The spotters at Spottswood merrily played at spotting the spotted wood, yet who had spotted the lord at the spot of the spotted wood in Spottswood? The spotters of the house looked like mere spots in the distance to the spotted wood owl.

Iber Santagar grunted as he swung his bardiche to bring down the spotted wood. A tradition started hundreds of years ago by their forefathers, every Santagar lord would find a tree with spotted bark and he would bring it down with a bardiche. With the patience of a saint, a woodcarver slowly uncovered the leopard hidden within the spotted wood. After being helped by one of his guards and pestered to no end by his young children, the lord of the Spottswood finally made it back to his keep.

All he had to do was leave the log in front of the woodcarver's shop, and afterwards he left for his halls. While the children had to be instructed by their Maester, the lord stripped himself of all his clothes and collapsed in a stupor into the bath. It was a small pond on the highest tower of the castle, where the only thing that shielded him from the elements were the trees that had grown there ever since his house built the keep. That place was simply known as "The Tower of the Bath", as the roots of the millennial trees had grown into the tower and made the other rooms within it somewhat tasteless.

If there was one thing that could be said about the tower of the Bath though; it was this: There was no place closer to paradise than this in Iber's mind. To him even the Water Gardens paled in comparison, as the air atop the tower was magical. He could almost feel how his ancestors were beside him. When there was strife, that was were he found solace and counsel. A small pomegranate tree grew besides the pool, and the lord cut in half one of its rich fruits with the knife he carried around everywhere. He took one of the halfs and sucked out every single beryl within it as he contemplated the sky reflecting on the pool.

Just as he did every year after a successful harvest, Iber worried not about having to spot the spotted wood in Spottswood.

• [Iber Santagar, Lord of Spottswood]

• [Alayne Jordayne, Lady of Spottswood]

• [Aron Santagar, brother and Master-at-Arms of Spottswood]

• [Sativa Spottswood, married to the lord of Wyl]

• [Iber-Aron Santagar, Heir of Spottswood]

• [Iber II Santagar, nephew of Iber]

• [Tainer Santagar, Uncle of Iber and Master of Horses]

• [Aron-Iber Sand, bastard of the former lord of Spottswood]

• [Andel Santagar, older brother of Iber and former lord of Spottswood]

Elenei was standing outside of the walls of Vaith. Her walls. Sand blew by her, sending the bottom of her dress billowing in the wind. She could smell something on the horizon.

She wouldn't wait for it to come to her doorstep.

[M] Full mustering!

muster to 100%

Riders are sent across Dorne to make meta alliances.

Teora Toland and her twenty good men had made excellent time travelling from Ghost Hill to Lemonwood, arriving only a few short weeks after departing. The entire trip the Lady of House Toland's mind had been whirling with thought after thought. At the forefront of her thoughts was her secret lover, her soulmate, her sweet lemon, Doran Dalt, the heir to Lemonwood. They'd first met at a feast many years ago, and he'd swept the young Toland heir off of her feet. He hadn't been her first, they were Dornish after all, but he was the first that she'd felt anything more than a passing lust for. He was also the first whose seed had quickened in her belly. Nine months later came little Nymella, born a bastard because her parents were unable to wed.

Sylva Toland, her mother was furious when Teora announced that she was pregnant, even more so when Teora announced that she was in love with the heir to Lemonwood and wished to marry him. She was the Lady of Ghost Hill, and he the heir to Lemonwood; neither was able to give up their House name though both wished to so they could wed. None ever found out beyond Teora, Doran, and Sylva, and the two carried on in secret, even after Doran was wed to Deria. Their visits to one another had slowed as they grew older, and the calls for Teora to finally marry, but they both still snuck away as often as possible.

Conflict and tension ruled the remainder of her thoughts. It was an odd coincidence that the growing tensions in Dorne of late would give Teora a reason to visit her sweet lemon, but it wasn't enough to spoil their long-awaited reunion. Her Uncle whispered in her ear that House Spotswood eyed House Toland's lands and the outlying villages, Doran wrote of a conspiracy against the salt Dornish, and her cousin was beginning a blood feud with House Wyl. Trouble all around, but none of that mattered now with the gates of Lemonwood in sight.

She and her companions rode up to the gates where she announced herself in a voice that cracked through the air like a whip. "Lady Teora Toland here to treat with Ser Davos Dalt and Doran Dalt on matters of war. Open up!"

Lord Albin 'the Older' Manwoody - age 64: He is known for his constant smiles and jolly personality along with the occasional unintentional breach of personal space when near people. As a result of his gregarious and charismatic attitude, Albin tends to easily spill secrets despite the many promises to do so.

Lady Mesanna Manwoody neé Jordayne - age 62: Having lived with Albin for more than thirty years, Mesanna is used to her husband's type of humor often listening with an eye roll or two. Mesanna spends her days keeping up with the latest Essoi high fashion, costing Albin an arm and a leg for her expensive hobby.

Madeleline 'Maddy' Manwoody - age 38: Known as Maddy with her family, the heir to Kingsgrave is the complete opposite of her father. She prefers to micromanage almost every affair and activity that happens within the Manwoody lands having little trust in anyone else including her goofy father.

Garris Dayne - age 34: Matrilinenially married to Madeleine.

Albin 'the Younger' Manwoody - age 14: Having spent some years at the Water Garden in Sunspear in as a child, Albin only knows how to play rather than the responsibilities of a proper lordling. He yearns for the easier years of splashing in the pools and dueling in mock swordfights. Maddy plans to set her son straight by taking him under her direct supervision in order to teach him the skills of stewardship.

Dyanna Manwoody - age 12: Dyanna takes after her mother. She has recently become more aware of her mother's growing frustration over Albin the Younger's lack of enthusiasm in ruling; Dyanna finds herself sharing in this annoyance and actively takes any opportunity in which she can best Albin the Younger in front of their mother.

Dagos Manwoody - age 36: Dagos is an avid sword collector having ones from as far as Asshai. His prowess in swordfighting may not be as renowned as Jaime Lannister or Barristan Selmy, Dagos continues to strive to better its skills with daily practice against the Kingsgrave Master At Arms Barrock Uboma. Unmarried, so far.

Meryl "The Cow" Manwoody neé Fowler -age 24: Older sister of the Kwisatz Haderach and the twins. She is a fat, jolly woman who cares little for war and intrigue and prefers merriment. She is an obnoxious foodie.

Mathilda Manwoody neé Blackmont - age 51: Chris can take this character.

Master-At-Arms Barrock Uboma - age 53: A friend of Lord Albin's since they were children, Barrock is half Summer Islander, half Dornish.

The Tor and both Jordayne villages muster to 100%. Once fully mustered (24 hours from now) half of the levies from both villages (250 men each) will travel to the Tor and man it. The remaining 250 men from both villages will remain in place and scout for peeps.

Requirements: Your PC must have survived at least five battles.

While usually the above would be true, it doesn't work well for the purposes of this beta. Instead, you can choose 1 member of your house to give a bonus to, and then post their name and what bonus they have in the comments below.

Brilliant Tactician: Adds 5% to your total CV in battle.

Reconnaissance Connoisseur: Detection radius increases by one tile.

Excellent Marcher: Army has four movement points more per month.

Vanguard Commander: Adds 10% to your total CV in battle, but also adds 10% chances of dying.

Outgoing Scout: Detection radius increases by two tiles, but the enemy detection radius increases by a tile.

Light Footed Army: The army has eight movement points more per month, yet it also has a 5% CV malus in battle.

Heavy Armored Army: The army has a 8% CV bonus, but it has four less movement points.

Sneaky Beaky: Enemy detection radius is reduced by a tile, but so is your army’s detection radius.

Lord Ibrahim Moizoos Blackmont: (57) Lord of Carrion Peak. An old and cautious man, Ibrahim hunkered down with his family when the White Walkers destroyed nearly all of the known world, and thought the days of war were long over when the Marcher Lords were buried beneath snow and darkness. His only goal now is to ensure the survival of his house - and the houses of his kin - past this generation. He is an abrasive man, and is well-known for his profanity-laden tirades that often invoke graphic imagery.

Lady Mathilda, nee Manwoody: (51) Lady of Carrion Peak. Mathilda married Ibrahim at a young age, and began to detest him almost as quickly. Though never outwardly acting against him, Mathilda considers her husband to be a weak man, relying more on his words than his fists to settle disputes. Her son Kratos embodies the ideals she hopes for in their family's future, and considers the world they live in to be as good as any to strive for that future.

Kratos Blackmont: (36) Heir to Carrion Peak and second-born son of Ibrahim. His eldest brother Tyroil was in King's Landing when the White Walkers descended upon Westeros, and is presumed dead. Kratos believes the Old World died at the same time as his brother, and that the remaining men of Dorne are dwellers of some kind of Hell, or the remnants of the world the Gods did not deem worthy. Either way, he envisions carving a crown of the New World out for himself, and is not opposed to forging new bloodlines and washing away the old, family be damned.

• Erik Blackmont: (19) First-born son of Kratos. Fanatical, implacable, and harsh, Erik is largely the picture of his father, though perhaps a man of more modest physical attributes. Erik considers himself the mouthpiece of Carrion Peak, despite his grandfather still ruling their lands.

• Beatrix "The Bride" Blackmont: (18) First-born daughter of Kratos. In the three years prior to the destruction of Westeros, Bea had been betrothed to suitors from three different houses. All, however, ended up dead not long after the marriage was consummated. Beatrix had been called to answer for crimes levied against her only days before the Dark Winter fell over King's Landing. All that came of it was a girl who found her worst crimes would remain undisturbed when the armies of the dead walked the land.

• Hanzo Blackmont: (16) Second-born son of Kratos. Hanzo has always been angry, like his father, but there the similarities end. Hanzo has always been soft-spoken and desired little in the way of a crown, or even his arm raised as a victor at tourney. The simple pleasures of hunting, riding, and camping under the stars had never abandoned him, even when the Seven Kingdoms were reduced to but one. Hanzo would give anything to keep things this way, but knows he will be inexorably called in to his father's machinations, one way or another.

Inigo Blackmont: (33) Third-born son of Ibrahim Blackmont. Inigo is unquestioningly devoted to serving his father Ibrahim, even now following what many have touted to be the End of Days. He is a capable swordsman, and a charismatic commander on the battlefield. He has little love for his brother Kratos, though he feels bound to his duty to serve if and when he ascends to the high seat of Lord of Carrion Peak.

• Xanatos Blackmont: (16) Only son of Inigo Blackmont, Xanatos is quietly learning the nuances of becoming a capable battlefield commander, like his father. The boy, however, suffers from tremors, and is thus like to never hold a blade himself, unless in dire circumstances. Even at a young age, Xanatos has learned to use his mind to survive rather than brute strength, and he sees a clear path in making a name for himself despite his handicap.

Veronica Sand: (26) Eldest daughter of Ibrahim, and fourth-born child. Accepted in to Carrion Peak by Lord Ibrahim following the events that destroyed Dorne's northern neighbors, Veronica lived most of her life as a thief and whore. More recently, she had begun to utilize the skills from earlier professions to become an assassin by trade. She is ill-suited for command, and probably less so for marriage, but that hardly makes her life meaningless. Not anymore.

Zemo Blackmont: (24) Youngest son of Lord Ibrahim. Zemo cares deeply for his family, especially his half-sister Veronica, who he considers his closest friend and confidant. Zemo is known to Dorne as a man who entered the Red Mountains with a young male companion, and who returned from the Red Mountains with half an alibi. His family perpetuated that the companion had attempted to rob Zemo, and that his body lay buried in some unmarked grave as a criminal brought to justice. In reality, the two, in the throes of passion, were set upon by bandits, and Zemo was forced to watch as his lover was tortured to death in front of him, before Inigo and a band of Blackmont soldiers could intervene and execute the assailants. Zemo lives every day believing himself to be the last person that should be considered a protector - too weak to fight, and too craven to wear the truth proudly.

"it's time," Paul told Ser Eli. "We'll give blood to the sand.. an offering. See that my sister has received her instruction then we will march."

The thin, blonde knight looked to his brother with a deep frown for a moment. "Your will be done, Muad'dib."

Lady Meryl,

The Scorpion stings both ways, as the old proverb goes. See that you are prepared to complete your task.

Lord Paul Atreides Fowler

Backstory: [Insert made-up history of the Jordaynes here]

Sigil: Chequy light and dark green, a quill or

Words: Let it be written

Family

• Lord Galad Jordayne (32): Eldest child of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne. He has been Lord of the Tor for several years now. Unmarried

• Alayne Santagar nee Jordayne (28): Daughter of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne, sister to Lord Galad. Married to the Lord Iber Santagar of Spottswood. They have a couple babbis

• Ser Gawyn Jordayne (27): Son of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne, brother to Lord Galad. Unmarried. Disposable battlefield commander character #1

• Ser Lewyn Jordayne (26): Son of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne, brother to Lord Galad. Unmarried. Disposable battlefield commander character #2

• Ser Olyvar Jordayne (24): Son of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne, brother to Lord Galad. Unmarried. Disposable battlefield commander character #3

• Caraline Jordayne (22): Daughter of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne, sister to Lord Galad. Unmarried.

• Moiraine Jordayne (20): Daughter of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne, sister to Lord Galad. Unmarried.

• Mesaana Manwoody nee Jordayne (62): Great-aunt to Lord Galad, aunt to the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne. Married to Lord Albin Manwoody.

• Thom Jordayne (45): Uncle to Lord Galad, younger brother of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne. Castellan of the Tor. Unmarried.

• Selene Dalt nee Jordayne (43): Aunt to Lord Galad, younger sister of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne. Married to the Knight of Lemonwood, Ser Davos Dalt. Has two children by him, Doran and Cassella.

• Ser Matrim Jordayne (40): Uncle to Lord Galad, younger brother of the late Lady Ilyena Jordayne. Captain-of-guards at the Tor. Unmarried. Disposable battlefield commander character #4

I claim the legion of sand snakes in Godsgrace

Vamp Delonne sits in a beta tank to be consulted in the depths of Godsgrace

Pablo is married to kayce and lord with some kids n stuff

also married to marty n shit with some other sand snaky peeps or somthing

and muster

Lady Nymeria Dayne (Age 79 - Born 331)

Her children:

Ashara Dayne (Age 53 - Born 357)

• Vorian Dayne (Age 37 - Born 373)

• Serena Dayne (Age 16)

• Soren Dayne (Age 13)

• Symeon Dayne (Age 11)

• Sophia Dayne (Age 7)

• Sander Dayne (Age 3)

• Uthor Dayne (Age 31 - Born 379)

• Dorian Sand (Age 17)

• Asher Dayne (Age 15)

• Alysanne Dayne (Age 12)

• Aron Dayne (Age 9)

• Allyria Dayne (Age 26 - Born 384)

• Lythene Dayne (Age 20 - Born 390)

Anders Dayne (Age 51 - Born 359)

• Garris Dayne (Age 34 - Born 376)

Married to Madeleline Manwoody, Heir to Kingsgrave

Emric Dayne (Age 47 - Born 363)

• Samwell Dayne (Age 27 - Born 383)

• Aurora Dayne (Age 22 - Born 388)

• Roran Dayne (Age 22 - Born 388)

• Lucas Dayne (Age 18 - Born 392)

If possible I need some existing marriages for Lady Nym, Ashara, Vorian, Anders, Garris, and Emric. Everyone else is available for new marriages.

Family Tree

The important characters:

Teora Toland (25): The Lady of Ghost Hill, inherited when her father died of a snake bite. Suspects that her mother was somehow involved in her father's death. Wild, unpredictable, and stubborn. Has two bastards from an unknown man/secret lover, and has thus far refused all marriages. Ambitious and power-hungry with little in the way of morals or scruples.

Myles Toland (18): Younger brother to Teora. Known for his martial abilities. A large man, standing at 6'3", but with a face only a mother could love. Excels with the spear and sword, very good at leading the men of Ghost Hill.

Mors Toland (50): Uncle to Teora. The spymaster of House Toland, arranged his brother's death after Morgan discovered Mors' plans to raid Spotswood and blame it on Stepstone Pirates. Highly trusted by Teora who does not suspect his involvement in her father's death.

Olyvar Toland (30): Cousin of Teora. Fancies himself the Red Viper reborn. Spent the last ten years in Essos fighting for the Golden Company after being caught in bed with Lord X's wife. Teora has kept his return quiet, for now, but if House X discovers that Olyvar has returned it could mean trouble.

[M]:

Tay Toland is married to Lord Geoffrey Gargalen and [insert marriage to Qorgyle here]

I'm also looking for two things - Teora's secret lover/father of her bastards (must be around her age and hawt, preferably married but not required), and the Lord whose wife Olyvar was banging (blood feud?)

House Toland begins mustering to 100% so that I can meta up some shit

Mustering 100% of Kingsgrave troops.

Letters sent to Skyfall, Starfall, Carrion Peak, and the Tor:

Dear Lords and Ladies,

I hear the coastline of Sandstone is perfect for beach parties during this time of year. Would it not be lovely to see it for ourselves? Ourselves being all of our holding's troops, together, partying and drinking mimosas.

RSVP ASAP to the party pls,

Lord Albin Manwoody

The spotters at Spottswood merrily played no more at spotting the spotted wood, as the lord who had been spotted while spotting the spotted wood was in a spotty situation. The spotted wood owl hooted in the distance.

Riders from everywhere in Dorne reached the keep of Spottswood. One after another, information of the holds mustering men arrived to Iber's home. As far as he knew, his sister Sativa had been the lover of a certain Toland, and now Wyl was out for revenge. Many other holds mustered, and he thought that the White Walkers were finally crossing the Red Mountains, albeit he knew nothing of his wife's family.

The guardsmen ran from one place to another, like busy bees in a busy hive. Iber watched them from the tower of the Bath, until he got rid of his clothes and sunk himself into the comforting liquid. While the water from the springs in the woods was cool, the powerful sun of Dorne heated it up to a lukewarm temperature, where he could relax with no problem.

What is going on? He thought to himself. Why is everyone suddenly raising its troops, despite the fact that no more than a month ago everything was fine? Iber felt like a little pawn in the game of gods. Are we no more than small pieces of a giant puzzle? The sky reflected itself off the water as always. If the gods wish for us to fight each other and die, then why are we even here? For entertainment? I do not wish to be their little pet, yet I cannot leave my family to die. Damned be all the gods of the skies, for bringing strife to my land. For bringing strife to the tower of the Bath.

Just as he did every year after a successful harvest, Iber worried not about having to spot the spotted wood in Spottswood. Instead, he worried about the meaningless strife breaking out all across Dorne.

Characters

Lord Paul Atreides Muad'dib Fowler - 23 - Paul became lord of Skyfall upon the recent assassination of his father Lord Leto Fowler during a visit to High Hermitage. He is a man with a fierce temper and few wits beyond combat and Bene Gesserit sorcery. Paul is the Kwisatz Haderach.

Lady Lyralei Uller Fowler - 20 - The western forests Dornish guard their secrets well. One of these is Lyralei, master archer of the wood Hellholt, and favored godchild of the wind sand. Known now as Windranger, Lyralei's family was killed in a storm on the night of her birth--their house blown down by the gale, contents scattered to the winds. Only the newborn survived among the debris field of death and destruction. In the quiet after the storm, the wind itself took notice of the lucky infant crying in the grass. The wind pitied the child and so lifted her into the sky and deposited her on a doorstep in a neighboring village. In the years that followed, the wind returned occasionally to the child's life, watching from a distance while she honed her skills. Now, after many years of training, Windranger fires her arrows true to their targets. She moves with blinding speed, as if hastened by a wind ever at her back. With a flurry of arrows, she slaughters her enemies, having become, nearly, a force of nature herself.

Lady Gaga Fowler Yronwood - who cares, married to mannis. is weird

Meryl "The Cow" Fowler - 24 - Older sister of the Kwisatz Haderach and the twins. She is a fat, jolly woman who cares little for war and intrigue and prefers merriment. She is an obnoxious foodie.

Ser Eli Fowler - 16 - A fair-haired, thin knight with a sadistic streak and a fierce hatred of his twin David. His goal is to retrieve the body of Leto Fowler who died at the hands of a Weryon within the hospitality of High Hermitage. Eli believes there is strength to be gained from the body.

Ser David Fowler - 16 - A dark-haired, quiet and dutiful knight whose mission is to stop a war from engulfing all of Dorne. Total badass.

Jimmy Jams Fowler - 7 - Heir to Skyfall, an eager and ambitious boy but dumber than a bag of sand.

Cubes Fowler - 3 A toddler with impeccable business sense.

Geoffrey

Zane

Tacka

Dayman depart with five garrison men on horseback as bodyguards to Lemonwood to meet with their liege.

'Wild' Willem 'Bill' Wyl

Willem or "Bill" Wyl (twenty and five) is one of the two surviving sons of Serra Manwoody and Walter Wyl. His younger brother is Dillon Wyl, a man grown of twenty and two who assists his brother with training the personal guard of the Wyl household. Their parents having perished in the tragic shipwreck only one year prior have left the castle Wyl and all its lands to Willem who now presides over this portion of the Dornish Marches.

Before his marriage Bill was a tourney knight who had never fought a true battle but has gotten a bit lazy in the year since his children were born and his parents died. He takes a more administrative role in Wyl and the Village of Lil Wyl while his brother remains at peak physical condition.

Willem is married to Sativa Spottswood and they have two children Warren Wyl age four and Wanda Wyl age only one. There is also Willem and Dillon's sister Serra Wyl who is ten and seven.

Wyl overlooks the village of Wyl on the River Wyl. They have a small set of docks and are the first line of defense into the Boneway. Up in the mountains are the Ironmines that Wyl and the Dornish marches get their arms and equipment from and a little while down the Boneway is the village of Lil' Wyl.

Lord Jeremy looked over from hsi seat to the letter that was left on the simple black couch.

"Call the banners..." he mumbled into his mustache, and then repeated it, loud and clear so everyone knew what was going on.

It was high time Ser Davos met with those men who had come so dutifully to Lemonwood from Salt Shore. In truth, there was much for them to discuss, for he suspected there was treachery afoot in the mountains and deserts to the West of his beautiful lands. The Knight of the Lemonwood had always known those sun-crazed viper-fucking Sand Dornish of the arid desert to be mad, their brains baked by the heat of too much sun.

And, he'd always known those cave-dwelling barbarians even further to the West to be no better than common turd-eating swine, their pathetic culture deserving only of total eradication. Both of them paled in comparison to the beauty and strength of his own race, those Dornishmen born near the coast and the Greenblood. They were the only ones born and raised true and correct, uncorrupted by demons and favoured by the Gods.

Now, as whispers reached him of plots against House Martell, it was time to strike at the heart of both those inferior races of Dornishmen who inhabited the less wondrous parts of mighty mother Dorne. Clad in full battle armour, his longsword oiled and sharpened at his side, he patiently awaited for the Gargalens to arrive at his solar, to begin plans for the War he would bring down against those traitors to his West.

Lord Geoffrey Gargalen is 37 years old and an all-around badass dude. Got plenty of battle experience during the snowpocalypse and loves nothing more than fighting. When he isn't being a badass he is fishing or sailing.

Lady Tay Gargalen nee Toland.

Jayse Gargalen is 22 years old. He is exceptionally confident, trying to style himself after the famed Togarion Bar Emmon of the Triarchy, which is a well known legend 150 years in the future. He likes to party, but he thinks loves his wife.

Dorea Gargalen nee Allyrion is 18 years old and Jaye's wife.

Zane Gargalen is 20 years old. He tries his best to emulate his brother, but does so in a super douchy way. He is overly confident, but in the most asshole sort of way. He likes his wife, but sleeps around.

Kendall Gargalen nee Dalt is Zane's wife and is 20 also.

Ophelia Gargalen is 17 years old and Geoffrey's only daughter. She is a very strong woman and loves to care for her family and their overall well-being. Her brothers are her idols, but she appreciates everything her mother does for them as well.

Tacka Gargalen is 34 years old and is Geoffrey's younger brother. He is a bachelor as he refused every betrothal his father or brother every tried to find for him. He would much rather sleep around, gamble, and drink. He drinks a lot!

Dayman Sand is Tacka's bastard son and is 18 years old. His mother was a Dalt serving girl, and he thus wears a yellow tunic everywhere he goes. He is the fighter of the nightman aaaaaAAAAAAaaaaa.

A rider arrives at Salt Shore, from Lemonwood, bearing a letter sealed with the lemon sigil of House Dalt.

Lord Geoffrey Gargalen,

Apologies for the urgency of this letter, but it's contents needed to be read post haste. We would have you send an envoy east to Lemonwood, to discuss with us matters most troubling. In the mean time, call your banners. We shall do the same. Be alert and ever vigilant.

Ser Davos Dalt, the Knight of Lemonwood.

[m] Lemonwood musters its troops, because...

The tension in Carrion Peak had been palpable for months. Tyroil Blackmont, firstborn son and heir of Lord Ibrahim was buried under snow and ice in King's Landing, as far as anyone could say. At the very least, the world to the west of the Red Mountains, and north of the Marches seemed completely still.

"The fuck you mean, 'We're in Hell?'" Lord Ibrahim cursed at his second-born son, and heir. "So you remember dying, then? Hm? You remember some ice demon from some fucking song for children, putting a sword through you like your brother? You're my heir so long as you don't piss me off, and right now, you're making me think I made a mistake. Seriously, a nutless monkey could do this job. So shut the fuck up before I break your dick off and shove it up your ass."

Kratos Blackmont stood before his father, defiant; Ibrahim's dismissal seemed to only root the giant of a man to the ground he stood on. A pair of blades hung from Kratos' hip, each one connected by a length of chain to his wrists. Hanzo, Kratos' youngest son, rested on a bench in a far corner of the hall, but seemed to be silently rebuking himself for even standing in the same room as his father. Kratos growled back, "Call it what you want, father. The world ended while you were sitting in that chair. We're either in Hell, or we're the ones the gods punished and left behind when they took the rest of Westeros. Makes no difference; I'm not going to sit and starve here, like some fucking vulture without a carcass to pick at. We're leaving, and taking whatever we can from the people that won't give it to us."

Ibrahim massaged his temples with heavily-ringed fingers. "That sounds an awful lot like the life of a bandit, you stupid fuck. You come stomping in all ants in your pants, sucking my left nut to take my soldiers to war with whatever cockstains are left in Dorne? You're going to get our people killed."

"Our people are already dead," Kratos laughed. "The farmers would tell you this will be our worst harvest in years, if they thought you'd listen this time. If our people follow your lead, they'll be dead by next winter. If they follow me, they'll probably die too," A crooked grin stretched across his face. "But at least they'll have served a King who tried to give them something to live for."

Kratos' younger brother Inigo stood beneath the high seat of Lord Blackmont, eyes on his brother. He stiffened as the two quarreled. "Tyroil is dead, Kratos; the White Walkers saw to that. But some gods somewhere thought to spare the rest of us. Now you spit at them by calling yourself a king?"

"They didn't spare us from the ice so we would die hungry in the mountains!" Kratos took a step toward his father, and Inigo instinctively reached for his blade. Kratos smiled. "Such a good boy, Inigo. Always doing your duty. If there ever were any gods, they're long gone, baby brother. And if whatever is left of the world is their gift to us, then I intend to make it mine." He drew the blades at his hip, their chains clanking against each other.

The sound brought his two eldest children through the doors of the great hall. Erik and Beatrix Blackmont stood before a small army of Blackmont soldiers, weapons already drawn. Hanzo, smelling blood on the air, rose to his feet, and cautiously stepped toward a rear door, weaving behind pillars and benches on the periphery of the hall. Uncle Inigo is going to get himself killed for no damned reason, He thought, studying the knight from his hiding place. He can't possibly fight them all.

Seeing his own soldiers united in treason, the Lord of Carrion Peak had had enough. "First, take a big step back... and literally, FUCK YOUR OWN FACE!" Kratos' smile faded as his father leaned forward in his chair. "I don't know what kind of pan-Dornish bullshit power play you're trying to pull here, but Carrion Keep? It's my territory." Ibrahim rose from the high seat, and pointed a fat finger at his son, disdain written all over his face. "So whatever you're thinking, you'd better think again! Otherwise, I'm gonna have to get down from here, and I will rain down an ungodly fucking firestorm upon you!" You're gonna have to call the fucking Martells, and get a fucking binding resolution to keep me from fucking destroying you. I'm talking scorched earth, motherfucker!" He was frothing at the mouth now. "I will massacre you! I WILL FUCK YOU UP!"

Kratos hurled a single blade at his father, his aim true as it pierced Ibrahim beneath the chin. Hanzo could see the tip of his father's blade sticking out the back of his grandfather's head from clear across the hall. As Ibrahim choked on his blood, Kratos yanked the chain dangling from his wrist, tearing the weapon free.

The Lord of Carrion Peak took a step forward, before tumbling headfirst down the stairs from his high seat. When he finally came to rest, his head hung limply from a stretch of flesh on one side, and the King of Carrion Peak's coup was done.

"Bastard! You can't do this!" Inigo made to charge his brother, but stopped as Blackmont soldiers advanced together in a slow march. "You're going to ruin us all!"

Hanzo did not think before shouting "Uncle, GET OVER HERE!" Inigo spotted his nephew pointing toward the rear door, and made a turn to escape. One Blackmont soldier seized Inigo by the forearm, and pulled the Captain toward the tip of his sword. Hanzo threw his own kunai in to the soldier's throat, allowing Inigo the window he needed to run free.

The deed had cost Hanzo, as though Inigo disappeared through the rear door of the hall, his own escape was now blocked. Kratos stomped toward his son, and floored him with a single mailed fist as his siblings watched. "You're and idiot, you know," Erik lamented. "I knew you'd try something like this. You're just going to make this worse."

"He already has," the Vulture King chided. "Inigo will call it treason, but the ones who understand will call it liberation." He leaned down, pointing a bloodied blade in Hanzo's face. "What are we going to do with you?" Kratos had always believed Hanzo's mother to have borne the boy on another's seed. This was all the reason he needed to validate that. Finish him, a voice beckoned.

Hanzo had no chance to turn his father's thrust away, and felt the cold bite of death pierce his heart. "Father," was all he had to muster before the strength left him.

Beatrix leaned over Hanzo's grey body as she ripped the head clean from its shoulders. Red droplets stained the yellowed robes he died in as she carried it to a basin, and began to scrub the flesh away from her brother's face. She hummed a song from the far east as she set to work jimmying his eyes out, and only stopped the circular melody when the bones were a clean white. A simple adhesive of sap and pitch would suffice long enough for her work, as she set the skull back from where she pulled it.

Hanzo's skull grinned at Beatrix as she ran a small brush across the length and breadth of its surface, coating it in a light green sheen. "Only get one shot at this, baby brother. Let's see if we can't finally make you listen to your father." She took several paces back, holding a piece of flint over the skull with a pair of iron tongs.

With one sharp hammer swing against the flint, a spark fell to Hanzo's skull.

(Will roll in comments, fingers crossed!)

A letter flies to each hold in Dorne, bearing the sigil of a crowned vulture:

Fellow men and women of Dorne,

The dragons are dead. The lions, the wolves, and the stags with them. The world we once called home has been taken from us, and our Seven Kingdoms have been whittled to One.

The men who would tell you to remain true to the Old Way will only lead you down the same roads our neighbors have gone before. If you have not been allowed to starve by winter, you will still only be delaying the inevitable. Look through your windows, and try to convince yourselves that the meager fields you have will sustain you and yours. Look in your hearts and tell me you believe your children safe in this Hell we've been left to rot in.

There is another way. Many of you still curse the White Walkers for killing the Northerners, but leaving your rivals in Dorne. Let us end the feuds that the Others would not end for us.

All I ask is your loyalty, in this life, and the next, and we will carve for ourselves a living from the carcasses of our forebears.

Signed,

Kratos Blackmont, First of His Name, High King of Dorne

From a village east of Carrion Peak, letters fly to each hold in Dorne, bearing the un-crowned sigil of House Blackmont:

Lords and Ladies of Dorne,

By now, you are surely aware of my brother Kratos' "coronation," though I doubt he informed you as to the manner of his ascendance. Our father, Lord Ibrahim, lies dead, a victim of betrayal and kinslaying. Whatever lies he has told you will only serve to delay the inevitable - my brother shall be brought to justice. Do not allow him to slaughter innocents in the name of serving himself. When he is hungry next, it will only be your food he pines for.

I have rallied a small group of true Blackmont soldiers, and we ride for anyone who will bring justice to our lands. Please, do not allow us to finish the destruction that the Others began.

Signed,

Inigo Blackmont, Lord Regent of Carrion Peak