Any character sheets which are finished but not yet approved, place them in here.

House Caron of Nightsong

House Information: House Caron is sworn to House Baratheon. Their seat of power is Nightsong, a stronghold located in Dornish Marches in the Stormlands, north of the Prince's Pass. House Caron is the leader of the Marcher lords of the Stormlands, and the head of the House holds the title of Lord of the Marches alongside the traditional title of Lord of Nightsong.

Since the death of Lord Rennifer Caron in the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, during which he had marched under the flag of Rhaenyra from early in the war all the way to the Second Battle of Tumbleton where he died by dragonfire, the House has been headed by his only surviving child: his daughter Cyrenna. Though there were many rumblings of discontent at the idea of there being not a Lord of the Marches, but rather a Lady of the Marches, Cyrenna has used political maneuvering and displays of sheer competence to earn the fealty and respect of the great majority of the Marcher lords.

House Caron has enjoyed a moderate growth in wealth and power in the past few decades under Cyrenna's rule, though that has only really translated to better trained and outfitted men at arms and somewhat less bickering from other Marcher lords. The recent increase in Dornish activity in the Marches has been a huge thorn in House Caron's side, and their hate for Dornishmen is a point of pride for them just as it is among all Houses in the Marches of the Stormlands. Cyrenna, and thus House Caron, has remained firmly loyal to the Targaryens of Rhaenyra's line, up to and including young King Daeron. All of this together means that the banner of black nightingales on a yellow field will certainly be among those marching south in the near future, perchance to conquer Dorne once and for all.

House Name: Baratheon
House Words: Ours is the Fury



Name: Silas Baratheon
Age: 19

Personality: Brilliant, highly functioning, a sociopath. All words that describe Silas Baratheon. He holds little regard for custom, little regard for those he considers less intelligent, but retains a moral code that seems more green and yellow than red and blue. A master of deduction and logic, and detail-oriented, Silas is a master at uncovering mystery and solving puzzles - making him oddly suited to the courtly duties of a lord. He throws himself into this work with gusto - for which most are grateful. Silas possesses some skill with a sword in a Braavosi-esque style, self-taught, and regularly retreats into a mental castle where he stores swathes of information on multiple subjects. (Inspired by Sherlock Holmes)

Name: Ser Stevron Baratheon
Age: 17

Personality: Stevron is normal, compared to his family. He’s a tourney knight that loves japes, adventures, and exploring the wild countrysides of all six kingdoms. He’s even visited Dorne, as dangerous as that is for a man like himself. Having lived as his uncle had prior to his fight in the Marches, Stevron seeks a peaceable life where he fights, jousts, and drinks jollily with friends. He knows, ultimately, such isn’t going to happen. He’ll have to marry - something he personally detests. This isn’t out of dislike or hatred for women - he loves his sister, and any woman he meets… When people talk about them, though, Stevron doesn’t feel like his comrades. They’re just normal people - some might look better… but there’s no stirring in the loins like other men might have. He’s a complete contrast with his sister in that regard. Easily the best Baratheon fighter, Stevron is young, muscular, yet rather wiry. He’s more adept with the sword than the lance, though either is a legitimate weapon in his capable hands. Some say it’s a mule’s talent - never distracted. (An asexual in a land of whores and forced marriages)

Name: Shiara Baratheon
Age: 16

Personality: Shiara is the opposite of Stevron. Where he loves others too little, Shiara loves them too much. Avoid that for a minute, though - Shiara is more socially skilled than either member of her immediate family. Possessed of great social graces, perfect poise, and a stare that makes people melt, she’s something of a great communicator in her own right. Some might even call her innocent, had they no idea of her true nature. In actuality, Shiara is ruthless. She chases what she wants, is patient enough to enact plans to make it happen, and stays on top of things to make sure they succeed. This is as much so in governance, which she shares with Clyde on many an occasion, as it is in the realm of love and lust. Both are dear to Shiara’s heart. At least six members of castle staff, four women and two men, have spent ‘quality time’ with the lecherous woman. Silas doesn’t care. Stevron doesn’t understand. Clyde is too stressed and harried to have a sit-down, needing her support to keep things going. The Stag prances, mounting as it pleases, as every other beast is soon to see.

Name: Ser Clyde Baratheon
Age: 41

Personality: Clyde used to be happy. He really did. He rode the Stormlands on the back of his warhorse, smiling proud as his armor glinted in the air. He’d take his young squire of a nephew and ride for weeks at a time - climbing mountains and visiting dozens of lords, always with a smile and a wave that seemed to transcend any political issue or family rivalry. That Clyde died over six years ago, on a field northeast of the Dornish border. A band of over 1,300 deserters faced a troop of only two hundred horse from Storm’s End. Split in two, Clyde lead his force around the side, smashing into the center as Royce Baratheon rode hard frontally. His brother was thrown from his horse, a pike killing his horse, and was killed on foot in the ensuing skirmish. Clyde failed to reach his brother, surrounded by the enemy, in time. Ever since, the uncle Baratheon has been a silent, calm, and very stoic individual. His wife long passed and children dead young, he tends to all that remains of the stag’s family. It’s really to bad they’re all mad, in their own ways.

Name: Maester Grasshair
Age: 49

Personality: If Silas is Sherlock Holmes, Grasshair is a Moriarty. He bears no moral code save his vows of service, willing to do whatever he is asked. Thankfully, he’s not asked to do anything other than help people. A master medical man with skill at chemical and historical work as well, Grasshair’s primary job is to assist Silas in various tasks he derives from his basic practices of ruling. Medical examinations of slaughtered individuals - tests for various poisons in a dead knight’s work… recreating crimes with dangerous efficiency. If needs be, perhaps even committing a few. In his spare time, a strange devotee of the Drowned God - though rarely finding converts, he has a small flock at the docks of Storm’s End, whom often congregate in the massive storms that batter the castle. His reasons for these beliefs, whatever they might be, are his own.

House Name: House Tully
House Words: Family, Duty, Honor
House Decription/General Information (optional): Though it's roots lie long ago in the age of heroes, the high position of House Tully is a relatively new creation, created and cemented by the burning of Harren the Cruel. For supporting Aegon in his conquests, the Tullys were granted the lord paramouncy of the trident, ruling all lands from the God's Eye to the northern marshes. Though it commands the respect of most of the rivermen, many proud lords cannot forget that House Tully was their equal not so long ago. Despite this obstacle, the Tully spirit burns strong, and they assert their will with unmatched vitality. The family words, "Family, Duty, Honor", represent the mindset of the tullys; One must sacrifice for the good of the family, and stay true to one's word, whether it be to a servant or to the Throne.

Name: Lord Leoric Tully
Age: 55
Appearance (picture and/or words):

Personality: Leoric has often been called a fool, and it's half true. Though he tries to accomplish things, and works to aid others, he fails more often than not. Whether it be through incompetence or bad luck, he simply cannot succeed. His bitterness only increased when his nightmares began, and he was labelled as insane. He certainly does not feel mad, yet he has grown weak and timid, his position being all but taken by his brother. He desires only to live out his days in peace now.
Biography: Leoric Tully was born during the reign of Viserys I. He grew up alongside his younger brother, Karyl, and the two were rivals in almost everything, Where Leoric was kind and good-hearted, Karyl was cold and unforgiving. And while Karyl was strong, Leoric was frail, and often suffered from his frail health. Nevertheless, when the dance of dragons broke out, it was Leoric who led the riverlander army in support of the dragon queen, his brother being too young for such a task. He did not stand out during these campaigns, his only notable accomplishment being wounded at the Battle of the Lakeshore by a marbrand spear. When the war finally ended with the death of Aegon II and the ascension of his nephew, Leoric returned to the riverlands, only to find his father dead, slain by the pox, and his brother ruling from Riverrun, having managed the riverlands ever since his brother left for war and his father fallen ill.

Leoric was appointed Lord Leoric by the order of the king shortly thereafter. Though he was eager to manage the lands of the trident, he had little skill in this, and frequently caused more problems than he solved. Over the years, an unspoken agreement was formed with his brother: Leoric would rule in Riverrun, and Karyl would do all the work. Leoric eventually married Mallara Strong, daughter of Harenhal. They had great trouble begetting an heir, and for many years it seemed as if Karyl and his sons would inherit the trident, until a boy Mallara bore survived childbirth; He was named Euson Tully.

Life continued as normal for several decades, until Leoric began suffering from nightmares, sometimes even in his waking hours. He saw giants and dead dragons, and frequently saw the world from the eye of an animal. His maester declared him mad, and he was duly isolated from the rest of Westeros, his brother taking on those duties he had not already possessed. Leoric's mental degradation was accompanied by the sickness of his wife, who grew more and ill as time passed. Now, he spends his days locked in his keep, mourning his wife who still lives.

Name: Karyl Tully
Age: 49
Appearance (picture and/or words):

Personality: Karyl Tully is known to be the opposite of his brother, Leoric. Where Leoric is kind and warm, Karyl is cold and aloof. While Leoric fails at most everything, Karyl seems to succeed at everything he touches... Save attaining lordship, of course. This limitation, and the knowledge that he will always have to bow down to his brother, has embittered him considerably, and he has become more and more ruthless as the years passed. He still retains his skills, however.
Biography: Karyl Tully was born in Riverrun some years after his brother, Lord Leoric. He distinguished himself in his studies, and squired for Lord Strong of Harrenhal. When the dance of dragons broke out, he returned to Riverrun to aid his brother, only for Leoric to command him to stay behind, citing his young age. He was thus left behind, and saw none of the action. Despite this, he stood out more than his brother; While Leoric accomplished little and less during the war, Karyl deftly handled those lords who had stayed behind, and amassed another army for the black cause. After the war ended, he was shoved aside of his duties, which were taken up by Leoric, who was newly named Lord after the death of their father.

He was duly married to a Mallister wife, and had several children in the long years that followed. He watched as his noble brother bankrupted the riverlands, and failed at everything from diplomacy to economics. Gradually, he took charge once more, a process which accelerated once his brother began having his nightmares. He now is seen as the true ruler of the Riverlands... Though that authority cannot be passed to his children, as Leoric himself has a son, a troublesome sitution indeed.

House Name: House Mormont
House Words: Here We Stand

House Decription/General Information: The Mormonts of Bear Island are an old family, sworn to the Starks of Winterfell. Despite their decidedly empty coffers, the Mormonts have always served their Bannerlords faithfully and honourably - never stooping to dishonesty or illegal acts to increase their own wealth. The House is currently led by Androw Mormont, a great bear of a man nearing his Twilight years. Although Androw is still the ruler of Bear Island, his sons and grandchildren take care of much of the day-to-day running of the Mormont’s lands, with Androw spending most of his time in his personal chambers.

Name: Androw Mormont
Age: 58
Appearance:
Personality: Androw is a man bound by the importance of honour, duty and family. Raised from a young age to respect these three values, he will always put them before his own personal gain. Androw is known by the people of Bear Island to be a fair and just ruler in the way that he settles disputes between his subjects - he will always listen to both sides of a story, and mete out an appropriate punishment if there is one to be had; and, like many Northern Houses, he shares the belief that ‘he who deals the sentence should swing the sword’ - so, on the rare occasion that a death sentence is handed out, the honourable old Lord himself will be there to deliver the killing blow.

Androw is loyal to the Starks before any ‘Southron Kings’, as he gruffly puts it, as he believes that loyalty should be earnt and not freely given - and the Targaryens have never made any effort to come and visit Bear Island, at least during his lifetime.

Biography: Androw was born the first son of the late Lord Hareth Mormont and his Lady wife, and the middle child of four siblings. He had a younger brother and two older sisters, who had already been raised in the traditional Bear Island fashion - with a needle in one hand and an axe in the other.

Androw’s young life was fairly uneventful, and from the age of about six and onwards his days were so full he hardly had time to be a child anymore. Unlike many young Lordlings, Androw did not enjoy a life of luxury - he was born into a lifestyle of hard work and labour, and was happy if at the end of the day he had a warm fire and a large, hearty meal to sit down to. His father saw to it that Androw would grow up to be a warrior worthy of wielding the Mormont’s ancestral weapon, Longclaw; Androw spent hours every day practicing swordplay with the warriors of Bear Island, and by the time he was fifteen he was already a fearsome warrior.

Androw fought alongside the men - and women - of Bear Island whenever they were invaded by Wilding - or Ironborn - raiding parties, and by the time his father was on his deathbed, he handed over Longclaw - and Bear Island - to his eldest son with a fond, parting smile. His two eldest sisters had already been married off to other Lords of the North by the time Androw became Lord Mormont, and his younger brother fell defending Bear Island from a Wildling attack when Androw was in his mid-twenties.

As the only surviving Mormont left on Bear Island, Androw recognised the importance of attaining a wife - and quickly. He was wed to Alysa Dustin - a rather plain young woman, but one with a large heart - something that had become rare within the nobility. She was someone whom Androw grew to love deeply. He and Alysa had three children - a boy, a girl, and then another boy, before his wife’s passing two years ago due to a cold she had never quite recovered from.

Weighed down by grief from his wife’s passing, Androw has begun gradually passing more and more responsibilities to his children and grandchildren, and spends quite a large amount of time locked away in his personal chambers - with a keg of ale kept closeby.

Name: Garlan Mormont
Age: 32
Appearance: Like his father, Garlan is a bear of a man - standing at an impressive 6’5”, he possesses a similar physique - broad, powerful shoulders, a wide chest and impressive strength; born from a mixture of genetically inherited ability and a lifetime of near constant training and labour.

His eyes are a bright blue, and shine with intelligence and wit despite Garlan’s somewhat brutish appearance.

Despite his almost beastly strength, Garlan has begun to put on a bit of weight - due to his handing over of much of Bear Island’s more physically demanding duties to his younger siblings, as well as his own two sons and his numerous nieces and nephews. The warrior’s stomach has gradually grown larger over the last few years, leaving the man with a respectable potbelly. As well as this, his facial features have lost the chiseled aspect of a young, rugged warrior - these angular looks replaced by fat and loose skin, and a rather large beard that the man has grown out in an attempt to hide this.

His hair is dark brown in colour, and sits atop his head in a mass of untamed curls; but his hair, wild as it is, is nothing compared to his massive beard; which, combined with his large amount of body hair, makes Garlan appear rather significantly bear-like. The Mormont usually dresses in leathers or chainmail, and will never be seen without a weapon - be it a large bastard sword resembling Longclaw (which he will one day inherit) or a double-bladed battleaxe.

Personality: Like his father, Androw, Garlan is an honourable man who recognises the importance of honesty, family and duty. Although he is certainly not a knight - and is much more straightforward and abrupt than the ‘Knights of Summer’ who reside in Westeros’ Southern Kingdoms, Garlan is certainly chivalrous. He cares for the smallfolk, and does everything in his power to make sure they are protected and are able to live comfortable lives.

Although he lives a good life on Bear Island, Garlan is ambitious - and, unlike his father, recognises the value of earning the Targaryen’s favour - and the wealth and power that will come with it. If he was given the chance to advance his place - and his family’s place - in the politics of Westeros, Garlan would certainly take it.

Biography: The first-born son of Lord Androw Mormont and his Lady wife Alysa Dustin, Garlan was given the full attention of his parents - and their household staff - until the age of four, when his younger sister was born. Garlan was raised in a similar way to his father - from a young age, he was allowed to explore Bear Island, accompanied by his mother - and, as he grew older, she was progressively replaced by his father’s most trusted men - and occasionally his father himself.

Garlan was trained in horseriding, hunting and fighting - and by the time he was in his mid teens, he was very well skilled indeed in all three fields. Although he was never necessarily ‘book smart’, Garlan had a talent for physical pursuits and a good head for tactics. As a result of his father’s unconventional approach to his upbringing, Garlan had all sorts of friends in his youth - from the sons of other Lords who came to visit, to the young fishermen who plied the waters of Bear Island learning their father’s trades. A very well known - and well liked - young man, he was a favourite with the ladies of Bear Island; and is likely the father of a few unacknowledged bastards.

Androw recognised his sons frivolousness, and decided to fix the issue by marrying him off as early as he could. As a way of broadening his family’s connections, Androw sought his son a wife from the Riverlands - a task which proved much harder than he had originally anticipated. However, a wife was eventually found in the form of Shireen Haigh, the youngest daughter of the Minor House Haigh. Garlan’s galavanting came to an abrupt age when it was announced at his nineteenth nameday celebration that he would be wed to Shireen the following month, after a great deal of planning and preparation on his father’s part - kept quiet from the young man to prevent his intervention.

Garlan appreciates Shireen’s beauty, but their marriage is a loveless one - Garlan, as he says, ‘could never be tied to one woman’, but instead prefers to distribute his ‘affections’ between numerous women - of both low and noble birth. Shireen accepts her husband’s indiscreet actions as part of who he is, but refuses to allow him to acknowledge any of his bastards because of the disgrace it would bring her.

Name: Cassana Mormont
Age: 28
Appearance: Cassana Mormont was lucky enough to inherit her mother’s looks over her father’s; and although she appears rather plain, she possesses beauty in other ways. Her hair is a light blonde - the colour of sunlight, as Androw often used to tell her when she was a child sitting upon his knee.

She stands at an average height, and although her frame isn’t the most curvaceous in the world, her green eyes and bright, perfect smile are what make her attractive. Cassana is not like most Ladies - she wears similar - if not the same - clothes to her brothers, and carries a sword at her side and an axe on her back.

Bio: Cassana - or Cass, as she’s called by those who know her - was born four years after Garlan Mormont, and was doted upon severely by both her parents - and her older brother, as he grew up into a young man. Cassana’s young life was somewhat more luxurious and easier than Garlan’s, but this was not to say she didn’t work - she took care of the running of the Mormont’s household, along with her mother and the few staff her father could afford to employ.

As well as household work, Cassana - like all women on Bear Island - was taught how to defend and look after herself in the event of a Wildling or Ironborn raid. Cassana is an excellent shot with throwing knives, and knows her way about a sword if she ever needs to use one.

Visiting Lords have been somewhat shocked by the way Cass dressed, earning her the nickname ‘Lady Wildling’, which was often snickered about by boys her own age behind her back - before she punched a Lord from the Riverland’s son in the nose because he made the mistake of laughing at her when she was within reaching distance.

Cass is as yet unmarried, and it seems unlikely that she ever will be wed - her father just loves her too much to send her away.

Name: Ramsay Mormont
Age: 25
Appearance: Ramsay is decidedly shorter than his father and older brother, standing at a still very acceptable height of 5’11”. The young Lordling’s hair is blonde, like his mother and sister, but has still inherited the curly, wild nature of his father’s hair. His eyes are blue, like Garlan’s, and seem to whisper of a shrewd, careful intelligence.

Ramsay is no bear, but this is not to say that he’s not strong - he’s fit, but in a much more lean way than the other men of his family. His shoulders are narrow, his frame slender - lending the young man to a fighting style more quick and graceful than the strong, brutish attacks that most men on Bear Island practice.

He wears a longsword at his side, and often has a few days’ growth on his cheeks.

Personality: Unlike the rest of his family, Ramsay is not trusting - and nor is he honourable. He has a shrewd, calculating mind, and it is rare indeed that he’ll be truly honest with someone other than his siblings.

Despite his calculating nature, Ramsay is still quite likeable - he’s smart, witty and confident, and seems to know just what to say to keep people happy - or at least he likes to think so. Ramsay has a talent for books and mathematics, which is how he came to take up the position of House Mormont’s Steward.

Minor Members of the House

Name: Rolland Snow
Age: 48
Role: Head of House Mormont’s household guard, Androw’s deceased older brother’s bastard.

Name: Harwin
Age: 20
Role: Garlan Mormont’s right-hand man, a commoner from Bear Island - in a position of command within the fighting men of Bear Island.

I’ll add more characters to this list as they become relevant, and write proper sheets for any who become major characters.

House Sigil:

House Name: House Ryswell

House Words: “Only the Strong Prevails”

House Decription/General Information: House Ryswell are a Banner House of the Starks and hold The Rills for the Starks. They have, for generations now, ruled their lands from the safety and comfort of Castle Storn, named for the first Ryswell lord of the Rills, Storn Ryswell . Castle Storn is a fortress that is built high in the hills, it was originally the site of 3 large Dragon Glass obelisks. These were believed to have been brought down to their resting place in the Rills by ancient tribesmen who thought the stone contained the spirit of their dead. Once order had come to the Rills and the noble houses began to divide up the land House Ryswell decided to construct their home around these stones, as a sign that they were the rightful rulers of the Rills and that the natives of the Rills would have their sacred ground kept safe. The Lord Ryswell is lord to all other houses in the Rills and calls them to arms when the Starks or the king are in need of the men of the Rills.

Lord Robert Ryswell has led House Ryswell through many troubles over the past 32 years however he has found the civil war to be one of the most trying times of his life. Robert had followed Rhaenrya since the onset of the civil war and earned honour and glory on the battlefield commanding the men of the Rills however age was ever catching up with him and he is finding the life of a lord harder and harder. With the recent call for all of his supporters Robert is yet to send any men to Daeron since he is considering stepping down for his eldest son, Roger, and does not wish there to be turmoil in the field. However not all of the lords of the Rills support Robert stepping down, his son already has a reputation as being cruel and a political hound. He has already openly shown his desire to revoke the titles of all of the under lords and make House Ryswell the single controlling house of all the Rills. Robert also has another son, Edward, and a daughter, Joanna, both of whom wish to be Lord/Lady of the Rills. They are all vying for the support of the lords of the Rills. Roger is mainly using scare tactics, in hopes that he can force the lords under foot. However the northern spirits are rarely subjugated through fear. Edward has been traveling from court to court making pacts and promises without his brothers knowledge whilst Joanna has been growing her own coffers and bribing people of power in an attempt to sway a lot of the less sexist lords towards her claim. If Robert does not make a choice soon he well risk offending the King and if he does not name a successor that the lords will rally around he will risk bring unrest and internal conflicts to the Rills.

House Ryswell has become wealthier in recent years, a lot of the fighting has been away from their lands and so their farmland, forests and mines are relatively un touched. However not so much can be said for their people. Almost every family in the Rills has one or more family member lost in recent conflicts, including the civil war, and many of the serfs will be less than happy to go to another war with their king having received no real reward for their support in the civil war. With the recent troubles with the Dorne recruitment campaigns are already beginning anew and there is a less than warm welcome for it. Hopefully the situation in the Rills can be alleviated, even if the help of the Starks or the king is needed, before the men go to war again. Be it in Dorne or fighting amongst themselves in the Rills.

Name: Hendri Hotspur
Age: 28
Appearance: Hendri stands at a relatively impressive 6’2”, with a head of fair hair and bright, intelligent blue eyes. His skin tone is relatively light, the lighter colour inherited from his Lyseni mother, the darker touch a result of his father’s brown skin. Hendri looks to be a mixture of Salty and Stony Dorne, but any who knew him by name would know of his true heritage.

The Bastard’s facial structure is handsome; a chiseled jawline, angular cheekbones and a winning smile. His eyes are almond shaped, and shine with intelligence - somewhat diluted by an outgoing personality and an eagerness to live life to the fullest. He’s usually cleanshaven, but occasionally he can be seen with a few days growth on his cheeks and across his lips.

His hair is long and straight, hanging down to his shoulders if allowed to sit freely. Usually, however, the fair strands are tied up into a tight ponytail, a few strands falling down on either side of his face to frame his features.

He has the body of a warrior - he’s no bear, by a long shot, but he’s certainly muscular. Hendri’s abdomen is flat and hard to the touch, legs toned from a lifetime spent on horseback. The man’s most impressive muscles, perhaps, would be those of his upper back - used to draw the bow he is renowned for using.
Personality: With a Dornish father and a Lyseni mother, it was only to be expected that Hendri would inherit a taste for adventure and frivolousness. Infected with a bad case of wanderlust, one of the Martell’s most renowned bastards is a curious creature - he wants to know everything there is to know about the world, and plans to see it all before he dies; he doesn’t want to be contained in Westeros.

Along with his curiosity about the world, he also has a deep-seated urge to know all there is to know about every race’s women; just like his father, in that regard. A spontaneous man, Hendri is known to make split second decisions, apart from when they carry a particular weight. When it comes to warfare, Hendri is serious and determined; he wants to be the best of the best, and is on his way to achieving that.

Despite his spontaneous and fiery personality, Hendri is extremely grateful to the Martells who accepted him as one of their own when his father returned with him from Lys. He’s one of Prince Richard’s loyalest subjects, and plans to return to Sunspear and take up a position as one of House Martell’s sworn swords whenever he’s finished with his travels.

Biography: Hendri was born in the Free City of Lys, a product of Bolivar Martell’s relations with a Lysian woman, who’s name Hendri refuses to speak out of respect for his father’s wishes. When he was still but a babe, Bolivar decided that he wanted to take his son home with him to Sunspear - as a symbol of the love he truly held for Hendri’s mother. When they arrived back in Dorne, Hendri was two - and he quickly forgot the faces of the family he’d left behind him in Lys as he grew older; all but his mother’s.

The bastard was adopted into the Martell’s household without resentment, and was treated the same as his trueborn brothers. He was given a noble’s upbringing, and studied under the same tutors as his brothers, learning the same things they did.

When he was perhaps six or seven, and truly grasped the gravity of the kindness that House Martell had shown him, Hendri was eternally grateful - he had been given a much better shot at life than he would ever had in Lys, and it was all due to his Uncle’s generosity - Trystan, the Prince of Dorne.

As a child, Hendri played and had contact with all of the Martell’s children - from his aunt’s bastard of Florent descent to the Prince’s children themselves. He spent time with both Richard and Hugh, but had a particularly close connection with the fair-headed second-born, who would help him with his studies when he was having trouble.

When he grew older, Hendri, after watching a tournament held at Sunspear, expressed a desire to his father that he wanted to learn how to fight. Bolivar was all too happy to accommodate his bastard son, and organised for one of his old friends to begin training him. Hendri proved to have a talent for fighting, and it was discovered that he had a particularly strong natural ability with a bow.

At the age of only ten-and-four, Hendri announced that he wanted to leave Sunspear; something that his father had been expecting for years. After a few months of organisation and the finalising of Hendri’s training to his father’s satisfaction, the bastard was given clearance to leave Sunspear - after long goodbyes with his childhood friends, with whom he had shared the Martell’s Palace - and departed one morning at Dawn with an escort of six of his father’s men.

Hendri spent the next five years of his life travelling around much of Northern Westeros, participating in tournaments and learning some of the Northerner’s tactics and fighting techniques. He also joined a voyage to Lys, and was briefly reunited with his mother on her deathbed - she’d caught an illness, and died swiftly after Hendri met her again, but it was said that she died with a full heart.

The fiery bastard who earned himself the nickname of ‘Hotspur’ due to his flamboyant, fiery personality and eagerness to fight was not seen in Sunspear until he was ten-and-nine; having turned from a boy with promise into a powerful, renowned warrior, who had made his own mark on the world without his father’s guidance. He was welcomed back by the Martells with open arms, but noticed that the atmosphere of the household was somewhat more.. strained.

In his twentieth year, civil war broke out in Dorne - a result of House Yronwood’s scheming against the Prince of Sunspear, the rightful ruler. Hendri was shocked by the rebellion, and he too was torn by the division of Prince Trystan’s household. Extremely loyal to the man who had made the life he’d had thus far possible, Hendri swore that he would fight for Trystan alongside his second-born son.

After two years of bloody warfare, the war was won - and Hugh was executed. Despite his dislike for the boy because of his betrayal of his father, Hugh was still family - Hendri was shocked by the execution, but remained in Sunspear even after Richard left for Essos, serving his father until he passed away.

When Richard returned to Dorne, Hendri stayed for a year to ensure to help him secure his claim, before announcing that he would be taking off again on another adventure. Recently, he has returned to Sunspear, and serves Richard loyally.

Name: Marya Swann née Estermont
Age:28

Personality: Reclusive,and very cautious. She loves "her children" very much.
Biography: Nicknamed the Black Swan for having mourned her late husband for so long, she now lives a secretive life, hardly ever leaving Stonehelm. She believes her husband was killed by a poisoned dornish blade so is very wary of what she eats and drinks. Her children are not actually her own but those of her husbands first marriage. However, as her only remaining family in the world she has developed a very close bond with them taking over the after their mother when Steffon Swann’s first wife passed away. Steffon then married Marya barely half a year before dying himself. Lord Steffon Swann was killed in battle leading his forces in support of the other marcher lords against Dornish invaders. She now raises Elena and Rolland alone. Marya is currently the center of attention attention of many suitors who see her as a young beautiful widow through whom they would be able to control the young Lord of Stonehelm, yet unknown to all but her partners, Marya is not interested in the affections that men can provide, instead she occasionally spends her time with a female lover. This 'unnatural' love is a well kept secret though and she regularly plays along to the seduction games her suitors involve themselves in.

Name: Elena Swann
Age: 18

Personality: Serious, adventurous and concerned about preserving the family.
Biography: Raised as any normal noble lady would be until age 14 when her mother, Steffon Swanns first wife, passed away of a fever. She then assumed the mantle of lady of the house, Involving herself in her father’s affairs whilst her brother grew up resulted in her learning the basics of economics and diplomacy until he remarried. She grew up to be beautiful and tall though her fathers’ doting has made her vain. Her relationship with her brother can be as rocky as Shipbreakers bay at times yet the calm always return and the loyalty to ones family is the primary virtue emphasized among the members of House Swann. She understands that her younger brother will eventually seek to find her a match but the two have discussed the issue in the past and he is content to delay her wedding for as long as possible letting her enjoy the freedoms of youth as she blossoms into an ever more beautiful woman. She knows however that it is unlikely that she will marry for love considering how precarious her family's situation is right now.

Name: Rolland Swann
Age: 17

Personality: Martial, proud, cunning and cautious yet easily swayed by lust
Biography: Whilst it is said that bastards grow up faster than others this applies equally to children who grow up without either of their natural parents. Essentially raised by Stonehelm’s master at Arms and its’ maester for three years Rolland became a man well before his sixteenth name day. Like his father Rolland is a fine warrior who has proved himself against bandits and other squires alike. Although still a squire it is expected that Rolland shall be knighted his eighteenth nameday as all knew his father had intended.For now he rules over House Swann's lands extensive lands. Although lordship did not come easily to Rolland, for most young men are able to observe their fathers rule for many years before they get a chance, he was surrounded by willing teachers and a supportive sister and adoptive mother who guided him.. Maester Wex taught him much about money handling and the theory of warfare whilst Stonehelms' master of arms honed his muscles, taught him to fight with both Sword,mace and Longbow. The latter was a weapon rarely employed by nobles who saw it as a peasant weapon which was beneath them but its' range and speed more than made up for the mockery of the the other lords. Aware of his youth an inexperience Rolland did not cast off his teachers as he grew up realizing that they yet had much to teach him about his duties as Lord of Stonehelm. He recently tried his hand at sailing and navigation as befits the lord of a coastal city. He is however a young man often impressionable and prone to the pride of youth. He is particularly concerned about growing up to me a great man known and sometimes this eagerness results in caution being thrown to the wind.

House Sigil:
House Name: House Greyjoy
House Words: We Do Not Sow
House Decription/General Information:

Name: Meredydd Greyjoy
Age: 49
Appearance:
Personality: A man with an intense state of mind at almost all times the Lord of the Ironborn would not be described as soft by anyone. He has taken wholeheartedly to the Old Ways and intends to keep the Ironborn on such as path for as long as possible. He does everything he can to keep up a facade of the brutish raider but is quite clever though not as well learned as other lords. He knew the Ironborn had to change when he was younger and knows now they must change still further still. He is loyal to his god and his people but has never shown any fealty to the iron throne and does not intend to do so if he can help it. he is learning to play the long game and the political game like the green landers and knows he is playing catch up in that field and is doing so thus far and is grooming his middle child to do so as well.

Biography: Lord Meredydd Greyjoy was the only son and in fact only child of his father Yorwith Greyjoy. He grew up as a traditional Ironborn boy learning the ways of sails and steel and was drowned at a young age. As soon as he was old enough he began the reave under his father. Those were dark days for the Ironborn though as there was little shipping near the Iron Islands not under the protection of the Targaryans and fewer lands still. Their targets were generally Dornish, smugglers, and for those who dared it ships of the Summer Islands if caught becalmed.

As he grew older Meredydd saw the growing weakness of the Iron Islands and the Ironborn as a whole and new that if things did not change they would be forced to lose the Old Ways or be subjugated even further by another house. On some of his first independent reavings he launched bold attacks on Dornish villages and struck out at trading ships of the Summer Islands vigorously. Listening to advice from older sailors and more experienced warriors he began to devise plans to attack where they could not before. He went on much longer reaves as well striking areas that had never seen his kind before. Whereas before places like Ashai could consider themselves free from Ironborn Meredydd forever changed that reaving far and wide.

He set an example many began to follow in their reaves and brought new wealth to the Iron Islands and reinvigorated the Ironborn. Having wed Anwen Harlow at 19 they had their first child 2 years later securing his line's continuation as his father grew older. It was clear none would question his ascendancy to his father's position upon his death as he continued to make the Ironborn more than the shadow they once were. The idea of returning the Ironborn to the height of their glory at his hand and the naturally disinclination towards politicking allowed for him to keep an easy hold of his power when his father finally died almost 20 years ago.

His father died of the result of a sickness of the lungs and did not pass easily fighting it the entire time. There was no moot called upon his death and Meredydd came easily into power and has taken new steps to strengthen the Ironborn, almost as though preparing for something int he future. No lands outside the Seven Kingdoms was safe or new nothing of the Ironborn. From the lands north of The Wall all the way to Ashai the sails of his longboats could be seen. Despite this the Iron Islands are still but a small fraction of what they once were and Meredydd has continued to keep the Ironborn out of the politics of the green lands for now.

Name: Hywel GreyJoy
Age: 28
Appearance:
Personality: A giant of a man with a fierce temper that is slow to come to the rise. He is not as smart as his father or brothers and knows this well though is no fool. He commonly is regarded with a statement that while brains beat brawn in the end, that brain is irrelevant if separated from the body. He is very direct in all things he does perhaps as a result of being considered so direct when compared to his fathers and brothers who attempt to break away from some general stereotypes of Ironborn.
Biography: First son of Meredydd he was originally to be groomed to be his successor and in many traditional areas excelled as he was expected to. Even as a child he was large for his size and over time only got bigger by his mid teens when he was preparing to start reaving he was larger than most he sailed with and was well over his father in height. His size and strength served him well on his reavings earning him respect from the older Ironborn warriors who fought with him.

Unfortunately he never showed as inclination towards real leadership and was married young to Caragwyn of House Blacktyde. He took command of his own longship on his wedding day and has since reaved successfully though does not range far that often. His father feared that he was a follower by heart even if he was a strong warrior and thus Hywel as known for sometime that he has unlikely to inherit the throne though this has yet to be formalized.

Name: Aneuron GreyJoy
Age: 24
Appearance:
Personality: A quiet man he often thinks first before acting or speaking. He is considered a very dangerous man and is rather hidden from most of Westeros to continue the idea of the Ironborn being mindless ravagers as Aneuron seems incapable of hiding his nature. Despite being a less direct man than most Ironborn he is know less a warrior and is just as methodical and calculating in battle as he is outside of it.
Biography: The second son of Meredydd Greyjoy and appears to follow in his footsteps more than his elder brother. Smaller than him but still a fierce warrior he has grown up the Ironborn way and fiercely holds onto the Old Way and the way of the Drowned God. He quickly showed capability as a good thinker when he began to reave striking out intelligently rather than blanketly. He makes periodic voyages out to the edges of the known world to strike at unique riches.

He is the son his father always wanted and knows it, he is prideful but s careful to temper it making sure not to overreach himself and strike carefully. His father enjoys his son's dangerous streak and lets it run wild making no secret of the likelihood that he will inherit the Iron Islands and most major houses have already unofficially accepted him. He is yet unwed and various rumors exist of planned political weddings but as such thing is abnormal in the Ironborn and most outside the iron Islands know little of what happens on them there is little clue as to who may be considered for this.

Name: Siwan GreyJoy
Age: 22
Appearance:
Personality: The youngest and most unique of Meredydd's three sons while his older brother Aneuron breaks some ways from the Ironborn ways Siwan shatters them. He has a very care free attitude, perhaps because he was never as watched as his older brothers he grew up without the scrutiny of his father unlike them. He is a known joker and considers himself a bit of a comedian and explorer. Often he travels the longest away from the Iron Islands to the foreign and mysterious lands of the Eastern continent.
Biography: A true oddity among the Ironborn, as a child he was known for exploring and being a minor nuisance all around generally very carefree. The dour attitude that most Ironborn have never seemed to take hold and while would reave once he came of age as all did never showed the ferocity most others did. He seemed to always view it more as a game and never held the piety of others. It was not uncommon for him to toy with foes before defeating them. While his father does not consider him a disappointment he is far from what was expected though does do what he is called to do.

He is yet unwed though is known for taking on many salt waves from across the world. He is said to have plans to take one from each land the world over before he is done. His ship is smaller and faster than that of his brothers with a crew of ironborn similar in temperament to himself with rumors that this is due to few being willing to sail under such a man.

House Name: Velaryon
House Words: The Old, the True, the Brave