Bolton Incursion of Ironrath

### Outcome

* Houses Whitehill and Forrester set against each other at the behest of Ramsay Snow.

Leaders| * **Rodrik Forrester** *(late arrival)*
* **Arthur Glenmore** †

Casualties| * **Arthur Glenmore**
* **1 Glenmore Elite Guard**

—Ramsay Snow**The Bolton Incursion of Ironrath** was an event taking place as part of the Ironwood War, also known as the Forrester-Whitehill Conflict.

Hearing his orders have been disobeyed and feeling personally disrespected by House Forrester for acting against the Whitehills, Ramsay Snow once again visits Ironrath to meet with and humble Lord Rodrik Forrester.

## History

### Prelude

After murdering Lord Ethan Forrester for disrespect, Ramsay Snow promises another visit to Ironrath, the seat of House Forrester, where he also installs a Whitehill garrison of twenty men.

Rodrik Forrester later returns to Ironrath and assumes the position of Lord, but is tested by Gryff Whitehill and the garrison. Eventually Rodrik's betrothed Elaena Glenmore, now ordered by Ludd Whitehill to marry Gryff, approaches him with her brother Arthur, and the three unite to capture Gryff, which they succeed in doing.

Rodrik is later summoned to Highpoint to discuss peace terms by Ludd, who is unaware his son has been maimed and captured. Rodrik departs Ironrath with his mother and Sentinel, Ser Royland Degore, leaving Ironrath in the hands of the young Talia Forrester, castellan Duncan Tuttle, and Arthur Glenmore. During this time Talia is told by Rodrik to locate the traitor, though she also learns to use a bow with help from Arthur.

### Bolton Arrival

Honouring his promise, Ramsay arrives at Ironrath accompanied by Bolton men. Those present at Ironrath are sceptical about letting him in as last time he visited he murdered their Lord, and Talia hopes Rodrik will return in time to alleviate their stress. Duncan is commanded to hide Elaena Glenmore, the Maester and the smallfolk until the Boltons depart while Arthur allows Ramsay to enter, Talia facing her fears as the man who killed her brother shows his face. The moment he enters the courtyard, Ramsay expresses his anger at being forced to wait and orders the execution of one of the Glenmore elite to make his point. Outnumbered, Arthur and the Glenmores are dragged away by Bolton men while Ramsay squares up and drags Talia off to the Great Hall, ordering the cooks to make them a feast. Ramsay taunts and intimidates Talia - but she tries to keep him occupied to buy Rodrik time to return home and help them all.

### Rodrik's Return

When Rodrik returns to Ironrath, he and his group find the place deserted. Rodrik immediately yells for Talia and whoever else was left at Ironrath, and the group hear Ramsay's laughter coming from the great hall. Rodrik tells the others to wait, then heads inside. As he gets to the hall, he hears Talia apologise, saying she should have laughed at a joke told by her captor. Rodrik enters and sees Ramsay in the Lord's chair, taunting Talia and telling her to sing Ethan and Gregors' funeral song. She refuses but this tests Ramsay's patience. Startled by Rodrik's cane striking the floorboards, Talia sees Rodrik and calls out to him, prompting Ramsay to start goading him on. Ramsay tells Rodrik he and Talia were having a lovely time, then forces Talia to say the same. He tells Rodrik he's heard he can't be broken and has decided to see for himself.

The bastard taunts Rodrik, saying that his father is looking to make a match for him and that he could marry Talia or Elissa Forrester. Bored, he then tells Rodrik to walk with him, relieving him of his sword, and orders Talia to come too.

Led by Ramsay, the three of them make their way to the Grove. Ramsay grabs Talia's hand, making her uncomfortable and leaving her to look to Rodrik for support as the two talk about the matter of Gryff Whitehill and the Glenmores. Ramsay thanks Rodrik for being forthcoming and transparent, but is not pleased with his actions.

The bastard leads them into a clearing where Arthur Glenmore is being flayed. Talia cries out and begs for mercy as Ramsay chuckles and asks Rodrik if he really thought *he*would be paying the price for his disobedience. He tells Talia to watch and learn, but Rodrik disobeys and shields her. Ramsay guts Arthur - then sets the Forresters and Whitehills to open war for entertainment.

Hoping to never return to Ironrath again, Ramsay casually leaves and decides to 'have a word' with Lord Glenmore. Talia is left crying and holding onto her brother.

### Aftermath

The remaining nineteen Glenmore Elite guard are sent home to Rillwater Crossing with Arthur's body, and the house is forbidden by Ramsay from participating in any future Forrester-Whitehill conflicts. As they were unaware of Elaena and Arthurs' plot the bastard claims they have one more chance - and if they disobey their Warden again they will face his wrath.

Following the death of her brother, Elaena briefly loses faith in the Forrester-Glenmore alliance, but her shared losses with Rodrik strengthen their bond and they end up conceiving their first child not long after. Elaena remains at Ironrath until it is sacked by Whitehills, at which point she is claimed as a prisoner by Gryff Whitehill.

After hearing the terms of war set by Ramsay, as well as word from Duncan Tuttle regarding where Asher Forrester will make landfall, Ludd Whitehill employs his vassal House Warrick to prepare the town for ambush. His third son Torrhen makes demands that no women or children are to be harmed if a fight breaks out, but Cregan Warrick's blood lust gets the better of him and he ends up sacking the small town and claiming it for himself, killing many nobles and much of the peasantry in the process. The ambush, led by Gryff Whitehill, is somewhat successful; while Rodrik survives, his brother Asher is killed saving his life. Gryff rejoins his father as Rodrik returns to Ironrath with solemn news, and the Whitehills prepare to sack the keep. They eventually succeed at the cost of Ludd's life, and Gryff claims the castle under his own name while his elder brother Torrhen assumes lordship of Highpoint and the Whitehill army at large. A few members of House Forrester escape, embittered, and vow to get their home back.