War for the Seadragon Throne

The War for the Seadragon Throne is the most notable and violent civil war the Iron Islands have suffered to date, and cemented the Drumm's as High Kings of the Iron Islands, replacing the Greyjoys and moving the monarchy to Old Wyk

## Prelude

There are many who would say that the seeds for the war began when the old King Victarion Greyjoy died, leaving his son Torgon on the seastone chair. He was a younger man, not adept at fighting, and already with a love for books and numbers.. But Torgon ruled well by many accounts, though his tastes ran too close to the greenlanders for some. He banned raiding, speaking of the need to create allies where they could if the Iron Islands were to survive. It was to the mines he looked, focussing on infrastructure and trade. He believed that the key to a successful kingdom was wealth, through trade and alliance. With Victarion dead, many began to mutter against him, most notably Lord Lodos Drumm and Lord Wulfgar Goodbrother.

They argued that such trade ran too close to that of the mainland, and that they should take what they desired through the ancient tradition of reaving. Yet Torgon persisted, mollifying when he could and threatening when he could not. He agreed to betrothe his younger sister to the Drumm heir when they were of age, hoping to keep Lodos happy and quiet.

It was in 75 AC that the first sparks began to light. Cromm Wavewalker had made a name for himself, as the foremost drowned priest upon Old Wyk. For years he had served under Lord Drumm as his personal drowned priest which many thought odd for while Lord Lodos was a spiritual man, none would call him remarkably learned. Cromm spoke in taverns and in keeps, on beaches and in huts, but always the message was the same: the drowned god was displeased. Lord Torgon ideals grew close to heresy, and slowly did these whispers make their way to the Iron King’s ears. But he was an even handed man, and though he might of wished too, he did not order Cromm’s head. He let him speak, for now. And as the priest’s voice grew louder under the protection of Lord Lodos, so too did his influence.

There were many who whispered it was Cromm who poisoned Lodos Drumm against the current regieme, that Cromm was one of the reasons Lodos spoke out so fiercely against Torgon Greyjoy. It was true that the drowned priest enjoyed a certain amount of patronage under the Drumm Lord, allowing him to teach his children, and giving him free reign of the castle whenever he might need it. His preaching was thought fanatical by many, but he also spoke of greater agency for the Drowned Priests. For this reason at least, he soon gained a loyal following among the drowned men.

Four years later, in 79 AC was when the situation turned from bad to worse. The Iron Islands are not rich in food, and without raiding, they soon fell upon hard times, especially with the winter so recently departed. Still Torgon urged patience, but his plan became known soon enough. He had made an alliance with House Redwyne and in exchange for food aplenty… he had accepted their daughter as his queen, saying he would ask no other than himself to sacrifice for the iron islands. They were sending three ships with his dowry, and would bring King Torgon to the Arbour to meet his future bride.

Lord Andrik Harlaw spoke highly of the decision, close to the mainland as they were. The Blacktydes stayed silent, the Saltcliffes hummed and hawed. But it was the Goodbrothers and the Drumms who had the most violent response. Lord Wulfgar Goodbrother and Lord Drumm’s brother, Goremond Drumm left their islands in longships flying dark sails. And they waited until they came across the mainlander ships, bedecked with food and ready to return with the Iron King.

They burned it to a man, stealing the food and bringing it back to their holds. But they blundered, for they missed a few shipwrecked survivors who managed to find their way to Pyke. There were a few that found this mistake out of character for Goremund, as while not being particularly intelligent, he possessed a certain base cunning. King Torgon was wroth and demanded Lord Wulfgar and Goremond answer for their crimes but it was only the Drumm master of arms who arrived. Perhaps Lord Wulfgar had some foresight on how the meeting was going to go, or perhaps Goremund had known what he was to do all along.

Who knows what entirely happened in those chambers, but a few things are clear. Lord Goremond drew steel at some remark that King Torgon made, and his party was cut down. Some say King Torgon provoked him into combat, and others that Goremund grew close to killing the king before he was butchered. King Torgon demanded the fealty of Lord Drumm and of Lord Goodbrother by raven and both raised their banners in rebellion. In answer, King Torgon raised his banners, and the year of strife began. The War for the Seadragon Throne had begun.

## The War for the Seadragon Throne

Lord Wulfgar and his family stood with Lord Lodos and his family. It was clear that King Torgon expected his remaining vassals to join him as soon as they could, but the call of the waves had been more powerful than he had expected. Lord Andrik threw their might behind him, but the other islands were not so eager. Pious Saltcliffe had hosted Cromm Wavewalker but a few moons past, and were reluctant to send many men.  From Orkmont and Blacktyde there was no answer.

Quickly the Drumm’s and the Goodbrothers unified, splitting their forces in two, one lead by Lord Lodos, and the other by Lord Goodbrother. They sought to strike before the Harlaws and Greyjoys could gain much support, attempting to flank and surround Pyke. Lodos hoped for a swift, overwhelming strike, and from there move to take Pyke itself.

But King Torgon had never been a fool, and he would not be taken so easily. His forces avoided that of Lodos’s slipping through the Goodbrother’s blockade. His brother Maron expertly dodged them, then moving back around for a devastating charge on Lodos’ ships as the Harlaws reconnected. It was only through Lodos’ leadership that they avoided casualty, and the element of surprise was lost. For the next few weeks it was a fight of skirmishes, the four fleets dividing and reconnecting in attempt to catch the other out, small battles with only a few ships lost.

Lodos Drumm was a powerful man, at ease on both land and sea, and it was through an ambush off the coast of Pyke that the first blow was struck. He cut his fleet in two, giving the second’s command to Wulfgar’s heir, and commanding them to sail around Saltcliffe itself. Lodos then caught the Greyjoy fleet between them, boarding and slaying many crewmembers before its commander, the clever Maron Greyjoy managed to retreat. Lord Lodos was said to have laughed, and promised his crew that he would take the head of “that callow boy, and his traitor father” before the year was done.

However, while Lodos was claiming victory on Pyke, a different scene emerged close to Old Wyk. Lord Wulfgar’s fleet had retreated close to the holy island, knowing that should Old Wyk fall Great Wyk would come after. His force was split in two, the larger fleet under his control and a smaller coming from Old Wyk under the control of Vickon Drumm. It was the Harlaw Fleet, lead at the time by Lord Andrik Harlaw that managed to fall upon this fleet of ships, and slaughtered them to a man. They sent the corpse of Vickon Drumm to Old Wyk as a gift, to be given to the waves in any way they might wish.

Not only did they kill Vickon Drumm, but they also captured another, more important hostage. Esgred Drumm, the second daughter of Lord Lodos Drumm was also taken and without any word of her survival, the Drumm’s assumed she had also been killed. Imprisoned on Harlaw, she was kept until there was further use for her.

These small conflicts would continue for but a few weeks, thrusts and counterthrusts, ripostes made by glory-hungry captains under each side. Each made no large mistake, Maron Greyjoy bold and clever, Lodos cunning and filled with righteous fury. However, the next victory would be the Drumms, from a longship caught from Pyke. Under the less than gentle caress of Wulfgar Drumm, they learned that Prince Maron’s fleet had divided itself, and that a smaller part lay at a minor port in Pyke.

It was Lord Wulfgar Goodbrother and Urragon who went to take them. They leapt upon it, flooding from ship to ship in haste to destroy them before any could escape. It was Urragon that came across Maron, and they fought, both aware of the consequences of each other’s death. But Maron was an able warrior, and as the ships swayed and moved, his sword flicked across Urragon’s eye. It was not Urragon who killed him though, but a stray spear from a nearby warrior, overbalancing Maron and causing him to fall into the sea, crushed beneath the decks of the ships. Urragon’s eye festered, and he would lose it within the war.

It was now that Aeron Harlaw’s time had come. The Iron Islanders were not known being the most pleasent caretakers, and this applied to prisoners of their own people as well. While Aeron was present, the captain who had captured Lady Esgred attempted to take advantage of her. Aeron crushed his skull with a well placed blow, and set Esgred free. Under the cover of darkness, Aeron and twenty ships loyal to him fled Harlaw, setting their sails for Old Wyk. Meeting Lord Lodos, they returned Esgred to him in return for Lodos’ promise that Aeron’s bravery be rewarded when the war was done. It was on this day, as Aeron pledged his loyalty to Lodos Drumm, that he also sent his brother Wulfgar to the island of Blacktyde. Wulfgar was the Drumm’s steward, silver-of-tongue as well as possessing the means of making men talk. He was a dark man, and the one that Lodos chose to be his ambassador.

It was a month later that Lord Goodbrother, wanting to end the war before the rest of the islands gained their nerve, suggested a daring attack. Lord Lodos would draw the enemy fleet away on a merry chase, and Lord Goodbrother  would lead an attack on Lordsport, hoping to take the port and move onto the island proper. If they could control the landing points on Pyke, the plan detailed, they could besiege the castle itself, and from there victory was assured.

It began well, with Wulfgar and Urragon leading their men into Lordport, the enemy fleet diverted by Lodos’ efforts. But by sheer coincidence, a small fleet of Harlaw ships, yet untested in battle and still repairing their ships were in port. The battle was brutal yet quick, taking many prisoners under the element of surprise. Unfortunately, Lordsport had ample time to prepare their defences, and the rebel forces assaulted twice, losing many men but still with plenty to spare. During the second attack Lord Goodbrother’s first mate raised the alarm as Harlaw sails were spotted on the horizon. It was a small fleet from Harlaw itself, lead to regroup with the fleet there. During the retreat Lord Wulfgar took a spear to the back, plunging him into the sea, leaving Urragon in charge of the small, casualty ridden fleet.

As they began to leave, Urragon realized that their captives were substantial compared to the small crew they had. As the opposing fleet began to catch up to them, he ordered the execution of all prisoners for fear they might try to overthrow them. A hundred men were killed and thrown into the sea, before the fleet turned to fight the one pursuing them. It was a close battle, ending with both forces retreating. Urragon returned to Old Wyk, heart heavy. Lodos began to fear that Great Wyk may lose their nerve now that their lord was dead, and so he as well began to worry that a decisive victory was the only way they could win. He began to set his sights on Harlaw, hoping to take the island itself and cut King Torgon off from his powerful allies, but before he could fate intervened.

Fearing that the rebels may soon gain the allegiance of Orkmont or Saltcliffe, and without the knowledge that Wulfgar Goodbrother had perished at Lorsdport, King Torgon too hoped to crush the rebels before they gain any more momentum. It was at this time that Blacktyde sent the call to Pyke, apologising and confessing that the Drowned Priests had prevented their assistance. But they agreed to join King Torgon for the final push, which King Torgon believed possible with Blacktyde’s help, given that their fleet was fresh and unharmed. Perhaps the king’s greatest flaw was that he was too trusting. He did not know whether he had the forces to destroy Lord Lodos, but he believed he must try.

They caught the Drumm and Goodbrother fleet between Old Wyk and Orkmont, and engaged them in battle. The Greyjoys had the numbers, and the Drumms should be tired from the conflict... But during the battle, Lord Blacktyde turned cloak, his troops and ships attacking and destroying the ships of their allies. A single red swathe was painted upon their ships, marking them as allies of Drumm. The confusion proved deadly, and while many ships fled in defeat, there was one which was caught. That of King Torgon himself.

He was brought to Lord Lodos Drumm, and the priest Cromm, fresh from Saltcliffe. Bloodied, broken, but a king till the end. He did not beg, but stared defiant at the rebel lord. Lord Lodos took held of the driftwood crown and crushed it beneath his hands. His men bid to bring the man to the water, but Cromm held up one single hand. He would die atop the ship, he said, and he would not be allowed to join the drowned god. He who dwelt beneath the waves did not suffer traitors, said the priest.

And so Lord Lodos cut his throat, letting his lifeblood run out on the bow of his ship, and when the last of his life tricked away, King Lodos rose. Lord Goodbrother and Lord Blacktyde bent the knee that day, declaring him their king. And as Torgon died, so did the hopes of the loyalists. The ships who still believed they had a chance of victory regrouped at pyke, declaring Veron Greyjo their new king. But many, especially those of Harlaw, bent the knee to King Lodos. As he sailed, Cromm disinherited both the former Lord Andrik, and Aeron’s eldest brother, Otto Harlaw, declaring Aeron to be the true lord of Harlaw. Lodos also decreed he would wed his daughter, the one that he had saved. And so the island of Harlaw bent the knee to King Lodos.

When they found their way to Pyke, they found the remnants of the loyalist forces. Yet Lodos found the doors of Pyke open, and inside the young Veron Greyjoy. He bent the knee, and swore the forces of Pyke were under King Lodos’ control. The king laughed, and helped Veron to his feet, promising him glory and valour under his rule, naming him Lord Reaper of Pyke, and the lord of the island of Pyke. It was then that Lord Baelor Saltcliffe of Saltcliffe and Lord Harren Orkwood of Orkmont made their way to King Lodos, and swore their islands to his dynasty.

And so he ascended to the Drumm Throne a king.

## Aftermath

Lodos would prove a warlike, charismatic leader. His first reform was to begin the construction of what he called the Crimson Fleet, taking the galleys that Torgon had intended for his trading fleet and using them for his own fleet. He wed a new wife from those of the loyalists, from the house of Iron Holt. King Lodos began to begin the construction of a new throne as well, plotting for a replica of the Grey King's seat from ages past.

Cromm Kingmaker and a few of the other prominent drowned priests also convened, and spoke amongst themselves. Those who had spoken for Lord Greyjoy sought to repent, confessing they had not known the Drowned God’s true will, and with the fanatics they elected Cromm as the first among them, the Harbinger of the Drowned God.

It was Lodos’ control did reaving of the reach and riverlands begin again. King Lodos bid his followers steer clear of the Westerlands, for he hoped to one day claim Casterly Rock as his own, and so did not want the west to have any time to prepare until he attacked. He sailed further than the north as well, to lands beyond the wall, claiming wildlings as thralls, and wildling women as his salt wives. He was an able warrior, yet under his command the iron islands began to starve.

King Lodos had been a warlike man, and a brutal one, but history would see his most prominent act to be the rebellion itself. He reaved and raided like many other Ironborn kings, but after only ten years his ship was dashed against the rocks of Orkmont in a storm, and the driftwood crown passed to his son.