Riverlands

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The [[Coming_of_the_Andals|Arrival of the Andals]] in earnest shattered the integrity of the Mudd realm. The feud between House Blackwood and House Bracken had flared up every few generations, but a strong united Mudd realm could quench the flames and make a peace. When Armistead Vance shattered the outer reaches of the River King's realm however, the ensuing chaos led to the Blackwoods and Brackens both renouncing Mudd rule and declaring themselves river kings. The realms that lay on the far side of Blackwood Vale and Stone Hedge no longer had any overland connection to Oldstones, and thus looked to themselves for defence as well, whether from Andals to the East, or the Western Mountain Clans.

Armistead Vance came west into the Riverlands after failing to breach the allied defences of King Staun Darklyn and [[Florian_Mooton|Florian Mooton]], along with the aid of the Robber King Baurgard Hogg. Whilst Togarion Bar Emmon remained in the region out of Stubbornness, Armistead sought to try his fortunes elsewhere. He shattered the power of the remnants of House Hook and their bannermen, and gathered to himself seven warlords, with the intend to overrun the fractured Riverlands.

Armistead Vance came west into the Riverlands after failing to breach the allied defences of King Staun Darklyn and [[Florian_Mooton|Florian Mooton]], along with the aid of the Robber King Baurgard Hogg. Whilst Togarion Bar Emmon remained in the region out of Stubbornness, Armistead sought to try his fortunes elsewhere. He shattered the power of the remnants of House Hook and their bannermen, and gathered to himself seven warlords, with the intend to overrun the fractured Riverlands, igniting the [[Clash of Six Kings]]. This two-year war saw the allied kings of the First Men, Mudd, Blackwood, Mooton, and Darklyn, stand against the growing Andal kingdom of Vance.

Despite initial victories, the alliance suffered severe losses, including the capture and execution of [[Florian Mooton|King Florian Mooton]]. Soon after, Armistead Vance declared himself King of the Rivermark, and imposed his rule from the newly renamed Vancemark (formerly Atranta).

In the Spring War, King Armistead Vance launched a devastating invasion of Blackwood Vale. The final coalition of the First Men mustered at Raventree Hall, Fisher, Mudds, Mallisters, Strongs, Brackens of Whiskermoor, and other loyal houses. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, they were ultimately defeated.

Rather than destroy them entirely, Vance offered terms: Blackwood Vale would become his vassal, granted religious exemptions; the Tully lands were awarded to [[House Lydden]]; and the Mudds were forced to swear peace. With this, the last free southern kingdoms of the Riverlands fell to the Andals.

=== References ===