The Jade Compendium

The Jade Compendium is a travelogue and historical account written by the Volantene adventurer Colloquo Votar, who journeyed to the distant east and visited all the lands surrounding the Jade Sea. The book is a record of his travels and the wonders he witnessed, and it is one of the few surviving texts that provides detailed information about the far eastern regions of the known world.

Contents and Significance

The Jade Compendium contains a passage that Jon Snow finds particularly relevant to the threat facing the Wall. The passage describes the legendary hero Azor Ahai and his sword, Lightbringer. According to Votar's account, Lightbringer was tempered with the blood of Azor Ahai's wife, Nissa Nissa. After this act, the sword was never cold to the touch, but remained warm as Nissa Nissa had been warm. In battle, the blade burned fiery hot. The text recounts that once, when Azor Ahai fought a monster, he thrust the sword through its belly, causing its blood to boil, smoke and steam to pour from its mouth, its eyes to melt and dribble down its cheeks, and its body to burst into flame.

Role in the Narrative

Maester Aemon left the book for Jon Snow before departing Castle Black for Oldtown. He instructed Clydas to mark the relevant passage for Jon, telling him, "Knowledge is a weapon, Jon. Arm yourself well before you ride forth to battle." Jon later reads the passage and reflects on its implications, noting that a sword that makes its own heat would be a fine thing on the Wall. He contrasts this description with the sword wielded by Stannis Baratheon, which he observes is cold, and expresses curiosity about how Stannis's Lightbringer will behave in actual battle. The book thus serves as a source of ancient lore that deepens Jon's understanding of the legendary weapon and its properties, while also casting doubt on the authenticity of Stannis's own claim to possess it.