Tyrion

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Tyrion Lannister (提利昂)
Alias(es)	The Imp; the Dwarf; “little lion”; “Lannister killer”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Lannister; Night's Watch; later an envoy and servant of Gryn the First 365 687
Occupation/Role	Former acting Hand of the King; former Master of Coin; Night's Watch member and assistant to Maester Aemon; royal envoy 175 329 413 687
Status	Alive 688

Background

Tyrion is a Lannister who longs for both power and familial affection, even while recognizing Cersei's disdain for him. He shares a more understanding bond with Jaime, who acknowledges Tyrion's loneliness and kindness. 19

His father, Tywin, considered him unsuited to military life and denied him the chance to travel abroad. On Tyrion's sixteenth name day, Tywin instead put him in charge of Casterly Rock's sewers and cisterns. Tyrion interprets this as further evidence of his father's contempt. 329

Tyrion was married to Tysha, whose fate became a lasting source of grief and anger. While imprisoned before his execution, he resolves to avenge both her and himself. He later learns that Tysha is alive and that they have a daughter, Lanna. 152 363 631

Appearance

Tyrion is a dwarf with a small frame and short legs. He often needs to climb onto chairs, struggles to reach the shoulders of taller people, and limps after injuries. 175 180 241

• Severely disfigured after an attack during the tournament; he survives after a week unconscious. 151
• Has black-and-green eyes. 688
• Is referred to as having a “Golden Nose.” 209 456
• Commonly wears Lannister colors and is often accompanied by guards or retainers while acting in public office. 180 209

Personality

Tyrion uses mockery, self-deprecation, and lewd humor as both entertainment and defense. He openly turns the insults directed at his dwarfism back on his enemies, yet his jokes frequently conceal resentment over Tywin's rejection and Cersei's cruelty. 94 259 362

He is ambitious and drawn to authority. Upon becoming Hand, he admits to himself that he wants to prove his worth, become a hero, silence his mockers, and experience power for its own sake. 180 Even so, he is capable of self-reflection: before the Battle of King's Landing, he admits that he fears both Stannis's army and losing the authority he has gained. 227

Tyrion is protective of people he considers his own. He safeguards Tommen's removal from King's Landing, hides Shae from Cersei, treats Podrick with patience, and later seeks to reunite with Tysha and protect Lanna. 182 242 631

Abilities & Skills

Political Manipulation

Tyrion excels at reading motives, exploiting vulnerabilities, and directing suspicion away from himself.

• Identifies Cersei's unusual reactions when Lancel is mentioned and begins probing their connection. 175
• Uses Ser Addam Marbrand to carry a false report of Tyrion's “conspiracy” to Tywin. 280
• Pressures Ser Harys Swyft into opening Casterly Rock by framing closed gates as evidence of rebellion. 687 688
• Uses public flattery to make Mace Tyrell embrace the reputation of a “renowned general.” 614 615

Administration and Finance

Tyrion has experience in civic administration and understands the practical costs of rule.

• As Hand, he recognizes King's Landing's food shortage, lawlessness, and the likelihood of further riots. 180
• As Master of Coin, he inspects the devastated King's Gate and seeks funds for reconstruction and Joffrey's wedding. 329
• Proposes taxes on prostitution and on wealthy residents to raise revenue, despite the resulting public resentment. 329 341
• Borrows money from Gryn for the royal treasury when Tywin insists that both reconstruction and the royal wedding proceed. 329

Defensive Strategy

Tyrion contributes to the defense of King's Landing through preparation, organization, and the use of unconventional resources.

• Requests thousands of empty wildfire jars from the pyromancers while keeping the purpose secret. 232
• Uses Lancel's assistance to install Jacelyn Bywater as Commander of the Gold Cloaks. 193
• Secures most of the Gold Cloaks under Jacelyn before Cersei can fully interfere. 209
• Plans to fight during Stannis's attack, though Jacelyn insists on taking the field in his place. 258

Diplomacy and Intelligence-Gathering

Tyrion employs charm, gifts, pressure, and carefully chosen information to influence others.

• Cultivates Gryn through drinks, music, confidential intelligence, and repeated social meetings. 23
• Gains Edmure Tully's trust through charm and tailored pleasures during his stay at Riverrun. 272
• Negotiates with Stannis and proposes recognizing Wildling tribes under Stannis to stabilize the North. 530
• Is sent to persuade Eddard Stark to attack Stannis, while concealing a separate mission from Gryn. 618

Relationships

• Jaime Lannister — Older brother and Tyrion's closest Lannister ally. Jaime recognizes Tyrion's loneliness, later helps him escape execution, and seeks redemption for his past failures. 19 364
• Cersei Lannister — Sister and persistent political rival. Tyrion initially offers to work with her as Hand, but privately plans to curb her influence and repeatedly challenges her decisions. 175 176 228
• Tywin Lannister — Father. Tyrion seeks Tywin's recognition but is repeatedly humiliated, stripped of authority after saving King's Landing, and eventually sentenced to death by him. 259 312 362
• Tysha — Tyrion's wife. Her apparent loss haunts him for years; he later learns that she is alive and resolves to reunite with her. 152 363 631
• Lanna — Tyrion's daughter with Tysha. Learning of her existence strengthens his determination to earn merit and secure his family's future. 631
• Podrick Payne — Tyrion's young squire. Tyrion teases Podrick but encourages him, trusts his judgment in finding Bronn, and values his loyalty. 180 209
• Bronn — Captain of Tyrion's guard, later a companion at the Wall. Their relationship is founded on payment, sarcasm, and proven usefulness, but Tyrion repeatedly places trust in him. 209 280 413
• Varys — Political contact and uneasy ally. Tyrion recognizes Varys as dangerous but seeks his intelligence and gradually develops a measure of trust. 180 194 225
• Gryn Crabb / Gryn the First — Friend, rescuer, patron, and eventual king. Gryn saves Tyrion from execution, sends him to the Night's Watch under a covert mission, and later entrusts him with royal duties in the Westerlands. 227 365 631 687
• Joffrey Baratheon — Nephew and king. Tyrion attempts to restrain Joffrey's cruelty, protects him during battle, and later exploits Joffrey's fear of Tywin and Cersei to facilitate his escape. 176 258 364
• Tommen Baratheon — Nephew. Tyrion arranges a secret Gold Cloak escort to ensure Tommen reaches Rosby safely. 242

Story Role / Major Arcs

Acting Hand of the King

Tywin orders Tyrion to serve as Hand until his arrival in King's Landing. Tyrion publicly accepts Cersei's authority while privately intending to sideline both her and Joffrey. He then works to seize influence over the Gold Cloaks and stabilize the capital before Stannis's assault. 175 176 209

Battle of King's Landing and Loss of Power

Tyrion prepares for Stannis's attack and intends to fight himself. Although the city survives, Jacelyn Bywater dies in the battle, and Tywin immediately removes Tyrion's guards, authority, and place in King's Landing. 258 259

Master of Coin

Afterward, Tyrion serves as Master of Coin, confronting the city's destruction, food shortage, treasury problems, and reconstruction costs. He raises funds through new taxes and a loan from Gryn while struggling under Tywin's demands for a lavish royal wedding. 329

Trial and Escape

Tyrion is tried for Prince Oberyn's murder. During the proceedings, he condemns the lifelong prejudice he has faced as a dwarf and accuses Tywin of responsibility for Tysha's suffering. Tywin finds him guilty and sentences him to death, but Jaime enables his escape from the Red Keep. 362 363 364

The Wall and Gryn's Mission

Gryn rescues Tyrion and sends him to the Night's Watch under the cover of being a Crabb adjutant. There, Tyrion assists Maester Aemon, works alongside Bronn, and gathers intelligence relating to the White Walkers and northern politics. 365 413

Service Beyond the Lannisters

Tyrion negotiates with Stannis, resists Melisandre's seduction, and accepts missions intended to support Gryn's broader plans. After learning Tysha and Lanna are alive, he seeks further opportunities to earn merit and secure their future. 456 530 631

Casterly Rock

As Gryn's envoy, Tyrion turns against the remaining Lannister order in the Westerlands. He intimidates Ser Harys Swyft into surrendering Casterly Rock, refuses command of a Westerlands army for fear of endangering his family, and begins planning to summon the western lords under the new regime. 687 688 689

Notable Quotes

“My crime is far more terrible than murder. My crime is being born a dwarf, and for that I repent.” 362

“A dwarf is a prank played by the Gods; a eunuch is a sin committed by mortal men.” 194

“A Lannister always pays his debts.” 180

“I am a Dwarf. Would you expect a Dwarf to love a father who only ever humiliates him?” 364