War of the Five Kings!


"The Seven Kingdoms are at war with one another... false kings destroying the country... the Usurper is dead. The Starks fight the Lannisters, the Baratheons fight each other."

-Daenerys Targaryen
Robert's heir Joffrey has taken the Iron Throne, but the revelation that he's a bastard born of incest between Queen Cersei and her twin brother, Ser Jaime Lannister, has lead both of Robert's younger brothers: Stannis and Renly Baratheon, to claim the throne for themselves. Stannis sees himself as the rightful heir by right of blood, while Renly claims the throne on the basis that he would be a better king, despite being second to Stannis in a lawful line of succession.

Both Stannis and Renly Baratheon have raised their own armies. Renly, as Lord of Storm's End, gathers the support the Stormlords as well as that of House Tyrell and their bannermen via marriage to Margaery Tyrell. Meanwhile, Stannis gathers the support of the Lords of the Narrow Sea, sworn to Dragonstone, as well as that of Melisandre of Asshai, a priestess of the Lord of Light.

In the North, Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell, is declared the ‘King in the North’ by his lord’s bannermen, and some of the Riverlords in the wake of the execution of Eddard Stark, his father and Hand of the King to the late Robert, under false charges of treason. Robb had been in command of a host marching south to free his then imprisoned father and to relieve a Lannister attack on the Riverlands. As the King in the North, Robb has declared that the North and the Riverlands are now a sovereign kingdom no longer subject to the rule of the Iron Throne.

Robb Stark also offered an alliance to Balon Greyjoy, Lord Reaper of Pyke, offering him independence if he joined them against the forces of House Lannister. Instead, Balon has chosen to declare himself ‘King of the Iron Islands’ and hopes to conquer the North while most of its defenders were south of the Neck.

Ravens have been sent north, south, east and west to inform the Seven Kingdoms of the current happenings and relevant plans of local lords and ladies. When people look back on history, they'll say it all began with the flight of ravens...

House Crow
Spoiler
Show
House Crow of Dragongem Castle have received a fair few missives via raven: one informing them of the news in King’s Landing regarding Eddard Stark, and more importantly, one from Stannis Baratheon that has been addressed directly to Lord Crow regarding his current thoughts on the situation. The concise missive also comes with a copy of the letter sent to all of the Stormlords regarding the incestuous relationship between Cersei and Jaime Lannister: informing what he knows of it, and what he plans to do about it. It is asked, within the text of the letter, for support from all who wish to aid their liege lord in the upcoming war.

Meanwhile, out in the training yard, Ser Caldyr Stormbrook is practicing his swordsmanship with some of the Crow men. It’s a cold and rainy day, which has made the task much more arduous than usual, especially since the muddy yard has been bogged down with rainwater, making each and every step a strenuous one. Some of the observing soldiers cheer and chant as Caldyr is about to face off against one of the stronger soldiers amongst those that have gathered. The much younger soldier has a sprite of courage about him; much more than what has been displayed by the others who have tried their luck. Amongst the cheers, his name is called: “Go on, Brett! Get ‘im! He needs 'is feathers clippin'!”

Nearby, Ser Branwynn Crow and Ser Rampart Stone are using a covering of layered cloth, put up by some of the Crow men who had anticipated bad weather that day to avoid the drizzle of rain as they observe the fight. Branwynn sighs and straightens his posture, turning to his mentor. “He’s good, isn’t he?” he says, a hint of trepidation to his words. “Even in the mud, he’s quick on his feet.” There’s also a strange tone of admiration to his voice. “Bet you could beat him though, you old git.” He adds, chuckling lowly as his large fist mockingly jabs at Rampart’s left shoulder.


House Thyme
Spoiler
Show
House Thyme of Redspring is rather inundated with missives, though the more important of the pile have already been put into a separate batch ready for Lady Ermese to read through. Most notably, there is a missive from her liege lord, Hoster Tully, requesting the aid of her house in the upcoming war. Amongst the rest of the missives, there are offers of safe-harbouring for Lady Ermese from various houses located in The Riverlands. Most notably, however, is the offer from House Mallister of Seagard, who have offered to send a number of soldiers to help with the issue of safe transportation. These men are, supposedly, to meet her own transportation approximately half way as a fair-terms of agreement. She has also been informed of the bad tidings of Eddard Stark at King’s Landing.

Ser Arna Rynn is currently dealing with an affair that she has encountered just outside of the hall, where two middle-aged men seem to be pointing knives at one another; each of them demanding something from the other. One of the men has already suffered a knife-wound, but seems so adamant in demanding something of his attacker, that the pain almost seems forgotten. A cart has been turned over nearby, causing the fresh apples once within to have been scattered about the damp soil below.

Meanwhile, out in the yard, Marten Rivers has been approached by some of the soldiers in training and have asked of his opinion on the bad tidings of Eddard Stark, and what it might mean for House Thyme in the upcoming war. Some seem worried, perhaps even nervous, whilst others seem content with the fact that they might be seeing some real action sometime soon. Either way, they seem to be hedging around the fact that they’d like Marten to stay and teach them a few things. A bold, young-looking soldier with bright blonde hair steps forward: “You haven’t taught us anything in quite some time. You’ve been awfully busy with Lady Ermese…” there’s a note of sarcasm to his last sentence, as if to mock Marten for his close relationship with the young woman.


House Cantus
Spoiler
Show
House Cantus also receives a missive from Hoster Tully, their liege lord, requesting aid in the upcoming war. Among the other cluster of missives there is news of Eddard Stark, and also a few from some the more renowned merchants regarding issues they’ve been having with bandits along the Kingsroad. Many seem to have attacked and/or stolen from during their many travels recently. As the Lady of House Cantus, recognized by mercantile trades for allowing them more power, they are demanding that something be done about the situation before things get out of hand.

One of the more respected merchants makes note that the bandits are making the house seem weak and vulnerable, and if any nearby power, known or unknown, gets word that the house can’t deal with lowly bandits, then they’re going to have some big problems to deal with regarding the safety of their lands.

Ser Sorin is currently seeing to a matter of ‘urgency’. From what he’s heard, it seems like some of the guards have been attacked just outside of the hall. Upon arriving, it is quite clear that the rumors are true, as two guardsmen have been wounded and are being seen to by some of their fellow soldiers. Upon approach, one of them stands at attention: “Ser Sorin. Two travelers refused to pay their due upon passing through, and in a sudden fit of rage, lashed out at two of our guards on duty. We have them bound nearby for questioning, Ser. Your orders?”


House Blackstone
Spoiler
Show
Only a few ravens have flown to Black Roost. One notes the details of Eddard Stark's execution, but also speaks of the now deceased Jon Arryn. It offers sympathies to those who knew him. Evidently, the news is rather late, for some reason or another.

Just as Lord Blackstone is given the news of the arrival of these ravens, two guards drag an old man into the throne room - battered and bruised - and force him to kneel in front of the noble incline of steps. "Lord Blackstone," one of them calls, both of their spears at the man's back. "This man claims to have news of a traitor among our ranks. The old fool thought that the best way to get our attention was by sticking a knife in some poor man's heart."

The other cuts in, giving the beaten old man a prod with his spear. He grunts and spits at the floor. "Delusional, he is. He ain't made the least bit of sense since we restrained him. He keeps mumbling the same thing over and over again. He... he keeps saying that the Strangers have got plans of their own, or some nonsense like that."