House Forrester

House Forrester

**House Forrester** is a noble house from the North of Westeros, well known for their harvesting of the rare ironwood trees. Seated in Ironrath in the Wolfswood, they are vassals of House Glover of Deepwood Motte. They, like the majority of other Northern houses, worship the Old Gods of the Forest.

They are ruled by Lord Torrhen Forrester.

## Culture

### Traits

Members of House Forrester are known to be strong of body and of face. This comes from the years of working among the lumbers of the Weirwoods. Normally they are of brown or black hair with eyes ranging from brown to blue.

History has shown House Forrester to be excellent scouts in the armies of the North. Occasionally a member will break through the ranks as well known warriors.

### Customs

When members of House Forrester die they are put to rest by being cremated on a pyre of ironwood. The blue flames are said to carry their spirits to join the Old Gods. The ashes are then spread among the ground in the ironwood groves.

## History

### Age of Heroes

Gerhard Forrester was one of the members of the First Men who first set foot in Westeros. He traveled North with other settlers and began to help with the colonization of the land that is now known as the Kingdom of Winter.

Following the forging of the Pact with the Children of the Forest Gerhard continued North with other members of the newly coined "Northerners" to settle in a large forest that the First Men called the Wolfswood. If by luck or fate Gerhard chose an area of land that was surrounded by a specific type of tree, Ironwood.

Ironwood is harder than normal oak and black in color. These traits would cause it to be a large sought after resource. In the years to come Ironwood would be used to construct the doors to the crypts beneath Winterfell as well as the future keep of Ironrath.

### The Building of Ironrath

Cedric Forrester, with the help of his triplet sons began the construction of a large stronghold. Designed to blend in with the surrounding ironwood trees. Upon its completion the current King of Winter said that Ironrath, as Cedric Forrester had named the stronghold, is a testament to the strength and endurance of the members of House Forrester. He appointed House Forrester the title of a minor bannerman under the leadership of House Glover. Cedric Forrester was named Lord of Ironrath and in turn appointed his eldest son as the first Sentinel.

### The Wildlings Invade

In the years leading up to 52 AC the rumors of a Magnar of Thenn who was declaring himself not only the God-King of Thenn but also King Beyond the Wall began to fill the taverns and inns of the North. It was said he referred to himself as the Harbinger and was convinced he was the representative of the Old Gods' will. This was not the first time news of Wildlings stirring North of the Wall had been heard and because of this they were taken lightly among the Nobles.

The night soon came when the Magnar lead a band of Wildlings south through the Bay of Ice where they eventually made landfall in the Wolfswood. It was from this point that he and his forces attacked an unsuspecting Deepwood Motte. The forces lead by Master Galbart were able to fight off the Wildlings but not before many smallfolk were killed and Lawbringer, the Glover ancestral greatsword was taken. Desmond Forrester, the son of the Lord of Ironrath, was present that night. It was later discovered that he had hid in the Master's study instead of joining the fight. Desmond's already shaky relationship with his father was strained even more.

In 53 AC a council was held in Winterfell. Here it was learned the Wildlings had burned the Keep on Bear Island on their return trip North. During the council it was spoken of the lack of aid from the Crown even though it had been promised. After much debate if was decided to forgo waiting on forces from the Crown and to have the North march to the Wall to face Magnar Thenn and his forces.

### The Battle Beyond the Wall

The battle itself was a blur, the Wildlings fought like men possessed. Master Galbart and his son Ethan fought close together during the initial bouts. Desmond, who was forced to join the forces by his father, was also fighting near them. Desmond Forrester knew that his father wanted him to die in the battle. He soon saw the man who called himself the Harbinger on the field. A giant of a man, he wielded Lawbringer as he carved his way through the battlefield. The Magnar found Lord Stark and the slayed him in battle.  Master Galbart dropped to his knees at the shame of his Lord dying at the edge of his family's blade. The Magnar closed in on Master Glover and Ethan. Desmond knew if he waited he would finally find the honor his father never saw in him. He would kill the Harbinger when he was distracted by Master Galbart, he only needed an opening. The opening never came for when the wildling raised raised his sword to end Master Galbartm the strike was interrupted by Master Galbart's son's, Ethan, blade. Ethan and the Harbinger fought and through a mixture of skill and pure luck Ethan found an opening and ended the life of the Magnar of Thenn. The battle was won and Desmond Forrester would only be remembered as being present that day.

### The Bloodless Rebellion

Relations with the Crown worsened after the Battle at the Wall. The newly appointed Lord Alaric Stark voiced his displeasure with how the North had been treated and the disrespect that the King had bestowed House Stark during the late Lord Stark's funeral. Lord Alaric had declared independence for the North soon after and for his council to convene once again.

The Rebellion itself was not what they thought it would be. The South was facing a famine that had ravaged its supplies. This deterred the Crown from mounting against the North. Ethan Glover had marched down to Moat Cailin, as his father was to sick to do so himself. Desmond Forrester remained in Deepwood Motte with Master Galbart. During this time, Galbart saw his skill in writing letters and tasked him with dispatching the correspondence from Deepwood Motte. Desmonfd himself read the letter from Ethan to Master Galbart that the Crown backed down and acknowledged they did not have the resources to fight a rebellion and deal with the the other issues it faced.

### Finding Honor

Following the death of Master Glover in the year 60 AC Desmond returned home. He had in his possession a letter that had been written by the his old mentor stating that Desmond had served House Glover with honor and had even become one of the late Master's most trusted advisers. Upon reading the letter Desmond's father did something he, in Desmond's memory at least, had never done before. He hugged him.

The two men started a shaky relationship of working together. Desmond was appointed Sentinel of House Forrester and upon his father's order start a spy network that began to collect valuable information about other major Houses. Desmond quickly learned that he had a knack for such work and through his successes he and his father grew closer.

In the year 65 AC Desmond was married to the eldest daughter of House Woods and the two settled in Ironrath together. In 72 AC the couple would welcome their first child into the world, a son, Torrhen.

### Winter of a Hundred Kings

At the beginning of 75, blizzards began blowing stronger and more frequently than they had in the past. Soon crops withered and died and the people of Ironrath began to starve. The North was caught unprepared for the sudden natural onslaught and thousands across the massive land froze to death in their hovels and castles. The weather cut travel and the shipping of good out completely. Ironwood fires burned many a nights during the winter.

Half way through the winter both of Desmond's parents died from sickness. This left him as the new Lord of Ironrath. Through his rule no other member of House Forrester was lost.

The Winter of a Hundred Kings may have been a mighty blow to the North, but it also saved the North from a disaster that was affecting the rest of Westeros. The Dragonblight, a devastating sickness, ravaging the other realms could not survive in the North. The maesters reported no more than a few hundred casualties were from the disease and as the waning months of the deadly winter came to pass, the North was ready and able to secure its borders to keep the southern plague away.

Winter wasn't the only thing to come that year Desmond and his wife welcomed their second child, Sansa. Soon after they had two more children a son Jorah and a daughter Sarra.

Torrhen and Sansa were very close. She was often the only one who could calm him down after his fights with Desmond.

### Rivalry with House Whitehill

House Forrester and House Whitehill have always had shaky relationship due to conflicts over Ironwood. This all came to a head the Year 90 AC. Lord Whitehill accused Torrhen Forrester of raping one of his daughters and impregnating her with a bastard. When word come back to Desmond he told Torrhen to tell him the truth. Torrhen said the two had been meeting in the Wolfswood a few times each moon. Torrhen had not said anything to his father due to the tension between the houses. When Torrhen told Desmond that he planned to marry the Whitehill girl even before she was pregnant he struck his son in anger. The Whitehills wanted justice for the wrong they had been wrought.

In 91 AC news came that the child, a boy, was born. Torrhen begged his father to try and end the feud between the Houses. That the child was made from love and that his marriage to the Whitehill daughter could unite the Houses. Reluctantly Desmond sent a raven to Highpoint. The answer was simple. The Whitehill girl claimed that Torrhen did rape her. That she never loved him and when she told Torrhen this he lashed out. Lord Whitehill said that no Forrester bastard would be allowed in Highpoint and the child was dealt with. Lord Whitehill did not say if the child was alive or simply sent away.

Torrhen's relationship with is father was strained at best after this. House Forrester and House Whitehill were at the brink of war. Although Lord Desmond said he believed his son, Torrhen knew that his father still blamed him.

### Keeping Secrets

Torrhen and Sansa became even closer when Sansa poisoned the man she was betrothed to. The older Lord was not kind to her and when it became clear that her life would be ruined with their marriage she took matters into her own hands. Not wanting to lose his sister, Torrhen covered up the death of the Lord as training accident by giving the body grievous wounds.

Although Desmond knew this was not true he didn't pry his children as other House's accepted the story.

### The Wolfswood Ravagers

92 AC saw the last reports of the Curse, but also was the beginning of the raids in the Wolfswood. Malmur Stane, of the Islands of Skagos, felt the Curse was caused by the northmen abandoning the old ways of worshiping the Old Gods by giving the divine the human sacrifice they need.

Stane traveled from the Isle of Skagos to the Wolfswood, bringing with him a small band of followers who felt similar to the Skaggosi. Malmur’s group swelled to numbers of 50 to 60 followers while in the Wolfswood. Reports of kidnappings happening at all hours of the day and night and finding strange totems with disgusting and terrible shrines with human remains and body parts soon found their way to Desmond through his networks. King Alaric and other Lords of the North were asked for help but the Houses of the Wolfswood found themselves alone in the fight against this fanatical group: the other Lords simply couldn’t spare the men to fight another battle, all still recovering from the Curse.

Widespread panic began crossing the region beyond the Wolfswood. Malmur’s group never stayed in any one spot for long, evading the attempt to detain the group and before long the common people began spreading rumors that the fanatics numbered in the hundreds.Aid was finally sent when the current Winter’s Shepherd, was killed in an ambush. The Winter's Shepherd was the religious leader of the North and was hoping to calm those in the area affected by the Ravagers. Instead he was mutilated and Malmur spread the former Winter’s Shepherd’s body parts across highly-visible areas, showing, in his mind, that his way is the correct way in the eyes of the Old Gods.

Theodan Stark, heir to the King, called what men he could to Winterfell and he formed his own party in response, most among them were Manderlys, Glovers, and Karstarks, with even the Lord Bolton himself along with Ethan's sons Jason and Brandon joining the militia. Desmond sent his own son to join them. The group totaled in 60 to 70 in manpower and were determined to end this evil and allow the North to finally feel at peace. They scoured the Wolfswood for weeks, only finding a few number of Malmur’s group at any one time.

In the beginning months of 93 AC, Malmur Stane himself was found in the woods just north of Winterfell. The Stark host crashed upon Malmur’s group and slaughtered nearly every last one of them to the man. Malmur Stane’s neck met Ice, and the fanatics were no more.

### Weddings and Wars

Desmond's finest moment came during these years as he saw his daughter Sansa marry Prince Theodan Stark. She would one day rule beside him as Queen of the North and bring House Forrester much respect and honor among the other houses. His son on the other hand was not as forthright. He had constantly turned away the best women the North could offer and instead chose to find the nearest fight. On more than one occasion this caused him to go missing for moons at a time. Desmond saw a lot of himself in Torrhen.

Desmond and his family attended the Tourney of White Harbor and was present when King Alaric abstained the throne to his son. Torrhen tried to speak to Lord Whitehill. To claim his innocence and declare his love to Gwyn, but the Whitehills would not hear it. Upon learning of the attack on Karstark lands Desmond ordered his son, Torrhen, to march of to help their allies. Desmond returned home with the rest of his family and ordered Ironrath men to march with Master Glover's forces to help battle the pirate invaders. King Theodan called upon Houses Manderly and Karstark to supply ships to hunt down the pirates and Houses Glover, Hornwood, Bolton, Manderly, and Umber to provide soldiers. The fleet departed Karhold early in the 8th month of 98 AC but was met with storms not long after leaving the harbor. The fleet arrived off the coast of Skagos battered and bruised, however the storm proved to be a blessing in disguise as the pirate fleet sheltered in that same harbor. The battle was quick and decisive with the North winning a naval victory under the leadership Warrick Manderly and then a fight on land under the leadership of Jon Bolton, leading to the capture of Blackvein.

Following the battle Torrhen did not return to Ironrath with the other Forrester men, instead he continued North and spent some time at the Wall with his Uncle Rodrick, who was a Ranger of the Night's Watch. Torrhen battled with the idea of taking the black as well but was talked out of it by his Uncle. Rodrick said that he would be simply running from his problems. Torrhen decided that it was time to face his past. He would return home and speak to his father. He knew that his son was alive and would not rest until he was reunited with him and his love.

### The North Invaded

The North once again gathered for the wedding of Warren Dustin and Gwin Goodbrother. During the wedding Desmond was able to secure a marriage of his own for his son, Jorah, with House Mormont. Through this connection Desmond also gained a close friendship with Lady Meage Mormont.

Torrhen and his father reconciled their differences during the wedding at Barrowton. Torrhen tells his father that he is ready to become the man his father wanted him to be. Desmond states that he is already more than that man he hoped he would be.

During his time in Barrowton, Torrhen met two women who would help shape the rest of his life, Gysella Goodbrother and Dacey Mormont.

On the first night in the city Torrhen was drinking in a tavern when he was joined by Lady Gysella Goodbrother. The two shared an evening together exchanging tales of their past. The evening eventually turned into a night shared together and Gysella told Torrhen that he should find her on her ship to learn how to sail.

A few days later he met Dacey Mormont while training in the sparring yards. The two fought and although Torrhen was bested, he and Dacey struck up a quick friendship and the pair could often be found training together.

During this time Torrhen went to the the manse that the Whitehills were staying in. He once again tried to plead his case to them to allow them to see his son. Lord Whitehill's son refuses to even let his father know that Torrhen was there and states that the only reason he didn't kill the Forrester was that it would be a slight against House Dustin. After leaving the manse Torrhen made his way straight to Gysella's ship and the two spent some time at sea alone.

Peace would not last. The North learned of a plot by Edmyn Tully, using the help of a Dornish mercenary, to blackmail the North for the kidnapping of Lady Agnes Tully. King Stark called his banners to Barrowton to act as a staging point if war was called. The North tried to avoid this by sending word south to the Dragon King. Word would not be sent fast enough as the Riverland forces invaded and captured the Keep of Flint's Finger. Desmond learned that their own realm was not the only in crisis. The Iron Islands, under the command of Lady Blacktyde had been fighting the Royal Fleet and seemed to be winning.

The Dragon King did order for the Riverlands to stand down and return to their own lands. It is unknown if the order fell on deaf ears or if Edmyn Tully truly was acting alone. The North struck a quick counter when the Northern Fleet, led by Lord Dustin and help from his new bride's family, found and completely routed the ships the Riverlanders had brought leaving them stranded in Flint's Finger. In the Third Moon of 99 A.C Tully left Flint's Finger in disguise to scout on the Northern forces in Barrowton. He may have been successful had Desmond's spies in the Riverland army not reported this allowing for a trap to be set. Tully was discovered when he entered Barrowton but was able to escape into the wilderness around the city. King Stark sent me out to find him, which they did, but before Edmyn could be brought in for questioning he committed suicide.

### Making Alliances

With the death of Edmyn the Riverlanders left the lands of the North and once again there was peace. Desmond used this time to work on improving his status with the King and the North. Partnering with Lady Mormont they approached the King about allying themselves with the other realms who at the time were creating unrest with the Dragon Kings. To aid them in their endeavors without entering the conflict with force. They felt that by doing so they could prosper when other faltered. The King agreed with some of their ideas choosing to meet with the newly crowned Queen of the Iron Islands, Sigrun Blacktyde.

With their forces combining Desmond sent Torrhen to accompany, Lady Gysella Goodbrother the Iron Fleet. Desmond would return to Winterfell with his King to discuss the North's plans for the future.

### Time At Sea

Following the end of the threats from the Riverlands Desmond sent Torrhen to accompany Lady Goodbrother in the Iron Fleet. He wanted Torrhen to be his eyes and ears in the Iron Fleet and learn what he could of the North's new ally, Queen Sigrun Blacktyde. While sailing Gysella confided in Torrhen that civil war would soon be taking place in the Iron Islands. Although her son Dalton was following the new Queen, Gysella had her doubts if this warmongering "Shieldmaiden" was the right choice to lead them. Torrhen sent word of this back to his father who told his son to learn all he could of this potential unrest.

Torrhen was there when the Royal Fleet had beaten the Iron Fleet at sea. After the battle they were able to get away and make their way back North. Torrhen sent word to his father about the battle and how Queen Blacktyde had been missing. During the return trip Torrhen and Gysella spoke of wanting a life together. It was here that they agreed to marry. Gysella said she would come to stay with Torrhen in Ironrath, leaving House Goodbrother in her son Dalton's command. Gysella returned Torrhen to the shores near Deepwood Motte and said she needed to return home to attend to affairs before coming to stay in Ironrath.

### Losing Faith

Upon returning to Winterfell though his King seemed to distance himself. Word flooded in that Lady Tully had declared herself, Queen of the Trident. The Dragon King was marching his forces to Riverrun to tend to that matter. At the same time Torrhen had sent word that the Iron Island and Northern forces were sailing to meet the Royal Fleet. The windows of opportunity was closing for the North, and yet the King did nothing. He spoke of a system of roads that would be constructed and only of that, which would have been fine had Desmond saw progress in that project.

After a few moons in Winterfell, Desmond grew angry. It seemed his King had lost the fire and determination Desmond had learned to respect. After a final meeting with Lady Mormont Desmond left for Ironrath.

In the sixth moon Torrhen once against sent word of the Iron Fleet's progress. It seemed that Lady Sigrun finally had her battle with the Royal Fleet and although close she was defeated. Torrhen told his father that although unaccounted for he believed she had survived the battle. He would be returning to the North with the help of Lady Goodbrother. The following moon brought more news of the Dragon's successes. The siege of Riverrun was over and self proclaimed Queen was defeated. More news of the Dragon's enemies being defeated continued to trickle in. Desmond could see the writing between the lines. The Dragon King was growing in strength.

### Conflict with Whitehill

Upon Torrhen's return to Ironrath, Desmond learned that he and Lady Goodbrother had agreed to marry. While she returned to her home to gather her belongings Torrhen informed his father that it was time for all of their family to come home. A small group of men left Ironrath for Highpoint and soon found themselves outside of the Keep's walls. Desmond watched as his son spoke to Lord Whitehill, listened as he told him that he would never be able to win his daughter back, but that didn't mean he was leaving without his son. At first Lord Whitehill argued against it but Desmond assured him that the matter would not be settled until the boy returned to Ironrath with Torrhen and that Desmond didn't want to bring the matter to the King's attention but if that is what Whitehill wanted he couldn't avoid it. Lord Whitehill finally gave in and despite the pleas from his daughter sent Jason Snow out to the party.

The boy was now eight years old and a striking resemblance of his father. Desmond put his arm around the boy as Torrhen turned to Gwyn Whitehill. He told her that he was not taking him from her for good. That he was not like the Lord Whitehill. Gwyn could come and see their son whenever she wanted. And when the boy was six and ten that he would be old enough to decide for himself where he wanted to be. With that the Forresters left and returned to Ironrath.

### Passing the Torch

The coming of 100 A.C brought sickness to Desmond. Before long his strength began to leave him but for the first time in his life Desmond was not plotting. He got to see his eldest son marry and legitimize his grandson Jason. The North was at peace and House Forrester was well connected. Torrhen spent much of his time leading up to his marriage with his son. The two had eight years to make up on. The two took to each other very quickly and Torrhen had to work with his son to not harbor any ill feelings towards his mother. The wedding of Torrhen and Gysella was a grand time for House Forrester. It was made even better when Torrhen's father legitimized Jason and named him as Torrhen's Heir. Torrhen, Gysella and Jason spent their time together and soon were a well balanced family unit. Gysella was happy to see that Jason took great interests in sailing and life on the water. Torrhen would often sit with his father and listen to him speak of the mistakes King Theodan was making with the North's wealth. His road though a project that would benefit the North was at the time sapping its reserves. He was also funding the improvements of holds of other houses. Torrhen would try to stem his father's worry but his stubbornness was too deep.

In the early moons of the year 100 Desmond Forrester started to fall ill. Torrhen stepped into the role as Lord of the House and learned as much as he could from his father before he passed. Torrhen now found himself in a row he not long ago thought he wasn't fitting for, Lord of Ironrath.

### Iron Island's Civil War

Gysella's tales of unrest came to fruition in 100 AC. Gysella left Ironrath for some time to make sure she was able to secure her alliance with House Greyjoy. Her family had been split in the lead up to the War as her son Dalton continued to support Sigrun Blacktyde. Gysella wanted House Forrester to stay neutral as she did not want her husband's reign to begin with war and death and instead used her connections with House Dustin. Despite his disagreement in the matter, Forrester forces stayed in Ironrath and this fact was much appreciated by the smallfolk. It was at this time that the smallfolk of Ironrath began to refer to Gysella as the, "Fair".

It was during the war that Torrhen and Gysella welcomed their first and only child together. Maya Forrester, named after Torrhen's mother and a splitting image of Gysella herself.

### Drought Comes to the North

The summer of 105 brought a drought that threatened to bring the North to its knees as it entered its primary growing season. The drought would persist through the entire summer season and well into the fall before abating leaving the northern food supplies dangerously low with winter looming on the horizon. Torrhen did what he could to ready his people for the coming hardship. He reached out to Deepwood Motte for help but received no word in return. The Drought would continue on till 113 AC.

### Attack on Bear Island

Open conflict could not be avoided forever. In 109 AC the wildlings once again bore their heads south of the wall. They set their sights on Bear Island and Torrhen lead a group of men there to help House Mormont fight them back. During the fighting Torrhen once again finds himself along side his old friend Dacey Mormont. The two commanded their men with absolute precision. Torrhen turned to her to have her order her men to concentrate on the wildlings who were looking to retreat, but instead watched in horror as she was locked in battle with a large wildling and was quickly getting surrounded.

Torrhen fought hard to get over to his friend but it was in vain. Before he could reach her Dacey was overrun and the large wilding ran her through with his spear. Torrhen and three other Forrester men pushed the Wildlings around Dacey back. He took up her blade, Longclaw, and used to to kill the Wildling that had felled her. The battle won Torrhen knelt by her side and handed her the Valyrian steel blade. Taking her head in his hands he told her that they had won and her people were safe. Dacey looked up to Torrhen and told him that she had always loved him even though she knew they could never be together. Torrhen told her the same and kissed her brow as she died.

Torrhen ordered his man to carry her back to the Keep on their shields and Torrhen met with Jory Mormont, The Lord of Bear Island and Dacey's brother. The two had fought with each other in the past and Jory was one of the few people who knew of the way Dacey felt about him. He presented Longclaw and Dacey's body to Jory and ordered his men to rest for the night before preparing for the return to Ironrath. Torrhen would stay on Bear Island long enough to attend the funeral of Dacey Mormont before returning home.

Upon returning to Ironrath word came from Winterfell that the King was gathering banners to march and fight back against the Wildlings. Torrhen and Jason left to lead the Forrester men and Theodan asked Torrhen to lead one of the flanks of their forces. Torrhen and Jason fought in all three major battles at the wall, The Battle of Westwatch-by-the-Bridge, Battle of Lone Tower and the Siege of Castle Black. After the battle Torrhen sent his son home and joined the men hunting for The King Beyond the Wall. He did not want to lose both himself and his heir if things went bad north of the wall. Torrhen was present when King Theodan bested him in battle.

The North once again safe Torrhen returned to Ironrath.

### Dragons Fly North

In 116 AC Prince Aegon would see that the North after its years of drought and battles was in great need. He convinced the King Viserys to extend a hand of friendship to the Starks. The first of many meetings were held in White Harbor but would prove inconclusive.

King Theodan recognized that the situation in his kingdom was rapidly deteriorating at the onset of 118 AC with many of his people on the brink of starvation. Prince Aegon and King Theodan met once more, this time in Winterfell. Following arguments and disagreements throughout the day and conversations that continued late into the night, Theodan Stark ultimately decided to swear vows of fealty to King Viserys and the Iron Throne.

It is said that Theodan was ready to throw out the Targaryen representatives but only his eldest son and heir, Osric, was able to convince him that this was necessary. Torrhen was there that day and would confirm its truth.

The North was officially a part of the Seven Kingdoms. A grand was wedding held in Winterfell between Osric Stark and Aemma Targaryen in the second moon of 119 AC. Torrhen and his family were there to witness the reunification of the two kingdoms.

After the wedding Torrhen was approached but Lord Stark and the King. He was named as High Justicar of the North. Lord Stark told him that he named Torrhen because he knew he could trust him to be the eyes and ears for the North when it comes to matters of the King.

### Rise of Rebellion

Discontent could be heard widely throughout the North as discontent with their current situation grew. The memory of the Kingdom of Winter was still fresh in their minds, as were Theodan Stark's failures. Many Houses in the North blamed their old King for the loss of their independence. Torrhen could almost fell his father rolling over in his grave. In early 125 AC several houses, including House Glover, refused to pay taxes to Winterfell. Master Glover asked Torrhen if he would join them in their refusal to which Torrhen replied simply, "No." In 126 when once again they refused to pay Theodan decided to act.

House Stark took several wards from problematic Houses during this time hoping for a nonviolent solution., This would not be as Bowen Stark, brother of Theodan, worked in the shadows to fan the flames of rebellion. This culminated in the 10th moon of 127 AC when House Glover called its banners and named Theodan Stark a false ruler. House Forrester was the first to denounce their banners to the Primary House that lead them. The roots of the Ironwood grew deep as the memory of those who live in it. Torrhen said House Glover refused to come to their aid during the drought and now the favor would be returned.

Torrhen personally lead a siege against Deepwood Motte to show his loyalty to Theodan. However, as the siege stretched onward, Theodan worried that the prolonged siege would invite more support for the Glovers. In the 12th month of 127 AC Theodan arrived with forces from the North and ordered the assault of Deepwood Motte. The assault was brief but bloody for all sides involved.

The rebellion was stopped as quickly as it had started. House Glover would see its Lord and Heir fall in the fighting, but the North would lose Theodan as he lead the charge over Deppwood Motte's walls. With his passing his son Osric replaced him.

### Rising in Ranks

Osric Stark's first act as Lord Paramount of the North would be to elevate House Forrester to primary vassal. House Glover for their part in his father's death was ordered to give up two wards, one to House Stark and the other to House Forrester.

Torrhen Forrester would be the first Forrester Lord to serve as a Primary Bannerman.

### The Tourney at Winterfell

Lord Stark called for a grand tournament in the 6th month of 128 AC to honor his father's passing and legacy. Lords and Ladies from all Seven Kingdoms were invited to Winterfell to celebrate the accomplishments of the last King of Winter. Torrhen knew that many there would be of those who felt Theodan was a failure. His worries proved just when the closing ceremony was held. There was a great confrontation between Bowen Stark and the Crown's representatives, with Bowen blaming his father's death and all the North's misfortunes on House Targaryen. Lord Stark was able to deter his sibling but many their knew nothing good would come from the outburst.

## Notable Members:

Gerhard Forrester: Founder of House Forrester

Cedric Forrester: Built Ironrath

* His triplet sons helped

Desmond Forrester: Ran successful spy ring that helped during the Riverland Invasion

Roderick Forrester: Served as First Ranger in the Night's Watch

Sansa Stark nee Forrester: Served as Queen of Winter after marrying Theodan Stark

Torrhen Forrester: Was the first Lord of Ironrath when they were promoted to Primary Bannerman status. Served as the first High Justicar of the North