The Arm of Dorne was a land bridge which once linked southeastern Westeros and southwestern Essos. In place of the land bridge is now the archipelago called the Stepstones, which is located in the narrow sea between the Broken Arm of Dorne and the Disputed Lands.
Around 12,000 years before the War of Conquest, the First Men came to Westeros from Essos by crossing the Arm of Dorne. When the First Men and the children of the forest first went to war, the old songs say greenseers of the children used dark magics to make the seas rise and sweep away the land, shattering the Arm, in a futile attempt to end the invasion of the First Men. Although the shattering of the Arm was successful, it was too late, for the First Men in Westeros had already crossed and the wars went on until the Pact.
Archmaester Cassander argues in his *Song of the Sea: How the Lands Were Severed* that it wasn't the singing of greenseers that parted Westeros from Essos but what he calls "Song of the Sea", a slow rising of waters taking place over centurie's caused by a series of long, hot summers and short, warm winters that melted the ice in the frozen lands north of the Shivering Sea.
A knight in the midst of battle lands a heavy blow with his morningstar while also wielding a bloodied sword - by Tomasz Jedruszek. © FFG
Northmen readying for battle
House Stark cavalry, by graikfaik ©
While Westeros is a continent wholly created from the imagination of George R. R. Martin, the nature of the armies is firmly based on historical precedent. Those of the Northmen for example are apparently based on northern English medieval armies (with an eastern European influence regarding knights), while those below the Neck appear to be rooted in English, German, and French practice, though the Westerosi culture is sufficiently too different to make any single comparison solid.
The weapons carried generally reflect those of the prototype armies and by far the most common is the sword. This is to a very real extent the mark of a soldier and so carried by all, although it may not necessarily be the soldier's primary weapon.
Castle-forged weapons are of high quality, generally better than those produced by smiths in the cities. However, usually only knights and nobles can afford them. The rarest and most desired swords are those forged in Old Valyria, of Valyrian steel. These swords are stronger, lighter, and sharper than all others (except perhaps for Dawn), and the steel is typically dark, almost black. The secrets of forging them have been lost and there are perhaps only a couple of hundred of them left in Westeros, mostly as prized heirlooms by noble houses.
Other weapons are also common. Almost everyone carries a knife or dagger, as they are useful and practical in many circumstances. Effective spears and mauls are relatively cheap to make and are, thus, popular weapons for men-at-arms. A cheap spear can still be a good weapon; the same cannot be said of a cheap sword.
Dornish spear phalanx. © FFG
Unsullied pike phalanx. © Fantasy Flight Games
Battering ram. © Fantasy Flight Games
Dagger: A long knife used to stab and pierce, often carried as a tool as much as a weapon.
Dirk: A dagger designed for combat with a straight, narrow blade, often used in the off-hand to complement a primary weapon.
Net: Made of strong rope, a net is typically a tool to catch fish or birds. Some people have adapted them for fighting, such as the crannogmen from the Neck, who use them to ensnare opponents or entangle weapons.
Peasant Tool: Peasants rarely could afford traditional weapons and generally fought with what was at hand: sticks, clubs, tools or their bare hands, those weapons are of poor quality.
Lance, War: A weapon of knights and heavy cavalry, lances are normally 8-10 feet long, made of turned ash, and banded to prevent splitting. The lance is tipped with a sharpened steel point and is normally used for a single charge before becoming too unwieldy in close combat.
Lance, Tourney: Tourney lances are longer and more fragile than their battlefield cousins. Their tips are blunted to better unhorse an opponent without causing serious harm, and they are unbanded, meaning that they will often break upon impact. A tourney lance is normally 12-14 feet long
Khukuri Knife: A weapon of Nepalese origin used in the Middle to Far East. It is made of varying grades of steel. It is most recognizable for its inward bending cutting edge. This aggressive design helps the combatant in close quarters combat (CQC). A Khukuri style knife is seen in the Blackwater episode of season 2 of GoT. It is carried by Bronn at his lower back during the bar scene with the Hound.
See also List of known Valyrian and famous Swords
Interior of Tobho Mott's shop, © Fantasy Flight Games
Armor in Seven Kingdoms is commonly forged from iron and steel. Occasionally one may find an ancient piece of armor forged from bronze, but that is a great rarity today. Advanced full plate and scale armor, made of relatively light weight steel, is also available to those with the proper funds.
Additional ornamentation can be quite elaborate. Common methods involve paints, enamels, or bluing the steel. A truly skilled blacksmith, however, can work colour into the metal itself to ensure that it does not chip or flake off. Such work is expensive and can be afforded only by the nobility. In the real world, the technological level is comparable to the late medieval and early renaissance, which is quite advanced "for the time" in Westeros.
The most effective, and expensive, armor is plate armor, which consists of a number of shaped plates of steel fitted to the body. Plate is normally worn over chainmail and an undercoat padded leather. Those who cannot afford plate may wear chainmail and leather, and this coverage still provides good protection. It is also common to wear only partial plate; a plate helm, for example, is common, as are breastplates and gorgets. Scale armor is also known but considerably less common. Armor made of boiled leather is sometimes worn by itself, particularly by scouts and levied men-at-arms. While better than nothing, it cannot stop an on-target sword blow, whereas plate armor can.
Plate armor is more common in the Reach, while mail is more the rule in the North, and the wildlings beyond the Wall are much more primitively armored.
Plate armor schematic
Greathelm: simple cylinder with a flat top and sometimes rounded top to better deflect blows., that impedes sight and breathing, mostly used by knight's during the "clash of lances".
Halfhelm: A round helm covering the top of the head, often incorporating a nasal guard.
Kettle helm: A helm made of steel in the shape of a brimmed hat.
Halfhelm
A visorless helmet
A relatively primitive type of greathelm
Greathelm
A flat-topped greathelm
Westeros has a varied collection of Shields, from simple Wooden Shields, which are light, easy to use but don't provide much protection, to heavy triangular shields, almost four feet tall, made of heavy oak and studded with iron. improve durability and protection, without adding much weight. In Dorne and probably in Braavos small light weight round metal shields called bucklers are used. This is about the size of a plate and held in the left hand to parry sword blows in fencing.
Kite shields, considered old-fashioned since the Conquest, carried by the Warrior's Sons.
See also: Horse types
Besieging armies use a wide variety of siege engines such as: scaling ladders, battering rams on wheels, wheeled siege towers covered in rawhide and various types of catapults, trebuchets, mangonels, spitfires, and scorpions. Some are mounted on warships.
Scorpions and spitfires are used in the defense of a city.
Stark and Greyjoy Bannermen sketches by Tribemun©
Tully and Lannister Bannermen sketches by Tribemun©
Free Folk by Mike S Miller ©
Cavalry figure prominently in the story and a good mediaeval model for Westerosi troops raised between the Neck and the Dornish Marches is provided by a 1364 muster of the troops belonging to the Duchy of Burgundy (the original French one before it expanded):
The troops comprised one chevalier banneret - in Westerosi terms a sworn bannerman
134 chevaliers/knights
105 ecuyers/squires
19 mounted archers
1 trumpeter
1 farrier
The only infantry were those 19 archers who rode horses to keep up with the rest on the march but dismounted to shoot.
Light cavalry consisted usually of lighter armed and armored men, who could have lances, javelins or missile weapons, such as bows. they tend to be in leather and mail..
Knights are usually the best outfitted and trained soldier in the field, who could afford plate armor and a varied assortment of hand weapons. They are usually deployed as Heavily armed cavalry armed with lances. It Consisted of wealthy knights and noblemen who could afford the equipment and non-noble squires employed by noblemen.
Note, Weapon/Armor types references refer to where these type where mentioned in the book, while some of their desription are based on real-life equivalents.
Armeca is a prostitute working in the brothel owned by Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in King's Landing. The character was created specifically for the TV series and is played by Sahara Knite.
She is "tutored" by the newly-arrived Ros, while Petyr lectures them on the art of seduction.
She continues to work for Lord Petyr Baelish and feigns that she cannot speak the common tongue to appear exotic to her customers despite being from Flea Bottom in King's Landing itself. She is present at Lord Baelish's brothel when the gold cloaks, led by Lord Janos Slynt, appear to find Mhaegen and kill her daughter Barra, one of the late King Robert's bastard children. When Ros is too upset to work because of this incident Lord Petyr assigns her customer to Armeca, who has only just finished with one of her own. Petyr mistakenly calls her "Aremca".
Armeca is in the Red Keep entertaining Bronn immediately before the Battle of the Blackwater. She admires his broken nose and asks how many times he has injured it. He tells her as he publicly undresses her. Their time is cut short by the arrival of Sandor Clegane, who antagonizes Bronn.
Armen, better known as Armen the Acolyte, is an acolyte at the Citadel. He has achieved four links to his maester's chain: tin, lead, copper and pewter.
Armen has a long, thin, pointy nose.
Armen spends time discussing dragons and drinking at the Quill and Tankard with his friends, Alleras, Mollander, Roone and Pate.
Armistead Vance was a member of House Vance and the mightiest of the Andal warlords that invaded the riverlands.
Armistead was one of the Andal warlords who defeated Tristifer IV Mudd, King of the Rivers and the Hills. Afterward he gained the allegiance of Edmure Tully and his sons. Armistead granted Edmure's son Axel lands at the juncture of the Red Fork and the Tumblestone, where Lord Axel raised Riverrun.
Armond Caswell was Lord of Bitterbridge during the Blackfyre Rebellion. He was the father of Lord Joffrey Caswell. Lord Armond fought for the Targaryens during the Blackfyre Rebellion.
Ser Kyle claimed to have saved Lord Armond's life during the Blackfyre Rebellion.
Armond Connington was Lord of Griffin's Roost and head of House Connington during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen. He is the father of Jon Connington.
Armond Connington died a few years before Robert's Rebellion. He often liked to take his son Jon up to the tallest tower of Griffin's Roost to show him the view of their ancestral lands. When Prince Rhaegar Targaryen visited Griffin's Roost after his trip to Dorne, Lord Armond attempted to win the prince to his side in an argument with Lord Morrigen.
Arms of the Kraken is a novella published in issue 305, (August 2002) of the magazine Dragon based on the Iron Islands chapters from *A Feast for Crows*.
Following the death of King Balon Greyjoy, a Kingsmoot is summoned by Aeron Damphair, Balon's youngest brother and the most respected priest of the Drowned God. With Theon Greyjoy a prisoner of the Boltons at the Dreadfort, the strongest candidates are Balon's brothers Victarion and Euron Crow's Eye, who has just returned from reaving in the east. Asha Greyjoy, Balon's daughter, also tries to claim the Seastone Chair in spite of her sex. The moot is deadlocked between the three until Euron reveals his plan to seize control of Daenerys Targaryen's dragons through the use of magic and so rule Westeros. The moot crowns Euron king, and Asha disappears with her ship northwards. Aeron, who considers Euron ungodly, also leaves to gain popular support against him.
Euron launches an ambitious campaign against the Reach, sending ships under his brother Victarion to conquer the Shield Islands and raid the coast. Initial appetites for plunder are sated by the raids in Westeros, however, and both support for Euron's trip across the narrow sea and his hold over the ironmen dwindles. He realizes that he must remain and consolidate his control. Victarion agrees to go to Slaver's Bay and deliver Euron's marriage proposal to Daenerys. However, Victarion hates Euron for sleeping with his wife and decides to get revenge by courting Daenerys himself.
Ser Arneld is a knight in service at King's Landing. He may be a member of the Gold Cloaks.
During the Battle of the Blackwater, Ser Arneld commands the Three Whores, the three enormous trebuchets in King's Landing.
Ser Arnell is a knight and a brother of the Night's Watch. His mother was a green-apple Fossoway, but it is unknown if he is a legitimate son or a bastard.
Arnell is sent by Lord Commander Jeor Mormont as an ambassador to Renly Baratheon. It is not known if he reaches his destination before Renly's death, nor what has happened to him since.
Arnolf Karstark - by Marc Fishman ©
Arnolf Karstark is the uncle of Lord Rickard Karstark. He is the castellan of Karhold, refer to him as Lord Arnolf as a courtesy.
See also: Images of Arnolf Karstark
Arnolf is gaunt, crooked, and bent from age, and he walks with a blackthorn cane.
Arnolf became castellan of Karhold when Lord Rickard Karstark and his sons marched south with Robb Stark during the War of the Five Kings.
Although Theon Greyjoy does not recognize them, Arnolf and Hother Umber are seated next to Ramsay Bolton during the feast held at the Dreadfort before Ramsay marches on Moat Cailin.
At Barrowton, Theon learns from Ramsay and his father, Lord Roose Bolton that Arnolf is conspiring against Stannis. Roose intends for Arnolf to betray Stannis when he marches on Winterfell.
Alys Karstark, the daughter of the late Lord Rickard, flees from Karhold for the protection of Jon Snow at the Wall. She reveals that Arnolf responded favorably to Stannis in hope that when the Iron Throne heard of the pledge they would execute her captive brother, Lord Harrion. Harry's death would make Alys the heir and Arnolf would then force her to marry his son, Cregan, to claim Karhold. Roose has promised Arnolf a full pardon for this service to the Lannisters.
Arnolf has his army meet up with Stannis at a crofters' village during the king's march on Winterfell, bringing four hundred spears, two score archers, a dozen mounted lances, and Maester Tybald
Tycho Nestoris brings Jon Snow's message from Deepwood to Stannis in time, and Tybald admits that he sent a raven with Stannis's location to Roose Bolton at Winterfell. Stannis has Arnolf, his son Arthor, and three grandsons brought before him on the pretext of breaking their fast. Upon entering the village's watchtower, Arnolf notices the chained Theon Greyjoy in the corner and realizes that Stannis is aware of his planned treachery.
Stannis's knights surround the five Karstarks; two of Arnolf's grandsons attempt to resist and are badly injured, but Arnolf does not put up a fight. Stannis vows that all five will die, but whether quickly or by fire will depend on their cooperation.
Justin: You will not take Winterfell!
Arnolf: Aye, we will. We'll take it for the Ned and for his daughter. Aye, and for the Young Wolf too, him who was so cruelly slaughtered. Me and mine will show the way, if need be. I've said as much to His Good Grace the king. March, I said, and before the moon can turn, we'll all be bathing in the blood of Freys and Boltons.
Justin: Your courage is admirable, Lord Karstark, but courage will not breach the walls of Winterfell.
- Justin Massey and Arnolf
Homage is the duty every leal subject owes his king. Yet your father's bannermen all turn their back on me, save the Karstarks. Is Arnolf Karstark the only man of honor in the north?
- Stannis Baratheon to Jon Snow
Arnolf is rushing to Winterfell, 'tis true, but only so he might put his dagger in your king's back. He cast his lot with Roose Bolton long ago ... for gold, the promise of a pardon, and poor Harry's head. Lord Stannis is marching to a slaughter.
- Alys Karstark to Jon Snow
Ser Aron Santagar is a knight of House Santagar. He is the master-at-arms of the Red Keep.
According to Ser Rodrik Cassel, Aron is a vain but honest man.
When Lady Catelyn Stark and Ser Rodrik Cassel go to King's Landing in search of the owner of the Valyrian steel dagger used by the catspaw who attempted to kill Bran Stark, Rodrik visits Aron, who as master-at-arms might recognize it.
Aron participates in the Hand's tourney. His joust against Lothor Brune ends in a draw, and Aron is then defeated by Lord Jason Mallister.
Aron is part of the escort that is attacked by the citizens of King's Landing after attending Princess Myrcella Baratheon's departure for Dorne. He is slain by the angry mob and his body is found unrecognizable near the stone used to smash his skull.
Since Aron's position has not yet been replaced, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister considers having the new master-at-arms also come from Dorne to ease tension with House Martell.
Lady Arra Norrey was a member of House Norrey, she married Lord Cregan Stark, and was the mother of Rickon Stark.
Lady Arrana Stark was the youngest daughter of Edric Stark and Serena Stark. She was married to Osric Umber and had issue.
Arrax was a dragon ridden by Prince Lucerys Velaryon during the Dance of the Dragons.
He was mature enough to be ridden and still young and growing. He was five times smaller than Vhagar.
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen's three eldest sons (each by Laenor Velaryon) were Jacaerys (born 114 AC), Lucerys (born 115 AC), and Joffrey (born 117 AC). The rival faction at court who supported her stepmother Alicent Hightower and her children spread the accusation that Rhaenyra's three sons were not really Laenor's, but bastards fathered by Harwin Strong. In an effort to confirm that he considered Rhaenyra and her sons the true heirs to the throne, her father King Viserys II decreed that a dragon egg would be put in the cradle of each of the boys, to bond with the dragons that hatched from them. Those who doubted the paternity of Rhaenyra's sons also doubted that the eggs would ever hatch, but they were quickly disappointed, as each of the eggs soon hatched in turn. The hatchlings were named Vermax (bonded with Jacaerys), Arrax (bonded with Lucerys), and Tyraxes (bonded with Joffrey). The exact date each hatched is not known but the last seems to have hatched by no later than about 120 AC.
At the start of the civil war Prince Jacaerys flew north as a messenger on Vermax.
Arrec Durrandon was a Storm King of the stormlands from House Durrandon who lost the wealthy riverlands to the Iron Islands. He was also the grandsire of the last Storm King, Argilac Durrandon.
Arrec was the last Storm King to rule the riverlands, an area conquered by his ancestor Arlan III Durrandon some three hundred years earlier. Harwyn Hardhand, King of the Iron Islands, used the mobility of ironborn longships to defeat the stormlanders in the riverlands. Arrec's greatest defeat was in the Battle at Fairmarket. Later in life, Arrec tried twice to cross the Blackwater and take back the lost lands, but failed.
Arron is a Night's Watch recruit. He is the twin brother of Emrick, and is from Fair Isle.
Arron is trained in the martial arts by Jon Snow due to the loss of Ser Endrew Tarth, the master-at-arms at Castle Black.
Arron and his brother Emrick swear their vows with four other recruits (Horse, Satin, Leathers, and Jax) at the grove of weirwoods north of Castle Black, inside the haunted forest. They are escorted by Jon, now Lord Commander, along with ten rangers. Jon, Iron Emmett, and Bowen Marsh weigh each recruit and assign them to an order. Arron is assigned to the stewards.
Ser Arron Qorgyle is the second son of Lord Quentyn Qorgyle.
He is part of the escort accompanying Prince Oberyn Martell to King's Landing for the wedding of King Joffrey I Baratheon and Lady Margaery Tyrell.
Ser Arron helps Prince Oberyn donning his battle armor for Tyrion Lannister's trial by combat.
Arryk is the name of:
Arryk is a guardsman for Olenna Redwyne.
He is seven feet tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Well muscled, he has a strong jaw, blue eyes and a thick red mustache. He is the twin to Erryk, and when they are together they are practically indistinguishable. Olenna cannot tell them apart, so she calls them Left and Right.
Arryk and his brother escort Lady Olenna to King's Landing for the wedding of her granddaughter, Margaery Tyrell.
Ser Arryk Cargyll was a knight of House Cargyll. He and his twin brother, Ser Erryk Cargyll, were members of the Kingsguard during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen.
Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk Cargyll were both unhorsed by Ser Criston Cole at the tourney for King Viserys I's accession at Maidenpool in 105 AC.
According to Septon Eustace, Arryk found Prince Daemon Targaryen and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in bed together, a few months after the tourney to celebrate King Viserys's and Queen Alicent's fifth anniversary in 111 AC. Mushroom claims that Daemon was instructing Rhaenyra so she could better seduce Criston. This led to Viserys exiling Daemon from the Seven Kingdoms.
After the death of Viserys, Arryk sided with King Aegon II Targaryen and the greens. After the coronation of Aegon in the Dragonpit, Arryk led the king into the throne room of the Red Keep. His twin Erryk, however, aligned himself with Queen Rhaenyra and the blacks. Arryk and Ser Gwayne Hightower were in the retinue of Grand Maester Orwyle when he traveled from King's Landing to Dragonstone in an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile the rival Targaryens.
Arryk's Lord Commander, Ser Criston, ordered him to infiltrate Dragonstone as Erryk, although it is disputed whether his mission was to kill Rhaenyra or her children. The twins came upon each other in one of the hallways of the castle's citadel and fought to the death. According to songs, the brothers professed their love and died in one another's arms after fighting for an hour. Mushroom claims they called each other traitor and were both mortally wounded within moments.
Arryk and Erryk Cargyll are inspired by two brothers from Arthurian legend, Balin and Balan.
Arsa Stark was a member of House Stark. The only daughter of Lord Brandon Stark and Lady Alys Karstark.
The Arsenal is a citadel protecting the main harbor of Braavos. It is located at the entrance to the lagoon, just beyond the Titan of Braavos. It sits upon a knob of rock, fortified with stone battlements and bristling with scorpions, trebuchets, and spitfires.
The Arsenal is also a dock with room for dozens of galleys beneath it. Along it's shores are innumerable quays, docks, and wooden sheds holding many more ships. It houses the defense fleet of the city and is the center of shipbuilding in Braavos. It is said that a war galley can be built in a day there.
Arson, better known as Arson Iceaxe, was a wildling raider.
He tried to cross the Wall by digging through it's base. When he was midway under the ice, he was discovered by a patrol from the Nightfort. Instead of trying to stop the wildling, they decided to wall him in alive. The legend says that by listening the ear against the Wall, one can still hear the sound of Arson's axe digging away at the ice. Since this time, the Night's Watch sends infrequent patrols along the base of the Wall on it's northern face to look for traces of excavation.
Arstan Selmy is the Lord of Harvest Hall and is the head of House Selmy in the stormlands. Ser Barristan Selmy is his great-uncle.
Arthor Karstark is a member of House Karstark and is the second son of Arnolf Karstark.
Arthor is fifty, with a round soft face like his father's, if Arnolf went too fat.
Arthor and his father rendezvous with Stannis Baratheon at a crofters' village on the way to lay siege to Winterfell in the snow.
Stannis has Arthor, his father Arnolf, and Arnolf's three grandsons brought before him on the pretext of breaking their fast. Upon entering the village's watchtower, Arnolf notices the chained Theon Greyjoy in the corner and realizes that Stannis is aware of his planned treachery. Arthor does not realize this, instead commenting on the lack of chairs. Stannis's knights surround the five Karstarks. Two of Arnolf's grandsons attempt to resist and are badly injured, but Arnolf and Arthor do not put up a fight. Stannis has vowed that all five will die, but whether quickly or by fire will depend on their cooperation.
Lord Arthur Ambrose is head of House Ambrose. He is married to Alysanne Hightower and has a son named Alyn.
Ser Arthur Dayne, known as the Sword of the Morning, was a famed and legendary knight from House Dayne and a member of Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard. Many considered him to have been the most chivalrous warrior of the Seven Kingdoms..
Arthur was Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's closest friend.
See also: Images of Arthur Dayne
According to Catelyn Stark, Arthur was the deadliest of the seven knights of Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard.
Arthur Dayne dueling with Eddard Stark
Arthur wielded the greatsword called Dawn as part of his office as Sword of the Morning, carrying it slung across his back.
Arthur was the champion in the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth in 276 AC, defeating Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.
According to a semi-canon source, began shortly after.
After the end of the rebellion, Arthur, Oswell, and Ser Gerold Hightower were found by Lord Eddard Stark at the tower of joy. Arthur died there, fighting Eddard and his companions, but the exact circumstances of his death are unclear.
Arthur is remembered as not only a skilled fighter but a valiant and true knight.
Lord Eddard Stark has a fever dream of Arthur, Ser Oswell Whent, and Ser Gerold Hightower at the tower of joy.
Resting on a weirwood stump, Ser Jaime Lannister dreams of he and Brienne of Tarth being visited by the shades of Arthur, Oswell, Gerold, Ser Jon Darry, Prince Lewyn Martell, and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in the depths of Casterly Rock.
Ser Arthur Dayne, by Bella Bergolts ©.
Our knees do not bend easily.
– Arthur to Eddard Stark in Eddard's dream
Arthur: And now it begins. Eddard: No. Now it ends.
– Arthur and Eddard Stark in Eddard's dream
Brienne: I swore an oath to keep him safe. I swore a holy oath.
Arthur: We all swore oaths.
– Brienne of Tarth and Arthur in Jaime Lannister's dream
Smiling Knight: It's that white sword of yours I want.
Arthur: Then you shall have it, ser.
– Arthur to the Smiling Knight
All knights must bleed, Jaime. Blood is the seal of our devotion.
– Arthur to Jaime Lannister
They whispered of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, deadliest of the seven knights of Aerys's Kingsguard, and of how their young lord had slain him in single combat.
– Catelyn Stark thinking of Winterfell's maids
The finest knight I ever saw was Ser Arthur Dayne, who fought with a blade called Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. They called him the Sword of the Morning, and he would have killed me but for Howland Reed.
– Eddard Stark to Bran Stark
Arstan: Myles Mooton was Prince Rhaegar's squire, and Richard Lonmouth after him. When they won their spurs, he knighted them himself, and they remained his close companions. Young Lord Connington was dear to the prince as well, but his oldest friend was Arthur Dayne.
Daenerys: The Sword of the Morning! Viserys used to talk about his wondrous white blade. He said Ser Arthur was the only knight in the realm who was our brother's peer.
Arstan: It is not my place to question the words of Prince Viserys.
– Arstan Whitebeard and Daenerys Targaryen
And me, that boy I was ... when did he die, I wonder? When I donned the white cloak? When I opened Aerys's throat? That boy had wanted to be Ser Arthur Dayne, but someplace along the way he had become the Smiling Knight instead.
– thoughts of Jaime Lannister
I learned from the White Bull and Barristan the Bold. I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could have slain all five of you with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right. I learned from Prince Lewyn of Dorne and Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jonothor Darry, good men every one.
– Jaime Lannister to Loras Tyrell, Osmund Kettleblack, Balon Swann, Meryn Trant, and Boros Blount
Artos Flint is the second son of Lord Torghen Flint, known as The Flint, or Old Flint clan chief of the first Flints, a mountain clan in the North. He is the half-brother of Black Donnel Flint.
Artos is among the Flints who march with King Stannis Baratheon's army to retake Deepwood Motte from Asha Greyjoy. After the battle, Artos sits upon Stannis' war council alongside several other Northern clansmen. He endorses the plan for Stannis' army to march on the Boltons in Winterfell, noting that it is only a three-hundred mile march to the castle.
R'hllor will doom us.
Artos Stark, also known as Artos the Implacable, was a member of House Stark, the third son of Lord Beron Stark and Lady Lorra Royce.
When King-Beyond-the-Wall Raymun Redbeard went over the Wall, Lord Willam Stark called his banners and marched north. Artos was among those who went with him. During the battle at Long Lake, Willam was killed. Artos slew Raymun during the battle, ending the wildling threat. The Night's Watch arrived too late to take part in the battle and for their tardiness, Artos ordered them to dispose of the dead.
Artos was married to Lysara Karstark and had twin sons, Brandon and Benjen Stark.
Artos the Strong is one of the many legendary heroes of the Riverlands, whose tales date back to the Age of Heroes.
Artys I Arryn was the first King of Mountain and Vale and the founder of House Arryn in Westeros.
Artys was born of pure Andal blood in the Vale in the shadow of the Giant's Lance. On his shield he bore the moon-and-falcon and a pair of falcon's wings decorated his silver warhelm, earning him the nickname of the Falcon Knight. He was esteemed as the finest warrior of his day, skilled with sword, lance and morningstar. Artys was a cunning and resourceful leader, beloved by all who fought beside him.
After King Robar II Royce united the First Men of the Vale, the Mountains of the Moon, and the Fingers under his rule and struck against the divided Andal houses and petty kings, the Andals unified under the leadership of Ser Artys, who was of an age with King Robar. He led the Andal army in the Battle of Seven Stars, taking part in its final stage. Artys led a force of over five hundred knights through a goat track on the Giant's Lance to take the already weakened First Men in the rear, leaving a decoy, who was slain by Robar, among the main fighting force. It is possible he slew Robar himself, though other candidates have been put forth over the centuries.
After the Andal victory, the First Men houses bent the knee to Ser Artys, who was proclaimed King of Mountain and Vale, thus founding the Arryn dynasty. In later centuries, singers would conflate him with the legendary "Winged Knight".
Lord Robert Arryn's favorite stories are those of the Winged Knight. He demands three stories of Ser Artys from Alayne before he agrees to prepare for his departure from the Eyrie.
Queen Arwen of House Upcliff, was married to King Alester II of House Arryn.
Her marriage to the Arryn king brought the Witch Isle, seat of House Upcliff, an isle in the waters off the eastern and northern coasts of the Vale, into the realm by marriage.
Ser Arwood Frey is a knight of House Frey. The only son of Ser Hosteen Frey and Bellena Hawick. He is married to Ryella Royce and they have four children; Ryella, Androw, Alyn and Hostella Frey.
When news of the raid at Saltpans reaches the Twins, Ser Arwood ride to the town with two of his half-cousins, Ser Harys and Ser [[Donnel Haigh],] and a small force to investigate. They find Quincy Cox, the Knight of Saltpans, sitting behind his walls and the town in ashes.
After the marriage of his cousin Amerei Frey to Lancel Lannister, the new Lord of Darry, Arwood stays at Darry, together with several family members.
Arwyn Frey is the (supposed) sixth daughter of Lord Walder Frey. She is the first born and eldest daughter of Lord Walder and his seventh spouse, Lady Annara Farring. was rumored to be sleeping with Lady Annara casting doubts on the parentage of her children.
She is among the girls presented by Lord Walder Frey to Robb Stark at the Twins.
Arwyn Oakheart is the head of House Oakheart and the Lady of Old Oak. Her husband, deceased for some years, gave her several sons, including Ser Arys, a member of the Kingsguard of King Robert I Baratheon since 290 AC.
Arwyn is tiny and delicate.
Although one of her sons, Ser Arys Oakheart, is a member of King Joffrey I Baratheon's Kingsguard in King's Landing, Lady Arwyn follows her liege lord, Mace Tyrell, in supporting King Renly Baratheon. Arwyn is present with the forces of House Oakheart in Renly's army that slowly progresses along the roseroad toward the capital, and she attends the melee at Bitterbridge.
The small council at King's Landing grants Lady Oakheart land as a reward for her support in the war.
Arya Flint was a member of House Flint of the mountains. She was married to Rodrik Stark, the fifth son of Lord Beron Stark, with whom she had two daughters; Branda and Lyarra Stark.
Arya Stark is the third child and second daughter of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn Tully. A member of House Stark, she has five siblings: brothers Robb, Bran, Rickon, half-brother Jon Snow, and older sister Sansa. She is a POV character in *A Song of Ice and Fire* and is portrayed by Maisie Williams in the television adaptation, *Game of Thrones*.
Like some of her siblings, Arya sometimes dreams that she is a direwolf..
Arya Stark - by Ammotu ©
See also: Images of Arya Stark
Nine years old at the start of *A Game of Thrones*, Arya's appearance is more Stark than Tully, with a long face,
Arya is a spirited girl interested in fighting and exploration, unlike her older sister, Sansa. Arya wants to learn how to fight with a sword and ride in tourneys, to the horror of Sansa, who enjoys the more traditional pursuits of a noblewoman. Arya is particularly close to her half brother, Jon Snow, who encourages her martial pursuits. She is said to take after the fiery Lyanna in temperament.
Arya is left-handed, quick, and dexterous.
Born in 289 AC
Arya has spent her entire life at Winterfell, though she did accompany her father on two occasions to White Harbor.
Jon Snow, having covered himself with flour to appear as a ghost, once tried to scare his younger siblings in the crypt of Winterfell. While Sansa and Bran were frightened, Arya instead punched her half brother.
Lord Eddard often eats in the same hall as his staff, and always keeps a seat next to him reserved, inviting a different servant or advisor to dine with him each night. Arya loves listening to their stories.
Arya Stark and Nymeria - by artist Veronica V. Jones. © Fantasy Flight Games
When her brothers Robb and Jon find six direwolf pups,
Arya and her sister, Sansa, travel with their father, Lord Eddard, to King's Landing when he is made Hand of the King. Before she leaves, Arya's half-brother Jon gives her a sword called Needle, after her least favorite ladylike activity, as a parting gift. He tells her she will need to practice, but that the first lesson is to "stick 'em with the pointy end".
While walking near the ruby ford, Prince Joffrey Baratheon and Sansa happen upon Arya and Mycah "battling" in the woods. Arya defends Mycah from Joffrey's torments, and Nymeria helps Arya fight off Joffrey, wounding his arm in the process. Knowing that Joffrey will likely want retribution, Jory Cassel helps Arya chase the direwolf away when he finds them..
While in King's Landing, after Arya fights with Sansa, their father discovers Needle. Questioned how Arya gained possession of the sword, she refuses to give up Jon's name as the gift giver. Eddard realizes that she must be trained if she is entertaining ideas about swordsmanship, and hires Syrio Forel, a celebrated Braavosi swordsman, under whom Arya begins her training. Under his strict, but creative, tutelage, Arya learns to fight in the Braavosi water dancer style with Needle.
Arya exploring in the vaults under King's Landing. Art by TeiIku©
Arya spends most of her time doing balancing and swordplay exercises as Syrio instructed her. During one of these she discovers a secret passage in the Red Keep. She overhears two men, who by description seem to be Varys and Illyrio Mopatis speaking about her father, Cersei, and spies.
When tensions heighten in the capital, Ned intends for Sansa and Arya to return to the north via the *Wind Witch*.
Arya cannot leave King's Landing since the city gates are heavily guarded, so she lives on the streets of Flea Bottom, catching pigeons and rats to trade for food. Arya witnesses her father's public condemnation at the Great Sept of Baelor. She is found in the crowd by Yoren of the Night's Watch, who saves her from the sight of Eddard's execution and drags her from King's Landing.
Cersei has Sansa send letters to Winterfell, but Arya's mother, Catelyn Stark, notices that no mention is made of Arya.
Arya practices with a stick at Harrenhal - by Jonathan Standing © Fantasy Flight Games
Arya escapes King's Landing with Yoren and his party of Night's Watch recruits, with Yoren planning to return her to Winterfell on his way back the Wall. Yoren shaves her head and makes Arya assume the identity of "Arry", a boy recruit traveling with Yoren to the Wall.
Arya heads out with the survivors until they are captured by Ser Gregor Clegane and the Mountain's men in a village, where they are held for eight days, while the Tickler tortures the villagers.
At Harrenhal Arya is assigned to the steward Weese to work at the Wailing Tower.
Unbeknownst to Arya, Robett is already conspiring with Vargo Hoat against Amory. During the fall of Harrenhal, Arya obtains soup which Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter then use to scald the Lannister guards. To Arya's amazement, Jaqen changes his face and manner in front of her, saying it was time for that person to die. Before departing, he gives Arya an iron coin and tells her to repeat the phrase *valar morghulis* to any man of Braavos.
The next morning, Lord Roose Bolton arrives to take charge of the castle. Arya, now calling herself "Nymeria", or "Nan" for short, is named Roose's cupbearer for her role in the freeing of the prisoners. She inadvertently meets Elmar Frey, the squire she would have to marry under Robb's agreement with the Freys, though they remain unknown to each other.
Arya kills the Bolton guard at Harrenhal and whispers *valar morghulis* - by Tim Tsang ©
Arya asks to accompany Roose when he leaves Harrenhal, but Lord Bolton is shocked by his servant's insolence and announces she will be left behind at the castle with Vargo's Brave Companions. Arya escapes with Gendry and Hot Pie, killing a Bolton guard at the gate.
While Arya and her companions travel north from Harrenhal, Arya enters Nymeria during a dream as a skinchanger and sees Nymeria kill members of the Brave Companions sent in pursuit.
At Harrenhal, Lord Roose Bolton informs Ser Jaime Lannister that Arya has been found and that he intends to return her to the north.
Arya travels with the brotherhood to their hideout in a hollow hill. She accuses Sandor of murdering Mycah, earning him a trial by combat with Lord Beric Dondarrion. Sandor survives, however, and so is set free by the outlaws.
Sandor plans to return Arya to Robb and win a place in his service, but they are delayed by flooding along the Trident, including at Lord Harroway's Town.
Arya stabs the Tickler over and over again in a rage until Sandor Clegane stops her - by Mathia Arkoniel
Sandor decides that the only place left to take Arya is to the Vale of Arryn, which is ruled by Arya's aunt, the widowed Lysa Arryn. On the way east, Arya finds a saddled horse which she takes as her mount and names Craven. Sandor gives the gift of mercy to a Piper bowman, and Arya dreams of Nymeria dragging a body from a river.
On their way Arya and Sandor stop at the crossroads inn. They meet the Tickler and Polliver, two of the men in Arya's prayer, as well as a young squire. Arya is confused when Polliver mentions that Lord Bolton's bastard, Ramsay Snow, is to marry Sansa's sister. Sandor gets drunk and a fight ensues. Arya takes a dagger from the squire and stabs him in the belly while Sandor kills Polliver, though he is badly wounded in the fight. As the Tickler closes in on Sandor, Arya sneaks behind and repeatedly stabs the torturer with his own dagger while echoing the questions he asked of his victims on their journey to Harrenhal. Sandor directs her to finish off the squire, who is dying of his wound. Arya reclaims Needle from Polliver's corpse and stabs the squire in the heart.
Arya and Sandor head towards the town of Saltpans, but Sandor is too weak to continue due to his injuries. Arya realizes she left Sandor off her list that night, and wonders why. She adds him back, but thinks maybe he will die before morning. The next day, Arya draws Needle, intending to kill Sandor, after thinking maybe if she rides off, he will die on his own. Sandor sees her indecision and tries to goad her into killing him, but she decides to leave him to die instead of administering the mercy of a quick death. She sells Craven at Saltpans and gains passage on the *Titan's Daughter, a ship headed to Braavos, by using the coin that Jaqen H'ghar had given her, along with the High Valyrian phrase *valar morghulis.
Jaime Lannister sees Steelshanks Walton, Roose Bolton's captain, depart King's Landing with a northern girl who claims to be Arya. Jaime thinks the real Arya is dead.
Arya in the House of Black and White - by Marc Simonetti ©
During the voyage to Braavos on the *Titan's Daughter* Arya uses the name "Salty". Captain Ternesio Terys and many of the sailors ask Arya to learn and remember their names, and many seem afraid of her. The captain has his older son Yorko row Arya to shore so as to get her off the ship prior to customs coming aboard.
In Braavos, Arya finds her way to the House of Black and White, where a kindly old man initiates her into the guild of the Faceless Men.
Arya's training requires her to go out into the city under the identity of "Cat of the Canals", a street urchin, to learn secrets and report them to the kindly man. She also begins learning the art of lying from the waif. During this time, she kills a deserter from the Night's Watch named Dareon, and she briefly meets Samwell Tarly, a friend of her half brother Jon Snow, though they do not introduce themselves to each other. After these incidents, she accepts milk meant for "Arya". When she wakes the next morning, she is blind.
Brienne of Tarth visits the Quiet Isle during her search for Sansa Stark. She learns from the Elder Brother that Sansa's sister Arya had been in the company of Sandor Clegane, but she may have been killed in the raid on Saltpans.
A blinded Arya in the service of the House of Black and White in Braavos - art by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games
Arya remains blind and in the service of the House of Black and White in Braavos. The blindness is induced by the milk she drinks every night. She continues to dream through the eyes of her direwolf, Nymeria, but speaks of it to no one. She still struggles with leaving her identity as Arya Stark behind. While she is blind, Arya wears the guise of "Beth", a beggar girl. She wanders the streets of Braavos, begging for money and listening for bits and pieces of information. She becomes better at lying and detecting the lies of others.
Arya receives her sight again after she is able to identify the kindly man and hit him with a stick when he sneaks up on her. It is implied, however, that she does not simply sense his presence (as he assumes) but sees him through the eyes of a cat hiding in the rafters.
After regaining her sight,
In the end, Arya feigns stealing a bag of coins from a captain on his way to meet with the old man. She splits the bag in the attempt, and switches one of the captain's coins with one of her own, coated in poison. After the switch, she escapes. Later, the old man's heart mysteriously gives out. The kindly man then gives Arya an acolyte's robe and assigns her to begin her first apprenticeship with Izembaro.
Following the siege of Moat Cailin, Theon Greyjoy learns that House Bolton are claiming Jeyne Poole to be Arya.
Theon convinces Jeyne that for her own safety she should continue impersonating Arya. Stannis orders Ser Justin Massey to bring the girl to Castle Black.
Under the identity of "Mercedene" or "Mercy", Arya is now a mummer at a playhouse called the Gate, owned by Izembaro. She is still experiencing wolf dreams, the latest with a tree watching her.
When Ser Harys Swyft arrives in Braavos on a mission to negotiate with the Iron Bank of Braavos on behalf of King Tommen I Baratheon, the mummers of the Gate perform the play *The Bloody Hand* in which Arya plays a maid, presumably Shae, who is raped by Tyrion Lannister, played by a dwarf named Bobono.
However, as the play is about to begin, Arya notices that one of Harys's guards is Rafford, one of the Mountain's men. She seduces him and takes him to her room. She tires him out by running there, and thus she is able to stab him in his thigh, cutting his femoral artery and rendering him unable to walk. Raff the Sweetling pleads to have him carried to a healer, but Arya replies: "Think so?" and stabs him in the throat, just as he did to the disabled Lommy. Arya throws his corpse in a canal and heads back to the Gate before she is due to come on stage.
The Tickler's death by Nick Alcorn©.
During her journey, Arya is subjected to many hard situations in the war-torn riverlands. Her fiery personality prompts her to take the initiative and fight back, and so she is led to kill and ultimately wishes to murder specific characters herself. This course of action is supposed to end as of *A Feast for Crows* with her being an assassin trainee in Braavos, as the leader stresses becoming indifferent to death and killing. She continues, however, to repeat to herself the names of the people she wishes dead. Some names are added as she goes, and others are dropped when the character dies or becomes closer to her. She calls it a prayer, The names are:
Arya wants to add House Frey to the prayer after the Red Wedding, but she does not know the names of those responsible.
Arya also kills a number of people who were not in her prayer:
Arya initiates and, along with Jaqen H'ghar, Rorge, and Biter, takes part in the killing of eight of Amory's men during the fall of Harrenhal,
Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Strong as a bear. Fierce as a wolverine. Fear cuts deeper than swords. The man who fears losing has already lost. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords.
—thoughts of Arya
I'm the ghost in Harrenhal, she thought. And that night, there was one less name to hate.
—Arya after the killing of Chiswyck
Yes, it's you who ought to run, you and Lord Tywin and the Mountain and Ser Addam and Ser Amory and stupid Ser Lyonel whoever he is, all of you better run or my brother will kill you, he’s a Stark, he’s more wolf than man, and so am I.
—thoughts of Arya
A long time ago, she remembered her father saying that when the cold wind blows the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. He had it all backwards. Arya, the lone wolf, still lived, but the wolves of the pack had been taken and slain and skinned.
—thoughts of Arya
Ser Gregor. Dunsen, Raff the Sweetling, Ser Ilyn, Ser Meryn, Queen Cersei. Valar morghulis, valar morghulis, valar morghulis.
—Arya to herself
plague face: Who are you?
Arya: No one.
plague face: Not so. You are Arya of House Stark, who bites her lip and cannot tell a lie.
Arya: I was. I'm not now.—plague face and Arya
Ah, Arya. You have a wildness in you, child. The 'wolf blood,' my father used to call it. Lyanna had a touch of it, and my brother Brandon more than a touch. It brought them both to an early grave. Lyanna might have carried a sword, if my lord father had allowed it. You remind me of her sometimes. You even look like her.
—Eddard Stark to Arya
A boy has more courage than sense.
—Jaqen H'ghar to Arya
Arya had always been harder to tame.
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
And Arya, well... Ned's visitors would oft mistake her for a stableboy if they rode into the yard unannounced. Arya was a trial, it must be said. Half a boy, half a wolf pup. Forbid her anything and it became her heart's desire. She had Ned's long face, and brown hair that always looked as though a bird had been nesting in it. I despaired of ever making a lady of her. She collected scabs as other girls collected dolls, and would say anything that came into her head.
—thoughts of Catelyn Stark
Arya Underfoot, he almost said. Arya Horseface. Robb's younger sister, brown-haired, long-faced, skinny as a stick. Always dirty.
—thoughts of Theon Greyjoy
The girl dipped before him. That was wrong as well. The real Arya Stark would have spat in his face.
—Theon Greyjoy recognizing Jeyne Poole
Arya Stark on the Game of Thrones wiki.
This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at House Stark. The list of authors can be seen in the page history of House Stark. As with A Wiki of Ice and Fire, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
Ser Arys Oakheart is a knight of House Oakheart and a member of King Robert I Baratheon's Kingsguard. Arys is the youngest son of Lady Arwyn Oakheart of Old Oak..*
See also: Images of Arys Oakheart
Arys has light-brown hair and a comely face.
Arys joined the Kingsguard in 290 AC.
In Dorne Arys is seduced by Princess Arianne Martell, by Sacha Angel Diener - © Fantasy Flight Games.
Ser Arys competes in the Hand's tourney along with the other Kingsguard knights. He is present in the throne room when Ser Barristan Selmy is dismissed, and he laughs at his former sworn brother's shame.
While all of King Joffrey I Baratheon's Kingsguard knights (with the exception of Sandor Clegane) beat Sansa Stark on his orders, Sansa still regards Arys as one of the kinder knights of them, and prefers that he accompanies her over any of the others. Arys often makes pleasant conversation with Sansa, and when ordered by Joffrey to hit her, he does so as lightly as he dares, and only after objecting first.
Arys is sent to Sunspear in Dorne as the sworn shield of Princess Myrcella Baratheon, who is betrothed to Prince Trystane Martell.
Lord Tywin Lannister informs his son Tyrion that Arys has sent a letter from Dorne, revealing Myrcella and Trystane get on well and that Myrcella has taken a great liking to Princess Arianne Martell.
Arys is seduced within half a year of his arrival by Arianne, the daughter and heiress of Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne.
Later, during her time of captivity, Princess Arianne has nightmares about Arys's death. When summoned before her father, Prince Doran informs her that Ser Balon Swann, Arys's sworn brother, is traveling towards Sunspear, and is expecting to see Arys upon arrival. To hide the truth of Arys's death from Swann, Arianne tells her father they should say that Arys died defending Myrcella.
The Dornish court informs Ser Balon Swann that Arys was killed by Ser Gerold Dayne.
You know I have no other woman. Only... duty.
– Arys to Arianne Martell
There have always been men who found it easier to speak vows than to keep them.
– Arys to Arianne Martell
I will not be remembered as Ser Aerys the Unworthy. I will not soil my cloak.
– Arys to Arianne Martell
You will not take her whilst I still draw breath.
– Arys to Areo Hotah
Arys, my sweet knight, why did you do it? You should have yielded. I tried to tell you, but the words caught in my mouth. You gallant fool, I never meant for you to die, or for Myrcella...
– thoughts of Arianne Martell
Did he charge at Areo Hotah in hopes of saving me? Or did he do it to escape me, to wash out his dishonor with his life's blood?
– thoughts of Arianne Martell
Asabhad is a city in Essos along the shores of the Jade Sea. It is east of the Bone Mountains and west of Yi Ti, along a trade route connecting Qarth and Yin.
Asabhad has not yet been mentioned in the *A Song of Ice and Fire* novels and only appears in the map collection of *The Lands of Ice and Fire*.
The city may hold some connection to the defunct Patrimony of Hyrkoon, as the names of both Asabhad and Bayasabhad end in the same suffix.
The Ash is a river which flows from the Mountains of the Morn through the Shadow Lands to the Jade Sea and the Saffron Straits. Asshai sprawls for leagues on both sides at the river's mouth. Much of the Ash's course in the Shadow Lands is through the Vale of Shadows,
During daytime the Ash is black in color, but at night it glimmers with a pale green phosphorescence. Fish in the Ash are blind and deformed, and traders thus bring food and freshwater to Asshai. Harmon's *On Miasmas* suggests that animals are more sensitive than humans to the polluted river.
Asha Greyjoy is a member of House Greyjoy and is the daughter of Lord Balon Greyjoy by his wife, Alannys Harlaw. She becomes a POV character in *A Feast For Crows. In the television adaptation *Game of Thrones she is named Yara Greyjoy to avoid confusion with the wildling Osha, and she is played by Gemma Whelan.
See also: Images of Asha Greyjoy
As a child Asha was a skinny girl with knob knees and a face full of pimples.
Asha is a wild and headstrong young woman,
Asha's attire includes a brown quilted tunic,
Asha personally leads her men into battle.
While her counterpart in the television series *Game of Thrones*, Yara Greyjoy, is bisexual, George R. R. Martin has confirmed that Asha is not.
Asha was fairly unattractive in her youth. Her uncle, Victarion Greyjoy, remembers Asha as a little girl swimming naked in the sea and playing with her doll.
Asha's mother, Lady Alannys Harlaw, fostered five boys at Pyke after Theon's departure. Asha experimented with Tristifer Botley, the boy closest to Asha in age, during puberty, although his feels were stronger than hers.
Asha grew into an attractive and bold young woman,
The Kraken's Daughter – by Finer ©
Upon Theon Greyjoy's return to the Iron Islands, Asha is reported to be on Great Wyk taking messages for her father Balon, Lord of the Iron Islands.
During the War of the Five Kings, Asha commands thirty longships for Balon's invasion of the north.
Balon, King of the Isles and the North, is reported to have fallen to his death at Pyke.
Asha at the kingsmoot © Marc Simonetti
Asha's uncle, Aeron Greyjoy, is outraged at the prospect of a woman ruling the ironborn or of his brother, Euron Greyjoy, claiming the throne, so the priest calls for a kingsmoot on Old Wyk.
Asha returns to the isles after her father's death to claim the Seastone Chair, bringing with her the captive Lady Sybelle Glover and her children, Gawen and infant Erena Glover. At Ten Towers, Asha informs her uncle, Lord Rodrik Harlaw, that she searched for Theon at Winterfell after it was sacked but was unable to identify him amongst the bodies.
On Old Wyk, Asha realizes that she does not have as much support as she had hoped. She instead offers to share rule and back her uncle Victarion, the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, if he will make her his Hand of the King. Victarion refuses, as no King of the Isles had ever had one, much less a woman, and he disagrees with her plans to end the war.
While at Ten Towers following the kingsmoot, Asha learns her uncle, King Euron, married her to Erik Ironmaker after she fled Old Wyk, using a seal to represent her at the wedding. Asha curses this but admires Euron's cunning: this move prevents Asha from offering a marriage to another lord and winning his support. She returns to Deepwood Motte with four longships, less than two hundred men, and Lady Glover, whose children remain at Ten Towers.
Asha sleeps with Qarl the Maid and refuses Tristifer Botley's recommendation to flee and become a merchant, although Tris does remind her of the story of Torgon the Latecomer. When Deepwood comes under attack by King Stannis Baratheon's army, Asha kills a Flint scout and then flees with her ironmen toward their ships on the Bay of Ice.
Asha is taken captive and continues with Stannis's host during their march on Winterfell. Alysane guards the king's prize, who is fettered in a covered wayn and thinks her ankle is broken.
A snow storm sets in during their march, however, and the army slows to a halt at a crofters' village approximately three days ride from Winterfell, with few provisions left.
Asha is distressed when she sees what Ramsay Bolton did to her brother. Brought before Stannis and a chained Theon, she offers a ransom for her brother. Stannis refuses, as his northern allies would then abandon him. While the queen's men want Stannis to burn Theon for what he allegedly did to Bran and Rickon Stark after the capture of Winterfell, Asha urges the king to behead Theon personally, before a heart tree, as Lord Eddard Stark would have done.
Asha Greyjoy - illustrated by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games
There's my lord husband. And here's my sweet suckling babe.
—Asha to Theon Greyjoy while catching a finger dance axe and displaying her dirk
Theon: What sort of unnatural creature are you?
Asha: Only a shy maid.—Theon Greyjoy and Asha
Rodrik: Your fight is hopeless.
Asha: No fight is hopeless till it has been fought. I have the best claim. I am the heir of Balon's body.—Rodrik Harlaw and Asha
If there are rocks to starboard and a storm to port, a wise captain steers a third course.
—Asha to Rodrik Harlaw
Tristifer: You and I were meant to be, Asha. I have always known you would be my wife, and the mother of my sons.
Asha: Take your hand away or you won't live long enough to breed a son ... I am your queen, not your wife. Remember that.—Tristifer Botley and Asha
The Crow's Eye is a kraken. The elder brother comes before the younger. But I am the child of King Balon's body, so I come before you both.
—Asha to Victarion Greyjoy
Asha: Peace. Land. Victory. I'll give you Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore, black earth and tall trees and stones enough for every younger son to build a hall. We'll have the northmen too ... as friends, to stand with us against the Iron Throne. Your choice is simple. Crown me, for peace and victory. Or crown my uncle, for more war and more defeat. What will you have, ironmen?
Rodrik: VICTORY! Victory, and Asha!
Baelor: ASHA! ASHA QUEEN!—Asha, Rodrik Harlaw, and Baelor Blacktyde at the kingsmoot
Asha Greyjoy did not intend to be taken alive. She would die as she had lived, with an axe in her hand and a laugh upon her lips.
—thoughts of Asha
Asha: Your Grace's royal brother was renowned for turning fallen foes into friends. Make me your man.
Stannis: The gods did not make you a man. How can I?—Asha and Stannis Baratheon
Tycho: You are the Lady Asha of House Greyjoy, unless I am mistaken.
Asha: I am Asha of House Greyjoy, aye. Opinions differ on whether I'm a lady.—Tycho Nestoris and Asha
Well, they say Asha's favorite gown is a chainmail hauberk that hangs down past her knees, with boiled leather smallclothes beneath.
—Theon Greyjoy to "Esgred" (Asha)
Let Asha keep the bloody islands, they're as dreary as she is.
—thoughts of Theon Greyjoy
Balon favored Asha, the child of his body, but a woman cannot rule the ironborn.
—thoughts of Aeron Greyjoy
Alysane: Lady Asha is not for burning.
Clayton: She will be. We have harbored this demon worshiper amongst us too long.
Ashara Dayne was a noblewoman of House Dayne and a sister of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. She committed suicide shortly after the end of Robert's Rebellion.
See also: Images of Ashara Dayne
Ashara was tall, with long dark hair and haunting violet eyes.
Ashara was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elia Martell, the wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. She was present at the tourney at Harrenhal, where she danced with Ser Barristan Selmy, Prince Oberyn Martell, and Lord Jon Connington. Ashara then danced with Eddard Stark after his brother Brandon spoke with her.
After the combat at the tower of joy, Ned went to Starfall to inform House Dayne of Ser Arthur Dayne's death and return to them his greatsword, Dawn. Some time afterwards, Ashara jumped from the top of the Palestone Sword, one of the towers of Starfall, into the sea.
Eddard returned to Winterfell with the infant Jon Snow. This sparked rumors that Ashara had been the mother of Ned's bastard,
When Meera Reed tells Bran Stark the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, she refers to Ashara as a maid with laughing purple eyes.
Edric Dayne tells an unknowing Arya Stark about his aunt Ashara, who died before he was born.
Ser Barristan Selmy regrets losing to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen during the tourney at Harrenhal and not being able to name Ashara the queen of love and beauty. The knight thinks that Queen Daenerys Targaryen sometimes resembles Ashara.
Ashara Dayne, by Jena Velour
How dare you play the noble lord with me! What do you take me for? You've a bastard of your own, I've seen him. Who was the mother, I wonder? Some Dornish peasant you raped while her holdfast burned? A whore? Or was it the grieving sister, the Lady Ashara? She threw herself into the sea, I'm told. Why was that? For the brother you slew, or the child you stole?
- Cersei Lannister to Eddard Stark
If Jon had been born of Ashara Dayne of Starfall, as some whispered, the lady was long dead; if not, Catelyn had no clue who or where his mother might be.
- thoughts of Catelyn Stark
The crannogman saw a maid with laughing purple eyes dance with a white sword, a red snake, and the lord of griffins, and lastly with the quiet wolf... but only after the wild wolf spoke to her on behalf of a brother too shy to leave his bench.
- Meera Reed to Bran Stark
Ashara Dayne, by Bella Bergolts
Lady Ashara Dayne. It's an old tale, that one. I heard it once at Winterfell, when I was no older than you are now. I doubt there's any truth to it. But if there is, what of it? When Ned met this Dornish lady, his brother Brandon was still alive, and it was him betrothed to Lady Catelyn, so there's no stain on your father's honor. There's nought like a tourney to make the blood run hot, so maybe some words were whispered in a tent of a night, who can say? Words or kisses, maybe more, but where's the harm in that? Spring had come, or so they thought, and neither one of them was pledged.
- Harwin to Arya Stark
His choice would have been a young maiden not long at court, one of Elia's companions ... though compared to Ashara Dayne, the Dornish princess was a kitchen drab.
- thoughts of Barristan Selmy
She died never knowing that Ser Barristan had loved her. How could she? He was a knight of the Kingsguard, sworn to celibacy. No good could have come from telling her his feelings. No good came from silence either. If I had unhorsed Rhaegar and crowned Ashara queen of love and beauty, might she have looked to me instead of Stark?
- thoughts of Barristan Selmy
Ashemark
The westerlands and the location of Ashemark
Ashemark is the castle of House Marbrand in the westerlands.
During the War of the Five Kings, Robb Stark, the King in the North, defeats Ser Stafford Lannister at the Battle of Oxcross. Robb then takes Ashemark, along with other castles of the westermen. is in attendance.
Robb then leaves Ashemark to march on the Crag. After learning that Storm's End has yielded to Stannis Baratheon, Catelyn Stark has Maester Vyman send a raven from Riverrun to Ashemark, hoping that a rider can then be sent to inform Robb.
Abandoning castles taken in the westerlands, Robb returns to Riverrun.
Ashford
The Reach and the location of Ashford
Ashford is the seat of House Ashford in the Reach. Ashford Castle and its town sit on the northern shore of a fording of the Cockleswent, north of the Dornish Marches.
The town has whitewashed houses with thatched roofs.
In 209 AC the Ashford tourney was held in Ashford Meadow south of the Cockleswent.
The Battle of Ashford in 282 AC was the only defeat of Lord Robert Baratheon during Robert's Rebellion. Commanding the vanguard, Lord Randyll Tarly forced Robert to retreat before Lord Mace Tyrell's main force arrived. Despite Randyll's leadership, Mace took credit for the indecisive victory.
Ashford Meadow
The Reach and the location of Ashford Meadow
Egg tends to Sweetfoot as Dunk relaxes in Ashford Meadow.
Art by Ted Nasmith
Ashford Meadow is a grassy field on the southern shore of the Cockleswent in the Reach, across the river from Ashford. In normal times the meadow serves as a commons for smallfolk.
The tourney at Ashford Meadow was held in 209 AC.
An assassin is one who commits a targeted murder or assassination, mostly for political reasons. They may act alone or in organised groups, or in Melisandre's case, be created by magic.
Blood and Cheese, art by Will Owen
Patient assassin © FFG
The assault on Dragonstone.
King Aerys II Targaryen impregnated Queen Rhaella Targaryen during Robert's Rebellion, his ardor raised after burning his Hand of the King, Lord Qarlton Chelsted, for opposing the wildfire plot.
The royal family who remained in King's Landing, including Aerys and Rhaegar's children, were slain in the Sack of King's Landing in 283 AC. With Rhaella and Viserys at Dragonstone, Robert Baratheon succeeded Aerys on the Iron Throne as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. King Robert tasked his oldest brother, Stannis Baratheon, who had successfully withstood the siege of Storm's End during the rebellion, with building a new fleet for House Baratheon of King's Landing.
Aerys's widow, Rhaella, died giving birth to Daenerys nine months later at the castle of Dragonstone, the last stronghold held by the Targaryens. A ferocious storm raged that night and destroyed the Targaryen fleet while it lay at anchor.
Commanding from the decks of the war galley *Fury*,
Stannis's assault on Dragonstone was successful,
With the conquest of Dragonstone, the Targaryens lost their last holding in the Seven Kingdoms.
King Robert I Baratheon granted Dragonstone to Stannis Baratheon, making him Lord of Dragonstone. The island castle was traditionally the seat of the crown prince, the Prince of Dragonstone, so Robert honored Stannis by granting him the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne.
I never asked for Dragonstone. I never wanted it. I took it because Robert's enemies were here and he commanded me to root them out. I built his fleet and did his work, dutiful as a younger brother should be to an elder, as Renly should be to me. And what was Robert's thanks? He names me Lord of Dragonstone, and gives Storm's End and its incomes to Renly.
- Stannis Baratheon to Cressen
I built a fleet at Robert's command, took Dragonstone in his name. Did he take my hand and say, "Well done, brother, whatever should I do without you?" No, he blamed me for letting Willem Darry steal away Viserys and the babe, as if I could have stopped it.
- Stannis Baratheon to Cressen
The assault on Harrenhal was led by Daemon Targaryen, who conquered Harrenhal for his wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen. It marked the opening of hostilities in the Dance of the Dragons.
The rival claims of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and King Aegon II Targaryen led to civil war in the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaenyra's blacks had more dragons than Aegon's greens, but most of their strength was focused around Dragonstone instead of mainland Westeros. With House Tully effectively neutral because of disagreement between Lord Grover Tully and his grandson, Ser Elmo, Rhaenyra's husband, Prince Daemon Targaryen, suggested Harrenhal as a rallying point for potential supporters in the riverlands. Larys Strong, Lord of Harrenhal, was a green supporter of Aegon, however.
While Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon left Dragonstone to seek allies and Corlys Velaryon closed Blackwater Bay, Rhaenyra allowed her husband to command the assault on Harrenhal.
Because Lord Larys Clubfoot served as Aegon II's master of whisperers in King's Landing, the elderly Ser Simon Strong served as Larys's castellan at Harrenhal. Prince Daemon flew on his dragon, Caraxes, to the top of Harrenhal's Kingspyre Tower, where Harren the Black had died. Recalling the burning of Harrenhal by Aegon I Targaryen and Balerion the Black Dread, which had extinguished House Hoare, Simon decided to strike his banners and surrender the great ruined castle to Daemon. Simon and his grandsons were among a dozen hostages taken by Daemon, and the blacks requisitioned the wealth of House Strong.
The loss of Harrenhal shocked Aegon II and encouraged the blacks, who soon after won at the Burning Mill and Stone Hedge. to avenge the death of Rhaenyra's son, Lucerys.
When Daemon learned that Ser Criston Cole and Prince Aemon Targaryen had left King's Landing to retake Harrenhal, the blacks abandoned the castle and the rivermen marched to meet the westermen of Lord Jason Lannister at the Red Fork. While Cole and Aemond retook Harrenhal without bloodshed, their absence contributed to the fall of King's Landing to Daemon and Rhaenyra.
We have friends in the riverlands, though not all of them dare show their colors yet. We need a place where they can gather, a toehold on the mainland large enough to house a sizeable host, and strong enough to hold against whatever forces the usurper can send against us. Here. Harrenhal.
- Daemon Targaryen to the black council
Asshai by the Shadow - © René Aigner
Asshai is a mysterious port city located in the far south-east of Essos, where the Ash river meets the Jade Sea at its eastern exit, the Saffron Straits. and the area of the Shadow Lands and Asshai are sometimes referred to simply as the Shadow.
Asshai sprawls for leagues across both sides of the Ash, and its great walls allegedly could contain Volantis, Qarth, King's Landing, and Oldtown combined. The population of Asshai, however, is no more than that of a good-sized market town. By night only one building in ten shows a light.
The buildings, streets, and walls of Asshai are made out of black stone that seems to drink the light making the city appear to be a dark and gloomy place. Structures include bazaars, halls, hovels, palaces, and temples.
Asshai is a popular trading destination for ships, part of the traders' circle in the Jade Sea. It exports goods such as amber and dragonglass.
Trading ships from Westeros and the Free Cities bound for Asshai go east through the Summer Sea and the Jade Sea, which are connected by the straits at Qarth, the Jade Gates.
Aside from traders, few from Westeros visit Asshai and little is known about it. The famous scribe and traveler Lomas Longstrider never visited Asshai,
All foodstuff and freshwater is brought in by ship, as animals brought into the city soon die, and the waters of the Ash glisten black beneath the noonday sun and glimmer with green phosphorescence by night. The only fish that dwell in its water are blind and deformed, with only fools and shadowbinders daring to eat of their flesh.
Melisandre is from Asshai - © 2012 John Picacio
Asshai and its few people have an ominous reputation in other lands. Asshai'i are described as having a dark and solemn appearance.
There are no children in Asshai. All who dwell there wear masks or veils, and often walk alone or ride in palanquins of ebony and iron, hidden behind dark curtains and carried upon the backs of slaves. Only the shadowbinders of Asshai dare to travel upriver, and even they fear to tread before the doors of the Stygai, the corpse city.
The Asshai'i are well versed in witchcraft and wizardry, and have a language of their own, used in their spells. Mirri Maz Duur, who studied in Asshai, sings in a foreign tongue, her voice described as "shrill" and "ululating".
Asshai holds a significant amount of arcane knowledge. Of any current location, it is the most likely to have dragonlore.
It is rumored that spellsingers, aeromancers, and warlocks practice their arts openly in Asshai.
The origins of Asshai are lost in history. Even the Asshai'i do not claim to know who built it, stating only a city stood there since the world began and will stand there until it ends.
Texts from Asshai speak of the Dawn Age.
Asshai has been a thriving port for centuries.
Jar Han, one of the sea-green god-emperors of Yi Ti, extracted tribute from Asshai during his reign.
King Aegon V Targaryen commissioned journeys in search of dragonlore from distant places, including Asshai.
Mirri Maz Duur studied in Asshai, learning from a moonsinger of the Jogos Nhai, a Dothraki woman, Maester Marwyn,
When a trading cog washed up on the Frozen Shore, a wisewoman of the free folk found scarlet silk from Asshai in the wreckage. Her granddaughter later used the silk to mend the cloak of Mance Rayder.
Daenerys Targaryen is gifted three dragon eggs by Illyrio Mopatis, reportedly from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai.
Once Ser Jorah Mormont realizes that Khal Drogo is going to die he suggests to Daenerys that they leave the Dothraki sea for Asshai, where they can find a ship to take them back to Pentos.
Bran Stark has a vision of many lands, including Asshai, where he sees dragons stirring.
During Lord Tywin Lannister's council meeting, talk eventually turns to Stannis Baratheon. Among other reports he has received from Varys of Stannis's activities on Dragonstone, Tywin mentions that Stannis is bringing a shadowbinder from Asshai.
Melisandre of Asshai is on Dragonstone to serve Stannis. She has converted Stannis's wife, Selyse Florent, to the faith of R'hllor.
Quaithe of the Shadow is one of the three representatives from Qarth who return to Vaes Tolorro with Jhogo in search of dragons. Later in Qarth, trader captains bring Daenerys amber and dragonglass from Asshai. Quaithe urges Daenerys to leave the city as soon as possible and to "pass beneath the shadow".
Dontos Hollard gifts Sansa Stark with a hairnet of black amethysts from Asshai.
*Silence*, the ship of Euron Greyjoy, is said to be infamous from Asshai to Ibben.
Mance Rayder tells Jon Snow of his black cloak that had been repaired with scarlet silk from Asshai.
Quaithe reappears to Daenerys, and again tells her that to touch the light she must pass beneath the shadow.
At Seagard the captain of the *Myraham* tells Robb Stark, King in the North, that he has heard that Euron Greyjoy has been to Asshai and back.
The amethysts in Sansa's hairnet are revealed to be the strangler, and the poison is used to assassinate King Joffrey I Baratheon at his royal wedding.
Sailors at Oldtown tell conflicting stories of dragons being seen in Essos, including Asshai.
Euron Greyjoy boasts of his travels to Asshai during the kingsmoot.
In Illyrio's manse in Pentos, Tyrion Lannister finds wines from Asshai in his stock.
Prince Quentyn Martell notes that there are masked shadowbinders from Asshai at the Merchant's House in Volantis.
In Meereen, Xaro Xhoan Daxos informs Daenerys that when she smashed the slave trade, the blow was felt from Westeros to Asshai.
At the Wall, Melisandre notes that she is stronger there than even in Asshai.
Daenerys: Go? Where should we go?
Jorah: Asshai, I would say. It lies far to the south, at the end of the known world, yet men say it is a great port.
- Daenerys Targaryen and Jorah Mormont
There is a spell. But it is hard, lady, and dark. Some would say that death is cleaner. I learned the way in Asshai, and paid dear for the lesson.
- Mirri Maz Duur to Daenerys Targaryen
You need not join the dosh khaleen. Come east with me. Yi Ti, Qarth, the Jade Sea, Asshai by the Shadow. We will see all the wonders yet unseen, and drink what wines the gods see fit to serve us.
- Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen
To go north, you must journey south, to reach the west you must go east. To go forward you must go back, and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow.
- Quaithe to Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys: What is there in Asshai that I will not find in Qarth?
Quaithe: Truth.
- Daenerys Targaryen and Quaithe
Godless? Why, Aeron, I am the godliest man ever to raise sail! You serve one god, Damphair, but I have served ten thousand. From Ib to Asshai, when men see my sails, they pray.
- Euron Greyjoy to Aeron Greyjoy
Euron: Only one living kraken has never known defeat. Only one has never bent his knee. Only one has sailed to Asshai by the Shadow, and seen wonders and terrors beyond imagining ...
Qarl: If you liked the Shadow so well, go back there.
- Euron Greyjoy and Qarl the Maid
Crow's Eye, did you leave your wits at Asshai?
– Asha Greyjoy to Euron Greyjoy
The dark city by the Shadow is a city steeped in sorcery. Warlocks, wizards, alchemists, moonsingers, red priests, black alchemists, necromancers, aeromancers, pyromancers, bloodmages, torturers, inquisitors, poisoners, godswives, night-walkers, shapechangers, worshippers of the Black Goat and the Pale Child and the Lion of Night, all find welcome in Asshai-by-the-Shadow, where nothing is forbidden. Here they are free to practice their spells without restraint or censure, conduct their obscene rites, and fornicate with demons if that is their desire.
- Maester Yandel in *The World of Ice & Fire*
Astapor
Slaver's Bay and the location of Astapor
Astapor, dubbed the Red City,, eunuch slave soldiers.
The Astapori emblem is a variation on the harpy of Old Ghis: a woman's torso, wings of a bat instead of arms, legs of an eagle and a scorpion's tail. In its talons hangs a chain with open manacles at either end.
Astapor lies at the mouth of the meandering stream the Astapori call the Worm, which continues to the east. To the south lie the Ghiscari hills, with the ruins of Old Ghis. West of Astapor, beyond the hills, lies the Isle of Cedars, with the cities Ghozai and Velos, on the Gulf of Grief.
Astapor is the southern most of the slaver cities located on Slaver's Bay.
Astapor. © Fantasy Flight Games
See also: Images of Astapor
Located in a Slaver's Bay, Astapor is a port-city.
The Plaza of Pride is an open market where the slavers take their customers to view their purchases. In the centre of the plaza stands a red brick fountain with the a hammered bronze version of the Astapori harpy standing in its centre.
The fighting pits, dug deep and surrounded by descending rings of seats, are where all manner of entertainments are held. These include putting children up against animals like bulls and bears. The pits are named after their owners; Two identified pits in Astapor are Douquor's Pit and Jothiel's Pit.
Astapor is an old city, but is not as populous as it once was. Lys, Pentos, and Qarth are more populous.
Descending from the Ghiscari of old, most Astapori have amber skins, broad noses, dark eyes, and black or dark red hair, or a mixture of red and black hair which is distinctive to the ancient Ghiscari..
Mounted Astapori guards wear tunics embroidered with linen, pleated linen skirts, sandals, and a cloak of yellow silk with copper disks sewn onto it.
Astapor is ruled by the Good Masters, wealthy slavers.
Although the city is poorly defended and could be taken by a modest Dothraki *khalasar, none try as they know they would be facing the Unsullied. Additionally, the sons of the harpy give lavishly to the Dothraki *khals, feasting them and giving them gifts, earning their friendship.
Astapor is a slaver city, and has over a hundred slave traders.
The Dothraki deliver many of the slaves trained and sold on the slave markets of Astapor and her sister cities.
Astapor was a colony of the Old Empire of Ghis. According to an old saying, *"Bricks and blood built Astapor, and bricks and blood her people"*, referring to the red bricks gaining their color from the blood of the slaves who had made them.
The reputation of Astapor's Unsullied was solidified when the Three Thousand of Qohor fended off a Dothraki *khalasar* four centuries ago, during the Century of Blood.
A crowd of recently freed slaves, rampaging through a wealthy neighborhood in Astapor - by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games
Khal Pono's *khalasar* rides to the Slaver Cities to sell thousands of slaves.
As urged by Ser Jorah Mormont,
Upon Daenerys's departure from Astapor for Yunkai, she leaves a council of three men, a healer, a scholar and a priest to rule. They are deposed by Cleon, a former butcher, who leads the people to believe that the three intend to return the Good Masters to their positions of power. Naming himself king after he has the council executed, he has all the highborn boys seized to begin training new Unsullied. Each pyramid within Astapor is now an armed camp and the dead lie in the streets and the markets of devoid of food and slaves to purchase.
Princess Arianne Martell learns about a slave revolt in Astapor.
Lord Ghael brings news to Daenerys, now the queen in Meereen, that the Yunkai'i have attacked Astapor.
In an attempt to break the siege of Astapor, the city's new and inferior Unsullied march against the forces of Yunkai and its allies and sellswords but are defeated.
Quentyn Martell reflects that the sights he saw riding down the red brick streets of Astapor will haunt him forever and that the Red City is the closest thing to hell he ever hopes to know. Astapor's burning pyramids are larger than any castle he has ever seen.
According to the peace treaty between Meereen and Yunkai, Astapor is to be restored in its old form as a slaver city.
Astapor's Plaza of Pride. Art by Juan Carlos Barquett
Astapor is most beautiful at dusk, Your Grace. The Good Masters light silk lanterns on every terrace, so all the pyramids glow with colored lights. Pleasure barges ply the Worm, playing soft music and calling at the little islands for food and wine and other delights.
– Missandei, to Daenerys Targaryen
From here it looks almost beautiful, but it is dark below, in the streets and plazas and fighting pits. And it is darkest of all in the barracks , where some little boy is feeding scraps to the puppy they gave him when they took away his manhood.
– Daenerys Targaryen's thoughts
Even a modest khalasar could crack this Astapor like a nut and spill out the rotted meat inside.
– Daenerys Targaryen, to Jorah Mormont
Daenerys: Many of my freedmen were slaves in Astapor. Perhaps some will wish to help defend your king. That is their choice, as free men. I gave Astapor its freedom. It is up to you to defend it.
Ghael: We are all dead, then. You gave us death, not freedom.
- Daenerys Targaryen and Ghael
Brick and blood built Astapor, and brick and blood its people. The old rhyme rang in her head. Ash and bone is Astapor, and ash and bone its people.
– Daenerys Targaryen's thoughts
Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena., astronomy plays a role in keeping track of time as well as religion.
The bronze link of a maester's chain
It is known that daytime period is correlated with the seasons. Towards the end of summer, the days start to grow shorter,
The known world is orbited by a moon in a similar fashion to Earth's. George R. R. Martin has specified that "Twelve moon [turns] to a year, as on earth. Even on our earth, years have nothing to do with the seasons, or with the cycles of the moon.
In his *The Measure of the Days*, Maester Nicol argues, based upon his studies on the movement of stars, that the seasons possibly were once of a regular length, determined by the way in which the globe faces the sun. According to Maester Yandel, however, although the notion appears to be true, Nicol has not been able to find any evidence that regular seasons were once the case, beyond the most ancient of tales.
In the faith of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, the red priests and other followers pray before a nightfire, thanking R'hllor for ending the day, while beseeching him to bring the dawn and banish the darkness.
The Qartheen believe that there were once two moons in the sky. This second moon supposedly came too close to the sun and cracked, having dragons pouring forth from it.
There are seven wanderers in the sky over the known world, each of which are sacred to the Faith of the Seven and equated with one of the seven gods.
Among the seven wanderers is the red wanderer, equated by the Faith of the Seven to the Smith, and known as the Thief by the Free Folk.
Beyond these seven wanderers, other "wandering stars" have also been known to appear, for example the red comet from 299 AC.
Myrish eyes mounted on tripods could be used to observe the stars.
Constellations are the names given to a group of stars linked close together. Often times, they represent some sort of picture. Their names usually vary between the various peoples.
The Free Folk have many of the same names for constellations as the folk of the Seven Kingdoms do, although there are some differences. The King's Crown is the named the Cradle by them, as the Stallion is named the Horned Lord.
Atranta is the seat of House Vance of Atranta. It is situated in the riverlands.
Atranta is a reference by George R. R. Martin to a land in Bad Ronald by Jack Vance.
The attack on Castle Black is a battle which takes place at Castle Black on the south side of the Wall in the north during the conflict beyond the Wall. The Thenn Styr leads nearly a hundred-and-twenty warriors over the Wall, hoping to take Castle Black unaware from the south and open the gate to let Mance Rayder and his main force through the Wall.
Having learned that the bulk of the Watch's fighting force has been wiped out in the fight at the Fist by the Others, Mance Rayder plans to lead his main host through the gate in the Wall by Castle Black. In order to do so, he first plans to weaken the strength of the brothers of the Night's Watch who still remain at the castle.
Next, Mance sends Styr, the Magnar of Thenn, and Jarl as joint commanders with a force of a hundred Thenns and twenty of Jarl's raiders to scale the Wall and take the weakly-defended Castle Black unaware from the south.
Styr leads his warriors off of the Wall at Greyguard, an abandoned castle of the Night's Watch where the presence of huge stone steps improve the descent. From there, the group goes deeply into the Gift, passing a few inhabited villages and scattered roundtowers on the way.
Styr announces his upcoming arrival by torching Mole's Town early in the morning. The beacon on Weatherback Ridge is lit in response by the Night's Watch. Styr begins his attack at nightfall. As the raiders and Thenns begin to storm Castle Black, the archers positioned in the three towers of the castle start to shoot down their arrows. Big Boil attempts to break down the door of Hardin's Tower, but is scared off by an arrow from Jon Snow and later injured by an arrow from Mully. The common hall is set aflame by the free folk and the Thenns, as are the armory and the west stables, after which fifty more Thenns are summoned by a warhorn, marching up the kingsroad in a tight column. Others approach the castle through the vegetable garden. The Thenns storm the castle's gate and are subsequently attacked both by Jon Snow and Satin from the King's Tower and the defenders stationed on the stairs.
The defenders at the gate are overwhelmed by the attacking Thenns, and the habitants from Mole's Town break and flee the scene, leaving only the black brothers who are too few to stop the enemy. The spearmen positioned on the two lowest landings of the steps flee as well, going upwards to safety. After the first five landings are taken by the Thenns, Styr gathers some of his men at the barricade while the Night's Watch resorts to their last plan. The stair, soaked in oil between the seventh and nineth landing, is set ablaze. Most Thenns are killed either by the fire or by the ice that breaks down from the Wall due to the heat.destroying the stair and killing Styr and most of his men. With their deaths, the attack is at an end.
After the deaths of Styr and his men, Jon Snow leaves the King's Tower with the help of Satin. Below, he finds many of the free folk and the Thenns he had known either dead or dying. Jon finds Ygritte, who is wounded by an arrow and dies in Jon's arms.
Most residents of Mole's Town return back home, although a few stay behind at Castle Black: the stablehand Hareth, the whore Zei, and three young boys who became orphans when their father died during the attack.
Knowing Mance Rayder and his main force are coming, the Night's Watch begins to prepare for the battle beneath the Wall.
Ser Aubrey Ambrose was a knight of House Ambrose, who chose to support Daemon Blackfyre during the First Blackfyre Rebellion. He was considered one of the great knights of his time.
Ser Aubrey Crakehall was a knight from House Crakehall who briefly ruled as King of the Iron Islands.
The Shrike, a priest of the Drowned God, led a revolt against King Harmund III Hoare which replaced him with his younger brother, Hagon Hoare. Their mother, the Dowager Queen Lelia Lannister, was mutilated and sent back to Casterly Rock. Her nephew, the King of the Rock, raised his banners in vengeance and Ser Aubrey commanded the westermen in the war.[*citation needed*]
In the seventh year of fighting, Aubrey defeated the army of Hagon the Heartless on Great Wyk. He considered restoring the throne to Harmund, who had been found in the dungeon of Hoare Castle, but instead gave the broken man the gift of mercy. Aubrey had Hagon mutilated the same way that Lelia had been, and then had him hanged. Aubrey also ordered that Hoare Castle be razed.[*citation needed*]
Instead of returning to the westerlands, however, surprisingly Aubrey declared himself King of the Iron Islands. The Lannisters did not support this decision, and King Aubrey was overthrown by the ironborn after less than six months. The Shrike drowned him as a sacrifice to the Drowned God.
The audience chamber in the Great Pyramid - by Marc Simonetti ©
The audience chamber is located in the Great Pyramid, one level below Queen Daenerys Targaryen apartments. It is where she receives her subjects and visitors.
Queen Daenerys Targaryen's splendorous audience chamber (or hall) is one level below her apartments,
The previous use of the room is unrecorded. However, a throne stood there prior to her occupation of the Pyramid. The throne was a fantastic thing of carved and gilded wood, all in the shape of a savage harpy. Daenerys refused to use a "harpy's lap" as a throne and had the old throne destroyed. Its remains were used for firewood. The ebon bench was her own choice, though she noted the Meereeneese population considered the bench unworthy for a queen. Daenerys finds herself spending long hours on the bench, listening to various petitioners and official representatives.
The audience chamber also has its own terrace. The lower terrace and its garden were used by Daenerys and Hizdahr to entertain the representatives from Yunkai to celebrate the peace. The garden includes lemon trees and night-blooming flowers.
When Daenerys goes missing on Drogon, her consort and co-ruler Hizdahr zo Loraq takes over the audience chamber replacing her ebon bench with two imposing thrones of gilded wood. Their tall backs are carved in the shape of dragons. He chose the right-hand throne for himself, leaving the vacant left-hand throne for Daenerys Targaryen in case she returns.
After Hizdahr zo Loraq assumed control in Daenerys Targaryen's absence Barristan attended a court session in the Great Pyramid’s audience chamber. While he was observing the people in the crowded hall he spied the Dornish Princeling and his two companions in the rear of the hall. He thinks to himself that they should not have come and that Martell does not realise the danger he is in.
Ser Barristan Selmy considers the Dornishmen for a little while. He then notes Hizdahr zo Loraq frowning at them and whispering in the ear of Marghaz zo Loraq. He does not like that frown. He reminds himself that he swore no oath to Dorne, but then he thinks of his Sworn Brother, Prince Lewyn Martell, back in the day when bonds between the Kingsguard still went deep. He says to himself that he could not help Prince Lewyn on the Trident - but he can help his nephew now. He realises that Quentyn’s continued presence is a provocation for Daenerys’s husband Hizdahr.
Bloodbeard delivers Groleo’s head. © Marc Fishman
After Bloodbeard delivers Groleo’s head, the ensuing uproar and Hizdahr's withdrawal from the hall Ser Barristan sees the Dornishmen lingering in the hall. He takes the decision to beg word with Quentyn. He warns him to leave the city of Meereen and return to Dorne and that he can provide them with enough coin for passage back to Dorne so that the Prince can avoid the ensuing bloodbath that Ser Barristan Selmy knows is coming.'s warning, telling Quentyn:
When Barristan the Bold tells you to run, a wise man laces up his boots.
Ser Barristan eventually deposes Hizdahr in a coup d'etat and is proclaimed Queen's Hand, meaning that he is ruling in the name of the missing Daenerys. He decides to keep both the ebony bench and the dragon thrones out of the hall. He replaces them with his own new seat: a large round table. The table is placed in the centre of the wall, surrounded by tall chairs. Ser Barristan Selmy intends for the men seated at the table, the ruling council of Meereen, to discuss as peers.
Aurane Waters, called the Bastard of Driftmark, is a bastard member of House Velaryon.
See also: Images of Aurane Waters
Aurane is handsome and thin, with silver-gold hair and grey-green eyes. He has a cleft in his chin and has a beard.
Aurane is a scion of House Velaryon and fights for Stannis Baratheon during the War of the Five Kings. After the Battle of the Blackwater, Aurane is captured and bends the knee to King Joffrey I Baratheon.
Aurane is pardoned for fighting for Stannis and wins the favor of Queen Regent Cersei Lannister, who believes that Aurane desires her. Cersei grants him the position of grand admiral, formerly the master of ships, on King Tommen I Baratheon's small council. Since most of the royal fleet was destroyed at the Blackwater, Aurane receives funds to build a small fleet of dromonds.
Aurane tells Cersei that Ser Loras Tyrell was wounded during the siege of Dragonstone.
According to Valena Toland, a new pirate king has set up on Torturer's Deep in the Stepstones, styling himself the Lord of the Waters. He commands three-decked warships.".
Jaime: There is talk that you mean to make Aurane Waters the master of ships.
Cersei: Has someone been informing on me? Waters is well suited to the office. He has spent half his life on ships.
Jaime: Half his life? He cannot be more than twenty.
Cersei: Two-and-twenty, and what of it? Father was not even one-and-twenty when Aerys Targaryen named him Hand. It is past time Tommen had some young men about him in place of all these wrinkled greybeards. Aurane is strong and vigorous.Jaime: Paxter Redwyne would be a better choice. He commands the largest fleet in Westeros. Aurane Waters could command a skiff, but only if you bought him one.
Aurion was one of the few dragonlords who survived the Doom of Valyria. According to histories of Qohor, he raised forces from Qohorik colonists and declared himself first Emperor of Valyria. Atop his dragon, he flew south to lay claim to what remained of Valyria and reestablish the Freehold along with his thirty thousand men. Neither Emperor Aurion nor his host were ever seen again
An aurochs, by Kevin Catalan
An aurochs is a type of large wild cattle that once dwelled in the majority of Westeros. However, because of hunting and domestication they have dwindled in the wild and are not often seen. One place reportedly still inhabited by wild aurochs is near the juncture of the kingsroad and the Green Fork of the Trident in the riverlands.
Aurochs are frequently used as a symbol of size, strength, stubbornness, and stupidity.
An aurochs is said to have been used as a mount by the mythical Clarence Crabb, as horses could not bear his weight.
After Daeron the Daring helped turn the tide of the Battle of the Honeywine in favor of the greens, Lord Ormund Hightower is recorded to have feasted the prince on aurochs and strongwine.
Grenn, a member of the Night's Watch, is given the nickname "Aurochs" by Ser Alliser Thorne.
Samwell Tarly recounts how two warlocks from Qarth slaughtered a bull aurochs and made him bathe in the animal's hot blood in an attempt to make him brave.
Six aurochs are roasted whole for a feast during the Tourney of the Hand.
During the harvest feast at Winterfell, one of the dishes is joints of aurochs roasted with leeks. Bran Stark has a slice of it served to Meera and Jojen Reed.
Aurochs bones are part of the armor worn by Rattleshirt and his mount.
Aurochs are employed in the rearguard of Mance Rayder's army.
Grenn notes he never liked when Ser Alliser called him "Aurochs", as he was saying he was big and stupid, but he doesn't mind when his friends use the name, as an aurochs is strong and fierce.
During the feast prior to the tourney for a place among the Brotherhood of Winged Knights, three huge aurochs are roasted whole.
Ax Isle
Northern Sothoryos and the location of Ax Isle
Ax Isle is the easternmost island of the Basilisk Isles, which are off the northern coast of Sothoryos.
There are ruins from a possibly ancient civilization on the island. Ax Isle also contains ruins of the black fort of Xandarro Xhore.
Some of Nymeria's ten thousand ships were attacked by corsairs from Ax Isle. Afterwards, the corsairs offered the Rhoynar to settle upon the Isle of Toads, on the condition that they give up their boats and that they send each king thirty virgin girls and pretty boys per year, but Nymeria refused.
Axel Tully was a head of House Tully and the first Lord of Riverrun. His father was Ser Edmure Tully, a turncoat who supported the Andal warlord Armistead Vance after the death of Tristifer IV Mudd, King of the Rivers and the Hills.
Axel received a grant of lands at the juncture of the Red Fork and the Tumblestone from Armistead Vance. There, he raised a red castle he named Riverrun.
Ser Axell Florent is a knight of House Florent who serves as the castellan of Dragonstone for his nephew-in-law Stannis Baratheon.
See also: Images of Axell Florent
Axell is a homely and stout man, round with thick arms and bandy legs. He has the prominent ears for which House Florent is known.
Axell has been castellan of Dragonstone for ten years while Stannis Baratheon has been away in King's Landing serving on King Robert Baratheon's small council. Axell replaced an unknown predecessor who served the previous five years.
Ser Axell Florent on Dragonstone - Illustrated by Kristina Carrol. © Fantasy Flight Games.
Ser Axell supports Stannis Baratheon's claim to the Iron Throne. He emerges as the foremost of the queen's men and a fervent believer in R'hllor. Despite Axell being more courteous to Davos Seaworth than other lords supporting Stannis, Davos does not trust him because House Florent declares for Renly Baratheon.
When Stannis sails for Storm's End, he leaves Axell behind on Dragonstone.
Ser Axell arrests Ser Davos Seaworth in Aegon's Garden when Davos plots to kill Melisandre., Axell urges Stannis to attack Claw Isle, put the island population to the sword, and loot the wealth rumored to reside there. He threatens Davos with an eventual murder should he disagree, yet Davos still argues in favour of sparing the people of Claw Isle, for which Stannis names him Hand, much to the chagrin of Axell.
When Stannis goes north to the Wall, he leaves Ser Axell at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea with Stannis's wife, Selyse.
Axell takes charge of the household of his niece Queen Selyse at Eastwatch. He uses the title Hand of the Queen. He accompanies Selyse to Castle Black after she sets out for the Nightfort. There he is to marry the eldest daughter of Gerrick Kingsblood.
Ser Axell, if you are truly the Queen’s Hand, I pity Her Grace.
– Jon Snow
Ayrmidon is the author of *Engines of War*, a Valyrian scroll hard to find in its entirety in Westeros. A complete version can be found in the Winterfell library.
Azor Ahai was a legendary hero who wielded a burning sword called Lightbringer,
Darkness lay over the world and a hero, Azor Ahai, was chosen to fight against it. To fight the darkness, Azor Ahai needed to forge a hero's sword. He labored for thirty days and thirty nights until it was done. However, when he went to temper it in water, the sword broke. He was not one to give up easily, so he started over.
The second time he took fifty days and fifty nights to make the sword, even better than the first. To temper it this time, he captured a lion and drove the sword into its heart, but once more the steel shattered.
The third time, with a heavy heart, for he knew beforehand what he must do to finish the blade, he worked for a hundred days and nights until it was finished. This time, he called for his wife, Nissa Nissa, and asked her to bare her breast. He drove his sword into her living heart, her soul combining with the steel of the sword, creating Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes.
Although he had Lightbringer, Azor Ahai did not fight alone.
It is unknown if Azor Ahai is connected with the legend of the last hero, who lived during the Long Night and helped to defeat the Others.
Main article: Azor Ahai/Theories
According to prophecy, in ancient books of Asshai It is said that wielding Lightbringer once again, Azor Ahai will stand against the Others and if he fails, the world fails with him,
There will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed and the cold breath of darkness falls heavy on the world. In this dread hour a warrior shall draw from the fire a burning sword. And that sword shall be Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and he who clasps it shall be Azor Ahai come again, and the darkness shall flee before him.
Melisandre has mentioned the prince that was promised and Azor Ahai interchangeably, although she tends to use the name Azor Ahai far more often.
While burning statues of the Seven at Dragonstone, Melisandre of Asshai proclaims that Stannis Baratheon is Azor Ahai come again. Salladhor Saan tells Davos Seaworth of the hero's burning sword, Lightbringer.
Benerro of Volantis proclaims that Daenerys Targaryen is Azor Ahai returned.
Behold! A sign was promised, and now a sign is seen! Behold Lightbringer! Azor Ahai has come again! All hail the Warrior of Fire! All hail the Son of Fire!
- Melisandre at Dragonstone
Stannis Baratheon is Azor Ahai come again, the warrior of fire. In him the prophecies are fulfilled. The red comet blazed across the sky to herald his coming, and he bears Lightbringer, the red sword of heroes.
- Melisandre to the officers of the Night's Watch
Benerro has sent forth the word from Volantis. Her coming is the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. From smoke and salt was she born to make the world anew. She is Azor Ahai returned ... and her triumph over darkness will bring a summer that will never end ... death itself will bend its knee, and all those who die fighting in her cause shall be reborn ...
- Haldon to Tyrion Lannister
I pray for a glimpse of Azor Ahai, and R'hllor shows me only Snow.
- Melisandre's thoughts
When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone.
- Melisandre to Jon Snow
According to the prophecy recounted by Melisandre, after a long summer, Azor Ahai will be reborn amidst smoke and salt wielding the flaming sword Lightbringer to defend the world from R'hllor's nemesis, the Other. While Melisandre is certain Stannis Baratheon is Azor Ahai, others are not so sure.
It seems very possible Dragonstone is the place Azor Ahai will be reborn as it is a volcanic island, thus providing both smoke from the mountain and salt from the sea.
According to the prophecy, as recounted by Melisandre, these are the indicators of the coming of Azor Ahai:
If Azor Ahai is the same as the prince that was promised:
According to Benerro:[*citation needed*]
No one ever looked for a girl..It was a prince that was promised, not a princess. Rhaegar I thought … the smoke was from the fire that devoured Summerhall on the day of his birth, the salt from the tears shed for those who died. He shared my belief when he was young, but later he became persuaded that it was his own son who fulfilled the prophecy, for a comet had been seen above King’s Landing on the night Aegon was conceived, and Rhaegar Targaryen was certain the bleeding star had to be a comet.
What fools we were, who thought ourselves so wise! The error crept in from the translation. Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame. The language misled us all for a thousand years.
Daenerys is the one, born amidst salt and smoke. The dragons prove it.
He subsequently bids Sam relate all their findings to the maesters in Oldtown and convince them to send a maester to Daenerys.