Summer Isles

Approximate location of the Summer Islands(made up shape)

The Summer Islands or Summer Isles are a large archipelago located to the south of Westeros, south-west of Essos and west of Sothoryos. The islands separate the Sunset Sea to the west from the Summer Sea to the east. The northern-most islands of the group have been mapped, but it is not known how far south the island chain extends. The mapped portion of the chain includes three large islands and numerous smaller ones.

The three large islands are called Walano, Omboru and Jhala. Smaller islands include Stone Head, Koj, the Isle of Birds, Singing Stones, Three Exiles, Moluu, the Isle of Love, the Isle of Women, Xon, Doquu and the Bones. The Smiling Sea divides Walano and Omboru, and the Indigo Straits divide Omboru from Jhala.

Walano contains the capital city of the Summer Islands, Lotus Port. Jhala contains the only other settlement large enough to be called a city, Ebonhead. Towns of the Summer Islands include Last Lament at the north-western tip of Walano and Tall Trees Town near the island's south-eastern tip.

Jhala is the largest of the three islands and includes two notable, settled valleys: the Sweet Lotus Vale which runs from north to south to Ebonhead and the sea, and the Red Flower Vale which runs east to west along the island's axis. The southern coast of Jhala encloses Parrot Bay and several smaller islands.

The natives of the islands are an ebony-skinned people who speak their own language and often wear capes of brightly colored feathers. The act of lovemaking is considered an important and even holy skill. Prostitution is a respectable profession, practiced even by the high-born of the islands. Summer Islanders respect their elderly, and mourning customs include celebrating the dead with wine and lovemaking. Archery is another important cultural skill to the Summer Islanders. Their special bows have a longer range than most others, giving their merchant boats added defense against pirates.

There is a tree, called goldenheart, from which the golden wood comes from that the Summer Islands is famous for. They also make a sweet amber wine. Their diet consists primarily of fruits and fish.

The history of the Summer Islands is not known in detail. However, some years after Robert's Rebellion there was a civil war on Jhala which saw Prince Jalabhar Xho of the Red Flower Fale desposed. He sought refuge in King's Landing and spent many years petitioning King Robert Baratheon for military assistance in retaking his homeland. Robert was attracted by the idea of invading the Summer Islands, but his advisors convinced him it was a foolhardy venture. Despite this negative response Xho remains in exile in King's Landing, hoping that the king will change his mind.