North

The North is a broad term for the vast expanse that is made distinct from the rest of Westeros by the nigh-impassable bogs, mires and marshes of the Neck to the south, and the Wall to the far north. The North consists of several diverse kingdoms and people however, thus it should not be considered a political expression.

Nonetheless, there is a distinct sense of cultural community which exists across the scope of the various kingdoms in the North, primarily a shared sense of values, honour, and shared hardship due to the particularly harsh winters.

Regions and Cultures of the North:

The Barrowlands:

The Barrowlands consist of the vast and windswept plains and hills that stretch westwards from the northern boundaries of the North past Moat Cailin. The landscape of the Barrowlands is dominated by their eponymous barrows, usually graves of important men and women from this region. The runestones around the barrow are often of great significance, particularly the arrangement and runes carved on the cairn stones. Kings and warriors are often buried with their most prized possession - and truly can it be said in the Barrowlands that more honour is given to the dead than to the living. The Barrowlands are ruled by House Dustin, the Barrow Kings, and their notable vassals include the Stouts and Brownbarrows.

The Rills:

The Rills are an expanse of hills, valleys and streams that lie to the west of the Barrowlands. There are still some barrows in these parts, but the Rills have gradually developed a keen sense of their own identity, revolving particularly around horsemanship. The Houses of the Rills almost all take arms and names relating to their prized steeds. By the time of the Coming of the Andals they were ruled by the Kings of House Ryder, and their vassals include House Ryswell, House Charge, and House Ironsmith - the latter being one of the few First Men Houses to pride their ironworking.

The Stony Shore:

The western coastlines of the North that runs from Blazewater Bay to Sea Dragon Point. It is defined by expansive pebble beaches and rocky bluffs. The soil in thin and shallow inland, due to the lack of protection from the gusting winds. The sparse and straggly trees stand far apart from one another here. A distinct culture has emerged from the way of life that living in these parts requires, colloquially referred to by most as the Pebblemen. Pebblman culture is defined by a lifestyle of quarrying, fishing, and defending their coast against Ironborn raiders. By the time of the Coming of the Andals there were two Pebbleman Kings along the Stony Shore - the Slate Kings of Blackpool, and the Fisher Kings of Whitecaster.

The Clans of the Wood:

The great forest which expands through the north and western reaches of the North is among the oldest and wildest in all of Westeros. It has been given many names by the many peoples and kings that have laid claim to it, and those same Great Houses have named themselves after the territory they ruled; Blackwood, Greenwood, Amberwood, Wolfswood. There are those who live their entire lives without walking in an open field or seeing the sea. The Wolfswood Clans have a fierce sense of tribal identity, and are some of the best hunters in Westeros. After centuries untold of conflict, no one king holds sway here. Though the Blackwoods have been long since driven south, House Amber, House Greenwood, House Glover and the Warg King Gaven Greywolf still were competing for control of the forests by the time of the Coming of the Andals.