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[[File:Sara Biddle The Long PlanII.png|350px|thumb|Prince [[Doran Martell]] eyeing the dragon piece in a game of ''cyvasse'', by Sara Biddle © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:Sara Biddle The Long PlanII.png|350px|thumb|Prince [[Doran Martell]] eyeing the dragon piece in a game of ''cyvasse'', by Sara Biddle © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''''Cyvasse''''' is a game played by two players and features ten types of pieces, each with different powers and attributes.
'''''Cyvasse''''' is a board game originating from [[Volantis]], played by two players, and features ten types of pieces, each with different powers and attributes.{{Ref|AFFC|13}} In Volantis, there are ''cyvasse'' parlors.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
{{See also|:Category:Images of cyvasse|l1=Images of cyvasse}}
{{See also|:Category:Images of cyvasse|l1=Images of cyvasse}}
''Cyvasse'' is played on a board which changes from game to game. The players arrange the tiles on the board, with a screen in the middle, so neither can see how the other arranges their board. Among the squares that the players can place themselves, are mountains.{{Ref|AFFC|21}} In turn, the players move their pieces across the board.{{Ref|aFfC|13}} In Volantis there are ''cyvasse'' parlors.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
''Cyvasse'' is played on a board that changes from game to game. The players arrange their tiles on the board,{{Ref|AFFC|21}} with a screen in the middle, so neither can see how the other arranges their board.{{Ref|ADWD|14}} Mountains are among the squares that the players can place themselves.{{Ref|AFFC|21}} After the screen is removed, the players move their pieces across the board, in alternating turns.{{Ref|aFfC|13}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}  


According to [[George R. R. Martin]], ''cyvasse'' is complex and profound but he has not come up with rules for the game.<ref name=cyvasse>[https://youtu.be/OMvFNaqSWEo?t=17m42s George R R Martin visiting SF-Bokhandeln]</ref>
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], ''cyvasse'' is complex and profound, but he has not come up with rules for the game.<ref name=cyvasse>[https://youtu.be/OMvFNaqSWEo?t=17m42s George R R Martin visiting SF-Bokhandeln]</ref>


===Game Pieces===
===Game Pieces===
[[File:A. L. Ashbaugh Outthought.JPG|350px|thumb|Dragon and elephant game pieces in ''cyvasse'', by  A. L. Ashbaugh © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:A. L. Ashbaugh Outthought.JPG|350px|thumb|Dragon and elephant game pieces in ''cyvasse'', by  A. L. Ashbaugh © Fantasy Flight Games]]
There are ten different pieces available:{{Ref|AFFC|13}}
There are ten different kinds of pieces available:{{Ref|AFFC|13}}
* [[smallfolk|rabble]]{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[smallfolk|rabble]]{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* spearmen{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[spear]]men{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* crossbowmen{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[crossbow]]men{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[horse|light horse]]{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[horse|light horse]]{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[horse|heavy horse]]{{Ref|AFFC|40}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* [[horse|heavy horse]]{{Ref|AFFC|40}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
Line 24: Line 24:
The dragon is the most powerful piece in the game.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} It is not exactly known how many pieces each player has of each different kind, but one player has multiple elephants.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} The goal of the game is to "kill" the king.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
The dragon is the most powerful piece in the game.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} It is not exactly known how many pieces each player has of each different kind, but one player has multiple elephants.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} The goal of the game is to "kill" the king.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}


Known color combinations of pieces include [[ivory]] and [[onyx]],{{ref|AFFC|40}} ivory and [[jade]],{{ref|ADWD|6}} and alabaster and onyx.{{ref|ADWD|22}} Squares of the game board can be colored jade, carnelian, and lapis lazuli.{{ref|AFFC|13}} Cheaper sets are carved from wood.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}
Known color combinations of pieces include [[ivory]] and [[onyx]],{{ref|AFFC|40}} ivory and [[jade]],{{ref|ADWD|6}} and [[alabaster]] and onyx.{{ref|ADWD|22}} Squares of the game board can be colored jade, [[carnelian]], and [[lapis lazuli]].{{ref|AFFC|13}} Cheaper sets are carved from wood.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}


===Known Rules===
===Known Rules===
Line 32: Line 32:
* A catapult can remove a dragon from the board.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* A catapult can remove a dragon from the board.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* A trebuchet can remove a dragon from the board.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}
* A trebuchet can remove a dragon from the board.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}
* An elephant can apparently defeat a light horse - as when Tyrion advanced his light horse, Haldon "answered" with an elephant. Tyrion then moved up his heavy horse to support the light, which might imply elephants cannot kill heavy horse.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
* An elephant can apparently defeat a light horse - as when [[Tyrion]] advanced his light horse, [[Haldon]] "answered" with an elephant. Tyrion then moved up his heavy horse to support the light, which might imply elephants cannot kill heavy horse.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}


It is possible for players to be overly aggressive or overly defensive, as there are counter-strategies for each. A recklessly aggressive offense immediately advances with the dragon, elephants, and heavy horse. This risks the dragon being killed by catapults or trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Conversely, an overly defensive play style is to place the powerful elephant pieces in the mountain passes: this immobilizes the defender while leaving them vulnerable to the enemy's dragon, which can fly across mountains as well as kill elephants.{{Ref|AFFC|21}} Ultimately, success comes down to the individual player's skill.
It is possible for players to be overly aggressive or overly defensive, as there are counter-strategies for each. A recklessly aggressive offense immediately advances with the dragon, elephants, and heavy horse. This risks the dragon being killed by catapults or trebuchets.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} Conversely, an overly defensive play style is to place the powerful elephant pieces in the mountain passes: this immobilizes the defender while leaving them vulnerable to the enemy's dragon, which can fly across mountains as well as kill elephants.{{Ref|AFFC|21}} Ultimately, success comes down to the individual player's skill.
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[File:DoransGameJT.png|350px|thumb|Prince [[Doran Martell|Doran's]] game, by Serena Malyon © Fantasy Flight Games]]
[[File:DoransGameJT.png|350px|thumb|Prince [[Doran Martell|Doran's]] game, by Serena Malyon © Fantasy Flight Games]]
''Cyvasse'' is a craze among the court at [[Sunspear]]. Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]] learns the game from her betrothed, Prince [[Trystane Martell]], when she comes to live with him in [[Dorne]].{{Ref|aFfC|13}} She takes to the game quickly, and wins more often that Trystane, though he does not seem to mind.{{Ref|AFFC|13}} Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] finds the game maddening.{{Ref|AFFC|13}} When riding through the desert with Princess [[Arianne Martell]], Myrcella comments that Trystane always places his squares the same way.{{Ref|AFFC|21}}  
''Cyvasse'' is a craze among the [[House Martell]] court at [[Sunspear]]. Princess [[Myrcella Baratheon]] learns the game from her [[betrothed]], Prince [[Trystane Martell]], when she comes to live with the Martells in [[Dorne]].{{Ref|aFfC|13}} She takes to the game quickly, and wins more often that Trystane, though he does not seem to mind.{{Ref|AFFC|13}} Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] finds the game maddening.{{Ref|AFFC|13}} When riding through the desert with Princess [[Arianne Martell]], Myrcella comments that Trystane always places his squares the same way.{{Ref|AFFC|21}}  


When Arianne is imprisoned in a chamber in the [[Spear Tower]] for her failed attempt at kidnapping Myrcella, she finds that her father [[Doran Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]], has had a ''cyvasse'' table placed there. She ignores it, but he later tells her it was there to teach her to study a game before she attempts to play it. When Arianne is summoned to her father's rooms at the end of her imprisonment, she finds him sitting across a ''cyvasse'' table, studying the pieces. He hands her an onyx dragon piece as he explains the [[secret marriage pact]] between [[House Martell]] and [[House Targaryen]].{{ref|AFFC|40}}
When Arianne is imprisoned in a chamber in the [[Spear Tower]] for her failed attempt at kidnapping Myrcella, she finds that her father [[Doran Martell]], the [[Prince of Dorne]], has had a ''cyvasse'' table placed there. She ignores it, but he later tells her it was there to teach her to study a game before she attempts to play it. When Arianne is summoned to her father's rooms at the end of her imprisonment, she finds him sitting across a ''cyvasse'' table, studying the pieces. He hands her an onyx dragon piece as he explains the [[secret marriage pact]] between [[House Martell]] and [[House Targaryen]].{{ref|AFFC|40}}
Line 56: Line 56:
''Cyvasse'' is played during [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s voyage on the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' with [[Haldon]]{{Ref|ADWD|14}} and [[Young Griff]], and he learns the game.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} While playing against Haldon, Tyrion places a bet, and wins the game, thereby learning from Haldon the true identity of Young Griff. In the game against Young Griff, Tyrion tells the boy to go to [[Westeros]], instead of seeking the hand of Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]]. Later on, when he is separated from Young Griff's group, Tyrion learns that Young Griff actually listened.{{Ref|ADWD|27}} Tyrion, under Haldon's direction, plays against the custom officer [[Qavo Nogarys]] in [[Volantis]], in order to gain information from him.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
''Cyvasse'' is played during [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s voyage on the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' with [[Haldon]]{{Ref|ADWD|14}} and [[Young Griff]], and he learns the game.{{Ref|ADWD|22}} While playing against Haldon, Tyrion places a bet, and wins the game, thereby learning from Haldon the true identity of Young Griff. In the game against Young Griff, Tyrion tells the boy to go to [[Westeros]], instead of seeking the hand of Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]]. Later on, when he is separated from Young Griff's group, Tyrion learns that Young Griff actually listened.{{Ref|ADWD|27}} Tyrion, under Haldon's direction, plays against the custom officer [[Qavo Nogarys]] in [[Volantis]], in order to gain information from him.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}


On board the ''[[Selaesori Qhoran]]'', Tyrion attempts to teach [[Penny]] how to play ''cyvasse'', though he soon realizes it is a lost cause.{{Ref|ADWD|33}} When Tyrion is enslaved and displayed on the slave market, he boasts about his ''cyvasse'' skills as a selling point.{{Ref|ADWD|47}} After Tyrion is bought by [[Yezzan zo Qaggaz]], he plays a game of ''cyvasse'' against a man who had originally wanted to buy him (and remembered his claims), and later against [[Ben Plumm]].{{Ref|ADWD|47}}
On board the ''[[Selaesori Qhoran]]'', Tyrion attempts to teach [[Penny]] how to play ''cyvasse'', though he soon realizes it is a lost cause.{{Ref|ADWD|33}} When Tyrion is captured by [[slaver]]s and displayed for sale in the slave market outside [[Meereen]], he boasts about his ''cyvasse'' skills as a selling point.{{Ref|ADWD|47}} After Tyrion is bought by the [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] [[Wise Master]] [[Yezzan zo Qaggaz]], he plays a game of ''cyvasse'' against a man who had originally wanted to buy him (and remembered his claims), and later against [[Ben Plumm]].{{Ref|ADWD|47}}


===''The Winds of Winter''===
===''The Winds of Winter''===
{{Warning/twow}}
{{Warning/twow}}
In the camp of the [[Second Sons]] outside [[Meereen]], Tyrion plays numerous ''cyvasse'' games in [[Brown Ben Plumm]]'s tent. As the [[second siege of Meereen]] commences, a [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] nobleman enters Brown Ben's tent during a meeting. When he recognizes Tyrion, he demands that the dwarf be surrendered for punishment. [[Jorah Mormont]] opens the Yunkish nobleman's throat with his longsword. The man takes two wobbly steps, falls across the ''cyvasse'' board, scatters the wooden armies everywhere, and dies on the carpet. The white dragon piece ends up at Tyrion's feet. He scoops it off the carpet and wipes it on his sleeve, but some of the man's blood has collected in the fine grooves of the carving, so the pale wood appears to be veined with red.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion II]]}}
In the camp of the [[Second Sons]] outside [[Meereen]], Tyrion plays numerous ''cyvasse'' games in [[Brown Ben Plumm]]'s tent. As the [[second siege of Meereen]] commences, a [[Yunkai|Yunkish]] nobleman enters Brown Ben's tent during a meeting. When he recognizes Tyrion, he demands that the dwarf be surrendered for punishment as an escaped slave. [[Jorah Mormont]] opens the Yunkish nobleman's throat with his longsword. The man takes two wobbly steps, falls across the ''cyvasse'' board, scatters the wooden armies everywhere, and dies on the carpet. The white dragon piece ends up at Tyrion's feet. He scoops it off the carpet and wipes it on his sleeve, but some of the man's blood has collected in the fine grooves of the carving, so the pale wood appears to be veined with red.{{ref|twow||[[Tyrion II (The Winds of Winter)|Tyrion II]]}}


Arianne Martell, on her way to [[Jon Connington]], loses in games of ''cyvasse'' against Ser [[Daemon Sand]] and Ser [[Garibald Shells]].{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}}
Arianne Martell, on her way to [[Jon Connington]]'s army in the [[Stormlands]], loses in games of ''cyvasse'' against Ser [[Daemon Sand]] and Ser [[Garibald Shells]].{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}}


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
{{Quote|''Cyvasse'', the game was called. It had come to the [[Planky Town]] on a trading galley from [[Volantis]], and the [[orphans of the Greenblood|orphans]] had spread it up and down the [[Greenblood]]. The [[Sunspear|Dornish court]] was mad for it. Ser Arys just found it maddening.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}|thoughts of [[Arys Oakheart]]}}
{{Quote|''Cyvasse'', the game was called. It had come to the [[Planky Town]] on a trading [[galley]] from [[Volantis]], and the [[orphans of the Greenblood|orphans]] had spread it up and down the [[Greenblood]]. The [[Sunspear|Dornish court]] was mad for it. Ser Arys just found it maddening.{{Ref|AFFC|13}}|thoughts of [[Arys Oakheart]]}}


{{Quote|I hope Your Grace will pardon me. Your king is trapped. Death in four.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]] when defeating [[Young Griff]]}}
{{Quote|[[Young Griff]] arrayed his army for attack, with [[dragon]], [[elephant]]s, and heavy [[horse]] up front. A young man's formation, as bold as it is foolish. He risks all for the quick kill.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}


{{Quote|You have other pieces beside the dragon, princess. Try moving them sometime.{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}}|[[Daemon Sand]], mocking [[Arianne Martell]] after she loses to him}}
{{Quote|I hope Your Grace will pardon me. Your [[king]] is trapped. Death in four.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]], when defeating [[Young Griff]]}}
 
{{Quote|'''Young Griff:''' My [[dragon]]—<br>'''Tyrion:''' —is too far away to save you. You should have moved her to the center of the battle.<br>'''Young Griff:''' But you said—<br>'''Tyrion:''' I lied. Trust no one. And keep your dragon close.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}|[[Young Griff]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
 
{{Quote|You have other pieces beside the [[dragon]], princess. Try moving them sometime.{{ref|twow||[[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]}}|[[Daemon Sand]], mocking [[Arianne Martell]] after she loses to him}}


==Behind the Scenes==
==Behind the Scenes==
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], ''cyvasse'' is partially inspired by [[w:chess|chess]], ''[[w:Blitzkrieg (game)|Blitzkrieg]]'', and ''[[w:Stratego|Stratego]]''.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2802 Cyvasse, Accents, Historical Mysteries, and Dornish Nationalism], April 18, 2008</ref> Martin has turned down offers from game companies to develop rules for ''cyvasse'' and market the game, as he prefers to have the profundity and complexity of the game more suggested than detailed.<ref name=cyvasse/>
According to [[George R. R. Martin]], ''cyvasse'' is partially inspired by [[w:chess|chess]], ''[[w:Blitzkrieg (board game)|Blitzkrieg]]'', and ''[[w:Stratego|Stratego]]''.{{ref|ssm|2802}} Martin has turned down offers from game companies to develop rules for ''cyvasse'' and market the game, as he prefers to have the profundity and complexity of the game more suggested than detailed.<ref name=cyvasse/>


According to [[w:David J. Peterson|David J. Peterson]], the official language creator for the television adaptations of Martin's works, the etymology of the word "cyvasse" comes from the [[High Valyrian]] word "kȳvagon" which means "strategy".<ref>Game of Owns: [https://www.gameofowns.com/episodes We Light The Way feat. David J Peterson] <small>(at 1h15min45s)</small></ref>
According to [[w:David J. Peterson|David J. Peterson]], the official language creator for the television adaptations of Martin's works, the etymology of the [[Low Valyrian]] word "''cyvasse''" comes from the [[High Valyrian]] word [https://wiki.languageinvention.com/index.php?title=K%C8%B3vagon "''kȳvagon''"], which means "strategy". Developing the etymology of "''cyvasse''" also helped Peterson develop the sound changes of the Low Valyrian dialects of the [[Free Cities]].<ref name="DJP1">Game of Owns: [https://www.gameofowns.com/500 We Light The Way feat. David J Peterson] <small>(at 1h15min45s)</small></ref> Peterson also developed a specific High Valyrian word for "''cyvasse''", [https://wiki.languageinvention.com/index.php?title=K%C8%B3vakio "''Kȳvakio''"] (literally "Strategist"),<ref name="DJP2">[https://dedalvs.tumblr.com/post/147010602198/is-ky-vanon-plan-strategy-related-to-cyvasse David J. Peterson's tumblr] (July 6, 2016)</ref> as well as a High Valyrian word for "''cyvasse'' parlor", [https://wiki.languageinvention.com/index.php?title=K%C8%B3vakion "''kȳvakion''"].


As for how to pronounce "cyvasse", in clips from interviews Martin himself pronounces it as "siv-AHSS":
As for how to [[Pronunciation guide|pronounce]] "cyvasse", in clips from interviews, Martin himself pronounces it as "siv-AHSS" (IPA: "'''sɪv.äs'''"):<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtr7LbrXTUA George R.R. Martin on Cyvasse,] 2018 panel</ref>


*It only has two syllables: the final "e" is silent (so not "sigh-vas-see").  
*It only has two syllables: the final "e" is silent (so not "sigh-vas-see").  
*The first syllable sounds like the first syllable of "'''civ'''ilization" - keeping in mind that for many names in the books, Martin has used the letter "Y" to alternatively stand in for both short "i" (as in "if") and long "I" (sounds like "eye"). It is ''not'' a hard C like the letter "K", nor does it sound like the "Cy" in "cyborg".  
*The first syllable sounds like the first syllable of "'''civ'''ilization" - keeping in mind that for many names in the books, Martin has used the letter "Y" to alternatively stand in for both "short I" (as in "if") and "long I" (sounds like "eye"). It is ''not'' a hard C like the letter "K", nor does it sound like the "Cy" in "cyborg".  
*The second syllable uses short "a" (as in "father") not long "A" (as in "ate"). Thus is does ''not'' rhyme with base / grace / space. It sounds closer to the British pronunciation of "vase" - not the American pronunciation of "vase" that rhymes with "base"; however the British "vase" ends with the "z" sound ("vahz) while Martin pronounces it as just a double-"s" sound.
*The second syllable uses "short A" (as in "father") not "long A" (as in "ate"). Thus it does ''not'' rhyme with base / grace / space. It sounds closer to the British pronunciation of "vase" - not the American pronunciation of "vase" that rhymes with "base"; however the British "vase" ends with the "Z" sound ("vahz") while Martin pronounces it as just a simple "S" sound (like the final consonant in "mass").
 
In summary, ("siv" as in "civ-ilization") + ("ah" as in "father" ending with "s" as in "mass").
 
David J. Peterson, however, pronounces ''cyvasse'' as "SIGH-vass" (IPA: "'''saɪ.væs'''"), with emphasis on the first syllable, a "long I" (like "eye"), and a more nasal "short A" (as in "vat").<ref name="DJP1" />
 
In adaptations, cyvasse first appeared on-screen in ''House of the Dragon'' Season 3 episode 5, "Unbowed and Unbent". The production team on the TV show pronounce the name as "siv-ASS" (IPA: "'''sɪv.væs'''"): the first syllable the way Martin pronounces it, but the second syllable "ass" with a short "a" like in "mass".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhCua5EGRQQ&t=800s ''House of the Dragon'',] The House That Dragons Built episode 305</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 23:25, 20 July 2026

Prince Doran Martell eyeing the dragon piece in a game of cyvasse, by Sara Biddle © Fantasy Flight Games

Cyvasse is a board game originating from Volantis, played by two players, and features ten types of pieces, each with different powers and attributes.[1] In Volantis, there are cyvasse parlors.[2]

Gameplay

[edit]
See also: Images of cyvasse

Cyvasse is played on a board that changes from game to game. The players arrange their tiles on the board,[3] with a screen in the middle, so neither can see how the other arranges their board.[4] Mountains are among the squares that the players can place themselves.[3] After the screen is removed, the players move their pieces across the board, in alternating turns.[1][4]

According to George R. R. Martin, cyvasse is complex and profound, but he has not come up with rules for the game.[5]

Game Pieces

[edit]
Dragon and elephant game pieces in cyvasse, by A. L. Ashbaugh © Fantasy Flight Games

There are ten different kinds of pieces available:[1]

The dragon is the most powerful piece in the game.[6] It is not exactly known how many pieces each player has of each different kind, but one player has multiple elephants.[6] The goal of the game is to "kill" the king.[6]

Known color combinations of pieces include ivory and onyx,[7] ivory and jade,[9] and alabaster and onyx.[6] Squares of the game board can be colored jade, carnelian, and lapis lazuli.[1] Cheaper sets are carved from wood.[4]

Known Rules

[edit]

Several rules are briefly mentioned in A Song of Ice and Fire:

  • Pieces cannot travel across mountains, which are set up before the start of play to make strategic choke points. The exception is the dragon piece, which can ignore and cross mountains (because real dragons fly).[6]
  • A dragon can remove elephants from the board.[6]
  • A catapult can remove a dragon from the board.[6]
  • A trebuchet can remove a dragon from the board.[4]
  • An elephant can apparently defeat a light horse - as when Tyrion advanced his light horse, Haldon "answered" with an elephant. Tyrion then moved up his heavy horse to support the light, which might imply elephants cannot kill heavy horse.[6]

It is possible for players to be overly aggressive or overly defensive, as there are counter-strategies for each. A recklessly aggressive offense immediately advances with the dragon, elephants, and heavy horse. This risks the dragon being killed by catapults or trebuchets.[6] Conversely, an overly defensive play style is to place the powerful elephant pieces in the mountain passes: this immobilizes the defender while leaving them vulnerable to the enemy's dragon, which can fly across mountains as well as kill elephants.[3] Ultimately, success comes down to the individual player's skill.

History

[edit]

Cyvasse originates from Volantis.[1][10] Ben Plumm learned the game when Volantis contracted the Second Sons.[10] Cyvasse is frequently played in Lys[9] and Volantis.[6]

Around 299 AC, the game came to Westeros, starting in Dorne, where a trading galley from Volantis introduced the game. It was spread from Planky Town up and down the Greenblood by the orphans of the river.[1] The game came to King's Landing in 300 AC.[11]

Recent Events

[edit]

A Feast for Crows

[edit]
Prince Doran's game, by Serena Malyon © Fantasy Flight Games

Cyvasse is a craze among the House Martell court at Sunspear. Princess Myrcella Baratheon learns the game from her betrothed, Prince Trystane Martell, when she comes to live with the Martells in Dorne.[1] She takes to the game quickly, and wins more often that Trystane, though he does not seem to mind.[1] Ser Arys Oakheart finds the game maddening.[1] When riding through the desert with Princess Arianne Martell, Myrcella comments that Trystane always places his squares the same way.[3]

When Arianne is imprisoned in a chamber in the Spear Tower for her failed attempt at kidnapping Myrcella, she finds that her father Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne, has had a cyvasse table placed there. She ignores it, but he later tells her it was there to teach her to study a game before she attempts to play it. When Arianne is summoned to her father's rooms at the end of her imprisonment, she finds him sitting across a cyvasse table, studying the pieces. He hands her an onyx dragon piece as he explains the secret marriage pact between House Martell and House Targaryen.[7]

In King's Landing, Queen Margaery Tyrell and her cousins are studying the game when Queen Regent Cersei Lannister brings the news that Ser Loras Tyrell has taken Dragonstone but received severe injuries in the process.[11]

A Dance with Dragons

[edit]
Tyrion Lannister plays Qavo Nogarys in a game of cyvasse, by Marc Fishman

While is in Lys, Prince Quentyn Martell spots cyvasse pieces being sold.[9]

Cyvasse is played during Tyrion Lannister's voyage on the Shy Maid with Haldon[4] and Young Griff, and he learns the game.[6] While playing against Haldon, Tyrion places a bet, and wins the game, thereby learning from Haldon the true identity of Young Griff. In the game against Young Griff, Tyrion tells the boy to go to Westeros, instead of seeking the hand of Queen Daenerys Targaryen. Later on, when he is separated from Young Griff's group, Tyrion learns that Young Griff actually listened.[2] Tyrion, under Haldon's direction, plays against the custom officer Qavo Nogarys in Volantis, in order to gain information from him.[6]

On board the Selaesori Qhoran, Tyrion attempts to teach Penny how to play cyvasse, though he soon realizes it is a lost cause.[8] When Tyrion is captured by slavers and displayed for sale in the slave market outside Meereen, he boasts about his cyvasse skills as a selling point.[10] After Tyrion is bought by the Yunkish Wise Master Yezzan zo Qaggaz, he plays a game of cyvasse against a man who had originally wanted to buy him (and remembered his claims), and later against Ben Plumm.[10]

The Winds of Winter

[edit]
 Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

In the camp of the Second Sons outside Meereen, Tyrion plays numerous cyvasse games in Brown Ben Plumm's tent. As the second siege of Meereen commences, a Yunkish nobleman enters Brown Ben's tent during a meeting. When he recognizes Tyrion, he demands that the dwarf be surrendered for punishment as an escaped slave. Jorah Mormont opens the Yunkish nobleman's throat with his longsword. The man takes two wobbly steps, falls across the cyvasse board, scatters the wooden armies everywhere, and dies on the carpet. The white dragon piece ends up at Tyrion's feet. He scoops it off the carpet and wipes it on his sleeve, but some of the man's blood has collected in the fine grooves of the carving, so the pale wood appears to be veined with red.[12]

Arianne Martell, on her way to Jon Connington's army in the Stormlands, loses in games of cyvasse against Ser Daemon Sand and Ser Garibald Shells.[13]

Quotes

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Cyvasse, the game was called. It had come to the Planky Town on a trading galley from Volantis, and the orphans had spread it up and down the Greenblood. The Dornish court was mad for it. Ser Arys just found it maddening.[1]

—thoughts of Arys Oakheart

Young Griff arrayed his army for attack, with dragon, elephants, and heavy horse up front. A young man's formation, as bold as it is foolish. He risks all for the quick kill.[6]

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

I hope Your Grace will pardon me. Your king is trapped. Death in four.[6]

—Tyrion Lannister, when defeating Young Griff

Young Griff: My dragon—
Tyrion: —is too far away to save you. You should have moved her to the center of the battle.
Young Griff: But you said—
Tyrion: I lied. Trust no one. And keep your dragon close.[6]

—Young Griff and Tyrion Lannister

You have other pieces beside the dragon, princess. Try moving them sometime.[13]

—Daemon Sand, mocking Arianne Martell after she loses to him

Behind the Scenes

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According to George R. R. Martin, cyvasse is partially inspired by chess, Blitzkrieg, and Stratego.[14] Martin has turned down offers from game companies to develop rules for cyvasse and market the game, as he prefers to have the profundity and complexity of the game more suggested than detailed.[5]

According to David J. Peterson, the official language creator for the television adaptations of Martin's works, the etymology of the Low Valyrian word "cyvasse" comes from the High Valyrian word "kȳvagon", which means "strategy". Developing the etymology of "cyvasse" also helped Peterson develop the sound changes of the Low Valyrian dialects of the Free Cities.[15] Peterson also developed a specific High Valyrian word for "cyvasse", "Kȳvakio" (literally "Strategist"),[16] as well as a High Valyrian word for "cyvasse parlor", "kȳvakion".

As for how to pronounce "cyvasse", in clips from interviews, Martin himself pronounces it as "siv-AHSS" (IPA: "sɪv.äs"):[17]

  • It only has two syllables: the final "e" is silent (so not "sigh-vas-see").
  • The first syllable sounds like the first syllable of "civilization" - keeping in mind that for many names in the books, Martin has used the letter "Y" to alternatively stand in for both "short I" (as in "if") and "long I" (sounds like "eye"). It is not a hard C like the letter "K", nor does it sound like the "Cy" in "cyborg".
  • The second syllable uses "short A" (as in "father") not "long A" (as in "ate"). Thus it does not rhyme with base / grace / space. It sounds closer to the British pronunciation of "vase" - not the American pronunciation of "vase" that rhymes with "base"; however the British "vase" ends with the "Z" sound ("vahz") while Martin pronounces it as just a simple "S" sound (like the final consonant in "mass").

In summary, ("siv" as in "civ-ilization") + ("ah" as in "father" ending with "s" as in "mass").

David J. Peterson, however, pronounces cyvasse as "SIGH-vass" (IPA: "saɪ.væs"), with emphasis on the first syllable, a "long I" (like "eye"), and a more nasal "short A" (as in "vat").[15]

In adaptations, cyvasse first appeared on-screen in House of the Dragon Season 3 episode 5, "Unbowed and Unbent". The production team on the TV show pronounce the name as "siv-ASS" (IPA: "sɪv.væs"): the first syllable the way Martin pronounces it, but the second syllable "ass" with a short "a" like in "mass".[18]

References

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  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 George R R Martin visiting SF-Bokhandeln
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 47, Tyrion X.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
  12. ↑ The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Tyrion II.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Arianne.
  14. ↑ So Spake Martin: Cyvasse, Accents, Historical Mysteries, and Dornish Nationalism (April 19, 2008).
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Game of Owns: We Light The Way feat. David J Peterson (at 1h15min45s)
  16. ↑ David J. Peterson's tumblr (July 6, 2016)
  17. ↑ George R.R. Martin on Cyvasse, 2018 panel
  18. ↑ House of the Dragon, The House That Dragons Built episode 305
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