Aeron Greyjoy

Aeron Greyjoy is the young Lord of the Iron Islands. His father, Dagon Greyjoy, ruled the Iron Islands alongside his mother Alannys Harlaw for 24 years before being killed by Lord Aeron Blacktyde and Loren Greyjoy, respectively. Aeron grew up alongside his mother at Ten Towers on Harlaw, where he received the education and training of a future Lord. Aeron's world view has been shaped by his parents, Maester Gevin of Ten Towers, his older brother Theon and scores of common Ironborn that he trained and worked with. After his father and mother were murdered, Aeron was given no time to mourn as he faced his Uncle Loren’s uprising, knows as the Black Prophet’s Rebellion. With the help of Baelor Targaryen, Theon Harlaw and his sister Victaria, Aeron led the Ironborn to victory over his uncle and restored an unsteady peace to the Islands just as the four year winter cast its’ shadow over the realm.

During the long and oppressive winter Aeron gained the faith of both Ironborn Lord’s and smallfolk alike by sharing Pyke’s stockpiled resources, easing tax burden’s and even dismantling some of the castles wooden structure’s for firewood. The young Lord Reaver stood alongside his people in the unforgiving winter while an unprepared realm shivered and starved after years of bloody conflict. As the Four Year Winter released its’ grasp and spring broke the ice, Aeron is poised to lead the Ironborn and carry on the legacy of his parents.

Appearance and Character
Aeron’s hair slinks just above his shoulders, a shade of dark brown that leans towards red, giving away his father’s salt-son heritage. Piercing dark brown eyes flecked with blue sit deep below thick eyebrows. Almost as tall as his Father, Aeron is athletic and agile instead of thick and brawny. When contemplating or working through the decision making process in his head Aeron will stare off at some unknown horizon, furrowing his brow and slightly squinting his eyes.

He wears woven black and dark blue tunics of high quality without bobbles or gaudy accessories. His jewelry choices are thoughtfully chosen and carry meaning to him, usually just an iron chain with a stone kraken or a ring he took off of an enemy hanging from it. Occasionally he will wear his father’s golden kraken brooch. He carries a longsword and his father’s one handed battle axe.

The Young Heir Apparent
The majority of Aeron’s adolescence was spent with his mother at Ten Towers, the grand castle on Harlaw. There, he grew up alongside his Brother Theon Harlaw’s twins Alysanne and Triston and received a formal education. He learned his letters, histories of the realm and customs and courtesies as well as the daily flow of life at court. Once he was old enough he learned the basics of combat from those at the Harlaw court, especially his older brother Theon. He also took every opportunity he was given to learn how to sail and fight on longships like an Ironborn.

Dagon loved his only son but spent the majority of his time governing the Iron Islands. Because of this, Aeron’s relationship with his father was under a constant level of tension. He was a young boy with a father who he heard more about than actually got to spend time with. When they were together, Dagon spent much of his time guiding Aeron towards being a strong Ironborn lord. This stern hand caused Aeron to look up to his father even more, forever craving his approval and love. In actuality, Dagon loved his son very much but felt a sense of urgency to teach him how to carry himself like an Ironborn and Greyjoy in the ways only a father can with the little time they had together.

Aeron earned notoriety among the smallfolk as a teenager through his exploits, jovial nature and willingness to learn alongside Ironborn commoners. Instead of relying solely on the resources within Ten Towers and Pyke to learn the ways of his people and culture, teenage Aeron pulled in fish nets, manned oars, soaked rigging in tar, harvested salt, swung a pickaxe, drank ale and participated in many other facets of Ironborn life.

The Rebellion
Aeron stood frozen as he watched as his Father lay on the polished stone floors of Pyke’s Great Hall, with his entrails in his hands and his head in his wife’s lap. Unadulterated and pure, the rage washed over him like sea foam from a receding wave. He rushed forward, grasping for his sword with sweaty, trembling hands. Before he could reach Aeron, who was also being set upon by Loren Greyjoy, Aeron was pulled back by his childhood friend Triston Harlaw. It was a grim scene in the Great Hall as Aeron held his mother who was holding his father, death all around them. After his father was murdered by Aeron Blacktyde Aeron lost a part of the humor he displayed and darkened to the world.

Following his Father’s death, rebellion broke out as his Uncle Loren sought to take the Seastone Chair from Aeron and his line. Lady Alannys led the Ironborn through the rebellion in Aeron’s stead, as he was only 13 when his Uncle rebelled. Aeron was still mourning his Father but would not be deterred from avenging his death. While being forced to stand on the sidelines Aeron poured over maps, reports from the war and histories from past battles and wars. He would pace the halls of Pyke while contemplating strategies of pending battles and management of the parts of his realm that were not crippled by the war. While his mother was out with the fleet Aeron occupied himself with helping his sister with day-to-day leadership of the Ironborn smallfolk who looked to them for answers.

When word of Lady Alannys’ murder reached her children the course of action was clear. Victaria was named Lady Regent while Aeron sought to prove he was worthy of being Lord of the Iron Islands. Shortly after Aeron’s 14th name day a dragon arrived at his home. Baelor Targaryen and the young Lord became fast friends, finding common ground as young nobles with colossal expectations placed upon them. Afraid of creating the perception that they could not defend themselves, Victaria was opposed to bringing dragonfire into the war. On the other hand, Aeron wanted to demonstrate to his enemies, and the entire realm for that matter, that the Greyjoys were the chosen by the Targayens to rule over the Iron Islands and opposition to that was futile.

The Kraken and The Dragon
The opportunity to bring a dragon into the frey presented itself after The Serpent, Ronnel Saltcliffe, began reaving and harrying the smallfolk of Pyke. Aeron and the Targaryen knew the traitors must be hiding their ships somewhere to be able to attack without being noticed so quickly. Aeron used the knowledge of his home island and showed Baelor all of the spots the Serpent’s ships could be hiding. Baelor and Aeron rode Bealor’s dragon Aegorax through thick fog around the island of Pyke, sending gouts of flame through caves and alcoves, burning the enemy ships that took refuge within.

While scouting off the coast of Pyke with a force of 5 longships a small group of rebel ships, seemingly retreating from their hideaways, were discovered fleeing the area. The rebels attempted to distance themselves from Aeron’s longships, dumping supplies and extra gear into the drink in an attempt to gain speed but the wind failed them and their oars could not match the speed of the fully manned Greyjoy ships. Once alongside, Aeron and his companions descended upon one of the ships, the “Iron Oarman,” and her crew, screaming and slashing as they boarded. Aeron, being tentative during his first live combat, hopped over the gunwales and quickly found himself facing Ironborn steel. From the crow’s nest a young Ironborn descended upon Aeron with an axe. Clumsy and vicious with crazed, scared eyes the young man attempted with all of his might to end the heir of the Iron Islands. With studied grace Aeron danced backwards halfway around the mast, using it to protect his right side, until he had his opening. When the young reaver finally stepped in while attempting a frustrated and hurried killing blow the future Lord stepped to the left and opened his foe from hip to arm pit. The Iron Oarman, now ablaze, seemed to be spinning as Aeron stared down at his first kill, gore spilling from his side, and plucked an iron necklace off of the young reaver’s neck.

When Lord Ronnel arrived outside of Lordsport with the strength of the uprising behind him Aeron and Baelor took up arms and led the defense of the city. It became apparent that the rebels wouldn’t take long to break through the Ironborn ships and assault Lordsport proper. Baelor setup defensive positions while Aeron led a company of soldiers through the harbor to find every fishing net, spool of thin fishing line, crab pot and fish hook they could find. Aeron enlisted the help of smallfolk eager to join in the defense of their city and blocked several of the streets that connected the harbor to the rest of the city with a labyrinth of mesh nets, near-invisible fishing line and crab pots turned into deadly barriers with long fishing hooks sticking out from the sides and archers raining arrows from nearby roofs.

When The Serpent’s ground forces hit the shore and ran through the harbor towards the city they found themselves funneled into kill zones and strategic urban battlefields. Baelor and Aeron led the two largest battles, fighting their enemies head on while archers loosed bolts at the flanks of the backed up enemy soldiers from rooftops. The momentum quickly shifted in favor of Aeron and Baelor. Lord Ronnel called for a retreat and the rebels poured out of Lordsport defeated.

Paving The Way
After the war ended Aeron was given Lordship over the Iron Islands in a somber ceremony atop Nagga’s Hill, a move that was necessary considering the unease over his succession. At 14 years old he knew he was ill prepared to run the islands without proper counsel and surrounded himself with people he respected and looked up to. Aeron’s brother Theon, the Castellan of Pyke Rolfe Sunderly (along with his son Beron) and Victaria assisted Aeron in governing and helped guide him through the four year winter that was about to make Westeros pay for the years of bloodshed that characterized a period named “The Bleeding.” One final figure became a mainstay in Aeron Greyjoy’s new court. A thick and salty Ironborn warrior by the name of Aubrey Hatch knelt before Aeron and pledged his undying allegiance to the new Lord Reaver. Having sailed together when Aeron was younger, Aubrey had taught him how the Ironborn people really lived. How they drank, danced, belly-laughed and fought. Aeron accepted his service and named him Captain of his household guard.

Armed with proper counsel and presented with a long winter, Aeron marched bravely alongside his people. The little food that was left after the rebellion didn’t last long and the ruler of the Ironborn opened up his own cupboards to lend what little help he could. He backed off taxes, led ice fishing parties, shared his salt and even helped tear down wooden structures on Pyke to provide firewood for his people. He led by example and garnered the respect of the hard Ironborn.

When Winter finally broke the young Reaver knew he had a small window to heal the open wounds from the rebellion four years ago that winter kept from healing. It was time to unite the Ironborn and bring strength and peace to a people that chased the wealth of others for thousands of years.