The Stormlands

On the eastern coast of Westeros lies the Stormlands, one of the mightiest of the Seven Kingdoms and famed for it's warrior tradition. Though the ruling House of Durrandon fell with the arrival of Aegon the Conqueror, it has since been ruled by House Baratheon, descended from Aegon's own half brother.

This region is one of the smallest in all of Westeros, but it's name and legend dwarf it's physical borders. Bounded by the sea on two sides and home to stoney shores and deep forests as well as sudden and terrible storms, it is easily defended and known for the hardiness of it's strongholds.

Here the martial tradition is old and experineced, steeped in the conquests of the Durrandons of old, and centuries of warfare with it's neighbours in the Reach and Dorne. The Stormlands boasts no cities, only defensible holdfasts and towns. It is fertile enough, plenty of rain keeping the soil damp and the forests teeming with life, though it does not compare to the Riverlands or the Reach.

Here more than anywhere else save the Iron Islands or the North are men seen as tough and hardy, their long history of conflict and struggle seemingly producing in every Stormlander a sense of martial duty. Though there is much beauty to be found in the region, from the glittering seas about Tarth to the splendor of the woods and forests, the harshness of the region often dissuades all but those born to it. The House of Baratheon has ruled the Stormlands for centuries - though they are, relatively speaking, a new made house. Despite this, their prowess is well known; and now as chaos threatens once more, their skill at arms must be tested yet again. Though their castle was named to defy the gods, it's rulers are only flesh and blood. Only time will tell if they have the strength to withstand the storms of war.

300-301AC - The Second War of Conquest
The Stormlands were the first region to fall during the Second Conquest, when Aegon and the Golden Company landed upon their shores late in 299AC. Already battered and broken by the War of the Five Kings, once Storm's End fell many lords of the region bent the knee to Aegon and his company, those who held out later falling in line when Edric Storm was revealed and legitimized.

315AC - The Year of False Banners
During the Year of False Banners, loyalists to "the true kings of the Iron Throne" began to make themselves known in the Stormlands. These Ironharts became a growing nuisance, eventually leading into all-out battle and their exile from the realm of Westeros.

318AC - The Restoration of Summerhall Begins
The reconstruction of the Targaryen palace of Summerhall begins.

326-329AC - The Winter of Wolves
The Winter of Wolves saw Shipbreaker's Bay far more tumultuous and chaotic than normal. The Rainwood was white with snow, and in the high hills of the Red Mountains travel became increasingly difficult.

331AC - The War in the Narrows
House Baratheon answered the call of King Rhaegar during the War in the Narrows, and with them came their bannermen. After Baelon's attack on Estermont, the wrath of the Stormlands knew no bounds; they were among the most ardent supporters of the ensuing conflict, rallying at once to King's Landing. When Peremore Vance slew Leviathan above the Narrow Sea, many saw the act as having avenged the burning of Estermont. Many Stormlanders favoured the Vances of Harrenhal thereafter.

335AC - The Red God Revival
Lacking any major cities and boasting only a few ports, the Stormlands at large did not see many Red God followers arrive upon their shores. Only Weeping Town bore any significant number of refugees, and indeed it was one of the most heavily affected settlements on the continent. Nearly seventy years after those first arrivals, estimates range between one third and a full half of Weeping Town feel some degree of knowledge or understanding of the eastern faith of R'hllor, though the Septons still boast control over the settlement in the eyes of most, and are wary of further arrivals.

339AC - The Summer Sickness
The Summer Sickness struck the Stormlands in 340AC, claiming many lives throughout the region. Because of the general dampness of the area, and the relatively sparsely populated countryside, it was not as badly damaged as other regions in Westeros.

346AC - The Southern Schism
The Southern Schism did not afflict the Stormlands as direly as other regions, its proximity to the capital ensuring that most of the region remained firmly in the camp of the Sept of Baelor. Like most other regions, the nobles of the Stormlands did not often openly proclaim their personal allegiances, though there were zealous and pious folk who disregarded politics to make their beliefs known.

351-356AC - The Mead Summer
The Mead Summer saw a period of peace and plenty in the Stormlands, one so powerful that even Shipbreaker's Bay seemed becalmed. A white hart was spotted in the Rainwood, prompting a grand hunt that drew nobles from across the Stormlands.

352AC - The Blackwater Tourney
Many knights and nobles in the Stormlands participated in the Blackwater Tourney.

360AC - The Royal Tour
Aenys Targaryen and the members of the royal court who participated in his tour visited several castles throughout the Stormlands on the final leg of their journey.

379AC - The Kingswood Tourney
Many knights and nobles in the Stormlands participated in the Kingswood Tourney.

388AC - The Hammer Uprising
Smallfolk across the Stormlands began to rebel or cease to pay taxes, though this general feeling of malcontent materialized most severely in the form of an armed mob, which descended upon Storm's End. They made several demands of the Baratheons, including better rights and the opportunity to speak with the Lord of the Stormlands face to face.

391AC - The Tourney of Rainwood
Many knights and nobles in the Stormlands participated in the Tourney of Rainwood.

392-394AC - The Great Famine
The Great Famine saw many in the Stormlands suffer, though the availability of fish did alleviate some of the burden on the coasts.

396-402AC - The War of the Three Thieves
The War of the Three Thieves saw the Stormlands aid King Aenar Targaryen in his initial assault against the Stepstones, culminating in the painful defeat at the Battle of Splinters and the narrow victory in the Battle of the Gulf. The Stormlands would continue to fight on during the rest of the conflict, largely ferried upon Valeman and Crownlander ships, though after war's end King Aenar would repay them with the restoration of their severely damaged fleet.

402-405AC - The Scarlet Winter
The Stormlands suffered during the Scarlet Winter, much as they had during the Winter of Wolves, with storms in Shipbreaker's Bay becoming more powerful and far more chaotic. So deep was the cold that the Wendwater and the Slayne froze solid for much of the season, snow drifts pilling high in the more northern mountain passes and posing troublesome for travel. During the Scarlet Winter traders from Dorne became sought-after attractions, with Planky Town remaining one of the few ports in Westeros untouched by the cold grip of frost. The exorbitant prices awoke new anger towards the Dornish and the merchants, leading some men to turn to banditry in the Red Mountains and seize by steel what could not be gained by gold.