Difference between revisions of "Second Sons"

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Revision as of 17:56, 7 February 2018

Template:Sellsword Company

For the television episode, see Second Sons (TV).

The Second Sons are a sellsword company found in the Free Cities. Their banner is a broken sword[1] and they take commands only from their captain.

The Second Sons are not as well equipped as the Golden Company. While on campaign their camp is a circle of ragged tents, including a cook tent. Brown Ben Plumm’s tent has painted canvas walls cracked and faded by years of sun and rain, as well as a floor covered with threadbare carpets in half a dozen clashing colors.

History

The Second Sons are amongst the oldest of the free companies. They do not enjoy the shining reputation of the Golden Company, but they have won some famous victories. Four hundred years ago the Second Sons stood in defense of Qohor along with the Bright Banners company against the first Dothraki khalasar to venture east since the Doom of Valyria. However, they suffered a defeat and fled the battlefield, though the battle was later won by the Three Thousand of Qohor.[2]

The names of every man to serve with the Second Sons is written in a leather-bound book, as well as when they joined, where they fought, how long they served, and the manner of their deaths. A tradition of the company is to sign in red ink. There was a time when each new man wrote his name in his own blood, but that tradition faded as blood makes poor ink. Famous past members include:

Under the command of Mero, whose evil reputation is known even in Westeros, the Second Sons turned near as bad as the Brave Companions. Mero's reputation has fallen to the point where none of the Free Cities will hire him any longer. [1] They have fought in the Disputed Lands.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

The Second Sons are employed by Yunkai to defend them against the threat of Daenerys Targaryen. They are placed on the left of the defensive line that faces Daenerys's army. They are commanded by Mero, known as the Titan's Bastard. Mero attends the parley with Daenerys and decides to mull her offer of switching sides or departing only on the condition that she give him a wagon of wine. While the Seconds Sons are getting drunk on it that night, Daenerys sends her forces on the attack. The Second Sons are routed and Mero flees before he can be captured.[1]

The remaining Second Sons vote Brown Ben Plumm as their new commander and they join Daenerys's army. Mero hides among the freedmen and attempts to assassinate Daenerys, but his attempt is thwarted by Barristan Selmy and Mero is killed by an enraged mob of freedmen.[4]

A Dance with Dragons

Tyrion Lannister examining the company steel – by Jamga ©

Daenerys sends the Second Sons south of Meereen to guard against any incursions by Yunkai.[5] However, when Brown Ben learns that Daenerys cannot control her dragons anymore, he has his company go over to the Yunkai'i.[6][7]

Escaped slaves Tyrion Lannister and Ser Jorah Mormont join the Second Sons, accompanied by fellow escaped slave Penny. The company is on their fourth book, which Tyrion signs in blood.

Part of Tyrion’s negotiations with Brown Ben for becoming a Second Son include becoming indebted to them. Just prior to signing their book Tyrion is handed a pile of roughly 50 to 60 promissory notes to sign. Tyrion remarks that only one in ten Second Sons receives a promissory note. He signs each note Tyrion of House Lannister and passes them one at a time to Inkpots, who dusts each one with fine sand.[8]

The promissory notes for the serjeants promise to pay the bearer of the note 100 golden dragons, while higher-ranked officers are to be paid 1,000 gold dragons. The last three notes are made out by name:

  • To Kasporio the Cunning: written in fine vellum, promising 10,000 dragons
  • To Tybero Istarion: written in fine vellum, promising 10,000 dragons
  • To Brown Ben Plumm: inscribed upon a sheepskin scroll, promising 100,000 golden dragons, 50 hides of fertile land, a castle, and a lordship.

The Second Sons' armorer is Hammer; his apprentice is Nail. Tyrion observes the company steel is worse than what he fought in at the Battle of the Green Fork. Jorah states there is some sound steel in there, none of it is pretty, but it will stop a sword.[8] Some of the armor in the wayns are what sellswords were wearing when they died and some of it is made to fit boys.[8]

With the additions of Tyrion and Jorah they number 514 members. Jorah joins up as a fighter while Tyrion is assigned to Inkpots to help keep the books, count coin, and write contracts and letters. When Tyrion makes a jape about supervising camp followers this does not please Brown Ben, who tells Tyrion to stay away from the whores. He wants Tyrion to remain hidden within the camp until Meereen is taken and they are on their way to Westeros.

The Winds of Winter

The Second Sons are commanded by Malazza, the Girl General, to defend the Wicked Sister during the Second Siege of Meereen. A Yunkish messenger comes to the tent to inform them that Morghaz zo Zherzyn, supreme commander of the Yunkai'i, wants them to defend the Harpy's Daughter instead, as the Unsullied are advancing toward the trebuchet while Bloodbeard and two Ghiscari legions stand against them. The Second Sons are informed that Gorzhak zo Eraz has been slain, cut down by the Tattered Prince, meaning that the Windblown have gone over to Daenerys. When the messenger recognises Tyrion as an escaped slave and demands he be turned over, Jorah kills the messenger. Brown Ben then announces that the Second Sons have always been the queen's men and that rejoining the Yunkai'i was just a plot.[9]

Notable Members

Captain-generals

  • {Mero}, better known as the "Titan's Bastard". Killed by freedmen for attempting to assassinate Daenerys Targaryen.
  • Ben Plumm, known as "Brown Ben", captain and commander
  • Kasporio, called "Kasporio the Cunning", second in command

Members

Quotes

I was born a second son. This company is my destiny.[10]

- Tyrion Lannister


I have signed their book. The old way, in blood. I am now a Second Son.

- Tyrion Lannister, to Penny

Let him go on thinking that he’s bent me over and fucked me up the arse, and I’ll go on buying steel swords with parchment dragons. If ever he went back to Westeros to claim his birthright, he would have all the gold of Casterly Rock to make good on his promises. If not, well, he’d be dead, and his new brothers could wipe their arses with these parchments.[8]

References