GoT Mod Post I: Stannis AFFC, Part I

Beware, for the net is dark and full of spoilers. So don't read ahead if you don't want GoT spoiled through ADwD. I will be playing Version .7 of the GoT mod for CK2.

In any case, I was hunting for a good game to post here. Tried some Robb Stark runs, but those kept getting spoiled by Daenerys invading early. I tried some Tywin, but eventually challenged myself to see if I could successfully play Stannis in AFFC, where he is without a doubt the most difficult claimant to play as.

When you play as Stannis, you first need to defeat Roose Bolton, which isn't too difficult, but it can turn into a mess if you move your armies around poorly like the AI frequently does. Then you pray that you get the "Iron Bank Offer" event as Stannis got in the books, because the scenario is pretty much unwinnable without it.

Then, you need to consider your strategy regarding Aegon VI. Some people say you should get Melisandre to "shadow baby" him (done by making an assassination plot against him and waiting for the event to fire), but IMO that's a bad idea, because then you leave Tommen unopposed. You need Tommen and Aegon VI to bleed each other dry while you are marching towards King's Landing. So you should surrender to Aegon VI, but not too early so that he stomps Tommen and takes the Iron Throne.

If Dorne does not side with Aegon VI, then you can surrender the Stormlands relatively quickly, because he has no chance of taking the Iron Throne without the help of House Martell. If Daenerys marries him and gifts him a dragon, may Rh'llor help you.

In any case, my playthrough:

This is Stannis Baratheon, who doesn't really have much going for him except a gigantic martial score. I select the "Have a Son" ambition because it gives him a much needed Fertility boost so he can try to get a male heir from Selyse Florent.

                                  

As the game opens, I (Stannis) had to decide whether or not to offer Jon Snow a writ of legitimacy so he could rule. I decided against it for this playthrough, because I wanted to stick to the books as closely as possible.

And speaking of the books, it looks like Davos' quest was successful. Gameplay-wise, it doesn't make too much of a difference. If Davos had not found Rickon, the game would give me the option to install a Northman of my choice after I won the North.

Stannis destroys the Bolton army.

I accept the offer, as Stannis did in the books. You aren't going to win this scenario without the Iron Bank's sellswords unless you are insanely lucky.

Roose surrenders to Stannis, and I install Rickon Stark as Lord of the North.

Me marrying Shireen (matrilineally) off to a random dude. She needs to start producing babies if her mom doesn't.

In the next part of the playthrough, Stannis will endeavor to take his birthright from the bastard Tommen and the usurper Aegon VI.