[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/A6lNYSP.jpg?1[/img] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sttsO09nWns]♫[/url][/center] [center][h3][i]“We Light the Way”[/i][/h3][/center][h3]House Information[/h3][hr][hider=House Hightower][indent] [b]Synopsis[/b] [indent][color=gray]The proud house Hightower has existed since the dawn of days when they were petty kings. They are one of the oldest houses in Westoros and perhaps the most powerful of the Tyrell's sworm houses. Traditionally steeped in their devotion the Faith of the Seven, they have long preferred trade to wars. The Hightowers remained neutral and silent until Queen Daenerys' arrival to Westoros, in which they pledged themselves to her, always having been proud supporters of the Targaryens. They sent men north to fight in the War of Dawn, helping repel the undead hordes. The Hightowers rule from the second largest city in Westoros, Oldtown. They are famously wealthy, and can raise any army of - men, with a substantial navy as well. [/color][/indent] [b]Head of House[/b] [indent][color=gray]Jorgon Hightower[/color][/indent] [b]Seat[/b] [indent][color=gray]The Hightower, Oldtown[/color][/indent] [b]Demesne[/b] [indent][color=gray]House Hightower boosts control of Oldtown, the richest city in Westoros. Despite being sworn to House Tyrell, who they have been loyal to for generations, the Hightowers are considered a great house due to their power, wealth and connections throughout the country. Due to their stature they have several vassal houses sworn to them, these are House Beesbury of Honeyholt, House Bulwer of Blackcrown, House Costayne of the Three Towers, House Cuy of Sunhouse and House Mullendore of Uplands. [/color][/indent] [b]Recent History[/b] [indent][color=gray]During the War of the Five Kings the Hightowers remained neutral and silent until the arrival of Daenerys Targaryen to Westeros. Boosting a well known history of loyalty to the Targaryen rulers, it was only natural that the Hightowers quickly pledged themselves to Daenerys. They followed by giving their full support to her as she took the Iron Throne, asserting their loyalty to the new queen. During this time the Hightowers had conflicts with the Greyjoys, who attempted to raid Oldtown. The Hightowers repelled their raiding attempts successfully. During the Great War, as the dead marched south the Hightowers committed men to stop them. Garth Hightower, Lord Leyton's second son was one of the notable casualties of this war against the undead menace. As Daenerys took the throne, Baelor Hightower, Leyton's heir was named her hand of the queen. Baelor would assume lordship of house Hightower in 307 AC, as Leyton passed away peacefully in his sleep. Lord Baelor would have one child with his wife Rhonda Rowan, a boy, Lymond born the same year Leyton passed. Baelor's time as the dragon queen's hand was widely regarded as a positive one. The proud lord's previous splendid reputation aiding him greatly in his time serving the crown. He pushed those capable from Oldtown to assist in rebuilding King's Landing following the seige. Baelor preached patience to the queen as the realm had to recovery from the trauma it had endured due to war and the Others wrecking havoc across the realm. Still, Baelor for the most part saw her proposed reforms as positive ones. Especially following the ill rules of the inbred bastard Joffrey and the cruel Cersei Lannister. Baelor would die in 322 after a period of sickness, leaving Lymond as lord at fifteen years old. The young lord would lean heavily on his advisors for support, particularly his uncle Gunthor. At eighteen he propositioned himself to Queen Daenerys, offering to marry her, despite a notable age difference. Like all others who tried he was rebuffed and instead chose to marry the beautiful Railey Tarly. An added benefit of this marriage being that it would strengthen relations between the two influential Tyrell vassal houses. As Lymond grew he took it upon himself to prosper his house further. A man of intense faith, he'd have five children by Railey. Notably these included his heir, Loras Hightower and Bryen, his third child who would later be enshrined into Daenerys' queensguard. Lymond tried to get himself a position in the queen's council but was rebuffed each time he tried. Following Lord Lymond's passing in 353, his firstborn son Loras would becoming the new Lord Hightower. While not outspoken about it he was not a fan of the dragon queen's reforms, but still as his family traditionally did stood by her rule faithfully. Lymond would marry Julina Redwyne and have two sons, an accomplished knight he took it upon himself to ensure both of his children were proud warriors like he was. The Hightowers were too late receiving word of Aegon Velaryon's treachery. They were unable to participate in the Stepstones Rebellion. Around this time the tensions between the Hightowers and their overlords, the Tyrells would only increase. As Daenerys grew old, with no true heir to her name, Lymond looked towards the throne. The Hightowers had spent centuries as faithful servants, never truly taking their place as a real great house. While he would never sit upon the throne, or likely come anywhere near it in his lifetime perhaps his son would. Following a secretive proposition by Davos Baratheon his heir Jorgon would be betrothed to Lyana Baratheon. The beautiful heir to the Stormlands. Due to Daenerys' reformed inheritance laws it would mean Jorgon's children with her would not be Hightowers. Instead, unbeknownst to any but a very select few, it was promised that the new laws would be overturned by Lord Lyonel Baratheon should he take the throne following the elderly Daenerys' death, turning the children into Hightowers with claim to the Iron Throne. Following Lymond's death, Jorgon would ascend to lordship. He married Lyanna beautifully, and this marriage has produced two young children. A son Damon and a daughter, Elenei. Though he has been lord for only roughly five years, Jorgon has taken it upon himself to create more gold for the Hightowers. He's raised taxes in Oldtown, and pushed for more merchants to pass through its ports than ever before. All in preparation of Queen Daenerys' passing and the chaos which will soon follow it. The fate of the proud Hightowers lays in the hands of the ambitious Lord Jorgon. [/color][/indent] [b]Realm Relations[/b] [indent][color=gray][list] [*][b]House Targaryen[/b] - For generations the Hightowers were proud supporters of the Targaryen kings and queens. Upon Queen Daenerys' arrival to Westeros this loyalty and support was bestowed to her. The Hightowers have remained utterly loyal to her and the crown since then. Though recent events including rebuffings of marriage and small council appointments have left a sour taste in the mouth of some Hightowers. They do not view her declared, adopted heir Serenei positively. A Lyseni orphan without an inch of royal blood in her does not deserve to rule. [*][b]House Tyrell[/b] - The relationship between the Hightowers and their overlord house has soured in recent times, to the point where tension fills the room whenever members of houses interact. The first straw being the Tyrell's close relations with the Lannisters, who have shown themselves to be untrustworthy. Queen Cersei's offenses against the Faith have not been forgotten by the ever faithful Hightowers. Following the untimely death of Garth Tyrell, who had been briefly wed to Rhaella Hightower the tensions only worsened. [*][b]House Baratheon[/b] - In recent years the relationship between the Hightowers and the Lord paramounts of the Stormlands has prospered. Largely in part due to Lord Jorgon's marriage to the beautiful Lyanna Baratheon, which has resulted in two young children being born. The two houses remain strong allies, sharing a mutual dislike of the Tyrells. When the queen passes, the Hightowers will declare firmly for Lyonel Baratheon to rule next. [*][b]House Lannister[/b] - Cersei Lannisters crimes against the Faith have not been forgotten, her destruction of the Sept has forever left a sour taste in the mouth of the faithful Hightowers when it comes to the Lannisters. Their encroachment and status as essentially ruling the Reach unjustly has only spiked this intense dislike. Lord Jorgon in particular would like to see them removed from the Reach and pushed back to the Westerlands. [*][b]House Greyjoy[/b] - Due to past raidings and conflicts the Hightowers hold a low opinion of the Greyjoys, many within the house seeing them as little more than glorified pirates. The Hightowers never attempt to communicate with the Greyjoys, content with allowing them to dwell on their rocky islands. Though the efforts of the recent Greyjoy heads to improve the Iron Islands and change their ways has been noticed. Hopes of a relationship between the two houses is not lost entirely. [*][b]House Stark[/b] - [*][b]House Tully[/b] - A relationship of respect exists between the rulers of the Riverlands and the Hightowers. Several Tully lords have visited Oldtown in the past, with talks of the current lord Edmyn vising again soon. Also, The two House have married, with Lady Roslyn Tully having married Ser Mace Hightower when she came of age. The two have one son together, a boy named Dorian. Lord Oscar Tully had arranged the marriage with Lord Loras Hightower, bringing the two powerful families together as friends and family. [*][b]House Mormont[/b] - Decades ago Lord Leyton married his daughter Lynesse to Ser Jorah Mormont. THeir marriage was a troubled one, and memories of that failed marriage still tinge relations between the two houses to a degree. The houses have not held relations since then, in part due to the large distance between them physically.[/list][/color][/indent] [b]Storyline Premise[/b] [indent][color=gray]House Hightower has long stood firm in Oldtown, often avoiding wars due to their support of the Faith. This soon may change as the proud Hightowers find themselves in a state of confusion along with the rest of Westeros. Boosting a powerful fleet, a plentiful amount of gold and a massive army of soldiers at their disposal, it may be time for the Hightowers to once more be power players in Westoros. Lord Jorgon is married to the beautiful Lyanna Baratheon, and is ready to back her family's claim to the Iron throne. [/color][/indent] [/indent] [url=http://www.familyecho.com/?p=WUUS0&c=uue47ul72o&f=921471658862916868]Family tree (subject to change)[/url] [/hider][h3]Character Information[/h3][hr] [hider=Lord Jorgon Hightower] [center][img]https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/images/2014/07/quest-ansgar.jpg[/img][/center] [indent][color=878787][color=white][b]Identity[/b][/color][indent]Jorgon Hightower [/indent] [color=white][b]Age[/b][/color][indent] 28 [/indent] [color=white][b]Role[/b][/color][indent][list][*] Lord of the Hightower [*] Lord of the Port [*] Voice of Oldtown [*] Defender of the Citadel [*] Beacon of the South [*] Captain of the [i]Honor of Oldtown[/i] [*] Anointed knight [/list] [/indent] [color=white][b]Characterization[/b][/color][indent] A bit of an anomaly among the Hightowers, Jorgon is a very ambitious man, wanting to go down in the history books as one of the greatest knights ever to wield a blade. Beyond that desire for legend status martially, is a lust or power and to rule, as he dreams to one day sit upon the Iron Throne. He does not particularly care about the Faith or religion in general, though he uses it as a tool in order to get what he wants, pushing himself to others as a devout follower of the Seven. He's not outwardly cruel, or mean-hearted but is rather ruthless in his ways and actions. His tongue is harsh and blunt, directness being his preferred way of dealing with things. Head on and immediately. To most he displays a gruffness more befitting a military leader than a king. As an accomplished knight of the realm he has had honors bestowed upon him, and is well known for his aptitude in military endeavors. He's intense in his studying of military tactics and history and well known for his enjoyment of dueling with a blade. He desires to take on any threats head on, not really a man for sneaking around and scheming. He'd much rather conquest and conquer, gaining glory across the realm. He has been married to Lyanna Baratheon, a woman he loves and cares deeply for. Together they have had two young children. They are the only people he truly cares for, along with his younger brother Markas. He's made it his goal to ensure any of them will one day rule Westoros if he is unable to do so himself. Even to Jorgon's closest confidants his true intentions are not known. He's an intensely bold figure who does whatever it takes to get ahead and achieve his goals. There are many thoughts in his mind that he refuses to divulge. A fierce streak of enviousness towards those that hold more than he does, fueled by a sturdy arrogance. An enjoyment for violence particularly towards those that go against him. The trademark Hightower proudness, though even more so than the usual found in those in his family. He holds paranoia against others in position of power. [/indent] [color=white][b]Attributes & Talents[/b][/color][indent] Jorgon is a highly talented swordsman, one of the best in the Reach. He's a proud knight, and wields Vigilance, the ancestral Valyrian steel of House Hightower. He has a strong knowledge of military tactics and history, ideal for a commander on the battlefield. His ambition serves him well, while not particularly charismatic like some other Lords he does have a fire in his words. Jorgon knows how to inspire, a necessary skill for a ruler. His house has been mostly untouched by wars which have plagued the realm for generations, the Hightower rule firm and strong in Oldtown. He's well regarded by the people that know him. [/indent] [color=white][b]Immediate Family[/b][/color] [indent] Jorgon has a wife, Lyanna Baratheon. Together they have had two children, Damon Baratheon (8) and Elenei Baratheon (4). Another notable close family member is Markas Hightower, his younger brother and heir. He has numerous living cousins, uncles and aunts, and a nephew. [/indent] [color=white][b]Personal Relations[/b][/color] [indent]Describe notable (PC) characters they know, why they know them, and what their opinion of said character is.[/indent] [/color][/indent] [/hider] [hider=Markas Hightower] [center][img]http://www.movieactors.com/images-3/tom-holland/01_wolf_hall_pic2.jpg[/img][/center] [indent][color=878787][color=white][b]Identity[/b][/color][indent]Markas Hightower [/indent] [color=white][b]Age[/b][/color][indent] 16 [/indent] [color=white][b]Role[/b][/color][indent][list][*] Squire to Lord Jorgon Hightower [*] Heir to lordship of House Hightower [/list] [/indent] [color=white][b]Characterization[/b][/color][indent] A kindhearted young man, Markas has much less of a radical, ambitious personality than his older brother. He's shy, especially around beautiful women, and patient beyond his years. He does not enjoy violence or seek it out, having yet to kill a man. The prospect of doing so terrifies him deeply. Its something he'd much rather avoid doing in his lifetime but will undoubtedly have to do. Markas enjoys reading and writing, he gets anxious around large crowds of people. He's spent most of his life in Oldtown, rarely leaving it but a few times. In Oldtown he's developed a liking for the smallfolk, as well as a keen eye towards their everyday plights. He does not enjoy being stuck in the Hightower, in his days at home he's often wandering the streets of Oldtown, meeting new people and hearing their tales. [/indent] [color=white][b]Attributes & Talents[/b][/color][indent]Markas is a calm young man, seen as more charismatic than his older brother. He speaks with honesty and integrity even at a young age. While he does not seek out fights he is a trained swordsman, having squired under his brother Jorgon for some time now. Markas is more well liked by the smallfolk than his brother is, due to the time he's spent conversing with them, hearing their pleas and tales. [/indent] [color=white][b]Immediate Family[/b][/color] [indent]Markas' closest immediate family member is his older brother Lord Jorgon Hightower. Throughout the large Hightower family tree he has numerous living cousins, uncles and aunts, and a nephew.[/indent] [color=white][b]Personal Relations[/b][/color] [indent]Describe notable (PC) characters they know, why they know them, and what their opinion of said character is.[/indent] [/color][/indent] [/hider] [hider=Bryen Hightower of the Queensguard] [center][img]https://img.cinemablend.com/filter:scale/quill/1/2/6/4/4/0/1264402dfb47497d9c9ab31ba5d985eb20a82054.jpg?mw=600[/img][/center] [indent][color=878787][color=white][b]Identity[/b][/color][indent] Bryen Hightower [/indent] [color=white][b]Age[/b][/color][indent] 48 [/indent] [color=white][b]Role[/b][/color][indent][list][*] Knight of Queen Daenerys Targaryen’s Queensguard[/list] [/indent] [color=white][b]Characterization[/b][/color][indent] A no nonsense knight of the Queensguard, Ser Bryen has a reputation as a dutiful, honorable man. He's calm and patient in his decision making, with a fine control over his emotions. He's firm in his loyalty to the dragon queen, seeing her livelihood as the upmost important thing in his life. [/indent] [color=white][b]Attributes & Talents[/b][/color][indent] One of the finest swordsmen in the realm, and perhaps the strongest in the Queensguard, Bryen's martial talent is well known through the Seven Kingdoms. He's a level headed individual with a firm belief in duty and honor, something which has earned him respect from people he has dealt with. [/indent] [color=white][b]Immediate Family[/b][/color] [indent]List his immediate family.[/indent] [color=white][b]Personal Relations[/b][/color] [indent]Describe notable (PC) characters they know, why they know them, and what their opinion of said character is.[/indent] [/color][/indent] [/hider]