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A quick guide to every 'Game of Thrones' character you should know

Daenerys Targaryen Brienne of Tarth and Melisandre Game of Thrones
  • HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones" has literally hundreds of named characters that can be tough to keep up with over the course of seven seasons.
  • INSIDER is here to help with a quick guide to all the people you need to know.

With hundreds of characters, both dead and alive, "Game of Thrones" can be overwhelming when it comes to keeping everyone straight. Whether you've watched the show over and over, or are just now catching up with the show ahead of the final season , INSIDER is here to remind you of all the major people on "Game of Thrones" you should know by name.

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We're going to keep this as spoiler-free as possible for later seasons, but proceed with caution if you're not caught up with at least the first season of "Game of Thrones."

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The youngest child of King Aerys II also known as the Mad King Daenerys is known by many titles, including the Mother of Dragons, or Khaleesi (which simply means "queen" in Dothraki).

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Khal Drogo is the leader of a Dothraki "khalasar" (tribe). He and Daenerys eventually come to care for one another, but the marriage begins under traumatic circumstances.

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The second-born son of the Mad King, Viserys is cruel and petty in all the ways Daenerys is compassionate and just.

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Rhaegar was killed during Robert's Rebellion, which took place around 19 years before the events of "Game of Thrones."

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King Robert ruled the Seven Kingdoms once the Mad King was killed and his children exiled.

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Stannis was made Lord of Dragonstone after the rebellion.

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Renly was made Lord of Storm's End, and served on King Robert's Small Council as an advisor.

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Cersei is the only daughter of Tywin and Joanna Lannister, known throughout Westeros for her beauty.

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The heir to House Lannister, Jaime turned away from that fate when he was a teenager and instead joined the Kingsguard. He and Cersei have been in an incestuous sexual relationship since they were very young.

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Joanna Lannister died in childbirth when Tyrion when born. He's known for his cleverness and sharp tongue, though many derisively call him the Imp or Halfman.

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Tywin wants to get House Lannister back to the top of the pecking order in Westeros.

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Though the realm believes him to be King Robert's son and heir, Joffrey is a bastard born of incest.

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Tommen is known for being more kindhearted than his brother.

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Princess Myrcella, like her brother Tommen, is a gentler spirit.

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Rickard and his eldest son Brandon Stark were killed by the Mad King, which contributed to the start of Robert's Rebellion.

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When "Game of Thrones" begins, Ned Stark is named Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon.

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Lyanna had been betrothed to Robert Baratheon, but vanished shortly before Robert's Rebellion started and was later found by Ned just before she died.

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She then became Catelyn Stark, and had five children with Ned.

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Robb was groomed from a young age to one day be the next Lord of Winterfell.

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Talisa is a woman from Volantis who starts following the Stark camp on the second season.

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Sansa Stark was raised as a highborn lady who would one marry into another great house.

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The series pilot ends with the shocking scene of young Bran being pushed from a window by Jaime Lannister.

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Arya has no desire to grow up in the confines of ladyship she prefers swords to sewing.

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Rickon is very young when both of his parents leave home, which makes him more wild and willful.

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Said to be the bastard son of Ned Stark and a mystery woman, Jon is slightly ostracized from the rest of the Stark kids.

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Lady Olenna is also known as the Queen of Thorns.

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Margaery is politically savvy and well-placed to rise among the ranks of royalty in Westeros.

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As seen on the first season, Loras and Renly Baratheon are in a covert sexual relationship and work together to promote their goals.

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Lady Olenna is the one truly running things in the House Tyrell family.

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Balon tried to crown himself as King of the Iron Islands after Robert's Rebellion, but failed.

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Following Robert's Rebellion, Theon was sent to live with Ned Stark as a pseudo-hostage.

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Balon raised Yara to be his successor as ruler of the Iron Islands.

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Euron is an erratic and violent agent of chaos in Westeros.

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Bronn is a sellsword who comes into the Lannister's service on the first season of "Game of Thrones."

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Varys uses a network of spies to keep him in the know and help mask his true loyalties.

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Jorah was exiled by Ned Stark for engaging in slave trade. He enters Daenerys Targaryen's service after meeting her on the pilot episode.

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A former slave, Missandei speaks dozens of languages and helps translate for Daenerys.

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He also comes to serve Daenerys Targaryen, choosing to keep the slave name given to him at birth.

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Podrick comes off as a bit bumbly, but has a fighting spirit.

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First seen when she joins Renly's kingsguard, Brienne is a fierce fighter who wishes to serve loyally and honorably.

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Ser Davos is also known as the Onion Knight, because he smuggled onions into Dragonstone and won Stannis' favor.

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Beric, also known as the Lightning Lord, wields a flaming sword on the later seasons of "Game of Thrones."

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One of the "free folk" from beyond the Wall, Tormund is a leader and ferocious fighter.

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Ygritte is instrumental in changing Jon Snow's perspective on the free folk.

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Gilly is born into an abusive household, but escapes with her baby when the Night's Watch comes to her father's keep.

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Sam Tarly is a man of the Night's Watch, and best friend to Jon Snow.

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Known for his dour sense of humor, Edd is one of Jon's closest friends.

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Gendry is a trained blacksmith's apprentice. Technically his bastard last name is Waters, but everyone just calls him Gendry.

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The Iron Bank is a formidable institution in Braavos. They lend out funds to various rulers of Westeros who are fighting for control of the Iron Throne.

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Melisandre is from Essos and serves the Lord of Light. She believes she was sent to Westeros to help guide a prophesied hero in the fight against a coming darkness.

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Qyburn has pushed the usual limits of Westerosi medicine by testing gory methods of healing on living people.

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Ser Gregor is a knight, but is among the most brutal and violent of all people in Westeros.

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Sandor Clegane has horrific burn scars covering much of his face, the result of his older brother (Gregor) pressing his face into a fire when he was a kid.

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Daenerys named each dragon after an important man in her life.

Drogon (for Khal Drogo) is red and black. Rhaegal (for her brother Rhaegar) is more green. Viserion (for her brother Viserys) is more gold.

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Each of the Stark children, even Jon, get a direwolf at the start of the series.

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The other direwolves are Summer (Bran's) Grey Wind (Robb's), Lady (Sansa's), and Shaggy Dog (Rickon's).

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