One of the many challenging elements of Game of Thrones is the moral spectrum of its characters. There are few heroes in Westeros, especially as the franchise focuses primarily on corrupt, self-centered aristocrats born into unimaginable power. The well-intentioned characters routinely die to benefit sadists and monsters. Noble goals are few and far between across the beloved fantasy series, but some manage to keep the flame of heroism alive. The Brotherhood Without Banners is a rare, underappreciated example.
A newcomer to Westeros would wander into an absurdly complex network of factions vying for control. The Iron Throne sits above a dozen rival rulers and countless groups dedicated to other goals. Any collection of armed soldiers will regularly descend into chaos, but the books and series depict the rise and fall of various groups. The Brotherhood Without Banners rarely gets enough focus in the show, but they remain engaging in the books.
How did the Brotherhood Without Banners form?
The Brotherhood Without Banners, whose austere name is capitalized in the show and lowercase in the books, initially formed as a temporary task force. Catelyn Stark accurately blamed House Lannister for crippling her son, Bran, but inaccurately abducted Tyrion for Jamie’s crime. Acting uncharacteristically irrationally, Tyrion’s father, Tywin, sends Ser Gregor Clegane to raid Catelyn’s homeland. Catelyn’s father, Lord Holster Tully, demands an audience with Eddard Stark, the Hand of the King, to request a force to protect his domain. Stark agrees, selecting the Lightning Lord Beric Dondarrion as his champion. He tasks Beric, Thoros of Myr, Ser Gladden Wylde, and Lord Lothar Mallery with rounding up an army to kill Gregor Clegane.
The group’s first mission goes terribly. Tywin Lannister’s scheme ran deeper than revenge. He sent Gregor to the Riverlands to draw Eddard Stark. An injury prevented Eddard from leading the party, sending Beric and his soldiers into the ambush Tywin staged for him. Beric, Gladden, Lothar, and most of their soldiers die in their battle against Tywin and the Mountain. Thoros, a failed priest of the Red God, unintentionally resurrected Beric while performing funeral rites. With newfound vigor, Beric gathered the remaining knights under his command. Though many suggested returning to King’s Landing, Beric saw the destruction levied by various armies and the suffering of the smallfolk. Their plight moved him to create the Brotherhood Without Banners. Together, Beric, Thoros, and a new band of outlaws would rob from the rich, give to the poor, and protect the innocent from armies under every banner. Beric sums up their mission to Sandor Clegane like this:
We were knights and squires and men-at-arms, lords and commoners, bound together only by our purpose. Six score of us set out to bring the king’s justice to your brother. Six score brave men and true, led by a fool in a starry cloak. More than eighty of our company are dead now, but others have taken up the swords that fell from their hands. With their help, we fight on as best we can, for Robert and the realm.
What did the Brotherhood Without Banners accomplish?
The Brotherhood initially opposed House Lannister but gradually extended their purview to every other army. The Brotherhood retakes the spotlight after Arya Stark, Gendry Baratheon, and Hot Pie escape Harrenhal. The Brotherhood captures them, along with Sandor Clegane. They put the Hound on trial for his crimes against humanity, but he wins his trial by combat, killing Beric again. Thoros raises him again, stunning Arya. He and Beric explain their mission to the young Stark girl and Baratheon boy. They defeat a group of Brave Companions during the brief battle at the burning septry. Gendry, impressed by their goals and might, joins the brotherhood. This differs from his place in the show, in which the Brotherhood ransoms him back to Stannis Baratheon for a sacrifice. The show later depicts them fighting White Walkers. The books see them fall under the leadership of Lady Stoneheart, the undead Catelyn Stark. Their methods grow less impressive, prompting Thoros to dismay.
Notable Members of the Brotherhood Without Banners
Beric Dondarrion is the leader of the Brotherhood, while Thoros of Myr is its voice. Lightning Lord Beric remains a noble, spiritual knight dedicated to his inspirational goals. Thoros was once a failed red priest, but his faith returned tenfold after he revived Beric. After their initial roster died in their first encounter, Beric and Thoros assembled a new group of outlaws. Here’s a short list of known Brotherhood members:
- Lem Lemoncloak: This gruff former soldier is known for the yellow cloak he wears.
- Harwin: The son of Winterfell’s master of horses brings his riding skills to the Brotherhood.
- Tom Sevenstrings: This handsome traveling bard wields a woodsman’s ax and throwing knives.
- Jack-Be-Lucky: This one-eyed warrior joined after escaping Riverrun’s dungeons.
- Edric Dayne: The twelve-year-old head of House Dayne serves Beric as a squire.
- The Mad Huntsman: The leader of a pack of skilled hunting dogs serves as a scout.
- The Ghost of High Heart: This ancient old woods witch offers prophecies in exchange for Tom’s songs.
The Brotherhood Without Banners suffers a strange downfall as they lose their morals, but they were one of the best groups in Westeros. Their humble goal and great assembled skill allowed them to remain fascinating. The books don’t do enough with this band of outlaws. Anyone looking for a good Westeros-themed D&D adventure must look no further than the Brotherhood Without Banners.
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