Game of Thrones: Building a Strong Reign at the End of the Series

As the new monarch at the end of Game of Thrones, your next move is crucial for ensuring long-term stability and strength in your reign. This entails carefully selecting who will serve in the Small Council and how to distribute land and titles. Here's a detailed guide on how to proceed:

Small Council Selection

Positioning your trusted advisors within the Small Council is essential for making informed decisions and executing your plans effectively. Here’s a recommended lineup:

Hand of the King

Edmure Tully: Returning to his home at Riverrun, Edmure can provide stability and loyalty to the North, making him an excellent choice for the Hand of the King. His reinstatement also helps to further integrate the Tully family into your regime.

Master of Laws

Yohn Royce: As a seasoned and respected lord, Yohn Royce combines intelligence and experience, making him an ideal candidate for the Master of Laws. This position will be key in drafting the laws and ensuring the legal framework that supports your reign.

Master of Coin

Illyrio Mopatis: Known for his mastery of financial matters and his support of the Blackfyre cause, Illyrio Mopatis will be invaluable in managing the treasury and securing the necessary funds for your realm. His experience will be a significant asset in these challenging times.

Master of Ships

Stannis Baratheon: With Storm’s End under his control and no sign of a body, Stannis is a formidable choice for the Master of Ships. His loyalty and naval experience will be crucial for maintaining control over the seas and ensuring the safety of your realm.

Master of Whispers

Varys (The Spider): As the primary spymaster of the Seven Kingdoms, Varys brings a wealth of intelligence and information that will be invaluable in maintaining your regime. His previous roles as a close advisor to several kings make him a trusted and competent candidate for this position.

Lord Commander of the Kingsguard

Theo Noble: A capable and loyal warrior, Theo Noble will serve as the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. His experience and dedication to duty will help maintain the integrity and security of the realm.

Note: Your three eldest sons, Daemon, Aegon, and Baelon, will serve on the Small Council as well in unspecified positions. This will symbolize their roles as future rulers and ensure their support for your regime.

Distributing Land and Titles

Distributing land and titles among your loyal subjects will further solidify your reign and ensure their continued support. Here’s a suggested distribution:

The North: To keep the North loyal and ensure its stability, appoint Sansa Stark as the Lady of Winterfell. Alternatively, if negotiations for the annexation of the North fail, you might consider appointing Davos Seaworth to maintain the status quo but with a more traditional authority.

Stormlands: Awarding Gendry Baratheon with the title of Lord of Storm’s End will not only reward his loyalty but also help to stabilize the region. Gendry’s skills and understanding of the local culture will be invaluable in this role.

Dorne: As a key region, Edric Dayne will be appointed as the new Lord of Sunspear. This decision not only takes into account his capabilities but also ensures that Dorne remains a crucial ally in your expanding realm.

The Reach: To reward Leyton Hightower and maintain his support, appoint him as the new Lord of Highgarden. His knowledge of the region and commitment to his people will ensure that the Reach remains a loyal and supportive region.

The West: As the Lannister threat may be effectively neutralized, you can consider following the line of succession to one of your uncle’s sons on your mother’s side for the Westerlands, or directly appoint Genna Lannister as the Lady of Casterly Rock. This decision will prevent any further Lannister challenges to your rule.

The Vale: In the Vale, appoint Robin Arryn as the new Lord of the Eyrie. His loyalty and connection to House Arryn ensure that he will effectively oversee the region, fostering a stable and prosperous alliance.

Riverlands: With Edmure Tully as the new Lord of Riverrun, you can further solidify your hold on the Riverlands through his authority and strategic position.

Iron Isles: To appease the Ironborn, appoint Yara Greyjoy as the new Lady of the Iron Islands. Her leadership and experience in governance will help ensure the loyalty of the Ironborn, crucial for the stability of your rule.

Personal Alliances and Marriages

Your personal alliances through marriages will shape the future of the Seven Kingdoms, ensuring stability and additional support for your reign. Here’s a suggested plan for your children:

Daemon: Marry him to Sansa Stark, forging a strong alliance with the North and allowing Sansa to become a respected Queen. This will stabilize the North and ensure continued loyalty.

Aegon: Marry him to a daughter of one of the lords of the Narrow Sea, granting him the title of Lord of Dragonstone. This will help secure your claim to the Iron Throne and strengthen relations with key maritime regions.

Baelon: Marry him to Desmera Redwyne of Highgarden, giving him control over Highgarden. This marriage will strengthen ties with the Reach and ensure continued support from House Redwyne.

Jaehaerys: Marry him to Talla Tarly of Horn Hill and Brightwater Keep, solidifying your control over the Reach and ensuring support from House Tarly.

Arya: Marry her off to Sweetrobin Arryn, a powerful and loyal supporter of the Targaryen cause. This will help to solidify your allies in the Vale and ensure continued support from House Arryn.

Jacaerys: Marry him to a daughter of Lord Walder Frey, providing him control over the Twins. This strategic marriage will solidify your hold on the Riverlands and ensure a strong alliance with House Frey.

Laena and Rhaenys: Their marriages will be decided based on their interests and the current power dynamics, providing options for further alliances and support.

Conclusion

By carefully selecting your Small Council and distributing land and titles, you can ensure the stability and prosperity of your reign. These strategic decisions will help you establish a strong foundation for your rule, setting the stage for a long and prosperous reign.

Key Takeaways: The formation of a reliable Small Council and the strategic distribution of land and titles are critical steps in ensuring the stability and prosperity of your rule.