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The North

House Stark of Winterfell

Lord Eddard Stark

Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, Hand of the King, Regent, Protector of the Realm

Ned Stark, The Quiet Wolf, The Ned

Lord of Winterfell and head of House Stark. Husband of Catelyn and father of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon Stark.

Killed Offscreen: Executed on the order of King Joffrey between chapters 2 and 3 of the story.
Obstructive Bureaucrat: In Robbie's backstory, the Ryswells attempted to ask him for a loan to build a navy on the North’s western shore. Ned only gave them enough to cover a quarter of the fleet.

Lady Catelyn Stark

Lady Catelyn Stark, née Tully

Cat

Wife of Lord Eddard Stark and mother of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon.

Death by Adaptation: Of the "died earlier than in the source material" type; instead of being one of the last to be killed in the great hall of the Twins, here she's the first person killed.
Demoted to Extra: While one of the main POV characters in the books, here she's relegated to two scenes since she's occupying the same role in canon so there's no need to tell the story twice.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: Instead of having her throat cut, she is shot in the throat with a crossbow and killed instantly.
Foil: Robbie contrasts her with another widow he knows, Lady Dustin. While Lady Dustin's face is weathered, Lady Catelyn's is described as being smooth and white like a mask. Lady Dustin has streaks of grey through her hair, Lady Catelyn's does not. Lady Dustin possesses a lively energy projected through her eyes, Lady Catelyn's eyes are described as dull, sad and tired.
Killed Mid-Sentence: Her last moments have her about to launch an angry tirade against the minstrel singing Domeric's song before she is shot.
"How dare you... How dare you?! My sons. My daughter-" [gets shot with a crossbow]
Viking Funeral: The Freys are a bit more respectful this time around and give her the customary Tully funeral, with Lord Bolton lighting the boat himself.

King Robb Stark

King Robb Stark, the King in the North and King of the Trident, Lord of Winterfell

The Young Wolf, The King who Lost the North

Eldest son and heir of Lord Eddard Stark, proclaimed King in the North by his bannermen.

Accomplice by Inaction: Domeric considers him as equally culpable in Sansa's abuse by the Lannisters because he did nothing to help her.
Broken Pedestal:
- Domeric once thought Robb to be a kindhearted young man who had a good grasp on how to rule the North. Then he realized that he has no idea what he's doing in regards to ruling outside of battle.
- Sansa's sisterly admiration fades considerably after learning how badly Robb has alienated his bannermen. By Chapter 26 she thinks he makes a better brother than a king.
Idiot Hero: Domeric's opinion of him, what with leaving Sansa to be beaten and tortured by the Lannisters and "pulling out the only cork stopping the Ironborn reaving from Bear Island to the Arbor" while winter is coming.
Killed Offscreen: He's killed in Chapter 33 shortly after Robbie is knocked out at the Red Wedding.
Minor Major Character: Only appears for a couple chapters but his actions (or inaction) loom over the entire story.

Sansa Stark*

Princess Sansa Stark

Catelyn Tully's Little Minnow

Lord Eddard Stark's oldest daughter. Held captive in King's Landing.

Break the Cutie: By the time Sansa appears for the first time in the story, King's Landing has already done a number on her.
Dead Person Impersonation: Takes the identity of Danelle Rivers, the illegitimate daughter of Kella Royce and Danwell Whent who died of fever as an infant.
Death Faked for You: Domeric covers her escape by smashing a window and leaving part of a torn dress there to indicate she committed suicide.
In-Series Nickname: Lady Dustin calls her "Catelyn Tully's little minnow", referring to Lady Stark's family sigil being a trout.
Love Interest: For Domeric.
Skilled, but Naive: Runestone's maester ascertains that while Sansa has a good grasp of facts and detail, she needs help at determining bias.

Arya Stark

Third child and second daughter of Ned Stark and Catelyn Tully.

Chekhov's Gunman: First appears as a cupbearer named Nan.
Failed a Spot Check: The author expresses annoyance about Arya not realizing there were Northerners around Harrenhal she could trust, like Kyle Condon, Wylis Manderly, or Harrion Karstark.

Trauma Conga Line: Arya has it even rougher than in canon. Sure she reunites with her mother and brother, but then they get killed in the Red Wedding, she is captured, forced to marry a boy she hates, and the last of her protectors is executed.

House Bolton of the Dreadfort and retainers

Lord Roose Bolton

Lord Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort, Warden of the North

The Leech Lord

The current head of House Bolton. Once married to Bethany Ryswell and father of Domeric and Ramsay.

Abusive Parents: Not directly, but he constantly leaves the possibility of flaying Domeric's toes hanging over his head should he step out of line or make unnecessary emotion. Early on, he has Domeric go on a bride hunt at the Twins and leaves him with the possibility of a Frey wife for little reason other than to make him squirm. Then it turns out that Lord Bolton already had his mind made up that he was going to choose Fat Walda, making Domeric's angsting about having a Frey wife completely pointless.
A Child Shall Lead Them: Implied, since it's mentioned that the previous Lord Bolton (his father) died when Roose was very young.
Dragon-in-Chief: As Elmar Frey's regent his forces hold the most sway in the North.
Failed a Spot Check: When the truth comes out that Arya was at Harrenhal, he openly admits to not realizing it.
Kick the Dog: Putting the women at Harrenhal in the stocks and leaving them to be raped.
Muscles Are Meaningless: Despite his pallid, soft body, Lord Bolton can still wield a bow as he personally lights Catelyn Stark's funeral boat on the first try.
Outliving One's Offspring: All of his children, minus Domeric and Ramsay, have died by the time the story begins.
Pragmatic Villainy: Why his threats are aimed at the feet; an injury to the foot like flaying toes is going to be less visible than striking the face, which fits in well with his motto of "A peaceful land, a quiet people."
Trademark Favorite Food: He apparently has a liking for grapes, especially when it comes to peeling them.
Villain Respect: Roose appears to have some respect for his son Domeric and the feeling is mutual; Roose respects Domeric's martial skill and recall for history and politics while Domeric believes his father is one of the smartest men in the North.
Young and in Charge: Implied. It's mentioned that Roose's father died when he was very young, forcing him to take charge of House Bolton at an early age.

Lady Bethany Bolton

Lady Bethany Bolton, nee Ryswell

Lord Roose Bolton's deceased wife and mother of Domeric.

Break the Cutie: Domeric describes her as slowly breaking down over time as more and more of her children died.
Outliving One's Offspring: All of her children died as infants, save for Domeric.
Posthumous Character: Passed of a fever during the Greyjoy Rebellion.
Statuesque Stunner: Domeric remembers her being tall and beautiful. It's implied Domeric inherited her height since his father isn't described as being tall.

Ser Domeric Bolton*

Ser Domeric Bolton

Dommie, Ser Jonnel Holt

Roose Bolton's only surviving legitimate heir, Domeric has just returned from a visit to the Vale when the War of the Five Kings breaks out.

Affectionate Nickname: Remembers his little brother Roger called him "Dommie".
Bearer of Bad News: Has to tell Wylis Manderly the fate of his cousin Donella.
Berserk Button: Sexually forward women seem to set him off at times.
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Walda's opinion of him. To her, Domeric seems nice on the surface, being cordial at her wedding and keeping up correspondence while he was on campaign. However she doesn't like his attitude towards her sister Ami and the look in his eyes that told her that he didn't think much of her outside of her weight.
Dead Person Impersonation: Takes up the identity of Jonnel Holt, a knight from White Harbor who was killed at Duskendale.
Genius Bruiser: Domeric is shown to be a Master Swordsman on one hand, while he has an extensive knowledge of history and poetry coupled with a working knowledge of politics. Lord Bolton trusts him to recite how everything stands in the North after Robb Stark is crowned King in the North.
Hero-Worshipper:
- Domeric looks up to Rhaegar Targaryen, valuing his skill at arms and ability to play the harp, spending his time at Moat Cailin pretending he was the Silver Prince at Summerhall. He also named his horse Rhaegar.
- Domeric also looks up to his deceased relation Ser Mark, the man handpicked to be Lord Ryswell's successor, skilled in arms and able to settle disputes. Domeric hoped to be picked as one of Robb Stark's bodyguards to do what Ser Mark couldn't by rescuing a Stark.
- In turn, Domeric is idolized by his cousin Rick, who wants to be a page at Barrowton and does his best to imitate Domeric's mannerisms, particularly his Death Glare.
Hot Consort: Subverted, with more than a touch of The Man in Front of the Man. Harrion is quick to tell Domeric that as Sansa’s husband, Domeric, as the leading lord in the North, would be the man Northerners would look to for leading the North into battle or for justice.
I Coulda Been a Contender!: If Lord Ryswell and Lady Dustin had their way Domeric would be heir to the Rills and Barrowton, but as a Bolton he is disqualified from the line of succession as Ned Stark would not want the Red Kings to rise again.
Icy Gray Eyes: Domeric has ghost-grey eyes and typically has a grim, quiet exterior.
Indy Ploy: Downplayed. Domeric made sure to cover the logistical issues with rescuing Sansa (carries a necessary amount of gold, food, and extra suits of armor for disguises), everything else was improvised.
I Need a Freaking Drink: Spends much of his father's wedding feast in his cups to distract himself from Gatehouse Ami.
Insecure Love Interest: Big time towards Sansa. His family has never gotten along with the Starks and he constantly fears that he goes against his family's wishes.
Knight in Shining Armor: Does his absolute best to live up to the knightly code of honor. Whenever Domeric vows something, he does so on his honor as a knight rather than his family's honor because he's aware it means little.
Knight in Sour Armor: Of the born cynic type as he strives to follow the knightly code of honor while contending with his father and half-brother's actions.
Practically Different Generations: Domeric is three years older than his stepmother Fat Walda Frey, so any children from her and his father Lord Bolton will be this trope.
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Domeric eventually decides to break with the Northern cause and rescue Sansa himself.
Shipper on Deck: For Mychel Redfort and Mya Stone. His visit to the Vale was partially to encourage Mychel to marry Mya, arguing that unlike Prince Duncan Targaryen, Lord Redfort has much less to lose with his fourth son marrying the bastard daughter of the King.
Spared by the Adaptation: The premise of the fanfic is that Domeric Bolton learned of his bastard brother Ramsay's activities and steered clear of him.
The Squire: Served under Lord Horton Redfort, who knighted him.
Tragic Keepsake: Domeric buys Helman Tallhart's sword and rondels from a peddler around Duskendale and resolves to return them to Torrhen's Square.
Warrior Poet: Domeric writes poetry (including an entire volume devoted to Sansa), songs, and spends three days at Moat Cailin just playing his harp. Robbie dares not write to Sara Glenmore without having Domeric to help him.
You Remind Me of X: Walda says he reminds her of her father Merrett due to his drinking habit.

Lady Walda Bolton*

Lady Walda Bolton, nee Frey

Fat Walda Frey

Second daughter of Merrett Frey and Roose Bolton's third and current wife.

Ascended Extra: Primarily a background character in the books and show, here she winds up being a POV character.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: With her elder sister Amerei "Gatehouse Ami" Frey. They've been thick as thieves and even when Ami had lived with Ser Pate, they saw each other often. A lot of Walda's perception of Domeric is based around how he treated Ami.
In-Series Nickname: "Fat Walda".
Made of Iron: Robbie, Lord Bolton, Roose Ryswell, and Elmar wind up tackling her out of the way of The Hound when he shows up at the Twins, and she's completely unhurt. Must be the Kevlard.
The Mole: Roose has her eavesdrop on her family to pick up useful information.
Old Man Marrying a Child: Downplayed; Walda is fifteen while Roose is nearly three times her age.

Ramsay Snow

Ramsay Snow, Castellan of the Dreadfort

Lord Roose Bolton's sadistic bastard son. Left behind at the Dreadfort as castellan.

And Now You Must Marry Me: Forces Lady Hornwood to marry him and name him her heir.
Asshole Victim: Subverted. He's initially reported dead at the beginning of Chapter 6, but shows up alive informing the Northern forces at Harrenhal of retaking Winterfell from Theon Greyjoy in Chapter 8.
Bastard Bastard: He wouldn't be Ramsay if he wasn't one, as he's committed all his canonical crimes up to A Storm of Swords.
Dude, Where's My Respect?: Chapter 51 indicates he wants respect from his father for his "accomplishments" in the North as castellan.
"My brother never won a battle. I delivered you Winterfell. Tell me, Father, which son has served you more? He is dead and I am not."
Gonk: When he appears for the first time, everything about him is described in unflattering terms so one gets the message about how ugly he is.
"Out came another rider on a Ryswell red, but everything about the man was all wrong. Grandfather’s hair had long since gone white; he wore it in a ponytail tied back with a leather thong. This man’s dark hair hung limply about his face, and even a yard’s length away Robert knew it shone not with healthy luster but with stinky grease. Over his noble skull Grandfather’s face was weathered and gaunt, the nostrils in his straight nose always flaring above the hard line of his mouth. Everything about this man’s face was wide: his smirking lips, almost exaggeratedly so; his face, as a dinner plate; his nose, like a fat bulb of garlic. His cheeks bulged out with the sort of pudge that was endearing on a boy but slovenly on a man grown, and the pink blotches on his skin betrayed a poor diet and poorer breeding. He looked as much like Grandfather as a giant pig did a horse, down to the colors on his cloak: pink and red, not bronze and black. And his eyes were all Bolton cold."
The One Thing I Don't Hate About You: Robbie says that the only redeeming thing about Ramsay Snow is that he's young and strong.
Unseen No More: While primarily The Ghost, he appears when the Bolton vanguard reenters the North at Moat Cailin and the Ryswells see his work on the Ironborn garrison.
You Should Have Died Instead: Domeric wishes this about him, especially after the trouble he caused with Lady Hornwood.

Roger Bolton

Lord Roose Bolton's youngest son by Bethany Ryswell, making him full brother to Domeric. Deceased.

Curtains Match the Window: Domeric remembers him having brown hair and eyes instead of the pale eyes the Boltons typically have.
Original Character: Created just for this story.
Posthumous Character: Died of fever around the Greyjoy Rebellion.

Steelshanks Walton

Walton

Steelshanks

A captain under Lord Bolton.

Action Dad: It's mentioned that he has daughters.
Herald: Part of his duties entail announcing Lord Bolton's presence.
Mr. Exposition: Relays information from Lord Bolton to the rest in the eastern half of the Northern army.
Punch-Clock Villain: Only really as evil as he's ordered to be.
Satellite Character: Never appears in a scene without Lord Bolton.
Would Hurt a Child: Has no problem roughing up the real Arya Stark if necessary. He clotheslines her and lifts her up by the scruff of her neck at one point.

House Karstark of Karhold

Lord Rickard Karstark

Head of House Karstark and Lord of Karhold. Father of Harrion, Torrhen, Eddard, and Alys.

Action Dad: A man with three grown sons and fights alongside them.
Determinator: Harrion recalls him as being focused and single-minded, even to the point of Greed.
Hot-Blooded: According to Harrion, "his love burned as hot as his temper", approaching everything with a tenacity bordering on greed.
Killed Offscreen: Executed for treason against King Robb Stark in the chapters between Domeric's departure from Duskendale and Robbie's first POV.
Outliving One's Offspring: His sons Torrhen and Eddard are killed in battle in Chapter 2.
Revenge Before Reason: He'd refuse any bargain if it denied him a chance to revenge himself on the Lannisters.

Harrion Karstark

Lord Harrion Karstark

Rickard Karstark's eldest son and heir.

Ascended Extra: He's mostly a background character in the books, but he's much more prominent here as a friend of Domeric.
Blood Knight: His father Rickard put him in charge of handling any wildling raids on the Karstark lands and Harrion wants a change of pace, so he's relatively enthusiastic about testing his mettle against the south.
The Bus Came Back: After getting captured in Chapter 10, he reappears in Chapter 46.
Colonel Badass: Commands the Karstark forces under Lord Bolton.
Distressed Dude: First he gets captured at the Green Fork. Then after the eastern Northern army frees him at Harrenhal he gets captured again at Duskendale.
Everyone Has Standards: He doesn't approve of his father's actions at all, be it killing Willem Lannister and Tion Frey or promising Alys' hand for anyone who brings him Jaime Lannister.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: By Chapter 46, he's desperate enough to latch on to any cause so he can get back home and prepare his people for winter.

Karl Greycliff

A captain in service to the Karstarks.

Chekhov's Gunman: He is in charge of the Karstark men that participated in the Red Wedding, personally beating down and capturing Roose Ryswell.
Icy Blue Eyes: His eyes are described as a cool blue-grey.
You Are in Command Now: Takes command of the Karstark infantry after Harrion is captured.

House Ryswell of the Rills

Animal Motif: Horses. Known for their horsemanship and not much else.
Everyone Has Standards: While the Ryswells dislike the Starks and the children most of all for being Catelyn Tully's children, they're not going to celebrate their deaths.
Offered the Crown: The Ryswells have a very unorthodox means of succession in comparison to the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. In this case the sitting Lord handpicks his heir from his family.
Stop Being Stereotypical: The Ryswells want to throw off their label of the "Dothraki of the snow"; to that end, they intend to create a navy to defend the west parts of the North from Ironborn attacks. Unfortunately that plan winds up on the rocks because they don't have the money.

Lord Rodrik Ryswell

The Lord of the Rills. Father of Roger, Rickard, Roose, Bethany, and Barbrey.

Alliterative Name: Rodrik Ryswell.
Family Man: Very straight-laced about sex concerning his family. His grandson Robbie has lost standing to be his heir because he started sleeping around due to Patrek Mallister's influence.
Outliving One's Offspring: His elder daughter Bethany died of a fever during the Greyjoy Rebellion.
Why Are You Not My Son?: It's said that Lord Rodrik loved Ser Mark more than his own sons.

Roger Ryswell

Lord Rodrik's eldest son. Married to Wylla Stout of Goldgrass, father of Robert (called Robbie), Beth, and Branna.

Alliterative Name: Roger Ryswell.
Cool Big Bro: Out of her brothers, Bethany was closest to Roger. They each named one of their children after the other.
Obnoxious In-Laws: Out of all the Ryswells, Roger dislikes Roose Bolton the most.
The Resenter: Chapter 51 indicates that he resents his father for overlooking the flaws in his preferred heirs while passing over Roger's son Robbie.

Robert Ryswell*

Robert Ryswell

Robbie

Roger Ryswell's eldest son and one of Domeric's closest friends.

Alliterative Name: Robert Ryswell.
Ascended Extra: While initially a supporting character in Domeric's arc, he takes on the protagonist's role in the Northern army.
Big Brother Mentor: Tries to be a good influence on Elmar Frey, Lord Bolton's squire.
In-Series Nickname: Domeric calls him "Robbie".
Original Character: A character exclusive to the story.
Perfectly Arranged Marriage: During the war, his father and grandfather arranged a marriage between him and Sara Glenmore. They've met before and get on quite well.
Really Gets Around: Domeric describes Robbie as a "lusty lad who loved bawdy songs and filthy japes" and thanks to Patrek Mallister's influence has slept with a lot of women, though none have been named except for Amerei "Gatehouse Ami" Frey.
The Squire: Squired for Lord Jason Mallister, becoming friends with his son Patrek.

Roose Ryswell

The youngest of Rodrik Ryswell's sons.

Cavalry Officer: With a bit of Army Scout mixed in. He commands the outriders in the North's eastern forces.
Colonel Badass: Commands the Ryswell forces in the Northern army.
Named After Somebody Famous: Named for Lord Roose Bolton.
One-Steve Limit: Averted since he's named for Lord Roose Bolton. In Robert's chapters the author makes a point of distinguishing the two; Roose Bolton is Lord Bolton while Roose Ryswell is just Roose.
Practically Different Generations: He's only a couple years older than his nephews Domeric and Robbie, which makes it rather strange when he refers to either one of them as "lad".

Ser Mark Ryswell

A knight of House Ryswell. One of Eddard Stark's companions in Robert's Rebellion.

Greater-Scope Paragon: Everyone who speaks of Ser Mark speaks of him with praise as a fine jouster, skilled with the spear, and the one who could mediate between the squabbling brothers of the main branch. Even Lord Stark himself could be humored into telling a story about Ser Mark.
I Coulda Been a Contender!: He would have been the man to succeed Lord Rodrik if he hadn't died in Dorne.
Posthumous Character: Perished in Dorne at the Tower of Joy near the close of Robert's Rebellion.
Weapon Specialization: Ser Mark was famous for his skill with the spear.

The Westerlands

House Lannister of Casterly Rock

Lord Tywin Lannister

Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West, Shield of Lannisport, Hand of the King and Savior of the City

The Lion of Lannister, The Old Lion, The Great Lion of the Rock

Oldest son of Tytos Lannister and Jeyne Marbrand. Father of Queen Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion.

Death by Adaptation: Killed by a mob on the same day as Joffrey's wedding.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: Instead of getting shot by Tyrion, his head is ripped off by a mob. And that's the only thing found of him.
Greater-Scope Villain: Only appears for one scene with Domeric, but he is the mover behind House Baratheon and the Freys and Boltons.
Slut-Shaming: Averted via pragmatism. Unlike Kevan, Tywin doesn't particularly care about Amerei Frey's promiscuous behavior, only that she's the eldest daughter and therefore has the strongest claim to House Darry. As far as he’s concerned, Marissa may be a virgin but as the youngest she's useless.

Lord Tyrion Lannister

Lord Tyrion Lannister, Master of Coin, Hand of the King

Youngest child and second son of Lord Tywin Lannister.

Co-Dragons: With his uncle Kevan Lannister sharing the role of Dragon-in-Chief. After Tywin is killed by the mob, his titles are divvied up betwen the two of them; Tyrion becomes the Hand of the King while Kevan is the Warden of the West.
Mouth of Sauron: He is the main communique between the Boltons and the Lannisters.
Snipe Hunt: It's mentioned that his father gave him the unenviable task of trying to figure out where Sansa had gone.
You Are in Command Now: Winds up becoming head of House Lannister after his father Tywin is killed by a mob.

Ser Kevan Lannister

Ser Kevan Lannister, Warden of the West

Second son of Lord Tytos Lannister and Jeyne Marbrand. Married to Dorna Swyft and father of Lancel, Willem, Martyn, and Janei.

Death by Adaptation: Instead of being murdered by Varys, he is killed in battle by Vale soldiers.
Not So Above It All: Despite his loyalty to his elder brother, Kevan admits that he had his own ambitions of Lancel ruling Casterly Rock after Tywin passed over his three children.
Outliving One's Offspring: His son Willem was murdered by Karstark soldiers.

Lord Lancel Lannister*

Lord Lancel Lannister, Lord of Darry

Eldest son of Ser Kevan Lannister.

Animal Motif: Compares himself to a yellow cat that can only dream of being so high as his cousin Jaime Lannister, the golden lion.
Arranged Marriage: To Amerei Frey, per agreements with the Freys. Despite her promiscuous reputation Lancel feels he deserves his lot because of his transgressions.
Ascended Extra: Primarily a supporting character in Tyrion and Sansa's chapters, he is the main Lannister viewpoint here.
Blood from the Mouth: He mentions coughing up blood when he heard Sansa jumped to her death.
Kissing Cousins: Had a brief affair with his cousin Queen Cersei.
Rank Up: Discussed; Kevan admits to Lancel that he had envisioned him as the next Lord of Casterly Rock.

The Riverlands

House Frey of the Crossing

Ser Aenys Frey

Third son of Walder Frey and Perra Royce.

Mouth of Sauron: He handles marriage contracts while his father Lord Walder is resting.
Practically Different Generations: He could easily be his half-brother Elmar's grandfather.
Wrong Genre Savvy: When Domeric suggests the eastern host should try and rescue Sansa, Aenys argues that Sansa should be safe because Stannis has no grudge with Robb. Domeric counters that by saying that Stannis does have a quarrel with Robb because he is independent (plus Cersei via Ser Ilyn Payne wouldn't leave prisoners alive).

Ser Hosteen Frey

Sixth son of Walder Frey and first by his third wife Amerei Crakehall. Married to Bellena Hawick and has one son, Arwood, who is married to Ryella Royce with four children, Ryella, Androw, Alyn, and Hostella.

Affably Evil: He's a fairly friendly guy to his family, with Ryella describing him as a Doting Grandparent.
Cool Uncle: To Fat Walda, who remembers that he was one of the few who was nice to her before her marriage.
Thicker Than Water: He's quick to speak in his daughter-in-law's defense, suggesting that she was coerced into writing a letter denouncing House Frey.

Elmar Frey

Walder Frey's youngest son.

Arranged Marriage: To Arya Stark. Unlike canon it winds up going through.
Ascended Extra: He isn't much of a character in the books, but here he is much more prominent.
Dirty Kid: Verbally anyways. He's the one who tells Domeric about Gatehouse Ami's promiscuity, with Domeric being unnerved by his frankness.
The Squire: To Roose Bolton.
Unwanted Spouse: To Arya Stark. When she learns she's supposed to marry him, she goes into a full-blown tirade about how he's a stupid coward who can't clean armor.

Amerei Frey

Gatehouse Ami

Eldest daughter of Merrett Frey and Mariya Darry and older sister to Walda, Marissa, and Little Walder. Known for her promiscuity.

Arranged Marriage: Tywin Lannister arranged a marriage between her and his nephew Lancel.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: With her sister Fat Walda.
Really Gets Around: As in canon. During her sister's wedding she sleeps with Robbie Ryswell while trying to smooch up Domeric.

House Mallister of Seagard

Lord Jason Mallister

Head of House Mallister and Lord of Seagard.

Judge, Jury, and Executioner: On occasion he executes criminals if they are of high or gentle birth.
The Mentor: Robbie served under him as a squire.
Real Men Love Jesus: Always has a septa to attend executions, as an execution without the Mother’s mercy is little better than murder.
Reasonable Authority Figure: He was fully prepared to allow Robbie to take his vows as a knight under the Old Gods instead of the Seven and very understanding when Robbie declined to become a knight.

Ser Patrek Mallister

Pat

Son of Jason Mallister and heir of Seagard.

Bodyguarding a Badass: One of the various bodyguards of Robb Stark, and one of the four selected to do so during the Red Wedding.
Death Seeker: He attempts to tell Walder Frey to shove it and to kill him like they did Robb Stark. But the Freys decide he's too important to kill and throw him back into the cells.
Toxic Friend Influence: To Robbie. Patrek's womanizing behavior rubbed off on Robbie and this has made him lose standing with Lord Ryswell.
Lord Mallister: Try to shake off the wenching before you get home. I've let you spend too much time with Patrek, and your father won't thank me for it.

The Vale

House Royce of Runestone

Lord Yohn Royce

Bronze Yohn

Head of House Royce and Lord of Runestone. Husband of Lorra and father of Andar, Robar, Waymar and Ysilla.

It's All About Me: A mild case of this. When Lord Yohn endeavored to make a marriage alliance between House Redfort, he insisted that the union be with a child of his own body (which is why his cousin Nestor’s son Albar was not considered). This is why Mychel Redfort married Yohn's daughter Ysilla.
Outliving One's Offspring: His youngest son Waymar was killed by White Walkers a year before the books began while his second son Robar was killed by Loras Tyrell.
Reasonable Authority Figure: He's perfectly willing to take Domeric into his service.
Secret-Keeper: He is one of the figures in the know about Domeric and Sansa being in hiding in the Vale.

Ser Robar Royce

Robar the Red

Second son of Bronze Yohn Royce, deceased. Betrothed to Cassandra Redfort.

Alliterative Name: Robar Royce.
Arranged Marriage: To Cassandra Redfort.
Ascended Extra: He's mainly a supporting character in Catelyn's chapters in A Clash of Kings, but here his importance to the Vale's politics is discussed.
Posthumous Character: Killed by Loras Tyrell as punishment for letting Catelyn Stark escape after Renly Baratheon’s assassination.

Ser Waymar Royce

Bronze Yohn's youngest son, a ranger of the Night's Watch. Killed on a ranging Beyond the Wall.

The Lady's Favor: Sansa had presented him with her favor when he and his father stopped at Winterfell on their way to the Wall, a cloth with the runes of his house in one corner and the black of the Night's Watch in the other.
Posthumous Character: Killed a year or two before the story begins.
Straw Misogynist: Has a very dim view of women and has no interest at all.
"Don't worry, Dom. You don't have to listen to a fat slattern like Randa. Girls like her, they look at you and they decide you're handsome, and because they're pretty they know you're looking too. A woman's looks, that's her weapon. Her kisses, her tears, her cunt. They look at you and think, aye, it would be fun to play him for a fool. It makes them feel powerful, to know they can disarm men who could cut them down in a moment. And if they don't want to make you into a fool, they want to marry you, and then they always want something. If you're an heir, they want to be lady of your castle. If you're not, either you're nothing, or they're some merchant's daughter who wants her children to be noble. They don't want you for you. You're just a tool to them. A stepping stone. If they praise anything that you do that you weren't born with, it's so they can brag to the other ladies while they're sewing, and act all high and mighty while claiming your accomplishments, when they did nothing at all."

Ser Sam Stone

Ser Samwell Stone

Master-at-arms at Runestone.

Innocently Insensitive: Apologizes for accidentally pressing Domeric into talking about his experiences during the War of the Five Kings.
Old Soldier: A veteran of wars dating back to the War of the Ninepenny Kings.

House Redfort of Redfort

Lord Horton Redfort

Lord of Redfort and head of House Redfort. Father of Jasper, Creighton, Jon, and Mychel and Cassandra, Jessie, and Jeyne.

Abusive Parents: Suffice it to say, he was furious when his son Jon returned to his keep after bedding and marrying Ellyn Egen. Lord Horton responded by putting Jon in the stocks for two weeks while the servants pelted him with food, plus flogging him.
(to Ellyn) "See the fool you have married. See what he deserves."
Massive Numbered Siblings: He's sired four sons and three daughters.
The Mentor: To Domeric Bolton, as the man he served under and knighted him.
Real Men Love Jesus: A strong believer in the Faith of the Seven, and extremely strict.

Ser Jon Redfort

Third son of Lord Horton Redfort.

I Regret Nothing: Despite being put in the stocks and beaten, he has no regrets over eloping with Ellyn.
Shotgun Wedding: To Ellyn Egen. When word came of Robar Royce's death, Jon rode over to Egen Keep, had sex with Ellyn, and they were married within the hour.

Ser Mychel Redfort

Ser Mychel Redfort, Knight of the Red Rune Tower

Fourth and youngest son of Lord Horton Redfort.

Arranged Marriage: To Ysilla Royce, to cement a union between Houses Royce and Redfort.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: With Domeric.
Master Swordsman: Hailed as one of the best swordsmen in the Vale.
Replacement Goldfish: For Bronze Yohn's son Robar, as Mychel received Robar's lands and place in the Royce household.
The Squire: To Lyn Corbray.

Characters / knight of the dreadfort (the ballad of the red king)

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