Great Other

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The Great Other,[1] also known as the Other,[2][3] the Lord of Darkness,[1] the Soul of Ice,[1] and the God of Night and Terror,[1] is a god considered the enemy of R'hllor, the Lord of Light. His true name is never spoken.[4]

Beliefs

Followers of R'hllor believe that there are only two gods, the Lord of Light and the Great Other, who wage an eternal war over the fate of the world.[1] Darkness, cold, and death are believed to be servants to the Great Other,[3] while shadows are considered servants of R'hllor.[5] Red priests believe that they have been given the power to see through falsehoods of the Other's servants.[1] Melisandre believes her enemy has black eyes,[5] and she thinks that no man could survive looking upon the cold, frightening visage of the Great Other.[3]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

While smuggling Melisandre past the wards of Storm's End, Ser Davos Seaworth is scolded by the red priestess for mentioning a god of darkness.[5]

A Storm of Swords

Melisandre tells Stannis Baratheon, whom she believes to be Azor Ahai reborn,[6] that he is the prince that was promised and is destined to fight the Other.[7]

At Castle Black, Melisandre refers to the Others as the "cold children" of the Great Other.[2]

A Dance with Dragons

Melisandre resists sleeping at the Wall, believing that dreams are whisperings of the Other who would drag humanity into his eternal night.[3] When gazing into her fires, Melisandre sees a white wooden face, a thousand red eyes, and a howling boy with a wolf's face beside him. She thinks they must be the Other's champions, as King Stannis is hers.[3]

Quotes

Davos: Feel how cold the wind is? The guards will huddle close to those torches. A little warmth, a little light, they're a comfort on a night like this. Yet that will blind them, so they will not see us pass. The god of darkness protects us now, my lady. Even you.
Melisandre: Speak not that name, ser. Lest you draw his black eye upon us. He protects no man, I promise you. He is the enemy of all that lives. It is the torches that hide us, you have said so yourself. Fire. The bright gift of the Lord of Light.[5]

The war has been waged since time began, and before it is done, all men must choose where they will stand. On one side is R'hllor, the Lord of Light, the Heart of Fire, the God of Flame and Shadow. Against him stands the Great Other whose name may not be spoken, the Lord of Darkness, the Soul of Ice, the God of Night and Terror. Ours is not a choice between Baratheon and Lannister, between Greyjoy and Stark. It is death we choose, or life. Darkness, or light.[1]

Alester: Axell, please, don't take the light ... gods have mercy ...
Axell: Gods? There is only R'hllor, and the Other.[4]

The one whose name may not be spoken is marshaling his power, Davos Seaworth, a power fell and evil and strong beyond measure. Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends. Unless true men find the courage to fight it. Men whose hearts are fire.[4]

Beyond the Wall, the enemy grows stronger, and should he win the dawn will never come again.[3]

Melisandre's thoughts

Death is his domain, the dead his soldiers.[3]

—Melisandre's thoughts

Theories

It has been theorized that Night's King was the Great Other's avatar.

References

External Links