House Blackhawk

"Cowards Never Conquer."

A small and relatively young house that controls a small hamlet in the mountains between House Borin and House Peake. House Blackwater holds lordship over the Wyrd Swamp, the County of Blackhawk - a grazing plain for livestock, and Harkans Perch, a hamlet in the grassy mountains with a beautiful river that provides fresh water before depositing the trash into the swamp.

Founding and Subsequent History
House Blackhawk is said to be a cursed founding. Founded by Harkan Blackhawk, a fearsome warrior of fabled temper during the Blackfyre Rebellion. Serving House Borin and a distant family member, he received word that his family was planning to betray House Borin and the king and side with the Blackfyre. He set off immediately, and was greeted with open arms. However, he soon put his father, mother, older two brothers and sister to the sword. He hung them outside the gate of their hall - mutilated. It was a warning to all betrayers. However, the resulting chaos would prove to lead to a crippling of the once prosperous mountain community. Harkan Blackhawk - Kinslayer, was rewarded with a house for his service to the King. His name changed to Blackhawk because the kings servants arrived to see Harkan's prized hunting hawk feasting on the bodies of his family.

His reputation would win no favors in the tumultuous Riverlands, and in subsequent years would suffer defeats at the hands of other houses and the Ironmen. The house would be forced to attempt to recuperate before dealing with foreign affairs.

Harkans grandson, Stonor, would prove to be the next to fall to the Blackhawk curse as during the return of Blackfyres child, he set off. However, in his aid against Blackfyre to Selmy, he had numerous disagreements with the command due to his brutality. When he returned home, he was a changed man. He began to enjoy bloodsport, and slaughtered much of the population. Furthermore, he slew a septon and burned the Septonry to the ground. He would be slain by his own knights, and only his single son was spared. The Steward took over, and his wife Cecile left the house, scarred by what she had seen.

Later involvement would include the House fighting against Greyjoy seeking to serve the king at all times.

Lord Albrecht Blackhawk (35)
Lord Albrecht Blackhawk started life raised by his Steward. Raised by his harsh steward, and trained by the knights who killed his father, Albrecht understood his families history and the struggles his bloodline had suffered. His loyalty and duty was to the house. Upon reaching the age where he could rule the house himself, he killed his steward for masterminding his fathers death. Justice, he claimed, had now been served. He never contacted, or wished to speak to his mother who had been bargained off to Volsey. His only wish was for House Blackhawk to grow strong and to remove the stigma from the mistakes of his forebearers.

Born a huge child, who grew into an even bigger man, he stands only slightly shorter than The Mountain Who Rides. Truly legendary with a blade and stronger than an ox, Albrecht is an animal in combat. Though age has started to stiffen his joints, he competes in tourneys as often as possible to bring glory to his house as he attempts to rebuild from the ashes that his forefathers left him. When in combat, he usually eschews a horse, prefering to stride amongst his soldiers wielding his family blade - a massive Valyrian greatsword dubbed "Talon" with a pommel and handguard in the image of hawks. His plate armor is burnished black, and specially made for a man so massive and a helmet with a beak like that of a gigantic hawk.

Lord Blackhawk is a man of principle, who truly believes that his ancestors did what the must for honor and out of duty. Blackhawks do not believe in weakness or cowardness, and live to serve the realm. However, Albrecht is also very familiar with the curses of his bloodline, and it is whispered he has a temper as foul as that of his great grandfather.

Abilities

Status 6

Fighting 6 (Long Blades 3B Spears 1B)

Agility 3

Animal Handling 3 (Ride 2B)



Athletics 3 (Strength 2B)

Warefare 3 (Command 2B)

Awareness 3

Endurance 5

Language 3

Will 3

Flaw - Furious, Cursed

Benefits - Berserker, Massive, Heirloom (Valyrain Greatsword)

Intrigue Defense - 9

Composure - 9

Health - 15

AR - 10

Defense - 9

Bulk = 4 points

Harkan Blackhawk II (18)


Harkan II is the eldest of Albrechts children as well as his heir and firstborn male. Harkan is the favored son of his father and indeed it is shown in his blood and manner that he is a true Blackhawk. Strong and strapping, but nowhere near as large as his father, Harkan is both a capable warrior and a far more intelligent tactician and brilliant leader than his father. He enters every tournament he can alongside his father to bring glory to the House he values more than anything. An amiable enough boy, Albrecht looks upon his child as being the next hope for the House and knows despite the whispers of his childs terrible temper that he will bring the house to greater glories than even the first Harkan. Harkan II is currently being squired with House Borin.

For the boys 18th birthday, his father gifted him with a black suit of plate armor guilded with silver, and a prize hunting hawk. The helmet plumes into a silver hawk shrieking and a mantle made of real hawk feathers adorns its shoulders. No longer a boy, but a man, he will surely be one of the most fearsome of men of the Riverlands when he finishes squiring under Borin.

(Just, Brave, Wroth, Ambitious)

Storen Blackhawk (16)
The second trueborn son of Albrecht, there is no love between them. Albrecht looks upon this son as weak and cowardly - not traits of a true Blackhawk. While Harkan II was drilling or learning tactics both on the battlefield and court, Storen would attempt to sleep in, or shirk from his duties. While an amiable honest child that the servants liked among the Perch, he just lacked the will and hardness that was required to be a ruler. With no fire in his soul, no want for women or battle, Albrecht could not connect with the boy. Luckily, he is second born, and thus his father wonders what to do with him. He has sought a squireship with the hope that perhaps it is merely his tutelage, or that a Maester might take him on so that he can serve his brother in softer matters. Fostered at Axegift

(Chaste, Honest, Slothful, Cowardly)

Hilda Blackhawk (15)
The third born child, and first born daughter of Albrecht, she was the only thing Albrecht permitted himself to dote on. Hilda quickly learned while growing up that honeyed words would get you just as far as her fathers great sword, but she couldn't escape the fire blood that burns in Blackhawks veins. While charitable and loved by peasants and sociable enough to convince people she had nothing of her cursed forefathers, she realizes it merely is a tool for her to support herself, and the House that she and her dearly beloved father hold so dear. Only fifteen and already blossoming into an absolutely beautiful girl, Hilda understands exactly how to use her charms and feminine wiles to get what she wants - and enjoys doing it.

(Sociable, Charitable, Lustful, Cruel)

Other
Lina Blackhawk (32) - A woman from a minor noble family, Albrecht wasn't able to secure any higher status betrothals due to his fathers reputation. A very charming girl who worked hard at what she did, she loved the finer things in life. To Blackhawk, she represented high class despite lower birth, and aside from his aunts was the first woman he truly became fond of. However soon into their courtship, she was struck blind in a freak accident. Albrecht chose to continue to court her, and takes care of her to this very day. Lina tries to be involved with the children, and has satisfied Albrecht such that he doesn't think of making bastards, but she is of no use in the court except to incense Albrecht when the other ladies banter. Blind. Sociable and Diligent, Lustful and Greedy.

Diligent and Patient, Lustful and Gluttonous. - Artisan (Smith)

Ser Ognum the Giant - A cousin of Blackhawk, he rose to distinguish himself in the war against the Greyjoys. He commands the giantborn alongside Albrecht and is his most trusted right hand man. Quiet and reserved, he doesn't have the firey spirit of his main bloodline cousins, but his competence and utter devotion to the house has made him into the most trusted teacher and warrior that Albrecht has at his disposal. To honor his branch of the family and Albrechts aunt (Ognums mother) for helping raise him in his parentless state, he named the soldiers that protect the Perch after them.

(Huge. Patient and Humble, Greedy and Shy - Master At Arms)

Ser Samwise the Strong - A knight of Albrechts who's great strength distinguished him in the "Giant Born", he was soon discovered to give sage advice and council. His knack for numbers and intelligence in addition to his strength led to Albrecht appointing him steward. Good to have a steward to provide for you, better to have one strong enough to act as a bodyguard. Rather than ride with Albrecht to war, he spends much of his time training and commanding the Stoneholm guard.

(Strong. Humble and Charitable, Shy and Envious. Steward)

Forces
The Giant-Born (Elite Calvalry) - Castleforged Steel / Upgraded Armor

Sheperd Boys Archer Brigade (Green Archers) -

Stoneholm's Perch Guardians (Trained Garrison) -Castleforged Steel / Upgraded Armor