History MagnificentBastard / ASongOfIceAndFire

** [[CulturedBadass Queen Rhaenys Targaryen]] is Aegon's favorite of his two sister-queens. Likely [[PrettyPrincessPowerhouse the most skilled dragonrider]] of the siblings, Rhaenys burns out the Stormlands forces while fighting alongside their bastard half-brother Orys Baratheon. Providing reconnaissance to her co-commander, Rhaenys skillfully decimates the enemy king's forces even with her dragon on the ground and in the rain. Aiding Aegon at the Fields of Fire, Rhaenys later [[TheHighQueen becomes a pivotal voice to her brother-king]], paying bards to sing tales of the siblings's battles and bravery and helps shape Westeros through skillful political marriages between different noble houses. A crucial piece in the brutal war against Dorne, Rhaenys proves Aegon's most effective soldier in pushing back the enemy and is only killed by a surprise attack as she battles on her dragon.

* [[LongDeadBadass Ser Arthur Dayne]] is a legendary knight and the best friend of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. A genius fighter, Arthur's guile is known far and wide for being the man to have [[HundredPercentAdorationRating purged Westeros of countless criminals]] with his tactics and skill with a blade. Also a talented diplomat, Arthur keeps the smallfolk happy even during the reign of Rhaegar's mad father and ultimately helps his friend sneak away his child with Lady Lyanna Stark, dying only by being blindsided in combat, his duty fulfilled nevertheless.

* [[Characters/GameOfThronesMargaeryTyrell Margaery Tyrell]] is seemingly the sweet innocent maiden of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseTyrell House Tyrell]], but in truth is a manipulative and skilled political schemer that rivals ever her grandmother Olenna. First introduced as the fiancé of Renly Baratheon, she quickly moves on to seduce and easily placate the monstrous King Joffrey Baratheon and even repair his image by showing kindness and [[WealthyPhilanthropist charity to the poor]]. Beloved by the common folk, she works to make the Tyrells the dominant house in royal court and easily tears Joffrey and later his brother Tommen away from their domineering mother. When arrested by [[Characters/GameOfThronesTheFaithOfTheSeven the Faith Militant]] after Cersei's accusations, she tricks them into believing she has reformed and appeases them by bringing Tommen over to their side to win her brother's freedom. Killed by Cersei's wildfire massacre, Margaery was the only one to see the plot and tried to save everyone in the last minute.

* [[Characters/GameOfThronesMargaeryTyrell Margaery Tyrell]] is seemingly the sweet innocent maiden of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseTyrell House Tyrell]], but in truth is a manipulative and skilled political schemer that rivals ever her grandmother Olenna. First introduced as the fiancé of Renly Baratheon, she quickly moves on to seduce and easily placate the monstrous King Joffrey Baratheon and even repair his image by showing kindness and [[WealthyPhilanthropist charity to the poor]]. Beloved by the common folk, she works to make the Tyrells the dominant house in royal court and easily tears Joffrey and later his brother Tommen away from their domineering mother. When arrested by [[Characters/GameOfThronesTheFaithOfTheSeven the Faith Militant]] after Cersei's accusations, she tricks them into believing she has reformed and appeases them by bringing Tommen over to their side to win her brother's freedom. Killed by Cersei's wildfire massacre, Margaery was the only one to see the plot and tried to save everyone in the last minute.

** [[FounderOfTheKingdom King Aegon I Targaryen]], also known as "[[TheConqueror Aegon the Conqueror]]", arrived in Westeros and began dreaming to unite it by conquest. Audaciously declaring himself ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon incensed the warring kings of the land and swiftly set about his campaign using his painted table depicting the details of the country around him. Dispatching his sister-Queens to conquer multiple kingdoms, Aegon [[FrontlineGeneral personally]] took to dealing with the Riverlands, using a much smaller force than his enemy's in conjunction with his mighty dragon to end the life and line of the cruel [[SmugSnake King Harren Hoare]] as he hid in his fortress. Later victorious via tactical use of his and his sisters' dragons at the dry Fields of Fire, Aegon becomes Westeros's first unifying king after his feats cause the remaining kings to peacefully surrender to his superior forces. Famed for his [[TheGoodKing preference for peace]] and [[BadassBookworm thirst for knowledge]] of the land, Aegon took in [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireTheFaithOfTheSeven the Faith of the Seven]] as a shrewd political maneuver and began installing new institutions to ensure the longevity of his nation, even making a point of personally visiting lords and smallfolk across the country to hear their concerns so as to keep their loyalties whilst having his maesters teach him the customs and history of his land. Beloved for the prosperity he brought, Aegon's passing saw him forever enshrined as "The Dragon", first and greatest of the Targaryen kings.
** Queen Rhaenys Targaryen is Aegon's favorite of his two sister-queens. Likely the most skilled dragonrider of the siblings, Rhaenys burns out the Stormlands forces while fighting alongside their bastard half-brother Orys Baratheon. Providing reconnaissance to her co-commander, Rhaenys skillfully decimates the enemy king's forces even with her dragon on the ground and in the rain. Aiding Aegon at the Fields of Fire, Rhaenys later becomes a pivotal voice to her brother-king, paying bards to sing tales of the siblings's battles and bravery and helps shape Westeros through skillful political marriages between different noble houses. A crucial piece in the brutal war against Dorne, Rhaenys proves Aegon's most effective soldier in pushing back the enemy and is only killed by a surprise attack as she battles on her dragon.

* [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseBaratheon House Baratheon]]: Orys Baratheon, bastard half-brother of Aegon I Targaryen, proves one of his best commanders. During Aegon's Conquest, Orys fights alongside Queen Rhaenys to conquer the Stormlands, positioning his smaller force to take the high ground, picking off enemy soldiers until Rhaenys can kill the rest with her dragon. Killing the enemy king, when Orys is delivered his defiant captive daughter, he treats her as a guest, speaking of her father's bravery, marries her and takes her family sigil as a sign of respect. Only once beaten by a sadistic Dornish lord who takes Orys' hand, he avenges the insult by crippling the man's rebelling son decades later, dying smiling at his gruesome trophies.
* [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseLannisterAncestors House Lannister]]: Ser Tyland Lannister works as Master of Coin under Dowager Queen Alicent Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons. Shrewdly shifting funds, Tyland funds his side while keeping it safe from their enemy Rhaenyrs Targaryen, withstanding horrific torture to keep it hidden. After Rhaenrys' son Aegon III becomes king following the war, Tyland supports him inspite of their past--having once suggested Aegon's assassination--to serve faithfully as his Hand of the King, restoring Westeros's economy and gracefully dying as Aegon holds his hand.

* [[Characters/GameOfThronesMargaeryTyrell Margaery Tyrell]] is seemingly the sweet innocent maiden of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseTyrell House Tyrell]], but in truth is a manipulative and skilled political schemer that rivals ever her grandmother Olenna. First introduced as the fiancé of Renly Baratheon, she quickly moves on to seduce and easily placate the monstrous King Joffrey Baratheon and even repair his image by showing kindness and [[WealthyPhilanthropist charity to the poor]]. Beloved by the common folk, she works to make the Tyrells the dominant house in royal court and easily tears Joffrey and later his brother Tommen away from their domineering mother. When arrested by [[Characters/GameOfThronesTheFaithOfTheSeven the Faith Militant]] after Cersei's accusations, she tricks them into believing she has reformed and appeases them by bringing Tommen over to their side to win her brother's freedom. Killed by Cersei's wildfire massacre, Margaery was the only one to see the plot and tried to save everyone in the last minute.

* [[NeverMessWithGranny Olenna Tyrell]] is the snarky and seemingly frail [[IronLady matriarch]] of [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseTyrell House Tyrell]], yet uses her outward appearance to mask that she is the true mastermind behind her family's grand ambitions. Having food delivered to the starving of King's Landing, she ensures the Tyrells are beloved among the common folk over the Lannisters and fakes sympathy for Sansa Stark to have her reveal King Joffrey's true nature. Alongside Petyr Baelish, she [[WouldHurtAChild poisons the young man]] at his wedding to her granddaughter Margaery all the while framing Sansa and Tyrion for the act. Recognizing Queen Cersei's growing insanity, Olenna constantly insults her and strikes at her insecurities to make her easier to manipulate and coaches Margaery in turning the even younger Tommen into growing enamored of them. A political powerhouse [[ManBehindTheMan behind the scenes]], Olenna works to ensure the Tyrells are the powerful family in Westeros.

* [[TheGoodKing Aegon I Targaryen]], later known as "Aegon TheConqueror", arrived in the land of Westeros with a dream to unite it by conquest. Sending his sisters to conquer multiple kingdoms while dealing with the Riverlands personally, Aegon [[OneManArmy singlehandedly]] ended the line of Harren the Black to control the Riverlands. Later victorious via tactically using his dragons at the Fields of Fire, Aegon would become [[FounderOfTheKingdom Westeros's first king]], taking the Faith of the Seven as a shrewd political maneuver while installing new institutions to ensure the stability of his nation, forever enshrined as "The Dragon", first and one of the greatest [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseTargaryen Targaryen]] kings.
* [[TheDreaded Daemon Targaryen]] is Aegon's descendant who was known to be a great man and monster, wonder and terror of his age. Reforming the City Watch into the Goldcloaks, Daemon ran off to the Narrow Sea to fight pirate fleets at the Stepstones and carve out his own kingdom before returning home and offering his brother, King Viserys I, his crown. When he wished to marry the betrothed Laena Velaryon, Daemon manipulated her betrothed to challenging her to a duel, also knowing he could use the protection and wealth of her House. When he married his niece, Rhaenyra, Daemon was her closest supporter during the Dance of Dragons and the terror of King Aegon II's forces with his skill and experience, even [[RevengeByProxy ordering one of Aegon's young sons killed]] in retribution for Rhaenyra's eldest. When Rhaenyra ordered his companion Nettles killed, Daemon disobeyed her before killing Aegon's strongest Dragonrider, Prince Aemond, [[MutualKill at cost of his own life]].
* [[TheGoodChancellor Viserys II Targaryen]] was the shrewd, calculating Hand through the reigns of several kings before ascending to the throne himself. Becoming Hand to his brother Aegon III after escaping years of imprisonment by enemies, Viserys II advised first his brother, then Aegon III's two sons as each of them died and was succeeded by the next. Having likely [[EvilUncle poisoned King Baelor]] for the good of the realm after Baelor's growing madness, Viserys II became King himself for a year's time before his death. Despite his short reign, however, Viserys II is vindicated through history as having been the [[TheManBehindTheMan true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms]] for over fourteen years, having used his position as Hand to maintain peace and prosperity for the lands while the likes of Baelor and Aegon III idled their time away, [[AuthorityInNameOnly ruling in name only]].
* [[FamousAncestor Corlys Velaryon]], the [[RedBaron Sea Snake]], is easily the [[TheCaptain greatest mariner]] Westeros has ever known. Having [[BoldExplorer uncovered most of the world to Westeros]], from the Summer Isles to Yi Ti and Legend to Asshai, Corlys later married into the Targaryen line by wedding his beloved Rhaenys and championing her cause to succeed King Jaehaerys. Helping Daemon Targaryen with his strategic mastery in crushing the Stepstones pirates, Corlys later proved an invaluable aid in the Dance of Dragons to Princess Rhaenyra. Sacrificing his position to save his grandson--most likely actually his own bastard son--Addam of Hull, Corlys later pushed Aegon II for capitulations to secure his loyalty and [[TheKingslayer organized the poisoning of the king]] to secure the throne for Rhaenyra's son, Aegon III.
* [[WarHawk Theon Stark]], the "[[LeanAndMean Hungry Wolf]]" was a great King of the North. A strategic mastermind, Theon faced the Andal invaders and annihilated them, [[DeadGuyOnDisplay lashing the corpse]] of Andal lord Argo Sevenstar to his ship and wiping out Andal villages. Facing the Ironborn, Theon destroyed them and drove them from the north, with his brutality and genius so renowned that the Ironborn continued to [[WorthyOpponent name their children after him]] to modern-day.
* [[LadyOfWar Nymeria Martell]] was a Rhoynar princess who led her people on a perilous voyage from dying lands to arrive in Dorne. Burning her people's ships to ensure they must find a new home, Nymeria married Mors Martell and linked their people by a [[ArrangedMarriage series of marriages]]. Nymeria led the conquest of Dorne, defeating king after king and taking command well after her husband had died, with strategic marriages after to ensure she kept the loyalty of Dorne's houses. Ensuring her daughter would inherit as eldest child over her son, Nymeria [[FounderOfTheKingdom enshrined many of Dorne's traditions]] that continue to modern day.
* [[MilitaryMaverick Alyn Velaryon]], known as "Oakenfist", was a [[FourStarBadass great commander]] under King Aegon III Targaryen. [[HypercompetentSidekick Far more active than his melancholic king]], Alyn managed to score countless victories even as the jealous Hand of the King sought him killed. Advising Aegon III's successor as well, Alyn wins numerous battles on the conquest of Dorne, marrying to live happily until [[NeverFoundTheBody disappearing on the high seas]].
* [[WarriorPoet Bael the Bard]] is a renowned King-Beyond-the-Wall of the Free Folk. After being insulted by Lord Brandon Stark, Bael [[StealthExpert creeps through the Wall]] and disguises himself as a bard whose songs win the heart of Winterfell. Falling in love with Lord Stark's daughter, Bael flees with her to hide in Winterfell's crypts for a year, before returning her and their newborn child to her room. Later leading an army south, Bael faces his own son in combat and is slain when he [[EveryoneHasStandards refuses to battle with his own kin]].
* [[ShroudedInMyth King Brandon Stark]], aka Brandon the Builder, is a legendary ruler said to have [[PersonOfMassConstruction built Winterfell]] by enslaving giants to his will. Possibly responsible for destroying the evil Night's King and purging him from history, Brandon also sets up a supply line for the men of [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireTheNightsWatch the Night's Watch]] to both support them and see they remain under the control of Winterfell.
* [[DarkActionGirl Zhea the Cruel]] was a ''Jhattar'' of the Jhogos Nhai. Identifying as a man despite the manner of his birth, Zhea proved as ruthless and capable as any other, being the [[TheDreaded most feared]] ''Jhattar'' in history. Facing an invasion of Yi Tish emperor Lo Bu, Zhea began to systematically lure his forces into traps, cutting off his armies from one another and annihilating them. When Zhea judged Lo Bu trapped, he moved and wiped out the Emperor along with any Yi Ti forces in the land, making Lo Bu's skull into a [[SkullCups gilded drinking cup]] the Jogos Nhai keep as a treasure to this day.

* The current [[StealthMentor Three-Eyed Raven]], human name [[WasOnceAMan Brynden]], is the memory of humanity and sworn enemy of the [[SatanicArchetype Night King]]. Setting the stage for Brandon "Bran" Stark to [[PassingTheTorch take up his mantle]], the Raven sends him visions to bring him on a perilous quest North where he begins mentoring Bran. When Bran unwittingly brings the Night King to his hidden cave, the Raven sacrifices himself as well as a man whose mind he broke, all done to bring about the ultimate destruction of the dead.

[[folder:Exampels]]

* [[LovableRogue Bronn]] is the roguishly charming and surprisingly clever sellsword that first makes his mark by defeating a fully armed and armored knight in a duel [[CombatPragmatist through trickery]] and winning the freedom of [[Characters/GameOfThronesTyrionLannister Tyrion Lannister]]. In Tyrion's employ, Bronn is made the leader of the King's Landing guards and purges the city's thieves to ensure food supplies for the upcoming siege. Proving a competent military commander, Bronn aids in planning the defense and plays a vital role in the Battle of the Blackwater by igniting the wildfire that consumes Stannis' fleet. Becoming a knight, Bronn [[SocialClimber again rises in rank]] by abandoning Tyrion and becoming a noble in the Lannister employ. Despite leading the rescue of Princess Myrcella and being [[Characters/GameOfThronesJaimeLannister Jaime]]'s only competent officer, Bronn turns on the Lannisters after being denied further reward yet gets the better of Jaime and Tyrion and coerces them into making him Lord of Highgarden and Master of Coin when the wars are over.

* [[Characters/GameOfThronesMargaeryTyrell Margaery Tyrell]] is seemingly the sweet innocent maiden of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseTyrell House Tyrell]], but in truth is a manipulative and skilled political schemer that rivals ever her grandmother Olenna. First introduced as the fiancé of Renly Baratheon, she quickly moves on to seduce and easily placate the monstrous King Joffrey Baratheon and even repair his image by showing kindness and [[WealthyPhilanthropist charity to the poor]]. Beloved by the common folk, she works to make the Tyrells the dominant house in royal court and easily tears Joffrey and later his brother Tommen away from their domineering mother [[Characters/GameOfThronesCerseiLannister Queen Cersei Lannister]]. When arrested by the Faith Militant after Cersei's accusations, she tricks them into believing she has reformed and appeases them by bringing Tommen over to their side to win her brother's freedom. Killed by Cersei's wildfire massacre, Margaery was the only one to see the plot and tried to save everyone in the last minute.

[[quoteright:350:[[Literature/FireAndBlood https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/targs_2.png]]]]

* [[FamousAncestor Corlys Velaryon]], the [[RedBaron Sea Snake]], is easily the [[TheCaptain greatest mariner]] Westeros has ever known. Having [[BoldExplorer uncovered most of the world to Westeros]], from the Summer Isles to Yi Ti and Legend to Asshai, Corlys later married into the Targaryen line by wedding his beloved Rhaenys and championing her cause to succeed King Jaehaerys. Helping Daemon Targaryen with his strategic mastery in crushing the Stepstones pirates, Corlys later proved an invaluable aid in the Dance of Dragons to Princess Rhaenyra. Sacrificing his position to save his grandson (likely his own bastard son) Addam of Hull, Corlys later pushed Aegon II for capitulations to secure his loyalty and [[TheKingslayer organized the poisoning of the king]] to secure the throne for Rhaenyra's son, Aegon III.

* [[DarkActionGirl Zhea the Cruel]] was a ''Jhattar'' of the Jhogos Nhai. Identifying as a man despite the manner of his birth, Zhea proved as ruthless and capable as any other, being the [[TheDreaded most feared]] ''Jhattar'' in history. Facing an invasion of Yi Tish emperor Lo Bu, Zhea began to systematically lure his forces into traps, cutting off his armies from one another and annihilating them. When Zhea judged Lo Bu trapped, he moved and wiped out the Emperor along with any Yi Ti forces in the land, making Lo Bu's skull into a [[CreepySouvenir gilded drinking cup]] the Jogos Nhai keep as a treasure to this day.

* [[LongDeadBadass Ser Arthur Dayne]] is a legendary knight and the best friend of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. A genius fighter, Arthur's guile is known far and wide for being the man to have [[OneHundredPercentAdorationRating purged Westeros of countless criminals]] with his tactics and skill with a blade. Also a talented diplomat, Arthur keeps the smallfolk happy even during the reign of Rhaegar's mad father and ultimately helps his friend sneak away his child with Lady Lyanna Stark, dying only by being blindsided in combat, his duty fulfilled nevertheless.

* [[LovableRogue Bronn]] is the roguishly charming and surprisingly clever sellsword that first makes his mark by defeating a fully armed and armored knight in a duel [[CombatPragmatist through trickery]] and winning the freedom of [[Characters/GameOfThronesTyrionLannister Tyrion Lannister]]. In Tyrion's employ, Bronn is made the leader of the King's Landing guards and purges the city's thieves to ensure food supplies for the upcoming siege. Proving a competent military commander, Bronn aids in planning the defense and plays a vital role in the Battle of the Blackwater by igniting the wildfire that consumes Stannis' fleet. Becoming a knight, Bronn [[SocialClimber again rises in rank]] by abandoning Tyrion and becoming a noble in the Lannister employ. Despite leading the rescue of Princess Myrcella and being [[Characters/GameOfThronesJaimeLannister Jaime]]'s only [[HypercompetentSidekick competent officer]], Bronn turns on the Lannisters after being denied further reward yet gets the better of Jaime and Tyrion and coerces them into making him Lord of Highgarden and Master of Coin when the wars are over.
* Yara Greyjoy is the daughter of King Balon and a respected commander of the [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseGreyjoy Ironborn]] even in their misogynistic society. Eschewing the mass rape the Ironborn normally order, Yara instead focuses on daring tactics and and when her brother [[Characters/GameOfThronesTheonGreyjoy Theon]] is captured, almost succeeds in breaking him out of the heavily defended Dreadfort. After Balon is killed by his brother [[Characters/GameOfThronesEuronGreyjoy Euron]], Yara loses the Salt Throne to her uncle but charms the bulk of the Ironborn forces to her side, later escaping Euron's captivity with Theon's aid to retake the Iron Islands, ending the series as the undisputed ruler of her territory.

* The current Three-Eyed Raven, human name Brynden, is the memory of humanity and sworn enemy of the Night King. Setting the stage for Brandon "Bran" Stark to take up his mantle, the Raven sends him visions to bring him on a perilous quest North where he begins mentoring Bran. When Bran unwittingly brings the Night King to his hidden cave, the Raven sacrifices himself as well as a man whose mind he broke, all done to bring about the ultimate destruction of the dead.

* [[Characters/GameOfThronesAryaStark Arya Stark]] is the second daughter of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseStark House Stark]]'s Lord Eddard Stark. Ever a willful girl who disdains the ladylike pursuits of her elder sister [[Characters/GameOfThronesSansaStark Sansa]], Arya eludes capture by the Lannisters to go on a journey where she undergoes numerous traumas, eventually leading her to be trained by the Faceless Men of Braavos. Keeping her individuality and taking their skills, Arya infiltrates a brothel to murder Ser Meryn Trant, the man who killed her sword instructor. Refusing to murder an innocent woman, her brutal tutor the Waif tries to murder her, prompting Arya to lure her into a blind duel to kill the Waif. Returning to Westeros, Arya kills the two sons of Lord Walder Frey, [[FamilialCannibalismSurprise feeds them to him in a pie]], and kills Walder as punishment for killing her family, then--wearing his face as a disguise--poisons his entire house at a feast. Returning North, Arya helps to trap [[Characters/GameOfThronesPetyrBaelish Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish]] in his schemes and personally executes him, later even killing the dreaded Night King of the monstrous White Walkers with a skilled ambush.

* [[LovableRogue Bronn]] is the roguishly charming and surprisingly clever sellsword that first makes his mark by defeating a fully armed and armored knight in a duel [[CombatPragmatist through trickery]] and winning the freedom of [[Characters/GameOfThronesTyrionLannister Tyrion Lannister]]. In Tyrion's employ, Bronn is made the leader of the King's Landing guards and purges the city's thieves to ensure food supplies for the upcoming siege. Proving a competent military commander, Bronn aids in planning the defense and plays a vital role in the Battle of the Blackwater by igniting the wildfire that consumes Stannis' fleet. Becoming a knight, Bronn [[SocialClimber again rises in rank]] by abandoning Tyrion and becoming a noble in the Lannister employ. Despite leading the rescue of Princess Myrcella and being Jaime's [[HypercompetentSidekick only competent officer]], Bronn turns on the Lannisters after being denied further reward yet gets the better of Jaime and Tyrion and coerces them into making him Lord of Highgarden and Master of Coin when the wars are over.

* [[AdaptationalIntelligence Daario Naharis]] is a mercenary with a code. Refusing to ever [[ChivalrousPervert take a woman against her will]] or kill a man who isn't a challenge, Daario finds himself fascinated by [[Characters/GameOfThronesDaenerysTargaryen Daenerys Targaryen]] and infiltrates her camp, presenting her with the heads of his fellow mercenary commanders to swear allegiance. Helping take the city of Yunkai, Daario becomes one of Dany's most talented commanders. Proving himself in battle and effortlessly killing the champion of Mereen with his wits, Daario enforces Dany's will and protects her from the Sons of the Harpy assassins throughout his time in Mereen.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/targs_2.png]]

[[AC:''Literature/FireAndBlood'']]

* [[Characters/GameOfThronesAryaStark Arya Stark]] is the second daughter of Lord Eddard Stark. Ever a willful girl who disdains the ladylike pursuits of her elder sister [[Characters/GameOfThronesSansaStark Sansa]], Arya eludes capture by the Lannisters to go on a journey where she undergoes numerous traumas, eventually leading her to be trained by the Faceless Men of Braavos. Keeping her individuality and taking their skills, Arya infiltrates a brothel to murder Ser Meryn Trant, the man who killed her sword instructor. Refusing to murder an innocent woman, her brutal tutor the Waif tries to murder her, prompting Arya to lure her into a blind duel to kill the Waif. Returning to Westeros, Arya kills the two sons of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseFrey Lord Walder Frey]], [[FamilialCannibalismSurprise feeds them to him in a pie]], and kills Walder as punishment for killing her family, then--wearing his face as a disguise--poisons his entire house at a feast. Returning North, Arya helps to trap [[Characters/GameOfThronesPetyrBaelish Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish]] in his schemes and personally executes him, later even killing the dreaded Night King of the monstrous White Walkers with a skilled ambush.
* Sandor [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseClegane Clegane]], the Hound, is a man scarred inside and out from the abuse of his [[CainAndAbel monstrously evil brother]] Gregor. A talented and admittedly bloodthirsty fighter who takes jobs that make it socially acceptable for him to kill, Sandor lends the captive Sansa the aid he can during her imprisonment by the wicked young [[Characters/GameOfThronesJoffreyBaratheon King Joffrey Baratheon]] and eventually deserts the Lannisters, rescuing Arya and forming a strange bond with her when his attempts to ransom her fail. Sandor displays a powerful command of combat ability and pragmatism, outfighting and outthinking many of his opponents. Returning after his attempts to live a life of peace fail, Sandor captures a [[OurZombiesAreDifferent wight]] to prove to King's Landing the threat of the Night King, before eventually returning to face his monstrous, undead brother to destroy him [[TakingYouWithMe at the cost of his own life]].

* [[CoolOldLady Olenna Tyrell]] is the acidic, witty matriarch of [[Characters/GameOfThronesHouseTyrell House Tyrell]], far more formidable than her oafish son Mace. Olenna, upon her arrival in King's Landing, helps to secure her granddaughter Margaery's power base and soon learns what a monster King Joffrey Baratheon truly is. In an alliance with Petyr Baelish, Olenna [[TheKingslayer poisons Joffrey at his own wedding]], letting Tyrion Lannister take the blame while remaining entirely out of suspicion. Even upon her final defeat, Olenna simply downs a vial of painless poison before revealing to Joffrey's father Jaime that she was Joffrey's true killer, robbing him of any satisfaction at all before inviting him to tell Cersei as "I want her to know it was me", dying on her own terms in full satisfaction.

%%Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1648441962038189300
%%Please don't change or remove without starting a new thread.

[[quoteright:350:[[Literature/FireAndBlood https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aegon.jpeg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Aegon the Conqueror brought fire and blood to Westeros, but afterward he gave them peace, prosperity, and justice."]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Aegon the Conqueror brought fire and blood to Westeros, but afterward he gave them peace, prosperity, and justice.]]

* [[CoolOldLady Olenna Tyrell]] is the acidic, witty matriarch of House Tyrell, far more formidable than her oafish son Mace. Olenna, upon her arrival in King's Landing, helps to secure her granddaughter Margaery's power base and soon learns what a monster King Joffrey Baratheon truly is. In an alliance with Petyr Baelish, Olenna [[TheKingslayer poisons Joffrey at his own wedding]], letting Tyrion Lannister take the blame while remaining entirely out of suspicion. Even upon her final defeat, Olenna simply downs a vial of painless poison before revealing to Joffrey's father Jaime that she was Joffrey's true killer, robbing him of any satisfaction at all before inviting him to tell Cersei as "I want her to know it was me", dying on her own terms in full satisfaction.

* [[LovableRogue Bronn]] is the roguishly charming and surprisingly clever sellsword that first makes his mark by defeating a fully armed and armored knight in a duel [[CombatPragmatist through trickery]] and winning the freedom of Tyrion Lannister. In Tyrion's employ, Bronn is made the leader of the King's Landing guards and purges the city's thieves to ensure food supplies for the upcoming siege. Proving a competent military commander, Bronn aids in planning the defense and plays a vital role in the Battle of the Blackwater by igniting the wildfire that consumes Stannis' fleet. Becoming a knight, Bronn [[SocialClimber again rises in rank]] by abandoning Tyrion and becoming a noble in the Lannister employ. Despite leading the rescue of Princess Myrcella and being Jaime's [[HypercompetentSidekick only competent officer]], Bronn turns on the Lannisters after being denied further reward yet gets the better of Jaime and Tyrion and coerces them into making him Lord of Highgarden and Master of Coin when the wars are over.

* [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass Wyman Manderly]] is the exorbitantly wealthy and morbidly obese lord of White Harbor's [[[[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseManderly House Manderly]], and initially appears to be nothing more than a fun loving buffoon to the other nobility. In truth, Wyman is an ambitious schemer and [[PapaWolf wrathful father]] who seeks the downfall of [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseBolton House Bolton]] and [[Characters/ASongOfIceAndFireHouseFrey House Frey]] for murdering his son and his king at the Red Wedding. Playing the role of sycophant, he has Davos seemingly executed but kills another criminal in his place and convinces him to retrieve Rickon Stark in exchange for backing Stannis Baratheon. Placating the Freys to save his other son, he [[LoopholeAbuse abuses a loophole]] in guest rights to murder them and bake them into pies, and, in a truly audacious act, [[TheSecretOfLongPorkPies feeds them to their kin]] and the lords Bolton. On a wider scale, Wyman also secretly built a massive war fleet to aid Stannis in the overthrow of the Lannisters and consumate his vengeance.