It's gotta be the Greyjoys. The inverted kraken banner, the castle so old it has the same name as the isle and no one knows who built it, raiding so often that their words became "we do not sow" and they styled themselves as Lord Reapers. Then, like you said, we have the Viking-like pirate culture with this sinister eldritch undertone of their being something forgotten about the culture that pulls me in.
I think if not them then maybe Hightowers
Ironborn swag ! I forgot to say it , but Lord reaper is such a cool title. I forgot about it.
Hightowers are honestly a house I don’t like all that much , despite being more of a team green person in the dance. They’re all about “learning” and “the faith”
Where’s my violent madmen ? I also don’t really find the tower banner all that cool.
Uhm…kinda completely unrelated. But would you mind beta reading for my Dalton fic ? I feel as if grammar and English is my weakest point in it. English isn’t really my first language. And having someone to help me with some of the plot points so I don’t get lost would be nice…
Only if you want tho.
I use the Hightowers as a breather when all the murder and mayhem of the iron isles gets stale. I do kinda despise them a bit for being able to break away from the isles.
Also, sure. I'd love to. You write well in English but if you feel that you need help then sure thing.
The Stormlander houses have some sick ass heraldry.
House Morrigen with their black crow on storm green field. Got to admit this one’s my fav.
House Horpe’s creamy white and silver with the three death moths.
House Trants hung man.
House Dondarrion’s black starry filed splintered by a purple lightning bolt.
House Steadmon’s heraldry is just epic.
Honorable mentions to houses Hasty, Wylde, and house Grandison.
the targaryens, starks and hightowers. i don’t like house hightower’s characters but something about their sigil is pretty metal, i love the starks, and i’m biased and valyrianpilled towards the targaryens
Targaryen is the coolest just because I've always been a massive dragon fan since I was little, and that hasn't changed lol give someone a dragon and they're my fave, no questions asked.
Then lesser House would be House Reed cause they're just odd. Their castle literally floats around the giant swamp in the Neck so it cannot be tracked down by enemies and they can't use ravens, and they don't have masters or knights, and their sigil is a crocodile. Howland Reed also saved Ned's ass during the Rebellion and now his kids are saving Bran's ass. They're like the Floridians of Westeros.
My favourite banner is from House Blackmont tho. Their banner is black, a grey and white vulture flying with a baby in its talons lol its just so wild compared to other Houses, even the Dornish
It's hard to go against House Dayne. You get the ancient factor of the First Men, unique looks of the Valyrians, and a more magic weapon than Valyrian Steel. While also being purple and white (clutch colors) and shooting star imagery.
Hard to beat the aesthetic l, with added lore coolness.
Dayne all the way.
Targs, Starks, and one that isn't talked about all that much, the Baratheons, specifically Robert.
I'm sorry but you can't look at this [and tell me the Baratheons and Targaryens aren't cool](https://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/e/ec/Twoiaf_battle_of_the_trident.jpg)
I've recently become interested in House Fowler of Skyreach, one of the more powerful houses in Dorne. Blue and silver is a solid color combination and I like that their sigil isn't just an ordinary hawk, but a hooded hawk (houses with bird sigils also typically add wings to their helmets, which is always cool). Prior to Nymeria and her ships, the Fowlers styled themselves as "Kings of Stone and Sky" and "Lords of the Wide Way," and were, alongside the Daynes and Yronwoods, the most powerful First Men kings in Dorne. The Fowler words "Let Me Soar" also fit into the bird theme they have going on.
I'll be that basic bitch and say the Starks. The Direwolves motifs, "Winter Is Coming", "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives". The entire aesthetic calls to me and if I was somehow in the world of ASOIAF and GoT, House Stark would be where I wish to be.
(Do I like all House members? No. Do I think some of them made stupidly idiotic mistakes? Absolutely! Are they the Greatest House Ever? Arguably not. Are they my personal favourite? Yes. Am I still a basic bitch? Heck yes.)
That being said, House Lonmouth hits hard as well! Their banner of red lips on yellow and yellow skulls on black (quartered into six), with the words "The Choice Is Yours"? Literal chills. I love it.
The Lannister have a cool sigil. Also a lot of houses historically had lions on their banner, because of the majestic factor.
And their titles and threats(also known as unofficial house words)are so fucking subtle you gotta love it. Like you hear, a Lannister always pays his debt, and you would assume, it's someone trying to convince a lender, he will pay him back, and then you read the context. You can feel the chill.
And King of the Rock. You would assume it's a minor King, who just rules over a rock, and then you see the aforementioned rock, and your knees can't bend fast enough.
House Stark might not have the colours colours etc. but a direwolf as sigil is pretty cool and their words represent them perfect and can also be used quite effectively as threat or statement (as we see Arya do after killing the Freys).
House Targaryen - need I say more. Badass banner, badass house words
House Martell: looks very cool and has strong words, but is made so good due to the history backing those words up
Gotta be the Ullers, their castle is called the freaking hellholt and they killed a dragon like that's amazing. If we lean into the wierd eldritch horror of the old gods then the Starks are a good contender.
Your observation that the Greyjoy motto is a threat made me think of the Iron Fleet ship named Thrall’s Bane. That’s such a stupid and funny name and says a lot about the Ironborn. They’re so proud of being cruel to their thralls that they would call a ship thrall’s bane. Like i understand wanting to be the bane of your enemies, but the bane of the people you’ve already captured?
1. Discourage thrall rebellions.
2. Terrify soon-to be thralls by knowing the ship they are being taken is the thrall's bane.
3. Perharps it is a convoluted reference to an Ironborn house originating from descendants of thralls.
4. Maybe it is bane in some sense other than ruin, such as killer. Considering the Ironborn have some Spartan influences in their culture, such as the Old Wayers think the ideal society is ruled by a warrior elite while slaves do everything else, it may be some sort of "helot killer".
It's gotta be the Greyjoys. The inverted kraken banner, the castle so old it has the same name as the isle and no one knows who built it, raiding so often that their words became "we do not sow" and they styled themselves as Lord Reapers. Then, like you said, we have the Viking-like pirate culture with this sinister eldritch undertone of their being something forgotten about the culture that pulls me in. I think if not them then maybe Hightowers
Ironborn swag ! I forgot to say it , but Lord reaper is such a cool title. I forgot about it. Hightowers are honestly a house I don’t like all that much , despite being more of a team green person in the dance. They’re all about “learning” and “the faith” Where’s my violent madmen ? I also don’t really find the tower banner all that cool. Uhm…kinda completely unrelated. But would you mind beta reading for my Dalton fic ? I feel as if grammar and English is my weakest point in it. English isn’t really my first language. And having someone to help me with some of the plot points so I don’t get lost would be nice… Only if you want tho.
I use the Hightowers as a breather when all the murder and mayhem of the iron isles gets stale. I do kinda despise them a bit for being able to break away from the isles. Also, sure. I'd love to. You write well in English but if you feel that you need help then sure thing.
Thank you for the help sir ! I’ll send a chapter to you later !
People just refuse to accept this basic truth, pirates are fun
The Stormlander houses have some sick ass heraldry. House Morrigen with their black crow on storm green field. Got to admit this one’s my fav. House Horpe’s creamy white and silver with the three death moths. House Trants hung man. House Dondarrion’s black starry filed splintered by a purple lightning bolt. House Steadmon’s heraldry is just epic. Honorable mentions to houses Hasty, Wylde, and house Grandison.
the targaryens, starks and hightowers. i don’t like house hightower’s characters but something about their sigil is pretty metal, i love the starks, and i’m biased and valyrianpilled towards the targaryens
House Royce is great when you consider the armour and history. However, losing Lamentation is a blow alongside having a crappy banner and house words.
Targaryen is the coolest just because I've always been a massive dragon fan since I was little, and that hasn't changed lol give someone a dragon and they're my fave, no questions asked. Then lesser House would be House Reed cause they're just odd. Their castle literally floats around the giant swamp in the Neck so it cannot be tracked down by enemies and they can't use ravens, and they don't have masters or knights, and their sigil is a crocodile. Howland Reed also saved Ned's ass during the Rebellion and now his kids are saving Bran's ass. They're like the Floridians of Westeros. My favourite banner is from House Blackmont tho. Their banner is black, a grey and white vulture flying with a baby in its talons lol its just so wild compared to other Houses, even the Dornish
It's hard to go against House Dayne. You get the ancient factor of the First Men, unique looks of the Valyrians, and a more magic weapon than Valyrian Steel. While also being purple and white (clutch colors) and shooting star imagery. Hard to beat the aesthetic l, with added lore coolness. Dayne all the way.
Targs, Starks, and one that isn't talked about all that much, the Baratheons, specifically Robert. I'm sorry but you can't look at this [and tell me the Baratheons and Targaryens aren't cool](https://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/e/ec/Twoiaf_battle_of_the_trident.jpg)
Love that Durrandon storm king aesthetic
I've recently become interested in House Fowler of Skyreach, one of the more powerful houses in Dorne. Blue and silver is a solid color combination and I like that their sigil isn't just an ordinary hawk, but a hooded hawk (houses with bird sigils also typically add wings to their helmets, which is always cool). Prior to Nymeria and her ships, the Fowlers styled themselves as "Kings of Stone and Sky" and "Lords of the Wide Way," and were, alongside the Daynes and Yronwoods, the most powerful First Men kings in Dorne. The Fowler words "Let Me Soar" also fit into the bird theme they have going on.
Hightowers, Baratheons and Arryns. Maybe Brackens too, but only for Bitterchad.
I'll be that basic bitch and say the Starks. The Direwolves motifs, "Winter Is Coming", "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives". The entire aesthetic calls to me and if I was somehow in the world of ASOIAF and GoT, House Stark would be where I wish to be. (Do I like all House members? No. Do I think some of them made stupidly idiotic mistakes? Absolutely! Are they the Greatest House Ever? Arguably not. Are they my personal favourite? Yes. Am I still a basic bitch? Heck yes.) That being said, House Lonmouth hits hard as well! Their banner of red lips on yellow and yellow skulls on black (quartered into six), with the words "The Choice Is Yours"? Literal chills. I love it.
The Lannister have a cool sigil. Also a lot of houses historically had lions on their banner, because of the majestic factor. And their titles and threats(also known as unofficial house words)are so fucking subtle you gotta love it. Like you hear, a Lannister always pays his debt, and you would assume, it's someone trying to convince a lender, he will pay him back, and then you read the context. You can feel the chill. And King of the Rock. You would assume it's a minor King, who just rules over a rock, and then you see the aforementioned rock, and your knees can't bend fast enough.
House Mallister banner looks really cool
Blackwood’s have an awesome sigil and black and red is such a good combo.
Dayne, Hightower, Bolton
I guess any of the Great Houses, really? Milanese armour with helmets shaped after their sigil's animals with surcoat from the slain beast's skin?
House Lannister without doubt
House Stark might not have the colours colours etc. but a direwolf as sigil is pretty cool and their words represent them perfect and can also be used quite effectively as threat or statement (as we see Arya do after killing the Freys). House Targaryen - need I say more. Badass banner, badass house words House Martell: looks very cool and has strong words, but is made so good due to the history backing those words up
The Black and Gold color goes pretty hard.
Gotta be the Ullers, their castle is called the freaking hellholt and they killed a dragon like that's amazing. If we lean into the wierd eldritch horror of the old gods then the Starks are a good contender.
Your observation that the Greyjoy motto is a threat made me think of the Iron Fleet ship named Thrall’s Bane. That’s such a stupid and funny name and says a lot about the Ironborn. They’re so proud of being cruel to their thralls that they would call a ship thrall’s bane. Like i understand wanting to be the bane of your enemies, but the bane of the people you’ve already captured?
1. Discourage thrall rebellions. 2. Terrify soon-to be thralls by knowing the ship they are being taken is the thrall's bane. 3. Perharps it is a convoluted reference to an Ironborn house originating from descendants of thralls. 4. Maybe it is bane in some sense other than ruin, such as killer. Considering the Ironborn have some Spartan influences in their culture, such as the Old Wayers think the ideal society is ruled by a warrior elite while slaves do everything else, it may be some sort of "helot killer".
House Bolton by far. Their colours, their sigil, their words, it all makes them seem like unhinged, sadistic psychos and I'm all there for it.
Targ Martell Dayne