Dragonstone

Dragonstone was established as a castle after the Targaryens first landed in Westeros, it being their first major stronghold in the area. The castle of Dragonstone is known as an impregnable fortress that can be held with very few men, and as such makes for a great capital for a future king. When Aegon the Conqueror established himself as an independent monarch and launched his campaigns against the other kingdoms, he used Dragonstone as his base of operations and staged his attacks from inside there. The castle itself happens to have a full map of Westeros built into a table.

The kingdom of Dragonstone was established when Stannis Baratheon declared independence from the crown and made himself an official monarch vying for the crown to unite all of Westeros. The area surrounding Dragonstone is filled with small peninsulas and islands that each have their own castles and villages with lords to rule over them, making it ideal for each ruler to field his own army. Perhaps this explains why Dragonstone has not been attacked by an enemy kingdom yet, due to its natural defences.

Their current ruler believes himself to be a reincarnation of some ancient hero, someone who is supposed to save the world from an age-old darkness that threatens to overtake all light. He is the first Westerosi monarch to worship the Lord of Light, R’hllor. If you listen closely in the dead of night, some say you can hear the screams of those who have been burned as sacrifices to this lord, and they say if you look out over the ocean you can see the smoke from burned flesh rising into the air.

Location

Dragonstone is one of the major factions in Westeros. It is located right above The Stormlands and to the right of The Westerlands. Because they are located on an island for the most part, this makes battle against Dragonstone quite difficult, as they tend to have the advantage on the sea. Due to their location on the sea and their islands, the kingdom of Dragonstone has great defences. They also have a city located at the bottom of Stormland territory and a few castles located in the middle of Stormland territory.

Dragonstone is a massive supplier of fish and salt because of their location on islands in the sea. They also suffer from not having as many cities as some of the other kingdoms. Dragonstone is mainly a military force rather than an agricultural power. As their king is a great general and leader, he is very respected among his subjects; however, he is not very charismatic and suffers from a lack of support.

Religion

Dragonstone widely worships R’hllor.

Rulers

King Stannis Baratheon

Vassals

• Ser Davos Seaworth

• Lord Durham

• Ban Emmon

• Lord Axell Florent

• Ser Justin Massey

• Lord Monford Velaryon

• Ser Richard Horpe

• Lord Hardwood Fells

• Lord Casper Wylde

• Ser Richard Morrigen

• Lord Lucos Chyttering

• Lord Symond Staunton

• Lord Alester Florent

• Lord Adrien Celtigar

• Ser Gilbert Farring

• Lord Lomas Estermont

• Lord Andrew Estermont

• Salladhor Saan

• Lord Guncer Sunglass

• Ser Hubert Rambton

• Lord Eustace Brune

• Ser Bennard Brune

• Ser Clayton Suggs

• Lord Hugh Grandison

• Lord Robin Paeseburg

• Lord Lester Morrigen

Fiefs

Towns:

Dragonstone

Castles:

Claw Isle, Driftmark, Castle Wrath, Rain House, Crow’s Nest, Grand View, Felwood, Stone Dance, Sharp Point, Sweetport Sound, Rook’s Rest, Dyre Den, Brownhollow

Villages:

Aenar’s Rest, Bear Cave, Far’s End, Wrathwood, Breakers Bay, Lions Den, Hunters Pass, Massey’s Hook, Point Bay, Swifts Port, Whispers, Maidens Fair, Cracklaw, Spicetown

Troop Tree

Dragonstone uses a wide array of troops that are pretty balanced. However, they specialise in medium armoured infantry and medium armoured shock cavalry. Because Dragonstone has good medium infantry units, they are best used in sieges and protecting archers on the field. In a field battle, it is advisable to send your Dragonstone cavalry slamming through the enemy’s infantry in order to break their formation, and then charge your infantry through the crippled infantry and archers. A good way to combat Dragonstone units is by having your archers gain the high ground and fire down upon them. Westerland crossbowmen seem to do a good job of this.

Strengths

• Cavalry and higher-tier infantry have great armour.
• High-tier infantry uses military hammers.

Weaknesses

• Archers use hunting bows.

Unique, Heritage-Based Troops

The player can recruit the following special, elite troops if Dragonstone is chosen as the starting people:

• Dragonstone Champion can be recruited from NPC Ross Jonsson located in Driftmark if starting people is Dragonstone AND if renown is high enough (between 750–1,000 renown). It costs 10,000 stags and 14 days to get 5 Dragonstone Champions.
• The Dragonstone Champion is one of the most elite heavy shock units in the game. They serve as devastating heavy shock infantry. Dragonstone Champions are equipped with spiked maces, which are useful for knocking enemy troops unconscious and taking them prisoner.
• Their weakness is having a low variety of weapons and fairly low head armour.

Unique, Location-Based Troops

The player can recruit the following special, elite troops if Dragonstone is governed by the player:

• Queen’s Men can be recruited from the Master-at-Arms located in Dragonstone.
• The player needs to directly govern Dragonstone to be able to recruit Queen’s Men.
• The Queen’s Men are an elite semi-heavy cavalry. They wear great body armour whilst lacking in leg and horse armour. With a price of 6,000 stags for 9 Queen’s Men and longswords, they serve as fast glass cannons.

Recruiting Units from Dragonstone

In order to recruit Dragonstone units from villages you own as an independent kingdom, you will need to select a Dragonstone race on character creation. Dragonstone units can be recruited from villages regardless of player status unless they are hostile to Dragonstone. Additional ways to recruit Dragonstone units are to rescue them from enemy lords’ parties, find them in taverns, or rescue them from enemy garrisons.

Extra Information

• King Stannis Baratheon has the unique sword Lightbringer. You can either execute him or send him to the Wall to obtain it. Contrary to popular belief, his sword is not Valyrian steel, meaning it will not harm White Walkers.
• Dragonstone is the only kingdom in Westeros with a king who worships the Lord of Light.
• Dragonstone is the second smallest Westerosi kingdom, with the Iron Islands being the first.
• The fortress of Dragonstone is able to be held by a small garrison due to its structure.
• Lords can often get stuck in the port of Dragonstone; therefore, if lords are not showing up to your campaigns, it is wise to look for them there.