If Balon Greyjoy Was Smart He’d Do This

[@gamebawesome]

Let's be honest, Balon would probably find a way to muck it all up

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

balon is a so not intellingent and he doesn't deserve to share a name close to baelor brake-spear or baelon the brav. there are many noble men with the name that starts with "balo" and the iurn islands give us the worst one of all. i mean he isen't even brav, all he does is sit on his see stone chair and insult people all day. i hav a question. if the iern island is all about earning ur right to lead and taking what u want, how did not intellingent balon become king?? or is the iern islands like the rest of westernos where the oldest son become the lord or the king? or isen't it?? i'll ad mit i'm a bit confused, because why does balon get to just become leader of iern islands because he is oldest, but eronn and asha and theon and victaron had to do a king moot?? should not theon become king becaus he is the oldest son o balon, much like how balon became in charg himself? or no? and why not? and why eronn was aloud in charge then? and if it was so simple, why eronn did not become in charge back when their father die instead of balon?

[@philippeblais8594]

​@@pIayingwithmahwiiMix of that and the king's moot. Where all the Lord's of the iron islands, influencial officers and whatnot gather to choose a new king. Though I don't remember if that's only when the succession is unclear or when there is a clear heir.

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@philippeblais8594 so basically they did it because they didnt like theon cuz he foster at winter fell, and cause has no balls which means he wont make a good king cuz he cant hav kid? does that sum it up is that why they did the Moot when it should hav gone to Theon but not when it went to Balon?

[@TheFandomeClips]

They call a Kings Moot because Theon isn't there to claim the throne and some of them don't want a woman leading them so it puts Asha/Yaras claim in peril. Damphir wanted Victarion to go for the crown but Euron showed up to offer more. If our version we solve the sexism issue with Theon being present and by helping taking the westerlands they've expanded the empire and shown they've got ambition or did something of worth. -Thom

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@TheFandomeClips anything as long as Eronn doesn’t take the throne. Euron seem like a nice enough guy right now but I worry the power will go to his head and he will end up like Fake Aegon with a anger issues and he may start doing bad thing if he get any more power. There something about that euron guy i don’t trust, I worry he could rlly do some bad thing if he get to powerful but maybe I’m not being fair to Euron who knows maybe he will turn out a good ruler. He seem kinda nice to his people the iorn islanders I guess a good ruler should care for they people right

[@guillermopena8412]

Balon: Fuck the Starks. WE DO NOT SOW! We'll raid the North! Theon: To get what? Pebbles and ice? Are we opening a bar? If we join the Starks our main job will be to get a literal mountain of gold! Balon:....Ah shit, the lad is right. THE KING IN THE NORTH!

[@ignacio4159]

@@guillermopena8412 Balon was a dumbass

[@barbiquearea]

Here’s what Balon actually tells Theon in A Clash of Kings. "Casterly Rock is too strong, and Lord Tywin too cunning by half. Aye, we might take Lannisport, but we should never keep it. No. I hunger for a different plum . . . not so juicy sweet, to be sure, yet it hangs there ripe and undefended." Robb’s army was in the south, and as Asha says in ADWD, the Ironborn would still be holding Moat Cailin if Balon hadn’t died and Euron hadn’t abandoned it. As it is, the fifty or so Ironborn left held off a large force of Ryswells and Dustins attacking from the north. Also, the North had never (at least since Brandon the Shipwright) had a fleet in the west, so even if the invasion failed, there would be no chance of retaliation. Balon may not have been the best strategist in Westeros, but he wasn’t the worst.

[@sejanus855]

@@barbiquearea He should have still tried to get any reassurances from the Iron Throne, because since he didn't, he didn't get any allies, even though they would have welcomed him with open arms. But with Robb dying it freed the New warden up to march on Moat Cailin in force + with support of the Freys and if the war would have calmed down completely with support of the Iron Throne. This Lennister fleet he was afraid of would have blocked the access to the castle and made the Ironborns get heroically starved to death

[@mateusviana7396]

@@barbiquearea n teriam n, com a tropa do Ramsay vinda pelo norte fosso cailin teria caído. Asha fala que o norte é muito grande para manter, n tinha como sair vitorioso. Outra, balon queria independência, mas focou no inimigo do seu inimigo. Não faz nenhum sentido o cara querer independência do trono de ferro, e não atacar o maior apoiador do trono.

[@thedrinkinggamemaker9749]

​@@barbiqueareayeah because Balon wouldn't be aware that Robb is absolutely shredding the Lannisters 🤔

[@illusionattic6180]

It’d be really funny if Robb gave the Boltons the Westerlands for their loyalty

[@emperorconstantinexipalaio4121]

If that happened, the Bolton-Stark beef would probably die on the spot lol

[@agent45625]

@@illusionattic6180 Maybe the Boltons can make Castamere their new capital instead of Casterly Rock.

[@eliclaunch123]

That would be smart given if rob screws over the freys. If the Greyjoys take or just sack Castely Rock would deal such a blow that the Freys would be more hesitant to betray rob as the Lansters are weak and the grey joys never burn down wintefell.

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

Just send in Ramsay with Ser Twenty Goodmen, they'll take the Rock by themselves.

[@BlackDiamond2718]

@@agent45625they would cause they enjoy the death. Also keeps them far away from robb.

[@lewisbean4250]

I tried this in a game of CK2 once. Did some raiding around the coasts, took Fair Isle, then ended up in one-on-one with Gregor Clegane, which given I was playing as Balon, went as well as you’d expect. Then Victarion took over, was a bit more successful, took Castamerr and fought off counter invasions, then a rematch to avenge my brother, and well I lasted longer this time.

[@alexanderkazantzis8019]

Did victarion win?

[@Karsielatee]

@@alexanderkazantzis8019 I’m guessing by how the sentence was worded, NO 🤣

[@breadbread4226]

The thing is I don't remember Ck2 having naval battles, which is where you would want to fight if you were to do this.

[@OurHiltsHurt]

Balon needs to stop breathing forever

[@TheFandomeClips]

okay, calm down Euron. - Thom

[@OurHiltsHurt]

@@TheFandomeClips lol of all the bad things Euron did, him taking out Balon allows me to forgive everything else

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@OurHiltsHurt really dude? I agree Ballon stink as king, but im getting tired of everyone judging Euron pre judging him before they realy get to know him. we don’t kno for a fact if Euron did all the stuff ppl say’s he did. As of right now they are just accusations, notheng more. I mean do we rlly wanna repeat of what happen in season 1?? U know to whom I am refer to right? I mean I feel like I’m getting flash back to another Honorable high lord being accuse, just like everyone does to Euron right now. Who else remember Lord Stark, being wrongly accused of treason witch he didn’t commit but was punished for it anyway. Western is already a realy not fair country to live, so we can’t simply Ignore “do process” that say that all High Lords have that same access to a rightful trial made up of their pears or a trial of combat if they dasire. Just because Euron is a little rough around the edges and a little awkward (just like Ned cough couch) doesn’t mean he don’t should not still have rights. Anyone of the great Lords deserves it. About him. Tbh it seems like most of the accusation are from Euron brother’s, and his brother’s are just jelous that he got to become king and they hav to be stuck as a mear warrior and a mear priest XD which are lame imo. while euron get to be a king plus he is rich since he is a pirate. They are jelous for sure. Maybe if euron brother’s didn’t blame euron for everything bad that happen to them then they might have had the Grit and Determination to become king instead of euron himself, u. Never know. But instead they chose to be in their pity party and to insult euron and make accusation’s. U can’t win a campaign on nothing but attack ads. That is something I learned from the campaign trail. I will grant u this. I will grant that I am sure that it’s possible, that Euron has possibly done some bad things, but everyone has in this story it’s the Game of Thrones, u win or u get deleted right? This is one of the worst, they bring up some crime that everyone else in the story would commit about Euron, whom has done nothing that Jon Snow or Denarius herself wouldn’t do if put in his shoes. He is the one out there making the hard choices for all 3 of them. While they just coast along on all the love. Euron is the third head of the Dragon that Danny’s brother Ray talk’ed about for the Proffisee. The Whereas Jon is the Prince whom was Promised, Euron is the Third head of the dragon, aka the King whom was promised. Jon will take euron place perhaps we don’t know. It possible Euron must take the iron thrown in order to save Westeros, we really don’t know for sure since Euron is such a mysteryou’s figure. I believe he is much like akin to Cerberus Snape from Harry Podder. By that I mean he can seem dark and edgy and rough a round the edge’s, but I have a feeling we will find out he is a bit misunderstood and at the end of the day he only wants wat’s best for the realm, just like a lot of fan favorite’s. Maybe Euron will teach Danny that she can’t help the people and save the world by being all friendly with kindness and smiles. In order to help people at the end of the day u have to be willing to sacrifice them and get rid of anyone who standing in ur way to ur rise. People can’t be helped without this. Euron could teach Danny and Young Jon this lesson’s before he make a heroic sacrifice to save them. That is my theoretical on Euron Grey joy finally fate but we shall see I guess right? We shall see indeed

[@Ryan-oi6cp]

@@OurHiltsHurtI love y’all’s channel. When are y’all going to do a video on book Euron?

[@LordBloodraven]

Step 1: Accept Robb's Offer Step 2: ... Step 3: Profit What's Step 2? There is no need for a Step 2. Just go to Step 3.

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

the step 2 is the magic irun island secret ingredient. it's the secret engredient where they somehow screw it up, and replace step 3 with "loose another war" xD, and get robb killed even befoar ) the red wedding LOLL

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

BRO WAT THA Heck! U literally have the name "LordBloodraven" like the official youtube account with that name. sicne u joined u-toube in 2007! that's crazy! u have been a fan of the books longar than many new fans have even been alive LOL! also btw can i plz get ur account? i would love to have that u-tube account! u can say no but it can't hurt to ask, right? lol

[@CatotheE]

Robb’s offer was subordination in the show. It was a bad one.

[@ryanarment5393]

The lannisters no longer had a fleet, nor the ability to defend effectively defend from the sea. The lannister army was deployed in the riverlands leaving old men and green kids to garrison the castles. Meaning they would have no chance against hardened ironborn warriors. The difference between this and their campaign in the north would be that a.) they would have allies supporting them, b.) they would be fighting in a warmer friendlier climate that it would be easier to forage from, c.) the plunder actually would profit the iron islands.

[@DraconimLt]

@@CatotheE how? He offered to accept Balon as King if he'd do the same for him and fight alongside him. No one else would offer that. Balon's issue wasn't the offer, it was how it was worded ''He'll give me a Crown, GIVE ME a crown!'' That and he wanted revenge more than he wanted to strengthen his people.

[@warlordofbritannia]

You hint at it here, but Tywin’s actually a pretty poor military commander. He spends months at Harrenhal letting the rest of the war develop not necessarily to his favor, marches in the wrong direction instead of reinforcing the defense of King’s Landing, and only pulls out a W by dumb luck…hmm, methinks there’s enough material for a whole video on the subject.

[@Canessa1298]

he made a pretty big mistake by judging Robb to be a joung boy way over his head, rushing to battle not knowing what he was doing. And got wrecked by it, only then he went for the political and subterfuge way.

[@Mk98894]

@@warlordofbritannia He stayed at Harrenhal because it was a strategic position that allows him to block the vale and the north armies from approaching KL and the river lands.

[@mateusviana7396]

Único erro do Tywin foi subestimar o Robb, o resto estava certo. Ficar em Harrenhal era o mais correto pois ele conseguia fechar o caminho do Robb para Porto Real, ao mesmo tempo que se o Renly ou o Stannis resolvessem atacar, ele conseguiria marchar para salvar a capital. Tywin só sai de Harrenhal quando o Renly já estava morto e Stannis estava cercando Storm'sEnds, que pela história, sempre dura muito tempo. Com Stannis ocupado por meses, talvez um ano, Tywin poderia focar em Robb. A loucura é que Stannis usa magia, algo que nunca está nos cálculos, e consegue tomar o castelo rapidamente, mas logo que Tywin fica sabendo, marcha rapidamente para Porto Real, sabendo que Stannis atacaria. Se Edmure n tivesse atacado, os ocidentais teriam passado o rio, e não teriam como voltar a tempo. Então Tywin teve sorte também, mas sua estratégia fazia sentido. Agora, se ele ao em vez de ficar em Harrenhal, fosse para a capital direto, teria sido um problemão. Deixaria os nortenhos muito perto, podendo até tomar parte das terras da coroa. Conseguiria frear um exercito inimigo, mas o outro viria rapidamente e quebraria a defesa cansada de Porto Real. Além de abrir espaço para alianças, imagina Robb com todo o seu exercito em Harrenhal ou Duskendale e Stannis após derrotar Renly

[@the_archmaester]

By staying at Harrenhal's central location means that Tywin can block Robb from King's Landing but is also close enough for him to march on Stannis or Renly if they siege the capital

[@thedrinkinggamemaker9749]

​​@@the_archmaesterif he ever left Harrenhal, the North, the Riverlands and the Vale would converge. Tywin has Edmure not sticking to the plan, Lysa going loca, Balon being Balon and a thicc nurse to thank

[@NewWorldOrder-dt1dg]

this just shows lannisters thicc plot-armor. they would have lost in every scenario except the one in the books. whether the greyjoys side with robb or renly kneel to stannis or dorne wanting revenge or even vale joining the war. they must shit gold cause they are lucky as shit

[@TheFandomeClips]

Nailed it ! They were playing extreme mode in the books 😂 - Thom

[@Tvhurdghit4fhi6rr]

It's not plot armour, it's George deciding to tell an interesting story, George wrote it so that balon was stupid because if he wasn't and renly kneeled and dorne entered the war then we wouldn't have got the story we got and could still get more of. The world George created was engineered for the lannisters to win because its a more interesting story, not because they have plot armour

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@Tvhurdghit4fhi6rr lol that literally wat plot armor is bro. U just define wat plot armor is like a diction arry. U can argue if it a good thing that they Lannister’s team have it, or if it was done good (I would say Yeas to both these questionnaires) but they DO have plot armor :) so yea

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

Yeas I agree with my own previous comment above. Plot armor is when something unrealistic happen (or a Serie’s of unrealistic avents unfoldeds) for the Sayk of telling a more interesting story. But plot armor is an tool a righter can use, and like any toole it neither gud or bad. It depend on how the Arthur write that plot and how he use the plot armor toole. Just like a blade is neither good nor bad in and off itself, it depend how the man who wield the blades. Gregor cle gane wield the blade for evil, whereas lord Esdras Stark wield his blade for the purpose of good and honour. So yea the Lan Nister family has plot armor as we all agree here that if anything else happen the Lan Nister would’ve be crushed, and their false born” king” Jeffrey “Baratheon!” (Cough cough) but like u I agree that the event that train spire in the books the way they did was the most interesting story so it was a good use of plot armor to armor the Lannister tribe with a modicum plot armor

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@Tvhurdghit4fhi6rr most people nowaday have been seeing to many BAD plot armors. It’s like if u only ever seeing too many Gregor cle ganes out in the wild and u never see a honorable knight like Duncan the Tall, u will start to think all knight and all swords are evil if u only see a bunch of gRegor cle games. Many Arthur’s are bad at righting plot armour in a affective manner. They do it as though a amachure. Now allow me to demon straight this form of amachore righting with a example, or a demonstraitshun, if u will. A example of a bad plot’s armour would be if Danny Danaerys is coming to kill the Lannis family with her dragon call Drogon, but then there’s a random storm ⛈ and before she can finally attack, before she can to make to her dragon to attack to the Lannister’s, a random bolt of lightning ⚡️ thunder tcome out of the sky and kill her Beloved Drogon. That Thunder. We can all agree wood be a example of an bad plot example of plot armor, because Not Only it is a rlly unrealistic way to protect the Lannistars, from Danny, More Importantly it is a rlly Boaring story. Way more boring than if something mor kool and intaresting and in tree ging or creyaytiv happened (I think I spelled creyaytiv right thts a tough one to spell haha. There a red line underneath it but I think auto spell check or watever could be glitching agen.).

[@jeremywitkowski7860]

Two flaws though the overall move of accepting the offer is a good one 1. They still need the Freys to get to Riverrun. There is no water route to the east to relieve Riverrun without going around the entire continent (at least that I’m aware of). Without breaking the siege, they wouldn’t capture Jaime. Maybe the pressure on the Westerlands would cause them to need to withdraw but you still don’t capture Jaime that way. 2. Lysa controlled the Vale and wouldn’t let them join the war even when it seemed like the Lannisters were on their heels and the capital was going to fall to Stannis. It seems unlikely they would join the war until the war was virtually over if Lysa maintained control of the Vale

[@TheFandomeClips]

Aha just to fill in some gaps ! 1.So Robb doesn't send the offer to Balon until he's declared king in the north, by that point Riverrun has already been relieved and Jaime captured. They've already got what they needed at that point from Walder Frey. Although Frey contributes 4000 men to the cause and is an important ally, Robb only needed his aid again when he needed to go back North to retake it from the Iron Born, if that doesn't happen, then Frey doesn't have Robb Stark by the balls. However we do detail alot of the ripple effects that happen if Iron Islands doesnt attack the North and that includes Robb potentially not breaking his marriage pact ( at least in the books). 2. Correct, we never fully include the Vale into our calculations, but looking at them how everyone else would, they would assume they would just put their lott in with the Northern Alliance. Even if they joined at the end, thats a good chunk of additional reinforcements, fresh and ready. Hope that clears some things up ! - Thom

[@Tvhurdghit4fhi6rr]

​@TheFandomeClips lysa would never have brought the vale into the war without littlefinger giving her the go ahead, the Vale is limited to a last minute reinforcement at best

[@davidlewis5312]

That's why the real game winning move for the Starks is to give Baelish what he wants: Cat. Marry her to Baelish make him Robb senior advisor and win. Baelish disposes of Lysa and installs either Robert/Robyn or Harry and the Vale crushes the Lannister eastern flank The tyrells pull back or declare their own independence and Dorne follows suit Stannis takes KL sure but doesn't have the resources to re conquer the continent

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

@@Tvhurdghit4fhi6rr I think the decisive moment would be if Stannis takes King's Landing. If that heppends, Littlefinger knows Stannis will kill him, and the Lannisters would be way too weak to actually win. In this case, I believe Littlefinger will switch sides, bring the Vale into the Northern Coalition to secure independence and concessions.

[@JH-zs3bs]

​@@davidlewis5312or give Lysa what she wants: Marry Baelish who's probably going to be happy to become lord of the Vale. Then only make sure to persuade Lysa to send Robyn to her brother Edmure to be trained in the riverlands. Else as soon as Baelish has a son with Lysa, Robyn would have a mysterious accident.

[@DarkKing009]

Casterly Rock is one of the greatest castles built inside of a mountain and has never fallen. the Lannisters have been fighting the Iron Islands for thousands of years. The Westlands are used to fighting the Iron Islanders. Their castles were built to fight those raiders from the sea.

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

yeah cuz the iurn island ppl are so dumb that they r rlly dumb. if u put me in chage of the iurn fleat i garantea u the castly rock would fall in a week or more. maybe even a month. all i would need to hav is eurin gray joy as my second in command general

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

or maybe i wood do wat trywin lanister did, accept to his own castly rock. think about it, as u say it's on a ocean. all i would hav 2 do is let the ocean into the castel, and it would floud. that's why every good king knows u never should build ur castels on a ocean, because it can easely be floudded. by the ocean water i mean, in case that wasent clere

[@DarkKing009]

@@pIayingwithmahwii While I agree, Casterly Rock does have its own Coastal dock. It's also taller than the Wall in the North. It'll be very hard to flood. George RR Martin says that it's the strongest Castle in Westeros.

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@DarkKing009 yes but the ocean is very large. the ocean has even more water then a lake by a long shot. i would say maybe a lake couldn't floud it the castly rock, but a ocean? how can it not be floudded by the ocean? i heard there is even more water than land on earth so i feel like it could flud anything since there is more water then land right? even if it is on a tall, i think the ocean is pretty deep which means it can sink into tjhe ocean no? and then get floudded

[@TheFandomeClips]

Our belief was Lannisport which is right next to Casterly Rock would be the weakness they can focus on which may in turn give them Casterly Rock. Even if the Rock holds out, they don't have to actively assault it, but they can take advantage of the lesser protected port which would most likely be an important asset. Tywin has most of the army with him and Robb just annihilated whatever was left that they tried to raise at Oxcross. IIRC Robb needed Balons help if he was going to take Lannisport, which might be well protected against the land, but not as protected against the sea. Would have loved to see this in action though. - Thom

[@jameshedrick4490]

Another nice bonus of this scenario is Theon would never be tortured by Ramsey and become Reek. He would hopefully find a way to stop being a little shit some other way but would probably learn something through fighting in the war as a Stark and Greyjoy and obtaining a position of power at the wars end.

[@dataportdoll]

I have one complaint over this vid: ASOIAF is a very grounded series and it would take some very powerful blood magic to raise Balon's IQ high enough to not fuck it up xD

[@jakenake3401]

a - raid wealthy region and join winning starks b - refuse starks offer and raid their poor swamp castles c - turn back and go inside castle where your security will protect you or pull a knife to your younger/stronger brother on wobbly bridge

[@jayschmidt2196]

Balon would never stoop so low as to something like actually win.

[@TheFandomeClips]

😂 Incompetence is his secret weapon. I mean he did technically win the war of the 5 kings lol. Thanks for watching Jay! Liam

[@nickschulte3915]

And Robb would be a prime target for Margarey

[@DarkKing009]

The westerlands hate the Iron Islanders. They'll never openly surrender either ever.

[@Keptaro]

Everyone hates the Ironborn. However, the Greyjoys may marry a Lannister at some point if they want to avoid a reign of terror. And since Theon is already betrothed to Sansa at that point, it only leaves Yara. Coincidentally Robb has an heir to Casterly Rock in stock. But I'd say both would potentially prefer death than being forced to marry let alone produce an heir. And Jaime is marked for death anyways with the sun of winter always above him

[@davidlewis5312]

​@@KeptaroLancel is a better choice, weaker willed and not as likely to be executed

[@pergos1]

Tell that to the Riverlands. They hated the Ironborn just as much yet submitted all the same in the days before Aegon.

[@flavius5722]

Most of their lords will die either in Riverlands or at Blacwater , house Lefford was left without his lord even in the real timeline

[@jakejohnson2334]

@@pergos1 That's what I was thinking. Rob conquers the nobility of the land, the iron born the coast, and it's gifted to the Iron born... the iron born just become the "richest" kingdom, already have some mining experience, and with rob at their back they may be a bit less tyrannical. The small folk won't rise up, and the other threats are out. The biggest threat would be an independent Reach with a strong fleet and stronger unblooded army deciding they deserve the gold more than the Iron Born, which is a war I think the reach win, and the north.... allows.

[@eviled33]

The only real way they could win would be if a plague broke out on the mainland killing 90% of the population and Greyjoys survive due to their greatest asset (living on a separate island)

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

or if a long knight come and the oters the wite walker kill everyone in westeros, but the iern islands survive cuz the wite walker can't walk on water (it a little known fact but i hav a theory they can only walk on snow thats why they are call wite walker. notice they r not caled watter walker otherwise they willed simply walk around the Wall. altho i do wonder why they haven't simply walk up the Wall, since it is made of snow, which acording to my theorey they should b able to walk on. maybe they're ded servents cant walk on snow? something to consider. never thogut of that before

[@EshBBX]

Westeros is about 10% the size of the actual habitable world so that island aint nowhere near far enough to not get plague spread, butyeah.

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@EshBBX if they ban ppl from coming in how can the plagg get in?

[@JH-zs3bs]

​@pIayingwithmahwii they don't walk up the wall, because they're not immune to gravity. Also I think it's implied that the wall is magical and they can't cross it/ climb it.

[@MRJTD99]

Correct. If Balon Greyjoy accepted the Stark alliance, then he's not Balon Greyjoy.

[@CatotheE]

In the show they had Theon swear fealty to Robb and ask Balon to do the same. That was a dumb change from the books imo. It should have been presented as an alliance of equals, even if the anorth with it’s greater manpower and resources was the sr. partner.

[@CatotheE]

*The North. Balon should have either offered Tywin an alliance before invading the North or allied with Robb in exchange for some land and invade the Westerlands. Casterly Rock might not fall, but the Greyjoys could have taken Faircastle, sacked Lannisport and raided the coast.

[@Keptaro]

Treated as equal or not, Balon is stubborn enough to fight a rebellion 10 to 1. It was his pride and hatred for the Starks that prevented him to ally with Robb. He didn't think twice what would've been good for his house and people. And he was blinded by the tales of the old way in which the Ironborn were mighty enough to take everything themselves without any help. Tywin would've welcomed Balon's offer to attack the North. Eventually they'd stab each other in the back because the Greyjoys want independence and the Lannisters want dominion over all of Westeros, but it could've been profitable. The idiot had to attack the North first, having nothing more to offer to Tywin. It was long overdue that the old kraken fell off the bridge

[@barbiquearea]

@@CatotheE I think that maybe for a long time now and to an even greater degree than the North, the Ironborn have been yearning to become their own country again. And so by donning the Driftwood Crown and breaking away from the Iron Throne, Balon might have hoped to endear himself to his people by provoking their sense of patriotism. Of course by doing so he lost any chance of gaining royal favor or any reward he might have gotten from Tywin for his troubles.

[@remnantreacts9845]

Great video Fandome. However I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we have waited long enough. It's time to finished what you started and do the extended how the lannister's could have won video.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Aha it's on the docket for sure ! Coming soon ! Like... at least this year soon... - Thom

[@kylecharles4333]

Nice to think how well it would go if only they listened to Robb's plan

[@TheFandomeClips]

Yeah, had to keep reminding myself this was about the Greyjoys considering how well it worked out for Robb! - Thom

[@Crusader_1991]

Dany dies in Meereen at the fighting pits. Sons of the Harpy sneak up to her and kill her while she is watching the great games. Jorah isn’t there as he was exiled and is in Volantis. Since Tyrion stayed in Westeros, Jorah doesn’t come back to save her as having Tyrion as his prisoner was the catalyst for returning to her.

[@awesomeaman113]

Brann to Shareen is the best match offer. That way Stannis’s grandchildren still get the crown. It’s not perfect but it’s leagues better than Edmire.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Good luck having baby’s with Bran…

[@awesomeaman113]

@@TheFandomeClips i seem to have overlooked something in my haste.

[@irondragondxd3836]

@@TheFandomeClips What about the other one, Rickon?

[@t8kabr8km85]

You guys should try how Jon could win the game of thrones. His game starting post resurrection so hes really got a mountain to climb. Win conditions. Long night ended (the main goal) King Aemon Targaryen, King of the 8/9 Kingdoms (Dorne is optional, The wildings arent the walls coming down eventually)

[@AKGaming-oj8hk]

All robb has to do was send someome like Rickard Karstark and Greatjon Umber as they were the most loyal stark houses in the earlier season to balon and threaten balon to help them or else they would kill theon. Maybe them balon would have given them those ships to take lannisport.

[@mattiaachille233]

Nah bro Balon is just a fucking idiot. He was already planning to attack the North even if it meant Theon’s death.

[@JH-zs3bs]

Threatening should probably be saved for later. The same offer with Karstark and an incentive to give him back his heir during or after the war.

[@connorgolden4]

lol that’s stupid. Just point out how dumb Baelon’s plan is since it doesn’t give the iron islands much really and how raiding the westerlands would be more profitable.

[@drs4983]

Tyrells attempt to stay out of the fight Stannis WILL remember that

[@flavius5722]

And he will be happy that they dont go to war against him

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

@@flavius5722 Stannis? Happy? Next you'll be telling me of how much Tywin Lannister liked to laugh!

[@serwalkerofthekeynes8761]

I tend to look at the greyjoys as jumped up wildlings. Raiders but with a liking for saltwater.

[@Mukation]

If Westeros completly shatters into 7 independant kingdoms and establishes peace, Dany might view this as a sign that she should move on, as the Targeryens did when Valerya fractured and she might establish her new empire in Essos, she has all the Dothraki, she has conquered and subjugated Mereen and all other slaver cities, she was already on her way to establishing a new empire that could prosper and keep on growing in Essos.

[@Mukation]

She might lay claim to Dragon stone, but not more, i guess.

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

no she wouldn't. she would conquer them all regardless.

[@flavius5722]

​@@godemperorofmankind3.091 Not in this scenario In the North : 5 wargs In Kings Landing Stannis and his Shadow babies In Dorne the Scorpion Bolts

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

@@flavius5722 what? only bran's a warg and no evidence he can affect a dragon. mel said shadow baby was a one and done. he'd never survive doing it again. everyone can have scorpions. its not a dorne-specific tech. technically cersei should have had that war won but for no reason, almost none of her scorpions fired. but that is with a few weeks prep. in this scenario she'd invade and no one has that kind of time.

[@flavius5722]

@@godemperorofmankind3.091 In the books all the Starks children are wargs and dragons are with nothing special than other animals Also Melisandra created two shadow babies And the scorpions were invented in Dorne ( not by the homless wizard ) imediatly after Aegon invasion , that is why Dorne was never conquerd by the Targherians

[@2009worstyearever]

he doesnt even have to be smart - he just has to be consistent with how his culture and his personality is written. Hes supposed to be a pirate and he lets the two richest kingdoms - stripped of their leaders and soldiers - just hangout while raiding the only place in the 7 Kingdoms that has nothing you can actually physically carry off to the Iron Islands.

[@denniseggert211]

Yeah going against the Starks was stupid by Balon. Robb had literally the same goal as him, forming a Kingdom independent from the Iron Throne. They could form a Powerful Alliance in the North of Westeros or at least be neutral with each other so they can campaign in the south with safe northern borders. Fighting the Starks was only for pleasing Balons ego.

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

with most of the videos, i feel that the usual best thing you could do, no matter what house you are, is stay out of it, and just bend the knee to whoever is the strongest at the time. if i was balon, i'd stay out of it until i was sure the Lannisters would win, then bend the knee. then when Dany sails over, guess what? i've got a nearly untouched army and armada ready to go for her. I offer my son as her king, and bada bing bada boom, greyjoys are top dog.

[@thesoupofthebrain2446]

My favorite culture in Asoif is the iron born. Its nice that you circled back to them

[@TheFandomeClips]

Had to come back to them! Even if it took us a year.... - Thom

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@TheFandomeClips Funny, a year’s probably as long as the Greyjoys peak would last.

[@thesoupofthebrain2446]

@@TheFandomeClips better late than never. Cool hearing from you

[@kellenlean2076]

You’re underestimating how fucking stupid Balon is.

[@randomcenturion7264]

True. Like most Ironborn he's got more saltwater than brains in his head.

[@Ceege48]

To make it even better I think Olena/Mace would try to Mary Margery to Robb, and then Robb should marry Sansa to Theon to further secure the alliance provided he can get her back. Then there’s still Arya, Rickon and to a lesser extent Bran who he can marry for alliances, and he’ll potentially even John if he wants to legitimize him and release him from the nights watch

[@hi-ls6lt]

I haven’t watched the video yet but the only way I see Mace marrying Margaery to Robb in the books is if he’s going to become king of the seven kingdoms, because his great ambition is to have a child on the iron throne. I see the Tyrell pact with Renly remaining, provided they both accept Stannis’ terms of becoming his heir which I’m not sure in itself is that likely.

[@Ceege48]

@@hi-ls6lt true I was more thinking that the goal was to have Margery as a queen which marrying Robb would accomplish plus then she would be queen of 3 of the seven kingdoms with the possibility of a 4th with the vale if Lysa gets her head out of her ass ( a tall order but some lords (bronze Yohn Royce and others) were already pushing to join) and now with a 5th the iron islands as a close ally, and now the westerlands completely surrounded would be relatively easy to take for the combined force of 4 or 5 of the kingdoms.

[@haydenhodgson8716]

Another great video, im glad we have gotten to hear Tom, i hope that doesnt mean the regular guy is going anywhere (sorry cant rember his name)

[@TheFandomeClips]

Who? I don't know who you're talking about.... JKing! Liams not going anywhere, he's already recorded the next video and I'm halfway through editing, now he's moved onto the one after that ! - Thom

[@TheFandomeClips]

Hey Hayden, my name is Liam (the other guy with the more annoying and shouty voice) 😂 yeah I was chuffed to bits when Thom said he wanted to have a go at this one, if only to prove to everyone that he's a real person and not some voice in my head that I talk to 😂 we're baby stepping him into improving his recording set up so he can put his voice to use for more videos (we need to get his reverb/room echo down as you can no doubt hear in this vid) , which means more videos for you guys and I think it'll help us appeal to more people, his calm relaxed tone might be some peoples couple of tea vs my loud obnoxious projecting that I know irritates the crap out of some people 😂 thanks so much for tuning in as always matey! Liam

[@conorbryan7806]

Great video as always the Greyjoys would still probably lose or mess it all up

[@christophercharles1937]

Greyjoy’s else from the iron islands are nothing but wildlings with boats.

[@flavius5722]

The Danerys will not be that big of a ptoblem if the kingdoms are separated ( in the book version ) The Dorne will just give Scrpions to anybody else , Tyrion had use Scorpions at the battle of the Blacwater , and the masters in general must know about them ,espicaly now that they appear in House of the Dragon By the way Dany has 3 dragons but just one rider Robb, Arya and Bran can all warg , and Danerys got pioson in her drink back in Mareen

[@12gark]

Also, Arya can probably murder Daeny any time she wants if we come to that.

[@Endme264]

Balon, king of failed rebellions

[@_TehTJ_]

Can Balon really win the throne when he isn't even strong enough to win a decent hairline?

[@TheFandomeClips]

Definitely not the iron throne, but his independence goal wasn't too far fetched if he'd gone about it like a normal person with average intelligence instead of his own special brand of moronicness 😂 Thanks for watching TehTJ! Liam

[@koreancowboy42]

Balon couldve easily accepted Robbs offer. Robb couldve allowed Balon control of Lannister lands in the Westerlands if Balon joined together with Robb.

[@hubertwaliszewski5740]

Great Video. I'm still waiting for the Littlefinger winning video and Randyll Tarly apology.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Hey Hubert! Randyll Tarly apology will likely be part of the re uploaded commanders vid, you can hear me grovel to the Ran man there 😂 we also have a LF video in the works but I'm not sure when it's due to drop, but don't worry they are in the works! Thanks for watching as always mate! Liam

[@The_Malcontented]

@14:37 I mean the Seven Hells would freeze over before Stannis allowed Shireen to be married to Tommen because Stannis knows Tommen is a bastard born of incest. Edmure meanwhile is the trueborn son of Hoster Tully and the (either soon-to-be or actual, depending when we're talking about) Lord of Riverrun, so marrying Shireen to him isn't really that bad of a deal (aside from the fact that Edmure is around 30 whereas Shireen is like 10, but that kind of marriage wasn't uncommon in Medieval times or in the Game of Thrones setting (THANKFULLY, no consummation of the marriage was done for a few years in such cases.)) The only mental roadblock Stannis has to overcome is the fact that Edmure is on Robb's side in declaring independence from King's Landing, which IS a major thing for him to be cool with, but MUCH less so than the ideas of ex. marrying Shireen to Tommen, swearing allegiance to Joffrey, or swearing allegiance to Renly when Renly is younger than Stannis and Stannis has an heir.

[@flavius5722]

Why to Edmure, Rickon and Bran are still alive , despite what most people think the medieval alliances dont consist only I the bigger sons and heirs of one family, especially because most of the time you don't ally with the boy but with his father

[@11bluekitkats]

Another great video! Loved this one as always!

[@TheFandomeClips]

Aha thanks Mikox ! 😂 - Thom

[@DennisHeikki]

love these videos!

[@sinayezulu9928]

Yaaaaaaaaa'ssss its that time of the month 🎉... I will never forgive the KZbin algorithm for recommending this to me 4 days late 😢

[@flavius5722]

You should subscribe

[@adrianmunoz7646]

The very best scenario for Greyjoys: 1. Be cool and make friends with the North. 2. Take And occupy Lannister lands. 3. Start sowing and mining. Grow their numbers and their resources in order to become a legitimate and feared House. After this is accomplished in the span of 30 years, then we can talk about the Greyjoys expanding into the Reach. More than likely though this will agitate the North if the War is already won by this point. The War needs to go on in order for the Greyjoys to take more land. Another scenario, Greyjoys are a sea-faring people capable of traveling long distances by sea and rivers where there isn’t any enemy activity that could jeopardize their sea operations. After they occupy Lannister lands for 30+ years they’d have the numbers to actually found colonies in Essos and other unexplored continents, imagine the exotic resources and large amounts of wealth they’d accumulate and bring in from these far, distant lands. They’d be like the Spanish pioneering an entire age of exploration and possibly kicking off the industrialization of Westeros.

[@Michaelkayslay]

I know Englana was a island power and conquest the world But greyjey had no chance

[@jf_kein_k8590]

Sadly, he was driven by revenge and bitterness, and maybe a bit suicidal.

[@professorsassafras]

In thos scenario i think the daughter of cersei would survive cause shes not cersei, shes young and given a few years to grow up could be marriage eligibile

[@alexanderkazantzis8019]

Wasn’t myrcella already in Dorne at the time, Engaged to Trystane Martell

[@cyborgcuttlefish6326]

When I read the title, i let out a laugh. definitely one of the most unlikely scenarios

[@jaredbrady5566]

I think Stannis would bend the knee. If this coalition has taken the throne via conquest, he'd accept it. His gripe was the fact the kingdom was his by right of succession. Once the Baratheon/Lannisters no longer have the throne, he'd probably recognise the new regime and head back to Storm's End.

[@flavius5722]

The purpose of the alliance is not to put Starks or Greyjoys on the Iron Throne ,but to split the westeros in six kingdoms ,watch the video

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

no he wouldn't. stannis would insist on fighting Robb even if it was hopeless and he couldnt win

[@Cyanduck485]

Here to ask for how walder Frey could have sat the iron throne

[@uglukthemedicineman5933]

Make a video about how Walder Frey could have won the iron throne for himself!

[@the_bigsteve3516]

Tyrells could Marry Loras to Danny to secure an alliance? many westermen hate the iron born so id assume alot of the lords would turn to the invading danny as the better option. Dorne would ally with Danny as well defiantly a cool match up . I doubt the northern alliance would withstand the Targs

[@flavius5722]

Nah ,they just become all kings ,why to give up the independence ? If Loras marry Danerys , the Martells are going crazy and bring the scorpions bolts ,and the Kings Landing already have those Loras dosent want to marry If Stannis see Dragons flying over he is summoning a Shadow baby ,no matter the cost If the Starcks are seing Dragons they enter panic mode and bring all the wargs în the North to bring the nuclear lizards down

[@andrewward5891]

While an alliance with Robb was the smart move there’s no way Baylon would ally himself with the son of the guy who helped crush his rebellion. However the Greyjoys might have won if Theon was a little smarter. Theon’s capture of Winterfell was ingenious but trying to keep it with 20 men was idiotic. As his sister told Theon later he should have kidnapped Bran and Rickon, torched Winterfell, and Brought the Stark boys to the Iron Islands as hostages. Then Baylon would have forced Robb to negotiate with him. He could have forced Robb to recognize the iron islands independence and kept some of the northern land the Ironborn had captured. Not quite a complete victory but a good one.

[@flavius5722]

This is a what if scenario,so Baelon said yes Your plan is too complicated for Baelon 🤯 But by torching Winterfel just lead more to Robb's downfall ,and the Boltons or whoever come after him have no interes in Rickon or Bran's lifes

[@barbiquearea]

Putting his grudge aside. Keep in mind that the North was undefended and was easy pickings, whereas the Lannisters still had a sizeable army in the Westerlands that could repel an attack from sea. Also, how could he have known that Robb could get past the Golden Tooth (which is basically the Lannister's very own Bloody Gate)? Yes in hindsight we can see how badly he miscalculated, but that being said if we go into ACOK blind. I don't think any of us would have entertained allying with Robb had we been in Balon's position.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

Fandome, you need to theorise about when, if ever, we will get to read the Winds of Winter and Drean of Spring?

[@12gark]

We'll never see the story ended my friend. GRRM is 75. I wish him another 75 years of health, but we all know we'll never see the story end

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

@@12gark dammit man, why did we all have to get hooked to that lazy fatso's intriguing story. We should have been spending our time reading already finished tales like Elric of Melnibone by Michael Moorcock or the Malazan book series. Brandon Sanderson is prolific as heck as a writer, yet ASOIAF has sucked up all the attention. Ah well, what can we do, eh?

[@weeoth8380]

I always thought Robb needed to somehow marry Margery, even if thats not something he could’ve orchestrated at any point really. But in a timeline where he won he should have done that

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

problem is Tyrells have no reason to agree to that

[@weeoth8380]

@@godemperorofmankind3.091 they would after renly's death while robb was still winning. issue is the whole frey thing and the matter of reaching them

[@DarkKing009]

Not saying the Lannisters will not lose the war of five Kings against an alliance of that Iron Island, the North, and the Riverlands. It's I'm saying it won't be that easy. That would have to last for decades and not one year. The Westerlands are simply a stronger Kingdom than the North and the Islands.

[@Gaaxure]

I wouldn't be making deals with people who killed my two sons either.

[@fenrir4446]

One slightly small probleem for the ironborn with the white walkers and there wights those undead are dead they dont breath so they don't have to swim they can walk on the sea bottom Aka pirates the 1 movie style or the the others/whitewalkers do a bit of ice magic and use glasiers

[@alexanderkazantzis8019]

I’m just imagining the walkers using iceberg ship Like the captain Gutt in ice age 4 ( who was ironically voiced by Peter Dinklage)

[@debater452]

The Ironborn were only truly relevant when Westeros was rulled by weak single kingdoms. Once the kingdoms got stronger and consilated they basicly lost all relevance. The Ironborn can never keep any land they take.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Very true, at least not without allys. But with the backing of just one decent faction they can be a game changer of a force! Thanks for watching as always Debater! Liam

[@debater452]

@@TheFandomeClips They definetly can't hold the Westerlands. Also the long night is definetly their problem, because an endless winter means they starve to death

[@wingedhussar8552]

Turns out “not sowing” isn’t a good for long term societal development.

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

​@@wingedhussar8552Not that they can if they wanted to.

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

​@@TheFandomeClipsQuellon Greyjoy be like.

[@thebrittaniondragon6183]

I could imagine Asher forcefully marrying Jamie and reluctantly having kids with him to secure the Westerlands like how Tyrian marrying Sansa would secure the North for the Lannister's

[@bertilhej4907]

where is the other guy

[@TheFandomeClips]

Writing & Voicing the next ones 😂 - Thom

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

@@TheFandomeClips Thom as in Thom Merrilin from weal of time?

[@jakerooke174]

Step 1 kill balon Step 2 Marry yara to robb before anything happens in the riverlands Step3 destroy lannisport Step4 hope caster red wine doesn’t catch the greyjoys

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

pointless. since once dany comes over, she'll destroy them with ease.

[@sombuddhapandit3088]

It always confused me the Balon Greyjoy chose the barren North when Lannisport was available and they already had experience bringing it down.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Mind boggling right. Balon’s just a bitter man 😂 -Thom

[@johnysnoww3831]

Lannisport does not have any gold in its mines. Tywin said in the series that those gold mains of theirs have ran out years ago. And if tywin dies, their whole economy dies with it.

[@TheFandomeClips]

In the show thats said. In the book, thats not the case as Robb and his men were robbing the mines around the Westerlands 😅😅 Not actually sure why they decided to take that route in the show tbh 🤷‍♂️ -Thom

[@johnysnoww3831]

@@TheFandomeClips Thanks for the reply, good to know the book lore as well.

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

​@@johnysnoww3831Even in the show it made no sense the Gold mine would run dry. Gold deposit like that wouldn't go empty that quickly without modern equipment.

[@johnysnoww3831]

@@ucnguyenanh9414 But they have mained the gold over hundreds of years tho ?

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

@@johnysnoww3831 They can mine it for another hundred year and it won't run out, not with the equipment they still have.

[@XVlTrey]

Love the animation parts, and Very succinct but too many wins. I’m gonna need Euron to throw a bit more chaos into the fire; like the moment baylon agrees to ally, he sails to gets Danny, blows his horn and burns it all down… win win win 😅 like a true iron islander.

[@GeneralGrievousCIS]

Tbh, if Stannis were one for making political plays (he's not, but I digress) the move here for him would be to try to pull the unthinkable and ally the Tyrells after taking King's Landing. Since he's essentially installing his own religious leader in the form of Melisandre, it should be VERY easy to get his marriage to Selyse annulled (failure to bear a son after however long coupled with loads of stillborns and a healthy dose of medieval sexism) which solves half the trouble with the Tyrells on its own, by virtue of disconnecting him from a Reach rival. Then he needs a new wife, and as such a new Queen, and we all know what the Tyrell priority is. Stannis is militarily a genius but lacks politically and struggles to make people like him. Margaery is politically genius and managed to make a crowd like freaking Joffrey. Its advantageous. There is the issue of Stannis having... fun times... with Melisandre (Jon explicity says in the books that its obvious she's his "real Queen") but conveniently for this situation, I don't know how much Margaery would really care... especially the show version. She was very much chill with Renly sleeping with her brother (or making a threesome) so as long as the crown is still on her head and she's got some clout I don't think creating infatuation is on her priority list. This alliance gives Stannis the Reach, would boasts the largest army in Westeros and a huge fleet, and crucially has both the wealth and food to sustain his new capital (while also controlling other key exports such as academics and wine). It's about the only region he could pick up that, combined with his own holdings in the Crownlands and Stormlands, gives him a semi-viable position for pulling anyone else back into line and cobbling back together some shadow of the old Seven Kingdoms.

[@datnoob4394]

Wouldn't Littlefinger Push Lyssia to join the lannisters?

[@digge2210]

George needed drama

[@Michaelonyoutub]

I could see Dany returning and getting the full support of Dorne, since Doran was already planning to support her. She might get the support of the Reach if she marries Loras or one of the other Tyrell sons in the books, since they might view the dragons and Dorne's support as a one-way ticket to power if they hop on early and have a Tyrell marry her. Even though Stannis really doesn't want to forgive Robb's rebellion, he might make peace if he becomes aware of the white walker threat, though he would do so only to allow Robb to head north to fight them, Stannis would be too busy with the south to send much help himself. Either way, whether Stannis made peace or not, Dany would overrun him quickly with her armies and dragons, though Stannis's magic might be an obstacle in that scenario, maybe taking down a dragon or something. If the Vale hadn't committed their forces to any side, they likely would commit to neutrality as soon as Dany shows up, and then swear fealty to Dany after she defeats Stannis or when she potentially continues north into the Riverlands. The Reach forces could push the Ironborn out of the Westerlands, but they wouldn't be able to stop their coasts from being raided. If Robb stays in the south, he might be able to fight scattered Dornish and Reachmen armies, but he wouldn't be able to fight dragons. There might be some strategy where Robb and Balon can tag team, hitting and running, wherever the dragons are not, distracting and pulling them to one place while attacking another, but considering how quickly the dragons can move and how slow normal communication can be in relation, they would be walking a very thin line, with every misstep costing thousands of men and potentially dozens of ships. Any strategy would fail though when the North gets invaded by white walkers and Robb is forced for leave or potentially beg for help.

[@flavius5722]

An alliance with Dorne it means marriage eith a Martell , so no space left for the Tyrells But with the Lannisters death and no more Iron Throne ,Doran dosent need Dany , so no alliance with them either , they actualy send the sand snakes to eliminate her as threat to their independence

[@jamesgray7857]

dont forget dorne. at this point oberyon was still in dorne. he would have for sure joined if The north, Stormlands, Riverlands, and the iron islands were ALL fighting the lannisters. One iorn-born ship to the south with a message easy win.

[@Concreteowl]

They might run off with the throne.

[@The0nlyMasterba1ter]

Robb would support Stanis so he could follow his fathers wishes

[@spartacist101]

If Robb Stark was smart, he would signed an allaince with the victor of the Stannis/Renly showdown at Storm's End (later confirmed to be Stannis). Robb's decision to delcare himself 'King of the North and the Riverlands' was an idiotic strategic move as it meant he could not ally with any of the powers within the Seven Kingdoms and the southern part of the realm (the Riverlands) was completely indefensible with few natural barriers. Just coz people like the Starks, this move is overlooked and it's probably more damaging to the Stark cause than Robb's marriage to Jane Westerling/Talisa.

[@flavius5722]

It can be seen this way ,but also if you do the math , after the battle of the camps , Robb had 33k men vs Tywin 20k at Harennhal, instead of losing his time in the Westerlands he could had just go Harennhal, crushed Tywin with his superior numbers, more experience army ,and advantege of own terrain So basicaly Tywin and Kevan would had been death before any Greyjoy invasion or Tyrell -Lannister alliance

[@redwire6315]

I'm not sure why all 7 kingdoms wouldn't gather enough money together to pay the faceless men to kill Dany.

[@mlgmeistros4278]

3:36 I think the North could convince Dorne to join them. They hold no loyalty to House Lannister or Baratheon, considering both enemies.

[@flavius5722]

They are very away from one another, of course is plot convince that the Martels appear and do something only after Robb is killed În the book Doran Martell is a man of scheiming and paciente, so much so that the things that he wants get done naturaly before he even decide to act

[@Maegorthecrueltargaryen]

Honestly the best way the starks can win is if tywin is decisivley defeated at the green fork wich would result in the death of tyrion the capture of the mountain and kevan lannister and mabey ser adam marbrand either way tywin is delt with and his army isnt much of a threat and this would encourage balon to join robb now that tywins image of invincibilitie is shattered

[@MrHellsing76]

Realistically Robb should have worded his letter better as you can't 'offer' things to a greyjoy, the Greyjoys already proved they can take Lannisport easily on their own, as they did so under Baelon once, RObb needs to offer aid in something neither of them could have taken on their own, which is Casterly Rock, but even then, the Greyjoys don't do well with alliances.The last time they did one in the dance of the dragons, I believe that was the one time they did since being broken into subservience, they literally kept on raiding the kingdoms after the war had ended, which is bad for Robb if he wants to rule his fiefdom of the North and Riverlands in peace, as the Greyjoys being 'allied' would keep provoking the other kingdoms to military action, either forcing Robb to send troops to bolster the Iron Islands, or more likely, fight in the riverlands again as the other kingdoms would end up attacking him directly to rob the Iron Islands of supporting military. The Vale won't aid the North until Baelish orders Lisa to do so, they're nobility are stringent and hamstrung by her leading them, so no one would march without Her(Baelish's) order to do so, which if they did, wouldn't be to aid the North, as Baelish doesn't want Robb to get too powerful to hamper his plans to rule the ashes of the great houses. For Conquering the Westerlands, that doesn't gain Robb another kingdom to his realm, as he's the invader still, no one is going to willingly supply his men there with food, shelter or coin unless they're at swordpoint, which on top of having to have men patrol the riverlands already is just draining his manpower more than needs be when he has Tywin to contend with, not to mention the armies of the Reach, and Stormlands are not on his side, and have a size he can't dismiss. The Tyrells would likely still go with the Lannister alliance, as they have more to offer, if the Lannister's win, Margery is queen of all 7 kingdoms from the red keep, instead of 2 in the North, especially given they're in a weaker state and Tywin would have to make more concessions for the Tyrell armies to his banner, not to mention Robb wouldn't accept the marriage offer as he's already betrothed and stupidly thought no one knew about him cheating on his fiancee. Also Robb isn't in power because he's generally a nice guy, he's in power because he took it by force, same as stannis, he seems more agreeable and romantic a partner, but cheating on your first marriage before you even meet the wife is really shooting his reputation in the arm, while Joffrey's reputation somehow wasn't confirmed until after the tyrells met with Sansa, but they planned to get rid of that little shit anyway, so it doesn't change much of anything on that front. Catelyn, being five types of short bus special of a character, would still free Jaime though, she was so desperate and thought only she could do things, as evidence with, well everything she's done, from selling her eldest son to be Married for a bridge, kidnapping Tyrion, (which I still blame all the war and death on her for) and freeing Jaime, it's just in her nature to do so. The other big issue, besides how Baleon would absolutely have fucked it all up by being himself, is Euron taking over and just fucking off with the fleet to try and woo Danny in essos, because short of VIctarion remembering his character traits of "wanting to cut euron's head off first time he sees him" and having the right to do so since not only has he returned after being banished, he admitted he killed Balon to seize power, BEFORE he got power, and the other Greyjoy captains still respect him more than Asha as it was Euron's plan that got them to take Lannisport in their last rebellion so again, short of Victarion doing what he should have, Euron will still take the throne and the fleet away from Robb's side

[@The_Malcontented]

@8:14 I wouldn't make fun of Thom for saying "opportunitist" when the word is "opportunist," except that he always roasts Liam when Liam makes mistakes so eat it Thom!

[@jameshedrick4490]

The Iron Islands as an ally for Robb and the North would make things easier for Robb but the victory would still be his in the end because Balon simply can't take back his crown without a powerful ally like Robb. Meanwhile Robb had a real chance to gain the North's independence had he simply made better choices in a few key areas.

[@barbiquearea]

Hindsight isn't 20/20. And at the start of ACOK, I seriously doubt Balon would have seen Robb as a powerful ally. To him, Robb was nothing more than an experienced teenager who got lucky in his first battle. There is no way he could have predicted Robb had a snowball's chance in hell of sneaking his army past the Golden Tooth and invading the Westerlands. Had he invaded the Lannister domain and Robb didn't get lucky at Oxcross, that would have put him in a precarious position. Because now, not only would the Iron Born have to face thousands of Lannister soldiers on their own. Once Twin eventually returns home and assembles a fleet to deal with the Balon and the Iron Born menace once and for all. And knowing Tywin's reputation for ruthlessness, I would not want to be in Balon's shoes in such a scenario.

[@farright118]

3:20 the map looks great

[@Canessa1298]

Balon move is so stupid that i think is just for the plot to move on

[@SirMcbird]

Love the clip of haku In beginning

[@twistedinnocence8617]

Balon was such a moron. He had no chance of holding the North. It's too big and too loyal to their own. Cersi brings this up with Joffrey. It's also not very valuable besides from Whiteharbor. They don't have the Lannister gold or the Tyrell crops so not much money. Taking Lannisport and the Westerlands was the Greyjoys only real option for success. I'm surprised Theon never opened his mouth to how stupid the plan was. He knows the North. He knows it's poor, huge, cold and they would never accept a foreign ruler.

[@DarkKing009]

Westlands did not perform the King of the Isles and the Rivers under House Hoare. The Riverlands and the Iron Island when one country. I doubt the Westlands would fall as quickly.

[@MrDibara]

"Daenerys Stormborn, of many titles" *Okay, that knocked me out.* 🤣👌 Also, I KNOW, RIGHT?! Dammit, Balon! Why didn't you die of heart attack so that Asha or Victarion could take over?! _Such an imbecile!_ On the scenario that Daenerys manages to get to Westeros... _very unlikely._ I mean, book-wise, Ser Barristan could probably do a turnover and get the Slavers' ships to sail her army to Westeros, but book-wise that's not an option,because the one who devised that idea was Tyrion. *And by this new timeline branch, he's dead since Blackwater Bay.* So Daenerys, _being Daenerys,_ would probably burn all those segieing ships with Drogon, annihilate every slaver present, _then realize what a wasted opportunity she lost to get ships for the Dothraki and Unsullied._ My guess? She'd take another 2-3 years before somehow assembling a fleet, by which time Westeros will probably already be dealing with the Others. 🤷‍♂️

[@codynickles7788]

They win because no one cares about the iron islands. You guys want to leave ok. But stop with the raiding or else. Its that easy.

[@TheFandomeClips]

😂 this is so true, I always feel like the Iron Islands are a what if of Great Britain if they had a brain dead moron in charge during colonialism. Thanks for watching Cody! Liam

[@ChaosLierLen]

Imagine this: Theon marries Margery Tyrell, then they take the both the Iron Fleet and the Redwyne Fleet to Slaver's Bay. They make a marriage offer to Daenerys by tempting her with all four things she most needs: naval power, food, a husband, & a wife. They become Targaryens in name, but it is the Greyjoy blood that lives on.

[@flavius5722]

Why would Margery marry Theon? Ollena is a Redwyne ,they hate the Ironborn

[@ChaosLierLen]

@@flavius5722 that's a very good point, but if we can imagine a world where Balon isn't stupid then we can imagine a world where some portion of the Greyjoys make peace with The Reach for the sake of mutual gain.

[@flavius5722]

@@ChaosLierLen Yeah ,but the Tyrells are this local super power ,neutral for the begining of the war, anybody who have them has the bigger chances to win , no need for Dragons ( Danerys dragons are probably two weeks old at this poin anyway ) And this will still be Baelon doing a alliance, so two scenarios here in one And the Greyjoys are not offering to much , they aren't very united themselves

[@ChaosLierLen]

@@flavius5722 the Greyjoys have possibly the most powerful fleet in Westeros. They can make the plan work with either (preferably) the Tyrells or (alternatively) the Martells, and saying such in negotiations with the Tyrells has a decent chance of getting the Tyrells to cooperate.

[@flavius5722]

@@ChaosLierLen For the sake of the story , lets say they allied themself with the Tyrells, because the Martels are not doing anything either way But what is the goal of this alliance ? Against who ? Who gain what ?

[@adamcahoon6362]

All in all good analysis. However I do my diverging takes. 1. Given Lysa's mens rea (god being a law student is destroying my humanity), I think whatever the Vale does is dictated by the political motivations of Littlefinger. Given that Littlefinger's goal seems to be becoming the most powerful person in westeros, I think he is going to make strides in aligning the Vale with the Reach as the most powerful faction in the fall out. Possibly also working with the Greyjoys in the Westerlands alongside of them. Either way, I think whatever the Vale does will be for the aims of making Baelish the most powerful man in westeros or as powerful as he can be. The only difference I think is the scope and scale. 2. I don't think the Tyrells would necessarily secede and become the kings/queens of the reach simply because I think doing so would put too much of a target on them than they are used to and probably want. Instead, I see the Reach taking a more disputed territory approach where they leverage their grain supplies to marry themselves into as many ruling families in Westeros as possible (IE Margery to Bran, Loras to Yara or Shireen, etc.). Not everyone will accept these offers, but winter is coming and the Tyrells in this scenario have all the bargaining power and even the winners in this war of the five kings are in no position to be picky. 3. The Martells are in an interesting place seeing how there are no more vengeance to be had (outside of maybe the mountain and perhaps Stannis if they stretch it). However, if we go with the book version of them where they are also seeking to regain their place in court, then I can see them offering whatever naval forces they have to bring Dany to Westeros in exchange for a marriage pack with Quentin or even Oberyn seeing how he is alive in this chain of events. Maybe they can even throw in hiring the Golden Company to help sweeten the deal. 4. Assuming all of these events occur, then once Dany crosses the narrow sea, the only kingdom she really has to conquer would the be Reach. One she takes highgarden (or in all likelihood the Tyrells would give it to her in exchange for some place at court and/or keeping their stations as wardens) all she would then have to do is cut off any supply chains and only reopen them in exchange for bent knees. Those who don't accept this offer gets visitations from the unsullied, Dothraki, and dragons. 4a. If this occurs, all the Greyjoys have to do, as stated in the video is demonstrate a lack of use for the Iron Islands to Danny or, they could do the Greyjoy equivalent to what the Dornish did during Aegon's conquest but in the Iron Islands. Make it impossible to justify the cost of reconquest

[@12gark]

Assuming point 4, Arya would just kill Daeny and put an end to any threat to her family.

[@adamcahoon6362]

@@12gark ah you’re assuming she still becomes a faceless man in this timeline. It’s entirely possible she is returned to winterfell where she is trained to be a lady instead.

[@12gark]

@@adamcahoon6362 Arya training to be a lady? She may very well never become a faceless man in this scenario, but a lady? Not even the idiots writing season 8 tried that route 🤣

[@adamcahoon6362]

@@12gark Oh I didn't say they would succeed. But that would almost certainly be the goal for house stark as it was in the canon story prior to the war of the 5 Kings.

[@pako5586]

I don't blame Balon for being so short sighted, I blame his son for not being able to show him the long game. we often forget theon was horrible at pitching the alliance and immediately gave up after balon revealed his plan. if he had amy brain up in their he'd be able to shift balons anger and pit it against his ambition. the westerlands are alot warmer, richer, and prestigious than the northern castles. he could have followed the red crackens path in raiding the westerlands while securing a long lasting peace with the starks

[@barbiquearea]

“The pup says nothing about a reward. Only that you speak for him, and I am to listen, and give him my sails and swords, and in return he will give me a crown.” His flinty eyes lifted to meet his son’s. “He will give me a crown,” he repeated, his voice growing sharp. “A poor choice of words, what is meant is-” “What is meant is what is said. The boy will give me a crown. And what is given can be taken away.” Lord Balon tossed the letter onto the brazier, atop the necklace. The parchment curled, blackened, and took flame. "I am the Greyjoy, Lord Reaper of Pyke, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, and no man gives me a crown. I pay the iron price. I will take my crown, as Urron Redhand did five thousand years ago.”

[@DemigodTodd]

Unironically would love to see a Frey video

[@godemperorofmankind3.091]

The Freys should nhave done what they've been doing for thousands of years. stay behind their high walls, then bend the knee and join whoever is the likely strongest. do this and they could have joined Dany when she sails over, with an intact powerful army and maybe gotten a marriage out of her.

[@bleachmon1]

One problem with your tyrel motivation discussion. The Tyrells will not be able to hold on to the reach without an outside force keeping them there. They have a bunch of vassals that have better claims to the rulership of the reach. They didn’t rule the reach before Aegon the conqueror. They need the iron throne and to maintain their position. So I think they would team up with the lannisters against stannis but I think they would drag their feet about pitting their men against the north and co. And Tywin would have nothing that could force them as he would be completely reliant on them.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Thats a great point, I suppose that helps Balon and Rob though as it might cause internal power struggles that The Tyrells are going to have to expend themselves to contain! Great points though Bleach mon!thanks for watching! Liam

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

Actually, the Tyrells are currently perhaps in the strongest position they ever had, having close alliances with the Hightowers and Redwynes, the two other most powerful houses in the Reach. However, should a coalition of less powerful, but still significant houses ally against them, like the Florents, Tarlys, Merryweathers, Peakes, and most of all the Rowans, they might still lose.

[@johnroach9026]

They do have accrued legitimacy on account of having ruled the Reach for the past 3 centuries, though I could see a future schism with the more powerful Reach houses - maybe the Arbor and Oldtown break away, leaving a smaller, but more easily controllable kingdom. There's also the argument that the Reach will stay united out of fear of Ironborn conquest - the Arbor and Oldtown were previously controlled by the Hoares, and with their newfound position in the Westerlands, a divided Reach would be ripe for conquest

[@theocaldwell5440]

Thanks. I really like you guys; don't even care much about GOT but your videos are a lot of fun, so thank you.

[@TheFandomeClips]

Glad you like them! and thank you for the kind words! - Thom

[@The_Malcontented]

Weaknesses: everything about Balon

[@LCCWPresents]

Let’s be honest Euron Grayjoy is their best bet beyound signing that independence paper in alliegence with the starks.

[@clintwilson4139]

I might be one of the few whose favorite house is the greyjoys. I always loved pirates and vikings so the iron islands fits.

[@nickschulte3915]

Ok, seriously. This is the fourth video I’ve watched on your channel. And did you guys just steal all my old posts off the ASOIAF message board from like a decade ago?

[@samueldorrington8990]

Who wins the war if all the factions follow Fandomes, how to win the war advice? For example this scenario is non starter if Robb doesn't send Theon.

[@johnmitchell4043]

had theon just taken bran and rikon and fled winterfell, in and out in an hour. he could have sent them back to his father, giving the leverage with the starks and lanisters, being in possetion of 2 stark sons.

[@flavius5722]

What levreage to the Lannisters Rickon and Bran have ? And if they help to beat Robb , do you think Roose will bent the knee?

[@johnmitchell4043]

@flavius5722 after Rob is killed, tywin would both need bran and rickon dead. So the greyjoys can ask for something in exchange for killing them. Maybe for their independence be recognised or half the North?

[@flavius5722]

@@johnmitchell4043 For Robb to be death, you need the Boltons , so you cant negociate any land în the North Independence of the Iron islands ?? Baelon had never wanted the independence , he is a loyal dog of the Iron Throne Why would someone who want independence will waste his little resources in attacking the only other side that want independence until they both had reach a point when they have no power to defend themself from the Throne that they want independence from ? If Baelon had ever wanted independence he could at least stay neutral and letting the others fight so they left him alone No my friend Baelon ActionScript show that he want to crush any chanche of the ironborn to independence

[@flavius5722]

​@@johnmitchell4043 For Robb to die you need the Boltons, so no North land given And what stop Tywin from invading the Iron Islands and kill all of them Baelon has wasted his resources fighting the only othe faction that want independence

[@johnmitchell4043]

@@flavius5722 well tywin would need those two stark boys dead so he'd have to hear the greyjoys out. as long as rob hier is alive the war continues.

[@DarkApostleNoek]

Did I miss Dorne being mentioned? Good scenario though it really comes down to when the Separatist Alliance makes it to Casterly Rock in full strength. While the Ironborn are there, and they will be able to do a lot but I don't see the same gains as when they attacked the North. The Westerlands have a better chance to know about the attack thanks to Faircastle so the diversion attack they did to lower Winterfells defenses won't be the same. Really a lot of raiding of towns where the Westerlands peasants and commoners will be the ones being hurt. This I feel will be the important bit as basically if the Northern-River forces don't make it before the Battle of Black Water then the marriage of Joffery and Margery will be planned still leaving the Iron Throne the Reach and Crownlands, the Westerland forces Tywin had with him, Dorne if the marriage of Myrcella is still on and I'd see some Stormland since in this Stannis lost some and if I recall in the books some of the houses (or at least what they owned) were then taken by the Iron Throne. No real mention in the show what happened but I do see something like this. If it does start going in this direction looking at more even sides with now the Reach being the larger force for the North to clash with, though I am guessing the Ironborn will now look to having their raiding down there with their Lords who didn't get much in the Westerlands really pushing for Reach plunder, and with their Westerland holdings can make more constant raids since repairs on ships will be better. The really turning points will come from one of 2 things how much Dorne will support the Iron Throne and if Lysa Tully does keep the Vale out of the fight, as Littlefinger was controlling/manipulating her and essentially the Reach's foreign policy. If he sees Dorne not supporting the Iron Throne I bet he will then tell her join the Separatist wince they are now down to less then half with the Westerlands & Stormlands being gutted, with the Reach's forces being split between defending the Reach itself. From there it depends on if the other Reach houses specifically House Tarly feel if the Crown of the Iron Throne isn't worth it as in the show he was ready to turn on the Tyrells for power. In exchange for leaving the Reach alone the Tarly's will help the Separatist, and Robb will agree with this though Balon will take issue since he is fighting for his old ways with slaves needed to work fields. A thought over will be done with Theon telling Robb his father will have his Iron Price even if it means war with the North & Riverlands. Robb knows if their Alliance breaks it will make their wins mean nothing as if they get the Reach out the Iron Throne will have nothing. So the Ironborn will get the Arbour and a fair amount of land near it. The Tarlys then claim as Kings of the Reach using a mix of how pretty much all Reach House come from Garth Greenhand and the Separatist Alliance strength. Dorne then fully leaves as Doran in the show isn't the schemer from the books but a more peaceful man who sees if war isn't needed don't do it, and the Iron Throne will then ask for Myrcella back however the war is done, the seven kingdoms will be separate as with them having lost their most complete armies and the Vale moving in. A surrender is given and many prisoners exchange, and Robb might actually not take Joffery's life since it only would happen if they try to claim the North the wording of his Terms are a bit unclear there. While it is unknown how he will respond to hostages & wards since he might want nothing to do with them after this, Balon will want revenge and make those who made him feel humiliated feel the same even though they are all gone but still. Tywin will have to surrender Fair Castle, and give up lands just like the Tarly deal but will have to give up one more thing one of "Roberts" children, just like Balon had to give up his, and I don't think it will be him looking at the heir as who even knows what will happen in the Stormlands but Myrcella who will be arranged to Theon as a Salt Wife when she is older. I know in this you mentioned Theon and Sansa but Balon still wants to Old Ways as his end goal, so if Theon would have to make Sansa his Rock wife to keep his alliance or have her be a salt wife breaking it, or just leave the North & Riverlands alone and focus on his gains. I am assuming while this is going on Joffery and Margery didn't have a chance to get married as the War was going on, and now they are out the Reach might very well go into a civil war with the Tarly vs Tyrells. While brought up both sides are done fighting and since the Tyrells just wanted a Royal Marriage Dickon will marry Margery. The Tyrells would then return back to being Stewards and recreating much of how they were before Aegon's Conquest.