Highgarden, Seat of Tyrell

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 13, 2016, 05:50 AM

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.

Buildings

Trade

Edicts

Retinue

Family

Equipment

Army

Naval Forces

Domestic Policies

**The Mad Skylord** · August 13, 2016, 06:05 PM

A messenger of the High Septon arrives to Highgarden.

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 14, 2016, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

A messenger of the High Septon arrives to Highgarden.

Mace takes the messenger in his solar, his councilors being dismissed with the man's arrival. "What message does His Holiness bring?"

**The Mad Skylord** · August 14, 2016, 05:00 AM

"The news is dire, my Lord. His Holiness sent me with a letter for you, he would not trust it to a raven."

Originally Posted by The High Septon' :wub: Stirring

Lord Tyrell,

There is dire news from Oldtown. I attempted to leave the city to perform a marriage ceremony, and the Oldtown City Guard attempted to kidnap me on the orders of their lord. It was only by the valor of my guards that I managed to escape. I also bear dire news regarding our earlier conversation.

When last we spoke, I told you of Lord Hightower's attempt to have you excommunicated by threatening me. His fury at your marriage to Cimbre Footly was terrible. We have uncovered further evidence of terrible wrongdoing. One of my Septons stumbled upon a letter in the ravenry of the Battle Tower. It gave explicit details of a plot. A plot to kill your wife and you, so Lord Hightower and his cronies could seize the Lord Protectorship, and marry members of House Hightower to your young heir whenever they should wish to do so.

This letter was written from Lord Hightower to Lord Oakheart. It also stipulated the desire to bring Lord Florent to the plot. Take care my Lord, I fear for your house.

Signed,
His Holiness, the High Septon
{SEVEN POINTED STAR}

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 14, 2016, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

"The news is dire, my Lord. His Holiness sent me with a letter for you, he would not trust it to a raven."

Mace studied the High Septon's letter, trying to fathom the reasoning for Oakheart's treachery. "Thank His Holiness for this news," Mace set the paper on to the table, letting its contents hide themselves from the world. "Ask him to send this septon with an armed escort to Highgarden at best speed. You may leave." Oakheart. Did they truly believe that such a black deed would bring them prosperity, bring them the glory they sought? Florent. Hightower. The list would grow, this council of traitors seeking his family's death.

He would have to put them in their place, fatally if needs be.

**The Mad Skylord** · August 14, 2016, 12:25 PM

Ooc: Oakheart's heir was killed in a tourney accident in the Westerlands and Mace didn't do anything, so that was my reasoning by accusing Oakheart.

"I shall my Lord."

----

The Septon arrived, obviously having ridden hard to get here. He was often seen giving prayer in the Sept of the Lord in Oldtown.

**Lucius Malfoy** · August 14, 2016, 03:57 PM

OOC: The letter that is being brought to Lord Tyrell has legitimate cause.

The King knows that the High Septon has lied about something involving Hightower, that Tyrell did not seem to care much when the King mentioned Hightower and the letter from the High Septon and that the Faith now controls Tumbleton.

======================

One evening, a lone rider approaches Highgarden and would make his way to the Night Watchmen. When inquired who he is, the rider reveals the sigil of House Blackfyre, claiming he is an agent of the King and has urgent news to give to Lord Tyrell on behalf of His Grace. Upon this person were two letters and no weapons. He did have a sack of water and food that had been given to him for his trip southward.

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 14, 2016, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

Ooc: Oakheart's heir was killed in a tourney accident in the Westerlands and Mace didn't do anything, so that was my reasoning by accusing Oakheart.

"I shall my Lord."

----

The Septon arrived, obviously having ridden hard to get here. He was often seen giving prayer in the Sept of the Lord in Oldtown.

OOC: yeah I know, no need to defend each decision

Mace, with some of his advisors and sworn swords, takes the Septon to a secluded wing of Highgarden, the better to keep the discussion quiet.

"You are going to have to be very thorough in your wording," Mace said, whether to benefit his men or the Septon even he did not know. "If you would, tell us of the events which led you to the Battle Tower, to its ravenry, and the discovery of a letter."

The maester, older than most, spoke softly after his liege. "And to recall if you can, any fellows who knew of your entrance to the ravenry, or indeed any other who came upon the letter. Highgarden cannot protect the Faith on accusation alone."

"Not yet, at least," Mace added, feeling the need to defend himself. "But good enough cause to appease the other houses."

Originally Posted by Lucius Malfoy

OOC: The letter that is being brought to Lord Tyrell has legitimate cause.

The King knows that the High Septon has lied about something involving Hightower, that Tyrell did not seem to care much when the King mentioned Hightower and the letter from the High Septon and that the Faith now controls Tumbleton.

======================

One evening, a lone rider approaches Highgarden and would make his way to the Night Watchmen. When inquired who he is, the rider reveals the sigil of House Blackfyre, claiming he is an agent of the King and has urgent news to give to Lord Tyrell on behalf of His Grace. Upon this person were two letters and no weapons. He did have a sack of water and food that had been given to him for his trip southward.

Mace, disheveled and weary from an early bout of drinking, takes the Royal messenger in the near-empty Great Hall, guards and servants keeping the Lord company as he addressed the man.

"I would have this news," he informed the lowly rider. "In good keeping I hope."

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Lucius Malfoy** · August 14, 2016, 05:31 PM

The rider bows to Lord Tyrell when he is brought in before handing the two letters to Mace. The man then whispers for Mace just to hear.

His Grace urgently dispatched me when the letter in your left hand was discovered. In the one in your right is from His Grace personally.

The rider then steps back.

OOC: PM incoming.

**The Mad Skylord** · August 14, 2016, 05:42 PM

"It is my duty to cater to the Lord of the Hightower's spiritual needs. Indeed I spend many a night in the small chambers of the Lord's Sept, when it is too late to catch a ferry to return to the Starry Sept. I often go up to the Ravenry to pass the time, speaking to the Maesters and feeding the birds." All true so far. " I do not usually snoop through messages, but one was lying out and it simply caught my eye. I read it, and left in a great panic. I could not leave the Battle Island that night - for no ferries were available - so I left early the next morning on the first ferry, to tell his Holiness of the letter I had read.

The letter contained a terrible plan. After the His Holiness refused to denounce you, Lord Hightower and Lord Oakheart cooked up a crueler plan. Murder you and Lady Cimbre, and make Lord Rolland the Lord Regent, giving him absolute control of the Reach. The letter was a discussion of ideas. Your death needed to be an accident. They discussed murder by tourney, as Oakheart's heir was rumored to have suffered. Poisoning, going so far as to suggest Tears of Lys. Even a Faceless man was considered in that terrible list. It also made mention of the aftermath, and stipulated extra troops would be necessary to keep total domination over the Lord Paramount. It was here Lord Florent's name as a potential benefactor was mentioned. He is married into House Hightower, after all. The letter had been penned by Lord Rolland himself, and I assume it was due to be sent to Lord Oakheart that very night, for darkness would disguise the raven and thus leave it unknown that the two lords were in correspondence.

It pains me to have acted almost like a spy, but I cannot allow such a threat to the most ancient, chivalrous and pious of the Seven Kingdoms to go unanswered."

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 15, 2016, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Lucius Malfoy

The rider bows to Lord Tyrell when he is brought in before handing the two letters to Mace. The man then whispers for Mace just to hear.

His Grace urgently dispatched me when the letter in your left hand was discovered. In the one in your right is from His Grace personally.

The rider then steps back.

OOC: PM incoming.

Mace, reading the letters, throws glances towards the few attendants within the hall. His true court were sleeping away their troubles or busying themselves with the keeping of his lands, administering to the population as best as their abilities would allow them. Alone, he had no voice to weigh his decisions. "You will pass along my thanks to His Grace. This is indeed news that I must act on." Time, that was what he needed. There were too many foes, too many traitors for him to deal with.

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

"It is my duty to cater to the Lord of the Hightower's spiritual needs. Indeed I spend many a night in the small chambers of the Lord's Sept, when it is too late to catch a ferry to return to the Starry Sept. I often go up to the Ravenry to pass the time, speaking to the Maesters and feeding the birds." All true so far. " I do not usually snoop through messages, but one was lying out and it simply caught my eye. I read it, and left in a great panic. I could not leave the Battle Island that night - for no ferries were available - so I left early the next morning on the first ferry, to tell his Holiness of the letter I had read.

The letter contained a terrible plan. After the His Holiness refused to denounce you, Lord Hightower and Lord Oakheart cooked up a crueler plan. Murder you and Lady Cimbre, and make Lord Rolland the Lord Regent, giving him absolute control of the Reach. The letter was a discussion of ideas. Your death needed to be an accident. They discussed murder by tourney, as Oakheart's heir was rumored to have suffered. Poisoning, going so far as to suggest Tears of Lys. Even a Faceless man was considered in that terrible list. It also made mention of the aftermath, and stipulated extra troops would be necessary to keep total domination over the Lord Paramount. It was here Lord Florent's name as a potential benefactor was mentioned. He is married into House Hightower, after all. The letter had been penned by Lord Rolland himself, and I assume it was due to be sent to Lord Oakheart that very night, for darkness would disguise the raven and thus leave it unknown that the two lords were in correspondence.

It pains me to have acted almost like a spy, but I cannot allow such a threat to the most ancient, chivalrous and pious of the Seven Kingdoms to go unanswered."

"Then the death of Ser Oakheart was justice for his father's dark desire," Mace thought aloud.

"That is an ill thought," answered one of the sworn swords of Mace's great retinue. "That Lannister hound was merely in heat."

"The wrong hand made the blow but the punishment is the same," the Lord of Highgarden retorted, angry at the interruption. "You will remain in my court, Septon. I will not have you disappearing into a thorn bush at the command of Hightower. Once a plan is agreed upon you will act as witness for dealing with these traitors." Mace spoke with a recurring smile, satisfied with this stroke of luck. I will have them broken over my knee. Traitors to signal my rise.

**Lucius Malfoy** · August 15, 2016, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Aquilifer

Mace, reading the letters, throws glances towards the few attendants within the hall. His true court were sleeping away their troubles or busying themselves with the keeping of his lands, administering to the population as best as their abilities would allow them. Alone, he had no voice to weigh his decisions. "You will pass along my thanks to His Grace. This is indeed news that I must act on." Time, that was what he needed. There were too many foes, too many traitors for him to deal with.

His Grace stated that if you need anything, he will provide aid. Please, send word to His Grace to let him know you have gotten word of this.

The rider kept his voice hushed, allowing only Mace to hear his words. Daemon had cautioned the messenger, remembering a time when Lord Tyrell told him of Lord Westbrook's pro-Faith alignment that almost caused the Reach to support the ill-advised Steffon and the misguided High Septon that came before the present one. The King wanted to keep this matter as hushed up as possible and only within a few ears.

**The Mad Skylord** · August 15, 2016, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Aquilifer

Mace, reading the letters, throws glances towards the few attendants within the hall. His true court were sleeping away their troubles or busying themselves with the keeping of his lands, administering to the population as best as their abilities would allow them. Alone, he had no voice to weigh his decisions. "You will pass along my thanks to His Grace. This is indeed news that I must act on." Time, that was what he needed. There were too many foes, too many traitors for him to deal with.

"Then the death of Ser Oakheart was justice for his father's dark desire," Mace thought aloud.

"That is an ill thought," answered one of the sworn swords of Mace's great retinue. "That Lannister hound was merely in heat."

"The wrong hand made the blow but the punishment is the same," the Lord of Highgarden retorted, angry at the interruption. "You will remain in my court, Septon. I will not have you disappearing into a thorn bush at the command of Hightower. Once a plan is agreed upon you will act as witness for dealing with these traitors." Mace spoke with a recurring smile, satisfied with this stroke of luck. I will have them broken over my knee. Traitors to signal my rise.

"There was one other issue, Lord Tyrell. This plan would require the blessing of the King, there is no other way Lord Rolland could assume the Regency without a war. His Holiness believes there was a deal struck between Hightower and Blackfyre, for one moment Lord Rolland treated us fairly - although he expected favours such as condemning you - and the next moment he was attempting to hold us captive.

It is no secret the King hates His Holiness, and the whole realm knows of his eagerness to murder and betray his closest supporters."

**Iron Aquilifer** · August 16, 2016, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Lucius Malfoy

His Grace stated that if you need anything, he will provide aid. Please, send word to His Grace to let him know you have gotten word of this.

The rider kept his voice hushed, allowing only Mace to hear his words. Daemon had cautioned the messenger, remembering a time when Lord Tyrell told him of Lord Westbrook's pro-Faith alignment that almost caused the Reach to support the ill-advised Steffon and the misguided High Septon that came before the present one. The King wanted to keep this matter as hushed up as possible and only within a few ears.

Mace nodded, satisfied with the words. Yet, what man would they take him for if he let the king come in to strike at the Faith? Would they respect him? The question forced a thick frown to defile his features. "I will send His Grace a response. You may rest here with food and water but I am sure that you will be needed at the capital as soon as can be arranged."

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

"There was one other issue, Lord Tyrell. This plan would require the blessing of the King, there is no other way Lord Rolland could assume the Regency without a war. His Holiness believes there was a deal struck between Hightower and Blackfyre, for one moment Lord Rolland treated us fairly - although he expected favours such as condemning you - and the next moment he was attempting to hold us captive.

It is no secret the King hates His Holiness, and the whole realm knows of his eagerness to murder and betray his closest supporters."

Pointing towards the septon, Mace looked at his advisers. "My child is betrothed to his own and still he would put his claws into my reign." If such a betrayal had occurred, then Mace was alone in his rule, with only a few thousand men to defy Westeros. "Then it best that we crush this conspiracy before it can rear its head," Mace informed them all. Bracken, Tom, me. Would he dare do so? Mace did not know the answer.

**The Mad Skylord** · August 16, 2016, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Aquilifer

Mace nodded, satisfied with the words. Yet, what man would they take him for if he let the king come in to strike at the Faith? Would they respect him? The question forced a thick frown to defile his features. "I will send His Grace a response. You may rest here with food and water but I am sure that you will be needed at the capital as soon as can be arranged."

Pointing towards the septon, Mace looked at his advisers. "My child is betrothed to his own and still he would put his claws into my reign." If such a betrayal had occurred, then Mace was alone in his rule, with only a few thousand men to defy Westeros. "Then it best that we crush this conspiracy before it can rear its head," Mace informed them all. Bracken, Tom, me. Would he dare do so? Mace did not know the answer.

The Septon bowed respectfully. "Tom the Butcher and Lord Bracken put him on the Throne. Currently both rest a head or so shorter. For the safety of your own house, this plot must be crushed and Hightower's person destroyed. Once King Daemon sees your great strength and leadership, he may have second thoughts about betraying you. But then again, he is obviously a jealous man - and he may be even more determined to destroy your house."