House Forrester

## House Information

### Sigil

A white ironwood tree on a black field, embellished with a black sword pointed downwards.

## Historic Information

### Culture

First Men

videoHouse Forrester is a minor bannerman house in the North. They are vassals under House Glover and strong supporters of House Stark. Their seat is in the castle of Ironrath in the heart of the Wolfswood.

Their house words are "Iron From Ice," which echoes their belief that - like the ironwood itself - the adverse conditions and unforgiving landscape of the North only makes them stronger. House Forrester's sigil is a white ironwood tree on a black field, embellished with a black sword pointed downwards.

The current head of House Forrester is Jason Forrester.

Due to the location of their stronghold, Ironrath, on the edge of the Wolfswood, the Forresters control the largest ironwood forest in Westeros, which has allowed them to enrich themselves. They are bitter rivals of House Whitehill, although the houses had once been close.

## History:

### Third Century AC

#### Robert's Rebellion

When Robert's Rebellion began, House Forrester answered Eddard Stark's call and sided with Robert Baratheon. During the Rebellion, Lord Thorren Forrester lead the Forrester troops at the Battle of the Trident, but did not survive. His son Gregor succeeded him as Lord of Ironrath.

Gregor's second born son Asher Forrester was exiled to Essos by his father, rather than face war with House Whitehill, after he had fallen in love with the daughter of Lord Ludd Whitehill, Gwyn Whitehill. In Essos, Asher lives as a sellsword.

#### War of the Five Kings

At the outset of the War of the Five Kings, House Forrester joined their Glover overlords in pledging fealty to Robb Stark as King in the North, a decision which placed them in a tenuous position following Stark's death and the defeat of the Northern rebellion at the Red Wedding.

At the Red Wedding, Lord Gregor Forrester and his heir Rodrik are slaughtered by the Freys, along with the most of the Forresters' best men. This leaves the third born son, Ethan, as the lord of the house. Lord Ludd Whitehill visits Ironrath after Gared Tuttle, the squire of Lord Gregor, kills a Bolton and determinately a Whitehill soldier, demanding justice, but finding the squire has been sent to the wall. Lord Whitehill leaves enraged, remarking that he will have Ramsay Snow come to Ironrath.

Lord Ethan selections Duncan Tuttle, uncle to Gared Tuttle as his Sentinel and begins plans to deal with Ramsay.

Meanwhile, in King's Landing, Mira Forrester, the eldest daughter and a handmaiden of Margaery Tyrell is summoned by Cersei Lannister, who questions House Forrester's loyalty to the king and Roose Bolton. Tyrion Lannister also proposes an alliance between House Forrester and the Crown, which Mira denies as it isn't her place to make those choices for her house and tells Tyrion to reach out to her brother Ethan about the alliance. She asks Lady Margaery for assistance from Joffrey with dealing with the Boltons. Margaery's attempt was unsuccessful.

During the meeting with Ramsay Snow, Ramsay decides to split the ironwood forests between the two houses to see who fares better. Ramsay has Lord Whitehilll install a garrison of twenty men at Ironrath, and promptly stabs Lord Ethan through the neck, killing him. He then orders Ryon, the fourth born son, to become a hostage of House Whitehill, taking the new lord away from Ironrath and leaving the fate of the house in the balance.

#### The Lost Sons

The Forresters' future is looking bleak as now only two of main branch of the house are stationed at their seat of Ironrath, Lady Elissa Forrester and Talia Forrester, the youngest daughter. Lady Forrester sends Malcolm Branfield, her brother, to Essos to bring Asher Forrester home to Ironrath to aid the family, but help comes from an unlikely source. From a pile of corpses of Forrester men slain at the Red Wedding that has been brought to Ironrath, out emerges Rodrik Forrester who, whilst badly wounded, survived the massacre. Maester Ortengryn tends to Rodrik's wounds as he regains his strength to lead House Forrester back from the brink of extinction. The Whitehill garrison causes problems when this is learned, they push against Rodrik's rule hoping to entice him into fighting back.

Malcolm locates Asher in Yunkai, after a brief skirmish with the Lost Legion. He, Asher, and Beskha, a fellow sellsword, set out to Meereen to call in a favor from Croft, a Second Sons member in order to get the army to help save the house.

In King's Landing, Mira is writing invitations to the royal wedding, when she receives a letter from her mother asking to ensure Rodrik's betrothal to Elaena Glenmore stays in tact, implying that she wants Margaery's help. Margaery refuses to do so, noting that if she wrote to the Lady Elaena she would be forcing her hand. Tyrion invites Mira to a meeting with the merchant lords of House Whitehill, Lord Andros and Lord Morgryn. He dismisses the pair, and he and Mira come to a deal that Tyrion will consider, in exchange for a favor.

Rodrik attempts to secure the loyalty of House Glenmore through the marriage alliance to Elaena Glenmore, Rodrik's betrothed prior to the War of the Five Kings, which Lady Elaena agrees to as she is still in love with Rodrik. Lord Whitehill bursts into Ironrath to declare that his men stationed inside the castle are being treated poorly and will assume entire control of the ironwood supply, ignoring the wishes of their overlords, the Boltons.

Mira later enters her chambers to find it searched with a letter on her bed to meet someone in gardens at midnight for information on the Imp, where she is attacked by Damien, a Lannister guard who protected the door when she and Tyrion met earlier. Tom, the coal boy who had helped her previously, comes to her resuce. Mira stabs Damien killing him and throws the knife away as she and Tom escape.

The funeral is held for Gregor and Ethan Forrester at Ironrath. Ryon Forrester is able to attend being brought by Gywn Whitehill.

#### The Swords of Darkness

As Asher, Beskha, and Malcolm flee from the Lost Legion towards Meereen, where they come across a cave. They enter it, followed by the Legion, and encounter the dragon Drogon. Malcolm is burned by the beast, but they escape with a dragon tooth as Drogon flies off.

In King's Landing, Tom briefly informs Mira on the situation concerning Damien. In the throne room, Cersei tells Margaery of Mira's dealings with Tyrion, angering her. She warns Mira to not let it happen again.

Ironrath is disturbed by the Whitehill Garrison as Gryff Whitehill arrives, proclaiming himself lord and invites himself and his men into the great hall. After, the whole council meets in the grove and discuss a plan about either saving Ryon or exiling Gryff. Duncan notes that the Whitehills have raided Forrester lands, burnt farms, and cut down ironwood trees. In private, Duncan tells Rodrik that Gwyn Whitehill wants to have a meeting with him.

As Margaery prepares for the wedding, Tyrion enters the area, and asks to speak to Mira privately. Mira, needing to regain the good favor of Margaery asks her to stay. Tyrion informs Mira of a royal decree arranging the Crown to buy Forrester ironwood. Margaery, is still angered and has Sera Durwell, another of her handmaidens, do her gown and hair instead of Mira. Sera later mentions while she was getting Margaery prepared, Margaery was talking about who she could replace Mira with.

Lucan, a Lannister guard who saw Mira in the gardens with Damien, attempts to interrogate Mira, but Lord Morgryn comes to her rescue by making Lucan spill wine on his shirt, and then proceeding to threaten Lucan and takes Mira to clean himself up. After that, Morgryn notes that Mira should steal the ironwood deal and that they could work together and control ironwood prices. However, before their conversation can finish, Joffrey is poisoned, and Tyrion arrested, Morgryn realizes that now is a very bad time to be associated with Tyrion. Mira rushes to Tyrion's chambers and manages to steal the decree but later burns it stating her family would be the only ones to control the Ironwood.

In the night, at a ruined farm, Rodrik meets with Gwyn privately. She informs him about her father knowing about their plan to push out the Whitehill garrison, due to there being a traitor in the council. She also warns him that her father is sending a great deal of gold to someone in King's Landing, and that Rodrik must submit to Gryff to save his family. The next day some of the garrison are making fun of Ethan's death, and Rodrik strikes one causing the tension to build.

Across the Narrow Sea, Asher's group arrives at Meereen, and meet Croft. After he jokingly threatens them, he arranges a meeting with Daenerys Targaryen after Asher shows Malcolm's burns and a dragon tooth proving they encountered Drogon. Asher is granted his meeting with Daenerys, who warns him to speak carefully of her dragons. Asher, Malcolm, and Beskha have a meeting with Daenerys, who does not believe their claim that they encountered Drogon. She has Viserion enter the tent, much to the trio's fright. Daenerys offers Asher the chance to touch Viserion, which Asher he does impressing Daenerys. Despite this she refuses his request for the Second Sons, stating that Meereen is bigger than them. Before Croft and his men can escort the group out, Daenerys is informed of Beskha's history in Meereen, which Beskha reluctantly confirms. Daenerys proposes Beskha helps the Second Sons, and guide them into Meereen, and she will reward them.

Back in Ironrath, Gryff grabs Talia Forrester and shows that she bit one of his soldiers, and says she must be punished. Gryff wants Rodrik and all the Forresters to know their place, and claims to be the new Lord of Ironrath. Rodirk volunteers to take Talia's punishment and is beaten. Ironrath is once again visited by Elaena Glenmore, along with her brother Arthur and the elite guard of House Glenmore. Lord Whitehill has threatened Lord Glenmore and her family with destruction along with the Forresters if he did not agree to a marriage between Elaena and Gryff. The next day Rodrik, Elaena, and the elite guard march into Ironrath, where Lady Forrester informs them that their Maester is getting beaten by Gryff. Rodrik and Elaena enter the great hall and to see the beating. Gryff is surprised at Elaena's appearance. After a brief confrontation between Gryff and Rodrik, Rodrik strikes his cane and the whole guard march in and capture Gryff and his men, determinately killing one. Rodrik can beat Gryff before he and his men are taken to the cellars. Lady Forrester tells Rodrik that word can not reach Highpoint and orders to kill all the ravens and bar the gates, so the traitor cannot spread the word.

Mira walks through the Red Keep, passing by Tom, who follows behind her. Tom informs Mira that her brother Rodrik was correct, that Lord Whitehill was sending a great deal of gold to someone in King's Landing. Tom also states that the only people he's certain Lord Whitehill deals with are the ironwood merchants, who would be at the coronation feast. Mira responds by telling him that due to Margaery's anger at her, she has been uninvited. Tom offers a solution in asking Sera to help, and warns her of any dangers before departing. At Tommen's coronation feast, Mira, although uninvited, manages to get Sera to let her in. Lord Garibald Tarwickis formally introduced to Mira by Sera. She excuses herself to see Lord Andros and Lord Morgryn arguing or what should be done to gain the ironwood.

Back at Ironrath, Rodrik speaks with Talia about Gryff. Duncan and Elissa comes and lets them know that they've been invited to Highpoint for a 'truce'. Rodrik has to chooses to have the Glenmore elite guardvstay at Ironrath and keep guard. Rodrik, Duncan and some Forrester men leave for Highpoint. At Highpoint, Rodrik meets with Gwyn and the two of them discuss the Whitehill family and their houses' past. They enter the dining hall, and notice the bread and salt. When Lord Whitehill arrives, they all sit down and Ludd says that House Forrester must help the Whitehills create ironwood for the Boltons, knowing they are the masters of it or he would tell Gryff to burn Ironrath to the ground. Rodrik then reveals the imprisonment Gryff and the garrison and offers to do a trade for Ryon. Ludd calls out to bring out the boy and holds a tool to Ryon's cheek when he has him. He claims that he doesn't care about Gryff his fourth-born. Ryon bites his finger and Ludd says he "oughta kill you right now". Rodrik calls his bluff on not caring for Gryff and the stand off ends. They leave Highpoint without Ryon, as Ludd insists their trade be on neutral ground.

Asher joins the planning for the raid into Meereen. He and Beskha join Croft in taking down the east guard post. Daenerys warns before they go if they disobey Croft they will get nothing for their efforts. During their raid, Beskha encounters her old master, Dezhor zo Raza, and Asher stops her as killing the man would lose their reward. They continue to the guard post, which they successfully take down. Asher cannot get the Second Sons from Daenerys Targaryen, so he instead manages to enlist the help of pit fighters, and sets sail, on ships bought by Daenerys as their reward, towards Westeros, without Malcolm, who chooses to serve under Daenerys.

#### The Son's of Iron

Duncan, Elissa and Rodrik return to Ironrath to find it deserted. The guard left to defend it are found killed with arrows. Rodrik hears laughter coming from the Great Hall. He enters it and sees Ramsay Snow talking with Talia Forrester. Ramsay notices him stands up and tells Rodrik that men have said he's a man that can't be broken, and that he's decided to come see for himself. Ramsay Snow converses with Rodrik and brings Rodrik to the ironwood grove, where he reveals that he no longer intends to interfere with the animosity between the Forresters and Whitehills, instead letting "*Last house standing...wins otherwise i'll just kill both of you and be done with it.*" . He flays Arthur Glenmore and sends the guards back home.

In King's Landing, Mira successfully foiled Andros' plans to secure a sellsword army for the Whitehills, at the cost of the protection of Lady Margaery, but has attracted the attention of Cersei Lannister, who convinces her to find out who Tyrion Lannister intends to call to testify at his trial. Cersei promises to deal with Andros in return. Mira visits Tyrion and he determines her true intentions and cooperates. Mira is then double crossed by Cersei. As Mira prepares to flee, her enemies starts plotting to kill her. Inciting the rumors of her murdering Damien, the Lannister guards began a manhunt. With Tom's help, she was able to get to the street where she meets Lord Morgryn who took her to his cart to bring her to safety. It was all a ploy to lure in to a false sense of security. Confident of his victory, Morgryn reveal that he was the one who brided Damien to murder her and gloated that now he and Ludd Whitehill will control the Ironwood trade. After Mira defy him, the merchant lord angrily push her out of his cart and she is caught. In her cell, she was visited by Lord Morgryn who realized that Mira was more useful alive. He offers to save her life, in return for becoming his wife, thus putting him in a position to inherit Ironrath since he was sure that the remaining Forresters in the North will be slaughtered. Mira fights back and attempts to escape. Tom comes to her aid and helps her escape and begins returning to Ironrath together.

#### Ambush by the Coast

Back at Ironrath, Talia Forrester reveals to Rodrik that she has discovered the identity of the traitor of the house. Rodrik confronts Royland, the Master-at-Arms. Talia, Lady Forrester, Duncan some Forrester guards, announce that Gryff and the Whitehill garrison has escaped. Royland asks to have his life spared in return for information. He reveals that Ludd Whitehill has learned of Asher returning and plans to ambush him. After learning this Rodrik and the Forrester troops march to save him. Asher, Beskha, and the pit fighters arrive in Westeros. Rodrik meets Asher and his group, but their reunion is cut short by a Whitehill soldier from the garrison, who lowers the gate, separating Asher, Rodrik from the rest of the men. Rodrik order the forces not cut off to retreat. Asher and Rodrik run to the gate lever to raise, but even with their combined strength, they cannot raise the gate. Rodrik stays behind choosing to save Asher but holding the gate for him. Rodrik fights the Whitehill men, killing several before getting hit by crossbow bolts, and being stabbed repeatedly before dying. In the cold night at a broken village, Asher was found by his sister, Talia, and Duncan. They take the injured Asher to safety and prepares to continue the war against their archenemy.

#### The Battle for Ironrath

When Asher arrives at Ironrath the people are overjoyed but Elaena, Elissa and Talia are still in mourning over the loss of Rodrik. Elaena points out that House Whitehill has already won the war as Ramsay Bolton declared that whoever was the last lord standing won and since Rodrik is dead, Ludd is the last lord standing. Asher informs her that this isn't true as he is now Lord. Duncan hands him Ironheart, the Forrester greataxe and Asher is declared the new Lord of Ironrath by the people. He gives a rallying speech and swears Rodrik will be avenged.

Ludd Whitehill confronts Asher at the gates of Ironrath. Ludd reveals Ryon on Harys' horse and Asher mocks Ludd for hiding behind a little kid. Gryff laughs at Asher being taken seriously as Lord. Ludd brings out his siege weapon and tells Asher he could crush the gate and kill them all if he wanted to but he doesn't feel the need for anymore bloodshed and lets Asher marry his daughter, Gwyn Whitehill. Asher is taken aback by Ludd's offer and Ludd gives him some time to consider his options. Ludd also gives Asher the body of Rodrik Forrester as a symbol of good faith so they can give him a funeral.

They agree to a meeting in the greathall. The families have a heated conversation which gets dissolved when Talia brings wine for Ludd. He begins to sip before demanding Asher drink first. Lady Forrester agrees to drink instead. She holds up her glass stating 'Iron from Ice' and her and Ludd drink. They are both poisoned and die coughing up blood. Gryff runs out the hall and Asher chases him and catches him. Gwyn stabs Asher and Gryff escapes. Gryff runs out screaming for his soldiers to kill the Forresters.

The Lord of Ironrath enters the courtyard of Ironrath as Ludd begins to break down the gate and slaughter the Smallfolk. Asher temporarily fights off Whitehill soldiers before being forced to choose to save the smallfolk. Asher rallies his soldiers and charges at the Whitehill army, personally killing many men. The Whitehills open fire with archers but the Forresters block them with shields. Lord Asher and Duncan get behind cover and push a flaming cart down to where Gryff is. The plan works and the Whitehill is dismounted. Asher and Gryff fight and Asher ends up killing him. The surviving Whitehill retreat and House Forrester wins the battle and control of Ironrath.

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