House Forrester

"For centuries the Forresters have been loyal bannerman to House Stark: A house of traitors. You rely on your ironwood, that much is clear. It'd be a shame to see it fall into the hands of another house."

- Cersei Lannister

House Forrester is a noble house from the Wolfswood in the North of Westeros. They are vassals of the Glovers of Deepwood Motte, as well as staunch Stark bannermen, and have their seat at the wooden castle of Ironrath.

Their words are "Iron From Ice", which echoes their belief that - like the ironwood itself - the adverse conditions and unforgiving landscape of the North only makes them stronger. House Forrester's heraldry is a white Weirwood tree on a black field, embellished with a black sword pointed downwards.

Background
"Know that you never stand alone, you are a Forrester!"

- Elissa Forrester Due to the location of their stronghold, Ironrath, on the edge of the Wolfswood, the Forresters control the largest ironwood forest in Westeros, which has allowed them to enrich themselves. They are bitter rivals of House Whitehill.

The second born son Asher Forrester was exiled to Essos by his father, rather than face war with House Whitehill, after he had fell in love with the daughter of Lord Ludd Whitehill, Gwyn Whitehill. In Essos, Asher lives as a sellsword.

At the outset of the War of the Five Kings, House Forrester joined their Glover overlords in pledging fealty to Robb Stark as King in the North, a decision which placed them in a tenuous position following Stark's death and the defeat of the Northern rebellion at the Red Wedding.

"Iron From Ice"
At the Red Wedding, Lord Gregor Forrester and his heir Rodrik are supposedly slaughtered by the Freys, along with the most of the Forresters' best men. This leaves the third born son, Ethan, as the lord of the house. Lord Ludd Whitehill visits Ironrath after Gared Tuttle, the squire of Lord Gregor kills a Bolton and determinately a Whitehill soldier, demanding justice. He leaves enraged, remarking that he will have Ramsay Snow come to Ironrath.

Lord Ethan then must deal with some internal matters in house at Ironrath, such as the selection of his Sentinel, either Duncan Tuttle or Royland Degore and the dealings with a thief, but mostly notably how he plans to deal with Ramsay.

Meanwhile in King's Landing, Mira Forrester, the eldest daughter and handmaiden of Margaery Tyrell is summoned by Cersei Lannister, who questions House Forrester's loyalty to the king and Roose Bolton. Tyrion Lannister also proposes an alliance between House Forrester and the Crown, which Mira can choose to accept. Later, she also can ask Margaery for assistance from Joffrey, but if she does Margaery tries but she cannot get the help Mira needs.

During the meeting with Ramsay Snow, Ramsay decides to split the ironwood forests between the two houses to see who fares better. However, Ethan is stabbed in the neck by Ramsay. Ramsay has Lord Whitehilll install a garrison of twenty men at Ironrath, and then orders Ryon, the fourth born son, to become a ward of House Whitehill making the new lord a hostage leaving the fate of the house in the balance.

"The Lost Lords"
The Forresters' future is looking bleak as now only two of main branch of the house are stationed at their seat of Ironrath, Lady Elissa Forrester and Talia Forrester, the youngest daughter. Lady Forrester has sent Malcolm Branfield, her brother, to bring back Asher Forrester to Ironrath to aid the family, but help comes from an unlikely source. From a pile of corpses of Forrester men slain at the Red Wedding that has been brought to Ironrath, out emerges Rodrik Forrester who, whilst damaged, is not broken. Maester Ortengryn tends to Rodrik's wounds as he gains his strength to lead House Forrester back from the brink of extinction. The Whitehill garrison causes problems, being either drunk or starved, such as blocking Rodrik's path.

Malcolm locates Asher in Yunkai, after a brief skirmish with the Lost Legion. He, Asher, and Beskha set out to Meereen to call in a favor from Croft, a Second Sons member in order to get the army to help save the house.

In King's Landing, Mira is writing invitations to the royal wedding, when she receives a letter from her mother asking to ensure Rodrik's betrothal to Elaena Glenmore stays in tact. Margaery refuses to do so, noting that if she wrote to the Lady Elaena she would be forcing her hand. Mira can choose to forge a letter to Elaena, or finish the invitation to Ser Maynard.

Tyrion invites Mira to a meeting with the merchant lords of Lord Whitehill, Lord Andros and Lord Morgryn. He dismisses the pair, and he and Mira come to a deal that Tyrion will consider, in exchange for a favor of course.

Rodrik attempts to secure the loyalty of House Glenmore through the marriage alliance to Elaena Glenmore, Rodrik's betrothed prior to the War of the Five Kings which either ends with the marriage going ahead as planned, or crumbling in the darkest hour. If Mira wrote to Elaena, it would play out with Elaena feeling forced but Rodrik could still get the marriage (player-determined). Lord Whitehill bursts into Ironrath to declare that his men stationed inside the castle are being treated poorly and will assume entire control of the ironwood supply, ignoring the wishes of their overlords, the Boltons. He demands Rodrik to kiss his ring in order to get Ryon to attend his brother's and father's funeral.

Mira later enters her chambers to find it searched with a latter on her bed to meet someone in gardens at midnight for information on the Imp, where she is attacked by Damien, the Lannister guard who protected the door will she and Tyrion met earlier. Tom, the coal boy who had helped her previously, comes to her resuce. While Damien deals with Tom, Mira can choose to stab him or flee, and throw away the knife, but ultimately escapes.

The funeral is held for Gregor and Ethan Forrester at Ironrath. Ryon Forrester is either able to attend or Gwyn Whitehill comes in his place (player-determined).

"The Sword in the Darkness"
As Asher, Beskha, and Malcolm flee from the Lost Legion towards Meereen, where they come across a cave. They enter it, followed by the Legion, and encounter the dragon Drogon. Beskha or Malcolm can be burned by the beast, but they escape with a dragon tooth.

In King's Landing, Tom briefly informs Mira on the situation concerning Damien. In the throne room, Cersei tells Margaery of Mira's dealings with Tyrion, angering her. She warns Mira to not let it happen again.

Ironrath is disturbed by the Whitehill Garrison as Gryff Whitehill arrives, proclaiming himself lord and invites he and his men into the great hall. After, the whole council meets in the grove and discuss a plan about either saving Ryon or exiling Gryff. Duncan notes that the Whitehills have raided Forrester lands, burnt farms, and cut down ironwood trees. In private, Duncan tells Rodrik that Gwyn Whitehill wants to have a meeting with him.

As Margaery prepares for the wedding, Tyrion enters the area, and asks to speak to Mira privately. The player can choose to either stay with Margaery or speak privately with Tyrion. Regardless, Tyrion informs Mira of a royal decree arranging the Crown to buy Forrester ironwood. Margaery, no matter your choice, is angered and has Sera Durwell do her gown and hair. Sera later mentions while she was getting Margaery prepared, Margaery was talking about who she could replace Mira with.

Lucan, a Lannister guard who saw Mira in the gardens with Damien, attempts to interrogate Mira, but Lord Morgryn comes to her rescue by making Lucan spill wine on his shirt, and then proceeding to threaten Lucan and takes Mira to clean himself up. After that, Morgryn notes that Mira stole the ironwood deal and that they could work together and control ironwood prices. However, before their conversation can finish, Joffrey is poisoned, and Tyrion arrested, Morgryn realizes that now is a very bad time to be associated with Tyrion. Mira rushes to Tyrion's chambers and manages to steal the decree

In the night, at a ruined farm, Rodrik meets with Gwyn privately. She informs him about her father knowing about their plan, due to there being a traitor in the council. She also warns him that her father is sending a great deal of gold to someone in King's Landing, and that Rodrik must submit to Gryff to save his family. Whitehill soldiers start coming and Rodrik leaves before they notice him.

At Ironrath, some of the garrison are making fun of Ethan's death, and Rodrik can strike one. Across the Narrow Sea, Asher's group arrives at Meereen, and meet Croft. After he jokingly threatens them, and while Croft can't just join, he arranges a meeting with Daenerys Targaryen after Asher shows either Malcolm's burns, a dragon tooth, or Beskha's burns as evidence that they encountered Drogon.

The day after, Gryff grabs Talia Forrester and shows that she bit one of his soldiers, and says she must be unished. Gryff wants Rodrik and all the Forresters to know their place, and claims to be the new Lord of Ironrath. Rodirk volunteers to take Talia's punishment, and can choose to submit to Gryff or keep getting backing up. Mira, after successfully stealing the decree, can either burn it or keep it. Asher is granted his meeting with Daenerys, who warns him to speak carefully of her dragons.

"Sons of Winter"
Asher, Malcolm, and Beskha in their meeting with Daenerys, who does not believe their claim that they encountered Drogon. She has Viserion enter the tent, much to the trio's fright. Daenerys offers Asher the chance to touch Viserion, which Asher may attempt or not. She asks for firm evidence, to which Asher can show his companions' burns, a dragon tooth, or flat out refuse. She refuses his request for the Second Sons, stating that Meereen is bigger than them. Before Croft and his men can escort the group out, Daenerys is informed of Beskha's history in Meereen, which Beskha reluctantly confirms. Daenerys proposes Beskha helps the Second Sons, and guide them into Meereen, and she will reward them. However, she has Malcolm stay with her during their raid.

Ironrath is once again visited by Elaena Glenmore, along with her brother Arthur and the elite guard of House Glenmore. Lord Whitehill has threatened Lord Glenmore and her family with destruction along with the Forresters if he did not agree to a marriage between Elaena and Gryff.

Mira walks through the Red Keep, passing by Tom, who follows behind her. Tom informs Mira that her brother Rodrik was correct, that Lord Whitehill was sending a great deal of gold to someone in King's Landing. Tom also states that the only people he's certain Lord Whitehill deals with are the ironwood merchants, who would be at the coronation feast. Mira responds by telling him that due to Margaery's anger at her, she has been uninvited. Tom offers a solution in asking Sera to help, and warns her of any dangers before departing.

Rodrik, Elaena, and the elite guard march into Ironrath, where Lady Forrester informs them that their Maester is getting beaten by Gryff. Rodrik tells the guard that when he strikes his cane to march in. Rodrik and Elaena enter the great hall and to see the beating. Gryff is surprised at Elaena's appearance. After a brief confrontation between Gryff and Rodrik, Rodrik strikes his cane and the whole guard march in and capture Gryff and his men, determinately killing one. Rodrik can beat Gryff before he and his men are taken to the cellars. Ortengryn is taken away to be treated, and Lady Forrester tells Rodrik that word can not reach Highpoint and orders to kill all the ravens and bar the gates, so the traitor cannot spread the word.

At Tommen's coronation feast, Mira, although uninvited, manages to get Sera to let her in. Lord Garibald Tarwick is formally introduced to Mira by Sera. She excuses herself to see Lord Andros and Lord Morgryn arguing. She eventually finds out through Lyman Lannister, Andros' new business partner that Andros is planning on acquiring a sellsword army, by answering Lord Tarwick's questions about Sera's family, either lying about knwoign them, or telling him Sera is actually bastard. Andros confronts Mira, and she departs the feast.

Back at Ironrath, Rodrik speaks with Talia about Gryff. Duncan, Royland and Elissa come to them and Royland lets them know that they've been invited to Highpoint for a 'truce'. Rodrik has to choose whether to bring the Glenmore elite guard to Highpoint or to have them stay at Ironrath and guard. Rodrik can also choose who to bring with, Duncan or Royland. Gryff is then seen being put into a cellar.

Asher joins the planning for the raid into Meereen. He and Beskha will join Croft in taking down the east guard post. Daenerys warns before they go if they disobey Croft they will get nothing for their efforts. During their raid, Beskha encounters her old master, Dezhor zo Raza, and Asher can either let her kill him and jeopardize their reward, or stop her. Either way, they continue to the guard post, which they successfully take down.

At Highpoint, Rodrik meets with Gwyn and the two of them look discuss the Whitehill family and their houses' past. Gwyn will be upset if Rodrik brought the Glenmores. They enter the dining hall, and notice the bread and salt. When Lord Whitehill arrives, they all sit down and Ludd says that House Forrester must help the Whitehills create ironwood for the Boltons, knowing they are the masters of it.

Rodrik then reveals the imprisonment Gryff and the garrison and offers to do a trade for Ryon. Ludd calls out to bring out the boy and holds a tool to Ryon's cheek when he has him. He claims that he doesn't care about Gryff his fourth-born. Ryon bites his finger and Ludd says he "oughta kill you right now". Rodrik can choose to beg for mercy, call his bluff on not caring for Gryff, or accepting his deal to help the Whitehills craft ironwood for the Boltons. They leave Highpoint without Ryon, as Ludd insists their trade be on neutral ground.

Royland/Duncan, the elite guard (depending on if you brought them with to Highpoint), Elissa and Rodrik return from Ironrath to find it deserted,and if the guard was left to defend it, arrows and drops of blood. Rodrik hears laughter coming from the Great Hall. He enters it and sees Ramsay Snow talking with Talia Forrester. Ramsay notices him stands up and tells Rodrik that men have said he's a man that can't be broken, and that he's decided to come see for himself.

"A Nest of Vipers"
Ramsay Snow converses with Rodrik in Ironrath. Ramsay brings Rodrik to the ironwood grove, where he reveals that he no longer intends to interfere with the animosity between the Forresters and Whitehills, instead letting "Last house standing...wins." or he will slaughter both of them. He flays Arthur Glenmore and sends the guards back home. Meanwhile, Meereen, Asher cannot get the Second Sons from Daenerys Targaryen, so he instead manages to enlist the help of pit fighters, and sets sail towards Westeros, without Malcolm, who chooses to serve under Daenerys.

In King's Landing, Mira has successfully foiled Andros' plans to secure a sellsword army for the Whitehills, at the cost of the protection of Lady Margaery, and has attracted her the attention of Cersei Lannister, who convinces her to find out who Tyrion Lannister intends to call to testify at his trial. Cersei promises to deal with Andros. Mira visits Tyrion and he determines her true intentions and is disappointed if she lies to him or somewhat cooperative if she's honest.

Back at Ironrath, Talia Forrester reveals to Rodrik that she has discovered the identity of the traitor of the house. Rodrik confronts the traitor in the great hall. Depending on who you didn't select in Episode 1 to be your Sentinel, the traitor will be either Royland or Duncan. Talia, Lady Forrester, some Forrester guards, and your Sentinel will appear, announcing that Gryff and the Whitehill garrison has escaped. You are then given the choice to execute the traitor, who asks you spare his life to save Asher. If spared he reveals that Ludd Whitehill plans to ambush Asher. Whatever you choose, Rodrik, your Sentinel, and a group of Forrester men-at-arms ride for the cost to meet Asher.

Asher, Beskha, and the pit fighters arrive in Westeros. Rodrik meets Asher and his group, but their reunion is cut short by a Whitehill soldier from the garrison, who lowers the gate, separating Asher, Rodrik, the Beast, several pit fighters and Forrester men-at-arms with Gryff, Harys, and a group of Whitehill men from your Sentinel, Beskha, and the rest of the pit fighters and Forrester men. Harys kills the Beast as he attempts to raise the gate, as the rest of the men fight. Asher and Rodrik run to the gate lever to raise, but even with their combined strength, they cannot raise the gate. One must stay behind. The player choices which brother stays. Whoever you don't chose to stay escapes with the remaining Forrester forces. The one who stays fights the Whitehill men, killing several before hit by crossbow bolts, and being stabbed repeatedly before dying. The brother who flees becomes or remains the lord of House Forrester.

Members

 * Lord {Gregor Forrester}, the former Lord of Ironrath, and the head of the family. Killed during the Red Wedding by Frey soldiers.
 * Lady {Elissa Forrester}, his lady wife. Born into House Branfield, a southern House who fought on the Targaryen side in Robert's Rebellion and were killed or exiled. Killed during the Battle of Ironrath.
 * Lord Rodrik Forrester, his eldest son and heir. Succeeded his younger brother, Ethan, as Lord of Ironrath. Is either killed by Whitehill soldiers or escapes at the cost of Asher's life. (Player-determined) Escaped Ironrath heavily wounded.
 * Asher Forrester, his second-born son. Is either slain by Whitehill soldiers or escapes at the cost of Lord Rodrik's life, becoming the new Lord of Ironrath. (Player-determined) Escaped Ironrath heavily wounded.
 * Mira Forrester, his eldest daughter. Once a handmaiden to Lady Margaery Tyrell in King's Landing. Is either executed or half-willingly married to Lord Rickard Morgryn. (Player-determined)
 * Lord {Ethan Forrester}, his third-born son. Head of House Forrester following the Red Wedding. Murdered in cold blood by Ramsay Snow.
 * Talia Forrester, his youngest daughter, twin of Ethan. Located the wounded Forrester lord with the family traitor, the Sentinel, or Gwyn Whitehill after the siege. (Player-determined)
 * Ryon Forrester, his youngest son, currently on the run with Beskha.
 * Elsera Snow, bastard daughter of Gregor by an unidentified woman. Protector of the North Grove and able to perform blood magic.
 * Josera Snow, bastard son of Gregor by an unidentified woman. Protector of the North Grove and a warg bonded with a snow bear.

Ancestors

 * Lord Gerhard Forrester "Gerhard the Tall", the founder of the house.
 * Lord Cedric Forrester, who founded the castle of Ironrath alongside his triplet sons.
 * Lord Thorren Forrester "Thorren the Bold", who seized back the River Valley from House Whitehill. Father of Gregor Forrester. Slain at the Battle of the Trident.

Household

 * Duncan Tuttle, castellan of Ironrath. Either executed for treason, slain at the Battle of Ironrath, or escaped with Talia Forrester (player-determined).
 * {Gared's Father}, a pig farmer. Murdered by Britt Warrick of House Whitehill.
 * Gared Tuttle, ex-squire to Lord Gregor. Exiled to the Night's Watch for killing a Bolton and determinately a Whitehill soldiers. Currently in the North Grove or returning to Ironrath.
 * {Gared's Sister}, a pig farmer. Murdered by Britt Warrick of House Whitehill.
 * Maester {Ortengryn}, Ironrath's maester. Killed at the Battle of Ironrath.
 * Ser Royland Degore, Ironrath's master-at-arms. Either executed for treason, slain at the Battle of Ironrath, or escaped with Talia Forrester (player-determined).
 * Norren, Warrior. Possibly killed at the Red Wedding.
 * Bowen, squire to Norren. Can be killed at the Red Wedding or at the Battle of Ironrath.
 * Erik, Soldier. Either at Ironrath or The Wall, depending on player choice.
 * {Thermund}, Soldier. Killed at the Red Wedding.
 * Malcolm Branfield, Elissa Forrester's brother. Last of the Branfield line. Currently in service to Daenerys Targaryen in Essos.
 * Beskha, a Sellsword from Essos and Asher Forrester's best friend, joins House Forrester after Asher becomes Lord or to avenge his death. Currently on the run with Ryon Forrester.
 * Various smallfolk.

Military strength
House Forrester was part of the Young Wolf's campaign throughout the Westerlands and the Riverlands including the forces fighting at the Whispering Wood. They are excellent warriors, and were chosen to ride in the vanguard on the planned charge to Casterly Rock. Since they control the largest ironwood forest in Westeros, their men are equipped with the strong ironwood shields.

Following the Red Wedding, however, most of their best men were killed. After Ethan's death, many of the remaining men deserted their posts. Ser Royland Degore, the master-at-arms, states he can muster an additional 30 to 40 men, in addition to their current forces and the pit fighters, but most of the remaining Forrester army was killed during the Battle of Ironrath, effectively leaving them with no army. It is possible that the Forresters have had an army of 500 men or perhaps even more than that, considering that House Whitehill is also a minor noble house, and have an army of 500 men. It is interesting to note that, there are even smaller houses, as the Forresters and the Whitehills both had minor bannermen ( houses Degore and Warrick, and possibly some other minor houses as well)

In the books
House Forrester was not purely invented for the 2014 video game, and actually do exist in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. They were mentioned in passing exactly once in the fifth novel, though in this one instance they are indeed described as a minor House in the Wolfswood who serve as vassals to House Glover of Deepwood Motte:


 * "...guides Lady Sybell [Glover] had given them, trackers and hunters sworn to Deepwood with clan names like Forrester and Woods, Branch and Bole." (A Dance With Dragons, Chapter 42)

Nothing else about them is revealed, leaving a blank slate to fill in. Their seat, heraldry, words, and family members are all inventions of Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series, though because so little has been said about them in the novels, this means that the video game isn't prominently contradicting any book information: they are one of the several hundred minor Houses that just exist "in the background" in the books but don't happen to intersect with the main narrative.

They are called a "clan" in the novel, though this seems to be common for poor smaller Houses northwest of Winterfell. The Northern mountain clans, who live just north of the Wolfswood, are often called "clan" or "House" interchangeably. The clans only control small and poor lands up in the hills, but they are loyal to Winterfell, so the Starks would formally address them as "Houses" out of respect, i.e. the Norreys would be called "House Norrey" as a courtesy. The Forresters in the novels don't seem to be a mountain clan, but maybe "clan" was just being used in this one instance as a broad generalization for "minor vassal House". The in-game map does show that the Forresters and Whitehills are located at the northern edge of the Wolfswood, bordering the hill country where the mountain clans live. Also, the POV narrator of the above quote was actually Asha Greyjoy (renamed as "Yara Greyjoy" in the TV series), who isn't from the North, so in-universe she just might not be very familiar with the local minor noble families and is simply misapplying the term "clan", or using it too broadly - the scouts she's referring to might be from a mix of "mountain clan" Houses plus minor Houses from the Wolfswood. Also, she says these "clans" are sworn to House Glover - but by definition, the Glovers don't rule over any mountain clans, their vassals are all from the Wolfswood to the south. So Asha was probably just misusing the term in this one instance.

Curiosities

House Stark and house Forrester have many things in common:
 * Both houses are actually exiles.
 * Eddard Stark and Gregor Forrester were murdered treacherously.
 * Both had six sons, four men and two women, even counting Jon's bastardy.
 * Until now, both two men sons were killed during the series, Rob Stark and Jon Snow, ethan and Rodrik/Asher Forrester, and not counting the determinate death of Mira Forrester.
 * Besides, the eldest daughter of both houses are marry with their enemy to make an "alliance" Sansa Stark with Ramsay Bolton, Mira with Morgyn.
 * Both ladies as mothers were killed trying to protect (or succeeding in Forrester) their sons.