The Westerosi Civil War disrupted merchant routes across the Narrow Sea, causing the economies of several cities to plummet. During this turmoil, a man named Drazenko Rogare set sail for Dorne. At this time, Dorne remained independent from the rest of Westeros and was not involved in the civil war. A man by the name of Drazenko Rogare set sail for Dorne.

House Tarth, looking to strengthen its trade connections, forges significant ties with Tyrosh. Cameron Tarth married Phirelle, a merchant’s daughter, solidifying a lucrative trade route. Meanwhile, Braavos seizes the opportunity to consolidate its hold over disrupted trade, offering secure shipping lanes through its powerful Iron Bank and navy. 

The Rogare Bank collapsed after a series of financial scandals and assassinations orchestrated by rival factions in Lys and Braavos. Many whisper it was the Iron Bank getting rid of an ever-growing rival. The Free Cities, particularly Myr and Pentos, scramble to fill the power vacuum left by House Rogare’s extinction. The Iron Bank of Braavos capitalizes on the chaos establishing itself as the preeminent financial power in Essos.

In Pentos, the Prince of Pentos, Joriphos Irroris, orders a mass purge of local magisters accused of secretly aligning with Lyseni interests, and many magisters flee the city. Amongst them is Garridos Bahatis, the man takes himself and his very pregnant wife, Ilorlah Vhassaan, across the Narrow Sea, where they are housed at the Dornish court in Sunspear. The purge causes unrest and prompts Myr and Lys to send fleets to Pentos as a show of force. The Iron Bank funds a mercenary force to restore order, and Prince Joriphos agrees to pay an outrageous loan, further indebting the city to Braaovs.

Tyrosh brokers a trade pact with the Summer Isles, granting the Free City access to rare spices, dyes, and exotic wares and opening the gates for more Summer Islanders to come to the city. The pact strengthened the Tyrosh’s economy, enabling them to pay off the debt they gathered to the Iron Bank over the years.

Due to Tyrosh’s ties with House Tarth and the Summer Isles, Selwyn Tarth meets Hatala Xhaqa, a cousin of Prince Xhantal Xaaroq who rules the Isle of Jhala. Their union enhances trade between the Summer Isles, Westeros, and Essos, particularly in rare goods like ivory, feathers, and medicinal plants. Tyrosh benefits from these routes, further solidifying its trade dominance as Tarth and Jhala use the merchant city as a layover.

A brief but bloody conflict erupts between Myr and Lys over control of lucrative shipping lanes. The war destabilizes the region, prompting Tyrosh to intervene as a mediator.

Seeking new allies and trade partners, emissaries from Yi Ti arrive in Braavos. The Golden Empire of Yi Ti establishes a trading enclave in Braavos, bringing silks, jade, and exotic animals to the city. Braavos, wary of Yi Ti's growing presence, increases patrols along its shipping routes.

In the wake of the unsolved conflict in the Stepstones, a strategic region that lies between Westeros and Essos, tensions escalate and spill over into neighbouring lands. Fearing the potential repercussions of this instability, factions in Essos perceive an opportunity to expand their influence. Rumours swirl that the invasion is meant to support hidden descendants of Aegon, King Jacaerys’ half-brother, specifically his twins, Rhaenora and Rhaenor, and their children. It is strange, that even though the Free Cities deny involvement in the matter, the children are never found.

Due to the rift between House Targaryen and House Velaryon, King Baelon I cannot call upon the Velaryon fleet to aid in the foreign invasion. Instead, Lord Gilbert Redwyne, brother to Queen Alerie Redwyne, Lord Selwyn Tarth, Lady Naerys Celtigar, and surprisingly Qylle Fowler, brother to Lord Ulwryck, answer the call and set sail to meet the Triarchy in battle. Alas, these lords, born after the Dance of Dragons, are inexperienced in battle, while the Triarchy holds seasoned warriors.

Using the Stepstones as a foothold, the Triarchy aims to conquer territories along the western coast. All seems lost until sixteen-year-old Jacaerys Waters, riding his dragon Valaeris, defies his mother’s wishes and joins the fray. His carelessness and bloodlust devastate the Essosi fleet with dragonflame. Together, with the power of Valaeris and the Redwyne fleet, Westeros repulses the Triarchy’s forces and claims dominion over the Stepstones.

Rumors of a sorcerer from Asshai spread through Volantis and Myr, claiming he wields the power to summon shadow assassins. Merchants report seeing black-cloaked figures in the ports of Lys and Qarth, creating an air of unease. Volantene priests of R’hllor begin purging suspected shadow binders within the city, creating tension with Qarth, who openly welcomes Asshai's influence.

Pentos, heavily indebted to the Iron Bank, negotiates a trade accord to alleviate its financial burdens. The deal allows Braavosi merchants greater access to P{entoshi markets, but it also makes Pentos a virtual client state of Braavos.

Volantis renewed its ambitions of conquest, targeting the Disputed Lands. A coalition of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh, comes together to try and stop Volantis. However, the First Daughter is supported financially by the Iron Bank of Braavos who see the potential in its growth. Volantis succeeds and sets up a settlement called New Valyria or Atheryos in the Native tongue.

Rumors spread, however of banners of a golden three-headed dragon upon a blackened field, being seen proudly being held up by the standard-bearers and displayed upon the bannisters. It is Vaegon Aenarys, the son of a wealthy Volanti merchant family who is elected as the magistrate to the Volantese settlement. His sister Saera is sent to Westeros to broker trade.

By 180 AC, the Iron Bank of Braavos has cemented its position as the most powerful financial institution in Essos. It controls trade routes, funds wars, and dictates the fates of Free Cities. Braavos begins quietly funding dissidents in Volantis, seeking to curtail the city's expansionist ambitions. However, with the cities in Essos paying off their debts, the Iron Bank turns itself towards Westeros. "The Iron Bank will have its due."