Ned Stark

In an alternate Game of Thrones timeline where Ned Stark did not accept King Robert's request to be the Hand of the King, a furious Robert swears his friendship with Ned is over and returns to King's Landing and reluctantly makes his brother Stannis Hand of the King instead. After several months you (a messenger sent by Ser Barriston Selmy) ride to Winterfell to inform Ned Stark Robert has died violently in a hunting accident and his son Joffery and his brother Stannis are both staking a claim to the throne. Ned is required to take a side. Joffrey, Cersei, Tyrion, Jaime and the rest of the Lannisters have retreated to Casterly Rock after a bloody skirmish within the walls of the Red Keep, and Stannis currently holds the throne room, but is vulnerable as his armies are all still assembling in the Stormlands.