Reach

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For many centuries, the Reach had flourished under the Gardener kings, enjoying an era marked by prosperity, fertile harvests, and the rise of strong noble houses. Though tales of the region's wealth, its sprawling fields, and the majesty of Highgarden surely reached the ears of ambitious Andal warlords, the geography of Westeros provided a temporary barrier. Between them and the golden heartland of the Reach lay other kingdoms, mountain ranges, and rivers.

In time, however, the threat would come closer. The fleets of Oldtown and the Arbor prevented Andal ships from easily getting access to the Redwyne Straits or the Sunset Sea. But the blockade would prove weak, and soon it began to fail. During this period, Andals started arriving on the western shores of Westeros: the Daelwell host landed in the south, the Risley Host sailed past the Arbor unopposed, and Vayon 'the Craven' [[House Cupps|Cupps]] made no effort to halt their passage. The coming of the Andals marked the beginning of a new age, one that would eventually reach even the fertile lands of the Mander.

In time, however, the threat would come closer. The fleets of Oldtown and the Arbor prevented Andal ships from easily getting access to the Redwyne Straits or the Sunset Sea.

=== First Century A.I. ===

But the blockade would prove weak, and soon it began to fail. During this period, Andals started arriving on the western shores of Westeros: the Daelwell host landed in the south, the Risley Host sailed past the Arbor unopposed, and Vayon 'the Craven' [[House Cupps|Cupps]] made no effort to halt their passage. The coming of the Andals marked the beginning of a new age, one that would eventually reach even the fertile lands of the Mander.

This new age was defined by brutal conflict, including the devastating [[Seven Years' War]] between the Reach and the Westerlands, which ultimately saw the loss of Goldengrove to the Andal [[House Risley]]. At the same time, the Shield Islands were conquered by [[Urron Greyiron|King Urron Greyiron]] of the Ironborn, and the Arbor itself fell to his fleets, becoming part of his reaving kingdom.

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[[File:Gwayne brings back magic.png|thumb|King Gwayne IV 'the Gods Fearing' Gardener brought with Josera Crane the Children of the Forest back into the Reach.]]

Under King Galayn Gardener, the tide began to turn. He launched the reconquest of Goldengrove after Robert Risley refused to bend the knee. Once more, war erupted between the Reach and the Rock, but this time the Lannisters were mired in their own internal rebellions and unrest, and Robert Risley proved far less capable than his grandfather, Jasper Risley. Crucially, the Reach now fought alongside the Durrandons, and even a number of Children of the Forest, who had returned to the Reach with the rebirth of old magic, joined the Gardener cause.

Under King Galayn Gardener, the tide began to turn. He launched the reconquest of Goldengrove after Robert Risley refused to bend the knee. Once more, war erupted between the Reach and the Rock, but this time the Lannisters were mired in their own internal rebellions and unrest, and Robert Risley proved far less capable than his grandfather, Jasper Risley. Crucially, the Reach now fought alongside the [[House Cafferen|Cafferens]], the Durrandons, and even a number of Children of the Forest, who had returned to the Reach with the rebirth of old magic, joined the Gardener cause.

King Galayn Gardener successfully reclaimed Goldengrove. The Arbor also regained its independence following the death of King Urron Greyiron, as the power of the Ironborn began to fade.

King Galayn Gardener successfully reclaimed Goldengrove. The Arbor also regained its independence following the death of King Urron Greyiron, as the power of the Ironborn began to fade. House Cafferen got landed in the Garden Coast after their help against the Risleys and the Rock.

However, after the Ironborn elected a new king, Cragorn Greyjoy, they soon sought a new target for their next great reaving. Their eyes fell upon Oldtown. The naval fleet of Oldtown was no match for the Ironborn, not only due to their seafaring prowess, but also because Abelar "the Weak Thorn" Redwyne had betrayed the Reach and refused to dispatch the Arbor fleet for its defense. Oldtown bled in the assault.

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After some time, the Reach would reclaim the Arbor with the help of the Oldtown Fleet and defend it against the Ironborn. The Redwynes were punished, and a bastard of King Galayn Gardner married into the Redwynes and took their name. The Ironborn influence of the Arbor was removed thereafter. After the death of King Galayn Gardener they should lose a war against King Armistead 'the Fool' [[House Vance|Vance]] in winter, who took land at the Blackwater.

=== Second Century A.I. ===

While the Stormlands were consumed by a succession crisis over the next Durrandon king, King Gunthor Gardener seized the opportunity to reclaim Nightsong with the aid of [[House Mullendore]], a Andal Warlord, which had only recently been lost to the Stormlands. The Mullendores were granted Nightsong, while [[House Caron]] received smaller holdings.

Soon after, Highgarden was plunged into chaos when King Garland Gardener was found dead in a weirwood grove, his body grotesquely displayed. Greene Gardener used the event to stage a coup, placing the boy Harlen, styled King Garth, in his place, claiming he was blessed by the Old Gods. This sparked a civil war between the “Greens,” who championed the old ways, and the “Whites,” led by Galayn and Garth Gardener, who sought to avenge Garland’s murder and unite the Reach under both Andal and First Men traditions. The realm was split, and House Gardener was torn apart by the conflict.

Years of bitter fighting followed, ending in stalemate. The Reach was reunited under one crown, yet divided within: the South, under Hightower influence, clung to Andal customs and the Faith to the Seven, while all lands held north of Highgarden fell to Greene, who ended Andal influence there and restored the worship of the old gods.

From 132–136 A.I., the Stormlands raised a coalition to break Duskendale and restore a First Men king, Ormond Darklyn. Stormlords, Reachmen, Rivermarkers, and Duskmen fought bitterly along the Blackwater Rush in one of the bloodiest wars of the age. King Garth, which actually was Greene Gardener, had joined the war after King Beron promised to renounce his claim to Nightsong and back a First Men ruler in Duskendale. For the Reach, the war offered a chance both to strike against the Andals and to ensure Nightsong remained secured, preventing their northern frontier from being surrounded by Andal kings. In the end, the campaign failed to achieve its wider goals.

The Reach was attacked by King Robert Lannister in 143 A.I., who, informed by the Risleys of the presence of Children of the Forest at Red Lake, launched a brutal assault. Unable to withstand the sheer force brought against them, the Reach saw Red Lake burned and Greene Gardener taken captive. At the same time, Ironborn raids, most fiercely by the Greyjoys, grew increasingly frequent, leaving the Reach in a state of deep turmoil.

In 151 A.I., King Robert Lannister launched an assault against King Garth “the Green” Gardener to seize the Bower. Within a year the campaign succeeded, marking yet another defeat for the Reach at the hands of the Westerlands. At the same time, the Reach suffered heavy Ironborn raids along its coasts, with longships striking deep upriver along the Mander.

Following the sudden death of King Garth in the midst of a tournament melee in 156 A.I., a swift but silent succession crisis took hold of the halls of Highgarden. While the late King had a single trueborn son, the young Galayn was but seven years of age, and concerns circled of whether a boy-King would be able to rise to the needs of the fragile realm. In the tenuous days that followed the King's death, two of Highgarden's most influential courtiers, Master Gareth Gardener and Juniper of Highgarden, turned their gaze instead towards the late-King's brother: Gwayne Gardener. Though the man had been away from Highgarden for many years, he had made a name for himself amid his travels between the norther Reach and Kingdom of Storms. Many of the Reach's northern Magnars flocked to his banner. Following a meeting with Gareth and Juniper, in which Gwayne promised to honor his brother's kin and legacy, the man ascended to the Oakenseat with the full support of Highgarden. In the same year, King Gwayne Gardener proved true to his word. When House Risley rose in war against the Lannisters, seeking to overthrow them, Gwayne seized the opportunity and successfully reclaimed the Bower for the Reach.

In 170 A.I., King Gwayne V Gardener and his long-time lover Elenei I, made an ambitious move and attempted to unite their realms. With both monarchs still ruling, a realm of two crowns was forged against Andal influence and Andal invasion, but it has yet to have its first true test.

In 176 A.I., King Gwayne V Gardener and Queen Elenei I Durrandon launched a joint campaign against Duskendale, aiming both to liberate the Gauntlet and to bring the Darklyns under tribute. After two years of war, their efforts succeeded, though Duskendale by then had been diminished, with several of its former vassals having declared independence or aligned themselves with the Rivermark.

In 180 A.I., Queen Elenei I Durrandon passed away, and her daughter, Queen Vika I Durrandon—a bastard daughter of King Gwayne V Gardener—succeeded her. With her accession, the First Kingdom fractured, though Vika sought to maintain a close friendship with the Gardeners.

King Gwayne V, observing that his southern vassals had grown increasingly powerful under the Faith of the Seven and the influence of the Hightowers, turned his attention outward to direct their attentions. Plans were set in motion to strike against the Daynes and to focus the marcher lords on a common foe, while he also sought to reclaim the Shield Islands. In the war against House Dayne, King Gwayne V Gardener proved his mettle. His forces succeeded in burning the seat of [[House Fowler]] and he managed to weaken the Daynes, though not enough to break their kingdom.

=== References ===

[[Category:Regions]]

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 For many centuries, the Reach had flourished under the Gardener kings, enjoying an era marked by prosperity, fertile harvests, and the rise of strong noble houses. Though tales of the region's wealth, its sprawling fields, and the majesty of Highgarden surely reached the ears of ambitious Andal warlords, the geography of Westeros provided a temporary barrier. Between them and the golden heartland of the Reach lay other kingdoms, mountain ranges, and rivers.
-In time, however, the threat would come closer. The fleets of Oldtown and the Arbor prevented Andal ships from easily getting access to the Redwyne Straits or the Sunset Sea. But the blockade would prove weak, and soon it began to fail. During this period, Andals started arriving on the western shores of Westeros: the Daelwell host landed in the south, the Risley Host sailed past the Arbor unopposed, and Vayon 'the Craven' [[House Cupps|Cupps]] made no effort to halt their passage. The coming of the Andals marked the beginning of a new age, one that would eventually reach even the fertile lands of the Mander.
+In time, however, the threat would come closer. The fleets of Oldtown and the Arbor prevented Andal ships from easily getting access to the Redwyne Straits or the Sunset Sea.
+=== First Century A.I. ===
+But the blockade would prove weak, and soon it began to fail. During this period, Andals started arriving on the western shores of Westeros: the Daelwell host landed in the south, the Risley Host sailed past the Arbor unopposed, and Vayon 'the Craven' [[House Cupps|Cupps]] made no effort to halt their passage. The coming of the Andals marked the beginning of a new age, one that would eventually reach even the fertile lands of the Mander.
 This new age was defined by brutal conflict, including the devastating [[Seven Years' War]] between the Reach and the Westerlands, which ultimately saw the loss of Goldengrove to the Andal [[House Risley]]. At the same time, the Shield Islands were conquered by [[Urron Greyiron|King Urron Greyiron]] of the Ironborn, and the Arbor itself fell to his fleets, becoming part of his reaving kingdom.
@@ Line 63: / Line 67: @@
 [[File:Gwayne brings back magic.png|thumb|King Gwayne IV 'the Gods Fearing' Gardener brought with Josera Crane the Children of the Forest back into the Reach.]]
-Under King Galayn Gardener, the tide began to turn. He launched the reconquest of Goldengrove after Robert Risley refused to bend the knee. Once more, war erupted between the Reach and the Rock, but this time the Lannisters were mired in their own internal rebellions and unrest, and Robert Risley proved far less capable than his grandfather, Jasper Risley. Crucially, the Reach now fought alongside the Durrandons, and even a number of Children of the Forest, who had returned to the Reach with the rebirth of old magic, joined the Gardener cause.
+Under King Galayn Gardener, the tide began to turn. He launched the reconquest of Goldengrove after Robert Risley refused to bend the knee. Once more, war erupted between the Reach and the Rock, but this time the Lannisters were mired in their own internal rebellions and unrest, and Robert Risley proved far less capable than his grandfather, Jasper Risley. Crucially, the Reach now fought alongside the [[House Cafferen|Cafferens]], the Durrandons, and even a number of Children of the Forest, who had returned to the Reach with the rebirth of old magic, joined the Gardener cause.
-King Galayn Gardener successfully reclaimed Goldengrove. The Arbor also regained its independence following the death of King Urron Greyiron, as the power of the Ironborn began to fade.
+King Galayn Gardener successfully reclaimed Goldengrove. The Arbor also regained its independence following the death of King Urron Greyiron, as the power of the Ironborn began to fade. House Cafferen got landed in the Garden Coast after their help against the Risleys and the Rock.
 However, after the Ironborn elected a new king, Cragorn Greyjoy, they soon sought a new target for their next great reaving. Their eyes fell upon Oldtown. The naval fleet of Oldtown was no match for the Ironborn, not only due to their seafaring prowess, but also because Abelar "the Weak Thorn" Redwyne had betrayed the Reach and refused to dispatch the Arbor fleet for its defense. Oldtown bled in the assault.
@@ Line 72: / Line 76: @@
 After some time, the Reach would reclaim the Arbor with the help of the Oldtown Fleet and defend it against the Ironborn. The Redwynes were punished, and a bastard of King Galayn Gardner married into the Redwynes and took their name. The Ironborn influence of the Arbor was removed thereafter. After the death of King Galayn Gardener they should lose a war against King Armistead 'the Fool' [[House Vance|Vance]] in winter, who took land at the Blackwater.
+=== Second Century A.I. ===
 While the Stormlands were consumed by a succession crisis over the next Durrandon king, King Gunthor Gardener seized the opportunity to reclaim Nightsong with the aid of [[House Mullendore]], a Andal Warlord, which had only recently been lost to the Stormlands. The Mullendores were granted Nightsong, while [[House Caron]] received smaller holdings.
 Soon after, Highgarden was plunged into chaos when King Garland Gardener was found dead in a weirwood grove, his body grotesquely displayed. Greene Gardener used the event to stage a coup, placing the boy Harlen, styled King Garth, in his place, claiming he was blessed by the Old Gods. This sparked a civil war between the “Greens,” who championed the old ways, and the “Whites,” led by Galayn and Garth Gardener, who sought to avenge Garland’s murder and unite the Reach under both Andal and First Men traditions. The realm was split, and House Gardener was torn apart by the conflict.
+Years of bitter fighting followed, ending in stalemate. The Reach was reunited under one crown, yet divided within: the South, under Hightower influence, clung to Andal customs and the Faith to the Seven, while all lands held north of Highgarden fell to Greene, who ended Andal influence there and restored the worship of the old gods.
+From 132–136 A.I., the Stormlands raised a coalition to break Duskendale and restore a First Men king, Ormond Darklyn. Stormlords, Reachmen, Rivermarkers, and Duskmen fought bitterly along the Blackwater Rush in one of the bloodiest wars of the age. King Garth, which actually was Greene Gardener, had joined the war after King Beron promised to renounce his claim to Nightsong and back a First Men ruler in Duskendale. For the Reach, the war offered a chance both to strike against the Andals and to ensure Nightsong remained secured, preventing their northern frontier from being surrounded by Andal kings. In the end, the campaign failed to achieve its wider goals.
+The Reach was attacked by King Robert Lannister in 143 A.I., who, informed by the Risleys of the presence of Children of the Forest at Red Lake, launched a brutal assault. Unable to withstand the sheer force brought against them, the Reach saw Red Lake burned and Greene Gardener taken captive. At the same time, Ironborn raids, most fiercely by the Greyjoys, grew increasingly frequent, leaving the Reach in a state of deep turmoil.
+In 151 A.I., King Robert Lannister launched an assault against King Garth “the Green” Gardener to seize the Bower. Within a year the campaign succeeded, marking yet another defeat for the Reach at the hands of the Westerlands. At the same time, the Reach suffered heavy Ironborn raids along its coasts, with longships striking deep upriver along the Mander.
+Following the sudden death of King Garth in the midst of a tournament melee in 156 A.I., a swift but silent succession crisis took hold of the halls of Highgarden. While the late King had a single trueborn son, the young Galayn was but seven years of age, and concerns circled of whether a boy-King would be able to rise to the needs of the fragile realm. In the tenuous days that followed the King's death, two of Highgarden's most influential courtiers, Master Gareth Gardener and Juniper of Highgarden, turned their gaze instead towards the late-King's brother: Gwayne Gardener. Though the man had been away from Highgarden for many years, he had made a name for himself amid his travels between the norther Reach and Kingdom of Storms. Many of the Reach's northern Magnars flocked to his banner. Following a meeting with Gareth and Juniper, in which Gwayne promised to honor his brother's kin and legacy, the man ascended to the Oakenseat with the full support of Highgarden. In the same year, King Gwayne Gardener proved true to his word. When House Risley rose in war against the Lannisters, seeking to overthrow them, Gwayne seized the opportunity and successfully reclaimed the Bower for the Reach.
+In 170 A.I., King Gwayne V Gardener and his long-time lover Elenei I, made an ambitious move and attempted to unite their realms. With both monarchs still ruling, a realm of two crowns was forged against Andal influence and Andal invasion, but it has yet to have its first true test.
+In 176 A.I., King Gwayne V Gardener and Queen Elenei I Durrandon launched a joint campaign against Duskendale, aiming both to liberate the Gauntlet and to bring the Darklyns under tribute. After two years of war, their efforts succeeded, though Duskendale by then had been diminished, with several of its former vassals having declared independence or aligned themselves with the Rivermark.
+In 180 A.I., Queen Elenei I Durrandon passed away, and her daughter, Queen Vika I Durrandon—a bastard daughter of King Gwayne V Gardener—succeeded her. With her accession, the First Kingdom fractured, though Vika sought to maintain a close friendship with the Gardeners.
+King Gwayne V, observing that his southern vassals had grown increasingly powerful under the Faith of the Seven and the influence of the Hightowers, turned his attention outward to direct their attentions. Plans were set in motion to strike against the Daynes and to focus the marcher lords on a common foe, while he also sought to reclaim the Shield Islands. In the war against House Dayne, King Gwayne V Gardener proved his mettle. His forces succeeded in burning the seat of [[House Fowler]] and he managed to weaken the Daynes, though not enough to break their kingdom.
 === References ===
 [[Category:Regions]]

Reach: Difference between revisions