The Riverlands

The Riverlands are a fertile, populous region in the heart of Westeros, watered by the great river Trident and its three forks. They form the central crossroads of the continent, bordered by the North, the Vale, the Westerlands, the Reach, and the Crownlands. The chief seat of the region is Riverrun, castle of House Tully.

Unlike most regions of Westeros, the riverlands were never a stable single kingdom in the centuries before Aegon's Conquest. Their position at the heart of the continent made them a perpetual battleground, conquered in turn by the stormlords, the ironborn, and others, so that the rivermen are accustomed to war and to changing masters.

Geography

The riverlands take their name and their character from their rivers, above all the Trident, which splits into the Red Fork, the Blue Fork, and the Green Fork. Riverrun sits where the Tumblestone meets the Red Fork. Other notable rivers include the God's Eye lake at the center of the region, beside which stands the vast ruin of Harrenhal.

Major holdings include Riverrun (House Tully), Harrenhal, the Twins (House Frey) commanding the crossing of the Green Fork, Seagard (House Mallister), Maidenpool, and Pinkmaiden. The region is rich farmland and the ruby ford on the Trident is famous as the site of a decisive battle in Robert's Rebellion.

History

Before the Targaryen conquest, the riverlands were ruled by the ironborn King Harren Hoare, who built the monstrous castle of Harrenhal. When Aegon invaded, the river lords led by Edmyn Tully rose against Harren, and Aegon burned Harren and his sons within Harrenhal with his dragon Balerion. For their loyalty Aegon raised House Tully to be the overlords of the riverlands.

In the story

The riverlands become the chief battleground of the War of the Five Kings. House Tully is drawn in when Catelyn Stark seizes Tyrion Lannister, and Tywin Lannister's armies ravage the region. The Trident, the Twins, and Harrenhal all see crucial events, including the Red Wedding at the Twins, where Robb Stark and much of the northern host are slaughtered. By the war's later stages the riverlands are devastated, their smallfolk scattered and their castles changing hands.

Inhabitants

The river lords are a quarrelsome and much-tested people, sworn to the Tullys of Riverrun, whose words are "Family, Duty, Honor." Houses Frey, Mallister, Blackwood, Bracken, and many others hold lands along the rivers.