Ser Gwayne Hightower

It features dark, dragon-shaped stone architecture carved via Valyrian magic and dragonfire. * King's Landing: Founded after the Conquest, becoming the political capital. * The Red Keep: The royal castle built within King's Landing to house the Iron Throne. ##3. Cultural and Physical Characteristics Physical Appearance

• Valyrian Features: Distinctive high Valyrian traits maintained to keep the bloodline pure. Hair: Silver, silver-gold, or platinum-white. Eyes: Shades of purple, indigo, violet, lilac, or light blue. * Incestuous Marriage: Frequent brother-to-sister or cousin marriages to preserve dragon-riding traits and physical appearance. Language

• High Valyrian: The native tongue of the Targaryens. Used for command words with dragons (e.g., Dracarys for fire), intimate family communication, and formal texts. ##Valyrian Steel Swords

• Blackfyre: The sword of Aegon the Conqueror, traditionally passed down to the reigning king. * Dark Sister: A slender Valyrian steel blade designed for a woman’s hand, wielded by Visenya Targaryen, Prince Daemon Targaryen. ##Relationship with Dragons

• Blood Bond: Targaryens possessed a magical, genetic connection to dragons, allowing them to bond with and ride them. * Cradle Eggs: Tradition dictated placing a dragon egg in the cradle of newborn Targaryen children to foster an early bond. * The Dragonpit: A massive domed structure built in King's Landing to house the dragons. It restricts their growth. ##4. House Sigil and Motto

• Words/Motto: "Fire and Blood"

• Sigil: A three-headed red dragon breathing fire on a black field. The three heads represent Aegon I and his two sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya. ##5. Timeline: Before the Conquest (Century of Blood)

• Isolation Strategy: For a century after the Doom, the Targaryens stayed on Dragonstone, focusing on the Narrow Sea trade rather than Westeros. * Aegon's Ambition: Aegon I Targaryen inherited Dragonstone, carved the Painted Table (a map of Westeros without borders), and planned a unified continent. ##6. Timeline: The Conquest (2 BC – 1 AC)

• The Landing: Aegon landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush with his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya, and three dragons: Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar. ##Key Subjugations:

• Harrenhal: Burning of King Harren the Black inside his own castle by Balerion. * Field of Fire: The only battle where all three dragons fought simultaneously, destroying the joint forces of the Reach and the Westerlands. * The Kneeling King: Torrhen Stark surrendered the North without a fight to prevent bloodshed. * The Iron Throne: Forged from the melted swords of Aegon’s defeated enemies, blasted by Balerion’s breath. * Faith of the Seven: Aegon accepted the High Septon's anointment in Oldtown, cementing his legitimacy. ##7. Timeline: After the Conquest (Notable Eras)

##The Faith Militant Uprising (39 AC – 48 AC) Conflict: Religious rebellion against Targaryen incestuous practices.

• Resolution: Maegor I (The Cruel) brutally suppressed them. Jaehaerys I later negotiated peace, disbanding the holy armies in exchange for the Crown protecting the Faith. ##The Golden Age (48 AC – 103 AC)

• Reign of Jaehaerys I (The Conciliator): A 55-year period of peace, unified laws, and infrastructure building, supported by his wife, Good Queen Alysanne. * Reign of Viserys: Following Jaehaerys dead, Viserys I sits on the throne with hopes to maintain the peace his grandfather and grandmother granted the realm. ------------------------------

House Hightower: Historical and Cultural Profile (Origins to 103 AC)

1. Ancestry and Mythological Origins

• First Men Origins: House Hightower is one of the oldest dynasties in Westeros, tracing its lineage back to the Dawn Age before the arrival of the Andals. * The First King: Founded by Uthor of the High Tower, a legendary figure who commissioned the construction of the first stone tower at the mouth of the Honeywine River. * The Sea Dragon Tower: Legend states that the original fortress base (the Hightower's foundation) was built by the legendary architect Bran the Builder or derived from an unknown, ancient seafaring race due to its fused black stone architecture. ## 2. Ancestral Seat and Geography

• The Hightower: Located on Battle Island in the whispering sound. It serves as both a colossal castle and a massive lighthouse, marking the tallest structure in Westeros. * Oldtown: The oldest, largest, and wealthiest city in Westeros until the rise of King's Landing. The Hightowers rule the city directly, controlling its massive port, markets, and trade routes. * The Citadel: Founded and funded by House Hightower, serving as the headquarters of the Order of Maesters, the center of learning, science, and history for the entire continent. ## 3. Cultural Identity and Characteristics## Philosophy and Traits

• Pragmatism Over Pride: Known for prioritizing trade, knowledge, and diplomacy over martial glory. They prefer to buy or negotiate their way out of wars rather than fight them. * Physical Appearance: Typically characterized by silver-gold, blonde, or auburn hair, often associated with classical Andal or high-born features. Light eyes, green, almond gold and blue. ## Wealth and Power Base

• Trade Monopoly: Wealthier than almost any other house except the Lannisters, derived from heavy taxation of foreign shipping, trade guilds, and maritime commerce. * Military Strength: While peaceful, they command the City Watch of Oldtown and can field a massive banner army from the surrounding lands if directly threatened. ## Religious Affiliation

• Patrons of the Faith: House Hightower became the primary financial and political protectors of the Faith of the Seven after the Andal Invasion. * The Starry Sept: Located in Oldtown, it served as the seat of the High Septon and the center of the Faith for centuries. ## 4. House Sigil and Motto

• Words/Motto: "We Light the Way"

• Sigil: A stepped white tower crowned with fire on a smoke-grey field. ## 5. Timeline: Before the Conquest (Pre-Aegon I)

• The Andal Assimilation: Instead of fighting the Andal invaders, the Hightowers welcomed them, intermarried with Andal nobility, and adopted the Faith of the Seven to preserve their own power. * The Kingdom of the Reach: Realizing they could not defeat the martial power of House Gardener (Kings of the Reach), King Lymond Hightower married his daughter to King Garland Gardener II, transforming the Hightowers from independent kings into the most powerful vassals of Highgarden. ## 6. Timeline: The Conquest Era (2 BC – 1 AC)

• The Prophecy: When Aegon the Conqueror landed in Westeros, the High Septon locked himself in the Starry Sept for seven days. The Crone guided him to advise Lord Manfred Hightower against resisting the dragons. * The Submission of Oldtown: Lord Manfred opened the city gates to Aegon I without a fight. * The Anointment: Aegon was crowned and anointed King of the Seven Kingdoms by the High Septon in Oldtown, giving the Targaryen dynasty religious legitimacy in exchange for protecting Oldtown and the Faith. ## 7. Timeline: After the Conquest (Notable Eras to 103 AC)

The Faith Militant Uprising (39 AC – 48 AC)

• The Alliance: Lord Martyn Hightower’s brother, Ser Ceryse Hightower, became the first wife of Maegor I Targaryen, though she failed to produce an heir. * The High Septon's Death: Martyn Hightower protected the High Septon who opposed Targaryen incest. When that High Septon died mysteriously, Lord Martyn forced the immediate election of a more passive High Septon, preventing Maegor from burning Oldtown with his dragon Balerion. ## The Reign of Jaehaerys I (48 AC – 103 AC)

• Integration into Court: The Hightowers fully reconciled with the Crown during this golden era, positioning themselves within the royal administration. * The Rise of Ser Otto: In 101 AC, Ser Otto Hightower, a younger son of Lord Hightower renowned for his immense intellect and political cunning, was appointed Hand of the King by an aging Jaehaerys I. * The Regency of Otto: As Jaehaerys I's health failed prior to his death in 103 AC, Ser Otto effectively ruled the Seven Kingdoms as Hand, bringing his family, including his young daughter Alicent Hightower, to court in King's Landing. ------------------------------

THE RELIGIONS OF WESTEROS

Religion in Westeros is deeply institutionalized and tied to governance, geography, and legal structures. ## The Faith of the Seven (The New Gods)

• Geography and Influence: The dominant religion across the southern seven kingdoms of Westeros, including the Reach, the Westerlands, and the Crownlands. Sediated in Oldtown, it is the bedrock of Gwayne Hightower’s upbringing and the moral code behind the institution of knighthood. * Theology: It is a monotheistic religion centered on a single deity with seven distinct aspects or faces, each representing a different part of human life. Believers pray to specific aspects depending on their needs:

• The Father: Represents justice, judgment, and rule. * The Mother: Represents mercy, fertility, and peace. * The Warrior: Represents courage in battle and physical strength. * The Smith: Represents labor, creation, and craftsmanship. * The Maid: Represents innocence, purity, and beauty. * The Crone: Represents wisdom, guidance, and foresight. * The Stranger: Represents death and the unknown. * Institutions: Led by the High Septon and a council of Most Devout based in the Starry Sept of Oldtown. The holy text is "The Seven-Pointed Star." It heavily regulates the laws of marriage, outlaws incest and polygamy (which causes ongoing friction with House Targaryen), and sets the moral standard for highborn courtly life. ## The Old Gods of the Forest

• Geography and Influence: The dominant faith in the North, practiced almost exclusively by House Stark and their banners, as well as a few isolated southern pockets like House Blackwood in the Riverlands. * Theology: An ancient, animistic faith inherited from the Children of the Forest. There are no churches, priests, or holy books. Instead, followers worship the nameless, faceless spirits of nature, trees, stones, and rivers. * Worship and Sacred Spaces: Worship centers around Godswoods, isolated groves of ancient trees found inside castles. The focal point is the Weirwood, a sacred tree with bone-white bark, blood-red leaves, and faces carved into the trunk. Oaths taken before a heart tree are considered absolutely unbreakable, as the old gods are believed to watch through the carved eyes. ## The Drowned God (The Iron Islands)

• Geography and Influence: Practiced exclusively by the Ironborn on the grim islands off the western coast of Westeros. * Theology: A harsh, militaristic faith that justifies the Ironborn culture of reiving, raiding, and pirating. The Drowned God is believed to dwell beneath the sea, locked in eternal conflict with the Storm God, who rules the skies. * Customs and Rituals: The faith values the "Iron Price" (taking goods and land by force and blood) over the "Gold Price" (buying things with coin). Clerics, known as Drowned Men, perform baptisms by literally drowning initiates in seawater until they stop breathing, then resuscitating them. Their core tenet is: "What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger."

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THE RELIGIONS OF ESSOS

Unlike the organized structure of Westeros, Essos is a vast marketplace of competing faiths, local cults, and ancient mystic traditions. ## R'hllor, The Lord of Light (The Red Faith)

• Geography and Influence: Originating from the shadow lands of the far east, it is growing rapidly across the Free Cities, maintaining massive temple fortresses in Volantis, Lys, and Selhorys. It is highly popular among slaves and the lower classes due to its message of liberation, but it is viewed with intense suspicion in Westeros. * Theology: A strictly dualistic faith that sees the world as a battlefield between two absolute forces: R'hllor (the God of Light, Fire, and Shadow) and the Great Other (the God of Ice, Darkness, and Death). * Practices and Magic: Led by Red Priests and Priestesses who dress in crimson silk and robes. Worship revolves around large night-fires, where followers chant and offer sacrifices to drive back the darkness. Red Priests are known to look into flames to see prophetic visions of the future, and the faith heavily emphasizes the prophecy of a chosen savior, Azor Ahai. ## The Many-Faced God (Braavos)

• Geography and Influence: Sediated in the Free City of Braavos, housed within the monochrome temple known as the House of Black and White. * Theology: Founded by the first Faceless Men within the slave mines of ancient Valyria. The core belief is that all the death deities of the world’s various religions (such as the Stranger in the Faith of the Seven, or the Lion of Night in Yi Ti) are simply different faces of a single god: Death. * Practices: The faith treats death not as a curse or a punishment, but as a merciful gift to end human suffering. The temple serves both as a sanctuary where the terminally ill can come to drink a poisoned pool of water for a peaceful death, and as the hidden headquarters for the most elite, shapeshifting guild of assassins in the known world. ## The Bearded Priests of Norvos

• Geography and Influence: The absolute ruling authority of the inland Free City of Norvos. * Theology: A highly secretive, monastic faith. Only the initiated priests are allowed to know the true name of their deity or the deeper mysteries of the faith. The common citizens are kept in a state of strict religious obedience. * Lifestyle and Customs: The priests are known for their long, uncut beards and their practice of ritual flagellation. The city’s daily life is completely regulated by the ringing of three massive, holy bells named Noom, Narrah, and Nyne, which dictate when the population must pray, sleep, and work. ## The Great Shepherd (The Lhazareen)

• Geography and Influence: Practiced by the peaceful, pastoral Lhazareen people who inhabit the hills north of the Red Waste in central Essos. * Theology: A gentle faith centered around a deity who protects the flocks and herds of the earth. It emphasizes healing, community, and the belief that all men are part of a single flock. To a knight like Gwayne, it appears incredibly weak, as it strictly forbids violence, leaving the Lhazareen as constant targets for Dothraki slave raids. ------------------------------ In the year 103 AC, which marks the beginning of King Viserys I Targaryen's reign, the world is at the dawn of the peak dragon population in Westeros. The legendary Balerion the Black Dread passed away of old age not long ago (in 94 AC). However, there are 10 named and confirmed dragons alive on the island of Dragonstone and within the Dragonpit of King's Landing. ------------------------------

DRAGONS WITH ACTIVE RIDERS (103 AC)

• Caraxes (The Blood Wyrm)
• Rider: Prince Daemon Targaryen. * Status: A formidable, large, agile, and extremely aggressive dragon. He possesses blood-red scales and an elongated neck and body. In 103 AC, he is the crown's most active tool of military intimidation under the wings of the Rogue Prince. * Meleys (The Red Queen)
• Rider: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was). * Status: A female dragon with scarlet scales and pinkish-wheat wing membranes. In 103 AC, she is recognized as one of the swiftest and deadliest dragons in Westeros. Meleys has already grown to an imposing size, having previously belonged to the late Princess Alyssa (the mother of Viserys and Daemon). * Syrax
• Rider: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. * Status: A young, agile female dragon with bright yellow-gold scales. She hatched around 95 AC and was claimed by Rhaenyra. In 103 AC, Rhaenyra is only 6 years old, meaning Syrax is still growing within the royal pits and rarely takes long flights, though her bond with the young princess is already sealed. * Seasmoke
• Rider: Ser Laenor Velaryon. * Status: A young, pale silver-grey dragon, highly agile and very fast in the air. He hatched around the same time as Syrax (circa 95 AC) and resides mostly at Driftmark under the command of the young heir to House Velaryon. ------------------------------

RIDERLESS DRAGONS (103 AC)

• Vhagar
• Previous Rider: Prince Baelon Targaryen (Passed away in 101 AC). * Status: The sole survivor of the three original dragons from Aegon's Conquest. Vhagar is a colossal female with bronze and deep green scales, and in 103 AC, she is the largest living dragon in the world. She resides on Dragonstone, resting and awaiting a new rider brave enough to claim her. * Vermithor (The Bronze Fury)
• Previous Rider: King Jaehaerys I Targaryen (Passed away earlier this year, 103 AC). * Status: A massive male dragon with bronze scales and tan-brown wings. He is the second-largest living dragon, surpassed only by Vhagar. Following the death of the Old King, Vermithor returned to the volcanic caverns of Dragonstone, remaining free, deeply territorial, and highly dangerous. * Silverwing
• Previous Rider: Queen Alysanne Targaryen (Passed away in 100 AC). * Status: A relatively docile female dragon with brilliant silvery scales. She spent decades flying alongside Vermithor and, much like him, has been riderless on Dragonstone since the death of the Good Queen. * Dreamfyre
• Previous Rider: Princess Rhaena Targaryen (Passed away in 73 AC). * Status: A slender, pale-blue female dragon with silver markings, renowned for being one of the greatest egg-layers in the history of the dynasty. She has been riderless for thirty years, dwelling in the dark depths of the Dragonpit in King's Landing. ------------------------------

WILD DRAGONS (NEVER CLAIMED)

These three dragons live entirely free on the volcanic slopes of Dragonstone and will attack any human or animal that encroaches upon their territory:

• The Cannibal: The largest, oldest, and most dangerous of the wild dragons. His scales are coal-black and his eyes glow with a menacing emerald-green hue. He earned his name because he routinely hunts and feeds on the carcasses, hatchlings, and eggs of other dragons. * Sheepstealer: A skinny, mud-brown dragon. He is not naturally aggressive toward humans, preferring instead to focus his attacks on the sheep flocks of the local smallfolk. * Grey Ghost: A skittish, mist-grey dragon whose coloration helps him camouflage against volcanic smoke and sea fog. He actively avoids contact with humans and other dragons, feeding primarily on fish he hunts from the ocean's surface. ------------------------------

The year 103 AC is a time of profound transition in Westeros. It marks the death of the Old King, Jaehaerys I, and the ascension of his grandson, Viserys I, to the Iron Throne, signaling the dawn of a new era rife with veiled tensions. ## The Royal Family (House Targaryen)

• King Viserys I Targaryen: Newly crowned at 26 years old after being chosen at the Great Council of 101 AC. He is a man of a peaceful, generous disposition, eager to please everyone. While he desires to maintain the stability of the realm inherited from his grandfather, his aversion to conflict often leads him to ignore the growing ambitions around him. * Queen Aemma Arryn: Viserys's consort, who is currently pregnant and under constant pressure to deliver a male heir to secure the king's succession. In 103 AC, her only living child is the young Rhaenyra. * Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen: Just 6 years old in 103 AC, she is the king's only child. Doted on by her father and beloved by the court, she is already starting to be called "The Realm's Delight," though she is still far from imagining the fierce political disputes that will surround her future. * Prince Daemon Targaryen: Viserys's younger brother. Audacious, dangerous, and fiercely ambitious, Daemon is a formidable warrior who wields the Valyrian steel blade Dark Sister. In 103 AC, he serves as the Commander of the City Watch (the Gold Cloaks), transforming the guards into a disciplined force fiercely loyal to him, making him a constant thorn in the side of the Small Council. ## The Hightower Faction (The Beacon of Oldtown)

• Ser Otto Hightower: The Hand of the King. He previously served the Old King Jaehaerys in his final years and was retained in the post by Viserys. Otto is a man of brilliant intellect—cold, calculating, and deeply focused on elevating the status of his own house. He views Prince Daemon as the greatest threat to the realm (and his own plans) and seeks to neutralize the Targaryens from within. * Alicent Hightower: The 15-year-old daughter of Ser Otto. In 103 AC, she spends most of her time in the Red Keep, having served as a companion and caretaker to the late King Jaehaerys before his passing, and is now beginning to navigate Viserys's new court with grace and intelligence. * Ser Gwayne Hightower: The 20-year-old son of Ser Otto. A disciplined knight, officer of the castle guard, and silent protector of his sister Alicent. ## Other Great Powers of Westeros

• Lord Corlys Velaryon ("The Sea Snake"): The wealthiest man in Westeros and Lord of the Tides. His massive fleet dominates the seas, and his power rivals that of the crown. Corlys still harbors deep resentment over the Great Council of 101 AC, where the succession rights of his wife and son were passed over in favor of Viserys. * Princess Rhaenys Targaryen ("The Queen Who Never Was"): Wife of Corlys Velaryon and rider of the dragon Meleys. A proud and fierce woman who, by right of primogeniture, should have inherited the Iron Throne, but was rejected by the lords of the realm solely because of her gender. ------------------------------ Wedding. The period preceding a high nobility wedding in Westeros functions as a massive diplomatic, political, and bureaucratic machine. Between the official announcement and the altar, several moons (months) usually pass—a duration filled with strict rituals of appearance, financial negotiations, and grand celebrations meant to test the strength of the new alliance before the eyes of the realm. The most important general customs and preparations during this time include:

1. The Negotiation of Marriage Contracts

A wedding only moves forward once the maesters and lords of both Houses have thoroughly debated and signed an exhaustive legal contract. This document explicitly defines:

• The Dowry: The amount of gold, lands, livestock, or ships that the bride's family will pay to the groom's family. * The Dower: The specific assets, castles, or income that the groom guarantees to the bride in the event of his untimely death, ensuring her financial security as a widow. * Succession and Names: Crucial clauses determining how titles, inheritances, and lands will be passed down to future children, especially when merging two highly influential lineages. ## 2. The Exchange of Betrothal Gifts To seal the agreement and display financial dominance, the families exchange extravagant gifts throughout the engagement period. * The groom typically sends the bride rare jewelry, fine textiles imported from the Free Cities (such as silk from Lys or velvet from Pentos), or purebred hunting animals pelt. * These gifts are often displayed publicly at court to showcase the groom’s generosity and the immense value he places upon his future wife. ## 3. The Betrothal Tourney Grand noble weddings almost always require the hosting of a tourney prior to the wedding, funded either by the host family or the Crown. * The Bride's Favor: The groom is obligated to compete in the tournament while wearing his betrothed's "favor" (usually a ribbon, scarf, or detached sleeve displaying her house colors) fastened to his helm, lance, or shield. * Display of Might: Knights from both houses compete against one another in jousts and melees. The groom's performance is heavily scrutinized; unhorsing in the very first round is viewed as a terrible omen and a political embarrassment. ## 4. Courtesy Courts and Private Banquets In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, the betrothed couple must attend smaller, more intimate dinners and receptions with close relatives from both sides. * These events are designed to familiarize the bride and groom with each other’s internal family dynamics and to present a flawless front of harmony to political allies and rival spies alike. * The women of the family often organize private gatherings with the bride to advise her on her upcoming marital duties and the governance of her new household. ## 5. Fasting and Spiritual Preparation In the days immediately preceding the wedding, religious customs (particularly within the Faith of the Seven) demand a period of quiet introspection. * The bride and groom usually visit the Sept independently to confess their sins to the septons and septas. * It is common practice to perform prayers and fasts dedicated to the Father (for the husband's justice and wisdom) and the Mother (for the wife's fertility and compassion) before they finally walk down the aisle. ------------------------------

Weddings among the nobility of Westeros are deeply political, religious events filled with ancient traditions that vary depending on the culture of the Great Houses. In the context of King's Landing in the year 103 AC, noble customs blend the rigidity of the Faith of the Seven with the opulence of royalty. Here are the primary traditions and rituals of a noble Westerosi wedding:

1. Wedding Garments and Colors

The bride and groom's attire carries crucial political symbolism, focused entirely on the transition of the bride's loyalty:

• The Maiden’s Cloak: The bride enters the sept wearing a heavy cloak displaying the colors and sigil of her birth family (in a Targaryen princess case, the red and black featuring the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen). * The Bride’s Cloak (Protection Cloak): The groom carries a cloak displaying the colors and sigil of his own house (Gwayne would carry the olive-green with the silver lighthouse of the Hightowers). ## 2. The Ceremony in the Sept (Andal Customs) Since the nobility of King's Landing and House Hightower follow the Faith of the Seven, the wedding takes place inside a grand Sept:

• The Altar of the Father and the Mother: The bride and groom stand between the statues of the Father (representing judgment and justice) and the Mother (representing fertility and love). * The Seven Vows: The High Septon or a high-ranking septon conducts the ceremony. The couple sings or recites vows that invoke the seven faces of the deity. * The Exchange of Cloaks (The Climax of the Ritual): In a solemn moment, the bride's father (or the King, acting as the head of Targaryen house) removes the maiden’s cloak from her shoulders. Then, the groom steps forward and places his own cloak of protection over her shoulders. This act formally symbolizes that she is leaving her old house to come under the protection and name of her husband. ## 3. The Wedding Feast Following the religious ceremony, the court gathers for a massive display of wealth:

• Extravagant Dishes: Dozens of exotic courses are served (pigeon pies, roasted wild boars, wines from the Arbor and Dorne) to demonstrate the financial might of both families. * The First Dance: The newlyweds open the floor. In the high nobility, the dance is meticulously choreographed so the court can observe the chemistry, elegance, and political posture of the new couple. ## 4. The Bedding Ritual This is the most invasive and ancient tradition in Westeros, designed to ensure the marriage is legally consummated:

• The Carry-Away: At the end of the feast, the King or the guests give the signal. The women of the court surround the groom, and the men surround the bride. * The Walk to the Chamber: Guests forcibly strip the bride and groom while carrying them on their shoulders toward the bridal chambers, shouting loud, ribald jokes (a tradition meant to ward off bad luck and celebrate fertility). * The Consummation: The newlyweds are locked alone inside the bridal chamber. For the nobility, a marriage is only considered indissoluble and legally valid after physical consummation. ## The Culture Clash for a Targaryen and Gwayne For the specific marriage of Gwayne Hightower and a Targaryen, these customs generate unique tensions:

• Valyrian Tradition vs. The Faith of the Seven: The Targaryens historically prefer incestuous marriages or Valyrian blood rituals. * The Dragon's Cloak: Seeing a Targaryen "covered" and theoretically subjugated by the green cloak of the Hightowers will be a massive, politically heavy spectacle for the court to witness. ------------------------------

1. The Announcement and the Betrothal Period

The announcement of a royal betrothal sets a complex political and social machinery into motion, testing the patience of any bride. * The Announcement Feast: The king summons the court for a grand feast in the Great Hall of the royal fortress. The bride and groom are formally presented as betrothed. By protocol, they must share the main table, drink from the same goblet, and open the night's formal dancing. * The Tailoring of the Trousseau: Seamstresses from the capital and weavers brought from the groom’s ancestral lands compete for space in the princess's chambers. As a royal bride marrying into a powerful noble house, her attire must balance the traditional colors of her dynasty with the fine fabrics favored by the regional court. Dozens of dresses will be crafted for the festivities leading up to the wedding. * The Procession of Dismissed Suitors: Lords and heirs from across the realm who once dreamed of the princess’s hand arrive at the capital to present their respects and betrothal gifts, requiring her to formally receive them in the throne room or audience chambers. ## 2. The Wedding Eve: Purification and Farewell In the 24 hours preceding the vows, religious and traditional protocols take absolute control over the princess's routine. * The Bath of Herbs and Oils: The bride is assisted by her handmaidens and high-ranking septas of the Faith. She undergoes a ritualistic purification bath with scented oils brought from southern regions, symbolizing the transition from maiden to wife. * The Ritual Fast: Depending on the strictness of the royal septas, both the bride and groom must fast from midnight until the ceremony takes place the following day, focusing their minds on the sacred duties of marriage. * The Last Night as a Maiden: The princess spends the night locked in her private quarters within the royal holdfast. She is strictly forbidden from seeing her betrothed until the sept doors open. ## 3. The Day of the Ceremony: The Wedding in the Sept Weddings of the high nobility in the capital take place within the castle's royal sept. * The Maiden’s Cloak: The most crucial detail of the bride's attire. She enters the sept wearing the Maiden’s Cloak embroidered with the colors and sigil of her biological house. The fabric is typically heavy eastern silk, adorned with jewels from her travels. * The Bridal Procession: The princess walks down the nave of the sept flanked by royal guards. If her father is deceased, the reigning king himself guides her by the arm to the altar, where the groom awaits alongside a high-ranking member of the clergy. * The Exchange of Cloaks (The Vow): Before the altars of the deities, the vows are recited. The climax occurs when the king removes the royal cloak from the princess's shoulders, and the groom replaces it with the Cloak of Protection, featuring the colors and sigil of his own house. This formally symbolizes that she is now under her husband's protection and jurisdiction. * The Kiss and Union: The septon declares them "one flesh, one heart, one soul," sealing the union with a formal kiss before the assembled nobility of the realm. ## 4. The Festivities: The Feast and the Tourney The immediate post-ceremony is marked by a lavish display of royal power and the breaking of religious tension. * The Grand Feast: Held in the outer courtyard or the royal hall. Dozens of dishes are served, featuring roasted game and choice wines. The newlyweds sit side by side, enduring hours of sweeping toasts, bards singing of fertility, and ribald jokes from the court. * The Bedding Ceremony: The most invasive tradition in Westerosi culture. At the end of the feast, men of the court surround the bride, lifting her from her seat to carry her toward the bridal chambers, ritualistically stripping away her garments along the way while making bawdy jokes. The women of the court do the same to the groom. The couple is then locked in the chamber together to legally consummate the marriage. * The Wedding Tourney: In the days following the wedding, a grand tournament is held in honor of the newlyweds. The groom is obligated to ride in the jousts bearing the princess's favor (a ribbon of silk in her personal colors) on his lance. As the honored princess, she watches from the royal box, crowning the champion at the conclusion. ## 5. Post-Wedding: Political and Dynastic Duties Once married, the princess’s life changes drastically regarding her formal obligations. * Official Progress to the Groom's Seat: The couple must undertake a formal progress to the ancestral seat of the husband's house. The princess will be formally presented to the ruling lord, the household, and the regional vassals, serving as her official introduction to the traditional culture of her husband's homeland. * Accommodation of Chambers: As a high-ranking royal married to a prominent officer of the crown, they receive newly assigned, luxurious joint chambers in the royal castle, merging the aesthetics and heraldry of both houses. * Succession Expectations: The greatest pressure following the ceremony is the generation of heirs. The court and the groom's ambitious family will closely monitor the princess for any signs of pregnancy, aiming to secure the royal bloodline firmly within the husband's lineage. ------------------------------ In the year 103 AC (After Conquest), the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros are experiencing a golden age of peace and prosperity under the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, who passes away late this year, and the succession of King Viserys I Targaryen. ## The Political Landscape and Great Houses Westeros in 103 AC is united under the Iron Throne, characterized by relative stability following the Great Council of 101 AC, which settled the royal succession. * House Targaryen: The royal house rules from King's Landing. King Jaehaerys I, "The Old King," dies after 55 years of stable rule. King Viserys I ascends the throne, inheriting a peaceful kingdom and a treasury full of gold. Dragons are at the peak of their power, cementing Targaryen absolute authority. * House Stark: The Wardens of the North rule from Winterfell. They remain isolated and culturally distinct, focusing on preparing their vast territory for the harsh northern winters. * House Lannister: The Lords of Casterly Rock control the wealthy Westerlands. Their gold mines make them crucial financial backers of the crown and highly influential in court politics. * House Arryn: Ruling the Vale from the Eyrie, they are closely tied to the crown. Aemma Arryn is married to the new King, Viserys I, making her the Queen Consort of Westeros. * House Tully: The Lords of Riverrun oversee the Riverlands, a fertile but geopolitically vulnerable region that relies heavily on royal peace to avoid conflict. * House Baratheon: Ruling the Stormlands from Storm's End, they are fiercely loyal to the Iron Throne and frequently serve as military enforcement for the crown. * House Tyrell: The Wardens of the South govern the Reach from Highgarden, managing the agricultural heartland and the most populous region of the realm. * House Greyjoy: The Ironborn rule the Iron Islands from Pyke. Under royal peace, their traditional reiving and raiding practices are strictly forbidden, causing internal tension. * House Martell: Dorne remains an independent principality. They are not part of the Seven Kingdoms in 103 AC, maintaining their own laws and resisting Targaryen rule. ## Political and Diplomatic Relations The year 103 AC is a time of high court intrigue rather than open warfare. * The Great Council Legacy: The decision of 101 AC favored Viserys over Rhaenys Targaryen, establishing a precedent that male lines take precedence over female lines for the succession. * Internal Rivalries: Bitter rivalries begin to take root at court. Prince Daemon Targaryen, the King's ambitious brother, frequently clashes with Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King. * The Triarchy Threat: Across the Narrow Sea, the alliance of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh (The Triarchy) conquers the Stepstones, creating trade tensions that will later impact Westerosi shipping lanes. ## Religion and Culture Faith shapes the daily life, laws, and cultural practices of the different regions. * The Faith of the Seven: This is the dominant religion in the southern kingdoms (The Reach, Westerlands, Vale, Stormlands, Riverlands, and Crownlands). It is governed by the High Septon from Oldtown. Jaehaerys I successfully reconciled the crown with the Faith through the Doctrine of Exceptionalism, which allows Targaryens to practice incestuous marriage without religious condemnation. * The Old Gods: The faceless gods of nature are worshipped almost exclusively in the North. The religion centers around heart trees (Weirwoods) and ancient First Men traditions. * The Drowned God: The local religion of the Iron Islands. It revolves around baptism by seawater and justifies the cultural identity of seafaring and raiding. ## The Kingsguard in 103 AC The Kingsguard consists of seven elite knights sworn for life to protect the King and the royal family. They renounce lands, titles, and the right to marry or father children. * Leadership: In 103 AC, the Lord Commander is Ser Ryam Redwyne, legendary for his prowess in tournaments, though less effective as a political administrator. * Key Members: The order includes formidable knights such as Ser Harrold Westerling and Ser Criston Cole, who arrives in King's Landing around this era and quickly gains renown for his martial skill. Symmetrical face with a jawline that has recently matured. Clear, expressive blue eyes. Light coppery-brown hair cut above the shoulders, following the military fashion of the Reach. Fair skin, showing slight sun markings and tough calluses on his palms from rigorous sword training. Body: Athletic, lean, and strong. Broad shoulders and back muscles developed by the constant weight of plate armor and heavy jousting lances during his teenage years as a squire. Impeccably straight posture, reflecting a strict Andal courtly upbringing. Profession: Anointed Knight and Officer of the Hightower Guard in King's Landing Financial