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

over the region after winning the throne.
    The Westerlands
    Situated due west from King’s Landing are the Westerlands, lorded over by the Lannisters. Their lands are littered with gold and silver mines, making this region the wealthiest of the entire realm. Once known as Kings of the Rock, the Lannisters make their home at the fortress of Casterly Rock. This fortress was not constructed by their ancestors, but instead swindled away from the original inhabitants, House Casterly, during the Age of Heroes by a man who started the Lannister family line. They also operate Lannisport, the primary city and port of the Westerlands. The Lannisters’ vast wealth and connection to the throne allow them to fund the kingdom, securing the power and influence of the family name.
    The Southron Kingdoms
    To the south of The Westerlands and King’s Landing is a collection of southern regions known as The Southron Kingdoms. Increasingly fertile soils and beautiful landscapes characterize the area in the southwest known as The Reach. Notorious for its array of wildflowers, the noble lords of this land, The Tyrells, are referred to as Lords of the Flowers. The seat of House Tyrell is located in Highgarden. Their décor is of superior quality and very delicate and ornate.
    On the opposite coast from The Reach are the Stormlands of the Southron Kingdoms. Originally ruled by The Storm Kings in the Age of Heroes, this area came under Baratheon rule when Aegon conquered the realm. The Baratheon fortress, Storm’s End, is the oldest stronghold in Westeros. Its walls are believed to be protected by ancient magic from the days when it was erected. This area is controlled by Renly Baratheon who has found allegiance with his Flower neighbors in vying for the throne.
    The southernmost desert region of The Southron Kingdoms, Dorne, is home to the one House that was able to hold their ground against Aegon the Conqueror. House Martell nobles are descended from emigrants that fled Essos to escape the Valyrians, ancestors to the Targaryens. The seat of House Martell is located in Sunspear, a city situated on the coast of an eastern peninsula close to Essos.
    Essos
    Free from Westeros allegiance, Essos is a region of independent city-states, Dothraki grasslands, and ancient Valyrian wastelands that lies across the Narrow Sea from Westeros. The people of the cities are tradesmen and merchants whose lifestyles revolve around commerce. The port city, Pentos, is governed by powerful magistrates, one of whom is Illyrio Mopatis, benefactor to the Targaryen siblings. This region must pay tribute to their neighbors, the Dothraki horse lords, to avoid invasion and pillage. The Dothraki are a nomadic warrior tribe with their own set of beliefs and customs who occupy the middle grasslands of Essos. Beyond the grasslands is an area of farmers and shepherds called Lhazar. The people calling this area home worship a deity called the Great Shepherd. Operating separately from Westeros authority, Essos serves as a refuge for exiles hailing from that region.
    Rich with its own history, this supernatural world sets the stage for the culmination of a power struggle that has been ensuing for generations. Dynamic, full-scale characters ensure engaging interactions and shocking plot twists. Reputations and family holdings are at stake in an environment where it is better to have a bad family code than no code at all. Decisions and sacrifices are made by key players that set events in motion drastically affecting the future of this land’s inhabitants.

Episode 1: Winter Is Coming
    The premier episode of Game of Thrones takes viewers on a journey through several realms of the kingdom of Westeros and introduces them to many of its ruling families. Our story begins with three rangers venturing out on patrol of the northern territory beyond The Wall. The area is covered with heavy snow and appears to be bleak and gloomy. One of the men stumbles upon a bloody scene of bodies torn apart and placed to form the shape of a circle with a line down the middle. He scatters to find his comrades and upon return to the site, discovers that the bodies have disappeared. The man in charge dismisses the hi-jinks as typical “Wildling” pranks just before he is killed by a large hulking figure in black with glowing blue eyes. The two remaining men flee but are chased down. The ranger who discovered the bodies is left to have his comrade’s head tossed to him after the “White Walker”