something
Land of Always Winter
Game of Thrones season 8 is finally upon us, concluding the sprawling high-fantasy drama series after nearly a decade on television. As such, we’ve created an interactive map showcasing Westeros and the major locations we’re set to visit this season, like King’s Landing and Winterfell.
In these locations we will look into the cast of characters currently residing there, who’s on their way to the region, and how those places will play a part in the season. For those looking for what we think will happen this season, check out our speculative post on everything we learned from the trailers HBO previously released this year.
This winter-locked location is the home of the White Walkers and presumably where the Night King’s crusade began. This is where the White Walkers reside following the war between the First Men and the Children of the Forest. We’ve never really seen this location in Game of Thrones, but it’s been alluded to, and since this is the final season and winter has come, it’s possible we can see the location visited in all its splendor for the first time.
Beyond the Wall
This is where the first scene of episode 1 takes place, where the men of the Night’s Watch are brutally killed by the White Walkers. As they’ve traveled from the Land of Always Winter, they’ve trudged in bulk through the region, where the Wildlings live, killing and collected the dead to join their ranks as Wights.
The Wall
Or what’s left of it. This used to border the civilized section of Westeros from the Wildling and greater White Walker threat before the latter tore it asunder with dragon fire. The Wall houses several castles, including Eastwatch, where Beric Dondarrion and Tormund Giantsbane were last seen. It’s also the location that took the brunt of the White Walker’s assault. The two are expected to meet up with Delores Ed, the new Lord Commander, and inform him and the Watch of what’s to come, if they haven’t already seen the dead marching toward The North with their own eyes.
Winterfell
This is where a large portion of the main characters are going to be this season and where a lot of reunions are set to take place—similar to season 7. From mainstays like the Starks, Arya, Sansa, and Bran, we’ll also see Jon return alongside Daenerys. Sansa doesn’t look too happy to see a Targaryen in Winterfell, as seen in the season 8 trailer. Samwell may have a gripe with Daenerys too since she burned his brother and dad alive.
Tyrion will face his once wife Sansa once again, and we haven’t been lead to believe her hatred of the Lannisters haven’t blindly carried over to him. If not him, maybe she’ll have something to say about Jamie joining them at Winterfell, following his leave of Cersei and King’s Landing.
Arya will reunite with The Hound following their last encounter in season 4. Although The Hound may be happy that Arya is safe, it’s possible Arya won’t be happy to see The Hound. As much as she’s convinced herself that she wants to see him dead, when mentioned this to Jaqen H'ghar, he accuses her of lying to herself.
The Night King and his undead dragon are headed to the mainland and the first stop will be Winterfell. It’s unknown if he has a course of attack, but he could definitely use his newly acquired dragon to format one. Many speculate his on-foot army will devastate Winterfell while he makes a stop at King’s Landing to kill and recruit more bodies for a flank attack back up north. Bran is at Winterfell, and he holds the power to possibly defeat the king in the final hour. It might be wise to see his death through.
Iron Islands
Reborn in the salt water of the sea following his fight with his Iron brother Harrag, Theon is steadfast in rescuing his sister Yara from his uncle Euron. It’s unknown whether he’ll be successful or even if Yara is still alive, but it appears he’s on the side of the living. He may circle back with the force of the Iron Islands behind him to come with support with the upcoming battle. Or he may die in a futile attempt to redeem himself for letting her get kidnapped in the first place. It’s revealed Euron went to grab The Golden Company from Essos as more military for King’s Landing, another favor to Cersei in order to become King.
The Vale
The forces of The Vale came in to protect Winterfell in the “Battle of the Bastards,” under the command of Littlefinger, who was commanded to march by Sansa. Now that Littlefinger has been revealed as a traitor and killed, those forces belong to Winterfell—presumably more loyal to Sansa than Jon, and if they aren’t on the frontlines alongside the first resistance of Walkers, they’ll come in to save the day. In the aftermath, however, will their loyalty be to The King in the North or his sister (actually cousin) Sansa?
King’s Landing
Cersei, never one to back down, is the only person with capable forces remaining in King’s Landing. Although she agreed to help in the fight against the White Walkers after seeing irrefutable proof of their existence, it’s revealed she lied (and possibly made a deal with Tyrion) in an attempt to maintain her position of power. Now that the first snow has hit the city, it could be a farwarning that “winter is coming” for King’s Landing, the throne, and by extension, Cersei herself. As we all remember, Daenerys’ vision from season 2 saw her in a snowy barren throne room inches from touching the throne before the cries of her baby led her astray. That vision may come to fruition, but that will also mean the destruction of King’s Landing. This may be the final days of King’s Landing as we know it.
Dragonstone
It’s Daenerys’ homebase during her time in Westeros, formerly the homebase of Stannis and Melesandre. We may come back to this location during season 8 when Winterfell proves to be unwelcoming or completely obliterated. The most important thing about Dragonstone is that it has a massive amount of White Walker-killing Dragonglass. It’s been mined from the island and will be used to make weapons in Winterfell for The Great War.
Highgarden
Now under the command of Cersei, Highgarden was to be handed to Samwell’s father before his death. Would it rightly fall under his rule? It’s not too far from Old Town and his coveted books. He could combine the entire region of The Reach once again as a sovereign nation before the Targaryen conquest.
Old Town
Old Town is where all the sources of information is held, from ways to kill the White Walkers to confirming the Targaryen parentage of Jon Snow. Many presume Game of Thrones to be a storybook being recorded by an older Samwell at Old Town. Many also speculate the book he’d be recording this in would be The Song of Ice and Fire, the name of the books the series is adapted from. What furthers this notion is that the title sequence of every episode showcases the same astrolabe that was revealed in Season 6 and 7. It is entirely possible the show will be seen in season 8, even more-so that’ll play a part in the series final episodes.
Braavos
This is where The Golden Company will be coming from on their way to King’s Landing. This is also where Volantis is, the location Melesandre went after uniting Jon and Daenerys. Braavos/Essos has become less important since the latter left, although it would be interesting to see how her military-enforced peace has lasted since her leave. If it’s gone up in smoke, it may signal that Danny isn’t the leader Westeros needs. One thing is certain, season 7 isn’t the last time we’ll see Melesandre, which may mean we’ll see Volantis as well.
Beyond the Wall
This is where the first scene of episode 1 takes place, where the men of the Night’s Watch are brutally killed by the White Walkers. As they’ve traveled from the Land of Always Winter, they’ve trudged in bulk through the region, where the Wildlings live, killing and collected the dead to join their ranks as Wights.
The Wall
Or what’s left of it. This used to border the civilized section of Westeros from the Wildling and greater White Walker threat before the latter tore it asunder with dragon fire. The Wall houses several castles, including Eastwatch, where Beric Dondarrion and Tormund Giantsbane were last seen. It’s also the location that took the brunt of the White Walker’s assault. The two are expected to meet up with Delores Ed, the new Lord Commander, and inform him and the Watch of what’s to come, if they haven’t already seen the dead marching toward The North with their own eyes.
Winterfell
This is where a large portion of the main characters are going to be this season and where a lot of reunions are set to take place—similar to season 7. From mainstays like the Starks, Arya, Sansa, and Bran, we’ll also see Jon return alongside Daenerys. Sansa doesn’t look too happy to see a Targaryen in Winterfell, as seen in the season 8 trailer. Samwell may have a gripe with Daenerys too since she burned his brother and dad alive.
Tyrion will face his once wife Sansa once again, and we haven’t been lead to believe her hatred of the Lannisters haven’t blindly carried over to him. If not him, maybe she’ll have something to say about Jamie joining them at Winterfell, following his leave of Cersei and King’s Landing.
Arya will reunite with The Hound following their last encounter in season 4. Although The Hound may be happy that Arya is safe, it’s possible Arya won’t be happy to see The Hound. As much as she’s convinced herself that she wants to see him dead, when mentioned this to Jaqen H'ghar, he accuses her of lying to herself.
The Night King and his undead dragon are headed to the mainland and the first stop will be Winterfell. It’s unknown if he has a course of attack, but he could definitely use his newly acquired dragon to format one. Many speculate his on-foot army will devastate Winterfell while he makes a stop at King’s Landing to kill and recruit more bodies for a flank attack back up north. Bran is at Winterfell, and he holds the power to possibly defeat the king in the final hour. It might be wise to see his death through.
Iron Islands
Reborn in the salt water of the sea following his fight with his Iron brother Harrag, Theon is steadfast in rescuing his sister Yara from his uncle Euron. It’s unknown whether he’ll be successful or even if Yara is still alive, but it appears he’s on the side of the living. He may circle back with the force of the Iron Islands behind him to come with support with the upcoming battle. Or he may die in a futile attempt to redeem himself for letting her get kidnapped in the first place. It’s revealed Euron went to grab The Golden Company from Essos as more military for King’s Landing, another favor to Cersei in order to become King.
The Vale
The forces of The Vale came in to protect Winterfell in the “Battle of the Bastards,” under the command of Littlefinger, who was commanded to march by Sansa. Now that Littlefinger has been revealed as a traitor and killed, those forces belong to Winterfell—presumably more loyal to Sansa than Jon, and if they aren’t on the frontlines alongside the first resistance of Walkers, they’ll come in to save the day. In the aftermath, however, will their loyalty be to The King in the North or his sister (actually cousin) Sansa?
King’s Landing
Cersei, never one to back down, is the only person with capable forces remaining in King’s Landing. Although she agreed to help in the fight against the White Walkers after seeing irrefutable proof of their existence, it’s revealed she lied (and possibly made a deal with Tyrion) in an attempt to maintain her position of power. Now that the first snow has hit the city, it could be a farwarning that “winter is coming” for King’s Landing, the throne, and by extension, Cersei herself. As we all remember, Daenerys’ vision from season 2 saw her in a snowy barren throne room inches from touching the throne before the cries of her baby led her astray. That vision may come to fruition, but that will also mean the destruction of King’s Landing. This may be the final days of King’s Landing as we know it.
Dragonstone
It’s Daenerys’ homebase during her time in Westeros, formerly the homebase of Stannis and Melesandre. We may come back to this location during season 8 when Winterfell proves to be unwelcoming or completely obliterated. The most important thing about Dragonstone is that it has a massive amount of White Walker-killing Dragonglass. It’s been mined from the island and will be used to make weapons in Winterfell for The Great War.
Highgarden
Now under the command of Cersei, Highgarden was to be handed to Samwell’s father before his death. Would it rightly fall under his rule? It’s not too far from Old Town and his coveted books. He could combine the entire region of The Reach once again as a sovereign nation before the Targaryen conquest.
Old Town
Old Town is where all the sources of information is held, from ways to kill the White Walkers to confirming the Targaryen parentage of Jon Snow. Many presume Game of Thrones to be a storybook being recorded by an older Samwell at Old Town. Many also speculate the book he’d be recording this in would be The Song of Ice and Fire, the name of the books the series is adapted from. What furthers this notion is that the title sequence of every episode showcases the same astrolabe that was revealed in Season 6 and 7. It is entirely possible the show will be seen in season 8, even more-so that’ll play a part in the series final episodes.
Braavos
This is where The Golden Company will be coming from on their way to King’s Landing. This is also where Volantis is, the location Melesandre went after uniting Jon and Daenerys. Braavos/Essos has become less important since the latter left, although it would be interesting to see how her military-enforced peace has lasted since her leave. If it’s gone up in smoke, it may signal that Danny isn’t the leader Westeros needs. One thing is certain, season 7 isn’t the last time we’ll see Melesandre, which may mean we’ll see Volantis as well.
hypebeast
Guide to Westeros
Everything you need to know ahead of GAME OF THRONES season 8.
hypebeast Guide to Westeros
Everything you need to know ahead of game of thrones season 8.
* tap location to reveal / hide
hover over map to reveal