White Walker - wikipedia White Walker White Walker A Song of Ice and Fire character A White Walker with an ice sword, from Game of Thrones First appearance Novel : A Game of Thrones ( 1996 ) Television : `` Winter Is Coming '' ( 2011 ) Created by George R.R. Martin Information Aliases The Others Type Non-human creature A White Walker is a humanoid creature from the HBO television series Game of Thrones, and the George R.R. Martin novel series A Song of Ice and Fire on which it is based. Primarily referred to as the Others in the novels, White Walkers are a supernatural threat to mankind who dwell north of The Wall in Westeros. The Verge named them among `` the most visually iconic creatures on the show ''. White Walkers are also featured in the show 's merchandising. Contents 1 Description 2 Novels 2.1 Backstory 2.2 A Game of Thrones 2.3 A Storm of Swords 2.4 The Winds of Winter 3 TV adaptation 3.1 Merchandising 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Description Martin introduces the Others in the prologue of A Game of Thrones ( 1996 ), describing them as `` Tall... and gaunt and hard as old bones, with flesh pale as milk '' with eyes `` deeper and bluer than any human eyes, a blue that burned like ice ''. Accompanied by intense cold, they wear armor that `` seemed to change color as it moved '', and wield thin crystal swords capable of shattering steel. The Others move silently, and they speak their own language ; Martin writes that their voices are `` like the cracking of ice on a winter lake ''. In A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ), they are shown to be vulnerable to weapons made of dragonglass ( obsidian ), as Samwell Tarly kills one this way : ( T ) he Other 's armor was running down its legs in rivulets as pale blue blood hissed and steamed around the black dragonglass dagger in its throat... where its fingers touched the obsidian they smoked... the Other shrank and puddled, dissolving away. In twenty heartbeats its flesh was gone, swirling away in a fine white mist. Beneath were bones like milkglass, pale and shiny, and they were melting too. Finally only the dragonglass dagger remained, wreathed in steam... Grenn bent to scoop it up and flung it down again at once. `` Mother, that 's cold. '' In A Dance with Dragons ( 2011 ), Sam uncovers ancient record fragments which suggest that the Others are also vulnerable to something called `` dragonsteel '', which he and Jon Snow surmise is another term for Valyrian steel. Creatures killed by the Others soon reanimate as wights : undead with pallid skin, black hands and similarly glowing blue eyes. Dragonglass has no effect on them. Wights may be physically injured, but even dismembered parts remain animated, so they must be destroyed by fire. The humans who live in the north beyond The Wall -- called `` wildlings '' by the inhabitants of Westeros -- burn their dead so that they do not become wights. Novels In 2012, Chris Lackner wrote in Dose, `` Fans of the novels are eagerly awaiting Martin 's final two installments of the seven - part series. In particular, they are eager to learn more about the White Walkers -- or The Others -- a mysterious, undead race seemingly bent on humanity 's destruction. '' Backstory In the novels and the 2014 companion book The World of Ice & Fire, Martin establishes that, millennia before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire series, a pact existed between the Children of the Forest ( elf - like creatures ) and the First Men ( mankind ). This was weakened by the emergence of the Others, an enigmatic and malevolent nonhuman species who inflicted a night that lasted a generation and a winter that lasted decades. After the Others were pushed back, the Children and the First Men raised The Wall, a vast barrier of stone, ice and magic from one coast of northern Westeros to the other, to bar the passage of the Others south. A Game of Thrones As A Game of Thrones ( 1996 ) begins, the general belief across Westeros is that the Others are a legend to scare children, or else `` gone eight thousand years ''. But the Others have reemerged, and are gaining power -- and wights -- beyond the Wall. In the Prologue, a ranging party from the Night 's Watch come face to face with a group of the Others, who kill Ser Waymar Royce. Reanimated as a wight, he then kills the ranger Will. Out ranging beyond the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night 's Watch find the corpses of two of their fallen brothers. Brought home to Castle Black, the dead men rise and kill several of their living fellows before they are destroyed. A Storm of Swords Sam Tarly kills an Other with a dragonglass dagger in A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ). His former comrade Small Paul is killed and reanimated as a wight. The undead Paul is unfazed by the dragonglass but Sam is able to put him down with fire. Bran Stark recalls the story of the Night 's King, a Stark and the 13th Commander of the Night 's Watch who had been seduced by a female White Walker. The Night 's King and his queen enslaved the brothers of the Watch until the Starks and the wildlings joined to defeat him. The Winds of winter Martin said in 2012 that readers will see more of the Others in his forthcoming novel The Winds of Winter. He noted in another 2012 interview, `` ( We 'll learn more about their ) history, certainly, but I do n't know about culture... I do n't know if they have a culture ''. TV adaptation The White Walkers portrayed on HBO 's Game of Thrones differ slightly in appearance from their literary counterparts, but Aaron Souppouris of The Verge named them among `` the most visually iconic creatures on the show ''. In the TV series, the primary White Walker has been portrayed by Ross Mullan. Their apparent leader is the Night King, portrayed by Richard Brake and Vladimir Furdik, who first appeared in the episode `` Oathkeeper ''. In `` Hardhome '', the effectiveness of Valyrian steel against the White Walkers is proven as Jon shatters one to pieces with a single stroke of his ancient sword Longclaw. Unlike in the novels, the TV series has established that wights can be destroyed by dragonglass. In the season 6 episode `` The Door '' ( May 2016 ), Bran Stark experiences a vision of the creation of the Night King by Leaf, one of the Children of the Forest, by stabbing a human prisoner in the chest with a dragonglass dagger. Leaf explains to an incredulous Bran that the Children were at war with the First Men. Merchandising In 2012, Funko released a White Walker figure as part of their POP ! Television line, which are 4.5 inch vinyl figures in the Japanese super deformed style. The company later produced a Mystery Mini Blind Box figurine of a stylized White Walker. Dark Horse released a 9 - inch White Walker bust statue in 2013, and later a 9 - inch full figure statue. In 2014, Funko released a 6.5 inch articulated White Walker action figure ( with spear accessory ) as part of their HBO - licensed Legacy Collection line, which features `` some of the series ' most popular characters ''. Dark Horse produced a Night King bust in March 2016, which was followed by an 8 - inch Night King figure by Dark Horse Deluxe in late 2016. Funko also released a `` Night King '' POP ! figure that same year. See also Themes in A Song of Ice and Fire References Jump up ^ Egner, Jeremy ( May 11, 2015 ). `` On Game of Thrones, an Awkward Dinner and a Stony Encounter ''. The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2015. Jump up ^ Egner, Jeremy ( June 1, 2015 ). `` Game of Thrones Q. and A. : Birgitte Hjort Sorensen on Playing a Wildling Mother ''. The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Souppouris, Aaron ( June 17, 2014 ). `` Becoming a White Walker : how one man turns into a terrifying Game of Thrones villain ''. The Verge. Retrieved June 1, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Martin, George R.R. ( 1996 ). `` Prologue ''. A Game of Thrones. pp. 7 -- 10. ISBN 978 - 0 - 553 - 89784 - 5. ^ Jump up to : Martin, George R.R. ( 2000 ). `` Chapter 18 : Samwell ''. A Storm of Swords. p. 208. ISBN 978 - 0 - 553 - 89787 - 6. Jump up ^ Martin, George R.R. ( 2011 ). `` Chapter 7 : Jon ''. A Dance with Dragons. pp. 99 -- 100. ISBN 978 - 0 - 553 - 90565 - 6. ^ Jump up to : Martin. `` Chapter 52 : Jon ''. A Game of Thrones. pp. 533 -- 536, 545 -- 548. ^ Jump up to : Martin. `` Chapter 46 : Samwell ''. A Storm of Swords. pp. 534 -- 535. Jump up ^ Martin, George R.R. ( 1998 ). `` Chapter 13 : Jon ''. A Clash of Kings. p. 155. ISBN 978 - 0 - 553 - 89785 - 2. ^ Jump up to : Lackner, Chris ( March 23, 2012 ). `` Interview : Author George R.R. Martin eager to see his world again on Game of Thrones ''. Dose. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2015. Jump up ^ Martin. `` Chapter 24 : Bran ''. A Game of Thrones. pp. 232 -- 234. ^ Jump up to : Martin. `` Chapter 56 : Bran ''. A Storm of Swords. pp. 761, 770 -- 771. Jump up ^ Martin. `` Chapter 2 : Catelyn ''. A Game of Thrones. pp. 21 -- 22. Jump up ^ Martin. `` Chapter 60 : Jon ''. A Game of Thrones. p. 635. Jump up ^ Roberts, Josh ( April 1, 2012 ). `` Game of Thrones Exclusive ! George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, The Winds of Winter, and Real - World Influences for A Song of Ice and Fire ''. SmarterTravel.com. Retrieved June 11, 2015. Jump up ^ Finestone, Nathaniel ( August 12, 2014 ). `` Manchester Comicon -- How to catch a White Walker in his Natural Habitat ''. The Prince Arthur Herald. Retrieved June 7, 2015. Jump up ^ Fleming Jr, Mike ( June 27, 2016 ). `` Game Of Thrones David Benioff & D.B. Weiss On Shocking Season 6 Finale ''. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 2, 2016. Jump up ^ Shanley, Patrick ( June 1, 2015 ). `` Game of Thrones ventures beyond books in a big way ''. CNN. Retrieved June 3, 2015. Jump up ^ Poladian, Charles ( June 1, 2015 ). `` Game Of Thrones Season 5 Spoilers : Night 's King, White Walker Meaning And Jon Snow 's Fate After ' Hardhome ' ''. International Business Times. Retrieved June 3, 2015. Jump up ^ Robinson, Joanna ( May 31, 2015 ). `` Why Does the Night 's King Matter on Game of Thrones ? ''. Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 18, 2015. Jump up ^ Trumbore, Dave ( June 11, 2015 ). `` GAME OF THRONES Decoded : Valyrian Steel, White Walkers, and the Night 's King ''. Collider.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015. Jump up ^ Prokop, Andrew ( August 21, 2017 ). `` Game of Thrones season 7 : the White Walker twists of ' Beyond the Wall ', explained ''. Vox. Retrieved October 15, 2017. Jump up ^ VanDerWerff, Todd ( May 22, 2016 ). `` Game of Thrones season 6, episode 5 : 5 winners and 7 losers behind `` The Door '' ``. Vox.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016. Jump up ^ Egner, Jeremy ( May 22, 2016 ). `` Game of Thrones Season 6, Episode 5 : Hold the Door ''. The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2016. Jump up ^ Lenihan, Nick ( September 5, 2012 ). `` Game of Thrones Funko Pop ''. ActionFigureFury.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014. Jump up ^ `` 2014 Funko Game of Thrones Mystery Minis Vinyl Figures ''. CardboardConnection.com. 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Dark Horse Officially Unveils the Game of Thrones White Walker Statue ! ''. Dark Horse Comics. June 19, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Dark Horse Comics Reveals Game of Thrones White Walker Statue ''. Cosmic Book News. June 17, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Review of White Walker - Game of Thrones figure ''. MWC Toys. November 7, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015. Jump up ^ Pickett, Daniel ( February 11, 2014 ). `` Funko To Launch Game of Thrones Legacy Collection ''. ActionFigureInsider.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014. Jump up ^ Lenihan, Nick ( February 11, 2014 ). `` Game of Thrones Legacy Collection 6 - inch Figures Announced by Funko ''. ActionFigureFury.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Dark Horse Unleases Game of Thrones ® Night 's King Limited Edition Bust ''. ActionFigureInsider.com. December 3, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Toy Fair 2016 : Dark Horse Reveals New Character in Line of Game of Thrones ® Figures ! ''. Dark Horse. February 12, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016. Jump up ^ Lovett, Jamie ( February 11, 2016 ). `` New Game Of Thrones Pop Vinyl Wave Includes Night King, Daenerys Riding Drogon, & More ''. Comicbook.com. Retrieved April 19, 2016. External links Landau, Neil ( December 4, 2013 ). `` Establish the Mythology ''. The TV Showrunner 's Roadmap : 21 Navigational Tips for Screenwriters to Create and Sustain a Hit TV Series. CRC Press. p. 229. ISBN 978 - 1 - 134 - 62132 - 3. George R.R. Martin 's A Song of Ice and Fire A Game of Thrones ( 1996 ) A Clash of Kings ( 1998 ) A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ) A Feast for Crows ( 2005 ) A Dance with Dragons ( 2011 ) The Winds of Winter ( TBA ) Franchise media Novellas Tales of Dunk and Egg ( 1998 -- 2010 ) The Princess and the Queen ( 2013 ) The Rogue Prince ( 2014 ) The Sons of the Dragon ( 2017 ) TV series Episodes Season 1 5 6 7 8 Awards Characters Music `` Game of Thrones Theme '' `` The Rains of Castamere '' `` The Bear and the Maiden Fair '' `` Light of the Seven '' Catch the Throne Live Concert Experience Soundtracks Season 1 5 6 7 Title sequence After the Thrones Thronecast Video games A Game of Thrones : Genesis Game of Thrones ( 2012 ) Game of Thrones Ascent Game of Thrones ( 2014 ) Other media The World of Ice & Fire ( 2014 ) Board game Card game ( Second edition ) Comic book series Characters Petyr Baelish Joffrey Baratheon Renly Baratheon Robert Baratheon Stannis Baratheon Tommen Baratheon Ramsay Bolton Roose Bolton Bronn Gregor Clegane Sandor Clegane Khal Drogo Gendry Tormund Giantsbane Gilly Theon Greyjoy Cersei Lannister Jaime Lannister Tyrion Lannister Tywin Lannister Oberyn Martell Melisandre Missandei Jorah Mormont Daario Naharis Ellaria Sand Davos Seaworth Jon Snow High Sparrow Arya Stark Bran Stark Catelyn Stark Ned Stark Rickon Stark Robb Stark Sansa Stark Daenerys Targaryen Viserys Targaryen Samwell Tarly Brienne of Tarth Margaery Tyrell Olenna Tyrell Varys Ygritte World Languages Dothraki Valyrian Themes Iron Throne White Walker Miscellaneous Fandom Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=White_Walker&oldid=832638842 '' Categories : A Song of Ice and Fire Fictional characters introduced in 1996 Fictional characters with ice or cold abilities Fictional characters with superhuman strength Fictional characters who use magic Fictional humanoids Fictional necromancers Fictional undead Literary villains Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Azərbaycanca Español فارسی עברית Magyar Português Edit links This page was last edited on 27 March 2018, at 04 : 49. 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Question: when do white walkers appear in game of thrones
Answer: Oathkeeper