<Snipped quote by Sini>

Morningwood again?

And, ladies and gentleman I present to you...

The Bat, and the Bastard dragon [+]

The Bat [+]

The White Bat, Manfryd Lothston

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Dossier [+]

DOSSIER

_{[ ⚔ ]Origin}

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132 AC, Harrenhal

_{[ ⚔ ]House/Affiliation}

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King Daeron I Targaryen, the Royal family

_{[ ⚔ ]Reputation}

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-Title refers to his status as a member of the Kingsguard and his house sigil, the bat
-Squired for fellow Kingsguard Raytham Reyne, an experienced commander and Knight during the dance of dragons
-Joined the Kingsguard in 153 AC
-Ser Manfryd has distinguished himself in multiple tourneys, and has won more melee's than any other knight currently alive
-He has served House Lothston admirably for many years as its third son
-A renowned Swordsman, know for his talent at facing multiple opponents at once
-Is considered to be of a quiet and dour countenance, being slow to jest
-Cruelly nicknamed the 'Yawning' or 'Tired' Knight by some due to his often tired appearance and his habit of taking long naps if off duty
-Some say he does not sleep at night, hence his tired appearance, and instead stays awake in his quarters or patrols the Red Keep

_{[ ⚔ ]Appearance}

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The 'White Bat' is described as a tall and handsome man, save for the bags often seen under his eyes. He often looks tired, as if he did not sleep the night before. Although normally together even in his seemingly tired state, at his worst moments he appears to lurch about as if on the brink of exhaustion or sliding off into unconciousness before snapping back awake. Some even rumour that he once fell asleep standing up whilst the King gave court, his head lolled slightly to the left and eyes closed for several minutes. He has thick, neat brown hair and a short scruffy beard and mustache. He stands around 5 feet and 11 inches tall(some claim he is actually 6) and long limbed. He has haunting blue eyes that seem to follow men wherever they go when they pass him.

His sword has a beautifully wrought pommel bearing the black bat of house Lothston. Resplendent inhis armour, the knight bears no scars on his face. He has a few on his body from various conflicts and tourneys however.

_{[ ⚔ ]Personality}

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Manfryd Lothston is noted as a dour, taciturn and determined Knight. A man slow to jest or take part in merriment, he takes himself and his duties quite seriously. If jests at his expense or his cruel nicknames bother him he has not shown it, preferring to remain dignified whenever possible. The 'White Bat' has been known to lose his compsure at the dishonour of his King or his family, especially his younger and only sister. Though far from a kind man Ser Lothston is neither cruel nor capricious, he is quiet and unheard as he believes a Knight should be.

_{[ ⚔ ]History}

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Mafryd was the last son and second to last child of Lucas Lothston, Heir of Lord Manfred Lothston of Harrenhal. Lord Manfred was called 'Mannfred the Mad' by his subjects, as somewhere along the rode the Lord of Harrenhal had become unstable and taken to strange activities. He would alone in his undergarments or nude on the old battlements of the castle and calim he was Harren Hoare come back, he ordered servants brutally tortured for not cooking his meat long enough. He once tossed a servingboy out of a window because 'the lad was a demon in disguise'. In addition, it is highly believed Lord Manfred had all but one of his sons killed. He had been paranoid that they were plotting to overhtrow him early, and had each of them die in accidents or 'dissappear' into thin air.

Only Lucas Lothston was spared. The meek Lucas had doted on his aged father, and had always been the one to clothe him during his ravings at night and walk him back inside. Because if this he lived through his mad fathers reign without lifting a finger, and had five children. Four sons, of which Manfryd was the last, and one daughter named Danelle who was the youngest. Manfryd's grandfather would rule Harrenhal for most of his life, but he would be there for very little of it. When he reached the young age of 10, he was squired to non other than Ser Raytham Reyne, a prestigous Knight of the Kingsguard. He would prove to be a capable, and quite talented squire in his training with Ser Reyne. He became friends with Aemon Targaryen, who would become the dragon kinght, as they trained together often. Unfourtanetly, Manfryd was born to late to squire during the dance, and instead squired for Ser Reyne in peace time. Had it been war, it is likely the talented squire would have been knighted far earlier. As it was, he was Knighted after his Eighteenth Name day.

He spent a few years travelling, taking part in tourneys and winning quite a fair number. It was not until his Twenty Fourth Name day that he was called to return to Harrenhal. It seemed all was not well, 'Mad Manfred' had run out of time. Using his cruelty as an inciting incident, several bandit groups inflamed the ire of Harrentown's and the surrounding areas peasants, gathering an army of several hundred before committing a Daring raid on Harrenhal. Though many of these rebels were killed in the raid, they managed to kidnap Danelle Lothston. They held her for ransom in Harrentown with about 500 rebels guarding it.

During his time squired to Ser Reyne he had kept up correspondence with his family by Raven, particularly his younger sister Danelle. They would write many letters to one another, growing close despite being many miles away. He was called back to Harrenhal when the news struck, and was determined to rescue his sister. He offered to rescue her for his granfather, who being paranoid of a second raid accepted his offer but gve him only one hundred men to accomplish it. His brothers and even meek father objected, saying he needed many more, but Manfryd simply nodded and said he'd return with his sister in tow.

With a mixed force of Knights and men at arms Manfryd hatched a plan. Splitting off his mounted Knights, he had them harry the outskirtss of Harrentown with repeated charges and feints, hoping to draw the anxious and inexperienced rebels out of the town. The plan worked and all but a core of men, made up from the bandits who started the rebellion, gave chase to the knights. Manfryd led the rest of his men in a vicious attack on the now mostly abandoned Harrentown, sustaining a few injuries from the hard fight to rescue his younger sister. His men claimed he cut down at least thirty bandits himself, as if possessed by some demon of battle. they rescued his sister unharmed and quickly returned her to Harrenhal, before meeting his brothers and there knights. With this new boon in numbers, Manfryd joined back with his own Knights and crushed the majority of the rebel force.

With this victory, and his connections within the Kingsguard and recommendation by Aemon Targaryen, Manfryd was offered a place in the Kingsguuard. He solemnly accepted the oaths and donned the white cloak, blade and armour. Now, sworn to the King for two years, he has not looked back.

The Bastard [+]

Robar Storm, the Bastard

"Whoever said life was dull?"

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Dossier [+]

_{[ ⚔ ]Origin}

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132 AC

_{[ ⚔ ]House/Affiliation}

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None but himself

_{[ ⚔ ]Reputation}

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-A scoundrel and vagabind of somewhat ill repute
-Called a drunk, adulterer, thief and far worse
-Has travelled extensively through Westeros and farther affield, including Essos and the Free cities
-Has a wide smattering of skills from swordplay and thievery to con-artistry and sailing. Though specialized in nothing, he knows a little bit about quite alot
-Known to be rather lacadaisacal and lazy

_{[ ⚔ ]Appearance}

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Robar has a rather... distinctive appearance. With sandy blonde hair, ruddy weathered skin, and a pair of beautiful violet orbs for eyes. These last, paired with his hair color have done two things for him, as he says himself, "My looks have gotten me two things in this life, women and trouble. I enjoy the women, but the trouble comes a bit too often I think." He is completely unaware of his heritage, even if others are quite certain what it is. To anyone who asks he simply shrugs his arms and makes the point, "I never knew my father, never wanted too. Who cares who he was?", after which he often skips town.

The attire of Robar is interesting. He often travels armoured in the frequent case of conflict arrising. Wearing a sun-bleached gambeson over a studded leather vest colored a once vibrant yellow now faded with age. He wears thick travelers breeches over which are strapped studded leather cuisse of the same color as the vest. He wears a pair of surprisingly fine leather boots and gloves of deep brown color. His cloak is the same faded yellow of his vest and other bits of armour, but somewhat torn and worse for wear though is still a full cloak, if a bit shorter than some and tattered in the ends. He carries a plain steel sword and scabbard along with a few daggers on his person for emergencies.

_{[ ⚔ ]Personality}

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Robar goes about his life with a fair amount of adventure, naievete and a healthy amount of relaxation. He is light hearted, charming and generally a happy person. He tries to never work to hard at anything and puts in only the effort he is comortable with, which is often not much. Lacadaisacal and carefree, the vagabond moves at his own pace. He has little care for the law or what others say, for he paves his own way in this world as he has done all his life. But, Robar is loyal to his friends, and willing to help in most any situation as long as you don't push him to hard. After all, friends shouldn't have to make demands should they?

_{[ ⚔ ]History}

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His mother was a Stormlands whore. His father? Only the gods know... well and his mother but she never told. All Robar knows is he was born a bastard with purple eyes and pale blonde hair, which was apparently important. His mother had left the village he was born in upon seeing his eyes for reasons Robar never knew. The new town where he grewq up his mother did much the same. She was a whore, and he was her son... although she picked up other jobs has he grew to try and support them. Robar never resented the fact his father left before his birth, mother always said he 'had an important duty' and he couldn't have stayed. One part of that stuck with Robar, his father left because of his 'duty'. Robar decided no such thing would ever force him to do anything. After his thirteenth name day Robar told his mother he'd be leaving to see Westeros. She asked if it was to find his father, but he simply laughed and shook his head. He promised to try and send gold if he could and kissed her goodbye.

For another thirteen years he wandered Westeros and the wider world. He learned many skills as he went. He picked up a smattering of the water dance from a Braavosi sellsword, how to pick pockets from an street urchin in Kings landing, a bit of Westerosi brawling from a talented drunkard. These skills served him well in his travels as he drifted like a leaf in the vicious winds of a storm. But, everywhere he went people seemed to care quite a bit about his eyes, sometimes they'd attack him, some asked to sleep with him, and some asked if he wanted a ride to Kings landing. These always confused him, though he eventually learned that the Targaryen rulers of Westeros like him had purple eyes and blonde hair. He considered it a fluke, he was born uneducated and low how could he know anything about the traits of father to son?

Regardless, he has traveled even to this day from adventure to adventure and place to place. He never stayed anywhere long, and still does not to this day. As he has gotten older he has begun slowly to wonder about his eyes and his father... who he was and what 'Duty' he had to attend to... and maybe he'll find out. Maybe his eyes mean something, maybe not. Either way, he'll be there to find out.

House Tyrell of Highgarden

Growing Strong

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Description: House Tyrell is the principal house of the Reach: the most wealthy, most bountiful, and therefore most populous kingdom of Westeros. Among the Reach lords can be raised the single largest army in the continent, some one hundred thousand men at their peak, twice as large as any lesser kingdom. This alone commands House Tyrell respect, but is not the focal point of their vanity. Instead, the men of Highgarden preen themselves on their adherence to chivalry; their status as Westeros' most honourable knights, as skilled in battle as they are gracious in victory. The women of House Tyrell, too, are of the vainer sort, dressing in colourful and elaborate gowns that set the bar for fashion across the Seven Kingdoms, and both upholding and exemplifying all of the manners and grace of a proper lady. Highest among the Tyrell's titles is that of Lord Paramount of the Mander, granting them suzerainty over all other noble families within the Reach, but the Lord of Highgarden is also traditionally known as the Defender of the Marches, High Marshall of the Reach and Warden of the South—an appropriately lengthy list for a most noble household.

History: Though they now rank among the highest lords of Westeros, the Tyrells were once among the lowest. In the days before Aegon's Conquest, the Tyrells served as the hereditary stewards of Highgarden, loyal servants of the ruling House Gardener, Kings of the Reach. When the Targaryens came with their dragons, and the last Gardener King and his army were burned alive on the legendary Field of Fire, House Tyrell relented to House Targaryen and surrendered Highgarden to them, swearing their fealty to Westeros' new kings. For this act, King Aegon granted the Tyrells lordship of the castle they had once served, and created them Lords Paramount of the Mander, to rule the Reach under House Targaryen. The other, more powerful houses of the Reach—the Hightowers, the Redwynes, the Florents and others—were less than pleased.

In more recent years, House Tyrell of Highgarden has attempted to remain aloof from the bickering of other houses. Under the regency of Lady Meredyth Tyrell, the host of Highgarden did not become involved in the Dance of Dragons, even as their bannermen fought against each other on either side. It was feared that whichever of the warring factions, Greens or Blacks, came to be victorious in the war, might look down on House Tyrell for their neutrality. However, this did not come to fruition; the eventual deaths of both rival candidates for the Iron Throne led to the ascension of Aegon III and his marriage to Jaehaera, uniting the lines of succession and leading to an uneasy peace. This peace was a time of spectacular prosperity for House Tyrell, as they came to entrench themselves more firmly atop their weakened vassals. Under the reign of Aegon III, and the ascension of Lyonel Tyrell as Lord of Highgarden, the Tyrells have become as wealthy and prestigious as ever. House Tyrell's growing strength, though, chafes at their more ambitious bannermen, and Lord Lyonel seems more concerned with establishing alliances abroad and readying for the next war, never imagining conflict at home.

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Tyrell Household

Lord Lyonel Tyrell [+]

Lord Lyonel Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden,
Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach,
Warden of the South and Lord Paramount of the Mander.
Husband of Jocelyn Tyrell. Son of Meredyth Tyrell.

A man of chivalry, honour and prestige matched only by his unparalled modesty, Lord Lyonel upholds all the traditional values of House Tyrell, and is sincerely popular among both his bannermen and the smallfolk alike. A man of a martial mind, Lyonel is skilled—though not superb—at both generaling and personal combat, and is especially talented at the Reach's national sport and that most practical of schools of combat: jousting.

Aged 28, Lyonel is still in the earlier part of his prime, having personally ruled the Reach for over a decade now, and still looking forward to what will likely be decades more. Although made fatherless by the death of his predecessor and progenitor, Lord Viserys Tyrell, in his infancy, Lyonel was raised capably his mother, a woman known lovingly to the smallfolk as the Good Lady Merry. It was Lady Meredyth that governed from Highgarden while Lyonel was in a child, often times placing him upon the throne in Highgarden to make decisions on unimportant matters even as a small child. It was the rumours of what occurs to boys raised only by their mothers, though, that first turned young Lyonel's mind towards knightly endeavours. He was determined to be a strong lord, of both mind and body, and learned to ride and to wield a blade in his early teens, taught by the greatest warriors that House Tyrell's immense coffers could afford. Lyonel had some measure of natural aptitude to the arts of a knight, but most of his skill could be attributed to the second-to-none training he received in Highgarden, from the greatest knights in the realm.

As he entered his adulthood, Lyonel became interested in woman. He never become obsessed with lust—as some Tyrells had before him—but the young man's status as one of the greatest Lords in Westeros attracted a more than fair share of interested ladies. Some of these, smallfolk servants for instance, were little more than a distraction for Lyonel. One Lady, though, a beautiful, black-haired woman of the Stormlands, earned Lyonel's golden heart. After enjoying her company on the night of a tournament in Hightower, Lyonel inquired about the woman (politely) to his mother, and other advisors in court. It was decided that she would make a perfect match for Lyonel, as her marriage to him would win the Reach an alliance with the neighbouring Stormlands. This would serve House Tyrell well, ensuring that if the realm were to be brought back to the chaos that had ensued during the Dance of Dragons, there would be at least one mighty ally on which the Tyrells could rely. Thus, in a spectacular, vibrant ceremony along the Mander, Lyonel became wed to the young Lady Jocelyn Baratheon. The two quickly become close after their half-arranged marriage, blossoming into loving partners and often accompanying each other on public excursions across the Reach and beyond, winning Lord Lyonel the image of a popular romantic in the eyes of the smallfolk. The vassal lords of the Reach, however, were not entirely pleased with the match; each had hoped that one of their own daughters or cousins would wed Lyonel, and his and Jocelyn's rapidly blossoming public love became evidence of those shrewder among the Tyrell bannermen that their wedding night had not been the first occasion they had known each other's company. The feud between some houses of the Reach and some of the Stormlands was also agitated by the wedding. The Tyrells had always stylized themselves 'Defenders of the Marches', even though the Dornish Marches were a part of House Baratheon's domain, and those Reach lords whose lands neighboured the Marches resented that they would not be given opportunity to seize them within their new Lady's lifetime.

Not long after Lyonel and Jocelyn's wedding, the new Lady of Highgarden became pregnant. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom Jocelyn gave the name 'Rendall'. The birth of a Tyrell son calmed, somewhat, the anxieties of the Tyrell's bannermen. The Baratheon woman was at least fertile, and had already managed to produce as many children as her mother-in-law Meredyth had birthed. Lyonel was excited to become a father, living out the romanticized image of a Lord that he had harboured since his youth, and was especially pleased to have sired a healthy baby boy. His love for his wife only exceeding past highs, Jocelyn became with child once more only months after Rendall's birth, and the midwives informed Lyonel that he could expect twins. It was a disappointment to him, and emotionally devastating for his wife, when one of the two children that Jocelyn carried did not survive birth. Of the girl and boy that the new mother bore, only the girl survived, the boy succumbing to the Stranger in the night before he could even be named. Teary-eyed, Jocelyn named her new daughter 'Sanya'. Lyonel became disappointed in his inability to improve Jocelyn's mood after her second son's passing, and the two began to drift apart slightly, Lyonel turning away from his duties as a father towards his duties as a lord, and Jocelyn becoming ever more invested in caring for her two young children.

Lady Jocelyn Tyrell (née Baratheon) [+]

Lady Jocelyn Tyrell, Lady of Highgarden.
Wife of Lyonel Tyrell. Sister of Lord Steffon Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands.

Charitable and kind, Lady Jocelyn Tyrell is well known as a patron of the arts in the Reach, having already become a popular figure in her adopted homeland even in the relatively short time since she has arrived. Her influence on her husband has focused mainly on supporting investments in the smallfolk: a number of new orphanages and septs all across the Reach bear Jocelyn's name, as do infrastructural works such as bridges and mills. Among the court in Highgarden, Jocelyn is somewhat infamous for her excessive charity, disliked by the house steward for her constant attempts to spend more and more still on everyone and everyone else. Nonetheless, she is adored by the smallfolk for her very public acts of kindness towards them, and is held in esteem by most of the lords of the Reach as well, held as an exemplar of a proper lady in both manner and appearance.

Known as the most beautiful lady in the Reach (and punishing accusations elsewise), Lady Jocelyn is an adoptee of the watershed of the River Mander, but an especially adept one. Her few years in Highgarden seem to have melted every drop of the Stormlands off of her frame, preserving only her assertive attitude, which she has learned to temper since her behaviourly impetuous days of youth alongside her family in Storm's End. Now a twenty year-old independent minded woman, Jocelyn is fond of her husband's laissez-faire attitude towards her, allowing her to dress and to act and to spend coin as she likes. The two spent their first year together after their marriage travelling all across the south of Westeros on an extended honeymoon, but still take excursions together into the beautiful countryside and to neighbouring holdfasts on occasion. These travels inspire Jocelyn's paintings and poetry; as an artist herself, the Lady of Highgarden is fond of lending financial support to her compatriots of creative mind—a fact which has attracted many great artisans to Highgarden, in the hopes of acquiring Jocelyn's patronage.

As the Lady of Highgarden and wife of the Lord Tyrell, Jocelyn knew on her wedding day that she would be expected to bare children for Lyonel. Her first child, a perfectly healthy baby boy, was delivered without incident, and to the pleasure of both court and the whole realm. The previous three Lords of Highgarden, Lyonel's father, grandfather and great grandfather, had scarcely bore fruit for their House. Lyonel was the only Tyrell left of the male line, and had been kept under close watch by his mother Meredyth because of the risks pressing on any such a young lord's life. The birth of Jocelyn's son, Rendall, ended these fears, and considerably improved the cold relationship between Jocelyn and the Good Lady Merry. Jocelyn's second pregnancy, however, was a different story.

After the ease of her first pregnancy, Jocelyn had let her guard down for complications in her second. Early into her pregnancy, the midwives had told her she could expect twins, and that because of this there was a greater risk of issue in the delivery. Jocelyn had scoffed; she was an accomplished mother, bountiful and glowing, and was confident that she would have three children with her beloved husband before their second year of marriage was concluded. Unfortunately, the midwife's warnings were proved correct, as althogh both children (second son and first daughter) were delivered without issue, the son died the night after he had been born. Jocelyn was devastated, and found that no effort on her husband's part could console her grief. She began to become more reclusive from him, leaving him to the affairs of the realm and contenting herself with dotting over her precious newborn daughter Sanya, and her older brother Rendall. Jocelyn's growing matronliness has put an end to her travels across the Reach alongside Lyonel, and halted, even lessened, the ever tightening bond between them since the day they'd wed.

Lady Meredyth Tyrell [+]

Mother of Lyonel Tyrell. Known as "The Good Lady Merry".

The mother of the Lord of Highgarden, Meredyth (or 'Merry' by those close to her) would be expected to be a figure of considerable respect, due simply to her stature within the Tyrell household. This does not begin to explain the esteem owed to the spymaster of Highgarden, however, for nearly all of the renown she has acquired over her 48 years has come from her aptitude, not her lineage.

Born into House Hightower, Meredyth married into the Tyrell family at age 19, wedding the chivalrous Lord Viserys Tyrell in a grand, colourful ceremony in Highgarden. Their families wished them countless years of happiness together, but the Gods did not; Viserys died less than a year after their marriage, and on his death the leadership of House Tyrell fell to their infant son, Lyonel Tyrell. Most members of the household wished for Viserys' brother, Kevan, to serve as Regent, as he was the most military minded of the House, and the ongoing succession crisis in King's Landing threatened to plunge House Tyrell into armed conflict. Meredyth outmaneuvered Kevan, however, pledging as Regent to keep House Tyrell out of the war. Kevan retreated from the household, taking a trio of bastard cousins and a portion of House Tyrell's material wealth with him, with the intent of fighting alongside the Greens of his own accord. This unilateral move on Kevan's part solidified Merry's role as Regent of the Reach, and she would apply her diplomatic aptitude in the preceding years to lessening the war's impact on House Tyrell and the rest of the Reach as much as possible. She became beloved by the smallfolk in Highgarden's environs, revered as "Good Lady Merry" for keeping the bloodshed at bay and using saved coin to sponsor acts of charity. Gradually this admiration came to extend to much of the rest of the Reach, both among the smallfolk and the other lords and ladies who had kept their houses neutral throughout the war, as well as the ensuing ruthless politicking of the regency era. By the time of the adulthood of Aegon III, and the dismissal of his regency council, the Good Lady Merry had established herself as the beloved ruler of the most prosperous kingdom in Westeros. She would retain this status unopposed, until the participants of the Dance of the Dragons had finished licking their wounds, and the overmighty vassals of the Reach again began to assert themselves.

Meredyth had always been unsympathetic to the lesser lords of the Reach. Their cries of descent from House Gardener and demands for greater autonomy and respect fell on deaf ears in the latter years of Merry's regency, as the Reach's Good Lady Merry grew thorns to match her rose. She began to expand House Tyrell's demesne, using her good will with the smallfolk to annex towns, villages and farmlands from neighbouring rebellious houses. When Lords resisted, Merry responded spitefully, inciting revolts in their lands and hiring bandits to harry their roads. Only the Hightowers were spared, Meredyth still having a soft spot for her maiden family and it's Lord (and her brother) Otho Hightower. Over time, Merry's dealings with the underworld of Westeros to sabotage her vassal's affairs earned her a cadre of trusted agents—spies with whom she could rely on to ferry away whispered secrets in other households to her own ears. However, it was not until the adulthood of her son, Lyonel Tyrell, and Meredyth's subsequent dismissal as regent, that she began to perfect the art of intrigue.

Meredyth loved Lyonel. She had always been fiercely protective of the boy, insistent that the last son of House Tyrell would not follow in the footsteps of his father, Viserys, or his uncle, Kevan, and meet an untimely demise. In his first years as ruler in his own right, Meredyth leaned heavily on Lyonel, helping him to simmer down the heated conflicts that had arisen between House Tyrell and its most uppity vassals. The ambitious Lords of the Reach came to like Lyonel, associating his leadership of House Tyrell with a period of increased authority for them. This was largely an illusion, however—Meredyth still pulled the strings, but she had simply expanded House Tyrell's lands and authority enough for her own tastes. As Lyonel aged, Merry was content to help him usher in an era of increased respect between House Tyrell and its bannermen, to avoid the young Lord running into trouble in the future that he could not handle. Even as Lyonel asserted himself more, wedding Lady Jocelyn of Storm's End and turning his mind towards martial affairs, the Good Lady Merry kept a finger firmly planted in the Tyrell pie. Her influence as spymaster is much greater than her son realizes, and far, far greater than her old lordly rivals would hope.

-I will be adding at least two more members of the household. These will include Gella Tyrell, Lyonel's aunt, and at least one of Merry's agents among the smallfolk.

House Yronwood [+]

H O U S E Y R O N W O O D

H O U S E H O L D

Hider [+]

⎈ "We Guard the Way" ⎈

Lady Irene Yronwood, The Bloodroyal, Warden of the Stone Way

Born 125 AC, (32 y/o) Lady Irene Yronwood is the second-born of Lord Corrin Yronwood by Lady Norra Wyl. Like most Yronwoods, Lady Irene's appearance favors her Andal hertiage over the Rhoynish influence in most of Dorne. Her skin freckles and burns under the Dornish sun, her hair is a pale yellow color and her eyes are like bright blue stones. She wears her hair long, braided in cords to hold it out of her eyes. Typically, she wears long, breathable drapes to keep cool in the Far South.

Backstory [+]

Lady Irene was the second-born of the Yronwood line. Like all noble children, Lady Irene learnt the skills needed to be a lord- reading and writing, geography, the banners of the houses of Dorne and those of the Seven Kingdoms. To a much lesser degree than her brothers, she received martial training - in which she favored archery.

Her elder brother assumed the seat of House Yronwood but failed to produce an heir before his untimely death, where in a drunken stupor he plummeted from the ramparts of Castle Yronwood.

Lady Yronwood has ruled the lands since for a year now and has recently produced an heir to the ancestral seat. Though she is relatively new to ruling, she has grand visions for the future of her house.

Lord-Consort Osvald Martell

Born 139 AC, (18y/o) Lord Osvald bears considerable Rhoynish influence. He has black hair and brown eyes and olive skin. Though not considerably well-built he manages to give off a lordly vibe. He wears light robes in Dornish fashion.

Backstory [+]

Lord Osvald is a first-cousin of the ruling line of House Martell. He and Lady Irene conceived an heir on the night of their wedding and have not shared a bed since. Which, for them, is fine as they view their marriage as little more than political -both nobles favoring the company of their own paramours.

Lord Osvald typically represents House Yronwood in diplomatic matters and spends a considerable amount of time in Sunspear. Lady Yronwood and he keep up regular correspondence via raven.

Paramour Mariela Sand

Born 132 AC (25y/o). Lady Irene's paramour is also from the coast, boasting similar Rhoynish features to her husband.

Lord-Commander Martin Yronwood

Born 128 AC (29y/o), third-born of Lord Corrin Yronwood by Lady Norra Wyl. Like most Yronwoods, Lord Martin is a blonde haired, blue eyed stony Dornishman. He has a warrior's body, boasting large muscles and a strong frame.

Lord Benedict Yronwood

Born 157 AC (0y/o), first-born of Lady Irene Yronwood by Lord Osvald Yronwood of Sunspear. Blonde of hair, blue of eye. He is a tiny baby.

O V E R V I E W
The Yronwoods are a proud house with a storied history. Before the arrival of the Rhoynar, the Yronwoods ruled over a large and powerful Dornish kingdom that rivaled that of the Martells. Yronwood claims were fertile farmlands, well-wooded and rich in deposits of iron, tin, and silver. At their height, they were the richest of the Dornish kingdoms.

Now, they hesitantly bend the knee to the Rhoynar-backed house from Sunspear. When Nymeria landed along with the ten thousand ships, her Rhoynar bolstered the armies of House Martell. With her might, Nymeria launched a campaign to unite all of Dorne under the red sun banner. One of Yronwood's longest-standing rivalries is with House Fowler of Skyreach due to their role in Nymeria's War.

M I L I T A R Y
The Yronwoods are the second most powerful of the Dornish houses. They are capable of fielding between 9,000 and 10,000 soldiers at full-strength. In addition, the Yronwoods have a strong chivalric tradition especially among the Dornishmen. Landed knights under the Yronwood banner number close to 100. An elite group of ten knights make up Yronwood's elite guard, all knights in emply of House Yronwood report to Lord-Commander Martin Yronwood - Lady Yronwood's younger brother.

R E L A T I O N S

R E C E N T H I S T O R Y
Lady Yronwood birthed an heir the same year as King Daeron's coronation; the babe cements the union between the Martells and their Yronwood bannermen. Just a year before, however, her elder brother died a freak accident;with no heirs of his own, House Yronwood passed to Lady Irene. Lord Osvald Martell has journeyed to Kings Landing to congratulate the new King on his coronation. Lord Martin Yronwood is thus far unmarried, though he is nearly thirty.

Two spicy characters that aren't strangers to these games, @HeySeuss, @Ruby.

Mercenary Captain and Company [+]

Name: Ascario Cosca, Captain of the Bright Banners, a Free Company
Age: 42
Appearance:


“You can never have too many knives.”

Personality:
Literally a whoreson, Ascario is a capable warrior and, like most sellswords, is fickle, faithless and brutal. His greed is so much of a fault that it almost turns into a quality. You can always trust Cosca… trust him to side with the highest bidder. As a soldier of fortune, he tries to enjoy life as much as possible, for tomorrow you might find your heart pierced by an arrow, or your spleen ruptured by a spear.

In a fight, Ascario Cosca is vicious, swift and incredibly agile as befits a bravo and mercenary. He is utterly pragmatic and ruthless, caring little for the fates of his men (though he is careful to conceal it of course lest the fools lynch him), always pressing them. The job needs to be done, as long as he is paid. He might look like just a joker, but he is far more cunning than he seems.

Incredibly vain and witty, he considers himself the epitome of manly attraction, in spite of having some feminine quirks. He likes to display his qualities, and is blind to his own faults. Lacking scruples and morals, Cosca has committed terrible and heinous crimes in his life, from murder and all sorts of abuse to wholesale torture and merciless slaughter.

Ascario has several great loves in his life that all compete but are never mutually exclusive. Though not exclusively attracted to women, Cosca is a great womanizer and sees all women as conquests. Other than carnal pleasures, he is fond of the bottle, dice, fists and of course the thing that makes it all possible: coin.

Biography:
Cosca was born to a Tyroshi concubine and so there is quite some doubt about his parentage. His mother always told him it was a Braavosi ship captain, but it could just as well been a lowly Myrish sailor. Nevertheless, Ascario was forced to look out after himself, helping out in the brothel occasionally, or working the streets as a purse-cut. He was little more than a gutter-rat. As he grew up, it became apparent he had a talent for violence and manipulating, joining one of the local gangs.

At the age of fourteen he left the city, using his flamboyance and genial ways to join up with the Bright Banners. He served first as a mere kitchen boy and farrier, until one of the crossbowmen took him as his shield boy. After carrying a large pavise for a few years, Ascario enlisted as a regular soldier of fortune.

Fighting in the Disputed Lands saw him wounded several times, even when he climbed the ladder of the company. It also introduced him with exploiting the company’s strengths when negotiating contracts. Aside from commanding the pike-men of the Bright Banners, Ascario functioned as a notary who drafted contracts. Aware of the military power monopoly in the Free Cities, Cosca became notorious for his capriciousness, and after rising to captain-general soon dictated terms to his ostensible employers.

Ascario Cosca preferred fighting indirectly, not directly— thus, only reluctantly endangering himself and the enlisted men, avoiding battle when possible, also avoiding hard work and winter campaigns, as these all reduced the total number of trained soldiers available, and was detrimental to the company’s political and economic interest. The Bright Banners set a trend. They fought by outmanoeuvring the opponent and fighting his ability to wage war, rather than risk uncertain fortune —defeat, capture, death— in battlefield combat.

The Company:

You'll See Us Coming

Though not with the best reputation, the company is well-known and infamous throughout Essos. A motley crew of disparate and displaced soldiers, the Bright Banner has become the home of many a desperate man who knows how to fight. There are axemen from Qohor and Norvos, bravos from Braavos, Lyseni sellswords, Tyroshi pikemen and all other sorts of mercenaries from both sides of the Narrow Sea that serve. The units of bowmen are mostly made up of Dornish, and some Summer Islanders with their deadly bows, while occasionally contingents of Myrish crossbowmen march along. In total, the Bright Banners number 2,000 regulars, of which two-hundred are mounted fighting men, and the majority are pikemen.

OOC notes [+]

If anyone's read the First Law series, you'll know who this fella sort of is.

Master of Coin applicant [+]

Willem “Willie” Morningwood, Lame Willie, Master of Coin
Age: 45
Appearance:

Sigil: A golden oak tree on a field of green
Words:To Rise and Shine

picture [+]

Personality
Willem Morningwood is bitter and whimsical towards life in general, often mocking his own condition, and views steps as his greatest enemies and chairs as his greatest allies. After the accident and depression, Lame Willie became extremely cynical, capable of appreciating irony to its fullest extent. He despises his work sometimes, but enjoys the influence and protection his position bestows on him.

Spat out by his peers has made Willie thrive on isolation. Instead of the strength of his sword-arm, he had to rely on his wit. He has a sly and ruthless nature, branding himself as a survivor at all costs, trying to out-think his adversaries. Being a cripple, he has resolved to ignore, even amputate, his scruples. As such, he is no stranger to strong-arming, bribing or cajoling to have things his way. These often come in handy in both the worlds of commerce and politics.

Willem has turned himself into a caricature, and likes to mock everyone and everything. Keenly aware of the world laughing at him, he has turned to a sickly mockery and laughs back. His cane made of black oak, for instance has a silver knob in the shape of a large acorn, with leaves wrapping downward alongside the length of it.

Biography:
Willem grew up as the son of a landed knight, sworn to Ashford in the Reach. As the years went by, he received a traditional upbringing, and showed some promise while being a squire and page. Like many a nobleman’s son, Willie, generous with his smile, dreamed of making a name for himself as a tourney knight. In spite of his humble origins, the son of Morningwood was a rising star in the firmament of the Reach.

His tale of glory and fame came sharply to an end when he, at the age of 18, participated in a tourney at Maidenpool. Over-confident and careless, Willem had challenged a much older and experienced knight to a bout. The subsequent exchange of tilts ended with Willem’s horse tripping, falling and crushing its rider’s leg.

For the next two months, Willem drifted between life and death for his broken, wounded leg had begun to fester. When he finally was on the mend, it became clear that his mutilated right leg would not be able to bear his full weight any longer. His old friends left him, and he could no longer bask in the adoration of fair maidens. Instead, he was shunned by most of the society and abandoned by those he held dear. Though his father did not say, it was clear he considered Willem as less than before.

Crippled, Willem experienced a period of debauchery where he consumed vast quantities of poppy-milk and passed his time with dicing and whoring. A failed attempt at suicide later, he set sail for the Free Cities where he led the life of a rogue. After spending some time in Pentos, he moved to Lys in order to escape his debts. There he was employed by a pleasure house to handle the ledgers, accounts and sensitive information. It is said he even served with a free company as its paymaster for some time.

However, eventually he returned to Westeros at the request of his ageing father. Willem agreed to pass his inheritance over to his younger brother, Ser Joss Morningwood while he took up a position as steward in Ashford, dealing with market days and financial affairs. The local lord, however, refused to recognise his talents and so Willem departed once more after helping his brother Joss.

After the final stages of the Dance of Dragons and the chaos that followed the Regency, Willie ventured to the capital and worked as a customs officer and port official, until he was selected by the Master of Coin. For the past five years, Lame Willie has toiled in royal office, and made a reputation for himself as a brilliant accountant. When the late Master of Coin died, Willie graduated to the Small Council.

Thriving in a metropolitan environment such as King’s Landing, Willem has acquired a steady income and a reputation, and works on gathering his fortune and influence. He has, ever since his time in Lys, sworn off knighthood and donned the cape of a politician and businessman, though some might call him a crook. Dealing in coin or favours, it is all the same to him.

OOC [+]

Yes, this is meant as somewhat of a joke. In the past we have often joked about making a House Morningwood. I am making it happen.

<Snipped quote by MenageAUne>

Approved. Two notes, though:

Lord Osvald Martell would be Prince Osvald Nymeros Martell.

What's Mariela's story? (I might look to make her an acquaintance of Aly's.)

<Snipped quote by Ruby>

Also I'll message you and I could work out something with Mariel's and maybe make her more of a PoV.

Has House Bolton been claimed yet? I might be interested in playing as them, I have some ideas in mind. If they have been claimed that's okay as well.

<Snipped quote by Heat>

Ethan's been working on a CS for a few days, so.

Ok, I have a character pretty much ready. But I need a house to go to. Who here wants a master swordsman? He can be a bastard born or a low born, but I don't want him high born. Anyone want a protector or retainer?

I'm also planning on playing a landed knight or something along those lines, so if anyone needs such a character give me a nudge. Hedge knights or other vagabonds are welcome as well, I'm sure we can think of a reason to get together.

Well, here's my application for a character in the service of House Hightower.

Symon Rivers [+]

Name: Symon Rivers
Age: 29
House/Affiliation: House Hightower

Appearance:


Well-mannered and soft-spoken, Symon isn’t a man to stand out in a crowd. His thoughts are often obscured behind a characteristic smirk and he is very careful with his body language, doing his best to reveal nothing of himself. Symon walks with a visible limp in his left leg, which is the cause of some speculation in regards to his past, but it is doubtful he received it on the field of battle as he is not much of a warrior. Nevertheless, he is well-set and has the rough skin of someone used to travel and manual labour.

Biography:
Symon Rivers is a bastard-born of uncertain lineage who was unheard of until recently. As his name suggests he likely hails from the Riverlands, though he’s not claimed descent to any of the noble families there. Much of his past is shrouded in mystery and Symon isn’t very keen on talking about it, usually remarking that “he’s been here and there, doing whatever needed doing” and leaving it at that.

The paradoxical thing about him is that while few have heard of Symon Rivers, he seems to know a great many folk from whom he can call in a favour. His contacts extend well beyond the Reach, going as far as King’s Landing and Riverrun. While he cannot count the truly powerful among his associates, he has connections to many low-ranking officials and middlemen, not to mention a host of dubious characters who aren’t in the habit of asking questions.

Symon arrived in Oldtown sometime during or before the first snows and quickly made a name for himself. He started out by managing a couple of warehouses on the docks, but was soon called in to oversee the city’s granaries. Nobody can say for certain how he got the job at the wharves in the first place, though it is likely the result of someone repaying a favour. Whatever the case, he proved himself of being more than capable of managing Oldtown’s granaries during the harsh winter by conserving a remarkable amount of food, preventing any thefts and meddling from foreign forces while keeping everyone more or less happy.

His successes eventually garnered the attention of the Hightowers, especially Lord Otho, who invited him into his court. Ostensibly this was on account of Symon’s skill as an administrator, however it’s likely his network of contacts played a much greater role. With the coming of spring Symon is still settling into his elevated position, but he has already proven quite deft at navigating many of the court’s dangerous undercurrents.

Personality:
While he is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, Symon has proven to be an adept player of the Game. He has risen much in a relatively short time and shows no sign of stopping. A cynic at heart, Symon honestly believes that everyone is out for themselves and will not hesitate to use whatever means are necessary to gain the upper hand. That said, despite his flexible morals, he has a sort of personal code he sticks to. Favours are everything to Symon, he owes his success to them and knows that he must honour his obligations when called upon.

He is loyal to the Hightowers not because of some abstract ideal, but of pure necessity – he knows that the only way to achieve what he wants is to attach himself to a powerful lord and to aid in his endeavours. Perhaps one of his greatest strengths or flaws, depending on how you look at it, is that he is a realist, fully aware of his own position. As such, his ambitions are rather humble – he wishes to legitimise his name and found a House of his own. He will not get in the way of those more powerful than him, unless he has sufficient backing and a good reason for doing so.

I'm also planning on playing a landed knight or something along those lines, so if anyone needs such a character give me a nudge. Hedge knights or other vagabonds are welcome as well, I'm sure we can think of a reason to get together.

You wager having a good First Night is a good reason? ;)