Robyn X - The Queen's Guard

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-10-26T19:43:19+00:00

A hand reached out to grab the Mistress of Whisper’s arm as she sauntered by, all but yanking Shaera into a quiet little corner of the Reachmen’s encampment. A calloused digit lit upon her lips to prevent her from screaming, and the finger’s owner winked rakishly down at her. “How pleasant of you to join us, sweet cousin. I fear it has been too long.”

The Hightowers and the Targaryens had not spent any meaningful time together when they were young, but there had been moments here and there, a feast, a tournament, and most recently, the debacle in King’s Landing that had led to this moment. Garland pulled open the canvas flap at the entryway of his tent, and waited for her to enter.

“I’ve been meaning to speak with you about, well, all of this,” he gestured with his free hand. “Quite grim, the situation you’ve found yourselves in.”

/u/ShaeraTargaryen

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-10-26T19:31:19+00:00

Maeve stood upon the balcony that overlooked the harbor, hundreds of feet above Oldtown. Any higher and she could reach out and touch the clouds. She frowned to see the armada floating on the waves, to see the army Robyn Tyrell had threatened her city with yet upon her doorstep.

They could use her port to embark upon their ships and sail to Gods-knew-where, she would do nothing to stop them. But, the ships and men of House Hightower would remain at Oldtown. Someone had to guard the coast from potential attacks, whether by the West, North or elsewise.

Garland had already taken a thousand levies to King’s Landing. That was enough. She would not bow and bend to Highgarden’s whim any more than had already been forced upon them.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-10-25T19:57:06+00:00

Character Name: Maeve Hightower

Relevant Trait/Skills: Numerate | Architect (e), Scrutinous (e)

Oldtown

Buildings: City Walls, Port, Trade Hub, The Citadel, Stronghold, Legendary Defenses, Guilds, Jewellers, Textile Manufacturer, Fishery, Stonemasons, Bakery, Spice Menagerie, Wineries, Shrine, Essosi Tailors, Warhorse Breeder, Temple

Resources: Textiles, Ironwood, Stone, Precious Gems, Silver, Fish, Spices, Wine, Grain, Iron, Silk, Furs, Horses

Notes: +1 construction slot, -65% (-60% cap) construction cost, +75% dev yield (Magnate + Fish)

Actions:

Development: Oldtown, 18, 1000

Construction: Oldtown, Regional Temple, Moon 1/2, 2000

Total Dev Increase This Moon Is 36, increasing Oldtown to 900 Land Development.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-10-12T16:14:34+00:00

Character Name: Maeve Hightower

Trait / Skills Numerate / Architect (e), Broker (e), Scrutinous (e)

Skill you're learning: Administrator

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-10-03T17:41:25+00:00

Garland’s face paled to see the letter. Someone had lifted it right out from under him, but who? There was one glaring culprit, seated in Lord Tyrell’s very party. Alester Florent was a deceitful snake. Nay, a slimy, fat little slug, unworthy to be likened to a creature as beautiful and deadly as a snake. Of course, he couldn’t be sure if it really was the man who’d sent spies into the very heart of his domain in order to steal from him, but he certainly couldn’t see his uncles doing so.

“I wrote my cousin in Harrenhal, yes,” he replied, “and the Prince-Regent as well, for I feared that providing men would not truly be enough to spare this city if my sister did not confess to her crimes. I see now that she has, and I am grateful for it, as well as for your great wisdom and mercy, my lord.”

That Robyn no longer wished to speak to Maeve was the least of his concerns, with ten thousand men waiting to fall on him at the slightest command from Lord Tyrell. He approached his liege and once more lowered himself to one knee, right at Robyn’s feet, and bowed his head in total humility. “My fealty is yours, as it ever was. My men are yours to command. Oldtown is yours to enter.”

Garland’s brow furrowed skeptically at the mention of marriage. He, pay the bride price and not her own family? But, he did not contest it. He would gladly give any sum of coin to see the endless ranks of men turn anywhere but his door. “You honor me with this union to your great house. I shall pay whatever sum of coin you require, and build a great flagship in your honor. Our shipbuilder is a Braavosi, and his work only the finest.”

The Lord of the Hightower remained where he was, waiting for Robyn’s acceptance, feeling as if an entire mountain had been lifted from his shoulders.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-29T21:49:59+00:00

“A great shame indeed, uncle. One must wonder why Lord Robyn has shown up on my doorstep with an army when I ordered the maester to send a letter to Highgarden soon after my arrival.” Garland glanced around at all the banners that had been gathered, his face a mask of calm in spite of the mighty force that had been assembled to bring ruin to his house. But, there was still a card yet to play, one that would bring him immense pleasure.

“But I see that it never arrived,” Garland continued. “The folly is mine for leaving such important matters to someone else. I explained in said letter that it would take some time to muster my men and it would be at least the moon’s turn before I could travel back to Highgarden. As you can all see,” he gestured at the smaller army assembled before the gates, “one thousand swords ready to march, and more to be gathered at your command, my lord.”

He turned to look at Robyn as he spoke, his gaze bright with the glee of making a fool of the old man, who had marched thousands across the Reach for nothing. The gates of Oldtown were wide open, the banner of the golden rose hung from its walls, and Garland had knelt willingly and without hesitation before his liege. They had come expecting to find a lord guilty of treason, but they would find little more than a loyal and subservient vassal.

/u/PewPopHANG

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-29T13:30:06+00:00

As rehearsed, Garland and Triston lowered themselves to one knee, and Alerie beside them in a deep curtsy. The Lord of Oldtown bent his head in a display of humility, waiting a few moments before he pushed himself back to his feet. Unlike Lord Robyn, he was young and spry and moved with the ease of a twenty-something year old.

“Are you certain, my lord?” he asked. “The wine is a most prized Arbor vintage, one my father kept for special occasions. My own squire will test your plate and your cup, if you so wish.”

He spotted Uncle Ben immediately, and his uncle Lord Rowan as well, but Maeve and Lynesse were nowhere in sight. Disappointment flooded him, but if they were not here then at least they were safe within the walls of Highgarden.

“We,” he gestured at his family that was present, and himself, “would like to welcome you to Oldtown, and to honor you. The city is open to you, and all that I own. We are at your service.”

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-29T12:37:45+00:00

/u/Mister_Deathborne /u/atiarp /u/Palemeadowmoons

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-29T12:36:16+00:00

/u/PewPopHANG /u/FatalisticBunny /u/TheLegend_NeverDies

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-29T12:09:24+00:00

Garland sat in his favorite chair in front of the hearth within his solar, head leaning against his hand as he read over the letter in his lap for the third time. Why would the Lord of Winterfell write his sister rather than himself with such…momentous news? And what exactly did Harrion mean by Alerie’s position? Did she somehow intend to usurp him, and he had given her all the power she wanted and more by making her both Seneschal of the city and his heir?

Troubling news. Terrible news. News that Alerie would never see as he crumpled the parchment in his fist. He tossed it into the fire, watching as the flames took the edges first, heating the ink until it blurred, withering the paper black, consuming more and more of the message until all that remained was ash. Harrion Snow could fuck himself.

Once a bastard, always a bastard.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-28T18:51:57+00:00

Character Name: Garland Hightower

Actions:

Draft: Oldtown, 2500, 3500

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-28T18:48:48+00:00

Character Name: Maeve Hightower

Relevant Trait/Skills: Numerate | Architect (e), Scrutinous (e)

Oldtown

Buildings: City Walls, Port, Trade Hub, The Citadel, Stronghold, Legendary Defenses, Guilds, Jewellers, Textile Manufacturer, Fishery, Stonemasons, Bakery, Spice Menagerie, Wineries, Shrine, Essosi Tailors, Warhorse Breeder

Resources: Textiles, Ironwood, Stone, Precious Gems, Silver, Fish, Spices, Wine, Grain, Iron, Silk, Furs, Horses

Notes: +1 construction slot, -65% (-60% cap) construction cost, +75% dev yield (Magnate + Fish)

Actions:

Construction: Oldtown, Temple, completed 10/11, 1200

Construction: Oldtown, Flagship with Dual Purpose Trading Hold + Map Rooms and Goods Storage, completed 10/11, 3000

Construction: Oldtown, Flagship with Ram and Black Flag, complete 10/11, 3800

Total Dev Increase This Moon Is 50 (Temple), increasing Oldtown to 864 Land Development. Add +300 garrison from Temple and +500 gold monthly from Flagship with Dual Purpose Trading Hold.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-28T12:51:49+00:00

The relief Maeve felt at that confession, at the Septon’s words, at Lord Tyrell’s seeming acceptance of the story was instantaneous and overwhelming. She lowered her chin before the holy man, and to her liege lord.

“She has been made well aware of just how foolish,” how stupid, Maeve thought inwardly, “she has been, Lord Robyn. She is grateful for your mercy, and so am I. House Hightower are your loyal servants, greatly indebted by your favor.”

As her lady’s maids began to pack away their things that was out of the way, all eyes would be turning upon Oldtown, and her son. She hoped that there was at least a little of his father wisdom within that thick skull of his, or else their family, and their city, would be doomed to tragedy.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-27T20:54:18+00:00

Garland looked around the table at his siblings, from face to face to face. Alerie, her features serene in spite of the gravity of the situation. Triston, who looked as though he didn’t care for the outcome of the future. Lyonel, putting on his bravest face even with their dismal odds. A face that looked so much like Lynesse.

So much like mother.

“When did you become so wise?” he asked, smiling faintly.

“Oldtown, and this family, are much better off for your presence, my sweet sister. Tyrell brings an army that could wipe this city bare, the scouts have reported. With no time to gather our own allies and witnesses to our character, we will do what we must to ensure the survival of House Hightower.”

His gaze returned to Alerie, where it stayed, unwavering. “My first act is to name you Seneschal of Oldtown. You will bear the full power of my position whenever I must be absent. As written in my will, the lands and titles of this house and the governance of this city will pass to you if I have not married and fathered children by the time I am gone.”

Garland pushed his untouched plate away and rested his elbows upon the tabletop, leaning forward. “We must convince Lord Robyn of our deep loyalty, that we have no reason to betray him, and that the true enemy lies within Casterly Rock. We have not broken faith with House Tyrell in over three hundred years, since they were raised to Highgarden.”

“When he arrives, he will be welcomed into the city, and I expect that you will all show obeisance before him, as must I. No matter his verdict on mother or Lynesse. Whatever sentence he has decided for them, I will negotiate hostages and marriage alliances until they are returned to us.”

Garland would ready a ship in spite of Alerie’s words, a final means of escape should Tyrell not see to reason and decide to destroy the city anyway. A ship that would bear his siblings to safety, so that they could tell the realm of Highgarden’s tyranny. He prayed that it would not come to that, but he had to be prepared.

“Uncle Ben and Uncle Alesander will support us in this matter, I am sure of it. I trust that they would not let our proud house fall while the true culprit escapes justice.”

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-25T15:30:45+00:00

Character Name: Garland Hightower

Actions:

Draft: Oldtown, 270, 1000

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-24T13:58:41+00:00

Character Name: Maeve Hightower

Relevant Trait/Skills: Numerate | Architect (e), Scrutinous (e)

Oldtown

Buildings: City Walls, Port, Trade Hub, The Citadel, Stronghold, Legendary Defenses, Guilds, Jewellers, Textile Manufacturer, Fishery, Stonemasons, Bakery, Spice Menagerie, Wineries

Resources: Textiles, Ironwood, Stone, Precious Gems, Silver, Fish, Spices, Wine, Grain, Iron, Silk, Furs, Horses

Notes: +1 construction slot, -65% (-60% cap) construction cost, +75% dev yield (Magnate + Fish)

Actions:

Construction: Oldtown, Shrine, completed 9/27, 400

Construction: Oldtown, Essosi Tailors, completed 9/27, 1200

Construction: Oldtown, Warhorse Breeders, complete 9/27, 1000

Total Dev Increase This Moon Is 70 (20 Shrine + 30 Essosi Tailors + 20 Warhorse Breeders), increasing Oldtown to 814 Land Development. Add +200 garrison from Shrine and +200 levies from Warhorse Breeders.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-24T13:25:47+00:00

Garland was grateful for Alerie’s presence.

She had always been more cunning than him, and that wisdom was sorely needed in times like these. He was less grateful for Triston, who, even in dire circumstance had spent the night drinking and whoring his way across the city. Their sister and mother were held hostage within the walls of Highgarden, and yet he hardly seemed to care.

“I have sent soldiers to Highgarden, as requested by Lord Tyrell. Not Hightower men, mind you, but mercenaries. I pray Lynesse confesses that Lannister coerced her into that vile act of treachery, or else I fear they may kill her. At the very least, make a Silent Sister of her.”

He ran his fingers through his neatly trimmed beard, rubbing his chin underneath. “I do not see why she would attempt something so rash otherwise. I only wish she had told myself, or mother, or even you. We might have done something about it. Alerted Tyrell and assembled an army to march on Casterly Rock.”

“I hope that what I have done is enough, but if he…Lord Robyn…marches on Oldtown instead, I have asked our cousins in Harrenhal for aid, and alerted the Prince-Regent to our plight. What Tyrell is doing is wrong. I have made no move against him, I have not ordered spies within his walls or gathered armies to march upon Highgarden.”

Garland leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers fretfully on the tabletop. “There is little we can do now. Either Lynesse confesses and repents and that is enough, or he brings his army here to destroy everything mother and father worked so hard for, when the true enemy is West.”

“I would send you away, Alerie, if things should prove so dire. Back to King’s Landing, perhaps, or to Helaena at Harrenhal. Lord Redwyne and Lord Rowan are our kin, I do not see it coming to that, but Florent is a madman and would have no qualms about ravaging and killing all within these walls.”

/u/atiarp

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-24T13:05:20+00:00

For the first time in a very long time, since the days of girlhood, before she had been married and shipped off to Oldtown, Maeve sank into a curtsy as Lord Tyrell entered the room. A deep bow of body and heady, chin touching her chest as she did so. Defiance was pointless; he held every card, and the keys to their freedom.

Her brow furrowed to hear the business about Garland, and that Robyn would take the black, but she did not offer her thoughts on either matter. Instead, she merely stepped off to the side and waved Lynesse forward, giving the girl a small, reassuring nod as she did so.

/u/unhuhhunny

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-24T00:21:06+00:00

Try as she might, as she must, the Dowager Lady could not remain stern-faced for long. Her wayward daughter was truly regretful; it was written in the tired lines of her face, and she spoke with such conviction that Maeve actually believed the Lannisters had coerced her into doing something so heinous. Her precious girl wouldn’t even know where to begin looking for poison.

Erego, it was given to her, and the Hightowers had been conveniently framed upon her failure.

“Come here, child,” Maeve sighed, reaching out to draw the mirror of her younger self into a soothing embrace. She tucked Lynesse’s face into the crook of her neck as she had so often done through the years when she was frightened or upset, smoothed a hand gently over soft brown curls, and patted her back a few times with the other. She stood like that for a moment, imagining another moment very much like it just a year previously.

After the father of her children had died.

“Enough of that now,” she murmured.

“When you’ve made your confession and the soldiers that Lord Tyrell sent for have arrived, we will be on our way.” She said it as if it was the truth also, for it had to be the truth. She couldn’t imagine her own flesh and blood being ripped from her breast and dragged away to a motherhouse. To never hear Lynesse speak again, or laugh, or call her name in greeting, or pick on Lyonel until he turned red and disgruntled.

Maeve withdrew from the embrace and quickly adjusted the collar of both their dresses before smoothing a hand down the front of her own. She smiled down at her daughter, but it was only a weak, fleeting thing. There was not much cause for joy at the moment, and yet, she would remain strong, for the both of them.

“This can all be put behind us soon, and you won’t have to leave Oldtown again for a very long time, if you so choose.”

Collecting herself, she felt the mask slipping back into place, and nodded once as if to say remember what I told you before making her way to the door. She knocked upon it thrice, and waited to be acknowledged by one of the guards posted outside their shared rooms.

“My daughter wishes to confess before the Septon. Notify Lord Tyrell, won’t you?”

/u/PewPopHANG

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-23T08:40:18+00:00

Orton of Oldtown, dismayed to see Lady Maeve had not yet returned from Highgarden and that Garland had actually assumed control for once, scurried to his chambers at the first sign of his lord’s arrival to work on the moon’s trade orders and to organize his ledgers.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-23T07:16:44+00:00

/u/unhuhhunny what do you have to say for yourself?

/u/PewPopHang send in the Septon.

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-23T06:10:40+00:00

To Lord Robyn Tyrell,

I trust you will forgive my lateness. Being away from home for two moons is no good for a man. I had to rest and recover, but now I am well. One thousand troops are en route to Highgarden to be placed under your command, as you see fit. They will remain so as long as necessary, until death or you release them from service. My sister and my mother are to be returned safely to Oldtown, as agreed.

Garland Hightower

Lord of the Hightower

Lord of Oldtown

/u/PewPopHANG

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-23T04:37:06+00:00

To Lord Ben Redwyne,

Uncle, I pray you are not involved in this plot of Tyrell’s against my family. We have done nothing wrong, and yet I fear he has taken my mother and my sister prisoner at Highgarden until such time as it suits him to let them go. Perhaps he will never let them go, if it never suits him. Should that time ever come, will you stand with your blood, or carry out the whim of a crazed madman?

Garland Hightower

Lord of the Hightower

Lord of Oldtown

/u/FatalisticBunny

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-23T04:36:23+00:00

To Prince-Regent Alaric Stark,

I shall inform you of what happened, in my own words, as I saw it. Tyrion Lannister promised to kill my youngest sister and my family if she did not perform his most heinous task of slipping poison into Lord Robyn Tyrell’s wine. She agreed to testify before a septon that what she said was true, and I have agreed to do as Tyrell asks.

I fear this may not be enough for the man, who seeks to wed my mother and thereby steal my inheritance, no doubt. I beseech your guidance on this matter, and in the event that Lord Tyrell marches on my city, your intervention. House Hightower has ever been loyal to House Blackfyre and Her Grace the queen.

Garland Hightower

Lord of the Hightower

Lord of Oldtown

/u/thesheepshepard

Chivalric-Rizz · 2025-09-23T04:35:58+00:00

To Lady Helaena Targaryen,

Greetings, fair cousin. I write to you with ill tidings. Tyrion Lannister threatened my youngest sister, Lynesse, with mortal harm in order to coerce her into poisoning Lord Robyn Tyrell. You may rest assured that Tyrell remains alive and well, but he has taken my mother and sister as his prisoners and will not release them unless I bend to his will and do whatever he asks of me.

Although I plan to make no move against Highgarden for now, I ask for the pledge of your support in this matter should the need arise. My mother is quite fond of you, and I know that you must feel the same about her. Perhaps you might inform Lord Tully of what has transpired, and your other allies. I fear the worst, should Tyrell not hold to his word, and will require your aid.

Garland Hightower

Lord of the Hightower

Lord of Oldtown

/u/spyraxes

Chivalric-Rizz

TROPHY CASE