'''[[File:Balon_Greyjoy.jpg|thumb|400px]]Balon Greyjoy''' is the son of Quellen, and Sansa Greyjoy making him a member of [[House Greyjoy]] and the current Patriarch of House Greyjoy, as well as the Reaver of the [[Iron Islands]]. Balon Greyjoy has four siblings in the form of Victarion, Euron, Aeron, and Dagon Greyjoy of which his brother Euron was banished from the Iron Islands after he debased his brothers wife and since then has wandered the waters as a pirate, his brother Victarion is a major leader of the Iron Fleet and was perhaps the main commander of the attack on Harrenhall, his brother Dagon died early after drowing in the water, and his final brother Aeron is a priest of the drowned God after he became fanatical following the death of his brother Dagon. Balon Greyjoy is married to Alannys Greyjoy of whome he would marry as a young man and has shared little love with. With Alannys he has four children with in the form of Theon, Rodrik, Moran, and Asha Greyjoy of which his son Moran is a leading figure in House Greyjoy and the current heir to the throne of the Iron Islands, his son Theon was captured by House Starke early in life and has remained in their custody ever since, his son Rodrik was killed during the Battle of Pontus, and his daughter Asha is a respected captain of whom commands many ships and men in the constant raids of the Iron Islands.
'''Balon Greyjoy''' is the son of Quellen, and Sansa Greyjoy making him a member of [[House Greyjoy]] and the current Patriarch of House Greyjoy, as well as the Reaver of the [[Iron Islands]]. Balon Greyjoy has four siblings in the form of Victarion, Euron, Aeron, and Dagon Greyjoy of which his brother Euron was banished from the Iron Islands after he debased his brothers wife and since then has wandered the waters as a pirate, his brother Victarion is a major leader of the Iron Fleet and was perhaps the main commander of the attack on Harrenhall, his brother Dagon died early after drowing in the water, and his final brother Aeron is a priest of the drowned God after he became fanatical following the death of his brother Dagon. Balon Greyjoy is married to Alannys Greyjoy of whome he would marry as a young man and has shared little love with. With Alannys he has four children with in the form of Theon, Rodrik, Moran, and Asha Greyjoy of which his son Moran is a leading figure in House Greyjoy and the current heir to the throne of the Iron Islands, his son Theon was captured by House Starke early in life and has remained in their custody ever since, his son Rodrik was killed during the Battle of Pontus, and his daughter Asha is a respected captain of whom commands many ships and men in the constant raids of the Iron Islands.
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As the heir to the throne of the Iron islands from an early age Balon Greyjoy has not disapointed in his rulership. Balon Greyjoy was trained from an early age to become the Reaver of the Iron islands upon the death of his father, and each year of his training he appeared to get smarter and smarter at understanding the rule of the Iron Islands. He would be forced to give away his son Theon Greyjoy after his son was captured in a botched raid by a foolish captain looking for glory, and this burned his inner self as he felt insulted that he had lost a son in such a foolish way and hated House Starke for it. Under his reign the lands of the Iron Islands have grown extensivley in population and wealth despite his constant belief in the Old Ways. He would become obsessed for a time with finding the Harp of the Dragon after meeting with the strange visitor and he would launch the Iron Fleet under his son Rodrik against the Harp. Following a disasterous landing his forces would be crushed and his son Rodrik would die on the field of battle. His anger over the death of Rodrik would have him launch a massive reaving against the elements of Pontus in eastern Westros which led to massive gains as they bled the trade routes of the Pontus guilds dry. Eventually the forces of Pontus and the guilds paid a massive weight in gold to get the attacks to subside somewhat. Above even this on his list of accomplishments is the fact that he destroyed much of the power of Harrenhall the ancient enemy of the Iron islands during the [[Siege of Harrenhall]]. This happened after his years of menipulation against the forces of House Seaworth led them to come to Pyke for his help and he would prepare the massive invasion of Harrenhall. Following the success of this conflict he has ordered the massive reaving of the northern coasts of Westeros as now the forces of Harrenhall cannot stop them. Balon Greyjoy after the siege of Harrenhall would retreat into the core of Pyke where he became lethargic for when he was able to reave, and in this sadness he would be ambushed by his brother Euron Greyjoy of whom secretly murdered him throwing him over the bridges that dot Pyke.
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As the heir to the throne of the Iron islands from an early age Balon Greyjoy has not disapointed in his rulership. Under his reign the lands of the Iron Islands have grown extensivley in population and wealth. Above even this on his list of accomplishments is the fact that he destroyed much of the power of Harrenhall the ancient enemy of the Iron islands during the [[Siege of Harrenhall]].
==History==
==History==
===Early History===
===Early History===
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Balon Greyjoy was trained from an early age to become the Reaver of the Iron islands upon the death of his father, and each year of his training he appeared to get smarter and smarter at understanding the rule of the Iron Islands.
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Balon Greyjoy was trained from an early age to become the Reaver of the Iron islands upon the death of his father, and each year of his training he appeared to get smarter and smarter at understanding the rule of the Iron Islands. He would be forced to give away his son Theon Greyjoy after his son was captured in a botched raid by a foolish captain looking for glory, and this burned his inner self as he felt insulted that he had lost a son in such a foolish way and hated House Starke for it.
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===Reaver===
===Reaver===
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Under his reign the lands of the Iron Islands have grown extensivley in population and wealth despite his constant belief in the Old Ways.
Vickon Volmark and Balon Greyjoy would first come to meet while they begin reaving under the flag and ship of Balon's father and during this time the two became close, and silently Vickon begin to have romantic feelings for Balon a feeling that he believed Balon shared.
Balon Greyjoy is the son of Quellen, and Sansa Greyjoy making him a member of House Greyjoy and the current Patriarch of House Greyjoy, as well as the Reaver of the Iron Islands. Balon Greyjoy has four siblings in the form of Victarion, Euron, Aeron, and Dagon Greyjoy of which his brother Euron was banished from the Iron Islands after he debased his brothers wife and since then has wandered the waters as a pirate, his brother Victarion is a major leader of the Iron Fleet and was perhaps the main commander of the attack on Harrenhall, his brother Dagon died early after drowing in the water, and his final brother Aeron is a priest of the drowned God after he became fanatical following the death of his brother Dagon. Balon Greyjoy is married to Alannys Greyjoy of whome he would marry as a young man and has shared little love with. With Alannys he has four children with in the form of Theon, Rodrik, Moran, and Asha Greyjoy of which his son Moran is a leading figure in House Greyjoy and the current heir to the throne of the Iron Islands, his son Theon was captured by House Starke early in life and has remained in their custody ever since, his son Rodrik was killed during the Battle of Pontus, and his daughter Asha is a respected captain of whom commands many ships and men in the constant raids of the Iron Islands.
As the heir to the throne of the Iron islands from an early age Balon Greyjoy has not disapointed in his rulership. Balon Greyjoy was trained from an early age to become the Reaver of the Iron islands upon the death of his father, and each year of his training he appeared to get smarter and smarter at understanding the rule of the Iron Islands. He would be forced to give away his son Theon Greyjoy after his son was captured in a botched raid by a foolish captain looking for glory, and this burned his inner self as he felt insulted that he had lost a son in such a foolish way and hated House Starke for it. Under his reign the lands of the Iron Islands have grown extensivley in population and wealth despite his constant belief in the Old Ways. He would become obsessed for a time with finding the Harp of the Dragon after meeting with the strange visitor and he would launch the Iron Fleet under his son Rodrik against the Harp. Following a disasterous landing his forces would be crushed and his son Rodrik would die on the field of battle. His anger over the death of Rodrik would have him launch a massive reaving against the elements of Pontus in eastern Westros which led to massive gains as they bled the trade routes of the Pontus guilds dry. Eventually the forces of Pontus and the guilds paid a massive weight in gold to get the attacks to subside somewhat. Above even this on his list of accomplishments is the fact that he destroyed much of the power of Harrenhall the ancient enemy of the Iron islands during the Siege of Harrenhall. This happened after his years of menipulation against the forces of House Seaworth led them to come to Pyke for his help and he would prepare the massive invasion of Harrenhall. Following the success of this conflict he has ordered the massive reaving of the northern coasts of Westeros as now the forces of Harrenhall cannot stop them. Balon Greyjoy after the siege of Harrenhall would retreat into the core of Pyke where he became lethargic for when he was able to reave, and in this sadness he would be ambushed by his brother Euron Greyjoy of whom secretly murdered him throwing him over the bridges that dot Pyke.
Balon Greyjoy was trained from an early age to become the Reaver of the Iron islands upon the death of his father, and each year of his training he appeared to get smarter and smarter at understanding the rule of the Iron Islands. He would be forced to give away his son Theon Greyjoy after his son was captured in a botched raid by a foolish captain looking for glory, and this burned his inner self as he felt insulted that he had lost a son in such a foolish way and hated House Starke for it.
Reaver
Under his reign the lands of the Iron Islands have grown extensivley in population and wealth despite his constant belief in the Old Ways.
While meeting with his top leaders Balon Greyjoy watched as the meeting was interupted by a mysterious man clothed in dark robes entering seemingly through a wall. The man was nearly killed but before he was, he was able to get his offer onto the table in which he offered House Greyjoy, and the Iron Islands the chance to gain the Dragon Harp simply by going and getting it from Pontus. The Harp was a legendary item of unimagineable power which could if used by someone with enough Dragon's blood be used to litterly call dragons to its sound.
Unfortunatly for House Greyjoy, and the Iron Islands they were not the only ones offered this deal as the mysterious man was a servent of Malekor, and was attempting to cause the destruction of Westros through the destruction of Pontus, which would weaken the entire region. Following his meeting with House Targaryan he used other servents to offer the same deal to the leadership of Harrenhall, Iron Islands, Kingdom of Bolten, and the Easterlings. With all these parties now obsessed with the hope of getting the "Harp" from Pontus the armies of these nations headed towards Pontus.
The Iron Fleet had become brazen in its actions during his youth, and on one such raid of the area west of the Rhine, and very near to Stormwind Theon was brought with the raiding crew in order to see it in action. The captain of the ship had been ordered to raid the area south of Westbridge, and had taken those commands very liberaly when he went all the way south to the rich countryside east of Stormwind. Attacking this area was forbidden because the leadership of the Iron Islands wanted to take Lorderon and when they did they would need Lucerne as an ally against the very hostile forces of Gondor, and Arnor.
The captain disregardeed this and they made landing in the area where the Port of Stormwind stands now, but at the time it was the neutral village of Mul. As the raiders landed Theon waited on the boat for them to return but two days went by and still noone returned. Eventually a group of Stormwind forces arrived at the location and took young Theon into captivity.
Giving his son away
House Starke who had destroyed the raiding party, and then captured young Theon sent a letter to the Iron Islands suggesting that they not return to raiding this area of Lucerne if they wanted one of their princes back. The letter was sent back with a responce from Balon Greyjoy who didn't want to make an enemy of Lucerne since he down the road saw a great possibility in trade with them once he took control of Lorderon. In order to keep the peace he offered Theon as a gift to House Starke, and a olive branch to let them know he wanted nothing of harm to come to Lucerne. The leadership of House accepted the gift and Theon Greyjoy became a member of the House Starke Honor Gaurd.
The Iron Islands was a very expansionist Kingdom and they were always interested in controlling Harrenhall, as from Harrenhall they could attempt to control the entire Dolish Penensila. At first they attempted diplomacy as the city itself was very strong and they didn't want to attack the city for fear of heavy losses. Their diplomacy was rebuffed by House Strong who wanted to control Harrenhall alone.
With diplomacy over they had attempted to gain control of the banner houses of House Strong but were rebuffed in their attempts at every turn by a people who were very ideologically opposed to the Iron Islands.
Iron Islands Kingsmoot of 5136 We are the ironborn, and once we were conquerors. Our writ ran everywhere the sound of the waves was heard. My brother would have you be content with the cold and dismal north of Bolten, my niece with even less ... but I shall give you the Dreadfort. Seagard. Pontus. Dustenvale. The riverlands and Dole, Fairmarket and Bolten, Westbridge and even the Stepstones. I say we take it all! I say, we take Westeros.
“The time had come for the world to truly discover what I was capable of. I would reach into the sky and pull back everything I had ever dreamed was possible, and I dare even the gods to stop me.”
— Euron Greyjoy
Following his meeting with Ramsey Bolten Euron Greyjoy would return in secret to Pyke where he climbed the impossibly high walls of the House Greyjoy Keep. He would wait on the roof connecting the two towers of Greyjoy keep, and when his brother Balon came out onto the bridge as he had always done with their father when he was young Euron would climb off the wall and before anyone could say anything killed the two gaurds with Balon. His brother would laugh at him, and begin insulting him for his pathetic way of doing things, and as he continued Euron lashed and knocked him on the head with the back of his sword. Balon would get up and before he could say another word Euron would end his life by pushing Balon off the bridge and into the water hundreds of feet beneath them. Leaving signs of a Lucernian blade on the corpse he climbed back onto the roof and made his way by rope back down the wall to his small boat which took him back to the ship. His body would not be found but the blood on the bridge, and the Lucernian were discovered by the Castellan of the castle in the form of Yaegon of Greyjoy and the commander of the Pyke Palace Guard in the form of Bailin of Greyjoy of whom would be tricked by the Lucernian sword and exagerated the scene when they would later tell Aeron Greyjoy.
“Never cared for my brother. He was a cold man with little of anything in him of substance.”
— Aeron Greyjoy
Aeron Greyjoy is drowning men at a beach near Pyke when Gormond Goodbrother appears to bring Aeron to Lord Gorold Goodbrother, and Aeron initially declines but relents when the messenger tells him the king, Aeron's brother, is dead. During the journey Aeron remembers his brothers. His father married three times. The sons of his first wife died young. The eldest son from his second marriage was the strongest and fiercest of the remaining. Aeron admired Balon although they were not close in their youth. When they arrive at Lord Goodbrother's hall, Aeron demands that everyone in the hall be sent away so that he and Gorold Goodbrother can speak privately. Lord Goodbrother insists that his maester will stay as well. Aeron disagrees and prepares to leave, but the maester stops him by informing him that forces loyal to Euron Greyjoy have occupied the Seastone Chair. At hearing this Aeron is shocked, and he remembers his brother but with little love. Goodbrother wants advice on whom to support, but Aeron wants to pray first and leaves for Pebbleton.
“Euron was something to dark to even contimplate in a position of power. He cared nothing for the Iron Islands, or our ways. He just wanted more of whatever he wanted in the moment he wanted it.”
— Aeron Greyjoy
Again Aeron thinks back to his youth. He was not a very religious man but rather a drunken sod. This changed when he fell overboard in a sea battle during one of the endless Reaving's that existed during his youth. His nearly dying at seat but surviving led to him becoming a devoted follower of the Drowned God. Aeron has discussed the succession with Balon, and knew clearly that Balon wanted his daughter, Asha, to succeed him, but in this Aeron did not agree with having a woman rule the Iron Islands. Thinking on Maron made him sad as he had still not had enough time to absorb the death of Maron Grejoy, and moving quickly in his mind he briefly thinks of Theon Greyjoy but forgets him as he remembers that he now a servent of the Lucernians. Balon's eldest brother, Euron, is ungodly and Aeron hates him. Thus Aeron makes up his mind; it must be Victarion Greyjoy of whom is a very cold man but also atleast devout in the faith of the Drowned God. A few days later, Aeron has arrived at Pebbleton and starts to preach. Asha has also claimed the throne. Now Aeron's followers and a number of lords look to him for advice on whom to support. During his preaching, he finds his inspiration: the Ironmen should elect the king in a Kingsmoot as they did in the old days. Every captain is to go to the hills of Nagga, the ancient place where the old kings were chosen. Aeron hears his followers take up his call and knows he has done the right thing.
“I was the clear choice. If not for the difference between my legs I would have simply had to stand up and accept the Reaver.”
— Asha Greyjoy
Asha is at Ten Towers waiting for her supporters to arrive, and as she is looking around she sees the feast is almost over. There are a lot of Harlaws in the hall but not enough of the other houses, and seeing this Asha knows she lacks support for the coming Kingsmoote.
She tells Three-Tooth to find food for her crew and her prisoners, and after doing this she goes to her uncle Rodrik Harlaw, the lord of Harlaw. She finds him in the Book Tower, reading. Rodrik Harlaw loves his books, and she explains that it was his love of the books that earned him the nickname "The Reader". In Asha's name, Rodrik has sent summons to the captains to gather at Ten Towers. The captains of Harlaw isle have come but very few others. Rodrik informs Asha that Aeron Greyjoy has called for a Kingsmoot, an assembly of all captains to choose the king. Rodrik assures Asha that her cause is hopeless, since no woman has ever ruled the Ironborn. Even the support of Rodrik does not mean his vassals will support her, as their fealty is for war purposes only. In a kingsmoot they are allowed to vote as they please, and because he knows she will lose Rodrik councils Asha to stay away from the Kingsmoot. Besides her lack of support, he is afraid that Euron Greyjoy will kill his competitors once he is declared the winner. Rodrik offers to give her Ten Towers instead. His heir Harras Harlaw does not need Ten Towers and will protect her. Asha declines the offer and walks back to the hall, and while walking she encounters Tristifer Botley on the way. When they were young, Tristifer was in love with Asha, and while Asha liked him in the beginning she became bored with him before he was sent away. Tristifer, though, has never forgotten her and wants to wed Asha. He is the legitimate Lord of House Botley. His father has been killed by Euron Greyjoy for refuting Euron's claim to the throne. His titles have been given to Tristifer's uncle who supported Euron. Asha sharply refuses Tristifer's advances by reminding him that they are not children anymore and that she is his queen, not his wife.
“I was trying to take Harrenhall, and then all of a sudden my brother is dead and everyone is fighting over a position that was mine. While they hid in their boats I was reaving. Always reaving.”
— Victarion Greyjoy
Victarion has left the defense of northern Harrenhall to Ralf Kenning, and sailed the Iron Fleet to Old Wyk for the kingsmoot. When the fleet arrives, Victarion has them blockade Euron's Silence. The first to greet him on shore is Aeron, and later that night the priest is at his side for the feast. Several captains pledge their voice to Victarion's claim, but Lord Blacktyde seeks a king who will end the wars, saying the following. Soon, the Captain finds his niece, advising her not to lay forth a claim, because a woman has no place ruling the ironborn. Asha stands by her claim, and notes that the Damphair may have underestimated the appeal of the Kingsmoot, since the Drumm will present his claim and there is talk of Maron Volmark being presented as heir of the throne by Tarle the Thrice-Drowned, while it is apparent that Aeron's intent was to legitimize Victarion as Balon's successor. Their chat is interrupted by the arrival of Euron. Victarion notes Euron does not seem to have aged in the almost three years that he has been gone.
“Who knows more of gods than I? Horse gods and fire gods, gods made of gold with gemstone eyes, gods carved of cedar wood, gods chiseled into mountains, gods of empty air… I know them all. I have seen their peoples garland them with flowers, and shed the blood of goats and bulls and children in their names. And I have heard the prayers, in half a hundred tongues. Cure my withered leg, make the maiden love me, grant me a healthy son. Save me, succor me, make me wealthy… protect me! Protect me from mine enemies, protect me from the darkness, protect me from the crabs inside my belly, from the horselords, from the slavers, from the sellswords at my door. Protect me from the Silence.” He laughed. “Godless? Why, Aeron, I am the godliest man ever to raise sail! You serve one god, Damphair, but I have served ten thousand. From Ib to Asshai, when men see my sails, they pray.”
— Euron Greyjoy
Aeron confronts Euron with the accusation that "no godless man may sit the Seastone Chair", but Euron cows his brother into leaving the hall. Asha then accuses her uncle of the death of her father, but Euron denies he had anything to do with it. When a fight nearly breaks out between Asha and one of Euron's men, Victarion steps in and demands that Euron leave. After his departure, Victarion and his niece walk outside, and Asha asks why Euron was banished by her father, for he refused to ever speak of it. Victarion eventually tells her that Euron impregnated Victarion's wife. Victarion wanted to kill his brother but Balon forbid it and sent Euron to exile. Later Victarion killed his wife with his own hands. Asha offers to set aside her claim if Victarion will name her his regent and end the war. She feels that the Ironborn have overextended themselves and tells her uncle that she has reached an agreement with Lady Sybelle Glover, and that their people may keep Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore in return for the release of Deepwood Motte, Torrhen's Square and Harrenhall. Victarion is not receptive to any sort of compramise, and thus Asha replies that she then will claim the throne.
“Cowardly was my running, and it probably led to the fool being made Reaver.”
— Aeron Greyjoy
Aeron is wading in the ocean, berating himself for running from Euron. He considers Nagga's bones, where the Grey King had ruled for 1000 years and warred against the Storm God. At dawn, Aeron has his drowned men sound the drums and warhorns to announce the onset of the kingsmoot. The prophet wishes for Victarion to win the claim, and hopes Euron will make a mistake and declare early. But the first claimant is Gylbert Farwynd, who rules a small barrier island far to the west of the Iron Islands where shapeshifters are said to live. Aeron sees madness in the lord's eyes. He offers to lead the ironmen to a bountiful land beyond the Sunset Sea; few of the gathered captains shout his name.
Next up is Erik Ironmaker, who once might have made a great king. But age and his immense weight make him an easy target for Asha to dismiss by asking him to stand up from his chair. The following claimant is another famous ironborn, Lord Dunstan Drumm, who asks the gathering :
Asha Greyjoy had nearly won the Kingsmoot when Euron Greyjoy appeared and his appeal destroyed her chances nearly in the same moment.
“Where is it written that our king must be a kraken?"”
— Dunstan Drumm
But the Drumm's downfall is the cheap loot he offers to swing the vote of the captains.
Victarion steps forth next and asks for Aeron's blessing. His speech is short and concise and he offers to continue the rule his brother Balon had set. His offerings are generous, and many captains give him their voice. But it is Asha who interrupts the shouts of "Victarion!", and declares that her claim is best as she is Balon's daughter. She tells the ironborn that war is bleeding their people and to continue it would be folly. She offers peace with the Northmen, and prosperous land on the western shores of the North. When she opens her chests to show the scant spoils of her warring in the Northlands, the tumult of support she receives is staggering. Fearing that a woman will win the kingsmoot, Aeron is shocked back to reality by the horrible bellowing of a horn. All eyes turn to a giant war-horn bound with ancient Numenorian glyphs being sounded by one of Euron's "mongrels". After sounding the horn several times, the giant mute nearly falls over, his lips bloody and blistering, and after it would be discovered that he had died. Euron steps forward and announces that he has sailed further and braved more than any other ironman. He offers not only peace and land, but all Westeros itself to the ironborn. When Asha asks him how he means to do so, her uncle responds that he will use dragons to conquer the land, using the Dragon Horn he found amongst the ashes of Old Atlantis. When he tells the crowd that the horn can bind dragons to his will, and that he knows where three dragons can be found, he receives the overwhelming cheers of "Euron! Euron! Crow's Eye! EURON KING!"
See Also : Vickon Volmark
Vickon Volmark and Balon Greyjoy would first come to meet while they begin reaving under the flag and ship of Balon's father and during this time the two became close, and silently Vickon begin to have romantic feelings for Balon a feeling that he believed Balon shared.
