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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 29, 2022 10:18:47 GMT -5
The dance of the mighty and terrible dragons have finally come to an end, leaving a broken and burned realm in its wake. The once mighty descendants of Aegon the Conqueror, made numerous by King Jaehaerys the Wise and his successor Viserys, have been reduced to but four children - King Aegon III, his cousin-wife Queen Jaehaera, and his half-sisters Baela and Rhaena. Of the twenty dragons that lived at the time of Viserys' passing, only four remain. The Hour of the Wolf has passed in King's Landing, leaving the remaining lords and ladies of the Seven Kingdoms to pick up the pieces. Until Aegon the Younger is a man grown and ready to rule in his own right, his regents must see to the needs of the realm - an unenviable position considering the destruction wrought by dragon's fire, the brigandry of broken men, and the ambitions of greedy men seeking to exploit the chaos.
Regents of King Aegon III:Hand of the King - Corlys Velaryon, Lord of Driftmark Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Willis Fell, Ser Master of Coin - Thaddeus Rowan, Lord of Goldengrove Master of Laws - Royce Caron, Lord of Nightsong Master of Ships - N/A Master of Whispers - N/A
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 29, 2022 10:37:31 GMT -5
Issues in 131 AL:
- The royal treasury is empty and a small council needs to be appointed.
- King’s Landing, after the bloody conflicts within the streets, requires substantial rebuilding work. The city walls have also been damaged in several places. The Dragonpit also remains as a smoking ruin.
- Piracy grips the Stepstones and merchants demand the Iron Throne take action despite the complete destruction of the royal fleet.
- Many houses petition the crown for funds to restore their damaged holdings. Food stores are also depleted despite predictions of a long winter.
- Dalton Greyjoy is raiding the western coast of the continent with impunity from Oldtown to Bear Island.
- The Riverlands, the realm’s second breadbasket, has been scorched by dragonfire, and many predict food supplies will soon run out. Alys Rivers occupies Harrenhal, the key to the Riverlands, illegally squatting with an army of sellswords and hedge knights.
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Post by pontifex on Sept 30, 2022 16:00:38 GMT -5
A low, wet rumble announced the arrival of Lord Leowyn Corbray and his brother, Lady Forlorn hanging at his hip. He dabbed his lips with a cloth and coughed slightly, hoping his trust was not misplaced.
Ser Fell stood silent and watchful in the corner, and narrowed his eyes at the unsightly display.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 1, 2022 3:34:24 GMT -5
Lord Rowan arrived shortly after the rest, having made the trek up Aegon’s High Hill on horseback from his manse in the city. It had been a bitterly cold morning, with frost clinging to the cobbles and making an otherwise ordinary route dangerous, as a man or horse could easily lose their footing on the sheets of blackened ice that lined the roads. Still in his riding furs, Thaddeus took a seat at the council table to await the arrival of the aged Lord Corlys, who had reclaimed the post of Hand even in his advanced years.
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 1, 2022 12:12:25 GMT -5
Lord Roland Westerling, father of the Lady Regent of the Westerlands, arrived solemnly at the head of a small column of western lords and knights at the Red Keep. He walked up the stairs to the council chambers in silent contemplation, taking his seat among the other gathered banners of the realm. The air was heavy and thick with worry and anticipation for the near-insurmountable task ahead of them all.
Most of all though, Roland's thoughts and prayers went to his daughter and grandson, hiding away ibside Casterly Rock from the Red Kraken's monstruous reach. May the Stranger take that man!
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Post by oznerol on Oct 2, 2022 6:59:00 GMT -5
Lord Corlys, Hand of the King and head of the regency, sat at the table's head. Occupying the place that would belong to the king himself. The Valyrian's silvery mane was still untouched by time, and his ebony-like skin was still fleshy and stout. However, he had aged and looked more frail than before; after being beaten, mistreated, incarcerated and almost executed the old lord, almost eighty, was feeling the harsh pass of time, at last. Loss and sorrow had hardened his heart, and he had little will to live; just enough to settle his affairs. Velaryon was wearing the sigil of his house and the traditional badge of the Hand, a necklace of interchained hands; somehow the older one that few to hold that office had borne in their time was lost in the afternath of Aegon's death and Corlys had one fashioned in silver, instead of gold. His gaze swept the table: known faces, many of them old supporters of Aegon the Usurper, of ill-fate and worse memory. But they were now together, trying to preserve the realm, that now laid in the hands of an infant: woe the realm whose monarch is a child.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 2, 2022 7:15:57 GMT -5
Aware that the council was now in session, Lord Rowan made a start to the proceedings by nodding to the aged Sea Snake.
”Lord Hand. I am honoured at your invitation to join this council. However, my report shall perhaps be worse than my lordships feared.”
Thaddeus shifted his heavy set frame slightly in the chair, the thick gold chain around his neck jingling slightly as he did so.
”My road from the Reach was a sorry sight. Peasants starving in the shadow of castles blackened by dragonfire, and fears growing each day of the Red Kraken’s raids up the Mander. The Redwyne fleet does what it can, but even the Lion of Lannister hides from the wroth of the Ironmen.”
Rowan grimaced as he continued.
”And on my arrival here, I discover that this is the least of our problems, or at least no greater than the ones on the very doorstep of King’s Landing. We must put previous loyalties and feuds behind us if we are to survive the winter. We must have a council fit to see the kingdom renewed again.”
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Post by pontifex on Oct 2, 2022 10:21:52 GMT -5
Leowyn Corbray cleared his throat. "To say nothing of the plight of the Riverlands, closer to my seat than I would like. The Vale has valleys and fields enough to feed itself it is true, but the needs of the realm must be served by the Riverlands as well. Many orchards, fields, and nut-bearing trees there are and yet, Harrenhall remains occupied by a jumped up bastard and his rabble. These brigands must be cleared out so that shipments of provender may move south."
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 2, 2022 10:44:24 GMT -5
”Aye. I say we send a force to reclaim Harrenhal and set the Riverlands to rights, as Lord Tully clearly is struggling to muster enough men to do so alone. It is an affront to the crown that this Witch Queen cavorts on our doorstep.”
Thaddeus agreed with Corbray after a moment’s consideration, his heavy set brow creasing slightly.
”We should also take the opportunity to recover the remains of the King’s late father and set them to rest before we give these brigands the chance to make a fool of His Grace.”
Rowan gruffly continued.
”One of the Kingsguard would be more than suited to this task.”
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Post by pontifex on Oct 2, 2022 10:47:46 GMT -5
Ser Fell stepped forward. "It would be a great hon..."
He was cut off by Corbray. "My Brother, Ser Corwyn, is well suited to the task. Let Lady Forlorn drink the blood of the upstart Rivers. The Knights of the Vale will accompany him."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Oct 2, 2022 12:57:48 GMT -5
Lord Royce Caron, another one of the regents, listens to the words of those who spoke of the current situations. Daemon and Aemond left the Riverlands in shambles and a number of the regions were depopulated in terms of what manpower could be utilized. Restoring order would be a monumental task, likely requiring the reliance of forces from the Vale which, of the regions besides the Reach, still had available manpower.
Perhaps it is wise to gather Northmen who remain in the city.
Lord Caron suggests.
A number were left by Lord Stark as Winter is harsh back in their homes now. These men are fit and eager. A multitude of them now reside in both the Riverlands and the capital. Muster groups of them to aid us in our aim to deal with the brigands and securing the roads. It will give them a duty to perform and lessen the chance of any issues that could be caused if they are without focus.
It would be difficult, at this time, to rely upon levies from King's Landing after the recent riots after all.
They would be reliable men alongside other forces at our disposal. For I fear we cannot risk calling upon the citizens of the capital to help us.
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Post by pontifex on Oct 2, 2022 14:31:46 GMT -5
Ser Corwyn scoffed. "The small folk will do as they are commanded." He retorted. "The northmen sent us their old men and other castoffs to die. Probably better they went to the Night's Watch. I suppose they will make adequate arrow fodder for my assault on Harrenhall."
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Post by oznerol on Oct 2, 2022 14:45:33 GMT -5
"We need no more mouths to feed at the city. We got plenty already"
Said Corlys.
"My ships are hard pressed as they are, trying to guarantee shipments of bread and grain to feed whoever is still standing. This city is a hungry whore"
He added, bitterly.
"Let's send every Northmen still within these walls to Harrenhal, under the command of someone capable. Let it be one of the riverine Lads if it need to be for all I care, but must be someone whose sword has been bloodied and tried, another fiasco is not welcomed"
His gaze wandered around the table.
"That black castle might be a ruin, but sits in the middle of the Rivers and has many lords and vassals. It might be of use, now that Strongs are gone..."
He played with his office's badge, mindlessly.
"And someone try to fetch the king's father's body. He needs a proper burial"
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Post by Royal Joker on Oct 2, 2022 15:15:13 GMT -5
Lord Westerling tapped the table in contemplation while the other lords discussed. With a somber tone he spoke up.
"My lords, it's with a heavy heart I must add the plight of the West to the matters before this council. Dalton Greyjoy, may that fish-born mongrel burn in seven hells, has been reaving up and down the western coast for years! Villages pillaged, men murdered, women and girls kidnapped to serve as whores for his crew. Lannisport has been sacked and the Lannister fleet burned. Thank the gods that Casterly Rock is beyond his vile tendrils."
Roland's eyes were burning with fury as he looked around the table.
"The war is over yet he continues his piracy. My lords, the ironborn must pay for what they've done! Every treasure stolen returned, every person kidnapped released, and Greyjoy brought to court to face judgement!"
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 2, 2022 15:45:11 GMT -5
”Then let us send Ser Corbray to Harrenhal with whatever force we can muster, and be done with it.”
Agreed Rowan, offering the Valesman a nod before turning back to Westerling with a bitter smile.
”Alas, Lord Westerling, we can do nothing with the Stepstones and our own Narrow Sea plagued by pirates. Not do we have the ships, save for the remaining fleet of Lord Corlys.”
They needed to appoint a functioning council, and quickly.
”Appointing a man as Master of Ships to construct a royal fleet would be a good start.”
Rowan offered, now looking hopefully towards the Hand of the King.
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