MrDidact

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

Sunspear

The news came to Qoren on a beautiful day. He had been watching the sun play over the ocean near Sunspear, watching the bustle of the city that clung to the walls of the palace, and the ships flowing to and from the port. A goblet of wine was in his hand, and he sipped, watching his city with a smile on his face. Several steps registered in the vicinity and he heard a male voice cough. Most likely Oberyn, the Maester. He confirmed it a moment later when he said, "My prince. There has been urgent news." It was rare for a man to be assigned to the same family he came from but Qoren had pulled strings to make sure Oberyn went home and not to some foreign nobleman.

Qoren turned, setting down the goblet, "Aliandra isn't pregnant is she? I knew she was getting too sweet on that Yronwood boy."

Oberyn lowered his head, "No, my prince. I'm afraid it's much more urgent then that. Your sister heard of grave tidings. She told me to tell you it pertained to the Greens and Blacks."

Qoren cursed. Those damned Targaryens could never just leave the rest of the world well enough alone with their feuds. When dragons fought, the sheep burned. And the snake was wise to hide.

He replied, "Call the council together. And have the servants set up wine and food. I sense I'll need a few drinks to get through this." His cousin nodded and retreated. Qoren slipped out of his seat on the balcony and returned to his bedchambers. Larra was out, probably entertaining guests. But she'd come to the meeting, he was sure of it.

Qoren changed from his simple silk shirt that bared his chest to the world into an ornate golden robe, with the Martell spear and sun on its' back. He stepped out of the room, saber and dagger strapped to his hip, and the guardsmen followed to keep in step with him, his brother Trystayne and Captain of the Guard among them.

The entourage walked through the Tower of the Sun and to the dull squad fortress that sat in the middle of the palace, the old castle of the Sandship. The great hall and royal apartments may have been found in the Tower of the Sun, but it was the Sandship where meetings of the council were held. Qoren entered the structure that seemed so much like a beached dromond bleached by the sun.

By the time he entered the council chamber and Trystayne took his place by the door, the rest of them were already there. Uncle Dickon, his Senseschal; Uncle Nymor, the Master-at-arms; Aunt Mariah, the treasurer; his oldest sister Meria, the spymaster; his youngest sister Obara, his justiciar, and Maester Oberyn were all there. Along with his wife Larra Wyl and his mother, Tenya Drahar, the Myrmaid. Though, Myrmatron was more accurate. Not that she would ever hear Qoren say that.

Many though Tenya didn't belong on the council. That she should enjoy her dotage as his grandfather Dagos does. But Tenya had been Princess Regent while he had been a boy, and helped steer the realm capably. She deserved a place now, even with him leading. Qoren nodded to each and took his seat at the head of the table, looking at Meria first.

"There are many things I'd much rather be doing than sitting here, so let's get straight to the point. Why did you wish for us to all meet Meria? What's going on in King's Landing?"

Meria had never married despite their mother's best efforts, and had instead elected to remain in service to Qoren. He suspected that she was carrying on as a paramour to one of his knights however. Not that he knew who, or that he would ever find out. She was the spymaster after all.

His sister, with her short black hair and wide nut-brown eyes said, "Ravens have flown to all the keeps of the Six Kingdoms from King's Landing to proclaim the news. We were due to be informed within a few days by the Citadel, but my informants in King's Landing spread the word to me. This was a well-kept secret. I didn't hear of it until it had already happened."

Nymor shook his head and said, "What news? Out with it already." Qoren suspected what she would say next, and his heart jumped.

Meria replied, "King Viserys has died, likely for quite some days now. And now Aegon sits on the Iron Throne." Everyone was flabbergasted. There was much trading of concerned looks and murmurs while Qoren digested the news, his stomach churning.

Larra spoke up, "Why should we be concerned of this? Whichever dragon arse sits on that ugly chair should be of no matter to us. This is Dorne, we have no part in this."

Dickon intoned, "That may be the case for now, but it may very well change. We all know that Rhaenyra will not stand for this. Neither will Daemon." Many shuddered at the mention of the Rogue Prince, whose Blood Wyrm and Dark Sister had sent countless Dornishmen to early graves.

Oberyn said, "My good cousin is right. There may be war in the north, but we need not take any part."

Tenya replied harshly, "You're a fool if you think that. Rhaenyra and Aegon will compete to see who holds the crown in the end. And they will call on every avenue of help they can. Expect both of them to send messages to us shortly."

Nymeria scoffed, "We can tell them no. There is no reason for us to send Dornishmen to die for a foreign war."

Larra, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation, cursed, "No, Dickon is right. Whoever holds the Iron Throne may end up being an enemy. Daemon has no love for Dorne of the Triarchy, our closest ally. Should Rhaenyra win, I have little doubt Daemon will seek revenge and use the Iron Throne's armies to do it. He almost destroyed the last army we sent to face him. With the might of six kingdoms behind him, he would be nigh unstoppable."

That sobered everyone at the table, until Oberyn said, "And Aegon?"

This time Meria is the one who spoke. The spymaster said, "Aegon has no personal quarrel with Dorne. But plenty of his bannermen do. Those bastards that live in the Red Mountains keep raiding their settlements. And the Triarchy is loved even less for their tolls and piracy. The Stormlanders or the Reachman could convince him to send forces against the Triarchy or us or both. Even if only the Triarchy is targeted, the magisters will expect us to answer a call to arms or else Qoren risks breaking the oath of alliance. If we do nothing, it could very well lead to war, no matter who wins."

In the silence that followed, Tenya spoke, "So what should we do?" They all looked to Qoren.

The Prince of Dorne, who remained silent all the while, looked each of them in the eye before saying, "We cannot do nothing. We can hope that the dragons sort out their issues or leave us alone, but we must prepare for the worst. I will raise the banners. All of them. Every house will raise every fighting man and woman they can and fortify their positions. Ready the fleets. For now, we take a defensive stance."

He looked at Nymor, "Uncle, I give you the title of Lord Marshal and task you with the overseeing of our military readiness. See to it that we stand ready." Nymor nodded. He turned to Oberyn, "Send a message to my cousin Nymeria. Tell her that I name her my Grand Admiral and recall her to Sunspear to oversee the readiness of our ships and to name a new Warden of Ghaston Grey in her place." His cousin voiced his assent.

Qoren turned to his mother, "Send word to our contacts in the Magister Council of the Three Daughters. Tell them they should prepare as well, should war threaten them. And that we should stand together to face any danger." She agreed.

Now he spoke to Meria, "Keep me appraised of the situation. I know you have contacts with traders from all around the world. Collect as much information as you can, even rumors and hearsay about the goings on in the rest of Westeros. If it sounds important relay it to me." His sister inclined her head.

He addressed his aunt Mariah who had been silent thus far, "We may have need of surplus coin, should war arise. I won't raise the taxes but begin an evaluation of the treasury and our financial state, see how much we can bear if war comes. I want this report as soon as possible."

"As you command, nephew."

He spoke to Dickon, "Ask my bannermen to come to court to attend me so we may discuss this succession crisis. I wish to assure them that we are doing everything we can to ensure Dorne's well-being under this potential threat." Dickon nodded.

Qoren spoke to them all, "I hope war doesn't come, but it may be out of our hands. Perhaps not now, perhaps not even this year. But whatever dragon wins may set their eye on Dorne. We must be prepared. I will not declare for any side. But I imagine they will come seeking our aid. I will not be caught unprepared. Now go, you all have a lot of work to do."

They began filing out, one by one, until only he and Larra were left.

Larra came to him and stroked his cheek. He held her hand as she said, "If they come to ask our aid, who will you help?"

Qoren shook his head, "I know not. I don't even know if I will answer such a call. Any path could still lead us to war, and the death of my countrymen. There is little chance this can be avoided."

Larra stared down at the floor, "You hope for it, don't you?"

Qoren started to shake his head but Larra said, "No. I know you. You love fighting. You love the violence. The thrill. You say you don't want to fight, but I know that you long to be at war again. For glory, like your father."

Qoren said nothing, and Larra left him alone.

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

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.

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

@Abefroeman I mostly only used show canon for events that happened beyond the books. So there was a Myrcella attack in our timeline because of that.

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

@bloonewb I could swing it, what would it be about?

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

@Abefroeman Oh sorry, I had a brain fart.

He's lord of Starfall lol.

Darkstar is kind of an outlaw in the books now, marked to die. You'd have to explain why that wouldn't be the case now.

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

@Abefroeman Indeed. He grew up to be the Sword of the Morning and Lord of Evenfall Hall.

@BigPapaBelial I'll try and see if I can come up with a concise, yet informative summary.

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

@Monochromatic Rainbow

spoilers

They probably would have dug their way through

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

@Monochromatic Rainbow

Spoilers

It felt appropriate to me. What's gonna take down a giant ice wall? A giant fire breathing dragon of course.

Having the Night King pull out a horn and blowing it would have been even more out of left field.

It reminds me that I'm planning on fleshing out the White Walkers a bit more in this story.

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

@Monochromatic Rainbow

Spoiler stuff kinda

Jon probably isn't a demographic expert and the North is supposed to be thinly populated. There's probably a million or so people in the North, maybe a bit less, and having that many people crammed into KL is surprising to him.

And it's not a deus ex machina if it was a previously established plot point.

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

@Abefroeman He's not really a character at this point, but he is the head of House Dayne, so you can flesh out more than just being an awesome warrior.