The Valyrian peninsula is a large but shattered peninsula extending south from Essos into the Summer Sea.[1]
History
The rise to power of the Valyrians only began when they discovered dragons lairing in the Fourteen Flames, an immense chain of volcanoes extending across the neck of the peninsula. It soon became the heartland of the Valyrian Freehold and the location of the city of Valyria.[2] For many years, the Valyrians were at peace with the Rhoynar civilization of the Rhoyne, west of the Valyrian peninsula.[3]
The peninsula was partially destroyed in the Doom of Valyria, an eruption of all of the Fourteen Flames that destroyed the Valyrian Freehold. Great earthquakes destroyed settlements, mountains exploded, and fires burned so hot that even dragons were killed. Many islands were formed, while the low-lying areas were flooded, creating the Smoking Sea, which separated the Valyrian peninsula from the now-ruined Lands of the Long Summer.[4] The peninsula also contained Oros and Tyria.[5]
The area is now described as "demon-haunted", and most people are afraid to go there, as all known expeditions to the shattered peninsula have ended in failure. Hence the quote, "The Doom still rules in Valyria."[6][7] With Valyrian leadership destroyed, the lands outside of the peninsula fell into chaos in the ensuing Century of Blood, which saw the rise of the Free Cities.[8]
Recent Events
A Dance with Dragons
In Meereen, the merchant prince Xaro Xhoan Daxos gifts Daenerys a tapestry that has been in his family vaults since before the Doom that took Valyria. The old tapestry depicts the Valyrian peninsula before its destruction.[9]
When the Selaesori Qhoran sails east near the coast of the Valyrian peninsula, Tyrion Lannister sees a dull red glow lighting the sky.[4]
Ralf the Limper's squadron of Iron Fleet ships is driven near blighted Valyria by storms while sailing to Slaver's Bay.[10]
References
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, The Doom of Valyria.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Arrival of the Andals.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ The Lands of Ice and Fire, Central Essos.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 16, Daenerys III.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 56, The Iron Suitor.