Song of Ice and Fire- Casterly Rock

House Lannister is the principal house of the Westerlands. Their principal seat is Casterly Rock. Their sigil is a golden lion on a field of crimson, and their motto is "Hear Me Roar!" Their unofficial motto, just as well known, states, "A Lannister always pays his debts."

The Lannisters descend from Andal invaders who married the daughters of the King of the Rock. The King himself descended from Lann the Clever, a legendary trickster from the Age of Heroes who tricked the Casterlys into giving him Casterly Rock. The Lannisters reigned as Kings of the Rock until the Targaryen counquest. The Lannisters surrendered and were allowed to remain the paramount lords of the Westerlands. The House fell on hard times from weak leadership before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire, but by the beginninf of A Game of Thrones it had been restored to its former glory by Tywin Lannister. The Lannisters are the richest family in the Seven Kingdoms, due in large part to the many gold mines under their control.


DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Tywin Lannister










DC: Micheal Hogan
HBO: ?

Tywin Lannister is Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport and Warden of the West. A calculating, ruthless, and controlling man, Tywin is one of the most powerful lords in Westeros. He is the father of Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion Lannister. Tywin is a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. He has kept his head shaved ever since he started going bald, but grows bushy golden side-whiskers out all the same. He has green eyes flecked with gold.


Jaime Lannister











DC: Neil Jackson
HBO: ?

Jaime Lannister known as the Kingslayer is the firstborn son of Tywin Lannister, and a member of the Kingsguard. He and his older twin, Cersei, are nine years older than their brother Tyrion. Jaime is known as one of the best swords in the country, reknowned for his ability from a young age. Jaime is a tall man, with golden hair. He has "flashing green eyes and a smile that cut like a knife". He is widely considered to be beautiful.


Cersei Lannister










DC: Diane Kruger
HBO: ?

Cersei Lannister is Tywin's eldest child by mere moments and the twin sister of Jaime Lannister. After Robert's Rebellion she married the new King, Robert Baratheon, and became Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. A willful and ambitious woman, Cersei resents the restrictions put on her for her sex. She is always concerned for the safety of her royal children, Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, and stops at nothing to protect them. Cersei is beautiful, with golden hair, bright green eyes and a lush, curvaceous body.


Tyrion Lannister










DC: Martin Klebba
HBO: Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister, is Tywin's third child, a misshapen dwarf nicknamed "The Imp" and "The Halfman". Though he is shrewd, educated, and calculating, he receives little respect from Tywin because of his deformity, his sharp tongue, and the death of his mother during his birth. He is capable of cruelty to his enemies, but also has great sympathy for fellow outcasts and the mistreated. Tyrion is a misshapen dwarf with stunted legs, a jutting forehead, mismatched eyes of green and black, and lank, white-blonde hair. When he grows a beard, it contains both blonde and black hair. After the Battle of the Blackwater, Tyrion has a grisly facial scar that has removed most of his nose.


Sandor Clegane










DC: Kevin Durand
HBO: ?

Sandor Clegane is the younger brother of Gregor Clegane. He is nicknamed "The Hound," in part because his family arms feature three dogs, and in part for his savage nature and unquestioning obedience to his masters. He is considered one of the most dangerous fighters in Westeros, though he frequently drinks himself into stupors. As a child, Sandor received gruesome facial burns when Gregor shoved his face into a brazier. He came to loathe fire, his brother, and the hypocrisy of knighthood in general. Sandor is a huge and heavily-muscled man. One side of his face is hideously burned. He has long black hair that he brushes over the burned section of his head where no hair grows. He regularly wears plain armor and a distinctive helm sculpted into the shape of a snarling dog's head.


Gregor Clegane










DC: Conan Stevens
HBO: ?

Ser Gregor Clegane is head of House Clegane and a bannerman to House Lannister. He is a freakishly large man, over seven and a half feet tall, and possesses enormous strength. For this he is often called "The Mountain That Rides" or simply "The Mountain". He is well known for his size, cruelty, and prowess in battle.


Kevan Lannister










DC: David Ogden Stiers
HBO: ?

Kevan Lannister is Tywin's younger brother. He served for years as Tywin's most trusted captain. He is known for his reliability and loyalty. Kevan recognized the superiority of his brother at an early age and was comfortable doing his duty to realize his brother's wishes, though this meant perpetually living in his shadow. It is said that Kevan never had a thought that Tywin hadn't had first. ß