Yunkai

Biodata

Geography and Defenses

Society and Economy

Yunkai is the second-largest city in Slaver's Bay and is particularly associated with the production of pleasure slaves. Its ruling class treats sex and love as the city's defining trade, while warfare is largely delegated to mercenaries and professional soldiers. 261 268 277

The city is governed by Great Masters and Wise Masters, with wealth, slave ownership, and family standing shaping political influence. Its nobles retain Ghiscari customs in their names and symbols despite Old Ghiscari no longer being spoken. 235 261

• Pleasure-slave trade — Yunkai's principal reputation and source of wealth. 261 277
• Pyramids — Great Masters maintain large pyramid residences, including the wealthiest master's elaborate and labyrinthine palace. 267 271
• Port commerce — The port connects Yunkai to merchant guilds, mercenary companies, and Volantene shipping interests. 267 279
• Grain production — The city's dependence on east-bank farmland makes river crossings and supply routes strategically vital. 274

Government and Military

Yunkai's military hierarchy is headed by a Grand Marshal, supported by deputy commanders and military nobles. Before the city's submission, Grand Marshal Yakhaaz zo Yazak relied heavily on mercenary captains for military judgment despite holding high traditional authority. 268 272

After the city's surrender, Ian brought Yunkai's forces into his campaign against Meereen: 5,000 city guards, 1,500 militia, 1,000 mercenary cavalry, and 1,500 Great Master retainers. Their command authority was transferred to officers loyal to Ian. 285

History

Alliance with Astapor

Yunkai initially participated in negotiations with Astapor, Meereen, and New Ghis over a joint response to Khal Drogo's approaching khalasar. It paid its first military-expense installment more promptly than Meereen, but its leaders remained divided over whether supporting Ian Dare's preferred defensive strategy truly served Yunkai's interests. 235 252 261

Grazdan mo Eraz, Yunkai's envoy, supported Ian's plan to fight near Meereen or the Ghiscari Mountains, believing a defeat on the Rhoyne plains would leave Yunkai exposed after the Dothraki crossed Kayser Pass. The wealthy Great Master Yazdan zo Quagz agreed with the assessment but refused to intervene because of his illness and lack of heirs. 261

The Grain Conspiracy

When Ian's army reached Yunkai, city officials invited him into the city for a banquet, offered him female slaves and a palace, and attempted to delay his departure. Ian refused to enter, established camp outside the walls, and ordered all supplies received from Yunkai tested for poison. 267 269

The delay was tied to a grain shortage caused by General Grazdar zo Alk's private sale of military provisions to a Volantene merchant. The wider plot sought to keep Ian's army in Yunkai until its supplies ran low, forcing it either to assault the city or cross the tributary toward the east-bank grain fields, where hostile forces could ambush it. 270 274

Fall of Yunkai

Ian countered the conspiracy through a coordinated deception: fake grain ships, false ritual activity, mercenary bribery, covert contacts within the city, and cavalry sent toward the West Gate. His forces secured the port district and West Gate with minimal losses after the Second Sons and Storm Crow Company defected to his side. 279

Yunkai surrendered on the second day of the operation. House Arke's gate guard opened the West Gate, allowing Ian's cavalry to enter and seize the Great Masters' gathering before the bulk of the city's defenders could respond. 279 280

Political Settlement

At the delayed welcome banquet, Ian publicly blamed Deputy Commander Fazaha zo Faza and Volantene merchants for the crisis, presenting the intervention as the suppression of an internal rebellion rather than the conquest of Yunkai. This allowed the city's masters to preserve its formal autonomy while removing the Grand Marshal's faction from power. 280

Fazaha was sentenced to hanging by the council of Great Masters. Grazdan mo Eraz was elevated to high nobility and received a senior military appointment, while the balance of power shifted toward the factions of Grazdan and Grazdar. 281 283

Notable Figures

• Grazdan mo Eraz — Yunkai's envoy to Astapor; supported Ian's strategy, assisted in exposing the conspiracy, and was later raised to high nobility and deputy command. 235 261 279 281
• Yazdan zo Quagz — Yunkai's wealthiest Great Master; a shrewd former navigator, collector of unusual slaves, and Grazdan's political patron. 261
• Yakhaaz zo Yazak — Former Grand Marshal of Yunkai, a highly placed but militarily inexperienced noble aligned with pro-@@REF_ENTITY_3925242@@ interests. 261 268 272
• Grazdar zo Alk — The “Wiggle-butt General”; a Yunkish general whose grain dealings sparked the crisis, but who later aided Ian and became a leading figure in the post-crisis government. 266 270 277 283
• Fazaha zo Faza — The “Rabbit General”; deputy commander implicated in the plot against Ian and later condemned for treason. 267 280 281
• Mero — Commander of the Second Sons, whose mercenaries abandoned Yunkai for Ian's payment and protection. 268 279 280
• Plandar na Gysan — Storm Crow commander who assessed that Yunkai would fall within a week if Ian attacked. 268