Aelyxa Pyke

Aelyxa is the bastard born daughter of Maegor Waters. She was born and raised on the Iron Island of Orkmont. Currrently she is in search of her long lost father.

Appearance and Character
Aelyxa's wavy platinum locks crown large doe eyes that exhibit a pale violet hue, under which a delicate nose and soft lips complete her youthful face. Possessing a diminutive yet wiry strong frame, Aelyxa strives to hide her heritage by dyeing her hair a dirty blonde, but a keen eye will easily note the naturally silver roots. She prefers dark colors to move about unnoticed, but has been known to don fanciful gowns when required. Never leaving her neck is pendant fashioned from the inky black scale of Morghul.

More comfortable flowering against a nearby wall in social situations, she has found the strength to stand up for herself when confronted. Though raised in noble household, she was provided little in terms of luxury, and thus is not above claiming items left foolishly unattended.

Conception
Early in 389, the Iron Island of Orkmont was rife with celebration. A joyous House Tawney nuptial coincided with an especially bountiful reaving voyage, and festivities ensued. Just as the bonfires draw the proverbial moths to the flame, the celebration and sport attracted the attention of one Maegor Waters. Some say he plopped his great beast down in the midst of the ship race, others claim he appeared at the finger dance, saving Three-fingered Codd from losing a third digit, while the more skeptical recalled he merely grabbed a trencher and helped himself to some crab stew. However he arrived, what is known for certain, is the preparer of said stew, Genna Tawney, a distant member of the ruling household (so distant apparently, she was forced to do the cooking) caught the eye of young Maegor that night, resulting in quite the extended stay.

Roughly nine moons later, Aelyxa’s arrival was eagerly anticipated, for rumblings of rebellion among the Thralls were reaching a boiling point, and House Tawney assumed this coming tie to the dragon-rider would quickly put an end to an uprising.

Early Life
Aelyxa came into the world not demanding much attention, but her silvery hair and violet eyes drew a crowd regardless. House Tawney was quick to capitalize on her heritage, demanding Maegor aid them in quelling what would come to be known as the Rattle Rebellion. Apparently unmoved by their appeals, the Targaryen kissed his baby daughter farewell and took his leave from the island. Ships burned, holdfasts were sacked in the ensuing uprising, and very quickly baby Aelyxa garnered looks of disdain.

Despite her inauspicious entry into life, Aelyxa was grudgingly raised in the Keep, receiving some education, and a typical Ironborn upbringing. It was a decent enough life, highlighted by sporadic visits from her father, which she immediately yearned for each time the dark wings of Morghul spirited him away. Five such years passed, tragically ending one fateful day, when her tear-stained mother whispered her father would not be returning.

Tawney Turmoil
Two rebellions and a Great Famine took its toll on House Tawney, and times were hard for lord, raider, and farmer alike. Infuriatingly, her family blamed their troubles on her father’s decade long inaction, so Aelyxa resorted to masking her platinum locks, keeping her eyes averted, and sticking to the shadows to avoid vexing confrontations. When not toiling in the kitchens with her mother, she mainly spent her days with old Dagon Darktooth, a grizzled veteran of countless raids and battles, recently hobbled by an infected and subsequently amputated leg. Despite his limitations, aged warrior managed to provide Aelyxa an adequate training with the blade, in between tall tales of foreign lands, and bites of pies and cakes from the kitchens.

Though she experience her share of dalliances, Aelyxa never seriously contemplated her marriage prospects, given to the ill-repute of her sire. That all changed one day when Otto Orkwood barged into her kitchens and attempted to make her his. Caught by surprise, Aelyxa was unable to dispatch the drunken lout, though not without doling out a few scrapes of her own, and was ultimately violated. Wishing to be rid of their hated relation, House Tawney allowed Otto to claim her as his salt wife, citing her foreign blood, much to the battered Aelyxa’s dismay.

Escape!
Refusing to succumb to such a fate, that very night, she gathered her meager belongings, and with old Dagon’s aid, sailed a stolen vessel to the mainland. Landing in the Riverlands, rumors of Maegor Waters bubbled in each village they passed through. Memories of her long lost father spurred her to venture further east and confirm truth to these whispers, but Dagon’s impediments kept travel slow, and they always seemed a step behind in their quest.

Recent Events
Aelyxa and Dagon find themselves on the High Road in the Vale, wondering if Ironborn even belong this high above sea level.

Family
Maegor Waters, Father, b.365

Genna Tawney, Mother, b.371
 * Aelyxa Pyke, b.389

Household and NPC's
Dagon Darktooth, Ironborn Raider/Mentor/Oldman, b. 342

Rodrik Pyke, Half-brother, b. 394

Gilly, Kitchen wench, b. 390