Disputed Lands

The Disputed Lands is a region of southwestern Essos. It has long been contested between the Free Cities of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh, often involving skirmishes and small wars.

## History

### Valyria and the Doom

The region was once connected to Westeros by the Arm of Dorne, but the Breaking shattered the land bridge and left behind the Stepstones in the narrow sea. The region was a rich land during the era of the Valyrian Freehold.

What is now called the Disputed Lands became a waste during the Century of Blood after the Doom of Valyria. Volantis conquered Lys and Myr, ruling the cities for two generations. Pentos supported Tyrosh when that city came under attack from Volantis, however, and Lys and Myr rose in rebellion. The Storm King, Argilac Durrandon, led a host from the stormlands to the Disputed Lands and defeated the Volantene army threatening Myr. The Sealord of Braavos supported a Lyseni exile with a hundred ships. Aegon Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, joined the alliance against Volantis and burned the Volantene fleet threatening Lys with his dragon, Balerion. Volantis was forced to retreat.

### Disputed Lands

The Free Cities of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh have continued to contest the Disputed Lands, usually fighting with sellswords. More free companies have originated in the Disputed Lands than the rest of the known world, and twoscore companies are currently active in the region. Some captains initiate their own wars when not contracted to a Free City.

Ironborn from the Iron Islands have occasionally reaved along the Disputed Lands or served as sellswords or sellsails, such as Harwyn Hoare, for the Free Cities.

According to some tales, Coryanne Wylde became a camp follower in the Disputed Lands after following Ser Howard Bullock to the region. Ser Orryn Baratheon died in the Disputed Lands when the Maiden's Men fought the Men of Valor. Six villages were burned in 56 AC when dry grasses led to a great fire in the Disputed Lands. The Adventurers were destroyed when they were trapped between the fire and the Archon of Tyrosh's host. Ser Myles Smallwood suggested that Balerion had caused the fire, but King Jaehaerys I Targaryen was skeptical.

In 96 AC the Triarchy of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh defeated Volantis in the Battle of the Borderland and forced the Volantenes to withdraw from the Disputed Lands. The Triarchy then conquered the Stepstones, leading to Prince Daemon Targaryen's war for the Stepstones. After abandoning his claim as King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea, Dameon and Lady Laena Velaryon flew from Pentos across the Disputed Lands to Volantis.

In the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons, Ser Oscar Tully led the Stormbreakers to Tyrosh and the Disputed Lands in 131 AC. The Triarchy collapsed into the Daughters' War, with fighting occurring throughout the Stepstones and the Disputed Lands. The death of Bambarro Bazanne in the region in 132 AC led to Lysandro Rogare acquiring the captive Prince Viserys Targaryen. The end of the Daughters' War in 134 AC saw Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh divide the Disputed Lands among themselves.

The Golden Company, formed in 212 AC in the aftermath of the First Blackfyre Rebellion, have often fought in the Disputed Lands. Ser Aegor Rivers died fighting in the region when Myr and Tyrosh fought.

The Band of Nine, including Xhobar Qhoqua and Spotted Tom, allied at the Tree of Crowns in the Disputed Lands in 258 AC and conquered the region as the first step in their campaign to conquer the Seven Kingdoms, leading to the War of the Ninepenny Kings. The Disputed Lands were eventually lost once the Band of Nine's efforts began to fail.

The Tattered Prince fled for the Disputed Lands rather than become Prince of Pentos in 262 AC. Prince Oberyn Martell rode with the Second Sons in the Disputed Lands before forming his own company. Lord Jon Connington, the exiled Hand of the King to Aerys II Targaryen, is said to have drank himself to death in the Disputed Lands.