Khal is a title used by Dothraki to designate the leader of a khalasar, the nomadic groupings upon which their society is based.[1]
Culture
featured in The World of Ice & Fire
A khal leads a khalasar and its various khas. The khal is usually considered the strongest or fiercest of a khalasar; he must be a ruthless and cunning warrior to deal with any who challenge his authority or get in his way. It is said that if a khal cannot ride, he cannot lead.[2]
Khals keep trusted companions and guards known as bloodriders, who follow the khal everywhere, even in death. If their khal falls in battle, the bloodriders live only long enough to avenge his death. They refer to each other as "blood of my blood" as a sign of respect and the closeness of their bond.[3]
A khal's wife is called a khaleesi, while his heir to a khalasar is named the khalakka.[3] When a khal dies, his khaleesi joins the dosh khaleen in Vaes Dothrak. Even the mightiest khals bow down before the authority and wisdom of the dosh khaleen.[4]
Khals bring their captives to Slaver's Bay to be sold into slavery.[5] The Slaver Cities[6][7] Pentos,[8] Qohor,[9] and Selhorys[10] have been known to pay lavish gifts to avoid conflict with the Dothraki.
History
Led by their khals, the Dothraki conquered what is now known as the Dothraki sea during the Century of Blood which followed the Doom of Valyria.[11]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen marries Khal Drogo in a ceremony outside Pentos.[12]
Drogo slays Khal Ogo when their khalasars clash near a town of the Lhazareen.[13] Drogo's khalasar breaks apart after he collapses.[2] Instead of joining the dosh khaleen in Vaes Dothrak after Drogo's death, Daenerys hatches three dragons from his funeral pyre and leads her own khalasar as their ruling khaleesi.[14]
A Clash of Kings
Khal Pono's khalasar drives captives to Slaver's Bay.[15]
A Dance with Dragons
Daenerys flies away from Daznak's Pit in Meereen on the back of Drogon.[16] Khal Jhaqo's khalasar encounters her in the Dothraki sea.[17]
Known Khals
- {Bharbo}
- Jhaqo, once ko to Drogo, now khal in his own right.
- Pono, once ko to Drogo, now a khal of rising strength.
- Moro, attended Daenerys Targaryen's presentation to Drogo in Pentos.
- Jommo, one of those who proclaimed Rhaego the stallion who mounts the world in Vaes Dothrak.
- {Ogo}, also was at Vaes Dothrak. Later fought and was killed by Drogo in Lhazar.
- Zekko, who periodically threatens Qohor.
- Motho, an old khal with an aging khalasar.
Historical Khals
- Temmo, who was defeated by the Three Thousand of Qohor.
- Onqo, who made incursions into Ibbenese territories.
- Dhako, Onqo's grandson.
- Zeggo, who sacked the city of Sarys.
- Loso, one of the four khals who fought in the Field of Crows.
- Zhako, one of the four khals who fought in the Field of Crows
- Qano, one of the four khals who fought in the Field of Crows.
- Haro, one of the four khals who fought in the Field of Crows.
- Scoro, who sacked Ibbish during the Century of Blood.[18]
- Mengo, who united all Dothraki tribes and khalasars under his rule, becoming the first great khal.
- Moro, Mengo's son and the second great khal.
- Horro, who slew Moro and took his khalasar and daughter for himself. The last great khal.
Quotes
Do you see his braid, sweet sister? You see how long it is? When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braids in disgrace, so the world will know their shame. Khal Drogo has never lost a fight. He is Aegon the Dragonlord come again, and you will be his queen.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 68, Daenerys IX.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 36, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 46, Daenerys V.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 16, Daenerys III.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 30, Daenerys V.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Pentos.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Qohor.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 61, Daenerys VII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 52, Daenerys IX.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 71, Daenerys X.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Ib.