The Reach

The Reach is one of the constituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms on the continent of Westeros. It was formerly a sovereign nation ruled by the Kings of the Reach before the War of Conquest. It is the second-largest of the kingdoms behind the north and is considered the most fertile and heavily-populated part of Westeros.

The Reach is considered the home of chivalry in Westeros. It is the place where knighthood is looked upon with the greatest reverence and esteemed the most. It is also the place where the rules to tournaments are the most stringent and managed.

The Reach is ruled from the castle of Highgarden by House Tyrell. Notable houses have included Ashford, Caswell, Crane, Florent, Fossoway, Gardener, Hightower, Merryweather, Mullendore, Oakheart, Redwyne, Rowan, Tarly, and Vyrwel.

Noble bastards born in the Reach are given the surname Flowers.

Geography
The Reach is the most fertile part of Westeros and has numerous and well-populated villages and towns. The Sunset Sea is found to the west, while the hills of the westerlands are to the northwest and the Blackwater Rush of the riverlands is to the north.

The Reach borders the crownlands to the northeast, while to the east and southeast are the stormlands and their Dornish Marches.

South of the Reach are the Red Mountains of Dorne and the Summer Sea. The Roseroad links Oldtown with King's Landing by way of Highgarden, while the Ocean Road links Highgarden with Lannisport.

The Reach is watered by the immense river Mander and its tributaries, including the Blueburn and the Cockleswhent. The Reach proper is centered around the Mander. Oldtown is located at the mouth of the Honeywine. The region also includes several islands, including the Shield Islands near the mouth of the Mander and the Arbor south of the Whispering Sound and the Redwyne Straits.

People and the Economy
The Reach is the second wealthiest region in the Seven Kingdoms behind the westerlands, but it is the most fertile region. Among the products it produces are melons, fireplums, peaches, apples, and grapes. The Arbor is said to make the finest of wines, from dry fruity reds to a rich golden vintage. Woodharps made in Oldtown are highly sought after.

Before the War of Conquest, the golden coins of the Reach were known as hands. They still exist in some number, with each hand coin roughly half the value of a dragon coin.

Notable locations include:
 * Highgarden, the castle and seat of House Tyrell, the Lords Paramount of the Mander.
 * Oldtown, the most prominent city in the Reach. It is the oldest city in Westeros, home to the Hightower and the maesters' Citadel, and its Starry Sept was the previous seat of the Faith of the Seven.
 * Ashford, a market town.
 * Tumbleton, a market town.
 * Cuy, a town.

The Reach during the Blackfyre Rebellion
Daemon Blackfyre found many allies in the Reach during the rebellion, particularly in the Dornish Marches where centuries of border disputes and raiding parties from the Dornish lords to the south had seeded a deep hatred in the Marcher lords.

Even though House Tyrell and several of their more loyal banner houses answered the call of the King, Daeron II, many lords of the Reach rebelled, including House Ball, House Costayne, House Greenmont, House Hunt, House Peake, and House Tarley. Lord Leo "Longthorne" Tyrell had to put down several of his former vassals.

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