Beyond Westeros and to the North of Essos, rests the cold waters of the Shivering Sea.
A Harsh and turbulent ocean that if navigated correctly, might act as a gateway to far off
and exotic lands.
Legends claim that shimmering lights can be seen in its skies, which some believe is the
Demon mother of the Ice giants, luring men further north to their doom.
Some also speak of a mysterious place called Cannibal bay, where the ice freezes beneath
passing ships trapping them in the area.
And where the descendants of those lost in the past, now survive by feasting on the flesh
of those who newly arrive.
There are also stories of a terrifying blue mist moving across the ocean freezing everything
it touches, pale flesh and black scaled mermaids, and underwater spirits who rise in the night
and drag the living into the waters.
But perhaps the most interesting legend, is that about ice dragons, roaming the skies,
larger than those of ancient Valyria with breath of cold, made of living ice.
And while many tell tales of these mysterious seas, they also represent a lucrative opportunity
to those brave enough to venture its waters.
The Shivering sea is home to hundreds of varieties of fish and sea creatures sold throughout
the known world.
With the western area representing the richest fishing grounds known to exist.
Starting along its Western coast, the North of Westeros, including the lands of the Night’s
Watch, the Wildlings beyond the wall and the islands of Skagos and Skane bordering the
Shivering Sea, with ports at White Harbor and East Watch by the Sea engaging in trade
through its waters.
Moving to Essos there is the canal city of Braavos, founded by escaped slaves from the
Valyrian Freehold, becoming home to the Iron Bank, and many religious temples of various
faiths, including the Faceless Assassins of the House of Black and White.
Continuing east there is the city of Lorath, located on a small island just north of the
main land, considered along with Braavos to be one of the Free Cities of Essos, though
the poorest of the nine.
It’s long history traces back to ancient mazemakers who once inhabited the islands
but mysteriously disappeared.
They were then colonized by Ancient Valyria, when followers of the Blind god Boash came
to its shores.
Then there is the Axe, the original home of the Andal people, who migrated south to Andalos
before finally making their way into Westeros.
The area once known as the Kingdom of Sarnor, founded by the Tall men long ago, whose cities
fell during the Century of Blood following the Doom of Valyria.
With Saath as the only city to survive.
The Forested area of Ifequevron, meaning wood walkers, was once home to a race of forest
dwellers, who may have known magics and so were revered and feared by the Dothraki.
However the race has since vanished leaving carved trees, haunted grottoes, and strange
silences in their absence.
When Bryan of Old Town journey aboard the spearshaker and visiting the forested lands
of Ifequevron, claims many ibbenese hem met said ancient wood walkers are known to bless
the houses who leave offerings of leaf, stone and water.
Just North of the great forest is the island of Ibben, home to a race similar to men but
smaller, harrier, with broad chests and shoulders, and well-muscled with shorter legs and longer
arms.
Their heads have sloped brows, heavy ridges, small eyes, large, square-shaped teeth and
rasping voices.
They are also said to chew blubber and carry shaggy brown shields and axes into battle.
And while they have difficulty reproducing with mainland humans, they are just as inteliigent,
surviving mostly off of fishing and sea trade.
In the North of the Bone Mountains, is the Realm of Jhogwin, once home to great stone
giants, twice the size of those in Westeros, who died out a thousand years in the past,
leaving their massive bones in the area.
The last of their kind was believed to be killed by the legendary hero Gharak Squint-Eye,
jhattar of the Jogos Nhai, at the Battle in the Howling Hills.
Then there is the Bay of Leviathan Sound, bordering the Plains of the Jogos Nhai and
the Thousand Islands,* home to a mysterious and xenophobic green skinned race.
They are known to be hairless and of small stature whose females have sharpened teeth
and whose males are ritually circumcised.
They are believed to sacrifice passing sailors they capture to their dark fish headed gods.
Directly to the south, there is the city of Secret City of Nefer, the last remaining holding
of the realm of Nghai inhabited by a people kin to the Jogos Nhai.
Although the area has a reputation as a place of torturers and necromancers, it is also
believed to have great wealth hidden underneath city.
Beyond Nefer and the Thousand Islands, Mossovy is the last known border land to the Shivering
Sea, known as a cold and dark land of terrifying shapechangers and demon hunters.
And while the ocean itself continues on, no known travellers have made it further east
and survived to tell the tale.
Lord Corlys Velaryon, was the first to travel the treacherous seas, making it as far as
the Thousand Isles before returning.
And providing stories and information for the Maesters of Westeros to catalogue in their histories.