Post by The Raven on May 20, 2016 21:51:57 GMT
Battles of Note
The Battle of Redgrass Field, 196 AC: The most famous and laegest battle in the Blackfyre War. It marked the only moment in four years of war when Targaryen and Blackfyre met on the open battlefield, red dragon against black. Daemon Blackfyre, already kingly in stature, tore through the loyalist Arryn forces and shaming the Vale's best, including the honorable whitecloak Ser Gwayne Corbray. The usurper and Kingsguard battled for an hour with their Valyrian Steel blades, and when the field was red and the Valeman's wits and sight nearly bereft, Blackfyre ordered his best healers to tend to him. But Bloodraven, that pale sorcerer and servant of false kings, capitalized on that moment of mercy to lead his Raven's Teeth in raining death upon His Rightful Majesty from the Weeping Ridge. But lo! There, like a shadow in the night, was Ser ____ ____! He surprised that Targaryen demon, and slew him in righteous combat! While they battled, Daemon spied Bloodraven's archers and ordered his men accordingly. Later, after leading the charge into Prince Maekar's ranks and watching Bittersteel drive his blade into Prince Baelor's skull, he would inquire of his generals the name of that knight who saved the lives of his sons and his soldiers. Lord Roote, with no lack of modesty, introduced his knight, hailing from an insignificant noble house, to his king. There, Daemon ordered him to kneel and bestowed him with honors and praise before all of the camp. Redgrass Field saw the ruination of Vale support for the war, the destruction of Targaryen's own forces in the field, the death of two legends, and the birth of three more. These national heroes would spend the next four years hiding in the woods, fleeing superior Dornish troops and overwhelming Stormland forces, and surrounded on all sides by disease, treachery, and crippling doubt. But on that day, 'House Blackfyre' became more than a motley alliance of naysayers, but a proper house, one that would be respected and feared across the Seven Kingdoms.
The Siege of Riverrun, 196-199 AC: The longest and bloodiest siege of the war. It is said more men died trying to take Riverrun from Medgar Tully than ever attempted to take King's Landing from Maekar Targaryen. With many of Daemon's allies hailing from the Riverlands, it was logical they should attempt to wrest control from the Targaryen loyalists in House Tully. However, Medgar was not without allies. His marriage to a Frey earned him a wealthy ally and the Blackwood hatred of Bracken would leave the pair distracted for years. The betrayal of House Lothson would force Blackfyre forces to spread their forces even more thinly in the region. The siege itself would last nearly three years before Bittersteel ordered all Blackfyre supporters to march south in preparation for the final siege of King's Landing.
The First Siege of King's Landing, 197 AC: Daemon's first attempt at taking the capital would last two weeks before the timely arrival of Lord Petyr Baratheon from the South. This siege was rather genteel, with Daemon merely surrounding the city and demanding that Daeron Targaryen respectfully abdicate and acknowledge Daemon as rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. He would even allow them to remain in control of Dragonstone.
The Kingswood Front: Not so much a battle as a long series of skirmishes. With the Riverlands and Reach beset by civil wars of their own and Dorne more and more apathetic, the Stormlands became the primary beacon of Targaryen support.
The Second Siege of King's Landing, 197-198 AC: The second siege lasted six months, and was once again masterminded by Daemon. While Aegor held House Baratheon at bay in the south, the wouldbe usurper made the same proposition as before. It is said that Daemon only lost his regal composure once during the war, and struck a messenger after learning King Daeron himself had sailed to Sunspear the prior year, leaving King's Landing under the command of his much more wily son Maekar. The siege was eventually broken again by Lord Petyr Baratheon's forces.
The Third Siege of King's Landing, 199 AC: After the unbecoming death of Lord Petyr Baratheon by flux, Bittersteel himself marched North and took command of the third and final siege. Unlike his liege, Bittersteel had no patience for pleasantries and immediately employed siege equipment. The defenders were lead by Prince Maekar himself, who gave back as much suffering as his opponent could deliver. When he finally abandoned the city to its fate, sailing out under cover of smoke, Grand Maester Alford ordered the Goldcloaks to open the doors to their new masters. King Daemon I would arrive and be crowned by the High Septon a week later
The Kingdoms at War
The North: House Stark and the vast majority of the North refused to even acknowledge the Rebellion, citing the need to focus on the winter ahead. Only House Reed insisted on involving themselves, and only out of fear their Frey neighbors might think them weak prey.
The Stormlands: Alongside Prince Maekar, Lord Petyr Baratheon stood as the most famous sentinel of Targaryen strength in the South. Unencumbered by local strife like Medgar Tully and Leo Tyrell, and far more competent than Damon Lannister and Donnel Arryn, Lord Petyr would chase Bittersteel's forces all through the Kingswood and Stormlands. No fewer than four times would Petyr duel Aegor Rivers, and Daemon himself at least once. Unbefitting his valor and honor, he was struck down by illness and passed away in his tent, still issuing orders.
The Westerlands: Lord Damon Lannister was a true ally of House Targaryen, and its greatest supplier, but to King Daeron's woe, a truly horrendous strategist and warrior. Every battle he took part in was marked by terrible human loss, and regularly capped by him being knocked on his backside. Eventually, Prince Maekar himself would (very politely) request that any Western forces sent East be placed under the command of Lord Petyr Baratheon, or another Western lord.
The Reach: Lord Leo Tyrell was another staunch supporter, and a respected knight and commander as well. However, he would spend most of the war battling Blackfyre supporters and attempting to rally anti-Dornish lords throughout the Reach. Unable to dedicate his remaining loyal support to Daeron's cause but proudly refusing to subvert his loyalties, Leo Tyrell, one of the greatest knights of our generation, found himself battling his own subjects while Daemon lay siege to the Capital over and over.
The Vale: After sacrificing most of his forces at the Battle of the Redgrass, Lord Donnel Arryn would remain in the Vale the remainder of the war. He did, however, promise sanctuary to any members of House Targaryen who desired. It is difficult for the Small Council to know, but it has been suggested that the Vale was not nearly as weakened as it claimed, and the proudly Andal Valelords had also grown discontent with the Dornish influence at court, and wished to bow out of the war.
Dorne: The Dornish were avid supporters of House Targaryen for two years, sending their famous spearmen and archers to bring havoc on Blackfyre warriors. It was soon apparent however that while Prince Maron himself was keen on honoring his house's marital ties to the Iron Throne, his court was not so enthusiastic. Lords regularly pointed to the Reach's troubles as cause to keep their forces at home, and many simply wondered why they should send their sons and daughters to fight for people who have no respect for Dornish culture. Today, Dorne no longer recognizes the Iron Throne. Prince Maron has declared that the return of autonomy signifies the tremendous respect and loyalty he bears his goodbrother Daeron Targaryen, but in truth, after twenty years of scorn and war, the Dornish have simply lost interest in greater Westeros. Sunspear famously harbored most of the royal family for years until Prince Maekar, usurping his father's position in all but title, decided that Volantis was a safer location to recuperate.
The Iron Islands: The Ironmen were a notoriously late comer to the war, and unsurprising to no one, the Reaper of Pyke cared not a tick's asshole who sat the Iron Throne. Still, their incessant reaving along the Western and Southern coasts made them very popular in Blackfyre circles, and after his final victory, King Daemon I asked 'my good friend Lord Greyjoy to suggest a talented and reliable seaman as Master of Ships.' The typically solemn Lord Greyjoy is still known to let out a wheezing laugh when rereading that letter.
The Riverlands: The worst fighting of the war had nothing to do with Dornish influence or royal successions or even typical greed. Instead, it was simply an episode old grudges finally being let loose. When House Bracken declared for Daemon Blackfyre, House Blackwood instinctively declared for Daeron Targaryen. When Frey declared for the loyalist Lord Medgar Tully, many lords saw it as an opportunity to finally humble the powerful upstarts. When Lady Lothson declared for Blackfyre, Harrenhal's neighbors happily declared her a traitorous witch and began claiming her house's lands. And when Lothson declared for House Targaryen once more, neither side wanted their support, allowing a small Blackfyre force to siege the castle unmolested. It was no mistake that the Siege of Riverrun lasted an entire month after King's Landing was already taken.
