I still looking for players who wanna join play with me A Game of Thrones or The Seven Kingdoms mod for CK II in multiplayer. Just write me or send a pm!

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 1 posts:

• "Happy Cakeday, r/SevenKingdoms! Today you're 9" by u/AutoModerator

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 10 posts:

• "Happy Cakeday, r/SevenKingdoms! Today you're 8" by u/AutoModerator
• "[Claim] The Witch Queen of Pyke: House Greyjoy" by u/Tammt_yawn
• "[Lore] The Reaper King" by u/Tammt_yawn
• "r/AfterTheDance - Our newest iteration!" by u/StankWrites
• "[Claim] House Blackwood of Raventree Hall" by u/FlawsBurnThroughSkin
• "Who Is The Best character" by u/KeemStar0
• "[Event] Some days after." by u/BanterIsDrunk
• "[Event] Le melithon anuir" by u/Aleefth
• "[Event] And the Band played on…" by u/T3m3rair3
• "Looking for Seven Kingdoms 2 HD players" by u/Time-Experience-1698

We’d like to invite you all to r/AfterTheDance, the newest iteration and successor to r/CenturyOfBlood, r/SevenKingdoms and r/IronThronePowers. Set over 150 years before the start of the books and TV show, see Westeros in the smouldering ashes of the largest civil the Iron Throne has seen.

Set after the Dance of the Dragons where Targaryen turned on Targaryen as dragons clashed with dragons, the Seven Kingdoms remain in shambles. A smouldering mess. Following the end of the fighting and the Hour of the Wolf, Aegon III Targaryen, just a boy, sits atop the Iron Throne. The old guard is dead and in its place a new generation rules Westeros.

r/AfterTheDance is a text-based role playing game set entirely on Reddit. Take the role of a Lord, knight or merchant. Explore Westeros recovering from war, and a new era dawns filled with romance, intrigue, adventure, brotherhood and betrayal.

You can read more about our setting in the setting document below and while not necessary, join us on Discord to ask questions, socialise, make friends and talk about the roleplay and sub!

Subreddit

Discord

Setting document

https://youtu.be/RB-RcX5DS5A?t=81

#Lordsport

The smell rose slowly at first. As he walked through the empty halls he could smell it. Smoke. It had to be smoke. But from where? In his hours of wandering he hadn’t seen another soul. Pyke was empty. The small grew thicker as he stumbled to escape its choking grasp.

With a crack and smash his eyes shot open. The ship’s cabin was filled with smoke. An orange glow filled the air as the fire greedily lapped at the flagship of the iron fleet.

Haldir knew he only had moments to react before it was too late.

He would not burn. Not here. Not today.

gonna reclaim and try and do some writing. Will spend some time thinking about what to retcon from the squisher end event

Much had changed, since the beginning, and even the end had not been how many would have expected when they set out. For better or worse, that was how it had turned out, and nothing would change that. Even if nobody agreed on quite what the end was, there was one.

Through it all, the band had played. Not always the same band, but the band of the particular day, week or year it was. Some of the music was the same, some was different. New or old. A new take on an old classic. It was always there in the background, not always appreciated, but missed when it was gone.

[m] A thread for anywhere in time or space, for those once living now dead, and those who yet draw breath.

Hornwood.

They had been staying here for some time now.

A few days since their arrival, the Lord of the Pools and liege Lord to the castle they were visiting in now was overseeing something in the courtyard.

Years had passed. His eldest living son was currently at the Deepwood, and his light that was his daughter Serena was sending more and more happy letters back to Blackpool every single day.

Life.....

Life was good.

Nathan was suprised he was thinking that, truth be told.

After all the horror. After all the death. After all the hardships in his life, now, at this point halfway in his journey through life....

Nathan Slate was finally content.

Finally... content. Content with his life that was good. Not in a conventional way, not by a long shot. But things were good now, no?

High Lords under the Starks. More and more wealth and power aquired by the day.

And his daughter? Serena?

In some years from now? A Queen, mayhaps.

The corners of Nathan's mouth curled upward, a movement that hadn't happened often enough these past years.

He didn't come here alone though. To this castle, a castle conquered with a combination of loyalty and deceit, a combination of humbleness and pure ambition.

He really should find the people he came here with.

The hills outside Deepdown, Skagos, 5th Moon, 235AC

Continued from here.

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 10 posts:

• "[Unclaim] Turning the Page" by u/thinkBrigger
• "[Unclaim] House Targaryen" by u/parakeetweet
• "[Mod-Post] Endgame Announcement and Reset Poll" by u/blueblueamber
• "[Unclaim] Goodbye, fare ye well" by u/Skastamun
• "[Unclaim] House Martell of Sunspear" by u/yoxmane
• "[Unclaim] The End" by u/HouseMeadows
• "[Unclaim] House Tully" by u/aceavengers
• "[Meta] Future of /r/SevenKingdoms" by u/notjp520
• "[Claim] House Mollen of Bypine" by u/thinkBrigger
• "[Conflict] The Battle at King's Landing: The Reach vs. The Rest" by u/blueblueamber

Edric sat down within the guest chambers of Greywater Watch, looking over the pictures he had drawn over the years. Each of them showed off his initial impressions of foreign-lands, back when travel had interested him so much. The most prominent of these were what he drew of Seagard, Widows Watch and Riverrun. He lamented over the pictures of Riverrun, realizing that it was within that castle that his desire to travel had died.

A light knock would sound on his door, to which Edric called out and personally invited inside. The woman who entered was his only servant, a commoner women named Lydia.

She smiled happily as she approached the Lord. "I have returned with good news Master. As you have requested I made sure to keep an eye on Lady Stella during her pregnancy and so I have! The midwives were apparently sent to her room moments ago and rumor is that she is doing well!' The servant woman recited with excitement, her voice carrying the drawl of the local peasantry of Torrhen's Square.

Edric would immediately get up from his seat and look for a coat. "Why do you care so much about Lady Stella's pregnancy anyways?" The servant asked.

"She is a friend of mine and I want to make sure she is safe." He answered, putting little thought into his excuse.

"Oh, I guess that makes sense!" The servant said while nodding in agreement. Edric had chosen Lydia for this project for a reason: she was a kind, dedicated and incredibly stupid servant who took his word without question.

6th Month 243 AC, Greywater Watch

#Stella

It had been a couple months since she visited Blackpool, for the wedding of a Slate girl and the clansman. A couple months since...

What would people say? What would the Reeds say if they knew what the girl they took in did, what would Regent Teaghan say - Gods, Edric was his best friend!

And yet, it made her happier than she was ever since Sig disappeared, ever since the crow brought its dark words.

They tried to keep it quiet, of course they did. But actions tended to have consequences, such was the way of the world. And not everything could remain hidden forever.

Towards the end of 244 AC, the South

Even though there was peace between the powers of the once united Seven Kingdoms, and an alliance between the independent realms was strong and secure enough for the roads to be safe to travel again, Cahir was a little nervous as he rode through the Riverlands with just a few spearmen for protection, through the last Kingdom that decided to stay loyal to the dragons. It was where his mother came from - yet still, the signs of war were all too present here, years after the peace treaty.

A ward of Lord Marshal of the North was to deliver a message to the southron King. An easy task, wasn't it? And at the same time, important enough for the lad, eighteen years old at the time, to gloat before pretty girls back in the North. Or in the South, for that matter.

Once his task was complete - just handing over a scroll, like a trained bird, exchanging pleasantries - he headed out of the castle. He didn't even expect to feel so relieved after making it out alive - and as was natural for the young man, he headed to the first fine establishment he could find, to celebrate his survival with a drink.

Since 7k is over this is all just for fun anyways :D

Out of Time, Out of Space.

Here's a thread for any PC at any time.

Living, dead, old, young, greater, lesser, middling.

Anyone, anywhere.

Late 240 AC, White Harbour

Some time after the grand feast in Winterfell, two hooded figures arrived to the city of White Harbour. Neiridia had never been there before - despite the promises and dreams of travelling...

Away. Forever.

She didn't look back when they left Winterfell, didn't spare a look at the castle that had been her seat, her home and her prison. The castle where she spent her whole life.

When her brother came to rescue her, she thought she would never again feel like she did before - helpless and scared... Betrayed.

Perhaps it was a curse. Perhaps the men in power were always corrupted, openly or not. Cruel and treacherous.

Perhaps the Gods didn't want her to be happy. Or perhaps... she just had to take the matters into her own hands.

"Let's find a ship that will take us far away from here." she smiled at Rickon.

6th Month 238 AD, Greywater Watch

The Dondarrions arrived to Greywater Watch during the Great War for safety - and for various reasons, both Jaenara and Alysanne Dondarrion, as well as Davos Meadows, decided to stay. It was a peaceful life, in the swamps of the Neck.

When the Spring came after a short Winter, a wedding between the youngest son of the late Lord Jonos Reed and the lady Jaenara Dondarrion was set. It was a grand event, bigger than any the Greywater Watch had seen in many years.

Various houses from the North and from the Stormlands were invited. Guides from Moat Cailin were travelling back and forth to Greywater to make sure to escort everyone safely through the bog.

The ceremony was set to happen in the Godswood, and later in the evening, a feast awaited in the Great Hall.

3rd Month 243 AC, Blackpool

It was over a year since the battle at Torrhen's Square. The Retribution heavy in her hands. The shadow of her father by her side. Misty's roar as the bear tore through the Drowned...

Ropentaar! A slash of the obsidian blade...

Flash of light, and they were gone. The Dark Queen and her minions. The Old Gods whispered their praise.

The North was saved. A safe and prosperous Kingdom. Her father's legacy.

It was a clear autumn day, when the air was crisp but not unpleasantly cold, and the Godswood in Blackpool was the center of attention.

A young woman slowly approached the weirwood tree, lead by her brother, the Lord Nathan Slate. Deep blue eyes of the Snow, nervous as she was, quickly found the green eyes of her clansman, who was standing by the ancient weirwood tree. Waiting for her.

She wore a pure white gown adorned with myrish lace on the bodice, and a cloak made of white wool over her shoulders, with just two stripes of grey near the bottom to symbolise the inverted sigil of House Slate.

"Who comes before the Old Gods this night?"

"Cayla Snow, natural born daughter of Lord Jayce Slate and lady Myra Reed. A woman grown and flowered. She comes to beg the blessing of the Gods. Who comes to claim her?"

"Harrington of the House Flint of the Mountains, son of Rickard Flint of the First Flints and Sara Liddle. Who gives her?"

"Nathan of House Slate, Lord of Blackpool, High Lord of the Pools and Woods, her brother."

"Lady Cayla Snow, will you take this man?"

"I take this man."

With those worse spoken, Cayla's and Harrington's hands met, and together they knelt before the heart tree.

A silent prayer to the Gods of the Old, for the path that brought them together, that brought them here.

When they stood up again, the tall clansman removed the snow-white cloak from Cayla's shoulders, and replaced it with his own, bearing the sigil of the First Flints.

"I am yours and you are mine..." she smiled softly, looking up to him.

5th Month 225 AC, Deepdown, Skagos

Continuing from here and previously here

OOC: Okay, I would like to start by paying respect to Seven Kingdoms and it's community. This place has been my home for a few months now and I've loved writing Edric on here. I've made quite a few friends on this server, particularly Amber, Iron, Dylan and Asmo who have been my main Roleplay partners. I also have a ton of respect for experienced players like Vier, Dire, Plex and Banter who helped include me in the North's story. I know that theres still plenty of ways for me to grow as a writer but I genuinely feel this sub has been a great help and has prepared me for greater things in CoB.

The Epilogue:

Edric Tallhart: Edric had once been a workaholic, dedicating most of his early adult life to serving as his brothers Castellan. However, with the help of Danika Flint, Edric learned how to enjoy life. He had fallen in love with the Flint girl years before they had married, as she had brought much needed excitement into his life.

However with the hostage situation in Riverrun and Danika's struggle with postpartum depression following the birth of Cregan and Ruta, this relationship faced serious problems. Edric struggled with trying to help his wife and often blamed her misery on his own failures. There had been times when his willpower and dedication to their relationship had been tested, but Edric remained loyal to his wife until the end.

Despite his best attempts, it wouldn't be Edric who would bring Danika out of her depression, but that of Cregan. Through stubbornness Edric's son was able to bond with Danika, eventually helping her to feel comfortable around her children.

Edric and Danika would remain happily married together and both grew into the role of being a parent. They were both proud of the children they had raised together and remained a close-knit family.

Following the visit of their father, Edric and Rodrik would makeup. Edric and his family would remain in Torrhen's Square, but he would never retake his position as castellan, instead choosing to focus on his family. His family would grow close to Eddara and her children.

Edric still remained close friends with Teaghan Greysnow and Stella Harlaw. The rift between Alysanne and Danika would eventually be mended and their families would frequently spend time together. As for Stella, Edric would provide her with emotional support whenever necessary and invited her to stay as a guest in Torrhen's Square on multiple occasions

Tabitha Boggs: At one point Tabitha had believed she would never fall in love, she was however happily surprised. Had it not been for the encouragement of her best friend Stella Snow, Tabi would have never met her future husband at the Grand Feast of Winterfel. He was a minor noble, lacking in wealth and titles, but she had quickly fallen for him. After a year of tension between the two, they would finally wed each other. Tabitha had found love out of her own accord, her parents might have disapproved of the match but that didn't matter to her.

Tabitha would remain a dedicated friend to Stella. She had once viewed the low-born bastard as being below her in status, but Stella had opened up Tabitha's heart and made her realize how flawed the current system was. Tabitha's prejudices disappeared and were replaced with a newfound compassion for smallfolk and servants. Tabitha also would go onto being Hester Harlaw's favorite aunt.

She still missed Sigfryd and he was often in her thoughts. Each year she would light a candle to memorialize the Seeker with.

Blanche Boggs: Blanche would survive the nearly fatal incident in The Neck. Killian Fenn would help her recover and the two would eventually make-up. A year and a half later Blanche would confess her feelings for Killian and the two would marry each other. Lord and lady Boggs would be pleased with the match and Blanche was most importantly happy. She would eventually go onto being the mistress of Fenn's Way.

Ruta Tallhart: Edric and Danika's daughter would turn out to be a child prodigy, showing incredible signs of intelligence from an early age. She consistently made her family proud and would eventually take over Edric's old job as Castellan. She was incredibly skilled and was able to put Torrhen's Square on the map as a Northern trade center. Jonos Tallhart had been a close friend of hers and assisted heavily in this endeavor. Upon his departure Ruta would come to miss her twin and did he best to keep in touch with Cregan.

Cregan Tallhart: Cregan hadn't been blessed with the same intelligence as Ruta, however he had grown into the warrior Edric could have only dreamed of becoming. Edric's son would travel around Westeros and even go to Essos in order to serve as a sellsword. Although his exterior might not show it, he frequently misses Ruta and appreciates every letter he receives from her.

The End: Thank you for reading everyone and I hope to roleplay with you in Century of Blood.

An End Fit For A King

So this is the end of just gone a year as House Tallhart. I feel that an epilogue for the saga would be great closure for this chapter that saw me through a turbulent year in real life and in game, through the nitty gritty and best times along the road.

Lord Marshal Rodrik Tallhart, the Champion of the North, Vanquisher of the Salt Dragon, He Who Led The Charge Into The Jaws of the Krakenborn

Rod has been a pleasure to write as. I often thought of his judgements, choices and actions are what I would do in his position. Having the great pleasure to RP heavily with amber's Reeds. From Finan, Jonos and to Rod's love of his life, Eddara. Amber helped as much with the development of the character arc more than anyone except Sealandic. I had high hopes for their children, Rickard, Jonos, Garrick, Lukas and Myra but always enjoyed the gibs with her.

Rod, who I trudged through many wars with, defied Dustin's many crazy orders and fought and won in many melees, will always have a special place in my heart when I RP. I don't think I'll be able to replicate another character like him.

Onto the end of his Saga, he charged into the cursed legions of the Ironborn alongside the shade of his father and countless others rising from the grave. The battle lasted for hours and hours, deep into the night as they fought wave after wave. The tide faltered and the North won. Rodrik was found early in the morning, kneeling on the shoreline of Lake Torrhen, his fathers swords lay either side of him as he knelt unresponsive and in shock. The men who lived to tell the tale often spoke in the halls of the castle about his emotional speech, his charge and how he fought relentlessly. They say he danced with death, each move perfection as he glided through the battle, slaying the monsters with precision.

Days later he awoke in the arms of his love, his memory a darkness except for snippets thrown in. He and Eddara grew old together, his sons taking after him whilst baby Myra grew up to be a younger reflection of Lady Eddara.

Lord Rickard Tallhart, the Heir

The firstborn, Rick grew up taking after his father. His chosen weapon was the dual swords technique his father and grandfather fought with. After many melees fighting against his rival, Princess Lynesse, they were wed. The melee at the great wedding was well fought till it came down to the final two contenders. As the bride and groom fought it was obvious they were a perfect match. Their chemistry in the arena was unmistakable and after half an hour of intense duelling Rick conceded. Kneeling before his Queen of love and beauty.

Running away from their duty as Lord and Lady Tallhart, they often lived in the Stormlands, constantly raiding the Targaryen lands to the North and causing menace throughout their youth.

​

Jonos Tallhart

Jonos grew up to have the brains of the brothers. Working alongside Ruta (The Castellan of Torrhen's Square), he and his cousin worked to run the Square during Rick's absence. Creating it a trade hub that even Uncle Edric would be proud of.

​

Garrick Tallhart

Garrick ended up as the adventurer. Running off to learn the aspect of the Spear from the Dornish before spending some time with Braavosi swordsmen. His stories would fill many halls with laughter and he would keep his nieces and nephews occupied with daring tales against pirates, bandits and more. Sadly he died in his prime, his final act was saving countless lives as a fire wrecked havoc through one of the towns in his family's land.

​

Lukas Tallhart

Lukas grew up to mend the rift between the Dustins and Tallharts after they broke away from their liege, marrying the young Lady Dustin and lived happily out of the shadow of his brothers.

Myra Tallhart

The long awaited daughter, Myra grew up to live a Lady's dream. Marrying a young Lord and living happily ever after, giving his

#Meta

With Seven Kingdoms coming to an end, I couldn’t let go without writing a summary of what all my characters have been through over the years, where do I leave them, and where I imagine their life paths will lead.

House Reed has been my one and only house, they are wonderful and I love them and I will miss them so much.

I would like to thank a great number of people, for writing with me and for being my friends. Some of them I have written with in the past, some of them have stayed with my until the very end, but all of them are awesome <3

#Greywater Watch and the Swamps of the Neck

House Reed is an ancient and proud house that rules the Swamps of the Neck, with the head of the House carrying the title Lord of Greywater Watch, Commander of the Crannogmen, Lord of the Marshes, Boggs, Quaggs, Myres and Swamps, Ruler in the Neck, Guardian of the North and Warden of the South.

A legendary figure by the name of Howland, who had the blood of both men and the Children of the Forest, started the line of ancient Marsh Kings. That line ended with the Last of the Marsh Kings, whose only children were twin daughters, Caelia and Cayleigh. When Rickard Stark the Laughing Wolf killed the last Marsh king, he married Caelia to bring the Neck into the Kingdom of Winter. Cayleigh married Martyn Reed, to consolidate the power of the new Lord of the Marshes, Boggs, Quaggs, Myres and Swamps. Swamps of the Neck had been a part of the Kingdom of Winter and loyal vassals to House Stark of Winterfell ever since.

In the past approximately half a century, the Lordship was passed from Lord Aodhán Reed to his son Cináed in 186 AC. Cináed was condemned to take the Black in 209 AC, and died fighting Wildlings Beyond the Wall in 210 AC. Cináed's eldest son Jonos became Lord after him, and after Jonos's death, his grandson Triston ascended to the seat.

##Aodhán Reed

The former lord of Greywater Watch disappeared whilst hunting in 186 AC. It was only a couple years later that his son Cináed had a horrifying dream - and learned that his father was killed by a lizard-lion.

##Grey (Cináed Reed)

[My favourite character arc!]

The former Lord of Greywater Watch was married to Mol Glover, in a dutiful, yet rather cold marriage. Children are Jonos, Ophelia, Alannah and Ellard Reed, and Teaghan Snow, result of his illicit love for lady Janys Slate. Cináed was forced by the Crown to abdicate after the North fought and lost in the First Blackfyre Rebellion. An honorable man who loved his children above all, he died fighting Wildlings Beyond the Wall - or so the world was told.

A scarred Seer with the ability of green-dreaming called Grey has lived on Skagos, advising lord Stark of Deepdown. He married lady Janys Slate and raised 'her son' Teaghan Snow as his own. The pair later adopted a trio of children of Janys's twin, Lord Jayce Sate, Gareth, Nessa and Felix.

Grey helped the Skagosi when the Waves came, and when the disaster was averted, returned with his family to Deepdown where they lived for many more years.

[You Flee My Dream Come the Morning]

##Jonos Reed

Cináed's son. Lord of Greywater Watch since he was mere 13 years old, with the unenviable task to rebuild their home, in which he eventually succeeded. His father taught him to value his family and protect his people, and he tries his hardest to be a good lord, husband and father. Married in 214 AC for love - to lady Alysanne Vypren. He admired Lord Jayce Slate greatly and was good friends with his daughter Kyra. Another close friend of Jonos was Lord Rodrik Tallhart.

Jonos died in the Battle at Shadow Tower in the 12th Month of 237 AC, sacrificing his life to save Lord Rodrik Tallhart before an Ironborn blade.

##Artos Reed

Firstborn son of Lord Jonos Reed and the heir to Greywater Watch was a rather wild boy in his youth, undisciplined and a little spoiled by his mother and father. He married Lyarra Cerwyn, but soon afterwards, plagued by strange dreams, Artos left Greywater Watch with a stranger called the Seeker, to find a mysterious Sorcerer.

With a great sacrifice, Artos's abilities were awoken, and the greenseer and skinchanger attempted to resist the invasion of a strange water-dwelling race, with the help of his stag Snark and a Child of the Forest called Moss.

In the end, he learned that his fate was not to defeat the enemy, but only enable another to do so. In a small cave somewhere along the Fever River in the swamps of the Neck, the Three Eyed Raven dreams, before he is needed again.

##Triston Reed

Artos's son and Jonos's grandson became Lord of Greywater Watch at the age of just three after the death of Lord Jonos, with Artos missing and presumed dead.

Tutored by his Regent Teaghan Greysnow, Triston grew up to be a kind and just lord. He eventually married Ellena Manderly, and the pair named their first son, born in 261 AC, Howland.

##Eawynn Reed

Triston's younger sister and heir presumptive never met her father, growing up tutored by her mother and grandmother, whom she looked up to the most. She married a Riverlander lord.

##Nimue Reed

Jonos's eldest daughter was a timid, introverted child who liked to draw. She grew up in High Hermitage under the tutelage of Lady Emilia Dayne, and became close with Benedict Dayne, son of Lady Emilia and Lord Luceon. After the end of the War, Nimue and Benedict married in a small ceremony, honouring the Gods Old and New.

##Guinevere Reed

[It was not how I imagined her story would go, but that makes it only better!]

Guin was more outgoing than her sister, a proper young lady. She fell in love with Rupert (later Prince Rupert) Baratheon, and frequently exchanged letters with him. Eventually, Guinevere and her friend Sabitha Mallister ran away from Greywater to travel to Storm's End, where she hoped to meet her love again. Alas, Rupert died in a battle of King's Landing in 235 AC.

Despite growing close with Rupert's brother, the King Rolland Baratheon, she was unable to cope with her loss, often hallucinating of Rupert and the life they might have had.

Guinevere jumped off the battlements of Storm's End in 12th Month of 240 AC.

##Iseult Reed

Jonos's youngest daughter suffered from a sickly disposition, and she died in 231 AC of consuption.

##Cahir Reed

Second son of Lord Jonos felt like he lived in a shadow his whole life. He was a ward to Lord Rodrik Tallhart, his father's friend and the Champion of the North, but that didn't help him to learn to fight.

Enjoying good food - perhaps a little too much - Cahir grew quite fat at a young age.

##Elyan Reed

[I wish his story could be played IC! My precious boy.]

Third son and youngest child of Jonos and Alysanne was an enthusiastic and talkative child, successful in all domains.

He fell in love with Jaenara Dondarrion, a girl he had known since they were children, and the two eventually married in 248 AC, with the blessing of Jaenara's sister Alysanne. They lived happily ever after.

##Ophelia Reed

Ophelia was tutored by lady Lyanna Stark (Dustin) in Winterfell, and was betrothed to lord Willam Dustin. The exceptional beauty had a dark side to her character, and after being forced to fulfill the marriage agreement with the Dustins, Ophelia ran away with her friend Roslin Stark, all the way to Asshai.

There was a dark time for Ophelia after her return, and with the eventual split between her and Roslin. Ophelia fell in love with Nathan Slate - alas, a married man - and convinced him to leave his wife and family for her.

Later in life, Ophelia did all she could to secure a proper future for her children, especially Cináed as heir to the castle of Blackpool. She and Nathan also adopted Kaerella Snow as their own daughter.

##Serena 'Slate'

[This is my headcanon and I am sticking with it!]

Thanks to her mother's influence, Serena became a Lady in Waiting to Queen Carolei Stark née Arryn. That was just the beginning of a plan for the girl to grow close with Daemon Stark, heir to the Kingdom of Winter, and eventually become his Queen.

##Alannah Stark (née Reed)

[Jon/Ala were my favourite couple!]

Alannah was tutored on Skagos by the Starks of Deepdown. She married Lord Jon Stark of Deepdown in 218 AC. Influenced by some traumatic events that had marked her life, Alannah tended to be rather tense and wild, but she loved Jon dearly and was fiercely protective of him and the children they had together.

It is not known for certain what became of Lord Jon Stark and his wife after the Battle at Shadow Tower. Some say that Jon took a blade for his wife who couldn't then bear the loss, while others would claim that Jon's unicorn carried them both safely away from the battlefield, and home to Skagos.

##Ellard Reed

The youngest of Cináed and Mol's children was warded in White Harbour as a guarantee of the Reeds' loyalty after Blackfyre rebellion. He served as a squire to Lord Willem Manderly, and was knighted for valor shown on the field of battle. Ellard died in 216 AC defending Winterfell from a Wildling attack.

##Teaghan Greysnow

The bastard son of Cináed and lady Janys Slate was born in Winterfell. After Cináed abdicated, Jonos sent Teaghan to Blackpool to hide him from his mother's wrath, and Teaghan was later reunited with his lady mother. Unlike his trueborn siblings, Teaghan knew the truth about their father's 'death' and stayed with his parents on Skagos for a long time, before coming to Blackpool to help his uncle, Lord Jayce Slate.

He took the name Greysnow and married Alysanne Flint of the Flints of Widow's Watch, and the pair had three children.

##Janys Greysnow

Teaghan's eldest child and only daughter, Janys was beloved and spoiled by her father, and given much freedom in her life and choices.

##Felix Snow

Adopted son of Grey and Janys, his real parents were Lord Jayce Slate and Lynesse Fenn. Lynesse died giving birth to him, and he always thought of Grey and Janys as his true parents.

Felix served as a sworn sword to Lord Ellard Stark of Skagos.

##Finan Reed

Cináed's brother, married to Myranda Forrester. For a long time, he struggled with alcoholism. Served as Regent of Torrhen's Square after the Dustins rebelled. Finan had an affair with Deliah Mollen (née Cerwyn), resulting in a bastard child - which Finan was not aware of. Slain in a duel by Deliah's husband Roran Mollen.

##Perdita Reed

Finan's only daughter who died at the age of 5 of the Great Spring Sickness.

##Orin Reed

With the potential to be a strong warrior, Orin was a ward to Lord Ambassador Mag Mormont in King's Landing, and trained with the formidable fighter Lord Lysander Rogare. He hopelessly fell in love with Lysander's daughter Larra. Later left King's Landing with his friends Aeryn Stark and Ryom Snow, and helped gathering support for the White Wolf in the North. He continued to travel with Aeryn after he became the King of the North, and served as his sworn sword.

Later in life, Orin married Freïa Snow, whose eyes reminded him of Larra's.

##Nyle Reed

Nyle was a quiet young man who grew up in Seagard, dreaming of becoming a great warrior - but didn't have much success with that, and after a serious shoulder injury lost some of the motivation. He was knighted for his service to Lord Maekar Mallister. During the War, he was named commander of Moat Cailin, and lead some of the war efforts.

After the War, he married Nymeria Roote in an attempt to forge peace and fix relations between the North and the Riverlands.

##Ealadhach Reed

Youngest of Finan's son was gifted with great intellect, but plagued by night terrors. A bookish, yet outgoing boy was warded in Stone Hedge, and married Cercilia Rivers in an attempt to reconcile the Reeds with their sworn enemies, house Frey.

Ealadhach was named Hand of the King of Winter, and served on the Winter Council for many years.

##Catelyn Reed

Ealadhach and Cercilia's eldest daughter followed her mother's Gods, the southern Faith of the Seven.

She later married Karl Whitehill, the heir to Highpoint.

##Forrest Reed

Always in the shadow of his twin sister, Forrest was meant to be warded in the Riverlands in an attempt for forge a southern alliance, but the boy tried to run away to Essos to find his sister - only to be unfortunately killed in a tavern fight.

##Freyja Reed

Wild and willful, Freyja was never afraid to take advantage of those around her. She never married, and at a young age left for Essos to become an adventurer.

##Daniel Snow

Finan's bastard with Deliah Cerwyn. Finan did not know about his existence, and Deliah herself thought that Daniel was the son of the late lord Willem Manderly. Daniel grew up at Castle Cerwyn, hidden away from Deliah's husband.

##Aongus Reed

Youngest brother of Cináed died in a hunting accident in 189 AC.

##Cayleigh Mollen (née Reed)

Cayleigh married Torrhen Mollen and became a lady of Bypine, but died giving birth to their first child in 192 AC.

##Myra Wolfhart (née Reed)

Cináed's sister, married to Torrhen Wolfhart, based in Whitemoor. Returned to Greywater after her loveless and cold marriage grew unbearable, and eventually gave birth to a bastard child as a result of her affair with Lord Jayce Slate, whom she later became very close friends with. She also became close with Lord Torrhen Mollen, widower of her late sister Cayleigh. Myra died of Winter Illness in the 9th Month of 227 AC.

##Eddara Tallhart (née Wolfhart/Reed)

Myra's daughter with Torrhen Wolfhart, left Whitemoor for Greywater Watch when her father wanted to marry her off to a man twice her age. Married lord Rodrik Tallhart and gave him many children.

##Cayla Snow

[Probably my favourite character overall!]

Bastard of Myra Reed and Lord Jayce Slate. A quiet, pensive child, Cayla seemed to have a strong connection to the Old Gods, spending significant amounts of time in the Godswood. After her mother's passing, she was taken to Blackpool by her father, and as the only one of Jayce's bastards openly acknowledged. Cayla started having strange dreams, and discovered her abilites of a skinchanger, bonded with a brown bear she named Misty.

Saviour of Westeros, aided by Kaerella Snow, Harrington Flint, the Three Eyed Raven and the ghost of her father, amongst many others.

Perhaps she had slain the Dark Queen with Retribution, married Harrington Flint and lived happily ever after, or perhaps she gave her life in turn to stop the invasion.

##Domeric Reed

Cináed's uncle, widower of Donella Greengood. Served as a Reed Ambassador in White Harbor for many years, before deciding to leave the North in 241 AC, at the age of 94.

##Elmar Reed

Domeric and Donella's son, drunkard, who joined the Night's Watch after a series of embarassments he caused for his family. Elmar was killed by a Wildling in the Battle at Shadow Tower.

##Stella Harlaw née Snow

Elmar's bastard with a whore from Mole's Town, unknown to her father. She came to Greywater in search for her father's family after her mother passed away in Winter. Her best friend was Tabitha Boggs.

Stella grew close with a mysterious man called 'the Seeker', whose identity was later revealed to her as Sigfryd Harlaw. They married after Stella discovered she was with a child, alas Sigfryd had to leave on a secret task - from which he never returned. Stella gave birth to their daughter Hester, and after the War even visited the Ten Towers with her daughter, to get to know Sig's family.

##Norren Reed

Domeric Reed's younger son, dear friend to Lord Jonos Reed. Matrilineally married to Gilliane Bolton after he gave up on his quest to find the woman he once loved.

He cared for his children and eventually learned to love his wife too. Together, the two made a plan for Gilliane to become the Lady of Dreadfort instead of her unstable brother Edwyn.

##Neiridia Stark (Snow)

Daughter of the Lord Rickon Stark and Anya Woolfield was born on the sea near Skagos. Torrhen Stark of Skagos rallied his banners to her cause as the only (known at the time) child of the late Lord Rickon as opposed to the pretender Karl Stark.

At the age of five, Neiridia was briefly made the Lady of Winterfell, before the castle was retaken and all her supporters were killed or ran away. Her mother's head was impaled on a spike above the Winterfell's gate.

Raised as a hostage to Theon Stark, before she was finally saved by her half-brother Aeryn, who rallied the North and took Winterfell, killing Theon the Tyrant. After the War, Neiridia was legitimited by a royal decree, making her a Stark, no longer a Snow.

Neiridia grew close with Rickon Mormont, the rightful lord of Bear Island - only for him to be accused of treason against the North and condemned to take the Black. Alas, Neiridia learned the truth about the failed plan, causing her to lose faith in her brother and King. After a feast in Winterfell which she invited Rickon to, the two escaped the Kingdom of Winter, travelling to the South to start a new life there.

#House Crowl

##About

Although the island of Skagos is scarcely inhabited for the most part, the surplus of fish that live around the island and the large amount of stone that lies within the mountain range in the surrounding area allows them to be viable for trade with the Free Folk to their north, the Night's Watch to their west and the Northerners to their south, or at least the ones that are willing to trade with 'Kneelers' or 'Wildlings'.

Like most other Skagosi houses, little of House Crowl's history has survived the passage of time, either due to their isolation from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms or the fact that the First-Men preferred oral tradition to written scripts. One of the houses more famous members, if not the most, would be the unnamed Lord Commander of the Night's Watch who's reign took place more then a thousand years ago.

In the 10th month 198, House Crowl ceased to be due to a cowardly and unwarranted attack by House Manderly. Despite a heroic defense by the soldiers of Deepdown, Manderly managed a narrow victory. Joseth Crowl fell in battle, and the rest of his family was executed by the invaders. The people of Skagos will never forget this infamous day, and the heroism of the Crowl family.

#House Stark - Cadet Branch

##About

Deepdown was awarded to Torrhen of House Stark following the conquest, as well as High Lordship over the whole of Skagos. The remaining members of House Magnar were held captive and raised in Deepdown.

##Family Members

###Ser Torrhen Stark

The Stone Wolf, Butcher of Skagos

Torrhen Stark, born in 177AC, was warded and raised in White Harbour, and squired and later knighted by Lord Brandon Manderly. For his key role in crushing the Skagosi Rebellion, he was rewarded with Lordship of Deepdown. He then led the Northern houses in conquest of Kingshouse and Driftwood Hall.

Since the Rebellion, Torrhen married Juliet Bar Emmon, and had one child with her Jon Stark. The relationship turned cold after their second child, Beth was stillborn.

Torrhen had a paramour, Rhaesanne, a ex-whore in Crippled Cat's in the village of Twinstone. She gave him four bastard children Rhaenya, Kaerella, Freïa and Kylar. She died in Torrhen's arms.

Torrhen was convinced by Lady Anya Woolfield that her daughter Neiridia Snow was the true heir of Winterfell. To that end, the pair of them took the child beyond the Wall in order to garner troops and support, promising the Freefolk land and war South of the Wall.

After five years uniting many clans, they finally reached Winterfell and after a year long siege, took the castle.

But it was not without cost.

Torrhen lost friends, allies, his reputation and his sword arm.

He then fled back to Skagos, and across to Essos, before King Baelor marched North, and Torrhen's son Jon ended the wildling rebellion.

He returned to Westeros with Jasper Arryn, and joined the court of House Royce of Runestone. While there, he initiated a plot to see the Northern Lords demand Bear Island return to the North.

Once Aeryn began his campaign to retake the North, he followed Royce in declaring him King of Winter.

As his age progressed, his sanity began to fail him. His mind became clouded with rage, and was eventually unable to tell friend from foe.

He fought through the North to bring Aeryn to power, he fought through the Vale to rid them of invaders, and he fought the Ironborn and Wildlings at the Wall.

It was there, under the Shadow Tower, that he fell.

###Argelle Stark

Torrhen's Sister

Lady Argelle was raised in King's Landing as a handmaid of the Queen. She returned to Deepdown prior to the outbreak of the Blackfyre rebellion, where she ruled as regent while her brother led men on the mainland.

After the war, she helped raise her nephew, and brought them all to White Harbour to celebrate the life of the late Lord Wylis Manderly. She remained fiercely loyal to he cousin Rodwell, and hates her brother for his treason.

She married Lord Rogar Forrester, and they had a son, Beron.

###Lord Jon Stark

Torrhen's Son, "Kanye", The Unicorn Knight

Kanye grew up alone on Skagos, with few friends. His aunt found two village boys for company, but banished them after he was caught kissing one of them.

He found and tamed a unicorn in the forests near Deepdown, and now rides her whenever he gets a chance.

When they visited White Harbour, he met with Alannah Reed, who was to become a ward of his father. The developed strong feelings for one another over the ten years they were together, and finally kissed at the wedding of Karl Stark in Winterfell. At fourteen he proposed to marry her and everything seemed to be going well.

When the Red Priests came to Deepdown, however, he allowed them to stay, but was betrayed by his own men who had converted. Eventually he rode out on his unicorn, capturing the leader and executed him beneath the Heart Tree.

At the Tourney of Harrenhal he performed well in the Joust and Melee, but afterward offered himself as a hostage to King Baelor as he rode North to defeat his father. He was personally responsible for the end of the War, ordering his garrison to stand down and allow the Crown forces entry.

Lord Jon married and had children with Lady Alannah. Jon ruled Deepdown freely since the regency ended and followed the threads his father left behind, securing a more open Skagos, and one that is no longer isolated.

Jon began to form a plan to oust the Black Wolf, Theon Stark, from Winterfell. His support for Aeryn's cause was unwavering, and was rewarded with Regency of Winter. In this time, he showed his quality as a statesman, and helped bring diplomatic solutions to a lot of internal conflicts.

It is not known for certain what became of Jon after the Battle at the Shadow Tower. Some suggest that he took a blade for his wife, while others suggest that it was his Unicorn that slew the Wildling King, before carrying Alannah and him home.

Either way, he left a legacy that has been upheld by his son Lord Ellard Stark.

###Ellard Stark

High Lord of Skagos, Lord of Deepdown

Jon's Son

Ellard was a bully as a child, he found many an excuse to be mean to his brother. This was unintentionally encouraged by his mother's blind eye to his wrong doing.

After his parents left to fight in the Last War, he bonded with his brother, seeing his value as an advisor and Castellan. He developed an attachment to both Alannah Bolton and Nessa Snow, who were wards of his Father.

###Brandon “The Beautiful” Stark

Jon's Son

Brandon was born with a cleft palate - so had trouble breathing, though his mind is sharper than most. He has a wide vocabulary and knowledge for a child of his age. He took to wearing his father's helmet almost all the time to hide his face.

During the Last War, he helped his brother manage his duties, and became Castellan of Deepdown.

He experienced dreams in the form of warnings, and began following the thread with his grandfather, to determined what the warning meant.

He served as Master of Coin on the Winter Council under King Aeryn I Stark.

He never married.

###Cregan Stark

Jon's Son

Cregan suffered from a form a ADHD. As a child he was often distracted by the smallest things. As he grew up, he maintained a very close bond with his sister, and the two of them were often found in each other's company.

Cregan served as a scribe and squire to Lord Marlon Manderly in White Harbour and converted to the Faith of the Seven.

He married Alyra Cerwyn.

###Marissa Stark

Jon's Daughter

Marissa was a beauty, but she was not renowned for her smarts. Marissa later married and her relationship with her brother, Cregan, caused a number of marital problems.

She married Lord Durran Dondarrion.

###Eddard Stark

Jon's Son

Eddard was named for Jon's friend Eddard Flint. He served as commander of Skagos for his entire life, and took on the role of Master at Arms at Winterfell. He married Alannah Flint of Widow's Watch.

###Edric Stark

Jon's Son

Not much is known about the young Edric Stark, only that he was loved.

###Rhaenya Snow

Torrhen's Natural born Daughter

Rhaenya Snow was offered as a ward to Raventree Hall as compliance after the North lost the rebellion. She loved her time there and has a deep love and respect for Missy Blackwood and the other bastards that lived there.

Rhaenya moved to King's Landing and made an impact on a good proportion of the Smallfolk.

Her goal is twofold: equality and justice amongst the citizens, and bringing the city under her control.

She became Mistress of Secrets of the Shadow Court of King's Landing, and helped bring about a new order to the city.

##Kaerella Snow

Torrhen's Natural born Daughter, The Little Swallow

Kaerella was an odd child. She had strange dreams and would often here her father's voice speak to her. She was kidnapped by the Red Priestess Phillipa, who took her to Volantis to train her to become an emissary of the Lord of Light.

After a couple of years she escaped with the help of a loyal Skagosi, and sailed back to Deepdown. They were caught in a hurricane and crashed on Hardhome.

They both got lost trying to return South of the Wall, and her companion died in the Haunted Forest.

Her dreams became more vivid and led her to her father's sword, embedded in a weirwood stump.

She now wields Retribution and was hunting all sorts of monsters beyond the Wall before she crossed recently and arrived at Blackpool.

At Blackpool she met with Ophelia Reed and has formed a strong bond with her after they shared a soulgaze. They know each other intimately and the surrogate mother-daughter relationship is unbreakable.

While visiting Ophelia's home, she met with Cayla Snow, and was overwhelmed with the power the girl possessed - their soulgaze almost killed Kiri.

Kiri believed that Cayla was the one who was destined to save the world. She bonded with a wild boar that triggered her skinchanging abilities.

She helped Cayla Snow achieve her destiny as a Saviour of Westeros.

##Freïa Snow

Torrhen's Natural born Daughter

Freïa was always overshadowed by her older sister, but came into her own as a ward of House Glover.

Very dedicated to the Old Gods, she helped oversee the regency of Skagos during the Last War.

She became very close friends with Teaghan Greysnow, and later married Orin Reed.

##Kylar Snow

Torrhen's Natural born Son

The last of Torrhen's bastards and the one who's birth killed his mother. Kylar was a ward of House Bolton, but returned home after Royce Bolton's death.

He had a high tolerance for pain, and was certifiably masochistic, believing the pain he took to be punishment for not preventing Royce's death.

He led an expedition beyond the Wall, where he was able to spread awareness of the Wildling plans for invasion.

He led the assault on Bear Island, where he reclaimed it for the North, but was slain by a lucky arrow.

#Deepdown

Deepdown rests on the second highest peak of the northern Skagosi Hills, and is hewn from Dragonglass. It has four cylindrical towers and faces southwest, its gates carved from weirwood.

##1. Main Gate

The main gate is always guarded by two very loyal, if uneducated guardsmen, who take turns resting during the night.

Lumpy is the taller of the guards, he's around six feet tall with a hideously pockmarked face that gives him his unfortunate nickname. The shorter rounder guard is Thom, and his eyes water frequently.

##2. Great Hall

In the centre of the courtyard is the Great Hall. Like the rest of Deepdown it is hewn from the dragonglass that makes up most of the hill, but has two huge ironwood doors carved with Old Runes. Inside the Great Hall is a huge ring table around an open fire with almost fifty seats. All residents of the castle are permitted to eat at this table, including servants and soldiers after the nobility have eaten. The table is made from black ebony and is made a ring so that no man is above another.

##2a. Dais with Stone Throne

At the northern end of the hall a raised platform of black stone supports a roughly hewn throne, above which hang the skull of a huge unicorn flanked by the banner of Deepdown, and Ellard Stark's personal banner.

##2b. Kitchens

The kitchens here extend downward into the rock, where the natural cold keeps food fresh for longer.

The chef, a man named Lyo, is an older man who remembers serving human flesh to the members of House Crowl. He is very happy that this tradition is over.

##2c. Servants' Quarters

The servants quarters here, and up the stairs are lined with beds, and personal trunks for their belongings. None of the servants are permanent residents, they are all members of families from Twinstone or Snowshore.

##2d. Side room Jon has it set up as a war room, with a table with the map of Westeros.

This room is kept locked unless Jon is inside. The central table has a poorly drawn map of Westeros with red and blue flags in a number of important locations.

##2e. Side room Designated play area for kids right now.

This room is wide open. The floors are covered in a thick carpet of red and silver, and the walls are lined with toys that vary in age and quality.

##2f. Stairs To upper balcony and more servants' quarters

The balcony overlooks the main hall, and the servants' quarters up here are pretty much the same as those below.

##3. Side entrance Mostly concealed, leads toward the Godswood.

This door is concealed by ivy on the outside and painted the same colour as the walls on the inside. It is usually only guarded by the view of a single guard. This gate leads out of the castle along a path to the Godswood.

##4. Lord's Tower Ellard and Ala live here.

This tower has multiple floors on a spiral staircase. At the very top is Ellard and Alannah Stark's room. Decorated in reds and green it overlooks the cliffs to the northwest of the Isle. The room contains a cot for the youngest of the Stark children.

Below the Lord and Lady's chamber is the children's room. This is kept as this generation remembers with two large beds are in this room and they face each other at either end. Ellard's old bed is white and decorated with a number of twigs and stones from around the island. Brandon's old bed is earthy brown, and has children's books strewn across it.

##5. Gods' Tower Guest rooms, Juliet Stark and Fjori the Godhand's room.

Fjori lives in the broken room at the top of the tower, and it is always closed off to visitors. The room is inhospitable and no one else would be able to live here.

The Lady Juliet Bar Emmon lives below that, in a room made up for a southron woman.

The Magnars live in the rooms just below and their rooms are decked out in their house colours, and the lobster and harpoon is displayed on their door.

The guest rooms below are far better equipped and much more comfortable. Feel free to describe these yourselves.

##6. Maester's Tower Maester's room, Ellard's Solar and the armoury.

Maester Arnold lived just below the rookery in this tower, and his room is quite spartan. Below his chambers is Ellard's Solar, where he is usually found between midday and dinner.

The armoury is in the basement, and is well guarded.

##7. Seer's Tower Grey, Janys and Teaghan's rooms, barracks on the ground and first floors.

This tower is guarded by a guard faithful to Grey, and he makes sure no one is admitted without his or Janys' express permission.

The barracks is on the first two floors and is always busy.

##8. Stables

The stables at the back are covered with a thatched roof that is changed regularly to avoid combustion. There are a few more stalls than are designated on the map, and horses of many shapes and sizes.

##8a. Dusk's Stable

Dusk's stall is at the end of the stable, shrouded in mystery. She likes visitors, but is not especially friendly to anyone unless introduced by Jon.

##The Godswood

A real ancient weirwood tree stands as the Heart Tree in the Godswood of Deepdown, and the remains of House members are interred beneath its roots.

##The Monument

A great dragonglass monument stands on the highest peak of the northern Skagosi Hills, enscribed with the names of every man, woman or child whose lives were lost as a result of the Skagosi rebellion and the Wildling invasion.

##Twinstone

The village of Twinstone at the base of the hill is named for the two giant stones that protrude from the sea on approach to the jetties. The Skagosi family that holds chiefdom over the village is Clan Darkwater. Clan Darkwater has suffered a lot in the recent years, Chief Lokar was killed trying to retake Greywater Watch from House Frey, and his younger brother Tormund was burned and mutilated by the Red Priest Horus. Tormund's son Ragnar is ruling with help from Chief Nowy Tends.

For lore purposes, the village is considered an extension of the Keep, and is linked by a gravel path wide enough for two horse up the hill

##Snowshore

The village of Snowshore is on the smaller of the two Skagosi Isles, and is run by the Tends Clan. Chief Nowy Tends is a loyal commander of the Skagosi army, and served Torrhen Stark loyally to the end. He now serves his grandson just as loyally.

##The Jagged Shore

The small village on the Jagged Shore is loyally held by the Moss clan, and is the one remaining village on Skagos where cannibalism is regularly practiced. The chief Mance Moss rarely leaves the village except to hunt.

After the thirty months that SevenKingdoms has been running, this will be the last official post on the sub. It has been thirty months of intricate scheming, diplomacy, conflicts, weddings, births and deaths. Thirty months during which we have lost some great players but have welcomed plenty of other great ones into the game and into our great community as well.

From the mod team, we wish all of our players farewell and good luck and good fun if they keep playing in Century of Blood.

For the new and returning players: This game has ended and the community is now playing in /r/CenturyOfBlood. Join our discord server to have all your questions answered :)

[M] Gotta do one more lore post for the dondys o7. Dunno if this fits into lore post me leaving, I gave it a shot but :shrug: lol

Ser Daeron Dondarrion - 1st Month, 242 AC

He wondered what he had expected from old age as a child. While he couldn’t quite remember it, he was pretty sure it wasn’t what old age actually was. Which he knew now. Because he was old.

Daeron raised an eyebrow as even his own thoughts now seemed to call him old. Usually it was to other people calling him old. Not that he saw many other people these days. He wondered sometimes how his children were, but he hadn’t heard bad news, so he typically took that as good news. It had gotten him this far, hadn’t it?

It was a strange thing, to outlive those you grew up with. He understood better now why Byron had been so bitter in his later years. So many people gone. Lillianna, Maekar, Elayne, Baelor, the list went on. Lyle still lived, so he heard. Daeron twisted his mouth at that thought but it soon dissipated. He had heard about Blackhaven, but time is a good duller of pain, if not a great healer. Still, it ate at him for many a year. While now he had accepted the acts, for the most part, killing his mother was one thing he’d never forgive Lyle or those who burned her. But times moved quickly, and time had left him behind long ago. As had most things.

He had lived at the manse in King’s Landing for many years, but eventually the isolation became rather dull for the usually active Daeron, even as he grew older. So, instead, he left. He had no idea for how long, but he spent many years travelling from one village to another. He used some money he had to by simple, comfortable clothing to last him long enough before he had enough to buy another set, and eventually found a place to settle. A beach, of all places. With assistance from a nearby village, he spent many months constructing a small hut, a nice, small, quiet place. A place to call home.

So, on this day, that is where he was. Walking barefoot across the water’s edge quietly whistling to himself a soft tune as he walked. His bright red-gold hair had dulled in his later years, despite his blue eyes being as bright as ever. He had grown a bit of a beard too, a messy one admittedly, but it’s not as if anyone was here to see. He cut it often, but more because if he left it too long it would get too uncomfortable. Still, it would’ve taken anyone who knew him before a few glances to recognise him at least.

As the afternoon drew on, he headed back up the beach toward his little hut. A sturdy building, made of local wood, it only had a couple of “rooms”, if you could call them rooms. Regardless, Daeron was content. Within were very few things. The only thing of note was a sword. Not as well kept as it once was, Daeron still sharpened it and ensured it did not rust, more out of habit then anything else. He also had a few letters, mostly from old friends. He would read them every now and again, his way of remaining connected to them after so long.

He sighed as he checked what food he had left. Sometimes he went hunting, though he wasn’t as good at it these days. Usually, he’d simply go to the village to get food from them. They were kind enough, and he often did small jobs to ensure it wasn’t simply charity. Given it was already getting late, he decided hunting could wait for another day, and instead strapped on his sword and took a small sack and took the short walk to the village.

It was unassuming, fairly small, even by village standards. Daeron had quite liked that though, it meant the village felt more connected then others.

“Darren!”, called out one of the village folk with a wave as they spotted him coming. Darren seemed like a better name to use these days, his real name attracted attention, given it was a King’s name. “You here to join the celebrations?”, the man asked as he stopped his cart by Daeron.

“Celebrations?”, echoed Daeron with a cocked eyebrow, “Why are we celebrating?”

“Who knows!”, said the man with a grin and a chuckle, “Someone’s getting married I think, but no need for details. A celebration is a celebration”.

Daeron chuckled and nodded, “Aye I suppose that’s true. But I think I’ll just pick up some supplies and be off”, he said with a tired smile.

The man seemed a little deflated but gave a smile, “Well, they’ll be plenty of people out, so I’m sure it won’t be too hard. You should come to the village more often. If I’m honest, folk when you first arrived were a bit suspicious, you had an air of… confidence? No that ain’t the right word”, the man said shaking his head, “Well, you just seemed a bit higher up then us ordinary folk, but we can see now that’s most certainly not the case”, the man said with a hearty laugh.

“You never know”, Daeron said with a small smile.

The man stopped for a moment, giving ‘Darren’ an inquisitive look before a grin broke out on his face and he laughed once more, “You are certainly convincing, but ya can’t fool me”, he said tapping the side of his head before smiling warmly, “See you around Darren”, he said before continuing onward.

Daeron gave the man a friendly smile though he was quietly rather pleased with himself, he had not wanted to be known as anything remotely close to a noble here, and it seemed he had succeded. Once the man had moved on, Daeron decided to continue further into the village. He quickly noticed that there was indeed much celebration, though he did not get involved. After a few more interactions, he eventually found the man who had helped Daeron build his hut. Luckily, that man was also been a farmer, so Daeron often bought food from him. So, with enough food for the next few days paid for, the Dondarrion knight began his walk home.

As he returned, it was well and truly dusk, the sun hovering half above the ocean in the horizon. Daeron headed inside, putting some food into storage, he made himself something simple for dinner. Then, heading outside, he took a seat in a chair which he had there, looking over the beach and the sea. Taking out his meal, he lent back in his chair, relaxing as he ate.

He was almost falling asleep by the time he finished eating. The only thing that woke him as his eyes slowly closed was the darkness. But, it was strange. Sitting back up and rubbing his eyes he squinted, before his eyes widened. The sea, it was turning black. All of it. Scrambling, he almost fell out of his chair as he rushed back to his hut, taking out his sword. Heading out he glanced back out to sea, and he saw something moving. More then one thing. I need to warn the village, he thought to himself as he glanced around for anything he’d need… before he stopped.

He glanced again out at the ocean and shook his head with a chuckle. “It would be me who lives to see the end times, wouldn’t it”, he said out loud to no one in particular. With a sigh he couldn’t help but find the humour in it all. “I should go an inform the village, I do wonder how they’ll fight the sea”, he said sarcastically continuing to speak out loud as wailing and screaming could now be heard, getting closer, coming from the sea.

Gripping his sword with both hands he looked up, as if giving the Seven themselves an unamused look. “So this is how I am to die? By fighting the sea itself? Well, it’s certainly a challenge, I’ll give you that”, he said as he walked up to the water’s edge. It was growing quickly, but he stood as the strange feeling black water rose around him.

For a moment he tensed his arms before stopping once more. Ser Daeron Dondarrion gave one final sigh and shook his head, “Fuck this”, he said tossing his sword to the side, into the black water. Trudging out of the quickly rising ocean, he returned to his seat and sat, no longer looking upon a setting sun, but now a black sea with wailing corrupted faces. As the screaming engulfed him, Daeron simply ignored it, as he shifted to sit comfortably and almost straight away his eyes began to droop once more.

Eventually the sea swallowed him and everything else whole. But he would never know that. For by the time the ocean had risen above his head, Ser Daeron Dondarrion, the Lightning Knight, was sound asleep. With a smile on his face.

Roslyn was alone, with her son. Ryam was doing little better than her, Roslyn still wasn't sure if he rathered the embrace of his mother or the hospitality of the guards before. Maybe Roslyn didn't look any skinnier than she did before, where her dainty appearance scared off the large gluttonous friend that was now her last hope. She once looked like one of the more attractive women in roles of power, smaller in size but certainly able to wrap a man around her finger if she tried, back in Highgarden...

She had gone so far. It was so long ago since she last set foot in Vinetown, since she last saw her firstborn, since she lived somewhere where she didn't survive off gruel, scraps, scavenging, and the kindness of the occasional stranger. Her head hurt, as it always did now, to think so far back.

But suddenly, walking over a hill, or perhaps she saw it long before and ROslyn only realized as the castle grew bigger, she felt a rush of relief. She shouldn't have to remember it, she had only seen it once before ages ago and she could barely remember it at all, but it was her only hope now. SHe let go of her son, motioning quickly for him to walk towards it, and, despite her weakness and malnutrition, took off towards the familiar castle.

Not walking, running.

2nd Month 242 AC, Skellig Vas, The Mountains of Skagos

#Grey

High up in the Skagosi mountains, sitting by the fire, Grey embraced his wife, in the calm darkness of the evening.

"Once this blows over - I know it will... Perhaps we ought to talk about the future of our... of our children."

Gareth, Nessa and little Felix. Grey and Janys raised them, they gained their trust. In memory of Jayce, of the poor Fenn girl - but the trio of Snows were their children.

"I have no worry about Teag, but what of Gareth and Felix, what of Nessa?" he told her.

It would do them good to focus on the more mundane matters. On how the life will return to normal.

Second Month, 242 AC. The Dreadfort.

A letter flies from The Dreadfort to Deepdown. 

Dear Lord Ellard Stark of Deepdown, [Titles]

I have been putting off this missive for far too long. 

It was meant for your Father but I left it too late. 

I was saddened truly and deeply by his passing. Despite our differences I did respect him, and he will be long remembered by The North. 

This letter does concern you however, and my niece Allanah Bolton. 

There is unfinished business between my Brother and your Father. 

They always intended for the two of you to wed and unite our houses, but never formalised the arrangement. 

It would be disrespectful of their memories in my eyes for me to disregard this wish of my brother's. But it is not up to me. It is up to you. So I ask now: Will you marry Allanah Bolton?

If the answer is no. I bid you to return her and her sister to The Dreadfort. 

Please respond soon.

Regards Lord Edwyn Bolton of the Dreadfort

Our Blades Are Sharp

Ok, Time for Plan B

/u/Aleefth