Jocelyn Reed

Mother to the young Lord Jeor Reed, Jocelyn is the Lady Regent of Greywater Watch until her son reaches adulthood. She is sister of the late Lord Brandon Reed, and is wed to fellow Crannogman Wylis Cray by matrilineal marriage.

Appearance & Character
Short in stature as most of those born in the Neck are, Jocelyn Reed is no exception. Average height to those she surrounds herself with at Greywater Watch, she would be considered quite stout to those outside their swampy territories. While once willowy in build, Jocelyn has aged into a more comely figure since birthing her children. Fair skinned, and green eyed, she is considered a pleasing sight among the Crannogmen. Much like her older brother, she has striking auburn hair, her own grown down to meet her waist, and worn in varying styles.

Jocelyn tends to dress modestly in Northernesque fashions, though her wardrobe is no where near the quality that would be expected of other ladies of her station. Seclusion within the lands of the Neck has caused the Crannogmen to evolve their own simple flavour of Northern style, thus even her finest gowns remain without silk, or extravagant detail.

Contrasting with her subdued style is her confident personality. While initially being a shy, and cautious child, she has grown into a woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, regardless of how her honesty might be received. Jocelyn has long taken on responsibilities not her own, and has happily accepted the associated work, and rewards alike. Her dedication has earned her the respect of her people, and a hope of security for the future of the Neck.

Childhood
Being the youngest of two children, it was easy to see the strong contrast between the personalities of Jocelyn and her brother, who was only a year her senior. While she exhibited the usual shyness of girls her age, it was a shell she was able to break out of when in the right company. While Brandon remained unable to speak, his sister slowly began to compensate for the silence. By the time the other Reed found his voice, Jocelyn no longer suffered from any loss of her own.

As she grew and began her studies she aimed to satisfy the tutors she shared with her older brother. While he stumbled for his scarce known answers, she was quick to speak her own. Despite her academic efforts, the focus of all her parent's love remained on their haunted heir. The more attention her ill brother received, the more she aimed to impress them in what ways she could.

Adolescence
In her thirteenth year, a sickness ran through the Crannogmen, taking many lives, including that of the Lady of House Reed. Losing her mother was an unexpected hit to her otherwise joyful world, and quickly Jocelyn learned that there were some things in life that simply happened without reason. After the sickness cleared, the already insular world of the Neck felt even smaller.

With the innocent world she had once known just a memory, she buried herself in what familiar comforts remained. Although the tutors had died, they were soon replaces, and her studies resumed. During this time she began finding solace in the Gods, and peace in the family's Godswood.

Her mother's death had caused a hole in the court of Greywater Watch, and as she heard whispers of worry, she took it upon herself to begin filling the void. When not at her studies, she started the rounds at the social meetings that once made up her mother's day. Although her brother sometimes joined her on these outings, his participation soon ceased when he opted to leave their lands, and voyaged south toward the unknown of King's Landing.

Marriage & Motherhood
As it became clear that her older brother was not interested in taking a wife, the pressure on Jocelyn to wed increased, and soon she was promised to the second son of House Cray. Taking this opportunity to once again show her dedication to her family, and the Neck at large, Jocelyn happily obeyed her parents in wedding Wylis Cray, and began in efforts to produce a stable and promising heir for the Reed family.

Although she had known the Cray boy for all her life, she had never looked at him in a romantic light. Despite this, the young Reed lady persisted to make their arranged marriage a pleasant, and rewarding affair. Thanks to their preexisting friendship, and Jocelyn's willingness, the couple birthed a healthy son before their first anniversary. Two years later she bore another child, this time a girl of the same vitality.

With two children, and sense of having secured the Reed line, Jocelyn turned her attention from Wylis and toward her young ones. What little passion had existed while conceiving had now softly dissipated, and the couple returned to being companions, remaining contently sworn to each other. The two raised their children closely, watching for any hints of the madness that had already touched the family tree. Before long their worries were put to rest, and they settled happily into the routine of their domestic life. Even as her worries faded, she maintained her close hold over both her children, and continues to do so.

During this time she began unofficially taking over many of the duties that were meant to be her brother's, tending to matters of statecraft with her Lord father. Although it was small things at first, her list of responsibilities grew as the heir sporadically satiated his wanderlust, and sank into his madness.

Duty Without Title
In 431 A.C. Lord Jon Reed passed away, and the title of Lord of Greywater Watch fell to Jocelyn's brother. While Brandon had been only semi-present in the previous years, he returned for a time to tend to his long promised responsibilities. Although his wandering had seemed to come to an end, his madness appeared to spiral. Even on the new Lord's best days, the siblings struggled to coexist. Jocelyn had grown accustomed to having her mad brother out of sight, and his presence quickly became an unrelenting affirmation that they had entered into an era of life on edge. The security of her father's rulership was now lost, and once again the future of House Reed seemed uncertain.

At first word of any new delusion, the court braced, and her young heart skipped. While Jocelyn was not against the concept of what Brandon claimed to be, she could not believe her brother to be so blessed by the Gods. As the alleged Greenseer managed the house he now headed, his sister remained close by, ready to underhandedly right any wrongs that his failing mind presented.

While her shadowing was not uneventful period, she did develop a modest respect for her older brother that she did not have before her father's death. Where she had expected him to blunder hopelessly, he managed to make his way through, despite how indirect or erratic his tactics might have seemed to her, or others around him. This pattern of behaviour continued for some years, and soon Jocelyn felt secure enough to leave the rulership of Greywater to its Lord, and returned to her life as an overbearing mother.

Recent Events
After the death of Brandon Reed in King's Landing, Jocelyn's son inherited the title of Lord of Greywater Watch. With Jeor both absent, and underage, she has finally taken her place at the head of House Reed, however fleeting it might be.

Family & NPCs

 * Wylis Cray, Husband
 * Jeor Reed, Son
 * Sansa Reed, Daughter
 * Jorah Cray, Brother-in-law

Meta
Skills: Leadership, Stewardship, Safeguarded, Economics, Piety

Aptitude: Administrator