phamos:

racefortheironthrone:

lukanieto:

racefortheironthrone:

Because I think he ultimately does care for the good of the realm. He wants to build a kingdom where there isn’t poverty and exploitation, like the world he grew up in. 

That’s essentially what he tells Tyrion in Season 5, for what it’s worth (I know the books and the show are different beasts by now, but still.) According to the recent EW issue, Varys says he wants “peace, prosperity. A land where the powerful do not prey on the powerless.” And then he goes on to say the lines about a ruler loved by millions, heard in the trailer. I, for one, believe him.

I do as well. Varys isn’t motivated by money – he got all of that he needed in Pentos. We know he’s got motivations other than power – otherwise, why try to save Gendry? 

And then I go back to his childhood. Sold as a slave, horrifically mutilated, homeless, physically abused, survival prostitution – Varys has known what it is to be poor and exploited more than most, and I think he wants a systemic solution. 

Varys feels so deeply for the exploited and mutilated that he employs a network of orphaned spies whose tongues Illyrio cuts out for the sake of discretion? That’s in interesting way of expressing empathy. At least he’s kind enough to teach them how to read and write.

Well, that’s where Varys’ utilitarianism kicks in. He’s willing to wade through a pretty big ocean of blood to get to the promised land. So yes, one last generation of mutilated children to make a world in which children are safe. 

lukanieto:

racefortheironthrone:

Because I think he ultimately does care for the good of the realm. He wants to build a kingdom where there isn’t poverty and exploitation, like the world he grew up in. 

That’s essentially what he tells Tyrion in Season 5, for what it’s worth (I know the books and the show are different beasts by now, but still.) According to the recent EW issue, Varys says he wants “peace, prosperity. A land where the powerful do not prey on the powerless.” And then he goes on to say the lines about a ruler loved by millions, heard in the trailer. I, for one, believe him.

I do as well. Varys isn’t motivated by money – he got all of that he needed in Pentos. We know he’s got motivations other than power – otherwise, why try to save Gendry? 

And then I go back to his childhood. Sold as a slave, horrifically mutilated, homeless, physically abused, survival prostitution – Varys has known what it is to be poor and exploited more than most, and I think he wants a systemic solution. 

Because I think he ultimately does care for the good of the realm. He wants to build a kingdom where there isn’t poverty and exploitation, like the world he grew up in. 

phamos:

racefortheironthrone:

The Freys want a male lord of Riverrun with Frey blood. So if Edmure has a son, they don’t need Edmure anymore, because the Tully claim is now inextricably linked to the Freys.

However, if Edmure has a daughter, then her claim is questionable – Hoster Tully could legitimately proceed her in the line of succession. 

You mean Brynden, yes? Since Hoster’s all dead and stuff.

Yes, will fix. 

Credit strike, possibly fund the Golden Company for another attempt, possibly wait and support Rhaegar’s attempt to overthrow dear old dad, possibly hire a Faceless Man to whack Aerys. 

Aegon alive is the biggest danger. Rhaella can be married off to Renly to merge the two claims, but Aegon is a rallying point for Targaryen loyalists. 

Best-case scenario: Robert has Aegon held captive, so that Viserys can’t be the rightful heir, until Aegon is dead. 

I believe GRRM has said that it’s not necessary.

I discuss the subject here. The thing people forget is that Robb doesn’t make the decision to secede – his bannermen make it by acclaiming him King in the North, and at that point he has to accept their decision if he wants them to fight for him. 

As far as justification – the last two Lords Paramount of the North have been executed by the Crown, two other Starks dead at royal hands, and now two more are held hostage. And there’s a royal decree that Robb and all his family, down to Rickon, have to go to King’s Landing. In light of the previous Starks who were unceremoniously killed when they obeyed such a decree, it’s hard to interpret that as anything else than a threat against Robb’s life and the lives of his entire family.

And at the time, Robb doesn’t have a legal alternative. Stannis hasn’t sent his letter or asked for Robb’s fealty, Renly has no right to rule. At that moment, it’s Joffrey or independence. 

The Freys want a male lord of Riverrun with Frey blood. So if Edmure has a son, they don’t need Edmure anymore, because the Tully claim is now inextricably linked to the Freys.

However, if Edmure has a daughter, then her claim is questionable – BRYNDEN Tully could legitimately proceed her in the line of succession. 

The Seven Kingdoms were the Kingdoms of the North, the Mountain and Vale, the Isles and Rivers, the Stormlands, the Rock, the Reach, and Dorne. The Riverlands being under occupation by the Iron Islands at the time wasn’t counted as one of the seven, although historically there were Kings of the Rivers and Hills.

When Aegon conquered, he raised up the Tullys to the level of a Great House as reward for being the first to rally to his side against Harren the Black. So there are eight Great Houses: the Starks, Arryns, Tullys, Greyjoys, Lannisters, Tyrells, Baratheons, and Martells.