Cultures and Peoples

This article is a condensed guide to the numerous and diverse cultures of the Known World. It includes information about the different ethnicities and origins of different cultures and peoples across the three known continents: Essos, Westeros and Sothoryos.

Those cultures and peoples listed can be roleplayed. Some cultures (such as the Children of the Forest), due to some minor differences in server and official Game of Thrones lore, will not be mentioned.

# Ancient Cultures and Peoples of Essos

## Ghiscari Empire

The **Ghiscari Empire** was one of the oldest civilizations -- if not *the* oldest civilization -- known to have existed. It once spanned across all the continent of Essos, centered around a region that still exists today and is known as **Slaver's Bay**. Its regional capital today is known as **Meereeen**.

After the Valyrians discovered and learned to ride dragons, they began their own expansion and came into conflict with the Ghiscari Empire before long. A series of five great wars was fought to determine who would become the ruling and dominant power in Essos. The Valyrians eventually broke the Ghiscari and destroyed the City of Ghis. The ruins of Old Ghis still stand five thousand years later.

There are still vestiges of the Ghiscari Empire found today, preserved in city-colonies such as Slaver's Bay. The bloodline and traditions of the Ghiscari Empire survive yet.

## Rhoynar

The **Rhoynar** were a people from the Eastern continent of Essos, named after and centered around a river name **Rhoyne**. They occupied that region for thousands of years in relative peace.

They are one of the cultures that was nearly wiped out by the Valyrians during the expansion of the Valyrian Empire. A portion of the survivors fled Essos on ships and traveled to Westeros to establish a region known as Dorne. The weakened Rhoynar survived by mingling with local cultures such as the descendants of the First Men and the Andals.

## Valyrians

The ancient **Valyrians** created the largest empire the Known World had ever seen. Lasting five thousand years, this empire was destroyed in a single volcanic cataclysm known as the Doom which ruined their capital city. At the height of their empire, known as the **Valyrian Freehold**, they controlled nearly half the continent of Essos.

They were originally a culture and community of simple shepherds that rose to prominence discovering dragons. After taming them, they established the city of Valyria and became skilled blacksmiths and magic-users, creating the unique and and well-known metal known as **Valyrian Steel**.

During their quest for expansion, they came to declare war on the Ghiscari Empire and the Rhoynar and defeated them both

Descendants of ancient **Valyria** are among the most recognizable people in the Known World. They are recognizable by their very pale skin, silver or platinum hair and violet or blue eyes.

# Ancient Cultures and Peoples of Westeros

## Andals

The **Andals** are an ancient race of people that invaded Westeros some six thousand years ago. Even today, their descendants are the dominant ethnic and cultural group on the continent.

They originate from a region named **Andalos** , located North of the location of the present-day **City of Pentos**. They are said to have left their homeland and traveled to Westeros because they were bid to do so by a **Seven-faced God**. The Andals are the original creators of the concept of chivalry and brought knowledge of smithing with them from Essos.

## First Men

The **First Men** were the first inhabitants of the continent of Westeros, migrating there from an unknown location over 12'000 years ago. They ruled the continent, uncontested, for millennia before the Andals began to make their appearance.

The Andals managed to overrun the southern portion of Westeros but failed to take the North from the First Men. The two cultures intermarried for thousands of years. The **Northmen** are the closest contemporary approximate to the First Men and have maintained much of their ancestral culture.

## Dornishmen

After fleeing enslavement in **Essos** under the yoke of the **Dragonlords of Valyria**, the **Rhoynar** rallied with the people of **Dorne**.

Their alliance gave rise to the contemporary **Dornishmen** and to a culture distinct from the rest of **Westeros**: Dornishmen have a reputation for being hot-blooded and licentious. Paramours in Dorne are not something that is frowned upon and it is not unusual for noblemen or noblewomen to have one, or several.

Native Dornishmen are often olive-skinned, dark-eyed and dark-haired.

## Ironborn

The **Ironborn** are natives of the **Iron Islands**. They are said to be descendants of the **First Men** who colonized the islands and gave rise to a new culture.

The invading **Andals** never held very much sway on the Iron Islands and those invaders that did establish themselves on the islands were assimilated into their culture and faith. Even though the Andals never managed to truly conquer them, they did manage to coax the Ironborn into adopting their language: the **Common Tongue of the Andals**.

# Contemporary Cultures and Peoples of Westeros

## Descendants of the First Men

The ancient First Men have diversified into different groups. They are now:

### Northmen

Proud descendants of the **First Men** that occupy the region known as the **North**, located between the Neck and the Wall.

Because of their location, **Northmen** are the group most susceptible to **Wildling** raids and sometimes even full-scale invasions lead by united groups of Wildlings. They are also vulnerable to **Ironborn** raids on their eastern coast and Free City pirate raids on both the East and West.

They are often perceived as dour because they are battle-hardened and weather-tested.

Northmen, also refered to as **Northerners** are sometimes collectively refered to as **Wolves** due to the choice mount of many Northmen.

Bastards from the North bear the last name of "Snow".

### Crannogmen

**Crannogmen** are inhabitants of the swamps. They are an off-shot of the **First Men** who branched off from the **Northmen**. The Crannogmen are so-named because of their villages and houses located in the deep swamps that are dubbed crannogs.

They are sometimes derisively refered to as "mudmen" or "frogeaters".

### Wildlings (Free Folk)

The "**Free Folk**" are descendants of the **First Men** that were unfortunate enough to have been north of the Wall when it was built. They are very close in lifestyle and culture to how the First Men lived thousands of years ago and still worship the **Old Gods of the Forest,** not unlike like their **Northern** cousins.

The **Free Folk** consist of many different tribes, clans and groups. Some are somewhat reasonable whereas others are known to be completely savage and openly hostile. They refer to themselves as "Free Folk" because they recognize no central or true political authority but sometimes rally being a **King Beyond The Wall**.

Different groups of **Wildlings** have a long history of hating eachother: the **Thenns** hate the **Hornfoots** just as the **Hornfoots** hate the **Ice-river clans**. The only thing they have in common with each-other is that they presumably all hate the **Cave People**.

Some of their clans and groups include but are not limited to:

* Numerous clans located East of the Blue Mountain
* Thenns
* Hornfoots
* Ice-river clans
* Cave people
* Frozen Shore men

## Contemporary Andal Kingdoms

### Crownlanders

The capital of this region is **King's Landing**, a large port town located in the South. Due to its location and its position, it doesn't have much of a cultural identity of its own. **Crownlanders** are an amalgame of members of other regions and groups and their culture varies wildly depending on who is presiding over **King's Landing**.

Bastards born in the Crownlands are given the surname "Waters".

### Reachmen

The region known as the **Reach** is occupied by **Highgarden**. It is one of the most fertile regions of **Westeros**.

Bastards from the Reach bear the surname "Flowers".

### Rivermen

A contested borderland that is not counted as one of the **Seven Kingdoms**. For administrative purposes, they are nonetheless considered equal to other regions of the realm, though this is occasionally a point of contention when there is friction between the **Riverlands** and other regions.

Bastards born in the Riverlands bear the surname "Rivers".

### Stormlanders

The **Stormlands** of the East have produced many skilled and battle-hardened commanders. They share their borders with **Dorne**.

Bastards born in the Stormlands bear the surname "Storm".

### Valemen

The region known as the **Vale of Arryn** (often simply refered to as 'the Vale'). They are self-sufficient and a highly isolated region. Their capital city is dubbed the **Eyrie**.

Bastards born in the Vale bear the surname of "Stone".

### Westermen

The **Westerlands** is a constituent region of the **Seven Kingdoms** and boasts **Casterly Rock** as its capital. Bastards from the Westerlands are given the last name "Hill".

They are often colloquially refered to as **Cats** or **Lions**.

# Contemporary Cultures and Peoples of Essos

## The Nine Free Cities

The **Free Cities** are nine independant **city-states** located in **Essos**. Each one of the Free Cities had its own unique history and culture.

### Braavos

The northern-most **Free City** is ruled by a **Sealord**. The city itself is scattered across various different islands connected to each-other by way of canals and bridges. Braavos is known for its swordsmen, the Iron Ban, shipbuilding and religious tolerance.

### Lorath

The city's most remarkable feature is that it is nearly completely unknown. **Lorath** lacks any significant port or point for which it is famous for.

### Lys

**Lys** is a city of vice famed for its pleasure houses and its poisos. Its people have retained the features of the ancient Valyrians. It is also known for its powerful navy.

### Myr

An important seaport that is famed for its craftsmen and products. **Myrish lace** is said to be the finest fabric in the world.

### Norvos

The city is famed for its warrior-priests known as the "Bearded Priests of Norvos". The city pays tribute to the **Dothraki**.

### Pentos

A large city-state of merchant lords known for its cheese. They are also known for some very peculiar ceremonies: the Prince of Pentos must deflower the Maid of the Field and the Maid of the Sea every year to bring good fortune to the city. If misfortune befalls the city, the prince's throat is slit and the magisters choose another.

### Qohor

The smiths of **Qohor** are some of the only smiths in the Known World capable of reforging **Valyrian Steel**.

### Tyrosh

A seaport and mercantile city ruled by an Archon. Tyrosh is host to many sellsword companies.

### Volantis

Notoriously corrupt, the city of **Volantis** maintains **Valyrian** traditions even still. The city is known for its slave markets and wine.

## Asshai

A city so far away from **Westeros** that it is half-legendary. The city is famous for its religious tolerance, warlocks, wizards and sorcerers and other practicioners of the dark arts. Its population is no bigger than a small market town because of its lack of food.

No crops can grow in **Asshai** and all food, even simple drinking water, is brought in by ship by merchants. Animals brought there quickly die.

The fumes from the **Ash River** allegedly render the residents sterile if they are exposed to them for long periods of time, which is why there are no children in Asshai. The city maintains its population through a constant influx of slaves and merchants.

In spite of its problems, the city is abundant in gems, relics, gold and dragonglass.

## Dothraki

The **Dothraki**, commonly refered to as the 'Horse Lords' are a culture of nomadic horse-mounted warriors. Much of their culture and society is based around the horses.

Their people are divided among nameless clans known as **khalasars** led by a **khal**. Their only city is named **Vaes Dothrak** where all Dothraki commerce takes place.

**Dothraki** do not trust salt water because their horses cannot drink from it. They worship a deity named **The Great Stallion**. The **Dosh Khaleen**, wives of dead khals, are leaders of their religion.

## Qarth

A major trade hub of and for the fabulously wealthy. The city boasts a large port. The area around the city's walls is refered to as the "Garden of Bones".

The **Qartheen** people are all described as pale-skinned and tall. Men and women decorate their clothing richly and extravagantly with gold pieces shaped like insects and encrusted with jewels. Appearances signify status in **Qarth**: the more flamboyant one appears, the more important they are. Name and title means nothing if one cannot maintain appearances of power and wealth.

## Yi Ti

**Yi Ti** is an old and refined civilization located in the far eastern reaches of **Essos**. It is one of the richest and most advanced cultures in the world, partially because it has never been conquered and has remained relatively untouched by war.

Even the ruins of old **Yi Tish** cities are more imposing than even the largest **Westerosi** cities.

Its princes are said to live off of meat powdered in crushed jade and pearls. They allegedly live in palaces of solid gold.