Hightower, seat of house Hightower
"We Light the way"
House History Descended from the first men, house Hightower is among the oldest and most prestigious houses of Westeros. They claim to be the oldest house in the whole South. Their ancestors populated the region around the Honeywine river and founded a settlement, what later became known as ‘Oldtown’. They ruled as kings in their own right during the Dawn of Days, creating a rich and fertile kingdom. The pride of their kingdom was the once small settlement by the mouth of the Honeywine river, which had bloomed in a bustling city.
However, during the passing of the ages, During the coming of the powerful Andals and the creation of the Kingdom of the Reach by House Gardener, the Hightowers allied with the newcomers. They become part of the Reach by marriage, rather than the sword. Thus they were able the keep their wealth and lands. Keeping many privileges, unrivalled by many other houses in Westeros. House Hightower is said to be as rich as House Lannister and can field three times as many swords as other Reach bannermen, as they have vassals of their own.
With the Andals came the Faith of the Seven to Westeros. House Hightower converter to the new religion in time and became important patrons of the faith. The Starry Sept in Oldtown became the seat of the Faith for many years. Strong patrons of the Faith, art and literature, House Hightower was integral in the Citadel's foundation, and continues to patronize the order to this day.
During the Wars of Conquest by Aeagon Targaryen and his sisters, who rode monstrous dragons into battle, house Hightower did what it did before and allied with the most powerful party. After house Gardener and the most of the army of the Reach had burned at the field of fire, house Hightower opened the gates of Oldtown to the victor. Aegon left the city unspoiled and had converted to the Faith of the Seven. Which can be counted as a small victory on its own.
The history of Westeors is littered with the name of Hightower. Proud lords, gallant knights, a Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, lord commander of the Kingsguard, lord commander of the Nights Watch, hand of the king, all are prominent offices held by members of house Hightower. They also have a Valyrian steel sword called Vigilance.
Their words are ‘we light the way’. And indeed they do.
Oldtown
Unequalled in both age and beauty, in the whole of Westeros. Like its lords, Oldtown has a long history and was built by the First Men, before the coming of the Andals. Being only slightly smaller than the capital, Oldtown is a strong and important trading port for the continent. Ships from all over the known world dock at this harbour to sell and buy goods. Making it a very rich and prosperous city.
The city itself is stunningly beautiful; many rivers and canals crisscross its cobbled streets, and breathtaking stone mansions are common. The city lacks the squalor of King's Landing, which usurped its position as the pre-eminent city of Westeros. However, the city is a labyrinth of wynds, alleys and streets. The port and the entire city is dominated by the High Tower, a massive, seven-sided, stepped lighthouse rising from Battle Island. More than 800 feet high, it is the tallest structure in Westeros, higher even than the Wall. It serves as House Hightower's keep, as well as a lighthouse. It is known to be one of the nine Wonders Made by Man.
Oldtown is home to art and culture in Westeros, many of these actions are patronized by house Hightower, showing their prominence and power through the arts.
Family
The Lord
Members of the house Hightower are considered loyal and stalwart. However lord Alester Hightower is not known for his loyalty or his caution. He is known to taken after his haughty mother, who had has raised him and helped him govern early in his reign.
Alester sees many of the other noble houses as upstarts, finding house Hightower far superior above many others.
He is proudly, foolish and very vain. He has grand ambitions but never really acts after them. Rather sending others to do his work.
In his youth, his father bought him his knighthood because he was a terrible lazy squire. When looking for a wife, he only required a beautiful one. So a beauty pageant of sorts was held at Hightower in which agile daughter of noble houses would promote themselves. Out one of these maidens, lady Hightower was chosen to be his wife.
Born: 183 A.L.
Skills: (18)
Income: +3
Survival: +4
Field Battle: +3
Siege: +3
Capture: +2
Escape: +3
The lady
Lady Hightower is the wife of Lord Alester. Her main job at hightower is being the perfect hostess, she throws a lot of feats and parties to keep their enormous court entertained. She was chosen to be Hightowers bride out of ten noble maidens, because of her beauty. Like her husband she isn't a very deep character. It is suspected that she is very lonely and keeps on a party girl facade to conceal her sadness. The great sickness took away her youngest children.
Born: 190 A.L.
The Three Maids
Alysanne, Alyce & Alerie
Lord Hightower has three daughters. He is quite protective of them and wishes not to part with them. They are his prize jewels at his court. Being city nobility instead of growing up in the country side, like most other noble maids, the maidens in the tower can be counted as witty, sociable and outspoken. They are heavily influenced by the arts and mainly by handsome tales by singers from all over Westeros.
Alysanne
Born: 215 A.L.
Alyce
Born: 217 A.L.
Alerie
Born: 219 A.L.
The Heir
Only son of lord Hightower. He is a tourney knight at heart. He loves the arts, culture and the dream of chivalry. Like his family members he is tall, handsome and fair-haired. He has three sisters, who are called the Three Maids.
Courteous he might be, but he can also be a little awkward in front of strangers and doesn’t display a high meaning of traditional manhood. A chivalrous knight, he may be. He is certainly no brute warrior. He is not known to have any lovers nor does he visit the whores in the brothels. Which does concern his father a bit.
Born: 213 A.L.
Skills (6)
Jousting: +2
Field battle: +1
Siege: +1
Escape: +2
Family
The Septon
Olyvar Flowers is a nephew to lord Hightower, through one of his brothers. He is a bastard fathered by a noble maiden of low origins. She was the daughter of a household knight. She was considered too lowly in rank to marry her lover. Her noble birth, however ensured that he was acknowledged at birth and taken into the Hightower of Oldtown to be raised as a nobleman’s son. When he grew into manhood, at the age of fourteen, his uncle lord Hightower forced him to make a honourable choice in life. Since he was stained by birth, his uncle led him choose between a black cloak, a white cloak, a citadels chain or preaching the Seven. Olyvar chose the last. He was rewarded for his choice by his uncle to preach at the Seven Shrines of Oldtown. One of the many septs in the city.
Born: 207 A.L.
Skills (4):
Religious Roles: +2
Denouncer: +1
Fate: +1
The Lordship
Income and Trade
Very Rich Province
70,000 a Year.
Trading in Fruits.
Trading lanes with:
1. - House Lefford of Golden Tooth (gold)
2. - House Swyft of Cornfield (gold)
3. - House Blackwood of Raventree Hall (grain)
Army and Vassals
Manpower Levy:
Very Large Levy: 5,000 men
2,200 Light Inf
1,000 Heavy Inf
500 Polearms
500 Archers
550 Light Cavalry
250 Heavy Cavalry
Fleet Levy:
Very High Levy: 75 ships.
30 Levy ships
20 Dromonds
15 Heavy Galleys
8 Oldtown War Galleys
2 Grand Warship
Vassals:
House Beesbury of Honeyholt
House Blackbar of Bandallon
House Bulwer of Blackcrown
House Peake of Torrentpeak
House Mullendore of Uplands
House Costayne Three Towers
House Cuy of Sunhouse
Manpower levy:
Very Small: 500 men
200 Light Inf
50 Heavy Inf
50 Polearms
100 Archers
50 Light Cavalry
50 Heavy Cavalry
Fleet Levy:
The Three Towers - Coastal Province - High Levy - 50 Levy (30 levy ships, 15 Dromonds, 5 heavy galleys)
Blackcrown - Coastal Province - Small Levy - 20 Levy (10 Levy Ships, 5 Heavy Galleys, 5 Dromonds)
Bandalon - Coastal Province - Very Small Levy - 10 Levy (6 levy ships, 2 Dromonds, 2 Heavy Galleys)
Sunflower Hall - Coastal Province - Very Small Levy - 10 Levy (6 Levy ships, 2 Dromonds, 2 heavy galleys)
Upgrades and Bonuses Bonuses:
The City Watch of Oldtown: The city is defended and policed by a force of 250 men, which the owner does not need to pay for. These help protect against spying and assassination rolls in the city, and also are used in defense battles. -2 to spying, assassination and escape rolls for foes in the city, plus 250 extra troops in seige defense .
The Citadel, home of the Maesters and learning: The owner of Oldtown has access to a Maester to help in childbirth and healing, even if the city is owned by a minor house.
Bustling Port: Oldtown is the second largest port in all of the Seven Kingdoms, second only to King's Landing itself. Traders from all corners of the known world come here to sell and buy wares, allowing the owner one additional trade route.
Oldtown: Large city - may garrison an additional 200% of the levy. Requires at least 1,000 men to defend or a -1 siege defense modifier is applied.
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Originally Posted by Alexandrine
