EricRP

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

Hello! Would like to say that I'm interested in this, thought about joining this with Ser Clarent Crakehall alongside the House Crakehall. If there's still more room, of course. Don't mind spectating the RP!

@Raknarion

You're more than welcome to jump in with a sheet! Only seven posts to be fully caught up but a couple of biggies in the pipeline :)

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

@MrDidact@EricRP

Anything for my House Caron to do?

@NecroKnight

I've just mentioned your letter in a meeting that's in the pipeline. We'll see what the council makes of it.

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

Here's my sheet for review.

House Martell

Seat

Sunspear - Dorne



Sunspear, the capital of the principality of Dorne, is the largest and most iconic settlement in Dorne. The Spear Tower and Tower of the Sun are the first sights to greet any visitor whether by land or sea, and its Winding Walls have never been breached. They are fortifications bristling with scorpions and trebuchets, and the walls have many devious traps for would-be attackers. The fortress grew around the old castle of the Sandship, the original seat of House Martell, and a formidably constructed and defended castle if not an aesthetically pleasing one. The shadow city that lies near Sunspear's walls is the closest to a true city that Dorne has and it's cramped quarters and narrow alleys further complicate any attempts at attack. Taken with the brutality, cunning, and fearlessness of Dornish fighters, Sunspear is a nigh-impregnable fortress. And it stands as a defiant symbol against the might of the Iron Throne and its' dragons.

The shadow city is smaller than even White Harbor, but at over 20,000 inhabitants, it is the largest settlement in Dorne and one of the largest centers of trade; Planky Town is the largest trade center in Dorne and boasts about 15,000 citizens. Whereas the shadow city is a town of brick literally living in the shadow of Sunspear, Planky Town is so named because it is primarily composed of poleboats, houseboats, fishing skiffs, and barges that have been permanently anchored and lashed together, with some houses on the bank of the river. It lies on the northern side of the Greenblood at the mouth of the river and both it and the shadow city are part of House Martell's holdings. Due to their ramshackle nature however, neither settlement has extensive defenses. Sunspear has high walls, trebuchets, scorpions, and traps aplenty but the shadow city itself has no walls and little fortification. Planky Town has the hulks of old war galleys, carracks, and cogs that were salvaged and re-purposed as a wooden perimeter wall, all armed with ship-based artillery and manned by archers. Still, both towns would be difficult to assault due to famous Dornish ferocity and tenacity and the confusing sprawl of either city's layout.

And while Dorne has not been a naval power since Nymeria burned her 10,000 ships, House Martell has taken steps in recent generations to fix the Dornish deficit in warships. Sunspear boasts a modest shipyard and now has a middling amount of dromonds to patrol the coast near the fortress. The Planky Town harbor also boasts a naval shipyard and is able to support a fleet levy somewhat more sizable than that of Sunspear, but still smaller than even the White Harbor or Gulltown fleets. Ghaston Grey, has become something of a naval base for House Martell. The small, bleak island has long been used as a prison for the vilest of prisoners in Dorne but the squat yet solidly fortified castle now also houses another portion of the Martell fleet, and it is whispered that the Martells pardon skilled pirates and corsairs to man the island's dromonds.

Whatever the truth of these rumors, Ghaston Grey and its fleet have become a bulwark against incursion both from pirates and the Stormlands. Though tales have it that the pirate captained ships also raid the Stormlands themselves. Taken all together, the three Martell fleets would add up to an armada that would only just equal the Gulltown or White Harbor fleets, and even with all the ships from every coastal Dornish house put together, Dorne would have the smallest amount of ships in any of the Kingdoms. This is due to the scarcity of lumber in Dorne and the need for it to be imported for the most part. This has made building the Dornish fleets somewhat costly, but the Prince of Dorne feels that such a measure is vital to Dorne's continued security and has even gone so far as to hire sellsails from around the world to train his sailors and make them into a fierce fighting force.

History

House Nymeros Martell came about when Princess Nymeria of the Rhoynar came with her 10,000 ships and married Mors Martell, Lord of the Sandship. House Martell had been a middling house descended from Andal adventurers in a realm divided between multiple petty kings and fueding lords, and was dwarfed by several other families. However, after combining their strength together they defeated every rival and unified Dorne under their rule in Nymeria's War. Their House has reigned since, and subsequently abandoned many Andal customs in favor of Rhoynish ones. Mors Martell was styled as the Prince of Dorne rather than a king, and the rulership fell to their eldest child who was their daughter and not their son. Sunspear, particularly the Spear Tower and the Tower of the Sun, was constructed in Rhoynish fashion, and Dorne as a whole soon began to morph into a unique amalgamation of First Men, Andal, and Rhoynish culture unlike any of the other kingdoms.

House Martell is famous for being the only royal Westerosi family to defy the might of the Targaryens. The Hoares and the Gardeners were burnt to cinders. The Durrandons faded into the Baratheons. And even the proud and storied Houses of Arryn, Stark, and Lannister bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror. But House Martell lived up to their words. They did not bow when Queen Rhaenys asked Princess Meria Martell for their submission. They did not bend when the Iron Throne marched on Dorne, losing armies and that same queen in the process. And they did not break when King Aegon and Queen Visenya unleashed their dragons in fiery vengeance, setting Dorne ablaze. House Martell's ruthless cunning and guerrilla tactics ensured their survival and even victory even in the face of House Targaryen's overwhelming force. Dorne has remained independent from the Iron Throne to this day and the two nations have been in an uneasy peace for more than a century. While outright war hasn't erupted between Dorne and the rest of Westeros, raiders from Dorne periodically attack the Stormlands and the Reach, and the enmities between the three kingdoms are great.

For years, House Martell has remained largely impartial in the intrigues and politics of the Iron Throne. But in recent generations, they have begun to become more active on the political stage. Princess Dorea Martell began the work of building up the Dornish fleets as it became readily apparent that naval power was essential to the welfare of a nation. She also encouraged the expansion of Planky Town and the shadow city and the stimulation of trade, mining, and salt harvesting. She had plans to implement a desert greening campaign to make Dorne bloom that was still in the conceptual stage, but she died in a storm at sea at fifty, and her vision was never completed as it was judged too impractical by her heir.

Her son, Prince Quentyn married Tenya Drahar, daughter of a Myrish Magister and sister to the infamous Craghas Drahar. Quentyn was not as shrewd as Dorea, but quite ambitious still, when the Triarchy rose to conquer the Stepstones, Quentyn led the new Dornish fleet to help his allies conquer the isles and in so doing ensured drastically lower tolls for Dornish ships passing the Narrow Sea and a guaranteed strong trading partner. Quentyn's long-term ambition was to slowly faze out the Triarchy's control of the Stepstones and add them to his own realm, giving the Martells a huge advantage in international dealings. But this plan never came to fruition. For while Quentyn was famed as a warrior, it was his downfall as much as his glory. Quentyn loved fighting and was one of the most skilled duelists in Dorne. However he crossed blades with Lord Wyl over a perceived slight from the lord and though Quentyn mortally wounded the man, he had taken a wound from a poisoned blade and died abed in Sunspear surrounded by his family.

As such, his eldest child, Qoren became Prince of Dorne at twelve years of age and his first act as Prince was to be betrothed to Larra Wyl in order to stop the possibility of any further reprisals from either House and knit the realm back together once more. A council of regents that included his grandfather, mother, and uncle ruled in his name, but once he came of age at sixteen he ruled ably and justly, being groomed well for rulership. He left most of the day-to-day matters to his subordinates but showed decisive leadership and political acumen when it came to greater matters of state. He continued the work of his predecessors, developing Dorne into a stronger trade power and tightening ties with the Triarchy. At nineteen, he went to war for his uncle-in-law Craghas Drahar and led the Dornish contingent in the Triarchy's war against Daemon in the Stepstones. After five years of campaigning, they finally won and ended the Kingdom of the Stepstones, and House Martell was awarded with spoils such as coin and captured ships.

Dorne has been mostly peaceful since then, as Prince Qoren rules with a firm but just hand. Prince Qoren has fathered several children and his heir Aliandra is a precociously beautiful and charming girl that is adored throughout the realm. The future of House Martell looked bright, but recent upheavals in the rest of Westeros have cast dark clouds over their sun.

Members of the House

- Prince Qoren Martell, a charismatic and comely man of eight and thirty, reigning Prince of Dorne. Known as the Black Viper.

- Princess Larra Wyl, his lady wife, a graceful and slender woman of thirty, Princess Consort of Dorne.

- Princess Aliandra Martell, his eldest trueborn daughter, a precociously beautiful and clever girl of four and ten, heir to Dorne.

- Prince Doran Martell, his eldest trueborn son, a boy of three and ten. His personal squire.

- Prince Bors Martell, his second son, a boy of one and ten.

- Princess Meria Martell, his second daughter, a girl of ten.

- Prince Deziel Martell, his third son, a boy of eight.

- Princess Sylva Martell, his third daughter, a girl of five.

- Princess Tyene Martell, his youngest daughter, a babe of one.

- Ser Lewyn Sand, his eldest bastard son, born by a water priestess' daughter of the Orphans of the Greenblood, a young man of one and twenty. Household Knight of Sunspear.

- Ser Morgan Sand, his second bastard son, born of a Myrish Magister's daughter, young man of nine and ten. Household Knight of Sunspear.

- Elia Sand, his eldest bastard daughter, born of a female sellsail captain, a young woman of six and ten. Sworn Shield of Aliandra Martell.

- Myles Sand, his youngest bastard son, born of a Planky Town trader's daughter, a boy of five and ten. His personal squire.

- Dyanna Sand, his youngest bastard daughter, born of a Sunspear handmaiden, a girl of two and ten.

- Prince Dagos of the Greenblood, his grandfather, an orphan of the Greenblood, former Prince Consort of DOrne. An old man of five and seventy.

- Princess Tenya Drahar, his mother, sister to the infamous Craghas Drahar, former Princess Consort of Dorne. Known as the Myrmaid in her youth. A matronly woman of four and fifty.

- Prince Dickon Martell, his eldest uncle. A man of sixty. Lord Seneschal of Sunspear.

- Prince Nymor Martell, his youngest uncle. A man of five and fifty. Master-at-arms of Sunspear.

- Princess Mariah Martell, his aunt. A woman of eight and forty. Lady Treasurer of Sunspear.

- Prince Trystayne Martell, his brother. A man of five and thirty. Captain of the Guard of Sunspear.

- Princess Meria Martell, his eldest sister. A woman of three and thirty. Spymaster of Sunspear.

- Princess Obara Martell, his youngest sister. A woman of thirty. Justiciar of Sunspear and Chief Shariff of the Shadow City.

- Prince Oberyn Martell, his cousin by Dickon. A man of five and thirty. Maester of Sunspear.

- Princess Nymeria Martell, his cousin by Nymor. A woman of three and thirty. Warden of Ghaston Grey.

- Princess Delonne Martell, his cousin by Mariah. A woman of eight and twenty. A singer of great renown, known as Delonne the Gold.

- Various other cousins, nephews, and nieces, true born and bastard.

Prince Qoren Martell

Qoren Martell, Prince of Dorne, the Black Viper, is the Lord of Sunspear and ruler of Dorne. Qoren is the eldest son of Quentyn Martell, the Bold Viper and Tenya Drahar, the Myrmaid. Qoren is both similar to and different from his father in many ways. Qoren is just as good a fighter, just as brave, just as strong of will. And just as fond of the world's pleasures. But it is from his mother that he learned shrewdness and cunning. His father trained him in arms and he excelled at the saber, dagger, and spear. How to command men in battle and how to ride a horse. His father even had one of his mothers' cousin brought over to teach him how to fight like a bravo, though it is the spear that is his weapon of choice. But from his uncles, aunt, and mother he learned how to rule. He would never be an adept at numbers, or a master negotiator. But even as a boy he had a firm head on leadership skills and acting decisively. His grandfather, Dagos, as one of the orphans of the Greenblood taught him some of the ancient traditions and culture of the Rhoynar and from him he learned about their true mother tongue and about their religion. And though Qoren never considered himself religious, he has a fondness in his heart for the Orphans and the Mother Rhoyne they love as well.

Unlike his father, Qoren took his responsibilities much more seriously, and when Quentyn died, Qoren accepted them without regret or complaint. He accepted the betrothal to Lord Wyl's daughter as a necessity, and resolved even more strongly to learn from his father's mistakes and to rule well. Even though his uncles, aunt, and mother ruled in his name, he sat in at councils and meetings and was taught by example. Several young sons and daughters of nobles were brought to foster at Sunspear and he grew to be great friends with many of them, forging lasting bonds that would continue to hold Dorne together to this day. Once he became sixteen and was old enough to rule Sunspear in truth, he kept his council of regents as advisors and toured Dorne to better know his lands. His future wife soon came to foster at Sunspear, but she was still just a child, and Qoren's first romantic flame was a girl he met while travelling through the Greenblood, and the mother of his first child. Qoren had the same passions as his father, but managed to temper them so they did not interfere with his duty.

His first few years as Prince of Dorne were peaceful but he yearned to make his mark as a truly great ruler of Dorne. Once he heard of his uncle Craghas' death, he realized what he needed to do. He had no great love for the Crabfeeder, but he was kin all the same and he knew that having King Daemon ruling the Stepstones would not be well for Dorne. So when the Triarchy called for Dorne's aid in a second wave of attack against the sellsword kingdom, the nineteen year-old Prince of Dorne led his people to war for the first time in generations. He earned his spurs in the first year of the second wave, and was knighted by his uncle on the field of battle after his daring charge broke the courage of the enemy and sent them running. He often returned home to Sunspear or toured his mothers' city of Myr during the periods while the war was relatively quiet. During one of these quiet periods he fathered his second bastard upon a Magisters' daughter, a scandal that might have strained the alliance between the two nations had Qoren been less charismatic and generous in his recompense. He fathered his third bastard on a woman pirate who was captured in battle but became a lover of his while he was away from home. It was during the years of war that he earned the name of the Black Viper; for his handsome, dark features, his cunning, fearlessness, and ruthlessness in battle, and his propensity to use poisoned weapons.

Qoren slew the last sellsword king of the Stepstones himself and the alliance broke the kingdom for good and all. Qoren was awarded with gifts and honors from the Triarchy, a share of the looted gold and weapons, and a portion of the captured ships. Qoren took his treasures home to acclaim from his countrymen and finally married Larra. The little girl he had known had grown into a beautiful woman and their ceremony was attended by all the nobles of Dorne and several from the Triarchy. Qoren continued the work of expanding trade and industry and building Dorne into a naval power, all the while ruling fairly but firmly and fathering many heirs to Dorne and a few spares besides. All of his children learned about their Rhoynar ancestors and their culture, and Sunspear was a happy home for a large, tight-knight family.

Qoren was happy, but news of the succession in King's Landing have caused him no small amount of unease, as he fears that whoever wins may mean ill will for Dorne.

@MrDidact

Great job! Not that you need my blessing as co-GM but ship to characters when ready

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

Daemon

Heartless it had been. His daughter. A twisted monster. She'd not been due for another moon's cycle yet but when the raven came, Rhaenyra had flown into a black rage and been racked by a premature and tragic labour. For three nights her screams had risen high above the crashing tides around Dragonstone and even the pitiful cries of Syrax had been not half so mournful as the bitter, savage curses of a Princess scorned. He'd personally heard her curse their child and watched as she clawed at her stomach as though minded to tear the child from her bodily. Cursed it was. A shrivelled, twisted abomination with withered wing-like growths and a hole through the chest where a heart ought to have beaten. Daemon had it taken away and burned.

They ripped her heart out and now I will rip theirs out. He seethed. It was the boy; Aegon and his puppeteers- The Old Queen and the Hand. The Hightowers, the Greens. Whatever one wished to call them, they had the throne and had bought the time to consolidate. Rhaenyra, his niece, wife, mother to his twins had once been the one barrier keeping him from the Iron Throne; Viserys his brother and King elevated his firstborn daughter above the Prince in the line of succession and once she’d had sons of her own, then the King had trueborn heirs with his second wife; Alicent Hightower and Daemon’s only chance of rule was the chance he had taken. By marrying his niece he could rule at her side but the Hightowers had moved decisively whilst Rhaenyra was in no condition to react. He had wanted to retaliate Fire and Blood went his House words but he’d had to concede that his stepsons had the right of it; Viserys had, like as not, been dead long enough for the Greens to safeguard against every eventuality in time for the ravens to be sent with their infernal news.

He could very well imagine Ser Otto’s smug face, forming his machinations whilst Daemon’s brother’s corpse grew cold and hard. Alicent, that sour, fat bitch using her husband’s death to steal his daughter’s birthright and foist it upon her sour, fat son. Oh, she’d been comely in her youth. Daemon had broken her in whilst Jaehaerys still lived and the Hand’s daughter was a mere nursemaid to the old king at court. Age and the birthing bed had eroded what beauty she’d had and Daemon wanted nothing better than to feed her to Caraxes. The lot of them. Otto, Alicent, Aegon, Helaena and her brats, Aemond, Daeron… But if it was to be war, he’d need alliances, pacts, endless fucking meetings and coin. More than anything they’d need coin. The Kings Landing treasury was under Green control and the might of Hightower and Oldtown doubtless remained formidable. Dorne and Casterly Rock will waste little time declaring for Aegon he knew but surely his wife wasn’t without allies? Driftmark was a stone’s throw across the bay and he earnestly hoped his old war-buddy the Sea Snake was wasting little time readying his impressive naval forces. Yes, there was that unpleasant business with the nephew he’d killed in single combat but it wasn’t Daemon who’d started it… and that little matter of you paying to have his son and heir murdered? He preferred not to think on that…

Lady Jeyne Arryn had the Knights of the Vale though the onset of Winter would mean they would need to leave the mountains swiftly. She doesn’t love me either The last he or Rhaenyra had heard of Jeyne Arryn she was expressing her dismay at Daemon marrying her oldest friend. She’d sent that silly fucking falcon and Daemon had wrung its neck and left the missive unanswered. Again, he hoped his volatile nature hadn’t burned another bridge. The Eyrie must be visited but I would not be welcome He felt a pang of sorrow. The girl was at The Eyrie… Gods, she’d be a woman grown by now but he’d be a stranger to her. For a man who prided himself on always doing whatever he pleased, he had a lot of regrets…

Would Stark bestir himself to dabble in troubles so far south? Perhaps not. Winter was here and the Northmen would like as not hibernate before climbing out of the snows in a few years’ time once Spring returned… Still, it would do no harm to ask… he reasoned. The Riverlanders he hoped would prove loyal to the blacks although there were no guarantees, There were Stormland houses loyal to Rhaenyra, he knew but if the Greens had tapped up Lord Baratheon… How long had they been sowing these seeds? Had they courted Highgarden? Beyond a doubt, Hightower would have the full might of their liege lords at their disposal. Gods he thought, they’ve probably got a thousand Ironborn ships moving through the Stepstones towards us as we do nought! He’d long known he had no patience for command; whilst they waited, Aegon’s fat fingers closed ever more tightly around Rhaenyra’s crown yet to mount his dragon and fly straight for the Red Keep was the most Daemon thing he could possibly do and even in this rage he could see the folly in it.

He’d at least had the sense to call the banners; acting on his wife’s behalf he’d written to every Lord and Castle, Keep and House in Westeros as well as petitioning the nine free cities (though his hopes of persuading the Triarchy to his cause was vain at best) whilst Rhaenyra convalesced in her chambers. Milk of poppy, blessedly, dulling her senses.

Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, Rightful Queen of Westeros, of the Andals, the First Men, the Rhoynar. Rightful First Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Heiress to King Viserys by right, Protector of the Realm hereby declares War upon the Usurper, Aegon Hightower, his Lady Mother, Alicent – the former Queen and upon her House who have sought to steal my birthright.
Upon any and all that would stand with the Usurper and his ‘green thieves’. Upon any that will not bestir themselves to join my cause and restore to me the crown that they have stolen so that I might defend and protect your rights and honour in the years to come as I ask of you to protect mine today.

Rally your troops, ready your ships and garrison your homes. Saddle your horses and sharpen your swords. Bend no knees for this false king and his vile schemers and I vow that we will sweep this blight from history and your sacrifices, bravery and honour shall be rewarded in perpetuity.

Fire and Blood

Rhaenyra Targaryen- Your true queen.

He’d tried to write with Rhaenyra’s voice; calling the ‘King’ by his mother’s name was, he thought, a nice touch; that pretender is no Targaryen… And he’d deliberately left his own name out of the missive; he had more enemies than he did friends and for every man that might go to war for him, there were twenty that would march for his wife.

Even before the ravens had flown, pledges of loyalty had come in reponse to Aegon’s letter. It was reassuring to know that Dragonstone would scarcely stand alone in this damnable challenge. He looked out across the bay. Iron grey skies merged into Iron grey waters. Not a breath of wind seemed to stir the sails of the brightly painted cogs from Braavos, the Pentoshi schooners and long galleys sailed in from Volantis. Within a week, these trading ships will be gone and the bay filled with War Galleys and longships… he hoped. An ensemble fleet of Black loyalists to ally with the might of Driftmark would certainly allay some of his misgivings about what was to come, though he also knew that the principal pieces in any game of Cyvasse were the dragons. Fire & Blood would be in plentiful supply in what was to come- he’d tasted his share during his long years in the Stepstones. We shall see if Aegon and his brothers much like the portion they’ve carved themselves…

Maester Gerardys approached so softly, Daemon seeing his shadow in the flickering candlelight at his side was the first intimation he had of the old man’s approach. Gerardys had come to Dragonstone when Viserys made Rhaenyra Crown Princess and Daemon had left. He was always passing careful around Daemon since the marriage; as though fearing every tale and rumour he’d heard of his lady’s uncle and husband was not only true, but slightly downplayed.

“My Lord, the Princess…”
“The Queen”
“My apologies! The Queen is awake and asks for you. She is weak but insists she must rise… I”
“Keep her abed. I will be there presently.” He nodded Gerardys away in a curt dismissal.
“As you will, My lord..” The maester shuffled out as silently as he’d appeared. Finally, something flickered across the monochrome seascape; a black shadow- monstrous and dread, crawling through the air gracelessly away to scavenge a meal. The Cannibal, he was called and was a huge wild dragon that had probably been around since Aegon the Conqueror’s day and had never been tamed. He was a huge nuisance, fond of attacking young dragons and hatchlings alike- giving him his name.

With dragons like that, we’d soon have Rhaenyra on that throne… And, all of a sudden, Daemon knew he’d need to write another letter…

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

I have no plans to post as Hightower at present. My next Post will be as Daemon

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

Aemond One-Eye

House: Targaryen (Greens)

Bio: The Old King once said that every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land. The two sides of that coin are madness and greatness. It is arguable what side Prince Aemond landed on, for he has shades of both. Aemond is incredibly bold, free-spirited, determined, cunning, and is a highly skilled warrior. But he is also deceitful, ruthless, quick to anger, slow to forgive, and can be terribly cruel. In many ways Aemond is much like his uncle Daemon, the Rogue Prince, though the two have more enmity than familial love for each other. No matter what one thinks of Prince Aemond however, none can deny that even at his young age, he will be remembered long after he is dead.

Besides being a naturally gifted fighter, Aemond is widely known throughout the land for his bond with Vhaghar, the oldest, largest, and most powerful living dragon and one of the original beasts to have subdued Westeros. But though many lords and smallfolk may look up in awe whenever they witness Vhagar fly overhead, many more regard the Prince with dread. His replacement eye, the sapphire that took the place of his own right eye has sprouted all manner of superstition among the peasantry and nobility alike. Aemond, with his temper and inclination to cruelty, is also known to sometimes exact harsh retribution for any who offend him. The Prince, with his night-black armor chased with gold, his glinting sapphire eye, and his predatory smirk all coupled with his infamous reputation inspire a fear in high and lowborn alike when the prince passes. By all accounts, Aemond enjoys this.

Even as a boy, Aemond was different. His birth had been enough for his uncle Daemon to be displeased with him, and his half-sister Rhaenyra had never warmed to the boy. Aemond had been to hot-tempered and willful to become truly close to either his father or mother. As such Aemond's true friends in his childhood had been his full-brothers Aegon and Daeron, and it is to his brothers that he is loyal and steadfast. For his nephews however, he had never respected or liked them, the personal emnity between his mother and his sister being passed down to their children and only growing by the year. Despite their closeness in age and the blood they shared, Aemond resented them for usurping the claims of his brothers' and once he heard of the rumors of their birth, the scorn and condemnation he had for them only grew. All the time spent with them at feasts, training at arms, and studying under the same maester had only amplified the rivalry; as the boys would take many chances to insult or cause mischief with each other, which Aemond often instigated.

At first it was simply the rivalry of children, until Aemond left with his close family to attend his uncle-in-law, Ser Laenor Velaryon's funeral. Aemond didn't much car for Laenor, in fact he often made mock of him for his rumored proclivities, but he went all the same. He was the only one of his siblings not to have claimed a dragon and his father suggested that he might go to Dragonstone after the funeral and claim an egg or hatchling if he was "bold enough". Aemond was annoyed by this remark, resenting his lack of a dragon. Aemond wanted to make a name for himself, prove himself the blood of the dragon as a young boy who had little chance to inherit. As such he resolved to be remembered for his deeds, and to that end, he planned to claim Vhagar, the greatest dragon of them all. Vhagar would be on Driftmark as she was now without a rider, and he knew that his parents would never allow him to ride her, and would commence the task in secret.

After the funeral, when the castle was asleep and with his heart pounding like thunder, he snuck into Vhagar's enclosure and was confronted by his three-year old nephew Joffrey. The boy yelled at him, telling him to stay away, and Aemond attempted to keep him quiet by threatening and slapping him. When that didn't work, he shoved him into a pile of dragon droppings. Aemond frantically mounted Vhagar, who accepted him, and the old dragon broke free of her chains and flew two circles before landing. It had been the happiest moment of his life. Joff however had alerted Jacaerys and Lucerys, his older brothers. The boys all fought, Aemond holding his ground as they sparred with wooden swords. In the heat of the moment, Aemond mocked his nephews and called them Strongs. Jace, understanding the comment, jumped on Aemond and the fight renewed in earnest. Aemond eventually gained the upper hand and started to savagely beat Jace, bloodying and bruising him, until Luke swiped at Aemond's face with his dagger and took out Aemond's right eye. The Kingsguard soon arrived on the scene and pulled the boys off of each other, and a maester was called to staunch Aemond's wounds.

While Aemond still had bandages wrapped around his head, his mother Alicent called for Luke to lose an eye as penance but his father refused. Rhaenyra however demanded that Aemond be questioned sharply on where he had heard the accusation of her sons' bastardy. Viserys forced him to reveal that he had heard the rumor from his brother Aegon. The whole incident had solidified their rivalry into something that could not be easily forgotten or salvaged, and though Aemond hated them for the loss of his eye, he took no immediate revenge as he considered his claiming of Vhagar as a more than fair trade. Aemond would eventually grow into a prodigious fighter even with the loss of one eye under the tutelage of Ser Criston Cole. Aemond would turn into a comely and occasionally charming young man, even with his reputation, and he would acquire a great many hangers-on and young knights as companions, and even drew the admiration of many maidens. He would spend his days training, flying, or making merry with his cronies, all the while enjoying the courtly rivalry between the blacks and greens and engaging in petty slights and cruel games.

Years later, with the death of his father and the ascension of his brother, a move which Aemond had long suspected, he looked forward to the opportunity to make a name for himself as war seemed sure to occur. Aemond cared little about the throne, but as long as Aegon wanted to hold it, he would fight for his brother; especially if it meant he could finally put the Strong boys in their place. Whether peace or war comes, he will follow his brother's lead, but he is intent on winning if it comes to war, and at any measure necessary. Currently, Aemond is at court in the Red Keep, eager to join the green council and help plan the defeat of Rhaenyra.

There's my Aemond sheet, I hope it serves.

@MrDidact

Top drawer- off to characters with ye

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

Rhaenyra's pretty much done, even if I still have to work on the sons.
May I drop her in the Characters tab?

@Ezekiel

Ship her into Characters. I'm currently working on a Daemon post so you may want to hang fire a moment on the IC

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

@NecroKnight Why's that?

So post up. Lot of logistics, so that may be a bit of a chore, but it is necessary in war. Corlys will probably try to angle for some kind of peace summit though.

@EricRP What do you think of the Velaryons having war elephants? Corlys transported some when he was off travelling in the books, but they died IIRC. I thought it might be interesting to have them be alive and breeding in this RP though, could make for some cool battles. I'm fine if you won't allow that though.

Also had to point out that Orwyle was Grand Maester during this time, not Munkun. And that the Sept of Baelor hasn't been constructed yet, and that the coronation was in the Dragonpit.

I'll have an Aemond sheet up by tomorrow night at the latest.

@MrDidact

Elephants are fine
Have been flagged about Baelor but forgot to edit
Knew about Munkun but just gonna leave it because every post has quoted the letter now
Same with the coronation - I'll have to leave it be because each intro post has quoted it DX

At a funeral today so will catch up later/early tomorrow

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

House Hightower
Seat:
The Hightower - Oldtown



The family is ancient, existing since the dawn of days when they were petty-kings. While most scholars believe they descend from the First Men, Maester Yandel posits they descend from the seafarers and traders that settled at the top of the Whispering Sound in an earlier time, men who came to Westeros before the First Men and seem to have founded the original incarnation of Oldtown. Whatever the truth, the Hightowers resided in the ancient black stone fortress of Battle Isle at the mouth of the Honeywine before the "Hightower" of stone was built.

The Hightowers built four successive wooden beacon towers atop the fortress. The legendary King Uthor of the High Tower is said to have commissioned Bran the Builder or his son Brandon to design the fifth tower, one built entirely of stone. Uthor's sons, King Urrigon and Prince Peremore the Twisted, were integral in the foundation of the Citadel.

During these early days Oldtown was threatened and sacked many times, including by ironborn raiders, Dornishmen, and the armies of the Kings of the Reach, House Gardener of Highgarden. The Kings of the High Tower raised strong walls and higher towers to keep any further invaders out. Oldtown was not brought into the realm of the Gardeners by conquest, but by marriage, during the reigns of King Lymond Hightower and King Garland II Gardener. Lymond the Sea Lion wed the daughter of Garland, while Garland put aside his own wives to marry Lymond's daughter.

During the Andal invasion, the Hightowers and the Gardeners allied with the newcomers. Thus they were able to keep their wealth, lands and privileges. Protected by the might of Highgarden, the lords of Oldtown turned their eyes to trade and commerce and grew with every generation to become one of the richest and most powerful noble families in Westeros. The Hightowers were also one of the first great lords to accept the Faith of the Seven and thus gave their patronage to the establishment of the office of High Septon and the building of the Starry Sept as the center of the Faith.



Members of the House:
Ser Otto Hightower- Hand of the King - Aegon II's Grandfather - 65
The Queen Mother Alicent Targaryen- 40 (Viserys’ Widow)
Gwayne Hightower– Second in Command of City Guard - 38 - Queen's brother
Lord Ormund Hightower – Commander of Hightower Army in the Reach - 45
Ser Brynden Hightower – A Knight in Lord Ormund's service – 17
Ser Hobert Hightower – A Knight in Lord Ormund's service – 29

Character Sheets:

Hightower, Ser Otto

History

Younger brother to Lord Hightower, Ser Otto was famed for his intellect, learning and wise counsel. In Aegon II, Ser Otto begins to serve as Hand to his third king, having served Jaehaerys and Viserys previously. Serving loyally at court, Otto was called into the role when Jaehaerys' wife and son (Baelon- who was serving as Hand to his father) died, leaving the King grief-stricken, ill and bedridden. Ser Otto brought his daughter, Alicent to Court to nurse the ailing King. Otto effectively ran the Kingdom until Jay-Hay finally gave up the ghost and passed into eternal sleep. Viserys kept him in the office and he became an ever prized member of the small council during his reign.

Viserys and the Queen already had a daughter, Rhaenyra who Otto loved as though she were his own. Alicent also remained at court and she too got on well with the little princess. Ever a thorn in his side was Viserys' younger brother, Prince Daemon. More often than not, Otto's average week would involve cleaning up evidence of one of the Prince's indiscretions down in King's Landing. Once he even put a live snail up a tavern wench's bumhole and it fell to Otto to reach in the old cookie jar. Grimmer and grimmer. He quarreled with Viserys at length about Daemon and urged the King to recognise little Rhaenyra as his true heir. Daemon, Otto was certain, would make a dreadful king whereas the Princess was well-loved.

Viserys was only moved to heed Ser Otto after moving Daemon from Master of Coin to Master of Laws to Captain of the Gold Cloaks. He seemed better suited to life on the streets but when Viserys' wife, Queen Aemma (an Arryn) died birthing the King a son and male heir and the baby died a day later, Daemon was heard mocking the boy as "Heir for a day!" on the Street of Sisters. Daemon's infernal presence at Court was finally at an end, a furious and bereaved Viserys declaring Rhaenyra his preferred heiress and not his reckless younger brother.


Daemon left to war on the Stepstones and a time of peace and plenty followed in Kings Landing. Alicent and Viserys grew close as she helped him through his misery. Turns out she helped him through it ALL NIGHT LONG and when he declared his intention to marry Otto's daughter, everyone was generally pleased. Rhaenyra was coming into her womanhood but liked Alicent well and was grateful for her comforting Viserys through some difficult years.

When the King and Alicent had a healthy son of their own, Aegon. Ser Otto insisted the King set Rhaenyra aside as heir and recognise Aegon in accordance with the Great Council of 101AC. Viserys reminded him that it was HE who had insisted Rhaenyra inherit rather than Daemon and after cross words, Otto was dismissed from his office as Hand and returned to Hightower in Oldtown where his brother was losing his battle against a bloody flux.

Five years into the marriage, Daemon returned during a queer tourney that saw the beginnings of what would grow into a great schism within House Targaryen. Alicent had already borne the King three children; four year old Aegon, Two Year old Helaena and the baby Aemond. Alicent dressed in a deep green dress whilst Rhaenyra, thirteen by now and a stunning beauty, was seen to wear Targaryen black with red embellishments. This was noted because the Tourney was in honour of the King and Alicent's fifth wedding anniversary. The day would be Rhaenyra's, however, as Ser Criston Cole- wearing her favour- unhorsed every opponent, including Gwayne- Otto's youngest son and the Queen's brother in the final. From this point onward the Queen's supporters were known as Greens and the Princess' known as Blacks.

Otto was recalled to serve as Hand once more in 120AC. Alicent had borne Viserys a third son, Daeron and there had been much grief for both Green and Black factions during a tumultuous year. Lyonel Strong (who had replaced Otto as Hand) burned to death along with his son in a fire at Harrenhal. He would spend the next nine years plotting with his daughter to strengthen the Hightower position after Viserys' death. When it finally came for him in 129AC, Ser Otto and the Queen moved swiftly, not publishing any word of Viserys' demise until the High Septon had crowned Aegon as Aegon II Targaryen. No doubt Rhaenyra and her latest husband Prince Daemon (her own uncle and Otto's nemesis) would be livid.

The Greens would be ready.

Personality

Patient, clever and if needs be, calculating. Ser Otto always felt he had the better mental faculties to rule but being a second son it was his older brother who would inherit. Ser Otto likes order. He likes things to run smoothly and cannot abide the sort of chaos in which Prince Daemon seems to revel. War is a last resort but in his mind Aegon II is the rightful heir to the throne. He acknowledges the hypocrisy in this; it was he who urged Viserys to favour Rhaenyra in the first place. That was borne out of spite, all Daemon had a talent for was making enemies and as King? It didn't bear thinking about.

He's proud of how high the House has risen through the industry and opportunism of himself and latterly his daughter. His Lord father and brother had to look up to him and now his nephew the newest Lord Hightower is a long ways beneath his office and that of his daughter, the Queen Mother.

He loved Rhaenyra as a child but the day she chose to wear black to a Wedding Anniversary was the day she changed for him. She let that scumbag Daemon take her maidenhead and then set aside her Lord Husband to spawn bastards with Harwin Strong. And her latest marriage? Daemon. The man would do anything to get his hands on the Iron Throne and evidently if he can't be the King, he'll marry the future Queen. Well. Ser Otto has thwarted his old rival once again.

The Queen Mother

Alicent Targaryen (nee Hightower)
History
A fourth child of a second son, Alicent was scarce earmarked for greatness from birth. Yes she's highborn and yes House Hightower is rich, ancient and renowned but Queen of the Seven Kingdoms? Behave yourself!

"All you got's yer cunny girl!" a travelling crone told her at an Oldtown fair in her youth. The wizened old hag had told Alicent that men had their honour and their valour whereas women only had the wet heat between their legs that could get them anywhere if used correctly. Mayhaps that's why this old bitch was whispering filth to little girls in some backstreet sideshow for a copper a day. As bad as the advice sounds, Alicent remembered it and in a queer sort of way it's worked out splendidly.

When her Uncle, Lord Hightower found her thighs wrapped around his squire's face on the night of her fourteeth nameday, she'd been packaged off to King's landing and the Squire had lost his tongue... shame, he'd used it well. King's Landing saw he back in the custody of her father, Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower. Ser Otto made no mention of her indiscretions but swiftly urged her to serve for the King who was ailing having lost his son and wife of late.

She soon became a welcome sight around court; favoured by many for her diligent and dutiful care of the Old King in his darkest hours. Indeed, after a great feast to honour what would turn out to be Jaehaerys I's last nameday, the dashing Prince Daemon took her to bed and mounted her harder than Caraxes. She'd cried out so many times she prayed her father didn't hear along with half the City. Small mercy he didn't get her with child. "All you got's yer cunny, girl!" The crone had promised. Worked for her!

In the final months of Jaehaerys' life, it was his eldest living son, the kind and gentle Prince Viserys who came to spend more time with her. Viserys was all courtesy- a family man, wed to Aemma Arryn with a beautiful little daughter, Princess Rhaenyra who was forever in the presence of her dragon Syrax. Though Alicent noted how his sad eyes would often trail after her. All in good time She thought.

After the death of Jaehaerys, Alicent was kept on at court, she was close to her father and the Targaryen family were grateful for her care for him towards the end. When new King, Viserys lost his wife and son within a day of one another, Alicent was of great comfort as she'd been for Viserys' father. She'd soon taken the King between her legs but was coy enough to persuade him to make an honest woman of her, for the love he bore her father as Hand of the King. Sure enough, within a few years her lover wed her and took Alicent Hightower for his new Queen. She used her "cunny" to great effect, bearing Viserys two strong boys and, in between, a beautiful daughter in time for the fateful 5 year wedding festivities. A Tourney in Kings Landing in which she was bedecked in a rich green garment, as were her infant children and supporters.

It was noticed that Rhaenyra, Viserys' thirteen year old daughter from his marriage to Queen Aemma, wore black of House Targaryen. The Princess of Dragonstone had clearly drawn the battlelines. Alicent was hurt, as Criston Cole dumped her little brother, Gwayne on his arse in the final tilt and Alicent was glad the day was at an end. Daemon had returned to pledge loyalty to his brother once more but the love was to be short-lived. Alicent couldn't have Daemon back on the scene; one word of their night of passion could threaten her position severely and she wouldn't put it past him to brag of his conquest just to one-up Viserys. She went to speak with Rhaenyra...

After impressing upon the Princess that women had one weapon men could never brag of, everything fell perfectly into place; with Alicent's urging still fresh in her ears all it took was a tip-off to Criston Cole and the sordid tryst between Daemon and the Princess was discovered. Viserys banished Daemon from Westeros and Rhaenyra went back to Dragonstone and was promptly married off to Laenor Velaryon once she was of age. Pleased with her work, she tried to press upon Viserys that Aegon should be rightful heir, rather than Rhaenyra. Her father Ser Otto had said as much to the King two years previous and lost his office for it. Still, stubbornly, Viserys maintained he had made his decision and that should be an end to it.

He tried his best to foster love between his children with Alicent and Rhaenyra's brood with Laenor, though it was almost common knowledge Harwin Strong- the Captain of her personal guard was the boys' true father. Viserys abhorred this talk and had dragon eggs placed in each of Rhaenyra's boys' cribs - to many people's surprise they all hatched dragons. It was enough for the King but whispers continued ever after. Even in 120AC when Laenor, his sister, Harwin Strong and his father all perished in unrelated incidents in what came to be known as the 'Red Spring'. One benefit was that Alicent's father was recalled to resume his office as hand of the King. Any talk of heirs and heiresses was strictly off limits so for nine years, her and her father privately discussed how best to move once Viserys passed on. They kept manouvering Greens into the small council piece by piece until they were sure every key player at court was their own catspaw.

In 129AC, the reign of Viserys Targaryen, the First of his name was at an end. Alicent locked their chamber door and moved swiftly, summoning her Father and the High Septon. Aegon was crowned before any Ravens were permitted to leave Kings Landing and here we are.

Personality
History might paint her as grasping and scheming but she only ever acted in the interests of her family; first Hightower and later Targaryen, but her own branch of it. The Great Council of 101AC decreed that her firstborn son, Aegon should inherit ahead of his older half-sister. Male primogenesis was what had been agreed.

Alicent loves her children and was very fond of her husband. Was it ever love? Perhaps, there were moments but the final years became a desperate wait to put into action her grand play for the crown to pass to Aegon. When Rhaenyra married Daemon she lost her final shred of respect for the Princess. That she was heavy with her and Daemon's third child at the point of Viserys' death was ideal. One fewer dragon and rider out of the game.

The Dance of Dragons - (ASoI&F) (GoT) - [Openly Recruiting]

@EricRP

Has it been revealed yet, that Aegon is crowned King?

Or has the realm simply heard that the current King has died?

@NecroKnight

Read post 1: there's been a notice to announce both pieces of news. Go from there