History
Tormund was born beyond the Wall, and probably grew up doing things it was inappropriate for a kid his age to do. Like killing people. He grew into a warrior and eventually joined up with Mance Rayder, who was trying to march wildling tribes south of the Wall before the White Walkers murdered everyone.
In was during that time that he met Jon Snow, who was then passing for a Night’s Watch deserter. Tormund climbed the Wall with Jon and seemed to be taking a shine to the boy when Jon showed his true colors and abandoned the wildling group. Later, Tormund was among the wildlings who assaulted Castle Black. When his side lost, Jon threw him in prison.
But not for long. After traveling with them, Jon earnestly wanted to work with the wildlings. Tormund, for all his ferocity, seemed to sense this, and accompanied Jon to Hardhome where they saved thousands of the Free Folk from death by White Walker. (And failed to save thousands more, but you can’t have everything.) Since then, Tormund has been one of Jon’s most fierce lieutenants — he was on hand for Jon’s resurrection and helped him win the Battle of the Bastards.
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Status
Tormund is currently at Winterfell, together with Jon, Sansa, Littlefinger, the Knights of the Vale, and a bunch of other clans. As Jon’s main point of contact among the wildlings, he’ll be needed to help keep them in line as the living peoples of Westeros try to unite against the terror beyond the Wall. Can the Northerner’s put aside their distaste for wildlings and band together against a common enemy? That’s the question Tormund must be asking himself these days.
Well, that and when Brienne’s going to be back.