Bloodstone

Bloodstone is the largest island of the Stepstones and a strategically important stronghold in the struggle for control of the narrow sea. Its changing fortunes tied together the competing interests of Racallio Ryndoon, the Free Cities, and Alyn Velaryon: it was at once a pirate ruler’s seat, a target in a naval assault, and the setting for an uneasy negotiation that secured passage through the islands.

Position and Control

Bloodstone remained in Racallio Ryndoon’s hands even as control of the surrounding Stepstones shifted. At one point, Tyroshi forces were close to overwhelming him, but Lys and Myr made peace and attacked Tyrosh, forcing the Archon to recall his ships and soldiers. Meanwhile, Pentoshi sellswords held the islands not controlled by Racallio, while Braavosi warships commanded the waters between them. The island’s position within this fractured contest made control of Bloodstone distinct from control of the sea lanes around it.

After Alyn Velaryon’s earlier attack, the channels between the islands were in part closed by booms or blocked by the hulks of sunk ships. When Alyn later approached, scouts reported that Racallio had regained Bloodstone and all the islands to its south, while Pentoshi forces held the rocks to the north and east. The remaining channels were controlled by Racallio and his followers, leaving Alyn to choose between fighting his way through or negotiating for passage.

Naval Conflict

Bloodstone was the scene of a major surprise attack against the Braavosi fleet. Racallio was there with Tyroshi envoys when the Braavosi grand admiral and many of his captains joined him in a feast. Alyn’s Velaryon ships struck while the Braavosi were unprepared; half their ships were captured, burned, or sunk at anchor or as they tried to get underway.

The Braavosi dromond Grand Defiance escaped the initial destruction and fought past several smaller Velaryon ships toward open water. Alyn’s flagship, Queen Rhaenys, intercepted it and struck its side. The collision broke the dromond’s oars and hull and brought down its masts; after the Velaryons backed away, water flooded through the damage and the ship sank. The fight demonstrated the island’s importance not only as a base but as a place where the rival fleets’ struggle for control could be decided.

Racallio’s Stronghold and Alyn’s Parley

In 133 AC, Alyn chose negotiation rather than another costly assault. Concerned that defeating Racallio might cost half his strength, and that he would need his men for a possible conflict with the Red Kraken, he sent his ship Lady Baela into Bloodstone under a parley flag to seek free passage for his fleet.

Racallio kept Alyn for more than a fortnight in his sprawling wooden fortress. Whether Alyn was a captive or a guest remained uncertain even to Alyn: Racallio alternated between treating him as a friend and proposing an attack on Tyrosh, and considering whether to put him to death. He required Alyn to wrestle him in a mud pit before an audience of pirates, then presented him with the head of a man accused of spying as a token of fellowship. The next day, Racallio accused Alyn of serving the Tyroshi and forced him to prove his innocence by killing three Tyroshi prisoners. Pleased with Alyn afterward, Racallio sent two of his wives to Alyn’s chamber and urged him to father sons; the accounts disagree about whether Alyn complied.

Alyn ultimately secured the passage he had sought. Bloodstone thus functioned as more than a fortified prize: Racallio’s unpredictable authority there could make safe movement through the Stepstones depend on personal negotiation as much as on naval strength.