Gwyneth Tarly

## Introduction

A simple scion and warrior from House Tarly that rose as the Lady after her brother's death in the 418 AC tourney at Summerhall.

## Appearance and Character

Like the men of House Tarly, Gwyneth grew tall, strong, and competitive in the ways of martial prowess. She stands just as tall, if not taller than, most men with a broad build in her shoulders to match. While her face is pleasant enough, seeming more classic and handsome in appearance, she is not the sort to look at home in a dress and bejeweled slippers. Rather a set of armor or leathers supported her appearance more.

Despite the insecurities on her appearance lacking womanly softness, Gwyneth is still one to laugh easy, and as long as matters of courting are not brought in, she functions easily in social conversation. However, in matters of warfare, the warm nature evaporates and turns to quiet stone.

## History

### 390 AC - 407 AC

Born the youngest and only daughter of Lord Tarly to his young wife, Gwyneth was something of an outcast among strong brothers. Although, in the years approaching his death and with tensions rising in the house, Gwyneth was sent away from the house for her own protection.

For most of her life, she lived, learned, and practiced within the walls of Brightwater Keep. It made for a much happier childhood than being mixed up in the affairs that had taken hold of House Tarly. Although, as she grew it was obvious she was not blossoming into a soft and fair woman that would field many suitors. Rather, she grew and grew and grew until she towered over many of the boys with strength to rival their own. Needlework did not suit her interests nor did the afternoon tea and dresses of rich fabrics. As such, she was left to her own devices, but with the clear condition that it was not to interfere with House Tyrell of Brightwater Keep's affairs or harm the occupants.

### The Mummer's War

At the call of war, Gwyneth was eager to respond and march away to join the ranks, but she was a woman and that had limitations. This was besides the fact that she intended to side away from the Reach and march under the banners Gareth Tyrell had risen. Much to her disappointment, Gwyneth never saw battle upon those fields nor had she following the surrender to crown forces.

### 408-417 AC

Following the conflicts of treason and those that changed the progress of inheritence of House Tarly, Gwyneth finally returned to the home of her birth. This did not go without resistance and a long, drawn out process of prooving her birth. Thankfully, the Maester's records were kept in neat order, and eventually she was allowed to finally set foot within the halls of Horn Hill. It was made expressly clear, however, that she was no heir and would not inherit, but eventually she would be married to an appropriate house dictated by the lord.

All matches and arrangements fell through or were refused, but Gywneth found relief rather than despair in the fact.

### The Tourney of Summerhall

Though she had never grown close to her half brother, Rolland Tarly, it was no less tragic and unexpected to see him slain in the joust. While she put on a strong face, his wife and children were devastated. In their moments of grief, Rolland's body was collected and they prepared to leave the tourney early to see his body entered into the family burial chambers. Gwyneth was left behind at the tourney to see to the matters of House Tarly, but before Rolland's wife departed, she passed Heartsbane into Gwyneth's hands. It was not meant to be wielded permanently, but only until her son came of age to fight and take his place as lord.

Tragedy followed Lord Rolland's wife and children when they departed Summerhall, and it was the last time they were seen alive save for the ruins of their carriage left on the side of the road. Their belongings were pilfered and scattered on the ground with the most valuable nowhere to be seen. Beside the destruction, Lady Cissa lying dead with her eldest son nearby and the other children missing.

### War and Home

It was not long after Gwyneth's return to Horn Hill that a life in the Lord's place swept her up in its intricacies and responsibilities. She joined her men on the field for drilling and honed her own skills against them while studying under Auguste Florent for an education in the stewardship and economics involved with her position. Despite how difficult it had been to teach her, his patience and persistence eventually won out, but that had been in part due to the feeling that had sparked between them. Just short of three moons since their first meeting, Auguste and Gwyneth were married at the Arbor.

Although she had become a mother of four children in the passing years, the expectations of Westerosi society did not force her into dresses and matron roles. Rather, she continued to balance her life and responsibilities from her position being all parts the military commander, economically-minded leader, and maternal figure that her place required. Thankfully, she had a host of hired help and her husband to keep the weight from falling too heavily upon her.

Life was spent moving between Horn Hill and King's Landing due to Auguste's duties to the crown, especially when he had risen to Master of Coin. These would not keep her away from home near as long as the battles that erupted within the Seven Kingdoms, especially when the call came to respond to the Second Hammer Uprising. As soon as her forces were raised, they marched on the town of Ashford at the command of their queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rather than sitting at the back of her forces, Lady Tarly charged in with her men, donned in armor and carving her way through the streets with Heartsbane.

No matter how sharp their skills and weapons remained, many lives were still lost, but Gwyneth had earned a reputation as a fierce warrior on the field. Though she was skilled and lucky enough to keep her life when the rebellion came to an end, Gwyneth returned to Horn Hill having only lost use of her left eye to an enemy sword.

For all thoughts and hopes that Lady Tarly had been an unstoppable force, the year 436 AC brought her to an immediate halt. It was the year of Auguste's final return to Horn Hill, and illness had struck on the journey from King's Landing. What was thought to be nothing more than a passing cold progressed until it had claimed Auguste. As much as she wished to remain longer, rebuilding after The Bleeding only allotted her a week to mourn the passing of her husband, and she has carried that grief with her ever since.

## Family

* Lord Randyll Tarly - *deceased*
	+ Lady Bessa Tarly - *deceased*
		- Gareth Tarly - *deceased*
			* Ablear Tarly - *deceased*
			* Rolland Tarly - *deceased*
				+ Lady Cissa Tarly *nee Hightower - deceased*
					- Reginald Tarly - *deceased*
					- Rowena Tarly - *deceased*
					- Randyll Tarly - *deceased*
		- Reynard Tarly
		- Samwell Tarly - *deceased*
			* Alerie Tarly - *deceased*
				+ Alan Tarly - *deceased*
				+ Randyll Tarly - *deceased*
				+ Gwendolyn Tarly
				+ Dickon Tarly - *deceased*
	+ Lady Ryella Tarly *nee Vyrwel*
		- Lady Gwyneth Tarly1
			* m. Auguste Florent - *deceased*
				+ Auguste Tarly - 419 AC
				+ Viola Tarly - 419 AC
				+ Genavene Tarly - 421 AC
				+ Owen Tarly - 424 AC