Written by Alison Joy Schafer & Brian Richburg
Female roles: 14
Male roles: 17

The realm of Westeros shakes as the Targaryen King dies, the long peace ripped apart by a clash of Queens. He leaves behind an unprecedented female heir, a castle filled with questions, and a family torn apart by intrigue. As word of the old King’s death spreads at court, pleasantries turn into whispered negotiations, negotiations turn into conspiracies, and conspiracies turn into civil war.

It is a war of green and black roses, being fought with marriage pacts and betrayals, ravens and swords, fire and blood. The dance begins in shadows and courtyards with bribes, whispers, and poison as would-be monarchs stake their claims. If diplomacy should fail, will it take to the skies, to be decided by dragonfire?

Dance of the Dragons blends plots from George R. R. Martin’s short stories of the Targaryen civil war with additional plots taken from England’s War of the Roses - part of the historical inspiration for the Game of Thrones series.

The game will feature great houses both fallen and familiar - from the Velaryons, Reynes, and Hightowers, to the Tyrells and Baratheons - alongside historical personages such as the Kingmaker and his daughters, the Princes in the Tower, and other forces from England’s civil wars. It will mix politics and dragon riders, aristocracy and maesters.

This game draws inspiration from works such as The Princess and the Queen (the Greens and the Blacks), The White Queen, The Kingmaker’s Daughter, The Red Queen, The White Princess, A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as the schemes and alliances from England’s historical War of the Roses.

Notes:

• As the larp takes inspirations from short stories held long before the book series for the setting of A Song of Ice and Fire, no knowledge of the books nor history is required.
• This game will not have extensive torture, mutilation, or any sexual violence typical of Game of Thrones. The worst of it is poisoning, trauma by war, by dragonfire, by assassins, by sea tragedy, by necromancy, as well as content of death threats and inappropriate romances.
• Consider this a version of Game of Thrones where we sampled much of the city-state politics and epic high fantasy, but left almost all the gritty horror behind.
• In addition to love and lust prevalent in the stories, marriage alliances will also play heavily for negotiations in game. As a result, most characters will have one or more romantic connections.
• The game will feature a mix of interpersonal roleplay, adventures, and political intrigue.
• This game contains lengthy character sheets in order to accommodate numerous plots (though players are not obligated to complete them!). Players will be provided a summary page outlining important information to use at game.
• This game will contain some magic and supernatural elements, which generally will take the form of alleged sorcery and mythical beasts (such as dragons!).
• Dance of the Dragons blends real world history with that of the world created by GRRM, and therefore creative liberties have been taken and plot elements/people modified.

Content Considerations:

In game romance and backstory sexual encounters, arranged and secret marriages, war violence and past murder. However, there is no sexual assault. There will be references to missing, kidnapped, or killed heirs in the lines of succession, some of whom are out-of-game children. Due to the nature of the Targaryen family in GoT, incest will be an inherent part of the game but not a major discussed plot point.