Mole's Town
Mole's Town is a village[1] or town[2] close to Castle Black. It lies along the kingsroad in Brandon's Gift, half a league south of the Wall.[1] Jon Snow refers to the village's smallfolk as moles.[3]
Contents
Layout
Mole's Town is bigger than it seems. Three-quarters of the village lie beneath ground in deep damp warm cellars and vaults connected by a warren of tunnels. Buildings above ground include a smithy, a stable and a small number of hovels with shuttered windows and wooden slats.[4][5][6] Smallfolk in Mole's Town farm nearby fields.[4]
There is a brothel located in the cellars, with nothing more than a shack no bigger than a privy on the surface. It has a red lantern that is hung over the door. It is said that brothers of the Night's Watch go to Mole's Town to dig or mine for "buried treasure" (i.e. engage the services of prostitutes).[4]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Donal Noye restores the burned sword Longclaw, which Jeor Mormont then gives to Jon Snow. The sword's pommel is decorated with garnets purchased by Samwell Tarly in Mole's Town.[7]
Desiring to aid his half brother, Robb Stark, Jon deserts the Night's Watch and rides south past Mole's Town on the kingsroad. However, his friends convince him to return to Castle Black.[4]
A Clash of Kings
Before embarking on the great ranging, many rangers go drinking and whoring in Mole's Town. To celebrate Grenn's first ranging, Halder, Pypar, and Todder pay for his first woman. Sam and Jon are invited as well, but they remain at Castle Black.[8]
A Storm of Swords
Having escaped from Styr at Queenscrown,[9] Jon warns the people of Mole's Town of the upcoming attack by raiders of the free folk and Thenns,[5] with three quarters of the villagers choosing to escape to Castle Black.[3] The wildlings set the village afire on their way to the Wall.[3] Some villagers help the Night's Watch prepare for the attack on Castle Black, and a midwife assists Clydas and Maester Aemon with treating the wounded. Most villagers seek refuge atop the Wall, and the few fighting below have poor discipline.[3]
After the attack from the south is repulsed, most villagers return to Mole's Town, although Hareth, Zei, and three orphaned boys remain at Castle Black. When Mance Rayder threatens from north of the Wall, Jon sends Zei with a request for aid from the village, but she never returns. Jon then sends Mully, who finds the village deserted.[10]
A Dance with Dragons
After the battle beneath the Wall, Stannis Baratheon investigates Mole's Town.[11]
Free folk take refuge in the tunnels of Mole's Town.[12] Jon, now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, posts guards around the village to separate the Night's Watch from wildling women, as well as prevent wildlings from venturing further south.[13] While delivering rations to the village, Jon finds the tunnels overcrowded with hungry free folk. In return for food and shelter at the Wall, sixty-three wildlings choose to work with the Watch.[6] Jon later sends ten Mole's Town wildlings each to Cotter Pyke and Ser Denys Mallister.[14]
Ty and Dannel find Alys Karstark two leagues south of Mole's Town.[15] Jon takes into custody her pursuer, Cregan Karstark, half a league south of the village before he can claim guest right.[16]
Quotes
—Jeor Mormont to Jon Snow
Mole's Town had always been larger than it seemed; most of it was underground, sheltered from the cold and snow.[6]
—thoughts of Jon Snow
Chapters that take place at Mole's Town
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 21, Tyrion III.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Mole's Town.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 55, Jon VII.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 70, Jon IX.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 60, Jon VIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 41, Jon V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 69, Jon IX.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 21, Jon V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 28, Jon VI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 49, Jon X.