Name: Manfred the Mariner.
House: Hightower.
Age: Fifty years.
Gender: Male.
Titles: Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, Voice of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Beacon of the South.
House Seat: The Hightower, Oldtown.
House Sigil: A white tower crowned with flames on smoke grey.
Cendrée, a tower argent, beacon inflamed gules.Allegiance: House Gardener, Lords of Highgarden and Kings of the Reach.
Appearance: Appears much as his House's namesake, like the Hightower. Towers a head and more over most men, but also built as a bull; broad-shouldered and thick-necked with immense muscles. White-blond hair and beard, straight, smooth and shot with silver; the former worn long and free and the latter trimmed short and neat. High and furrowed forehead above a heavy and bushy brow, square features, cleft chin and thin lips, red as heart's blood. Skin sun-kissed bronze and criss-crossed with scars, silver and violet alike. Hands calloused hard, yet also ink-stained dark as a scribe and surprisingly dextrous despite their enormous size. Grey-eyed, as steel in sheen and sharpness.
A hale man, and handsome in a plainer, well-worn way.
Personality: Overall, Manfred is renowned across Westeros as a vigilant, virtuous and disciplined lord of serious disposition. Also an honest, honorable and courteous family man, but practical, prudent and stubborn too in his beliefs as a steadfast follower of the Faith of the Seven. Otherwise very loving and serving of family and friends, if reserved in affection. Fiercely defends his holdings and the Faith by any means necessary, but isn't terribly ambitious besides his duties as a lord. That is, in enforcing the peace and ensuring the prosperity of his people and holdings.
Additionally, an adventurer and lover of learning since childhood, if less obsessively in the last decade. Manfred holds a deep fondness for history, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music, as well as medicine, architecture, and ancient artifacts. And alchemy and magic as well.
When interacting, he remains gentle, generous and slow to anger, much in part due to his naturally great strength. Manfred learned well as boy to restrain himself so as to not inadvertently harm his family or retainers. Such restraint extends to his mindset too; Manfred often says only what he thinks needs to be said and nothing more. Also takes great care before speaking, ensuring thoughts are well formed and complete before opening his mouth. Likewise, his approach to problems is a methodical and measured one.
This carefulness, combined with Manfred's towering stature, usually gives others the impression that he's somewhat slow of wit. However, his cautious way of thinking avails him such insight that scheming nobles mistake his straightforward manner for one of extreme craftiness that he's intentionally disguised with a simplistic veneer. That Manfred is an extraordinarily adept tactician tends to reinforce this image.
And while indeed slow to anger, Manfred can become an implacable foe when roused, sometimes falling to a brutal frenzied state in battle against his only hated enemies: pirates, particularly the Ironborn and those of the Stepstones. Over time though, he's learned to better control his strength and power; how to go through life without holding himself back while not harming others.
For those who know him well, he is thought of as a good and godly man; one sharp, shrewd and wise, yet distant from political matters beyond his lands due to his distaste for wastefulness and unnecessary conflict. Grows grim and gruff at times when overly weary or disappointed; turning almost to stone. And when roused by betrayal or family suffering, a temper terrible as an inferno.
Manfred expects no less than excellence in efforts from his subordinates - and his sons especially. While unforgiving of ignorance, laziness or any unwillingness to learn, he is oddly understanding of failure and even disobedience. Perhaps patient above all else. And possessing a certain ruthless intelligence and resourceful ingenuity in pursuit of retribution.
Skills: Famed for the excellent administration of his holdings, and as an extraordinary tactician and warrior of substantial experience in leadership, logistics and mastery of weapons and plans on land or at sea through two decades of battle abroad or within Westeros. Too, an extremely fearsome swordmaster also known for his expertise as an able diplomat, in discrete counseling and in giving good advice.
Some mastery of intrigue in gathering information from abroad due to the Hightower fleet, his merchant marine and others in Oldtown. Very well-traveled and learned in book knowledge and the ways of the larger world. And something of an innovator in accounting, alchemy, architecture and various devices of his design. Though they don't always work as planned...
Weaponry: Vigilance, an ancient, hand-and-a-half longsword of Valyrian steel and ancestral weapon of House Hightower. Will also wield an arming sword and long dagger of finest castle-forged steel, alongside the lance, mace and an arbalest. Wears a full suit of ornate plate over mail, silvery-white fluting on steel-grey with an enamel coating giving a sheen as blood and fire in appearance.
Military Strength: Much more than nine thousand men-at-arms and sworn knights, as well as the Hightower fleet and merchant marine of Oldtown. Additionally, the might of House Hightower's five vassals: House Beesbury of Honeyholt, House Bulwer of Blackcrown, House Costayne of the Three Towers, House Cuy of Sunhouse and House Mullendore of Uplands.
Biography: Second son and third child of his lordly father, Manfred was one not destined to rule House Hightower. As a child, he instead spent his days studying obsessively in the Citadel, Starry Sept and guildhalls of Oldtown, to the point that others jested about his habits in reading, calculating and crafting devices of his own design, or discussing his studies with Maesters and Septons alike, who aided his mind to flourish. In these years, Manfred identified with the Smith as an aspect of the Seven, and rarely strayed from beside the Seneschal, High Septon and Archmaesters.
Despite his great strength, Manfred held no fondness for steel beyond his tomes, instruments and devices. Early on, he seemed unheeding of any wish from his father to train as a warrior and commander of men; a disappointing excuse for a son. Indeed, Manfred's only desire was to become an adventuring scholar; to travel far across the seas and find all the world had to offer. Often others unfavorably compared Manfred to his ancestor, Peremor the Twisted; sharing that insatiable thirst for knowledge about of the world at the expense of everything else.
However, when sent to foster at Highgarden under the Gardeners, Manfred apparently found need to seriously study warfare. But whatever prompted this change went unnoticed by others beyond one thing: an untitled, but massive volume always found at his bedside, old and faded.
Following a fast and deep friendship with a young Prince Mern, Manfred was knighted at seven-and-ten. Alongside his friend, he always distinguished himself well at tournaments, although seldom entering the lists; little love for lances over the melee. Many among his family praised on his swordsmanship in his melee victory, now likening him to the legendary King Uthor and worthy of wielding
Vigilance. Here too he won the favor of Princess Gweneth, Mern's youngest sister, to whom Manfred was betrothed shortly thereafter and fell in love over coming months.
Through these years, Manfred remained the closest companion of Mern, accompanying the heir of Highgarden wherever went with his sword-arm and wise words. Rarely did he return home himself to see his family. And if not for his wife-to-be's affection and words, he might have missed them terribly. And still he dreamt to sail the seas afar...
Then, at nine-and-ten years in age, his father and elder brother both died suddenly, lost at sea under suspicious circumstances – last sighted in their area had been an Ironborn flotilla. Thus, Manfred ascended to lordship in trying times, initially unready for the transition to those duties if not for the support of the Septons and Maesters. But in time he proved most competent, leaving behind his childhood dream to thus commit himself fully in pursuing continued peace and prosperity for his holdings. And despite his relative youth, expanded these further than ever before.
Two weeks after Manfred turned twenty, his elder sister Margaery married Mern. Manfred in turn wedded Gweneth days later on her twentieth birthday.
Alongside his new wife, family and vassals, he established trade agreements by sea with several Free Cities previously receiving service from his fleets. Too, he sent merchantmen farther than ever before in the history of House Hightower. Thrice in as many years, Manfred personally led large and long trade expeditions abroad, finally fulfilling his dream; to Slaver’s Bay, Qarth, Moraq, and even Yi Ti and Asshai in the Furthest East. From each he returned with a new treasure trove, with spices, silks and other exotic luxuries to sell in Westeros. But business was not all Manfred pursued. He extended old routes, made new maps and sailed even to the Land of Always Winter. Thus he gained his epithet: the Mariner.
Of this newfound wealth, Manfred poured most into public works within Oldtown and his holdings, funding new additions and renewing the old; the Starry Sept, the Citadel, guildhalls and shipyards, roads and wharves, town-homes and taverns, among so much more. While strengthening his connections to the city and its inhabitants, he opened the gateway for further growth. Thousands immigrated from surroundings lands and faraway, come in hope of opportunity; of those who held a competent skill-set, commitment to their word or good character, he accepted. Others, though, failed entry; the Mariner turned away lazy fools, oath-breakers and heartless criminals. Thus did House Hightower prosper more than ever previously.
Soon, Manfred finally sought retribution. He commissioned a standing host and fleet of volunteers; recruited, trained and equipped by House Hightower, and whose families were provided benefits for their service based on contracts similar to those found in Essos. In coming months, Manfred hunted the petty pirates and sellsails among the Iron Isles, Stepstones and any seas he had been before too; no matter on open waters or raiding and besieging their lairs in a methodical and measured manner – and equally merciless.
Whether from some sense of common service or in pursuit of perceived vengeance for his House, father and brother – perhaps both or neither – he was soon reputed for a certain ruthless intelligence and resourceful ingenuity through these actions, as well as his fearsome swordsmanship. In those waters, the name of Manfred the Mariner was heard far and wide.
Here amidst blood and fire, Manfred identified most with the Warrior in his ways.
At six-and-twenty, conflict began again between the Reach and Stormlands. While unable to attend the Battle of Summerfield that started it all due to an expedition at that time, he soon followed his liege lord and closest friend, now King Mern IX after the death of King Garse VII. However, he limited the involvement and violent acts of House Hightower, hoping to avoid unnecessary losses in troops, ships and social ties - Manfred and his brothers thought they couldn't win the war, but mightn't lose it entirely either. Another worthless, meaningless war, as the High Septon said to him. One not supported by the Seven.
Therefore, Manfred fought, but did as little as possible to harm the other side, in order he obey the High Septon and his holdings suffer the least. By any means, Manfred sought to ensure House Hightower remained whole and well despite war. He advised the same of Mern IX, who listened to his closest friend and ended the conflict early on.
In the aftermath, his reasoning proved sound. Per his actions - or rather, deliberate inaction - Manfred and his fellow Reachmen felt little lasting losses in family members, manpower or materiel. House Hightower - and their liege lords - returned from the war stronger than before it began. That is, relatively, considering the devastation of some Marchers.
For six years, Manfred returned to raising his family, administrating his holdings and sailing the seas, staying distant and detached from most political matters outside of his patronage of the Faith, the Citadel and advising his closest and oldest friend, King Mern IX. Every year, he's sent or led himself expeditions afar to return with greater treasure each time to grow his holdings. Too, with deeper knowledge of the wider world while enriching the Citadel's records and spreading the Faith. And continuing his private pursuit of pirate folk and their ilk, utterly destroying any found.
Now, Manfred prays most to the Father; for wisdom, for peace, and the lasting prosperity of all he holds dear.
However, given recent events evolving, his detached stance may soon change...
RP Samples: Here you
are! And have this
too!
Notes: [WIP]
Tree of the Hightowers and Household Retainers [WIP]
- Lord Gwayne, Head of House Hightower(†)
with his wife, Lady Alerie of House Rowan (†)
- Lord Melvyn, Head of House Hightower(†)
with his wife, Lady Bryanna of House Bulwer (†) - Queen Margaery (52)
with her husband, King Mern IX, Head of House Gardener (52) - Lord Manfred the Mariner, Head of House Hightower (50)
with his wife, Lady Gweneth of House Gardener (50)
- Ser Martyn, Heir of House Hightower (32)
with his wife, Elayne of House Redwyne (28)
- Septon Marwyn of the Starry Sept (30)
- Lady Lynesse (30)
with her husband, Lord Robyn, Head of House Reyne (40)
- Ser Morgan, Captain of the Warrior's Sons (28)
- Lysa (26)
with her husband, Ser Morien, Heir of House Mullendore (25)
- Ser Melvyn (24)
with his wife, Ellyn of House Beesbury (22)
- Lyanna (22)
with her husband, Ser Arthur the Younger, Heir of House Cuy (30)
- Merlyn, Acolyte of the Citadel (20)
- Ser Modred (18)
- Lara (16)
- Ser Gaeryth, Commander of the Warrior's Sons (48)
- Archmaester Mordwyn of the Citadel (44)
- Septa Igrayne, Most Devout and White Mother of the Oldtown Motherhouse (40)
- Ser Galath (39)
with his wife, Gwenyvere of House Beesbury (33)
- Ser Geraynt (36)
with his wife, Morgayse of House Mullendore (24)
- Lady Olenna (32)
with her husband, Lord Quentyn, Head of House Yronwood (57) - Patrice (30)
- Lord Bedyvere, Head of House Beesbury, Hand of House Hightower (64)
- Ser Bors of House Bulwer, Master of Laws (68)
- Patrice of House Hightower, Master of Whisperers (30)
- Ser Caradoc of House Costayne, Master of Coin (52)
- Lord Arthur the Elder, Head of House Cuy, Master of Ships (55)
- Maester Alyver, Maester-at-Arts (73)
- Ser Morhold of House Mullendore, Master-at-Arms (53)