Across the narrow sea, east of Westeros, the vast continent of Essos with its rich and
ancient history, is home to a wide variety of cultures and realms.
And while Westeros has had trade relations and interactions with many eastern civilizations,
few have dared to travel into the far east and even fewer have documented their travels
to provide accurate reports, with even the full size and scope of the continent not yet
discovered.
Even within the known areas of the landmass, information and history becomes further limited
once passing beyond the Bone Mountain, a long mountain range dividing the continent from
Southern Qarth to the Northern Realm of the Jhogwin.
Only 3 passages through the monstrous mountains are known to exist, in the Steel, Stone and
Sand roads.
In the North the Steel Road, named for the many battles along its path, starts at the
Dothraki city of Vaes Dothrak, heading through the Mountains* to Kayakayanaya, who along
with her sister city-states in Bayasabhad and Shamyriana once made up the Patrimony
of the Hyrkoon, but have since been ruled as independent realms, led by a council of
Great Fathers, and defended by Warrior Women trained their whole lives for combat.
Men born into this society are tested at an early age, with only those deemed worthy are
allowed to become Great Fathers and breed with the women of the realm.
99 out every 100 boys however did not meet the requirements and so were gelded and made
Eunuchs, to work as laborers within their society.
The Steel Road then continues on, around the Great Sand Sea and South to Trader Town.
The Stone Road begins at the ruins of Adakhakileki, travelling through the Mountains towards Shamyriana
and the other Hyrkoon successor realms, while the Sand Road of the South travels from Qarth
to Bayasabhad, then moving to Tiqui and Trader Town.
East of the Great Sand Sea, are the Plains of the Jogos Nhai, lands ruled by a nomadic
warrior race, famed for their ferocity in battle, known for the cultural practices of
breeding and riding Zorse beasts and molding their heads into a cone shape from an early
age.
They have fought vscious wars against the ancient Patrimony of Hyrkoon, and a great
Empire from the South known as Yi Ti, whom they continue to raid into the modern day.
The Golden Empire of Yi Ti, a territory once described as the land of a thousand gods and
a hundred princes, ruled by one god-emperor?
Is a large and ancient territory, once known as the Empire of the Dawn, until the Long
Night came, which according to Eastern Tradition, led to an invasion of demon monsters brought
forth by the Lion of Night, who were only defeated when a hero some name Azor Ahai rose
to defeat their forces and restore light to the world.
The Golden Empire then rose out of the chaos, and has been ruled by a number of dynasties
leading into the modern day, where the throne is contested by three self-proclaimed Emperors,
with the 17th Azure Emperor from Yin, the 69th Yellow Emperor of Carcosa, and the First
Orange Emperor out of Trader Town.
Far to the North, are the lands known as the Thousand islands, believed to have once been
a civilization that was submerged beneath the rising sea thousands of years earlier.
Despite the name, Ibbenese sailors have only counted about 300 islands, yet few dare travel
to these areas, fearing a mysterious xenophobic race of hairless green skinned creatures who
worship Fish gods and populate the islands.
Despite being islanders they have a severe fear of the sea and will not enter water under
any circumstances.
The woman of these lands are said to file their teeth into points, while the men perform
ritualistic circumcision.
Then there is the Bleeding Sea, whose waters turn red from a blooming plant in the area
and the Grey Waste, a cold desert populated by raiders who are known to sometimes engage
the Yi Ti forces of the Five Forts, in an attempt to invade the Empire.
Further south we find the Land of Shrykes, believe to be the home of Shrieking monsters,
and a number of mysterious city states such as K’dath, where the inhabitants are said
to perform horrific rituals to feed the hunger of their mad gods.
Then there is Bonetown, said to be built entirely out of Bone and engaging in the trade of rare
and ancient bones recovered from the nearby area known as the Dry Deep.
Near to the Hidden Sea, there is the city of Winged Men, where men with leather wings
are said to fly through the air, and the city of Carcosa, currently ruled by a Sorceror
claiming to be the 69th Yellow Emperor of Yi Ti.
Finally there is the ancient city of Asshai and the Shadow Mountains beyond.
Known to be dark and dangerous places, there are no children or animals found in the city,
and dark magic of all kind is believed to be practiced in their lands.
Although food and fresh water is scarce in Asshai, they are rich in precious stones and
gold, trading them for everything else they require.
The legend of Azor Ahai is believed to have originated in Asshai with the followers of
the Red God R’hllor, who prophesized he would one day be reborn to fight against a
new darkness.
Part of the dark and sinister reputation of Asshai, comes from their proximity to the
Shadowlands, a mountainous peninsula said to be covered in a permanent shadow.
Only ghost grass grows in the hostile territory which is believed to be inhabited by dragons
and demon monsters who prey upon those foolish enough to venture in their lands.
There is only one known city in the Shadowlands, the Corpse city of Stygai, said to be home
to undead monsters and ghostly specters.
Yet there are some men who live in the mountains as well, known as Shadow Men, they cover themselves
in tattoos and wear red wooden masks believed to sometimes raid the Empire of Yi Ti.
No more is known about the Lands of Eastern Essos as Westerosi Maesters have not yet mapped
beyond the Shadow Mountains. With no adventurers known to have made the
journey further east and survived to tell the tale.