Artys Upcliff

Artys Upcliff is the Captain of the Guards of Lord Gunthor Arryn, and a Scion of House Upcliff. Raised in the Eyrie, Artys has been a notable part of the Eyrie for the last two decades. He is often counted as one of the best swordsmen in the Vale and as a close confidant of Lord Gunthor.

## Appearance and Character

Artys is a large man, standing just over six feet in height and weighing around 176 lbs. He is strong from years of fighting with his preferred two-handed longsword and wearing heavy plate armor. He typically keeps a shorter beard and keeps his hair short, but isn't attached to that and is willing to let it grow out or shave it off depending on how he feels at any given time. He also has a large scar on his chest from a wound given to him during the Battle of Coldwater. Artys is a soldier at heart, and works best when under the direct orders of his superior or as an outrider of a small party of raiders or scouts.

Despite being a soldier, he doesn’t want for wars, especially due to the fact that he was good friends with Corwyn and Arthur Arryn before they got murdered by the clans, which naturally has instilled a deep hatred of the Clansmen. He also ever after has blamed himself for what happened to his friends.

Artys is warm and nice enough to most people, but he is quick to judgment and will hold people in contempt with little chance of re-evaluation if he judges them to be inadequate or false. He is extremely loyal to Gunthor and tries to make up for his perceived failure to Gunthor by protecting him now, and as such is more than willing to do any dirty work that Gunthor needs done.

## History

### Arrival at the Eyrie (73-84 AC)

Artys was sent to be a ward in the Eyrie at the young age of six years old soon after the Attack on Gulltown by his family, a somewhat distant branch from the proper Lords of Witch Isle, because it was assumed that the Eyrie would be the safest place in the Vale if Gulltown was foreshadowing for more violence to come. He became a page to Lord Gunthor and grew up alongside Corwyn and Arthor Arryn. The three grew to be close friends, learning with and from one another in both martial pursuits and personal. Artys was able to go toe to toe with the superior swordsman of Arthor, and absorbed the warmth of Corwyn's personality, although he never quite became as proficient in diplomacy.

### The War for the Mountains of the Moon (85-88 AC)

The War for the Mountains of the Moon reopened with tragedy for both the Lord of the Vale and for his squire. The murders of Corwyn and Arthor took away Artys' closest friends, and it ignited in him both a burning rage and a deep sadness. Artys joined Gunthors discussions with the commanders of the Eyrie in the meeting before the announcement that the Vale was to Raise the Red, and was a fierce supporter of the decision when it was announced. He accompanied the Arryn host of men and stood as one of the twenty men at arms standing guard behind the Lords of the Vale at the Red Parlay. He then accompanied the Lynderly Host into Black Ear territory and was one of the men to step up after the Lynderly Twins were killed, killing some notable lesser Black Ear leaders along the way back to Newkeep to assist with lifting the siege on the castle. He fought in the Battle of Coldwater, once again channeling his anger to kill two lesser leaders of the Milk Snakes, though at this battle he was hit by a low quality steel axe in the chest, the only thing saving his life being the fact that the axe broke upon contact with his plate armor. Due to his injury he stayed at Coldwater Burn, and bonded with the members of House Coldwater not off in the war, including the young and attractive Lady Anya Coldwater. After the war, it was Artys who suggested to Lord Gunthor that Anya would make a good match upon the Lord Arryn announcing his intention to remarry.

### The Peace (89-93 AC)

Upon the end of the war, Artys had to finally confront the depression that he had fallen into. It took many years but eventually, he mostly moved on and was able to heal, though he never quite returned to his previous warmth. He also earned his knighthood from Lord Gunthor after the peace was declared for his actions during the War, and Artys decided to stay in the Eyrie with Gunthor, who was the only father figure he ever knew. He joined Gunthor's guard and remained in the service of Gunthor Arryn.

### The Rosegold Rebellion (93 AC)

Artys marched with the Vale host to Kings Landing during the Rosegold Rebellion, though he personally only carede about the war because of the marriage of Myranda Arryn to the Crown Prince. His loyalty to Lord Gunthor was already well established and it was his duty to defend his Lord's daughter whatever it took. He stood with Lord Arryn on the walls and at the Gates, and accompanied him back to the Red Keep when they were forced to fall back. He joined other Vale Lords in their disappointment when the terms of the Peace were announced and returned with the others back to the Eyrie, where he was appointed as the new Captain of the Guards, as the previous one had been killed in the battle.

### The Two Uneasy Peaces (94-98 AC)

He has spent the years after the Golden Peace serving loyally as Gunthors Captain of the Guards and occasionally as his confidant, though he grew wary of the growing power of Lucion Corbray and the silence of the Redforts. Upon the death of Lady Anya he mourned with Gunthor, having considered her to be a friend of his, he stood by still and tried his best to remain there for Gunthor is his descent into further isolation and piety. He accompanied his lord when the Red Falcon was appointed Hand of the King, and formally met more with old loyalist soldiers that he had previously fought with. He joined his lord in his distrust of Lord Lannister and the Hightower, and also joined his lord in mourning for Myranda Arryn, a woman who he viewed as a younger sister in a way. He returned with Gunthor to the Eyrie, and did his part in helping his lord and friend administer his holdings and look after his family.

## Recent Events

### 98 AC

Artys accompanied Lord Gunthor and a host of men from the vale to the funeral of Balerion in Kings Landing. While there, he participated in the grand melee and fought well, defeating Monford Estermont, Daemon Brune, and Casper Caron before being defeated in a close battle with Princess Helaena Targaryen. Artys stomped his foot along with his countrymen when Lord Gunthor confronted King Viserys over the construction of a bridge across the trident by House Darry, and marched out of the hall alongside them. He organized the construction of an impromptu fortified encampment outside of King's Landing on orders of Gunthor. He was barred from crossing at the Darry controlled Ford of the Trident by order of Harry Darry.