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Thread: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

  1. #1

    Default [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    This is my first try for an AAR, I wanted for a lot of time now to do one and by now i feel im ready. I love playing with the Ironborn: they can reave, strategic marriage and stuff doesn't get your far in the Iron Isles etc. Also i find the Kingsmoot a very interesting tradition.
    I've made my own house, House Bloodshore, Lords of Lonely Light. After playing some games as an Ironborn I have noticed that later on the game the Greyjoys seem to disregard the Old Ways in order to keep their power like changing the kingsmoot to a different succession law. I am going to make my house a dynasty of ambitious fierce reavers who respect the Old Ways and try to keep them even if the Greyjoys try to change them. I am going to use screenshots of my game, narrate it, and try to make it as enjoyable for you guys as possible.

    Ill be starting with lord Gromm, a vassal of Balon Greyjoy in the Wot5k scenario

    [*]English is not my native language so dont be harsh on me for my grammar and stuff.

  2. #2

    Default Prologue

    Prologue: A new Lord in Lonely Light

    Eight days have passed since The Howl set sail from Great Wyk and our eyes saw land for the first time: It's Lonely Light, the island which lies near at end of the world, the Sunset Sea. Seat of House Farwynd. Well, former seat of house Farwynd. From the second the Howl and the part of the Iron Fleet that Lord Balon granted me reach the tiny port of the island, Lonely Light is going to be the Seat of House Bloodshore.
    Lord Balon sent raven to Lord Gylbert about ten days ago informing him that his titles are revoked from now on. My job was to ensure that he is going leave his castle without any trouble. Didn't know why yet, as i wasn't allowed to enter the room lord Balon Greyjoy had the meeting with Gorold Goodbrother and Sigfryd Harlaw announcing them his decision -although it didn't take much time for the reason to be revealed to me. Just before i set sail for my short journey lord Balon came to me.
    "-You are a true Ironborn Gromm, you've served me right for years now. I have one last thing to ask from you."
    "-Last? What do you mean Lord Balon?"
    "-Silence Gromm, and Listen to me carefully. At lonely light you will not only escort lord Gylbert and his sons out of the castle. You will also replace them."
    "-What do you mean my lord?"
    "-What happened to your ears Gromm? do you want me to repeat myself?"
    "-Why me my lord?"
    "You have payed the Iron Price. Everyone knows that. That island is yours to take. The Farwynds dont deserve it anymore. Gorold and Sigfryd agree that this is how things should be. You will get a present from Lord Gorold. You will marry one of his daughters, but he is going to choose which one. He is glad that he is getting rid of another one child to a trustworthy lad. Now before you start asking questions and hassle my head, I tell you that: Your job now is to do what you've been told, you will learn the rest in time. We will meet in Pyke soon, ill send you a Raven.
    "As you command my Lord. But just one thing, what did you want to ask me to do?"
    "Aah yes. Rule. Rule that hole of a castle and keep following the Old Ways."

    Before i even reach the isolated island, a raven came with a letter bearing the gold-banded black warhorn of the Goodbrothers.



    With many questions unanswered in my head i set foot on Lonely Light.

    "What am I going to do now?" "How's even a Castle and an island is ruled?" "How the Goodbrother girl is going to look like?"
    All those years 'till my 35th nameday I was a reaver, a warrior, not a Lord. But now I had to do that too, I was ordered to. The Farwynds didn't resist anything. They were already at the port with their ship packed with their stuff, ready to set sail. Before leaving their seat, Ygon Farwynd, Gylbert's son came to me with a strange smile and said
    "Good luck Gromm. Oh! I'm sorry! Lord Gromm. Its another thing to slay helpless peasants and another thing to rule 'em. May the Drowned God help you with that."

    Lord Gromm. I liked the sound of it.

  3. #3

    Default Chapter 1: The Iron King's War

    Chapter 1: The Iron King's War

    The first few days passed quick.That useless man didn't seem to care event a bit for his holdings.He spent most of his resources for worthless tries of finding new land across the Sunset Sea, deserting the same time his peasants. Reaving had stopped for a while now the Ironborn had left their axes and swords for hoes and shovels. It is without question a very poor place.
    I replaced the fools lord Gylbert had placed as his counselors with my own men from my crew. Now most of all I needed men that i could trust.
    Shortly after some days, a raven came from Pyke.



    My orders were to raise the banners and set sail for Pyke immediately. The Kingdom of the Iron Isles is from now on in a state of war. I had been able to have 15 longships armed and manned properly, raised the sail of the Howl and started my journey to Pyke. I didn't even know who we were going to fight. The men in my ship were eager to return to the sea, but the folk manning the Lonely Light fleet were clearly nervous. I didn't even want to know for how long lord Farwyng kept them away from the heat of the battle. Away from the Old Way.

    It was night when we arrived at Pyke and clearly late for the feast King Balon was hosting for the Lord Reavers. I was nervous too now, the inexperienced sailors kept the small fleet out of pace during the trip.
    "My first appearance as a Lord and i'm late!" i thought. Maybe i should have tossed them at the sea and prey that the Drowned God would give me a crew worthy of calling themselves Ironborn.


    "Aah, at last! What took you so long Lord Gromm? Did a full week on the land made you forget how to sail a longship?"
    "I did not. But the people of Lonely Light did Lord Meldred."
    "Been a Lord Reaver for less than a month now and started already to blame his peasants!" Said Lord Drumm smiling.
    "Enough!" King Balon said in apathy. "We dont have time for this. Last but not least Gromm, I was about to start".




    Iron King Balon started to talk about his plan on the upcoming invasion to the North. For almost an hour he was giving orders to us and explained the invasion plans. Never again in my life i have ever seen him talking for so long.
    My job was to travel to Skagos, an island on the north-western part of the North.



    It is not known at what time Skagos became subject to the supremacy of Winterfell, but they rebelled one hundred years ago. The rebellion was suppressed at the cost of the lives of the Lord of Winterfell and hundreds of his soldiers. Myth says that in ancient days, men of Skagos sailed to Skane, seizing all the women, killing all the men, and feasting on their hearts and livers for a fortnight. Skane has been uninhabited since. Balon asked me to ask the skagosi - which means "Stoneborn" in the Old Tongue- for their allegiance in the invasion in return of letting them rule themselves when the ironborn would rule the North. The Skagosi would not be convinced to join the war by diplomats. These people understand only strength, and Balon decided that the best man for the job was me.

    And so it started.



    The Iron fleet under King Balon reached Widow's Watch and seized the castle swiftly and some days later i set foot on Skagos with the crew of The Howl.



  4. #4
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Welcome mitsosan! I like your choice of setting - I enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire books. This looks like a fun campaign to play and an enjoyable AAR to read (+rep).

  5. #5

    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Quote Originally Posted by Alwyn View Post
    Welcome mitsosan! I like your choice of setting - I enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire books. This looks like a fun campaign to play and an enjoyable AAR to read (+rep).
    Thanks man

  6. #6

    Default Chapter II

    Chapter II A Sudden Peace

    The Young Wolf did not seem to care about us invading his rear. He had his full attention on the war against the Lannisters and getting vengeance for his late father, Lord Eddard. But the war on the South was not going as the pup intended.



    In the very first stages of the war, Robb had lost a worthy Ally. Now the Riverlands were his by right to command, but the Rivermen did not seem so eager to be ruled directly by northmen.



    I set foot on the island with my 51 ironborn just a month before the death of Edmure Tully. We landed on the northern part of the island, on an isolated beach because we did not want to alarm the Northmen who would possibly be on the port of Kingshouse. Reaching the shore was very difficult.



    We had to battle against both the sea and the wind, but my raiders were hardened sailors. Countless were the reaving trips i have done with them across the Narrow Sea. But the trouble wasn't the sea. We have seen again the sea being tough on us. The real struggle was to deal with the fear which the rumors about the island occupied my crew's hearts. They did not want to show it to me, but i could smell it. The island has a dread reputation; Skagosi are considered savage, little more than tribes of raiders who are thought to be cannibals where even the hardened sailor the Blind Bastard is said that feared to come here. But our orders were definite.
    Upon our arrival on Kingshouse, the Sagosi were waiting for us. We were taken directly to Lord Magnar's hall.

    "-I was waiting for you. My scouts informed me of your arrival, Iron Islanders. I am sitting here curious, waiting for your offer Iron Lord."
    "-How do you know that we have something to offer?"
    "-You are not here to fight. People are afraid to sail here; drear rumors you see. But even if they would, they would bring with them an army, not a small band of warriors even if they are the best the world has seen. Also I know of your invasion on the North. It is difficult to ignore some thousands of ironborn sailing near your home. Your people are pretty loud you know."
    "He doesn't look like a savage to me" I thought.
    "- As you predicted, we are here to negotiate indeed. We bring an offer from Iron King Balon IX, King of Salt and Rock."
    "-Balon the Twice Crowned." Said laughing. "And who brings the offer if I may ask?"
    "-Gromm Bloodshore. Lord Reaver of Lonely Light."
    "-Lonely Light... Maester! come here."
    The lord heard the whispers of his maester, nodding the same time.
    "My memory hasn't failed me yet. Last time I checked House Farwynd rules Lonely Light. Who are you really Gromm Bloodshore, claiming to be lord of Lonely Light?"
    "- Lonely Light is not ruled by Gylbert Farwynd anymore, but from me. I have a signed letter from the Iron King which states that."
    "-I don't really care who rules a bird dropping in the end of the world. If you were brave enough to set sail here, you suit me fine!" he said with joy "You and your men must be tired. It is a long journey from the Iron Islands to here. You and your men will rest today. We will talk on the morrow."

    I did not want to waste any more time here, the place gave me the chills, but i didn't want to upset the skagosi too. We did as he said.
    The next day he called me to a room. He was sitting on the table drinking ale.
    "-Sit. Drink. Talk. Ι am aware that the Ironborn do not posses the gift of the gab."
    I started explaining King Balon's invasion plans but he interrupted me shortly after i started.
    "-But it seems that I'm mistaken! This ironborn in front of me seems to posses it. I figured out your king's plan Bloodshore. Your king sent you here because he knows that we rebelled a century ago and he hopes we'll do it again now. But the thing is, what is he willing to offer to us in order to join him against the Starks?"
    "-Independence." I answered.
    "-Haha!, you and your King dont seem to be pretty aware of what is happening so far from your Islands." Said in complancy.
    "We rule ourselves here, Bloodshore. The northmen keep a minimum contact with us. I just send a raven to Winterfell every now and then, wishing them well, pretend to inform them of whats happening here and all that things the Lords want to hear in the mainland."
    "-Then why did your ancestors rebelled?"
    His smile disappeared from his face, and changed the subject.
    "-Look; I wont send you away right now Ironborn" said in disregard. "But your Kings offer interests me. It Will just take something more in order for us to take arms again. Send a Raven. Be creative. Impress me. Now finish your ale and be gone, Ill be waiting for a true offer."

    And so I did. I wrote a letter explaining the situation to King Balon and sent it to Widow's Watch.



    But the response that came wasn't at all what I expected:

    Take your ship and crew and get back home. Now. The war's over.

    Quickly i gathered my stuff and rounded up my men. By the castle's gate, the Skagosi Lord was waiting for me with men armed.
    "-It seems that your invasion to the North has come to an end, Ironborn. I see that you intend to return to your island."
    I grabbed my axe immediately
    "You don't have to fear for your lives. I will let you go. Under one condition though: Words of our little talks will never reach my new masters. Not from you, neither from your King. I would have you and your men killed, but your king knows of my eagerness to join you too. So, as a token of good will I will let you go, and you will assure that no-one will think of us as traitors. Am I understood? Because believe me, if the Starks suspect me as a traitor they won't bother to send their men and their precious little lords here to die once again. They will use it against you, as an excuse to pay a visit on Pyke again. Not that they don't have plenty now..."
    "-Rest assured Lord Magnar."


  7. #7
    Aikanár's Avatar no vaseline
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    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Welcome to TWC and enjoy your stay here mitsosan!

    Interesting setting, a promising start and an entertaining read, keep the stuff coming


    Son of Louis Lux, brother of MaxMazi, father of Squeaks, Makrell, Kaiser Leonidas, Iskar, Neadal, Sheridan, Bercor and HigoChumbo, house of Siblesz

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  8. #8

    Default Chapter III

    Chapter III: The Reaving Years



    The Stark boy was dead. Joffrey had him imprisoned for about a week and then he made an example of him. The little lion wanted to show everyone what is going to happen to the other pretenders. When the war started, the Kings were five. Now two of them are already dead, Robb and Renly, and Balon's host is en route to the Iron Islands without the North, but his Iron Crown still on his head. Invading the North was one thing, but right after Robbs death the North became again part of the Iron Throne, and invading the Iron Throne is another thing, even with a tiny Lannister sitting on it. Balon would not risk to lose his precious crown for the second time.
    Now Joffrey and Stannis Baratheon were left in this clash of kings. The Lannister boy would not turn his eyes upon us yet, the heathen King had his full attention.



    But it did not take long for another king to make his appearance: Mance Rayder, King Beyond the Wall.



    Mance opened a front against the Nights Watch in an effort to breach it and lead his savage people south.
    I did not have time to be concerned with the greenlanders wars. I had a castle to deal with now, and a bunch of hungry peasants. Returning to Lonely Light, I caught myself wondering which island is worse: Skagos or this one. Adter a couple of days in Lonely Light I felt an urge to return to my Howler's deck.
    "That's what we should do!" I thought. "I will gather them and remind them of the Old Way. I'll board them on the longships and return only when our fleet is full of plunder. Plunder and women."
    14 Longships and about 800 men I could arm properly; Enough for a good reave. The men were eager to get back to the sea after that inglorious attempt of an invasion, but I could see that they were lacking experience. "We will get there" i said to myself. We set sail late at morning because the inexperienced sailors detained us, but the heavy clouds and the rain were hiding the sun making the day look still like a night.



    Our first target was Castamere. The Westerlands were rich, Castamere itself was known to have a small garrison and Tywin's army was gone to fight Joffrey's war; an excellent opportunity for us.



    I it did not take long to sack the small castle. Castamere was rich, but our longships had more free space to be filled with gold. Next I pointed my men south, to the island of Arbor, were the situation was the same with Castamere; rich place, no army to defend it. But the garrison left behind wasn't as small as in Castamere, so we could not attack the Castle, and we were restricted in pillaging the coastal villages and small towns only. During our time there I learned that the Lords of Westeros were informed of our reaving on their lands, but I didn't trouble me. They had their hands full for the moment, and 800 men are not a real threat when a throne is at stake.



    Two provinces of the Iron Throne were enough for the time; The law forbidding the reaving in Westeros wasn't constraining us anymore, but I didn't want to stretch things right now. I had to set sail across the Narrow Sea next if I wanted my reaving trip to continue, but my lieutenant reported to me that the majority of the men expected us to head back home to Lonely Light. They seemed to be happy from the amount of loot we have taken till here, but I was not. Not at all. I gathered my men on the shore by the Howl, climbed the deck, angry and ready to take it out on those cravens; But the moment I laid my eyes upon them, I realized something: this was the first time I would address to my people.I could not expect from them to follow me just by ordering them to do it. I had to earn their trust and respect.
    "Men of Lonely Light! Tonight we will sail with great difficulty; Not because we are not able to run our ships, but because our ships are full of plunder and salt wives! Some of you can hardly wait to get back home and spend your gold. Who knows when it was the last time that many of you held gold in hands. I do not. Not because I haven't missed the warmth of my home, but because I believe that till here is not enough. And I'll explain why shortly.
    Do you call yourselves Ironborn? Look around you. Do you call the man next to you a true Ironborn? You know how to sail the sea. Yes, many of you sailed the Sunset Sea under the Farwynds in order to find the lands he promised to you. Fake promises about lands beyond the Sunset Sea where every man would be a king and every wife a queen. But many others can sail too you know; Smugglers and traders sail the seas too, but that makes them no Ironborn.
    Do you know what makes us Ironborn?
    DEEDS LIKE THE ONES WE DID TODAY! THAT'S WHAT MAKES US TRUE IRONBORN!
    FOLLOWING THE OLD WAY! PAYING THE IRON PRICE!!!
    ...And true Ironbron wont stop. We wont stop! We wont till our ships can barely float over the water from the weight of the gold we plundered. I ask from you to follow me across the Narrow Sea, to the Free Cities and even further; and I will tell you why. Lord Farwynd, just before he departed from Lonely Light told me that it is a hard thing to rule peasants. Well I look at you, and I do not see peasants that stand before me now. I see raiders. Raiders who will one day master the seas, become the worst nightmare of the peasants that they once were! I do not ask from the peasants to follow me to glory and fortune, I DEMAND IT FROM THE RAIDERS OF LONELY LIGHT! THE LAST ISLAND OF THE IRON ISLANDS, BUT NOT THE LEAST!. LAST BUT NOT LEAST!"

    For a bunch of seconds the men stood there, still. The longest moment of my life... I felt that everything was hanging by a thread...

    Gromm Gromm Gromm! GROMM! GROMM!
    They started to cheer, and raised their arms pointing on me. Not wanting to let another moment pass, i gestured them to board the ships. We were once again raising sails, and our destination was east.


  9. #9

    Default Chapter IV

    Chapter IV: The Reaving Years, Pt II

    This is how my reaving years started. For years after that moment my men followed me without ever questioning once my command. They knew that whatever I would ask them to do, at the end of the day blood and glory awaited them.



    Traders, Villages and towns. Even small seaside castles. Wherever there was loot waiting for us we could smell it, miles away. We were returning back to Lonely Light only when we couldn't carry any more gold and slaves, and then after the unloading and some days of feasting we were getting back on our small but fearsome fleet. Day by day my people were becoming more bold and tough, and the merchant's ships didn't held a chance against us.
    Lonely Light reminded nothing of its former state; Expansions on the castle and the port never ceased now that my treasury was always full of gold. Merchants were always present in the Island, buying the goods we have seized from other merchants during our raids. Lonely Light has changed and so did its people; The rags that covered the smallfolk where now replaced with decent clothing, armor and jewelry. All paid with the Iron Price.



    After excessive raiding on the Free Cities, we expanded our range towards the Sivering Sea. We left behind us Braavos and sailed east. Lorath Bay, the Axe, Ibben. The weaklings tasted our steel wherever we landed. Those places were not as half rich as the Free Cities but my men didn't mind. Every shore we raided was another story for my raiders to tell when we would be back home. As we were continuing east, the places were poorer but the people more fierce warriors. the Dothraki, the Jogos Nhai, the N'Ghai. All of 'em great warriors, very different in warfare than us, and much more interesting. As I said my men didn't mind the petty spoils; they enjoyed the fact that they were not encountering fat merchants and helpless villagers anymore but warriors who could match them in battle.



    By the time we reached Leviathan Sound
    Our reputation was dread; The sails with the two axes painted in red was a fearsome sight for coastal settlements and merchant ships alike. Even the Jogos Nhai seemed to back out from the coast during our stay there. But it was time to leave.
    "-We may have battled the small nomads that stayed behind but probably their main force is south, raiding the Golden Empire. If we spend more time on these shores their leader might send an army to encounter the threat my Lord." my lieutenant said to me.
    "-You are right, its time we sail back home."

    The journey was long, and the men became bored. So bored that finger dancing has stopped a while ago. One day a soldier threw a salt wive he claimed from Ibben to be eaten by the sharks that were swimming next to our ship just for amusement.
    "The years have made them cruel" I thought. "If we don't stop somewhere for a day or two they'll start killing each other for fun."
    And there it was: a perfect place for a stop:

    Without thinking it twice, I pointed to my men the village; They immediately started to cheer and draw weapons. It has been more than a month's time since they set foot on land. I myself was feeling a bit numb too when I grabbed my axes. I was fighting with two axes that time of my life. I was young and not afraid of being hurt, I felt that a shield would only keep me down.
    [img]The%20Howl[/img] was the first ship to touch the shore. My men rushed towards the village, but I with my lieutenant took our time. We watched a bit from the deck. This raid was mostly for my men, not me.
    "Odd.' he said.
    "-What?"
    "Most of the time the smallfolk run for their lives before we even touch the land, but them... they don't."
    It was true, the peasants grabbed anything they could use as a weapon in a vainly attempt to save themselves.
    "And? Are you afraid of pitchforks and knives?"
    "No my lord, maybe they have alerted someone to come and save 'em. A patrol nearby maybe. We didn't scout the area. "
    "If they did it only means one thing for us, Harlon."
    He looked at me with wonder
    "More blood on our axes Harlon, now come, we are sitting here for long enough".

    The raid was going on for almost an hour, and the last of the villagers resisting were already dead; Now the easy part started: burning, looting raping. We payed the Iron Price today, and were tasting the rewards.
    Suddenly though, the scenery was about to change.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 







    "HORSEMEN!!! HORSEMEN CHARGING FROM THE NORTH!"
    "Goddamn you Harlon! Couldn't you ask for anything else? Gather up everyone! FORM SHIELD WALLS! Grab your spears! C'mon you useless scums! Move, NOW! SPEARS!"
    Our formation was not ready on time and most of us left our spears on our ships.Raiding a village means hand to hand combat, and axes and swords suit better in those conditions, but against cavalry; our best hope was to stay in formation and stand our ground, beat them off their horses, but we were already scattered in the village. By the moment they charged on us our formation wasn't done, and they butchered a lot of my men.
    "Back to the ships! retreat!"
    We run back to the shore, but they didn't pursue us. I looked back as we re running towards our longships, and saw them preparing flaming arrows. They intended to burn our ships.
    "-This is no ordinary patrol, they are too many men, heavy cavalry. And there is no castle nearby. By the Seven Hells, where did they come from?" Harlon asked.
    "-See them wagons? probably a tax collector. That's why there are so many soldiers here. Bad timing for a raid it seems. They are preparing their final attack, we are cornered, if we try to board the ships and go for a run they will burn us like rats."
    "-So we fight?"
    "-Do you see an alternative that I cannot Harlon?"
    "-We outnumber them, but its too much cavalry for us to handle."
    When we started our journey from Lonely Light we were something more than 800 men, almost a hundred of them were dead before we reach this damned village, and another hundred were wounded, lying in the ships. The enemy had no more than 300 men, most of em heavy armored cavalry, more than enough to deal with my light armored raiders.
    They were confident, it was obvious. They took their time forming their line. As they started coming towards us I took some steps in front of the shield wall my men had formed.
    "You those men Ironborn? They want us dead. It seems that they'll have want they want by the end of the day. But they wont be celebrating it, It is going to be us celebrating, in the Drowned God's watery halls! Celebrating the fact that we died with the most honorable death: in battle. Tonight we'll join our fallen brothers, bathed in our enemy's enemies' blood! WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!"

    We repelled their first charge on us, killing a few of them. But they dint stop, they retreaded a few hundred meters back and came again. At the first two or three charges we seemed to have some chances against them, but as the battle continued I could hear my men's breath becoming heavier and heavier. The last time they came on us they didn't retreat, but stayed and a hand to hand combat emerged. It was a bloodbath, I couldn't see clear as the blood had covered my face. I couldn't tell if it was mine or else's. The battle kept going on, and I was feeling exhausted. But the worst thing was not the exhaustion me and my men had to battle; It was fear. And fear cuts way deeper than steel
    .

    While pulling my axe from a man's skull i heard cheers behind my back.
    "You think you're done with us? So easy? It is not over till the last of us lies dead you fools!" I shouted desperately.
    But the cheers were not coming from the enemy men but mine. Confused, I turned.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    It wast the most relieving sight I've ever seen in my life utill then.
    Victarion Greyjoy. The Lord Commander of the Iron Fleet, wearing as always his plate armor and his trademark; the Kraken Helmet.
    For a moment I thought that I was dreaming. I shaked my head and blinked my eyes, but he was still there, rushing towards us.
    I honestly cant recall many memories from what followed. Last thing I remember was myself falling to my knees from exhaustion and the enemy retreating.
    Victarion walked next to me and pulled of his helmet, letting his long grey hair fall on his shoulders. He grabbed my right arm and raised me up with one hand without a trace of struggle.
    "On your feet Gromm, Its over. You'll have plenty of time for rest once we'll sail away from here. Get your men on the ships. Or maybe you want me to do this for you too?"
    "-No sir. You did more than enough for us today, and I'm glad for it."
    "-Order them to follow the fleet. We are sailing to Pyke, you'll come with me on the Iron Victory. We have to talk."
    I did as the Lord Captain commanded. Without wasting time, i was on the deck of the Iron Fleet's flagship, before its captain, King Balon's young brother, the might Victarion Greyjoy. He was still wearing his plate armor, even on the deck with the ship sailing on the high seas. Other captains who wear plate armor in battle would take it off while sailing. It was a common thing to fall from the deck of longship during naval battles or storms, and wearing a plate armor in the water means certain death as its weight will drag you to the bottom. But Victarion wasn't afraid of dying, especially dying from the sea. "If the Drowned God decides its time we join him in his watery halls beneath the sea, you think that being able to swim can save us?" he once said to me when I asked him one day, the days I was sailing with him. He was a man of faith, that was known. I, in the other hand was not -at that point of my life-. Then, I believed that the only thing except our hands that could shape a mans destiny, was the sun. Only the sun had an impact on our lives, when the sun was gone beneath the Sunset Sea, our lives depended on the time the sun would rise up on the sky again. But I changed since then, things changed; a lot.
    "-We were lucky today Lord Captain, they caught us by surprise."
    He didn't seem to enjoy smalltalk.
    "-Seems that the Drowned God doesn't want you with him, yet. But you owe my now Gromm."
    I was curious to listen what he wanted from me, because Victarion wasn't a man of politics, he was a man of strength and at that field he didn't need any help from anyone in the Iron Islands.
    "-Tell me, I'm all ears."
    "You have gained a fierce reputation these past years Gromm. Your past raids were the exact opposite of what happened today. Your name's now recognized in the Iron Islands."

    "-I appreciate your words Captain Victarion."
    "-I do not flatter you Gromm, I speak the truth. Now tell me, what did my brother said to you when he gave you Lonely Light?"
    "-To rule it my lord, and keep the Old Way."
    "-And? Do you act as you were ordered to?"
    "-Yes."
    Victarion smilled.
    "-Look, I am no expert in giving advice in those matters; I have my brother for those kind of things but Ill try my best. You do the second thing Gromm, and you give your best. But as for the first? i don't think so."
    "-I disagree! Lonely Light is thriving now, its population has doubled the last years, and works on the castle and the port haven't stopped."
    "-I'm aware of that. You come back to Lonely Light, unload the gold, shout some orders, spend some time in bed with your wive and salt-wives, rest and then you depart again for a-reaving. As I said, I am no expert, but this is not how ruling is done."
    He was right. I may have made my Island a prosperous one, but it didn't feel like home. Only the deck of the Howl made me feel like home. And my wive? In my heart she wasn't so much different than my salt-wives, only more respected cause of her noble birth.
    "-Do you know why Balon took Lonely Light away from the Farwynds Gromm?"
    "-To be honest I don't. It was just announced to me that I had been chosen to replace them."
    "-You are a good soldier Gromm. You don't ask why; you just carry out orders. But you are no soldier anymore. You are a Lord Reaver of the Iron Islands. Balon was planning his second coronation for a long time you know. And the invasion too. He waited patiently all those years. But for some time, the Farwynds wanted to turn the Ironborn into a quest overseas, towards the Sunset Sea. You are aware of his attempts."
    "-I am. But no-one followed him, just his sons."
    "-You're right. But some lords started to think about it. They believed that the Iron Throne is invincible, that we didn't stand a chance against them, so the only way was to the West. And Balon didn't like that."
    "-That is weird, how come the Lords even think about it?"
    "-Well, to be honest, some times Balon exaggerates the situation. Anyway, he wanted a trusting man to sit on that chair, and the lords chose you. They wanted you tied, not only with gratitude, but with official bonds too; that's why they married you with the Goodbrother girl."
    "-I figured that part out-"
    "-Silence, Gromm. Here comes the serious part. Now the King needs you more than ever. After our army came back from the North, Balon appeared weak. His authority had loosen up since then. He wanted to show that his rule is not to be questioned, and acted stupid: He disinherited Asha for marrying a lowborn man without his permission,


    And like this wasn't enough, he had my nephew Theon executed for treason.



    "-Why?"
    "-Why? The man's a paranoid! that's why! He has completely lost his mind the past few years!"
    "-And what does he need me to do?"
    "-Be patient, you'll see where this is going to. Our kingdom is in a tight spot. The Iron Throne's pretenders and invader kings are all dead, you know that.
    "-Yes I'm aware of that."
    "-The so called King Beyond the Wall, Mance the "Handsome" could not even pass the Stark bastard with his broken Night's Watch.



    The Targarien Girl was murdered most probably by orders of Joffrey or Tywin,



    The other boy who claimed to be Aegon Targarien had the same fate too, but at least he died with a sword on his hand, not in his sleep. His so called "invasion" lasted less than a couple of months.



    And last my favorite one: The man who thought that a flaming sword and a red-haired whore will grant him a throne! I laughed so hard when I heard the news. I used to believe that the man who granted me my one and only loss in my life would be smarter. Its Stannis' work that my younger brother Aeron is man who he is today you know. He almost killed him when he chopped in half the Golden Storm in Fair Isle back when Balon rebelled for the first time.



    And less than a month after killing all the pretenders, fighting all his grandson's great wars, Tywin Lannister died while suppressing a small rebellion of peasants outside King's Landing, leaving behind him as lord paramount of the Westerlands the Imp



    But there's even greater irony in life Gromm; Tywin spend the last decade of his life fighting his grandson's wars instead of him, in order to secure a long and calm reign for Joffrey. And do you know how this has ended? No you don't know, I myself heard the news just e few days before we departed from Pyke, you were already overseas. Joffrey was murdered too! His Lords did not seem to bear him for long. And now his 12-year-old daughter sits on the Iron Throne".



    I hadn't noticed till now, but as he was telling me all these he kept becoming merrier; the smile on his face was growing, and it was making me uncomfortable, I think it was the first time I saw Victarion so joyful. He stopped talking for a moment and gazed the open sea. I didn't talk, I was curious to see where all this was going to end up.

    "-The wars of the greenlanders have stopped. For now. And Lythene -the Iron Queen- wont be a 12 year old forever. At some point she is going to try and bend us to her rule. Or her mothers Margaery, or whoever the hell actually rules the 7 kingdoms now. That's why I'm here reaving those days. I'm gathering gold and resources in order to be able to defend ourselves. To arm the men and build more longships. I want from you to get back to Lonely Light and train your men and women. Raise and army and be on guard. Those 5-6 hundred men you have here may be enough for pillaging fishermen villages, but not enough for a war. Also remember: train them like soldiers, not like a bunch of mindless raiders. We are going to fight against disciplined armies, not tribesmen."
    "-I get it, Lord Captain."
    "-Remember Gromm, your King is going to need you; not only against outside foes, but inside too. And you are loyal to the Iron King and the Greyjoys, aren't you Lord Gromm?"
    "-Of course I am!"
    "Good, Good. And one last thing. Don't ever forget: You owe me".
    I didn't like the way he said his last words. Something was wrong with him, he was acting weird...
    We parted ways upon arriving at the Iron Islands, i got back to my castle and did as he said. Days were passing slowly with me and my lieutenants training the people, just as I was commanded.
    I was in the training yard, almost 20 days after I saw Victarion for the last time when my maester brought me his letter...

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

  10. #10

    Default Chapter V

    Chapter V: Under the Cover of Books.

    Things were more serious than I could ever imagine. I could not prove that Balon was murdered, nor claim Victarion's involvement. But the conversation we had on the deck of the Iron Victory was more than enough for me to believe that Victarion was not at all innocent. But no-one in the Iron Islands would suspect the great captain of the Iron Fleet, in everyone's eyes here Victarion is a man of honor and faith. Murdering your king and brother is a very serious accusation and a sin; being Ironborn or not. I could not just stand up and blame him for doing it, everyone would have me for a paranoid. In the other hand I cant sit here and do nothing about it...
    Word came from Ten Towers a few days later.

    Lord Reaver Gromm Hellscream,
    As you've been informed our King Balon Greyjoy, ninth of his name is dead.
    In order to follow the Old Way, The Lords of the Iron Islands will elect the
    new king through Kingsmoot. The feast before the Kingsmoot will be held by
    me in the castle of Ten Towers in two months from now.
    Your presence is requested as soon as you can set sail.
    Signed, Rodrik Harlaw.


    I did not waste much time. I gathered my crew and immediately set sail for Ten Towers. Thank gods the wind was with us and the sea calm. Normally I didn't mind the weather. But this time was different, I was restless and spent the whole time standing on the deck of the Howl thinking and staring the sea.
    Uppon my arrival, Rodrik Harlaw, the head of House Harlaw and lord of Ten Towers was waiting for me. He sent one of his men to greet me and tell me that Lord Reaver Rodrik was waiting for me in the Book Tower.
    House Harlaw at those days was the richest family on the Iron Isles and in terms of power second only to the Greyjoys. I recall Rodrik to be a different man than most of the Ironborn. An average looking man but always neat. People were calling him "The reader" as he was spending most of his time locked in the biggest tower of Ten Towers the Book tower, reading his giant books.



    "-Welcome Lord Gromm. Long time no see."
    Said while closing his book; History of the Ironborn, by Archmaester Haereg His vision seemed to have weakened though the yeas, he was wearing lenses.
    "-Greetings Lord Rodrik. I'm honored by your invitation."
    "-Please, sit. We have many things to talk about."
    "-I thought that the feast would be held in the main hall, not your library." I said smiling.
    "-It will. In time. We'll have two months to stay and feast before we depart for Nagga's Hill on Old Wyk. But first we need to have this conversation."
    "-Nagga's Hill?"
    "-Yes Lord Gromm. Nagga's Hill is the place where the Kings are chosen. That's how our ancestors did in the old days and that's how we will do again after so many years. Really; do you know when the last time a Kingsmoot was held?"
    "-No."
    "-I Imagined it. Most of the Lords don't. Historians disagree you know; This book that I was reading claims that the last Kingsmoot was held 4 thousand years ago, while Maester Denestan's book Questions counts the years to 2 thousand."
    "-Interesting." I tried to pretend.
    "-Hahaha, you're a bad liar Gromm. But I'm not offended by your lack of curiosity. Everyone's here have their parts to do. Your part in this story is to lead soldiers. Mine lies elsewhere. Anyway, I did not summon you here to talk about history. We have to talk about the present. What's your opinion on Balon's murder Gromm?"
    "-Murder?"
    "-C'mon Gromm, stop pretending. You are not dumb. And not innocent too, perhaps. I know that you arrived the same time with Victarion before Balon's murder."
    "-I did not came here to be accused of murdering my King!"
    "-Finally! Your mouth said more than a word. Now talk to me Gromm. I want you to know that these walls are safe. Only the name of this tower seems to repel our people from coming in!" Said in joy.
    I rubbed my chin trying to think, but I was confused. I looked left and right and then again strait into the lord's brown eyes.
    "-Can I trust you?"
    "-Let you gut answer that for you. We are all gambling here, and the stake is really high."
    "-We became dangerously similar to the greenlanders the past few years..."
    "-You are a simple man, and I like that young lord. But both we and the greenlanders are men. And men from here to Asshai tend to amaze you when their ambitions are high and thrones are in the game too. We may be different from place to place, but we are all made of the same flesh and bones."
    "-I can't argue on that. I've killed men on many different coasts of the world, their faces, armor and color were not alike but all of them shed the same red blood."
    "-You see? Were on the same ground here, but from different angles."
    "-Look, the last meeting with Victarion troubled me for long but I haven't spoken to anyone about it."
    "-Are you sure about that?"
    "-Yes. Do not worry about it."
    I started telling the story of my latest unsuccessful raid, the conversation with Victarion and my thoughts about it. Rodrik seemed to be keeping his breath in order to not even miss a word from what i was saying. When I finished, he took off his lenses and stood up, and walked to the window.
    "-I have the same fears with you Lord Gromm. Balon's body was still warm when Victarion tried to claim for himself his late brother's crown. That's when I started suspecting that our king's death wasn't an accident. He would be king now if it wasn't for me. I was the one to call the kingsmoot."
    "-You think we can prove his participation in the murder in front of the Lords?"
    "-We can't prove that Balon was assassinated. But we can elect a different king than Victarion through the Kingsmoot. That's the reason our ancestors held Kingsmoots in order to choose their kings; to ensure that the best of us wins the seastone chair. And even if Victarion isn't a kinslayer, we still have to choose a different person than him to seat on that chair. The man has already impressed me with that scheme, no one thinks he can be the mastermind behind all that. He is not a man suit for rule, everyone knows that. He is a great warrior, but nothing more. His greatest victory -the burning of the Lannister fleet- wasn't his plan, but his brother's, the Crow's Eye. Think of a good battle plan and put Victarion on the Vanguard and you win, do the opposite and you have guaranteed yourself a disastrous lose. " We are not in a position to risk here my dear Gromm. These are troubled times. Cold winds are rising from the North, and the Iron Throne seems stable now; The Lion will eventually turn its claws to us."
    "-And you need a man to tackle Victarion's march to the seastone chair. You can't do it by yourself, as the ironborn would never choose you no matter how wealthy or powerful house Harlaw is. And let me guess; You want me to do it."
    "-You figured it out. Your reputation has grown the past years Gromm, and you have the Goodbrothers as your allies thanks for your wife. What do you think?"
    "-So I'm a warrior with allies. Your cousin, Harras the Knight is also a warrior of reputation and a member of your house. Why don't you ask him to do it?"
    "-Nice question. Harras doesn't know the same things we two know. He might disagree. Plus I am not willing to start discussing this thing with everyone I know."
    I didn't need many more reasons. From that day, my life goal became to seat on the Seastone Chair. We spent the night with Rodrik discussing what our next steps would be, how to act on the remaining two months before the Kingsmoot, which lords were our potential backers and so on.


  11. #11
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

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    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Brutal reaving, political intrigue and suspicious deaths ... this is a dark, dramatic and enjoyable story and I look forward to finding out how your fearsome reaver, Gromm, pursues the kingship of the Iron Isles.

  12. #12

    Default Chapter VI

    Chapter VI: Dark Times



    He stood over me, shining in his knightly armor.
    "-Don't force me to kill you."
    "-Okay! I yield!" I couldn't do anything else. The duel resolved with me having 3 open wounds from his Valyrian blade and him unscathed.
    "-I don't know how you persuaded my cousin to back you on this, but it seems that he is not as smart as he wants to appear."
    "-You don't know-"
    "- I don't want to."




    Harras "The Knight" Harlaw was closing to his 50's, but still the best in sword in the Iron Isles. Nightfall, his valyrian sword ensured that.
    A month's planning and plotting was lost in a duel lasting less than 5 minutes.
    It seems that no matter how many allies and champions you have, at the end of the day the strongest wins in the Iron Isles. The men who were supporting me till that moment now walked to his side.

    "-Damn him! I didn't expect Harras to act so fast. If only I had the chance to talk some sense into him."
    "-I don't Blane him, I would have done the same in his spot."
    "-The Kingsmoot was our only chance to keep Victarion from taking the crown."
    "-There's still your cousin; we can back him. I hold no grudge against him, even if he gifted me a few scars."
    "-Harras is a good warrior yes, but still a knight. It's more possible for the ironborn to choose me for their king and build a library in each island in my honor than to elect a knight oiled by the septons to become their new king. We don't have many options left here I suppose. My dear cousin did his childhood rival's work without knowing it."
    "-There aren't many things left to do then now. But I believe that even if Victarion wins the throne, he won't act against us. He is afraid of an oncoming war too, and wont risk a crisis inside his realm. Plus, even though he caught us by surprise with all these, I still don't have him for a man who will continue doing so."
    "-A very optimistic thought I believe."
    "-Anyway, I'm done with that stuff. We can't pretend to be the saviors of the Iron Isles and act the same as the men we want to protect them from."
    "-What changed you so suddenly my friend?"
    I didn't respond. I bid farewell to Lord Rodrik and took my leave for the Main Hall. I walked with my fists clenched; losing had changed my mind, but I did not want to talk about it. I was feeling humiliated and angrier than ever. I believed that I was way better than the man who crushed me that day. The image of his valyrian sword was stuck in my head. I stopped walking, punched the wall and shouted: "Give me a weapon like his, let us fight in the same ground and I swear to every God, Drowned, Old and New that I'll beat him!"
    A month's time later, All the lords and masters of the Iron Isles were gathered at Nagga's Hill to begin the Kingsmoot. I was present there only to place my vote. Lord Rodrik Harlaw gave the opening speech.

    "-We are gathered here to revive the ancient tradition of the Kingsmoot. Here, under Nagga's bones we shall name the next King. King Balon IX Greyjoy was a man true to the Old Way, and we are all sure that this is how he would want his successor to be chosen. Balon-"
    "-Enough talking about the lunatic!" Lord Dunstan Drumm errupted. "Asha and Theon are not here with us because of that old bastard!"
    This was the start of a heated Kingsmoot. For hours many lords were shouting at each other, cursing and arguing. I did not take part in all that. I sat a few meters away, and when the time came I placed my vote for Gorold Goodbrother, who was backing me till my disgrace. Several hours ago, we had chosen our new king



    Ι bent the knee to my new King and set sail for home the moment after. Victarion was satisfied. He even named me the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, an unexpected action from his behalf. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
    was the thought that came to my mind, but Victarion did not see me as a threat to him. Not after Harras had beaten me. The next years were surprisingly calm, and proved me and Rodrik wrong. The Iron Throne still had problems to deal with inside the realm.



    Tyrion Lannister thought himself better than his niece for the Iron Throne and rebelled against her. But the Westerland's wealth and power proved to be not enough against the rest six kingdoms united. Three years later the Imp lost the war and was banished to the wall, leaving behind his daughter as the Lady paramount of the Westerlands.



    I spent the next years taking care of my own Island, my rock wife who had finally gave me an heir; a handsome boy we named Theomore, and doing occasional raids across the Narrow Sea. Winter had came, and maesters were claiming that this one was not like the others. Along with the old men's talks came rumors from the North: Men were claiming that the dead were risen and took arms against the living.



    But I didn't have time to be concerned with the smallfolk's stories. Winter was indeed harsh and long, and Lonely Light wasn't exactly the place to grow crops and sustain such a heavy winter. My people wouldn't last long, so I gathered my men and started reaving; but gold, jewels and women weren't our target anymore: food was. On a reaving trip like that the first sign came to me. Food brought from the Summer Isles had quickly became the most valuable good those days, as the traders were bringing it to Westeros. As of that, the big slow ships carrying animals, wheat and vegetables were heavily guarded.
    It was a cold and stormy night when we spotted the merchants fleet. For weeks we've been sailing, lurking around the Summer Isles, waiting for a fleet like this one to pray upon, and finally our victims arrived. I was determined to not let them slip away from my grasp for I was the only hope for my people and family back in Lonely Light.



    The years had created a strong bond between myself and my land. Maybe it was because that I've made and raised my family there or maybe was the fact that my high ambitions were gone since I lost to Harras and found solace in attending to the matters of my island. That night on the deck of the Howl I thought that one of these was the reason I was so devoted on pursuing the trader's fleet. But later it was revealed to me that none of these was the true reason; The Drowned God had put me there, and had a greater plan for me.
    For the whole night we battled the waves and the wind, but our longships were faster than their ships. Came time we were withing range, and we first attacked their escorts. They fired their arrows at us, but arrows would not save them, the Howl was closing, and my men had raised their arms. I was the first to jump on the enemy ship and from the looks of the enemy crew they seemed to recognize my sails. The crossed axes with the bloodbathed edges was a sight that sailors from around the world were praying to their gods not to meet.
    Two of them charged on me screaming. I parried the first with my left hand and slit the second one's throat with a single swing of my axe. The other one thought he found the opening he was looking for, took a step back and attacked me again, with both hands on his sword over his head. I evaded the blow to his left and kicked him on the knee. I felt his knee breaking, as the man fell down with a shriek. He looked at me straight in the eyes with a pathetic look in his face, realizing that this was his final moment, while I landed my axe right between his eyes. Pulling back my axe from the man's skull I realized that my crew had already finish the job. We set the ship ablaze and boarded back to the Howl. The other ships from my fleet were still battling the remaining escorts, but I did not want to wait for them. I felt a strange urge to get to my target, like a hungry predator. The foolish traders thought that they had gained some time, but in less than two hours of pursuit the Howl had proven them wrong. When we arrived close enough, they raised a white flag. "Fools" I said and spat on the sea. I seathed my axes and boarded the biggest ship of the three. I still remember its ugly name: Fat Jeyne. It's captain was on his knees, holding a silk wrapped item over his head.
    "-Mercy great Ironborn! Take this and everything else we have, but spare us."
    I walked towards the fat craven. His eyes were wet and his face red as a newborn child. He looked like he had forgotten how to breathe properly. I stood in front of him for a minute in silence, and waited to see if he would faint. Sometimes they piss on themselves, some of 'em faint others even dive to the sea hoping they'll survive you know.
    But he didn't.
    "Mercy!"
    I grabbed the item he was holding over his head and felt it colder than the norther winds. The chill of the item reminded me of the winter back home.
    "-This is no time for mercy."
    I delivered a blow on the top of the man's skull, and let off the grip of my axe to unwrap the item.



    It was a Valyrian steel sword! I could tell it by the first time I laid my eyes upon it. I raised the great blade in the height of my eyes. I could not take my eyes off it, neither let it go, even if my hands were bleeding. I felt pain from holding the blade, but it was sweet. This was not a coincidence. It could not be. The sword was given to just in time when I was ready to drop my ambitions, but the Drowned God sent me his message. It couldn't be anything else than his work. This was the day that the Drowned God proved to me his existence.
    First thing I did when we arrived at Lonely Light was to invite the best axesmith in the Iron Isles. I had it reforged, and by its steel made an axe worthy of a King.



    I decided to name it Stormcaller.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Not long after the first sign from the Drowned God came the second: Victarion Greyjoy's short reign came to an end. For five years the man was sitting on his precious Seastone Chair and did nothing. It was time the Chair would be given to a man worthy of being called the Iron King.



    Victarion had no kids nor had appointed a heir and by line of succession a small kid was his heir.



    The Ironborn were gathered for another Kingsmoot and as everyone expected we didn't choose a baby to rule us. But the outcome of the Kingsmoot was as suprising as it would be with the baby Greyjoy walking out with the crown:



    As I was looking him wearing his crown, his cousin's Rodrik -who was dead now- words came to my mind.
    "The libraries aren't built, but your cousin the Knight is our King now..." I thought.
    I was outraged. I couldn't cope with the fact that he was going to be my new King. The Drowned God was testing me by putting a heathen in the place where I should be. This time I was not willing to wait. This obstacle was put before tho show me that my destiny would not be granted to me, I had to do my own part too. The Drowned God had already did enough.
    Having a heathen on the Seastone Chair had only made my faith in the one true God only stronger.



    I was determined to do anything to remove the crown from my heathen rival. And it seemed that many others in the Iron Isles were too.



    After the plan was set, I left for another reaving trip. The order of things in the Iron Isles changed, but Winter was still here. This is what I said to myself, but the true reason was that even if I knew this was the only way, I didn't like the fact that we were going to murder Harras. I wanted to beat the man and humiliate him as he did to me before, but challenging an old man to a duel wouldn't change the order of things. The man aged very quickly the past few years.
    The reaving trip brought me closer to my son from a salt wife of mine, Alyn Pyke. The kid was the one of the best fighters i've ever seen in my life though poor in command.



    During our time in the sea we imprisoned a woman claiming to be the High Priestess of the Red God. The woman said to me that she saw my face in the flames;
    "You are surrounded by flames, steel and salt Ironborn. But not only that; Your image is also surrounded by blood. Blood spilled by murder. You can change that. Beg to the Lord of Light for forgiveness, and he shall give it to you. You can redeem yourself by offering to Him your sins "

    This was the Drowned God's final test. I could simply turn my back to Him, cancel my plans and accept my defeat. I could follow the red priestess. We anchored to the nearest shore, and gave my answer to the Drowned God:
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    It was the first time in my life offering a sacrifice to the Drowned God. Never in my life I felt anything half as intense as the view of the waves swallowing the red witch. While standing there, my Drowned Man came to me with a flask of sea water and blessed me by pouring the water over my head saying:

    What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger

    My arrival came in perfect timing with the announcement of Harra's death.



    This time things were not the same. I was sure now, and the lord Reavers and their captains could see it in me. From the first moment after I had put myself forward many were the men who in recognition of my suitability came by my side.
    Two were the men trying to stop me: Harra's son Erik, a young boy who was nothing like his father and a young Greyjoy, Dale. Dale wanted to restore the crown for his house, and it seemed that many other iroborn believed that the crown belonged to the Greyjoys. In a pathetic attempt to stop me, the boy sent his best captain, Rus of Brodsworth to challenge me.



    In his face I saw the image of Harras the Knight, and the memory of my loss came back again to haunt me. I was consumed by rage. I flipped the table, grabbed Stormcaller and took a few steps towards him.
    "-Take back what you just said, fall on your knees and apologize or unsheathe your sword."
    "-I stand my ground. I name you unworthy, Gromm of house Bloodshore."

    I swung Stormcaller with full force on him and he parried trembling. He have been a great captain, but he was no mach for me. Five beatings; one after another I gave him, and I could tell that each time he was parrying with less stable hands. The duel continued for a few minutes being the same one-sided.



    Time for Kingsmoot had came again, and I was the last one to ascend on the Nagga's Hill to give my speech.

    "Most of the men here understand that I am the best lord to wear that crown. But still some of you are eager scheme against me and play games of politics. I did that once too, and didn't end well. We have crowned two worthless Kings the last years, who promised us plunder and blood, but neither happened. We are living in harsh times, and a very long winter. I say we ready our remaining men, set sail to seize all the remaining supplies of the Iron Throne and the Summer Islands, and wait for the winter to end. And when that time comes, our neighbors are going to be weak; this is when we'll strike. Strike and forge again a kingdom worthy of our name!"








  13. #13

    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Chapter VII: Against the Endless Night.

    Lonely Light, December of 327 AL.



    "-At this rate Lonely Harbor will be consumed by ice. Our longships well get stuck there. When will this winter ever end?"
    I took my eyes off the frozen window. It was my first council meeting as a King, and my Lord Captain of the Fleet, Dale Greyjoy was late and the other members of the council were trying to find topics for smalltalk. Gorold II Goodbrother my Master of Coin seemed to be freezing, but trying to hide it by talking about Lonely Harbor, the new town I had built in the place where a small village lied around the harbor.
    "-The maesters say there's no sign of summer coming yet." He continued. "I can't imagine how tough it must be to be living out there on those small houses."
    "-Every time there's long winter, people are complaining about it. That's how things are, get used to it." Said Lord Denys Drumm, my Master of Whispers."
    "-Yes, but what about the rumors from the North?"
    "-Smallfolk love to talk about the end of the World everytime they thing that things get too hard for them. Its relieving to believe that they are not the only ones to die."
    Dale Greyjoy arrived at the room, almost half an hour late, and a bit tipsy. The boy was a terrific commander, with great potential, but liked the wine more than most. He was my opponent at the Kingsmoot a month ago, but I didn't held a grudge against him. They Greyjoys ruled the Iron Isles for many generations, it was only natural for him to try and take what for many was rightfully his. Even though he was a drunkard, he was also a man fearless, which was a trait I admired. I wanted a man like him near me.
    "-You are late young man!" Gorold II Goodbrother erupted when he saw the boy entering the room in the condition he was."
    "-Excuse me your grace. The stairs of the tower are frozen, and I slipped and fell."
    "-Are you serious? You are drunk! that's why you fell you drunkard!"
    "-Enough! We've wasted enough time already. Lets start." Everyone was stunned for I was not angry with the boy.
    "-If you attend the next council meeting in the same condition Lord Greyjoy, I'll replace you with someone who knows when it is time for wine and when it's not. Am I understood?"
    "-Yes your grace, I'm deeply sorry. It wont happen again."
    "-I don't think so, but you have an opportunity to impress me. Anyway, what is our first issue?"

    For hours we discussed the matters of the realm. Quarrels between low Lords, trade, smugglers and other boring stuff. But most of the issues had to do with empty food warehouses and shortage of supplies. This winter was indeed harsh.

    "-I think we're over for tonight." I said in relief.
    "-One more thing your grace. And the most important." said Denys Drumm.
    "-What it is, Dennys?"
    "-It is about your authority."
    "-What about it?"
    "-Well. The past two kings were rather loose with the lords of the realm. I don't think this can change overnight. We may have found some answers for our matters here tonight, but that doesn't mean that your vassals will do exactly as they 'll be told."
    "-And you tell it to me now?"
    "-Well.."
    "-No, its not well. Keep on, anything else?"
    "-...Many of the Lord Reavers -even some who have supported you- believe that your rule is going to be the same as the past ones. They think that you are close to your... You know, the day-"
    "-They think I'm old, so what?"
    "-They are awaiting for a another Kingsmoot."
    "-And why you think that?"
    "-Its not that they are against you or something my liege. But the gifts offered in the Kingsmoots from every potential king are considered a source of income the last years."
    "-I can't believe that this is where the Ironborn ended up to. Pillaging and looting is a source of income, not gifts!"
    Ten years of inaction seemed enough to make them lazy. I had to change that.
    "I had that planned for later, but we'll do it now. Gather your staff council. Prepare my soldiers and the longships. We are setting sail to Pyke."
    "-What for?" Dale asked.
    I ignored him. "Send ravens to all my Bannermen. Tell them to ready their men and ships and set sail for Pyke the shortest. Sign it with my full title, make it look like we are going to war, but don't tell them what we are gathering for. I want my bannermen to follow me without questions." I said and gave a look at Dale Greyjoy.
    "-I'm not questioning you my King. I'm just curious."
    "-Pyke is the largest port of the Iron Isles. We cant gather our full force here. Are your questions answered?"


    Pyke, February of 328 AL

    My bannermen answered my call to arms. Ten thousand men and 420 longships were gathered at the port of Pyke.



    The men and their captains were all nervous and impatient to see why they were gathered for. I assembled the captains in the great hall, without offering them bread and salt -that was Dale's job after all- wearing my full armor and Stormcaller on my hand.
    "-Greetings to you all, brave lords who answered my call to arms. Tonight we set sails. Whoever haven't said farewell to his family, do it tonight with a raven. We will be absent from Iron Isles for a long time. This winter is harsh, and our supplies will not last for long you can all see that. Our kingdom doesn't have the crops to hold us, and even if it had the Greyjoys are right: We do not saw . That's what the Old Way dictates, and that's why we set sail tonight to reap! We will reave from the Summer Isles till Asshai if we must, but in the end we will be the ones to survive this winter. The weaklings across the Narrow Sea will die either by our blades or by starvation and the cold; I will do whatever it takes, but in the end, They will be rotting on the ground, not us. You are dismissed."

    Some of them looked to be hesitant, looking each other and talking quietly.

    "Wasn't I clear enough right now? Whoever returns back to his castle will receive nothing from me, neither for his family nor his people. I am not going to give any inspiring speech to try to convince you. This is an order from your King, and we are talking about Life and Death here, not any war for castles and dirt. I say it for the last time: Dismissed."

    "The years of inaction have made them weak" I thought to myself. "But just as the peasants who became reavers, it will come to them, there's no other way."

    We left Pyke for a journey that was later was known as the "Great Reave". I gave the honor to Dale Greyjoy to be the first one to raise sails and lead the fleet. For a start, we were going to attack on the Iron Throne's lands, and I wanted to scare them: to make them believe that those 400 longships were only the Greyjoy fleet, and not my full force.



    Our first target was the -as always- poor garrisoned castle of Castamere.



    After sacking the Westerlands we move to the shores of the Reach, plundering outside Oldtown its neighboring provinces. Next was our traditional target for reaving, the wealthy Arbor, and after it the Free City of Lys.



    Departing from Lys, my army had at last found its pace. Casualties were decreasing day by day and the morale was climbing. My cause was not only to seize food and gold: But also to train my armies for my future plans.



    The Summer Islander's warehouses were full of supplies, but their warriors were no much for us. I had to test my reavers against more hardened soldiers. After we finished our jobs there we set sail for slavers bay. I intended to fight the legendary unsulied.



    We raided the slaver's shores from west to east. I spread my host and gave a portion of it under my young bastard's command, a decision which proved to haunt me till my last days. Alyn was a great commander and a fighter who few in the Iron Isles dared to challenge, but there, in the shores of the Slaver's Bay Alyn met a man way better than him.



    I was in deep grief for my son's loss. I had been left with only one boy to carry on my House, Theomore. I wanted to find the man who killed my son and kill him with my own hands, but there was no more loot on the Bay and we had to leave. The price for my revenge was too high, and I had a kingdom to think of.

    Lonely Light,April of 333 AL.

    For five full years we raided the coasts of the world. We loaded our ships with supplies, jewels, gold and women but we left many brave brothers behind. The shores of the places we set foot were bathed in blood, both with our enemies and ours; and unluckily for me, there was my elder son's blood there too. A few miles outside the walls of Astapor we where reaving; and the bad omen appeared on the sky: The three childs of Daenerys Stormborn. My brothers were looking at them in awe but my bastard son didn't share their enthusiasm. He was terrified, a sight rare at least. He sent word to me and asked to leave that place for good, but I didn't listen to his worries, and for this I regret till this very moment.
    After we sailed from slavers bay everyone was still talking about the dragons and I was left alone in my cabin to mourn for my sons loss. Those were the days I fell sick on my bed and stayed there till we returned to our homes. We payed the Iron Price those years, but not only for loot; we payed the price heavily for our survival, our lives. Hope has returned to my kingdom now that the warehouses are full of supplies, and the talks about the end of the world have stopped, only to return with the arrival of the messenger from the Night's Watch.



    My health was still in a very bad condition when he arrived at the castle, two months since our return from the Great Reave. Fever was coming and going from time to time and I couldn't stay for long on the main hall. The messenger requested an audience and I had to give it to him. Two men helped me walk from my private room to my throne. When I entered the room the messenger knelt and my Castellan announced my entry.

    Iron King Gromm of the house Bloodshore, First of his name, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, Lord Reaper of Lonely Light and Protector of the Iron Islands.


    "-I traveled the frozen seas twice the last years in order to meet the great Gromm Bloodshore. The first time I met a baby boy sitting on his throne, and now what? This pile of old bones?"
    "-Enough crow!" Dale interrupted. "We did not let you stay in our walls to insult our King!"
    "-This is no time for courtesies nor politics. I came here to ask him and his warriors to join the war, not to pet his ears."
    "-For which war are you talking of?"
    "-The War for the Dawn."

  14. #14

    Default Re: Chapter VI

    Chapter VIII: The last days


    "-Sit down Dale. I may be sick and old though I can still bring you down, crow. But I believe you did not travel so far just to question a King's health condition. Speak."
    "-I already told ya. I'm here to bring you and your army with me in Castle Black to join us in the war."
    "-As far as I know about the types of you, you say that you don't involve yourselves with the wars of men. And pushing wildlings away from the Wall isn't exactly a war."
    "-Indeed. But it is about neither of those. Lord Commander Jon Snow is currently waging a war against the the Others. We are fighting to bring back the Dawn."

    The men around the brother of the Night's Watch started laughing loud.

    "-You could do better than exploiting rumors in order to get a few prisoners and some supplies for your men. This is pathetic. I understand that your lords in the greenlands are busy fighting their wars even during winter and cant spare anything for the Night's Watch. But this is their problem and yours. The wall is protecting the Iron Throne, and this is the Iron Isles. Our kingdoms may be both from Iron, but our protection is not a frozen wall, is the sea itself."
    "-We thought at first that they are only rumors too. But none of you have seen what we have. The dead are back Iron King. And we are alone. Only the Starks have spared some men and supplies, but they wage other wars too at the Westerlands. I am not speaking of rumors here. This is real, and it is here, upon us. It is not a normal Winter we are facing. It is going to be the end to all of us if we do not unite against them. They are not small bands of them anymore. They are gathering on the frozen mountains, and they now have an army. Our rangers have seen it. This is not our war anymore. It's yours too."
    "-And you expect me to believe you just like that? That after hearing these words to send ravens to the Lord Reavers, assemble my full army and come to the edge of the world? Why? Because the prophecies say that once they'll be defeated the light will come back. And what if its not like that? Then what? I'll be the one who sent my people to die for the greenlanders lives. Lives that even those don't seem to be willing to save. You want me and my people to fight for them, not us."
    "-I have proof with me. But before I show it to you, let me tell you what is going to happen if we fail. Westeros is going to fall first indeed. But this damn winter is never going to end. And even if your men can still themselves and their families with looted food from across the Narrow Sea and not starve to death on these rocks... They will come for you too. Have you noticed the ice that have swallowed the sea around your shores? The ice is going to grow day by day, and the one staring from your shores at some point will meet with the one growing from the other side. And they will come. They will smell you, don't try even for a moment to fool yourselves and believe that they are mindless corpses. They will smell you and they will come for you all. And you will have none to ask for help. None but your hungry, weakened bodies."
    "-Did you happen to be a bard before the wall crow?"
    "-No my King. I was not a bard. I was a butcher. And during my times as a butcher in Kings Landing I cut and slashed all kinds of flesh. Living and dead. Beast and men too. But never before I saw anything like this."
    ...
    The man threw down a sack in the size of a ball. The sack was moving and he quickly pulled it revealing its content before me, leaving every man on my hall speechless. The exact moment the cold winds seemed to bypass our walls, and it felt like we were instantly taken outside of the castle.

    "-Dale send ravens immediately. Summon the Lord Reavers in Pyke, ten days from now, and ready the fleet too."
    "-My King, you are in no condition to sail, you know that."
    "-I do. I'll think about it. Give me some time alone. Enough for today."


    A day later, in the King's Private chambers

    "-And this is how it ends my son, Theomore."
    "-Don't say that father. It is not over."
    "-I can feel it Theomore. The Drowned God's decided it's time for me to join him in his watery halls. And it's fine. But you can read my life story in the books. I didn't have to tell you all those things. Although do you understand why I did this tonight son?"
    "-Why?"
    "-I can see that you are depressed my boy. The burden you'll have to carry is a heavy one, heaviest than everything that I have ever seen before me in my life. But just as I did, you'll come out victorious Theomore. You'll lead the Ironborn in this war, you'll carry the fates of our people on your hands. Be strong my son."


  15. #15

    Default Re: Chapter VI

    Interlude

    Its time for one in order to keep up with the events in the Iron Throne. But first things first:

    Right now we have the 19-year-old Theomore, the only surviving child of Gromm Bloodshore, wielder of Stormcaller and awaiting for the Kingsmoot.





    Second strongest man in the Iron Isles, Lord Reaver of Pyke and Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, Dale Greyjoy. He is the last surviving child of Balon "The Hunter", the man who tutored the future King Theomore and a drunkard.



    These are the other 3 Lord Reavers of the Iron Isles. Nothing of note, except that the Volmarks took ten towers from the Harlaw's and now the 2nd have their seat at the newly created High Lordship of the Seastone Isles.





    House Drumm is not in its best days, its head is Urron Drumm, Master of Drumm Tower but married to Theomores sister.



    The Westerlands

    Lady Paramount and Warden of the West is Elyana Lannister, daughter of Tyrion "The Imp" Lannister. She is the Lady of Lannisport and Casterly Rock since both her father Tyrion and her brother after him rebelled against the Queen and are both banished to the Wall.



    Elyana is currently fighting two wars: One against lord Tywin "The Fowler" Kenning of Kayce for Tommen "The Indolent" Lannister's claim on the Westerlands.



    Tommen somehow became King of Yunkai right after Daenerys' asassignation.
    In this war lord Tywin Kenning has the upper hand as he has captured Elyana's husband, Torren Stark, son of Lord Paramount Brandon "The Honorable" Stark of the North.


    The other war which is also finding Elyana on the losing side is the one against the Iron Throne. The Cleganes of the Fang Tower declared a rebellion shortly after the Kennings but for Queen Lythene Lannister's claim on the Westerlands.



    So Elyana's lands are divided in two: The coastal provinces lords have pledged allegiance to Tommen Lannister who wants to return to Westeros as the kingdom of Yunkai is nothing like it was with Daenerys Targarien and the inland Lords are fighting alongside with the Cleganes for the Queen's claim on the Westerlands. Elyana has with her only the troops of Casterly Rock and the might of the North.

    The Lannisters aren't exactly what you'd call a "Happy Family"

    The North

    Warden and Lord Paramount of the North and the Riverlands, Brandon III "The Honorable" Stark.



    Lil' Bran may be a cripple but he is a bold cripple. He hates the Lannisters and wants to avenge his father and brother, we all know that. The same Lannisters (I call them the "Throne" Lannister) who Tyrion hates. Tyrion was a Lannister before his one-way journey to the wall, but Bran liked him. Tyrion's daughter now wants to avenge her father, and boom! Brandon and Elyana have a common cause. Thats why Brandon sealed their alliance with his son who was married to Elyana. Brandon could raise the banners of both the Riverlands and the North, crush the rebellions in the Westerlands and take the fight to King's Landing, but his bad luck didn't end with him falling from the tower. He has his hands tied more than anyone in Westeros. The White walkers have killed his small brother Rickon who was sent to help his other brother Jon Snow(who is currently gone missing beyond the wall).



    Brandon has to choose which one to save first. And the choice isn't obvious for him.

    The Vale

    Queen Lythene has made some bold moves too. She is married to the son of Jon Arryn of the Vale. The weakling would be a perfect ally in her wars if he was still the Lord of the Vale. But he ins't anymore.

    Lythene married him to press his claim on the Vale and secure it, but this plan is still on hold.
    Robert's nephew Harrold "The Bold" Arryn deposed the boy at 301 AL, ruled till 325AL when he died of gonorrhea at the age of 41 and since that day his son Tim "The Vulture" Arryn is the Lord of the Vale.



    He is fighting some minor claim wars.

    The Reach

    Lord Paramount Willas "The Fowler" Tyrell is ruling the Reach from Highgarden since 311 AL.


    He is considered a man of great power, not only because he is a charismatic diplomat, but because of his siblings too:



    Sir Loras "The Oathbreaker"Tyrell has lead his armies as his master of arms whenever the Reach had to use force (which was less than often till now)
    But the things that those two brothers can't accomplish, there comes the beautiful (but old now) Margaery.


    Yep, that's right! Princess Margaery Tyrell of the Dorne!

    Margaery was Queen as the wife Joffrey Lannister, Mother of the Queen Lythene Lannister and now Princess of Dorne as the wife of Trystane Martell, which leads us to

    The Dorne



    It doesnt end there, Margaery is not only the mother of the Queen of the Iron Throne, she is also the mother of Dorne's heir, Prince Doran Martell.



    Doran "The Prudent" Martell had three kids. After his death his oldest daughter Arianne became the ruler of Dorne at 307 AL. She died 12 years later and her place took her cousin Daemon "The Rush" Martell. Daemon Rebelled against the Iron Throne, fighting for Dorne's independence. Daemon lost the war and had the exact same fate as Tyrion Lannister who are both accompanying Jon Snow at the Wall.



    The Dorne and the Lannisters of the Iron Throne don't get on so well. But somehow, Margaery has accomplished to unite them somehow. Sooner or later though she will have to choose between her two children. Or maybe her brother.

    The Stormlands

    Stannis was executed by King Joffrey for treason and the Baratheon line ends up there. Shireenis married to a lesser lord and his younger son which he managed to have is now a blinded red priest devoted to the God of Light.



    No one seems to care about the Stormlands. Even Brienne of Tarth was Lady Paramount of the place for a time. In those days, the Stormlands are ruled by Lewys Buckler


  16. #16

    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Chapter IX:

    Theomore was depressed. He was consumed by his feelings the day his father left for the Great Reave taking Alyn with him and leaving him behind. Gromm didn't even bother telling his heir that he was to be left at Lonely Light. Dale Greyjoy did, his older cousin and tutor.

    "-...That doesn't mean that your father thinks you are unworthy you stupid ! Your father knows what he is doing. Someone has to stay here and rule. He is preparing you to take his place, and being a king means that you have to rule also. If being a king meant to reave, fight and rape every man on the Iron Isles would call himself king by now."
    "-I am to be left here and Alyn is going to earn all the glory... This is not fair."
    "-And what if Alyn dies? What if both of you get killed during the journey?"
    "-This is not going to happen!"
    "-Ha ha ha, you see? That's why you are to stay here. Every damn man may die. This is not a hunting trip cousin."
    "-..."
    "-Now, enough of this. Your 16th nameday is tomorrow, and as your tutor I have decided that it is time for you to start drinking wine. Lets drink tonight cousin, for tonight may be the last night we have drunk together.
    "-I've been drinking wine-"
    "-Let me interrupt you. No cousin, you haven't the way we are going to tonight."

    Dawn found the two cousins being the last customers in one of Lonely Harbour's taverns. Drinking and chatting.



    "...And your father was like: Dale! get out of that woman and gather the men. We are setting sail! And don't even think about bringing this woman on the longboat. We didn't came here to bring back more mouths to feed! Ah, she was the finest maid I've ever been with you know. No other woman highborn or lowborn matched her eyes."
    "-So? you didn't took her as a salt wife?"
    "-Of course not! He would have tossed us to the frozen sea if I did. Me for sobering up and her to die."
    "-Pity."
    "-Indeed. But your father was damn right about that. These are no times for such luxuries we have our own people to look after."
    "-Dale, can I ask you something?"
    "-Speak your mind kid."
    "-Do you like my father?"
    "-Are you kidding me? Your father's the finest man on the Iron Isles. I respect the old bastard more than I did my own! Long live Iron King Gromm everyone! Whoah, it seems there is no one left here to cheer, we are the last customers Theomore. C'mon lets go get some sleep."
    "-Wait a bit. You respect him, I can see that. But do you like him? I mean if it wasn't for him you would be probably king now."
    "-If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the Captain of the Iron fleet too boy. As I said, your father is a great man. More suitable for this position than me. If we were on King's Landing, I would be the better king. I would drink and whore myself to death, like Robert Baratheon. But we are on the Iron Isles, and things here are different. I claimed the driftwood crown. I had to, i'm a Greyjoy. But I'm glad that I serve under your father's banner. I will 'till his last day, and when that day comes I will be the first man to stand as your champion for the crown. Can't wait for the day I'll be bragging about being the first man handing the King a sword. And the first man to get the King drunk it seems. Lets go home."

    After Dale and Gromm's depart for the Great Reave Theomore spent his days practicing. Practicing with the sword, the axe, the bow and the art of sailing. He was a promising fighter who by the age of 17 was the best fighter on the Iron Isles. But spending most of his days practicing hard could not help him forget what he thought that his father done to him. In his mind, his father and king thought that young Theomore was unworthy of reaving alongside with him.
    The years passed and King Gromm was dead. The kingsmoot after Gromm's death was a quick one; Dale did as promised years ago, and Theomore's father had done most of the work for his son. Three out of the four Lord Reavers of the Iron Isles were bound with marriage ties to Theomore Bloodshore; The Goodbrothers, Theomore's mother's family, The Greyjoys, whose head of he family Dale Greyjoy's mother was also a Goodbrother, and the Volmarks who were now rulers of Ten Towers. The fact that every ancient house of the Iron Isles were supporting Theomore de facto was only making him sadder, because he thought that his father had done all these strategic marriages in order to secure the throne for his heir, a deed that he was unworthy of doing. Not that many men on the Isles were eager to carry that role now, for Gromm's last act was to ensure the Night's Watch that the Ironborn were to join their War for Dawn. Only one man dared to put himself forward for the kingship, and that was Thormor Ironmaker a veteran reaver of no holdings but a dread warrior.
    Thormor suggested that the ironborn shouldn't join the war and instead invade the greenlands for the lords of the Iron Throne seemed more weak than ever. The Lords called him a coward, and replied that when the world's gonna end, all the castles and wealth of Westeros would not save the Iron Isles from the Others. The veteran caused everyone's laughter when he managed to gain only 3 votes from the whole kingdom.



    Now the young ironborn King is sitting on the deck of the Howl, sailing to Shadow Tower. Full of doubts about himself being the King capable of leading the Ironborn army against the ancient threat that has risen from the frozen hells, and scared. Scared to death. A boy still, who has never killed a man before, never lead men to battle has been chosen -or predestined- to lead in a war where everything's at stake. Though the men and the captains seem to have faith on him, and mostly his cousin Dale.



    The plan's to garrison the Iroborn army at Shadow Tower and then ride to Castle Black where a war council with the men of the Night's Watch and the greenlandern lords will be held. Theomore's info said that only a few greenlanders had answered Jon Snow's call to arms, and on top of this, Jon Snow himself went missing beyond the wall. The campaign hadn't even started yet and things were already bad. The last letter from Castle Black was signed by Tyrion Lannister, who seemed have replaced the old Lord Commander.
    Theomore didn't waste any time upon arriving at the Shadow Tower. He immediately asked for a few horses, rounded up a few men, took his Cousin Dale and began his trip for Castle Black. He thought that during the trip the other lord reavers would notice his state and that was something he wanted to avoid. Dale was the man he trusted most, and was a veteran who counseled his father. He even stopped drinking the day the fleet left the port of Pyke, a fact that made him even better for what Thomore wanted him to do.
    "-Seems that the end of the world isn't a good time to get drunk."
    "-Maybe its the best time. But I wont be giving the greenlanders the joy of thinking that I gave up hope and started drinking myself to death."
    Theomores party took a road which was distant to the wall at first and they were not chatting a lot, but as they were closing to Castle Black the enormous Wall was closer and closer.
    Theomore was examining the Wall, like he did the last few hours.
    "-It seems that it makes you comfortable young cousin, the first days you hardly even said a word, but now speak every hour or two." Dale was trying to start a chat every now and then, he had stated to his cousin many times that riding made him bored "Going from one place to another with horses is boring; and silent people just make it worse for me"
    "-I haven't seen anything bigger than this in my whole life. And I believed that Pyke and Ten Towers are big."
    "-Big or not, it is not gonna stop the Others by itself."
    "-It would help if more of the stupid greenlanders realized what is going on here and rallied."
    The party had reached Castle Black and its gate was ten minutes away them, but when Dale heard Theomore's response asked him to stop for a bit
    "-Listen to me cousin. These people inside the castle are not our allies. Maybe they are for now, but this is only temporary. We've been raiding their lands for decades now, we've killed their men, took their women, and plundered their lands. The best scenario's to come back victorious and alive, with them more hurt than us so we can reave on their lands again. Don't forget that."
    "-I never had that delusion Dale. I didn't came to this place to make friends."
    "-Good."



    The Imp welcomed the men right after they passed the gate of Castle Black and immediately escorted them to Lord Commander's office. Theomore did not see any Lords banner and asked Tyrion:

    "-Who else is joining us?"
    "-Along with you father, there were a couple other lords from the Iron Throne who replied to our call-"
    "-My father was not a lord, he was a king."
    "-Indeed. Excuse me if I offended you my young friend. I already know that, I was the one who wrote the first letter, and it was a pain in the ass to write his full title, Iron King Gromm of the house Bloodshore, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the blah blah and some more then. You people seem to be more talkative than they say, or it is just for the titles? Anyway, I have bad news and good news. I told you the first bad one, that the Lords of the Iron Throne and the Queen are busy fighting they petty wars than saving the world from the dead. The good news is that Lord Commander Jon Snow is back from missing. Its like a routine to him it seems! He goes missing beyond the wall and then somehow he comes back again informing his brothers that the bad guys are far more than we ever imagined. And that was the other bad news."
    "-How many?"
    "-Ask him yourself, we were awaiting for your arrival to start the war council, everyone's in his office and that's the door. I won't be joining you, I attend to other matters here at Castle Black, war is not my game you know."
    If it was, I wouldn't be here now. Said the Dwarf mumbling, possibly referring to the reason he was banished to the wall.
    "Daemon is helping Lord Commander with that stuff. But let me announce you to them first, lets see if they'll shiver upon hearing that the son of the sea wind is here!
    Iron King Gromm of the house Bloodshore, First of his name, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, Lord Reaver of Lonely Light and Protector of the Iron Islands. And Dale Greyjoy, Lord Reaver of Pyke and Captain of the Iron Fleet. The man who would be king."
    In any other circumstance both the cousins would be insulted, but the Imp was in such a cheerful mood that he just made them smile, and they couldn't recall the last time they smiled from the beginning of all these.
    Four men were inside the room. The two of them were clearly brothers of the Night's Watch, whit the man sitting on the head of the table being Jon Snow, now at his fifties, with a face that showed that time had taken it's toll on him. The other man was a dornish at his early thirties, who had to be Daemon "the Rush" Martell.
    Theomore recognized the old lord sitting at the right side of Jon Snow by his sigil, the golden rose of the Tyrells, but he could't tell who the other lord was.

    "-You don't expect me to sit on the same table with pirates and thieves!" the older man shouted at Jon Snow.
    "-By the two of us, the one closer to a pirate may be in your eyes my cousin, Sir Willas. You confuse me, because if Dale is a pirate then that makes me a thieve. Somehow being a cripple old man affects your hearing too, but if you didn't hear the dwarf I'll state it again: I am a King Sir Willas. And you shall address to me as one."
    "-Please my Lords, and King. we are supposed to be allies here. We can't fight the common enemy of we are divided, that has caused us enough troubles for the time."
    "-Allies with the men who burned, raped and pillaged our lands?"
    "-King Theomore has brought here everything the Iron Isles have to offer on this war, and that's enough for me."
    "-Everything?" The Tyrell said with shining glimpse.
    "-Almost. But it seem to me that it is more than you both could bring here. I did not notice a single banner other than the Night's Watch on my way here."
    "-The Reach and Stormland's forces are marching towards the Wall by now. They are going to be here in a day or two. Ships travel faster than feet you see."
    The Lord Commander tried pacify the men on the table, but he didn't seem to have much patience with the whole scene.
    "-Enough of that. Lets have a new start and be quiet as I will inform you of the situation and propose our plan. My lords, you heard who those men are. King Theomore, those are our allies in this campaign, Lord Willas Tyrell of the Reach and Lord Lewys Buckler of the Stormlands.



    Lord Commander asked Daemon to bring him a large map and unfolded it on the table. He took a few soldier figures and placed them on the map, informing his fragile alliance of the current situation.

    "-Reports state that the Westerlands are in a war with the Throne, and the North and Riverlands army is marching south to rescue Brandon's Stark son who is held captive. My brother has sent me supplies and a hundred Karstark men to help us, but that's not even nearly enough. The Vale and the Dorne haven't replied. So, after the Stormlands and Reach army is here, we'll give 'em a day's rest and we will start. We believe that the Others are about 15-20 thousands, but not in a single group. Their main force is heading towards the Wall, but they have parties lurking throughout the whole region outside the Wall. The plan goes like this: King Theomore will split his 15 thousand forces in two, one will stay here and man the wall and the other part is going to attack the shores from the west. Their goal is to pull out as many of the main force towards them and the rest of us are going to march north. We will hit and retreat in order to pull them to the Wall. That's were we will fight them."
    "-You want me to attack the west shores beyond the wall. What's there to attack?"
    "-I want you to draw their attention. You'll find small groups of them if you walk inside the forests but our goal is to disunite their main force. Light up great fires in the woods, they'll see that and come for you. After they come to you you retreat back to your ships and then do it somewhere else. Your men are not knights with heavy armor, they are mobile, a great asset when fighting in the snow."
    "-Sounds easy till here, but I bet it's not. How are we going to kill them?"
    "-I wont lie to you. We are going to lose many men on this war. Three things kill them as far as we know. Valyrian steel, fire and dragonglass. We have found many dragonglass blades hidden outside the Wall, but they are not enough to arm our full force. I'll give you four or five hundreds, but the rest has to be done by you and your men, become creative my king.

    The next two hours passed with the five men discussing tactical matters, and by nightfall Dale was exhausted. His steps led him to the castle's hall where he found the Imp sitting alone and drinking wine. The two men shared the wine and talked for some time.

    "-...We have many things in common, my Ironborn friend."
    "-Indeed. But thank god I haven't given up on women."
    "-Who said that I have?"
    "-The Night's Watch isn't that strict with that part of the vow right?"
    "-Some do follow it, others don't. They took away many things from me you know, at least I kept wine and women. And my son, who my kin had been kind enough to banish him too on this forsaken place."
    "-Tough stuff. And it doesn't seem to be getting better right?"
    "-Its going to end soon my friend." said smiling.
    "-You're so sure that you'll die against the Others?"
    "-No, my place is not on the battlefield. My physical features do not allow it as you can see. I've been on the battlefield once. I didn't enjoy it."
    "-But your place isn't the wall too."
    "-Exactly. And as I said everything's going to end pretty soon."
    "-Not much of an optimist."
    "-Realist. But I am not referring to your holy campaign against the darkness. You might have a chance on that. I talk about my personal end."
    "-You can't leave this place; are you going to kill yourself? What are you talking about? Enough drinking for tonight I guess."
    "-You seek only reprieve my friend. I, on the other, welcome the darkness. Its a darkness that has been cast on my life since day one. And I've made my mind, after you guys start your war, I am going to drink myself to death."
    Dale looked the man with wonder.
    "-You look to me pretty damn sure. I don't know what to say in such occasions."
    "-I'll wish you luck and you do the same for me. I am going to find out if heaven really exists."



    The next day Theomore and Dale took off for the Shadow Tower. While passing the gate they saw the army of the reach who had just arrived at Castle Black.



    Upon arrival at Shadow Tower Theomore did as they agreed on the war council. He divided his army in two and set sail for the frozen shores. Just before he gave the order to start, he thought to himself:
    "Well, the priests say that what is dead may never die. Lets find out."


  17. #17
    waveman's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    You portrayed the Imp perfectly! I had to stop and laugh and then that was the perfect death for him. I very much liked Gromm's development from simple reaver to King as well

  18. #18
    ccllnply's Avatar Tribunus
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    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    God I have to get back into the GOT mod. I think this thread might have inspired me.


  19. #19

    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    Quote Originally Posted by waveman View Post
    You portrayed the Imp perfectly! I had to stop and laugh and then that was the perfect death for him. I very much liked Gromm's development from simple reaver to King as well
    It took me much time to try and find a way for him to have a role in the war, as I didn't want to make him again fight like in battle of Blackwater neither just leave him behind but the game helped me with the best possible way!

  20. #20

    Default Re: [CK2 AGOT] Last but not Least: An Ironborn AAR

    One of the many songs that were written based on the events of the next chapters.

    Oh come now kinsmen, Captains and clan!
    We’ll face the Others and make our stand!
    Our brothers lie in frozen Lands
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    If the fighting it be dry
    We’ll stand beneath the blazing sky
    And proudly fight and win or die
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    And if the fighting it goes ill
    We’ll fight with hands and teeth and will!
    We’ll earn our beds beneath the hill
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    There’s smoke arising in the sky!
    Oh hear the hungry ravens cry!
    The warhorn summons you and I
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    And if the fighting it goes well
    We’ll send the Others straight to hell!

    And if the battle it be long
    We’ll light our hearts with gladsome song!
    We’ll raise our blades and voices strong
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    There’s smoke arising in the sky!
    Oh hear the hungry ravens cry!
    The warhorn summons you and I
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    And if the battle it be lost
    We’ll proudly stand and pay the cost!

    And if the battle it be won
    We’ll gather when the dyin’s done
    And have some rantin’ rovin’ fun
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!

    There’s smoke arising in the sky!
    Oh hear the hungry ravens cry!
    The warhorn summons you and I
    As Theomore swings Stormcaller!


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    original taken from odins-gift.com

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