House Hightower of Oldtown is perhaps the oldest noble family in the entirety of Westeros, an ancient lineage that, it is said by Maesters, perhaps even predates the arrival of the First Men to Westeros. Whatever the truth, the Hightowers have made the mysterious fortress of black stone upon Battle Isle their home since their arrival to Westeros - a structure that has continued to spiral upwards and evolve into what it is today: the tallest building structure in all the world, having outgrown even the Wall built to safeguard the realms of men from the march of Winter. Around the Hightower sprung Oldtown, the oldest and most prosperous city of Westeros; the centre of trade, science, and learning. Whilst King's Landing has recently become the most populous, the wattle and daub slums of the capital pale in comparison to the magnificence of Oldtown's cobbled streets and cosmopolitan environment. It is as the masters of this city that the Hightowers have risen to the greatest prominence, growing rich and powerful off of the commerce that comes from both Essos and the Summer Islands. Though they are vassals of the Tyrell lords of the Mander, they are an authority unto themselves, rarely meddling in the politics of the wider realm. However, history has proven that the Hightowers can rise to the very top, if they so wish, with the Hightowers proving to be the spine of Aegon II's cause during the Dance of Dragons that tore the realm apart two centuries ago.
In recent years, the ageing Lord Leyton is growing ever more reclusive, and though he does retain an active role in the governing of Oldtown and its dependencies, his sons have recently began to bear the mantle of rulership upon his behalf. Lord Leyton's uncle, Ser Gerold Hightower, remains as the Lord Commander of the famed Kingsguard of Aerys II Targaryen, protecting the Lady Stark on behalf of Rhaegar Targaryen, the Prince of Dragonstone. Along with Lord Leyton's general indifference to the rebellion (his inclination to merely follow the lead of his liege, Lord Tyrell) this places Hightower firmly in the royalist camp. Already, Leyton's eldest sons Baelor and Garth prepare the soldiery of Oldtown to assist in the coming battles against the Stormlander rebels that they shall almost certainly clash with in due course.
Lord Leyton Hightower
Lord Leyton Hightower, Voice of Oldtown, Lord of The Port, Lord of the Hightower, Defender of the Citadel, Beacon of the South:
Bio: The aged Lord of Oldtown is a wearied and reclusive man, born when his father was a young knight and his grandfather, Lord Uthor, still ruled Oldtown. Until recently, Leyton had been a known athlete and tourney goer, taking part in the sport of the joust as recently as the tourney of Storm's End some five years past. However, Hightower now spends more of his time in the solitude of the eponymous fortress, largely leaving the management of Oldtown to his two eldest sons. He is approaching the twilight of a long and fruitful life, though it has not been without grief. Three wives has Lord Leyton outlived. The first was claimed by the exertions of childbirth, and died bringing his eldest daughter, Malora, into the world. The second was taken by an outbreak of pox, and the third broke her neck upon falling from a horse. His fourth marriage, to lady Rhea Florent, had been long and happy, resulting in the final four of Leyton's children. Lord Hightower has begun to retreat from the world, often disappearing from existence for weeks on end within the Hightower before re-emerging as if little had changed. Many whisper that he consults books of forbidden spells with Malora (who remains locked away in the Hightower, due to her raving bouts of madness) but the knowledge of his activities seemingly rests alone with himself.
Baelor Brightsmile
Ser Baelor Brightsmile, Son and Heir of Lord Leyton.
Bio: The eldest son of Lord Leyton Hightower and Lady Alysanne Roxton is handsome, courteous, and witty; a man of impeccable reputation as a font of honour and chivalric virtue - interested in higher learning as well as martial pursuits. A competent administrator, Baelor already managed many of Oldtown's affairs on behalf of his father, and is therefore already considered an able replacement when Lord Leyton's time comes. Baelor was once thought of as a potential suitor for Elia of Dorne, though the match came to nothing, the Princess eventually marrying Rhaegar Targaryen. Baelor was therefore matched with Rhonda Rowan, a daughter of the then current Lord of Goldengrove. Though their marriage is happy, it has of yet produced no children.
Garth Greysteel
Ser Garth Greysteel, second son of Lord Leyton
Age: 26 (Born 256 AL)
Marital Status: Unmarried
Traits: +3 duels +3 battles +1 survival
Bio: Born to Lord Leyton's second wife, Lady Fowler, Garth is the second son of the Lord Hightower and thus stands as the eldest of the "spares", those who live in the shadow of Baelor. Garth has dealt with this by modelling himself upon his great-uncle, the White Bull, rigorously training in the arts of war, and apparently hopes to eventually take Ser Gerold's place in the Kingsguard - a rumour that has only increased thanks to Greysteel's disinterest in any and all suitors, as well as women in general. Though Greysteel can, on the surface, seem to be a gruff-mannered brute, this coarse exterior masks a surprising intellect and a sharp wit. With news of the rebellion against Aerys taking shape, Greysteel has devoted his time to ensuring that the defensive and offensive capability of Oldtown is up to the highest possible standard; he stands ready to lead the forces of Hightower into battle against the traitor Robert Baratheon and his allies.
HOUSE RETINUE/COURT
WIP
TRADE
Consumed Resources First Trade Resource: Grain (+1200 Land militia, +600 from bonus) = 1800 points Imported or Produced: Produced
Second Trade Resource: Livestock (+1,200 Land Militia points)Imported or Produced: Produced
Third Trade Resource: Fruit (+2 survival, +2 charisma, +400 land militia) Imported or Produced:
Exported Resources Resource Name: Exported to: [insert additional slots as needed to organize imported or exported resources]
TAXATION LEVELS
(What is the taxation level) (What lords are being taxed) (level of revolt risk) (vassal action penalty)
BUILDINGS
TIER I: 1. Marketplace: +10% income, +1 trade route 2. Militia Armoury: +500 Land Militia 3. Dockyard: +500 naval militia points, +10% income (finished 5 feb) 4: City Watch Quarters: 400 Light Infantry permanently stationed in home territory. Cannot be moved elsewhere (finished 5 feb)
TIER II: 1. Merchant's Square: +10% income, +1 trade route
2. Town Watch: +1000 militia points, -5% professional troop hire cost (finished 5 feb) TIER III:
House Bulwer of Blackcrown - very small levy (500 points)
House Blackbar of Bandalon - small levy (1500 points)
House Beesbury of Honeyholt - very small levy (500 points)
House Mullendore of Uplands - small levy (1500 points)
House Costayne of Three Towers - small levy (1500 points)
House Cuy of Sunhouse - very small levy (500 points)
REGIONAL BONUS
Oldtown
The City Watch of Oldtown: The city is defended and policed by a garrison of 2,500 men (divided into 1,500 Light Infantry, 500 Heavy Infantry and 500 Archers), which the owner does not need to pay upkeep for. These help protect against spying and assassination rolls in the city, and also are used in defense battles. -2 to spying, assassination and escape rolls for foes in the city, plus 2,500 extra troops in siege defense.
Bustling Port: Oldtown is the second largest port in all of the Seven Kingdoms, second only to King's Landing itself. Traders from all corners of the known world come here to sell and buy wares, granting the owner one additional trade route.
The Hightower and Battle Island: Originally just a lighthouse built to guide ships coming from the Whispering Sound, the Hightower slowly became a powerful fortress in it's own right on its own personal island at the center of Oldtown's bay on Battle Island as the city of Oldtown grew around it. If the city of Oldtown falls to a siege, the Hightower will act as a holdfast.
Oldtown: The city is one of the largest in all of Westeros having developed and grown over a period of more than 4,000 years at the very least. The size of the city has allowed it to garrison an additional 200% of its levy. Requires at least 1,000 men to defend or a -1 siege defense modifier is applied.
A city of Influence: Home to one of Westeros' most influential families and one of the Seven's most important of Septs, the owners of Oldtown are granted with +1 charisma.
Last edited by Gandalfus; January 29, 2017 at 04:52 AM.
Ser Colin is escorted by the city watch to the Hightower itself, where they are lead through spacious passageways to the current solar of Ser Baelor Brightsmile. Baelor looks up and offers a warm smile, rising from his seat.
'I'll keep it short.', Colin said. 'I'm here because House Florent wishes to strengthen ties with House Hightower further than the marriage of Lord Leyton and Lady Rhea.' No smile or facial expression was present on Colin's face. 'I seek the hand of lady Denyse Hightower for myself.'
'The sooner the better, Ser Baelor.', a swift response came. 'I am available as we speak but I suppose it does not fit two major houses of the Reach to intermarry without a proper ceremony and a couple of golden dragons spent.'
A raven arrives, sealed with gray wax and the direwolf of house Stark. The letter is short.
You have my apologies for the news this letter bares. It is my solemn duty to inform you that, while in the process of retrieving my sister Lyanna betrothed of Robert Baratheon, Ser Gerold Hightower met his end at the hands of Ser Arthur Dayne. Ser Dayne was later slain by my hand, though not before he claimed three more lives. Though I only knew him for a short time, it became my impression that he was a man of single minded conviction to his oaths. If you wish to retrieve his body, it is buried beside his sworn brother - outside the Tower their Prince raised, the Tower they were to protect.
Lord Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North
Oldtown, seat of House Hightower
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