Daenerys Targaryen
Also known as Dany, Daenerys is 13 years old at the beginning of the book, the youngest child of the deceased Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen. She is timid, scared of her brother and weary from running around the world and missing on her childhood. She remembers nothing of her lineage and so is not supportive and even speculative of Viserys, her brother. She develops as a strong character after her marriage with Khal Drogo and slowly becomes more confident in herself. She stands up against her brother and becomes a khaleesi for her people. She is described as having silver hair and almost purple eyes, traits common in the Targaryen family.
Eddard Stark
Often called "Ned", Eddard Stark is the head of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North. Because of his friendship with King Robert, he is offered the position of Hand of the King after Jon Arryn dies. He is married with Lady Catelyn Tully with whom he has five children and other bastard son that he raised at Winterfell. He is often described as being cold but extremely honorable and honest and not appreciative of petty politics. Throughout the book, he is seen to be haunted by his sister's Lyanna's death.
Sansa Stark
Sansa is the oldest girl in the Stark family. While Arya resembles her father, Sansa is similar to her mother both in looks and manner. She is an idealist and a dreamer, believing that everyone is as noble and good as in the songs told by the singers. She gets engaged with Joffrey, the crown prince, and she soon finds herself torn between her love for him and for her family. After her arrival in King’s Landing she discovers that the world she lives in is not what she believed it to be. She is observant and controlled in her actions.
Brandon Stark
Brandon, also Bran, is the second son of Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn Tully. He is seven years old in the book Game of Thrones and just like his other siblings. He shares a strong connection with his direwolf, Summer. Brandon is adventurous and fascinated with the idea of being a knight, and hopes to be part of the Kingsguard. He is loved by everyone at Winterfell and has a fascination for climbing. After his fall, he slowly loses cheerful attitude and becomes more serious.
Catelyn Tully
Lady Catelyn is Eddard’s wife with whom she has five children. She was supposed to marry Eddard’s brother but after he was killed by Aerys Targaryen she was married as part of marital alliance to Ned. She is described as having auburn hair, blue eyes, and long fingers. She loves her children dearly but can’t stand Eddard’s bastard son, Jon. She is a fierce woman, not afraid to act and extremely loyal to her family. Catelyn understands politics, and while she is a practical woman, she is highly emotional too.
Arya Stark
Arya is the third child in the Stark family and is often described as being boyish. She is the opposite of her sister, Sansa who is preoccupied with being a perfect lady. Her father compares her to his sister, Lyanna. Arya often prefers the company of the common folk and is fascinated by fighting and the life of a Knight. She is taken to King’s Landing and there she starts to learn how to fight with a sword. She is close to Jon, her father’s bastard son and they even have the same physical characteristics, a long face and black hair for which she is often teased by the name of Arya Horseface or Arya Underfoot.
Jon Snow
Jon is one of the major characters in the book. He is the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark and was raised at Winterfell with his other children. He is close to Arya but is not tolerated by Catelyn Tully, Eddard’s wife. After his father goes to King’s Landing he decides to become a Sworn Brother at Night's Watch. He is described to look more like Ned than any of his other children. Like his father, he has a high regard for honor. At the beginning of the book, he is fourteen years old.
Robb Stark
Robb is the eldest son of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully. He is the heir of the North and shares a bond with Grey Wind, his direwolf. He is attached to Theon, his father’s ward, and also to Jon Snow despite his mother’s adversity towards him. When his father leaves to King’s Landing, he remains to rule over the north. He is not a narrator in the book, so his character is described from by other people. He acts strong like a leader in front of everyone but lets his guard down in front of his brother Bran. He is shown to be a bit reckless and confident as a result of his lineage and fortune.
Ser Jamie Lannister
Jamie is Cersei’s identical twin and a member of the King’s Guard. He has blond hair and green eyes just like his sister. While Cersei hates Tyron, Jamie shows affection towards him. He became a Knight at the age of fifteen at the court of King Aerys. He is called the Kingslayer because he was the one that killed the mad King as so is considered dishonorable by many, but also is held in esteem by many for his strength and swordsmanship.
Joffrey Baratheon
Joffrey is the King’s oldest son and his heir. His mother is Queen Cersei and he resembles her with his blond hair and green eyes. He is said to be a spoilt and arrogant boy. At the beginning of the book he is twelve years old and has an uncontrollable temper. He has almost no empathy and likes to misuse his power. He is always shadowed by Sandor Clegane. Sansa believes him to be the perfect prince with his manners but she discovers his cruel side once they leave Winterfell.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion is the youngest child of Lord Tywin Lannister. He is hated by his family because he is a dwarf and his mother died during his birth. He is described with very light blond hair and has mismatched eyes. He is extremely smart and witty and manages to get out of troubles using his intellect. He is a highly practical person and in spite of being body-shamed for being a dwarf, he learns to get his way.
Sandor Clegane
Also called the Hound, Sandor is the youngest son of House Clegane. Sandor is the bodyguard of Joffrey and is extremely loyal to him. Sandor is huge and heavily-muscled man with the right side of his face badly disfigured after being burned by his older brother Gregor, The Mountain That Moves. The Hound is extremely hateful of his older brother and seems to be infatuated with Sansa. After Joffrey is crowned, he tries to protect Sansa from him and treats her with relative kindness.
Ser Jorah Mormont
Jorah Mormont is an exiled knight. He fled from Westeros to the Free Cities to escape from being executed after he traded slaves. He meets Daenerys at her wedding and pledges loyality to her bother and later to her, but in reality he was workign as a spy for Varys. Jorah feels guilty for having brought shame upon his house and so leaves his ancestral sword behimd before leaving Westeros. Jorah is described to be large and hairy, like a bear. Jorah seems to be attracted with Danaerys as she resembles his former wife.
Ser Rodrik Cassel
A knight that serves at Winterfell and is the master-at-arms of Winterfell training Robb Stark, Jon Snow and Theon Greyjoy. He accompanies Lady Catelyn to King's Landing and then later to Eyrie.
Petyr Baelish
Sometimes called Littlefinger, Petyr is the master of coins and a member of the small council. He is a cunning man and even admits that he can’t be trusted. Even if he was born in a small and insignificant house, he rises to power due to his intelligence and ambition. He was raised with Catelyn Tully and her siblings and ended up developing romantic feelings for her. Petyr runs a number of whorehouses which he uses to shelter Cat.
Varys
Also called the Spider, Varys is the master of whispers and a spy master for King Robert. He is a member of the Small Council, described as being a plump man smelling of lilac. He was born as a slave in Lys and he was made a eunuch by a sorcerer. He first served under King Aerys as a spy master and after he was killed he began serving King Robert. He claims to be working for the 'realm' and is not very particluar about being honourable.
Robert Arryn
He is the only son of Lord Jon Arryn and his wife, Lady Lysa Tully. He is said to be a sickly and weak boy who often gets shaking fevers. He is spoilt by his mother who breastfeeds him even when he is almost 6.
Yoren
A sworn Brother in the Night’s Watch who is also a recruiter, travelling in the Seven Kingdoms and finding men for the Wall. He's often seen chewing sourleaf. He accompanies Tyrion till Tyrion is kidnapped by Lady Catelyn and then protects Arya at her father's execution later.
Donald Noyce
Donald Noyce is an armorer, smith, and steward of the Night's Watch. He came to the Wall after he lost an arm in battle while fighting for Robert Baratheon. Donald is the one that advices Jon Snow to be more friendly towards the new recruits.
Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
Also known as the Old Bear, Jeor Mormont is the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. He is always accompanied by his raven. He is fathe rof Jorah Mormont and is sad for having a dishonorable son and not being able to strengthen Night's Watch. He is attacked by a Wight from which Jon saves him for which he presents him with his ancestral sword.
Grenn
Grenn is a member of the Night’s Watch. He is called 'aurochs' by Alliser Thorne. He is said to be slow of wit but very strong.
Bowen Marsh
Bowen Marsh is the Lord Steward of the Night’s Watch.
Aemon Targaryen
Aemon is the Maester sworn to the Night’s Watch. He is one of the last Targaryens. He is blind but exceptionally sightful. He empathises with Jon for missing his family.
Syrio Forel
A sword master paid by Eddard Stark to teach Arya how to use her sword and how to fight while in King’s Landing. He calls him the First Sword of Braavos and has the particular Braavosi accent. He has a very informal approach with sword fighting and encourages Arya to perform balancing acts and chase cats.
Aggo, Quaro, Jhogo, Rakkaro
Horseriders of Daenerys Targaryen's khas.
Samwell Tarly
Samwell or Sam is the eldest son of a powerful lord. He is instantly bullied because of his appearance and his apparent cowardice. Jon Snow starts to stand up for him and convinces the others to stop tormenting him and they end up becoming friends. Sam appears to be an intelligent and book loving person. He also is very understanding of Jon Snow's situation.
Janos Slynt
Janos Slynt is the son of a butcher that became the head of the City Watch. He is said to be corrupt and a craven.
Marillion
A singer that Catelyn meets at the Crossroads Inn. He accompanies Tyriona and Catelyn on their journey to Eyrie and ends up breaking his hand.
Hodor
Hodor, Wylis actually, is a servant and stable boy at Winterfell. He is a gentle giant and is the great-grandson of Old Nan. He is capable of speaking only one word, Hodor. Hodor becomes Bran's carriage when he gets paralysed waist down.
Pypar
Also known as Pyp, he is a recruit at the Wall that becomes friend with Jon Snow. He is witty and can mimic a number of voices as he worked with a troupe of drama artists.
Alliser Thorne
Alliser is the master –at-arm of the Night’s Watch. He is hated by the new recruits because of his temper and cold personality. He gives Jon the nickname Lord Snow and between the two of them there is a permanent tension.
Renly Baratheon
Renly is the King’s younger brother, serving in the Small Council as Master of Laws. He starts gettign ambitious of the Iron Throne when Robert is on his death bed and tries, unsuccessfully, to convince Ned for assisting him.
Mycah
Mycah is the son of a butcher who becomes friends with Arya on the journey to King’s Landing. He is later abused by Joffrey and then killed by Sandor for 'hurting' Arya.
Ser Ilyn Payne
Ser Ilyn Payne is the royal executioner. He frightens the vast majority because of his aspect and his cruel nature. He was made mute by the Aery Targaryen as he had praised Lord Tywin for running the kingdom.
Ser Barristan Selmy
Ser Barristan, The Bold, is an old knight and a head of the Kingsguard. He has a kind nature and he is the only one who stands by Eddard Stark and objects against the idea of killing Daenerys and her unborn child.
Tywin Lannister
Tywin is the Lord of Casterly Rock and the father of Cersei, Jamie and Tyron. He served for a long time as the Mad King’s Hand and hoped that he will be able to marry Cersei with the regent prince. He loves Cersei and Jamie but hates Tyron, blaming him for the death of his wife.
Robert Baratheon
Robert is the King of the Seven Kingdoms and Westeros, a title he earned after taking the Iron Throne from Aerys II Targaryen. He is married to Cersei with whom he has three children. He is known for his strength and also for his libertine way of life. Robert is shown to be promiscious, a drunk and indifferent to stately matters. He often speaks of Lyanna to Ned and is full of hatred for Targaryens. He is described as fat, hairy and blue-eyed.
Septa Mordane
Septa Mordane is Arya and Sansa’s tutor, accompanying them to King’s Landing. Even though she is a strict woman, she cares for the girls and believes that a woman must always be courteous.
Doreah
Doreah is one of Daenerys’ slaves given as a present by Illyrio. She was taken from a pleasure house in Lys and at the beginning of the book she is almost twenty.
Irri, Jhiqui
Daenerys’ handmaiden given by Illyrio. They had the purpose of teaching her the dothraki language.
Meryn Trant
A member of King Baratheon’ Kingsguard. He is very cruel and loyal to Cersei Lannister.
Boros Blount
Boros is a knight and a member of King Baratheon’s Kingsguard. Just like Meryn Trant, he is loyal to Cersei Lannister, although obese and craven.
Qotho, Hago, Qohollo
Drogo’s bloodriders. They are loyal to Drogo and extremely cruel. All are killed after they try to attack Danaerys.
Jeyne Poole
She is Sansa’s best friend and the daughter of the steward at Winterfell. She accompanies Sansa to King's Landing and is later fed into the custody of Petyr Baelish.
Rickon Stark
At the beginning of the book, Rickon is three years old, the youngest child in the Stark family.
Old Nan
She is the oldest servant in Winterfell, the one who tells the children stories about what lies North of the Wall.
Summer
The direwolf bonded to Bran. The two of them share a deep connection and Summer refuses to leave Bran after his fall. Summer saves Catelyn from the men sent to kill Bran.
Shaggydog
The direwolf bound to Rickon.
Theon Greyjoy
Theon is the heir of house Greyjoy who was taken by Ned Stark after his father rebelled. He was raised at Winterfell as a ward to Lord Eddard. He ignores Jon and has a good companionship with Robb. He is said to be always smiling on his private jokes which often make others uneasy.
Nymeria
The direwolf bound to Arya. Arya has Nymeria escape to forest to avoid her getting killed at hands of Lannisters.
Lady
Sansa’s direwolf. She's said to be the most peaceful of the whole litter. She is killed by Ned to pacify Cersei for the attack on Joffrey.
Jory Cassel
He is the captain of the household guard at Winterfell for House Stark who accompanied Ned to King’s Landing.
Ghost
Ghost is the albino direwolf found by Jon Snow. He is the first pup to open his eyes and even if he was that smallest, he ended up growing more than the other pups. He shares a deep connection with Jon Snow just like the other pups.
Grey Wind
Grey Wind is the direwolf bound to Robb Stark, the eldest son of house Stark.
Gared
A ranger in the Night’s watch who appears in the prologue. He is considered a very experienced ranger, serving more than 40 years on the Watch.
Ser Waymar Royce
Ser Waymar Royce is a knight of House Royce. The third and youngest son of Lord Yohn Royce, he became a ranger of the Night's Watch. Waymar Royce is the one that leads the expedition in the Haunted Forest in the Epilogue. He is arrogant and not liked by his men.
Will
A ranger in the Night’s watch who appears in the prologue. His is the first story to be shared. He is executed by Ned for deserting Night's Watch.
Tommen Baratheon
He youngest child of King Robert Baratheon. His siblings are Prince Joffrey and Princess Myrcella.
Pycelle
Pycelle is a Grand Maester of the Citadel who has served in King's Landing and on the small council for over forty years. He is said to be slow and untrustworthy.
Lysa Arryn
Lysa is Catelyn’s sister and the wife of the former Hand. After her husban’s death, she returns to Arryn with her son, Robert. She is said to be plump and highly irritable. She does not returns Cat's affection on meeting her and rants of her husband being murdered which leds Cat to suspect Lysa's mental condition. She has no apathy for her subjects and dotes on his son whom she breastfeeds even when he is no more an infant.
Jon Arryn
Jon was the Hand of the King before dying in suspicious circumstances. He was married with Lysa, Catelyn’s sister and together they had a son who unfortunately is very sickly. He was Eddard Stark’s father figure and was loved by the common people.
Brynden Tully
Also known as Brynden the Blackfish, Brynden is a knight from House Tully and is the younger brother of Lord Hoster Tully. He serves for Lysa before leaving her company.
Cersei Lannister
Cersei Lannister is the King’s wife and they have together three children. She has an identical twin brother and a younger brother that is a dwarf. Cersei is very protective of her children even if she doesn’t love her husband. She is a very ambitious woman and is not afraid to do whatever it takes to get what she wants.
Benjen Stark
Benjen is Eddard’s younger brother and the First Ranger in the Night’s Watch. He is lost during one of the rangingd.
Brandon Stark
Eddard’ s older brother that was supposed to rule over Winterfell and marry Catelyn. He was killed by the Mad King, Aerys.
Drogo
Drogo is a powerful khal that marries Daenerys. Despite being known as being very cruel, he treats Daenerys with care and the two of them end up developing feelings for each other and Drogo begins to value Daenerys’ opinions even if he doesn’t understand completely her way of life. He is said to be strongly built, and has long hair which is a symbol of his invinciblity. He undersatnds the age gap between him and his wife and eases her into thier first physical relation.
Willem Darry
Ser Willem Darry was a knight from House Darry who served as the Red Keep's master-at-arms for King Aerys II Targaryen. He remained deeply loyal to House Targaryen during and after Robert's Rebellion. He was the person who saved Danaerys and Viserys from being murdered at Dragonstone and hides them in Braavos later.
Illyrio Mopatis
Illyrio is a wealthy merchant that offers to host Daenerys and her brother. He is the one that arranges the marriage between Daenerys and Drogo. He is seen to be working Varys and is considered untrustworthy.
Viserys Targaryen
Also called The Beggar King, Viserys is the heir of Aerys II. He is Daenerys’ brother and driven by a desire to take back the Iron Throne he lets Khal Drogo marry her. He is cruel, often abusing Daenerys and extremely proud. He had the Silver hair and almost violet eyes, the same traits as Daenerys. Though direct heir, he is considered by many inept and unqualified for running a kingdom.
Osha
She is one of the wildlings who have escaped to the south of the wall. She and a few other wildlings try to rob Bran, where she surrenders when the others have been killed. She is brave and strong and speculative of ways of Southerners
Gendry
He is a bastard son by Robert Baratheon who works as an apprentice for a blacksmith. He is said to be a splitting image of Robert.
Mya Stone
She is a bastard daughter of Robert Baratheon residing at Eyrie. Her tasks include handling mules and navigating paths of Eyrie.
