The Many Meetings of Oberyn Martell
In my most recent reread of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series¹, I took a renewed interest in the exciting non-POV characters, many of whom we learn much about in only fleeting pages. These side characters can often be drawn more minutely than the standard POV’s as they are able to speak without the reader being inside their heads. As “the story grew in the telling”, we have been able to fill in the biographies of these side characters based on where other important characters may have been at any given time in the fictional history.
Perhaps the most grand of these examples in both how many characters they have interacted with and how short a time we see them is the Red Viper himself, Oberyn Martell. Due to his rank in the feudal hierarchy and wide travels, Oberyn has had the opportunity to meet dozens of named characters from across the works of ASOIAF. By piecing together his fictional biography, I shall endeavor to retrace his steps using textual information and identify his acquaintances by degrees of direct evidence, inference, or wishful speculation. For ease of reading, I have used footnotes to flush out any theory that requires more than clear evidence. In addition, any use of the word “current” without context should be assumed to mean the year 300 AC, or during the time period of A Dance with Dragons. Please note, all written ASOIAF material and the unreleased Winds of Winter preview chapters are used within this essay: spoiler abound.
A Princeling of Dorne
Oberyn Martell was born in either 257 or 258 years After Conquest (AC)², to the unnamed ruling Princess of Dorne and presumably her husband/consort in Sunspear. In addition to his parents, he would have lived closely with his sister Elia Martell, born roughly a year before him. He would not have initially been close to his older brother, who was a decade older and already fostering with Lord Gargalen at Salt Shore. He would meet this brother, Doran Martell, at some point during his youth, though fleetingly³. His uncle, Lewin Martell may have been in Sunspear, though he may have already been a Knight of the Kingsguard by the time of Oberyn’s birth. Any grandparents are unmentioned⁴.
For some time before he turned of age, Oberyn was fostered at Sandstone, the seat of House Qorgyle. A member of this house joined the Night’s Watch prior to 267 AC⁵, so if he was close to the main line of the family, perhaps it was his older brother that fostered Oberyn. It might also have been the current head of the house, Lord Quentyn Qorgyle⁶. It is unlikely, though technically possible, that this future Qorgyle Lord Commander was present when Oberyn arrived⁷.
Doran would eventually return to Sunspear, a man grown, at some point between 264 and 273 AC, and they began to create a close, collaborative relationship that Doran would later describe as, “the grass that hides the viper from his enemies.”⁸ At this time he would have met Doran’s betrothed⁹, the Lady Mellario of Norvos and her sworn axe Areo Hotah in Sunspear, prior to leaving for a progress through Dorne, the Reach, and the Westerlands.
As a teenager, Oberyn accompanied his mother and sister on a progress to Casterly Rock with stops at Starfall, the Arbor, Oldtown, the Shield Islands, and Crakehall. This likely took place in 272 or 273 AC, as it was long enough after the birth of Tyrion Lannister for news of the child’s disability to have reached Oldtown when the Martells were there, but recent enough that Tyrion was still a small infant upon their arrival to Casterly Rock¹⁰. While at Starfall, he would have met the unknown Lord or Lady Dayne of the day and could have met Arthur Dayne (who may have been as young as 13), and Ashara Dayne (who may have been as young as 4). It is quite unlikely he would have met Gerold Dayne, as he may not have been yet born¹¹ and is of a cadet Dayne branch, based in High Hermitage. If we dare to dream, perhaps lurking somewhere in Starfall was a young girl destined to important in the lives of a northern baby and an heir to Starfall: Wylla of later fame¹².
When the party sailed into the wine-drenched Arbor¹³ they were likely hosted by the unnamed Lord Redwyne, brother of Olenna Tyrell¹⁴, or her nephew, Paxter Redwyne¹⁵. If Paxter was born earlier, rather than later, he may also have been married to Mina Tyrell by this stage, but this would mean that the couple did not have their first children for a further 9 years. She was more likely still in Highgarden with her mother and father. Bethany Redwyne may also have been at home, if she had not yet married Mathis Rowan.
In the learned city of Oldtown, Oberyn met Baelor Hightower and gave him his infamous nickname¹⁶. Also in attendance would likely have been Lord Leyton Hightower and his children, Malora (later the Mad Maid), Alerie¹⁷, Garth if he wasn’t being fostered, Denyse, Leyla, Alysanne, and baby Lynesse¹⁸. Moryn Tyrell may have been old enough to be in the City Watch of Oldtown, if not yet the Lord Commander. His time wasn’t only spent in the Hightower however, it would seem that Oberyn fathered his first Sand Snake with a sex worker during this trip. This is one of a few dates that do not neatly line-up and may necessitate an earlier trip to Oldtown, however unlikely.¹⁹
Very little is known of the personalities that Oberyn Martell would have met in the Shield Islands and Crakehall during 273 AC, but some inferences might be made. Of the Islands, we have almost no information about the heads of Houses Chester, Grimm, Hewitt, and Serry²⁰ at the time, but they likely would have met Humfrey Hewett and Talbert Serry, perhaps as children. It is similarly unclear who was the head of House Crakehall, but they would have met current Lord Roland Crakehall as a younger man. Perhaps these places are where Oberyn found the unnamed, “Little Lord Lazyeye, Squire Squishlips, the Whale That Walks” he describes in later years.
The final stop of the trip, Casterly Rock, was the most eventful due to the extremely recent death of Lady Joanna Lannister before the Martells arrived. Perhaps Lady Joanna’s mother, Marla Prester survived her²¹, but we know that Lord Paramount and Hand of the King Tywin Lannister spoke with the Lady Martell briefly at least. Perhaps they were attended to by Maester Creylen²² before roaming the Rock with Jaime and Cersei Lannister, in addition to meeting a newborn Tyrion. Perhaps Cersei was already friends with Melara Heatherspoon and Jeyne Farman²³. Also in residence at Casterly Rock were Kevan Lannister and his wife of several years Dorna Swyft, Genna and her husband Emmon Frey, Cleos Frey and potentially Lyonel Frey²⁴, Tygett²⁵, Gerion²⁶, Stafford Lannister and his wife Myranda Lefford with baby Daven. Was the unsavory Amory Lorch already a member of Tywin’s guard²⁷?
Upon completing the tour, it would seem that Oberyn made his way to Yronwood where he was found in bed with the paramour of Lord Edgar Yronwood. In a a subsequent duel, the men traded cuts but Lord Yronwood’s festered and he died. This suspected poisoning on Oberyn’s part is the genesis of the widely known nickname, The Red Viper. This act, and grievous insult to Edgar’s son Lord Anders, resulted in Oberyn traveling to Oldtown and then on to Lys “though none dare call it exile.”
At some point, Oberyn attended a tourney at Storm’s End. However, the timeline of this event is inconclusive as the inclusion of Simon Toyne and Steffon Baratheon in the story we hear from Barristan Selmy is mutually exclusive. If both are true, there must have been two tournaments at Storm’s End, one before 278 AC and one between 278 AC and 283 AC. We can’t be sure which Oberyn competed in, but if it was the first, this places his most likely time in Oldtown and the Free Cities between 274 and 278 AC.
The Citadel & The Free Cities
It is nowhere stated that this “exile” was when Oberyn attended the Citadel and the Free Cities, however there is some evidence that leads me to believe it was between 274 AC and 280 AC.²⁸ Beyond the neatness of having these two events line up with the “exile”, It is unlikely that he would have left Westeros prior to this time due to his age and the inclusion of the text “after the war, Oberyn seldom left Dorne”²⁹ means it is unlikely that he was gone for years after 283 AC. This leaves us with the narrow 274 to 278 AC if we use the calculation that includes the first possible Tourney at Storms End³⁰, and the wider 274 to 282 AC if we use the second.
While in Oldtown, Oberyn studied long enough to have forged six links of his maester’s chain. While some like Pate have spent five years at the Citadel without forging a single link, other novices like Alleras having forged three in a year might be a more accurate measure, for a variety of reasons.³¹ While at the Citadel, he would doubtless have met several notable Maesters: Edgerran, Walgrave, and perhaps Gormon, Erreck, Turquin, Perestan, Theobald, Agrivane, Benedict, Castos, Ebrose, and Vaellyn. He may have met Maester Qyburn, if he was not expelled until after Oberyn’s time there.³² He may also have been joined by acolytes Leo Tyrell³³ and a then acolyte Marwyn.³⁴ Also at the Citadel would have been a small, foundling child: Yandel. It may also have been during this time that Oberyn claimed his first Sand Snake, the daughter born a few years earlier. However, as Obara seems to be confident she “chose her father over her mother”, this would be an audacious action for a 2 year old to make. Perhaps he came back to Oldtown after returning from the Free Cities and prior to Robert’s Rebellion when it is more plausible she could have made her own choice.
At some point Oberyn left Westeros for the second leg of his “exile”: to Lys. It is actually unclear if he ever made it there, though it would align with his time spent fighting in the Disputed Lands. Something he would have had to do quickly is meet a Volantene noble woman, who would later give birth to his daughter Nymeria Sand, stated to have happened in Volantis. Given the time of her birth, 274 or 275 AC, a variety of options are open to how this happened.³⁶ Somehow Oberyn also fathered Tyene Sand with a “Reach septa” in 276 or 277 AC. We know that the septa lived in the Reach again at some point in the future, but perhaps Oberyn made a trip back to Westeros at some point or stayed in Oldtown longer than is assumed.³⁷ If he did make it to Lys during this time period, perhaps he met a young merchant prince, Tregar Ormollen³⁸ or a member of the illustrious Saan family. He is known to have joined the Second Sons in his time in Essos, before creating his own sellsword company.³⁹ While with the Second Sons, he may have been introduced to the Tattered Prince, though the Windblown may have been created as early as 270 AC.⁴⁰ It is unlikely, though possible, that the current leader of the Second Son’s Mero was in command as early as the 270’s AC, but may have been a member. Another future member who may have been in the company at this time is Brown Ben Plumm. This is also somewhat unlikely, as he was also a bodyguard to a Meereenese noble and he is known as “aging” not old.⁴¹
When Oberyn left his sellsword company and returned from Essos is unclear, but perhaps the why was to attend his sister’s wedding to Rhaegar Targaryen in 280 AC. In the Great Sept of Baelor, he would likely have been presented to King Aerys II, Queen Rhaella and a four year old Viserys. Also in the capital at the time was Grand Maester Pycelle, Master of Whispers Varys, Master of Coin Qarlton Chelsted, Owen Merryweather and perhaps his knight Bonifer Hasty, Master of Laws Symon Staunton, Master of Ships Lucerys Velaryon, and Wisdom Rossart. Did he visit a new brothel run by the Summer Islander Chataya, perhaps pregnant with a daughter, Alayaya? Did he peruse a new set of armor at the forge of Salloreon or the Qohorik Tobho Mott? In any case, in 281 AC Oberyn traveled into the Riverlands for the Tourney of Harrenhal. He is noted to have danced with Ashara, perhaps not only as fellow Dornish but because of their earlier meeting.⁴² There are a variety of new individuals he may have met there: though he already knew their newest member⁴³, Whitecloaks (Jonothor Darry, Oswell Whent⁴⁴), The Starks (Brandon, Ned, Lyanna), The Whents (Walter, Shella, and their five children), Dustins, Hornwoods, Manderlys, Mormonts, Jon Connington, Lord Jon Arryn, and Lord Robert Baratheon⁴⁵. Also present was a Black Brother, likely Yoren, and a very young girl of the household: Pia. He would have witnessed a Knight of the Laughing Tree defeat knights of Houses Haigh, Blount, and Frey and his brother-in-law slight his sister with a wreath of blue roses.
Viper in the Grass
The whereabouts of Oberyn Martell during Robert’s Rebellion is unknown; however, it is said that he attempted to raise Dorne for vengeance after learning about Elia’s murder. As Jon Arryn traveled to Dorne to negotiate within a year of the Rebellion, it gives Oberyn a short window to be “raising Dorne”. After this time, Oberyn rarely left Dorne.⁴⁶ This also means that his time as an acolyte and as a sellsword likely happened prior to 283 AC.
By 284 or 285 AC, Oberyn must have met his paramour of many years Ellaria Sand, as their first child Elia was born in 285 or 286 AC. She is the daughter of Harmen Uller, Lord of the Hellholt, who accompanied Oberyn to King’s Landing in the current day. Elia was followed by Obella Sand in 287 or 288 AC.
One of these rare travels outside Dorne would be to a tourney in which he rode against Willas Tyrell, who was at the time still a squire. As Willas was born between 273 and 276 AC, this was likely shortly after Robert’s Rebellion, and I place this prior to 289 AC. It is noted that though Oberyn knocked the boy from his horse (and a caught stirrup led to Willas’ leg being irreparably crushed), the two began a significant correspondence in the years to follow.⁴⁷ Another trip was to Braavos, no later than 289 or 290 AC, to sign a secret marriage pact with Ser Willem Darry. In addition to the Sealord of Braavos and perhaps Syrio Forel,⁴⁸ he would have first met the child Daenerys Targaryen. If he took time to visit the Merling Queen or Bellonara Otherys, this journey may have allowed him to miss the Greyjoy Rebellion entirely and unless he took Ellaria with him, he must have stopped back at Sunspear before the birth of Dorea Sand in 291 or 292 AC and his youngest, Loreza Sand in 293 AC. I would also place during this time the addition of Daemon Sand as Oberyn’s squire, a young man he would eventually also knight.⁴⁹
At some point, his niece Arianne and his daughter Tyene, attempted to ride to Highgarden but were taken back to Sunspear by Oberyn. This was likely after his trip to Braavos, as the girls would have been old enough to conceivably ride off on their own. When his brother retreated to the Water Gardens for health reasons in 298 AC, Oberyn ruled in his stead and reported dutifully once a fortnight. Due to this position of importance, he was unlikely traveling before Tyrion Lannister offered a seat on the council to his brother. Instead, Oberyn went himself, with a large contingent of Dornish lords: Ser Deziel Dalt of Lemonwood, Lady Larra Blackmont and her children Jynessa and Perros, Lord Dagos Manwoody, Ser Myles Manwoody and his sons Mors and Dickon, Ser Arron Qorgyle, Lord Harmen and Ser Ulwyck Uller, Ser Ryon Allyrion, Lord Tremond Gargalen, and Myria Jordayne. Here he would be reunited with Tyrion Lannister and meet a large contingent of Kings Landing notables: Ser Flement Brax, Lord Gyles Rosby, Ser Addam Marbrand, Jalabhar Xho, Ser Harys Swyft,⁵⁰ Ser Merlon Crakehall, Ser Phillip Foote, Ser Bronn, and Podrick Payne. During the wedding feast of Joffrey and Margaery, he may have met no one, as the Dornish party is notably seated at their own table, as far away from everyone else as was possible without giving offense. He would have known some dozens of individuals from his earlier travels who were in the capital however, and in the ensuing chaos of the Purple Wedding had little time to reacquaint himself as the trial took the majority of the next several days. During Tyrion’s trial, he hears testimony from new faces Ser Balon Swann, Ser Meryn Trant, Osney, Osfryd, and Ormund Kettleblack, Maesters Ballabar and Frenken, Shae, and a parade of others that includes some old acquaintances: Paxter Redwyne, Varys, and Pycelle. He also would have interacted extensively with Tywin Lannister, who he may never have actually seen during his trip to Casterly Rock, and Mace Tyrell, who certainly knew much of him. It was not until the trial by combat that he met the last acquaintance of his life: Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain Who Rides, who put a brutal end to the Red Viper’s tale.
In Westeros, Oberyn Martell is a legend in his own time. The travels and exploits of his forty-odd years are widely known and the tales themselves grow in the retelling. From a reader’s perspective, the way in which G.R.R.M. frequently uses biographical experiences to provide metaphor for his larger themes means that we are able to flush out the lives of some of his more colorful characters. By referencing stories from all the books and a variety of POVs, we can somewhat accurately trace the life story of this man who we only see on page in four chapters.⁵¹ For me, this is among the strongest aspects of the series: how paramount our actions effect others and how the communal reactions to individuals decisions create history.
Footnotes
¹ Following the History of Westeros Podcast “Valar Rereadis” project.
² This date is calculated by using Oberyn’s own reflection that he was “fourteen or fifteen” when seeing a newborn Tyrion in 273 AC, and that he was 10 years younger than Doran (born in either 247 or 248 AC).
³ In AFFC, Doran recounts that he remembers seeing Oberyn as a child playing in the Water Gardens “when I came to visit Mother”. It is technically the case that he may have already been married at this point, but this is very unlikely.
⁴ Any ruling Martell grandfather or grandmother would have passed as his mother is already known as the Ruling Princess at the time of his birth.
⁵ In ASOS Jon XII, we learn that Commander Qorgyle joined the Watch prior to Denys Mallister. In ASOS Samwell V, we learn that Deny Mallister has been the Commander of the Shadow Tower for 33 years, beginning in 267 AC.
⁶ In ASOS Tyrion V, Aaron Qorgyle accompanies Oberyn to King’s Landing. He is named as the second son of Lord Quenton Qorgyle.
⁷ In order for this to work, Oberyn would have had to be fostered young (though Robyn Arryn was 5 or 6 when his fosterage was discussed) and the Qorgyle would have had to be a sworn brother for less than 3 years before election to the Lord Commander position. Highly improbable, if not impossible.
⁸ In ADWD, Chapter 38.
⁹ In Tyrion X, Oberyn describes Doran being left behind to serve as Castellan of Sunspear with his “betrothed” Mellario.
¹⁰ In ASOS Tyrion V, Oberyn tells Tyrion that the rumor of the Lannister’s birth was shared while he was in Oldtown.
¹¹ Gerold Dayne was born between 270 to 274 AC.
¹² We know only that Wylla was in Starfall years later, not that she was there in 273 AC, but perhaps.
¹³ Oberyn would later call the wine from the Arbor, “red water” and “Lord Redwyne’s grape juice”.
¹⁴ Olenna herself was already married, and still may have been Lady of the Reach as her husband Lord Luthor Tyrell died anywhere from 255 to 281 AC. Her betrothal to Daeron Targaryen was broken in 246 AC and Mace was born as early as 256 AC, so it is safe to say she was no longer living at the Arbor by 273 AC.
¹⁵ Paxter Redwyne was born in or before 269 AC, so may have been as young as 4.
¹⁶ Having broken wind, Baelor “Breakwind” Hightower.
¹⁷ As Willas Tyrell may have been born as early as 273 AC, she may have already been married and living in Highgarden by this time.
¹⁸ If Lynesse Hightower was born in 271 or 272 AC, then all her older siblings would also be alive. Technically Gunthor and Humphrey may also have been born, but they would have been newborns and they could have been born as late as 285 AC.
¹⁹ The dates of Obara Sand’s birth seem to be either 271 or 272 AC. This must just be wrong, and can likely be explained away as she being younger than she thinks or is described.
²⁰ Though in 300 AC, the lord of House Serry was old enough to have a son who had “a beardless face” and the Humfrey Hewett was old enough to teenage daughters.
²¹ As we know her father, Jason Lannister, did not.
²² A man known only from the Game of Thrones appendix.
²³ Though perhaps not, we do not hear of them being with Cersei until 276 AC at the latest.
²⁴ Though it is technically possible that Tion was also born, it is very, very unlikely.
²⁵ Unclear, the last location of Tygett we have is Kings Landing in 270 AC when Tywin attempted to make him master-at-arms of the Red Keep. However, Genna’s statement that Tygett particularly chafed at being under Tywin’s “shadow” could mean that Tygett was always in Tywin’s retinue Whether he had yet married his wife, Darlessa Marbrand, or not is also unclear though if they were it would mean that their son Tyrek was born at least 13 years after their wedding.
²⁶ Gerion Lannister took his “coming-of-age tour” of the Free Cities in either 271 or 272 AC. How long does the tour take? Perhaps just enough time for him to return before the Martells arrived in 273 AC.
²⁷ A horrifying thought considering his actions to an infant Rhaenys Targaryen some decade later.
²⁸ Oberyn Martell was found in the bed of Lord Yronwood in either 273 or 274 AC, and Nymeria Sand was born in Volantis between 274 and 275 AC.
²⁹ In ASOS Tyrion VI.
³⁰ Oberyn’s attendance at this Tourney creates more problems than it is worth. I choose to accept GRRM’s punt that Barristan was mixing two separate tourneys and that Oberyn attended one, which we can’t possibly determine.
³¹ Most notably, if Alleras is actually his own daughter Sarella Sand it might provide a very apt comparison.
³² If Oberyn did begin the Brave Companions sellsword company, perhaps this is where he found an early member.
³³ Leo Tyrell’s time at the Citadel is unspecified but he is listed as a first cousin of Mace Tyrell, who is man likely in his 50s.
³⁴ Marwyn’s eight year journey likely took place during the 290s AC, so he may have been a fellow acolyte. Marwyn is thought to be a man of similar age to Oberyn.
³⁵ In AFFC The Captain of the Guards.
³⁶ Depending upon when Oberyn was sent to Essos and where Nymeria was born we have a variety of options as to how it happened. Did he meet the noblewoman while in Yronwood? While in Oldtown? While in Essos? Did a pregnant noblewoman sail back to Volantis? Did he go to Volantis himself, rather than the oft reported Lys? Unclear. All we know is that their daughter was taken back to the Water Gardens while still a child.
³⁷ This might also point to a longer stay in Oldtown, of several years, before heading East. His Volantene noblewoman would have had to visit Oldtown and head back to Volantis pregnant.
³⁸ Who some twenty-odd years later would take Lynesse Hightower as concubine.
³⁹ Which was it? I like to think it was the Brave Companions, as outlined by “Skinchanging Sweetrobin” on the ASOIAF forum. It’s got the most pathos to it.
⁴⁰ As he was still leader in 299 AC, though his bad reputation was known as far as Westeros, so perhaps this implies a lengthy tenure in command.
⁴¹ Any speculation of his relation to Viserys Plumm does not help to age Brown Ben Plumm.
⁴² This utilizes the information in the SSM March 27, 2002 that puts Ashara’s birthdate anywhere from 260–269 AC).
⁴³ Though perhaps not, as Jaime was was sent back to Kingslanding on the first day of the tourney.
⁴⁴ If he hadn’t already met them at his sister’s wedding the year before: he likely had already met all other 5 members at earlier dates.
⁴⁵ Had he not already met him earlier at the Tourney at Storm’s End, which Robert may have paradoxically been in the Eyrie for.
⁴⁶ In ASOS Tyrion VI.
⁴⁷ At least according to Oberyn himself.
⁴⁸ It has been speculated by the fandom that the Sealord of Braavos Syrio Forel served as First Sword was the same that oversaw the “house with the red door” of Dany’s dreams. There is nothing in particular to confirm this, but it is possible. Perhaps Oberyn got to Braavos on Luco Prestayn’s ship Lady Bright.
⁴⁹ Daemon Sand was born in either 275 or 276 AC and lost his virginity to Arianne when they were both 14, placing him in Sunspear in 289 or 290 AC. As Oberyn was in Braavos during this time, I speculate he squired for Oberyn when he returned to Dorne or was left there when Oberyn received his mission.
⁵⁰ Perhaps the man was at Casterly Rock in 273 AC, as his daughter certainly was.
⁵¹ Thanks to Radio Westeros Podcast for this research, and their excellent episode about Oberyn Martell.