[syndaerys]

— A SYNDAERYS' GREATEST ASSET IS THEIR AMBITION, AND NONE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ENDURING WISH OF VALCERION TO RECLAIM OLD VALYRIA

SYNDAERYS : an original valyrian house, featuring an alternate verse for astarion ( from bg3 ), created for the world of a song of ice and fire. sideblog - follows back from @alcriti. may expand in the future! [ killi, she/her, woc, 30+. ]

i. i've been writing astarion for six years, and was in the asoiaf fandom circa 2016. it's nice to meld my two loves, dnd and asoiaf, into one. :) ii. house syndaerys is a valyrian essosi-based house of my own creation. they are linked to house targaryen which will be posted about below. astarion, while primarily focused in hotd on syndaerys, can be adjusted to fit the other eras of the world ( eg; blackfyre rebellions, war of the five kings, etc. ) iii. syndaerys is only for interactions within the asoiaf universe. the main blog, alcriti, is verse flexible, and i have a preference for medieval fantasy settings. iv. i'm learning to be self-indulgent and prioritise my happiness in writing what i want. i love character creation and world building and am so, so happy for anyone that wants to engage with me in this! i'm also more than happy to collaborate with anyone who wants to create characters for this house with me!

portrayal notes:

for now, information on the house and astarion's verse can be found here.

headcanons

[targaryensource]

Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal arriving at Dragonstone. Meleys, Vermax and Arrax leaving Dragonstone. GAME OF THRONES “Dragonstone” (2017) dir. Jeremy Podeswa. HOUSE OF THE DRAGON “The Black Queen” (2022) dir. Greg Yaitanes.

[syndaerys]

going to properly detail this later but the dragons of house syndaerys!!!

there's 3. all adults; 2 females and 1 male. two are inherited, 1 was hatched in cradle;

none have laid clutches of their own;

the dragons, in order of age: lyseār (f, 101), vyrghos (m, 83); tysseax (f, 35);

lyseār - a white, opalescent-coloured dragon whose scales brilliantly reflect light. she is the pride of the house, and was named after the family's island home of lys. she is similarly nicknamed, 'the lovely';

vyrghos - dark coloured, whose scales have undertones of deep blue and purple. his wing membranes are a vibrant violet;

they all sunbathe regularly on the rocks and when feeling brave, dive in the water to catch fish;

it's a wonder to behold when all three dragons take flight over lys.

[ntrgyn]

𓂅⠀ ⠀ @syndaerys⠀ asked ⠀ ❛ anger is a fine weapon ⠀ .

SHE HAD NOT TAKEN HIM FOR A PHILOSOPHER.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ well-read, perhaps, though most young nobles tend to be. still, ❝ is it, really? ❞ she sits with the thought as she reaches for her cup, the wine sweet and delicate on her tongue. it’s rather strange, of course, to be drinking at what is meant to be a more formal audience, but who is she to question such hospitality? she taps the stem of the cup, idle, a drop of spilt wine leaving her nail stained red at the tip. ❝ anger does not lend itself to careful judgment. it breeds recklessness, and a certain lack of care. ❞ she looks up at him then, still a little hesitant. ❝ surely, a sharper blade would serve you better in battle? ❞ she asks, for it’s a claim she isn’t qualified to make. with AEMOND already on the way to STORM’S END and THEIR SISTER in no state to travel, their grandsire had tasked naerys with crossing the narrow sea to champion AEGON’S CLAIM before HOUSE SYNDAERYS, but how could she possibly argue in favour of something so unjust? her gaze shifts then, briefly, to his attendants. she folds her hands over her lap, the look with which she fixes upon astarion rather straightforward: PLEASE DISMISS THEM.

[syndaerys]

Naerys is more diplomatic, pragmatic, than he would have thought. She would not be here with him now if she were not worthy of her teachings. An envoy of the Targaryens, sent to earn his favour. In Otto Hightower's eyes, he likely sees him an easy entryway to the rest of his family. The youngest of the three dragon riders — with the other one too stubborn to bend, and the other too shrewd to be accepting of a talk in good faith. However, if he were swayed, how easy it would be to convince the rest that Aegon should sit the Iron Throne.

Astarion listens, though, giving Naerys the chance to broach her argument. He smiles, then, wickedly, ❝ What use do I have for a blade when I have a dragon? That seems to be the sentiment for most of us these days… ❞ He brings his wine to his lips, staring over the rim at the young woman, and wholly aware of what lie beyond the precipice of this brewing conflict.

As he drinks, though, Naerys says nothing, straight-backed and undeterred, as she stares back at him, intentional. He understands the subtlety, was practically raised on gestures imperceptible. With a wave of his ringed fingers, the attendants straighten, wasting little time in lingering as they shuffle out the room. When the door at last closes, Astarion speaks, his voice soft, welcoming of her true thoughts. ❝ vāedagon skoros ao rȳ, Naerys. ( speak what you will, Naerys. ) ❞

[syndaerys]

verse things i think about regularly:

astarion's eyes are still red... more like a purply-red, but the traditional valyrian purple completely missed him;

i've decided: tysseax is hatched from a clutch of meleys! (u all know i'm a meleys stan..........);

unmarried and has no children, despite being almost 40 years old post-timeskip. he's destined to die in old valyria, so why bother?;

the other two dragons of the house have had, at most, two riders. given how the house has difficulty hatching eggs, earning an adult dragon is seen as a privilege, not a right;

one of the dragons, another she-dragon, is opalescent in colour. she was named lyseār ( or lyseaar ) — after their island home of lys. she's somwhere around 100 years old;

house syndaerys keeps to the old ways of valyria. while not openly acknowledged, some members of the house practice blood magic and dabble in pyromancy. their skill in the art cements the belief that with their dragons and their valyrian blood, they will be able to cleanse and reclaim old valyria;

their castle ( not really a castle in the traditional sense, it's more like a keep ) was built out of one of the smaller mountain ranges of lys. the dragonpit is a domed structure, behind the keep, where tunnels expand into the mountains where the dragons nest.

[absolventiia]

@syndaerys sent in : ' i am not bound to please you with my answers. ' to aurane !

" cousin. " aurane says pointedly, almost annoyed. this is not his cousin, not truly, but related houses do have some familiarity, and with astarion's almost - role as becoming something of near - importance to aurane's own house, the prince is forced to play nice.

still, he does not know him at all, and aurane does think it through before responding. " there is little you could say to upset me now. i spend hours in council meetings, with men that say much and do little -- they upset me with their lack of answers and, to be honest, bravery. you, however, have yet to tell me anything of note. "

the prince wanders from window to table, glancing down at maps and books with disinterested violet gaze. there are answers. answers that astarion could say that tell what side, exactly, house syndaerys would be taking in this war ( because there will be one, and aurane's dreams torture him with that fact each night ).

still, aurane does not ask directly. he's trained in diplomacy, in careful wording of words : " did you know, " the prince says, trailing fingers along the largest map, hovering lightly over lys, " my dragon syndor seems to share your house's name ? poetic, wouldn't you agree ? "

[syndaerys]

His return to King's Landing will be brief. Astarion tells himself this, as Rhaenyra's propisition to join her on Dragonstone lingers in the back of his mind. She took his hands in hers, laying the offer down before him: ' māzigon se nyke. ' He neither accepted nor declined, but as he roams the halls of the Red Keep, his presence feels dreadfully unwelcome. House Syndaerys was one of the first to pledge themselves to Rhaenyra's future reign. Understandably, his alliances are quietly ( and at times, loudly ) questioned. Another doubter makes themselves known, and Aurane, subtle as he try to be, is exposing himself.

Astarion tests the prince's limits, throwing out a comment to see what he catches. To a point, it sticks, and Astarion allows the prince his parading while he sits at a table enjoying his wine. ❝ How dreadful is must be for you. Listening to the empty words of your allies… ❞ He finally says, as he taps the base of his goblet with ringed fingers. ❝ I'm sure you understand this: Because of who you are, Aurane, people will bend over backwards just to lick your boots. Lucky for you, I don't pander. I'm as honest a man as they come. ❞

Words are marked with a tight-lipped smile, his eyes wrinkling just a little as his gaze tracks the prince from table to window… His smile remains, even as Aurane feebly attempts to ingratiate himself to him. ❝ How quaint. ❞ Astarion replies, short, uninterested. ❝ You named your black dragon after something else that happens to be black. I wouldn't call it poetic in the slightest. However, you must have dug into some musty tomes as of late... Valcerion is hardly remembered during his brother's conquest. I think he preferred it that way. ❞

[syndaerys]

ngl if astarion is interacting with someone whom he knows speaks valyrian, chances are he's going to converse in valyrian.

it's his first language!!! but also he will use his language proficiency as a tool to mock others bc frankly, he's an ass.

[prophetyse]

she was aware of his skepticism in her ability before they set sail to braavos. in truth, it doesn’t bother her. she does not require his approval or validation to know what she sees is real. and it does take a pressure off of her in his presence - his lacking faith means she has no reason to perform in the way that is often required of her. if she sees something, she will say it and be done with it. so she ignores his sneer and keeps her focus on stemming her seasickness. 

the closer they come to port, the easier the water seems to be. a gentle roll created by the movement of other boats rather than by a tempestuous storm. it brings a sharp relief and her eyes fully open again for the first time in minutes. “grand plans to take over the braavosi court?” she’s teasing, a mischievous smile on her lips. “with your charm you might not even need to use your dragons.” she has a feeling that astarion will flourish among the braavosi nobles. their power and wealth can be intoxicating, from her limited experience, and it seems to be directly in his wheelhouse. 

the mischief falls from her face at the mention of her future. it is a topic she avoids. primarily because he is right. she does not want to be this forever - a glorified party favor passed around by people with power. spouting the same fortunes and fortunes over and over. she heaves a heavy sigh and lets her head fall into her hands momentarily. “i don’t know what my parents wanted for me before all this, but i imagine they would be happy if i stayed right here.” she loves her parents, she genuinely does. but their station rose so rapidly and their prospects opened up so much, it has been easy for them to ignore her happiness. “but of course i have higher aspirations than this.” she pauses and looks him more directly in the eye as she finishes. “i want to be valued and listened to. even if no one else believes it, i have something to offer.”

[syndaerys]

The curse of expectant parents — he knows it too well. It takes on many shapes and forms, but the message is still the same regardless. He imagines Sabina's parents, while less oppressive than his own, still want greatness for her. Endless success, adoration in abundance, and bountiful love. More and far beyond what she ever might have had a potter's daughter.

Astarion listens to her words, unblinking. He admires that she wants more than what has been chosen for her; he is hoping to achieve the same, in time. ❝ …I hear you, Sabina. ❞ Acknowledgment is grounded, steady; removed of any mocking tone in spite of his insistence to torment her most other times. If nothing else, she is deserving of his respect. ❝ Perhaps being here will help you realise your ambitions, divorced of what your parents want. ❞ A quirk of his lips into a passing smile, and just as quick, it's gone from his handsome features.

Their skiff docks into the Braavosi port, their retinue a total display of extravaggance. A palanquin, adorned with gold tassles, draped in lucious fabrics and well-attended by their slaves. Astarion offers his hand to Sabina, and is the first to set his foot on the plank in preparation to disembark.

' My lord, my lady! We welcome you to Braavos! ' The evident leader of the band sings, his Braavosi accent carrying over the sounds of the port. Astarion winces, holding up his other hand, cutting the man off from saying anything further.

❝ Eugh! sōnagonys! ( stop! ) Speak the common tongue, your tone is grating my ears… ❞ His command is understood with a curt bow, before gesturing grandly to the palanquin.

' Y-yes, my lord! For the both of you! We can discuss further arrangements while we walk. '

Astarion eyes the man, roving around the slaves and other dignitaries he's brought. He catches words of the man's Braavosi, issuing orders and overseeing everyone move into their place. His hand lingers at Sabina's back, observing them scurry, like roaches in sunlight. ❝ My dear, I think it best if you ride the palanquin. Given how ill you were aboard the boat, walking in this sun would be a further punishment for you. Besides, it will allow me the time to collect information from our host. ❞

[syndaerys]

no one caught their house name is a twist on syndor (shadow)? makes sense bc valcerion was all about collecting information in all matter of places from everyone he could.

[redbelles]

Meleys, called the Red Queen, was a she-dragon ridden by Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. She had scarlet scales and pink membranes on her wings, for which she received her alias. Her crest, horns, and claws were bright as copper.

In 75 AC, Meleys was considered to be one of the swiftest dragons in Westeros, easily outpacing Caraxes and Vhagar. By 129 AC, she had grown lazy, but was still fearsome when roused. Meleys was old, cunning, and no stranger to battle.

MELEYS THE RED QUEEN House of the Dragon | 1.09 The Green Council

[syndaerys]

Plots please 🙂‍↕️

let me come up with plots for us!

omg i feel like astarion and gwayne would either get along antagonistically well or despise each other. why not both. they have good days and bad. :))

i. i love the tourney idea you have him........ while astarion is not a participant bc he prefers dragons over horses, they can meet there! maybe after criston beats him in the joust, and out of personal intrigue, astarion tries to learn more about gwayne, the hightowers... something something always trying to learn something about someone for blackmail material lol ii. i'm thinking of this previous interaction being the basis of their relationship, whatever it turns out to be?? whether there's a fondness there or total hatred, if and when they cross paths, it's charged. i know gwayne with mostly with criston after they depart KL but random opportunities for them to meet: astarion ambushes gwayne/criston and co. instead of baela (and if not from the sky, from the ground. which is stupid, but if his dragon is nearby, uses that as leverage to have them not kill him); shows up after the battle of rook's rest and intercepts gwayne there on their way back to KL; gets once back in KL, gets gwayne to meet him somewhere either in the city or outside of it. astarion is testing the limits of his loyalty. iii. astarion hangs around KL after rhaenyra leaves for dragonstone. gwayne is ALSO hanging around... again, based off the first tourney interaction, they're older, their lives are running their course... it's a time to catch up and see where they stand with each other.

[syndaerys]

fuck it, i'm making tysseax a BIG GORL. she's large 😤 smth smth syndaerys takes extremely good care of their dragons and they're all big

[fatedriiiven]

@syndaerys  (  astarion  )  said  ❝  don't  provoke  them,  jaecerys...  the  northerners  are  a  barbarous  bunch,  and  i'd  hate  for  your  mother  to  think  i'm  to  blame  for  your  foolishness.  ❞  for  jacaerys.

jace  looks  over  at  his  companion,  once  again  wondering  why  his  mother  bade  him  come  here  with  an  escort.  it  is  not  as  astarion  knows  the  north  any  better  than  he,  after  all.  he  sighs  heavily,  carefully  thinking  over  what  to  say  next.  he  knows  he  has  a  problem  with  being  perceived  as  rude  and  he's  trying  his  hardest  to  be  better  about  his  reputation.

❝  provoke  them  ?  i  simply  asked  a  question  !  ❞  he  insists,  throwing  any  sense  of  caution  to  the  wind.  it  feels  as  though  he  can  never  say  the  exact  right  thing  that  is  needed  of  him.  ❝  what  would  you  suggest  i  do  then,  hm  ?  ❞  though  he'd  like  to  think  himself  perfectly  capable  of  conducting  himself  in  the  proper  fashion,  he  supposes  he  should  at  least  try  to  get  some  advice.

[syndaerys]

Astarion can't pretend to know the workings of Jace's mind, but he sees a young man burdened with the weight of future kingship. He acts as an envoy of their queen, similarly burdened with the success of an assignment Astarion has little hope will come to bear. His own reservations aside, he is here to ensure Jacaerys makes it back to Dragonstone in one piece. Luke's death weighs on them still, inescapable and fresh. Should anyone raise a hand to the young prince, Astarion will meet them with dragonfire.

❝ Your tone, Jace. It's a start. ❞ He reminds the princeling, wrapping himself in a thick fur cloak given to him by the Stark boy. Barbarous, certainly, but there was the odd time they managed to drag some decorum from within their chilly depths. Astarion scoffs, staring at him from across the table as they sit in Winterfell's dining hall. ❝ You sound so… demanding when you ask for things, you know that? You come across as pretentious; spoiled. Now, I'm not fond of these northmen anymore than you might be, but Jace, understand that in time, you will rule over them. ❞ For a beat, he allows his words his words to sink in, and in a tone that is soft, grounded, Astarion speaks again, ❝ Skoros ao pōnta rȳ se tembyr tolie ao gūron dēmagon. ( How you treat them now will echo on years after you take the throne. ) ❞

[syndaerys]

so u know, astarion considers all of rhaenyra's sons his nephews. even tho they're distantly related, he and rhaenyra have been close since childhood so it's only fair!!

[syndaerys]

selfishly, i want astarion to survive the dance. 😭

and the more i think about it, the more i realise that, a family who built their legacy on spycraft, are either blind to their own vulnerabilities or too arrogant to believe their generations long work in installing people loyal to them all across the free cities could ever, EVER become compromised... maybe both. lol

they're based in essos and were likely privy to the conflict in the stepstones, but that was daemon's war, they want no involvement. however, once the triarchy gets involved, they probably know??? idk i'm just thinking astarion may not be involved himself as during the time of the gullet, he's in westeros, but the other dragon riders in his family participate.......? hmmm

[targaryensource]

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S02E01 — Rhaenys with Meleys over Dragonstone

[syndaerys]

plots pleaseeee! for @foughtnobly too hehe

let me come up with plots for us!

i. hotd — you are the first recruit to my house, yay!! not sure what you have for you oriana in hotd, but regardless, she's a member. we can do sm with this!! we can go as big as their houses have been linked since syndaerys was founded or as small as oriana herself is the only one of her family members to join. i have no preference! ii. hotd — can be timeline flexible bc honestly, i want more dragons and weird creatures in essos. if she's still ranger adjacent and a monster hunter... imagine them going out doing just that. astarion's house tries to keep relations good with the people they can, in case they ever have need of them. someone is having problems with a beasty, and astarion and oriana agree to take care of it. imagine the ordeal. trudging through the terrain; they're bickering sometimes, laughing other times. it'll be a great time for them to bond. iii. @lovefeasted (tagging you here!) for rhaegar! again, not sure what you have for rhaegar, but i'm selfish and want them to be close lol. rhaegar is held by prophecy, astarion grew up surrounded by superstition and valyrian magic. while he might not totally be as entrenched in it himself, he has resources at his disposal to give to rhaegar. also!! bc of his family's constant expeditions into old valyria (probably well into the current timeline, should they survive), i would imagine the information they may have gathered would be valuable to rhaegar as well!