The North

The North is one of the constituent regions of Westeros and was a sovereign nation ruled by Kings in the North before Aegon's Conquest. The largest region of the Seven Kingdoms, the dominion of House Stark extends from the border of the New Gift, which is controlled by the Night's Watch, to the southern edge of the Neck far to the south.

The north has been ruled by the Starks for thousands of years from the castle known as Winterfell. The only city in the region is White Harbor, while the most prominent northern towns are the winter town and Barrowton. Notable bannermen of the region include Cerwyn, Dustin, Flint, Glover, Hornwood, Karstark, Manderly, Mormont, Reed, Ryswell, Tallhart, Thenn, and Umber. Bastards of noble origin raised in the north are given the surname Snow.

Culture and Characteristics
A history of independence and years of relative isolation have made the North quite different in many ways to the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. The North stuck to itself and its traditions rather than integrating further with the southern realms. As such, the cultural quirks that defined the region prior to its submission continue to this day.

Unlike the majority of Westeros, Northerners continue to worship the Old Gods of the Forest. When the Andals came to Westeros they were repelled by Northerners at the Neck and remained an independent people under the Stark Kings of Winter. While weirwoods south of the Neck were cut down by the Andals who worshiped what the Northerners called the "New Gods", the godswoods and their hearttrees remained the pulse of religion in the North. The Stark family, especially recently, are considered to be "touched by the Old Gods" and it is believed that the destiny of the North is inextricably tied to House Stark.