IdentityCorlys "The Black" Targaryen
Age35
RoleLord Paramount of the Stepstones, Lord of Bloodstone, Prince
CharacterizationBlack of hair, and darkest shade of violet eyes, Corlys Targaryen stands apart from his other kinsmen of House Targaryen. Standing tall and powerful, with broad shoulders, muscular arms, and a flat stomach, he inherited all of his father's and grand father's marshal natures, and refined them further still. Only his larger than normal ears betray any hint of his mother's influence, though oft not they are hidden behind his coal black hair which he wore long, flowing down to his shoulders in fine mane. Further adding to his dark features is his cropped and fine facial hair, framing his ruggedly beautiful features. More than any other of his Targaryen kin, Corlys looked every inch the warrior, with many speaking softly that perhaps he had the blood of Maegor in his veins.
A man who values martial strength first above all, he trained with the sword and shield from when he was old enough to wield them, able to defeat foes twice his age and size, relying on a brute strength and natural martial prowess. Since his youth as a diligent squire, he has trained to become among the most well renowned knights of the realm, though oddly, looking down upon the lists and those who joust as strutting cocks wasting their time. In the melee is where his shines the brightest, having personally taken the champion's purse from no less then twelve tournaments in his lifetime. Knighted by his father at fifteen, he went on to be his father's greatest champion, and then successor, when Prince Orys fell in battle upon the Stepstones.
Corlys possess a rough charm to himself, a withering glare when angered, and a lightning quick speed in feats of martial prowess. He'd never lacked for women flocking to him, nor did he hide his frequent pleasures of the flesh, though such were certainly tempered to a degree with his marriage to Lady Arianne Connington. However, since her death, he has returned to his old haunts and places of silk and pleasure. Some whisper it is a curse of never wishing to be alone, while others elude to the sin of wanton lust. For Corlys, it is the desire to finally have a son all his own, to train and teach the boy to carry on all he has learned and more.
Attributes & TalentsOf this, little and more need to be said other than Corlys is a warrior through and through. Some jest to have never seen him outside of his armor, and that he is made of boiled leather and ringmail. While others think of honor and glory, Corlys looks at how best to defeat his opponent - honor be damned. An exceptionally talented swordsman, with the stamina and shoulders of a Bull Aurochs, he ferocity in battle is perhaps only matched by his wickedly deadly Valyrian Steel blade, Truth - a blade he took from the cold dead hands of a pirate lord upon the Stepstones.
Let it not be said that all the man is known for is bloody combat, for he curiously is astutely studied in the laws of succession, and much to the surprise of those who know not of his earlier days, he even studied at the Citadel for a few seasons, going so far as to forge five links. Lastly, he is a talented armor smith, having learned from a Qohorik prisoner found in the dungeons of Bloodstone.
Immediate Family
Daughter - Princess Elaena Tagaryen
Son-in-Law - Brus Baratheon
Daughter - Gael Targaryen
Daughter - Rhaena Targaryen
Daughter - Daenaera Targaryen
Daughter - Laena Targaryen
Sister - Saera Targaryen
Bastards
Daughter - Arianne Sand
Daughter - Allyria Sand
Daughter - Cassella Sand
Daughter - Ellyn Storm
Daughter - Jena Storm
Daughter - Ravella Storm
Demesne
Lord Paramount of the Stepstones, Lord of Bloodstone
House Martell of Sunstone
House Drumm of Grey Gallows
House Borrell of Last Refuge
House Seaworth of Torturers Deep
House Norride of Dark Den
House Magnar of Wreckstone
House Mallister of The Skulls
House Lannister of Shame Isle
Personal Relations
House Martell - Closest in both terms of geography and relations, Prince Corlys Targaryen holds Dorne, and House Martell, in the highest of regards. When he is not busy with his duties upon the Stepstones, Corlys is often known to travel the warm deserts of Dorne with many a Dornishman and woman. Their proud people, storied history, and exotic cuisine, all come to a point when it concerns House Martell. The Blood of Valyria and the Blood of the Rhoynar flow through the veins of these close friends, and for Corlys, he has grown fond of Prince Tyrstanne, thinking of him as a distant uncle. The two men are said to enjoy lengthy conversations, fishing, hawking, and breaking bread. Corlys enjoys Dorne so much, that has has three bastard daughters from Dornish noblewomen, going so far as to even acknowledge them as his own.
House Baratheon - Storm's End and all its power are drawn close through the marriage of Princess Elaena Targaryen, his eldest daughter and heir, to Ser Brus Baratheon, heir to Storm's End. Prince Corlys in his youth toured much of the Stormlands, learning much and more of the regional storms that he would eventually deal with himself as the Lord Paramount of the Stepstones. He made inroads with the Baratheons, close family kin on both his mother's and grandmother's blood, building a close working relationship with the storied house. The world between the two houses grew much closer when geography made such visits closer and more frequent. Ambition and kinship marks Prince Corlys relations with Storm's End.
House Connington - Bound by marriage, the relationship between these two houses was rough at first, due to Prince Corlys habit of straying from the marriage bed. Yet, as time progressed, both the marriage between Prince Corlys and Lady Arianne Connington and the two houses improved. Each year, the two would visit the ancestral home of the Connington's to enjoy food, family, and festivities. Prince Corlys developed a strong sense of camaraderie with the lord of Griffin's Roost, Caryll Connington, both men being warriors through and through. Prince Corlys comfortably believes he can rely upon his nephew for support when such is needed.
House Florent - The house of his mother, and the woman he loved more than his own wife, he counts House Florent as among his closet friends and allies. To say he was devestated when his mother died, would certainly have been an understatement. Those that were near when he watched his mother pass before his very own eyes, said he raged for a full night and into the next day. The training dummy, and his own sword, were little more than scrap when he calmed down enough to lay the woman to rest. Since that day, he has worked to cultivate close relations with the Florents, and some elude to, perhaps to find a woman who looks like his own mother in her youth. Though, those that whisper such rumors do so at their own risk.
House Tyrell - A formerly loyal house, one that had changed its banner many times. Quick to abandon the dragons when it was convenient. Prince Corlys looks upon the Rose of Tyrell suspiciously, ever more so now that the Hand of the King is the Lord Paramount of the Reach. Their fate depends solely on how they decide upon acting should the Prince's ambitions come to fruition.
House Lannister - The Lion, once proud and mighty, had been banished from the courts of the realm. While other lords and houses perhaps may follow tradition and the royal precedent, Prince Corlys in recent years has made an endeavor to strike up working and trading relations with the Lords of the Westerlands. They represent a powerful source of mineral wealth, and furthermore, an ancestral enemy of the Iron Islands. Of note, are the favorable accommodations that the Prince has chartered towards the Lord Lannister of Shame Isle, helping to build his domains richer and more alluring to investment.
House Harlaw - Bloody pirates and raiders, rapists and thieves, through and through. Even though they stood high in the favor of royal family, both in blood and station, Prince Corlys loathed them entirely. He never enjoyed their foreign nature, heathenistic god, vainglory, and ever troublesome desire for gold and thralls, they are the bane of the realm. The only good Ironborn is a dead one.
The Rest of the Realm - In the words of the Prince, "They either stand with the Dragon, or they burn as Hoare did, with all his line."
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