CK2AGOT - Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons

[Thaiga]

Minor Events​

Tides High and Low​

No story of the Targaryens would be complete without at least a mention about their constant supporters and fellow valyrians, the Velaryons.

The handsome Lord Monford was the ruler of Driftmark at the time of The Restoration. He was married to Lady Mylenda of House Celtigar, another house claiming descent from Valyria. Lord Monford’s bastard-born brother will be talked about in the future Chapter on Dorne.

Lord Monford’s younger sons, Ser Jacaerys and Ser Valarr, along with their families, were sent to build a new castle on the shore, which they did and named their new castle Nimmark.

While they were at it, Ser Jacaerys’ son came of age and married his cousin, lady Eglantine. To celebrate this occasion, her father granted the newlyweds the Velaryons ancestral seat as he himself was attempting to rebuild the High Tide. Unfortunately Ser Aurion died shortly after at a suspiciously young age of just thirty years. His poor wife who loved him deeply swore to never lay with any other man and is going strong with that promise.

Ser Aurion’s son, Ser Lucerys, is the current ruler of Driftmark castle (not to be confused with the Driftmark island). He is married to lady Morylea of House Vaedar, all the way from Port Vaedar in Valyria.

After the death of Ser Jacaerys, his younger brother Valarr became the new ruler of Nimmark castle. He is married to lady Seraena of House Longwaters, an old cadet branch of his own House.

The pair has three daughters, all married off and one unfortunately already deceased.

Lord Monterys, Sers Jacaerys’ and Valarr's older brother, became the new Lord of Driftmark after the death of their father, Lord Monford. Lord Monterys , for his love of duels called the Bladesman, was married twice. His first wife, Lady Lianna of House Longwaters, was unfortunately found guilty of treason and burned by Prince Rhaegar of Dragonstone. The second wife, Lady Malessa of the same House Longwaters, outlived her husband and is still struggling to come to terms with it. Lord Monterys himself died in a gruesome trial by combat.

His three daughters are also all married off.

The current Lord of Driftmark is the beautiful Lord Aethan, second of his name. He is married to his cousin, Lady Daenys, daughter of Ser Jacaerys of Nimmark. Poor Lady Daenys became inseparable with her wine after their firstborn son was sent to the Night's Watch for the most heinous crime of killing a child.

Ser Monford was married to a woman from a minor house of Drakebridge (who are rumoured to be descendant from a bastard born to Prince Viserys in one of the brothels he visited, but that surely is just a silly rumour). Ser Monford’s wife was an older sister to the lord of Drakebridge castle, and poor little Monterys was said lord’s only child.

After Ser Monford’s disgrace, his sister Valaena hastily married and moved out in an attempt to distance herself from this tragedy.

The current heir of Driftmark is young Ser Jacaerys. He is freshly married to lady Zarya of House Saan from Lys, whom she met when visiting the Red Keep with his father. Lady Zarya came to the capital to study the ways of The Seven, the faith of her mother, Lady Voraria of House Baarthreen, the ruling House of Lys. In is said that Ser Jacaerys was instantly smitten by her beauty and vowed to fight the vile practice of slavery as a mean to woo her. Apparently it worked, but now Ser Jacaerys is stuck with a vow he made. It would seem that he is very lucky to be born well after the Wars of Liberation were all completed.

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Why not Celtigar?​

House Celtigar is another ancient and proud house with the blood of old Valyria in its veins.

Lord Adrian, the Red Crab, swore fealty of his House to the returned Targaryen family and died peacefully just two years after the Restoration.

His daughters, Ladies Mylenda and Malora, were married to Lord Monford of House Velaryon of Driftmark and Lord Barre of House Brune of Crackclaw Point respectively.

Red Crab’s two youngest sons, Harrold and Terrence, lived two very different lives despite being twins.

The younger, Terrence, eventually became the mayor of the small town of Celtina. He never married, but still had five children born to him by different women. He acknowledged all of them as his own. Unfortunately none of his sons lived to adulthood and the town eventually elected a new mayor. His two daughters, ladies Leona and Falyse, married two brothers from House Crabb of The Whispers, Lord Benjen and Ser Davos respectively. After Ser Davos was condemned and sent to then still functioning Night’s Watch for his barbaric methods of justice he enforced on the local populace, lady Falyse quietly remarried to her brother-in-law’s common-born commander, oddly enough also named Ser Davos.

Terrence’s older twin, Harrold, was very much the opposite of his brother. After the death of his beloved wife, common-born Aeresa, he found religion and often disguised himself as a septon to preach fire and brimstone to the villages around his castle of Aprochon. His only daughter, Lady Leyla, is married to Lord Jared from House Darry of The Bay of Crabs.

Lady Leyla’s younger brother Haegon unfortunately died in the prime age of three-and-twenty soon after his misguided attempt to help a twitching dog. His wife, lady Dalla from House Brune of Brownhollow, never remarried and returned to her childhood home where she eventually died. The pair’s only son Ser Allard, an exceptionally formidable swordsman, is currently selling his talent to one of the Magisters of Lorath.

Septon Harrold’s older son, Ser Aegon Redclaw, eventually succeeded his father as the master of the Aprochon castle. He was married to lady Baena from house Scales, a minor house from Dragonstone. Lady Baena is the mother of the current Lord of Claw Isle through her first husband, Ser Rhaegar.

Ser Aegon’s and lady Baena’s son, Ser Bennard, succeeded his father after the latter died from a bonerot at the age of eight-and-forty, but unfortunately died himself just two years after that. His widow, lady Cynthea from House Bullhart, returned to her grandsire’s court and later remarried to a knight from House Chester.

Ser Bennard’s sister, lady Daesanne, is the current mistress of the castle. Her first brief marriage ended soon after it began due to the death of her husband, Raylon from House Shells. She is currently remarried to Ser Addam of House Crane, son of Lady Carellen from House Crane and Ser Garyn Aryenos from the Rhoyne Valley. As an interesting sidenote, Ser Addam came to Claw Isle to seek refuge after his fatal victory against Lord Raymun from House Fossoway (green branch), the brief lord of Mandervale, and found not only that, but also love and lordship, albeit a small one.

Red Crab’s successor was his firstborn son, the Proud Lord Maric. He was married to Lady Myrelle, later known as Lady Myrelle of Celtina for her patronage of the town. Lady Myrelle was a mother to one of the Great Bastards of the Usurper, namely that of the Triumphant Lord Paramount Ballar of Lys. Lord Maric and his lyseni Lady genuinely loved each other and Lord Maric remained loyal to her even after her passing. He also heavily blamed himself for her death and drowned his sorrow in all kinds of liquids until finally joining her sixteen drunken years later.

The indirect cause for Lady Myrella’s death was definitely the death of Ser Rhaegar, Lady Myrella and Lord Maric’s only living child and Lord Maric’s heir at that time. It is unclear what exactly happened that fateful night in the brothel in Celtina, but it must have been serious enough for Ser Rhaegar to be denounced by the High Septon himself. Proud Lord Maric was a very religious man and he could not let his family’s name become sullied like that, so he felt forced to deal with his son in the most ultimate way possible. Lord Maric condemned young Ser Rhaegar to the old Valyrian punishment and burned his only son and heir in their own courtyard. Ser Rhaegar’s widow, lady Baena from House Scales, later remarried to her late husband’s cousin from Aprochon castle.

Ser Rhaegar’s only son, the kind Lord Pate, eventually succeeded his grandsire and became the current Lord of Claw Isle. He serves his father’s namesake, Prince Rhaegar of Dragonstone, as the latter’s Master of Laws. He also stands by as the potential commander of his armies, but during peacetime he oversees the Dragonstone’s flocks of swans. Lord Pate’s beloved wife, Lady Mylenda from House Velaryion, amicably serves as her husband’s Mistress of Coin. The pair currently raises three children, two sons and a daughter.

Fealty change of Houses Darry and Roote​

After the expansion of the Crownlands with an arrangement for the lordship of Harrenhal to be a direct vassal to the Iron Throne, two other regions were made into a direct vassals of the Throne: The Bay of Crabs, ruled by the House Darry, and the Harroway’s Town, ruled by the House Roote.

Lord Raymun Darry also agreed for the union of his son and heir, future Lord Lyman II, and Lady Jeyne Rivers, the bastard daughter of the Usurper Robert Baratheon. The union resulted in four sons and three daughters.

Lord Varion Roote was also made a higher lord as an incentive for the marriage of his son and heir, future Lord Simon the Brave, and Lady Bella, called Stonebell, another bastard daughter of the Usurper Robert Baratheon. The union resulted in three daughters and two sons.

Disgrace of House Chyttering and Rise of House Wendwater​

For the crimes of tyranny against his subjects and an unforgivable crime of slaying his own kin, Ser Jeremy of Chyttering Brook, aptly called “the Evil”, was stripped of his titles and sent to the Watch in the year 358AC.

As a reward for his loyalty, Lord Elys of Wendwater was granted dominion over the whole Kingswood. Vassals coming with the title include houses Bywater, Chyttering, Pyle and Blount.

Rise of House Langward​

As a reward for his long and stalwart loyalty Lord Godric of Langward Hall was granted a newly created Lordship of Reachroad. Vassals coming with the title include houses Farring and Gaunt.

 

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The Stepstones​

The newest addition to the lands of the Seven Kingdoms, the Stepstones raise the number of kingdoms to a round ten.

The Stepstones span a relatively small area – 200 miles east to west and 300 north to south. There are approximately sixteen islands large enough to appear on maps, but there are many more rocks, archipelagos and islets too small to appear on such maps. The islands are treacherous, with reefs and rocks located just below the surface.

Liberation of the Stepstones​

The Liberation of the Stepstones was the very first war in the series of conquests made by the Queen Daenerys Stormborn.

It started on the 29th day of the Ninth Moon of the year 304AC. It took four years to fully occupy every island in the Broken Sea. The war was won on the 13th day of the First Moon of the year 308AC with the surrender of the last Pirate King Salladhor Saan.

Houses of the Stepstones​

The Stepstones owe their fealty to the Lord Paramount of the Stepstones of House Seastag of Bloodstone.

Major houses of the Stepstones, and their vassals, include:

• House Otherys of Dark Den
• House Greyjoy of Wreckstone
• House Greyjoy of Torturer’s Deep
• House Vunatis of Sunstone
• House Greyskull of the Skulls
• House Greyjoy of the Southern Stepstones
  • House Greyjoy of Last Refuge
  • House Greyjoy of the Shame Isle

Redistribution of the Isles​

Bloodstone​

The overall dominion over the Stepstones was given to Lord Paramount Rodrik Pyke, the bastard son of the Usurper Robert Baratheon. He was given an isle of Bloodstone as his seat.

Bloodstone Art at Fable II Art Gallery (if anyone knows the name of the author, pleaso contact me)​

Lord Paramount Rodrik, later called Strongarm, took the house name Seastag and chose a stag with a fishtail as his personal arms. He married the daughter of the former Pirate King, Lady Mellario. They had five living daughters and one son.

Lord Paramount Rodrik died peacefully on the 13th day of the Seventh Moon of the year 353AC.

His only son Lord Paramount Skyte succeeded him.

He is married to Lady Orya of House Greyjoy, daughter of the late Lord Tyler of Little Tyrosh. They have a son (married to the granddaughter of Lord Paramount of Lys) and a daughter.

All members of House Seastag worship the Drowned God of the Ironborn.

Sunstone​

Lord Gyleno Vunatis, the Trickster of Sunstone, renounced piracy and was granted a pardon and the lordship of Sunstone in the Western Stepstones.

His son Daario, also called the Trickster, succeeded him after Lord Gyleno’s untimely death at the age of 42. He was married to Lady Ezzanei, bastard daughter of the infamous “King” Euron of Gogossos until her death in the year 353AC. Their union produced three living daughters and three living sons. He then took a lowborn woman, Lady Donelei, as a second wife. This union remains childless. He also has a bastard daughter with the lowborn woman named Palea, the second wife of his brother, Ser Melio.

House Vunatis worships the Weeping Lady of Lys.


Further redistribution of the Stepstones’ islands sparked some heated debates and even outrage among the lords.

Dark Den​

It started with the little isle of Dark Den. First of all, it was granted to a woman. A girl even. A bastard daughter of the Usurper Robert Baratheon whom he beget by a famous Braavosi courtesan Bellegere, the Black Pearl of Braavos. After some little birds sang about the girl, the Queen sighted and sent for her. Little Izembara came to the court alone and was raised by the nannies and maesters at the Red Keep. She was black as coal, so she too was called a Black Pearl soon enough. And that same girl got herself an island of Dark Den. Later some poet made a song about how she had a great-great-great-grandmother who was once a Pirate Queen from there and mingled with the Dragons. Every tavern singer sings now that damned tune.

The girl took the house name Otherys with a pitch-black sun on a blue sky as her arms. She married a man named Ferrego, a bastard son of the last Pirate King. They had three sons and one daughter, all considered to be of House Otherys.

Lady Izembara Otherys of Dark Den died peacefully at the age of 57 on the 28th day of the Seventh Moon in the year 356AC.

She was succeeded by her oldest son, Lord Terrio Otherys. He is married to Lady Ransa, daughter of the late Lord Paramount Rodrik Strongarm of the Stepstones. They have three daughters and one son.

All members of House Otherys believe in the Braavosi gods.

Kraken’s Tentacles​

Every other island of the Stepstones is distributed among various members of House Greyjoy.

It began with another scandal when all three isles in the Southern Stepstones were granted to the sister of Lord Paramount Theon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands. She was also gifted with an axe that became known as the Kraken Blade, after it’s first owner.

Lady Asha, known as the Kraken’s Daughter, openly entertained two lovers, Tristifer of House Botley, and a baseborn named Qarl. She had two sons by the Botley and five children by Qarl: two sons and three daughters. She declared her lovers to be her “salt husbands”, so her children were considered legitimate by the Ironborn tradition.

Lady Asha’s oldest son (by Qarl), Lord Tyler, married a daughter of the new Lord Paramount of Tyrosh and was granted the island of Little Tyrosh. They had five daughters.

After the death of Lord Tyler, the Lordship of Little Tyrosh went to his nephew, Lord Rodrik, second son of Lord Tyler’s youngest brother, Lord Aeron of Wreckstone. He is married to a woman from the Iron Islands named Megga. They have a daughter.

Lady Asha’s second son (first child by a Botley), Lord Daemyn, married a bastard daughter of the last Pirate King and was granted the island of Torturer’s Deep. They had two daughters and three living sons. Their two eldest children died in the reavings.

Lady Asha’s second daughter (third child by Qarl), Lady Beony, married a lowborn from the Iron Islands and was granted the island of Last Refuge. They had four daughters and one son. They also lost two eldest children to the reavings.

Lady Asha’s third son (second child by a Botley), Robb, married a Harlaw girl from the Harridan Hill, forsworn his family name in her favour and died from a disease brought by lust. They had one daughter and one son. Their son married a strong girl from the Ironmaker clan, but died at the age of just 26 years after a disagreement with the meal (no one knows if this was an accident or a poison). Their grandson is in line to inherit the castle of Harridan Hill.

Lady Asha’s third daughter (fourth child by Qarl), Lady Ronella, also married a lowborn and was granted the Shame Isle. They had two living daughters and three sons.

Her last child, a son (fifth child by Qarl), Lord Aeron, was granted the island of Wreckstone and married twice: a daughter of the new Lord Paramount of Tyrosh (died under suspicious circumstances at the young age of 22, pregnant with her second child), they had one son; then a granddaughter of the last Pirate king, they had two daughters and a son.

Lord Aeron died in battle on a reaving in Volantis in the year 342AC. He was succeeded by his oldest son, Lord Torwyn. He is married to the daughter of Lord Daario the Trickster of Sunstone. They have a daughter. Lord Aeron’s second son was chosen as a successor to his uncle’s titles and is now Lord of Little Tyrosh.

Lady Asha continued the traditions of reaving well into her senior years. It is believed that the pressure it had on her was what had ultimately killed her at the age of 62. She died on the 24th day of the Eleventh Moon in the year 338AC.

Asha by Magali Villeneuve

She was succeeded by her second child and a first daughter (second child by Qarl), Lady Alianne. She married a lowborn, just like her other sisters, but later divorced and exiled him from her island, his whereabouts are unknown. They had three living sons and a daughter.

She unfortunately died under suspicious circumstances at the age of 42 and was succeeded by her oldest son, Lord Alton. He is married to Lady Noshi, a daughter of the Lord of the Skulls.

The Skulls​

Isle of the Skulls in the Northern Stepstones holds a somewhat special place among the Stepstones’ isles. It is held by Lord Loron Greyskull, a thirdborn bastard son of the infamous Euron Crow’s Eye of House Greyjoy, the self-proclaimed late king of the “Kingdom'' of Gogossos. Old Lord Loron is married to a daughter of the last Pirate King. They have two living sons and one daughter.

An interesting sidenote:
“King” Euron’s firstborn, Quellon, was a fellow maester. Unfortunately he did not live to see the completion of this work as he died in great sadness just two years prior (on the 20th day of the First Moon in the year 358AC). Nevertheless, I would like to take the liberty and immortalize him on these same pages.
As he liked to say: “If only a maester had as many hands as a kraken”.

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From the author: A note about Lady Alianne. I have no idea what in the seven hells happened to her husband. I have my theories (I personally blame that little program from the citadel forum that cleanses the game of excess lowborns, or rather my ineptitude in dealing with it), but ultimately it does not matter, he was just some random man that did his random man's deeds and is no longer needed. My headcanon is that they had a falling out, she banished him and he murdered her before disappearing into the mists of the Broken Sea.

 

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Dorne​

Although Dorne is sizable (measuring 1,000 miles from east to west and 400 miles from north to south in the west of the region), a large chunk of the landmass is effectively uninhabitable. The kingdom is divided into three distinct regions: the peninsula and the coastlines in the east, including the lands watered by the Greenblood and its tributaries; the deep desert in the west; and the mountains in the north-west. Respectively, these regions are home to the three kinds of Dornishmen: the salty Dornish of the coasts, the sandy Dornish of the desert and the stony Dornish of the mountains.[SUB]5[/SUB]

Houses of Dorne​

Dornish lords owe their fealty to the Prince (or Princess) of House Martell. They rule from Sunspear in southeastern Dorne.

Sunspear by Ted Nasmith (unfortunately I couldn't find it on Nasmith's official site)​

Major houses of Dorne, and their vassals, include:

House Martell of Plankytown House Dalt of Lemonwood House Santagar of Spottswood House Yronwood of the Stone Way House Drinkwater of Vulture’s Roost House Wyl of Wyl House Fowler of Skyreach House Manwoody of Kingsgrave House Dayne of Starfall House Dayne of the Elbow House Dayne of High Hermitage House Blackmont of Blackmont

House Uller of Hellholt House Qorgyle of Sandstone House Shells of Great Desert House Vaith of Vaith House Allyrion of Godsgrace House Gargalen of Saltshore House Ladybright of Scorched Rock House Wells of Nymerwell House Toland of Ghost Hills House Jordayne of the Tor House Jordayne of the Scourge

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Notable Events in Dorne​

The Queenmaker​

Prince Doran was involved in the Outing of the Cubs, but he also sheltered Myrcella from the wrath of the Usurper. The Prince then became a part of the Coup to install Queen Daenerys on the Iron Throne, the deed that earned him eternal gratitude from the Queen that she expressed with a gift, an excellent sword that became known as the Queenmaker. It is now passed down as an heirloom of the ruling branch of House Martell.

The White Seahorse, the Winged Doe and the Little Lioness​

In the beginning of Queen Daenerys’ reign the question of Dornish succession was one of paramount importance. It is now widely known that Prince Doran had planned to wed his oldest daughter and heir to the Beggar King Viserys, the Queen’s brother, and put him on the Throne. But when it became apparent that Viserys was unstable, those plans were abandoned. Instead the Prince gave his daughter and both of his sons his blessing for whatever union they would choose, a gesture that reconciled Prince Doran with his estranged wife.

All of them chose a scandal.

Princess Arianne was the first. She married Ser Aurane Waters, the Bastard of Driftmark. They met at the Red Keep where both were invited as guests and quickly became lovers. And as she had a blessing to do whatever she wanted, Princess Arianne decided to do just that.

The union resulted in four daughters and two living sons.

The eldest, Prince Doran, eventually succeeded his mother as Prince of Dorne.

The second, Lord Trebor, was granted a castle of Tribunal near the Plankytown. He is married to a Lady from house Toland. They have one son and one daughter.

Next scandal was about Prince Quentyn.

He married Lady Larra, the bastard daughter of the Usurper Robert Baratheon, despite the fact that her father was fiercely hated in Dorne. They lived quietly in the castle of Sandship with their one living daughter and three sons.

Their oldest son, Ser Willam, married a Toland girl and was granted a castle in the Ghost Hills.

Their second son Ser Gyren succeeded his father as the master of Sandship in the year 318AC after the latter’s untimely death at the age of 37.

Prince Tristane did not want to be left behind and also married with a scandal.

He married Myrcella, one of the infamous Cubs, a product of an illicit incestuos affair of the disgraced queen Cersei Lannister and her brother, Lord Commander of the Queensguard Jaime the Kingslayer. Prince Tristane did not care. The pair relocated to the Water Gardens and lived their lives out of the public eye with their two living sons.

Their oldest son Ser Symon succeeded his father in the year 338AC after the latter’s gout got the better of him. He was briefly married to a bastard-born girl from House Tyrell and had two children by her. Ser Symon still remains unmarried since her untimely death at the young age of just 24.

The second son of Prince Trystane, Ser Griffith, married a Wells girl and was granted a castle near Nymerwell.

Prince Doran died peacefully on the 2nd day of the Twelfth Moon in the year 306AC at the age of 58 and was succeeded by Princess Arianne.

Doran Martell by BellaBergolts

Princess Arianne died peacefully on the 26th day of the Sixth Moon in the year 329AC at the age of 53.

Arianne Martell by BellaBergolts

She was succeeded by her son Prince Doran, known as the Good. He is married to Lady Sansara Tyrell, daughter of the late Lord Paramount Willas Tyrell of the Reach, Protector of the South. They have three daughters and three sons. Prince Doran has two bastard children from his official paramour, Malia of House Whitehead.

 

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The Viper and the Snakes​

Lord Oberyn, the Red Viper of Dorne, finally married his long-time paramour, Lady Ellaria, after his glorious duel with the infamous Mountain.

They proceeded to have a total of seven living children: five daughters and two sons. Lord Oberyn was granted the castle near Plankytown and a rulership over the area. The castle is now known as the Viper’s Nest. The spear that felled the Mountain is now called the Viper’s Fang and considered a priceless possession in the Martell family, especially it’s serpentine branch.

Oberyn Martell by BellaBergolts

Lord Oberyn’s first son, Lord Morgan, first married the daughter of the Lady of the Prince’s Pass. They had one living daughter and two sons. After his first wife’s death he married a girl from House Tyrell and had one daughter by her. Lord Morgan succeeded his father in the year 332AC. He died in the year 337AC at the age of 41 from a lingering wound.

He was succeeded by his son Lord Oberyn.He is married to a woman from his own House, Lady Aliandra, granddaughter of Princess Arianne from her second son.

Lord Viper’s second son, Ser Lewyn Redspear, was granted the castle of Longdike near Plankytown. He first married a Santagar girl. They had a daughter and a son. After her death he married a lowborn girl and had a daughter by her. He died of severe stress in the year 356AC at the age of 51.

His son Ser Baduin succeeded him.

He is also married to a woman from his own House, Lady Emphyria, granddaughter of Prince Quentyn from his second son, Ser Gyren of Sandship. They have a daughter and a son.


Almost all of the Sand Snakes married into the prominent families as well:

• Obara married Lord Manwoody of Kingsgrave (had issue)
• Nymeria married Lord Dayne of High Hermitage (had issue)
• Tyene married Lord Paramount Willas of the Reach (had issue)
• Elia married Lord of Vaith (had issue)
• Obella married the son of Lady Blackmont (had issue)
• Dorea married lord Wells of Nymerwell (had issue)
• Loreza married a knight from House Dayne of High Hermitage (had issue)
• Izabel married Lord Dayne of the Elbow (had issue)

 

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The Swords of the Morning​

Let the Star Fall​

Lord Beric of House Dayne, Lord of The Torrentine, died in an accident at the age of one-and-forty in the year 284AC.

The lives of three of his four children ended in a tragedy.

His second son Ser Arthur, known as the Sword of the Morning, was a famed and legendary knight, an efficient commander and the deadliest of the seven members of King Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard. Many considered him to have been the most chivalrous warrior of the Seven Kingdoms. To defeat the Kingswood Brotherhood, an infamous outlaw organisation during the reign of King Aerys II, he gained the trust of the smallfolk of the Kingswood by paying for what he and his forces took and taking their grievances before the King. In the end Arthur slew the Smiling Knight in single combat and ended the threat of the outlaws. Following that victory, he knighted Ser Jaime the Kingslayer who idolised him.

After the end of the Usurper’s Rebellion, Arthur along with his fellow white brothers were found by Lord Paramount Eddard Stark at the Tower of Joy. Arthur died there, fighting Lord Stark and his companions, but the exact circumstances of his death are unclear. The victor then had the tower torn down to build cairns for the eight deceased upon a nearby ridge and rode to Starfall, to return the sword Dawn to Arthur's sister, Lady Ashara, as a sign of respect.

Sir Arthur Dayne 2.0 by Mobo Boehme

Lady Ashara was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elia Martell, the wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Some time after Lord Eddard’s visit, Lady Ashara jumped from the top of the Palestone Sword, one of the towers of Starfall, into the sea. The exact reason for this tragic act is unclear. Several theories circulated at that time: a broken heart, a stillborn daughter, a stolen child, the "man who had dishonoured her at Harrenhal", or grief over Ser Arthur's death. Her body was never found.

Ashara Dayne by BellaBergolts

Ser Arthur and Lady Ashara’s youngest sibling, Lady Allyria, was briefly married to Lord Beric of House Dondarrion, Lord of Blackhaven, and had a son by him, but died shortly after the birth due to the dreaded rot of the womb. Lord Beric later remarried.

Allyria Dayne by Rae Lavergne (unfortunately allknown accounts of the author are unavailable)

The only child of the Lord of Torrentine to live was his firstborn son and successor, Lord Ulrick. He was married to Lady Elia, a woman of humble birth.

Both of their daughters married into prominent Reachman houses.

The youngest son, Ser Galwyn, was married to lady Alyce of House Meadows until his death at the age of three-and-forty from an infected wound. Lady Alyce did not remarry and still weeps for her beloved husband.

The pair’s son, Ser Corbyn, is serving as a Princeguard to Prince Viserys the Bladesman.

Ser Jordan, Lord Ulrick’s third son, also died from a festering wound at a young age of just two-and-twenty. He was married to lady Mabyl of House Toland. Their only son Connor tragically also died at the exact same age of two-and-twenty after an acute food poisoning.

Lord Jasper of The Elbow was Lord Ulrick’s second son. He was married to Lady Izabel of House Martell of Plankytown, one of the daughters of Lord Oberyn the Red Viper born after he finally married his life-long Paramour Ellaria Sand. After Lord Jasper’s death from a suspected heart attack at the age of one-and-sixty, Lady Izabel proclaimed an indefinite period of mourning.

The pair’s older daughter, Lady Alyna, was married to Lord Ronnel of House Peasebury, the Lord of Poddingfield, as his second wife. After his death in the year 334AC she remarried to young Monfryd of House Hasty and had a son by him before his tragic death at the age of just one-and-twenty from a severe allergic reaction.

Lady Adeline, Lord Jasper’s younger daughter, was unfortunately born rather simple, a fact that she was vaguely aware of and developed a fierce sense of shame. She also had her own perception of honour and was quick to anger if she felt that it had been violated. Unfortunately it all brought about the most tragic event when lady Adeline became angry at Ser Casimir, her oldest brother and Lord Jasper’s firstborn son and heir, and challenged him to a duel right then and there and attacked. A kindhearted and patient man, Ser Casimir did not want to hurt his poor little sister and did not defend himself properly, with the most dire of circumstances. Lady Adeline thrusted her dagger into her brother’s chest, leaving a deep and bloody hole in it. Ser Casimir died from blood loss in the arms of his horrified wife, lady Alis of House Uller. This whole ordeal left lady Alis heartbroken and in a state of mourning bordering on obsession. She left Starfall and went back to her father’s court and reportedly needs to be often be escorted back to it from her frequent attempts to wander into the Dornish desert.

Lady Dancy is Ser Casimir and lady Alis’s only child. She is married to Ser Archibald, the heir of an heir of House Dayne of the High Hermitage. She eventually succeeded her grandfather as the Lady of The Elbow, but was quickly deposed in a bloodless coup as the denizens of The Elbow and other Elbow Daynes did not want to eventually become subservient to the High Hermitage.

Lord Lucimore, Lord Jasper’s second son, is the current Lord of The Elbow following the aforementioned coup. He is married to Lady Bonessa of House Herston. Lord Lucimor’s heir apparent now is his second daughter following his firstborn Cordelia’s denouncement of her birthright in favour of love, an act that seemingly broke her father’s heart.

The man that is worth more than her father’s seat to a girl of four-and-ten is a five-and-ten years old squire Willam of House Dalt. Only time can tell if that was a wise decision or just an act of selfish rebellion from an affectionate little girl.

Ser Quincy is Lord Lucimore’s youngest sibling. He is married to lady Dinah, another Dayne of High Hermitage.

Lord Edric, Lord Ulrick’s firstborn, became the next Lord of The Torrentine following his father’s fatal accident. He was married to Lady Gwyneth of House Yronwood until her tragic death in childbirth at the age of eight-and-twenty. Lord Edric never remarried and mourned her deeply until his own rather suspicious death three years after. Some sources claim that his fragile mental state was taken advantage of by one of the servant girls who slithered her way into his bed and “gifted” him with a brothel disease that swiftly became his undoing. Some other rumours have it that the girl in question actually straight up strangled him in his sleep.

Ser Casper was Lord Edric’s youngest son. He was married to lady Elinor of House Crane. After Ser Casper’s untimely death at the age of five-and-thirty, she returned to her father’s seat in the Reach to mourn. She is often seen at the refuge for the sick, helping her disgraced mother who became a silent sister.

Ser Edric the younger is Ser Casper’s only child. He is married to a beautiful lady Shyra of House Caron.

Ser Ulrick the younger is Lord Edric’s second son. He is married to lady Delicia of House Fowler. Lady Delicia found herself in a major disagreement with Starfall’s previous septon, a slight that ended with a formal petition to the High Septon himself and an actual denouncement from the Seven. Ser Ulrick then petitioned the Crown on behalf of his wife to have this ridiculous decision overturned. The Queen personally promptly asked the High Septon to maybe reconsider. The decision is pending.

Their younger daughter, lady Alyna, is married to Ser Ballard of House Uller.

Lady Alyna’s older sister, lady Ynys, is married to Vorian, a Dayne of High Hermitage. The man in question had a falling out with his branch and permanently relocated to the court of his wife instead. Their firstborn daughter Liera is soon to be of age, but the family is yet undecided about her marriage prospects.

The current Lord of The Torrentine is Lord Edric’s firstborn, the Gallant Lord Joris. He is married to Lady Nera of House Martell, sister to the current Prince of Dorne. After it became apparent that her differences with her brother are simply irreconcilable, with her husband actually siding with her rival, Lady Nera left the Seven Kingdoms entirely and is serving as a spymaster at the small court of Lord Freeholder of Rhyonos in a steadily rebuilding great city of Sarhoy.

All three daughters of the pair are married into prominent houses of the Reach.

The Sword of the Morning​

The title of Sword of the Morning is traditionally bestowed on a knight of House Dayne deemed worthy enough to carry it. The title lay dormant since the death of Ser Arthur Dayne, a famed knight of the Kingsguard. It finally found its bearer again in Ser Aryard, the only son and heir of the Gallant Lord Joris of The Torrentine.

A true knight, Ser Aryard is known throughout the realms as the most formidable, but honourable opponent (and as a really handsome man, according to the ladies). His new title is expected to elevate his legend even further.

Ser Aryard is married to lady Leonette of House Fossoway (the ripe branch).

Two of their oldest children are married to two children from House Martell. Lady Fionalla married Olyvar, the heiress of Dorne’s second son.

The Sword of the Morning’s heir, Ser Archibald, married Olyvar’s sister, lady Gemma, although he is respectfully waiting for her to mature before they could begin their married life. Ser Archibald squired for his father with the utmost success in his studies, although his character unfortunately leaves doubts whether he might be worthy to take up his father’s heavy mantle as the Sword of the Morning when the time comes.

 

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The Dark Hermits​

Ser Alester, the Lord of High Hermitage, was a younger brother of Lord Beric of House Dayne, Lord of The Torrentine. He died from seemingly natural causes at a relatively young age of seven-and-forty in the year 292AC.

His only daughter, lady Alyse, was married to Ser Gerris of House Drinkwater, Lord of Vulture’s Roost.

Ser Alester’s second son, Ser Ronnel, was married to lady Delonne of House Allyrion until his peaceful death at the age of six-and-fifty. His poor wife could not bear the amount of grief she had to endure and followed him two years later. The pair had their fair share of tragedy. They had to witness the horrible death of their beloved young daughter when she fell from one of the towers and died a mangled mess in one the many caverns below, the stone below her more vivid red than the Red Mountains usually are.

The pair’s son, Ser Aegon (no doubt named so in the hopes to please the ruling family), fell down the stairs during a wake in his father’s honour and died two months later, a loss that was a final straw for his poor mother. Ser Aegon’s wife, lady Loreza, the last bastard of Red Viper before he finally married her mother, became deranged with grief after his death. She eventually went back to her brother’s court at the Viper’s Nest castle near Plankytown and accused him of stealing her and her sisters’ birthright and demanded a trial by combat for the seat. Her brother, Lord Morgan, was forced to obliged and kill his unrelenting sister with a Viper’s Fang through the eye. Lord Morgan himself died a year later from a wound he sustained in this senseless duel, most probably due to the poison lady Loreza applied to her own spear.

The only daughter of Ser Aegon and lady Loreza, lady Robyn, who was tutored by her mother in her saner years, was much more inclined to the martial matters rather than those of matrimony, so she fled to have her own adventures. The latest reports place her at the small council of the Lord of Llhorulu in the Golden Fields of the Rhoynar, serving as his treasurer.

Ser Aegon and lady Loreza’s second son Vorian denounced his family after a heated fight and resides with his wife’s branch at Starfall.

His oldest brother Garmond suffered some kind of heart condition and often had a purplish discoloration of his face. He died at the age of two-and-forty, assumingly from that malady. He was married to a lowborn woman named Mariya who still resides at High Hermitage with her son.

Aegon the younger, Garmond’s only child, is also married to a lowborn girl by the name of Elianne.

Ser Alester’s firstborn son, Ser Gerold Darkstar, succeeded him as Lord of High Hermitage. He was married to Lady Nymeria Sand, one of the famous Sand Snakes, Red Viper’s daughters. He broke her heart when he acknowledged a bastard daughter from a lowborn woman and Lady Nym was never the same after that. She eventually died from an ordinary flu, possibly due to her body’s refusal to fight any longer. Ser Gerold did not remarry after her death and died a nervous wreck six years later.

A Game of Thrones - Darkstar by TheFirstAngel

Nymeria Sand by Bella Bergolts (unfortunately I could not find this picture on author's official page)​

The bastard in question, lady Bryanna, is married to the heir of Kingsgrave, Ser Mors of House Manwoody, as his second wife. Her mother was executed by her father a year before his death when he became convinced that she was responsible for Lady Nym’s death and planned to take out his legitimate children. Lady Bryanna’s half-sister was implicated in this convoluted “trial” as well and later caught and executed by the Lord of The Torrentine.

The legitimate daughter, lady Loreza, was married to Ser Lorrent of House Blackmont until his death at the age of nine-and-thirty. She did not remarry and remains with her late husband’s family, serving as a master-at-arms for the young Lady of Blackmont.

Lord Darkstar’s third son, Ser Michael the Exile, was one of the parties insisting that lady Bryanna’s mother was out to get them, so after his father’s death and his brother’s succession and posthumous exoneration of the poor woman he threw a tantrum and left the Seven Kingdoms to serve under the Ragged Standard of a mercenary company. After no-one had called him back, he declared that he was exiled by his own kin and stubbornly stayed with the sellswords, a decision that proved to be his undoing. His wife, lady Charissa, who actually loved her mule-headed husband very much, could not bear the news of his passing and died of a broken heart a year later.

The pair’s daughter, lady Erin, is married to Ser Orbert of House Cordwayner.

Her oldest brother, Ser Garrison, a bright but cruel young knight, died from liver failure at the prime young age of four-and-twenty. His widow, Lady Obara of House Martell, remarried to the Lord of Greenshield.

Ser Benedict, Ser Michael’s second son, is married to lady Estalia of House Hunt.

His youngest brother, Ser Conrad, is married to lady Serena of House Allyrion.

Ser Alester is Lord Darkstar’s second son. He is married to lady Maryce of House Jordayne.

The pair’s only daughter, lady Denisa, is married to poor kind Ser Osmund of House Blackbar, but before Ser Osmund's father had passed, she was her own father-in-law’s favourite mistress. Their three bastards, “the white flowers of Blackbar”, are an open secret of Bandallon’s court. She also is unfortunately ravaged by some vile sickness of the mind, probably due to the brothel sickness Lord Rolland suffered from, although she does not exhibit any external signs of it.

Ser Lancelyn, Lord Darkstar’s firstborn, is the current Lord of High Hermitage. He was married to Lady Robyna of House Fowler before her execution by his kinsman and overlord, Lord Joris of The Torrentine. The exact reason is rather muddy and rumours have it that the whole charges were fabricated by one of Ser Lancelyn’s male friends. Ser Lancelyn also remains unremarried.

The pair’s older daughter, lady Katrin, was married to Joffrey of House Cuy before her death at the age of five-and-thirty. It is believed that she could not bear the grief of a stillbirth. Her husband later remarried.

Lady Katrin’s younger sister, lady Lorinda, is married to Ser Harys of House Cordwayner.

Ser Vorian is Ser Lancelyn’s youngest son. He is married to lady Malarra of House Wagstaff.

Their daughter, lady Denyse, is married to Ser Alyn of House Sloane.

Ser Lancelyn’s second son, Ser Myles, is married to lady Elinor of House Reyne.

Their daughter, lady Dinah, is married to Ser Quincy, Dayne of the Elbow. They both reside at High Hermitage though.

Ser Gerold is Ser Lancelyn’s firstborn son and heir. He is married to lady Tya of House Falwell.

Their daughter, lady Falyce, is married to Ser Leo of House Blackbar.

Ser Gerold’s son, Ser Archibald, is married to lady Dancy, once briefly the Lady of The Elbow.

 

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The Guardians of the Way​

Lord Ormond of House Yronwood, Lord of the Stone Way, and his wife, Lady Sylwa of House Drinkwater from Vulture’s Roost, had two sons.

Ser Alaric, the younger son, was married twice, although the name of his first wife is unfortunately could not be found in the archives. His second wife, lady Carolei of House Lipps frog the Vale, was not married to him for long and after his death relocated back to Crow’s Barrens.

Alaric’s son by his first wife, Ser Archibald, was married to Lady Valena of House Toland, Lady of Ghost Hills. Even though there were rumours that given a choice Ser Archibald would’ve preferred a Lord, he nevertheless truly and deeply loved his wife and in his grief he literally drank himself to death.

His younger sister, lady Arianne, was coincidentally married to another Ser Archibald, this one of House Wyl. After lady Arianne’s death at the age of nine-and-thirty he remarried to a reachmen lady Lerra of House Vyrwel. Ser Archibald was the heir apparent to the House of Wyl until his death at the age of just five-and-forty. For some reason his children were skipped in succession and Ser Archibald’s unhinged brother Cugel succeeded their equally unhinged father and is the current Lord of Wyl. Lord Cugel’s daughter and heir, who is married to her cousin and lord Archibald’s eldest son, is also suffering from some kind of mental instability. It would seem that some form of that dreaded malady became unfortunately inherent in the Wyls’ blood.

But let us look back at the Yronwoods.

Lord Ormond’s firstborn son and subsequent successor was Lord Anders, for his generosity known by his peers as Open-Handed (but for his arbitrary rule known by his subjects by another, much less flattering name). The name of his first wife is also unfortunately lost, but his second one is definitely a peculiar one. Lady Olenna of Waypress came from the Reach after the death of her first husband, Lord Moribald of House Chester of Greenshield (to whom she also was a second wife). Allegedly the woman was so insecure that she utterly refused to ever be seen undressed, even by her lawful husband, and was adamantly against any form of physical intimacy. Nevertheless she was married to two lords and outlived them both. What is even more peculiar is that after her second husband’s death lady Olenna took to the road once again and if the vague reports are true, she died of natural causes at the age of fifty in the far east, in the lands of Hyrkoon in the Bone Mountains.

Lord Anders’ oldest daughter, lady Ynys, was married to Lord Daeron of House Shells of Great Desert, who after her death mourned her to the rest of his.

Lady Ynys’ younger sister, Lady Gwyneth, was married to Lord Edric of House Dayne of The Torrentine. After it was discovered that Lord Edric had somehow contracted a brothel disease, the poor woman was so worried about her unborn child that her kind heart just could not handle it. Lord Edric fell into a deep state of grief and died three years after his wife, and although the circumstances surrounding his death sounded a little suspicious no foul play was ever discovered.

After the death of Lord Anders his only son Cletus succeeded him as the Lord of The Stone Way. Kind and very talkative, Lord Cletus was much more interested in hosting endless feasts and left the governance of his lands to his subordinates, which (and one other deed that will be discussed further) ultimately led to him being remembered as Cletus the Unworthy.

Lord Cletus was married to Lady Joy Hill, the only child and a natural-born daughter of Gerion of House Lannister, the youngest (and arguably the most reckless) brother of the disgraced Lord Paramount Tywin Lannister of the Westerlands.

The pair’s oldest daughter, Lady Rossalyn, truly is a force to be reckoned with. Tall and still sturdy even in her late fifties, the woman is a knight in her own right, and what a knight she is! A living legend with the blade, she is regarded as one of the greatest warriors of the realm. She is also a mother of four, although unfortunately one of her daughters has already passed.

Lady Rossalyn was married twice, both times to a Dondarrion. Her first marriage to Lord Ronnel was a short-lived one. Lord Ronnel was found guilty of extorting money from local septries, and he might have been sent to the Wall if he did not take a step too far when he hanged a septon that refused to pay.

When the tales of his crimes finally reached Lord Paramount Stannis the Just, the outcome was obvious and Lord Ronnel’s head rolled.

Lady Rossalyn quickly remarried to Lord Ronnel’s cousin, Ser Ryman. This marriage was a happy one, but unfortunately even the good things must eventually come to an end. After Ser Ryman’s death, Lady Rossalyn fell into a deep state of grief and is even rumoured to have become interested in the eastern religion of the Lord of Light that claims to have powers of resurrection.

Lady Rossalyn’s sister and Lord Cletus’ second daughter, Lady Ivanna, is happily married to the generous Lord Addam of House Footly of Tumbleton.

The third daughter, lady Martina, is married to Ser Lyman of House Tarly.

The fourth daughter, lady Inis, is unfortunately no longer in the realm of the living. After the death of her first husband, Ser Galwyn, Commander of the Boneway, lady Inis decided to visit the realm’s new colonies in Essaria, There she met handsome young Garro of a newly established House of Timpalanty, rulers of Eglia at the northern foot of the Painted Mountains. Garro was more than ten years her younger, but lady Inis fell head over heels in love with him and the pair got married. But their happiness was destroyed not even five years into their marriage when a minor dispute between the first colonists and the most recent batch of new ones escalated into a frenzied mob and Garro was unfortunately killed in his futile attempt to bring his brother’s subjects to order. Lady Inis’ heart perished with him. She often wandered into the Mountains and disappeared for days. One of those incursions finally brought her demise when she was found by some shepherds, feverish and delirious. Lady Inis took her final laboured breath three years after the death of her beloved. She died at the age of forty.

Before we talk about Lord Cletus’ eldest and youngest sons, let us talk first about his second one.

Ser Warryn of Waywatcher castle is the holding’s first lord. This new castle was built in recent years to better secure the road from Wyl to Yronwood.

Ser Warryn’s first wife, lady Johanna of House Dondarrion, was the sister to the greedy Lord Ronnel and his successor, Lord Edwyn (who was the one to report his brother’s crimes and is therefore known as the Treacherous). Lady Johanna was a humble and honest woman who was content with her position. She also was extremely paranoid. She would not stop at nothing in her pursuit of the conspiracy that she was unwaveringly sure was brewing all around her. In the end she was unfortunately proven right as she died under very questionable circumstances. It is still debated whether her demise was brought by the actual conspiracy that she was searching for or the conspiracy to kill her grew out of her ruthless pursuit of an imaginary one.

Ser Warryn recently remarried to lady Erayna of House Cordwayner from the Reach. Lady Erayna was six-and-ten when she married Ser Warryn, who was five-and-forty at that time.

This marriage created a huge rift between Ser Warryn and his daughters. His heir, lady Tereza, who is seven years older than his new wife, eventually warmed up to her new step-mother and reconciled with her father.

Ser Warryn’s second daughter, lady Alma, was however so furious with her father’s decision that she stormed out of the castle and left for the Stormlands. There she met and married Ser Bonnifer of House Massey, the treasurer of Massey’s Hook. Ser Bennifer’s family history is a very tragic one. His grandfather, Lord Albin, was beheaded by Lord Paramount Stannis for his dealings with the pirates. Almost twenty years later Ser Bennifer’s mother, lady Elanna of House Staedmon, was also beheaded by Lord Paramount Stannis’ daughter, Lady Paramount Shireen, when lady Elanna was condemned by the High Septon. Three years later Lord Albin’s son and Ser Bonnifer’s father, Ser Dickon, was beheaded by Ser Bonnifer’s uncle and Ser Dickon’s own brother, Lord Maldon, after a failed coup. Their third brother, Ser Jon, gathered his honour back at the very last moment and tipped off his older brother about the plans of his younger one and therefore was spared and sent to the Wall instead.

Now it is time to talk about Lord Cletus’ two remaining sons, the oldest and the youngest.

Ser Walter “Yrongood”, the current Commander of The Boneway, is Lord Cletus’ youngest child and his natural-born son. He was born to Lord Cletus and Lady Ynessa of House Drinkwater, who was the wife of Lord Cletus’ legitimate son and heir, the current Lord Ormond of The Stone Way. The brothers have a complicated relationship. Lord Ormond, a just man, understands that Ser Walter cannot be held accountable for the circumstances of his birth, but he still feels some resentment towards him as he is the constant reminder of his wife’s infidelity. It is therefore debatable whether Lord Ormond’s decision to bestow the command of The Boneway upon his half-brother was made out of his known generosity or to put some distance between the two. In my own humble opinion, it is probably a mixture of both.

Ser Walter’s first wife, lady Wynella of House Fossoway (green batch) tragically died after a severe food poisoning. Ser Walter later quietly remarried to a lowborn woman from a nearby little town.

Ser Walter’s mother and Lord Ormond’s wife, Lady Ynessa, died from natural causes at the age of two-and-fifty. Lord Ormond, who had actually forgiven his wife and reconciled with her in later years, remains unremarried, although he is known to sometimes wishfully speak of love.

Lady Ynessa gave Lord Ormund three legitimate children.

Their second one, lady Arabella, tragically passed away from a tumour. She was briefly married to Armond of House Rowan and gave him a son before the poor man’s terrible death from the dreaded greyscale. Lady Arabella later remarried to Ser Mattheus of House Caswell. It is rumoured that both lady Arabella and her new husband actually preferred the company of their own sex and had a mutual agreement to forfeit their marriage obligations to pursue whoever they want. Unfortunately that agreement came to and end alond with the life of poor lady Arabella. Ser Mattheus was forced to marry again and, given his kind and timid nature, could not deny his wife her desire to have children.

Lady Arabella’s sister, lady Alyse, is married to Lord Joreth of House Ladybright of Scorched Rock who is almost twenty years her senior. Theirs is unfortunately not a happy marriage as the kind-hearted and honourable lady Alyse is appalled by her lord husband’s cruel treatment of his subjects.

The current heir of The Stone Way is Ser Landon, Lord Ormond’s only son. He is married to Lady Elia of House Materll, daughter of Prince Doran the Good.

Oddly enough, their oldest daughter, lady Rhona, is married to her own half-uncle. Ser Doran Sand, or a “Martellhead” as he sometimes calls himself, is Prince Doran’s natural son by his mistress, lady Malia of House Whitehead.

Ser Landon’s second child and his only son Cleon had recently married lady Lilah of House Alleras, the daughter of Commander Rickard of the Red Keep and his late lady wife Laenysha of House Otheris of Dark Den, the granddaughter of the scandalous pair of maesters, Wex Pyke and Sarella Sand, and the great-granddaughter of the Usurper through her grandmother, Lady Izembara, the Black Pearl of Dark Den.

 

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The Stormlands​

The Stormlands extend from the Kingswood all the way to the Sea of Dorne, over 400 miles to the south. They also extend from the coast to the easternmost plains of the Reach, varying from 300 to 500 miles, and also include a significant number of islands in the Narrow Sea and the Sea of Dorne, most notably Tarth and Estermont. Finally, the Stormlands also control a sizable salient of territory extending south and east, between the Reach and the Red Mountains. This salient, known as the Dornish Marches, extends just over 400 miles to the south-east of Summerhall. From the south-eastern tip of the Marches, at the castle of Nightsong, to the north-eastern corner on the coast near Massey’s Hook, the Stormlands extend for over 900 miles. For an area that is often overlooked by history and chroniclers, it is a surprisingly large region.

Although large, the Stormlands are not hugely populous. The region lacks a major city and the land can be damp and dismal. The Stormlands certainly field less soldiers than the Westerlands, the Vale, the Reach, the North or the Riverlands, but they have a reputation for fierceness and valour.⁶

Houses of the Stormlands​

Lords of the Stormlands owe their fealty to the Lords Paramount of House Baratheon. Their seat is the castle of Storm's End.

Storm's End by Logan Feliciano​

Major houses of the Stormlands, and their vassals, include:

House Bolling of Storm’s Drum House Baratheon of Stagsden House Wensington of Durran’s Point House Stormhaven of Storm’s Call House Swygert of Galemont House Penrose of Parchments House Trant of Gallowsgrey House Musgood of Drakesgrave House Tarth of Evenfall Hall House Toyne of Sunwatch House Massey of Stonedance House Bar Emmon of Sharp Point House Sunglass of Sweetport Sound House Errol of Haystack Hall House Follard of Woodmere House Buckler of Bronzegate House Fell of Felwood House Staedmon of Broach Arch House Caron of Nightsong House Selmy of Harvest Hall House Peasebury of Poddingfield

House Connington of Griffin’s Roost House Grandison of Grandview House Wagstaff of Adderdell House Morrigen of Crown’s Nest House Seaworth of the Rainwood House Wylde of Rain House House Kellington of Blue Grove House Rogers of Amberly House Estermont of Greenstone House Gower of Wrathrock House Whitehead of the Weeping Town House Mertyns of Mistwood House Tudbury of Tudbury Hall House Swann of Stonehelm House Herston of Slaynemouth House Horpe of Lockport House Lonmouth of Lonmouth House Dondarrion of Blackhaven House Cafferen of Fawnton House Hasty of Hadlow Keep

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⁶ Atlas

 

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Notable Events in the Stormlands​

Aftermath​

After the fall of the Usurper Robert Baratheon, his brother, Lord Stannis Baratheon, was forced to abdicate his position as the Prince of Dragonstone and return to the Stormlands. This in turn prompted Lord Renly Baratheon to gracefully step down as the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands in favour of his older brother.

Stagsden​

Lord Paramount Stannis granted his brother a pretty new castle (later known as the Stagsden) not far from the Storm’s End and forsworn any attempts of arranging a marriage for him (a move that must have been devastating for many a maiden). Lord Renly’s best friend and constant companion, Lord Loras of House Tyrell, affectionately called by Lord Renly as his Knight of Flowers, moved in with him. They developed a peculiar fashion of wearing each other’s house’s colours and ruled their little dominion together like a married couple until Lord Renly’s peaceful death in the year 348AC at the age of 71. Lord Loras was granted the rule over the castle until his own peaceful death only three years later, in the year 351AC, at a nice age of 69.

Renly Baratheon by Christine Griffin (author's offical account unfortunately unavailable)

T1 version of the Knight of the Rose from Heroes of Camelot (if anyone knows the name of the author, please contact me)​

With his death the castle of Stagsden returned to the Baratheon family and is currently held by Lady Paramount Shireen’s third son, Ser Gallard of House Baratheon. He is married to Lady Elwene, daughter of late Lord Paramount Willas the Wise of the Reach. They have a son, a strong lad named Boremund. He is betrothed to a beautiful granddaughter of Lord Andrew of Wrathrock.

The Return of Massey’s Hook​

It is known that prior to the War of Conquest, Massey's Hook was part of the Stormlands owing allegiance to the Durrandon Storm Kings of Storm's End. The Bar Emmons and Masseys had developed closer ties with the Targaryens of Dragonstone, however, and allied with Aegon Targaryen against the Storm King Argilac the Arrogant. After Aegon the Conqueror's victory, Massey's Hook became part of the new crownlands owing allegiance to the Targaryens reigning in King's Landing.⁷

Old Lord Maric was the ruling Lord of Massey’s Hook during the Restoration. He was however briefly involved in a conspiracy to install the Usurper’s brother Stannis as the new king instead of the rightful Targaryen pair. This made it apparent that the Targaryens and the lords of the Hook had drifted apart. The short-lived seditious faction was then peacefully dissolved as Lord Paramount Stannis refused to participate in yet another coup. The Queen then seemed fitting to reward Lord Stannis for his loyalty and returned the Hook and its surrounding lands to their roots. This new dynamic was not without its storms, of course, as one of the lords of house Massey, Lord Albyn the Planter, was beheaded in the year 327AC on the orders of Lord Paramount Stannis of the Stormlands.

But let us not get ahead of ourselves and look further back at the Masseys en mass.

Lord Maric peacefully died just three years after the Restoration.

His second son Ser Justin unfortunately died just three months before the Restoration from an especially malignant tumour.

Lord Maric’s youngest son, Ser Wallace, lived a long life that almost could be seen as two vastly different ones.

His first wife Sarya was a lowborn witch. With her Ser Wallace lived in the surrounding woods under the constant influence of his wife’s dubious brews, trapping defenceless creatures and torturing them for days until they became as mad as his beloved Sarya. This life of course could not go on forever and after one of their especially brew-filled nights Ser Wallace found his witch-wife dead.

Surprisingly however he did not grieve that long and soon remarried to a woman young enough to be his daughter. His new wife Betha was born of rape perpetrated against a common-born woman by Betha’s father, a disgraced “ser” Ronel Waters, natural-born son of the Late Lord Walder from House Frey of the Crossing. Soon after he was caught and brought to trial that condemned him to be gelded and sent to the Night’s Watch. He died there during a trial by combat while serving under the command of his nephew, Dickon Frey.

Since Sarya never gave her husband any children (she made sure of that with her concoctions), after her death Ser Wallace’s new wife had to rapidly fill that void and she did so with six children. Unfortunately it did not do any favours to her health and he died at the age of six-and-thirty. Both her husband and her father outlived her.

The pair’s third child and first daughter, lady Myrren, was supposed to marry the valiant Ser Sumon from House Chelsted. When the rain that poured on their wedding day ruined the young lady’s dress the guests tried to console her saying that it’s for good luck. She died within a month from the inflammation in her lungs. Ser Symon eventually remarried.

Poor lady Myrren’s sister had a bit more luck, especially the middle sister Mary who married Ser Martin from House Warfield of Stokeworth. Cassana, the youngest one, is married to Ser Ben Flowers, known in the tourneys as Blackant, a bastard-born knight from House Bushy.

Ser Wallace’s oldest son, Ser Maric, is married to lady Argella from House Caron. Their only son Barron is married to lady Rosalei from House Durwell.

Ser Maric’s middle brother, Ser Edric, is married to lady Megga from House Costayne. They have a daughter. The last brother, Ser Harys, married a common-born woman named Joy, a wise woman from a local village. They do not have any offspring and this unfortunate fact grieves Ser Harys very much.

But let us briefly go back to Lord Maric, the grandsire to the aforementioned brothers.

A year after Lord Maric’s death his only daughter, Lady Joselyn, was brutally executed by her own husband, Lord Guncer from House Sunglass of Sweetport Sound. It was later revealed that her accusations were fabricated by Lord Guncer’s lover, a common whore by the name of Brienne Parsin. Even more insultingly, Lord Guncer actually married the fallen woman soon after the execution.

In retaliation, Lady Joselyn’s brother invaded the isle of Sweetport Sound, took its lord captive and forced Lord Guncer to bend the knee. Unfortunately Lord Jon was gravely injured during his revenge. He lost an eye, the wound began to fester and the brief Lord Jon was dead within a year.

His firstborn daughter, Lady Elinor, was married to Ser Jon from House Bar Emmon until his death at the age of six-and-forty. Lady Elinor never remarried and wore her widow’s garments for twenty five long years.

Her sister, Lady Alys, did not feel the same way about her first husband, nor for her second one for that matter. When her first one, Lord Bryen from House Tollett of Grey Glen, decided to father a bastard and consequently died from a brothel disease at the age of just one-and-thirty, Lady Alys eventually remarried to old Ser Beric of House Peckledon, but he died at their wedding, drowning in wine while laying under an open barrel. Lady Alys later fell in love with Ser Raynald, a much younger baseborn knight in the service of her second husband’s household. Unfortunately he died of gout at the prime age of four-and-thirty, leaving poor Lady Alys alone once again. Ser Raynald was the only man she ever truly grieved and wore a proper mourning for. Their union was contested by her family however, so unfortunately their son, Ser Ronard, is widely considered a bastard. To escape that stain he had recently left Westeros and ended up in the North Valyrian region of Port Orbar where he married lady Nelayenis from House Longwaters.

Ser Rupert is the only son of the brief Lord Jon that still lives. This unfortunately cannot be said about his first wife, lady Rohanne from House Estren, who was executed by Ser Ruper’s nephew after she tried to seduce him. Ser Rupert remarried to lady Olana from House Waxley who is eight years younger than Ser Rupert’s son.

Until her death Ser Rupert’s daughter, lady Lollys, was married to Ser Manfrey from House Bullhart, son of Lord Gendry the Bull and his Lady of Blades.

Ser Rupert’s poor son, Ser Steffon, had unfortunately suffered an injury to his head in the very next tourney after being knighted so now he lives as if he was seven years old. He naturally does not have any children with his wife, lady Alicent from House Bracken, and the pair lives with minimum contact as Ser Steffon does not want to play with nasty girls and lady Alicent does not want to deal with a literal manchild.

Ser Davos was Lord Jon’s middle child. Despite his open preference towards male company, he dutifully sired two children with his wife, lady Jonquil from House Chyttering. Unfortunately the honourable Ser Davos was accused of unsolicited advances towards one of the Baratheon brothers and lost his life in a subsequent trial by combat. His wife eventually found solace in the arms of Ser Alan, a baseborn knight in her late husband’s family’s service. Despite their claims of marriage however Ser Alan and lady Jonquil’s son suffered the same fate as Lady Alys’ and is considered a bastard. He lives quietly in the service of the Masseys along with his baseborn wife.

Ser Davos’ daughter, lady Marei, is married to Ser Deremond from House Buckwell; they have a son. Her brother Jorald is married to a baseborn woman named Elane. Despite their age the pair still hopes for a child.

Brief Lord Jon’s successor unfortunately was his eldest son, Lord Albin, for his favourite style of execution known as The Planter (he liked to bound or break his prisoners and bury them up to their nipples into the well tamped down earth). He was eventually executed by Lord Paramount Stannis for his unforgivable dealing with the pirates. His wife Lerra from House Bar Emmon, a very beautiful woman in her younger years, openly entertained other men during their marriage, a thing that is rumoured to be encouraged by her husband. After his death she eventually remarried to Lord Harlan from House Wagstaff of Adderdell and currently serves as her step-son’s very inventive interrogator.

Lady Lerra had two children out of wedlock.

Her first one, Ser Morton, is married to Lady Carmella of Tudbury Hall and has five children with her. Morton was born from Ser Bertram, a young and promising heir to House Westbrook whose peculiarly inconsistent nature drove him into a very early grave.

Lady Lerra never disclosed the father of her daughter Serra, a second bastard. It is speculated that she was conceived during an intercourse that involved a number of different men and it was therefore impossible to determine the actual father of the child. Lady Serra was noticed at one of the tourneys by none other than the Laughing Ant - Ser Jeremy from House Ambrose, the son of the Queen of Trader Town. A virtuous man, he was nevertheless smitten by the fickle and stubborn Serra and fought tirelessly to win her affection. He eventually did, and now the married pair has two children together.

Calamitous Lady Laena was Lord Albin and Lady Lerra’s firstborn child. Shortly after her fifteenth nameday she was sent to the Vale to marry Lord Wyllem from House Malcolm of Old Anchor. She soon became pregnant with her first (and tragically only) child. Unfortunately the pregnancy was going really hard for the poor girl, but it was the birth that truly turned nightmarish. After days of fruitless agony her body could not take it anymore and her mind finally snapped. She grabbed a pair of fabric scissors one of her handmaids used to cut fresh linens for the birthing bed. With a horrendous wail of a dying animal Lady Laena started to plunge the sharp metal into her body, frantically stabbing herself without any thought or reason into the abdomen and nether regions. The handmaids and the maester were so shocked by her sudden frenzy that when they finally came to their senses and tried to stop the wretched girl it was already too late for her. She died in an unimaginable agony, drowning the whole room in hot red blood. Miraculously however her son survived. Maester managed to cut the child out of his dying mother’s womb just in the nick of time.

The Planter’s and his unchaste Lady’s last child is a son, Ser Morton, who was born after his bastard half-brother and still named the same. He is the only unproblematic member of this bunch. He is married to lady Molianne from House Mallery. Their only son Andrew is married to a pretty young Morya from House Smallwood.

Ser Jon and Ser Dickon, the Planter’s second and third sons respectively, are another matter entirely.

Let us start with the second.

Ser Jon, the Planter’s second son, is still alive. Before his exile to the Night’s Watch he was married to lady Tysane from House Bar Emmon and the pair has one living child together, an unstable daughter named Meredyth who is married to Ser Hobber from House Cordwayner.

It would seem however that a shy and virtuous wife was not enough for Ser Jon, so he proceeded to have a bastard son with his own sister-in-law, Lady Myrcella from House Darkhart. Little Albin’s birth prompted Lord Maldon, the cuckolded uncle, to seize the boy’s father and send him to the Wall. After that lady Tysane returned to her childhood home and little Albin stayed at his family’s court where he grew up into a strong lad and was recently knighted. He also very recently married the young and beautiful lady Helaena from House Velaryon of Driftmark and was declared a legitimate heir to Massey’s Hook, but that will be explained a little further.

Let us first cover Lord Maldon’s second betrayal, this one even more dire. Ser Dickon was the Planter’s third son. His wife, lady Elanna from House Staedmon, was accused, brought before Lady Paramount Shireen, stood trial at the Storm’s End and was finally found guilty of conspiracy to murder her brother-in-law, Lord Maldon. She was promptly beheaded then and there. Ser Dickon’s knowledge about his wife’s dealings was not decisively proven so he was allowed to return back to his brother’s court where he soon married lady Talla from House Appleton whose first husband from House Jordayne was sent to Night’s Watch some time prior. Unfortunately for all involved, lady Talla later testified before Lord Maric’s court that in the throes of passion her new husband had confessed to her about his involvement in the conspiracy. Lord Maric had no choice but to condemn his brother and, being a man of justice, took his brother’s head off himself.

Lady Talla then returned to her son’s court at The Scourge. Ser Dickon’s only son, Ser Bonifer, was not indicted or punished in any way and quietly lives at his family’s court with his wife, lady Alma from House Yronwood.

Betrayed by both of his brothers and with a stain of kinslaying, Lord Maldon, a deeply religious man, proceeded to punish himself for his deeds, fasting to the point of no return. He died just four years after his brother’s execution. His wife, Lady Myrcella from House Darkhart, apparently loved him very much. She terribly regrets her own betrayal and deeply grieves for her late husband.

All four of the pair’s daughters are happily married into the noble houses of various prominence.

The pair’s only son, Lord Tarwen, is the current Lord of Massey’s Hook. he is married to Lady Alina from House Corbray, daughter of the current Lord of Northweald. Recently Lord Tarwen’s Council unexpectedly pushed for him to name his bastard-born brother/nephew as his legitimate heir. Surprisingly the stubborn and proud Lord Tarwen acceded to their demand, much to the dismay of his four sisters.

It took a bit of time and it was not without its tempests, but ultimately the Masseys settled with their new old Stormlands overlord. Even the death of their patriarch had a solid reasoning behind it, after all the cruel Lord Albyn was thoroughly disliked by his subjects and was a known pirate sympathizer that had many shady dealings with the scoundrels from the Stepstones. It would seem that Lord Stannis indeed had a knack for inspiring loyalty by acts of delivering justice.

The Stags Leap Forward​

Lord Paramount Stannis the Just ruled the Stormland as a very respected ruler. For his valiant service he was granted a sword, later named the Father’s Fury, to be passed from generation to generation.

Lord Paramount Stannis of House Baratheon died in the year 331AC at the age of 69 from a tumour of the body growing in his armpit, despite the maester’s efforts to fight it with an amputation.

Stannis Baratheon by Magali Villeneuve

Lord Stannis and his wife, Falyse of house Florent (died peacefully in the year 343AC), only had one daughter, Lady Shireen. She inherited the Stormland from her father and still rules there despite her rather sickly disposition in the later years.

Lady Paramount Shireen is married to her cousin, Lord Edric, the Bastard of Storm’s End. Their loving marriage produced four sons and three daughters.

Unfortunately though two of their eldest sons are already deceased.

Their second son, Lord Duran, was the first to go. He died in the year 344AC at the age of just 38.

It is believed that even though he was a strong man, his health just could not handle his constant drinking and overeating. His poor wife, Lady Lyria of House Errol, finally died in the year 354AC after ten years of constant sorrow and despair.

They had two daughters together (both married and had issue).

The oldest son of Lady Paramount Shireen, Lord Orys, died in the year 350AC at the relatively young age of just 46 of the seemingly natural causes despite physically being a very strong man.

His death was most probably brought by the same hedonistic lifestyle and extreme obesity that took his younger brother just six years prior. He left behind a wife, Lady Aliona of House Tarth, and seven children: four sons and a daughter with Lady Aliona (all married and with children of their own), and two bastard daughters from his extramarital affairs.

Death of the Usurper​

Even though it occurred far from the Stormland (or any other Westerosi lands, for that matter), I think this footnote would be a fitting place to mention the death of the Usurper Robert Baratheon.

After his exile, he was reportedly spotted amongst the mercenaries’ company with a very fitting name, The Stormcrows.

He stayed in the Captain Syrodos’ employ for an unknown amount of time, but in the end he was seen in the court of a Braavosi sealord Tormo Fregar.

The Usurper Robert of House Baratheon died in the year 327AC athe the age of 65. He died of a tumour growing from his testicles. Sad, but fitting end for a once great and undefeatable warrior conquered by his own vices.

Robert Barathen by Magali Villeneuve

---

⁷ WoIaF

 

[Thaiga]

The Maid Most Fair and Just​

After the unfortunate affair with the trial of Lord Selwyn, the Evenstar of Tarth, and his execution on the order of Lord Paramount Stannis Baratheon in the year 309AC, Lord Selwyn’s only living child, Lady Brienne, inherited his seat.

Even though she initially shunned all the prospects of marriage (and was called the Maid of Tarth for that), she later met a knight, Ser Rory, from a small house, the Valkyns of Black Bog, vassals of Seaworths of Rainwood. He was a kind and honest man, and strong both in his body and his will (his will was downright stubborn, a trait that must have been of paramount importance when courting a known Maid). They became friends and later lovers, and Lady Brienne finally believed his promises and accepted his proposal. Ser Rory forsworn his family name for love and got a special dispensation from the Queen herself that all the children that might come from this union will be considered as true heirs of House Tarth.

And the children sure followed, four tall and able-bodied daughters and a son, a true giant of a man. Soon Lady Brienne was not called the Maid anymore (well, duh), and no one dared to mock her as “the Beauty” either. People of Tarth started to call her “the Goliath” instead, after the folk hero of old.

The eldest daughter of Lady Brienne, Lady Eleanor, married the bastard son of the Usurper, Ser Lyonel. They were granted a castle not far from the Storm’s End.

Ser Lyonel took a family name of Stormhaven, and named his castle Storm’s Call, for he pledged his eternal allegiance to his father’s house and made a vow to always listen to their call.

They had two sons and a daughter (all married and with children). Their second son, ser Robert, is serving as the Keeper of the Black Cells of the Red Keep.

The second daughter of Lady Brienne, Lady Jocelyn, married Ser Cortnay of House Seaworth, grandson of the famous Lord Davos the Onion Knight and the heir to the Reinwood at the time of the wedding. But tragedy struck this loving family when Lady Jocelyn fell ill with what seemed like an ordinary flu and then died suddenly in the year 330AC at the age of just 31.

Her poor husband was so grief-stricken that he fell into the deepest despair and took his own life just a month after his wife’s death.

Their ill-fated, but hauntingly beautiful and sadly so short-lived love-story left behind four children, three daughters (all married, had issue) and a son, Lord Dale, current Lord of Rainwood and the second to bear that name.

He is married to Lady Mylla, the granddaughter of Lady Paramount Shireen through her second son, Lord Durran. They have four daughters and two sons.

Lord Dale also beget three bastards: a girl and a boy from Lady Adena of House Valkyn, the late first wife of Ser Casper Seaworth, and a boy from a woman named Tynalla, a lowborn wife of the very same Ser Casper’s son.


The third daughter of Lady Brienne, Lady Aliona, married Lord Orys of House Baratheon, the first son and (at the time of marriage) heir of Lady Paramount Shireen of the Stormlands. Their marriage is covered in the previous chapter.


The fourth daughter of Lady Brienne, Lady Laena, married Ser Richard of House Bullhart, the first son and heir to the fledgling House Bullhart of Rosby.

They had three daughters (their first girl tragically died at the age of just two years after an unfortunate encounter with a rabid dog, the second perished at the age of 23 under very suspicious circumstances after her marriage to the heir of now infamously evil Lord Jeremy from the disgraced House of Chyttering) and three sons. All surviving children are married and have children of their own.


The third child and the only son of Lady Brienne, Lord Denys the Gallant, married Lady Elane from the resurfaced House Toyne.

It was the marriage of love and it produced four living sons (all married and with children) and a daughter (married to Lord Allard of Crackclaw Barren).

It was Lord Denys who proposed to take back the Island of Morne from nature that claimed it for all those centuries. And so the recolonisation of Morne came to pass. Lord Denys restored the castle of Morne and brought his family to live there.

Lord Danys also built another castle on the Isle of Morne. He named this new castle Sunwatch for it was in a perfect position to ponder as the sun came up from the Narrow Sea. He granted this castle to his brother-in-law, Ser Byrios of House Toyne.

His son is looking after it now.

Lord Denys also brought maesters and scholars and builders to study the ancient structures on the island. This endeavor proved very fortuitous as his relentless excavation yielded an exceptional reward - the legendary sword believed to have been wielded by none other than Ser Galladon of Morne himself, the legendary hero the House of Tarth claims to be a descendant from. Supposedly the sword is enchanted, unable to be stopped by sword or shield, and it was supposedly given to Ser Galladon by the Maiden herself as a token of her love. Whatever the truth of these tales, Just Maid is an impressive sword with its blade undulled by the centuries. The hilt is wrought in gold and bronze, decorated with amber and the pommel is shaped like a star, presumably in honour of the Seven. The blade is curious, sharing many similarities with the sword Dawn, it is as pale as milkglass, looking like no Valyrian blade, yet sharing all of the properties, being incredibly strong and sharp. Lord Denys presented this prize to his mother, Lady Brienne, for she was considered to be the Maid Most Just indeed.

The sword returned to Lord Denys in the year 343AC when his mother, Lady Brienne, the Goliath of Tarth, died peacefully at the age of 63.

Brienne of Tarth by Bella Bergolts

With the rebuilding project well underway, Lord Denys, now head of the Tarth family, Lord of Tarth islands and a steward of Stormlands, granted Morne to his second son, Lord Rory (married, has children).

Lord Denys, the Gallant Lord of House Tarth, died in the year 351AC at the age of 51. He died in his official chambers at the Storm’s End, most probably due to the stress that naturally accompanied his work.

Ser Rory (the husband of Lady Brienne, not to be confused with their son) stuck around for another ten-ish years after his wife’s death, outliving his oldest son (and going blind at the sight of his lifeless body), and finally followed his beloved Fair Maid in the year 356AC at the age of 78.

Lord Gladden is the current Lord of Tarth. He is married to Lady Bonessa of House Baratheon, daughter of Lady Paramount Shireen of the Stormlands. They have two living sons and three daughters.

 

[Thaiga]

Piety, Prayer, and Devotion​

Lord Guncer, Lord of Sweetport Sound and head of House Sunglass, was pious in his faith in the Seven, praying three times a day. He also tried, convicted and executed his first wife, Lady Jocelyn from House Massey, and married a common fallen woman that was also a key “witness” in Lady Jocelyn’s “trial”. Lady Jocelyn’s brother, Lord Jon of Massey’s Hook, retaliated and forced Lord Guncer into submission. Unfortunately Lord Jon then died within a year and his successor, the Planter, did not care for his aunt’s fate and released Lord Guncer in exchange for his vassalage. And thus it came to pass that the isle of Sweetport Sound became subservient to the Massey’s.

It would be hard to find the fates more different than those of Lord Guncer’s daughters, ladies Caronne (from Lady Jocelyn) and Elanna (from the second “wife”), even though both were coincidentally married to men named Denys.

Lady Elanna was married to Ser Denys from House Paege, master of Crossflatts castle. It was not a happy marriage as the pair had little in common. Unfortunately lady Elanna died at the age of eight-and-forty, probably from complications related to her most immodest eating habits. All three of the pair’s children are alive and relatively well, even Ser Denys’ heir that suffered and survived the Greyscale.

Lady Caronne, who also indulges heavily in gastronomical pleasures, is still alive. She was married to Ser Denys from House Rogers. This pair was close and genuinely loved each other, albeit in a more platonic way as it was widely known that this Ser Denys in his bed preferred the company of other men. Despite that, lady Caronne managed to give her husband two children, a son and a daughter. Unfortunately both of them are already diseased, as well as their father. Ser Denys was unfortunately killed in a tourney joust at the prime age of three-and-thirty. His son, Ser Ronnal, was briefly married to lady Tilly from House Crabb. At the time of their wedding, lady Tilly was already a widow and a mother of three, and also eighteen years older than her new husband. It is widely believed that the marriage was arranged as a way to hide young Ser Ronnal’s inclinations that he might have inherited from his father. Unfortunately Ser Ronnal followed his father’s footsteps in more ways than that as he was killed in a trial by combat at the age of just one-and-twenty. Ser Ronnal’s sister, the famously quick-witted lady Ammina, had a very peculiar marriage. Her husband, Ser Harbert, was her own father’s half-brother, a bastard-born and later legitimised son of Lord Alaric of Amberly, lady Ammina’s grandfather. The pair managed to have one son before lady Ammina’s very questionable demise. Some say that it was orchestrated by Ser Harbert’s old flame and new wife, lady Cordelia from House Manwoody, who reportedly now serves as the mistress of spies for her husband’s family.

Tristan (not to be confused with his older brother, Ser Triston) was Lord Guncer’s third-born son. Due to his position not that much was expected of him. He was married to Talla Waters, a bastard-born daughter of Ser Hubart of Rambton. Their only daughter, silver-haired Alynne, is happily married to Ser Fredder from House Crabb, the heir to The Whispers. The pair is known to have a shared interest in swordplay and often might be seen in the castle’s yard practising together.

Ser Triston (not to be confused with his younger brother Tristan) was Lord Guncer’s second son. He was married to lady Pelyne from House Whitehead. The pair has four living children, three daughters and a son. The married lives of most of them are rather uneventful, with the exception of their third daughter.

Lady Talenna’s first husband was Serwyn from House Kellington, brother of late Lord Edric of Blue Grove. Serwyn was forced into this marriage by said brother soon after he became a widower on account of his first wife’s execution on said brother’s order. Serwyn managed to conceive a daughter with his new wife, although it is debatable whether he actually understood what happened since after his first wife’s death he was never sober ever again. He died soon after, drowning in his own vomit at the age of just five-and-twenty. Lady Talenna recently remarried to Ser Arthur from House Tudbury, also a widower after the tragic death of his first wife, lady Jorelle from House Greyjoy (from Torturer’s Deep).

Lord Jonald, Lord Guncer’s firstborn, succeeded his father as the next Lord of Sweetport Sound. He was married to his cousin, Lady Marena, daughter of Lord Guncer’s younger brother, Ser Valtris.

The pair’s only daughter, Lady Benyssa, is married to Lord Lester from House Morrigen, Lord of Crow’s Nest.

Lady Benyssa’s younger brother, Ser Robin, was very briefly married to lady Derwa from House Deddings, but the poor girl died soon after the wedding in a horrendous accident. Rumour has it that young lady Derwa had an interest (bordering on obsession) in the eastern faith of the Red God, especially its more obscure belief in restoration through the flames. Poor girl was very self-conscious about the huge scar that went across her face, an unfortunate consequence of her misguided attempt to shield a horse from being whipped. In a desperate attempt to rid herself from what she deemed unseemly, lady Derwa prepared a dubious concoction and threw it, pot and all, into the heartfire in her chambers while chanting above the flames. Said concoction however was made with spirits, and the pot that contained it exploded, sending shards of glass, burning wood and the fireplace poker straight into the young lady’s face, neck and bosom, shredding chunks from her in the process and igniting the bedchamber. Poor lady Derwa’s body was so damaged that she died soon after in a feverish delirium. Traumatised by this event, Ser Robin initially refused to marry, but recently he relented and married Lady Liane from House Roote, daughter of Lord Varion of Harroway’s Town, and the birth of their first child reportedly brought much stress into Ser Robin’s life.

Ser Robin’s older brother Guncer became the next Lord of Sweetport Sound following the death of their father. At some point in his life then yet just Ser Guncer seduced (or worse, as some reports have claimed) Sarena, a beautiful lowborn girl from a nearby village. When it became apparent that she is with child, Ser Guncer’s father, the kind-hearted Lord Jonald, forced his son to marry the girl. This marriage however would not last and Sarena was soon found dead, lying face-down at the foot of the stairs. Ser Guncer very soon remarried to lady Jocelyn from House Grandison. If the rumours are to be believed however, lady Jocelyn herself was a recent widow at that time, having been secretly married to a handsome young groom who was “disposed of” by her family soon after lady Jocelyn’s pregnancy was successfully compromised by the forceful administration of copious amounts of moon tea. Some say that poor Sarena and Cameron the groom were actually killed on the exact same day and that the madness of lady Jocelyn was actually triggered by those tragic events and thus long before she contracted the brothel disease and the subsequent rot of the womb. Some even say that she actually got the disease in a misguided attempt to get back at her husband in this way as some whispers claim that Lord Guncer was the actual orchestrator of this whole tragedy.

Lord Guncer’s oldest son and heir is Robert, a strong and kind-hearted young man of six-and-ten. He was recently married to lady Neria from House Deddings, a widow almost ten years his senior. She was chosen for her proven fertility and for the pair’s shared worldviews in the hopes that she would be able to somehow “manage” her husband's sexual inclinations.

Password: "Swordfish"​

Lord Robin from House Bar Emmon was the last ruler of Sharp Point that was directly sworn to Dragonstone. His brother, Lord Rolland, inherited the lordship after Lord Robin’s unfortunate death at the age of just eight-and-ten. Lord Rolland then threw his lot with the losing side as he decided to fight the Massey’s along with House Sunglass, and thus shared their fate.

Lord Rolland was spared any other consequence other than bending the knee on the grounds of his daughter’s, Lady Lerra, marriage to the infamous Planter who became the new Lord of Massey’s Hook soon after this little war.

Lady Lerra’s sister, lady Belissa, was married to the disgraced Ser Uther from House Hersy until his exile to the Wall. Lady Belissa remarried to Ser Osric from House Waynwood and it is peculiar to note that this pair’s son, Ser Robar, ended in the same place as lady Belissa’s first husband while Ser Uther’s son, Ser Ossifer, diligently serves as Newkeep’s master-at-arms.

Lord Rolland’s youngest son, Ser Raymont, was married to lady Lanna from House Whitehead until his death from a malignant tumour at the age of seven-and-thirty. The pair’s daughter, lady Jeyne, is married to Ser Leowyn from House Hardyng. Her brother, Ser Mychel, was married to lady Helicent Folman, sister to the Queen of Andalos. While lady Helicent never made a secret about her ties to the new Andalos nobility, she was always proud and content in her own self and her own place in life. The same could not be said about Ser Mychel whose misplaced ambition and pessimistic view on life brought him into an early grave at the age of just seven-and-twenty. The pair’s only daughter, lady Lynera, is married to Willem from House Blanetree and serves as the High Heart’s mistress of spies. Her mother, Lady Helicent, after an appropriate period of mourning quietly remarried to a household knight of humble origin.

Ser Jon was Lord Rolland’s second son. He was married to Lady Elinor from Huse Massey, the Planter’s sister and the second reason Lord Rolland just got a slap on the wrist for his cahoots with House Sunglass.

The pair’s only son Alesander is married to lady Jomylla from House Langward. Their oldest son, Ser Renly, is married to the stunning, but cold-hearted Lady Maella from House Massey, sister to the current Lord of Massey’s Hook and granddaughter of the Planter. Ser Renly’s brother Gulian had a liaison with a lowborn woman named Rella, but when she became pregnant he decided to do the right thing and took her as his lawful wife.

Lord Rolland was eventually succeeded by his eldest son, feeble and fat Lord Duram, known as the Yellow Lord due to an unfortunate hue to his complexion brough by the long-lasting gout. Lord Duram was married to Lady Meredyth from House Manning. The pair’s oldest daughter, lady Tysane, was married to the disgraced Ser Jon from House Massey until his exile to the Westwatch-by-the-Bridge. She refuses to remarry. Her sister, lady Leyne, is happily married to Ser Glendon from House Fell. The pair has one daughter and still hopes for the son, but this hope grows thinner with every passing year, much to Ser Glendon’s dismay.

The current Lord of Sharp Point is the good-natured Lord Steffon, late Yellow Lord’s only son. After the death of his first wife, Lady Janei from House Vypren, Lord Steffon married Lady Demerei from House Shett who is young enough to be his daughter. Despite this vast age gap however Lord Steffon and his teenaged wife seem to have a lot in common and like each other well enough.

 

[Thaiga]

The Reach​

The Reach measures approximately 1,200 miles along its longest axis (from the Arbor to the Blackwater Rush near King’s Landing). At its widest the region extends for about 800 miles from east to west and about 600 miles to north and south (with a significant southward extension west of the Red Mountains).⁸

Houses of the Reach​

Lords of the Reach owe their fealty to the Lords Paramount of House Tyrell. They rule from the castle at Highgarden.

Highgarden by FelixSotomayorArt​

Major houses of the Reach, and their vassals, include:

House Norridge of Thornton Hall House Tyrell of the Halls of the Greenhand House Ball of Manderford House Fireball of Fire Meadow House Tyrell of Bournheath House Westbrook of Westbrook House Willum of Smallwood House Cockshaw of Bardshome House Redwyne of the Arbor House Hightower of Oldtown House Cuy of Sunhouse House Roxton of the Ring House Mullendore of Uplands House Costayne of the Three Towers House Bulwer of Blackcrown House Blackbar of Bandallon House Beesbury of Honeyholt House Florent of Brightwater House Norcross of Norcross House Dunn of Dunnsbridge House Tarly of Horn Hill House Hunt of Hunt Hills House Oldflowers of Sommerset House Inchfield of Inchfield House Sloane of Fawn Crag House Middlebury of Biddlebury House Ashford of Ashford House Peake of Starpike House Pommingham of Knarsdale House Yelshire of Yelshire House Ashford of Holyhall House Fossoway (green) of New Barrel House Fossoway (brown) of Dunstonbury House Fossoway (red) of Cider Hall

House Merryweather of Longtable House Hastwyck of Hastwyck House Appleton of Appleton House Uffering of Sweetmeadow House Meadows of Grassy Vale House Caswell of Bitterbridge House Bridges of Knettishall House Vyrwel of Darkdell House Leygood of Leygood Keep House Varner of Roseford House Footly of Tumbleton House Lyberr of Caltrop Hill House Cordwayner of Hammerhal House Orme of Harpshire House Ambrose of Torrentpeak House Bushy of Alden Keep House Wythers of Wythers House Graves of Nateby House Rowan of Goldengrove House Shermer of Smithyton House Rhysling of Iron Gate House Kidwell of Ivy Hall House Osgrey of The Northmarch House Durwell of Dosk House Stackhouse of Derring Downs House Webber of Coldmoat House Conklyn of Leafy Lake House Crane of Red Lake House Redding of Redding House Risley of Risley Glade House Oakheart of Old Oak House Lowther of Catswold House Hewett of Oakenshield House Serrer of Southshield House Grimm of Greyshield House Chester of Greenshield

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Notable Events in the Reach​

Some Roses Have the Longest Thorns​

Due to prior marital arrangements, Lord Paramount Mace of House Tyrell was the first to become a part of The Coup that brought our beloved Queen back where she belonged (on the Iron Throne, that is). For that he was granted a fine sword that came to be known as the Longthorn. Lord Mace was a staunch supporter of the Throne and a loyal vassal up until his sorrowful death in the year 310AC.

Game of Thrones - Growing Ambition by Paolo Puggioni

The death of his mother, the Queen of Thorns Olenna of House Redwyne, in the year 304AC deeply affected him and his sisters, who both died of the same great sadness in the year 316AC.

Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, by Borja Pindado (unfortunately couldn't find this particular picture on either of the author's official pages: DeviantArt / ArtStation)

Lord Mace’s wife, Lady Alerie of House Hightower, died a year before them from seemingly natural causes.

Alerie Tyrell by BellaBergolts

The Falcon and the Snake​

Despite the considerable and historical enmity between Houses Tyrell and Martell, then not yet a Paramount Lord Willas bore them no personal ill will long remained in correspondence with Lord Oberyn the Red Vyper. And thus it came to pass that Lod Wyllas married one of the Snakes, a bastard daughter of Lord Oberyn and a septa, Lady Tyene Sand. This match surely was a controversial one, as many marriages associated with Dorne seemed to be in the early years of Queen Daenerys’ reign. But it was a loving one too and helped to mend the animosity between these two families and their respective regions as well.

Lord Paramount Willas succeeded his father on the 22nd day of the Twelfth Moon in the year 310AC. For his brilliant rulership and masterful administration he became known as Lord Paramount Willas the Wise. Ever a diligent man, the weight of his responsibility greatly affected his already delicate health in his last years and is believed to be his undoing.

Lord Paramount Willas died in the year 334AC.

Willas Tyrell by PanExis

His beloved wife, Lady Tyene, followed him four years later.

Tyene Sand by BellaBergolts

Growing Strong​

The Rosebush of the Reach did indeed grow strong.

Lord Paramount Mace and his wife, Lady Allerie, had four children together: three sons, Lord Willas, Ser Garland the Gallant, Ser Loras the Knight of Flowers; and a daughter, the Generous Lady Margaery.

Lady Margaery married the Ironworded Lord Paramount of the North, Lord Robb of House Stark. Their marriage will be covered in the appropriate chapter.

Ser Loras never married and lived his whole life in the Stormlands with his equally bachelor friend, Lord Renly of House Baratheon.

The Stem​

Lord Paramount Willas and Lady Tyene had five children: two sons and three daughters.

Their second child, Lady Elinor, married Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, Lord Bywin the Bladesman of House Tully. Their marriage will be covered in the appropriate chapter.

Their fourth child, Lady Sansara, married Prince of Dorne, Doran the Good. Their marriage is covered in the previous chapter on Dorne.

Their last child, Lady Elwene, married Lord Gallard of House Baratheon, master of Stagsden. Their marriage is covered in the previous chapter on Stormlands.


The third child of Lord Paramount Willas, Ser Raymun (who relocated to the Halls of the Greenhand after the death of his uncle Ser Garland), was married once, although a certain young chambermaid might have disagreed if it was not for her convenient natural death not even a month after Ser Raymund’s.

Ser Raymund’s wife, Lady Lia oh House Hightower, gave him two children.

Their daughter, Rhonda, is married to Ser Bradamar of House Tully, grandson of Lord Paramount of the Riverlands Edmure the Confessor through his second son Harys. The pair currently resides in Braavos where Ser Bradamar holds the position of Chief General at the court of Master Tycho of Moonsbrigde. The union remains childless.

Ser Raymund’s son, Ser Uther, was married to Lady Mylessa of House Osgrey, daughter of Lord Martyn II of Northmarch. She fell into a deep sadness after the same unfortunate duel in the year 347AC between her husband and his kinsman, then heir to the Reach, that brought Ser Raymund to the bottle. Her heart finally gave up and she died in the year 357AC. Ser Raymund remains unmarried.

Their marriage produced four children: two daughters and two sons.

Their oldest daughter, Mina, married her kinsman, Ser Lucas, grandson of Lord Paramount Richard the Bladesman through his fourth son, Lord Robert of Littleton. Their marriage will be covered later.

The oldest son of Ser Uther, Greydon, is the presumed heir, although his mental state raises serious concerns. Despite that, he is married to Lady Calla of House Westbrook, although the pair is yet to produce any children.

Ser Uther’s second son, Ser Loras, is much more stable and is expected to look after his brother if such need should arise. Ser Loras is freshly married to Lady Beliona of House Fireball.

Ser Uther’s last child with Lady Mylessa, Lady Jorella, just married Ser Mathis of House Ball, oldest son and heir of Lord Perwyn of Manderford.

Lord Paramount Willas’ oldest son, Lord Paramount Richard the Bladesman, succeeded his father in the year 334AC. He was married to Lady Aressa of House Lannister, first child of Lord Paramount Tyrion the Imp.

The union proved to be very successful and resulted in seven sons.

Their second son, Lord Randyll, married Lady Mary of House Baratheon, fierce daughter of Lady Paramount of the Stormlands, the Illustrious Lady Shireen.

The union produced only one daughter, Lady Lena. She married Ser Ormund of House Hightower, brother of “Red Nosed” Lord Martyn of Oldtown. They have a son and a daughter.

The third son of Lord Paramount Richard, Lord Alester, for his cruel fiery nature became known as the Black Rose. He married Lady Asta of House Hightower, oldest sister of “Red Nosed” Lord Martyn of Oldtown.

This union also resulted in only a daughter, Lady Aressa. She married Lord of Mandervale, Lord Garlan of House Fossoway (the green batch). They have a daughter.

The fourth son of Lord Paramount Richard, Lord Robert of Littleton, married Lady Mylessa of House Footly, sister of the open-handed Lord Addam of Tumbleton. Lord Addam granted the chateau of Littleton to his new brother-in-law as a wedding gift and the pair resides there now.

This union resulted in one living son and a daughter.

Their son, Ser Lucas, is married to his kinswoman, Lady Mina, daughter of Ser Uther from the Halls of the Greenhand. They already have two sons and a daughter.

Lord Robert’s daughter, Lady Jancia, is a young maiden and is yet to be bethrothed.

Lord Paramount Richard’s fifth son, also named Lord Richard, married Lady Carellen of House Redwyne. As of yet they have only one daughter, Lady Kalianne. She married her kinsman, Ser Theo, son and heir of Ser Ormond of Bournheath. Their marriage will be covered later.

Lord Paramount Richard’s sixth and seventh sons, twins Lords Gareth and Runcel, married twin sisters of House Bulwer, Ladies Delina and Lysa. Both matches are yet childfree.

The first son of Lord Paramount Richard, the current Lord Paramount of the Reach, Lord Medwick, succeeded his father in the year 354AC. He married Lady Alera of House Merryweather, daughter of the careless Lord Russell of Blueburn.

With five sons and a daughter, this union also proved fruitful, albeit not without tragedy.

Their first son and heir, Ser Gormon, was slain in the year 347AC by his own kinsman, Ser Uther of the Halls of the Greenhand in a duel for honour. He was only one-and-twenty years old, but already with a son from his wife, Lady Bressa of House Bulwer, older sister of the aforementioned twins.

Lady Bressa later happily remarried and had other children with her new husband, Lord of Oldtown Martyn II of House Hightower, called the Red Nosed for his love of drink.

Ser Gormon’s and Lady Bressa’s son, Lord Jafer, is the heir apparent to the Reach. He is married to Princess Rhaella of House Targaryen, daughter of Princess Aella, the Realm’s Delight, and Lord Aethon, heir to the Harrenhal. They currently reside in the Red Keep of King's Landing.

Lord Medwick’s second son, Lord Victor, swore to protect his little nephew and his family, even though they are not even ten years apart in age, and forsworn all prospects of marriage or inheritance. He took an oath and became a sworn knight of the Queensguard.

Lord Medwick’s third son, Lord Quentyn, is married to the brilliant Lady Clarice of House Webber and is clearly outshined by her in almost every regard.

Lord Medwick’s twins, Lady Dalla and Lord Imry, are also married to another set of twins, Ser Matthos, the heir of Tarth, and his sister, Lady Bonessa, respectively. Both pairs already became the parents of boys, although Lady Dalla’s boy unfortunately did not thrive.

Lord Medwick’s fourth son, Lord Lothor, is newly wedded to Lady Patricia of House Shermer. Although coming from a rather minor house being just a girl of four-and-ten, Lady Patricia already shows a lot of promise and ambition.

The Gallant Branch​

The second son of Lord Paramount Mace, Ser Garland, chose to live in the chateau he called the Halls of the Greenhand and married twice.

His poor first wife, Lady Leonette of House Fossoway (green apple batch), gave him three living children: a son, Ser Ormond, and two daughters, Lady Lia (married Lord Lewys of House Marbrand, Lord of Ashemark, had issue) and Lady Janna (married Lord Ser Arthur of House Crane, the heir of Red Lake, had issue). Lady Leonette was then accused by the High Septon and Lord Paramount Willas was forced to condemn her to the pyre in the year 315AC. She was the only death sentence he ever issued.

Ser Garland married again after that. It clearly was a marriage of love. As his bride he chose Lady Beony of House Cordwayner, a widow of one of his distant kinsmen, Ser Raymund. Both marriages of Lady Beony unfortunately remained childless or resulted in stillbirths. She died in the year 338AC from the same ailment that took her first husband. Ser Garland followed her just two days after.

Ser Garland’s son, Ser Ormond, married Lady Oraney of House Ball. To commemorate that match Ser Ormond was granted the chateau of Bournheath in the Manderford. They are the current masters of Bournheath and have two children together.

Their son and heir, Ser Theo, is married to his kinswoman, Kalianne, a granddaughter of Lord Paramount Richard the Bladesman through his fifth son, also Lord Richard, for whom she is the only child. The pair has two sons.

Ser Ormond’s daughter, Arwyn, is married to Osbert of House Florent, a brother of Lord Alester II of Brightwater. They do not have any children yet.

 

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Better to be Green than Rotten​

After the marriage of Lord Paramount Mace’s sister, Lady Janna, and Lord Jon of House Fossoway (green batch), the semi-legendary title of Lords of Mandervale was bestowed on them as a better-late-than-never wedding gift. Lord Jon later became known as Lord Jon the Gallant for his valour and honor as a knight. The union resulted in four daughters and one living son.

Said son, the Honorable Lord Raymun, succeeded his father in the year 308AC. He was married to Lady Delena of House Ashford. They had two sons and three daughters, although their last three children all died before the age of fifty.

Lord Raymun was the one to find Garth's Fist, ancestral blade of House Gardener with a design based on ancient legends from the Age of Heroes. Its grip and quillons are inlaid with bronze, harking back to Garth Greenhand's status as the King of the First Men. The chappe is also bronze, cast in the likeness of a bearded and crowned figure frozen in a wordless scream, evoking the darker side of the legends of the Greenhand. The pommel of the sword is the Gardener Hand closed into a fist, cast in steel, reflecting the fact that the open-handed Gardeners can just as easily dispense violence as well as beneficence. The recovery of the sword made the Fossoway’s claim of being their descendants much more grounded and the sword is now considered the most prized possession of the Fossoways from New Barrel.

After Lord Raymun’s peaceful death in the year 336AC, he was succeeded by his son, Lord Jon II, also called the Gallant, the fact that will no doubt confuse some future maesters as the time goes by. He was married to a dornish, Lady Aslia of House Wyl. The union produced five sons and a daughter and all of them survived to adulthood.

But then the tragedies struck.

Their second son, Ser Igon, a kind, honorable and rather bookish man, first started showing signs of an unhinged temper in his early teens. His father tried to manage it by taking him as a squire, but by the time the boy became a man it became apparent that his condition only got worse and brought with it not only an “unnatural interest in men”, which is debatable, but also clear and simple fits of stark raving madness. In another attempt to deal with it somehow, his parents found him a wife, Lady Elene from House Drox in the Westerlands. For some time everything seemed fine as the pair produced three healthy children in rapid succession: two girls and a boy. But then Ser Igon stated that “his duty here is done” and left to join the Ragged Standard, a sellsword company in the Free Cities. He died in the employ of Captain Zonio in the year 342AC at the prime age of just seven-and-twenty.

His death greatly affected the family. His brother, Ser Raymun, married his brother’s widow, Lady Elene, but their marriage remained childless. Ser Igon’s father, Lord Jon, fell into deep sorrow that he never recovered from and thus now Lord Raymun became Lord of Mandervale. And he was the Lord for a whole fourteen days before leaving Lady Elene a widow once again.

After the trial, his killer Ser Addam hastily left the Reach and ended up as a consort to the Lady of Aprochon, a small castle on Claw Isle.

Ser Addam was born a bastard but made legitimate after the marriage of his parents, a sister of Lord Rycherd II of Red Lake, Lady Carellen of House Crane, and Ser Garyn of House Aryenos, a man from the Rhoyne valley. It is still a mystery how such a ruthless and deceitful woman like Lady Carellen managed to seduce, persuade to abandon his family to marry her and then produce three sons with a kind and honorable knight such as Ser Garyn. Most sources tend to blame the Arbor wine that Ser Garyn seems to enjoy a little bit too much.

After the tragically short reign of Lord Raymun II, the Lordship of Mandervale passed to his nephew, Lord Garlan, son of poor Ser Igon and Lady Elene. He is married to Lady Aressa of House Tyrell, the only child of Lord Alester the Black Rose, the third son of late Lord Paramount of the Reach Richard the Bladesman. The pair has a little daughter.

Lady Elene returned to the West, married for the third time and even managed to bear a child for her new husband, Ser Gerold, a knight of House Serrett.

Still Better to be Rotten than Red​

As part of the royal pardon for the House Blackfyre, Ser Franklyn Flowers, also known as the Bastard of Cider Hall, a former knight in service to the Golden Company, was invited back to the Seven Kingdoms and granted a castle of Dunstonbury near New Barrel in Mandervale. If he so wished, he also was to be officially recognised as a bastard son born of rape of a washerwoman at Cider Hall and Lord Bennis of Cider Hall.

Ser Franklyn reluctantly agreed and retained the house name of Fossoway to spite his loathsome father. He changes the colour of the apple to brown as a final insult.

He married Lady Megga of House Yelshire, but their union resulted in only two daughters. At his deathbed they made a pact to manage the castle together.

The younger daughter, Lady Juliya, was married to Reynard Flowers, a bastard born to Lady Cymoril of House Goldwyne and an unknown father (although it is rumored that it was Lord of Iron Gate Reynard of House Rhysling, the father of her own husband, his then heir Runceford, but nothing can be proven).

They had a son, Donnel, and a daughter, Clarice (married to the master of Browntoft, Ser Warryn of House Weatherwax, has issue).

The older daughter, Lady Eldara, married Ser Lyonel Flowers, a bastard born son of Lord Morm of Sommerset. Unfortunately the time has not been kind to Ser Lyonel and now it’s demons ravage his once kind soul.

They still managed to have three healthy daughters together.

Their oldest, Dalla, is married to her cousin Donnel. They stand to inherit the castle after Lady Eldara’s passing. The pair has a son, Moribald (betrothed to Leyla of House Cockshaw, the daughter of Lord Denys of Bardshome) and a daughter, Annys (betrothed to Lord of Holyhall, Colin of House Ashford.

Lady Eldara’s younger daughters, Mylessa and Megga, are only one year apart in age from one another. They married the twin brothers, Ser Votrimer and Ser Jason, knights originating from a merchant family in the town of Threeflowers in the Grassy Vale.

 

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Men in the High Tower​

Old Lord Leyton of House Hightower, Lord of Oldtown, died at the age of one-and-seventy just a year after the Restoration. His fourth wife, Lady Rhea of House Florent, mourned him for the rest of her life.

Lord Leyton’s oldest daughter, the Mad Maid Malora, never married and died at her ancestral home at the age of two-and-sixty.

His second daughter Lady Alerie was the spouse of Lord Paramount Mace of House Tyrell. Their marriage was covered earlier.


Other daughter were all married into respectable reachman houses of various prominence.

Lord Leyton’s youngest son, lord Humfrey the Redtower, was married to lady Freya of House Footly. After her death in the year 345AC, lord Humfrey got involved with a woman of loose morals that went by the name of Lerra Goldflowers. After lord Humfrey’s death five years after his wife, Lerra promptly relocated as far away from Oldtown as possible and reportedly died all the way in Trader’s Town in the lands of Yi Ti.

Lord Humfrey’s only daughter, lady Nyrise, was married to her cousin, Ser Gunthor the Younger.

Her brother Barquen willingly went to serve in the then yet functioning Night’s Watch and got involved with a silent sister. The affair produced a bastard that was sent back to Oldtown. The boy, Parmen, is now married to the heiress of Browntoft castle.

Lord Humfrey’s younger son is serving as a fellow maester here in the Citadel where his ease and fluency with multiple foreign languages are a great asset to the Order.

Another son of Old Lord Leyton, Ser Gunthor the Elder, was married to lady Jeyne of House Fossoway (the green batch).

All of their children’s stories are tragic ones.

Their only daughter, lady Leyla, was married to her cousin, Ser Matthos, who was traveling in Essos when the Seven called for him. When the news of his passing reached his wife, she threw herself from the top level of Hightower. The pair’s only son then abandoned his name and any claims he might have had and became a septon. He was serving in the sept’s infirmary where he contracted the disease and died from the dreaded plague at the age of forty.

Ser Gunthor the Elder and lady Jeyne’s oldest son and lady Leyla’s twin, Ser Mervyn, died at the age of just one-and-twenty in a duel of honour against his cousin, future Lord Olymer.

His younger brother, Ser Gunthor the Younger, died under very suspicious circumstances at the age of eight-and-thirty. His cousin and widow, lady Nyrise, left the Oldtown and lived the remainder of her life in service of the Tyrell family in Highgarden.

The pair's two daughters are married into respectable reachman families.

The youngest son of Ser Gunthor the Elder and lady Jeyne is also a fellow archmaester, a recognised authority on languages from the both sides of the Narrow Sea. Unfortunately his mind became very fragile in his later years making archmaester Tyler prone to frequent violent episodes during which he speaks in tongues not known to any man in the known world.

Old Lord Leyton’s second son, Ser Garth Greysteel, was married to lady Jeyne of House Caswell.

It was their only son, Ser Matthos, whose death triggered his wife to take her own life and his son to abandon his birthright.

Lord Baelor Brightsmile was Old Lord Leyton’s oldest son. He succeeded his father as Lord of Oldtown in the year 301AC. He was married to Lady Rhonda of House Rowan with whom he had three children. He also had a bastard daughter with one of the court ladies.

Both his daughters were married into reachman houses of very different standing.

Lord Brightsmile’s younger son eloped with a hideously looking daughter of a hedgeknight and the pair ran away. They were eventually found near Harroway's Town when Ser Ellard was found dead at the prime age of just eight-and-twenty. His wife was found guilty of his murder and also of being a witch that used vile magick to steal Ser Ellard in the first place (on behest of Ser Ellard’s brother, Lord Olymer of Oldtown). She was condemned by the High Septon and beheaded. The unfortunate lovers’ only daughter, lady Annys, is married to Ser Mortimer of House Crabb as his second wife.

Ser Ellard’s older brother Lord Olymer succeeded their father as Lord of Oldtown in the year 320AC after their father’s rather undignified death.

Lord Olymer was frankly speaking a horrible person. Not only was he a kinslayer for unnecessarily killing his cousin Ser Mervyn in a duel, he was also reportedly involved in sadistic tortures and debauchery and even partook in most vile consummation of human flesh. According to some reports his wife, Lady Marella (granddaughter of the Usurper himself), gladly participated in her husband’s delinquencies. Fortunately Lord Olymer died at the age of just four-and-thirty. Lady Marella remarried to Lord of Uplands’ as his second wife and now resides at the court of her younger son, the new Lord of Uplands (a stubborn and craven man who seem to be as cruel as his mother, could not care less about justice and is, let’s face it, just stark raving mad).

The horrible Oldtown couple’s daughters are married into the most prominent reachman families.

Their younger son, Ser Ormund, is married to lady Lena of House Tyrell. The pair reside in Highgarden where lady Lena is serving as a mistress of whispers with her husband as her loyal right hand. It would seem that this loving marriage is built upon common interests and inclinations, unfortunately a rather rare occurrence in our society.

The current Lord of Oldtown is the Red Nosed Lord Martyn, horrible Lord Olymer’s older son. Poor man was exposed to the dangers of excesses by his father and is struggling with his addiction to spirits. Fortunately his loving and patient wife is always near, so there is still hope for the man. Also Lady Bressa of House Bulwer is the widow of poor Ser Mormon of House Tyrell, the previous heir of Highgarden, and she is the mother of it’s current heir.

 

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The Hills Have Horns​

Lord Randyll of House Tarly, who for his cruel tyranny was mockingly called “The Just”, died in the dungeon of Lord Paramount of the Reach in the year 305AC.

His daughters were all married into respectable families of various prominence.

His younger son, Ser Dickon, was married to lady Irena of House Hastwyck.

Their daughters all married into respectable families. Interestingly enough, their only son and two of their daughters found spouses in the neighboring Dorne.

After Lord Randyll’s death, his firstborn succeeded him as Lord of The Westmarch. Lord Samwell, the third of his name, was faithfully married to his beloved wife, Lady Elinor of House Tyrell. Despite that he became known as “the Lewd Lord” following the rumors of the pair’s adventurous escapades in the marital chambers.

All of their daughters were married into respectable families, with two of the four now going to the West rather than East.

Lord Byren the Just is the current Lord of The Westmarch. He is late Lord Samwell’s only son.

Lord Byren was married to Lady Myria of House Cupps, a granddaughter of the Old Lord Leyton of Oldtown through his daughter, lady Leyla. After Lady Myria’s death Lord Byren remarried to Lady Rhona from the Dornish House Fowler.

Their older daughter, lady Alena, was first married to Ser Gerold of House Rowan. After his untimely death she remarried to Ser Marq of House Cordwayner, a man young enough to be her son.

The younger daughter, lady Leyla, is married to Ser Lorent of House Caswell.

Ser Clement, Lord Byren’s youngest son, is married to lady Jynessa of House Dayne, daughter of the gallant Lord Joris of Torrentine and sister of the current Sword of the Morning.

The pair’s son Greydon is expected to be married to the granddaughter of the Lord of The Arbor.

Lord Byren’s middle son, Ser Mace, is married to lady Dorna of House Sarwyck, the only House west of the Narrow Sea that follows the Red God.

Their three sons’ spouses all come from respectable houses around the realm.

The current heir of The Westmarch is Ser Laswell. He is still technically married to his estranged wife, lady Alena of House Footly, but after the scandal around her involvement with witchcraft she was exiled from the Horn Hill and currently serves as the mistress of whispers at her ancestral home of Tumbleton.

The pair’s only son, Ser Orbert, is married to lady Nemony of House Oakheart. After the stillbirth of their first child, they both are desperately waiting for a living one.

 

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The Chequy Lion Roars Again​

Marshall of the Northmarch, the ancient and almost forgotten title, was also reborn under the rule of Lord Paramount Mace (although if the rumors are true the idea came from the Queen herself). It was bestowed to the house of it’s original owners, the Osgreys.

Lord Martyn was the first to hold that position since Lord Ormond who lost the title during the reign of Maegor I Targaryen.

Unfortunately the archives that held the name and house of Lord Martyn’s wife were damaged and she herself is now lost to us. But she lived on through their children, Lords Myles and Quenton.

Lord Myles, later called the Grey Lion, succeeded his father as Marshall of the Northmarch in the year 309AC. He was married to Lady Melara of House Rowan, daughter of Lord Mathos II of Goldengrove, the former liege of House Osgrey. This marriage helped to ease the tensions between the two houses that rose after the division of power.

Their union was productive and loving, indicated by their three sons and two daughters and the fact that after his wife’s death Lord Myles was in mourning until his death in 347AC.

His son, Lord Martyn II, the current Marshall of the Northmarch, is a man with a clear type in women: they must come from the Westerlands and be associated with a lion of some sort. His first wife was Lady Cerelle, a Lannister of Lannisport. They had a daughter and two living sons together (all married and with issue). After Lady Cerelle’s death Lord Martyn married Lady Lanna of House Broom, a widow of Ser Janos of House Kingslayer, son of the infamous Cub, Ser Joffrey. Lord Martyn and Lady Lanna do not have children together.

The Mighty Shield of Oak​

During his reign, Lord Paramount Mace deemed it was high time to unite the Shield Island under one banner. And thus it came to pass that Lord of Oakenshield, Lord Humfrey of House Hewett, was granted the vassalage of all four islands.

Unfortunately the same menace that got to the archives on House Osgrey befall upon the details of Lord Humfrey’s marriage. Yet that unfortunately forgotten woman gave her husband three sons and five daughters.

Their oldest son, Lord Robert, succeeded his father in the year 308AC. He was married twice, and if the rumours are true, his second wife, the myrish minstrel Jamylla, might have been the end of his first, Lady Rylene of House Grimm. After Lord Rober’s untimely death his surviving wife remarried to one of his vassals, Lord Osbert of House Serry, Lord of Southshield. Another time as a second wife and another husband she would outlive.

Lord Robert had two daughters, one from each of his wifes.

His oldest daughter, the eloquent Lady Lyessa, succeeded him as the Lady of the Shield Isles. She also married twice.

Her first husband, Ser Holgor Flowers, was a bastard born to an unknown father and Catelyn of House Kidwell, an unruly daughter of Lord Holgor of Ivy Hall. Her first husband’s death at a young age of twenty reeked of foul play, but nothing ever been proven. Her second husband, Ser Lyle Strongboar of House Crakehall, could not handle the stress of their two children being sick and took the vows of a septon after their son’s death in the year 303AC only to die in the year 306AC of the same grey death just a month after it took his daughter. Ser Holgor Flowers was born in the year 304AC, probably a result of his mother’s attempt to find some solace in the arms of a man after her husband’s abandonment. And then she met Captain Damon of the Hedgeknights and the pair eloped. She bore her knight three sons and went mad after his death in the year 319AC. She mourned him for four-and-ten long years and finally followed him in the year 333AC, taken by the same malignant tumour that took him all those years ago.

Ser Holgor was not far before her as he died at a young age of six-and-twenty in the year 330AC from accidental injuries he sustained in one of his fits of madness. He left behind four sons (all married, with issue).

Lady Lyessa’s second husband, Ser Owen, was a knight from House Osgrey and an otherwise unremarkable man. He died at the prime age of thirty from complications with a festering wound. He left behind a daughter (married, with issue).

Lady Lyessa also had a bastard in between husbands that she beget from Ser Semwyle, a lowborn knight in her employ. Ser Bertrand Flowers grew up to be a brilliant commander, but unfortunately he could not outmaneuver his most ravenous foe and he was taken from this world at the age of just twenty years by a tumour that drained the life out of his body.

 

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Blood and Wine​

Lord Denys of House Redwyne, Lord of the Arbor, died in his sleep in the year 275AC at the age of two-and-fifty. His wife, Lady Rohanne of House Rowan, followed him in the same manner just a year later despite being more than ten years younger.

The pair’s only daughter, Lady Bethany, was married to her cousin, Lord Mathis of House Rowan, Lord of the Goldengrove.

Her younger brother, Ser Desmond, was married to lady Denyse of House Hightower until his death in the year 313AC. His wife mourned him deeply and followed her bellowed three years later.

Their oldest son, Ser Denys, was married to lady Sansara of House Tarly until her death in the year 339AC. He also managed to linger for three years after that before he too succumbed to his broken heart.

Both of their sons married common-born women.

Their firstorn, Ser Matthos, is married to lady Bressa. Their only child, lady Sylvina, is married to Ser Abelar of House Fossoway (red branch), who is in line to inherit the Cider Hall.

Ser Matthos’s brilliant-minded, but restless and unrealized younger brother, Ser Tanton, is married to lady Sheralla. Their daughter Galissa is married to Rickard of House Stackhouse.

Ser Desmond’s second son, Ser Ottyn, is also married to a common-born woman. His marriage with lady Celessa is unfortunately childless, probably due to Ser Ottyn’s affinity to the company of men rather than his wife.

Ser Desmond’s youngest son, Ser Portifer, was married to yet another common-born woman, lady Gelenna, and married another one after his first wife’s death. His new wife, lady Patricia, is almost ten years younger than his own son.

Said son, Ser Alan, is married to lady Allene, who is, as dear reader might have guessed, is also of common birth.

The main branch of House Redwine continued through Lord Deny’s firstborn son, Lord Paxter. He was married to Lady Mina of House Tyrell, herself a daughter of a famous Redwine Queen of Thorns. It was another marriage of love and dedication, so it is no surprise that Lady Mina soon followed her bellowed husband after his passing in the year 315AC.

The pair’s only daughter, lady Desmera, was married to Ser Merrell of House Florent, and that family unfortunately had their fair share of tragedy that started with the death of their firstborn infant son, Ser Merrell’s mutilation sickness and subsequent death and finally the tragic accident with their second son. To her credit, lady Desmera lived through it all with a stoic endurance and died peacefully in her sleep at the age of two-and-sixty.

Her younger brother Hobert went the same road as his cousin, Ser Ottyn, and remained childless throughout his marriage with Tylarra of House Tyrell (distant branch). After her recent death however, Hobert found himself wishing for a son of his own, despite being almost a father-like figure to many of his kinsmen.

Hobert’s older brother, Ser Hobber, did manage to have a son and a daughter with his wife, lady Lucia of House Inchfield. This pair died in the same year, but it is said that this time the culprit was not some romantic love, but a love for food and other excess.

The pair’s daughter, Lady Elyse, was married to Lord Lyman of House Chester, Lord of Greenshield, until his tragic death of an aneurism brought by his severe social anxiety. Fortunately he did not witness the mess his son’s made, but more on that later.

Lady Elyse’s younger brother, Ser Edgar, is also a mess. His wanton ways brought the doom of a brothel disease both to him and to his poor wife, lady Sylvina the Red Oak of House Oakheart. She did not know the nature of her ailment at first, so in her desperation she consulted with any and all types of healers, going as far as to consult the ones condemned by the Seven, the deed that brought the wrath of the clergy upon her and forced her husband to confess his misdeeds. After the nature of their affliction was revealed, lady Sylvina broke all contact with her husband and went back to her ancestral home. Ser Edgar had now fully succumbed to the disease and will live out the remainder of his miserable life a mumbling halfwit.

Fortunately Ser Edgar contracted the disease after the birth of his children, so they did not inherit any unwanted gifts from their father.

The daughter, Lady Carellen, tall and lean like her mother, married quick-witted and handsome Lord Richard of House Tyrell, brother to the current Lord Paramount of the Reach.

The son, Ser Lyonel, married much humbler, to lady Elwene of House Lowther, and even that was troublesome to arrange due to Ser Lyonel’s inclinations.

Lord Horas the Bladesman was Ser Hobert’s and Ser Hobber’s oldest brother and the next Lord of the Arbor after the death of their father, Lord Paxter. Lord Horas was married to Lady Elinor of House Stackhouse until his death in the year 333AC at the age of three-and-fifty. His wife wore her mourning attire for the remaining years and cried herself to death in the year 339AC at the age of sixty.

But it was not the death of Lord Horas’ death that brought Lady Elinor’s misery. It was her daughter’s.

Lady Rosalei was the firstborn child and the only daughter of Lord Horas and Lady Elinor. Hot-tempered, but easily influenced, she was led astray by Captain Olyvar, a passing dornish sellsword much older than her, and ended up following him on the road. She bore him a son, Ser Griffith, but soon after Captain Olyvar died under somewhat questionable circumstances. Lady Rosalei then met another sellsword, Captain Lyonel the Scholar (who claimed to be related to the House Fossoway with nothing to back up this claim). She married him as well and ended up all the way across the Narrow Sea. She bore her new captain two children and died from a bloody flux at the age of eight-and-thirty. Her hedgeknight husband mourned her deeply and died from a broken heart ten years later.

Lady Rosalei’s son by her first captain, Ser Griffith, decided to abandon his sellsword ways and swore fealty to the Prince Rhaegar of Dragonstone himself and eventually was given a command of the Sea Dragon Tower garrison. Ser Griffith is married to lady Ormane, a former camp follower, who unfortunately is paying the heavy price for her past. To make matters worse, the pair’s firstborn daughter Ariana was born afflicted by a cancerous tumours and succumbed to their poison at the tender age of just six-and-ten.

Lady Rosalei’s children from her second captain are leading two very different lives.

Her son, Ser Parmen, stayed with the Hedgeknights after his father’s death and currently serves as their treasurer. A handsome man, he could have had almost any pretty smallfolk girl, but instead he married his childhood friend, a homely urchin named Elyn.

Lady Samantha, Ser Parmen’s sister, did not stay with her father’s comrades. During one of the hedgeknights’ tours to the far east, she met Shah Halil of Faros island and managed to seduce him despite her unfortunate features and reclusive nature. She even went so far as to convert the man into the faith of the Seven and somehow convince him to get officially married, no small feat considering her own critical stance towards religion and the shah’s cruel and egocentric nature. Lady Samantha had three children with the Shah. Their son Wossam became the Shah of Faros after his father’s untimely death from the grey plague at the age of just five-and-twenty. Noblemen of Faros then accused lady Samantha of leading their leader astray and thus inviting the plague, so they seized the children and exiled their mother from the island. It is unclear how exactly did she end up in the northern plains beyond the Hyrkoon, but the scarce reports from the steppes suggest that she might very well be “the pale woman without lips” that is often seen with a young jogos nhai.

But let us go back to the Arbor and talk about the sons of Lord Horas the Bladesman.

His youngest son, Ser Paxter, is happily married to lady Elwene of House Chester. Lady Elwene is in fact a daughter of a fellow Redwine, Lady Elyse, Lord Horas’ own niece. Lady Elwene’s two brothers had a gruesome quarrel upon their father’s death that resulted in an abhorrent act of kinslaying when Lord Rolland, firstborn son and successor, managed to convince the High Septon to excommunicate his brother, Ser Meryn, and then executed him for the “affront to the Seven”, thus ironically becoming such an affront himself.

Ser Paxter and his Lady Elwene however do not stir any drama. Their only child, lady Melina, was first married to Ser Steffon from the barely emerging minor house Chetwood. He was the only son of Ser Thaddeus Chetwood, Commander of the Oldtown city watch, himself the only son of the late Commander Simon of the Hightower Vaults, the founder of house Chetwood. With young Ser Steffon’s unfortunate and very unexpected death however house Chetwood is headed back into obscurity. Lady Melina recently remarried to Ser Lyman of House Lyber, heir to the castle of Caltrop Hill.

Ser Vortimer is Lord Horas the Bladesman’s second son. He is married to lady Wylla of House Dayne (of Starfall). Ser Vortimer has been devastated ever since the pair’s only daughter’s tragic death at the age of eight-and-twenty. It also triggered her mother’s illness to rapidly deteriorate, so barely-functioning Ser Vortimer every days musters his last drops of strength to try and console his bedridden wife in what seems like her own last days and maybe of his own. Redwine maesters are very concerned and find that this affliction of the soul seems to resurface rather often in this family.

The current Lord of the Arbor is Lord Otto, also called the Bladesman like his late father. Lord Otto is married to Lady Shealla of House Tarly. Their marriage now seems like one of mutual love, but it was not so from the start. Their firstborn son was born in the right time after the bedding ceremony so his paternity does not seem questionable, but two miscarriages that Lady Shealla unfortunately endured after that could not be fathered by her lawful husband as he was away at the time of their presumed conception and Lady Shealla was seen spending a lot of time with her father-in-law. But it would seem that the pair was able to live past this unseemly affair, be it truth or slander, and had three more sons together.

Their youngest, Ser Alyn, is married to lady Vanera of House Grimm. They make a peculiar pair where the heavy-set Ser Alyn seems a proper giant with his tiny, almost child-like wife beside him.

Ser Alyn’s brother and Lord Otto’s third son, Ser Leo, is currently serving with the sellswords of The Bright Banners company. His bellowed wife, lady Alysanne of House Hewett, eagerly awaits him back. The pair tires to stay in touch by the use of letters that they send each other with every opportunity, and lady Alysanne often tells their young son about his father’s daring exploits beyond the Narrow Sea.

Ser Otto the Younger is Lord Otto’s second son. With his first wife, lady Melanna, he unfortunately did not get to live together even for a year. Soon after the wedding the pair decided to go for a leisurely tour on the mainland, but their small party was ambushed soon after they made landfall. The brigants utilised the dogs in their attack and poor lady Melanna was badly bitten by one of them. Although eventually Ser Otto and his knights managed to fend off the attack, it was too late for lady Melanna and she died soon after in excruciating agony. Ser Otto mourned his young bride for more that ten years, but eventually he remarried to lady Alerie of House Oakheart. Some say he chose her not only for her kind and honest nature, but also because her tall stature reminded him of his long-lost first love.

Ser Barquen is Lord Otto’s firstborn and heir. He is married to the rather prolific lady Marella of House Hightower.

Unfortunately the pair’s firstborn son, Ser Eden, died in the same fashion as his uncle’s first wife, although the circumstances when he sustained his fatal injury were a little more common. He was bitten by a rat in the wine cellars and thus Ser Eden was no more.

The current heir’s heir is Portifer, a soft-hearted boy of five-and-ten. He recently got married to the brave young lady Vanera of House Fossoway (green branch). They both “squire” for the household knights and take lessons in swordplay, but none have any particular skill in it as of yet.

 

[Thaiga]

Minor events​

The Fall from Grace​

The end of House Graceford came fast and complete when Lady Alyce, the only child of the late Lord Gunthor, decided to burn her uncle Gart at the stake. For this deed on kinslaying she became known as the Daughter of The Others and then died mysteriously just four month after that. Her husband, Lord Alesander Flowers, a bastard of an unknown parentage, was granted the right of administering the holdings of Holyhall. He never remarried, but fathered three bastard sons. After Lord Alesander’s death Holyhall went to it’s lieges, Lords Ashfords of Cockleswhent.

The Scandal at the Citadel​

As much as I would have liked to avoid this embarrassing topic entirely, I am unfortunately bound by duty to preserve history as it happened, even if it brings me a great deal of discomfort.

It felt as if all seven hells broke loose around the Citadel when a sworn maester gave birth. Yes, my dear reader, your eyes did not deceive you. Not “fathered” (although that was also the case), but actually gave birth.

On the third day of the fifth moon in the year 313AC Maester Alleras, a respected member of the Order, gave birth to a healthy baby boy in the maester’s chambers of the Red Keep. It then became openly known that Maester Alleras is actually Lady Sarella, one of the famous Sand Snakes, bastard-born daughters of Lord Oberyn the Red Vyper. And as if that was not scandalous enough, Archmaester Wex, a bastard-born former member of House Botley, claimed the boy as his.

The great trial was planned, but suddenly the Queen herself got involved. She argued that since very few people knew the truth about Sarella and since she managed to build for herself a solid reputation as a brilliant scholar and an able maester, the rule that strictly prohibited women access to the maester’s education is outdated and should be reviewed. It almost gave Archmaester Wylis, my esteemed predecessor, a heart attack, but the dragons were already numerous and many of them quite big, so the Conclave was called to convene about the matter.

Game of Thrones - Secrets of the Conclave by Paolo Puggioni​

I will now confess that I was, in fact, privy to “Alleras’' secret as he, well, she was my friend for many years. So naturally I vouched for her and for Maester Wex and voted for the inclusion of women into the education. The debates lasted for many months, but finally it was agreed that both maesters would retain their chains and positions (probably because the Queen clearly stated that she does not intend to give them up or even dismiss them from her service and the Conclave wished to safe both face and at least the appearance of power). Furthermore, any girl that would wish to become an acolyte would be considered and tested and might be allowed to study based on her result.

And so “the Alleras’ Law” came into existence.

The fruit of this scandal was named Rickard. He grew up to resemble his grandsire, Lord Oberyn, both in appearance and somewhat in spirit, as a shrewd and ambitious man, albeit a bit shy. He was knighted and received the duty of command of a small contingent of guards around the Red Keep. He married twice, first out of love, then out of duty. His first wife, Lady Laenysha from House Otherys, gave him two daughters and a son before her untimely death in the year 351AC at the age of four-and-thirty. A foul play was suspected, but the investigation turned up nothing. Ser Rickard keeps a locket with a pitch-black strand of unruly hair he took as a memento of his beloved wife. Eventually though Ser Rickard remarried to the daughter of a merchant, the brilliant Lady Helicent. It is more of a business arrangement than an actual marriage though made out of notion that the children might need a feminine presence in their lives.

Eventually most of the talks about The Scandal died out. although it is still unrecommended to speak about it around certain members of the Order. No other girl has taken a vow as an acolyte as of yet. At least no girl that the Order knows about.