Post by The Smith on Nov 14, 2009 20:23:17 GMT -5
Twenty Years have passed under the Iron-Hand of Lord Thatcher, and while times were secure, people were not as free as the once were. Thatcher's gauntlet was stained with blood. He had men like Lord Trant, and his Wagon gallows; and Milo Bettley, as deadly as Thaddeus Thatcher, serving him. Lords and Ladies who spoke ill of the throne seemed to suffer mysterious accidents. Minor disagreements with the crown seemed to turn into executions. No one was safe from their dark eyes, and they could see into men's hearts, into the darkest night.
Every great Lord dreaded when it was their assigned turn to hold the Royal court. For not only did it mean spending a great deal of their own personal coin, but it meant that men like them would be living in their keep, eating their food, listening in their shadows. Once Milo Bettley escorted three men to a liege Lord, and informed him that all three were plotting with the Braavosi; and the poor lord had too have his own son sent North. And everyone knows about the time in Gulltown when Trant had eight men hung from his wagon with out leave from Lord Grafton for a plot against the King.
And all they while those three men ran the Kingdom for young Daemon. The Targaryen influence grew. Summerhall and Dragonstone, Highgarden and the Eyrie, Starfall and Harrenhal; too many of the great castles were in the hands of Targaryens or their close kin. They spread their vile dragon blood across the realm absorbing everything in their path. All the while the Lords could not complain, not with the Cursed Three men running the Kingdom, the Shadows of the fell Dragons themselves. That was not to count the three Dragons either. Loyal to the young king alone, the beasts grew from harmless younglings into the colossal monsters they are today. All remember the sinking of the Iron Fleet by one of the beasts... now three flew at the command of King Daemon.
The only thing that placated the Lords at all was the King Himself. He seemed such a happy boy. Always polite and courteous. He could pat a Lord on his back familiarly, and argue the politics of the realm genially. Many commented how a boy raused by such dark men could turn out so normal, they credited his Mother Rhaenys. Daemon at least was popular at court, people waiting to hear his next subtle gibe, doting on his every word, enthralled.
The North was run efficiently by Lord Manderly. His nickname has become Road-Maker, all during his reign he has preached two things, the first that good roads equal good trade. He has spent much of his taxes, and only personal resources to improve the quality and scope of the North's roads. It is his second passion that has made him so unpopular in the North. He has pushed the teachings of the Seven more then most believe it is proper in the north.
The Vale has been quiet under Lord Grafton's reign. The city of Gulltown has grown more prosperous, and that has some complaining of favoritism. There is a current of anger about the most esteemed castle of the Vale being in the hands of a minor Targaryen Prince.
The Riverlands is technically run from the Crossing by Lord Banefort. Yet his time in command has been one of increasing bad luck. Each year there are floods, droughts, plagues and infestations. Many openly speak of eliminating the source of their bad luck. The south of the Riverlands barely answer to Banefort any more, turning their eyes south to Harrenhal, and Lord Thathcer.
The Iron Islands have been reborn in the last twenty years. Previous generations of Reavers are screaming in their dark, salty depths. The Thralls run their islands, and the Priests of the Drowned gods are occasionally found and burnt alive. Recently more and more ships have been disappearing. Not just ships of the Iron Island, both Lord Lannister, and Lord Banefort have complained of ships gone missing. Some whisper they Kraken has returned to avenge his Drowngod, others think Ironborn pirates must be active in the area.
The West has been the one sore spot for the Three Shadows of the Dragon. Lord Tyberion had seemed gracious in hosting, and was overly generous as usual. But he made subtle jabs, and quips at the three men openly. Sometimes to their very faces. Men brave enough to stand up to such darkness become legends in their own right. Many remember Lord Lannister's anger as well, when his son Owen betrayed his family to become a King's Guard it is said that Tyberian had ten men executed, before his temper cooled. When Lord Tyberion passed several years back, the word crept out that it was the work of the Dragon's Shadow, Milo Bettley most likely, but there was no evidence, and the seat of Casterly Rock passed to Conwell Lannister. The College still stands strong in the City of Lannisport, training its Sages beyond the level of Maesters, at least by its own declaration. Lannister still finances the school, even though they seem to do nothing but study matters that are unimportant.
The Mander stands strong under the reign of Lord Edmure Dawnrose. He has proven a capable leader, and popular with most of his people. There have been more bandits ranging then many think appropriate, but when Lord Dawnrose discovers these groups he destroys them utterly. Many dark words are spoken of the Targaryen prince who rules Highgarden, the Mandermen are jealous of the falling of that keep to a dragon, and proud of the new castle Edmure has just completed after 20 years of work, that they believe superior to Highgarden in every way.
The Stormlands stand strong under the Baratheons. Eustace was killed in a tragic accident during a joust with a young squire. It was truly a fluke accident, and he commanded that the young boy not be held at fault, blaming himself. His son has tried to fill his father's large shadow, and so far has failed. Eustace was the one beam of light in an otherwise Dark Reign, for all the fear the Trant, Thathcer, and Bettley inspire, it was Eustace with his drunken revelry and joy of life that made Lords smile at Court. He was never under the shadow of the King's administration, and joked at their expense, drunk too much, and was absolutely fearless. His death four years ago turned the realm all the darker because of the lack of his flame.
The Far Reach has suffered through a trial of errors unmatched in the history of Westeros. First Lord Florent was named the Lord Paramount of the Far Reach in reward for leading his men against the Iron Born in Pyke. Florent ruled for four years before dying of dysentery. His son judged too young, to be named Lord Paramount, they asked Lord Constayne to rule. He was in command for three years when a fall down a flight of stairs left him alive but mentally unhinged. Lord Beesbury was stung by an insect, and then Lord Bulwer followed but was caught having an inappropriate relationship with a bovine. Three more lords follow in succession before Lords of the Far Reach began to decline the honor when offered. The position has sat empty for almost three years now.
Dorne lies quiet for most of the past twenty years. Sunspear was rebuilt, and the Princess Araidne worked hard to secure her claim on the throne. She now rules the land well enough, and is respected, and feared. Recently though rumors have started to spread of Princess Aurora's son by Milo Bettley alive, and gathering troops to his cause. When the rumors are traced down, it always ends with just being a tale, but it has passed too many lips to not have some kind of origin.
Across the Narrow Sea a war is brewing. Braavos is desperate to hold onto the lands secured by the infamous Delinal. Yet much internal intrigue has caused Braavos' hold to weaken on all its allies. Now they other powers are starting to push back. War is the only certain.
Every great Lord dreaded when it was their assigned turn to hold the Royal court. For not only did it mean spending a great deal of their own personal coin, but it meant that men like them would be living in their keep, eating their food, listening in their shadows. Once Milo Bettley escorted three men to a liege Lord, and informed him that all three were plotting with the Braavosi; and the poor lord had too have his own son sent North. And everyone knows about the time in Gulltown when Trant had eight men hung from his wagon with out leave from Lord Grafton for a plot against the King.
And all they while those three men ran the Kingdom for young Daemon. The Targaryen influence grew. Summerhall and Dragonstone, Highgarden and the Eyrie, Starfall and Harrenhal; too many of the great castles were in the hands of Targaryens or their close kin. They spread their vile dragon blood across the realm absorbing everything in their path. All the while the Lords could not complain, not with the Cursed Three men running the Kingdom, the Shadows of the fell Dragons themselves. That was not to count the three Dragons either. Loyal to the young king alone, the beasts grew from harmless younglings into the colossal monsters they are today. All remember the sinking of the Iron Fleet by one of the beasts... now three flew at the command of King Daemon.
The only thing that placated the Lords at all was the King Himself. He seemed such a happy boy. Always polite and courteous. He could pat a Lord on his back familiarly, and argue the politics of the realm genially. Many commented how a boy raused by such dark men could turn out so normal, they credited his Mother Rhaenys. Daemon at least was popular at court, people waiting to hear his next subtle gibe, doting on his every word, enthralled.
The North was run efficiently by Lord Manderly. His nickname has become Road-Maker, all during his reign he has preached two things, the first that good roads equal good trade. He has spent much of his taxes, and only personal resources to improve the quality and scope of the North's roads. It is his second passion that has made him so unpopular in the North. He has pushed the teachings of the Seven more then most believe it is proper in the north.
The Vale has been quiet under Lord Grafton's reign. The city of Gulltown has grown more prosperous, and that has some complaining of favoritism. There is a current of anger about the most esteemed castle of the Vale being in the hands of a minor Targaryen Prince.
The Riverlands is technically run from the Crossing by Lord Banefort. Yet his time in command has been one of increasing bad luck. Each year there are floods, droughts, plagues and infestations. Many openly speak of eliminating the source of their bad luck. The south of the Riverlands barely answer to Banefort any more, turning their eyes south to Harrenhal, and Lord Thathcer.
The Iron Islands have been reborn in the last twenty years. Previous generations of Reavers are screaming in their dark, salty depths. The Thralls run their islands, and the Priests of the Drowned gods are occasionally found and burnt alive. Recently more and more ships have been disappearing. Not just ships of the Iron Island, both Lord Lannister, and Lord Banefort have complained of ships gone missing. Some whisper they Kraken has returned to avenge his Drowngod, others think Ironborn pirates must be active in the area.
The West has been the one sore spot for the Three Shadows of the Dragon. Lord Tyberion had seemed gracious in hosting, and was overly generous as usual. But he made subtle jabs, and quips at the three men openly. Sometimes to their very faces. Men brave enough to stand up to such darkness become legends in their own right. Many remember Lord Lannister's anger as well, when his son Owen betrayed his family to become a King's Guard it is said that Tyberian had ten men executed, before his temper cooled. When Lord Tyberion passed several years back, the word crept out that it was the work of the Dragon's Shadow, Milo Bettley most likely, but there was no evidence, and the seat of Casterly Rock passed to Conwell Lannister. The College still stands strong in the City of Lannisport, training its Sages beyond the level of Maesters, at least by its own declaration. Lannister still finances the school, even though they seem to do nothing but study matters that are unimportant.
The Mander stands strong under the reign of Lord Edmure Dawnrose. He has proven a capable leader, and popular with most of his people. There have been more bandits ranging then many think appropriate, but when Lord Dawnrose discovers these groups he destroys them utterly. Many dark words are spoken of the Targaryen prince who rules Highgarden, the Mandermen are jealous of the falling of that keep to a dragon, and proud of the new castle Edmure has just completed after 20 years of work, that they believe superior to Highgarden in every way.
The Stormlands stand strong under the Baratheons. Eustace was killed in a tragic accident during a joust with a young squire. It was truly a fluke accident, and he commanded that the young boy not be held at fault, blaming himself. His son has tried to fill his father's large shadow, and so far has failed. Eustace was the one beam of light in an otherwise Dark Reign, for all the fear the Trant, Thathcer, and Bettley inspire, it was Eustace with his drunken revelry and joy of life that made Lords smile at Court. He was never under the shadow of the King's administration, and joked at their expense, drunk too much, and was absolutely fearless. His death four years ago turned the realm all the darker because of the lack of his flame.
The Far Reach has suffered through a trial of errors unmatched in the history of Westeros. First Lord Florent was named the Lord Paramount of the Far Reach in reward for leading his men against the Iron Born in Pyke. Florent ruled for four years before dying of dysentery. His son judged too young, to be named Lord Paramount, they asked Lord Constayne to rule. He was in command for three years when a fall down a flight of stairs left him alive but mentally unhinged. Lord Beesbury was stung by an insect, and then Lord Bulwer followed but was caught having an inappropriate relationship with a bovine. Three more lords follow in succession before Lords of the Far Reach began to decline the honor when offered. The position has sat empty for almost three years now.
Dorne lies quiet for most of the past twenty years. Sunspear was rebuilt, and the Princess Araidne worked hard to secure her claim on the throne. She now rules the land well enough, and is respected, and feared. Recently though rumors have started to spread of Princess Aurora's son by Milo Bettley alive, and gathering troops to his cause. When the rumors are traced down, it always ends with just being a tale, but it has passed too many lips to not have some kind of origin.
Across the Narrow Sea a war is brewing. Braavos is desperate to hold onto the lands secured by the infamous Delinal. Yet much internal intrigue has caused Braavos' hold to weaken on all its allies. Now they other powers are starting to push back. War is the only certain.