Post by ValyrianNostalgist on Nov 14, 2017 13:04:02 GMT
Apologies if this has already been discussed in the old forum. I think adding the Iron Bank to the game in the same way that China is being added to vanilla would be a great addition to the game and a perfect means for improving their importance in the game.
For a start, they are an actual off-map power! Although they're headquartered in Braavos, they're not represented by any holdings. Also, unless a Mr Robot kind of character conquers Braavos, my assumption is that if Braavos was ever taken over, the bank would remain regardless of who was ruling the city.
The Chinese Emperor's policy's regarding the west could be mirrored by having the Iron Bank do essentially the same thing. Perhaps one policy is to have the bank aggressively lend to basically anyone that asks, or perhaps even offer loans to rulers. Another policy would be the opposite; this would be when they only lend to rulers that are low on cash, but with a minimum peacetime income. A third policy might be that they don't grant any loans at all (or maybe only accept from Emperor-tier rulers) and in fact actively call in loans from debtors.
As to their status (the equivalent of the situation in China), you could have one where they are keen to support the status quo and not finance pretenders and then of course the opposite, where they feel the world need a bit of a shake-up and they actively support the Young Griffs and Renly Baratheons of the world.
A possibility for third status might be when the bank is in crisis. In AWOIAF, it is briefly mentioned that the Rogare Bank of Lys "waxed greater than the Iron Bank" during the reign of Aegon III. Thus this crisis status might represent a scenario when the Iron Bank is being challenged by another bank or has a liquidity issue, and might afford rulers the opportunity to have their debts forgiven.
The Imperial Grace feature mechanic in vanilla could be replaced by favor with the bank. This could be gained by reliably paying back loans; sending skilled stewards to work at the bank as administrators; promising to borrow exclusively from the bank (as opposed to vassals) etc. Perhaps a monthly increase could be instituted which would naturally be larger for rulers with high stewardship. This favor could be spent on gaining larger loans at more favorable interest rates; asking for deferments on loans; obtaining guarantees that the Bank will not support any pretenders; hiring the Golden Company; getting access to the Faceless Men at a significant discount and having the Bank call in any loans against a rival (or perhaps having the Bank finance a powerful revolt against a rival).
Another idea is an event chain for asking for a loan, instead of the current decision. This would be where you (or a representative) goes to Braavos, meets with the bank and petitions them for finance (i.e the scene in the show where Stannis and Davos meet who I guess is Tycho Nestoris?) This would present a few options. If everything is OK, and just need some quick cash (say for example after a war), this could be simply a matter of stating why you're a good investment. If you're in a Stannis-esque scenario, you could argue that you're the best option (think Robert and Aerys as well). If you're a small ruler with genuinely poor finances i.e Jorah, then you might only be able to get a loan based on some condition i.e if you default you have to abdicate (or opt to defy the bank on pain of a revolt or a pretender). A final option might be to demand a generous loan or forgiveness of a debt from the bank on threat of invasion if you're sufficiently powerful i.e if you're King of a united and peaceful Westeros. This last one is based on the idea that if Aegon and his sisters rocked up in Braavos with three dragons and the full might of the Iron Throne behind them demanding 10,000 gold, (or a Dothraki Khal with 50,000 screamers), I can't imagine that the Bank would tell them to go fuck themselves.
This leads into my last idea, which is admittedly a bit less connected to Jade Dragon. It's essentially a scenario where the bank gets raided (I'm thinking of a powerful Ironborn King or the Dothraki here). If you meet certain conditions (a sufficiently large fleet/army, you've already raiding all of Braavos county), you get the option to ransack the Bank vaults and steal a massive amount of wealth. The downside to this would be that the Bank would never forgive you and will aggressively try to kill/topple you.
Apologies for such a long post, kind of got carried away!
For a start, they are an actual off-map power! Although they're headquartered in Braavos, they're not represented by any holdings. Also, unless a Mr Robot kind of character conquers Braavos, my assumption is that if Braavos was ever taken over, the bank would remain regardless of who was ruling the city.
The Chinese Emperor's policy's regarding the west could be mirrored by having the Iron Bank do essentially the same thing. Perhaps one policy is to have the bank aggressively lend to basically anyone that asks, or perhaps even offer loans to rulers. Another policy would be the opposite; this would be when they only lend to rulers that are low on cash, but with a minimum peacetime income. A third policy might be that they don't grant any loans at all (or maybe only accept from Emperor-tier rulers) and in fact actively call in loans from debtors.
As to their status (the equivalent of the situation in China), you could have one where they are keen to support the status quo and not finance pretenders and then of course the opposite, where they feel the world need a bit of a shake-up and they actively support the Young Griffs and Renly Baratheons of the world.
A possibility for third status might be when the bank is in crisis. In AWOIAF, it is briefly mentioned that the Rogare Bank of Lys "waxed greater than the Iron Bank" during the reign of Aegon III. Thus this crisis status might represent a scenario when the Iron Bank is being challenged by another bank or has a liquidity issue, and might afford rulers the opportunity to have their debts forgiven.
The Imperial Grace feature mechanic in vanilla could be replaced by favor with the bank. This could be gained by reliably paying back loans; sending skilled stewards to work at the bank as administrators; promising to borrow exclusively from the bank (as opposed to vassals) etc. Perhaps a monthly increase could be instituted which would naturally be larger for rulers with high stewardship. This favor could be spent on gaining larger loans at more favorable interest rates; asking for deferments on loans; obtaining guarantees that the Bank will not support any pretenders; hiring the Golden Company; getting access to the Faceless Men at a significant discount and having the Bank call in any loans against a rival (or perhaps having the Bank finance a powerful revolt against a rival).
Another idea is an event chain for asking for a loan, instead of the current decision. This would be where you (or a representative) goes to Braavos, meets with the bank and petitions them for finance (i.e the scene in the show where Stannis and Davos meet who I guess is Tycho Nestoris?) This would present a few options. If everything is OK, and just need some quick cash (say for example after a war), this could be simply a matter of stating why you're a good investment. If you're in a Stannis-esque scenario, you could argue that you're the best option (think Robert and Aerys as well). If you're a small ruler with genuinely poor finances i.e Jorah, then you might only be able to get a loan based on some condition i.e if you default you have to abdicate (or opt to defy the bank on pain of a revolt or a pretender). A final option might be to demand a generous loan or forgiveness of a debt from the bank on threat of invasion if you're sufficiently powerful i.e if you're King of a united and peaceful Westeros. This last one is based on the idea that if Aegon and his sisters rocked up in Braavos with three dragons and the full might of the Iron Throne behind them demanding 10,000 gold, (or a Dothraki Khal with 50,000 screamers), I can't imagine that the Bank would tell them to go fuck themselves.
This leads into my last idea, which is admittedly a bit less connected to Jade Dragon. It's essentially a scenario where the bank gets raided (I'm thinking of a powerful Ironborn King or the Dothraki here). If you meet certain conditions (a sufficiently large fleet/army, you've already raiding all of Braavos county), you get the option to ransack the Bank vaults and steal a massive amount of wealth. The downside to this would be that the Bank would never forgive you and will aggressively try to kill/topple you.
Apologies for such a long post, kind of got carried away!
