Western Essos prelude - eve of the War of the Beard (Patreon)

Since the chapters of the Dance is not Over are more and more about Essos these days, I began to modify a canon map this last week to show where the different frontiers between Free Cities are. 

I may also have to point out in-story that this map is very much something created by Westerosi authors, since it doesn't detail well, for example, how bloody valuable the lands controlled by Pentos are (the same can apply, in many ways, to Volantis or the Disputed Lands).

For the moment, as you can no doubt discern, Volantis is the sleeping colossus no one wants to disturb. Sure, the Elephants are in power, too busy filling their pockets with the bounties of trade, but well...Volantis is not only the biggest Free City of all Western Essos, it also has three major vassal cities, and with the Rhoyne, it has the capacity to feed these millions of mouths.

And yes, dragons are army-killers...but Volantis was there when Valyria dominated Essos, and it is still there despite being several centuries after the destruction of Valyria now. Don't wake the sleeping giant, kids.

As for who the weakest Free City of the theatre is at the moment? Undoubtedly Lorath. The City of Labyrinths is really a shadow of its past glory, and unfortunately for it, things aren't likely to go better soon. Norvos is going to hint it must take their side if they want to enjoy the trade going through their territories, but in the distance, there is the leviathan of Braavos' Navy baring its teeth. And Lorath does not have the money Pentos has to hire sellswords and sellsails. 

Anyway, hope the week-end is good and continue to read!