Anya Grafton

Anya Grafton (née Arryn) is the current Lady of Gulltown, married to Lord Vardis Grafton. Born to Lady Alyssa Arryn in 381 A.C., she lost her mother during the difficult labour. Her father, Lord Roland Arryn, died less than a year later, leaving Anya parentless by her first nameday. Anya was raised at the Eyrie, alongside her two older sisters, and the children of her uncle, Lord Alaric Arryn.

Appearance and Character
Flowing red hair, and a tall slender frame, Anya is said to be the image of her mother. Her eyes are a shimmering blue, shining like the sky behind the soaring falcon of her parents’ house.

Anya is ever the lady, maintaining a polite, but commanding presence. Known for both her beauty, and skilled hand in managing Gulltown, Lady Grafton has earned a reputation across the Vale of Arryn. Never afraid to walk the streets of her port city, she rarely goes far without drawing the eyes of both nobles and commoners alike.

Birth
Born in the Eyrie during the Second Moon of 381 A.C., it was the unfortunate fate of her lady mother to die shortly after giving her birth. Her father, not present for the event, was away at a tourney as his third child came into the world, and their mother left. A small baby with a head of red hair was no fit compensation for the hole Lady Alyssa’s death had made in House Arryn.

The year following her birth was a mess of conflict. Though she was too young to remember the happenings surrounding her father’s death, there was not a version of the story she had not been told. Later in life she heard much from her older sisters, though she knew they too had been much too young to know the things they claimed.

Months after the tragic loss of her mother, her lord father chose to disrespect her memory, and announce his plans to marry a girl of the Mountain Clans. This slight was not taken well by her mother’s brother, Alaric. Soon a resistance grew against her father’s plans, and he was slain, his own men turning against him. Her uncle, then becoming the Lord of the Eyrie, took her under his protection, raising her alongside his own children.

Upbringing
Anya’s early years were full of joy, and she remained blissfully unaware of the loss that had surrounded the first year of her life. Being raised alongside her cousins, Anya grew ever closer to her surrogate family. Though not of their direct line, she never viewed herself as less of an Arryn. As the family grew, so too did her bond with her cousins. Her older sisters, Teora, and Lenore, did not adjust as well.

Her sisters had been alive to experience the deaths of their parents, and had gained a point of view from that Anya could never truly see. Her sisters developed a bond over a distaste for the part their lord uncle played in the fall of their father. Anya, having only learned of the fact slowly as she began to understand such things, had already grown to love and respect her Uncle Alaric before stories could taint that.

As the distance between the girls grew, so too did the tension between her sisters and their lord uncle. The eldest, Teora, tried at fleeing the Eyrie more than once, but never made it very far from where she was held. Upon one of her attempts she was thwarted by Anya, who had reported her sister’s plans to Lord Alaric. This action did little to repair the fracture between the girls, but did confirm her loyalty to the Lord of the Eyrie.

Anya was not so distracted by such things, as her ever growing stores of knowledge began forming. During her adolescence she took quickly to all her studies, her bookish nature becoming apparent before she reached the age of ten. History, the Faith, and lessons in how to be a lady were just the beginning in her noble education. It was not long before Anya was asking for more topics to learn, and took to the freedom of what writings she could find. Though many subjects drew her interest, it was the workings of stewardship that gave her a focus, and a goal.

While Anya’s sister were married off, she remained at the Eyrie. During her years as a young maid she met many a lord, and a select few who she thought to be suitable for her betrothal. Still, she remained silent as to who she would prefer to be wed, knowing her place and the role marriage often played in politics. It wasn’t until Vardis Grafton that a match seemed suitable enough, and an engagement was set.

Though ever thankful that she had finally been betrothed, Anya was not looking forward to her life as Lady of Gulltown. The port city was lovely enough, in a low and simple way. It was her future husband that seemed to be less than adequate. The heir to House Grafton, yes, but also a blacksmith. Even at their first meeting he had been covered in some sort of soot. Still, she stood tall, glad to do her duty as a woman of House Arryn.

Marriage
In the year 403 A.C., Anya was married to Lord Vardis. Although initially uncomfortable with their betrothal, she found herself falling for her husband on their wedding night. The man she had seen as rough, and uncharismatic soon became another as the door to their private chamber closed. Her doubts were short lived.

Slowly their love bloomed, and soon enough she found herself with child. Anya learned the trials, and rewards of bringing a new life into the world. Despite any soothing words she might have heard, it had been a fear of hers to die as her mother did. She did not want to feel her life slip away as she heard her child’s first cry. Thankfully, by the grace of the Gods, she safely delivered her first child, Gyles Grafton, into the world.

Lady of Gulltown
Though her love for her husband was growing with every day, she found it difficult to adjust to her new home. More used to being high above the rest of the Vale, she found herself feeling small in Gulltown. As her son was born, she found herself concerned with what the small folk were thinking of her. It was clear enough to see she caught their glances, but she wanted to know if it was love or hate that filled their minds as they looked her way.

Slowly, Lady Anya Grafton began asking the right questions to those who served her, politely drawing information from any who were willing to speak. Soon she began placing those who provided her with helpful answers in places where they might gain her more. Before she could realize what she had started, she had ears around Gulltown, telling her all she needed to know.

Her husband was not unskilled in running and ruling over his city. Still, the people longed for more, and Anya was eager to provide it in exchange for their admiration, and praise. Putting the whole of her education to use, Lady Grafton filled in where her lord husband’s skills lacked, and improved upon the areas that he had already thought to have perfected.

Comfortable now in her position as Lady of Gulltown, Anya spends her days listening to the stirrings of the people around her, and trying to answer their cries. She hopes to strengthen her home, and those under her, that her son might inherit a place more prosperous than he was born into.

Recent Events
(To be recorded as major events unfold.)

Family

 * Oswin “the Osprey” Arryn, 327-
 * m. Bellandra Grafton
 * Roland Arryn, 348-
 * m. Alyssa Arryn, 351-
 * Teora Arryn
 * Lenore Arryn
 * Anya Grafton
 * m. Valla of the Redsmiths
 * Her son by Roland Arryn
 * Jonos “Finch” Arryn b. 351
 * m. Aemma Hunter
 * Harrold Arryn, b. 385 A.C.
 * Godric “Blackwing” Arryn, 332-
 * m. Luceiia Royce, b 329
 * Alyssa Arryn, 351-381
 * Alaric Arryn, b. 364AC
 * m. Theodosia Belmore, d. 402 A.C.
 * Osric Arryn, b. 382 A.C.
 * m. Rowena Waynwood
 * Arwen Arryn b. 400 A.C.
 * Jasper Arryn, b. 385 A.C.
 * Artys Arryn b. 387 A.C.
 * Jon Arryn, b. 389 A.C.
 * Alys Arryn b. 390 A.C.
 * Jeyne Arryn, b. 366 A.C.

Household and NPCs

 * Lady-in-waiting: Lysa Wydman
 * Maester Allard
 * Steward: Petyr Shett
 * Master-At-Arms: Harrold Grafton
 * Captain of the Guard: Yorwyk Stone
 * Guardsman: Ser Eustace
 * Master of Horse: Harlan Shett
 * Septa Jeyne
 * Septon Lymond
 * Armorer: Areo Mott
 * Kennelmaster: Gilwood
 * Stableboy: Symond
 * Cook: Elbert
 * Bard: Willum of Wickenden