Highgarden, the Seat of House Tyrell

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lying on the Mander, Highgarden is the regional capital of the Reach. Formerly the seat of House Gardener, Highgarden was granted to House Tyrell after they submitted to Aegon the Conqueror after the Field of Fire. Stewards of the castle, the Tyrells were promoted to the most powerful house in the Reach and one of the most influential in Westeros. Filled with grove, fountains and the famous briar labyrinth, Highgarden is one of the more attractive castles in the realm.

House Tyrell

See here.

Income

70,000 Base Income
21,000 Buildings
7,000 Gold
14,000 Wealth Trait

Total: 112,000 Dragons

Trade

1. Native Resource: Fruits (+1 Charisma, +600 militia points)
2. Traded Resource: Gold (+10% income) from House Reyne
3. Traded Resource: Grains (+1,200 militia points) from House Darry
4. Traded Resource: Lorath in Essos

Buildings

Tier I: Militia, Income, Port (River), Keep Expansion, Siege Defence, City Watch
Tier II: Militia, Income, Keep Expansion, Siege Defence, City Watch
Tier III: Militia, Income, Siege Defence (Holdfast), City Watch
Tier IV: Army Barracks (+2,000 prof unit cap)

Edicts: Both land edicts (+2,000 Land Militia Points), Both naval edicts (+2,000 Naval Militia Points)

Military

Highgarden Garrison

200 Heavy Infantry
500 Light Infantry
200 Polearm Infantry
300 Archers

= 1,200 men in total

The City Watch

100 Heavy Infantry
400 Light Infantry
200 Archers

= 700 men in total

Siege Defence

Highgarden

+12 base
+2 Buildings

Total: 14

Holdfast

+12 base
+2 Buildings

Total: 14

Levy

6,000 Light Infantry
1,500 Archers

= 7,500 men in total

Militia

Land:

6,300 points (2,500 buildings, 2,000 edicts, 1,800 trade goods)

800 Heavy Infantry
1,000 Polearms
1,000 Archers
500 Heavy Cavalry
700 Light Cavalry

= 4,000 men in total

Naval:

2,000 points (Edicts)

67 Dromonds

Professionals:

The Thorn Guard
(1,000 Dismounted Knights)

A disciplined and well armed force of heavy infantry raised to defend Highgarden and, if necessary, accompany the Lord Paramount to war as an elite core around which the larger Reach army can be built. The Thorn Guard is not comprised of nobility or knights, except the officers who are sourced from minor nobility, but rather from freedmen who wish to serve Highgarden in the capacity of a professional soldier. They are housed within the central keep of Highgarden and provide the household guards for their home.

The Order of the Rose
(1,142 Reachman Lancers)

A knightly order founded by the Tyrells wherein those third sons or cousins of landed families might find purpose in serving their Lord Paramount. Equipped to the highest standard and staffed exclusively by those men who have opted for the martial lifestyle being a true knight requires, this thousand-strong body of heavy horse represents the plated fist of House Tyrell. As a knightly order, the members have a bond of brotherhood with each other, living within Highgarden in a purpose-built complex that houses stables, training yards and barracks, they represent a powerful and elite unit that House Tyrell can call upon.

Domestic Politics

Holy League of the Reach

Once a mighty force, the death of King Steffon Baratheon saw the Holy League much reduced in stature. Lead in the Reach by Lord Footly of Tumbleton, only three minor Lords now remain as loyal adherents of the new High Septon in Oldtown. Due to their weakness and peaceful nature, Lord Mace has little intention of moving against them at this time. Westbrook Uplands Inchfield

Lands under administration

The wars have left several keeps without sitting Lords, administered instead by appointed Knights loyal to Highgarden. In addition, there are several keeps held only when someone is granted a certain title, and other keeps that lie in ruins, their local populations instead answering to Highgarden directly. Tumbleton (Male line destroyed by House Tarly for defying Highgarden) New Barrel (Fossoway line destroyed entirely by King Aerys II) Bardshome (Held by the Master of Horse, post currently vacant) Torrentspeak (Held by the Warden of the Torrent Pass, post currently vacant) Manderford (Lies in ruins)

[Poach]

Donnel Lefford arrives as summoned. He comes before the young Lord Tyrell and his regent, aware that the coming discussion would be hostile and difficult.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Garth Tyrell smiled sharkishly as Donnel Lefford came before him. Some retainers or else Tyrell latchers on whispered in Garth's ear prompting boisterous laughter. Several moments passed before Garth addressed Lefford. directly. "My lord Donnel Lefford, if I am not mistaken. One of the newest lords of the Reach. Well, I confessed myself honored. Honored to be in your presence. What absolute authority you must command from your underlings." Garth was of course mocking Lefford in the strongest of terms. "And here I thought the Westerlands sided with Blackfyre? Am I mistaken?"

[Poach]

"I didn't want Cider Hall and you don't want me here," said Donnel, "Still, that makes me your vassal by the King's command. Get to the point, Tyrell."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Garth stood and screamed at the top of his lungs. "THAT'S LORD TYRELL TO YOU!" He descended quickly from the dais and slapped Donnel across the cheek to the great delight of the crowd, which erupted in laughter. Garth resumed his position at the top of the dais. once the laughter had died down, Garth looked at the man directly with his emerald green eyes. "Listen here, Lefford." By this time the hall had gone completely quiet. "You will fall in line. You will...swear your fealty to House Tyrell." He paused for a moment for dramatic effect. "By the gods if you so refuse, in good time, by root and stem, I will prune you from the Reach." he stared at the man. Not averting his gaze. "I have just decided that there will be a special new tax in the Reach. All lords who have come into new lands less than a year ago will pay a tax of 30% to House Tyrell of Highgarden for the next year."

[Poach]

[OOC: Mace is Lord, not Garth. Or is Garth suffering from delusions of grandeur or something? Because he's factually wrong there. I'd like to know before I reply. ]

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: Oh, his political status as Lord Regent is not important here. Mace is seven, if Garth says he is lord, he expects to be addressed as such. Mostly he is asserting that House Tyrell is the dominant feudal lord in this arrangement; individual supremacy isn't as important at the moment.

[Poach]

[OOC: I need to go to bed now so I'll jump forward a bit if that's ok. If this goes against what you wanted just leave a note and I'll fix it.]

"Of course," said Donnel with a smile, "I will go before Lord Mace and I will gladly make my oaths as a Lord of the Reach."

[OOC: Assuming that happens, I'm sure you get the implied retort to his outburst.]

As was custom, Donnel drew his sword and holding it horizontally, knelt and placed it at the youth's feet.

"I, Donnel Lefford, Lord of Cider Hall, do swear to you, Lord Paramount of the Reach, that I shall be a loyal vassal and a responsible Lord of the Reach, by the Seven."

Standing, he looked to Garth, greeting him again with a smile.

"Lord Regent, you shall have your tax the moment I receive it myself. Nothing less from myself as a loyal Lord of the Reach."

They both knew why the King had put Donnel where he'd placed him. Still, Garth had to perform to his court.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Mace got wide eyed, looking to Garth. Garth's severe expression softened. If Lefford would prove to be like any other lord of the Reach, and not a splinter in the side of House Tyrell, then they would be like any other Reach Lord, they might yet fit in. Garth's mission was to ensure this would take place. "I've changed my mind." He said at length, a high pitched acclamation. "40% seems more fitting, yes. After all, we have much here in the Reach to repair. My House shall require ample income in order to fix Reach readiness. Lord Donnel, I shall expect you to present yourself here next year for a report regarding your House's tax requirements to your rightful Lords." The court again fell silent. Garth stared at Donnel, unblinking, daring him to voice some sort of complaint.

[Poach]

"I shall make it 50%, Lord Regent," said Donnel enthusiastically, "For there are none more eager than I to see the Reach rebuilt after such a defeat, and of course I will deliver it personally. Now, if I may, my Lord Mace, my Lord Regent," he said, offering a bow to each in turn, "My new lands require me, there is work to be done."

Donnel turned on the spot and made for the exit, maintaining a confident stride and meeting the eyes of several of the courtiers as he departed. Garth had been spoiling for a fight, it was obvious, having probably hoped he would be some militaristic brute that could be used as a target for his frustrations. After all, he'd lost a brother and a war. Taking the wind from his sails had been satisfying in its own way and the money lost was inconsequential: Donnel still stood to inherit Goldentooth, Cider Hall was nothing but the King using him as both a road block to future Reach aggression and as a slap in the face to the Tyrells.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Garth appeared rather deflated. His goal had been to humiliate Lefford, but he seems to have failed in that regard. He let Donnel depart without anything further being said.

[Wheatley]

Arriving on the Mander, ser Grafton of Darry has closed his eyes to the sun that shines over the green fields surrounding Highgarden. His skin has been burnt red and his chin is scratching from coarse brown hair. A kick from the captain tells him that they are close to arriving at Highgarden, seat of the traitorous Tyrells. The green light and smells of the execution had only been described to ser Gregor, who felt empathy for lord Luthor, and that the flames had melted his flesh clean off the bone. Ser Gregor chose against the lime green doublet and went for the Grafton, black and red colored one instead.

At least until the squire pointed out that black and red might not be well received either. Changing once again, the boat had docked into the riverport and he exited wearing boiled leather over a tunic instead, with a newly acquired hat from Ryamsport. He took the Grafton cloak across the shoulders and went to the main gate of Highgarden, announcing that he came in representation of house Darry from the Riverlands.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The gate guards granted him entry into the bustling city. Even though beaten the Reach had shown incredible resiliency. Garth, the Lord Regent of the Reach, was sitting in the main public reception hall where Darry found him.

[Wheatley]

"Lord Tyrell, a pleasure." Said the knight and bowed before the Lord Paramount. "I come offering our surplus of grains harvested from the Riverlands in exchange of the products of your gardens."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"An offer of trade from the Riverlands is unexpected." Garth replied. "considering I lead the charge on their ranks myself less than a year ago, but then this past year has been most odd indeed. I accept your offer."

[Wheatley]

"I remember facing that charge my lord, your smallfolk don't lack in bravery." Said ser Grafton, recalling the battle outside King's Landing. His forces had been at the front lines under Frey command, facing some of the worst fighting, the massacre. Two unrelenting sides hacking each other down. "A great loss for our relams but now Aerys sits on the throne and the kingdoms must prosper again. Which as Aegon the Conqueror saw, we best do when trading with each other."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Aye." Garth replied. "Well said. Will that conclude our business?"

[Wheatley]

"I believe it will, thank you for your hospitality."

[ficenzi]

The banners of Rowan with golden trees on them could be seen as the hundred-man retinue of Lord Anders Rowan approached Highgarden. Lord Rowan and his son, Damon, rode at the head, making some smalltalk during the entire trip. An outrider charged ahead to the gates of Highgarden, requesting an audience with the Lord Regent.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Garth granted them an audience