Riverlands

The Riverlands is a central region of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, consisting of the rich, fertile, and populous areas around the three forks of the Trident and the northern Blackwater Rush. At the time of Aegon's Conquest the riverlands and the Iron Islands were ruled by House Hoare, the Kings of the Isles and the Rivers, although native river kings ruled centuries earlier.

Because of their central position in Westeros and lack of natural boundaries, the riverlands have been a frequent battleground. The people of the riverlands are known as "rivermen" or occasionally "riverlanders", and they are a mixture of hardy warriors, peaceful fisherfolk and devout smallfolk. Their lords have a reputation for being notoriously quarrelsome, and are referred to as "river lords". Noble bastards born in the riverlands are given the surname Rivers.

The riverlands are ruled from Riverrun by House Tully, the Lords Paramount of the Trident. Notable houses of the region have included Blackwood, Bracken, Darry, Frey, Mallister, Mooton, Piper, Ryger, Strong, and Vance.

Geography
The Riverlands encompass a region of plains, forests, hills, and endless rivers, and borders on every single kingdom except Dorne. Their northern border is near the swamplands of the Neck, the southernmost region of the north. To the east, the riverlands extend to the Vale of Arryn's Mountains of the Moon and Crackclaw Point in the crownlands. A stream forms part of the boundary between the Riverlands and the Crownlands, with the hills of House Wode in the former and the lands of House Hogg in the latter. To the south the Riverlands border the crownlands and the Reach. The Riverlands extend west to Ironman's Bay and the mountainous Westerlands. The heavily fortified Golden Tooth guards the entrance to the Riverlands but belongs itself to the Westerlands. Some of the eastern hills of what are now the Westerlands were once ruled by Kings of the Rivers and the Hills, such as the Mudds and Teagues. Some river kings also fought over territory with the Kings of the Reach to the south.

The Riverlands are named for the number of rivers which are present. The Red Fork runs from its source in the western mountains to Riverrun where it combines with the Tumblestone and then runs to the east. The Blue Fork flows southeast from its sources near Seagard, while the Green Fork runs south from swamps in the Neck, near the Kingsroad. The three forks come together a short distance from Lord Harroway's Town to form the Trident, which then pours into the Bay of Crabs at Saltpans. The northern Blackwater Rush and a river from the Gods Eye run through the southern Riverlands.

The riverlands do not contain any major cities, but have a number towns, such as Fairmarket, Harrentown, Harroway, Maidenpool, Saltpans, and Stoney Sept. Their major castles include Darry, Harrenhal, Raventree Hall, Riverrun, Seagard, Stone Hedge, and the Twins. Additional noteworthy places in the Riverlands are the old ruins at Oldstones, where in ancient times House Mudd had its castle, and the God's Eye lake with the Isle of Faces in it. The Quiet Isle is located at the mouth of the Trident.

The river road runs from Casterly Rock in the Westerlands to Riverrun and then on to the crossroads, where it meets the Kingsroad and the High road. The Duskendale Road connects Maidenpool with Duskendale in the crownlands.

People and Economy
The riverlands are rich and fertile and populous. The numerous rivers that run across their expanse are used for trading and the transport of goods. In times of peace fisherfolk in skiffs and grain barges pole downstream and merchants on floating ships sail on the rivers. With so much trade on the rivers, villagers will haul their grain and other goods to it to see it sold and carried elsewhere by the merchants. Wine can be made from small, tart grapes grown in the Riverlands.

The Dance of the Dragons
When Rhaenyra I Targaryen declared herself Queen, most of the Trident joined the cause of the Blacks. House Strong, House Vance, and House Bracken were the exceptions to this, joining their liege Grover Tully in siding with Aegon the Usurper instead. As the war continued, those sides shifted - Lord Grover died, and his successor Elmo threw in with the Blacks, a decision that was solidified by Elmo's own son Kermit. House Bracken too, sided with the Blacks and the Lads after the news of Aegon's death at Dragonstone.

During the Dance, the Riverlands suffered keenly, and their lack of any concrete reward left the Lords of Riverrun and many of their vassals feeling slighted. Larys Strong, a Green, seemed to be the only man in the Trident to be rewarded with anything, a fact that infuriated the young Lord Paramount to no end.

Beneath the Black Queen
Kermit Tully's first act as Rhaenyra I's vassal was to demand the execution of Larys Strong, a demand that was denied wholeheartedly. Graciously accepting the denial, Kermit returned to Riverrun and was prepared to let it be water under the bridge.

When word reached him of House Targaryen's intentions to retake Harrenhal for the Clubfoot, he was outraged. When ravens reached him to gather a host to assist the Royal and Vale armies, he refused, though he did allow his vassals to provide whatever they thought necessary. And when the castle was taken, and the cost made apparent, his fury grew further. Every Riverlander residing in the capital was written to, letters in the Lord Paramount's own hand demanding they leave the city immediately without question. It was a mass exodus, and a rare show of collective loyalty from the Riverlands - though of course, Larys Strong remained within the city until he knew Harrenhal was safe. Rhaenyra would not live long enough to see the effects of this withdrawal.

Blue Dragons' Flame
Upon the ascension of Aegon the Younger, he was visited by an ever-furious Kermit Tully. Once again that same demand was given - Strong's execution - and once again it was refused, though slightly more gracefully than before.

Slighted though they were, when the Blue Dragon Revolt began, the Riverlands raised the banners of the red dragon faster than anyone. Oscar Tully, younger brother of the Lord of Riverrun, gathered a host on his brother's orders and marched south to Atranta, where Lord Perwyn Vance gathered their own host of Blues. Just north of the castle, Ser Oscar met with the enemy host and did battle. It was a devastating defeat, with the loyalist host shattered and the Lad being slain by an arrow to the throat - one that was claimed by the Lord of Atranta himself in an effort to gain glory upon Daeron the Daring's ascension to the Iron Throne.

That would be his fatal mistake. Kermit Tully was beneath the gates of Harrenhal being refused help by Lord Strong when the news reached him, and he flew into a black rage. When one of Lord Strong's guardsmen made the foolish error of spitting over the battlements at the Riverlander host, he was killed by a thrown spear from Kermit himself, around it tied a letter that simply said:"'I will remember this insolence.'"With that message known, Kermit took his host and marched south to Atranta. Banners of Blackwood, Bracken, Frey, Vance of Wayfarer's Rest, Darry, Mooton, all but Strong and the rebels, flew beneath the banner of Tully as they passed the castle on their journey south to Copper Hall where the rebel host had last been sighted. It was there that they fought with unorthodox tactics that had become the tradition of the Lads, reduced in number though they were, and broke the enemy army. Kermit could well have pursued the force and ended the rebellion there, if he had not taken a moment to exact his revenge. Lord Arstan Bracken had ridden from King's Landing to march with the host, and his horses were the finest in the Seven Kingdoms. Lord Tully requested four of them.

Each limb of the Lord of Atranta was tied to a horse whilst he was knocked out. When he awoke, he began to scream as he realised what was happening. Kermit Tully did not cheer, nor did he react much at all. Instead, he simply nodded and gave the order for the horses to charge. Revenge for his brother had been achieved, and the Lord of Riverrun could march south.

He would not get there in time, for the battle was already won upon his arrival to Tumbleton. At great cost, too, for the King would never hear his grievances against House Strong this time. Once more, Kermit Tully was forced to return home angered and bitter.

Last of the Lads
Baela Targaryen was a sign of hope for the Lord of Riverrun. Even though Larys Strong served upon her regency council, he knew that the influence of other, better men would serve her well. When she removed her regency council in 160 AC, once again Kermit gave his demand for punishment. Once again he was disappointed. It was a grave crime, he was told, yet one that was in the past now. Larys Strong had served her faithfully as a regent, and as Master of Whisperers. Punishing him would be unfair.

Kermit found her reasoning even more infuriating than the outright refusal of previous monarchs, though Larys Strong's death a year later helped to assuage his fury a mite. It did not fade, though, as House Strong was guilty by blood in his eyes.

In 166 AC, this fury grew even deeper.

Benjicot Blackwood had been the Lord of Riverrun's closest friend since the Dance. His death was a blow to the already sharp man, and the events that followed it only cemented that. In the dead of night, a letter came to Raventree Hall claiming that Ben's death was not natural - instead, it was the fault of Lord Arstan Bracken, wishing to inflame the rivalry between their two houses and seize lands he believed belonged to him. Believing this to be fact and grief-stricken, the new Lord Blackwood assembled a host and marched upon Stone Hedge to avenge his father. Lord Bracken made it clear he was not involved, but he was simply called a liar and a murderer. It seemed that the Lord of Raventree Hall was not interested in negotiation or peace.

After the seventh day of being under siege, Lord Arstan took up Piety and led a sally. It was, as expected, ill-fated and resulted in the Lord's death. House Blackwood considered the feud settled, with the Lad avenged. When news reached Riverrun of the bloody squabble, Kermit Tully was furious. Lord Bracken had always been faithful and good, his service in the Blue Dragon Revolt being admirable at worst. Lord Blackwood was summoned to Riverrun and ordered to show Kermit the letter. As expected, it was in a familiar hand. Crumpled and aged, Larys Strong's distinctive handwriting was obvious to the Lord of Riverrun and drove him near to madness there and then.

For his foolishness, Lord Blackwood was thrown into a hanging cage with only bread, salt, and water for two weeks. Kermit sent the letter to King's Landing along with a request for House Strong's punishment once more, and received a reply from Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, Hand of the King, stating that dead men could not be punished for their crimes - they had already paid the ultimate price.

Two weeks later, Lord Blackwood was released and allowed to return home with the knowledge he had broken a rare peace. Upon the road he was slain by a party of men bearing Bracken banners, and the sword Piety itself.

Kermit's Final Years
Blackwood and Bracken remained at peace, the threat of Kermit's fury enough to cow them, and the Riverlands returned to a state of stability. Baela's death was another hit to the Lord of Riverrun, for though he had disagreed with her on the treatment of House Strong, he had respected her strongly. Aegon III was a man he was unfamiliar with, and when he made the trip to King's Landing to present his perennial request the King did not even attend the court session. Once again, Jaehaerys Targaryen was the man to refuse him.

Only a year later and another monarch had died. Jaehaerys himself now sat the throne in his own right, and Kermit made the journey once more. Not only did the King refuse him, however, but he spat at the idea. Furious, Kermit Tully made an oath before the Iron Throne that the Riverlands would not support the crown in their next war, no matter what.

He was not stopped on his way out, for no matter his disrespect or treasonous words, he was still Kermit Tully. Last of the Lads, mayhaps the last of the great heroes of the Dance.

When that next war came, Barthogan Blacksword marching south, Kermit kept his oath. House Frey simply allowed him to pass through their lands unimpeded, and it took until they reached Harrenhal for an attempt to turn them back. House Strong was unable, however, and Barthogan continued on his journey. Even after losing his duel against Lord Commander Olyvar Oakheart, Barthogan's efforts were applauded by the Lord of Riverrun.

When Jaehaerys Targaryen passed, as monarchs who ruled over the aged Lord of Riverrun were wont to do, that same request as always was passed on to the new Queen, Daenaerys Targaryen, a request that for the first time was not delivered in person. Once again it was refused, almost a formality at this point. Kermit did not even grow angry at the news.

Three years later, and he would meet his end. Kermit Tully's rule lasted 61 years, and each year was as distinguished as the last. If Grover Tully and Elmo had been unremarkable, Kermit was the opposite in every way.

Tensions Rising
Kermit's legacy had left its mark on the Riverlands, and House Tully proved to be just as effective a liege lord as their neighbours no matter the disloyalty of a few of their vassals.

When war came to the Seven Kingdoms once again, a Conquest of Dorne, House Tully took it upon themselves to follow in Kermit's footsteps. In stark contrast to much of the realm, who hungered to go to war, House Tully ordered its vassals to remain home and build their strength. House Bracken, House Frey, and House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest accepted this command without hesitation - many others followed in their footsteps. Yet, almost as expected, House Strong, joined by House Vance of Atranta, refused the order. Gathering likeminded lords and knights, they assembled their own host beneath the walls of Harrenhal and joined with the Crown force to fight alongside the King-Consort in Dorne.

Upon their return, they were showered in glory. Every battle they had fought had been bloody, and some who went south never returned. Yet they were heroes of a great war, whilst those who remained behind were rich in gold but not glory.

Some saw House Tully's reticence to fight as a wise choice - others harboured resentment at their missed valour. Either way, the decision was polarising.

Since the war, tensions have only grown. In 214 AC, they nearly came to a head - a failed attempt to burn a letter led to the discovery of an assassination plot against Lord Oswald, stopped by what was essentially blind luck. Upon interrogation, the assassin only threw the Riverlands into further chaos. House Frey had supposedly employed him, a fact that shocked those who knew it. House Frey had been, and ostensibly still were, some of House Tully's most loyal supporters. What could possess them to do such a thing? Those who had lived through the Bracken-Blackwood conflict of 166 AC saw a familiar pattern. Only time will tell the truth, when the lines in the Riverlands are finally revealed.