Wars and Battles

*For canonical wars and battles that took place prior to the 233 Great Council, please review the ASOIAF wiki.*

## 226 AC: Redbeard's Invasion

*The only pre-divergence war that diverges from canon slightly.*

Raymund Redbeard invades the North over the Wall. Jack Musgood and the Watchmen march south and meet the Northmen at Long Lake, intercepting Redbeard and his forces before they can make it too far south. Musgood is slain by Redbeard before the wildling meets his end.

## 238 AC: The Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion

The Fourth Blackfyre is the most recent conflict in which foreign invaders, led by House Blackfyre, landed upon Westerosi shores in an attempt to put themselves on the Iron Throne. Daemon III Blackfyre, Daemon's grandson, led the Golden Company to land upon Massey's Hook and march east, expecting lords to flock to their banner like they had in the Third. They were correct.

With the crown restored to a bookish boy like Aemon Targaryen, the realm once again saw weakness in House Targaryen. Dozens of lord flocked to his banner as he marched west. The loyalists were forced to act quickly, with Lord Bloodraven summoning as many lords as he could and meeting the rebels at Wendwater Bridge. The battle there would be bloody, with the most dead out of any battle since the Redgrass Field. House Blackfyre would emerge, to the shock of the realm, victorious, killing Brynden Rivers and sending the Targaryens running. It was not without cost.

Lord Aegor Rivers, after slaying his brother, would die himself, soon after, murdered by the arrows of the Raven's Teeth. The Blackfyres, now led by Daemon himself, retreated east, realizing that they could not stand against the rallying Targaryen forces. They would retreat south, but would find themselves facing against the combined forces of the Laughing Storm and Prince Aegon of Summerhall, being shattered and forced back across the sea, ending the rebellion. Lyonel Baratheon and Prince Aegon were hailed as heroes by the realm, but a scant few still mourned the deaths of either Bloodraven or Bittersteel. Houses Grafton and Sunderland were ordered to send a fleet south and cut the invaders retreat off. Due to squabbles between the admirals the navy was late and the Golden Company was able to retreat, their fleet intact.

Rodrik Greyjoy and the Iron Fleet are away in the Iron Islands and miss out on the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion, however their treasures expedite the recovery process for Westeros following the war.

## 260 AC: The Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion (Marcher Rising)

Though not a proper uprising, the Lords of the Marches were long-held supporters of the Blackfyres and, when Ser Ronnel Caron was arrested on charges of treason, the marcher lords rose in rebellion, raising the banners of the Black Dragon. The castles of these men were formidable and Aemon's brother, Aegon, was charged to end the revolt, hopefully peacefully. But the marcher lords had years of experience with dealing with larger forces and, when Aegon marched on the foothills of the Red Mountains, he was ambushed in the night, being slaughtered in his sleep, along with his sworn sword Ser Duncan and his squire, his nephew and youngest son of Prince Aemon, Baelor Targaryen. Aemon was furious and vengeful, sending his eldest son Maekar to shatter these rebellions entirely, which he did.

The new Dornish Princess made her way up the Yronwood at political cost to her upon hearing the Prince’s death. Creating a southern front for distraction with a smaller quickly gathered army.The marcher lords were shattered in the field, stormed in the castles, and beheaded on the block. Nightsong was rendered a ruin and House Caron extinct, their children and women sent to the black brothers or the silent sisters. In both honor of Aegon's sacrifice and in slight to House Baratheon, who had done little to stymie the marcher lords in any way, refusing to send soldiers to aid Aegon or Maekr. The marcher lords were deemed vassals of Summerhall, instead, who was sworn directly to the crown.

The Marcher lords of the Reach watch in discomfort as the Carons are extincted and the Stormlord Marchers are subjugated.

Meanwhile, the crown and West's conflict eventually comes to a head, as the bulk of the paid taxes of the Westerlands are allegedly stolen by a group of bandits on the Goldroad. The Lannisters refuse to pay the sum that is lost, leading to a stand-off with the crown. Aemon, distracted by the sudden outbreak of the Marcher Rising, eventually forgives the losses, driving the Iron Throne into debt and leading to them lending from the Iron Bank. The Lannisters grow popular among their subjects for their bold defiance and victory, but nary a Westerman is seen at court for the remainder of King Aemon's reign.

## 262 AC: The Wolf's Blunder

Intent to solidify his name in the annals of history Lord Artos Stark leads two thousand Northmen Beyond the Wall intent on conquest. Lord Artos’s body is never recovered and less than a third of his men return. He left behind no trueborn heir, only a bastard son, Rodrick Snow.

## 264-265 AC: The Thrall Revolt

Lord Harlaw leads several houses in rebellion against Greyjoy, resulting in a small Civil War on the Iron Islands. Merchants and traders began to avoid the isles during the conflict, but the violence never left the islands. It eventually ended when Lord Saltcliffe and Lord Greyjoy attacked Lord Harlaw’s fleet and sank his flagship, killing him and his two eldest sons.

## 264 AC: The First Dornish Taming of the Stepstones

The first taming of the Stepstones. A united Dornish offense saw trade routes secured from the increased pirate presence. Dorne claimed the westernmost islands of Dustspear and the Veiled Isle for security purposes.

## 270-272 AC: The Rise of the Clansmen

In the hidden valleys of the Mountains of the Moon, the Black Ears, Howlers and Stone Crows form a coalition. Over the course of the year they successfully raid multiple larger villages.

In 271, lords Hunter and Corbray lead an army into the mountains, hunting for the clansmen. They are ambushed and have to retreat under very heavy losses. More clans join the coalition.

By 272, under the lead of Lord Arryn, the knights of the Vale are able to defeat the coalition of Clansmen on the open field. As the clansmen regroup, a squabble over some loot begins, in which the chieftain of the Black Ears is killed by a Howler. The coalition breaks as the clans fight between themselves once again.

## 272-274 AC: The Nightingale's Terror

An opportunistic bandit claiming the name Lucamore Storm and bastardized descent from the Carons of Nightsong began a brief reign of terror. He struck at the lands of the marchers and other Stormlanders in general, claiming to seek revenge for his kin and to strike at the other Stormlanders and marchers for not rising up.

During his spree, Summerhall and the Marcher Lords work together, with Prince Daeron of Summerhall leading the charge against them. To the dismay of his kin, Lucamore managed to slay Daeron, only to be bested and captured by the prince’s longtime companion Ser Jeremy Norridge near the end of 274 AC.

Under torture by Norridge himself, Lucamore confessed his heritage was a lie, and was given over to House Fell, whose young son he had killed. He was officially executed by hanging, but witnesses claim the bloody mess that had been Lucamore ‘Storm’ surely had been already dead by the time he swung.

## 278-280 AC: The Second Dornish Taming of the Stepstones

The second Dornish war against the Stepstones. This time a defensive war that evolves into a full-fledged invasion upon the failure of the pirates to take the Dornish Islands. The Dornish make way deeper into the Stepstones islands, claiming the islands of Bloodstone, Grey Gallows, and Redwater for themselves.

## 279-280 AC: The Bandit King Conspiracy

Lord Peake and a number of other Reachman lords and conspirators gathered in Starpike, plotting to see the return of valuables and lands that were taken two decades prior after the events at the Hightower-Roxton wedding. Their first mission was to equip an infamous bandit named Urrathon Redhand, who ambushed and killed Lord Roxton of the Ring. Rather than return to his employers the Redhand named himself a bandit king, starting a conflict that would span over 2 years seeing the death of Lord Tyrell and a number of other noblemen. Finally ended in the Uplands by Lord Hightower and a coalition of lords, the sword Orphan-Maker was returned to House Roxton.

## 283-309 AC: Tyroshi Slaver Raids/the Black Raids

Slaver raids by the Tyroshi intensify along the east coast of Westeros, focusing primarily on the Northern shores. These raids would lead to mass bloodshed on both sides during the period known to the Northmen as the Black Raids. Many lives are claimed on both sides, and many northerners are taken by the slavers, some are able to be rescued at sea, but most are lost to Tyrosh.

## 288 AC: The Sixth Blackfyre Rebellion (Name Day Plot)

Though not a rebellion outright, it is close enough as a betrayal of a vassals' oaths to a king and an attempted rebellion to be named the sixth in the Blackfyre Rebellions. It is also called the Sixth as a way for Blackfyre pretenders to allow their next rising to be the "Holy Seventh" and thereby "prophesized". A group of conspirators, including the Red Keep's Septon Harbert, Ser Ygon Bean, and master of laws Lord Edric Whent, plotted to murder His Grace on his ninetieth name day feast. Though the poisons were hidden in many items, including the Dornish red, a Norvoshi wintercake, and the glaze of a massive trout, the event is famously remembered as the "Pie Plot", for its only successful poisoning, but maesters prefer "the Name Day Plot".

The wondrous pie, which was intended to be served to firstly King Aemon, was eaten by Aemon's eldest son, Maekar, Prince of Dragonstone, Almost immediately, Maekar began coughing, eventually turning purple and collapsing. The Grand Maester almost immediately recognized it as a poison, and King Aemon ordered the doors barred. It did not take a night before Ser Ygon Bean talked, in hope of some clemency, but he found none. Each of the plotters were hanged for treason and murder, extincting the heirless House Whent.

With House Whent extinct, Harrenhal is eventually granted to a member of House Hardy, whose service had been distinguished over the years at court. Aemon lacked trust in the Rivermen entirely, after the plot and desired to put in a House more loyal to him that wouldn't have pre-existing Tully or Whent sentiments. Therefore, he selected the master-at-arms of the Red Keep, Ser Hardy, granting him the lands and incomes of Harrenhal.

Rumors rose that it involved a number of Crownlords, though little came from these mere whispers.

Aemon retreated from court after the death of another son, ruined by grief. He was left with only his second child, Aerys, who took up his brother's place as Hand of the King.

## 291 AC: The Griffin's Quarrel

At the wedding feast of Lord Hightower, Prince Gaemond Targaryen of Summerhall, youngest brother to Prince Rhaegar, and Jocelyn Connington, sister to Lord Jon Connington, are found abed. They flee to avoid punishment, though at first this is taken surprisingly well, with talks of a marriage ensuing that might ease tensions between the long time rivals Rhaegar and Jon.

Instead, it erupts into conflict when Jocelyn dies giving birth the bastard triplets, as does one of the children. After his demands that Gaemond and his bastards be delivered to Griffin’s Roost to be ‘dealt with’, Lord Jon calls several allies to raise their banners when Rhaegar refuses, and in turn Summerhall calls on allies of their own.

After several bloody skirmishes, the conflicts comes to a conclusion in the lands between Griffin’s Roost and Summerhall, where the forces of Prince Rhaegar and Lord Jon clash at last. Scholars agree that the arrival of the elder of Rhaegar’s three younger brothers, Jaehaerys, with Dornish reinforcements would’ve ruled the battle a decisive Targaryen victory, but the prince never came.

Instead it became an all out brawl, culminating in a mutually fatal duel between Lord Jon and Prince Rhaegar where the former managed to run the latter through on his sword, only to find a dagger plunged into his eye. In disarray following the deaths of their leaders, the chaos continued for some time before Martell spears arrived to put an end to the fighting.

Punishments were given to both sides, with many instigators, including Gaemond Targaryen, being sent to the Night’s Watch. And, despite claims and a septons testimony that Jocelyn and Gaemond had wed, King Aemon refuses to legitimize the remaining two bastard boys in an effort to not further sow dissent.

A week later, Prince Jaehaerys is found hung and disemboweled outside Blackhaven, the rest of his forces are never seen or heard from again. Well never conclusively proven, the Dondarrions are suspected.

The bastard boys, named Rhaegar and Jaehaerys to honor their uncles, are given the name Redwing by Prince Valarr, the last of Rhaegar’s brothers living, but not legitimization. They remain at Summerhall to this day.

## 298 AC: The Red Clansmen

A group of travelling Red Priests is kidnapped by the Burned Men in the Vale. Later this year the clansmen proclaim themselves chosen by R'hllor and begin a campaign against all heathens. Many villages and their inhabitants are burned.

## 298 AC: The War of the Green Waves

A new Prince of Pentos, this one bold and encouraged by a council of magisters despising Braavos, proclaimed the end of liberation in Pentos. By then, though, it was little more than changing the name from indentured servant to slave. The people of Braavos were furious, desperate for war, and Sealord Ledaesh followed their calls, hoping for an easy victory with his fleet, which still numbered larger than the Pentoshi. What they did not anticipate was the fact that their fleet was old and weathered, unfit for combat, now that the Sealord had turned his attention away from ship-building to his faulty infrastructure ideas. The Pentoshi, to their own surprise, beat back the Braavosi fleet in the Battle of Pentos. The Pentoshi forced them back to Braavos and won their freedom (and the lack of freedom for their slaves).

The land battles of the war were relatively few, with a few skirmishes taking place on the Braavosian Coastland, which were won, almost entirely, by the Pentoshi. Braavos's generals and admirals were generally friends of the Sealord, thereby having little experience or skill in actual combat. The sellswords purchased were, as well, of a substandard sort, as Ledaesh still attempted to keep the costs of the war down. All of this folly would result in the Battle of the Red River, in which the Ragged Standard turned cloak and shattered the Braavosi rear, causing their lines to descend into anarchy. Ledaesh's choice to pay for the cheapest sellswords had cost him dearly.

## 299 AC: The Attack of the Pirate King

The attack of the Pirate King. The Stepstones pirates retake control of the Dornish islands and return them to lawlessness. The friction between the two Martell princes grew enough to go against the war effort. The slaying of Princess Eleanor by the hands of her first son’s assassin and the subsequent battle of Two Princes prevent any retaliation against the pirates, leading to total loss of control of the islands previously taken by Dorne. Prince Oberyn is exiled upon the loss of his support.

## 304-305 AC: The Seven Mermen Uprising

Faith of the Seven worshipping small folk in and around White Harbour rise up against the followers of the Old Gods led by a Ser Hoster of Maidenpool and six other zealous knights.

Though short, the Faith Uprising is bloody and claims the lives of several Northmen, among them Lord Starks brother and nephew. The Uprising is finally stopped at the banks of the White Knife when the zealots are caught fording the river by Lord Rickard Bolton and his son Roger Bolton, with the former succumbing to his wounds not long after the battle. Ser Hoster is slain and his men are cut down or scatter to the wind and the principal leaders are brought to Lord Stark for summary execution.

The aftermath of the Uprising leads to some animosity between Houses Stark and Manderly, the former seeing the merman as the ones to blame for the death of their kin.

## 305-306 AC: The Skagosi Rebellion

Incensed by the Faith Uprising, and thinking the Starks of Winterfell unable to put down another uprising, the Skagosi rise against their liege Lords, and are brutally put down by the second son of Lord Stark, Jon Stark, in a campaign lasting a year and some moons.