Lys

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Lys
City state, one of the Free Cities
Free Cities.png
Location Free Cities, Essos
Population More populous than Astapor, and may be one of the most populous of the Free Cities
Religion Mixed religions
Founded Approx 1000 years ago

Lys is one of the nine Free Cities, located on Essos. It is a small city clinging to rocks surrounded by stormy seas.[1] The city lies off the southern coast of the eastern continent, to the southeast of Tyrosh and to the west of Volantis.[2] According to semi-canon sources the city is spread over several islands.[3] Lys is known for the alchemists who work in the city, who are known to make poisons, the Strangler among them.[4]

People

The people of Lys curl and perfume their hair.[5] Blue eyes are common among the Lyseni.[6] According to semi-canon sources blonde hair is a common trait among those native to Lys.[7] Many Lysene have white-blond hair and smooth fair skin, as the blood of the old Freehold still runs strong there.[8]

History

After the Doom a Volantene fleet took Lys and a Volantene army took Myr, and for two generations all three cities were ruled from within the Black Walls. That ended when the tigers tried to swallow Tyrosh. Pentos came into the war on the Tyroshi side, along with the Westerosi Storm King. Aegon Targaryen flew forth from Dragonstone on Balerion the Black Dread, and Myr and Lys rose up in rebellion. The war left the Disputed Lands a waste and freed Lys and Myr from the yoke of Volantis. [9] The admiral of the Three Daughters' ninety strong fleet during the Battle in the Gullet was a Lysene named Sharako Lohar . [10]

Varys claims to have been born a slave in Lys. Tywin Lannister went to Lys during the reign of Aerys II. When Daenerys was a girl she and her brother Viserys spent some time in Lys when they were wandering from place to place. Jon Connington supposedly drank himself to death in Lys after being driven from the Golden Company in disgrace for stealing from the war chest.

After Lord Edgar Yronwood’s death the Red Viper went to Oldtown, thence across to the narrow sea to Lys, though none dared call it exile. [11] By the time SerJorah Mormont got back to Lys after fighting the Braavosi on the Rhoyne his second wife Lynesse Hightower had taken Tregar Ormollen as a lover. [12]

Hizdahr zo Loraq has visited Lys.

Religion

According to semi-canon sources, one of the greatest temples of R'hllor stands in Lys. It is also home to a native love goddess.[13]

Commerce and Currency

Lysene coins are oval in shape and have a naked woman stamped on them.[14] See also Currency.

Lys makes a red wine and a white wine,[15] fine tapestries,[16] and the source of the lethal poison, Tears of Lys.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Ser Davos Seaworth recalls that it was he who journeyed to Lys in order to recruit Salladhor Saan to King Stannis Baratheon's cause. [17]

A Storm of Swords

Tyrosh was on the verge of going to war with Lys.[18]

A Feast for Crows

Lys and Tyrosh are now on the verge of war with Myr.[19] It is later rumored that the Archon of Tyrosh had offered terms to Lys in an effort to end the trade war.[20]

References and Notes