Myr

Myr is one of the Nine Free Cities of Essos, a wealthy and influential city-state whose skilled artisans, particularly its glassblowers and lacemakers, are renowned across the known world. Its political and military entanglements, especially in the endless wars of the Disputed Lands, make it a persistent factor in the power struggles of western Essos, a place where sellswords are hired and fortunes are made and lost.

Geography and Economy

Myr is a coastal city, one of the three principal city-states of the Disputed Lands, alongside Lys and Tyrosh. Its economy is built on trade and craftsmanship. Myrish glass is considered the finest in the world, and a single clear pane is worth its weight in spice. Myrish lace is also a highly prized luxury good. The city's wealth is also tied to the slave trade, though its own internal politics are shaped by the constant warfare of the region. The city's armies are largely composed of sellsword companies, such as the Golden Company, which Myr has been known to hire.

Political and Military Role

Myr is a frequent combatant in the wars of the Disputed Lands, often hiring sellsword companies like the Golden Company to fight its battles. The city's political landscape is volatile, with its rulers, the magisters, constantly maneuvering for advantage. During the events of the War of the Five Kings, Myr is embroiled in another war with Lys and Tyrosh. The city's envoys are also active in the wider world, seeking to hire mercenaries for conflicts as far away as Slaver's Bay, where the Yunkai'i attempt to buy the services of the Golden Company, which had previously been under contract with Myr.

Connections to the Wider World

Myr's influence extends beyond its immediate region. Its products are traded throughout the known world, from the Free Cities to Westeros. The city's glass is particularly coveted, and Jon Snow, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, dreams of hiring Myrish glassblowers to create glass gardens at Castle Black to grow food during the long winter. Myr is also a place of refuge and origin for various characters. Varys, the Spider, is from Myr, and his past there is tied to his early life as a thief and his partnership with Illyrio Mopatis. The city's name is also invoked as a possible destination for characters seeking passage, such as Tyrion Lannister, who wonders if he is being taken to Myr after his escape from King's Landing.