House Darklyn of Duskendale is an extinct noble house which ruled the town of Duskendale and the surrounding lands in the crownlands for centuries. Their keep was the Dun Fort, at the top of a hill that dominates the town. The lordly Darklyns are now extinct as a result of the Defiance of Duskendale, although the related Darkes, Darkwoods, Dargoods still live in the town.
The Darklyns blazoned their arms with fusily black and gold, since Aegon's conquest and the suspected death of Robin Darklyn one white shield upon a red tierce has been added to signify Robin's service and loss.
Culture
Traits
Noted as having some of the strongest First Men features of any of the Crownlanders the Darklyns often have fair skin, dark hair and dark eyes however now and again they are born with eyes in gray's and pale blues. Many say that 'the seed is strong' as these features seem to pass on regardless of the features offered by the Mother. Darklyn's in history have been known to set aside wives whose children did not fit the ideal of the First Men on the grounds of infidelity simply because the children looked 'improper.'
Customs
As rulers of a town that once rivaled all but Oldtown the Darklyns are known to be incredibly sharp and skilled in the 'art' of leadership, many are skilled fighters however their true might lay in knowledge that can see them succeed in nearly anything they put their minds to.
Darklyn
Fusily black and gold, one white shield upon a red tierce
We cover the field
Seat
The Dun Fort
Head
Lord Aerys Darklyn
Titles
Lord of Duskendale
Heir(s)
Ser Derryk Darklyn
Overlord(s)
Targaryen of Dragonstone
Family Tree
History
Origins
The Darklyns were petty kings of the First Men during the Age of Heroes. Their closest allies were their bannermen of House Hollard, who served them loyally and provided brides three times for the Darklyn kings of old. The Darklyns claimed the mouth of the Blackwater Rush during the Hundred Kingdoms. The petty kings of Duskendale were once conquered by the Storm King Monfryd the Mighty.
During the coming of the Andals, the Darklyns forced Togarion Bar Emmon to flee from the northern shore of the Blackwater to Massey's Hook. Even after their small realm was swallowed up by larger Andal kingdoms, the Darklyns' power sometimes reached as far as Crackclaw Point.
Targaryen Dynasty
During Aegon's Conquest, Aegon I Targaryen and his bastard half-brother Orys Baratheon defeated the Darklyns of Duskendale and the Mootons of Maidenpool in Aegon's first test. The Darklyns bent the knee to the Targaryens and served their new kings as the Lords of Duskendale. Ser Robin Darklyn, called Darkrobin, was among the first seven knights of the Kingsguard.
When Prince Vaenor Targaryen warred against King Baelon I Targaryen, Ser Urich Darklyn led five thousand men from King's Landing and Duskendale in support of the king during the Battle of Blackwater Fork. Urich was slain during the battle by an unknown enemy. Urich's aged father was slain when Ser Rolland Doggett ordered Warrior's Sons to hunt Baelon's loyalists.
Recent Events
Lord Harrold Darklyn, father to Aerys Darklyn was exiled from the court of King's Landing some years past for 'accidentally' spilling wine on a Bar Emmon who was in discussions with the king at a social gathering.
Seat and Holdings
Duskendale spreads out around its harbor and has cobbled streets. The gatehouse opens to a market square. The castle that overlooks the port is the Dun Fort, a squat square stone castle with big drum towers. Duskendale is surrounded by strong walls which shimmer palely in predawn. Guardsmen wield spears and wear chain mail hauberks and often train with the men of King's Landing's city watch. The largest inn in Duskendale is the Seven Swords, named when Robin Darklyn joined the Kingsguard, it was once known as the dented chalice. Duskendale contains multiple septs.
South of the town is a rocky headland that shelters the harbor from the storms of the narrow sea and north of it rise chalk cliffs. The Duskendale road runs northeast beside the shore between the grey-green sea and low limestone hills, and the ruins of the Hollard castle are found where the road forks to Crackclaw Point and Maidenpool. Fishing villages dot the road for miles. The Rosby road connects King's Landing to Duskendale.
The Dun Fort is a robust keep with four strong round towers that stand as the corners of a tall square keep with a pitched roof that looks out over Blackwater Bay.
Notes
