Daniel Youngflower

Lord Daniel Youngflower (Formerly Ser Daniel Youngflower), is the current High Lord of the Southern Stepstones and head of House Youngflower. A former sellsword and renowned swordsman, he is a popular nobleman in the Seven Kingdoms.

Appearance and Character
Daniel is a lean bodied youth who, for his age is quite tall. His hair is quite long and unkempt and despite his efforts he cannot seem to keep it in check. Renowned for his good looks, dark hair and trademark smile, he tries to be as gentlemanly, kind and chivalrous as he can be, especially around the nobility of Westeros and its Seven Kingdoms.

Once a shy, reserved boy, the Youngflower grew into a confident, loyal brave young man, with an undying sense of honor and devotion, especially to those he considers his friends and allies.

Early Years
Born in the long summer, (circa 281 AC), as a distant relations of the Tyrells, Ser Daniel Youngflower was raised in the capital of the Reach - Highgarden and trained from an early age in the art of war. He was trained by the same master of arms as the Tyrell sons and was set on course to one day become a member of the household guard. He developed a romantic relationship with Lady Margaery Tyrell and the two would often spend hours with each other...

That is until an attempt was made on his life by the Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna Tyrell in his sixteenth nameday, where he narrowly escaped Highgarden but not before he kissed Lady Margaery good bye. He went into exile across the Narrow Sea and into Essos. With nothing but the clothes on his back, and his expert skills with bow,sword and lance, Daniel travelled Essos and later joined one of the many sellsword companies. This would lead to his many adventures and travels around the Free Cities and Slavers Bay.

Sellsword and Mercenary:
The Youngflower arrived in Essos in the year 297 AC, arriving at the Ragman's Harbour of Braavos, having found work as a deck hand upon the ship. With no money, food or much clothing upon his person, Daniel had to rely on his natural instincts to survive in the city, with it's many thieves and dangerous criminals; the young lad quickly found work as a sellsword, serving under a man called Martyn Windstrider who owned a sellsword company known as the Braavosi Titans. It was here, that Daniel met two people who would become his closest friends and allies during this time - Lysino Maar and Rickon Snow. The three sellswords were as thick as thieves, and quickly rose through the ranks, earning money, fame and respect amongst their comrades; Rickon and Daniel were praised and respected for their remarkable skill at arms, and Lysino for his cunning and dangerous personality. When the Braavosi Titans disbanded three months later, the lads went their separate ways, yet remained close friends. Daniel then left for Pentos, where he would truly see the world.

Arriving in the Free City of Volantis, Daniel concocted a slightly suicidal idea whilst he was intoxicated- he would sail to the smoking peninsula of the old Valyrian Freehold, and loot it for plunder and to gain glory. Departing from Volantis to Mantarys via the Demon Road, the Youngflower saved he life of a slave hailing from Lhazar, near Slavers Bay- a young man known as Calo. The two lads would become very good companions, creating a strong friendship, that would end in tragic consequences towards the end of the expedition.

In Mantarys, there was good news with the fact that they actually managed to hire a group of sellswords brave enough to sail the Smoking Sea and venture into the ruins of Valyria. However, the Red Reachman didn't stay in the city of lunatics for long, with Daniel getting into a brutal duel with a psychopath. Killing the man, Daniel later learnt that the crazed murderer was the heir to the city and lordship of Mantarys, forcing the group to flee, and leading to the deaths of five of the companies sellswords.

The remainder of the group would get to the islands, but only two would return- Daniel and the Ibbenese whaler known as Bear. Calo, was euthanized by Daniel in a mercy killing after the man was mutilated by a stone man. In respect for his fallen friend, Daniel went to the lads village and killed the man who sold Calo into slavery before giving Calos father a pouch of diamonds scavenged from the expedition.

Tournament and Feast of Pentos:
A few months after the expedition, Daniel was relaxing in a tavern near the manse of Illyrio Mopatis, where he first laid eyes upon the Brightflame family; it was a few weeks before they set sail for Westeros, and Illyrio was holding a grand tournament of Pentos, where the finest knights in the realm were to fight for the honor of the family. Daniel got to the finals,where he inadvertently saved the life of Prince Daeron- it established a friendship between them which would last for a long time.

Later that day, Daniel was invited to the grand feast in the Manse of Illyrio, where he would not only lay eyes upon his future wife, Visenya Henning, but invited to join the invasion of Westeros as a captain of the Dragons Claw; he accepted and set sail with the fleet a few weeks later.

Quotes by Daniel Youngflower
•"Life is not a game, Jon; at any moment we could return to dust." - To his brother Jon Flowers during the Second Battle of Hen Hill

• "If I am completely honest Lord Whent, i think you're a bit of a cunt." - To Rodrick Whent during the Trial of Chrisarys Stormfyre

• "I knew Loras liked spears, but this takes the piss..." - To Garlan Tyrell when they heard of Loras Tyrell and Renly Baratheon's affair.