Sadko — Roleplayer Guild

 "I was born many, many years ago." The man would laugh, his strong fingers tracing the form of the wine jar. "The time when the Carogacts were naught but packs of hungry dogs, squabbling over bones and sticks whilst foreigners were free to come and take as they liked. 

"My father.. Well, he was a foreigner alright. A man from Veluzia, bare with a sling and a bag of stones, in the service of a minor chief who placed his trust in him. The chief did not go wrong with his decision, and my father killed many of his enemies, taking his pay in wine and women. He took his daughter, too, when the chief was down with malady and on his deathbed." He gazed into the hearth, as if pondering something for a moment.

"I was the son of their union. Ever since I was a babe, my father put a blade in my hand and made me his helper. Spotting wolves, skinning stags, making traps and building fences.. I did it all. 

"Gods, I was strong as an ox; once I felled an oak as tall as thirty good men standing atop each other's shoulders. Our village had enough timber to last us three winters, and we built a new fence for the sheep pen using the branches.

"The same year, a potter and his family begged to join our village. They fled down south after their home was destroyed by a rival clan. The potter's daughter.. Ysilla. A beauty. Buxom, with wide, child-bearing hips; I knew just then that she would be my wife." The chieftain grinned as memories came flooding back. The glint of his eyes seems to change as he'd continue, "I wasn't the only one who thought to make her mine."

He looked into the flame, grimacing. "They called him Babon the Strong. I figure Babon the Stupid would be a more fitting name for such a bloody oaf. Challenged me for chieftaincy and tried to take her from me, he did. And so we settled it in a deathly struggle. He and I, spear and axe, blood for blood. Tossed at a spear at me as we closed in on each other, hoping he'd surprise me. I surprised him instead, when I caught it out of the air with my hand and stabbed the thing through his mouth, right into his little brain." Lubbo ran his hand over the shaft of his spear.

"No one questioned me after that. From that day they called me Bladetaker, and you know why that is so. The very same spear I took from Babon, is the one I heft in my hands at this moment. I was named chief, and Ysilla was named my wife. I'll tell you all something. I never aspired to conquer my neighbours, to tear down their livelihood and drive their people into chains and graves. But I made my clan a power not to be trifled with. I tripled our harvests, raised up the hundreds of huts you see dotting our hills, felled the trees in our forests to build a palisade around us. Know this, I toiled whilst other chieftains spent their riches on their own vanity, in the search of trinkets and useless things. It is their people alone that asked me to lead in their stead, and I could not decline their plea.

"Some sought to topple me, to have me poisoned or struck in my sleep. Their little bones are scattered on the riverbed. Those that bent the knee and accepted me as their leader, I helped stand to their feet once more. You men can see the fruits of my work. A people as one, protected from the thieves and the elements. I will do everything in my power to make sure that my children continue my legacy and multiply it, that no foe dare ruin us." 
Skills & Talents
__________________________________
He is known as a leader of men, and has been at the helm of his tribe for decades. This alone speaks for his aptitude in command and stewardship, understanding what his people expect of him and knowing how to keep his subjects happy. Though aged and not as strong as he was in his youth, he keeps himself in good shape. The man is a resourceful fighter and picks his battles well, knowing the importance of positioning and formation in ensuring a victory.

Traits
__________________________________
Assertive; Wisened; Brave; Uncompromising; Distrustful; Conservative.

Allegiances
__________________________________
He lives for his tribe and family.

Rank
__________________________________
Chief of the Carogacts


"I was born many, many years ago." The man would laugh, his strong fingers tracing the form of the wine jar. "The time when the Carogacts were naught but packs of hungry dogs, squabbling over bones and sticks whilst foreigners were free to come and take as they liked. "My father.. Well, he was a foreigner alright. A man from Veluzia, bare with a sling and a bag of stones, in the service of a minor chief who placed his trust in him. The chief did not go wrong with his decision, and my father killed many of his enemies, taking his pay in wine and women. He took his daughter, too, when the chief was down with malady and on his deathbed." He gazed into the hearth, as if pondering something for a moment. "I was the son of their union. Ever since I was a babe, my father put a blade in my hand and made me his helper. Spotting wolves, skinning stags, making traps and building fences.. I did it all. "Gods, I was strong as an ox; once I felled an oak as tall as thirty good men standing atop each other's shoulders. Our village had enough timber to last us three winters, and we built a new fence for the sheep pen using the branches. "The same year, a potter and his family begged to join our village. They fled down south after their home was destroyed by a rival clan. The potter's daughter.. Ysilla. A beauty. Buxom, with wide, child-bearing hips; I knew just then that she would be my wife." The chieftain grinned as memories came flooding back. The glint of his eyes seems to change as he'd continue, "I wasn't the only one who thought to make her mine." He looked into the flame, grimacing. "They called him Babon the Strong. I figure Babon the Stupid would be a more fitting name for such a bloody oaf. Challenged me for chieftaincy and tried to take her from me, he did. And so we settled it in a deathly struggle. He and I, spear and axe, blood for blood. Tossed at a spear at me as we closed in on each other, hoping he'd surprise me. I surprised him instead, when I caught it out of the air with my hand and stabbed the thing through his mouth, right into his little brain." Lubbo ran his hand over the shaft of his spear. "No one questioned me after that. From that day they called me Bladetaker, and you know why that is so. The very same spear I took from Babon, is the one I heft in my hands at this moment. I was named chief, and Ysilla was named my wife. I'll tell you all something. I never aspired to conquer my neighbours, to tear down their livelihood and drive their people into chains and graves. But I made my clan a power not to be trifled with. I tripled our harvests, raised up the hundreds of huts you see dotting our hills, felled the trees in our forests to build a palisade around us. Know this, I toiled whilst other chieftains spent their riches on their own vanity, in the search of trinkets and useless things. It is their people alone that asked me to lead in their stead, and I could not decline their plea. "Some sought to topple me, to have me poisoned or struck in my sleep. Their little bones are scattered on the riverbed. Those that bent the knee and accepted me as their leader, I helped stand to their feet once more. You men can see the fruits of my work. A people as one, protected from the thieves and the elements. I will do everything in my power to make sure that my children continue my legacy and multiply it, that no foe dare ruin us."	^{_{Skills & Talents} __________________________________ He is known as a leader of men, and has been at the helm of his tribe for decades. This alone speaks for his aptitude in command and stewardship, understanding what his people expect of him and knowing how to keep his subjects happy. Though aged and not as strong as he was in his youth, he keeps himself in good shape. The man is a resourceful fighter and picks his battles well, knowing the importance of positioning and formation in ensuring a victory.} ^{_Traits __________________________________ Assertive; Wisened; Brave; Uncompromising; Distrustful; Conservative.} ^{_Allegiances __________________________________ He lives for his tribe and family.} ^{_Rank __________________________________ Chief of the Carogacts}

We Remember

House Information
Synopsis
House Royce of Runestone is an ancient and powerful noble family of the Vale, sworn to House Arryn. Their seat is the castle Runestone, located on the coast of the narrow sea north of Gulltown. Descendants of the First Men, they have once styled themselves Bronze Kings and worn the Runic Crown. They once had a Valyrian steel sword, Lamentation, but it was lost during the Dance of Dragons. However the Royce family still retains several sets of ancient bronze armour that is told to have properties that make its' wearer immune to injuries. Regardless of whether such claims are true or not, they are a proud and formidable house of the Vale.

Head of House
Bronze Uthor Royce.

Seat
Runestone

Demesne
Traditionally seen as the second powerful house in the Vale, House Royce has a smattering of smaller houses and landed knights as their bannermen. Houses Coldwater, Shett of Gull Tower and Tollett of Grey Glen are sworn to Runestone. It is believed that they can field up to six thousand men. They regularly contribute to the Night's Watch, whether it be materials or manpower.

Recent History
Bronze Yohn, together with the Lords Declarant, helped wrest the Vale from Petyr Baelish's scheming grasp. The man had a profound effect on the young Sweetrobin, guiding him in both administrative and martial prowess. During his liege lord's struggle with Edmure Tully over the ownership of Harrenhal, Yohn lobbied for him and made trips to the Riverlands, against his maester's advice because of his advanced age. On one of these ventures he had fallen ill and died. 

His heir at the time was Uthor, his grandson, as Ser Andar Royce was killed during the Long Night. Uthor seemed a splitting copy of Bronze Yohn, tall and strong, and squired for Ser Patrek Arryn, later marrying his sister, Lysa Arryn. 

With Queen Daenerys' reforms looming ahead, however, Uthor showed a side to him that strained relations with his wife, his liege lords, and even the Iron Throne. His eldest child, a daughter of ten-and-seven, was sent to the silent sisters in order to bypass the new inheritance laws. This loophole was not illegal, but it was certainly seen as an underhanded move by some.

For the remainder of his long tenure as Lord of Runestone, Uthor has proven to be a capable administrator, tirelessly working on mending relations with Lord Arryn and the Crown. 

Realm Relations
Arryn - Respect, kindred and loyalty. There are many things that tie the two houses together.

Velaryon - Festering spite for the murder of their kinsman during the Stepstones Rebellion.

Storyline Premise
House Royce under Uthor has taken a course a tad different than that of Yohn's ways. The lord is driven entirely by his need to ensure his family's safety and standing in the coming days. His decision to disinherit his daughter was a pragmatic move to keep his family secure, rather than a conservative jab at Daenerys' policies as some may believe. The house has always played an important role in the politics of the Vale, so they may be faced with some difficult choices later down the line. Robert Arryn is an elderly man, and there's no telling how his successor will act in the complex geopolitical situation that is transpiring in the Seven Kingdoms.
Character Information

IdentityLord Uthor Royce, dubbed 'Bronze Uthor'

AgeFifty-eight.

RoleLord of Runestone

CharacterizationWhilst physically a splitting copy of his grandfather, he has a certain low cunning; though not a dishonest man, he is capable of controversial decisions, and is confident enough to go through with them, even if it means alienating family or worse. Whenever he enters a room, his presence and command is always felt. He cannot settle for anything less. The man represents a proud house and his title and role often shapes the way he thinks and acts. Whilst not completely set in the old ways, he doesn't believe in breaking the wheel - he doubts it's very existence. It is simply how people used to live from time immemorial. Each man makes the best of what the seven put on his plate.

Attributes & TalentsThe man has a mind for articulating his house's position on most issues concerning the Vale and the realm as a whole. He is an adequate swordsman and rider, though nowhere near as skilled as Yohn. His age isn't helping much either, and thus Uthor prefers to let younger men ride in tilts and spill blood on the battlefield. However, he likes to think himself a keen strategist. Aside from several minor campaigns against the troublesome mountain clans, however, the Lord of Runestone hasn't had the chance to show his mettle in a conflict of a major scale yet.

Immediate Family
Lysa Arryn, 55 y/o. Wife.
Yorbert Royce, 36 y/o. Firstborn son. Heir to Runestone.
Gerold Royce, 34 y/o. Second son.
Robar Royce, 25 y/o. Third son.
Alys Royce, 39 y/o. Firstborn daughter, disinherited and sent to the silent sisters.

Personal Relations
Lysa Royce (nee Arryn) - She had not forgiven him for sending his daughter away. She never will, most likely. After that fateful decision, Lysa went back to the Eyrie and hasn't visited Runestone since then. He knows it is futile to seek forgiveness. The weight of his choice will forever burden his mind and heart.

Yorbert Royce - He is glad to see his heir's strong body and character, though he can't help but think him to be rigid, like stone. In some ways he'd have hoped for him to possess Gerold's nimble wit, without attaining.. all of his other features.

Gerold Royce - An arrogant, quarrelsome, sharp fellow. The bad apple of the family tree. And yet he is a second son through and through. Uthor fears his ambition may drive him to do something ill.

Robar Royce - The youngest son, and yet he is no green boy. He has proved himself to be worthy of bearing their family name - he survived a dark happening whilst he was but a youth. 

Alys - He tries not to think about her.

Lord Robert Arryn - A good man and worthy liege lord. Uthor is slightly concerned about who fill the man's shoes, though.

IdentitySer Yorbert Royce

AgeThirty-six.

RoleHeir to Runestone

CharacterizationThe first thing that most people notice upon meeting the man is his robustness - an inner strength in his movements and expressions. Yorbert is a knight above all other archetypes that a noble can be graced with. He carries the Royce name proudly and responsibly, and integrity is his strong suit. These are, perhaps, his most attractive features. In the halls and keeps however, there are quite a few who consider him to be a dullard. Whilst not without lordly education, the man is thought to be lacking in the subtlety of his father or the sharpness of his brothers. He is honest to a fault and straight to the point.

Attributes & TalentsYorbert is physically gifted, and is a competent swordsman and horseman. He is versed in ruling over his subjects, as his father has coached him in these matters, but it's not hard to see that he's simply following an established formula and that he'd have difficulty adapting in an unknown situation.

Immediate Family
Jeyne Grafton, 32 y/o. Wife.
Myranda, 16 y/o. Daughter.
Alayne, 12 y/o. Daughter.
Horton, 8 y/o. Son.
Uthor Royce, 58 y/o. Lord Father.
Gerold Royce, 34 y/o. Middle brother.
Robar Royce, 25 y/o. Youngest brother.

Personal Relations
Jeyne - He loves her in a mundane, dutiful way. And yet he is a good family man, paining to imagine sending his children away to marry or squire for someone.

Uthor - He will always have respect for the man. He is his father, his mentor and his great patron. But the thoughts of his older sister sometimes cause him to take a step back and look at Uthor in a different light, but he considers these thoughts grating and useless, and seeks to push them away as soon as possible.

Gerold - Yorbert has always felt a chill jealousy from his middle brother, and he knows there is little love between them. Gerold has served as a direct antithesis to him for their entire lives, a constant competitor and rival in all things. And yet they are family. For Yorbert, it is no doubt that family sticks together when it comes to protecting their home and kinfolk.

Robar - His little brother is not little any longer. He is a grown man, and Yorbert can't help but admit, at least to himself, that Robar has seen and proven himself in combat much more notably than his elder brothers. Yorbert seeks closeness with him, but fears that his experiences' have worn him out and drained him of emotion.

IdentitySer Gerold Royce

AgeThirty-four.

RoleSecond son.

CharacterizationThe man's demeanor could be aptly described as slick or slimy, depending on his mood. Gerold is without a shred of doubt a social chameleon when he finds it necessary to make a good impression. More often than not he is too lazy to hide the fact that he is an arrogant, sharp and cruel-mouthed son of a bitch. However, though you can call him many things, faint-hearted is not one of them. He's got the reputation of being arguably the biggest daredevil in the Vale, much to the chagrin of his father.

Attributes & TalentsThe man has largely made his own fortunes and misfortunes, and is efficient at networking; establishing and fostering useful connections across the Narrow Sea due to his time serving in a sellsword company for the Free Cities. He is a crafty man who has an instinct for survival, and his style is that of a dirty scallywag than a true knight. Ambition drives him, whilst his slothfulness compels him to find flexible solutions that require the least amounts of effort.

Immediate Family
Sereyana Sanaar, 23 y/o. Deceased wife.
Uthor Royce, 58 y/o. Lord Father.
Yorbert Royce, 36 y/o. Older brother.
Robar Royce, 25 y/o. Younger brother.

Personal Relations
Sereyana - A passion that swiftly became a burden. Her disease and death elicited a multitude of emotions in him; horror, regret, relief.

Uthor - Gerold revels in the fact that the two are much more similar than his father would like to admit. The second son has mixed feelings for the man, striving to simultaneously gain his approval and disapproval. Their relationship is a testament to the rather dysfunctional parenting in the Royce family.

Yorbert - They are so diametrically opposed and contrasting that Runestone's Maester Gormon sometimes called them the White and Black Royce respectively. For his whole life Gerold sought to overshadow Yorbert with his deeds, to make the heir a bleak copy in comparison with the second son's achievements. Though Gerold bitterly realises that he is much emotionally invested in this grand sparring match than his brother is.

Robar - A strange fellow, but certainly of use to him. They were distant growing up because of their age difference, but he found ample opportunity to get to know his brother better after the Stepstones rebellion. He entertained his brother's impulsive notions of taking the black, bringing him to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and then turning course toward Tyrosh once Robar was convinced not to join the Watch.

IdentitySer Robar Royce

AgeTwenty-five.

RoleThird son.

CharacterizationRobar is known to be a 'veteran' of the Stepstones Rebellion, if you could call that squire of ten-and-five barely surviving corsairs' blades, still covered in the blood and brain matter of his slain uncle. His experience at sea made his hair grey at the sides, and he is known at Runestone to be a distant man. For the last ten years he's been at travel, lacking direction and often invited to take part in Gerold's designs.

Attributes & TalentsHaving squired for the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Mathos Royce, he has first shown himself in the aforementioned Stepstones Rebellion, later proving himself a seasoned killer when embarking on contracts with Gerold. He is unsure if there is anything else he has an aptitude for, other than spilling blood.

Immediate Family
Uthor Royce, 58 y/o. Lord Father.
Yorbert Royce, 36 y/o. Older brother.
Gerold Royce, 34 y/o. Older brother.

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