Game of Thrones: The Terrifying Curse of Greyscale Unveiled

George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire takes place in a world filled with peril across its many continents. The citizens of this world, known as the Known World, face various dangers such as pirates, rogue warlords, mad kings, ancient dark magic, and deadly diseases. While most people in the Known World suffer from common illnesses like influenza, there are a few exceptions that are particularly terrifying. One such exception is the mysterious greyscale disease, which haunts the continent of Sothoryos and some abandoned places in Essos.

Although greyscale infections are not common in Westeros, where the majority of the series' events occur, it is the most dreaded affliction of all. Throughout history, this disease has affected both commoners and kings. But what exactly is greyscale? How does it spread, and is there a cure available?

What is Greyscale in Game of Thrones?

Greyscale is an extremely contagious disease that, if contracted, starts as a single spot on the skin and eventually spreads all over the body, resulting in stiff, black and gray stone-like lesions. Ultimately, those infected with greyscale bear a striking resemblance to human gargoyles and the disease often proves fatal.

There are two known variations of the disease: one primarily affecting children, which can be survived, and another that inevitably leads to swift death in adults.

Children who contract the disease are left permanently disfigured, with patches of their skin covered in dead, flesh-like rock. Although they are no longer contagious, these survivors frequently suffer from persecution throughout their lives. In various cultures, such as that of the wildlings or "free folk," child victims of greyscale are considered unclean and are put to death when detected, in order to prevent any future outbreaks. Therefore, surviving greyscale as a child turns out to be an unnecessary death sentence. However, those who do survive not only become non-contagious but also gain immunity to the fatal strain that affects adults, which operates similar to the way chickenpox works in our world.

An emblematic case of childhood greyscale is Shireen Baratheon, the daughter and sole child of Lord Stannis Baratheon and the niece of King Robert. Although her face bore the marks of the disease throughout her tragically short life, she posed no risk to anyone else.

Childhood greyscale can manifest anywhere on the body, but in cases of the fatal form, it typically originates in a distant extremity such as the fingertips or toes. It is a painless infection, with the only noticeable indications being a blackened fingertip or unexplained numbness. To assess their status, individuals who suspect exposure to greyscale prickle their fingers and toes daily with a knife to check for infection. As long as they feel pain, they know they are safe. However, if they lose sensation, they are aware that death is imminent.

Once the disease takes hold from the initial point of infection, it gradually ascends along the arm or leg, progressively corrupting the affected tissue. The numbness spreads and the appearance becomes grey, cracked, and stone-like. Blindness often follows when the sickness engulfs the face. Some patients succumb to the disease at this stage, as their tongue and lips turn to "stone," preventing them from breathing. Those who survive and enter the later stages experience swift death as the disease consumes the muscles, bones, and internal organs. Inevitably, shortly before death, every greyscale patient succumbs to madness and will attack anyone nearby if left unrestrained. It is through this means that the disease spreads, akin to a zombie-like contagion.

The Maesters of Westeros are renowned for their ability to combat infection using lime, mustard poultices, and scalding hot baths. However, for many commoners who cannot afford the services of the maesters, amputation of infected limbs is a desperate attempt to halt the spread. Although this extreme measure has proven effective on occasion, there are no guarantees. The only foolproof method of stopping an infection in adults is by eliminating the host.

In Essos, there lies a desolate region known as The Sorrows, situated across the Narrow Sea, solely inhabited by individuals afflicted by a disease called greyscale. This fog-covered land, believed to be cursed, has been in ruins since the fall of the ancient Valyrians. Only pirates seeking hidden routes for smuggling goods to and from Essos and the enigmatic Stone Men, who are advanced-stage greyscale patients, reside in this forsaken place.

The Stone Men often congregate on The Bridge of Dream, spanning across the Rhoyne River. These deranged and impoverished creatures appear to hibernate on the dilapidated bridge resembling gargoyles, only awakening when uninfected individuals pass nearby, becoming their targets. Overwhelmed by an uncontrollable urge to harm or kill, they lash out at any sight of the uninfected. Despite their sinister nature, ancient legends tell of a "Shrouded Lord," an infected man who governs the Stone Men, transforming this forsaken gathering into an actual society. The true intentions of this enigmatic figure, as well as whether he is a single individual or multiple leaders throughout the years, remain veiled in mystery.

Who Was Able to Survive Greyscale?

In the TV series Game of Thrones, Tyrion Lannister and Jorah Mormont managed to survive an attack from Stone Men while passing through the Sorrows on their way to meet Danaerys Targaryen. Due to Jorah's infection, he had to leave his service to the queen and seek treatment from the Maesters in Oldtown.

During this time, Samwell Tarly was studying in the city to become a maester for the Night's Watch. He came across Ser Jorah and, feeling disenchanted with his own training and confident in his abilities, promised to heal the dying knight. The procedure Sam used was originally discovered by the Maesters many generations ago but had been forbidden due to its danger. It involved surgically removing the greyscale tissue using a scalpel and immediately treating the exposed flesh with special ointments.

Sam declares his will to heal the knight, despite being explicitly instructed not to under threat of termination. However, fueled by a strong determination to alleviate Jorah's torment and potentially validate his own value, Sam rebels against the orders and triumphantly manages to cure him. Despite accomplishing an unprecedented and recorded triumph in the field of greyscale treatment, Sam finds himself once again assigned to mundane tasks, while the methodology he employed remains prohibited. This sequence of events ultimately motivates Sam to resign from his current position and make his way back to the Night's Watch, carrying with him a collection of illicitly acquired books pertaining to the Others and the enigmatic Night's King.