Song of the Dragon Age
Dragon Age & Game of Thrones
Stolen Heirs
289 AC – Greyjoy Rebellion (Theon: 10, Robb/Jon: 6)
As he was launching his rebellion, Balon Greyjoy decided to go forward with one of his riskier strategies for winning the war. That being that he sent infiltrators to Dragonstone, King's Landing, and Winterfell with the orders to kidnap Prince Joffrey Baratheon, Shireen Baratheon, and Robb Stark. With these three hostages, he could remove Houses Baratheon, Lannister, and Stark from the war and force them to accept the Iron Islands as an independent kingdom once again. Sadly for him, the Ironborn were driven off of Dragonstone after making nuisances of themselves before news of the Rebellion had even reached Stannis, and the Ironborn infiltrators weren't even able to approach the gates of the Red Keep.
However, his infiltrators in the North succeeded. This was due to accidental perfect timing on their parts. By the time they had managed to trek from where they'd hidden their longships within a wooded area of the Rills to the outskirts of Winterfell, news of the Greyjoy Rebellion had already reached Lord Stark. Ever the dutiful Warden and friend of the King, Eddard had been fast to call his banners and march South, leaving his castle only lightly guarded. What made the situation even better for the Ironborn was that they caught the Stark boy, his bastard brother, and his guards outside of the castle walls. The young Stark boy had been feeling cooped up in the castle with his overbearing mother and the Septa, so he and Jon had grabbed some horses to go for a ride out in the hills. After killing the boys' guards, the Ironborn easily took them prisoner, dragging them back to their ship and setting sail. By the time Robb's absence was noticed by his mother later that night, they were already far out of her reach. Although the guard captain led a frantic pursuit, they were only able to finally catch up when the Ironborn were pushing out to sea. Seeing their father's guards upon the shore, unable to reach them as they sailed further away, was the last that either boy would see of the North for a long time.
But that was where Balon's grand schemes ended. He'd underestimated how quickly his foes would marshal against him, how many of the Houses would support Robert's reign, and not burning the Royal Fleet when his men in Dragonstone had the chance. Thanks to all these factors and more, his rebellion was quickly pushed back all the way to the Islands with the loyalist army sieging the various castles. Seeing the writing on the wall, Balon had Theon smuggled out of Pyke to meet up with the Drowned Champion with orders to the crew to keep his son and prisoner out to sea and away from the Royal Fleet. Although the Drowned Champion was able to receive Theon, the ship had still been noticed by the Royal Fleet, which immediately went into pursuit of it.
Balon wasn't given long to lament his turn in fortunes as he watched his last hope flee into the horizon and the rising storm beyond. For the very next day, he was forced onto his knees before King Robert. Before he could swear allegiance back to the Iron Throne, a runner from the docks finally reached Lord Eddard with news of his sons' capture by Ironborn infiltrators. When Balon refused to reveal what had happened to his sons and foolishly tried to use this last gambit to negotiate, Robert killed him out of fury for his friend. Upon Stannis informing them of a single Ironborn ship that had been trying to sneak up to the island but had fled, Robert and Eddard both quickly deduce that that ship must've been carrying his sons. Eddard immediately tries to commandeer the closest ship he can reach in the harbor and set sail after it, but Stannis and Robert manage to talk him down from it since they have no idea just where that ship presently was. Much to his own amusement and as a further insult to Balon, King Robert decides to name the young Asha Greyjoy (Balon's last child still present and alive) to be the future Lady Paramount of the Iron Islands and have her be made ward of Lord Lannister. For the interim years, Lord Harlaw would be acting as Lord Regent until Asha comes of age to rule. Fuming in impotent rage, Eddard is forced to return to Winterfell in defeat and shame, having to rely on Varys and other informants for any clues to his sons' whereabouts. He is forced to name his newborn son, Brandon Stark, as his heir until/if Robb is returned. Catelyn is positively smug that that wretched creature is finally gone but is almost inconsolable with the realization that he most assuredly will join the Ironborn and betray/kill her eldest child in the very near future. Thus, she raises her most beloved son to fear and hate all baseborn children unconditionally, much to Ned's later ire.
290 AC – 9:34 Dragon (Theon: 11, Robb/Jon: 7)
Knowing they are being hunted, the crew of the Drowned Champion remain ever on the move, sailing all around the Known World. Early on in their journey, it was decided by the Captain Halfdan Pyke to let their two prisoners out of the brig and have them be put to use as cabin boys alongside Theon Greyjoy. Thus, all three boys were given an impromptu education in sailing, navigation, and reading the sea/weather. Despite the tension of them being prisoners, Robb and Jon do eventually bond with Theon since he's the only other boy close to their ages on the ship. However, despite their limited freedoms aboard the Drowned Champion, the two boys are never allowed to go ashore. Upon reaching Bloodstone of the Stepstones, Captain Pyke learns that his suspicions have indeed been warranted. He learns of Lord Balon's death, the subjugation of the Iron Islands, and the bounty upon Robb Stark's head for his safe return to Lord Stark. The captain immediately replaces the sails and flags, renaming the Drowned Champion to the Renegade Seafarer, and has all his crew take on new names in an effort to hide in plain sight as they quickly set sail again for first Lys and then the Summer Isles. However, despite Captain Pyke's best efforts, the bounty hunters soon took notice of them and followed them. In an effort to try and dissuade their pursuers, he decided to use the same gamble that he'd made to escape the Royal Fleet: sailing into a storm on the far horizon that led towards uncharted waters. Unfortunately, this time he underestimated the dangers of sailing into this particular storm. The Renegade Seafarer was heavily damaged and blown wildly off course (southwest). While they did manage to lose the majority of their pursuers, the sellsail survivors would report back of the ship's direction, last seen condition, and logical fate. Word would reach Lord Stark approximately two months afterwards, causing him and Catelyn to mourn the likely passing of their son.
Unknown to anyone, the Renegade Seafarer managed to survive the storm. However, due to its damage, it was left nearly crippled with the sail completely torn off and washed away, many oars broken, and quite a few sailors either missing or dead. Thankfully for them, Theon, Robb, and Jon were mostly unharmed and largely protected from the storm due to both being locked up in the hold and something completely unexpected. Because of the panic they were all feeling and an instinctive desire to live, Jon somehow managed to cast magic upon the ship itself, keeping it largely intact and afloat when numerous rogue waves struck it. And Theon and Robb knew that he was the one doing the magic because his hands and eyes were glowing as he gripped the support beam he was clinging to. After the storm finally passed and Jon's panic-induced magical endurance failed, the boy fell unconscious. Out of respect for him likely saving their lives, Theon promised Robb (who later told Jon) that he'd keep Jon's magic a secret from the rest of the crew, knowing they'd likely kill him upon learning of it.
Due to the damage, the ship began limping through the uncharted waters, following the currents in an almost vain hope of finding land, water, and food. After three weeks of drifting, their supplies rapidly dwindled to nearly nothing, as did their hope for surviving. Dark thoughts began to circulate through the crew, namely cannibalism (they'd eat Jon first). Thankfully, it didn't come to that as finally the first signs of land were spotted (seagulls) and they worked up the strength needed to start following them to it. Until, at long last, they did indeed spot land! Coming ashore, they rapidly sought out water, game, and wood, making some hasty repairs to the ship and stocking up on food and water. As they were doing this, some of the crew came upon a native human of these lands, a strange tall man with large horns on his head. They attacked him and brought him prisoner to the Captain where it was discovered that neither they nor the captive could speak one another's language. Out of frustration, Captain Pyke executed the ox-man and the crew quickly pushed off back to sea.
Sadly for them, the execution of that ox-man was a tremendous mistake. His body was soon discovered and the local Qunari fleet was dispatched after the pirates. The fleet would give chase to the Renegade Seafarer all along the eastern coast of Par Vollen and down towards the Rivain coast where they'd finally managed to get close enough to engage in ship-to-ship combat. Captain Pyke would realize very quickly that the 'magics' of the ox-men's vessel were far too dangerous for his poor ship to handle and would quickly disengage after landing a lucky fireball upon the deck of the ship. They would continue to sail ever further south along the shore of this strange new land before coming across a large inland sea. However, upon reaching a city with large double walls, the Ironborn's luck and the enchanted ship would finally fail. Not recognizing the emblems of the vessel as it approached the port, the local fleet tried to hail the Ironborn but were consistently ignored. The interactions quickly became heated until one of the irritable Ironborn attacked, killing the local sailor and prompting a fight. The exhausted but still very arrogant Ironborn were no match against the locals, who were all still fresh, well-fed, and eager. They stormed the Renegade Seafarer, killing or capturing all of the adults. But as they were searching through the ship, they came across Theon, Robb, and Jon, who were all hiding in the hold. Seeing the strangers armed with weapons and probably assuming them to be aligned with the Ironborn sent a spike of fear through Jon, causing his magic to ignite again, forming a shield around the three of them. The magic shield surprised the angry locals enough to cause them to calm down, seeing the boys as nonthreatening. They sent a runner to the Ostwick Circle, summoning a trio of Templars to come and take custody of the newly found mage.
Eventually, the three boys were coaxed ashore and brought to the Tower where, with a bit of magic, they were imprinted with the local language. Once done, they were asked to give their stories to the Templars. It quickly became apparent to everyone that the boys and the pirates were not natives of Thedas. Indeed, even the charts uncovered within the captain's quarters pointed to that fact quite thoroughly as the maps showed lands previously unknown located beyond the northern ocean. The Teyrn of the city-state was quickly made aware of all this, including the fact that two of the boys had been taken captive and wanted to return home. However, the Teyrn and the First Enchanter of the Circle explained to them the dangers of them doing that, namely sending an awakened and untrained mage (Jon) away given the danger he would unintentionally pose. Especially given the fact that there didn't seem to be any Circles or trained mages in this 'Westeros' that they hailed from. It would be in their best interests to remain there, in the Ostwick Circle for a time, to let Jon be taught the basics of controlling his magics and how to defend himself from possession from spirits and demons of the Fade. With grudging acceptance, Jon agrees to remain for training. It was as Robb was begging for training in the Templar arts, to better help him protect Jon and everyone else should Jon somehow be possessed after they return home, that it was discovered that Robb too was a mage, though asleep to his power. Thus, he is more than enthusiastic to join his brother in his magic training. Although disgruntled at this sudden and drastic change of dynamic, Theon decides to likewise remain in the city. He eventually falls in with a group of pickpockets and thieves near the docks, receiving training as a scout, archer, and thief/rogue.
293 AC – 9:37 Dragon (Theon: 14, Robb/Jon: 10)
Word of the Kirkwall Chantry being destroyed by an apostate abomination spread throughout Thedas. As the smallfolk and nobles rapidly remember why they fear magic so much, the Circle mages begin speaking of freedom from their imprisonment by the Templars. The boys all see that a violent uprising is in the making that'll tear apart the Circles and pit mages against all of southern Thedas. Not wishing to be trapped within the Tower when the bloodshed breaks out soon, the brothers reach out to Theon for his help in escaping the Tower. Though heavily amused, Theon agrees with their request and helps them sneak out of the Tower and then out of the city entirely. They quickly stow aboard a ship and sail across the Waking Sea.
As the ship is passing near the Storm Coast of Ferelden, they leap overboard and swim ashore, to better try and lose any pursuers they might have. As they are traveling the coast, they find themselves being set upon by a group of cutthroat bandits calling themselves the Blades of Hessarian. Thanks to their burgeoning magical powers, the trio staved off the Blades well enough for several days before the leader of the cult approaches them. He offers them a bargain: join his group or die. With nowhere else to go and needing some shelter as they try to figure out what to do next, the boys begrudgingly join the Blades and don new monikers with Jon as 'Staff', Robb as 'Saber', and Theon as 'Hatchet'. They spend the next few weeks working within the Blades' camp as chore boys, spirit wards, and enchanters. But at the same time, each of them is being cruelly trained in the way of combat. Theon quickly mastered the bow and becomes an accomplished archer and ax-thrower. Robb and Jon both train in the use of swords, but Jon prefers to use a bo-staff more than a magic staff. In secret, both boys begin training in using their magic in hand-to-hand combat, without the use of lyrium (which the Blades don't have access to) or traditional magic staffs. At night, the boys both brainstorm on ways they can escape from the Blades and return to Westeros. Theon points out the very real and unwelcome high probability that by the time they do get home, no one will be able to recognize them from the young children they once were. So, if Robb wants to reclaim his birthright as Warden of the North, he will most likely need either a lot of gifts and gold to bribe Lord Stark or an army at his back, according to Theon. Though Jon and Robb both doubt that Lord Eddard would ever accept a bribe, the suggestion does give Robb the idea of creating new trade between Westeros and Thedas. For trade routes to be built, he needs contacts and friends in high places.
After nearly 3 weeks as the Blades' unwilling recruits, the boys finally decide to sneak out of the camp and flee. Using the nearby dragon as a means of covering their tracks, the boys fled west across the coast and into the Empire of Orlais. As they were making their way through the countryside, they once again find themselves being stalked or attacked by groups of shameless thieves. One such group were a small clan of Dalish elves, who's Keeper could sense that two of the boys were mages. What made the boys interesting to the Keeper was the fact that they were not only trained in magic but had also apparently abandoned to the wilds rather than sent to a Circle tower, not unlike what the Dalish did themselves when they had too many mages. Finally having enough of the harassment, Robb confronts and captures one of the elves to demand answers. Upon learning that their Keeper is interested in them, Robb demands an audience with him, seeing a potential opportunity in the Dalish. Thus, with a bit of coaxing, the boys are brought to the elves' camp and Robb meets with Keeper Gisharel of the Ralaferin clan. Upon learning that the Dalish Keeper merely was curious about their circumstances, Robb decides to make his first offer. He explains their background of being former political hostages that got swept out into uncharted waters, washed ashore in Thedas, were forced to learn the basics of magic and spiritual defense against possessions, and were now on the run as they sought shelter from the inevitable Mage Rebellion that was coming. And now Robb gives his offer to Gisharel and the whole clan. That when they're old enough, Robb intends to return to his homeland to reclaim his lost birthright as the Warden of the North. To do that, he knows he'll probably need an army to defend his claim. But in exchange for their help, Robb is more than willing to let the clan settle anywhere of their choosing within his region of lordship and as long as they remain loyal to him, he'll extend to them the protections of House Stark, which will help to prevent them from living in squalor as they do in Thedas. Taken aback, Gisharel needs time to think on the offer, and to speak with her clan. Since the boys are in no rush, they decide to spend a few weeks in the company of the clan. During this time, each of them bonds with various elves over various things. But chiefly among them was Jon bonding with a young elf maiden named Mihrana, as both of them were in similar circumstances of being bastards and not knowing one of their parents. Both take a fast liking to one another with Mihrana appreciating Jon's quiet and contemplative demeanor whilst strongly respecting his combat skills (magical and martial), whereas Jon finds amusement in her confrontational manner and strong personality. After some time getting to know the boys, Gisharel and the clan decide that they will agree to support Robb if he can in fact manage to acquire the ships and supplies necessary to make the dangerous voyage north. Knowing that was the best they were going to get, the boys resume their trek west towards Val Royeaux.
Upon reaching the capital of the empire, the boys quickly set out to find shelter, food, and work. As they were investigating a series of warehouses for the possibility of setting up a small camp, the boys find themselves accosted by a prancing noble and his guard escort. It turned out that the warehouse in question was going to be used to smuggle in a strange new kind of lyrium. But it seemed they needed to clear out the filthy rats that were trying to take up residence within it. Before the boys could fight back, the noble and his guards were suddenly attacked by a group of mercenaries led by a large Qunari. After the fighting was over with the noble captured and most of his guards killed, the boys were brought before the Qunari for judgment. The Qunari introduced himself as The Iron Bull and, after hearing their story of seeking shelter, decides to just send them on their way. However, he gets surprised when the lead boy suddenly asks if they could join his group and become mercenaries. At first, Iron Bull was resistant to the idea, especially when two of the boys accidentally reveal they were mages. However, he decides to make a bit of a gamble out of it. If they can manage to best one of his men (each) in a fight, then he'll bring them aboard. The eldest boy has the hardest time winning, but only because he's only got a relatively low amount of combat experience. It was when the two mage boys fought that Iron Bull became quite impressed and interested, given their unique fighting styles of using weapons first and magic as a supplement instead of just throwing magic about. To make it even better, neither of the mages use lyrium in their magic! Which is just fine by Iron Bull. Once done, he welcomes them into his group. Thus did the boys join the Bull's Chargers.
297 AC – 9:41 Dragon (Theon: 18, Robb/Jon: 14)
Robb meets Josephine Montilyet and establishes a trade agreement between her family and the North.
Jon becomes an eager apprentice of Solas after having seen that he possesses knowledge far in advance of his own and, having grown tired of so much fighting, desires to learn magic that doesn't focus on combat.
Theon develops a rivalry with Sera after seeing how much of a prankster she is, especially after she accidentally hits him with several pranks during her first week in the Inquisition. But another reason why Theon is so focused on her is because he has developed a strong infatuation for her and is quite crushed to learn that she's butch lesbian.
As they are cleansing the area of Emprise du Lion, Jon discovers an unhatched nest of dragon eggs (5) and decides to take them with. After almost a month of careful incubation, one of the eggs hatches and Jon puts the rest under a stasis spell. With the Inquisitor's tacit approval, Jon begins the long and slow process of bonding with and taming the dragon, seeing potential in it as a mount (among other magical and/or mundane things).
During the events of The Descent, Robb is sent with a delegation to meet with the dwarves of Orzammar. His official purpose is to explain in clear and concise detail to the dwarves all that the Inquisition has learned about what Red Lyrium is, where it most likely comes from (Blighted lyrium), and the dangers in mining/using it. But there's another and more personal reason for Robb in Orzammar, gaining dwarven colonists to accompany him back to Westeros. Knowing that there are no darkspawn or even other dwarves in Westeros, Robb is more than eager to offer any dwarves willing to accompany him the chance for a fresh start in a completely 'virgin land' if they make a vow of nonaggression, cooperation, and trade with his people after they're established. Many of the casteless and lower caste dwarves become very interested in the potential of what Robb's offering when they eventually hear of it.
Whilst expanding the Inquisition's influence through the Exalted Plains, Theon comes across a Vashoth mercenary company calling themselves Tal-Ataashi (Grey Dragons). They had been in the service of Empress Celene to help her army fight against Grand Duke Gasparde. However, the noble in command was a zealous devotee to the Chantry and staunchly anti-Qunari and was preparing to betray the ox-men by leading them into an ambush that his top men would conduct. However, thanks to Theon sneaking through the underbrush nearby, he saw the betrayal and used his stealth skills to assassinate the noble. This caused the ambush to be delayed for a few precious moments as the ambushers waited for the noble's signal to attack that wouldn't come. In response, Theon yelled out to the Vashoth that it was a trap and to flee, which they did when the ambushers (seeing the ambush failing) tried to salvage it and attacked. Thanks to Theon's intervention, the majority of the Tal-Ataashi escaped. They later tracked him down and pledged their services to him. As he was part of the Inquisition, they also joined but their loyalty would remain mostly with Theon. Even years later, when the voyage back to Westeros was departing, the Tal-Ataashi unanimously decided to continue accompanying Theon, becoming his personal guards as he eventually made his way back to the Iron Islands to reclaim his own birthright.
301 AC – 9:44 Dragon (Theon: 22, Robb/Jon: 18)
Robb's Refugees
Ralaferin – Dalish clan
Keeper Elindra – current Keeper (ascends to Keeper in 9:41 Dragon), Gisharel's successor
Neria – First Mage to Elindra
Mihrana – Jon Snow's wife (married 9:43 Dragon)
Adara – Halla-tender
Dwarven Colonists
Volg Duno – Warrior Caste, warhammer
Ogn Rounak – Smith Caste
Antek Brara – Artisan Caste
Lenna Sara – Mining Caste
Cora Glader – Merchant Caste
Nerarra Raenarek – Servant Caste
Tal-Ataashi Mercenaries (Vashoth = born outside the Qun)
Gurhit – mercenary leader, greatsword
Arisan – mercenary, warhammer
Okanat – mercenary, archer
Jarvad – mercenary, sword and shield