Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Winterfell and the North


Cregan Stark, also known as the Old Man of the North, was a stern and formidable Lord and like many Starks, Cregan was a good friend of the Night's Watch. Cregan went on to sire many issue during his time in Winterfell; among them Rickon and Barthogan. Two sons that would vie for position as Warden the North their entire lives. 

Rickon Stark is the firstborn son of Lord Cregan Stark who named Rickon after his father and Lady Arra Norrey who died giving birth to him. Rickon Stark was handsome and well spoken, while he was a not a pacifist Rickon relied on diplomacy before bloodshed. Rickon, as well as his nephew Eddard was conscripted into King Dearon Targaryen's Conquest of Dorne last year and according to Will Manderly Rickon was betrayed and killed by Eddard. Rickon sired a son named Boren and a daughter from a second union named Luna. 

Barthogan Stark, or 'Barth Blacksword' is strong, tall, aggressive, territorial man who holds to ancient northern rites, who regularly speaks words to Gaia and often proclaims he would 'never kneel to an enemy'. Ten years ago Barthogan suffered a crippling injury as a result of the Incident but that only fueled his ceaseless campaign against Rickon's side of the family as well as his leadership as Warden of the North. Not to mention Boren's rite to Lord of Winterfell. Barthogan has three adult offspring- Eddard Stark, Barthogan II, and Sansa Stark. 

Barthogan "Blacksword" Stark

Additionally, Barthogan won popularity days after the Autumn equinox when he rose up against actions of the Church of the Seven when they violated ancient guest rights. Since that time war has raged between the Starks and the Church of Seven which see themselves on a righteous crusade. Barth Blacksword has the support of House Cerwyn and House Flint of Flint's Finger while the Church boasts House Manderly and House Locke as their greatest supporters in bringing organized religion to the northern heathens. 

Eddard "the Hyena" Stark

Eddard Stark, 37 years old, is book smart but void of social graces; bombastic and prone to outbursts. He has a hyena-like laugh that earned him his nickname. He returned to Winterfell at the Autumn equinox ahead of the death carriage that carried Rickon Stark's body from Sunspear giving the Blacksword Starks time to position themselves in Winterfell leadership. 

Barthogan II "Barth the Lesser" Stark

Barthogan II, 43 years old, is his father's weapon's expert, armorer, executioner and enforcer which earned him the moniker "Barth the Lesser." Not encumbered with an abundance of intelligence, he is nonetheless adept as Winterfell's military commander during the conflict against the Church of Seven. In contrast to his scarred and unshaven exterior Barth the Lesser has an amazing singing capability. 

Sansa "the White Wolf" Stark

Sansa Stark, 29 years old, is as beautiful as she is cunning and evil. Former student of Maester Oghan she is a shadowcaster witch in the service of the Night Queen. Sansa is a manipulator and knows how to use people like pawns on a chess board. She blames Boren for the Incident that crippled her father and stole away the attentions of her mentor Maester Oghan leaving her to look elsewhere for guidance and education. 

Luna Stark

Luna Star is Boren's innocent half sister whom he has not seen since the Incident ten years ago. Since that time she has been in White Harbor in the care of her mother's family House Manderly and the clergy of the Church of Seven. It is believed Sansa Stark found Luna and intended on rescuing her from House Manderly and bring her to Winterfell. 

Luna has exchanged messages with Boren Stark: 

While in High Hermitage after receiving a message of warning from her brother: 

"I am glad you are alive. There is fighting in the North. I am in White Harbor safe with Acolytes of the Faith." Luna.  

While in Sandstone: 

"Brother, the church wants me to speak in their favor to all the Stark bannermen and persuade them to unite with the church against Winterfell." Luna. 

A few days later:

"Brother, Sansa found me in my dreams will bring me Home. Sansa says she has plans for me. Oh and meet my new owl Zelda." Luna. 


Carth Manderly

Carth is a former Faith acolyte excommunicated from the Church of Seven after receiving forbidden life saving magic from the Wood Woman. This magic saved him from certain death caused by the dustblight disease he contracted while in Dorne fighting along side Rickon Stark and supporting the King's conquest of Dorne. All who know him state he is a good man. 

He has recently reached out to Boren Stark: 

While in Vaith: 

"Your uncle has aligned with dark forces against the Faith. His hold over the Houses is tenuous. He seeks your ancestor’s Horn of Winter. It’s as if the Night’s King has returned." – Carth Manderly


Corban "Blackbar" Stark 

Maester Corban “Blackbar” Stark serves as Winterfell's chief steward and seneschal; Corban takes care of the library, the estate and household administration including the events in the Great Hall. He earned his nickname from the black staff he carries as a symbol of the office he holds. Maester Corban is mute; nevertheless it is said he often has very public disagreements with the Chamberlain. 


The Godswood at Winterfell (Earth Touchstone)


Crypts at Winterfell (Shadow Touchstone)


...and the North: 

Koryn "Pathfinder" from House Glover

Koryn ‘Pathfinder’ Glover is an intermediate ranking ranger of the frigid north from Deepwood Motte. She was one of Boren Stark's closest childhood friends. Together with Callisto and Roberd Hornwood they would range the Kingsroad hunting dire bison and other creatures. Boren has not seen her since the beginning of King Daeron's Conquest of Dorne. 


Roberd Hornwood "Knight of Ponds" 

Roberd Hornwood, the ‘Knight of Ponds’ was Winterfell's watch captain charged with supervising the house guard shifts and who communicates commands with the Stark’s bannermen in times of conflict. Roberd was one of Boren Stark's true childhood friends. Together with Koryn and Callisto they would range the Kingsroad hunting dire bison and snow cats. Boren has not seen Roberd since the beginning of King Daeron's Conquest of Dorne. 

Callisto

Callisto is an urskan, a race of intelligent tundra bears, and another one of Boren Stark's true childhood friends. Met ten years ago in the Wolfswood just prior to the Incident and Boren's awakening. Callisto seldom entered Winterfell and whenever possible would range the Kingsroad with Boren, Koryn and Roberd hunting dire bison, sinister frost folk, and snow cats. Boren has not seen Callisto since the Skagosi raids. 


Lord Solomon "Snowbeard" Umber upon his wyvern

House Umber is a dwarven House that was hit hard by the Skagosi raids along the Bay of Seals last year. Warfare with the barbarians while territory is slowly yielding to the expanding frostfell from the Wall. A phenomenon occurring for the past ten years (since the Incident). What little resources remain for House Umber are for the defense of the Last Hearth against the holy crusaders of the Church of Seven as well as opportunist scoundrels from House Bolton. 

Message received while in Sunspear after receiving a rallying call from Boren Stark: 

"Your uncle rallies Stark Banner Houses against the Church of the seven; Winterfell vs. White Harbor. Remember: 'The north falls to he who wins it.'" Lord Solomon “Snowbeard” Umber of Last Hearth. 


Dragomyr "Grimsword" Karstark

House Karstark was hit hard by the Skagosi raids along the Bay of Seals last year. What little resources remain are for the defense of Karhold against the holy crusaders of the Church of Seven as well ass opportunist scoundrels from House Bolton. 

While in Sunspear after receiving a rallying call from Boren Stark: 

"House Umber and Karstark remain loyal Banner Houses. House Cerwyn sides with your uncle. You have allies from the Mountain Clans in the Last Hearth." Lord Dragomyr “Grimsword” Karstark. 


Croll Cerwyn "the Chamberlin" 

Croll Cerwyn is Winterfell's chief officer of the Stark household who is responsible for the First Keep as well as the Great Keep. A dark humored man with a calculating mind. He also oversees the administration of Stark resources and works closely with Sansa Stark as her mentor since the death of Maester Oghan. 

1 comment:

Gordzilla said...

One Christopher Lee pic and I'm chilled to the bone