History Literature / ASongOfIceAndFire

# ''The Winds of Winter'' (TBD; [[http://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2019/05/21/thanks-new-zealand/ latest statement on the subject Martin has stated as of May 2019 that he hopes to finish before the end of July 2020]])[[note]]Seven chapters [[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/wiki/twow#wiki_released_chapters have been published as previews]]. Another four chapters were read at conventions, and subsequently transcribed online.[[/note]]

# ''The Winds of Winter'' (TBD, though Martin's [[http://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2019/05/21/thanks-new-zealand/ latest statement on the subject]] is that he hopes to have it finished by Summer 2020)[[note]]Seven chapters [[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/wiki/twow#wiki_released_chapters have been published as previews]]. Another four chapters were read at conventions, and subsequently transcribed online.[[/note]]

# ''The Winds of Winter'' (TBD)[[note]]Seven chapters [[https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/wiki/twow#wiki_released_chapters have been published as previews]]. Another four chapters were read at conventions, and subsequently transcribed online.[[/note]]

* A {{table top|Games}} RolePlayingGame was licensed through Guardians of Order. Another onme by Creator/GreenRonin and [[http://greenronin.com/sifrp/ currently has three books released, a rulebook, a sourcebook, and a licensed adventure]].

* A {{table top|Games}} RolePlayingGame was licensed through Creator/GreenRonin and [[http://greenronin.com/sifrp/ currently has three books released, a rulebook, a sourcebook, and a licensed adventure]].

For more information, see the [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFire character sheet]] and GRRM's "[[http://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/]]".

For more information, see the [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFire character sheet]] and GRRM's "[[http://grrm.livejournal.com Not-a-blog]]".

* A video game, ''VideoGame/AGameOfThronesGenesis'', has dramatized some of the stuff that's AllThereInTheManual, covering the last thousand-or-so years of Westerosi history. It was joined by a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones_(video_game) negatively received video game]], also called ''Game of Thrones''. A browser-based online {{MMORPG}} called ''Game Of Thrones: Seven Kingdoms'' is also in the works.

Set in a medieval fantasy world, the series primary follows various political and supernatural threats to the Seven Kingdoms, a vast nation still recovering from a civil war that ousted the previous ruling dynasty. The plot begins by focusing on the Stark family, a noble house that rules the frigid and sparsely populated North. Forced to journey south and enter the unfamiliar territory of King's Landing, the family must suddenly contend with deadly court politics, intrigue, plots, feuds and mysteries from a host of rival factions. As the nobles busy themselves playing the game of thrones, a supernatural threat looms beyond the Wall to the far north that threatens to destroy the Seven Kingdoms and drive the continent into a permanent winter. Meanwhile, the last scions of the ousted dynasty, now in exile, have their sights set on reconquering the Seven Kingdoms and reclaiming their family's throne with fire and blood.

Mostly set in a medieval fantasy world, the series primary follows various political and supernatural threats to the Seven Kingdoms, a vast nation still recovering from a civil war that ousted the previous ruling dynasty. The plot begins by focusing on the Stark family, a noble house that rules the frigid and sparsely populated North. Forced to journey south and enter the unfamiliar territory of King's Landing, the family must suddenly contend with deadly court politics, intrigue, plots, feuds and mysteries from a host of rival factions. As the nobles busy themselves playing the game of thrones, a supernatural threat looms beyond the Wall to the far north that threatens to destroy the Seven Kingdoms and drive the continent into a permanent winter. Meanwhile, the last scions of the ousted dynasty, now in exile, have their sights set on reconquering the Seven Kingdoms and reclaiming their family's throne with fire and blood.

''A Song of Ice and Fire'' is a bestselling {{Doorstopper}} epic fantasy series written by Creator/GeorgeRRMartin. The first book (out of a planned seven) was published in 1996 and most recently, Book 5, was published in 2011. In addition to the main books, there are a variety of spin-offs and related media, such as prequels and in-universe history texts.

The novels feature [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters a large ensemble cast]], narrated in chapters that relate action from the third-person limited perspective of [[SwitchingPOV alternating protagonists]], some of them at [[AnotherSideAnotherStory times might be on the opposite side of a conflict]]. Some of the plots and subplots of the protagonists [[HyperlinkStory overlap with each other directly and indirectly]], [[TwoLinesNoWaiting while others merely parallel the central action or counterpoint it in key ways]]. In general, there are three theaters of action in the books -- the Wall, Westeros, and Essos -- where a range of characters and factions gravitate around, slowly converging as the narrative of the series moves to the final act. Note that the wall of text below contains no spoilers--the backstory is ''that'' elaborate.

Most of the series is set on the continent of Westeros, a world where the [[BizarreSeasons seasons can last for years]]. Westeros was once a world suffused with magic. Beings like the Children of the Forest allied with the First Men against the Others, a race of inhuman ice beings, and banished them to the [[GrimUpNorth Lands of Always Winter]], with a giant Wall of ice built and manned [[TheWallAroundTheWorld to repel them]]. More recently, the dragon-riding Targaryen dynasty, refugees from the doomed Valyrian Freehold on the continent of Essos, unified the seven kingdoms of Westeros under a single realm. But some time later, even the dragons died, and with their death, [[TheMagicGoesAway magic has faded]] for more than a century across the known world prior to the start of the series. However, there are rumors, whispers, and prophesies that someday, the dragons will return.

The Targaryens outlasted their dragons for a century or so after the deaths of their mounts but their dynasty was toppled by a rebellion led by King Robert Baratheon in [[TheAlliance an alliance]] that ultimately included Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun, Lord Jon Arryn of the Vale, and Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock. In the course of their rebellion, their alliance was cemented by marriage, with Lord Eddard Stark marrying Catelyn Tully, and governing as Warden of the North. He has five children with Catelyn -- Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon -- and an [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] Jon Snow, born while Ned was away at war to [[MissingMom another woman]] he refuses to name. Lord Stark's household also includes Theon Greyjoy, a hostage raised in his household to check the ambitions of his rebellious father Balon. Prior to the rebellion Robert Baratheon planned to marry Ned's sister Lyanna, but her kidnapping by the Targaryen crown prince Rhaegar (and her subsequent death) was a contributing factor to the uprising itself. Instead, Robert married Lord Tywin Lannister's daughter Cersei, the eldest and most ambitious of her father's children. In addition to Cersei, Lord Tywin's two sons also have prominent roles in the series -- Jaime, Cersei's twin brother, and one of the greatest knights of Westeros, who is currently serving Robert's [[Main/PraetorianGuard Kingsguard]], and the youngest child Tyrion, a dwarf who is TheUnfavorite of his family. King Robert is also assisted by his own brothers in governing the Seven Kingdoms -- Renly being one of the most prominent courtiers of the Seven Kingdoms, with close ties to the wealthy and powerful House Tyrell; and Stannis, the resentful [[MiddleChildSyndrome middle-child]] who is disliked for his difficult personality, with his only friend being the former smuggler Davos Seaworth.

At the start of the series, a long summer lasting for more than a decade is nearing its end, leaving many observers to fear the onset of an even longer winter which would be hard enough even during the best of times. Unfortunately, [[FromBadToWorse what follows would not be the best of times]]. In the wake of Lord Jon Arryn's sudden and surprising death, King Robert Baratheon resolves to make Eddard Stark his new Hand of the King, the kingdom's second-in-command, in spite of the grudges House Stark bears with House Lannister, the king's in-laws. TheAlliance that opposed the Targaryen dynasty, which governed Westeros in the previous decade, fractures in the course of the first three novels, plunging the kingdom into civil war -- and isolationist regions like the Iron Islands and the southern principality of Dorne take advantage of the crisis to assert their own agendas. Across the Narrow Sea, TheRemnant of House Targaryen -- the vengeance-mad Prince Viserys Targaryen and his younger sister Daenerys -- live in exile, planning to return to Westeros and restore their dynasty. They court their own alliance of exiles, mercenaries, and ambitious local states to build an army and eventually invade Westeros again, to bring them back to power. Naturally, the general instability of Westeros with almost every region in turmoil and civil war is amenable to their interests.

Unbeknownst to most of the players of this [[TitleDrop game of thrones]], a [[GreaterScopeVillain much bigger threat]] than the instability of the government and potential invasion from Essos lies in the far North, in the Lands of Always Winter. The Wall was built to keep [[TheFairFolk the Others]] from returning to Westeros and to this end, an organization called the Night's Watch was instituted to permanently garrison the structure in a network of castles that divides the Seven Kingdoms from the untamed far North. The decline of magic has led to the institution of the Night's Watch being deprecated and understaffed over the centuries. It was once regarded as a noble institute by all Seven Kingdoms but now that the Others are believed to be a SealedEvilInACan at best and a myth by most, only the North regards the Night's Watch as a noble and honorable calling. While younger sons and illegitimate sons of noble houses -- primarily from the North -- occasionally still join the Night's Watch voluntarily, it has mostly become an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who spend most of their time putting down rebellions by Wildlings, barbaric tribes who defy the customs of mainland Westeros and who periodically try to get past the Wall. This status-quo gets unbalanced thanks to reports of sightings of the blue-eyed Others, who have led attacks on many Wildling villages as well as ranging parties sent by the Night's Watch. The Others are cold, unnatural, and seemingly immortal beings whose powers allow them to [[NotUsingTheZWord convert the dead into wights]], to serve as slaves in an inhuman army of the dead. This leads the Wildlings to band around Mance Rayder, King-Beyond-The-Wall and mount the largest wildling rebellion in the history of the Watch.

Should the Others return to full strength and get past the Wall, Westeros will be plunged into an eternal winter, a long night that never ends, and it won't matter then whose head wears which crown.

** ''The Princess and the Queen, or, The Blacks and the Greens'': A novella written as an InUniverse history text, narrating the events of the Dance of the Dragons, a war of succession between rival Targaryen branches 170 years before the time of the main series. Published in the 2013 short story anthology ''Dangerous Women'', edited by Martin and Gardner Dozois. The print novella was heavily edited for time, only containing about 30,000 words out of 60,000 Martin wrote on the Dance of the Dragons at the time. Subsequent novellas were shorter and only had a few bits omitted here and there.

* ''Literature/FireAndBlood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from an in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one volume, it has since been split into two, with the first volume (covering history up to the death of the Targaryen dragons) being released in November 2018. The book features new content alongside text directly lifted and/or expanded from other releases (for instance, this book's account of Aegon's conquest is largely identical to the version in ''The World of Ice and Fire''). Elements from this compendium were earlier published separately grouped in the page under the fan-title of ''Literature/ArchmaesterGyldaynsHistories'':
** ''The Princess and the Queen, or, The Blacks and the Greens'': A novella written as an InUniverse history text, narrating the events of the Dance of the Dragons, a war of succession between rival Targaryen branches 170 years before the time of the main series. Published in the 2013 short story anthology ''Dangerous Women'', edited by Martin and Gardner Dozois.

* ''Literature/ArchmaesterGyldaynsHistories'':

* ''Literature/FireAndBlood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from an in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one volume, it has since been split into two, with the first volume (covering history up to the death of the Targaryen dragons) being released in November 2018. The book features new content alongside text directly lifted and/or expanded from other releases (for instance, this book's account of Aegon's conquest is largely identical to the version in ''The World of Ice and Fire'').
** The print release of ''Fire & Blood'' in 2018 totally encompasses and expands upon the earlier novellas by Archmaester Gyldayn (which were basically just advanced ''previews'' of F&B), so it may be a good idea for Tropers to fold the two pages together...

* ''Literature/ArchmaesterGyldaynsHistories'':
** ''The Princess and the Queen, or, The Blacks and the Greens'': A novella written as an InUniverse history text, narrating the events of the Dance of the Dragons, a war of succession between rival Targaryen branches 170 years before the time of the main series. Published in the 2013 short story anthology ''Dangerous Women'', edited by Martin and Gardner Dozois.
** ''The Rogue Prince, or, The King's Brother'': A novella narrating the exploits of Prince Daemon Targaryen, including the events leading to "The Princess and the Queen". Published in the 2014 short story anthology ''Rogues'', edited by Martin and Dozois.

* A World of Ice and Fire (a.k.a. A Game of Thrones Guide): A smartphone app offering details on a multitude of events, characters, and locations written by Elio M. Garcia Jr. and Linda Antonsson, the admins of popular fansite Westeros.org.
* ''The Lands of Ice and Fire'': A book of poster-sized maps, including regions of the world that have yet to be explored in the novels.

* ''Literature/FireAndBlood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from an in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one volume, it has since been split into two, with the first volume (covering history up to the death of the Targaryen dragons) being released in November 2018. The book features new content alongside text directly lifted and/or expanded from other releases (for instance, this book's account of Aegon's conquest is largely identical to the version in ''The World of Ice and Fire'').[[/index]]

* ''Fire & Blood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from an in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one volume, it has since been split into two, with the first volume (covering history up to the death of the Targaryen dragons) being released in November 2018. The book features new content alongside text directly lifted and/or expanded from other releases (for instance, this book's account of Aegon's conquest is largely identical to the version in ''The World of Ice and Fire'').[[/index]]

* ''Fire & Blood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from an in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one volume, it has since been split into two, with the first volume (covering history up to the death of the Targaryen dragons) being released in November 2018. The book features new content alongside text directly lifted and/or expanded from other releases (for instance, this book's account of Aegon's conquest is largely identical to its account in ''The World of Ice and Fire'').[[/index]]

** ''The Princess and the Queen, or, The Blacks and the Greens'': A novella written as an InUniverse history text, narrating the events of the Dance of the Dragons, a war of succession between rival Targaryen branches 170 years before the time of the main series.
** ''The Rogue Prince, or, The King's Brother'': A novella narrating the exploits of Prince Daemon Targaryen, including the events leading to "The Princess and the Queen", published in June 2014 as part of an anthology of short stories Martin helped publish called ''Rogues.'' (Martin also provided the foreword)
* ''Literature/TalesOfDunkAndEgg'' - Novellas set 90 years before the conflict of the main series. Three tales - "The Hedge Knight", "The Sworn Sword" and "The Mystery Knight", have been published, but George R. R. Martin has announced that this will be an ongoing series that will eventually chronicle the complete adventures of Dunk and Egg. These have also been adapted as graphic novels.

* ''Fire & Blood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from an in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one book, it has since been split into two, with the first volume (covering history up to the death of the Targaryen dragons) being released in November 2018. The book features new content alongside text directly lifted and/or expanded from other releases (for instance, this book's account of Aegon's conquest is largely identical to its account in ''The World of Ice and Fire'').[[/index]]

* ''Fire & Blood'': Expanding on the idea of ''The World of Ice and Fire'', ''Fire and Blood'' is a history book focused on the Targaryen dynasty written from in-universe perspective. Originally intended as one book, it has since been split into two, with the first volume, covering the history of the Targaryens until the death of their dragons, released in November of 2018. Some of the content is replicated from other releases (in particular, the first chapter on Aegon's conquest is described as being largely identical to the section on the same topic from ''World of Ice and Fire''), or is unabridged, but there is new content as well.[/index]]

[[/index]]

* The series was adapted for television as ''Series/GameOfThrones'' which despite borrowing the title of the first book is an adaptation of the entire series, and between Seasons 1-4 faithfully adapted the first three books. The unusual circumstances of its conception and genesis (an adaptation of an as-yet incomplete series of novels), means that the later seasons have [[CompressedAdaptation compressed books 4-5]], and have now [[OvertookTheManga moved past the chronology of the published books]]. The show is set to finish before the author completes his books. Martin has been supportive of the project, writing the screenplays for one episode per season (for Seasons 1-4)[[note]]He used to work in television; ironically, he returned to novels because he was tired of budget constraints limiting his imagination. This came back to bite him in the posterior when he was assigned to adapt the episode that contains one of the biggest and most complicated battles of the civil war.[[/note]]. He has also given Weiss and Benioff the outlines for the remaining books in the series, which will come in handy now that they have outpaced him.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Sansa_snow_2654.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Here there be many a trope, in the great wide world of Ice and Fire.]]

* The series was adapted for television as ''Series/GameOfThrones'' which despite borrowing the title of the first book is an adaptation of the entire series, and between Seasons 1-4 faithfully adapted the first three books. The unusual circumstances of its conception and genesis (an adaptation of an as-yet incomplete series of novels), means that the later seasons have [[CompressedAdaptation compressed books 4-5]], and have now moved past the chronology of the published books. The show is set to finish before the author completes his books. Martin has been supportive of the project, writing the screenplays for one episode per season (for Seasons 1-4)[[note]]He used to work in television; ironically, he returned to novels because he was tired of budget constraints limiting his imagination. This came back to bite him in the posterior when he was assigned to adapt the episode that contains one of the biggest and most complicated battles of the civil war.[[/note]]. He has also given Weiss and Benioff the outlines for the remaining books in the series, which will come in handy now that they have outpaced him.

Most of the series is set on the continent of Westeros, a world where the [[BizarreSeasons seasons can last for years]]. Westeros was once a world suffused with magic. Beings like the Children of the Forest allied with the First Men against the Others, a race of inhuman ice beings and banished them to the [[GrimUpNorth Lands of Always Winter]], with a giant Wall of ice built and manned [[TheWallAroundTheWorld to repel them]]. More recently, the dragon-riding Targaryen dynasty, refugees from the doomed Valyrian Freehold on the continent of Essos, unified the seven kingdoms of Westeros under a single realm. But some time later, even the dragons died, and with their death, [[TheMagicGoesAway magic has faded]] for more than a century across the known world prior to the start of the series. However, there are rumors, whispers, and prophesies that someday, the dragons will return.

The novels feature [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters a large ensemble cast]], narrated in chapters that relate action from the third-person limited perspective of [[SwitchingPOV alternating protagonists]], some of them at [[AnotherSideAnotherStory times might be on the opposite side of a conflict]]. Some of the plots and subplots of the protagonists [[HyperlinkStory overlap with each other directly and indirectly]], [[TwoLinesNoWaiting while others merely parallel the central action or counterpoint it in key ways]]. In general, there are three theaters of action in the books -- the Wall, Westeros, and Essos -- where a range of characters and factions gravitate around, slowly converging as the narrative of the series moves to the final act.

The Targaryens outlasted their dragons for a century or so after the deaths of their mounts but their dynasty was toppled by a rebellion led by King Robert Baratheon in [[TheAlliance an alliance]] that ultimately included Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Hoster Tully, Lord Jon Arryn, and Lord Tywin Lannister. In the course of their rebellion, their alliance was cemented by marriage, with Lord Eddard Stark marrying Catelyn Tully, and governing as Warden of the North. He has five children with Catelyn -- Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon -- and an [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] Jon Snow, fathered with [[MissingMom another woman]] he refuses to name. Lord Stark's household also includes Theon Greyjoy, a hostage raised in his household to check the ambitions of his rebellious father Balon. Prior to the rebellion Robert Baratheon planned to marry Ned's sister Lyanna, but her kidnapping by the Targaryen crown prince Rhaegar (and her subsequent death) was a contributing factor to the uprising itself. Instead, Robert married Lord Tywin Lannister's daughter Cersei, the eldest and most ambitious of her father's children. In addition to Cersei, Lord Tywin's two sons also have prominent roles in the series -- Jaime, Cersei's twin brother, and one of the greatest knights of Westeros, who is currently serving Robert's [[Main/PraetorianGuard Kingsguard]], and the youngest child Tyrion, a dwarf who is TheUnfavorite of his family. King Robert is also assisted by his own brothers in governing the Seven Kingdoms -- Renly being one of the most prominent courtiers of the Seven Kingdoms, with close ties to the wealthy and powerful House Tyrell; and Stannis, the resentful [[MiddleChildSyndrome middle-child]] who is disliked for his difficult personality, with his only friend being the former smuggler Davos Seaworth.

Most of the series is set on the continent of Westeros, a world where the [[BizarreSeasons seasons can last for years]]. Westeros was once a world suffused with magic. Beings like the Children of the Forest allied with the First Men against the Others, a race of inhuman ice beings and banished them to the [[GrimUpNorth Lands of Always Winter]], with a giant Wall built [[TheWallAroundTheWorld to repel them]]. More recently, the dragon-riding Targaryen dynasty, refugees from the doomed Valyrian Freehold on the continent of Essos, unified the seven kingdoms of Westeros under a single realm. But some time later, even the dragons died, and with their death, [[TheMagicGoesAway magic has faded]] for more than a century across the known world prior to the start of the series. However, there are rumors, whispers, and prophesies that someday, the dragons will return.

Unbeknownst to most of the players of this [[TitleDrop game of thrones]], a [[GreaterScopeVillain much bigger threat]] than the instability of the government and potential invasion from Essos lies in the far North, in the Lands of Always Winter. In the distant past, a giant barricade of ice called the Wall was built to keep [[TheFairFolk the Others]] from returning to Westeros and to this end, an organization called the Night's Watch was instituted to permanently garrison the structure in a network of castles that divides the Seven Kingdoms from the untamed far North. The decline of magic has led to the institution of the Night's Watch being deprecated and understaffed over the centuries. It was once regarded as a noble institute by all Seven Kingdoms but now that the Others are believed to be a SealedEvilInACan at best and a myth by most, only the North regards the Night's Watch as a noble and honorable calling. While younger sons and illegitimate sons of noble houses -- primarily from the North -- occasionally still join the Night's Watch voluntarily, it has mostly become an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who spend most of their time putting down rebellions by Wildlings, barbaric tribes who defy the customs of mainland Westeros and who periodically try to get past the Wall. This status-quo gets unbalanced thanks to reports of sightings of the blue-eyed Others, who have led attacks on many Wildling villages as well as ranging parties sent by the Night's Watch. The Others are cold, unnatural, and seemingly immortal beings whose powers allow them to [[NotUsingTheZWord convert the dead into wights]], to serve as slaves in an inhuman army of the dead. This leads the Wildlings to band around Mance Rayder, King-Beyond-The-Wall and mount the largest wildling rebellion in the history of the Watch.

The Targaryens outlasted their dragons for a century or so after the deaths of their mounts but their dynasty was toppled by a rebellion led by King Robert Baratheon in [[TheAlliance an alliance]] that ultimately included Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Hoster Tully, Lord Jon Arryn, and Lord Tywin Lannister. In the course of their rebellion, their alliance was cemented by marriage, with Lord Eddard Stark marrying Catelyn Tully, and governing the North. He has five children with Catelyn -- Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon -- and an [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] Jon Snow, fathered with [[MissingMom another woman]] he refuses to name. Lord Stark's household also includes Theon Greyjoy, a hostage raised in his household to check the ambitions of his rebellious father Balon. King Robert Baratheon married Lord Tywin Lannister's daughter Cersei, the eldest and most ambitious of her father's children. In addition to Cersei, Lord Tywin's two sons also have prominent roles in the series -- Jaime, Cersei's twin brother, and one of the greatest knights of Westeros, who is currently serving Robert's [[Main/PraetorianGuard Kingsguard]], and the youngest child Tyrion, a dwarf who is TheUnfavorite of his family. King Robert is also assisted by his brothers in governing the Seven Kingdoms -- Renly being one of the most prominent courtiers of the Seven Kingdoms, with close ties to the wealthy and powerful House Tyrell; and Stannis, the resentful [[MiddleChildSyndrome middle-child]] who is disliked for his difficult personality, with his only friend being the former smuggler Davos Seaworth.

At the start of the series, a long summer lasting for more than a decade is nearing its end, leaving many observers to fear the onset of an even longer winter which would be hard enough even during the best of times. Unfortunately, [[FromBadToWorse what follows would not be the best of times]]. In the wake of Lord Jon Arryn's sudden and surprising death, King Robert Baratheon resolves to make Eddard Stark his Hand of the King, his second-in-command, in spite of the grudges House Stark bears with House Lannister, the king's in-laws. TheAlliance that opposed the Targaryen dynasty, which governed Westeros in the previous decade, fractures in the course of the first three novels, plunging the kingdom into civil war -- and isolationist regions like the Iron Islands and the southern principality of Dorne take advantage of the crisis to assert their own agendas. Across the Narrow Sea, TheRemnant of House Targaryen -- the vengeance-mad Prince Viserys Targaryen and his younger sister Daenerys -- live in exile, planning to return to Westeros and restore their dynasty. They court their own alliance of exiles, mercenaries, and ambitious local states to build an army that would eventually invade Westeros again, and bring them back to power. Naturally, the general instability of Westeros with almost every region in turmoil and civil war is amenable to their interests.

A [[GreaterScopeVillain much bigger threat]] than the instability of the government and potential invasion from Essos lies in the far North, in the Lands of Always Winter. The Wall was built to keep [[TheFairFolk the Others]] from returning to Westeros and to this end, an organization called the Night's Watch was instituted to permanently garrison the structure in a network of castles that divides the Seven Kingdoms from the far North. The decline of magic has led to the institution of the Night's Watch being deprecated and understaffed over the centuries. It was once regarded as a noble institute by all Seven Kingdoms but now that the Others are believed to be a SealedEvilInACan at best and a myth by most, only the North regards the Night's Watch as a noble and honorable calling. While younger sons and illegitimate sons of noble houses -- primarily from the North -- still join the Night's Watch voluntarily, it has mostly become an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who spend most of their time putting down rebellions by Wildlings, barbaric tribes who defy the customs of mainland Westeros and who periodically try to get past the Wall. This status-quo gets unbalanced thanks to reports of sightings of the blue-eyed Others, who have led attacks on many Wildling villages as well as ranging parties sent by the Night's Watch. The Others are cold, unnatural, and seemingly immortal beings whose powers allow them to [[NotUsingTheZWord convert the dead into wights]], to serve as slaves in an inhuman army of the dead. This leads the Wildlings to band around Mance Rayder, King-Beyond-The-Wall and mount the largest wildling rebellion in the history of the Watch.

* The series was adapted for television as ''Series/GameOfThrones'' which despite borrowing the title of the first book is an adaptation of the entire series, and between Seasons 1-4 faithfully adapted the first three books. The unusual circumstances of its conception and genesis (an adaptation of an as-yet incomplete series of novels), means that the later seasons have [[CompressedAdaptation compressed books 4-5]], and as of Season 6 is set to move past the chronology of the published books and finish before the author completes his books. Martin has been supportive of the project writing the screenplays for one episode per season (for Seasons 1-4)[[note]]He used to work in television; ironically, he returned to novels because he was tired of budget constraints limiting his imagination. This came back to bite him in the posterior when he was assigned to adapt the episode that contains one of the biggest and most complicated battles of the civil war.[[/note]]. He has also given Weiss and Benioff the outlines for the remaining books in the series in case they outpace him, which they did in 2016.

The Targaryens outlasted their dragons for a century or so after the deaths of their mounts but their dynasty was toppled by a rebellion led by King Robert Baratheon in [[TheAlliance an alliance]] that ultimately included Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Hoster Tully, Lord Jon Arryn, and Lord Tywin Lannister. In the course of their rebellion, their alliance was cemented by marriage, with Lord Eddard Stark marrying Catelyn Tully, and governing the North. He has five children with Catelyn -- Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon -- and an [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] Jon Snow, fathered with [[MissingMom another woman]]. Lord Stark's household also includes Theon Greyjoy, a hostage raised in his household to check the ambitions of his rebellious father Balon. King Robert Baratheon married Lord Tywin Lannister's daughter Cersei, the eldest and most ambitious of her father's children. In addition to Cersei, Lord Tywin's two sons also have prominent roles in the series -- Jaime, Cersei's twin brother, and one of the greatest knights of Westeros, who is currently serving Robert's [[Main/PraetorianGuard Kingsguard]], and the youngest child Tyrion, a dwarf who is TheUnfavorite of his family. King Robert is also assisted by his brothers in governing the Seven Kingdoms -- Renly being one of the most prominent courtiers of the Seven Kingdoms, with close ties to the wealthy and powerful House Tyrell; and Stannis, the resentful [[MiddleChildSyndrome middle-child]] who is disliked for his difficult personality, with his only friend being the commoner Davos Seaworth.

At the start of the series, a long summer lasting for more than a decade is nearing its end, leaving many observers to fear the onset of an even longer winter which would be hard enough even during the best of times. Unfortunately, [[FromBadToWorse what follows would not be the best of times]]. In the wake of Lord Jon Arryn's sudden and surprising death, King Robert Baratheon resolves to make Eddard Stark his Hand of the King, his second-in-command, in spite of the grudges House Stark bears with House Lannister, the king's in-laws. TheAlliance that opposed the Targaryen dynasty, which governed Westeros in the previous decade, fractures in the course of the first three novels, plunging the kingdom into civil war -- even isolationist regions like the Iron Islands and the southern principality of Dorne take advantage of the crisis to assert their own agendas. Across the Narrow Sea, TheRemnant of House Targaryen -- the vengeance-mad Prince Viserys Targaryen and his younger sister Daenerys -- live in exile, planning to return to Westeros and restore their dynasty. They court their own alliance of exiles, mercenaries, and ambitious local states to build an army that would eventually invade Westeros again, and bring them back to power. Naturally, the general instability of Westeros with almost every region in turmoil and civil war is amenable to their interests.

A [[GreaterScopeVillain much bigger threat]] than the instability of the government and potential invasion from Essos lies in the far North, in the Lands of Always Winter. The Wall was built to keep [[TheFairFolk the Others]] from returning to Westeros and to this end, an organization called the Night's Watch was instituted to permanently garrison the structure in a network of castles that divides the Seven Kingdoms from the far North. The decline of magic has led to the institution of the Night's Watch being deprecated and understaffed over the centuries. It was once regarded as a noble institute by all Seven Kingdoms but now that the Others are believed to be a SealedEvilInACan, only the North regards the Night's Watch as a noble and honorable calling. While younger sons and illegitimate sons of noble houses -- primarily from the North -- still join the Night's Watch voluntarily, it has mostly become an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who spend most of their time putting down rebellions by Wildings, barbaric tribes who defy the customs of mainland Westeros and who periodically try to get past the Wall. This status-quo gets unbalanced thanks to reports of sightings of the blue-eyed Others, who have led attacks on many Wildling villages as well as ranging parties sent by the Night's Watch. The Others are cold, unnatural, and seemingly immortal beings whose powers allow them to [[NotUsingTheZWord convert the dead into wights]], to serve as slaves in an inhuman army of the dead. This leads the Wildlings to band around Mance Rayder, King-Beyond-The-Wall and mount the largest wildling rebellion in the history of the Watch.

A [[GreaterScopeVillain much bigger threat]] than the instability of the government and potential invasion from Essos lies in the far North, in the Lands of Always Winter. The Wall was built to keep [[TheFairFolk the Others]] from returning to Westeros and to this end, an organization called the Night's Watch was instituted to permanently garrison the structure in a network of castles that divides the Seven Kingdoms from the far North. The decline of magic has led to the institution of the Night's Watch being deprecated and understaffed over the centuries. It was once regarded as a noble institute by all Seven Kingdoms but now that the Others are believed to be a SealedEvilInACan, only the North regards the Night's Watch as a noble and honorable calling. While younger sons and illegitimate sons of noble houses -- primarily from the North -- still join the Night's Watch voluntarily, it has mostly become an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who spend most of their time putting down rebellions by Wildings, barbaric tribes who defy the customs of mainland Westeros and who periodically try to get past the Wall. This status-quo gets unbalanced thanks to reports of sightings of the blue-eyed Others, who have led attacks on many Wildling villages as well as ranging parties sent by the Night's Watch. The Others are cold, unnatural, and seemingly immortal beings whose powers allow them to [[NotUsingTheZWord converted the dead into wights]], to serve as slaves in an inhuman army of the dead. This leads the Wildlings to band around Mance Rayder, King-Beyond-The-Wall and mount the largest wildling rebellion in the history of the Watch.

* [[VideoGame/TelltalesGameOfThrones Another video game]], this one made by Creator/TelltaleGames.