Game of Thrones begins....

[The Minsky Moment]

All questions answered

Did the valyrians make suits of armor out of valyrian steel?

No they subcontracted to Foxconn

I'm not clear on the technological level of the valyrian freehold.

Level 6

Did they use chainmail or plated armor?

Yes, or other.

How about dragon skin?

Regular hydration and moisturization is recommended.

Would a dead dragon skin still be useful as leather armor?

Only leather is useful as leather armor.  Things that are not leather are not useful as leather armor.

[Jaron]

Did the valyrians make suits of armor out of valyrian steel?
I'm not clear on the technological level of the valyrian freehold. Did they use chainmail or plated armor? How about dragon skin? Would a dead dragon skin still be useful as leather armor?

1. No. The reason Valyrian steel weapons are good would not translate well to armor.
2. Valyrians were skilled in metal working and magics.
3. They used chain and plate and wooden/bone armor for their levies.
4. Dragonscale is only effective for dragons because their hides are thick. You'd have to wear a very thick layer of it to get protection and even then would not be as good as plate. A thin layer of dragonscale would be about as good as deerhide.

[Martinus]

So, an idea has been floating around that with 17 to 27 episodes to go in total, HBO is considering a spin-off, perhaps set during the time of Robert's rebellion. I am not sure though - it could taint the series.

[Zanza]

Isn't there a spinoff by GRRM himself? The Hedge Knight or so?

[grumbler]

BTW, who else thinks that the "little birdies" that seem to be defecting to Qyburn are doing so under orders from Varys?

[grumbler]

So, an idea has been floating around that with 17 to 27 episodes to go in total, HBO is considering a spin-off, perhaps set during the time of Robert's rebellion. I am not sure though - it could taint the series.

This was a suggestion from a fan.  I've seen nothing that would indicate that HBO is actually considering it.

I think making it would be a mistake.  Too many characters have a set appearance and sound with the readers, and the actors playing them couldn't plausibly play the same characters when 15 years younger.

A spinoff set in, say the Targaryan Conquest would work better from a casting POV, but who would want to see it?

Better to turn the talent loose to do a, say, 2-3 season TV adaptation of the Mote in God's Eye series.

[Eddie Teach]

Better to turn the talent loose to do a, say, 2-3 season TV adaptation of the Mote in God's Eye series.

Why would that need Game of Thrones actors or writers to do?

[grumbler]

Better to turn the talent loose to do a, say, 2-3 season TV adaptation of the Mote in God's Eye series.

Why would that need Game of Thrones actors or writers to do?

I give up.  Why?

[Eddie Teach]

You were the one framing it as a question of one or the other.

[grumbler]

You were the one framing it as a question of one or the other.

You misread.  If you go back and read what I wrote, I wasn't saying that there were only two choices.

[viper37]

BTW, who else thinks that the "little birdies" that seem to be defecting to Qyburn are doing so under orders from Varys?

Would be in character for Varys.  He does say they never fail him.  and reporting about everyone badmouthing the queen is good for business, in Varys case.  It weakens the Lannister's hold on the palace.

[Phillip V]

BTW, who else thinks that the "little birdies" that seem to be defecting to Qyburn are doing so under orders from Varys?

Spoiler:  https://m.westeros.org/index.php/Varys#A_Dance_with_Dragons

[Martinus]

BTW, who else thinks that the "little birdies" that seem to be defecting to Qyburn are doing so under orders from Varys?

Actually now that you mention that, I think either in this or in the previous episode, Varys does say explicitly something along the lines "I don't trust any men or women, but I always trust my little birds." 

[Solmyr]

I suspect the little birdies [spoiler]will be stabbing Pycelle and Kevan[/spoiler] at some point this season.

[Habbaku]