SWNOVELXO Chapter 1: 1
The Rise of House Redwyne: A Bannerlord's Conquest
(An Epic ASOIAF Reincarnation Saga)
Volume I: The Vineyard PrinceChapter 1: Rebirth in the Arbor
265 AC – The Arbor, Westeros
The first thing Aemon Redwyne knew was the scent of salt and fermenting grapes.
His newborn lungs burned as he gasped for air, his tiny fists clenching against the swaddling cloth. The midwife's calloused hands wrapped him tight, her voice a distant murmur.
"A strong boy, my lord. A second son for House Redwyne."
But Aemon was no ordinary babe.
His mind was already screaming.
Memories flooded him.
A life before this one—a scholar, a strategist, a man who had studied war and history in another world. A world where Westeros was fiction. A world where he had read of the Targaryens, the Starks, the Lannisters… and the Redwynes, a wealthy but politically stagnant house of the Reach.
And now, he was one of them.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]
A voice—no, not a voice, but a presence—echoed in his mind.
Welcome, Reincarnate.
World: Westeros (ASOIAF Universe)
Timeline: 265 AC – Reign of King Aerys II Targaryen
House: Redwyne (The Arbor, The Reach)
Status: Second Son (No Inheritance Rights)
Primary Objective: Elevate House Redwyne to Great House Status
Secondary Objectives: [Locked]
Aemon's infant mind reeled. A system? Like in those isekai novels he'd read in his past life?
A flicker of text appeared before his unfocused eyes:
[TUTORIAL QUEST: SURVIVE INFANCY]
Reward: +1 Intelligence, +1 Charisma
Failure: Death (Infant mortality is high in Westeros.)
He would have laughed if he could.
Instead, he wailed like a proper babe, letting the midwife bundle him against his mother's breast.
The Early Years – A Silent Prodigy
Aemon played the part of a quiet, observant child. He learned quickly—too quickly. By two, he spoke in full sentences. By four, he was reading ledgers. By six, he had memorized the trade routes of the Narrow Sea.
His father, Lord Manfryd Redwyne, a broad-shouldered man with a vintner's nose and a merchant's cunning, watched him with wary pride.
"The boy has the mind of a maester," Manfryd muttered to his wife, Lady Marenna, a sharp-eyed woman of Vale stock.
"He has the mind of something else," she replied, her voice low.
Aemon knew he had to be careful. Too much brilliance too soon would draw suspicion.
So he played the dutiful second son—studying, learning, and quietly manipulating.
The System's First Gifts
At age seven, Aemon unlocked his first true ability.
[SKILL UNLOCKED: MASTER OF TRADE]
Effect: Innate understanding of commerce, supply chains, and mercantile politics.
Bonus: +10% profit on all Redwyne trade deals.
He used it immediately.
One evening, as his father reviewed the season's wine exports, Aemon "accidentally" pointed out a flaw in the pricing.
"Father, if we sell the Arbor Gold to Braavos in winter, the price doubles. The Pentoshi merchants hoard it for their feasts."
Lord Manfryd's eyebrows shot up.
"Where did you learn that?"
Aemon blinked innocently. "I heard the sailors talking."
By the next moon, House Redwyne's profits had spiked.
The First True Challenge: A Brother's Envy
His elder brother, Alester Redwyne, was not amused.
At ten, Alester was everything a lord's heir should be—strong, charismatic, and utterly average in intellect. He saw Aemon's rise as a threat.
"You think you're clever, don't you?" Alester sneered one evening, cornering Aemon in the vineyard.
Aemon kept his voice calm. "I only wish to serve our house."
"Serve?" Alester shoved him into the dirt. "You're a second son. Know your place."
[EVENT: SIBLING RIVALRY]
Choices:
Humble Submission (Gain Alester's tolerance, lose influence.)
Secret Retaliation (Begin undermining Alester's reputation.)
Open Defiance (Risk conflict, but assert dominance.)
Aemon smiled inwardly.
He chose Option 2.
The Long Game Begins
Over the next year, Aemon worked in the shadows.
He "accidentally" left merchant reports where his father would see Alester's mistakes.
He whispered to the household guards about Alester's arrogance.
He even manipulated a trade deal so Alester's favored captain lost a shipment, making him look incompetent.
By the time Aemon turned nine, Lord Manfryd's faith in his firstborn was wavering.
And Aemon?
He was just getting started.
The First Major Quest: Building a Fleet
At ten, the system unveiled his first true mission.
[MAIN QUEST: THE ARBOR ARMADA]
Objective: Construct a fleet of 20 warships.
Current Progress: 0/20
Reward: Naval Dominance, +5 Renown, Unlock "Pirate Hunting" missions.
Aemon grinned.
The game had begun.
Next Chapter Preview:
Aemon's first voyage – smuggling, piracy, and the dark underbelly of Westerosi trade.
The Tyrells take notice – a dangerous game of politics begins.
The first ship is built – the Vine Serpent sets sail.