The Let's Play Archive

The King's Dilemma

by That Italian Guy

Part 160: Conclusion

The King's Dilemma, Grand Finale, Conclusion
The Black Dawn has declared that it is time for Ankist to return to the fold. Their armies are at the gate, their messangers have reached every Great House and no one is sure who to trust - old friends and confidants could very well be double agents for this organization. The War Council resonates with shouts of encouragement and everyone is raising their bannermen. The streets vibrate with the Ankistian battle hymn and the Silver Mallet warpriests are blessing the troops. Any small decision could tilt the outcome of the battle that's about to begin.

The Black Dawn army is at the Gates of Lybra and its secret agents - old and new - are already within the walls.

Will this Kingdom great achievements disappear into obscurity, or will Ankist survive?

The Great Battle posted:


The troops of House Pinchay, Dukes of Gamam, will Defend the Gates of the Castle (+1, current: 43) and Protect the High Commander (blocks assassination attempt, +1, current: 44).


The troops of House Gambol, Dukes of Solad, have been sent to gather allies from the Kasuk Empire (+25, current: 105) and from the Republic of Kauppias (+20, current: 125)


The troops of House Cyfoeth, Dukes of Coden, will Motivate the People while they Steal from the Royal Treasury!


The troops of House Daucus, Dukes of Olwyn, have been sent to gather allies from the Kingdom of Cidlada (+15, current: 140) while the remaining will Protect the Family (+3, current: 19)


The troops of House Lethe, Dukes of Natar, will Steal from the Royal Treasury and Protect the Family (+3, current: 34)
  • Motivate the People outcome: House Cyfoeth +4 , current: 55.
  • Steal from the Royal Treasury: House Cyfoeth +3, current: 12; House Lethe +3, current: 37.
Battle Resolution


Final Bonus
  • House Cyfoeth, Dukes of Coden receives +5, current: 60.
  • House Daucus, Dukes of Olwyn receives +3, current: 56.
  • House Gambol, Dukes of Solad receives +1, current: 52.

Envelope 73 posted:







Stands is revealed as Loyalists! Receives +5, current: 49.


Stands is revealed as Loyalists! Receives +5, current: 57.


Stands is revealed as Loyalists! Receives +5, current: 65.


Stands is revealed as Loyalists! Receives +5, current: 61.


Stands for the Loyalists! Receives +5, current: 44.

Final Score

There is an old Ankistian tale that is taught to children when they are young. There are many variations, but more or less the story goes:

An old woman was walking down the road whan she saw a gang of thugs beating a poisonous snake. She rescued the snake and carried it back to her home, where she nursed it back to health. They became friends and lived together for many months. One day they were going into town and the old woman picked him up and the snake bit her. Repeatedly. "Oh Mother," she screamed, "I am dying! Why? I was your friend. I saved your life! I trusted you! Why did you bite me?"

The snake looked up at her and said, "Lady, you knew I was a snake when you first picked me up."

Well then :v:

The current page in the Annals of the Kingdom of Ankist posted:

...when the dust settled and the order was restored, on that fateful day, it was clear that the Black Dawn had failed in its intent, but it had nonetheless struck a deep wound into the Kingdom of Ankist. It was also clear that, while most Great Houses had been greatly weakened by the ordeal - their moneys spent, their armies suffering from many casualties or scattered around this continent and the other, to gather allies - one House had been mostly left untouched.

Some say that history is written by the victors, and on this anniversary of the Great Victory against the Black Dawn, I'd like to remind the reader that whoever would suggest that House Lethe's troops were mostly busy pillaging the treasury and protecting their masters' villas during the battle would *clearly* be in the wrong. One just has to listen to the ballads about that day to know that they were the rock against which the Black Dawn wave crashed and disappeared.

Blessings to the Mother for their illuminate leadership in the past years and may King Orm Lethe the Unquenchable and his descentands rule over this land forever!


For a thread with "Game of Thrones Diplomacy" in its title, this is a fitting conclusion as any. Now it's time for House Lethe to name the currently unnamed King/Queen and give them a fitting portrait.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the game and all the readers - I hope you had fun! I would especially like to thank megane for their help with the House banners and the other fantastic graphic design elements.