Jade Sea
The Jade Sea is a large body of water in the Further East of the known world, beyond the Jade Gates, which separate it from the Summer Sea.
Contents
Geography
The Jade Sea is east of the Summer Sea and south of Essos. It is divided from the Summer Sea by the large island Great Moraq, the Cinnamon Straits, and the Jade Gates with the isle of Qal. Also near the Jade Gates are the southern reaches of the Bone Mountains.[1]
Yi Ti is in a forested stretch along the northern Jade Sea, and the Shadow Lands are to the east. The eastern Jade Sea transitions into the Saffron Straits, which separate the Shadow Lands in eastern Essos from Ulthos. It is unknown how much of the Jade Sea borders Sothoryos to the southwest.[1]
Aside from Great Moraq and Qal, other islands in the Jade Sea include the Isle of Whips in the northwest, the Isle of Elephants in the southwest, Marahai in the center, Leng in the northeast, and the Manticore Isles in the southeast.[1]
There are several cities along the Jade Sea, such as Port Moraq on Great Moraq and Zabhad on the Isle of Elephants. The island of Leng contains Leng Ma, Leng Yi, and Turrani. Mainland Essos includes Asabhad, Yin and Jinqi in Yi Ti, and Asshai at the tip of the Shadow Lands peninsula.[1]
The strangler is made from the leaves of a plant that only grows on islands of the Jade Sea.[2]
Trade
Aside from merchant traders, few from Westeros visit the area and they know little about it, except that Asshai and the cities of Yi Ti are on its far shores. The Jade Sea is considered an exotic name evoking fable, myth and adventure to those in Westeros.[3] Past Yi Ti, on its eastern shores somewhere, is supposed to be a legendary dreaming city of poets.[4]
It takes roughly two years to travel from Pentos to the Jade Sea and back in the best conditions.[5] There is a traders' route that carries sea-traders around the Jade Sea.[6] Because of the prevailing winds' direction, the route moves clockwise, beginning at the Jade Gates. From Qarth it goes east to Yi Ti, including Asabhad and Yin, then Leng, and possibly Asshai. Zabhad and Port Moraq are visited on the southern return leg of the route. The western shore of Great Moraq south of Qarth is also involved in the Jade Sea's trade.[7]
History
Priests from Yi Ti claim that the first towns and cities developed along the Jade Sea's shores.[8]
Dragons are said to have originated on the islands of the Jade Sea and from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai.[9]
During his first voyage aboard Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon sailed beyond the Jade Gates at Qarth to Yi Ti and Leng. His second voyage then took him to Asshai.[10]
The grey plague was brought to Pentos when the ship Treasure returned from the Jade Sea.[5]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen tells Ser Jorah Mormont that her husband, Khal Drogo, has talked of leading his khalasar east after Rhaego is born, to plunder the lands around the Jade Sea.[11]
Before Drogo's body is burnt on his funeral pyre, Jorah begs Daenerys to come east with him, to Yi Ti, Qarth, the Jade Sea, and Asshai by the Shadow, to see all the wonders yet unseen.[12]
A Clash of Kings
Maester Cressen finds that Melisandre's accent is "flavored with the music of the Jade Sea".[2]
The Cinnamon Wind departs Qarth for the trader's circle around the Jade Sea.[6] Xaro Xhoan Daxos entreats Daenerys to accompany him on his pleasure barge from Qarth to the Jade Sea and Yi Ti.[4] When Daenerys visits the port of Qarth, she learns that Bravo will be sailing to the Jade Sea.[13]
A Storm of Swords
During a small council meeting, Lord Varys reports that sailors back from the Jade Sea report that a three-headed dragon (actually Daenerys and her three young dragons) has hatched in Qarth.[14]
In Meereen, Daenerys reminds Jorah that after Drogo's death he had asked her to go with him to Yi Ti and the Jade Sea.[15]
A Feast for Crows
Before departing the Wall, Samwell Tarly overhears Maester Aemon tell Jon Snow that he left a book for him in his chambers, the Jade Compendium. This was written by the Volantene adventurer Colloquo Votar, who traveled east and visited all the lands of the Jade Sea. Aemon tells Jon there is a passage he might find interesting.[16]
A Dance with Dragons
Illyrio Mopatis tells Tyrion Lannister about Treasure bringing the grey plague to Pentos after trading in the Jade Sea.[5]
In Volantis, when discussing how to find a Westerosi ship heading to Meereen, Quentyn Martell remarks that few come as far as Volantis and those who do fill their holds with silk and spices from the Jade Sea, then bend their oars for home.[17]
In Deepwood Motte, Tristifer Botley suggests to Asha Greyjoy that they make new lives upon the sea as traders. They can voyage east and come back with silks and spices, as one voyage to the Jade Sea would make them wealthy.[18]
Quotes
In Yi Ti itself, the priests insist that mankind's first towns and cities arose along the shores of the Jade Sea and dismiss the rival claims of Sarnor and Ghis as the boasts of savages and children.[8]
—writings of Yandel
She had heard that the first dragons had come from the east, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai and the islands of the Jade Sea. Perhaps some were still living there, in realms strange and wild.[9]
—thoughts of Daenerys Targaryen
One voyage to the Jade Sea and we'll be as rich as gods.[18]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Lands of Ice and Fire, The East.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 40, Daenerys III.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Great Moraq.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.