Of Crabbs and Men (AGOT AAR)

[EtzelHoveri]

For those of you who have read my AARs, you know I mostly write AGOT AARs, and this one is no different. However, prior to this, I had planned on doing a semi-interactive Dany AAR. This did not work out, as I was unable to get the AAR going prior to the AGOT update and my own personal issues(my father passing away among them).

Nevertheless, I still wanted to write an AAR, as it has been far to long since I have done one. I thought of resurrecting an old idea, but since the newest update, the Andal lands are now apart of either Braavos or Pentos. With that idea blown out of the water, I decided to just randomize a house and got House Crabb of Crackclaw Point. (Honestly, I got first Starks and then Lannisters, but I do not personally enjoy playing as major power house err Houses?)

This playthrough was mostly just to get a feel for the new update and see where things went. I took a few screenshots, but the Crabb family drama comes distant, Distant, DISTANT!!!!! second to the drama of the Iron Throne. I hope you enjoy reading, and I look forward to your comments. At this moment, I have only played the first decade and already the drama is intense.

 

[Saxon125]

Always enjoyed your work consider me subbed.

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Chapter 1: A Soldier's Return​

Returning home from the war, Lucifer Crabb was unsure how he felt. Yes, he was a subject of House Targaryen and his family had been for almost three centuries. Yes, he had fought alongside The Silver Prince, whom some said to be the greatest Targaryen since Aegon the Conqueror or the Conciliator. He just did not really care about the change in leadership of Westeros. Lucifer had done his duty, now with the swearing of allegiance and a small fee, he would return home to Crackclaw Point. As long as the Baratheons left the Point alone, like the Targaryens had done, was all that mattered to him.

Though he had been gone only a short time, it was good to be home. To see his wife Matrice and their two boys, Alaric and Jack. Alaric was now four and ten years of age, therefore it was time for him to be wed. At first the plan was to wed the boy to one of the Brunes, but they rejected his proposition. Instead, Dalla Buckwell, the bastard daughter of the Lord of the Antlers, married Alaric. It was not a strong marriage to a great family, but what did that matter? His son seemed pleased with the girl. So long as she kept him happy and brought children into the family, then she was a successful wife for his son.

Jack on the other hand was a different story. Still a little young to marry and the second son meant his options were far fewer. Yet, Matrice informed him upon his return home that Jack had his eyes on his own woman. This woman was a little older than him and his own cousin, Moelle Crabb, younger sister of Nimble Dick. The boy had been following her around for days. Whenever she would go somewhere, he was on her heels. This did not bother Lucifer that much as he had done something similar to his own elder sister before she passed away. This would change however when the two were caught out in the woods kissing. Turns out, young Moelle also had feelings for Jack and it was not puppy love. They were not siblings, nor were they even first cousins so Lucifer and Matrice decided to just let it be for now.

Word would come shortly after, that the new King was taking a trip through the recently conquered lands. This trip began in Dorne, traversed through most of the Reach, and ended on the Iron Islands. Not a single soldier or person entered Crackclaw Point. So far the new King paid as much attention to the Point as the previous one did, which suited Lucifer just fine.

At least he thought no soldiers or King's men had come to the Point, but less that thirty days from the King's Progression ending a squad of soldiers appeared in the Whispers. Many thought and concerns ran through Lucifer's mind with these soldiers appearance. Was he being recalled back to service, was the King adding the Point to his Progression afterall, were they here to collect an additional tax, or was it something else entirely?

Turns out they had come with an invitation to attend a Great Feast in King's Landing. This took Lucifer completely by surprise. The Targaryens ignored the Crabbs of the Point almost to the point of forgetting they existed, unless they were in need of strong soldiers or great knights to serve in the Kingsguard. It appears the Baratheons held them to a little higher asteem. How could Lucifer do anything but accept such an offer?

Though short and slightly uncomfortable, Lucifer attended the feast. Not much happened here save for Lord Eustace Brune refusing yet another marriage offer. This time it was for young Jack. Enraged by this, Lucifer gave Jack who was now the same age as his brother had been when he married, permission to marry Moelle Crabb. Thrilled by this, the two were married within the week. His children were wed, he and his family were being treated better than they had been since the Dragons came to Westeros, but how long would that last?


(I'm always unsure how to start stories. Chapter 1 always kills me, but I hope you all enjoy. Also the stage will be set in the upcoming Chapter for the craziness of the Iron Throne.)

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Chapter 2: Tourney of Highgarden​

It was not long after the feast and his younger son's wedding that Lucifer was once more travelling. This trip would take him further from his home than he had ever been. There was to be a Grand Tourney held outside the walls of Highgarden. With his family now more in favor, they had even sent him an invitation that Lucifer could not refuse.

This was a horrible idea!

His feeling of discomfort at the recent feast in King's Landing was amplified a thousand fold here in Highgarden. So far from home and without friends or a strong family name, Lucifer was looked down upon by these 'higher' nobles. Among all those who came to this Tourney, first one since the dreaded mess at Harrenhall which started the war, were the Lords of Casterly Rock and Riverrun, as well as their brothers, all of the Kingsguard, Stannis Baratheon, many other minor Lords and Knights, and both Queen Cersei Lannister and her husband the King himself, who was going to take part in the Tourney, if the rumors were true.

As was common at these great Tourneys there was much feasting and enjoying one selves days before the fighting began. Even a low ranked, unwanted man like Lucifer was able to enjoy himself to a certain extent. There was another minor noble, who was taking part named Robert Ball, that Lucifer spent most of his time with. It was a blend of both of them not really being wanted here and their families lineage that brought them together.

When at last it was time for the Tourney, Lucifer was ready to hit something. To his greatest pleasure, his first opponent would be Lothor Brune. Even if this Brune was not close to the family which had spurned his requests for marriage to his sons, he would crush the man. What high hopes he had. Quashed in the first passing. His lance completely missed the mark, whereas Lothor's struck him true. Thus sending him falling from his steed and out of the tourney. Once more a blasted Brune made a fool of him.

No matter how enraged he was by this loss, Lucifer still wished to observe the Tourney. To his great pleasure the next match was between King Robert and his Kingsguard Jaime Lannister. Both men were accomplished warriors, but neither man had won honors in the lists. The King had only ever lost the Tourney at Storm's End to Lord Commander Barristan Selmy before the man had taken this new position and young Jaime was forced to return to King's Landing after taking the white thus missing out at the Tourney of Harrenhall.

Many thought this match would be a farce with Jaime just 'falling' from his horse for his King, but that did not happen. The two faced each other again and again and again. Fifteen tilts in total with both men breaking their lances each time. Lord Mace Tyrell had spoken with the King for some time after the fifth tilt, likely trying to request a chance to just name the King the winner, but he had not been successful. Nevertheless in the end, King Robert would claim this victory over Jaime Lannister who was wounded badly and returned to his tent. After Jaime's wound the Queen had disappeared from watching the match as well.

This match was so extraordinary they called the fighting for the day. The next morning brought quite a stir of news. Turns out the Queen had been found within her brother's tent that night and not doing anything sisterly. For this atrocity Jaime Lannister was stripped of his cloak and banished from Westeros. The Queen was force fed moon tea to ensure no child would be born of this union before being returned to King's Landing under guard by the full compliment of the remaining six Kingsguard.

Besides the seven Kingsguard and the King himself stepping out of the tourney so did Stannis Baratheon and a number of other notable knights and Lords. Thus only a few minor nobles and knights continued the tourney. Lothor went on to take second in the tourney, being bested by a hedge knight from Dorne. Ser Daeron named, his friend Oberyn Martell the Red Viper's daughter, Obara Sand as the Queen of Love and Beauty. This child of six and ten was far from a beauty. Best of all when Ser Daeron laid the crown of flowers on her head Obara dove over the railing punching the man as hard as she could in the face. Once the man was unconscious, she laid the wreath atop the man before storming off.



(Next chapter will cover why I wanted to write the story. After that, I might be covering more time than only a few days or years in each chapter. With such a minor House, not a lot happens. Though the story does start to get good later on, plus the Crabbs take a more active role in the Kingdom. So far played almost a century.)

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Always enjoyed your work consider me subbed.

I appreciate the vote of confidence. These first couple of chapters are not the best written, nor does it really follow any in depth characters. Once I get through the drama of the Iron Throne, I will be writing about the far more interesting Crabbs. Sadly, the first interesting Crabb, that is Lord of The Whispers, isn't even born until 314.

 

[Specialist290]

A very eventful tourney there. Memorable tilts, intrigue, and even a bit of scandal... Certainly one that will be known in song and story for years to come.

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Chapter 3: Tragedy of House Lannister​

With all of the drama at Highgarden, Lucifer was pleased to return to his home in the Point. Very little happened here. The few things which did, were things which Lucifer could handle or instigate himself. One of these was his hatred from the Brune family. Originally, he had hoped to bring their two families closer. Now it was obvious that only bloodshed and war would fix their disagreements and so he began to amass his forces. Blood would run across the Point.

However, the war between Lucifer and Lord Eustace Brune never seemed to begin. Men were armed and ready for battle, but something would come up and it would be delayed. First there was the birth of Lucifer's granddaughters. Both Alaric and Jack had little girls only a few days apart. Lacey and Teora were beautiful little girls which helped keep Lucifer's mind and attention away from his neighbor to the north. These two could not keep him away for long as he would bring up his army again when they were a year old, but a messenger from King's Landing would divert him again. For King Robert had not forgotten him and his family again. He was begin summoned to the Red Keep to take up the position of High Almoner. This was not a position on the Small Council, but Lucifer still felt honored to have such a position. Thus blood would not run across the Point again as Lucifer travelled to King's Landing.

The man had not been their for more than a month and already Lucifer felt the urge to leave. This time it was not even the other people's dislike of him, but rather the rampant fear which ran through both the streets of King's Landing but also the Court itself. Two days after arriving, King Robert had arrested his own wife. The King it turns out had had enough with this brother laying harlot. Which would not have been a big deal in Lucifer's eyes, if it wasn't for the fact that her father was Tywin Lannister. Now blood would not only run across the Point, but all of Westeros again in less than the span of 7 years.

Many people thought that the Queen's lover, Jaime, would come to King's Landing to fight for his sister, but instead it was her own father. He had not brought an army, but just himself and his sword. The former Hand and the King went off by themselves in a secluded garden. They were gone no more than a half of an hour before they returned to the Throne Room and commenced a Trial by Combat for Cersei Lannister. Tywin was not the great warrior as his son was, but he still held his own against the King. Even though the King was more alcohol than anything these days, he still won without great difficulty. Sending Tywin sprawling across the floor, Lucifer began to have flashbacks of the duel at the Ruby Ford. The major difference was that Tywin who was not a great warrior stood without much difficulty after taking the blow from Robert's great war hammer.

Others in the room, including Lord Commander Selmy, Lucifer noticed, were also perplexed. Yet, Tywin took the knee and proclaimed he was bested. Thus the duel was over, Cersei was forced to take the shroud of one of the Silent Sisters. She would never wear it though. On the return trip to Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister put a dagger into his own daughter's heart, leaving her not far from King's Landing. Upon his return to his ancestral home he would be greeted by his eldest son who in return put his own dagger in this man's heart.

There are some reports that Tywin had made mention of his surprise that his son had heard so quickly that he was no longer in exile. Nobody is certain if this was true, but when Jaime slew Tywin Lannister, King Robert allowed Jaime to become Lord of the Westlands.


(As per usual I have noticed, Jaime is removed from the Kingsguard and banished. Queen Cersei is arrested. The change though is obviously Tywin Lannister dueling Robert for Cersei then murdering her and then the next day Jaime kills Tywin. Crazy turn of events and I LIKE it.)

 

[Specialist290]

Kingslayer and kinslayer... Now all Jaime has to do is eat someone, and he'll have the complete set of Westerosi taboos

But seriously, the fall of the House of Lannister in such a dramatic fashion is certainly shocking, though not entirely unexpected. It's always struck me that this dysfunctional family was bound for tragedy in one form or another, no matter what else happens in the world.

And, of course, with King Robert a newly-minted widow, I sense that many houses are going to leap at the chance to tie themselves more directly to the Iron Throne -- after a tactful period of mourning, of course.

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Of course. He actually goes 4 years without a bride, which I found surprising. Even more so on who he chose to be his bride.

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Chapter 4: Lucifer sets things right​

Lucifer decided to stay in King's Landing after all the craziness of the past few months. Though he never truly felt comfortable there, he still was able to make a few friends and ensure the Crabb family was looked upon more favorably by the court. He missed the birth of his grandson, Lucifer, though sadly everybody on the Point knew that this boy was not Alaric's child, except Alaric, it sounded like. Alaric the Unlucky, Alaric the bloody fool more likely. As enraged he felt by this, Lucifer did not act upon it. Instead he allowed both the mother and child to live since his son was happy.

On the first day of the year 293 since the conquest of Westeros there was a double wedding held in King's Landing. The Baratheon brothers, King Robert and Lord Renly, married the cousins of Dorne. Renly took Arianne Martell, eldest daughter and heir of the House Martell as his wife. She was beautiful, respected, and of honorable birth. All of Westeros was pleased about this match. King Robert on the other hand took the Queen of Love and Beauty Obara 'Sand' as his wife. She was the bastard daughter of the younger brother of Martell. She was known to be brash, angry, and more a fighter than a 'Queen' of anything. Nobody was happy with this union, especially any of the Major Houses who wished to unite their houses with that of the Kings.

Lucifer did not attend this wedding however as he had to return to his home to bury his wife. She had passed a few days before the wedding, and the King understood though he said he would be missed at the celebrations. While back on the Point, Lucifer did get the opportunity to meet two more grandchildren. Jack had another child Brandon and Alaric had a second son, Edgar. These two boys could not be more different. Where one was robust and full of health the other was small and sickly. Many did not believe that Edgar would make it more than a year.

With the unpleasantness of burying his wife finished, Lucifer once more returned to King's Landing, but this stay was much shorter. For in less than a year, his eldest son and heir mysteriously died. Nobody could say what exactly killed him, except he was found in one of the gardens dead. At the same time the man's wife Dalla Buckwell was carrying another child, who many thought did not belong to the late Alaric but instead Ser Thurgood who served as Lucifer's Master of Whispers. Fearing what had happened to his son, Lucifer step down as High Almoner to return to his home once more. His first act was to name this new child of Dalla's to not be Alaric's. He would be known as William 'Waters'. The boy, his mother, and the father were all arrested and banished from the Point from this day until their last days.

All three would go south to Langward Hall. Ser Thurgood would never rise to a position of influence or power again, but instead spent his last days in squalor before death. Dalla would find herself married to a minor noble in The Reach, whose children rose to become Lords of these lands. William 'Waters' story will be told at a different time.

 

[EtzelHoveri]

Went back to the save to look at the bastard son of Dalla and Ser Thurgood, William 'Waters' and he will be mentioned later in the story. He does a few amazing things which I do not wish to ruin by mentioning it here. However, he does become a major badass.

 

[Twighlight Array 17]

lol Robert x Obara sounds like a crack ship. subbed for more of lord luficer's ludicrous lark