Over a century after the Doom destroyed their homeland of Valyria, House Targaryen invaded
the continent of Westeros and conquered six of the seven kingdoms, establishing
a dynasty that lasted nearly 300 years. In possession of the only Dragons known to exist,
Aegon and his sister-wives seemed unstoppable, until they reached the deserts of Dorne, where
the harsh terrain coupled with the unwavering determination of the population, allowed them
to resist and ultimately defeat the invaders. Unwilling to accept their defiance,
King Aegon launched the First Dornish War in 4AC, a conflict so devastating it led to the death of
Queen Rhaenys, the dragon Meraxes, a great number of Lords, as well as thousands of soldiers and
common folk. But in the end Dorne could not be defeated and King Aegon signed a peace treaty
he honoured for the rest of his life. Though Dorne was victorious, it came at
a terrible cost, with nearly every town, castle and village ravaged by dragonfire,
while much of the population was slaughtered or left destitute. A proud and hot-tempered people,
the Dornish longed for vengeance against the all who stood with House Targaryen. Yet their leader
Princess Deria Martell was on relatively good terms with Aegon Targaryen, even inviting the king
and his heir to a feast of friendship in 23 AC. However the respect earned by Aegon the Conqueror,
was not enough to protect his son Aenys Targaryen, a good natured but indecisive and weak-willed
ruler, who saw 4 rebellions erupt across the continent when he took the throne. The largest
threat came from the Red Mountains of Dorne, where an outlaw known only as the Vulture King, raised
a massive army of 30,000 small folk to attack the Reach and Stormlands in retaliation for the losses
inflicted in the First Dornish War. Though the identity of this man was never discovered, some
speculate he may have hailed from House Blackmont, as their sigil depicts a vulture. Bun in any case,
he began what many called the Second Dornish War, the Vulture King’s numbers grew as many knights,
spearmen and even some Lords joined the cause. Officially Princess Deria Martell denounced
the rebels, but some believe House Martell supported him in secret.
Scoring a number of early victories, their most notable success came when they burned the castle
Blackhaven, with the Vulture King personally cutting off the nose of Lord Harmon Dondarrion.
With little help coming from the anxious King Aenys, who abhorred violence,
the Houses near the border, called the Marcher Lords were largely left on their own.
Facing far smaller armies lacking support from the crown, the Vulture might have done
much more damage during his campaign if not for the fatal mistake of dividing his forces,
so might attack two targets at once. In the Stormlands, Lord Walter Wyl led
half the rebel army to take Stonehelm, only to suffer defeat and capture by the armies of
Lord Orys Baratheon of Storm’s end. This was an especially satisfying victory for Orys,
as he was defeated and lost a hand to Walter’s father, the famous Wyl of Wyl, during the First
Dornish War. In retaliation, he cut off Water’s hands and feet. Orys suffered wounds in the
battle and died on his way back to Storm’s End, but all say he died smiling, eyes fixed on the
rotten hands and feet dangling in his tent. The Vulture King led the rest of his men
against Nightsong, but were met by Lord Harmon Dondarrion, Lady Ellyn Caron,
and Lord Samwell Tarly who forced them into retreat. With rebel armies shattered,
the Marcher Lords began the Vulture Hunt, eliminating the last remnants of enemy forces
until finally capturing their infamous leader. Savage Sam Tarly carried out the execution by
tying the naked Vulture King between two posts to die of dehydration and exposure.
However the singers gave him a more poetic fate, claiming he was eaten by vultures.
To reward their service to the realm, Davos Baratheon, son of Orys, Harmond Dondarrion,
Ellyn Caron and Savage Sam Tarly were awarded gold, lands and titles by the King.
Yet they could not erase the First Vulture King’s legacy, as he became a famous folk
hero with songs and tales of his adventures told across Dorne and beyond. He even inspired future
outlaws and warlords to adopt his title and continue the legacy his rebellion.