House Dayne

**House Dayne of Starfall** is a noble house from Starfall in Dorne. They are among the principal houses sworn to House Martell. The Sword of the Morning is a title given to a Dayne knight who is considered worthy of wielding the greatsword Dawn, a blade said to be created from the heart of falling star. Their blazon is a white sword and a falling star, crossing on a lavender background. A cadet branch of the family are the Daynes of High Hermitage.

## Appearance

The Daynes, who originate in the western Red Mountains, would be considered "stony" Dornishmen by Daeron II Targaryen. Their hair has been described as dirty blond (Arlen), dark (Ashara). Daynes have been observed with ocean blue (Arlen) or purple eyes (Ashara). Their purple eyes do not necessarily indicate Valyrian descent.

## History

### Kings of the Torrentine

House Dayne is one of the most ancient houses in the Seven Kingdoms, claiming First Men ancestry dating back ten thousand years to the dawn of days. The first Dayne is said to have raised Starfall on an island at the mouth of the Torrentine, having tracked a falling star there and found a stone of magical powers. His descendants became Kings of the Torrentine and Lords of Starfall. Along with the Fowlers and Yronwoods, the Daynes were among the most powerful and prestigious houses of ancient Dorne. The Daynes are also famed for Dawn, their ancestral sword made from the fallen star, and the men who wield it, the Swords of the Morning.

The Daynes have taken part in many conflicts between Dorne and the Reach, including battles against House Oakheart. King Samwell Dayne, called the Starfire, once burned Oldtown.

The last Dayne King, Vorian, known as the Sword of the Evening, was defeated in Nymeria's War and sent to the Wall. Afterwards the Daynes supported Nymeria against King Yorick V Yronwood. Nymeria's third husband was Ser Davos Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. Nymeria, Princess of Dorne, was later succeeded by her eldest daughter by her first husband, Mors Martell, not her son by Davos.

### Targaryen Era

In 10 AC during the First Dornish War, Ser Joffrey Dayne led a Dornish army to the walls of Oldtown, razing the fields and villages outside it. Queen Visenya Targaryen retaliated by burning Starfall with Vhagar.

In 47 AC Lady Clarisse Dayne was suggested as a potential wife for King Maegor I Targaryen. Grand Maester Benifer wanted to detach Starfall from Dorne, which was then still independent from the Seven Kingdoms.

Ulrick Dayne, a Sword of the Morning, was considered an exceptional knight by Ser Eustace Osgrey, comparable as a swordsman to Daemon I Blackfyre and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight. Dyanna Dayne, who died before her husband became King Maekar I Targaryen, was the mother of Maester Aemon and King Aegon V Targaryen.

### Recent History

While journeying to Casterly Rock for the possible brokerage of their marriages, Prince Oberyn Martell and Princess Elia Martell visited Starfall. Elia, who eventually married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, had the beautiful Lady Ashara Dayne as one of her companions.

Ashara's brother was Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning and the deadliest knight in the Kingsguard of Aerys II Targaryen. Arthur led the campaign against the Kingswood Brotherhood, winning over the smallfolk of the forest and rooting out the bandits. During the climactic skirmish, Arthur killed the psychotic Smiling Knight in a duel. Arthur also knighted Jaime Lannister on the battlefield. Arthur broke twelve lances against his good friend, Rhaegar, in a tourney at Storm's End.

At the great tourney at Harrenhal, Ashara danced with Lord Jon Connington, Eddard Stark, and a member of the Kingsguard. In the jousting, Arthur lost to Prince Rhaegar, the eventual champion. Ser Barristan Selmy was infatuated with Ashara, and he planned to name her queen of love and beauty if he won the tourney. According to Allyria Dayne, Ashara fell in love with Eddard at Harrenhal.

In the aftermath of Robert's Rebellion, Arthur died at the tower of joy, slain in single combat by Eddard. Afterward, Lord Stark returned Arthur's famous sword, Dawn, to Starfall and informed Ashara of her brother's death. Ashara threw herself into the Summer Sea from the Palestone Sword of Starfall, although her body was never recovered. Many believe Ashara or Starfall's wet-nurse, Wylla, to be the mother of Eddard's bastard, Thomas Snow.

## House Dayne at the end of the third century

### of Starfall

* Lord Vorian Dayne, second child and eldest son of Lord Samwell and Lady Aryanna Dayne. Vorian rules as Lord of Starfall.
	+ Lady Aryanna Targaryen, eldest child of King Aerys II and Queen Rhaella Targaryen. She is the mother of Elia, Arlen, Aria, Maddison and Emily.
		- Lady Elia Dayne, Lord Vorian's eldest child and former heir before she renounced her claim upon Starfall in favour of her younger brother.
		- Ser Arthur Dayne, Lord Vorian's eldest son and heir. Arlen is the wielder of Dawn and carries the title Sword of the Morning. Twin brother of Alysanne Dayne.
		- Lady Alysanne Dayne, Arthur's twin sister.
		- Name Dayne, youngest child of Vorian and Aryanna
* Lady Allyria Dayne
* Ser Arthur Dayne
* Lady Ashara Dayne

### of High Hermitage

* Ser Name Dayne
	+ Lady Name Name
		- Ser name Dayne, heir of High Hermitage
		- Ser name Dayne, second son
		- name Dayne, youngest child