The Blackwater

[The Forgotten God]

The Iron Fleet sails into the Blackwater Bay, the Kingslands fleet quailing before their approach. Their force only has a few galleys and corsairs, all their resources of the last years having been put into rebuilding the city itself, and now it seems the enemy will smash it again. The fleet had been sighted days before, but with their armies far west of the city, there is little to be done against the massive onslaught.

[Kurts]

Killion ordered the turtle ships of the Eastern Fleet forward to crush the meager resistance of the Kinglands navy, a show of overwhelming force and a test for the new behemoths. The ships were covered in metal plates, with sharp iron spikes protruding from hexagonal plates covering the top, with a closed deck protected its crew from ranged attack, the spikes discouraging enemy ships from grappling and boarding. On the bow of the vessel was mounted a monstrous head, different for each of the vessels depending on the name of the ship. Nagga's Fury for example had a large sea dragon with its maw open, the rechristened Great Kraken a monstrous kraken with tentacles outstretced, and The Grey King a visage of the legendary Age of Heroes figure with his mouth open in a battle cry. As well as tools of psychological warfare, the figureheads served a practical purpose by emitting sulfur smoke to effectively hide the ship's movement from the enemy in short distance combat. Poisonous fumes or wildfire could also be utilized when the ship closed the gap, though their massive rams served just as well for the purpose.

[The Forgotten God]

The ships are smashed to pieces in short order, and the city itself seems to have little heart for resistance. With the word of the Ironborn's alliance with the Goldlands, and the subsequent abandonment of Westeros by the Order, so many have deserted the gold cloaks that only the Red Keep can truly be said to be defended. For all Killion knows his fleet may outnumber the entire Stormlands army at this point, and the landings can commence virtually without opposition.

[Kurts]

Killion was grateful the Red Keep was situated against the southeastern corner of the city, atop Aegon's Hill, by the sea and in range of the Iron Fortress' trebuchets. Clearly the city had been situated to defend against a land attack, the monstrous siege ships not a threat anyone had considered contending with all those centuries ago. The harbor was blockaded and the siege commended, a runner sent to demand the unconditional surrender of the city.

[The Forgotten God]

It appears the city will hold for at least a day or so for honor's sake, but from the gist of the response it seems clear to Killion that surrender is inevitable.

[Kurts]

Killion orders the bombardment to commence day and night upon the Red Keep, River Gate, and Iron Keep. If they were going to make him wait for honor's sake, they were certainly not going to get any sleep while they did so.

[The Forgotten God]

The next morning the city is surrendered.

[Kurts]

The city is taken in an orderly fashion , the looting and destruction kept to a minimum by Ironborn standards. The exceptions, of course, are the temples to the Red God in the city. These are razed, its red priests and priestesses placed in chains to be dealt with at a later time for their eldritch crimes.

He marches up Aegon's Hill to the Red Keep in a triumph of sorts, to see what of Baratheon's family and advisors remained.

[The Forgotten God]

Lord Ellis Florent is the ranking individual present; any noblewoman with any sense had fled the city upon hearing of the fleet approaching with the army gone. He is elderly, sixty or so, and he looks over the enemy fleet and the subsequent march of their king with resignation. "King Killion Greyjoy," he said formally. "Welcome to King's Landing."

[Kurts]

"You are a more gracious host, Lord Florent." he replied amiably, offering the the man his hand. "All alone then? I suppose the Hand must go down with his capital as the captain must go down with his ship."

[The Forgotten God]

"Well," he said, "I suppose you caught us at an inopportune time." He looked about. "I'm too old to bother running," he said. "I've spent six years rebuilding this city; I'd rather not see it annihilated yet again."

[Kurts]

"Then we are of the same mind." he assured him, looking out over the city and his fleet in Blackwater Bay. "I have landed on these shores for your red priests and your fealty, not your lives and lands. Send ravens out to the lords of the former Crownlands. For those the bend the knee and turn over their red priests, little will change and they will receive mercy. They will retain their lordships, keeps, and lands. Those that worship the Seven may continue to do so freely. Their taxes will not be increased, daughters taken, or lands ravaged. I offer them a common cause against the sorcerers who have brought them destruction since they accepted them into their homes and a king who will actually protect them from the terrors in the night."

[The Forgotten God]

Lord Florent sends his maester for the letters. "Bryce killed most of the red priests," he said. "Those who survived are mostly concentrated in the Kingswood," he said.

[Kurts]

"Then the chosen lords should have even less cause for objection." he remarked. "I will have your fealty first if you wish to continue your efforts to improve this city."

[The Forgotten God]

Lord Florent offers it. A few dozen priests are rounded up.