Game of Thrones Season One Ultimate Unofficial Guide: The Game of Thrones Season 1

designers worked tirelessly to capture the distinct feel of each region. They used a combination of studio sets, on-location sets, and computer graphic animation to seamlessly blend the elements together in order to visually transport the audience to this mythical new realm.
    The fantasy world in which the history of each ruling family and the lands they occupy is chronicled consists of divided land masses named Westeros and Essos. Once a realm where each region had its own king, Westeros was conquered and united under one ruling family. The descendants of those conquered kings of old now hold lordship over their respective ancestral lands, but recognize only one king. Throughout the first season, viewers are introduced to the several noble Houses of Westeros and get a feel for how varied life is in each region of the kingdom. The seats of each noble House are scattered throughout Westeros in areas known as: The North, The Vale, The Riverlands, The Westerlands, The Crownlands, and The Southron Kingdoms.
The North
    At the farthest northern boundary of Westeros sits a massive ice structure aptly named The Wall. It was built 8,000 years ago during the Age of Heroes by Brandon Stark, then King in The North; its purpose to separate Westeros from the supernatural evils that reside on the other side. The Wall is 700 feet tall and spans the entire 300 mile coast to coast length of the northern border. It is rumored that Brandon used giants and powerful magic of the Children of the Forest to erect The Wall. The legions of men who serve as guardians of The Wall, known as The Night’s Watch, take their post for life. Once an honored career, the Night’s Watchmen have lost significance in people’s minds as the memories have faded of the horrific period in Westeros history called “The Long Night;” a span of time when evil creatures called White Walkers wreaked havoc on the realm. Beyond the wall sits the Haunted Forest, populated by barbaric tribes called Wildlings and further on is The Land of Always Winter. It is here that the mythical creatures of the First Men’s time are rumored to still thrive.
    There were once nineteen castles maintained along The Wall, but ages of disrepair due to dwindling recruits have left only three practical for use. Castle Black is the main fortress of The Wall and home to the Night’s Watchmen. Each member is assigned the responsibilities of ranger, steward, or builder. Serving as a Night’s Watchman is a serious obligation, for vows are taken forswearing any family or regional loyalties and inheritances. Men of the Night’s Watch dress in black and are expected to be celibate, swearing allegiance to the entire realm, not the king. A man “takes the black” for life and the punishment for desertion is death. Life at The Wall is freezing, bleak, and void of any comforts.
    South of The Wall lies the northern stronghold known as Winterfell, a castle situated in the middle of the largest Westeros territory. Along with The Wall, Winterfell is the kingdom’s first line of defense against trouble coming from beyond The Wall. Another of Brandon Stark’s projects, this stronghold sits atop hot springs which are piped through the walls as a source of heat. The weather in this region is cold and snowy, although not as bleak as The Wall, and its inhabitants dress in darkly colored heavy wools, cottons, and furs to defend against the cold. The Stark family resides here as Guardians of The North and is descended from the line of northern kings that ruled the region for thousands of years before Targaryen conquest. Winterfell contains an underground crypt where the Stark family ancestors remain. The entire castle was built around a three acre patch of sacred Godswood, in the middle of which is an ancient Weirtree. Dwellers of The North worship the Old Gods, believed to live in the weirtrees, and use these trees for prayers and vows.
    The Vale
    Southeast of Winterfell and on the border of The Crownlands lies The Vale, a wooded and mountainous area lorded over by House Arryn. The mountain fortress known as The Eyrie is this region’s stronghold and was built by Andal invaders who came from Essos towards the end of the Age of Heroes. It sits atop Giant’s Lance, the highest peak in The Mountains of the Moon. The Eyrie is rumored to be impregnable and features Sky Cells, three-walled prison chambers with floors angled towards the open end’s thousand foot drop. There is no need for an executioner