Riverrun

**Riverrun** is the seat of House Tully, which was once occupied by House Frey. It is a large castle located in the central-western part of the Riverlands. It sits at the point where the Red Fork of the Trident River is joined by its major tributary, the Tumblestone River flowing out of the west. In times of danger, sluice gates can be opened to flood a channel cut to the west of the castle, turning Riverrun into an island. Its walls rise sheer from the waters and its towers command the opposite shores, making assaulting it almost impossible without huge casualties.

## History

### Background

Riverrun is the seat of House Tully, the Lord Paramounts of the Trident and the Riverlands. It was built as an island fortress by Axel Tully. Prior to the War of the Five Kings, Lord Hoster Tully is the Lord of Riverrun. Petyr Baelish recalls being fostered at Riverrun during his childhood and being enamoured by its high walls.

### Season 1

During the War of the Five Kings, a Lannister army under Jaime Lannister lays siege to Riverrun. Northern forces under Robb Stark lure Jaime's men into a trap at the Battle of the Whispering Wood, breaking the siege of Riverrun.

### Season 3

Following the death of Hoster Tully, his kith and kin including Catelyn, Robb, Edmure, and Brynden Tully attend his funeral. In compliance with Tully tradition, he is placed in a funeral boat. His son and heir Edmure makes several attempts to light the funeral boat but misses. His uncle Brynden is forced to complete the ceremony. Riverrun becomes the headquarters and main base of operations for King Robb, the King in the North. After the funeral, the Blackfish comforts Catelyn, who is grieving over the purported loss of her sons Bran and Rickon Stark.

Edmure leads Tully forces into action against the Lannister bannerman Gregor Clegane at the Stone Mill. Edmure succeeds in expelling the Mountain's forces from the Riverlands and capturing two Lannister squires Martyn and Willem Lannister, the nephews of Tywin Lannister. Despite this victory, Robb and Brynden are furious because Edmure's action interfered with Robb's plan to lure the Mountain into a trap. Meanwhile, Talisa Stark tends to the wounds of Martyn and Willem in Riverrun's dungeons.

Later, Rickard Karstark and several of his followers murder Martin and Willem in their cell to avenge the deaths of his sons. For murdering two unarmed prisoners, Robb orders that Rickard's men be hung and that Lord Karstark himself be beheaded. The execution takes place outside the grounds of Riverrun. This has the effect of turning House Karstark against the Stark-Tully alliance. In his private quarters, Robb discusses his predicament with his wife. Lacking enough men to attack Casterly Rock, Robb decides to repair his strained relationship with House Frey, whom he had earlier promised to marry one of Lord Walder Frey's daughters.

Lord Walder's sons Lothar Frey and Black Walder travel to Riverrun and discuss their father's new demands with Robb, Edmure, and Brynden. Robb agrees to apologize to Lord Frey, cede Harrenhal and all its lands to the Freys, and that his Edmure marry Walder's daughter Roslin. After some discussion, the Starks and Tullys acquiesce to the Frey's terms for mending their alliance. The Starks and Tullys depart Riverrun and travel to the Twins, the seat of House Frey. Following the wedding, Lord Frey takes Edmure prisoner and massacres the Stark and Tully hosts including Robb, Talisa, and Catelyn.

Following the Red Wedding, Lord Frey reaffirms House Frey's alliance with the Iron Throne and the Lannisters. As a reward for his help in putting down the Northern rebellion, Lord Frey is made Lord of Riverrun and the Freys are given paramountcy over the Riverlands. However, this victory is soured by the revelation that Brynden had escaped the massacre.

### Season 4

During the Trial of Petyr Baelish, Sansa speaks of Baelish's childhood at Riverrun and his enduring love for Lysa Arryn (whom he killed). As a result, Petyr is cleared of any involvement in her death, which is regarded as a suicide.