Shadow Lands

For other uses, see Shadow.

The Shadow Lands, also called the Shadow, is a mountainous area in the far east of Essos.

Geography

The city of Asshai is located at the southwestern tip of the Shadow Lands. To the north and northeast, the Shadow Lands meet the Mountains of the Morn. Leng and the Manticore Isles lie in the Jade Sea to the west. South of the Shadow are the Saffron Straits, Ulos, and Ulthos. The river Ash travels from the Mountains of the Morn to the Jade Sea, mostly through the Vale of Shadows, a valley so narrow with such high cliffs that is said to be always in shadow except at noon.

Ghost grass grows throughout the Shadow Lands. It is said that demons and dragons are among the creatures dwelling in cliff caves in the mountains. The ruined corpse city of Stygai, which even shadowbinders fear, lies at the heart of the Shadow. The fruits, gold, and gems found beyond Asshai are said to be unhealthy in their own ways.

Populace

Quaithe of the Shadow, by Glen Osterberger © Fantasy Flight Games

Shadow Men, the people of the Shadow Lands, are known for covering their bodies in tattoos and wearing red lacquer wooden masks.

History

Ancient tales from Asshai claim that dragons originated in the Shadow and were first tamed by a people so ancient they had no name.

The maroon emperors of Yi Ti kept their court in Jinqi to better guard the borders of the Golden Empire against reavers from the Shadow Lands.

While studying in Asshai, Mirri Maz Duur learned from a bloodmage from the Shadow Lands.

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Magister Illyrio Mopatis tells Daenerys Targaryen that the three dragon eggs he gives her as wedding gifts come from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai. Daenerys recalls hearing that the first dragons had come from the east, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai and the islands of the Jade Sea.

After entering Vaes Dothrak, Daenerys sees plundered statues she considers misshapen and terrible. Ser Jorah Mormont says they likely come from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai.

A Clash of Kings

Daenerys meets Quaithe of the Shadow.

A Feast for Crows

During the kingsmoot on Old Wyk, Euron Greyjoy claims to have visited Asshai by the Shadow.

Quotes

In Asshai, the tales are many and confused, but certain texts—all impossibly ancient—claim that dragons first came from the Shadow, a place where all of our learning fails us.

—writings of Yandel

Down in the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai, they say there are oceans of ghost grass, taller than a man on horseback with stalks as pale as milkglass.

—Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen

Euron: Only one living kraken has never known defeat. Only one has never bent his knee. Only one has sailed to Asshai by the Shadow, and seen wonders and terrors beyond imagining ...
Qarl: If you liked the Shadow so well, go back there.

—Euron Greyjoy and Qarl the Maid

Behind the scenes

In an early draft of A Game of Thrones, the region of Asshai and the Shadow Lands is named the Wound, and it's described as a "smoking desolation", a depiction resembling Valyria after the Doom.