[@NecroKnight] I find that unlikely for some reason :P [@EricRP] I still need that discord invite my man. Also here's my sheet for House Velaryon, hopefully it's up to snuff. I'll have Aemond One-Eye up later, and if nobody wants Misery, I'd be happy to make a sheet for her as well, though I'll wait on that one to see what happens. [b]House Velaryon[/b] [img]https://offmichaelsbookshelf.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/house-velaryon.jpg?w=1200[/img] [hider= Seat] Driftmark - Blackwater Bay The Isle of Driftmark is even larger than Dragonstone and much more fertile and friendly to habitation, having been settled by House Velaryon even before the Targaryens came to Westeros. The island lies in close proximity to the west of Dragonstone and this closeness has bred close ties between the two Valryian-descended houses. The island's position means an abundance of trade as ships pass between the crownlands and the rest of the world through Blackwater Bay, and it also allows House Velaryon to both defend King's Landing from naval attack and seal off the crownlands from the sea. Being the most arable and hospitable of the islands in Blackwater Bay, the Velaryons are able to support a sizable population and have abundant forests, which provide a great amount of bodies and ships for both industry and war. The castle of High Tide is a large, strongly-built castle that overlooks the coast and is the current seat of House Velaryon. It was raised by the Sea Snake after his numerous and profitable eastern voyages. It is a castle that has comfortably housed a large amount of inhabitants and a large garrison. High Tide is even able to provide nesting space for dragons. It would be a daunting castle to assault, as it has a commanding view of the sea that eliminate almost all chance of a surprise attack and boasts strong walls and fortifications along with a large and well-trained, well-armed garrison. High Tide overlooks a castle town and shipyard that protect the approach to the castle and have up to a score of warships patrolling near it at all times. It is also in close proximity to the powerful fleets at anchor in Hull and Spicetown, and well within range of dragonriders from Dragonstone to fly to their aid within hours. The castle houses the numerous treasures that Lord Corlys has accumulated over the years, as well as the mythical Driftwood Throne, the ancestral throne of the Velaryons that is said to have been a gift from the Merling King to their ancestors. Corlys' famed flag ship, [i]Sea Snake[/i] is anchored near High Tide. High Tide sees a high volume of trade and travelers, though the castle town's relative smaller size in comparison to Spicetown and Hull result in slightly less traffic. Nonetheless, as with the rest of the towns on the island, the town is continually growing in riches and size. The castle of Driftmark, while still a durable castle and the Velaryon's ancestral home, is somewhat smaller and more modest in comparison to the grandly decorated and vast High Tide. It has it's own It was the seat of House Velaryon and is a castle that also boasts strong defenses and a strategic position overlooking the sea, but Lord Corlys moved his family to the newly built High Tide. Presently, Driftmark serves as a mustering point for the Velaryon infantry preparing for war. The ancestral seat has no ruling lord, but is currently managed by Ser Viserys Velaryon, one of Corlys' nephews. Driftmark has its own castle town and shipyard, with its own protecting flotilla and garrison that are just as well-trained and equipped at the forces at High Tide if not as numerous. Trade is not as active at Driftmark as it is at the other settlements on the island, but the castle still sees a healthy amount of traffic. It is whispered that among the Sea Snake's army is a contingent of war elephants, whom he had acquired from his voyages and bred over the years for battle, but the truth of such matters is unknown. Spicetown and Hull are the lifeblood of the island. While High Tide may conceal Corlys' treasures, it is from these port towns that House Velaryon extracts the majority of its wealth. Spicetown and Hull are large, booming cities that in the past generation have seen even more maritime trade and passage than the ports of King's Landing. Both towns have a large population, especially in contrast to most of the Blackwater Bay island towns, and are home to a large number of skilled craftsmen and artisans and see a vast amount of goods and travelers pass through them. The storied Targaryen and Velaryon baseborn, the dragonseeds, are also well represented in the towns of the island. Each town has strong seaward walls and trebuchets along with other fortifications in case of sea-based attack, and between Spicetown and Hull, they provide the bulk of the Dragonstone fleet, the strongest armada in the Seven Kingdoms. This armada is now gathering for war and Corlys has even begun taking the steps of hiring sellsails from the east and conscripting merchant vessels in order to boost his fleet even further. With their dragon-riding allies and enormous fleet, House Velaryon rules the eastern coast of Westeros. [/hider] [hider= History] The Lords of the Tides and the Masters of Driftmark, House Velaryon has a long and storied history in Westeros, especially as the oldest supporters of the Targaryen Dynasty. House Velaryon came to Westeros from Old Valyria even before the famed dragon-riders and built their seat on Driftmark, making their fortune off of maritime trade. When the Targaryens exiled themselves to Dragonstone, the Velaryons were the first to pledge fealty to the dragonriders and provided them with ships and men in exchange for their protection and strong rule. There have been many marriages between the two families over the years and the blood of the dragon runs strongly in the Velaryon line. They are the only Westerosi house besides the Targaryens themselves to ever boast of having dragon riders in the family and so many Velaryons have been the master of ships for a Targaryen king, the position is almost hereditary. The Velaryons supported Aegon the Conqueror in his conquest of Westeros and the Velaryons have been a power behind the Targaryen family ever since. While House Velaryon has always been influential, it was Lord Corlys, the legendary Sea Snake, who thrust the House into its present grand heights. His nine eastern voyages granted him magnificent wealth that allowed him to raise the castle of opulent seat of High Tide. The trade that Corlys encouraged lead to the raising and growth of many port towns, which made the family even wealthier, with money to rival even the Hightowers of Oldtown and the Lannisters of Casterly Rock. Over the years, Corlys built the Driftmark Fleet into a massive armada that formed the backbone of the Iron Throne's royal fleet, a fleet powerful enough to mount an assault on the Stepstones and defy the might of the Three Daughters. Despite the fact that the Velaryons can boast of numerous royal grandchildren and their fabulous wealth, the recent years have had their sorrows for the family. The death of Laenor and Laena Velaryon were a huge blow to the family, and there was is a widening schism in the House following the death of Corlys' eldest nephew Vaemond by the hands of Daemon Targaryen and the mutilation of several of Vaemond's close family on King Viserys' orders, following Vaemond's accusations of the bastardy of Princess Rhaenyra's and Laenor's children. The question of succession to Driftmark is murky as the recently recovered but elderly Corlys must decide on who to name as his heir, whether it be one of his supposed sons or one of his nephews, though rumors abound that Corlys has bastards living nearby in Hull. And though Corlys supports Queen Rhaenyra, there are some in his family who are sympathetic to King Aegon. House Velaryon may be rich and powerful, but this coming war will either secure their legacy and fortune or see their decline. [/hider] [hider= Members of the House] - Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake, Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, Head of House Velaryon. A distinguished man of six and seventy. - Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, his lady wife, daughter of the late Prince Aemon Targaryen, known as the Queen Who Never Was, rider of the she-dragon Meleys, the Red Queen. A fierce and fearless woman of five and fifty. - Lady Laena Velaryon, his daughter, second wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen, and rider of Vhagar. A lovely, enchanting lady. Died of childbed fever at seven and twenty. - Ser Laenor Velaryon, his son, first husband of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, rider of Seasmoke. A handsome young man, murdered in a brawl at six and twenty by Ser Qarl Correy. - Princess Rhaena Targaryen, his granddaughter, daughter of Laena and Daemon, known as Rhaena of Pentos, currently dragonless. A beautiful maiden of three and ten. - Princess Baela Targaryen, his other granddaughter, twin of Rhaena, rider of Moondancer. A strong and fair maiden of three and ten. - Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, his grandson, son of Laenor and Rhaenyra, known as Jace, rider of Vermax. A strapping lad of five and ten, rumored to be the bastard son of Ser Harwin Strong along with his brothers Lucerys and Joffrey. - Prince Lucerys Velaryon, his second grandson by Leanor, known as Luke, rider of Arrax. A comely lad of four and ten. - Prince Joffrey Velaryon, his third and last grandson, rider of Tyraxes. A pugnacious boy of two and ten, named for Ser Joffrey Lonmouth. - Ser Vaemond Velaryon, his eldest nephew, a handsome man of five and fifty killed by Prince Daemon in single combat. - Lady Valanna Velaryon, his niece and Vaemond's widow, a stern and formerly beautiful woman of three and thirty, lady-in-waiting to Queen Haelana. Face scarred by order of King Viserys. - Ser Baelon Velaryon, his second nephew, a strong man of four and forty, his tongue cut out by royal order, Courtier in the Red Keep. - Ser Gaemon Velaryon, his third nephew, an intelligent man of nine and thirty, sword hand amputated on orders of King Viserys. Courtier in the Red Keep. - Ser Aerion Velaryon, his fourth nephew, a broad and strong man of thirty, flogged by royal order, Captain of the Pride of Driftmark of the Driftmark fleet, Master-at-Arms of High Tide. - Ser Viserys Velaryon, his fifth nephew, a comely young man of six and twenty, Captain of the Seahorse of the Driftmark Fleet, Castellan of Driftmark. - Ser Daeron Velaryon, his sixth and youngest nephew, an earnest youth of seven and ten. Household knight of Driftmark. - Ser Gaemon Velaryon, his grandnephew, Vaemond's eldest son, a demure man of five and thirty, leg broken on royal order, Captain of the Harridan of the Driftmark Fleet, and Steward of High Tide. - Ser Valarr Velaryon, his grandnephew, Vaemond's second son, a bold young man of eight and twenty, Captain of the Bold Laughter of the Driftmark Fleet and Captain of the Velaryon Household Guard in High Tide. - Ser Aemon Velaryon, his grandnephew, Vaemond's youngest son, a brooding young man of nine and ten. Household Knight in Driftmark. - Various other grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grandnieces split in residence between the Red Keep, High Tide, and Dritftmark in various household occupations. - Addam of Hull, one of many rumored Velaryon bastards. Thought by some to be Corlys' son. A youth of five and ten. - Alyn of Hull, Addam's younger brother, a brave and strong youth of four and ten. [/hider] [u]PoVs[/u] [hider= Corlys Velaryon] [img]http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/0/08/Sea_Snake.jpeg[/img] Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, The Lord of the Tides, and the Master of Driftmark. Perhaps the greatest lord that his house has ever seen. He was named for the first Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and he has more than lived up to his storied namesake. Corlys was a restless and ambitious man, even as a youth, and one who was deeply in love with the sea. No Westerosi alive has sailed more widely than the Sea Snake, so named for his famed ship in which he conducted his nine great expeditions to the East. Corlys saw and experienced much, he went where no Westerosi had gone before, and his journeys became the stuff of legend. His voyages also made him magnificently wealthy, and his treasures allowed him to build the splendid castle of High Tide and raise his family into the richest in the Seven Kingdoms, after he became the Lord of the House following the death of his grandfather. Under his rulership, Driftmark's ports saw even more custom than King's Landing at times, and Velaryon fleet became the most formidable naval force in the kingdoms. Corlys married a dragon princess, the beautiful and brave dragonrider Rhaenys, who was the only child of the Old King Jahaerys' son and heir, Prince Aemon. Corlys was the Old King's Master of Ships, as the most able admiral that Westeros had, and was beloved at court for his charming manner, good looks, and chivalry. His fame and riches made him a favorite of the smallfolk as well. He split his time between High Tide and the Red Keep. This popularity coupled with his virility made Corlys a promiscuous man as the tales would have it, and it is said that he sired many dragonseeds on his home island. His ambition was even stronger than his rumored lust however, as Corlys hoped to be the King Consort to a Queen Rhaenys, but his ambitions were curtailed when the Old King named his second son, Prince Baelon as heir. Corlys and Rhaenys would have two children, Laena and Laenor, both dragon riders, and Corlys' dream of being the power behind the Iron Throne did not cease. Prince Baelon died before ascending the throne and in the Great Council of 101 at Harrenhal, Corlys argued strenuously for Laenor's claim to the Iron Throne. Corlys had an impeccable reputation, was famed throughout Westeros, and had a dizzying amount of money. He charmed, bribed, and cajoled many a lord to lobby their votes, and it is rumored that he even readied the massive Velaryon fleet in preparation to press Laenor's claim by force if the vote did not go his way. But in the end, Prince Viserys, Baelon's son, was named Prince of Dragonstone and Corlys peacefully conceded and swore fealty to King Viserys when he ascended the throne. His loyalty to the new king soured however, after the death of Queen Aemma Arryn. Corlys wished for his daughter Laena to become Viserys' Queen. She was young, but she had Targaryen blood on both sides of her bloodline, and was a dragonrider. Many thought her to be the perfect consort for the King. But Corlys' family was spurned once more when Viserys chose Alicent Hightower as his bride. Corlys had already had something of a rivalry with House Hightower as the two families were rivals in wealth, trade, influence, and naval power. But Viserys' betrothal began Corlys' personal rivalry with the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower, the father of the girl who supplanted his own daughter. This rivalry and more he shared with Prince Daemon Targaryen, one of his closest friends. Both were no friends of the Hightowers, and both were angered by the marriage. Corlys and his family shunned the wedding and instead he planned the invasion of the Stepstones with his friend Daemon, in order to break the Triarchy's hold on the Stepstones and by extension the Narrow Sea, which had disrupted trade and travel between Westeros and Essos and cut into Corlys' profits with their high tolls and piracy. Corlys raised his levies and assembled the most powerful fleet in Westeros while Daemon called sellswords, cutthroats, adventurers, and second sons to their cause. Daemon would lead their ground forces while Corlys would command their ships. They invaded the Stepstones and crushed them beneath their heel in a brutal and vicious campaign that saw all but two of the islands fall to their control. It was Corlys himself who crowned Daemon and named him King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea. Corlys persuaded the Iron Throne to financially support the small kingdom as a trade partner and buffer state against the Triarchy, and Corlys sailed home with even more plundered riches, captured ships, and martial glory. From then on he has been a fierce enemy of the Triarchy, but gained the favor of Braavos, Pentos, and even Lorath for checking the power of the Three Daughters. A few years later when Princess Rhaenyra, whom Corlys believed would one day be Queen, was able to be betrothed, the Sea Snake was quick to offer the hand of his son and heir, Laenor. Corlys was well aware that Laenor was fonder of the company of men, but Corlys was determined to not have his family be slighted again and was confident he could coerce Laenor into putting an heir into Rhaenyra at least. Corlys got his wish and the two were wed, but when the babe came out brown of hair and pug-nosed, rumors abounded. The official stance was that the boy, and his siblings, simply took after their Arryn grandsires, but the whispers were that the boys were sons of Ser Harwin Strong. Corlys was fond of the boys and loved them like grandsons, but was still incensed that his son had been cuckolded and that his bloodline had been usurped. These private frustrations are what led to his siring of several bastards, two of which he sent away to the town of Hull to evade his jealous wife, as the rumors would have it. When his old friend Daemon came to visit and got it in his head to marry Laena, Corlys was pleased. The Rogue Prince made a far better suitor than the vagabond Braavosi who had been betrothed to his daughter for nearly a decade, a fool who had squandered his family fortune and power. Corlys delayed the wedding and schemed with Daemon, who mocked the poor fool until the man called for a duel, which he lost. Laena and Daemon were wedded soon after and from their union were begat two more grandchildren, Baela and Rhaena, whom Corlys was immeasurably pleased with. The following years saw sorrow for Corlys and his family however. Laena, the apple of his eye and favored child, succumbed to a fever after giving birth to a deformed third child. Daemon and Corlys were united in grief, but Corlys' would be even deeper for within a few months, Laenor was stabbed to death by his lover Ser Qarl Correy. Their friendship would never be quite the same after that, for while Corlys could not be sure, he suspected that Daemon had a hand in Laenor's death, as he was soon wedded to Princess Rhaenyra. Corlys' feelings towards his ally and friend have remained torn to this day, as many would suggest. Later that year, Lord Lyonel Strong and his son Ser Harwin would be killed in a fire. Various culprits have been suggested, but some whisper that it was Corlys himself who set the flames, in a vengeful rage for the cuckolding of his now dead son. The deaths of both of his children led to a severe depression and illness, all of which caused a succession crisis in House Velaryon. By law, it would be his legal grandson Prince Jacaerys who would inherit. But as the boy was already in line to inherit the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra pressured Corlys to name Lucerys as the Heir of Driftmark. His wife insisted that he name his granddaughter Rhaena as heir. And worst of all, his nephew Vaemond insisted that he should be named heir, calling all of Laenor's sons bastards begat by Ser Harwin. His one time daughter-in-law was furious and Daemon killed his nephew, further driving a rift between the two old friends. Corlys may have been ambitious and even ruthless, but it was all for his family, and such in-fighting wore heavily on him. Corlys was enraged when King Viserys meted out severe punishments to his niece Visenya and several of his other nephews and grandnephews. The move tore a rift in House Velaryon and Corlys tried to make amends by taking his relatives back home, but many spurned Driftmark and the blacks and threw in with Queen Alicent and the Greens. Corlys, already in his seventh decade, grew even more ill. He never forgave Viserys and as soon as he recovered, sailed personally to King's Landing in order to resign and never saw King Viserys again, spurning King's Landing entirely and devoting his time entirely to Driftmark and Dragonstone. Corlys threw in completely with Princess Rhaenyra and the Blacks, and knowing that Viserys was ill and frail and not long for the world, prepared for blood to be spilled. He had never trusted the Hightowers and though Rhaenyra was still the Princess of Dragonstone, Corlys did not put it past the Greens to crown Aegon as King. He hoped it would not come to it, but the old soldier would be damned if he was caught unprepared. As such, for the past few years, the already massive Velaryon fleet had been constructing even more ships while his army recruited and drilled, ostensibly in case of the Triarchy once more threatening Westerosi sovereignty, but actually preparing for war should the Greens commit their coup. He has been continually currying favor with the other lords of Westeros and even seeking allies in the east, should the worst happen. Corlys had already had his royal ambitions blocked several times, he would not allow it again. Currently, Corlys and his wife and granddaughters are at court in Dragonstone awaiting the birth of Princess Rhaenyra's newest child, while his relations at home in Driftmark keep an eye on developments for him. [/hider] [hider= Daeron Velaryon] The Sea Snake's youngest nephew, the newly made Knight of Driftmark is one of House Velaryon's most promising up-and-coming sons. Like all Velaryons, he is a talented mariner and is a natural at sea. Daeron is a skilled swordsman having practiced since he could hold a stick and being athletically gifted. Daeron is a handsome young man who pins back his long snow-white hair in a Volantene-inspired warrior's knot and has turquoise eyes the color of the sea, with the suntan of a lifelong sailor and the lean but strong build of a warrior. Daeron favors a bastard sword and is also a fairly accomplished archer. Daeron is the only son of Corlys' youngest brother Aenar and their cousin Daela. Aenar died in a clash with the Triarchy when Daeron was only a babe and it was the Sea Snake who was a father to him, taking him as a ward at High Tide and later making him his squire. Everything he learned of commanding men and the sea he learned from his uncle, one of the most gifted admirals alive, and learned swordplay from his brother Baelon. Being so far down the line of succession, Daeron learned to follow, not to rule and had no ambitions for power. Instead he wished to find glory as a captain and a warrior and to help ensure the legacy of his house. He was an idealistic, earnest youth and only wanted to be a hero like his own uncle Corlys. It was this same lack of ambition for power coupled with his family's pleas that saved him from the wrath of King Viserys, though some of his brothers and nephews were not so lucky. His oldest brother's death and Baelon's mutilation only cemented Daeron's conviction to not pursue his own advancement to the detriment of his family. Instead his loyalty to the Sea Snake and to House Velaryon was only reinforced. After a few more years, Corlys himself knighted Daeron after his performance in a local tourney. Daeron was part of the Household Guard and served happily, hoping for his own command and captaincy of a ship. Recently Daeron was sent to Driftmark to train the troops and levies and strengthen the defenses. He was not given a reason for the move, but not being completely ignorant of politics, suspects growing tensions between the greens and blacks. Daeron is currently stationed at Driftmark. [/hider] [hider= Alyn of Hull] Alyn of Hull, younger brother of Addam, is a comely and slender youth with short silver hair and lilac eyes. He is strong and fit, having sailed on ships since he was a boy and his hands show a lifetime of labor, though he never wanted for anything as the grandson of a successful shipwright. Alyn never received formal weapons training like a lord's son, but he is skilled with a spear as he often caught fish with his brother and he was an adept marksman, having traveled on several sea voyages and needing to prepare to fight off pirates. He may not be trained with swords but he is quick on his feet and scrappy in a fight, having been in a few tussles growing up in Hull, also picking up how to use a dagger. Alyn is an intelligent, brave lad but has guile to balance out his courage. Despite growing up fairly comfortable, Alyn had a hard childhood, being a bastard with no known father. He had to endure the insults and derision of his peers and daydreamed about who his father could be. Doubtless his father was either a Velaryon or a Targaryen, and Alyn even fancied that the Sea Snake was his true father, looking up to the legendary captain as every boy on Driftmark did. Alyn wanted to be just like the Sea Snake, and hoped to one day join the Velaryon guard and eventually become a captain, though his grandfather wanted him to stay away from the Velaryons entirely. His mother never told him who his father was, though there were whispers around Driftmark that the Sea Snake had sent away two sons of a shipwright's daughter in order to avoid the wrath of Princess Rhaenys. Alyn is still living at Hull as a shipwright's apprentice, dreaming of something more. He hopes to join the Velaryon navy with his brother, as the townspeople of Hull speculate that the mobilization of the navy is due to imminent war. [/hider]