Quote Originally Posted by Double A View Post
*spoilers*

I would imagine the Riverlands belong to the Starks due to them proclaiming Robb their king.

Vale is run by Lysa, so won't do anything till Littlefinger sets things straight.
Have you read A Storm of Swords? The Riverlands (particularly the Freys...) are definitely capable of going there own way - I would think of it more as an alliance. That said, I don't think that in the books they are one homogenous faction, so it probably makes sense that they aren't playable. And I agree that it wouldn't be very in-character for Lysa to do anything, although I think the Arryns do have a sizeable military force which would have to be accounted for (particularly if an 'accident' were to happen to Lysa).

On a related note, I've just got A Dance with Dragons and am about to go on holiday, so I have a perfect opportunity to read it! It will be nice to be on top of things when this starts.