Golden Company

The Golden Company is a company of professional soldiers in the service of House Targaryen. They operate as the standing army of Westeros.

After The Second War of Conquest where they fought alongside Aegon VI Targaryen to help reclaim the throne, they relinquished the idea of being a mercenary company and settled into roles as protectors of the Iron Throne and the Royal Family.

They have three castles; the Bastion, near King's Landing, as well as First Light and Dragon's Rest in Crackclaw Point and Massey's Hook respectively. The current Captain General is Corlys Velaryon.

The Second War of Conquest
The Golden Company under Harry Strickland was integral in the Targaryen Conquest of Westeros. They were integral in the taking of Storm's End for Aegon, as well as partaking in the siege of King's Landing alongside Randyll Tarly. Harry Strickland, the Captain General of the time would die of wounds sustained during the battle for the Riverlands. Lorimas Mudd would rise to take his place as the Captain General.

The Second War of the Kraken
The Golden Company under the command of Lorimas Mudd was dispatched by House Targaryen to assist Lord Willas Tyrell in his endeavors against Urras the Bane. When the Company broke the Siege of Highgarden, they moved to follow Urras down the Mander to the Sunset Sea. Upon their arrival they discovered the Ironborn shattered after an attack by Lord Redwyne. Lorimas challenged Urras the Bane to one on one combat in which he was killed. Aemon Steelsong attacked Urras and finally killed the reaver.

Politics and Skulls
In the year 340 AC Aemon was dismissed by Rhaegar I Targaryen. This was unprecedented as the Captain General always served until death. Guyard Rykker was appointed at the behest of his father. He proved an incompetent commander, and within a year he had died due to an unfortunate training accident. When Aemon was renamed Captain General, he insisted Rykker be afforded every honor that a Captain General received, including the gilding of his skull. Unfortunately, in the process of being gilded, Guyard's skull shattered and was unable to be finished. Aemon retained his position until he his death in 350 AC.

Recent History
Shortly after Aemon passed, a Lysene named Lysandro Rogare after the famed head of that house, was named Captain General. He was a hard man, one who didn't take no for an answer. He trained the men hard and well. His reign was brought to an abrupt end when the gilded skull of the last elephant of the Golden Company fell upon him in the middle of the night. The golden tusk impaled him and he died in his sleep.

Ever since then the gilded skull has joined the others in the great hall of Bittersteel's Bastion as opposed to over the Captain-General's bed.

Valyrian Might
A young scion of the Celtigar family wielding their famed axe led the Golden Company until his death in 405 AC during the Scarlet Winter. He was killed during the riots in King's Landing. A stray crossbow bolt brought the first true Westerosi Captain General to his end. And bringing a relatively newcomer to light.

Steelsong Revival
Alester Steelsong the grandson of Aemon Steelsong, was named Captain General by King Aenar Targaryen, he served as Warden of First Light for three years prior. Though he was young, twenty four at the time, the other members accepted his appointment, he had proven his abilities and his father, a serjeant stationed in Bittersteel's Bastion was one of his most vocal supporters.

The Mummer's War
The Golden Company saw limited action in the Mummer's War; they were deployed to Harrenhal under the command of Aeron Goldfyre, and participated in the Battle of the Ford against the Vale's forces. There they helped to win the day, though Aeron was slain in the fighting. Afterwards Corlys Velaryon was appointed the new Captain-General of the Company.

Recent Events
The past ten years have seen the Golden Company swell in size to nearly ten thousand men, each armed and outfitted at the expense of the crown and charged with the protection and defense of the Crownlands. Under Corlys Velaryon they have implemented new training regimens and standards, transforming them even further into a force to be feared.

A rivalry has grown between the two castles on either end of the Crownlands, with Dragon's Rest and First Light both vying for primacy over the other. Competitions between the two groups are common, and despite Corlys' efforts to squash the feuding it has only grown. The two Wardens are known for their distaste for one another.

The Bastion
The Bastion -- formerly known as Bittersteel's Bastion, but changed by the Ninth Captain-General - is the main fortress of the Company and their central holding, the very seat of the order. Normally the Warden of the Bastion and the Captain-General are a singular position, though the title of Warden or Seneschal can be granted as desired.

Both of the other Company holdings are seen as lesser than and subservient to the Bastion, drawing recruits from the nearby areas and training them into rank-and-file. Only the best of these two groups are then appointed to the Bastion, where they are provided better arms and armour than most of their counterparts.

Dragon's Rest
Located in Massey's Hook, Dragon's rest is a castle built right upon the coast, overlooking Blackwater Bay. It is the second largest of the three castles, following the Bastion, and enjoys the benefits of moderate trade with passing ships. The Warden of Dragon's Rest is charged with protecting the region from threats by land and sea, aiding the lords nearby with smugglers and similar troubles.

First Light
First Light is the smallest of the castles, and still not much more than a rough fortress upon a hill. The original castle is made of stone, but recent additions to the Company have forced its expansion, with palisade walls stretching round to encompass the old citadel. The Warden of First Light is oft forced to quell the squabbles of the Clawlords as they bicker amongst themselves, while also ensuring that the region is well protected and loyal, should ever they be called upon.

Organization
The Company is split into three main divisions; the men of the Bastion, the men of First Light, and the men of Dragon's Rest. Each group is commanded by a Warden, with the Captain-General of the Company serving as the Warden of the Bastion as well - unless he should appoint another.

Under the two Wardens located away from King's Landing are seven captains, each commanding five hundred men. All together this grants each castle 3,500 soldiers at a time -- their standing army and garrison.

The Bastion calls upon only three thousand men, though these are the chosen best from the whole of the Company. A full third of that number may serve in King's Landing at any time, though it largely depends upon the Captain-General and his orders.

Beneath each Warden is a Knight-Paramount; a man of exemplary skill and ability that has risen through the ranks. The Warden is expected to heed the advice of the Knight Paramount in matters of combat and war; they serve for life, unless retired or disgraced.

Training
The Company uses Dragon's Rest and First Light as its training grounds, with both castles housing a large number of recruits and junior members. Companymen are trained in use of the sword, whilst about a quarter learns horse and lance as well. Typical training can last anywhere from two to five years - all recruits must be of their majority before entry, and training from then depends largely upon ability.

Equipment
In order to avoid confusion with the Gold Cloaks, the Company's cloaks are generally black or dark grey, with gold only along the lower hem. Recruits might wear boiled leather or padded cloth, whilst full members are given mail, and in some cases, plate.

All members of the Company are given a dirk, sword, and shield, though noblemen might be granted horses and lances as well.

Captain Generals

 * Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers - Founder of the Company as a Mercenary Band
 * Daemon Blackfyre
 * Maelys I Blackfyre
 * Myles Toyne
 * Harry Strickland - The First Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Lorimas Mudd - The Second Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Aemon Steelsong - The Third Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Guyard Rykker - The Fourth Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Lysandro Rogare - The Fifth Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Haegon Celtigar - The Sixth Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Alester Steelsong - The Seventh Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Aeron Goldfyre - The Eighth Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Corlys Velaryon - The Ninth Captain-General of the Golden Company
 * Grizzly Garth - The Tenth Captain-General of the Golden Company

Notable Members

 * Captain-General: Grizzly Garth
 * Paramount Knight: Selwyn Sunglass
 * Wardens
 * Warden of the Bastion: Damion Darke
 * Warden of Dragon's Rest: Davos Darkwood
 * Warden of First Light: Borros Brune
 * Quartermaster: Daeron Rambton
 * Chief Physician: Calla "Graverobber" of Hull