Editing World of A Song of Ice and Fire (section)

====Asshai and the Shadow Lands {{anchor|Asshai|The Shadow Lands|Asshai and the Shadow Lands}}====
Asshai and the Shadow Lands are mysterious locations in the ''Ice and Fire'' world. They are first mentioned in ''A Game of Thrones''{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys II, pp. 102–104}} and were first mapped in ''The Lands of Ice and Fire'', lying on the far east of the known world. Martin is unsure if the books will ever take the readers to Asshai, but said that readers may learn more through the POV character Melisandre (who originates from Asshai{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Prologue, pp. 20–21}}) or through the memories and mentions of other characters.<ref group=S name=indigo_iv1/> Jorah Mormont describes Asshai as a port city far to the south of the Dothraki Sea, at the end of the known world.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys VIII, pp. 707, 710}} Asshai exports such goods as black [[amethyst]]s,{{sfn|''A Storm of Swords''|loc=Sansa V, p. 833}} amber, and [[obsidian|dragonglass]].{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Daenerys III, pp. 575–577}} At another time, Jorah Mormont tells Daenerys of great kingdoms to the east of the Red Waste, and lists Asshai by the Shadow as one of the cities full of wonders there.{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Daenerys I, p. 192}} According to Martin, all ship travels between Westeros and Asshai go via the Summer Sea and the Jade Sea through the straits at Qarth, and that the common folk still believe the world to be flat.<ref group=S name=ssm_asshaitrade/> However, according to Martin, "Asshai is not nearly important to trade as Yi Ti, and the rich port cities of Yi Ti (and Leng) and more easily reached via Qarth."<ref group=S name=grrm_blog121031/> Quaithe of the Shadow prophesies Daenerys in Qarth that "To go north, you must journey south. To reach the west, you must go east [...] and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow." When Daenerys interprets this to mean she must go to Asshai, Quaithe says she would find the truth there.{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Daenerys III, p. 583}}

There are many tales about the Shadow Lands, though how much truth they hold is unclear. The Dothraki believe that ghost grass covers the Shadow Lands, with stalks that glow in the dark and grow taller than a man on horseback.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys III, p. 226}} Daenerys heard that "spellsingers, warlocks, and aeromancers practiced their arts openly in Asshai, while shadowbinders and bloodmages worked terrible sorceries in the black of night".{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys III, pp. 234–235}} There are also Westerosi maesters in Asshai.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys VII, p. 672}} The mages of Asshai teach others their healing powers,{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys VII, p. 672}} but also their spells requiring blood sacrifice.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys VIII, pp. 707, 710}} Ancient books of Asshai record the Azor Ahai prophecy followed by members of the [[R'hllor]] faith.{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Davos I, pp. 148, 150}} Daenerys heard that dragons themselves originated from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai and the islands of the Jade Sea, and they possibly still live there.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys III, pp. 234–235}} Bran dreams of flying Dragons in Asshai.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Bran III, p. 163}} The petrified dragon eggs Illyrio gives to Daenerys are said to come from the Shadow Lands.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys II, p. 104}} The "dour and frightening" Shadow Men cover their bodies in tattoos and wear lacquered wooden masks,{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys VI, p. 587}} and the appearance of the Asshai'i is described as dark and solemn.{{sfn|''A Game of Thrones''|loc=Daenerys VI, p. 587}} The Dothraki believe the Asshai'i to be the spawn of shadows.{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Daenerys III, p. 583}} The Asshai'i have a language of their own.{{sfn|''A Clash of Kings''|loc=Davos I, pp. 148, 150}}