88 replies to this topic

[Humphrey Plantagenet]

You start reading about mysterious Others and Dragons and then BANG! the bankers get involved.

They’ve cut a deal with the Jon to help the Night’s Watch survive winter. Thanks to Cersei pissing them off, the Iron Bank is looking to back Stannis. Assuming the Bastard’s letter is a lie, this could make a huge difference to Stannis’ bid for the Crown.

I never thought Stannis had a hope in hell. But with the Iron Bank's backing I’m starting to change my mind. His record in battle, Blackwater aside, is impressive. With sufficient support he could win this thing!

(Maybe it won’t stop there. Perhaps the Iron Bank will down grade The Other’s credit rating, crippling their economy and saving Westeros from Invasion)

[ViennaGirl]

I hope they also get rid of the junk mortgages. So many smallfolk are underwater on their hovels. Even some lords! That's why Ramsay Bolton burned Winterfell - he wanted to collect the insurance because he couldn't make the payments.

[Arkash]

There is definitly something going on with the Iron Bank: see Theon's chapter of Winds !

And I really think they are a truly important keyplot to what can happen to Westeros, they are truly gamers!

[Ser Hippie]

I actually really liked the inclusion of the Iron Bank and its implications for future events (i.e. the realism of acknowledging the importance of financing a war). Then again, I worked at a bank for years, so I'm biased

[Catastrophe]

I have mixed feelings on the Iron Bank taking a major role in the story. On one hand, it's very realistic... Economic issues have always had a huge impact on real life wars, and vice-versa. Hell, Julius Caesar's conquests helped shape the history of the world, and one of the major motivations behind them was to get Rome out of debt! On the other hand, it just doesn't seem to fit in with the tone and themes of ASoIaF. Up until now, most of the series' conflicts have been a result of the plans, schemes, and blunders of a few major characters- "seeing the personal influence the political," as one of the TV show's producers put it- with various supernatural threats building up in the background. Suddenly having the Crown's debt to a foreign bank be a major plot point is a bit jarring.

[Arkash]

Well I love the facts that the economics are in the game: more realistic and it is as much as strategies, scheming, plans and everything as Varys' plots or Tywin's strategies!

[just an Other]

I actually think it is quite refreshing. Intrigue, though entertaining can only go so far before degenerating into soap opera. In the end does it really make that mauch difference who sits on the Iron Throne? It also shows there are bigger issuse than who's paid off who and who is spying on everyone. That's why I loved Jon's and Dany's arcs in ADWD; they were dealing with actual political issues.

Edited by just an Other, 03 February 2012 - 08:57 PM.

[jarl the climber]

Catastrophe, on 03 February 2012 - 07:44 PM, said:

I have mixed feelings on the Iron Bank taking a major role in the story. On one hand, it's very realistic... Economic issues have always had a huge impact on real life wars, and vice-versa. Hell, Julius Caesar's conquests helped shape the history of the world, and one of the major motivations behind them was to get Rome out of debt! On the other hand, it just doesn't seem to fit in with the tone and themes of ASoIaF. Up until now, most of the series' conflicts have been a result of the plans, schemes, and blunders of a few major characters- "seeing the personal influence the political," as one of the TV show's producers put it- with various supernatural threats building up in the background. Suddenly having the Crown's debt to a foreign bank be a major plot point is a bit jarring.

Actually Roberts debt has been an issue since the first book, it is the cause of Tywins great influence in Roberts court. I think starvation is going to become a magor issue going forward, Stannis might be better off using the loan to feed people, might win him more friends than sellswords, perhaps Jon will suggest the idea of creating a huge glass works with the purpose of manufacturing greenhouse glass.

[Greyjoy the Reaver]

I like it. Sallador Saan was headed home because Stannis couldn't pay him. Now that Stannis has some financial backing, he may be able to actually put up a fight.

[Stark@heart]

Bankers are deadly, it is known.

I personally liked a theory I saw on another thread that postulated that the FM and the Iron Bank are either partners or one and the same.

[Sevumar]

I'm quite enjoying the Iron Bank's role in the story and I'm particularly glad that Cersei's shabby treatment of the Iron Bank' representative in AFFC is coming back to bite her. It's nice to know that there is a force in the world that can act as a check on the power of monarchs. Having said that, we don't really know how benevolent the Iron Bank really is, or what its agenda might be, but they are an intriguing player. I'm looking forward to finding out more about them and whether or not they're a piece in the Grand Braavos Conspiracy™.

[David Selig]

It's a very good idea IMO, though the execution could've been better - the NW loan was a bit too convenient with the Iron Bank guy appearing at the Wall just when Jon really needed a loan and a huge loan was swiftly arranged even though the Watch's ability to repay it is pretty doubtful.

Edited by David Selig, 03 February 2012 - 09:27 PM.

[Mist Isle]

I think the Iron Bank is an interesting and excellent element of the story. The bank will probably prove to be very, very helpful to Stannis, but he will have some other resources if he wins control of the North and begins to extend his rule south of the Neck so there is some balance. It would be extremely funny if the Second Sons are hired to fight for Stannis and thus Tyrion ends up fighting on his side.....

The free cities will probably become more and more emeshed in the conflicts that are raging across Westeros and Essos due to several factors (many probably not entirely visible at the moment). The Iron Bank's support for Stannis might possibly be followed by some type of alliance (even if very loose) with the government of Braavos. Pentos may end up fighting against Braavos and supporting the throne contender who is alleged to be Aegon Targaryen by Varys and some others.

The transcontinental activities of the Greyjoy house might help merge some of the conflicts together also.

The possibility that Littlefinger began to take the Iron Bank into account from an early stage of his political calculations and plotting is very intriguing. Littlefinger would likely face limitations on his ability to directly influence the Iron Bank, but he may have kept it in mind when developing his plans.

Edited by Mist Isle, 03 February 2012 - 09:23 PM.

[boojam]

Arkash, on 03 February 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:

There is definitly something going on with the Iron Bank: see Theon's chapter of Winds !

And I really think they are a truly important keyplot to what can happen to Westeros, they are truly gamers!

I think so too, it seems a bit vague, but they and the FM seem to have some connection.

Anyway a Bank! I love George for doing this, I can think of no other quasi- fantasy that has.
And there is an insurance agent to, how can you beat that!

[TeamDanyArya]

It lends more realism to the world created in ASOIAF. By gods old and new, this could all come down to who has better financials to fund a war. Or feed the most people. It's a unique twist in a series that loves to take twists and turns. I think somehow Littlefinger and/or Varys are behind this. Maybe Tyrion takes control of the Iron Bank or the Gold Company, throws some money Dany's way for her to get her and her dagons to Westros and battles Stannis.

[The Sunset King]

The Iron Bank adds various layers of interest to the story; as a faction, its significance in Braavos and around the world is going to matter a lot. The support of the bank will enhance Stannis's story even further. If Stannis can assemble reasonably large forces, he will stand a decent chance of gaining the throne.

[just an Other]

Littelfinger and Varys are tiny to have influence on something like the Iron Bank.

[voodooqueen126]

What is very interesting to me is how the North will pay back the Iron Bank: they have no gold and with the 10 year winters, agriculture can't be great... they are not exactly close to any trade routes either.
So how the hell is the north going to pay the Iron Bank?

[jarl the climber]

voodooqueen126, on 03 February 2012 - 09:09 PM, said:

What is very interesting to me is how the North will pay back the Iron Bank: they have no gold and with the 10 year winters, agriculture can't be great... they are not exactly close to any trade routes either.
So how the hell is the north going to pay the Iron Bank?

Stannis as the king will have to pay the Iron bank back. Maybe he will expropiate the Lannister gold.

[Noimporta]

voodooqueen126, on 03 February 2012 - 09:09 PM, said:

What is very interesting to me is how the North will pay back the Iron Bank: they have no gold and with the 10 year winters, agriculture can't be great... they are not exactly close to any trade routes either.
So how the hell is the north going to pay the Iron Bank?

Slowly.