TZ TIMES May. 2014. | Page 9

essos

The continent of Essos is a large landmass to the east of Westeros. It holds the Free Cities and has a temperate and subtropical climate with rainfall decreasing as you move eastward across the continent. Essos has not been fully traveled, navigated, or mapped.

The Free Cities

There are nine Free Cities which are formerly colonies of the Valyrian Freehold prior to its fall. They are powerful, independent city-states across the Narrow Sea to the east of Westeros. The Cities each have their own distinct cultures and compete amongst themselves for land and resources. Although alliances between the cities are constantly shifting, they continuously participate in trade of their unique goods with the Seven Kingdoms.

~ Braavos

Northern-most, richest, and arguably the most powerful, Braavos is hundreds of tiny islands connected by small stone bridges.

~ Lorath

Being the least well known of the Free cities due to its geographic isolation and lack of notable ports, Lorath holds the Lorathi people,

~ Lys

Located on an island separated from the Essos mainland by narrow straights, Lys has territorial possessions and spans several islands. Lys is knwon to have the best courtesans and prostitutes in the GoT World, with a thriving industry in bed-slaves.

~ Myr

Known as a major seaport because of its location on the Sea of Myrth, an inlet of the Narrow Sea. People of Myr are Myrish and are renowned craftsmen, with lace being a highly sought commodity.

~ Norvos

A tributary of the RIver Rhoyne, Norvos is on the route from the Narrow Sea to the Dothraki Sea and such pays tribute to passing Dothraki khalasars.

~ Pentos

A large, rich city surrounded by the Flatlands whose economy is based on trade and commerce of products like cheese. Pentoshi use their wealth to pay tribute to the Dothraki and are commonly ruled by a Prince chosen by the city's Magisters.

~ Qohor

The Qohorik people are renowned for their immensely skilled blacksmiths, who possess the rare knownledge of how to reforge Valyrian steel.

~ Tyrosh

The Tyroshi people are known for wearing bright colors and being insatiably greedy, speaking a bastardized version of High Valyrian. Tyrosh is seen as a major world hub for hiring professional merenary services.

~ Volantis

The Volantene people are ruled by the Triarchs and welcome the mix of religions, devoting their worship to the Lord of Light. It is a great port ruled by noble class, but possesses a large number of slaves.

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