1.
The Kraken strikes.
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Lord Dagon Greyjoy unites the disparate Houses
of the Iron Islands. Harlaws and Goodbrothers,
Drumms and Orkwoods, bitter rivals and brutal
reavers bow to Dagon Greyjoy. His mighty war
fleet sails fast and hard, impossible to predict,
impossible to defend against.
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The major Lords do what they can, but not all
prepare for the black sails on the horizon.
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Anchored at port, the Tyrell fleet defending the
Shield Islands is hit in the night. Lord Greyjoy
leads the attack himself, putting the ships to the
torch before they can pull out of the harbor.
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As the spectacle drowns Lord Hewett's Town in
orange flames and the roaring cheers of looting
Ironborn, a second half of the Greyjoy fleet is
sailing north.
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Red sails, white sails, black sails. The Ironborn alliance tears across the Shivering Sea, hitting White Harbor, Widow's Watch and Karhold in only a few days time. Small raiding parties sail past patrolling ships, often boarding them, overwhelming the coastal defenses and pillage as much as they can, before disappearing just as reinforcements arrive. House Stark suffers greatly under these attacks and then the ships disappear as quickly as they came.
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As the armada reunites, Dagon Greyjoy, the Reaver, the King of Salt and Rock, the Son of the Sea Wind, the Lord Reaper of Pyke, the last Kraken, is heralded as a second coming of Harren the Black, who once subjugated the seven kingdoms before Aegon's time.
year 210 after conquest - 6 Chapters
2.
A trial to commence.
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Months pass since the seizing of Sarah Lefford and Tylan Swyft at the Tourney at Winterfell. Rumors run rampant as House Lannister protests, demanding a trial for their nobles. A member of House Stark sits on the Small Council, another is held barely by House Tully to occupy a second seat, so justice seems to evade the King's ears.
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Until, after a whole year of absence from courtly matters, the King himself holds audience. Every Lord and Lady in King's Landing is there that day, to finally see his grace, the absent King.
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"Aerys Targaryen, first of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm!" A voice booms through the great hall as a skinny, gaunt, old man walks in, flanked by his Hand, Melwyn Rosby and the King's Guard. The eyes of the King linger on the crowd, then on the Iron Throne as he sits carefully. King Aerys nods as Lord Rosby speaks on his behalf. The Hand begins to recite the events of recent months.
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"A crass and cruel act of denial of his grace's peace..." as he refers to the happenings at Winterfell, "shedding blood in the King's halls..." as he mentions the recent violence between House Stark and House Tully, "boundless ambition beyond decency..." speaking of Lord Bolton's aspirations for the small council, Lord Melwyn Rosby, believed to be a quiet supporter of House Stark's ambitions, chastises them with the King himself present for the first time since his coronation.
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As gasps and shocked murmurs rouse, Lady Linda Lefford, the sister of Lord Tyrrel Lannister, steps forward, climbing the stars towards the throne, to address the King himself. His grace, Areys I. listens emphatically to Lady Lefford, his old age not having impeded his attention, as she stresses the chokehold under which House Stark has pushed not only House Lannister but also House Tully.
​
To give credence to Lady Lefford's claims, the Master of Coin, Bryden Tully steps forward, confirming the accusations of lawlessness and the threats done against his family. With a member of the small council and Lady Lefford by his side, Lord Melwyn Rosby petitions the King to invite House Stark to King's Landing. To defend themselves in a trial before the seven and to bar Lord Bolton from joining the Small Council until Lord Edward Stark has either proven his innocence or repented for his crimes against the crowns peace.
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The King stares at Lord Rosby, his Hand, at Lord Tully, his Master of Coin, and Lady Lefford, who's daughter rots in a northern dungeon, deliberating. Thick silence chokes the great hall.
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The King speaks slowly, with the carefully chosen words of a Maester, as the realm hears his grace's voice for the first time.
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"It will be done, Lord Rosby. May it be known that Lord Edward Stark is invited, as a guest of the crown, to travel to King's Landing and stand trial for his, and his bannermen's offenses, so that his guilt or innocence may be determined under the light of the seven, and he may repent for his misdeeds."
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The stunned silence is broken by a wide grinned sigh by the Lady Lefford, an uncharacteristic slip of her cold and calculating mask. The rest of the hall erupts in hushed conversation and petitioning immediately after, as Lord Bryden Tully and Lady Linda Lefford leave the halls, their household guards in tow.
Bryden Tully
Linda Lefford
Jodi Tully
3.
Chasing the Black Dragon.
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"The mummers dragon hides somewhere on
these forsaken isles." - Lord Artys Arryn
​
The boots of tens of thousands reverberate
through the harbors at Gulltown, Runestone,
Ironoaks and Old Anchor. Soldiers, bannermen loyal to the Falcon Knight himself, Artys Arryn, board ships with blue sails. The famed knights of the Vale, led by his baseborn brother, Ser Edmund Stone. The army of of the Vale departs, a mighty host, sailing south.
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House Drahar had been created by the realms enemies during the Targaryen civil war. Their founder, the infamous Crabfeeder had fought the Targaryens and paid with his life. Now his descendants shelter Daemon II. Blackfyre on the same island chain that had resisted the Dragonlords for so long. The Stepstones have often been a vital obstacle in the trade between the Narrow Sea and southern Essos. Whomever hoeld the forsaken archipelago of rocky shores, exacted his toll on this trade.
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The Arryn ships clash with the Drahar fleet in the bays and channels, as the soldiers make one contested landing after another, destroying the pirates with overwhelming numbers and strength of command.
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Their predecessors fought two years with mighty fleets and dragons to take these islands for House Targaryen. Lord Artys and Ser Edmund plant the red dragon flag within two months, their movements akin to a lightning campaign.
Some say the triarchy did not stand behind the Drahars, that neither Myr, Lys nor Tyrosh lent their aid like they often did in the past. Many ask about the Blackfyres and the Golden Company as Arryn knights drag beleaguered pirates out of understocked cave hideouts. The Stepstones, it seems, may not have held the legendary enemies as expected. Enemies such as Daemon II. and Bittersteel elude the two commanders as they claim the islands.
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Still, Lord Artys Arryn is heralded as the Falcon Knight for his subjugation of these isles. His brother receiving honors well past the dreams of any Stone. They stand side by side, on the precipice of greatness.
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Artys Arryn
Edmund Stone
4.
The Maidenball Tourney.
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The towers of the Eyrie pierce the clouds and its approach is steep and lined with the mountains of the moon. The air hisses sharply against the smooth white stone as travelers attempt the precarious journey.
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As tension rises in the capital and the Falcon perches atop the Stepstones, Yasmeen Arryn is busy preparing a knights tourney for her hand in matrimony.
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Only the best are to compete and many Lords and Ladies, though wary of the happenings at the last great Tourney, make the journey to the Arryn's summer estate.
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Many are in attendance at the fortress castle, amongst them minor lords seeking to raise their station by ingratiating themselves to a large House.
A spymaster, dealing in cryptic messages and personal secrets:
D10, Resourcefulness 3
1.
A general, experienced in combat with outlaws and raiders:
D8, Fortitude 2, Command 2
2.
The Lords interested in recruiting these Characters must send envoys to the Eyrie, paying the travel toll on the Omen of Winter, and then must bid on one or more of the two Characters, any resources that they may, with the winning bid recruiting the Character and all other bids being generously returned.
5.
A Storm of Swords.
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Everything around Casterly Rock has ground to a halt as the Lion keeps amassing troops in the West. Ships sail in daily, carrying mercenaries from Essos. The wheels of war churn and turn to supply the western Lords with grain, steel and coin, their banners attracting hedgeknights and unlanded warriors from all around the realm, allured by the pay and the certainty of victory that such a massive force promises.
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Riverrun and Highgarden do what they can to match this buildup, following behind the Westerland's example with considerably less zeal.
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The Realm holds its breath, praying to the mother and the smith, the father and the crone to place wisdom in the hands that matter and to protect the people from senseless violence.
6.
Winter Is Coming.
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As the King's judgement about a trial is spoken, Lord Bolton and Lord Mormont retreat to their halls silently. The former, Lord Bolton, becomes reclusive after his removal from politics. The latter, the Realms Master of Ships, Lord Mormont, departs soon after, sailing North. Hushed conversation are held about House Stark. An eerie tension hangs in the air. Many wonder if Lord Stark will actually set foot in the south. If House Stark will heed the call of its King.
It does not take long however, and a few weeks later, a group of ships dock at Blackwater Bay, bearing a grey wolf on their white sails. All the great Lords are met with the arrival of Lord Edward Stark in the halls of the Red Keep. A broad, rugged man, towering over his many guards that embark steadily behind him. "Emperor" they call him, as a jest. Known to be stern and quiet, Lord Edward commands respect. Beside him walks, not the well known Lord Mormont, as many expected, but a certain Alistair Karstark. A man of magnanimity, Lord Karstark is kin to the Stark household.
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Without much conversation, the northern delegation settles into the Red Keep, tripling the one hallway already reserved
for them to three, occupying an entire wing of the keeps quarters due to the large number of guards that have made the
journey south. As the Warden of the North arrives, expectation hangs in the air, jurors are to be chosen, a trial to be
held, a spectacle for all the realm to hold its breath.
"We will prevail and bring forth peace, but you must accept that the path to victory now is one of violence."
- Otto Hightower, during the Dance of the Dragons, the brutal Targaryen civil war.
Steel beneath the Snow.
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Screams ring out into the courtyards of the Red Keep. Lady Jodi Tully hears the chime of steel as she sits in the royal gardens, discussing small council matters with Lord Melwyn Rosby. Both turn, their guards drawing their swords. Lord Rosby falls into a panic but the dauntless Lady Tully calms him. They have to move towards the Tully residence to find Lord Bryden and the rest of the guards. She knows whatever is happening cannot be good for them.
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The two move quickly towards the edge of the gardens, hearing the clatter of steel nearby as they spot a group of Stark guardsmen slaughter a Goldcloak sentry. The Tully guards spring into action, splitting their force to usher Lady Jodi and Lord Melwyn away as the rest deal with the Starks. Ducking between hedges and rosebushes, the two nobles manage to enter the Red Keep with four of their remaining guards, hearing the battle ensuing behind them.
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They turn a few corners, making good time as they hear rushed steps behind them, approaching the staircase that leads to the Tully residence.
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Suddenly a group of northern knights emerge from an adjacent hallway. Lord Edward himself blocking the path upstairs. He commands his men forward as Lady Tully draws steel. The Stark knights overwhelm the remaining guards easily. Lady Jodi Tully is surrounded as a lance pierces her leg, forcing her to her knees. A sword swings mercilessly for her head.
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In the ensuing battle, Lord Melwyn manages to flee past the Starks, up the staircase, looking back one last time to see Lady Jodi bleed out on the dusty sandstone tiles of the Red Keep.
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He rushes upstairs, the hallway an image of slaughter, as Tully men litter his path, their blood sticking to his soles. To hide, he pushes past the bodies, into the last room at the end of the hall, entering the large chamber to find, Lord Bryden Tully, dead in his bed, covered in his white linen.
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Shaking the old knight, Lord Rosby sees his swollen throat, his men having put him to rest possibly hours ago, before the attack. Then, Lord Rosby hears steps in the hallway.
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​In the aftermath of the slaughter, many in the Red Keep flee, many hide. The chaos allows for many to disappear from sight. As the dust settles, his grace, King Aerys I. is amongst the many that are nowhere to be found. In his absence, Lord Rosby would rule as protector of the realm. However, gaining information about his whereabouts proves equally challenging for the uninvolved.
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Lord Edward however, loses no time. Lord John Cormick Bolton is placed as Master of Laws upon the small council without opposition. The city guard, some two thousand strong, quickly rally to him as the only member of the small council, currently publicly residing in the Red Keep as the Master of Whispers has not yet presented himself to this new council either.
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The taverns and brothels of King's Landing soon fill with scared nobles, so does the harbor and every merchant ship sailing for a large city. But in the chaos, it is difficult to discern, who made the escape and who remained to swear loyalty before an empty throne...
Alistair Karstark
Edward Stark
Past Omens of Winter...
The Supporters of the Black Dragon:
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The recent upheaval has stirred an uneasy smallfolk. It seems, since the passing of King Daeron the Good, the realm spirals.
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As it was a decade ago, minor lords raise drinks in prayer to the Black Dragon across the narrow sea. House Blackfyre will always have its supporters in the downtrodden, the second sons and the disinherited. In many regions of the realm, word of secret meetings between the minor lords raise concerns about a resurgence of the sons of Daemon Blackfyre.
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- Bid resources to improve the situation of the minor lords, placating them in a time of tension:
​A total of 2 coin, 2 supply, 2 materials, and 2 arms.
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Failure: if the Lords sympathizing with House Blackfyre are not satisfied, they might decide to raise themselves from their stations to replace the Red Dragon with a Black one.
Aegon the Unworthy knights Daemon I. Blackfyre. 182 after conquest.
The Maidensball Tourney at the Eyrie:
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Yasmeen Arryn, the flower of the Vale, is to be wed. But who will pluck her from the Falcon's nest? The proud and ancient Knights of Mountain and Vale have thus decided, to hold a Knight's Tourney, to test the suitors valor and tenacity.
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The greatest knights in all of the realm are to attend at the Eyrie and compete, as Lord Artys judges who deserves his daughter.
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Many Lords and Ladies will attend this event, providing ample opportunity to recruit willing nobles to one's household.
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- As the Tourney begins, Characters may attend for a low price of travel, be it for a single Character or more:
​A total of 2 resources of your choice.
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Success: The Tourney will see many travelers. Characters may be recruited here through hidden bids with the highest bid winning.
The aftermath of a knight's joust.