Dothraki

Lore & Background

The Dothraki believe in a religion centered around The Great Stallion; there is no deity known as the 'Great Shepherd' or 'of the Sun' in their faith. They revere their horses above all else, viewing them as extensions of themselves. Their society is built upon strength; only the strong survive to lead or ride, while the weak are left behind or sold into slavery. Vaes Dothrak serves as a neutral holy city where weapons are forbidden and trade occurs peacefully among the clans. It is here that the widows of Khals (Khaleesi) join the Dosh Khaleen upon their husband's death, living in seclusion within the sacred city itself—there are no pyramids here, as those structures belong to Ghiscari cities like Astapor or Meereen. Despite their love of war, they possess deep superstitions about crossing the Great Water, fearing the sea beyond their lands. Marriage customs dictate that a Khal takes a wife who becomes his Khaleesi, granting her authority over household slaves and captives. When a Khal dies in battle or otherwise, his widow is expected to join the Dosh Khaleen in Vaes Dothrak, where she lives out her days as part of an influential council of former wives.

In Their Own Story

The sun dipped low over the endless golden grass, casting long shadows across the Dothraki Sea. A young rider tightened his grip on the reins, feeling the warm breath of his horse against his arm. In his hand, the curved steel of an arakh gleamed in the twilight. He looked toward the horizon where smoke rose from a distant village. Tonight, there would be glory, or death. The wind carried the scent of dust and blood, calling him forward into the dark.

Reader's Guide

The Dothraki function as a decentralized military society organized into khalasars, each led by a single warlord known as a Khal. Their primary goal is the acquisition of wealth through raiding and conquest across Essos, though they rarely hold territory for long due to their nomadic lifestyle. Within these clans, status is determined by martial prowess; elite warriors are chosen as bloodriders to stand beside their leader in battle. Women generally hold lower status unless married to a Khal, becoming Khaleesi with significant influence over household matters and the fate of captives. Despite their brutality, they adhere to strict codes regarding sacred places like Vaes Dothrak, where violence is forbidden under penalty of death. In recent history, one Khalasar was united by Daenerys Targaryen, shifting their focus toward Westerosi conquest. Their role in the broader conflict serves as a formidable shock force capable of overwhelming static armies through speed and terror. However, they struggle in naval warfare or prolonged sieges without leadership to direct them. Ultimately, they represent the raw, untamed power of Essos, feared by merchants and kings alike for their relentless pursuit of glory on horseback.

Did You Know?

• Weapons are strictly forbidden within the sacred city of Vaes Dothrak.
• A Khal selects three elite warriors known as bloodriders to accompany him in battle.
• The Dothraki traditionally fear crossing the Great Water beyond their eastern lands.
• Boys receive their first horse at age three, marking the beginning of their formal training after they have already learned to walk.