Список персонажей Песни Льда и Огня

В романах Джорджа Р. Р. Мартина « Песнь льда и пламени » много персонажей. Сериал следует за тремя переплетенными сюжетными линиями: династическая война нескольких семей за контроль над Вестеросом ; растущая угроза сверхчеловеческих Других за северной границей Вестероса; и амбиции Дейенерис Таргариен , изгнанной наследницы предыдущей правящей династии. Великие дома Вестероса представляют собой семь королевств, созданных по всему континенту: Север, Железные острова, долину Аррен, Вестерлендс, Штормовые земли, Предел и Дорн. Массивная стена из льда и древней магии отделяет Семь Королевств от практически не нанесенной на карту области в самой северной части континента.

Каждая глава рассказывается от третьего лица глазами одного персонажа. Начиная с девяти персонажей POV в «Игре престолов» (1996), в течение первых пяти томов серии рассказывал в общей сложности тридцать один такой персонаж.

Дом Старков

Дом Старков - один из Великих Домов Семи Королевств и главный дом Севера . Его резиденция находится в Винтерфелле , одном из старейших замков Семи Королевств. На его гербе изображен серый лютоволк , бегущий по белому полю, и написано : « Зима приближается» . Ублюдки, рожденные на Севере, получили фамилию «Снежный». Дом Старков правил как Короли Севера в течение тысяч лет, пока Дом Таргариенов не завоевал Вестерос, после чего Старки стали известны как Лорды Винтерфелла и Стражи Севера. За честь и преданность долгу Дом Старков ближе всех к героизму из благородных домов.

По ходу романов Старки рассеяны Войной Пяти Королей, и судьба Дома остается неясной, поскольку большинство персонажей считают, что все законные сыновья Старков мертвы.

Семья

Эддард Старк

Эддард «Нед» Старк - лорд Винтерфелла и страж Севера, кратко служивший Десницей Короля Роберту Баратеону. Он казнен по приказу Джоффри на ступенях Великой септы Бейлора. Он служит персонажем от первого лица на протяжении 15 глав в «Игре престолов» .

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Шон Бин . Роберт Арамайо и Себастьян Крофт оба сыграли более молодые версии персонажа в воспоминаниях.

Кейтилин Старк

Кейтилин Старк - леди Винтерфелла , жена лорда Эддарда Старка и мать его детей Робба, Сансы, Арьи, Брана и Рикона. Она дочь лорда Хостера Талли из Риверрана; племянница сира Бриндена Талли (также известного как легендарная «Черная рыба») и сестра Лизы Аррен из Долины и Эдмура Талли . Она была убита во время Красной свадьбы, а затем воскресла как мстительный убийца-нежить под именем леди Стоунхарт. Она служит персонажем от первого лица в 25 главах «Игры престолов» , «Битва королей » и «Буря мечей» .

В телеадаптации HBO ее роль исполнила Мишель Фэйрли .

Робб Старк

Робб Старк - старший ребенок Эддарда и Кейтилин Старк и наследник Винтерфелла. Он не персонаж POV, но фигурирует в главах POV членов его семьи в первых трех романах серии.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Ричард Мэдден .

Санса Старк

Санса Старк - второй ребенок и старшая дочь Эддарда и Кейтилин Старк . Она служит персонажем POV на протяжении 24 глав «Игры престолов» , «Битва королей » , «Буря мечей » и «Пир для ворон» . Санса представляется красивой и скромной.

В телеадаптации HBO ее роль исполнила Софи Тернер .

Арья Старк

Арья Старк - третий ребенок и младшая дочь Эддарда и Кейтилин Старк . Она служит персонажем POV в 33 главах «Игры престолов» , «Битва королей » , «Буря мечей» , «Пир воронов » и «Танец с драконами» . Пока что она единственный персонаж, который появляется во всех 5 книгах как персонаж от первого лица.

В телеадаптации HBO ее роль исполнила Мэйси Уильямс .

Бран Старк

Брэндон «Бран» Старк - второй сын и четвертый ребенок Эддарда и Кейтилин Старк . Он выступает в качестве рассказчика от третьего лица в двадцати одной главе «Игры престолов» , «Битва королей» , «Буря мечей» и «Танец с драконами» . В «Игре престолов» он видит, как королева Серсея и ее брат Хайме Ланнистер совершают инцест., и Хайме выталкивает Брана из окна, чтобы сохранить отношения в секрете. Бран выживает, но теряет способность использовать ноги. Находясь в коме, Бран мечтает о трехглазом вороне. Постепенно он развивает способность принимать сознание своего волка Саммер, делая его варгом или сменщиком кожи . После того, как его старший брат Робб становится королем Севера , Бран становится наследником Робба и исполняющим обязанности лорда Винтерфелла. В «Битве королей » Йоджен Рид учит Брана, как правильно использовать свою телепатию , и направляет его за Стену . В «Танце с драконами » Бран встречает Трехглазого ворона: псевдоним последнего обученного ясновидящего.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Исаак Хемпстед Райт . ^{[S 1] [S 2]}

Рикон Старк

Рикон Старк - младший ребенок Неда Старка , ему три года в «Игре престолов» . ^[1] Когда Теон Грейджой захватывает Винтерфелл в «Битве королей », Рикон прячется в склепах. После увольнения Винтерфелла он и одичалая женщина Оша путешествуют по Северу . ^[2] В «Танце с драконами » говорится, что он находится на острове каннибалов, предположительно Скаго. ^[3]

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Арт Паркинсон . ^{[S 1] [S 3]}

Джон Сноу

Джон Сноу был воспитан как незаконнорожденный сын Неда Старка и выступает в качестве основного персонажа в 42 главах «Игры престолов» , «Битва королей » , «Буря мечей » и «Танец с драконами» . Он разделяет ценности чести семьи Старков и старается оставаться нравственно правильным и честным, даже когда он вынужден действовать иначе. Предполагается, что он сын Лианны Старк, сестры Неда Старка, и Рейгара Таргариена.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Кит Харингтон .

Бенджен Старк

Бенджен Старк - младший брат Неда Старка и первый рейнджер Ночного дозора. Он ненадолго появляется в начале « Игры престолов» , сначала в Винтерфелле, а затем на Стене в Замке Блэк, где он путешествует со своим внебрачным племянником Джоном Сноу . Бенджена отправляют с миссией в земли за Стеной, чтобы найти пропавшую группу, но он и его люди также исчезают. Позже были найдены тела двух его людей, которые вернули в Замок Блэк; они реанимируются как нежить и убивают нескольких человек, прежде чем будут уничтожены, но никаких следов Бенджена до сих пор не найдено.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Джозеф Мауле .

Лианна Старк

Лианна Старк была младшей и единственной сестрой Эддарда Старка ^[4] и умерла 14 лет назад в начале « Игры престолов» , но упоминается в каждой опубликованной книге серии. Она умерла в молодом возрасте 16 лет, и все, кто знал ее, считали ее «ребенком-женщиной невероятной красоты», ^[5] упрямой и «слегка примешиваемой» легендарной «волчьей крови» Старков. , и был одним из лучших наездников Севера. Она была обручена с Робертом Баратеоном , который был глубоко в нее влюблен ^[5] , хотя репутация Роберта как неверного ее не впечатлила.. Рассказы о ее жизни в основном рассказываются словами Эддарда Старка и Миры Рид (из главы, посвященной точке зрения Брана Старка ), с некоторыми мимолетными комментариями других людей, таких как Барристан Селми , Серсея Ланнистер , Руз Болтон и Кеван Ланнистер .

Во время Турнира в Харренхоле, величайшего турнира в истории Вестерози, Лианна была выбрана возможным чемпионом по рыцарским турнирам, наследным принцем Рейгаром Таргариеном , как "Королева любви и красоты" турнира. Поскольку Рейгар был уже женат, а Лианна была невестой Роберта Баратеона, ухаживание Рейгара за Лианой в то время считалось возмутительным скандалом. Год спустя она была похищена и изнасилована Рейгаром, что спровоцировало гражданскую войну , которая привела к свержению Дома Таргариенов . В конце войны Эддард и шесть его товарищей отправились в Башню радости в Дорне ., где находилась Лианна и охранялась тремя самыми выдающимися рыцарями Королевской гвардии - «Мечом утра» сиром Артуром Дейном, сиром Освеллом Уэнтом и «Белым быком» сиром Герольдом Хайтауэром (лорд-командир Королевской гвардии). После ожесточенной схватки, в которой погибли все, кроме Эддарда и его близкого друга Хауленда Рида , Эддард вошел в башню и обнаружил, что Лианна умирает в ложе крови. Перед смертью она попросила своего брата Эддарда дать обещание, что Эддард расценил как цену, которую он заплатил, и преследовал его днями и ночами в течение 14 лет. Позже Эддард забирает ее тело домой, чтобы его похоронили в склепе Винтерфелла, и устанавливает каменную статую по ее подобию перед ее саркофагом. Когда он возвращается, он также возвращает новорожденного мальчика по имени Джон Сноу ., который, как он утверждает, является его собственным ублюдком от женщины по имени Уилла. Хотя Джон Аррен убедил Роберта жениться на Серсее Ланнистер , Роберт очень оплакивает Лианну более десяти лет, вызывая большие напряжения в его браке с Серсеей.

В телеадаптации HBO Лианна сыграла Корделия Хилл в детстве и Эйслинг Франсиози в подростковом возрасте.

Джейн Вестерлинг

Джейн Вестерлинг - старшая дочь лорда Гавена Вестерлинга из Утеса, знаменосца Вестерлендского дома Ланнистеров . Она встречает Робба Старка , когда он ранен, и влюбляется в него во время его выздоровления. На следующий день он женится на ней, чтобы сохранить ее честь, тем самым разрывая брачный контракт с Домом Фреев . После ухода Робба за Близнецами Джейн остается в Риверране и не становится свидетелем резни. После Красной свадьбы она получает королевское помилование. В «Пире для ворон » она открыто скорбит и в последний раз появляется на скале Кастерли в качестве политического заключенного.

Во время Comic Con в Сан-Диего в 2014 году Джордж Р. Р. Мартин заявил, что Джейн Вестерлинг появится в прологе шестой книги «Ветры зимы », но не раскрыл, будет ли она персонажем пролога от первого лица.

В телеадаптации персонаж был адаптирован в роли Талисы Маэгир , знатной целительницы из Волантиса , которая влюбляется в Робба. Они женятся, и она забеременеет от его ребенка; в отличие от книг, она присутствует на Красной свадьбе и убита вместе с Роббом. Ее играет Уна Чаплин . ^{[S 4]}

Слуги и вассалы

Руз Болтон

Лорд Руз Болтон - важный вассал лорда Эддарда Старка . Его место - Дредфорт, а его печать - содранный человек, дань уважения древней болтонской традиции сдирать кожу с врагов. Его прозвали «Повелителем пиявок» за регулярные пиявки , направленные на улучшение его здоровья.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Майкл МакЭлхаттон . ^{[S 5]}

Рамзи Болтон

Рамси Сноу - внебрачный сын лорда Роуза Болтона , позже узаконенного как Рамси Болтон. Он известен как Ублюдок Болтона или Ублюдок Дредфорта. Рамзи порочный, безжалостный, психопатический, садистский, оппортунистический, непредсказуемый и бесстрашный. Он испытывает огромное удовольствие и гордится пытками других и с энтузиазмом практикует болтонский обычай сдирать кожу с врагов. Руз подозревает, что Рамзи убил законного наследника Руза, и ожидает, что Рамзи убьет всех будущих детей Руза. Он описан как уродливый, с пятнистой кожей и сухими темными волосами.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Иван Реон .

Рикард Карстарк

Рикард Карстарк - лорд Кархолда и один из главных вассалов Старка. Во время битвы за Шепчущий лес Хайме Ланнистер убивает двух своих сыновей, охранявших Робба Старка. Выживший сын Рикарда Харрион Карстарк позже убит Ланнистерами. Когда Кейтилин помогает Джейме сбежать в попытке вернуть своих дочерей, Рикард убивает двух двоюродных братьев Хайме и заставляет свою армию дезертировать Робба, чтобы поискать Хайме в Речных землях, предлагая свою дочь Алис Карстарк тому, кто принесет ему Убийцу королей. Из-за этого Робб лично казнит Рикарда.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Джон Шталь .

Элис Карстарк

Алис Карстарк - единственная дочь и младший ребенок лорда Рикарда Карстарка. Она обручена с Дэрином Хорнвудом, наследником Хорнвуда, но Джейме Ланнистер убивает его вместе с двумя своими братьями. Ее отец предлагает ее тому, кто захватывает Джейме Ланнистера, поэтому садистский наемник Варго Хоат захватывает Джейме в надежде стать лордом Кархольда. Однако после смерти Рикарда его дядя Арнольф Карстарк замышляет взять под свой контроль Кархольда. Он объявляет Станниса на север в надежде, что это будет означать, что Ланнистеры казнят его внучатого племянника Харриона Карстарка, поэтому Кархольд перейдет к Алис, которую Арнольф намеревается заставить выйти замуж за своего сына Крегана Карстарка. Арнольф также намеревается предать Станниса, когда атакуют Болтоны. Однако Элис (преследуемая Креганом) бежит к Стене в поисках помощи Джона Сноу и раскрывает планы своих дядюшек.Чтобы защитить ее, Джон заключает в тюрьму Крегана и устраивает для Алис брак с лидером одичалых Сигорном, Магнаром из Тэнн, на церемонии, проводимой Мелисандрой, которая поможет интеграции одичалых на Север. Если Харрион умрет бездетным, Кархольд перейдет во вновь сформированный Дом Тэнн.

В телеадаптации HBO ее роль исполнила Меган Паркинсон .

Вайман Мандерли

Вайман Мандерли - лорд Белой Гавани, единственного города на Севере и самого богатого из вассалов Старка. Он очень толстый человек, у него двое сыновей, сир Вилис и сир Вендель Мандерли. Во время Войны Пяти Королей Мандерли и Болтоны начинают частную войну за земли Хорнвуда после того, как Рамзи похищает овдовевшую леди Донеллу Хорнвуд, двоюродную сестру Ваймана, вынуждает ее выйти за него замуж, а затем морить ее голодом. Наследник Ваймана Уайлис попадает в плен, когда Руз Болтон предательски посылает большие силы с севера на уничтожение Рэндилом Тарли. Младший сын Ваймана Вендель убит на Красной свадьбе Фреями. Из-за того, что его наследник находится в плену, Вайман не может открыто бросить вызов Ланнистерам. Три Фрея приходят в его город с костями Венделя, и, по-видимому, заключен мир, в котором Вайман 'Внучки Винафрид и Уилла выйдут замуж за одного из этих Фреев, Рейгара Фрея, и другого внука Уолдера Фрея, «Маленького» Уолдера Фрея. Когда Давос Сиворт прибывает в Белую Гавань, чтобы поговорить с Вайманом и поддержать Станниса, Давос осуждает присутствующих Фреев за их предательство. Вайман, по-видимому, казнил его, но тайно казнил преступника вместо него, в результате чего Серсея вернула его наследника. Вайман сообщает Давосу, что знает, где скрывается Рикон Старк, и поддержит Станниса, если Давос вернет его. Подразумевается, что Вайман убил Фреев из Белой Гавани, когда их пребывание закончилось (таким образом, оставаясь для гостей), а затем положил их в пироги, которые он подает Фреям и Болтонам, когда он присутствует на свадьбе Рамзи, даже съев их сам. Фреи подозревают его в убийстве своих родственников,и когда Литтл Уолдер убит (возможно, его двоюродным братом Большим Уолдером Фреем), их дядя Хостин Фрей нападает на Ваймана и режет ему шею. Неизвестно, выживет ли он.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Шон Блауэрс .

Ходор

Ходор / ˈ h oʊ d ɔː r / - правнук старой Нэн и тупоголовый конюх в Винтерфелле . Хотя его настоящее имя - Уолдер ^[6] , его обычно называют «Ходор», потому что это единственное слово, которое он может сказать. Он более семи футов ростом и намекает, что, возможно, имеет гигантское происхождение. У него дружелюбный, детский нрав и большая физическая сила, хотя он слишком робок и нежен, чтобы использовать ее против других. После того , как Бран Старк искалечен в "Игре престолов", Ходору поручено носить его на перевязи на спине. Когда Винтерфелл разграблен и сожжен, Ходор убегает на север с Браном, Джодженом, Мирой, Риконом и Ошей.

В телеадаптации HBO (в которой настоящее имя Ходора было изменено на Уайлис, якобы, чтобы избежать путаницы с другим персонажем, Уолдером Фреем), он изображен Кристианом Нэрном как взрослый и Сэм Коулман как ребенок.

Оша

Оша ( / ˈ oʊ ʃ ə / ) - одичалая женщина, которая пробирается к югу от Стены , чтобы спастись от Других . Когда она и ее товарищи-беженцы пытаются похитить Брана Старка в «Игре престолов », Робб Старк захватывает ее и забирает обратно в Винтерфелл , где, в конце концов, нанимают посудомойку и дают ограниченную свободу за ее хорошее поведение. ^{[7] [8]} Она сближается с Браном Старком и часто дает ему советы насчет приближающейся зимы. ^{[8] [9]} Когда Теон Грейджойзахватывает Винтерфелл, Оша решил защитить Брана и Рикона за ее свободу. Она присоединяется к Брану и Рикону, прячущимся в склепе Винтерфелла после имитации побега. ^[2] Позже она расстается с Браном, и ей поручается позаботиться о Риконе через Север во время их побега, а в «Танце с драконами » они, как сообщается, высадились на острове Скагос, предположительно населенном каннибалами. ^{[2] [3]}

В телеадаптации HBO Ошу исполнила Наталья Тена . ^{[S 1]}

Джейн Пул

Джейн Пул - дочь Вайона Пула, управляющего Винтерфелла и лучшего друга Сансы Старк . ^[10] У нее карие глаза и темные волосы, и ее описывают как очень красивую. ^[11] После ареста Эддарда Старка в «Игре престолов » члены и слуги его семьи были убиты. Джейн снова появляется в «Танце с драконами », пережив бойню, но ее отправляют в бордели Петира Бейлиша . Ланнистеры используют ее как замену младшей сестре Сансы Арье и отправляют ее на север, чтобы она вышла замуж за Рамси Болтона в Винтерфелле. Теон Грейджойпризнает, что она фальшивка, и что Болтоны знают об этой уловке. ^{[12] [13]} Подразумевается, что Рамзи Болтон пытает ее и заставляет совершать половые акты с собаками .

Джон Сноу , сводный брат Арьи, считает Джейн настоящей Арьей и отправляет Мэнса Райдера спасти ее. ^[14] Группа заручается поддержкой Теона, но их прикрытие раскрыто, и Теон и Джейн едва спасаются. ^[15]

В первом сезоне телеадаптации неизвестный статист ненадолго появился как Джейн в пилотном эпизоде. В пятом сезоне ее сюжетная линия была частично смешана с сюжетом Сансы Старк.

Йоджен и Мира Рид

Джоджен и Мира - дети Хоуленда Рида, лорда Серого Дозора и верного знаменосца Старка. Впервые они появляются в «Битве королей », когда их отец отправляет их вместо себя, чтобы они присутствовали на празднике урожая и возобновили обещание Дома Ридов Дому Старков и поддержали детей покойного Эддарда Старка . Они быстро подружились с Браном Старком и его младшим братом Риконом , и показаны исключительно с точки зрения Брана .

Старшей сестре Мире шестнадцать лет, когда она представлена ​​в «Битве королей» . Как типично для обычных людей, Мира невысокая, стройная, с плоской грудью, длинными каштановыми волосами и зелеными глазами, и описывается как веселый нрав. Она чрезвычайно лояльна и защищает своего «принца», а также своего собственного брата, и Бран отмечает, что единственный, кто когда-либо злит или расстраивает ее, - это ее брат Джоджен. Хотя ее никогда не называют особенно красивой, и Теон Грейджой, и Бран Старк, похоже, считают ее привлекательной. Она опытная охотница и сражается с помощью небольшой рыболовной сети и трехзубого лягушачьего копья (похожего по стилю на ретиарий ); она может победить лютоволка БранаЛето, в имитационном бою , запутав лютоволка в своей сети. Наследие покойной тети Брана Лианны Старк также во многом рассказывается через ее рассказы.

Младшему брату, Йоджену, когда он впервые появляется, тринадцать лет, но его угрюмая серьезность и зрелость заставляют его казаться старше. Он невысокого роста и худощав, с необычно темно-зелеными глазами и одет в одежду зеленого цвета. Он утверждает, что обладает «зеленым зрением» и силой пророческих «зеленых снов», из которых он знает различные загадочные факты, включая день его смерти. В Винтерфелле Йоджен признает Брана Старка сменщиком кожи, способным проникать в разум животного и контролировать его, и наставляет Брана, чтобы помочь ему получить контроль над своими способностями. Когда Теон Грейджой захватывает Винтерфелл, Джоджен и Мира прячутся с Браном и Риконом в склепе Винтерфелла после симуляции побега .и они присоединяются к Брану в его путешествии на север в поисках трехглазого воронапосле того , как Рамзи Сноу мешает и сжигает Винтерфелл. В конце « Буря мечей » они путешествуют за Стену, и Джоджен становится очень слабым. В «Танце с драконами » Мира изо всех сил пытается поддержать настроение группы, но подразумевает, что будущее Джоджена мрачно.

В телеадаптации HBO Джоджен и Мира Рид изображены английскими актерами Томасом Сангстером и Элли Кендрик соответственно. ^{[S 6] [S 7]}

Дом Таргариенов

Дом Таргариенов был правящим домом Семи Королевств в течение почти 300 лет, занимая королевский двор в Королевской Гавани . На его гербе изображен красный трехголовый дракон, дышащий огнем на черном поле, а его слова - «Огонь и кровь» .

Таргариены родом из Валирии на континенте Эссос . Прежде чем Валирия была разрушена, Таргариены ушли в Драконий Камень. Спустя столетие после валирийской «Судьбы» Эйгон I Таргариен завоевал шесть из семи королевств своими драконами, а его потомки выиграли седьмое благодаря политическому браку. Драконы Таргариенов были последними, о которых было известно о существовании, и они вымерли задолго до событий « Игры престолов» . Люди предков Таргариенов, которых называют «кровью дракона», обычно имеют серебристо-золотые или платиновые волосы и пурпурные глаза от лиловых до фиолетовых. ^[16]

За пятнадцать лет до событий сериала Таргариены были свергнуты во время восстания Роберта, а дети Визерис и Дейенерис бежали в Эссос .

Семья

Эйгон V Таргариен

Эйгон Таргариен, которого в молодости прозвали «Яйцо», - один из двух главных героев романов « Сказки о Дунке» и «Яйцо » . В детстве его отец, принц Мейкар, неохотно разрешил ему служить оруженосцем странствующего рыцаря сира Дункана Высокого, в надежде, что уроки, извлеченные из скромной службы и тяжелого опыта, помогут ему избежать эксцессов и недостатков его королевских братьев. Позже он был коронован как король Эйгон V, когда Великий совет обошел тех, кто был до него в линии преемственности, и его старший брат Эйемон решил отречься от престола, присоединившись к Ночному дозору.. Его называли «Эйгоном Невероятный», потому что, как четвертый сын четвертого сына, он занимал очень низкое положение в линии преемственности и, следовательно, считался маловероятным унаследованием Железного Трона.

Правление Эйгона V длилось более двадцати пяти лет, в течение которых он пытался проводить политику, более благоприятную для интересов простых людей, и в результате часто конфликтовал с благородными лордами. Позже он погиб в «Трагедии Саммерхолла», огромном пожаре в летнем дворце Таргариенов, вместе со своим сыном принцем Дунканом и близким другом сиром Дунканом Высоким. После его смерти трон унаследовал его сын Джейхейрис. Когда три года спустя Джейхейрис умер, Железный трон перешел к его сыну Эйрису .

В телеадаптации «Игра престолов » Эйгон - отец Безумного короля Эйриса, а не его дед.

Эйрис II Таргариен

Эйрис Таргариен Второй, также называемый Безумным королем, - последний король Таргариенов, правивший Семью Королевствами. Хотя его правление начиналось хорошо, он постепенно сошел с ума. Его сестра-жена Рээлла родила ему восемь детей, но только трое дожили до взрослого возраста: сыновья Рейгар и Визерис , а также дочь Дейенерис , которая еще не родилась, когда пала династия Таргариенов. После того, как Рейгар сбежал с Лианной Старк , Эйрис казнил отца и брата Неда Старка , начав восстание Роберта. Когда Эйрис планировал сжечь Королевскую Гавань, а не позволить Роберту править, он был убит членом его собственной Королевской гвардии Хайме Ланнистером .

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Дэвид Ринтоул .

Рейгар Таргариен

Рейгар Таргариен, «Последний Дракон», был старшим сыном короля Эйриса II и наследником Железного Трона , а также старшим братом Визериса и Дейенерис Таргариен . Он умер за 14 лет до событий « Игры престолов» , и его жизненные истории в основном рассказываются словами Джейме Ланнистера , Серсеи Ланнистер , Барристана Селми и Дейенерис (через видения колдовства), а также комментариями Эддарда Старка , Эймона. Таргариен , Джорах Мормонт , Мира Рид , Джон Коннингтон и Джилли.

Рейгар женился на дорнийской принцессе Элиа Мартелл из Солнечного Копья и родил от нее дочь по имени Рейнис и сына по имени Эйгон ( Эйгон VI ). После победы в Харренхоле, величайшем турнире в истории Вестерози, он удивил всех, обойдя свою жену Элию и короновав Лианну Старк как «Королеву любви и красоты». Год спустя он и Лианна исчезли, и пошли слухи, что он похитил и изнасиловал Лианну. В ярости старший брат Лианны Брэндон отправился в Королевскую Гавань, чтобы противостоять Рейгару, в результате чего и он, и его отец, лорд Рикард, были жестоко казнены королем Эйерисом. Другой старший брат Лианны Эддард , ее суженый Роберт Баратеон , ихприемный отец Джон Аррен и тесть Брэндона, будущий Хостер Талли , затем начали восстание против Эйриса, в котором Роберт лично убил Рейгара в единоборстве в Битве за Трезубец и в конечном итоге свергнул Дом Таргариенов . Хотя Роберт продолжает очернять Рейгара на протяжении всей «Игры престолов» , многие другие персонажи выражают ему восхищение.

Мертворожденный сын Дейенерис Раэго и ее дракон Рейгал названы в честь Рейгара. ^[17]

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Уилф Сколдинг. В воспоминаниях он изображен как биологический отец Джона Сноу . ^[18]

Визерис Таргариен

Визерис Таргариен - второй сын Эйериса II Таргариена . ^[1] За тринадцать лет до событий сериала он и его сестра Дейенерис бежали из Вестероса , спасаясь от смерти от рук мятежного Роберта Баратеона . ^[16] Визерис - высокомерный, жестокий и амбициозный человек, склонный к резким перепадам настроения. Его широко называют «Королем-нищим» как на Эссосе, так и на Вестеросе. ^{[16] [19]}Надеясь завоевать расположение дотракийцев и завоевать Вестерос, Визерис принимает меры, чтобы Дейенерис вышла замуж за Кхала Дрого, чтобы заключить с ними союз. Путешествуя с ордой, пока не получит свою «золотую корону», Визерис становится беспокойным и нетерпеливым из-за отказа Дрого идти к Семи Королевствам. Он также теряет влияние на Дейенерис, которая постепенно противостоит его жестокому поведению. ^{[20] [21]} После того, как Джорах Мормонт препятствует его плану украсть ее яйца дракона, Визерис пьяно угрожает своей сестре и ее будущему ребенку в священном городе дотракийцев Ваес Дотрак. В конце концов рассердив Дрого, он наивно соглашается на его предложение «золотой короны, которой будут бояться все люди», и погибает, когда Кхал поливает его голову расплавленным золотом. ^[22]Дейенерис называет одного из своих драконов Визерионом в его память, но только для того, чтобы сохранить ей жизнь на долгие годы. ^[23]

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Гарри Ллойд . ^{[S 1] [S 2]}

Дейенерис Таргариен

Дейенерис Таргариен, которую иногда называют «Дейенерис Шторморожденная», «Кхалиси», «Мать драконов», является дочерью и младшим ребенком короля Эйриса II Таргариена и является одним из последних выживших членов Дома Таргариенов. ^{[16] [1]} Она служит персонажем точки зрения в тридцати одной главе «Игры престолов» , «Битва королей » , «Буря мечей » и «Танец с драконами» .

В телеадаптации HBO ее роль исполнила Эмилия Кларк .

Эйгон VI Таргариен

Эйгон VI Таргариен, также известный как Молодой Грифф, - единственный известный сын Рейгара Таргариена и Элии Мартелл . Сообщается, что за пятнадцать лет до событий сериала младенец Эйгон был убит вместе со своей матерью и сестрой Грегором Клиганом .

В «Танце с драконами » Варис утверждает , что заменил Эйгона другим низкорожденным младенцем (известным как «принц Писуотер») и тайно вывез Эйгона из Королевской Гавани до падения столицы. Во время изгнания в Эссосе Тирион Ланнистер (под псевдонимом Хьюгор Хилл) встречает Янга Гриффа, хорошо обученного мальчика-подростка, которого поддерживает соратник Вариса Иллирио Мопатис, который утверждает, что является выжившим Эйгоном и находится под опекой близкого друга Рейгара Джона Коннингтона . (под псевдонимом Грифф). Его должны использовать Варис и Иллирио как марионеточный король. Молодой Грифф намеревается отправиться в Залив Работорговцев, чтобы навестить Дейенерис Таргариен и предложить брак, но Тирион провоцирует его во времяcyvasse и убеждает его отказаться от предложения и самостоятельно атаковать Вестерос. Раскрывая себя как Эйгона, Грифф убеждает Золотую роту поддержать его вторжение, высадить его армию в Штормовых землях и захватить несколько замков, а также планирует осаду Баратеона на Штормовом Пределе . В грядущей шестой книге «Ветры зимы », согласно новостям, полученным Арианной Мартелл , силы Эйгона успешно захватили Штормовой Предел. Многие фанаты считают, что Молодой Грифф на самом деле не Эйгон, а Блэкфайр по материнской линии с Иллирио в роли его биологического отца, которого Варис и Иллирио представляют в роли Таргариенов.

Brynden Rivers

Бринден Риверс, более известный как «Лорд Кровавый Ворон», является законным внебрачным сыном короля Эйгона IV Таргариена (которого звали Эйгон Недостойный) и Мелиссы Блэквуд. Он - один из трех персонажей (остальные - Эймон Таргариен и Уолдер Фрей ), появившихся как в романах «Песнь льда и огня », так и в новеллах « Сказки о Дунке» и «Яйцо» . Он альбинос с белой кожей, длинными белыми волосами и красными глазами. На левой щеке у него красное родимое пятно , которое, как говорят, имеет форму ворона , отсюда и прозвище «Кровавый ворон».

Кровавый Ворон оставался верным своему сводному брату королю Дейрону II Таргариену (по прозвищу Даэрон Хороший) во время восстаний Блэкфайра против другого узаконенного ублюдка Эйгона, Деймона Блэкфайра, и их потомков, но позже был брошен в тюрьму своим внучатым племянником королем Эйгоном V Таргариену (по прозвищу Эйгон Маловероятный) за то, что он приказал казнить Эйниса Блэкфайра, несмотря на обещание безопасного прохода. В наказание он был отправлен к Стене, а позже избран лордом-командующим Ночного Дозора и служил в этом качестве много лет, прежде чем исчез во время перехода за Стену. В «Танце с драконами » показано, что Кровавый Ворон стал последним провидцем и слился с корнем чумового дерева. Он начинает обучать Брана Старка ясновидению .

В телеадаптации HBO персонаж известен только как «Трехглазый ворон», и его предыстория относительно Таргариенов и Ночного дозора никогда не упоминается. Его кратко изображал Струан Роджер в финале четвертого сезона « Дети » и более подробно Макс фон Сюдов в шестом сезоне . В интервью 2017 года Исаак Хемпстед Райт (который изображает Брана) намекнул, что в телесериале Трехглазый Ворон «сидел в пещере, глядя сквозь время» «тысячи лет». ^[24]

Маэкар I Таргариен

Маэкар (Maekar) - персонаж в сказках о Дунке и Яйце.. Он четвертый и младший сын Даэрона II Таргариена. Мейкар женился на Дайанне Дэйн и имел шестерых детей, четырех сыновей, Дейрона, Эйриона, Эймона и Эйгона, а также двух дочерей. Его сделали принцем Саммерхолла, летнего замка, построенного в Штормовых землях его отцом. Мэйкар возмущен тем, что его достижения часто упускаются из виду, особенно в пользу своего старшего брата Бейлора «Разбитого Копья». Он был зол, когда его отец Дейрон приказал отправить в Цитадель своего третьего сына Эймона. На Турнире в Эшфорде Мейкар посылает своих трех других сыновей и разгневан, когда Дунк атакует жестокого Аэриона, чтобы защитить Тансель, кукольника. Когда Эйрион просит Испытание Семи, Мэйкар встает на сторону своего сына, однако Бейлор принимает сторону Дунка. В бою Дунк вынуждает Эйриона снять свое обвинение.но Мейкар, пытаясь добраться до своего сына, останавливает Бейлор и случайно наносит ему удар по голове, который убивает его. Он позволяет Дунку взять Эйгона в качестве своего оруженосца, когда Дунк указывает, чем стали Дейрон и Эйрион. Мейкар в конечном итоге стал королем, но умер 12 лет спустя во время Восстания на Пике, когда камень, брошенный из замка Пика, Старпайк раздробил его голову.

Дом Блэкфайр

Дом Блэкфайр - это полу-исчезнувший кадетский дом Дома Таргариенов. Их сигила - трехголовый черный дракон на красном поле, противоположный Дому Таргариен. Дом Блэкфайр был основан, когда Эйгон IV «Недостойный» (правил AL 172–184) узаконил всех своих внебрачных детей на смертном одре. Эйгон отдал «Блэкфайр», меч первого короля Таргариенов, своему незаконнорожденному Демону, как будто выражая свое расположение Деймона над наследником: своим истинным сыном Дейроном. Когда Эйгон IV умер, Демон I Блэкфайр оспорил право Даэрона II Таргариена на Железный Трон. Этот вызов вызвал конфликты между AL 184–260, где ряд претендентов Blackfyre боролись за Железный трон. ^[25]

Слуги и вассалы

Джон Коннингтон

Лорд Джон Коннингтон - изгнанный лорд Грифона Грифона и был близким другом Рейгара Таргариена . Джон выступает в роли рассказчика от третьего лица в двух главах «Танца с драконами» . За пятнадцать лет до событий сериала Король Эйрис II сделал Джона своей Десницей Короля. Однако Джону также не удалось сдержать восстание. Эйрис лишил его земель и титулов, отдав их двоюродному брату Джона Рональду Коннингтону и сослал его. Выждав время в Эссосе, он воспитывает Юного Гриффа , предположительно сына Рейгара Эйгона. Джон и Эйгон в конце концов решают атаковать Вестерос, когда он вовлечен в гражданскую войну. На обратном пути Коннингтон заражается серой чумой при спасении Тириона. Группа приземляется вStormlands и захватывает несколько замков, в том числе Грифон Грифона. Эйгон планирует возглавить атаку на Штормовой Предел , следующую цель.

Коннингтон вырезан в адаптации HBO Игра престолов , хотя его путешествие с Тирионом и серой инфекцией объединены в Джорах Мормонт .

Джорах Мормонт

Сир Джорах Мормонт - изгнанный лорд Медвежьего острова на севере , который он унаследовал после того, как его отец Джор Мормонт присоединился к Ночному дозору . Щедрый образ жизни его жены привел к долгам, из-за чего Джорах начал продавать рабов. Спасаясь от правосудия, он сбежал на Эссос и в конце концов присоединился к Дейенерис Таргариен , став одним из ее главных советников.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Иэн Глен . ^{[S 1] [S 2]}

Missandei

Миссандеи - переводчик-раб для Кразниса мо Наклоза, когда Дейенерис Таргариен приходит осмотреть Безупречных в Астапоре. После того, как Дейенерис заключает сделку с Добрыми Мастерами Астапора относительно оплаты Безупречных, Кразнис дает Миссандеи Дейенерис в качестве переводчика, чтобы отдавать им команды. Впоследствии она становится доверенным лицом и служанкой Дейенерис.

В телеадаптации HBO ее роль сыграла Натали Эммануэль . ^{[S 8]}

Даарио Нахарис

Даарио Нахарис - лидер наемной компании Грозовой Вороны. Даарио завоевывает Дейенерис и приводит на свою сторону Грозовых Ворон. Он завязывает с ней романтические отношения, в конечном итоге становясь одним из ее советников.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Эд Скрейн в третьем сезоне и Мишель Хейсман с четвертого по шестой сезон . ^{[S 9]}

Серый червь

Серый Червь («Торго Нудхо» на Высоком Валирийском языке ) - Незапятнанный, приобретенный Дейенерис Таргариен и присягнувший ей. Он является командиром «Безупречных Дейенерис» и одним из ее доверенных советников. После того, как Дейенерис сбегает из Мерина, Серый Червь становится членом правящего совета города.

В телеадаптации HBO его роль исполнил Джейкоб Андерсон . ^{[S 10]}

Дом Ланнистеров

Дом Ланнистеров - один из Великих Домов Семи Королевств и главный дом Вестерлендов . Его резиденция находится на Утесе Кастерли , и им также дали титул Стражей Запада. На его гербе изображен золотой лев , свирепствующий на малиновом поле, и его слова : «Услышь мой рев!» Более известен, чем его официальный девиз, неофициальный девиз Дома: «Ланнистеры всегда платят свои долги». Ублюдки, рожденные в Вестерлендах, получили фамилию «Холм». Ланнистеры правили как Короли Скалы, пока Дом Таргариенов не вторгся в Вестерос. Они являются самой богатой семьей в Семи Королевствах из-за золотых приисков, расположенных на их землях.

Family

Tywin Lannister

Tywin Lannister is Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, 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 Targaryen appointed the young Tywin Hand of the King. Tywin proved himself a ruthless but capable leader and his tenure was marked by peace and prosperity.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Charles Dance.^{[S 1][S 11]}

Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister is the twin sister of Jaime, (the elder of the two), and the only daughter of Tywin Lannister. She serves as the third-person narrator of twelve chapters in A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. She became queen by marrying Robert Baratheon. She has three children (all of whom are in actuality fathered by her twin brother) and two of whom eventually become king after Robert's death.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Lena Headey.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Jaime Lannister

Jaime Lannister is the twin brother of Cersei and the first son of Tywin Lannister. He serves as the third-person narrator of seventeen chapters throughout A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister is the younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister, and serves as a third-person narrator for 47 chapters in A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords and A Dance With Dragons. He is the narrator with the most chapters in the books.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Peter Dinklage.

Joffrey Baratheon

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

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Jack Gleeson.

Myrcella Baratheon

Princess Myrcella Baratheon is the second oldest child and only daughter of Queen Cersei Lannister. Like her brothers, she was fathered by Cersei's brother Jaime 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 that House Martell will support Joffrey, Myrcella is betrothed to marry Prince Trystane Martell when they come of age and is sent to Dorne in A Clash of Kings. After Joffrey's death in A Storm of Swords, Princess Arianne Martell schemes to kidnap Myrcella and crown her queen of Westeros. The plan goes awry, however, and Myrcella is severely injured in the kidnapping.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Aimee Richardson in seasons one and two, and Nell Tiger Free in seasons five and six.^{[S 1]} Her fate is changed from that in the novels—in the television version, Myrcella is poisoned by Ellaria Sand as revenge against the Lannisters for the death of Oberyn Martell. Myrcella dies in Jaime's arms moments after acknowledging him as her father.

Tommen Baratheon

Prince Tommen Baratheon is 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Callum Wharry in seasons one and two, and Dean-Charles Chapman from season four onwards.^{[S 1]}

Kevan Lannister

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

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Ian Gelder.^{[S 12]}

Lancel Lannister

Lancel Lannister is the oldest son of Kevan Lannister and serves as squire to King Robert Baratheon at King's Landing, in A Game of Thrones. He helps Queen Cersei kill Robert. In A 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 King Joffrey Baratheon and is seriously wounded in the fighting. During his recovery in A 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 of the Faith, is reinstated, Lancel renounces his wife and lands, and joins the organization.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Eugene Simon.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Servants and Vassals

Bronn

Bronn is a skilled sellsword of low birth. He is described as having a sardonic sense of humor and a pragmatic, amoral philosophy. He helps Catelyn take Tyrion to the Eyrie, where he befriends Tyrion.^[26][27] Recognizing he will gain more helping House Lannister, Bronn offers to champion for Tyrion in a trial by combat and wins the duel, serving as his bodyguard in Tywin's host and later King's Landing. After fighting in the Battle of Blackwater, he is knighted and takes a burning green chain as his sigil,^[28] though continues serving Tyrion. During his 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.^[29] 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. ^[30]

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Jerome Flynn and his role is significantly expanded.^{[S 1][S 2]} Later on, after the fall of House Tyrell, he takes the Highgarden for himself, now being the Warden of the Reach in the process.

Gregor Clegane

Ser Gregor Clegane, known as the Mountain That Rides, or simply the Mountain, is the older brother of Sandor Clegane and is a vassal to Tywin Lannister.^[1] His size and strength make him a fearsome warrior, and he has earned a reputation for brutality.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Conan Stevens in season one, by Ian Whyte in season two, and by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson in season four onwards.^{[S 2][S 11]}

Sandor Clegane

Sandor Clegane, known as the Hound, is a retainer to House Lannister and the younger brother of Gregor Clegane. He is regarded as one of the most dangerous and skilled fighters in Westeros. His face is distinguished by gruesome burn scars, which he received as a child when his brother pushed his head into a brazier.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Rory McCann.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Podrick Payne

Podrick Payne, Pod for short, is a squire to Tyrion Lannister toward the end of A Game of Thrones.^[31] Despite being painfully shy and insecure, he proves himself to be a loyal and capable squire. In A Clash of Kings, he rescues Tyrion from an assassination attempt.^[32] He continues his duties through A Storm of Swords until Tyrion vanishes in A Feast for Crows.^[33][34] He follows Brienne of Tarth, knowing that she was searching for Tyrion's wife Sansa Stark. He becomes Brienne's squire and serves her as faithfully as he did Tyrion.^[35][36] 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Daniel Portman.^{[S 13]}

Shae

Shae is a Lannister camp follower who sleeps with Tyrion Lannister before the battle on the Green Fork.^[37] 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 later Sansa Stark.^[38][39] During the trial accusing Tyrion for the murdering Joffrey, Shae gives evidence testimony against him, flaunting their relationship to the court, in exchange for being wed to a knight.^[40][41] She is later found in Tywin's bed by Tyrion and strangled to death with the Hand's Chain.^[42]

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Sibel Kekilli.^{[S 1]}

House Baratheon

House Baratheon is the youngest of the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms and the principal house of the Stormlands. It was founded by Orys, the bastard half-brother of the first Targaryen king. Under Robert, House Baratheon occupies the Iron Throne at King's Landing, with his younger brothers Stannis and Renly ruling Dragonstone and the ancestral seat Storm'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 house motto is Ours is the Fury.^[1] Bastards born in the Stormlands are generally given the surname "Storm".

Family

Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon is King of the Seven Kingdoms at the beginning of A Game of Thrones. He was the ward of Jon Arryn and was raised at the Eyrie alongside Eddard Stark. Fifteen years before the novels, Robert was betrothed to Ned's sister Lyanna, and after Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen disappeared, Robert killed Rhaegar and seized the throne.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Mark Addy.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon is the younger brother of King Robert and older brother of Renly.^[1] 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Stephen Dillane.^{[S 14][S 1]}

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Gethin Anthony.^{[S 1]} The adaptation openly depicts Renly and Ser Loras Tyrell as lovers, an interaction obliquely addressed in the novels.^{[S 15][S 16]}

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Tara Fitzgerald.

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Kerry Ingram.

Gendry

Gendry is one of Robert 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Joe Dempsie.

Edric Storm

Edric Storm is Robert Baratheon's only acknowledged bastard. He was conceived on Stannis and Selyse's wedding night, when Robert seduced and deflowered Delena Florent, one of Selyse's cousins, in Stannis' 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' 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.

In the HBO television adaptation Edric's storyline is combined with Gendry's.

Servants and Vassals

Melisandre

Melisandre of Asshai is a priestess of R'hllor in service to Stannis Baratheon. She is introduced in A Clash of Kings and serves as the third-person narrator for one chapter of A Dance with Dragons. She is described as a beautiful woman with red eyes, always dressing in red and rarely sleeping or eating.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Carice van Houten.^{[S 1][S 14]}

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 in A Clash of Kings and is the third-person narrator for thirteen chapters throughout A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Dance with Dragons. During the Siege of Storm's End, Davos smuggled food to the starving Stannis Baratheon, earning him a knighthood and choice lands. Before knighting him, Stannis removed the last joints from four fingers on Davos' left hand as punishment for years of smuggling.

In A Clash of Kings, he supports Stannis' claim to the throne, making him Stannis' most trusted adviser,^[43] but Davos is a follower of the Faith of the Seven and opposes Melisandre. During the Battle of the Blackwater, his ship is destroyed but Davos survives while losing four sons.^[44] 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.^[45][46] Stannis eventually pardons Davos and names him his Hand of the King.^[47] As Hand, Davos convinces Stannis to help the Watch against the wildling army.^[47][48]

After Stannis sails to the Wall, he tasks Davos with enlisting the support of House Manderly, but Davos is taken prisoner. After staging Davos' death, Manderly asks Davos to rescue Rickon Stark from Skagos.^[49][50] His fate is unknown.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Liam Cunningham.^{[S 17][S 1]}

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Gwendoline Christie.^{[S 18]}

Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion is a gallant knight with great fighting skill. In A Game of Thrones, Eddard Stark sends him to arrest Gregor Clegane and bring peace to the Riverlands. He is ambushed and killed by Lannister forces. Thoros of Myr accidentally revives him with magic during the funeral service. By A Storm of Swords, he and his men have formed an outlaw band called the Brotherhood Without Banners. The Brotherhood starts a guerrilla war against raiders in the Riverlands. The success of these ambushes earns him the nickname the Lightning Lord, also reference to his coat of arms. He will be killed several other times, only to be repeatedly brought back to life. These continuous 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 of Catelyn Stark. He resurrects her with the last of his life force and dies for the final time.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by David Michael Scott in season one, and by Richard Dormer in seasons three, six, seven and eight.^{[S 6][S 7][51]}

House Arryn

House Arryn is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the principal house in the Vale. It is descended from Kings of Mountain and Vale. Its main seat is at the Eyrie, a small castle located at the top 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 its words are As High as Honor.^[1] 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 before A Game of Thrones. His only child, Robert "Sweetrobin" Arryn, became Lord of the Vale with Lysa Tully acting as regent.

Family

Jon Arryn

Jon Arryn was the Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, Warden of the East, and Hand to King Robert Baratheon before the events of A Game of Thrones.^[1] He took Robert and Eddard Stark as wards and became a father figure to both. When King Aerys II Targaryen commanded him to hand over his wards for execution, Jon rose up in rebellion.^[52] To earn the support of House Tully in the rebellion, Jon married the much younger Lysa Tully.^[53] Throughout Robert's reign, Jon was left with most of the responsibility of the Seven Kingdoms.^[54] When Stannis Baratheon had doubts about the parentage of Queen Cersei Lannister's children, he brought his suspicions to Jon, who confirmed that Cersei's children were not fathered by Robert, but by her brother Jaime.^[55] Before he could reveal this publicly, Lysa poisoned him on Littlefinger's orders to stop him from sending their son Robin Arryn away as a ward.^[56]

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by John Standing.^{[S 2]}

Lysa Arryn

Lysa Arryn, formerly of House Tully, is the second child and youngest daughter of Lord Hoster Tully. Enamored of Petyr Baelish, Lysa resented her older sister Catelyn Tully when 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 an abortifacient potion, using her unborn child as proof of her fertility while marrying her off to Jon Arryn. Lysa has become a paranoid and an unstable, mercurial woman.^[27]

Shortly before A Game of Thrones, Baelish convinced Lysa to poison her husband and write a letter to Catelyn to name House Lannister responsible 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 to the Eyrie and becomes Lady Regent of the Vale. At the Eyrie, Lysa becomes involved in Catelyn's kidnapping of Tyrion Lannister, then refuses House Stark's plea for assistance and commits the Vale to a strict policy of neutrality in the war. Lysa later accepts a marriage proposal from Baelish in A Storm of Swords. After finding Baelish kissing Sansa Stark, Lysa attempts to throw her to her death, but Baelish saves Sansa by murdering Lysa.^[56]

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Kate Dickie.^{[S 1][S 19]}

Robert Arryn

Robert Arryn, sometimes called 'Sweetrobin', is the only child of Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully.^[1] He suffers from frequent seizure-like episodes called a 'shaking illness', and is depicted as intellectually and physically stunted.^[27] At the start of the series, he is Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale though his mother rules as regent.^[1] After Lysa's marriage to Petyr Baelish and her subsequent death in A 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 cousin Sansa Stark in her disguise of Alayne Stone.^[57]

In the television adaptation of the novels, the character is renamed 'Robin Arryn' to prevent confusion with Robert Baratheon. He is portrayed by Lino Facioli.^{[S 1][S 19]}

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 to Petyr Baelish's rule of the Vale.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Rupert Vansittart.

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Paola Dionisotti

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

House Greyjoy is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the principal noble house on the Iron Islands, home to the Ironborn. Its seat is on Pyke. Its coat of arms displays a golden kraken on a black field, and its words are We Do Not Sow. Bastards born in the Iron Islands are given the surname "Pyke". The Greyjoys became Lords Paramount of the Iron Islands after House Targaryen conquered 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

Balon Greyjoy

Balon Greyjoy is the Lord of the Iron Islands, King of Salt and Rock, Son of the Sea Wind, and Lord Reaper of Pyke. ^[1] He is a harsh and fierce man. Ten years before A Song of Ice and Fire, he led a rebellion against King Robert Baratheon. The rebellion failed and his youngest son Theon Greyjoy was taken as a hostage and raised in Winterfell by Lord Eddard Stark. After Robert's death, Balon spurns Robb Stark's offer of an alliance in A Clash of Kings and declares himself King of the Iron Islands and the North.^[58] He captures the Neck and ravages the coastline of the Stark-held North. He dies in A Storm of Swords after falling off a bridge during a storm.^[59] The timely return of Balon's banished brother Euron leads many characters to believe that Euron played a part in Balon's death. Euron later admits to Aeron he was responsible for Balon's death, though not in person.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Patrick Malahide.^{[S 20]}

Asha Greyjoy

Asha Greyjoy is Balon Greyjoy's only daughter and oldest living child. She serves as the third-person narrator for four chapters throughout A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. Asha was raised as Balon's heir despite a custom forbidding female rule, and has otherwise defied traditional gender roles by captaining her own ship and leading men into battle. When Balon orders an invasion of the North in A Clash of Kings, she captures Deepwood Motte. She returns to the Islands in A Feast For Crows after her father's death and claims her father's throne, which she loses in favor of her uncle Euron. In A Dance with Dragons, she returns to Deepwood Motte and learns that Euron has married her off by proxy.^[60] She is eventually captured by Stannis Baratheon and travels with his army toward Winterfell, where she is reunited with her brother Theon.

In the HBO television adaptation, the character is renamed Yara Greyjoy to avoid confusion with the character Osha. Yara is portrayed by Gemma Whelan.^{[S 21][S 22]} Whelan speculated in an interview that in the TV series Yara is bisexual,^[61] though Martin confirmed that she is not in the novels.^[62]

Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy is the only living son, and heir apparent of Balon Greyjoy. He is the third-person narrator for thirteen chapters throughout A Clash of Kings and A Dance with Dragons. He is arrogant, cocky, 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 to Robb Stark in particular.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Alfie Allen.^{[S 1][S 2]}

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 the Iron 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. In A 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 along the Reach. He sends his brother Victarion away to court Daenerys Targaryen in his name and bring her and her dragons to Westeros.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Pilou Asbæk.^{[S 23]}

Victarion Greyjoy

Victarion Greyjoy is the second youngest of Balon's surviving brothers and is Lord Commander of the Iron Fleet. He first appears in A Clash of Kings and 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 in A Feast for Crows and serves as the third-person narrator for four chapters throughout A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. Victarion is a devout follower of the Drowned 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 court Daenerys Targaryen in 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 reach Meereen. 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.^[63] He is introduced in A Clash of Kings and serves as a third-person narrator for two chapters of A Feast for Crows. In his youth, he was a drunk and was scorned by Balon, thus later known as Aeron Damphair. After nearly drowning, he dedicated himself to the Drowned God, and became a high priest.^[64] 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 from The Winds of Winter reveals 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.

In the HBO television adaption, he is portrayed by Michael Feast.

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 won't 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.

House Martell

House Martell is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the ruling house of the kingdom of Dorne. Its seat is the castle of Sunspear. Its coat of arms displays a gold spear piercing a red sun on an orange field, and its words are Unbowed, 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.

Family

Doran Martell

Doran Martell is the Prince of Dorne and the Lord of Sunspear. He is the father of Arianne, Quentyn, and Trystane. By A Game of Thrones, he is in his fifties, and his gout leaves 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 after Myrcella Baratheon is betrothed to Trystane by Tyrion Lannister, sending her off to Dorne. Tyrion also gives him a position on Joffrey's council. In A Storm of Swords, Doran sends his brother Oberyn to 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 the Sand 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 of Tywin Lannister to avenge Elia and intends to ally Dorne with House Targaryen.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Alexander Siddig.^{[S 24]}

Arianne Martell

Arianne Martell is the eldest child of Prince Doran Martell of Dorne and heir to the Sunspear. She serves as the third-person narrator for two chapters in A Feast for Crows, and will be the narrator for at least two chapters in The Winds of Winter.^{[S 25]} She is cunning and beautiful and is also close with her cousins, the Sand Snakes. By A Feast for Crows, she is dissatisfied with her father, believing him to be weak. She plans to name Myrcella Baratheon the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, as by Dornish law Myrcella inherits the title over her brother. Arianne seduces Arys Oakheart to 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 on Tywin Lannister for 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 of Doran Martell.^[1] He serves as the third-person narrator for four chapters in A Dance with Dragons. He is described as intelligent, serious, and dutiful,^[65] though not particularly handsome. In A Dance with Dragons it is revealed that Doran Martell sent Quentyn to marry Daenerys Targaryen and 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.^[66] 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.^[67][68]

Trystane Martell

Trystane Martell is the youngest child of Doran Martell. To ensure House Martell loyalty to the throne it is arranged that he will marry Myrcella Baratheon when they come of age.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Toby Sebastian.^{[S 26]}

Elia Martell

Elia Martell was the younger sister of Prince Doran Martell of Dorne and was very close to her younger brother Oberyn. She married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, and bore him two children: a daughter Rhaenys and a son Aegon. Fifteen years before the events of the series, Rhaegar was killed in battle during Robert's rebellion. When the capital city was sacked by House Lannister, she was raped and murdered by Gregor 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

Oberyn Martell is the younger brother of Doran Martell. He is 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. In A 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Pedro Pascal.^{[S 27]}

Ellaria Sand

Ellaria Sand is the paramour of Prince Oberyn 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 to Dorne, 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Indira Varma.^{[S 27]}

The Sand Snakes

The name "Sand Snakes" refers to Prince Oberyn Martell's eight illegitimate daughters: Obara, Nymeria, Tyene, Sarella, Elia, Obella, Dorea and Loreza, the latter youngest four were born to Oberyn's paramour Ellaria Sand. The older four however were born to different women: Obara from an Oldtown prostitute; Nymeria (also known as Lady Nym) from a noblewoman in Volantis; Tyene from a septa serving the Faith of the Seven; and Sarella from the female captain of the Summer Isles trading ship Feathered 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".

In A Feast for Crows, Obara, Nymeria and Tyene Sand wish revenge for their father's death and pressure their uncle Prince Doran Martell to declare war. When they are implicated in various plots to agitate the Dornish populace, Prince Doran catches hold of their plans and orders Areo Hotah to arrest the three Sand Snakes to prevent them from drawing Dorne into war.

In A 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 of Elia Martell and 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 on Princess 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 the High 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 Citadel acolyte named Alleras ("Sarella" spelt backwards) with the nickname "the Sphinx", who debuts in the prologue of A Feast for Crows and helps Samwell Tarly when he arrives at the Citadel. In the ending chapter of A 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 unfinished The Winds of Winter, the fifth Sand Snake, Elia Sand, nicknamed "Lady Lance", accompanies her cousin, Princess Arianne Martell, on the diplomatic journey to meet with Jon Connington and the allegedly survived Aegon VI Targaryen.

In the HBO television adaptation, only the oldest three Sand Snakes appear. Obara Sand is portrayed by New Zealander actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, Nymeria Sand by Chinese English actress Jessica Henwick, and Tyene Sand by Italian-American actress Rosabell Laurenti Sellers;^{[S 28]} the other Sand Snakes do not appear in the series.^[69]

Servants

Areo Hotah

Areo Hotah is the captain of Prince Doran Martell's guards. He serves as the third-person narrator for two chapters throughout A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. He was born as the youngest of a large family in Norvos. Areo is steadfastly loyal to Doran. He helps foil Arianne Martell's plot to name Myrcella Baratheon the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, killing Arys Oakheart in the process.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by DeObia Oparei.^{[S 28]}

House Tully

House Tully is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the principal house in the Riverlands. Its seat is at Riverrun. Its coat of arms displays a leaping silver trout on a field of rippling blue and red stripes, and its words are Family, Duty, Honor. Bastards born in the Riverlands are generally given the surname "Rivers". When House Targaryen invaded 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

Hoster Tully

Hoster Tully is the Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident. He is the father of Catelyn Stark, Lysa Arryn, and Edmure Tully. He often quarrels with his brother Brynden because Brynden refuses to be married. Years before the events of the series, he agreed to foster Petyr Baelish at Riverrun as a ward. When he discovered that Lysa was pregnant with Petyr's child, he sent Petyr away and tricked Lysa into drinking an abortifacient potion. Hoster supported Robert Baratheon, House Stark, and House Arryn in rebellion against House Targaryen on 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.

In the HBO television adaption, he is portrayed by Chris Newman.

Edmure Tully

Edmure Tully is the third child, only son, and heir of Lord Hoster Tully. He is dutiful and wishes to earn his father's respect and protect the common people of the Riverlands. However, he is also said to have a large heart and his decisions are often rash and emotional. He takes command of the Riverlands in A Game of Thrones because of his father's illness and is taken captive by Jaime Lannister. He is rescued by his nephew Robb Stark, and upon hearing of Eddard Stark's death he leads the Riverland lords in proclaiming Robb the King in the North. He defeats Tywin 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. However, the wedding is a trap and the Stark-Tully army is massacred, breaching ancient guest right customs. 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 at the Twins, and the pair is promised to be reunited after the birth of their child.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Tobias Menzies.^{[S 6][S 7]}

Brynden Tully

Ser Brynden Tully, called the Blackfish, is the younger brother of Hoster Tully and the uncle of Catelyn Stark, Lysa Arryn, and Edmure 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 to the Vale. In A Game of Thrones, he is upset over the Vale's neutrality in the ongoing war. He resigns from his position and joins Robb Stark and 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 throughout A Clash of Kings. He is named Warden of the Southern Marches in A Storm of Swords and remains at Riverrun while Robb goes to the Twins to attend Edmure's wedding. After Robb's death, Brynden holds Riverrun in Robb's name, but he is besieged by House Lannister and House Frey. In A Feast for Crows, Brynden surrenders the Tully seat of Riverrun to spare further bloodshed, but he himself escapes capture. His whereabouts are unknown.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Clive Russell.^{[S 29]}

Vassals

Walder Frey

Walder Frey is Lord of the Twins, and a vassal to House 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 to Riverrun when Edmure Tully summons his vassals to support Robb Stark in A Game of Thrones.

Since crossing the Twins is a necessity for Robb, Walder is able to negotiate marriage contracts between his house and House Stark. When Robb marries Jeyne Westerling in A Clash of Kings, Frey is outraged and withdraws his support from Robb to conspire with Tywin Lannister and Roose Bolton to exact revenge. In A 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 ancient guest right customs. He then swears loyalty to House Lannister and his second son Emmon Frey receives Riverrun, 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 shadowy guerrilla war erupts that Walder Frey struggles to control. House Frey is so large and factional that many of the Freys hate each other, aspiring to become Lord of the Crossing.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by David Bradley.^{[S 30]}

House Tyrell

House Tyrell is one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms and is the principal noble house in the 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 its words are Growing 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 against House 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

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, and Loras—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. In A Clash of Kings, he supports the marriage between Margaery and Renly Baratheon, who plans to usurp the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. When Renly dies, Mace accepts an offer to marry Margaery to Joffrey Baratheon, the current king. After his and Tywin's armies defeat Stannis 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Roger Ashton-Griffiths.

Loras Tyrell

Ser Loras Tyrell, nicknamed the Knight of Flowers, is the third son of Mace 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. When Renly Baratheon, Loras' lover, claims himself king of the Seven Kingdoms in A Clash of Kings, Loras supports him and is made head of Renly's personal guard. After Renly's assassination, Loras is enraged with grief, blaming Brienne of Tarth and Catelyn Stark for Renly's death. In A Storm of Swords, he questions Brienne and finally decides that she is not the killer. When his sister Margaery is married to Joffrey Baratheon, he joins the Kingsguard. He volunteers to lead the assault on Dragonstone in A Feast for Crows so Cersei Lannister will 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 of A Dance with Dragons, he barely clings to life. His fate is unknown.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Finn Jones. The character is a composite of the three Tyrell sons. The adaptation openly depicts Loras and Renly Baratheon as lovers, an interaction only obliquely addressed within the novels.^{[S 15][S 16]}

Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell /ˈmɑːrdʒəri tɪˈrɛl/ is the youngest child and only daughter of Mace 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Natalie Dormer.^{[S 31]}

Olenna Tyrell

Olenna Tyrell, also known as the Queen of Thorns, was born into House Redwyne and is the mother of Mace Tyrell and 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Diana Rigg.

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 of Samwell Tarly. When word of the imprisonment of Margaery Tyrell reaches Randyll, he marches his army to King's Landing where Kevan Lannister makes him the new master of laws.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by James Faulkner.^{[S 32]}

The North

Night's Watch

The Night's Watch is a sworn brotherhood of men who patrol the Wall. The individual "Brothers of the Watch" (called "Crows" by the Wildlings)^[70][71] reject land and titles, practice celibacy, cut ties to their families, assume neutrality in politics, and never desert their assignments,^[72][73] on pain of death.^[74] 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,^[75][76] the Watch is severely undermanned.^[77] The Watch is based at Castle Black, where the Lord Commander of the Watch resides and new recruits are trained.^[78]

Jeor Mormont

Jeor Mormont, called the Old Bear, is the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He was the Lord of Bear Island in the North but joined the Watch to pass the title to his son Jorah Mormont. Mormont is considered a strong, resolute leader and commands respect. He keeps a raven capable of speaking simple phrases as a pet. In A Game of Thrones, he chooses Jon Snow as his steward and potential successor.^[72] Soon afterwards, a wight (a dead body reanimated by the Others) attempts to kill him but Jon kills the wight.^[79] 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.^[73] To investigate the return of wights, the disappearance of several Rangers and rumors of a wildling army, Jeor leads an expedition beyond the Wall in A Clash of Kings, but his force is annihilated by Others and an army of wights in A Storm of Swords. He leads the survivors to Craster's Keep, where he is killed in a mutiny.^[80] In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by James Cosmo.^{[S 1]}

Maester Aemon

Aemon Targaryen is the older brother of Aegon V Targaryen, the third son of Maekar I Targaryen, and a member of the Night's Watch. Decades before the events of A Game of Thrones, he was sent to the Citadel in Oldtown on 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 of A Game of Thrones, he is elderly and blind, but provides guidance to the men at Castle Black, and is greatly respected within the Night's Watch. In A Feast for Crows, Jon Snow sends him to the Citadel by sea, but Maester Aemon catches a fever during a storm and dies on the voyage between Braavos and Oldtown.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Peter Vaughan.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Yoren

Yoren is a recruiter of the Night's Watch. In A Game of Thrones Yoren travels with Tyrion Lannister from the Wall to King's Landing, and is present when Tyrion is arrested by Catelyn Stark. He then races to King's Landing to inform Eddard Stark. During Lord Eddard's execution, he finds Arya Stark and shields her from seeing her father's death. In A Clash of Kings he disguises Arya as a boy recruit to smuggle her to Winterfell, but is killed by Lannister soldiers.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Francis Magee.^{[S 2][S 33]}

Samwell Tarly

Samwell Tarly, called 'Sam', is the elder son of Lord Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill. Ten chapters throughout A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows are 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by John Bradley.^{[S 1][S 2]}

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 in A Game of Thrones as 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, when Ned intends to depose Joffrey, Slynt orders his men to arrest Ned. For this, Janos Slynt was made a lord and given Harrenhal.

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

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Dominic Carter.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Alliser Thorne

Alliser Thorne is the Master of Arms at Castle Black, a warrior charged with training the Watch's recruits. Thorne was originally a Targaryen loyalist who, after the fall of House Targaryen at the hands of Ned and Robert, was forced to join the Night's Watch. He harbors deep resentment at House Stark for this fate. When Jon arrives at Castle Black, Thorne personally torments, humiliates, and provokes Jon whenever possible.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Owen Teale.^{[S 1][S 2]}

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. During A Dance with Dragons, Bowen becomes disillusioned by the decisions made by Jon Snow as Lord Commander. Fearing for the future safety of the Night's Watch, Bowen and several of his followers stab Jon.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Michael Condron.

Eddison Tollett

Eddison Tollett, also known as "Dolorous Edd" for his melancholy temperament, sarcastic wit and pessimistic dry humor, is a squire from House Tollett and a steward of the Night's Watch. He is one of Jon 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. In A Dance with Dragons Edd 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Ben Crompton.^{[S 34]}

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 wildings in the prologue scene of the first novel, A Game of Thrones. Although Will, the scout, reports that he discovered the wildings 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 sinister is occurring around them, because he wants to confirm that the wildings 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.

He is played in the television adaptation by Rob Ostlere, giving Ostlere the distinction of being the first actor to be killed off on the show. On this, Ostlere comments, "To be honest, when you do those smaller parts, you're just happy to see yourself up there because sometimes those things can get cut".^[81]

Free Folk

Wildlings, also called Free Folk, are people who live beyond the Wall.^[78][82] They live in independent villages and have no central government.^[83] Bands of wildlings often cross the Wall for plunder.^[84] In A 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.^[83] With the help of Jon and Stannis Baratheon, they settle in the North. Many move into the abandoned castles to defend the Wall.^[85]

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".^[74][86] In A 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 by Jon Snow at the Wall.^[87] During a parlay with Jon, Stannis Baratheon and his army rout the wildlings, and Mance is taken prisoner.^[88] Stannis orders Mance to be burned alive in A Dance with Dragons, but Jon later discovers that the priestess Melisandre used magic to disguise Rayder as the wildling who was burned in his place, escaping execution. Jon orders Mance to rescue Arya Stark, not knowing the girl is actually Jeyne Poole.^[14][13] In Winterfell, the party secretly kills off several of Roose Bolton's men, creating tension in Winterfell, and enlists the help of Theon Greyjoy to smuggle Jeyne out of the castle, but Mance is forced to stay behind. Ramsay Bolton later sends a letter to Jon claiming that he has captured Mance and is holding him prisoner.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Ciarán Hinds. In the show, Mance Rayder is not saved by Melisandre and his execution is genuine.

Ygritte

Ygritte is a wildling spearwife renowned for her fierce and headstrong nature, and is considered by many wildlings to be beautiful due to her exceptionally red hair, although Jon Snow considers her to be rather plain-looking. Ygritte first encounters Jon in A 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.^[89] She rejoins the wildlings, and is present when Rattleshirt traps 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,^[90] 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 to Tormund 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, later dying in Jon's arms.^[91]

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Scottish actress Rose Leslie,^{[S 35]} Leslie and Kit Harington, the actor who portrayed Jon Snow, married in 2018.

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 wilding from Whitetree.^[92] 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 to the 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.^[93] When they return after being attacked by the Others, an argument ensures 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.^[80]

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Robert Pugh.

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Hannah Murray.^{[S 36]}

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. In A 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. In A Dance with Dragons, he is executed, believed to be Mance since Melisandre glamoured him to take the appearance of the condemned.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Edward Dogliani in seasons two and three, and Ross O'Hennessy in season five.^{[S 37]}

Tormund Giantsbane

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

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Kristofer Hivju.

Varamyr Sixskins

Varamyr is an infamous Wildling skinchanger, nicknamed due to his controlling of five other animals (three wolves, a shadowcat and a snow bear). He is the POV character of the prologue chapter of A 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 attracts wights to 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

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Aidan Gillen.^{[S 1][S 2]}

Varys

Varys, called the Spider, is a eunuch who serves as Master of Whisperers, the spymaster for the king of the Seven Kingdoms.^[94] 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Conleth Hill.^{[S 1][S 2]}

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 an agent of influence for House Lannister: he convinced King Aerys II Targaryen to open the gates for Tywin Lannister during Robert's rebellion, he allowed Jon Arryn to die to keep the true parentage of Cersei Lannister's children secret, and would have killed King Robert Baratheon upon Cersei's command. Upon learning this, Tyrion Lannister has Pycelle removed from office and imprisoned. In A Storm of Swords, he is restored to his position. He objects to Queen Regent Cersei's decisions throughout A Feast for Crows, and she considers replacing him. When Cersei is arrested, Pycelle seizes control of the king's council and offers Kevan Lannister the 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.^[95]

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Julian Glover.^{[S 1]}

Qyburn

Qyburn is a former Maester who lost his chain for unethical experiments. He is also rumored to dabble in necromancy. In A Clash of Kings, he is a member of the Brave Companions mercenary company. He later leaves the company in A Feast for Crows and joins the court at King's Landing. Queen Cersei Lannister allows him to experiment on the mortally wounded Gregor Clegane, presumably transforming Clegane into the monstrous Kingsguard knight, Ser Robert Strong.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Anton Lesser.^{[S 6][S 7]} He improves Cersei's military capabilities via highly explosive 'wildfire' (deployed to destroy the Great Sept of Baelor), and anti-dragon scorpio ballistas, which are deployed around the walls of King's Landing, and on the bows of Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet. He is killed by Gregor Clegane as they attempt to flee the Red Keep.

Kingsguard

Barristan Selmy

Ser Barristan Selmy, called Barristan the Bold, is hailed as a hero throughout Westeros and is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He serves as the third-person narrator for four chapters in A 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 during Robert Baratheon's rebellion, but he later accepted Robert's pardon and held his position as commander. Upon Joffrey's succession, Ser Barriston is sent into retirement, which he refuses as a disgrace. In A Clash of Kings, he begins serving the exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen and later exposes Ser Jorah Mormont, Daenerys's most trusted adviser, as a former spy for King Robert. When Daenerys disappears in A 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.^[68]

In the HBO television adaptation, in which he is portrayed by Ian McElhinney,^{[S 1][S 2]} he is mortally wounded in a battle with the Sons of the Harpy in the fifth-season episode "Sons of the Harpy". When asked about the manner in which he was notified of his character's death, McElhinney commented, "It proves you should probably not read the books."^[96]

Arys Oakheart

Ser Arys Oakheart is a knight of King Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard, and for Robert's subsequent heirs.^[94] He serves as the third-person narrator for one chapter in A Feast for Crows. Arys accompanies Myrcella Baratheon to Dorne, where he is seduced by Arianne Martell.^[97] Together, they plot to place Myrcella on the throne. After the plot is foiled, Arys is killed.^[98]

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 behead Robb 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 kills Syrio Forel, her fencing instructor, who protects Arya despite only being armed with a wooden training sword,^{[99][S 38]} as a result Trant is one of the names on Arya Stark's "list".

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Ian Beattie.

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, which Tyrion Lannister approves of. During the Battle of the Blackwater, he fights valiantly against the forces of Stannis Baratheon. In A Feast For Crows, Cersei Lannister sends him to Dorne with the skull of Gregor Clegane, which he gives to Doran Martell. Doran later informs the Sand Snakes and Arianne Martell of Balon's involvement in a plan by Cersei to kill Trystane Martell and frame Tyrion. After learning of the attempted murder of Princess Myrcella, Balon leaves to chase Darkstar, the man who made the attempt on Myrcella's life.

Ser Balon does not appear in the HBO television adaptation.

Others

Ilyn Payne

Ser Ilyn Payne is the King's Justice, the royal executioner. Before the events of the series, King Aerys II Targaryen ordered his tongue cut out. He is a skilled headsman, seldom requiring a second stroke to finish his charges. Ilyn executes Lord Stark after his downfall. He serves as Jaime's sparring partner in A Feast for Crows.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Wilko Johnson.^{[S 39]}

The 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Jonathan Pryce.

Other characters

Westeros

Syrio Forel

Syrio Forel is the bald, former First Sword of Braavos and a master of the Braavosi fighting style known as Water Dancing.^[100] He instructs Arya in the ways of fencing. 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.^{[99][S 38]}

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Miltos Yerolemou.

Thoros of Myr

Thoros is a red priest of R'hllor from the city of Myr. Before the events of the series, he was sent to King's Landing to convert King Aerys II Targaryen into a follower of R'hllor. He was unsuccessful and began to question his faith. When Robert Baratheon became king, Thoros became a frequent drinking companion of Robert's. He is a formidable fighter known for using a flaming sword. In A Game of Thrones, he is sent with Beric Dondarrion to arrest Gregor Clegane. When Dondarrion is killed, Thoros inadvertently resurrects him during the funeral service. By A Storm of Swords, the two had founded a band of outlaws called the Brotherhood Without Banners to stop the raiders ravaging the Riverlands. Thoros is continually able to resurrect Dondarrion whenever he is killed. When Lady Stoneheart takes leadership of the Brotherhood in A Feast for Crows, he does not dispute her, although he disapproves of her motives and methods.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Paul Kaye.^{[S 6][S 7]}

Ser Duncan the Tall

Ser Duncan the Tall is a legendary knight and the subject of several popular songs and stories. He is one of the main characters of the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. Originally the squire of an itinerant 'hedge knight', he later befriended Prince Maekar Targaryen's son Aegon (nicknamed 'Egg'), with whom he traveled before Aegon ascended to the Iron Throne as King Aegon V Targaryen. Ser Duncan was appointed to his Kingsguard, and eventually became its Lord Commander. He perished alongside his king in 'The Tragedy of Summerhall', a huge fire at the Targaryen summer home, in which it is suggested he selflessly fought to save as many of the King's family as possible.

Meribald

Meribald is a septon of the Riverlands. He guides Brienne of Tarth to the Quiet Isle to meet the Elder Brother.

In the HBO television adaptation, the character is renamed Brother Ray and is portrayed by Ian McShane.

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 forces Cersei Lannister to admit her crimes to her in A Feast for Crows.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Hannah Waddingham.

Essos

Khal Drogo

Drogo is a powerful khal, or warlord, of the Dothraki people, a tribal nation of horse riders in the steppes beyond the Free 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 marry Daenerys Targaryen.^[16] 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.^[101][20] Drogo also does not support Viserys' scheme to march on Westeros, eventually executing him after he threatens to kill Daenerys and their unborn child.^[22] 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 into sepsis.^[102] 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 a catatonic state, unable to move, speak or lead their horde to Westeros. Heartbroken, Daenerys smothers Drogo and uses his funeral pyre to awaken her dragons.^[103][104] She names her favorite one Drogon in his namesake.^[23]

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Jason Momoa.^{[S 2]}

Jaqen H'ghar

Jaqen H'ghar is an alias used by a member of the Faceless Men, a society of assassins who follow a personification of death known as the Many-Faced God. In A 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 meets Arya 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 a prison riot in Harrenhal that overwhelms the Lannister garrison and frees the northern prisoners. After that, Jaqen magically changes his face in front of Arya and offers to take her with him to Braavos. 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.

Later in A 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 greet Samwell Tarly when he meets Archmaester Marvyn.

In the HBO television adaptation, Jaqen is portrayed by German actor Tom Wlaschiha.^{[S 40]}

Illyrio Mopatis

Illyrio Mopatis is a wealthy and powerful Magister in Pentos. He is overweight, although in his youth he was a strong mercenary.^[105] He is a close friend of Varys', and the pair engineer a plot to place House Targaryen back on the throne of the Seven Kingdoms.^[106] Before the events of the series, he welcomed the exiled Viserys Targaryen and his sister Daenerys into his home as guests.^[105] In A Game of Thrones, Illyrio brokers a marriage between Daenerys and Khal Drogo to buy Drogo's army of warriors.^[107] His plan to create an army to invade Westeros is ruined upon the deaths of Drogo and Viserys. He aids Daenerys in A Clash of Kings by sending her three ships and a disguised Barristan Selmy. He also smuggles Tyrion Lannister out of Westeros in A Dance with Dragons and sends him to accompany Aegon on his journey to aid Daenerys.^[108][106]

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Roger Allam.^{[S 1]}

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. In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Joel Fry.^{[S 41]}

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.^[109] They were hired by Petyr Baelish to perform at Joffrey Baratheon's wedding to force a confrontation between him and his uncle, Tyrion Lannister.^[110] 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 Lannister.^[111][109] Penny is captured and sold alongside Tyrion and Jorah, where they are used as entertainment in the reopened fighting pits in Meereen.^[112] After their owner dies of the Pale Mare, 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.^[113]

Penny is excised in the HBO television adaptation.

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 bought Tyrion Lannister, Penny, and Jorah Mormont from 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.

In the HBO television adaptation, a character named Yezzan, who takes on aspects of Yezzan zo Qaggaz, is portrayed by Enzo Cilenti.

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, he is portrayed by Mark Gatiss.^{[S 42]}

The Waif

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.

In the HBO television adaptation, she is portrayed by Faye Marsay.

Animals

Direwolves

Direwolves are a canine species closely related to wolves but are much larger and stronger. Fully grown direwolves are described as being as large as ponies, with longer legs and larger heads.^[7] They are described to be highly intelligent, even fully capable of understanding human speech. Direwolves are thought extinct south of the Wall. However, at the start of the series, Robb Stark and Jon Snow discover six orphaned direwolf pups, whom each of the Stark children adopt.^[114] It is heavily implied that the wolves cause each of their owners to develop skinchanging abilities, provided they survive.^{[115][86][116]} By A 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 is Robb 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 by crossbows, while his savior falls into the Green Folk trying to escape. As a mockery of their relationship, the Freys sew Grey Wind's head onto Robb's mutilated body.^[117]
• Ghost is Jon Snow's male direwolf, named due to it being albino and silent nature.^[118] Ghost is born the runt of the litter but 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.^[119] 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.^[120]
• Lady is Sansa Stark's female direwolf, named due to it being the smallest and prettiest of the pups.^[121] After an incident on the Kingsroad when 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 to have her skin, he sends men to bring her body back north.^[121]
• Nymeria is Arya Stark's female direwolf, named after a legendary Rhoynish warrior queen whom she admires.^[10] After she attack Joffrey during a fight, Arya is forced to chase her away to avoid Cersei's wrath.^[122] Taking refuge in the Riverlands, Nymeria gathers together a large wolf pack, attacking both human and livestock.^[123] Arya frequently wargs into Nymeria's body during sleep, even during her training in Bravos.^[116][124] Her "wolf dreams" are instrumental in the resurrection of her mother Catelyn into Lady Stoneheart after the Red Wedding, and essential for her not losing the Stark identity while training to be a Faceless Men assassin.
• Summer is Bran 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.^[125] 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.^[126][127]
• Shaggydog is Rickon Stark's male direwolf, and is the only black one and the most temperamental of all the direwolf pups. Jojen Reed describes him as "full of fear and rage".^[128] Shaggydog follows Rickon and Osha to the island of Skagos, which is infamously rumored to be inhabited by cannibals.^[3] When Jon Snow wargs into his direwolf Ghost during sleep, he once sees Shaggydog fighting and killing a goat with one long horn.^[119]

Dragons

• Drogon is the black one of Daenerys' three dragons. Visibly the biggest and Daenerys' favourite dragon, Drogon is named after Khal Drogo, her late husband. After Drogon and Dany escaped from Meereen, they dened in a cave in an isolated hill in the Dothraki 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 breakaway khalasar came across them.
• Rhaegal is the green one of Daenerys' three dragons. He is named after Daenerys' deceased brother, Rhaegar Targaryen.
• Viserion is the yellow one of Daenerys' three dragons. He is named after Daenerys' deceased brother, Viserys Targaryen.
  • When Daenerys lost control over them, she locked Rhaegal and Viserion in the catacombs beneath Meereen. He broke out of Meereen and followed Daenerys.

References

Secondary sources

Primary sources

Bibliography

• Martin, George R. R. (September 1996). A Game of Thrones. A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.). Bantam Spectra. ISBN 978-0-553-10354-0.
• Martin, George R. R. (March 1999). A Clash of Kings. A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.). Bantam Spectra. ISBN 978-0-553-10803-3.
• Martin, George R. R. (November 2000). A Storm of Swords. A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.). Bantam Spectra. ISBN 978-0-553-10663-3.
• Martin, George R. R. (November 2005). A Feast for Crows. A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.). Bantam Spectra. ISBN 978-0-553-80150-7.
• Martin, George R. R. (July 2011). A Dance with Dragons. A Song of Ice and Fire (US hardcover ed.). Bantam Spectra. ISBN 978-0-553-80147-7.

External links

• A sourced list of GRRM's pronunciations, hosted at Westeros.org
• HBO's official pronunciation guide for Game of Thrones characters