The Bloodmoon pilot has now been completed after filming took place in Belfast earlier this year. Very little is known about the Game of Thrones spin-off series beyond the fact it’s set during the golden Age of Heroes in Westerosi history. Along with the setting, Game of Thrones fans only have details about the cast which features the likes of Naomi Watts and John Simm.
There’s been lots of speculation about the storyline of Bloodmoon after HBO executive Casey Bloys recently confirmed at the Summer Television Critics’ Association Tour that the pilot had been shot.
Bloys remained tight-lipped, only saying the footage he’d seen was “amazing”.
With HBO giving very little away about the plot, many have been turning to George R.R. Martin’s source material to shed further light.
Game of Thrones prequel Bloodmoon is in the works (Image: SKY)
Will Garth Greenhand appear in Game of Thrones spin-off series Bloodmoon?
One character who is mentioned during the Age of Heroes is the legendary king Garth Greenhand who is thought to have kingdom spanning The Reach.
The mythical king Garth is thought to be a common ancestor to a number of houses in The Reach including the Tyrells and the Florents.
Although it’s not clear whether he really existed, Garth is thought to have led the First Men across the Arm of Dorne while other accounts suggest he had interactions with the Children of the Forest and giants.
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Again, the mystery surrounding the figures means it’s not clear whether he’s a contemporary to the likes of Bran the Builder and Durran Godsgrief or an ancestor.
Wherever Garth went, he is said to have imbued lands and women with fertility.
In the Game of Thrones compendium A World of Ice and Fire, there are further details: “Names such as Bran the Builder, Garth Greenhand, Lann the Clever, and Durran Godsgrief are names to conjure with, but it is likely their legends hold less truth than fancy.
READ MORE: Game of Thrones prequel: Brandon the Builder to appear in new series?
Game of Thrones prequel series Bloodmoon could feature the Children of the Forest (Image: SKY)
“Elsewhere, I shall endeavour to sift what grain can be found from the chaff, but for now it is enough to acknowledge the tale.”
The book goes on to state: “It is best to remember that when we speak of these legendary founders of realms, we speak merely of some early domains – generally centred on a high seat, such as Casterley Rock or Winterfell – that in time incorporated more and more land and power into their grasp.
“If Garth Greenhand ever ruled what he claimed was the Kingdom of the Reach, it is doubtful its writ was anything more than notional beyond a fortnight’s ride from his halls.
“But from such petty domains arose the mightier kingdoms that came to dominate Westeros in the millennia to come.”
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Game of Thrones prequel series Bloodmoon could feature the Children of the Forest (Image: SKY)
What is the significance of Garth Greenhand?
The mention of Garth is important because he’s a figure that seems to come up and time and again within Westerosi history and he could be a substantial figure in Bloodmoon. Garth is also one of the founders of Westeros.
He is clearly significant within the context of the Age of Heroes, along with Bran the Builder and Lann the Clever.
Although Garth and his story is surrounded by hearsay and magic, there’s likely to be some grains of truth in his legends.
Also, the mythology around Garth may have been exaggerated by singers but there could be some magical elements to him.
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Game of Thrones prequel series Bloodmoon could see more magic (Image: SKY)
Although Game of Thrones is set in a period where magic is scorned and supernatural tales ridiculed as mere bedtime stories for children, by the end of the show is was quite apparent that dragons and White Walkers weren’t just the stuff of legends.
Perhaps Bloodmoon could see something similar with a scepticism towards magic before the characters realise that these other, high powers do exist and embrace them.
If Bloodmoon does feature Garth, we can also see how the man became a myth and where these legends of Westeros come from.
Game of Thrones spin-off series Bloodmoon in currently in productions
