The Free Cities are a group of nine city-states grouped along the western coast of Essos. They trade and interact frequently with the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. There are significant differences between the geography of the various cities, from the thick forests around Qohor, to the rolling hills of Norvos, to the tiny islands of Braavos. Mountains to the east separate the coast from the plains of the Dothraki Sea, though gaps in the mountain range provide the Dothraki people some access to the Free Cities. To the north are the Shivering Sea and Ibben. To the south are Slaver's Bay and a series of straits leading to the Jade Sea in the Far East.
Although the Free Cities are distinct states they share a common ancestry in being former Valyrian colonies (except for Braavos). Some, like Braavos, have unique and independent cultures, while others, like Pentos and Myr, share many cultural traits. Though all nine of the Free Cities speak Valyrian, their dialects have changed the language so much that it is almost like nine different languages.
Adventures in the Free Cities
Protect the Wine Harvest (Night)
Find the Wayward Noble
The Mad Dog Bounty (Day)
Retrieve the Bannerman (Day)
Landmarks
| Andalos
|
an area of northwestern Essos which was the homeland of the Andals. Due to migration and invasion little is left of the original Andal culture, however. |
| The Disputed Lands
|
a region on the continent of Essos. It has been contested between the Free Cities of Myr, Tyrosh and Lys since the fall of the Valyrian Freehold, over three centuries past, usually involving skirmishes and small wars. Mercenaries are usually hired to fight the battles, and several nobles from Westeros, have fought in the wars. |
| The Flatlands
|
bordered by the upper reaches of the Rhoyne River to the east. A Valyrian road runs through the Flatlands from the Free City of Pentos to Ghoyan Drohe. The Flatlands is a fertile area of open fields and plains, located around Pentos and responsible for feeding it. Illyrio Mopatis owns some orchards, farms and mines in the Flatlands, though he seldom visits them. |
| The Velvet Hills
|
a series of low hills in Andalos in western Essos. They lie to the east of Pentos. Along the Valyrian Roads to Ghoyan Drohe, which sits among the Velvet Hills, there is a deep lake, a circle of standing stones some claim was raised by giants, and a female Valyrian sphinx, the male having been taken away by the Dothraki. |
| Dagger Lake
|
a large lake that is formed by the confluence of the Rhoyne River and the Qhoyne in western Essos. At Dagger Lake the Qhoyne comes rushing in, full of gold, amber, and pine-cones from the Forest of Qohor. Northeast of Dagger lake are the ruins of Ar Noy. Dagger Lake is full of islands where pirates lurk in hidden caves and secret strongholds. |
| The Lhorulu
|
a river in western Essos. Its headwaters begin south of the Flatlands and the river flows southeast into the Rhoyne River. |
| The Noyne
|
a river in northwestern Essos. Its headwaters lie in the Hills of Norvos and it flows south into the Rhoyne River at the ruins of Ny Sar. The Free City of Norvos sits along its banks. |
| The Qhoyne
|
a river in northwestern Essos. Its headwaters lie in the Forest of Qohor, where it runs through Qohor. It then flows southwest past the forest and meets its tributary just north of the ruined city of Ar Noy. The Qhoyne then continues southwest past Ar Noy and meets the Rhoyne River. |
| The Rhoyne River
|
one of the main rivers of the eastern continent, Essos. It is said the southern Rhoyne becomes so wide that someone in its centre cannot see its shores. |
| The Volaena
|
a river in western Essos. It is the final tributary of the Rhoyne River before it reaches the Summer Sea. It lies to the northeast of Volantis and reaches the Rhoyne River between Volantis and Volon Therys. |
| Pentos
|
a major trading port on a bay of the western coast. Dominated by an architecture of square brick towers it is headed by a Prince that is chosen by the de facto rulers of the city. Men from Pentos wear dyed and forked beards. As in many Free Cities, slavery is outlawed, but the wealthy and powerful members of the city have the ability to flout these laws by keeping servants collared in bronze. |
| Braavos
|
Unique among the Free Cities in that Braavos was not a Valyrian colony, but a secret refuge from Valyrian expansion. A seafaring city composed of many tiny islands, Braavos is known for its swashbuckling swordsmen and its Guild, the Faceless Men. It is also famed for the Titan of Braavos, which is a fortified statue and lighthouse that straddles the entrance channel to the city. |
| Lys
|
another of the Free Cities that sits astride a series of islands. The Lysene have a tendency to be tall and fair of skin and eyes, unlike most inhabitants of the Free Cities. Lys is well known for its pleasure houses, training slaves in the arts of love and selling them as concubines and bed-slaves. Lys also frequently fights over control of the Stepstones and the Disputed Lands. |
| Qohor
|
situated on the main continent, in the vast Forest of Qohor. It is known for its fine tapestries and its smiths, who have the rare ability to reforge Valyrian steel, even directly infusing the metal with a variety of different colors. Qohor's city guard has been comprised solely of soldiers from the Unsullied Army ever since 3,000 Unsullied soldiers successfully defended the city against over 25,000 Dothraki horsemen. Guardsmen tie braids of human hair to their spears to commemorate the Dothraki cutting their braids in salute to Qohor's defenders. |
| Norvos
|
situated on the main continent in two parts, one atop a high hill and the other beside a low river. The city has three large bells, each with its own name and distinctive voice, that are rung frequently. The surrounding area is a land of rolling hills, terraced farms, and white-stucco villages. The climate is fairly mild. Norvosi can be recognized by their dyed and upswept mustaches. The city is run by a council of magisters that are known to pay tribute to passing Dothraki khalasars. It is also home to a group of bearded priests that train elite guardsmen. These guardsmen swear oaths of duty and consider themselves wedded to their distinctive long axes. |
| Myr
|
coastal city renowned for their master glasscrafters, intricate lace, and fine carpets. The dark eyed and dark skinned Myrmen are similar to Norvosi and Pentoshi in that they are ruled by magisters that are known to pay tribute to passing Dothraki khalasars. Myr is a hub of trade in both slaves and their signature green nectar wines. Myr frequently fights over control of the Disputed Lands. |
| Tyrosh
|
a coastal city-state, Tyrosh is infamous for its avarice. Traders deal extensively in slaves and Tyroshi pear brandy. The city features an abundance of pleasure houses, but they are not as highly regarded as those in Lys. Tyrosh is a popular center for the hiring of sellswords. The city is often drawn into the ongoing conflicts over the Disputed Lands and the Stepstones. The Tyroshi often wear forked beards and pointed mustaches dyed in bright colors. |
| Volantis
|
southernmost of the Free Cities, Volantis is situated nearest Slaver's Bay and does extensive trade in slaves, glassware and wines. They are ruled by an elected triarchy. Sellswords from Volantis are often recognizable by their tattooed faces. Volantis is sometimes drawn into conflicts over the Disputed Lands. |
| Lorath
|
a port city on a group of islands. Lorath is located on the western side of the largest of three islands surrounded by storm seas. It is located at the mouth of Lorath Bay of the Shivering Sea off the northern coast of the eastern continent. |
| Ar Noy
|
a ruined city in Essos on the banks of the Qhoyne. To the northeast lies Qohor. |
| Ghoyan Drohe
|
a ruined city that lies on the banks of the Rhoyne River. It sits to the east of Pentos. |
| Ny Sar
|
a ruined city in Essos at the confluence of the Rhoyne River and the Noyne rivers. It was destroyed by the Valyrians. |
| Sar Mell
|
a ruined city that sits on the eastern bank of the Rhoyne River to the north of Volantis. Almost directly across to the west sits the city of Volon Therys. |
| The Palace of Sorrow
|
a ruined island palace in the Rhoyne River, the city was once known as Chroyane. Prior to the city's downfall a thousand years ago, the structure was called the Palace of Love. |
| Selhorys
|
a walled town on the eastern continent. Although large it is still considered a town - not an independent city - and is ruled from old Volantis. It is situated at a confluence of the Rhoyne River. It lies to the north of Valysar and to the northwest of Volantis. |
| Valysar
|
a walled town on the eastern continent. It is a large town and would be considered a city in the Seven Kingdoms. It sits on the western bank of the Rhoyne River, to the north of Volon Therys and to the south of Selhorys. |
| Volon Therys
|
a town on the eastern continent. It lies on the west bank of the Rhoyne River. Almost directly across the river to the east lies the ruined city Sar Mell. To the north is Valysar, and to the south Volantis. |
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