HBO releases extended GoT world map

With the start of Season 2 of Game of Thrones HBO has updated their Viewer's Guide website with a whole host of new information. Most notable is a new map that shows a lot more of the eastern continent of Essos than previously seen, although not all of it (Asshai is still off the map, though Qarth and the edge of the Jade Sea are shown).


So is this map 'canon' for the books as well? Mostly, certainly as far east as the Red Waste and Lhazar. However, George R.R. Martin recently re-conceptualised the map of Essos past that region. The HBO map is based on older material and should not be considered canon for the books (although the approximate locations of Vaes Dothrak and Qarth should be correct, the coastlines and some of the geographic detail has changed).

Amusingly, since it doesn't show the known coast of Sothoryos, the map fails to resolve the age-old question of whether the Jade Sea is a landlocked semi-inland sea (like the Black Sea) or not. Speculation may continue, at least until The Lands of Ice and Fire map book (which will be canon for the books) is released in October.

Note that at the HBO website the map is zoomable on quite a large scale, and shows locations not visible on this map, such as Vaes Dothrak and Lhazar.

Popular posts from this blog

Americana at Its Most Felonious Q. and A.: Rockstar’s Dan Houser on Grand Theft Auto V

Image
Rockstar Games Michael, one of the three playable characters in the coming Grand Theft Auto V, by Rockstar Games. By CHRIS SUELLENTROP   The Grand Theft Auto series of video games is a rare cultural phenomenon: incredibly popular (the last version sold more than 25 million copies globally), widely condemned (by politicians like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joseph I. Lieberman) and adored by the highbrow (Junot Díaz is a huge fan). Yet its creators at Rockstar Games have been able to shroud themselves in relative mystery for more than a decade, even after a Federal Trade Commission investigation in 2005, when copies of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas were yanked from store shelves after a fan unlocked some sexual content that had been hidden in the game’s code. Trevor, another of the playable characters in Grand Theft Auto V, which will be introduced next spring. With Grand Theft Auto V, the first major title in the series in five years, coming out next spring...
Read more

GTA 5 Trailer 2 Analysis Scene-By-Scene

Image
Grand Theft Auto V Trailer #2 is here ! Just like the first trailer, here's a breakdown of things spotted... Song: Stevie Wonder - Skeletons Scene 1 - Observatory Kind of a reverse view from what we have been seeing of Los Santos. Scene 2 - Michael's house The mansion with tennis court we we're shown in August screenshots, higher view looking at neighborhood Gardener working on far left lawn Mules in background Old car (Peyote) on far right, partially off screen A black 9F (Audi R8 Spider) sits in the driveway Inside we see Amanda and Tracy, Michael's wife and daughter, arguing about a boy staying over. Note the tramp stamp. The tennis mansion is Michael's house. Detailed kitchen Michael relaxes by the pool as mentioned in previews Water looks good "You know I've been in this game for a lot of years? I got out alive. If you want my advice, give the shit up." Scene 3 - The busy city A freight train runs under a highway interchange with tanker cars Buses...
Read more

The Wheel of Time So Far: Part 15 - Knife of Dreams

Image
Previous instalments of the series: Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8 , Part 9 , Part 10 , Part 11 , Part 12 , Part 13 , Part 14 . Spoilers for those who are unfamiliar with the series. Note that this summary is designed to help people who have already read the books get back up to speed before the release of the final volume in January. First-timers are advised to read the books directly, as in some cases these summaries may spoil things that are not revealed in the books until much later. Rand al'Thor confronts the Forsaken Semirhage. Follow the break for the summary: Knife of Dreams A town in Amadicia, held by the Children of the Light. Eamon Valda and Rhadam Asunawa are holding a meeting when a senior officer approaches to tell them that a Child has brought a serious charge against another Child. In the old ways, this can only be settled by a duel to the death. Asunawa thinks that is stupidity, but Valda is suspicious of Asunawa afte...
Read more