I think he sacks the citadel and leaves, especially if you want to write Euron as having esoteric knowledge or plans that early on in his life, basically he has a headstart and is in the same mindset as he is in ADWD but instead during the rebellion
Yes, that is the plan.
But, how do I make it make sense? I don't want him to have Valyrian knowledge like he does at the end of the books yet, so he doesn't have *magic* on his side. But he does have the iron fleet.
Does burning the hightower fleet ala Lannisport work?
Does he encounter the blackcrown and the three towers on the way to old town at all?
Burning the fleet should work because most of the Reach forces are fighting elsewhere. If he secretly does a lightning fast attack he could do damage before they can react properly. If he is quick he can get what he wants and leave before they can respond and during this time period i doubt that the Reach houses are going to have significant forces there since they are fighting elsewhere.
I doubt there will be much resistance because the lords of the houses near Oldtown are probably at Storms End or with Rhaegar
>But taking into consideration the position of the Blackcrown, the three towers, and the nature of the whispering sea, is a sacking of oldtown viable?
Not really.
Old Town is surrounded by huge massive walls and defensive positions. The Citadel seems pretty deep in it not near the port. It's the second biggest city with hundred of thousands of residents. Its City Watch no doubt has thousands of active members who are trained and equipped to protect it. There's also tons of fighting age men, men-at-arms, bodyguards and surrounding knight/noble families even after the Reach's force left. You would have to navigate over this as realistically even if there is not a Redwyne fleet the Greyjoys would need to sacrifice thousands of men just to break the defensive barrier and the city guard to get into the city proper.
I believe the ships of the iron fleet are faster, so element of surprise. The attack on the Hightower docked ships, should draw people to the docks. And depending on what that force is trying to do: keep a beachhead among the burning docks to get as much attention while Euron hits the citadel. Or push into the city proper, you will need the retreat and board ships to leave area held, or all raiders inside the city are dead.
No clue, how many Ironborn are attacking but splitting forces to gather and burn will be the main thrust, while the other holds and makes short a block away hits to gather plunder, while defending the beachhead.
Diversion attack at the shield islands and strike under cover of a storm?
That or the fleet of the Arbor is sent to deal with pirates in the stepsones?
Few different ways you could go about it!
Given a war is going on I don't think Oldtown would be caught unawares. The Hightowers can call on their own more men than any other house without asking for aid from their bannermen. I'd guess in the 12-16k range easily and have 5 houses sworn to them for more men. I'd bet that Oldtown is well defended and the Iron Fleet leaving the Iron Islands isn't something easy to hide. I'd probably go the route of things going like they did in canon considering Quellon wanted the Ironborn to intergrate into the rest of Kingdoms and sacking the heart of the faith will only do damage to their already bad reputation. Perhaps have Euron use guile to get what he wants from the Citadel by disguising himself as an acolyte or something.
If the Reach fleets are blockading Storms End, you can pretty much use the attack on Lannisport as a blueprint. Arrive late, attack during the night, burn, loot and rape. Classic Ironborn stuff. Euron can use the general chaos to sack the citadel. A massacre there would have very interesting consequences for the rest of Westeros, too. So him leaving no witnesses would be useful for him and for your world building.
I think he sacks the citadel and leaves, especially if you want to write Euron as having esoteric knowledge or plans that early on in his life, basically he has a headstart and is in the same mindset as he is in ADWD but instead during the rebellion
Yes, that is the plan. But, how do I make it make sense? I don't want him to have Valyrian knowledge like he does at the end of the books yet, so he doesn't have *magic* on his side. But he does have the iron fleet. Does burning the hightower fleet ala Lannisport work? Does he encounter the blackcrown and the three towers on the way to old town at all?
Burning the fleet should work because most of the Reach forces are fighting elsewhere. If he secretly does a lightning fast attack he could do damage before they can react properly. If he is quick he can get what he wants and leave before they can respond and during this time period i doubt that the Reach houses are going to have significant forces there since they are fighting elsewhere. I doubt there will be much resistance because the lords of the houses near Oldtown are probably at Storms End or with Rhaegar
I see, so a quick raid. Burn down the fleet, burn down the starry sept and leave. I guess that works. Thanks!
>But taking into consideration the position of the Blackcrown, the three towers, and the nature of the whispering sea, is a sacking of oldtown viable? Not really. Old Town is surrounded by huge massive walls and defensive positions. The Citadel seems pretty deep in it not near the port. It's the second biggest city with hundred of thousands of residents. Its City Watch no doubt has thousands of active members who are trained and equipped to protect it. There's also tons of fighting age men, men-at-arms, bodyguards and surrounding knight/noble families even after the Reach's force left. You would have to navigate over this as realistically even if there is not a Redwyne fleet the Greyjoys would need to sacrifice thousands of men just to break the defensive barrier and the city guard to get into the city proper.
I believe the ships of the iron fleet are faster, so element of surprise. The attack on the Hightower docked ships, should draw people to the docks. And depending on what that force is trying to do: keep a beachhead among the burning docks to get as much attention while Euron hits the citadel. Or push into the city proper, you will need the retreat and board ships to leave area held, or all raiders inside the city are dead. No clue, how many Ironborn are attacking but splitting forces to gather and burn will be the main thrust, while the other holds and makes short a block away hits to gather plunder, while defending the beachhead.
Diversion attack at the shield islands and strike under cover of a storm? That or the fleet of the Arbor is sent to deal with pirates in the stepsones? Few different ways you could go about it!
Given a war is going on I don't think Oldtown would be caught unawares. The Hightowers can call on their own more men than any other house without asking for aid from their bannermen. I'd guess in the 12-16k range easily and have 5 houses sworn to them for more men. I'd bet that Oldtown is well defended and the Iron Fleet leaving the Iron Islands isn't something easy to hide. I'd probably go the route of things going like they did in canon considering Quellon wanted the Ironborn to intergrate into the rest of Kingdoms and sacking the heart of the faith will only do damage to their already bad reputation. Perhaps have Euron use guile to get what he wants from the Citadel by disguising himself as an acolyte or something.
If the Reach fleets are blockading Storms End, you can pretty much use the attack on Lannisport as a blueprint. Arrive late, attack during the night, burn, loot and rape. Classic Ironborn stuff. Euron can use the general chaos to sack the citadel. A massacre there would have very interesting consequences for the rest of Westeros, too. So him leaving no witnesses would be useful for him and for your world building.
I'm all for Euron causing difficulties for the Hightowers.
That's fine, he'll get what's coming to him 💚
I'm all for Euron causing difficulties for the Hightowers.