What if you were Aerys II the mad King

[Mrstrategy]

What would you do as Aerys II the mad King if you end up in his body the day you receive the news that Rhaeghar is dead and his army destroyed and not knowing if you can't trust Varys and aware that pycelle is a traitor and that both Rebels and Tywin are after his head and anyone named Targaryen. remember that the Reach army still in the field and that you still can raise a few more troops from the crownlands and fight it out or just flee to Essos with family and some loyal retainers also what to do about lyanna and Kingsguard

 

[Bernie Mac]

It is not actually known if Pycelle was a traitor. It seems unlikely Tywin would have sent a raven to him telling him of his plan. It is possible that he suspected or that Tywin was there to help, but its actually unclear about him being aware of what his advice would do.

 

As for the question, if I'm Aerys and I regain my sanity then there is not a lot I can do. Kings Landing will shortly be under siege and taken, so sticking around does not solve anything. The options are two fold, strip the treasury bare and flee to one of the following

a) Dragonstone; with no Rebel Navy Aerys would be relatively safe in the short term there,

b) the Reach; Oldtown, surrounded by the largest army of Westeros

c) Dorne; a death trap for invading armies following me

d) Essos; a last resort, but a base to gain support to retake the realml

I'd then send word to Mace congratulating him on becoming my New Hand and the promise of a royal marriage between one of his children and one of mine or my granddaughter (Aegon, my new heir, is off limits till after the war). I'd also send word to the sellswords of Essos. The Golden Company would be forgiven and choice Lordships from the Rebel lands to the commanders of the company.

Send word to Balon, offer him the Master of Ship's position, with him also being allowed to police the entire coast of Westeros and having a share of import and export taxes.

Word to Doran congratulating him on his nephew now being heir. Exchange heir's as wards, he would get to raise the next King of Westeros after the war was over, while his heir would be raised in the capital.

Word to the most powerful families in the Free cities with offer of friendship, choice marriages, possibly royal, possibly even Aegon's with the right amount of support.

As I had fled before Tywin had arrived, I'd not condemn him or alert him to my suspicion. I would offer Tygett Lannister (who holds sway with the Marbrands) a position as my Master of Law to try and split the Lannisters and would never allow Jaime to be alone again

Declare Hoster a traitor and remind the Blackwoods, my cousins, that we are family. Flatter Walder Frey. Also the Vances. Dangle the possibility of replacing the Tullys or at the very lest splitting their lands between the three of them. Also greater influence going forward. 

Secret letters to Lord Commander Qorgyle. Try to arrange for him to allow a Wildling host to bypass the Wall and attack the North and request assistance from Ned and his Northern host . Offer the Watch greater support for this secret alliance.

 

 

[Alyn Oakenfist]

Well presuming that I were Aerys somehow sane after the Trident I would do as follows.

1. First off KL must not fall. If Kl falls all my remaining subjects would probably lose all faith, and such a thing would massively legitimize Robert. This must not happen. Whatever is left of Aerys's reign is hanging on a thread so losing KL would be the end of it. In order to keep Kl I would do as follows.

2. Release Jaime from the Kingsguard and then promptly imprison him. Basically give Tywin the chance to get his son back, and not have Tyrion as heir. Also have leverage on him. This way he should join with you. Given him an ultimatum of reach KL before Robert and Ned or have Jaime die.

3. Station Tywin on the walls. He should arrive with some 10-15k men. Don't under any circumstance let him enter the Red Keep, so the blackmail still works.

4. At this point you could keep Kl indefinitely, and the situation while bad is stable.

5. Deal with Mace. Offer him the hand of Rhaenys to Willas. Being a Tyrell with a non ending goal to gain legitimacy in the Reach he should accept. Now he has an active reason to get involved.

6. Order Mace to detach half his army and send it to Bitterbridge. Order the remaining of Tywin's army to go there, keeping an eye out for any ambushes.

7. A relief army should be there of some 60-80k men. Kl should be under siege by now but with the royal fleet it should hold for enough.

8. Order the relief army to march down the Roseroad and lift the siege. Sally Tywin out. Between them Robert should be crushed. If he retreats start a campaign of smoking out the Riverlands and Stormlands.

9. Mop up what's left. SE should starve eventually, and besides Riverrun all of the Riverlands should bend the knee. At this point only the North and Vale should remain. Offer them good terms, keep Lyanna at court and make Jon Arryn council member. Release Jaime and make Tywin hand. The Ironborn will eventually be dealt with no matter what they do and Riverrun will either seek terms or fall eventually.

[Lord Varys]

In my lucid moments I'd probably curse the world that I'm living in the shithole of Martinworld where I don't get proper medical treatment for my condition.

[The Commentator]

First thing, execute Pycelle.  Reach out to the Iron Bank and hire sells words.  The Targaryen vaults were full at the time.  He could send for as many Unsullied as he could afford.  Borrow more money if he should need more mercenaries.  Separate the vaunted Targaryen fleet and send half to White Harbor.  Completely destroy White Harbor, burn Winterfell with Wild Fire.  Hold Benjen and the Winterfell household as hostage.  Send Wild Fire to Storm's End and do whatever it takes to burn down the castle and Stannis.  

Release Jaime from his KG vows.  Make a deal with Tywin.  Reach out to Houses Frey and Bolton.  See if they are willing to make a deal, in exchange for being named Lords Paramounts of the Riverlands and the North.  Call across the Narrow Sea for help.  The Pentoshi, Braavosi, and Tyroshi might help.  Hire Faceless Men and Sorrowful Men to assassinate the leaders of the rebellion.  

Strike a deal with the Blackfyre supporters.  Promise to marry Prince Viserys to a Blackfyre daughter, promise Stark, Baratheon, Tully, and Arryn lands to the officers of the Golden Company in exchange for help.  Work out a deal with Balon Greyjoy, whereby he gets half of the north in exchange for support.  

I guess it's obvious, I don't like the Starks and the Baratheons.

[Jay21]

Blow up King's Landing of course.  I didn't plant all of that wildfire for show.

[Wolf's Bane]

18 hours ago, Mrstrategy said:

What would you do as Aerys II the mad King if you end up in his body the day you receive the news that Rhaeghar is dead and his army destroyed and not knowing if you can't trust Varys and aware that pycelle is a traitor and that both Rebels and Tywin are after his head and anyone named Targaryen. remember that the Reach army still in the field and that you still can raise a few more troops from the crownlands and fight it out or just flee to Essos with family and some loyal retainers also what to do about lyanna and Kingsguard

 

The army was not destroyed.  Rhaegar's death caused them to lose confidence and discipline.  Anyhoo, what would I do in the king's place.  The city was already in danger of falling to the Baratheons.  It would need help from abroad in order to maintain defense.  They could withstand a long siege with help from the Free Cities because it is a port town.  The rebel's navy will not be able to seal off the city effectively.  Aerys will need help from the Sealord and the Ironborn.  He could hold off the rebels for as long as necessary if he had those two in his pocket.  He could bribe the Ironborn to attack Winterfell and force the northman to turn tail and run home. 

[Crona]

I would go on a rampage and kill every Lannister until they kill me.

[Arthur Peres]

21 hours ago, Bernie Mac said:

t is not actually known if Pycelle was a traitor. It seems unlikely Tywin would have sent a raven to him telling him of his plan. It is possible that he suspected or that Tywin was there to help, but its actually unclear about him being aware of what his advice would do.

 

As for the question, if I'm Aerys and I regain my sanity then there is not a lot I can do. Kings Landing will shortly be under siege and taken, so sticking around does not solve anything. The options are two fold, strip the treasury bare and flee to one of the following

a) Dragonstone; with no Rebel Navy Aerys would be relatively safe in the short term there,

b) the Reach; Oldtown, surrounded by the largest army of Westeros

c) Dorne; a death trap for invading armies following me

d) Essos; a last resort, but a base to gain support to retake the realml

I'd then send word to Mace congratulating him on becoming my New Hand and the promise of a royal marriage between one of his children and one of mine or my granddaughter (Aegon, my new heir, is off limits till after the war). I'd also send word to the sellswords of Essos. The Golden Company would be forgiven and choice Lordships from the Rebel lands to the commanders of the company.

I agree that this is the best solution for the short term, and at the very least it gives Aerys a chance to be alive. But it was a hail mary, the war was already lost and I don't belive the ties would turn on favor of the dragons. 

 

21 hours ago, Bernie Mac said:

Send word to Balon, offer him the Master of Ship's position, with him also being allowed to police the entire coast of Westeros and having a share of import and export taxes.

Quellon took the side of the rebels right after the Trident and attacked the shield islands, The IB were not a option at this point.

21 hours ago, Bernie Mac said:

As I had fled before Tywin had arrived, I'd not condemn him or alert him to my suspicion. I would offer Tygett Lannister (who holds sway with the Marbrands) a position as my Master of Law to try and split the Lannisters and would never allow Jaime to be alone again

 

This is a bit of hindsight right?

If I were Aerys, and without powers to see the future I would still not belive Tywin and would not let him enter the city given our past history, but I would not try to divide his house and work to turn him even more against me. I would demand a match between Viserys and Cersei after I fleed the city and try to tie his doomfall to my own.

[John Suburbs]

On 4/23/2020 at 2:04 AM, Bernie Mac said:

It is not actually known if Pycelle was a traitor. It seems unlikely Tywin would have sent a raven to him telling him of his plan. It is possible that he suspected or that Tywin was there to help, but its actually unclear about him being aware of what his advice would do.

 

Quote

"All I did, I did for House Lannister. Always . . . for years . . . your lord father, ask him, I was ever his true servant . . . 'twas I who bid Aerys open his gates . . ."

"So the Sack of King's Landing was your work as well?"

"For the realm! Once Rhaegar died, the war was done. Aerys was mad, Viserys too young, Prince Aegon a babe at the breast, but the realm needed a king . . . I prayed it should be your good father, but Robert was too strong, Lord Stark moved to swiftly . . ."

Is this not treason? Does Pycelle have any doubt that opening the gates to Tywin would mean the end of Aerys, the end of the Targaryen dynasty?

[CassDarry]

Send Jaime with Rhaella, Viserys, Elia, Rhaenys and Aegon to Storms End, from there Lord Mathis Rowan(or another none Reacher Marsh Lord) will escort them, with 100 Knights and their attendees, to Dorne.

Mace is to send Lord Randyl Tarly and his vanguard(not sure of its strength but I’m guessing sizeable) to defend Kings Landing while Mace is to keep up the siege with his army and Redwyne fleet(If the Reach is using even half of its reported 80,000 men to siege Storms End then its a waste! If they aren’t then raise 10,000 men in a week and 20,000 in month for the crown!)

If Jaime finds Lord Commander Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Oswell Whent and Lady Lyanna Stark to send Gerold and Oswell back to Kings Landing to do their duty and guard the King!(Keeping the most skilled swordsman, Arthur, close to Jaime incase he chooses Blood over vows)

Send word to Yronwood and Sunspear to bleed any army to invade Dorne once the Royal Family arrives 

Recall Lord Owen Merryweather  as Hand, have Rossart pour the the wildfire into the surrounding fields (to be set alight should a hostile army reach the capital) also recall Lord Jon Connington but give him leave to hire sellswords on the crown behest(incase I have overestimated Dorne and the Reach)

I would send word to Tywin to either protect the realm from the Ironborn or protect the realm from Lords Robert, Jon, Eddard and Hoster or be declared a rebel aswell.(Surely the history between us makes me not trust him)!

I would ask for peace talks with Robert, Jon and Ned. 

I would apologise to Ned for my actions in his Fathers & Brothers deaths. And His sisters disappearance. I promise him all will be forgiven of him if he disbands his army North and that his sister will be returned safely if the other Rebels accept peace.

I would apologise to Robert for asking for his head and Lyannas disappearance. I’ll tell him all will be forgiven if he disbands his army to the StormLands, pays the crown a fine to repair the realm after the rebellion and send Renly to Oberyn Martell as his ward(hostage)

I would apologise to Jon for asking him to kill his wards. I will tell him all will be forgiven if he disbands his army to the Vale, pay the crown a fine to repair the realm and send his Sister to court in Kings Landing(hostage)

Hoster Tully would not be forgiven but if he disbands his army to the RiverLands and pays the crown a fine to repair the realm I’ll allow him to take the black, let his son inherit River Run(including all its titles) and uphold his daughters marriages to High Lords.

Quellon will not be forgiven for his actions but if Balon pays the crown a fine to repair the realm(assuming Quellin still dies) he can keep the Iron Islands. Although Tywin Lannister will ward Rodrik Greyjoy, Eddard Stark will ward Maron Greyjoy, Mace Tyrell will ward Asha Greyjoy and Jason Mallister will ward Theon Greyjoy. The crown will then send Aeron Greyjoy to Volantis to in a diplomatic religious mission to learn of the Lord of Light. Euron Greyjoy will be asked to join the Royal Fleet and Victarion Greyjoy will be sent to the wall to take the black.

If diplomacy fails me, Knowing the tale of Blood & Cheese, I’ll have Varys lead me to the Royal Fleet to sail to Dorne to be with the Royal Family.

If Prince Doran betrays me then I’ll reap what I have sown.

[Darth Sidious]

He could save himself and escape to Braavos.  But that would mean letting the rebels have the capital.  Give an inch and it's much harder to win it back.  Aerys did the right thing.  He stayed but sent his heir and Queen to safety.  That ensured the survival of his family.  

The wildfire plan was actually not that bad in terms of strategy.  It was evil, yes it was.  But think about it.  Let us say he managed to hold out until Tywin, Robert, and Ned arrived before setting off the fire.  He kills hundreds of thousands of citizens but he also gets rid of the heads of the rebellion.  The armies of those jerks will surely be within the city gates, raping and enjoying the spoils of battle.  So that will kill thousands of rebels.  That would increase the safety of Queen Rhaella and King Viserys III.  There will be no witnesses.  Who is to say the rebels did not accidentally set off the fire.  

[frenin]

15 minutes ago, Prince Rhaego's Soul said:

The wildfire plan was actually not that bad in terms of strategy.  It was evil, yes it was.  But think about it.  Let us say he managed to hold out until Tywin, Robert, and Ned arrived before setting off the fire.  He kills hundreds of thousands of citizens but he also gets rid of the heads of the rebellion.  The armies of those jerks will surely be within the city gates, raping and enjoying the spoils of battle.  So that will kill thousands of rebels.  That would increase the safety of Queen Rhaella and King Viserys III.  There will be no witnesses.  Who is to say the rebels did not accidentally set off the fire.  

It was a bad plan since  he didn't care about waiting for the rebels to appear, he simply didn't want them on his city and his plan was burning the city... Before they appear. He would only get rid of Tywin and when the rebels appear they would only need to point at him to make sure that no Targ ever had the minimal support  in Westeros again.

[Darth Sidious]

3 hours ago, frenin said:

It was a bad plan since  he didn't care about waiting for the rebels to appear, he simply didn't want them on his city and his plan was burning the city... Before they appear. He would only get rid of Tywin and when the rebels appear they would only need to point at him to make sure that no Targ ever had the minimal support  in Westeros again.

You failed to read what I wrote.  Let me quote myself:

"Let us say he managed to hold out until Tywin, Robert, and Ned arrived before setting off the fire. "

Obviously, the objective will be to wait until all of the mentioned rebels arrive and then set off the wildfire.  The OP presented a hypothetical scenario.

[Jeeves]

Most of his Kingsguards were injured or dead.  The royalists suffered a big defeat at the trident.  The Lannisters are growling at the gates.  He lost his hostage at the tower of Joy.  Escape overseas.  It's the only safe option for him.  Walk away and live to fight another day. 

[King17]

Easy take Jamie prisoner inform tywin that he is too Meet Ned Stark outside the city and kill Ned Stark and destroy his army then send him to go kill Robert and keep Jamie as a hostage to ensure tywins continued good behavior.

[H Wadsworth Longfellow]

34 minutes ago, King17 said:

Easy take Jamie prisoner inform tywin that he is too Meet Ned Stark outside the city and kill Ned Stark and destroy his army then send him to go kill Robert and keep Jamie as a hostage to ensure tywins continued good behavior.

All of that is good.  I would also offer and make good on it to keep Jamie out of the KG.  That will make him available to succeed Tywin.  I would not hold Jamie hostage after Tywin does his bit to serve his king.  I will even offer Tywin's second son future lordship over a substantial portion of Riverlands after making sure all of the Tullys are dead.

[King17]

46 minutes ago, Rigatoni No. 17 said:

All of that is good.  I would also offer and make good on it to keep Jamie out of the KG.  That will make him available to succeed Tywin.  I would not hold Jamie hostage after Tywin does his bit to serve his king.  I will even offer Tywin's second son future lordship over a substantial portion of Riverlands after making sure all of the Tullys are dead.

Release from the kingsguard sure I still wouldn't trust tywin n though I might agree to release Jamie if he sends Cersei instead.

[Alyn Oakenfist]

13 hours ago, King17 said:

Release from the kingsguard sure I still wouldn't trust tywin n though I might agree to release Jamie if he sends Cersei instead.

As I said further up, I think a stick and carrot solution would work best, ie: Dismiss Jaime from the KG but keep him imprisoned as hostage for Tywin's good behavior. This way there is the carrot of getting Jaime back as heir, with the underlying threat of him dying should Aerys fall (plus let Tywin in the capital, but not in the Red Keep, to make sure he doesn't get any ideas). Also in this scenario Tywin wouldn't take Jaime for dead, which is what made him sack Kl in the first place, seeing the real chance he might get him back.

[Eli Cross]

On 4/25/2020 at 7:19 PM, Rigatoni No. 17 said:

All of that is good.  I would also offer and make good on it to keep Jamie out of the KG.  That will make him available to succeed Tywin.  I would not hold Jamie hostage after Tywin does his bit to serve his king.  I will even offer Tywin's second son future lordship over a substantial portion of Riverlands after making sure all of the Tullys are dead.

Excellent plan on Tyrion.  I would go further and offer to give Tyrion all of the Tully holdings when he comes of age but the lordship of the entire Riverland goes to Walder Frey.  The Twins become the capital of the Riverlands and the Freys take over from the Tullys.  .