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04 Night's Watch.pdf - Chaos Bleeds

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CHapter 3: beyond the WallHe learned the hard lesson that the Others could not be fought andavoided only with great luck.It was this lesson that drove Mance Rayder to become the Kingbeyond-the-Wall,as he knew the fractious nature of the free folkwould mean they would be destroyed tribe by tribe by the Others ifthey did not stand together. Mance immediately set about gatheringwhat legend and lore he could about the Others, how they werefought in the past, all the while working to unite the free folk as besthe could. At the time there were five others claiming (or planning toclaim) the title “King-beyond-the-Wall,” so Mance spent several yearsbuilding up his followers, forcing tribes to acknowledge him throughforce of arms and cunning, before confronting these would-be rulers.He was forced to kill three of the contestants for the title of Kingbeyond-the-Wallbecause they would not submit to him; Magnar Styrof the Thenn tribes and Tormund Giantbane joined his cause insteadof dying.With the submission of the Thenn tribes, Mance controlled enoughof the free folk that he began to organize them into a great horde,marching them south to the Wall with promises of a new life in thelands beyond. Tribes that would not submit were forced, though at thispoint most soon realized which way the wind was blowing. Mance’sreputation for fairness and interfering little in the lives of those swornto him helped him gain the allegiance of many free folk who would otherwisefight tooth and nail against a more domineering leader. Mancewas even able to convince the giants to join his cause with the assistanceof Tormund Giantbane, adding their formidable and much-neededstrength to his army.PersonalityMance Rayder is a remarkable man, possessed of both skill at arms andthe charisma to unite the squabbling clans and villages of the Far Northinto a single, albeit chaotic, alliance. He combines sharp wits and a diplomaticmanner with the strength needed to maintain the other wildlings’respect, as well as the will to overcome dissenters among the freefolk. He has told the free folk he intends to see them safe to the South,leaving the dangers of the Far North and the threat of the White Walkersbehind, and many wildlings take him at his word.AppearanceUnremarkable and undistinguished is probably the best way to describeMance’s appearance: he is a middle-aged man with graying hair whodresses simply, without ornamentation. His only peculiarity is his insistenceon wearing his red-patched cloak. Mance’s true strength of characterand charisma are evident in his steady, bright-eyed gaze that canpeer into the heart of anyone he encounters.Mance Rayder’s LieutenantsMance Rayder does not personally command the forces at his disposal.Like any king south of the Wall, he has the loyalty of many leadersof men, and an army as a result.Unlike the armies of the lords of the Seven Kingdoms, however, themen and women who follow Mance’s lead do not do so due to claims ofblood, lineage or nobility. Each of his followers are leaders of the Free80

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