Mantarys

Mantarys is a city in Essos, situated on the old Valyrian road that connects Volantis to Meereen, a stretch of road known as the demon road. Its reputation is one of the most sinister in the known world, often described as a city of monsters. This fearsome reputation is a recurring theme in the accounts of travelers and characters who consider the route, making it a place of dread and a significant obstacle for those journeying between the Free Cities and Slaver's Bay.

Geography and Strategic Importance

Mantarys lies on the demon road, a perilous overland route that was once part of the Valyrian Freehold's network of dragon roads. The city's position makes it a crucial waypoint for any army or traveler attempting to march overland from Volantis to Meereen, as it is one of the few settlements along the otherwise desolate and dangerous path. Its strategic value is underscored during the conflicts in Slaver's Bay, where it becomes a potential ally or enemy to the warring factions. The Yunkai'i, in their war against Daenerys Targaryen, successfully secured an alliance with Mantarys, adding its strength to their coalition against Meereen.

Role in the Conflicts of Slaver's Bay

During the escalating war between the Yunkish alliance and Daenerys Targaryen's Meereen, Mantarys is reported to have agreed to an alliance with Yunkai. This news, brought to Daenerys by Xaro Xhoan Daxos, is a significant blow, as it adds another hostile force to the growing list of enemies surrounding Meereen. The city's alignment with the slavers demonstrates its political and military importance in the region. Furthermore, the demon road leading to Mantarys is considered a death trap by seasoned sellswords like Harry Strickland, who argues that marching an army along it would result in massive losses from desertion and death, making it an impractical route for the Golden Company to reach Daenerys.

Reputation and Perceived Danger

The city's reputation as a place of monsters is a constant in the narrative. Tyrion Lannister, while traveling with Illyrio Mopatis, hears of the city's sinister repute. Later, when considering the overland route to Meereen, Quentyn Martell and his companions are warned that the demon road is dangerous and too slow. The city's very name evokes fear and is used as a benchmark for the extreme dangers of the eastern lands. This reputation is so pervasive that even the possibility of marching through Mantarys is dismissed by experienced commanders, who view it as a certain path to ruin. The city's monstrous image is further reinforced by the presence of a two-headed monster from Mantarys in the grotesquerie of a wealthy Yunkish lord, Yezzan zo Qaggaz, cementing its association with the unnatural and the grotesque in the minds of the characters.