The Greyjoys of Pykexy claim descent from the Grey Kingxyxy of the Age of Heroesxy. Legend says the Grey Kingxyxy ruled not only the western isles but the sea itself, and took a mermaid to wife.
For thousands of years, raiders from the Iron Islandsxy—called “ironmen” by those they plundered—were the terrors of the seas, sailing as far as the Port of Ibbenxyxy and the Summerxy Islesxy. They prided themselves on their fierceness in battle and their sacred freedoms. Each island had its own “salt king” and “rock king.” The High Kingxy of the Islesxy was chosen from among their number, until Kingxy Urron made the throne hereditary by murdering the other kings when they assembled for a choosing. Urron’s own line was extinguished a thousand years later when the Andalsxy swept over the islands. The Greyjoys, like other island lords, intermarried with the conquerers.
The Iron Kings extended their rule far beyond the isles themselves, carving kingdoms out of the mainland with fire and sword. Kingxy Qhored could truthfully boast that his writ ran “wherever men can smell salt water or hear the crash of waves.” In later centuries, Qhored’s descendents lost the Arborxy, Oldtownxy, Bear Islandxy, and much of the western shore. Still, come the Wars of Conquestxyxy, Kingxy Harrenxy the Blackxy ruled all the lands between the mountains, from the Neckxy to the Blackwaterxy Rushxy. When Harrenxy and his sons perished in the fall of Harrenhalxy, Aegonxy Targaryenxyxy granted the riverlands to House Tullyxyxy, and allowed the surviving lords of the Iron Islandsxy to revive their ancient custom and chose who should have the primacy among them. They chose Lordxy Vickonxy Greyjoyxyxy of Pykexy.
The Greyjoyxy sigil is a golden kraken upon a black field. Their words are We Do Not Sowxy.
BALON GREYJOY, Lordxy of the Iron Islandsxyxy, Kingxy of Salt and Rockxy, Son of the Sea Windxy, Lordxy Reaper of Pykexyxy,
Lesser houses sworn to Pykexy include Harlawxy, Stonehouse, Merlynxy, Sunderly, Botley, Tawney, Wynch, Goodbrotherxy.