Iron from ice. That was my constant thought during my first playthrought (at least the last part of it since I played the first episode like two years ago and then put aside the game because my former computer was dying). I tried to put my family, the house Forrester, first: in Mira's decision, in Gared's ecc.
In Mira's case, at first I kept my loyalty to Margaery and to her values, like not make a kid risk his life for a contract. But then I understood she had to play her part, so she became bolder and more cunning. Because of a spoiler, I knew what would have been her destiny and I was ready to let her marry the scumbag in order to save her and to make her continue to help her family. That was naive of me. I didn't know the very plan of the man. And when I first hear it I knew my Mira would rather die than be used by him. It was difficult, but in the end she stood tall and proud. Iron from ice, even in death.
Now Gared. Between all the stories, his was the one I liked (and I remember) the less. Maybe because I couldn't empathize completely with him. I made him a good guy, loyal to his family above all the rest. In the end I was thorn, didn't know what decision was the right for him. But in the moment he left the North Grove and looked at Talia's necklace smiling I knew I did right.
And now the difficult ones. Rodrick and Asher.
First of all, I knew I would have had to choose between them and I knew that the best decision was to sacrifice the second. But I just couldn't. He was the reason I started playing and though I really really liked Rodrick, Asher is my favourite character. So no, I let him live and tried to make up for this decision.
My Rodrick was a fierce and proud man. His near-death-experience made him angry and for that also a little reckless. He would bow to no one, kiss no one's ring, beat the crap out of a fourth son too bitchy to endure. He experienced losses, of his father and his men, humiliation because of his wounds but also love, of his sister and of Eleana. But then he had the guild of Arthur's death on his shoulder and he had to kill Duncan, with who he grew up with. Because it had to be done. But he couldn't bear to lose also his younger brother. I think he would have felt too responsible and that he couldn't have bear it. So he decided to save him. Killing him was tough, I should have played him with more distance but I couldn't, he was really a good character. Also poor Eleana, she lost her brother first and then her loved one.
Now Asher. My fierce Asher, who as soon as he heard he was needed he was ready to go back to those who exiled him (well his brothers). He values family the most and it is shown with Beshka, who is part of it too. He helped her over Malcolm (even though it was difficul to choose because Asher was very fond of his uncle) and let her kill her master. I did tell Daenerys the truth about her beign a slave because it was the wisest thing to do, not to lie in front of a dragon (coff wyvern coff). And I didn't really like Beskha complaining about it like, ok I made ONE thing that upsets you get over it. Still. After Rodrick's death he was furious and blamed himself but in the moment he saw Ryon he controlled himself and decided for the poison plan, also because it would have killed Ludd. But at the end I decided to side with Gwyn because from the start I liked her and trusted her. But the end didn't feel right. Trusting Gwyn was MY decision, not one my Asher's would have done. Because yes, he may have known she was sincere, but I think that wouldn't have been enough, even if it felt really good killing Gryff ('for my brothers'). No, Rodrick was dead and I knew Asher would have wanted Ludd's head for this. So I reloaded and used the poison. I felt sorry for Gwyn and for my mother (I preferred her death in the previous scenario, really hate poison), but I think that's what my Asher would have done. Because yes, he is hot headed and impulsive, and would have gone for Gryff if he had the chance on the road before Ironwrath. Before he became Lord. Because being Lord to Asher means beign like Rodrick and in Asher's mind killing Ludd is the decision his brother would have made.
So yeah. I came here to protect this family and I probably doomed it. Don't know why I made this looooong post, maybe because I don't want to forget the choices I made and why I made them.
In the end, Iron from Ice.