"Yes, our journey went well," Lord Corbray said. "And we thank you for hosting this wedding for us."

"We'll see," Ser Lyn replied to Galad. "This wedding was forced upon us. My brother had already made arrangements with Lord Stormwood for my niece to move to them in the Stormlands and marry Ser Godric. He may be older than her, but his father is heir apparent and older still. Mark my words, Ser Godric will be the next Lord Stormwood and that would have been a much better match for us than this union with the loathsome Melcolms that Lord Arryn ordered us to enter into."

"He is our liege," Lord Corbray reprimanded his younger brother. "And we will do as he commands."

Ser Lyn mockingly inclined his head in silence towards his brother.

The Corbrays were followed by the Longthropes who were followed by the Manderlys, one of only two families from outside the Vale that had been invited to the wedding. Inviting the Manderlys had been suggested by Gyllen.

Their house was older in this generation. Lord Manderly, a widower in his early 60s, a heavy man, though not as big as the king, with white hair and beard wearing a breastplate and riding under his merman banner.

His heir Wyllis was almost ten years older than Corwyn. And his wife Leona was almost as old. They had two teenage daughters, Wynafryd and Wylla, that were with them.

They were accompanied by knights, squires, a septa, and other servants. 24 people in total.

They dismounted and their things were taken away as the families greeted one another.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Wed 11 Nov 2020.

"Oh, that should be fun. The tournament should be entertaining and informative, but the dancing may well be better. Do you know if there are any worthwhile young nobles I should keep my eye out for in either the tournament or the dancing? Or any I should keep my eyes off?"

"I think that is something you and I should talk about in private," Cyrenna said. "Don't you? There's too many around who could take offense at such discussions in mixed company."

"We were glad to, it's a honor" Sharra said when Lord Corbray thanked them. She listened carefully to Ser Lyn's complaints; it was worrying.

Sharra greeted both the Longthropes and Manderlys. The Manderlys were particularly interesting to her, being all the way from the North. She curtsied to Lord Manderly. "Welcome to the Vale, my Lord! We are very happy to have you here. I hope all is well in the North"
She smiled at Wynafryd. "There are some lovely views here in the Vale, I hope you get a chance to see them."

Perhaps there was something to be done about this as Lord Stormwood and his house was the other house from outside the Vale that had been invited to the wedding as guests of the Corbrays. Maybe for this very reason.

"The North thrives," Lord Manderly said. "And we are grateful for this well-timed invitation."

"That would be wonderful," Wylla replied to Sharra's comment about seeing the views of the Vale. The 14-year old's hair was dyed a garish green. She then embraced Gyllen. "Will you show me all of these lovely views my friend?"

"Of course," Gyllen replied as she returned the hug with an apologetic look at Sharra.

The Belmores and Hunters and were the two final houses of that caravan. And as the day continued, the Moores and Waxleys arrived. And later followed by the Hardyngs under their field of red and white diamonds.

Lord Cameron Hardyng, a couple of years younger than Corwyn, and a true knight rode next to his darling wife Gella. The very handsome Harrold, quite likely the best-looking boy in the Vale, was not only the heir to House Hardyng, he was also second in line to House Arryn. Strangely traveling with his family instead of with the Waynwoods where he is a ward. His little sister, Branda, was also there as was Cameron's older sister. Together with knights and servants, the group was a total of 21 people.

"I'm so glad to hear that" Sharra says warmly to Lord Manderly. "It our honor to have you here. If there's any news of the North you'd care to tell later, I'd love to hear it."

She smiles at Wylla. "I just love that hair color, Lady Wylla. Sometime maybe I'll ask my Lady mother if she'll let me try something like that"

"Certainly," Lord Manderly said. "I'm sure there will be plenty of time over the next couple of days."

"Thank you," Wylla said. "I can help you with some dyes if you like."

After the Hardyngs came at various times the Ruthermonts, the Redforts, and the Donnigers. They were followed by the Graftons under the banner of their burning tower. Together with the Belmores and the Hunters, they were the only major Vale house attending the wedding. Even the Arryns, who had ordered this wedding were stuck in King's Landing and weren't coming.

Lord Gerold Grafton was a big and strong man, but not as tall as Galad obviously. He and his wife Lady Agnes were both in their early 50s. The seed was strong with the Grafton family and all of his children shared the dirty blond hair of their Lord.

Some would suggest that his imagination was lacking as his three sons were called Gerrick, Garth, and Garrett. But none would suggest that to his face. Power is power. And with control of the only city in the Vale. And an important trade city at that. They had power.

And as a display of that power, they were traveling with ten knights, more than any other family had arrived with. And squires and servants and archers in addition to that. For a total of over 30 people.

Gerrick, the heir, was in his late 20s and recently widowed. He had no children.

Where the family was dressed more opulently than other visitors while they were traveling, Garth, the 20-year-old middle son, was dressed in red. His pants and jacket embroidered in gold. A wide-brimmed hat, the left brim turned upwards, was also decorated in gold. On his hip he wore a sword with a hilt made of ivory crafted into the shape of a dragon. And over all that, he wore a mantle of peacock feathers. He had an elegant mustache covering his upper lip that turned down just beyond the edges of his mouth. He also had a small triangular patch beard on his chin. And in his left ear was a drop-shaped pearl earring and it too was decorated in gold. For him, opulent was an understatement.

Ser Donnel Longthorpe and Gwayne Elesham were the two premier knights traveling with the family and they would certainly participate in the joust.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:10, Mon 30 Nov 2020.

"I would like that, Lady Wylla" Sharra said happily.

She knew it was important to make a good impression on the Graftons, given their power. "It's just lovely to see you and your family, Lord Gerold. Thank you very much for coming. I hope all is well at home!"

"Will you be joining the joust, Lord Garth?"

"Likewise Lady Sylvayn," Gerold said. The Seven giveth and the Seven taketh away. Things are as we deserve them to be. Don't you think?"

"Oh no," Garth said. "Jousting is for those with a need to prove how good they are. Like my brother," he looked at his older brother. "I know who I am and I have nothing to prove."

There was a quick change in Gerrick's eyes, but just as quickly it was gone. He was on his best beavior.

A cloud came over Sharra's expression. "The loss of my father is a difficult one for us all. But I know he is with the Father Above, and that my brother will rule justly. The Seven will watch over us."

She brightened at the talk of jousting. "Oh, I see. Well, I'm sure I'll enjoy watching the jousting, I always do." She smiled at Gerrick.

"I am sorry for your loss," Gerold said. "And therefore even more appreciative for you hosting this wedding."

"Yes, it is a spectacle," Garth said about the jousting. "And very enjoyable to watch. Perhaps I will have the honor of watching it with you." He carefully takes Sharra's hand and slowly raises it so that he can kiss it. But moves slowly enough that Sharra can remove her hand if she wants to without either of them losing face.

"Thank you, my Lord, it is kind of you to say" Sharra said to Lord Gerold appreciatively. "This happy event has done much to restore our spirits."

Sharra blushed as Garth kissed her hand. It was very gallant of him, but rather forward. "Perhaps, Lord Garth."

"I'm looking forward to it my lady," Garth said and bowed a little as he and his family moved on.

After the Graftons came the Templetons and the Herseys. And after them, the Waynwoods arrived.

The widowed Lady Anya Waynwood had a distinct air of nobility and was accompanied by her six children, inlaws, and several grandchildren. Some of her grandchildren were older than some of her children.

Morton, her firstborn and heir, was twice as old as her second child Jayde, the only other of her children that were married, and the twins Donnel and Kella who were two years younger than her. And the two youngest, Wallace and Lyanna, were still teenagers. 15 family members in total and twice that in servants and knights, including their knight paragon Ser Robert Stone. And their Maester Allar.

And the family offered their greetings to their hosts.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:42, Fri 27 Nov 2020.

After the Waynwoods had greeted their hosts, there was only one house left. The Stormwoods.

Sometime later a runner arrived from the gates.

"Milady," he said. "A house that isn't on the guestlist has arrived with House Stormwood. They are Dornish and Lord Stormwood claims they are Princess Arianne of House Martell and her retinue. What are we to do?

This was a problem. For though there were enough rooms for another House, additional rooms had not been prepared. Nor had food been prepared for them.

Sharra greets each family warmly, trying to establish a balance between being a good hostess and not appearing happy to an unseemly degree so close to her father's death.

"Princess Arianne? What would a Dornish princess want here?" Sharra responded to the runner, stunned. They were an awfully long way from Dorne. "Well, we must give them hospitality, it is our duty to our fellow nobles and to the Seven. My brother doesn't use his chambers any more now that he's moved in to my father's chambers. We can give his room to Princess Arianne right away. Start preparing rooms for her retinue; that may take a while, but since they arrived unexpectedly and the Princess is accommodated, they can hardly complain. As for food, give them most of what you were preparing for my family. We'll have a light meal and finish in private later. Most of our time will be spent socializing with our guests instead of eating, anyways; there's ever so many to talk to."

The runner bowed to Sharra and quickly returned to the gate.

Shortly afterward the two houses arrived together.

At the head of one column was Lord Tormon Stormwood, riding under his banner with a green background and a black raven with wings displayed on the top and a gray wall at the bottom. He was in his late 40s. And were Garth Grafton had been ostentatious in his display of wealth, Tormon was quietly reserved, but still rode in an outfit more expensive than any outfit any of you owned. And more expensive than that of Garth Grafton who had worn the most expensive outfit you had seen today. At his hip was a thin blade with a dragonbone hilt. Most would consider the blade too thin for a warrior and most likely worn only for ceremonial or decorative reasons. But Cat had a blade just like it, only not as expensive, and she had used hers to kill with. Next to the blond and blue-eyed lord rode a Dornishwoman with flaming red hair. She was about half his age in her mid 20s.

At the head of the other column rode one of his nephews and next to him rode a beautiful Dornishwoman. Both of them in their early 20s.

Tormon dismounted first and greeted the hosts. He then introduced some of those traveling with him after they had dismounted too. The observant redhead was never far from his side. He started with the beautiful Princess Arianne Martell and her betrothed, his nephew, Korpen Stormwood. The rest of her column were male and female Dornish warriors and servants.

He then introduced his brother Konnor and Konnor's wife Darla. And their other children, Loren who was 18 years old and Cassandra, in her mid 20s. Making apologies that their other unmarried daughter Alys unfortunately had been unable to accompany them. The two boys and their father were armed and armored as the knights that accompanied them.

The rest of his column were knights, squires, archers, and servants. He did not introduce the Dornishwoman next to him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:50, Mon 30 Nov 2020.

"Thank you," Tormon said to Gyllen. "Our meeting in King's Landing has changed everything."

"I'm glad to hear that," Gyllen replied. "And I'm assuming that your invitations have something to do with that?"

"They do indeed."

"I was able to get Lord Manderly down here so that you can talk to him."

"Excellent. I'm looking forward to that."



Mutton has been turning on a spit all day. It has been marinated in spices and crusted with salt. There are roasted potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips. Onions baked in gravy. Loaves of freshly baked bread with butter and honey. Wheels of pale, sharp cheese. And there is plenty of ale and wine. Watered down for the children.

There were hundreds of people in the great hall. Food for everyone. Well almost. But Sharra had taken care of that.

People were talking. Catching up, if nothing else. In the din and the heat of the Great Hall. As well as the delicious smelling food. There was much hustle and bustle of moving servants and guests. And as the night progressed, there would likely be more.

The tree siblings, Vandrose, Vardan, and Sharra were the only Sylvayns seated in the High Seat This evening. With Lord Sylvayn seated in the middle with Princess Martel to his left and Lord Corbray to his right. Sharra was seated on the Princesses left, making this the most beauty-dense area of the hall, but where Sharra was demure, Arianne was anything but. Diverting more eyes to the exotic beauty than the local flavor. Vardan was seated on Lyonel's right.

And Lord Colin Melcolm, the widowed father of the groom, was seated on Sharra's left. A man in his early 50s, a few years older than the siblings' father Devon who passed away not long ago. He has a neat gray beard and is one of the tallest guests at the wedding. As well as Lord of Old Anchor, a port town not far east of Arrowmark.

Out in the Hall, Cat was seated opposite Clarice Melcolm, the younger sister of the groom. The two women shared much. Both were 18 years old, athletic, and combat trained.

Galad had been seated with the groom, Darke Melcolm. The heir of Old Anchor. He was black-haired where his sister was blonde. A warrior like his father before him. Though not quite as large as Galad. And a knight from House Corbray, Ser Argos Moore.

Gyllen had been seated with Lady Anya Waynwood, one of the most powerful women in the Vale. As well as her ward Harold Hardyng, the most handsome man in the hall, though still only 17. As heir to House Hardyng and second in line to House Arryn, he was one of the most important men of the coming generation.


[OOC: I've placed some of you near others. With the exception for those in the High Seat, there are others near you too. Feel free to decide who those are yourself if you want to interact with them too.]

Sharra smiles around the table. She was always cheerful and good-natured, so she wasn't jealous to be upstaged by Arianne. Well, only the tiniest bit. She said happily to the princess "It's an unexpected honor to have you with us, Princess Arianne. You have come an awfully long way. I hope everything went well on your journey!"

"It absolutely did," Arianne said. "My father, Doran Martell the Prince of Dorne recently decided to bind house Stormwood to ours. I was to marry one of Lord Stormwood's nephews and I traveled north to pick the winner." Her eyes went to Korpen and she smiled. "And I found quite the winner. It is an unexpected delight to experience your northern customs and traditions while I am here."

"That large man over there," she was looking at Galad. "Do you know who he is?"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Sharra said, surprised but happy. She smiled brightly at the Dornishwoman. "Congratulations! I hope you will be very happy together and I shall pray that the Mother blesses you."

"Why, that's Galad Hunter, one of the knights of our household. Strong and valiant, even by knightly standards" Sharra answered.

"Thank you," Arianne said and returned Sharra's smile. "I'm sure we will be and I am grateful for your thoughtfulness. My father sent me only old and ugly men for several years. I am glad that he finally sent me someone that I could actually accept. How are things going for you on the marriage front?"

"Galad Hunter? I've never seen anyone that large before. I would certainly want to make his acquaintance at some appropriate moment."