Robert Grafton

Sarya Royce

**Robert Grafton** is the Lord of Gulltown and Lord Admiral of the Vale of Arryn. He is goodbrother to Lord Gunthor Arryn, and has fought alongside him on several occasions. He is close to his niece Ysilla and supports her claim to lordship over the Vale.

## Appearance and Character

Robert is an elder statesman, grey-haired but physically fit. He is neatly groomed and always smartly dressed, with a trimmed beard and excellent posture. Although not a physically imposing man his stern manner projects authority.

As a man Robert is sober and disciplined, and capable of great ruthlessness. He is not a cruel or spiteful figure, but he has no mercy for those who oppose the laws of land or sea. He is studious, with a brilliant mind, but his cold manner wins him few friends.

## History

### 44-58, Childhood

Robert Grafton was born to Lord Gyles Grafton and his wife Selyse, the daughter of a wealthy Gulltown merchant. From a young age he demonstrated a keen mind and curiosity about the world, and his maester struggled to keep up with his questions. In his youth he also developed a fascination with the sea, travelling with his father and uncles whenever they allowed him to join their voyages. His particular passion was with the great naval commanders of the past - Andal heroes who outsmarted Ironborn reaver lords and Tyroshi pirate princes.

As Lord Gyles' second son, there was no particular plan made for his future role. Noting his academic excellence he was despatched to the Citadel to learn from the maesters there. Whether or not he ended up joining the order, the experience would stand him in good stead.

### 58-63, The Citadel

Young Robert performed well at the Citadel, enjoying some of the privileges of his social rank. Among his contemporaries was at least one future Grand Maester. He maintained his fascination for the sea and for naval warfare, earning links of bronze and iron to signify his expertise in history and the arts of war. As he prepared to make the fateful decision of whether to remain in the Citadel and become a maester or to return home, a raven arrived from Gulltown that removed his choice: his older brother was dead. He departed from Oldtown the next morning.

### 63-98, Lordship

Robert returned to Gulltown to find his family in disarray and his lord father ailing. With the new confidence of an heir apparent, Robert threw himself into putting his house in order using the knowledge he had gained at the Citadel. He reformed the Grafton fleet and began enforcing the law more strictly in Gulltown, which had become an informal haven for smugglers plying the Narrow Sea. He came to the attention of his goodbrother Lord Gunther Arryn in 67AC, when the two men sailed together against the Manderlys at Sweetsister. The campaign bonded the two commanders, who were much alike in interests and temperament. Upon returning to Gulltown victorious, Robert learned that his father had died in his absence. Once again his status had changed while he was away from home.

Now in his thirties, Robert sought a wife to rule as Lady of Gulltown. He quickly courted and wed Annara Shett, the young daughter of his bannerman. Though their marriage was never warm she quickly produced several children; a son named Gerold, and two daughters named Sarya and Selyse. Robert and Gerold were to have a difficult relationship, as the two saw eye-to-eye on almost nothing. With little care for his daughters as well, Robert instead doted on his nieces Zhoe and particularly Ysilla Arryn, daughters of Lord Gunthor.

Around the time his children were born, Robert was called to action once again as the clansman Ruryk led a bloody attack on Gulltown itself. The raiders killed a number of citizens, including several members of his mother's family. Their assault was shortlived, however. Robert, less comfortable on horseback than on deck, led a charge of a hundred knights that broke the enemy's ranks. Upon capturing Ruryk Robert ordered him put to a brutal death. Neither a merciful man nor a cruel one, he was determined to make an example of the raider in a manner that his people would take note of and understand. This cold decision, that came despite Ruryk's pleas at Robert's feet, led to the Law of Mother's Mercy and the disapproval of Lord Arryn. House Grafton subsequently played little role in the Wars for the Mountains of the Moon, focusing on his naval patrols instead.

In 95AC Robert's daughter Sarya and her husband, Manfred Royce, passed through Gulltown on their way to King's Landing along with Lord Robar, the head of House Royce. Robert anticipated stormy weather and had little faith in the Royce's shipmaster. He urged Lord Royce to remain in Gulltown for a spell until a Grafton ship became available or the weather improved, but the Royce's had an engagement at King's Landing and departed against his advice. Not long after, word returned. The Royce ship had been wrecked, and Sarya was amongst the dead. Lord Robert's grief quickly turned to anger at the landlubberly Royce's and their refusal to heed his warnings.

## The Present

Lord Robert Grafton is one of the elder lords of the Vale, although his gaze turns outward to the sea rather than inward to the mountaints and valleys of his homeland. He spends much of his time at sea, patrolling the coast against pirates and smugglers among whom he enjoys a fearsome reputation. He styles himself as Lord Admiral. His strained relationship with his son and heir is contrasted with his admiration for his niece Ysilla, whom he resolutely supports as heir to the Vale.

## Family

* *Gyles Royce*, born 23AC, died of illness 67AC. Married *Selyse of Gulltown*, born 25AC, died in childbirth 46AC.
	+ Robert Grafton, born 44AC. Married to Annara Shett, born 53AC.
		- Gerold Grafton, born 73AC.
		- Selyse Grafton, born 74AC.
		- *Sarya Grafton*, born 76AC, died of drowning 95AC. Married to *Manfred Royce*.
	+ *Ryella Grafton*, born 46AC, died in a fall 86AC. Married to Lord Gunther Arryn born 46AC.
		- *Ser Corwyn Arryn*, born 64AC, murdered by clansmen 86AC.
		- *Arthor Arryn*, born 67AC, murdered by clansmen 86AC.
		- Ysilla Arryn, born 73AC
		- *Queen Myranda Arryn*, born 75AC, died of the Curse of Maegor 97AC
		- Zhoe Arryn, born 79AC