Giant's Fist

Map of the Giant's Fist c. 31 A.I.

The Giant's Fist is the traditional name given to the peninsula which stretches from the Neck in the east, all the way to Cape Kraken in the far west. The Fist is predominantly populated by First Men who are most similar in culture to the North and the Neck respectively, however most of their landowning and lordly elites have been supplanted by men from the Iron Islands. The Giant's Fist is currently ruled from Ironmark, held by House Greatiron.

Arms of House Greatiron. Words: 'Come Closer'

Terrain and Culture:

The Giant's Fist is defined by three key features. Firstly, a giant primordial forest covers almost all the land from the Neck to the coasts. These forests are dense, composed primarily of spruce, fir and pine - with several hidden groves of weirwoods nestled in its deepest reaches, where even the Ironborn cannot find them. The second most notable feature of the Giant's Fist are its impressive range of cliffs, spanning its entire southron coastline from the Neck all the way around Cape Kraken, where any harbours are hard to find, and safe harbours nigh impossible. The final notable feature of the Fist are the high ridges that break through the canopied forest, breaking up the landscape and dividing parts of the land. Giants still dwell in these parts, and if they do not take umbrage at intruders, the bears will.

History:

The History of the Giant's Fist is defined by two struggles. Firstly, the struggle of the First Men to settle the region during the Dawn Age, set against the Children of the Forest and their wargs and greenseers. This conflict was altogether more traumatic than in many regions, due to the growing desperation of the Children during this period. Having failed to staunch the flow of First Men crossing, the Children once again consorted with terrible powers to call down the Hammer of the Waters upon the Neck and its surrounding lands. The steep cliffs of the Fist might well have their origin in the carving away of land by the awful force of churning waters that turned the Neck into a nigh-impassable swamp, and half-drowned the Keystone Kingdom to the east.

The second struggle associated with the Giant's Fist is that between the First Men who settled it during the Dawn Age, and the Ironborn who have sought to make it there own during the rise of the High Kingdom of the Iron Islands during the Age of Heroes. Qhored I Blacktyde is said to have been the first Ironborn king to overrun the Fist, rewarding several of his leal captains with lands and lordships in order to hold the peninsula in his name, before sailing south to begin his wars against the Reach, the Arbor, and the Kingdom of the High Tower. Nonetheless, the hold of the Ironborn over the region has not been entirely consistent since, and the region had to be reconquered by King Loron Greyjoy in the not-too-distant past. Thus, the First Men Houses that remain on the Fist remain ever defiant of their would-be Ironborn rulers, believing the time will come again when they either liberate themselves, or join with any King from the North or the Neck who resolves himself to throw the Ironmen back into the sea.

Houses of the Giant's Fist:

Houses of Ironborn Origin:

• House Greatiron of Ironmark
• House Hayes of Cape Kraken
• House Steep of the Steep Cliffs
• House Longpebble of the Bluerock Heights
• House Coldstrand of Spears Sound

Houses of First Man Origin:

• House Knott of the Wrist
• House Bark of Morrenhold
• House Wells of Waterstone
• House Murk of Murkwood (Currently under the rule of the Neck)