Here’s a new second season promo for The Game of Thrones. It’s a little of a recap to boot for those who haven’t seen the first series yet. We’re excited in getting to see the new series!

A Game of Thrones was an acclaimed Fantasy saga before it was made into a popular TV series aired earlier this year. Written by American author, George RR Martin which begun in 1991, it already achieved awards and is a best seller. The first season aired in April 2011, and were much anticipated by fans of fantasy books.

The first episodes are based on the first novel in Martin’s A Song Of Fire and Ice series, A Game Of Thrones. The series and books have since spun into several games, including a trading card game, a board game and a role playing game. More about those later!

The plot of the television series stays close that of the novels and essentially breaks into three main storylines. The first storyline revolves around the struggles for the Iron Throne following the death of King Robert, ruler of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Five families fight to claim the throne, whilst two wish to declare independence. Robb Stark, son of Eddard Stark, takes the throne in the north, and Balon Greyjoy reclaims the throne of the Iron Islands, his family’s ancestral home.

The second storyline takes place along the far northern border of Westeros. A 700 foot high and 300 mile long wall was constructed to keep out a race of mythical creatures simply called The Others. The wall’s maintenance and protection are done by the Nights Watch, a brotherhood of soldiers. At the start of the story no-one has seen The Others for more than 8,000 years, and the Nights Watch has become little more than a penal colony. The plot revolves around Jon Snow, a son of Eddard Stark, as rises through the rank and file of the guard post. Here he learns what really lurks on the other side of the wall!

The final story takes place on the continent of Essos, which lies across a narrow sea to the east of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The story follows the rise of Daenerys Targaryen, another claimant to the Iron Throne and the last member of the house of Taragaryen, from pauper to her marriage to a barbarian warlord. Whilst on her journey, she carries around some pretty unique eggs from creatures long lost to myth and legend. This is a plotline that will become clearer by the end of the first book.

Throw in some egomaniacal members of the Lannister Family and you end up with a twisted plot of intrigue, murder and politics. It’s a land where there is no place for honourable people. Those who have seen the TV series or read the books know of the controversies that the story springs. I won’t spoil them here but Martin’s isn’t precious about his characters that’s for sure.

The main difference between Martin’s saga and other fantasy novels that he utilises early medieval history, rather than a central mythology to drive his stories. Martin said he was taking a more adult approach to the fantasy genre. Martin also uses more adult themes, with sex, prostitution, incest and rape all discussed and several illegitimate children being themes in his stories.

The Games of A Game of Thrones

George RR Martin talks regularly about his love for miniatures and Dark Sword Miniatures have been producing some exquisite figures based on characters from the saga. Unfortunately, Spinning Dice Games doesn’t stock them as yet but figures can be purchased directly from Dark Sword Miniatures. Check them out as they are really fantastic bits of art.

Fantasy Flight Games make a number of games both board games and living card games. All beautifully illustrated and reflect the battles and political power struggle across Westros.

The Battle of Westeros: Core Set is a 2 player game which allows players to battle one another through strategic manoeuvres positioning each houses units across a map. The game can be played out in decks of cards which allow special tactical choices to be made by each player. Your armies may react differently to commands according to which particular card can be drawn. Keeping your troops topped up with morale is another element that a player must keep in check. Custom 8 Sided dice will determine the hits and misses inflicted on each armies. It’s quite a comprehensive set of rules and this is most definitely for serious gamers to get to grips with. The game is packed with miniatures (which could be painted), maps, tokens and dice and is excellent at capturing those dramatic moments on the battlefield as described in the books. The boxset comes with plenty of scenarios which can be played and are nicely set out in a booklet included.

A Game of Thrones : The Living Card Game is an excellent strategic card game. Don’t let the lack of miniatures put you off as this is an equally demanding game that doesn’t require pushing model armies across a map but still fun. Although the goal is similar to that of wrestling control of the Iron Throne and makes use of the intrigue and political wrangles to distract your opponent. Your decks ultimately consists of different types of cards varying from House, Alliance or Characters from the novels in a Draw and Plot deck. Cards can be played to change the course of the game such as Events, Attachments and locations. The aim at the end is to gather 15 power points at end. Here’s a helpful video giving an overview of  the rules:

Game of Thrones Theme: Expert Violin Cover

Games sold on www.spinningdicegames.com:
Battle for Westeros sold here

A Game of Thrones the Living Card Game sold here