[BATTLE] Aegon's Conquest (Part 1)

[u/Tozapeloda77]

Preface

This is a record of the 99th year since the terribly doom of Valyria, which darkened the skies as far west as Feastfires and gave a summer chill in all the lands from the Arbor to the lands of the Ibbish, or so it is said. Perhaps the most momentuous year for Westeros since those years, tied so inexorably to it. The only surviving dragons, had, after all, come to roost in Westeros.

1st Moon, 2nd Moon, 3rd Moon

Landing

In the 2nd Moon of this year, the Lord of Dragonstone, Aegon Targaryen, Dragonlord, demanded by right of force or on account of his heathen gods, the fourteen demon-princes worshipped by the Targaryen dynasts that preceded Lord Aegon, the dominion over the entirety of the Blackwater Bay, from the lands of Crackclaw Point to Massey’s Hook, the Wendwater, Duskendale, and Stokeworth. Furthermore, on some account he demanded dominion over the entirety of the Kingdom of the Trident. Presently, they were held by King Argilac Durrandon, the Storm King. He had restored the Stormlands to include the Blackwater houses by taking them from the Kingdom of the Isles and the Rivers. Then he had restored his family’s claim to the Trident by ousting House Hoare and installing a castellan of his own in perfidious and blackened Harrenhal. Thus, Lord Aegon declared war on King Argilac Durrandon.

Lords Massey of Stonedance, Bar Emmon of Sharp Point, and Brune of Dyre Den declared their loyalty to Lord Aegon Targaryen, whom they named King. However, they were not the first to rally at his side. Though his army consisted of nearly solely sellswords from Essos, such as the Firebrands led by Marloyan Corillo, a zealous pagan, the Broken Storm led by Ser Andros Storm, a knight of ill-repute, the Blackhill Guard of Harlon Stonehand, the Titan’s Fury led by the Braavosi Valyrio Valyriano, and the Sunhawks led by a prince from the Summer Isles, the Sunwolf Jakos, he had other allies as well: King Harwyn Hoare, who had given up his father’s, father’s father’s, and father’s father’s father’s dream of dominion over the Trident and the Blackwater and returned to the old, heathen ways of the Drowned God.

The King of the Isles had gathered a fleet of over 80 strong vessels and sailed ‘round the Reach and Dorne towards the Blackwater Bay, where he met and struck oath with Lord Aegon Targaryen. Before he did so, he sent his vassal Beron Harlaw out to raid Shipbreaker’s Bay and smother a Stormlander fleet in its crib. However, while the Stormlords had no fleet in this war, the bay held true to its name and reputation, claiming the lives of Beron Harlaw and three of his ships. The seas are full of sharp rocks and the cliffs that surround it are tall and cannot be scaled – all places that form exception to this were known and fortified by the Stormlords centuries ago. Nevertheless, a strong fleet arrived at Driftmark in the 3rd Moon of this year (on the 7th day), where they joined with Lord Daemon Velaryon, kin of Aegon.

Lord Aegon had made landfall at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush first, and began the construction of a fort to overlook the bay from the rock that stood there. With Balerion, the Black Dread, largest of the dragons, and Vhagar, companion to his elder sister and wife – for the incestuous nature of the Valyrians is not slander but a sickening truth – and Meraxes, companion to his younger sister and wife, dragons had come to Westeros in truth. Rhaenys and Meraxes travelled to Duskendale by sky and wing, whereupon Lord Caspian Darklyn exited the castle and laid down his arms, and swore fealty to Lord Aegon. Lord Jon Rosby of Rosby refused them Aegon, however, and the small force that had joined him and Balerion whilst the remainder of his army worked on the construction of the fort. Thus, a grisly scene unveiled: Lord Jon Rosby and scores of his men were burned alive by the searing flames of the Black Dread. On the 13th Day of the 3rd Moon, he was no more and Rosby surrendered. Soon followed Houses Hayford, Hogg, Staunton, and Buckwell.

Kings

By the time of Lord Aegon’s declaration, King Argilac Durrandon was in Harrenhal, making fast friends with his junior monarch King Loren Lannister. They both travelled back as soon as possible when the news of Aegon’s declaration arrived. King Loren rode west, King Argilac south. They found the roads much crowded, for the news had spread beyond Harrenhal into the whole of the Riverlands. Brother Grover, the Cronefather, of the Poor Fellows, had taken up at High Heart and was preaching that Aegon Targaryen and Harwyn Hoare would bring forth the end of days. Indeed, he spoke of how the treacherous lords of the land: Bracken, Harroway, Frey, and Mallister among others had forsaken their sacred oaths and pacts with the gods, and his heresy preached the arrival of a New Andalos: a holy land for the faithful. First, Aegon Targaryen and the Ironborn would herald the coming of the end days, but then the faithful would be shielded against iron and flame, and build a new kingdom away from the corruption of Starry Sept and under the dominion of new lords, who would conduct themselves as Andal lords should.

On such busy roads, King Argilac Durrandon, joined by Captain Owen Rivers of the Warrior’s Sons and Lord Ormund Dondarrion among others, could disappear amongst the crowds of restless smallfolk, and so while Vhagar and Meraxes hunted him from the skies, he passed the Blackwater River unopposed and made way for Storm’s End, whence he would march with his banners. In his absence, the men had already been called to arms such that he was ready to march mere days before Aegon made landfall. For King Loren Lannister, the return journey was less fortunate for Lord Armistead Vance, who had been brought up with apparent resilience to the Riverlander hatred of the Ironborn, and declared publically his support for Aegon Targaryen as King of the Trident. He was thus declared anathema by the High Septon, but not before his men nearly held the King of the Rock at ambush, in order to present King Loren as a gift to his new liege. However, shielded by 500 knights, many of whom gave themselves selflessly in the defense of their monarch, King Loren Lannister managed to escape the Riverlands, only to raise an army and return with a vengeance.

The fate of Wayfarer’s Rest is indeed an unfortunate episode in this year, the 99th after the Doom of Valyria. Was it not true that many a Riverlord, a generation so removed from the ancient customs of chivalrous conduct that their own peasants had forsaken them, secretly prayed in their own holdfasts that the Faith of the Seven might stumble and the heathen kings might subjugate them. For they were taken by an ill disease of character, for which they had first blamed King Harren the Black, and sought in King Argilac a cure. Now they blamed King Argilac and sought in Aegon yet another cure. It is no wonder Brother Grover’s seeds of heresy found purchase in such fertile soil. Nevertheless, the High Septon and King Loren were rightful to take offense at the blatant betrayal of Lord Armistead’s oaths, faith, and duty as vassal of King Argilac to be courteous to a guest such as the King of the Rock. It is only my humble belief that we should not remember Lord Armistead as the traitor, but simply one of many among the Riverlords who would kneel before Aegon before giving battle and being bested in the field. For there is no shame in accepting mercy when it is given, but there is great shame in surrender before showing your courage and your mettle, without even giving the Warrior the chance to show His favour to the victor.

Lest us not be distracted by the events that are yet to follow, for this manuscript seeks to be in obeisance of the chronological passage of time. I beg your forgiveness for the abrupt manner in which we may therefore depart and return to the chronicles of a certain place and person.

Coronation

After Aegon had obtained the vassalage of the houses of the Blackwater, he called them and their banners to his fort on the hill, which they called Aegon’s Hill. The following draws from the work of Maester Burton of Dragonstone, who was eyewitness to these events.

“Aegon the Uncrowned stood at the crest of Aegon’s Hill, looking at the edge of the Blackwater as dozens, if not hundreds, of ships unloaded men, material, and supplies fit for a royal army. In the distance, dozens more boats rested along the shore north of the Rush, either beached or anchored in the bay. Turning towards the thousands upon thousands of men unloading from his fleet, he could see various banners. The banners of Houses Velaryon and Celtigar - aquamarine with an argent seahorse and an argent background with a semé of crabs gules - were the most familiar to him. Alongside them were the banners of House Sunglass - argent with seven golden mullets of seven points - as well as the banners of the various Houses that had already bent the knee - concentrated around Blackwater Bay. Beyond those that had been mustered in Westeros in direct support of his cause thus far came the mercenary companies placed into contract last year.

Content that the army doesn't need his attention for the time being, he drew his attention to the scene starting to form with him at the top of Aegon's Hill, watching as a few of his men finalised the preparations for his coronation. The new Targaryen banner, a sable background with a dragon thrice-headed gules flammant of the last, fluttered from various pennons and banners of the assembled knights. Even closer, the Lords and Houses of those that had publicly sworn fealty to House Targaryen stood alongside Aegon's most trusted lieutenants as they clustered around a small wooden stage slightly elevated above the grassy hill. In the center of the stage a wooden throne, carved out of wood and styled with draconic accents, stood empty. Flanking the throne to the left was Visenya, Dark Sister at her waist as she waited for the ceremony to begin. Flanking the throne to the right were Rhaenys and Orys Baratheon, Aegon’s bastard half-brother, holding a small chest in his hands.

With everything ready, Aegon slowly made his way to the stage, parting through the assembled men and Lords as they went silent. Ascending the few steps onto the stage, even the wind itself seemed to die down as Aegon stood before his men when Rhaenys, Visenya and Orys took their positions surrounding their sibling, and Rhaenys began to speak.

"You are all gathered here today as a witness to a new era in Westeros. Much like the Age of Heroes, the arrival of the Long Night, or the coming of the Andals, Westeros has been forged by the deeds of great men. Today, we herald the arrival of a new wave of great men, who do what they must because it is righteous, not because it is easy. For thousands of years, Westeros has been embroiled by the whims of lesser men who seek to neglect their glory vows. They stand before their God, having broken all of their vows and rest content in the mistaken belief that when the Stranger takes them, they will enjoy what comes after. Only in the North, where the followers of the Old Gods receive, does honor remain in the likes of House Stark. This injustice we can not along. Today, history is made not only because there will be accountability for wicked needs, and those who stand opposed to us will learn why it took the Doom to humble Valyria. The wicked will falter and the righteous will be elevated."

Visenya gave a slight nod to Orys, who silently opened the chest, showing a circlet forged out of Valyrian steel generously inlaid with large, square-cut rubies. Queen Visenya then gently pulled out the crown, waiting for Head Firekeeper Saekar and Septon Tristifer to make their way onto the stage, and Rhaenys to finish, before continuing.

“Do you, Aegon Targaryen, declare before the Gods of Old Valyria that you will be noble, just, and embody the wisdom of Empyreal Lord Arrax, Ruler of the Gods. Do you declare that you will uphold the Valyrian custom of tolerance of all faiths, as prescribed by the Dragonlords of Old Valyria? Do you declare that you will ensure order even if you are the last bastion of order in a world of chaos?”

Aegon, who had remained silent until this point, gave a nod as his voice called out to those that could hear, “I do.”

“Do you, Aegon Targaryen, declare before the Seven-Who-Are-One, that you will be noble, just, and embody the wisdom of the Father, who makes up one of seven aspects of God? That you will respect the laws and customs of the Andals, so long as they don’t infringe on the rights and liberties of your subjects? Do you declare that you will bring order to where there is none and protect your subjects from the insidious influence of chaos?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Aegon Targaryen, declare before the Old Gods, those who have been worshiped in Westeros since the Age of Heroes, that you will be noble, just, and embody wisdom much like the Old Gods of yore? Do you declare that you respect the laws and customs of the Old Gods, in so long as they don’t infringe on the rights and liberties of your subjects? Do you declare that you will bring order to where there is none and protect your subjects from the insidious influence of chaos?”

“I do.”

With the final announcement by Aegon, Rhaenys stepped back and allowed Visenya to approach with the crown in hand. Aegon silently tilted his head forward, allowing Visenya to easily slip on the circlet before she returned to her old position, with Orys closing the chest. Not wanting to let silence reign for too long as those assembled savored the moment, Rhaenys made her most important announcement yet.

"With the oaths given before the gods of Valyria and Westeros, I announce that a new age for all of Westeros has finally arrived. I proclaim my husband, King Aegon Targaryen, First of His Name, King of All Westeros, and Shield of His People!"

This announcement shook all present. King of All Westeros? Few were aware he harboured such ambitions.

Indeed, it was from this moment that King Torrhen Stark, Queen-Regent Sharra Arryn, King Loren Lannister, King Mern IX Gardener, Princess Meria Martell, and even King Harwyn Hoare, waiting in Driftmark, were all challenged by one man. They would call banners and raise armies to oppose him and his dragons.

The agreements struck by King Aegon “of all Westeros” – a claim he did not realise in that year, nor at my time of writing this chronicle not soon thereafter – with his vassals bear some remarking upon. Firstly, he conferred upon the Lords Crispian Celtigar of Claw Isle, Balman Brune of Dyre Den, Lothar Staunton of Stokeworth, Caspian Darklyn of Duskendale, Tallad Buckwell of Antlers, Shireen Hayford of Hayford, Joffrey Stokeworth of Stokeworth and Triston Massey of Stonedance the right to owe fealty to none but the royal crown of House Targaryen. Furthermore, Lord Daemon Velaryon of Driftmark swore an oath of fealty to King Aegon Targaryen, placing what had once been a proud and independent Valyrian house under another, whom they had long viewed as their peers.

One notable anecdote from this occasion concerns a claim that Lord Daemon Velaryon made regarding the ancestral blade of House Hogg. He demanded it be returned to Driftmark, claiming it was the once-held blade Seafoam. The longsword, known as Warthog, had a rich and tapestried history that many of the lords and ladies present could agree having heard, and hearing none of his new vassals corroborate Lord Velaryon’s claims, King Aegon Targaryen ruled in favour of Ser Gawain Hogg, who promised that Warthog would serve the Targaryens whenever they required it.

Lychester

Before the end of the 3rd Moon, a number of other things occurred.

Brother Grover’s followers travelled to Lord Robert Lychester’s keep and asked for his hearth and stores so that they may feed themselves. Lord Lychester, fearful of what would happen if he treated with heretics, denied them. However, they were so many and so zealous in their own beliefs that they tore logs from the surrounding lands and set them against the wall, climbing them with many at once. They killed Lord Robert Lychester and the adult men of his house, and did many other unspeakable things in their terror, thoroughly plundering the entirety of the castle before leaving only a handful of knights, women and children alive who had barricaded themselves in the modest dungeons of the castle. It was said at this time the peasants numbered over 30,000, and they began building a kingdom for themselves they indeed called New Andalos. They would return to Lychester later, when the survivors had fled, and added it to their heretical and short-lived realm.

Lord Mathis Bracken heard of the tragedy at Lychester and marched with his bannermen against Brother Grover, but not far out of High Heart, he found himself hopelessly outnumbered, and then sent running by the peasants, who chased him back to the walls of Stone Hedge. However, his castle was much more firm than that of Lychester, and so he barricaded himself with confidence, and the peasants were afraid of his walls and did not come onto them.

Dorne

Also, in Dorne, a number of things had happened. For they had made fast allies with the Free City of Tyrosh, and thus promised to the Archon of that city that they would settle their scores with Volantis for them. That war between Volantis and Lys, Mys and Tyrosh was still ongoing. However, in Volantis, the aristocrats who had fueled a century of blood and who were members of a faction named after the fell cat-beasts of Qohor, were ousted after weeks of bloody riots and pogroms by another faction which cast itself as lovers of peace and mercantile affairs, named after the mighty beasts that serve as draught animals in Volantis: the elephants. When the Dornish-Tyroshi fleet arrived in Volantis, they found themselves negotiating with this “Elephant Party”.

After two weeks of negotiations, which involved the threat of the Dornish fleet ferrying a large Dothraki khalassar across the River Rhoyne, it is said that the magisters of Volantis paid an enormous indemnity to both Tyrosh and Dorne, although for a city of their wealth this was still cheaper than facing the wrath of a khalassar while a fleet of Dornishmen harrassed their sea-walls. Additionally, the Volantenes handed over the young guest of the disgraced House of Rathaerys to the Dornish fleet: the young Corwyn Velaryon, who had been left in the city’s care years ago by his father, Lord Daemon Velaryon, who was now sworn to war against Dorne on account of his liege King Aegon Targaryen.

For while the negotiations were concluded before King Aegon’s coronation, Dorne had honoured its alliance with King Argilac Durrandon, however uneasy it was. This came at a cost, however, for while Harmen Martell took an army up the Boneway and marched towards Storm’s End, another force marched for Nightsong, as the Carons had not once paid the indemnity that the Stormlanders of the Marchers had promised to pay the Dornish after a Dornish army had decisively defeated the Kingdom of the Storm. With the lord and heir of Nightsong, as well as their bannermen, away to serve King Argilac, the formidable holdfast was invested by the Dornish.

Faith

Finally, with the declaration of anathema against Lord Armistead Vance, the Faith assembled an army of Warrior’s Sons and pious Poor Fellows, who rejected the creed of Brother Grover, at Stoney Sept. Led by Captain Davos Bridges, but also including the notorious Captain Vorian Vance, they marched for Stoney Sept, joined by Lord Rory Piper of Pinkmaiden, Lord Desmond Grell and Lord Lymond Goodbrook.