Rodrik Harlaw

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House Harlaw.svg Lord
Rodrik Harlaw
the Reader
House Harlaw.svg
Nacho Molia the Reader.jpg
Rodrik by Nacho Molina © FFG

Alias The Reader
Titles
Allegiance House Harlaw
Culture ironborn
Born Harlaw[2]
Father Lord Harlaw[3]
Spouse Deceased wife
Issue Two deceased sons
Books

Rodrik Harlaw is the Lord of Harlaw, Lord of the Ten Towers, and head of House Harlaw. He is nicknamed Rodrik the Reader because he is always reading, which is uncommon amongst the ironborn.[3] He is the captain of the Sea Song.

Lord Harlaw's kin include Boremund the Blue, Ser Harras, Hotho, and Sigfryd Harlaw.[3] Other bannermen include Lords Myre, Kenning, Stonetree, and Volmark.[1]

Appearance and Character

An average-looking man, Rodrik has brown hair and eyes, and a short, neat beard that is grey. He has requested a Myrish lens to assist with his vision.[3]

The cautious[4] Rodrik enjoys reading.[3]

History

Rodrik unsuccessfully advised Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, not to rebel against King Robert I Baratheon. Rodrik had two tall sons who died in the sea battle off Fair Isle during Greyjoy's Rebellion.[3]

When the Faith of the Seven was still tolerated in the Iron Islands, Rodrik kept septons at Ten Towers to help care for his books, which he reads in the Book Tower. Rodrik's sister, Gwynesse, insists that she should rule Ten Towers, as she is seven years his elder.[3]

Rodrik is a widower,[2] who does not expect to wed again, and his heir is his cousin Harras, the Knight of Grey Garden.[3]

Recent Events

Rodrik the Reader by TheMico ©

A Feast for Crows

After the death of Balon Greyjoy, King of the Isles and the North, Rodrik supports his niece, Balon's daughter Asha, and calls her supporters to Harlaw.[5] Rodrik is visited by Lords Baelor Blacktyde and Tristifer Botley prior to the kingsmoot on Old Wyk, which has been called by Aeron Greyjoy.[3]

Rodrik assembles those faithful to Princess Asha at the Ten Towers. Hotho Harlaw, who wants Rodrik to marry his daughter, brings his lord a copy of Archmaester Marwyn's Book of Lost Books. Rodrik tries to convince Asha not to attend the kingsmoot, fearing a bad outcome. He offers to name Asha as the heir to Ten Towers, with the island of Harlaw passing to Ser Harras Harlaw, but she refuses.[3]

At the kingsmoot Rodrik is one of the first to call Asha's name. However, her uncle, Euron Greyjoy, is chosen king instead.[6]

After the taking of the Shields, Rodrik is spotted by Lord Captain Victarion Greyjoy and Nute the Barber talking with Lords Gorold Goodbrother and Dunstan Drumm in the yard of Lord Hewett's castle on Oakenshield. They discuss their fears that the gains from the battle are little compared to the enmity of the Reach they have earned. During the feast in House Hewett's hall, King Euron tells the ironborn they will conquer Westeros. Rodrik is skeptical of Euron's planning as well as his claims of having sailed the Smoking Sea and seen Valyria. With Euron giving Greyshield to Harras, Hotho feels that he is now Rodrik's heir.[4]

A Dance with Dragons

At Deepwood Motte, Asha recalls how after Euron was named the new king at the kingsmoot, Rodrik told her to flee while her uncle was busy. He also recommended she read Archmaester Haereg's History of the Ironborn, which recounts the only time a kingsmoot decision was overturned.[7]

Quotes by Rodrik

Rodrik: I prefer my history dead. Dead history is writ in ink, the living sort in blood.

Asha: Do you want to die old and craven in your bed?

Rodrik: How else? Though not till I'm done reading.[3]

—Rodrik and Asha Greyjoy

Euron: I have sailed the Smoking Sea and seen Valyria.

Rodrik: Have you?

Euron: Reader, you would do well to keep your nose in your books.[4]

—Rodrik and Euron Greyjoy

Quotes about Rodrik

Harlaw was not the largest of the Iron Islands, but it was the richest and most populous, and Lord Rodrik's power was not to be despised.[3]

Asha Greyjoy's thoughts

Lord Rodrik was seldom seen without a book in hand, be it in the privy, on the deck of his Sea Song, or whilst holding audience.[3]

Asha Greyjoy's thoughts

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Theomore
 
Unknown
six wives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three sons
 
Unknown
Harlaw
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Harlaw
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sigfryd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lord Harlaw
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
Harlaw
 
Unknown
Serrett
 
 
 
Sibling(s)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
husband
 
Gwynesse
 
Alannys
 
Balon
Greyjoy
 
Rodrik
 
Unknown
wife
 
Harras
 
Hotho
 
Unknown
wife
 
Boremund
 
Unknown
wife
 
Grandsons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rodrik
Greyjoy
 
Maron
Greyjoy
 
Asha
Greyjoy
 
Theon
Greyjoy
 
Son
 
Son
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daughter
 
 
 
 
Three sons
 


References

Unknown
Last known title holder:
Theomore Harlaw
Harlaw of Harlaw
Lord of Harlaw
Lord of Ten Towers
Incumbent
Heir presumptive:
Harras Harlaw