The North:
*The North is a lot more powerful in this story than in canon. The Free Folk (different to the wildlings) and the Three Sisters are both vassals to the Stark of Winterfell.
*The Magnar of the Winterlands is the equivalent to a Prince and has more power than anybody save the King. They are only required to bow to the King, not kneel. There was almost no change in the lives of the Winterlanders after joining the Seven Kingdoms so they mostly follow First Men customs.
*The Winterlands are the only place that the Targaryens never managed (even temporarily) to defeat, not Dorne.
*The population is also a lot bigger now, and they have a standing army. Due to the North having expanded its territory beyond the Wall, they retain their magic and are aware of the wight/White Walker threat. The WWs are not a part of this story though.
*The North expects its women to be capable of self-defence, and they/bastards can inherit. Bastards inherit behind trueborns, but gender doesn't matter.
*The First Men still have magic (such as warging and green dreams, not controlling the earth or anything like that), and follow the traditions of their ancestors, sacrificing criminals to the weirwoods, etc. The Old Gods are more prominent in this world.
*'Burner' a derogatory term for the Andals used by the First Men.
*Green Men are common and highly revered by the First Men. Greenseers are also more common, and act similar to Septons or Septas, in that they preach the tenets of the Old Faith. All followers of the Old Faith put great stock in the words of the greenseers, and revere them highly. It's a great honour to be offered the chance to become one of them. Howland Reed is the current High Greenseer.
*Elders are the people responsible for teaching the children of the North about their history, traditions, etc. They can be men or women. There is one in every village and keep. Old Nan is Winterfell's Elder.
*The population is much larger here, so the Watch is stronger. All castles are manned. Any criminals sent north by the Southrons often 'disappear' on rangings very quickly, depending on their crimes.
*The Starks (save their bastards who are lords/ladies) are all addressed as Magnar(a) the Old Tongue equivalent to Prince(ss).
*In 1557 BC, King Artos XVII 'the Scholar Wolf' Stark set up the University of Winterfell. He believed the education was vital for everyone, no matter their rank or gender, and made a law that every child attend a school from the age of five to ten (one for boys and a separate one for girls) where they are taught the basics of reading and writing as well as history and Northern traditions and stories by Elders, and everything else by Scholars, the Winterlands' equivalent to a Maester. After finishing at the school, the students can apply to go to the University and study there as an Apprentice Scholar. If they cannot afford the fee, they can use the Courts to appeal to the Starks to fund their apprenticeship. They have to work off the loan and keep their work to a certain standard, however. If they cannot do so, they will no longer be funded, and still have to pay off their debts. The Maesters and their Citadel are sometimes accused of stealing the idea for their organization from the Scholars of the University.
*Houses in the North bear the title of 'Ancient' (for any older than 400 years) and/or 'Honourable' (awarded and stripped by the Courts depending on the House's deeds.
The Army has several different sections:
The Warg Warriors: this is the second most elite part of the Army. There are a thousand of them, and their base is on the coast of Skagos. They are all wargs, taken from their families at age five and raised to be utterly loyal to the Starks. Each is devoted to their duty. It's a mixed gender unit, the only one in the North. Every child in the Winterlands is tested on their fifth nameday, regardless of gender or birth and it's considered the greatest honour one can receive to be chosen for the unit. While marriage and families aren't forbidden to the members of the Warriors, they are not common, as the Warriors consider it a hinderance to their duty.
The Ice Guard: this is the law enforcement of the Winterlands. They ensure that no crime is committed and hunt down any outlaws or brigands. If they discover a criminal, they try them (as required by King Rickard XVI, who made a law ordering that all people be tried and found guilty before being executed.) and then, should the criminal be sentenced to death, they are sacrificed to the weirwoods according to First Men law. The Ice Guard also oversees any criminals sentenced to hard labour, ensuring they don't escape. Many landless second or third, so on, sons join this unit to be able to support their families.
The Twilight Troopers: the Twilight Troopers are the most elite part of the Army, selected from among the Warg Warriors' best recruits. They are a force dedicated to both reinforcing the Night's Watch, defending the settlements beyond the Wall and fighting the wights. All are armed with dragonglass weapons, all are able to warg into at least three animals and are hardened warriors. They are nearly undefeatable. Only White Walkers can defeat them, and they always put up a fierce fight.
The Army of the North: this is the main part of the Northern Army. In 595 BC, King Artos Stark XIX decided to figure out a way to increase the population of the Winter Lands, seeing as there was so much land unused. He then made a law stating that any family with more than five children would be eligible for a decrease in the amount of taxes they had to pay, the amount lessening a bit more for each child, though there remained a minimum. This caused a huge baby boom. The consequences of this was the need to find a way to employ everyone. Artos' son, Edric VII, came up with the idea of having a standing army. They would be trained and kept ready to defend against any attacks, unlike the disorganized and untrained smallfolk levies of the other kingdoms. People flocked to the army, and their constant training has made them the greatest army in Westeros. It can field around 130,000 men altogether, slightly more than the Reach.
The Navy of the North: Although Brandon the Burner foolishly destroyed the entire Northern fleet in grief after his father's disappearance at sea, his son was not so short-sighted. Knowing that their lands would be vulnerable without a sea force, King Rickon restored the fleet, naming his second son Benjen as its' Admiral. Benjen took the name of 'Spraystark' and married Asha Karstark, the daughter of some of House Stark's most loyal vassals, becoming the founder of House Spraystark, which has always been involved in the Navy, along with House Starstark, founded by Elayne Stark after her father King Jonos legitimised her son Rickon Snow, borne to a pirate. House Skystark is also frequently involved in it.
The Courts: these are inspired by the Cortes of Aragon during the Medieval Age. They are summoned every quarter year, and are filled with representatives of each major village in the Winterlands, as well as the nobles. It gives a chance for any grievances to be aired before the Magnar of the North, and the Magnar is bound by oath to listen and heed it. If a noble is abusing his smallfolk, for example, then if proof is presented before the Courts, the Magnar must punish them. The Courts also have to be summoned for the creation of any new houses.
List of OC Northern Houses:
Ancient and Honourable House of Skystark: Lord: Brandon Skystark, High Admiral of the Northron Navy, age 76
Lady: Alyssa Scarstark, age 70
Heir: Rickard Skystark, age 53
Others: Melara Skystark, age 54, Arrana Skystark, age 34, Brandon Skystark, age 13
Sigil-a sky-blue background with a grey direwolf with sun-shaped eyes on it
Words-We Are As Endurable As Ice
Keep-Aysel Hold
Honourable House of Scarstark: Lord: Edric Scarstark, age 35
Lady: Bethany Blackwolf, age 27
Heir: Serena Scarstark, age 10
Others: Scholar Cregard Scarstark, age 58 (in exile)
Sigil-a black wolf's head with a red scar
Words-We Shall End in Ice
Keep-Starford Castle
Ancient House of Blackwolf:
Lord: Artos Blackwolf, age 21
Lady: Margaret Manderly, age 19
Heir: Willem Blackwolf, age 2
Others: Aregelle Blackwolf, age 13 moons
Sigil-a rearing black direwolf on a grey field
Words-First to Attack, And Never to Retreat
Keep-Stonehill Hold
Honourable House of Starstark (matrilineal): Lady: Sybelle Starstark, Admiral of the North's Western Fleet, age 34
Lord Consort: Artos Icewolf age 39
Heir: Lynara Starstark, age 13
Others: Rodrik Starstark, age 15, Jorelle Starstark, age 10
Sigil-a white direwolf with stars on a midnight blue background
Words- We follow the Diamonds of the Sky.
Specializes in seafaring, along with the Seastarks, with whom they have a rivalry that alternates between being friendly and vicious. Their keep, Wolf's Way, is a Harbour city on the coast of the Stony Shore.
Honourable House of Seastark:
Lord: Brandon Seastark, Admiral of the North's Eastern fleet. Age 57
Lady: Meriah Seastark née Royce. Age 52 (had 10 miscarriages/stillbirths out of 13 pregnancies, very fragile woman)
Heir: Rodrik Seastark. Age 32
Others: Yohn Seastark of the Ice Guard, age 27. Maege Seastark, age 18
Sigil-a ship with a wolf's head on the prow, on a sea-coloured background.
Words-We Rule the Waves.
Specializes in Sailing. Has a rivalry with House Starstark. Their keep, Sailor's Cove, is a Harbour city near Widow's Watch.
The Ancient and Honourable House of Whitewolf:
Lord: Torrhen Whitewolf, age 39
Lady: Lysana Whitewolf née Seastark, age 30
Heir: Markus Whitewolf, age 17
Other: Serena Whitewolf, age 15
Sigil- a white wolf on a black background with gold edging.
Words- We Remember
Descended from Brandon Snow, brother to Torrhen Stark. They were entrusted with the method of creating glasshouses by the Last King of Winter, and as such are the richest House (save for the Starks themselves) in the North. Their keep, 'The White Wolf's Den' is midway through Moat Cailin and White Harbour.
The Ancient and Honourable House of Icewolf (matrilineal):
Lord: Alyssa Icewolf, age 68
Heiress: her granddaughter, Erena Icewolf, age 14
Sigil-A sword of ice gripped in the teeth of a grey wolf with a black background
Words-First to Charge, Last to Retreat
Their keep is called 'The Sword's Sheath' and based on the Bay of Ice
The Ancient House of Greystark:
Lord: Rodrik Greystark, age 49
Lady: His wife and second cousin, Emelia Greystark, age 33
Heir: Eddard Greystark, age 16
Sigil-a white direwolf on a dark grey background (reversed Stark colours)
Words-We Repent (formerly, Ever Loyal)
The Greystarks once rose in rebellion during the era of the Kings of Winter. They were put down brutally, with only the baby heir spared. He was raised by the Mormonts, the Starks' most loyal bannermen, who frequently reminded him of how gracious the Starks had been not to kill him too. Ever since, the Greystarks have raised their children to be utterly fanatical about protecting the Starks. They have been offered to have their title of 'the Honourable House of Greystark' restored by the Courts, who believe they have long redeemed their ancestors' actions, but they refuse. They are the first to attack in battle, and often have to be ordered to fall back by the Starks. Their keep used to be Wolf's Den (now White Harbour) but it was stripped after their rebellion. Their current keep is Beverstone Hold, between the Stony Shore and Sea Dragon's point.
The Honourable House of Frostfang (matrilineal):
Lady: Alysanne Frostfang, age 48
Lord Consort:Brandon Amber, age 50
Heiress: Raya Frostfang, age 29
Others:Raya's husband, Benjen Harclay age 29, their twin daughters Melessa and Maege age 6
Sigil-a white fang on a blue background.
Words-Strong As the Winter Winds
Keep-Raven's Roost, near to Moat Cailin
The Honourable and Most Ancient House of Amber:
Lord: Bennard Amber, age 78
Lady: None (formerly Lysana Umber, deceased)
Heir: Ellard Amber, age 55
Others: Lyanne Amber of House Greystark age 32, Bennard Amber age 17, Sybelle Amber 16, Arsa Amber age 16, Rickon Amber age 12
Sigil-A piece of amber on a dark yellow background
Words-We Shine in the Dark
Keep-Elden Fort, beside the Long River
The Most Honourable and Most Ancient House of Greenwood (matrilineal, crannog, sworn to the Reeds):
Lady: Berena Greenwood, age 39
Lord Consort: Edrick Greenwood of House Peat, age 40
Heiress: Arya Greenwood, age 19
Others: Meera Greenwood, age 16, Jonos Greenwood, age 14, Jory Greenwood, age 12
Sigil-A green branch spouting upwards on a black banner
Words-We Stand Straight and Steady as a Tree
Keep-Marshwood Keep
The Most Ancient House of Frost:
Lord: Joran Frost, age 59
Lady: Jorelle Frost of House Greystark, age 56
Heir: Eddard Frost, age 21
Others: Asha Frost of House Starkstark, age 22, Lyanna Frost, age 15, Brandon Frost, age 13
Sigil-A white snowflake on a royal-blue background
Words-Frost in Our Veins, Ice in Our Hearts
Keep-The Wolf's Den, outskirts of White Harbour
The Most Honourable and Ancient House of Ashwood:
Lord: Arthur Ashwood, age 37
Lady: Erena Ashwood of House Cerwyn, age 34
Heir: Domeric Ashwood, age 17
Others: Alysanne Ashwood, age 13, Aregelle Ashwood, age 11, Steffon Ashwood, age 6
Sigil-an ash tree on a white background
Words-Unyielding as Ash
Keep-Direwood Fort, based in the Bay of Ice
The Honourable and Ancient House of Snowstark (matrilineal):
Lady: Lysa Snowstark, age 44
Lord Consort: Ellard Blackwood, age 47
Heiress: Lyanne Snowstark, age 18,
Others: Lorra Snowstark, age 16, Eddard Snowstark, age 14, Cregan Snowstark, age 12, Arielle Snowstark, age 10
Sigil-a swirl of white snowflakes on a dark blue background.
Words-Beware The Frozen Heart
Keep-Brawnlyn Fort, circa Deepwood Motte
*These are the main ones who might be mentioned, I will add to it as needed.
*House Blackwood was never exiled in this, and of the canon extinct houses, only the Towers, Fisher of the Stoney Shore and Flints of Breakstone Hill are gone. The Boltons are extinct.
In this, the Martells/Dorne and the North/Starks have swapped. Dorne was made to bend the knee by the Conqueror, whilst the Winterlands held them off and killed Rhaenys. They were brought into the kingdom by Daeron marrying Magnara Lyanna Stark (daughter of Cregan) and Cregan's (by then) only living son Brandon marrying Daenerys.
Then Aegon V's sister Daella married Edwyle Stark, the grandfather of Brandon, Ned, Lyanna, Aly (Lyanna's OC twin) and Benjen, and as a result Lyanna was betrothed to Rhaegar at a young age. Family tree (WITH SPOILER) below.
The White Walkers are not a threat in this story, they don't fit into the plotline. Rhaegar wasn't obsessed with the prophecy, but the stress of everything resulted in him falling for Elia Martell, the betrothed of his cousin Robert Baratheon. They ran away together and kickstarted the Rebellion.
In this, Dorne was made to conform to a lot of the other kingdoms' ways, so it's male-preference primogeniture in this for them, whilst the North has equal-gender inheritance, and also allows bastards to inherit but with preference for trueborns.
Prince Lewyn Martell was heir of Dorne in this, so he never became a Kingsguard. However, his eldest nephew inherited Dorne after his death due to him not siring any children with his wife, and Oberyn inherited after Doran, Arianne and Mellario all died.
The Sand Snakes (of which there are only 3) are different in this. Oberyn was raised in a different, stricter culture, and so he expects his daughters to be ladies. However, his Northron wife convinced him that teaching them to be empty airheads was a foolish thing to do, so they aren't idiots incapable of doing anything without a man's instruction, or have heads full of songs.
HOUSE STARK OF THE WINTERLANDS:
{Rickard Stark}:
{Lyarra Stark}:
-{Brandon Stark}: Born 262, Died 283, age 21
{Barbrey Ryswell}: Born 265, Died 283, age 18
*{Melara Snow}: Born 279, Died 283, age 4
-Eddard Stark: Born 263, age 35
Ashara Stark née Dayne: Born 264, age 34
*Artos Stark: Born 283, age 15
*Lynara Stark: Born 286, age 12
*Arya Stark: Born 289, age 9
*Brandon 'Bran' Stark: Born 290, age 7 (nearly 8)
*Willem Stark: Born 295, age 3
*Raya Stark: Born 297, age 1
-Alysanne Martell née Stark: Born 267, age 31
Oberyn Martell: Born 261, age 31
*Rickard Martell: Born 284, age 14
*Aliandra Martell: Born 286, age 12
*Mariah Martell: Born 288, age 10
*Dorren Martell: Born 288, age 10
*Lewyn Martell: Born 290, age 8
*Arron Martell: Born 292, age 6
*Loreza Martell: Born 294, age 4
-{Lyanna Targaryen née Stark}: Born 267, Died 283, age 16
Rhaegar Targaryen: Born 259, Died 283, age 24
*Aegon Targaryen: Born 282, age 14
*Daenerys Targaryen: Born 282, age 14,
-{Benjen Stark}: Born 270, Died 283, age 13
HOUSE MARTELL OF DORNE:
{Lord Lewyn Martell}:
{Mariya Martell née Celtigar}:
*No issue
{Lady Loreza Algood née Martell}:
{Lord Theodan Algood}:
-{Doran Martell}: Born 248, Died 282, age 34
{Mellario of Norvos}: Born 258, Died 282, age 24
*{Arianne Martell}: Born 279, Died 282, age 6
-{Elia Targaryen née Martell}: Born 260, Died 283, age 22
{Rhaegar Targaryen}: Born 259, Died 283, age 24
*Rhaenys Targaryen a.k.a: Nymeria 'Meria' Sand: Born 283, age 14 (almost 15)
-Oberyn Martell: Born 261, age 37
*Obara Sand: Born 279, age 19
*Sarella Sand: Born 282, age 15
*Nymeria 'Meria' Sand a.k.a: Rhaenys Targareyn: Born 283, age 14 (almost 15)
Alysanne Martell née Stark: Born 266, age 32
*Rickard Martell: Born 284, age 14
*Aliandra Martell: Born 286, age 12
*Mariah Martell: Born 288, age 10
*Dorren Martell: Born 288, age 10
*Lewyn Martell: Born 290, age 8
*Arron Martell: Born 292, age 6
*Loreza Martell: Born 294, age 4
(cousin)
-Ser Manfrey Martell:
Elissa Martell née Chelsted:
*Deria Martell: Born 282, age 16
*Nymor Martell: Born 287, age 11
*Mara Martell: Born 290, age 8
HOUSE TARGARYEN OF THE CROWNLANDS (IN EXILE):
{Aerys II Targaryen}:
Rhaella Targaryen:
-{Rhaegar Targaryen}: Born 259, Died 283, age 24
{Lyanna Targaryen née Stark}:
*Aegon Targaryen: Born 282, age 14
*Daenerys Targaryen: Born 282, age 14
{Elia Targaryen née Martell}:
*Rhaenys Targaryen:
-{Shaena Targaryen}:
-{Daeron Targaryen}:
-{Unnamed Stillborn babe}:
-{Aegon Targaryen}:
-{Jaehaerys Targaryen}:
-Viserys Targaryen: Born 276, age 22
Bonifer Hasty:
-Joy Hasty: Born 285, age 13
-Jocelyn Hasty: Born 283, age 10
HOUSE BARATHEON OF THE CROWNLANDS/STORMLANDS:
{Steffon Baratheon}:
{Cassana Baratheon née Estermont}:
-King Robert Baratheon: Born 262, age 36
*Mya Stone: Born 280, age 18
*Bella (unacknowledged): Born 283, age 15
*Gendry (unacknowledged): Born 284, age 14
*Edric Storm: Born 287, age 11
*Barra (unacknowledged): Born 297
*Eleven others (unacknowledged)
Queen Cersei Baratheon née Lannister: Born 266, age 32
*Joffrey Baratheon: Born 286, age 12
*Myrcella Baratheon: Born 290, age 8
*Tommen Baratheon: Born 291, age 7
-Stannis Baratheon: Born 264, age 34
Catelyn Tully: Born 265 AC, age 33
*Steffon Baratheon: Born 284, age 14
*Orryn Baratheon: Born 286, age 12
*Cassana Baratheon: Born 288, age 10
*Shireen Baratheon: Born 289, age 9
*Lyonel Baratheon: Born 293, age 5
*Minisa Baratheon: Born 296, age 2
-Renly Baratheon: Born 277, age 21
HOUSE LANNISTER OF THE WESTERLANDS:
Tywin Lannister:
{Joanna Lannister}:
-Cersei Baratheon née Lannister: Born 266, age 32
King Robert Baratheon: Born 262, age 36
*Joffrey Baratheon: Born 286, age 12
*Myrcella Baratheon: Born 290, age 8
*Tommen Baratheon: Born 291, age 7
-Jaime Lannister: Born 266, age 32
-Tyrion Lannister: Born 273, age 25
HOUSE ARRYN OF THE VALE:
{Jasper Arryn}
{Aelinor Redfort}
-{Jon Arryn}:
{Jeyne Arryn née Royce}
*Stillborn daughter
{Rowena Arryn}
-{Ronnal Arryn}:
{Jocelyn Belmore}:
*Elbert Arryn: Born 258, age 40
Lysa Tully: Born 268, age 30
*Robar "Sweetrobin" Arryn: Born 292, age 6
-{Alys Waynwood née Arryn}:
Elys Waynwood:
*Nine children:
[Eldest daughter: Alyssa Waynwood wed Denys Arryn. their only child/son, Artys, is heir to the Vale after Sweetrobin]
HOUSE TULLY OF THE RIVERLANDS:
Hoster Tully: Born 238, age 60
{Minisa Whent}: Born 250, Died 278, age 28
-Catelyn Tully: Born 265 AC, age 33
Stannis Baratheon: Born 264, age 34
*Steffon Baratheon: Born 284, age 14
*Orryn Baratheon: Born 286, age 12
*Cassana Baratheon: Born 288, age 10
*Shireen Baratheon: Born 289, age 9
*Lyonel Baratheon: Born 293, age 5
*Minisa Baratheon: Born 296, age 2
-Lysa Tully: Born 268, age 30
Elbert Arryn: Born 258, age 40
*Robar "Sweetrobin" Arryn: Born 292, age 6
-Edmure Tully: Born 274, age 24
Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully: Born 245, age 53
HOUSE TYRELL OF THE REACHLANDS:
{Luthor Tyrell}:
Olenna Tyrell née Redwyne: Born 228, age 70
-Mace Tyrell: Born 256, age 42
Alerie Hightower: Born 264, age 34
*Willas Tyrell: Born 276, age 22
*Garlan Tyrell: Born 277, age 21
Leonette Fossoway: Born 280, age 18
*Loras Tyrell: Born 282, age 16
*Margaery Tyrell: Born 283, age 15
- Mina Tyrell: Born 258, age 40
Paxter Redwyne: Born 258, age 40
*Horas Redwyne: Born 282, age 16
*Hobber Redwyne: Born 282, age 16
*Desmera Redwyne: Born 283, age 15
-Janna Tyrell: Born 261, age 37
Ser Jon Fossoway: Born 259, age 37
*No issue
Starks' Relation to the Targaryens:
King Daeron the Good married to Magnara Lyanna Stark (daughter of Cregan):
Princess Daenerys Targaryen married to Magnar Brandon Stark (son of Cregan):
Princess Daella Targaryen married to Magnar Edwyle Stark:
Prince Rhaegar Targaryen married to Magnara Lyanna Stark: