Shadow Lands

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The Shadow Lands,[1] also called the Shadow,[2] is a mountainous area in the far east of Essos.

Geography

The city of Asshai is located at the southwestern tip of the Shadow Lands. To the north and northeast, the Shadow Lands meet the Mountains of the Morn. Leng and the Manticore Isles lie in the Jade Sea to the west. South of the Shadow are the Saffron Straits, Ulos, and Ulthos.[3] The river Ash travels from the Mountains of the Morn to the Jade Sea, mostly through the Vale of Shadows, a valley so narrow with such high cliffs that is said to be always in shadow except at noon.[4][5]

Ghost grass grows throughout the Shadow Lands.[1] It is said that demons and dragons are among the creatures dwelling in cliff caves in the mountains. The ruined corpse city of Stygai, which even shadowbinders fear, lies at the heart of the Shadow.[4]

Populace

Quaithe of the Shadow, by Glen Osterberger © Fantasy Flight Games

Shadow Men, the people of the Shadow Lands, are known for covering their bodies in tattoos and wearing red lacquer wooden masks.[6]

History

Ancient tales from Asshai claim that dragons originated in the Shadow and were first tamed by a people so ancient they had no name.[7]

The maroon emperors of Yi Ti kept their court in Jinqi to better guard the borders of the Golden Empire from reavers from the Shadow Lands.[8]

While studying in Asshai, Mirri Maz Duur learned from a bloodmage from the Shadow Lands.[9]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Magister Illyrio Mopatis tells Daenerys Targaryen that the three dragon eggs he gives her as wedding gifts come from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai.[1] Daenerys recalls hearing that the first dragons had come from the east, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai and the islands of the Jade Sea.[10]

After entering Vaes Dothrak, Daenerys sees plundered statues she considers misshapen and terrible. Ser Jorah Mormont says they likely come from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai.[11]

A Clash of Kings

Daenerys meets Quaithe of the Shadow.[2]

A Feast for Crows

During the kingsmoot, Euron Greyjoy claims to have visited Asshai by the Shadow.[12]

Quotes

Euron: Only one living kraken has never known defeat. Only one has never bent his knee. Only one has sailed to Asshai by the Shadow, and seen wonders and terrors beyond imagining ...
Qarl: If you liked the Shadow so well, go back there.[12]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  2. 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  3. The Lands of Ice and Fire, The East.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond: Asshai-by-the-Shadow.
  5. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Stygai.
  6. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond: The Yi Ti.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
  11. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 36, Daenerys IV.
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.