Orys Connington

Orys Connington is the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands.

History

Orys was the third son of Armond Connington, who was himself the second son of Lord Jon Connington, who had restored the Griffin to its rightful place upon his return from Essos. Even after the Baratheons proved victorious, the Conningtons were allowed to keep their lands so long as they remained just and loyal.

The youngest male in the family, Orys quickly learned he needed to be the strongest if we was to survive. He did just that, becoming known with his talent for warfare, and his ruthless efficiency. Not an unkind man, Orys was well liked by his vassals - though beneath this seemingly amiable exterior lay a heart filled with ambition.

When the Greyjoy Rebellion broke out across Westeros, the Conningtons were forced to send every able bodied male to prove their loyalty. Together with his two older brothers, his three cousins, his father, and his uncle, Orys went off to war and expanded his reputation beyond the borders of Griffin's Roost. His father's younger brother stayed at Griffin's Roost and took care of it.

At the Battle of Old Wyk the flock of Griffins lead the charge, and it was Orys who slew the heir of Drumm in single combat.

He and his father returned to Griffin's Roost as war heros with spoils aplenty, yet Armond never recovered from the loss of his brother. He shut himself off from his son in the castle and starved himself out, leaving Orys the Lord of the Roost.

Orys spent the majority of his days as lord tending to his peoples needs, yet his short temper often sent him on rampages where he would retreat to the training yard and practice all day. Such outburts were in no small part due to a combination of survivor's guilt, and post-traumatic stress disorder - the legacy of the Greyjoy Rebellion.

After the conquest, Orys met and wed a Tyrell from one of the lesser branches. While it was said that the marriage was not one of love, Orys always treated his wife kindly, and she bore him twins, a son and a daughter, before dying in childbirth.

Important Events

First Era

In the first era, Orys began forming alliances with other stormlords. When the capital was sacked in the war of the Ascent of the Lion, he declared for King Damon Lannister and named himself Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, moving his immediate family to Storm's End. With his cousin Arthur Connington ruling Griffin's Roost in his stead, the griffins grasp the Stormlands in their iron talons. 

He led his armies together with the new king's men against the subsequent rebellion led by the Dayne brothers. After the victory, he beheaded several stormlords who refused to bend the knee, and took wards from others - including House Swann. 

Second Era

Orys wed his sister Alyce Connington to Lord Nathaniel Arryn in order to forge an alliance with the Vale.

He marched with the King's men against the wights in the Riverlands, but was captured by Laenor Velaryon. Lord Arryn came to his rescue. 

Third Era

The Lord Paramount was appointed Master of Coin, and sat upon King Damon's small council. All wards were released by royal decree, bar those of the disgraced House Swann.

Fourth Era

Orys called a council of all houses in the Stormlands, to march against Gylen Hightower... against the wishes of the Crown. However, nothing came of this, as no consensus was attained, and no army marched upon the Reach.

Fifth Era

Devastated by the death of his sister, and after being removed from his position on the small council, Orys has returned to Storm's End to sit his seat as Lord of the Stormlands in earnest, in equal measure shamed and enraged at his dismissal. With the shock enough to drive him from the depths of a tankard, Orys instead seeks solace elsewhere. 

His wild red hair and beard as much a thing of the past as his alcoholism and gluttony, Lord Orys Connington is a griffin anew. 

With staunch allies found among Houses Morrigen, Caron, Penrose, Estermont, Tarth, Trant, and reluctant allies in House Wylde, it appears the Connington dominion of the Stormlands is on the rise.

After seeing his daughter married to Corliss Caron, and after being propositioned by Alysanne Rogers to wed his son Alyn to Sybelle Swann, Orys marched to war against the usurpers in Nightsong.

Quotes

“He's an excellent warrior - brave, but short of temper. His vassals have learned not to cross him when he's in one of his foul moods.” – Damon Lannister

"If he didn't have all of his fingers, I'm not certain the man could count past ten." - Danae Targaryen

"They say this castle has ears. Connington is either bold or stupid." - Nathaniel Arryn

Family

Alyce Arryn - sister

Alyn Connington - son

Cassana Caron - daughter

Arthur Connington - cousin and Lord of Griffin's Roost

Retainers

Ser Argrave Morrigen - head of his household guard

'Red' Bowen - Castellan of Storm's End