The Eyrie, Seat of House Arryn

[Lord Dread]

The Eyrie, Seat of House Arryn

The Eyrie

Current Lord: Lord Denys Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie

Boni of the Eyrie:

• The Sky Cells: The Eyrie's prisons, the Sky Cells, are small open shelves in the mountainside that ever-so-slightly slant downward. They are notorious for terrifying their unlucky occupants so greatly that many choose to commit suicide than to continue to rot there, in danger of simply rolling off the edge in their sleep every night and constantly exposed to the elements. Escape is impossible from the Eyrie. Additionally, all prisoners have a 2/20 chance each year to die while in the Eyrie.
  
• Flee to nowhere: Capture rolls of all characters in the Eyrie are increased by +2 chance of capture

- Will last 18 months in a Siege (1.5 RL weeks, 1 week and 3.5 days).
- Have a +12 roll to any Siege assault undertaken against them.
- Can hold their entire garrison plus 300% of the base Land Levy points of their province.

Main Characters:

Lord Protector Gendry Arryn

Age: 18 Biography: Being the younger brother of Lord Jon Arryn, Gendry was unlike his elder brother a fighter, given that he didn't suffer from the traumatic experiences upon the Eyrie as much as him, when Ser Egen threatened the gathered Vale Lords to murder the children. Unlike Jon, he evolved soon into an aspiring warrior with the main favor being upon two-handed weapons like the axe. Given his fighting spirit and temperament, he is considered by many as "The Bull". With recent news of his brother's death by the Mountain Clans, Gendry was angry enough to assemble as quickly as possible more loyal bannermen around the throne of his brother's children, going a similiar route as his father Aurane, when the deceased uncle of the family, Ser Alaric Arryn was captured and never seen again. However, Gendry wishes to erredicate the Mountain Clans with a burning pacience, having no love for the goat herders anymore. Not as intelligent, but equipped with a strategic mind, Gendry hopes to vanquish the Clans once and for all, while his grief regarding his brother's loss would turn him potentially into the same bitter man as his father was... Traits: Survival +2 Duel +1 Battle +1

Characters

House Arryn: Lord Aurane Arryn- Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount of the Vale, Warden of the East. Born 224 AL. Died presumably 262 AL His wife Aurelia Arryn nee Hunter - Died 256 during childbirth His son Lord Jon Arryn - Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount of the Vale, Warden of the East. Born 252 AL. His daughter, Myranda Arryn, born in 268 AL his son, Lord Denys Arryn, born in 269 AL His daughter Arya Arryn, born 253 AL His son Gendry Arryn, born 256 AL His secondborn brother Ser Alaric Arryn, Born 226 AL. Died around 253 AL His bastard son Yorg of the Flinteagles - Born 253 AL His thirdborn brother Ser Denys Arryn - Lord Protector of the Vale, born 232 AL, deceased in 269 AL His fourthborn brother Ser Lyonel Arryn "The Kingslayer" - A Knight of the Kingsguard, born 234 AL, deceased in 267 AL His sister Lady Elenya Arryn, born in 233 AL His sister Rowena Arryn, born in 237 AL

Purchased Buildings:
Keep Expansions: +25% castle garrison size permitted

Market Square: +10% income
-Merchant's Square: +10% province income

Wall Reinforcements: +1 Siege Defence rolls
-Citadel Towers: +1 Siege Defence rolls

Mounted Light Ballistae: Increases dragon death chances by +1, in siege battles, increases defender archery rolls by +1

[Adamat]

Sers Garrett and Ilyn Corbray, and Ser Tygard Stone arrive at the Gates of the Moon and ask for an audience with Lord Arryn. They have received dire news from the Stepstones, and believe it is of utmost importance to parlay.

[Lord Dread]

The guard barely mentioned anything, as Ser Rodrik Egen, the grim steward of the Eyrie was approaching them slowly.
"Good to see you, my good Sers of House Corbray", he said respecting, while being relatively calm, "Lord Aurane is awaiting you and the other Lords already - raven got sent this morning, so I suppose you might be the first ones to arrive."

[Adamat]

"We came of our own initiative," Tygard the bastard notified the castellan. "Our dear father may not be physically well enough to travel, but he insisted we spoke to Lord Arryn immediately." Ilyn, the youngest, nodded. "Shall we wait for the others, or see the Lord immediately?" He wondered. Ser Garrett, having kept silent so far, just eyed the Egen. "Leave your arms with the good Ser," he commanded his brothers as he handed over his own sword to one of the guardsmen.

[Pinkerton]

Soon after receiving the invitation, a Waynwood delegation, headed by Old Lord Yohn, arrived at the Eyre.

[Lord Dread]

The steward nodded, raiseing an eyebrow, but so far saying nothing.
"Follow me", the blonde man said, as he lead the three knights through the keep, till they arrived at the throne room, the two mighty oaken doors being opened in front of them, as Ser Rodrik commanded the men to do so.

At the other end of the hall sat Lord Aurane Arryn, his sharp look nailing for a second his visitors and then his steward. Apart from the usual coat of arms, the Lord was wearing today a black robe, partly made out of fur from the hunted animals below the mountains. It took him a while till he readied himself to stand up, giveing the figure to his right a slight nod.
"Alright Denys", he adressed the man next to him, who was one of his younger brothers in his mid-twenties, "We'll discuss these matters laters."
Then he turned towards the delegation.
"Welcome to my humble hall, brave knights of House Corbray", the Falcon Lord then spoke with a mild but benefitial expression on his face, "Did my maester sent a heart with the last raven or why do I have to expect you so early on within these halls? And more importantly - where is Lord Corbray?"
Aurane noticed that he was not among the party.


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

The Waynwoods were lead into the main solar of the Eyrie after some short talk around the gate, till Lord Aurane was arriveing there as well, his servants already serveing around wine and bread.
"Ah, so my raven has apparently reached you", he said benefitial, while looking a bit strict with his sharp look, "I hope the journey through the mountains was less troublesome?"

[Pinkerton]

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

The Waynwoods were lead into the main solar of the Eyrie after some short talk around the gate, till Lord Aurane was arriveing there as well, his servants already serveing around wine and bread.
"Ah, so my raven has apparently reached you", he said benefitial, while looking a bit strict with his sharp look, "I hope the journey through the mountains was less troublesome?"

"The mountain clans were quiet. We had a calm journey, milord."

Yohn's tired eyes fixed on the young Arryn.

"May I take a sit?"

[Adamat]

Glancing at his bastard brother for a moment, Garrett was the first to reply. "Lord Ronnel's health is detoriating due to his advanced age. His mind is still sound, but in his wisdom he has sent us three as his delegates. Our timely arrival is merely luck; the ravens had not yet reached our holdfast when we left."
Not in the mood for his half-brother's diplomatic antics and mannerisms, Tygard got to the point. "Will the Vale be taking part in this conflict of the Targaryens?" He inquired.

[Lord Dread]

Aurane considered what he heard, as it was a long while ago when he saw Lord Corbray himself - so his assumption that something wasn't right about him was proven by the statement concerning the condition of the elder lord.
"A shame, as Lord Ronnel is a prefered bannermen among the swords pledgeing their loyality towards my House", Aurane said after a while, before eyeing especially Tygard concerned, "But yes, war is approaching us. Whether it will be a curse or a blessing for the Vale, future might show. So far I am undecided - yet, at least."
He made a weak smile while approaching the three to get closer to them.
"Mayhaps my bannermen might wish to speak out their opinions on the matter - before we adress other issues, shall we?", he asked then, sounding more demanding in his wording than consulting, "Mayhaps there's agreement to find a common point, mayhaps there might be disagreement... but we wouldn't be men of honor, if there would be no way to discuss gentle about it, before decisions are being made, I guess."

"The mountain clans were quiet. We had a calm journey, milord."

Yohn's tired eyes fixed on the young Arryn.

"May I take a sit?"

The Lord nodded, as he gave one of his servants a warning look, when he saw that the next chair in range wasn't placed in the best position for Lord Waynwood to reach.
"Oh, of course", he said, while his look rested in an unpredictable stare upon the frightened lowborn, who immidiately brought a chair towards the table, "Apologize my servants, as I expect them to treat my guests with for-sight. But we all have these troubles, so we should nontheless be grateful... I guess."
He sighed a bit, as he placed himself down on a chair as well, his face softening a small bit.
"Now, I assume you might be aware about what major movements in Westeros we'll have to speak, mylord", Aurane said after takeing his wine cup and takeing a small sip from it, "Unpleasant news for some, while it will mayhaps be an opportunity for those, illoyal towards the crown. What do you think?"

[Adamat]

Aurane considered what he heard, as it was a long while ago when he saw Lord Corbray himself - so his assumption that something wasn't right about him was proven by the statement concerning the condition of the elder lord.
"A shame, as Lord Ronnel is a prefered bannermen among the swords pledgeing their loyality towards my House", Aurane said after a while, before eyeing especially Tygard concerned, "But yes, war is approaching us. Whether it will be a curse or a blessing for the Vale, future might show. So far I am undecided - yet, at least."
He made a weak smile while approaching the three to get closer to them.
"Mayhaps my bannermen might wish to speak out their opinions on the matter - before we adress other issues, shall we?", he asked then, sounding more demanding in his wording than consulting,[COLOR=#2f4f4f] "Mayhaps there's agreement to find a common point, mayhaps there might be disagreement... but we wouldn't be men of honor, if there would be no way to discuss gentle about it, before decisions are being made, I guess."

"It pleases us more than you know that our name still holds sway in your castle, My Lord," Garrett said, ever the diplomat. "It seems to me that this war is pointless," he spoke. "No matter who comes out on top in this clash of Valyrians, the Valesmen will always be considered a fringe kingdom. It may be better this way. I advocate peace."
Tygard shook his head. "Not aligning ourselves with either of the would-be Kings is the worst decision we can make," the military-minded bastard spoke his mind. "We'll be seen as traitors by both parties if we merely defend our own borders." He held the slightest grin at the mention of war.
Ilyn, carefully weighing the options that they seemed to have, decided to take the moral highground. ""Aerys Targaryen seems to be the legitimate heir, while Maelys' claim is based on his army's strength. Honor dictate we support the Targaryens, even if it may be the riskier choice. If the reports are true, Aerys' forces are close to being depleted whereas Maelys still has the power of his mercenaries. If we can be the ones to secure the legitimate heir's throne and turn the tide, we will be regarded as the heroes of our time."

[Pinkerton]

The Lord nodded, as he gave one of his servants a warning look, when he saw that the next chair in range wasn't placed in the best position for Lord Waynwood to reach.
"Oh, of course", he said, while his look rested in an unpredictable stare upon the frightened lowborn, who immidiately brought a chair towards the table, "Apologize my servants, as I expect them to treat my guests with for-sight. But we all have these troubles, so we should nontheless be grateful... I guess."
He sighed a bit, as he placed himself down on a chair as well, his face softening a small bit.
"Now, I assume you might be aware about what major movements in Westeros we'll have to speak, mylord", Aurane said after takeing his wine cup and takeing a small sip from it, "Unpleasant news for some, while it will mayhaps be an opportunity for those, illoyal towards the crown. What do you think?"

Lord Yohn sat and nodded while Arryn spoke

"I recommend caution, Lord Aurane. We are protected from invasion by our landscape and thus we have not to worry about defending our homes. Let us not rush to commit to either the Pretender's side or our newly crowned monarch's.
We should be ready, though, to act with haste if necessary. Whenever an opportunity appears, then we act. But until that happens, we wait and see how this situation unfolds."

He had been adventurous in his youth, but the death of his children had changed that.

"That, of course, is my advise. An old man's."

[Lord Dread]

"It pleases us more than you know that our name still holds sway in your castle, My Lord," Garrett said, ever the diplomat. "It seems to me that this war is pointless," he spoke. "No matter who comes out on top in this clash of Valyrians, the Valesmen will always be considered a fringe kingdom. It may be better this way. I advocate peace."
Tygard shook his head. "Not aligning ourselves with either of the would-be Kings is the worst decision we can make," the military-minded bastard spoke his mind. "We'll be seen as traitors by both parties if we merely defend our own borders." He held the slightest grin at the mention of war.
Ilyn, carefully weighing the options that they seemed to have, decided to take the moral highground. ""Aerys Targaryen seems to be the legitimate heir, while Maelys' claim is based on his army's strength. Honor dictate we support the Targaryens, even if it may be the riskier choice. If the reports are true, Aerys' forces are close to being depleted whereas Maelys still has the power of his mercenaries. If we can be the ones to secure the legitimate heir's throne and turn the tide, we will be regarded as the heroes of our time."

The look rested on Ser Ilyn, while any left emotion out of Aurane's eyes seemed to vanish.
"My grandfather's men died for Honor upon the Redgrass Field", he solely responded cold, as if this was the wrong answer, "So... how many men shall I sacrifice today for the cause of... honor? One-hundred? Thousands?"
He sneered.
"Honor won't keep my family alive if I declare for a King, who solely calls for his Lords, if he gets endangered by more capable foes", he continiued then, "Real dragons don't exist anymore - it was solely Aegon I. dragons, which made us submit to the kingdom. So, I honestly don't want to stop a weak animal to die a quick death by mercy - that's more humane than supporting it and letting it rot on its lonely throne of a hundred molten blades."
The Falcon Lord eyed the party stern and the atmosphere seemed to get suddenly a bit colder within the hall.

Lord Yohn sat and nodded while Arryn spoke

"I recommend caution, Lord Aurane. We are protected from invasion by our landscape and thus we have not to worry about defending our homes. Let us not rush to commit to either the Pretender's side or our newly crowned monarch's.
We should be ready, though, to act with haste if necessary. Whenever an opportunity appears, then we act. But until that happens, we wait and see how this situation unfolds."

He had been adventurous in his youth, but the death of his children had changed that.

"That, of course, is my advise. An old man's."

"A wise opinion onto which I can agree on", he said after a brief pause,"Though we shouldn't let the opportunity slip to influence the war in our own interests if needed. With requested taxes by the Iron Throne, the crown has displeased my taste of aiding already - so how long you think, shall I await the King to crawl up the steps of my throne, before I have to actually aid him, as his loyal bannermen could not take down a simple bastard's upriseing at the Stepstones?
I mean, can we even be sure that he'll survive this desaster?"
He sipped again from his cup of wine, closeing his eyes a bit while waiting for the answer of Lord Yohn.

[Adamat]

The look rested on Ser Ilyn, while any left emotion out of Aurane's eyes seemed to vanish.
"My grandfather's men died for Honor upon the Redgrass Field", he solely responded cold, as if this was the wrong answer, "So... how many men shall I sacrifice today for the cause of... honor? One-hundred? Thousands?"
He sneered.
"Honor won't keep my family alive if I declare for a King, who solely calls for his Lords, if he gets endangered by more capable foes", he continiued then, "Real dragons don't exist anymore - it was solely Aegon I. dragons, which made us submit to the kingdom. So, I honestly don't want to stop a weak animal to die a quick death by mercy - that's more humane than supporting it and letting it rot on its lonely throne of a hundred molten blades."
The Falcon Lord eyed the party stern and the atmosphere seemed to get suddenly a bit colder within the hall.

Garrett, caught off guard by the answer, looked at his feet for the slightest moment before answering. "Were either King's men in this room, we would be accused of high treason right now..." he noted. Tygard scoffed. "Then it's a good thing that none of us have attended the coronation to renew our vows, isn't that so," he said, trying to gauge how serious the Arryn was about declaring independence.
Ilyn, ashamed that his advice had not been good enough to please the most powerful man in the Vale, scrambled to make up for it with solid military advice. "The Vale is nearly impervious to any form of assault from the west," he noted, "But we mustn't forget that the reports of the Stepstones indicated that Maelys the Monstrous has a large fleet at his disposal. Defending our shores may be more difficult than anything else, if we do end up..." He paused for a moment, looking for the right formulation of his answer. "Remaining completely neutral."

[Lord Dread]

Garrett, caught off guard by the answer, looked at his feet for the slightest moment before answering. "Were either King's men in this room, we would be accused of high treason right now..." he noted. Tygard scoffed. "Then it's a good thing that none of us have attended the coronation to renew our vows, isn't that so," he said, trying to gauge how serious the Arryn was about declaring independence.
Ilyn, ashamed that his advice had not been good enough to please the most powerful man in the Vale, scrambled to make up for it with solid military advice. "The Vale is nearly impervious to any form of assault from the west," he noted, "But we mustn't forget that the reports of the Stepstones indicated that Maelys the Monstrous has a large fleet at his disposal. Defending our shores may be more difficult than anything else, if we do end up..." He paused for a moment, looking for the right formulation of his answer. "Remaining completely neutral."

"Treason is based on opinions", he solely said while heading back into the direction of the throne, "More like... political calculations, I'd say. After all history learns us that House Arryn submitted to Aegon the Conqueror volunteerly. Aerys will punish us anyways if we wait out the war and deny the tax - if I grant him the taxes and Maelys wins, I neither want to expect mercy from him. So, however I take it, my decision will betray anyways one of them and rather damage the Vale than helping it, if we stay neutral."
He stood there for a while.
"No, the Vale needs to make a decision", he said after a while, "I neither care for a fleet from the stepstones nor the King of the Iron Throne - if we deal the first strike and use the opportunity, we will get our allies and decide the course of outcome. I honestly expect the Valesmen to open the hunt, when I give the command - and the command will be soon."

"This king, he is young and has barely been crowned. We don't know what kind of man he can be. While all we hear about Maelys Blackfyre is that he is a monster, a deformed and cruel man. Maybe the King surpasses expectation, maybe Maelys ain't such a terrible man. We don't know yet. It is hard to pledge our swords to men we don't know."

Yohn said with a raspy voice

"I dislike the tax too. But I think we should pay it. We should pay it and send envoys to both Maelys and Aerys, to learn their intentions, to let them make us an offer to join their side.
If asked why are we not intervening in this struggle, we say that you are terribly sick and that the High Lords of the Vale have called a council to decide what to do, and that this council hasn't reached a conclusion yet. This should buy us some time."

Lord Arryn thought for a moment, but solely shook his head.
"Why would I try to hide myself from them?", he asked coldly the lord in front of him, "I'm after all an Arryn, blood of kings. My forefathers achieved great things in history and solely crumbled against the Targaryens due to the dragons.
Do you see any dragons around?"
Aurane made a small pause.
"Honestly, if a monster is the one to claim the Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, I'm not the one waiting out the entire conflict in hope that it might kill the last descendants of House Targaryen by itself", he more whispered than he said, "No, an Arryn would not do that - he rather helps the monster to get what it desires, while he benefits. We have always made decisions in history - and mine will be to show the Iron Throne, that the Falcon has not forgotten. I'm aware that this is a snake pit and might not end well for us either, if we're not careful - but luckily it's the nature of a Falcon to strike at snakes, when they wouldn't expect it at all."

~Royal Decree~

In order to raise gold to repel Maelys the Usurper, King Aerys II Targaryen has hereby issued a royal War Tax upon Lords Paramount and High Lords - TO LAST ONE YEAR.

Lords Paramount will be required to pay a tax of 5% , while High Lords will be required to pay a tax of 2.5% .

[TARGARYEN SEAL]
Signed by King Aerys II Targaryen
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Defender of the Realm, Protector of the Faith and King of the Andals, the Rhonyar and the First Men

By the order of the King, all Lords who send contingents to war under the Royal Targaryen Banner will be exempted from the war tax. Likewise, all lords who support the Usurper, Maelys, will be subjected to indemnity, the price of which will be decided upon the end of the war.

OOC: Don't take this as me sending new messages out, take this as the old Raven. Just making sure everyone has it and that everyone's seen the update to it.

With a slight grin he burnt the letter without even reading it, as his brother handed it over towards him.
Though he earned a sceptical look, Aurane had no regrets after all.
"Fire and Blood", was all he said, "Don't worry, brother - I already gave them the first thing, I shall grant them the second as well..."

A group of men from Wickenden arrive at the Eyrie. Among them were the two Waxley brothers who have come to their liege to talk about the troubling events.

The party was lead into the throne room of the Eyrie, Lord Aurane already awaiteing the visitors.

[Pinkerton]

"A wise opinion onto which I can agree on", he said after a brief pause,"Though we shouldn't let the opportunity slip to influence the war in our own interests if needed. With requested taxes by the Iron Throne, the crown has displeased my taste of aiding already - so how long you think, shall I await the King to crawl up the steps of my throne, before I have to actually aid him, as his loyal bannermen could not take down a simple bastard's upriseing at the Stepstones?
I mean, can we even be sure that he'll survive this desaster?"
He sipped again from his cup of wine, closeing his eyes a bit while waiting for the answer of Lord Yohn.

"This king, he is young and has barely been crowned. We don't know what kind of man he can be. While all we hear about Maelys Blackfyre is that he is a monster, a deformed and cruel man. Maybe the King surpasses expectation, maybe Maelys ain't such a terrible man. We don't know yet. It is hard to pledge our swords to men we don't know."

Yohn said with a raspy voice

"I dislike the tax too. But I think we should pay it. We should pay it and send envoys to both Maelys and Aerys, to learn their intentions, to let them make us an offer to join their side.
If asked why are we not intervening in this struggle, we say that you are terribly sick and that the High Lords of the Vale have called a council to decide what to do, and that this council hasn't reached a conclusion yet. This should buy us some time."

[Pericles of Athens]

A raven arrives in the Vale with a sealed letter for the Lord Arryn. The grey wax upon it bears the direwolf of House Stark.

In dark times I hope to bring brighter words. We Northmen have been separate from the other Kingdoms in matters of trade and business for too long. I would request that a route be opened between the North and the Vale to mend ties. I await your thoughts on the proposal.

- Lord Rickard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North

[The Mad Skylord]

~Royal Decree~

In order to raise gold to repel Maelys the Usurper, King Aerys II Targaryen has hereby issued a royal War Tax upon Lords Paramount and High Lords - TO LAST ONE YEAR.

Lords Paramount will be required to pay a tax of 5% , while High Lords will be required to pay a tax of 2.5% .

[TARGARYEN SEAL]
Signed by King Aerys II Targaryen
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Defender of the Realm, Protector of the Faith and King of the Andals, the Rhonyar and the First Men

By the order of the King, all Lords who send contingents to war under the Royal Targaryen Banner will be exempted from the war tax. Likewise, all lords who support the Usurper, Maelys, will be subjected to indemnity, the price of which will be decided upon the end of the war.

OOC: Don't take this as me sending new messages out, take this as the old Raven. Just making sure everyone has it and that everyone's seen the update to it.

[The Mad Skylord]

A Royal missive requesting trade with the Eyrie arrives.

[Alexandrine]

A group of men from Wickenden arrive at the Eyrie. Among them were the two Waxley brothers who have come to their liege to talk about the troubling events.

[Alexandrine]

Ser Artys and ser Mathos bowed deeply before Lord Arryn. "Lord Arryn," Artys spoke. "A pleasure, as always." he spoke. The Eyrie was among the most beautiful places in Westeros. "Unfortunately these are bad tidings."