The Iron Islands

As the smallest region of Westeros, the Iron Islands is also one of the least inhabited areas. The Iron Islands were a formidable power prior to Aegon’s Conquest of the Seven Kingdoms. Since the Conquest, the Iron Islands, under House Greyjoy, have pursued several ruinous wars which have led to the islands being both depopulated and looted into poverty.

The Iron Islands may not contain fertile land for growing crops, nor wood for lumber, but their islands do contain rich deposits of iron, lead, and tin. While rich in mineral resources, the Ironborn see the back-breaking and often dangerous work in the mines as below their proud heritage and only fit for thralls. For many, this leaves the only choice for wealth and power open to them as raiding and piracy in distant seas.

While the situation may seem dire for the Ironborn, the clamour for war occurring on the mainland offers another chance for greatness. While the armies of their mainland rivals face off, their lands are ripe for reaving. With the ability to pay the “iron price” for both plunder and new thralls for the mines, the Ironborn may be able to strengthen their decaying position. Perhaps, the Ironborn could gather enough strength to pay the “iron price” for the Iron Throne.

Location

The Iron Islands, as the name suggests, are a series of islands and archipelagos. The stony soil and salt water of the sea waves crashing to shore make it impossible for the Ironborn to grow their own food, so they resort to other means. The Ironborn frequently raid their coastal neighbours, the Riverlands, the North, and the Westerlands, for plunder. Very few can muster a navy to ward off these raids, let alone attack the Ironborn in their islands of sharp rock, vicious waves, and even more vicious men.

Religion

Considered another one of the old gods by the Faith of the Seven, the Drowned God — or He Who Dwells Beneath the Waves — is the god that almost every Ironborn reveres as holding power over them and creating them in his own image. The Drowned God is not a peaceful god, nor are his people made in his likeness a peaceful flock. They are reavers unafraid to carve out kingdoms and make their names known in a saga of blood and valour.

Rulers

King Balon Greyjoy

Vassals

• Euron Greyjoy

• Lord Rodrik Harlaw

• Lord Gorold Goodbrother

• Lord Waldon Wynch

• Lord Meldred Merlyn

• Captain Yara Greyjoy

• Lord Sawane Botley

• Lord Dunstan Drumm

• Lady Donnor Saltcliffe

• Lord Ayln Orkwood

• Lord Baelor Blacktyde

• Lord Norne Goodbrother

• Lord Gylbert Fawynd

• Victarion Greyjoy

• Aeron Greyjoy

• Lord Steffarion Sparr

• Ralf Stonehouse

• Lady Alayne Sunderly

• Ser Harras Harlaw

Fiefs

Towns:

Pyke, Lordsport

Castles:

Crow Spike Keep, Downdelving, Pebbleton, Hammerhorn, Shatterstone, Old Wyk Castle, Blacktyde Castle, Orkmont Castle, Iron Holt, Ten Towers, Grey Garden

Villages:

Crow Spike, Wyk, Delvin, Hammerhorn Village, Black Wind, Nagga’s Cradle, Blacktyde Village, Orkmont, Saltcliffe, King’s Moot, Pine Bluff, Corpse Lake, Harlaw

Troop Tree

The Ironborn are an infantry-focused kingdom; of course, horses aren’t as seaborne as the men of the Iron Isles are. Ironborn men wield large shields, ideal for shieldwall tactics, and some later units even have throwing axes. Their weakness, as mentioned, is the complete lack of any cavalry and long-ranged units. The best use for this army would be a mass of units in a shieldwall or ranks, with axe throwers behind, perhaps supported by mercenary cavalry or archers.

Strengths

• Great shields.
• Great throwing skill and axes.

Weaknesses

• Very low variety (just infantry and low ranged units).

Starting People Perk

Choosing the Ironborn as starting people at character creation will remove the morale penalty from sailing across the ocean. This is the boon of choosing an Ironborn-based heritage at game start.

Unique, Location-Based Troops

The player can recruit the following special, elite troops if in control of Pyke:

• Kraken Guard can be recruited from the Master-at-Arms located in Pyke if you are the owner of the town.
• The Kraken Guard are one of the most elite infantry units in the game. They have the best shield in the game, making them absolutely devastating in a shieldwall. They also possess throwable axes, and with their throwing proficiency being so high, this makes them deadly against every foe.

Recruiting from The Iron Islands

In order to recruit Ironborn units from villages you own as an independent kingdom, you will need to select an Ironborn race on character creation. Ironborn units can be recruited from villages regardless of player status unless they are hostile to the Ironborn. Additional ways to recruit Ironborn units are to rescue them from enemy lords’ parties, find them in taverns, or rescue them from enemy garrisons.

Extra Information

• Choosing the Ironborn culture at character creation will remove the morale penalty from sailing across the ocean.
• The Iron Islands are the smallest Westerosi kingdom.
• The fortress of Pyke is a formidable island stronghold.
• Ironborn lords may occasionally get stuck at sea; check the waters around the islands if they’re missing from campaigns.