The last Targaryen king, known as the Mad King, killed by Jaime Lannister during Robert's Rebellion.

Beautiful golden-haired Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Having an affair with her twin brother Jaime.

Reluctantly agrees to become Hand of the King after Jon Arryn's death. Concerned about the danger...

Golden-haired knight of the Kingsguard. Twin brother and secret lover of Queen Cersei. Pushes Bran...

Names Ned Stark as Hand of the King. Deeply in debt to the Lannisters and others.

Younger Stark daughter with brown hair and grey eyes. Wild and tomboyish, prefers swords to sewing.

First Ranger of the Night's Watch. Ned's younger brother who joined the Watch years ago.

Ser Rodrik's young daughter. Serves as a companion to the Stark girls.

Seven-year-old boy who loves climbing. Has a terrible accident while climbing a tower.

Eddard's elder brother, killed by the Mad King along with their father. Was betrothed to Catelyn.

Lady of Winterfell, originally from House Tully. Auburn hair and blue eyes. Devoted mother of five.

A guard at Winterfell, loyal to House Stark.

One of Khal Drogo's three bloodriders present at the wedding. Sworn to die with his khal.

Married to Khal Drogo in exchange for his army. Receives three petrified dragon eggs as a wedding...

A Lysene pleasure slave given to Daenerys as a wedding gift by Illyrio. Teaches Dany arts of love.

Veteran ranger on the ranging with Waymar Royce. Tries to warn against pursuing wildlings.

Jon Snow's albino direwolf, the runt of the litter with red eyes and silent nature.

Robb Stark's direwolf, named for its speed and grey coloring.

One of Khal Drogo's three bloodriders present at the wedding. Sworn to die with his khal.

A guard in service to House Stark at Winterfell.

Master of horse at Winterfell. Manages the castle's stables and horses.

Provides wedding gifts including the three dragon eggs. Fat and wealthy merchant with a golden...

A young Dothraki girl given to Daenerys as a wedding gift to serve as handmaid. Teaches Dany...

Sansa's best friend and companion. Daughter of Vayon Poole, steward of Winterfell.

A young Dothraki girl given to Daenerys as a wedding gift to serve as handmaid. Teaches Dany...

Ned Stark's bastard son with dark hair and grey eyes. Feels like an outsider despite Ned's love.

Exiled knight from Bear Island. Middle-aged, balding, and hairy. Sworn to serve Viserys.

Captain of Ned's household guard. Loyal and competent, son of the late Martyn Cassel.

Powerful Dothraki warlord with long braided hair never cut in defeat. Married to Daenerys.

Sansa Stark's direwolf, the most gentle and ladylike of the pack.

Eddard's sister, betrothed to Robert Baratheon but allegedly abducted by Rhaegar Targaryen.

Catelyn's sister, widow of Jon Arryn. Sends warning that Lannisters killed her husband.

Maester of Winterfell. Grey-haired and intelligent, serves the Stark family faithfully.

Blacksmith of Winterfell. Skilled craftsman who maintains weapons and armor for the castle.

Arya Stark's direwolf, named after the warrior queen of the Rhoynar.

A guard at Winterfell in service to House Stark.

One of Khal Drogo's three bloodriders present at the wedding. Sworn to die with his khal.

Crown Prince and heir to the Mad King, killed by Robert Baratheon at the Battle of the Trident.

Eddard's father and former Lord of Winterfell, burned alive by the Mad King.

Youngest Stark child at three years old. Wild and difficult to control.

Master-at-arms of Winterfell, an old knight with white whiskers who trains the Stark children.

Elder Stark daughter with auburn hair and blue eyes. Beautiful, proper, and dreams of knights and...

Septa who serves as governess to Sansa and Arya. Tries to teach them proper ladylike behavior.

Master-at-arms of Winterfell. White-whiskered knight who trained the Stark children in combat.

Young lordling ranger killed by White Walkers in the prologue. Arrogant but brave.

A knight who served House Targaryen and raised Daenerys and Viserys in exile. Died when Dany was...

Rickon Stark's direwolf, black with green eyes and the most aggressive of the pack.

Bran Stark's direwolf, grey and black with yellow eyes.

Former First Sword of Braavos, now teaching Arya Stark the water dance style of swordplay.

Ward of Eddard Stark, taken as a boy after his father's rebellion. Cocky and ambitious.

Dwarf with mismatched eyes and white-blond hair. Sharp wit and love of books compensate for his...

Steward of Winterfell, serving Lord Eddard Stark faithfully.

Sells his sister to Khal Drogo for an army. Growing impatient and disrespectful to the Dothraki.

Deserted the Night's Watch after seeing White Walkers. Executed by Ned Stark for desertion.

A guard serving House Stark at Winterfell.