Saturday, November 28, 2020

Dornish Prisoners of War


Samaya Qorgyle hoped gaining a seat on the Red Council would guarantee the member Houses of the Red Mountains will stand in defense of Dorne after the Revolution, and not allow the Targaryen Host unfettered access into Dorne when the King retaliates. Her plans for rebellion hinged on repopulating the keeps, arming the resistance and making sure the Nobles who were captured to ensure cooperation with Targaryen occupation, were safe. That is where the Heroes of the story come into her plans, she hoped the old tales of Mon and Brim were true- then there would be hope. 

The hostages... 



These Dornish Houses are of First-Men Origin, many can trace their lineage back 8,000 years. 

Tesha Blackmont (F) of House Blackmont  Tesha, a young dark cousin to the Lady Blackmont, she was taken before King Daeron's Conquest of Dorne by Lyonell Tyrell after successful negotiations with the Red Council last year to ensure compliance. 

Lorenah Dayne (F) of House Dayne of Starfall. Lorenah, a young bright Dayne upstart with raven hair and sapphire eyes, she was also taken by Lyonell Tyrell after the negotiations with the Red Council guaranteed a passive stance from House Dayne in the coming war. 

Morsha Fowler (F) of House Fowler of Skyreach. Morsha, a battle hardened maiden in her mid-twenties served her house as a field medic while defending Dorne from the Targayen vanguard. She was captured by Lyonell Tyrell after taking the Prince's Pass on behalf of King Daeron a year ago. 

Gale Manwoody (F) of House Manwoody of Kingsgrave. Gale, a tall pious woman with lithe features and leadership qualities, she was also personally captured by Lyonell Tyrell after taking Prince's Pass. 

Abagal Wyl (F) of House Wyl of the Boneway. Abagal Wyl, short and rotund swordswoman who was hidden away but eventually hunted down by Targaryen Collectors while King Daeron himself led a host down the Boneway into Dorne. 

Luras Yronwood (M) of House Yronwood. Luras 'of the Blackleaf' was hunted down on his name-day by Targaryen Collectors after King Daeron took the Boneway. 


These Dornish Houses were formed during the Andal Invasion and many can trace their lineage back ten generations, each house has always been staunch supporters of House Martell. 

Devron Allyrion (M) of House Allyrion of Godsgrace. Devron, a noble weapons master for his house, is one of the older individuals to be hunted by the Targaryen Collectors ahead of King Daeron's advance to Sunspear. 

Shale Gargalen (F) of House Gargalen of Salt Shore. Shale is the beautiful heir to the Prince of Sails. It is said her voice holds a magical charm over the oceans. The King's Master of Ships, Alyn Velaryon took Shale after visiting a port in Salt Shore while meeting with Fenley Alherton. 

Canrem Jordayne (M) of House Jordayne of Tor. Canrem, a green-speaker, is one of the youngest of the Dornish nobles hunted by the Collectors ahead of King Daeron's advance to Sunspear. 

Landor Qorgyle (M) of House Qorgyle of Sandstone. Landor is a child prodigy- the first 'sword scion' born to the House in a century. Landor was taken under false pretense as his father was serving as Lyonel Tyrell's liaison to House Uller. Having Landor under Tyrell 's supervision insured Lord Sethron Qorgyle's loyal service to the King. 

Rylon Wells

Grag Toland (M) of House Toland of Ghost Hill. Young Grag is a scholarly lad of average appearance, a language prodigy Grag was to start his studies in Oldtown next year. It is said Alyn Velaryon took Grag in the night under a false banner of parley. 

Alora Uller (F) of House Uller of Hellholt. Alora, a hot tempered scourge of a woman. Deadly with a dirk, she was the last noble to be personally captured by Lyonel Tyrell. 

Dyron Vaith (M) of House Vaith. Dyron, a pyromancer and veteran of several battles, was hunted by Targaryen Collectors ahead of King Daeron's advance to Sunspear. 

Other

House Wells The dark-skinned members of House Wells hail from the Summer Isles, and their seat of power is located on Wells, a arm-shaped island off the coast of Sunspear. The Isle is a shield against hostile forces and where the Dornish naval warships are docked. House Wells earned their nobility during Nymeria's War fighting for House Martell on the waters. House Wells are hailed as experts at seafaring and seaborn warfare. 


Rylon Wells (M) of House Wells. Rylon is the son of Commodore Charres Wells of the royal Dornish navy. It was Alyn Velaryon along with Rickon Stark and Barthogan 'the Lesser' who helped capture Rylon in the battle outside Sunspear- the battle that also took Rickon Stark's life. 

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Path to Pazar

On the Path to Pazar


East of Sandstone

Giant Frilled Dinosaur




Menefer of the Mani Clan


Pazar


Odds and Endings (the old Alherton-Smyde building)


Fenley Alherton
For almost a year the former Alherton-Smyde warehouse just sat, dark and still. When it finally reopened for business, it did so under the name 'Odds and Endings’ ...to a city that was almost entirely empty. Nonetheless the shop carried top quality tools and rare medicinal herbs to alchemy products but has fallen to disrepair over the past year and has become a shelter for alchemically addicted ‘tribe’ of unfortunates called the Flasks or "Flaskers". No one has seen Fenley Alherton in some time.

A full hour of searching the warehouse reveals: 

*broken Alchemy lab, Artisan's workshop, small empty Book repository, small broken Clockwork shop, Common room, broken Courtyard, Escape Route, small broken Forge, small broken Leather workshop, upper level Lodging, Office, broken Reliquaries, broken Reservoir system, Sanctum, empty Scriptorium, Secret room, Sitting room, small Stall, Storage rooms, Storefront, Summoning chamber, Trophy room, broken Vault, Workstations

25 Elemental shards (five of each kind) 

5,000 gold dragons *coinage (as well as papers detailing the payment of a half a gold piece for each seized weapon to be stored by Fenley Alherton for Alyn Valerian)  

10,000 weapons: Daggers (3,000), Longswords (4,000), Short swords (3,000) in 5 large crates on sledges. 

An Asherati sand sculpture (see below)

One casket of Shadowsand


Two vials of Black Sand 


2,500 gp in non-digestible alchemysalves  and desert gear. 

1,250 gp in tools and raw crafting materials salvage (UW pg 135)

3 oils of keen edge, 2 oils of darkness, 5 oils of magic weapon





Fenley Alherton's Shadowcaster Grimoire: A Black leather book containing a short journal written in the runic Umbral tongue as well as the following magic scrolls in an highly stylized occult scroll case. 

1st-Level Medium Spells: burst of insight, calm spirit, charge object, decrepit disguise, object reading, oneiric horror, paranoia, psychic reading, quintessence

2nd-Level Medium Spells: analyze aura, catatonia, cognitive block, inflict pain, object possession (lesser), oneiric horror (greater),  placebo effect, purge spirit, riding possession

In Alherton's trophy room:

Sandals of Quick Reaction (Mon) Last worn by Suicide Jack, a card playing cutpurse from Planky Town that had a knack for hasty escapes.

Crown of Swords (Boren) Very old. Notes on this treasure indicate this Crown once belonged to Joramun 'the King Beyond the Wall'. 

Band Holly Wreath (Willow) Alherton is sure this item was crafted by one of the earliest Sorghum Queens Jenna Dayne who fought against the Second Vulture King who some say was her former lover. 

Necklace of Flaming Spheres (Brim) This silver chain has four fire elemental stones wrapped in metal thread with a brass medallion in the middle that has the geometric symbol for fire on one side and R'hllor's Fiery Heart on the other. Etched in Ignan are the words 'The High One.' This functions as a rechargeable wand of Flaming Sphere (CL 3) with an unknown amount of charges remaining. (Reflex DC13)

Victor's Belt (Lobo) Notes on this item indicate it was worn by gladiatorial champions from the Fighting pits of Meereen most notably all the champions that came from Daznak's Pit



Lost Idol of Seneferu

Luthaby Smyde told you the story of how his old partner Fenley Alherton was an occultist and fascinated with forbidden lore and shadow casting. Alherton was searching for Shadowsand; a key component used by occultists and shadowcasters. Last year Smyde eventually discovered Alherton struck a deal with a known sea captain and treasure hunter, Alyn Veleryon. Alherton told Smyde his trip to Salt Shore was to obtain rare antiquities. Smyde had no reason to doubt because Alherton's travels appeared to be successful, but Alherton returned changed- more aggressive in both tongue and mannerisms. When Smyde confronted him about entering into an agreement with the King’s Master of Ships Alherton lashed out and attacked Smyde which led to their falling out. Luthaby Smyde is not a Targaryen supporter and suspects Alherton got more than he wanted. 

Alherton, Spawn of the Night Queen

Sunday, September 27, 2020

House Penrose and the Black Sails Argosy

House Penrose 
"Set Down Our Deeds"
Coat of Arms: Two quills crossed argent.
Seat: Parchments 
Lord: Efran Penrose 
Overlord: Baratheon 
Religion: None declared 
Banners: House Smyde 
Rivals: Martell 
Trade & Interests: dri wood paper
Ancestral Weapon: None 

House Penrose of Parchments is a noble house from Parchments, a small costal town north of Storm’s End in the Stormlands. They are one of the main noble houses sworn to the Baratheons of Storm's End and by extension, supporters of the Targaryen Thrown. Many wise and historical Maesters can trace their ancestral roots to House Penrose. Naturally House Penrose and the Citadel in Oldtown have a close working relationship. 

Camylle Penrose

Camylle Penrose- Forty year old sister to the late Mariyan Qorgyle and Samaya’s promiscuous aunt. Before being marooned at the Oasis of the gods by Seneferu, Camylle was in Sandstone visiting her daughter’s fiancé’s family, to collect a dowry and to visit Shady Sands. That dowry was unfortunately lost to the sandstorm last year. 
Grayce Penrose- Camylle’s nineteen year old daughter, who is engaged to Stephas Smyde. Beautiful as a desert flower like her mother. Grayce is bright, charismatic and has an appetite for books. 
Stephas Smyde- Son of Luthaby Smyde, a noble enough young man who is clearly marrying above his station. He is at Grayce's service at all times and vows to find her lost dowry. 
Trevyr and Reben - House Penrose guards and not-so-secret lovers of Camylle. 

Sosan- One of the nomadic speakers from the oasis who has also accepted the opportunity to travel to Sandstone with the Dream Chaser. She has an obvious unspoken romantic love for Grayce who shares her inquisitive nature. 


Black Sails Argosy 
Flag: a white horned skull on black sails. 

Swashbucklers and ‘merchants’ based out of the ruins of Hellgate Hall. Hellgate Hall was the seat of House Dryland, who ruled as Kings of the Brimstone in Dorne prior to Nymeria's War. 

Capt. Lucifer Dryland commanded an outlaw fleet of three heavily armed brigantines. It was said Capt Dryland repelled an attack from Targaren forces. However, an encounter with the dune pirate hag changed all that. After defeat Capt. Lucifer was set free along with two other captains from the Black Sails Argosy Armada. Their crew however, was enslaved by the Scourge of the Sands the hag's flagship. Captains Baz Blackmont and Jhonas Uller along with Lucifer were abandoned in the sands of Dorne; their ships gone along with any hope for survival. 

Together the three outlaws happened across the Oasis of the gods and have been there for most of the year. Baz and Jhonas both agree Lucifer has not been the same after his encounter with the hag pirate. Lucifer is prone to night terrors and becomes distracted and distant when gazing out upon the desert. 

Captain Lucifer Dryland
Lucifer Dryland

Finally, there is Sunhawk a tribal warrior lion-woman who’s pride inhabits the ruins Hellgate Hall, the former seat of House Dryland at the mouth of the Brimstone- a river known for its sulfurous waters. Her bloodlust, viciousness and sudden turns to violence divorced her from her pride over a year ago. Since then Sunhawk has traveled and worked together with Lucifer Dryland for mutual gain. She doesn’t speak beyond simple words mixed with the auran tongue. Her motivations, if any, are unknown. 





Thursday, September 24, 2020

Monday, September 21, 2020

Sandstone, Dorne

Sandstone (Community)
Sandstone
"Don't Turn the Rocks"

Population
Normally Sandstone is home to 15,797 Sandy and Stony Dornish folk alike spread between the Shady Sands and Godsprings oases. However since the King Daeron I Targaryen occupation of Dorne last year there are less than 500 individuals living in Sandstone mostly providing essential services for House Qorgyle. 

Military
Normal Military Size: 1,500 warriors (500 at Prince's Pass, the rest at Sandstone), 500 elite fighters and 31 Sun Guards (elite house guards). However with Balon taking his sister and five Sun Guards to Starfall, there are only 25 loyal Qorgyle House Sun Guards remaining. 

About
Unlike most other hold-fasts in Dorne, Sandstone was not constructed by the coast or a river, instead, Sandstone was built on a flat, dried lake bed between to two oases (the Godsprings and the Shady Sands), and a large salt flat, known as ‘Ghost Lake’ that spans the rest of the large lake bed. The hold-fast pulls its water from the two oases that surround it, and salt from the salt flat. Two small stone cities surround the castle, as the Dornish smallfolk living around Sandstone tend to radiate towards the sources of water rather than the hold-fast itself. Houses are built of stone and stucco with flat roofs and the streets are sand swept stone. The tallest structure is the Tower of Light, a lighthouse that shines like a star at night for weary travelers crossing the dune seas.

Sandstone

Sandstone is a large Dornish Keep constructed completely out of sandstone (with quartzite and marble ornaments). It is a short and stout hold-fast, but very expansive. It is square in shape and has a large dome held together by bronze. The walls are also rather shorter and thicker than what is usually seen in a Westwerosi keep; the walls have an outward inclination and iron spikes at the top. Lastly, four tall minarets fulfill the function of watchtowers at each corner which contain a large provision of bows and arrows, as well as maintaining a small rookery in each one.

Sandstone’s main export is Ablemalle Wood. Ablemalle is a dark brown tree are found at the edges of the Godsprings. They grow tall and have a large canopy. It’s tough but springy wood is used to make bows of all kinds but it is in high demand due to its interesting quality of being light and pliable. It is the wood solely used in the construction of sand ships. It is a tree not native to Dorne and besides water, Ablemalle Wood is one of the most precious commodities in Dorne. 


Family: House Qorgyle 
Coat of Arms: Three black scorpions over red
Seat: Sandstone
Head of House: Sethron Qorgyle, Lord of Sandstone
Heir: Samaya Qorgyle
Overlord: House Martel
Ethnicity: Andal
Founded: Coming of the Andals (6,000 BC)
Holdings: Sandstone
Trade & Interests: Caravan shipping and trading, ship repair, cartography, wood, exploration. 
Noble Members: 22
Family Weapon: Sting

Lord Sethron Qorgyle

Family:
Lord Sethron of Sandstone
Lord Sethron is the current head of House Qorgyle and Lord of Sandstone. He is 47 years old and of above average height and lean. His father was Lord Arthur Qorgyle and his mother came from a wealthy trader family from Lys. He is a widower of 5 years to the Late Mariyam Qorgyle whom he was married to since his 18th name day. Having been deeply in love with her Lord Sethron grieved deeply at her passing and has frequent bouts with depression. He gets extremely angry at any insults to his late Mariyam or House Penrose. He wields the family weapon, a rapier named Sting which was forged across The Narrow Sea in the city of Lorath. It is believed Lord Sethron, perhaps grudgingly, serves as Hand under Lyonel Tyrell, the General of King Daeron Targaryen's Royal Army. 

Samaya Qorgyle
Samaya Qorgyle

Samaya Qorgyle is the 25 year old first child of Sethron and heir to Sandstone. Being his heir Sethron raised Samaya to rule as a Lady. Because of this she is as knowledgeable on how to govern as any High Lady in Dorne. She has a warrior's spirit and a rebellious heart. Her personal coat-of-arms is a white feather held in a griffin's claw on a black background. She has recently obtained a message from a spy in Hellholt that says Lyonel Tyrell is keeping all 14 Dornish prisoners with him in his armada. 

(Ser Balon Qorgyle)
Second born of Sethron and Mariyam, and the first born male. Balon is 23 years old and a member of the Sun Guard. While he knows he shall most likely never become a Lord due to his sister, he is not spurred by it, rather he enjoys fighting in duels and tourneys. He accompanied (Sorghum) Qeen Shela to Starfall with 5 other Sun Guard members). 

Airam and Arin Qorgyle 
Twenty year old twins Airam and Arin are of a bonded mind and known empaths of the family. Their strong sensitivity to the emotions of others make them introverts and thus they are seldom seen in public. 

Nerayam Qorgyle 
Sethron's fifth child, 18 year old Nerayam is the dark Lady of the Qorgyle House. She is a known collector of bones and spirit shards of all types. It is said she can speak to scorpions. 

(Landor Qorgyle)
The sixth child of Sethron, Landor is 15 years of age and a squire to Ser Dragen Redsand. He is a bit small for his age and quiet, but dreams of becoming a 'big-strong fighter one day'. Landor, unfortunately is one Lord Tyrell's prisoners. 

(Shela Qorgyle)
The youngest child and new Sorghum Queen on the Red Council. She is an innocent child and full of wonder. She only traveled from Sandstone a few times in her life, and never outside of Dorne. Because of this she longs to explore.

Other:
Ser Zakar Redsand
Born in Hellholt, Ser Zakar is the bastard cousin of Lord Sethron. Ser Zakar is 41 years old and the current head of the Sun Guard at Sandstone and the commander of its military forces. He is known through out Dorne as a honorable knight and a powerful warrior, especially if he's wielding a mace. His personal coat-of-arms is a red mace-tailed scorpion on a background of pale yellow. 

Maester Kegan Hailing from a small village in The Vale, Kegan is a tall, frail man near the age of 56. He arrived at Sandstone when Sethron was still a boy to replace the old maester who died at the age of 87. Since then Kegan took great care of House Qorgyle. Over the past year Kegan has constantly been at Lord Sethron's side offering valuable council and medicines to ease his depression. He is often in the rookery tended to the ravens as if they were his kin.

Maester Kegan

Jaze Chafferly Detail commander for House Qorgyle and Captain of the Spirit of Hermes. He organized and led the mercenaries at the Sorghum Festival. At Sandstone he is a dock worker guild member called a Docker.

Charad Hardwick Detail lieutenant for House Qorgyle at the Sorghum Festival and Captain of the Dream Chaser and fellow Docker. 

Jaron Granit Caravan Captain and shipwright responsible for the upkeep of Qorgyle sand ships. Is also a noteworthy boyer and Docker. 

Bren Shield Caravan Captain in charge of horses and land stiders for House Qorgyle. At Sandstone Bren is responsible for the House stables, but for the resistance he carries messages from the hold-fast to rebels in the city. 

Ser Dragen Redsand An Ashworm dragoon and a spec-ops member of the Sun Guard. Ser Dragen is the only one who has taken an ashworm as a trained mount. He is secretly a sworn enemy to the Targaryens and has recently revealed that fact to Samaya. 

Dragen Redsand

Septon Calder religions leader of the Faith of the Seven. He leads a small congregation of Sandstone remnants seeking strength in the Faith during these difficult times. Over the year Septon Calder has been gaining popularity at the expense of a few lost souls who have taken to looting the empty city. Faithful come to Septon Calder and the Sept to pray for loved ones who have turned to sin and addiction since the Targayen occupation. Recent sermons sees the death of the Weirwood tree as a purge of pagan idols as a holy act of providence meant to purify the spirit of the community. 

Septon Calder

Notable Locations:
There are modest stables for landstriders, camels, horses, and riding lizards available as well as a single aviary called the Nest for giant eagles and griffins. The city has access to good water so many rich merchants who know of the waters in Sandstone have homes with private water gardens.

Lighthouse (Touchstone Site) 
Before Sandstone there was the Lighthouse. A wide 40' tall tower with no discernible opening, window or otherwise. At the top, a sphere of glass that seems suspended between to curved stone horns encase an eternal light that seems to shine silver during daylight hours and red-gold at night. It is known that the Lighthouse dates back to the Long Night when the Asherati molded this tower of earth on a butte of sandstone. Stories say the Asherati bound the essence of Light to forever shine through the darkness for eternity. 

Lighthouse

Sand Docks
There are two 'airport terminal' style sand docks in Sandstone. The first are the Qorgyle Sun Docks. Here large ramps, lavish tents, water and areas for storage make up what is mainly used by House Qorgyle for their sand galleons and personal sand skiffs. The other is the Merchant Docks located on the other side of the city in the Merchant Quarter and is primarily used by merchants and trade companies. Obviously one can 'park' a sand ship anywhere, but these two areas are specially equipped to offload and store cargo and service the occasional passenger ship. 

Dock #5 (Dock workers guild house) 
A former Goldsands merchant hangar now functions as the secret base for the Dornish Resistance. It has a large office, kitchen and is where the Spirit of Hermes and the Dream Chaser are stored when not in use. Dock #5 also houses 20 former sand dock workers called 'dockers' who are secretly sworn resistance fighters. 

Dock #5

Godsprings (Touchstone Site) 
This grove of trees consist of the typical verity of desert oasis trees as well as about 100 Ablemalle Trees. These trees, brought here from Essos by the Rhoynar, are what sand ships are constructed of and are thus rare and precious. There is a rare Wierwood tree (now dead), unheard of south of the Stormlands, in the Godsprings. Its old bark, free of the typical face or any markings, is a tale of stalwart survival in the hot climate. 

Ghost Lake
The salt flats known as Ghost Lake lies south and east of Sandstone like a crescent moon or scimitar shape. It is not uncommon to find desiccated animals in or around ghost lake because of the scarcity of potable water. Elementals roam this area, so commoners know to be cautious. 

Society House

Edman's Smithy
Edman Vass is a blacksmith from Oldtown who came to the Sorghum Festival for opportunity. What he found was not only valuable customers but contacts to a larger market- Sandstone. With his single assistant, his humble wife and leather worker Jaenis Vass, together they embarked on a journey to Sandstone to make a future together. Edman was the *blacksmith who supplied Lobo with a scimitar and Jaenis sold Mon the hunter's belts that were given to the Wemic sons of Chief Daysun. *Famous for the Doomhammer

Alherton-Smyde
This dark but pleasant storefront, located in the Merchants Quarter, was one of the most popular shops in Sandstone. Originally, the store was home to the combined office of a collector, Fenley Alherton who sold everyday items as well as items he collects in his travels and a bookbinder/scribe, named Luthaby Smyde who went into business together as ‘Alherton-Smyde’. After a rather explosive and public falling out last year after Fenley Alherton returned from a trade deal with Alyn Valeryon at Salt Shore, Smyde moved uptown to open his own business (see The Poison Pen, below).

Odds and Endings (the old Alherton-Smyde building)
For almost a year the former Alherton-Smyde it just sat, dark and still. When it finally reopened for business, it did so under the name 'Odds and Endings’, to a city that was almost entirely empty. The shop carried top quality tools and rare medicinal herbs to alchemy but has since fallen to disrepair and has become a shelter for alchemically addicted ‘tribe’ of unfortunates called the Flasks. No one has seen Fenley Alherton in some time. 

The Poison Pen
Originally in business with Fenley Alherton, Luthaby Smyde took his interests in the old Alherton-Smyde and opened a new store called the Poison Pen. The store front legend says the shop is a place where one can purchase or trade common books, purchase rare inks, scribing and cartography supplies, as well as scribe services. 

Luthaby Smyde

The Grace of Goddess Ministry
Located on a quiet lane in the poorest district, the Grace of Goddess Ministry has stood since the city was young, weathering storm, fire, and Targaryen invasion for decade upon decade. In fact, the ministry is so old that it has even outlived its patron deity the Mother Rhoyne, whose worship was strong when the city was founded, but fell out of favor after Aegon’s Conquest.

It still held strong with women however whom would secretly pay seasonal tributes to Mother Rhoyne with blood. Today, the ministry's function is more civic than religious, and the remaining religious element has been specifically nondenominational for decades now- a fact which angered more than a few of the City's religious elite. The ministry’s Doors are open 24 hours a day to souls in need, and many of the city's poor would have died long ago were it not for the noble efforts of Sister Maria and her nursemaids, as well as, the brave women who came before them. 

Sister Maria