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.
As the Prince of Dragons and once in direct line to inherit the Iron Throne, Aerys's Targaryen's sudden disappearance from Westeros was a loss that hurt his family in more ways than one. After five years in Essos, the Prince has returned to his homeland with hopes to prevent another civil war.
Post by AERYS TARGARYEN on Aug 16, 2017 2:58:38 GMT
281 AC
Targaryen's and lords from all over gathered today in celebration of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Alysanne's 30th nameday. King Jaeherys II had just given an inspiring speech expressing how proud he was of his son and daughter and how much he loved them before retreating to the Red Keep to rest. With his leave, the party commenced in the courtyard giving way for all the attendees to mingle while the entertainment took the stage.
Alysanne is one of the three Targaryen children who purport they have claim to the throne. The now-dead King decreed Alysanne be Queen, and the unorthodox mother of three plans to become one.
Post by ALYSANNE TARGARYEN on Aug 16, 2017 4:24:45 GMT
Normal circumstances would have the twins sitting at a table in the front of the room, up on steps to look over everyone. Alysanne was a mingler, though. And she didn't quite like being in such a pompous light. "And then he said, 'Look, my friend -- it's foxfur not wolf fur.'" The table she was at laughed, but her youngest child stared at her with a deadpanned expression. "Mother, that was the least funny joke I think I've ever heard."
Princess Alysanne frowned and stroked her cheek. "I'm going for a record of how many people I can make laugh with horridly unfunny jokes. It's a game your uncle and I came up with when we were children. You should try it." With a quick shake of the head, her youngest was off, and Alysanne was left to mosey around, a glass of wine glued to her hand. She sought familiar faces -- or at least familiar ones she was fond of.
Post by ARKAS BARATHEON on Aug 16, 2017 16:22:33 GMT
The Lord of Storm's End could boast more relation to House Targaryen than most of their vassals. Having married Daella Targaryen, his children shared some degree of relation with the royal house.
Even though Storm's End was closer to King's Landing than some other regional capitals, the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands was not a regular in the capital. Once upon a time, he had been sent to King's Landing to take up the white cloak of the Kingsguard. He had never spoken the vows, for Daella had conquered his brooding silence with her fiery passion. Twenty-five years later, they had traveled the world and left their mark upon it, only to return to Storm's End, continuing the line of proud stags.
They had come around.
The King had not only been good to them, releasing Arkas from the Kingsguard, he had also been good to the realm and given it peaceful years. Led by the good king, the realm had prospered. So many silver-haired dragonspawn littering the capital, there was no need for stags to take part in their intrigues. But every other year, relation and respect demanded a visit to the capital. Thus, he stood on the sideline, conversing with a white-cloaked knight.. "Excuse me, ser. I'll give my congratulations and then I'll look for my lady wife. She's been known to come upon troublesome situations."
Or causing them.
And thus, Arkas broke off, leaving the golden-suited would-be-brother behind, mingling with the crowd to say his piece to the nameday twins, and then retire. Hair the colour of night, a face less merciful than the stone cliffs of shipbreaker bay - the tall Baratheon didn't have to ask people to part for him.
Post by VAELYS TARGARYEN on Aug 16, 2017 16:48:47 GMT
LOST MY WAY
Vaelys floated among the attendees of his dear cousins' birthdays. At least, that was the simple way to refer to them. One would be his sister-in-law as well as cousin. Honorifics on his lineage was never easy to discern. Every so often, he'd stop between a circle of females to deliver a well-timed quip and elevate their heartbeats, while other times he'd interrupt large-bodied lords with a word or two about a female fancying one of their party. How much was true? Vaelys wouldn't know, but the drama of a situation of such nature budding was nectar for the eyes. And when his impish games were prepared, Vaelys hovered over towards the more royal members of the room, specifically placing himself nearby his other cousin-of-sorts, Aerys.
"Whispers around the garden have it that a certain someone fancies you. Those same whispers say that the name rhymes with... Jaehaera," he started with line of a smile that faded upon his mistake at the end. "Oops, I spoiled the jest. Still, take my sister and your children could be more Targaryen than you. Wouldn't that be a magnificent oddity," Vaelys finished. Not that he particularly cared about his cousin's blood; however, others in his family showed some bit of disdain for the idea that Aerys might one day take the throne by birthright with a polluted lineage.
As the Prince of Dragons and once in direct line to inherit the Iron Throne, Aerys's Targaryen's sudden disappearance from Westeros was a loss that hurt his family in more ways than one. After five years in Essos, the Prince has returned to his homeland with hopes to prevent another civil war.
Post by AERYS TARGARYEN on Aug 17, 2017 4:34:32 GMT
Aerys had a seat at a table reserved for his family that flanked Rhaegar's and Alysanne's. Whenever the King had taken his leave, Aerys Targaryen jumped to his feet and began maneuvering through the gathering crowds as he snaked his way towards the snack bar off to the other side. His attire was as red as wine with a golden trim and a gold dragon pattern embroidered throughout his torso and arms. Overhearing Alysanne's joke caused the young dragon to wince as he passed by. "Something tells me uncle Rhaegar usually wins, right?" Aerys said to his cousin, his hand slipping around her and taking one of the many treats that littered her plate, tossing it into his mouth without stopping his trek across the room.
"Please." Aerys said with a gag whenever he heard Vaelys spoke of marriage. "Are you trying to ruin my appetite so soon?" He said with a mouthful of desserts, finally turning his attention to his distant cousin. "Besides," Aerys said as he swallowed the food in his mouth. "Something tells me I'm not common enough for Jaehaera, given the company she keeps." He said with a sly smirk. "Now there's an oddity. Not enough dragon blood. Not enough common blood. Seems I'm fortunate enough to remain without a betrothed for years to come." Aerys said, slapping Vaelys on the back as he filled his plate again.
King's Landing. The capital of the Seven Kingdoms. What a beautiful place to visit. Lord Tyrell came to celebrate the nameday hosted by House Targaryen, and his eighteen year old son insisted to come along. There was no way the firstborn was going to miss his chance to mingle at such an esteemed event.
The journey between Highgarden and King's Landing was not a hard one, the Destriers that were provided by Lord Tyrell made sure it was a smooth ride. The purple haired youth stared in awe as he enjoyed the speech by the King of the Realm.
Lukas had his own opinions aside from his father on certain matters, though he knew better than to voice them. However, he realized the responsibility of being the heir to a house, and he knew he could learn a thing or two from this experience. Socializing with people who constantly were yes men didn't necessarily allow for much growth. It was a wonderful opportunity to be amongst the famed family that his forefathers fought for.
He had an inkling of an idea to run around and search for any semblance of a dragon. Though, running amok in an unfamiliar town was definitely not a smart thing to do. But, curiosity naturally kept the young Tyrell in more trouble than not. For now, he walked around the courtyard and took in the energy around him. "This is really nice."
Vivaenne left her mother to her poor jokes to maneuver through the people that had gathered for the name day celebration. Adults, the small girl thought to herself with another roll of her baby blue orbs. A hand grabbed at the side of her skirt as she hurried, lifting the long length out of the way of her harried steps to separate herself from the boring infection.
The other side of her skirt caught underfoot as she wheeled around another tall pillar of flesh, and the young Targaryen teetered forward in an ungainly lurch of momentum. It was a fall that found herself into the side of the very person she had sought to avoid colliding into--a stranger with hair just as peculiar. The youthful reflex of an apology flew from her mouth after the misstep.
A sudden intrusion into his personal space alerted him of her presence— a small girl, with white hair.
It seemed she had accidentally tripped and fallen into him. Seeing her and noting that she was more than likely walking amongst the adults out of boredom and curiosity reminded himself of his childhood. Looking down at the girl, a warm smile received her. "It's quite alright, m'lady."
"My name is Lukas Tyrell—" He said softly, his nimble digits reached into the front pocket on his shirt and retrieved a bright red rose. "Here, this is for you." He bent down, and handed her the rose.
Lukas had always brought a rose with him to these kinds of events to woo any particular women he selected. But, in this situation he felt the need to pass it onto the youth standing right before him. "Don't get in too much trouble running around here, I have a feeling your parents wouldn't like that." Little did he know he was speaking to the daughter of whose nameday was currently being celebrated. Oh, how destiny had a wave of weaving threads that would connect till the ends of time.
Post by LORENT TYRELL on Aug 20, 2017 21:53:45 GMT
The idea of attending the small event was a bit off-putting to Lorent. The seventeen year old Rose had just been deemed a sworn knight of the Hightower house, and he was not quite sure how to navigate the intricacies of the new political standing. He would rely on the fact that his youth and the ego of the nobles present would allow him to be left to his own devices for the duration of the gathering.
As King Jaeherys II retreated to his quarters, Lorent's eyes glazed over the crowd. Such an event certainly meant the presence of his family and, though he did his best not to show it, the thought of a brief reunion was elating. His eyes would rest upon his eldest sibling, Lukas Tyrell, who seemed to be speaking with one of the subjects of the name day. He made his way over, as he didn't anticipate their conversation to take too long.
"Ah, I hope my elder brother isn't spoiling your mother's nameday for you, Princess Vivaenne." Lorent smiled his usual smile, as he turned his attention to his elder sibling. "I suppose he's grown rowdy in my absence!" Obvious jokes, but it was his way of saying he missed his sibling.
With a newly acquired rose, Vivaenne looked at her elder with a curious eyes. It easily turned to a wicked gleam; the promise of I'm not a child seeming to be just on the tip of it.
Instead, though, she gave the flower a slight roll between her fingers and examined the petals. "Thank you," A pretty little thing it was, the child accepted the gesture with as much energy as one might their next meal.
She'd have to carry it around, now. Vivi's expressive gaze turned once more towards Lukas, a quick goodbye before anyone might catch her bothering a guest the next course of action. It was put a stop to, as it seemed the other was soon to follow.
This one seemed to be able to recognize her. Vivaenne tilted her head back, looked between the two elders that bore a close resemblance. Rose in hand she picked at the sides of her dress and performed a small curtsy.
"He's almost as interesting as the rest." Was the child's quick reply, revenge fulfilled.
Post by ALURA TARGARYEN on Aug 24, 2017 1:43:10 GMT
HOPE AND POSSIBILITY ARE BORN FROM BAD LUCK AND MISFORTUNE
A celebration.
A day of eating delicacies and drinking from the finer glasses of the kingdoms, A day where smiles and laughter were to carry them over until the next year, and a day were the family gathered to listen to each other's wild stories. --Like that one great hunting excursion from years ago that they retold like it was yesterday. After a very heartwarming speech delivered by the King, the gathered family members seemed to disperse, arranging themselves in their cliques to gossip and meander the time away.
Alura sat at the table set for her family, a wine cup in her hand and her back pressed against the uncomfortable wooden support. A soft smile was permanently plastered to her face as she watched the crowds mingle in front of her, and she enjoyed the thought of a nameday celebration. Her own son just celebrated his nineteenth year and she couldn't be prouder as a mother, knowing full well that his father would urge him to take a wife of his own soon, despite the fact that his own dad had married at a much younger age.
Unlike Aerys who was so eccentric, she had currently stayed seated at the table, feeling the presence of their large family beginning to grow. Until today she never really understood just how many kin she had, as gatherings of dragons do not happen so often as one would think, so it was a large surprise as the last time she had seen this many was at a wedding years ago. However she had the desire to herself known, and stood from the rickety chair so she that she could walk to where her sister in law resided with her young children.
"I wish you and your brother a wonderful nameday," she said clearly before glancing to Alysanne's young child that had dashed through the crowd but a moment before. A hand raised to cover her eyes from the sun before she gave the Princess a polite smile, "They grow up really fast I should say." Her eyes left the woman and scanned the remainder of the festivities around them,"You father is looking well this day, much more soon than before, perhaps the weather is suited to him.
Just as the child had received the fresh rose, his long lost brother had reappeared with his usual tact. "If it wasn't for celebrations I'm not sure I'd get to see much of you at all." He let out a small laugh, bringing his brother in for a strong hug. It had been a while since he had last seen his brother. He was a man of many talents, and one that had the freedom to go where he pleased—unlike Lukas himself.
"Almost? How cruel, Princess Vivaenne." He teased with a joking voice. The little girl had a sense of humor, something that was necessary to be friends with Lukas. "So you two, would you like to play a little game?" He spoke, looking at both the princess and his brother.
Last Edit: Aug 24, 2017 19:45:34 GMT by LUKAS TYRELL
Post by NAERYS TARGARYEN on Aug 24, 2017 23:27:45 GMT
He didn't think any place could be as beautiful as Summerhall, but King's Landing had a plethora of places that could surely compete. This was the seat of power in the Seven Kingdoms. Even if he wanted to explode from being trapped in a carriage all the way here, it wasn't a long ride, and there certainly was a lot to do, aside from annoying his older sister. While most children might have been bored, Naerys listened attentively to the king's speech.
The boy had never heard anything but kind words for the ruler of Westeros, so he could pay him that much respect. As soon as the party broke down into the schmoozing stage, Naerys broke off into the crowd, not with loud laughter or mischievous smiles, but by sauntering away from the watchful eyes of his parents as if nothing was happening. Looking over the crowd of gathered lords and ladies from his low vantage point, he sure saw of lot of valyrian hair.
It really made him feel like if he belonged anywhere, it was here. Looking over the faces as he wandered around, the child had trouble identifying them all. His developing memory didn't leave a lot of room for staying power for his encounters thus far. His aunt was chatting up the birthday girl. For a moment he considered going over to wish a happy nameday, but his father's sister might scold him. Who knew what for. Adults would whine about anything.
There didn't really need to be any personal wishes from him anyway. His parents would take care of that. Wondering to the gourmet buffet, his innocent violet eyes looked up the length of another dragon lord there. He blinked. Which one was this one? Did he really need to call him by name? The eight year old tugged at the Targaryen's pant leg. He might not be able to peer over the whole table from his meager height, but judging by the way the man was stuffing his face, this was where he wanted to be.
''Excuse me, Lord Targaryen,'' he at least knew he was that much. ''Do they have any lemon cakes on this thing?''
"I dare say this brutish lifestyle does not compare to the tender embrace of home," he said while allowing a sigh of exasperation to pass through his childish smile. Lorent couldn't help but admire his freedom as he uttered those words, though he immediately felt a touch of guilt when remembering his elder brother's more restrained lifestyle. But the embrace would interrupt his regrets and he would firmly pat Lukas on the back to return the sentiment.
As Lukas returned to his usual joking, Lorent realized that the day was more for Vivaenne than either of them, as her mother and uncle were at the center of the celebration. As such, it would have been rude to bog her down with a sour mood. Lorent quietly admired that ability to set aside one's emotions for the broader picture, and slightly lamented the fact that his brother could have made for a fine knight if his parents weren't so strict.
"Game? Like come-into-my-castle? Or monsters-and-maidens?" The younger rose had clearly perked up at the mention of festive activities, and rightfully so. He had robbed himself of his childhood by throwing himself into the fire of chivalrous duty from the young age of nine. A chance to truly feel young again was appealing.
Post by VAELYS TARGARYEN on Aug 25, 2017 21:16:50 GMT
LOST MY WAY
"If you consider that fortune, then with a face like that, you'd be the luckiest man for the rest of your life," Vaelys chuckled, taking the chance to jump on Aerys' self-deprecating humor. "Speaking of lucky, it seems our dear cos' has caught the eyes of two budding flowers. Perhaps I should welcome them to our grandiose pile of stone," he noted before delivering a pat on the back of Aerys.
The slim frame continued through the crowd of people, ignoring their false laughs and awkward intentions of fitting in with men and women they haven't clasped hands with in a decade. Watching the pawns struggle to find their feet in this world was entertaining, but his attentions were needed elsewhere.
One step put him between both Tyrell sons, "Welcome, lads -- or rather, lordlings. What game draws you to the idea of cornering me sweet, Vivaenne?" Vaelys slightly turned to catch eyes with his younger cousin, winking playfully in her direction. "Whatever the case may be, might you always be sure your boots are laced properly," he patted the shoulder of the young Lorent, his dreams showing the boy tripping an evening or two from now.
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