House Staedmon of Broad Arch is one of the noble houses from the Stormlands sworn to the Baratheons of Storm's End. Their castle is Broad Arch.
They blazon the arms as a black dagger piercing a red heart on white de sang within an undulating red border. Their words are "Straight to the heart."
Culture
Traits
A proud andal house, they are known for their strong jaws and proud noses. They have fair skin, blue eyes and blond hair that sometimes leans toward sandy brown.
Customs
House Staedmon is known to be devout followers of the Seven and proud supporters of the poor fellows, however with the criminal penalties put in place this support has turned rather quiet.
Staedmon
A black dagger piercing a red heart on white de sang within an undulating red border
Straight to the heart
Seat
Broad Arch
Head
Lord Albion Staedmon
Titles
Lord of Broad Arch
Heir(s)
Ser Gavin Staedmon
Overlord(s)
Baratheon of Storm's End
Family Tree
History
Origins
Staedmon of Broad Arch is one of the few Andal houses in the Stormlands, once simply Knights in service to Basken of Broad Arch, the Staedmon's rose to prominence when they slew their masters in their sleep, from the old Lord in his canopy bed to the wee grandchildren in their covered crib.
Despite how horrific this act was, it was actually an act against the interests of the Andal lords of Staedmon, killing the Basken's who intended to betray the Storm Kings and allow a King of the Reach, supposedly Gyles III, through the Red Mountains. Their sigil was made to reflect what made them Lords and they wear their betrayal in service and dedication to their Kings, and now the Lords of Storm's End with pride.
First Dornish War
House Staedmon were among those who rode during the Vulture Hunt and suffered for it. Many of their men were lost trying to cross the bone way and Lord Albion, heir to Staedmon at the time suffered a number of wounds before retreating.
Recent Events
Seat and Holdings
Broad Arch is one of the few paths through the Red Mountains, it sits facing the Reach and spans the valley that leads to the Bone Way, as well as protects a thin man made route cut through the red mountains that moves east toward Grandview and on toward Storm's end.
The castle itself is made of three drum towers built into the red mountains with stone quarried from the area, two of them spanning the entrance to the Boneway connected by a wide arch capped with a crennelated walkway. The gates of Broad Arch swing into place and open into the Boneway, making them considerably less likely to be broken through from Dorne.
The castle is practically defenseless on its northern face but a fearsome fortress to the South. The path from the Reach to the Stormlands is gateless but easily defended for how narrow a bottle neck the pass is.
Notes
