5 The Nobles of Westeros

In February 273 AC the opening of the colosseum was finally about to begin.

After slow fermentation over the last year the colosseum of Lys became famous among the nobels of Westeros and the rich merchants of the free states.

On the opening night many Nobles of Westeros are expected. Among them Robert Baratheon. Robert was the first son of Steffon Baratheon and Cassana Baratheon, and had two younger brothers, Renly, and Stannis.

Robert Baratheon, as a young man, possessed the typical talent for warfare and leadership as his brothers, as expected of Baratheon men, gentler than his brother, Stannis, and less intelligent than Renly. He was a charismatic and fearsome military commander and a formidable warrior.

Robert was considered a very good man at heart, and he ultimately was, but people often couldn't see this because externally he appeared to be a brutal, heavy-drinking party animal. He had a fondness for strong drinks, women, tourneys, and extravagant parties, which he heavily immersed himself in. As such it was not a surprise that the young Robert wanted to participate in the grand opening of the colosseum of Lys.

Baratheon was not the only reputable name among the nobles of Westeros. The Lannister were not meant to be absent during such a spectacle. 

Kevan Lannister is a big man with broad shoulders and a thick waist. His short blond hair is balding, and he has a close-cropped, yellow beard that follows the line of his massive jaw. Kevan has green eyes and fair skin. A portly man, Kevan is not necessarily considered handsome.

Kevan was a confidant and companion for his elder brother, Tywin since childhood. Recognizing the competency of Tywin at an early age, Kevan did his best to realize his brother's wishes, though this meant perpetually living in his shadow. In contrast, Tywin had stormy relations with his other brothers, Tygett and Gerion.

Lord Tytos Lannister sent young Kevan to Castamere to serve as a page and then squire to Lord Roger Reyne. Ser Tywin, Kevan, and Tygett fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, during which Kevan was knighted by Lord Reyne.

At sixteen, Kevan visited the Free Cities on his coming-of-age tour.

Upon the return to Casterly Rock, Ser Tywin charged Kevan with the task of ridding the Westerlands of robber knights and bandit outlaws who had taken advantage of the weak rule of their father, Lord Tytos. Tywin also had Kevan collect the outstanding debts owed to Casterly Rock, and those who could not pay immediately had to surrender a family member as a hostage till the debt was settled. As Ser Harys Swyft was not able to pay at the time, he handed his daughter Dorna into Kevan's custody. Kevan would eventually fall in love with Dorna and marry her by 266 AC.

In contrast to Ser Harys, Lord Roger Reyne refused to pay and Lord Walderan Tarbeck sought out Lord Tytos to convince him to countermand Tywin's actions. Tywin had Walderan imprisoned, however, and in response Lady Ellyn Tarbeck kidnapped Stafford Lannister. Tywin refused to be part of Tytos's negotiations with Ser Reynard Reyne, so Tytos had Kevan exchange Walderan for Stafford at Castamere.

Kevan aided Tywin in suppressing the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt in 261 AC. Ellyn laughed at Kevan when he demanded the surrender of Tarbeck Hall. Ellyn was slain when Tywin attacked the castle, however.

Ser Kevan had four children with his wife: Lancel, twin boys Martyn and Willem, and a daughter, Janei.

Tytos Lannister died in 267 AC, making Tywin the new Lord of Casterly Rock. Kevan was Tywin's closest confidant, sharing all his counsels. As a second son, Kevan became a household knight and served his older brother, though this meant he held no lands of his own. Kevan did hold certain incomes and was frequently rewarded by Tywin for his good service despite his lack of status, and he set aside chests of coin from this and his generous inheritance from his late father, Lord Tytos Lannister.

But even the Name of Martell and Tyrell were not to be absent.

Oberyn Martell, 15 years of age currently, has the features of a salty Dornishman. He is a tall, slender, graceful, and fit man, and has a lined and saturnine face with thin eyebrows, black "viper" eyes and a sharp nose. His hair is lustrous and black, with only a few silver streaks, and recedes from his brow in a widow's peak. Oberyn is a renowned warrior, quick as a water snake and very athletic.

Oberyn has always been fierce. He has a fearsome and notorious reputation. In the near future he will travel with his mother and sister to the famous houses of Westeros to close out on an engagement.

At the age of sixteen, Oberyn will be found in bed with the paramour of Lord Edgar Yronwood, so the lord challenged him to a duel. The duel was to first blood, given the prince's youth and high birth, and both took cuts. Edgar's wounds festered and killed him. Oberyn has been known as the "Red Viper" ever since by friends and foes alike, due to rumors that he fought the duel with a poisoned blade. Afterward, Oberyn was sent to Oldtown and then to Lys in temporary exile (though none called it such) for House Martell to make peace with House Yronwood, and Prince Quentyn Martell was sent as a ward to Yronwood.

Oberyn traveled extensively in the Free Cities, where he learned much about poisons and perhaps even darker arts. He had studied at the Citadel, going so far as to forge six links of a maester's chain before he grew bored. He soldiered in the Disputed Lands across the narrow sea, riding with the Second Sons for a time before forming his own company. It is said that he beds both men and women, and has begotten eight bastard daughters, called the Sand Snakes. But who knows how the future will turn out now that Victor and Oberyn will meet nearly a year before the death of Edgar Yronwood.

Finally Mace Tyrell. He is still a handsome and powerful looking man. At the age of 16 Mace is still the young heir of Hightower as his father has not yet died and his mother, Lady Olenna, is not yet the powerful widow she will become in the future. During Robert's Rebellion, Mace was in command of troops from the Reach who marched against Lord Robert Baratheon of Storm's End. Mace is credited with defeating Robert in the Battle of Ashford, although the van under Lord Randyll Tarly achieved most of the victory before Mace's arrival at Ashford. He is not yet the useless fat man he will become at the Start of Game of Thrones.