SynopsisThe proud house Hightower has existed since the dawn of days when they were petty kings. They are one of the oldest houses in Westeros and the most powerful of the Tyrell's sworm houses. Resolute in their belief in the Faith of the Seven, the Hightowers have become famously wealthy due to their skill in trade. As well as boosting substantial financial reserves the Hightowers also can raise massive levies, up to three times that of other Tyrell vassal houses. The Hightowers rule from the oldest and wealthiest city in Westeros, Oldtown.
Head of HouseJorgon Hightower
SeatThe Hightower, Oldtown
DemesneHouse Hightower boosts control of Oldtown, the richest city in Westeros. Due to their stature and power they have several vassal houses sworn to them, which are House Beesbury of Honeyholt, House Bulwer of Blackcrown, House Costayne of the Three Towers, House Cuy of Sunhouse and House Mullendore of Uplands.
Recent HistoryDuring the War of the Five Kings the Hightowers remained neutral and silent until the arrival of Aegon VI Targaryen to Westeros. Boosting a well known history of loyalty to the Targaryen rulers, it was only natural that the Hightowers quickly pledged themselves to the son of Prince Rhaegar. During this time the Hightowers had conflicts with the Greyjoys, who attempted to ransack Oldtown. The Hightowers repelled their raiding attempts successfully but suffered some losses, including one of Lord Leyton Hightower's sons. Hightower soldiers followed the soon to be King Aegon into the final battle of the War of the Five Kings, helping to seize King's Landing. Then as the dead marched south the Hightowers committed men to stop them, helping to defeat the undead armies.
In the harsh four year winter which followed the Hightowers would prove invaluable to the realm in ensuring millions throughout Westeros were fed. Though the elder Lord Leyton would succumb the harsh weather, dying in 303 AC. His firstborn son Baelor "Brightsmile" would assume lordship of the ancient house. The proud house would receive the honor of hosting King Aegon's coronation and marriage in Oldtown, before the prestigious Starry Sept. The faithful Hightowers would condemn the faith militant's rebellion against the King, playing a key hand in putting down the fanatics' efforts in Oldtown. As the realm returned to stability Lord Baelor would shift his focus to his own family, mainly his two children Lymond and Loras. Baelor's rule would prove a positive one, the handsome lord a popular figure within the Reach. He also made it a key to further relations with the greater realm as his heir, Lymond would marry the beautiful Cassanda Targaryen, the second daughter of King Aegon. As well as marrying his other son to Mya Martell, forming a strong relationship with the Dornish ruling lords.
Baelor would pass away in 322 as lordship would pass on to Lymond. He was a man more skilled with tongue than sword. Lymond and his royal wife would have fourchildren, all attractive due in clear part to their Targaryen mother. Tragedy would strike the Hightowers as their eldest child, Rossan would drown at sea at only ten years old. This incident greatly impacted Lord Lymond as he'd turn to he faith more deeply. His second son Garland would later marry Samantha Redwyne, further strengthing bonds between the two wealthy Reach houses. His other son Ethon established himself as a skilled swordsman, one of the best in the Reach. Ethon would play a key hand in training the future head of the Hightower house, Jorgon. Lymond's only daughter, Margaery would be married to ------ -----, further increasing the influence of the powerful Reach house. During Lymond's reign the beloved King Aegon would die, which upset the lord as the king was a man he greatly respected. As King Aelyx took the throne Lymond would continue his fruitful rule. As the shiver's epidemic overtook the land Lymond would fall victim to it, perishing in 360 AC. His wife Cassandra would die in the brutal winter the next year.
Garland would assume lordship next, though his own rule would be very short. He would witness his brother Ethon be inducted into the new king Aerys IV's kingsguard, which brought honor to the proud house. His rule lasted a painfully short three years before heart failure would take his life in 363 AC. His wife Samantha had passed away ten years earlier, the grief stricken Hightower remarrying. He had spent the last decade of his life raising his two sons, Jorgon and Markas. Upon his death the young Jorgon would take lordship of the ancient house, a wealth of pressure upon his shoulders.
Realm Relations- House Targaryen - For generations the Hightowers were proud supporters of the Targaryen kings and queens. Upon Aegon VI's arrival to Westeros this loyalty and support was bestowed upon him. The Hightowers have remained utterly loyal to him and the crown since then. Though the recent upheavals within the royal have concerned the overlords of Oldtown, as well as rumors of the New Valyrian empire across the sea.
- House Tyrell - Relations between the Reach's two most powerful houses are quite tense, to the point they may very well boil over into a conflict. The Hightowers hold a resentment towards their liege lords, which has further intensified with the ascension of Lord Jorgon. Marriage proposals between the two wealthy houses have faltered, the most recent being a broken marriage proposal which had been in advanced talks by Lord Florian Tyrell. It would've wed his daughter, Elinor to Jorgon likely allieving tensions between the houses. The lords of Oldtown also look disappointingly upon the Tyrells insistence to pay more mind to crown matters than the Reach. The Hightowers have been forced to spend more of their own money to rebuild the largest region in Westeros, with little word on the matter from their overlords.
- House Redwyne - The Hightowers have had a fruitful relation with the wealthy Redwynes, a strong system of trade occurs between the two houses as well as a friendship between the leadership. Lord Jorgon Hightower's mother was a Redwyne and he is familiar with the ruling Redwyne family, having spent time in the Arbor in his early years.
- House Tarly - There exists a friendly, albeit not close relationship between the two powerful Reach houses. Mostly due to previous marriage agreements the most recent being Jeyne Tarly being married to Uthor Hightower. Lord Jorgon also has a friendly relation with Edwyn Tarly, heir to House Tarly.
- House Martell - Owning to a past generation marriage there exists a sturdy relationship between the two powerful houses. A trade pact is the foundation of their friendship, with a firm promise of military support as well. The agreement has made both houses even wealthier than before.
House Lannister - Due to a marriage alliance the relationship between the two very wealthy houses is a positive one. Trade between the Lannisters and Hightowers is plentiful, while a military pact ensures both houses have each other’s backs in a war. - House Baratheon - The relationship between the lords of Oldtown and the most powerful house in the Stormlands is a tense one. While not outwardly hostile there is plenty of bad blood between them due to the actions of Robert Baratheon after he forced himself on Loras Hightower's wife, Mya Martell. The Hightowers demanded blood, either Robert's execution or banishment to the Wall. Instead the man escaped justice and the relations between the two houses have been sour ever since.
Storyline PremiseHouse Hightower has long stood firm in Oldtown, one of the strongest sworn houses in the land. Boosting a massive amount of gold, a massive army of soldiers and a strong fleet at their disposal, it may be time for the Hightowers to once more be power players in Westoros. Lord Jorgon has Targaryen blood in his veins with the ambition to match.