Crackclaw Point

Crackclaw Point is a peninsula in the northern Crownlands, surrounded by Blackwater Bay, the Bay of Crabs and the Narrow Sea.

Often regarded as a backwater, Crackclaw Point is somewhat isolated despite its proximity to both Gulltown and King's Landing. The region consists of rough, thickly forested terrain, littered with numerous caves, hills and bogs. Its insular inhabitants largely descend from the First Men; the peninsula's geography allowed it to resist conquest throughout history. Because of their peaceful submission to Targaryen rule, the claw lords have remained direct vassals of the crown.

First Light, one of the Golden Company's three castles, is situated at the southwestern corner of the region.

Recent History
Historically one of the poorest and humblest corners of the Seven Kingdoms, Crackclaw Point witnessed a sharp decline in its fortunes following the Baratheon usurpation of the Iron Throne - and a swift recovery during first few decades after the Second War of Conquest. Local squabbles became less frequent, and the claw lords enjoyed an unusual degree of stability and propserity - most notably the Crabbs, who managed to finance the reconstruction of their ancient seat, The Whispers.

By the middle of the fourth century, however, the region had reverted to its status quo; once again Crackclaw eluded the attention of even its closest neighbors. It was not until the dawn of the fifth century that the clawmen enjoyed another taste of prosperity, though this was only limited to its two foremost houses.

At the peninsula's western end, the astute Lord Jon Pyne of Evergreen Hall managed to turn his lands' lumber into a profitable enterprise, enabling him to form valuable connections beyond Crackclaw Point - most notably with the nearest towns of the Riverlands. His successor, Criston, continued with this course, while his daughter, Belinda, became the Lady Regent of Rosby and eventually the Mistress of Whisperers.

To the east, the Brunes of Dyre Den found success in the expansion of their fisheries and developed a mutually beneficial friendship with the Pynes. The young Desmond Brune soon emerged as the most respected lord in the region, and through his marriage to Lady Rosby's daughter, he was able to establish himself as a respected dignitary of the royal court. Desmond came to be seen both at home and in the capital as the principal advocate for the interests of Crackclaw Point.

The Second Hammer Uprising was quick to spread into Crackclaw Point, and though the region enjoyed the presence of a Golden Company castle at its border, Desmond Brune was able to convince his peers to tend to their own defense. He led an effective and efficient effort to repel the uprising, though this came at a great material cost. Winter arrived just as the war came to a close, and the claw lords struggled to save their people from starvation.

The lords of Crackclaw convened early in 439 AC to deliberate over the upcoming vote at the Great Council, but no consensus was reached; instead the meeting served to expose the disunity and discontent of the claw lords. The Pynes and Brunes were resented where they were once despised, and their peers remained intensely divided over the issue of royal succesion.