Houses of the North

by Saber Shishika

There are many houses in the north yet not much is known about many of them. In this book written by a southern master is a short overview about many of the northern houses, the land under their control and the people living upon it as well as their vassals. It was written so that southern lords can read up about their northern neighboors in a few minute time.

9. House Ironfur of Strong Stone

This house was sponsored by the Union of Self Inserts and Original Characters (SI/OC).
The Union of SI/OC has helped many stuggeling lordships all over Westeros with its revolutionary tax systems, expansion of road networks and otherworldly technology like the printing press and gun powder.

Jokes aside this is the first completly new house that was never mentioned and took an otherwise empty place of space. I wanted it to be a bit more like the usual OC in the way that the founder was this perfect unfailable being whose written down advise is still taken in consideration. All of that with the addition that growth and change of any kind seams slow in Westeros and without making them some overpowered entity that wrecks the rest of the north and simply does not do so because of the good in their hearts. Hope you like this new house with a hind of usual fiction characters even if it has not recieved an technological uplift as some do.

House Ironfur and its banners are all relatively new noble houses of the north. After the rebelion of house Ryder the land had no real rulers for a long time. Most families that were granted the land died soon after receiving the land they settled on. Some died from starving in winter others had their line die for reasons such as infertility or siding with the Boltons. The land came to be called the cursed land for all that were granted land there died sooner rather than later. This was until House Ironfur was granted the lands. Having ruled for now close to 800 years their rule has lasted more than four times the length of any other family that called these lands their own since the rebellion. Some call them the cursebreakers for this feat. Without a doubt has the family proven thar there is no curse and that they are there to stay.

House Ironfur as mentioned is a newer house in the north. They were raised when the son of a cattle herder worked tirelessly by the side of the Stark's. His councel was valued by the Starks of the time in both war and peace for his unusual but effective ideas to deal with problems. When once again the lords of the mountainous cost died and the Starks were thinking of who to send as lord of the land as a punishment he interwiened and promised that not only his family would last but rather make the land prosper. Many looked at the claim with doubt and even the Starks wouldn't give man as loyal such land and offered them lands closer to Winterfell for his service. Yet the man was headstrong and was given the chance. Unlike most of the older houses theirs remembers their roots well and know that among the commoners there lay many an unpolished gem. As such there are often people of low birth but with amazing talend part of their revenue.

At the start none wanted to mary his daughters into a family only recently raised to nobility and granted such a cursed land but around 500 to 400 years this changed when it was proven that they would last. Since then they have mainly maried with the Mormonts, Umbers and Flints. Thought there has been at least one mariage with both the Starks, Blackwoods and surprisingly a past Sealord of Bravos.

Because of their past they are considered a hardy family that produces strong men and woman. Early on they were influenced by the Momonts and have taken to teaching their womanfolk and noble ladies in the arts of war as they do with their malefolk and lords. For this reason have both houses been often siding together in various matters of politics and are considerd as close friends and allies. A thing to note is that they are considered to be extremely fertile. A man of the house taking a whore that didn't drink moons tee will soon have a bastard and a woman of the house that takes a lover to bed better drings it the whole week before and after if she doesn't want to fall with chield. In recent times there is the saying that their fertility is only matched by Walder Frey. A union between the houses is feared to produce a plaque of an ever growing house filled with landles nobles.

The sigel features a large black bull that faces to the right from the viewers perspective. Most notable on him are his large black horns that may even seam rediculous. The background is predominantly yellow with a green plant with star shaped leaves behind the bull.

Family Words: "Tenacious and Stubborn"
When the family's founder didn't want to back away from the challenge of taking the lands none wanted for his reward the head of house Stark shouted at him that he is as tenacious as he is stubborn. The man just thanked him for granting him his houses words. Over time it became simplified to the words of today. Some even say that when someone says these words to a Stark even today, they will have a twitching eye and uneasy smile while saying that their ancestors were many things but most certainly not wrong in saying these words.

Hold/Keep:
The keep of Strong Stone is one of the most defensible castles in the north. It would best be secured by either building a giant dirt ramp up to the walls or starving the occupants out. The simple reason for this is the fact that it was build in the mountains along a river. There is only one path up the castle that can be taken by troupes to besiege the wall. Neighter siege towers nor catapults can be used. For the first the ground is to steep for the other the distance that it would need to be placed would be to far away to reach the walls. Tunneling is another idear one might get but the ground is hard enought that it would take several years to get under the walls without being found out. After you reach the gates even a sudden ambush would not really work out. The castle is layered and has several beilays. It is house policy that at least two of the beilay gates are closed at the same time for this reason.

Alas every castle has its weaknesses. Strong Stone is heavily dependant on the river flowing at its bottom. While the castle has a sytem to gather rain water this can not cover their need alone for a prolonged time. The ground is to hard to even dream of reaching ground water and building a well. Because of this the servents regulary have to fetch water from the river. Even so only a number of people would die from thirst before the rain water could cover once more for all presend. As such you can only really hurt them through their food. When sieging them be prepared for a long time of waiting.

The keep itself was planed by the houses first head. He never got to complete it however. Unlike other lords that came to the land he decided to build up a new castle instead of setteling a old one. The funds he received from house Stark for this endavour were however not enough to cover the expences of building both the castle, build up better coastal defences and investing in the economy. He however did leave behind detailed instrucions for finishing it. Over about 200 years the house has expanded the main keep trice, build the additional four beilays, finished the Readers Tower and added the ceilars in the hard rock to use for storage. In addition to this they have managed to equip it with all the intended furniture and prestigious object that were planned to be placed in it. Including a collection of stuffed animals, a rather impressive great hall with a giant weaved wall carpet detailing the houses founding and the silken bedcovers. The founder knew how to build effective defensive structures, show once pretige and when to stop for the sake of the tressury. Through his clever planing the castle stands as one of the norths most impressive structures.

An important note should be the Readers Tower. It is the only part of the structure that wasn't given its supposed name or purpose. When it was finaly build the current lord saw an opportunity before him. Several Reacher houses have had several bad harvest in a row and many lords across Westeros sufferd food shortages over it. Their land however had produced much more than normal and he gambled about a late and short winter and sold most of the lands food for books. In the end the gamble was a full success and many a folish lord lost books that they owned for several centuries prior. For this reason the house has the second biggest collection of books in the north and even books that are considered as a rarity across the world. Later additions of books gained with the fall of Valyria made it all the more impressive. In the order of masters many consider being send to house Ironfur a blessing for all the rare books the house has.

The keeps most recent addition has only been some 150 years ago. The family finaly decided that the founders plans were good but the addition of a paved path leading up to the castle in addition to a single guard tower at its bottom would go a long ways in the forms of comford and additional secruity. In addition the small village that was by the river at the bottom was expanded to better support the castle. As such there are now more people close by the castle.

Geography:
The lands ot the house stretch from the Twin Lakes in the east along the mountain ranges in the north of the western coast. From the last of these it will somewhat follow a smaler stream that reaches the coast by the middle of a rather large natural cove. From there it will follow the coast for a rather short stretch of land to just include the muddy cove after here the lands are considerd part of the Stony Shore. From there it will go south until it once again reaches the mountains bottoms and follow along a border marked by a line of border boulders till it once again reaches the river that will go up to the Twin Lakes. The lands can be divided into three destinct parts. There are the coastal lowlands in the west of the mountain ranges, the mountains themselves including their valeys and the river hamlets.

The coastal lowlands are the least prosperous part of their lands. While these lands have somewhat recoverd by the control house Ironfur and the secruity they garanty it has still many more problems than the other lands under their control. The land is now often ignored by the Ironborn for the surrounding lords lands that are either less secure or richer in loot. The people live in much the same conditions as the people under house Stark to their north. The land is quite wet and ill suited for farming in addition to the cold winds that still make their way down to even here and only break once they reach the mountains. However unlike their northern bretheren the people here have taken these disadvanteges and used them. The wet lands hold a enourmous amount of clay and peat. These wet lands also hold a bird that migrates south in the winters but always comes back in summer to feast on the insects that have made their home in the wetlands. The coast in these parts is still considered part of the easy to access coast and not part of the more shipbreaking coast of the Stony Shore. But there still exist only some small fishing town along the coast and no expansions are planned in the near future.

The smallest of the regions are the river hamlets. While the coastal wetlands have been ignored for further expansion by the house they have recognised the worth these lowland regions by the larger rivers. If they are give the right conditions. In many ways are these lands the bread baskets of the region. When the lands were taken over the rivers and its hamlets were wild, untamed and in places abandoned. The woods reached to the rivers edges and floodings were not unusual. After the house had taken over much of their wealth, political power and population was used to change this. Rivers were in places straightened, deepended or even rerouted to a more favourable place. Thought these changes were often minor the numbers made quite the change. With the additions of watering ditches, dikes and a intricate network of watering channels much of these parts have turned into a heaven for farming. The lands around the river are fertile and the networks and planned out stretches of land for farming make it easy to plow and rich in reward. To aid this is the fact that the river can be easily secured from men sailing it down to far with only a few boats. All in all this region has seen a large amout of change in the last centuries and hold a promising future because newer lords of the house have started to make plans to once more expand the past works along the lands by the Twin Lakes.

The last and the largest of the regions is the mountains. While not as high as the Frost Fang to the far north it is often viewed as a smaler version of the northern mountains that are inhabited by clans. Many of these mountains hold large old trees, grasses growing to a mans belly and shrubs that with time would tear your clothes apart. It is often broken apart by villages that are placed in the valleys between the mountain slopes or along the rivers that nourish the larger rivers. Much like the rivers has this region started to see change under the house for a while now. While much of the land is still wild like all of the north in certain parts the small villages have started to grow with the incentives given by the Ironfurs. While the mountains are still mostly left alone and the wealth under them either ignored or not known to the people only small mines are dotting the lands. The incentives lay in the deforesting of the gentler slopes to use for grapes that manage to survive the harsh cold lands. These mountains hold trees that are said to be as old as the north itself and some would claim that once upon a time the heart of the Wolfswood has lain in these mountains and not to the far north it now calls its main centre. Some lords even support part of this claim as many trees of these parts can be found in the Wolfswood as well.

Lesser Lords:
Since its formation the Ironfurs have raised many new families that showed promising talents in various field to be their vassels. While there are still those vassels that come from the past in the territory they have never been to numerous. In addition many of those families have decided to leave the lands because of the changes that were made under the new House. As such the number of newer families that have been more recently raised as well as those that were bastards or second third or sometimes forth sons that received a keep is higher than anywere else in the north. The houses that remained or were created in such a manner are fiercely loyal to the Ironfurs and not much can shake them of their support to the house.

The princeple house under the Ironfurs are the Wince. The house was raised shortly after the Ironfurs when they reached the territory. The first Wince was the right hand man to the first Ironfur and has served him well with advise and swordarm. As such he received the lands and duties that such trust varanted. They made their keep in the mountains close to the wetlands by a river that reaches the coast. Before the creation of the keep there the incurions from Ironborn have often taken this rout to pillage in the mountains. The Winces have since produced many caplebell men and women that served much like their ancestors. In addition the position they have does not only contain duity but also reward. After all much of the pottery from the coastlands reaches the mountains through this river pass and food comes from the other side. As such trade is a given for this lordship.

The largest center of grain production lies under the influence of house Digger. Having their seat of power by the bifurcation of the two riversources coming from the mountains flowing south their lands had once only floods. With the trenches this changed significantly. This region is now the biggest food producer among Ironfur vassels. Many a lord Digger has claimed that even in the longest of winters none of his people had to starve or shorten their rations to survive. While not the largest or most powerfull of minor houses many of the lords that have land by the rivers under house Ironfur follow the advise and political decisions the Diggers try to push.

By the gentlest of the mountain slopes house Whitefur has received its lands. Formed by the forth son of the Ironfurs just 300 years in the past it is young and yet the center of attention for some time now. Under the orders of house Ironfur has the house started and expanded the plantation of grapes on their hills. In the years past there have been many a fruitfull harvest. These grapes will be turned into wine. Thought still unexperienced experimentation has lead to the discovery of a unique as well as tasty wine. For the moment the wine is still arteficially contained to the Ironfur lands. It is planned to introduce it to the world soon. With some luckk it will be well received and the northern White Wine or Frost Wine will be an equell to Dornish Red and Arbour Gold. The key to success lies in the experimentation and development under house Whitefur and further expansion due to house Ironfur while the oriigional idea came from the founder.

House Oldway is one of the few families that stayed upon their lands and embraced the changes. Because of this their familie is the oldest house under the Ironfurs. Over the centuries their keep has often been reduced to ruble and rebuild in another part of their lands. Such was the situation once more when the Ironfurs came. With the planned expansion and improvement of the roadnetwork in their lands the Ironfurs asked the Oldways to raise their keep by the thinnest point that connectet the Twinn Lakes in the fashion designed by them. Other houses would have been insulted by such a command and in fact even the Oldways were furious but did as they were told. When the resources were there for it the Ironfurs build a bridge that connects to the Oldways bailey across the water to the road on the other side. With this the Oldways have gained a trade and stratigic hub upon the territory and their gratitute, loyalty and coffers have swelled ever since.

In the recent years when the attention of the lords wanders to the coastlands their plans for improvement rest on house Seehard. A new house formed by the marriage of two bastard. One a Ironfur the other a Tallhard. They hold lands by the wetlands and their keep stanst close to the sea by the river flowing to the Winces. While the rivers ans mountains have already been turned upside down or are currently doing so the Ironfurs plan to have the Seehards be the center of change in the coastal areas. The house has since its creation been tasked with slowly expanding the pottery industrie as well as the cattle hearding in their lands. In addition smaler forest have been expanded across their land to provide wood. The plans for the house are manyfold but most importantly the wish for them is to build up a small fleet that can protect the coast north of the Stony Shore. For this reason a Tallhard bastard that has shown promise as a naval commander was given these lands and such a important task. Once the coast is secured further expansion will happen all over the coastal wetlands were the words written by the first Ironfur.

People:
Over the centuries of good leaders and vassels that faithfully follow the Ironfur's orders the number of smallfolk increased from around 100.000 to a massive 432.819. This number is entirely acurate at the moment this text is written because there is not one other house in the north that is as dedicated to know where how many people live and what these people do. This change however has been mostly overlooked by the surrounding lords because even thought more goods come today from their lands the rise has been gradual and as such never been recognised.

Nearly half of the people live by the rivers and have slowly but surely expanded their villages. Were once only a few wooden shags stood by the rivers now there are even some settlements as large as 3000 men with houses of stone found here. Live is comfortable compared to other places in Westeros. Food grown is aplenty, the tilting of the field easy and goods and people can travel with ease all around these parts. Men and women here are known to be larger and broader in body for such a simple reason as a good if a bit hard enviroment. Fishing is mostly a hobby to the people here for they have enought fish coming from the Tallhards and the fields produce more than enough to buy meat instead. While not extremely wealthy the people here are trading with others all over the Ironfur lands and are wealtier for it.

Currently the fastest rising population is in the mountainous lands. While at first the growth of smalfolk was even slightly negativ due to many people resetteling by the rivers by now the same can no longer be said. After all while at first there were actual incentives given to move into the region to get a faster start in the major food production by now the slowly rising industries of stone masonry as well as the wine making are starting to set in. The people here are still growing most of their foodstufs locally but for winter rations and some of the crops with worse inland harvest will be bought form the rivers. The forest along the mountain sides are natural sources of wealth for anyone in the north. Many of the pelts that are traded to the Westerlands actually come from these mountains while their meat is eaten locally.

Lastly there are the coastal flatlands that hold the fewest people. While the plains are perfect for raising all kinds of animals ranging from goats, sheep, cattle and goose to the natural migratory birds making their home there in the summertime the same can't be said for growing foodstuf. The people here are dependent on the trade of meat for vegtable, grain and fruit. Usually the people have a more meaty diet and milk, cheese and local wildlive make up a large part of the cuisine. While at first many of the people moved away to the rivers the population has by now recovered and has even risen by a few thousand people. The people have also become quite addapt at pottery for the the peat and clay all over the lands have proven to be good material for warmth and practice in pottery. Because of the terror the ironborn raiders induced in centuries past even today you will not find a family without weapons for each men and woman present. Some of the better of families even invested in armours made from leathers. It is notable that about half of the regions standing military is stationed in this small region of the land to offer protection and some training.

Army:
While the smalfolk has risen dramatically under the Ironfurs the military has seen less love. With a rise of about four times the population the army size has only doubled. In fact the house has never been quite as enthusiastic about war as the rest of their northern breathern. Their focus has always been more along protecting chokepoints into their territories with a handfull of men in strong castles. Their military doctrine centers around protecting what they have and not giving ground and while the house has proven to have capable commanders they often prove to be indecisive. The troupes have simply not risen as sharply as the population for this reason and because there has never been a need to muster more. The surrounding houses were already happy with the fact that more military power is present to deter raids and a thousand more men when marching were already a more than welcomed gift to any Stark campain.

The men under the house mirror the families focus of defence over attack and are clad in a heavy gamberson with chainmail underneath and gloves, boots and helmets made from the best steel they can buy from the Dustins. Equiped with heavy shields and maces or long spears with a smaler shield the men-at-arms are slow in the field. Thought this can often be overlocked for the simple fact that their spearwalls have proven themselves to stop even a cavalry charge from knights when their moral is high enough. Thought their staying power in the field is high their real worth lies in defending castles. Many of these men are trained in defending walls from asailing parties and know what to do to defend a castle. Sadly this is rarely needed and overlocked by other commanders and nearly never utilised in wartimes.

The cavalry and archers in their army fall shorter than the rest of their troupes. While there are many archers trained by the house those are often left to defend the keeps and if need be harass enemies that wish to travel further inland. The same holds true to a lesser extend for the cavalry as well. Yet there is also the fact that they have never liked to pay the gold to buy warhorses from the Ryswells. This reason alone kept their cavalry smaller than one would have expected them to have.

They have predominantly heavy infantry that is reknown for their defensive capabilities and as such is often placed on the frontline in larger amounts. The fact that they manage to stop cavalry charges further hightenes their already high death rates because they are taskes with such a brutal duty. Because of these reasons the Ironfurs often lose more men than other northern lords while on campain.

Economy:
Much like the Slates has house Ironfur recognised the need for trade. This lead to the building of a wast roadnetwork to allow for trade. Still there is a major difference between both families and their focuses. While the Slates are a connecting trade hub that have goods comming to it and tarvel through it the Ironfurs focus more on local trade. This leads to much more weath staying in their lands but at the same time much less is arriving because the outside trade is small. This however may change in the future if they manage to build up a fleet to defend more coastal towns focused on trade to the south and have warships protect their merchant vessels. Their current trading partners are the Glovers, Mormonts and Slates as well as the lands under house Stark.

Their main trading goods lie in their large production of crobs along with their pottery and the stoneworkers cut stone that is desired to build all over Westeros. While most of their goods never leave their lands this will soon change if they are to be believed. After all with the Manderlys controling the eastern trade, the Slates becoming the traders of the center there is still none more likely to fill this position for the western shores than their house.