Brighter Flames
Winter rages across Westeros. The valleys and mountain passes of the West are impassable. Heavy snows blanket the yellowed fields of the Reach. The maester's predicted a short and mild winter, but the gods make fools of the wisest men. Ravens carry word of freakish blizzards striking in Dorne during the frigid nights. Across the Narrow Sea, areas long thought immune to the hardships of winter are caught in its icy grasp.
Even in a great fortress like Casterly Rock, foodstuffs and supplies are rationed. The vast granaries within are still well provisioned. Thus, the noble denizens, soldiers, and servants of the Rock do not suffer. Little and less needs to be said about the plight of the smallfolk.
Normally, Prince Maegor Targaryen's heart would bleed for the commoner's plight. His goodbrother, the much vaunted Lord Tywin Lannister, would no doubt scoff at his soft heart. At that moment, Maegor did not care one whit for any of it. All of his attention remained fixed upon the solitary oak door.
The muffled sounds of groaning and muted words echoed from the bedroom beyond the door. For the hundredth time Maegor paced across the richly appointed room. This chamber, where he usually kept busy with putting to rights his new holdings, became a temporary cage. As Genna Lannister's dowry, the ever-generous Lord Tytos granted Maegor the former lands and ruins of Tarbeck Hall alongside gold to rebuild what his heir so thoroughly destroyed
Already men were calling the half-built keep Maegor's Hall.
Maegor spent much time organizing the construction of the keep and the ordering of his lands and tenants. Never possessing land himself and lacking a lord's education, living on an income provided by the Crown, the prince began receiving maester Lyman's lessons and advice on relevant matters. Past thirty and suffering the same dull training a noble child might, others in his position would balk at the notion. Maegor accepted the help with humility and good humor..
After all these years, Maegor quite desired to live in a home and on lands all his own.
Of course all that was thrown to the wayside just now.
A roaring fire crackled within a hearth carved with lions, and a meal sat untouched on top of a lacquered desk next to neatly ordered stacks of parchment. None of it mattered. He'd wanted to be in there with Genna, hold her hand and give her what strength he could, but he'd been firmly informed that matters of the birthing bed were women's business. When he rightly remarked upon Maesters not being women, Joanna just gave him one of her withering looks before closing the accursed door.
Maegor forced himself to stillness. Running a pale hand through unkempt silver locks, the Targaryen prince sighed as he straightened his crimson doublet. Two years ago Genna blessed their burgeoning family with twins. She glowed with delight when another quickened in her womb. Going through this before should have made it easier.
It did not.
Truly, Visenya and Daeron filled his heart with joy, his days with laughter, and his nights with worry. No father could ask for more, but their mother's labor had been difficult. She had taken a fortnight to recover her good health. His strong and vivacious bride, pale and sore carved itself forever into his mind, and he only had to close his eyes to see the sheets covered in blood and her wan, listless expression as the maids did their best to make her comfortable.
When she recovered, he was content. A family and a home to raise them in. Somewhere far away from the damned Iron Throne and attendant Viper's Nest that drove his father to madness. Plant a garden, and watch his children grow.
An ideal life.
Still, Genna wanted to give him more sons. "The Seven Kingdoms needs more dragons!" She'd boasted proudly. He could not but relent. If Genna Lannister wanted the moon, Maegor Targaryen would try to give it to her.
Mother, grant your blessing to your daughter on this day. Maegor could only leave his beloved's fate with the gods and with the skills of maester Lyman. He prayed fervently again. Prayer came naturally to Maegor Targaryen. After all he'd spent his childhood in a Faithful enclave expecting to take a Septon's vows when he came of age. Only chance led him to becoming a knight and after many years following a winding path he finally met Genna.
That had led to no small intrigue between the Iron Throne and Casterly Rock, and if there was one thing Maegor detested, it was intrigue. A game between the heir to Casterly Rock and the Iron Throne unfurled behind the closed doors, but in the end, King Jaehaerys II had blessed the marriage. That had been that.
On bent knees Maegor prayed with his hands steepled before him, the lone pale ring on his hand shone strangely in the flickering light of the fire. Abstaining from food, drink, or a moment's rest, Maegor remained in prayer for the greater part of the night. He recited relevant passages from the
Seven-Pointed Star, hummed hymns, and lit candles. This chamber became his own personal sept.
Finally, the pained cries of his lady wife gave way to a new sound. The sound of hope. The cries of a newborn babe!
Maegor shot to his feet as the door opened. Ignoring the protestations of his abused middle-aged body, the prince wordlessly raced past Joanna. The Lady of Casterly Rock just placed a hand upon her own swollen belly and smiled as he passed. Distantly, he thought she should get some rest, too. She would face her own tribulation soon as well.
The sight that greeted him took away his breath.
Genna tiredly smiled up at him from her covers, and in her arms she held their babe in swaddling. Genna was radiant, she was the Mother given flesh. Her hair was slick with sweat and her countenance flushed from strain. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Her voice was tired, but strong, "My prince, come meet your son, Aemon."
You are Aemon Targaryen. In plan format, please make choices to decide what that will entail.
Choose a number of traits. You have 9 points to spend. These inherent traits are nearly always static(though certain characters can earn special traits that affect this), and while I don't tie them directly to mechanics, they will play key roles in the narrative going forward.
Charisma- This trait mostly relates to force of personality and the way others react and relate to you. If one is appealing, they might be generally friendly and easy to get along with like Petyr Baelish. An example of Charming, someone who can befriend and leave positive impressions even on antagonists, might be Garlan Tyrell. Few and far between are those Inspiring figures that overpower others with their sheer charisma, like Robert Baratheon.
Appealing (1), Charming (4), Inspiring (7)
Intelligence- The trait relating to native intelligence, to the ability to quickly and adaptively infer, process, and act keenly with the information available to you. Arya Stark portrays the adaptability and ability to think on one's feet common to Quick thinkers. A Sharp thinker exhibits notable general intelligence, but often truly excels in one field like Ned Stark's skill at commanding. Brilliance is best exhibited by the likes of Petyr Baelish, Varys, and Tyrion.
Quick (1), Sharp (4), Brilliant (7)
Physical- Few things are as revered in Westeros as physical prowess. Athleticism can be seen by those like Rhaegar Targaryen that are well-formed and suited to physical pursuits and exertion. Gifted individuals, like Jaime Lannister, stand above their peers in physical performance. Standing at the peak of physical ability are Paragons like Robert Baratheon.
Athletic (1), Gifted (4), Paragon (7)
*Any points left over will be used as applicable rerolls during rolls sessions.
Choose one Foundational Virtue. These will be a key aspect of your character going forward. Other aspects of Aemon will no doubt build atop your choices here. They will affect what decisions are available, and how your character acts even absent your direct control. If you want another virtue, then you must choose a vice. The bonus applies a discount upon relevant traits. (I.e. Choosing Valor: Physical +2 will effectively make anything in that category cost two less points. Thus, you could buy Physical Paragon for 5 instead of 7 points.) Whereas a vice will apply a negative modifier to related rolls.
Virtue: (Points added to relevant trait purchases)
Valor: You possess significant moral or physical courage; or both. (+2 Phys or Cha)
Temperance: You have the discipline and self-control to reject hedonism. (+2 Phys or Int)
Compassion: Empathic and generous, you care a great deal for others. (+2 Cha or Int)
Conviction: Once a decision is made, you have the fortitude to see it through to the end.(+2 Phys or Cha)
Vice: (Negative modifiers for associated rolls)
Cowardice- You are either a physical or moral coward.
Indulgence- Hedonism and consumption are your natural inclinations .
Cruelty- You have little to no empathy. Cruelty can be seen in many of your actions.
Caprice- Your disposition, moods, and even goals can change like the wind.
