Still a bit more to do but thought I'd put it out for initial thoughts [hider=House Highmark] [center] [color=0076a3][u][b]House Highmark[/b][/u][/color] [img]https://i.ibb.co/HFhVJNp/Hightyde2.png[/img] [/center] [hider=House Info] [b]Synopsis[/b] Founded by [i]Aurane Waters[/i] a bastard of House Velaryon who stole the fledgling royal fleet during the [i]War Of The Five Kings[/i] and set himself up as a pirate in the Stepstones. His son Aurion by way of a captured noble-wife then styled himself as King Of The Stepstones before war with Westeros eventually drove him out of his lands into exile across the seas. [b]Head of House[/b] Aurion Highmark [b]Seat[/b] N/A (formerly Torturer's Deep) [b]Demesne[/b] Command of a fleet and has influence with smugglers and corsairs in many ports. [b]Recent History[/b] After initially fighting for Stannis Baratheon then being captured and pardoned, subsequently rising to the position of Admiral Of The Royal Fleet on Cercei Baratheon's small-council, then stealing said royal fleet and turning to piracy in the Stepstones; things then started to look up for young Aurane. Unrest of both sides of the narrow sea meant his piracy operations went unchecked and the navies of the seven kingdoms were too busy destroying each other to focus on him. Refugees attempting to flee Westeros during the winter assault provided ample recruits and raids to aid his growing power-base. Coordinated raids against southern Westeros in 318 gave Aurane a reluctant bride in the form of Johanna XXX, daughter of Lord XXX and soon an heir. It's not known when (or even if) Aurane eventually died, but his son Aurion seemed to waste no time in mourning as he took over. As a legitimate son of a bastard, Aurion changed his name to 'Highmark' to remove any trace of bastardry. He then crowned himself 'King Of The Narrow Sea And The Stepstones' to remove any trace of modesty. He set out consolidating and expanding power, streamlining the businesses of slaving, piracy, smuggling and aggrandising himself. Aurion's dynasty ended in blood though when the Iron-Throne, enraged at a brazen attack on Ghaston Grey, turned their attention to his ambitious little kingdom. The War For The Stepstones lasted for over two years and while Aurion's claim of pirate kingship had initially been dubious the assault served to unify the various corsairs and smugglers under his banner, putting up a coordinated fight the Westerosi never expected. There were strange rumours of intervention from New Valyria and even stranger rumours of how Aurion managed to secure their allegiance. Aurion fought a bloody was that claimed the lives of many noblemen including Prince Orys Targaryen whom Aurion alleged to have slain in single combat at the loss of his eye. But it was all for naught, Aurion lost the war his kingdom was divvied up between Aelyx's lords. Most people agree that the self-styled king perished in the final days of the war, with many claiming to have done the deed. But there are rumours that he's still out there, each time a shipment goes missing men mutter darkly to each other the name Highmark. They say in the seven years that have followed Aurion drifts from cove to cove, struggling to keep the remnants of his fleet and keeping a close eye on Westerosi politics. [b]Realm Relations[/b] Good question... [b]Storyline Premise[/b] I'm hoping this will provide a potentially nice wrench in the works of the political scene and I have a few ideas about what I'd like to do with him that will hopefully mix things up nicely. [/hider] [hider='King' Aurion Highmark] [img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/gameofthronesfanon/images/5/54/Old_maegon.jpg/revision/latest/top-crop/width/360/height/450?cb=20200616214832[/img] [b]Age[/b] 44 (born 320AC) [b]Role[/b] Lord Of Waters, King Of The Stepstones And The Narrow Sea, leader of The Jolly Fellows [b]Characterization[/b] In spite of being a pirate, slaver, raider and serial womaniser Aurion has never viewed himself as a [i]bad[/i] guy. In his world-view he's maybe more of a Robin Hood type figure and bemoans the injustice of how his rightful kingdom was taken from him. Like any self-appointed king he has a high opinion of himself and the line between what he actually believes and the stories he tells to garner support seems a little blurred. The older he gets the more he secretly worries that his youthful flare is fading, something that troubles him and affects his actions more and more. [b]Attributes & Talents[/b] Describe said character's abilities and skills. [b]Immediate Family[/b] Shiera Highmark [b]Personal Relations[/b] WIP [/hider] [hider='Princess' Shiera Highmark] [img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/adawnoficeandfirerp/images/d/da/Velaryon3.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/310?cb=20171207221853[/img] [b]Age[/b] 42 (born 322AC) [b]Role[/b] Older sister to King Aurion Highmark [b]Characterization[/b] Describe said character's reputation and values. [b]Attributes & Talents[/b] Describe said character's abilities and skills. [b]Immediate Family[/b] 'King' Aurion Highmark (Brother) [b]Personal Relations[/b] [/hider] [/hider]