Editing Maesters (section)

===Maesters===
[[File:Chris Rallis FFG card maester.JPG|thumb||350px|A maester reads a message brought by a [[raven]], by Chris Rallis © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Maesters are scholars and healers who have completed their training at the Citadel. They can be sent by the Citadel to serve at the holdings of [[lord]]s and [[landed knight]]s throughout the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]], from the [[Arbor]] to the [[Wall]],{{Ref|ACOK|10}} but not in the lands [[beyond the Wall]]. If a lord does not have a maester in his service, he is seen as unimportant.{{Ref|ADWD|37}} Maesters normally serve only at castles,{{Ref|ACOK|19}}{{Ref|AFfC|0}} but they can accompany their lord when he travels{{Ref|AGOT|33}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}} or be sent on missions by the lord.{{Ref|ADWD|6}}

[[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sister wives each had a maester during [[Aegon's Conquest|the Conquest]], and as king Aegon had as many as six serving him, separate from the [[Grand Maester]].{{Ref|FAB|3}} A lord has to pay the Citadel for a maester's service,{{Ref|SSM|1284}} and some [[smallfolk]] believe that maesters would be unwilling to help them.{{Ref|ACOK|19}}

Maesters wear a collar, which is supposed to remind him of the realm he serves.{{Ref|AGOT|41}} When he completes his education and takes his vows, a maester puts aside his House name.{{Ref|AGOT|60}} Although he is supposed to be loyal to the seat to which he is assigned, regardless of the changes in control of that holding,{{Ref|ACOK|66}} old allegiances or loyalties might continue linger.{{Ref|ADWD|37}}

While the [[ironborn]] have rejected the [[Faith of the Seven]], most recognize the usefulness of having maesters in the [[Iron Islands]].{{Ref|AFFC|29}}{{Ref|ADWD|56}} Ironborn lords who venture more frequently to the [[green lands]] are more likely to keep maesters in their retinues.{{Ref|AFFC|19}} Ironmen who support the [[Old Way]], such as [[Aeron Greyjoy]], a [[priest of the Drowned God]], are more likely to disapprove of maesters, however.{{Ref|AFFC|1}} Some Westerosi nobles, such as [[Maekar I Targaryen|Maekar Targaryen]] and [[Randyll Tarly]], have also opposed their own sons choosing a life of service by becoming maesters.{{Ref|AFFC|5}}