24 players attended the Fifth Ribble Rumble A Song of Ice and Fire event, "Never Forget What You Are" at Element Games in Stockport.

With 5 different systems at the event, A Song of Ice and Fire was the largest, mainly thanks to a new influx of locals to the game around Manchester and Element Games, a good smattering of Leeds and the Scousers from Wardens of the North-West. Add in a few long distance travellers from Aberdeen and Gloucestershire and we had a really good mix of newer and more veteran players. Only House Lannister were unrepresented sadly...

ELEMENT GAMES

After covering costs for hall and food, Ribble Warriors club take 10% and rest goes to prize support. Also had a few gifts and use stuff I occasionally win at events...

Also like to make sure everyone gets something, so went mad on Ebay for Game of Throne Funko Pop's, postcards/pics and CMON also sent me through a lot of tactics boards which I had been distributing far and wide around UK at events I attended and would attend. Also had a promo Rhaenyra to give out via a simple D24 roll at end of the event, based on final finishing position...

Before we get into the event banter, I want to praise everyone who attended, not just A Song of Ice and Fire players, but everyone who contributed to a raffle I organised on behalf of the Dogs Trust, a local Liverpool charity that rehomes dogs. One of our Wardens of the North-West has been raising money for this charity for years, and was doing his thirteenth and final walk... totalling over £20,000 in that time!

LINK

Being Scottish and too tight to donate myself, and having been donated a Nights Watch starter set from Greg Deane (Gratis, good lad) I thought it may raise a few quid. Andy and Greg were both ok with the idea, and over the course of the weekend, £250 was raised in the raffle. Amazing, a brilliant effort from all the guys (and girls) for the support and generosity for Andy and his dogs.

I also had three Tully Shaped shields made to honour the only attendees who had been to all five Ribble Rumble events, Tim Whitney, Kieran Scaddan and Steve Butler, which were given before start of round 1 as a thank you and paid for by me (also got one myself as technically been to them all too)

So having even numbers, I didn't play but got to go and annoy people

ROUND 1

Game of Thrones

Poor Pascal!!! Having travelled all the way up from way down South, he got drawn against Ste, defending champion for past two years, and thinks running three Flayed Men is fluffy cos they're all Boltons...

(I named the event " Never Forget What you are after him you know)

I also had a special prize for anyone who beat Ste in a game as, well, why not...

Ste was running Targaryens into Pascal'sinfantry heavy Renly Baratheon/Tyrells

Table 2 saw Camerons Brotherhood take on Cory's Neutrals. First time at Runble for Cory, real pleasure to have him as he takes fun lists...

Chris Gale's Baratheons faced Nick's Free Folk on table three

(this event was before Giants got insanely good mind)

Steve Struthers came all the way down from Scotland to beat up on Olli's Bolton with his Baratheons on table 6. It is Olli on the left, but thought it best to cut out the scary part...

Another Jock, despite wearing his cap like an American teenager, Stephen Budd faced up with his Nights Watch against local You tube sensation Matt Geary and his dirty Starks (one list with double Ravagers, other with double Tully Cavaliers)

Nights Watch v Nights Watch, as two deep thinkers in Kieran and Doug sought to see whether Jon Snow or Benjen Stark was the better commander...

Battle of the Gingers saw Carly's Neutrals face Joel's Greyjoys

Dan from Leeds tuned up in his Sunday best to lead Drogo against Tim Whitneys Brotherhood. Tim is just camera shy...

Andy and his Greyjoys face Chris Ayers and his beautifully painted Martells. Tim still doesnt want a good picture!!!

Elliott ran Greyjoys against John Walls Brotherhood

Steve Butler had his Greyjoys outclassed in the painting stakes by Callum's Targaryens... Ok, so thats a blatant lie, and I still think Steve's Ironmakers are one of the best painted units I've seen in the game!!!

Finally, a pair of jolly, happy, smiling faces. Bottom table!!!

Josh from Leeds way, running Starks against Matt Berg's Free Folk...

And thats the 24 players, had no issues all event, good attitudes all round. Its also the end of organised pics for the most part, although plenty more to come...

Ste's Screamers clash with Pascals Pikemen

The Starks take the fight to the Wildlings

A six up charge to get things going!!! I like it...

Those Pikemen didnt last long, Pascal???

Ste really wanted a hat-trick of event wins.

He loves Pyat Pree and his House of the Undying

because he loves discarding his opponents cards

Mentioned them earlier, but Chis Ayers Martells were just beautiful

Very clean and crisp

Daniel Garnetts Targaryen's

Steve Butlers Greyjoys

Those white Cloaked Ironmakers I love so much

Tim Whitneys Brotherhood

Real quality as always from Tim (when he brings an army)

Carly Carvalho's Neutrals

Mounted Brienne for his Hedge Knights

Some real quality painting on show

Pascals Baratheons

Rainbow Guard

Tyrells

Ste's Targaryens

Josh Clack's Autumn Starks are quality

My camera doesnt do anyones army justice

But I try my best...

No real words. Beautiful...

Wonder what comes after Autumn?

Matt Berg's Free Folk horde...

Closer...

Closer still... very nice!

John Wall has really done a stand out job on his

Brotherhood in the Riverlands

That's a real nice touch...

Elliot Jones Greyjoys

Elliot is the youngest Warden of the North-West

and by far the best painter

ROUND 2

WINDS OF WINTER

Cameron and Matt up on Table 1 Brotherhood v Starks saw Cameron edge a 7-7 game

The Battle of the Two Ste's on table 2 saw Ste Struther just pipped in and 8-7 win for the reigning chump...

Pascal and Stephen Budd down on table 12, with the Baratheons crushing Nighst Watch

Cory and Olli faced off on table 9, with Olli edging it 6-4

Andy's Greyjoys faced Nick Free Folk horde on Table 6, with Nick scoring a soil 10-7 win

A patient looking Mr Butler on Table 3

Seems he has got into a staring competition with Tim

But Tim won out in the end with his Brotherhood crumping the Greyjoys 12-5

Callum won the spot prize by being first to score of both cards with a Littlefinger framed pic for who better when it comes to playing both sides

Would love to tell you Steve is holding some of his troops back, but think the rear line is his Dead Greyjoys...

Matt had his double Tullys out against the Camerons Brotherhood

Andy's Greyjoys were also struggling to make headway into Nick's Free Folk

Chris Ayers Martells lost out 4-7 against Chris Gales Baratheons

Dan Targaryen cavalry faced off against Doug's NW Ranger list, with Doug scoring an impressive 8-4 win despite Drogo and Drogon

Elliot's Greyjoys suffered a heavy 9-0 defeat to Josh Clacks double cavaliers. (Not as well painted as his Autumn Umbers)

Olli ponders how to get the edge on Cory

Pascal seems to be corner camping but it worked as he took the Stephen Budd's Nights Watch apart piecemeal

Cameron stopped Matt's Tully in their tracks and was in the process of outflanking him

Matt just likes to be in pictures, as the two Ste's duked it out behind him

Tim's Brotherhood really had Ste's Greyjoys backed into a tight spot...

Joel has a head in his hands moment...

But still seemed to be on top...

Matt has staged a bit of a comeback but was still behind...

Ok, it was a short lived comeback

ROUND 3

A FEAST FOR CROWS

Top table saw Matt Berg's Free Folk facing Tim Whitney's Brotherhood

No staring contest for Tim this time and Matt is undoubtedly the cheeriest chap in the room... and this ended in an exciting, 9-9 win for Matt with units on table!

Table 2 saw Cameron attempt to knock Ste off his perch. Good effort, but Ste was still unbeaten.

Josh and Kieran on Table 5 resulted in a good win for Josh

Andy Robinson faced Pascal on Table while Doug and Steve Butler were on Table 7.

Andy and Doug both had strong wins

Joel's Greyjoys faced Nicks Free Folk on table 3, and Varamyr looked like he was up for it... in the end, Joel ran out a close victor

Josh's Double Tully Cavaliers had the Kieran's Night watch helmed in

On Table 1, the Brotherhood looked like they were swamping the Free Folk. But Matt had a strong right hook going on

Steve Struthers Baratheon's seemed to be holding the Matt Stark's off, but Matt would eek out a narrow 9-7 win

Callum seemed to be playing cautiously with his Targaryen cavalry while his Unsullied did the work. But as Chris Gale sent his infantry in, they were ran down as his whole Baratheon force were wiped out...

John and Olli (off camera again) were still circling but Olli's Boltons would score a tight 6-5 win

Doug concentrated his forces on the left to drive home his victory

Carly had committed heavily but the Watch held (barely) and would close in with the Rangers to crush the Mercenaries

Elliot corner camped Erik Ironmakers army to deny Dan's Targaryen easy flanks. 10-9 win to Elliot suggests this is a good strategy for infantry v cavalry...

On Table 10, Corys Greyjoys employed a broad front to rush and overwhelm Chris's Martells for an 11-3 victory

Andy's Greyjoys were ganging up on Pascals Baratheons...

John's Brotherhood went in too piecemeal against Olli's Boltons

Josh's Cavaliers put the boot in on Kieran dwindling Watch

Matt finishes off Steve's Baratheons...

Top Table.

9-9 really good game to watch, so tight... unlucky Tim

END OF DAY 1

CURRY & BEER

After a hard fought day, where better to unwind than around the corner at the local Indian restaurant, Kismet. Most of the players were also staying at the Alma Lodge which gave us a discounted room rate (same again in 2026) so got a few beers in there after the food.

DAY 2

GAME 4

HERE WE STAND

Matt's FreeFolk v Joels Greyjoys on Table 1, both unbeaten

Cameron's Brotherhood and Andy's Greyjoys on Table 4

Andy ran out a solid 10-5 winner

Ste's Targaryens and Tim's Brotherhood on Table 2

Callum's Targaryens v Josh's Starks Table 3

Nick's Free Folk v Olli's Boltons Table 6

Doug's Nights Watch v Matt's Starks Table 5

(A very close 6-5 win for Matt resulted)

John Wall's Greyjoy's v Pascals Baratheon's Table 9

(The Greyjoy's ran out 11-6 winners)

Table 8 saw Chris's Baratheon's facing Kieran's Night's Watch with the Watch scoring a solid 10-5 win.

Steve Struther's Baratheon's faced Cory's Neutral's Table 7

(Steve crumped the Neutrals 11-1)

Ste Budd's Nights Watch against Elliott's Greyjoy's Table 10

(Ste also won 11-1)

Dan Garnett's Targaryens facing Ste Butler's Greyjoys Table 11

(Nearly a hat-trick of scores, but Ste Butler only managed a 9-1 win)

On Table 1, Matt struggled to hold back Joel's ferocious Victarion assault

and lost heavily, going down 13-5

Chris Ayers Martells were playing Carly's Neutrals Table 12

(while some people had finished early)

(Chris won 12-6)

Olli's Boltons edged out a close 10-9 win over Nick's Free Folk

Callum's Targaryen's scored an 8-5 win over Josh's Starks

Ste's Targaryen's maneuverability won out 10-5 in a low casualty game over Tim's Brotherhood

GAME 5

A DANCE WITH DRAGONS

After 4 rounds, we had these two delightful characters playing on the top table. Appropriately enough I had the Battle of the Bastard Funko pop set for them to fight over...

That's a bit harsh, but both Ste and Joel can be a bit competitive in my mind and I was hoping they wouldn't bring that to the final. My fears were unfounded as both played a good, hassle-free and friendly game...

As I was busy sorting out the prizes

It was a cagey start by both

On Table 2, Andy's Greyjoy's faced Callum's Targaryens

(Callum ran out 10-7 winner)

A Matt off on Table 3...

(looks like they heard my bad joke!!!)

Freefolk v Starks, Starks losing 4-10

Doug faced Josh on Table 6, Night's Watch v Stark

Doug won 11-6

Kieran's Night Watch v Steven's Baratheons on Table 5

(A close match, Kieran won by points on table after a 6-6 draw)

On Table 4, Tim's Brotherhood met Olli's Boltons

(Tim won 10-8)

Cameron faced John Wall on Table 7, with his Beric Brotherhood trouncing John's Lady Stoneheart's 11-4

Stephen Budd v Steven Butler on Table 8, Nights Watch v Greyjoys.

(Steve Butler won 11-5)

Nick's Free Folk facing Chris Ayers Martells on Table 9, the Free Folk over running the Martells 10-0

Cory's Greyjoy's on Table 10 with Chris Gale's Baratheons

(Cory trumped with a good 10-7 win)

Another Baratheon v Greyjoy match up, with Pascal's Renly winning 8-3 against Elliott's Erik Ironmaker

Table 12 had Carly's Daario led Neutrals battling Dan's Drogo Targaryens. Dan managed to blow it, Carly scoring an 1-7 win

Polar Bears in the rear was never going to end well for Chris

On Table 1, Joel's Greyjoys tactically withdrew from Ste's advancing cavalry (and dogs)

Ste executed a Ride-By-Attack to gain position behind the Greyjoys

But his Bastard Girls were left exposed and Joel pounced on them

This proved pivotal to the result, as Joel was able to hem in the Targaryen's at the top and win by attrition, running out a comfortable 12-4 winner.

(and getting a bonus prize for ending Ste'es 14 game Ribble Rumble winning streak)

MAIN AWARDS

1st PLACE

JOEL KELLY

GREYJOYS

2nd PLACE

CALLUM WEBSTER

TARGARYENS

3rd PLACE

MATT BERG

FREE FOLK

(Matt also won the Rhaenerya dice roll)

BEST PAINTED

JOSH CLACK

AUTUMN STARKS

(Josh also won the Charity raffle for the Dog's Trust box)

THE SAMWELL TARLY AWARD

"Not much use in a fight"

DAN GARNETT

TARGARYENS

MOST SPORTING OPPONENT

ELLIOTT JONES

GREYJOYS

FINAL STANDINGS

So the fifth Ribble Rumble A Song of Ice and Fire event came to a close, the biggest and dare I say best yet. As always, the players make the event, and I had no rules issues or hassles. The 2026 event has 23 sign up's already with room to push well beyond 30, I am really excited for the event and feel confident we'll beat 24 players. (Seem to be lacking Leeds players so far... but the Sherwood Foresters are coming up in force)

It's been a difficult year so far for the game, with CMON's issues and the community play-testing and bad patch. I've not been to as many events, and been remiss in keeping up with my blog.

(though I did have a lot of events last Quarter of 2025)

But with CMON's efforts to engage more with the community with their Bannerman project (which is showing real promise), the new patch to tweak the main issues like Giants and Lightbringers dropping anytime soon (end of August), Tactics at Spiel, the return of Grant and Yecats and all these events below still to come this year, 2027 is looking far brighter and better...