Prequels are coming: Meet some of the legendary figures from the Game of Thrones prequel series

When the final credits role on Game of Thrones season 8, in 2019, all eyes will look to HBO’s newly announced Game of Thrones prequels series set in an era called the Age of Heroes. The Age of Heroes began with a peace treaty the First Men had with the Children of the Forest called the Pact, some 10,000 years before the current Thrones timeline. According to the terms of the Pact, the Children of the Forest would remain living in peace in the forests of Westeros, while the First Men would inhabit and populate the open lands consisting of coastlines, mountains, high plains, meadows, and bogs.

Many current noble Houses of Westeros can trace their lineage to heroes of that age, with House Stark being the most notable of the bunch. But who were these heroes, and what did they do to cement their names in Westerosi legend and lore? Let’s crack open the history books and have a look.

Perhaps the most recognizable hero from the Age of Heroes is Bran the Builder, who is said to be the first King of Winter — or King in the North. Brandon founded House Stark and is credited with building several key structures throughout Westeros, beginning with the ancestral home of House Stark, Winterfell.

Bran the Builder is said to have built the Wall with the help of the Children of the Forest and giants. When that was done, he gave the Night’s Watch a parcel of land called Brandon’s Gift so the order could raise crops to provide food and support.

As a boy, he helped Durran Godsgrief of the Stormlands rebuild his castle Storm’s End, which helped it endure the battering assault of winds and sea from the sea god and goddess of the wind. There are even tales that Brandon helped design the famous High Tower in Oldtown for King Uthor of the High Tower.

As great as his legend is, Bran is said to have descended from another mythical figure from a different part of Westeros — Garth Greenhand of the Reach.