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

at The Eyrie because those condemned to death are faced with a 600 foot drop from a hole in the floor of the throne room called the Moon Door. The woods of The Vale are home to numerous Wildling barbarian clans such as the Stone Crows, Burned Men, Black Ears, and Painted Dogs. Situated in the northern part of The Vale are three barren peninsulas called the Fingers, which are lorded over by the minor House Baelish.
    The Riverlands
    In a southwest diagonal from The Vale lies the area known as The Riverlands, which border the Westerlands. The Riverlands are a plush and fertile landscape with three different rivers running through the territory. The points of interest in this area include Riverrun, The Trident, the Iron Islands, and The Twins. Riverrun is the castle stronghold of House Tully, Catelyn Stark and Lysa Arryn’s family. The triangular fortress is surrounded on two sides with water and a ditch on the third that can be filled with water in times of duress, effectively turning the castle into its own island.
    The Trident is an area where the Red Fork, Green Fork, and Blue Fork rivers converge on the east coast and flow into the Narrow Sea. This spot is famous for the battle between Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar Targaryen over Lyanna Stark in which Rhaegar loses with his life. From this moment on, the battle site became known as the Ruby Ford because of the many rubies that shattered off of Rhaegar’s breastplate from the force of Robert’s deathblow.
    North of the Trident sits a pair of identical fortified castles called The Twins. They sit on each side of the Green Fork and are controlled by Lord Frey, an old man with many wives and numerous offspring. He charges tolls to cross the bridge connecting the towers and spanning the river. Lord Frey holds a strategic position for anyone wanting to easily cross from north to south, or vice versa.
    The fourth area of interest located in The Riverlands is a set of islands off its western coast called The Iron Islands. This region has been ruled by House Greyjoy for over 300 years. The inhabitants of The Iron Islands, dubbed Ironmen, live independently from the mainland. They maintain their own business and religious practices, worshipping a personal deity known as The Drowned God. Although sworn to protect the Iron Throne, the Ironmen have always held a desire for total control, even attempting a failed rebellion against Robert shortly after his crown victory.
    The Crownlands
    The area located southeast from The Riverlands is The Crownlands, which contains the crowded Capital of all seven kingdoms, King’s Landing. This region is positioned in the middle of Westeros on the eastern coast of the realm. As a result, the climate is warm and has a Mediterranean feel. Animal and plant life thrive in the sunny and bright environment. Lots of light-colored, flowing fabrics are worn by its inhabitants.
    King’s Landing was erected by the Targaryen conqueror, Aegon, and his two sister-wives. It is the first city to proclaim the Faith of the Seven, or New Gods. All the weirwood trees of the surrounding areas were cut down and the wall enclosing the city was built with seven gates symbolizing the New Gods. King’s Landing was erected on three hills, each named after Aegon and his wives. The Sept of Baelor is situated upon Visenya Hill and The Red Keep occupies Aegon Hill. The third, named after the other wife Rhaenys, contained the Dragonpit where they kept and bred dragons.
    The Red Keep is the royal castle and aptly named for its red color. The Targaryens designed it with secret passageways and chambers, the knowledge of which was guarded by the family. The Iron Throne that is the prize for those playing the game sits in the throne room of the Red Keep, where royal court is held. It was forged with dragon’s fire from the swords that had belonged to Aegon’s vanquished foes.
    Dragonstone is the other part of The Crownlands and the ancestral home of the Targaryens. It is believed to be formed from an active volcano and was settled by the ancient Valyrians who used magic to build its keep with dragon shaped towers. Valyrian steel was also forged here and is considered valuable and rare throughout the kingdom since its secrets have been lost along with the Valyrian culture. Dragonstone is located just northeast of King’s Landing and is surrounded by water on three sides. Dragonstone came under Baratheon control when Robert gave his ruthless soldier brother Stannis lordship