Alright, let's throw wizard guy into the trash... cause...[h3]Winter is Coming.[/h3] [b][u]House Stark[/u][/b] [img]http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/7/7e/House_Stark.svg/545px-House_Stark.svg.png[/img] [b]Seat: Winterfell[/b] [b]The North[/b] [b]History:[/b] The Starks. There's hardly a house more mentioned in the tales of the North than the Starks. Brandon the Builder,founder of the House, built the Wall. Brandon the Breaker, lord commander of the Night's Watch defeated the Night's King. For millenia, the Kings of Winter have ruled the harsh unforgiving lands with an equally unforgiving resolve, conquering fellow northmen Kingdoms and repelling the invasions of Free Folk from beyond the Wall, Ironborn from the Iron Islands, and the Andal invaders from the south. However, they weren't as lucky with the Targayens. Torrhen Stark, the last King in the North, surrendered before the House of the Dragon, sparing his army of the annihilation that the dragonfires brought upon the land. For his actions, he was much resented by some, but House Stark became the Wardens of the North under the Targayen reign. The actions the House Stark had to perform were at times like a bitter cup of medicine. Targayens have commanded the Starks in marriages of convenience with the Eyrie, as well as giving away the New Gift to the Night's Watch. And yet, the House Stark has rarely if ever been found at fault in their duty towards the Iron Throne. Starks are a pragmatic, somber lot, true to their motto. Winter is coming. And we had better be prepared for it. In recent times, the leadership under Lord Cregan Stark has allowed to enjoy a respite and fairly smooth transition between the previous Lord and Cregan himself, yet the prospect of a new Winter weighs heavily on the Warden of the North, more than perhaps the petty plots and intrigues at court... [hider=Lord Cregan Stark] [img]http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/b/b7/Sergey_Glushakov_Wardens_of_the_North.png[/img] [u][b]Bio:[/b][/u] Cregan, the only son of the previous Lord Rickon Stark, was born in a household whose time perhaps was not its best. Burdened by the decisions of his recent ancestors, who gave up the crown of Winter to serve the Targayens, the rule of Rickon, whom he passed unto his son, was fraught by internal policing and trying to maintain the brittle links that held the north together under the Stark banner, still corroded by the assumed cowardice of King Torrhen back during Aegon's Conquest. Befitting his future as the Warden of the North, Cregan grew up under a strict education, and always strived the very best to be the lord everyone needed in the North. It was found soon enough however, that he was not without quirks. For once, his swordsmanship was such that his father entrusted the Valyrian sword, Ice, at an earlier age than expected, and it is said that few northmen are as skilled in combat as he is. However, the young lad did not fall in the trap of trying using his personal might to impress his subjects and foes alike, and instead dedicated himself into being ponderous. The North was a dangerous place, and if one was let astray by the heart, they could easily be killed. It is said that Cregan rarely, if ever smiled outside his loved ones, and only paid attention to the minimal courtesy and etiquette, leading to the rumours that he somehow has ice for blood, specially south of the Neck, which he rarely visited. He also weaned a black direwolf pup, whom he named Marrow, by himself, and raised it to be his companion. He did not engage in the pleasures of socializing very often, and it was such as that when he was engaged with Arra Norrey, young Cregan was rumoured to have never seen the woman before his wedding. However, the rumours were soon dispelled when somehow, Arra Norrey made his husband smile and beam. Even though it was a convenience marriage, Cregan treated his wife kindly, and love seemed to flourish. She bore him a heir, whom he named after his late father. Tragedy struck soon, however, as in the span of two years, he lost both of his parents, and then his wife died victim to an strange fever. The young lord of Winterfell was young only on the outside, as his mind became grim and melancholic. Furthermore, with the signs of a new, hard winter approaching and the rumours of struggle in the Iron Throne they have not helped his situation. He spends the days wishing that his enemies and problems were of flesh, so he could hack them to pieces and be done with it. But one cannot fight winter with a sword. His only highlight is perhaps, that his own father confirmed in his deathbed the existence of bastard half-sibling of his, a fact he had known for a while, and urged him to take her to Winterfell. Arsa, as she was named, has so far proven the only person to be able to lift the spirits of the ailing lord besides his son, Rickon. [/hider] [hider=Arsa Snow/Stoat] [img]http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/2/2d/Lyanna_stark_by_dreambeing.jpg[/img] Arsa was the result of a rather lustful craving of the late Lord Rickon Stark after a very frustrating visit to the swamp and Marshes of the Neck. After an unsuccessful hunt of several criminals who later were found out devoured by the lizard-lions, Rickon Stark got so inebriated that he took the maidenhead of one of the Lord Reed's daughters. After the incident, and full of regret, Rickon had no choice but to acknowledge her as bastard, and spared no funds in her education and welfaring. Lord Reed allowed Arsa to live and grow up alongside his family and the crannogmen, while at the same time, employed the stipend that Lord Stark gave into giving her a proper education. Arsa Snow, or Stoat, as she was known to the crannogmen, grew as an exotic beauty among the swamps, someone who could look good in a dress and at the same time, catch her prey even in the most confusing swamp or snowfield. Yet, the taint of bastardry was there. Arsa was thought to be two-faced and treacherous, and it did not certainly helped that sometimes, rumours of her carrying the strange powers and being able to see through the eyes of beasts. However, the rumours were cut short, when she was called to live with Winterfell. Here she found a father she had barely known dead, and a sulking half-brother as Lord. It is said that Marrow, the direwolf of Lord Stark greeted Arsa immediately, as if she had always been part of the family. True or not, the teenager Snow bonded with her brother almost immediately, helping him in her own ways. Either using her skill as ranger, tending to his half-nephew or being a cup-bearer in feasts, she tries to paint the walls of Winterfell with the optimism that is sorely needed. [/hider] [hider=Kin and Servants] [list] [*]His son, Rickon Stark. [*]His Uncle Bennad Stark [list] [*]His wife Margaret Karstark [*]Benjen, Brandon and Elric Stark, cousins of Lord Cregan [/list] [*]Marrow, companion Direwolf of Lord Cregan. [/list] [/hider]