House Royce is one of the oldest Houses in Westeros, and of just a handful outside of the North directly descended from the First Men. Their home is the ancient castle of Runestone, in the Vale of Arryn, the name that region became known by after Ser Artys Arryn of the Andals slew the Griffin King and conquered his lands. None can say for certain why House Royce survived the Andal invasion. Some maesters have suggested that the Winged Knight took a Royce as his wife, and spared her father's House, but the men of House Royce maintain that their ferocity and the strength of their castle held back the very man who conquered the Eyrie. House Royce continued to serve the Kings of Mountain and Vale until they bent the knee to the Targaryens, and after that when the Arryns bacame Lords Paramount. Over the years, House Royce produced many great and honourable warriors, and many beautiful women, who would go on to marry some of the greatest Lords in Westeros.
Family Tree
[LORD HARBART ROYCE], Lord of Runestone. b. 87 A.L. d. 113 A.L. Died of disease in the depths of winter. -His wife, [LADY RYELLA], of House Darklyn. b. 85 A.L. d. 113 A.L. Died during childbirth. -their children: ---Their first daughter, [LADY ALANNA], m. LORD ARTYS of House Grafton. b. 102 A.L. d. 145 A.L. ---her children: -----LADY GEANINA of House Grafton, m. LORD JULIAN of House Arryn. b. 125 A.L. -----Her children: -------Their eldest son, PATREK, heir to the Vale. b. 140 A.L. -------Their eldest daughter, JADA. Betrothed to TRAGETT of House Greyjoy. b. 141 A.L. -------Their second son, AEMON. b. 145 A.L. ---Their only son LORD ISAAC, Lord of Runestone, once a famed tourney knight. b. 105 A.L. ---His first wife, [LADY JANYT] of House Florent. b. 108 A.L. d. 148 A.L. of unknown causes. ---Their children: -----Their first son and heir, SER MATTOS. A knight of some renown. b. 129 A.L. -----Their second son, JEREMUS. b. 135 A.L. -----Their only daughter, ELEANA. b. 141 A.L. ---Their second daughter, GENNA. m. LORFEN of House Mallister. b. 113 A.L.
Main characters
Runestone
On the Eastern coast of the Vale, above the sea, stands a castle as strong and as ancient as the House which holds it - Runestone, which has stood since before the Andals came to Westeros. Its thick walls and position on the sea make attacking the fortress by land a difficult prospect. The castle is well named - as you enter, it is hard not to notice the ancient runes inscribed in the stone around the gate. This place has some ancient power, and guests should be wary.
Runestone is a true marvel of architecture. While not a rival in terms of size to citadels like Winterfell and Storm's End, it has the same element of mystery about it, built by the First Men in ways that would seem impossible with modern techniques. It seems to have been hewn from the rock it stands upon, rather than built upwards.
Last edited by jakev2; February 04, 2013 at 07:39 AM.
A raven arrives bearing a message sealed with the falcon and moon of Arryn.
Lord Isaac Royce,
An army of rebels has surrounded King's Landing and all the Lord's within. These include Lord Arryn and your son. You are ordered to raise your levies immediately and march for Lord Harroway's Town where you will find the levies of The Vale and The Eyrie awaiting your command. Once you have joined with them you are to make for King's Landing with all haste. You are needed my Lord, duty calls.
Maester Pylos, on behalf of Lord Julian Arryn
Last edited by Ganbarenippon; January 13, 2013 at 09:15 AM.
The three men were gathered in the Lord's solar, at the highest point of the castle. Wide windows looked out at a restless sea, a sharp contrast to the eerie quiet inside the room. Lord Isaac sat in a wide, comfortable chair, his skin pale and his hands weak as he extended his right towards his son, a letter grasped within.
"Read." His voice was deep, but shaky. Jeremus, eyes wide, accepted the note from his father, the young Maester, Galbert, nodding to encourage the lad. Jeremus opened up the crumpled piece of paper. His eyes danced across it, once, twice, three times. He silently mouthed a word. Mattos.
"Father... you must prepare to leave at once!"
Lord Isaac coughed into a handkerchief. "Seven above, boy, look at me!" He shouted. Part of Jeremus was pleased his father still had such a booming voice, when he wanted to use it. "Do I look like I could lead an army, even if I wanted to?" Isaac turned his head away, waving at the maester.
"Your father cannot lead, but Lord Arryn entrusted command to him, a Royce." The maester's voice was soft, reassuring, but Jeremus felt terror bubbling up inside him. "There is only one other who can take his place."
Last edited by jakev2; January 13, 2013 at 09:46 AM.
A raven arrives bearing a letter sealed with the Moon and Falcon of Arryn.
Lord Royce,
Uncle, your son, Ser Mattos has been gravely wounded in the Battle of King's Landing. He was injured doing his duty and defending his King's life; the Maesters say he is unlikely to make a recovery. Julian has not left his bedside for the last week, and refuses all attempts to remove him for a few hours rest. I implore you, make your way to the capital with all haste, for your son is unlikely to leave this place save to be brought to rest in your ancestral vaults.
Isaac crumpled the piece of paper in a shaking hand, his breathing ragged. Maester Galbert watched on, concern in his eyes. For what seemed like hours, Isaac sat there in silence, his face stony, the veins on his clenched fist standing up. Then, suddenly, he stood from his chair and cast the paper into the open fire. The maester practically jumped out of his skin.
"My Lord! You are in no fit state to be going anywhere!"
Isaac cast a thunderous look at the young man. "Aye, because I've spent too damn long in that chair." He took a few shaky steps towards the large mirror at one end of his solar. What he saw made his heart sink, but his voice was as strong as ever.
"Get me a razor, and ready a ship. The Tempest. I need to be in King's Landing within the week." He turned to the maester, who stood in shocked silence. "Go!" Galbert scurried from the room. No sooner had the door closed than Isaac slumped back into his chair, and began to weep.
A small party rides over the horizon; 20 retainers, flying the banner of a Black Dragon with a Golden Crown on a red field, the banner of House Kingsman. The retainers request entry into Runestone, prepared to give up their weapons if need be.
From atop the tall, thick walls, a shout went down into the castle below. The wide bronze gate, inscribed with an endless scrawl of ancient runes, creaked open. A figure was waiting in the courtyard beyond, flanked by knights.
"Well enough, thank you. Come, follow me to the Keep. I will have a servant bring us some food and drink in my solar. We may talk there." He gestured with a hand and turned towards the keep.
At the very top of the keep was a large, circular room, with both stunning sea views and a good view of the only approach to the castle. The Lord's Solar was decorated with thick rugs, shields and arms hanging from the walls, and tapestries depicting great scenes from the past. However, there was little in the way of furniture but for a side, simple desk, a plain wooden chair and a few long benches, with many comfortable looking cushions. It was the room of a man who took pride in history and appearances, but showed practicality too. Isaac took his seat in the chair behind the desk, and gestured to one of the benches.
A serving girl entered, carrying several plates of food - cold meat, cheese, fresh bread and small fish. She left, and came back with a selection of drinks, including a thick brown ale, cider from the Reach, and both Dornish and Arbor wines. Isaac gestured to the food.
"Help yourself, my Lord. Your men will be fed too, fear not." He took a mug of the ale, and some bread and fish, before smiling at the servant and waving her away.
After a few bites of his food, Isaac took a long drink from his mug.
"So," He studied one of the fish. "What brings you to my home?" He popped the fish into his mouth. A little too salty for his tastes. I must remind the cooks to get me some of those little red fish.
Runestone, Seat of House Royce
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