It was midafternoon on Arrival Day.

The first few houses that arrived at Arrowmark were from the direction of Runestone. The Upcliffs of Witch Isle had traveled the furthest. Followed by the Tolletts who were sworn to the Royces of Runestone.

The first two groups were about 20 people each, including family, warriors, and servants. And after the Sylvayn household had greeted them and servants had taken care of their horses, other servants led them to their quarters.

The Royces were led by the widowed Lord Yohn Royce himself. Accompanied by his two sons, the younger Robar a better turney warrior than the older Andar - a third son had taken the black and was serving in the irrelevant Night's Watch; his two daughters, the older less attractive Dorna and younger, strong-willed and hot-tempered Ella; Andar's wife Madelyn and their three children; five armored knights in Royce tabards, four squires, an archer, two male servants, and three female servants. A total of 24 people. They dismounted and servants started taking their horses and things away and the family was presented to the Sylvayns.


[OOC: Let's say everyone's there. Let me know who you want to be described in greater detail. Feel free to engage with the knights and servants too, if you like.]

Catelyn takes her traditional place, apart from the Sylvayn family but in a station well above most others in attendance, as guests arrive. She has taken care to groom herself well today and dress the part, though she has not chosen one of her best outfits, choosing to keep those clean for upcoming festivities and the wedding itself. Still, the gown was flattering on her figure, its dark green a pleasant yet not over-the-top color, and its golden accents matching her hair well. She didn't pair a coat with it, which might have been unwise if everyone weren't arriving mid-afternoon.

She smiles at the arrivals while not trying to draw attention to herself, just trying to be polite and take them in. When the Royces arrive she shifts a little, trying not to move much and draw attention to herself, but trying to be less visible.

Sharra was wearing a lovely dress in her house colors of blue and silver. She had opted for elegant but modest. She is very busy greeting the guests and trying to play hostess, smiling brightly and speaking cheerily to everyone. She saved a particular greeting for Lord Royce. "It's an honor to have you and your family here, Lord Royce. I hope Arrowmark is to your liking."

As a knight of the household, Galad was garbed not in cloth or silks, but  heavy mail and a Sylvayn surcoat. It was important that guests felt secure within Sylvayn lands, and few things provided a greater sense of that security that the giant gold-haired knight. He went without help, but wore a heavy blade across his back, should his lord have need of him.

He glanced at Ser Robar Royce speculatively, knowing the man would be competitive in the lists, but approached his elder brother Andar, as the heir and authority after Lord Yohn, "I trust you had little trouble on the road, Ser Andar?" he enquired respectfully.

"Everything looks lovely Lady Sylvayn," Lord Royce said. He wore his customary breastplate with short mail sleeves over fabric long sleeves and a coat in his house colors with his coat of arms on it. "Though I almost considered not coming as a raven just arrived from Castle Black letting me know that my son Waymar died north of the wall. But duty comes first. Both his to the Night's Watch and mine to Lord Arryn."

"No trouble," Ser Andar said taking Galad's full size. His outfit, though worthy of nobility, was on the less expensive side more appropriate for traveling. His brother, sisters, wife, and children were similarly dressed while the various warriors were armed and armored as they should be. Whether that was plate or leather. Both Andar and Robar wore swords at their hip. "Few bandits or hill tribes attack a group of more than 50 people. Even if a majority are noncombatants. And you look like you will have less trouble in the joust. You will be jousting I presume?"

House Cragborn, the banner House of the Sylvayns, was also in place in Arrowmark greeting the guests. Gyllen, in particular, visited with the Royces and they talked about the last time they got together in King's Landing at the Tourney of Prince Joffrey's 16th nameday a few months ago.


A little later a caravan of ten Houses started arriving from Old Anchor and beyond. Each house traveling in groups of 20 or so people. The Pryors, Shepherds, and the Coldwaters came first. All minor houses of the Vale. All greeted by the hosting Sylvayns and the Cragborns.

They were followed by House Lynderly, another minor house. This generation was young like the Sylvayns. Lord and Lady Lynderly, Jon and Jeyne, were younger than Corwyn. And their oldest child, Cyrenna was 19 years old. A dancer by the looks of her and with stronger arms than most women. And many men for that matter. Not a beauty like the bride or Cat or Sharra, but still unmarried and not a bad catch for any Vale lord. Their third and final child and heir, Terrance, was only 12 years old. While their middle daughter Daena was 16 years old. The family was dressed appropriately for traveling nobles of their station and Jon wore a sword with some comfort.

They were accompanied by five armored knights wearing Lynderly tabards, three squires, two archers, two male servants, and two female servants. A total of 19 people.

As they dismounted and their things were led away by servants, the houses greeted each other.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:28, Fri 30 Oct 2020.

Galad found his eye drawn to the alluring stride of Lady Cyreena, but tore his glance away, reminding himself of his duty. "Young Terrance carries himself well, Lord Jon," Ser Galad said, after the ceremonial welcome had been performed, "shall we see him bearing the Serpent Shield into the tournament lists by his sire's side?" His tone was half-joking, but not mocking, for it was clear that the young man had begun some manner of martial training.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:00, Sun 01 Nov 2020.

Cat keeps welcoming her if and when they get to her, continuing to stay in her appropriate spot. She tries to take in all the various people, remembering who she has met and trying to recognize new faces or faces that have grown.

"Thank you" Sharra said gratefully when Lord Royce said everything looked lovely. Bust she gasped at his next words. "Oh heavens! I'm so sorry for your loss, Lord Royce. I will pray for him."

"Thank you," Lord Royce said at Sharra's offer of prayers for his son.

"Yes, my son will squire for me in the tournament," Lord Lynderly responded to Galad. And where most of the men that were going to compete in the joust had been somewhat nervous when they looked at the massive knight, there was only confidence in Jon. "I hope our lances will cross in the joust. I wouldn't mind unhorsing you.

"I have heard that you know how to wield a sword," Cyrenna told Cat. "I wouldn't mind seeing that for myself."

Cat replies to Cyrenna, "Yes, first learned from my father and my brothers." More quietly and not directly to Cyrenna she immediately adds "What is dead may never die. May the Father judge them well." Then she keeps going with her reply to Cyrenna, "But Iron Islanders do not normally draw our blades for sport, and I suspect I would be unwelcome in any tournament competition as well. You may have to join me at sea in the future to see for yourself." Cat's smile is genuine and inviting, but not awaiting any serious reply so she continues right away, "What part of the wedding are you looking forward to the most?"

"The dancing," Cyrenna said. "What about you?"

The Lynderlys were followed by the Corbrays, the bride and her family. The largest party the Sylvayns had greeted all day.

Lord Lyonel Corbray was 38 years old, the same age as Corwyn Sylvayn, and Lady Denyse Corbray, Lord Yohn Royce's oldest child, was a couple of years younger. And the bride, their only child, the beautiful Perryanne. Now in close proximity with the other two 18-year-old beauties of the Vale, Sharra and Cat.

They were accompanied by Lyonel's two brothers, his heir presumptive Ser Lyn who was single, handsome, and thin and in a family upset the wielder of Lady Forlorn, their heirloom Valyrian steel sword. And the younger, but already married, Lucas with his wife Dorna and their only child, the 16-year-old Florian.

In addition to blood, they traveled with ten knights, seven squires, several servants, and their maester Sumner.

They were all dressed appropriately for their station and for travel. They dismounted and their horses and luggage were taken away so that the family could greet their hosts.

Ser Argos Moore, one of the more skilled knights of the household, removed his helmet and took a deep breath of fresh air.

As Lord Corbray didn't have any sons and his son in law to be was the heir of House Melcolm, there was the possibility that the two houses would merge in the next generation. Despite any feelings his brothers might have against such a move.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Thu 05 Nov 2020.

Sharra greeted the Corbrays with a smile and a curtsy. "Welcome to Arrowmark, my lords and ladies. I hope your journey went well! We'll do everything we can to make sure you enjoy your time here."

Galad noted Ser Argos Moore, judging the man to be his counterpart among the Corbray train, and from a house renowned for producing warriors of great skill and daring.

However, he found himself more curious about Ser Lyn. Though slim of build, the knight was likely a deadly fighter, as the bearers of Valyrian Steel were an esteemed and fearsome group.

When a moment presented itself, he approached the middle brother of House Corbray, nodding his head in dignified greeting. "Ser Lyn, your House's arrival has been much anticipated, with the glory of a tourney and the upcoming nuptials, this is surely a time of great prestige for your house."