House Marten"We Sally Forth"Lord and Lady: Ser Leofwin Marten and Lady Adalicia Marten
Issue: Ser Leovall Marten, Loraine and Lukas Marten
Holdings: Leonart Keep, the Snout
Region: The Vale
Sworn To: House Arryn
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Only a year after the first Blackfyre rebellion the Vale was experiencing an increasing number of attacks from mountain clansmen. These dangerous hillmen had found a leader, one skilled in strategy, ambitious and a master of ambushes. Spotting a relatively small force of traveling Arryn knights and sell swords he had gathered his growing throng of warriors for their first larger scale battle. They had the weight of numbers and the element of surprise. Nonetheless it would be their last defiant act of violence. A gloriously unexpected if reckless victory in personal combat against their crafty clan leader saw Leonart, a simple sell sword commanding a small unit of mounted men, recognised by Lord Arryn. For his service and valour he was ennobled and gifted with a small strip of land by the coast, not too far from where the battle had taken place. Taking the name Marten after the small yet fearsome creatures that hunted the hills and grasslands of his new home, he soon adapted to his new role. Part of this was a clear direction; Leonart was also tasked with raising a castle to better control the surrounding region.
This would usually have been a huge and costly undertaking, but his Lord not so unkind or ungrateful as to give him an impossible task. Thankfully the area had a productive tin mine whose profits combined nicely with a initial sum from his Lord. This, as well as a handsome dowry from the noblewoman he had been hastily married to, was enough to fund the enterprise. When this grand keep was finally finished it cemented the place of the Marten family in the region. It also ensured the survival of Leonart's name as well for the keep was soon named after him for lack of a better name. Since then the Martens have ruled the area in and around the Snout; a small fishing and mining community beside a wide cove along the north of the Bay of Crabs. Nowadays the Martens are quite influential within the Vale, having some ties and agreements with more prominent noble families also sworn to House Arryn. However, outside of the Vale they are not well recognised, being a fairly recent dynasty who have achieved nothing truly noteworthy since their founding.
Most recently their main point of worth would be the port built at some expense to better facilitate tin shipments across Westeros. It also allows a safe stop for vessels traveling in and out of the Bay of Crabs. Those that do know the House recognise that they have quietly consolidated their position with admirable efficiency. Looking more closely, one might notice their military is relatively small, yet diverse, well equipped and especially well drilled. Furthermore, their strategically placed castle overlooks the village of the Snout, the port and the cove from atop a tall hill with steep sides to the south. It also uses the newest architectural and defensive developments and tricks, strengthening both the outer walls and towers, as well as making the main keep more comfortable for residents and guests. While the family is not especially wealthy, they are hardly poor. Most would agree their future prospects are promising indeed, particularly under the stable and thoughtful leadership of Leofwin Marten.
Leofwin and his younger brother Landon, along with their families, make up House Marten. Each has a few children helping to ensure the future of the family. While the family is primarily martial in nature, this is mostly because of the ever present threat of clan raider attacks and a slight banditry problem. Apart from these persistent issues holding them back the family are in the process of considering different options for how to continue their growth. They are known to be actively seeking further alliances and agreements within not only the Vale, but slowly outside of it as well. Recognising their position and the maritime connections it potentially offers to Houses further afield they are debating what to do next. It is likely that interested parties could help shape their future direction with the right approach or persuasion.
The Marten coat of arms depicts a raised golden portcullis over an angered marten caped in ermine atop a maroon field AKA Sanguine, Portcullis Or and Marten Statant Argent with Cape Ermine
