Warlocks

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Warlocks are the magic practitioners of the city of Qarth. The warlocks' center of power is the House of the Undying, home to the elite warlocks, the Undying Ones.[1]

Appearance

The warlocks of Qarth are known to dress in long, beaded robes. They have white, pale skins and pale blue lips, from drinking shade-of-the-evening many times, in pursuit of ever-greater knowledge. The Undying Ones' flesh is ripe violet blue, their nails are so blue they are nearly black, and even the whites of their eyes are blue.[2]

History

Though legend speaks of the mighty power of the warlocks, they have done little in the past century. Similarly to the Alchemists' Guild of the Seven Kingdoms, the warlocks' power and prestige have waned over the years. Their mighty House of the Undying is long since a grey stone ruin, neither repaired nor expanded upon, often referred to as the Palace of Dust. Xaro Xhoan Daxos explains that:

Once they were mighty … but now they are as ludicrous as those feeble old soldiers who boast of their prowess long after strength and skill have left them. They read their crumbling scrolls, drink their shade-of-the-evening until their lips turn blue, and hint of dread powers, but they are hollow husks compared to those who went before.[1]

Even so, the warlocks are feared and respected throughout the east and though many enter the Palace of Dust, none leave again.

In an effort to cure Samwell Tarly of his timidity, his father, Lord Randyll Tarly, once brought two warlocks from Qarth to his castle at Horn Hill. The warlocks slaughtered a bull aurochs and made Sam bathe in the hot blood, but it did not make him brave as they had promised. Randyll had the warlocks scourged.[3] Archmaester Marwyn spent eight years in Essos, a time which included studying with warlocks.[4]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Xaro Xhoan Daxos warns Daenerys Targaryen to avoid the warlocks in Qarth. After having been refused by the Pureborn, Daenerys decides to seek Pyat Pree and the warlocks. Xaro warns her:

Pyat Pree has blue lips, and it is truly said that blue lips speak only lies. … Warlocks are bitter creatures who eat dust and drink of shadows. They will give you nought. They have nought to give.[5]

After Daenerys's visit to the House of the Undying and the subsequent death of the Undying Ones, Xaro tells Daenerys that Pyat Pree is gathering the surviving warlocks together to work ill on her.

A Feast for Crows

Euron Greyjoy tells his brother Victarion that he had captured four warlocks in a galleas out of Qarth. On board was a cask of shade-of-the-evening along with some cloves and nutmeg and forty bolts of green silk. The four warlocks told him a curious tale which Euron does not elaborate upon. One threatened the corsair so Euron killed the warlock and fed him to the other three.[6]

A Dance with Dragons

Daenerys learns that Pyat Pree and three other warlocks have sailed for Pentos hoping to meet her again.[7]

Quotes

Beware men with cold hearts and blue lips.[8]

Xaro Xhoan Daxos's warning to Daenerys Targaryen in Meereen

If a warlock’s spell could kill me, I would be dead by now. I left their palace in ashes.[8]

Daenerys Targaryen, to Ser Barristan Selmy

References and Notes