The Dancer's Revolt

The Dancer's Revolt was a rebellion in the Iron Islands instigated by the first and eldest of the Sons of the Kraken - Euric the Dancer. Though ultimately ending in failure, the rebellion marked the way for others of its kind down the road; eventually leading to more than six wars perpetrated by supposed descendants of Euron Crow's Eye.

Background
With Asha Greyjoy firmly ensconced upon the Seastone Chair, and much of the realm yet nervous and undecided beneath the rule of the newly-restored House Targaryen, many in the realm saw the oncoming years as the opportunity for careful advancement. In the Isles, those unsatifsied with Asha Greyjoy's management of the region, combined with survivors of Euron and Victarion's fleet as well as the usual number of ambitious and malcontent captains, provided a sizeable base from which a man might draw support.

In the early years of the century, Euric Pyke began to do just that, securing companions and followers based on his renown as a warrior and a leader of men. Then, in 308AC, on the isle of Harlaw; he declared his intent.

The War for Harlaw
Upon declaring his intent to become Lord of the Iron Islands, Euric and his men began to spread across the Isle of Harlaw, gathering followers and preparing for their war against Pyke. Many flocked to him, but many more rose to drive him from their lands - near a dozen battles and skirmishes fought in the course of Euric's travels through Pyke.

The final clash outside of Ten Towers proved the decisive end of the Dancer's unfettered attempts to seduce the populace of Harlaw, and the beginning of the truly bitter struggle that would continue from then on. The Battle of Ten Towers proved a victory for Euric and his men, but the Harlaws were able to retreat into their castle in good order. Unable to draw them out from behind their walls, Euric turned from the castle and set to sacking the villages and settlements of those who would not join him.

The Scythe Reaps
As Euric turned his back upon Ten Towers, the Harlaws prepared their response. Reach out to the other lords of the islands, they gathered their strength together to contest the Dancer once more. Catching him on the west coast of the isle, they engaged his forces at once, driving them from the shore in a battle called the Battle of the Scarlet Sails and forcing Euric to take to the seas.

Across the Straits
Once on the waves, Euric thought himself relatively safe - but no sooner had they pulled back from Harlaw that sharp eyes spotted sails to the south. The Greyjoys had come, it seemed, and come in force - and Euric was not yet ready to face them.

Rather than meeting the Lord Reaper of Pyke at sea, Euric turned and fled, traveling hard to reach the isle of Orkmont. Upon his arrival, he turned his men loose, allowing them to keep whatever they could lay their hands upon if the owners refused to join them.

The Razing of Orkmont
For a time, Euric the Dancer and the rest of his men caused much suffering upon Orkmont. The loyalists fought them tooth and nail, the Greyjoys arriving not long after the rebels did. In the end, Euric was driven back once more, though he had gained some strength from his depredations upon the island.

Goodbrothers
From Orkmont Euric traveled to Great Wyk, where his following was the strongest. A branch of the Goodbrothers supported his claim, in return for his support of their own, and together they laid siege to the castle of House Merlyn, hoping to take it before reinforcements could arrive. Still caught up in dealing with Euric's work upon Orkmont, the Greyjoys could not follow swiftly - but once they could, they descended upon Great Wyk with the intent of ending the war once and for all.

The Ball in Great Wyk
The war upon Great Wyk is the stuff of legend, with great feats and daring duels taking place throughout its course. In the end, the Dancer and his rebels were defeated and nearly wiped out, the errant line of Goodbrother destroyed upon the field. Euric, for his part, avoided the final battle with a portion of his forces, hoping to achieve by subterfuge what he had not been able to win with strength.

The Final Crescendo
On the dawn of an unsuspecting day, the Dancer's fleet appeared upon the horizon of Lordsport, sailing towards the harbourtown with speed. The defenders rallied, preparing for the worst, and Euric was eager to oblige. Heavily outnumbered and nearly outmatched, the Greyjoy loyalists fought hard to keep Euric off the beaches. But inch by inch, street by street, they were forced back through Lordsport. In the end the defenders broke and retreated, surrendering the town to the invader. Euric hoped to press his luck, and continued on to lay siege to Pyke.

Hearing of this last daring move, the loyalists on Great Wyk at once took ship and returned home, arriving in time to witness Euric's assault upon the walls of Pyke. A great battle ensued, one known to legend now as the Battle of the Krakens, and in it House Greyjoy's claim upon the Isles was cemented in the eyes of all. Euric was captured, his forces defeated, the siege of Pyke broken and the town of Lordsport liberated. The line of Asha Greyjoy had proved victorious once again; and the leader of the ill-fated rebellion was a prisoner.

Aftermath
Euric's defeat and capture signaled the end of his revolt, those men who had thrown their lot in with him retreating to various places. The would-be-King himself was brought to the dungeons of Pyke, before being executed by a long and arduous drowning.

Though Euric himself was slain, his followers broken and disbanded, the means by which he legitimized his strength remained long after. Euric became the eldest of the Sons of the Kraken, beginning the series of conflicts that would keep the name of House Greyjoy on the lips of thousands for decades to come.