Stormlands

The Stormlands are one of the constituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, stretching from the southern shores of the Blackwater Bay to the Dornish Marches and from the narrow sea to the Reach. Its name derives from the fierce autumn storms that batter its coastline, and its history is marked by the rule of the storm kings, the last of whom was Argilac the Arrogant, defeated by Orys Baratheon during Aegon's Conquest. The region's sigil is the crowned stag of House Baratheon, and its words are "Ours Is the Fury." In A Dance with Dragons, the Stormlands become the staging ground for a new invasion, as the Golden Company lands on Cape Wrath under the command of Jon Connington, the exiled Lord of Griffin's Roost, who seeks to restore a Targaryen claimant to the Iron Throne.

Geography and Character

The Stormlands are a land of contrasts: rugged coasts battered by the fury of Shipbreaker Bay, dense forests like the Rainwood and the Kingswood, and fertile valleys that give way to the red mountains of the Dornish Marches. The region is dotted with strong castles, including Storm's End, the ancient seat of House Baratheon, a fortress of immense strength that has never fallen to assault. Other notable holds include Griffin's Roost, the seat of House Connington; Crow's Nest of House Morrigen; Rain House of House Wylde; and the island fortress of Greenstone on Estermont. The storm lords are known for their fierce independence and martial prowess, traits that have made them formidable allies and dangerous enemies.

The Golden Company's Landing

In the latter part of A Dance with Dragons, the Stormlands become the focal point of a new military campaign. Jon Connington, once Hand of the King to Aerys II Targaryen and a close friend of Prince Rhaegar, returns from exile at the head of the Golden Company, a sellsword army of ten thousand men. They land on Cape Wrath, a stretch of coast Connington knows well from his former lordship. The landing is swift and well-coordinated, with Black Balaq's archers taking down any ravens that attempt to carry word of the invasion. The first target is Griffin's Roost itself, which falls with minimal resistance, as the gate is found unbarred. Connington reclaims his ancestral seat, taking the castle's garrison and the family of his cousin, the current Knight of Griffin's Roost, as prisoners.

Consolidation and Strategy

Following the capture of Griffin's Roost, Connington dispatches forces to take other nearby castles, including Crow's Nest and Rain House, securing a foothold on Cape Wrath. He sends word to Prince Doran Martell of Dorne, hoping to secure an alliance through the revelation that Prince Aegon Targaryen, Rhaegar's son, is alive and leading the campaign. Connington's strategy is to strike hard and fast before King's Landing can fully react, and he sets his sights on Storm's End, the last stronghold of Stannis Baratheon in the south. He plans to take it by guile rather than assault, using the element of surprise and the Golden Company's discipline to overcome the castle's formidable defenses. The campaign in the Stormlands marks the beginning of a new phase in the War of the Five Kings, as the Golden Company's presence threatens to destabilize the Lannister-Tyrell regime and rally support for the Targaryen cause.