"Dragons are fire made flesh, and fire is power" - Quaithe
Nearly 25 years past, the Night's King broke a hole in the Wall, marched south with an army of the dead, and began the Long Night. They slaughtered thousands as they marched south; until the armies of the living came together and fought the white walkers at Winterfell in the War for the Dawn. The battle was long, bloody, and decisive. Thousands of warriors and many heroes fell to the cold or their monstrous foes. Accounts differ wildly but all agree that the battle ended when the Night's King was slain. Only the select rulers, nobles, and commanders present at the battle's end know the exact details of both the Night's King's death and the subsequent armistice negotiated with the surviving White Walkers. Regardless, the White Walkers retreated to the Lands of Always Winter and the war was won. Curiously, the following winter was harsh and brutal but brief. It seemed with the defeat of the White Walkers, the seasons turned from years to months. In the summer of 300 AC, King Jon revealed his true parentage as the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark before wedding Queen Daenerys. King Jon was then seated on the Iron Throne with Queen Daenerys by his side and Westeros was once again united under House Targaryen in what is now known as the Pact of Ice and Fire. With a small council of talented friends and allies, such as Lord Tyrion Lannister acting as the Hand, the young monarchs set to the work of healing the deep wounds left by the long wars.
It is now 325 AC, Autumn, and the realm has enjoyed 25 years free from war with booming trade and bountiful harvests under the watchful eye of the White Wolf and the Silver Queen. With the continued growth and breeding of the Targaryen dragons, Magic has fully returned to the world; with the children, the giants, direwolves, and countless species of mythical beasts now roaming the country once more. In the North, more wargs, greenseers, and shamanic mystics are born every year while the Alchemist's Guild and Citadel rediscover arcane secrets once lost to the world. Meanwhile newly made noble houses led by wildling chieftains and valorous northern soldiers settle the Gift and New Gift, act as a second line of defense behind a newly rebuilt Wall; where all 19 castles are manned by thousands of black brothers, and led by the redeemed Theon Greyjoy, 1000th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, the Black Kracken. Slavery has been abolished in all of the Free Cities, the now renamed Bay of Dragons, and Qarth and many of Daenery's Essosi followers have returned home, while others have made new lives in Westeros. The realm has never been stronger and many proclaim Jon and Daenery's rule to be the beginning of a new Golden Age for Westeros.
However despite the expert stewardship of King Jon and Queen Daenerys and the great lengths they went to steer Westeros to a better future, conflict stirs once more. The realm has barely recovered from the debts owed to its creditors and high taxes have stirred the seeds of peasant revolt in many quarters and a new outlaw band called the Freemen Brotherhood has been created; meanwhile, religious unrest spreads through the land. With the rebirth of magic, numerous ancient faiths and creeds have resurrected in various corners of Westeros and the Faith of R'hllor slowly gains followers in the Riverlands. Darker beings and creatures now once more stalk the countryside and peasants tell tales of murderous squishers and ghouls, twisted merlings and demons, and even blood mages and necromancers. In response, renegade septons have called upon the Sparrows to once again take up arms in an illegal and unsanctioned crusade against all "heretics, infidels, and abominations"; many whisper that the Sparrows have monetary support from noble sympathizers and the fear of the mystical is reaching a crescendo, resulting in numerous witch-hunts and pogroms of suspected magic-users and mythical beings.
In the Vale, the hill tribes have begun a bloody campaign of guerrilla warfare under their self-made High Chief and rogue ironborn reavers lead by the bastard heir of Euron Crow's Eye, have rebelled against Lady Asha and begun burning and raping along the western coast; while rebels in the Stepstones have launched a campaign to overthrow Lord Aurane Velaryon and secede from the Iron Throne. Abroad, an alliance of Essosi from various nations have created the New Masters and have launched a campaign to return slavery to Essos; while a new Great Khal has begun a revanchist movement to return the Dothraki to their ravaging ways by force. The Tigers of Volantis seek to create a New Valyrian Empire under the upstart Archon Valarr Maegyr and have begun to conquer the continent and in response Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh have revived the Kingdom of Three Daughters. The resulting war has caused great destruction in Essos and negatively affected trade in Westeros. Tensions are also rising between the noble houses of Westeros, as many still brood on both old and new rivalries exacerbated by the War of Ten Crowns, the situation is particularly precarious in the far North as the former wildlings clash with their new neighbors. Minor conflicts between lords have erupted, and have been swiftly resolved by the Iron Throne but many believe open war is imminent. With blood beginning to flow at home and across the sea, King Jon and Queen Daenerys face the nearly impossible task of keeping Westeros safe and preserving Queen Daenery's dream of peace and freedom in Essos; while the Great Houses of the realm once again begin their own schemes and plots. Together the lords of Westeros defeated the Long Night, but now they threaten to make the realm bleed once more.
King Jon and Queen Daenerys have invited all the high lords of the realm to King's Landing in a grand tourney and celebration in honor of their newest grandchild's first nameday. It is an opportunity to win glory, but also a chance for the Houses to play the great game of power and influence. The Game of Thrones.
The North: The Wall has been rebuilt and is manned by a strengthened Night's Watch with many former Unsullied and Wildling members, and even the support of the Giants and Children of the Forest. Theon Greyjoy commands in the rebuilt Castle Black. The Iron Throne sends ample support every year and the Night's Watch defends against small bands of rogue white walkers, wandering wight hordes, and other dark creatures along with hostile wildlings that refused to integrate. The Gift and New Gift have been settled by the wildlings and new lordlings raised up after the war.
Brandon Stark, known as the Winged Wolf, rules as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. He has married and borne heirs, and few know his true nature as the most powerful greenseer and warg in the world. The Northern houses have largely remained loyal and with the help of his sisters Lady Sansa and Lady Arya, Brandon rules wisely and justly. It is now common practice for the members of House Stark to bond to a direwolf. Though he is crippled and cannot wield it, Brandon is the owner of Ice, the first and only freshly forged Valyrian steel blade and a gift from Queen Daenerys. The Northern houses that rebelled against House Stark have been forgiven save for the Boltons; who have been extinguished save for Ramsay's heirs by Jeyne Poole. It is rumored that these heirs sneaked into their former home and stole away their ancestral peeling knife and skin cloaks, though these are just rumors. The Dreadfort was given to Sansa Stark to rule, and is a keen political adviser and diplomat for both her brother and her cousin. Arya Stark, who wields a valyrian steel dagger and allegedly also practices dark arts, is the shadowy left hand of the family. Jon Stark's former blade Longclaw was returned to House Mormont. Moat Cailin has been rebuilt into a strong and mighty fortress once more and is manned by a company of elite northern warriors who call themselves the Winter Wolves. The Winter Wolves also have a garrison in the restored and strengthened Wolf's Den, and are Winterfell's elite guard.
The Vale: The Vale is ruled by Lord Robin Arryn, Warden of the East, who has changed greatly from the once weak and sickly boy. His cousin Harrold Arryn is the Lord Commander of the newly formed Order of the Winged Knights, an order of knights sworn to Lord Robin as his protectors and most skilled fighters and who are distinguished by their Falcon-winged helms. The Winged Knights are not celibate and can still hold lands and titles and they are the on the front lines of the Vale's fight against the upstart hill tribes. Though Petyr Baelish died without any trueborn issue, his bastardborn have inherited his lands on the Fingers. Robin is also the wielder of Widow's Wail, a gift from his cousin Brandon. When the Targaryens retook King's Landing, the Dragonpit was fully excavated and the sword Lamentation was returned to House Royce.
The Iron Islands: Asha Greyjoy is Lady Reaver of the Iron Islands and has saved her House from extinction with a marriage and the birth of heirs. Ironborn can no longer raid Westerosi lands and captives taken in their raids are no longer thralls but indentured servants. The Iron Fleet is now the most numerous, with almost a thousand ships, though most are small longships. Asha wields Nightfall, which Euron Greyjoy stole from House Harlaw. Her bastard cousins born of Victarion's dusky salt wife serve in high positions for Asha while her bastard cousin by Euron stole the sword Red Rain from House Drumm, took control of his Euron's ship Silence, and has lead a revolt against Asha's rule. The bastard has mainly focused on raiding the mainlands but a conflict between the two cousins seems imminent. It is rumored that the bastard pirate is also a dabbler in the dark arts. Euron Greyjoy's Valyrian steel armor was gifted to King Jon.
The Riverlands: After the war, King Jon stripped the Riverlands from House Frey and gave them to Edmure Tully, along with the sword Oathkeeper for House Tully's loyalty in the war. Lord Edmure does his best to keep the Riverlands from descending into chaos, especially as most of Westeros's recent political troubles are concentrated in the region. Along with the beast attacks, peasant revolts, religious persecution, economic hardship, and ironborn raids, Edmure must also contend with deep enmities between the Lords of the Trident. Houses Blackwood and Bracken are on the verge of war, and House Frey is in the throes of a succession conflict while many houses still hold a grudge in the aftermath of the Red Wedding. Darry has been given to a bastard cousin of the extinct main branch, a move that angered some members of House Lannister. Oldstones have been rebuilt by the newly landed Mudds of Golden Company, and the governance of the gargantuan Harrenhal has been divided among many former exiles of the sellsword company with the High Lordship given to House Lothson. Essosi immigrants, followers of Queen Daenerys, have mainly settled in the Riverlands and suffer a great deal of prejudice from their Westerosi-born neighbors. Out of all the kingdoms, the Riverlands once again bears the brunt of the country's troubles. A company of highly trained Trident soldiers, called the Black Lads, have been assembled to help quell the violence. In the God's Eye, the Children have returned to the Isle of Faces and many skinchangers, greenseers, and other first men mystics have joined the Green Men as the Isle's arcane defenders. The Isle is a Haven for nonhumans and magic-users in the south.
The Westerlands: Lord Tyrion Lannister, the Imp, Hand of the King, and Warden of the West has stewarded House Lannister away from the brink of disaster. Jaime abdicated his claim and title to his brother and under Tyrion, the Westerlands have largely healed from the war. Tyrek Lannister had been found alive and assumed his place as Lady Ersemande's consort in Hayford and the house itself is as numerous as ever. The war had almost ruined the family financially and they are just now starting to recover. On his travels back to Westeros with Queen Daenerys, Tyrion had found the lost sword Brightroar though he himself does not wield it. Castamere was stripped from the conniving House Spicer and instead given to Tyrion's longtime ally, Ser Bronn of the Blackwater. Despite their relative prosperity, the Lannisters are in a precarious position. While the West remains loyal to the Rock, the Lannisters are among the most hated family in Westeros in the wake of the war and many in the family are preparing for reprisal while others wish to extinguish their rivals. As his house bickers over the future of their family and the rulers of King's Landing debate the course of the nation, much rests upon Tyrion's shoulders. Podrick Payne, Tyrion's one-time squire, is an anointed knight and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
The Reach: Lord Willas Tyrell, Warden of the South, shrewdly leads House Tyrell and the Reach. Despite the deaths of Mace, Margaery, Loras, and Olenna, Willas saved the Tyrells from destruction and has the loyalty of most of his bannermen. Tensions still abound however between those who had supported Stannis and those who had turned to Joffrey during the war. Brightwater Keep was returned to House Florent, but rivalries and grudges have appeared between the noble houses of the Reach. Garlan Tyrell became Willas' Lord Marshall, raised a new seat at the mouth of the Mander, and turned it into a strong fortress to resist any threat to Highgarden. In Oldtown, the Citadel is undergoing a renaissance of discovery and research, with many devoting themselves to the study of the arcane and all related subjects. Now many Maesters forge a Valyrian steel link in their chain, though still relatively few have real arcane power. It is said House Hightower has numerous skilled and potent sorcerers in the family but most dismiss the talk as mere rumor. At the Dickon Tarly has ascended to Lord and now wields Heartsbane, and is a formidable commander of the Reach. Recently Maesters had started development of explosive powders but the technology remains in its infancy. To help keep the Reach safe, Willas Tyrell recreated the Order of the Green Hand. All members of this knightly order must both be brave warriors and have proven descent from Garth Greenhand, but members are allowed to hold titles and own lands. Garlan serves as Lord Commander of the Order and the Green Hand of the extinct House Gardener is the Order's sigil; some members of House Manderly are also members of the Order.
Dorne: After the death of Doran Martell, Prince Arianne Martell rules Dorne with her brother Trystayne as a trusted advisor. The surviving Sand Snakes are valuable assets to House Martell and serve their cousin in numerous vital positions. Dorne has largely remained loyal to House Martell and one of their staunchest supporters is Edric Dayne; who has taken up Dawn and assumed the mantle of Sword of the Morning, and is one of the finest warriors in the world. Despite this, Dorne is not without its troubles. A new upstart has claimed Hellgate Hall and proclaimed himself the newest of the Vulture Kings, and has begun raiding Dornish settlements and Marcher villages alike. Raiders from the Stepstones and the Three Daughters now periodically raid the Dornish coast, forcing Dorne to heavily militarize. Aegon Targaryen, the false son of Rhaegar, is the rider of Viserion and was given a seat built on the remains of the Tower of Joy by King Jon and Queen Daenerys. Aegon was also given Dark Sister, which had been recovered by Brandon Stark when he was north of the Wall. With sword and dragon, Aegon began helping the Dornishmen repel the raids on their coast, though the Vulture King continues to resist. Near the river Greenblood, the Faith of Mother Rhoyne is gaining vitality and many speak of adherents learning the art of water magic.
The Stepstones: During the war, Aurane Waters had commandeered the royal fleet and used it to conquer the Stepstones and rule as its Pirate King. With the arrival of Daenerys Targaryen, he pledged his fleet and his banner to her and after the war's conclusion, the Stepstones were officially inducted into Westeros with a legitimised Auran Velaryon as it's Lord Paramount. Lands and titles in the Stepstones were rewarded to supporters of King Jon and Queen Daenerys, and Lord Aurane turned his province into both a center of commerce and a bulwark against potential foreign aggression. Forever a hotbed of criminal activity, the Stepstones angrily resisted the change and to this day, rebellion rages. The newly made Lords of the Stepstone fight near constant battles to retain control and keep commerce open but no end is in sight, while the threat of the Three Daughters looms large. Aurane's nephew Monterys, Lord of Driftmark, supports him with material and men, and House Velaryon has once again become one of House Targaryen's staunchest supporters. Salladhor Saan was one of the few foreigners who were granted a title and now has his own seat in the Stepstones and is a vital part of the province's defensive strategy against any incursion from the Three Daughters.
The Stormlands: Edric Baratheon, legitimized bastard son of Robert Baratheon and Delena Florent. After the eradication of the main Baratheon line during the war, Edric and his protectors had returned to Westeros and rallied the Stormslands to Queen Daenerys' banners. In thanks, Edric was proclaimed Lord of Storm's End. In order to secure his house's future, Edric had his bastard siblings Gendry of Hollow Hill and Mya Stone legitimized and brought to Storm's End. Both now live in comfort beyond their wildest dreams and are faithful servants to their brother. Rolland Storm was legitimized as Rolland Caron and given the seat of Nightsong for his loyal service and most of the Storm Lords faithfully follow Lord Edric as they did his father. However, many traditionally minded lords chafe at the idea of serving bastard or low-born lords and often test Edric's reign. Edric must also contend with raiding parties both from the coast and the rapacious Vulture King. In both the Stormlands and King's Landing, House Seaworth has become a powerful and influential house. Davos Seaworth is one of the King's most trusted confidants, and his heir is similarly one of Edric's most loyal supporters. Once reviled by the high lords, House Seaworth has earned its place in history. Just Maiden, a legendary sword lost long ago, was found to be a Valyrian steel sword and is now in Brienne of Tarth's possession.
The Crownlands: Once again, the Targaryen banner flies over King's Landing. The city has recovered from the famine of the war and is once again a center of trade and travel. Though he did not take the family name, Jon Stark rules as Westeros' first Dragonking in many generations, and his heirs all bear the name and colors of House Targaryen. Dragons are now once more seen flying over the city skies or perched on the Red Keep, and have become a source of both wonder and terror depending on the observer. Jon himself rides Rhaegal, a smaller mount than his wife's dragon Drogon. Queen Daenerys sits upon another Iron Throne, one forged by Drogon from the blades of those who fell fighting the white walkers. Both Thrones sit side by side in the Red Keep, though all still refer to the Iron Throne in the singular. Jon and Daenerys both wear the Valyrian steel crowns of old. The Dragonpit was rebuilt but is now used as a base of operation for the reformed Gold Cloaks, who are now both the City Watch of King's Landing and the Iron Throne's first standing army with sole loyalty to the crown. The Dragonpit also serves as the base of operations for the newly formed Dragon's Teeth, a company of special troops modeled after Brynden Rivers' Raven's Teeth. A massive flagship named Winter Rose is at the head of the strong royal fleet. The Sept of Baelor was rebuilt as the seat of the High Septon, with dedicated monuments to those who had been entombed or died there. Some septons now claim to have miraculous healing powers and other gifts from the Seven.
Summerhall was rebuilt and in it's ashes, a cache of Dragon eggs was discovered. The castle once again served as the family's summer palace. Jon and Daenerys have many children, and all were gifted eggs at birth. All of their children proved to be dragonriders, riders of mounts raised in open space unlike the pit dragons. Dragonstone became an important military fortress, home to half of the royal fleet and serving as a defense against pirates and invaders. House Targaryen has achieved heights it had not seen for centuries. Their bannermen have all proven loyal, with House Velaryon once again tied by marriage to the Targaryens and House Celtigar was granted oaths of fealty from the lords of Crackclaw Point; though quite a few of the local lords resent the arrangement. While many of Daenery's followers settled in the Riverlands, many others settled in King's Landing either to start new lives or to continue serving their queen. These foreign immigrants are often looked down upon by the locals but Queen Daenerys provides ample opportunity for her loyal followers in her service. Blackfyre had been found in the possession of the Golden Company and was now once again held by House Targaryen, though Queen Daenerys is not a swordsman herself and King Jon opts to wield Lightbringer. The Targaryens have prospered, the king and queen must still take care in the troubling times ahead.
(Assume the same for those killed in the show so far) - Queen Mother Cersei Lannister - King Euron Greyjoy, the Crow's Eye - Melisandre - Lady Stoneheart - Lord Petyr Baelish - Lord Captain Victarion Greyjoy - Aeron Greyjoy, the Damphair - Olenna Redwyne, the Queen of Thorns - Varys the Spider - Ser Jon Connington - Thoros of Myr - Marwyn the Mage - Ellaria Sand - Nymeria, Obara, and Tyene Sand - Lord Randyll Tarly - Ser Robert Strong - Qyburn - Ser Ilyn Payne - The Tattered Prince - Brown Ben Plumm - Gryff Whitehill
- Set in 325 AC, in the 25th year of Jon and Daenery's reign as King and Queen of Westeros - Based on a combination of the novel and tv show canon, but strongly diverging after the end of ADWD in the books and S6 in the show. This is our own AU to do with as we please. - Magic is a reality in the world now but it is not High Fantasy like LoTR or WoW but simply an expansion of the horror fantasy elements of the series. Magic is still scary, dangerous, and largely unknown in this setting. - The actions and decisions of the players have strong consequences for Westeros, it's noble houses, and the Iron Throne. This will be the first in many iterations of the game, and the outcome of this chapter in history will affect following games. - Besides the bare bones of the political situation set up by me, it will be up to the players to help determine the state of the Westerosi Houses. - Players can have an entire House as their PCs, but can also have solo PCs who may or may not owe allegiance to a noble family. Players can be knights, priests, scholars, bards, spies, sellswords, and any other role that can affect the political situation of Westeros. - King Jon, Queen Daenerys, and most of House Targaryen are NPCs but I may allow a few PC Targ dragonriders. Some players may even have arcane abilities and traits, though these will be highly scrutinized and regulated. - You are entirely free to RP canon characters from the series (those who are still alive) or your own custom PCs. Custom Houses are also allowed, but they will as a rule not be on the same standing as powerful canon Houses like the Starks or even the Tarlys. - The majority of the game will be based in Westeros but PCs will have the opportunity to influence events in Essos. - You don't have to have an exhaustive knowledge of the book or show. Between the geeks here and online wikis, you should be fine as long as you have the basics down. - Collaboration is highly encouraged, players should have an open dialogue with regards to world-building and potential alliances. - Similarly, competition, backstabbing and plotting is also expected and encouraged. I will be mostly hands-off unless intervention is necessary. - The RP will be mostly sandbox style with some story arcs that the players help develop, such as the wars in Essos and the revolts in the Riverlands. The main introduction will take place in King's Landing but there will be multiple ongoing scenarios so having multiple POVs in your House would be advantageous.
If anyone is interested in being Co-GM, the position is open.
Also interested. Wouldn't mind being a co-GM if you need it as well, I DM a game of D&D as well as having ran a large number of role plays and having read all 5 ice and fire books I think I could be helpful. Keep me in mind!
@Dredigan If we get enough interest to actually run a game, then you can totally be the Co-GM. Trying to get all the background lore right by myself would get pretty tiring haha.
@MrDidact I was thinking a female warrior out to prove herself and earn a place in court. Same would have grown up being Samantha Frey, but when her house fell from grace she chose to take on the name Sam Flower traveling with her armor, weapons and horse working as a mercenary for a year before seeking knighthood. Same flower is twenty ninth in line to lead the disgraced Frey's but doesn't concern herself with such things. Due to the status of her house no man would marry a Frey,
Masterkeun, that's a cool concept but you could also play House Frey as a whole if you wished to. Would Sam be pretending to be a Reachman then if her name is Sam Flower?
@MrDidact I considered that but I thought it seemed more fitting to start as my own woman and possibly take control of the house if and when my character has earned it. Sorry about the name I forgot it varies by region Mable Rivers sounds good :)
@Masterkeun Well your PC doesn't necessarily have to be the leader of the house. It could be useful for you to have multiple POVs in different situations and areas. Especially since House Frey is undoubtedly the most populous house inn the kingdoms. It's up to you of course, unless another player comes in and wants to RP House Frey, in which case you two could collaborate.
@bloonewb I'd certainly be interested in seeing what House Bolton gets up to after the loss of their seat and title. And if they'll be as hostile to the Starks as the previous generation was.
