Artos Starkwood

## Biography

> *I never would have dreamed I would be in a position like this where I find myself in opposition to the Starks. But Baelor seems to be the best chance we have at uniting the Seven Kingdoms again and Robb is too focused on the Iron Born.*
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Artos Starkwood was born in 260 to the slowly rising House Starkwood, A cadet branch of the starks that formed from Artos Grandfather, Though growing up Artos barely knew his parents, his mother died giving birth to his brother who tragically died shortly afterwards and his father died when he was young helping men of the Nights watch fight off Wildings. Instead of his own keep Artos spent his time in between his cadet family in Winterfell and Last Hearth the home of his mother until he was better equipped to lead his own castle. Much like his father taught him to he showed a great deal of respect for the Nights Watch and would constantly visit and supply them being eager to assist them whenever they felt they were in trouble. Spending his youth learning to fight, lead in battle hunt and forge weapons artos eventually reached an age where he looked and acted like a respectable lord and had many sons and daughters. A stalwart loyalist to the North and the Starks Artos had his first taste of real battle at the Stony Sept where he assisted Ned Stark in saving Robert Baratheon. He would later fight in the Trident and witnessed the death of the Crown Prince at Robert's hands, though he suffered an injury in the battle and didnt accompany Ned for the rest of his campaign

His confidence raised by his accomplishments in the war Artos started to go North of the Wall looking and hunting to find the Wildling leader who killed his father, though he never quite found him and eventually had to pull back. He would plan other attempts but took the time to raise his children to assure his family would continue past him, and once again would be thrust into war with the Greyjoy Rebellion. Aiding in the Siege of Pyke as apart of the Stark army Artos once again distinguished himself in battle. For a time Artos would have peace, his family was growing and he was proud of the people his children were becoming but on the eve of setting up marriages for all of them the time for war came again this one more devastating then the last few he had been apart of. Artos joined Robb in his attempts to save his father and the Riverlands from Tywin Lannister, and though he suffered his first defeat at the Battle of the Green Fork he escaped capture and was overjoyed at Robb's victory by Riverrun. Though that joy turned to sadness when he heard of Ned's unjust execution and when the Northern Lords called for Robb Stark to be named King of the North Artos was among them though he was slightly apprehensive at the thought feeling that the Seven Kingdoms were better united, though he agreed that Joffrey and the Lannisters had to be stopped. The following year of war was the most devastating Artos ever thought he'd see, watching the Riverlands burn in between there fighting and many River lords forced to retreat to the North when the Greyjoys attacked them as well the North struggled in a war on two fronts. Artos grew disillusioned, unsure of what the future held as he wasnt sure how much longer they could hold out or see any positive outcome in this war of Kings. This changed when he heard news of Baelor Brightflame and his victory over Stannis and turning the Baratheon lords lands into his own. And his rapid expansion into the mainlands. Artos along with the North briefly clashed with them but from his interactions with the King he began to feel hope for a united Westeros once more, and though Robb still maintained himself the King of the North and Trident, Artos began to assist Baelor in anyway he could.

## Service to House Brightflame

> *Daeron: How can my brother trust a man of the North? They still cling to Robb Stark and you are said to be close kin with them*
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> *Artos: I do not deny my close kinship witht he Starks nor my respect for Robb, but I also dont deny my hatred of the Lannisters for all they have done, or the Greyjoys for there nature of reaving and raping. I hope our sides can come together peacefully and for that cause I offer my blade.*
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After the brief conflict between the Starks and the Brightflames ended Artos convinced Robb to allow him to assist Baelor as a means of taking care of the Lannisters, since Robb ultimately wasnt interested in the Iron Throne assisting him in taking it mattered little so long as Baelor was a man of his word. Through this Artos was able to march to meet the King though he was initially mistrusted among many in House Brightflmae is bravery and valor in battle earned him much respect and many friends though he would never fully shake off the doubt of his true allegiance through this time or anytime soon. He would however begin forging alliances that would shape the future of the Kingdom such as his prosperous marriage of his daughter Alysanne Starkwood to the courageous knight Arthur Whent and later Gilliane Starkwood to the then unknown knight Zelos Wilder, though his attempts at getting his other daughter Alyce Starkwood married were usually met with failure. Regardless Artos quickly engrained himself into the hierarchy of House Brightflame and came across as a steadfast ally, albeit one quick to bring swords to conflicts that might have been better suited without them. His desire to prove himself put him in the front of many conflicts, and his nature made him a foil and rival to the powerful Jory Redwater.