I know, I know, I've got a bunch of other stuff to write – I just figured that, since this will take a long time to plan and then eventually write, I might as well start getting the characters in now.
This is planned as an 8-part series (exciting, right?) and I've just about barely managed to plan out a basic plot for the 1st book. I've no idea how it will end or what arcs to give, so, here is the casting call! Feel free to suggest others that aren't included below, but… well, I'm not sure how often they'll appear in the story. As you can see, there are already over 30.
I've taken the liberty to create parents for the houses (since most people don't want to create them), but if you've got an idea you'd like to put forwards, I'd love to hear them!
A note for creating characters: I want these characters to really embody the traits of their houses. Y'know, sure, Baratheon's have anger issues, but they're also incredibly stubborn. Yes, the Targaryens have a penchant for madness, but they're also larger-than-life, embody destiny and leadership. I'd suggest watching a video essay or something before submitting your character.
So, write me first and pitch me your character under 'Ice and Fire: [Name] – [House] – [Age]', and we can have a back and forth.
Lastly, this probably won't be updated for a long time – there's a crazy amount of planning needed here, so, yeah – be patient. If you're looking for a story with a quick turn-around, this probably won't be it. This almost definitely won't be updated until next year.
So, without any ado, let's get on with it! (P.S. This is a working title - it'll change when I figure out some stuff that happens).
The Setting
Set in an ambiguous era of Targaryen rule, where dragons roam the skies above Westeros. A young Prince returns home after a decade away. A rift is beginning to form between Houses Tully and Hightower. House Tully seeks out marriage alliances to secure strength in case war arises, while House Tyrell, desperate for another alliance, looks to the North. A young girl named Snow is set upon a path of self-discovery, and in the South, war begins to stir between three Great Houses.
The Cast
Well, this is the longest part… I need a wide variety of characters.
Northern Houses
Stark (Full)
The Starks are the Wardens of the North. The patriarch of the house is Lord Brandon, commonly referred to as 'Tallbran' (40), the child of Roderick Stark and Mira Glover. Lord Brandon had a younger sister, Mara, who died in childbirth some years ago. Lord Brandon's wife is Lady Gwyn (38), of House Manderly.
1. Corwyn Stark (22) the first-born son and heir to Winterfell, who was fostered in the Barrowlands - Winters Warden
2. Cayden Stark (19) the unruly second-born son of Winterfell - LadyLannister01
3. Torrha 'Torri' Stark (16) - the only daughter of House Stark - A Terrific Acorn
4. Brandon 'Smallbran' (6) the youngest Stark child - Myself
5. Myra Snow (16) - Mara Stark and Kolfinn Mormont's bastard daughter, and Lord Brandon's niece and ward - The Dragon of Valyria
Mormont (Full)
The Mormonts are amongst the most loyal of the Stark bannermen, but there is a distinct tension: The current patriarch is Colyn Mormont, who is around 70 years of age, known as 'the Grey Bear'. His youngest son, Kolfinn, dishonoured Lady Mara Stark and whelped a bastard in her, and fled to the Wall before anyone could punish him. Lord Colyn then set about trying to regain his family's honour, plunging them into several different conflicts with the Wildlings and the Ironborn. Now, however, all of his children are gone, leaving him with only one relative: his granddaughter.
1. Marna Mormont (20) Heir apparent to Bear Island - Son of Arryn
2. Jeoranne Mormont (20) - Winters Warden
Forrester
The Forresters of the Wolfswood have enjoyed some level of elevation due to marrying into the Stark family. The majority of the Forresters remain at Ironrath. The current patriarch is Lord Thorris (48), whose wife, Lady Jeyne Glover, passed away recently from consumption.
1. The eldest son and heir to Ironrath (16)
2. Alyna Forrester (16) Handmaid to Torrha Stark - Outcast001
3. Feron Forrester (13) Ward to Colyn Mormont - Lawrence Cartwright
Whitehill
The Whitehill's are, predictably, feuding with the Forrester's. In comparison, House Whitehill is a rather large family. Edrick Whitehill, the once-heir, has left for Essos with no plans for returning. The current Lord is married to Wynafred Snow, a bastard from House Bolton.
1. Lord of Highpoint (43 - 54)
2. Dorren Whitehill (38) cousin and right hand of the Lord of Highpoint - Myself
3. The second-born son, who is now heir after his older brother, Edrick, left for Essos (24)
4. Melric Whitehill (23) A bit of a bully. A bit of a coward. A complete idiot - Outcast001, Lawrence Cartwright, Myself
Reed (Full)
The crannogmen have always been strange, praising Earth and water, soil and stone, lurking in the mire. Known for their smaller stature (either to intermarriage with the Children of the Forest, or simply to poor nutrition), this generation of Reed's bear the gift of greensight.
1. Raya Reed (19) the younger sister of the Lord of Deepwood Motte, gifted with greensight - Lawrence Cartwright
Umber
The de facto head of House Umber is Lew (5), the only child of the late Joren Umber. However, due to his young age, the House is actually headed up by Lew's mother, Yrra Umber (née Flint).
1. The younger sibling of Joren Umber (17 - 21) a huge and boisterous individual with experience in killing Wildlings.
Riverlands Houses
Tully (Full)
The Tully's are currently trying to gain favour with the Targaryens at Court. Their current Head of House is the somewhat sycophantic Lady Jeyne Tully (48) the widow of Lord Oward, who serves as Mistress of Laws in King's Landing.
1. Garret Tully (32) Lord of Riverrun, and Lord Paramount of the Riverlands - Winters Warden
2. Tristifer Tully (30) Garret's younger brother, and master-at-arms in Riverrun - Lawrence Cartwright
3. Glennys Tully (14) Jeyne's only daughter - nevershout
Westerland Houses
Lannister
The Lannister's are Wardens of the West. They are headed up by Roland Lannister (52), who lost a son, Rafford, a younger brother, Willam, and then a daughter, Cerelle, in the Short Winter.
1. Willam Lannister's son, heir to Casterly Rock (16).
2. Roland Lannister's bastard daughter (10 - 14). She has been raised in King's Landing from the age of 4 as a ward of Reynard Reyne, and later as handmaid to Rhaenerys Targaryen, and therefore has the name 'Waters'.
3. Roland Lannister's bastard son (10 - 14). He has been raised at Castamere, and therefore has been given the name 'Hill'.
Reyne
The Reynes are the secondary power in the Westerlands, though not for long, it may seem: Lord Reynard Reyne (58), died a month ago, on account of his gout. He used to serve as Master of Coin in King's Landing before his illness progressed. He has been succeeded as Lord of Castamere by his younger half-brother, Lyonel (37).
1. Liane 'Lia' Reyne (25) the niece of Lyonel Reyne, Lord of Castamere - Lawrence Cartwright
2. Lyonel's son (12 - 14), heir to Castamere, ward of Roland Lannister, and, frankly, a bit of an idiot.
Ironborn Houses
NOTE: 15 years before the start of this story, the Ironborn tried to revolt and claim independence from the Iron Throne - they failed. Since the Sacking of Pyke, the Iron Islands have fallen into squalor and disrepair, with only a few Houses still able to raid (Blacktyde, Harlaw and Goodbrother). The Targaryens tolerated some minor raids, notably on the North, but most of the Houses do little more than fight each other.
Greyjoy (Full)
The Greyjoys tried to launch an war of independence against the throne 15 years ago. They failed. The only Greyjoy who was not killed during the revolt was Coren, the younger brother of Lord Vickon Greyjoy, who sailed east and never returned.
1. Freya Greyjoy (18) Heir to Pyke and the Iron Islands, raised as a Ward of House Targaryen in King's Landing - BlueJay019
Botley
The Botleys have been appointed as Stewards of Pyke in the absence of House Greyjoy.
1. Lord Botley (40 - 50), the Lord of Lordsport and Steward of Pyke, who's been trying to keep peace amongst the houses for the past 15 years.
Blacktyde (Full)
The current Lord Blacktyde suffers from Seascale Fever (he gets red splotches and swollen joints when exposed to seawater), meaning his seafaring days are behind him. He is cold and proud, often boasting of his own past glories.
1. Bennarion Pyke - 19 - Lord Roderick Blacktyde's bastard and sole child - Lawrence Cartwright
Goodbrother
The Goodbrothers are Lords of Great Wyk, the largest of the islands. They are led by Gryn Goodbrother (53)
1. The only daughter (13) and heir to Hammerhorn. She should serve on her father's ship as a reaver, the Salt Scourge.
Harlaw
The Harlaws are the most powerful family on the Iron Islands, with the most wealth. They are led by Hrothgar Harlaw (44). He'll be succeeded by his younger half-brother, due to having eight bastards and no true-born children. Hrothgar is a piece of shit.
1. Heir to Ten Towers (28) Captain of the Black Reaper and younger half-brother to the current Lord. This dude is also a piece of shit.
2. The Heir to Harridan Hall (20 - 25) and Captain of the Saltrider. This dude is absolutely a piece of shit.
Crownlands Houses
NOTE: I am partial to accepting Velaryon's or Celtigar's, but I'm not wholly convinced, so… persuade me.
Targaryen (Full)
This is the House with the most freedom – I've created two members already: the current King Aeric (49), who is more concerned with leisurely pursuits than the running of the kingdom. His younger brother, Maelor (34), is very similar, though he cares even less, has a wildness to him, and spends much of his time away from the Kingdom.
A Note About Dragons...
Yes - Targaryens ride dragons. Yes, you can make these dragons. No, I don't want canonical dragons. Most of these dragons should be fairly young, placed in the cradle as eggs when the princes/princesses are born. Oh, and I will decide whose dragon is the biggest and the smallest. Bigger doesn't mean powerful, by the by. So, no-one complain if their dragon is the smallest of the lot - a dragon is still a dragon, and they're all going to be pretty gargantuan because... well... they're dragons.
1. Prince Aemon of Dragonstone and Heir apparent to the Iron Throne (26) - Son of Arryn
2. Prince Vaegon Targaryen (21) - LadyLannister01
3. Prince Aerion Targaryen (20) - A Terrific Acorn
4. Prince Jaeghar Targaryen (19) - BlueJay019
5. Princess Daelaena Targaryen (18) - nevershout
6. Princess Rhaenerys Targaryen (15) - The Dragon of Valyria
7. Prince Lucerys Targaryen (9) - UltraCommando0946
Reach Houses
Tyrell (Full)
With the recent death of Lord Tyrell, lordship has defaulted to the young Lord Victor. However, the Reach is unofficially ruled by his grandmother, Lady Elinor Hightower (66).
1. Victor Tyrell (19) – The Lord of Highgarden and Lord Paramount of the Reach - Lawrence Cartwright
2. Alyssa Tyrell, 'The Rose of the Reach' (17) - LadyLannister01
Hightower (Full)
The Hightowers enjoy some level of position, since the de facto ruler of the Reach is Lady Elinor, and the current Lord Hightower servers as the Master of Coin in King's Landing. (The actual Heir is busy running Oldtown and won't be featured much, so, don't worry about creating him).
1. Arthor Hightower (40) the Master of Coin and Nephew of the Lady Elinor - Myself
2. Rawen Hightower (19) Courtier at Highgarden - Winters Warden
Stormlands Houses
Baratheon (Closed)
Led by the Lord Arlan (38), Warden of the South, who only has two trueborn children. He had a scandalous and salacious youth, after spending time as a ward of the Martells of Dorne. He was, in recent years, wounded, and spends some days in bed, his mind addled on milk of the poppy.
1. Cassandra Baratheon (35), a Wylde of Rain House, who married Arlan at 14 - LadyLannister01
2. Durran Baratheon (21), who was fostered in the Reach, and now rules the Stormlands as Lord Regent, betrothed to Princess Rhaenerys Targaryen. - The Dragon of Valyria
3. Ardan Storm (16) The bastard son of Lord Arlan, who was raised at Storm's End alongside his trueborn siblings - Myself
4. Arrec Baratheon (16), who's known to be a little more fun-loving than his eldest brother - Lawrence Cartwright
5. Oraella Baratheon (12) A young, wilful tomboy who yearns to be a warrior - Winters Warden
Dondarrion (Full)
Ruled by Lord Aeric Dondarrion (44) who has a grudge against the Dornish Marcher Lords in particular, due to his own ancestors falling at their blades in the centuries past. He's a stern and pragmatic nobleman, known for being a warrior first and foremost.
1. Eldest Son, who remains at Blackhaven to tend to affairs of state in his father's absence. An intelligent and strategically shrewd individual (21).
Others
1. Ser Steffon Inkwell (44) a Commander in the Stormlands army - Lawrence Cartwright
2. Arstan Connington (13) the seventh-born son of House Connington with dreams of becominh a knight - BlueJay019
3. Pate of Crow's Nest (16) a low-born footman - Lawrence Cartwright
4. A cocky, young and vainglorious bastard from Durran's Town, who grew up in street brawls (15) - BlueJay019
Dornish Houses
Nymeros Martell
Still independent, the Martells rule Dorne, and have enjoyed a peace with the Iron Throne for a good few decades, since the Targaryens first attempted their invasion. Though they once had a positive relationship with the Stormlands, this has quickly fallen away, as war is imminent against Houses Tyrell and Baratheon.
1. Princess – the ruler of Dorne, and leader of House Martell (37)
2. Prince Qyle Nymeros Martell (32) the younger brother of the ruler of Dorne, who acts as a military general - Lawrence Cartwright
3. Crown Princess – the eldest child, and heir to the throne (20)
4. Princess Allyria Nymeros Martell (17) a vivacious and tenacious individual, who has taken to a more martial education - UltraCommando0946
Yronwood
Once the Kings of Dorne, House Yronwood are now the second-most powerful family in Dorne, and hold a grand castle, renown for its strong walls and skilled archers.
1. Lord of Yronwood and Patriarch of the family (40 - 50)
Miscellaneous
The Kingsguard
As well as being the seven most skilled knights bound in service to the King and his family, they can also act as Sworn Shields - dedicated protectors that are guardians (and sometimes trusted friends or confidants). Bear in mind that, more often than not, these Knights are not, in fact, the most skilled knights, but often get to their position by strategically aligning or allying themselves. For instance, one of them may have been granted the honour simply because King Aeric wanted to appease another House without wasting a marriage alliance, so he appointed one of their sons as a Kingsguard.
1. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard
2. A Knight of the Kingsguard, Sworn Shield to Aeric Targaryen
3. Ser Connas Corbray (35) - Sworn Shield to Aemon Targaryen - A Terrific Acorn
4. Ser Harwin Mooton (22) - Sworn Shield to Jaeghar Targaryen - Outcast001
5. Ser Osric Royce (28) - Sworn Shield to Daelaena Targaryen - Son of Arryn
6. Ser Lucan of Lannisport (38) - Sworn Shield to Rhaenerys Targaryen - Lawrence Cartwright
7. A Knight of the Kingsguard, Sworn Shield to Lucerys Targaryen
The Small Council
1. Master of Coin - Arthor Hightower, Lord of Oldtown - Myself
2. Mistress of Laws - Jeyne Tully (40), Lady of Riverrun - Myself
3. Master of Ships - Vaellyn Velaryon (51), Lord of Driftmark - Myself
4. Grand Maester - Toryn (68) - Myself
The Pitch…
So, I need you guys to pitch your character to me. Tell me which character you're submitting, a basic idea about their personality, their name, a couple of sentences about their background and maybe one or two ideas for what their arc(s) will be throughout the story.
