Tarth

Tarth is a substantial island in the narrow sea, lying off the coast of the Stormlands and sworn to Storm's End. It is the seat of House Tarth, whose lord is Selwyn Tarth, known as the Evenstar. The island is famed for its sapphire mines, which produce gems of exceptional quality, and its strategic position makes it a notable landmark for shipping between Westeros and the Free Cities.

Geography and Strategic Importance

Tarth is a large island, its size and location making it a significant waypoint for vessels crossing the narrow sea. Its position off the coast of the Stormlands places it within the sphere of influence of Storm's End. The island's sapphire mines are a source of considerable wealth and renown, contributing to the prominence of House Tarth. During the War of the Five Kings, the island's strategic value was underscored when reports emerged of sellswords landing there, part of a wider pattern of incursions along the southern coast that included the Stepstones and Cape Wrath.

House Tarth and Its Heir

The ruling house of Tarth is House Tarth, whose lord is Selwyn Tarth, the Evenstar. His daughter and heir is Brienne of Tarth, a formidable warrior known as the Maid of Tarth. Brienne's quest to find Sansa Stark, undertaken at the behest of Jaime Lannister, takes her far from her island home. Her father, Lord Selwyn, is mentioned in the context of the political maneuvering of the storm lords, though he remains at Tarth. The island's name is also invoked in the context of Brienne's identity, as she is frequently referred to as the Maid of Tarth.

Role in the Narrative

Tarth serves primarily as the ancestral home and defining origin for Brienne of Tarth. Her reputation as the Maid of Tarth precedes her, and her actions are often seen through the lens of her duty to her house and her quest to redeem her honor. The island itself is a distant, stable point of reference in a world of conflict, representing the home and duty that Brienne has left behind. Reports of sellswords landing on Tarth, alongside other southern locations, contribute to the sense of a realm under threat from multiple directions, adding to the instability of the Seven Kingdoms.