Blackwater Confederation

The Blackwater Confederation is a loose collection of lords along the coast of Blackwater Bay. They declared their independence from the Kingdom of the Isles and Rivers in 51 AD. They are aligned due to the signing of the Blackwater Pact, a document that guides their actions to this very day.

Location
Blackwater Bay is an inlet of the narrow sea, separated from it by the Gullet, held between the arms of Crackclaw Point to the north and Massey's Hook to the south, with the island of Dragonstone guarding the entrance to the bay. Massey's Hook shields against the rougher narrow sea, so Blackwater Bay has calmer waters.

History
The Confederation was founding in the immediate aftermath of the Third Trident Reclamation War by the Stormlands in a bid to regain their lost holdings in the Trident. The Lords of the Blackwater declared their independence after the war, seeing Harren turn to put down the rebellious Tully's and their allies and the Stormlanders were reduced in number greatly. They would hold off the initial attempt by the Durrandons to reclaim their old lands and earn their independence as Harren Hoare was unwilling to lose more of his men after he finally put down the rebellious Riverlords, preferring a buffer between himself and the Stormlands so they would cease attacking him.

The Lords of the Blackwater would sign the Blackwater Pact and thus bind themselves together, selecting Lord Davos Darklyn as the first Lord Protector of the Blackwater.

In 54 AD, Inspired by the success of their Independence war, Blackwater houses start debating the extension of their confederation, while Lord Darklyn harbours an ambition of increasing his own demesne and influence, his eyes falling on seemingly unprotected Crackclaw Point. After several rounds of negotiations with his lords, Lord Protector Darklyn decides to invade Crackclaw Point, marching armies against Clawmen. To the surprise of Blackwater forces, their march is reduced to the crawl by clawmen, who successfully use the land to its advantage. Unfamiliar with the terrain, many men were lost on march. The tale of swamp creatures, hunting in the dark, was widely spread among the levies. Once Blackwater army finally reached Pynewood Hall, it was defeated by Cracklaw’s forces. Lord Davos Darklyn perished in the battle of the Pynewood, his Captain Duncan Rykker taking the charge.

Eventually, the Blackwater forces would defeat the Clawmen at the Battle of Blackcove, their victory leading to the start of peace talks between the regions. Lord Protector Duncan agrees to accept the Clawmen rule of Pyne Hall in return for a Mutual Military Agreement to which Clawmen they agree. Duncan is elected the second Lord Protector and is wed to the daughter of Lord Brune.

In 58 AD, humiliated by his defeat during the Blackwater Independence, King Durrandon prepares for the second war against Blackwater lords. His army ten thousand strong, his fleet gathered, Durrandon moved to the place of his defeat. Stormlands fleet emerges victorious in the Battle of Straits against Darklyn and Staunton’s ships, securing safe passage across Blackwater. Stormlands army would gain another victory at the Battle of Duskendale.

They would lay siege to the town, hopeful of their victory. Storm King would send part of his army away to capture other castles of Stokeworth and Rosby, depleting his numbers. Meanwhile Lord Protector Duncan gathered the forces to recapture their land and sending an emissary to Cracklaw Point. The Clawmen would heed his call, joining the Blackwater army and sweeping south to relieve the sieges. Lord Protector Duncan would win in the Second Battle of Duskendale, driving Stormlands forces away from his land and across the Blackwater Rush, earning the Lords of the Confederation their continued independence.