Difference between revisions of "Ibbenese"

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The Ibbenese are an ancient and taciturn race of islanders who live on the island nation [[Ibben]],{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} composed of the islands [[Ib]] and [[Far Ib]], several smaller islands, and the small foothold on the northern shore of Essos ruled by the colony located at [[New Ibbish]].
+
The '''Ibbenese''' are a people who live on the island nation [[Ibben]],{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} composed of the islands [[Ib]] and [[Far Ib]], several smaller islands, and the small foothold on the northern shore of Essos ruled by the colony located at [[New Ibbish]].{{ref|TLOIAF| Central Essos}}
  
 
The Ibbenese are frequently referred to as "the men of Ib"{{Ref|twoiaf| The North: The Kings of Winter}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Lorath}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Norvos}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} after [[Ib|Ibben's largest island]],{{Ref|tloiaf| Central Essos}} which is home to most of the Ibbenese.<ref name=IbbenArmor>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1226/ Ibben and Armor (November 9, 2002)]</ref>
 
The Ibbenese are frequently referred to as "the men of Ib"{{Ref|twoiaf| The North: The Kings of Winter}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Lorath}}{{Ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Norvos}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} after [[Ib|Ibben's largest island]],{{Ref|tloiaf| Central Essos}} which is home to most of the Ibbenese.<ref name=IbbenArmor>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1226/ Ibben and Armor (November 9, 2002)]</ref>
  
 
==Appearance==
 
==Appearance==
The Ibbenese are heavy, broad-shouldered and broad-chested people. They are short in stature, seldom reaching a height more than five and a half feet. Their arms are long, while their legs are short and thick. They have sloping brows with heavy ridges, small sunken eyes, great square teeth, and massive jaws.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
The Ibbenese are considered by [[maesters]] to be different from the other races of mankind. They are a heavy, broad-shouldered, and broad-chested people. The Ibbenese are short in stature, seldom reaching a height more than five and a half feet. Their arms are long, while their legs are short and thick. They have sloping brows with heavy ridges, small sunken eyes, great square teeth, and massive jaws.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
  
The Ibbenese have the most body hair of all known peoples in the [[Known World]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Beneath their pale skins run dark blue veins, but covering their skin is dark and wiry hair. Ibbenese men have dark, wiry hair covering their arms, legs, chests, and backs, while Ibbenese women commonly have coarse dark hair, even on the upper lip.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
The Ibbenese have the most body hair of all known peoples in the [[known world]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Beneath their pale skins run dark blue veins, but covering their skin is dark and wiry hair. Ibbenese men have dark, wiry hair covering their arms, legs, chests, and backs, while Ibbenese women commonly have coarse dark hair, even on the upper lip.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} A myth falsely claims that Ibbenese women have six breasts.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} The ''[[Red Book]]'' states many Ibbenese women sold into [[slavery]] were deemed too ugly to serve as bed slaves and too savage to use as field hands. As such, many enslaved Ibbenese women ended their days in the [[fighting pits]] of [[Meereen]], [[Yunkai]], and [[Astapor]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
  
The ''[[Red Book]]'', written by someone from [[Yunkai]] and translated by Maester [[Elkin]], makes passing reference to the fact that many Ibbenese women sold into slavery are deemed too ugly to serve as bed slaves and too savage to use as field hands. As such, the Ibbenese women sold into slavery end their days in the [[fighting pits]] of [[Meereen]], [[Yunkai]], and [[Astapor]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
Although they can reproduce with the people of other lands, the children Ibbenese men father upon the women of other lands are frequently malformed and always sterile, while Ibbenese women, when impregnated by men from other lands, birth only stillbirths and monstrosities.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Such couplings are uncommon, however.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Some scholars have speculated that certain groups have some Ibbenese blood in their heritage, such as the [[Skagos]]i.{{ref|TWOIAF| The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos}}
  
There is a myth claiming that falsely claims that Ibbenese women have six breasts.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
==Culture==
 +
Maester [[Yandel]] reports the Ibbenese to be a taciturn but cunning folk, composed of skilled craftsmen, able hunters and trackers, and doughty warriors.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} The Ibbenese speak [[Ibbenese language|their own language]], which has been described as grunting and rasping.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}{{Ref|aGoT|3}}  
  
Maester [[Yandel]] reports the Ibbenese to be a cunning folk, composed of skilled craftsmen, able hunters and trackers, and doughty warriors.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
The Ibbenese are a suspicious people, and Ibbenese of old believed that a man would be cursed if he ventured inland away from the sound of the sea.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Lorath}} Visitors from foreign lands are restricted to the harbor precincts of the [[Port of Ibben]]. They are only allowed to venture beyond the city in the company of an Ibbenese host, but such invitations are rarely made.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} The Ibbenese who live in the woods and mountains of Ibben are even more suspicious of strangers. These foresters, goatherds, and miners prefer to make their homes in caves or houses of grey stone which they dig into the earth. The inland Ibbenese do not live in towns, instead preferring to dwell in solitary. They only gather for weddings, burials, and worship.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
  
==Characteristics==
+
Despite their suspicions, the Ibbenese who live at the shores are a venturesome people. Fishermen travel the northern seas in search of cod, herring, whitefish, and eel. Most famously are the Ibbenese whalers whose big-bellied ships are a common sight in ports all over the world.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Ibbenese ships are renowned for their strength, as they are built to withstand any storm of the largest [[leviathan]]s they might meet.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} The Ibbenese are fond of chewing blubber.<ref name=IbbenArmor>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1226/ Ibben and Armor (November 9, 2002)]</ref>
The sailing Ibbenese have a deep suspicion of strangers. When people from other lands visit Ib,they are restricted by law and custom to the harbor precincts of the [[Port of Ibben]]. They are only allowed to venture beyond the city in the company of an Ibbenese host, but such invitations are rarely made.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
  
Despite these suspicions, the Ibbenese who live at the shores are a venturesome people. Fishermen travel the northern seas in search of cod, herring, whitefish, and eel. Most famously are the Ibbenese whalers; Big-bellied Ibbenese whaling ships are a common sight in ports all over the world.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
The ferociously-strong Ibbenese excel over [[Westeros|Westerosi]] at their favorite sport, wrestling.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Some Ibbenese are fond of carrying axes into battle,{{Ref|aCoK|28}} as well as shaggy brown shields.{{ref|ACOK|30}}{{Ref|aSoS|39}} Some Ibbenese have found employ as sellswords in the [[Brave Companions]].{{ref|ACOK|30}}  
 
 
The Ibbenese who live in the woods and mountains of Ibben are even more suspicious of strangers than the sailing Ibbenese. These foresters, goatherds, and miners prefer to make their homes in caves or houses of grey stone which they dig into the earth. These Ibbenese do not live in towns, instead preferring to dwell in solitary. They only gather for weddings, burials, and worship.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
 
 
The Ibbenese are ferociously strong, and excel over the [[Westeros]]I at their favorite sport: wrestling.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} They are also fond of chewing blubber.<ref name=IbbenArmor>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1226/ Ibben and Armor (November 9, 2002)]</ref>
 
 
 
===Fertility===
 
The Ibbenese are considered to stand apart from the other races of mankind. Although they can reproduce with the people of other lands, the children Ibbenese men father upon the women of other lands are frequently malformed and always sterile, while Ibbenese women, when impregnated by men from other lands, birth only stillbirths and monstrosities.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Such couplings are uncommon, however.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Regardless, scholars have speculated that certain groups of people have some Ibbenese blood in their heritage.{{fact}}
 
 
 
==Culture & Customs==
 
===Language===
 
{{Main|Ibbenese language}}
 
 
 
The Ibbenese speak their own language, which has been described as grunting and rasping.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}{{Ref|aGoT|3}}
 
 
 
===Government===
 
The [[Port of Ibben]] has ruled over Ib and the lesser isles since "the dawn of days".{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} From that city, the Ibbenese were ruled over by the God-Kings from their castle until the last of these kings was thrown down in the aftermath of the [[Doom of Valyria]]. Today, Ib and the lesser isles have been ruled over by the Shadow Council, whose members are chosen by th e[[Thousand]], an assembly ofweahtly guildsmen, ancient nobles, priests, and priestesses – similar to the councils of [[magisters]] of the [[Free Cities]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
 
 
===Military===
 
Some Ibbenese are fond of carrying axes into battle,{{Ref|aCoK|28}} as well as shaggy brown shields.{{ref|ACOK|30}}{{Ref|aSoS|39}} Some Ibbenese have found employ as sellswords in the [[Brave Companions]].{{ref|ACOK|30}}
 
 
 
Ibbenese ships are renowned for their strength, as they are built to withstand any storm of the largest leviathans they might meet.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
 
 
===Criminality===
 
The Ibbenese sent their most notorious criminals to [[Ib Sar]], the only town on [[Far Ib]]. These criminals were often mutilated first, so they might never return to Ib. This practice came to an end after the fall of the final God-King, although Ib Sar had not been able to lose its unsavory reputation.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
 
 
==Known Ibbenese==
 
*[[Togg Joth]], an Ibbenese member of the [[Brave Companions]]
 
*[[Assadora of Ibben]], an Ibbenese prostitute in [[Braavos]]
 
 
 
[[Ben Plumm]], a sellsword from the [[Second Sons]] of mixed ancestry, claims to have a half-Ibbenese grandmother.{{fact}} [[Casso Mogat]] is said to be the son of a [[Sisterton]] whore and an Ibbenese whaler.{{fact}}
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
There is evidence of Ibbenese settlements on the [[Axe]], the [[Lorath|Lorathi]] isles, and along the shores of the [[Bitterweed Bay]], the [[Bay of Tusks]], [[Leviathan Sound]], and even the [[Thousand Islands]]. History also tells of several Ibbenese attempts to seize the mouth of the [[Sarne]] which brought them into war with the [[Kingdom of Sarnor|Sarnori]] cities [[Saath]] and [[Sarys]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
There is evidence of Ibbenese settlements on the [[Axe]], the [[Lorath|Lorathi]] isles, and along the shores of the [[Bitterweed Bay]], the [[Bay of Tusks]], [[Leviathan Sound]], and the [[Thousand Islands]]. History also tells of several Ibbenese attempts to seize the mouth of the [[Sarne]] which brought them into war with the [[Kingdom of Sarnor|Sarnori]] cities [[Saath]] and [[Sarys]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
  
Under the rule of the God-Kings, the Ibbenese succeeded in conquering a huge swath of land of the northern [[Essos]]I coast in the region directly south of [[Ib]], a densely wooded region the [[Dothraki]] call the [[Kingdom of the Ifequevron]], after their name by which they knew the [[Woods walkers|race]] that inhabited this forest. The Ifequevron may have been annihilated by the Ibbenese, although some claim that this gentle race has simply gone into hiding, or fled the area.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
At its greatest extent, the Ibbenese foothold on Essos was as large as Ib itself and far richer. More and more Ibbenese crossed over from the isles to make their fortune on the mainland, cutting down trees, plowing land, damming the rivers, and mining the hills. Some two hunded years ago, however, the Dothraki destroyed the Ibbenese settlements on the mainland, aside from the small colony of [[New Ibbish]].{{ref|TWOIAF| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
  
At its greatest extent, the Ibbenese foothold on Essos was as large as Ib itself and far richer. More and more Ibbenese crossed over from the isles to make their fortune on the mainland, cutting down trees, plowing land, damming the rivers, and mining the hills. They continued with this until the Dothraki began making incursions in the land taken over by the Ibbenese some two hundred years ago.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
+
Previously ruled by [[God-King]]s at the [[Port of Ibben]], the Ibbenese are now ruled by the [[Shadow Council]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
 
The Ibbenese refused to pay tribute to the Dothraki and chose to fight, winning several notable victories, including destroying the huge ''[[khalasar]]'' of ''[[Khal]]'' [[Onqo]]. However, the Dothraki returned in greater numbers every time, pushing the Ibbenese farther and farther north.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}} Ibbish was first sacked by Khal [[Scoro]], who broke through the Whalebone Gates to loot the temples and treasuries and carried off the city's gods to [[Vaes Dothrak]]. The Ibbenese rebuilt, but a generation later the city was sacked again by Khal [[Rogo]], who put the city to the torch, and marched ten thousand women to slavery.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
 
 
Eventually, Khal Onqo's grandson, Khal [[Dhako]], arrived at the city, ready to sack it. Learning of his approach, the inhabitants of Ibbish fled across the sea back to Ib. Infuriated by this cowardly move, Dhako put the city and much of the surrounding land to the torch, resulting in the loss of most of the lands the Ibbenese had ruled on the northern coast of Essos.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}} Following the destruction of Ibbish, a new Ibbenese colony constructed the town [[New Ibbish]] on a small peninsula surrounded by te sea and defended by a wooden wall almost as long as the [[Wall]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|awoiaf| New Ibbish}} From this colony the Ibbenese rule over their modest remaining foothold on the Essosi lands to this day.{{Ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Ib}}
 
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
Hairy men from the [[Port of Ibben]] are among the guests who attend the wedding of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Khal]] [[Drogo]].{{ref|AGOT|11}}
 
Hairy men from the [[Port of Ibben]] are among the guests who attend the wedding of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Khal]] [[Drogo]].{{ref|AGOT|11}}
 +
 +
[[Catelyn Stark]] sees an Ibbenese whaling ship when ''[[Storm Dancer]]'' arrives at [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|18}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Upon returning home to [[Pyke]], [[Theon Greyjoy]] spies an Ibbenese cog among the ships docked at [[Lordsport]]. After going ashore, he observed Ibbenese sailors.{{fact}}
+
Upon returning home to [[Pyke]], [[Theon Greyjoy]] spies an Ibbenese cog among the ships docked at [[Lordsport]]. After going ashore, he observes Ibbenese sailors.{{ref|ACOK|11}}
  
After making arrangements for [[Shae]] to be taken care of at a manse in [[King's Landing]], among those hired by [[Varys]] to guard her are two Ibbenese that were fond of one another, according to Tyrion.{{Fact}}
+
After making arrangements for [[Shae]] to be taken care of at a manse in [[King's Landing]], among those hired by [[Varys]] to guard her are two Ibbenese that are fond of one another, according to [[Tyrion Lannister]].{{ref|ACOK|29}}
  
 
[[Arya Stark]] observes several Ibbenese sellswords arrive at [[Harrenhal]] as part of a mercenary group, the [[Brave Companions]].{{ref|ACOK|30}}
 
[[Arya Stark]] observes several Ibbenese sellswords arrive at [[Harrenhal]] as part of a mercenary group, the [[Brave Companions]].{{ref|ACOK|30}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
An Ibbenese axe-man is among a group of foragers that [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]] slaughters in the [[riverlands]].{{ref|ASoS|3}} Several Ibbenese sellswords of the [[Brave Companions]] are encountered by the [[brotherhood without banners]] squatting in a remote sept, carrying shaggy brown shields during the ensuing battle.{{Ref|aSoS|39}}
+
An Ibbenese axe-man is among a group of foragers that [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]] slaughters in the [[riverlands]].{{ref|ASoS|3}} Carrying shaggy brown shields, several Ibbenese Brave Companions are encountered by the [[brotherhood without banners]] during the [[battle at the burning septry]].{{Ref|aSoS|39}}
  
[[Varys]], the [[master of whisperers]] of the [[small council]] at [[King's Landing]] reports that a kraken off the [[Fingers]] attacked an Ibbenese whaler and pulled it under.{{Ref|asos|19}}
+
[[Varys]] reports to the [[small council]] that a [[kraken]] off the [[Fingers]] attacked an Ibbenese whaler and pulled it under.{{Ref|asos|19}}
 +
 
 +
[[Ben Plumm]], a sellsword from the [[Second Sons]] of mixed ancestry, claims to have a half-Ibbenese grandmother.{{ref|ASOS|57}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 +
Archmaester [[Marwyn]] is said to keep company with hairy Ibbenese.{{ref|AFFC|Prologue}}
 +
 
[[Togg Joth]], an Ibbenese member of the Brave Companions, is currently on the run as one of the last known survivors of the disbanded sellsword company.{{ref|affc|Appendix}}
 
[[Togg Joth]], an Ibbenese member of the Brave Companions, is currently on the run as one of the last known survivors of the disbanded sellsword company.{{ref|affc|Appendix}}
At [[Gulltown]], a harpooner on an Ibbenese whaler offers to [[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]] to buy [[Podrick Payne]] from her.{{Ref|affc|25}}
+
 
 +
Arya sells her oysters on the decks of many ships who have made port in [[Ragman's Harbor]] at [[Braavos]], including Ibbenese ships.{{Ref|affc|34}} Arya befriends [[Assadora of Ibben]] at the [[Happy Port]].{{ref|AFFC|34}}
 +
 
 +
At [[Maidenpool]], a harpooner on an Ibbenese whaler offers to buy [[Podrick Payne]] from [[Brienne Tarth|Brienne of Tarth]].{{Ref|affc|25}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
An Ibbenese whaler travelling in the [[Bay of Seals]] is commandeered by the commander of [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]], [[Cotter Pyke]], on the orders of Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]].{{Ref|adwd|44}}.
+
Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] spots Ibbenese at the [[Merchant's House]] in [[Volantis]].{{ref|ADWD|6}}
 +
 
 +
[[Casso Mogat]], the captain of ''[[Merry Midwife]]'', is said to be the son of a [[Sisterton]] whore and an Ibbenese whaler.{{ref|ADWD|15}}
 +
 
 +
An Ibbenese whaler travelling in the [[Bay of Seals]] is commandeered by the commander of [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]], [[Cotter Pyke]], on the orders of Lord Commander [[Jon Snow]].{{Ref|adwd|44}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 91: Line 70:
 
[[Category:Ibbenese| ]]
 
[[Category:Ibbenese| ]]
 
[[Category:Cultures]]
 
[[Category:Cultures]]
 +
 
[[fr:Ibbéniens]]
 
[[fr:Ibbéniens]]

Revision as of 17:28, 10 September 2018

The Ibbenese are a people who live on the island nation Ibben,[1] composed of the islands Ib and Far Ib, several smaller islands, and the small foothold on the northern shore of Essos ruled by the colony located at New Ibbish.[2]

The Ibbenese are frequently referred to as "the men of Ib"[3][4][5][6][1] after Ibben's largest island,[2] which is home to most of the Ibbenese.[7]

Appearance

The Ibbenese are considered by maesters to be different from the other races of mankind. They are a heavy, broad-shouldered, and broad-chested people. The Ibbenese are short in stature, seldom reaching a height more than five and a half feet. Their arms are long, while their legs are short and thick. They have sloping brows with heavy ridges, small sunken eyes, great square teeth, and massive jaws.[1]

The Ibbenese have the most body hair of all known peoples in the known world.[1] Beneath their pale skins run dark blue veins, but covering their skin is dark and wiry hair. Ibbenese men have dark, wiry hair covering their arms, legs, chests, and backs, while Ibbenese women commonly have coarse dark hair, even on the upper lip.[1] A myth falsely claims that Ibbenese women have six breasts.[1] The Red Book states many Ibbenese women sold into slavery were deemed too ugly to serve as bed slaves and too savage to use as field hands. As such, many enslaved Ibbenese women ended their days in the fighting pits of Meereen, Yunkai, and Astapor.[1]

Although they can reproduce with the people of other lands, the children Ibbenese men father upon the women of other lands are frequently malformed and always sterile, while Ibbenese women, when impregnated by men from other lands, birth only stillbirths and monstrosities.[1] Such couplings are uncommon, however.[1] Some scholars have speculated that certain groups have some Ibbenese blood in their heritage, such as the Skagosi.[8]

Culture

Maester Yandel reports the Ibbenese to be a taciturn but cunning folk, composed of skilled craftsmen, able hunters and trackers, and doughty warriors.[1] The Ibbenese speak their own language, which has been described as grunting and rasping.[1][9]

The Ibbenese are a suspicious people, and Ibbenese of old believed that a man would be cursed if he ventured inland away from the sound of the sea.[4] Visitors from foreign lands are restricted to the harbor precincts of the Port of Ibben. They are only allowed to venture beyond the city in the company of an Ibbenese host, but such invitations are rarely made.[1] The Ibbenese who live in the woods and mountains of Ibben are even more suspicious of strangers. These foresters, goatherds, and miners prefer to make their homes in caves or houses of grey stone which they dig into the earth. The inland Ibbenese do not live in towns, instead preferring to dwell in solitary. They only gather for weddings, burials, and worship.[1]

Despite their suspicions, the Ibbenese who live at the shores are a venturesome people. Fishermen travel the northern seas in search of cod, herring, whitefish, and eel. Most famously are the Ibbenese whalers whose big-bellied ships are a common sight in ports all over the world.[1] Ibbenese ships are renowned for their strength, as they are built to withstand any storm of the largest leviathans they might meet.[1] The Ibbenese are fond of chewing blubber.[7]

The ferociously-strong Ibbenese excel over Westerosi at their favorite sport, wrestling.[1] Some Ibbenese are fond of carrying axes into battle,[10] as well as shaggy brown shields.[11][12] Some Ibbenese have found employ as sellswords in the Brave Companions.[11]

History

There is evidence of Ibbenese settlements on the Axe, the Lorathi isles, and along the shores of the Bitterweed Bay, the Bay of Tusks, Leviathan Sound, and the Thousand Islands. History also tells of several Ibbenese attempts to seize the mouth of the Sarne which brought them into war with the Sarnori cities Saath and Sarys.[1]

At its greatest extent, the Ibbenese foothold on Essos was as large as Ib itself and far richer. More and more Ibbenese crossed over from the isles to make their fortune on the mainland, cutting down trees, plowing land, damming the rivers, and mining the hills. Some two hunded years ago, however, the Dothraki destroyed the Ibbenese settlements on the mainland, aside from the small colony of New Ibbish.[1]

Previously ruled by God-Kings at the Port of Ibben, the Ibbenese are now ruled by the Shadow Council.[1]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Hairy men from the Port of Ibben are among the guests who attend the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo.[13]

Catelyn Stark sees an Ibbenese whaling ship when Storm Dancer arrives at King's Landing.[14]

A Clash of Kings

Upon returning home to Pyke, Theon Greyjoy spies an Ibbenese cog among the ships docked at Lordsport. After going ashore, he observes Ibbenese sailors.[15]

After making arrangements for Shae to be taken care of at a manse in King's Landing, among those hired by Varys to guard her are two Ibbenese that are fond of one another, according to Tyrion Lannister.[16]

Arya Stark observes several Ibbenese sellswords arrive at Harrenhal as part of a mercenary group, the Brave Companions.[11]

A Storm of Swords

An Ibbenese axe-man is among a group of foragers that Nymeria slaughters in the riverlands.[17] Carrying shaggy brown shields, several Ibbenese Brave Companions are encountered by the brotherhood without banners during the battle at the burning septry.[12]

Varys reports to the small council that a kraken off the Fingers attacked an Ibbenese whaler and pulled it under.[18]

Ben Plumm, a sellsword from the Second Sons of mixed ancestry, claims to have a half-Ibbenese grandmother.[19]

A Feast for Crows

Archmaester Marwyn is said to keep company with hairy Ibbenese.[20]

Togg Joth, an Ibbenese member of the Brave Companions, is currently on the run as one of the last known survivors of the disbanded sellsword company.[21]

Arya sells her oysters on the decks of many ships who have made port in Ragman's Harbor at Braavos, including Ibbenese ships.[22] Arya befriends Assadora of Ibben at the Happy Port.[22]

At Maidenpool, a harpooner on an Ibbenese whaler offers to buy Podrick Payne from Brienne of Tarth.[23]

A Dance with Dragons

Prince Quentyn Martell spots Ibbenese at the Merchant's House in Volantis.[24]

Casso Mogat, the captain of Merry Midwife, is said to be the son of a Sisterton whore and an Ibbenese whaler.[25]

An Ibbenese whaler travelling in the Bay of Seals is commandeered by the commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, Cotter Pyke, on the orders of Lord Commander Jon Snow.[26]

References