Heart's Home, seat of House Corbray

[Adamat]

Situated on one of the numerous mountains of the moon, Heart's Home commands the hilltops and countryside near it.

House Corbray

House Corbray of Heart's Home Faith never Forlorn Lord Garrett Corbray Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Ser Garrett is the eldest of Lord Ronnel's legitimate children, and a fierce rival to his halfbrother Tygard. As children they used to fight at swords, but as the two grew older, it became apparent that Tygard would be groomed for battle and command whereas Garrett was educated in the field of rulership. Showing an affinity for diplomacy, Ser Garrett largely abandoned the military aspects of ruling. As a succession conflict is brewing, Garrett stands ready to defend his rightful claim. Age: 34 Skills: +3 Charisma +2 Capture +2 Assassin +1 Duels Ser Tygard Stone Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Eldest of Ronnel's sons, Tygard's mother was a young lady of minor nobility. As the then Ser Ronnel was at the time betrothed to another lady of a more fitting station, Tygard was born a bastard. Yet he feels like he is th true heir to Heart's Home, and has the skills to back up his claim. With the death of his father drawing ever closer, Tygard's scheming is nearing its culmination. Age: 36 Skills: +3 duels +3 field battles +3 capture Ser Ilyn Corbray Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Ser Ilyn, second legitimate son of Lord Ronnel, is the wildcard of the three sons of Corbray. His skill in battle and bedroom both are legendary, at least in his opinion, but the relationship with his older brothers is one of such respect that Ilyn would not dream of holding Heart's Home in his own name. Being an apt commander and charismatic leader, his allegiance may be pivotal to the success of either brother. Age: 32 Skills: +2 Field Battles +2 Duels +2 Joust +2 Charisma Lady Ilsa Corbray (Permanently in King's Landing as Lady Commander of the Goldcloaks Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Lady in name but not in behavior, lady Ilsa is a warrior princess of sorts. Her family name has always forced her to uphold the appearance of being a properly educated lady, but as trouble is abrew at Heart's Home, Ilsa has begun training her skill at arms more and more. Age: 29 Skills: +3 Duels +2 Charisma +2 Scout Lady-in-waiting Catelyn Corbray Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The young Catelyn is the last of Ronnel's offspring, but also the brightest according to some. Fit to live the noblewoman's life, she has been recognised as a good bride for many a Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Yet, the right one has not yet appeared according to Lord Ronnel. Age: 22 Skills: +3 Charisma +2 Capture +1 Assassin Graveyard Lord Ronnel Corbray of Heart's Home, Deceased 261 AL, aged 64 Lord Ronnel Corbray, Lord of Heart's Home Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  After years of loyal service to the Arryns of Heart's Home, the content lord Ronnel feels the life flow out of him day by day. He knows the end is near, but also knows that he has always ruled with compassion, and will die loved by his family and vassals. Yet, he fears for the future of Heart's Home in the last of his days. His illegitimate son Tygard, more ambitious than he ever was, has so far kept himself in line, but there's no telling what will happen after the death of the just Lord Ronnel. Together with reports of another Blackfyre pursuing his claim to the Seven Kingdoms, Lord Ronnel will not die with his mind at ease. Age: 64 Skills: +3 Wealth +3 Field Battles +3 Charisma +3 Scout

The Holdfast

Buildings Militia Armoury: +250 Militia Points Market Square: +10% income Under construction - Edicts Militias. 10,000 Dragons, +1,000 militia points Military Infrastructure. 10,000 Dragons, +1,000 militia points Armory Folded Steel Greatsword, +6 duels (Tygard Stone)

Garrison and Levy

Garrison 50 Heavy Infantry (100 points) 100 Light Infantry (100 points) 50 Polearm Infantry (75 points) 60 Archers (60 points) Total: 260 men Levy 1,500 points: 1,125 LI 375 AS Militias 2,250 points: 500 HC 375 HI

[Adamat]

Lord Ronnel had sent his three sons to the Eyrie after hearing of the battle at the Stepstones. As he sat in his solar, thinking about the future of his House and his sons, he drowned himself in wine. His frail body was no longer what it had once been, and he knew he was merely clinging to life still. His daughters did not concern him too much: They had never been much trouble. Ilsa was happy if she got to trade blows with a guardsman every now and then and would behave like a proper lady in any other case, and Catelyn was all a noble Lord could have hoped for in a daughter. His sons, however... A succession crisis was abrew, and Ronnel was loathe to decide it himself. He could not bear electing one son over the other, although he knew in his heart that his selfishness would cause Heart's Home to bleed.

While the old Lord was contemplating his last days, Ilsa had other plans. She'd heard of the grand battle of the Stepstones, and knew this conflict was far from over. Whether her father liked it or not, she'd make sure to be a part of it. She had procured a leather jerkin from the master-at-arms, along with an oaken shield and a half helm. She'd made her servant ready her favourite horse, a white mare with spots all over her back. As she looked at the halfhelm, she knew this was the time. With her brothers not at the castle and her father in no state to give many orders, she knew she could disappear before anyone would notice. And now for the grand piece, she thought to herself as she snuck through the halls, making her way to the vault. It was nearly depleted after the steward had spent most of the year's income on building up a mercenary force, but on a pedestal was what she needed. Lady Forlorn, the heirloom of her father. According to the customs it belonged to one of her brothers, but it was called Lady for a reason. It was meant to be held by a maiden at arms. Swinging the scabbard over a shoulder, she closed the vault softly and made her way to the stables. To her freedom, to battle.

[Alexandrine]

Riders of house Wickenden, displaying the banner of their house, three white candles with red flames. It is heading towards Heart's Home one of the Castle's of the Vale. The white towers doom up from afar. A magnificent castle of an ancient family.

[Adamat]

The Wickenden soldiers are allowed to pass the gates of the castle, and are received by Ser Garrett Corbray, the heir of the castle. "It is my pleasure to entertain your visit here," Garrett spoke, "but in dire times like these I am sure there is a reason that you've come."

[Alexandrine]

Ser Mathos was heading the party. "Naturally," he spoke. "I was in the neighbourhood for the Eyrie.. I was wondering what you and your lord father have in mind over Blackfyre's coming and the conflict it brought.."

[Adamat]

Garrett gestured to the guardsmen in the room, clearing them out. "We will follow our liege lord, whatever his decision may be," he assured the Wickenden knight. "But, personally, I do think taking the way of the sword in this conflict is a wrong decision, one for which the Vale will pay in time."

[Alexandrine]

Mathos was intrigued. "The way of war not the way to go? It is not our honour of knights to protect king and real - which ever one it is? True it is that a wrong decision could end very bad for us all. But what would you have us done, do nothing at all?"

[Adamat]

The Corbray rose from his seat, spreading his arms around him. "Look at where we are, Ser," he spoke, as he made his way to one of the windows of the hall. "We have strong, easily defendable castles with full granaries." He had reached the window now, and put his hands behind his back as he looked outside. A falcon flew by. "We are surrounded by mountains, impassable by any host but a true dragon. We have hardened men, trained to fight in these lands, rather than the knights and mercenaries of either king, who fight most of their battles on the flat fields of the jousting lists and the farmlands. It is madness to willingly give up this position." His voice rose in volume as Garrett spoke those last words. Then, he turned around again, facing the knight. "Alas, we have vowed to follow Arryn's command."

[Alexandrine]

Mathos did what him was told. He looked with the other young man outside. To the beautiful landscape they called home. It was all true, every child in the Vale knew that. "Aye, we have." Mathos nodded. "The real dragons are long gone now. Wonder who will fly upon the Eyrie this time to conquer us. After eagles and dragons.. If it will come this far. Perhaps if we leave the treasure of the Vale to be snatched away."

[Adamat]

Garrett smirked. "If it were not for children's tales come true, the Vale would still have been held by the First Men. On one hand, a reassuring thought that a miracle needs to happen in order to conquer our homeland. On the other, quite concerning that it has happened twice already." The soon-to-be Lord sat down again. "Now you know my stance on the war," he said, "but I am just one man. My brothers seemed to be quite eager to take the fight to the Dragons." Then, he frowned. "What will Wickenden do?"

[Alexandrine]

"Your brother? Which one?" he knew he had two, a baseborn and true. A real scandal. "Wickenden is full of ambition. There is still this little stain of not being lords." He said simply. "So we are likely keen to find favour."

[Adamat]

"I sent both off to fight. I was educated to run a castle, they were educated to stick the pointy ends of swords in people," he replied with a bit of a smile. "If this campaign proves your House's mettle," he considered, "There is a good chance that our Lord Arryn shall grant your House a boon."


--------------------

The castle was in a slight uproar. Two of the three sons of Lord Ronnel were out on campaign with most of the sworn swords of the keep, but the Stranger did not wait for wars to end and sons to come home. Garrett Corbray, first of the trueborn sons of the deceased, has inherited everything by custom, since the deceased did not leave a will behind.

Lady Ilsa had been missing for many months now, along with the ancestral sword Lady Forlorn. Yet, no word of any form of a ransom or demands had come.

[Alexandrine]

He smirks. "He better should." And then he looked at Garrett "As if you are merely in it for honour?"

[Adamat]

"We are in it for this keep, Ser," he explained. "Even though we have held this stronghold for thousands of years already, we mustn't forget that we were granted this boon by the Arryns, and as such owe them fealty." He smirked. "Not fulfilling vassal obligations could lead to the revocation of our holdings."