[center][color=C42F52][b][u][h1]House Blackwood of Raventree Hall[/h1][/u][/b][/color]
[img]sigil image[/img]
[center][img]https://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/e/e1/House_Blackwood.svg/818px-House_Blackwood.svg.png[/img][/center]
[h3][b][color=C42F52]Through Watchful Eyes[/color][/b][/h3][/center]
[h3][b][color=C42F52]House Description:[/color][/b][/h3]

[indent] House Blackwood of Raventree Hall is an ancient and noble family from the riverlands, with their seat at Raventree Hall. They are one of the principal houses sworn to House Tully of Riverrun, though their lineage stretches back to the Age of Heroes, when they once ruled the riverlands as kings.

Their heraldry features a striking design: a dead weirwood tree set against a black shield, surrounded by a flock of ravens on a scarlet field. They command broader lands and can muster a larger army than their liege lords, the Tullys.
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[h3][b][color=C42F52]Recent History:[/color][/b][/h3]
[indent] 
The extended reign of Benjicot Blackwood, known as Bloody Ben, has provided a sense of stability for the house, alongside a direct connection to the days of old when Targaryen’s ruled by the might of dragons. While Rhaenyra Targaryen may have lost the civil war, her heirs were placed on the throne in no small part due to the actions of Bloody Ben, and he and has household have enjoyed prominence at court ever since.

Lady Melissa Blackwood was the sixth mistress of King Aegon IV Targaryen, and the mother of three of his infamous Great Bastards: Mya, Gwenys, and Brynden Rivers Known for her grace and charm, Melissa was well regarded at court, and as a result, House Blackwood did not suffer significant consequences when Aegon eventually dismissed her.

This was yet another stage in the ongoing feud between House Blackwood and House Braken, an ancient rivalry leading from the far past of the Age of Heroes, for Melissa Blackwood replaced Barba Bracken as the King’s favourite. Both houses are currently in an era of strength and prosperity, for the Riverlands has flourished in this extended period of relative internal peace and politics of influence.
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[h3][b][color=C42F52]Family Members:[/color][/b][/h3]

[hider=Family Members]
[List][*]Benjicot Blackwood (b. 118), called Bloody Ben, Lord of Raventree Hall
[*] his wife, Lady Ellyn Baratheon (b. 119)
[*] their children: [/list]
[indent][list][*]Seth Blackwood (b. 138), heir to Raventree Hall, m. Alys Stark (b. 140)
[*] Seth's daughter, Rowena Blackwood (b. 164)
[*] Seth's daughter, Sybelle Blackwood (b. 165)
[*] Seth's daughter, Alarra Blackwood (b. 167)
[*] Seth's daughter, Lyrra Blackwood (b. 168)
[*] Seth's son, Quentyn Blackwood (b. 170)
[*] Seth's son, Brance Blackwood (b. 172)
[*] Desmona Blackwood (b. 142), m. Ser Dermett Corbray (b. 142), 
[*] Lorence Blackwood (b. 146)
[*] Melissa Blackwood (b. 158), called Missy, former royal mistress to King Aegon IV Targaryen
[/List][/indent]

[List][*]his siblings:[/list]
[indent]
[list][*][s]Lady Ellera Blackwood (b. 115), took ill and died after a feast (d. 150),[/s] m. Arstyn Roote (b. 109), Lord of Lord Harroway's Town
[*] Lady Morya Blackwood (b. 120), [s]m. Lord Nestor Sarsfield (b. 115), killed by Ser Aidan Dayne (d. 157)[/s]
[*] Morya's son, Lord Tytos Sarsfield (b. 140), Lord of Sarsfield, m. Sylvina Serry (b. 143)
[*] Morya's daughter, Sylla Sarsfield (b. 143)
[*] Morya's son, Ser Albin Sarsfield (b. 145), m. Dorene Farman (b. 143)
[*] Albin's daughter, Marra Sarsfield (b. 167)
[*] Albin's son, Peron Sarsfield (b. 169)
[*] Albin's son, Alester Sarsfield (b. 172)
[*] Albin's daughter, Rowenna Sarsfield (b. 175)
[*] Morya's son, Nestor Sarsfield (b. 150), called Little Nestor, a novice of the Faith
[*] Morya's daughter, Beranda Sarsfield (b. 153), formerly lady-in-waiting to her cousin Melissa in King's Landing, m. Ser Lothar Brune (b. 111), the Knight of Brownhollow
[*] [s]Lady Amya Blackwood (b. 123), died in childbed (d. 145),[/s] m. Lord Cavan Ryswell (b. 115)
[*] Balian Blackwood (b. 127), a warrior of unblemished repute, m. Dalonne Locke (b. 132)
[*] [s]Balian's son, Edgar Blackwood (b. 151), dead of illness (d. 156)[/s]
[*] Balian's daughter, Calera Blackwood (b. 152)
[*] Balian's son, Bastion Blackwood (b. 154)
[*] Balian's squire, Alastor Vance (b. 148)
[*] [s]Lucos Blackwood (b. 129), killed in the wildfire disaster in the kingswood (d. 174)[/s], m. Rolanna Selmy (b. 137)
[/list][/indent]

[list][*] [s]his late father, Lord Samwell Blackwood (b. 96), Lord of Raventree Hall, killed in the Dance of the Dragons (d. 129)[/s]
[*] [s]his widowed mother, Lady Tyrianne Lannister (b. 98)[/s][/list]

[list][*] his aunt, uncles, and cousins:[/list]
[indent][list][*] [s]Lady Wenella Blackwood (b. 92), dead of a winter chill (d. 123), m. Lord Mychel Piper (b. 93), Lord of Pinkmaiden[/s]
[*] [s]Elton Blackwood (b. 100), killed in the Dance of the Dragons (d. 131), m. Janna Coldwater (b. 100)[/s]
[*] Elton's son, Orin Blackwood (b. 120), named for his famous uncle, captain of the guard at Coldwater Burn, m. Eddyne Moore (b. 118)
[*] Orin's daughter, Bria Blackwood (b. 142)
[*] O[s]rin's son, Lucas Blackwood (b. 144), a household sword at Raventree Hall, dead of wounds taken in a feud with the Brackens (d. 164)[/s]
[*] [s]Elton's son, Glendon Blackwood (b. 125), a ranger on the Wall, killed by a wildling (d. 147)[/s]
[*] Elton's daughter, Myra Blackwood (b. 129), m. [s]Denys Hardyng (b. 123), a squire killed in Dorne (d. 157)[/s]
[*] Myra's daughter, Karella Hardyng (b. 145)
[*] Myra's daughter, Benfria Hardyng (b. 147)
[*] Myra's son, Deremond Hardyng (b. 152), a page at Ironoaks
[*] Maester Tylbert Blackwood (b. 102), serving at Darry
[*] Lady Alysanne Blackwood (b. 113), called Black Aly (d. 146), m. Lord Cregan Stark (b. 108), Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North
[/List] [/indent]
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[hider=Seth Blackwood, Heir to Raventree Hall]
[Center][img]character faceclaim[/img]
[b][color=C42F52][h3]Seth Blackwood[/h3][/color][/b][/Center]

[b][color=C42F52]Age:[/color][/b] 40 years (born 138 AC)
[b][color=C42F52]Appearance:[/color][/b]
[indent][img]https://i.pinimg.com/236x/f1/46/3d/f1463d715599db036bcf2204b03b59ac.jpg[/img][/indent]

[b][color=C42F52]Description & biography:[/color][/b]
[indent]While many noble heirs wait impatiently for the passing of their elderly sires, Seth Blackwood has had a particularly long set of decades to wait, yet feels little chagrin at this. His father is the famous (and infamous) Bloody Ben, a man of legend from the time when dragons danced in the sky and the fall of a dynasty seemed at hand. Seth was not born during this time, yet his life would still be impacted by it directly.

The friendship forged in the flames of war and dragonfire between Cregan Stark and Benjicot Blackwood was sealed in marriage first between Cregan and Alys, and later in the marriage of Benjicot's own heir and Alys Stark, Cregan's daughter. Unlike many such bonds between the noble houses of Westeros, this was not born purely of political need but instead the pair growing close over various combined family meetings, only further securing the bond between House Stark and Blackwood, cemented yet again in the births of their many children.

While Bloody Ben was known for his shy quietness in times of peace and fervour in war, Seth Blackwood has always been the heart of any gathering, a lively man with keen political instincts, he has spent much time at court for an heir to a major seat, particularly during the prominence of his sister, Melissa Blackwood, in the estimations of King Aegon. While that time has passed, few doubt that many courtiers, especially those with Northern inclinations cemented since the Hour of the Wolf, keep the heir of Raventree Hall well informed in matters of interest.
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[hider=Bastion Blackwood, The Royal Huntsman]
[Center][img]character faceclaim[/img]
[b][color=C42F52][h3]Bastion Blackwood, The Royal Huntsman[/h3][/color][/b][/Center]

[b][color=C42F52]Age:[/color][/b] 24 years ( born 154 AC)
[b][color=C42F52]Appearance:[/color][/b]
[indent][img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e0/50/ea/e050ea59ee26eafaf430530fc5bb1b63.jpg[/img][/indent]

[b][color=C42F52]Description & biography:[/color][/b]
[indent]The son of a renown warrior, Bastion spent much of his youth with an initial expectation of following such footsteps in a role more traditionally aligned with the Knights of the South, but with all the Northern influence at Raventree Hall and the historic inclinations of the Blackwoods, Bastion spent as much time ranging through the wetlands of the Riverlands and coasting on barges as he did in the saddle. Roaming bandits, ever a problem, if diminishing, since the Dance, provided plenty of opportunity to cut the teeth of a young noble with a martial leaning. 

The prominence of House Blackwood at court eventually had such talents put to use for the King, having been present for the disastrous 'invasion' of Dorne which ended with the Kingswood immolated. Later named Royal Huntsman, a substantial aspect of Bastion's duty has been organising efforts to restore the great forest.

While he may not be renown for any skill with a lance, for he does not compete in the joust, Bastion is still a well regarded warrior and his exploits of such are well known and lauded, allowing him to hold his position and respect at court despite the waning of House Blackwood's influence.[/indent]
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[hider=Melissa Blackwood]
[Center][img]character faceclaim[/img]
[b][color=C42F52][h3]Melissa Blackwood[/h3][/color][/b][/Center]

[b][color=C42F52]Age:[/color][/b]20 years (born 158 AC)
[b][color=C42F52]Appearance:[/color][/b]
[indent][img]https://www.westeros.org/BoD/Graphics/Portraits/Melissa_Blackwood_01.png[/img][/indent]

[b][color=C42F52]Description & biography:[/color][/b]
[indent]Melissa Blackwood became the sixth mistress of King Aegon IV Targaryen early in his reign, in 172 AC, succeeding Lady Barba Bracken, who had been dismissed from court in disgrace. Despite her position as the king’s paramour, Melissa was known for her kind heart and generosity, qualities that earned her the friendship of Queen Naerys, Aegon’s sister-wife, as well as Prince Aemon the Dragonknight and Prince Daeron, her son by the king.

Melissa remained Aegon’s mistress for five years, during which she bore him three children: two daughters, Mya and Gwenys, and a son, Brynden Rivers. While she has now passed from the King's fleeting affections, the respect and love she has earned at court has enabled her to remain alongside her children. While she may do this in part from loyalty to the position of her house, she knows mostly that even limited recognition from the King is important to her children living lives free of the worst ridicule.[/indent]
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