[OOC] Game of Thrones : The Pact of Ice and Fire (Always Open)

[NecroKnight]

@kingkonrad

So for the moment, we wait then?

I still got that old collab link to piratepad.

[Abefroeman]

If anyone ever said raising a baby is easy, tell them they are a liar. Writing muy post right now. Sorry for my delay, as sleep has been in short supply.

[MrDidact]

@Catchphrase If you like you can make a sheet for her, she can indulge in some intrigue.

@kingkonrad It was still a great read. I think we've circled in the fluff long enough so my next update will respond to everyone, then quickly move things through the dinner feast, bedding, and other evening activities and introduce all of the real plot moving stuff.

Players will be free to respond and reply to events and each other as they see fit during the time lapses. You are also free to take control of any characters I haven't made sheets for to facilitate interactions for the evening festivities.

@Abefroeman No worries, that is completely understandable.

@NecroKnight My next post will change the setting but feel free to interact as much as you want with other characters as I said above.

[Catchphrase]

@MrDidact i may do that if I am able to do so. Thank you for being understanding

[Abefroeman]

@MrDidact My post is almost done. At work right now. Once i get home and have internet, i will post. So, eta seven hours

[bloonewb]

@MrDidact Is the Queen's box at the Lists, the Royal Stands, or the Grand Melee?

[MrDidact]

@Catchphrase No problem man.

@Abefroeman Looking forward to your return.

@bloonewb The Queen's Box is in the Royal Stands which has a view of all the activities.

[Abefroeman]

@MrDidact I did a small bit of puppeting for Visenya for the sake of getting members of the Band of Seven back to where they needed to be. Hope that is alright, if not, I can re-edit that bit.

[Asura]

a sea hooligan wip

Name: Lady Elaena Velaryon
Age: Sixteen
Affiliation: Velaryon
Appearance:

Profession: Noble
Equipment: A finely crafted rapier, accompanied by a matching parrying dagger. She typically carries at least two other, smaller knives on her person depending on the occasion.

Skills: Despite being a lady in name, Elaena's fiery spirit led her to pursue more boyish hobbies than what many consider culturally acceptable. Among these are the art of "water dancing", of which she was tutored in by the likes of a Braavosi mercenary in her youth, as well as basic knife fighting which she learned from the sailors of her father's vessels. She has a love for the sea and as such has learned the basics of sailing, commanding a crew and navigation. Her talent with figures is fairly acute, giving her a keen mind for money and a sharp eye for ledgers.

Biography: wiperini fettuchini
Notes: Any other special information that doesn't fit the above categories.

[MrDidact]

@Abefroeman That's just fine, if it's neccesary to get things moving, I'll allow people to do minor puppeting.

@Asura I am a sucker for Ciri haha. I assume the character is Aurane's daughter?

[FourtyTwo]

@MrDidact

Damn, lots of females in this are really roguish/Knightly...

In the Reach, it's just a case of men are brave and pretty looking Knights, the women exist as charming, witty anecdotes that laugh at the other sex, trying to always run things themselves because they want to overthrow the patriarchy :P Kinda yes and no on that one....Alerie's handmaiden is very much entrenched, Alerie herself may actually command a lot more power talking to people than I think has as so far let on. In a really lovely Reachman manner.

[Greenie]

Damn, lots of females in this are really roguish/Knightly...

@kingkonrad

It kinda wants me to make my next character very girly XD

As for my post, I've started! Yay *cheers a little* I'm struck by the cold/flu, like the rest of the world is.. but hopefully that does nought to delay my post. ^_^

[FourtyTwo]

@Greenie

Exactly. Alerie is lovely, we need more girl's girls, so she can be girly and plotty with them. :P

[Greenie]

@Greenie

Exactly. Alerie is lovely, we need more girl's girls, so she can be girly and plotty with them. :P

@kingkonrad

Hmmm *rubs chin* I think I'll work on something this weekend. Been a while since I played a girly girl, heehee X3

[NarcissisticPotato]

@MrDidact
I usually roll Arryn with these types of things so I wouldn't mind playing an Arryn daughter but that would depend on if the person playing the Arryns would be up for that!

[Abefroeman]

@kingkonrad Cerenna Lefford is a girl...

[MrDidact]

@kingkonrad I anticipated that so that's why Baella, Daenyra, and Dany are traditionally feminine. Rhaenys and Visenya less so.

@Greenie Would love to see what you come up with.

@NarcissisticPotato @Celeste is in charge of House Arryn, and play's Robin's son but there's nothing in his bio that would contradict Robin having a daughter but of course it's up to Celeste.

@Abefroeman I forgot to compliment you on your post, a pleasure to read as always the wait was worth it.

@Nightwing95 @Masterkeun @agentmanatee How are you guys doing?

[agentmanatee]

@MrDidact good. Will post up tomorrow

[Winston Smith]

House: House Grafton of Gulltown

Forged in Flame
Region: The Vale of Arryn.
Liege: Who do they owe allegiance to? Lord Robin Arryn
Holding: What lands does the family personally control? The easternmost peninsula of the Vale is split between the Royces of Runestone to the North and Graftons of Gulltown to the south. Gerold Grafton inherited all lands previously held by the Shett Kings of old. Owing to their strength and power House Royce had traditionally dominated the majority of this fertile peninsula but since their defeat at the battle of the Seven Stars, land previously held by the First Men had been awarded to Andal houses who fought alongside Artys Arryn including Ser Gerold Grafton. Gulltown is Westeros’ fourth largest City and is known as theEastern Gate into the Vale. Good From the Free Cities and beyond make their way through the ports of House Grafton into the heartland of the Vale.
Recent History:
House Grafton had been pleased to honour Lady Lysa Arryn’s decision to stay out of the war. Lord Gerold had found this to be wise, as the other realms impoverished themselves through ceaseless fighting the Vale grew stronger than ever before under the stewardship of Lord Petyr Baelish. Let the overproud Belmores and the bellicose Royces plead their case for war, whilst House Grafton enriched itself through trade. As Stark and Lannister men fought over the Riverlands house Grafton’s men had been in the field and at sea growing reserves for the winter. When Stannis Baratheon besieged Kings Landing House Grafton bought grain and goods cheaply from Essos. When wildfire torched the capital and the Dragon Queen burned her away across Essos, the Vale remained unharmed and safe behind it’s mountain walls. This would change however when Euron Greyjoy declared himself King of Westeros and loosed the Iron fleet of reavers to pillage, rape and burn their way across Westeros. Although the Shield Islands, the Arbour and Oldtown took the first blows of this as yet unblooded fleet all Westeros would come to fear the Black ships of the ironborn. Lord Gerold Grafton had ordered ships from Braavos and had strengthened the defences of the city preparing for such an attack but he could not forsee the sheer power of Euron Crowseye. Seeking to safeguard his subjects from the ironborn Lord Robin Arryn had elected to send out the Vale Fleet to meet the ironfleet on the high seas. This was not in itself a foolish decision as any ship lost by the ironborn would cost them not only crew but also the reavers they intended to carry ashore whilst any lost Valeman vessel would only lose the crew. However, Lord Arryn had underestimated the damage that houses Hightower and Redwyne had caused the ironfleet and Euron secured a comfortable victory over the Vale’s naval forces. Days after the disastrous defeat off the coast of the Fingers the Ironfleet descended onto Gulltown seeking to claim her riches and make thralls of her people. It was an arduous battle, Ser Gerold had blocked the harbour with what remained of his fleet positioning engine upon the walls of the city ready to rain death upon the Ironborn, despite this the ironborn fought their way ashore and fighting ensued throughout the city as Grafton men bolstered by reinforcements from the Redfort, Ironoaks and Wickenden fought tooth and nail to protect the people of the city from harm although these were eventually called to arms to replenish the ranks of the defenders. Eventually, however, the Ironborn force cracked half intoxicated by the fighting fought to the bitter end whilst others retreated to their ships carrying away as much loot as they could carry. These men would be captured or cutdown on the quays as Lord Gerold Graftons Ships from Braavos finally arrived and denied the fleeing Ironborn escape on the seas. Although Gulltown was largely burned, it’s Lord and his heir had been slain in the fighting, and a great deal of its wealth had been lost this was a great victory for House Grafton as it had almost singlehandedly defeated the IronFleet earning the respect of much of the Vale. Though Euron and his council managed to escape the battle with what little remained of his fleet, only to be shortly thereafter dealt with by king on and his newlywed wife, hundreds of important prisoners were taken that day as was Nightfall the Valyrian Steel blade of House Harlaw. The new Lord of Gulltown young Gyles Grafton would later ransom these men and the blade back to the iron Islands. He would later boast that house Gulltown had not only skewered the kraken but had also forced it to pay the Gold price for its own belongings. This would impoverish the bleak pirate infested islands for generations to come and would restore Gulltown to a greater level of wealth than it had ever enjoyed before. Indeed a great deal of gold and many rare and valuable items claimed by Ironborn raiders over the course of centuries made their way into the hands of House Grafton when lady Asha Greyjoy received Lord Gyles demand. Since the end of the war house Grafton has put its money to good use rebuilding the city and its fleet, investing in new trade ventures abroad, building several Septs, libraries and Mines and providing patronage to the arts brigning skilled trademen from aborad and encouraging eager people fleeing the chaos of the Riverlands and the crownlands to flock to Gulltown seeking work.
Family Members:

Gyles Grafton

Name: Gyles Grafton
Age:45
Appearance: Not a particularly tall man at 170cm, Lord Gyles was not a fighter but an artful steward. Some say his poor eyesight was caused by pouring over his impressive library illuminated only by candlelight. He bears the dark hair and green eyes of House Grafton and wears a rough beard like most of the houses’ sons.

Role: Lord of Gulltown, The Merchant Lord, the Alchemist
Equipment: A lot of Gold, Books, Longsword and armour (mostly ceremonial now)
Skills: Accomplished steward, competent diplomat has never had the need to fight either I nthe War of the Five Kings or the Second war the dawn as he was too young.
Biography: Lord Gyles is the youngest son of the Lord Gerold Grafton who died alongside his eldest Son fighting off the Iron Fleet.As a Child Gyles was sent by his father to as a ward to the Eyrie an honour worthy of great Houses Stark and baratheon. However, squiring for the Young Lord Arryn must have been very different from what Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon experienced as wards of the late Jon Arryn. whereas most wards develop a lifelogn friendship with their host, on this occasion this was not the case. Gyles witnessed a trantrumatic child who refused to grow up and accept the responsibilities of a man let alone those of a lord paramount. This led to Gyles more than often making up for the mess caused by his liege lord. By the time King Euron sacked Gulltown Lord Gyles had become quite proficient at lying and at making evidence of his lords mischief dissapear. Lord Gyles also developed a crush on Petyr baelish's bastard Daughter Alayne Stone and thought to himself that one day,as a lord, he would return to the Eyrie and bed the girl possibly make her his mistress. This was not to be,however, as she eventually revealed herself as Sansa Stark and departed north.
Lord Gyles ruled through his council for until he turned 16. He set himself to task rebuilding Gulltown from the ashes by making the Irons islands pay extortionate ransoms for all captured lords, vessels and arms and subjecting the captured prisoners to hard labour until these were paid. Lord Gyles then spent most of his years, securing the city against any future threat by building a second wall and rebuilding Gulltown’s Fleet. Houses to the Seven, apocatharies and as well as a Bathhouse modelled on the Ghiscari models of old were built within the city. He is mocked by his enemies as the merchant Lord for being so money focused and called the alchemist by his friends for extracting such wealth out of the barren and notoriously poor Iron Islands.

Artys Grafton

Name: Ser Artys Grafton
Age:20
Appearance: Dark hair Green eyed the tallest and strongest of Gyles Sons

Role: Ser Artys Grafton has the honour of representing Gulltown and his family through Service in the order of the Winged knights.
Equipment: Heavy Plate Armour, destrier, Castle Forged Steel Bastard sword and thick heathersheild bearing the flaming tower of house Grafton
Skills: Ser Artys is one of the finest knights in the Vale having personally stood alone defending Lord Robin from an attack by Clansmen whilst the Lord Paramount toured the Vale. Although formidable with a sword a bow or an Warhammer he is not a particularly jouster and disdains tourney knights. He also has a gift for leading young women astray. He is a gregarious man capable of motivating disheartened warriors to victory against terrible odds.
Biography: Lord Gyle’s second son, Ser Artys showed his speed and strength from a very early age, and his father did his upmost to channel this strength and speed into martial pursuits. He squired for Lord Belmore and is betrothed to Lord Belmore’s daughter who he is set to marry shortly. Ser Artys does not embody the virtues of a true knight but rather reflects his fathers'vision of a perfect second son. A keen hunter,socialiser and duelist Ser Artys focuses himself on martial pusuits and has little time to devote to study or travel. He accepts his place is content with the glory afforded to him as a respected knight knowing that he will eventually serve his older brother. he knows that without a title or lands to inherit he is freer than most sons and makes the most of this to fil lhis days with activities that he enjoys when he off duty.

Rickard Grafton

Name: Ser Rickard Grafton
Age: 23
Appearance:
Role: Heir to Gulltown
Equipment: Plate armour, destrier, Shield
Skills: As heir to one of Westeros’s largest population centres, Rickard has been groomed from birth to appreciate the intricacies of trade and to be aware of all the tricks and excuses used by merchants and tradesmen alike. He is an accomplished sailor and knows much of the cultures of the world. He speaks a little of most major trade languages.
Biography: Lord Gyles’s eldest son and heir He has spent over two years of his life aboard a trade ship representing house Grafton’s interests abroad. Gyles did not want his heir to be 'merely a knight' and tried to foster ambition and curiosity in Rickard, spending many a coin to finance his travels across the world. During this time he learned to appreciate how commodities can have vastly different values in different places and has collected many valuable items from abroad as well as how to fight off bloodthirsty corsairs. As a result of his travelling he has learned a great deal about distant cultures and languages and has brought back several ships worth of treasurers a curiosities from the lands around the Jade Sea. These have caught the attention of both his father and his younger brother Erik who have spent many a night looking over these items trying to understand the foreign artworks and mysterious objects. He has recently returned to Gulltown to aid his father in his duties and to seek a suitable wife so that he may continue the family name.

Elena Grafton

Name: Elena Grafton
Age:19
Appearance:
Role: Lady of the court
Equipment: a Goldenheart Longbow a gift from her elder brother Rickard from his travels to the summer isles. A long bladed dagger, Palfrey
Skills: Courtly intrigue, Archery, Dancing, Darling of the people of Gulltown
Biography: Unlike her Brothers Elena was denied the opportunity to serve in the Eyrie or aboard a ship sailing across the Jade Sea she was expected to lead a more demure and peaceful childhood. Which she did until recently. After a harvest festival though, when she was 17, she was found with a blacksmith’s boy in her bed. This regrettably led to her value as a bride being undermined and to the Night’s watch being bolstered by one apprentice blacksmith. Lord Gyles is now struggling to find her a respectable match given her ‘sullied’ status but by staining her virtue Elena has found herself significantly freer to enjoy the outside world and has taken to riding alone in the woods and hunting. Elena is somewhat lacking in feminine company at court since her mother died of fever years ago and other lords have avoided bringing their daughters to Gulltown lest Elena corrupt their virtous maidens with her ways. Her only gentle-born female companion is young lady Alys of house Shett whose family share a large manse within Gulltown. Regrettably Alys is less wild than Elena and does not share in the same interests.

Erik Grafton

Name: Ser Erik Grafton
Age:15
Appearance:
Role: Official role: Advisor to his brother and father unofficial role: Spymaster for House Grafton
Equipment: longsword, various disguises, network of spies and agents
Skills: Persuasion, some competency with a sword, quill, Citadel education
Biography: a third Son is usually an overly expensive luxury for a noble family especially one with a daughter but House Grafton could afford to raise a third son. After serving as a page for his father and as a squire for Lord Hunter Erik was sent to the citadel to obtain a formal education. It was seen as necessary as the return of the Dragons meant that long lost knowledge and magics were returning to the world and no house worth its salt could afford to not make the most of this opportunity. Erik went on to forge his chain in three and a half years but would leave it behind disappearing out of respect for the order of maesters when, instead of attempting to light the glass candles he left the Citadel during his final night as an acolyte and returned home. Upon returning home he has cleared out an old cellar to use as his study where he stores,medicines, scrolls, stuffed animals, maps, scrolls, old mystic tomes. He has started to build up a network of agents who report to him and his father of events going on in Gulltown. He hopes to use these informants to crack down on crime and foreign spies. He remains a young man, however, prone to the many distractions that affect young men and has not yet become the man his father wishes him to be. His Father has not yet seen him worthy enough to be knighted. he hopes to earn his spurs soon.

Nickname: Lord Maester (for the three years he spent studying at the citadel)

[MrDidact]

@agentmanatee Curious to see how Petyr reacts in the melee.

@Winston Smith It's shaping up quite nicely. Should be interesting to see if the Graftons and the Ironborn have any rivalries.