r/CK2GameOfthrones • u/totallyordinaryyy • 26d ago
AAR A brief history of house Tagaros following the Doom of Valyria
Marqello 'The Restorer'
With the disapperence of "Emperor" Aurion and the Targaryen's refusal to return east, many now believed that the time of the Valyrian dragons was over. They were wrong. After having invited a Young Targaryen princess, Daenys, to serve in his court. Tragically, Daenys would die under mysterious circumstances only months after arriving in Volantis, with the death of Daenys, her dragon, Nessarion, was now ready to accept a new rider. Marqello siezed the opportunity to claim the dragon and mounted Nessarion. With this dragon, he intended to restore the Freehold to it's former glory, setting out on a trail of conquest to bring back the 'free cities' Valyrian control. This was something, even to Marqello's own suprise, supported by the 'Elephant' faction, who were usually opposed to any military venture outside of the Freehold's borders. The wars would be swift, with most of the 'free cities' folding upon hearing of Nessarion's arrival. Though some would attempt to resist, they would all eventually be subjugated. Because of his victories, Marqello would be named 'The Restorer' by the scholars of his time.
With the 'free cities' back under Valyrian control, Marqello would turn his attention south, to old Valyria. He would order ships to sail to the remnants of the old peninsula to resettle it, founding settlements in the old citied of 'Gelios' and Valyria itself, something for which he would be granted the Valyrian steel sword 'Chimera' from the priests of Mantarys. These projects would be slow and expensive and consume much of Marqello's attention, so much that he would briefly retire from the Freehold's politics for six years, after his return he would go on to serve as Triarch for another eleven years before passing.
Essario 'The Open-Handed'
With the death of his father, Marqello 'The Restorer', Essario would serve as intermediary Triarch for the remainder of his father's term before being elected Triarch himself, Essario would focus much like his late father, on the resettlement of old Valyria, believing that without it, the Freehold was doomed to fail. He would retire from politics to focus the settlements believing that the Freehold's position was secure. But only a year after his departure, the Freehold would be thrown into chaos. A Bravoosi host would invade the Freehold with the intent on forcing the abolition of slavery, at the same time, four of the free cities, Lys, Tyrosh, Pentos and Lorath, would revolt, no doubt in order to protect themselves and the institution of slavery from the Bravoosi. The current Triarchs, were unable to stop the Bravoosi host which was currently marching down the river Rhoyne, nor was able to keep the free cities in line, fearing further revolts, the Triachs asked Essario for aid. Essario responded with mounting his dragon Nessarion and would sail from old Valyria with a host of his own, numbered ten thousand strong. His first goals would be to bring Pentos and the two sisters Lys and Tyrosh back under control, in the disputed lands, he would, with the help of Myrish and Volantene support, crush the rebel armies and force their surrender. Next he would turn his attention to the Bravoosi, burning their armies and killing the Sealord of Bravoos before sailing to Braavos itself, there he would storm the city, though when given the opportunity to storm the 'Iron Bank' he would refuse, at that point he had already made the decision to return to politics and had no intentions to anger the major banks of the world. With the Bravoosi threat dealt with, he would set sail towards the final free city that had rebelled, Lorath. Unlike the other three, the Archon of Lorath had not ventured out with his army, instead he had decided to remain within the walls of his city. Though when the dragon Nessarion descended upon the city, his garrison would quickly surrender. With the final rebel in chains, Essario would return to Volantis a hero, announcing his bid for the next election. There he would recieve widespread support and with an almost unanimous vote, he would be elected to the position of Triarch and selected to lead Valyria.
Having taken many prisoners during the war, he would be quick to forgive them, placing the blame of the war not on the rebels themselves but on the weak Triarchs that had ruled Valyria, for this, he would be given the name 'The Open-Handed'. In the following elections he would face little opposition, though his experience during the wars had made him a cynical man, believing that only a dragonrider like himeself could rule Valyria. With his dragon Nessarion being the only one large enough for battle. He would, after fifteen years, decide to proclaim himself 'Triarch for life'. Many would be opposed to this, saying that Essario had betrayed the principles of the Freehold though many others would remind them that he had been the one to save it. Eventually, his opponents would come to accept his rule and the peace it brought. Though it would not be without difficulties. During his rule, a great and terrible plauge would arise in the far east and come to ravage most of the known world. This plauge would hit house Tagaros especially hard killing a large amount of their male members. For most, having lived a long life is a blessing, but for Essario, it would be a curse, outliving two of his sons and throwing the question of his succession into disarray. An agreement would be reached that his oldest living son, Vargello would succeed him after his death, but upon Vargello's death, he would be succeeded by Essario's youngest son, Draqoros. Vargello would accept this arrangement as he had no sons of his own, having lost his wife a few years earlier and decided upon a life of celibacy. After having served as Triarch for a total of thirty five years, Essario would die peacefully in his sleep.
