AAR - Return of the Black Dragon
Apr 25, 2019 2:52:12 GMT
aconda, jonsilverfyre, and 1 more like this
Post by Don't Wake the Dragon on Apr 25, 2019 2:52:12 GMT
After a very long time, and thanks to some of the wonderful submods on this site, I've finally been able to re-create a scenario and revive an AAR I started a couple years ago. This will be an alternate history of Westeros, beginning with the aftermath of Robert's rebellion, and the shattering of the seven Kingdoms. Rather than unite all of Westeros after the mad King's defeat, Robert has proven himself such a terrible ruler that a great civil war has shattered the seven Kingdoms, resulting in the rise and fall of numerous petty Kings and high lords.
A Brief History of Robert's Rebellion and the Bloody Aftermath, Recorded By the Citadel
When the lord of Storm's End declared himself King by right of a thin claim derived from his Grandmother's Targaryen blood, all of Westeros was thrown into a period of utter chaos that would not end, even in the usurper's victory. Although Westeros has seen many a war since Aegon the Conqueror forged the Iron Throne with fire and blood, what followed the death of the Mad King and his family was a period of strife which not even the wisest of our order could have envisioned.
Beginning with the murder of Prince Rhaegar's wife and her two small children, those loyal to house Targaryen refused to bend the knee to the usurper. Led by Prince Doran Martell, the resistance fought on even after Queen Rhaella was reported to have died in childbirth, hoping to place the Crown upon Prince Viserys' head and restore the Targaryens to power. Entire towns burned, Castles fell, high lords and smallfolk died, but the war would not end. Forced to barricade himself within the Red Keep, Robert Baratheon hastily wed Lady Cersei Lannister to ensure the loyalty of her lord father, but the lion of Casterly Rock proved treacherous and refused to commit his army to the destruction of the resistance, insisting upon first restoring order to his own lands.
A year after Prince Rhaegar's death, rumors arose in Essos of yet another claimant to the Iron Throne, the last of Daemon Blackfyre's line. Said to wield the sword, Blackfyre and rumored to have journeyed to the ruins of old Valyria in search of dragons. At the time, few believed such fanciful tales, but as it is oft times proven, fact was indeed stranger than fiction in the case of Daemon the exile as the coastal lords now refer to him. Not only was the last of the Blackfyre line possessed of a copy of the book, Dragon's Wyrms and Wyverns, but as Stannis Baratheon would soon discover to his horror, Daemon had claimed a living dragon for his mount.
Although it was no great beast like the Black Dread, Urrax carried the last Blackfyre across the sea to the island fortress of Dragonstone, held by Lord Stannis and a small garrison of the usurper's loyal men. Lords Velaryon, Celtigar and Bar Emon bent the knee immediately and once word reached them of the dragon, the claw lords, the Rosbys, and even the Rykers of Duskendale swiftly followed suit. Dragonstone would serve as Daemon's seat and the usurper's brother was made a comfortable, but unwilling guest whilst ravens flew to lords great and small. By the time Dragonstone had a single reply, the Iron Throne of Westeros was no more... Civil war had shattered the seven Kingdoms, old feuds had reignited, and from Dorne to the Wall, chaos continued unabated.
After a year on Dragonstone and no end to the civil war in sight, Daemon had himself Crowned on his thirty-second name day in a ceremony held in the Sept at Dragonstone. He donned a replica of Aegon the Conqueror's Crown and swore a solemn oath to reforge the Iron Throne of Westeros under his own dynasty. In truth, Daemon ruled no more than the coastal lords of Westeros, whilst the usurper remained in control of King's Landing and many of the smaller lords of that region. The Starks were busy trying to reunite the North, the Tyrells sat idle in Highgarden, and elsewhere, lawlessness prevailed. Many feared that King's Landing would burn in dragon fire, but Daemon insisted he would not use his dragon to reclaim the Red Keep. Too many innocents had already died, our new King said. It was then that I chose not to return to the Citadel as I had intended. This was a King I could serve. A King who had the best interests of the people at heart.
The Black Dragon's Kingdom
The King on Dragonstone, Daemon Blackfyre
His Loyal Bannermen
Aelor Saerynar, Lord of the Hook and Marshal of Westeros
Davos Seaworth, Lord of Crackclaw Point, Knight of the Rainwood, and Hand of the King
Lucerys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, and High Admiral of Westeros
Gyles Rosby, Lord of Rosby and Master of Laws
Renfred Rykker, Lord of Duskendale and Small Council Adviser
Ardrian Celtigar, Lord of Claw Isle and Master of Coin
Dragonstone, One Year After Daemon's Landing
The Lord of the Tides stood with his King as he studied the painted table, his expression as grim as the weather that evening. "The usurper will not yield, Your Grace." said Lucerys Velaryon. "Lords Stokeworth, Chelstead, Gaunt, Langward, and several others remain committed to the defense of King's Landing and I fear thousands will die if we take the city by force."
The old man had often counseled Daemon in the wisest course of action and he was one of the few men Daemon trusted. Although he was officially Master of Ships in so far as the other lords were concerned, Lord Lucerys Velaryon was truly Hand of the King in all but name. "I don't intend to rule over corpses, my lord. There has to be another way--a better way..." the King sighed. "We still hold his brother."
"It makes no difference. I've sent a raven each month since you took Dragonstone and the reply is always the same... Robert will not yield King's Landing, not even in exchange for his own brother. He knows you won't kill Lord Stannis." Said the Lord of the Tides.
"I should kill him to prove myself serious, but there is no honor in it." Daemon insisted. "Stannis surrendered and I gave him my word that no harm would come to him if he yielded Dragonstone. What sort of King would I be if I broke my promise? I have no ill will toward the Baratheons. Everyone knew Aerys was as cruel as Maegor and in truth, I admire Robert for having the courage to unseat him, but it was ill done... The children were innocent and so was Rhaegar's wife. Tywin Lannister will answer for that in due course, but for now... There are other matters to tend to."
"Indeed, Your Grace. You must needs take a wife. You need an heir, or all this will be for naught." Velaryon insisted.
"Send a raven to King's Landing. Tell Robert I will release Lord Stannis in exchange for a temporary truce. We may as well gain something for holding his brother hostage all this time. As to the latter... I believe I shall wed the daughter of one of my loyal lords." Said the King.
"Would that I had a daughter for you to wed, Your Grace..." Lord Lucerys grumbled. "I... Suppose it must needs be the lady Viserra. She is descended from Jaehaerys the First, albeit through his daughter, the Princess Saera, but even so... The girl is blood of the dragon and conveniently for Your Grace, she has lost her husband."
"Had you a daughter, she would be my Queen, my friend. Sadly, there are few suitable brides of valyrian blood to be had--though I must confess, I've always preferred the dark-haired ones..." he mused. "Lady Viserra is beautiful, cunning, and her lord father has been a loyal friend."
Lucerys nodded, a smile curling his lips. "Shall I make the arrangements then?"
"Send that raven, then inform her father of my desire to wed within the month. Perhaps then, Lord Celtigar will stop pestering me about the succession." Said the King.
Hours later, Daemon was halfway through a bottle of Arbor Gold when another of his advisers demanded an audience. "Come in Ser Davos--will you take a cup of wine with your King?"
"Apologies, Your Grace, but we've received word from Dorne..." Said the Onion Knight. Ser Davos had sworn himself to Daemon, along with the rest of Stannis' bannermen when Daemon gave them the choice of bending the knee, or being a meal for his dragon. Having no wish to depart the world so soon, the Onion Knight followed the others and swore fealty. At first, Davos mistrusted his new King, but a year as Daemon's Hand had put all his doubts to rest.
"Let me guess... Prince Doran has declared for the mad King's son?"
Ser Davos nodded grimly. "He has, Your Grace. Dorne is also in the middle of a civil war due to the conflicting loyalties of some of its lords. I'm afraid if you're looking for help from Dorne, well... It's not coming."
"I expected as much. Rhaegar's children were of his blood. He may well deal with the Lannisters for me, so for now, we'll leave him to his wars. Tell me, Ser Davos... Has there been any word from Essos regarding the mad King's son?"
"Queen Rhaella gave birth to a daughter, Your Grace. She and Viserys are guests in Pentos as we speak." Said the Onion Knight.
"A daughter could prove useful." Daemon mused. "Were I to have a son, their marriage would reunite the blood of the dragon and put an end to this pointless conflict so many have died for."
"You don't share your father's hatred of the Targaryens, Your Grace?"
"Why should I, Ser Davos?" Said the King. "My ancestors wrought nothing but bloodshed in their attempts to win the Iron Throne and Maelys killed my father when I was only a few months old. Should we continue this feud until all the blood of the dragon has been spilled? Maelys was the one I hated and Ser Barristan robbed me of my vengeance. I have no reason to hate Viserys and his infant sister... It is my wish that both branches of our great house be united in one purpose... The restoration of the Iron Throne. It might surprise you to hear it, Ser Davos, but if I should fail to produce an heir with my new bride, I intend to name Viserys as my successor--assuming he's not mad like his father, that is..."
"Forgive me for being blunt, Your Grace, but if you want to restore the Iron Throne, then why not let Robert have it?"
Daemon smiled, albeit sadly. "I've often asked myself that very same question Ser Davos... Robert has proven himself unfit to rule. Lyanna Stark's death has broken him and the lords of Westeros are not fools. The Iron Throne was broken under Robert, because he failed to command the respect of the people. Allowing Lord Tywin to murder Rhaegar's wife and children only did him harm. Had he stripped him of the Westerlands and beheaded him for his crimes, the war might well have ended. Instead, he pardoned him for a crime so vicious, none of the Targaryen loyalists would ever follow him. Even Ned Stark distanced himself after Lord Tywin was pardoned..."
"I don't know Ned Stark, but I know there were many of us who were outraged by Tywin's crimes..." The Onion Knight admitted. "I understand your wish to bring order back to Westeros, but at the rate we're going, that road is going to be long and bloody."
"And we have Robert Baratheon to thank for it. Rest assured, Ser Davos... I will do everything in my power to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. The realm has already paid a heavy price for Robert's rebellion and I have no wish to cause more harm." Daemon assured him. "That is why I'm releasing Lord Stannis and will not be attacking King's Landing. I know you were loyal to Stannis. I admire you for it, truly. It cannot have been easy for you to bend the knee to a man you did not know, having sworn fealty to the man who made you what you are..." Daemon admitted.
"It hasn't, Your Grace. What I did, I did for the sake of my sons. For all I knew, you were as mad as old King Aerys, but if it meant ensuring a future for my boys, I'd have offered you my head." Said Davos.
Daemon smiled. "The world needs more men like you, Ser Davos. I shall be sad to see you leave Dragonstone."
"Begging your pardon, Your Grace, but where am I going?"
"I assume you'll be leaving with Lord Stannis when he is released and I intend to allow it if that is your wish." Said Daemon.
Davos was stunned and speechless for a long moment. "If you'll have me, I'd just as soon stay. We haven't known each other very long, but I've seen enough to know that you are the best chance we have at restoring any sort of order to the realm and I did swear an oath to serve you when you spared my life."
"Ser Davos, I hereby absolve you of any oath you have sworn and give you permission to leave of your own free will, should you choose to do so. However... Should you choose to remain here on Dragonstone, I would be grateful for your counsel. You are one of few men I believe will speak truthfully, even when to do so may seem unwise. I need such men advising me if I am ever to rule well." Daemon insisted.
Ser Davos knelt before the Black Dragon. "I am your man, Your Grace. If you'll have me, I swear to serve you loyally and truthfully for so long as I live." The Onion Knight swore.
"And to prove it, I've saved the best news for last..." He added. "Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys are on their way to Dragonstone as we speak."
The King arched a brow as he regarded the kneeling Knight, then grinned broadly. "Ser Davos, I could kiss you."
"I'd be grateful if you didn't." The Onion Knight replied with a chuckle.
"Rise Ser Davos of house Seaworth, Knight of the Rainwood, and Hand of the King. And once I have it under control, you shall be Lord of Crackclaw Point as well, and your children after you until the end of time." Said the King.
A Brief History of Robert's Rebellion and the Bloody Aftermath, Recorded By the Citadel
When the lord of Storm's End declared himself King by right of a thin claim derived from his Grandmother's Targaryen blood, all of Westeros was thrown into a period of utter chaos that would not end, even in the usurper's victory. Although Westeros has seen many a war since Aegon the Conqueror forged the Iron Throne with fire and blood, what followed the death of the Mad King and his family was a period of strife which not even the wisest of our order could have envisioned.
Beginning with the murder of Prince Rhaegar's wife and her two small children, those loyal to house Targaryen refused to bend the knee to the usurper. Led by Prince Doran Martell, the resistance fought on even after Queen Rhaella was reported to have died in childbirth, hoping to place the Crown upon Prince Viserys' head and restore the Targaryens to power. Entire towns burned, Castles fell, high lords and smallfolk died, but the war would not end. Forced to barricade himself within the Red Keep, Robert Baratheon hastily wed Lady Cersei Lannister to ensure the loyalty of her lord father, but the lion of Casterly Rock proved treacherous and refused to commit his army to the destruction of the resistance, insisting upon first restoring order to his own lands.
A year after Prince Rhaegar's death, rumors arose in Essos of yet another claimant to the Iron Throne, the last of Daemon Blackfyre's line. Said to wield the sword, Blackfyre and rumored to have journeyed to the ruins of old Valyria in search of dragons. At the time, few believed such fanciful tales, but as it is oft times proven, fact was indeed stranger than fiction in the case of Daemon the exile as the coastal lords now refer to him. Not only was the last of the Blackfyre line possessed of a copy of the book, Dragon's Wyrms and Wyverns, but as Stannis Baratheon would soon discover to his horror, Daemon had claimed a living dragon for his mount.
Although it was no great beast like the Black Dread, Urrax carried the last Blackfyre across the sea to the island fortress of Dragonstone, held by Lord Stannis and a small garrison of the usurper's loyal men. Lords Velaryon, Celtigar and Bar Emon bent the knee immediately and once word reached them of the dragon, the claw lords, the Rosbys, and even the Rykers of Duskendale swiftly followed suit. Dragonstone would serve as Daemon's seat and the usurper's brother was made a comfortable, but unwilling guest whilst ravens flew to lords great and small. By the time Dragonstone had a single reply, the Iron Throne of Westeros was no more... Civil war had shattered the seven Kingdoms, old feuds had reignited, and from Dorne to the Wall, chaos continued unabated.
After a year on Dragonstone and no end to the civil war in sight, Daemon had himself Crowned on his thirty-second name day in a ceremony held in the Sept at Dragonstone. He donned a replica of Aegon the Conqueror's Crown and swore a solemn oath to reforge the Iron Throne of Westeros under his own dynasty. In truth, Daemon ruled no more than the coastal lords of Westeros, whilst the usurper remained in control of King's Landing and many of the smaller lords of that region. The Starks were busy trying to reunite the North, the Tyrells sat idle in Highgarden, and elsewhere, lawlessness prevailed. Many feared that King's Landing would burn in dragon fire, but Daemon insisted he would not use his dragon to reclaim the Red Keep. Too many innocents had already died, our new King said. It was then that I chose not to return to the Citadel as I had intended. This was a King I could serve. A King who had the best interests of the people at heart.
The Black Dragon's Kingdom
The King on Dragonstone, Daemon Blackfyre
His Loyal Bannermen
Aelor Saerynar, Lord of the Hook and Marshal of Westeros
Davos Seaworth, Lord of Crackclaw Point, Knight of the Rainwood, and Hand of the King
Lucerys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark, and High Admiral of Westeros
Gyles Rosby, Lord of Rosby and Master of Laws
Renfred Rykker, Lord of Duskendale and Small Council Adviser
Ardrian Celtigar, Lord of Claw Isle and Master of Coin
Dragonstone, One Year After Daemon's Landing
The Lord of the Tides stood with his King as he studied the painted table, his expression as grim as the weather that evening. "The usurper will not yield, Your Grace." said Lucerys Velaryon. "Lords Stokeworth, Chelstead, Gaunt, Langward, and several others remain committed to the defense of King's Landing and I fear thousands will die if we take the city by force."
The old man had often counseled Daemon in the wisest course of action and he was one of the few men Daemon trusted. Although he was officially Master of Ships in so far as the other lords were concerned, Lord Lucerys Velaryon was truly Hand of the King in all but name. "I don't intend to rule over corpses, my lord. There has to be another way--a better way..." the King sighed. "We still hold his brother."
"It makes no difference. I've sent a raven each month since you took Dragonstone and the reply is always the same... Robert will not yield King's Landing, not even in exchange for his own brother. He knows you won't kill Lord Stannis." Said the Lord of the Tides.
"I should kill him to prove myself serious, but there is no honor in it." Daemon insisted. "Stannis surrendered and I gave him my word that no harm would come to him if he yielded Dragonstone. What sort of King would I be if I broke my promise? I have no ill will toward the Baratheons. Everyone knew Aerys was as cruel as Maegor and in truth, I admire Robert for having the courage to unseat him, but it was ill done... The children were innocent and so was Rhaegar's wife. Tywin Lannister will answer for that in due course, but for now... There are other matters to tend to."
"Indeed, Your Grace. You must needs take a wife. You need an heir, or all this will be for naught." Velaryon insisted.
"Send a raven to King's Landing. Tell Robert I will release Lord Stannis in exchange for a temporary truce. We may as well gain something for holding his brother hostage all this time. As to the latter... I believe I shall wed the daughter of one of my loyal lords." Said the King.
"Would that I had a daughter for you to wed, Your Grace..." Lord Lucerys grumbled. "I... Suppose it must needs be the lady Viserra. She is descended from Jaehaerys the First, albeit through his daughter, the Princess Saera, but even so... The girl is blood of the dragon and conveniently for Your Grace, she has lost her husband."
"Had you a daughter, she would be my Queen, my friend. Sadly, there are few suitable brides of valyrian blood to be had--though I must confess, I've always preferred the dark-haired ones..." he mused. "Lady Viserra is beautiful, cunning, and her lord father has been a loyal friend."
Lucerys nodded, a smile curling his lips. "Shall I make the arrangements then?"
"Send that raven, then inform her father of my desire to wed within the month. Perhaps then, Lord Celtigar will stop pestering me about the succession." Said the King.
Hours later, Daemon was halfway through a bottle of Arbor Gold when another of his advisers demanded an audience. "Come in Ser Davos--will you take a cup of wine with your King?"
"Apologies, Your Grace, but we've received word from Dorne..." Said the Onion Knight. Ser Davos had sworn himself to Daemon, along with the rest of Stannis' bannermen when Daemon gave them the choice of bending the knee, or being a meal for his dragon. Having no wish to depart the world so soon, the Onion Knight followed the others and swore fealty. At first, Davos mistrusted his new King, but a year as Daemon's Hand had put all his doubts to rest.
"Let me guess... Prince Doran has declared for the mad King's son?"
Ser Davos nodded grimly. "He has, Your Grace. Dorne is also in the middle of a civil war due to the conflicting loyalties of some of its lords. I'm afraid if you're looking for help from Dorne, well... It's not coming."
"I expected as much. Rhaegar's children were of his blood. He may well deal with the Lannisters for me, so for now, we'll leave him to his wars. Tell me, Ser Davos... Has there been any word from Essos regarding the mad King's son?"
"Queen Rhaella gave birth to a daughter, Your Grace. She and Viserys are guests in Pentos as we speak." Said the Onion Knight.
"A daughter could prove useful." Daemon mused. "Were I to have a son, their marriage would reunite the blood of the dragon and put an end to this pointless conflict so many have died for."
"You don't share your father's hatred of the Targaryens, Your Grace?"
"Why should I, Ser Davos?" Said the King. "My ancestors wrought nothing but bloodshed in their attempts to win the Iron Throne and Maelys killed my father when I was only a few months old. Should we continue this feud until all the blood of the dragon has been spilled? Maelys was the one I hated and Ser Barristan robbed me of my vengeance. I have no reason to hate Viserys and his infant sister... It is my wish that both branches of our great house be united in one purpose... The restoration of the Iron Throne. It might surprise you to hear it, Ser Davos, but if I should fail to produce an heir with my new bride, I intend to name Viserys as my successor--assuming he's not mad like his father, that is..."
"Forgive me for being blunt, Your Grace, but if you want to restore the Iron Throne, then why not let Robert have it?"
Daemon smiled, albeit sadly. "I've often asked myself that very same question Ser Davos... Robert has proven himself unfit to rule. Lyanna Stark's death has broken him and the lords of Westeros are not fools. The Iron Throne was broken under Robert, because he failed to command the respect of the people. Allowing Lord Tywin to murder Rhaegar's wife and children only did him harm. Had he stripped him of the Westerlands and beheaded him for his crimes, the war might well have ended. Instead, he pardoned him for a crime so vicious, none of the Targaryen loyalists would ever follow him. Even Ned Stark distanced himself after Lord Tywin was pardoned..."
"I don't know Ned Stark, but I know there were many of us who were outraged by Tywin's crimes..." The Onion Knight admitted. "I understand your wish to bring order back to Westeros, but at the rate we're going, that road is going to be long and bloody."
"And we have Robert Baratheon to thank for it. Rest assured, Ser Davos... I will do everything in my power to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. The realm has already paid a heavy price for Robert's rebellion and I have no wish to cause more harm." Daemon assured him. "That is why I'm releasing Lord Stannis and will not be attacking King's Landing. I know you were loyal to Stannis. I admire you for it, truly. It cannot have been easy for you to bend the knee to a man you did not know, having sworn fealty to the man who made you what you are..." Daemon admitted.
"It hasn't, Your Grace. What I did, I did for the sake of my sons. For all I knew, you were as mad as old King Aerys, but if it meant ensuring a future for my boys, I'd have offered you my head." Said Davos.
Daemon smiled. "The world needs more men like you, Ser Davos. I shall be sad to see you leave Dragonstone."
"Begging your pardon, Your Grace, but where am I going?"
"I assume you'll be leaving with Lord Stannis when he is released and I intend to allow it if that is your wish." Said Daemon.
Davos was stunned and speechless for a long moment. "If you'll have me, I'd just as soon stay. We haven't known each other very long, but I've seen enough to know that you are the best chance we have at restoring any sort of order to the realm and I did swear an oath to serve you when you spared my life."
"Ser Davos, I hereby absolve you of any oath you have sworn and give you permission to leave of your own free will, should you choose to do so. However... Should you choose to remain here on Dragonstone, I would be grateful for your counsel. You are one of few men I believe will speak truthfully, even when to do so may seem unwise. I need such men advising me if I am ever to rule well." Daemon insisted.
Ser Davos knelt before the Black Dragon. "I am your man, Your Grace. If you'll have me, I swear to serve you loyally and truthfully for so long as I live." The Onion Knight swore.
"And to prove it, I've saved the best news for last..." He added. "Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys are on their way to Dragonstone as we speak."
The King arched a brow as he regarded the kneeling Knight, then grinned broadly. "Ser Davos, I could kiss you."
"I'd be grateful if you didn't." The Onion Knight replied with a chuckle.
"Rise Ser Davos of house Seaworth, Knight of the Rainwood, and Hand of the King. And once I have it under control, you shall be Lord of Crackclaw Point as well, and your children after you until the end of time." Said the King.
