The Gates of the Moon

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Gates of the Moon



The Gates of the Moon was originally built by House Arryn when they were still Kings of Mountain and Vale, before Aegon's Conquest. It is used by House Arryn as their seat during winter, and when summer comes they return to the Eyrie. The Gates of the Moon is a stout castle with a moat, a gatehouse, a yard, and square towers. It is larger than the Eyrie. At night torches flicker at its ramparts and the moon is reflected in its moat. Beyond its postern gate is a dense forest of pine and spruce, as well as the steep, carved steps along the Giant's Lance.


Titles
High Steward of the Vale and Keeper of the Gates

Custodian
Ser Virgil Arryn
Traits: Duels +2, Survival +2, Logistician +1
The third child and second son of Lucian Arryn

Wife: Lyanna Stark
Children
Jon Arryn (1)

Gates of the Moon Account

Year 1: 40,000 (MUST BE SPENT ON UPGRADES) Year 2: 40,000 (MUST BE SPENT ON UPGRADES) Year 3: 40,000 (MUST BE SPENT ON UPGRADES) Year 4: 40,000 (MUST BE SPENT ON UPGRADES) Total: 160,000 -100,000 (Upgrades) -24,000 ------ 56,000 in the war chest for upgrades ------- Year 5: NOW TENURED (40,000+character bonuses including trade, money may now be spent on anything STARTING with this account) STARTING Treasury: 56,000 Land Income: 40,000 Trade: Moat Cailin (+5% Income, +1 to any rolls to convince an AI character to do something (Includes calling your vassals to war) +10,000 dragons EDICT: Merchant Tax (+20,000) Other: 12,000 (trade) Upgrades: +4,000 EXPENSES: buildings - 108,000 Net Income: 24,000 ----------- Year 6 STARTING Treasury: 24,000 Land Income: 40,000 Trade: Moat Cailin (+5% Income, +1 to any rolls to convince an AI character to do something (Includes calling your vassals to war) +10,000 dragons EDICT: Merchant Tax (+20,000) Other: 12,000 (trade) Upgrades: +8,000 EXPENSES: buildings -80,000 Net Income: 114,000 ---------------------- Year 7 STARTING Treasury: 34,000 Land Income: 40,000 Trade: Moat Cailin (+5% Income, +1 to any rolls to convince an AI character to do something (Includes calling your vassals to war) +10,000 dragons EDICT: Merchant Tax (+20,000) Other: 12,000 (trade) Upgrades: +8,000 EXPENSES: 54,000 buildings Net Income: 40,250

Upgrades

Tier I Keep Expansions: +25% castle garrison size permitted Militia Armoury: +250 Land Levy Points Market Square: +10% income Wall Reinforcements: +1 Siege Defence rolls Mounted Light Ballistae: Increases dragon death chances by +1, in siege battles, increases defender archery rolls by +1 City Watch Quarters: 400 Light Infantry permanently stationed in your home territory. Cannot be moved elsewhere. Tier 2 Keep Expansions: +50% castle garrison size permitted Town Watch: +250 Land Levy Points, 5% cheaper professional troop hire. Merchant's Square: +10% province income Citadel Towers: +1 Siege Defence rolls Mounted Medium Ballistae: Increases dragon death chances by +2, in siege battles, increases defender archery rolls by +2 City Watch Barracks: 200 Archers permanently stationed in your home territory. Cannot be moved elsewhere. Tier 3 Keep Expansions: +100% castle garrison size permitted.

Garrison and Levy

Small Levy - 1500 points Levy Composition 100 Heavy Cavalry 225 Heavy Infantry 450 archers 150 Light Cavalry 150 Light Infantry Garrison 50 Heavy Infantry (100 points) 100 Light Infantry (100 points) 50 Polearm Infantry (75 points) 60 Archers (60 points) Total: 260 men

Regional Bonus

This fortress protects the one entrance into the Eyrie itself. A formidable keep in its own right, the fortress provides a +2 siege bonus.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Ser Virgil Arryn takes up occupation of his seat, however temporarily.

[Pericles of Athens]

A raven arrives from the newly unruined Moat Cailin offering northern furs and quite skins from the Neck in exchange for stone.

[Pontifex Maximus]

A message is sent in return indicating that such a deal is struck

ooc: Couldn't find your home thread?

[Pontifex Maximus]

The long journey south had been a difficult affair. The Neck was swampier than ever, causing them to detour several different times. The journey had taken longer than Virgil had anticipated in truth, though he would not show any weakness in the presence of his potential bride. They had spent the nights in separate tents, and Lyanna had the option of riding in a carriage if she so chose.

Not they were entering th efinal stages of their journey. The flat lands, springs, and merry fields of the Riverlands began to give way to rockier terrain. The springs ascended into clear falls, trickling down crumbling stone walls. Now, finally, the springs had taken to vertical heights completely. Mists now denoted falls, the air grew colder, and the air about them seemed colder, closer, damper. "We are nearing the ancient portal to the Vale." Virgil said to Lyanna "It was built ages ago by my forebears to defend the only natural entract to the Vale of Arryn for miles around. No army has ever breached it, though plenty have died in the attempt. When the First Men walked the earth freely it is said that the Children of the Forest lurked deep within the ancient forests of the Vale, caring for the last weirwoods our land contained. Some still remain, and the Old Gods are still honored here."

[Pericles of Athens]

Lyanna had chosen to ride, she was a lady but she was also a woman of the North. She'd insisted on stopping by her brother Ned's seat at Moat Cailin, the place he and his wife Baela now called home. There's no need to ply me with sweet fantasies, Virgil. Every Northerner knows what became of the weirwoods beyond the Neck. Hacked, slashed burned.. forgotten and defiled. My people lost these lands long ago, and the children left even before that. She spoke softly her grey eyes studying the terrain as they plodded along, it reminded her of the mountains her mother's kinsmen called home.. she wondered if there were clansmen here as well. They're home to your people and your gods now. The lazy curls of her mahogany colored hair rolled gently in the chilly breeze. That's what we've come to see.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Virgil nodded slowly. "We respect tradition. The Eyrie contains a Godswood, though no Weirwood tree graces it." It was something Virgil wished he could change. The traditions of the First Men were beautiful. "None would take root in the poor soil." He commented. He hoped that Lyanna was unaware that the throne at the Eyrie and the Moon Door was carved from weirwood. "The ancestors of the First Men live among the Mountains of the Moon now, an accursed people - fearsome and barbaric. They live in the ruins of Darkmoor now." He was referring, of course, to the mountain clans. "Do not fear. They will not bother us under such a heavy guard."

They now entered a canyon that seemed to narrow the further along they traveled. "We are close now." Virgil said. He drew his horse alongside Lyanna's. He placed his hand on her shoulder gently. "Behold, the gate." Through the mists, two extremely tall towers loomed, round and foreboding. The gate materialized in front of them as well. Cast Iron and heavy. Virgil drew her attnention to the canyon walls, where guards became visible through the mist. "The canyon provides natural defences." He whispered. The air was close, even at a whisper, Virgil's words echoed softly off the canyon walls. "Look how the valley narrows until only three men may walk abreast..."

[Pericles of Athens]

A godswood without a Weirwood is like a man without a heartbeat. The thought of the First Men of the south being forced to take up residence about a ruin made her frown a slight, though she thanked the gods the fate of the North had been diffrent. Are they anything like the Mountain Clansmen in the North? She questioned, even though she knew he likely knew as much about the North's Clansmen as she did about those in the Vale.

The gradual narrowing of the canyon forced the two to ride closer and closer together, Lyanna didn't mind perhaps it would give the man a chance to be romantic. Lyanna's eyes were drawn to the gate of cast iron and then the guards utop the canyon. She hadn't expected the Bloody Gate to be upon them so quickly, Moat Cailin served a similar purpose but could be seen two miles down the causeway from either direction. She looked to Virgil with a slight smile. No need for you Valesmen to fear intruders taking you by surprise at the least. Her harmonic voice echoing off the canon walls and back down the way they'd come. Is this the only way into the Vale by land?

[Pontifex Maximus]

A godswood without a Weirwood is like a man without a heartbeat

"You know best, my lady." He said with deference. "I worship the Seven, they are my gods. Though I see no reason why the Old Gods cannot also be mine..." This was no time to muse about the intricacies of theology, however..."Should you decide to become my wife, I make this pledge: I shall do all within my power to allow a Weirwood to take root in the gardens of the Gates of the Moon, if the Old Gods see fit to allow it. If they do, then I will worship and do homage alongside you."

The thought of the First Men of the south being forced to take up residence about a ruin made her frown a slight, though she thanked the gods the fate of the North had been diffrent. Are they anything like the Mountain Clansmen in the North? She questioned, even though she knew he likely knew as much about the North's Clansmen as she did about those in the Vale.

"For the sake of your Lord brother and his leal subjects, I hope not." He replied, with a hint of disgust in his voice. "They know nothing even of their own legacy. They are little better than common brigands, scraping a living off the ricks and poor travelers they waylay on the lonely highland trails." He shook his head. "As of late they have become emboldened. Every concession we have offered has been refused, and they take these negotiations as a sign of weakness. The reality could not be farther from the truth. We have the strength to crush them underfoot, but we delay. We hesitate. Destroying them would bear the moral equivalency of killing the dog that begs for the scraps from the table." He gestured t the higher peaks. "Even now they may be viewing us from afar, gauging our strength, determining whether or not we are worth descending upon to raid. Rest assured if they do, they will have to bleed me dry before they reach you, as they wll with the rest of my men." he said aloud, as each man in the party clapped a spead against a shield. These Knights of the Gates of the Moon were amongst the most fearsome and regulated of the Vale. Their loyalty to House Arryn unquestioned. Grimly they rode in their saddles, prepared for anything.

The he narrowing of the canyon forced the two to ride closer and closer together. Lyanna's eyes were drawn to the gate of cast iron and then the guards utop the canyon. She hadn't expected the Bloody Gate to be upon them so quickly, Moat Cailin served a similar purpose but could be seen two miles down the causeway from either direction. She looked to Virgil with a slight smile. No need for you Valesmen to fear intruders taking you by surprise at the least. Her harmonic voice echoing off the canon walls and back down the way they'd come. Is this the only way into the Vale by land?

Virgil smiled, pleased that Lyanna had taken an interest. "There is one other way, to the north, through thin mountain passes not traveled for centuries. If the roads still exist, one may walk abreast along high mountain passes to reach even the first Holdfast of the Vale. Those that traverse the mountain pass successfully and unopposed will find themselves within the Snakewood - a labyrinth of scrub trees and thorns...a truly unpleasant and desolate place." Virgil resisted the urge to touch Lyanna in some way, whether it was to hold her hand or thrust her into his own saddle, she was a pleasant woman in her own respect, but he would show her deference at this juncture. "Of course, more opportunities exist for those entering by the sea, but the ocean surrounding us is treacherous and patrolled by men with salt in their veins, rivaled only by those of the Iron Islands - they are best described as pirates who have pledged fealty to my House. They sailed south to Oldtown and engaged in the blockade of that city. The Paps, Sisters, and Crab Shore - all of them are equally as fearsome. They boast a sizable fleet capable of defending our shores." He gave a light laugh. "Surely you are aware of the history of House Arryn and the Winter Kings of the North. We battled quite ferociously against one another decades ago.

[Pericles of Athens]

"You know best, my lady." He said with deference. "I worship the Seven, they are my gods. Though I see no reason why the Old Gods cannot also be mine..." This was no time to muse about the intricacies of theology, however..."Should you decide to become my wife, I make this pledge: I shall do all within my power to allow a Weirwood to take root in the gardens of the Gates of the Moon, if the Old Gods see fit to allow it. If they do, then I will worship and do homage alongside you."

It wouldn't have a face. She couldn't help but think.. but it was a kind gesture. And it made a slight blush grace Lyanna's otherwise pale cheeks, she diverted her eyes from Virgil and continued riding.

"For the sake of your Lord brother and his leal subjects, I hope not." He replied, with a hint of disgust in his voice. "They know nothing even of their own legacy. They are little better than common brigands, scraping a living off the ricks and poor travelers they waylay on the lonely highland trails." He shook his head. "As of late they have become emboldened. Every concession we have offered has been refused, and they take these negotiations as a sign of weakness. The reality could not be farther from the truth. We have the strength to crush them underfoot, but we delay. We hesitate. Destroying them would bear the moral equivalency of killing the dog that begs for the scraps from the table." He gestured t the higher peaks. "Even now they may be viewing us from afar, gauging our strength, determining whether or not we are worth descending upon to raid. Rest assured if they do, they will have to bleed me dry before they reach you, as they wll with the rest of my men." he said aloud, as each man in the party clapped a spead against a shield. These Knights of the Gates of the Moon were amongst the most fearsome and regulated of the Vale. Their loyalty to House Arryn unquestioned. Grimly they rode in their saddles, prepared for anything.

In that case I suppose we are all lucky they are different, after all my mother was a Clanswoman. He seemed to hate these Clansmen, perhaps this rift was something she could fix in this place. A plant can never produce flowers in broken soil bereft of light and love, but if it is given the right conditions even the ugliest of plants might provide the most beautiful of blooms. She eyed the surrounding terrain, rough and hostile. Could they really be watching now.. Let us hope for all our sakes that I doesn't come to such, it would be a shame for my first trip south to end in such a manner. She smiled at her guide.

Virgil smiled, pleased that Lyanna had taken an interest. "There is one other way, to the north, through thin mountain passes not traveled for centuries. If the roads still exist, one may walk abreast along high mountain passes to reach even the first Holdfast of the Vale. Those that traverse the mountain pass successfully and unopposed will find themselves within the Snakewood - a labyrinth of scrub trees and thorns...a truly unpleasant and desolate place." Virgil resisted the urge to touch Lyanna in some way, whether it was to hold her hand or thrust her into his own saddle, she was a pleasant woman in her own respect, but he would show her deference at this juncture. "Of course, more opportunities exist for those entering by the sea, but the ocean surrounding us is treacherous and patrolled by men with salt in their veins, rivaled only by those of the Iron Islands - they are best described as pirates who have pledged fealty to my House. They sailed south to Oldtown and engaged in the blockade of that city. The Paps, Sisters, and Crab Shore - all of them are equally as fearsome. They boast a sizable fleet capable of defending our shores." He gave a light laugh. "Surely you are aware of the history of House Arryn and the Winter Kings of the North. We battled quite ferociously against one another decades ago.

Who could forget the Sistermen. I take it you don't allow them to run slaves anymore? She questioned jokingly, slavery had been long outlawed in Westeros but the Sistermen had once been famous for it. Yes, the . North never forgets. She commented. The War Across the Water. A thousand years of conflict over three large rocks sitting in the sea. Arryns burnt the old Wolf's Den, Starks burnt your Gulltown.. thank the Old Gods my ancestors realized the Sisters weren't worth the trouble. They plodded along as the Stark girl ran her elegant fingers through her shaggy horse's mane, the horse shacking its head in approval. War is a bloody thing and futile, I much prefer peace. Its easier to live and love when the Kingdoms aren't throwing young men at one another. She smiled thinking back to the day when the men had returned from the south. As they continued she looked over at Virgil grey eyes studying her traveling companion and would be husband, what was going on in that head of his.

[Pontifex Maximus]

In that case I suppose we are all lucky they are different, after all my mother was a Clanswoman. He seemed to hate these Clansmen, perhaps this rift was something she could fix in this place. A plant can never produce flowers in broken soil bereft of light and love, but if it is given the right conditions even the ugliest of plants might provide the most beautiful of blooms. She eyed the surrounding terrain, rough and hostile. Could they really be watching now.. Let us hope for all our sakes that I doesn't come to such, it would be a shame for my first trip south to end in such a manner. She smiled at her guide.

"They would have grown bold indeed to make the attempt. They know my banner. Theirs is a delicate balancing act - become too brazen and we will take the risks to force them into the open and fight. They stand no chance at pitched battle. We tolerate them as long as their crimes are beneath a certain threshold." He knew they were watching, they were almost always watching.

Who could forget the Sistermen. I take it you don't allow them to run slaves anymore?

She questioned jokingly, slavery had been long outlawed in Westeros but the Sistermen had once been famous for it. Yes, the . North never forgets. She commented. The War Across the Water. A thousand years of conflict over three large rocks sitting in the sea. Arryns burnt the old Wolf's Den, Starks burnt your Gulltown.. thank the Old Gods my ancestors realized the Sisters weren't worth the trouble. They plodded along as the Stark girl ran her elegant fingers through her shaggy horse's mane, the horse shacking its head in approval. War is a bloody thing and futile, I much prefer peace. Its easier to live and love when the Kingdoms aren't throwing young men at one another. She smiled thinking back to the day when the men had returned from the south. As they continued she looked over at Virgil grey eyes studying her traveling companion and would be husband, what was going on in that head of his.

"War is sometimes fought for necessary reasons, but it is ultimately destructive even for the victor." He responded. "The Sisters are a rather pointless bit of land." He added.

The terrain was growing steeper now, rockier. They finally came upon the gate. where Robar Royce sat atop the wall. He called out the traditional challenge given to all who would pass through it, regardless of surname. "Who would pass the Bloody Gate?" Bows bent slightly, the guards were ever vigilant.

"Virgil Arryn!" Virgil responded, gesturing to the sigils of House Arryn and Stark above them "And Lyanna of House Stark!" The gates began to creak, the arrows returned to their holders by the braziers. They passed beneath the gate with little trouble, the road continuing to narrow. "Soon we must continue on foot." Virgil noted.

[Pericles of Athens]

Lyanna glanced quickly down at her gown and shoes as Virgil informed her of the predicament, these were her favorites. A shame. She looked back up toward the twisting canyons before them. Well.. no one ever said travel was easy. She sped up ahead in hopes of finding the canyon's end.

[Pontifex Maximus]

A rocky path no wider than two meters wide ascended into the mountain. Delicate purple and blue flowers demarcated the trails outer boundaries - the wildflowers that grow during summer. Their beauty had already begin to fade with the approach of winter. Virgil dismounted and offered his hand to Lyanna. "The Eyrie will not be habitable for long. With the approach of Winter we will move to my seat, the Gates of the Moon. We will pass through it before we ascend to the Eyrie where we will take rest for a day or two before returning to my seat." He gestured back along the road, they had come several miles from the Bloody Gate. The vista, miraculously clear of fog or clouds, revealed the defensive advantage of the Vale. The canyons and mountains funneled the road into a narrow gap at the Bloody Gate and then widened slightly s the road one again became wider. Now, on the final approach to the mountains, it grew narrow again. "In the lofty heights of the mountains of the Moon, the wind and moisture chill the Eyrie to a dangerous level. We do not have the benefit of hot springs."

[Pericles of Athens]

Your home seems as dangerous as it is beatiful.. Though all things of true beauty tend to be both. She took his hand with grace and dismounted, picking one of the less faded blooms from the patch of wild flowers. We Northmen have grown accustom to the cold, though the hot springs Winterfell was founded on certainly have helped. She remarked putting the flower behind her ear. As my house's words say, winter is coming. She felt the cold air against her soft flesh, winter is coming soon. Tell me Ser Virgil, do you get much snow in the Vale? She questioned as they contuinued their assent on foot. Back home snow piles twenty feet deep in a long winter.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Your home seems as dangerous as it is beatiful.. Though all things of true beauty tend to be both. She took his hand with grace and dismounted, picking one of the less faded blooms from the patch of wild flowers. We Northmen have grown accustom to the cold, though the hot springs Winterfell was founded on certainly have helped. She remarked putting the flower behind her ear. As my house's words say, winter is coming. She felt the cold air against her soft flesh, winter is coming soon. Tell me Ser Virgil, do you get much snow in the Vale? She questioned as they contuinued their assent on foot. Back home snow piles twenty feet deep in a long winter.

The Gates of the Moon loomed ahead. It was simply a castle situated directly in the path that led onwards towards the Eyrie. Canyon walls flanked both sides, sheer and dark. Arryn banners fluttered in the breeze as horns sounded announcing their arrival. "Plenty of snow, but it rarely sticks - it tumbles down the sides of the mountains and melts. Drifts of it will be cleared from the battlements in time, however." On the battlements, the tops of helmets could be seen walking back and forth. "My family's winter seat, the Gates of the Moon." Virgil said lazily. "Provided that an army survives the Bloody Gate, they will find themselves here."

[Pericles of Athens]

Lyanna nodded, it seemed the Vale didn't have Keeps as awe intricate as Winterfell or daunting as Moat Cailin.. But they certainly had a lot of them. Quite the keep your father has entrusted you with, Virgil. She said eyeing the battlements and the guards atop it. So will you take me into your castle, Ser? She questioned coyly, pulling her furs tight against her womanly form for warmth.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The thick iron gate was being opened from within as the portcullis was slowly raised. "Of course my lady." Virgil smiled. They passed through the gate into the courtyard of the keep. On the opposite wall, lower and much less defended, a smaller gate would allow access along the path. Several staircases ended in the courtyard, some leading straight into the rock of the canyon around them. "Time for something to eat, I think. Right this way." He gestured to a side passage that led up a narrow staircase to a hallway. Once inside it opened up until the pair stood in a vaulted solar with a dome shaped roof carved into the living rock. Windows overlooked the path they had taken to the castle, an impressive view over the lower mountains and hills. The sun was setting behind them, painting the landscape in crimson hues.

[Pericles of Athens]

Oh yes, I'm famished. I feel like we haven't had a decent meal since Moat Cailin. She looked out over the land, she always liked this time of day. Lyanna enthusiastically grabbed Vigirl's arm. Oh, how beautiful! I just love sunsets, don't you Virgil? She glanced at the Arryn for a moment with her big grey eyes.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Virgil smiled wide, something he rarely did, as he poured two glasses of wine. He wanted to believe that Lyanna was warming up to him. "Yes it is lovely." He replied. "I often like to read during this time of the day, and take dinner later. Mornings are for training in the yard, of course." Some platters were brought out containing nuts, small fish, and green vegetables. Little bread was served, and that which was served was brown and coarse. Virgil rarely ever indulged himself in sweets or pastry, they made a man soft. "I hope that you have been pleased by the things I have shown you, and that the Vale no longer seems like such a foreign place."

[Pericles of Athens]

Lyanna nibbled on the green vegetables. Its not so different from home, stunning views and chilled crisp air. She said to him after a moment of thought, smiling. But it isn't so bad down here, I suppose the people are what's most different.. and the food. She said taking a bite of fish. I don't suppose there are sweets anywhere in the Vale? She questioned.