deAN: I do not own Game of Thrones or ASOIAF, if I did there would have been less dead people or at very least karma would not have taken its sweet time in doing its job
For the record this is Heavy AU, I'm pretty sure messing with history at this point
This is inspired by a fanfic author whose name I do not remember, what I do remember was the author present a sort of challenge/concept of an eighth kingdom and I just rolled with it.
House Aurion of Avalon
House Sigil: Silver Dragon's head on a black shield on blue
Motto: From ashes, We Rise
Current Head of House: Lady Elaena Aurion
Culture: Valyrian, First Men, Andal
Unofficial Motto: Forgive but never forget
Warcries:
- Fire and Fury
- We all die Someday
Location of Capital: (The Rills, Blazewater Bay situated near the river to Laenor's square)
Territory: Avalon (The Neck, Cape Kraken, Rills, Stony Shore, Barrowlands, Sea Dragon Point.)
Seat of Power: New Valyria, Fortress city (Original Seat was a restored Moat Cailin)
Notable Settlements: New Valyria, Barrowton, Silverhall, ( East of Barrowton, north of Moat Cailin) Flint's Finger, Castle Aegis, Dragon's Harbour (both located at Sea Dragon Point), Ironhold (located between Stony shore and the Rills), Greywater Watch, Moat Cailin, Laenor's Square, Duskhold (Stony Shore).
Religions: Mixed: Valyrian Pantheon, Old gods, Faith of the Seven
Notable Vassals: House Reed, House Dustin, House Ryswell, House Tallhart, House Flint of Flint's finger, House Belaerys, and House Dayne of Stony Shore.
Modern Military Strength(Personal, Post-Rebellion, before War of the Five Kings): Approximately 60,000 soldiers when fully mustered with 20,000 standing troops (not counting Levies or militias)
Silver Legion
Approximately 35,000 Foot infantry, 12,000 Active, 23,000 in reserves
Approximately 15,000 Marksmen, 5000 Active, 10,000 in reserves (Archers, Crossbowmen)
Approximately 10,000 Cavalry 3000 Active,(approximately 500 are knights) 7000 in reserves
Other Assets
3 dragons (hibernating/sleeping)2 hibernating/ asleep, 1 recently hatched (post-Robert's Rebellion, a year before the War of the Five Kings)
Military Naval strength: 152 ships (2 Flagships, 25 brigs, 50 Galleys, 50 captured longships and 25 ships devoted to troop transport)
Economic Naval strength: 35 trading ships that make trade runs through the Northern canal between New Valyria, Moat Cailin, White Harbour, Braavos, Volantis and Lys
Combined Vassal Military strength: Approximately 55,000 soldiers (including garrisons and discounting irregulars)
Approximately 15,000 men-at-arms, All Active
Approximately 40,000 smallfolk levies, inactive
1 Dragon (hibernating) under the command of House Belaerys
Dragons
Stormcrown: Amongst the oldest dragons alive, A silver scaled behemoth that has formed bonds with many of the Lords and ladies of House Aurion, Stormcrown was traditionally ridden by the head of the house, however in some cases Stormcrown has chosen a different member of the House. During the Conquest, Stormcrown fought against Balerion the Black Dread and almost killed Balerion. At some point after the conquest and before the Dance of Dragons Stormcrown has entered a state of hibernation and rests in New Valyria however as the war of the Five kings has begun, Stormcrown seems to be slowly rousing from his hibernation…
Bluefyre: Almost as old as Stormcrown, a blue scaled dragon that has stayed by House Aurion since its founding, infamous in the eight kingdoms for facing and nearly killing Vhagar and Meraxes during the conquest, Like Stormcrown, Bluefyre went into a state of Hibernation, but she too rouses from her hibernation...
Magic
Having an intimate history with magic House Aurion is one of the greatest if not the greatest authority on the study of Magic, When the Rhoynar fled from the onslaught of the Valyrians, a number of water mages who could not escape placed themselves at the mercy of Maekar Aurion. In return for swearing allegiance and gaining protection, the water mages shared their knowledge of magic with House Aurion. Barring the Lands of Always Winter, the lands that now comprise Avalon were settled due to the stronger presence of Magic compared to the rest of Westeros. One of the greatest secrets of House Aurion is their ability to still utilize magic, However like the fact that their dragons are still alive, they have kept it secret in order to avoid being targeted, being dragged into pointless conflict, and to maintain hidden weapons for future war.
Silver Legion and Auxillaries
Inspired by both their near defeat and the effectiveness of the Ghiscari Lockstep Legions, House Aurion adapted their tactics and fighting style with their own troops, The resulting force was one of early forms of a professional army. Originally mimicking the Ghiscari, the legion fought in a similar style of combat at first, however the commanders and the soldiers themselves noticed the ineffectiveness of spears in close quarter combat. At the time the soldiers scavenged additional weaponry from the battlefield or purchased them with their own pay. Eventually, House Aurion started equipping their soldiers with Hammers and arming swords. When landfall was made in Westeros the legions encountered the heavily armored knights for the first time and as a result had to adapt, one such thing was how they recruited, at first they recruited only from the larger number of Valyrians commoners who followed them but by the time of Andals crusades the restriction was lifted in order to bolster numbers.
when they were first trained and formed your average legionary was armed with an 8ft long spear, a shield, and a sidearm weapon in form of a hammer or arming sword. The legionary originally wore hardened leather armor and open-faced metal helms (Think barbuta without faceplate or bascinet) commanding officers wore black plumes on their helms with the general wearing blue plumes.
After settling down in Westeros and establishing peace with House Stark, The legions went through a period of training and replacement of equipment and a reevaluation of their combat effectiveness. Due to the prevalence of knights and lacking numbers at the time, the legionaries adopted heavier armor in form of a chainmail, coat of plates or plate mail. Hammers became the standard sidearm of the legionaries in order to combat the heavily armored knights of the southern kingdoms and legionaries were trained to use pikes as well standard armament.
Post-Rebellion, Legionaries have a standard armaments of a shield and the smaller pollaxes with an arming sword used as a sidearm. A number of legion units have stared utilizing pikes as an anti-cavalry measure, these legionaries carry smaller shields (think bucklers shields in terms of size) and arming swords for close quarters combat.
As a result of facing the knights on numerous occasions the Legion started adopting more unconventional tactics that were utilized by House Reed, as well as started recruiting and training more Auxiliaries. Originally these soldiers were drafted from non-valyrian peoples but like the legionaries, the restriction was removed after repelling the Andals. The Auxiliaries are comprised of Archers to support the legionaries as well as Cavalry to match knights of the south.
By the time of the conquest, the Legion evolved into a combined-arms army with legionaries working in concert with the Auxilliaries to achieve victory with both conventional and unconventional tactics. However, the Legion is not the only force that defends Avalon. Should the need arise Avalon can call upon smallfolk levies and militia forces to bolster the Legion, or merely rally them to defend Avalon while the legion is elsewhere.
Order of Scholars
Men and Women who endeavor to gather, preserve and spread knowledge in Avalon. Its main headquarters is situated inside of New Valyria. The Order possesses one of the largest collection of books, second only to the Citadel in Oldtown. However the Order possesses a better understanding of Magic in comparison to the Order of Maesters. As the Scholars aspire to spread knowledge throughout the North they have a number of outposts have been built throughout both Avalon and the North. Their headquarters is based in New Valyria itself.
History (WIP)
Before Departure
A Valyrian Noble House which made its exodus from the Valyrian Freehold years before the Doom, thought lost by the Dragon lords. The Sons and daughters of House Aurion were some the Freehold's strongest magic wielders and in some cases most feared Riders. Yet it is not their prowess nor their dragons that made others fear them it was their army. Unlike the rest of the dragon lords they did not always utilize their dragons, to them, dragons were more partners than servants. even the method used to hatch them was different.
When the freehold encountered the Ghiscari empire, House Aurion saw merit in adapting the infantry based strategies and fighting style of the lockstep legions as part their own forces. Doing away with conscripted levies they chose to create a professional army trained and drilled to fight for their lords forming what would be known as the Silver Legions. Due to numerous disagreements with their fellow dragonlords House Aurion being led by Laenor Aurion left Valyria.
The Landfall
Wandering for a time Laenor chose to settle in Westeros. Their first encounter with the Westerosi was hostile. When they landed in Westeros, Laenor landed near what is now known as the town of Saltpans where they fell under attack by the Valemen. The legions easily dealt with the Valemen and after some deliberation chose to push northwards.
Laenor found the ruined castle of Moat Cailin and chose settled there for a time rebuilding it, and sending out scouts to survey the surrounding territory. Laenor passed away peacefully in his sleep and was succeeded by his daughter Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra was approached by House Reed and Flint and after a week of negotiations, the two houses pledged allegiance to House Aurion.
The peace ended when they came under attack by the Northern houses of Ryswell and Dustin, These houses were amongst the few who had yet to submit to the Starks. While doing no significant damage, the northmen harassed the Legions repeatedly and went so far as to burn down the small town that was being established nearby incensed, House Aurion and their vassals mobilized for war. The war was short, bloody and decisive as a result, House Aurion claimed the Barrowlands, Rills and Stony Shore as their own territory with the defeated houses swearing allegiance. After defeating the Northern houses and gaining their allegiance HouseAurion was met by a messenger from House Stark who sought parley with them.
The spies and scouts House Stark witness the Silver Legion devastate the Northern host. As such King Jon Stark sought to parley with House Aurion to ensure that there were no hostilities between their houses. This Parley would form a non-aggression pact which eventually developed into. Between the two houses, the North thrived for a time, building roads and towns and infrastructure.
During the Andals Crusades, the men of Avalon and the North built a reputation of being one of the strongest fighting forces in Westeros. To those who worshipped the faith of the Seven, both House Stark and Aurion were a bastion of unbelievers.
When the Doom of Valyria occurred House Aurions old political allies House Belaerys survived, having sailed to the Summer Isles they encountered members of House Aurion and followed them to Avalon. By the time they had arrived they had lost almost everything and as such swore allegiance to House Aurion.
When Aegon Targaryen had defeated the five of the eight kingdoms he turned his eyes northwards. He had heard stories of Avalon and the North, how they repelled every Andals crusade unleashed upon them, no matter how many they numbered. When they marched forth they brought their entire host of 70,000 to try and cow the two kingdoms thinking that should battle occur the north would stand no chance. When the Targaryens and their host approached the Neck they found the combined host of the Silver Legions and Northern Army, numbering at this time 85,000, as well as two Dragons waiting for them. What surprised Aegon was the true identity of the ruling house of Avalon, the lost House Aurion of the long-destroyed Valyrian freehold.
Unknown to him House Stark and House Aurion were deliberating on what to do, should they fight or should they bend the knee to avoid bloodshed? During these deliberations for reasons still unknown the dragons on both sides attacked one another while the armies were encamped. Both sides were enthralled by the deadly dance occurring in the sky, only for it to end with the defeat of the Targaryen Dragons.
To Aegon's surprise the two kingdoms offered Parley, they would acknowledge Aegon's rule in return for Autonomy. With his dragons crippled and one the most feared fighting forces in Westeros willing to withdraw and avoid needless bloodshed, Aegon agreed.
For a time relations between the north and their liege lord were amicable and to the rest of the eight kingdoms, and due to their isolationism The North and Avalon faded into a degree of obscurity, as far as the south was concerned it was a barbaric land and the Northerners were not particularly inclined to try and convince them otherwise. Until Robert's Rebellion, it was in this conflict that the south would remember why they feared the north. With the rescue of Elaena Aurion from the Red Keep and the deaths of Lord Daemon Aurion and Lord Rickard Stark, House Aurion and Avalon proper have marshaled their legions for war...
AN: There will be Revisions and additions in the future
I picked the north for the area that the eighth kingdom presides because it is large and mostly undeveloped as far as I am aware, and if you look at a map, it's bloody huge, large enough for a supposed eighth kingdom to form.
When I refer to the Andals Crusades I am referring to Military actions by the other Kingdoms that was spurred by Faith to put down the Starks and Aurions because they do not worship the Seven. Starks because they still worship the Old Gods, Aurions because they don't worship gods.
There are probably a lot of inaccuracies when it comes to History (example: Moat Cailin, I have no clue when it was abandoned only that it was abandoned and House Reed, pretty sure they were longtime vassals of House Stark) Most of this will be revised in the future.
Reviews with constructive criticism and advice are always appreciated, never thought of doing this until recently.