Between Haze and Fog 2 - or 'This game of GoT CK3 sure is turning vicious' (ASoIaF, GalladonTarth!SI)

Galladon II

To muster a rebellion, one has to know who they can rely upon and who to distrust.

This was not the same collapse as it would happen in OTL after Robert's Death. Things weren't as dysfunctional and the only reason anyone would want to betray Robert as the Lord of these lands was based on loyalty aimed at the Targaryens, and the opportunity to gain more influence in this region.

The very first thing I did as the demand from King's Landing to see Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark arrested reached Tarth was to send a prepared letter to Storm's End in which Tarth pledged utmost loyalty to Robert and his family while also promising resources, men, and bravery for the war that was brewing.

The message was met with a positive response and an immediate request of troops and resources. I swiftly saw for the order to be followed through as a small detachment of two hundred conscripts was sent to Storm's End with small ships carrying through grain, cloth, and iron to make weapons and armors.

What was left of the troops was to man the other defenses all around the coast. While the towers were the main fortifications, makeshift defenses were established with the goal to delay, stop and then push back any plan of naval invasion.

While the Redwyne Fleet was one that focused on naval engagements, I wouldn't put it behind a proper invasion once they realized that the island was going to be their worst enemy in the long run. Tarth was a large island after all, and one with ample coverage which could guarantee a stable trade for Storm's End if we kept the coast clear.

Still, such an issue would take time to fully manifest as House Redwyne had a massive fleet, but one that couldn't do well in a smaller sea section. My plan in that regard would allow for a modest portion of ships lost, but not fully handle the issue.

Which is why I saw fit to tackle a little project I took notice of while exploring the map of the Stormlands: Griffin's Roost was entirely cornered by Robert's Loyalists. As the armies were massing, I reached out for House Wylde, House Mertyns, and House Morrigen. This last house was known to have beef with House Connington due to a border's dispute, so the enticing offer of 'showing the Conningtons that they picked the wrong side and they didn't deserve some of the land they were claiming' was going to hit the right spot.

And it did.

About a week since the start of the war, House Morrigen had led the assault to claim the lands of House Connington, and as troops hastily put up by the defenders clashed with the invasion, poor Ronald Connington was caught off-guard when the ships that were flying faux Redwyne flags came through and ruined his chances of holding through as long as he did OTL.

The promised reinforcements mentioned in the forged letters I sent him proved to be the backstabbing force that pushed through and swiftly captured him and his family after an almost bloodless takeover.

Lord Garlan Morrigen was quite giddy as he entered Griffin's Roost with his entourage and was shown the imprisoned Connington. The Targaryen loyalists had thus been taken care of as any struggle against the capitulation failed to reignite the fight on their side. And with one less issue to properly mobilize, the stability of the Stormlands was bound to cause some 'rethinking from loyalists'.

Just to make sure that no surprises were to unfold, I sent letters to Lord Grandison, Lord Fell and Lord Cafferen that it was 'only for their best' to show 'unity within the Stormlords' rather than 'follow a Mad King'. I didn't mention that I was aware of their rebellious thoughts, but I could tell they noticed that I had sent those messages to only the three of them.

So, you can imagine my 'surprise' when, as I was invited to Storm's End, I was notified that the three Lords had 'loyally accepted the pledge to arms to support Robert Baratheon'.

Intimidation was indeed at its finest when the tool that was being used was even sharper than it should be by canon standards. With the Stormlands less divided, the notion of rebellion was less likely.

Even more when people were actually paying attention to the 'naughty party'.

Beyond the external affairs, the economy within Tarth was slowly being geared to properly adapt to the war effort. With shelters being built in safer spots within the Island in the eventuality of invasion.

Taxes were being regulated to prepare any potential shakeups, but trade was still going strong despite this. It was a temporary reprieve, but I had already taken care of measures to convert some of the merchant fleet's ships into newer additions to the Coastal Guard.

And as a few more measures were being studied, I found myself facing Stannis himself as the Lord requested my presence to discuss potential plans for the war.

I never thought I would have 'suffered' going to that meeting 'overprepared'.


Stannis I

As much as Stannis didn't like the idea of setting most of the King's realm against the Baratheon, the Arryns and the Starks, he had to agree that this was not a circumstance Robert had warranted as an instigator.

The kidnapping of Lyanna Stark and the brutal execution of Rickard and Brandon Stark were events that warranted a retaliation. And the Targaryen had clearly overstayed their welcome in Westeros.

Despite the support he now bore for his brother's claim, Stannis would be a liar if he didn't admit he had considered betraying Robert. Not much for the rightfulness of his demands, but rather on a pragmatic view on the matter.

He had been a decent ruler in times of peace, and war genuinely frightened him. Especially one as big as this one where not even all those Lords in the Stormlands seemed to be properly loyal to Storm's End.

At least, not until he caught notice of some plotting happening which saw Griffin's Roost seized from House Connington, thus depriving the King's Hand of his main domain's support. The arrival of letters pledging support to Robert further swayed him to 'believe' Robert could make it.

Tarth in particular had gained some interest due to the recent events that shook its political and economic situations. If the former had felt like growing more unstable as young Galladon ruled over his family with close to no tutors aiding him, the latter showed that those administering the system in Tarth were doing an exceptional job.

Plus, the presence of 'anti-pirate' towers and the creation of the 'Coastal Guard' had given them an edge in handling the eventual blockade from the Redwyne Fleet, guaranteeing them a chance to fight back against them with what ships Storm's End could muster in defense of its ports.

With all of this being under consideration, Stannis decided to invite the young Lord Tarth to visit Storm's End. He thought that the boy would have been a whiner like Renly, but he was pleasantly surprised that the young blond boy bore more of a resemblance with his younger self.

At first glance.

Upon closer inspection and further talking, Stannis was baffled by one thing.

"So, the employment of these explosive weapons would allow us to… achieve a safer defense?"

Galladon nodded as they were walking up to the war room. "The explosive concoction mixed with the Scorpion Ballista will turn these ships into broken wood and men. It's going to take some time for enough to be available for use, but the last batch has proved to be a reliable prototype."

This boy is incredibly smart.

Not just in the matters of warfare, but also in the matters of internal administration. The more he spoke, the more Stannis felt less prepared for him. And while this would usually upset him due to how this confidence reminded him way too much of Robert, there was something about Galladon that 'stopped' his confidence from being perceived as condescending.

"Lord Stannis, I know for a fact that we will be in good hands in handling this part of the war. After all, you are a formidable administrator."

In a normal instance, Stannis would have growled at what looked to be an attempt to 'please' him with words, but it felt less than flattery and more as genuine belief due to the tone adopted by the boy. He was forward, bold, but respectful through his stay in Storm's End.

While he wasn't pushing for major 'changes' to what was Stannis' plans, he brought to Stannis' table a few papers of projects Tarth was developing to 'help the troops handle the numerical disadvantage'.

Some of those were about an expansion of farming within Tarth through the employment of those 'Green Houses' to improve the grain production. All of this felt absurd, but the way he neatly compiled these notes was wonderful and capable of giving someone like Stannis the hope that those could become the truth. Eventually.

For now, the main plan was to finish the mobilization, wait for Robert's arrival and…

Hope for that drunk moron to know what he is going to do with the Stormlords' troops.


AN

The Mannis is convinced. Not entirely sold, but he is going to let Galladon pull some 'crazy' moves in terms of innovation. Explosive ballistas sound fun, especially when you are the one using them on your foes!