Feature

Combat in Westeros goes beyond what goes on the battlefield. There is also the one fought inside dark rooms behind closed doors, otherwise known as diplomacy. However, there is this another one that rarely gets brought to the fore: the war inside the minds of the people. This is a ‘bad’ word that rarely gets mentioned out in the open, but we will use it anyway – propaganda.

Just like the saying that goes “someone’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter”, what one side would consider its history and reality is another camp’s propaganda. For us, though, propaganda is a neutral word. It can be a recruitment presentation like this one:

It can even be a newsletter made for fun, such as this:

Some would even include pictures on them because they can:

Others chronicle events anonymously, while there are those who are proud to author epics:

But one man, in the early days of the realm, set the bar on what ‘propaganda’ is. Us mere mortals call it merchandise.

Those alliance codes, and the shirt itself, should bring back memories, both good and bad depending on who is looking.

Enter GeMbErKoEk, the person responsible for the physical object you see on the foreground above (person wearing the garment not included). In this day and age when swallows carry coconuts and fun fairs are a thing, any way to generate Gold Dragons to help the war cause is considered and implemented.

Finally got to use this in context.

“I [created] merchandise for Eric Shon and Fringlish,” he said. “The [graphics] they show when their [Warg Vision] stream is ending or beginning is made by me, as well as the Rebellion shirt.”

“Oh. and I make a lot of memes,” he adds.

Fringlish mug (sorry, Eric).

What is unique with this arrangement is that GeMbErKoEk was with Athens (ONE) when he created merchandise for the Rebellion – this was back when everyone was still on K2. And even if Eric Shon and Fringlish have transferred to K1, he was still helping them with the visuals of their Warg Vision.

What made him decide to help out those who are not in the same side as his former alliance and even those who have left the clan for a different kingdom?

“I had a good relationship with Eric Shon and Fringlish from the very beginning, and I like doing work in Photoshop,” he explained. “I was allowed in the [ONE Common Hall] because I am friends with a couple of Athens members, and I could blow life into the memes channel. Things kind of evolved from there.”

A sweet (s)mug of joe to start the day.

Aside from this, he is also in charge of the Westeros Bulletin Board along with SerCalvin of K8.

“I wanted to have a subreddit ever since I came across this game because I am kind of a Reddit freak,” the current K10 Lord elaborated. “There was already a subreddit… so I asked the [moderators] if I could become one as well, and they granted me permission.”

“I really enjoy being a part of this community!” GeMbErKoEk exclaimed.

Time has passed since and each one from ONE to the Rebellion has gone their separate ways. However, one thing that binds them are the physical manifestations that, at one period in Westeros history, they were together.

Is there anyone in your kingdom producing content such as these? Tell us about them in the comment feature below. You can also reach us by sending a raven message, reaching us at TRETips#5660 on Discord, and by emailing us gotwicraven@theravenexpress.com

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Magazine cover image courtesy of DEATHSTR0KE, K12. Shirt and Fringlish mug images courtesy of Lady Tyreine, K56. Rebellion mug images courtesy of Reaper Iru, K16.

Recruitment video courtesy of MajorLeeLazy, K10. Trailer video courtesy of Bad Lip Reading.

DISCLAIMER: This article contains data, testimonies, and other sources of information. The Raven Express has made considerable effort to corroborate sources and reach multiple parties to balance any views expressed on it.