The Narrow Sea

The Narrow Sea mattered not only as a passage between Westeros and the eastern cities, but as a vulnerable artery for trade. When conflict spread through the waters around the Stepstones, control of its southern end could isolate ports and redirect the ambitions of rival powers.

Routes and Opportunity

The sea offered a route east for people seeking fortunes beyond Westeros. After the Triarchy collapsed, northerners saw the conflicts among the eastern powers as an opening: rather than return to a North gripped by winter, some crossed the Narrow Sea to seek paid service. Their departure helped produce two mercenary companies. The Wolf Pack was made up entirely of northmen, while the Stormbreakers drew men from across Westeros.

Rival Claims and the Stepstones

The murder of Sharako Lohar, the Lysene admiral associated with the Triarchy’s defeat in the Gullet, helped turn rivalries among Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr into open war. Though the killing was later understood as a personal dispute over the favor of the courtesan called the Black Swan, it was initially treated as political, with Myr suspected. As Lys and Myr fought, Tyrosh moved to assert dominion over the Stepstones. The Archon of Tyrosh summoned Racallio Ryndoon, who swiftly overran the islands and killed the reigning King of the Narrow Sea. He then claimed the crown for himself, betraying the Archon and his city. The resulting four-sided war made the southern passage a prize as well as a battleground.

Trade Cut Off

Racallio’s seizure of the southern end of the Narrow Sea shut off eastern commerce from King’s Landing, Duskendale, Maidenpool, and Gulltown. Pentos, Braavos, and Lorath were also affected. Their envoys came to King’s Landing seeking a grand alliance with the Iron Throne against Racallio and the warring eastern powers, but Ser Tyland Lannister refused to involve Westeros in the Free Cities’ conflicts.

Continuing Disruption

The disruption persisted beyond that diplomatic appeal. In 132 AC, Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys, along with the alliance of Braavos, Pentos, and Lorath, continued fighting across the Stepstones and the Disputed Lands, while Racallio’s rogue kingdom still controlled the southern passage. Trade dwindled in King’s Landing, Duskendale, Maidenpool, and Gulltown, leaving merchants to seek help from the king, whose refusal or inability to receive them is disputed by the chronicles. The Narrow Sea’s strategic importance is thus shown through the consequences of its closure: distant contests over islands and succession became shortages of commerce in Westerosi ports.