31 AC
The Passing of Sister Marla
The Reach
Sister Marla formerly of House Sunderland passes peacefully in her sleep.
The Vale of Arryn
Early in the year Lord Aslan of House Arryn is knighted by Lord Royce of Runestone after he saved the Lady Ionna of House Royce from a fire. This act of bravery earned the young Aslan both the Lords gratitude and lasting respect
Later in that same year Ser Aslan approach his Lord Ronnel Arryn about a union between himself and the Lady Ionna. After much discussion Lord Arryn agreed to such a union and reached out to the Lord Royce who happily accepted.
By the end of the year the pair were married in a lavish wedding at the Eyrie.
The wedding was raised from spectacle to legend by the presence of dragonfire in the skies above the Vale. Aegon himself came to the Eyrie astride Balerion the Black Dread, his shadow passing over mountain and keep alike, while his sister the Lady of Driftmark rode with him. Queen Valaena flew beside them on Vhagar, her arrival sealing the gathering as one of rare honor and royal favor. Lords and knights watched in awe as the dragons settled, their roars echoing like thunder through the high passes.
Within the Eyrie, the celebrations unfolded exactly as Lady Ionna desired, lavish, overflowing, and impossible to ignore. Banners filled the halls, feasts stretched long into the night, and much of the Vale answered her enthusiastic and repeated invitations, until it seemed every road led upward to the Arryn seat. Vows were sworn beneath watchful eyes both mortal and mighty, and the festivities endured for days.
In a further mark of esteem, Aegon and his sisters remained at the Eyrie for three full weeks after the wedding, sharing councils, feasts, and quiet days among the clouds. Their prolonged stay lent the union lasting weight, binding Aslan and Ionna’s household more firmly to the power and favor of House Arryn.
In the years that followed, Ionna bore Aslan many sons, healthy and numerous, yet never surrendered to stillness. Even with child, she would seize Aslan’s hand and draw him into carriages she had already arranged, insisting they tour the Vale’s vassal lords. Though neither held lordly titles, they labored tirelessly in service to House Arryn, and through Ionna’s fearless enthusiasm and Aslan’s steady, honorable presence, alliances were forged and strengthened beyond all expectation.
The Stormlands
At the request of Lord Swann, his only son Lord Sylas Swann, heir to Stonehelm, was taken into service as a squire by Prince Daerion of Dragonstone.
The arrangement was noted as a mark of trust between House Swann and the royal house, placing the young heir in close proximity to the prince and the discipline of court and arms alike. Under Prince Daerion’s guidance, Lord Sylas was expected to learn not only the use of sword and shield, but the duties and conduct befitting a future lord of the Stormlands.
32 AC
Marriages and Mystery
The Crownlands
Lord XY of House Massey is made the squire of Lord Alyn Stokeworth.
The Riverlands
Gargon Qoherys and Lady XX of House Tully are married. It is a modest affair held in Harrenhall. The Royal family attends and it is said that Balerion coiled himself around one of the melted towers to slumber while the feasting was going on in the courtyard leading many to grow nervous that such a large beast was so near to them. All the more disconcerting is that the Lady Fryda Tully Nee Frey is found dead in her bed, there is no cause that any Maester can find for her death.
The Vale of Arryn
Lord Darnold of House Arryn is born to Lord Hubert Arryn and Lady XX Arryn Nee Royce
Lady Olira Sunderland Nee Coldwater passes into the arms of the stranger after a long bout of illness.
The Westerlands
XY of House Lannister, Heir to Casterly Rock, was wed to Vynessa of House Redwyne in a spectacle of such splendor that it eclipsed every noble union of its generation. The ceremony was held beneath the vast stone vaults of Casterly Rock itself, where gold and crimson banners hung in great cascades and the wealth of the West was displayed without apology.
The entire Royal family attended the union, hosted in full by House Lannister, and their presence lent the celebration the weight of court as well as crown. For the duration of the festivities, Casterly Rock became the center of the realm. Feasts stretched for days, the cellars of the Rock were opened to pour Arbor Gold in abundance, and musicians played from dawn until the torches guttered low.
The Queen was frequently seen in close conversation with Vynessa Lannister née Redwyne, their discourse noted by many courtiers and quietly remarked upon as the stuff of future consequence. Such was the marriage, not merely a joining of two houses, but a clear declaration of Lannister hospitality, and influence. One worthy of the Heir of Casterly Rock, and remembered long after the last banners were taken down.
Early in the year, caravans traveling east along the well worn trade path skirting the foothills near the Crag were set upon by a well organized band of brigands posing as hedge knights. Three merchant wagons were burned and their guards put to the sword. Lord Tybalt of House Lannister personally led a column of mounted men at arms from Casterly Rock, riding hard through the night. He caught the bandits at dawn while they quarreled over spoils, killing their leader and hanging the survivors from roadside oaks as a warning.
33 AC
Succession and Dragon Bonds
The Crownlands
The following year, the King loses his Hand, Ser Osmund Strong and appoints Alyn Stokeworth his new Hand of the King.
With King Aegons blessing the Lady of House Velaryon brings her now four and ten year old daughter to Dragonstone so that she may attempt to bond with a dragon. She bonds with Laeress.
The Iron Islands
The Iron Islands lose their lord, Vickon Greyjoy. His son, Goren succeeds him.
A quiet conspiracy takes root among the Ironborn. An outrageous scheme to raise Lord Volmarks son to the Seastone Chair is begun. A handful of lesser Houses cast their lot with him, whispering amongst themselves that the Old Blood should hold Pyke.
When word of this plot reaches Goren he and his most fierce Captains move with all the fury of a storm crushing the treachery before it could be fully realized. Execution would have been the right and expected price for such foolishness, yet Goren chose a punishment far more cruel. From each conspirator’s House the youngest child was taken. Wards….hostages to ensure the loyalty and obedience of the rest. Amongst them was the youngest daughter of House Volmark delivered as a token and a warning.
The Vale of Arryn
Lord Rymond of House Arryn is born to Lord Hubert Arryn and Lady XX Arryn Nee Royce.
The Lord Corbray and his lady wife met their end while traveling through the Vale on a journey of familial duty. They rode with a small party toward Strongsong, intending to retrieve a gift newly forged for the six and tenth nameday of their son, Qarl Corbray.
Their fate remained unknown for weeks. Only after riders failed to arrive and ravens went unanswered did search parties begin combing the high paths and ravines between Heart’s Home and Strongsong. What they found left little doubt as to what had occurred.
The remains of the party were discovered scattered along a narrow mountain track. Among the signs were broken sigils known to be favored by the Black Ears. Strips of hide marked with rough clan symbols were found tangled in brush, along with crude fetishes hung from cairns overlooking the path.
Most telling of all was the manner of death. The bodies bore the unmistakable marks of ritual stripping and deliberate defilement practiced by the mountain clans, and the bones themselves had been gnawed and scattered in patterns recognized by those who had fought the clans before. No coin was taken, nor any item of true value beyond weapons and mounts, further marking the attack as one of savagery rather than simple robbery.
The Westerlands
Throughout the last of the year, mule trains carrying wool and silver from Kayce vanished along the narrow trade paths threading the ravines south of Fair Isle. The attackers made clever use of the terrain, rolling stones to break formations before striking. Lord Tybalt ordered the routes temporarily closed, then advanced with split forces one openly escorting a decoy caravan, the other hidden along the heights. The bandits were crushed between hammer and anvil.
34 AC
Royal Celebrations
The Crownlands
With the birth of Prince Jaehaerys imminent many Houses of the Seven Kingdoms attended not only the anticipated birth but also the weeks of feasting, grand parties and Tourney that such Royal announcements heralded.
It is learned by all that the Lady Ceryse, Prince Daerions wife is expecting their first child after nine years of marriage.
There is some surprise that a young Lord of House Crane breaks two lances against Prince Daerion. Unsurprising that in the end it is the Prince who wins the day.
Scandal comes when it is the Lady Jaenessa of House Velaryon that the Prince crowns as the Queen of Love and Beauty rather than his own very pregnant wife. Some even whisper that that evening during the feast they saw the pair of Valyrian blooded nobles playing a game of chase through the Red Keep. Many discount this rumor as Prince Daerion is not known for his frivolity.
The Iron Islands
Lady Alannys Volmark Nee Harlaw passes peacefully in her sleep.
The Vale of Arryn
Lord Hugo of House Arryn is born to Lord Hubert Arryn and Lady XX Arryn Nee Royce.
The North
Early in the year Queen Visenya brokered a union between the Great Houses of the North and the Vale, securing a marriage pact between Lord Torrhen Stark and Lady Sharra Arryn. By this agreement, Lord Stark’s daughter was promised to young Lord Ronnel of House Arryn, binding their realms in alliance through blood and ink.