Common Gencon Rules Question

By ktom, in 2. AGoT Rules Discussion

The following question was asked a number of times at Gencon, both in Melee and in Draft, so I thought I'd post it here as a bit of a preemptive answer:

Maester Wendamyr (1STR Greyjoy character): Response: Kneel Maester Wendamyr to save a GJ character from being killed or discarded. Then, you may kneel 2 influence or kneel a Learned character to stand that character.

The Inn of the Kneeling Man (Neutral Location): Response: After a character with STR 2 or lower is knelt, kneel The Inn of the Kneeling Man to stand that character. Use this effect only if it is Summer or Winter. (Limit once per phase.)

The situation: I control Maester Wendamyr, The Inn of the Kneeling Man, and a bunch of other GJ characters. My opponent plays Valar. Can I use Wendamyr to save someone, stand him with the Inn, then save another character from Valar?

The answer: No. Remember that "saves" interrupt the initiation and resolution of an effect. They are the only effects that can do so. All other Response opportunities must wait until the original action (or all of the framework events in the case of revealing plots, resolving challenges, etc.) has resolved. Since the Inn is a standard Response, it cannot be used between the initiation and resolution of Valar. It has to wait for Valar to completely resolve. So while it can stand Wendamyr after he is used for his save effect, it can only do so after Valar has resolved - too late for Wendamyr to save a second character from the same Valar.

(For those who like the structure of the timing windows, all saves must be played in Step 2. The Inn cannot be used until Step 5. Wendamyr would stand too late to save again.)

Now, the followup to this (which I'm pretty sure I know the answer to) is: Can Maester Wendamyr save himself, kneel two influence to stand and then save a second character during the same Valar?

I would think yes, as you're executing Wendamyr's ability, rather than some separate response, during the Save window; but I figured I'd ask to make sure.

I would think so as well.

Yes. The stand is part of the save, so the it's all part of the same effect. The save and the stand aren't separated the way they are for Wendamyr and the Inn.