The Iron Island
The Iron Islands
The Iron Islands are one of the major factions found within Westeros, and is lead by House Greyjoy. The king of the Iron Islands is King Balon Greyjoy.
Their sigil is a golden kraken on a black field, and their house motto is "We Do Not Sow."
There map color is a Dark Grey.
History
As the smallest region of Westeros, the Iron Islands it is also one of the least inhabited areas. The Iron Islands were a formidable power prior to Aegon’s Conquering of the Seven Kingdoms. Since the Conquest, the Iron Islands, under House Greyjoy, have pursued several ruinous wars which have led to the Iron Islands being both depopulated and looted into poverty.
The Iron Islands may not contain fertile land for growing crops, nor wood for lumber, but their islands do contain rich deposits of iron, lead, and tin. While rich in mineral resources the Ironborn see the back breaking and often dangerous work in the mines as below their proud heritage and only fit for thralls. For many this leaves the only choice for wealth and power open to them as raiding and piracy in distant seas.
While the situation may seem dire for the Ironborn, the clamor for war occurring on the mainland offers another chance for greatness. While the armies of their mainland rivals face off, their lands are ripe for reaving. With the ability to pay the “iron price,” for both plunder and new thralls for the mines, the Ironborn may be able to strengthen their decaying position. Perhaps, the Ironborn could gather enough strength to pay the “iron price,” for the Iron Throne.
Location
The Iron islands, as the name suggest are a series of islands and archipelagos. The stony soil and salt water of the sea waves crashing to shore make it impossible for the Ironborn to grow their own food, so they resort to other means... The Ironborn freuently raid their coast neighbours, The Riverland's, North and Westerlands for plunder; very few can muster a navy to ward of these raids, let alone attack the Ironborn in their islands of sharp rock, vicious waves and more so men.
Religion
Considered another one of the old gods by the Faith of the Seven, the Drowned God or He Who Dwells Beneath the Waves, is the god that almost every ironborn reveres as holding power over them and creating them in his own image. The Drowned God is not a peaceful god, nor his people made in his likeness a peaceful flock, they are reavers unafraid to carve of kingdoms, and make their names known in a saga of blood and valor.
Rulers
King Balon Greyjoy
Vassals
Lord Rodrik Harlaw
Lord Gorold Goodbrother
Lord Waldon Wynch
Lord Meldred Merlyn
Captain Yara Greyjoy
Lord Sawane Botley
Lord Dunstan Drumm
Lady Donnor Saltcliffe
Lord Ayln Orkwood
Lord Baelor Blacktyde
Lord Norne Goodbrother
Lord Gylbert Fawynd
Vicatarian Greyjoy
Aeron Greyjoy
Lord Steffarion Sparr
Ralf Stonehouse
Lady Alayne Sunderly
and Ser Harras Harlaw
Fiefs
Towns:
Pyke and Lordsport
Castles:
Crow Spike Keep, Downdelving, Pebbleton, Hammerhorn, Shatterstone, Old Wyk Castle, Blacktyde Castle, Orkmont Castle, Iron Holt, Ten Towers and Grey Garden
Villages:
Crow Spike, Wyk, Delvin, Hammerhorn Village, Black Wind, Nagga's Cradle, Blacktyde Village, Orkmont, Saltcliffe, King's Moot, Pine Bluff, Corpse Lake and Harlaw
Troop Tree
The Ironborn are a infantry focused kingdom, of course, horses aren't as seaborn as the men of the Iron Isles are. Ironborn men wield large shields, ideal for shieldwall tactics, and some later units even have throwing axes. Their weakness as mentioned, is the complete lack of any cavalry and long ranged units. The best use for this army would be a mass of units in a shield wall or ranks, with axe throwers behind, perhaps some mercenary cavalry or archers.
Strengths
-Great shields
-Great throwing skill and axes
Weaknesses
-Very low variety (just infantry and low ranged units)
Starting People Perk
-Choosing the Ironborn as starting people at character creation will remove the morale penalty from sailing across the ocean. This is the boon of choosing Ironborn based heritage at game start.
Unique, Location Based Troops
The player can recruit the following special, elite troops if in control of Pyke:
-Kraken Guard can be recruited from the Master-at-Arms located in Pyke if in control/owner of the Town.
-The Kraken Guard are one of the most elite infantry units in the game. They have the best shield in the game, making them absolutely devastating in a shieldwall. They also possess throwable axes and with their throwing proficiency being so high this makes them deadly against every foe.
Recruiting from The Iron Islands
In order to recruit Ironborn units from villages you own as an independent kingdom you will need to select a Ironborn race on character creation. Ironborn units can be recruited from villages regardless of player status unless they are hostile to The Ironborn. Additional ways to recruit Ironborn units is to rescue them from enemy lords parties, find them in taverns, or rescue them from enemy garrisons
Extra infomation
- Choosing the Ironborn culture at character creation will remove the morale penalty from sailing across the ocean.