A Rising Star (A Game of Thrones AAR)

Thanks for the positive feedback guys!

Dr Pearceson said:

Interesting and good story you've got here. Always liked the Daynes, although i prefer to kill them at the ToJ as Reed or Dustin or Stark.

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Haha, I did aswell before I started rooting hardcore for Dorne after reading AFFC and ADWD.

The latest update is the first one where you can see how Edric turned out stat wise. I dare say it's crazily good. I have improved a few point after becoming of age, mainly the extra martial added from being appointed master at arms and I also got extra martial from other events. I think it was the hunting for feast one if I recall correct. As you can see, he's really rubbish on anything except martial and stewardship. He might be a tad to easy to assassinate but from my experience the AI generally doesnt do that too much against the player unless you misbehaved yourself. I admit it's a bit of a short update but I got another one lined up I'll post later tonight if I can find the time to read through it to eliminate any major mistakes.

Part 2

King Tommen had not assumed his kingly responsibilities when he came of age but kept indulging himself in his personal pleasures. He was well known to have a great liking for food and had thus earned himself the nickname “the Fat”. The nickname did describe his body composition quite well too. It did not surprise me that Cersei was thus still in power. I had been waiting for four hours in the throne room when Ser Meryn Trant appeared. "The Queen Regent awaits you in her solar, if you would follow me." he said. I was escorted up a pair of stairs and through a long hallway. Outside a stout oaken door a huge knight with a white cloak stood guard. He opened the door and I walked through. Queen Cersei was sitting in the room next to her brother, Ser Jaime. The Kingslayer. I went up towards her and did a short bow. A small mark of dissatisfaction could be seen on her face but it disappeared as quickly. I will not give her the satisfaction of seeing me kneel. "We've been expecting you." she said. "Our swords are yours to command. If there's if any pocket of resistance left after Stannis I would be honored to take battle command of joint forces and put it to an end." I replied. "You dare suggest to me that Dorne would lead any offensive after you've been hiding in your deserts for the entire war!" she burst out in anger. "I'm sure our young Dayne meant no offense by his suggestion" Ser Jaime said. "The Dornishmen will march, but you will not march against Stannis. You and Mace Tyrell will be marching towards the Stormlands under my own command." I had not expected this. Arianne had not granted me any specifics as to how our "betrayal" would be concluded. I assumed I would have to improvise. "As you command, my lord." I said and turned around exiting the chamber.

I was escorted back to the Throne Room by Ser Meryn where my two guards awaited. On our way to the gate a small party of 4 gold cloaks came before us. "Whom of you is Lord Edric Dayne?" a man broad of shoulder said. "I have that honor. On whose business do you ask?" I replied. "The Queen Regent has decreed that you are to be arrested for high treason. Surrender and your blood need not be spilled today." How could they know?! There was noone else... I unrattled my longsword just in time to fend off the a spear thrust directed toward my torso. I grabbed the spear and pulled it getting the guard off balance. A quick slash and his throat was open. I turned toward the next, dodged his spear and thrusted my longsword into his belly, and twisted. Two down, two to go. I drew out my longsword leaving the man sinking toward the ground. That's when I felt an impact across my back followed by pain. I turned around just in time to dodge a slash that would have separated my head from neck. My own guardsmen had turned on me! I threw myself to the side barely avoiding a clash of steel from both sides that would have finished me off. I guess we're back to four then. They would not expect me to initiate an attack so that's just what I did. I came quickly upon my two old guardsmen staggering the first with a plated fist to his belly which left me just enough time to end the other with a downcut connecting and sinking deep into his shoulder. I grabbed his sword from him and blocked a downcut from the other man while simultaneously slashing towards his body opening his belly up. A guardsman came charging in with his spear. I casually sidestepped avoiding it and drew my pommel straight into his unprotected face creating a bloody mess of it. The last guardsman made a feeble attempt at a thrust, I catched the spear. Closed in on him and kicked his feet out from under him which made him lose his balance and fall flat on his back. I threw the guards sword away and drew mine straight through him while he was lying on the ground trying to catch his breath.

Part 3

I watched the scene I had created, six dead men lying on the ground. I heard a voice just behind me and spun around. "My Lord, I do not think I need to point out the situation you are in. If you would come with me I will help you." a plump man goldcloak said. "And why should I trust you, your associates just tried to arrest me. Who is to say you would not deliver me straight into the paws of Cersei?" I said. "Appearances are not always what they seem. Yet it seems to me you have little choice unless you intend to single handedly fight your way out through two thousand gold cloaks and the strength of both Dorne and Highgarden." he replied. I guess he is right. I do have little choice if I hold my life dear. I followed the man over the empty courtyard into one of the buildings surrounding it. He led me down a stair into a damp cellar which was used for storing wine. He led me between two casks and pushed on a place in the wall behind them. A path appeared as out of nowhere. I followed him inside. It was dark but my eyes managed to adjust after a time. “You probably wonder why you were to be arrested, my lord.” He said. “I know why I was arrested… the question I would ask is how they knew.” I said. “Unlike the late Lord Stark you are asking the right questions.” He said “Oh, secrets are often heard by ears they are not meant for. In this case your beloved Arianne might not be as sweet or kind as she has led you to believe.” The man giggled. “What are you implying?!” “I’m not implying anything, I’m only relaying to you the information my little birds have been feeding to me, information about a raven arriving from Sunspear a fortnight ago.” He said with a calm voice. “Arianne would never betray me, she loves me and I her!” “It seems I might have overestimated your wits, my lord. As with Lord Stark, all evidence is laid right infront of you yet you refuse to see any of it.” Could it really be? The man was right. There could be no other explanation. I have been such a fool…

The journey through the secret passage took hours and it seemed like an endless labyrinth of cellars. When we finally emerged it was on the far side of the Blackwater behind a cliff just like any other in the area. A single horse stood waiting. "Our ways part here, I'm sure we'll see each other again. Send the young Prince my regards and tell him he still has allies within Kings Landing." He said. "I will... and thank you. Might I know your name?" I said. But he was already gone.



I rode as hard as I ever had and in a matter of days I sighted Starfall in the distance. My own bannermen would not have heard of my "treason" yet so I had to act quickly. I sent out ravens to all of them instructing them to gather all the men they could muster and ride for Starfall. It did not take long until I had a rather large host assembled. It was of course nothing to rival the largest armies in the realm but it would suffice. I had assembled all men of importance in the great hall. When I came in they fell silent. "The only constant in the world is change. After Roberts Rebellion, things changed, as they are about to do now. I should have done this long ago but my weak mind led me astray. The rightful king of Westeros has returned to our shores and is engulfed by enemies at all front. All true and loyal men must heed the call and flock to his banners to cast down the bastard boy who currently rests his fat arse on the throne which belongs to Prince Aegon by right of birth. I ask you to lay your swords before you and swear an oath that you will not rest before his throne is restored and this reign of usurpers is at an end!" If it had been silent before my speech, it was even more silent now. It did not linger for long however. The first man to step up was my master at arms whom my mother had invited to Starfall a few years back, Ser Rickard Fell. He swore his oath without hesitation. After him came Darkstar, then the entire hall followed. Amidst the crowd I could see my aunt Allyria make her way towards me with a large long item in her hands wrapped in a cloth bearing the arms of our house. "My Lord, your skill at arms and valor are known throughout Dorne. Please accept this gift your house has decided to bestow upon you. Noone in Westeros is more worthy of it." She unwrapped the item revealing a greatsword. Dawn! The beautiful pale blade was lying in her palms stretched out towards me. I was overwhelmed, I could feel my heart pounding and I was wondering when I would wake up from this dream. I never woke up, instead I stepped forward and accepted the blade. "I do not know what to say." I said, stuttering. "You don't need to say anything. From this day forth, Lord Edric Dayne shall be known as the Sword of the Morning. Rise with the sun, my Lord nephew!"

Andrzej I said:

Hm, curious what inspired Part 2 of the above? Anything mechanical, or artistic license to explain why you decided to join Aegon, if you don't mind me asking?

Either way, definitely just got real, as Dr Pearceson said. Does Aegon have many other supporters, or is he limited, by large, to parts of the Stormlands?

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There's a few reasons. One of them is that my character had a much larger opinion of Aegon of Aegon to start with since their traits interline better. Thought it was likely that he would support someone he had a higher base opinion off. Then we got the deal with his uncle Arthur being a firm Targaryen supporter which could suggest the entire family is. There's really no canon confirmation on this but just a personal interpretation which I thought seemed likely. Lastly, Ned has both the honorable and the just trait and since Tommen now actually has the legitimized bastard trait and Jaime reckognised as his father in the game it would be more likely that Edric would support Aegon(if he chooses to believe he is legitimate which I decided to do). Just seems very unlikely that someone with the honorable and just trait would support a bastard whose claim is pretty much worthless when Robert is no longer his reckognised father. That's basically what it boiled down to.

Part 2 was something I simply cooked up in my head to add some further intrigue to the setting.

Aegon actually has a fairly ok set of supporters. I'll go into more detail on exactly whos supporting who in the next installment. The question that might be even more relevant though is who's deciding not to join the war at all.

Part 4

The army was marching past Skyreach to travel the boneway toward the Stormlands when I had word that the Allyrions of Vaith had also declared for Aegon. House Uller had earlier decided that they would fight directly under the bastard King Tommens banner and had thus left Dorne with all their strength. House Santagar of Spotswood had also risen in rebellion. This left Dorne divided and weak. Vaith forces were fighting Lord Anders Yronwood in The Scourge when we unexpectedly came upon Anders forces from the rear and obliterated their host. The Vaith forces decided they would march for Sunspear and I went on leading my army towards the Stormlands. I had thoughts of joining them and make Arianne answer for her betrayal but Aegon needed my forces more so that would have to wait. We found little opposition during the march as most men were out fighting the war. I hanged a man who had raped a farmer’s daughter however. I needed to show them that such things would not be tolerated under my command. We had heard Aegon was currently in Cape Wrath so that was where we were headed. Since we lacked the numbers of larger hosts I had decided we would join our forces to those of the young Prince. We arrived in Rain House just in time to join a minor battle that Prince Aegon was fighting against King Tommen's forces. After the battle was concluded I rode up to the Prince. I dismounted and unsheathed Dawn and knelt before him pledging him my fealty.

Many other lords had also flocked to Prince Aegons banner. Amongst them was Lord Paramount Robert of the Vale. His health prevented him from joining the campaign himself so Bronze Yohn Royce was commanding the Valeman forces. It was probably likely to assume that Bronze Yohn was the person making the decisions in the Vale aswell since the young Robert was commonly known as a weak and feeble minded individual. Other lords who had joined Aegon included Lord Jason Mallister, Lady Maege Mormont, Lord Gilbert of Farring Cross and the majority of the Stormlords. Lord Paramount Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish had decided that the Riverlands would stay out of the conflict, probably realising that they were already too weak after the war of the five kings to be able to raise any proper host. The main parts of the north had also decided not to declare for anyone, including Lord Paramount Roose Bolton. That left the Westerlands, The Reach and The Crownlands as the opposition we would come to face. Dorne stood divided and half of Dorne was with Prince Aegon and the other half with Tommen the Fat. There had been reports that Lord Paramount Mace Tyrell had laid siege to Storms End, no doubt intending to capture it and put an end to the mockery that had started to follow him when Aegon managed to seize the fortress within a day. Mace had spent years outside the walls of Storms End but had never once put his foot inside them.



Another Tyrell host had been sighted in making its way through the Rainwood. Our forces marched to meet them and the hosts clashed. As the traitors had split the forces we fielded the larger host. I was given command over the left flank and led my forced onwards in a furious charge smashing through the Reach forces. I rode through the enemies slashing to my left and right cutting a bloody path around me. Suddenly, I felt my horse caving underneath me. A spear had been plunged through the front of the proud beast instantly killing him. I violently fell off but managed to recover just in time to meet a blow directed towards me. I recognized the man, who must have been the commander of the right flank in the enemy host. Lord Michal Roxton, wielding the ancestral Valyrian steel sword of House Roxton, called "Orphan Maker". I let him try me first but his attempts were feeble and I easily fended them off. He tried a thrust which I stepped aside from while bringing Dawn down towards him in massive force. The blow connected and separated his left arm from his body. There was blood and gore everywhere, Lord Michal pleaded for mercy but I knew he would not survive for long and I gave him the mercy of a quick death instead. To die in the field of battle is a death any knight should aspire for.



The war went on in that image for a time. We faced some smaller and larger hosts but nothing which could truly challenge our combined host. When all enemies within the Stormlands had been defeated, Prince Aegon called a war council to determine our next move. Lord Jon Connington was the first man to speak, he declared the council started by providing the necessary background to the decision at hand and then argued that we should march into the Crownlands and seize King's Landing. That way we would be able to capture the royal family and end the war quickly. I agreed it was the wisest move and I spoke up to support Lord Connington. If we captured Tommen and Lady Margaery we would make both the Reach and the Westerlands incapable to act against it, thus ending the war. Some men argued that we should move into the Reach and put an end to the opposition there first, thus making the Lords there swear fealty to our cause bolstering out strength. One man even argued that we should march towards Dorne. A complete and utter fool that one. Prince Aegon finally spoke up. "I am inclined to agree with my Hand and friend Lord Connington. We will march for King's Landing at dawn." Those words meant the council was concluded and men started to leave the tent. I was about to leave when Prince Aegon came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "My Lord Hand tells me that you are the nephew of Ser Arthur Dayne who was one of my father’s closest friends. Jon speaks very highly of your uncle and I have heard tales from the men that you are Arthur Dayne born again. I would like you to join me and my friend Ser Rolly Duck in our training session on the morrow." "I would be beyond honored, your grace" I said. The same night I received word that Lady Larra Blackmont had died and her daughter Lady Jynessa had succeeded her. The worrisome part was the she had decided to join the enemy.

Rifal said:

With Starfall undefended, how much of a threat are the Blackmonts?

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They won't be able to bother me really. They can't field more than my garrison sizes and I didn't seem to lose any levies in my host up in the Stormlands from them "rebelling". I'll have to deal with them later though obviously and my forces might be weaker then but I'd say theres little chance I would lose that war unless they get some major support.

CJMoore said:

Edric defeated the Lord of the Ring .

Reading closely, I always like to see aGoT AAR's.

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Sure did! It was a pretty easy fight actually. Michal only had 2 star fighter while Ned had 4+Dawn. And thanks, it's fun to see a Dev following.

Part 5

The Blackmonts had assembled a small host and were marching on Starfall. I gave it little thought. I had left enough men in Starfall to make it impossible for them to take it if their reported numbers were correct. During the march to King's Landing I grew closer with Prince Aegon. He was proficient enough with a blade but no true master. When facing both him and Ser Rolly Duck it was enough challenge to keep my skills sharp. We would also go on hunts in the countryside as the army marched and I came to realise that hunting was indeed a fine sport. I would love to commit more to it once the war was done.



I told the Prince about Arianne and her betrayal and about the mysterious man who had saved me in King's Landing. He told me that Arianne would pay for her treacheries soon enough, as anyone else who had decided to openly oppose him. He also told me that I would make a fitting Prince of Dorne and said that he would not intervene if I took it upon myself to take up that ambition. I was still contemplating why Arianne had done what she had. I had loved her and I was heartbroken after what she had done. I had imagined a life together with her after the war was over. Now I had nothing left to return to except an empty castle. We laid siege to King's Landing and the days grew longer as the siege went on. After months we managed to make a deal with the captain of guard who opened the city gates to us and thus ended the farce. King Tommen was nowhere to be found but his Queen, Lady Margaery, was captured with her infant son, Antario.



"All hail King Aegon, the sixth of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm." the herald announced as King Aegon entered the throne room. A large amount of Lords and Ladies had been taken prisoner together with Tommen when he surrendered. King Aegon judged them harshly sitting atop his Iron Throne. "My forebear and namesake once said that a King should never sit easy on his throne and made the Iron Throne in support of his claim. This throne was also created to show what happened to those who opposed House Targaryen, and you have opposed us for far too long." Aegons words echoed in the throne room as he sentenced Tommen to execution. I later heard that Cersei had her eyes burned out and Tommen and Lady Margaery's infant boy was castrated to prevent their line from concieving any further offspring. My men had captured Lady Margaery and the King had allowed me to keep her as my personal prisoner. Hand of the King, Lord Jon Connington had advised Aegon to marry Lady Margaery since it would bind the Reach to us but he would hear nothing of it. "The woman is the widow of three Kings. I will not marry the leftovers of usurpers." he had said dismissing everyone in the hall. I would be a liar if I said that the thought of marrying Lady Margaery did not cross my mind but in the end I decided not to. The pain after Arianne's betrayal was still stinging in my heart. I left for Starfall the next morning after giving my sincere apologies to my friend, King Aegon. I had business to conclude which made me unable to attend his coronation ceremony that would take place within the month.



I left with my men for Starfall the next day. We still had the Blackmonts to deal with and King Aegon had offered his support and sent a a force to support us in crushing them. Small pockets of resistance against King Aegons rule still existed and we crushed some smaller forces on our way home. My friend and former squire Ser Aegyr Dayne rode beside me on the way home. I had decided to bestow knighthood upon him for his valiant deeds during the war. I had bought him a new set of armor with matching sword and dagger along with a destrier and a rouncey horse as a gift to come along with it. He had grown up to be a skilled knight and battle commander. His ability in both fell somewhat short of mine but he would prove to be a good man to have around as my right hand. I also brought Margaery with me to Starfall and she was allowed freedom of the castle. I saw no harm in it and it would be near impossible for her to escape regardless since Starfall was situated on an island with a single bridge connecting it to the mainland. I had just retired to my chambers and was about to undo my laces when someone knocked at my door. "You may enter." I called. Ser Aegyr entered the chamber. "My Lord, I am sorry to disturb you at this hour. An emissary has arrived requesting you immediate attention."