Alaric Stark

Theodan Stark

Ethan Stark

Gwynesse Stark

Raya Stark (d. 62)

Arsa Stark (d.89)

**King Alaric I Stark** is the thirdborn son and fourth-born child of Lord Osric Stark and his wife Dacey Stark née Umber. He is a stern ruler and one who has lead for forty-three years. His two elder brothers died, one of sickness, the other stillborn.

He is the first King of Winter since Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror and has held the title since. He has children from two wives, four from his first Serena Dustin, and one from his second Leyla Osgrey.

## Appearance and Characteristics

Alaric is a typical Stark, he has a long face, dark hair, grey eyes, and a cold demeanor. For much of his life, he was a great warrior, wielding his ancestral greatsword Ice. However ever since he was mauled by a wolf during a hunting trip in 96 AC, he has had a singular arm.

He is a kind man, but he has no hesitation to punish those who deserve it. A brilliant steward, his mind is beginning to fade with age. While he is mostly lucid, there are some days he doesn't recognize even his own son.

## History

### Adolescence

The third son of Osric Stark was the only who would see adulthood. As such he found himself coddled by both his mother and his father. His family's maester was not as kind to him, but he ensured the boy learned. He was to be the future of House Stark, and as such he was expected to be an intelligent man. He found that he was quite proficient in managing funds, and Maester Donnel ensured that his tutoring focused heavily on economics.

When he turned eight years old he was expected to begin training with bow and sword. His uncle Rodrick Stark ensured that the boy was trained well. Alaric was no prodigy but he could hold his own with a blade, and when it was time for him to wield Ice, Rodrick assured Osric he would prove worthy of the blade.

### A Surprise Upheaval

When Alaric was but ten years of age, rumors began to spread of a Magnar of Thenn who was declaring himself not only the God-King of Thenn but also King Beyond the Wall. The man referred to himself as the Harbinger and was convinced he was the representative of the Old Gods' will. Alaric knew his father must react, but was nervous for his well-being as any child would be. Years passed before it truly became an issue.

In late 53 AC, Osric called his banners to Winterfell and held a council which determined that the North must assist the men of the Night's Watch with the defense of the realm. Word was sent to the Iron Throne asking for assistance but it never arrived. Osric left his son behind as there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. He spent the majority of his time with Maester Donnel, listening to the petitions of the smallfolk within his domain as well as the nobles who remained behind. It is noted that he made many of his decisions with little to no assistance from Donnel, however, whenever he did seek counsel he considered it. Donnel wrote to Osric at this time praising his son's sense of justice.

However, the letter was never read by Lord Osric Stark, for he met his end at the end of the Harbinger's blade beyond the Wall. When word reached Alaric, he realized he was an orphan. Both parents had left him and he was now the ruler of Winterfell and Warden of the North.

Donnel advised him to head south to pay homage to the Targaryen king as was expected of a new Lord, Alaric refused. Insisting he would remain in Winterfell until his father was returned to him. It was another month until Osric's body arrived back to Winterfell, shortly after this, he received a letter in the Prince-Regent's hand, expressing his condolences for Alaric's loss and informing Alaric that his wife, Princess Alysanne would arrive within two moons to see to Osric's funeral and requested the funeral be held off for that time. Alaric burned this letter and buried his father the same day inside the crypts below Winterfell as all the Kings of Winter had been before.

In the second moon of 55 AC Alysanne arrived. Her delay was simply due to the fact she visited the Night's Watch before making her way to Winterfell. However when she arrived, she was not met by Alaric Stark, she was met by his uncle. Rodrick Stark, Silverwing was made to wait outside the walls of Winterfell. When she was finally brought to the Great Hall, she was met not with bread and salt, but a young lord who sat in his throne with a greatsword upon his lap. No guest right was provided to the princess.

While Alaric was nothing but formal with the Queen, she felt the coldness with which she was met. Alaric met with her inside his solar for nearly four hours after this initial meeting, but nothing improved between the two. The young lord was advised not by Donnel the Maester during this meeting but by his uncle Rodrick Stark. It is said this is where Alysanne first recommended the grant of more lands to the Night's Watch. Rodrick and Alaric both refused, plainly stating that the North will continue to provide for them, but with their own lands.

Alysanne stayed the night but left early the next morning. Whether she was concerned for her safety or simply had no desire to stay in Winterfell is unknown. However, it is known that within a moon, another letter was received by Alaric Stark from Prince Jaehaerys, informing him that the crown was removing the lands north of Last Heart from his domain and providing them to the Night's Watch at Alysanne's recommendation. Rodrick and Alaric were both outraged with this news and tyranny, and the same day ravens were dispatched to each hold in the North, calling the men to Winterfell once more.

Maester Donnel's notes state he counseled strongly against angering the Targaryen dynasty, and recommended that he simply allow the land to be granted to the Night's Watch. Alaric and Rodrick both refused this advice, and letters were sent to each holding that House Stark had the capacity to send word to with the following letter.

*“The North has been forgotten.*
*It is by these words that I, Alaric Stark, declare the North independent from the Iron Throne. King Alaric I Stark rises where Lord Alaric Stark falls, remember lords of the southern lands: many of us have held these lands since before the Valyrian Freehold was a thought in your silver-hairedmonarch's minds. House Stark will defend its birthright with its lifeblood***.**
*Winter is Here.”*
### Winter Arrives

King Alaric I Stark met no resistance to his assertion of independence much to the r

   elief of the Northmen. The battle against the wildling horde had left the men battered and beaten. When the men finally returned to their holdings it was with great relief as no blood had been shed. King Alaric had a new crown fashioned in the design of past Stark crowns, an open circlet made of hammered bronze incised with runes of the First Men, surmounted by nine black iron spikes in the shape of longswords.

Donnel continued to advise against the path that Alaric followed, insisting that only death awaited him. Alaric accepted his counsel but did not take any action that Donnel advised. He bore no ill-will for the southern man, he was doing simply as was expected of his station, advising the lord to which he was sworn to the best of his ability. Alaric found himself listening to his uncle far more than any other advisor in his employ, while the old man was no longer a warrior he still had the mind of one. Alaric appointed Rodrick as his regent until his 16th nameday and even then retained the man as an advisor.

It is said shortly before her passing, Alysanne pleaded with Jaehaerys to abolish First Night, and while Alaric's hatred of House Targaryen was absolute, even he could not deny that it was the right decision. Even though he was only eight and ten he'd heard stories that would shake even the strongest man to their core, lords raping the smallfolk they swore to protect. Thus, First Night was abolished in the North as well, much to the chagrin of many northern lords who had come to love Alaric for his fair ways.

However, the young king did not relent and the crime was punishable by a choice of castration or being sent to the Night's Watch. Many lords did continue it for a time, yet the practice quickly died out when it became obvious that Alaric intended to enforce the new law.

Alaric continued to rule from the years 58-60 with his uncle as his main advisor with Donnel continuing to provide guidance. However, when Rodrick passed in 60, Donnel found himself to finally be the sole advisor for the young king.

If Donnel expected to be the only voice in Alaric's ear he was shocked to find that Alaric intended to create a council of advisors.

### The Winter Council

*Main Article: The Winter Council*

Alaric took this time to create advisors for various positions in the North, House Manderly was honored for their never-ending faith in the Starks with the title Winter's Bounty, the position was created to assist the king with the finances of the realm and ensuring the smallfolk had food.

The title of Winter's Justice was handed to House Glover, and while King Alaric still swung the sword when he passed a sentence, the Glover lord's advice helped him make fair and just rulings.

Winter's Grasp was granted to House Bolton, charged with keeping the North's secrets along with discovering secrets of those around them, it is a position both revered and reviled.

More positions would be created in later years, coming to honor house Tallhart, Whitehill and various others. But these three have remained since their inception.

### Donnel's Demise

Fifteen years passed with very few issues in Alaric's reign, Donnel found himself sitting on the council, and while his advice was quite often considered he was never the main source of counsel for Alaric like he once was. Alaric posits quite often this is the reason his son Harlon dies, and if asked will still state Donnel's treatment as one of his biggest regrets.

On a cold morning in the winter of 75 AC, Alaric was roused from his sleep by his son Harlon, the boy insisted his stomach ached and he couldn't sleep. Alaric rose from his bed and decided to take the boy on a walk, hoping the crisp air of winter would calm what ailed him.

To his horror when they entered the courtyard Harlon collapsed, blood pouring from his mouth. Alaric lifted the boy and carried him to Donnel's chambers. The boy cried for his mother, who'd passed just before winter fell. Alaric refused to leave his side as the boy slowly passed. Donnel insisted he did all he could, but could not save Harlon. Alaric thanked him and dismissed him while he sat beside the lifeless boy. Much to his surprise his personal guard and cousin, Jorah Ironsmith, brought Serena, Theodan, and Ethan to find him, with him he held Ice. He handed the sword to Alaric and informed him of the plot that Domeric Bolton had discovered.

Jorah was ordered to take Serena and Ethan to his quarters and ensure the Queen and Gwynesse were safe and not to leave them until he returned and to let no one besides himself or Theodan in. Jorah departed with a grimace upon his face, and Alaric waited with Theodan upon his lap. Theodan held his brother's hand, wondering why he didn't move and why he was so cold.

When Donnel returned to retrieve Harlon's body, he found Alaric waiting, Theodan upon his lap and Ice in his hand. Donnel inquired why Theodan was awake but was simply met with a fist. The elder man collapsed with a single punch, unconscious. When he awoke he was in chains.

Alaric was emotionless as he read the evidence aloud to the court. Donnel insisted Domeric fabricated evidence against him, yet the proof was overwhelming. Maester Donnel, one of the men who raised Alaric Stark murdered his son. The sentence for this crime was death. Within the hour his head was removed from his body with Ice, and a raven was dispatched to the Citadel requesting a new Maester. One with known Northern sympathies or from a Northern house.

### Winter of a Hundred Kings

As always, winter was the harshest upon the North. Food reserves were scarce due to a bad harvest during the previous autumn, and due to this Winterfell had to ration most of its food reserves to other houses to ensure they survived. Alaric decreed the food from the glass gardens would mainly feed those who lived in Winterfell and Winter Town. While the decision was the most prudent, it angered many lords. However Alaric had no choice, he'd given the majority of his food reserves to his vassals.

Various houses took this time to declare the Stark regime incompetent and raised their banners in rebellion. However, due to the lack of food, it was impossible to truly field an army during the winter. As such, the war was fought with words instead of swords for the vast majority of winter. When the spring thaw finally came, a few houses insisted they would maintain their independence but were swiftly put down with the help of House Manderly.

Those who required force to submit back to Stark rule provided wards to either Stark or Manderly and were forgiven. Alaric insisted that no lord who rebelled would be sent to the wall nor would the be executed. This kindness allowed him to quickly recover the realm from the brink of destruction and quickly restabilize it.

### Brief Respite

Miraculously none of Alaric's immediate family died in the harsh winter. As such Serena, Theodan, Ethan, and Gwynesse all grew up in relative peace and safety. Alaric ensured that each child was raised as befitted their status as the Princes and Princesses of the Kingdom of Winter, Alaric noted during this time that Theodan had issues with Lelya Osgrey, the King's newest wife quite often during this time. No matter how often he was rebuked, Theodan viewed her as an unwelcome visitor in his home.

### Curse of Maegor

It was unfortunate for the North that the Dragonblight plague once again reared its ugly head in the year 89 as there was no winter chill to stop it from ravaging the land. As such it traveled quickly and hit nearly every holding incredibly hard. Alaric had no choice but to seal the gates of Winterfell to prevent the worst of it from hitting his family. There was nothing to be done besides avoiding the Dragonblight. Alaric's measures protected the nobles who resided in Winterfell, but the smallfolk suffered gravely.

### A Wounded Wolf

Alaric continued to hunt even in his twilight years, and on a fateful day in the year 91 AC, he decided to hunt with a small retinue. As he traversed the Wolfswood searching for boar to hunt, his horse reared and threw him. Landing harshly upon his dominant arm, Alaric felt it snap below him, and it was only a moment before the wolf that startled his horse set upon him. Savaging the arm that he had just broken, Alaric used his weaker left arm to punch the wolf off him. The beast finally released his arm, and Alaric stood, drawing his dagger from his belt, driving it into the wolf's side.

By the time he was rushed back to Winterfell, Alaric knew his arm was useless. Rather than hope, he demanded it be cut off to prevent infection. The maester finally relented after much arguing, and Alaric's right arm was removed at the elbow. With a single arm, he knew his days of wielding Ice were long gone, and Alaric passed the sword to his son and heir, Theodan.

### A Setting Sun

Alaric's health continues to wane since his incident with the wolf. While he is lucid most days and quite strong, he has days where he cannot leave his bed and Theodan is expected to rule in his stead. He refuses to see anyone on the days where he cannot leave his bed to continue his appearance of health. But he knows he likely will not see the next winter and is doing his best to stifle the wars that Theodan fights with his brother and Leyla. But often finds himself failing. Only time will tell what is in store for the Kingdom of Winter.

## Family Tree

http://familyecho.com/?p=LUBDU&c=3xs4idjis&f=832251730505647389