Greywater Watch, Seat of the Marsh Kings, Capital of the Kingdom of the Neck

[The Mad Skylord]

GREYWATER WATCH


Greywater Watch is the seat of House Reed, the Marsh Kings of the Neck. Few but Crannogmen have ever visited its humid halls, for it is said the very crannog on which the castle is built moves. None can find the Greywater Watch without prodigious luck or a Crannogman guide, and those who are foolish enough to venture into the swamps and marshes of the Neck without a guide don't tend to come back.

Bonuses

Wandering Castle: Greywater Watch is built on one of the strange floating islands found in the swamps of the Neck, and is notoriously difficult to find. Any wishing to siege the castle must roll to see if they can find it (20% chance). If they do not, they may try again in a year.

Bonuses

Dangerous Swamps: Greywater Watch is surrounded by bogs and marshlands, almost impossible to navigate without a local guide. Any army wishing to pass through the neck must either have the permission of whoever holds Greywater Watch or lose a % of their men dependent on a d15 (so up to 15%)

Household

N/A

Military

Professionals 1500 Raider Infantry 900 Raider Archers 900 Raider Cavalry 600 Outriders Militia 2000 Points 1000 Heavy Infantry Levy 4'500 Points 3'000 Light Infantry 1'500 Archers

Vassals

Landed Silvereed - House Fenn of Silvereed. Churwell - House Marsh of Churwell Greycronn - House Blackmyre of Greycrann Moat Cailin - House ??? of Moat Cailin [/B]Non-Landed House Quagg House Boggs House Cray House Peat House Greengood

Buildings and Edicts

Tier I Militia Armory Tier II Tier III Tier IV Edicts Militias Military Infrastructure

Trade

1)Greywater Watch ---> Churwell 2)Greywater Watch ---> N/a

[The Mad Skylord]

((Crannogmen starting event. Any who so desire a Cranngoman house, landed or unlanded may join in.))

The soft rain pattered as it struck the rooves of Greywater Watch's halls. The compound was settled on a very large Crannog, with a timber palisade and mud brick and timber buildings. Drawn up onto the shores of the Crannog were hundreds of boats, and much light could be seen coming from the large main hall in the centre of the castle.

Every Crannogman of any import was currently inside that hall, for there were two counts of grave news. The first was that the Ironborn had been beaten by the Starks, who would surely turn on their southern neighbor while their other enemies were busy. The second was the approach of the Andals, obviously believing they could seize Moat Cailin and the Neck, opening the route to the North.

Hundreds of grim faced Crannogmen bickered over the best course of action, all men were equal here and each was determined to have his say. Lyanna Reed was sitting at the foot of her father's throne, stroking the head of the mighty Whitescale - which rested in her lap. Lorren sat among the other Crannogmen, bickering as fiercly as the rest. Howland sat quietly, contemplating all sides of the argument. And Jojen... Colmar didn't know where Jojen was, if truth be told. His thirdborn son was well deserving of his nicknames, but occasionally Reed despaired of his lack of interest in responsibility.

Seated in his throne, the aged Marsh King looked upon his people, quietly pondering the best course of action.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Jojen gawked at the assembled crowd. He had seldom seen such a large group gathered in the hall. He knew enough of them men, and nodded to them with the same smile on his face. Some called his name, others his nickname. The Tree Frog had made his round to the local communities often enough, but others had not seen eachother for a year or more. A small blue frog rested on Jojen's shoulder, Nestor was its name, and it croaked merrily in the assembly, its tongue occasionally flicking forth to catch flies. Although highly venomous, among the same breed of frog the crannogmen used to poison the tips of their darts, the frog seemed to have taken a queer liking to Jojen. As long as the lad did not squeeze the frog or else cause its skin to come into contact with his own, he seemed to not be affected by the creature's toxins. He waited for his father to begin the proceedings and his brothers to arrive.

[The Mad Skylord]

Colmar Reed stood, and immediately the hall fell quiet. While the Marsh King was not a ruler in the Andal or the Northmen sense of the word, he was the first of the Crannogmen. The First among Equals.

He spoke calmly, quietly, his deep voice echoing through the hall. "Fellow Crannogmen, the Northerners have defeated the Ironborn in the West Coast. For the first time in years, they are free from that scourge. Free to face us.

In addition to that, the Andals are marching North. Obviously they intend to take the Moat.

Crannogmen, what are your thoughts?"

Reed resumed his seat, as the lords began to shout once more. Some shouted fir war, others to make peace by marriage. One individual suggested they should alliw the Andals access through the Moat and kill two birds with one stone.

While this was happening, Colmar finally saw his youngest son. Looking the boy up and down, he smiled slightly, although he was startled to see that frog there again. The damn things were dangerous.

Lorren Reed, appearing from the crowd, suddenly draped himself around his younger brother's shoulders. "Well look, if it isnt the Tree Frog. Where have you been, Frog? ing another animal" Although it was said with a laugh and a cheerful smile, a part of Lorren wondered if thay was indeed what Jojen did when he was out hunting on his own.

[Pontifex Maximus]

His blue frog croaked "Riiiiiikiiit" it called. Jojen didn't try to silence it with a touch, lest he poison himself among his peers. The hall was silent, yet Jojen did not appear to notice. "Have any moved against us?" Potential threats were different from actual threats. Nestor hopped upon his head from his shoulder and issued another challenge "Riiikiiiiiiit." The Tree Frog smiled. "Place an ambush along the southern and northern approaches." he suggested "And let them waste themselves upon the bogs."

[The Mad Skylord]

Colmar answered the question and suggestion of his youngest son. "The Andals are definitely marching towards us, but we have no knowledge of Stark's intentions."

Smiling grimly, he drummed his fingers on the throne in contemplation. "Very well then, we shall ambush the Andals as they begin to move into the Neck. We'll hit and run, drawing them deeper into the swamps - where they'll sink in their metal armour.

As for the Northerners, we'll double the patrolling warbands in the region, no sense in taking risks."

Most Crannogmen accepted this decision happily, glad to be getting the chance of battle. With the meeting mostly over, the feasting began and the whole assembly was given a rich choice of food. From bog-whiskey to fried frog to Lizard-Lion testicles in dough. As the assembly begins to feast, Colmar beckons Jojen forwards.

"You are one of the most skilled of our warriors, Jojen, I want you to ride ahead with a warband as the vanguard. Find a good spot to begin springing the trap, we must lure them in as deeply as possible."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Easily done." the boy replied "Give me a force of men and see it done." Nestor gave another croak and caught a fly.

[Iron Aquilifer]

Bowen, wrapped in the skins of a hundred beasts did not speak nor raise his voice in union with the King's words. Indeed the air of regret and forgotten youth oozed from the nobleman, so much so that it seemed as though his presence aged those around him. A miserable sight indeed was Lord Marsh, with even his smiles failing to portray life. In battle he was animated, or when outsmarting friend and foe in the thick foliage of his home. But here, among the rich and the powerful of the kingdom, enclosed in the trappings of the mundane affairs of mortality, he was death's messenger and standing silhouette.

Galbart instead offered a respite from his brother, laughing and chanting with the others as they reviled in the sweet joy of ignorance, blinding themselves to the hard-won truth of war. He too was wearing native fauna, spikes and scales coming together to cast him in a very reptilian light. Short tufts of pelt leered from behind the leathers, offering bulk that the man lacked in truth. Maybe he truly did desire a battle, or a heavy patrol against the limits of the wolves' lands to the north, but that most base of desires was dashed when the king named Jojen to the vanguard. Bloody typical. And then he joined his brother properly, falling silent and withdrawing as best he could in his station.

The quicker they were again in their lands, the quicker they would be allowed to manage the affairs properly.


EDIT:

A messenger, having made his way through peat and bog arrives at the capital. In his hand is a letter agreeing to the expanded trade relations.

[The Mad Skylord]

Reed nodded calmly. You shall have your men. "You shall have our men. Lire the Andals deeply into the bog, so they can be ambushed by a larger force hidden in the trees. Marsh, you will command the larger force, and you will take Lorren and Howland with you in order to give them a better insight to command. The other Marsh brother" Reed fixed his penetrating stare upon him ""Shall take command of the Northern patrols, to keep our lands safe from the Direwolf."

[Iron Aquilifer]

Reed nodded calmly. You shall have your men. "You shall have our men. Lire the Andals deeply into the bog, so they can be ambushed by a larger force hidden in the trees. Marsh, you will command the larger force, and you will take Lorren and Howland with you in order to give them a better insight to command. The other Marsh brother" Reed fixed his penetrating stare upon him ""Shall take command of the Northern patrols, to keep our lands safe from the Direwolf."

Bowen nodded slowly as he received the command, his eyes refusing to meet those of the younger Reeds he was educate. He had tried to do it with his own sons and now their bones were all that were left. And even then, the worms had taken to the marrow as the carrion had to their flesh.

Galbart offered a smile of feigned confidence, the thought of the open plains and rolling hills of the North making him groan silently. Was there a land more detestable than that wasteland? No true happiness could be claimed in the hills or the forests, where beasts as large as men frolicked and plant life was there simply to be consumed. Where was the beauty in that?

[Poach]

"The Iron Men remain to our west," came the voice of Ulreef Blackmyre, who stood with his son Barnald who, at seventeen, had only come of age these past few years, "If the two kingdoms enter a war with each other, the fighting shall be close to our realm. Both will send their envoys, seeking our alliance to their cause."

[The Mad Skylord]

"And who would my fellows have me ally with? Tell me your thoughts, Crannogmen"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Which is the easier foe to defeat, and which side can offer us the most?" Jojen asked. "Those seem the right questions to ask...though at least the Direwolf and his men worship the right gods."

[Oznerol]

ooc: Do I have to actually look for this one?

A band of riders, with Stark banners, march into the Neck. They loudly proclaim their ambassadorial status and their wish to being granted an audience with Reed. Horns announce their arrival.

[The Mad Skylord]

Ooc: Damn, Oz, you took away my fun. Nah, you just come as if you would to any other castle, the only difference is you say you're looking rather than just arrive

As if from nowhere, a band of Crannog men appear, several mounted on swamp ponies - obviously ready for a fight. With a bitter look, the captain of the band leads them, blindfolded, to a huge weir wood. Situated on the only dry ground to be found for hundreds of miles, it is quite literally the heart of the Neck.

It is here Colmar Reed is found. The Marsh King was sitting on a large, white log - obviously some weir wood tree that had fallen long ago. It was obvious he had been sitting sharpening his bronze battle axe, for it rested against the log, but he had a quiet and peaceful aura around him. He fixed a calm, and slightly disinterested, gaze upon the Stark messenger.

"So you serve the King of Winter. Who are you and what does your King have need of from the Crannogmen?"

[Oznerol]

"I am Lord Cedrik Cerwyn, lord of Cerwyn Castle (ooc: heh) and envoy of His Grace, King Rickard Stark"

Said the pot-bellied but robust Northerner.

"We seek your Grace's approval to cross the Neck towards Cape Kraken. King Jon, Gods bless him, was slayed by some Ironborn raiders. That cannot be, we are to wage war against those squids"

He gestured profusely.

"My King of the Neck, the North wishes no harm to House Reed and all its vassals, we just require safe passage"

[The Mad Skylord]

"I see, your King was foolish enough to get himself killed by glorified pirates. An inpressive achievement.

You seek safe passage? That would depend on what you offered."

[Oznerol]

Lord Cerwyn's face started to blush with rage.

"Do not speak ill about our beloved ruler, King of the Neck. Jon Stark's memory shall be revered for centuries to come, for he was an accomplished and just King who ruled long and mercifully"

He said so proudly.

"My King just wants to know what do you demand in turn for your friendship. You would have Winterfell's, and the North's, gratitude, King of the Neck"

[The Mad Skylord]

"I have great respect for his mercy. As do the Ironborn, I imagine. He was generous enough just to walk into their trap on his own land."

The Marsh King ponders for a second. "Very well. Your King will marry my daughter. He will pay House Reed 60'000 gold pieces, and House Marsh of the Fever River will swear vassalage to Greywater Watch."

[Oznerol]

Cedrik had to swallow his rage, he was there to avoid a war, not to create one. Lord Cerwyn then spends a whole minute trying to catch up and remember all that information. He simply decided to gesture towards one of his men, who quickly wrote down the terms proposed by the crannogmen.

"We will communicate those terms to His Grace, King Rickard. Soon a reply will arrive"