Golden Company

The Golden Company is a company of professional soldiers in the service of House Targaryen. They operate as the standing army of Westeros.

Their current Captain General is Corlys Velaryon.

After The Second War of Conquest where they fought alongside Aegon VI Targaryen to help reclaim the throne, they relinquished the idea of being a mercenary company and settled into roles as protectors of the Iron Throne and the Royal Family.

The Second War of Conquest
The Golden Company under Harry Strickland was integral in the Targaryen Conquest of Westeros. They were integral in the taking of Storm's End for Aegon, as well as partaking in the siege of King's Landing alongside Randyll Tarly. Harry Strickland, the Captain General of the time would die of wounds sustained during the battle for the Riverlands. Lorimas Mudd would rise to take his place as the Captain General.

The Second War of the Kraken
The Golden Company under the command of Lorimas Mudd was dispatched by House Targaryen to assist Lord Willas Tyrell in his endeavors against Urras the Bane. When the Company broke the Siege of Highgarden, they moved to follow Urras down the Mander to the Sunset Sea. Upon their arrival they discovered the Ironborn shattered after an attack by Lord Redwyne. Lorimas challenged Urras the Bane to one on one combat in which he was killed. Aemon Steelsong attacked Urras and finally killed the reaver.

Politics and Skulls
In the year 340 AC Aemon was dismissed by Rhaegar I Targaryen. This was unprecedented as the Captain General always served until death. Guyard Rykker was appointed at the behest of his father. He proved an incompetent commander, and within a year he had died due to an unfortunate training accident. When Aemon was renamed Captain General, he insisted Rykker be afforded every honor that a Captain General received, including the gilding of his skull. Unfortunately, in the process of being gilded, Guyard's skull shattered and was unable to be finished. Aemon retained his position until he his death in 350 AC.

Recent History
Shortly after Aemon passed, a Lysene named Lysandro Rogare after the famed head of that house, was named Captain General. He was a hard man, one who didn't take no for an answer. He trained the men hard and well. His reign was brought to an abrupt end when the gilded skull of the last elephant of the Golden Company fell upon him in the middle of the night. The golden tusk impaled him and he died in his sleep.

Ever since then the gilded skull has joined the others in the great hall of Bittersteel's Bastion as opposed to over the Captain-General's bed.

Valyrian Might
A young scion of the Celtigar family wielding their famed axe led the Golden Company until his death in 405 AC during the Scarlet Winter. He was killed during the riots in King's Landing. A stray crossbow bolt brought the first true Westerosi Captain General to his end. And bringing a relatively newcomer to light.

Steelsong Revival
Alester Steelsong the grandson of Aemon Steelsong, was named Captain General by King Aenar Targaryen, he served as Warden of First Light for three years prior. Though he was young, twenty four at the time, the other members accepted his appointment, he had proven his abilities and his father, a serjeant stationed in Bittersteel's Bastion was one of his most vocal supporters.

Captain Generals

 * Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers
 * Daemon Blackfyre
 * Maelys I Blackfyre
 * Myles Toyne
 * Harry Strickland
 * Lorimas Mudd
 * Aemon Steelsong
 * Guyard Rykker
 * Lysandro Rogare
 * Haegon Celtigar
 * Alester Steelsong
 * Aeron Goldfyre

Notable Members

 * Captain-General
 * Wardens
 * Warden of Bittersteel's Bastion
 * Warden of Dragon's Rest
 * Warden of First Light
 * Quartermaster