The Free Folk

The Free Folk is the self-given name for the people who live in the lands beyond the Wall, still on the continent of Westeros but beyond the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms. The name they employ makes reference to their society, which recognizes no inherent or hereditary political authority, except for leaders whom they choose to follow. The people of the Seven Kingdoms refer to the Free Folk derogatorily as “wildlings,” while the Free Folk refer to those south of the Wall as “kneelers.”

Normally, the wildlings are divided into many different rival clans, but occasionally, they unite behind a single over-chieftain known as a King-Beyond-the-Wall. Recently, a new King Beyond the Wall has crowned himself, one who was at one time a member of the Night’s Watch. Known as Mance Rayder, this king has united the tribes of the Free Folk and is preparing to lead his people over the Wall and through the men of the Night’s Watch.

While previous self-proclaimed Kings have attempted this in the past, only to be soundly defeated by either the Night’s Watch or the Starks of Winterfell, the continued decline of the Night’s Watch has given them a better-than-average chance of finally achieving this goal. To make matters worse, rumours abound of a new enemy that is driving the Free Folk from the True North….

Religion

The Free Folk worship the Old Gods of the Forest, like their distant cousins in the North. Even in the lands of House Stark, there are some followers of the Faith of the Seven, often southern noblewomen who come to the North to secure marriage alliances. Beyond the Wall, however, the Old Gods are the only gods that are worshipped.

Rulers

Mance Rayder

Vassals

• Tormund

• Styr Magnar

• Lord of Bones

• Harma Doghead

• The Weeper

Fiefs

Towns:

Thenn

Castles:

Fist of the First Men, Hardhome

Villages:

Thenn Valley, Frostfang’s Camp, Giant’s Stair, Milk Water, Antler River, Skirling, Whitetree, Storrold, Storrold’s Point

Troop Tree

The Free Folk troops wear light to medium armour and are relatively weak compared to other major factions except for their special units, including Giants, Wildling Chieftain Guard, and Thenn Chieftain Elite Guard. The Free Folk troops do have a good diversified troop tree consisting of an archery unit pathway (up to 6th tier when fully upgraded), melee skirmisher unit pathway (up to 5th tier when fully upgraded), melee berserker pathway (up to 6th tier when fully upgraded), and light cavalry unit pathway (up to 5th tier when fully upgraded).

Strengths

• Diverse troop tree with 4 different unit types able to reach tier 5 or 6 depending on unit type when fully upgraded.
• Access to special, more powerful units in limited supply, including Giants, Wildling Chieftain Elite Guard, and Thenn Chieftain Elite Guard.

Weaknesses

• Basic troops are lightly armoured compared to other factions.
• Basic troops have relatively weaker weapons, which deal less damage and are more prone to break, compared to other factions.
• Basic troops are relatively weak compared to other factions.
• Require the use of special, more powerful troops to help compensate for their relatively weak basic troops.

Starting People Perks

• Able to potentially recruit two giant companions (Wun-Wun and Dongo) if starting people/heritage is set to Free Folk at the beginning of the game.
• Potential random boon event where a warband of giants joins if certain conditions are met and the player’s starting people/heritage is set to Free Folk at the beginning of the game.
• Can recruit Giants, Thenn Chieftain Guard, and Wildling Chieftain Guard from specific, respective locations if renown is high enough.

Unique, Heritage-Based Troops

The player can recruit the following special, elite troops if Free Folk is chosen as the starting people:

Thenn Chieftain Elite Guard

• Thenn Chieftain Elite Guard can be recruited from an NPC named Fritigern located in Thenn if the starting people are Free Folk AND if renown is high enough.

Giants

• Giants can be recruited from an NPC named Mortik located in Frostfang’s Camp if the starting people are Free Folk AND if renown is high enough. Giants can be upgraded to either Giant Archer or Giant Skull Crusher. Giant Skull Crusher can be upgraded to Giant Champion.

Wildling Chieftain Guard

• Wildling Chieftain Guard can be recruited from an NPC named Alaric Wolfsbane located in Fist of the First Men if starting people is Free Folk AND if renown is high enough.

Unique, Location-Based Troops

• The player can recruit Thenn-based troops in the tavern in the town of Thenn and the village of Thenn Valley.
• The Thenn troops are unique as they wield bronze weapons and are equipped with bronze shields and armour.

Summary

The Free Folk do not favour discipline or an organized command hierarchy, resulting in diverse but relatively weak troops per their basic troop tree. The Free Folk are further distinguished and strengthened through access to a limited supply of unique, more powerful units including Giants, Wildling Chieftain Elite Guard, and Thenn Chieftain Elite Guard.

Territories

The factions that surround the Free Folk are the Night’s Watch to the south and the Others to the west. The capital of the Free Folk is Hardhome. They control the following towns, castles, and villages:

Antler’s River, Craster’s Keep, Giant’s Stair, Milk Water, Skirling, Storrold, Storrold’s Point, Thenn Valley, Whitetree, Thenn, Frostfang’s Camp, Hardhome, Fist of the First Men

Quests

• Join the King beyond the Wall. (quests page)

Sources/Citations

Game of Thrones Wiki, A Song of Ice and Fire Wiki, A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, and The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, Elio García, and Linda Antonsson.