The Current Straasa Family and Retainers
NPCs
Lord Benton Straasa, Age 43 (soon to be 44). Bannerman to Lord Eddard Stark of the North, but with strong ties via marriage to Lord Jon Arryn of the Vale. He is a haughty fellow with more grey in his hair than brown, with amber-colored eyes and facial features reminiscent of a bird of prey. He is known to bellow while in his cups, though he has never raised a hand against one of his own house. He was crippled in battle versus the forces of Balon Greyjoy during the Greyjoy Rebellion; he lost the lower half of his left leg, and also lost the use of his left arm. This prevents him from traveling great distances from Castle Swampstone. He is still a cunning man, however, and has managed to maneuver with relative skill in the tumultuous political currents of Westeros.
Lady Delayne Straasa, Age 40. Originally of House Royce of Runestone and formerly a Tallhart of Torrhen’s Square. She is fairly short and now in her later years a fair bit on the plump side, but her soft brown curls and doe-like eyes are still remarkable. Technically a second cousin to Lord Royce, Lady Delayne came to be wed to Lord Benton only after being widowed by wildlings. A merry woman by all counts, in spite of the hardships she has faced in her forty years of life, Lady Delayne brightens Castle Swampstone considerably by her mere presence. She is an exceedingly doting mother to Dayne and Amalinde, and heaps additional affection on the two of them as a result of being separated by time and distance from her youngest son, Vaughan. She is ever the Lady of the House, striving against high odds to ensure a well-set table for guests, and doing all that is in her power to know some few traditions and preferences in cuisine from the farthest reaches of Westeros.
Conrad Straasa, eldest son and heir to House Straasa; died at age 10.
Amalinde Straasa, Age 10. Youngest child of Lord Benton and Lady Delayne. A maid of ten years, with bright amber-colored eyes, flowing locks of light-brown curls, and a ready smile. Amalinde is certainly learning her role as a lady, though this “lady-ness” is tempered readily by her quick wit and somewhat mischievous behavior. Though she still has some rather child-like features, she is sure to be a tremendous beauty in her own right when she reaches womanhood. She is bright, warm, and has a strong affinity for singing and needlework. She also has demonstrated strength in memorizing and reciting poetry, and has an exceptionally keen eye when it comes to numbers. Much to her mother’s chagrin, Amalinde loves to wade and swim in the stream at the top of the hill nearest the castle with the other youngsters of the household. She is frequently barefoot.
Tobias, Age 66. Seneschal of House Straasa. Tobias has been in service to House Straasa for his entire life, having been born to a chambermaid of Lady Freesia (mother to Benton and Alec) though there was a time in his youth when he strived to become a Maester of the Citadel. It is, in fact, from a Maester that Tobias received his training in stewardship, most especially in the ways of numbers and ledgers. Tobias has spent most of his time in the recent past training the youngsters of House Straasa to do mathematics, and to be aware of the fluctuations that are bound to happen in the monetary systems of Westeros. His role as steward is not necessarily well-defined, though when he has advice to give to Benton, you can be assured that Benton will listen.
Alyn, Age 14. A gawky yet charming young man whom Tobias has taken a vested interest in raising and training to be his replacement. Alyn is very kind-hearted and loyal to a fault, but has yet to be fully decided as to whom his loyalty runs deepest. Amalinde truly frightens him, though he tries desperately to not show this to her, fearing that it will inspire additional cruelty.
George, Age 35. A lithely built, fairly tall gent who has been with House Straasa for his entire life. He is the current Head Scout, and certainly highest-ranking among the soldiers at House Straasa. He has only recently become notable on a personal level to the members of House Straasa due to his participation in a leadership-based fighting ‘game’ on the Straasa practice fields. Known for unflagging loyalty and sincere desire to keep the peace in his swampy homelands.
Various other household servants (as yet undefined.)
PCs
Alec Straasa, Age 38. Brother to Lord Benton. Serves as Benton’s Right Hand, and frequently travels the length and breadth of Westeros in the name of House Straasa. Loyal, cunning, and with some fair skill at negotiation, Uncle Alec adores and is beloved by his entire family; and influential enough to be notable outside Castle Swampstone for quite a distance. (Scott)
Dayne Straasa, Age 18. Second-born son, now heir to House Straasa. He is bookish and bright, but not particularly skilled in weapons. He has not ventured far from Castle Swampstone, but has been present for his father’s meetings with notable folk such as Jon Arryn, Eddard Stark, and his distant uncle Lord Nestor Royce of Runestone. Currently entertaining the possibility of welcoming a Dornish bride, Dayne’s time of innocent life at the castle has come to an abrupt halt. (Dominic)
Ser Vaughan Straasa, Age 17. Third-born son and anointed knight of the realm. Vaughan has spent the past decade fostering in Dorne at House Wyl. He has seen battle, primarily in border skirmishes against the Reach, and has demonstrated prowess in tourneys down south. Though his acclaim is real in Dorne (and a few other places) the honor and glory – and wealth! – that he won during those tourneys went to his foster house. Vaughan has returned home at a summons from his father, Lord Benton. (Stephen)
Tabin Reed, Age 10. Foster of House Straasa for the past two years. Tabin has a constant companion in Verris, a burrowing owl not native to the swamplands of Westeros. Tabin is a distant nephew of Howland Reed, being the second son to Howland’s youngest sister. He is not at all in line to inherit, but his position as the head of House Reed’s nephew holds some sway politically. Tabin himself is a charming if quirky lad whose fondness for Amalinde is tremendously well-known. (Richard)
Samnys the Tyrosh, Age 38. Hedge Knight who has sworn his service to House Straasa. He was a fighting comrade of Alec Straasa during Robert’s Rebellion, being present during the battle wherein Alec was knighted. Beyond this, Samnys is rather veiled in mystery. He has taken up the position of Master-of-Arms in the household. He is responsible for providing basic training in sword and shield fighting techniques (among other, more stylized ones) to the young lads of House Straasa.
Anton Stone, Age 15. Acknowledged bastard of Alec Straasa. He arrived to Castle Swampstone around the same time as Tabin Reed. His arrival at Swampstone was met with mixed regard – awe that Alec had sired a bastard, in addition to the fact that he chose to acknowledge the boy, compounded by the fact that until two years ago nobody knew of the existence of Anton Snow – though he has openly ignored much of the poorly-veiled disdain. Instead, he has refined his talents as an archer and scout, rising quickly in the ranks among the Straasa Guardsmen. Perhaps it is his prowess, or perhaps it is that he is his father’s son that Alec is a favorite among the young ladies about the Castle. (Ray)
Visitors to House Straasa
From House Reed (sworn to the Starks of Winterfell)
Moira Reed: Age 17. Short, and lithely built. Straight shoulder-length brown hair. Hazel eyes. Carries a three-pronged frog-spear that it is apparent she knows how to use (and use well!) Has a warm personality, for a Reed.
Boan Reed: Age 12. Lad who could pass as Tabin for one who did not know the boys well. Slightly taller and somewhat more broad in the shoulder than his younger cousin. Also has a more solemn demeanor.
Llyr Reed: Age 5. A rather small child, even given his age. He has a shock of sandy blonde, unruly curls atop his head, and strikingly bright green eyes. He is held in high regard by his elder siblings. Has a tendency to very suddenly blurt out bits of seemingly random and odd information, and then to fall into silly sing-song.
From House Wyl (of Dorne, sworn to Sunspear)
Lady Saryah Wyl: Age 19. Has proposed marriage to Dayne at the same time that her acknowledged-bastard cousin has proposed marriage to Vaughan. Vaughan’s foster-sister. All that is known about her to most of Straasa is that she has one heck of a dowry. (As yet unmet by everyone save Vaughan and maybe Alec; the former of whom has remained entirely silent about her.)
Norie Sand: Age 20. Has proposed marriage to Vaughan, and has spurred her noble-born cousin to propose marriage to the mysterious elder brother, Dayne. A base-born yet acknowledged woman, with a relatively reasonable dowry. (As yet unmet by everyone save Vaughan, and not unlike Lady Saryah, he has remained closed-mouthed about this woman as well.)
Desmond Yronwood (of House Yronwood) 21 years old. Lithe, but well-muscled in his shoulders and arms. On first appearance, he was fully armed and lightly armored, carrying a sturdy small shield with the device of House Yronwood emblazoned upon it, and with a case containing about a dozen short spears strapped across his back. He wore no helmet, and his chin-length black hair fell in lazy curls around the side of his bronze-colored face. He was also holding the shaft of one enormous spear with a leaf-shaped head that was twice again the length of his hand, and wickedly sharp by all appearances. He wore a long sword at his hip, as well, but it was the head of the spear that caused the scraggle-bearded “bandit” to lose his own head. {As an aside, Vaughan does immediately recognize the fellow. House Yronwood is considered to be the most powerful – militaristically speaking – of the Dornish noble Houses.}
**Five House Wyl Guardsmen – unnamed at present; were with Lady Saryah and Norie Sand, along with Desmond Yronwood in the swamp.
From House Payne (sworn to the Lannisters of Casterly Rock) <NOT a visitor; just mentioned for now)
Alois Payne: Age 13. Was suggested as a possible marriage match for Amalinde. All that is known of the boy is that he is a squire to Stanton Westerling of the Crag (also sworn to House Lannister) and that he has “demonstrated some martial skill.”
