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.
Their party had traveled through the cold of the night to make it to this point. Looking off to the east over the snowy capped mountains the suns light rose as it cut through the thick canopy of the forest. Moving up the mountain path he turned his head and saw that dawn had broke, the light warming his body as he continued on his way. The sky in the opposite direction was still dark, but in the east, a mix of yellow and orange hovered on the horizon under a dark neon blue ocean of night. Against this tri-coloured sky all trees, rocks, and even mountains were like shadows.
Early morning was the best time to hunt for boar. Artys had traversed across these mountains more times than he cared to think and knew plenty of spots where the wild boar rested overnight. The hunt was in his blood, and also in his children's, which is why Vanessa and Klaus first accompanied him when they came of age years ago. His children were eighteen now and both more than capable of leading hunts of their own. But with a schedule like his he had to make time for his children whichever way he could, and an expedition like this had become somewhat of a tradition.
"It's time," Artys spoke as he lean't over his shoulder to look for them both. Vanessa and Klaus rode behind him followed by Ser Eoen Hunter, an old vassal knight who used to take Artys out on hunts when he was young, and Ser Roland Royce, a trusted knight who had guarded his children for years. Together the small party made their way across the mountains of the moon, leaving last night to make it in time for dawn. Four canines walked between the horses that the hunting party rode, some running to the front and barking at the kids in anticipation of the kill.
Following the dogs lead Artys predicted there must be a host of wild boar and pig over the next ridge. "We're close guys, can you smell the pork?" he quipped, a classicdad joke that he knew Ser Eoen would appreciate.
What began as an edifying apparatus, slowly across the fabric of time, morphed into one their truest family traditions.
Sheets of thick white blanketed the apices of the walling mountains that arched along the Vale. The chill was more forthcoming than abrasive and while this topography never satisfied the weak, the strong thrived in such stoic, unrelenting beauty.
Vibrancy echoed from the east as the horizon adorned itself in colorful radiance. Night would effortlessly transition into day in the coming hours, signifying their early depature as a pivotal point in their hunting excursion. Much like the numerous times before, the ritual of preparation, assembly and eventually, setting off were executed to perfection. The young prince, garbed in his traditional wears, equipped a robe; just light enough to not restrict mobility, but thick enough to prevent the cold from taking his bones. His weapons mounted along the vessel of the strong horse he rode, the tanned figure of the Vale moved behind his father, and alongside the various guards to maintain formation.
As Artys signaled the initial indication, Klaus remained poise, moon-tampered eyes peered out into the distant forestry as his senses began aligning with that of nature. The hunt was far more psychological and instinctive than many knew it to be, and while still young, this lesson was engrained into his memory and muscle from the moment he could walk by his father. It was as critical as victory on the battlefield, and more nourishing than the water one drank.
His concentration, however, was momentarily broken by his father’s tedious joke. “I’m surprised you can still ride in your old age,” a more humbling jest from son to father, the guards shared equal laughter as the canines became more enthusiastic. They were closing in—Klaus could feel it.
Hopefully Vanessa was just as cheerful and primed.
Last Edit: Jun 25, 2015 17:12:21 GMT by JEREN STARK
The perspective wasn’t the same. Vanessa did not mind hunting. It was fun actually, but it was always so far down. It just felt wrong, given the stories that she had read, about their ancestors riding giant eagles for the hunt. They were Arryns after all, Lords and Ladies of the Vale. Lording over the Vale. So it was always a bit odd to go down here and hunt, even though they weren’t quite at ground level. But everything beneath the moon door was the ground to her, to be quite honest. Stretching her arm out, she acted as if she was cupping the sun with her hand, squinting her eyes in the process.
Then the males in her entourage spoke up, dragging her back into the present. Apparently the pork was near, even though her father once more wanted to eat the omelette before the chicken was caught. Geez, he really should take this more seriously. According to the history books, boars had killed kings before. Even though they were Arryns did not mean they were impervious. Just smart enough to not get hurt in the first place. Usually. And yet, this was a family activity. As long as they didn’t act utterly suicidal, her mood was up. “Geez, look at what he says. Young people these days, no respect, no tact at all,” she replied in turn, acting exasperated. Her tone was deliberately invoking a much older woman, trying to both join in on the poking and side with her father. They had to band together against the youngest person in their group, after all.
"That's right Vanessa, I doubt our young prince could even dismount his old father from this horse." He replied between his own chuckling.
Artys was well aware of how his son saw himself, an image which had grown in recent years while he learn't under his father. He never inherited an ego from him, nor his mother, but for the most part it was viewed simply as passion and ambition in the boy. A double-edged sword though, sharper than any, he thought. But as long as Artys was around his children would always be safe from harm. Even that which they bring upon themselves.
Swinging his leg over his saddle the Lord of the Eyrie landed on the soft dewy grass below. He wore a blue hardened leather breast plate, shoulder guards and a tunic, with a long but light robe falling over his back and sides. His sword remained sheathed on his saddle as he reached for his bow and quiver. He began to tie his horse lead to a low hanging branch as he spoke, quieter than his previous words.
"We'll be heading on foot from here out." Klaus had already made his way off his stead and Ser Royce had the hand of Vanessa as she vaulted off her own. "I will travel with you two on foot just over the ridge. Ser Royce and Ser Hunter will stay here and notify us of any trouble." Artys made sure to never bring his children on a hunt which crossed the territory of the moon clans, but these mountains were as unpredictable as the weather that passed through them. There were lessons in these hunts if his children cared to notice, lessons which were valuable in all kinds of war, both in battle and bed.
The canines would double at their heels as they left the mountain path and entered the deep brush of the mountain woodlands. Both Vanessa and Klaus were skilled with animals, much like their father, however Artys had never found a bond with dogs like his children did. He preferred to hunt with falcons.
"Make sure the hounds are ready, you're better with them than I am." Adding the final command as he waited for their party to move out.
Klaus looked on, eyes glancing over the visage of his father to his forefronts, and his sister, to his western verge. While she retained the title of the eldest, she was undeniably the more attached to the Lord of the Vale. The union between daughter and father was stronger than the world’s hardest stone, and grew heavier than the encumbrance of ten mountains.
“I’d never imagine removing you from your mount,” the prince collected his words in a casual grace. His expression was charming, and his tone, removed from belligerence, nonetheless, the absent of aggression invited humor, though in due time. They would come to a complete stop as silence embraced the family. Already dismounted, Klaus remained close to his steed, the thick mane of the beautiful black stallion allowing nimble digits to thin its length. Caressing the horse’ side, the young heir nodded as his father expressed their endeavors towards the near future. His light raiment would breathe through the slit in his cloak as the warrior moved behind his father, his bow and quiver equipped to his vessel.
Peering towards the various breeds of dogs, Klaus would smile warmly. While had a pure affection for the avian creatures like his father, the prince couldn’t deny his love for the mammals more grounded. Dropping to a single knee, Klaus would pat the creatures, their affectionate pants whistling through the air until being calmed by the prince’s presence. When Artys was ready to face the terrain, Klaus and his canine companions would be ready.
The part on foot wasn’t nearly as fun. She liked riding, she liked moving fast, but boring old tracking was boring. There was something neat in the use of dogs, yes, but she had known them from Kennel and preferred to play with them in safer environments. Ultimately, she enjoyed the hunt, but only as a family activity. Without them, she would likely just not bother. But it was a good thing that her old man was still springy enough to not just participate but lead these sorties. But she would still follow them anyway and hence dismounted swiftly, before stretching a little. Patting the large dog next to her in stride she would send it off to run perimeter, before inspecting her gear momentarily. Wouldn’t want to get gored by a boar just because something was defect.
“Well, I can’t imagine either of you in a joust anyway. Who even does that kind of stuff? It’s a good thing we didn’t go to this boring Riverlands Tourney, I would be bored to death there,” she noted in response to the talk about unseating. She did not like big, public festivities like that. Too little chance to steal a maiden away or such and tons of men lusting after her. No thanks. However, she knew that they could not seclude themselves forever. Speaking of, she still was permanently interested in her future. “Anyway, did you find a suitable suitor for me yet, father? There are tonnes of bachelors right now, but if we wait too long, we might be left dry.”
"We did receive an invitation from House Tully to attend, but I thought against it.." he spoke freely before shifting his eyes to his daughter. "Lessons are best learn't in the wild. Besides, you're more capable than half of those puppets that call themselves knights."
As a final check he looked over to Ser Hunter and Ser Royce who had already begun securing the horses to prevent them from running off. Turning back he made his way into the brush, his coat curling and snapping from the frost that clung to its fur. The canines sped ahead of the party and it was clear that they had already caught a scent. Their noses twitched furiously as short eager barks of excitement echoed through the silent cold of the morning forest. At this stage it was important to keep up with them, to stay on their trail, and to make sure they didn't scare off the resting prey.
His walk soon turned into a light run as he slung his quiver over his shoulder and gripped the bow in his left hand. Without looking back he knew his children were at his sides, the rustle of boots in snow and metal against skin sounding foreign to the natural landscape. As quickly as they set off Vanessa's voice entered his ear once again, words he didn't answer until his figure was already a few meters into the dense woodlands.
"In a fathers eyes there is no-one in the seven kingdoms suitable to be wed to his only daughter. But there have been suitors proposed, yes. Nothing your mother and I have properly considered yet."
Hiswords grew more shallow as he leaped over a fallen tree trunk staying on the path of the canines as their cries moved further off into the distance. Looking over his shoulder he darted a look back to Klaus, a rye smile forming on his face.
"We've received quite the reception for you too Klaus. Your mother is in stitches over some girl taking you away from her.."
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The perspective wasn’t the same. Vanessa did not mind hunting. It was fun actually, but it was always so far down. It just felt wrong, given the stories that she had read, about their ancestors riding giant eagles for the hunt. They were Arryns after all, Lords and Ladies of the Vale. Lording over the Vale. So it was always a bit odd to go down here and hunt, even though they weren’t quite at ground level. But everything beneath the moon door was the ground to her, to be quite honest. Stretching her arm out, she acted as if she was cupping the sun with her hand, squinting her eyes in the process.