Difference between revisions of "Slaver's Bay"

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[[File:Slaver bay world.png|350px|thumb|Slaver's Bay location on the continent of[[Essos]]]]
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[[File:Juan Carlos Barquet slavers bay.jpg|400px|thumb|Slaver's Bay with the city of [[Yunkai]] in the background - by Juan Carlos Barquet. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Slaver's Bay''' is a cultural and geographical region on the [[eastern continent]]. Built from the ashes of the ancient Ghiscari Empire, Slaver's Bay became a wealthy hub of the global [[slave]] trade. It flows into the [[Gulf of Grief]].<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]], [[Map of Valyria (A Dance with Dragons)|Map of Valyria]]</ref>
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[[File:Slaver bay world.png|400px|thumb|The location of Slaver's Bay on the continent of [[Essos]]]]
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[[File:Frej AgeliiSlavers Bay Port.png|400px|thumb|A port in Slaver's Bay. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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'''Slaver's Bay''' is a cultural and geographical region of central [[Essos]]. Built from the ashes of the [[Old Empire of Ghis]], Slaver's Bay became a wealthy hub of the global [[slave]] trade. It flows into the [[Gulf of Grief]].<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[Map of Valyria (A Dance with Dragons)|Map of Valyria]]</ref>
  
==History==
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==Geography==
===The Ghiscari Empire===
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Slaver's Bay is located along the south of central Essos. In the west it reaches the eastern shores of the [[Valyrian peninsula]] and contains isle of [[Elyria]]. [[Tolos]] and the ruins of [[Bhorash]] are located along the [[Black Cliffs]] in the bay's north. In the east of Slaver's Bay are the isle of [[Yaros]], the hilly peninsula of [[Ghiscar]], and the great [[slave]] cities of [[Astapor]], [[Meereen]], and [[Yunkai]]. The bay is separated from the [[Gulf of Grief]] to its south by the [[Isle of Cedars]].{{ref|TLOIAF| Central Essos}}
The ancient city of Ghis is one of the oldest known cultures and nations in the world. Its founding and golden age predate that of its successor, [[Valyria]], by thousands of years. The city grew into a military, economic and cultural powerhouse called the Ghiscari Empire. At its height, Ghis fielded highly disciplined legions of lockstep soldiers that were reputed to be nearly unbeatable on the battlefield. The architecture of Ghis was dominated by massive brick towers and pyramids built on the back of slave labor. Its symbol was the harpy, a fanged woman with leathery wings for arms, the legs of an eagle, and the tail of scorpion, clutching a thunderbolt in her talons.
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==People==
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{{Main|Ghiscari}}
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Although little [[Ghiscari]] culture survived the [[Old Empire of Ghis|Old Empire's]] collapse, the modern people of Slaver's Bay take great pride in their Ghiscari heritage, referring to themselves as "the sons of the harpy"{{ref|Asos|23}}{{Ref|ASOS|57}}{{Ref|ADWD|23}} or the "harpy's sons".{{ref|asos|23}} The cities each use a [[w:harpy|harpy]] as their emblem, similar to [[Old Ghis]]. Where the harpy of Old Ghis grasps a thunderbolt in its talons,{{ref|asos|23}} the harpy of [[Astapor]] has a chain with open manacles at either end hanging in its talons,{{Ref|asos|42}} and the harpy of [[Yunkai]] grasp a whip and an iron collar in its talons.{{Ref|asos|42}} Although Meereen also uses a harpy as their emblem,{{Ref|asos|57}} it is currently unknown what their harpy has in its talons.
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The [[Old Ghiscari]] tongue has been largely forgotten. Most modern Ghiscari speak in the language of their conquerors, [[High Valyrian]]. The dialects of Astapor and Yunkai contain a growl of the old Ghiscari tongue,{{Ref|asos|23}}{{Ref|asos|42}} whereas in Meereen they speak a bastard form of High Valyrian blended with Old Ghiscari tongue.{{Ref|adwd|2}}{{Ref|adwd|14}}{{Ref|adwd|60}} The modern Ghiscari do continue to write with Ghiscari glyphs.{{ref|ASOS|23}}{{ref|ASOS|42}}
  
The Ghiscari Empire fell over 5,000 years ago after warring with the upstart city of Valyria. The Empire lost five battles with Valyria before toppling. Despite its wealth and nearly invincible legions, Ghis could not stand against Valyria's ultimate weapon: [[dragon]]s.
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Descending from the Ghiscari of old, most Astapori have amber skins, broad noses, dark eyes, and black or dark red hair, or a mixture of red and black hair which is distinctive to the ancient Ghiscari.{{Ref|asos|23}}{{Ref|asos|27}} Astapori warriors of noble birth oil and twist their hair into fantastic shapes like horns, wings, blades, and grasping hands, giving them a demonic look,{{Ref|asos|23}}{{Ref|asos|27}} while other Astapori men might only oil their hair and beard.{{Ref|asos|27}} In Yunkai and Meereen, other nobility oils and twists their hair into multiple shapes as well, using combs, wax, and irons.{{Ref|asos|42}}{{Ref|adwd|2}}{{ref|adwd|43}} The Yunkai'i wear tall helms in order to preserve the stylings.{{Ref|asos|42}}
  
===After the Fall===
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In all three of the slaver cities, freeborn men and women wear ''[[tokar]]s'',{{Ref|asos|27}}{{ref|ASOS|42}}{{Ref|adwd|2}} which is a sign of power, as the wearer is required to hold onto the fabric with one hand whilst wearing it.{{Ref|adwd|2}} The fringe on the tokar signifies a person's status.{{Ref|asos|27}}
As the Ghiscari Empire collapsed, the city of Ghis itself toppled into ruin. Though the fall extinguished most of the original Ghiscari bloodline, the surviving populations of the Empire rebuilt the area from the wreckage. Three major cities rose into prominence: Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen. These cities established themselves as a hub of the global slave trade and became extremely wealthy. Their citizens lived in a state of stagnant excess until the eastern military campaigns of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] conquered all three cities. The island city of New Ghis, residing in the bay itself, has remained untouched by Daenerys and largely unmentioned in the story thus far.
 
  
==Culture and Economy==
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==Economy==
Although very little Ghiscari culture survived the Empire's collapse, the modern people of Slaver's Bay took great pride in their Ghiscari heritage. The cities maintained Ghis's symbol of the harpy, and freeborn citizens called themselves sons of the harpy, though they replaced the thunderbolt in the her claw with open manacles. The tongue of the Ghiscari was largely forgotten. Most modern Ghiscari speak in the language of their conquerors, High Valyrian, twisted by a growling accent and peppered with slaver's argot. However, modern Ghiscari continue to write with their unique glyphs. Ethnically, modern Ghiscari are a mongrel breed with very little of the original Ghiscari blood. Doe to there pampered lifestyles they tend to be broad and fleshy, with amber skin and dark hair and eyes.  They often have a mixture of wiry red and black hair, a feature unique to the region. In spite of the weakness of their connection to Ghis, Slaver's Bay holds itself as a continuation of Ghis's greatness centuries after the fall of its ancient rival, Valyria.
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[[Slavery]] is the dominant industry of Slaver's Bay. Stories told about the flesh marts of the slave cities are dire and frightening.{{Ref|asos|8}} The cities' slave traders form their ruling aristocracy. The slavers of [[Astapor]], [[Yunkai]], and [[Meereen]] call themselves the [[Good Masters|Good]],{{Ref|asos|27}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} [[Wise Masters|Wise]],{{Ref|asos|42}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}  and [[Great Masters]]{{ref|asos|57}}{{Ref|asos|71}} respectively.
  
Slave trade was the dominant industry of Slaver's Bay, and the cities' slave traders formed their ruling aristocracy. The slavers of Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen called themselves as the Good, Wise and Great Masters respectively, and were taken to dress in tokars, a toga-like garment that only the freeborn may wear. The value of the material used to make a tokar's fringers indicated the wealth and rank of the Master wearing it. Slavers and their families lived in opulent luxury, floating on pleasure barges at dusk and hosting elaborate festivals honoring their history at night. Slaves, on the other hand, often endured brutal treatment.  
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The Good Masters are rivals of one another when dealing in bed slaves, fieldhands, scribes, craftsmen, and tutors. However, when dealing in their far-famed eunuch soldier slaves, the Unsullied, they work together as allies.{{Ref|asos|27}} Trained from a young age, the Unsullied are trained to be obedient, fearless warriors who feel no pain.{{Ref|asos|23}} The Astapori claim that the Unsullied are the lockstep legions of the Old Empire come again, although unlike the soldiers of these ancient legions, the Unsullied are not free men.{{Ref|asos|23}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} Yunkai is known for training bed slaves who are taught the [[way of the seven sighs]] and the sixteen seats of pleasure.{{Ref|aSoS|42}} Meereen's [[fighting pits of Meereen|fighting pits]] are far-famed across the world, drawing trade to the city.{{Ref|adwd|2}}{{Ref|adwd|50}} Warriors are bred and trained in the fighting pits,{{ref|asos|8}}{{Ref|asos|71}} and sold across [[Essos]].
  
The cities shared a peaceful rivalry, avoiding war at all costs, and preferring to pay the khalasars of [[Dothraki]] that passed by instead of fighting them. Due to the wealth of the average free citizen, the cities' professional armies were filled with wealthy sons of slavers who regarded their posts as little more than an opportunity for theatrics. Wearing colorful cloth armor and hair teased into large, outlandish shapes, the citizen soldiers of Slaver's Bay were ineffective fighters. In turn, the cities relied heavily on slave soldiers and mercenary companies for their protection. While most slave soldiers were relatively poor and untrained, the eunuch [[Unsullied]] soldiers of Astapor have a well-earned reputation for effectiveness.
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The Dothraki deliver many of the slaves trained and sold on the slave markets of the slaver cities on Slaver's Bay.{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}
  
==The Cities of Slaver's Bay==
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[[Copper]] is plentiful in the Ghiscari hills near Meereen.{{Ref|adwd|16}} Ghiscari [[wine]], made from small pale yellow grapes native to the regions, produces a notably inferior vintage.{{Ref|adwd|2}}{{Ref|adwd|6}}
The three principle cities located in Slaver's Bay are Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen, also known the as the 'Great slaver cities'.  
 
  
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==Cities==
 
===Astapor===
 
===Astapor===
:{{Main|Astapor}}
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{{Main|Astapor}}
Astapor was famed as the only place in the world that the [[Unsullied]] can be purchased. These slave soldiers commanded a huge investment and earned the most profitable of returns for the Good Masters of Astapor. The city itself was ancient and dilapidated, built from crumbling red bricks that are said to be colored by the slaves that died laying them. The ubiquitous brick dust can sting the eyes, causing freeborn women to wear veils. The city is dominated by massive stepped pyramids, some four hundred feet high, that line the waterfront of the bay. The Plaza of Pride served as an open air slave market, a marshaling area for the Unsullied, and a community gathering place. During the midday heat, the brick streets can become unbearably hot, making them largely deserted during the day. In the evenings, the slavers lit silk lanterns on every terrace and played soft music as they sailed on their pleasure barges.
 
  
The Good Masters of Astapor were particularly cruel to their slaves. Fighting pits featured sadistic bloodsports pitting children against animals. Unruly slaves were flayed alive. However, the Good Master's crowning achievement was their Unsullied, created through a brutal conditioning process that systematically dehumanized young slave boys to turn them into unfeeling fighting machines. Unlike the other cities of Slaver's Bay, Astapor relied on no additional mercenaries of slave levies for its protection. The city's unsold Unsullied defended it against any threats.
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Ruled by the [[Good Masters]], [[Astapor]] is far-famed for its eunuch slave soldiers, the [[Unsullied]]. Trained from a young age, these men are trained to be obedient and fearless.{{Ref|asos|23}} The Astapori like to claim that the Unsullied are the [[Ghiscari legions|lockstep legions]] of the [[Old Empire of Ghis]] come again, but unlike these ancient legions, the Unsullied are not free men.{{Ref|asos|23}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} An old rhyme about Astapor says ''"Bricks and blood built Astapor, and bricks and blood her people,"'' referring to the red bricks of which the city is built taking their color from the blood of the slaves who made them.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}{{Ref|asos|23}} Astapor is also known as the ''Red City''.{{Ref|adwd|25}}
  
The city was conquered by [[Daenerys Targaryen]] after she purchased the city's entire population of Unsullied and sent them against the helpless slavers. Daenerys set up a new government headed by a healer, a priest and a scholar. After she left, however, a former butcher named [[Cleon]] seized control of the city and reinstated slavery, only with the former slaves as the new masters. Cleon the Butcher King sent Daenerys gifts and wedding invitations, though Daenerys did not approve of his rule.
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The Astapori emblem is a variation on the [[w:harpy|harpy]] of [[Old Ghis]], which shows a chain with open manacles at either end in the harpy's talons.{{Ref|aSoS|23}}
  
 
===Yunkai===
 
===Yunkai===
:{{Main|Yunkai}}
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{{Main|Yunkai}}
The smallest of the three cities, Yunkai was known for both its fighting pits and its pleasure houses, both of which turned out slaves at a brisk pace. The city is very similar to Astapor in architecture except for its smaller size and its use of yellow brick in its buildings instead of red. The slavers of Yunkai were known as the Wise Masters. The city relied on its relatively untrained slave army and whatever [[mercenary#Sellsword|mercenary companies]] it could buy.
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Yunkai is ruled by cunning{{Ref|adwd|22}} and corrupted{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} slavers called the [[Wise Masters]].{{Ref|asos|42}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} The city is also known as the ''Yellow City'', referring to the yellow bricks the city is made of.{{Ref|Asos|42}} Yunkai is known for training bed slaves who are taught the way of the seven sighs and the sixteen seats of pleasure.{{Ref|aSoS|42}}
  
After the fall of Astapor, Yunkai girded itself with a slave army of approximately 4,000 and purchased the services of the [[Second Sons]] and [[Stormcrows]], totalling over 1,000 mercenaries. Daenerys Targaryen lured the Stormcrows to her service and ambushed the Second Sons, scattering them. The Wise Masters surrendered and released all of their slaves.  
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The Yunkish emblem is a variation on the [[w:harpy|harpy]] of [[Old Ghis]], which shows the harpy grasping a whip and an iron collar in its talons.{{Ref|asos|42}}
  
 
===Meereen===
 
===Meereen===
:{{Main|Meereen}}
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{{Main|Meereen}}
The largest of the three slaver cities, Meereen has a population equaling Astapor and Yunkai combined. The city is constructed with similar architecture to its neighbors, but built in bricks of many different colors. Its landscape is dominated by a massive pyramid, named the Great Pyramid, and the Temple of Graces, which is capped by a golden dome. Meereen is unique among the Ghiscari cities in that it is filled with many temples. The slavers of Meereen are known as the Great Masters. They field a force of lancers equipped in traditionally extravagant Ghiscari fashion with scales of copper and lances as long as fourteen feet.
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The largest{{Ref|asos|57}} and most formidable of the cities along Slaver's Bay,{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} Meereen is as large as [[Astapor]] and [[Yunkai]] combined. The city is made of brick, but unlike Astapor and Yunkai, Meereen's bricks are of many different colors.{{Ref|aSoS|57}} The nobility of Meereen lives in stepped pyramids, each made of a different set of colors.<ref group="N">The pyramid of [[House of Pahl|Pahl]] is pink-and-white, the pyramid of [[House of Naqqan|Naqqan]] is green-and-black (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 52|Daenerys IX]]), and the great pyramid of [[House of Rhazdar|Rhazdar]] is yellow-and-green.(''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 60|The Spurned Suitor]]).</ref> The greatest pyramid of them all is the [[Great Pyramid]], located on Meereen's central [[plaza]],{{Ref|adwd|68}} which stands eight hundred feet tall.{{Ref|asos|57}} The slavers who rule Meereen are called the [[Great Masters]].{{ref|asos|57}}{{Ref|asos|71}}
  
After the fall of Astapor and Yunkai, Meereen utilized a scorched earth defense against Daenerys, razing the land surrounding the city and nailing slave children onto posts with their fingers pointing to the city. Outside the city's gates, a champion challenged Daenerys's forces and was slain by [[Belwas|Strong Belwas]]. In order to avoid an extended siege, Daenerys had a small group of her men infiltrate the city and free the gladiator slaves of the fighting pits. They used the ensuing chaos to open the gates and force a surrender. Daenerys had a number of the Great Masters executed, then lingered in the city to rule as its queen.
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Like the other slaver cities of [[Ghiscari]] descent, Meereen uses a harpy as its emblem.{{Ref|asos|57}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==History==
{{references}}
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===Old Empire===
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The ancient city of [[Old Ghis|Ghis]], in [[Ghiscar]] along the [[Gulf of Grief]], was one of the oldest known cultures and nations in the world. Its founding and golden age predate that of its successor, [[Valyria]], by thousands of years. The city grew into a military, economic and cultural powerhouse, the [[Old Empire of Ghis]]. From Ghiscar, the empire conquered and colonized the east of Slaver's Bay.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}
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At its height, Ghis fielded highly-disciplined [[lockstep legions]] reputed to have been nearly unbeatable on the battlefield. The architecture of Ghis was dominated by massive brick towers and pyramids built on the back of [[slave]] labor. Its symbol was the harpy, a fanged woman with leathery wings for arms, the legs of an eagle, and the tail of a scorpion, clutching a thunderbolt in her talons.{{ref|ASOS|23}}
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===Valyrian Freehold===
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The Old Empire fell over five thousand years ago after warring with the [[Valyrian Freehold]] to the west, losing a series of five wars with Valyria before toppling. Despite its wealth and nearly invincible legions, Ghis could not stand against Valyria's ultimate weapon, [[dragons]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}
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As the Old Empire collapsed, the city of [[Old Ghis|Ghis]] toppled into ruin and most Ghiscari bloodlines were extinguished or enslaved. The Ghiscari language was replaced with [[High Valyrian]]{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} spoken in local dialects.{{ref|ASOS|42}}
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===Slaving Cities===
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The [[Valyrian peninsula]] was destroyed in the [[Doom of Valyria]], causing chaos in the rest of the Freehold.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} [[Astapor]], [[Yunkai]], and [[Meereen]], once lowly colonies along Slaver's Bay, rose into prominence and thrived after the Doom. These cities reestablished themselves as hubs of the global [[slave]] trade and became wealthy.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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[[Astapor]] is conquered by [[Daenerys Targaryen]] after she purchases the city's entire population of [[Unsullied]] and sends them against the helpless [[Good Masters]].{{ref|ASOS|27}} Daenerys sets up a new government headed by a healer, a priest and a scholar. After she leaves, however, a former butcher named [[Cleon]] seizes control of the city and reinstates slavery, only with the former slaves as the new masters. Cleon the Butcher King sends Daenerys gifts and wedding invitations, though shes does not approve of his rule.{{ref|ASOS|71}}
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After the [[fall of Astapor]], [[Yunkai]] girds itself with a slave army of approximately four thousand and purchases the services of the [[Second Sons]] and [[Stormcrows]], totaling over one thousand sellswords. Daenerys lures the Stormcrows to her service and ambushes the Second Sons, [[battle of Yunkai|scattering]] them. The Wise Masters surrender and release all of their slaves.{{ref|ASOS|42}}
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[[Meereen]] utilizes a scorched earth defense against Daenerys, razing the land surrounding the city and nailing slave children onto posts with their fingers pointing to the city. Outside the city's gates, [[Oznak zo Pahl]] challenges Daenerys's forces but is slain by [[Belwas|Strong Belwas]].{{ref|ASOS|57}} In order to avoid an extended [[Siege of Meereen|siege]], Daenerys has a small group infiltrate the city and free the enslaved [[pit fighters]] of the [[fighting pits]]. They use the ensuing chaos to open the gates and force a surrender. Daenerys has a number of the Great Masters executed, then linger in the city to rule as its queen.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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While Daenerys attempts to rule in Meereen, Astapor is [[siege of Astapor|conquered]] by Yunkai and [[New Ghis]].{{ref|ADWD|25}} The Yunkai'i then lead [[Second Siege of Meereen|another siege of Meereen]].
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[[Victarion Greyjoy]] leads the [[Iron Fleet]] to Slaver's Bay.{{ref|ADWD|63}}
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==Notes==
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{{Notes}}
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==References==
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{{references|2}}
  
 
{{Regions}}
 
{{Regions}}
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{{Houses of Slaver's Bay}}
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[[Category:Slaver's Bay| ]]
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[[Category:Bays]]
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[[Category:Ghis]]
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[[Category:Places in Essos]]
  
[[Category:Places on the eastern continent]]
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[[es:Bahía de los Esclavos]]
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[[fa:خلیج برده داران]]
 
[[fr:Baie des Serfs]]
 
[[fr:Baie des Serfs]]
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[[ru:Залив Работорговцев]]
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[[zh:奴隶湾]]

Revision as of 07:46, 27 July 2021

Slaver's Bay with the city of Yunkai in the background - by Juan Carlos Barquet. © Fantasy Flight Games
The location of Slaver's Bay on the continent of Essos
A port in Slaver's Bay. © Fantasy Flight Games

Slaver's Bay is a cultural and geographical region of central Essos. Built from the ashes of the Old Empire of Ghis, Slaver's Bay became a wealthy hub of the global slave trade. It flows into the Gulf of Grief.[1]

Geography

Slaver's Bay is located along the south of central Essos. In the west it reaches the eastern shores of the Valyrian peninsula and contains isle of Elyria. Tolos and the ruins of Bhorash are located along the Black Cliffs in the bay's north. In the east of Slaver's Bay are the isle of Yaros, the hilly peninsula of Ghiscar, and the great slave cities of Astapor, Meereen, and Yunkai. The bay is separated from the Gulf of Grief to its south by the Isle of Cedars.[2]

People

Although little Ghiscari culture survived the Old Empire's collapse, the modern people of Slaver's Bay take great pride in their Ghiscari heritage, referring to themselves as "the sons of the harpy"[3][4][5] or the "harpy's sons".[3] The cities each use a harpy as their emblem, similar to Old Ghis. Where the harpy of Old Ghis grasps a thunderbolt in its talons,[3] the harpy of Astapor has a chain with open manacles at either end hanging in its talons,[6] and the harpy of Yunkai grasp a whip and an iron collar in its talons.[6] Although Meereen also uses a harpy as their emblem,[4] it is currently unknown what their harpy has in its talons.

The Old Ghiscari tongue has been largely forgotten. Most modern Ghiscari speak in the language of their conquerors, High Valyrian. The dialects of Astapor and Yunkai contain a growl of the old Ghiscari tongue,[3][6] whereas in Meereen they speak a bastard form of High Valyrian blended with Old Ghiscari tongue.[7][8][9] The modern Ghiscari do continue to write with Ghiscari glyphs.[3][6]

Descending from the Ghiscari of old, most Astapori have amber skins, broad noses, dark eyes, and black or dark red hair, or a mixture of red and black hair which is distinctive to the ancient Ghiscari.[3][10] Astapori warriors of noble birth oil and twist their hair into fantastic shapes like horns, wings, blades, and grasping hands, giving them a demonic look,[3][10] while other Astapori men might only oil their hair and beard.[10] In Yunkai and Meereen, other nobility oils and twists their hair into multiple shapes as well, using combs, wax, and irons.[6][7][11] The Yunkai'i wear tall helms in order to preserve the stylings.[6]

In all three of the slaver cities, freeborn men and women wear tokars,[10][6][7] which is a sign of power, as the wearer is required to hold onto the fabric with one hand whilst wearing it.[7] The fringe on the tokar signifies a person's status.[10]

Economy

Slavery is the dominant industry of Slaver's Bay. Stories told about the flesh marts of the slave cities are dire and frightening.[12] The cities' slave traders form their ruling aristocracy. The slavers of Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen call themselves the Good,[10][13] Wise,[6][13] and Great Masters[4][14] respectively.

The Good Masters are rivals of one another when dealing in bed slaves, fieldhands, scribes, craftsmen, and tutors. However, when dealing in their far-famed eunuch soldier slaves, the Unsullied, they work together as allies.[10] Trained from a young age, the Unsullied are trained to be obedient, fearless warriors who feel no pain.[3] The Astapori claim that the Unsullied are the lockstep legions of the Old Empire come again, although unlike the soldiers of these ancient legions, the Unsullied are not free men.[3][13] Yunkai is known for training bed slaves who are taught the way of the seven sighs and the sixteen seats of pleasure.[6] Meereen's fighting pits are far-famed across the world, drawing trade to the city.[7][15] Warriors are bred and trained in the fighting pits,[12][14] and sold across Essos.

The Dothraki deliver many of the slaves trained and sold on the slave markets of the slaver cities on Slaver's Bay.[13]

Copper is plentiful in the Ghiscari hills near Meereen.[16] Ghiscari wine, made from small pale yellow grapes native to the regions, produces a notably inferior vintage.[7][17]

Cities

Astapor

Ruled by the Good Masters, Astapor is far-famed for its eunuch slave soldiers, the Unsullied. Trained from a young age, these men are trained to be obedient and fearless.[3] The Astapori like to claim that the Unsullied are the lockstep legions of the Old Empire of Ghis come again, but unlike these ancient legions, the Unsullied are not free men.[3][13] An old rhyme about Astapor says "Bricks and blood built Astapor, and bricks and blood her people," referring to the red bricks of which the city is built taking their color from the blood of the slaves who made them.[13][3] Astapor is also known as the Red City.[18]

The Astapori emblem is a variation on the harpy of Old Ghis, which shows a chain with open manacles at either end in the harpy's talons.[3]

Yunkai

Yunkai is ruled by cunning[19] and corrupted[13] slavers called the Wise Masters.[6][13] The city is also known as the Yellow City, referring to the yellow bricks the city is made of.[6] Yunkai is known for training bed slaves who are taught the way of the seven sighs and the sixteen seats of pleasure.[6]

The Yunkish emblem is a variation on the harpy of Old Ghis, which shows the harpy grasping a whip and an iron collar in its talons.[6]

Meereen

The largest[4] and most formidable of the cities along Slaver's Bay,[13] Meereen is as large as Astapor and Yunkai combined. The city is made of brick, but unlike Astapor and Yunkai, Meereen's bricks are of many different colors.[4] The nobility of Meereen lives in stepped pyramids, each made of a different set of colors.[N 1] The greatest pyramid of them all is the Great Pyramid, located on Meereen's central plaza,[20] which stands eight hundred feet tall.[4] The slavers who rule Meereen are called the Great Masters.[4][14]

Like the other slaver cities of Ghiscari descent, Meereen uses a harpy as its emblem.[4]

History

Old Empire

The ancient city of Ghis, in Ghiscar along the Gulf of Grief, was one of the oldest known cultures and nations in the world. Its founding and golden age predate that of its successor, Valyria, by thousands of years. The city grew into a military, economic and cultural powerhouse, the Old Empire of Ghis. From Ghiscar, the empire conquered and colonized the east of Slaver's Bay.[13]

At its height, Ghis fielded highly-disciplined lockstep legions reputed to have been nearly unbeatable on the battlefield. The architecture of Ghis was dominated by massive brick towers and pyramids built on the back of slave labor. Its symbol was the harpy, a fanged woman with leathery wings for arms, the legs of an eagle, and the tail of a scorpion, clutching a thunderbolt in her talons.[3]

Valyrian Freehold

The Old Empire fell over five thousand years ago after warring with the Valyrian Freehold to the west, losing a series of five wars with Valyria before toppling. Despite its wealth and nearly invincible legions, Ghis could not stand against Valyria's ultimate weapon, dragons.[13]

As the Old Empire collapsed, the city of Ghis toppled into ruin and most Ghiscari bloodlines were extinguished or enslaved. The Ghiscari language was replaced with High Valyrian[13] spoken in local dialects.[6]

Slaving Cities

The Valyrian peninsula was destroyed in the Doom of Valyria, causing chaos in the rest of the Freehold.[21] Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen, once lowly colonies along Slaver's Bay, rose into prominence and thrived after the Doom. These cities reestablished themselves as hubs of the global slave trade and became wealthy.[13]

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Astapor is conquered by Daenerys Targaryen after she purchases the city's entire population of Unsullied and sends them against the helpless Good Masters.[10] Daenerys sets up a new government headed by a healer, a priest and a scholar. After she leaves, however, a former butcher named Cleon seizes control of the city and reinstates slavery, only with the former slaves as the new masters. Cleon the Butcher King sends Daenerys gifts and wedding invitations, though shes does not approve of his rule.[14]

After the fall of Astapor, Yunkai girds itself with a slave army of approximately four thousand and purchases the services of the Second Sons and Stormcrows, totaling over one thousand sellswords. Daenerys lures the Stormcrows to her service and ambushes the Second Sons, scattering them. The Wise Masters surrender and release all of their slaves.[6]

Meereen utilizes a scorched earth defense against Daenerys, razing the land surrounding the city and nailing slave children onto posts with their fingers pointing to the city. Outside the city's gates, Oznak zo Pahl challenges Daenerys's forces but is slain by Strong Belwas.[4] In order to avoid an extended siege, Daenerys has a small group infiltrate the city and free the enslaved pit fighters of the fighting pits. They use the ensuing chaos to open the gates and force a surrender. Daenerys has a number of the Great Masters executed, then linger in the city to rule as its queen.[14]

A Dance with Dragons

While Daenerys attempts to rule in Meereen, Astapor is conquered by Yunkai and New Ghis.[18] The Yunkai'i then lead another siege of Meereen.

Victarion Greyjoy leads the Iron Fleet to Slaver's Bay.[22]

Notes

  1. The pyramid of Pahl is pink-and-white, the pyramid of Naqqan is green-and-black (A Dance with Dragons, Daenerys IX), and the great pyramid of Rhazdar is yellow-and-green.(A Dance with Dragons, The Spurned Suitor).

References

  1. A Dance with Dragons, Map of Valyria
  2. The Lands of Ice and Fire, Central Essos.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 57, Daenerys V.
  5. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 23, Daenerys IV.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 2, Daenerys I.
  8. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  9. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 60, The Spurned Suitor.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 27, Daenerys III.
  11. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 43, Daenerys VII.
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
  13. 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
  15. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 50, Daenerys VIII.
  16. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 16, Daenerys III.
  17. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown.
  19. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  20. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 68, The Dragontamer.
  21. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria.
  22. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 63, Victarion I.