The year is 286 AC. King Jaehaerys II has just passed, leaving the throne without a rightful ruler. While his three children fight for the crown, Winter creeps closer, and unimaginable darkness looms.
Not all alliances will be so typical this time. In fact, many people have a crucial effect on the way this story is told. As for the ending, we only hope there are enough people left alive to tell it after its passed.
Events
Join us for our first event, the wake of recently deceased King Jaehaerys II.
Updates
AUG. 19: So we are now officially open to the public. We have a mini-event flashback thread going on, and our main event just began. Feel free to make a second canon if you can keep both of them active enough.
Don't hesitate in pestering staff with questions; it's what we're here for! Let's raise a glass and make a cheer toward a successful launch of Winds of Winter.
Post by Selvyra Lannister on Jun 20, 2015 8:17:41 GMT
For a long while, Selvyra rode quietly beside her brother through the southern flatlands. Their pacing was down to a steady trot by now, and the many things on her mind were down to one pivotal question. Selly glanced towards Tybalt in wonder.
For all the years of their life, she had tried to be one of the proper daughters of Lord Lannister. She had taken to sewing and reading, shortly after to become interested in the work of maesters. Becoming familiar with herbs and alchemy sounded to be very useful, especially when it would come down to you to watch over your family. Surely Selly did not expect full loyalty from servants, so when in the balance hung the life of those dear to her, she expected to know what to do during crucial moments.
Even so, every day she found new sources of vulnerability about her. She knew how to use a bow to great accuracy but any fighter could outpace and overpower her in close quarters. Selly carried a dagger in her boot, but what could a dagger do, really, when faced with a skilled opponent? Ideally, she would have guards to protect her, but Selvyra wanted to be no standing damsel that simply watched as the men around her died. She feared the feeling of powerlessness more than many other things, and definitely more than potential ridicule.
So eventually she worked up the courage to speak her mind to Tybalt. It was well past the time she simply sat in watchful admiration of his principled jousting. Her grip tightened slightly on the reigns but her gaze was calm. “Brother, I have been meaning to ask you something,” she began, allowing herself a moment’s indifference to her surroundings. “Do you believe a lady could retain favor if she were to pick up the sword?” Tybalt already knew of her archery, which was already an unusual practice for someone of her standing.
Only the Seven could understand why she needed to do everything and be everything in this life.
Post by Tybalt Lannister on Jun 20, 2015 16:54:34 GMT
Riding on horseback had been one of the few core interests that Tybalt shared with his younger sister, Selvyra. Compared to his other sister she was just a little more vulnerable, a little more honest in the same way that he was and as such they had managed to foster a warmer relationship. The ride had been quiet for the most part which was by necessity as the only conversational topic Tybalt had in mind was saddle chafing, and that was certainly not something he wished to discuss with Selvyra.
Tybalt was content to simply enjoy the evening sun and the sound of the cool wind through the grass. It was a relaxing experience and Tybalt was no stranger to relaxation. In fact, relaxing was practically all he did when he wasn’t in his armour and he didn’t have much reason to wear that unless there was a tourney to win. That relaxation, however, was about to be tested when Selvyse asked a rather awkward question.
”No, I don’t think she could.” Tybalt’s answer came with little hesitation and almost no amount of remorse. He wasn’t about to lie to his sister about such things, and as much as she probably did not want to hear this answer he valued her more than to simply treat her as a stupid child. ”I know it’s become something of a fashion in The North for lords to let their daughters pick up the sword, and I know the Baratheons have apparently followed suite but…”
Tybalt sighed, stopping himself halfway through his sentence as his horse came to a slow. The mare reared and coiled about the road towards Casterly Rock, which appeared not too far at all in the distance. Looking upon the castle alone was enough to remind him of his loyalties to his family. He had a duty to protect them and continue to family line, as each of the children had a duty. Selvyra would need to know this.
”… It would take a woman of exceptional skill in battle to be taken seriously and even then, she would not be afforded the same respect as a man. It is simply not done.” Tybalt’s eyes met his sister’s as his horse turned back towards the castle, trotting home at a slow pace for their ride back. He smiled at her as best as he could: knowing and understanding why she had asked the question, but feeling as though this ride was going to become a little less pleasant, the relaxation period had come to a close.
”The field of battle is simply no rightful place for a Lady.”
Post by Selvyra Lannister on Jun 21, 2015 20:50:57 GMT
Tybalt’s words did not come as some great shock. Selvyra’s brother was many admirable things but open-minded was not one of them. She didn’t even sigh, instead turning her gaze back to the field as he fully shared his thoughts. It appeared he was taking the idea a lot farther than she intended.
“Not in battle,” she returned her gaze, just as serious as he was as he turned their course back around. “Just as a pastime, just enough to not be defenseless in the event of trouble.” She waved a hand through the air. “It’s not like I want to ride out and lead an army.” That was indeed ridiculous, even to her. For many reasons, men were far better suited for combat, especially if the conflict associated lasted any great length. “But if something were to happen, I think it would be useful for anyone to learn a few moves to dodge a sword.” Which, secretly, she had already. What she really wanted was to take the knowledge to a new level, but she wasn’t about to make a case of it. Selvyra had access to other knights for the purpose of learning. Unless their parents would directly interdict it, she would progress in her archery at least.
“I’ve heard there will be a tourney held in Riverrun,” she changed the subject to something else. This time she was actually asking, her eyes larger with a hint of pleading and a lot more hope than a moment earlier. “Do you think you can speak to father and persuade him to take me as well? I haven’t been to one far from home in many years.” Typically, their parents left her to supervise everyone’s activities at Casterly Rock. “Maybe Rozelynda can stay at home this time, she’s always complaining about this or that that I did incorrectly.”
Selvyra watched Tybalt pretty intensely. For the first time ever, there was actually something she needed to see with her own eyes at the tourney. Something other than Tybalt, that was.
Post by Tybalt Lannister on Jun 21, 2015 22:45:14 GMT
“Oh, seven hells, Selly! You had me worried!” Tybalt’s laughter shook the ground as he wheezed out the last of his unease. He couldn’t help but shake his head at his own worry. He had made little secret over how much he cared for his little sister, despite how embarrassed he felt every time someone pointed out that he might be getting a little bit overprotective.
“The whole point is that you’re not supposed to be in any trouble in the first place. If anything were to happen to you…” The smile on Tybalt’s face waned and he averted his eyes. He cared a lot for his family, particularly his sisters. The very thought of Selvyra or Rozelynda even coming close to having to defend themselves put a pit in the young knight’s throat. He took a moment to swallow that pit and adjust his smile so that the conversation remained light. ”… Regardless of what I think, it’s not really up to me. If you really want to get involved in learning how to fight, you’ll have to get father’s permission. I wish you good luck in that.”
For a second Tybalt’s brow furrowed, colouring his smile in an almost ugly sneer. He remembered that there was a week’s worth of drama back when Selvyse wanted to learn how to use a bow. Though bows and arrows were one thing, swords were something much messier. Again, the thought sat almost as uncomfortably as Tybatl was sitting his saddle right this moment. At the mention of the tourney, however, Tybalt immediately perked up as though he had just smelled his breakfast.
”The same goes for the tourney, unfortunately. But if you really want to come along that badly, I’ll try my best to convince him to let you join me." His laughter had managed to once again infect him, every word suddenly spilling out amongst a number of annoyingly pronounced chuckles. I don’t think Roz will mind sitting out the journey, do you?”
He didn't know if Rozelynda would be angry or glad of Tybalt making the decision for her, but the chance to make mischief alone was a fun enough prospect to make her wrath worth it.
Post by Selvyra Lannister on Jun 22, 2015 17:14:10 GMT
Well. It was good that he was laughing. Running a wedge between the two of them with her practical ambitions had not factored into the plan. Selly smiled, but it curled hollow at the edges. The fact was that she would, eventually, be in trouble. Not only that, so would the people sworn to guard her, and to sit idly by and watch them be slaughtered for her sake was an unbearable thought. She considered Tybalt from the corner of her eye. It seemed that he was actually more amenable to the idea now that she’d explicitly stated she wanted no part in organized conflict. His concern even tempted her to be sentimental, but the advocate of reason won over it. “Thank you.” She wasn’t about to ask anyone’s permission just yet. With one step at a time, the tourney took precedence.
Turning her gaze from the sudden frustration on Tybalt’s face, Selvyra simply ran her fingers through Lyria’s mane. Clearly, she would never be speaking of these matters again. Her thoughts didn’t have time enough to fog up with gloom, however, for Tybalt’s mood did a quick turnaround once she mentioned something more acceptable – spectating at the tourney. His disposition seemed to be much like a seesaw, while she carried after more sluggishly. Selvyra did her best to smile, but the thought of an angry Roza was no laughing matter.
“I appreciate you intending to speak to father,” she said, “but let’s not tell Roza tonight. If you succeed, the more we tarry the less angry glares we’ll receive until departure.” Then again, who knew, perhaps her sister would be glad for the time alone. Selly ran a hand down the length of her arm, smoothing the folds. “What about you, brother, is there anything on your mind? We had ridden in silence for quite some time before I spoke.”
Post by Tybalt Lannister on Jun 22, 2015 21:57:41 GMT
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”The angry glares are what I’m counting on. Few things offer me more amusement.” Teasing his elder sister had always been something of a dangerous game, but that just made the temptation so much more worthwhile. The bigger the reaction that Tybalt’s mischief caused, the harder he laughed even though he knew she’d get her own back the very next day. The very thought caused Tybalt’s smile to grow even further, if that was at all possible in the point.
”I honestly wasn’t thinking about anything in particular.” He admitted as he responded to his sister’s question. It was plainly obvious that Tybalt didn’t mind leaving his mind idle when he had the chance. Some called him dull because of it, but nobody would accuse him of being a bore. ”I was mostly just enjoying the fresh air. The way Father insists I lock myself in the library and read, I rarely get as much as I’d like these days.”
Casterly Rock was beginning to creep its way from the horizon and in to the siblings’ foreground faster than Tybalt had expected. They had no ridden far from their home it seemed, rather running circles around the hills south of the keep. Tybalt raised a single finger to the western tower of the keep, where the higher wig of the aforementioned library was kept.
”That room there? Our old father makes sure the maester keeps me in there from lunch until sundown reading about bloody boring old accounts of finance and law-making.” Every word that tumbled out of Tybalt’s mouth was a sigh so pronounced it was comedic. He was going through significant effort to make the act of reading sound like the worst thing in the word.
”The window doesn’t even face the ocean, so I can’t even enjoy the sunset. Can you believe that? It’s rotten, it is. Damned rotten!”
Post by Selvyra Lannister on Jun 27, 2015 16:43:10 GMT
Amused enough, Selly smiled and shook her head, her eyes taking a stroll of the heavens as they rolled. “For a polite, well-mannered man, you can get so impish, brother,” she observed, meaning it as neither praise nor insult. In his stead, Selly preferred to give Roza a wide berth when she turned on the criticism. Similarly, Selvyra was a woman of few laughs. Nothing seemed to amuse her quite enough. Or perhaps it was just her way to purr quietly and scheme within the shadows, more of a bob cat than a lion, though equally as deadly.
His professed lack of thoughtfulness was, again, no great shock. They were very different in that regard. Where Tybalt relaxed, Selly worked endlessly inside her head, revising the past and planning for the future, an endless conundrum of scenarios playing across the landscape of her mind. She didn’t really know how to be idle. She envied him for that, at least. Being forced to learn about finance and law-making she didn’t envy at all, though. They were as boring to her as they were to him. “You have my sympathies,” she said. “I guess you have to,” she followed the trailing of his finger to the wing of the castle he was pointing at. “You’re going to be the next ruler of this place, after all.” While she didn’t even know what her eyes would be cast on soon enough. The hills filed with riches that brought Lann the Clever to claim them, the forests teeming with game of all sorts, the wet, fresh chill of the sea-shore – they would all be taken away from her.
But Selly preferred not to let her mind linger on things it could not even consider. Until her father decided who was to be her husband, she could do nothing but wait and feel anxious about it.
“No pain, no gain,” she recalled something a travelling mercenary had told her at some point. Unlike Tybalt was doing right now, Selly never complained. She just sat and thought and adapted, but someday, at some point, if she would be made to adapt to more than she could endure, change would be required. But the dark thoughts were not meant for right now. She pulled on the reigns to aim her horse straight towards the castle’s form. “I can believe a great many things,” she said eventually. “And I also know that it’s time our father should arrange for you to marry.” Purposefully, she let herself out of this though it was just as true for her. “Have you thought of someone to propose yourself or will you just wait to see whom he chooses?”
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