The Reach

The Reach is one of the constituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms on the continent of Westeros. It was formerly a sovereign nation ruled by the Kings of the Reach before Aegon's Conquest. It is the second-largest of the kingdoms behind the north and is considered the most fertile and heavily-populated part of Westeros.

The Reach is considered the home of chivalry in Westeros. It is the place where knighthood is looked upon with the greatest reverence and esteemed the most. It is also the place where the rules for tourneys are the most stringent and managed.

The Reach is ruled from the castle of Highgarden by House Tyrell. Noble bastards born in the Reach are given the surname Flowers.

Geography
The Reach is the most fertile part of Westeros and has numerous and well-populated villages and towns. The Sunset Sea is found to the west, while the hills of the westerlands are to the northwest and the Blackwater Rush of the riverlands is to the north. The Reach borders the crownlands to the northeast, while to the east and southeast are the stormlands and their Dornish Marches. South of the Reach are the Red Mountains of Dorne and the Summer Sea. The Roseroad links Oldtown with King's Landing by way of Highgarden, while the Ocean Road links Highgarden with Lannisport.

The Reach is watered by the immense river Mander and its tributaries, including the Blueburn and the Cockleswhent. The Reach proper is centered around the Mander. Oldtown is located at the mouth of the Honeywine. The region also includes several islands, including the Shield Islands near the mouth of the Mander and the Arbor south of the Whispering Sound and the Redwyne Straits.

People & Economy
The Reach is the second wealthiest region in the Seven Kingdoms behind the westerlands, but it is the most fertile region. Among the products it produces are melons, fireplums, peaches, apples, and grapes. The Arbor is said to make the finest of rich wines, from reds to a golden vintage. Woodharps made in Oldtown are highly sought after. Bride and groom traditionally exchange gifts on the morning of their wedding in the Reach.

Before Aegon's Conquest, the golden coins of the Reach were known as hands. They still exist in some number, with each hand coin roughly half the value of a dragon coin.

Notable locations include:


 * Highgarden, the castle and seat of House Tyrell, the Lords Paramount of the Mander.
 * Oldtown, the most prominent city in the Reach. It is the oldest city in Westeros, home to the Hightower and the maesters' Citadel, and its Starry Sept was the previous seat of the Faith of the Seven.
 * Ashford, a market town.
 * Tumbleton, a market town.

History
During Aegon's Conquest, King Mern IX Gardener led the army of the Reach against the invading House Targaryen, but he was killed at the Field of Fire and his line was ended. House Tyrell, the stewards of the Gardeners, surrendered Highgarden to Aegon the Conqueror. They were rewarded with both the castle and the title of Lord Paramount of the Mander. The High Septon and Lord Manfred Hightower did not oppose Aegon when he approached Oldtown, increasing the new king's legitimacy. Rather than remain independent, the Reach became part of the Seven Kingdoms ruled by the Iron Throne.

During the Dance of the Dragons, the Reach was split between the greens and the blacks, with the Hightowers providing much of the support for the greens (along with the Redwynes), but with the Rowans, Tarlys, Costaynes, Mullendores, and Grimms supporting the blacks. The Battle on the Honeywine and First and Second Tumbleton were fought in the Reach.

In the First Blackfyre Rebellion, several of Daemon I Blackfyre's greatest supporters were men of the Reach, including Ser Quentyn Ball and Lord Gormon Peake, while others supported Daeron II Targaryen. The Reach suffered from a terrible drought in 211 AC.

During the Fourth Blackfyre Rebellion, once again the Reach saw a rally behind the Blackfyre invaders.

The Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion, or the Marcher Rising, saw the Marcher lords of the Reach watch in discomfort as the Caron’s are rendered extinct and the Stormlord Marchers subjugated under Summerhall and the Crownlands.

The Steel Wedding
A wedding between the heir to House Roxton and a Hightower goes awry when the bride is found laying with a Peake. The Peake’s and Roxton’s both raise their banners and a stand-off ensues while more and more lords choose sides. A trial by seven kills both Lord Roxton and Lord Peake but still the conflict continues. Crown Prince Maekar and a host of royal levies end the event before it can devolve into a skirmish. In the peace council afterwards the Roxton’s gain Orphan-Maker while the Peake side loses lands.

The Bandit King Conspiracy
Lord Peake and a number of other lords and conspirators gathered in Starpike, plotting to see the return of valuables and lands. Their first mission was to equip an infamous bandit named Urrathon Redhand, who ambushed and killed Lord Roxton of the Ring. Rather than return to his employers the Redhand named himself a bandit king, starting a conflict that would span over 2 years seeing the death of Lord Tyrell and a number of other noblemen. Finally ended in the Uplands by Lord Hightower and a coalition of lords, the sword Orphan-Maker was returned to House Roxton.

The Father's Men
A man going by “The Chosen” writes a manuscript titled “Sins of the Eastern Flame”, spread by scribes and literate followers. He quickly gains popularity among the smallfolk of Oldtown and starts a zealot group called the Father’s Men. They send men to the Iron Islands in an attempt to convert followers of the Drowned God.

The State of the Reach
The Reach has not been quick to accept the king’s queer faith. Many lords stand stalwart in their zealotry, and factions have appeared in Oldtown declaring their religious intentions. A number of Reachlords find themselves disillusioned with their liege who has failed to protect them against civil war and rampant banditry. Some look to Lord Hightower to lead them in this uncertain time, others bury themselves in their Faith and others yet cling to the Tyrell’s. The Reach is known to harbor supporters of the Black Dragon, with the events that have transpired recently it is not hard to believe they may raise their banners for a Blackfyre one final time.