Runestone, Seat of House Royce

[Gandalfus]

A stout, well made keep to the north of Gulltown, Runestone has served as the seat of House Royce for generations, harking back to when the Bronze Kings ruled these lands before the coming of House Arryn. It has been expanded over the years, the main feature being the larger and thicker stone walls, as well as the modest castle sept that was built after Royce turned to the Seven. Nonetheless, a Godswood still exists within the castle grounds, and is well tended.

Character info

Lad Rhea Rhoyce (22): +1 wealth +3 charisma +2 survival Uthor Royce (6)

Land info:

Land income: 50,000 dragons per annum +17,500 (traits and buildings) Regional levy points: 6,500 levy points Regional bonuses: Bronze armour (qualifies as a full plate set) Militia points: 6700

Buildings:

Tier I: Market square: +10% income Militia armoury: 500 militia points Wall Reinforcements: +1 Siege Defence rolls Keep Expansions: +25% castle garrison size permitted Tier II: Town watch: 1000 militia points, -5% troop hire Merchant square: +10% income Tier III: Barracks: 1000 militia points, -10% troop hire Trade Hub: Allows owners of the province to gain an additional trade route. - 60,000 Tier IV: Militia Armoury: +1,000 Militia Points, 10% cheaper professional troop hire, if the province is besieged a garrison of 300 light infantry and 300 archers is hastily conscripted to aid in the defence.

Trade

Resource: stone Lane 1: Freykeep - Grain (+1200 militia points) Lane 2: Estermont - Armour Lane 3: Volantis (expires in one year)

Edicts

Militia infrastructure: +1000 points militia: +1000 points

Retainers

N/A

Vassals

House Redfort House Tollett

Military

5500 levy points: 6700 militia points: 2450 Heavy Infantry 600 Heavy Cavalry 4900 professional points : 1400 Vale Knights (elite cavalry)

[ficenzi]

A raven flies in from Harrenhal, with a message bearing the seal of House Whent. The Lords of Harrenhal gladly accept your trade offer.

[Harandir]

A raven arrives from White Harbor :
We are currently not interested in the Stones from the Vale.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The trade offer is accepted

[Oznerol]

A company of riders and a carriage arrive to Runestone. They march under the banners of Selwyn Tarth, the heraldry of his house and that of Arryn quartered.

[Gandalfus]

The group are escorted into the Great Hall of Runestone, where a slender, flame-haired woman lounged on her throne. As the visitors entered the Hall, Rhea's emerald gaze turned to the newcomers, and she made an effort to look a bit more interested.

"Lord... Tarth, is it?" Rhea enquired, pausing for a moment to recognise the heraldry.

[Oznerol]

As Winter was coming Selwyn wore a heavy blue woolen cloak lined with furs and a thick doublet made of Lorathi velvet. The doublet itself was embroidered with stars and moons, in blue and pink. He removed the hood when he entered the keep. He had some snowflakes on his auburn hair. Tarth scratched his pug nose before speaking. By his arm walked his wife, Lady Rowena.

"Ser Tarth, actually"

Said the young man.

"Lord Boremund is my father"

He pointed.

"I thank your Ladyship for granting us an audience. I am Selwyn Tarth and this is my wife, Lady Rowena Arryn; but I bet you know each other already"

[Gandalfus]

Rhea leaned forward to get a good look at the Tarth. He was fairly handsome, but, alas, he was already wed. To an Arryn no less.

​"Yes, I have spoken to the Lady Arryn on occasion, though my responsibilities here have meant I rarely leave Runestone." She smiled faintly, perhaps wondering why they have come to visit her in the midst of winter.

[Oznerol]

"We come on behalf of my father"

Said Tarth. That Lady Royce was seriously beautiful... But Selwyn struggled to dismiss the thought.

"Lady Royce, I have a brother, Duncan Tarth. He is a squire to Ser Herbert Baratheon and he is unmarried"

He coughs to clear his throat.

"We consider there aren't better matches than those of the Vale. And your ladyship stands over them all as the wealthiest, fairest and most powerful woman in the Vale"

His bright blue eyes look at her, quizzicaly.

"Thus, I came to seek your Ladyship's hand in marriage with Duncan Tarth"

[Gandalfus]

"Duncan... Tarth, Ser?" She inquired, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly as the air escaped from her nostrils in a small sigh. Selwyn was the firstborn son, so if Duncan was his brother...
"I need a husband with power, and influence. It is difficult for a woman like me to be alone in this world." Was the reply she gave, her tone feigning grief and despair, wiping a tear away from her eye.

[Oznerol]

Selwyn's heart beats faster. He wanted to run by Royce's side and comfort her. He again dismissed the thought.

"He doesn't lack those, my Lady. Our sister, Lady Alinor, is married to Lord Steffon Baratheon. I'm married to my fair wife, my beloved Lady Rowena. If you both had children they would be cousins to two great lords of reknown and fame"

Two Great Houses, noneless... Arryn and Baratheon.

"And through my father we are grandchildren of Princess Rhae Targaryen, thus great-grandchildren of Maekar I"

Said Tarth.

"By marrying Duncan you would gain ties with many powerful houses of this realm"

Duncan is a good lad. I don't know if this is the right one...

"Moreso, my mother, Lady Alys, is willing to leave my brother as heir to Pennytree and all its lands as they were granted to her father, Ser Duncan the Tall, by Aegon V"

[Gandalfus]

She had hoped to be married to Lord Jon himself, but alas, that hope was scuppered by Waxley. A powerful husband had been what she had dreamed of, a man who could command kingdoms on a whim, a man whose influence stretched across the realm... Or one who could be easily manipulated to do her bidding.

"Forgive me I - I am too soon widowed." She replied, using a cloth to gently dab at the tears that flowed steadily down her cheek. Her former husband was an old fool, but they did not have to know that.
"I must consider this, Ser Tarth. The safety of my child is paramount to me. I shall give you an answer at the wedding feast, that I do hope you will attend."

[Oznerol]

"Alas, my lady, we did not know you had lost your husband so little ago. You have my condolences"

He said so moved by the sight of the poor sorrowful widow.

"My brother is a good man. He has everything you might ask for a husband. He would be the perfect match"

He looks to Lady Rowena. Arryn had promised to support the match.

[Lord Dread]

Lady Rowena nodded , trying to offer the Lady a gentle hand.
"From what I and my brother, the Lord Protector of the Vale, know, I can vow for my husband's words", she said politely towards her, "Tarth is an influential House. Prior to the King's death House Tarth held the office of the Master of Laws, while also aided their Targaryen cousins at high command, when Wildfyre was spread over the Kingswood, organizing the defence of the city while also ensuring the crowds to not rise up against the crown. "
At least that's what she heard, while not doubting in these words.
"The Crown benefitted my dear Selwyn already with the command over Hadlow Keep - Ser Duncan might mayhaps not gain lands, but other honors indeed, perhaps again on the Small Council."

[Gandalfus]

The tears abated, after a time, but her gaze was still mournful.
"I shall... Think on it, Ser and Lady. This is a great decision for a widow such as me, one who has lost both brothers, a father, and a husband. I shall attend the wedding at the Gates and I - I shall hopefully have my answer for you then." With a thin smile, she ordered her child to be bought before her. Bearing it carefully, her skin seemed to radiate as the joy flowed back into her face, the child laughing primitively at its mother's attention, mumbling garbled words that were a source of much amusement to the court.

[Oznerol]

Tarth looked at the boy tenderly. Bitterly it reminded him of his lack of male sons. He loved Rowena but she had failed to deliver a living son, Brienne and Alayne were daughters and so his house would end after his death. He dismissed those dark thoughts, troubled, and kept looking at the child.

"What a sweet boy, my Lady"

Selwyn removed the pin from his cloak, a silvery brooch inlaid with a good-sized sapphire.

"My Lady Royce, we thank you for your hospitality. Take this as a gift for your son"

Tarth had always been a good man. Certainly.

[Oznerol]

A raven arrived. It was written by a maester, whose hand was recognizable inmediately, but by someone else. The handwritting was sure and fast, the letters themselves were small and cursive.

Lady Royce,

I have heard my brother, Selwyn Tarth, did a proposal to your ladyship two years ago. Fate determined that my father died soon thereafter and my brother followed suit only a year later, gods be merciful of his gentle soul. Thus, I inherited all lands of Tarth, and all the titles to them attached. However, I will not consider the proposal void, even if my brother found his death at Blackfyre's edge what he proposed your Ladyship will stand. I seek your hand in marriage, for there is any woman I wish to take as wife than you, Rhea of House Royce. None will withstand the Black Dragon now and peace looms in the horizon. Let's join our houses in marriage to ciment our standing in these unsure and troubled times, with the kingdoms bleeding by civil war and foreign invasion. Let's have an ocassion to rejoice and feast.

Seven blessings. Yours,

Lord Duncan Tarth, Lord of Tarth and High Lord of the Straits. By my own hand.

(SIGNED AND SEALED)

The last phrase writting was somewhat flickering, like the author's hand was trembling; either visibly moved or distressed.

[Oznerol]

A large cog, along several other ships arrived to Gulltown, bearing the Tarth heraldry on their banners. Duncan had arrived to the Vale to claim his wife. Then, took him several days to arrive by horse to Runestone, perched on a ragged hill facing the sea. Lord Tarth arrives one morning to Lady Rhea's castle with a company of riders.

[Gandalfus]

The new Lord Tarth is received into the great hall of Runestone, where Rhea Royce sits bored on the bronze throne that stood at the end of the hall, raised on the dais


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Oznerol]

Duncan wore his finest robes, robes that couldn't conceal he was a rather short and truly thin young lordling. Tarth's hands were bony and his fingers long, his arms were thick with muscle but truly thin. He was neither handsome, nor charming. His face was rather long, with prominent cheekbones. Duncan's eyes were his best feature, however: a pair of steely blue eyes; big, bright and inquisitive. He was nothing like his elder brother, Selwyn, who Lady Royce had met some time before.
The doublet he wore was embroidered with golden suns and the cloak was held in place by a moon-shaped brooch. Duncan had no sword hanging from his belt, nor spurs to grace his boots. He approached the throne with firm steps.

"An honor to finally been able to meet your Ladyship"