Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
... I don't know where you got revenge fanfic from. I just remember a few people bitching about a year or two later still.
Lol, Myrcella was too good for this world to be involved in shady politicking.
A Dragon of the North X: Night Gathers
- Thread starter Droman
- Start date
- Crossover
Cteatus
A Guy Who Fell Down a Hole
Just btw Droman, let me once again commend you on picking an update period that coincides with a point in time where I don't have reliable access to internet.
Your timing is genuinely uncanny.
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Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
In effect, Bran becomes the fanon maester conspiracy a lot of readers of the series believe in, stifling magic wherever he can. And no, Willas got strangled because his and other nobility's response to the Reach Crisis wasn't exactly sufficient for some people.
- Location
- Canada
To add onto that, what was Bran's opinion of Jon, the Children, spellblades, etc? Basically, what was his opinion of Stormcrown-approved magic?
Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
Bran wasn't exactly non-biased around his brother-figure who saved his life and the magic he approved or used. After Jon's abdication and disappearance a relatively old Bran did take more aggressive action in dealing with relics like the spellswords. He never really had a chance to interact with the Children and again, was biased regarding his background to magic so didn't exactly go looking for them. For what it's worth, all of Jon's Stark relations were still alive when Jon abdicated and disappeared.
Epilogue 02: The Broken Years (350 AC to 355 AC)
Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
Epilogue 02: The Broken Years (350 AC to 355 AC)
During the era later known as the Long Peace, relations between the Free City of Braavos and the Westeros took a much different tone. While the Sunset King commanded the fervent fealty of the greatest agricultural regions of the Seven Kingdoms, no defiance could be offered by the bastard daughter of Valyria for too long.
The royal court of Harrenhal kept close to mind the actions of Bravos prior to the Defiance of Casterly Rock, and were keenly conscious that the last of the surviving Lannisters had taken refuge at Bravos. Thankfully, relations proved warm enough that the great families of Bravos felt little need to aid the Lannister exiles beyond offering refuge, a fact aided by the cowardice of Tommen "Baratheon" to even contemplate any form of defiance to the Stormcrowns and the lack of children by his marriage to Rosalind Lannister.
It was a political position that would last half a century, until a war on the tides began and ended between the two powers.
It was a political position that would last half a century, until a war on the tides began between the two powers. The conflict was originally derived by the Sealord of Bravos at the time, a young man named Tyro Nystero. A scion of one of Braavos's lesser families, Tyro enjoyed the distinction of being the sole child of Myrcella "Baratheon", who had been naturalized to Braavosi high society over the decades that followed her exile from Westeros. While stained with accusations of bastardy and incest (a fact that accrued Tyro and his father lengthy dueling careers), the former Westerosi princess was largely feted in Braavos by both her absconded wealth and her charming and kind nature. These virtues meant that while her reputation was stained by accusations of bastardy and incest (which were fiercely contested by Tyro's father and then Tyro himself during their lengthy dueling careers), it was largely dismissed among those friendly as a vicious element to the dirty politics so typical of the Sunset Kingdoms.
Tyro's ascension to the office of Sealord was contentious, and was preceded by heavy dueling on the islands of the capital city between partisans of different factions. Tyro himself was favored by the youth of the city, who wearied of the ivory towers their betters and elders took shelter in. While poorer families suffered from all manner of changing weathers, the powerful and wealthy were better inured to all manner of events. Consequently, men like Tyro (who had spent a half dozen years as a mercenary following his slaying of two prominent Volantene merchants for slights against his mother) were highly respected for speaking against the perceived injustices of the traditional social order. Fearing unrest would boil over into revolution; the old families of Braavos attempted to embrace the rising tide and elected Tyro as Sealord.
It concerned Westeros enough to draw the presence of the Master of Whispers to the back canals of Braavos, though no action was taken as he found Tyro stymied by customs and traditions. Tyro's odyssey to control Braavos would consume decades of his life, and see him depart and return to the office of Sealord six times, as he was expelled by and in turn expelled rivals. During these periods abroad Tyro found allies and associates across much of Essos, and even for a time covertly sought sanctuary in the Vale of Arryn, where he met the lady Alayne Arryn; youngest heiress of the Eyrie.
A newly married bride to the Lord Melcolm of Old Anchor by her father's arranging, an uninspired Alayne found her interest drawn to the Braavosi duelist. An affair ensued, cuckolding House Melcolm and producing a child. The matter proved an embarrassment to her relatives when discovered (though no more than any other scandal conducted by the Arryn sisters), and resulted in a duel to the death between Tyro Nystero and the Lord Melcolm that slew the latter. The affair was capped by Alayne's attempt to present Tyro's victory as proof of his innocence and the legitimacy of her child in the succession of Old Anchor, an effort that afforded her plaudits for boldness if nothing else.
It was fortunate for her sake that Tyro was swiftly after recalled to Braavos following another revolt, where he ascended again to the office of Sealord. Blessed again with access to the fortune he had accrued, Tyro was able to resolve the matter by paying a weregild to House Melcolm and to legitimize their son (named Tommen in the memory of his kind-hearted uncle) as a member of House Nystero. Therefore, all conflicts between Braavos and Westeros seemed resolved… until the passing of Lord Edmure Arryn.
Tyro's ascension to the office of Sealord was contentious, and was preceded by heavy dueling on the islands of the capital city between partisans of different factions. Tyro himself was favored by the youth of the city, who wearied of the ivory towers their betters and elders took shelter in. While poorer families suffered from all manner of changing weathers, the powerful and wealthy were better inured to all manner of events. Consequently, men like Tyro (who had spent a half dozen years as a mercenary following his slaying of two prominent Volantene merchants for slights against his mother) were highly respected for speaking against the perceived injustices of the traditional social order. Fearing unrest would boil over into revolution; the old families of Braavos attempted to embrace the rising tide and elected Tyro as Sealord.
It concerned Westeros enough to draw the presence of the Master of Whispers to the back canals of Braavos, though no action was taken as he found Tyro stymied by customs and traditions. Tyro's odyssey to control Braavos would consume decades of his life, and see him depart and return to the office of Sealord six times, as he was expelled by and in turn expelled rivals. During these periods abroad Tyro found allies and associates across much of Essos, and even for a time covertly sought sanctuary in the Vale of Arryn, where he met the lady Alayne Arryn; youngest heiress of the Eyrie.
A newly married bride to the Lord Melcolm of Old Anchor by her father's arranging, an uninspired Alayne found her interest drawn to the Braavosi duelist. An affair ensued, cuckolding House Melcolm and producing a child. The matter proved an embarrassment to her relatives when discovered (though no more than any other scandal conducted by the Arryn sisters), and resulted in a duel to the death between Tyro Nystero and the Lord Melcolm that slew the latter. The affair was capped by Alayne's attempt to present Tyro's victory as proof of his innocence and the legitimacy of her child in the succession of Old Anchor, an effort that afforded her plaudits for boldness if nothing else.
It was fortunate for her sake that Tyro was swiftly after recalled to Braavos following another revolt, where he ascended again to the office of Sealord. Blessed again with access to the fortune he had accrued, Tyro was able to resolve the matter by paying a weregild to House Melcolm and to legitimize their son (named Tommen in the memory of his kind-hearted uncle) as a member of House Nystero. Therefore, all conflicts between Braavos and Westeros seemed resolved… until the passing of Lord Edmure Arryn.
The father of three disappointing daughters, Edmure Arryn had been notoriously grim from youth onwards. With each resulting scandal the man had withdrawn ever inwards, his health wracked by shock in response. In his final days, only his good-brother Brynden was suffered in his presence and it was by his writ that Edmure's succession order was orchestrated. By demand, all three of Edmure's daughters (Lysandra, Myra and Alayne) were to be stripped from the succession for various acts of disreputable conduct both confirmed and supposed. These acts included adultery, blackmail, criminal misrepresentation, mariticide, and (perhaps obviously) paternal disobedience.
The decision to excise Edmure's older daughters from the succession was largely welcomed, owing to their poor reputations. Both Lysandra and Myra attempted to petition their family's bannermen to support their claims, but ultimately would accept small stipends mandated in Edmure's will for themselves and their children rather than push forward. Alayne's claim was more strongly protested however, owing to her comparatively fewer scandals (the affair with Tyro, which had been resolved with House Melcolm) and the desire of certain figures in Westeros to subsume Braavos as a subsidiary of the Vale of Arryn.
For his part, Tyro Nystero was overly eager in pursuit of his wife's inheritance. Secret talks with various Vale lords occurred during this time, as Tyro attempted to negotiate a union of the two realms. Several options were discussed in hopes of determining which might best meet the approval of King Brynden, with Tyro seeking the maximum benefit of maintaining both realms under his dynasty and reportedly willing to accept the "worst" possible scenario of surrendering his rule over Braavos for his wife's return to her homeland as Lady of the Eyrie. Other reported options included the secession of the Vale of Arryn into Braavos and the division of the Nystero family between Braavos and the Vale.
Ultimately, the decision made would suit few parties. By order of King Brynden Stormcrown and in keeping with the will of Lord Edmure Arryn, all three of Edmure's daughters (and Brynden's nieces) would be stricken from the succession… in favor of Brynden's brother Loren Stormcrown, who himself was married to an Arryn of Hawkhaven and had squired under Ser Creighton Redfort of the Kingsguard. Loren would surrender his father's surname in deference to his mother's and wife's, and rise up as Loren Arryn, the Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East.
The matter proved controversial and cast the veracity of the will into doubt, particularly as House Stormcrown's reputation in the Vale had dimmed from the widespread devotion during the reign of Brynden's father. The Valesmen had been well-favored by Brynden by dint of his marriage to Minisa Arryn, but the consequences of that marriage had divided the Vale between those more closely aligned with House Stormcrown (being the Arryns, Belmores, Hardyngs, Redforts, Royces, and Upcliffs ) and those farther from the halls of power (Graftons, Hersys, Hunters, Lynderlys, Moores, Ruthermonts, Sunderlands, Tollets, Waxleys and Waynwoods among others).
In addition, the use House Stormcrown had made of the Vale of Arryn in containing the Braavosi in decades passed had been to the benefit of many Vale families as well, who had prosecuted favorable marriages and trade agreements that had helped Tyro seeking refuge in Old Anchor. The merger of Braavos and the Vale in any capacity would only better favor these families, and many feared their wealthier estates across the Narrow Sea would suffer from conflict between Loren and Tyro. Thus factionalism quickly spread, as those loyal to House Stormcrown declared their loyalties were grouped as the Lords Declarant, while those appealing in Alayne's name were grouped as the Lords Appellant. Conflict was certain, and would breakout months following Loren's ascension to the Eyrie.
The decision to excise Edmure's older daughters from the succession was largely welcomed, owing to their poor reputations. Both Lysandra and Myra attempted to petition their family's bannermen to support their claims, but ultimately would accept small stipends mandated in Edmure's will for themselves and their children rather than push forward. Alayne's claim was more strongly protested however, owing to her comparatively fewer scandals (the affair with Tyro, which had been resolved with House Melcolm) and the desire of certain figures in Westeros to subsume Braavos as a subsidiary of the Vale of Arryn.
For his part, Tyro Nystero was overly eager in pursuit of his wife's inheritance. Secret talks with various Vale lords occurred during this time, as Tyro attempted to negotiate a union of the two realms. Several options were discussed in hopes of determining which might best meet the approval of King Brynden, with Tyro seeking the maximum benefit of maintaining both realms under his dynasty and reportedly willing to accept the "worst" possible scenario of surrendering his rule over Braavos for his wife's return to her homeland as Lady of the Eyrie. Other reported options included the secession of the Vale of Arryn into Braavos and the division of the Nystero family between Braavos and the Vale.
Ultimately, the decision made would suit few parties. By order of King Brynden Stormcrown and in keeping with the will of Lord Edmure Arryn, all three of Edmure's daughters (and Brynden's nieces) would be stricken from the succession… in favor of Brynden's brother Loren Stormcrown, who himself was married to an Arryn of Hawkhaven and had squired under Ser Creighton Redfort of the Kingsguard. Loren would surrender his father's surname in deference to his mother's and wife's, and rise up as Loren Arryn, the Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East.
The matter proved controversial and cast the veracity of the will into doubt, particularly as House Stormcrown's reputation in the Vale had dimmed from the widespread devotion during the reign of Brynden's father. The Valesmen had been well-favored by Brynden by dint of his marriage to Minisa Arryn, but the consequences of that marriage had divided the Vale between those more closely aligned with House Stormcrown (being the Arryns, Belmores, Hardyngs, Redforts, Royces, and Upcliffs ) and those farther from the halls of power (Graftons, Hersys, Hunters, Lynderlys, Moores, Ruthermonts, Sunderlands, Tollets, Waxleys and Waynwoods among others).
In addition, the use House Stormcrown had made of the Vale of Arryn in containing the Braavosi in decades passed had been to the benefit of many Vale families as well, who had prosecuted favorable marriages and trade agreements that had helped Tyro seeking refuge in Old Anchor. The merger of Braavos and the Vale in any capacity would only better favor these families, and many feared their wealthier estates across the Narrow Sea would suffer from conflict between Loren and Tyro. Thus factionalism quickly spread, as those loyal to House Stormcrown declared their loyalties were grouped as the Lords Declarant, while those appealing in Alayne's name were grouped as the Lords Appellant. Conflict was certain, and would breakout months following Loren's ascension to the Eyrie.
The dissatisfaction of much of the Vale lords was not unknown to the Three Princes (as they had been referred to during their father's long reign), who being much in the mindset of their father sought to stoke conflict and flush out dissenters rather than appease. Consequently, they set in motion the rebellion of the Lords Appellant by the reorganization of taxes in the Riverlands and Vale of Arryn.
Traditionally, the matter of taxes were levied directly upon entire regions of Westeros, with variations occurring where certain houses were favored or disfavored. In this current case however, the Stormcrown brothers worked more indirectly. With the influence of the Vale lords increasing over the economics of Braavos, many families inclined to favor Alayne had invested extensively into trading fleets and worked to suborn previously independent merchant families into their client networks. The concern that their Braavosi clients would appeal to Tyro had drawn many of them to the Sealord's orbit, and in turn left them vulnerable to punitive measures. Measures such as taxes exclusively focused on this influx of revenue, that disproportionately effected Vale nobility invested in Braavos than anywhere else.
The effects were immediate, as many of the outraged Valesmen first delayed, then refused to pay the new taxes. Invitations to the Eyrie to present their appeals were soundly rejected, and skirmishes at tournaments grew frequent as the months passed. A six month deadline issued by Loren Arryn was roundly ignored, and provided the provocation he declared those in defiance to be now in outright rebellion. An army of eight thousand was gathered to the Eyrie and marched against House Corbray, the nearest of the defiant houses. Their lands were quickly occupied and their castles put under siege, with most of their levy either trapped behind walls or prevented from coalescing in sizeable numbers.
In response, the rest of the Lords Appellant raised their banners in Alayne's name, and called upon her to lead them to her rightful inheritance. Three thousand sellswords embarked from Braavos to join House Lynderly's forces, while three separate fleets sailed to sack Driftmark, Old Anchor and the Saltpans. Another two fleets were hurriedly being built, and calls for more sellswords to find their way to Braavos were being sounded. Long clients of Braavos, the Free City of Lorath would contribute some five thousand slingers and spearmen. A thousand of those would remain in Braavos, while the rest would be sent west to House Grafton, whose seat at Gulltown was already fending off Royce incursions.
In response, House Stormcrown raised part of the strength of the Riverlands, some fifteen thousand men. Of those, Benjicot Tully of Riverrun (a second cousin by way of their father's cousin Sansa Tully) would command two thousand men at Saltpans, and was given leave to requisition more men to respond to incursions along the coastline. Robert, who had risen to become Master of Ships after the Crisis of the Reach, was charged with the royal fleets at Dragonstone, Duskendale, Godsgrief and Massey's Hook with which to repel the Braavosi, as well as two thousand marines by which to effect disruptions in Essos. The remainder of the levy would march under their King Brynden, to pacify the southern coastlands of the Vale of Arryn and link up with Loren's campaigning to the north. The reputation of the Stormcrown brothers lent an air of inevitable victory to proceedings, and morale was thus high from the outset. All three brothers had served at their father's court with distinction as not only generals but statesmen as well.
Now King of Westeros, Brynden Stormcrown had been the third Master of Words to serve his father since their grand-uncle Renly Baratheon's retirement, a role in which he had excelled abroad. Known to favor archery since childhood and accompanied by a lifeguard company of weirwood archers, the bulk of his host was comprised of such men, complemented by crossbowmen natively developed in the pattern of Myr and a solid exterior of pikemen.
Namesake to their grandfather, Robert Stormcrown had been fostered with cousins at House Redwyne and had consequently developed a taste for the high seas. He was one of a few Westerosi to sail beyond Ghis and Qarth during his father's reign, having escorted his father in a long voyage of three years to Asshai-by-the-Shadow and back. Raised to rule over the Stormcrown patrimony over Godsgrief only a year before his mother's death, rule of those lands remained largely administered from Harrenhal and it was largely seen as a token appointment to mark his genuine responsibilities as Master of Ships. His interest in the Braavosi shipyards had been well reputed, and he had long been rumored to desire to build a match at Godsgrief.
The third of the Stormcrown sons was Loren "The Lance", who had proven his spurs in the Crisis of the Reach and was perhaps best loved by the smallfolk among his siblings. A peerless knight on the tourney lists who had amassed a six year string of victories before taking up his uncle's inheritance in the Eyrie. Chivalric to a fault but quick to temper, he favored greatly maximizing the usages of cavalry and was in the midst of a lightning campaign in the northern Vale against opposing forces. By virtue of his own reputation, he had arrived to the Eyrie months prior with several thousand horsemen, who were even now campaigning with him thanks to the logistical support of nearby houses.
The conflict would last for three years, with skirmishes giving way to set-piece battles on both land and the high seas. Brynden Stormcrown would crush the Graftons, Ruthermonts and Waxleys in the open field in the first eighteen months, the siege of Gulltown lasting some six months in the last year. Robert Stormcrown would repel three minor landings on Crackclaw Point, and won two battles at sea at Dragonstone and Driftmark before sailing north for the Three Sisters. Loren of course would reap most of the northern and northeastern Vale, remaining in the field for two years proper as he proceeded through every nook and cranny of his lands.
By the second year, discontent with the Nystero regime in Braavos was mounting, and even the mob that had been Tyro's most frequent supporters found him wanting. Three attempts by the old families of Braavos for him to step down in exchange for immunity were rejected outright, and it was only following a riot near the docks at the arrival of Sistermen survivors seeking refuge Tyrio was found dead in his quarters. The situation quickly unraveled from there as his remaining partisans and the Valesmen refugees clashed with the traditionalist Braavosi, leaving Myrcella Lannister, her good-daughter Alayne and their grandchildren to flee south to the security of Myr with as much of the Lannister-Nystero fortunes as they could scavenge.
Driven into anarchy, the Braavosi were unable to prevent a forced landing by all three Stormcrown brothers on the city, and following a gathering of their remaining notables accepted their terms at swordpoint.
The Free Cities of Braavos and Lorath would formally expel the remaining Lannister dynasts from all their territories, accept all blame regarding the conflict, accept limitations regarding future naval expenditures, pay yearly indemnities for the conflict for a period of ten years, account for unpaid taxes by rebel Valesmen who had enterprises and wealth remaining in the city and surrender whatever remained of the Lannister-Nystero fortune in the Iron Bank. And uniquely from Lorath, Braavos would dismantle its famed Arsenal and see the famed Titan of Braavos pulled down and destroyed.
Traditionally, the matter of taxes were levied directly upon entire regions of Westeros, with variations occurring where certain houses were favored or disfavored. In this current case however, the Stormcrown brothers worked more indirectly. With the influence of the Vale lords increasing over the economics of Braavos, many families inclined to favor Alayne had invested extensively into trading fleets and worked to suborn previously independent merchant families into their client networks. The concern that their Braavosi clients would appeal to Tyro had drawn many of them to the Sealord's orbit, and in turn left them vulnerable to punitive measures. Measures such as taxes exclusively focused on this influx of revenue, that disproportionately effected Vale nobility invested in Braavos than anywhere else.
The effects were immediate, as many of the outraged Valesmen first delayed, then refused to pay the new taxes. Invitations to the Eyrie to present their appeals were soundly rejected, and skirmishes at tournaments grew frequent as the months passed. A six month deadline issued by Loren Arryn was roundly ignored, and provided the provocation he declared those in defiance to be now in outright rebellion. An army of eight thousand was gathered to the Eyrie and marched against House Corbray, the nearest of the defiant houses. Their lands were quickly occupied and their castles put under siege, with most of their levy either trapped behind walls or prevented from coalescing in sizeable numbers.
In response, the rest of the Lords Appellant raised their banners in Alayne's name, and called upon her to lead them to her rightful inheritance. Three thousand sellswords embarked from Braavos to join House Lynderly's forces, while three separate fleets sailed to sack Driftmark, Old Anchor and the Saltpans. Another two fleets were hurriedly being built, and calls for more sellswords to find their way to Braavos were being sounded. Long clients of Braavos, the Free City of Lorath would contribute some five thousand slingers and spearmen. A thousand of those would remain in Braavos, while the rest would be sent west to House Grafton, whose seat at Gulltown was already fending off Royce incursions.
In response, House Stormcrown raised part of the strength of the Riverlands, some fifteen thousand men. Of those, Benjicot Tully of Riverrun (a second cousin by way of their father's cousin Sansa Tully) would command two thousand men at Saltpans, and was given leave to requisition more men to respond to incursions along the coastline. Robert, who had risen to become Master of Ships after the Crisis of the Reach, was charged with the royal fleets at Dragonstone, Duskendale, Godsgrief and Massey's Hook with which to repel the Braavosi, as well as two thousand marines by which to effect disruptions in Essos. The remainder of the levy would march under their King Brynden, to pacify the southern coastlands of the Vale of Arryn and link up with Loren's campaigning to the north. The reputation of the Stormcrown brothers lent an air of inevitable victory to proceedings, and morale was thus high from the outset. All three brothers had served at their father's court with distinction as not only generals but statesmen as well.
Now King of Westeros, Brynden Stormcrown had been the third Master of Words to serve his father since their grand-uncle Renly Baratheon's retirement, a role in which he had excelled abroad. Known to favor archery since childhood and accompanied by a lifeguard company of weirwood archers, the bulk of his host was comprised of such men, complemented by crossbowmen natively developed in the pattern of Myr and a solid exterior of pikemen.
Namesake to their grandfather, Robert Stormcrown had been fostered with cousins at House Redwyne and had consequently developed a taste for the high seas. He was one of a few Westerosi to sail beyond Ghis and Qarth during his father's reign, having escorted his father in a long voyage of three years to Asshai-by-the-Shadow and back. Raised to rule over the Stormcrown patrimony over Godsgrief only a year before his mother's death, rule of those lands remained largely administered from Harrenhal and it was largely seen as a token appointment to mark his genuine responsibilities as Master of Ships. His interest in the Braavosi shipyards had been well reputed, and he had long been rumored to desire to build a match at Godsgrief.
The third of the Stormcrown sons was Loren "The Lance", who had proven his spurs in the Crisis of the Reach and was perhaps best loved by the smallfolk among his siblings. A peerless knight on the tourney lists who had amassed a six year string of victories before taking up his uncle's inheritance in the Eyrie. Chivalric to a fault but quick to temper, he favored greatly maximizing the usages of cavalry and was in the midst of a lightning campaign in the northern Vale against opposing forces. By virtue of his own reputation, he had arrived to the Eyrie months prior with several thousand horsemen, who were even now campaigning with him thanks to the logistical support of nearby houses.
The conflict would last for three years, with skirmishes giving way to set-piece battles on both land and the high seas. Brynden Stormcrown would crush the Graftons, Ruthermonts and Waxleys in the open field in the first eighteen months, the siege of Gulltown lasting some six months in the last year. Robert Stormcrown would repel three minor landings on Crackclaw Point, and won two battles at sea at Dragonstone and Driftmark before sailing north for the Three Sisters. Loren of course would reap most of the northern and northeastern Vale, remaining in the field for two years proper as he proceeded through every nook and cranny of his lands.
By the second year, discontent with the Nystero regime in Braavos was mounting, and even the mob that had been Tyro's most frequent supporters found him wanting. Three attempts by the old families of Braavos for him to step down in exchange for immunity were rejected outright, and it was only following a riot near the docks at the arrival of Sistermen survivors seeking refuge Tyrio was found dead in his quarters. The situation quickly unraveled from there as his remaining partisans and the Valesmen refugees clashed with the traditionalist Braavosi, leaving Myrcella Lannister, her good-daughter Alayne and their grandchildren to flee south to the security of Myr with as much of the Lannister-Nystero fortunes as they could scavenge.
Driven into anarchy, the Braavosi were unable to prevent a forced landing by all three Stormcrown brothers on the city, and following a gathering of their remaining notables accepted their terms at swordpoint.
The Free Cities of Braavos and Lorath would formally expel the remaining Lannister dynasts from all their territories, accept all blame regarding the conflict, accept limitations regarding future naval expenditures, pay yearly indemnities for the conflict for a period of ten years, account for unpaid taxes by rebel Valesmen who had enterprises and wealth remaining in the city and surrender whatever remained of the Lannister-Nystero fortune in the Iron Bank. And uniquely from Lorath, Braavos would dismantle its famed Arsenal and see the famed Titan of Braavos pulled down and destroyed.
While the Stormcrown brothers had directed their attention to the invasion and rebellions in the Vale of Arryn, civil war broke out amidst the red dunes of Dorne. During the long reign of Jon Stormcrown, the likes of House Dayne of Starfall had risen to great favor and prominence at his court. That that favor was matched by apathy towards the biddable and meek House Martell of Sunspear proved drastically influential within Dornish politics, and during the long decades had eroded their standing in the favor of not only the Daynes but families like the Fowlers and Yronwoods. The balance of power proved an embittering flavor to all parties involved, and rivalries carried on between fathers extended into open enmity between their sons and grandsons.
And yet it was in Essos not Dorne that the initial strokes of the conflict began, for the actions of Braavos in regards to the Vale of Arryn had attracted the attention of the Free City of Pentos, whose magisters had long since desired to throw off Braavosi shackles. Others in Pentos desired to claim the whole of Old Andalos, and friendships with families in the Vale in league with House Stormcrown communicated quiet approval and support for such initiatives. This in turn attracted the attention of the Martells of the Rhoyne, who though distanced from their Dornish family had long since desired to recover the whole of Old Rhoyne, of which part had long been controlled by the slave-friendly Pentoshi. They desired not that Pentos grow more powerful and independent of Braavos, and thus made their own plans for war.
Thus, Pentoshi involvement against Braavos was stifled when a small Rhoynish army set siege to a client city in their disputed borderlands. This army was followed by several others, all commanded by ex-Dornishmen of Greenblood or Saltish extract. It was an affair that greatly displeased the royal court of Harrenhal, for a dagger thrust by Pentos into the back of Braavos had been reckoned to cut short the war.
In Dorne proper, it was levied against the Martells as proof of disloyalty. And for a region so nearing the brink of conflict for many years, it proved enough to tip all over. Lord Daemon of Sunspear, who was the Lady Arianne's grandson demanded the Daynes present themselves at Sunspear and make an apology. It was refused. A missive was sent to Harrenhal by Lord Daemon, requesting the intervention of House Stormcrown. It was ignored by the Queen Regent Minisa Arryn, whose displeasure regarding the entirety of the conflict in the Vale saw her respond with accusations to Lord Daemon, and demanding that he present himself to Harrenhal to explain the actions of his relatives.
Daemon reluctantly agreed, and made plans to travel first to House Jordayne, before setting across the Dornish Sea to the Stormlands. Turbulent storms prevented that plan, and as a result Daemon was forced to instead travel overland through House Fowler's lands (who were marked to be more loyal to the Martells than the Wyls and Yronwoods). The march passed him through friendly lands belonging to House Vaith, then less uncertain ones of House Uller. The march through Uller lands proved a fatal ones, as hostile temperatures and weather swallowed his convoy whole, never to be seen again.
Almost immediately, a wave of accusations began. House Uller were recognized partisans of House Dayne (though sharing Martell ties though Ellaria Sand, paramour of Prince Oberyn), and were consequently accused of seditious assassination by both the Gargalens and Santagars. To that the Daynes stood against, as did the Blackmonts and Qorgyles. The Martells, backed by the Allyrions, Gargalens and Santagars agreed with this accusation, and again demanded that both the Daynes and Ullers send hostages until the truth could be determined. Refusal was recieved once again, and a bid by the Baratheons of Storm's End to mediate (as cousins to both Daynes and Martells) merited them a stinging insult by not only the Martells but also the Yronwoods. To that end, House Dayne accused House Yronwood of murdered Lord Daemon, an accusation that required Ser Artos Dayne (brother to Lord Beron Dayne, current Sword of the Morning and wedded by marriage to a Yronwood noblewoman) to cut down his wife's nephew in an issued challenge.
King Brynden's son and heir Jon Stormcrown (named for both his grandfathers) was dispatched south by his father to investigate found no wrongdoing by either Daynes or Ullers. A failed assassination attempt on his person only exacerbated matters, and he proved unable to resolved decades worth of accusations and tensions. He promptly withdrew from Dorne following a heated spat with the Martells of Sunspear, cleaning his hands of the whole affair. His retreat proved the final blow on the floodgates of violence, and within days of his setting foot again in the Stormlands all of Dorne was thrust into civil war.
Grudges years or decades unresolved between various families came to bloody conclusions, as all the while House Dayne made to march on both Martell and Yronwood loyalists. The conflict would last roughly fifteen months before House Stormcrown was able to remove their attention from the Vale of Arryn and return southwards, by which point half the Dornish houses had either been beaten into the ground by a coalition of House Baratheon and House Dayne or had switched sides to avoid that fate. The Martells had by then fled first to the Stepstones where their cousins ruled, and then again to the Rhoyne where Trystane Martell's heirs had forced a victorious peace on Pentos, leaving Beron Dayne as master of Sunspear and the Stepstones both.
By royal writ, the following declarations were enacted:
And yet it was in Essos not Dorne that the initial strokes of the conflict began, for the actions of Braavos in regards to the Vale of Arryn had attracted the attention of the Free City of Pentos, whose magisters had long since desired to throw off Braavosi shackles. Others in Pentos desired to claim the whole of Old Andalos, and friendships with families in the Vale in league with House Stormcrown communicated quiet approval and support for such initiatives. This in turn attracted the attention of the Martells of the Rhoyne, who though distanced from their Dornish family had long since desired to recover the whole of Old Rhoyne, of which part had long been controlled by the slave-friendly Pentoshi. They desired not that Pentos grow more powerful and independent of Braavos, and thus made their own plans for war.
Thus, Pentoshi involvement against Braavos was stifled when a small Rhoynish army set siege to a client city in their disputed borderlands. This army was followed by several others, all commanded by ex-Dornishmen of Greenblood or Saltish extract. It was an affair that greatly displeased the royal court of Harrenhal, for a dagger thrust by Pentos into the back of Braavos had been reckoned to cut short the war.
In Dorne proper, it was levied against the Martells as proof of disloyalty. And for a region so nearing the brink of conflict for many years, it proved enough to tip all over. Lord Daemon of Sunspear, who was the Lady Arianne's grandson demanded the Daynes present themselves at Sunspear and make an apology. It was refused. A missive was sent to Harrenhal by Lord Daemon, requesting the intervention of House Stormcrown. It was ignored by the Queen Regent Minisa Arryn, whose displeasure regarding the entirety of the conflict in the Vale saw her respond with accusations to Lord Daemon, and demanding that he present himself to Harrenhal to explain the actions of his relatives.
Daemon reluctantly agreed, and made plans to travel first to House Jordayne, before setting across the Dornish Sea to the Stormlands. Turbulent storms prevented that plan, and as a result Daemon was forced to instead travel overland through House Fowler's lands (who were marked to be more loyal to the Martells than the Wyls and Yronwoods). The march passed him through friendly lands belonging to House Vaith, then less uncertain ones of House Uller. The march through Uller lands proved a fatal ones, as hostile temperatures and weather swallowed his convoy whole, never to be seen again.
Almost immediately, a wave of accusations began. House Uller were recognized partisans of House Dayne (though sharing Martell ties though Ellaria Sand, paramour of Prince Oberyn), and were consequently accused of seditious assassination by both the Gargalens and Santagars. To that the Daynes stood against, as did the Blackmonts and Qorgyles. The Martells, backed by the Allyrions, Gargalens and Santagars agreed with this accusation, and again demanded that both the Daynes and Ullers send hostages until the truth could be determined. Refusal was recieved once again, and a bid by the Baratheons of Storm's End to mediate (as cousins to both Daynes and Martells) merited them a stinging insult by not only the Martells but also the Yronwoods. To that end, House Dayne accused House Yronwood of murdered Lord Daemon, an accusation that required Ser Artos Dayne (brother to Lord Beron Dayne, current Sword of the Morning and wedded by marriage to a Yronwood noblewoman) to cut down his wife's nephew in an issued challenge.
King Brynden's son and heir Jon Stormcrown (named for both his grandfathers) was dispatched south by his father to investigate found no wrongdoing by either Daynes or Ullers. A failed assassination attempt on his person only exacerbated matters, and he proved unable to resolved decades worth of accusations and tensions. He promptly withdrew from Dorne following a heated spat with the Martells of Sunspear, cleaning his hands of the whole affair. His retreat proved the final blow on the floodgates of violence, and within days of his setting foot again in the Stormlands all of Dorne was thrust into civil war.
Grudges years or decades unresolved between various families came to bloody conclusions, as all the while House Dayne made to march on both Martell and Yronwood loyalists. The conflict would last roughly fifteen months before House Stormcrown was able to remove their attention from the Vale of Arryn and return southwards, by which point half the Dornish houses had either been beaten into the ground by a coalition of House Baratheon and House Dayne or had switched sides to avoid that fate. The Martells had by then fled first to the Stepstones where their cousins ruled, and then again to the Rhoyne where Trystane Martell's heirs had forced a victorious peace on Pentos, leaving Beron Dayne as master of Sunspear and the Stepstones both.
By royal writ, the following declarations were enacted:
- House Dayne would return both Sunspear and the Stepstones to House Martell, trading brides to cement peace.
- House Wyl and Yronwood, who had insulted both Baratheon and Stormcrown were punished severely with loss of lands to their neighbors.
- House Martell would issue apologies to House Uller, who received lands from House Vaith and other Martell loyalists.
- Rule over the whole of Dorne was to be stripped from House Martell of Sunspear, and passed over House Dayne as well.
- Instead, House Fowler of Skyreach (who had remained largely neutral) were named the new Lord Paramounts.
GM Note: And that's a wrap. Now on to Treasures of Valyria?
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overmind
Ruler of the Swarm
Personally, I´d prefer if you continued your CK2 quest where we were just about to come to a solution about who got those territories in the Riverlands.
Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
Heh, that quest had been quietly dead for a long time. Paths Unwalked and Treasures of Valyria have some commitments behind them to uphold.
Cteatus
A Guy Who Fell Down a Hole
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- Location
- United States
I suppose this was inevitable - from the day they tried to fuck us over in the war with the Lannisters and then look in Tommen and Marcella, Braavos earned their place on our shitlist. In a war between them and Westeros ... Westeros is a goddamn continent, and one they get basically all of their raw goods and food out of. I don't care how renowned the Iron bank and the Faceless men are, this was only going to end on way. The peace deal is making me think of the Treaty of Versailles, humiliating but not crippling, but essentially destroying their navy will maim the city-states ability to project power for a long time.
Still wish they had taken the opportunity to crusade in Andolos.
Still wish they had taken the opportunity to crusade in Andolos.
Melkor
Belegûr
This brings me great joy.
The Wyls were/are scum of the worst sort, and this doom was a long time in coming.
Van Ropen
Angry, angry about elves.
We may have depopulated a fair portion of a continent at some point or another guys, but it was all worth it. The quest was a success.
Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
Went an oblivion far, far away, Han. And no, they won't see him again.
- Location
- Mists of Albion
We still need to know how long the Stormcrown Dynasty lasted. Because from what I'm seeing they basically shit kicked all competitiors and rebels whenever they got uppity. Central Authority and the ability to back it up seems to characterise the Stormcrowns. So it's be nice to see how long that works in comparison to the light, weak touch of the Targaryens.
Your blind dedication to a silent cardboard figure is astounding, Charcolt.
Droman
𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤍
I can't say I'd want to answer that, honestly. No dynasty lasts forever.
Yeah, she's certainly an intimidating aspect of the Quest.Your blind dedication to a silent cardboard figure is astounding, Charcolt.
...
Mya I mean, not Charcolt.