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 RAIEN MARTELL on Sept 6, 2017 18:26:18 GMT
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"RAIEN NO WEAPONS ON THE TABLE!"
Screeched the old crow sept who sat at the other edge of the round table. Yet the prince nonchalantly glanced her way before sliding his large ornate dagger off the wooden table before reaching for a washed peach.
"It's just my dagger," he sassily replied before unsheathing it in his lap and using it to cut the skin off his fruit before taking a sloppy bite and the juices running down his chin.
The old woman rolled her eyes before attending back to the patch she made in his younger brothers pants. The boys were always ruining their clothes with their daily adventures and play fights. But lately Raien was just growing out of his and needed more to be made.
"Your mother and grandfather are holding an attendance for the people today. You would be wise to go, and perhaps you can get a look at what it's like for when you become Lord."
Raien eyed the woman before taking another bite of his fruit and putting his hand behind his head, "I'll pass."
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 6, 2017 19:21:58 GMT
The old woman's screeching was like nails on a chalkboard for the younger Martell as he watched her finish the patch. He was bored and itching to jump on his brother who busied himself with a peach.
He didn't really understand what the whole fuss was about and instead just looked at Raien with some yearning- running over to his brother the moment the old woman was done.
"Is that where we have to wear those itchy clothes and meet with the big people...?" He asked in reference to the gathering. "Well. If Raien's not going I won't either. Besides..." The younger of the two stood and raised a fist to the sky. "WE'RE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE! Right Raien?" Golden orbs turned to his brother's an expectant grin on his face. There was no adventure they had not shared, so he doubted the older would turn him down.
A dark brown brow raised as he eyed his younger brother. Dagger in hand he sliced the orange flesh of the fruit and tilted his chair back to put his feet up on the table, --an act that got him a glare from the old hag to which he ignored.
"Yeah, we are for sure." he answered the eager younger boy, though Raien wasn't much older himself. The middle child of the three, he was merely thirteen years old at the time. Still young enough to have little worries about the world, but old enough to be groomed for his coming name.
"Well just stay out of trouble, I am too old to chase you boys down... and be back for your studies this afternoon."
Finishing his breakfast he fastened his dagger to his belt and pushed his long hair over his shoulder. "Come on Oubo," he said while walking from the sunspear courtyard and further into the castle. Oubo being his pet name for his younger brother, he said it with genuine endearment rather than mockery.
Once inside he placed his hands on his hips and turned to the bright eyed welp that would hopefully follow, "Alright brother, are you ready for today's adventure.... we are going hunting,... --for snakes. There are some bright yellow ones down at the river bed. Go get a basket and meet me there."
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 7, 2017 6:05:53 GMT
"YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS" Disinterested. The boy of seven turned to his brother, awaiting their next adventure into the wild. Where swordfights and daring escapes and traps await. Of course, all that really meant was a venture in some corner of their home.
Ouboro happily followed after his brother as he led them away from the boring old lady, bouncing around the older boy as they ventured deeper. What was it going to be this time? A race to see who could climb the tallest spire? Who could possibly steal the most guarded jewels of the goddess of the sands (a.k.a. their mother). Or maybe they could battle the imaginary beast of the sun with their make shift swords and their invisible armor.
What Raien proposed however, was none of that, but it brought a giddy smile and a sparkling gleam to Ouboro's eye. "OK!" His voice was chipper and loud, enough to call attention anyone in the vicinity. Little Ouboro had always liked snakes. He also liked scorpions. The younger thought they were cool and often tried to play with them- much to the horror of his care takers and even the guards who'd often chance upon him trying to grab one by the head. Of course by now, through sheer persistence unbeknownst to others, he was more than capable of handling small serpents, often keeping one in a basket until they "mysteriously disappeared".
Darting off in his loose yellow tunic, the boy found himself a medium sized basket made to hold fish. It still stank of fish even, but it was the only one that the boy thought was big enough for what he imagined were big snakes. After all, his brother wouldn't have them go after tiny ones right?
With the basket in tow, he scrambled towards the river in a hurry, kicking off his sandals as soon as he was close and dropping the basket on the ground in front of Raien. "I got us a basket! So where's the snakes?" He looked around, glancing for any sign of the yellow monsters he imagined his brother had already caught, but.... there was none. Not a sign. Not even a burrow for him to notice.
Post by RAIEN MARTELL on Sept 8, 2017 19:24:30 GMT
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With Ouboro dashing off eagerly, the young prince smiled and turned the other way, heading out the eastern gate to follow the garden trail to the south wall. He faced the large tree and began to climb its length, maneuvering onto a branch that reached the top of the wall. For years this has been the children's favorite escape route, letting them slip past the guards without getting the normal questioning and glares from the adults. It was often that they played in the river pools just past the wall, among the tall cane trees and smooth surface rocks, but with the normal supervision, they couldn't do anything like they had planned today.
Dropping off from the wall he booked it to the river, and out of sight from the patrols where he slipped off his shoes and began to roll up his pants. It wasn't long before his brother showed up with a basket in hand like he had asked. It was perfect, and hopefully no one noticed them.
"Well they are hiding, we have to find them, n' I have a perfect technique," he said pulling out a string from his pocket. "First we gotta catch field mice from the grass there. Snakes eat mice. I bet we can catch a whole bunch by baiting!"
With a confident smirk he brushed his hand against his nose and jouted his thumb to his chest, "Just watch and do what I do," he said as he walked to the grass and proceeded to get onto his stomach. Slowly he crawled through the dirt and grass, trying his best to push it aside quietly.
Once he had a small long tailed mouse in his sights, he burst forward, clasping his hands together, aiming to entrap the mouse. Pushing his knees up he stood, with mouse in hand, that proceeded to try to bite the hand that was clasped around him. "Ow ow ow, little bastard," he said as he frantically wrapped the cotton string around his body to let him dangle and squirm. "TADA! One prime bait. Your turn!" he said as he handed his brother his own string.
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 10, 2017 1:38:57 GMT
He looked might disappointed, even after his brother mentioned catching mice as bait. Why bother with the mice when you can just dig and find the snakes? He wanted to get straight to the point and it showed on Ouboro's pouted lips. But the thought of a basket full of BOTH mice and snakes... It sounded almost too appealing.
Ouboro followed his brother, observant eyes glued to Raien's every move. He looked silly crawling through the dirt and grass and Ouboro almost lost interest in their little hunt. But as soon as the elder pounced and held his still fighting prize, the younger snake found his smile once again as he eagerly looked at the mouse and then his brother. "Wait but how many do we need? Maybe we can keep using one over and over until we get all the snakes we want."
Post by RAIEN MARTELL on Sept 11, 2017 13:56:21 GMT
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A finger lifted to his lips as he contemplated over his brother's suggestion, the feeling of dirt and stench of animal covering his hand. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, "I 'ppouse. But if the snake swallows it we gotta get another," he replied. The idea of pulling food from a snake's mouth was not pleasant.
Handing the dangling prey to his brother he turned from the field and eyed the river banks. There were no obvious signs of burrows so they would have to lift rocks and the like to find them, which was dangerous, as any minute they could be bitten. Raien trotted over to the water and picked up the basket, "Okay so they like cold places. Look by the large rocks over there!" he said as he pointed down the stream a few paces where there were large rocks piled over one another.
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 11, 2017 19:13:33 GMT
"Not if we grab it fast enough!" But then he supposed a fed snake would be easier to handle than an angry hungry one. Ouboro took the mouse in both hands and turned to his brother, before he looked around the bank with eager eyes. "Hey Raien I have a better idea! You catch the mice and I'll catch the snakes! I'm better at that anyway."
He stuck a tongue out as he rushed towards the bank, bare feet leaving tiny footprints in the mud as he stopped in front of a curved patch of grass with a single hole in front of it. He got on his knees, staining the beautiful gold of his clothes and leaned in, releasing the mouse by the hole, holding the thread tied to it's waist. The mouse didn't enter, hell it tried to run away. That was sign enough there was something down there. Ouboro grinned and guided the mouse (practically shoved it into the hole actually) into the hole and it was almost instantaneous as a squeal came from the hole. With a quick tug, Ouboro pulled back the mouse, its upper half clamped shut in the jaws of a yellow snake.
Ouboro grinned. "RAIEN I GOT ONE!!!" He cried out as he quickly grabbed the snake by the head, safely holding it up in the air, the mouse still kicking it's hind legs as the snake continued to hold it in it's mouth.
Post by RAIEN MARTELL on Sept 13, 2017 17:59:52 GMT
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The young prince was unsure if he should be pleased at his brothers witty banter, or irritated at the degrading it gave him. Either way Raien found himself smirking and reaching his hand out to pat his kin on his back, "Yeah that sounds like an ideal plan. Give it a go," he urged as he watched his brother closely.
Raien didn't doubt the younger boys adept nature when it came to scrounging up critters to showcase to his mother. He continued to expand the library of animal and bugs in his soon to be zoo, while the older brother took on more responsibility day after day.
It didn't take long before the squeak of a mouse was accompanied by the squeal of his brother, giving away his victory in procuring their first catch of the day. Raien smiled and ran over, carrying the basket and lid for him to place the snake into. Hopefully they could get quite a few snakes with this method and hopefully all kinds of colors and patterns.
"Remind me when we get back to grab the book from the maester's tower. I want to see if we can identify them."
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 13, 2017 23:01:16 GMT
Catching snakes AND a lesson in snakes? Somehow this was turning out into the best day ever! It propelled the younger of the two to work harder, digging through the mud and grass, his golden silks now stained with earth as was his dark skinned digits as one by one, snake after snake, each found it's way into the basket. A bowl of slithering reptiles that could very well be one bite away from killing either of them.
Well into the day, they caught all the snakes they wished. Ouboro held one side of the basket as both brothers trudged back home, avoiding the watchful eyes of the soldiers. "Do you think the old man would tell us about the snakes?" It was a strange question coming for the boy. He never really asked about the prince that was never there. One could even wonder whether or not he even cared enough to know the man that brought him and his siblings to this world but... then again he was just a kid.
"I think I heard the wrinkly people say he knew a lot about them."
Post by RAIEN MARTELL on Sept 16, 2017 19:23:35 GMT
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Slaving the afternoon away, the two of them apprehended a number of serpents. The sound of slithering and hissing recognizable in the basket they worked to diligently carry back to the palace. Together they carried the basket past the watchful eye of the adults and sat in the gardens, the sun causing sweat to bead on their foreheads.
Raien eyed his brother as he inquired about their father. It wasn't like him to particularly ask or desire the man's company, so it honestly made the young prince double take. It was one of the odd occurrences that their father was home, and not scouring the world on one of his adventures. A hand pushed back the dark hair of his long ponytail and he straightened his posture with a natural frown upon his lips.
"Perhaps he can spare some time... though do not get your hopes up Ouboro.."
'I learned not to a long time ago.'
Trying not to disappoint his brother already, Raien smiled and put his hand on the young boy's shoulder, "Even if he is busy, we can surely ask mother, or perhaps Raj," he said in reference to the current Sunspear master at arms.
Raj was a older man, with many years of fighting under his belt, each decade served faithfully to the martell bloodline, but he was famous to the kids for wild stories and fun games played together. The boys' mother even told them the story of how he lost his wife and kids, so he always holds a special place in his heart for the three of them.
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 18, 2017 8:09:09 GMT
"Huh?" Young eyes glanced at his brother's face. His tone of voice and expression conveyed an emotion Ouboro didn't think existed in his brother- or to be more specific- it would be the first he'd ever come to notice it on anyone. The youngest Martell didn't at all care that his father wasn't always there nor was capable of spending time with his brood. He had Raien. He once had Rhianu. And of course, he had his mother. Above all else however- he was just too damn young to care.
"Ok." In the end, that was all the youngest could tell his brother, as young eyes were cast over the basket they held. "It still won't hurt to ask." He added as they brought their prize to their little lair.
"Do you think Raj would get mad with all the snakes though? Or do you think..." Pearly whites flashed at the older of the two as wide eyed Ouboro released the imp from within. "he'd teach us better ways to catch snakes? One that doesn't involve getting bitten by mice." He laughed, teasing his brother as he gently dropped their load on the ground, kneeling before it to take a peek of their catch. Hissing and vibrations emanating from within, scales clashing with scales as serpentine bodies slithered within their temporary abode.
Post by RAIEN MARTELL on Sept 22, 2017 19:56:00 GMT
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In some cases it could hurt to ask, but he wasn't going to tell his brother that. Instead he only waited for further inquiry about their catch, the entirety of the afternoon spent collecting snakes, and for what reason? Amber eyes narrowed as he considered their arms master's reaction to the serpents they desired to show off.
"There is no telling with that man. But he is scary enough to show these snakes who is boss, so hopefully we can at least learn better handling."
The sudden sound of padded and hurried footsteps came up behind them, the shrill of her voice catching the young prince's attention.
"RAIEN! OBORO!"
It was the Septa!!
Quickly Raien turned foot, putting his back to the basket they carried and pushing it with his foot, the sliding sound of the container dulled by the nearby grasses.
"You boys are filthy! And you neglected your studies again."
What a grouchy o'l crow.
She hesitated, sighing heavily while pinching the crown between her eyes.
"Get cleaned up for dinner. I am sure your parents would be pleased to hear about the lack of your education."
Oh no... they were gonna get tattled on. Raien looked down at his brother with a grimace, thinking about his mother's stern, yet stoic expression. The princess was never one to yell, and that was the scariest part about her.
Once the old woman was out of sight, Raien turned back to the basket. They were going to have to hide the snakes until after dinner or tomorrow. But where to put th--...
They were gone!
The basket tipped over and not a slithery serpent in it. They must have caught nearly a dozen! All released into the confines of the walls that normally prevented such a thing. His face grew pale white, fear biting at him, as he considered it was his fault for pushing the basket with his foot to try and obscure it from the old woman's vision.
Post by Ouroboros Sand on Sept 29, 2017 22:25:59 GMT
Laughter rose from the younger of the two, his crown of black nodding in response to his brother's words. The man was deserving of the fear and respect, and surely even these slithering reptiles would come to know that. Before Ouboro could respond, the less than welcome voice of the old septa filled their ears with a mighty loud shriek.
"But we were just having fun!" The boy exclaimed in protest, cheeks puffed into an angered pout at her words. What does she know? Ouboro was doing well with his studies as far as he was concerned and she had the nerve to make it sound like his mother would be disappointed in his progress?
FOR SHAME WOMAN!
"Grumpy hag." Ouboro grumbled beneath his breath, tiny arms crossed over his chest as he turned to his brother. Confused at first until his eyes laid upon the empty basket.
OH NO!!!
"WHAT DO WE DO!?" A panicked Ouboro ran to the basket, lifting it over his head, the last slithering creature just about disappearing behind a chair. "RAIEN WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!?" He looked at his brother with grave concern, his heart pounding in fear of the consequences.
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