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Post by Gandalf on May 8, 2023 15:22:54 GMT -5
The Red Keep, Seat of the Iron Throne Reigning Lord of the Seven Kingdoms: Aerys II Targaryen Heir: Rhaegar Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone The Iron Throne is the seat of the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and is often used as a metonymic device to refer to the king's authority or to the polity born after Aegon's Conquest. The king often holds audiences and dispenses justice from atop it in the Red Keep's throne room, the Great Hall. The chair is cold and hard, with many jagged edges. The Iron Throne is an asymmetric monstrosity of spikes and jagged edges and twisted metal. The throne was constructed by Aegon I Targaryen from the melted, twisted, beaten, and broken blades surrendered by his enemies, or wrenched from the hands of the dying. According to the songs, it took a thousand blades to make. Only the Hand of the King may sit on the throne in the king's absence. Such privilege does not extend to regents.
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Post by Royal Joker on May 11, 2023 17:15:39 GMT -5
Click clack. Click clack. Click clack.
The sounds echoed through the great hall inside the Red Keep. Courtiers and servants scurried about in nervous silence while piercing purple eyes stared down at them all. Aerys, second of his name, was in an irritable yet unusually calm mood. The Targaryen king's unkept nails clicked against the Iron Throne, while his gaunt face and sunken eyes stared out from behind long, greasy silver hair. Those who dared glance up at their lord would guess that something occupied his mind, though it was just as likely that he had disappeared from reality. Either way, the members of the royal court were thankful to get some rest from the unpredictable nature of Aerys the Mad.
Just as soon as the king had become absent, just as soon did his mind return. A loud thump rang out, followed just as soon by a shriek that made everyone jump. Aerys had woken up in anger, banging his fist against the Iron Throne and subsequently cut it on one of its many sharp blades. He swore to the gods as he tried to stop the bleeding with his sleeve. Purple eyes suddenly flared in anger as they scrutinized the great hall.
"Where is Rhaegar?! Traitors abound to overthrow their liege, and he's off gallivanting with some wolfgirl gods know where! Useless boy..."
Aerys sank down and began to mumble to himself.
"He wants my crown, my throne... traitors all... IS THERE NO ONE WHO CAN FIND THE PRINCE OF DRAGONSTONE?!"
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trot
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Post by trot on May 14, 2023 17:37:39 GMT -5
Prince Lewyn Martell stood a few feet from the Iron Throne dressed as usual in the gleaming White Armor of the Kings Guard. This whole event was a mess. Rheagar was missing along with several of his own sworn brothers. The events with Lord Stark and the his heir had led to the half the realm raising their banners in rebellion, and it seemed with each day the King he had sworn to serve slipped deeper into madness.
To add to the troubles his nephew in Dorne seemed slow to answer the Kings call for aid. Rheagar's actions had dishonored Eila and Doran seemed content to let the King deal with the troubles himself. The whole situation had Lewyn on edge. If the capital fell Eila could end up in danger, and he believed Doran would realize that before to long, but the man was as ever slow to act in a time that called for haste.
He was torn from his thoughts by the sound of the king's shriek. The king had once again sliced himself on the Iron Throne a bad omen if there ever was one.
Still he stood holding his position, and wondering just what he could do to ensure the safety of Eila and her children.
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Post by Gandalf on May 15, 2023 17:52:52 GMT -5
A missive comes from the Reach, declaring that Robert Baratheon had been sent northwards with his tail between his legs by the power of House Tyrell. Lord Mace pledges to return the Stormlands to the King’s peace.
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on May 15, 2023 21:35:42 GMT -5
Standing at his post in the Great Hall of the Red Keeep, Jamie Lannister was bored, and the situation did not seem likely to improve. Half of his brothers were gone to who knows where, and the King was becoming more unstable by the day.
Once again he silently cursed Cersei for her ill fated plan, damned to while away his days in this nest of insanity, while she got up to who knows what enjoyments.
Hearing a shout he looks up to see the King gripping his arm, a line of blood streaking the forearm; a common sight these days. More unsettling was that intermixed with the groans Jamie could swear there was laughter.
As he watched the sun slowly sink down past the window, he reflected on his life's choices and resolved that he would write to his father that evening. His father always seemed to find the words that he found lacking.
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Post by Royal Joker on May 16, 2023 15:23:31 GMT -5
The missive from the south found the King in a melancholic mood. The court was mostly silent in anticipation for Aerys' unpredictable reaction. Several moments passed before he looked up with glazed eyes. "Is the traitor dead?"He silently rose from his seat and trudged down from the Iron Throne. He stood right before the maester, purple eyes staring down. When next the King spoke, it was with an unusual calm. "Until every traitor burns... you are not to celebrate. Until every slight against your king has been judged, you are not to rest. Until MY realm has been purged of all itd filth with sacred flame..."Aerys began to chuckle to himself before it turned into a cackle. "Every traitor will face the sacred flame of House Targaryen. Remember this."Purple eyes suddenly turned towards the white cloaks, Prince Lewyn Martell in particular. "We have news of Tyrell victories in the Stormlands, but where is Sunspear's response? Has Prince Doran turned traitor, too? Is he plotting to kill me?" |
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trot
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Post by trot on May 16, 2023 17:19:04 GMT -5
Lewyn blinks once in response. The kings madness grew ever more worrisome it seemed.
"My Nephew is slow to act in the best of times my King, but I am sure he will mobilize Sunspear and move North in short time." He pauses wondering just why Doran was dragging his feet so.
"Is there a plan to ensure the safety of the Princess and her children my liege?"
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Post by Royal Joker on May 18, 2023 1:43:47 GMT -5
Lewyn blinks once in response. The kings madness grew ever more worrisome it seemed. "My Nephew is slow to act in the best of times my King, but I am sure he will mobilize Sunspear and move North in short time." He pauses wondering just why Doran was dragging his feet so. "Is there a plan to ensure the safety of the Princess and her children my liege?"The King thought for few moments, staring down the Dornish knight with crazed eyes. Fingers fluttering nervously before he spoke in a rushed tone. "The royal family will remain in Maegor's Holdfast under armed guard. Until the traitors have been executed, they are not to leave."Suddenly, a moment of clarity came over Aerys. He gave Lewyn Martell a cruel smile. He spoke softly as the laid his boney hand on Prince Lewyn's shoulder. "I have a mission for you, Prince Lewyn. If your nephew won't lead his banners to defend their king, then you should have that honor. Go to Sunspear and take command of her army, by my decree. The safety of Princess Elia and her children cannot be guaranteed until my enemies have been slain, especially if Dorne is too slow to act. Am I clear?"In but a moment, Aerys' ire had turned towards the youngest whitecloak. His mood went from calm to irritable and prickly, bordering on anger. "And where is Tywin?! Does your father plan to hide away like a coward in the Rock? Or is he in league with the traitors, too? Waiting for me to be put down and take crown from the gutter? I won't have it, I won't!"
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trot
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Post by trot on May 18, 2023 7:03:26 GMT -5
Lewyn bows to the King.
"As you command my king."
Doran would not like this. But there was little he could do now. The armies would be martialed by the time he made it to Sunspear he hoped.
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Post by Gandalf on May 21, 2023 6:09:20 GMT -5
Word spread quickly through the capital, travelling from the filthy streets of Flea Bottom to the quiet corridors of the Red Keep. The news was soon on the lips of every courtier, every servant. It was brought the perfumed eunuch’s little birds to the ear of the King himself, holed up as he was in Maegor’s Holdfast in fear of conspiracy and rebellion from all sides.
Prince Rhaegar had returned. On horseback he had galloped into the capital, followed by several dozen men wearing the colours of those Stormlords that had fought Robert Baratheon at Summerhall. At the steps of Aegon’s Hill he was met by Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Jaime Lannister, who rode with him up towards the foreboding redbrick holdfast that the Conqueror had built to loom over these kingdoms as a symbol of his right to rule.
It was not the home he remembered from his youth. The halls and courtyards seemed empty of life and laughter. It was a place of eerie quiet, the music of steel ringing in the practice yard the only comfort. Every smile and bow was a practiced falsehood to hide behind as these faces he did not recognise watched his every move. His father had built a court of shadows and whispers. Varys had much to answer for.
”Lord Father, I return.” Announced the Prince of Dragonstone, now cleaned of dirt and freshly shaven. He approached the Iron Throne with a purposeful stride and offered his father a formal bow from the waist. He allowed his eyes to meet the King’s own, having slipped back into the practiced mask of unmoving stone.
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Post by Royal Joker on May 21, 2023 12:48:07 GMT -5
Word spread quickly through the capital, travelling from the filthy streets of Flea Bottom to the quiet corridors of the Red Keep. The news was soon on the lips of every courtier, every servant. It was brought the perfumed eunuch’s little birds to the ear of the King himself, holed up as he was in Maegor’s Holdfast in fear of conspiracy and rebellion from all sides. Prince Rhaegar had returned. On horseback he had galloped into the capital, followed by several dozen men wearing the colours of those Stormlords that had fought Robert Baratheon at Summerhall. At the steps of Aegon’s Hill he was met by Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Jaime Lannister, who rode with him up towards the foreboding redbrick holdfast that the Conqueror had built to loom over these kingdoms as a symbol of his right to rule. It was not the home he remembered from his youth. The halls and courtyards seemed empty of life and laughter. It was a place of eerie quiet, the music of steel ringing in the practice yard the only comfort. Every smile and bow was a practiced falsehood to hide behind as these faces he did not recognise watched his every move. His father had built a court of shadows and whispers. Varys had much to answer for. ”Lord Father, I return.” Announced the Prince of Dragonstone, now cleaned of dirt and freshly shaven. He approached the Iron Throne with a purposeful stride and offered his father a formal bow from the waist. He allowed his eyes to meet the King’s own, having slipped back into the practiced mask of unmoving stone. The Prince of Dragonstone met the gaze of his father. Aerys had a crazed look in his eyes, darting back and forth as if he was seeing ghosts. His hands were restlessly plucking at his robe as silence once more filled the great hall. The Mad King simply stared forward, eyes empty of spirit or purpose. Suddenly a fire returned, staring angrily at the crown prince. "And where exactly have you returned from? Traitors threaten my life and you're off gallivanting with some whore. Is this how you respect your father, leave him to clean up the mess you started?"He pointed a boney finger at Rhaegar accusingly. Suddenly he started cackling, smiling to himself. "I should thank you, Rhaegar. Now the worst traitors are in plain sight. Soon enough they will be dead, and then their traitor friends in the shadows will die, too."
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Post by Gandalf on May 21, 2023 16:07:24 GMT -5
"As you say, Lord Father."
The Prince of Dragonstone smoothly replied, so unmoving that he appeared carved from marble; one of those lifelike statues that the Pentoshi Magisters so prided themselves in.
"What would you have me do, Your Grace?" It was best not to distract his father or lead him on tangents when in the throes of his madness, as the lickspittles did. The Alchemists and the Eunuchs were the worst of them, piling the kindling so high that the fire in the King's eyes ate him away from the inside. It was not his father that now looked out of those empty holes, but a monster that saw traitors in every shadow, a mockery of the King he was once was. It took a practiced effort to keep the disgust invisible. And the pity.
"I have heard that the rebels have defeated Lord Connington in Stony Sept, and are but a week's ride from the capital. We should summon Lord Tywin Lannister to aid us, for he has ever been your most able servant, Your Grace."
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on May 21, 2023 22:01:58 GMT -5
With a look of uneasy surprise, Jaime turned toward the king. "My father is a loyal servant of the crown, he knows his duty." attempting to steady his nerves he continued "The strength of the rock will not stay idle for long your grace."
As it were, Jamie couldn't figure out what game his father was playing, the prowess of the Westerland cavalry could run circles around anything these northern brutes could field, and its soldiers were better fed and armed thanks to Lannister gold. Why wait?
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Post by Royal Joker on May 22, 2023 16:12:01 GMT -5
"As you say, Lord Father." The Prince of Dragonstone smoothly replied, so unmoving that he appeared carved from marble; one of those lifelike statues that the Pentoshi Magisters so prided themselves in. "What would you have me do, Your Grace?" It was best not to distract his father or lead him on tangents when in the throes of his madness, as the lickspittles did. The Alchemists and the Eunuchs were the worst of them, piling the kindling so high that the fire in the King's eyes ate him away from the inside. It was not his father that now looked out of those empty holes, but a monster that saw traitors in every shadow, a mockery of the King he was once was. It took a practiced effort to keep the disgust invisible. And the pity. "I have heard that the rebels have defeated Lord Connington in Stony Sept, and are but a week's ride from the capital. We should summon Lord Tywin Lannister to aid us, for he has ever been your most able servant, Your Grace." With a look of uneasy surprise, Jaime turned toward the king. "My father is a loyal servant of the crown, he knows his duty." attempting to steady his nerves he continued "The strength of the rock will not stay idle for long your grace."
As it were, Jamie couldn't figure out what game his father was playing, the prowess of the Westerland cavalry could run circles around anything these northern brutes could field, and its soldiers were better fed and armed thanks to Lannister gold. Why wait? Aerys angry gaze studied the Prince of Dragonstone carefully. He knew very well that Rhaegar was plotting against him; they all were, after all. But his son was eager to take the Iron Throne for himself, it was obvious to even the poorest beggar in Flea Bottom. The King's most loyal servants had told him so, and he had seen it himself in the flames engulfing the Darklyns. Despite this, there was something keeping Aerys from executing his own flesh and blood. Perhaps there was some familial love still lingering in his closed-off heart, or perhaps his last bit of sanity knew that it would be the final straw that would see him lose his throne. Whatever the case, Aerys merely gave his son a mocking look. "What would I have you do? It is simple, Rhaegar. Because of your actions, the traitors want my head. I want you to defeat my enemies. Bring them in chains so they can burn like the dogs they are, or bring me their heads."He rose from his seat and spoke loudly, almost shouting, so the whole court could hear. "Baratheon, Arryn, Tully, Stark! The lives of these traitors and their bannermen are forfeit! Death in battle or death by fire is my decree! Taking the Night's Watch is escaping justice and no traitorous lord will be permitted to do so! I am the blood of Old Valyria, the Dragon reborn! To defy me is to defy the gods thermselves and will be punished as such!"Aerys sank back in his seat. A melancholy had grabbed him, the previous fire in his eyes barely an ember. He called for Maester Pycelle with a wave of his hand. "Pycelle will compose a summons for Tywin. Casterly Rock will obey or face the fate of traitors. Go, Rhaegar, and fetch me Wisdom Rossart. His services are required for the rebirth of my kingdom."
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Post by Gandalf on May 22, 2023 16:29:06 GMT -5
"As His Grace wills."
Rhaegar executed a stiff bowed and departed, knowing better to bite at his father using him as an errand boy. But he did not go to find Rossart. For a time he lingered in the courtyard, before he took his chance to dart after Pycelle into the rookery.
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