A series of Ironborn raids ravage the coasts of the Westerlands and Riverlands. Lord Lymond Mallister leads the defense in the Riverlands, while House Stark and House Lannister join forces to repel the Ironborn. The victory is followed by the formal marriage of Loreon Lannister to Melissa Mallister, cementing a powerful alliance between the Westerlands and the Riverlands. House Plumm, loyal Lannister bannermen, distinguishes themselves in the skirmishes, securing their favor with House Lannister.

The wedding of Loreon Lannister and Melissa Mallister at Casterly Rock is one of the most lavish events in recent history, drawing nobles from across the realm. However, tensions flare as Lord Frey and the Tully brothers accuse House Mallister of overstepping its bounds.

Loreon uses the disruption to subtly position House Lannister as the Westerlands’ firm leader, vowing to protect his allies and quell any internal disputes. This sets a precedent for Lannister's dominance within the region and reinforces alliances with loyal houses like Plumm and Westerling.

Following the disappearance of the Tully heirs, the Riverlands’ power structure weakens, allowing the Lannisters to tighten their influence in the region. Sensing the political vacuum, Loreon focuses on strategic marriages and alliances to secure the Westerlands’ dominance, marrying Garth Plumm to Sarra Frey, who gained some ties to the Crossing. House Reyne, however, begins to watch these developments with growing ambition, laying the groundwork for a future challenge to Lannister's power.

As Jacaerys I Targaryen ascends to the throne, rumors of his illegitimacy create factions across Westeros. In the Westerlands, Loreon Lannister uses this time to reinforce his house’s loyalty to the Iron Throne while his brother Tommen, seeks to secure the loyalty of the bannermen who refuse to support Loreon as rumors soon spread, that the man was a bastard himself.  

As tensions escalated between the two brothers, Loreon and Tommen Lannister, in the Westerlands, their rivalry became a focal point in the struggle between the Blues and the Reds. Lord Loreon Lannister, ruling from the ancient seat of Casterly Rock, stood proudly beside King Jacaerys I Targaryen, asserting his loyalty to the established monarchy. Meanwhile, Tommen Lannister, based in the bustling port city of Lannisport, threw his support behind Aegon Targaryen, adding weight to the Red faction's cause.

The whispers surrounding Loreon's parentage, alleging that he was born of a servant girl rather than his noble mother, added fuel to the fire of the conflict. Some saw this as a parallel to the uncertainty surrounding Jacaerys' parentage, further complicating matters within House Lannister and the realm at large. Considering House Lefford comes from the legitimization of Leymar Lefford, formerly Hill, a bastard son between Robert Lefford and Rhaena Targaryen, they are eager to support both the crown and Loreon Lannister over his brother Tommen.

Houses Reyne and Lefford grow in prominence, each carefully positioning themselves in case the realm’s unrest provides an opportunity to rise. House Lefford, through a lucrative marriage alliance with House Serrett, gains control of the Silverhill mines, an economic boon that strengthens their influence within the Westerlands.

​Lord Tommen Lannister and Melissa Mallister attend King Baelon’s celebration in King’s Landing when a coup erupts, leading to Melissa’s tragic death. The loss devastates House Lannister, straining relations with House Mallister, whose leader demands vengeance for his sister.

Tommen vows retribution, sending trusted bannermen and allies, including House Plumm, to uncover the perpetrators. The coup strains the Lannister-Mallister alliance, casting a shadow over Westerlands politics as the Mallisters become warier of engaging in Lannister-led endeavors.

​Lord Loreon’s passing brings his brother, Tommen, to the seat of Casterly Rock. Aware of the power shifts within the region, Tommen solidifies his bannermen’s loyalty, extending the reach of House Lannister’s influence. Knowing fully well, that he is merely acting as regent to the young son of Loreon, he gains the loyalty of the bannermen rather than the seven-year-old son of Loreon. 

He reaffirms ties with Houses Plumm and Brax and cultivates relations with House Lefford, whose newfound wealth from the Silverhill mines becomes crucial in stabilizing the region’s economy. House Reyne, however, begins to maneuver in the shadows, harboring ambitions to replace the Lannisters.

A severe winter strikes Westeros, decimating crops and livestock in the Westerlands and draining resources. Lord Tommen succumbs to illness, leaving his heirs to navigate a struggling region. House Reyne, in a shrewd move, leverages its gold reserves to aid starving smaller houses, subtly positioning itself as a benefactor and alternative to House Lannister. It is with the death of his uncle Tommen, the now seventeen-year-old, son of Loreon, who comes into his rule at the hardest year since the dance. 
In the same bitter winter, House Plumm found itself in a precarious situation. Traditionally a loyal bannerman to House Lannister, the Plumm family faced pressure as food supplies dwindled and discontent brewed among the common folk. Lord Tybolt Plumm took to the fields, encouraging his people to harvest whatever was left of their late autumn crops, organizing food distribution to prevent riots and maintain loyalty among his vassals, and picking up the tools.  However, the harsh conditions meant that even their best efforts were barely enough to stave off hunger.

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As Baelon I’s health waned, he retreated to Summerhall, seeking peace away from King’s Landing. Following Queen Alerie Redwyne’s death in 177 AC, the throne's future grew uncertain amid rising rival claimants. The court swelled with contenders, including Lucas Corbray and Aegon Westerling, while Baelon arrived frail in a carriage rather than on dragonback.

In a shocking move, he recognized his bastards, granting Jacaerys Waters and Naerys Harrenhal, and Vaemond and Daella Dragonstone, leading to speculation about his chosen heir. Tensions erupted into violence between Jacaerys and Vaemond, resulting in Jacaerys’s banishment, leaving House Targaryen's future precarious as civil war threatened once again.

A year had passed when the sharp sound of a buisine echoed through Summerhall, sending courtiers rushing into the throne room, fearing for King Baelon I, who was slumped against his seat. Relief washed over the crowd as he rose with effort to announce Vaemond Targaryen as his heir, sparking outrage among many nobles, especially the Westerlings, who saw the elevation of a bastard to the throne as an affront to their lineage.

Lord Leymond Westerling stormed out with his bannermen, joined by others who shared his fury, while the king’s mistress slipped into the shadows with her daughter Naerys. Meanwhile, Cerysse Baratheon, Vaemond’s mother, vowed herself to the faith and traveled to Oldtown to take the veil, seeking solace amid the turmoil.

House Reyne allies with House Lefford, who now holds the Silverhill mines in addition to their gold mines, thanks to Lewys Lefford’s marriage to Amarei Serrett. Together, these houses represent a significant economic power within the Westerlands, covertly plotting to undermine House Lannister. With wealth flowing from both gold and silver, House Reyne begins buying influence in Casterly Rock’s court, aiming to position itself as the premier house of the region.

The great hall of Summerhall, once heavy with the weight of King Baelon’s announcement, now buzzed with a different energy as lords and ladies of the realm, their faces a blend of duty, resignation, and ambition, came forward to swear loyalty to the newly named Crown Prince, Vaemond Targaryen. House Velaryon took the lead, with Lord XY Velaryon pledging not only his oath but also his fleet to the Prince, followed closely by the steadfast stags of House Baratheon and even House Stark whose sole daughter, XY Stark had served as a lady-in-waiting for the late Queen Alerie carried a promise of unwavering support from the North. 

The hall echoed with the murmurs of fealty, each lord bowing as Vaemond acknowledged them, his demeanor solemn under the weight of his new role. However, the absence of key figures was unmistakable. The seat reserved for House Arryn remained empty, with the falcon banner of the Vale conspicuously missing. Whispers spread through the room, highlighting the absence of Lady Illyne Serrett, Princess Naerys, and most worryingly his half-brother Prince Jacaerys.

Their silence loomed over the proceedings, a stark contrast to the declarations of loyalty that filled the hall, leaving an undercurrent of unease and doubt—a reminder that not all in the Seven Kingdoms were ready to accept a legitimized prince as their future king.

​Moons passed in silence, with no word from Harrenhal or the Vale, and ravens and emissaries returned empty-handed. It was only when King Baelon himself sent a raven to Lady Ilyn Serrett that the elusive woman finally appeared at Summerhall. Cerysse Baratheon, ever wary of her rival, was far from pleased by Ilyn’s reappearance, though the tension between them seemed to fade, especially with Cerysse’s son poised to ascend the throne. 

However, shortly after Cerysse departed for Oldtown, a chilling discovery was made—Lady Ilyn was found dead in her chambers, her neck broken in what appeared to be a tragic accident after slipping while stepping out of her bath. Yet whispers spread through the court, for it seemed more than a mere coincidence that her body was only discovered after Cerysse had left.

With Ilyn’s death, House Serrett goes into extinction…

In the turbulent period following the announcement of Vaemond Targaryen, a legitimized offspring, as heir to the Iron Throne, House Westerling of the Crag defiantly opposed the crown. Outraged by the dismissal of Aegon Westerling, a trueborn with a legitimate claim, Lord Leymond Westerling gathered his forces, rallying his bannermen at the Crag before advancing towards Ashemark, the stronghold of House Lannister, who had declared their allegiance to Vaemond. 

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However, the Westerlings encountered a formidable opposition—a united force of Lannister and Marbrand soldiers, bolstered by the intimidating presence of Princess Daella, Vaemond’s sister, riding her mighty dragon, Merexes. The ensuing battle saw the Westerling forces overwhelmed, leading to the capture of both Aegon and his father. 

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Presented with the ultimatum of swearing loyalty to Vaemond or facing severe consequences, the Westerlings chose defiance, and their rebellion was extinguished in the fierce flames of Meraxes, leaving a stark lesson on the consequences of opposing the crown.
 

As King Baelon I’s health deteriorates, he defies all advice and orders his carriages to be prepared for a journey to Harrenhal, despite being bedridden and gravely ill. With his court in tow, he sets off to confront his estranged son, Prince Jacaerys, who has remained isolated in his crumbling fortress for two years.