More the second. I think Daemon was far more capable than many in the fandom think. I don’t know if he’d be better than Daeron, but he would be different, not merely warlike. 

And let’s be clear: Daemon would have to go through some crazy shit too. Twelve good years, then the Great Spring Sickness – and if he and/or his family live through that, they’re going to have to deal with the drought and Dagon’s reaving and people connecting that to the gods punishing the bastard usurper. Now, granted, I think almost anyone could have dealt better with that than Aerys I did, but it’s not going to be easy. 

It’s on my to-read list. 

That’s an interesting question. A couple impacts:

1. more social mobility within the nobility. With the Lannisters, Tullys, Martells, Arryns, Baratheons, and possibly Tyrells removed as Lord Paramount and replaced, there’s definitely a lot more room to grow if you’re a knight with some chops vs. a world in which the same families have ruled the Seven Kingdoms for thousands of years. On the other hand, this probably means a higher level of social disorder and violence as those below seek to rise
2. redefinition of the monarchy vis-a-vis the Great Houses. Now here’s a tricky one. On the one hand, a monarchy that’s removed most of the Great Houses probably has a lot more authority vis-a-vis its chief vassals than, say, Aegon V had. Feudal monarchies work when the king has lands to give away and when vassals fear losing their fiefs. On the other hand, if you give people the idea that the Iron Throne’s dynasty can be replaced, you might be facing future rebellions from other dynasties.
3. Dorne divided. Given that the Martells are likely to be really unhappy about being unseated, it’s quite possible that Dorne leaves the Seven Kingdoms soon after joining them…but not all of Dorne. Instead, I see Daemon recognizing the Yronwoods as Princes of Dorne in control of the Red Mountains, given that that’s their natural powerbase, the stony Dornish are the least Rhoynish to begin with, etc. This is not good for Dorne, because it means that the Yronwoods and the Wyls and eventually the Blackmonts and the Daynes will be raiding south instead of north.  
4. Inheritance laws changed. Given the standard need for post-conquest legitimization (hence Aegon II’s decrees after the Dance), I imagine Daemon would change the laws of inheritance. Raising all bastards to the level of true-born sons would probably be too radical, but I could see something along the lines of making it easier for bastards to be legitimated, and giving legitimated bastards equal legal status, and making it easier for fathers to write wills choosing their heirs rather than going by straight primogeniture.

Possibly back Aegon, possibly wait. 

Not by blood she’s not. 

Well, her claim to Harrenhal through Baelish is rather weak, as she’s not his niece.

Her claim to Harrenhal through her maternal grandmother would require Edmure to die. 

1. I hope so, she really did nothing wrong and had little choice in the matter. Also, she probably won’t be present at the Red Wedding 2.0.

2. Yes, although that depends if the Twins are still standing.

poorshadowspaintedqueens:

racefortheironthrone:

An interesting question. I don’t think Tywin thought much of Aegon V as king – for one thing, their political projects seem completely opposed and I think you’re right about the kids. Also, I think Tywin probably resented the way in which Aegon kept intervening in the West because of Tytos’ weakness, such that Aegon was a reminder of how far the Lannisters had fallen. 

But this leads me to wonder – who did and didn’t support Aegon V? There were clearly rebellions in the Westerlands and Stormlands, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Brackens rebelled what with a Blackwood as the Queen. I could see the Reach as also a potential area for rebellion, given the marriage crisis and the Reach’s more heavy emphasis on chivalry and social caste.

I’m guessing Aegon V found a warmer reception in Dorne, both because he had both Martell and Dayne blood and because of the Dornish belief in collective social responsibility. I wonder if a young and idealistic Jon Arryn approved or disapproved?  

I would be curious to know what Jon Arryn thought of Aegon V’s decisions, for good or ill, since I seem to recall from somewhere in TWOIAF that he was one of the lords who openly disapproved of Tywin’s actions against the Reynes and Tarbecks (although if I’m wrong, please tell me).

WOIAF doesn’t say which lords disapproved. I’ve suggested that Jon Arryn might be one of them, but there isn’t any direct evidence.

Here you go. 

I’m guessing Tyrion and Dany meet in Essos, close enough that the show can have them meet in Meereen without much changing.

Jon and Dany will meet in the North.