Artys Arryn

Artys Arryn is the current Keeper of the Gates of the Moon. The youngest son of Lord Alaric Arryn, Artys was appointed Keeper when his elder brother, Osric, inherited the Eyrie in 408 AC. He is respected throughout the Vale for his good stewardship and beloved by the Arryns for his friendly demeanor and resolute loyalty.

After thirty years of service to his brother and nephew, Artys has recently expressed his intention to retire. Though seldom one to make demands, he has begun lobbying the Eyrie in the hopes that his son, Robert, might be appointed his successor.

Appearance and Character
Decidedly average in size, the weight gain of old age has been minimized by Artys’ moderate habits and active work ethic. His naturally dark hair has thoroughly grayed and is meticulously kept short and clean. Brown eyes distinguish Artys from the rest of his generation, a trait he has passed on to all four of his children. With his fighting days long behind him, he is never seen in armor, and the dagger at his hip is kept as more of an accessory than a tool.

Never one to entertain grand ambitions, Artys has only ever aspired to serve his house in which ever way they deemed suitable. He is overly diligent in his duties; often he takes up tasks for himself when it would be more efficient to delegate. Still, the sense of pride Artys gains from his work is all the gratitude he needs, and he seldom complains about the burdens imposed upon him.

Though a practical man at heart, Artys is easily perceived as an optimist. His joviality easily lift dampened spirits, and his easy-going nature helps him to weather personal tension without breeding lasting animosity. He is patient and permissive with his children, habitually forgiving them for their most repeated infractions and disappointments.

The great loyalty he holds for his family, however, extends to distrust for those outside of it. Artys is wary of the ambitions of the Eyrie’s many vassals, and even moreso of those beyond the Vale’s mighty borders. Though he usually keeps his opinions quiet, Artys resents the consequences of House Arryn’s recent entanglements with the royal family.

Early Life
Artys Arryn was born in 387 AC, the fourth and final son of Lord Alaric Arryn. With Alaric overburdened with the demands of his rule, Artys had few opportunities to acquaint himself with his father. Instead he grew closer to his siblings, especially the bookish Alesander. Artys was an obedient and patient child, always yielding to the advise and demands of his older brothers.

He was a decent enough warrior in his youth, but he proved to have a better mind for military strategy and stately affairs. Artys squired under a humble household knight at the Eyrie, receiving a minimal knightly education with little rigor in his routines. As he came of age, he was far more attentive to the example of his eldest brother, Osric, who had been appointed Keeper of the Gates.

His informal studies beneath the heir to the Vale were put to good use when Osric succeeded to the Eyrie in 408 AC. Already familiar with the intricacies of the castle’s fortifications, he was appointed Keeper of the Gates of the Moon shortly thereafter. At the end of that same year, he was wet to Alayne Grafton.

My Brother's Keeper
Though he was at first overwhelmed by the weight of his new position, Artys grew into the role over the next few years. He leaned heavily on the assistance of Alesander, whose incomplete curriculum at the Citadel virtually rendered him a second maester.

As Keeper, Artys largely confined himself to the Gates, though he occasionally ventured out to command his troops in skirmishes against the Mountain Clans. But it was ultimately at the castle where Artys excelled, and he took great pride in his service to his older brother. As he brought two sons into the world, he coveted the same future for them; Artys wanted his line to continue serving the Arryns of the Eyrie. He made for a fine role model for his children, but he was often too permissive. Artys did not pressure them into early marriages, and he did little to stop his sons’ foolish knightly ambitions.

The Gates of the Moon stood strong throughout the Bleeding, and its aftermath proved to have a far greater effect on the Keeper. As Godric Arryn - the new Lord of the Vale - mourned the passing of his parents, he became too withdrawn to manage the affairs of state. Artys and Alesander took up many responsibilities in his stead, and the weight of these burdens led Artys to consider an earlier retirement than he had intended.

With the return of spring, Artys returned to his duties as Keeper and resumed grooming his son for the prospect of succession. He has begun to lobby his nephew in the hopes that he can secure Robert’s appointment.

Recent Events
Artys has left the Gates of the Moon for the Riverlands, where he intends to attend the celebration at Fairmarket and a wedding of Stark and Tully in Riverrun.

Family

 * Alaric Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale, b. 364 AC d. 407AC
 * m. Theodosia Belmore b. 365 d. 402AC
 * Osric Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale b. 382AC d. 435 AC
 * m. Rowena Waynwood b. 382 AC d. 407AC
 * Arwen Arryn b. 400 AC
 * m. Donnel Redfort b. 398 AC
 * House Redfort
 * m. Saera Targaryen b. 381 AC d. 435 AC
 * Arinna Arryn b. 409 AC d. 420 AC
 * Godric Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale b. 410 AC
 * m. Lysa Templeton b. 413 d. 436 AC
 * Sharra Arryn b. 413 AC
 * m. Robar Baratheon b. 413 AC
 * Aemma Arryn b. 415 AC
 * m. Baelor Targaryen b. 415 AC
 * Jacaerys Targaryen b. 433 AC
 * Saera Targaryen b. 436 AC
 * Jon Arryn b. 417AC
 * Alyssa Arryn b. 417AC
 * Jasper Arryn b. 385AC
 * m. Katerina Hunter b. 381 AC
 * House Hunter
 * Alesander Arryn b. 386AC
 * Artys Arryn b. 387AC
 * m. Alayne Grafton b. 387 AC
 * Robert Arryn b. 410 AC
 * Jason Arryn b. 412 AC
 * Roslin Arryn b. 414 AC
 * m. Brynden Tully b. 414 AC
 * Lysa Tully b. 432 AC
 * Jocelyn Arryn b. 418 AC
 * Alys Arryn b. 389AC
 * m. Eon Stark b. 389 AC d. 419 AC
 * House Stark

Household

 * Ser Rickard Pryor, castellan
 * Mathos Stone, steward
 * Maester Brandon