Editing Free Cities (section)

==Geography==
The nine city-states composing the Free Cities lie across the [[narrow sea]], east of [[Westeros]], on the western side of [[Essos]], the eastern continent. [[Braavos]], [[Lorath]], [[Lys]], and [[Tyrosh]] are located on islands, [[Myr]], [[Pentos]], and [[Volantis]] are located on the coasts, and [[Norvos]] and [[Qohor]] lie inland. There are significant differences between the geography of the various cities, from the [[Forest of Qohor|thick forests around Qohor]], to the rolling hills of Norvos, to the tiny islands of Braavos. To the east of the Free Cities lies the [[Dothraki sea]], to the south [[Slaver's Bay]]. North of the Free Cities lie the [[Shivering Sea]] and the islands of [[Ibben]].{{Ref|TLOIAF|The Known World}}

===Braavos===
[[File:Marcsimonetti arya Bravos.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Braavos]] by Marc Simonetti ©]]
{{main|Braavos}}
Braavos, also known as Braavos of the Hundred Isles{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities}} and the Secret City,{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Valyria's Children}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}}{{Ref|AFFC|22}} and sometimes referred to as the bastard daughter of Valyria,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Pentos}} is the wealthiest and likely the most powerful of the Free Cities.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}} It is also the youngest of the nine cities, and was founded by [[slavery|slaves]] fleeing the grasp of the Valyrian Freehold.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}} The ancestry of the founders of Braavos was highly diverse, and the founders of Braavos spoke many tongues. Because of this, they used the language of their masters, [[High Valyrian]], as their common tongue.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}} The current Braavosi tongue is a corrupt dialect of the original High Valyrian.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities}} Because of the diverse origins of the Braavosi, temples for all gods can be found in Braavos, including a temple for the [[Moonsingers]] of the [[Jogos Nhai]] of the [[Further East]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}}{{Ref|AFFC|6}}

A seafaring city composed of many tiny islands, Braavos is known for its ships with purple hulls and sails, the powerful [[Iron Bank]], the guild of assassins known as the [[Faceless Men]], and the [[Titan of Braavos]], the fortified statue and lighthouse that straddles the entrance channel to the city. Braavos is ruled by the [[Sealord]], who is elected by the city's [[magister]]s and [[keyholder]]s of the Iron Bank.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Braavos}}{{Ref|AGOT|33}}{{Ref|AFFC|6}}

Notable Braavosi include [[Syrio Forel]], a former [[First Sword of Braavos]], and [[Tycho Nestoris]], an agent of the Iron Bank.

===Lorath===
{{main|Lorath}}
Located on the largest of three islands at the mouth of [[Lorath Bay]], Lorath is one of the northernmost of the Nine Free Cities.{{Ref|TLOIAF|The Free Cities}} It is also the smallest, poorest, and least populous of the Free Cities,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Lorath}} as well as the most isolated.{{Ref|AGOT|54}} While the islands were originally inhabited by the [[Mazemakers]], Lorath was founded when the followers of the god [[Boash]] settled on the main isle in [[1436 BC]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Lorath}}

Notable Lorathi include [[Jaqen H'ghar]].

===Lys===
{{main|Lys}}
Lys is located on an island near the southern coast.{{Ref|TLOIAF|The Free Cities}} The blood of [[Old Valyria]] still runs strong in this Free City, and as such, many Lyseni, even among the smallfolk, resemble the [[dragonlord]]s of old. Lys is well known for its [[pleasure house]]s, training slaves in the arts of love and selling them as concubines and bed-slaves. Having once formed the [[Triarchy]] with [[Tyrosh]] and [[Myr]], Lys now frequently fights with them over the control of the [[Disputed Lands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}

Notable Lyseni include [[Varys]], a eunuch and [[spymaster]] for several Westerosi kings;{{Ref|AGOT|25}} [[Salladhor Saan]], a pirate and [[Mercenary#Sellsail|sellsail]]; [[Doreah]], a [[handmaid]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]; [[Lysono Maar]], a member of the [[Golden Company]]; and [[Tregar Ormollen]], a merchant prince.

===Myr===
[[File:Allan Bednar Myrish villa.jpg|thumb|350px|A villa in [[Myr]], by Allan Bednar © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{main|Myr}}
Myr is a coastal city renowned for their master glasscrafters,{{Ref|AGOT|6}}{{Ref|ADWD|35}} intricate lace, and fine carpets. It is considered to be among the most advanced of the Free Cities, and famed for its arts and learning. While Myr once formed the [[Triarchy]] with [[Tyrosh]] and [[Lys]], they now frequently fight over control of the [[Disputed Lands]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}

Notable Myrmen include [[Taena Merryweather|Taena]], the wife of Lord [[Orton Merryweather]]; [[Thoros of Myr]], a [[red priest]] of [[R'hllor]]; and [[Serala]], the wife of Lord [[Denys Darklyn]], who was involved in the [[Defiance of Duskendale]]. 

===Norvos===
{{main|Norvos}}
Inland Norvos sits in two parts, one atop a high hill and the other beside the [[Noyne]]. The surrounding area is a land of rolling hills, terraced farms, and white-stucco villages.{{Ref|AGOT|3}} The city has [[three bells|three large bells]], each with its own name and distinctive voice, which are rung to govern every aspect of city life. Norvoshi men can be recognized by their dyed and upswept mustaches. The city is run by a council of [[magister]]s, chosen by the [[bearded priests of Norvos|bearded priests]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Norvos}}{{Ref|AFFC|2}}

Notable Norvoshi include [[Areo Hotah]], the captain of Prince [[Doran Martell]]'s guard, and Lady [[Mellario]], Doran's estranged wife.

===Pentos===
[[‎File:Tradingwiththepentoshiloganfeliciano.jpg|thumb|350px|Trading with the [[Pentos]]hi, by Logan Feliciano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{main|Pentos}}
Pentos is a major trading port on a bay of the western coast, at approximately the latitude of the [[Westerosi]] city [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Pentos}}{{Ref|TLOIAF|The Known World}} The [[Prince of Pentos]] is chosen by the ''de facto'' rulers of the city, known as [[magister]]s. ''[[Khalasar]]s'' of the [[Dothraki]] occasionally make their way this far from the [[Dothraki sea]], but the Pentoshi are spared much of the raiding and invasions by paying tribute to their ''[[khal]]s''. Slavery is outlawed in Pentos, but the Pentoshi flout these laws by keeping servants who, in essence, are slaves.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Pentos}}{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}

Notable Pentoshi include [[Illyrio Mopatis]], a powerful magister; and the [[Tattered Prince]], the commander of the [[Windblown]], a mercenary company.

===Qohor===
{{main|Qohor}}
Lying in the vast [[Forest of Qohor]],{{Ref|TLOIAF|The Free Cities}} Qohor is known for its fine tapestries and its smiths, who have the rare ability to reforge [[Valyrian steel]]. The [[Black Goat of Qohor|Black Goat]] is a prominent god in the city. Qohor's guard is comprised solely of [[Unsullied]] eunuch slave soldiers, and has been ever since three thousand Unsullied soldiers [[Three Thousand of Qohor|successfully defended the city]] against a ''[[khalasar]]''.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}}{{Ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|ASOS|72}}

Notable Qohoriks include [[Vargo Hoat]], leader of the brutal mercenary company called the [[Brave Companions]]; and [[Tobho Mott]], a master [[armorer]] in King's Landing.

===Tyrosh===
{{main|Tyrosh}}
A coastal city, Tyrosh is ruled by the [[Archon of Tyrosh]]. The Tyroshi are known for their greed.{{Ref|AGOT|18}} Traders deal extensively in slaves{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}} and Tyroshi pear brandy,{{Ref|AGOT|54}} and Tyroshi master armorsmiths make intricate armor in fantastic shapes.{{Ref|THK}} The city is often involved in conflicts over the [[Disputed Lands]] and the [[Stepstones]] with [[Lys]] and [[Myr]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Notable Tyroshi include [[Greenbeard]]; [[Roro Uhoris]]; and the flamboyant [[Daario Naharis]], one of three captains of the [[Stormcrows]] sellsword company.

===Volantis===
[[File:Mystique of the EastMartina Pilcerova.png|thumb|350px|[[Volantis]] by Martina Pilcerova © Fantasy Flight Games]]
{{main|Volantis}}
The southernmost of the Free Cities, Volantis is situated nearest [[Slaver's Bay]], and does extensive trade in [[slaves]], glassware and wines. The city is the oldest and proudest of the Free Cities, and only the [[Old Blood]], those who can trace their lineage back to Valyria, may dwell within the part of the city behind the [[Black Wall]]. Volantis is ruled by an elected [[Triarchs of Volantis|triarchy]]. Volantene sellswords are often recognizable by their fierce tattoos.{{ref|ASOS|39}} It is not uncommon for the Volantene to mark the faces of their slaves and servants with tattoos as well.{{Ref|ADWD|6}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Volantis}} Volantis is sometimes drawn into conflicts over the [[Disputed Lands]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}

Notable Volantenes includes the triarch [[Belicho]], the fool [[Patchface]], and the [[widow of the waterfront]].