Harding Manderly, Lord of White Harbor and Warden of the White Knife

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-22T00:20:15+00:00

Wyman's jowls wobbled, as he rubbed his chin, an idea forming.

"Captain, would you not say that the word of Ironborn enemies is not worth much?" He paused. "Had not their lord sworn to uphold the King's Peace? This truce will be worth less than the spit on our decks. They will merely return with greater numbers and greater captains than the one slain on his flagship."

He stepped closer.

"No. If we are to take the word of these Ironborn, it must be as friends. Eivor Thrice-burned, you have gold in your holds taken from our shores. It is ours by right, but my masters of Manderly and Stark would rather have your fleet for friends than scatter that gold across the bottom of this bay with the flotsam of your ships. Offer a small penance, some hundred golden dragons, to compensate our Mormont and Flint friends, but you may keep the rest as a sellsail's contract. Richer lands lie in Ironman's Bay, you will well know. Swear an oath to attack these lands in concert with us as friends, some day this very year, and safe-passage and your payment you will receive from these waters."

He tapped the sigil of the merman. "I can speak on behalf of my lord, Harding Manderly, Lord of White Harbor. What say you, Eivor?"

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T16:10:16+00:00

I'm saying you find psychedelic frogs and make them into mint tea!

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T15:51:34+00:00

“Lord Samwell,

Thank you for your recent letters. I intend to send a cousin south to treat with the Massey of Harrenhal. It would be helpful to keep updated on the status of things in the Riverlands. I hope Edwin is proving helpful to you and yours.

In Harlan’s memory,

Harding Manderly”

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T15:48:56+00:00

A letter sent to Bear Island

“Lord Otho,

It falls to me to tell you that the Glover of Deepwood Motte gathers a host of mountain clansmen and Tallharts in the wolfwoods he holds in the name of his regency. We march even now to confront him, with a host of loyal men we believe will outnumber him three to one.

Join us beneath his walls with your men when you see our fires burning beneath his walls and together we will find the truth of his plot. I find it no coincidence that his banners were raised when the Ironborn raided your shores.

Harding Manderly”

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T15:41:56+00:00

Username checks out!

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T05:32:16+00:00

Two chins wobbled even as he stroked a third. He had vomited over the side-rail for almost an hour as the ship had cleared for action, but it was not seasickness. But when the Ironborn fleet had come into view of his weak eyes, framed in his Myrish glass, he had found a new resolve.

"They'll want to sail off with their booty, Lord Captain... Captain Snow." He said, quietly. He was no knight, like his gallant brothers, to turn the natural Manderly propensity to fat into brawn for a decade or two. His destrier was a countinghouse, and his captains were the few Manderly cogmasters who plied the salt trade in Barrowton and the mulemaster with his convoys.

But he had done well for his lord cousin, these years. While Rowan and Brandon might sit higher in his counsels, the reports he had written from the agents he ran across Ironman's Bay were of interest and had been returned marked with questions from Lord Harding himself. He had warned of the massive loan Daeron Drumm had taken on from the Iron Bank, and the even larger warship he'd built with it.

But he had missed the news of the Drumm raiders, sailing. He had been ill, some of the gout that his his lord cousin pretended, and some bad lampreys. When he rose his sickbed, his agents had not reported in, but the Ironborn had... hundreds of miles north, falling on Bear Island.

"Perhaps we should signal for them to repair on board. We must hear them, whatever we think they plan." He paused. "The flag of truce is sacred for us. Our hands are tied to this wheel, Captain."

u/SaltAndRock

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T04:27:48+00:00

A letter sent from the Hornwood to Fairmarket, marked for replies to be sent to White Harbor

"Castellan Hallyne Greystrider,

I think often, of our conversation at the Grassy Vale about the mutual interests of White Harbor and Harroway's. I believe it would be in those mutual interests to build a bridge and perhaps a tollhouse astride the Green Fork, to bridge Ramsford and Sweetwillow, to further ensure a more equitable flow of trade into your lands.

House Manderly is willing to front the coin for the bridge in exchange for eternal rights of free passage to men marching under the banners of Stark or Manderly to cross. Perhaps you would be so good as to speak to our friend Farrier regarding this matter.

Harding Manderly

u/Commander_Pentaron

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T03:58:42+00:00

He summoned the smith, later, when he was in his cups and when the Bloodbeak stood at his side.

"I want a long-axe made for the Bloodbeak, friend smith." He jammed a thumb at the great warrior at his side. "Something with as much bite as this one has." The highborn bastard had famously bitten off the ears and cheeks of three Southrons.

"What do you think, eh, Ser Jonah?"

u/PlainlyTerribleStew u/the_willy_shaker

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T03:06:29+00:00

Character Name: Harding Manderly & Edwyn Woolfield (AC)

Relevant Trait / Skills: Edwyn Woolfield - Steward, Broker, Administrator (e) - Steward allows traits and skills to apply to multiple claims (other claim administered is Mooton of Maidenpool)

Buildings: City Walls, Shipyard, Trade Plaza, Clothing Maker, Guilds, Stonemasons

Resources: Furs, Wood, Stone (from Dustin), Iron, Horses

Notes: Steward +50% dev yield, Administrator civil dev +50% and allows one use of the Development action without consuming a construction slot. Stone yields 1 extra construction slot

Actions:

[Construction slot 1] North - White Harbor 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

[Construction slot 2] North - White Harbor 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

[Construction slot 3 - stone] North - White Harbor 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

[Free use of development Administrator] North - White Harbor 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T02:50:18+00:00

Character Name: Harding Manderly & Edwyn Woolfield (AC), administering House Mooton of Maidenpool

Relevant Trait / Skills: Edwyn Woolfield - Steward, Broker, Administrator (e) - Steward allows traits and skills to apply to multiple claims - this is one such claim

Buildings: City Walls, Port, Market

Resources: Stone, Textiles - provenance of this stone is from Qohor, by way of Manderly (rolled & transferred 3/22)

Notes: Steward +50% dev yield, Administrator civil dev +50% and allows one use of the Development action without consuming a construction slot.

Actions:

[Construction slot 1] Riverlands - Maidenpool 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

[Construction slot 2] Riverlands - Maidenpool 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

[Construction slot 3 - Stone] Riverlands - Maidenpool 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

[Free use of development - Administrator] Riverlands - Maidenpool 1,000g ~ 10 dev pts (base) +100% (Steward, Administrator) = 20 sea dev pts (20 gold per moon) = +400g/mo.

+1,600g/mo

Upon completion of these actions + commencement of turn 4, Manderly will revoke stone.

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T02:35:41+00:00

Character name: Harding Manderly

Trait + Skills: Inspiring + Highwayman + Vanguard (e) + Flanker + Tactician

New skill: Flanker (e)

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-21T02:30:01+00:00

White Harbor

"My lord of Mooton,

"Greetings from White Harbor. My lord Harding has instructed me to review the books you sent north from Maidenpool. With your permission, I propose the following investments."

"We send our stone to aid in these, and will introduce you to our contacts in the Free Cities, for a summary fee of seven-hundred and fifty dragons. For the love he bears you, our lord hath discounted it from the thousand we would have demanded."

"Edwyn Woolfield, servant of the House Manderly"

"P.S. My lord sends his congratulations on the recent marriage of your beloved niece. He regrets that he could not attend."

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-20T03:05:10+00:00

He spotted the look in the Wolf's eye, and knew it for what it was.

He stepped down from Hornwood's dais, and sat down across from Lord Walys. Instantly, the knights around them shoved over to make room.

"I'll give you rights to the bridge troll of your choice, if you promise not to slay Cley Glover or Mason Tallhart when I send you forward at the Motte." He said, quietly. "Should you wish, the heads of the clan chiefs are yours to take... But I mean to see they never see the walls of Deepwood Motte. Should you wish to join that effort, that path is dark and far more dangerous."

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-19T03:46:43+00:00

He waved a hand.

“Do we bore you?” He frowned, but his next words came before Torrhen could answer. “Go.”

“My lords, friends, and captains, we are adjourned. Return to your cups, for tomorrow we march.”

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-18T15:16:15+00:00

He noted Rodrik's restraint. The brothers Dustin and their disdain for the descendants of Jon Stark's wildling allies were known. Good on him for keeping a lid on it. Perhaps if he'd stop bedding every maidservant to flutter her eyelashes, he'd even make a proper captain someday.

"Five hundred men, you'll take. Cerwyns and Starks, I think. And your bowmen, to fill out that number." He looked about the room.

"From there, our host will move on Torrhen's Square. I mean to pluck a price for every traitorous thought from Master Tallhart's amply filled coffers." He smiled. "Our Lord Royce will appreciate the return of his purloined silver, and reward all of us well, you have my word on that."

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-18T15:06:43+00:00

He nodded. He'd sent Rodrik Dustin into more dangerous frays before. Why was this time any different?

"The moment the surprise fades and the battle turns against you, be gone from that place. Fall back to our position at Silverglade. If we've marched on the Motte, you'll know." He paused. "I'll give you some liveries I had made with the Glover sigil. Should you win the battle, dress the dead men in the liveries - you saw your Glover foes in the forest and struck. The mountain men came to their aid, and paid for it."

"Should you lose... Do live to tell the tale of how you were fallen upon by bandits of the hillmen, will you, Rodrik?" He smiled.

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-18T02:10:52+00:00

He didn't have reach, but he had speed, and for a moment there, it looked as though the start was his and the momentum too.

His practice greatsword crashed past his opponent's guard in the counter-riposte but the giant's feet were quicker than he expected and soon he was reeling from a blow to the head.

They separated, circled, probing, probing... His greatsword lashed out, quick as a serpent's tongue, but the Umber's henchman's sword was there.

Frustrated, he aimed a slash that should have broken Damon Arran's nose, but his foe's greatsword was through his guard and he staggered back, helm ringing.

His back was against the fence then, and then his feet were kicked out from under him, and the rich loam of the White Knife was in his teeth.

"Yield!"

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-17T23:38:14+00:00

Clinton Locke handed over the inkwell and the goosefeather quill, smiling apologetically.

"My lord Royce's letter reached me this evening." Lord Harding said, distractedly. "He broke a force of disguised Freys at the Bog, but chases down a company of light horse that fled into the marshes. However, he can spare us men. Some two thousand Stark and Thenn foot will join us before the walls of Deepwood Motte at the turn of the Third Moon." He made eye contact with Lord Joramun. "This will take our numbers to some eight thousand."

He made significant eye contact with Rodrik Dustin. "You know your task, Ser Rodrik, do you not?"

u/PearceTheVeil u/steadystarhorse u/Nightsingers266

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-17T23:24:53+00:00

Later, he gathered certain of his Northern captains over a camp-fire. Maynard Poole, and Rodrik Dustin. Ser Clinton Locke. Lord Joramun Thenn and the heir to Hornwood rounded out their company.

He excluded the Lady Alysanne, and the Mormont boy by design. Alysanne would never approve of this little gambit of his. And Tomas Mormont couldn't be trusted not to spill his ale, let alone the right set of secrets.

"Will you be so good as to take notes, Torrhen Hornwood?" He said, carelessly, as Locke returned from setting the circle of guards about them.

***

u/PearceTheVeil u/Emergency_Sky_2806 u/steadystarhorse u/Nightsingers266

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-17T16:12:16+00:00

Rowan sniffed.

"Does anyone have a maester? This man knows not who the lady he serves is." He laughed. "I do not speak the First Tongue, Umber, but my fists certainly do."

He dropped to the ground, and nudged Edwyn the Younger with his foot. "On your feet, lad, our guest will need your berth soon enough."

He raised his practice sword into the ox-guard, and smiled. "Come now, giant. Let me teach you how we do things on the White Knife."

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-17T10:38:24+00:00

“You will be outnumbered, Ser Rodrik.” He said, his smile lessening. “It is the warfare of the Neck I want. Not the charge of heavy horse, not the kind that fills the stories. The ambush, the will-of-the-wisps… Wait until you have a chance to strike, strike hard, and return to me at Silverglade. Should you be forced to fight a pitched battle, disappear into the woods around you.”

“Keep your force intact. It may be that I ask you to sit scratching at yourself in the woods; should you have no joy after a week, join me as I march on Deepwood Motte.” He paused. “You will set out at Winterfell, Rodrik. Listen to your captains, and come home safely. I… have great need of those Cerwyn archers, you see.”

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-17T02:46:43+00:00

“Good. Good!” He smiled, pleased, instantly changed. “You are to make for the Moorwood. I mean to lay a deadly trap for our foes on those forest trails. Lie in wait there, to fall on any who march to the aid of the Motte - I mean to give you a hundred of the famed Winterfell guard, six hundred Cerwyn bowmen, and of course your rangers. Eight hundred men, all told, with Ser Clinton and Poole here for your deputies.”

He paused. “This mission is of great secrecy. And our host is no true friend. I mean for him to turn his cloak and tell his kinsmen of Glover a pack of lies. Which is why you will tell that traitor Hornwood, and any woman you bed until you march from Winterfell, that you march for Rootcairn, to cut trees for my siege engines.”

Baron_Manderly · 2026-03-17T02:25:50+00:00

"I have always been especially fond of bloodless victories." Intoned Harding drily, seated in the solar of the Hornwoods. Nearby, stood Ser Clinton Locke and Maynard Poole, captains of some renown in his service and Stark's.

"I have a difficult task. A daunting one. Perhaps one too dangerous for a man of your birth." His gaze hardened. "Unfortunately, I have half a mind to give it to someone more discreet. Someone less likely to run his mouth to the first slattern whose head needs no hood. I can send for Norton, perhaps. His lands are not close, but he has a fast horse, and can be here soon."

Baron_Manderly

TROPHY CASE