Skagosi
Skagosi or Skagossons[1] are inhabitants of Skagos, a remote island within the Bay of Seals in the north.
Culture
The Skagosi call themselves the stoneborn, as skagos means "stone" in the Old Tongue.[2] They are an isolated people descended from the First Men. Because of their huge size and foul smell, some maesters believe the hairy Skagosi have a strong admixture of Ibbenese blood, whereas others suggest they may be partially descended from giants.[3]
The Skagosi are said to live in caves or grim mountain fastnesses.[2] Traders claim the lords of the stoneborn clans ride shaggy unicorns.[3]
The people of Skagos are little liked by other northmen, who derisively call them "Skaggs".[2] They regard Skagosi as little more than tribes of raiders and savages, not dissimilar to wildlings. Skagosi are considered a backward folk, rumored to still perform human sacrifices to weirwoods and lure passing ships to destruction with false lights. The Skagosi supposedly engage in cannibalism during winter,[4] with their warriors eating the hearts and livers of the men they slay.[2] According to Lord Roose Bolton, the inhabitants of Skagos still continue the lord's right of the first night,[5] which has been forbidden in the Seven Kingdoms since the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.[6]
When they trade with outsiders, Skagosi offer pelts, obsidian blades and arrowheads, and unicorn horns.[3]
History
According to The Edge of the World by Maester Balder, a war fleet from Skagos sailed to the nearby island Skane, seizing all the women, killing all the men, and feasting on their flesh for a fortnight. The smaller isle has reportedly been uninhabited since the Feast of Skane.[2][7] Some attribute the destruction of Hardhome to cannibals from Skagos.[8]
In response to Skagosi raids on the mainland, Brandon IX Stark, King in the North, broke their power, destroying the Skagosi ships and forbidding them the sea.[3]
According to legend, Bael the Bard entered Winterfell under the guise of a singer named Sygerrik of Skagos; sygerrik means "deceiver" in the Old Tongue.[9]
Some Skagosi have served in the Night's Watch over the past millennia. A Crowl was Lord Commander over a thousand years ago, and, according to the Annals of the Black Centaur, a Stane served as First Ranger for a brief time.[3]
The Skagosi rose in rebellion against House Stark during the rule of King Daeron II Targaryen. The rebellion lasted for years and claimed the lives of thousands, among them Lord Barthogan Stark, before being put down.[3]
Recent Events
A Storm of Swords
Donal Noye recalls meeting Skagossons at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.[1]
Quotes
Skagos meant "stone" in the Old Tongue. The Skagosi named themselves the stoneborn, but their fellow northmen called them Skaggs and liked them little.[2]
—thoughts of Samwell Tarly
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 48, Jon VI.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 15, Samwell II.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 17, Jon IV.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Wall and Beyond: The Wildlings.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 51, Jon VI.
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