The city of Sunspear was founded twenty years after the Andal Invasion by House Vespera, originally named 'Eventide' in honor of their ancestral keep back in Andalos, which was one of the westernmost keeps and port towns in Andalos, rumored to always have a star that appeared in the evening directly over it. In 580 AI, it was renamed Sunspear after the construction of the Spear and Sun towers by Trystane II Vespera. The city's triple walls were completed by Trystane III Vespera, in 610 AI after a Uller-Zayd coalition managed to evade the army marching on the Zayd capital at Godsgrace and besiege Sunspear. Sunspear is believed to be the largest city in the region of Dorne.
Realm Information
Capital Province : Sunspear, the High Lordship of the Broken Arm
High Lordships : Godsgrace, Ghosthills, Broken Arm, the Great Desert
Vassal Houses
-Sworn to Sunspear
-House Martell of Planky Town, House Dalt of Lemonwood, House Santagar of Spotswood
-Sworn to Godsgrace
-House Zenaga of Scorched Rock, House Vaith of Red Dunes, House Gargalen of Salt Shore
-Sworn to Ghost Hills
-House Jordayne of the Tor, House Wells of the Scourge, House Hawker of Ghaston Grey
-Sworn to Hellholt
-House Qorgyle of Sandstone, House Ladybright of Sandwell, House Ventryn of Great Desert
Upgrades
The Triple Walls : +3 Siege : Sunspear is protected by three great winding walls encircling one another, dating well before the times of the Targaryens. The only way to enter the city is through the Threefold Gate, a trio of gates, one in each of the three walls, that line up with one another, allowing straight access to the city. Not only that, but Sunspear is surrounded by the sea on three sides, meaning it can only be attacked from one direction, giving it excellent natural defenses. +3 to seige defense rolls.
The Spear Tower: -2 Escape Rolls : A huge stone tower, with a spear of gilded steel at its top, the Spear Tower is the tallest building in Sunspear, and the upper floors serve as prisons for any highborn captives. The prisoners are generally well treated, but escape is extremely difficult, as the height of the tower means any attempting to leave must fight their way down the entire tower Tier II Religious Shrine Tier I Dockyard
Tier II Market Square
Tier I Wall Reinforcements *Italics denotes in progress upgrades
Notable People
House Vespera
Queen Lucia Vespera
Age : 30
Titles/Rank : Queen of the Eastern Sands, High Lady of the Broken Arm, Lady of Sunspear, the Evening Star (Petty Queen)
Marital Status : Married
Children : 4
Short Bio : The Queen of the Eastern Sands as the Vespera have called their realm since discovered there is a great desert to the west, Lucia succeeded her father as ruler after his death eleven years ago. Having ruled for a decade with some preparations, she feels it is now time for the Vespera to end the threat of the Ullers once and for all.
Vassals, Retainers, and Court Officials
Ser Trystane Martell, Lord Marshal
Military Information
The Fleet
12 provinces x250 =3,000 Naval points
+ 100 from Dockyard 1
Total : 3,100
Composition :
12 Grand Warships
37 Galleass
70 War Galleys
60 Dromonds
82 Levy Ships
Land Forces
Professional Forces
None Yet
Levies
Standing Forces
Last edited by Xion; February 28, 2014 at 08:53 AM.
A raven arrives at Sunspear with a reply from King Triston accepting the offer of trade. The raven states that the first shipments of Fruit shall arrive in Sunspear in a few weeks time.
A raven from Stonedance arrives at the Maester's tower of the fortress of Sunspear, bringing a message of King Alesander II. with him.
He requests trade with the Sunspear kingdom, offering valuable Perfume in exchange for a prosper friendship.
A large party arrives, weary and dusty from the gruelling trek through the desert. They had left Ashford in two months ago and had crossed through the mountains via the Prince's pass and through the Kingdom of the Red Mountains. After hiring local guides they had made their way to Vaith, and from their down the rivers until they reached the small port at the mouth of the river. Another day of riding took them to within reach of the Capital of House Vespera.
The men of House Blackyron marched under the Star and Hammers of their house. Seventy-five of them had been tasked by Prince Beric to keep the three Blackyron children safe on their journey. At the head of the column rode Brienne Blackyron, the oldest of the three children Prince Beric had sent South. "Send a woman to treat with a woman" her father had said, and made her the head of this little embassy. Even now she did not know if her father had meant it in jest or not, but the power he had given her to make an agreement in his name was very real. Next to her was her two brothers, Bradamar, one year younger and wise in the ways of politics. Much of his task was to observe and report back to their father what he had seen. Between them both rode the youngest son of Prince Beric, Bryan, a young man of sixteen this was the first task his father had entrusted him with. 'And it is a serious one indeed.' Brienne thought.
"In the name of Prince Beric, fourth of his name and my father, I am come to speak with your Queen." She calls to the guardsmen as they near the gates of Sunspear.
Last edited by Ganbarenippon; February 28, 2014 at 07:24 AM.
The party had been noticed outside of Vaith by three men of House Allyrion riding sand steeds, and word was quickly sent to Sunspear detailing the group. By the time the Blackyron party arrived outside the gates of Sunspear, the watch had been informed of their approach and what their sigil was said to look like. Lieutenant Jyk Sand happened to be commanding the threefold gate at the time of their approach. He moves out of the gatehouse and stares down at the party from a parapet of the first wall. "Aye, milady." He turns around. ""Open the gates!"
After riding through the triple gates of Sunspear, the party can see an ornate fountain surrounded by a market square with alleyways leading off to residential and other districts of Sunspear, with the road dividing before them heading towards the palatial complex to the left, and the port to the right. It is about an hour's ride before they arrive at the gates to the palace, where four scale armor-encased soldiers stand watch, and carry out a search of the Blackyron party out of protocol before letting them continue onto the Tower of the Sun with ten of their own guards. After climbing the tower, the three children of the Prince and their diminished escort arrive into a room with marbled floors, a gilded ceiling, and multiple stained glass windows. A large crowd of nobility are present, notably House Uller, House Toland, and House Allyrion. On a raised dias, the Queen sits in her throne, with Lady Toland, Ser Martell, and her brother present as councilors. A herald announces the arrival of House Blackryon's emissaries and once they approach, Lucia faintly smiles. "Welcome to Sunspear, men and lady of House Blackyron."
Brienne curtseys deeply as her brothers bow next to her. "Your Grace. Blessings of the Seven upon you and yours. I am Brienne of House Blackyron, these are my younger brothers, Bradamar, and Bryan." She indicates the two tall, grey-eyed men who just bowed. "My father, Prince Beric, sends his greetings, and warmest congratulations upon your victory in the desert." She looks around the chamber with a smile. "He also instructed me to inform you that he has long admired the warriors of your southern kingdoms, and has no doubt they acquitted themselves masterfully on your campaign." Brienne looks back up the dais to the monarch. "My father sends me to forge an alliance with you, Your Grace. He assures you his territorial ambitions do not lie South of The Red Mountains, and seeks to prove his sincerity by sending this embassy."
Lucia nods. "Thank you, my lady." the Queen then pauses for a moment. "Hm..yes, but just as my own territorial ambitions end north of the Red Mountains, the Mountain passes are the only land routes into my realm and therefore I have an interest in controlling them as well. As for an alliance, does your father seek a full alliance or a defensive one against more...aggressive neighbors?" The rest of the court appears divided in opinion, with Uller appearing against it, along with being reminded of the Queen's armies sweeping his father's host aside like it was made of sand last year. The Toland siblings, Lord Toland in the crowd at the forefront, and his sister, the Queen's Hand, quickly nod at each other, agreeing such an alliance would be beneficial for the realm in the near future at least. Lord Allyrion appears to be of mixed opinions, the same can be said for the Queen, who is weighing her options mentally as the court awaits the emissary's reply.
"My father desires a full alliance, Your Grace. Let your enemies be his and his be yours. He offers full military assistance should you launch any military campaign against the Red Mountains, and a betrothal; my brother Bryan to wed your younger daughter Princess Rhae, once she comes of age." Brienne finishes indicating her younger brother. "Your Grace, the beauty of the women of your House is not overstated I see." Young Bryan says with a courtly bow. "Should you choose to accept my father's proposal I assure you I would account it a great honour to marry your daughter." He says. "Furthermore, if I were to wed your daughter I would offer myself to you as a loyal vassal, that you may keep your daughter within your own family rather than lose her to another."
Lady Toland moves to reply first, after receiving a wave of her hand from the Queen as a sign to do so. "Your father's offer is most generous, my lady. But is it not true your house has had some..disagreements with one of the ruling houses in the Red Mountains?" "My Hand means Yronwood. I must think on the alliance a bit more, but I will agree to the marriage right now."
Brienne nods at Lady Toland's words before beaming at the Princess' reply. "My father will be most pleased, Your Grace this alliance will make our enemies tremble. And indeed there is more to discuss about Yronwood, but that is for the private council of you and your Lady Hand."
Lucia gets up from the throne. "Very well, if you and your brothers would follow me.." she leaves down a side hall, followed by Lady Toland and Ser Martell, the latter waiting for the Blackyrons to guide them to the Queen's solar.
The solar is in a room overlooking the palace courtyard and the rest of the Sunspear, from the port to towers on the triple walls. Ornately decorated with artwork and designs in the walls, with several divans, chairs, and other furniture placed around a central table. A large oak wood desk along with several bookcases behind it is off to a side. Lucia sits down on one of the divans, with Lady Toland deciding on a chair instead. Ser Martell stands behind his Queen. "Oh, I should introduce my Lord Marshal, Ser Trystane Martell." the knight nods to the Blackyrons. "Before we start, is there anything my servants can get for you?"
"Nothing, Your Grace." Brienne replies taking a seat on one of the divans as her brothers seat themselves on chairs. "And well met Ser." She smiles at the warrior.
A plate of various fruits is brought in by a servant, to which the Queen picks a kiwi off of and takes a bite of it before speaking. "So, your house has some form of feud with Yronwood? As that is what I heard rumors of some time ago."
"Sadly, the rumours are true Your Grace." Brienne said with a grimace. "The Yronwoods are distant cousins of ours, as are the Bitteryrons and Yrontrees who are my fathers vassals. Any familial connection was shattered however when the Yronwoods sided with our enemies during my Great-Great-Grandfather's troubles. Ever since then there has been constant raiding and sporadic skirmishes across our borders. If my father is to keep his promise of not coming South then the Yronwoods must be extinguished. One of my father's conditions of the marriage between our houses,and my brothers vassalage to you, is that you grant Bryan lands and title over Yronwood; where he will rule in your name, alongside Princess Rhae, commanding men loyal to Sunspear. This will provide a secure border that we both know will not be violated by our own blood." "The Prince's Pass is much easier to patrol, Your Grace and we have seldom had trouble from the King's ruling there, but we will gladly sent our men South to aid in your battle against the Kingdom." Bradamar says with a smile.
"That is not something that can easily be done, your grace. Completely destroying the House of Yronwood may galvanize their vassals to further resist the subduing of their lands. Besides, do we even have the military capacity.." "Aye, we do. We fielded over ten thousand men against Uller, and now that the Great Desert kneels to Sunspear as well, we have even more than that. But, Lady Toland is right on one thing, eradicating a House could result in heightened resentment along with wasting resources on a hunt should any Yronwoods be not at their castle or on the field of battle during our invasion." Lucia takes another bite from her kiwi. "Both of you are correct..." she focuses her gaze on the Blackyrons. "..I had hoped to try and peacefully annex Yronwood through diplomatic means, but I feel they would likely make a demand their raiding of your father's lands was to be sanctioned by myself, which I would never allow..." she then sighs. "Your father's condition may cause a point of contention either way it is acted upon. If he comes southward, destroying your dynastic rivals himself..there may be conflict between our realms in the future. If a joint force destroys it, there may be strengthened rebellion and discord in the province to come, making the Stoneway a hostile place besides where Ashford or Sunspear forces directly control. If my forces are responsible, it may send a message to the remaining lords of Dorne who still oppose my desire to see all Dorne under my house's banner to resist more stiffly than if I kept Yronwood in position, fearing for their house's destruction."
"You'll forgive me if I say that, as far as my father is concerned the final option you gave is far preferable than the other two!" Bradamar replied with a low chuckle. "Nonetheless Your Grace, you have the right of it. However, if there are no further Lords of Dorne to resist will this be a problem? What if, as a show of faith on our part, we were to launch a campaign against the Kingdom of the Red Mountains before any move against Yronwood? It is often said that nothing unites the Dornish as quickly as the threat of an outsider. If we threatened the existence of their very Kingdom, surely the King at Starfall would come begging your aid in resisting us. I am sure you would know what to do in such a situation, Your Grace." Bradamar shrugs. "We announce that there will be no wedding after all and, my father incensed at the insult is taking his anger out upon the Prince's Pass. You arrive, get a your alliance from Starfall, we "retreat" and fall upon Yronwood with our host. In the meantime, you have a grateful monarch, who has just lost half of his forces, and your army is in the perfect position to enforce Starfall's new-found vassalage. A couple of marriages to reinforce the peace, some hostages and you have your kingdom, Your Grace."
"Of course that would be the case. If the Red Mountains were subjugated by Sunspear prior to any offensives against Yronwood, there would likely be no further risk of heightened rebellion elsewhere as the lords' opinion may be that of Yronwood refusing to accept defeat and fighting to the last." Ravella adds while picking up a kiwi to eat, while Lucia has moved on to her third kiwi. "It is easy to presume that the King of the Red Mountains would seek aid, but on the other chance he may not, feeling his and Fowler's forces are more than capable of holding their castles against any adversary."
Lucia picks up where Ravella left off. "That could work in theory. But should they learn it was all a planned ruse, the implications mentioned earlier may come into effect along with others, such as damaging the reputation of both Kingdoms. Trystane?" The elder knight thinks for several minutes on the matter, causing a awkward silence."Yes, your grace..it could work. But as you said, timing and secrecy would be key for this to work.. I mean no offense to your father, my lords Blackyron, but I feel such an offensive against Yronwood would be best delayed until after the Red Mountains are no longer a threat to either realm. That, and if Lord Yronwood does surrender honorably after being defeated, then it would a stain on my queen's honor to execute the man."
"No offence taken, Ser Trystane." Brienne replies with a smile before shooting a venomous glare at her brother. 'I am supposed to be running the embassy here not you brother.' She sighed, Bradamar was always quick to go with underhanded measures. She could not deny that what he proposed might be effective, if it worked. "Then, for now, let us move against the Red Mountains as one. Any territories my father claims will be immediately handed over to you control as soon as you can spare the men to man them. Even now my father is calling his banners. They were originally intended to march North, but a raven from me can have them turn the other way."
"And as for Yronwood, let us deal with it after the Kingdom of Starfall has been crushed. I assure you, if we invade, perhaps with some of your men wearing my father's colours for support, there is no way the Yronwoods will surrender. They know it is war to the knife between us." Bradamar says with a predatory smile. "Once we have our vengeance, then our forces leave Yronwood and yours enter as liberators under your daughter who, sacrificing herself for the poor people, agrees to marry one of those beastly Blackyrons to spare them from further ravaging.This way you preserve honour whilst binding Dorne to you tightly, and forcing peace upon those 'treacherous Northerners' binding the people still further to your crown. Once you negotiate a peace, the people of Dorne will see you as their ruler, one who protects them; an alliance between us will be forgiven for all of that. You stand on the verge of everything you have ever wished for Your Grace. We can help you obtain it."
"Your father need not stop his northern campaign on our behalf. The banners of House Vespera have also been called, a total of nearly sixteen thousand men. I believe that will be more than suitable for dealing with the Red Mountains." Lucia nods, agreeing with her marshal. "Perhaps for now we should pause any negotiations of an alliance and the marriage for the time being so each realm may focus on their own respective campaign, my lady." Lucia calls for a servant and whispers something to her, and then the servant leaves the room. Trystane bows to his Queen, and leaves as well to begin his trek to Hellholt.
"An interesting proposal, but I would still prefer to attempt dialogue with Yronwood. Then destroy them if they refuse diplomacy and decide to expand their grudge against your realm to my own. I will admit my Hand has a viable suggestion, to delay these negotiations for now." "The son seems to love underhanded measures. Viable at some points, but generally risky. One wrong move on his part and I could be dragged into a war through one of these schemes further north.." Lucia quietly thinks to herself. The servant sent away returns with a black and red suit of armor, which appears to be a hybridization of scale and chain mail armor.
Sunspear, seat of House Vespera
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