HORN HILL -Ancestral seat and keep of House Tarly-
arlys are a family old in honor with rich lands and a strong keep. Marcher Lords, they have waged war against the Dornish for centuries, guarding the Reach southern frontier. Horn Hill is a formidable keep, erected by generations of Tarlys upon a rocky hill, domineering the surrounding landscape, covered in dense woods. The keep has a strong curtain wall, with a fortified gatehouse. Strong towers watch over the Tarly's lands. The residence of the Lord comprises several towers and buildings, product of centuries of rebuilding and restoration, including the large keep, a castle-within-the-castle, surrounded by a dry moat crossed by a draw bridge. The Tarlys' fortress is a powerful, imposing and easily defensible, designed as the main point in the line of defense against Dorne.
Densely wooded: The area around Horn Hill is thick, and can hide an army fairly well. -2 to all scouting rolls in the region for players not in control of the region and +2 to scouting for the Lord or his allies in the region. The woods are also full of game, making it an attractive location to any lords who wish to hunt in it.
-First in battle!-
LORD AND HOUSEHOLD
LORD ALAN “THE QUARRELER” TARLY
Born 84 AC (45)
Titles: Lord of Horn Hill, High Lord of Westmarch, Warden of the South, Master of Laws. Status: Married, to Lady Gwynesse Florent (1) (Born 86 AC, died during childbirth in 212 AC) and Lady Alerie Rowan (2) (second and current wife, born in 87 AC, married in 214 AC) Children: Ser Garlan Tarly (born 203 AC), Selyse Tarly (born 204 AC), Raymund Tarly (205 AC), Olenna Tarly (born 212 AC), Hostella Tarly (born 218 AC), Lia Tarly (born 221 AC), Samwell Tarly (born 228 AC)
RETAINERS
Prime Stallion: The very best horses aren't easy to find and aren't cheap to maintain if they're to stay the best. Making room in your budget to always have the best horse money can buy available is a wise move for any Knight. +1 Joust.
Veteran Swordsman: What better way to stay at the top of your game than to have someone paid to spar with you? A veteran swordsman is a man whose lifetime has been spent with a sword, who knows every move and counter-move, and he can teach them all to you. +1 Duel.
Town Watch: +250 Land Levy Points, 5% cheaper professional troop hire.
Merchant's Square: +10% province income
Tier III:
Trade Hub: Allows owners of the province to gain an additional trade route.
Barracks: +500 Land Levy Points, 10% cheaper professional troop hire.
Tier IV:
TRADE
1. With House Grell. Grain: +1,200 Land Levy
2. With House Florent of Brightwater. Fruits: +600 Land Levy, +1 to any rolls to convince an AI character to do something (Includes calling your vassals to war)
3. Not yet.
4. Not yet.
MILITARY
LEVY
Large Levy – 5,500 Points+600+600+1,200=7,900 (fruits+fruits+grain)
PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS
None, yet.
VASSALS
Middlebury - House Middlebury of Middlebury.Small Levy – 750 Points
Fawn Crag - House Bushy of Fawn Crag.Small Levy – 750 Points
Hunt Hills - House Hunt of Hunt Hills. Small Levy – 750 Points
Sommerset - House Cockshaw of Sommerset. Small Levy – 750 Points
Darkdell - House Vyrwell of Darkdell. Small Levy – 750 Points
Last edited by Oznerol; July 14, 2015 at 03:57 PM.
Lord Tarly,
I have been assigned command of the defense of the Kingsroad. My mission is to defend the Kingsroad and to hold back the men of the Stormlands and the Hightower. I humbly request that you march your host to Tumbleton so that we Reachlords may assemble our forces to fight the traitors. We are currently attempting to bring houses on the Eastern Mander into the folds of the Blacks. March with haste, Lord Tarly, for we will need all the men we can get to halt the advance of Hightower or Baratheon, should they march.
Signed,
Lord Yoren Footly, High Lord of the Upper Mander
[FOOTLY SEAL]
Grooms and stable boys quickly emptied one of the keep's stables for Meleys. Rhaenys was led to the inner courtyard, before the keep itself, where the colossal Lord Tarly was sparring with three men at once, he wore a formidable steel armor, red as blood, and wielded the magnificent sword of his family, Heartsbane, a greatsword that he handled with ease. A swing of the blade and Tarly hits one of his adversaries on the head, almost craking his helmet and throwing him to the dust. He danced around the two remaining swordsmen, who were clearly skilled and equally armored and armed. No blunt edges. Tarly hit and retreated, stopping hits with his sword, as he couldn't wield a shield. After ten minutes of so the steel stopped singing when the third man finally fell to the ground. Squires arrive. One holds Heartsbane (almost as tall as the boy) and a second removes Tarly's helmet, who sits on a stool while his attendants removed his armor. He was sweating profusely.
Tarly looked at the silvery lady waiting for an audience.
"Princess Rhaenys, be welcome to Horn Hill. Your arrival rejoices our hearts"
"Lord Tarly, a pleasure as always," Rhaenys replied with a smile - noting that even at her age she fancied her chances against this colossus. Of course, it would be unseemly for her to do so, but even now she felt the pull of the blade, daring her to fight once again.
"My daughter wrote to me and said you could do with a dragon?" she contiuned, her smile widening.
The servants removed the whole armor, leaving their lord in a gambeson, with mail in several points. A squire hands him a towel. Tarly starts walking towards the keep.
"Princess, the Hightowers can field an enormous army, more so when they count with allies and supporters everywhere in the Reach"
He throws the towel aside once he had dried his sweat.
"I can defeat Lord Hightower in battle and best him in a duel if necessary, but... I cannot take Oldtown without your assistance"
They entered the keep. The great hall was decorated with a myriad antlers and hunting trophies, covering the walls along some fine tapestries and frescoes. The frescoes depicted the Tarlys' feats in the past, every great Lord of Horn Hill was depicted in the higher half of the room, their stern portraits looking the hall below. The roof was wooden but the beams were painted and carved in Dornish style. After all, Tarlys were Marchers, and even if enemies they had some influence from the Dornish, including those aesthetic details. Tarly walks to his carved chair, in a dais, and sits. A servants brings wine and some sweets, lemon cakes included, to both Rhaenys and Tarly.
"I've heard your dragon is a large beast. It's rumored, at least from what I know, that Daeron, the younger son of Alicent is a squire in Oldtown. If he has left the city... that's something beyond my understanding. Possibly he joined his elder brother the Usurper. Maybe he didn't"
She listened to Lord Tarly's words and took a sip of wine before responding, "One prince isn't a concern," she said perhaps almost flippantly. "How many do the Hightowers' have, and how many do you have ready to march?" Rhaenys knew her limitations, she could only make so much difference. Rhaneys had a mouthful of lemon cake before continuing, "Delicious, I must say Lord Tarly," she commented, finishing her mouthful. "I would be reluctant to march on Oldtown before defeating their army in the field, do you know where their forces are?"
Rhaenys nodded, "If they are at your door step then perhaps it is best I stay to aid you in this battle, just be sure to send those cavalry to take out any siege weapons or archers trying to hit Meleys." She raised the cup of wine, erectly thrilled by the prospect of battle, "To victory, Lord Tarly? If we can crush the enemies strength here I feel this war may become a lot easier for us."
Rhaenys nodded, "If they are at your door step then perhaps it is best I stay to aid you in this battle, just be sure to send those cavalry to take out any siege weapons or archers trying to hit Meleys." She raised the cup of wine, erectly thrilled by the prospect of battle, "To victory, Lord Tarly? If we can crush the enemies strength here I feel this war may become a lot easier for us."
"My Princess! Your company would be eagerly welcome in battle! Heartsbane is a fearsome blade, but it's of little use against Meleys brethen. My light horse will gladly take their siege engines and slay their archers. We'll clear the skies for you, Princess"
He raised his cup as well.
"To Victory! If we defeat Hightower the Reach is ours! And the Usurper will have no-where to hide once your in-laws make a quick work of him and his winged pets, to the Queen!"
He drinks half the cup before looking again at the Targaryen. She is as fearless as people said. Baratheon blood runs through her veins, it's evident.
"To the Queen," Rhaenys replied, a small smile forming on her face as she finished off the wine. "Pray excuse me, I shall see you on the field, but I can fly faster than you march and I have one final matter of business to attend too before this fight."
Sevens' speed, mother, may they protect you and preserve you.
I will inform Corlys myself of where you have gone, and the choices you have made on my behalf, he will know all of it.
I would wish you to return to my side rather than to face those evil foes yourself, but I know that this raven is all too late for your battle.
A silver blur floating amongst the clouds drew nearer and nearer as Ser Armand Arryn sped towards Horn Hill. Silverwing let out a high pitched shriek as they approached and descended upon the holdfast on a hill, surrounded by dense woods. Armand's White Cloak fluttered in the breeze as he jumped off Silverwing's back. As soon as he was on the ground the dragon shot into the woods, probably smelling something to hunt.
"I have come for an audience with Lord Tarly." Armand told the guards.
Some of the guards looked almost starved. The battlements showed marks of fire and projectiles impact covered some parts of the curtain wall. A tower had collapsed even and trees had been cut down. Horn Hill was sieged for quite a long time and its effects were evident. It would take some months to recover its former appareance. The half-starved guard warned his captain, well-fed but wounded. He guided Arryn towards the inner recint, where the keep stood inside yet another curtain wall. Horn Hill was a splendid stronghold. In the meanwhile Silverwing was fed with a score of sheeps. Lord Tarly waited Arryn on his great hall, sitting on his carved throne. Tarly's heraldic device hung behind his seat. Lord Alan rose from the throne to greet Ser Armand. Tarly wore scarlet robes, from head to toe. In the hall there were a dozen courtiers, including a young bard with a green beard (a Pentoshi, probably), the castle's maester and some vassals, like Lord Hunt.
"Welcome, Ser Armand, to Horn Hill! I hope you will forgive me, my home hasn't recovered yet from a prolonged siege. However, my hospitality is intact still"
Wine and some meals are brought and offered to Arryn by diligent servants, wearing Tarly's colors.
Armand drank in the scene. It was hard to imagine his old home falling victim to such a sad fate, but these Reach lords were more accessible to degradation it seemed. Armand removed his golden helm and placed it under his arm.
"Scars are something to be borne with pride, Lord Tarly. I am sure the Queen will not forget Horn Hill's sacrifices. In fact, it would seem your family is considered most trusted." Armand accepted some offered ale and moved to take a seat. It would be a casual meeting, he was relieved. "In fact I daresay House Tarly is the most favored of the Reach Lords - so many of the prominent houses sided with the Usurper. I have come with a mission to recruit able men from families such as yours to fill positions on the Queensguard."
Alan Tarly raised a hand to Arryn to see. One finger missing.
"Indeed. Vigilance cut that one, steel, mail and bone. I shall bear this as a show of my honor and my support to her Grace the Queen. And I would have lost my hand if necessary"
He left the dais and took seat next to Arryn, in one of the long tables.
"The Queensguard! We're honored, Arryn. And I have a proper candidate, my second son. Raymund Tarly"
A surprised young man jumped on his feet. He steps forward.
"Me, father?"
"Yes, you"
Said Alan imperiously. Raymund was a nasty lad. Vicious, dangerous and prone to outbursts of violence. He wasn't chivalrous, or fully honorable, but ruthless. A good swordsman. But as excessive as Lord Tarly with drink and food. Also, whispers, if one can trust them, said that he prefered men over women. Certainly, he had rejected every marriage proposal to this date. Alan wished to reap the benefits of supporting the Queen. Even a loyal servant wishes to be rewarded from time to time, and if Raymund was far away... Raymund was lean and lithe, surprisingly only a little above average size (considering his father's tremendous height), with thin and long limbs.
Armand almost laughed, that had been close to his reaction when he found out he was destined to be a Guard. That was nearly two years ago now, gods, a lifetime. Raymund seemed older than him, but a man in good upkeep. He would look more imposing with a white cloak and his armor shined up. Like a cut throat made into an honorable knight maybe, but he would serve the intended purpose. Besides, he wasn't unattractive.
"Raymund Tarly." He said with a glance to Alan. "Would make a fine addition to our ranks. Swelling us from a duo to a trio." He said with a light laugh, taking another swig of ale as his green eyes shot out from under his light brown hair to ascertain Raymund's response. He needed someone who would support him in his bid to become Lord Commander, after all. He needed to be a beacon of leadership.
Horn Hill
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Skylord_Conor21
