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 Tylen Lannister on Jul 3, 2015 7:17:57 GMT
●●●
Cause darling I'm a
nightmare
dressed like a
daydream
The evening was long and pleasant in the winds, a doting breeze tickling Tylen's skin as he looked out through the window of his office. A thoughtful smirk played on his expression, one that among the myriad of faces Tylen could make, signified the most danger. Tonight was an evening for business, yes indeed. The Lannister looked down at the court from his perch, watching the guards patrol along the well groomed gardens of the keep and eyeing the court maidens scurry back to their quarters. How many of them had caught his eye and theirs in return? Ah, but there was only one lady on his mind this evening. Though not for reasons one would consider typical of Tylen.
The Lady Alayne Baratheon had arrived in King's Landing most recently, a visit that was most unprecedented, but not unwelcome. While the royal family had no concern for the daughter of the Storm, It was of much interest to Tylen. The Lannisters spoke little of the Baratheons, but even he could admit they were figured to keep ones eye out for. Better to have allies in such a house than opponents. Such as it were, Tylen had no such connections to the family, especially after relinquishing his holdings. So it became an alluring prospect to find himself a friend in them while the opportunity presented itself. Thus the current situation came to be.
The table which Tylen often arranged documents and held meetings with his Kingsguard had been arrayed with a beautiful display of culinary art. food of varying style and discipline, fit for a noble lord and lady. A favor from the kitchen staff was all that was needed to set this up. Being the sword at the kings side had many perks. The Lannister adjusted his shirt, a simple yet noble looking tunic and waited quietly for his guest. The Lady Alayne was asked to arrive for conversation over dinner this evening. The prospect of food was enough to get her attention it seemed. He would have to make note of that in future dialogues.
Post by alayne baratheon on Jul 3, 2015 8:42:52 GMT
IT'LL BE HELD AGAINST YOU
IF HEAVEN'S GRIEF
BRINGS HELL'S RAIN, THEN I'D TRADE ALL MY TOMORROWS FOR JUST ONE YESTERDAY. I KNOW YOU'RE BAD NEWS. JUST ONE YESTERDAY. I WANNA TEACH YOU A LESSON IN THE WORST KIND OF WAY. STILL, I'D TRADE ALL MY TOMORROWS FOR JUST ONE YESTERDAY
Food. Alayne’s true love had been food. It had always been food. Good food, good books and cyvasse. They were three things that mattered in life. Good meat – it was the priority. The offer for dinner from Lord Tylen Lannister was much appreciated. If this was going to be a shitty conversation, then at least the food was worth it. Her father was a political force on his own but she was sure she could move on her own. She’d quickly made herself presentable, worn a nice dress, her hair arranged neatly. This was a Lannister, and she knew this would be either shitty or interesting. He better not disappoint her.
She arrived, eyes critical and keen, escorted by a servant. So what was his card to play with her? He was the Kingsguard Commander. Brother to Lord Tyreal Lannister, the famed Warden of the West. Who was scary? She knew not the meaning of fear, just heady and demanding, that girl with the big attitude. Charm them all with her pretty face, then hatch off plans. Put the Baratheons on the top. Simple as that. Well, now time to put herself in his place, she was aware of the weight of the political value the Baratheons had.
Average wealth, average army. Yet Lord Daemon Baratheon was a smart man, a good political player. His own House was a great player in politics, they would be good to be watched. Alayne just considered herself her House’s last serving daughter, eager to serve, her purpose for the glory of House Baratheon. Ours is the fury. This was going to be business. Hmm. Would she bore him? She hoped not. Her fingers were marred by tireless training in the bow and arrow, her aim perfected. Rigorous discipline to the bone, she had no desire to make dirty self-defense out of her skills.
“Good evening, Lord Lannister,” demurred the Baratheon, her eyes itching to take a look at the culinary feast. She wiped both hands with her handkerchief. Her hands had always been a source of annoyance to her. They were ruined already, from the calluses from all the archery. “I admit, your culinary feast has not disappointed me.”
Post by Tylen Lannister on Jul 8, 2015 8:12:46 GMT
●●●
Cause darling I'm a
nightmare
dressed like a
daydream
The servant escorting lady Alayne was one of Tylen's own, a reliable woman, in many ways. She knew the best ways to his chambers, so their quick arrival was not unexpected. The elder Lannister stood from his perch and stepped along to answer the door with springs in his heels. It had been a while since he had played this game. His excitement was shown clearly in the smirk he bore on his features. The old woodgrain door opened with a smooth creak to reveal the servant and the lady Baratheon. His smirk turned into a smile fit for a lord of the west, and his hand flourished as he gave Alayne and almost mockingly eccentric bow.
"A good evening to you as well, Lady Baratheon." Tylen's words were dripping with a sense of irony, as if to make a farce of courtesy. He looked to his servant and gave a nod of dismissal, prompting them to leave with a turn on their heel. He then looked back to the Lady Stag and beckoned her to take a seat, pulling out a chair opposite his own. "The cooks of the Red Keep are the best in all of Westeros, I assure you. you'll not be disappointed with this meal" He declared, taking his own seat opposite of her.
His gaze had fallen into a state of analysis since the young Baratheon had stepped into his quarters. An eye for food that was amusingly unbecoming of a lady yet fit for any proper Baratheon was the first thing he noticed. Second were the hands, ah the hands. Any common man might see them the effect of some tragic accident, but Tylen recognized them for what they were, the marks of experience. This girl was a practiced archer. How... quaint. Tylen felt his default smirk creeping back into his smile. Baratheon girls were always interesting, weren't they?
"So tell me, how has King's Landing been treating you?" Tylen started, beginning the evening with some light conversation. His hand wandered to a fork and he began to absently poke at his food, only occasionally taking bites when it wasn't his turn to speak.
Post by alayne baratheon on Jul 8, 2015 13:30:22 GMT
ENDINGS WITHOUT END
► it seems paper-thin ◄
He had tickled her fondness for food, and that was it. As willful as she was, she was cautious enough to at least put on some guard. He was a fighter, he'd know her weapon of choice by her hands, the telltale marks on her hands and fingers. Lannisters were smart, were they? Lann the Clever's blood ran through their veins. Cunning and beautiful. They were a fortunate House, that way.
Now onto his first question. How had King's Landing been treating her? King's Landing was... a lot more different than Storm's End. Storm's End was quaint, and she needed to go pull more strings. If she even had strings, too, to be honest. Hmm, it was not all too bad. The food... Ah... The food. She wanted to sink her teeth into it all. Food, the first true love she had in her life.
She put plenty of meat on her plate, obviously giving away her gluttonous love for food. Meat, and some vegetables. This was good. But hopefully, she wished there was some good wine around here. She'd loved trying to outdrink Dom and Euron under the table. While alcohol was a rare occurrence, she rarely drank. She had some things to bother her head over.
The priority for now would be to make a good impression on Lord Lannister. He was the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and it would be good to have such a man as an ally. She ate nicely, holding back her typical looseness of simply biting and putting anything edible onto her mouth like an alligator. You are not an alligator, Alayne, she thought. You're going to be a little proper here from this point on. The days of not acting like some alligator were going to start.
Wining and dining. This was new, but she would stomach this all for now. "King's Landing is more decadent than Storm's End," she observed. "I've not yet made enemies, and it's fine. Storm's End was more manageable. I didn't think it would be stranger... and far more dangerous." She beamed politely. Lord Tylen Lannister
Post by Tylen Lannister on Jul 16, 2015 5:15:02 GMT
●●●
Cause darling I'm a
nightmare
dressed like a
daydream
To be honest, Tylen hadn't invited the girl here to judge her table manners. The fact that she enjoyed food was something he had known from the start, else he'd have not made it a point to entice her with a hearty meal. What he was gauging was her character, and willingness to submerge herself into this petty little game surrounding the throne. The clever were the those who picked the right stones to cast, and it was the Lannister's hope that this little stag would make decent waves.
The man grabbed himself a bottle of wine, uncorking it effortlessly and pouring the contents into a flagon. "This is a Dornish Strongwine. My favorite vintage. They say it's dark as blood and sweet as vengeance." Tylen smirked at that. He did enjoy the brand of humor native to the south. "Would you care for some? He offered the bottle to Alayne, wondering if she had the stomach for strong wine. It would be troublesome if their dinner were to be cut short by light-weightedness. He set the bottle on her end of the table regardless and sipped his own wine without a care.
"Your reaction isn't uncommon. Most lords and ladies find King's Landing a bit too much at first. You grow accustomed over time of course." He looked out the open window from his seat at the table with a fond smile. King's Landing was more his home now than Casterly Rock had ever been. He loved the bustling crowds, air of danger, and limitless opportunity that presented itself in this glorious pit of decadence contrived by man. "As for enemies... well..."
Tylen paused in his musings briefly, recalling his first stay at the Red Keep and the enemies he had made. "Those come with time as well." He remarked, a hand tracing the scar across his covered eye. He leaned in, his expression going serious for the first time in Alayne's presence. "That's why if you mean to survive in the capitol, it's imperative to make friends before your enemies show their hand." That was his warning to Alayne Baratheon. He couldn't stress that enough. It would be a tragedy to see a naive girl like her fall before the depravity of some of the less kind figures in the game. That was his intent in bringing her here. She needed that friend, and he needed a pawn. It was certainly of mutual benefit.
"Have you met any of the royal family yet?" Tylen queried, moving the conversation along and adopting a more lax expression again. Wouldn't want to ruin dinner over such a grim topic.
Post by alayne baratheon on Jul 16, 2015 9:08:32 GMT
ENDINGS WITHOUT END
► it seems paper-thin ◄
Her intention had been to make friends before enemies. It had been her strategy, her tactic right from the start. For now, she intended to befriend the royal family, then onto the other Houses. Find a good situation to slip in. Tylen Lannister could be manipulating her right now. But that was the thing with cyvasse, right? You could use the moves against yourself - or use the moves themselves against the ones who had placed your piece in that position within the cyvasse board. Well, then, she was aware of that. "Oh, Lord Tylen, I appreciate the concern," the stag murmured, lifting her eyes. Ever the heady young woman, she was the wordsmith in this regard. She took the bottle of alcoholic drink, and poured it into her cup. She was no lightweight. Her looks threw about the idea that she was a gentle little doe, meant for taking soon, and marriage. If anything, her looks were a lie. What lay beneath the gentle looks was a young woman who wanted to take on the world. She could outdrink plenty of men and boys and gross idiots under the table if she so desired to.
Drink them all under the table. A bloody thing it was, too, though. No doubt about it. She had bested some soldiers at drinking, sneakily taking sips at beers and alcohol. While she usually didn't care much for alcohol, the prospect of outdrinking men under the table seemed nice, so she'd stacked up on some drinking.
Lord Tylen was a man hedonistic in his way of life. He had the power, being Captain of the Kingsguard. The stakeholders in this right now was she and Lord Tylen. Give and receive. To him, was it business or pleasure? Alayne had come here for business.
"I do agree with you, Lord Tylen. You are a man more knowledgeable, more experienced in this area of politics than I am,' Alayne murmured back. Could the stag bare her fangs right now? Or to just play pretty? She was sure Lord Tylen had seen the marks on her fingers. An archer by the judgement of the marks on her fingers. "I'm afraid I'm not my father's daughter through and through; I know so little of this side of politics."
She cut a piece of roast beef with her knife and fork, then took a large bite. She chewed it. How juicy. After she was done chewing the beef, she took another look at Lord Tylen. "However, before I came here for business, I have already made up my mind to make friends before enemies. It is imperative. I was thinking of going to meet the royal family. To answer your question, I have not yet. I was planning on doing that tomorrow. I need more information regarding the Targaryens, and then I can go make more plans."
And so a vague hint of what she would do was now revealed to him. She took a small sip, then downed the wine. My, my. This certainly was strong. Alayne found it... okay. Not really much for alcohol, really. She had developed her own attitude toward alcohol for a few reasons.
"Tell me about the royal family, then, Lord Tylen. My brother Euron is courting the princess, and as of Prince Aegys, I only have a vague idea. My father is a good friend to Prince Aegys, you must understand. That is why I have an interest in meeting and acquainting myself with Prince Aegys, and to a lesser intent, with the other members of the royal family."
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