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Post by Maester Maurin on Jan 11, 2008 3:30:05 GMT -5
I think that Freys were one of the more powerful bannermen Houses in the realm. They could field 5000 men in books, much more than most minor Houses.
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Post by loremaster on Jan 11, 2008 3:37:22 GMT -5
Certainly powerful enough to pick and choose their own allies, which is impressive for any house.
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Post by Aerys on Jan 11, 2008 5:25:57 GMT -5
1) Character Name: Jaeharys Velaryon
2) Character Age: 34
3) Character Nationality: Valyrian
4) Character Byname: ‘Lord of Tides’
5) Character Skills: Expert: Command Noteworthy: Seamanship Noteworthy: Naval Combat Apprentice: Rulership Apprentice: Battle Strategy Novice: Longsword Novice: Intrigue Beginner: Horsemanship Beginner: Persuasion
6) Character's Second: Daemon Velaryon (younger brother) Noteworthy:Stewardship Noteworthy: Ship-Building Apprentice:Oration Apprentice: Battle Strategy Novice: Longsword Novice: Rulership Beginner: Horsemanship Beginner: Persuasion
7) Character's Third: Aurane Waters (squire) Noteworthy: Negotiation Apprentice: Intrigue Novice: Translator Beginner: Longsword
8) Character Personal History:
Jaehaerys Velaryon comes from one of the oldest pure blood Valaryian blood lines in Westeros. Not strictly of ‘royal blood’, his family has provided royal brides on several occasions; the most recent when his aunt Elyssandra married King Rodrick Baratheon. The Velaryons have long been bannermen of the Baratheons, even given their rumored descent from the Blackfyre bastards of King Aegon Targaryen. At times they have privately questioned why their claim to the throne should be inferior to that of the modern Baratheons who likewise trace their descent from a bastard son of King Robert I. Perhaps to quell such mutterings Rodrick Baratheon took Ellesandra the only daughter of Maekar Velaryon the Master of Driftmark to wife in 486. Elyssandra bore Callan, the heir to the throne the following year and a second son Prince Andry a year later. Elyssandra’s elder brother Aeron Velaryon had married Nymeria Rosby a couple of years before and their eldest son Jaeharys had been born in 485 followed by a son Daemon in 487 and a third son Ameron in 491.
Jaehaerys was fostered in the Free Cities, and had learnt his craft as a commander of men by spending much of his time there keeping order in the streets. His frequent trips to Westeros has made him a very good sailor equally at home on a ship or in the saddle.
When civil war broke out in Westeros between the Targaryens and the Baratheons, Jaehaery’s grandfather Maekar Velaryon the Master of Driftmark and by then serving on the King’s small council as ‘Master of Ships’ was one of the Few Storm Lords to not support the Targaryens.
When Aegon Targaryen IX was crowned King of Westeros by the High Septon, Aeron Velaryon, mindful of his family's old allegiance to the Targaryens and resenting his the lack of titles given to him as the King’s brother in law as well as resenting his father’s favoritism of his sister and her sons, makes overtures to join the Targaryen side. The Targaryens in turn are hopeful that Aeron, who served as his father’s lieutenant would be able to bring at least a portion of the Baratheon’s fleet with him. As the price of Aeron’s defection, Aemon IX agreed that his niece Maellys aged 21 (daughter of his brother Prince Baelor and already a widow of another Targaryen) will be married to Aeron’s eldest son Jaehaerys Velaryon now also aged 21. Shortly after King Roderick Baratheon is killed by Ser Kit Kidwell and King Callen Baratheon succeeds his father. Aegon Targaryen IX also dies and King Aemon Targaryen VI ascends the throne as King of Westeros. Aeron Velaryon dies of his wounds after defending Aemon VI against an assassination attempt.
The following year Maellys gave birth to Jaehaerys’ eldest son Rhaegar. Maekor Velaryon the aged Master of Driftmark also died suddenly when his heart appeared to give out, leaving his 22 year old eldest grandson Jaehaerys as the new master of Driftmark.
Four years later King Aemon VI Targaryen, and his brother Prince Aegon Targaryen are murdered by their uncle Prince Aedon the Bloody. Prince Maerys Targaryen kills his brother Prince Baelor, (the father-in-law of Jaeharys), in defense of King Aemon, but is himself killed shortly after. The new King Aedon the Bloody sets about destroying the other male Targaryens and eventually extends his purge against all other living Targaryens, including Maellys and Jaehaerys’ children. Pregnant with their third child Maellys is imprisoned by her uncle in the dungeons below the Red Keep, but not killed Sickened by the bloodshed and concerned about the safety of his children, Jaehaerys fled Kings Landing in order to attend his estates on Driftmark with his son and daughter.
The following year Lord Peyton Redwyne raised his banners in the name of Jaeharys’ cousin, the lost Stag king, Callen Baratheon, and starts the Three King's War with Michael Dondarrion also declaring himself King. With his warring grandfather and father both dead and influenced by his aunt Ellesandra the former Queen of Westeros who had sought refuge on Driftmark, Jaeharys declares for his cousin Callan Baratheon against the Targaryens.
Jaehaerys is present at the burning of Kings Landing when King Aedon and his dragon are killed. Callen succeeds as King of Westeros. Jaeharys manages to recover his younger son Viserys, born to Maellys in prison. Maellys’ handmaiden who had shared her cell had cared for Viserys in prison spoke of Maellys being distraught by the death of her father Baelor and becoming increasingly strange, especially after she learnt of Jaeharys’ defection to the Baratheons calljng him “traitor and ‘turncoat” while babbling about “Good uncle Aedon”. It was in one of her lucid moments she asked her handmaiden to take Viserys. Shortly after this and just before the Burning of King’s Landing, Maellys was called from her cell by King Aedon. Since then Maellys has not been seen.
His children now live in the Driftmark, being brought up by his younger brother Daemon and his mother Nymeria Rosby who run the Velaryon holdings in Jaehaerys’ frequent absences.
His cousin King Callen offered Jaehaerys the position of commander of the Gold Cloaks with the charge of cleaning up the city. Jaeharys accepts and using some unconventional methods manages to successfully reduce the amount of banditry that had broken out in the wake of the change of government. Jaehaerys becomes something of a rake about town, frequenting the brothels.
Callen’s capture and murder in the Reach three years ago saw Jaehaerys resign his position as Commander of the Gold Cloaks. The regent for young King Rickon sent him to Braavos as the Crown’s ambassador where he has remained since.
9) Character Physical Description: Jaehaerys has the Velayrons’ slim build, and the silver hair and indigo eyes usually reserved for those houses with Valyrian Heritage
10) Character Reputation: Jaehaerys has a reputation as a hard man due to his success as Commander of the City Watch at Kings Landing when he flushed out the local banditry. He an excellent sailor and is proficient in commanding warships in battle.
11) Email: brisroy@gmail.com
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Post by Fel on Jan 11, 2008 5:51:42 GMT -5
Looks good, though the Velaryons aren't stormlords.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jan 11, 2008 6:49:18 GMT -5
By "minor house," I meant they're bannermen. The Great Houses (especially those that, y'know, control ports and gold mines) will be richer.
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Post by loremaster on Jan 11, 2008 7:00:36 GMT -5
By "minor house," I meant they're bannermen. The Great Houses (especially those that, y'know, control ports and gold mines) will be richer. Like the Redwynes, Boltons, Hightowers, Florents, Royces, Harlaws, Daynes, Manderlys, and Yronwoods, for instance? I think you're confusing 'Great House' with 'ruling house'. The Yronwoods and Daynes are just as powerful as the Martells, who only rule because it is tradition. You would be in deep shit, Princess, if Lord Yronwood ever decided you were a poor ruler...
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Post by Maester Maurin on Jan 11, 2008 7:18:19 GMT -5
But power of the Great House comes from ruling over bannermen, is the issue.
So if Starks or Tullys aren`t Great Houses, they aren`t that powerful. It doesn`t seem like Winterfell can field more men that Dreadfort.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jan 11, 2008 8:47:37 GMT -5
By "minor house," I meant they're bannermen. The Great Houses (especially those that, y'know, control ports and gold mines) will be richer. Like the Redwynes, Boltons, Hightowers, Florents, Royces, Harlaws, Daynes, Manderlys, and Yronwoods, for instance? I think you're confusing 'Great House' with 'ruling house'. The Yronwoods and Daynes are just as powerful as the Martells, who only rule because it is tradition. You would be in deep shit, Princess, if Lord Yronwood ever decided you were a poor ruler... The ruling houses also are richer because they -do- collect taxes from the houses under their rule. In almost all cases, the ruling houses -are- the strongest house (exceptions in the current game are due to recent shifts which haven't settled yet), even if it is only -because- of the advantages they get as Lord Paramount. Plus, of course, Martell controls a city (even a piss-poor one like Sunspear is in the books), which makes for one of the top houses, wealthwise, alone. (Also, in LoW, Martell is stronger and richer than in the books for several reasons; I should have clarified which Martell I spoke of.) Yes, this means that Manderly, Grafton, and Hightower don't fit neatly into this scheme. Frey doesn't control a city last time I checked. Anyway, the point is, the Lannisters -are- richer than any other house, so arbitrarily declaring your house richer than theirs is out of bounds. If you're assuming that you can simply raise your house wealth past that of Lannister by declaring it so, then by rights I should be able to declare Martell richer than anyone else, since I have: 1. The system-backed skills (Grandmaster in Rulership, my Stewardship skill, for one thing; you don't rate yet), 2. Over a decade, in game, of actively working towards it, 3. For most of that decade, what amounts to a massive subsidy from the Iron Throne via skimming the tariffs, 4. No taxes to kick up to the Throne, while still benefitting from the security -of- Westeros' crown. You're claiming, as a simple bit of character backstory by virtue of you joining the game, something I have not achieved, from a better starting point, through gameplay. No, you are not the richest man in Westeros. I'm saying this as a Council member, and if need be I can get the admin involved.
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Post by loremaster on Jan 11, 2008 8:47:55 GMT -5
They're Great Houses because they have land, influence, power, money, etc.
They're ruling houses because they rule over others, but this can change very easily.
Power and authority are two different concepts. Otherwise, the Red Wedding woud never have happened.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jan 11, 2008 8:48:55 GMT -5
The two are somewhat interchangeable, Frey, or at least one leads to the other. Regardless, my point stands. Alter your claims.
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Post by loremaster on Jan 11, 2008 8:59:03 GMT -5
The ruling houses also are richer because they -do- collect taxes from the houses under their rule. In almost all cases, the ruling houses -are- the strongest house (exceptions in the current game are due to recent shifts which haven't settled yet), even if it is only -because- of the advantages they get as Lord Paramount. Plus, of course, Martell controls a city (even a piss-poor one like Sunspear is in the books), which makes for one of the top houses, wealthwise, alone. (Also, in LoW, Martell is stronger and richer than in the books for several reasons; I should have clarified which Martell I spoke of.) Yes, this means that Manderly, Grafton, and Hightower don't fit neatly into this scheme. Frey doesn't control a city last time I checked. Anyway, the point is, the Lannisters -are- richer than any other house, so arbitrarily declaring your house richer than theirs is out of bounds. If you're assuming that you can simply raise your house wealth past that of Lannister by declaring it so, then by rights I should be able to declare Martell richer than anyone else, since I have: 1. The system-backed skills (Grandmaster in Rulership, my Stewardship skill, for one thing; you don't rate yet), 2. Over a decade, in game, of actively working towards it, 3. For most of that decade, what amounts to a massive subsidy from the Iron Throne via skimming the tariffs, 4. No taxes to kick up to the Throne, while still benefitting from the security -of- Westeros' crown. You're claiming, as a simple bit of character backstory by virtue of you joining the game, something I have not achieved, from a better starting point, through gameplay. No, you are not the richest man in Westeros. I'm saying this as a Council member, and if need be I can get the admin involved. You forget I'm talking about the Freys. It's what the Crossing DOES. It makes a LOT of money as easily as possible. I just have to sit at home and I would STILL be as wealthy as the Martells. Now if I have a character with the brains to use that money to make more money and is clever enough to pull it off, then he's at least as rich as the Lannisters. Now imagine that person never uses it to fight wars. Complete neutrality. That's where houses usually spend their money. Obviously, it builds up. So there you go. Richest man in Westeros. And yes, he does pay his taxes to the Blackwoods.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jan 11, 2008 9:02:01 GMT -5
Perhaps you weren't listening. Until you have explicit approval from the Smith, you are not that rich and you are not to engage in any RP that involves throwing around "more money than the Lannisters". This is a preliminary injunction as the Site Council member on the scene.
Thank you.
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Post by loremaster on Jan 11, 2008 9:03:55 GMT -5
I've already been approved by the Smith.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jan 11, 2008 9:11:12 GMT -5
I haven't seen that approval (and I wasn't aware they were still doing formal approvals for each character). In that case, I'll merely point out that anything you do with it may be retconned at a moment's notice if your wealth is un-approved on the final call.
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Post by loremaster on Jan 11, 2008 9:14:12 GMT -5
Great. Now I think I'll go buy Sunspear from your evil clone.
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