House Rykker is a modest noble house who saw their fortunes change with the downfall of House Darklyn in 277 AC. They rule over the port town of Duskendale from their castle ‘The Dun Fort’, located north of King’s Landing on the coast of Blackwater Bay.
House Seat ________________________________________ Duskendale, The Crownlands. The Dun Fort
Head of House ________________________________________ Lord Steffon Rykker, Master of Coin to the Iron Throne, 373 AC to TBD
Recent History ________________________________________
300 AC to 305 AC – The War for the Iron Throne and the Dawn War. WIP
312 AC – Refuge and Shelter for the members of House Lannister of Lanisport and House Frey WIP
317 AC – Hollard Hall is fully rebuilt, renamed to Lion’s Hall. WIP
320 AC – The Anti-Reforms Rebellion Currently a WIP.
369 AC – The Stepstones Rebellion The realm bleeds, and some houses lose more than others. House Rykker answers the call for the Crown’s raising of its levies. The noble men of House Rykker sailed off to put down the rebel lords and regain the lost honor of their house. All told, the dead for House Rykker numbered eight good and honorable knights. Their names are immortalized in a marble memorial upon the family grounds of the Dun Fort in Duskendale. The Seven required noble souls to defend them in paradise, and thus, the following Rykker’s were chosen: Lord Morgan Rykker, Lord Commander Ser Robert Rykker, Ser Tyrion Rykker, Ser Tywin Rykker, Ser Bronn Rykker, Ser Jaremy Rykker, Ser Tyget Rykker, and Ser Guncer Rykker
370 AC – The Lordship passes to an unlikely heir Ser Steffon Rykker, son of Ser Morgan Rykker, third born of Lord Renfred Rykker, assumes the mantle of Lord of Duskendale with the untimely deaths of much of the male line of House Rykker during the Stepstones Rebellion.
373 AC – Ascension to Master of Coin Lord Steffon Rykker assumes the vacated position of Master of Coin with Lord Garland Redwyne’s retirement from the position. This honor brings great prestige and honor to the Rykker family, vindicating their losses during the Stepstones Rebellion.
375 AC – Expedition to investigate claims of Prince Viserys Targaryen having sired a bastard if not more than one. Ser Renfred, Ser Tyrion, and Bronn Rykker along with Ser Addam Waters, depart on an expedition to seek the validity of rumors regarding the possibility of Prince Viserys Targaryen having sired a bastard, if not more than one, during his exile in Essos. This search for a “legitament” offspring of the former Prince also includes any offspring of the bastards themselves. The search area includes, but not limited to: Bravos, Myr, Tyrosh, Qohor, Volantis, Lys, and Pentos. The expedition has been given a letter of credit, allowing them to draw upon the coffers of the Iron Throne during their mission. They were allotted a five-year time table to complete the mission to a satisfactory level, with the option for a one-year extension should they find something of note/worth in their investigations. Funding for this expedition came from seized smugglers shipments, seized assets of the deceased Aegon Velaryon, and minimal general funds from taxes collected and levied. Thus far nothing concrete has been found, yet the rumors persists, and Ser Renfred reported back in his most recent dispatch, “We have reason to believe in the validity of the claims that Prince Viserys had sired at least two bastards during his exile. These bastards themselves seem to have passed into the next world, but the rumors point to them having at least one child, if not two, of their own together. Pentos has proven to be a wealth of information, with the records of Illyrio Mopatis the best evidence we’ve come across thus far. We request a one-year extension to continue searching for the purported offspring of Prince Viserys.”
House Relations ________________________________________ House Lannister – Due to marriage and proximity, House Rykker enjoys very close and friendly terms with the Lannister’s of Lion’s Hall. Lord Steffon is a cousin to the current Lannister lord.
House Velaryon – Lord Steffon’s wife is a Velaryon, and he desires to see the Rykker family bloodline be tied closer to those of the dragon. He is a close friend to Lord Aerion Velaryon, with Lord Aerion’s late wife being Steffon’s first cousin once removed. Steffon’s wife is also Lord Aerion’s Aunt. Either way, Lord Steffon looks to Lord Aerion for both guidance and friendship.
House Targaryen – With the seemingly bizzare desire for the Queen to name a non-royal blooded heir to the throne, let alone someone of the Queen’s own family, Lord Steffon holds his reservations as to what the Queen is playing at, and to that end, has directed the expedition to see if Prince Viserys had any heirs, noble or base-born.
House Baratheon – Lord Steffon remains impartial to the Baratheon’s of Storm’s End, though he feels that they hold a bit too much power within the governance of the realm.
House Greyjoy – Lord Steffon Rykker still holds an ill-will towards the Iron Islanders. He distrusts them for their power over the seas and their ability to “manipulate trade outside of the purview of the Master of Coin’s jurisdiction.” He also dislikes Lord Greyjoy for his constant desire to build more ships, which has to come from the Iron Throne’s treasury.
House Payne – Due to House Rykker’s relations with the ousted Lannisport Lannisters, the Rykkers steer a wide berth around the Paynes. Not openly hostile, but certainly not friendly either.
Conceptualization ________________________________________ Your general plans and concept for your house and characters. Plot conceptualization, goals, etc. Concept abstract, as it were.
Point-of-View Characters
Steffon Rykker
Main Title; Master of Coin, Lord of Duskendale General Title; Lord Rykker of Duskendale
Age ________________________________________ 57
Appearance ________________________________________ Steffon Rykker stands a little taller than average, with short gray hair, blue eyes, and lightly tanned skin. He retains a slight amount of musculature, appearing to be in good health and weight. An old wartime injury suffered in the Stepstones causing him to occasionally massage his right shoulder.
Reputation ________________________________________ Lord Steffon has earned a reputation for being an astute manager of money, overseeing the financial well-being of the Iron Throne. Steffon strives to be as fiscally conservative as possible, which in turn, causes him to be consistently at odds with the pet projects of the other Small Council members, and the Great Lords of the kingdom who seek Royal funding for frivolous expenditures. This in turn is only exacerbated by Lord Steffon’s own high opinion of himself and the skills that he possesses. He is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with more physically imposing and highly placed members of the realm, as he feels he does not get the respect he deserves.
Two of the more well-known facts, is that Lord Steffon seems to have an unending feud with Lord Loron Greyjoy over the Iron Fleet expenditures, and with Lord Hand Vaegon Celtigar over the crown’s ire with Lord Aerion Velaryon.
Relations ________________________________________ Lord Aerion Velaryon – Lord Rykker maintains a close relationship with his friend and ally Lord Aerion. He sees Aerion as a noble leader who was unrightfully stripped of his position of Hand of the Queen, along with him being a far better steward of the realm when it came to internal disputes within the Small Council. Steffon also has Aerion to thank for his beloved wife Elaena, whom he is deeply in love with. Lastly, Steffon agrees with Aerion regarding the prospects of a Great Council.
Lady Elaena Rykker – The love of his life, Lady Elaena is a woman of exceptional beauty and skill. She runs the day to day operations of House Rykker, and has provided three perfect children for Steffon. He never misses an anniversary or birthday with her, and if he has any weakness, it is his love for his wife.
Ser Renfred Rykker – Lord Steffon’s son and future of House Rykker. He has entrusted his son with the task of finding the possibility of an heir to the blood of Prince Viserys. He trusts his son to do the right thing, and believes he will make a fine Lord of House Rykker one day.
Lord Loron Greyjoy – Ever the enemy at small council meetings, along with being an Iron Islander, Lord Steffon does not like Lord Loron, the Master of Ships. He believes the man thinks too highly of himself, spends Royal resources too frivolously, and takes it upon himself to meddle in the affairs of the Master of Coin’s duties concerning trade.
Lord Lyonel Baratheon – Lord Lyonel is too powerful of a man to be overlooked. Not too long ago, a Baratheon damn near bankrupted the realm, and Steffon believes that the man holds too much influence within the court.
“Princess” Serenei Targaryen – Ever the unrefined “Princess” and advisor, Lord Steffon chafes at the idea of this girl one day being Queen. She is unrefined, disrespectful, and has an incessantly coarse and vulgar personality. Furthermore, is the girl’s odd infatuation with Ser Axel Baratheon, which only heightens Lord Steffon’s suspicion regarding Lord Lyonel Baratheon.
Renfred Rykker
Main Title; Ser Renfred General Title; Ser Rykker of Duskendale
Age ________________________________________ 25
Appearance ________________________________________ Field
Reputation ________________________________________ Not much is known about Ser Renfred Rykker, son of Lord Steffon Rykker. He has skill with sword and shield, along with riding horses, that much apparent with him winning a smaller regional tournament celebrating his parent’s twentieth anniversary. With him having been gone for nearly five years now, most that people can remember is that he was respectful, honorable, and far easier to deal with that his father. Renfred is known to be abroad with his cousins, and a portion of the Rykker levies, which leads some to believe he may be seeking fame and glory in the disputed lands as a sellsword company captain.
Relations ________________________________________ Lord Steffon Rykker – His father and mentor, Renfred loves his father as any son should. He respects what his father is trying to achieve in the realm as a whole, and knows best to let work stay at the Small Council chamber, and enjoy family time as it comes. He has vexed his father in one regard, with his interest in the “Princess” Serenei, to which his father has said, “Son, there is no reason for you to find interest in her. Trust me, when I say that she will not make a good wife or mother. You want a woman who will take care of you, who will cherish and appreciate you as though you were a priceless heirloom. That one, will tear your heart out, and cuckold you while she drains your vaults.”
Rhaenyra Rykker
Main Title; Lady General Title; Lady
Age ________________________________________ 17
Appearance ________________________________________ Lady Rhaenyra Rykker is the combination of two bloodlines, Old Valaryia and Westerosi Andal blood. Her hair is a bright blonde, almost silver in appearance in certain light. She has striking turquoise blue eyes, hinting at her Valaryian and Velaryon heritage. Rhaenyra is very beautiful, possessing an alluring figure, one only seeming to be accentuated by the rich silks and cloths she garbs herself in.
Reputation ________________________________________ Lady Rhaenyra is known as a sweet and doting daughter. She is always respectful, never speaking out of turn, except on very rare occasions when to remain silent would otherwise invite dishonor to herself or her family. Her skill with needlework is a point of pride with her, while she is also a rather skilled painter, a hobby she picked up while in King’s Landing with her father. She has yet to find a suiter, though no doubt offers have been put forth to Lord Steffon, he remains ever vigilant for what a future husband will be able to offer for her.
Relations ________________________________________ None of any real note, save her father who she loves.
Tyrek Lannister
Commander, The Dun Fort Master of Horses, The Dun Fort
@Celeste The most abridged version would be small time poaching/corruption/smuggling/criminal activities. Probably no worse than in any other town or village, but Three Corners seems to try and keep the outside eyes from finding out.
There is also a number of Faith Militant/Sparrow supporters, who provide weapons and food to the Sparrows. This may be know to a lesser degree, as those involved are doing their best to be secretive about it.
As for the ruling family, the Slynt's are doing both good things and bad things, depending on who you talk to. The eldest is a firm believer in the Seven, while the other two are a bit more... tolerant.
@MrDidact All in all sounds good. I like the idea of having that outside pressure to come back to the flock so to speak. Just be a full Targaryen bro, be one of us, no need for a silly cadet house. Aerion would of course politely tell them he will think about it, that he has much to ponder about.
I will have it to where his egg hatched at the same time as all the other eggs, perhaps in his new castle, as opposed to with the rest of the eggs. The Dragon, a pure white with streaks of gold upon it, would be named Jaenara. Still small though being young. Aerion would be very proud of his dragon, and very protective of it.
Now to figure out what marriages would be offered, or which Aerion might pursue.
Member
Vixere,
CaptainBritton
