Westeros

Westeros is the setting for most of the events described in George R. R. Martin's epic series, A Song of Fire and Ice. One immediate difference from most other settings comes into play here: there are no wizards, no spell-casting.

Westeros is divided into two continents, north and south. The northern half is dominated by cold, empty forests and harsh conditions. A seven hundred foot wall seperates civilization from the northern tip, an expanse of mountainous terrain rumored to be filled with savage wildlings, grumkins, giants and worse. In the beginning of A Game of Thrones the entire mass is ruled by the Stark family, and has been for centuries. They guard against the coming of Winter.

The southern continent holds six vastly different lands, each with their own ruling family. All seven kingdoms are beholden to the Baratheons, who usurped the Iron Throne from the last Dragon King.

The last of the dragons died long ago, and now the land is upheaval from yet another rebellion. Yet word comes from across the sea in the whispers of sailors of dragons once again breathing fire and screaming death. Who knows the truth?

There are so many problems on Westeros that few turn their thoughts beyond the seas to the Free Cities; the smoking remains of ancient Valyria; Slaver Bay; the endless grass plains of the Dothraki; the Summer Islands; the mysterious lands of the far east, Quarth, Ashai, the Shadow Lands, and into the unknown.

The people are held under the boots of nobles, while various religions compete for their allegience. The maesters teach and labor for science and civilization, while bandits and worse tear the civilized countryside apart. Fortunes rise and fools fall, and honor and glory cannot protect you from the knife in your back.

As flames engulf the south, winter comes to the north in a Song of Ice and Fire.

JCSeer 15:32, 18 May 2006 (PDT)