The Bloody Gate - Bulwark of the Vale

[Lord Dread]

The Bloody Gate

Current Knight of the Gate: Ser Stevron Frey
His family:
Stevron Frey (56)
His wife, Elenya Arryn (38)
their son, Gendry Frey (15)
their son, Finigan Frey (13)

Description: The Bloody Gate is a series of battlements placed across the mountain road that leads into the Vale of Arryn from the Mountains of the Moon.
There are two long parapets built into the stone of the mountains. The pass, narrow where it meets the gate, is watched over by twin watchtowers, which are joined by a covered bridge of grey stone that arches above the road. The Bloody Gate is located southwest of the Eyrie and northwest of the Redfort.

The gate has its own commander who is given the title the Knight of the Gate. This commander traditionally asks the question, "Who would pass the Bloody Gate?" to all who would pass through.

Upgrades:
Tier I:
Keep Expansions: +25% castle garrison size permitted
Militia Armoury: +500 Militia Points
Wall Reinforcements: +1 Siege Defence rolls
Market Square: +10% income

Tier II:

Keep Expansions: +50% castle garrison size permitted
Town Watch: +1,000 Militia Points, 5% cheaper professional troop hire.

Tier III:

Barracks: +1,000 Militia Points, 10% cheaper professional troop hire.
Trade Hub: Allows owners of the province to gain an additional trade route.

Troops, stationed at the gate:

Professional Troops
Siege Engineer
1,200 Knights of the Bloody Gate
200 Knights of the Vale (elite cavalry)
468 Polearm Infantry

Militia -2500 points (+2,000 edicts)



Economy
Trade Lane 1: House Glover (Furs)
Trade Lane 2: Armour. -15% Professional Infantry Hire Cost, -10% Professional Infantry Upkeep Cost, -10% to purchasing weapons and armor
Stone. +2 Siege Defence, -10% Building Cost

[Pontifex Maximus]

Frey Forces:

Traits: Battles +3, Duels +3, Survival +3, Rearguard +2

Retinue: Siege Engineer

1,200 Knights of the Bloody Gate
200 Knights of the Vale (elite cavalry)
468 Polearm Infantry
---------------------------------------

Stevron Frey along with a modest force of hastily recruited Valesmen arrived at the Bloody Gate. The Frey banner was flying, anf before long Stevron spurred hsi horse forward to the gate with a flag of truce. He had no desire to try to take the Gate by force, but if he had to, he would try. There must be ways to crack this nut, he just had to put his mind to it. He Rode forward and held aloft a document. "I have here a Royal Writ from his Grace King Aerys II naming me as the Rightful Lord of the Bloody Gate! Who commands the garrison here, I would have words with you."

[Lord Dread]

The garrison remained silent and it took a few minutes before an actual commander, wearing the sigil of House Arryn appeared in front of the gate house.
"Who would pass the Bloody Gate, we should ask now, but times are dire, Ser Frey", the young man replied loudly, "My family is caught upon the Eyrie, the Vale in disorder due to my eldest brother's legacy
and you claim to be a rightful lord?"
He looked down the wall furious.
"How much you Freys want to take from our House, eh?", he asked loudly, "We might be loyal to the King, but who is he to take everything from us, while the real traitor took my brother, the man who attempted to rescue the hostage you delivered us? Ryker Frey is alive and on his way to the Twins, so what - tell me what else his grace wants to take from me, what I hold dear and loyally?"
Though the Arryn knight tried to stay confident, his slight yells within the last sentences told that there was bitterness and grief within his heart. He probably was willing to defend the gate, but he was broken.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"The trouble with Valesmen is they do not know when they're beaten!" Several of his own men grumbled. He was reminded he did not have men of the Riverlands at his back. Merely knights of the Vale who had grown dissatisfied and accepted his offer of coin, and lots of it. "What I mean to say is, the Gate is mine by right now! I have heard many conflicting stories about this conflict in the Vale, and I would stand here and call you a liar, had not my nephew been returned safely. Queer things are afoot behind those walls indeed. Seems like the Arryns of the Vale could use help in securing their own."

[Lord Dread]

"Do I look like a man, who needs help?", Ser Lyonel replied rough, not being convinced at all, "I can't promise the gate to a stranger nor a man of a king, who intends to punish us gravely for my ... eldest brother foolishness. Give me a reason to trust you, as I solely see myself being surrounded by enemies, while there is no aid from where I hope aid to expect. If I do one sole mistake, my entire family might die to the madman."
He remained silent afterwards, being in doubts nontheless. It surely wasn't easy for the young men, who just reached his mid-twenties to fell a decision under the given circumstances.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"You sure sound like a man in need of help, surrounded by enemies is it? Seems I have two options. I can either starve you out from this side of the wall and be rewarded by whoever waits on the other side, or offer my help to you. I have no desire to declare war on the Vale. How would I hold this keep if that were the case?" Stevron realized he was talking to a man of little experience, and one who had lost many battles.

[Lord Dread]

Ser Lyonel though for a while before he went away without any word, looking as if he did not want to listen upon Frey's idle talk - however, the gates opened after few seconds, while the Arryn knight himself stood next towards them, solely nodding into the direction of Stevron.
"If you are keen to take and keep the Bloody Gate, then you shall proof your words, Frey", he said then as he approached the man, once they would ride through the gate, "We Arryns learnt our lesson, while the man we fight knows no honor codes. Egen counts on the King's support, as he sent an ambassador already when news arised that I would march upon the Eyrie with all what remains of our professional troops - there's few men, who support the castellan, but the Eyrie alone is enough to hold out for a good while. We controll the wayward castles up to the mountain though, as it will make the siege easier."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Very well." Stevron looked grim, but relieved. He would hate to have to besiege this place. "In exchange for my help, and the help of my soldiers, House Arryn will acknowledge my claim on the Bloody Gate. I will, in my turn, swear an oath of loyalty to House Arryn. I will demand to retain all titles and privileges as hereditary, however. Together we can end the reign of this tyrant and reinstall the Arryns as the true lords of the Vale" he held out his hand. "Do we have a deal?"

[Lord Dread]

It took Lyonel no second to accept, as the grim expression in his face showed how personal the conflict had become.
"Aye, by the Seven and my family, I shall accept and keep my word", he answered honest, "We'll take the evil, which poisoned the Vale by its roots - together, as men of the kingdom. If we can achieve this, there is hope for peace returning to the Vale."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Stevron smiled, the creases of his grey beard showing happiness for once. "Do you hear that boys? It's time to oust the usurper of the Vale!" He unsheathed his sword and placed it before Lyonel Arryn in the common sign of swearing an oath and allegiance.

[Adamat]

Lady Ilsa Corbray and Ser Bronn Waters arrived at the Bloody Gate accompanied by 150 heavy horse. The Targaryen banner flew high over the trail of men. Outriders notified the guards of the Bloody Gate that they sought entry to the hinterlands and specifically the Eyrie, as per royal decree.

[Lord Dread]

They were granted entrance, while being told shortly about the situation. Currently the siege was still ongoing, as Ser Rodrik apparently continiued his play of threatening the Arryn forces with either harming the young Lord or Ser Denys, who are both his captives. The wayward castles would grant them passage at some point as well, but warn them to enter the Eyrie.
Ser Lyonel gets informed as well upon their arrival.

[Poach]

A raven is returned from Deepwood Motte in agreement. Furs from the vast Wolfswood in return for stone quarried from the mountains of the Vale.

[Lord Dread]

A letter arrives at the Bloody Gate, requesting Ser Stevron Frey to the Gates of the Moon.

(RP, which will get into rolling, once we officially know about the battle in KL.)

[Trot]

A letter arrives from Ser Beric Stom Castillian of Galemont requesting trade with the Bloody Gate.

[Lord Dread]

A letter is send towards the Bloody Gate:

To Ser Stevron Frey, Knight of the Gate,

in terms of the wildlings beginning to get bolder among the passes around Darkmoor and Ser Waymar Royce being concerned about the safety within this region not being guarenteed,
House Arryn wishes to get rid of this menace, troubleing our borders. As the Lord of the Vale I will command this time the army personally, as the Vale should know that it's overlord is not a coward boy, hiding behind his lords at the highest peak of the Eyrie. My uncle died at King's Landing on open field in an act of bravery and I am aware of the risk of not surviving the upcoming battles - yet the Vale needs a strong leadership, while my silblings are still present to succeed me.
Though I do not command you to aid our forces in terms of the outcome of the last war and our forces having still to recover, we would be glad to see your banner among our men and offer you as well a position in command.
Your efforts for the Vale are always remembered and thus I also greet my cousins along with my aunt in this letter.

We shall redeem,
Lord Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, Lord Paramount of the Vale, Warden of the East

[SIGNED AND SEALED]