[hider=House Swann] House Sigil: [img] http://wiki.westeros.gr/images/a/a9/House_Swann.PNG[/img] House Name: House Swann of Stonehelm House Words: Powerful and Cautious House Decription/General Information: House Swann is an old house respected for its martial prowess. Seated at Stonehelm the Swanns oversee and tax all cargo flowing downriver out of the Stormlands single largest river. Sworn to house Baratheon the Swanns have guarded the southern Stormlands from raiders and pirates for generations. Stonehelm is a coastal settlement halfway between a castle and a town,that offers Southern Westerosi merchants an alternative to the perils of Shipbreakers Bay. Stonehelm is a city that is built simultaneously on the coast as well as on little islets arranged in a triangular fashion where the homes of well to do merchants are as well as the principal markets. In addition House Swanns castle home is located on the northern-most side of the triangle islet. [img]http://lindefirion.net/maps/Pelargir1665.jpg[/img] [/hider] Name: Marya Swann née Estermont Age:28 [hider=Appearance][img] http://25.media.tumblr.com/ef1fb80e179f61018a1a75b3f5497140/tumblr_mguwslDYXw1qg4blro1_1280.jpg[/img][/hider] Personality: Reclusive,and very cautious. She loves "her children" very much. Biography: Nicknamed the Black Swan for having mourned her late husband for so long, she now lives a secretive life, hardly ever leaving Stonehelm. She believes her husband was killed by a poisoned dornish blade so is very wary of what she eats and drinks. Her children are not actually her own but those of her husbands first marriage. However, as her only remaining family in the world she has developed a very close bond with them taking over the after their mother when Steffon Swann’s first wife passed away. Steffon then married Marya barely half a year before dying himself. Lord Steffon Swann was killed in battle leading his forces in support of the other marcher lords against Dornish invaders. She now raises Elena and Rolland alone. Marya is currently the center of attention attention of many suitors who see her as a young beautiful widow through whom they would be able to control the young Lord of Stonehelm, yet unknown to all but her partners, Marya is not interested in the affections that men can provide, instead she occasionally spends her time with a female lover. This 'unnatural' love is a well kept secret though and she regularly plays along to the seduction games her suitors involve themselves in. Name: Elena Swann Age: 18 [hider=Appearance]: [img]http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/hannah-new-black-sails-starz-325.jpg[/img][/hider] Personality: Serious, adventurous and concerned about preserving the family. Biography: Raised as any normal noble lady would be until age 14 when her mother, Steffon Swanns first wife, passed away of a fever. She then assumed the mantle of lady of the house, Involving herself in her father’s affairs whilst her brother grew up resulted in her learning the basics of economics and diplomacy until he remarried. She grew up to be beautiful and tall though her fathers’ doting has made her vain. Her relationship with her brother can be as rocky as Shipbreakers bay at times yet the calm always return and the loyalty to ones family is the primary virtue emphasized among the members of House Swann. She understands that her younger brother will eventually seek to find her a match but the two have discussed the issue in the past and he is content to delay her wedding for as long as possible letting her enjoy the freedoms of youth as she blossoms into an ever more beautiful woman. She knows however that it is unlikely that she will marry for love considering how precarious her family's situation is right now. Name: Rolland Swann Age: 17 [hider=Appearance]: [img] http://media-social.s-msn.com/images/blogs/00250065-0000-0000-0000-000000000000_00000065-06d2-0000-0000-000000000000_20130124184854_caesar-closeup.jpg[/img][/hider] Personality: Martial, proud, cunning and cautious yet easily swayed by lust Biography: Whilst it is said that bastards grow up faster than others this applies equally to children who grow up without either of their natural parents. Essentially raised by Stonehelm’s master at Arms and its’ maester for three years Rolland became a man well before his sixteenth name day. Like his father Rolland is a fine warrior who has proved himself against bandits and other squires alike. Although still a squire it is expected that Rolland shall be knighted his eighteenth nameday as all knew his father had intended.For now he rules over House Swann's lands extensive lands. Although lordship did not come easily to Rolland, for most young men are able to observe their fathers rule for many years before they get a chance, he was surrounded by willing teachers and a supportive sister and adoptive mother who guided him.. Maester Wex taught him much about money handling and the theory of warfare whilst Stonehelms' master of arms honed his muscles, taught him to fight with both Sword,mace and Longbow. The latter was a weapon rarely employed by nobles who saw it as a peasant weapon which was beneath them but its' range and speed more than made up for the mockery of the the other lords. Aware of his youth an inexperience Rolland did not cast off his teachers as he grew up realizing that they yet had much to teach him about his duties as Lord of Stonehelm. He recently tried his hand at sailing and navigation as befits the lord of a coastal city. He is however a young man often impressionable and prone to the pride of youth. He is particularly concerned about growing up to me a great man known and sometimes this eagerness results in caution being thrown to the wind.