From the desk of Archmaester Hoarfrost, maester to the King of The Iron Throne and Seven Kingdoms:

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Today, a new year begins, writes Archmaester Hoarfrost. What year is it again? I have a hard time remembering such in my old age… Oh, yes, it is 8057, the 16th year of the reign of Aegon the Third (Targaryen), known affectionately by many woman as ‘the Handsome’. He is our third king of Westeros, a nation forged with fire and blood in my youth. I was only a lad of the age 23 at that time when King Aegon the Conqueror carved through mountains of men, burning to the crisp the armies and families of the Iron Islands, Stormlands, and Westerlands. He made quick work of the first three families who denied his sovereignty, and the rest of the kingdoms wisely knelt to save their own hides and dynasties. For many years after, Aegon the Conqueror dealt with many riots, by lords high and low, declaring he was to greedy with his lands, and did not distribute his titles more evenly. But as time went on, as I grew older, each of his sons took their place as Kings and lords. Eventually, after the bearing the deaths of both his sister-wives in the span on one year, he abdicated the throne to his son, and left with Balerion to serve the Night’s Watch.Thus began the short-lived reign of Aegon the II, known by many to be a perceptive man. Many scholars believe however that these unique “perceptions” of his led to him overdosing on the milk of the poppy just eight months into his reign.And thus, in 8041, on the 17th day of the 5th month, our King, at the young age of 16, took up the mantle of the Seven Kingdoms. For a boy so young tasked with responsibilities so huge, many believe he has performed admirably. The Archmaester paused in his writings. His hand was cramping up. That happened often now. Not many men live to be the age of 70, especially a Northman of no noble house such as him. He knew his time was soon, especially with the winter drawing near. But, he must continue performing his duty as a master, until the old gods see fit. Aegon the Handsome, as he is known, could never settle upon a woman for the first 15 years of his rule. I urged him to name a wife, even if a commoner she may be. But he would not have it. And thus, all of Aegon’s children to this day have been born to one of his multitude of lovers. He has named his firstborn as his heir, legitimizing the child, who will one day rule as Aegon the IV. A brilliant child the boy is, and definitely a wise choice indeed. The boy has had an exceptional upbringing and will make for a fine leader one day. He’s stronger than his father even. Anyways, back to our king.On this day, Aegon’s children number to twelve, but two of them I pull stillborn from their mothers’ wombs. In order, the living are named:, born to a baker’s daughter called Aelinor,, the first of his children with Lady Leona, ruler of the North,, first child of Aggi, a slave Aegon has taken as a concubine,, first of his children with Dyanna, another slave-consort,, of Dyanna,of Dyanna,, of a brilliant slave-concubine Losi the Lhazareen,, of Aggi,, daughter of Daenora Targaryen, cousin, wife to Lucerys Targaryen of the Riverlands, and, of Dyanna. Three sons, and seven daughters.Aegon, upon the conclusion of his bloody vengeance in the blood feud against the Arryns, forced Syrella Arryn’s, Lady Paramount of the Vale’s, hand in marriage. Hopefully this will reunify their houses and end the bloody feud, but I fear Aegon’s uncles may not be satisfied. His Grace is also betrothed to Lady Shaena Targaryen, heir to Dorne and daughter of his late uncle Prince Lewyn II, sister to Princess Aelora, ruler of Dorne and a rumored lover of our King.The Targaryen’s, in the span of the 60 years since the beginning of their reign, have spawned rapidly, boasting seven and forty strong. Three of his king’s uncles remain Lord of their respective kingdoms since they were given their titles by the Conqueror… Oh, I have forgotten. One of His Grace’s uncles perished in a rebellion against His Grace, leaving His Grace’s cousin, Aelor, Oro’s son, in command of the Iron Islands. While I have not ever met the man in person, many tell of his great kindness and huge stature. He is rather satisfied with his position, and poses no threat to our King.Moro ‘the Upright’, Aegon’s second oldest uncle, serves dutifully Lord of the Stormlands, and Hand of the King. He does not does not presume more power than his position, and has never wronged our king. Unfortunately for him, ever since Aegon I melted the castle of Harrenhal, a curse has run amok, leaving him with only three heirs to this day, and seven children who have not made it past the age of five. Many call him a very just and honest man, and can always be seen talking with his vassals, and even the common-folk.Rhaekar, still branded as a drunkard from his younger days of which he has since renounced, is the second youngest of Aegon III’s uncles. He is often seen riding the great dragon Meraxes around Casterly Rock, and over parts of the Sunset Sea. Recently, many of spotted him even going on flights with his son, whose dragon Skysailor hatched five years ago. The small-folk say Aegor will be an excellent lord one day when Rhaekar passes away. He is a masterful swordsman, however he does not quite parallel his father, who is serves his nephew our King as Master of Arms. The archmaester grows wearier with every word he writes. He decides to lay down and rest for a moment, and quickly falls asleep.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“Ahh. King’s Landing. Never would I have thought I would one day feast my eyes upon such a glorified pig-sty. But, the King requires only the best for his spymaster, and who better than a woman to pose as a master of shadows, trading secrets amongst the noble ladies of court, and fitting in amongst the common-folk to see what they see.” King Aegon needed a new spymaster, to ensure his rule was secure and none of his uncles or cousins were attempting to displace him. When his lover, Princess Aelora of Dorne, heard of Aegon’s need, she sent to him only the finest from Dorne, a lowborn girl who calls herself Elaena Sand. She grew up fatherless, her father having died in the months before his birth, and with no true-born male heir, she and her mother were thrown out of a castle that, by all rights of inheritance in Dorne, should’ve been hers. Now, she has no need for a castle, being given lavish quarters in the Red Keep, which accompanies the title, and responsibilities, of the Spymaster.She’s escorted to her room, where she sits down and examines the notes left by the former spymaster, who was executed by Aegon for treason, and then later, as rumor has it, was fed to his dragon Issilgor, child of Aderion, child of Meraxes. She picks up a pen, and begins compiling the notes and scribblings of the former spymaster into something legible and coherent. Currently, there are multiple rumors circulating around the intentions of Jarman Baratheon, firstborn son of Orys Baratheon, the first of his name and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. Various intelligence reports state that Jarman has been amassing his armies, but then others state he could plan no such matters. He is blind, and lacks the youthfulness required to sustain a war against a king. He should be watched, but I do not believe he shall be a threat.Next, Lord Paramount Hotas of the Reach, of House Gardener. He is only a boy, the age of twelve. While it is known he holds no high regards for the king, in his position, he would be absolutely insane and crazy to dream of even plotting against the king.That leaves both Lady Leona Stark, ruler of the North, and Queen Syrella Arryn, ruler of the Vale. All three of Leona’s children are by our King Aegon, and there are reports of her being a bit… forgetful. Being one of the king’s lovers, and having nothing to gain from his death, could not possibly be an issue. And Queen Syrella…. Honestly, I think it was a horrible idea to wed a daughter of the house his dynasty is in a blood feud with, let alone force her hand in marriage. She shall be kept under heavy supervision, at all times. Elaena sets down her pen, determining who to write about next. The following is a few of her notes:• King Grigg ‘Shield breaker’ of the Shivering Shore, age 48, no heirs, widower, brilliant and wise ruler• Magister Ordello Myrakis of Pentos, age 69, shits in bed at night, red priests sing praise of Ordello, calling him a man favored by their Red God• King Gylono ‘the Generous’ Trellos of Myr, age 65, 5 living children, 4 grandsons, self-styled himself as King following his election• Grand Prince Meralyn of Tyrosh, age 46, devout follower of the Harpy (scribbled in the margins, How the hell did this guy get elected? Are the Tyroshi crazy? He has no noble blood or rich family… Keep an eye on this guy), 2 living sons• Magister Narbo of Silkhead of Lys, age 62, unimportant• Triarch Matarys III Vhassar of Volantis, age 38, blind, rumored homosexual, member of the Tiger party, devout Valyrian, two children, 12 years apartNow, this is interesting… Magister Ollo Zhander, ‘the Fist of Qohorik Cost’ of Qohor, conquered Braavos two years ago. He is 64 years old, and has 6 children. How did he manage to conquer Braavos, and how long will this remain?Beyond Qohor, I read reports of the death Khal Azho ‘the Open-Handed’, a Dothraki whose lands account for half of the Dothraki domain. His son, a boy Khal of the age 14, named Qotho, has assumed his father’s command. Will his father’s Bloodriders strike out on their own, diving the khalasar, or will they remain, and continue to conquer the other Dothraki hordes to their east? Time will only tell, but many consider Qotho to be a formidable warrior. I also hear tales of another horde, by the name of Jogos Nhai, one I’ve not heard before, to be growing in strength and numbers. But so far away, surely they pose nothing to us… Elaena decides she has read up enough for the day, and can continue tomorrow. She had not realized how long she had been writing. The sun was beginning to set, creating a dazzling display of light off on the horizon. “Perhaps I’ll go off and explore the city,” she mumbled to herself. Donning rags, she set forth to explore Flea Bottom.Maps from the desk of the spymaster: