Theodora Lannister

Theodora Lannister is the Lady of Lannisport and self-styled Lady of the Bells, the eldest child of the late lord Archibald of Lannisport. Having succeeded him in 381 AC, Theodora traveled to Essos briefly before taking on her role in Lannisport in the waning days of 382 AC.

## Appearance and Character

Theodora is a beautiful young woman, with classic Lannister traits. Golden hair and green eyes match her pale skin, and freckled slightly along the cheeks. Her hips are wide, and she commands the grace of a Lannister.

Like her predecessors, Theodora embraces the Lannister name in full, with pride to match. Rarely brooding and often insightful, Theodora views the world as a Lannister might; with hope and veins of gold.

## History

The year 360 AC was both a blessed and cursed year in Lannisport. Called the year of light and dark, Lannisport suffered immensely during this year, but would prosper after. When in the early months of that year a fire consumed the Column of the Arts, many spoke of the dour favor that had been cast upon House Lannister. This continued through the year with the death of Lord Archibald’s younger brother, Alyn. With plague beginning to rest itself through the commons, the onset of summer, blessedly welcome, began at the end of the year.

So too came the birth of Lord Archibald’s first child. Named Theodora for her grandfather, Theodore, Theodora was a slow child at birth, rarely crying, and very small. The Maesters feared she may not live, though following her first nameday such suspicions soon became moot as Theodora had become “loud and obnoxious,” according to her mother, the Lady Ellyn in a letter dispatched to her brother Jon, the Lord of Casterly Rock.

It must be said that Lord Archibald had longed for a son, though this never diminished his pride in his daughter. Come the third year of Theodora’s life, the Lion’s Hold welcomed another daughter. This one named Cyrelle, the child was much similar to her elder sister - quiet, if demanding, with a penchant for demands that did not fit one of a child so young.

Come her fourth nameday, Theodora had learned her letters and began her training in the Academy of Art and Literature, founded 350 AC. The Academy proved to many that Maesters could not teach one to dance, nor paint - the arts were the matter of daughters, and in the years that followed, Theodora proved herself a capable artist. Under the tutoring of one Lann Lannett the Writer, Theodora learned poetry, painting, and even some relief; she learned how to dance, how to appear courtly and amiable, and by her tenth nameday had passed many of the tests the Academy had thrown her way.

Lord Archibald began tutoring her himself thereafter. The knowledge he imparted on her were ones he said, “could never be taught by a Maester nor by a teacher.” Theodora would oft attend court, seated beside her father whilst petitioner after petitioner came. Later, Archibald would quiz her on her answers, before leading her into the city proper to witness the people she would eventually come to rule over.

Theodora was unimpressed by them, however, and was overheard speaking to her sister. “They are small people,” she said. “It makes me curious as to how one might make them better.” Theodora then made it her mission to see the commonfolk brought education, though such would prove an arduous and eventually fruitless task, as the mind of the commoner is as simple as misshaped stone.

Despite this, however, Theodora improved upon the admission process to the Academy, welcoming commoners. Commoners would take separate classes and would be subject to much harsher teachings than any noble children, but this nevertheless proved an accessible means of education for many. It should be noted that despite this, all but the wealthiest of smiths, merchants and tailors cannot afford admission into the Academy. Anyone who can find their way into the Academy may as well be minor nobility themselves.

Theodora would find herself in the company of many of the Lords of Lannisport. The Lannetts, Lantells and Lannys all proved the most interesting subjects. Envious of Lannister wealth, many of the Lannetts strived for office within the Lion’s Hold, and when asked by her father for her own advice, Theodora stated that, “They must be appeased, lest Lannisport be thrown into anarchy.”

The stranglehold these families had on trade worried Theodora, and unraveling the strings they had around such matters would take years. It was then that the familiar topic of marriage emerged. Theodora briefly considered marrying the Lord of House Lannett, though he was not truly a lord. As suitors came and went, none struck Lord Archibald as much as young Isembard Baelish. The same age as Theodora, Isembard had a merchant’s mind and a cultured tongue. Though his affiliation with House Baelish was concerning, a betrothal was therein made, and when the Lannisters of Casterly Rock approved the marriage, Theodora and Isembard were set to wed.

This was not going to come to pass for several more years. As Daena Targaryen rode to Westeros on wings black as night, Lord Archibald took up the call against her and marched with the Lannisters. Whilst he was riding with the Lannisters, the levies of Lannisport left with him, and in his stead he set his daughter to task. In her first true test as a ruler, Theodora was tasked with keeping Lannisport calm whilst the war raged and a woman on a dragon black as night threatened their deaths every day. It would not be Daena Targaryen who was their foremost threat, however - the threat came on sails black as night.

Lannisport was not a wholly indefensible city, but with the levies of Lannisport fighting in the south at Crakehall, the city may have been lost as soon as they’d left. Reports and ravens from Kayce and Fair Isle proved the worst of their worries true; the Ironborn were coming, and their fleet of a thousand ships would soon arrive at Lannisport.

In the seventeen hours of preparation Theodora Lannister had, letters were exchanged with Casterly Rock, Crakehall, Silverhill and others informing them of the inevitable attack. Theodora ordered the immediate evacuation of Lannisport. Tonnes of gold, silver, and other valuables flooded from the city’s gates, headed directly for Casterly Rock, whilst nobles, civilians, and others left the city to the comfort of Casterly Rock’s impenetrable walls.

The City Watch erected barricades in the city, and those that stayed barred their doors with whatever they could. As with all evacuations, this one was most imperfect. Only several-thousand of Lannisports most wealthy, most learned were able to escape out of the city, and by the time black sails appeared on the horizon, Lannisport’s fate was sealed. Theodora was among the last to leave the city.

It was said that she watched the city burn in the dead of night on a hill overlooking the city. It was here that she swore her revenge against House Greyjoy and all the Iron Isles, and when all was said and done, she retreated to the Rock to plot with the Lady Eleyna.

The following moons proved most difficult for Theodora who went from fits of hysteria and emotion to spells of outright anger. She would wake up at night screaming, and none would be able to calm her. In her tiredness, she began seeing things, and nearly killed a servant when he offered her a fresh plate at dinner.

It took two months to salvage what was left of Lannisport, and when a census was done as to the deaths in the city, Theodora was astonished. Trade refused to flow from the city thereafter, as men and women set to rebuilding their lives in the wake of such devastation. Many had been taken from Lannisport as well - several-thousand by the smallest of estimations, men and women who had contributed fancifully to Lannisport in their years of service.

Lord Archibald returned following the Battle of the Goldveins, wounded and near death. His final wish to see his children wedded was brought to fruition. In the year 381, Lord Archibald was able to see his daughter wed to Isembard Baelish. Lord Archibald passed three days later on the 5th day of the 4th Moon, 381 AC.

Theodora and Isembard spent the following month in mourning - if not for Lannisport, then for her father- but in their haste announced that they would be departing Lannisport for some time. They intended on traveling to Oldtown, the Arbor and beyond, resecuring Trade Routes for Lannisport and ensuring that the city was able to recover as quickly as possible. Theodora named her sister Cyrelle as the Castellan of the Lion’s Hold for the time, assuring that they would return within a year. Such would prove true as they departed on the *Sunspeaker* the following week, headed for Oldtown.

In Oldtown, the two were hosted by Lord Hightower who proved an amiable, friendly man. Having already known the man from tourneys of years past, the idea of increased trade between Lannisport and Oldtown was one of great importance to Theodora, who imparted such ideals upon him. When they found mutual agreement, Lord Hightower hosted them for another fortnight, hunting and hawking before setting them upon their way, this time bound for the Arbor.

The Arbor was as beautiful as it was reputable, and once they arrived, Theodora implored the Lady Rhea to show her around the isle, all the while making certain that Arbor wine would flow freely as soon as Lannisport ships would set the course. Lady Rhea proved ever-amiable, and set the mood for the following days as Theodora insisted on spending half a moon in the Arbor - a time she does not regret.

From thereon they traveled to the Stepstones with the intent of meeting those in Sunspear - particularly, House Martell.

Dangerous at any time of year or season, the Stepstones proved almost impossible to cross due to the fierce winds and intemperate seas. Taking refuge in Sunspear, Theodora and Isembard were welcomed by House Martell, though not so happily as could be believed. Eager to leave, as Theodora found the Dornish intemperate and decadent, Theo and Isembard departed Sunspear once the seas had cleared enough for their tumultuous journey to continue.

Dabbling in making to Storm’s End, Isembard and Theodora instead chose Tarth as the next seat in their journey. The Sapphire Isle was as beautiful as was written, and when welcomed by Lord Tarth, the two of them stayed for far longer than either would’ve liked. Theodora later wrote that Tarth was where they had truly consummated their marriage. The farce of before had transformed into tangible, real feeling; the sort of feeling that Theodora had never felt before. From thereon she would continue to lament that they had not spent enough time in Tarth.

Traveling from there to Driftmark, where they were hosted by House Velaryon, Theodora made a quick, good impression upon the silver-hairs of that rock, ensuring that trade would continue to flow. Following their departure, Theodora and Isembard made for King's Landing, where they neglected to meet with the Queen. Theodora's mistrust of the Queen and her apparent lack of willingness to acknowledge the suffering brought upon Lannisport only furthered her hatred. They elected to return to Lannisport via land, whilst the Sunspeaker took the long route around Westeros in returning to their golden city.

Recent Events

On the eighth day of the 5th moon, 382 AC, Theodora returned with her husband. The Sunspeaker returned as well, carrying with it the assurances of the many houses they had visited. Thus did Theodora assume leadership of House Lannister of Lannisport well and truly, and with her husband by her side, began plotting how to make Lannisport the jewel of all Westeros, whilst rebuilding the city from the devastation caused.

Not long after, Theodora made to return to King's Landing with her cousins of the Rock and Castamere.

## Family

Archibald Lannister, b. 333 AC, d. 381,

m. Ellyn Lannister, b. 340 AC,

* Theodora Lannister, b. 360 AC,
* m. Isembard Baelish,
* Cyrelle Lannister, b. 363 AC