One of the really pleasureable aspects of George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire is the rich world-building that infuses his story. GRRM’s story is typical of what Tolkien called a secondary world fantasy, which refers to a consistent, fictionary world that is in contrast to reality (x). His books contain a myriad of “historical” details that give the story an immersive depth. The recent companion book The World of Ice and Fire elaborates on this fictional world and is a must for any fan of the series. The companion book allowed for an elaboration of his fictional world as there are many aspects that he hasn’t found room for in the novels.
However, there is one piece of history that often is mentioned in the novels but that isn’t really elaborated on – yet. I am speaking of the Valyrian Freehold, or more specifically its Doom. Martin has promised that the exact cause of the Doom will be revealed in future novels but the companion book offers a number of interesting details.
The Doom of Valyria plays upon a popular trope: that of a fabled (often advanced) civilization that is destroyed through a cataclysm, often brought on by human decadence or hubris.
A story setting or legendary place doesn’t necessarily have to be Atlantis per se to tap into the myth fabric, but it can be any sort of lost civilization that had great achievements and then were mysteriously lost. (TVTropes)
It has its roots in the myth of Atlantis but there are countless variations, such as Mu, Lemuria and Númenor, which is Tolkien’s version of the Atlantis myth. The Doom of Valyria is, in many respects, Martin’s version of this pervasive myth – one that may turn out to have a narrative importance for the his main story.
There’s one aspect that I find particularly fascinating about the Doom. While the exact cause of the Doom is unknown, the sad remains of the Valyrian peninsula appears to have become a place that is haunted, a dangerous place where travellers are lost and where the land is permanently blighted.
It seems as though the land itself is cursed. Therefore, I think it could be interesting to frame the Doom of Valyria and its effects in terms of a magical pollution of the land itself.
House of Brat 