Axel Costayne

Axel Costayne is the only son of Lady Arianne Costayne and the heir to Three Towers. Born on Pyke long before his mother was Lord Costayne's heir presumptive, Axel held the name of his father, Emmon Greyjoy, until 435 AC.

Raised primarily in the Iron Islands by his ironborn father and his Andal mother, both of whom adhered to the Faith of the Seven, Axel has been molded by two conflicting identities. He initially took after his bookish mother, but after suffering the taunts of the ironborn children at Pyke, he sought to prove his credentials as a warrior. By his tenth nameday, Axel had become brash and prideful, hoping to emulate his uncle, Loren Greyjoy. He began to idealize his ironborn roots and eschew his Andal side, though his parents successfully coerced him out of every attempt to embrace the Drowned God.

The Black Prophet's Rebellion, incited by his favorite uncle, was both a humbling and eye-opening experience for the adolescent Axel Greyjoy. Far too young to fight, he had no choice but to remain confined in Pyke while his father, aunt and cousin commanded loyalist forces. He reluctantly agreed to pass the next two years studying under his mother and growing closer to Lord Aeron Greyjoy, who helped to ease him out of his childish bravado. By the rebellion's conclusion, Axel had witnessed the danger of iron zealotry and became reacquainted with his sensitivity and learned interests.

Immediately after the war, Axel became a squire to Ser Galladon Harlaw. However, in 435 AC his grandfather was sentenced to the Wall at the Highgarden Tribunal for his treasonous support of the Warsmiths. His mother was installed as the Lady of Three Towers, reverting to her maiden name and likewise renaming her children from Greyjoy to Costayne. Axel, as the new heir to Three Towers, followed his parents to the Reach, equipped with a level of perspective well beyond his years.

Though he initially struggled to adjust to his new life in the south, Axel soon came around to embrace his new Andal name. He now draws inspiration from both halves of his heritage, dabbling in a wide variety of interests. Axel is ever conscious of his fate, and strives to prepare himself for his eventual lordship.

Since his move to the Reach, Axel has squired under his father - if only for lack of other options. Believing that it would be improper for a father to knight his own son, Emmon Greyjoy intends to find a suitable new mentor to help Axel finalize his knightly education.