Jacaerys Velaryon

Lord of High Tide

Captain of the Homebound

Aelyx Velaryon

Addam Velaryon

Rhaenys Velaryon

Saera Velaryon

Lucerys Velaryon

Laenor Velaryon

Aelor Velaryon

Valaena Velaryon

Corlys Velaryon

Jacaerys Velaryon is the current Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark, as well as the Captain of his vessel the Homebound. He is considered to be the Last of the Valyrians, despite having many children.

## Appearance and Character

Jacaerys was a powerfully built man in his youth, boasting broad shoulders and a commanding presence that was unmatched in any room. Though he has aged beyond his prime he retains many of his admirable traits, like his strong build and his famous traits of Valyria. His hair is silver-gold, like the dragonlords of old, though his complexion is not as pale as his forebears. His eyes are a hue of soft lilac, and he sports a mustache of the same color as his hair.

## History

Jacaerys of the House Velaryon was born 338 years after Aegon’s Conquest in his families’ ancestral seat of High Tide. Being the firstborn son of Lord Valerion and his Lady wife Melara, Jacaerys was the heir to the proud and ancient lineage of House Velaryon, and much was expected of him upon his birth. Valerion wanted his son to be a courtly boy, one that would dress up in the fine silks and cloths he provided him and dance for the nobility of Westeros. One that would marry as he was told, and do as he was bid. Jacaerys had other plans for himself, it seemed, as, rather than focus on his lessons or his swordplay, the young man contented himself living the life of a highborn scion, doing what he wanted when it pleased him. He drank and he dueled and he made friends all over the island of Driftmark, but never did he prove to be the son his father wanted him to be. Valerion wanted his son to be the perfect heir, a man that could do no wrong and would be respected by all. Rather than try to be something he knew he could not, Jacaerys did not try at all, and he spent many early years wasting away his youth in High Tide, Spicetown, and Hull.

On his seventeenth name-day, his father was finally fed up with his antics and complete refusal of responsibility. Valerion stripped away his sons silks and luxuries and forced him to carve his own path. No longer would the heir to Driftmark be coddled and spoiled and given every commodity he wished, now he would earn his keep like anyone else. His father gave him command of a ship of middling quality in the Velaryon navy, a relic of the past called the *Silver Wind.* It was light and it was quick and it had clearly been refitted dozens of times, but from the moment Jacaerys stepped on its deck he knew he had found his place. The young Valyrian had a soul that spoke to the freedom of the ocean, and he took quickly to the waters around Driftmark, sailing for hours on end with his crew as he learned the ropes of command. His First Mate was a veteran of the Velaryon fleet, one Robin of Hull, and he proved instrumental in teaching Jacaerys the ways of command, especially aboard a ship sailing the seas of Westeros. Finally Jacaerys began to shape up, not only as a leader, but as a man. He gained the respect and admiration of his fellow sailors, not because he was wealthy, or because he was the heir to a powerful House, but because he was hard working and capable. His skill as a swordsmen and his affinity for naval command only further endeared him to the seafarers of Driftmark, and over the span of a year he gained the trust of his crew and that of his superiors in the naval hierarchy.

A surge in piracy around the Narrow Sea was seen in 356, and despite Jacaerys being known as a capable admiral, he was held back due to his youth and lack of genuine battle experience. Other captains were chosen to pursue the corsairs, but the pirates proved elusive to the great numbers of the Velaryon fleet. Itching to prove himself in combat and urged on by his friends and crewmates on the *Silver Wind,* Jacaerys armed his crew for battle in the middle of the night, having snuck barrels full of swords, spears, and bludgeons aboard the ship during the day. The young man also succeeded in convincing his companion, Captain Elwood Greenwaters in joining in the venture, pledging his ship and crew to the cause of ridding pirates. And so Jacaerys Velaryon and Elwood Greenwaters sailed out of the port of Hull with their two vessels, the *Silver Wind* and the *Water Rose*, seeking glory and battle. They would only find the latter of what they sought, and they would pay dearly for their mistake indeed. The pirates set upon them as they sailed past a formation of rocks jutting out of the sea, the far-eyes of the Velaryon ships incapable of seeing past the mist and darkness. The first sign of attack was a volley of flaming arrows riddling the deck of the *Water Rose,* killing a number of Elwood’s sailors before they even drew weapons. Swords and shields were passed out and shouts rang through the mist, Jacaerys felt the rush of adrenaline as he commanded his men to prepare for boarding. The *Silver Wind* rocked hard as one of the pirate galleys rammed it, and dozens outlaws poured onto the deck of the Velaryon ship. The crew fought back valiantly, cutting down two men for every sailor that they lost, and quickly the pirates withdrew from their assault, returning to their home vessel. The *Water Rose* was in a far worse state, two ships having boarded it simultaneously. The crewmen of Captain Elwood’s ship were cut down mercilessly, and Jacaerys himself saw his friend slain from across the water between them. The *Water Rose* was seized by the corsairs, and Jacaerys reluctantly sounded the retreat as all hands focused on setting a course away from the carnage and back towards the Isle of Driftmark. The pirates did not pursue them, having cut their own losses and gained a war galley of the proud Velaryon fleet.

Jacaerys returned a failure, and the shame bubbled up inside of him as he docked his ship and returned to his home of High Tide. His father was furious upon hearing the news, admonishing Jacaerys for not only disobeying direct orders, but losing one of the precious ships that made House Velaryon the powerful entity that it was. Valerion’s lack of concern for the health of his son deeply stung Jacaerys, as at the end of it all, the man cared more about his lost property than the danger his heir had been in. The two argued for hours, and, in the heat of the row Jacaerys vowed he would leave Driftmark, not to return until his Lord father swallowed his pride and accepted him for who he was. Jacaerys did not leave alone, as he still had friends in the navy of House Velaryon. He sailed away with the *Silver Wind* and a second ship captained by his first mate Robin of Hull, the *True*.

Jacaerys was an exile, even if the banishment was self-imposed, and he forbid his sailors from referring to him by his full name. Above the waves and tides he was merely ‘Captain’ or ‘Jace’, and never did his crewhands say his surname. They travelled south, visiting first the Straits of Tarth and the legendary Shipbreaker’s Bay, then wrapping around Cape Wrath to sail the Sea of Dorne. From there Jace set a course East, with intentions of exploring the queer lands of Essos in his mind. He plotted a journey that cut straight through the Stepstones, despite knowing the obvious risks of such a move. His First Mate warned him against the strategy, and some of his crew shuddered at the thought of facing pirates once more, but still they trusted him as he led them to new lands. The worst of their fears came true as they passed between Bloodstone and Shame Isle, where a carrack flying a merchant’s banner seemed in need of help off the shore of Shame Isle. Jace was always one to render aid where he could, so he moved in to help the traders, not recognizing the obvious trap before him. By the time he perceived the ploy it was too late, and once again two pirate ships unfurled their sails and moved to board him. The crews of the *Silver Wind* and the *True* did not balk in the face of conflict, having faced the scourge of piracy once before. Battle was given, and Jace emerged as the victor, though not without losses. The *True* was barely seaworthy following the battle, having lost a huge chunk of timber from being rammed and boarded. The Silver Wind was hardly in better shape, blood and corpses stained the deck, and burn marks and splinters littered the entire vessel. The two ships barely made it to the port of Tyrosh, but they did, and Jacaerys was capable of resting his men in a tavern in the city. Immediate repairs were done on his ships by the shipbuilders and repairmen of Tyrosh. Some crewmates refused to carry on, but many and more agreed to continue their adventure, Jacaerys replaced his losses with Tyroshi sailors that were in need of work or slaves that were recently freed or had escaped their masters. One such escaped slave was a young man with ginger hair and green eyes named Ferriko, though the men of the ship called him Fox. Fox became an aide to Jace due to his brightness and aptitude for logistics, if Robin was the Captain’s right hand then Fox quickly took up the role of his left.

After Tyrosh Jacaerys sailed down to the island city of Lys, though he quickly departed after his men began to spend increasing amounts of time in the cities famous pillow houses. After stocking up on supplies such as dried foods and barrels of water, the two ships made the impressive voyage to Volantis, where his crew stayed with the freedmen while he received an invite to stay with the Old Blood for a time. He enjoyed the comforts of the Black Walls for half a moon, but he felt himself slipping as he partook in the luxuries of the ancient city, slowing becoming more like the man he used to be, rather than the one he was now. He once again filled up on supplies and made for the waters of the Summer Sea, finally travelling to the West, though he did not yet return to Westeros. Rather, the *Silver Wind* made for the Summer Islands, and Captain Jacaerys docked in Tall Trees Town, where he was greeted by the intriguing people that called the archipelago their home. Jace was quickly fascinated by the culture of the Summer Islanders, from their great goldenheart bows to their ritualistic warfare and ingenious swan ships. A number of moons were spent in the Summer Isles as Jacaerys hired new crewmen and took in the sights and sounds of the beautiful settlement that was Tall Trees Town. Eventually, the *Silver Wind* and the *True* departed the Summer Isles, marking the last of the stops on Jace’s exile in Essos. From there he voyaged back to Lys for the briefest of resupplying missions, taking off as quickly as he’d arrived, plotting a course for the southern tip of Dorne. He gave the Stepstones a wide berth as he sailed, not eager to repeat the experience he had been surprised with the last time he visited the string of islands. The attack by the corsairs had left a mark on Jacaerys, a hatred that festered deeply in his heart, and he vowed that one day he would see the Stepstones cleared of the filth that plied its waters. From Dorne it was a simple return route for the greatly experienced crews of Captain Jacaerys and First Mate Robin. They churned the waters of the Narrow Sea until Jace finally docked into the port he hadn’t seen for 3 long years. The port of Driftmark. Some of the new sailors of the navy feared he was an enemy, but the veterans rang bells and cried out in jovial surprise. The heir to Driftmark had returned.

The excitement of his return only lasted as far as Hull however, as he was met with terrible news upon entering High Tide. Maester Tywell explained that his father was bedridden by terrible chills, left pale and burning up with fever. The onset of hallucinations also worried the healer of the citadel. Jacaerys marched to his father’s bedchambers, demanding to be let in to see the state of the man. Maester Tywell had not undersold the symptoms of the chills. Lord Valerion was barely coherent on a good day, he slept or thrashed in his bed for most of them. Jace did what he could to soothe his Lord father, but he knew it was too late for the man by the sight of him. On the day of his death he had a moment of true lucidity, where he saw Jacaerys, not as his brother or his father, but as his firstborn son. His heir. He apologized for yelling at Jace as if the argument had happened the day before, perhaps it had in Valerion’s mind. He told Jacaerys what he had always wanted to hear. He was a man fit to rule Driftmark. Lord Valerion passed in his sons arms, surrounded by his family and captains.

Jacaerys became the Master of Driftmark upon his father’s death, inheriting his lands along with the titles of Lord of the Tides and Admiral of the Velaryon navy. To honor the memory of his father he had a ship built, a war galley with 200 oars to both sides named *Lord Valerion’s Pride.* It was a beautiful addition to the fleet of Driftmark, but Jacaerys had more to come. A new flagship was constructed by his orders, one that would be grander than any ship the Velaryons had seen before. A dromond named the *Homebound* in reference to Jacaerys’ return to the Isle of Driftmark. The crews of both the *Silver Wind* and the *True* were required to operate the *Homebound*, including every Westerosi, Tyroshi, Volantene and Summer Islander. Jacaerys followed through with a second of Valerion’s wishes, finally marrying one of the noble Ladies he had been suggesting since his youth. The new alliance with the Redwynes of the Arbor was finalized as Lord Jacaerys Velaryon was wed to Leona Redwyne, and they quickly produced an heir, whom Jace named Monterys. Monterys was followed by Daenaera, who was followed by his second son Aelyx. While Aelyx had originally been born a single babe, Jacaerys had sired a baseborn bastard by a tavern girl in Hull. His sense of honor compelled him to keep the child, and he begged Leona to pass the babe off as her own. She agreed, though very hesitantly, and Aelyx and Addam became their twin sons, one with the Valyrian traits of Jace and the other with the natural andal traits of Westeros. In 361 Jacaerys was blessed with a real set of twins, named Rhaenys and Saera. It was around this time that he and Leona began to truly love each other, rather than merely accept that they were married for political power. Despite Addam’s not so secret bastardy, she knew Jacaerys to be an honorable man, and they agreed that a loving household would be a better environment for their children. The pair would sire 5 more children over the years, Lucerys, Laenor, Aelor, Valaena, and finally, little Corlys.

Jacaerys would cultivate many lasting friendships over his years as Lord of the Tides. Notably, he met Androw Hightower in many tournaments across the realm. Similarly, he met his old friend Garlan Tyrell in 376 at the tourney of Gulltown where he was defeated by the rose of Highgarden.

In 375 AC Jacaerys hosted an extravagant event to commemorate the marriage of Monterys, his heir, and Lady Desmera Hightower of Oldtown. One year later Jacaerys gathered his children that were of age and his wife, the Lady Leona, and mapped out a voyage to Essos. The Velaryon family visited Braavos and Tyrosh, Lys and the Summer Isles. Jacaerys had new experiences and relived some of his past, finding enjoyment in sharing the locations with his family. His favorite location was, as before, the Summer Islands, though the Master of Driftmark was suspicious of the heavy Targaryen influence that permeated the Free Cities. He was right to be weary, in the end, as Daena Targaryen launched her invasion of Westeros in 378 AC, and Driftmark was called to arms by King Garlan Tyrell, the King on the Iron Throne. The Velaryons served nobly in the war, but Jacaerys experienced most of the conflict in foreign lands, having accompanied Mace and his Merry Men on their daring mission to Myr. Jacaerys himself commanded the ships that carried them to Myr, and he controlled the vessels they commandeered afterwards with the help of his son and heir, Monterys. Mace’s gambit ended up being instrumental in shifting the war effort to the side of the crown loyalists, and after three hard years of assassination and fighting, the Tyrells were victorious.

At the end of the conflict Jacaerys eagerly awaited a position on the Small Council, only, he was passed over in favor of Arthur Redwyne, which angered him beyond belief. Despite being kin with the man by marriage a bitterness grew in Jace for the perceived slight of being deemed less than a Redwyne of Dragonstone. Directly after the war Jacaerys arranged a marriage for his second son, Aelyx, with Floris Estermont. The event was not as stupendous as the last had been, but it showed off the wealth and power of both Houses, and the two were joined in alliance.

The year 382 AC saw two significant events for the Velaryons of Driftmark. Early into the year Lord Jacaerys hosted the Lady of Lannisport, Lady Theodora, as she passed through the island. The second event was when in the early moons of 382 AC the isle of Driftmark saw a rapid increase in piracy around its waters. Lord Jacaerys tightened up the patrols of his navy and did his best to forewarn and prepare the merchants that operated out of his island home, yet still they befell the scourge of corsairs and outlaws. For a number of moons the pirates stole goods and commandeered the ships that rightfully belonged to House Velaryon and its smallfolk. Finally, Lord Jacaerys gathered his captains (including his many seafaring children) and set out to put an end to the issue once and for all. The Velaryon fleet met a number of the pirate ships at sea, fighting a bloody sea battle over the waves of the Narrow Sea. Blood was spilled on both sides, but the Velaryons emerged as convincing victors, Jacaerys’ children distinguished themselves as capable admirals in the engagement. Jace’s First Mate, Robin of Hull was slain in the battle, and it was said the man wept for the first time since his father had passed so many years back. Fox was promoted to take his place, which he has held ever since.

In the present day, Lord Jacaerys has great ambitions that he wishes to see fulfilled. The position of Master of Ships, new titles and lands for him and his children, the great prize that is the Stepstones, they all lie within his grasp, should he be bold enough to take them. Rhaenys has been chosen as his representative in King’s landing, though he plans to visit the city himself to gather Lords to his cause.

## Family

https://www.familyecho.com/?p=START&c=1665x9kr91j&f=789615726182814300