Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, a grizzled veteran who commands respect through sheer force of will. Jeor knows the Watch is undermanned and underfunded, and he fears what is stirring beyond the Wall.

Eddard Stark's illegitimate son, raised alongside his trueborn siblings at Winterfell but never allowed to forget his bastardy. Jon chooses to join the Night's Watch, seeking purpose and belonging at the edge of the known world.

The eldest son of Randyll Tarly, sent to the Wall by a father who despised his gentle, bookish nature. Overweight, timid, and self-deprecating, Sam is everything a warrior is not – but he possesses a quiet courage and a keen mind.

The elderly, blind maester of the Night's Watch at Castle Black. Few know that he is a Targaryen prince who refused the Iron Throne decades ago, choosing service over power.

A former brother of the Night's Watch who deserted and rose to unite the fractious wildling clans under his leadership. Charismatic, cunning, and a skilled warrior, Mance seeks to lead his people south of the Wall – not for conquest, but survival.