Difference between revisions of "Doom of Valyria"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
m (The day of the Doom)
(46 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:Doom of Valyria.jpg|thumb|350px|Cataclysm of an unspecified nature]]
+
[[File:Doom of Valyria.jpg|thumb|350px|Doom of Valyria]]
  
The '''Doom of [[Valyria]]''' is the name for the cataclysm of an unspecified nature that caused the collapse of the [[Valyrian Freehold]]. It occurred approximately a century before the [[War of Conquest|Targaryen Conquest]] of [[Westeros]].  It is possible that GRRM's inspiration for the Doom was an interpretation of the fall of Atlantis.  A [[Bleeding Years|century of blood and chaos]] followed the Doom of Valyria.  
+
The '''Doom of Valyria''', often called '''the Doom''',{{ref|ASOS|23}}{{ref|AFFC|11}} was a cataclysm of an unspecified nature that caused the collapse of the [[Valyrian Freehold]], which had prospered for five thousand years. It occurred about a century before [[Aegon's Conquest]] of [[Westeros]], in [[Years before Aegon's Conquest#Year 102 Before the Conquest|102 BC]]. Spells, knowledge, and recorded history were lost in the Doom, and the [[Century of Blood]] followed the disaster.
  
==Description==
+
==Foreshadowing==
The cataclysm hit the Valyrian capital city [[Valyria]], fragmenting the land surrounding the city into numerous smaller islands, creating the [[Smoking Sea]] between them. The area is now described as "demon-haunted." Most people are afraid to go there, saying, "''The Doom still rules in Valyria''." It is said that few survive a journey to the ruins of [[Valyria]]. Even the most hardened sailors shudder at the thought of sailing to post-Doom Valyria
+
Twelve years before the Doom, Lord [[Aenar Targaryen]]'s maiden daughter, [[Daenys the Dreamer]], had a powerful prophetic dream along with visions that [[Valyria]] would be destroyed.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} Foreseeing the Doom, she convinced her father to leave Valyria before the cataclysm. Aenar set sail, moving [[House Targaryen]] and their property and their five [[dragon]]s to the island [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} Other Houses of the [[narrow sea]] of Valyrian descent include the [[House Velaryon|Velaryons]] of [[Driftmark]] and the [[House Celtigar|Celtigars]] of [[Claw Isle]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}}
  
Many of [[Valyria]]'s secrets, such as the method for creating [[Valyrian steel]], were lost in the Doom.  
+
==The Doom==
 +
[[File:HBO the doom of V.png|thumb|350px|The Doom]]
 +
On the day of the Doom, every hill for five hundred miles exploded, filling the air with ash and smoke and fire, which killed even [[dragon]]s. Earthquakes destroyed palaces, temples, and towns, while lakes boiled or turned to acid. The [[Fourteen Flames]], the fiery mountains of Valyria, sent molten rock a thousand feet into the air, and red clouds rained down [[dragonglass]]. The cataclysm fragmented the [[Valyrian peninsula]] surrounding [[Valyria]] into numerous smaller islands and creating the [[Smoking Sea]] between them.{{Ref|aDwD|33}} East of Valyria, [[Velos]] and [[Ghozai]] on the [[Isle of Cedars]] were destroyed by a tsunami.{{Ref|aDwD|56}}
  
This disaster was dramatic enough that it is represented in art across the world.  The entry hall of [[Khal Drogo]]’s nine-towered manse in [[Pentos]] has a mosaic of colored glass depicting the Doom of Valyria. His prospective bride [[Daenerys Targaryen]] notices it when she enters. Songs are sung of the Doom; a haunting ballad of two lovers dying amidst the Doom of Valyria is sung in [[High Valyrian]] at King [[Joffrey Baratheon]]’s wedding.
+
It is commonly believed that the Doom was a natural calamity caused by the eruption of the Fourteen Flames, although some [[septons]] believe the polytheistic Valyrians delved too deep to the [[Faith of the Seven|seven hells]]. Alternatively, Septon [[Barth]] and some [[maesters]] believe that Valyrian spells controlling the Fourteen Flames faltered. Other explanations include the curse of [[Garin the Great]], the fire of [[R'hllor]], or infighting [[dragonlords]] assassinating fire mages.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}
  
==The day of the Doom==
+
==Aftermath==
While aboard the [[Iron Victory]], near the [[Isle of Cedars]], [[Victarion Greyjoy]] recalls that recalls that it was written that on the day of Doom every hill for five miles had split asunder to fill the air with ash and smoke and fire, blazes so hot and hungry that even [[dragons]] in the sky were engulfed and consumed.{{Ref|aDwD|56}}
+
Much of [[Essos]] fell into chaos after the Doom. During the [[Century of Blood]], the [[Volantis|Volantenes]] unsuccessfully considered themselves the heirs to Valyria, often waging war against other [[Free Cities]].{{ref|ADWD|14}} The [[Dothraki]] conquered many of the lands surrounding the [[Dothraki sea]],{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}} and the last [[Ibben]]ese king was thrown down.{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} The [[Slaver Cities]] of [[Slaver's Bay]] regained their independence.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}}
  
Great rents had opened in the earth, swallowing palaces, temples, entire towns. Lakes boiled or turned to acid, mountains burst, fiery fountains spewed molten rock a thousand feet into the air, red clouds rained down [[dragonglass]] and the black blood of demons, and to the north the ground splintered and collapsed and fell in on itself and an angry sea came rushing in.
+
Some [[dragonlords]] in [[Lys]] and [[Tyrosh]] survived the Doom, but they were soon killed along with their [[dragon]]s.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} The dragonlord [[Aurion]] declared himself Emperor of Valyria and led a host from [[Qohor]] toward Valyria, but he and his followers were not seen again.{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} [[Tommen II Lannister]], [[King of the Rock]], vanished while sailing to Valyria with his blade, [[Brightroar]], and [[Gerion Lannister]] later disappeared while searching for Brightroar.{{ref|ASOS|32}} It is thus said that no one has returned from a journey to the ruins of Valyria, and even the most hardened sailors shudder at the thought of sailing to ruined Valyria.{{Ref|AFFC|29}}
 
 
The proudest city in all the world was gone in an instant, its fabled empire vanished in a day, the [[Lands of the Long Summer]] scorched and drowned and blighted.
 
  
It is said a wall of water 300 feet high descended on [[Velos]] drowning hundreds of thousands of man, women, and children, leaving none to tell the tale but some fisherfolk who had been at sea and a handful of [[Velos]]i spearmen posted in a stout stone tower on the island’s highest hill, who had seen the hills and valleys beneath them turn into a raging sea.  
+
Many of [[Valyria]]'s secrets, such as [[magic]],{{ref|AGOT|23}} the method for creating [[Valyrian steel]],{{ref|ASOS|32}} and ancient records{{ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: Valyria's Children}} were lost in the Doom. The disaster is represented in art across the [[known world]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}} Songs are sung of the Doom.{{Ref|ASOS|60}}
  
Fair [[Velos]] with its places of cedar and pink marble had vanished in a heartbeat. On the north end of the island, the ancient brick walls and steeped pyramids of the [[slave]]r port of [[Ghozai]] had suffered the same fate.
+
In {{Date|54}} during the reign of [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], the Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]] disappeared from [[Dragonstone]] with the [[dragon]] [[Balerion]].{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under Jaehaerys I}} Balerion returned to [[King's Landing]] in {{Date|56}} with a dying Aerea. Septon Barth, who helped treat her, believed that Balerion had taken Aerea to Valyria, its birthplace. Because of her bizarre and horrific death and the powerful dragon's mysterious wounds, King Jaehaerys made traveling to Valyria punishable by execution, and prohibited ships that had visited the area from docking in Westeros.{{ref|fab|Jaehaerys & Alysanne- Their Triumphs & Tragedies}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
===A Game of Thrones===
+
===''A Game of Thrones''===
As she walks into the entry hall of [[Khal Drogo]]’s nine-towered manse in [[Pentos]] [[Daenerys Targaryen]] notices a mosaic of colored glass depicting the Doom of Valyria.
+
As she walks into the entry hall of [[Drogo's manse]] in [[Pentos]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] notices a mosaic of colored glass depicting the Doom of Valyria.{{Ref|AGOT|3}}
===A Storm of Swords===
 
A haunting ballad of two lovers dying amidst the Doom of Valyria is sung in [[High Valyrian]] at King [[Joffrey Baratheon]]’s wedding by [[Collio Quaynis]], although according to [[Tyrion]] it is more properly a song for two singers, male and female.
 
  
===A Feast for Crows===
+
===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[Euron Greyjoy]] claims to have reaved all over the world during his exile, including a trip to the feared ruins of [[Valyria]].
+
At the [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]] of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]], [[Collio Quaynis]] sings a haunting [[High Valyrian]] ballad of two lovers dying amidst the Doom.{{Ref|ASOS|60}}
===A Dance with Dragons===
 
While in [[Meereen]] the merchant prince [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] gifts [[Daenerys Targaryen]] a tapestry that has been in his family vaults since before the Doom that took Valyria.{{ref|aDwD|16}}
 
  
The tapestry is old, dusty, faded... and huge.  It is beautiful and covers half the floor. The seas are a blue silk sea; the lands are green, the mountains black and brown.  Cites are shown as stars in gold or silver thread.  There is no [[Smoking Sea]]; [[Valyria]] is not yet an island. [[Astapor]], [[Yunkai]] and [[Meereen]] are three silver stars beside the blue of Slaver’s Bay.  [[Westeros]] is distant, toward the far end of the map.  
+
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
[[Euron Greyjoy]] claims to have reaved all over the world during his exile, including a trip to the feared ruins of [[Valyria]]. During the kingsmoot he claims to have found the [[dragonbinder|dragon horn]] among the smoking ruins that were Valyria, where no man has dared to walk but him.{{Ref|AFFC|19}}
  
One night the [[Selaesori Qhoran]] is sailing closer to [[Valyria]] than the crew would like.  Tyrion goes above decks for a breath of night air. Above only the brightest stars are visible, all to the west. A dull red glow lights the sky to the northeast, the color of a blood bruise.  Tyrion has never seen a bigger [[moon]].  Monstrous and swollen, it looks as if it has swallowed the sun and woken with a fever. According to [[Moqorro]] the sky is always red above [[Valyria]]. Tyrion speculates that it is perhaps the fires of the [[Fourteen_Fires|Fourteen Flames]] reflected in the clouds.
+
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
While in [[Meereen]] the merchant prince [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] gifts Daenerys a [[tapestry]] that has been in his family vaults since before the Doom that took Valyria. The old tapestry depicts the [[Valyrian peninsula]] before its destruction.{{ref|aDwD|16}}
  
[[Ralf (Limper)|Ralf]]’s [[Iron Fleet]] squadron of ships are hit by three big storms, and foul winds between. Red winds out of Valyria that smelled of ash and brimstone, and black winds drove them toward that blighted shore.
+
When the ''[[Selaesori Qhoran]]'' sails east near the coast of Valyria, [[Tyrion Lannister]] sees a dull red glow lighting the sky.{{Ref|aDwD|33}}
 +
 
 +
[[Ralf the Limper]]'s squadron of [[Iron Fleet]] ships are driven near blighted Valyria by storms while sailing to [[Slaver's Bay]].{{ref|ADWD|56}}
 +
 
 +
==Quotes==
 +
{{Quote|[[Valar morghulis]] was how they said it in [[Valyria]] of old. All men must die. And the Doom came and proved it true.{{ref|ASOS|66}}}|[[Oberyn Martell]] to [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|Valyria is accursed, all men agree, and even the boldest sailor steers well clear of its smoking bones...but we would be mistaken to believe that nothing lives there now. The things we found in [[Aerea Targaryen]] live there now, I would submit...along with such other horrors as we cannot begin to imagine.{{ref|fab|Jaehaerys & Alysanne- Their Triumphs & Tragedies}}|Writings of [[Septon]] [[Barth]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|Every man there knew that the Doom still ruled [[Valyria]]. The [[Smoking Sea|very sea]] there boiled and smoked, and the land was overrun with demons. It was said that any sailor who so much as glimpsed the [[Fourteen Flames|fiery mountains]] of Valyria rising above the waves would soon die a dreadful death, yet the [[Euron Greyjoy|Crow's Eye]] had been there, and returned.{{ref|AFFC|29}}|thoughts of [[Victarion Greyjoy]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quote|The [[Valyria|proudest city]] in all the world was gone in an instant, its [[Valyrian Freehold|fabled empire]] vanished in a day, the [[Lands of the Long Summer]] scorched and drowned and blighted.{{Ref|aDwD|33}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}
 +
 
 +
{{quote|Storms. Three big storms, and foul winds between. Red winds out of [[Valyria]] that smelled of ash and brimstone, and black winds that drove us toward that [[Valyrian peninsula|blighted shore]]. This voyage was cursed from the first.{{ref|ADWD|56}}|[[Ralf the Limper]] to [[Victarion Greyjoy]]}}
 +
 
 +
==Behind the Scenes==
 +
[[George R. R. Martin]]'s inspirations for the Doom include the legend of [[:w:Atlantis|Atlantis]] and the [[w:Fall of the Western Roman Empire|fall of Rome]],<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1411/ Dromen & Demonen Chat (April 23, 2002)]</ref> as well as the [[w:Pink and White Terraces|Pink and White Terraces]].<ref name=smartertravel>[http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/game-of-thrones-exclusive-george-martin-talks-season-the-winds-of-winter-and-real-world-influences-for-song-of-ice-and-fire.html?id=10593041 George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)]</ref>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
* [[Timeline of major events]]
 
* [[Timeline of major events]]
  
==References and Notes==
+
==References==
{{References}}
+
{{references}}
  
 
[[Category:Events]]
 
[[Category:Events]]
Line 48: Line 62:
  
 
[[fr:Fléau de Valyria]]
 
[[fr:Fléau de Valyria]]
[[es:Maldición de Valyria]][[zh:瓦雷利亚的末日浩劫]]
+
[[es:Maldición de Valyria]]
 +
[[zh:瓦雷利亚的末日浩劫]]
 +
[[ru:Рок Валирии]]

Revision as of 12:00, 14 November 2019

Doom of Valyria

The Doom of Valyria, often called the Doom,[1][2] was a cataclysm of an unspecified nature that caused the collapse of the Valyrian Freehold, which had prospered for five thousand years. It occurred about a century before Aegon's Conquest of Westeros, in 102 BC. Spells, knowledge, and recorded history were lost in the Doom, and the Century of Blood followed the disaster.

Foreshadowing

Twelve years before the Doom, Lord Aenar Targaryen's maiden daughter, Daenys the Dreamer, had a powerful prophetic dream along with visions that Valyria would be destroyed.[3] Foreseeing the Doom, she convinced her father to leave Valyria before the cataclysm. Aenar set sail, moving House Targaryen and their property and their five dragons to the island Dragonstone.[4] Other Houses of the narrow sea of Valyrian descent include the Velaryons of Driftmark and the Celtigars of Claw Isle.[4]

The Doom

The Doom

On the day of the Doom, every hill for five hundred miles exploded, filling the air with ash and smoke and fire, which killed even dragons. Earthquakes destroyed palaces, temples, and towns, while lakes boiled or turned to acid. The Fourteen Flames, the fiery mountains of Valyria, sent molten rock a thousand feet into the air, and red clouds rained down dragonglass. The cataclysm fragmented the Valyrian peninsula surrounding Valyria into numerous smaller islands and creating the Smoking Sea between them.[5] East of Valyria, Velos and Ghozai on the Isle of Cedars were destroyed by a tsunami.[6]

It is commonly believed that the Doom was a natural calamity caused by the eruption of the Fourteen Flames, although some septons believe the polytheistic Valyrians delved too deep to the seven hells. Alternatively, Septon Barth and some maesters believe that Valyrian spells controlling the Fourteen Flames faltered. Other explanations include the curse of Garin the Great, the fire of R'hllor, or infighting dragonlords assassinating fire mages.[3]

Aftermath

Much of Essos fell into chaos after the Doom. During the Century of Blood, the Volantenes unsuccessfully considered themselves the heirs to Valyria, often waging war against other Free Cities.[7] The Dothraki conquered many of the lands surrounding the Dothraki sea,[8] and the last Ibbenese king was thrown down.[9] The Slaver Cities of Slaver's Bay regained their independence.[10]

Some dragonlords in Lys and Tyrosh survived the Doom, but they were soon killed along with their dragons.[3] The dragonlord Aurion declared himself Emperor of Valyria and led a host from Qohor toward Valyria, but he and his followers were not seen again.[3] Tommen II Lannister, King of the Rock, vanished while sailing to Valyria with his blade, Brightroar, and Gerion Lannister later disappeared while searching for Brightroar.[11] It is thus said that no one has returned from a journey to the ruins of Valyria, and even the most hardened sailors shudder at the thought of sailing to ruined Valyria.[12]

Many of Valyria's secrets, such as magic,[13] the method for creating Valyrian steel,[11] and ancient records[14] were lost in the Doom. The disaster is represented in art across the known world.[15] Songs are sung of the Doom.[16]

In 54 AC during the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, the Princess Aerea Targaryen disappeared from Dragonstone with the dragon Balerion.[17] Balerion returned to King's Landing in 56 AC with a dying Aerea. Septon Barth, who helped treat her, believed that Balerion had taken Aerea to Valyria, its birthplace. Because of her bizarre and horrific death and the powerful dragon's mysterious wounds, King Jaehaerys made traveling to Valyria punishable by execution, and prohibited ships that had visited the area from docking in Westeros.[18]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

As she walks into the entry hall of Drogo's manse in Pentos, Daenerys Targaryen notices a mosaic of colored glass depicting the Doom of Valyria.[15]

A Storm of Swords

At the wedding feast of King Joffrey I Baratheon, Collio Quaynis sings a haunting High Valyrian ballad of two lovers dying amidst the Doom.[16]

A Feast for Crows

Euron Greyjoy claims to have reaved all over the world during his exile, including a trip to the feared ruins of Valyria. During the kingsmoot he claims to have found the dragon horn among the smoking ruins that were Valyria, where no man has dared to walk but him.[19]

A Dance with Dragons

While in Meereen the merchant prince Xaro Xhoan Daxos gifts Daenerys a tapestry that has been in his family vaults since before the Doom that took Valyria. The old tapestry depicts the Valyrian peninsula before its destruction.[20]

When the Selaesori Qhoran sails east near the coast of Valyria, Tyrion Lannister sees a dull red glow lighting the sky.[5]

Ralf the Limper's squadron of Iron Fleet ships are driven near blighted Valyria by storms while sailing to Slaver's Bay.[6]

Quotes

Valar morghulis was how they said it in Valyria of old. All men must die. And the Doom came and proved it true.[21]}

Valyria is accursed, all men agree, and even the boldest sailor steers well clear of its smoking bones...but we would be mistaken to believe that nothing lives there now. The things we found in Aerea Targaryen live there now, I would submit...along with such other horrors as we cannot begin to imagine.[18]

—Writings of Septon Barth

Every man there knew that the Doom still ruled Valyria. The very sea there boiled and smoked, and the land was overrun with demons. It was said that any sailor who so much as glimpsed the fiery mountains of Valyria rising above the waves would soon die a dreadful death, yet the Crow's Eye had been there, and returned.[12]

—thoughts of Victarion Greyjoy

The proudest city in all the world was gone in an instant, its fabled empire vanished in a day, the Lands of the Long Summer scorched and drowned and blighted.[5]

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

Storms. Three big storms, and foul winds between. Red winds out of Valyria that smelled of ash and brimstone, and black winds that drove us toward that blighted shore. This voyage was cursed from the first.[6]

Behind the Scenes

George R. R. Martin's inspirations for the Doom include the legend of Atlantis and the fall of Rome,[22] as well as the Pink and White Terraces.[23]

See Also

References

  1. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
  2. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 56, The Iron Suitor.
  7. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Ib.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
  13. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
  14. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Valyria's Children.
  15. 15.0 15.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  16. 16.0 16.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  17. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under Jaehaerys I.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys & Alysanne- Their Triumphs & Tragedies.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  20. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 16, Daenerys III.
  21. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
  22. So Spake Martin: Dromen & Demonen Chat (April 23, 2002)
  23. George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)