House Youngflower

**House Youngflower** is a Great House sworn to House Brightflame of King's Landing. The house was lifted to the status of Great House after the Darkspear Rebellion, where the other Step Stones houses voted for House Youngflower as Lord Paramount of the Step Stones. The current lord of the house is Lord Daniel Youngflower.

## History

### Before the Doom of Valyria

Ser Alester Tyrell and a young Redwyne noblewoman have a one night stand that results in the conception of Jason Flowers, later on in life, Jason is given a cadet dynasty for his participation of the Battle of Red Lake against the First Men, which he names the Youngflowers.

A couple of decades later, the Tyrells bestow the lands that would later be known as Goldengrove to Jason's son, Mathis. Mathis decides to invest heavily in exporting honey from his lands, gaining a massive amount of income that would make the Youngflower's one of the richest families in the Reach.

One hundred years before the Doom, the Youngflower's, they were classified as the Wardens of the Northmarch by House Gardner. Here they distinguished themselves for decades under the Gardners service, with many noting there families tendencies for having Bright Red hair and smiles. They participated in many of the Reach wars, making friends and rivals of many lords and ladies through the years. But time was not always kind to them and where they would suffer, the Tyrells, who would in time become bitter enemies of the House would prosper, though the Youngflowers remained a powerful name for centuries to come.

### After the Doom and The Conquest

Following the Doom that devastated Valyria, the Youngflowers were hardly affected by the fall of the Dragonlords. Instead remaining in the Reach, though second son of the current lord did venture out of Westeros to explore he never came close to the island itself, later describing to his brother that he felt nothing but death coming from it and knew he wouldnt return from even the slightest journey there. Instead he ended up in Essos where he sold his sword for a time in the Century of Blood that followed. Meanwhile the Youngflowers continued there term of control of the Northmarch, defending the area from an invasion by the Kingdom of the Rock around 50 BC however during this time the Youngflowers and there allies were weakened and though they remained powerful they stayed out of action for a time to recover properly.

By the time Aegon had landed Mathias Youngflower was Lord of the Youngflowers holdings and stayed out of any business until the fall of the Kingdom of the Trident and the death of House Hoarre, then he sent men alongside the King's great host to try and combat Aegon directly, thus he was not on the battlefield known as the field of Fire though his relatives Tristan Youngflower and his brother Harrison were and neither man survived the battle as they succumbed to dragonfire. The only thing that kept him from trying to take control of the Reach from there on was that Aegon personally assigned the Tyrells on the advice of William Youngflower who convinced Harden Tyrell to surrender Highgarden and as the new Lord Paramounts there power was protected by the might of those very same dragons that ended the Gardner line, though it was said he took his anger out on his prisoners, of which the man was already infamously known as the Murderer of Manderford for his cruelty and rumored tortuous methods. He would do little to dissuade people of this during the Long Dornish wars where it was said he attempted to one up the Wyl's in cruelty and many Dornishmen would soon fall on there own weapons or die then be taken by the soldiers of House Youngflower. Though the war ended with the Dornish allowed to keep there independence Mathis would remain unpunished for his actions against them after the war's end.

### Serving House Targaryean

Having lost a great deal of there wealth after losing Goldengrove the Youngflowers after them still managed to maintain a presence both in war and politics. Mathis continued to rule and serve under Aegon after the Dornish wars though eventually he was assassinated when a dagger was found still lodged in his neck while sleeping. The man had many enemies, and a culprit was never found so his son Terrance took over after him. Terrance had more kindness to them then his father a man few mourned but the rage and twisted nature remained in him something that would become all too clear in the coming years when in 23 AC The Tyrells staged a coup of Goldengrove, taking the land when Terrance was unprepared, claiming Mathis had taken and punished many Reachmen unfairly for slights and Terrance's refusal to pay reparations for his actions had deemed them unworthy of the honor. Terrance in anger at the Rowans being named the new rulers of his land and the Tyrells actions Terrance would take his forces to Rosemont and from there launch an all out assault on the Tyrells, attacking there men and capturing prisoners, even besting a Tyrell lead army in battle. This war showed how vulnerable the Tyrells were in there new position but unfortunately the Youngflowers overplayed there hand and in an attempt to Lord Tyrells head Terrance was beaten and captured, the rest of his family surrendered and the punishment's that followed were harsh, Terrance was executed but not before signing a treaty that had him acknowledge the Rowans control of Goldengrove and many other titles were revoked from them in the aftermath Mark Youngflower was left to pick up the pieces. Mark quickly proved himself just as loyal when he aided Orys Baratheon in his war against the Vulture King, fighting along Samwell Tarly in there effort to smash the king's host. From there, Mark remained in service to the crown, even as the Faith turned against them Mark, never a man of great faith remained in his support of the crown, though out of pragmatism maintained his neutrality and didnt assist in any of the battles of the uprising. Though Mark did participate in the Battle Beneath the God's eye in 43 AC, however he was killed in the battle, Nightshade Keep was then in the hands of the next available Youngflower Heir Cullen. Cullen followed King Maegor much like the previous lord did, but unlike Mark it was out of fear rather then loyalty, and as soon as the opportunity to present itself came, he along with most of the realm rose up in rebellion from him, thus Cullen was all to pleased when Jaehearys took the throne and proved himself nothing like his predecessor. Though Cullen could not rest for too long as many Reach lords who despised his houses part in supporting the previous King's rule and Cullen's behavior in some regards eventually acted, taking advantage of the Tyrell's less then caring attitude of the house the Sack of Lake Mander occurred, and Cullen Youngflower was beaten and executed in front of his son Daniel Youngflower, and a lot of the lands of the house were taken. This was the start of Youngflowers decline as a powerful House in the Reach but not the end of the house in general nor of its prominent leaders. Daniel Youngflower the new lord in the result of the sack would soon be known as the Furious Rose for the vengeance he enacted upon the 5 conspirators responsible for the sack. Baron Hunt, Wyman Osgrey, Derrick Webber, Tristian Graves, and Ivan Kidwell.

Within a year each of these men were dead and none of them died naturally or pleasantly. Ser Kidwell was the first to fall, his party attacked while traveling to Highgarden where he was attacked, though his men were killed quickly, his body had several deep cuts in them indicating the man was tortured before death. The next to fall was Wyman Osgrey who was confronted by Daniel and threw his gauntlets at his feet when the man insulted him. He would soon regret it, Daniel bested him after a short but intense duel but once he was disarmed Daniel kept striking bring the man down after he had screamed for mercy from the son of the man he killed and found none, only being allowed to die after telling the man which of them lead the attack. The other three conspirators started to plot an attack preparing to siege the castle and kill Daniel before he ever had the chance to get them but Derrick would fall next when Daniel and a few of his best men snuck into the castle and killed him as well, where they made his son, no older then 12 promise to stay out of the battle that followed. The last two, Tristian Graves, who Wyman said plotted the attack and Baron Hunt descended and sieged Nightshade keep but Lord Webber didnt show just like he promised Daniel he wouldnt and the two houses were ultimately unable to break through the castles defenses. Daniel then lead a sortie counterattack taking the exhausted army after it had broken its back in a failed siege and killed Ser Hunt for good, Tristian was captured and brought into the keep. His family begged for his return and mercy, though Daniel refused to return him only promising he wouldnt touch him again after the first night. He would keep that promise more or less, Daniel remembered Tristian Graves mocking his fathers death by eating the food he had stolen in the raid as Lord Cullen was being executed. Daniel would punish him every day by eating his food in front of the broken man every day and leaving his prisoners meals out of his reach. Daniel eventually returned Ser Tristian to his family, starved to death and broken but as Daniel said no recent injuries were on his body.

This would not be the last thing Lord Daniel would be known for, at a famous tournament in Highgarden Daniel became infamous for killing Willas Tyrell in the lists, his anger palpable when he called him a rapist after forcing himself on his sister Talisa. Many naturally assumed the death was not accident, but can hardly put all the blame on Daniel as Willas in his haste forgot to tighten the straps holding his gorget, thus when Daniel aimed near his neck the lance broke and the wood lodged in the vulnerable spot, leaving everyone in the tourney to watch the young man choke until Daniel plunged a blade into his heart and called it a mercy killing. This changed the course for House Youngflower, while the Furious Rose wasnt punished that day for his actions the Tyrells would do anything they could outside of outright combat to make him pay for it. His lands were raided, his trade deals interrupted or altered and he was generally met with cold shoulders among many Tyrell loyalists, even his friend Loren Tyrell could scarcely find time to talk to him as his family wouldnt allow it. The feud with House Tyrell would continue long past Daniel's death.

House Youngflower would scarcely find time to do much, and found much peace near the end of Jaeharys reign and the reign of Viserys. Though in the tension between both Queen Alicient and Princess Rheanrya, the Youngflowers backed the Greens with Lord Calto hoping to take advantage of the chaos to try and win back Goldengrove, though he kept most of his men in his castle in case they came under attack, a small army lead by his brother Cullen joined the Hightower army and participated In many battles in the Reach. Cullen survived the war but his main objective of trying to find a way to win back Goldengrove proved lacking when the army fell apart following the two battles in Tumbleton and the Caltrops betrayal, with no viable means to take the Iron Throne in the aftermath Cullen fell back to his keep and even when Aegon II called for help Calto outright refused knowing how bad the situation is and how it would be too much risk for not nearly enough of a reward. in the years following the Dance of Dragons, The Youngflowers would find great joy in a distinguished warrior in Ryam Youngflower, who would soon become a Kingsguard the first of the Youngflowers to do so. He would bring further pride in his name helping King Daeron take Dorne, something not even Aegon I could accomplish. Sadly three years later, there joy would turn to sorrow, when the Dornish started to rebel Ryam followed the king back into war, winning every battle before peace talks were raised, and the Dornish betrayal unfolded, all but two of the Kingsguard there died, the DragonKnight who fought until he was taken down and captured, and Ryam..who yielded rather then continue the fight. Ryam brought great shame to his house, arguably even more then the glory he brought them.

House Youngflowers woes continued into the Blackfyre Rebellion where Lord Tristifer Youngflower fought with the Blackfyre's in a war that divided the realm, on the field of battle he lead an army against Lord Leo Tyrell who supported the Targaryeans and was defeated, crushing his army and forcing the lord to back in full on retreat, thus he was not present at Redgrass field where any hope of Blackfyre rule was smashed with Daemon's death, along with his two eldest boys who were leading Aegor's Calvary division. He had to give up one of his sons as a ward to the crown and lost even more land to the Tyrells who continued to push there weight over there rivals. The following Blackfyre wars would be without Youngflower support and instead they helped push them back in the War of Ninepenny Kings though there power, wealth and status had significantly dropped by this point with there actions and hot blooded nature cost many of them there lives. By the time of Robert's Rebellion, Jason Youngflower and his wife were the only ones to bear there name, though Jason's womanizing nature had birthed many bastards Jason would soon have trueborn children of his own in Elise and Daniel Youngflower others would follow but the last one would cost him his wife. Jason fought in the war losing many of his best men helping Randyl Tarly push back Robert at the Battle of Ashford and by the time the war ended Mace Tyrell made his final play on the at the time weakened House telling Jason to flee to the Night's Watch and his children would be spared. Jason wanted to take his kids and flee to Essos but after Elise was nearly drowned by a paid assassins he realized the severity of refusing the offer and did so taking at Mace's word that he would uphold his promise. Elise was sent to Essos anyway by close friends of Jason who didnt trust the Tyrells and Daniel was left alone and old enough to hate his father for abandoning him to his houses hated enemy.

### Time in Highgarden and exile to Essos.

House Youngflower was defeated and all but extinct, while true to his word Mace allowed the kids to live and even be raised in Highgarden, Daniel knew his family would never be allowed to hold there old castle again, though at the time he was content. He lived and learned and grew, bonding with Lady Margaery Tyrell and taking his lessons in combat well, becoming skilled in sword and Lance at a young age. He suspected he would eventually become a knight and serve in the personal guard of House Tyrell and he may have done so eventually but his closeness to Lady Margaery bothered someone at court for an assassin was sent to kill him. Daniel had just enough time to learn about the attempt and defend himself, barely escaping with his life. The attempt broke any illusion about his situation and he knew if he stayed he would die sooner rather then later, the men who carted Elise away were right to do so and Daniel was never more happier for it then that day. Sneaking into Lady Margaery's room and saying goodbye, and supposedly stealing a kiss from her he fled, but rather then go to the Night's Watch where he would have to stomach the cowardice sight of his father, who he despised even more because of his in his mind pointless abandonment, he fled Westeros entirely and went to Essos. He had no real plans or way to know if he'd ever return, though Gods were merciful for fate would lead him in the right direction.

In Essos in 297 a year before the War of Seven King's began, Daniel fled to Braavos and found his time spent in a sellsword Company, this would give the skills he learned training to be a knight the combat experience needed to compliment them. Though he would only stay in the company for 3 months before it disbanded due to its leadership dying out and there being no suitable replacement. Daniel would then travel onward to Pentos where he would make the meeting of a lifetime with the Forgotten Sons Sellsword Company. Winning the small tourney there he was approached by the leader Baelor and upon learning who he was and his goal pledged his services to the man. He knew that victory was a longshot but he felt hope in the man's eyes he hadn't felt in years, it captivated him to the soon to be King. From there he maintained his presence in the Forgotten sons before Baelor taking advantage of the war that divided the Kingdom up 5 ways set about to start there planned invasion of Westeros.

### Return and Rise to Power

Fighting in the Forgotten Sons that soon became House Brightflame after they had taken down Stannis' forces and controlled Dragonstone. Daniel served dutifully in the Brightflame army, mostly as a soldier but occasionally as a diplomat, this allowed him to strike many of the future friendships that would help him grow. Two such friendships were to Artos Starkwood where he would serve in the Starkwood Army at times, and to Chrisarys Stormfyre who would eventually convince his family the Hennings to take Daniel in for a time. Giving Daniel a home to call his own for the first time in a long time. Daniel would be especially crucial in the fight n the Reach where his understanding of the lands lead the King to many victories, his favorite over the Tyrells where Daniel fought harder then most when it came to eventually trying to take Highgarden. Still House Youngflower's future looked bleak, his attempts to marry Margeary failed since all attempts to annul her marriage to Renly were denied and for the longest time Daniel could imagine himself with no one else, he went back to being a sellsword forming the Thorns and using them both in the King's wars and in defense of his close friends, namely Chrisarys, though he soon found himself falling in love again to his friends sister Visenya Henning, which only renewed his desire to bring back his house, so he could make a proper home to raise a family.

This home would come from of all people, Haywin Sand, another Sellsword who had been convinced to fight for Baelor, he became a good friend, and in some instances almost a father to young Daniel, guiding him through many of the battles and wars he fought, and even giving him advice on how to form his own company. The two remained close from there on until Haywin's death, so when Haywin Sand declared his intention to take the Stepstones and make them his Kingdom, Daniel pledged his company to the cause. Here he distinguished himself further winning and leading many battles against the pirates that inhabited the place, so when Haywin made himself Haywin Darkspear he made Daniel a Lord under his service, House Youngflower was reborn but as a vassal of the Stepstones, and yet Daniel couldnt be happier. Soon after he married Visenya and life for a time was good for him.

### Serving Haywin

While under the Kingdom of the Stepstones Daniel was considered the second strongest house under him. Taking residence on the Skulls he made the keep Red River and was the King's hand in everything but name, until Haywin acknowledged his son many assumed he would take over the Kingdom, and even after Prince Darron was brought in Haywin still treated Daniel just as well. Daniel would still offer his support to the House Brightflame despite no longer being officially tied to them and would spend the rest of his time with his wife, his friends and clearing Pirates out of the King's lands. He was proud of his work and wanted for little else in the world. That is until Rheagon Sunfyre proved he did want for more and declared war on House Darkspear so he could become King with backing the Brightflame house the Redwaters. Daniel fought admirably in the war that followed, assisting Kian in his raids pushing back the Redwater loyalists at the Skulls, before fighting at the final Battle where his leadership of the left flank helped win the day. Thus for all his efforts he was heartbroken when Haywin opted to meet with the Sunfyre's anyway to surrender the crown for there safety, turning the Stepstones into another Kingdom under Westeros rather then an independent one but his respect for Haywin grew despite this. This respect was universal amongst his fellow lords who aside from the traitor Hollis Pyne, all plotted to bring Haywin back to his rightful place, they finally succeeded during the Verdant-Lash War. With the Redwaters occupied by the Verdants, The lords initiated the Darkspear Coup defeating Rheagon and forcing him to relinquish his seat and control of the Stepstones back to Haywin, and Daniel would achieve even more glory when Haywin opted to join the War for the Verdants to punish the Redwaters further, Daniel lead the Stepstone forces into the The Battle of Castle Lash where Daniel took the castle after a bloody battle with its defenders, ending the war and killing Cayle Lash.

Once again in service to house Brightflame while Daniel didnt fight in the King's wars anymore he tried to maintain the King's peace and do important tasks for them, to improve House Youngflower's standing, but eventually he soon found himself an enemy to his Kingdom again when Haywin started The Darkspear Rebellion rebelling against the crown with some of the Free Cities at his back. Daniel was against the war but his loyalty and friendship to Haywin override his personal gripes and vows to the King and thus he and every other Stepstone Lord remained loyal to Haywin. Daniel was officially made the King's hand which allowed him to stay out of most of the war, governing things in Haywin's stead, though his military strategies and advice helped the Stepstones gain many victories until Ian Dayne lead an army to Bloodstone where Daniel was there to meet the enemy in the decisive and bloody Battle of Bloodstone, Daniel fought valiantly just like last time his Liege's castle was under attack but this time it wasnt enough and when Haywin fell most of the men's heart to fight did too, Daniel's included and he surrendered the castle as Hand of the King. To prove his loyalty to House Brightflame he and Ethan Lash lead the final battle of the war where there ships met the Myrish who were coming to assist Haywin and the two smashed the fleet leaving the last potential threat to the Brightflame army crushed. Daniel was then present at negotiations where Lord Sunfyre pressed a claim on leadership of the Stepstones, But the Lords in question were quick to instead give the role to the only man they saw fit in Daniel Youngflower, shocking the young Lord. Nevertheless he took to the role quickly understanding that the Stepstones needed the most able man for the job, which sadly was not always the most willing.

## Military

House Youngflower since its return could field roughly 3000 men into battle, though due to there land they have more infantry and archers, they still possess a Calvary and it was the best in the Stepstones even before they took over leadership of the region. On top of there strong army, the fact the stepstones is a bunch of islands requires the presence of ships and thus House Youngflower can field a strong navy as well, supposedly with the full backing of all the houses they can make a fleet of 100 ships, though House Youngflower on its own can supposedly field a fleet of 25 ships at any moment.

## Known Members

**Daniel Youngflower:** Current Lord of House Youngflower and Lord Paramount of the Stepstones, Despite his young age Daniel Youngflower has been a leader of a Sellsword company, fought in countless battles and lead a few others. A veteran of several wars he has quickly established himself as a man to be feared. Married to Visenya Henning and father to Jon and William Youngflower.