history of westeros pt. 1
The generic backstory of Westeros is still the same as it is in A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones. The First Men crossed over from Essos AKA the Middle East and Europe. They settled the new land, went to war with the Children of the Forest, those Children created the White Walkers, and the White Walkers went ape-shit and tried to kill everybody.
Then, the Children team up with the First Men to take the White Walkers down and they fought for over a thousand years. In the Apex of the First War of the Dawn, a brave hero emerged from the human crowds known only as Azor Ahai (The Prince Who Was Promised), and he used his flaming sword, as well as the help of the human armies, to drive the Walkers back and the Living won against the Dead.
For now.
Everything basically continues as it was in canon except for a few major differences.
But I'll explain that later. Right now, I'm going to inform you of the country-states of Westeros otherwise known as the seven kingdoms. (Technically there are nine, but whatever.)
NORWOOD is the oldest and northernmost country-state in the continent of Westeros. Its rich history and background rest within the people who settled the North and give a lot of character to the region and the countrymen. The elite family of House Stark and the citizens of Norwood are known for being descendants of the First Men. For thousands of years, the Starks resided in the capital city of the North, Winterfell, and reigned as Kings and sometimes Queens of the North.
That was until the Valyrian warlords of the East invaded Westeros. Even though the Stark family renounced their royal status when Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, they still essentially ruled Norwood as Wardens and Wardenesses of the North, kind of like how a governor would run a state.
During the time of Maekar I Targaryen and Aegon V Targaryen, Edwyle Stark ruled the North. His little brother, Edward Stark, traveled west toward the United States. There he met his future bride Jane Greer. At the time, Jane was a student at Cornell University.
They became fast friends and even faster lovers. It wasn't long after the first six or seven months into their relationship when they discovered they were to have a child. This caused multiple problems. One was that he hadn't yet told her about his true identity. Another problem it caused was that she had to choose between focusing on the education she'd fought so hard for or getting married to the Lord of Winterfell and having his son. This also brought up issues of meeting each other's parents and telling them about their relationship, as well as living situations and where the baby would grow up.
Jane wanted the baby to grow up in America near her family, but Edward also wanted to have the baby raised near his family, too. Not wanting this situation to drive a wedge between them, the two expecting parents decided that their child would live out the majority of his life in America, but would get to foster at Winterfell with the other Stark children during holidays, breaks, and vacations. On August 15th of 1935, Edward and Jane Stark welcomed their son Howard into the world.
Around this time tensions between Europe and the rest of the world were increasingly high and countries were gearing up for war. The new father had been concerned about the impending war that was about to befall the country and opted to do something about it. This is when Edward Jonathan Stark founded Stark Industries. Edward had long since concluded that he would remain in the states and thus, renounced the majority of his titles to start a business in America that would later be known for its advanced technology and weaponry.
By the time WWII began in the U.S., Edward already amassed over fifteen thousand employees, solidified his company, and had begun to develop and produce new technology that was decades ahead of its time. He worked closely with the U.S. government and the military to develop new weapons that would enable America to win the War. He worked closely with a German scientist to develop the super-soldier serum that would later turn Steve Rogers into Captain America.
Eventually, Howard Stark would grow up to inherit the company and lead the world into the next generation of science and innovation.
Some of the notable members of House Stark include Brandon, Eddard, Lyanna, Benjen, and Howard Stark, who later fathered Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man. Jon Snow and Tony Stark are third cousins. During the time of Robert's Rebellion, Lyanna Stark fell in love with and secretly married Rhae Summers (formerly Rhaegar Targaryen) and had a son named Jaehaerys (Jon Snow).
RIVERLANDis named for the region of the Riverlands. This country state's capital is Riverrun and is ruled by the elite family the Tullys. They are the Paramount Nobles of the region and have ruled for the last 300 years or so. The castle of House Tully was built by a member of House Stark, Brandon the Builder. Some other notable cities in Riverland are the Twins, which is governed by House Frey, Seagard, governed by House Mallister, Stone Hedge, governed by House Bracken, Raventree, governed by House Blackwood, and Harrenhal, governed by House Whent.
Unlike the Starks, the Tullys never ruled the region as Kings and Queens, but we're still one of the noblest families in the region, before Aegon the Conquerer invaded the region and the Noble family broke away from Lord Harren to bend the knee. The Riverlands were ruled by Lord Harren until he and his family were killed when the Dragons came to Westeros. Now the Tullys rule the Riverlands and answer only to the King of the Seven Kingdoms.
Some key members of House Tully include Brynden Tully (the Blackfish), Edmure Tully, Catelyn Stark (née Tully), Lysa Arryn (née Tully), and Hoster Tully. Catelyn was betrothed to Brandon Stark, but after he was executed by the Mad King, she was married off to his younger brother Eddard (Ned). The two of them later became the parents of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon Stark.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of Newbie's Guide to Mortis to find out more about the history of Westeros!
To Be Continued...
.....