List ofA Song of Ice and Firecharacters

This article is about the novels. For the main characters of the television series, seeList of Game of Thrones characters.

George R. R. Martin'sA Song of Ice and Firesaga features a large cast of characters. The series follows three interwoven plotlines: a dynastic war for control ofWesterosby several families; the rising threat of the undeadWhite Walkersbeyond the northern border of Westeros; and the ambition ofDaenerys Targaryen,the exiled heir of the previous ruling dynasty. In Martin's fictional world, the Great Houses of Westeros represent the Seven Kingdoms which exist on the continent: the North, the Iron Islands, the Vale of Arryn, the Westerlands, the Stormlands, the Reach, and Dorne. A massive wall of ice and old magic separates the Seven Kingdoms from the largely unmapped area in the most northern portion of the continent.

Each chapter is narrated in thethird-person limitedpoint of viewthrough the eyes of a single character. Beginning with nine POV characters inA Game of Thrones(1996), a total ofthirty-onesuch characters have narrated over the course of thefirst five volumesof the series.

House Stark

Coat of arms of House Stark (Argent,a direwolfcourantcendrée)

House Stark is described as one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and the principal house ofthe North.Its seat is atWinterfell,one of the oldest castles in the Seven Kingdoms. Its coat of arms displays a greydirewolfrunning on a white field, and itswordsareWinter is Coming.Bastards born in the North are given the surname "Snow". House Stark had ruled as the Kings in the North for thousands of years untilHouse Targaryenconquered Westeros, whereafter the Starks were known as the Lords of Winterfell and Wardens of the North. For prizing honor and devotion to duty, House Stark is the closest of the noble houses to heroism.

Descended from Bran the Builder, the architect of the Wall, House Stark is the chief First Men dynasty in Westeros due to their successful repulsion of the Andal invasion and became the ruling house in the North after defeating the Barrow Kings and slowly uniting the North into one kingdom, contesting for dominance with House Bolton of the Dreadfort, the second-most powerful Northern house with a sinister reputation for their flaying tradition. Their expanding dominion would also repel incursions of pirates and raiders, and secure control of the Neck through their vassals of House Reed. They would also gain a new vassal from the Reach after House Manderly was exiled, granting them White Harbor in exchange for protection against piracy.

House Stark would ultimately unite the North and drive the ironborn away, making enemies with House Hoare, and a new vassal in House Mormont of Bear Island, just as the Andals arrived in Westeros and began conquering every kingdom the First Men had built and converting them to the Faith of the Seven. The Starks made peace with the Boltons and finally unified the North and began opposing the Andals as one force instead of individually like the rest of the First Men, sacking Andalos and driving them back from the fortress of Moat Cailin. They would lose their strength at sea after a failed voyage across the Sunset Sea ended in all their ships being torched. House Stark would also aid the Night's Watch several times against wildling raids, defeating many Kings-beyond-the-Wall, and forming a second branch, called House Karstark.

During Aegon's conquest of Westeros, the Starks intended to oppose the Targaryens, unwilling to bow to an outsider, but King Torrhen Stark knelt after hearing of the scorching of Harrenhal and the devastating outcome of the Field of Fire caused by the Targaryen dragons, becoming the first Warden of the North, and had a marriage alliance with House Arryn to keep the realm together.

Over the course of the novels, the Starks are scattered by the War of the Five Kings, and the fate of the House remains uncertain, as most characters believe that all the legitimate Stark sons are dead.

Descendants of Rickard Stark
Rickard Lyarra Brandon Catelyn Tully Eddard Lyanna Benjen Robb Jeyne Westerling Sansa Tyrion Lannister Arya Brandon Rickon Jon Snow
Notes:

Family

Eddard Stark

Eddard "Ned" Starkis the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, and briefly serves as Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon. He is executed, by Joffrey's order, on the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor. He serves as a POV character for 15 chapters inA Game of Thrones.

Catelyn Stark

Catelyn Starkis the Lady ofWinterfell,wife of LordEddard Stark,and mother to his children Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. She is the daughter of LordHoster Tullyof Riverrun; niece to SerBrynden Tully(also known as the legendary "Blackfish" ) and sister toLysa Arrynof the Vale and toEdmure Tully.She is murdered during the Red Wedding, and later resurrected as an undead, vengeful killer under the name of Lady Stoneheart. She serves as a POV character for 25 chapters throughoutA Game of Thrones,A Clash of KingsandA Storm of Swords.

Robb Stark

Robb Starkis the oldest child of Eddard and Catelyn Stark, and the heir to Winterfell. He is not a POV character, but features in the POV chapters of his family members in the first three novels in the series. Robb is also slain at The Red Wedding along with his mother.

Sansa Stark

Sansa Starkis the second child and elder daughter of Eddard and Catelyn Stark. She serves as a POV character for 24 chapters throughoutA Game of Thrones,A Clash of Kings,A Storm of Swords,andA Feast for Crows.Sansa is introduced as beautiful and demure.

Arya Stark

Arya Starkis the third child and younger daughter ofEddardandCatelyn Stark.She serves as a POV character for 33 chapters throughoutA Game of Thrones,A Clash of Kings,A Storm of Swords,A Feast for Crows,andA Dance with Dragons.So far, she is the only character to appear in all 5 books as a POV character.

Bran Stark

Brandon "Bran" Starkis the second son and fourth child of Eddard and Catelyn Stark. He serves as the third-person narrator of twenty-one chapters throughoutA Game of Thrones,A Clash of Kings,A Storm of Swords,andA Dance with Dragons.InA Game of Thrones,he sees Queen Cersei and her brother Jaime Lannister committingincest,and Jaime pushes Bran from the window to keep the relationship secret. Bran survives, but loses the use of his legs. While comatose, Bran dreams of a three-eyed crow. Slowly, he develops the ability to assume his wolf Summer's consciousness, making him awargorskinchanger.After his older brotherRobbis crowned King inthe North,Bran becomes Robb's heir and the acting Lord of Winterfell. InA Clash of Kings,Jojen Reedteaches Bran how to correctly use histelepathy,and directs himbeyond the Wall.InA Dance with Dragons,Bran meets the Three-Eyed-Crow: an alias of the last trained clairvoyant.

Rickon Stark

Rickon Starkis Ned Stark's youngest child and is three years old inA Game of Thrones.WhenTheon GreyjoycapturesWinterfellinA Clash of Kings,Rickon hides in the crypts. After Winterfell is sacked, he and the wildling woman Osha travel throughthe North.InA Dance with Dragons,he is said to be on an island of cannibals, presumably Skagos.

Jon Snow

Jon Snowwas raised as Ned Stark's illegitimate son and serves as the POV character in 42 chapters throughoutA Game of Thrones,A Clash of Kings,A Storm of Swords,andA Dance with Dragons.He shares the Stark family values of honour, and tries to stay morally correct and honest, even when forced to act otherwise. He is theorized to be the son of Lyanna Stark, Ned Stark's sister, and Rhaegar Targaryen.

Benjen Stark

Benjen Stark is Ned Stark's younger brother and a First Ranger in the Night's Watch. He appears briefly at the start ofA Game of Thrones,first in Winterfell and then later on the Wall at Castle Black, where he travels with his bastard nephewJon Snow.Benjen is sent on a mission into the lands beyond the Wall to search for a missing ranging party, but he and his men also disappear. The bodies of two of his men are later found and brought back to Castle Black; they reanimate as undead wights and kill several men before they are destroyed, but no trace of Benjen has yet been found.

Lyanna Stark

Lyanna Stark is Eddard Stark's younger and only sister,and has been deceased for 14 years at the beginning ofA Game of Thrones,but is mentioned in every published book in the series. She died at the age of 16 and was said to have been very beautiful by all who knew her as "a child-woman of surpassing loveliness"and "a wild beauty".She was also remembered as being headstrong and "had a touch of" the fabled Starks' "wolf blood", and was one of the best horse-riders in the North. She was betrothed toRobert Baratheon,who was deeply in love with her,although she was unimpressed by Robert's reputation for infidelity. Her life's tales are mainly told through the words of Eddard Stark andMeera Reed(viaBran Stark's viewpoint chapter), with some passing commentaries from other people such asBarristan Selmy,Cersei Lannister,Roose BoltonandKevan Lannister.

During the Tourney at Harrenhal, the greatesttourneyin Westerosi history, Lyanna rescued Stark bannermanHowland Reedby beating away three bullying squires. She was later chosen by the eventualjoustingchampion,Crown PrinceRhaegar Targaryen,as the tourney's "Queen of Love and Beauty". Because Rhaegar was already married, and Lyanna was a maiden betrothed to Robert Baratheon, Rhaegar's wooing of Lyanna was considered an outrageous scandal at the time. One year later, she was said to have been abducted and raped by Rhaegar, triggering acivil warthat resulted in the overthrow ofHouse Targaryen.At the end of the war, Eddard and six of his companions ventured to the Tower of Joy withinDorne,where Lyanna was located and guarded by three of the most prominent Kingsguard knights — the "Sword of the Morning" Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Oswell Whent, and the "White Bull" Ser Gerold Hightower (lord commander of the Kingsguard). After a fierce skirmish that killed everyone except Eddard and Howland, Eddard entered the tower and found Lyanna dying in a "bed of blood". Before she died, she asked her brother Eddard to make a promise, something that Eddard regarded as a price he paid that haunted him days and nights for 14 years.

Eddard later takes her body home to be entombed in Winterfell's crypt, and installs a stone statue in her likeness in front of her sarcophagus. When he returns, he also brings back a newborn boy named Jon Snow, whom he claims is his own bastard by a woman named Ashara Dayne. In actuality, he is the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar. AlthoughJon Arrynpersuaded Robert to marry Cersei Lannister, Robert greatly mourns Lyanna for over a decade, causing great strain in his marriage with Cersei.

Jeyne Westerling

Jeyne Westerling is the older daughter of Lord Gawen Westerling of the Crag, a Westerlands bannerman ofHouse Lannister.She meetsRobb Starkwhen he is wounded, and falls in love with him during his convalescence. He marries her the next day to preserve her honour, in doing so breaking a marriage contract withHouse Frey.After Robb's departure for the Twins, Jeyne remains in Riverrun and does not witness the massacre. After the Red Wedding, she is granted a royal pardon. InA Feast for Crows,she is openly mourning and last appears riding toCasterly Rockas a political prisoner.

During the 2014San Diego Comic Con,George R. R. Martin stated that Jeyne Westerling will appear in the prologue of the sixth book,The Winds of Winter,but did not reveal whether she would be the prologue POV character.

Servants and vassals

Roose Bolton

LordRoose Boltonis a significantvassalof Lord Eddard Stark. His seat is the Dreadfort and his sigil is a flayed human, a homage to the ancient Bolton tradition offlayingenemies. He is nicknamed "the Leech Lord" for regularleechingsmeant to improve his health.

Ramsay Bolton

Ramsay Snowis the bastard son of Lord Roose Bolton, later legitimized as Ramsay Bolton. He is known as the Bastard of Bolton or the Bastard of the Dreadfort. Ramsay is vicious, ruthless, psychopathic, sadistic, opportunistic, unpredictable, and fearless. He takes great pleasure and pride in torturing others and enthusiastically practices the Bolton custom of flaying their enemies. Roose suspects that Ramsay murdered Roose's legitimate heir and expects that Ramsay will kill all of Roose's future children. He is described as ugly, with blotchy skin and dry, dark hair.

Rickard Karstark

Banner of arms of House Karstark (Sable,a sunburstargent)

Rickard Karstark is the Lord of Karhold and one of the main Stark vassals. During the Battle of the Whispering Wood, Jaime Lannister kills two of his sons, who were guarding Robb Stark. Rickard's surviving son Harrion Karstark is later killed by the Lannisters. When Catelyn helps Jaime escape in an attempt to recover her daughters, Rickard murders two of Jaime's cousins and has his army desert Robb to search the Riverlands for Jaime, offering his daughter Alys Karstark to whoever brings him the Kingslayer. Due to this Robb executes Rickard personally.

Alys Karstark

Alys Karstark is the only daughter and youngest child of Lord Rickard Karstark. She is betrothed to Daryn Hornwood, heir to the Hornwood, but Jaime Lannister kills him alongside two of her brothers. Her father offers her to whoever captures Jaime Lannister, so the sadistic sellsword Vargo Hoat captures Jaime in the hope of becoming Lord of Karhold. However, after Rickard's death his uncle Arnolf Karstark plots to take control of Karhold. He declares for Stannis when he comes North in the hope this will mean the Lannisters execute his great-nephew Harrion Karstark, so Karhold will pass to Alys, whom Arnolf intends to force into marriage with his son Cregan Karstark. Arnolf also intends to betray Stannis when the Boltons attack. However, Alys (pursued by Cregan) flees to the Wall seeking Jon Snow's help and reveals her uncles' plans. To protect her Jon imprisons Cregan and arranges for Alys to marry the Wildling leader Sigorn, Magnar of Thenn, in a ceremony performed by Melisandre, which will aid Wildling integration into the North. If Harrion dies childless, Karhold will pass to the newly formed House Thenn.

Wyman Manderly

Wyman Manderly is the Lord of White Harbor, the only city in the North, and the wealthiest of the Stark vassals. He is an enormously fat man, with two sons, Ser Wylis and Ser Wendel Manderly. During the War of the Five Kings the Manderlys and Boltons begin a private war over the Hornwood lands after Ramsay kidnaps the widowed Lady Donella Hornwood, Wyman's cousin, forces her to marry him and then starves her to death. Wyman's heir Wylis is captured when Roose Bolton treacherously sends a large Northern force to be wiped out by Randyll Tarly. Wyman's younger son Wendel is murdered at the Red Wedding by the Freys. Due to his heir being held captive Wyman cannot openly defy the Lannisters. Three Freys come to his city with Wendel's bones and a peace is apparently made, in which Wyman's granddaughters Wynafryd and Wylla will marry one of these Freys, Rhaegar Frey, and another of Walder Frey's grandsons, "Little" Walder Frey. When Davos Seaworth arrives in White Harbor to treat with Wyman to support Stannis, Davos denounces the Freys present for their treachery. Wyman apparently has him executed but secretly executes a criminal in his place, leading to Cersei returning his heir. Wyman reveals to Davos he knows where Rickon Stark is hiding and will support Stannis if Davos returns him. Wyman is implied to have murdered the White Harbor Freys when their stay was over (thus keeping to guest right), then put them in pies which he serves to the Freys and Boltons when he attends Ramsay's wedding, even eating some himself. The Freys suspect him of murdering their kin, and when Little Walder is murdered (possibly by his cousin Big Walder Frey) their uncle Hosteen Frey attacks Wyman and cuts him in the neck. It is unclear if he survives.

Hodor

Hodor/ˈhoʊdɔːr/is Old Nan's great-grandson and aslow-wittedstable-boy atWinterfell.Although his real name is Walder,he is commonly called "Hodor" because that is the only word he is capable of saying. He is over seven feet tall, and hinted to possibly havegiantancestry. He has a friendly, childlike disposition and possesses great physical strength, though he is too timid and gentle to use it against others. AfterBran Starkis crippled inA Game of Thrones,Hodor is tasked to carry him around in a sling on his back. When Winterfell is sacked and burnt, Hodor escapes north with Bran, Jojen, Meera, Rickon and Osha.

Osha

Osha(/ˈoʊʃə/) is a wildling woman who sneaks south ofthe Wallto escape theOthers.When she and her fellow refugees try to kidnap Bran Stark inA Game of Thrones,she is captured by Robb Stark and taken back toWinterfell,eventually employed as ascullery maid,and is given limited freedom for her good behavior.She becomes close to Bran Stark and often gives him advice about the oncoming winter.WhenTheon Greyjoycaptures Winterfell, Osha chooses to protect Bran and Rickon over her freedom. She joins Bran and Rickon hiding in Winterfell'scryptafter faking escape.She later parts ways with Bran and is entrusted to take care of Rickon throughthe Northin their escape, and byA Dance with Dragons,they are reported to have landed on the island of Skagos, supposedly inhabited by cannibals.

Jeyne Poole

Jeyne Poole is the daughter of Vayon Poole, the steward ofWinterfell,andSansa Stark's best friend.She has brown eyes and dark hair and is described as being very pretty.Following the arrest ofEddard StarkinA Game of Thrones,the members and servants of his household are killed. Jeyne reappears inA Dance with Dragons,having survived the massacre but being sent toPetyr Baelish's brothels. The Lannisters use her as a stand-in for Sansa's younger sisterAryaand send her north to marryRamsay Boltonat Winterfell.Theon Greyjoyrecognizes that she is a fake, and that the Boltons are aware of the ruse.It is implied that Ramsay Bolton tortures her and forces her to perform sexual acts on dogs.

Jon Snow, Arya's half-brother, believes Jeyne to be the real Arya and sendsMance Rayderto rescue her.The group enlists Theon's help, but their cover is blown and Theon and Jeyne barely escape.

Jojen and Meera Reed

Jojen and Meera are the children of Howland Reed, the Lord of Greywater Watch and a loyal Stark bannerman. They first appear inA Clash of Kings,when their father sends them in his place, to attend theharvest festivaland renew House Reed's pledge to House Stark and support the children of the lateEddard Stark.They become fast friends withBran Starkand his baby brother,Rickon,and are shown solely from Bran'spoint of view.

The older sister, Meera, is sixteen years old when introduced inA Clash of Kings.As is typical of crannogmen, Meera is short, slim, and flat-chested with long brown hair and green eyes, and is described as having a cheerful disposition. She is intensely loyal and protective of her "prince" as well as of her own brother, with Bran commenting that the only one who ever angers or upsets her is her brother, Jojen. Though she is never described as being particularly beautiful, both Theon Greyjoy and Bran Stark seem to consider her attractive. She is a skilled huntress and fights with a smallfishing netand athree-prongedfrog spear(similar in style to aretiarius); she is able to defeat Bran'sdirewolf,Summer, inmock combatby entangling the direwolf in her net. The legacy of Bran's late auntLyanna Starkis also largely narrated through her storytelling.

The younger brother, Jojen, is thirteen when he first appears, but his sullen seriousness and maturity make him seem older. He is short and slim with unusually deep green eyes, and he wears green-colored clothing. He claims to have "greensight" and the power of prophetic "green dreams", from which he knows various arcane facts, including the day of his death. In Winterfell, Jojen recognizesBran Starkas a skinchanger who is able to enter the mind of an animal and control it, and he mentors Bran to help him gain control of his abilities. WhenTheon Greyjoycaptures Winterfell, Jojen and Meera hide with Bran and Rickon in Winterfell'scryptafter feigning escape, and they join Bran in his journey north in search of thethree-eyed crowafterRamsay Snowsacks and burns Winterfell. At the end ofA Storm of Swords,they travelbeyond the Walland Jojen becomes very weak. InA Dance with Dragons,Meera struggles to keep the group's spirits up but implies that Jojen's future is bleak.

House Targaryen

In Martin's fictional universe, House Targaryen was the ruling house of the Seven Kingdoms for nearly 300 years, holding royal court inKing's Landing.Its coat of arms shows a red, three-headed dragon breathing fire on a black field, and itswordsareFire and Blood.

The Targaryens originally came fromValyriaon the continent ofEssos,one of forty dragonlord families in the Valyrian Freehold, but not the most powerful. Before Valyria was destroyed, the Targaryens left for Dragonstone, the westernmost outpost of their empire. A century after the Valyrian "Doom", Aegon I Targaryen was approached by an alliance of some of the Free Cities against Volantis, Valyria's oldest colony, who sought to rebuild the Freehold under their rule, which Aegon consented to before defeating Volantis with his dragon, Balerion. With the Valyrian Freehold broken, Aegon turned west towards Westeros, intent on uniting the Seven Kingdoms under one ruler, with Dragonstone being the perfect staging point for his conquest, due to having deep waters for his fleet and within range of the continent. With the aid of his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya, the Targaryens, using their three dragons, successfully conquered six of the Seven Kingdoms by destroying defiant houses and making subjects of submissive ones, with the seventh one peacefully joining the realm through marriage. Aegon built the Iron Throne with his enemies' swords and his dragon's flame, building the Red Keep as his throne room and King's Landing as his new capital.

The Targaryen dragons were the last known to exist and died out long before the events ofA Game of Thrones.People of Targaryen ancestry, referred to as "blood of the dragon", tend to have silver-blonde hair and amethyst eyes.

Fifteen years before the events of the series, the Targaryens were deposed in Robert's Rebellion, with the last two fleeing toEssos.

Descendants of Maekar Targaryen
Maekar 221–233 Dyanna Dayne Daenora Aerion "Brightflame" Daeron "The Drunken" Kierra of Tyrosh Aemon Aegon V "The Unlikely" 233–259 Betha "Black Betha" Blackwood Rhae Daella Maegor Vaella "The Simple" Duncan Jenny of Oldstones Jaehaerys II 259–262 Shaera Daeron Rhaelle Ormund Baratheon Aerys II "The Mad King" 262–283 Rhaella Steffon Baratheon Cassana Estermont Rhaegar Elia Martell Shaena (stillborn) Daeron stillborn child Aegon Jaehaerys Viserys Drogo Daenerys Hizdahr zo Loraq Rhaenys Aegon Rhaego (stillborn)
Notes:

Family

Aegon V Targaryen

Aegon Targaryen, nicknamed "Egg" in his youth, is one of the two main characters in theTales of Dunk and Eggnovellas. As a child, his father Prince Maekar reluctantly permitted him to serve assquireto theknight errantSer Duncan the Tall, in the hopes that the lessons learned through humble service and hard experience would help him avoid the excesses and shortcomings of his royal brothers. He was later crowned as King Aegon V when a Great Council bypassed those before him in theline of successionand his older brotherAemonchose to abdicate by joining theNight's Watch.He was called "Aegon the Unlikely" because as the fourth son of a fourth son, he was placed very low down the line of succession and therefore considered unlikely to inherit the Iron Throne.

Aegon V's reign lasted more than twenty-five years, during which he tried to push policies more favorable to the interests of common people, and frequently clashed with noble lords as a result. He later perished in the 'Tragedy of Summerhall', a huge fire at the Targaryen summer palace, along with his son Prince Duncan and close friend Ser Duncan the Tall. After he died, his son Jaehaerys inherited the throne. When Jaehaerys died three years later, the Iron Throne was passed to his sonAerys.

Aerys II Targaryen

Aerys Targaryen the Second, also called The Mad King, is the last Targaryen king to rule the Seven Kingdoms. While his rule started out well, he slowly descended into madness. His sister-wife Rhaella bore him eight children, but only three survived into adulthood: sonsRhaegarandViserysand daughterDaenerys,who was not yet born when the Targaryen dynasty fell. After Rhaegar absconded withLyanna Stark,Aerys hadNed Stark'sfather and brother executed, beginning Robert's Rebellion. When Aerys plans to burn King's Landing rather than let Robert rule, he is assassinated by a member of his own Kingsguard,Jaime Lannister.

Rhaegar Targaryen

Rhaegar Targaryen, the 'Last Dragon', was the eldest son of King Aerys II and theheir apparentto theIron Throne,and the older brother toViserysandDaenerys Targaryen.He died 14 years before the events ofA Game of Thrones,and his life's tales are mainly narrated through the words ofJaime Lannister,Cersei Lannister,Barristan Selmyand Daenerys (via visions of sorcery), as well as commentaries byEddard Stark,Aemon Targaryen,Jorah Mormont,Meera Reed,Jon ConningtonandGilly.

Rhaegar married the Dornish princessElia Martellof Sunspear, and fathered with her a daughter named Rhaenys and son namedAegon.After winning the Tourney at Harrenhal, the greatest tourney in Westerosi history, he surprised everyone by passing over his wife Elia and crowningLyanna Starkas the tourney's "Queen of Love and Beauty". One year later, he and Lyanna both disappeared, prompting rumors that he abducted and raped Lyanna. Enraged, Lyanna's oldest brother, Brandon, goes to King's Landing to confront Rhaegar, which results in both him and his father Lord Rickard being brutally executed by King Aerys. Lyanna's other older brotherEddard Stark,herbetrothedRobert Baratheon,theirfoster fatherJon Arrynand Brandon'sfather-in-law-to-beHoster Tullythen started a rebellion against Aerys, with Robert personally killing Rhaegar insingle combatat the Battle of the Trident, and ultimately overthrowingHouse Targaryen.Though Robert continues to vilify Rhaegar throughoutA Game of Thrones,many other characters express admiration for him.

Daenerys's stillborn son Rhaego and her dragon Rhaegal are named after Rhaegar.

Viserys Targaryen

For other characters with this name, seeViserys Targaryen.

Viserys Targaryen is the seventh-born child ofAerys II Targaryen,and the secondborn son to survive infancy.Thirteen years before the events of the series, he and his sisterDaenerysfledWesterosto escape death at the hands of rebelRobert Baratheon.Viserys is an arrogant, cruel and ambitious man given to violent mood swings. He is widely nicknamed the "Beggar King" across both Essos and Westeros.Hoping to win the Dothraki's favor to conquer Westeros, Viserys arranges for Daenerys to wed Khal Drogo to form an alliance with them. Travelling with the horde until he gets his "golden crown", Viserys grows restless and impatient with Drogo's refusal to march towards the Seven Kingdoms. He also loses influence over Daenerys, who gradually stands up to his abusive behavior.After his scheme to steal her dragon eggs is thwarted by Jorah Mormont, Viserys drunkenly threatens his sister and her unborn child in the Dothraki's sacred city of Vaes Dothrak, demanding that Drogo make good on their deal. Viserys then unwittingly agrees to Drogo's offer of a "golden crown all men will fear", and is killed as the Khal pours molten gold over his head.Daenerys names one of her dragons Viserion in his memory, though only out of respect for keeping her alive for years by protecting her and finding shelter in the free cities.

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen,referred to sometimes as 'Daenerys Stormborn', 'Khaleesi', the 'Mother of Dragons', is the daughter and youngest child of KingAerys II Targaryenand is one of the last surviving members of House Targaryen.She serves as the point of view character in thirty-one chapters throughoutA Game of Thrones,A Clash of Kings,A Storm of Swords,andA Dance with Dragons.

Aegon Targaryen

Prince Aegon Targaryen, also known as Young Griff, is the only known son ofRhaegar TargaryenandElia Martell.Fifteen years before the events of the series, the infant Aegon was reported to have been killed along with his mother and sister byGregor Clegane.

InA Dance with Dragons,Varysclaims to have switched Aegon with another, lowborn infant (known as the "Pisswater prince" ) and smuggled Aegon out ofKing's Landingprior to the capital's fall. During his exile in Essos,Tyrion Lannister(under the alias Hugor Hill) meets Young Griff, a well-trained teenage boy endorsed by Varys's associate Illyrio Mopatis, who claims to be the surviving Aegon and is under the guardianship of Rhaegar's close friendJon Connington(under alias of Griff). He is to be used by Varys and Illyrio as a puppet king. Young Griff intends to travel to Slaver's Bay to visitDaenerys Targaryenand propose marriage, but Tyrion provokes him during acyvassegame and convinces him to abandon the proposal and independently attack Westeros. Revealing himself as Aegon, Griff persuades the Golden Company to support his invasion, landing his army in the Stormlands and capturing several castles, while also planning to lay siege to the Baratheon seat ofStorm's End.

Brynden Rivers

Brynden Rivers, better known as "Lord Bloodraven", is a legitimized bastard son of King Aegon IV Targaryen (called Aegon the Unworthy) and Melissa Blackwood. He is one of the only three characters (the others beingAemon TargaryenandWalder Frey) to have appeared in both theA Song of Ice and Firenovels and theTales of Dunk and Eggnovellas. He is analbino,with white skin, long white hair, and red eyes. He has a redbirthmarkon his left cheek, said to be in the shape of araven,and thus the source of his nickname "Bloodraven".

Bloodraven remained loyal to his half-brother King Daeron II Targaryen (called Daeron the Good) throughout the Blackfyre Rebellions against another of Aegon's legitimized bastards, Daemon Blackfyre, and their descendants, but was later thrown in prison by his great-nephew King Aegon V Targaryen (called Aegon the Unlikely) for ordering the execution of Aenys Blackfyre despite promising safe passage. He was sent to the Wall as the punishment and later elected the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, and served in that capacity for many years before disappearing during a ranging beyond the Wall. InA Dance with Dragons,Bloodraven is shown to have become the last greenseer and is fused to the root of a weirwood tree. He begins training Bran Stark inclairvoyance.

Maekar I Targaryen

Maekar is a character inThe Tales of Dunk and Egg.He is the fourth and youngest son of Daeron II Targaryen. Maekar married Dyanna Dayne and had six children, four sons, Daeron, Aerion, Aemon and Aegon, and two daughters. He was made Prince of Summerhall, a summer castle built in the Stormlands by his father. Maekar is resentful that his achievements are often overlooked, especially in favor of his eldest brother Baelor "Breakspear". He was angry when his father Daeron ordered that his third son Aemon be sent to the Citadel. At the Tourney at Ashford, Maekar sends his other three sons, and is angered when Dunk attacks the cruel Aerion to defend Tanselle, a Puppeteer. When Aerion asks for a Trial by Seven, Maekar takes his son's side, however, Baelor takes Dunk's side. In the fight, Dunk forces Aerion to withdraw his accusation, but Maekar while trying to reach his son is stopped by Baelor and accidentally strikes him a blow to the head that kills him. He allows Dunk to take Aegon as his squire when Dunk points out how Daeron and Aerion turned out. Maekar would eventually become King but died 12 years later at the Peake Uprising, when a stone thrown from the Peake's castle Starpike crushed his head.

House Blackfyre

House Blackfyre is a semi-extinct cadet house of House Targaryen. Their sigil is a three-headed black dragon on a red field, the reverse of House Targaryen. House Blackfyre was founded when Aegon IV "the Unworthy" (reigned AL 172–184) legitimized all his bastard children on his deathbed. Aegon gave "Blackfyre", the sword of the first Targaryen king, to his bastard Daemon, seeming to signify his favour for Daemon over the heir apparent: his true-born son Daeron. When Aegon IV died, Daemon I Blackfyre contested Daeron II Targaryen's right to the Iron Throne. This challenge set off conflicts between AL 184–260 where a series of Blackfyre pretenders vied for the Iron Throne.

Servants and vassals

Jon Connington

Lord Jon Connington is the exiled Lord of Griffin's Roost and was a close friend ofRhaegar Targaryen.Jon serves as athird-person narratorfor two chapters inA Dance with Dragons.Fifteen years before the events of the series, KingAerys IImade Jon his Hand of the King. However, Jon also failed to contain the rebellion. Aerys stripped him of his lands and titles, giving them to Jon's cousin Ronald Connington, and exiled him. Biding his time in Essos, he raisesYoung Griff,supposedly Rhaegar's son Aegon. Jon and Aegon eventually decide to attack Westeros while it is embroiled in civil war. During the return trip, Connington contracts Greyscale Plague when saving Tyrion. The group lands in theStormlandsand captures several castles, including Griffin's Roost. Aegon plans to lead the attack onStorm's End,the next target.

Jorah Mormont

Coat of arms of House Mormont (Wood vert,a bearsable rampant)

SerJorah Mormontis the exiled Lord of Bear Island inthe North,which he inherited after his fatherJeor Mormontjoined theNight's Watch.His wife's lavish lifestyle led to debts, which led Jorah to engage in selling slaves. Escaping justice, he fled to Essos and eventually joined the service ofDaenerys Targaryen,becoming one of her chief advisors.

Missandei

Missandeiis a slave interpreter for Kraznys mo Nakloz when Daenerys Targaryen comes to inspect the Unsullied in Astapor. After Daenerys strikes a bargain with the Good Masters of Astapor concerning payment for the Unsullied, Kraznys gives Missandei to Daenerys as an interpreter to give them commands. Afterwards, she becomes a trusted confidante and handmaiden to Daenerys.

Daario Naharis

Daario Naharisis a leader in the Stormcrows mercenary company. Daario is won over by Daenerys and brings the Stormcrows over to her side. He becomes romantically involved with her, eventually becoming one of her advisors.

Grey Worm

Grey Worm ( "Torgo Nudho" inHigh Valyrian) is an Unsullied purchased by and sworn to Daenerys Targaryen. He is the commander of Daenerys's Unsullied and one of her trusted advisors. After Daenerys flees Meereen, Grey Worm becomes a member of the ruling council of the city.

House Lannister

Coat of arms of House Lannister (Gules,a lionrampant or)

House Lannister is described as one of the Major Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and the principal house of theWesterlands.Its seat is atCasterly Rockand they are also given the title Wardens of the West. Its coat of arms displays a golden lionrampanton a crimson field, and itswordsare 'Hear Me Roar!'

The Lannisters began as a First Men dynasty descended from the legendary trickster Lann the Clever, who swindled their traditional seat of Casterly Rock of House Casterly, ruling the Westerlands as Kings of the Rock ever since. They also branched into the nearby city of Lannisport and gained the Reynes of Castamere as a vassal after defeating the Hooded King. The Lannisters would become an Andal bloodline, under a First Man name after the Andal invasion, where they made alliances through marriages and wards. Like many Houses, the Lannisters kept a Valyrian steel blade as an ancestral heirloom, naming it Brightroar, which was lost after King Tommen II Lannister left for Valyria with it, and never returned. The Lannisters would stand with House Gardener against House Targaryen's conquest of Westeros, only to subject their combined armies to annihilation in the Field of Fire, after which King Loren Lannister surrendered and the Lannisters became the Wardens of the West.

Descendants of Tytos Lannister
Tytos Jeyne Marbrand Joanna Tywin Emmon Frey Genna Kevan Dorna Swyft Tygett Darlessa Marbrand Gerion Briony Robert Baratheon Cersei Jaime Tysha Tyrion Sansa Stark Amerei Frey Lancel Martyn Willem Janei Tyrek Ermesande Hayford Joy Hill Joffrey Baratheon Myrcella Baratheon Margaery Tyrell Tommen Baratheon Tion Frey "Red" Walder Frey Jeyne Darry Cleos Frey Lyonel Frey Melesa Crakehall Tywin Frey Willem Frey
References and notes:

Family

Tywin Lannister

Tywin Lannisteris Lord ofCasterly Rock,Shield ofLannisport,and Warden of the West. He is a calculating, ruthless, and controlling man. In his youth, he witnessed his father grow old and weak. Eventually several nobles revolted against Lannister rule. Disgusted with his father's inaction, Tywin personally led the Lannister army and utterly destroyed the rebellious vassals, placing the bodies of their entire families on display at Casterly Rock. Impressed with his decisive actions in putting down the rebellion,Aerys II Targaryenappointed the young Tywin Hand of the King. Tywin proved himself a ruthless but capable leader and his tenure was marked by peace and prosperity.

Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannisteris thetwinsister ofJaime,(the elder of the two), and the only daughter ofTywin Lannister.She serves as thethird-person narratorof twelve chapters inA Feast for CrowsandA Dance with Dragons.She became queen by marryingRobert Baratheon.She has three children (all of whom are in actuality fathered by her twin brother).

Jaime Lannister

Jaime Lannisteris the twin brother ofCerseiand the first son ofTywin Lannister.He serves as thethird-person narratorof seventeen chapters throughoutA Storm of Swords,A Feast for Crows,andA Dance with Dragons.He was widely considered one of the best swordsmen in all the Seven Kingdoms before having his right hand chopped off by Vargo Hoat.

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannisteris the younger brother ofCerseiandJaime Lannister,and serves as athird-person narratorfor 47 chapters inA Game of Thrones,A Clash of Kings,A Storm of SwordsandA Dance with Dragons.He is the narrator with the most chapters in the books.

Joffrey Baratheon

Joffrey Baratheon's personal coat of arms (per pale,orandgules,a stag and lioncombatant,sableandorrespectively)

Joffrey Baratheonis the eldest of QueenCersei Lannister's children. Though a Baratheon in name, Joffrey is actually a product ofincestbetween Cersei andJaime Lannister,but unaware of his true parentage. He is described as a strong-willed child with a vicious temper and a sadistic streak.

Myrcella Baratheon

PrincessMyrcella Baratheonis the second-oldest child and only daughter of QueenCersei Lannister.Like her brothers, she was fathered by Cersei's brotherJaime Lannister,but she is ostensibly unaware of this. She is described as delicate, beautiful and courteous, and is said to have all her mother's beauty but none of her cruel nature. To ensure thatHouse Martellwill support Joffrey, Myrcella is betrothed to marry PrinceTrystane Martellwhen they come of age and is sent toDorneinA Clash of Kings.After Joffrey's death inA Storm of Swords,PrincessArianne Martellschemes to kidnap Myrcella and crown her queen of Westeros. The plan goes awry, however, and Myrcella is severely injured in the kidnapping.

Tommen Baratheon

PrinceTommen Baratheonis the younger brother of Prince Joffrey and Princess Myrcella and is second in line for the throne. Tommen is Queen Cersei Lannister's youngest child and, like his siblings, he is also the son of Cersei's brother Jaime Lannister, but he is unaware of this, as he believes Robert Baratheon to be his father. Like his sister, he shares none of his mother's ruthlessness, and is in fact, mild-mannered, courteous, and kind-hearted.

Kevan Lannister

Ser Kevan Lannister is Tywin Lannister's younger brother and most trusted captain, known for his reliability and loyalty. He serves as thethird-person narratorfor the epilogue ofA Dance with Dragons.He is comfortable with carrying out Tywin's wishes and resigned himself to perpetually living in his brother's shadow. InA Storm of Swords,he is appointed Master of Laws to his great-nephew KingJoffrey Baratheon,and after Tywin's death, he is offered the position of Hand of the King inA Feast for Crowsbut refuses to serve under Cersei. After Cersei's imprisonment, the council appoints him Lord Regent to KingTommen Baratheon,and he tries to solve the problems Cersei created. Because his efforts to stabilize the kingdom threaten Aegon Targaryen's plans to take the throne,Varyskills Kevan.

Lancel Lannister

Lancel Lannister is the oldest son of Kevan Lannister and serves as squire to KingRobert BaratheonatKing's LandinginA Game of Thrones.He helps QueenCerseikill Robert. InA Clash of Kings,Cersei knights him for his part in Robert's death. After Cersei takes Lancel as a lover, Tyrion discovers the affair and blackmails Lancel into spying for him. During an attack on King's Landing, Lancel guards Cersei's son KingJoffrey Baratheonand is seriously wounded in the fighting. During his recovery inA Storm of Swords,he experiences a spiritual awakening and spends much of his time atoning for his sins. When the Faith Militant, the military order ofthe Faith,is reinstated, Lancel renounces his wife and lands, and joins the organization.

Servants and vassals

Bronn

Bronn is a skilledsellswordof low birth. He is described as having a sardonic sense of humor and a pragmatic,amoralphilosophy. He helps Catelyn take Tyrion tothe Eyrie,where he befriends Tyrion.Recognizing he will gain more helping House Lannister, Bronn offers to champion for Tyrion in atrial by combat,wins the duel, and then serves as his bodyguard in King's Landing. After fighting in the Battle of Blackwater, he is knighted and takes a burning green chain as his sigil,though he continues to serve Tyrion. During Tyrion's trial for murdering Joffrey, Bronn refuses to champion for him again, instead taking an offer from Cersei to be married to the pregnant Lollys Stokeworth.When his wife gives birth, he names his stepson Tyrion in dubious honor of his former employer. Shortly afterwards, Bronn becomes the head of House Stokeworth after all members ahead of Lollys die under mysterious circumstances. Cersei also worries that he is still in league with Tyrion.

Gregor Clegane

Coat of arms of House Clegane (Or,three dogscourantsable)

SerGregor Clegane,known as "the Mountain That Rides," or simply "the Mountain," is the older brother of Sandor Clegane and is avassalto Tywin Lannister.His size and strength make him a fearsome warrior, and he has earned a reputation for brutality.

Sandor Clegane

Sandor Clegane,known as "the Hound," is a retainer toHouse Lannisterand the younger brother of Gregor Clegane. He is regarded as one of the most dangerous and skilled fighters inWesteros.His face is distinguished by gruesome burn scars, which he received as a child when his brother pushed his head into abrazier.

Podrick Payne

Coat of arms of House Payne (Chequy purpureandargent,eachchequercharged with abezant)

Podrick Payne, Pod for short, is a squire toTyrion Lannistertoward the end ofA Game of Thrones.Despite being painfully shy and insecure, he proves himself to be a loyal and capable squire. InA Clash of Kings,he rescues Tyrion from an assassination attempt.He continues his duties throughA Storm of Swordsuntil Tyrion vanishes inA Feast for Crows.He followsBrienne of Tarth,knowing that she was searching for Tyrion's wifeSansa Stark.He becomes Brienne's squire and serves her as faithfully as he did Tyrion.He and Brienne are captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners, and Podrick is sentenced to be hanged for serving as Tyrion's squire. His fate is currently unknown.

Shae

Shae is a Lannister camp follower who sleeps with Tyrion Lannister before the battle on the Green Fork.She accompanies him to King's Landing, against Tywin's orders, and serves as his mistress. To prevent discovery, Shae is set up as a handmaiden by Tyrion and Varys, serving Lollys Stokeworth and laterSansa Stark.During the trial accusing Tyrion of murdering Joffrey, Shae gives evidence testimony against him, flaunting their relationship to the court, in exchange for being wed to a knight.She is later found in Tywin's bed by Tyrion and strangled to death with the Hand's Chain.

House Baratheon

Coat of arms of House Baratheon (Or,a stagrampant)

In the book series, House Baratheon is the youngest of the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms and the principal house ofThe Stormlands.It was founded by Orys, the supposed bastard half-brother of the firstTargaryenking. Under Robert, House Baratheon occupies theIron ThroneinKing's Landing,with his younger brothers Stannis and Renly rulingDragonstoneand the ancestral seatStorm's End,respectively. The Baratheon coat of arms displays a black stag on a field of gold; a crown was added after Robert Baratheon took the Iron Throne. The housemottoisOurs is the Fury.Bastards born in the Stormlands are generally given the surname "Storm".

Family tree of House Baratheon
Ormund Rhaelle Targaryen Steffon Cassana Estermont Delena Florent Robert 283–298 Cersei Lannister Jaime Lannister Stannis Selyse Florent Renly Margaery Tyrell Edric Storm Gendry Bella Myrcella Shireen Mya Stone Barra 11 others Joffrey 298–300 Margaery Tyrell Tommen 300–
Notes:

Family

Robert Baratheon

Main article:Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon is King of the Seven Kingdoms at the beginning ofA Game of Thrones.He was thewardofJon Arrynand was raised atthe EyriealongsideEddard Stark.Fifteen years before the novels, Robert was betrothed to Ned's sisterLyanna,and after Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen disappeared, Robert killed Rhaegar and seized the throne.

Stannis Baratheon

Main article:Stannis Baratheon

Personal coat of arms of Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon is the younger brother of KingRobertand older brother ofRenly.He is portrayed as a brooding and humorless man with a harsh sense of justice and an obsession with slights both real and imagined. He is regarded as a skilled but overcautious military commander.

Renly Baratheon

Main article:Renly Baratheon

Renly Baratheon is the youngest of the Baratheon brothers and Lord of Storm's End. He is described as handsome and charismatic, winning friends easily. Renly serves on Robert's council as Master of Laws.

Selyse Baratheon

Selyse Baratheon (née Florent) is the wife of Stannis and mother of Shireen. She is described as being fairly unattractive with extremely prominent ears and a hint of a mustache on her upper lip. Selyse has a cold relationship with her husband. She is the first of her family to be converted to the religion of the Red God by Melisandre.

Shireen Baratheon

Shireen Baratheon is the only living child of Stannis Baratheon and Selyse Florent. She contracted the lethal greyscale disease as a child, disfiguring her by leaving the left side of her cheek and most of her neck covered by grey, cracked, and stone-like skin.

Gendry

Main article:Gendry

Gendry is one ofRobert Baratheon's many bastard children. He lives in King's Landing as an armorer's apprentice and is unaware of his true parentage. Gendry later joins the Brotherhood without Banners.

Edric Storm

Edric Storm is Robert Baratheon's only acknowledged bastard. He was conceived on Stannis and Selyse's wedding night, when Robert seduced anddefloweredDelena Florent, one of Selyse's cousins, in Stannis's marriage bed. Edric was sent by Stannis to be fostered by his other uncle Renly Baratheon. Edric was raised under the guardianship of Storm's End Castellan Ser Cortnay Penrose. After Renly dies, Cortnay refuses to surrender Storm's End, fearing Stannis's intentions for Edric; as a result, he is assassinated by Melisandre. Stannis then sends Edric to Dragonstone. Melisandre and Selyse tell Stannis to sacrifice Edric, claiming his king's blood will enable them to raise a dragon. To prevent this, Davos sends Edric to Lys under the guardianship of one of Robert's cousins, Andrew Estermont.

Servants and vassals

Melisandre

Main article:Melisandre

Melisandre ofAsshaiis a priestess ofR'hllorin service toStannis Baratheon.She is introduced inA Clash of Kingsand serves as thethird-person narratorfor one chapter ofA Dance with Dragons.She is described as a beautiful woman with red eyes, always dressing in red and rarely sleeping or eating.

Davos Seaworth

Coat of arms of Davos Seaworth

Main article:Davos Seaworth

Ser Davos Seaworth, called the Onion Knight after smuggling onions and salted fish into Storms End during Robert's Rebellion, is the common-born head of the newly founded House Seaworth and was formerly known as an elusive smuggler. He is introduced inA Clash of Kingsand is thethird-person narratorfor thirteen chapters throughoutA Clash of Kings,A Storm of Swords,andA Dance with Dragons.During the Siege of Storm's End, Davos smuggled food to the starvingStannis Baratheon,earning him a knighthood and choice lands. Before knighting him, Stannis removed the last joints from four fingers on Davos's left hand as punishment for years ofsmuggling.

InA Clash of Kings,he supports Stannis's claim to the throne, making him Stannis's most trusted adviser,but Davos is a follower of theFaith of the Sevenand opposesMelisandre.During the Battle of the Blackwater, his ship is destroyed but Davos survives while losing four sons.He blames Melisandre for the deaths of his sons and plans to kill her, but she receives word of the plot and he is jailed.Stannis eventually pardons Davos and names him his Hand of the King.As Hand, Davos convinces Stannis to help the Watch against the wildling army.

After Stannis sails tothe Wall,he tasks Davos with enlisting the support of House Manderly, but Davos is taken prisoner. After staging Davos's death, Manderly asks Davos to rescueRickon Starkfrom Skagos in exchange for House Manderly's support for Stannis.His fate is unknown.

Brienne of Tarth

Main article:Brienne of Tarth

Brienne, the Maid of Tarth, serves as a POV narrator for eight chapters in the fourth book of the series,A Feast for Crows.A tall and imposing but extremely plain woman, she is mocked by many as "Brienne the Beauty". She is a maiden on a quest.

Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion is a gallant knight with great fighting skill. InA Game of Thrones,Eddard Starksends him to arrestGregor Cleganeand bring peace to theRiverlands.He is ambushed and killed by Lannister forces.Thoros of Myraccidentally revives him with magic during the funeral service. ByA Storm of Swords,he and his men have formed an outlaw band called the Brotherhood Without Banners. The Brotherhood starts aguerrilla waragainst raiders in the Riverlands. The success of these ambushes earns him the nickname the Lightning Lord, also reference to hiscoat of arms.He is killed several other times, only to be brought back to life. These resurrections lead him to lose part of the memories related to his previous life every time. In the third book, he and his men find the corpse ofCatelyn Stark.He resurrects her with the last of his life force and dies for the final time.

House Arryn

Coat of arms of House Arryn

House Arryn is described as one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the principal house inthe Vale.It is descended from Kings of Mountain and Vale. Its main seat is atthe Eyrie,a small castle atop of a mountain and reputed to be impregnable, where they are the Wardens of the East. Its coat of arms displays a white moon-and-falcon on a sky blue field, and itswordsareAs High as Honor.Bastards born in the Vale are generally given the surname "Stone".

Jon Arryn was the head of the Arryn family until he was poisoned shortly beforeA Game of Thrones.His only child, Robert "Sweetrobin" Arryn, became Lord of the Vale with Lysa Tully acting asregent.

Family tree of House Arryn
Jasper Jeyne Royce Jon Lysa Tully Ronnel Lady Belmore Alys Elys Waynwood Rowena Arryn two stillborn children Robert Elbert daughter Denys Arryn daughter member of House Hardyng daughter Lord Elesham five other daughters Jasper Waynwood son Cissy Harrold Hardyng Saffron Alys Stone bastard child
Notes:

Family

Jon Arryn

Jon Arryn was the Lord ofthe Eyrie,Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East, and Hand to KingRobert Baratheonbefore the events ofA Game of Thrones.He took Robert andEddard Starkas wards and became a father figure to both. When KingAerys II Targaryencommanded him to hand over his wards for execution, Jon rose up in rebellion.To earn the support ofHouse Tullyin the rebellion, Jon married the much youngerLysa Tully.Throughout Robert's reign, Jon was left with most of the responsibility of the Seven Kingdoms.WhenStannis Baratheonhad doubts about the parentage of QueenCersei Lannister's children, he brought his suspicions to Jon, who confirmed that Cersei's children were not fathered by Robert, but by her brotherJaime.Before he could reveal this publicly, Lysa poisoned him on Littlefinger's orders to stop him from sending their sonRobin Arrynaway as a ward.

Lysa Arryn

Lysa Arryn, formerly of House Tully, is the second child and youngest daughter of LordHoster Tully.Enamored ofPetyr Baelish,Lysa resented her older sisterCatelyn Tullywhen he fell in love with her. Prior to the series, while Baelish was her father's ward, Lysa was impregnated by him after Catelyn spurned him. Learning of this, Hoster sent Baelish home and tricked Lysa into drinking anabortifacientpotion, using her unborn child as proof of her fertility while marrying her off to Jon Arryn. Lysa has become a paranoid and an unstable,mercurialwoman.

Shortly beforeA Game of Thrones,Baelish convinced Lysa to poison her husband and write a letter to Catelyn to nameHouse Lannisterresponsible for the act. Lysa, fearing her husband was sending her child to be fostered in a far off land, agrees. Fearing for herself and her son's safety, Lysa returns tothe Eyrieand becomes Lady Regent ofthe Vale.At the Eyrie, Lysa becomes involved in Catelyn's kidnapping of Tyrion Lannister, then refusesHouse Stark's plea for assistance and commits the Vale to a strict policy ofneutralityin the war. Lysa later accepts a marriage proposal from Baelish inA Storm of Swords.After finding Baelish kissingSansa Stark,Lysa attempts to throw her to her death, but Baelish saves Sansa by murdering Lysa.

Robert Arryn

Robert Arryn, sometimes called 'Sweetrobin', is the only child ofJon ArrynandLysa Tully.He suffers from frequentseizure-like episodes called a 'shaking illness', and is depicted as intellectually and physically stunted.At the start of the series, he is Lord ofthe Eyrieand Defender ofthe Valethough his mother rules asregent.After Lysa's marriage toPetyr Baelishand her subsequent death inA Storm of Swords,Baelish claims the rule of the Vale and guardianship of Robert. In the absence of his mother, he becomes attached to his cousinSansa Starkin her disguise of Alayne Stone.

Vassals

Yohn Royce

Yohn Royce (sometimes called 'Bronze Yohn') is Lord of Runestone and head of House Royce. After the death of Lysa Arryn, Lord Yohn forms the Lords Declarant in opposition toPetyr Baelish's rule of the Vale.

Anya Waynwood

Lady Waynwood is the lady of Ironoaks, and the head of House Waynwood, a powerful vassal to House Arryn of the Vale. Lady Anya is part of the Lords Declarant, who oppose Baelish's rule of the Vale.

Nestor Royce

Nestor is a cousin of Yohn Royce, from a lesser branch of House Royce. He ruled the Eyrie as High Steward of the Vale during Jon Arryn's absence and acted as Keeper of the Gates of the Moon and feels he is owed for his years of service. Littlefinger later makes him the hereditary Lord of the Gates of the Moon to keep him loyal, signing the paper declaring this so Nestor holding the Gates depends on Baelish' power.

House Greyjoy

Coat of arms of House Greyjoy

House Greyjoy is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms in Martin's fictional universe and is the principal noble house on theIron Islands,home to the Ironborn. Its seat is onPyke.Its coat of arms displays a goldenkrakenon a black field, and itswordsareWe Do Not Sow.Bastards born in the Iron Islands are given the surname "Pyke". The Greyjoys becameLords Paramountof the Iron Islands afterHouse Targaryenconquered the Seven Kingdoms and allowed the Ironborn to choose who would have primacy over them. Balon Greyjoy is the current Lord of the Iron Islands. He has two surviving children, his only daughter, Asha, and Theon.

Family tree of House Greyjoy
Lady Stonetree Quellon Lady Piper Lady Sunderly Harlon Quenton Donel Balon IX Alannys Harlaw Euron III "Crow's Eye" Victarion Urrigon Aeron "Damphair" Robin Rodrik Maron Asha Greyjoy Erik Ironmaker Theon several bastard children
Notes:

Family

Balon Greyjoy

Balon Greyjoy is the Lord of theIron Islands,King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, and Lord Reaper of Pyke.He is a harsh and fierce man. Ten years beforeA Song of Ice and Fire,he led a rebellion against KingRobert Baratheon.The rebellion failed and his youngest sonTheon Greyjoywas taken as a hostage and raised in Winterfell by LordEddard Stark.After Robert's death, Balon spurnsRobb Stark's offer of an alliance inA Clash of Kingsand declares himself King of the Iron Islands andthe North.He capturesthe Neckand ravages the coastline of the Stark-held North. He dies inA Storm of Swordsafter falling off a bridge during a storm.The timely return of Balon's banished brotherEuronleads many characters to believe that Euron played a part in Balon's death.

Asha Greyjoy

Asha Greyjoy isBalon Greyjoy's only daughter and oldest living child. She serves as thethird-person narratorfor four chapters throughoutA Feast for CrowsandA Dance with Dragons.Asha was raised as Balon's heir despite a custom forbidding female rule, and has otherwise defied traditionalgender rolesby captaining her own ship and leading men into battle. When Balon orders an invasion ofthe NorthinA Clash of Kings,she captures Deepwood Motte. She returns to the Islands inA Feast For Crowsafter her father's death and claims her father's throne, which she loses in favor of her uncle Euron. InA Dance with Dragons,she returns to Deepwood Motte and learns that Euron has married her off by proxy.She is eventually captured byStannis Baratheonand travels with his army towardWinterfell,where she is reunited with her brother Theon.

Theon Greyjoy

Main article:Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy is the only living son, andheir apparentofBalon Greyjoy.He is thethird-person narratorfor thirteen chapters throughoutA Clash of KingsandA Dance with Dragons.He is arrogant and proud. Ten years before the events of the series, he was taken hostage by Ned Stark to be executed if Balon displeased the king. Theon was raised at Winterfell with the Stark children and became a close friend toRobb Starkin particular.

Euron Greyjoy

Euron Greyjoy is the younger brother of Balon and is hated by all his brothers. He wears a patch over his left eye, for which he is nicknamed "Crow's Eye", and is more ruthless and sadistic than his brothers. Before the events of the series, he was banished from theIron Islands.During his exile, he lived as a pirate and became extremely wealthy and became involved in dark magic, culminating in his gaining ownership of a horn that can control dragons. InA Feast for Crows,Euron's return from exile coincides with Balon's death, encouraging speculation that he played a role in his brother's demise. After becoming King of the Iron Islands at a Kingsmoot by telling the Ironborn he knows where there are dragons and that he intends to conquer Westeros, he begins successful raids alongthe Reach.He sends his brotherVictarionaway to courtDaenerys Targaryenin his name and bring her and her dragons to Westeros.

Victarion Greyjoy

Victarion Greyjoy is the second youngest of Balon's surviving brothers and is Lord Commander of the Iron Fleet. He first appears inA Clash of Kingsand is present as his brother, King Balon Greyjoy, reveals his plans to invade the north; Victarion is given overall command of the invasion. He appears next inA Feast for Crowsand serves as thethird-person narratorfor four chapters throughoutA Feast for CrowsandA Dance with Dragons.Victarion is a devout follower of theDrowned God.Years before the events of the series, he killed his wife after he learned of her affair with Euron and has not remarried. After failing to become King of the Iron Islands, he is sent away to courtDaenerys Targaryenin Euron's name, but he plans to marry her himself to spite Euron for earlier betrayals. After weathering a savage storm, the remains of his fleet reachMeereen.Victarion orders his fleet to assault the forces besieging the city. His fate is unknown.

Aeron Greyjoy

Aeron Greyjoy is the youngest of Balon's surviving brothers.He is introduced inA Clash of Kingsand serves as athird-person narratorfor two chapters ofA Feast for Crows.In his youth, he was a drunk and was scorned by Balon, thus later known asAeron Damphair.After nearly drowning, he dedicated himself to theDrowned God,and became a high priest.After Balon's mysterious death, and crowning of his brother Euron, he becomes a bitter opponent of Euron and his schemes, calling a Kingsmoot to make Victarion King instead of Euron. This fails, and Aeron goes into hiding. A preview chapter fromThe Winds of Winterreveals that Euron had his men capture Aeron, leaving him imprisoned in Euron's ship for several months before being tied to the ship's prow. It is also revealed that Euron had repeatedly molested Aeron in their youth, leading to Aeron's hatred of Euron.

Servants and Vassals

Rodrik Harlaw

Rodrik Harlaw is the Lord of Harlaw, the most populated of the Iron Islands. He is the richest man in the Iron Islands and the maternal uncle of Asha Greyjoy, one of his sisters being Balon's wife. Rodrik is known as "The Reader" because of his love of reading. He has so many books that they have filled one of the Towers in his castle of Ten Towers. As both Rodrik's sons died in the First Greyjoy Rebellion, his various relatives are vying to become his heir. Rodrik has nominated his cousin Ser Harras Harlaw as heir to Harlaw. After Balon's death Rodrik agrees to support Asha at the Kingsmoot, but worries she will not get enough support and offers to make her heir to the Ten Towers. After Euron wins the Kingsmoot, Rodrik advises Asha to flee the Iron Islands, fearing Euron will kill her to prevent his rule being challenged. After capturing the Shield Islands, Euron makes Harras Lord of Greyshield to weaken Rodrik's power. Rodrik questions Euron's intent to conquer Westeros and claim to have sailed to Valyria, infuriating Euron.

Dagmer

Dagmer is theMaster-at-armsof House Greyjoy and captain of alongshipcalledFoamdrinker.He is called "Cleftjaw" on account of a disfiguring axe-blow to his face. Despite Dagmer being a commoner he is infamous in the North. A descendant of a Greyjoy bastard a few generations back, he one of the few Ironborn to show happiness at Theon's return. Theon in turn has fond memories of him – he notes that Dagmer has smiled at him more often than Balon and Eddard together. Dagmer accompanies Theon and Aeron in leaving the Stony Shore, leading a divergence against the Northern castle Torrhen's Square that allows Theon to capture Winterfell. InA Dance with Dragonsit is revealed that he holds Torrhen's Square with his crew.

Wex Pyke

Wex Pyke is the twelve year old bastard nephew of one of Balon's vassals. He is made Theon's squire. Wex is born mute, a fact that belies his cunning. He is among Theon's crew that captures Winterfell and the only one to survive when the castle is sacked by Ramsay. While hiding in the heart tree in the godswood he sees Bran and Rickon flee with Osha and the Reed-children. When Rickon and Osha splits from the rest of the group he follows them, learning that they have traveled to the supposedly savage Northern colonies on the island Skagos. Eventually falling into Manderly control, Wex is able to communicate the location of Rickon as well as that Theon was not responsible for the sack of Winterfell to lords Wyman Manderly and Robett Glover. Glover has started teaching him to read and write in order to find the true culprit.

House Martell

Coat of arms of House Martell

In Martin's fictional world, House Martell is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the ruling house of the kingdom ofDorne.Its seat is the castle of Sunspear. Its coat of arms displays a gold spear piercing a red sun on an orange field, and itswordsareUnbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.Bastards born in Dorne are generally given the surname "Sand". Dorne, along with House Martell, is culturally, ethnically, and politically distinct from the rest of the kingdoms. The rulers of Dorne are styled Prince or Princess because Dorne resisted direct conquest and joined the rest of the Seven Kingdoms through marriage.

House Martell was an Andal house that was founded in Dorne during the Andal invasion, where they defeated the ruling First Men houses like the Wades and the Shells, but remained as vassals of other kings like those of Houses Jordayne, Allyrion, and Yronwood while maintaining their own territory. House Martell would rise to prominence with the arrival of the Rhoynish warrior-queen Nymeria in Dorne, along with the remnants of the Rhoynish people, fleeing the wrath of the Valyrian Freehold from the Rhoynish Wars. Lord Mors Martell wed Nymeria and used their combined strength to subdue all his rivals and unify Dorne into one principality. Their marriage would also see the Martells take up Rhoynish customs in place of Andal ones, with much of their civilization, such as the Spear Tower and the Tower of the Sun built in Rhoynish fashion.

The Martells of Sunspear, along with Dorne, stood out in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros as the only kingdom to resist Aegon Targaryen's conquest, with the Dornish resorting to guerilla warfare instead of fielding large armies (to avoid another Field of Fire) and hiding in strong palaces (to avoid the Burning of Harrenhal), assaulting the Targaryen armies when the dragons vanished and escaping whenever they took to the sky. House Martell secured a great Dornish victory against the Targaryens by killing Meraxes, along with Queen Rhaenys, with a scorpion.

Family tree of House Martell
Princess of Dorne Lewyn Doran Mellario of Norvos Mors Olyvar Elia Rhaegar Targaryen Ellaria Sand Oberyn "The Red Viper" Arianne Quentyn Trystane Rhaenys Targaryen Aegon Targaryen Obara Sand Nymeria Sand Tyene Sand Elia Sand Obella Sand Dorea Sand Loreza Sand Sarella Sand
Notes:

Family

Doran Martell

Doran Martell is the Prince ofDorneand the Lord of Sunspear. He is the father ofArianne,Quentyn,andTrystane.ByA Game of Thrones,he is in his fifties, and hisgoutleaves him barely able to walk and dependent on a wheeled chair. He is a cautious, pensive man who does not display his emotions. He swears loyalty to Joffrey only afterMyrcella Baratheonis betrothed to Trystane byTyrion Lannister,sending her off to Dorne. Tyrion also gives him a position on Joffrey's council. InA Storm of Swords,Doran sends his brotherOberynto claim the position. After Oberyn's death, Doran refuses to start a war and returns to Sunspear to reassume control of his principality. He imprisons Oberyn's vengeful daughters, called theSand Snakes(who have been calling for war for the death of their father), to maintain peace. After foiling his daughter Arianne's attempt to crown Myrcella the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, he reveals that he has long been planning the downfall ofTywin Lannisterto avenge Elia and intends to ally Dorne withHouse Targaryen.

Arianne Martell

Main article:Arianne Martell

Arianne Martell is the eldest child of Prince Doran Martell ofDorneand heir to Sunspear. She serves as thethird-person narratorfor two chapters inA Feast for Crows,and will be the narrator for at least two chapters inThe Winds of Winter.She is cunning and beautiful and is also close with her cousins, theSand Snakes.ByA Feast for Crows,she is dissatisfied with her father, believing him to be weak. She plans to nameMyrcella Baratheonthe Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, as by Dornish law Myrcella inherits the title over her brother. Arianne seducesArys Oakheartto win his support of Myrcella's claim. The plot is foiled and Myrcella is wounded in the kidnapping attempt. As Arianne confronts Doran after he foils her plans, her father reveals that he has been plotting revenge onTywin Lannisterfor many years and was waiting for the perfect time to strike. After the Golden Company invades Westeros, Doran sends Arianne to find out the truth about Aegon Targaryen. Her fate is unknown.

Quentyn Martell

Ser Quentyn Martell is the second child and oldest son ofDoran Martell.He serves as thethird-person narratorfor four chapters inA Dance with Dragons.He is described as intelligent, serious, and dutiful,though not particularly handsome. InA Dance with Dragonsit is revealed thatDoran Martellsent Quentyn to marryDaenerys Targaryenand bring her to Dorne. On the way most of Quentyn's companions die. He and his remaining two friends, Archibald Yronwood and Gerris Drinkwater, are forced to become sellswords to reach Slaver's Bay. Daenerys politely refuses the offer.Not wanting to leave empty-handed, Quentyn tries to take one of Daenerys's dragons as a mount to impress her, but is killed by her dragons in front of his guards.

Trystane Martell

Trystane Martell is the youngest child ofDoran Martell.To ensureHouse Martell's loyalty to the throne it is arranged that he will marryMyrcella Baratheonwhen they come of age.

Elia Martell

Elia Martell was the younger sister of PrinceDoran MartellofDorneand was very close to her younger brotherOberyn.She married PrinceRhaegar Targaryen,and bore him two children: a daughter Rhaenys and a sonAegon.Fifteen years before the events of the series, Rhaegar was killed in battle during Robert's rebellion. When the capital city was sacked byHouse Lannister,she was raped and murdered byGregor Clegane.Elia's brother Oberyn, however, believed Tywin had Elia murdered to avenge the slight to his honor when Aerys had his son and heir married to Elia instead of Tywin's daughter, Cersei.

Oberyn Martell

Main article:Oberyn Martell

Oberyn Martell is the younger brother ofDoran Martell.He is described as a hot-headed, forceful, and lustful man with a quick wit and a barbed tongue. He is a formidable fighter and is called the "Red Viper" because it is rumored he poisons his weapons. InA Storm of Swords,he leads a Dornish envoy to King's Landing to claim the seat on the small council on his brother, Prince Doran Martell's, behalf and obtain justice for his sister Elia Martell's murder.

Ellaria Sand

Main article:Ellaria Sand

Ellaria Sand is the paramour of PrinceOberyn Martell,and the mother of the four youngest "Sand Snakes". She accompanies Oberyn to King's Landing when Oberyn takes the seat on the small council. After returning toDorne,she is distraught when she hears Obara's statement on how the Mountain's death "is a start", as she sees the futility of it, and is worried about her own daughters' safety.

The Sand Snakes

The name "Sand Snakes" refers to PrinceOberyn Martell's eight illegitimate daughters: Obara, Nymeria, Tyene, Sarella, Elia, Obella, Dorea and Loreza, the latter youngest four were born to Oberyn'sparamourEllaria Sand.The older four, however, were born to different women: Obara from anOldtownprostitute; Nymeria (also known as Lady Nym) from a noblewoman inVolantis;Tyene from aseptaserving theFaith of the Seven;and Sarella from the female captain of theSummer Islestrading shipFeathered Kiss.They are collectively called "Sand Snakes" in reference to their father's nickname "Red Viper" and the regional norm of giving Dornish highborn illegitimate children the bastard surname "Sand".

InA Feast for Crows,Obara, Nymeria and Tyene Sand wish revenge for their father's death and pressure their uncle PrinceDoran Martellto declare war. When they are implicated in various plots to agitate theDornishpopulace, Prince Doran catches hold of their plans and ordersAreo Hotahto arrest the three Sand Snakes to prevent them from leading Dorne into war.

InA Dance with Dragons,Doran releases the three imprisoned Sand Snakes and sends them on individual missions in his covert plot to bring down House Lannister in revenge for the murder ofElia Martelland her children during the Sack of King's Landing. Obara is sent to accompany the visiting Kingsguard knight Ser Balon Swann to High Hermitage so he can hunt down and kill the rogue knight Gerold Dayne for the mutilating attack onPrincess Myrcella.Nymeria is sent to King's Landing to take the vacant Dornish seat on the small council in her late father's place (and serve as an agent from the inside). Tyene is sent to accompany her sister Nymeria to King's Landing disguised as a septa and gain the confidence of theHigh Sparrow.

The status of the fourth Sand Snake, Sarella Sand, is unknown, though according to Prince Doran she is said to be playing some sort of "game" in Oldtown. Sarella is famous for her insatiable academic curiosities, and there are fan speculations that she is actually disguised as a male Citadelacolytenamed Alleras ( "Sarella" spelt backwards) with the nickname "the Sphinx", who debuts in theprologueofA Feast for Crowsand helpsSamwell Tarlywhen he arrives at the Citadel. In the ending chapter ofA Feast for Crows,Alleras is tasked by the departing Archmaester Marvyn to take good care of Samwell as the latter starts his maester training.

In two of pre-released chapters from the yet-unfinishedThe Winds of Winter,the fifth Sand Snake, Elia Sand, nicknamed "Lady Lance", accompanies her cousin, PrincessArianne Martell,on the diplomatic journey to meet withJon Conningtonand the allegedly survived Aegon Targaryen.

Servants

Areo Hotah

Areo Hotah is the captain of PrinceDoran Martell's guards. He serves as thethird-person narratorfor two chapters throughoutA Feast for CrowsandA Dance with Dragons.He was born as the youngest of a large family inNorvos.Areo is steadfastly loyal to Doran. He helps foilArianne Martell's plot to nameMyrcella Baratheonthe Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, killingArys Oakheartin the process.

House Tully

Coat of arms of House Tully

House Tully is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms in the fictional book series written by George R. R. Martin and is the principal house in theRiverlands.Its seat is atRiverrun.Its coat of arms displays a leaping silver trout on a field of rippling blue and red stripes, and itswordsareFamily, Duty, Honor.Bastards born in the Riverlands are generally given the surname "Rivers". WhenHouse Targaryeninvaded Westeros, Lord Tully was among the first to welcome the invaders. In return, the Targaryens made House Tully the principal House of the Riverlands.

Family tree of House Tully
Hoster Minisa Whent Brynden "The Blackfish" 3 sons Catelyn Eddard Stark Petyr Baelish Lysa Jon Arryn Edmure Roslin Frey Robb Stark Sansa Stark Arya Stark Brandon Stark Rickon Stark Robert Arryn
Notes:

Family

Hoster Tully

Hoster Tully is the Lord ofRiverrunand Lord Paramount of the Trident. He is the father ofCatelyn Stark,Lysa Arryn,andEdmure Tully.He often quarrels with his brotherBryndenbecause Brynden refuses to be married. Years before the events of the series, he agreed to fosterPetyr Baelishat Riverrun as a ward. When he discovered that Lysa was pregnant with Petyr's child, he sent Petyr away and tricked Lysa into drinking anabortifacientpotion. Hoster supportedRobert Baratheon,House Stark,andHouse Arrynin rebellion againstHouse Targaryenon the condition that Catelyn and Lysa be wed into the Stark and Arryn families, respectively. His health deteriorates rapidly over the novels; he eventually dies and is laid to rest in the river following the Tully tradition.

Minisa Whent

Minisa Tully was the Lady ofRiverrun.She is the mother ofCatelyn Stark,a major POV character in the first three novels. Minisa is also the mother of Catelyn's two elder brothers who died in infancy, and laterLysa Arryntwo years after Catelyn.

Many years later, she finally gave birth to a son and male heir:Edmure Tully,her fifth born child and the first son to survive infancy. This meant that Catelyn was relinquished of being Hoster's heir. She died from childbirth complications with her sixth child, Edmure's younger brother, over a decade prior to the beginning of the novels.

Edmure Tully

Edmure Tully is the fifth child, only living son, and heir of Lord Hoster Tully at the beginning ofA Game of Thrones(1996). He is dutiful and wishes to earn his father's respect and protect the common people of theRiverlands.However, he is also said to have a large heart and his decisions are often rash and emotional. He takes command of the Riverlands inA Game of Thronesbecause of his father's illness and is taken captive byJaime Lannister.He is rescued by his nephewRobb Stark,and upon hearing ofEddard Stark's death he leads the Riverland lords in proclaiming Robb the King inthe North.He defeatsTywin Lannister's right hand,Gregor Clegane(The Mountain), in battle and unwittingly ruins Robb's plan to destroy Tywin's army. As amends for thwarting Robb's plan, he agrees to marry Roslin Frey and repair the alliance with House Frey. The wedding is a trap and the Stark–Tully army is massacred, breaching ancientguest rights.Edmure is taken to Casterly Rock, where he and the remaining members of House Tully are to spend the rest of their lives as prisoners to House Lannister. Roslin is to remain atthe Twins,and the pair is promised to be reunited after the birth of their child.

Brynden Tully

Personal coat of arms of Brynden Tully

Ser Brynden Tully, called the Blackfish, is the younger brother of Hoster Tully and the uncle ofCatelyn Stark,Lysa Arryn,andEdmure Tully.He constantly quarreled with his brother, usually over Brynden's refusal to marry. During one encounter Hoster called him the black goat of House Tully. Brynden mused that since their sigil was fish, he was the "Blackfish" of the family. He accompanied Lysa tothe Vale.InA Game of Thrones,he is upset over the Vale's neutrality in the ongoing war. He resigns from his position and joinsRobb Starkand his bannermen. He is appointed head of Robb's outriders and is a crucial member of the war council. His efforts win Robb several battles throughoutA Clash of Kings.He is named Warden of the Southern Marches inA Storm of Swordsand remains atRiverrunwhile Robb goes tothe Twinsto attend Edmure's wedding. After Robb's death, Brynden holds Riverrun in Robb's name but he is besieged byHouse LannisterandHouse Frey.InA Feast for Crows,Brynden surrenders the Tully seat of Riverrun to spare further bloodshed, but he himself escapes capture. His whereabouts are unknown.

Vassals

Vassalsunder House Tully include House Blackwood of Raventree Hall, House Bracken of Stone Hedge, House Darry of Castle Darry, House Mallister of Seagard, House Piper of Pinkmaiden, House Ryger of Willow Wood, House Frey of the Crossing, and House Mooten of Maidenpool. The Lords of Harrenhal are also historically vassals to the Lords Tully.

Walder Frey

Coat of arms of House Frey

Walder Frey is Lord ofthe Twins,and avassaltoHouse Tully.He is called the Lord of the Crossing as the placement of his castle allows him to control who crosses the river, giving Walder Frey considerable strategic importance. He is known for having over a hundred descendants from his eight wives. He emphasizes family loyalty and believes in taking care of relations, including those who disappoint him. Although he is a bannerman of House Tully, he does not immediately go toRiverrunwhenEdmure Tullysummons his vassals to supportRobb StarkinA Game of Thrones.

Since crossing the Twins is a necessity for Robb, Walder is able to negotiate marriage contracts between his house andHouse Stark.When Robb marriesJeyne WesterlinginA Clash of Kings,Frey is outraged and withdraws his support from Robb to conspire withTywin LannisterandRoose Boltonto exact revenge. InA Storm of Swords,Walder pretends to make amends with Robb and agrees to marry his daughter Roslin to Edmure. The wedding is a trap, with Robb, his key supporters and most of his army massacred during the feast, a direct violation of ancientguest rightcustoms, in what becomes known as the Red Wedding. He then swears loyalty toHouse Lannisterand his second son Emmon Frey receivesRiverrun,the seat of House Tully, as a reward, with advantageous marriages for other descendants. The people of the Riverlands refuse to support his rule and a shadowyguerrilla warerupts that Walder Frey struggles to control, with numerous Freys and allies being hanged by the Brotherhood without Banners. House Frey is so large and factional that many of the Freys hate each other, aspiring to become Lord of the Crossing.

House Tyrell

Coat of arms of House Tyrell

House Tyrell is described as one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the principal noble house inthe Reach.Its seat is at Highgarden where they reside as the Wardens of the South. Its coat of arms displays a golden rose on a green field, and itswordsareGrowing Strong.Bastards born in the Reach are generally given the surname "Flowers". When the former rulers of the Reach, House Gardener, were killed in battle againstHouse Targaryen,the Targaryens raised the Tyrells from stewards of Highgarden to Lords of Highgarden. Because House Florent had a better claim to Highgarden, the Tyrells are often seen as "upjumped stewards" by the lords of the Reach and other Great Houses; however, the women of the Tyrell household are noted for being shrewd and clever leaders.

Family tree of House Tyrell
Luthor Olenna Redwyne Gormon Garth Moryn Mace Alerie Hightower Janna Jon Fossoway Mina Paxter Redwyne Garse Flowers Garrett Flowers Luthor Elyn Norridge Leo "The Lazy" Willas Garlan Leonette Fossoway Horas Redwyne Hobber Redwyne Desmera Redwyne Theodore Lia Serry Olene Leo Blackbar Medwick Loras Margaery Renly Baratheon Elinor Luthor Joffrey Baratheon Tommen Baratheon
Notes:

Family

Mace Tyrell

Lord Mace Tyrell is the Lord of Highgarden, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, and Warden of the South. He has three sons—Willas,Garlan,andLoras—and one daughter,Margaery.He is described as a prematurely old and tedious man who lacks in political savvy and is thought to serve as the figurehead to his mother,Olenna.InA Clash of Kings,he supports the marriage between Margaery andRenly Baratheon,who plans to usurp the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. When Renly dies, Mace accepts an offer to marry Margaery toJoffrey Baratheon,the current king. After his and Tywin's armies defeatStannis Baratheon,Mace is given a seat on the King's council. After Cersei's downfall,Kevan Lannister,Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, names Mace his Hand, mostly to repair the relationship between their houses. Mace then tries to fill the Small Council with his vassals, greedy for more power.

Alerie Tyrell

Lady Alerie Tyrell, née Hightower, is the Lady of Highgarden and the wife of Mace Tyrell. Her younger sister, Lynesse is the estranged second wife ofJorah Mormontof Bear Island. She is tall with long silver hair, and joins Margaery's entourage to King's Landing upon her betrothal to King Joffrey Baratheon. FollowingTywin Lannister's funeral, she leaves the capital with her son Garlan.

Willas Tyrell

Lord Willas Tyrell is the heir of Highgarden and the eldest child of Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower. He is crippled with a bad leg following an accident in a tourney he entered into as a young man. His competitor was Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne. In the book series, he is described as intelligent, studious, educated, and kind, and is renowned for breeding the finest hawks, hounds, and horses in the Seven Kingdoms.

He is briefly betrothed to Sansa Stark, until she is forced to marry Tyrion Lannister. Prior to this, Arianne Martell attempted to travel to Highgarden to marry Willas, but was stopped by Oberyn.

Garlan Tyrell

Ser Garlan Tyrell is the secondborn son of Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower. He is married to Leonette Fossoway, and is a knight.

Garlan is often referred to as Garlan the Gallant, a name given to him by his older brother, Willas, in Garlan's youth. Garlan was overweight as a child and Willas wanted to give him a noble moniker before he earned a less-flattering one.

Garlan is a skilled swordsman. When training, he does so against 2-3 men at once, feeling it prepares him better for battle. His younger brother, Loras, a Knight of the Kingsguard, has said that Garlan is the superior fighter with a sword.

Garlan disdains glory and values humility, traits that make him little-known as a warrior. Only his direct family seems to know of his skill.

During the Battle of Blackwater Bay inA Clash of Kings,he wore the dead Renly Baratheon's armor into battle to frighten the soldiers of Stannis Baratheon. The ruse was successful and it was reported that 'Renly's ghost' fought in the battle.

InA Storm of Swords,he speaks highly of Tyrion Lannister and attempts to assuage Sansa's concerns in her marrying him, after her betrothal to Garlan's older brother Willas is prevented.

InA Feast for Crows,Margaery, Garlan's younger sister, is arrested on charges of infidelity to the king. She requests that he represent her in a trial by combat -- a notable request considering that her other brother Loras is a Knight of the Kingsguard. Cersei informs her that Garlan cannot represent her because Margaery is the Queen and he is not a member of the Kingsguard.

Loras Tyrell

Ser Loras Tyrell, nicknamed the Knight of Flowers, is the third son ofMace Tyrell.He is a young, but highly skilled knight and jouster. He is beloved by the crowds, and many young girls are infatuated with him. WhenRenly Baratheon,Loras' lover, claims himself king of theSeven KingdomsinA Clash of Kings,Loras supports him and is made head of Renly's personal guard. After Renly's assassination, Loras is enraged with grief, blamingBrienne of TarthandCatelyn Starkfor Renly's death. InA Storm of Swords,he questions Brienne and finally decides that she is not the killer. When his sisterMargaeryis married toJoffrey Baratheon,he joins the Kingsguard. He volunteers to lead the assault onDragonstoneinA Feast for CrowssoCersei Lannisterwill send military assistance to defend his native Highgarden from the Greyjoys. He successfully captures Dragonstone but is badly wounded and near death. By the end ofA Dance with Dragons,he barely clings to life. His fate is unknown.

Margaery Tyrell

Main article:Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell/ˈmɑːrdʒəritɪˈrɛl/is the youngest child and only daughter ofMace Tyrell.She is an intelligent, beautiful, and shrewd young woman, and despite being only sixteen, she is manipulative and adept at political intrigue. She is also quite moral, and has some kindness in her heart.

Olenna Tyrell

Main article:Olenna Tyrell

Olenna Tyrell, also known as the Queen of Thorns, was born into House Redwyne and is the mother ofMace Tyrelland widow of the late Luthor Tyrell. She is described as a wizened and cunning old woman with a wicked wit and a sharp tongue, and is known for openly stating her opinion.

Vassals

Randyll Tarly

Randyll Tarly is the head of House Tarly, bannerman of House Tyrell, and considered to be one of the finest military commanders in Westeros. He is also the father ofSamwell Tarly.When word of the imprisonment ofMargaery Tyrellreaches Randyll, he marches his army to King's Landing, whereKevan Lannistermakes him the new master of laws.

The North

Night's Watch

Coat of arms of the Night's Watch

"Night's Watch" redirects here. For other uses, seeNight Watch (disambiguation).

The Night's Watch is a sworn brotherhood of men who patrolthe Wall.The individual "Brothers of the Watch" (called "Crows" by the Wildlings)reject land and titles, practice celibacy, cut ties to their families, assume neutrality in politics, and never desert their assignments,on pain of death.Joining the Watch is still considered an honor because any man can rise through the ranks regardless of illegitimacy or criminal past, but in the first book,the Watch is severely undermanned.The Watch is based at Castle Black, where the Lord Commander of the Watch resides and new recruits are trained.

Jeor Mormont

Jeor Mormont, called the Old Bear, is the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He was the Lord of Bear Island inthe Northbut joined the Watch to pass the title to his sonJorah Mormont.Mormont is considered a strong, resolute leader and commands respect. He keeps a raven capable of speaking simple phrases as a pet. InA Game of Thrones,he choosesJon Snowas his steward and potential successor.Soon afterwards, a wight (a dead body reanimated by theOthers) attempts to kill him but Jon kills the wight.In gratitude, Mormont gives Jon his ancestral sword, Longclaw and changes its pommel to a wolf's head, in accordance with the House Stark sigil.To investigate the return of wights, the disappearance of several Rangers and rumors of a wildling army, Jeor leads an expeditionbeyond the WallinA Clash of Kings,but his force is annihilated by Others and an army of wights inA Storm of Swords.He leads the survivors to Craster's Keep, where he is killed in amutiny.

Maester Aemon

"Aemon Targaryen" redirects here. Not to be confused withAemond TargaryenorAegon Targaryen.

Aemon Targaryen is the older brother ofAegon V Targaryen,the third son of Maekar I Targaryen, and a member of the Night's Watch. Decades before the events ofA Game of Thrones,he was sent to the Citadel inOldtownon the orders of his grandfather Daeron II, who felt there were too many Targaryens, and became a Maester (one of an order of scholars and healers). He was later offered the throne of the Seven Kingdoms after the death of his father Maekar, but ceded the rule to Aegon and joined the Night's Watch. By the time ofA Game of Thrones,he is elderly and blind, but provides guidance to the men atCastle Black,and is greatly respected within the Night's Watch. InA Feast for Crows,Jon Snowsends him to the Citadel by sea, but Maester Aemon catches a fever during a storm and dies on the voyage betweenBraavosand Oldtown.

Yoren

Yoren is a recruiter of the Night's Watch. InA Game of Thrones,Yoren travels withTyrion Lannisterfromthe WalltoKing's Landingand is present when Tyrion is arrested byCatelyn Stark.He then races to King's Landing to informEddard Stark.During Lord Eddard's execution, he findsArya Starkand shields her from seeing her father's death. InA Clash of Kingshe disguises Arya as a boy recruit to smuggle her toWinterfell,but is killed by Lannister soldiers.

Samwell Tarly

Main article:Samwell Tarly

Samwell Tarly, called 'Sam', is the elder son of Lord Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill. Ten chapters throughoutA Storm of SwordsandA Feast for Crowsare told from his point of view. In spite of his self-professed cowardice, Sam is highly intelligent, resourceful, and loyal. Sam's lack of martial abilities and his interest in scholarly pursuits convinces his father that he is an unworthy heir and he is forced to join the Night's Watch.

Janos Slynt

Janos Slynt was a former Commander of the City Watch in King's Landing and a brother in the Night's Watch. He first appears inA Game of Thronesas commander of the City Watch. Slynt is known for his corruption, but Robert was persuaded not to remove him on the grounds the next commander might be worse. After Robert's death, whenNedintends to depose Joffrey, Slynt orders his men to arrest Ned. For this, Janos Slynt was made a lord and given Harrenhal.

InA Clash of Kings,Tyrion Lannister exiles Slynt to the Night's Watch as he cannot be trusted. InA Storm of Swords,Slynt attempts to be elected as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, but loses toJon Snow.After Slynt repeatedly refuses Jon's orders, Jon publicly executes him.

Alliser Thorne

Alliser Thorne is the Master of Arms at Castle Black, a warrior charged with training the Watch's recruits. Thorne was originally aTargaryenloyalist who, after the fall ofHouse Targaryenat the hands ofNedandRobert,was forced to join the Night's Watch. He harbors deep resentment atHouse Starkfor this fate. WhenJonarrives at Castle Black, Thorne personally torments, humiliates, and provokes Jon whenever possible.

Bowen Marsh

Bowen Marsh is the First Steward of the Night's Watch, based at Castle Black. He is in charge of the day-to-day running of the Night's Watch, dealing with issues of supplies, funding, logistics and communications. DuringA Dance with Dragons,Bowen becomes disillusioned by the decisions made byJon Snowas Lord Commander. Fearing for the future safety of the Night's Watch, Bowen and several of his followers stab Jon.

Eddison Tollett

Eddison Tollett, also known as "Dolorous Edd" for his melancholy temperament, sarcastic wit and pessimisticdry humor,is a squire from House Tollett and a steward of the Night's Watch. He is one ofJon Snow's closest friends at Castle Black. Edd survives the battle with the wights at the Fist of the First Men, and is among the survivors to make it back to Craster's Keep. InA Dance with DragonsEdd carries on his duties as the Lord Commander's steward. He is one of the men brought along as muscle to assist Lord Commander Jon Snow in escorting Janos Slynt for his execution.

Waymar Royce

Waymar Royce is a young Night's Watch ranger who leads two other rangers, the equally young Will and Gared, a man in his 50s, after a group of wildlings in the prologue scene of the first novel,A Game of Thrones.Although Will, the scout, reports that he discovered the wildlings lying dead near a stream past a ridge, Royce refuses to return to Castle Black, despite Gared's concerns about the worsening weather and Will's intuition that something sinister is occurring around them, because he wants to confirm that the wildlings were not merely sleeping. He is killed by a White Walker, and turned into a wight, after which he kills Gared, making him the first character whose death is explicitly depicted in the series.

Free Folk

Wildlings, also called Free Folk, are people who livebeyond the Wall.They live in independent villages and have no central government.Bands of wildlings often cross the Wall for plunder.InA Storm of Swords,the wildlings unite under Mance Rayder, the self-styled 'King-beyond-the-Wall', and invade the Seven Kingdoms to escape the return of The Others.With the help of Jon andStannis Baratheon,they settle inthe North.Many move into the abandoned castles to defend the Wall.

Mance Rayder

Mance Rayder is a former member of the Night's Watch who later deserted. Since then, he has become known as "King-beyond-the-Wall".InA Storm of Swords,he unites all the wildlings under his command and leads them to attack the Wall from the south trying to guide his people to safety from the advancing White Walkers. His vanguard is defeated byJon Snowat the Wall.During a parlay with Jon,Stannis Baratheonand his army rout the wildlings, and Mance is taken prisoner.Stannis orders Mance to be burned alive inA Dance with Dragons,but Jon later discovers that the priestessMelisandreused magic to disguise Rayder as the wildling who was burned in his place, escaping execution. Jon orders Mance to rescueArya Stark,not knowing the girl is actuallyJeyne Poole.In Winterfell, the party secretly kills off several ofRoose Bolton's men, creating tension in Winterfell, and enlists the help ofTheon Greyjoyto smuggle Jeyne out of the castle, but Mance is forced to stay behind.Ramsay Boltonlater sends a letter to Jon claiming that he has captured Mance and is holding him prisoner.

Ygritte

Ygritte (/ˈiːɡrɪt/EE-grit) is a wildlingspearwiferenowned for her fierce and headstrong nature, and is considered by many wildlings to be beautiful due to her exceptionallyred hair,althoughJon Snowconsiders her to be rather plain-looking. Ygritte first encounters Jon inA Clash of Kings,when she and her band of three wildling scouts are surprise-attacked by a group of Night's Watch rangers led by the famed Qhorin Halfhand, among whom is a young recruit Jon Snow. Most of her band is killed and she is personally captured by Jon, but Jon refuses the order to execute Ygritte because of her gender, and later releases her in secret.She rejoins the wildlings, and is present whenRattleshirttraps Qhorin and Jon in a cave, resulting in Jon feigning surrender by killing Qhorin. Ygritte speaks up for Jon when other wildlings raises suspicion towards Jon,and again when Mance Rayder doubts Jon's sincerity since he did not inform the wildlings of Lord Commander Mormont's ranging. Ygritte voluntarily transfers toTormund Giantsbane's group in order to stay with Jon, and they begin a sexual relationship as the wildling raiders attached to Thenn leader Styr are sent to scale over the Wall on Mance's orders aiming to attack Castle Black from the rear. Ygritte continues to defend Jon, but when Jon defects at Queenscrown to return to the Night's Watch, she shoots Jon in the calf with an arrow on the run. Ygritte later participates in Styr's attack on Castle Black, and is fatally shot in the chest by an arrow in the ensuing battle and dies in Jon's arms.

Craster

Craster is a wildling who lives north of the Wall in a fortified homestead called Craster's Keep. According to Ygritte, he was fathered by a member of the Night's Watch with a wildling from Whitetree.A regrettable ally of the Night's Watch, Craster has nineteen wives. When his daughters are old enough, he marries them and incestuously fathers new children. It is heavily implied that he sacrifices his sons tothe Others.Whilst searching for Benjen Stark and his missing party, Jeor Mormont's expedition party stays a night at Craster's Keep, under strict conditions not to get involved with his wives.When they return after being attacked by the Others, an argument ensues when Craster denies members of the Night's Watch access to his food. This leads to a mutiny, resulting in his and Mormont's deaths.

Gilly

Gilly is a wildling girl, daughter and wife of Craster. After the Night's Watch regroups at Craster's Keep, Gilly gives birth to a son. Craster is killed before he can sacrifice the child, and in the confusion Gilly flees south with Samwell, making it to the safety of the Wall. She is later sent south on a ship to Oldtown with Samwell and a boy who is ostensibly her child; in truth Jon Snow swapped her child with that of Mance Rayder, to spare the innocent child fromMelisandre's flames on account of his king's blood.

Val

Val is the sister of Mance Rayder's wife, Dalla. After the failed Wildling incursion, she is kept prisoner at the wall. She is described as an attractive woman. InA Dance with Dragons,Jon Snow sends her alone to bring a Wildling warlord, Tormund, and his people to the Wall. The mission is successful. She does not appear in the show.

Lord of Bones

The Lord of Bones (also mocked as "Rattleshirt" ) is a wildling leader under Mance Rayder, known for his vileness and cowardice. InA Dance with Dragons,he is executed, believed to be Mance sinceMelisandreglamoured him to take the appearance of the condemned.

Tormund Giantsbane

Main article:Tormund Giantsbane

Tormund, better known as "Tormund Giantsbane" or "Tormund Thunderfist", is a famous wildling raider.

Varamyr Sixskins

Varamyr is an infamous Wildling skinchanger, nicknamed due to his controlling of five other animals (threewolves,a shadowcat and asnow bear). He is the POV character of the prologue chapter ofA Dance With Dragons.Due to his skinchanging power, he maintains control over multiple Wildling villages via terror, and even aspired to be King-Beyond-the-Wall before joining Mance Rayder. After another skinchanger, Orell, is killed, he also assumes control of the eagle Orell leaves behind. When Stannis attacks the Wildlings army, Melisandre uses her magic to burn Varamyr's eagle, causing him to lose control of his remaining animals. When the Wildling army is routed, Varamyr flees north together with a small group, hiding his real identity from them. The group eventually deserts until only the spearwife named Thistle stays. Varamyr is stabbed by a boy when he attempts to take a squirrel-skin cloak off the dead body of the boy's mother. While Thistle treats his wound, knowing that he is dying, he attempts to take over her body. However, her mind fights back hard against him, and subsequent hysteria inflicted on Thistle's body attractswightsto their position to kill them both. Before Varamyr dies, his mind wargs into his wolf One Eye.

King's Landing

The Royal Court at King's Landing is mostly composed of the King's Small Council and his Kingsguard, the seven knights sworn to protect the king and his family. All members of the Small Council, except for the Grand Maester, are appointed and dismissed by the king or The Hand.

Small Council

Petyr Baelish

Main article:Petyr Baelish

Lord Petyr Baelish, called Littlefinger, held power as the Master of Coin, the treasurer of the Seven Kingdoms. Petyr names himself Lord Protector of the Vale following the death of his wife, Lysa Arryn.

Varys

Main article:Varys

Varys, called the Spider, is aeunuchwho serves as Master of Whisperers, the spymaster for the king of the Seven Kingdoms.He is feared by nobles and common people alike. He is described as bald and fat, and he usually affects a fawning, effeminate manner. He knows all of the secret passages in the royal castle and his spies are found everywhere.

Pycelle

Pycelle is an elderly Maester, who for decades has served many kings as Grand Maester, the personal healer and scholar of the king. Although he is intelligent and highly educated, his effectiveness as an officer of the court has been dulled by his age. He is secretly anagent of influenceforHouse Lannister:he convinced KingAerys II Targaryento open the gates forTywin Lannisterduring Robert's rebellion, he allowedJon Arrynto die to keep the true parentage ofCersei Lannister's children secret, and would have killed KingRobert Baratheonupon Cersei's command. Upon learning this,Tyrion Lannisterhas Pycelle removed from office and imprisoned. InA Storm of Swords,he is restored to his position. He objects to Queen Regent Cersei's decisions throughoutA Feast for Crows,and she considers replacing him. When Cersei is arrested, Pycelle seizes control of the king's council and offersKevan Lannisterthe regency. Together, they begin restoring order to the Seven Kingdoms. Pycelle is killed by Varys, who believes that he and Kevan's competent leadership threaten a Targaryen restoration.

Qyburn

Qyburn is a former Maester who lost his chain for unethical experiments. He is also rumored to dabble innecromancy.InA Clash of Kings,he is a member of the Brave Companionsmercenarycompany. He later leaves the company inA Feast for Crowsand joins the court inKing's Landing.QueenCersei Lannisterallows him to experiment on the mortally woundedGregor Clegane,presumably transforming Clegane into the monstrous Kingsguard knight, Ser Robert Strong.

Kingsguard

Barristan Selmy

Ser Barristan Selmy, called Barristan the Bold, is hailed as a hero throughoutWesterosand is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He serves as thethird-person narratorfor four chapters inA Dance with Dragons.Although he is over sixty years old at the start of the series, he remains a remarkable fighter and is the most celebrated and respected living knight. He has been a member of the Kingsguard for most of his life and served three kings. He remained loyal to House Targaryen duringRobert Baratheon's rebellion, but he later accepted Robert's pardon and held his position as commander. Upon Joffrey's succession, Ser Barristan is sent into retirement, which he sees as a disgrace. InA Clash of Kings,he begins serving the exiled princessDaenerys Targaryenand later exposes SerJorah Mormont,Daenerys's most trusted adviser, as a former spy for King Robert. When Daenerys disappears inA Dance with Dragons,he becomes a POV narrator and launches a coup against her husband. He then reluctantly rules Meereen in her stead under the title the Queen's Hand until she returns.

Arys Oakheart

Coat of arms of House Oakheart

Ser Arys Oakheart is a knight of KingRobert Baratheon's Kingsguard, and for Robert's subsequent heirs.He serves as thethird-person narratorfor one chapter inA Feast for Crows.Arys accompaniesMyrcella BaratheontoDorne,where he is seduced byArianne Martell.Together, they plot to place Myrcella on the throne. After the plot is foiled, Arys is killed.

Meryn Trant

Ser Meryn Trant is a member of the kingsguard under King Robert Baratheon, King Joffrey Baratheon and King Tommen Baratheon.

When Joffrey tells Sansa of his plan to beheadRobb Stark,she defies him by wishing to see his own head mounted there, for which Joffrey has Trant slap her. Along with the City Watch, he also murders King Robert's illegitimate children. When the Lannisters send their guards to capture Arya Stark, Trant killsSyrio Forel,herfencinginstructor, who protects Arya despite only being armed with a wooden training sword,as a result Trant is one of the names on Arya Stark's "list".

Balon Swann

Ser Balon Swann is the second son of Lord Gulian Swann. He is said to be skilled with the lance, Morningstar, and bow and arrow. He is made a Kingsguard after the death of Ser Preston Greenfield, whichTyrion Lannisterapproves of. During the Battle of the Blackwater, he fights valiantly against the forces ofStannis Baratheon.InA Feast For Crows,Cersei Lannistersends him to Dorne with the skull ofGregor Clegane,which he gives toDoran Martell.Doran later informs theSand SnakesandArianne Martellof Balon's involvement in a plan by Cersei to killTrystane Martelland frame Tyrion. After learning of the attempted murder of PrincessMyrcella,Balon leaves to chase Darkstar, the man who made the attempt on Myrcella's life.

Others

Ilyn Payne

Ser Ilyn Payne is the King's Justice, the royal executioner. Before the events of the series, KingAerys II Targaryenordered his tongue cut out. He is a skilled headsman, seldom requiring a second stroke to finish his charges. Ilyn executesLord Starkafter his downfall. He serves as Jaime's sparring partner inA Feast for Crows.

The High Sparrow

Main article:High Sparrow

The High Sparrow is a prominent member of the "sparrows", a religious movement formed during the War of the Five Kings, and is a member of the Faith of the Seven.

Other characters

Westeros

Syrio Forel

Syrio Forel is the former First Sword of Braavos and a master of the Braavosi fighting style known as "water dancing".He instructs Arya in the ways offencing.When the Lannisters send their guards to capture Arya, Syrio is killed by Meryn Trant, but not before Syrio dispatches all of the Lannister soldiers with no more than a wooden teaching sword, shattering knee caps and stabbing out eyes, so that Arya can escape.

Thoros of Myr

Thoros is a red priest ofR'hllorfrom the city ofMyr.Before the events of the series, he was sent toKing's Landingto convert KingAerys II Targaryeninto a follower of R'hllor. He was unsuccessful and began to question his faith. WhenRobert Baratheonbecame king, Thoros became a frequent drinking companion of Robert's. He is a formidable fighter known for using a flaming sword. InA Game of Thrones,he is sent withBeric Dondarrionto arrestGregor Clegane.When Dondarrion is killed, Thoros inadvertently resurrects him during the funeral service. ByA Storm of Swords,the two had founded a band of outlaws called the Brotherhood Without Banners to stop the raiders ravaging theRiverlands.Thoros is continually able to resurrect Dondarrion whenever he is killed. WhenLady Stonehearttakes leadership of the Brotherhood inA Feast for Crows,he does not dispute her, although he disapproves of her motives and methods.

Meribald

Meribald is a septon of the Riverlands. He guidesBrienne of Tarthto the Quiet Isle to meet the Elder Brother.

Septa Unella

Septa Unella is a member of the Most Devout, the ruling council of the Faith of the Seven. Unella is the septa who forcesCersei Lannisterto admit her crimes to her inA Feast for Crows.

Essos

Khal Drogo

Drogo is a powerful khal, or warlord, of theDothrakipeople, a tribal nation of horse riders in the steppes beyond theFree Cities.He is an accomplished warrior and has never been defeated in battle. Hoping to gain his support to invade Westeros, Viserys Targaryen and Illyrio Mopatis arrange for Drogo to marryDaenerys Targaryen.After a tense wedding night, her growing sexual prowess and self-esteem ultimately results in him falling in love with her, proving himself as a kind husband.Drogo also does not support Viserys' scheme to march on Westeros, eventually executing him after he threatens to kill Daenerys and their unborn child.After a failed attempt on her life by one of Robert Baratheon's spies, Drogo decides to lead his horde to conquer Westeros. However, during a battle, he receives an injury that eventually develops intosepsis.In a desperate attempt to save his life, Daenerys asks one of their captured slaves to revive him with blood magic, unwittingly sacrificing their unborn child during the ritual. However, Drogo is left in acatatonicstate, unable to move, speak or lead their horde to Westeros. Heartbroken, DaeneryssmothersDrogo and uses hisfuneral pyreto awaken her dragons.She names her favorite one Drogon in his name.

Jaqen H'ghar

Jaqen H'ghar is analiasused by a member of the Faceless Men, a society ofassassinswho follow a personification of death known as the Many-Faced God. InA Clash of Kings,this Faceless Man is posing as a Lorathi criminal from the black cells of the Red Keep given to Yoren's convoy to join the Night's Watch. During the journey, he was locked in a wagon cage along with two other criminals, called Rorge and Biter. He later meetsArya Stark,who frees him and the two others when the group is attacked by Lannister forces commanded by Amory Lorch. In gratitude, he promises to kill for Arya any three people she names. After Arya extorts him by naming him as the third name, Jaqen reluctantly agrees to help her stage aprison riotin Harrenhal that overwhelms the Lannister garrison and frees the northern prisoners. Jaqen offers to take Arya with him to Braavos but when she demurs, he gives her a Braavosi iron coin and instructs her to say "valar morghulis"to any Braavosi people should she need help finding him. Before leaving her Jaqen magically changes his face in front of Arya.

Later inA Feast for Crows,an alchemist with features identical to Jaqen's after the face change appears in Oldtown and bribes a Citadel novice named Pate to steal Archmaester Walgrave's keys (which can gain access to any door in Citadel). After Pate completes the trade, he dies of poison. Pate (with a completely different personality) later appears to greetSamwell Tarlywhen he meets Archmaester Marvyn.

Illyrio Mopatis

Illyrio Mopatis is a wealthy and powerful Magister inPentos.He is overweight, although in his youth he was a strong mercenary.He is a close friend ofVarys', and the pair design a plot to placeHouse Targaryenback on the throne of the Seven Kingdoms.Before the events of the series, he welcomed the exiledViserys Targaryenand his sisterDaenerysinto his home as guests.InA Game of Thrones,Illyrio brokers a marriage between Daenerys andKhal Drogoto buy Drogo's army of warriors.His plan to create an army to invadeWesterosis ruined upon the deaths of Drogo and Viserys. He aids Daenerys inA Clash of Kingsby sending her three ships and a disguisedBarristan Selmy.He also smugglesTyrion Lannisterout of Westeros inA Dance with Dragonsand sends him to accompany Aegon on his journey to aid Daenerys.

Hizdahr zo Loraq

Hizdahr zo Loraq is a Ghiscari noble of the city of Meereen. With the Sons of the Harpy continuing to cause trouble in the streets, the Green Grace advises Daenerys to take a husband of Ghiscari blood to placate the Meereenese and recommends Hizdahr. After keeping the peace, Hizdahr marries Daenerys as her second husband. Hizdahr tries to gain control of Meereen after the disappearance of Daenerys, but Grey Worm and his Unsullied refuse to obey him.

Penny

Penny is a dwarf performer. Alongside her brother Oppo, she performed a jousting act, with them riding a dog, Crunch, and a pig, Pretty Pig.They were hired by Petyr Baelish to perform at Joffrey Baratheon's wedding to force a confrontation between him and his uncle, Tyrion Lannister.After the "Purple Wedding", Penny and Oppo flee to Volantis to avoid the consequences. However, sailors mistake Oppo for Tyrion Lannister and murder him, hoping to claim Cersei's offer of a lordship for her brother. Whilst grieving, Penny recognizes Tyrion whilst he and Jorah Morment visit Volantis, initially attacking him. To prevent her from breaking news of his presence, the two take her with them to Meereen, during which she bonds with Tyrion.Penny is captured and sold alongside Tyrion and Jorah, where they are used as entertainment in the reopened fighting pits in Meereen.After their owner dies of the Pale Mare disease, Penny joins their escape and, though not allowed to join the Second Sons, is allowed to remain in the camp. Whilst there, Tyrion suspects that she may have contracted the disease from their former master.

Yezzan zo Qaggaz

Yezzan zo Qaggaz is a slave-trader from the city of Yunkai, on the coast of Slaver's Bay, and one of the Wise Masters, the ruling elite of the city. He boughtTyrion Lannister,Penny, andJorah Mormontfrom the slavers, and gives them to the charge of his henchman, Nurse. Yezzan was one of the few Yunkai lords who wished to honor the peace between Yunkai and Meereen. He later died of the pale mare that was spreading throughout the Yunkish siege lines, and several of his slaves used the opportunity to escape.

Tycho Nestoris

Tycho Nestoris is a representative of the Iron Bank of Braavos. Tycho is sent to the Wall to negotiate payment of the debt of the Iron Throne with King Stannis Baratheon. Jon Snow negotiates with him for the use of his ships for a voyage and a loan to purchase food for the winter while the Night's Watch provides him guides to reach Stannis, who has left Castle Black.

Quaithe

Quaithe of the Shadow is a shadowbinder from Asshai. She speaks the Common Tongue and wears a dark red lacquer wooden mask to conceal her appearance. She is also one of the three representatives from Qarth who arrive at Vaes Tolorro with Jhogo in search of dragons, the other two being Xaro Xhoan Daxos and the warlock Pyat Pree. Inside Qarth, Quaithe warns Daenerys she must leave. She also warns Daenerys she "must path beneath the shadow" and she will find truth in Asshai. Later, Quaithe warns Daenerys in her dreams while she rules Meereen to embrace her dragon heritage, and also of several enemies she must watch out for that will betray her. Daenerys cannot discern whether she is friend or foe.

The Waif

"The Waif" redirects here. For other uses, seeWaif (disambiguation).

The Waif is a priestess of the Many-Faced God in the House of Black and White in Braavos. The Waif is assigned to teach Arya the tongue of Braavos and then how to detect lies.

Animals

Direwolves

Direwolves are acaninespecies closely related towolvesbut are much larger and stronger. Fully grown direwolves are described as being as large asponies,with longer legs and larger heads.They are described to be highly intelligent, even fully capable of understanding human speech. Direwolves are thought extinct south ofthe Wall.However, at the start of the series, Robb Stark and Jon Snow discover six orphaned direwolfpups,whom each of the Stark children adopt.It is heavily implied that the wolves cause each of their owners to develop skinchanging abilities, provided they survive.ByA Dance with Dragons,only four of the original six remain: Ghost, Nymeria, Summer and Shaggydog (each owned by Jon, Arya, Bran and Rickon, respectively).

• Grey Wind isRobb Stark's male direwolf, named for its swift speed. He accompanies Robb on his campaign against the Lannisters and often fights alongside him in the War of the Five Kings. Upon arrival at the Twins for the Wedding of Robb's uncle Edmure Tully and Roslyn Frey, Grey Wind antagonizes the Frey envoys, leading him to be locked up in the kennels. During the Red Wedding, Grey Wind is released by Raynald Westerling and he fights against the attacking Freys, including the kennelmaster. However, he is eventually killed bycrossbows,while his savior falls into the Green Fork trying to escape. As a mockery of their relationship, the Freys sew Grey Wind's head onto Robb's mutilated body.
• Ghost isJon Snow's male direwolf, named due to it beingalbinoand its silent nature.Ghost is born therunt of the litterbut later grows into the largest of the six Stark direwolves. He accompanies Jon to Castle Black and assists him during his time at the Night's Watch. Jon Snow regularly wargs into Ghost's body during sleep and is capable of sensing the status of the other sibling direwolves.After behaving aggressively towards several men of the Night's Watch, including Bowen Marsh and a wildling skinchanger, Jon has Ghost locked up in his quarters. However, Ghost's instincts prove to be correct, as Marsh leads a mutiny against Jon.
• Lady isSansa Stark's female direwolf, named due to it being the smallest and prettiest of the pups.After an incident onthe Kingsroadwhen Nymeria bites Joffrey, Cersei demands that Lady be killed in her place when they cannot find her littermate. Despite his objections, Ned Stark obeys the king's order but kills Lady personally. Rather than let Cersei have her skin, he sends men to bring her body back north.
• Nymeria isArya Stark's female direwolf, named after a legendary Rhoynish warrior queen whom she admires.After she attacks Joffrey during a fight, Arya is forced to chase her away to avoid Cersei's wrath.Taking refuge inthe Riverlands,Nymeria gathers together a large wolf pack, attacking both human and livestock.Arya frequently wargs into Nymeria's body during sleep, even during her training inBraavos.Her "wolf dreams" are instrumental in the resurrection of her motherCatelynintoLady Stoneheartafter the Red Wedding, and essential for her not losing the Stark identity while training to be a Faceless Men assassin.
• Summer isBran Stark's male direwolf. After his owner's fall from the Old Keep, Summer remains outside his window howling and, during an assassination attempt, kills the attacker sent.Through Summer, Bran learns about his skinchanging abilities. On his journey to find the "Three Eyed Crow", he uses Summer to scout ahead and hunt.
• Shaggydog isRickon Stark's male direwolf, and is the only black one and the most temperamental of all the direwolf pups.Jojen Reeddescribes him as "full of fear and rage".Shaggydog follows Rickon and Osha to the island of Skagos, which is infamously rumored to be inhabited bycannibals.When Jon Snow wargs into his direwolf Ghost during sleep, he once sees Shaggydog fighting and killing agoat with one long horn.

Dragons

• Drogon,a black dragon, is visibly the largest and Daenerys's favourite dragon. Drogon is named after Khal Drogo, her late husband. After Drogon and Dany escaped fromMeereen,they lived in a cave in an isolated hill in theDothraki Sea;she named it Dragonstone, after the Dragonstone in Westeros. There she lived off his kills and wild vegetation and stream water. There Khal Jhaqo and his new breakawaykhalasarcame across them.
• Rhaegalis named after Daenerys's deceased brother, Rhaegar Targaryen, and is green.
• Viserionis named after Daenerys's deceased brother, Viserys Targaryen, and is yellow.
  • When Daenerys lost control over them, she locked Rhaegal and Viserion in the catacombs beneath Meereen. Drogon broke out of Meereen and followed Daenerys.

References

Bibliography

• Martin, George R. R. (September 1996).A Game of Thrones.A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.).Bantam Spectra.ISBN978-0-553-10354-0.
• Martin, George R. R. (March 1999).A Clash of Kings.A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.).Bantam Spectra.ISBN978-0-553-10803-3.
• Martin, George R. R. (November 2000).A Storm of Swords.A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.).Bantam Spectra.ISBN978-0-553-10663-3.
• Martin, George R. R. (November 2005).A Feast for Crows.A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.).Bantam Spectra.ISBN978-0-553-80150-7.
• Martin, George R. R. (July 2011).A Dance with Dragons.A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.).Bantam Spectra.ISBN978-0-553-80147-7.

External links

• A sourced list of GRRM's pronunciations,hosted at Westeros.org
• HBO'sofficial pronunciation guideforGame of Thronescharacters