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The '''Others''', also known as '''white walkers''', are a species of humanoid beings that exist in the north [[beyond the Wall]]. As they had not been seen for eight thousand years, they were considered to be extinct.  
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[[File:John_Picacio_the_Others.jpg‎|thumb|350px|The Others, by John Picacio ©]]
[[File:Marc Simonetti an Other ice sword.jpg|Blue-eyed Other gripping the pommel of a crystal sword - by Marc Simonetti © |thumb|400px|right]]
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{{hatnote|For the god also called "the Other", see [[Great Other]].}}
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The '''Others''', also known as '''white walkers''',{{ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: The Coming of the First Men}} '''cold gods''',{{ref|ACOK|23}} '''white shadows''',{{ref|ACOK|23}} and '''cold shadows''',{{ref|ASOS|18}} are a species of humanoid beings that exist in the north [[beyond the Wall]]. As they have not been seen for eight thousand years, they are considered to be extinct.  
  
 
==Appearance and Characteristics==
 
==Appearance and Characteristics==
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of the Others|Images of the Others]]''
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of the Others|Images of the Others]]''
[[File:White walkers by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|300px|Other or white walker. Art by Rene Aigner©]]
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The Others are tall and gaunt, with flesh pale as milk.{{ref|AGOT|0}} They have cold blue eyes that have been described as burning like ice,{{Ref|AGOT|0}} or being as bright as blue stars.{{ref|aCoK|23}} Others have pale blue blood and shiny bones like milkglass.{{ref|ASOS|18}}
The Others are tall and gaunt, with flesh pale as milk.{{ref|AGOT|0}} They have cold blue eyes that have been described as burning like ice,{{Ref|AGOT|0}} or being as bright as blue stars.{{ref|aCoK|23}} According to [[George R. R. Martin]], the Others ''"are strange, beautiful… think, oh… the [[w:Sidhe|Sidhe]] made of ice, something like that… a different sort of life… inhuman, elegant, dangerous."''<ref name=graphic>[http://books.google.com/books?id=i_SorqUvsOEC&lpg=PT203&ots=5oK3EkTd8Y&pg=PT203#v=onepage&q&f=false A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1]</ref> Further, although [[Old Nan]] describes the Others as "dead things",{{Ref|AGOT|24}} Martin has stated that the Others are not dead.<ref name=graphic/> However, the [[Night's King]]'s queen, presumably an Other due to her blue eyes and pale skin, is described as a "corpse queen" on account of her white, cold skin.{{Ref|ASOS|56}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
 
  
The Others wear delicate, reflective, camouflaging armor that shifts in color with every step..{{ref|agot|0}} According to comic book artist [[w:Tommy Patterson|Tommy Patterson]], Martin told him that ''"the reflective, camouflaging armor"'' is able to pick up ''"the images of the things around it like a clear, still pond."''
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According to [[George R. R. Martin]], the Others ''"are strange, beautiful… think, oh… the [[w:Sidhe|Sidhe]] made of ice, something like that… a different sort of life… inhuman, elegant, dangerous."''<ref name=graphic>[http://books.google.com/books?id=i_SorqUvsOEC&lpg=PT203&ots=5oK3EkTd8Y&pg=PT203#v=onepage&q&f=false A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1]</ref> Further, although [[Old Nan]] describes the Others as "dead things",{{Ref|AGOT|24}} Martin has stated that the Others are not dead.<ref name=graphic/> However, the [[Night's King]]'s queen, presumably an Other due to her blue eyes and pale skin, is described as a "corpse queen" on account of her white, cold skin.{{Ref|ASOS|56}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
  
The Others appear to be superior swordsmen, wielding thin crystal swords.{{Ref|agot|0}} The pale swords are extremely sharp, capable of moving through ringmail as if it is silk.{{ref|agot|0}} The swords are alive with moonlight and have a faint blue glow to them.{{Ref|agot|0}}{{ref|ASOS|18}} When the sword touches a steel blade, only a high, thin sound, similar to an animal screaming in pain, can be heard instead of the sound of metal on metal.{{Ref|agot|0}} When the blades brush the flames of a torch, a screech as sharp as a needle can be heard.{{ref|asos|18}} When asked what substance the swords of the Others are made from, Martin answered ''"Ice. But not like regular old ice. The Others can do things with ice that we can't imagine and make substances of it."''<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051103091500/nrctc.edu/fhq/vol1iss3/00103009.htm/ "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.]</ref> The blades the Others use seem to be rather cold; They are able to cover a metal blade in frost, and shatter a steel blade.{{Ref|AGOT|0}}{{Ref|AFFC|5}}
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[[File:Marc Simonetti an Other ice sword.jpg|thumb|Blue-eyed Other gripping the pommel of a crystal sword, by Marc Simonetti ©]]
  
The Others are capable of resurrecting the dead. These resurrected men or creatures are known as [[wights]].{{Ref|AGOT|52}} Only burning the bodies of the deceased can prevent the Others from resurrecting them.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Martin has refused to answer whether or not the Others control these resurrected people and animals in the same way a [[warg]] or [[skinchanger]] can control an animal.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1282/ Conjose (August 29, 2002)]</ref> There are tales of Others riding the corpses of dead animals such as bears, direwolves, mammoths, and horses.{{ref|affc|5}} Some tales also speak of Others riding "[[giant ice spiders]]".{{ref|AFFC|5}}
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The Others wear delicate, reflective, camouflaging armor that shifts in color with every step.{{ref|agot|0}} According to comic book artist [[w:Tommy Patterson|Tommy Patterson]], Martin told him that ''"the reflective, camouflaging armor"'' is able to pick up ''"the images of the things around it like a clear, still pond."''
  
The Others go lightly on the snow and leave no prints to mark their passage.{{Ref|ASOS|18}}{{Ref|ADWD|13}} Their movements can be lighting quick and gracefull.{{ref|asos|18}} Extreme cold accompanies them,{{Ref|AGOT|0}}{{ref|asos|18}} cold so extreme that it hurts to breath and it feels like there is a knife in one's chest,{{Ref|ADWD|39}}{{Ref|ADWD|58}} but it is unknown whether the Others only come when it is so cold, or whether they bring the cold with them.{{Ref|ASOS|33}}{{Ref|AFFC|5}} White mist also rises when they come.{{Ref|ADWD|58}} They might appear during snowstorms or mist, and melt away when the skies clear.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} They hide from the light of the sun and emerge at night;{{Ref|AFFC|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{ref|ADWD|58}} although once again some stories claim that their coming brings the night.{{ref|affc|5}} They are said also hate iron and fire.{{Ref|AGOT|24}} The [[languages|language]] the Others speak is unknown, but has been described as sounding like "the cracking of ice on a winter lake", and their laughter as being as sharp as icicles.{{Ref|AGOT|0}}  
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The Others appear to be superior swordsmen, wielding thin crystal swords.{{Ref|agot|0}} The pale swords are extremely sharp, capable of moving through ringmail as if it is silk.{{ref|agot|0}} The swords are alive with moonlight and have a faint blue glow to them.{{Ref|agot|0}}{{ref|ASOS|18}} When the sword touches a steel blade, only a high, thin sound, similar to an [[animal]] screaming in pain, can be heard instead of the sound of metal on metal.{{Ref|agot|0}} When the blades brush the flames of a torch, a screech as sharp as a needle can be heard.{{ref|asos|18}} When asked what substance the swords of the Others are made from, Martin answered ''"Ice. But not like regular old ice. The Others can do things with ice that we can't imagine and make substances of it."''<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051103091500/nrctc.edu/fhq/vol1iss3/00103009.htm/ "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.]</ref> The blades the Others use seem to be rather cold; They are able to cover a metal blade in frost, and shatter a steel blade.{{Ref|AGOT|0}}{{Ref|AFFC|5}}
[[File:John_Picacio_the_Others.jpg‎| The Others ‎- © 2012 John Picacio|thumb|350px|right]]
 
According to Old Nan, the Others hate ''"every creature with hot blood in its veins"''.{{Ref|AGOT|24}} [[Stannis Baratheon]] calls them "demons made of ice and snow and cold".{{Ref|ASOS|78}} [[Melisandre]], a priestess of [[R'hllor]], believes that the Others are the "cold children" of the [[Great Other]],{{ref|ASOS|78}} allegedly an evil god of darkness, cold, and death who wages eternal war against [[R'hllor]].{{ref|asos|25}} According to Tommy Patterson, ''"[Martin] spoke a lot about what [the Others] were not, but what they were was harder to put into words."''.<ref name=graphic/> The [[wildlings]] believe the Others and their wights can smell life, or rather its warmth.{{ref|asos|46}} According to the stories of Old Nan, the wildlings give the women they steal from the [[Seven Kingdoms]] to the Others, and used to lay with the Others during the [[Long Night]] to birth half-human children.{{ref|aGoT|1}} According to his wives, the wildling [[Craster]] leaves his sons for the Others, who he calls "the gods", come the "white cold", and, when he does not have any sons to give, gives them sheep.{{Ref|acok|23}} Craster's wives believe that Craster's sons become Others as well.{{Ref|ASOS|33}} Craster calls himself a godly man, and as such believes he does not have to fear any attacks from the Others or their [[wights]].{{Ref|ASOS|33}}
 
  
[[File:Samwell Dragonglass.jpg|400px|thumb|[[Samwell Tarly]] with an obsidian dagger - by Amok ©]]
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The Others are capable of resurrecting dead men or creatures as [[wights]].{{Ref|AGOT|52}} Only burning the bodies of the deceased can prevent the Others from resurrecting them.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Martin has refused to answer whether or not the Others control these resurrected people and animals in the same way a [[warg]] or [[skinchanger]] can control an animal.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1282/ Conjose (August 29, 2002)]</ref> There are tales of Others riding the corpses of dead animals such as bears, direwolves, mammoths, and horses.{{ref|affc|5}} Some tales also speak of Others riding [[giant ice spiders]].{{ref|AFFC|5}}
The Others have a few known weaknesses that are recorded in ancient texts. One is obsidian,{{ref|AFFC|5}} otherwise called [[dragonglass]]{{Ref|ASOS|43}} or "frozen fire".{{ref|asos|78}} When [[Samwell Tarly]] accidentally stabs an Other with an obsidian dagger, he hears a sound similar to the cracking of ice beneath one's foot. The Other's armor, flesh, ad bones melt away as a result, dissolving away until nothing remains.{{ref|asos|18}} Ancient texts also record a weakness to "dragonsteel",{{ref|affc|5}} which Samwell Tarly and [[Jon Snow]] think to be [[Valyrian steel]].{{ref|affc|5}} When asked about the ability of Valyrian steel to kill an Other, George R. R. Martin simply replied that "the Night's Watch would like to know as well".<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1201 Magic, the Darrys, and POVs (February 28, 2002)]</ref> Fire is known to dismay the Others.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} [[Mance Rayder]] and his wife [[Dalla]] expresse belief that the [[Wall]] prevents the Others from crossing into the Seven Kingdoms.{{ref|asos|73}}
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The Others go lightly on the snow and leave no prints to mark their passage.{{Ref|ASOS|18}}{{Ref|ADWD|13}} Their movements can be lightning quick and graceful.{{ref|asos|18}} Extreme cold accompanies them,{{Ref|AGOT|0}}{{ref|asos|18}} but it is unknown whether the Others only come when it is so cold, or whether they bring the cold with them.{{Ref|ASOS|33}}{{Ref|AFFC|5}} [[White cold|White mist]] also rises when they are near.{{Ref|ADWD|58}} They might appear during snowstorms or mist, and melt away when the skies clear.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} They hide from the light of the sun and emerge at night;{{Ref|AFFC|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|7}}{{ref|ADWD|58}} although once again some stories claim that their coming brings the night.{{ref|affc|5}} They are said also hate iron and fire.{{Ref|AGOT|24}} The [[languages|language]] the Others speak is unknown, but has been described as sounding like "the cracking of ice on a winter lake", and their laughter as being as sharp as icicles.{{Ref|AGOT|0}}
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According to Old Nan, the Others hate "every creature with hot blood in its veins".{{Ref|AGOT|24}} [[Stannis Baratheon]] calls them "demons made of ice and snow and cold".{{Ref|ASOS|78}} [[Melisandre]], a [[red priest]]ess, believes that the Others are the "cold children" of the [[Great Other]],{{ref|ASOS|78}} allegedly an evil god of darkness, cold, and death who wages eternal war against [[R'hllor]].{{ref|asos|25}} According to Patterson, ''"[Martin] spoke a lot about what [the Others] were not, but what they were was harder to put into words."''<ref name=graphic/> The [[free folk]] believe the Others and their wights can smell life, or rather its warmth.{{ref|asos|46}} According to the stories of Old Nan, the free folk give the women they steal from the [[Seven Kingdoms]] to the Others, and they laid with the Others during the [[Long Night]] to birth half-human children.{{ref|aGoT|1}} According to his wives, [[Craster]] leaves his sons for the Others, whom he calls "the gods", come the "white cold", and, when he does not have any sons to give, gives them sheep.{{Ref|acok|23}} Craster's wives believe that Craster's sons become Others as well.{{Ref|ASOS|33}} Craster calls himself a godly man, and as such believes he does not have to fear any attacks from the Others or their [[wights]].{{Ref|ASOS|33}} 
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The Others have a few known weaknesses that are recorded in ancient texts. One is obsidian,{{ref|AFFC|5}} otherwise called [[dragonglass]]{{Ref|ASOS|43}} or "frozen fire".{{ref|asos|78}} Ancient texts also record a weakness to "dragonsteel",{{ref|affc|5}} which some think may be [[Valyrian steel]].{{ref|affc|5}} When asked about the ability of Valyrian steel to kill an Other, Martin replied that "the Night's Watch would like to know as well".<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1201 Magic, the Darrys, and POVs (February 28, 2002)]</ref> Fire is known to dismay the Others.{{Ref|AFFC|5}} [[Mance Rayder]] and his wife [[Dalla]] believe that the [[Wall]] prevents the Others from crossing into the Seven Kingdoms.{{ref|asos|73}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
: {{See also|The Long Night|Night's Watch}}
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: {{See also|Long Night|Night's Watch}}
 
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[[File:White walkers by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|300px|White walker by Rene Aigner ©]]
According to legend, the Others came from the [[Lands of Always Winter]] six or eight thousand years ago, and brought with them cold and darkness that lasted a generation: the [[Long Night]]. They resurrected dead men and animals to serve them. In the [[Battle for the Dawn]], they were finally defeated, by the first men of the [[Night's Watch]] and the [[children of the forest]], an alliance made possible by the [[last hero]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Long Night}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} When asked whether there was a closer relationship between the Others and the children of the forest than there thus far has seemed to be, Martin replied that it was possible, and that the topic would be explored later on in the story.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Interview_in_Barcelona/ Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona (July 28, 2012)]</ref>
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According to legend, the Others came from the [[Lands of Always Winter]] six or eight thousand years ago, and brought with them cold and darkness that lasted a generation: the [[Long Night]]. They resurrected dead men and animals to serve them.{{ref|AGOT|24}} In the [[Battle for the Dawn]], they were finally defeated, by the first men of the [[Night's Watch]] and the [[children of the forest]], an alliance made possible by the [[last hero]].{{Ref|twoiaf|Ancient History: The Long Night}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} When asked whether there was a closer relationship between the Others and the children of the forest than there thus far has seemed to be, Martin replied that it was possible, and that the topic would be explored later on in the story.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Interview_in_Barcelona/ Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona (July 28, 2012)]</ref> In some stories from the [[Further East]] of [[Essos]], it is believed that the Long Night was ended through the leadership of [[Azor Ahai]], who wielded [[Lightbringer]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}
  
[[Night's King]], the thirteenth [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], is said to have married a woman with pale skin and blue eyes, matching the description of the Others. Reportedly, she was a sorceress. He brought her to the [[Nightfort]], where he proclaimed himself king and her his queen, and bound his [[Night's Watch|Sworn Brothers]] to his will. After a thirteen-year reign, he was defeated by [[Brandon Stark (Breaker)|Brandon Stark]], "the Breaker", and [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]] [[Joramun]], after which it was discovered that he had been sacrificing to the Others.{{Ref|ASOS|56}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
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The [[Night's King]], the thirteenth [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], is said to have married a woman with pale skin and blue eyes, matching the description of the Others. Reportedly, she was a sorceress. He brought her to the [[Nightfort]], where he proclaimed himself king and her his queen, and bound his Sworn Brothers in the Night's Watch to his will. After a thirteen-year reign, he was defeated by [[Brandon Stark (Breaker)|Brandon the Breaker]], [[King of Winter]], and [[Joramun]], [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]], after which it was discovered that he had been sacrificing to the Others.{{Ref|ASOS|56}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}}
  
In his ''[[Lies of the Ancients]]'' [[Archmaester]] [[Fomas]] speculates that the Others were a tribe of the [[First Men]] who had been living in the far north. Fomas suggests that the Long Night pressured these men, the ancestors of the current [[wildlings]], to migrate south. Over the years, they became more and more monstrous in the telling of the tales about them, because the Night's Watch and the [[House Stark|Starks]] wanted to seem heroic. However, ''Lies of the Ancients'' is little regarded nowadays, as it contains erroneous claims about [[Valyria]], the [[Reach]], and the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: The Long Night}}
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In his ''[[Lies of the Ancients]]'', Archmaester [[Fomas]] speculates that the Others were a tribe of the [[First Men]] who had been living in the far north. Fomas suggests that the Long Night pressured these men, the ancestors of the current [[wildlings]], to migrate south. Over the years, they became more and more monstrous in the telling of the tales about them, because the Night's Watch and the [[House Stark|Starks]] wanted to seem heroic. However, ''Lies of the Ancients'' is little regarded nowadays, as it contains erroneous claims about [[Valyria]], the [[Reach]], and the [[westerlands]].{{Ref|twoiaf|Ancient History: The Long Night}}
  
The [[Wall]] was built to protect the people of the realms in [[Westeros]] from the threats of the north,{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} specifically the Others.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} However, the Others have not been seen since the Long Night ended, and are now regarded as nothing more than fairy tales to frighten the little children.{{ref|asos|18}} Some people believe they never existed at all.{{ReF|AGOT|4}} They are often mentioned in curses, such as "The Others take his eyes."{{ref|AGOT|1}}
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The [[Wall]] was built to protect the people of the realms in [[Westeros]] from the threats of the north,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch}} specifically the Others.{{Ref|ADWD|44}} However, the Others have not been seen since the Long Night ended, and are now regarded as nothing more than fairy tales to frighten the little children.{{ref|asos|18}} Some people believe they never existed at all.{{ref|AGOT|4}} They are often mentioned in curses, such as "The Others take his eyes."{{ref|AGOT|1}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:Waymar Others.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Waymar Royce]] discovers the Others - by Amok ©]]
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[[File:Waymar Others.jpg|thumb|Ser [[Waymar Royce]] discovers the Others, by Amok ©]]
During a ranging [[beyond the Wall]], Ser [[Waymar Royce]] is slain by Others.{{ref|AGOT|0}}
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During a ranging [[beyond the Wall]], Ser [[Waymar Royce]] is confronted by a group of at least five Others who speak an icy language. Waymar duels one of the Others, but the [[ranger]] is blinded when his sword shatters. The laughing group butchers Waymar, who then rises as a [[wight]] to slay [[Will]].{{ref|AGOT|0}}
  
Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]], in conversation with [[Tyrion Lannister]] at [[Castle Black]], refers to white walkers being glimpsed by fisherfolk on the shore near [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{Ref|aGoT|21}}
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Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]], in conversation with [[Tyrion Lannister]] at [[Castle Black]], refers to white walkers being glimpsed by fisherfolk on the shore near [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]]. Tyrion discounts them, however, by mentioning mythical [[merlings]].{{Ref|aGoT|21}}
  
[[Bran Stark]] encounters two wildlings and two black brother’s who deserted the Night’s Watch, who discuss whether to take him hostage and return north to sell him to [[Mance Rayder]]. Out of fear for encountering the white walkers, one of the men decides not to do so.{{Ref|AGOT|37}}
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[[Old Nan]] tells [[Bran Stark]] about the [[Long Night]], when white walkers moved through woods.{{ref|AGOT|24}}
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Traveling in the [[wolfswood]], Bran encounters six [[wildlings]] and deserters from the [[Night's Watch]], who discuss whether to take the boy hostage and return north to sell him to [[Mance Rayder]], the [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]]. Out of fear for encountering the white walkers, one of the men decides not to do so.{{Ref|AGOT|37}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
The brothers of the [[Night's Watch]] are attacked by [[wights]] in the [[Battle of the Fist of the First Men]].{{ref|ASOS|Prologue}} During the retreat back to Craster's home, [[Samwell Tarly]] kills an Other with a [[dragonglass]] dagger in the [[haunted forest]].{{ref|ASOS|18}} During the [[mutiny at Craster's Keep]], one of Craster's wives warns Sam that Craster's sons will soon arrive for [[monster|Gilly's newborn boy]].{{ref|ASOS|33}}
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[[File:Samwell Dragonglass.jpg|thumb|[[Samwell Tarly]] with an [[obsidian]] dagger, by Amok ©]]
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Encamped at the [[Fist of the First Men]], the [[Night's Watch]] hear three horn blasts signifying Others. The brothers are then attacked by [[wights]] in the [[fight at the Fist]].{{ref|ASOS|Prologue}}{{ref|ASOS|18}}
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While the survivors retreat through the [[haunted forest]] back to Craster's Keep, an Other knocks away [[Grenn]]'s torch and kills [[Small Paul]]. [[Samwell Tarly]] stabs it in the throat with a [[dragonglass]] dagger, however, and Sam hears a sound similar to the cracking of ice beneath one's foot. The Other's armor, flesh, and bones melt away as a result, dissolving away until nothing remains.{{ref|asos|18}} {{ref|ASOS|18}} Sam is dubbed Sam the Slayer, which he finds mocking.{{ref|ASOS|33}}{{ref|ASOS|75}}
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During the [[mutiny at Craster's Keep]], one of Craster's wives warns Sam that Craster's sons will soon arrive for [[monster|Gilly's newborn boy]].{{ref|ASOS|33}}
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At the parley during the [[battle beneath the Wall]], Mance Rayder reveals to Jon that he is trying to lead the [[free folk]] south of the Wall to protect them from the Others and their wights.{{ref|ASOS|73}}
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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Sam finds limited information about the Others while researching in the library of Castle Black.{{ref|AFFC|5}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Jon Snow]], now the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], and [[Tormund]] discuss their common foe, the Others, when Tormund's four thousand wildlings cross the Wall. Jon asks if the Others troubled the wildlings on their march to the Wall, and Tormund informs him that the Others had been with them all the way, though never attacked the wildlings in force.{{ref|ADWD|58}}
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[[Jon Snow]], now the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], and [[Tormund]] discuss their common foe, the Others, when Tormund's four thousand wildlings cross the Wall. Jon asks if the Others troubled the wildlings on their march to the Wall, and Tormund informs him that the Others had been with them all the way, though they never attacked the free folk in force.{{ref|ADWD|58}}
  
 
==''Game of Thrones''==
 
==''Game of Thrones''==
[[File:Other HBO WhiteWalker.jpg|thumb|300px|White Walker as depicted in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
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[[File:Other HBO WhiteWalker.jpg|thumb|400px|White Walker as depicted in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
There are notable differences between the Others in the novels and HBO's television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. In the television adaptation, the Others are known only as '''White Walkers'''. While the term "the Others" appeared in early drafts of the pilot episode's script,{{fact}} the name "White Walkers" was ultimately settled upon for the final version of the TV series. In the audio commentary for "[[Winter Is Coming]]", producers [[w:David Benioff|David Benioff]] and [[w:D.B. Weiss|D. B. Weiss]] explained that the change was made to avoid confusion that may arise between references to the race known as the Others and "others" meaning other groups or people within the show. Additionally, [[George R. R. Martin]] has stated that the change was decided upon early in the development process when they all agreed that [[w:ABC|ABC]]'s show [[w:Lost|Lost]] had sort of made it impossible to use the term "the Others" without causing possible confusion and such, as the show used the name for the mysterious habitants of the island on which the show mostly takes place.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/12432 Stockholm and Archipelacon Report (June 28, 2015)]</ref>
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There are notable differences between the Others in the novels and [[w:HBO|HBO's]] television adaptation, ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. In the television adaptation, the Others are known only as '''White Walkers'''. In the audio commentary for "[[Winter Is Coming]]", producers [[w:David Benioff|David Benioff]] and [[w:D.B. Weiss|D. B. Weiss]] explained that the change was made to avoid confusion that may arise between references to the race known as the Others and "others" meaning other groups or people within the show. Additionally, [[George R. R. Martin]] has stated that the change was decided upon early in the development process to avoid confusion with the Others from [[w:American Broadcasting Company|ABC's]] show ''[[w:Lost|Lost]]'', the mysterious inhabitants of the island on which that show mostly takes place.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/12432 Stockholm and Archipelacon Report (June 28, 2015)]</ref>
  
Unlike the strange beauty Martin describes them as having in the book series, the white walkers in the TV series are depicted with frightening, emaciated appearances. In ''[[Valar Morghulis]]'', the tenth and final episode of the [[Season 2|second season]], Others appear looking like undead men without skin, their bones and muscles white from ice and snow. Their eyes are bright blue. They wear little armor and no camouflage.{{Ref|hbogot|s02e10}} In "[[Oathkeeper (TV)|Oathkeeper]]", several white walkers appear dressed all in black.{{Ref|hbogot|s04e04}}
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Unlike the strange beauty Martin describes them as having in the book series, the White Walkers of ''Game of Thrones'' are depicted with frightening, emaciated appearances. In ''[[Valar Morghulis]]'', the tenth and final episode of the [[Season 2|second season]], Others appear looking like undead men without skin, their bones and muscles white from ice and snow. Their eyes are bright blue. They wear little armor and no camouflage.{{Ref|hbogot|s02e10}} In "[[Oathkeeper (TV)|Oathkeeper]]", several White Walkers appear dressed all in black.{{Ref|hbogot|s04e04}}
  
The language spoken by the Others, unnamed in the book series, is called [[Skroth]] in the TV Series.<ref name=blackwater/><ref name=screenertv>[http://screenertv.com/television/game-of-thrones-language-creator-white-walkers-dont-speak/ ‘Game of Thrones’ language creator explains why White Walkers don’t speak]</ref> Although it was created for the first episode of [[Season 1]] by [[w:David J. Peterson|David J. Peterson]], it was eventually not used. The language has been described to sound "ice-cracking" and "pretty scratchy".<ref name=blackwater>Entertainment Weekly: [http://ew.com/article/2012/05/27/game-of-thrones-blackwater-2/ 'Game of Thrones': How producers pulled off 'Blackwater' (May 27, 2012)]</ref><ref name=screenertv/>
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The language spoken by the Others, unnamed in the book series, is called [[Skroth]] in the TV series.<ref name=blackwater/><ref name=screenertv>[http://screenertv.com/television/game-of-thrones-language-creator-white-walkers-dont-speak/ ‘Game of Thrones’ language creator explains why White Walkers don’t speak]</ref> Although it was created for the first episode of [[Season 1]] by [[w:David J. Peterson|David J. Peterson]], it was eventually not used. The language has been described to sound "ice-cracking" and "pretty scratchy".<ref name=blackwater>Entertainment Weekly: [http://ew.com/article/2012/05/27/game-of-thrones-blackwater-2/ 'Game of Thrones': How producers pulled off 'Blackwater' (May 27, 2012)]</ref><ref name=screenertv/>
  
The leader of the white walkers is known as the [[Night King]] in the TV series. He is first seen in "Oathkeeper", transforming Craster's last son,{{Ref|hbogot|s04e04}} and next in the [[Season 5]] episode "[[Hardhome (TV)|Hardhome]]". He differs in appearance by having a ring of small icy horns atop his skull that form a natural crown.{{Ref|hbogot|s05e08}} The synopsis for "Oathkeeper" on the HBO Viewer's Guide originally listed this specific character as the [[Night's King]], a legendary figure that has been mentioned a few times in the novels, though this was later removed. It is unknown whether this was due to an error in identification or the fact that this would be a major spoiler.
+
The leader of the White Walkers is known as the [[Night King]] in ''Game of Thrones''. He is first seen in "Oathkeeper", transforming Craster's last son,{{Ref|hbogot|s04e04}} and next in the [[Season 5]] episode "[[Hardhome (TV)|Hardhome]]". He differs in appearance by having a ring of small icy horns atop his skull that form a natural crown.{{Ref|hbogot|s05e08}} The synopsis for "Oathkeeper" on the HBO Viewer's Guide originally listed this specific character as the [[Night's King]], a legendary figure that has been mentioned a few times in the novels, though this was later removed. It is unknown whether this was due to an error in identification or the fact that this would be a major spoiler.
  
 
While in the novels, the backstory of the Others has barely been revealed, the [[Season 6]] episode "[[The Door]]" has [[Bran Stark]] seeing a vision of the [[children of the forest]] creating an Other from a captured [[First Man]], in an attempt to create a defense against the invasion of the First Men.{{Ref|hbogot|s06e05}}
 
While in the novels, the backstory of the Others has barely been revealed, the [[Season 6]] episode "[[The Door]]" has [[Bran Stark]] seeing a vision of the [[children of the forest]] creating an Other from a captured [[First Man]], in an attempt to create a defense against the invasion of the First Men.{{Ref|hbogot|s06e05}}
 
   
 
   
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|The Others are as dead as the [[children of the forest]], gone eight thousand years. Maester [[Luwin]] will tell you they never lived at all. No living man has ever seen one.{{Ref|aGoT|2}}}} – [[Eddard Stark]], to [[Catelyn Stark]]
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[[File:Themico the Other.jpg|thumb|An Other by TheMico ©]]
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{{quote|The Other said something in a language that Will did not know; his voice was like the cracking of ice on a winter lake, and the words were mocking.{{ref|AGOT|Prologue}}|thoughts of [[Will]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|The Others are as dead as the [[children of the forest]], gone eight thousand years. Maester [[Luwin]] will tell you they never lived at all. No living man has ever seen one.{{Ref|aGoT|2}}|[[Eddard Stark]] to [[Catelyn Stark]]}}
  
{{Quote|If the Others ever come for us, I pray they have archers, because you lot are fit for nothing more than arrow fodder.{{Ref|aGoT|19}}}} – [[Alliser Thorne]], to the Night's Watch recruits
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{{Quote|If the Others ever come for us, I pray they have archers, because you lot are fit for nothing more than arrow fodder.{{Ref|aGoT|19}}|[[Alliser Thorne]] to [[Night's Watch]] recruits}}
  
 +
{{Quote|The Others are only a story, a tale to make children shiver. If they ever lived at all, they are gone eight thousand years.{{Ref|agot|52}}|thoughts of [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
{{Quote|The Others are only a story, a tale to make children shiver. If they ever lived at all, they are gone eight thousand years.{{Ref|agot|52}}}} – [[Jon Snow]]'s thoughts
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{{quote|The cold gods. The ones in the night. The white shadows.{{ref|ACOK|23}}|[[Gilly]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
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{{quote|The white walkers of the wood, the cold shadows, the monsters of the tales that made him squeak and tremble as a boy, riding their [[giant ice-spiders]], hungry for blood ...{{ref|ASOS|18}}|thoughts of [[Samwell Tarly]]}}
  
{{quote|The cold gods. The ones in the night. The white shadows.{{ref|ACOK|23}}}} – [[Gilly]], to [[Jon Snow]]
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{{quote|A godly man got no cause to fear such. I said as much to that [[Mance Rayder]] once, when he come sniffing round. He never listened, no more'n you crows with your swords and your bloody fires. That won't help you none when the white cold comes. Only the gods will help you then. You best get right with the gods.{{ref|ASOS|33}}|[[Craster]] to the [[Night's Watch]]}}
  
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{{Quote|'''Melisandre''': [[Necromancy]] animates these [[wights]], yet they are still only dead flesh. Steel and fire will serve for them. The ones you call the Others are something more.<br>
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'''Stannis''': Demons made of snow and ice and cold. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.{{Ref|aSoS|78}}|[[Melisandre]] and [[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Samwell Tarly]]}}
  
{{Quote|'''Melisandre''': Necromancy animates these [[wights]], yet they are still only dead flesh. Steel and fire will serve for them. The ones you call the Others are something more.<br>'''Stannis''': Demons made of snow and ice and cold. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.{{Ref|aSoS|78}}}} – [[Melisandre]] and [[Stannis Baratheon]], to [[Samwell Tarly]]
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{{quote|They're never far, you know. They won't come out by day, not when that old sun's shining, but don't think that means they went away. Shadows never go away. Might be you don't see them, but they're always clinging to your heels.{{ref|ADWD|58}}|[[Tormund]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{References|2}}
 
{{References|2}}
  
{{Template:Creatures}}
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{{Creatures}}
  
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[[Category:Others| ]]
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[[Category:Beyond the Wall]]
 
[[Category:Sentient species]]
 
[[Category:Sentient species]]
[[Category:Beyond the Wall]]
 
  
 
[[es:Otros]]
 
[[es:Otros]]

Revision as of 19:19, 9 March 2021

The Others, by John Picacio ©

The Others, also known as white walkers,[1] cold gods,[2] white shadows,[2] and cold shadows,[3] are a species of humanoid beings that exist in the north beyond the Wall. As they have not been seen for eight thousand years, they are considered to be extinct.

Appearance and Characteristics

See also: Images of the Others

The Others are tall and gaunt, with flesh pale as milk.[4] They have cold blue eyes that have been described as burning like ice,[4] or being as bright as blue stars.[2] Others have pale blue blood and shiny bones like milkglass.[3]

According to George R. R. Martin, the Others "are strange, beautiful… think, oh… the Sidhe made of ice, something like that… a different sort of life… inhuman, elegant, dangerous."[5] Further, although Old Nan describes the Others as "dead things",[6] Martin has stated that the Others are not dead.[5] However, the Night's King's queen, presumably an Other due to her blue eyes and pale skin, is described as a "corpse queen" on account of her white, cold skin.[7][8]

Blue-eyed Other gripping the pommel of a crystal sword, by Marc Simonetti ©

The Others wear delicate, reflective, camouflaging armor that shifts in color with every step.[4] According to comic book artist Tommy Patterson, Martin told him that "the reflective, camouflaging armor" is able to pick up "the images of the things around it like a clear, still pond."

The Others appear to be superior swordsmen, wielding thin crystal swords.[4] The pale swords are extremely sharp, capable of moving through ringmail as if it is silk.[4] The swords are alive with moonlight and have a faint blue glow to them.[4][3] When the sword touches a steel blade, only a high, thin sound, similar to an animal screaming in pain, can be heard instead of the sound of metal on metal.[4] When the blades brush the flames of a torch, a screech as sharp as a needle can be heard.[3] When asked what substance the swords of the Others are made from, Martin answered "Ice. But not like regular old ice. The Others can do things with ice that we can't imagine and make substances of it."[9] The blades the Others use seem to be rather cold; They are able to cover a metal blade in frost, and shatter a steel blade.[4][10]

The Others are capable of resurrecting dead men or creatures as wights.[11] Only burning the bodies of the deceased can prevent the Others from resurrecting them.[10] Martin has refused to answer whether or not the Others control these resurrected people and animals in the same way a warg or skinchanger can control an animal.[12] There are tales of Others riding the corpses of dead animals such as bears, direwolves, mammoths, and horses.[10] Some tales also speak of Others riding giant ice spiders.[10]

The Others go lightly on the snow and leave no prints to mark their passage.[3][13] Their movements can be lightning quick and graceful.[3] Extreme cold accompanies them,[4][3] but it is unknown whether the Others only come when it is so cold, or whether they bring the cold with them.[14][10] White mist also rises when they are near.[15] They might appear during snowstorms or mist, and melt away when the skies clear.[10] They hide from the light of the sun and emerge at night;[10][16][15] although once again some stories claim that their coming brings the night.[10] They are said also hate iron and fire.[6] The language the Others speak is unknown, but has been described as sounding like "the cracking of ice on a winter lake", and their laughter as being as sharp as icicles.[4]

According to Old Nan, the Others hate "every creature with hot blood in its veins".[6] Stannis Baratheon calls them "demons made of ice and snow and cold".[17] Melisandre, a red priestess, believes that the Others are the "cold children" of the Great Other,[17] allegedly an evil god of darkness, cold, and death who wages eternal war against R'hllor.[18] According to Patterson, "[Martin] spoke a lot about what [the Others] were not, but what they were was harder to put into words."[5] The free folk believe the Others and their wights can smell life, or rather its warmth.[19] According to the stories of Old Nan, the free folk give the women they steal from the Seven Kingdoms to the Others, and they laid with the Others during the Long Night to birth half-human children.[20] According to his wives, Craster leaves his sons for the Others, whom he calls "the gods", come the "white cold", and, when he does not have any sons to give, gives them sheep.[2] Craster's wives believe that Craster's sons become Others as well.[14] Craster calls himself a godly man, and as such believes he does not have to fear any attacks from the Others or their wights.[14]

The Others have a few known weaknesses that are recorded in ancient texts. One is obsidian,[10] otherwise called dragonglass[21] or "frozen fire".[17] Ancient texts also record a weakness to "dragonsteel",[10] which some think may be Valyrian steel.[10] When asked about the ability of Valyrian steel to kill an Other, Martin replied that "the Night's Watch would like to know as well".[22] Fire is known to dismay the Others.[10] Mance Rayder and his wife Dalla believe that the Wall prevents the Others from crossing into the Seven Kingdoms.[23]

History

White walker by Rene Aigner ©

According to legend, the Others came from the Lands of Always Winter six or eight thousand years ago, and brought with them cold and darkness that lasted a generation: the Long Night. They resurrected dead men and animals to serve them.[6] In the Battle for the Dawn, they were finally defeated, by the first men of the Night's Watch and the children of the forest, an alliance made possible by the last hero.[24][8] When asked whether there was a closer relationship between the Others and the children of the forest than there thus far has seemed to be, Martin replied that it was possible, and that the topic would be explored later on in the story.[25] In some stories from the Further East of Essos, it is believed that the Long Night was ended through the leadership of Azor Ahai, who wielded Lightbringer.[26]

The Night's King, the thirteenth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, is said to have married a woman with pale skin and blue eyes, matching the description of the Others. Reportedly, she was a sorceress. He brought her to the Nightfort, where he proclaimed himself king and her his queen, and bound his Sworn Brothers in the Night's Watch to his will. After a thirteen-year reign, he was defeated by Brandon the Breaker, King of Winter, and Joramun, King-Beyond-the-Wall, after which it was discovered that he had been sacrificing to the Others.[7][8]

In his Lies of the Ancients, Archmaester Fomas speculates that the Others were a tribe of the First Men who had been living in the far north. Fomas suggests that the Long Night pressured these men, the ancestors of the current wildlings, to migrate south. Over the years, they became more and more monstrous in the telling of the tales about them, because the Night's Watch and the Starks wanted to seem heroic. However, Lies of the Ancients is little regarded nowadays, as it contains erroneous claims about Valyria, the Reach, and the westerlands.[24]

The Wall was built to protect the people of the realms in Westeros from the threats of the north,[8] specifically the Others.[27] However, the Others have not been seen since the Long Night ended, and are now regarded as nothing more than fairy tales to frighten the little children.[3] Some people believe they never existed at all.[28] They are often mentioned in curses, such as "The Others take his eyes."[20]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Ser Waymar Royce discovers the Others, by Amok ©

During a ranging beyond the Wall, Ser Waymar Royce is confronted by a group of at least five Others who speak an icy language. Waymar duels one of the Others, but the ranger is blinded when his sword shatters. The laughing group butchers Waymar, who then rises as a wight to slay Will.[4]

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, in conversation with Tyrion Lannister at Castle Black, refers to white walkers being glimpsed by fisherfolk on the shore near Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Tyrion discounts them, however, by mentioning mythical merlings.[29]

Old Nan tells Bran Stark about the Long Night, when white walkers moved through woods.[6]

Traveling in the wolfswood, Bran encounters six wildlings and deserters from the Night's Watch, who discuss whether to take the boy hostage and return north to sell him to Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Out of fear for encountering the white walkers, one of the men decides not to do so.[30]

A Clash of Kings

At Craster's Keep, Gilly tells Jon Snow that Craster gives up his infant sons to the cold gods; Jon determines she is speaking of the Others.[2]

A Storm of Swords

Samwell Tarly with an obsidian dagger, by Amok ©

Encamped at the Fist of the First Men, the Night's Watch hear three horn blasts signifying Others. The brothers are then attacked by wights in the fight at the Fist.[31][3]

While the survivors retreat through the haunted forest back to Craster's Keep, an Other knocks away Grenn's torch and kills Small Paul. Samwell Tarly stabs it in the throat with a dragonglass dagger, however, and Sam hears a sound similar to the cracking of ice beneath one's foot. The Other's armor, flesh, and bones melt away as a result, dissolving away until nothing remains.[3] [3] Sam is dubbed Sam the Slayer, which he finds mocking.[14][32]

During the mutiny at Craster's Keep, one of Craster's wives warns Sam that Craster's sons will soon arrive for Gilly's newborn boy.[14]

At the parley during the battle beneath the Wall, Mance Rayder reveals to Jon that he is trying to lead the free folk south of the Wall to protect them from the Others and their wights.[23]

A Feast for Crows

Sam finds limited information about the Others while researching in the library of Castle Black.[10]

A Dance with Dragons

Jon Snow, now the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, and Tormund discuss their common foe, the Others, when Tormund's four thousand wildlings cross the Wall. Jon asks if the Others troubled the wildlings on their march to the Wall, and Tormund informs him that the Others had been with them all the way, though they never attacked the free folk in force.[15]

Game of Thrones

White Walker as depicted in Game of Thrones

There are notable differences between the Others in the novels and HBO's television adaptation, Game of Thrones. In the television adaptation, the Others are known only as White Walkers. In the audio commentary for "Winter Is Coming", producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss explained that the change was made to avoid confusion that may arise between references to the race known as the Others and "others" meaning other groups or people within the show. Additionally, George R. R. Martin has stated that the change was decided upon early in the development process to avoid confusion with the Others from ABC's show Lost, the mysterious inhabitants of the island on which that show mostly takes place.[33]

Unlike the strange beauty Martin describes them as having in the book series, the White Walkers of Game of Thrones are depicted with frightening, emaciated appearances. In Valar Morghulis, the tenth and final episode of the second season, Others appear looking like undead men without skin, their bones and muscles white from ice and snow. Their eyes are bright blue. They wear little armor and no camouflage.[34] In "Oathkeeper", several White Walkers appear dressed all in black.[35]

The language spoken by the Others, unnamed in the book series, is called Skroth in the TV series.[36][37] Although it was created for the first episode of Season 1 by David J. Peterson, it was eventually not used. The language has been described to sound "ice-cracking" and "pretty scratchy".[36][37]

The leader of the White Walkers is known as the Night King in Game of Thrones. He is first seen in "Oathkeeper", transforming Craster's last son,[35] and next in the Season 5 episode "Hardhome". He differs in appearance by having a ring of small icy horns atop his skull that form a natural crown.[38] The synopsis for "Oathkeeper" on the HBO Viewer's Guide originally listed this specific character as the Night's King, a legendary figure that has been mentioned a few times in the novels, though this was later removed. It is unknown whether this was due to an error in identification or the fact that this would be a major spoiler.

While in the novels, the backstory of the Others has barely been revealed, the Season 6 episode "The Door" has Bran Stark seeing a vision of the children of the forest creating an Other from a captured First Man, in an attempt to create a defense against the invasion of the First Men.[39]

Quotes

An Other by TheMico ©

The Other said something in a language that Will did not know; his voice was like the cracking of ice on a winter lake, and the words were mocking.[40]

—thoughts of Will

The Others are as dead as the children of the forest, gone eight thousand years. Maester Luwin will tell you they never lived at all. No living man has ever seen one.[41]

If the Others ever come for us, I pray they have archers, because you lot are fit for nothing more than arrow fodder.[42]

The Others are only a story, a tale to make children shiver. If they ever lived at all, they are gone eight thousand years.[11]

—thoughts of Jon Snow

The cold gods. The ones in the night. The white shadows.[2]

The white walkers of the wood, the cold shadows, the monsters of the tales that made him squeak and tremble as a boy, riding their giant ice-spiders, hungry for blood ...[3]

—thoughts of Samwell Tarly

A godly man got no cause to fear such. I said as much to that Mance Rayder once, when he come sniffing round. He never listened, no more'n you crows with your swords and your bloody fires. That won't help you none when the white cold comes. Only the gods will help you then. You best get right with the gods.[14]

Melisandre: Necromancy animates these wights, yet they are still only dead flesh. Steel and fire will serve for them. The ones you call the Others are something more.
Stannis: Demons made of snow and ice and cold. The ancient enemy. The only enemy that matters.[17]

They're never far, you know. They won't come out by day, not when that old sun's shining, but don't think that means they went away. Shadows never go away. Might be you don't see them, but they're always clinging to your heels.[15]

References

  1. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: The Coming of the First Men.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 23, Jon III.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 18, Samwell I.
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 A Game of Thrones, Prologue.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 24, Bran IV.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 The World of Ice & Fire, The Wall and Beyond: The Night's Watch.
  9. "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.
  10. 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 52, Jon VII.
  12. So Spake Martin: Conjose (August 29, 2002)
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 13, Bran II.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 33, Samwell II.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 58, Jon XII.
  16. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
  18. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
  19. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 46, Samwell III.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  21. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 43, Arya VIII.
  22. So Spake Martin: Magic, the Darrys, and POVs (February 28, 2002)
  23. 23.0 23.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 73, Jon X.
  24. 24.0 24.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Long Night.
  25. So Spake Martin: Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona (July 28, 2012)
  26. The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti.
  27. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  28. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
  29. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 21, Tyrion III.
  30. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 37, Bran V.
  31. A Storm of Swords, Prologue.
  32. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.
  33. So Spake Martin: Stockholm and Archipelacon Report (June 28, 2015)
  34. Game of Thrones, Season 2, "Valar Morghulis".
  35. 35.0 35.1 Game of Thrones, Season 4, "Oathkeeper".
  36. 36.0 36.1 Entertainment Weekly: 'Game of Thrones': How producers pulled off 'Blackwater' (May 27, 2012)
  37. 37.0 37.1 ‘Game of Thrones’ language creator explains why White Walkers don’t speak
  38. Game of Thrones, Season 5, "Hardhome".
  39. Game of Thrones, Season 6, "The Door".
  40. A Game of Thrones, Prologue.
  41. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  42. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 19, Jon III.