Volantis

Volantis is one of the Free Cities, located at the mouth of the Rhoyne on the eastern continent.

Geography

Volantis, is the south-easternmost of the Free Cities, located east of the Disputed Lands along the Rhoyne, where the river's delta meets the sea. It is said that Volantis sprawls along a vast bay, so large it could contain the entirety of Braavos within it. To the north is the river Volaena. The city is hot and humid.

Volantis is the closest Free City to Slaver's Bay, lying approximately five hundred and fifty leagues from Meereen as the crow flies (in a straight line).

The City

• The Harbor, The city sits on a very deep harbor. Volantenes claims that the hundred isles of Braavos could be dropped into the harbor and disappear. Volantis spreads across the mouth of the Rhoyne and stretches across the hills and marshes on both sides of the river.

• The Black Wall, The Black Wall is a great oval of fused black stone built two hundred feet high by the Valyrians when Volantis was no more than an outpost of their empire. It is wide enough for six four-horse chariots to race around its top abreast, as is done each year to celebrate the founding of the city. No outlander, freeman, or foreigner is allowed inside the Black Wall save at the invitation of those who dwell within, scions of the Old Blood who can trace their ancestry back to Valyria itself.

• The Temple of R'hllor, The Temple of R'hllor in Volantis is an enormity of pillars, steps, buttresses, bridges, domes, and towers flowing into one another as if they had all been chiseled from one colossal rock. A hundred hues of red, yellow, gold, and orange meet and meld in the temple walls, dissolving one into the other like clouds at sunset. Its slender towers twist ever upward, frozen flames dancing as they reach for the sky. It is about three times the size of the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing. Before the construction of the temple, the site was a Great Plaza. The Temple is protected by a private army known as the Fiery Hand.

• The Merchant's House, The Merchant's House is the finest inn in Volantis. It is a four story monstrosity that dominates the docks, wharves, and storehouses surrounding it. Its common room, larger than the great halls of half the castles in Westeros, is a dim labyrinth of alcoves and grottoes built around a central courtyard with a trellia of flowering vines and a flagstone floor. Its rooms have very strong locks.

• Long Bridge, The Long Bridge joins the two halves of Volantis across the mouth of the Rhoyne. It is a great span with a road supported by massive piers that the Valyrians built at the height of their glory. Its gateway is an arch of black stone carved with sphinxes, manticores, dragons and other strange beasts. The road is just wide enough for two carts to pass abreast. Buildings rise on either side of the roadway. One can buy almost anything in the shops on the Long Bridge. In the center of the bridge the hands of thieves and the heads of executed criminals are displayed.

Rulers

Volantis is ruled over by three Triarchs, each of whom rules for a year. Each year the freeborn landholders of Volantis can elect a new Triarch or reelect a current one. The elections are ten days of madness, with torchlight marches, speeches, mummers and minstrels and dancers, bravos fighting duels for the honor of their candidates, and elephants with the names of would-be Triarchs painted on their sides. Some prospective Triarchs even get slave girls and boys to lay with voters, doing anything to win votes.

Only those of old blood who can trace their ancestry back to Valyria can be a Triarch. The Triarchs belong to either the Elephant or Tiger parties. According to Jorah Mormont there has never been a child triarch (as there have been child kings in Westeros) and if one of the Triarchs ever went mad (as Aerys II) the other two Triarchs would restrict his influence until his year ran out. Some women of good birth who dwell behind the Black Wall have the ability to vote. Three hundred years ago there was a female Triarch, Trianna.

The Elephants are the party of the merchants and moneylenders. The Tigers are old aristocracy and warriors. The Elephants advocate trade and the tigers advocate the sword.

Current Triarchs

• Malaquo of the Tiger
• Nyessos of the Elephant
• Doniphos of the Elephant

Past Triarchs

• Horonno of the Tiger
• Vogarro, of the Elephant
• Trianna, of the Elephant
• Belicho, of the Tiger

Commerce

Volantis is key to the slave market, trading heavily with the cities of Slaver's Bay to the east. It is said there are five slaves to every free man in the city.

Volantis use coins (called "honors") with a crown on one face and death's head on the other as part of their Currency. The honors are no bigger then a penny.

Volantenes are known for the red wine they make.

Culture

Tattooing is very common among the populace, owners tattooing their slaves to prevent theft and to show the slave's purpose. Tears are tattooed on the cheeks of pleasure slaves; flames on the cheeks of Slaves of R'hllor; tiger stripes on the cheeks of the city guard; flies on the slaves who clean up dung, and so on. According to semi-canon sources the freeborn citizens tattoo themselves to show prowess in battle and as a record of their exploits. The city is defended by slave guards known as the Tiger Cloaks.

Volantenes are fond of sweet beets, which are in most major culinary dishes in the city. In addition, the board game Cyvasse originated in Volantis and its pieces are sold from the city.

History

Volantis is the oldest of the Free Cities. It was the first colony of the Valyrian Freehold, and still maintains many of its traditions. After the Bleeding Years following the Doom, they considered themselves the heirs to the Freehold and rightful rulers of of the world. They were divided on how to do this; the Tigers favored the sword and the Elephants favored trade. For a century the Tigers held sway and their fleet took Lys while their army captured Myr.

They tried to convince Aegon the Conqueror to aid them in reconquering the Freehold lands. Failing to do that, they tried to swallow Tyrosh themselves. However Pentos and the Storm King came into the war on the side of Tyrosh. Braavos lent a hundred warships to a Lyseni exile and Lys and Myr rose in rebellion, and Aegon came upon his dragon Balerion the Black Dread against them.

The war left the Disputed Lands a waste, and freed Lys and Myr. At the same time a fleet they sent to recapture Valyria was lost in the Smoking Sea. Qohor and Norvos broke their power on the Rhoyne. The Dothraki came out of the east spreading destruction. At this time the Elephant party rose up and took control of the government and have been in control ever since. For the last three centuries, at least two of the three Triarchs in power have been Elephants.

Prince Doran Martell met his future wife, Mellario of Norvos, here for the first time.

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

The Golden Company cancelled its contract with Myr and is making its way towards Volantis. Quentyn Martell and his two remaining companions searched for a ship in Volantis to take them to Meereen without any luck. They signed on with the Windblown, who were recruiting in the city, in order to get to Slaver's Bay. Benerro preaches that Daenerys Targaryen is an ancient hero reborn of the R'hllor faith and encourages many to support her. Ser Jorah Mormont takes Tyrion Lannister, his prisoner, to meet the widow of the waterfront at the Merchant's House to arrange passage to Meereen. While there Penny attacks Tyrion. On the widow's advice Jorah books passage for himself, Tyrion and Penny on the Selaesori Qhoran which the red priest Moqorro is taking to get to Meereen. Selaesori Qhoran sets sail.