, it’s expected! Use the rules in this book to support the stories aBilitieS & SPeCialtieS. Once you’ve got that nailed down, have a
you tell, not to define them. look at ChaPter 9: ComBat and then ChaPter 8: intriGue. These
The Game System
chapters should give you enough information to make informed deci-
sions during character creation and to play the game. Remember, this
book is something that you’ll likely reference as you play. As you learn
Since rules support the stories you and your friends will tell, you may
more about SIFRP, you’ll rely less and less on the book until you’ve
find there are long stretches when you don’t have to rely on the rules
mastered the game completely. Above all, SIFRP is a game, so have
at all, when the interaction of your characters and the dialogue gener-
some fun, draw your sword, and stab a Lannister. You know you want to.
ated between you carries the game without needing dice or flipping
What You Need to Play
through the book. Other times, however, the rules may figure in the
game a great deal more than you would expect, especially in combat,
tricky negotiations, and other instances of drama that can have serious Aside from this book, you should have plenty of paper, pencils, a good
consequences if the characters fail. eraser, and at least ten 6-sided dice, which you can likely find at the
Drama is the key when it comes to the game mechanics. Whenever a same store where you purchased this book. You may also want to print
player character or the Narrator attempts to do something in which fail- out copies of the character sheet (or photocopy the one at the back
ure has consequences or the outcome is not certain, the rules come into of this book). Oh, and you’ll want your imagination, too. Keep that
play in the form of a test. A test is simply rolling the dice, adding them handy.
6
CCHHAAPPTTEERR 11:: AA WWEESSTTEERROOSS PPRRIIMMEERR
Welcome to Westeros and A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying. Westeros is the creation of author George R.R. Martin, and it is a world of noble
houses great and small, true and false knights armored in shining steel, lords and ladies resplendent in silks and furs, and the smallfolk who toil
in the lands and holdings of the nobility.
Westeros is composed of seven “kingdoms,” provinces that all swear fealty to the Iron Throne, but each has an ancient history as a kingdom in
its own right. From the cold North where summer snows are all too common to the hot arid deserts of southern Dorne, and from the desolate and
sea-swept rocks of the Iron Islands to the bustling capital of King’s Landing, the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros are filled with many colorful people
and ripe with opportunities for wealth and glory.
In this world, seasons last for years, not months, and family generations can be traced back for thousands of years to the Age of Heroes. Ancestral
weapons may be worth more than a lordling’s only daughter, and castles may have flown a score of banners in their storied histories.
Magic lives mostly in the myths and faded dreams of earlier generations. The learned maesters say that it died out a lifetime ago, but others say
it still exists amongst the maegi and warlocks of the exotic eastern lands.
SIFRP is about Machiavellian court politics, family alliances and enmities, the rise and fall of kingdoms, and the clash of armies. But it is also
about honor and duty, family tensions, the responsibility of leadership, love and loss, tournaments, murders, conspiracies, prophecies, dreams, war,
great victories, and terrible defeats. It’s about knights, both false and true—and it’s about dragons.
They had come together at the ford of the Trident while the battle crashed around them—Robert with
his warhammer and his great antlered helm, the Targaryen prince armored all in black. On the prince’s
breastplate was the three-headed dragon of his House, wrought all in rubies that flashed like fire in
the sunlight. The waters of the Trident ran red around the hooves of their destriers as they circled and
clashed, again and again until at last a crushing blow from Robert’s hammer stove in the dragon and the
chest beneath it. When Ned had finally come on the scene, Rhaegar lay dead in the stream while men of
both armies scrabbled in the swirling waters for rubies knocked free of his armor.
—A Game of Thrones
7
CHAPTER 1: A WESTEROS PRIMER
An Almanac of Westeros
inscribed and related by Maester Jesiah
T he dragons are all dead. The last dragons—those that Robert Baratheon slew Crown Prince Rhaegar on the banks of the
,
flew and exhaled fire—perished one hundred and fifty Trident. King Aerys, in desperation, opened the gates of Kings Landing to
years ago. But the family Targaryen, who had come the armies of his former Hand, Lord Tywin Lannister, who immediately
, ,
out of the ruin of Valyria to Westeros three centuries betrayed his king and set his forces to sack Kings Landing. Tywins son,
past on the backs of dragons, who had united seven Ser Jaime, an honored knight of the Kingsguard, murdered the king he had
squabbling kingdoms under the Iron Throne, whose emblem was a three- sworn to protect and has been known ever since as the Kingslayer.
headed dragon, and whose words were Fire and Blood, those dragons died It is now the reign of Robert Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of
only recently. the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven King-
,
Aegon the Conqueror set foot on Westeros three hundred years ago, along doms, and Protector of the Realm. He is married to Lord Tywin Lannisters
with his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys. Together, they were the three heads of golden daughter, Cersei, and they have three golden-haired children:
the dragon. They arrived on the backs of Vhaghar, Meraxes, and Balerion—the Crown Prince Joffrey, Princess Myrcella, and Prince Tommen.
true dragons—and they laid waste to all who opposed them. Some, like Torrhen The only surviving Targaryens, Prince Viserys and his younger sister
Stark, the last king in the North, bent the knee. Others, like King Mern of the Daenerys Stormborn, hide in lands far to the east.
Reach and King Harren the Black, burned.
Westeros
For three centuries, the Targaryens united the kingdoms of Westeros
under one rule, despite many tumultuous upheavals. The Targaryens
survived their own civil war between brother and sister, known as the
,
Dance of the Dragons, where Viserys Is daughter Rhaenyra and his son To talk of Westeros is to discuss several distinct regions, known collectively
Aegon nearly tore the realm apart with their dragons. The Targaryen as the Seven Kingdoms, for at one point each was its own great realm.
,
dynasty would also survive the Blackfyre Rebellion of Aegon IVs bastards, This usage dates back to the time of Aegon I Targaryen, known as Aegon
the conquering and later marriage of Dorne into their kingdom, the the Conqueror. When the Targaryens arrived on this continent, they
invasion in the North of the King-beyond-the-Wall, and the War of encountered the King in the North, the King of Mountain and Vale, the
the Ninepenny Kings. The Targaryen reign lasted until King Aerys II King of the Rock, the King of the Reach, the Storm King, the King of the
ascended to the throne. Known as the Mad King, he would usher in the fall Iron Islands, and the Prince of Dorne, each dominant in his own lands.
of the dragons. And before there were seven kingdoms, hundreds of kingdoms and
Aerys II was torturously cruel and violently insane. He saw enemies different peoples existed. The earliest period of Westeros—long before
in every shadow and turned his subjects against him through inhumane the Targaryens, or even the First Men, were known—is referred to as
,
acts of despotic power. In the end, Robert Baratheon of Storms End led an the Dawn Age. During this era, the children of the forest lived alone
uprising against the king after Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen abducted throughout Westeros and worshipped natural gods, such as the gods of the
,
Roberts betrothed, Lyanna Stark. Known as the War of the Usurper, trees and rocks and streams. This period lasted until the arrival of the
,
or Roberts Rebellion, Robert united many of the great houses behind his First Men, who invaded Westeros about 12,000 years ago. The First Men
cause, including the houses Arryn, Stark, and Tully. came from the east across a land bridge, through what would one day be
Tully Tyrell Lannister Hightower Martell
8
CHAPTER 1: A WESTEROS PRIMER
known as Dorne. The First Men brought bronze weapons and horses with in what is known today as the Vale of Arryn. The Andals brought new
them, in addition to their own gods. They warred with the children of the gods and deadly weapons forged of steel with them. The Andals fought the
,
forest and cut down the childrens woods and their carved weirwoods—pale First Men for centuries until, in time, all six southron kingdoms fell, and
trees carved with the faces of their gods, which the First Men feared. The the Andals destroyed the weirwood groves and the children of the forest
children eventually shattered the land bridge, creating the region known wherever they found them. The children were either all killed or fled far
today as the Broken Arm of Dorne and the Stepstones, but it was too late to the North, for they were never heard from again. The only realm of the
to stop the First Men. First Men to stand against the Andals was the Kingdom of the North.
The war between the children of the forest and the First Men lasted for The Andals spread their faith in the Seven Gods throughout the lands.
centuries until they buried their enmity by forging the Pact on the Isle of They established themselves as Kings of Mountain and Vale (from which
Faces. The Pact was a great peace that ended the Dawn Age and began the House Arryn descends) and Kings of the Westerlands.
Age of Heroes: four thousand years of friendship between the First Men The last major migration to Westeros happened roughly 1,000 years
and the children. They worked together, traded between their villages, and ago, when the warrior-queen Nymeria led her fleet of 10,000 ships from
the First Men even took on the old gods of the children, adopting the carved the east to Dorne. Her people, the Rhoynar, named for the Rhoyne River
weirwoods as their own. they once called home, were initially met with hostility from the Dornish
This era also encompassed the founding of the Seven Kingdoms, though lords, but Nymeria made peace with Lord Mors Martell by taking him as
,
that name would not come into the histories until far later. Many of her husband. With their combined strength, they forced all of Martells
the noble houses of Westeros today trace their lineage back to the Age of rivals to bend the knee, and he became the first Prince of Dorne, after the
,
Heroes, when grand figures such as Brandon the Builder and Lann the custom of Nymerias Rhoynar.
Clever were said to have lived. These centuries were marked by regular skirmishes and bloodletting
,
The Seven Kingdoms were not all born at once, but each of todays across the kingdoms. The lords of Dorne fought intermittent wars with
regions can be seen in the pattern of that time long ago. The Starks, family both the Kings of the Reach and the Kings of the Stormlands. Southron
of Brandon the Builder, rose as the rulers in the North. The Casterlys armies smashed and broke against Moat Cailin to the north, and from
ruled in the west—until Lann the Clever winkled Casterly Rock from north to south, King Rickard Stark slew the Marsh King. The Storm Kings
them, making it then and forever the historic home to the Kings of the conquered the riverlands of the Trident and held them for hundreds of
Rock. The kingdom of the Reach was established by Garth Greenhand, years until the ironborn defeated Arrec the Storm King and claimed them
father of House Gardener (and many smaller houses as well, for his for themselves.
seed was fertile). The Storm Kings, founded by Durran, swept over the Then, more than 400 years ago, the Doom came to the wondrous
,
stormlands. Durran raised their castle at Storms End with stone and Freehold of Valyria, far to the east of Westeros, known as the ancient home
magic to withstand the fury of the gods of sea and wind, for he stole and of language, art, and magic. The survivors fled the smoking ruins, arriving
married their daughter. Then there was the legendary Grey King, who on the eastern tip of Westeros, at the isle of Dragonstone, which had been
, ,
ruled not only the Iron Islands but also the sea itself; the Mudd family was Valyrias westernmost outpost. Dragonstones masters, the Targaryens,
one of a dozen houses to rule over the Riverlands. already long established on Dragonstone, came to dominance over the
,
During this era, the Sworn Brotherhood of the Nights Watch was remaining Valyrians. They abandoned their old gods who had betrayed
,
founded. The Nights Watch was to be the shield that guarded the realms of them and converted to the Andal religion of the Seven.
men from the barbaric wildings and nightmarish Others of the Far North. The Targaryens remained on Dragonstone for more than a hundred
,
Brandon the Builder was said to have helped the Nights Watch build their years before they ventured forth and set foot on Westeros. Aegon,
mighty wall, a construct of stone and ice nigh 700 feet tall and hundreds of accompanied by his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys, sailed from Dragonstone
leagues long. to unify the squabbling kingdoms of the Andals. They landed on the
Both the peace of the Pact and the Age of Heroes reached their end with eastern coast and built a simple wooden and earthen fort. Few could see
,
the arrival of the Andals, new invaders from across the sea, who landed that one day that very site would bloom into Kings Landing, seat of the
Targaryen Stark Baratheon Greyjoy Arryn
9
