OOC Start
A Song of Ice and Fire
Grand Strategy Roleplaying Game
The Trueborn Son II
Grand Strategy Roleplaying Game
The Trueborn Son II
Foreword:
Greetings. Welcome to The Trueborn Son II, set at the precipice of rebellion by Daemon Blackfyre. One-hundred and ninety-six years after Aegon the Conqueror's landing, his descendants once again begin to feud for the Iron Throne, a path paved for the claimants before either were men in their own right. With old feuds at play and the canon of the stage to frame the action, how it all plays out is up to you, the players.
For those of you unaware, this is a reboot, as the II should be an inclination towards. I could write an entire book on how the previous game went down, each player's actions and how I responded to them. To put it simply, I learned a lot. I have a love of writing and for some reason A Song of Ice and Fire captivates my attention, and so here are. I hope that we can run a successful game to continuation, I will say that while the game ideally ends in satisfaction with the war's end, my goal is to play out the Blackfyre cause to its conclusion. This includes a potential 233-style grand council, though I will not get too ambitious for my own good. For now, the focus is on the immediate war.
Setting:
The game begins with an immediate catalyst: within the red walls of the dragon's keep an intrigue has become revealed to those with sharp ears and an eye to the high court. In a knightly ceremony meant to cloak a few of the vacant positions of the Kingsguard, Ser Jasper Wylde engaged Master-at-Arms Quentyn Ball on the final tilt, with the former proving the victor. Some say in his rage that Quentyn Ball slew two men in the melee in petty revenge at the anguish of the defeat. When it was discovered he used live steel, he plead innocence. The trial was forestalled by another activity far more insidious. Aegor Rivers and Brynden Rivers never got along well, and the event of the tournament had brought the two bitter rivals on watch again. Shiera Seastar's screams, though they were more the howling cry of a banshee than that of a maiden, was heard throughout the courtyard. When Targaryen guardsmen were on the scene they saw the blooded Brynden standing alone as Aegor had already escaped, with the killed Master of Laws, Lord Gulian Santagar slaughtered, perhaps in pursuit to break up the two dueling men.
Daeron was only alerted of the festivities during the whirlwind of the sworn ceremonies, which was meant to be the first day of three cloaks to be bequeathed. Fearing reprisal, the master of coin Mumford Sunglass resigned in haste, dying at sea before he could return home to Sweetport. With the son of Alyn Oakenfist, Maeron Velaryon, having died in office just a month previous as master of ships, Daeron's government faces a crisis unlike any it has seen before, and even more devious was that it all had been so sudden. Hand of the King Lord Ambrose Butterwell urges caution in proceeding, assuring the King that the council remains steadfast behind him, and truly what remains of it he could be sure as to that, for he and Maester Malleon were all that still lived. A reshuffle was desperately needed, and the mystery of what would come to be known as The Tourney of Bittersteel uncovered, with many of the smallfolk conflating Quentyn Ball's acts with Aegor's, the moniker sticking to the roguish bastard.
Unknown to Daeron and his court was a plot that could threaten to unravel the very fabric of the seven kingdoms, and the tournament was just the final straw in a long line of grievances hosted by some of the finest knights of the realm. Robb Reyne, Gareth the Grey, Aubrey Ambrose, Black Byren Flowers, Redtusk, Fireball, and Bittersteel himself all flocked to Daemon's side, leaving the court with some of its most striking characters and finest heroes. The court felt laggard, and in that opportune moment the spirited voices of a decades long grudge had built to a standstill, telling Daemon what he had always known: there may only be one King.
The Laws and Customs of Westeros
Authority and Rights
Authority runs from the king, who is believed to be empowered by the gods, whether old or new.
Men have more political maneuverability whereas the control and direction of women is personal and at times legally restricted.
The children of nobility inherit the same rights as their parents, unless they are born out of wedlock.
First-born sons are the legitimate heirs, followed by their brothers and then after by sisters, uncles, and aunts in that order.
Marriage contracts cannot bind a man to take the name of his wife.
Bastards may be acknowledged by their parents, and they may even be given rights of inheritance in unusual situations, but normally they lose out to legitimate siblings in all cases.
Men have more political maneuverability whereas the control and direction of women is personal and at times legally restricted.
The children of nobility inherit the same rights as their parents, unless they are born out of wedlock.
First-born sons are the legitimate heirs, followed by their brothers and then after by sisters, uncles, and aunts in that order.
Marriage contracts cannot bind a man to take the name of his wife.
Bastards may be acknowledged by their parents, and they may even be given rights of inheritance in unusual situations, but normally they lose out to legitimate siblings in all cases.
Justice
The lord of a region is the chief authority and can administer the king's justice. It is a lord's duty to keep the peace, hear petitions, and mete out justice and punishments, all in the name of his lord and, ultimately, in the name of the king.
Lords have the right of "pit and gallows," which means they have the king's authority to imprison subjects or have them executed if the crime warrants it.
In the tradition of the First Men, the man who passes the sentence should look into the subject's eyes and hear his final words, and he should be the one to swing the sword. The people of the North still cling to this belief, but in the south, lords often keep a headsman.
Landed knights may also carry out justice, but they do not have the right of "pit and gallows." They cannot execute or unlawfully imprison someone on their own initiative without approval from their Lord. To do so without formal accusation is considered kidnapping.
The king can pardon any criminal.
A lord accused of a crime may request trial by combat or trial by law as carried out in the Lord's court.
Lords have the right of "pit and gallows," which means they have the king's authority to imprison subjects or have them executed if the crime warrants it.
In the tradition of the First Men, the man who passes the sentence should look into the subject's eyes and hear his final words, and he should be the one to swing the sword. The people of the North still cling to this belief, but in the south, lords often keep a headsman.
Landed knights may also carry out justice, but they do not have the right of "pit and gallows." They cannot execute or unlawfully imprison someone on their own initiative without approval from their Lord. To do so without formal accusation is considered kidnapping.
The king can pardon any criminal.
A lord accused of a crime may request trial by combat or trial by law as carried out in the Lord's court.
Guest Right
Any visitor who eats at his or her host's board is protected from harm for the duration of the stay.
By custom, a guest may request bread and salt, and any visitor who does not trust his or her host may request such immediately upon arrival.
It is said that those who betray this pact are cursed by the gods.
By custom, a guest may request bread and salt, and any visitor who does not trust his or her host may request such immediately upon arrival.
It is said that those who betray this pact are cursed by the gods.
Marriage and Family
The age of majority is 16.
Marriage vows are normally not said until adulthood, though nobles often betroth children much earlier.
Those who follow the Seven are wed by a septon, while those who follow the old gods may say their vows before a weirwood.
No one can be forced to marry if they refuse to say the vows, though to break one's sworn vows can be rightfully met with recompense and other punishments.
Marriage contracts can be broken by the High Septon, especially if the marriage has not been consummated.
Family allegiances are often made by fostering sons of another lord from the age of 8 until they reach the age of majority.
Fostered children are political hostages, and their release in the act of war is practically unheard of. Younger girls are not sent out for these reasons, as a marriage by sword can be considered legally binding.
Dowries are paid by the bride's family to pay for her maintenance and level of standard that she is accustomed, to not do so is a sign of a lack of wealth and therefore prestige, as well as the personal problems that occur with the groom's family.
A bride price is paid for by the groom's family, and are unusual in Westeros, and speak to the excellent character of a woman's stature. They are more typical of Essos and their customs.
Marriage vows are normally not said until adulthood, though nobles often betroth children much earlier.
Those who follow the Seven are wed by a septon, while those who follow the old gods may say their vows before a weirwood.
No one can be forced to marry if they refuse to say the vows, though to break one's sworn vows can be rightfully met with recompense and other punishments.
Marriage contracts can be broken by the High Septon, especially if the marriage has not been consummated.
Family allegiances are often made by fostering sons of another lord from the age of 8 until they reach the age of majority.
Fostered children are political hostages, and their release in the act of war is practically unheard of. Younger girls are not sent out for these reasons, as a marriage by sword can be considered legally binding.
Dowries are paid by the bride's family to pay for her maintenance and level of standard that she is accustomed, to not do so is a sign of a lack of wealth and therefore prestige, as well as the personal problems that occur with the groom's family.
A bride price is paid for by the groom's family, and are unusual in Westeros, and speak to the excellent character of a woman's stature. They are more typical of Essos and their customs.
The Small Council of the Iron Throne
The Hand of the King
The Master of Laws
The Master of Coin
The Kingsguard
While the members of the Kingsguard may act at the king's command, they are not instruments of intrigue or assassination. Their charge is grave, their loyalty unquestioned. Any deviation from their oath—whether politically directed or personally motivated—would place the king himself in peril. In rare instances, the king may temporarily assign control of a Kingsguard knight to another, but only under clear and explicit orders, and in absence of the King, their discretion is the King's own.
Posting etiquette
This game will be focused on the forums. This includes the OOC forum, which will be an important nexus of information, feedback, and consequence. I have felt often through the years that these games, though they rely on the forums to function, have been conducted spuriously over discord. This is stressful to follow, and completely cancels out certain styles of play, and even worse, when in-game actions are conducted through discord in "quick time events".I understand the advancement of roleplay this provides some people. I have felt it myself, however, on the flipside, I am an oldschool GSRP player. I like things done a certain way, and I have felt my gameplay, my stories, and my character personally besmirched down the discord rabbit-hole. That is not okay, and personal attacks on others for actions of their character will not be tolerated in this game under any exception.
To further distance the IC/OOC relationship, while this game will have a discord, it will be purely for OOC discussion except under special circumstance. The world should feel alive, rather than a cast of 30 some odd characters. This is not a play, no matter how grand you believe your protagonist to be, this is a grand strategy. It is fine if you only intend to act around one character, but that does not mean everyone should be confined to the same arbitrary restraint. There are several mechanical effects to further this, but to aid in the game, I would ask and encourage that any reaction a character has to an event, that is not suitable in letter form or in-character post, can be posted to the OOC forum using a format suitable. For example:
Context is important, obviously, but the OOC forum should be one of consequence, and I would also ask that any IC of import that changes the state of the game rather than simply relay a character's feelings or a direct letter of address that is merely responsive to something else declarative, be summarized by the active player in the OOC forum. The OOC forum can also be used to conduct deals, change control of certain characters, declare support or opposition to acts undertaken by characters, and more. The OOC forum will also be used as a summary for turn reports by myself, this is all to make the game more inclusive and instructive rather than a black box that is a font of activity but incomprehensible to the outside observer.
Mechanics and Rules
Ultimately, the game is ruled by GM fiat. My goal is to allow players to create their own stories and see the game unfold naturally. Players can impact the world through their acts, both IC and in privately messaged orders, which will be illustrated in updates. If anyone wants to help write said orders, I am welcome for any help or aid provided.Each player will issue one order at a time, which I will process and fulfill to the best of my ability into turn reports. Schemes work better with co-conspirators, and a call to arms makes more sense when your vassals are keen. In-character posts can benefit an order's success before an update is posted, as it makes sense of what is being done.
Please keep orders in DM brief. 300 words maximum. I will tell you if something is impossible or unlikely to succeed, and we can discuss the aims of an order in further detail.
Mustering
Old ties are fraying, and men-at-arms once loyal may turncoat as the winds of change affect the battlefield. Gathering armies with undeclared loyalty can be met with charges of treason or abandonment of forces.Houses should rely safely only on their own household guard and personal fiefdoms to raise reliably at their call. The great houses feud among their vassals, as each seeks to bolster themselves against the tide of arms that raise at a Trueborn's call.
Armies are formed by the general agreement of several players to coalesce their forces into one. Armies are generally understood to have at most a right flank, left flank, center, vanguard, and baggage train, or more conventionally a commander of the horse, the foot, and the supply. This allows for a maximum of five potential commanders. 'Armies' formed by a player with NPC factions can reach the same size or larger than those by PCs, but will not usually amount to the same level of cohesion unless stated. These armies will be represented on the map.
It is expected that any army joined must be announced in the OOC forum.
House Mechanics
You have full control of your house at game start, however, you can lose control over members of your house. This can happen a number of ways, essentially if you have siblings and you act against their interest, or someone provides them a better deal than you are, you risk losing them. This is a time of great upheaval, I want everyone to create a family tree and must generate at least 0-5 children and 0-2 siblings.People can take members of your house from you, and spouses will not act against their spousal house unless given circumstances that apply for the situation. You will select a 'head of household' that you will always control no matter what, and whom the de jure power retains. I wanted to open the possibility of people playing characters that they normally would not have access to. This is a GSRP. You are free to give control to another player as long as both consent, such as for RP purposes.
You have full control of your house at game start, but you can lose control over members of your house if:
You act against their interests.
Someone provides them a better deal than you do.
Geographic disparity (IE Jorah Mormont)
Each player must create a family tree with these components, please roll for the variables:Someone provides them a better deal than you do.
Geographic disparity (IE Jorah Mormont)
0-5 children.
0-2 siblings.
Further children or siblings/nephews+nieces/aunts+uncles are not required but encouraged if desired.
Each player will have three characters they will be assumed to always control(from the beginning of the game, not necessarily after):0-2 siblings.
Further children or siblings/nephews+nieces/aunts+uncles are not required but encouraged if desired.
A designated head of household.
Any spouse of the head of household.
The heir to the house.
Any spouse of the head of household.
The heir to the house.
A player can gain control of members of other families through gameplay, or through allowance of another player.
Small council members and petty office holders may move their households to King's Landing.
Characters and Sign-ups
Please post a signup claim of at least three houses from different regions. Further detail and elaboration is encouraged but not strictly necessary. If accepted, house families must be made and posted in the OOC forum so I may add them to an excel catalogue of all characters. Marriages must be ultimately approved, and houses must be posted first to the OOC forum before the IC forum. All canon characters must be represented in a family tree.Regional Division and Control
Each paramountcy will be divided into distinct regions for mustering purposes, and further sub-divided for political affiliations and cultural connections:
- The North: The North
- Riverlands: Lower/Upper Riverlands
- Vale: Vale/Mountains of Arryn
- Crownlands: Crownlander/Kingswood/Clawmen
- Reach: Winelander/Mother's Girdle/Northmarch/Inner Garden
- Stormlands: The Marches/Shipbreaker Bay/Cape Wrath
- Westerlands: Coastal/Inland Westerlands
- Dorne: Stone Dornish/Sand Dornish
- Iron Islands: Holy Isles/Old Way
These divisions reflect the reality that paramountcies are not monolithic blocks. Great lords have prestige and de jure control, but weak or disgraced lords may find their authority challenged, especially during civil war. They as well showcase a shared mustering pool of the sub-divisions of Westeros.
State of Westeros
The North
At Cregan Stark's return from the Hour of the Wolf, the rule of the Old Man of the North began. Having sorted the South, winter quelled Northern spirits for a generation. Cregan returned to a North divided and depleted. After decades of rule, he passed, leaving his widow Lynara, the She-Wolf of Winterfell to guide the realm. His first born Rickon perished in the war against the Dornish, and the reign of his son Jonnel was troublesome, with the widows of his brothers Robyn Ryswell and Jeyne Manderly to influence Barthogan Stark, a man without wife or issue faces the hurdles of the harsh north.
Ill omens dog the Starks: the Wall falters, freefolk pester mountain clans, and word reaches Winterfell that the Skagosi have gathered in Kinghouse, with ship sightings in the Shivering Sea. The Karstarks demand action against this menace. They are closed off from the south, with only intermittent reports to grace the halls of the King's court.
Note: The North will not be playable. Periodic updates will be provided.
The Riverlands
Having entered a renaissance after the Dance, the Riverlands saw mercenary companies form and find work in Essos. Widow Fairs created ties with the North, and Old Gods worship returned to some streams. Yet House Tully is overshadowed by overmighty vassals: House Lothston became court favourites alongside houses Bracken and Blackwood. With all three having favor from Aegon the Unworthy, they grew wealthy, gathering men and prestige beyond poor Tully.
At the heart of brewing troubles lies the Red Fork, the only barrier between emerging war between Bracken and Blackwood. One harbors Aegor Bittersteel, the other Brynden Bloodraven. The two men feud as much as their ancestral houses, defying one another in sport, romance, and choice of pretender.
The Freylands: Located on the border of the North, the Lords of the Crossing have carved out an eking of trade in the disparate area, empowering the smaller houses who now cling to the Freys for influence. While not as populated as the mouth of the Mander, the northern region is better maintained than the other lands of the foothills.
Houses: Frey of the Crossing>
<Charlton of Mistlewood, Haigh of Fairstead, Groves of Rushmoor, Erenford of Erenford
Eagle's Cape: The Mallisters have long held a distinction of knightly tradition, unique from the cavalry of the horselords of Bracken or the archery finesse of the Blackwoods, the Mallisters are of an unique naval tradition or more often coastal bulwark. With the downfall of the Iron Isles, the RIverlands once again boasts a fleet, manned by proud men of the rivers, Seagard retains a port that can contest with houses such as Farman or Kenning.
Houses: Mallister of Seagard>
<Keath of Gravesham, Nayland of Sevenstreams, [Oldstones Vacant]
Blue Blood: The towns Wendish and Fairmarket have flourished with the coming of the Northmen, the maid's fairs redoubled their numbers, and for once in a century the two have been capable of implementing independent rule. Charters are sought from the royal domain, to stand on their own and to not be beholden to local knights who extort the towns of coin. The worship of Old Gods is new in these lands, clashing with the Septons who preach against weirwood cults and the customs of northrons who had raised their sons in their traditions.
Houses: Paege of Fairmarket>
<Pemford of Ramsford
Vypren of Stillfen>
<Wendish Town
Blackwoods: Grown great from the influence of Aegon the Unworthy's favor, Raventree finds itself not alone against the tide of those who would quell it, though the dwellings along the Blue Fork are safeguarded by their watch, they look ever perilously south to the rabble that would unseat their place of prominence. Lord Tully must be aware that it is Blackwood alone that keeps his watch over the Riverlands secure, for without they are sure to be unseated.
Houses: Blackwood of Raventree Hall>
<Bigglestone of Maidstone, Shawney of Halterfalls, Pennytree, Grell of Mudgrave, Nutten
Mountain's Verge: The lands here are bleak, with few settlements along the Kingsroad from Harroway's to the Crossing. The reasons for this are myriad, and it was Jaehaerys' hope that the lands here would once bloom with activity, though the high Mountains of Arryn proved to be percipitious on the geography of the lands below, the foothills here are barren with little tilling to be done, and coves and caves for Clansmen or bandits line the expanse. Beyond the trident, there is little to be said of this disparate land.
Houses: Harroway of Harroway's Town>
Cox of Saltpans>
Egen of Artysfort(Vale)>
Cox of Saltpans>
Egen of Artysfort(Vale)>
Further Crownland: The Riverlands has long had trouble with identity and its institutions that are so familiar to those regions that held kingdoms and establishment of a central place of power has kept the erosion that has been seen in the Riverlands. Those sworn here align more closely to the King on the Iron Throne most of all of all the Westerosi from outside the Crownlands, for their economic interests are tied to the city and their neighbors to the south than those across the Gods' Eye. Their loyalty is beyond doubt.
Houses: Darry of Darry>
Cargyll of Cargyll Hall>
Mooton of Maidenpool>
Buckwell of Antlers>
Cargyll of Cargyll Hall>
Mooton of Maidenpool>
Buckwell of Antlers>
God's Eye: Of any places most holy to the Riverlands, it could be considered the God's Eye lake to have been the place of prominence and most reverence. Those who swore to the Old Gods and New alike could all respect the legacy of House Fisher, and the Isle of Faces was once home to an ancient order of Rivermen, the Green Men, though there are those that attest the elkriders still stalk the island and watch over the Godly people in their time of need. Harrenhal is a black mark on this auspicious legacy, standing as a monument to man's greed, all who come across it feel sick and imperiled, causing trade of this region to flounder and said to be cursed for those who occupy the dark castle, the Pander just the last in a long line of disgraceful rulers, and Manfryd o' the Black Hood none better, ill deeds done and carried out in his name across the lands.
Houses: Lothston of Harrenhal>
<Wode of Shoreham, Deddings of Deddington, Crossed Elms, Lake Town, Briarwhite
Butterwell of Whitewalls>
<Perryn of Perryn
Hogg of Sow's Horn>
Tumblestones: The lands here are old, having seen many battles in their time, perilously close to the borderlands, the Tumblestone is a ravenous river that thankfully separates the Riverlands from complete ravenous desire of the other southrons, though trade is difficult down the Blackwater Rush due to the ferocity of the rivers here. King's Landing has expressed willingness to trade up this way when the water level is high and the danger is low. Elsewhere, the fate of the Old Gods followers is on the backfoot south of the Red Fork, as Septons and crusaders of House Vance seek out those who violate the lord's law outlawing the cults that pervade all wisdom and sense north of the river.
Houses: Vance of Wayfarer's Rest>
<Smallwood of Acorn's Hall, Blanetree of High Heart, Grey of Stony Sept, Rushing Falls
Goodbrook of Goodbrook>
Lolliston of Lolliston>
Lolliston of Lolliston>
Great Hedges: A land of fertility, the men here prefer not to spoil their pastures of farmland but instead raise great hosts of horses and other flocks of steers and sheep, some of the greatest in the realm. Bracken enjoyed great honor in Aegon IV's time, but when Bethany was found in bed with Ser Terrence Toyne of the Kingsguard the lands of House Toyne were shattered and Lord Bracken was executed. Ever since they have lost prestige and station, Daeron seeing them as some of the blackest root of Aegon's injustices and cruel compatriots, despite their toiling to recuperate the persecutions against them, few outside of the region that have suffered with them know the pains to be Bracken, all as Dornish vipers and Blackwood ravens are held in high esteem by that accursed bastard.
Houses: Bracken of Stone Hedge>
<Lychester of Lychester, Hawick of Hawick, Riverbend,
Vance of Atranta>
River's End: House Tully has never been on solid footing since their upraising by the Dragonlords, but they have counted on their longheld tradition of balance to keep their station in the region. Family, Duty, Honor. All three mean something to the Tully's, who hold their duty to their overlords key to their Paramountcy, their family the reliance in which all ties stem from, and their Honor, which earn the esteem of their vassals. Before the coming of the Targaryens, the Tully's kept the perilous peace along the Red Fork, and doubled as the watchmen of those coming out of the golden hills to the West. They have the earned loyalty of few, but there is not a house in the Riverlands that does not owe them but some begrudging respect.
Houses: Tully of Riverrun>>
Ryger of Willow Wood>
Ryger of Willow Wood>
<Terrick of Wycombe
Keath of Sherrer>
<Harlton of Castlewood
Piper of Pinkmaiden>
<Mummers Ford
The Vale of Arryn
The last will of Jeyne Arryn came into effect, by force of the crown. The influence of house Royce, which one seemed second none to the Vale and indeed no other house besides the Hightowers could claim such prestige to sit counsel with their liege lord and be second to none among the most esteemed of the Great Houses. Their support for Arnold, however, and the royal retributions paid for not only the rebellion but also the treason of the slaying of Corwyn Corbray. The Royce's were saved then by the clansmen, ironically, as the host of the Regency was brought down in their advance. The war could have continued for years in the aftermath, yet all parties agreed on stipulation of royal pardons. Isembard was given a lighter hand, brought to King's Landing, his tenure having brought prestige and linking the commercial activity of Gulltown and the Graftons to the crown from that point on.
Arryn's Vale: The Eyrie had not troubled themselves with the intrigues of the Lysene Spring or the downfall of Aegon IV's honour and reputation, for these lords contended themselves with a newfound campaign upon the clansmen. It was only after decades of harrying and expeditions that they had reduced them in finality, the spirit of Jeyne Arryn and her slain brothers, fathers, uncles all take in final vigil. For his efforts Donnel was rewarded a marriage of his sister Alys to the King's son Rhaegel, bringing the two houses close by marriage once more since the time of the Dragons. The people within the Vale look at the Eyrie in pride and dedication, Arryn plays the game of thrones without dishonor and is rewarded for it.
Houses: Arryn of the Eyrie>>
Waynwood of Ironoaks>
Melcolm of Old Anchor>
Waynwood of Ironoaks>
Melcolm of Old Anchor>
<Ruthermont of Starfish Spire
Hunter of Longbow Hall>
Mountain Kingdom: Though the Royce's faced humiliation, they were not humbled. Their soldiers were undefeated, their lands undisturbed. Royce stewed in his halls, though Runestone no longer had the great influence, even their vassals in the Fingers hardly heeded their faraway Lords much. The fortunes of Gulltown further sapped their economic interests, young men turning to the city to make profit in shipbuilding or mercantile efforts. The knightly strongholds of the southern mountains, Redfort, Ninestars, and Wickenden rely on supplies from the city, as Grafton competes with Arryn and Shett to remain supreme within the industrious walls of Gulltown.
Houses: Royce of Runestone>
<Breakstone of Breakstone, Wyndman of Scarle Keep, Hardyng of Blackmund
Grafton of Gulltown>
<Shett of Gulltower, Lipps of Gullbluff
Redfort of Redfort>
Waxley of Wickenden>
Templeton of Ninestars>
Upcliff of Witch Isle>
Waxley of Wickenden>
Templeton of Ninestars>
Upcliff of Witch Isle>
Strong Hearths: The lands of the northern mountains allow for smaller vales than the might of Arryn, those of Corbray, Belmore, among others. The strongholds here have maintained themselves through a network of mountain homes and villages, protected by regular patrols and constant work is needed to maintain valley bridges and cliffside stairwells. A thin network of trade links these disparate communities, loathe are their knights to leave them undefended.
Houses: Corbray of Heart's Home>
<Weatherwax of Blackholm
Belmore of Strongsong>
<Belgrave of Renwick, Moore of Burning Hearth, Crayne of Stone Keep
Hersy of New Keep>
The Fingers: On the fringe of Vale society, the lands here are have little to till, treeless, bare, stony, windswept peninsulas that stretch into the sea. The rainy region contains all sort of odd folk who prefer their quiet lives to the conflicts outside, insular and suspicious of those who do travel from far off lands. Their northernly neighbors are viewed in contempt, though much of that is due to the smuggling and piracy that the Sisters produces naturally, mistakenly assumed to be Northern savagery. Andal and First Men folk tales merge here, the last vestiges of the Southron men who claimed the whole continent before the invasion.
Houses: [House Royce]<Coldwater of Coldwater, Tollet of Grey Glen
Lynderly of Snakewood>
Lynderly of Snakewood>
<Donniger of Sunrise Keep
Elesham of Paps>
Pyror of Pebble>
Pyror of Pebble>
Three Sisters: Eschewed by the region in which they belong, the Sistermen consider themselves on their own accord to be independent of either Northerner or Valeman influence, and indeed Queen Marla Sunderland is still regarded fondly in the region for her brave stand. There was a thought once, that in a divided Kingdom—the Sisters could come free. Lord Sunderland is known to toast to Daemon's good health in his hall, eschewing the etiquette to such talk of trueborns. The people here eschew religious practices, considered dens of avarice and sin by septons. The more industrious of them taking up as tradesmen, selling crab, fish, goat cheese, the less scrupulous take to the age-old trade of piracy.
Houses: Sunderland of Sisterton>
<Longthorpe of Longsister, Borrell of Sweetsister, Torrent of Littlesister,
<Longthorpe of Longsister, Borrell of Sweetsister, Torrent of Littlesister,
The Westerlands
The Lion has been fattened. The Dance was disastrous for Lannister coffers, the battle of Lakeshore disastrous, but even worse, the sacking of the Greyjoys had been relentless, undeterred by the war, the Wardens of the West faced their gravest threat yet. But with aid from the crown and a fleet before her, Johanna Lannister seized the Iron Isles, slaying scores of Dagon's saltsons until she found one that could replace the whole lot and come back to her lands in peace, knowing she had quelled those isles for generations. Though it took decades of stewardship, her son Loreon took up the Lordship and from his five sisters he secured alliances across the Westerlands.
Those days have come and gone, Loreon's son Damon rules the Westerlands, though not without difficulty. His forebears secured the calamitous situation with credit and debt, all reliant on the security of their mines. Armed pikemen and baggage trains carry outside the west, and greedy men look at such cargo like prey. Damon has achieved much in his rule, his brother marrying Lord Royce Baratheon's prized daughter, the last fledgling remnant of the so-called 'greens', with his son Tybolt a shining example of a lion's prowess as the young man makes the lists alongside some of the greater knights of the age, though he was no match to Robb Reyne.
Fair Seas: Hit hardest by the ravaging of the Greyjoy, many of the hostages taken here were forced to work to the death in the fields they once plundered. The oldest of them still live, taken as children, yet raised by Westernmen custom. Few are still bonded by threat of death, and freely trade with their families still on the Isles, having made livings serving under their Westernmen masters. Castamere is the nexus of this trade, and Farman has been able to rebuild their fleet in some respects, with Westerling having benefited most of all—their hoards of silver financed the rebuilding of the Iron Isles, due in no small part to Johanna's meddling for her family. There are those that whisper that their minds are dry, however, baseless accusation from the point of jealousy.
Houses: Westerling of the Crag>
<Hamell of Hamell
Reyne of Castamere>
<Hammell of Bramhope, Payne of Keyworth
Farman of Fair Isle>
<Clifton of Algood
Banefort of Banefort>
Tarbeck of Tarbeck Hall>
Peckledon of Peckledon>
Tarbeck of Tarbeck Hall>
Peckledon of Peckledon>
Casterly Hoard: The city that faces opposite of King's Landing is built on as shaky foundations as the King's, some say. Damon Lannister has been forced to pay heed to the aspirants in his city, namely the Motherhouse of which the Mother Septa is a quiet adept political actor, she has gained concessions out of the Lord, and through his voice speaks for the city. To undercut the influence of the faith, and present his son as ever the more heir of his regime to settle as the richest and most powerful man in Westeros, he has hosted tournaments and fostered a knightly custom that has been ample room for Daemon's adherents to spread like legend in the West. The martial city festers for a powerful King, particularly as Lord Lannister enacts new taxes. The balance is at odds here, and with news of Daemon's flight from the capital, there are plenty who wonder if he flees west.
Houses: Lannister of Casterly Rock>>
<Lannister of Lannisport, Stackspear of Goldhill, Lorch of Goldwick, Clawfort
Crakehall of Crakehall>
<Hawthorne of Hawthorne, Falwell of Falewell
Kenning of Kayce>
<Kyndall of Keystone
Broom of Tendring>
<Heatherspoon of Heatherspoon
Prester of Feastfires>
Pendric's Pass: The northernly route through the River Road cuts through the Golden Tooth, though even before the coming of Jaehaerys this path was well-trodden, rich in gold, though the hilltops here reach nearly the size of mountains, though not as treacherous as their eastern counterparts. The region here is known for their archers, and though the Golden Tooth sits upon a central vein to supply the Westerlands with their precious minerals, there is talk underhanded in these halls. There are those that believe a new king would alleviate their current predicament, namely there are those that rightly or wrongly feel the realm is indebted to them, and those in the pendric hills labor while Baratheons and Targaryens drink from golden chalices forged in Pendric's name.
Houses: Lefford of Golden Tooth>
<Goode of Maunhill, Bettley of Thurrock
Sarsfield of Sarsfield>
<Yarwyck of Oxcross,
Marbrand of Ashemark>
Jast of Nunn's Deep>
Jast of Nunn's Deep>
<Vikary of Brent Brook
Moreland of Moreland Keep>
Myatt of Myatt>
Myatt of Myatt>
Golden Roads: The Gold Road was constructed to link the Sunset and Narrow Seas, and from it the houses here more than any other have turned to this trade of the currency in which Westeros spends. Ties to the city to the east extend even here, as the Lyddens of Deep Den consider themselves frugal folk, for though they are barred from exercising taxes on those who cross the royal road, they take particular delight in finding and rooting out brigands, even if they may otherwise appear as regular men of station. The safeguard of this road is held in highest import of any thoroughfares across Westeros, the knights of house Estren extending far out to the blackwater to see off caravans, supplies by the equestrian herds in the Hornvale.
Houses: Lydden of Deep Den>
<Ferren of Silverspring
Estren of Wyndhall>
<Clifton of Clifton, Garner of Yelshire
Brax of Hornvale
<Turnberry of Turnbridge, Doggett of Mudford
Garner of Silvershire>
Stilwood of Viewpoint>
Parren Eastridge Keep>
Drox of Fang Tower>
Stilwood of Viewpoint>
Parren Eastridge Keep>
Drox of Fang Tower>
Lowly Basins: The southern hills are less known for their deposits, mostly only silver rising to the standard. Without gold to supply them, these houses turn to agricultural products, and on bordering the reach they have carved for themselves some fields of note, though none that much traverse to Lannisport or otherwise outside of their own keeps. The houses here keep a low profile, with few castles they would be considered the soft underbelly of the west, if not for the fact there was not much to be found here. Men of note leave these lands for others of opportunity, and Lord Lannister looking outward, they have been left to fend for themselves.
Houses: Serrett of Silverhill
<Ruttiger of Ryehill, Plumm of Plumm
Swyft of Cornfield>
Foote of Lonmont>
Greenfield of Greenfield>
Yew of Greenmount>
Westford of Westford>
Foote of Lonmont>
Greenfield of Greenfield>
Yew of Greenmount>
Westford of Westford>
The Iron Isles
The iron price has long been the standard by which the Islanders valued life, on the deepest deprivations a man could at least earn his keep by taking to the seas and using what the Drowned God gave him: his own hands. The climatic blaze of reaving that the Islanders enacted on Westeros once again half a century ago was a blaze of glory, one that was met with terrible retribution. Of the two most principal of his saltsons, Toron and Rodrik, the former was killed in the Westerlander invasion and the latter was gelded and made a fool for Lord Loreon. Dozens more followed them, until the Lannisters could settle on a claimant that was not a the Grey King come again. They broke Old Wyk in a shower of steel and blood, finding hidden away a young newt named Alton, his mother claiming him to be Dalton's, one of his few rockwives. The drowned priests that castigated revolt were hung in a grand ceremony of the establishment of the first sept the Isles had seen in a century, and Alton was christened as Lord Paramount of the Iron Isles in the Warden of the West's name.
Alton has seen his isles change, he could never achieve the ordainment of knighthood, but it through great cost was achieved for his son, Torwyn, who practically lives on the Greenland, with Daemon's company he joins the lists as the Kraken Knight. Then there was Loron, a trader who made frequent calls to Seagard, always seen with that Desmond Mallister, and the last of his trueborn, Dagon Greyjoy, a moody boy who has never left Pyke. Alton keeps him from sailing, for men say he fears the seas himself. The islanders are split in twine, those that keep to their old faiths, stealing and taking lumber to rebuild their ships, and the septborn, as Alton calls them, though the old ironborn prefer the name 'mudborn', for they till the fruitless land in place of thralls, and saltless for their skill at the sea could never be matched by a man who makes his own plunder.
New Way: Outside of Alton's attempts to appease his creditors, though many call overlords, in the Lords of Lannister, the isle of Harlaw has taken to the faith as their liege has. Lord Harlaw was in need of a wife, and Alton offered his own daughter, her bride price simply the Reaver's conversion. Harlaw was able to stow away his ships during the burnings, and thus commands the captaincy of most of the Isles all on his own. Due to his newfound faith, Theomore Harlaw applied Western Gold to back his project for a grand new castle, one of the newest in Westeros, promising them a trade fleet in return. These were the new Isles, built off trade and wealth, the Greenlanders would allow Pyke and Harlaw to overpower the rest in time.
Houses: Greyjoy of Pyke>>
Harlaw of Ten Towers>
Volmark of Volmark>
Botley of Lordsport>
Harlaw of Ten Towers>
Volmark of Volmark>
Botley of Lordsport>
Old Way: The rest of the Isles still cling to their beliefs, confident in the return of a great storm that would bring a demise and drown out their foes. Even as their thralls were freed or retaken, their ships burned, and their men killed, the old rockwives made sure to scare their children into the belief of which they were raised, intent on not dying old crones who not a lick of a worthy men about them. It took more than a generation, this milkborn lot doing little but peddling about in useless and vain attempts to bridge Loreon's peace, only to be met with excruciating obliteration whenever a party threatened Pyke. Those men's sons, however, were more cunning, and the next even more still. Cut on teeth and rock, they've ranged far afield, battling in the Stepstones just to get farther still in the Disputed Lands. Those that live to tell the tale are returned, the drowned priests that maintained the traditions and survived the fall drowning the men to be reborn as champions. What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.
Houses: Goodbrother of Hammerhorn>
Farwynd of Sealskin Point>
Sunderly of Saltcliffe>
Blacktyde of Blacktyde>
Orkwood of Orkmont>
Farwynd of Sealskin Point>
Sunderly of Saltcliffe>
Blacktyde of Blacktyde>
Orkwood of Orkmont>
The Reach
Daemon's cults are most fiercely found across the Reach, having suffered humiliation from Daeron's policies regarding the Dornish, the Reach yearned for a newfound conquest only to find themselves slack footed in the awkward peace that ensued. The foolish of them plead for Daeron to rescind his own declaration of peace, as if there could be anything done. The border required no maintenance, yet there were no dragonkeepers to instill the peace, for that was always an illusory lie for the King to proclaim to the masses of King's Landing.
Though their taxes paid for no fortifications, and their arms were not raised, the Reach righteously continued to pummel the borderlands, entire villages were razed and rivers diverted. The border became more incensed than ever, requiring Maekar's marriage to Dyanna Dayne to keep a semblance of peace and stave off retribution from the Dornish. In consequence of his excuses for his countrymen, Jon Hightower was sacked as Hand of the King, and Ambrose Butterwell was raised as Hand from his position of Coin. Ambrose expertly handled the situation, hiding the reports from the King and disappearing the problem from notice in the royal court.
As they were gradually pushed from the court, there were those within the Dornish that took advantage of the quasi-peace. Just as reports and pleas for aid were ignored by the royal court, dornish injustices were not reported to the prince's domain, for he preferred dallying in water gardens than inspecting the marches. Kingsgrave, Wyl, Blackmont, they all carried out raids, burning fields and orchards on the beleaguered borderlands
Inner Garden: Of all the men to hold stake on Daemon, there was none so great, none so mighty, none so graced with his equal talent of the lance as Leo Tyrell. The Longthorn's valor was great, and like his forefather Lyonel he had no love for the Dornish, if it were up to him the entire land would be scorched. So too does he despise the King's perceived weakness, Leo respects a man he can face on the melee ground than any table counter. It is a wonder he was not in Daemon's cadre, if all for the fact that Leo was too vainglorious, in his prime, the Rose believed himself above the company of a bastard. The Rose has few equals, and thus few friends, all fear his might, yet his will extends not far beyond his own walls, he eyes Dustonbury as his own thorn, Peake's hard won prize on the Mander.
Houses: Tyrell of Highgarden>>
<Westbrook of Westbrook, Harker of Hawkesnest, Long of Longbridge, Longstrider of Bluff Creek, Ball of Thornton, Willum of Smallwood
Apple's Orchard: A petite region, the orchards here more than any other reign supreme, for this region's wealth is derived from the cider enjoyed by the Septons across Westeros, while wine is the gentry's choice of drink, the Septons eschew drunkenness for which cider is a desired replacement. The fossoways guard their lands ferociously from vagabonds, and their knights have a band of unity between these lands scarcely found in so large an expanse in all of Westeros. Loyal to their liege lords, the men here are often less ambitious and cunning, taking to homely shires and enjoying a barge down the Mander, contributing to the court of Highgarden to be some of the most tranquil on the continent, full of discourse and comfortable games played well into the night, sipping spirits and ciders.
Houses: Fossoway of Cider Hall>
<Woodright of New Barrel, Appleton of Appleton
The Shields: Most would overlook the shields, they are disparate islands that have no great wealth or culture that promotes their natural advantages, their production of ships is a mishmash of galleys and longboats, and their trade is primarily through the sea in which Highgarden ultimately controls and they have little say in the comings and goings of the realm. Yet in this aspect they prove a vital resource, for they protect all the Mander from naval attack, the kind that could be devastating not only on the gardens that dot the landscape but the privy of even the highest of lords. In this respect they have Lord Tyrell's ear on the matters of the admiralty, as reliant as he is to them for their loyalty, for Lord Hewett's is a port of considerable size and their naval strength is of relative importance with the seas so critical in this era of trade.
Houses: Hewett of Hewett's Town, Oakenshield>
Chester of Chester, Greenshield>
Serry of Serry, Southsield>
Grimm of Grimston, Greyshield>
Chester of Chester, Greenshield>
Serry of Serry, Southsield>
Grimm of Grimston, Greyshield>
Chequy Memory: Once ago, all of the lands of the Northmarch once belonged to the sway of the Chequy Lion. They were one of the mightiest of the Gardener's bannermen, and they kept watch over the entire of the North March. That legacy has dwindled and extinguished on the Field of Fire, now they could be lucky they could muster thirty men between a few villages and the tower that was lucky to be called a Holdfast. These lands did not lack in grand and ancient houses, however, Rowan, Crane, Oakheart took up the mantle, living in their grand villas that sprawled from castle walls, the men here prize themselves on a myriad of pursuits, from falconry to equestrian skill to the skill of letters. They consider themselves the finest Westeros has to offer, vast walled estates all to themselves.
Houses: Rowan of Goldengrove>
<Durwell of Bull's Keep, Osgrey of Standfast and Leafy Lake, Webber of Coldmoat, Shermer of Smithyton, Bushy of Bushy Hall, Graves of Nateby
Crane of Red Lake>
<Conklyn of Copse, Redding of Redding
Oakheart of Old Oak>
<Lowther of Nordelph, Lockwood of Catswold
Reach's North: A no man's land in the midst of Westeros, the houses here lost their purpose with the foundation of the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike their southern brethren, the north marchers have had time to cope with the loss of a foe. A matter of geography, not much trade swells here save that from the Riverlands seeking the wines and fabrics of the Reach, of course, not much of that could be found in these vast plains. Yet during the times when the realm has come to war, the knights of these lands have shown steadfast in the protection of their peasantry, never involving themselves much in grand politics lest all the Reach musters, their perilous position demands caution in the face of being completely surrounded. The Tumbleton learned that, reduced to a tenth of the size from the might of the dragon's wrath, and the Field of Fire still burns in the graves that litter the fields and the hearts and minds that know not to disturb the peace.
Houses: Footly of Tumbleton>
<Lyberr of Caltrop Hill
Cordwayner of Hammerhal>
<Orme of Harpshire
Vyrwell of Darkdell>
<Norridge of Cawthorne
Risley of Northfield>
<Wythers of Alden Keep
Stackhouse of Stackhouse>
Wineland: Of all the country in Westeros, none is more storied than the banks of the Honywine. An ideal place for learning, knowledge, wisdom. Where loyalties are tested, where the might and fallibility of mankind if tested more than any other. The Citadel stands as a beacon of where the whole realm relies, the Starry Sept from the prestige of the Andal faith, and Oldtown itself a function of life that influences all the Reach and beyond, and none could say the Hightower is not an accomplishment the likes of only the Wall could compete. It is no wonder why men here are proud of their legacies, Gilbert of the Vines, Florys the Fox, Bors the Break, Ellyn Ever Sweet, Maris the Maid, the descendants of Garth Greenhand took to this place more than any other, establishing dynasties that would last the test of time. Men here are more well learned than any other, adept in trade, diplomacy, the martial arts and the pursuit of greatness.
Houses: Hightower of Oldtown>
<Bulwer of Blackcrown, Beesbury of Honeyholt, Mullendore of Uplands, Costayne of Three Towers, Cobb of Whisper Point, Oldflowers of Sommerset, Uffering of Prickwillow, Middlebury of Middlebury
Florent of Brightwater Keep>
<Dunn of Mouthswatch, Norcross of Norcross
Blackbar of Bandallon>
The Arbor: Ports from the Arbor interlace the Sunset to Narrow and beyond, for ships bearing Westerosi goods are transported by Redwyne carracks to as far afield as Qarth. No other center of shipbuilding, industry, and wealth exists that could match pound for pound with the Arbor, their fleet contributed in the Scouring of the Ironborn, and freed from the shackle of threat the Arbormen converted a great many of their war galleys into large shipping vessels, entire flotillas sent outward to bring back valuable resource to the island, though through such enterprise many of their most industrious have seeded themselves in Lannisport, Oldtown, King's Landing and other smaller ports to create a network of trade and enterprise. There are those that worry the Arbor will be forgotten if the Greenland realizes just one island cannot hope to match the rest, a silent dictate being directed to carry out the realization of Stevedore and Shipcrafter Guilds, in truth controlled by Lord Redwyne. Not since the days of Jaehaerys has a Lord Redwyne jostled for so much high station and position.
Houses: Redwyne of Ryamsport>
<Goldwyne of Vinetown, Starfist Harbor
Mother's Girdle: A vast expanse of land that in population and size could be it's own Kingdom, the worship of the Mother is firm in these lands, and as such these men are known for their mercy, their poise and pious respect of the Gods. Pageants of beauty are just as fair and well regarded as tournaments of strength here, and the competition of a woman's favour is just as fierce as the final tilt. In these respects, harpists and singers frequent Mother's Girdle, for its safety and cosmopolitan character, the stretches of King's Landing influence is deepest here in these rolling farmlands that drink to the King's good health. The Blueburn and Cockleswhent are flush with moorings, quays, landings, and inland harbors, competing with the Riverlands in their resplendent tendency of life through the river.
Houses: Graceford of Holyhall>
<Staedmon of Broad Arch, Pommingham of Knarsdale
Ashford of Ashford>
<Inchfield of Inchfield, Rhysling of Waypress
Merryweather of Longtable
<Hutcheson of Bounty Hall, Varner of Roseford
Caswell of Bitterbridge>
<Bridges of Knetthall, Leygood of Leygood
Meadows of Grassy Vale>
<Hastwyck of Hastwyck, Trant of Gallowsgrey, Kidwell of Ivy Hall
South Marches: Where their northern counterpart has lost their grit and sense of purpose, the southern marches continue on, earning the title of Riders of Mark, they often assist and work with their counterparts in the Stormlands than any in the Reach, and it was here that the invasion was to be launched for revenge of all those killed in the Viper's revolt. Anguish was paid in recognition of the peace, for nearly thirty years of blood had been already paid. The likes of these men would turn to the Lord of the Marches Caron than the dictates of the Crown, a solemn pact even Peake and Tarly could agree on. Their power to counteract royal edict of peace, they turn to other means, within dark cellars rumination of bastards and the line of trueborns is discussed, for any man could say that the defeat of one's foe is a righteous act, and the forgiveness of a murderer and proffering in the same is a venomous dead to be met only with derision and disgust.
Houses: Peake of Starpike, Whitegrove, Dustorbury[Inner Garden]>
<Cockshaw of Cockshaw, Graves of Bardhome
Tarly of Horn Hill>
<Hunt of Hunt Hills, Rodden of Highwood, Sloane of Fawn Crag, Ambrose of Torrent Peak
Roxton of Ring>
Stormlands
There is little reward or acclaim to being born a Stormlander. A dreary region, the whole lot of it filled with few bright spots of much acclaim, not considered for their wit or good company, they instead face resistance, the toiling of hard labor and the persistence of their stubborn nature. The conquest of Dorne had brought about men of some cunning to be considered worthy of royal respect, only for the great betrayal at the same turn in Aegon IV's wrath. In a region that had stressed through the Dance and made out the other side scathed, with an infant as a Lord Paramount and with a total dirge of influence of their liege in the matter of the great realm, the Carons rose as the practical and functional premier house, the Baratheons stripped of any negligent influence—it could not be understated the extent that they were perilous to stop Aegon's predations.
Royce Baratheon could hardly protest the complete destruction of his own vassal Toyne, and the stripping of stone and exorcising of the land any influence that place once had. His vassals were stripped of him for his negligence, Staedmon and Trant, once sworn to Toyne, to the Reach, and the Kingswood became an imperial thief, and with it Cole, Wendwater, and Fell with it. Royce drank himself to death, and some go on to say that he begged at Lord Lannister's feet, his daughter's hand and the influence she brang, and in return the Lord would offer him credit in which his incomes had been so drastically reduced. Whatever was the case, the Stormlands had been scorned from the realm, scorched as the Storm God hurls his fury at them even now in revenge.
Shipbreaker Bay: For the sins of his father, Daeron the Good had acted more than any other realm to repair the relation of the Stormlands with the royal household, for this he had orchestrated his heir's marriage to Jena Dondarrion, a pact to seal the stormland's faith of the future, and to heal past grievances a princess for another, Elaena had been instructed to marry Ronnel Penrose. She had her pick of the men of the Stormlands, and his gentle repose was considerable amongst his dour countrymen. These efforts were aided by Alyn Connington, the Pale Griffin, to repair the relations between the Crown and the Paramountcy, yet the Lord Commander is gone, and the young lord Baratheon believes his father committed no sin but to born under the yoke of the dragon, like much of his forebears, Lord Baratheon seeks resolve with the Crown, for what peace is this? The issue of Summerhall is at hand, as its presence as a royal domain is a thorn that cannot abide His vassals implore him to reason, what are they, to stand up before Seven Against One?
Houses: Baratheon of Storm's End>>
Penrose of Parchments>
Penrose of Parchments>
<Hasty of Hadlow Keep, Musgood of Drakesgrave, Swygert of Galemont, Pyle of Attadale
Connington of Griffin's Roost>
House Tarth of Evenstar Hall> [Morne Vacant]
Errol of Haystack Hall>
Buckler of Bronzegate>
Wensington of Wensington>
Bolling of Bolling>
House Tarth of Evenstar Hall> [Morne Vacant]
Errol of Haystack Hall>
Buckler of Bronzegate>
Wensington of Wensington>
Bolling of Bolling>
Slayne Valley: On the eastern edge of the Marches, the houses of the Slayne are bound by oath to the west, yet they amongst all the others that fear the Archon of Tyrosh. The Archon had been heavily involved in the preparations of war with Dorne, and Stonehelm was to be the base of operations for their fleet. Ten years later, the war galleys remained, paid for by Essosi benefactors, a Tyroshi quarter established on Swann's approval. Grandison and Morrigen are nascent to report any abuses, far busier with local feuds with their neighbors or splendid contentment. They have no love for the Dornish here, but the anguish of their countrymen fall on deaf ears in the valley.
Houses: Swann of Stonehelm>
<Lonmouth of Lonmouth, Herston of Herston, Horpe of Lockport, Tudbury of Tudbury
Grandison of King's Mountain
<Wagstaff of Wagstaff, Rogers of Amberly
Morrigen of Crow's Nest
Rainwood: Cloaked in a good deal of mystery, these woods lack any proper roads, with only crooked trails that pass through deep ravines and waterfalls to guide one throughout this region. Some of the largest trees in Westeros are founded in this region, sentinels and huge willows dotting the landscape, and even the occasional weirwood, the penetration of the Andals falling short of scraping their scourge through even tranquil forests such as these. It is known for its timber, fur, amber, products all desired by those in Essos interested enough to know of the region. The land was burned by the Dornish, and the scars of the travesty are still seen on the landscape, entire primevil forests having been extinguished, there are early calls of drought by the Maesters, a foreboding for a region known for its rainfall.
Houses: Mertyns of Mistwood>
<Whitehead of Weeping Tower, Gower of Wrath Rock
Wylde of Rain House
<Kellington of Kellington
Cape Wrath: One of the few fertile areas the Stormlands can call on to feed those that live there, the thriving port of Weeping Town benefits from the connections the Slayne has made with the Tyrosh, growing into a bustling area of activity, a rarity of the Stormlands. There are those with excited prospects, town officials requesting their liege to petition for a charter and expansion into a city, though such calls are premature for now. Nevertheless, a Cult of the Warrior has sprung from the city, decrying Daeron the Young Dragon, the town holds a yearly festival to remember the vigil in which his body was held there for three days of mourning. There are those that worry for the region to get too much attention, as not all political importance is met with favorably, the shadow of Toyne hanging in the minds of such fearful lords.
Houses: Whitehead of Weeping Town>
Estermont of Greenstone>
Cafferen of Fawnton>
Estermont of Greenstone>
Cafferen of Fawnton>
<Strickland of Lion's Rest
Hell's Gate: At the brink of destruction, those that thought to join Toyne's rebellion were snuffed out by cooler heads, and good for it as well. Were there not the men of the Marches, the Dornish would have ravaged the realm, surely. These are the borderlands, the region in which all political capital had been spent, only to leave the dust of the bones behind as the court moved to other issues. Lord Caron is a shrewd man, as skilled with the high harp as he is with the lance, he believes Baratheon a fool, and Daeron a traitor—yet he is not so quick to step aside their better virtues. Maekar has proven himself a capable leader of men, and Baelor is as adroit of a diplomat as one could ask for, but do pleasantries wash away the halls of the dead? That was not for Caron to answer. Only for him to heed the call. Kingsgrave has issued a scathing challenge, and he would answer.
Houses: Caron of Nightsong>
<Peasebury of Podding Field
Selmy of Harvest Hall>
Dondarrion of Blackhaven>
Dondarrion of Blackhaven>
Dorne
The Dance was prodigal for the Iron Throne, allowing in turn Aliandra Martell, "the new Nymeria" to arise like a phoenix, Dorne in this relative golden age as the power of the Princedom achieved a height like never before, with the Lysene Rogares and the Archon of Tyrosh plead for Dorne's assistance against Myr and Volantis, leading Dorne to be the premier powerbroker in the Stepstones and ending with occupation of the isles. This tightened grip vexed the royal court, and it was only through the Lysene Spring that any royal ship could traverse the isles, a painful reminder of relative subservience... Only worsened with the collapse of the Rogare bank, when Westeros lost their link and ties, Aliandra punished her rivals further, unleashing raids across the Marches as pretenders rose against Aegon III. His reign was a difficult one, and the Dragonbane was not remembered fondly for his ills and inept handling, though the tide was reversed by the coming of his son. Together with Alyn Oakenfist and at the urging of the Reach, Daeron thought to complete the conquest his ancestor had begun.
Ten thousand men died during the war, and another five times that perished during the occupation. Dorne became an embittered, embattled ground for conflict, the portraits of Aliandra were long gone, as the war was one for survival. What opinions had squared in the political landscape forced the houses of the Dornish into one combined spear, built to thrust the invaders from their lands, aided by the terrain and difficulty in which Dorne had been made to conquer, they succeeded, if only just. The reprieve provided by Baelor's path to peace was hardly enough to halt the generations of bitter feuding, and a grand fleet was assembled to repeat Alyn's greenblood campaign, dashed against Shipbreaker Bay in a fateful storm, some say Aegon IV never forgave the Stormlands for the defeat they gave him, worse than any of his foes, the King would go on to say.
Daeron's concessions have provided for an uneasy peace. The trade embargo that once existed for over a century has been broken for nine years, and much has changed in Dorne, an entire generation has grown and suckled the fruit of a combined continent, life under Targaryen yoke has tempered expectations, and though blood feuds and lost lives may never be recovered, the thought of another conquest is a curse so terrible to endure few contemplate any other recourse.
Bloodroyal: There are those that have not forgotten, there are those that walk the boneway, skulls of former friends binding the steps filled with thousands of others who have been lost. Yronwood memory counts not in years, but centuries, and of the last count there has been no time more terrible for Dorne and the Redmarch. The Wyls speak of revenge, and of spirits within the mountains that can aid them, and more men disappear into the sands, finding lost wells for so many have been poisoned. The Archon of Tyrosh eyes Ghaston Grey, which has become a den of pirates threatening the uneasy peace, and Yronwood thinks to protect the territory where Martell hands falter, broken, bent, bowed before the Targaryens. He would gladly assert his station and superiority, for the title of Prince was forfeited by signature, a bloodless coup and submission.
Houses: Yronwood of Yronwood>
<Drinkwater of Vulture's Roost, Wattell of Dedworth, Allayen of Southgate, Ghaston Grey
Jordayne of the Tor>
Wyl of Wyl>
Wyl of Wyl>
Red Graves: Of the marcher houses, there exist the frontiermen, the vespers that exist on the fringes and the crags, jumping out against Andal patrols and harrying and despoiling back, and the bulwark, those that hold the line and cultivate a sense of honor in the protection of their homes and families. The two are not so different in their plight, but they could not be further apart in their approach. Nowhere is this more exemplified in the brothers Alroy and Michael Manwoody, one took great pleasure in the killing fields of the conquest, he led countless raids against the invaders, and even as a youth had a penchant aim to kill. Michael studied at the citadel, and a love for music, the man was as skilled with the quill as he was with the lute. Upon learning of his brother's depravation, a renewed raid to penetrate Nightsong's environs, he went south to plead to Skyreach, and perhaps if he gains audience, Sunspear to warn them of the plot. These crossed loyalties, shared hatreds, and disputed philosophies had shattered the Dornish spear, the vast reaches lost in transposed inaction and the burning hatred of revenge.
Houses: Dayne of Starfall, High Hermitage>
Blackmont of Blackmont>
Blackmont of Blackmont>
<Marstyne of Gravesend
Fowler of Skyreach>
Manwoody of Kingsgrave
Manwoody of Kingsgrave
<Golstand of Tattershall, Brimlion of Candlekeep
Endless Desert: With no external enemies, and a weak hand at the prow, old enemies reemerge and the loyalties of countrymen are tested. Qorgyle and Uller represent tribes of nomads that traverse the desert, their numbers lost to the desert as few could speculate on how many live in the vast expanse, some of them never knowing a master or heeding a call to arms. An uneasy peace simmers underneath the surface which allows for the crack of conflict to burst forth at a moment's notice. One wrong word, a glib tongue. Royal taxmen get lost in the desert, and here the power of the Kings is a glimmer in the desert—a lawless land, the Prince no longer has the capability to administer the region, reliant upon the powers that be to remain loyal in their oaths that were whispered so many years ago.
Houses: Qorgyle of Sandstone>
<Gapalgar of Duneside
Uller of Hellholt>
<Norland of Hellgate Hall, Wells of Silent Watcher, Ramdrin of Shandystone
Salty Dornishmen: Banks and villages once dotted across the coasts, and in the time of Aliandra these areas knew prosperity and peace, the fleets of Dorne supplying them with goods and sending their own far afield. These areas are ghost towns now, the young having taken off with the village hoards. Depravation is common, the degradation of what was once Dorne's proud mariners and bowmen lost. The size of its muster has been cut in half, and nowhere could this be felt more sorely in the regions that had been sacked and continued to be harassed for decades even during Baelor's peace, the concessions Daeron went were in the plight of these areas, to allow them to regrow and become contingent to the realm once more. Lord Gulian Santagar was a reformer, a man who spoke on behalf of his people directly to the King. The dreamers who believe in a new Dorne are few to be found in places such as these.
Houses: Dalt of Lemonwood>
Gargalen of Saltshore>
Gargalen of Saltshore>
<Aldana of Seashell Hall
Santagar of Spottswood>
Toland of Ghost Hill>
Toland of Ghost Hill>
<Greystoke of Greystoke, Galesand of Crane Tower
Greenbloods: Of all the regions of Dorne, the Greenblood has remained and provided, ever on it has nourished Dorne's power and its people and so shall it continue. Alyn Oakenfist's breakthrough may have conquered Planky Town, scattering it to the banks, but it reemerged as soon as Lyonel Tyrell ate a scorpion tongue. Prince Maron's father beloved Baelor, of all men alive, and Maron was just a babe during the conquest. The father of the Prince raised his children to respect Dorne's traditions, but to realize the reality. The Prince's policies have been considered short-sighted, surrounding himself with reformists, they approached the King of equal mind in Daeron to a bargained peace, with concessions they believe would benefit Dorne in the union that was devised so another war as devastating as the last could never occur; Maron was saved by the Seven Above dashing Aegon's fleet, he would not forsake their blessings. He cultivates the Rhoynar to look north, as he takes seasonal tours to King's Landing where the Queen hosts the Dornish in the full splendor the royal court provides, eating lemoncakes.
Houses: Martell of Sunspear>>
<Planky Town, Water Gardens
Ramdrin of Shandystone>
Allyrion of Godsgrace>
Allyrion of Godsgrace>
<Manroner of Dunstables
Vaith of Vaith>
<Ladybright of Deserthearth
Floryons of Southmere>
Solhart of Bloodspill>
Solhart of Bloodspill>
Crownlands
The Crownlands exists as a distinct political entity, a region the size of a paramountcy, but one that was ruled by no lord but the King. Various houses have staked their claim to power and rank of prestige through their connection to the crown, rising to higher station than any right might grant them by right alone. Velaryon, Darklyn, Stokeworth, Rosby, Celtigar, Massey, these houses among others have peddled policies and expanded their influence throughout the eras of Targaryen rule, their edicts, decisions, and the confidence of the King allowing them to impact regions as far as the Wall. This fine balance was accepted, for the Great Houses if they ventured from their lands and came to stake themselves could push the high court as they pleased, Hightower, Lannister, Arryn, Stark and Baratheon all at one time or another becoming the most loyal confidant and strongest defenders of royal power.
The administration has crown from the City has become entrenched in the institutions that hold the Kingdoms together, no more could they say they stand independent of the King, mere oaths that were once sworn to the Dragons been replaced by the aristocracy of the court, justiciars roam the Kingdom enacting the King's Justice and bringing back those in defiance of his grace's will to the Black Cells, a prison so terrible that few escape to tell the tale of their misdeeds. Harbormasters are sent to the major dockyards of the crown, inspecting custom assizes to collect on foreign enterprise. Tax farmers are employed to be sent in quarters, demanding the tribute in which all the realm must pay. Sergeants are employed to enforce the policies, and toll stations are directed along the major road networks with the inspection of goods and to regulate travel throughout Westeros. Entire industries are inspected, among them wool, silk, cloth and fur, and the royal domain is looking to intrude on the wine market, though the vintners of the Reach are loathe to expose their ledgers to royal oversight.
Daeron II has overseen a realm of peace, astute in his usage of Maesters, he takes company with learned men across the realm, the philosophy of state and the usage of his power to its fullest extent rubbing against the feudal lords that had once enjoyed vast privileges. In this respect, though the North enjoys the same privilege for being far-afield, the Andal realms look at the perceived injustice of the lighthanded nature of the Realm's touch as injustice. Though most of the Kingdoms enjoy peace and little disputes, the lands enjoying the fruits of prosperous labour, there are those that decry the slack mentality of weakness. It is not lost on the high lords that the realm was ruled by women in the aftermath of the Dance, and those that few remained of strength, such as Unwin Peake, seized all vestment of power and authority merely through the inaction and incapability of those who might oppose him. Daeron's case is that the time of conflict is over, to Daemon's supporters, it has only begun. Weakness must be met with by strength, not laws. For who would enforce rule, when those that can merely unmake and make their own?
Kingslanders: Emporiums of the city, these estates have long since subsided any pretense of protection and matter of defense, converting their old castles to estates and manors in which to entertain friends as countryside escapes from the City that dominates the landscape. For any army that could threaten King's Landing would be worthy enough to topple Stokeworth's defenses. In this time of peace, tournament processions had been common, and Ambrose Butterwell had been especially keen in this environment, promoting the fame of the King's brother as an aspect of his reign rather than against it. For a time this worked, as Daeron's weakly mannerisms were empowered by the Warrior reborn, and the two worked in concert to ensure stability, with Daemon's holdfast long been a place in which the greatest blades the realm has ever known trained and sought the company of his grace's own blood, leading a fine few blades to the Red Keep in turn. There are many that still remember the time of his father however, and the injustices enacted, the men he promoted, plenty who remained in office. Ambrose's hands are all throughout the city, from the Street of Silk to the Ironmonger's district, his manse atop Visenya's Hill large enough fill feasts of his many friends.
Houses: Targaryen of King's Landing>>>
<Daemon's Holdfast
Stokeworth of Stokeworth>
Rosby of Rosby>
Hayford of Hayford>
Rollingford of Rollingford>
Chyttering of ChytteringBrook>
Mallery of Byford>
Thorne of Rayonet>
Bywater of Bywater>
Rosby of Rosby>
Hayford of Hayford>
Rollingford of Rollingford>
Chyttering of ChytteringBrook>
Mallery of Byford>
Thorne of Rayonet>
Bywater of Bywater>
Dusklands: Duskendale has been humbled, but then again, it has not been the first the town has seen a fall of revenues and a depreciated existence. Those sworn to Darklyn transpose songs of the times of Kings, of the Age of Heroes, and the small realm has enjoyed a certain privilege to serve the Targaryens, considered among their most loyal retainers who have served faithfully through the Conquest and beyond. Oaths bound House Darklyn, and from them those underneath, they labor amongst the machinations of high lords and great houses, shifting nimbly in their sore position. There are still some who remember the prominence of the Dragon, and the respect the lords therein have won. The men here are a dour sort, of little mirth and great company, with a ire at outsiders thinking themselves to further dredge what has been taken from them.
Houses: Darklyn of Duskendale>
<Edgerton of Edgerton, Dargood of Dargood, Rykker of Rykker, Darkwood of Darkwood, Darke of Woodhollow, Hollard of Hollard
Staunton of Rook's Rest>
<Harte of Brindlewood
Byrch of Byrch Hall>
Rambton of Rambton>
Rambton of Rambton>
Cracklaw: Though few know, and indeed would even care to know, the oaths sworn by the Cracklaws are not alike the other pact made by the other realms of Westeros, a direct oath to the King rather than the Iron Throne, a distinction that makes little difference but has swelled the loyalty of those that reside within. Every valley has a lord and all of them distrust outsiders, yet for their King they would march to war in moot, in long bands they would abandon their tactics of retreat and escape into the crags and caves, to march in his armies. The Andals consider these men half-wild, and few could hope to rule and administer this area of streams and hilltops, though the Celtigars within the boundary of the vague greyspace of the law has claimed dominion of the area a number of times and sent taxes therein to collect for their due lordship.
Houses: Brune of Dyre Den>
Crabb of the Whispers>
Boggs of Estaring>
Hardy of Strongcliff>
Cave of Erinmount
Crabb of the Whispers>
Boggs of Estaring>
Hardy of Strongcliff>
Cave of Erinmount
The Kingswood: A massive forest, the largest south of the Neck, the Kingswood provides plentiful game and is home to villages of woodsmen that had allowed for the royal fleet to grow in size and strength over the years. At the conquest there was question of where to draw the line of demarcation, and though Orys and Aegon never carved a clear distinction, his descendant Jaehaerys had derived the Wendwater as a natural bridge between the Stormlands and his own Crownlands. Aegon IV thought differently, and in view of his wheeled dragons he declared the whole forest a royal fief, a legal definition that had existed from Maegor's time. At the issuing edict the whole Kingswood was transfered to the Crown's direct control, including many lands and houses that had once served underneath the Baratheons. With the difficulty of overturning over a century of definition, and royal courtiers advising the King, the question has been allowed to lapse for some time, allowing for dens of bandits to spring around the edges where they have always been prone to hide in this region.
Houses: Chelsted of Bramsfort>
<Follard of Woodmere, Blount of Greensward, Manning of Manning
Wendwater of Wendwater Bridge>
<Cressey of Mosborough
Fell of Felwood>
<Cole of Cole
Dragonseed: The Narrow Sea houses were the first to gain relation with House Targaryen, and they supply the King's sailors and principal defense against the overmighty fleets of Essos that could ever hope to threaten the King's walls. Even if they would bypass the Gullet, a feat the Triarchy combined was incapable of, the walls of King's Landing would mean that a sack would be necessary, a naval act of sailing into the jaw of the dragon. Their fortunes and favors are reliant on the King's will, though problems arise, the failing castle of High Tide still sits nearly empty, Massey's Hook is particularly exposed to landings and coves of smugglers. Through it all Dragonstone remains as the last bastion of Valyria, and from it, the first stronghold of the Kings of the Seven Kingdoms. It's fall would herald the downfall of house Targaryen.
Houses: Targaryen of Dragonstone>
Velaryon of Driftmark, High Tide, Hull>
Celtigar of Claw Isle>
Sunglass of Sweetport>
Bar Emmon of Sharp Point>
Massey of Stonedance>
Velaryon of Driftmark, High Tide, Hull>
Celtigar of Claw Isle>
Sunglass of Sweetport>
Bar Emmon of Sharp Point>
Massey of Stonedance>
The Iron Throne, 196 AC.
Daeron II's Court
Hand of the King: Lord Ambrose Butterwell
Grand Maester: Malleon
Master of Laws:
Master of Coin:
Master of Ships:
Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks: Lord Geron Hayford
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Ser Denys Darklyn
Kingsguard Members:
Ser Denys Darklyn
Ser Gwayne Corbray
Ser Willem Wylde
Ser Roland Crakehall
Three vacancies
Daemon's Inner Circle:
Ser Robb Reyne of Castamere
Ser Gareth 'the Grey' Storm of Gallowsgrey
Ser Aubrey Ambrose of Torrent Peak
Ser 'Black' Byren Flowers of Bounty Hall
Ser Reynard Redtusk, bastard of Crakehall
Ser Quentyn 'Fireball' Ball of Thornton
Ser Aegor 'Bittersteel' Rivers of Stone Hedge
Last edited:
