Crakehall, seat of the Blackswains

[Poach]

Family

Income: 60,000 (base) + 6,000 (Gold - 10%) + 12,000 (Buildings - 20%) = 78,000 Dragons

Buildings

Tier I: Port, Trade, Religion
Tier II:
Tier III:
Tier IV:

Trade

Home: Gold (10% Income)
Route 1: Fruits from Oldtown (+1 Stability)
Route 2: Perfumes from Duskendale (+2 Stability)
Route 3: Unlocked with Tier III Trade building

Vassals

of Crakehall directly

Fallwell - House Fisher of the Shield Isles, a merchant family by trade, were granted the lands of Fallwell by the previous Lord Blackswain as payment for debt incurred to finance the wars against Crakehall's previous Andal overlords. Greenmonth - House Strongsword of the Shield Isles, raised from a heroic warrior who distinguished himself in the conquest, were raised and installed as a reward for service. Hawthorn - House Redsnap of the Shield Isles, prominent Captains in the Black Fleet, were granted this land when it was conquered.

Provinces subjugated to Crakehall

1. The Shield Islands --- The spiritual homeland of the Blackswains and the Shield Islander culture of seafaring and martial prowess. Ruled by petty Andal Lords sworn to Crakehall, and overseen by the Lord Captain of the Black Fleet, an appointment that confers governorship of the Shield Islands and command of the Black Fleet in the absence of Lord Blackswain himself. 2. Cornfield --- Taken from the local Andal nobility under the rule of Horas' father, the High Lord was slain, his family exiled, and House Crabspear raised and installed instead. The Crabspears, a strong and influential warrior family of the Shield Islands, ensured a cultural Shield Islander House ruled the newest province of the Blackswain domain. 3. Old Oak --- Taken by Janos Blackswain in 1000AI after the previous Andal Lord fell from his horse and crippled himself, leaving a weak and effeminate son to rule in his place. Smelling the weakness, the Blackswains invaded and overran the small army available to Old Oak, seizing the province and installing their own nobility. House Aquan was raised from the Captain of the Cavalry during the battle and installed at Old Oak, previously being powerful freedmen on the Shield Isles and prominent among the few cavalry families in the Shield Islander culture. 4. Goldengrove --- Taken by diplomacy by Rodrik Blackswain in 1000AI, House Rowan were permitted to retain their seat in exchange for fealty and surrendering Lord Rowan's eldest son as a 'Squire' to House Blackswain. The presence of his heir as a hostage ensuring good behaviour, the province was easily integrated under Blackswain domain, adding significant wealth and manpower to the Shield Islander realm.

Armed Forces

Crakehall base (2,000)

750 Light Inf 400 Heavy Inf 250 Polearms 300 Archers 200 Light Cavalry 100 Heavy Cavalry

Crakehall 90% (1,800)

675 Light Inf 380 Heavy Inf 225 Polearms 270 Archers 180 Light Cavalry 90 Heavy Cavalry

Vassals: Goldengrove (3k), Cornfield (2k), Oakenshield, Old Oak (1.5k), Fallwell, Greenfield (1k), Greenmonth, Hawthorne, Lonmont, Greenshield, Southshield, Greyshield, Ivy Hall, Smithyton, Coldmoat, Standfast (500), Cotswold (250)

Crakehall + Vassals 90% (15,800)

5,895 Light Inf 2,845 Heavy Inf 1,985 Polearms 2,475 Archers 1,585 Light Cavalry 1,035 Heavy Cavalry

Naval Assets

Crakehall: 350 points (T1+100) 7x vassal provinces: 1,750 points Total: 2,100 points 8 Grand Warships (200 points) 26 Shield Islands War Galleys (520 points) 55 Heavy Galleys (825 points) 111 Levy Ships (555 points) = 200 ships

[Lucius Malfoy]

A raven flies carrying a letter from the North. The crow's head tilts slightly and then it caws, indicating it had a message. From further examination, the crest of the Greyiron family was upon the letter's lips.

To the mighty Lord Admiral of the Shield Islands and my father-in-law,

My Lord Blackswain, I write to you on behalf of my elder brother, Lucimore Greyiron. The Ironborn seek to divide the Islands among bickering and possibly warring factions against my brother's birthright. The Greyirons have ruled the Iron Islands for thousands of years, long before your Andal blood came to these lands. It is the right of the Greyirons to rule, not these greedy vassals. They seek to break that grip upon their homes and my brother, the one who is called the Sea Dragon King, will see the Driftwood Crown placed upon his head before his defeated enemies. In exchange for your promise to send reinforcements in the imminent struggle to come in order to aid His Grace, the Sea Dragon King and rightful heir to the Seastone Chair, my brother, Lucimore Greyiron, offers to you a trade route to the Iron Islands and mutual assurance that we will aid you in your time of need. Please write to me as soon as possible.

May the Seas bless you with everlasting riches.

Signed,
Your son-in-law, Victarion Greyiron

[Wheatley]

To the Blackswain of Crakehall,

Gold is always welcome to the Andals of the east. Our oils will reach Crakehall in time.

Gods give you blessings in your wars to come,
- Hyle Valdun, third of his name, King of Duskendale, Guardian of Quiet Isle

[Poach]

The messengers rode forth, summoning the family for council. It took only a few days for them to gather: Janos from oppressing the peasants in Cornfield and Ramsay from Oakenshield joined Horas and Rodrik at Crakehall.

Sitting around a table late at night, fire roaring in the background, casting long shadows across the room. Horas spoke first, as head of the household and initiator of the council. He tossed a parchment onto the table.

"The Iron Isles descend to civil war," he said bluntly, reclining in his chair as if showing little interest, "Disloyal vassals rise to contend the succession of Lucimore. I summon you all for council. Speak your council."

"I am preparing to take my forces into Old Oak, the weaklings there are ripe for the conquest: their Lord is old and weak, the heir cowardly and, I hear, fond of male company. I cannot turn back." said Janos loudly, leaning forwards, "We stand to expand our own lands within weeks, father."

"The Iron Islands are islands," said Ramsay, stating the obvious, but moving to his point, "Release me with the Black Fleet, brother, and with it I can ensure the Greyiron succession by overwhelming the enemy navies alongside Lucimore's own forces."

"The fate of our own House may be tied to the Greyirons," offered Rodrik, "it would be wise -"

"Spare is your bookish wisdoms, Rodrik." interjected Ramsay loudly and condescendingly, "We must -"

"Your turn has been had, Ramsay." said Horas quietly, though with the immediate silencing of Ramsay, "Speak, Rodrik."

With a nod of appreciation, Rodrik continued, "If the Greyirons fall our association with them through marriage puts our own safety at risk. We can ill-afford a war with a united Iron Islands under a hostile king. Our interests are vested in the Greyirons, or we must see the assassination of my sister to end those ties."

After a moment of silence, Horas raised a goblet and drank from it, placing it down gently and standing, "Take the Black Fleet, Ramsay. Janos, seize Old Oak. I have spoken, go."

He turned and left the hall, leaving the others in silence. Some small talk followed, with Ramsay insulting Rodrik, Rodrik quipping something cutting and intelligent, and Janos relishing the conquest ahead. The trio quickly disbanded to their respective duties, each of the warlike Blackswains looking forward to their chance at glory in battle, with Rodrik left to take care of the practical implementation.