Marwyn

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Archmaester.svg Archmaester
Marwyn
the Mage
Archmaester.svg
Marwyn the mage by nawia.jpg
Marwyn, by Nawia ©

Aliases
  • Marwyn the Mage
  • The Mage
  • The mastiff
Title Archmaester of the higher mysteries
Allegiance The Citadel
Culture Westeros
Born Westeros[1]
Books

Marwyn, also known as Marwyn the Mage, is an archmaester of the Citadel.[2]

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Marwyn

Marwyn has a thick neck and a strong jaw. He is short and squat with enormous hands, a thick chest and a hard ale-belly. He has white hair coming out of his nose and ears. He is beetle-browed, his nose has been broken more than once, and his teeth are stained red from chewing sourleaf.[3] His ring, rod and mask are made of Valyrian steel.[2]

People say that Marwyn keeps the company of whores and hedge wizards, talks with hairy Ibbenese and pitch-black Summer Islanders in their own tongues, and sacrifices to queer gods at the little sailor's temples down by Oldtown’s wharves. Men speak of seeing him down by the undercity, in rat pits and black brothels, consorting with mummers, singers, sellswords and even beggars. Some have even whispered that he has killed a man with his fists once. He believes in many curious things.[4]

Marwyn has traveled the lands beyond the narrow sea. He encountered Mirri Maz Duur in his travels, and taught her the secrets of the human body and the Common Tongue.[5]

Marwyn spent eight years in the east, mapping distant lands, searching for lost books, and studying with warlocks and shadowbinders. He was nicknamed "Marwyn the Mage" by Archmaester Vaellyn after his return. The name was soon all over Oldtown, much to Vaellyn’s vast annoyance.[4] Marywn often calls the rest of the maesters the "grey sheep".[6][3] He is the author of a book, The Book of Lost Books.[7]

The accounts of his travels confirmed reports that there are no living animals in Asshai.[8]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

In Essos Mirri Maz Duur mentions to Daenerys Targaryen that she was taught about human anatomy by a maester named Marwyn.[5]

A Storm of Swords

In conversation with Jaime Lannister, Qyburn explains how he came to believe in the possibility of ghosts, and mentions that of all the archmaesters only Marwyn gives the matter any thought.[9]

A Feast for Crows

Leo Tyrell tells the group of novices and acolytes assembled at the Quill and Tankard that Marwyn believes the tales of dragons are true, and that he has managed to light an obsidian candle. Leo refers to Marwyn as "the mastiff", and says that "the menagerie" (other archmaesters) hate him.[4]

Asha Greyjoy finds Lord Rodrik Harlaw reading Marwyn's book, The Book of Lost Books, in the Book Tower.[7]

At Marwyn's request, Alleras brings Samwell Tarly to meet with Marwyn after talking to him at the Seneschal's Court. Marwyn listens to Samwell's story and then declares that he is off to meet Daenerys Targaryen. He orders Samwell to keep quiet about Daenerys and the dragons, finish his studies, and then get back to the Wall as fast as possible. Marwyn then leaves to catch the Cinnamon Wind in order to get as quickly as possible to Daenerys in Meereen.[3]

Quotes by Marwyn

Gorghan of Old Ghis once wrote that a prophecy is like a treacherous woman. She takes your member in her mouth, and you moan with the pleasure of it and think, how sweet, how fine, how good this is... and then her teeth snap shut and your moans turn to screams. That is the nature of prophecy, said Gorghan. Prophecy will bite your prick off every time.[3]

—Marwyn, to Samwell Tarly, Alleras, and the "Pate" imposter

Who do you think killed all the dragons the last time around? Gallant dragonslayers armed with swords? The world the Citadel is building has no place in it for sorcery or prophecy or glass candles, much less for dragons. Ask yourself why Aemon Targaryen was allowed to waste his life upon the Wall, when by rights he should have been raised to archmaester. His blood was why. He could not be trusted. No more than I can.[3]

—Marwyn, to Samwell Tarly

Quotes about Marwyn

Armen: Marwyn is unsound. Archmaester Perestan would be the first to tell you that.

Roone: Archmaester Ryam says so too.

Leo: The sea is wet, the sun is warm, and the menagerie hates the mastiff.[3]

References