| Qarl the Maid | |
|---|---|
 Qarl, by Linda Tso © Fantasy Flight Games | |
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| Alias | Qarl the Maid |
| Allegiance | House Greyjoy |
| Culture | ironborn |
| Born | Iron Islands[1] |
| Lover | Asha Greyjoy |
| Books |
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Qarl, widely known as Qarl the Maid, is an ironborn warrior sworn to Balon Greyjoy.[2] He is the grandson of a thrall.[3]
Appearance and Character
[edit]Qarl the Maid is beardless and pink-cheeked.[2][4] His straight sandy hair brushes against his shoulders.[3] He has a lean swimmer's physique,[3] a shy smile,[3] and is sarcastic.[4][3]
Qarl is renowned as one of the fiercest warriors of the Iron Islands.[5] He wields a longsword and dagger, and he is not an experienced horse rider.[3]
Qarl is Asha Greyjoy's favorite lover, which upsets Tristifer Botley.[3]
History
[edit]When Asha Greyjoy first met Qarl in 293 AC or 294 AC, she called his attempt at growing a beard "peach fuzz". Since he had never seen a peach, she encouraged him to join her crew. They traded at Fair Isle, Lannisport, and the Arbor,[3] and raided Lyseni pirates in the Stepstones.[6] Qarl and Asha began sleeping together after sampling peaches at the Arbor.[3]
Recent Events
[edit]A Clash of Kings
[edit]
Qarl and two companions, Skyte and Uller, encounter Theon and Asha Greyjoy in Lordsport. There they recount the story of the death of Skyte's brother, Eldiss. Asha tells Theon that he should make them part of his crew.[7]
A Feast for Crows
[edit]Qarl serves aboard Asha's ship, the Black Wind. He counts the longships gathered in support of her at Ten Towers and finds the number lacking.[8]
During the kingsmoot on Old Wyk, Qarl wins the finger dance against Eldred Codd, with one of Eldred's fingers landing in the wine cup of Ralf the Limper.[6] Qarl is one of the champions for Asha at the kingsmoot, but Euron Greyjoy is instead chosen King of the Isles and the North.[4]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]Qarl sails to Deepwood Motte with Asha as she contemplates her next move after the kingsmoot. Qarl sleeps with Asha in Galbart Glover's bedchamber.[3]
Qarl wields his longsword in the fight by Deepwood Motte, and he kills a northman who grabs at Asha's hair. At one point he fights back to back with his lover. Qarl is captured along with Asha, Tristifer Botley, and several other ironborn by the army of Stannis Baratheon.[9]
Qarl is later freed and ransomed along with the other ironborn by Tycho Nestoris, as the Braavosi banker needs an escort to get him to Stannis whose army is marching on Winterfell.[10]
The Winds of Winter
[edit]
| Warning This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change. |
Qarl and Tristifer accompany Asha to her meeting with Stannis, when she asks about the fate of Theon, her captive brother. Theon considers Qarl and Tris to be Asha's pets.[11]
Quotes by Qarl
[edit]Euron: IRONMEN, you have heard my horn. Now hear my words. I am Balon's brother, Quellon's eldest living son. Lord Vickon's blood is in my veins, and the blood of the Old Kraken. Yet I have sailed farther than any of them. Only one living kraken has never known defeat. Only one has never bent his knee. Only one has sailed to Asshai by the Shadow, and seen wonders and terrors beyond imagining ...
Qarl: If you liked the Shadow so well, go back there.[4]—Euron Greyjoy and Qarl
Asha: Get out. I want to be alone.
Qarl: What you want is me.[3]—Asha Greyjoy and Qarl
Asha: I am a woman wed. You've despoiled me, you beardless boy. My lord husband will cut your balls off and put you in a dress.
Qarl: If he can get out of his chair.[3]—Asha Greyjoy and Qarl
Quotes about Qarl
[edit]The singers call Andrik best now. Andrik the Unsmiling, they name him. A giant of a man. He serves Lord Drumm of Old Wyk. And Black Lorren and Qarl the Maid are near as dread.[5]
A shy smile, strong arms, clever fingers, and two sure swords. What more could any woman want? She would have married Qarl, and gladly, but she was Lord Balon's daughter and he was common-born, the grandson of a thrall.[3]
—thoughts of Asha Greyjoy
References
[edit]- ↑ George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Qarl.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Storm of Swords, Appendix.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 26, The Wayward Bride.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 37, Theon III.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 18, The Iron Captain.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Theon I