Gaemon Velaryon

Maester Gaemon, formerly known as Gaemon Velaryon, is the eldest of two trueborn siblings born to Maelys Velaryon and Alysanne Darklyn.

## **Appearance and Character**

Gaemon is a slender man standing around 5'45 feet, his fair skin almost on a pale tone, his shoulder-length blondish white hair usually tied in a ponytail. His frail physique contributes to a sickly appearance, although no particular health condition afflicted him during adulthood and he still served dilligently at court at his fifty-and-one years. Most people who come across him believe him to be younger than he looks, due to his preserved looks and Valyrian aspects. He has dark green eyes and greyish white stubble.

He is a reserved man, observant and cautious, with a natural distrusting disposition - believing that others are likely to be unreliable and fickle unless proven otherwise.

He is courteous and polite, although there is a coldness and business-like approach when on formal situations. However, if a stranger is to discuss more academic matters with him, such as history or customs or laws, he is quick to break the ice and show his excitement.

He also enjoys to play with words, responding well to people glib of tongue as if both were playing a game. Lying to him, or trying any form of flattery, however, are two ways for one to find themselves on his bad side very quickly; and Gaemon is not shy of expressing his disapproval, even if the offender may not pick up the subtlety of his words.

Toward the few people he trusts or consider as friends, however, Gaemon is much more open about his thoughts and impressions, being honest about his opinions and trying his best to be supportive. He is very attached to a selective few people who he considers to be close and trustworthy.

During Gaemon's years as a maester, he discovered a passion not only for pursuing knowledge, but for sharing it with others with the same interests as his, always nudging his wards in direction of more academic pursuits and instigating their curiousity on matters beyond diplomacy and stewardship.

## **History**

#### ***(Childhood)***

Born to a minor cadet branch of House Velaryon, Gaemon's birth and life was, for the entirety of his infancy and teenagee years, obscure in comparison to his many successful, sea-faring kin, whose exploits the young boy dreamed of one day being capable of achieving, yet seemed as he would never be able to.

His own traits did little to placate this. A sickly infant at birth, the babe had to be tended by a Maester constantly for his first month until there was a significant recover, yet the boy's health remained delicate throughout his childhood.

Raised under the vigilant care of a concerned mother, kept safe but isolated behind Driftmark's four walls by the dilligent Lady Alysanne, Gaemon was considered a sullen child, accompanied by books more often than he was of peers of his own age. The few friends he made from within Driftmark's court soon outgrew him after their infancy, their bonds weakening as the youth couldn't accompany them in their activities and games.

When he was of age to be trained at arms, not only was the boy clumsy at wielding a weapon and quick to be fatigued by physical efforts, but his health deteriorated again - which put an end to any efforts of grooming him for combat or overall martial duties.

His father, Maelys Velaryon, became busier as he rose within the ranks of the Spicetown League, which for Gaemon only served to further the distance between father and son, furthering his absence. For much of the youth's life, his closest companions were that of his mother and of his tutors responsible for his education, who praised him for his curious disposition, quick learning, astute mind and witty remarks.

#### (***Teenagee Years)***

Reportedly by his tutors, the now-teen scion had nurtured a particular interest for the history, laws, cultures and customs of Westeros and of their distant Essosi and Valyrian cousins, not only learning to speak and write in High Valyrian with ease but also learning the many tongues used on the Free Cities. For a boy who was considered shy, he could talk to any stranger about any subject without flinching by embarassment or slipping on his discourses, and his serene voice drew the interest and curiousity of his listeners.

"He could go to the Citadel", House Velaryon's tending Maester was once reported to say, "it would not take long for the lad to forge a chain, or two. He would do his House proud and serve well thereafter". His family, however, had other plans for him.

Upon hearing of these words from his spouse, Maelys was quick to notice an opportunity to groom his son into a steward or representative for House Velaryon - and his own minor branch's - best interests. While he would be no brave seafarer or warrior of renown, he could fit within the ambitions he had for the Spicetown League and for his branch.

It was so that Gaemon found himself in the service of cousin, Ser Vaemond Velaryon, captain of Tytos Lannister's Folly already at a relatively young age, attending to his ship and crew to the best of his abilities.

## **Aboard *Tytos Lannister's Folly***

Gaemon has traveled with his cousin, Ser Vaemond Velaryon, for three months, aboard *Tytos Lannister's Folly,* traveling farther than he'd ever believe himself capable of.

During that timespan, as he developped a budding interest for astronomy, the youth learned how to roughly orient himself near Crownlander and Stormlander waters with the stars as his only guide from his observations and studies. Yet, more importantly, he grew accostumed to the familiar seasickness that afflicted him, no longer remaining as indisposed as in his first weeks.

Under orders from the Crown, *Tytos Lannister's Folly* sailed toward Oldtown and then to the Arbor to aid in subduing the Ironborn rebellion. The youth dreaded the journey as much as he dreaded reaching the destination - crossing the southern part of Westeros, avoiding pirates and bracing storms or windless days under the scorching Sun seemed much better in comparison than the part where their fleet would engage with the enemy's, made worse after they were notified that the Arbor had fallen to the Ironborn.

He questioned whether it had been worth it to insist with the idea of tagging along for the journey - his cousin would surely have allowed him to return, had he done so when they were still on Crownlander shores, but Gaemon insisted on the first opportunity he had to leave his home behind and make a name for himself. *Like the other seahorses*, he thought, *yet I am no fighter, no sailor, no admiral. I am the seasick seahorse, as irony would have it be. A shame to my family*. He knew other crewmembers did not approve of him, from the way they looked at him and spoke behind his back on low tones - unfit for most basic activities on the ship, and clearly appointed because of his family ties, even if they did not have the spine to talk about him out loud or challenge Vaemond's decision. *Yet I'm not much different from most lords or title bearers, I'd wager.*

A sense of pride and stubborness nudged him to keep going, although in truth there was no other option at the time, stuck in the middle of the southern sea and midway through the Reach's shores. Observing the stars and studying their patterns helped distract his anxious mind, however, and he soon found himself to enjoy the activity, even if he started it purely as a form of escapism.

As the Gods would have it, though, Gaemon avoided much of the conflict. And when most of the Iron Throne's fleets were ordered back to Oldtown, he followed Vaemond on his trip back, glad for leaving the threat of raiders behind.

## **Life as a Maester**

At some point after his journeys with his cousins, Gaemon decided upon staying in Oldtown to dedicate himself to his studies and pursue a career as a maester.

For fifteen years he stayed in the Citadel, where he forged five links to his chain, two of copper and each of brass, pewter and lead, reflecting his specialization in the history of Westeros, its regions, geography, cultures, traditions and the Great Houses that came to shape and be shaped by them. However, he admitted to not being interested enough in other areas of knowledge required from a court maester, such as medicine and healing, or ravenry; a career as an archmaester seemed more appealing and closer to his wishes.

For the better part of his later years in the Citadel, he aided with researches and papers on the subjects of his expertise, often coming to assist the archmaesters with their academic tasks. However, Gaemon came to desire more than confining himself between its ivory halls, the wanderlust and curiousity for knowing the world beyond tomes and dissertations speaking out to him as strongly as it did when he was a youth. Not only did the maester want to experience the world with his own senses, but he also wanted to share his knowledge with those who were willing to learn from him and, in turn, share his passions and pursuits.

That wish had been granted to him, although not as he wanted. Gaemon served in many courts throughout his life, mostly minor Houses, from the Reach to as far as the North, not because of demands for his skills, but because his scholarly pursuits and education did not make him a popular choice among rulers who were more interested with the practical side of things, desiring an advisor who could more effectively help with matters of stewardship, medicine and diplomacy instead. The maester was, however, well loved by his wards, who saw in him a mentor inspiring those he lectured with curiousity and encouraging them with more academic pursuits.

## **Back to King's Landing**

The opportunity to return to the capital arose after the Grand Maester saw himself lacking in assistants, and Gaemon was quick to seize it. He offered himself to serve under its Grand Maester, arguing that his familiarity with King's Landing and its court in the days of his youth, as well as his kinship with both the Targaryens and Velaryons and experience as a maester in many courts, would make him an effective addition to his assistants.

Having been acknowledged and granted on his petition, he traveled to King's Landing, where he serves as a maester to this day, at fifty one years of age.

## **Meta**

**Attribute:** Brilliant

**Stats:**

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**Skills:**

* Silver Tongue (CHA), Deception (CHA);
* Diplomacy (STA), History & Law (STA);
* Geography (EDU)

## **Family**

* Jorgen Velaryon, grandfather;
* Elaena Velaryon, grandmother;
	+ Alyn Velaryon, uncle;
	+ Maelys Velaryon, father;
	+ m. Alysanne Darklyn, mother;
		- Gaemon Velaryon;
		- Rhaegar Velaryon, brother;
	+ Naera Velaryon, aunt;
	+ m. Jacaerys Velaryon, cousin;
		- Rhaenys Velaryon, cousin;