Ironborn

Biodata

Background and Culture

The Ironborn follow the Old Way, a tradition of taking wealth through war rather than purchase. They call this paying the Iron Price; plunder, raiding, and conquest are treated as the proper life of an Ironborn. 11 160

Their culture is closely tied to the Drowned God. Ironborn warriors are taught that death in battle brings them to the Drowned God’s halls, making many willing—even eager—to die fighting. Their dead are expected to return to the sea, and cremation is regarded as a curse upon the soul. 11 295

• They value plundered wealth, captives, and martial reputation over peaceful labor. 11 251
• Captured enemies may be threatened with slavery, forced rowing, mining, or becoming “salt wives.” 257
• Oaths sworn to the Drowned God carry exceptional weight among them. 279
• Their battle cry, “What is dead may never die,” becomes a source of religious defiance during the siege of Seaguard. 323

Warfare

Naval Mobility and Raiding

Ironborn warfare depends on longships, which serve as transportation, homes, storehouses for loot, and routes of escape. Their loss causes immediate panic and severely damages morale. 257 279 315

• Conduct surprise landings through fog and coastal waters. 230
• Move longships through inland rivers to spread raids across the Riverlands. 202 238
• Haul longships over land using rollers and pulleys to bypass defenses and launch attacks from unexpected directions. 202
• Use fast raids to burn settlements, seize captives, and withdraw before organized resistance can respond. 213 251

Close-Quarters Combat

The Ironborn favor violent, aggressive melee fighting. They often attack without conventional formations, relying on intimidation, individual ferocity, and the collapse of enemy morale. 11 202

• Common weapons include axes, longswords, iron hammers, throwing axes, spears, and round shields. 202 219 299
• Warriors may form compact shield circles when trapped, interlocking shields and extending weapons through gaps. 219
• They continue fighting through severe losses and may abandon defense entirely to kill an enemy before dying. 303
• During sieges, they employ ladders, battering rams, shields, ropes, and ship-harpoons adapted to pull down gates. 256 320

Weaknesses

Their confidence in individual strength and terror tactics repeatedly leaves them vulnerable to disciplined formations, missile fire, ambushes, and attacks on their ships. 219 276 300

• Raiders frequently neglect scouting when they believe the Riverlanders incapable of resistance. 276
• Crossbows can wear down their shield formations and force reckless charges. 219
• Their warriors fight effectively as individuals but struggle against coordinated pairs and shield lines. 300
• Most Ironborn are poor riders and cannot match trained cavalry in mounted combat. 303
• Blocking rivers with felled trees and iron chains can trap their fleet and force them into unfavorable land battles. 314 315

Leadership and Notable Members

• Balon Greyjoy — Declares himself king and leads the Ironborn rebellion against the realm. 1
• Victarion Greyjoy — Commander of the Iron Fleet; leads the fog-covered assault on Seaguard from his flagship, Iron Victory. 230
• Roderick Greyjoy — Balon’s eldest son; leads inland raids along the Blue Fork and devises a plan to support Victarion’s attack on Seaguard from the rear. 202
• Dagmer Cleftjaw — Ironborn commander during the siege of Stonedance and the later Riverlands campaign. 257 278
• Gorold Goodbrother — Chieftain of Hammerhorn and commander of a five-thousand-man Ironborn force after the sack of the Twins. 251 299
• Rodrik Harlaw — Called the Reader; advocates negotiation and strategic retreat when the Iron Fleet becomes trapped. 315 316
• Aeron Greyjoy — Fanatical devotee of the Drowned God who leads an attempted escape force during the final Riverlands campaign. 319
• Harras Harlaw — Known as “Harras the Knight”; defends Seaguard and carries the Valyrian steel sword Nightfall. 295
• Baelor Blacktyde — A Faith of the Seven convert who seeks mercy for the Seaguard garrison after becoming Lord of Blacktyde. 326

Riverlands Invasion

Equipment and Vessels

• Longships — Core of Ironborn mobility, raiding, supply, and retreat; eighty-four captured vessels are later donated to the royal army. 202 371
• Round shields — Used in improvised shield walls and defensive formations. 219 320
• Axes and throwing axes — Favored weapons in both raids and open battle. 1 202 256
• Siege equipment — Crude ladders, battering rams, ropes, and fishing harpoons used against fortified camps and castles. 256 320
• Ironborn armor — Often mismatched, dented, or poorly maintained; only a minority of Wicken’s men wear chainmail. 219 299

Notable Quotes

“We do not sow.” — Greyjoy house motto, associated with the Ironborn Old Way 11

“What is dead may never die!” 323

“The Ironborn are not soldiers; they are raiders. Asking them to discard their spoils is more painful than killing them.” 318