| Storm's End | |
|---|---|
| Legendary castle, Regional capital | |
 Storm's End, by Logan Feliciano © Fantasy Flight Games | |
| Location | Stormlands, Westeros |
| Government |
House Durrandon (formerly) House Baratheon, feudal lord |
| Ruler |
Lord Renly Baratheon (AGoT) King Stannis Baratheon (ADwD) |
| Religion |
Faith of the Seven Faith of R'hllor |
| Founded | Age of Heroes |
| Notable places | Round Hall |
Storm's End is the seat of House Baratheon, the Lords Paramount of the Stormlands. The castle is located at Durran's Point on the northern coast of Shipbreaker Bay,[1] south of Bronzegate and northeast of Griffin's Roost. The kingsroad runs north from Storm's End through the stormlands to King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.[2]
One of the strongest castles in the realm, Storm's End was once the ancestral seat of the Storm Kings of House Durrandon extending back many thousands of years. The castle is said to be protected by spells woven into its very walls that prevent magic from affecting it or passing through it.
Household
[edit]Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, is served by Maester Jurne.[3] Ser Cortnay Penrose serves as castellan in Renly's absence,[4] and Edric Storm, a bastard of King Robert I Baratheon, is Cortnay's ward at Storm's End.[3]
Layout
[edit]Storm's End is surrounded by a massive outer curtain wall, one hundred feet high and forty feet thick on its thinnest side and nearly eighty feet thick on its seaward side. It is composed of a double course of pale grey stone with an inner core of sand and rubble. The wall is smooth and curving, the stones so well placed and so perfectly fit together that the wind can find no purchase. On the seaward side, there is a one hundred fifty foot drop below the wall into the sea.[5] There is no safe anchorage by the castle.[1] The curtain wall protects the castle's kitchens, stables, and yard.[5]
Storm's End has only one tower,[6] a colossal drum tower crowned with formidable battlements, making it look like a huge, spiked fist thrusting towards the sky from afar.[5] The tower is so large that it comfortably contains the granary, barracks, armory, feast hall, and lord's chambers all at once.[5] The main hall of the castle is called the Round Hall.[7] The maester's cell and the rookery are located at the top of the tower,[6] which is windowless on the side facing the sea.[5] It is said that there are spells woven into the stonework of Storm's End.[4]
The seaward side of Storm's End stands upon Durran's Point,[8] a high white cliff overlooking the sea.[4] A tunnel, accessible only at high tide and treacherous because of jagged rocks, leads to a cavern beneath the castle where the storm lords of old built their landing. The passageway is guarded by murder holes in its ceiling and can be lit by torches. A portcullis with narrow bars guards entry from the tunnel to the cavern.[4]
The godswood at Storm's End has a weirwood, and the heart tree is carved with a solemn face.[9]
Despite a good wind off Shipbreaker Bay, the weather is hot at Storm's End in summertime.[10] There are fields and stony ridges in the vicinity.[5] A village near Storm's End has a small sept.[5][11]
History
[edit]Origin
[edit]
Art by Roman Papsuev ©
The mighty fortress called Storm's End has stood for centuries, facing the terrible weather of Shipbreaker Bay with little wear to show for it. Legend claims that it was built by Durran Godsgrief, the first Storm King during the Dawn Age, who declared a war against the sea god and the goddess of the wind after they killed his family and guests, ruining his wedding to their daughter, Elenei. It was said Durran raised six castles, each larger and more formidable than the last, but all were destroyed by storms. The massive seventh castle, Storm's End, is also called Durran's Defiance[12] because it was able to endure the storms.[1] Some believe this was because the children of the forest took a hand in its construction, using their magics in raising the castle walls which allow it to resist the storms. Others believe that a young boy who grew up to be Bran the Builder advised Durran on its construction.[5]
The maesters serving at Storm's End have recorded fierce storms nearly every year especially in autumn. The storms of 166 AC and 221 AC were particularly powerful.[1]
House Durrandon
[edit]The Storm Kings, Durran's descendants from House Durrandon, used Storm's End as their seat as the First Men consolidated control over the stormlands.[8] In its long history the formidable fortress has never fallen to siege or storm.[1]
During the coming of the Andals, the invaders are said to have abandoned attempts to capture Storm's End from the First Men Storm Kings after seven failed sieges and assaults. Instead, the Durrandons and Andals eventually came together through marriage.[13] Archmaester Vyron speculates in his Triumphs and Defeats that the final form of the castle being the seventh shows a clear Andal influence and suggests the possibility that the final form was achieved in Andal times. The great tower and curtain wall appear beyond the capability of the ancient First Men, at least, as they often built ringforts which are now left in ruins.[1]
Gyles III Gardener, King of the Reach, conquered much of the stormlands but failed to capture Storm's End after a siege of two years.[14]
During Aegon's Conquest, the last Storm King, Argilac the Arrogant, abandoned his impressive defenses to meet Orys Baratheon in open battle and suffered accordingly in the Last Storm. Taking Argilac's daughter, Argella, as his bride, Orys became Aegon's Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and House Baratheon replaced the Durrandons as lords of Storm's End.[15]
House Baratheon
[edit]
Storm's End hosted Aegon I Targaryen several times during the king's royal progresses.[16] Aenys I Targaryen visited the castle after becoming king.[17]
Jaehaerys I Targaryen was proclaimed king by Lord Rogar Baratheon at Storm's End in 48 AC, hastening the downfall of Maegor I Targaryen.[17] In the same year a steward at Storm's End and his barren wife fostered the baseborn son of Coryanne Wylde.[18] The Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon died giving birth to Jocelyn Baratheon at Storm's End in 54 AC.[6]
Near the start of the Dance of the Dragons, Prince Aemond Targaryen enjoyed feasts, hunting, and jousting at Storm's End when he visited Lord Borros Baratheon as an envoy of King Aegon II Targaryen. Borros hosted Aemon and Prince Lucerys Velaryon, an envoy of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, in the Round Hall. Lucerys and his dragon, Arrax, were slain by Aemond and Vhagar outside Storm's End when Lucerys attempted to depart.[7] Prince Daemon Targaryen, Rhaenyra's husband, suggested that Storm's End be granted to the lowborn Ser Ulf White, an idea which shocked Lord Corlys Velaryon.[19] Ser Willis Fell escorted Princess Helaena Targaryen to Storm's End after the fall of King's Landing.[20] Lord Olyver Baratheon was born at Storm's End seven days after his father Borros was killed in the Battle of the Kingsroad.[20]
King Baelor I Targaryen recuperated at Storm's End for half a year after he returned from Dorne.[21]
Recent History
[edit]Princess Rhaelle Targaryen served at Storm's End as Lord Lyonel Baratheon's cupbearer and companion to his lady wife,[22] and she wed Lyonel's heir, Lord Ormund Baratheon.[23]
The Windproud of Lord Steffon Baratheon, Ormund's son, sank in Shipbreaker Bay within sight of Storm's End. Bodies washed up on the strand below the castle, with the only survivor being Patchface. The castellan at that time was Ser Harbert, while the castle's maester was Cressen.[24]
Robert, now a lord, participated in Lord Steffon's tourney at Storm's End, which was named after his late father probably by Robert as an homage.[25]. During the rebellion, Lord Robert Baratheon, Steffon's son, feasted and hunted with Lords Cafferen and Grandison at Storm's End after defeating them at Summerhall; Robert hung the banners of the defeated in his hall as trophies.[26]
Storm's End was then besieged for nearly a year by the host of Lord Mace Tyrell, who commanded the landward forces, whilst Lord Paxter Redwyne's fleet of the Arbor kept the castle cut off by sea. However, Stannis Baratheon, Robert's brother in command of the defense, refused to yield and his men were reduced to eating rats. The armorer Donal Noye lost an arm during the siege.[27] A smuggler named Davos ran the blockade and resupplied the castle, allowing the garrison to outlast the siege of Storm's End. Stannis rewarded Davos with knighthood, creating House Seaworth.[24]
After Robert became king, he gave the castle to his youngest brother, Renly, and granted Stannis the much poorer Dragonstone, which led to many years of bitterness on Stannis's part.[24][28] Ser Loras Tyrell squired at Storm's End, where he became acquainted with Renly.[25] When Renly is away at court in King's Landing fulfilling his duties as Robert's master of laws, Storm's End is held by its castellan, Ser Cortnay Penrose. Robert's bastard, Edric Storm, is fostered by Cortnay at the castle.[29]
Recent Events
[edit]A Game of Thrones
[edit]
Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, flees King's Landing with Ser Loras Tyrell after the death of his brother, King Robert I Baratheon. Lord Varys, the master of whisperers, thinks Renly is riding to Storm's End or Highgarden in the Reach.[30] Renly weds Margaery Tyrell at Highgarden and is proclaimed Lord of the Seven Kingdoms by Lord Mace Tyrell. Storm's End calls the banners for Renly.[31]
A Clash of Kings
[edit]During the War of the Five Kings, the many castles sworn to Storm's End help Renly field a sizable force to support his claim on the Iron Throne. His elder brother, Stannis, lays siege to Storm's End instead of attacking King's Landing. Stannis's men cut down a nearby grove of trees for siege weapons, and it is where the rival kings hold an unsuccessful parley.[5] The night before the brothers are to battle, Catelyn Stark prays at the sept of a village located in sparse woodland near the castle. Despite the presence of his Rainbow Guard, Renly is assassinated in his camp by a shadow that night.[11]
Following Renly's death, the castellan Ser Cortnay Penrose refuses to yield in a parley beneath Storm's End's walls, believing that Robert's bastard, Edric Storm, fostered within the castle, would be harmed.[4] Stannis has Ser Davos Seaworth, a former smuggler, row Melisandre into the tunnel beneath the castle so that the spells of Storm's End do not ward out her magic. Once past the walls, Melisandre births a shadow which bypasses the portcullis[4] and throws Cortnay from the tower, an apparent suicide.[32]
Soon after Cortnay's death, his lieutenant, Lord Elwood Meadows, names himself castellan and surrenders the castle to Stannis.[33] Melisandre has Stannis burn the godswood at Storm's End as an offering to the Lord of the Light.[34][35]
A Storm of Swords
[edit]
Following the Battle of the Blackwater, Stannis's Hand of the King, Lord Alester Florent, negotiates with the Iron Throne, suggesting that Stannis relinquish his royal claim and remain Lord of Dragonstone and Storm's End. Stannis has Alester imprisoned for treason.[36]
Ser Gilbert Farring serves Stannis as the castellan of Storm's End, with Elwood as his second-in-command and a garrison of two hundred[26] or three hundred.[37]
Loras admits to Ser Jaime Lannister that he buried Renly at a place known to them near Storm's End.[25]
A Feast for Crows
[edit]Princess Arianne Martell believes that Storm's End belongs to Tommen Baratheon by rights, but that the Iron Throne belongs to his elder sister, Myrcella Baratheon.[38]
In 300 AC, Mace and Lord Mathis Rowan bring half the Tyrell strength to besiege Storm's End.[39][40] Some of the Redwyne fleet blockade Shipbreaker Bay, preventing the castle from being resupplied.[41] Mace abandons the siege to return to King's Landing after the arrest of Margaery, Mace's daughter and Tommen's queen, by the Faith.[42] Mace leaves a token force with Lord Rowan to continue the siege but the castle continues to support Stannis's claim to the throne.[43] Its defenders include Gilbert, Elwood, and Stannis's uncle, Ser Lomas Estermont.[44]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]Griffin's Roost is captured during the landing of the Golden Company in the stormlands. Lord Jon Connington next plans to take Storm's End by guile and use it as a base for further campaigns of the Golden Company. After learning of the planned attack, Aegon Targaryen tells Jon of his intention to lead the assault.[45]
The Winds of Winter
[edit]
| Warning This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change. |
At Griffin's Roost, Haldon Halfmaester informs Princess Arianne Martell that the Golden Company has taken Storm's End and that the Hand awaits her there. He tells her that Mace Tyrell's army is descending on the castle from King's Landing and that she will want to be safe inside the walls before the battle. Arianne decides to sail to Storm's End.[46]
Quotes
[edit]
The nightfires had burned low, and as the east began to lighten the immense mass of Storm's End emerged like a dream of stone while wisps of pale mist raced across the field, flying from the sun on wings of wind.[11]
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
I mean to take Storm's End. A nigh-impregnable stronghold, and Stannis Baratheon's last foothold in the south. Once taken, it will give us a secure fastness to which we may retreat at need, and winning it will prove our strength.[45]
Chapters that take place at Storm's End
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Stormlands (Storm's End).
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Map of the South.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Clash of Kings, Appendix.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 31, Catelyn III.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Stormlands.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 5, Davos I.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Stormlands (Andals in the Stormlands).
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Reach (Andals in the Reach).
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Seven Kingdoms: The Stormlands (House Baratheon).
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 19, Jon III.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 49, Eddard XIV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 69, Tyrion IX.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 52, Sansa IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 16, Jaime II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 32, Cersei VII.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 43, Cersei X.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Mathis Rowan.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Chapter , Arianne II.
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