Brandon Tully

Brandon Tully was the Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Riverlands from 366 to 404 AC. His rule was the longest in three generations, having risen to his seat at the age of twelve and ruling until he was fifty years of age. Towards the end of his days, Brandon was known to be sickly and ill, much unlike himself in his younger years.

Appearance and Character
Towards the end of his life, Brandon was greying and sickly. In his youth, he was said to have been very handsome and charming. His son Landon resembles him greatly.

Brandon was a charismatic character even in his youth, and served at the court of King's Landing for some time. He made friends of the king, and served on the Small Council for some time because of it.

History
The Lord of Riverrun from the year 366 to 406 AC, Brandon was one of the longest lived Tullys since Edmure, having died at the age of fifty, Brandon, at the age of 52.

Born in the year 354 AC, Brandon was the only son the in the year 354 AC, the son of Lord Alesander Tully and his wife, Alicent Frey. Raised on strict principles, adhering only to his father's word and those of his advisers, Brandon slowly outgrew such things and was sent to King's Landing as a squire for some time. It is disputed when he caught the eye of King Aenar, but he did, proving himself to be a capable - if a bit brash - youth.

It was in the year 366 that Lord Alesander took ill and Brandon made a hasty return home, only to witness his father die in his own bed. A small regency took place that year, lasting only until Brandon's fourteenth nameday, when he took for a betrothed one Bethany Blackwood, the daughter of prestigous Lucas Blackwood and niece to Lenore Blackwood.

Six years later the two were wed in a grand ceremony at Riverrun. Their marriage did not prove fruitful however, and after many failed attempts at producing a child, Bethany proved herself ill-suited for bearing children. In his despair, it was said, he looked to another daughter of another house.

Sanelle Bracken had caught the eye of the court and taken it by storm. Nine years Brandon's younger, she was pretty and ripe, and a center of attention. A rivalry was quick to brew between both Bethany and her, but Sanelle had captured the eye of Lord Tully, and would hold it until his death.

In the year 379 AC, Sanelle proved to be with child. Brandon quickly acknowledged the child as his own, and towards the end of the year, Serra Rivers was born. Three more would follow: Landon, in 382, Alys, in 386, and Damion, in 390.

Though he had taken Sanelle for a lover, Brandon never stopped trying with Bethany. Four children were born of her womb, each not living past their first nameday, but it was Berena Tully, born in 386 AC, that would be their only child, a strong and healthy babe.

One could dispute whether or not Brandon ever intended to keep Berena as his heir, but regardless, the War of Three Thieves began, and Brandon summoned his forces to fight with the King. Alongside Lord Vance, Brandon and him - with participating Riverlords - fought, and eventually emerged victorious.

Brandon would not return to Riverrun thereafter, instead entertaining himself at the King's side. He invited his mistress to court, as well as his young children, all save Berena. There he lived a life of comfort, advising the King only when asked, and serving in several positions underneath the Small Council, though it was said that he was offered seats multiple times.

During this time he petitioned the King several times to have his children legitimised. On this, Aenar would not waver. It was not until 402 AC, when Brandon took ill, that Aenar began considering. In 406 AC, Brandon Tully died, and as his dying wish, he asked that the king legitimize his son, Landon.

And so it was that Landon Tully was legitimised, the only son and heir of Lord Brandon of Riverrun.

Aftermath
The aftermath of Lord Brandon's death swept over the Riverlands, and Landon returned home immediately, greeted by a pliant court. Brandon was fondly remembered amongst Riverlanders, but his touch was unknown during the latter years of his rule. It is said that his wife, Bethany, commited suicide because of him, and cast a curse upon him, that he might die within half a decade. Whether speculation is true or not, he did die within half a decade of her death. His daughter, Berena, did not weep for him on his death.