#ibben

They stepped past the eunuch into a pillared courtyard overgrown in pale ivy. Moonlight painted the leaves in shades of bone and silver as the guests drifted among them.

Many were Dothraki horselords, big men with red-brown skin, their dropping mustachios bound in metal rings, their black hair oiled and braided and hung with bells.

Yet among them moved bravos and sellswords from Pentos and Myr and Tyrosh, a red priest even fatter than Illyrio, hairy men from the Port of Ibben, and lords from the Summer Isles with skin as black as ebony.

Daenerys looked at them all in wonder…and realized, with a sudden start of fear, that she was the only woman there.

I mean, I stuck for Sansa and I keep coming back to different people's expansions on Dorne. But what got me into ASOIAF in the first place was the lore around the Free Cities. Braavos, especially; I think Arya'a Braavosi chapters were my first real encounter with the series. I know that I found Daenerys' chapters the more interesting when I first read into the books.

Game of Thrones maps No.7 : Ibben

The Greyjoys of Pyke claim descent from the Grey King of the Age of Heroes. Legend says the Grey King ruled not only the western isles but the sea itself, and took a mermaid to wife.

For thousands of years, raiders from the Iron Islands—called “ironmen” by those they plundered—were the terrors of the seas, sailing as far as the Port of Ibben and the Summer Isles. They prided themselves on their fierceness in battle and their sacred freedoms.

Each island had its own “salt king” and “rock king.” The High King of the Isles was chosen from among their number, until King Urron made the throne hereditary by murdering the other kings when they assembled for a choosing.

Urron’s own line was extinguished a thousand years later when the Andals swept over the islands. The Greyjoys, like the other island lords, intermarried with the conquerors.

The Iron Kings extended their rule far beyond the isles themselves, carving kingdoms out of the mainland with fire and sword. King Qhored could truthfully boast that his writ ran “wherever men can smell salt water or hear the crash of waves.” In later centuries, Qhored’s descendants lost the Arbor, Oldtown, Bear Island, and much of the western shore.

Still, come the Wars of Conquest, King Harren the Black ruled all the lands between the mountains, from the Neck to the Blackwater Rush.

When Harren and his sons perished in the fall of Harrenhal, Aegon Targaryen granted the riverlands to House Tully, and allowed the surviving lords of the Iron Islands to revive their ancient custom and choose who should have the primacy among them. They chose Lord Vickon Greyjoy of Pyke.

The Greyjoy sigil is a golden kraken upon a black field.

This is obviously partly some Race Science Stuff as well as a heritage from the sword and sorcery fic George was inspired by. However I think the idea is a fascinating one to explore in world.

The idea that there exist distinct biological races of people which cannot interbreed without producing monstrous outcomes is a real and popular one throughout history! Despite the efforts of historians however, it’s always *wrong*

There are many examples of half Ibbenese characters in universe, and even (in the case of Brown Ben) half ibbenese characters who have had children! The people of Skagos are widely suspected to be descended in part from the Ibbenese. In real history, Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens did interbreed easily and often.

The “Kings” Of Ib, and their Histories

Rowgrayn The founder: Rowgrayn is the First Bane in recorded History of their line, not many records were kept during his reign and most we know of him is of legends and stories. He was said to be massive, broad shoulders legs thick as tree stumps arms wide and powerful and he wore armor that took two men to lift off him. yet he was renowned for his grace and power in battle. He over threw the King of Ib, challenging the former king in a death match after working his way up from a scout in the then, little clan. Rowgrayn set the standard for the Bane line being wise,just,fierce,merciful,savage, and beloved. His rule was so perfect and needed that his throne was not challenged but once later down in the line. a Fearsome man of few words, he chose the banner and beast that is still known to the Bane family. His son would be the Last Ruling Bane King, after which the women of Bane became the matriarchal rulers. Rowyn the current heir and Princess of Ib is named after him.

Faydro Bane The Fierce: The eldest brother of the line of Bane heroes. He was Farline Bane’s brother and a legendary hero of Bane. described as the greatest fighter Ib has ever known. Not much of his is really known other then his glory on the battle field in the war of thirty sun in which he lead the charge and took the head of the enemies leader. He would marry a young maid and leave Ib, legend says he simply ascended to Azureckt as Zerovan in the flesh, other say he merely died of old age in a remote part of the Island. none of it is true or false, currently no one has claimed to be Bane of his decent and he remains an untouched and revered hero. He was also known as the one year King, when he ruled in Farline’s place during her pregnancy and a few months after her first child was born, for she was bed ridden from a difficult birth.

Hayrd Bane The Wise: The youngest Brother in the line of Bane heroes. He was Farline Bane’s baby brother and the only Bane male to ever not marry. He was said to be the wisest man to ever been born, whether this is true is up for debate, but his intelligence is revered in Ib. He took a vow of Chasity and became the high priest of the Azureckt Faith. Living in the temple and was the only man ever to be accepted as a priest as it is a mostly female held position. Hayrd, was rumored to have been in love with his elder sister but took his vows when she married her savage husband. Unlike Westeros, Ib does not frown on Incest or homosexuality though not a very common practice, some families have married in themselves for centuries. Hayrd was said to speak in a soft and hushed voice.

Warger Bane The Hammer: Warger Bane is not a hero of the Bane line but is still a legendary man though admittedly not for the best reasons. Warger was the husband of Farline Bane, due to an agreement and arranged marriage. Warger was a Carpenter’s son and a fisherman working on the whaling boats for most of his life. His father helped build the Castle on the grounds his son would marry Farline. Warger was renown for his savage and foul temper, rumored to be the source of the Bane’s Berserker trait and one of the most feared men Ib had ever known. Farline seemed to be the only person safe from his rages and the only person to quell his temper when flared. Warger was only ever seen in three places, the Battlefield, The temple, or in Farline’s bed. He was not a social man and often times people forgot about him until he went berserk. His rage is still heavy in the genetic line of the Bane family and glimpse can be seen in Thorne, Rowyn and Ashe Bane, this is why their anger is feared.