Domain Overview
House Greystark of White Harbor: White Harbor is one of the major cities of the North. It is ruled by House Greystark. House Greystark is a cadet branch of House Stark. House Greystark was founded around the same time as House Karstark which can be said to be around 1,000 years ago. Their ancestor Gerold Stark helped put down rebellious lords alongside his brother Karlon Stark and was rewarded land for his efforts. Originally Gerold raised the keep of Wolfsden to rule his new domain. As time went on and the city of White Harbor grew and expanded, they created a new keep called Wolfs Rest. The main economic strength of House Greystark is there trading fleet which ships goods such as timber, stone, and furs to the eastern kingdoms of Westeros and to some of the Free Cities along the Western Coast of Essos. They also operate silver mines which can be scattered throughout their realm. While their focus is predominately trade, they are also one of the more powerful bannerman of the North.
Sigil: A bowing black direwolf on a white field. This is to show their loyalty to House Stark while also remembering their ties to them through Gerold Stark.
Military Strength: House Greystark are renowned for their mariners and footman which help patrol their domain and their trade fleets. They are one of the more powerful of House Starks bannerman due to their trade with both Westeros and Essos. Over the years House Greystark has focused on building up their men-at-arms and levies to be a mix of heavy infantry, light infantry/skirmishers and archers since they are best suited to protect the ships of the fleet. Though they are sorely lacking calvary besides a small company used to patrol and fight against bandit raids. The total number of men that House Greystark can call upon is close to between 4,000 to 6,000 men besides what their vassals can provide. During times of war and peace this number can fluctuate as at times the Greystarks cannot field the full number of their armies and levies. The current Lord Brandon has seen to rectifying this issue as they faced a lack of troops during his time fighting in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Currently House Greystark can call upon between 2,000 – 3,000 infantry men which is comprised of heavy infantry and light infantry (skirmishers). They can muster an additional 500 – 1000 infantry if they conscript the city's militia. The heavy infantry is adorned with chain mail shirts which go over a gambeson. Over the chainmail they are also equipped with a breastplate to add more protection. They are also equipped with barbuta helmets, vambraces and greaves. They are equipped and trained to use spears, axes, and swords. They carry kite shields with House Greystarks sigil painted on them into battle. They are trained to counter calvary and be able to fight in melee with their sidearms. The light infantry is more of a screening and flanking force to provide support and help alleviate pressure upon the heavy infantry. The light infantry is armored in a gambeson with a barbuta helmet. Some light infantries are also armored in chainmail, but it is only used rarely as they are more focused on speed and outflanking an enemy force. They are armed with short swords for melee and use javelins to screen an enemy formation before the heavy infantry are engaged. They have a smaller kite shield as it provides enough protection from enemy archers and other ranged units. The mix of heavy infantry and light infantry is 2 to 1 but that can change depending on the type of troops needed. The Greystarks are also known for their use of archers as their ships use them in archer towers aboard their vessels. They can muster around 1,000 archers and more if they conscript any hunters or woodsman if need be. The archers are armed with wooden longbows and even some weirwood bows. They are armored in a gambeson or even some light leather armor. The archers are equipped with daggers and even short swords as their sidearms. They carry a max of between 2-3 quivers of arrows as well. House Greystark does not have a lot of calvary, but they can call upon around 100-200 mounted heavy calvary if need be. The heavy calvary is armored in full plate armor alongside their barbuta helmets. They are trained to use lances and morning stars. They focus more on using more blunt weapons since they are more effective against heavily armored foes. The number of calvary can increase due to House Greystark employing free riders and hedge knights. The fleet strength of House Greystark is a few dromonds as the flagships for their navy. The dromonds can number between 5-10 warships. They also boast a force of 30-40 carracks to act as support for their dromond's. They also have a force of smaller longships to act as some screening ships. They also have cogs used that are primarily for trade but can be repurposed to use as transport for soldiers and supplies in a campaign. The number of ships can also increase during wartime as they have not seen fit to increase their navy since the War of the Ninepenny kings.
House Greystark of Wolfsden: House Greystark of Wolfsden is a branch of House Greystark of White Harbor. The current Lord Barthogan Greystark was given command of the Wolfsden due to him serving his brother faithfully during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Since the Greystarks of Wolfsden are a part of White Harbor they also act as leaders to the city's militia and help enforce the city's laws. While they do not have many men besides the keep's forces and house guards, they can help provide naval forces as they have their own smaller fleet. Currently it is unknown how many men they can muster but estimates can put their forces at around 400-600 soldiers. They also have a smaller fleet which is composed of the dromond The Wolfs Howl and a few carracks and cogs which are stationed as reserves in White Harbor until called upon in war.
Authors Note: Some things I would like to address are that I believe the ages for the characters might be a bit wrong. It has been awhile since I have reviewed the source material of the book series. I am currently in the process of researching and trying to tweak the story. One thing I will keep is that Benjen will still be the Acting Lord Paramount of the North till Eddard makes his way North to accept his vassal's fealty. While Eddard is off on campaign Benjen will be the Stark in Winterfell. I do believe in cannon Benjen served his brother as acting Lord during Robert's rebellion. His duties will mostly encompass making sure the North is running smoothly and supporting the war effort in the south. Since he is not at his majority, he will have an advisory council to help him. Another thing is that in this story the Manderlys were settled at Sea Dragon Point and have overlordship of the whole point. I was debating whether to put them at the Stony Shore or Sea Dragon Point. I figured Sea Dragon Point would be a better location because it is closer to some of the southern ports such as Lannisport, Old Town, and Seagard on the Western coast. There will also be both an eastern and western fleet for the north. Another thing I wanted to cover is House Woolford. I thought it would be an interesting concept of the Greystarks having their own Boltons. They will be weaker than the Greystarks since they are vassals to them. I do like the idea of the Greystarks fostering with the Starks of Rickards generation as Brandon married his sister. I will also go into more detail of the Manderlys and House Greystarks vassals in a later overview. I will try and iron out the strengths of both branches of House Greystark at a later date too. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day and stay safe.