Bear Island
Seat of House Mormont,
Sworn to Winterfell
A relatively poor house, the Mormonts have been loyal supporters of the Starks ever since Rodrik Stark allegedly won control of the region in a wrestling match.
Castle Black
One of three fortresses on the Wall still manned by the Night's Watch (in addition to Eastwatch by the Sea and the Shadow Tower), the castle provides a dark and chilling home for those committed enough - or unlucky enough - to take up its defense.
The Gift
A swath of open land in the north, the Gift was donated to the Night's Watch by the Stark family.
Karhold
Seat of House Karstark,
Sworn to Winterfell
The Karstarks trace their lineage to Karlon Stark, who earned his own lands for crushing a Bolton rebellion. Over time, his family became known as "Karstark."
The Dreadfort
Seat of House Bolton,
Sworn to Winterfell
A powerful house in the North, the Boltons have been known to skin their enemies alive. It is rumored that the skins of several ancient Starks still hang in the dungeons of the Dreadfort.
Winterfell
Seat of House Stark,
Warden of the North
The home of the Stark family has stood for millennia in the North, and the winding tombs beneath the castle tell the history of the many Stark kings and lords who have dwelled in it. The fortified keep sits atop a series of hot springs, which makes the harsh winter months somewhat more livable.
Moat Cailin
This ancient stronghold of the First Men has been reduced to ruins over the centuries. Only three crumbling towers remain standing, but their mutually defensive positions remain a testament to the battlefield expertise of the world's ancients.
The Twins
Seat of House Frey,
Sworn to Riverrun
The Frey family spent three generations building their river-spanning fortress, and they've grown rich from the tolls charged to travelers for crossing.
Seagard
Seat of House Mallister,
Sworn to Riverrun
Seagard was built as a defense against marauders from the Iron Islands, a region still distrusted by the Mallisters.
Pyke
Seat of House Greyjoy
This ancient stronghold, which takes its name from the island it stands on, is situated on a scattering of huge stones in the sea, with bridges connecting its towers. Its rocky, moss-covered foundations prevent any ships from landing.
The Vale of Arryn
Enclosed almost entirely by the Mountains of the Moon, the Vale is accessible only during warmer seasons, and even then, the brutal mountain clans that roam its passes are a constant threat.
Eyrie
Seat of House Arryn,
Warden of the East
Nestled high in the Mountains of the Moon, the Eyrie is almost entirely impregnable. The castle uses its high placement to other advantage as well, locking criminals in three-walled "sky cells" that open to a sheer drop down the mountainside.
Inn at the Crossroads
All roads lead to this house of hospitality, situated at the four corners where the major highways of Westeros meet. Not surprisingly then, all types converge here to trade rumors, compare wits and occasionally, cross swords.
The Ruby Ford
The deciding battle of Robert's Rebellion was fought at the crossing of the Trident's Green Fork. The area is now named for the jewels that scattered from Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's breastplate when Robert Baratheon dealt him a fatal blow with his war hammer.
The Trident
This massive river, the site of a major battle during Robert's Rebellion, takes its name from its three forks - the Red Fork, Green Fork and Blue Fork.
Stone Hedge
Seat of House Bracken,
Sworn to Riverrun
Descended from the First Men, House Bracken nurses a centuries-long feud against their neighbors, House Blackwood
Raventree Hall
Seat of House Blackwood,
Sworn to Riverrun
Once recognized as lesser kings during the Age of Heroes, the Blackwoods retained their faith in the Old Gods after the Andal invasion... a fact that has fueled their hatred of House Bracken, who adhere to the Faith of the Seven.
The Whispering Wood
A small forest in the Riverlands grows near the Trident.
Riverrun
Seat of House Tully
The lush Riverlands lack the natural defenses of some other regions, but the seat of Riverrun itself has a unique barricade. The three-sided castle on the Red Fork of the Trident River can redirect the water's flow to completely encompass its walls, blocking attack.
Harrenhal
Captured by the Lannisters from Tully allies House Whent, Harrenhal was given to Janos Slynt as thanks for his part in the capture of Ned Stark.The castle was built centuries ago by Harren the Black, who was betrayed by his bannermen during the Targaryen Conquest. As no lord has lasted long within its walls, it is believed to be cursed.
Maidenpool
The town takes its name from the legend of two lovers, a foolish knight named Florian and a woman named Jonquil, whom he first laid eyes on while she was bathing with her sisters in Maidenpool.
The Whispers
This ruined castle takes its name from the eerie whispering sound produced as the sea crashes into holes in the cliffs below.
Dragonstone
When the Targaryen family first arrived in Westeros - long before conquering the continent - they made their home at Dragonstone. Built using Valyrian techniques of stonemasonry, since lost to the ages, the castle looks unlike anything else in this part of the world. After Robert took the throne, he bestowed the keep on his brother Stannis.
The Golden Tooth
Seat of House Lefford,
Sworn to Casterly Rock
Ashemark
Seat of House Marbrand,
Sworn to Casterly Rock
Casterly Rock
Seat of House Lannister,
Warden of the West
Legend has it that Lann the Clever tricked the Casterly family into giving up their castle, thus beginning the Lannister bloodline. The fortress guards a region rife with gold mines, which have allowed the Lannisters to amass significant wealth.
Clegane's Keep
Seat of House Clegane,
Sworn to Casterly Rock
The founder of House Clegane worked in the kennels at Casterly Rock. After saving Lord Tytos Lannister from a lion attack, he was rewarded with land and title.
The Crag
Northwestern region of the Westerlands and home to House Westerling, an ancient but impoverished family.
King's Landing
Seat of the King
Named upon the arrival of the conquering king Aegon Targaryen, this city long served as a home to the ruling family until Robert Baratheon deposed Aerys Targaryen, known as the Mad King. The southern region's balmy climate contributes to a life of lavishness for those who can afford it, but the city's mobbed streets demand caution from even its most powerful residents.
Storm's End
Seat of House Baratheon
The mighty fortress of Storm's End has never fallen to siege or disaster, though it has seen plenty. The coastal castle's seaward wall is 80-feet thick with a 150-foot drop into the waters below. It is said that ancient spells have been woven into the castle's walls, preventing any magic from penetrating its defenses.
Summerhall
Once the summer home of the Targaryen family, this lightly fortified palace was destroyed by a fire that killed King Aegon V as well as his heir. Rumor suggests that the tragedy began with an attempt to hatch ancient dragon eggs.
Highgarden
Seat of House Tyrell,
Warden of the South
Once the seat of House Gardener, this keep fell into the hands of its steward - Harlen Tyrell - when he surrendered to the conqueror Aegon Targaryen. The Tyrells have served as principal house in the region ever since.
Brightwater Keep
Seat of House Florent,
Sworn to Highgarden
Like the Tyrells (the ruling family of the Reach), the Florents are descended from House Gardener, a now defunct house that supplied kings to the Reach prior to the Targaryen conquest. The Florents believe their closer ties to House Gardener imply a more legitimate claim to power in the region than the Tyrells.
Oldtown
Founded by the First Men, the ancient city of Oldtown is home to the Citadel, the school where maesters are trained in their many disciplines.
The Arbor
Seat of House Redwyne,
Sworn to Highgarden
The Arbor is known for producing the finest wines in the realms, though the area also boasts a powerful fleet and enjoys a particularly close relationship with its overlord, House Tyrell.
Dorne
A land in the southern desert of Westeros, Dorne is ruled by the Martell family.
Sunspear
Seat of House Martell
Built largely of mud and straw, this southern city serves as the capital of Dorne. It is dominated primarily by the Spear Tower, a 150-foot structure with a pinnacle of shining steel.
House Martell
Lys, Free City
Known for its fair inhabitants and their pleasure houses, Lys occupies several islands surrounded by rough sea.
Tyrosh, Free City
The people of Tyrosh - recognized for bright colors as well as insatiable greed - have retained a bastardized form of ancient Valyrian as their language.
Myr, Free City
The craftsmen of this mainland city are renowned the world over, particularly for their finely woven Myrish lace.
Pentos, Free City
A coastal city of the East, Pentos conducts a brisk trade across the Narrow Sea - while paying tribute to the Dothraki to avoid domination.
Braavos, Free City
A city of seafarers and master swordsmen, Braavos consists of hundreds of tiny islands connected by stone bridges. A giant statue, called the Titan of Braavos, guards the harbor entrance to the city.
Torrhen's Square
Several days away from Winterfell, this keep belongs to House Tallhart, a family sworn to the Starks. Its stone walls rise 30 feet high.
Craster's Keep
Craster's Keep is home to the wildling that the Night's Watch depends upon for shelter and supply beyond the Wall. It is primitively constructed and hardly a true keep, but it is sizeable enough to house a garrison of men.
Fist of the First Men
This hilltop plateau has served as a natural fortification for thousands of years, dating back to the arrival of Westeros' first conquerors. A steep and stony climb is the only way to reach it.
Frostfang Mountains
The mountain range northeast of the Wall takes its name from its jagged peaks. Only the hardiest wildlings know how to find the hidden valleys that can provide shelter in this inhospitable terrain.
Red Waste
This vast expanse of barren desert east of the Dothraki Sea supports no life.
Qarth
A wealthy port city, it is considered by natives to be "the greatest city that was or will be." It is ruled by a group of dignitaries known as the Thirteen.
Valyria
The ancient city was destroyed centuries ago during a mysterious event known as the Doom. The catastrophe resulted in the loss of many mystical secrets, including the process for forging Valyrian steel.
Meereen
A sister city to Yunkai and Astapor, Meereen boasts a thriving slave trade. The wealthiest of its residents make their homes in pyramids.
Astapor
A sister city to Yunkai and Meereen and home to a thriving slave trade, it is famous for its force of fearless slave soldiers, known as the Unsullied.
Yunkai
A sister city to Astapor and Meereen, the traders here specialize in selling bed-slaves.
Vaes Dothrak
The only city in the Dothraki Sea, it is large enough to house every khalasar at once. Home to two trading markets and the dosh khaleen, the widows of fallen khals, it is forbidden to carry weapons or to kill within Vaes Dothrak's walls.
Village of the Lhazareen
The non-confrontational race of farmers and shepherds who lived here were either enslaved or eradicated by Drogo's khalasar.
Dothraki Sea
This vast expanse of grassland is inhabited by the nomadic horse tribes of the Dothraki.
Volantis
The oldest of the Free Cities, this harbor metropolis puts a premium on ancestry: To rule as one of the city's three triarchs, candidates must be able to trace their family lines to Valyrian times. A temple dedicated to the Lord of the Light dominates the landscape.
