Samantha Hightower

### Title(s)

(Former)Lady of the Hightower Head of House Hightower Beacon of the South Lady of Oldtown

### Predecessor(s)

Bron "The Restorer" Hightower (Older half-Brother)

## Personal information

### Sibling(s)

Bron "The Restorer" HightowerOrmund HightowerAmelia Hightower

## Behind the scenes information

### Portrayed by

darwincorporation

**Samantha Hightower** is a former noble lady, and briefly anointed Lady of the House, of House Hightower of the Hightower located in Oldtown. Her other titles included the Voice of Oldtown, Lady of the Port, Defender of the Citadel, and Beacon of the South.

She is the second child of Manfred Hightower II and an unknown Lady of the Reach. Her older brother was Bron "The Restorer", the heir to the head of House Hightower, and her two younger siblings were Ormund and Amelia. Together the siblings represented the pillars of the strong and ancient house that had stood against the passage of time.

Lady Samantha Hightower, not content to be confined by the traditional roles imposed upon noblewomen, carved a unique niche for herself as a skilled swordswoman. Beyond the gilded halls of House Hightower, she found solace and purpose on the training grounds, honing her combat skills with the same dedication she applied to her scholarly pursuits. Her proficiency with a slender blade became an unexpected facet of her identity, surprising those who underestimated her martial prowess.

## **Physical Appearance**

Lady Samantha Hightower, at the age of 40, was a vision of both timeless beauty and strength. Her once-vibrant maroon hair had gracefully transitioned into a cascade of silver threads, framing a face marked by the subtle lines of experience and wisdom. The piercing hazel eyes that defined her youth retained a sharpness, reflecting not only the passage of time but the resilience forged through a life of intricate challenges. Standing at an imposing 5'8", she possessed a commanding presence, her regal posture and athletic build reminiscent of a seasoned warrior.

She favored gowns in muted, earthy tones that complemented her silvered hair, the fabric cascading in graceful lines that accentuated her refined silhouette. The dresses, crafted from the finest materials, featured subtle embroidery along the hems and cuffs, incorporating delicate floral motifs that spoke to her appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

Her wardrobe maintained a harmonious balance between sophistication and practicality. The gowns were tailored to allow ease of movement, a nod to her unorthodox pursuits as both a scholar and a skilled swordswoman. A slender blade, neatly secured by a finely wrought belt, completed her ensemble—a subtle yet powerful reminder of her duality.

## **Personality**

Samantha's personality is a testament to opulence intertwined with eccentricity. She thrives in the lap of luxury, surrounded by lavish displays of wealth and indulgence. Her life is a celebration of decadence, from exquisite feasts to ornate furnishings, showcasing her commitment to refined living. She is often marked by an enigmatic aloofness, an air of detachment that surrounds her. While she engages in the extravagance of her surroundings, there's a subtle distance that leaves others guessing about the true depths of her thoughts and emotions.

Samantha possesses an aesthetic charisma that draws others in. Her poise and grace, combined with an occasional, enigmatic smile, create a lasting impression. It's a charisma that captivates, leaving those in her presence both fascinated and somewhat perplexed. Whispers persist of forbidden knowledge and arts that may have shaped Samantha's eccentric tastes. Samantha possesses a sharp, quick-witted charm that manifests in playful flirtation. Her ability to engage in light banter and charming repartee adds a layer of allure to her personality, making her interactions intriguing and leaving others captivated by her verbal dexterity.

## **Biography**

### **Early and Middle Life**

Lady Samantha Hightower's early and middle years were defined by a persistent restlessness that fueled her pursuit of unconventional paths within the confines of House Hightower. Born in 365 AC, Samantha's upbringing initially adhered to the traditional expectations of a high-born lady. However, a perpetual yearning for more marked her character from a young age.

During her formative years, Samantha's dissatisfaction with the prescribed roles for noblewomen led her to explore realms beyond the expected. While engaging in customary lessons of etiquette and courtly graces, her true passion lay in uncharted territories. This insatiable desire for something beyond the norm led her to the clandestine pursuit of mastering the art of the sword. The training grounds became her sanctuary, the slender blade an extension of her quest for a life less ordinary. As Samantha's skills with the sword grew in secret, so did her appetite for the extraordinary. Lavish feasts, opulent surroundings, and exquisite art were not mere embellishments but a means to satiate her perpetual craving for more. The luxuries of House Hightower, rather than providing contentment, served as a canvas upon which she painted the vibrant hues of her dissatisfaction.

Amidst the courtly splendors, Samantha's flirtatious banter became a method of both exploration and expression. Her quick-witted charm and charismatic repartee were tools to navigate the intricate dance of court life, yet beneath the surface, they hinted at a woman forever in search of something elusive.

At the age of 40, when fate thrust her into the role of Lady of the Hightower, the restlessness that had defined her early and middle years served as the driving force behind her descent into madness. The grandeur of her position, rather than bringing solace, became a new canvas for the Lady of Hightower to paint with the strokes of her insatiable ambition.

### **Change in Succession of House Hightower**

The tranquility of House Hightower shattered with the demise of Bron, Samantha's older half-brother, whose untimely death cast a somber shadow over the formidable halls. Bron's passing marked a pivotal moment in the family's history, leaving an unforeseen vacuum in the line of succession. Compounding the tragedy, Adryna Hightower, the designated heir and Bron's only child, disappeared in Essos. The circumstances surrounding her departure remained shrouded in mystery, and her absence left a void that echoed through the ancestral seat of House Hightower. The loss of both Bron and Adryna not only plunged the family into grief but also triggered a complex and contentious reevaluation of the house's future.

As the mantle of leadership fell upon Samantha, the third eldest sibling of Manfred Hightower II, Ormund, voiced his discontent. In his eyes, being the second oldest male, he believed he held the rightful claim to the seat of House Hightower, as their father had not explicitly chosen Samantha as the heir. Ormund's discontent echoed through the corridors of power, creating tensions within the family that reverberated through Oldtown. The discontent among Ormund and his children added a layer of complexity to Samantha's ascent. The legitimacy of her claim became a topic of familial dispute, injecting an undercurrent of rivalry and resentment into the already delicate dynamics of House Hightower. The family, once united, found itself navigating the treacherous waters of succession, where tradition, ambiguity, and personal ambitions collided.

Samantha, now Lady of Hightower by unforeseen circumstance, faced the daunting task of not only managing the grief that clouded her family but also addressing the discontent that simmered beneath the surface. The death of Bron, the disappearance of Adryna, and the contested line of succession wove a tapestry of intrigue and tension, casting a long and uncertain shadow over the future of House Hightower.

### **The Betrothal and Marriage of Samantha Hightower**

In the year 405 AC, formal negotiations were initiated between House Hightower and House Lannister regarding a marriage alliance. The correspondence between Samantha and Tywin Lannister, crafted with care, spoke of shared interests and mutual respect. These negotiations, however, did not escape the watchful eyes of Lady Paramount Florus Tyrell, the matriarch of the Reach. Florus, always attuned to the delicate balance of power within the region, sought to intervene in the budding alliance between House Hightower and House Lannister. In a letter addressed to Tywin Lannister, Lady Florus Tyrell requested a formal meeting to discuss the details of the proposed marriage.

As negotiations with Tywin Lannister progressed, Samantha's heart led her in a different direction. A sudden change of course emerged when she decided to abandon the plans for a Lannister alliance. Instead, she declared her intention to marry Lord Corson Clegane of the Westerlands. This shift in alliances did not escape the scrutiny of Lady Florus Tyrell. The abrupt change in Samantha's plans, especially after negotiations had been set in motion, sparked tensions within the Reach. The plans for the marriage between House Hightower and House Lannister crumbled, leaving behind a residue of suspicion and fractured trust.

The wedding of Lady Samantha Hightower and Lord Corson Clegane unfolded on the Twenty-ninth day of the eighth moon in the year 405 AC. As they sealed their vows with a kiss, the Great Sept of Baelor reverberated with applause and cheers from the assembled guests. The newlyweds, now united in matrimony, descended from the sept, their union symbolizing a departure from the conventions that had long governed noble marriages.

> *"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am his and he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days. With this kiss I pledge my love to you and to the seven may all bear witness to the Holy union of our 2 great houses"* *- Samantha Hightower*
>
>

The Twenty-ninth day of the fourth moon in the year 406 AC marked the joyous culmination of this anticipation. Wilhelm Hightower, a child born into a legacy that spanned the heights of opulence and the depths of exile, emerged into the world. As Wilhelm's eyes opened to the world, he became the living embodiment of the union between House Hightower and House Clegane. His birth, nestled within the intricate tapestry of Westerosi nobility, would play a pivotal role in the unfolding saga of House Hightower,

### **Betrayal of the Reach and Exile to the Night's Watch**

Shadows of betrayal lurked beneath the facade of unity. Samantha, the Lady of Hightower, whose union with Corson Clegane had defied political expectations, now found herself entangled in a web of rumors and deceit. Whispers, like insidious tendrils, crept through the courts of Westeros, weaving tales of Samantha's clandestine communications with the Targaryan uprising. Rumors, once dismissed as mere conjecture, gained substance as evidence surfaced, painting a damning portrait of the Lady of Hightower's intentions.

The allegations, seemingly incredulous at first, pointed to a plot to overthrow the Dornish leadership. Samantha's purported collusion with the Targaryans aimed to establish a stronger foothold for the exiled house in the southern territories. The revelation shook the foundation of the Reach, where political alliances and rivalries were delicately balanced. As the rumors solidified into undeniable truths, the consequences of Samantha's betrayal rippled through the realm.

The Lady Paramount Florus Tyrell, whose counsel had been disregarded by Samantha in matters of marriage, seized upon the revelations as an opportunity to exert her influence. In the wake of irrefutable evidence pointing to Samantha's collusion with the Targaryans, Lady Paramount Florus Tyrell presented a grim choice: exile or the Night's Watch. In a moment that resonated with the echoes of her earlier defiance, Samantha, with unwavering resolve, chose the harsh path of the Night's Watch.

### **The Night's Watch and Death**

As the years passed, Samantha's time at the Wall became a chapter of reflection and introspection. The harsh realities of the northern outpost molded her into a figure of resilience and wisdom, earning the respect of her fellow brothers. Despite the tumultuous chapters that had defined her legacy—the opulence, the defiance, and the subsequent fall from grace—Samantha found solace in the stoic brotherhood of the Night's Watch.

Inevitably, the march of time took its toll, and Samantha succumbed to natural causes within the confines of the Wall. With Samantha's passing, the mantle of House Hightower fell to Wilhelm Hightower, her son and the new head of the prominent house.