Member
H O U S E T A R L Y
"First in Battle."
House Information
Synopsis
Head of House
Seat
Demesne
Recent History
Realm Relations
Storyline Premise
Legend tells that house Tarly was founded by twin brothers Harlon the Hunter and Herndon of the Horn. The brothers shared a wife, a woods witch, whose power supposedly allowed them to live for hundreds of years. Regardless of the truth behind that claim, the fact remains that the house is ancient, predating the establishment of the Seven Kingdoms. For their service in King Aenys I Targaryen's 37 AC Vulture Hunt, the Tarly's were granted land, gold, and honors. Over the centuries their house became one of the more prominent houses of the Reach, known for their martial abilities, most notably archery.
Head of House
Lord Bertrand Tarly
Seat
Horn Hill, the Reach
Demesne
Marcher lords, house Tarly's domain lays along the border of the Reach and Dorne. House Hunt is sworn to their service.
Recent History
Lord Randyll Tarly was the head of their house through the war of Five Kings, during which he remained staunchly loyal to house Tyrell. Tarly troops, and Lord Randyll's martial expertise, proved invaluable to the war efforts. Not long after the war, he proposed a marriage between his eldest daughter and his newly crowned liege lord, Willas Tyrell. Not long after, he married his younger daughter to the future head of house Hunt.
The rest of Lord Randyll Tarly's rule was characterized by his continued dedication to the military preparedness of his family and people. He focused on rebuilding where necessary and particularly on increasing food production, as a means to ensure the smallfolk would multiply and refill their levies. Their number of men-at-arms was increased by almost half again its original size by the time he passed in 328 AC.
Dickon Tarly was eight and thirty year old when he became the new Lord Tarly. He had made a name for himself for his valiant service during the rebellion of the Faith Militant, and from his performance in countless tourneys during his youth. Of the five children born to him by his wife, Elinor Mooton, five survived. His eldest daughter Jeyne married into the Hightower family, heir Bertrand married Yrma Peake, and his younger daughter Myrielle married the Lord of Brightwater Keep.
During the War for the Stepstones, the Tarly's lived up to their house words, serving in the vanguard of their army. Despite his age, Dickon led with skill, and Bertrand and Varric both performed honorably, though Bertrand ultimately returned home early due to an injured knee.
Lord Dickon was ultimately lost to the Shivers Epidemic, whereupon Bertrand took up leadership of the house. The former soldier was well-liked by most everybody, smallfolk and nobility alike. Though not considered particularly bright, he had a distinct charm, and lust for life matched only by his lust for his beloved wife, Yrma. She has born him seven healthy children, each of whom he doted on more than the last. There are those who believe that the sentimentality of family life has made him soft, but even after all of these years, there is a soldier's edge to Bertrand that has never been entirely erased.
The rest of Lord Randyll Tarly's rule was characterized by his continued dedication to the military preparedness of his family and people. He focused on rebuilding where necessary and particularly on increasing food production, as a means to ensure the smallfolk would multiply and refill their levies. Their number of men-at-arms was increased by almost half again its original size by the time he passed in 328 AC.
Dickon Tarly was eight and thirty year old when he became the new Lord Tarly. He had made a name for himself for his valiant service during the rebellion of the Faith Militant, and from his performance in countless tourneys during his youth. Of the five children born to him by his wife, Elinor Mooton, five survived. His eldest daughter Jeyne married into the Hightower family, heir Bertrand married Yrma Peake, and his younger daughter Myrielle married the Lord of Brightwater Keep.
During the War for the Stepstones, the Tarly's lived up to their house words, serving in the vanguard of their army. Despite his age, Dickon led with skill, and Bertrand and Varric both performed honorably, though Bertrand ultimately returned home early due to an injured knee.
Lord Dickon was ultimately lost to the Shivers Epidemic, whereupon Bertrand took up leadership of the house. The former soldier was well-liked by most everybody, smallfolk and nobility alike. Though not considered particularly bright, he had a distinct charm, and lust for life matched only by his lust for his beloved wife, Yrma. She has born him seven healthy children, each of whom he doted on more than the last. There are those who believe that the sentimentality of family life has made him soft, but even after all of these years, there is a soldier's edge to Bertrand that has never been entirely erased.
Realm Relations
House Tyrell: House Tarly have long been loyal vassals to the Tyrells. The marriages of Talla and Myrielle Tarly into house Tyrell in recent generations have drawn the two houses ever closer together, and the two now share a very close, warm relationship. Lords Florian and Bertrand have been friends since childhood, and the latter is always happy to host the family of his liege for hunts and feasts at Horn Hill. These visits naturally paved the way for multiple close friendships among their children.
House Redwyne: A fellow vassal house loyal to the Tyrells, Tarly and Redwyne have enjoy an amicable relationship based on mutual respect between the two house leaders. Trade between their two lordships has flourished in recent years.
House Hightower: House Tarly's relationship with arguably the most prominent vassal house in the Reach, the Hightowers, is fairly positive. Bertrand's younger sister, Jeyne, is married into their family, and heir Edwyn is on a friendly basis with the similarly aged Lord Jorgon.
House Frey: There isn't much of a relationship at all between the two houses, primarily due to the distance between their domains. Since Varric Tarly took the young Walda Frey to wife after a short but passionate love affair during a tourney in the Riverlands, they are on more friendly terms.
House Redwyne: A fellow vassal house loyal to the Tyrells, Tarly and Redwyne have enjoy an amicable relationship based on mutual respect between the two house leaders. Trade between their two lordships has flourished in recent years.
House Hightower: House Tarly's relationship with arguably the most prominent vassal house in the Reach, the Hightowers, is fairly positive. Bertrand's younger sister, Jeyne, is married into their family, and heir Edwyn is on a friendly basis with the similarly aged Lord Jorgon.
House Frey: There isn't much of a relationship at all between the two houses, primarily due to the distance between their domains. Since Varric Tarly took the young Walda Frey to wife after a short but passionate love affair during a tourney in the Riverlands, they are on more friendly terms.
Storyline Premise
Bertrand, for all his bluster, is a genuinely honorable and compassionate man; the sort who does not always do well in Westeros. Even his closest family members are somewhat cynical of his warm nature, always wary of the harm it could ultimately bring him. I am curious to see how he will fare in the turbulent times ahead. Through his POV, I hope to explore how his ethics fair when put to the test.
Character Information
Identity
Age
Role
Characterization
Attributes & Talents
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Lord Bertrand Tarly
Age
Born 306 AC, he is fifty-eight at the start of the roleplay.
Role
Lord of Horn Hill
Characterization
Bertrand is a loud and bombastic man. He wears his heart on his sleeve and, between his hearty laughs and bellowing shouts, it's hard to be in the same castle as him and be unsure how he's feeling. As a lord he is compassionate to the point that some consider him lax, frequently being talked down by his advisors from lowering village taxes or even pardoning minor crimes based on no more than a (as he views it) sincere heart-to-heart with some sympathetic individual.
His lovely wife is the light of his life, their children his pride and joy. For good or for ill, they want for nothing if he can help it. In his younger days he was known largely for his achievements in hunts, tourneys, and on the Stepstones, and his sons are being well-groomed to follow in his footsteps in that regard. There are those who interpret his jovial nature as a signal that he doesn't take anything all too seriously, but he is a committed lord and bannerman.
His lovely wife is the light of his life, their children his pride and joy. For good or for ill, they want for nothing if he can help it. In his younger days he was known largely for his achievements in hunts, tourneys, and on the Stepstones, and his sons are being well-groomed to follow in his footsteps in that regard. There are those who interpret his jovial nature as a signal that he doesn't take anything all too seriously, but he is a committed lord and bannerman.
Attributes & Talents
An injury to his knee has left him with a minor limp, so he can no longer hold his own in a melee as he once could, but Bertrand is still a master archer and competent rider. Though not particularly creative in his tactics, he is a solid commander of troops, and keeps his head even during crisis.
Bertrand is also extremely personable, someone who is hard to dislike even for people who might not enjoy his company. His trustworthiness puts him in the good graces of many, be it genuine allies or those who might seek to use him in the long run. He is not clever in the traditional sense, but he is more observant than one might expect, which can come in handy when intrigue unfolds around him.
Bertrand is also extremely personable, someone who is hard to dislike even for people who might not enjoy his company. His trustworthiness puts him in the good graces of many, be it genuine allies or those who might seek to use him in the long run. He is not clever in the traditional sense, but he is more observant than one might expect, which can come in handy when intrigue unfolds around him.
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Florian Tarly: Having grown up close to each other, as young lords of neighboring houses, it only stands to reason that the two were fast friends. In their youth, their ventures often consisted of Bertrand dragging Florian to a tavern or on a hunt. Now, as men grown, their relationship is based on something deeper: a shared set of values putting family, peace, and duty above all.
Jorgon Hightower: For obvious reasons, Bertrand has interacted much more with the previous two lords Hightower than the current one. Bertrand still sees Jorgon as a child, the son of a fellow vassal and friend to his son, rather than a fellow Lord. He means no disrespect by it, but cannot help being a little paternalizing, offering unsolicited advice on the few occasions they've met since Jorgon became a lord.
Willemina Redwyne: The two heads of houses couldn't be any more different, but Bertrand has a clear respect for the Lady's intellect, blunt manner, and proficiency in running her household and lands.
Jorgon Hightower: For obvious reasons, Bertrand has interacted much more with the previous two lords Hightower than the current one. Bertrand still sees Jorgon as a child, the son of a fellow vassal and friend to his son, rather than a fellow Lord. He means no disrespect by it, but cannot help being a little paternalizing, offering unsolicited advice on the few occasions they've met since Jorgon became a lord.
Willemina Redwyne: The two heads of houses couldn't be any more different, but Bertrand has a clear respect for the Lady's intellect, blunt manner, and proficiency in running her household and lands.
Identity
Age
Role
Characterization
Attributes & Talents
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Edwyn Tarly
Age
Born 345 AC, he is nineteen at the start of the roleplay.
Role
Heir to the Lordship of Horn Hill, anointed knight.
Characterization
Diligent, honorable, and talented, the Tarly heir is a respectable young man any lord would be proud to have for a son. His polite, reserved, and generally inoffensive manner have kept him from making enemies and rivals, but suffice to say he is hardly a favorite at dinner parties. In group settings he tends to fade into the background, and he would probably be rather forgettable were he not the scion of a prominent house.
There is a rumor that Edwyn prefers men, though no concrete proof. While the family visited Oldtown when he was twelve, a maid claims to have walked in on him fooling around with the squire to a Hightower knight. Both boys thoroughly denied doing anything inappropriate.
There is a rumor that Edwyn prefers men, though no concrete proof. While the family visited Oldtown when he was twelve, a maid claims to have walked in on him fooling around with the squire to a Hightower knight. Both boys thoroughly denied doing anything inappropriate.
Attributes & Talents
A trained knight, Edwyn is skilled in jousting and swordplay. His specialty, of course, is archery, and he has made it to the final rounds of every archery competition in which he's participated. Hunting is his favorite leisure activity, and he is quite talented in that regard. Though not the seasoned soldier his father is, he has studied enough that he could theoretically lead a contingent of soldiers into battle.
As heir, he took his studies seriously. He is well versed in history, stewardship, and diplomacy.
As heir, he took his studies seriously. He is well versed in history, stewardship, and diplomacy.
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Alesander and Elinor Tyrell: The Tyrell heir and his paternal twin are Edwyn's dearest friends. The friendship between their two fathers ensured that they saw each other often growing up, and they naturally grew close over time. The other two being much more outgoing drew Edwyn out of his shell, and the fact that they put in the effort cemented his loyalty to them. In recent years, they have seen less of each other, and many opportunities they would have to talk now pass due to Edwyn's unwillingness to approach either twin when they are surrounded by their respective entourages.
Mychel Redwyne: An unlikely matchup, Edwyn has a casual friendship with Mychel Flowers, bastard brother of Lady Redwyne. Their shared preferences has made Mychel somthing of a confidante for Edwyn, who cannot openly discuss the aspect of his life with anybody else. If they are in the same area, the two will often visit a tavern and play a round of cyvasse.
Jorgon Hightower:
Mychel Redwyne: An unlikely matchup, Edwyn has a casual friendship with Mychel Flowers, bastard brother of Lady Redwyne. Their shared preferences has made Mychel somthing of a confidante for Edwyn, who cannot openly discuss the aspect of his life with anybody else. If they are in the same area, the two will often visit a tavern and play a round of cyvasse.
Jorgon Hightower:
Identity
Age
Role
Characterization
Attributes & Talents
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Osmund Tarly
Age
Born 348 AC, he is sixteen at the start of the roleplay.
Role
Son of Lord Tarly, anointed knight.
Characterization
Utterly lacking social graces and painfully aware of it, Osmund can't help but be nervous around his highborn peers. It's not that he's shy; get a few drinks in him, and you'll see his natural inclination is to be as loud as his father. In familiar company, he will crack jokes and make conversation as anyone else would. Get him around folks he does not know well, though, or the family of his liege lord, and his tongue ties itself into knots.
Out of the many hunts his father has brought him on, he has never felled an animal; he simply can't bring himself to do it. This has caused some concern in his household as to how he would perform in an actual battle situation, despite his prowess.
Out of the many hunts his father has brought him on, he has never felled an animal; he simply can't bring himself to do it. This has caused some concern in his household as to how he would perform in an actual battle situation, despite his prowess.
Attributes & Talents
Where his older brother divided his time between studying combat and statecraft, most of Osmund's identity has been built around knighthood. Most of his days are filled with training to that end, and the results speak for themselves. Though he has only participated in a few minor tourneys thus far, he has performed admirably and is only expected to improve over time.
Osmund is too awkward and unsure to ever become a great leader of men, but he is kind and earnest. Like his father, he earns the trust of others easily.
Osmund is too awkward and unsure to ever become a great leader of men, but he is kind and earnest. Like his father, he earns the trust of others easily.
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Alesander and Elinor Tyrell: Osmund is on a friendly basis with Alesander Elinor, particularly admiring Alesander's way with people.
Aliandra Tyrell: Aliandra and Osmund share similar dispositions, both kindhearted and gentle individuals. They became friends growing up, and have grown exceptionally close in the last couple of years. As far as Osmund is concerned, Aliandra is the sweetest, loveliest, smartest girl in the Seven Kingdoms. In short, he's smitten.
Elron Tyrell: Osmund has never known quite what to speak about with Elron, their interests divergent and both too uncomfortable socializing to bridge the gap between them. Osmund is especially aware of how much smarter Elron is than him, and worries that the other boy would simply find him too dull. That being said, they are friendly and familiar with each other because of their childhood acquaintance.
Aliandra Tyrell: Aliandra and Osmund share similar dispositions, both kindhearted and gentle individuals. They became friends growing up, and have grown exceptionally close in the last couple of years. As far as Osmund is concerned, Aliandra is the sweetest, loveliest, smartest girl in the Seven Kingdoms. In short, he's smitten.
Elron Tyrell: Osmund has never known quite what to speak about with Elron, their interests divergent and both too uncomfortable socializing to bridge the gap between them. Osmund is especially aware of how much smarter Elron is than him, and worries that the other boy would simply find him too dull. That being said, they are friendly and familiar with each other because of their childhood acquaintance.
Identity
Age
Role
Characterization
Attributes & Talents
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Viola Tarly
Age
Born 349 AC, she is fifteen at the start of the roleplay.
Role
Daughter of Lord Tarly.
Characterization
From the moment she was born, pretty Viola was the darling of her family. Some of her earliest memories are of sitting in her father's lap and braiding his beard while he held court, being lovingly introduced and asked to play her harp or flute for visitors to the holdfast, and of the tourney when her father declared her mother the Queen of Love and Beauty, only for her mother to place the crown of flowers on her little head instead. Her upbringing has been such that she holds herself more highly than she ought, but she is undeniably sweet and charming. She has notably shied away from any potential suitors.
Attributes & Talents
Viola has received a fine education, as befitting her rank. She is particularly interested in history, and the cultures of far away places, be it Yi Ti, the Summer Islands, or beyond. She sings, plays the harp and flute, and dances.
Her most notable talent is her needlework. Though she is only average at dress making, her embroidery is nothing short of incredible. She enjoys creating large, very intricate tapestries, often depicting legendary or fantastical scenes from history. Her family has gifted several to different major houses. A particularly perceptive viewer can, upon close study, notice messages -a date, name, house words, or something of the like- hidden cleverly in the patterns of the landscapes.
Because hunts are a family affair for the Tarly's, Viola learned archery at a young age. Though far from the equal of a knight, she she can hit her mark more often than not, even while riding and aiming at a moving animal.
Her most notable talent is her needlework. Though she is only average at dress making, her embroidery is nothing short of incredible. She enjoys creating large, very intricate tapestries, often depicting legendary or fantastical scenes from history. Her family has gifted several to different major houses. A particularly perceptive viewer can, upon close study, notice messages -a date, name, house words, or something of the like- hidden cleverly in the patterns of the landscapes.
Because hunts are a family affair for the Tarly's, Viola learned archery at a young age. Though far from the equal of a knight, she she can hit her mark more often than not, even while riding and aiming at a moving animal.
Immediate Family
Personal Relations
Elron Tyrell: Though quite friendly with all of the Tyrell children, seeing them as an extension of her own family (which isn't all that inaccurate, considering their shared ancestor in Randyll Tarly), she is particularly close with Elron. She naturally gravitates towards him more often than not when the families are together, and she looks on him kindly. The two have common interests in books and history, so they always have something to talk about.
Mychel Flowers: Viola becomes indignant when she hears that her brother went out with his friend Mychel without bringing him around to say "hello." She and her younger brother, Quenton, will always beg for stories of his adventures when he is around. She considers him quite dashing.
Mychel Flowers: Viola becomes indignant when she hears that her brother went out with his friend Mychel without bringing him around to say "hello." She and her younger brother, Quenton, will always beg for stories of his adventures when he is around. She considers him quite dashing.
