Maelor Velaryon was the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, reigning from 185-199AC.
Inheriting a realm in decline, he spent much of his rule dealing with major and minor conflicts all across the realm. While known as a tactical mastermind and scholar, Maelor did not possess the delicate tongue and attitude of the likes of his grandfather, Jacaerys, to resolve the tension left by his ruinous father, Monterys. Before his death, he formed a Regency Council to help his young heir rule, before coming of age.
Appearance and Character[]
Brown-haired and brown-eyed, Maelor possessed a modest stature, yet a mildly intimidating aura with his infamous gaze.
Known to be a lover of literary arts, it is often said that Maelor would have reached great success in the Citadel had he not been born a King. Most famous for his unmatched tactical and strategic prowess on the battlefield, his martial aptitude is often compared to the likes of Aegon the Conqueror.
History[]
The Seven Kingdoms tired from the state of affairs as left by Monterys Velaryon, and they demanded an immediate improvement from their young monarch. Although the latter was much more endowed with the gifts of a King, he was no Jacaerys, or Jaehaerys. The boy could not fix his Realm in a matter of mere years, and the nobles had no more patience left. And so it was that the Realm entered a historic age known as Maelor's Woes, named so for the unprecedented severity of unrest and revolts.
In 185 AC, barely some time after the death of Monterys the Ruin, Maelor's first (and one of many) revolt broke out - Staedmon's Folly, one that lasted less than a year. Frustrated with what was perceived as too much placating of the Dornish, the spearheads of the rebellion, Gormon Peake and Barristan Staedmon, garnered the support of other lords to unseat the Dornish nobility from their positions in Court, and diminish their influence. Their conspiracy ultimately failed, and they rose in open revolt. While opportunists like Sunderland exploited the chaos to their own benefit by pillaging both sides, the kingdoms of the Stormlands, Dorne, the Reach and the Riverlands were all engrossed by war. Maelor's aptitude for personal command mitigated much of the damage, as did Lord Darklyn's leadership. In the end, the Crown prevailed, with the King executing the strongest dissidents with prejudice, a prerogative within his rights, but one that hadn't been taken well from a Realm expecting leniency. Besides defining Maelor's own reputation, Staedmon's Folly also marked the beginning of Lord Darklyn's antipathy towards his monarch, whose heavy involvement came off as a slight to the old commander, who deemed the boy too inexperienced for command. Yet when his triumph eclipsed the Lord's own victories, the seeds of jealousy and envy were planted in a once loyal House. Lastly, this war also rose to sight a lowly retainer, later dubbed Knight of Skullfort for his actions in the last battle, a man whose importance would not be known for some time in the flow of history.
Barely having any time to recover from the last war, the Crown was forced into another conflict, no less severe, though this time, it was mostly confined to the seas. The popularisation of the Dornish red only furthered the xenophobic elements present in court, for trade rivals, particularly the Arbor, could not stand by as their signature product started to be dethroned as the public favourite. The Wine Wars, initially a struggle between the mighty Redwyne fleet and the Dornish-funded privateers of the Stepstones, soon grew in scale, with House Lannister, Grafton and Velaryon of Dragonstone joining in. The war ended indecisively (187 AC), a vicious storm crushing the armadas of the parties who'd thought they'd decide the tide of the war with one final showdown. Maelor forced reparations on the relevant participants, exhorting them to contribute towards the restoration of Gulltown, which had sustained considerable damage from the work of privateers sent by Dragonstone.
A year later, with the Crown enjoying a brief respite, Lord Lyonel Tarth began the Revolt of Sapphire Isle, after being denied a position on the Small Council. Using his great quantity of wealth, the Stormlord harried his own kingdom with propaganda and mercenary armies, causing mass defections and securing a few victories. Though the rabble of a host he possessed never truly achieved anything major, they bled the region hard with their prolonged conflict. Despite Maelor's success in the area, the King was forced to withdraw to attend to an issue far greater - another conflict, the War of Old Oak Succession. While the Stormlords fought over how to best deal with Tarth (and thus contributed to lengthening the rebellion), the Reach and the Westerlands came to blows. Although the tide swung towards the latter, Maelor's eventual involvement (favouring the Tyrells) forced the war to a halt. Old Oak was granted to Gerion Oakheart, and the Westerlands attained a grudge to hold against the Crown.
As a consequence of the Wine Wars, Lord Frey decided to see to the profits of his House by enacting heavy tariffs for passing through the Crossing, causing the ire of Lord Stark, whose merchants strained under these new limitations. The War for the Crossing was fought between Stark and Frey forces, though due to Manderly's alliance with the latter, they were also heavily involved. In time, the confrontation between the Northmen and Rivermen would be eclipsed by the gruesome siege of White Harbor and all that followed. The Vale, despite the King's request for their intervention, was torn apart by fighting of its own, as the heir of House Hunter allied with the clansmen to take revenge upon his fellow noblemen and the Crown, for the apathy they showed towards the shaming (and eventual death) of her sister by King Monterys. Both troubles subsided, in time, though much blood was spilled.
The Greyiron's War was a conflict spearheaded by a hedge knight named Andrik, who'd been promised land in the Riverlands after he won a wager against the Late King Monterys. Maelor and his council were quick to renege on this promise, exhorting the knight and his followers to war. With the assistance of the Riverlords, Maelor defeated the Pretender, despite his skill at arms and cunning. This was to be the second last revolt for Maelor - the greatest was yet to come, through the ire of the Crownlords, Darklyn, and his allies.
The Darklyn Rebellion was a draining, brutal affair. The southern Westerlands and Stormlands, as well as the Riverlands and parts of the Reach, were devastated. From the ashes the realm sought to rebuild. Lord Staedmon, well-known for his mastery over coin, surprised everyone with his actions, once the King returned to the capital. Falling to his feet with tears pouring down his cheeks, the nobleman begged for forgiveness for the crimes of his precursors, declaring his friendship for the Crown, and donating an unfathomably large amount of gold to its treasuries (which was then spent for the restoration processes). What was even more shocking was that Maelor helped him stand up, and announced to the entirety of Court that he was, in fact, extending his forgiveness. Lord Staedmon's offer did not prove a ploy - although never attaining office in truth, he worked diligently with the Master of Coin to oversee the rebuilding of the Seven Kingdoms - his efforts were critical to the speedy recovery of the latter.
After the Battle of Harrenhal, the Knight of Skullfort had been found amongst the bodies of the dead, almost thrown in the pyre with them. Having fiercely grasped the hand of his would-be carrier, the soldier discovered that the corpse was alive, after all. Rodrick had been considered one of the most fearsome knights before, with several in Court (including Maelor) considering adding him to the ranks of the Kingsguard. Yet, now, with the loss of his arm, such could not happen. But the King did not forget for whom this arm had been lost, and his gratitude for the knight's heroism, recent and past, was quite large. Although initially awarded with wealth and salary quite above his station, his true reward would be revealed later, to the shock of all.
The next three years were surprisingly hopeful for the Seven Kingdoms. For once, the King had gained some semblance of lasting peace, with the majority of the plotters dead, and those still around in fear of his reputation. Good things, however, rarely last.
Years of campaigning had exacted a toll on Maelor. He'd spent half his life on horseback, riding to put down one revolt or another. When he wasn't fighting to squash a rebellion, he was plotting how to end the next one, in his room, alone, day and night, with little sleep. Even his hobbies, pitifully enough, were connected to the pursuit of warfare. Cartography, originally the young monarch's joy, swiftly turned into another tool to be used against his enemies, as he scanned and made these maps tirelessly, to gain some sort of an advantage for his next battles. There was no more enjoyment to be had in sparring, reading, arithmetics…
The King's health began to deteriorate. A combination of stress, and a battered body from both physical trauma, alongside a plethora of diseases picked up during his campaigns, was finally putting him down. It was evident to all, especially the monarch himself. Thus, he made every attempt to secure the peace he'd fought so hard for, and to secure the reign of his heir, with what little life he had left.
First came the establishment of an elite unit of soldiers, tasked specifically with protecting the King and his authority in and outside of battles. The Iron Guard was composed primarily of the strongest warriors from Dorne, the Iron Islands and the North - knighthood and faith did not matter here, only skill at arms and loyalty. The latter Maelor gained easily, magnanimously paying the five hundred warriors under him, whose commander was fiercely loyal to the Crown, the combatants themselves without political ties, of unquestionable obedience. 'The Kingsguard are but seven blades. They are a means to a noble end - but as we saw at Harrenhal, they are no salvation,' Maelor had said, justifying the creation of this new order.
The second of his reforms, and the most major, was the establishment of a regency council. Darklyn had scarred the King - he had already trusted so few, and now even this pool had shrunk. Maelor could not entrust his heir to a sole regent, in fear of them usurping his power. But a council, five regents, chosen deliberately for their inability to work together, as to prevent factionalism and thus usurpation…
It was decided. One regent could steal from Maelor's son his birthright with his unchallenged power, but five such men sharing said power, and at odds? Representatives of weaker Houses would have to be picked, as to further diminish the chances of them dethroning the future King.
And thus, before his death, did Maelor the Tenacious form the council that would rule over the Realm before his son came of age:
The Knight of Skullfort was the first to be named regent, causing a ripple in both the Court and outside of it. A lowly commoner, who'd fought his way first up to knighthood, and now as one of the five members of a faction that would rule the Realm? It could have been a cause for another rebellion, perhaps, but no such thing occurred. Alongside this already tremendous privilege, the King granted Rodrick the honour of bearing arms in the Red Keep, something exclusive to the King, the royal family and the Kingsguard. Known for his martialist inclinations and a clamour for army reformation, the knight is not completely without friends, having gained the support of Houses Oakheart and Mallister for the policies he stands by, alongside a friend from the ranks of the Kingsguard.
Lord Staedmon's brother was the second pick, no less interesting of a selection. The former himself was afflicted by sickness, and would not make for a solid candidate, and thus, it was his kin that received the honour. Although thought to be of the same attitude as his sibling, this regent would soon prove that he was quite unapologetic for the crimes of his ancestors, and furthermore - endorsed their actions, mimicking their anti-Crown sentiments soon after the death of Maelor. An ardent supporter of commerce, trade and decreased taxes, he is a direct antagonist to Ser Rodrick and the reforms he pushes for, and he has not forgotten his father's demise at the hands of the knight, either, doubly fuelling their rivalry. The Stormlord himself has allies in the form of House Swann and House Serrett.
Then, there was Locke - a man of the North, so far from home, plunged into the warfare of politics. Unexpectedly, he proved quite proficient in this art. The third regent is famous for his disdain of the Dornish, considering the War for the Crossing a natural corollary of the Wine Wars. His fervent attempts at culling their influence from Court, to be replaced by Northmen, have seen popularity beyond his home region. The Lord wields a powerful tool at his disposal - the Commander of the Gold Cloaks answers but to him, and beyond that, his friendship with House Manderly runs deep.
Lord Blackmont, besides being named regent, was also preemptively positioned on the Small Council, as the Hand of the King for Maelor's successor. The enmity between him and Locke came as no surprise to anyone, nor the proceeding, perpetual clash that focused on filling the Court with their supporters. The Northman grapples to swing the tide, while the Dornishman seeks to maintain, and further aggrandise it. Though not possessing as many devoted allies as the other representatives, it is the Hand's prerogative to command the Crownlords' armies until the King comes of age.
The final regent to be named was Lord Butterwell - the most curious of the five, seemingly the most concerned with the looming threat of the dragonrider. He is utterly devoted to developing means of warfare against the fire-breathing creature, urging to invest all possible resources into the creation of new instances of scorpions, ones capable of felling such a beast. Known to be mostly without enemies or friends, only time will tell whether the Council prioritises such spending over other things.
The regents would rule until Maelor's son came of age on his nameday, during the ninth day of the eleventh moon. Impeachment was made a possibility only through the votes of four regents, and the King's approval. In such a case where space would become available for the Council, via impeachment, death, resignation, or other means, a regent would be chosen by majority of votes, and also the King's approval. Though Maelor legally obligated the regents to hear his son's counsel on any decision before they voted, he knew this had the strength of a paper shield. Thus, he endowed his heir with one final power: the ability to veto and overturn the ruling on any vote or proposal, once every three moons. Reaffirming his stance on this course of action, Maelor the Tenacious continued to rule the Realm for three more years quite capably, falling to a bedridden state only in the last month of 199 AC.