State of the Realm

The **State of the Realm** serves to give a summary of what the current state of, well, the realm looks like. Keep in mind that not every section may be completely up to date. If you are unsure, ask a moderator, or the Great Lord of each region for a rundown of the recent events.

Details regarding the passing of the seasons can be found here.

## The Crownlands

**Current Ruler: Viserys III Targaryen**

Where the king goes, the Crownlands follow. When Viserys first converted, nearly twenty years ago, he was mocked and regarded as a fool, but his supporters have grown since his accession, as has the opposition. Many lesser lords in the region have converted, either following their king or seeking his favor, but many others have found themselves only strengthened in their belief. The High Septons have, as to now, tolerated the King's queer beliefs, but that may change, now that a new one is to take the Crystal Crown.

## The North

**Current Ruler:**
Torrhen Stark
The North remains on the edge of the world, unthought of by the court of King's Landing. Not even the red priests, newly invigorated by their Red Dragon, have found reason to move north. They resisted conversion before, for the Northmen turn their eyes further north, caring little for the petty religious politics of the southerners. The wildlings are growing stronger than ever before, fleeing from the far north as much as they ever have, rallying for an attack on the Wall. Winter is coming and it is coming stronger than ever before. In response, the King has done something unprecedented for centuries: carving out the northern lands of House Stark and giving them to the Night's Watch, creating a Third Gift.

## The Vale

**Current Ruler:**
Isembard Arryn
The Vale of Arryn is a land of knightly chivalry and amongst the most devout of the Faithful. Andal blood is more common here than anywhere in the world, as is piety to the Faith of the Seven. Few people in the region are happy about the king's religion, but there have been few acts of rebellion, though they are scarce and infrequent.

## The Riverlands

**Current Ruler:**
Margaret Tully
The Riverlands is at the heart of the conflict between new and old, as the king's red priests make their way as missionaries and the new Lords of Harrenhal, appointed by Viserys, have taken up the Red God. House Tully has remained loyal to the crown throughout, but it would not be a mistake to think that they have wavered in recent years, with rumors that some of R'hllor's most devout supporters have ordered the burnings of robber knights and corrupt septons. The riverlands seem like pitch, one flame away from chaos.

## The Westerlands

**Current Ruler:**
Tyland Lannister
The Rock remains as it always has: wealthy, secluded, and ready. House Lannister remains strong, but the Reynes have grown wealthy and powerful over the years, despite their former loyalty to House Blackfyre. There have been little sightings of the red priests west of Payne Hall, perhaps due to the wealth of the region or the strength of House Lannister. In any case, the Lannisters have interest in the way things are to come, for they finally have their chance to assert themselves in royal politics.

## The Reach

**Current Ruler:** Audrey Tyrell

The Reach is an interesting position. It is not hard to forget, by any count, that the Reach was amongst the most dedicated supporters of House Blackfyre. Osgrey, Ball, Ambrose, Costayne, Hightower, Peake, and Oakheart, just to name a few, all pledged support to the Black Dragon all those years ago. Memories are long, especially regarding honor and piety, in the Reach. Though Tyrell has remained loyal to House Targaryen through thick and thin, its vassals remember the days of House Gardener and wonder if House Tyrell really are their rightful heirs.

## The Stormlands

**Current Ruler:**
Lyonel Baratheon
If there is any region, that has been slighted by House Targaryen, it is the Stormlands. The Baratheons chose not to send men to deal with the marcher lords in their rebellion, hoping to resolve the conflict peaceably. For that, they have suffered. Their piece of the Dornish marches were torn from them and granted to a Targaryen Prince whose only virtue was having a dead father. The king's heresy has found no harbor here, at least, for the stormlanders are skeptical of a Red Demon whose priests can barely get across Shipbreaker Bay..

## Dorne

**Current Ruler:**
Alaric Martell
If there is any region that has accepted the growth of the Red God, it is the strange southern kingdom of Dorne. Tolerance has always been a pride of the Dornish, with House Martell openly allowing red priests in their court and trading more often than ever with the east. The Martells are the closest they have been to House Targaryen in a generation. That is not to say that all of Dorne is a fan. The Stony Dornish, most Andal of the southerners, find themselves distrusting the way the Prince(ss) of Dorne accepts these heathens from across the sea, with House Yronwood leading the faction in the west.

## The Iron Islands

**Current Ruler:** Harwyn Greyjoy

What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger. The words seem hollow. They have not been said in earnest in a long time. The Greyjoys have had generations of New Way lords, willing to serve House Targaryen and refusing the folly of rebellion. Conflicts have arisen with their vassals, as they worry the Iron Islands have lost their tradition in exchange for greenlander morals, but it is not hard to see how this has benefited the islands. The ironborn are the wealthiest they have been in the generation, even as some decry the use of the "gold price". The words ring out again. What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger.

## Braavos

**Current Ruler:** Tycho Orlaan

In 302 AC, the Sealord went to sleep, after a large meal, and would never awake again. His death, presumed poisoning, was never investigated with much fervor as the man had made himself many enemies among the courts and the powerful. The election afterwards was fraught with intrigue and bribery, as the arcane and ancient process to select a new Sealord took weeks. Eventually, the third round was tallied in the Hall of Truth, leading to the naming of a new Sealord, a magister. Though narrowly defeated among the keyholders, his popularity was so great as to allow magisters to carry him to victory. The new Sealord has built a fleet unmatched in size to any in the known world, preparing for what seems to be an inevitable conflict with Pentos.

## Pentos

**Current Ruler:**

Pentos stands upon a precipice. Slave and master, magister and prince, invader and defender, all play for power as the game comes alive again. It remains to be seen what will become of the city and the people who call it home - and those people they call property, with it.