Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord_of_the_morning  So now they've pissed off everyone. |
I don't think the opinions of outsiders is very high on the Ironborn's chart of concerns.
Lotm, I think this is a good topic. I hope Aegon chimes in. Egg is sort of our local expert on Lo Pan, err, I mean military history, strategies, and tactics.
Attacking the North was stupid from an economic standpoint. The coastlines of the Lannisters and Tyrells offers much better plunder than the Starks'.
Attacking the North was a smart way to get experience for Balon's troops. The North was undefended so the Ironborn got to work out the kinks in their operational schedules, their chain of command, their communications, their weapons, etc. Once their warmachine was up and running efficiently, then their attacks upon the Tyrells succeeded very well.
Attacking the North was a smart way to keep Tywin away from the West. Any raiding on Lannisport and it's environs would have drawn not only Tywin, but some combination of the Royal Fleet, the Dornish Fleet, and the Tyrell Fleet sailing towards the Iron Islands.
Attacking the North was the Stark death knell and the Lannister second wind. Robb's coalition could not withstand a two front war. This allowed the Lannisters a free hand to deal with the Baratheon brothers. Balon did not know Stannis would sail to the Wall. But he knew that Renly and Tywin would be at each other's throats with the Martells and Arryns joining in sooner or later.
The Lannisters combination of heirs, money, troops, and alliances at the end of AGOT was stronger than the Starks, the Greyjoys, the Tyrells (Renly), or Stannis. But the Lannisters were beset by threats... the Starks in the north, Stannis to the east, and Renly in the south. The Lannisters could not win a three front war. Knowing that Stannis, Renly, and Joffrey could not ally with each other, Balon selected Robb to attack. Robb was the one who could tip the balance to either Stannis or Renly... but with the Starks defeated, the south would stay divided and woud remain impotent to mount a coordinated defense against Greyjoy raiding.
Not attacking the Lannisters was smart. If Balon had toppled the Lions from the top, then Renly would have gained the Martells and he would have destroyed Stannis... Balon knew nothing about Melisandre. With Stannis and Tywin dead, Lysa would have not had an excuse to not openly support Renly. This Renly, Tyrell, Martell, and Arryn alliance would have been too much for any combination of Greyjoy, Stark, and Tully.
I thinks Balon's options were attacking the Starks or the Tyrells. By attacking the Starks, he lured the Tyrells into a false confidence. Once the Tyrells sailed for Dragonstone, Euron attacked them to devastating effect.