Prologue: The Land of Our Fathers
“Some contracts are writ in ink, and some in blood.”
When does a place stop being home?
For some, home is forgotten as soon as they leave it, abandoned along with the rest of the detritus of the past. Others spend their entire lives pining for that which they've left behind. Maybe, then, it's not a matter of time but of balance. The heart will not let go of home until it has found something to replace it.
A hundred years ago, after Daemon Blackfyre was slain at the battle of Redgrass Field, bringing his brief war for the throne to an end. In the aftermath Daemon's brother Aegor, whom men called “Bittersteel,” led the survivors into exile across the Narrow Sea. There he founded the group of sell-swords known as the Golden Company to preserve what strength remained and husband it for the future.
Blackfyre's legacy lived on in his heirs, and in the heirs of his supporters. Time and again they tried to seize back what they'd lost and time and again they failed, thwarted by their kindred who sat on the Iron Throne. The most recent attempt was the War of the Ninepenny Kings, which ended when Maelys the Monstrous, last of the Blackfyres, was slain in combat by Barristan Selmy. So the line of pretenders ended and with it, seemingly, the purpose for the Golden Company's existence. But while death is end of life, it is not always the end of ambition.
For a hundred years the Golden Company has fought it was back and forth across Essos, building it's reputation, until today it is known as the largest, most famous, and most expensive mercenary company in the world. Their legendary discipline is matched only by their surprising integrity (of a sort), for it is said that alone among sell-swords the Golden Company has never broken a contract.
Until now.
All throughout the long years the men of the Company have remained exiles at heart, never settling down, never taking a place to call their own. Perhaps that is why even generations later it's members look towards Westeros, the land of their fathers, with longing. But times have changed. The Dragons who forced them into exile are gone and the Seven Kingdoms convulse in war. There is opportunity, now, for those bold enough to seize it. Maybe the long years of exile are finally drawing to a close. Maybe the son can succeed where his sires failed. Maybe a Targaryen can do what a Blackfyre could not. Either way, they've decided to take the risk. The ships have already set sail.
The Golden Company is going home.
-------------------------------------------------
Hello, and welcome to my AAR! I will be playing as Aegon of Essos in the Feast for Crows scenario, part of the excellent Game of Thrones mod. I am playing on version 4.6.
My goals are simple: to restore the true king of Westeros, Aegon Targaryen, to his rightful place. From there, if successful, I will try and re-unite the Seven Kingdoms under the Iron throne. This will be primarily a narrative AAR, though I may include some pieces of gameplay on occasion if the mood takes me. Updates will be slow, as I am both somewhat busy and hardly a prolific writer. However, if you can put up my slow pacing and mediocre quality, then please enjoy!
Spoilers for A Song of Ice and Fire, while not heavy, will certainly be present - an unavoidable condition of this particular scenario. Standard warnings apply for anyone who has not read through Dance with Dragons.
“Some contracts are writ in ink, and some in blood.”
When does a place stop being home?
For some, home is forgotten as soon as they leave it, abandoned along with the rest of the detritus of the past. Others spend their entire lives pining for that which they've left behind. Maybe, then, it's not a matter of time but of balance. The heart will not let go of home until it has found something to replace it.
A hundred years ago, after Daemon Blackfyre was slain at the battle of Redgrass Field, bringing his brief war for the throne to an end. In the aftermath Daemon's brother Aegor, whom men called “Bittersteel,” led the survivors into exile across the Narrow Sea. There he founded the group of sell-swords known as the Golden Company to preserve what strength remained and husband it for the future.
Blackfyre's legacy lived on in his heirs, and in the heirs of his supporters. Time and again they tried to seize back what they'd lost and time and again they failed, thwarted by their kindred who sat on the Iron Throne. The most recent attempt was the War of the Ninepenny Kings, which ended when Maelys the Monstrous, last of the Blackfyres, was slain in combat by Barristan Selmy. So the line of pretenders ended and with it, seemingly, the purpose for the Golden Company's existence. But while death is end of life, it is not always the end of ambition.
For a hundred years the Golden Company has fought it was back and forth across Essos, building it's reputation, until today it is known as the largest, most famous, and most expensive mercenary company in the world. Their legendary discipline is matched only by their surprising integrity (of a sort), for it is said that alone among sell-swords the Golden Company has never broken a contract.
Until now.
All throughout the long years the men of the Company have remained exiles at heart, never settling down, never taking a place to call their own. Perhaps that is why even generations later it's members look towards Westeros, the land of their fathers, with longing. But times have changed. The Dragons who forced them into exile are gone and the Seven Kingdoms convulse in war. There is opportunity, now, for those bold enough to seize it. Maybe the long years of exile are finally drawing to a close. Maybe the son can succeed where his sires failed. Maybe a Targaryen can do what a Blackfyre could not. Either way, they've decided to take the risk. The ships have already set sail.
The Golden Company is going home.
-------------------------------------------------
Hello, and welcome to my AAR! I will be playing as Aegon of Essos in the Feast for Crows scenario, part of the excellent Game of Thrones mod. I am playing on version 4.6.
My goals are simple: to restore the true king of Westeros, Aegon Targaryen, to his rightful place. From there, if successful, I will try and re-unite the Seven Kingdoms under the Iron throne. This will be primarily a narrative AAR, though I may include some pieces of gameplay on occasion if the mood takes me. Updates will be slow, as I am both somewhat busy and hardly a prolific writer. However, if you can put up my slow pacing and mediocre quality, then please enjoy!
Spoilers for A Song of Ice and Fire, while not heavy, will certainly be present - an unavoidable condition of this particular scenario. Standard warnings apply for anyone who has not read through Dance with Dragons.
Last edited: