You swine! I've been working on such a variant, too. I even had a cool name for the article I'd submit to DipWorld "A variant of ice and fire." You ruined it!
Then again, this map is far superior to my own, which A) doesn't look this polished and B) is larger. My own map is sprawling, and so games would probably be very slow-going. Yours is tightly wound, which is great.
I do have some recommendations, however. We can chat here or talk on e-mail: blueraider0(at)gmail.com
1) Some variants allow fleets to journey up rivers that appear on the map. I think this variant would benefit greatly from that. Instead of having some of the rivers form the border, have some of them run through the provinces (I'm thinking primarily of the Mander, which extends from the Shields)
2) I started the game at 300 AL, which is appx when Robert dies. This is when the war really begins. Also, it ends any sort of confusion over who should control King's Landing. However, I really like how you dealt with it. I REALLY like the idea that King's Landing takes so much time to fully capture.
3) Targaryen starts with Dragon Stone? The part of me that loves Stannis is deeply saddened. Give them Myr, instead. I do agree Targaryen should begin the game with only two units, though.
4) Dorne should only have two units, too. And not as many centers in its immediate area. I feel Dorne would be the Italy of this variant, out of the way and biding their time until the time is ripe.
5) Interesting choice for Tyrell. I had, as the 7th house, the Eyrie, but it was very difficult to have it make sense. Tyrell is a good choice on your part.
6) If you give Dragonstone to Baratheon, you would probably need to divide Blackwater Bay into Blackwater Bay and Interior Black Water Bay, to prevent the Baratheon's from completely overrunning King's landing at the start.
I really like what you've got here, these are just my selfish suggestions because I've been working on my own for a while *shakes fist!* But I figure we can combine and make the best of both worlds. Either way, sign me up to play the testgame for sure!
Take care!
-Maslow
