1500-2000 AL "The Merchant's Peace"

- With the influx of trade with the east, most of the kingdoms focused more on exploiting the new lands than warring with each other. Not to say there was no conflict, but any changes were focused more on gaining better access to goods for various economic purposes.

- The Kings of the Rock quickly fortified Maidenpool and other small settlements along Crackclaw Point, then stocked them with ships and goods. Notably, King Timos "Goldeye" Casterly reportedly had at all times a hundred ships travelling to and fro across the Narrow Sea. The artisans of the Westerlands, highly skilled after centuries of precision metal working, were eager to study new styles and materials to both replicate and incorporate. This desire led several families to immigrate east, determined to master all the secrets they could learn. A number of Casterly Kings decided to pursue closer relations with the Reach and by chance become closer with Dorne as well. The border between the Reach and Westerlands began blurring as mixed families and villages began growing, usually between Reach farmers and Western craftsmen. (Westerlands)

- The trading brought together sailors and merchants of the Vale and the North to join many joint ventures. What truly caught the attention of the two kingdoms was the amount of records that the eastern people had. They kept track of centuries of lineage, stories, myths, battles and shifts in life. King Ulvar "The Writer" Griffyn became obsessed with these tales, he ordered some of these record keepers to be kidnapped and brought back to Westeros, demanding they teach him their language and alphabet. Leaving the running of the kingdom to his good-brother Harwyn Royce, King Ulvar focused on the texts his merchants bought. After years of studying, Ulvar declared to his magnars that he would create a writing system so they may keep records and tell the stories of their past for the future peoples to remember. King Ulvar sent missives to the North and Stormlands asking them to send their most brilliant and cunning subjects to help Ulvar in his project. It took nearly five years, but eventually King Ulvar declared the new writing system "complete". His only problem now, was getting everyone else to use it. His solution came in the form of the Gryffin's Resident Green Man, named Timmet. He offered to transcribe a number of legends and stories known to the Green Men and have his Order copy them and spread them to the Magnars across the kingdoms. Ulvar agreed and paid for the entire process himself. (The Vale)

* At this point in history, "writing", existed only in the simplistic rune system that the First Men used to mark things of importance and used on clay tablets to facilitate trade.

- The Stark Kings took this opportunity of peace and wealth to consolidate their rule and improve the North, without having to worry about invasions from the Vale. King Brandon "The Farmer" XXII commissioned the descendants of the stone manson Joryose, to design Winterfell as a great stone keep, the first in the North! King Brandon's true legacy would come with the creation of glass gardens, the creation of an entire new range of farm tools (better designed plows, harnesses etc…) and a massive initiate to introduce new crops to the North (an apple that could grow well in the chill named "The Pink Lady" for its colour, along with beans, oats and a number of vegetables found during his merchant's travellers.) Greatly enriching the agricultural yield of the North. His son, Brandon XXIII and grandson, Brandon XXIV were known as "The Mason" and "The Builder". Together they opened a number of quarries across the North and Vale. Brandon The Builder also became good friends with King Durrandon and King Gryffin promising both of them keeps that could not be overshadowed. He laid the foundation for the great castles of Storm's End and Moonseat. Lesser keeps would be commissioned and designed by both Brandon The Builder and the Joryose Masons. The stone masons were so essential and loyal that upon being crowned, King Brandon "The Builder" XXIV married the female heir, Jorlyn and gave her elder brother land near the largest Northern quarry, on the northern edge of the Barrowlands. Jorlyn's brother was titled Jojen Joryse, Magnar of Stonewomb. (The North)

-The Stormlands found something equally precious in the east, new weapons and strategies. With enemies to the west and south, in the form of Dorne and the Reach, and the looming threat of the Westerlands now closing them in from the north; the Stormlands slowly shifted into a very martially focused land. When King Ormund Dondarrion ascended the throne, every able bodied man in the Stormlands was trained in the spear, prepared to be called for a march. It was a way of life, a common saying was that to have too much of something was "there are less smithys in the Stormlands than _". A common practice was for each boy upon turning 2 and ten, be given a sword or spear to bear. If there were multiple sons, the father would give his weapon to his eldest and have a new weapon commissioned, then the eldest would hand the weapon down to the youngest and he would receive his father's newer blade. The Stormlands became prolific for their weapon design and forging skills; it was their biggest export.

A second son named Barden Selmy decided to travel the eastern lands, merely hoping to experience the world and return with a tale or two. Through a complicated mess of accidental meetings, drunken translators and a treacherous guide, Barden Selmy ended up the head of a small troop made up of third sons, wanderers, soothsayers, hedge wizards, veterans and disgraced nobles; it was once said their group spoke a hundred different languages, supposedly Barden found that hilarious and named their group The Thousand Tongues, one of the first recorded sellsword companies. They made their way by fighting for any King or merchant who could afford them, this sparked the grand tradition of Stormland nobles sending their second or third sons off to Essos to gain military experience and some wealth of their own. When he finally returned home, rich from his years of hard work with a wife and two sons in tow, he was welcomed back a hero. Barden was summon by King Durrandon to share his story, he arrived and brought with him many gifts for the Storm King: curved swords from the Dothraki, a whip from Yiti, a bow from the Summer Isles, shields from Ghis, Pike's from Sarnor and maces from Qarth. Barden recounted the feeling of a massive Dothraki Khalasars charging across the Great Grass Sea, the sight of a hundred Scythed Chariots rolling across the plains of Sarnor and the sound of a thousand-man Lockstep Legion marching as one under the flag of the Ghiscari Empire. These tales amazed the Stormlanders, the ideas of armies that vast, vicious or coordinated were beyond their imagination. King Durrandon declares Barden a true hero and bequeaths to him land near Bronzegate to build his own hall. So House Selmy of Haystack Hall was born. Haystack Hall's men would become infamous as some of the most skilled foot soldiers in the kingdoms. They were called Brave Men, named after their magnar, Barden The Brave. (Stormlands)

- Princess Ayara Dayne was married to Magnar Erock Fowler to further cement bonds between the former enemies, when her father died and she and Erock were crowned King and Queen many were happy to have both royal lines presiding over the throne. As tradition dictated, Erock took the name Dayne and upon his crowning was confident he could begin restoring power to his family and their allies. His death was sudden and unexpected, a tree fell on him while out hunting with his brothers, the entire kingdom was shocked and waited to see who Queen Ayara would choose to be the next king. Simply, she didn't. She declared that she was with child but would not choose a new husband to be king, instead she wed Gidden Yronwood who became Prince-Consort. Queen Ayara was very popular, regarded as strong, cunning and a monster in the political arena, she managed to persuade the Magnars to accept Absolute Primogeniture succession. Queen Ayara knew that although the decision was accepted she still needed to cement herself as Queen of Dorne. Alongside her husband and longtime lover Prince Gidden she began planning the conquest of the Greenblood. Though the petty kings of the east were nominally loyal to the Daynes, that didn't stop them from warring with each other or occasionally raiding Dayne lands. Queen Ayara declared that Dorne would only be ruled by one Queen and that the Greenblood would be brought into the fold and from there they would gain access to the riches of the east.

It would be known as "The One Night War", The Petty Kings Briar, Brook, Brownhill, Holt, Lake, Shell, and Wade refused the offer to become direct vassals of the Daynes and declared their own High King. In preparation for the coming war, all the Greenblood Kings met in a war council, they were discussing options when their entire camp was ambushed. King Briar felt snubbed by the election of a Brook (a longtime enemy of the Briars) as the High King; he made a deal with Queen Ayara, in exchange for spying and helping to ambush his former allies, he would be given the land of the Briars and be given charge of building a great fleet to sail east. Queen Ayara sent a large force of men who met with King Briar, her troops were disguised and snuck into the meeting through Briar lands, then as dark fell Dornish and Briar men slaughtered the camp, capturing many noble prisoners. Queen Ayara rode into the enemy camp the next morning, dressed in full armour with a crown upon her brow, historians believe this sight gave her the name "Sun Queen". She entered into negotiations and by the end of the day had organised the absorption of the Greenblood Kings.

After years of settling the new marganrs and setting up tributes and ruling authority, Magnar Briar began sending ships east from his new holding (Where Sunspear would have been) called Greenguard. The Dornish ships began trading primarily with the Summer Isles and by extensions the Kingdom of Sothoryos.

- When Green Man Orvir brought the collected works of Green Man Timmet to his King, Gwayne II Gardener, became enamored with it. He ordered Orvir and his apprentices to learn the writing system and to create a record of the Gardener Kings and the Magnars of the Reach. This enthusiasm for writing swept through the nobles of the Reach: The Tarlys began recording tales of their victories and battle strategies, The Hightowers wrote studies of crops and animals etc… These texts began moving alongside Reach goods, food that is bought by nearly every other kingdom, spreading the texts across the continent. Writing became a required art of most Green Men, who learned and passed it on to their apprentices. King Gwayne actually had himself and his children taught writing which prompted the Florents and Fossways to learn as well. The Reach became the first kingdom to have all its nobles learn writing, this spread to Dorne and eventually the Westerlands. (At this point the North and Vale had already normalised writing). King Gwayne was married to Queen Jarra Redwyne and with her influence began expanding the Redwyne fleet and other Reach fleets. This meant that any Ironborn raiding is easier to defeat or catch before it even reaches the mainland. (The Reach).

Queen Ayara III Dayne arranges a marriage for her son, Jorar Dayne to marry Geyah Gardener, reaffirming ties with the Reach, and begins improving relations with the Westerlands.

A historical moment for the Reach, Dorne and the Westerlands was called "The King's Feast", it was named after the famous meeting when King Jorar Dayne travelled to Highgarden with his family to witness the marriage of Prince Dalnik Casterly to Princess Genan Gardener, King Daltis Casterly attended as well. The post ceremony feast was held in King Gardeners personal retreat, a secluded and immaculate piece of paradise. There, for the first time in history, the Kings of Dorne, the Reach and the Westerlands met, even more importantly, they met as kin. Many would point to this meeting as a sign of the future union of the three kingdoms.

- The "Merchant's Peace" is called so because it is often joked that peace between the kingdoms was bought by "a merchant's dream". The amount of trade and new discoveries was more attractive than making war. The end of the Merchant's Peace doesn't come from one definite event, rather it is marked by the increasing amount of merchant ships disappearing across the Narrow Sea. It became such a problem that by 2000 AL, The Vale, North and Stormlands could only send a small number of ships to ports that were found safe through trial and error. The Kings could only find rumors of pirates from Andalos and nothing else to explain the sudden loss of so many traders. The completion of the new castle of Wolf's Den, gives the North a more defensible position to patrol the Bite from and word is sent to Magnar Wulhart who sets more eyes on The Bay of Seals. In the Vale, the Fingers and Runestone are fortified. The Stormlands simply send their ships further south along similar paths the Dornish take. The Westerlands don't notice any dip, they trade almost exclusively with the descendants of the Westerlands merchants who crossed the sea a century ago.


2000-2002 AL "The First Andal Invasion"

- Lord Artys I Arryn leads his army across the Narrow Sea to conquer a kingdom for himself.

Artys captured some Vale sailors and tortured them for information, most of them could only speak a bit of Andal, just enough to trade their goods, Artys was able to get general directions to The Fingers and knew of The Gryffin King but not much else.

Artys was assured by his Septon that the savages to the west would be easy to conquer. The merchant's only had axes and knives as weapons, they had minimal padded armour, incorrectly the Septon assumed that the rest of their people would wield the same thing. When the Septon learnt of their religion he became even more adamant that they conquer them and spread the light of the Seven.

The Arryn fleet landed and attacked Longbow Hall, Magnar Hunter was notified ahead of time and managed to ambush the invaders on the shore, unfortunately he had too few men and was routed once the entire fleet landed. Forcing Magnar Hunter to retreat into the Vale proper.

Thinking he had defeated the so called Gryffin King, Artys occupied Longbow Hall and renamed it Arryn Keep, he sent men to begin pacifying the smallfolk and gathering supplies. The Septon burnt the Godswood, luckily the Children of the Forest who lived at Longbow Hall had retreated with the Magnar and his men.

- News of the invasion reaches King Culler II Gryffin and he declares he will not stand for it. Instead of waiting for his Magnars to muster, he rides out with 800 of his own men, intent on winning a name for himself. The king encounters the survivors of Longbow Hall and rallies them for a counter attack. Magnar Hunter sends his sons and wife on to Moonseat and rides with the King.

King Culler II Gryffin attempts to siege Arryn Keep but fails to account for the forces sent into the countryside. He is flanked and summarily defeated. King Gryffin is executed by the self proclaimed King Arryn and his body is sent back to Moonseat as a warning.

The Magnars are mustered by Magnar Yorwyck VI Royce. King Gryffin had left against the advice of his advisors and Green Men, leaving his distant cousin Yorwyck to hold Moonseat in his name. King Culler had only been crowned a few years earlier and was eager to prove himself, he also refused to wed until he saw the woman "who was worthy" which translated into him whoring quite often. With his death the Winged Throne sat empty for the first time in nearly 2000 years. Unlike the last time time the Gryffin line had nearly died out, there were no strong blood claimants left. The Gryffins had not inherited strong genes from their ancestor Ulthor, never having more than one or two children and those children very rarely had more than one or two children themselves or died in childbirth. In truth, the Kingdom of the Finger, the Vale, the Sisters and the Mountains was kept together by the strength and loyalty of the Royces, Redforts and Waynwoods. Now on the eve of a war for control of their homeland, there were worries that the election of a new king could weaken the realm with internal strife and separation if not done swiftly. As they had many times before, the Royces, Redforts and Waynwoods met and planned the future of their kingdom.

After the burial of King Culler, Yorwyck Royce called upon the Green Man Tybolt to declare a Kingsmoot. As per ancient laws, all the claimants gathered atop the Star Tower, the highest tower of Moonseat. Three magnars put themselves forward to be King; Yorwyck IV Royce, Dylar II Belmore and Tholn Melcome. Each presented themselves to the assembled Magnars, telling how they were related to the Gryffins of old and describing how they would lead the kingdom. Magnar Belmore promised to capture the invaders and have their secrets uncovered then used that information to gain an advantage over Andalos; Magnar Melcome detailed his plan to burn the invading fleet at port and starve out the invaders then he would construct a great fleet and take their pound of flesh from the Andal homeland in recompense. Finally, Magnar Royce stepped forward with Magnars Redfort and Waynwood behind him and declared the Andals would be made to bend the knee, they would either die or accept the rule of the Winged Throne. Once the invaders were defeated he would determine why they invaded and from there strengthen the Vale in case of future invasions by seeking an ally in the North with his distant cousins the Starks (Yorwyck's son Robar Royce was fostering with the Stark Kings). The magnars unanimously elected Magnar Royce as the new king, as a symbolic move he declared he would not accept a crown until the Andals had been crushed.

A plan was set where a number of messages would be sent to Gulltown and Strongsong, the message would include plans to muster near Sunkenwood and travel by boat to flank Longbow Hall. This message would be intercepted along with copies of maps that purposefully mismarked the location of Redfort and Ironoaks as further south cut off by the mountains. Hopefully, Arryn will take this as a chance to march straight to Moonseat and try to take the stronger fortress. The majority of the Vale army will ride to Redfort and Ironoaks and prepare there, if the Arryns are spotted marching through the Vale they will wait for the opportune moment and attack; if Arryn does not take the bait, they will march to Old Anchor and the two armies will pin Longbow Hall between them.

A messenger on horseback is killed by Andal scouts near the Sunkenwood, his body and possessions are brought back to Arryn Keep. What King Arryn and his advisors thought of the "battle plan" is unknown, what we do know is that King Arryn decided to lead two-thirds of his men into the Vale leaving a large garrison at Arryn Keep.

Thanks to expert scouts and the aid of a few Children of the Forest, the army led by King Royce met the Arryn Forces in the field below Moonseat. As the Arryn forces marched forward, the Valeman emerged from the mountains to the south, it gave the Andals enough time to reform facing the new enemy.

"The Battle of the Seven Stars" was a pitched battle that took place over an entire day, it was marked by seven major clashes between the two armies. The decisive moment came when Yorwyck Royce broke through the Andal line and slew Artys Arryn in single combat. The battle was almost lost however when Andal cavalry, held back in secret, used an old goat path to flank the First Men, they were stopped when a number of Green Men alongside a Child of the Forest named Bark, brought down the cliffs above the path, burying the Andal reinforcements.

The survivors were taken prisoners, Magnar Waynewood rode to Longbow Hall and sieged the keep long enough for King Royce, and the body of Artys Arryn was presented to the defenders, who then surrendered. Arryn's sons and wife were executed after trying to flee, Ser Corwyn Corbray bent the knee to King Royce and was spared. Corbray was surprised when he realized he and his men were offered the chance to live in the Vale in exchange for their knowledge of Andalos.

With the Andal invaders defeated, Magnar Yorwyck II Royce was officially crowned King Yorwyck I Royce, King of the Vale, the Fingers, the Sisters and the Mountains. He had the Winged Throne and Winged Crown placed in the Gryffin crypts, replacing them with the Bronze Throne and the Runic Crown, styling himself like the Bronze Kings of old.

King Royce sent word to the Kings in the North of the Andal invasion, along with the news that more invasions were on the way. If the word of Ser Corbray could be trusted.

- Unknown to the Valemen, Arryn's Septon had escaped before Arryn Keep was sieged. He and a few knights (the cowardly ones) took a boat and set sail for Andalos. The Septon had seen a map of the west in the Keep, it was large and rich, there was no doubt in his mind that this was the land promised to Hugor of the Hill so many centuries ago. They would take what was rightfully theirs...one day.


2010-2020 AL "Hammer's Landing"

- The next Andal invasion struck the one place least prepared for it, Crackclaw Point. The Hammer of the Hills, an Andal King and distant relative of Artys Arryn was a devout king and a bloodthirsty warrior. When the Septon of his cousin Artys arrived telling of savages to the west, occupying the destined land of the Andals and worshipping trees and strange green demons, his decision was made. Gathering a huge number of smaller lords and kings and inspiring them to prepare for their own invasions, The Hammer set out on his own. Ignoring the Vale, he aimed his ships toward a port called Maidenpool.

The Hammer may not have been more than a barbarian king but his advisors were not. His younger brother Erreg was ambitious and devious, often using The Hammer as a way of solidifying his own power, he kept the Hammer as the figurehead to draw attention away from him and maintain control. Erreg was very keen on the idea of conquering western lands, imagining himself as a new King. It is suspected that even before they set sail, Erreg was plotting the death of his brother.

On Erreg's orders, Andal warriors disguised themselves as eastern merchants coming to trade at Maidenpool. Once inside the town, they waited. The rest of their army made landfall farther east in the bogs. They began marching on Maidenpool, when the port began to call out warnings their men on the inside struck, quickly opening the gate and setting fire to the walls. The sack of Maidenpool marked the beginning of the Second Andal Invasion.

Not risking another attack on the now vigilant Vale, Erreg ordered his men to fortify Maidenpool and sent ships back to Andalos for more men and supplies. Slowly they began pushing farther west and south eventually coming upon Duskendale. Once their reinforcements had arrived Hammer declared they would continue southwest taking the outer-Stormlands as their own. Erreg was the one who chose the Stormlands as their target, he had tortured the late Magnar of Maidenpool and found that the Stormland was the most isolated out of all the kingdoms, using that isolation to make the Stormlanders believe their attacks were simply raiding by the Reach or the Westerlands. Confident in his cunning and Hammer's martial might, they began their march.

The Andal army, now bolstered by six other warlords and their men began calling themselves the Andal Brotherhood. They conquered south until Brindlewood, then took the time to consolidate their rule and prepared for the siege of Duskendale.

The siege of Duskendale lasts 3 days except there is no aid from the ageing Storm King, King Erich VII Durrandon was busy planning a new war against Dorne, giving little attention to the encroaching Andals to the North. Duskendale is occupied and Magnar Darklyn is imprisoned. Wisely, Erreg does not push any further; he's content with using Duskendale to hold the new Andal lands. Erreg takes a year to consolidate and build up Maidenpool and some small towns as stronger forts.

With their southern border protected, Erreg sends one of the warlords, Togarion Bar Emmon, to establish a kingdom on Massey's Hook; solidifying Andal control of Crackclaw Point and Blackwater Bay.

- The Westerlands, upon hearing news of the Andal Invasion regrettably cannot do much. They do not have the manpower to retake the far off port without stretching themselves too thin. They also have to concentrate on defending their coasts from the Ironborn.


2020-2030 AL "Hammer's Fall"

- After settling for nearly five years, Hammer became restless, not content with peace he began making his own plans for a war against the Stormlands behind Erreg's back.

Waiting until his brother has traveled back to Andalos to entice more settlers, Hammer led a large force south conquering down to the Blackwater Rush and the Red Wood. He builds a new fort along the Blackwater Rush that he names Hammer's Hold. He begins raiding west into the Reach.

When Erreg returns it is with his new ally, King Armistead Vance. He promised to help King Vance establish his own kingdom in exchange for an alliance between the two kingdoms. Vance arrived with a large expeditionary force to being planing his own conquests.

When Erreg discovered what his brother had done, he was furious. He rode with a hundred men to Hammer's Hold to reprimand his brother. Hammer and Erreg argued for hours, no one is sure what was said precisely but it all came to a head when Erreg left the chambers covered in blood. The guards rushed to the room only to find King Hammer dead with his eyes and tongue cut out and his throat slit. Erreg, from then on known as "kinslayer", ordered the raids to cease. Hammer's Hold was kept garrisoned and made into a useful outpost.

- Upon returning to Maidenpool Erreg apologised to King Vance and continued planning their conquest, eventually settling on some lands west closer to the mountains.

- The arrival and death of Hammer of the Hills is generally accepted to be the "Second Andal Invasion"


2030-2200 AL "The Andal Conversion"

- King Vance and his sons officially began their campaign by following the Blackwater Rush west, taking towns as they marched. Once they were in sight of the mountains they turned North.

They ended their push on the banks of the Red Fork, building Wayfarer's Rest as their seat. Eventually consolidating his rule from the Red Fork to Tumbler's Fall and south to the Blackwater Rush.

- King Tyrion III Casterly was urged by his Magnars to march against the Andals.

He stayed his hand because the Westerlands had suffered a harsh winter and intense Ironborn raids; King Tyrion was more concerned with their loss of access to the east and recovering than marching into another war. As such he instead decided to treat with King Vance. The two met on neutral ground near the Golden Tooth. King Vance was dismissive of King Tyrion but became interested when Tyrion brought an offer of trade. He would allow King Vance's merchants to be the exclusive exporter of Westerland goods to the east. In exchange, King Tyrion would foster his children and ensure better ties with his new neighbours. King Vance, confidant that the Andal children would be able to use this fostering as a way to find the weakness in the "savages" agreed.

King Vance and most of his bannerman sent one or two of their children, often second born sons and daughters, to be fostered with King Tyrion and his most loyal magnars. They were sent with septons and guards as escorts, yet mysteriously their septons either converted to the Old Gods, were caught violating their oaths or simply "disappeared" all together. Unwilling to be seen as uncaring hosts, the Magnars offer their fosterlings join the lessons of their own heirs, a gracious offer indeed. The Andals agree, their children would benefit from learning how these lands work.

King Tyrion's plan began to take root. When the next generation of Lords, Ladies and Magnars took their place many were friends from childhood or at least well acquainted. The two regions became closer and the next generation was also fostered.

A historically terrible winter helped to weaken the Andal's morale. Many of their elders didn't survive, making the new kingdom rely on the Westerlands more heavily during their recovery.

King Gerold II Casterly, King Tyrion's son, continues this process and subtly pushes it even further. While the previous fosterings had been taught a mixture of Andal and First Men beliefs, these new children were taught almost exclusively ,by Green Men, the customs of the First Men with only the occasional Andal aspect. King Gerold was was able to arrange the marriage of a few of his cousins to key knightley and lordly houses under King Vance.

It wasn't until Tyrion's grandson King Gerold III Casterly began fostering that the fruit of his sires labour was visible. He arranged for his wards, heirs of House Lefford and Marbrand, to be married into prominent but declining families, Houses Goldin and Allnar, the rulers of Ashmark and the Golden Tooth. Indebted to Gerold, they agreed to convert to the Old Gods when they assumed their positions as new Magnars. The elder Andals were incensed as were the Septons, but too late did they realize most of the younger generation were swaying. The Green Men were not septons, who spouted scripture and demanded piety above all else; they taught that to please the Old Gods you only had to be honourable, loyal to your family and respectful of that which was greater than Man. This appealed to the Andal children, children who lived half lives, children who had never been to Andalos or seen The Hill. They had grown up around First Men, the smallfolk they ruled were First Men, and their husbands and wives were First Men. King Tyrion III's plan was to take Andals and turn them into First Men, and it worked.

- With the independence of the Andal Kings now stable, a number of Andal Explorers make their way south to being exploring Dorne. They are obviously confused when they are met by the Briar fleet. Frustrated by the apparent falseness of King Erreg's claims, the Andals attack the Briar fleet and manage to win. They make their way south and sail up the largely unpopulated Brimstone. House Uller claimed leadership and built a keep on the shores, naming themselves King of the Brimstone. King Arden Dayne sought advice from his friend King Tyros Casterly, who advised him to explore a peaceful solution, the Andals were willing to work and populate land that no other magnars would. That could be used to Drone's advantage.

Taking this advice to heart, King Arden rides out to negotiate with King Uller. The meeting is tense until the kings realize they both share a common passion, men. Homosexuality, while a taboo practice in Andalos under the faith of the Seven, was mostly ignored by the First Men. The Old Gods care not who you sleep with, as long as you hold true to your oaths and pass on your blood. It had previously been a purely dornish trait to openly engage in homosexual relations but slowly the practice had spread to the Reach and certain parts of the Westerlands. It is said that King Arden snuck into King Uller's chamber that night and departed with promises of trade and a vow to send a Green Man to help educate the new King on the surrounding lands. With Dayne blessings, the Uller's expanded their territory to control the entirety of the Brimstone. Their ports became a welcome resting place for those travelling south from the Reach and the Westerlands.

- In the Vale, they were faced with the fear of another invasion. Scouts and wargs spotted a smaller fleet sailing from the east. The ships were of similar design to the original Andal vessels.

A force was assembled to meet them. Scouts predicted they would land in the Fingers. House Brightstone lead a force of 2000 men to repel the initial landing and hold out until reinforcements could arrive. Qyle Corbray, the magnar of Heart's Home and descendant of Ser Corbray brought a number of soldiers to bolster them days before the landing.

On the rocky beaches, the Andals landed. Instead of a fully armed fighting force, they offloaded a number of guards with women, children and supplies.

Magnar Brightstone and Corbray rode out and surrounded the Andals, demanding to know their intentions. An elderly man in knightly garb emerged. Seeing the forces arrayed before him, he fell to his knees and threw his sword before the magnars. He prostrated himself, famously declaring, "My lords! I offer my blade to you and I offer my life if you would spare my people! Take among you my children and friends, treat them as kin, and I will give you my very soul! I am Ser Aero Coldwater and by whatever Gods rule this land I beg you, let your steel be tempered by mercy."

The magnars were moved by the knights pleas and its said that Magnar Corbray dismounted and took up the sword. He offered the blade back to the knight and helped him up. This was the introduction of House Coldwater into the Vale. The Coldwater's had been driven from Andalos by their king after backing an unsuccessful rebellion. Left with only a babe to become the new Lord, Ser Aero, the babe's uncle, fled with as many ships and smallfolk as he could. Hoping to find safety in Westeros. He found it in the Vale.

Their main patrons being the Corbrays, who they pledged themselves to. They established themselves at Coldwater Burn in the Fingers and quickly became converted and began adjusting to the First Men culture, helped along by the Corbrays. The alliance of Corbrays and Coldwater would hold strong throughout the coming centuries with many marriages and friendships to bind them. This act of generosity was so profound, that when a new Magnar Coldwater makes his vows to Magnar Corbray, he brings with him a small bucket of sand and rocks from Aero Bay and kneels in it, like his ancestor did.

- The Reach experienced their first Andal contact when a collection of knights rode out from Massey's Hook.

The knights were eager to claim lands of their own. They had been told the First Men were disorganized in the rich lands west of Massey. Imagine their surprise when two weeks into their journey, a large force of mounted warriors crested the hill overlooking their camp.

Leading the cavalry was Prince Merle I Gardener. He approached the Andal camp under a flag of truce. The knights expected demands of surrender instead they received an offer of service. Any knight who wished to could swear himself to King Garth IX. The Andals, many of them young and inexperienced, were divided.

The more devout men, led by the Septons, refused to kneel before a heathen king. They wished to take their own lands and raise great Septs. Ser Alestan Tyrell and the remaining knights had no desire to fight these men; they were well armed and rode with experience. Parting ways, the devout were told to leave the Reach in peace or else they would feel First Man iron. Prince Merle I led the large retinue back to Highgarden. Ser Alestan was the first Andal knight to enter the service of a First Men King.

The knights began their new lives, serving dutifully, exchanging techniques and learning from their new magnars. Many of them quickly learned to speak a broken version of the Old Tongue. They were permitted to keep a small sept in the vast grounds in Highgarden. Eventually, they married and had children. Taking a page from King Tyrion "The Father" Casterly, he had them raised by Green Men alongside the Reach children. The process mirrored the Westerlands except for one snag. Knighthood.

The next generation of Andals were all knighted under the Seven. The most famous of these men was Ser Alester Tyrell. Tyrell was so skilled that he was appointed as the sworn shield of Prince Gwayne V, the son of King Merle I and his Andal wife. Gwayne grew up with Ser Alester as his father figure, and he mirrored him in many aspects. Prince Gwayne grew to be a fearsome warrior with a cunning mind.

At seven and ten, Gwayne led a force into the Redwood and destroyed a large band of Andals who had used it as their base, raiding the eastern Reach for many years. His father, King Merle "The Meek", did not want to anger the Andal Kings and refused to retaliate for the raids. When news reached Highgarden that the Andals, calling themselves the Red Faith, has sacked Grassy Vale and slaughtered House Meadows, Gwayne was incensed. He ignored his father and called a great council. From the Oakseat, he called upon the brave and the loyal men of the Reach to ride with him. Hundreds joined their march, with more coming as they travelled. Gwayne was well-liked by many and sons of many Magnars arrived with men and pledged their fealty. The men who rode with Gwayne V would all later become the first members of the "Order of the Green Hand"; their ride was named "The Green Ride".

"The Rout at Redwood" perfectly describes Gwayne's retaliation against the Red Faith. Sending small scouting forces, he was able to trick the Andals into retreating from Grassy Vale by fooling them into believing he was marching with the entire armies of the Reach. The Red Faith, slightly unnerved, returned to their forest home believing they would once again be left alone. Gwayne would have none of it. A number of Green Men had ridden out with him and began warging into various animals. For 3 days and nights, all manner of birds and beasts attacked the Red Faith's camps. During the day they would prowl the perimeter, killing any brave enough to try and hunt for food. At night, the caws and howls echoed without end, fraying even the Septons' nerves. On the dawn of the fourth day, the Red Faith could take no more. En masse they left the Redwoods, heading east. They walked right into Gwayne's plan. He had circled around the forest and as the Andals broke the treeline his cavalry trampled them. The attack ended with Gwayne and Alester dismounting and dueling the leaders of the Red Faith. Alester recognized the enemy knight's heraldry; they were descendants of the devout knights who refused the Gardener King's offer. After slaying the remaining knights, Gwayne ordered that their families and servants be brought with them back to Highgarden. Any Septons found were put to the sword.

Upon his victorious return a great feast was had. When Gwayne rose he gave a speech praising his warriors for their steadfast courage and valor. Alester spoke next, declaring that their deeds were worthy of song. Alester then commanded Gwayne to come forth and kneel. He declared that the Red Faith had tarnished the title of knight but Gwayne had lived it. A Green Man emerged from the crowd and carrying a staff made of weirwood, with flowers and vines carved along its length. The staff's head was a carved weirwood face.

The Green Man rested the staff upon Gwaynes head and gave the now traditional crisenting; "In the presence of the Old Gods, do you swear to live and die with honour? In the eyes of the Old Gods, do you swear to protect your kin and kith through the winters to come? In the name of the Old Gods (at this point the aspiring knight would cut his hand and rest it upon the staff), do you swear to fight the Others when the Long Night comes again? Then rise, blessed by the Old Gods, Ser Gwayne 'The Green'"

Over a 100 knights were made at the feast. From then on, the majority of knights in the Reach claimed membership of the Order of the Green Hand. Normally led by a Gardener or a close cousin.

The practice of knighthood would soon spread to Dorne and the Westerlands. Leading to the birth of The Order of Stars and The Order of the Rock.

- The death of King Gwayne V in 2200 AL marks the end of the Andal conversion, the period of 170 years where the Dornish, Reach and Westerlands incorporated Andal forces peacefully by converting and assimilating them.

- While King Tyrion, King Garth and King Arden were inviting the Andals into their homes, the Kings of the North, Vale and Stormlands were trying hard to wipe them out.


2100-2200 AL "The Andal Plague"

- The Vale was the first to attract the Andal's ire. After accepting the refugees and House Coldwater they had made themselves a target for new Andal warlords.

The Andal's who had destroyed House Coldwater were incensed that their enemies had found sanctuary with the heathens of the west. This was enough justification for a number of Andal lord's to band together and sponsor an invasion with the intent of establishing an Andal point to launch raids. Ser Templeton was given command of the army and sailed. He aimed not for the Vale proper, he planned to cripple the Vale fleet by taking control of Three Sisters.

Coincidentally, when the Andal fleet attacked, almost all of the Northern fleet was docked at Wolf's Den undergoing inspections and refitings. The Vale fleet there was burnt and the Three Sisters taken. Survivors were forced to serve the Andals as shipwrights. A number of Sisterman escaped aboard fishing vessels and word reached King Mychan Royce, who ordered a new fleet be constructed at Gulltown under the eye of House Shett.

King Royce sent his fastest messengers to the North hoping his cousin King Theos Stark would be able to beat back the invaders.

- Unfortunately, the North did not receive King Royce's message before the Andals began launching raids on their eastern coast.

They raided from Oldcastle to Widow's Watch and went as far inland as Hornwood. House Locke, Flint and Hornwood were able to mount effective defenses for a time. House Stark and Bolton began sending supplies to the magnars. House Greystark of Wolf's Den's patrols and levy were nearly doubled in response to the new threat. The Northern navy did what it could to patrol the coast but its vessels were made for trading and to fight pirates not armies.

- King Theos Stark's reign was summarized by Andal invasions from two fronts. The Ironborn allowed another Andal King to actually claim part of the North.

- After the end of Redhand and his son's conquest, the Ironborn returned to their lifestyle of reaving.

During the reign of King Rognar II Greyiron an alliance of Ironborn and Andals deposed King Greyiron, ending the hereditary rule of House Greyiron. King Harras Hoare succeeded him.

King Harras "Stump-Hand", in return for the Andal's aid promised to help them conquer lands of their own. Leading the largest navy since Redhand, King Harras led a quick but brutal attack on the Rills in the North. King Buckshorn managed to conquer large sections of the Rills and the entirety of the Stony Shore. He allowed the Ironborn to use the rivers in his territory to raid deep into the North proper. King Buckshorn warred continually with the Ryswells for many years.

These two incursions came at the worst possible time, a year after the first attacks one of the worst winters on record began. Known as the The Great Snow, for two years, snow fell in such quantity that many small villages were buried whole; only to be rediscovered in the thaw. As with most winter's it was hard on all, yet the improvements of iron and culture proved especially useful. With the help of giants and iron tools, the Magnars were able to clear enough snow that their castles were kept, relatively, clear.

Once summer returned, the North was too preoccupied and the Andals too weakened, to escalate tensions.

- The Stormlands were the only eastern kingdom to go on the offensive against the Andals.

King Qarlton II Durrandon had spent his reign securing the northern border and fighting off Andal incursions. His son King Qarlton III began planning the first offensives against the invaders. Rallying the Stormlords, Qarlton III was determined to reclaim Massey's Hook.

This is when the historical figure known as The Turncloak appears. Legend has it one of the attendees to King Qarlton's declaration of war at Storm's End snuck out of the castle in the dead of night and rode hard for Massey's Hook. There he revealed the Storm King's plans to King Massey, who decided to catch the Storm King unawares. Sending a message to King Errig III at Maidenpool for aid, he began amassing troops.

There is much speculation on who the Turncloak was, we only know of his existence because of the memoir of King Errig III. Some say he was a bastard son of King Qarlton, others say he was the second son of Magnar Buckler; we will most likely never know.

What would have been a simple invasion by the Stormlands to reclaim Massey's Hook ended up being a war that would spark the final phase of the Andal Invasion.

- By happenstance, King Errig was hosting five influential Andal Kings when King Massey's messenger arrived. King Errig had inherited his ancestors talent for scheming. He saw this conflict as the chance to conquer the Stormlands.

Riling up his fellow warlords (and making backdoor deals with their Septons), King Errig established the Holy Brotherhood of the Andal. Their mission was to stamp out the worship of the Old Gods and claim the lands of the First Men for themselves.

Marching from Pinkmaiden, the Andals aggressively burnt any weirwoods found and killed any worshippers.

The Holy Brotherhood came to a rest at Hammer's Hold before coordinating with King Massey's army. Together they set off on a two pronged attack. The Stormlords, unprepared were forced to retreat deeper into the Stormlands. Magnars of the more northern houses were either captured or killed and their keeps taken. The Brotherhood was able to march to Bronzegate before King Qarlton arrived in force to repel them.

For the next year, King Qarlton stayed at the front lines. Defending, attacking and counter attacking. He was unable to reclaim any territory, the relentless attacks of seven Andal armies constantly kept him spread out, unable to consolidate his forces. He was slain in battle defending a push by King Massey, that loss allowed the Massey's to take the eastern shore and began harassing the Isle of Tarth.

- King Monfryd V Durrandon ascended the throne in a time of war and strife. There was a very real fear that he would be the last Storm King.

The death of his father was seen as the final piece of the puzzle, King Errig gathered the seven warlords of the Brotherhood and attacked Bronzegate itself.

- The Battle of Bronzegate was a brutal 2-day siege, that ended when King Monfryd V led his men in a charge and met the Andals in the open, this battle was immortalized in the song, The Righteous Stag.

He was accompanied by many Magnars and 3 of his devoted friends, who had sworn to guard him in the coming battle. Monfryd and his guard slew 4 of the 7 warlords in combat, Magnars Selmy and Selmy both slew a warlord each, with Magnar Dondarrion and his sons slaying the last 1.

King Errig III was not on the battlefield, he and his men rallied the retreat and absorbed the survivors of the Holy Andal Brotherhood into their army.

Unfortunately, Monfryd suffered fatal injuries at the hands of an Andal berserker. He died outside the gates of Bronzegate, as his men returned from the battlefield. A storm had crawled in over the course of the day, thunder and rain now filled the air as the battle came to a close. Famously he looked upon the 3 noble men, who during the course of battle had been forced to pick up warhammers to replace their lost swords, and declared, "This shall be my last storm, and I would have no one else weather it alongside me. You, my Hammers, that beat against the wind itself. May all honor you. May my son one day know true friends such as you."

These men, a Buckler, Estermont and Tarth, were said to have raised up their King's body and carried him atop their shields aided by nearby warriors.

- The death of King Monfryd "The Righteous Stag" V, and the victory at Bronzegate is seen as the last event before the creation of the Weirwood Alliance.