Aenys was weak and Maegor was cruel and Aegon II was grasping, but no king before or after that would practice so much willful misrule.
IC outline:
Westeros has been in slow burning chaos for decades. When dragon turned against dragon and dueled across sky and land, their eventual peace in 131 AC did not bring stability. A long and strife-filled regency coincided with a harsh winter and a plague. The crown had no time to resolve petty disputes amongst the great houses. Lannisters and Greyjoys fought while the Vale descended into its own succession crisis.
The dragons did not rebuild their numbers either, try as he might, King Aegon III failed to restore their numbers and oversaw the final death in 153 AC. Whispers remain even to today, of what foul magic the Dance had unleashed that would end the source of House Targaryen's power. After all, what are dragon lords with no dragons?
Perhaps eager to prove their might still remained even without the powerful creatures, peace was short-lived with a full invasion of Dorne begun in 157 AC by King Daeron I. Victory was brief, the regent left behind - Lord Lyonel Tyrell - was killed in uprising against the Iron Throne. Upon Daeron's return in 161 AC, he too was slain. His brother, Baelor, was crowned, a man better suited for a Sept than a Throne. Though the smallfolk loved him, his attention was ever diverted to the Seven above, rather than his liege below. King Baelor's rule rankled his lords, his edicts and decrees ranged from charitable to tyrannical. Though many still sought to find favor by providing their own daughters as companions in the Maidenvault that held the King's three sisters - lest they tempt any man with their beauty.
Leading up to Baelor's death in 171 AC, just a few years ago, concerning whispers reached some ears that he sought to wipe out all faiths but the one true Faith of the Seven. His death was perhaps most timely in preventing all out civil war with the North and the Iron Islands.
Perhaps by all rights, it was Daena who should have been crowned Queen as the next eldest in line to the throne. Yet, memories regarding women and the Iron Throne were long. With great mean citing the precedents of the Great Council of 101 AC and the Dance of the Dragons, Daena's and her sisters' claims were quickly set aside in favor of their uncle, King Viserys II, who had ruled in all but name while Aegon brooded, Daeron warred, and Baelor prayed.
His true reign was short-lived, and he died from sudden illness in 172 AC. His eldest son, Aegon, succeeded him as King Aegon IV, and the realms trembled yet again. While Viserys was not well-loved and looked upon with suspicion for Baelor's death, his son was already well known for letting his desires rule him, no matter his charisma and wit.
Since his ascension, King's Landing has been in repetitive cycles of feasts and scandals. Aegon thrives on sowing discord among his eager subjects and takes joy in pitting them against one another. His closest friends and confidantes are one unknown misstep away from becoming his foe. Lords and ladies seek his favor through whatever means available to them. It has been a tumultuous time, all the while his long-suffering siblings do their duties for the realm.
Just a few years after taking the throne, the King decided - against all protests - to launch a new invasion of Dorne. He would finish what his cousins had left unfinished. Aegon's son and heir vehemently opposed this, only to find rumors begun that he was a bastard, born of his mother's affair with her other brother, Aemon. The invasion was over before it began, with the fleet scattered and destroyed by a vicious spring storm.
---
It is 178 AC, Aegon IV is in his sixth year of rule, Summer continues on with the Citadel predicting at least one more year before Autumn.
The realm has been fractured and neglected for too long. In the North, House Stark suffers after Lord Cregan's death. His sons left much to be desired in securing a legacy. The Vale continues to rebuild following their own succession crisis that resolved less than fifty years ago. The Riverlands are beset by more infighting among the Brackens and Blackwoods; although not uncommon, King Aegon has spurred it to new levels of animosity with his choice of mistresses. House Tully has been consumed with the effort of keeping peace under their purview.
Other major houses are even more silent. House Tyrell and Baratheon seem to bide their time, or perhaps are dealing with their own internal conflicts they do not wish the rest of the realm to know of. House Greyjoy's silence is even more concerning than when they actively raid.
House Lannister retains the closest relationship with the crown, for the Lord Paramount's heir, Jon "The Black Lion" Lannister has remained a steadfast companion. There are whispers though, that this friendship may be fraying. Rumors of what caused the rift are ever-changing, some mundane and others extreme.
Still, those that wish to improve their lots in life or ruin the lots of others, flock to King's Landing.
The dragons did not rebuild their numbers either, try as he might, King Aegon III failed to restore their numbers and oversaw the final death in 153 AC. Whispers remain even to today, of what foul magic the Dance had unleashed that would end the source of House Targaryen's power. After all, what are dragon lords with no dragons?
Perhaps eager to prove their might still remained even without the powerful creatures, peace was short-lived with a full invasion of Dorne begun in 157 AC by King Daeron I. Victory was brief, the regent left behind - Lord Lyonel Tyrell - was killed in uprising against the Iron Throne. Upon Daeron's return in 161 AC, he too was slain. His brother, Baelor, was crowned, a man better suited for a Sept than a Throne. Though the smallfolk loved him, his attention was ever diverted to the Seven above, rather than his liege below. King Baelor's rule rankled his lords, his edicts and decrees ranged from charitable to tyrannical. Though many still sought to find favor by providing their own daughters as companions in the Maidenvault that held the King's three sisters - lest they tempt any man with their beauty.
Leading up to Baelor's death in 171 AC, just a few years ago, concerning whispers reached some ears that he sought to wipe out all faiths but the one true Faith of the Seven. His death was perhaps most timely in preventing all out civil war with the North and the Iron Islands.
Perhaps by all rights, it was Daena who should have been crowned Queen as the next eldest in line to the throne. Yet, memories regarding women and the Iron Throne were long. With great mean citing the precedents of the Great Council of 101 AC and the Dance of the Dragons, Daena's and her sisters' claims were quickly set aside in favor of their uncle, King Viserys II, who had ruled in all but name while Aegon brooded, Daeron warred, and Baelor prayed.
His true reign was short-lived, and he died from sudden illness in 172 AC. His eldest son, Aegon, succeeded him as King Aegon IV, and the realms trembled yet again. While Viserys was not well-loved and looked upon with suspicion for Baelor's death, his son was already well known for letting his desires rule him, no matter his charisma and wit.
Since his ascension, King's Landing has been in repetitive cycles of feasts and scandals. Aegon thrives on sowing discord among his eager subjects and takes joy in pitting them against one another. His closest friends and confidantes are one unknown misstep away from becoming his foe. Lords and ladies seek his favor through whatever means available to them. It has been a tumultuous time, all the while his long-suffering siblings do their duties for the realm.
Just a few years after taking the throne, the King decided - against all protests - to launch a new invasion of Dorne. He would finish what his cousins had left unfinished. Aegon's son and heir vehemently opposed this, only to find rumors begun that he was a bastard, born of his mother's affair with her other brother, Aemon. The invasion was over before it began, with the fleet scattered and destroyed by a vicious spring storm.
---
It is 178 AC, Aegon IV is in his sixth year of rule, Summer continues on with the Citadel predicting at least one more year before Autumn.
The realm has been fractured and neglected for too long. In the North, House Stark suffers after Lord Cregan's death. His sons left much to be desired in securing a legacy. The Vale continues to rebuild following their own succession crisis that resolved less than fifty years ago. The Riverlands are beset by more infighting among the Brackens and Blackwoods; although not uncommon, King Aegon has spurred it to new levels of animosity with his choice of mistresses. House Tully has been consumed with the effort of keeping peace under their purview.
Other major houses are even more silent. House Tyrell and Baratheon seem to bide their time, or perhaps are dealing with their own internal conflicts they do not wish the rest of the realm to know of. House Greyjoy's silence is even more concerning than when they actively raid.
House Lannister retains the closest relationship with the crown, for the Lord Paramount's heir, Jon "The Black Lion" Lannister has remained a steadfast companion. There are whispers though, that this friendship may be fraying. Rumors of what caused the rift are ever-changing, some mundane and others extreme.
Still, those that wish to improve their lots in life or ruin the lots of others, flock to King's Landing.
OOC outline:
Hello there! It's another GoT/ASOIAF RP in the style that myself and a few others have hosted plenty of times over the years. Those who are familiar with this style of play likely know what you're in for, but for those that may not be so, here are some guidelines (and updates from previous iterations).
Players will create a House and roleplay with members of it. It is expected and necessary - due to scope of in world geography and to avoid player boredom - that a House is the basis of your play. That said, not all player characters need to members of their house by blood. You can use several types of characters as points of view. The world of Westeros provides many options whether it be Septons, hedge knights, spies and spymasters, mercenaries, in addition to languishing heirs and fourth sons desperate to make a name for themselves. While we begin in canon, it is not where the story will end.
This game will continue the tradition of a sandbox/storyline hybrid like all of our prior games. While GRRM built a huge world and centuries of lore, he left out many details. Even though we will ask that only canon houses are played, canon houses rarely have canon characters. You have the freedom to take the name, their sigil, and words but make the characters your own.
As a different start from nearly all previous iterations, we begin this story without an impending canon catalyst. To provide some thought nuggets to chew on, here's a few ideas of motivators for player houses:
Players will create a House and roleplay with members of it. It is expected and necessary - due to scope of in world geography and to avoid player boredom - that a House is the basis of your play. That said, not all player characters need to members of their house by blood. You can use several types of characters as points of view. The world of Westeros provides many options whether it be Septons, hedge knights, spies and spymasters, mercenaries, in addition to languishing heirs and fourth sons desperate to make a name for themselves. While we begin in canon, it is not where the story will end.
This game will continue the tradition of a sandbox/storyline hybrid like all of our prior games. While GRRM built a huge world and centuries of lore, he left out many details. Even though we will ask that only canon houses are played, canon houses rarely have canon characters. You have the freedom to take the name, their sigil, and words but make the characters your own.
As a different start from nearly all previous iterations, we begin this story without an impending canon catalyst. To provide some thought nuggets to chew on, here's a few ideas of motivators for player houses:
- The Otherys bastards across the Narrow Sea - a political threat some may wish to leverage, or prevent
- Persuade Aegon that you (or close family member) would be a better option on the Small Council
- Align with forces supporting Lord Commander Aemon/Queen Naerys
- Align with forces supporting Daena
- Subvert your Lord Paramount or rival Houses
@Ezekiel
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