Ashford, that is where it all went wrong…or so the Maesters say and the realm in agreement with them. The year was 209 AC and never had the realm known more a more stable time, King Daeron II ‘the Good’ and his line had triumphed over the treacherous Blackfyre’s at Redgrass Field and since the dynasty had grown to extents not seen since the reign of Jahaerys. In celebration of his daughter 13th name day did Lord Ashford host a great tourney at which assembled the great knights, lords and Princes of the realm, most prominently the heir to the Iron Throne, Baelor ‘Breakspear’ Targaryen.
The actual tragedy itself began with a feud between Prince Aerion ‘Brightflame’ son of Prince Maekar (youngest of Daeron’s sons) and a lowly hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall who dared strike the royal person over a Dornish girl or so the story goes. What came after was a Trial of Seven in which Aerion and Ser Duncan assembled six fellow champions to stand for their cause in combat against the other. Among these champions were the Princes Baelor and Maekar (Maekar in service to his son and Baelor the young Ser Duncan).
Indeed what came once the trumpets heralded the charge of the champions and the clang of swords can never be undone nor forgotten, not only did Aerion slay Ser Duncan by treachery as his foes namely his younger brother Aegon would assert, but also did Prince Maekar fell noble Baelor. And so over a hedge knight did perhaps one of the most noble knights in all the realm and the future King of Westeros fall, however this Tragedy at Ashford would only prove one of many…
Soon after Baelor’s death did the Great Spring Sickness devour the continent, felling smallfolk and great Lords alike, even the Targaryen’s themselves soon proved vulnerable to the pandemic, for not only was good King Daeron carried off but also his grandsons by Baelor and his younger son the sickly Aerys. For weeks the realm from Dorne to the Wall were held in thrall by the pestilence and the great cities of King’s Landing, Oldtown and Lannisport stank of death for months to come.
But who ruled the Seven Kingdoms in the midst of this great crisis, what great, inspired leader could hold it all together? Alas such a task fell to the third of Daeron’s sons, the mad simpleton Rhaegel the First of His Name. Perhaps it is not surprising that as Westeros was strangled by this great plague that other darker forces would quickly see opportunity in the death of Daeron and the chaos of the realm. These forces were the exiled Blackfyre’s and the Golden Company in Essos and to the west the fearsome Ironborn under Dagon Greyjoy began to reave from Bear Isle to the Arbor.
Indeed where many Lords and smallfolk had expected the dragons to act, instead they fought among themselves for power. Prince Maekar perhaps the most suited to the throne with the deaths of his brothers came to conflict with perhaps the most powerful man at court his uncle, Brynden Rivers or as he was better known ‘Bloodraven’. Bloodraven, feared throughout the seven Kingdoms for his cunning, sorcery and sinister nature, viewed the Blackfyre’s alone as the greatest threat to the Targaryen’s and so argued a policy aimed directly against them and his half-brother and rival the Blackfyre chief Bittersteel. Prince Maekar in opposition argued that bastards and broken exiles could never challenge the Iron Throne again and so argued the full might for the crown be used to scour the Ironborn from the west.
Ultimately the two divided after what looked like a showdown for the ages, as Prince Maekar now Hand of the King marched west to hammer the Ironborn into submission with the Crown Prince Aelor and in King’s Landing Bloodraven remained as Lord Regent ruled with his eye however fixed on Essos. Ultimately this would a more poisonous stew then the Greyjoy’s and Blackfyre’s could ever hope to create.
The Taming of the Kraken as the war against the Ironborn would become known was a bloody business, Dagon and his son’s reavers scoured Westeros clean and some Captains even had begun to dare conquer personal Kingdoms amid the smoking ruins of the raided shore. The Lannisters, Starks and Tully’s ultimately had failed in their attempts with the Lannister fleet wrecked off fair Isle alongside the bulk of the Reach’s, the Starks meanwhile though had fended off further Greyjoy incursions had seen the Wolfwood set ablaze by the calculating Dagon as his reavers retreated to their longboats immolating Lord Glover and his army. Even when Prince the ‘Anvil of the Redgrass Field’ arrived to smash the Greyjoys into submission his task would prove a slow one, one which would see many great tragedies including the death of Prince Aelor beneath the walls of the Crag, the Rape of Lannisport and the phyrric victory at Fair Isle over the Ironborn fleet.
In the west meanwhile rebellion finally ignited in 211AC when the Blackfyre’s struck, first with Daemon II Blackfyre’s rebellion at Whitewalls which led to a gruelling siege by Lord Bloodraven who ultimately used Wildfire to roast the pretender and his supporters within the castle walls. Indeed it is little surprise why the houses whose brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers burned behind Whitehalls walls decided to rise in revolt when Haegon Blackfyre and Bittersteel crossed the Narrow Sea. Thus now some three years later in 214AC do we find ourselves with the Iron Isles in open revolt, the Third Blackfyre Rebellion blazing across the realm and finally with Prince Aelor’s death a rift between the lines of King Rhaegel and Prince Maekar as many wonder if perhaps a warrior King is what is needed to finally subdue the realm. Whatever the case this ‘Time of Troubles’ as the Maesters have so dubbed it was born of Tragedy at Ashford now the question is will you put it to an end or use it to your advantage my Lords?
Rules:
1. Standard NS RP etiquette (aka no flaming, trolling, etc.)
2. My word is law, disobey me and prepare to be destroyed….
3. Remember that this is medieval type tech….
4. Magic though around is not all powerful its more subtle like in the books, so no tearing down the wall with some sorcerer, greenseers and wargs though yeah sure just TG me and we’ll discuss it.
5. Battles are won by tactics and strategy not blind luck, so I and my Co-Op’s will provide rulings based on the tactics described.
6. Valar Morghulis, “all men must die” holds true, remember even if your favourite character dies he has a family to avenge him.
7. News takes time to travel especially seeing as the postal service of Westeros is done via ravens so don’t expect a letter to go from Dorne to Winterfell in a day.
8. Characters and time isn’t static everyone in the RP grows old and dies remember that.
9. The seasons change over a course of years to months depending, remember winter can be like mini-ice ages here in Westeros.
10. As OP I have the right to, add, remove and or edit these rules at my pleasure, so again don’t go against me.
11. For military numbers don't go crazy please refer to this wiki page and remember that Lord Paramounts can probably call up 10-15,000 troops on their own, individual Lords 1-10,000 depending on the region and knights a hundred at best if their really wealthy like Kevan Lannister.
12. Have fun kids!
APP
- Code: Select all
[b]House APP:[/b]
[b]House Name:[/b]
[b]Sigil:[/b] (pictures would be helpful)
[b]Head of House:[/b] (please include age, personality and appearance)
[b]Relevant House Members:[/b] (please include age, personality and appearance)
[b]House Seat:[/b]
[b]House's Faith:[/b]
[b]Military Forces: (Again within reason)[/b]
[b]Sworn Houses:[/b]
[b]RP Example: [/b]
[b]Notes:[/b] (Please reserve positions in the Kingsguard and or Small Council here and remember one of each per family at the most.
Nobility:
King/Queen: The top of the food chain in Westeros you rule on high from the Iron Throne or perhaps Sea Stone Chair depending. In this RP there are two independent King’s again the Targaryen King I King’s Landing and in Pyke as King of the Iron Isles. To add there are two families which currently lay claim to the Iron Throne House Blackfyre and House Targaryen of Summerhal aka Maekar’s line.
Lord Paramount/Prince: Ruling on behalf of their liege on the Iron Throne or elsewhere’s these powerful Lords are usually from ancient families tracing their lineage back to the Age of Heroes and once ruled in their own right as King’ before Aegon’s conquest. Now though with the dragons gone, they excerise great power once more, though at the same time must be wary of their own overly ambitious vassals…
Lord: The bedrock of Westeros’s feudal systems whether great or small these men provide the bulk of their liege’s armies, taxes and on a micro-governmental level hold huge say. To add sometimes their power can even dwarf that of their technical overlord’s examples of this being the Reynes, Hightowers and Frey’s.
Ser: The lowest in the feudal system these can range from a wealthy knight with a small holdfast sworn to some great lord aided by a troop of retainers to a humble hedge knight earning ends meat through tourney’’s and wars. Nonetheless they can still prove great high risers if given both opportunity and more importantly motivation…
The Small Council: The royal councillors selected by the King to serve the realm, such a position is to be envied and shunned for the burden or greatness of rule it presents. Based in King’s Landing within the Red Keep indeed how these great Lords will overcome the crisis before them is yet to be seen…
Hand of the King: The Kings second in command. Indeed if you hold this you’re the envy of Lords from Last Hearth to the Arbor. And as Hand of the king you may rule in his or her absence, preside over council meetings and for the most part handle the affairs of the kingdom should the King allow it.
Master of Laws: Oversees the Laws & Justice system for the Kingdom.
Master of Ships: This advisor oversees the royal fleet and ships
Master of Coin: Overseer of the royal treasury and financial matters of the realm.
Master of Whispers: The spymaster, and the head of intelligence.
Grand Maester: Head adviser on matters of lore and wisdom to the King’s council.
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Head of the Kingsguard the seven finest warriors in all of Westeros, as its leader you are personally appointed by the King and are often never far from his or her side, even sitting in on matters of the Small Council.
Small Council Advisor: Two advisors can be appointed by the King or Queen to the Small Council to help govern the Kingdom or simply as a means to reward favourites. Their duties range and vary depending on their overlords.
The Kingsguard: Seven knights bound in white and sworn to defend the King and obey him until their deaths, this is the sacred brotherhood of the Kingsguard. Sworn to serve for life, never to sire heirs nor wear crowns or ascend great lordships it is both a path of glory and darkness. Usually made up of the greatest knights in the realm it also can be made up of the greatest noble scions as well and is seen as a position of great honour and responsibility for those who don the white cloak.
Lord Commander-
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Family:
Family is the most important thing in Westeros and Essos. If you have a family name, you are someone of note, if not, you are commoner like the rest, and will more than likely be ignored. So, how does one build a family?
Well, obviously, a family needs members. A noble family usually begins with the marriage of a Lord and Lady of two other houses. The Lord and Lady then have children, who take the family name and the male members continue the dynasty and inherit lands, while the female members - outside of Dorne or certain parts of Essos - are married off to secure alliances and lands.
Another point that needs addressing is the subject of Bastards. Bastards are any child born out of wedlock, and they take the surname of where they are born. The Bastard surnames are:
North - Snow
Riverlands - Rivers
Vale - Stone
Reach - Flowers
Westerlands - Hill
Iron Islands - Pyke
Dorne - Sand
Stormlands - Storm
Crownlands - Waters
A bastard may inherit if the father has no other trueborn children nor any other likely kin to follow him. Additionally, a bastard can inherit if he is legitimized by a royal decree. It is unclear whether a legitimized bastard would be placed in the succession according to birth order, or would be placed at the end, after the trueborn children.
Culture:Please see thiswiki for information regarding culture in GRRM's A Song of Fire and Ice.
Religion: here are the major faiths of Essos and Westeros for more minor faiths please use this wiki.
The Faith of the Seven is the principal religion of the Seven Kingdoms. It is little-practiced beyond its borders. The Faith of the Seven is dominant in the south of Westeros. The only regions where it is not the majority religion are the North, where worship of the Old Gods of the Forest remains strong, and on the Iron Islands, where the local religion of the Drowned God is most widespread. There are many exceptions in all three areas, however.
The Faith holds that there is one god who has seven faces or aspects: the Father, the Mother, the Maiden, the Crone, the Warrior, the Smith, and the Stranger. Each aspect represents one part of life or existence.
The Father: represents divine justice, and judges the souls of the dead.
The Mother: represents mercy, peace, fertility, and childbirth. She is sometimes referred to as "the strength of women".
The Maiden: represents purity, love, and beauty.
The Crone: represents wisdom and foresight. She is represented carrying a lantern.
The Warrior: represents strength and courage in battle.
The Smith: represents creation and craftsmanship.
The Stranger: The Stranger represents death and the unknown. It is rarely prayed to.
The Old Gods of the Forest are a collection of innumerable and unnamed spirits of nature, which are worshipped by many people of the North and small numbers elsewhere in Westeros. It is the old religion of Westeros, supplanted by the Faith of the Seven which was brought to the continent by the Andals and is now the dominant faith of the continent. Though the two religions have coexisted for more than six thousand years, there is still tension between the most devout adherents of the two faiths.
The Drowned God is the deity worshiped on the Iron Islands. Together with the North, where the worship of the Old Gods of the Forest remains strong, the Iron Islands is one of the few regions in Westeros not abiding by the main religion of the Seven Kingdoms, the Faith of the Seven. The belief system of the Drowned God justifies the ironborn way of life of piracy and raiding. Followers of the Drowned God believe he brought flame from the sea and that he created the ironborn to reave, raid, and pillage. Much of the religion centers around maritime skills and seafaring ability. It is not simply praiseworthy to kill enemies in battle, it is considered a pious act. A youth in the Iron Islands is not considered a man until he has killed his first enemy. The religion also encourages paying the "iron price" instead of the "gold price" -- that is, it is better not to pay or treat for possessions, but to take them by force from the hands of dead enemies.
R'hllor, alternatively known as the Lord of Light, and the Red God, is a deity widely worshiped in the continent of Essos. The Lord of Light has been described as a "fire god" and its clergy "fire priests", as worship of the Lord of Light centers around fire and light. It is the majority religion in several of the Free Cities, and extends to Asshai in the distant east. Worship of the Lord of Light is almost unheard of in Westeros. The religion of the Lord of Light is centered on belief in the existence of a single, all-powerful god. R'hllor is the god of fire, which provides light, heat, and life, and struggles against darkness, cold, and death, represented by an opposing deity, the Great Other.
The Great Stallion ("vezhof") is a horse god revered as the deity of the Dothraki religion, mirroring the importance of these creatures in Dothraki culture. The religious beliefs of the Dothraki are complex, as there is little division in Dothraki society between what in other cultures might be called "religion" and "custom". The Dothraki religion is fundamentally monotheistic, worshiping the Great Stallion, and it would be incorrect to describe it as polytheistic. However, the Dothraki also acknowledge the existence of other supernatural beings or spirits. Dothraki religious beliefs are best described as "henotheism" - the belief in and worship of a single deity (the Great Stallion), but accepting the existence of other deities who may or may not be worshipped. These other deities may only have power in specific localities. For example, the Dothraki do not revere or worship the Great Shepherd, which is worshipped by the Lhazareen who live beyond the southern border of the Dothraki Sea. However, they do not deny that the Great Shepherd may exist, they just think its power is only strongest in Lhazar, and even then, that the Great Stallion is assuredly a stronger god than the Great Shepherd, in all times and places.
Factions: At the moment the realm is divided between the following groups by civil war, intrigues and other evils. These groups are those currently striving to use such events to their own advantage…
The King on the Iron Throne: The direct heirs of King Daeron II Targaryen, House Targaryen of King’s Landing is currently seated on the Iron Throne after his death amid ‘the Time of Troubles’. Currently headed by the mad yet sweet simpleton Rhaegel the First of His Name, third son of Daeron, in truth Rhaegel is little more than a mouth piece for the cunning Lord Bloodraven who rules as Lord Regent. Under his guidance House Targaryen weathered the threats against it…however now one must wonder as Maekar wars in the west if perhaps a new King should be seated on the throne.
The Iron King: House Greyjoy has long ruled the Iron Isles since the days of the Conquest and though had accepted the rule of House Targaryen they still cling to the Old Way. Now with the dragons extinct and chaos plaguing the realm they seek to once more establish a powerful Kingdom of the Iron isles, like that of Harren the Black, reaving and conquering from Bear Isle to the Arbor, they currently are in a Faustian Pact with the Blackfyre’s seeking their independence under King Dagon Greyjoy. Indeed though as the war continues many must wonder whether they shall emerge victorious as the dragon sloly begins to loosen the krakens grip over the west.
House Blackfyre: Bastard descendants of Aegon IV ‘the Unworthy’ via Aegon III’s daughter Daena the Defiant this family takes its name from the ancestral Targaryen blade and was founded by the warlike Daemon Blackfyre. Long ago expelled from Westeros for trying to ususrp the throne from the line they called bastards, House Blackfyre has licked its wounds since the Battle of Redgrass field. Now under Haegon Blackfyre with Daemon II’s death at Whitewalls the rebellion has gained momentum with the slaughter there of the rebel Lords and the Golden Company’s landing Under Haegon and Bittersteel in Westeros. However despite a mad King on the throne and their allies the Greyjoys in the west they face a frightening foes yet…Bloodraven.
The Prince of Summerhal: Founded by Prince Maekar Targaryen, 4th son of Daeron II, House Targaryen of Summerhal has long endured tragedy with the Tourney of Ashford, the war in the west and now the threat of further civil war. However while the family may grieve these horrors some in the realm look to them as the rightful Kings with the warrior Prince Maekar or ‘the Anvil of Redgrass Field’, not to mention his many knightly sons, their line could very well prove the realms salvation or its destruction. For Maekar’s line is not without its blights most noticeably the mad prince Aerion, indeed it as the old saying goes “Whenever a Targaryen is born the gods flip a coin and the world holds its breath…”
Player List:
OP: Ublia (House Targaryen of King's Landing)
Co-OP:
Co-OP:
Slarvainian (House Stark)
Krugmar (House Lothson)
Lunas Legion (House Blackfyre)
Phalnia (House Lannister)
New Granadeseret (House Baratheon)
Diliath (House Targaryen of Summerhal)
Jade Confederacy (House Frey) RESERVED
Acroticus (House Greyjoy)
Nova Vitae (House Martell)
Mersane (House Arryn)
The Small Council Reservations:
Lord Regent: Lord Brynden ‘Bloodraven’ Rivers (Ublia)
Hand of the King:
Master of Laws: Lord Edmyn Lothston (Krugmar)
Master of Coin: Lord Lyric Baratheon (New Granadeseret)
Master of Ships:
Master of Whisperers: Lord Brynden ‘Bloodraven’ Rivers (Ublia) {Until replacement is named}
Grand Maester:
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Ser Tybolt Lannister (Phalnia)
Small Council Advisor:
Small Council Advisor:
The Kingsguard Roster:
Lord Commander: Ser Tybolt Lannister (Phalnia)
- Ser Oswell Lothston (Krugmar)
- Ser Mathos Stone (Mersane)
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