Plants

Flowers

• Bellflower: a plant with bell-shaped flowers that are usually blue, purple, pink, or white. Many kinds are cultivated as ornamentals. It is edible and traditional uses include treating coughs, tuberculosis, and sore eyes.

• Black Lotus: A type of large water lily with dark petals. It is potentially edible and may be used to treat issues such as insomnia, diarrhea, palpitations, and poor digestion.

• Blood-Blooms: pale flowers with plump petals found in Westeros

• Coldsnaps: A species of autumn wildflower with blue petals found beyond the Wall in the north of westeros

• Dragon's Breath: A dark red flower that grows in Westeros. The Godswood in the Red Keep contains dragon's breath

• Evening star: Also known as evening-primrose and sundrop among other names. It is known for its bright flowers which typically open in the evening and close in the morning. Traditional uses include treating skin inflammation, gastrointestional issues, and hormonal imbalances.

• Forget-Me-Not: a type of perennial plant with small, blue, five-petaled flowers that have a yellow or white center. Traditional medicinal uses include respiratory issues, wound treatment such as stopping bleeding, and conditioning hair. 

• Frostfires: A species of autumn wildflower with scarlet petals found beyond the wall in the north of Westeros. 

• Gillyflower: A type of fragrant wildflower such as the wallflower, clove pink, or white stocks. Traditional uses include remedies for skin ailments, headaches, and aiding digestion.

• Ginger: a perennial herbaceous plant that is cultivated for its pungent, spicy rhizome. It is used both for cooking and medicinally to treat nausea, vomiting, and other ailments.

• Goathead: a low-growing, spreading weed with bright yellow flowers. They possess spiny seeds that can damage people and livestock. Some traditional uses include treating urinary issues, improving sexual function and fertility, and supporting heart and liver health.

• Goldencup: flowers found south of the Neck in Westeros

• Goldenrod: A type of herbaceous perennial plant with feathery, plume-like culsters of small, bright yellow flowers that typically bloom from late summer to fall. They can be used for urinary tract health, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, congestion and allergies, and other conditions such as liver enlargement and internal bleeding.

• Gorse: A type of evergreen shrub, sometimes possessing spiny yellow flowers. While the flowers are edible, the seeds are toxic. Traditional uses include treatment for kidney stones, jaundice, urinary issues, coughs, colds, and sore throats. Additionally, dyes, brooms, and brushes can be made from the plant.

• Lady's Lace: A flower plant characterized by flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers that resembles lace, often with a single, dark purple flower at the center. The plant is entirely edible and is also used as a diuretic, for digestive tract issues, and as a contraceptive.

• Lavender: a small, aromatic, evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers. It can be used in perfumes, for dies, and in food and drink and medically can be used to reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and relieve stress.

• Lilac: a eurasian shrub or small tree of the olive family that has fragrant violet, pink, or white blossoms and is widely cultivated as ornamental. Uses include as a digestive aid, immune support, soothing of skin abrasions, relaxation, reduction of fever and inflammation, as well as in perfumes.

• Liverwort: a small, flowerless green plant with leaflike stems or lobed leaves, occurring in moist habitats. Liverworts lack true roots and reproduce by means of spores released from capsules. Traditionally used to treat gallstones, boils, fractures, poisonous snakebites, abscesses, wounds, and hepatic disorders. 

• Lungwort: a bristly, herbaceous European plant of the borage family, typically having white-spotted leaves and pink flowers that turn blue as they age. Traditionally used to treat coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, gastrointestinal issues, aid in wound treatment, and as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Additionally, it is edible and can be used to make blue and green fabric dyes. 

• Moonbloom: a type of flower found in Westeros. It is a white, trumpet-shaped flower that opens at dusk and has a sweet, lemon-like scent. The plant is not edible as it is toxic but traditionally has been used to treat ailments such as snakebites.

• Nightshade: a plant related to the potato typically having poisonous black or red berries. Extracts from the plant could be used for treatment of wounds, gout, sleeplessness, and as a love potion, traditionally.

• Pennyroyal: a type of perennial mint with small, aromatic leaves similar to spearmint. Traditional uses include treatment for colds, pneumonia, fatigue, to stimulate menstruation, and, in concentrated doses, to induce abortions. 

• Poison kisses: purple flowers found in Westeros that cause itchy rashes if they come into contact with skin

• Poppy: a herbaceous plant with showy flowers, milky sap, and rounded seed capsules. Extracts produce Milk of the Poppy, an opiate pain relief tonic.

• Rose: a prickly bush or shrub that typically bears colorful, fragrant flowers that are grown widely as ornamentals. Medicinal benefits include treatment of inflammation, diabetes, dysmenorrhea, depression, stress, seizures, and aging. Varieties found in the known world include the following:

  • Autumn Rose - a warm, deep orange-red bloom associated with the harvest season.

  • Dusky Rose - a muted, soft pinkish-mauve bloom with a faded, romantic quality.

  • Golden Rose - a bright, warm yellow bloom. The sigil flower of House Tyrell of Highgarden.

  • Red Rose - a classic deep red bloom, widely associated with love and passion.

  • White Rose - a pure white bloom associated with innocence

  • Winter Rose - a pale blue flower the color of frost. It is extremely rare and said to be the most beautiful of flowers grown in the glass gardens of Winterfell

• Saffron Crocus: a species of flowering plant in the iris family best known for the culinary use of its floral stigmas as the spice saffron. It can also be used medically an an analgesic, diuretic, immune stimulant, and nervine sedative as well as to improve mood, libido, and sexual function.

• Sedge: a grasslike plant with triangular stems and inconspicuous flowers, growing typically in wet ground and widely distributed throughout temperate and cold regions. The leaves can be used to make rope and the whole plant can be used to make baskets, mats, and clothing. 

• Spiceflower: a scented flower found in the Dothraki sea that is used in perfumes and often paired with cinnamon.

• Tansy: a flowering herb with various medical properties, the most significant of which is its use in Moon Tea to induce abortions.

• Thistle: a widely distributed herbaceous plant of the daisy family which typically has a prickly stem and leaves and rounded heads of purple flowers. They are edible and traditionally also used medically for liver disorders, diabetes, and other conditions.

• Wild Radish: An invasive, flowering plant of which the cultivated radish is widely considered to be a subspecies. Multiple parts of the plant are edible and can also be used as a treatment for skin conditions, stomach disorders, and as a diuretic.

 

Grasses

• Devilgrass: a tough brown grass that grows in clumps and can survive in harsh climates with little water.

• Ghost grass: a type of grass that grows throughout the shadow lands in the further east of Essos, both on its shores and in the valleys between its mountains. It is taller than a human on horseback and has stalks as pale as milkglass. The inedible grass is an invasive plant that overwhelms other grass. 

• Hranna: the Dothraki name for a type of green grass that grows in the Dothraki Sea and blooms dark red flower. It turns a deep brown during the dry season.

• Piper's Grass: a hardy, thin-bladed grass found beyond the Wall in the far north of Westeros. It grows in sparse patches among the snow and rock and is named for the faint whistling sound it makes when the wind passes through it. It has no known medicinal or culinary uses but serves as occasional forage for animals in the harsh northern climate.

• Sedge: See entry under Flowers

 

Trees:

• Alder: A widely distributed tree of the birch family with a variety of uses. Medicinally, the bark could be used to make treatments for pain and inflammation, skin conditions, and wounds as well as for infections and as a digestive aid. Additionally, the wood is useful for woodworking and to make a good quality charcoal as well as red, red-brown, brown, and orange dyes.

• Ash: A deciduous or evergreen tree known for its valuable wood. Medicinally, tinctures could be made to treat joint pain, rheumatism, and gout among other uses.

• Aspen: A poplar tree used medically for the treatment of pain and inflammation, coughs and colds, and wound care, among others as well as in food, woodmaking, and to make lye for soapmaking. 

• Beech: A large tree with smooth gray bark, glossy leaves, and hard, pale, fine-grained timber. Uses include as firewood and charcoal, for making furniture and tools, making dyes and tars, and medicinally to treat wounds, sores, skin irritations, chest infections, fevers, and boils. Additionally, various parts of the tree can be used for food and drink.

• Birch: A slender, fast growing tree with thin bark. It can be used for crafting, for food and drink, especially in the form of the mushrooms that frequently grow on it, and medicinally to treat a variety of conditions thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and treatments of boils and pustules. 

• Black-barked Tree: Found near the House of the Undying in Qarth. Shade of the Evening is made from the trees' inky blue leaves. The local name of the tree is not mentioned and it is unknown if there is a connection with Ebony of the Summer Isles, the Ironwoods of Westeros, or the Nightwoods of Essos. 

• Bloodwood: A type of tree that gets its name from either its red-colored wood or the deep red sap it secretes. The sap can be used for wounds and sores and as an internal remedy for diarrhea, malaria, and stomach pain. It is also useful for crafting and treating corneal ulcers.

• Blue Mahoe: A tropical tree prized for making high quality items as well as for its medicinal uses to treat things like gout and syphilis. 

• Burl: A large tree with prized, swirling wood often used for furniture making and the crafting of decorative items. 

• Cottonwood: A type of common poplar tree that can be used for building and crafting, making waterproofing and glue, to make dyes and treat hides, and medicinally for wounds, skin conditions, respiratory issues, and joint pain.  

  • Black Cottonwood

• Cinnamon: A tropical evergreen tree from which the spice cinnamon is harvested from its inner bark. Traditional uses include digestive issues, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular conditions.

• Clove: A tropical evergreen tree that is cultivated for its aromatic flower buds, which are dried to create the spice called clove. Beyond its culinary applications, it can also be used medicinally to treat toothaches and digestive issues as well as to make perfumes and insect repellents. 

• Ebony: A type of tropical tree known for its exceptionally hard, dense, and dark-colored heartwood. Medicinal uses include treating wounds, infections, and various illnesses like malaria and diabetes. 

• Elm: a tall deciduous tree that typically has rough, serrated leaves. Medicinal uses include wound treatment, digestive aid, and for soothing sore throats, coughs, stomach ulcers, etc. It is also useful for building boats, furniture, and bows.  

• Evergreen

  • Cedar: an evergreen coniferous tree known for its aromatic, durable wood which is resistant to rot and decay. Medicinal uses include treatments for respiratory issues, inflammatory conditions, and wound care. It can also be used in crafting of household items, furniture, and textiles.

  • Hemlock: A coniferous tree whose foliage is said to smell like hemlock when crushed. Parts of the tree can be used for lumber, tannins for leatherwork, dye for textiles, and medicinally for colds, coughs, scurvy, and wounds.

  • Pine: A coniferous tree grown for its soft timber. The nuts are edible, the resin can be made into a sealant, and, medicinally, parts of the tree can be used to treat wounds, support the immune system, relieve pain, and more.

    • Soldier Pine: A type of tall pine found in much of Westeros. 

  • Sentinel: a type of tall coniferous evergreen tree in Westeros. It has grey-green needles and produces a sweet, sticky sap.

  • Spruce: a cone-shaped tree whose wood is widely used for lumber. Additionally, various parts can be used for food and drink, building and woodworking, and to treat a plethora of medical conditions such as coughs, the flu, wounds and sores, and constipation.

  • Yew: a coniferous tree with red berrylike fruits which are highly poisonous. The flexible wood is especially useful for crafting strong bows, durable tools, and musical instruments. 

    • Dornish Yew: A type of Dornish yew tree whose wood is used to make high quality longbows frequently associated with the skilled archers of Dorne and the Dornish marshes.

• Fruit

  • Apple: the round fruit of a tree of the rose family, which typically has thin red or green skin and a crisp flesh. They can be used to treat constipation, diarrhea, colds, fevers, and skin irritation. 

  • Apricot: a juicy, soft fruit, resembling a small peach, of an orange-yellow color. Apricot oil can be used to treat tumors, swelling, and ulcers. It is also beneficial for treating dermatitis and eczema and reducing wrinkles

  • Blackthorn: the stringent blue-black fruits that grow on the blackthorn shrub. Traditional uses include treatment for digestive issues, respiratory issues, and inflammatory conditions.

  • Cherry: A  small, round stone fruit. Eaten fresh or used in cooking, preserves, and drink. Medicinally used to treat inflammation, gout, and insomnia, as well as to support heart health.

    • Black Cherry: A variety producing dark, almost black fruit with a rich, sweet-tart flavor. The bark has additional medicinal uses as a treatment for coughs and colds.

    • Red Cherry: The most common variety, producing bright red fruit ranging from sweet to tart depending on the cultivar.

    • White Cherry: A pale yellow to cream-colored variety, typically sweeter and more delicate in flavor than red varieties.

  • Crabapple: A  small, tart fruit similar to a domestic apple but much more acidic. Rarely eaten raw but widely used for making jellies, preserves, cider, and wine. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues, boost the immune system, and as an antiseptic.

  • Date Palm: A sweet, edible fruit produced by a type of tall palm. Dates are a staple food in warmer climates, eaten fresh or dried and used in cooking and confectionery. The fruit can be used medicinally to aid digestion, boost energy, and treat constipation.

  • Fig: A sweet, soft fruit with edible seeds. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried and are used in cooking and preserves. Medicinally, figs have been used to treat constipation, digestive disorders, and inflammation.

  • Hawthorn: A thorny shrub or small tree producing small red berries called haws. The berries, leaves, and flowers are all edible and used medicinally to support heart health, lower blood pressure, aid digestion, and treat anxiety.

  • Lemon: A bright yellow citrus fruit with acidic juice and fragrant rind. Used widely in cooking, preserving, and drink. Medicinally used to treat scurvy, aid digestion, support the immune system, and as an antiseptic for wounds.

  • Lime: A small, round, green fruit with acidic juice. Similar in use to the lemon — widely used in cooking, drink, and medicinally to treat scurvy, support digestion, and boost the immune system.

  • Olive: A small, oil-rich fruit. Olives are eaten cured or pressed for their oil, which is widely used in cooking, preserving, and lamp fuel. Medicinally, olive oil is used to treat skin conditions, aid digestion, and support heart health.

    • Purple Olive: A variety of olive producing dark purple fruit, prized for its rich flavor.

  • Orange: A round, sweet fruit with a bright orange rind. Widely eaten fresh and used in cooking, preserves, and drink. Medicinally used to treat scurvy, boost the immune system, and aid digestion.

    • Blood Orange: A variety of orange with dark red flesh and a richer, slightly berry-like flavor.

  • Peach: A round, juicy fruit with velvety skin and a large stone. Eaten fresh or preserved. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues, reduce inflammation, and support skin health.

  • Pear: A sweet, gritty-fleshed fruit. Eaten fresh or preserved. Medicinally used to treat constipation, reduce inflammation, and support digestive health.

  • Persimmon: A bright orange fruit that is astringent when unripe but sweet and honey-like when fully ripe. Eaten fresh or dried. Medicinally used to treat diarrhea, hiccups, and high blood pressure.

  • Pink Ivory: A small, edible pink fruit produced by a rare and highly prized hardwood tree. The wood is exceptionally hard and dense, used for fine woodworking and the crafting of luxury items.

  • Plum: A smooth-skinned, juicy fruit with a central stone. Eaten fresh or dried as prunes. Medicinally used to treat constipation, support bone health, and reduce inflammation.

    • Fireplum: A variety of plum with deep red to almost black skin and intensely sweet, fiery- tasting flesh.

  • Pomegranate: A large, round fruit with a tough red rind and hundreds of jewel-like edible seeds. Used in cooking, juice, and wine. Medicinally used to treat inflammation, support heart health, and aid digestion.

  • Prune: A dried plum, typically made from specific varieties of plum cultivated for their high sugar content. Used in cooking and medicinally as a laxative and digestive aid.

• Goldenheart: A rare and prized tree found on the islands of Jhala and Omboru in the Summer Isles. Its golden wood is fabled to make the finest bows in the known world, second only to dragonbone. The princes of the Summer Isles have forbidden export of the wood since the Slavers' Wars, making it exceptionally rare and valuable in Westeros. It can also be used to craft stringed instruments of exceptional quality.

• Ironwood: A hard, black-wooded tree found in northern Westeros, including the wolfswood and the haunted forest beyond the Wall. Its exceptionally hard and durable wood is prized for construction and crafting — the doors to the crypts beneath Winterfell are made of ironwood, and its wood has been used for shields and fortifications. It is unknown whether ironwood has any connection to ebony, the nightwoods of Essos, or the black-barked trees of Qarth.

• Linden: A deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant pale yellow blossoms. The flowers can be used to make a calming tea to treat anxiety, insomnia, and headaches. The bark can be used medicinally to treat fever and infection, and the wood is lightweight and easy to carve, making it useful for furniture and small carvings.

• Mahogany: A tropical hardwood tree producing rich, reddish-brown wood prized for fine furniture, musical instruments, and luxury craftsmanship. Medicinally, the bark has been used to treat fever, diarrhea, and skin conditions.

• Maple: A deciduous tree known for its distinctive lobed leaves and sweet sap, which can be boiled down into a syrup. The wood is hard and durable, used for furniture, flooring, and musical instruments. Medicinally, maple bark can be used to treat eye inflammation and skin conditions.

• Myrrh: A small, thorny tree whose resin is harvested by cutting the bark and collecting the dried sap. Myrrh resin is highly valued as an ingredient in perfumes, incense, and medicines. Medicinally it is used to treat wounds, infections, gum disease, and digestive complaints. It is also burned as incense in religious ceremonies.

• Nightwood: A type of black tree found in the known world. Its dark wood is exceptionally hard and prized for crafting shields and weapons. It is unknown whether nightwood has a connection with ebony of the Summer Isles, the ironwoods of Westeros, or the black-barked trees of Qarth.

• Nut

  • Almond: The seed of a small deciduous tree, encased in a hard shell within a fleshy outer hull. Almonds are widely eaten raw, roasted, or ground into paste and used extensively in cooking and confectionery. Almond oil is used in cosmetics and medicinally to treat skin conditions, constipation, and as a general nutritive tonic.

  • Chestnut: A large, starchy nut produced by a tall deciduous tree. Chestnuts are unusual among nuts in being low in fat and high in carbohydrates, making them a significant food source. They can be eaten roasted, boiled, or ground into flour for bread and porridge. Medicinally, chestnut leaves and bark are used to treat coughs, fevers, and digestive issues.

  • Nutmeg: The seed of a tropical evergreen tree, dried and used as a warm, aromatic spice in cooking and drink. In small quantities nutmeg aids digestion and relieves pain. In larger quantities it is toxic and can cause hallucinations and convulsions, making it a substance to be used with care.

  • Oak: A large, long-lived deciduous tree producing hard, durable timber and small, round nuts called acorns. Oak wood is among the most prized for shipbuilding, furniture, and construction. The bark is rich in tannins and used in leatherworking and medicinally to treat diarrhea, inflammation, wounds, and skin conditions. Acorns can be ground into flour when other grain is scarce, though they require processing to remove their bitterness.

    • Scrub Oak: A smaller, shrubby variety of oak found in dry, rocky terrain. It produces smaller acorns than the common oak but is equally useful for its bark and timber on a smaller scale.

  • Pecan: A large deciduous tree producing rich, buttery nuts encased in a thin shell. Pecans are eaten raw or used in cooking and confectionery. The wood is hard and used for furniture and tool handles. Medicinally, pecan leaves have been used to treat skin conditions and infections.

• Purpleheart: A tropical hardwood tree producing striking purple-colored wood when cut and exposed to air. The wood is extremely dense and durable, prized for fine furniture, decorative items, and luxury craftsmanship.

• Redwood: A tall, long-lived coniferous tree producing reddish-brown, rot-resistant timber. The wood is lightweight yet strong, used for construction and shipbuilding. Medicinally, the bark and sap have been used to treat skin conditions and wounds.

• Sandalwood: A fragrant hardwood tree whose wood and oil are prized for use in perfumes, incense, and cosmetics. The wood retains its fragrance for decades and is also used for fine carving and luxury items. Medicinally, sandalwood oil is used to treat skin conditions, anxiety, and urinary tract infections.

• Sandbeggar: A gnarled, thorny tree native to Dorne, found growing on the edges of deserts. Most have as many thorns as they have leaves. They are said to mark nearby water, making them a useful guide for travelers in the arid Dornish landscape.

• Tigerwood: A tropical hardwood tree producing dramatically striped wood with alternating dark and light grain, resembling a tiger's stripes. The wood is hard and dense, prized for fine furniture, decorative items, and luxury craftsmanship.

• Tower: A tall, straight tree found in the known world, named for its height and the way it grows in a column with little lateral branching. The wood is strong and straight-grained, making it useful for construction and shipbuilding.

• Thorn Tree: A tree characterized by sharp thorns along its branches and trunk. The thorns themselves can be used as needles or pins, the bark has medicinal uses for treating skin conditions and wounds, and some varieties produce edible fruit.

• Weirwood: A species of deciduous tree found throughout Westeros, now most commonly seen in the North and beyond the Wall. Weirwoods have bone-white bark, blood-red five-pointed leaves, and red sap. They are sacred to the followers of the old gods. The children of the forest, and later the free folk and northerners, carve faces into their trunks. Sap collecting in the crevices of these faces gives the trees red eyes that sometimes appear to weep. Weirwoods live forever if undisturbed and do not rot even after death, making their wood as lasting as stone. The wood has been used for construction, weapons, and sacred objects. Weirwoods with carved faces are known as heart trees and stand at the center of godswoods. Most weirwoods south of the Neck were cut down during the Andal invasion, when the Andals sought to suppress worship of the old gods in favor of the Faith of the Seven.

• Willow: A deciduous tree typically found near water, characterized by long, narrow leaves and flexible branches. Willow bark contains salicin, a natural pain reliever, and is used medicinally to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. The flexible branches are also used for weaving baskets and other crafts.

• Wormtree: A gnarled, twisting tree native to the Stormlands, named for the sinuous, worm-like appearance of its branches and roots, which seem to writhe and curl even in still air. The wood is tough but difficult to work due to its irregular grain. Locals use the bark to treat intestinal parasites — a use that may have contributed to its name — and a bitter tea brewed from its leaves is a traditional remedy for stomach complaints in the Stormlands. The tree is rarely cultivated and grows wild in rocky, coastal terrain where other trees struggle to take hold.

 

Miscellaneous

• Barley: A cereal grain widely used for bread, porridge, and ale. Medicinally used to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.

• Bean: A common legume eaten fresh or dried. A significant source of protein and widely used in cooking throughout the known world.

• Beet: A root vegetable with deep red flesh and edible leaves. Eaten boiled or raw and used medicinally to treat digestive issues and support liver health.

• Berry

  • Blackberry: A common wild berry eaten fresh or used in preserves and wine. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues and sore throats.

  • Blueberry: A small, sweet wild berry eaten fresh or dried. Medicinally used as an antioxidant and to treat urinary tract infections.

  • Grape: A small, round fruit grown on vines and eaten fresh or used to make wine, juice, and preserves. Medicinally used to support heart health and digestion.

  • Mulberry: A small, dark berry eaten fresh or used in preserves and wine. Medicinally used to treat anemia, digestive issues, and infections.

  • Raspberry: A delicate, tart berry eaten fresh or used in preserves. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues and support women's health, particularly during pregnancy.

  • Smokeberry: A dark, almost black berry found growing in ash-rich volcanic soil, most commonly near Dragonstone and other regions of geological activity. The berries have a distinctive smoky, slightly bitter flavor and are used in cooking and preserves. Consumed in large quantities they produce a mild numbing warmth and a pleasant hazy feeling, making them a popular ingredient in certain cordials and spirits.

  • Strawberry: A sweet, red berry eaten fresh or used in preserves. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues, skin conditions, and to support the immune system.

• Bracken: A large, coarse fern found in open woodland and hillsides. Young fronds can be eaten but are mildly toxic in large quantities. Used medicinally to treat wounds and as a poultice for skin conditions.

• Briar

  • Black Brier Bush: A thorny shrub found in Westeros. Its berries can be eaten and used to make preserves.

• Broom: A shrubby plant with bright yellow flowers used medicinally as a diuretic and to treat heart conditions and low blood pressure. The branches are also used to make brooms and baskets.

• Cabbage: A leafy vegetable eaten boiled or raw. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues, inflammation, and as a poultice for wounds and joint pain.

• Cardamom: A fragrant spice derived from the seed pods of a tropical plant. Used in cooking and medicinally to treat digestive complaints, bad breath, and respiratory issues.

• Carrot: A root vegetable eaten raw or cooked. Medicinally used to support eye health, aid digestion, and boost the immune system.

• Chickpea: A round, nutty legume eaten boiled or ground into flour. A significant source of protein and widely used in cooking throughout Essos.

• Corn: A cereal grain eaten fresh, dried, or ground into flour for bread and porridge.

  • Sweetcorn: A sweeter variety eaten fresh, typically roasted in its husk.

• Cotton: A flowering plant cultivated for the soft fiber surrounding its seeds, used to make cloth. One of the most important textile plants in the known world.

• Cucumber: A long, green fruit eaten raw or pickled. Medicinally used to treat skin conditions and reduce inflammation.

• Daggerleaf: A plant found throughout Essos and around Slaver's Bay, named for its long, narrow leaves with razor-sharp edges capable of drawing blood if handled carelessly. It grows in dense clumps and is used by locals as a natural boundary marker. Some healers use a poultice of crushed daggerleaf to treat infected wounds, though the preparation requires care to avoid cutting the hands.

• Firepod: A plant found in the Dothraki Sea and used in Essosi cooking, particularly with goat and sweetgrass. Also used medicinally — a poultice of firepods and sting-me-not is a known Lhazareen remedy for wounds.

• Garlic: A pungent bulb used extensively in cooking throughout the known world. Medicinally used to treat infections, support heart health, and boost the immune system.

• Ghostskin: A type of moss found in the swampy regions of the Neck in Westeros, prevalent around Moat Cailin. It grows in wreath-like, white ropey garlands that are described as slimy, festooning trees and stonework in the wet northern landscape.

• Green bean: A slender, edible pod eaten fresh or preserved. Medicinally used to support kidney health and aid digestion.

• Harpy's Gold: A flowering plant found in the grasslands and scrublands around Slaver's Bay, named for the harpy of Ghiscari heraldry and its vivid yellow-gold blossoms. The flowers are used as a dye to produce rich golden yellows in cloth and textiles, a use particularly prized in Meereen where gold is a color of status. The plant itself is mildly toxic if ingested and is not used medicinally.

• Hemp: A tall, fibrous plant cultivated for its strong fibers, which are used to make rope, cloth, and sails. One of the most practically useful plants in the known world. The seeds are edible and the plant has some medicinal uses.

• Fern

  • Lady Fern: A delicate, graceful fern found in shaded woodlands. Medicinally used to treat wounds and digestive issues.

  • Sword Fern: A hardy, upright fern with long, blade-like fronds. Used medicinally to treat wounds and as a general tonic.

• Herb

  • Hemlock: A highly poisonous herb used in small, carefully controlled doses medicinally to treat pain and muscle spasms. Ingestion of larger quantities causes paralysis and death. Not to be confused with the hemlock conifer tree.

  • Kingscopper: A healing herb found in Westeros, named for the distinctive copper-green color of its leaves when dried. It is a standard medicinal herb carried by healers, maesters, and rangers on long expeditions. Its specific curative properties are not fully recorded but it is considered a reliable general purpose healing herb for wounds and infections.

  • Mint: A fragrant herb used in cooking and medicinally to treat digestive complaints, headaches, and nausea.

    • Wild Mint: A hardier, more pungent variety found growing wild throughout Westeros and Essos.

  • Red Fennel: A variety of fennel with reddish coloring used in cooking and medicinally to treat digestive issues and as an anti- inflammatory.

  • Sourleaf: A foul-tasting plant whose dried leaves are chewed as a mild stimulant, similar in use to chewing tobacco. Heavy use stains the teeth and gums blood red. Widely used by smallfolk throughout Westeros.

  • Sweet Grass: A fragrant grass used in cooking in the Dothraki Sea, often paired with firepods. Also used in weaving and basket-making.

  • Wolf's Bane: A highly toxic herb used as a poison. Darts dipped in wolfsbane can kill a grown man quickly. In very small, carefully controlled doses it has been used medicinally to treat pain, but the margin between a medicinal and lethal dose is extremely narrow.

  • Wormwood: A bitter, aromatic herb used medicinally to treat digestive complaints, expel intestinal parasites, and reduce fever. Also used to make certain bitter liquors and tonics. In large doses it is toxic.

• Hornwort: An aquatic plant found in slow-moving water. It provides habitat for small aquatic creatures and has some minor uses as a water purifier.

• Horseradish: A pungent root used as a condiment and spice. Medicinally used to treat sinus congestion, infections, and as a general antimicrobial.

• Ivy

  • Pale Ivy: A lighter-colored variety of ivy found in Essos. Primarily decorative, climbing walls and trees.

  • Red Ivy: A variety of ivy with reddish leaves found in Westeros and Essos. Primarily decorative.

• Leek: A mild, onion-like vegetable eaten cooked. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues and support heart health.

• Licorice: A sweet, anise-flavored root used in confectionery and medicinally to treat coughs, sore throats, digestive issues, and inflammation.

• Melon: A sweet, watery, edible fruit.

  • Blood Melons: A variety of melon found in the warmer regions of Essos, named for their deep red flesh.

• Mistletoe: A parasitic plant that grows on the branches of trees. Used medicinally to treat high blood pressure, anxiety, and as an immune stimulant. Considered sacred in some cultures and associated with ritual and ceremony.

• Moss

  • Green Moss: Common moss found throughout the known world in damp environments. Used medicinally as a wound dressing to absorb blood and prevent infection.

  • Grey Moss: A variety of moss found in northern Westeros.

  • Purple Moss: A variety of moss found in the known world.

  • Red-tailed Moss: A variety of moss found in northern Westeros, notable for its distinctive red-tipped growth.

  • Silver Moss: A pale, silvery variety of moss found in northern Westeros.

• Mustard Plant: A flowering plant cultivated for its pungent seeds, which are used as a spice. Medicinally used to treat congestion, muscle pain, and as a poultice for joint pain.

• Neep: A type of turnip or swede widely eaten by smallfolk as a staple vegetable. Boiled, mashed, or used in stews.

• Nettle: A common stinging plant whose leaves cause a burning rash on contact with skin. However, cooking or drying removes the sting and the leaves are edible and nutritious. Medicinally used to treat joint pain, allergies, and urinary issues.

• Oat: A cereal grain widely used for porridge, bread, and animal feed. Medicinally used to support heart health and aid digestion.

• Onion: A pungent bulb used extensively in cooking throughout the known world. Medicinally used to treat infections, support heart health, and reduce inflammation.

  • Pearl Onion: A small, mild variety of onion.

  • Red Onion: A variety with purple-red skin and a slightly sweeter flavor.

  • Wild Onion: A smaller, more pungent variety found growing wild.

• Parsnip: A white root vegetable similar to a carrot, eaten boiled or roasted. Medicinally used to aid digestion and support kidney health.

• Pea: A small, round legume eaten fresh or dried. A significant source of protein and widely used in cooking.

• Pepper: A pungent spice derived from the berries of a tropical vine, one of the most prized spices in the known world.

  • Dragon Pepper: A variety of extremely hot pepper found in Essos, named for the burning sensation it produces.

  • Orange Snap Peppers: A variety of sweet, crunchy pepper with bright orange skin.

  • Peppercorn: The dried berry of the pepper vine, ground to make pepper spice.

• Pinchfire: A plant found in Essos, noted for its presence in the manse of Khal Drogo in Pentos. Canon gives little detail beyond its regional presence and its distinctive scent.

• Prickly Ben: A low-growing, stubbornly resilient scrub plant found throughout Essos and around Slaver's Bay, named by sailors and travelers for the difficulty of removing it once it takes hold. It has no known culinary or medicinal uses but its thick, thorny growth makes it useful as a natural barrier. Local smallfolk sometimes use its thorns as crude needles or pins.

• Pumpkin: A large, round gourd with orange flesh eaten in cooking and used to make ale. The seeds are edible and medicinally used to treat parasites and support urinary health.

• Seaweed: Various species of aquatic plant found in coastal waters. Some varieties are edible and used in cooking. Medicinally used to treat thyroid conditions and as a source of minerals.

• Spinach: A leafy green vegetable eaten fresh or cooked. Rich in nutrients and medicinally used to treat anemia, support bone health, and boost the immune system.

• Squash: A gourd vegetable eaten cooked. Medicinally used to treat digestive issues and support immune health.

• Sting-Me-Not: A plant found in the Dothraki Sea and used medicinally in Lhazareen healing practices. A poultice of sting-me-not and firepods is a known remedy for wounds.

• Turnip: A white root vegetable eaten boiled or roasted. A staple food for smallfolk throughout Westeros. Medicinally used to treat respiratory issues and support digestive health.

• Thornbushes: Thorny shrubs found throughout the known world. Used as natural barriers and hedging. Some varieties produce edible berries.

• Waspwillow: A slender, whiplike shrub found in the grasslands of Essos and around Slaver's Bay. It is named for both its willow-like trailing branches and the wasps that are frequently found nesting among them. The branches are flexible and used for weaving and basket-making. Travelers are advised to give waspwillow thickets a wide berth.

• Wheat: The most important cereal grain in the known world, ground into flour for bread and used in brewing ale.

  • Wild Wheat: A hardier, undomesticated variety found growing wild throughout Westeros and Essos.

Animals

Special Animals - Special animals are creatures that exist in the known world but are extraordinary in size, rarity, or nature. Many are found only in specific regions and are rarely if ever seen in King's Landing.

• Aurochs: A large species of wild cattle with shaggy hair and impressive horns, significantly bigger than domesticated cattle. Once widespread across Westeros, their numbers have dwindled due to overhunting and competition with domesticated livestock. They can still be found in the wolfswood and near the juncture of the kingsroad and the Green Fork of the Trident in the Riverlands, as well as beyond the Wall. They are dangerous when provoked and are hunted for sport by nobles.
• Direwolf: A species of enormous wolf, significantly larger and more powerful than the common grey wolf. Their size ranges from that of a pony to twice that of a large hound, with longer legs, larger heads, and more pronounced muzzles than their common cousins. They are primarily found beyond the Wall in the far north, though they occasionally range south. In 140 AC they are increasingly rare south of the Wall. They are intelligent animals, capable of forming deep bonds with humans. They are not to be trifled with — a direwolf is more than a match for a common man.
• Little Valyrian: A small primate also known as a lemur, found in the warmer regions of Essos. They are kept as exotic pets by wealthy nobles and merchants. They are small, large-eyed creatures with long tails and are generally docile in captivity. Their name comes from their association with Valyrian traders who first brought them west.
• Mammoth: A great shaggy beast resembling an enormous elephant, with great curved tusks. Once widespread across northern Westeros, only a few hundred remain, living in the far north and beyond the Wall. They are large enough to be ridden by giants. Their numbers continue to dwindle and many believe they will eventually vanish from the world entirely.
• Pouch Tiger: An exotic marsupial creature from an unknown region, believed to originate somewhere in the far east. Like other marsupials, females carry their young in a pouch. They are striped like a tiger and are known for their unusual gaping jaws. They are exceedingly rare in the known world and are considered a great curiosity.
• Shadowcat: A large, fierce feline found throughout Westeros, particularly in mountainous regions. They are found in the lands beyond the Wall, the Mountains of the Moon in the Vale, the northern Riverlands, and the Red Mountains of Dorne. They are larger than common wildcats and are dangerous predators capable of taking down large prey. Their pelts are prized for their distinctive markings. A shadowcat would be a threat even to a direwolf.
• Unicorn: Despite their legendary reputation as graceful, horse-like creatures of myth, the unicorn of the known world is in fact a large, shaggy, sure-footed goat-like animal with a single long horn on its head. They are found primarily on the remote island of Skagos in the Bay of Seals, and some claim they can also be found in the higher mountains of Ib. The lords of Skagos are said to ride them. Unicorn horns are traded as rare and valuable commodities. They bear little resemblance to the elegant creatures of song and legend.
• Zorse: A striped black-and-white equine bred by the Jogos Nhai on the plains north of Yi Ti, east of the Dothraki Sea. They were originally created by crossing horses with a striped horse-like animal native to southern Yi Ti and Leng, but are now bred as their own species. Zorses are hardy, fierce, and foul-tempered, capable of surviving on weeds and devilgrass for months and traveling long distances without water or fodder. The Jogos Nhai drink fermented zorse milk. Their striped hides are considered fine trade goods.

 

Magical Creatures - Magical creatures are confirmed to exist in the known world and possess properties beyond those of natural animals. Some are now rare or believed extinct.

• Basilisk: A hideous and fierce reptilian creature said to infest the jungles of Yi Ti and the Basilisk Isles off the coast of Sothoryos. They vary greatly in size — some small, some as large as lions. In some places they are used in fighting pits, where they are capable of tearing a large dog to pieces.
• Dragon: The greatest of all magical creatures and the source of House Targaryen's power. Dragons are enormous winged reptiles capable of breathing fire hot enough to melt stone. They are intelligent creatures that form bonds with riders, though they are never truly tamed. Once they were numerous in the known world. Following the Dance of the Dragons five years ago, the dragons of House Targaryen are all but gone — only a handful of small and sickly creatures survive, and it is unclear whether the species will endure. For more information on the current state of the dragons, see the Dragons page.
  • Firewyrm: A creature related to dragons but wingless and unable to fly. Firewyrms breathe fire and are capable of boring through rock, soil, and stone. They were found in the volcanic tunnels and mines of the Fourteen Flames in old Valyria, where slaves working the mines occasionally discovered them to fatal effect. Whether any survive following the Doom of Valyria is unknown.
  • Wyvern: A species of winged reptile found in Sothoryos, kin to dragons but lacking the ability to breathe fire. They are dangerous predators. Unlike dragons they cannot be bonded with or ridden.
• Giant Ice Spider: Creatures spoken of in the oldest tales of the Long Night, said to have been ridden by the Others as mounts and used to hunt their prey. They are described as spiders as large as hounds, pale white in color. Whether they are natural creatures of enormous size, magical constructs of living ice, or purely the stuff of legend is unknown. Most in the known world consider them stories told to frighten children. Those who have studied the oldest accounts are less certain.
• Kraken: A great sea creature of enormous size, similar to a giant squid, with a mantle, eight arms, and two longer tentacles. Krakens are said to be strong enough to pull down a whaling ship. They have been reported in the Summer Sea, the Sunset Sea, and the narrow sea. The ironborn worship the kraken as a symbol of their god and their own nature. Ironborn priests once attempted to call krakens from the deep to destroy an enemy fleet — whether they succeeded is a matter of debate. The sigil of House Greyjoy is a golden kraken.
• Leviathan: An enormous whale, usually grey in color and occasionally white, described as the oldest and largest creatures living in the entire world — implying they surpass even dragons in size. They are found in the Shivering Sea and are known to gather at Leviathan Sound near Ib, where Ibbenese whalers hunt them for their bone, blubber, and oil. According to ironborn legend, the first sea dragon was large enough to feed on krakens and leviathans alike.
• Old Men of the River: Giant freshwater turtles that inhabit the river Rhoyne in Essos. They are considered sacred by the Rhoynar, who worship them as the consorts of their goddess Mother Rhoyne. They are enormous creatures, significantly larger than any common turtle, and are known to surface and bellow at passing boats. The Rhoynar believe the Old Man of the River and his adversary the Crab King are locked in eternal battle for dominion beneath the waters of the Rhoyne.

 

Mythical Creatures - Mythical creatures are legendary beings whose existence is disputed, unconfirmed, or believed to be confined to the distant past. They appear in songs, stories, heraldry, and the accounts of travelers, but whether any still walk the world is another matter.

• Centaur: A legendary creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body and legs of a horse. They appear in the heraldry and stories of the known world but no confirmed sighting has ever been recorded.
• Cockatrice: A legendary creature with the body of a dragon, the head of a rooster, bat-like wings, and a venomous forked tongue. It appears in heraldry and tales throughout the known world. Some accounts describe it as capable of killing with its gaze or breath. Whether it has any basis in reality is unknown.
• Griffin: A terrifying creature described as having the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Griffins appear throughout the heraldry of the known world and are spoken of in old tales as guardians of treasure and powerful, majestic beasts. Whether they truly exist or ever existed is disputed.
• Harpy: A legendary winged creature depicted as having the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a bird. The harpy is the symbol of the old Ghiscari civilization and features prominently in the culture of Slaver's Bay — the Great Masters of Meereen style themselves after the harpy, and harpy imagery appears throughout the architecture and decoration of the Ghiscari cities. Whether the creature itself ever existed is unknown.
• Hellhound: A legendary monstrous dog of great size and ferocity. Hellhounds are said to have been seen fighting at the Nightfort in ages past. Their likeness appears among the stone gargoyles of Dragonstone. Whether they are real creatures or the stuff of legend is unknown.
• Ice Dragon: A legendary species of dragon said to be far larger than the dragons of Valyria. Unlike fire-breathing dragons, ice dragons are said to be made of living ice, with eyes of pale blue crystal, vast translucent wings, and breath of terrible cold rather than fire. A constellation of stars in the northern sky is called the Ice Dragon, its tail pointing toward the north. Whether ice dragons ever truly existed is unknown, though the tales of them are ancient.
• Martlet: A legendary bird that appears in heraldry throughout the known world, depicted without feet and said to be forever in flight, never landing. Whether any such creature exists or ever existed is unknown.
• Merling: A legendary aquatic creature with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish. Merfolk — including mermen, merwives, and mermaids — appear throughout Westerosi carvings, place names, and songs. The ironborn believe the Drowned God's watery halls are attended by mermaids. The Merling King is worshipped as a god in some ports. Whether merlings are real creatures or purely the stuff of legend is a matter of faith as much as fact.
• Sea Dragon: A legendary creature said to live in the deep seas, described as having no wings or limbs — a great serpentine beast of the ocean depths. According to ironborn legend, Nagga the first sea dragon was large enough to feed on krakens and leviathans. Whether sea dragons ever existed is unknown.
• Sphinx: A mythical creature with a human face, the body of a lion, and the wings of a hawk. Sphinxes appear throughout the heraldry and architecture of the known world. The Citadel of Oldtown has sphinxes of black stone at its gates. Whether they ever existed as living creatures is unknown.

 

Domesticated Animals - Domesticated animals are kept by people throughout the known world for labor, food, transport, companionship, and communication. What follows covers the animals most commonly encountered in and around King's Landing.

• Camel: A large, long-necked animal with one or two humps used to store fat, allowing them to survive long periods without food or water. Camels are primarily found in Essos and Dorne, where they are used as pack animals and mounts in desert terrain. They are occasionally seen in King's Landing as exotic curiosities or trade goods.
  • White Camel: A rare and prized variety, considered a mark of great wealth and status by those who keep them.
• Cat: Cats are kept throughout the known world as mousers and companions. In King's Landing they are everywhere — in the Red Keep, in the taverns, in the alleys and docks. The city cats are a world unto themselves, ranging freely through the streets and knowing the hidden passages of the castle better than most servants. They are fed by some, ignored by others, and used by the clever as a means of moving quietly through places where a person might attract attention.
• Cattle:
  • Cow: Kept throughout the Seven Kingdoms for milk, meat, and hides. A common sight on farms and in the markets of any town or city.
  • Ox: A castrated bull used as a draft animal for plowing fields and pulling heavy loads. Stronger and more docile than a bull.
  • Aurochs: See Special Animals.
• Chicken: Kept for eggs and meat throughout the known world. A staple of both noble and smallfolk diets.
• Dog: Dogs serve many purposes in the known world — as hunters, guards, herders, and companions. Different breeds are kept for different tasks.
  • Elkhound: A sturdy, medium-sized hunting dog used to track and hold large game such as elk and bear. Hardy in cold climates.
  • Mastiff: A large, powerful breed used as a guard dog and war dog. Intimidating by size and temperament.
    • Black Mastiff: A variety of mastiff with a solid black coat, prized for its striking appearance and guarding ability.
    • Sand Dog: A lean, tough variety of mastiff-type dog found in Dorne and the warmer regions of Essos, bred for the desert climate.
  • Shaggy Dog: A large, shaggy-coated dog found in the colder regions of the known world, particularly the North. Hardy and fierce.
  • Sheepdog: A herding dog bred to manage and protect flocks of sheep. Intelligent and highly trainable.
  • Wolfhound: A large, lean hound bred to hunt wolves and other large predators. One of the tallest breeds known, capable of outrunning most dogs over open ground.
• Donkey: A small, sturdy relative of the horse used as a pack animal and for light labor. Slower than a horse but hardier and easier to feed. Common among smallfolk who cannot afford a horse.
  • Mini Donkey: A smaller variety, used for light loads and occasionally kept as a companion animal.
• Birds of Prey: Trained birds of prey are used in falconry, one of the most favored pastimes of the nobility. Different species are suited to different quarry and different terrains.
  • Falcon: A swift, keen-eyed bird of prey widely used in falconry.
    • Gyrfalcon: The largest of the falcons, prized above all others for its size, speed, and power. A gyrfalcon is a gift fit for a king.
    • Merlin: A small, fast falcon used to hunt small birds. Traditionally associated with ladies of the nobility.
    • Peregrine Falcon: The fastest of all birds in a dive, capable of striking prey in midair with tremendous force. Highly prized by falconers.
  • Hawk: Larger and broader-winged than a falcon, hawks are used in hawking to hunt a variety of quarry in woodland terrain.
    • Goshawk: A powerful, agile hawk used to hunt rabbits, hares, and birds in woodland settings.
    • Red-Tailed Hawk: A large, robust hawk identifiable by its distinctive russet tail. Versatile and widely used.
• Goat: Kept throughout the known world for milk, meat, and hides. Hardy animals able to survive in terrain too rough and steep for cattle.
• Goose: Kept for eggs, meat, and feathers. Geese are also effective as guard animals, being territorial and loud when disturbed.
• Horse: The most important domesticated animal in the known world. Horses are used for riding, transport, agriculture, and war. In the Seven Kingdoms horses are categorized by their use rather than their breed, though a horse's breeding determines what uses it is suited for.
  • Destrier: The most prized and expensive of all war horses, reserved for the wealthiest knights and the highest nobility. Destriers are large, powerful, and extensively trained in combat maneuvers. They are always stallions, chosen for their extra musculature and aggressive temperament. A true destrier is capable of kicking and biting on command, making the horse itself a weapon. They are rare precisely because of the cost and years of training required to produce one. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Friesian, Andalusian. Waterhorse: English Warmblood.
  • Courser: A strong, fast, light war horse — the quality choice for battle and hunting when a destrier is unavailable or unnecessary. Coursers are preferred by knights who need speed and agility over the raw power of a destrier. They are significantly more affordable than destriers and far more common on the battlefield. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Thoroughbred, Akhal Teke, Hanoverian, Dutch Warmblood. Waterhorse: English Warmblood.
  • Palfrey: A smooth-gaited riding horse favored by nobles for travel, hunting, and formal occasions. Their ambling gait covers long distances in relative comfort, making them the preferred mount for ladies and for lords who spend long hours in the saddle. A well-bred palfrey can cost as much as a destrier. They are known for their calm and dependable temperaments. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse, Irish Cob, Andalusian. Waterhorse: English Warmblood, Quarter Horse.
  • Rounsey: A general purpose horse used for riding, light war service, and transport. Rounceys are the mount of squires, men-at- arms, and lesser knights who cannot afford a destrier or courser. They are considered fast and agile and are never used as cart horses. A common and practical animal. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Quarter Horse, Paint Horse. Waterhorse: Quarter Horse.
  • Garron: A small, hardy horse native to the North and other cold regions. Garrons are shaggy, sure-footed, and capable of surviving on poor forage in harsh conditions where a finer horse would fail. They are not fast or powerful but are extremely tough and reliable in difficult terrain. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Icelandic, Connemara, Fjord. Waterhorse: Connemara, Welsh Pony.
  • Sand Steed: The horse of Dorne, bred for speed and endurance in desert conditions. Sand steeds are lean, elegant, and extraordinarily fast — said to be able to run for a day and a night without tiring. They are not as powerful as northern warhorses but in speed and stamina over hot, dry terrain they have no equal. They do not thrive in cold climates. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Arabian, Marwari, Akhal Teke.
  • Shaggy Mountain Horse: A small, shaggy horse native to the mountain clans of the Vale and the far north. Similar to the garron in its hardiness and sure-footedness, they are bred for steep and rocky terrain rather than speed or power. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Icelandic, Fjord, Connemara. Waterhorse: Connemara.
  • Stot: A poor quality horse used for light farm work and basic transport. Stots are the lowest rung of the horse hierarchy — slow, unimpressive animals kept by those who need any horse at all rather than a good one. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Quarter Horse, Paint Horse.
  • Drays: The workhorses of cities and farms — powerful, steady animals built for strength rather than speed. In King's Landing they are a common sight hauling goods through the streets. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Clydesdale, Belgian Draft, Percheron. Waterhorse: Clydesdale, Belgian Draft.
  • Pony: A small horse, typically used by children, in mountainous terrain, or for light work. Ponies are hardier relative to their size than full horses and can carry surprisingly heavy loads. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Shetland, American Miniature, Connemara. Waterhorse: Welsh Pony, Connemara.
  • Mule: The offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Mules are sterile but extremely hardy, sure-footed, and resistant to disease. They are preferred over horses for difficult terrain and long pack journeys, and are less expensive to feed and maintain. Suggested breeds — Teegle: Mule.
• Pig: Kept throughout the known world for meat and fat. Pigs are efficient animals, able to eat almost anything, and are a staple source of food for smallfolk and nobility alike.
• Raven: Ravens are kept by the maesters of the Citadel and trained to carry messages between castles. Each raven is trained to return to a specific location, making them the primary means of long-distance communication across the Seven Kingdoms. A castle without a raven is a castle cut off from the wider world. Ravens are intelligent birds and can be taught to repeat words, though they do not understand them. Maesters who tend the ravens develop individual relationships with their birds over years of care.
  • White Raven: A rare variety of raven kept at the Citadel in Oldtown. White ravens are used specifically to announce the changing of the seasons — the arrival of a white raven from the Citadel is the official declaration that a new season has begun. They are larger than common ravens and considered especially intelligent.
• Sheep: Kept throughout the known world for wool, milk, and meat. One of the most important livestock animals in the Seven Kingdoms.
  • Black-Nosed Sheep: A variety found in the warmer, drier regions of the known world, identifiable by the distinctive black markings on their faces.
• Zorse: See Special Animals.

 

Land Mammals

• Bear: A large, powerful omnivore found throughout the known world. Bears are hunted for sport and their pelts are prized.

  • Cave Bear: A larger, more dangerous variety found in the caves and wilder regions of the north and beyond the Wall.

  • Black Bear: A common variety found throughout the forests of Westeros.

  • Snow Bear: A large white-furred variety found in the far north and beyond the Wall, adapted to arctic conditions.

  • Spotted Bear: A variety found in the wilder regions of the known world, identifiable by its distinctive spotted coat.

• Canines:
  • Direwolf: See Special Animals.
  • Fox: A small, clever canine found throughout the known world. Foxes are hunted for their fur and are considered a pest by farmers.
    • Black Fox: A rare variety with a striking black coat, prized for its unusual pelt.
    • Red Fox: The most common variety, with a distinctive russet coat and white-tipped tail.
    • White Fox: A variety found in the far north, with a white coat that provides camouflage in snow.
  • Wolf: A large predatory canine found throughout the known world, particularly in the north. Wolves hunt in packs and are a significant threat to livestock.
    • Red Wolf: A variety found in the warmer regions of the known world, with a reddish coat.
• Cattle: Bovine animals kept and hunted throughout the known world.
  • Cow: See Domesticated Animals.
  • Ox: See Domesticated Animals.
  • Aurochs: See Special Animals.
• Cervidae: The deer family, found throughout the known world.
  • Deer: A graceful, hoofed animal hunted throughout the known world for sport and meat.
    • Red Deer: The most common variety, with a reddish-brown coat.
    • White Deer: A rare and striking variety with a white coat, considered an omen by many.
    • Elk: A large species of deer with impressive antlers, found in the northern forests.
    • Giant Elk: An enormous variety, now rare, found beyond the Wall.
    • Moose: The largest of the deer family, found in the northern forests of Westeros.
    • Reindeer: A deer species adapted to cold climates, found in the far north and beyond the Wall.
• Elephantidae:
  • Elephant: A massive, long-lived animal with a prehensile trunk and tusks of ivory. Elephants are found in the warmer regions of Essos and Sothoryos and are occasionally brought to Westeros as exotic curiosities or gifts. Their ivory is highly prized.
  • Dwarf Elephant: A smaller variety of elephant, still impressive in size but significantly smaller than the common elephant. Occasionally kept as exotic pets by the very wealthy.
  • Grey Elephant: A variety of elephant with grey coloring, the most common type found in Essos.
• Felidae:
  • Cat: See Domesticated Animals.
  • Hrakkar: A large white lion native to the Dothraki Sea. Hrakkar are hunted by the Dothraki as a mark of courage and prowess. Their white pelts are prized as luxury goods.
  • Leopard: A large, spotted feline found in the warmer regions of Essos and Sothoryos. Prized for its spotted pelt.
  • Lion: A large, powerful feline found in the hills and wilder regions of the Westerlands and parts of Essos. Once more numerous in Westeros, the great lions of the western hills have grown rare. The sigil of House Lannister is a lion.
    • Cave Lion: A larger, more powerfully built variety found in caves and remote regions.
    • White Lion: See Hrakkar above.
  • Mountain Cat: A large feline found in mountainous regions throughout the known world.
  • Panther: A large, powerful black or dark- spotted feline found in the warmer regions of Essos and Sothoryos.
    • Spotted Panther: A variety with distinctive spotted markings.
  • Shadowcat: See Special Animals.
  • Tiger: A large, striped feline found in the warmer regions of Essos.
    • Spotted Tiger: A variety with spotted rather than striped markings.
  • Treecat: A large feline found in the forests of both Westeros and Essos, including the wolfswood in the North and the Forest of Qohor. They have a musky smell and come in a variety of colorings including yellow and black spotted and tan-and-brown. They are considered all but gone from some regions where they were once common.
• Giraffe: A tall, long-necked animal with distinctive spotted markings found in the warmer regions of Essos and Sothoryos. Occasionally brought to Westeros as an exotic curiosity.
• Hedgehog: A small, spiny insectivore found throughout the known world. Harmless and occasionally kept as a pet.
• Jackal: A small, opportunistic canine found in the warmer, drier regions of Essos. Jackals are scavengers and are considered a pest.
• Leporidae:
  • Hare: A fast-running relative of the rabbit, larger and with longer legs. Hunted for sport and meat.
  • Rabbit: A small, burrowing animal hunted for meat and fur throughout the known world.
• Mammoth: See Special Animals.
• Mustelidae:
  • Badger: A stout, burrowing animal found throughout the known world. Badgers are nocturnal and rarely seen. Their pelts are used for brushes and trimmings.
  • Ferret: A small, slender mustelid kept for hunting rabbits and rats, and occasionally as a pet.
  • Otter: A sleek, semi-aquatic mustelid found along rivers and coasts. Prized for its dense, waterproof fur.
  • Sable: A small mustelid found in the far north, prized above all others for its exceptionally soft, dark fur. Sable pelts are among the most valuable furs in the known world.
  • Stoat: A small, swift predator found throughout the known world.
    • Ermine: The stoat in its white winter coat. Ermine pelts are highly prized and traditionally associated with royalty and the highest nobility.
  • Weasel: A small, slender predator found throughout the known world.
  • Wolverine: A powerful, fierce mustelid found in the far north. Despite their size they are capable of driving bears and wolves from kills.
• Pouch Tiger: See Special Animals.
• Primates:
  • Ape: Large primates found in the warmer regions of Essos and Sothoryos.
    • Giant Ape: An enormous variety found in the jungles of Sothoryos.
    • Hooded Ape: A variety with a distinctive hood of fur around its face.
    • Night Stalker: A nocturnal variety found in the jungles of Essos and Sothoryos.
    • Old Red Man: A large, red-furred variety found in the jungles of the far east.
    • Silver Pelt: A variety with distinctive silver-grey fur.
    • Spotted Humpback Ape: A variety with spotted markings and a pronounced hump.
  • Lemur: See Little Valyrian in Special Animals.
  • Monkey: A smaller primate found in the warmer regions of Essos and Sothoryos. Occasionally kept as exotic pets by the wealthy.
• Rodents:
  • Beaver: A large, semi-aquatic rodent found along rivers throughout the known world. Beavers build dams of wood and mud. Their pelts are prized and their castoreum has medicinal uses.
  • Mouse: A small rodent found everywhere humans live. A persistent pest in granaries, kitchens, and storerooms.
    • Dormouse: A small, plump variety that hibernates through winter. Occasionally eaten as a delicacy.
  • Porcupine: A large rodent covered in sharp quills used for defense. Found in the warmer regions of Essos.
  • Rat: A larger relative of the mouse, found in vast numbers in cities like King's Landing. Rats are a constant presence in the docks, the sewers, and the poorer districts of the city. Ratcatchers make their living hunting them.
  • Squirrel: A small, agile rodent found throughout the forests of the known world.
    • Black Squirrel: A variety with a striking black coat.
• Suidae:
  • Boar: A large, aggressive wild pig hunted throughout the known world. Boar hunting is considered a test of courage among the nobility. A wounded boar is extremely dangerous and has been known to kill hunters.
  • Pig: See Domesticated Animals.
• Unicorn: See Special Animals.
• Zorse: See Special Animals.

 

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Crocodile: A large, carnivorous reptile found in the rivers of Sothoryos and the Summer Isles. Distinct from the lizard-lion of Westeros, though both are crocodilian in nature. Crocodile meat is consumed in Slaver's Bay and their image appears in the masks of the Brazen Beasts of Meereen.
• Frog: Small amphibians found throughout the known world near water. Commonly caught and eaten by smallfolk. The children of the forest are sometimes called frog-eaters by the free folk.
• Lizard: Small to medium reptiles found throughout the known world. Common in warmer climates and rocky terrain.
• Lizard-Lion: A large, semi-aquatic reptile native to the bogs and swamps of the Neck — the narrow isthmus connecting the North to the rest of Westeros. Lizard-lions resemble partially submerged logs floating still in the water and are easily overlooked until it is too late. They have teeth like daggers and live in slow streams, deep swamps, and the flooded moats around ruined Moat Cailin. They are large enough to attack and kill a man. In ancient legend the Marsh Kings of the crannogmen rode lizard-lions as mounts. The sigil of House Reed is a black lizard-lion.
• Phantom Tortoise: A type of tortoise found in Qarth. Little is recorded of its properties beyond its presence in that city, though its name suggests an animal of unusual appearance or behavior.
• Snake: Serpents are found throughout the known world in a wide variety of sizes and temperaments. Some are venomous and dangerous. Snake venom has medicinal and alchemical uses in the right hands.
• Turtle: Freshwater and land turtles are found throughout the known world. Distinguished from the Old Men of the River, which are an extraordinary species found only in the Rhoyne.
• Walking Lizard: A species of reptile found in the unexplored southern jungles of Sothoryos, known as the Green Hell. Walking lizards are remarkable for running on their powerful hind legs and possess long, curved scythe-like claws used to rip apart prey. Their markings give them the appearance of being tattooed. They are considered one of the most dangerous animals in the known world. Rare live specimens have been kept in the exotic menagerie of the Sealord of Braavos. It is believed they may be a surviving species of ancient creature, akin to what the maesters of the Citadel call dromaeosaurids.

 

Birds

• Falcon: See Domesticated Animals.

• Hawk: See Domesticated Animals.

• Raven: See Domesticated Animals.

• Bluejay: A small, bright blue songbird found in the forests of Westeros. Known for its bold, noisy nature.

• Chicken: See Domesticated Animals.

• Crane: A large, long-legged wading bird found near water throughout the known world. Prized for its elegant appearance and occasionally hunted for meat.

• Crow: A large, intelligent black bird found throughout the known world. Crows are associated with death and ill omen in many cultures. The Night's Watch are commonly called crows by the free folk.

  • Carrion Crow: A variety that feeds primarily on the dead. A common sight on battlefields.

• Dove: A small, gentle bird associated with peace and innocence. Their soft cooing is a common sound in towns and cities.
• Duck: A common waterfowl found throughout the known world. Hunted for meat and kept domestically for eggs.
• Eagle: A large, powerful bird of prey found throughout the known world. Eagles are symbols of strength and are used in heraldry by numerous houses.
  • Sea Eagle: A large variety found along coasts and large bodies of water, hunting fish.
• Goose: See Domesticated Animals.
• Gull: A common coastal bird found wherever there is sea or large bodies of water. Gulls are opportunistic scavengers and a familiar sight in port cities like King's Landing.
• Heron: A tall, long-legged wading bird found near rivers, lakes, and coasts. Known for its patient, still hunting posture.
• Kite: A medium-sized bird of prey with a forked tail, found throughout the known world. Kites are scavengers as well as hunters.
• Lark: A small songbird known for its melodic song, often sung in flight. A common sight in open fields and meadows.
  • Skylark: A variety known for its habit of singing while hovering high in the sky, its song carrying far across open ground.
• Magpie: A striking black and white bird known for its intelligence and its tendency to collect shiny objects. Associated with trickery and ill omen in some cultures.
• Martlet: See Mythical Creatures.
• Mockingbird: A small, grey-brown songbird known for its extraordinary ability to mimic the songs of other birds and occasionally human sounds. Their song is beautiful but deceptive — what sounds like one bird is often many.
• Nightingale: A small, plain-looking bird renowned for the beauty of its song, particularly at night. Nightingales are highly prized as cage birds by the wealthy for their singing.
• Owl: A nocturnal bird of prey found throughout the known world. Owls are associated with wisdom and are considered omens — their hooting in the night is taken as a portent by many.
  • Horned Owl: A large variety with distinctive tufted feather horns above its eyes.
  • Snow Owl: A white variety found in the far north, adapted to arctic conditions.
• Parrot: A brightly colored, intelligent bird found in the warmer regions of Essos and the Summer Isles. Parrots can mimic human speech and are kept as exotic pets by the wealthy.
• Partridge: A plump, ground-dwelling game bird hunted for meat throughout the known world.
• Peacock: A large, ornamental bird with an extraordinary fan-shaped tail covered in iridescent feathers. Peacocks are kept as decorative birds in the gardens of wealthy nobles. Their beauty is considered a mark of luxury and refinement.
• Pigeon: A common bird found in cities and towns throughout the known world. Pigeons are kept for meat and can be trained to carry messages over short distances, though ravens are preferred for long-distance communication.
• Quail: A small, ground-dwelling game bird hunted for meat. Common in fields and scrubland throughout the known world.
• Rook: A large, black bird related to the crow, found in flocks throughout the known world. Rooks are highly social birds that nest in large colonies called rookeries.
• Sandpiper: A small wading bird found along shores and riverbanks throughout the known world.
• Snow Shrike: A small bird found most commonly in the North and occasionally in the Riverlands. They are more easily seen in the deep of winter when the woods are stilled by snow. Their high, sharp trilling call carries far in cold, still air.
• Songbird: A general term for the many small birds known for their melodic voices, found throughout the known world. Songbirds are kept as cage birds by the wealthy for their music.
• Sparrow: A small, common bird found wherever humans live. Sparrows are so numerous and humble that the poorest of the Faith's followers, wandering holy men of the Seven Kingdoms, are called sparrows.
• Stork: A large wading bird with long legs and a long bill, found near water throughout the known world. Associated in folklore with the bringing of new life.
• Swan: A large, graceful waterbird known for its white plumage and elegant appearance. Swans are associated with beauty and nobility and are sometimes kept ornamentally on noble estates.
  • Black Swan: A rare variety with striking black plumage, found in the warmer regions of Essos.
• Tern: A seabird related to the gull, found along coasts and large bodies of water. Known for its graceful, swooping flight.
• Turkey: A large, ground-dwelling bird hunted for meat. Found in the known world and occasionally served at noble feasts.
• Vulture: A large scavenging bird found in warmer, drier regions of the known world, particularly in Essos and Dorne. Vultures circle above the dying and the dead and are considered an ill omen.

 

Aquatic Animals

• Fish

  • Herring: A small, oily fish found in vast schools in the seas of the known world, particularly in colder northern waters. One of the most important food fish for smallfolk and sailors alike. Salted or smoked herring keeps well and is a staple of long sea voyages.

  • Icefish: A pale, almost translucent fish found in the frigid waters of the Shivering Sea. Its near-colorless flesh and glassy eyes give it an eerie appearance. It is eaten by the Ibbenese and other northern peoples who fish the cold seas, preserved in salt or dried in the bitter northern air.

  • Mackerel: A fast, oily fish found in temperate seas throughout the known world. Eaten fresh or preserved in salt. An important food fish for coastal communities.

  • Monkfish: A large, ugly bottom-dwelling fish with a wide, flat head and an enormous mouth. Its flesh is firm and sweet and considered a delicacy.

  • Muskfish: A broad, flat-bodied freshwater fish found in the slower rivers and marshy waterways of the known world, particularly in the Neck. Its flesh has a faint, earthy musk that is considered off-putting by those unaccustomed to it but is eaten regularly by the crannogmen and other communities who live near its habitat. The smell fades considerably when the fish is smoked or heavily spiced.

  • Pike: A large, predatory freshwater fish with a long body and sharp teeth. Prized as a food fish and a challenge for anglers.

    • River Pike: A variety found specifically in the rivers of Westeros.

  • Pricklefish: A small to medium-sized fish covered in sharp, needle-like spines along its back and sides, raised when the fish feels threatened. Catching one barehanded is an unpleasant experience. Despite its defenses the pricklefish is edible and caught in coastal nets throughout the known world, though fishermen handle them with care.
  • Puff Fish: A fish capable of inflating its body when threatened. Some varieties are highly toxic and can be lethal if improperly prepared.
  • Rays: Flat, cartilaginous fish related to sharks, found in the seas of the known world. They move by undulating their wide, wing-like fins.
  • Sailfish: A large, fast predatory fish with a distinctive tall dorsal fin resembling a sail. Found in the warmer seas of the known world.
  • Salmon: A large fish that spends its life between freshwater rivers and the open sea, returning to spawn in the rivers of its birth. Salmon is a prized food fish throughout the known world, particularly in the North where it is plentiful in rivers like the White Knife. It is eaten fresh, salted, or smoked.
  • Sand Lance: A slender, small fish with a pointed snout that burrows into sand to escape danger. Found in the colder northern seas. An important food source for larger fish, seabirds, and whales.
  • Sardine: A small, oily fish found in large schools in the seas of the known world. Eaten fresh or preserved in salt. A cheap and plentiful food source for smallfolk.
  • Shark: A large, predatory cartilaginous fish found throughout the seas of the known world. Sharks are dangerous to sailors and swimmers. Several species are found in the waters around Westeros and Essos.
  • Silver Fish: A small, slender fish with brilliantly reflective silver scales that catch the light like polished steel. Found in rivers and coastal shallows throughout the known world, they travel in large, shimmering schools. They are too small to be worth catching individually but are netted in quantity and eaten dried or salted by smallfolk.
  • Skate: A flat, ray-like fish found in the seas of the known world. Its wings are eaten as food.
    • Grey Skate: A variety with grey coloring found in the colder northern seas.
  • Swordfish: A large, powerful predatory fish with a long, flat, pointed bill used to slash at prey. Found in the Sunset Sea west of the Iron Islands.
  • Trout: A freshwater fish found in rivers and streams throughout the known world, including the Trident, the Blackwater Rush, and the rivers of the Vale and the North. Trout is one of the most commonly eaten freshwater fish in the Seven Kingdoms and appears regularly at noble and common tables alike.
  • Whiskerfish: A large bottom-feeding fish similar to a catfish, found in the rivers of the known world. A whiskerfish taken from the Greenblood can grow large enough that it takes four servants to carry it to the table. Its whiskered face gives it its name.
  • Whitefish: A light-fleshed fish found in the northern seas and rivers. A staple food fish for the communities of the North.
  • Wolf Fish: A large, fierce predatory fish with powerful jaws found in the colder northern seas. Named for its aggressive nature and prominent teeth.
• Marine Mammals
  • Dolphin: An intelligent, social marine mammal found throughout the seas of the known world. Dolphins travel in groups and are known to swim alongside ships. Sailors consider them a good omen and welcome their presence.
  • Leviathan: See Magical Creatures.
  • Narwhal: A whale of the cold northern seas notable for the long, spiraling ivory tusk that protrudes from the head of the males. Narwhal tusks were historically sold as unicorn horns. Found in the Shivering Sea.
  • Otter: A sleek, playful semi-aquatic mammal found along rivers and coasts throughout the known world. Prized for its dense, waterproof fur.
  • Sea Cow: A large, slow-moving marine mammal found in coastal waters. Hunted for its meat and fat.
  • Sea Lion: A large marine mammal found in coastal waters of the known world. Hunted for meat, fat, and pelts.
  • Seal: A marine mammal found in the colder seas of the known world, particularly around the Shivering Sea and the waters north of Westeros. Hunted for their meat, fat, and pelts.
  • Walrus: A very large marine mammal found in the cold northern seas, identifiable by its prominent ivory tusks. Hunted by the Ibbenese and other northern peoples for meat, fat, and ivory.
  • Whale: The largest animals in the seas of the known world. Whales are hunted primarily by the Ibbenese, whose ships are renowned for their strength in withstanding the assaults of even the largest whales.
    • Grey Whale: A large variety with grey coloring found throughout the seas of the known world.
    • Humpback: A variety known for its long pectoral fins and the haunting songs of the males.
    • Spotted Whale: A variety with distinctive spotted markings.
    • White Whale: A rare, albino variety considered an extraordinary omen by most sailors who encounter one.
• Molluscs and Shellfish
  • Clam: A bivalve shellfish found in coastal waters and riverbeds throughout the known world. Eaten steamed, raw, or in stews.
  • Cockle: A small, ribbed shellfish found on sandy beaches and coastal shallows. Eaten by smallfolk throughout the known world, particularly in port cities.
  • Crab: A crustacean with a hard shell and claws, found in coastal waters throughout the known world. Eaten throughout the Seven Kingdoms and Essos.
  • Crawfish: A small, freshwater crustacean related to the crab, found in rivers and streams. Eaten boiled throughout the known world.
  • Mussel: A dark-shelled bivalve found on rocks in coastal waters. Eaten steamed or in stews. A cheap and plentiful food source for smallfolk in port cities.
  • Octopus: A highly intelligent, eight-armed cephalopod found in the seas of the known world. Eaten in many coastal cultures, particularly in Essos.
  • Oyster: A bivalve shellfish found in coastal waters throughout the known world. Eaten raw or cooked. Oysters are sold by street vendors in cities like King's Landing and Braavos.
  • Periwinkle: A small, edible sea snail found on rocky shores. Eaten boiled by smallfolk in coastal communities.
  • Singing Squid: A variety of squid found in the deeper waters of the Summer Sea and the Jade Sea. They are named for the low, resonant vibration they produce when threatened or when gathering in numbers — a sound felt as much as heard by sailors who encounter them at night. Whether this is a form of communication, a warning, or something else entirely is unknown. They are eaten in ports along the southern Essosi coast where they are occasionally netted.
  • Squid: A fast-moving cephalopod with eight arms and two longer tentacles, found in seas throughout the known world. Eaten in many coastal cultures.
  • Starfish: A sea creature with a distinctive star-shaped body, found in coastal waters throughout the known world. Not generally eaten.
• Amphibians and Other Aquatic Creatures
  • Frog: Small amphibians found throughout the known world near fresh water. Commonly caught and eaten by smallfolk. Frog legs are considered a delicacy in some regions.
  • Lamprey: A primitive, jawless fish-like creature with a circular, tooth-lined mouth used to attach to and feed on other fish. Found in rivers and coastal waters. Eaten as food, particularly in the Riverlands.
  • Sea Slug: A soft-bodied, brightly colored marine creature found clinging to rocks and coral in coastal waters throughout the warmer seas of the known world. They are not eaten in most cultures but some Essosi alchemists prize certain varieties for the toxins they produce, which have uses in poisons and medicines.
  • Slug: A soft-bodied terrestrial creature found in damp environments throughout the known world.
  • Snail: A slow-moving creature with a coiled shell, found in gardens, forests, and coastal areas throughout the known world. Eaten in some cultures.

 

Insects and Small Creatures

• Ant: Small, industrious insects found throughout the known world, living in large colonies. A common pest in kitchens and food stores.
• Barnacle: A small crustacean that attaches itself permanently to rocks, ship hulls, and other hard surfaces in coastal waters. A nuisance to sailors as they slow ships and must be periodically scraped off hulls.
• Bee: Insects found throughout the known world, kept by beekeepers for their honey and wax. Honey is used in cooking, medicine, and the making of mead. Beeswax is used for candles and waterproofing. Wild bees build hives in hollow trees and rock crevices.
• Beetle: A common insect found throughout the known world in enormous variety. Most are harmless. Some are pests that damage crops and stored food.
  • Dung Beetle: A variety that feeds on and buries animal dung. Considered useful by farmers as they help break down waste and improve soil.
• Bloodfly: A large, bloodsucking insect found in the marshes and stagnant pools of Essos. Bloodflies can grow as large as a bee and have a distinctive glistening purple color. They feed on the blood of men and horses alike and lay their eggs in the dead and dying. They are named by the Dothraki, who fear and hate them. Their larvae are among the ingredients of the Dothraki wine of courage.
• Butterfly: A winged insect found throughout the known world, known for its colorful, patterned wings. Butterflies are often used as symbols of beauty and transformation.
• Centipede: A many-legged arthropod found in warm, damp environments throughout the known world. Some varieties deliver a painful bite. Found in the cracks and corners of older buildings in King's Landing.
• Cricket: A chirping insect found throughout the known world. The sound of crickets is a common feature of warm summer nights.
• Dragonfly: A large, swift flying insect found near water throughout the known world. Distinguished by their long bodies and four large wings. Despite their name they have no connection to dragons.
• Fly: Common insects found wherever humans and animals live. A persistent nuisance in cities, markets, and stables.
  • Bloodfly: See above.
• Manticore: Despite sharing its name with the legendary chimeric creature of myth, the manticore of the known world is in fact an insect — a highly aggressive, scorpion-like creature native to the jungle islands of the Jade Sea, particularly the Manticore Isles. Manticores have a jewel-like carapace, an arched barbed tail, an unsettling human-like face that is malign and black, and can grow almost as large as a lobster. Their venom is one of the deadliest poisons in the known world, killing the instant it reaches the heart. Manticore venom is highly prized by alchemists and assassins. Live specimens have been imported into private collections and menageries across Essos and occasionally Westeros, where they are kept caged and handled with extreme caution.
• Scorpion: A venomous arachnid found in the warmer, drier regions of the known world, particularly in Dorne and Essos. Scorpions deliver a painful sting that can be dangerous or fatal depending on the species. Their venom has medicinal uses in controlled doses.
• Spider: Arachnids found throughout the known world in enormous variety. Most are harmless and useful as pest controllers. Some exotic varieties from Essos and Sothoryos are venomous. Spider silk is a prized material in some parts of Essos, where it is woven into fine, strong cloth.