The Ultimate Guide to Game of Thrones Wargs: Unraveling their Powers and Secrets

A Song of Ice and Fire weaves a captivating tale within a realm teeming with dragons, zombies, and enchantment. Despite the fantastical elements, interpersonal conflicts take precedence over sorcery. Most disputes find resolution through traditional means of combat. The mystical aspects serve to enhance the power of individual characters through enigmatic tricks. Notably, the skinchangers, or wargs, found within the novels and show, establish a captivating connection with animals.

Any doubts regarding the accuracy of HBO's Game of Thrones were widely disregarded after its final season. Since this season was created without source material, previous deviations appeared insignificant in comparison. Although the terminology may have changed, the essence of the story remains intact.

What are Wargs in Game of Thrones?

Wargs are extraordinary individuals who are born with the extraordinary ability to project their consciousness from their own bodies and enter the minds of animals. This is not a skill that can be learned, but rather a magical ability that manifests in a small portion of the population. Wargs often experience vivid and recurring dreams where they can see the world through the eyes of an animal. With practice and concentration, wargs can learn to enter the minds of beasts at will, leaving their human bodies inactive. During this process, their eyes roll over to reveal only the whites.

Wargs tend to form strongest bonds with animals they are already familiar with, although in theory, they can enter the mind of any passing creature. However, most wargs choose a pet or companion to possess. They often harness their powers to serve as scouts or hunters, using their innate ability to detect the presence of other wargs. For example, Orell, a scout in Mance Rayder's army, utilized an eagle to gain insight into the path that lay ahead.

The death of a warg's companion can be an incredibly traumatic experience. While the human survives, it is akin to a near-death encounter. If a warg's human body is killed while their consciousness is inhabiting the animal, they can continue to live a "Second Life" within that creature. By successfully extracting their consciousness from their dying body and entering the animal, they earn an uncertain duration of extended existence. However, the animal's body is not designed to accommodate the mind of a human, leading to the gradual fading of the warg's consciousness. Once their physical body dies, wargs are unable to switch between different animals and can only temporarily delay their demise by residing in the mind of their preferred companion.

Are Wargs different in the books?

The original novels introduce different terminology and provide additional intricate details regarding this concept. In the books, a person who can see through the eyes of an animal is referred to as a skinchanger. Specifically, the term "warg" is used when discussing those who can skinchange into wolves. However, in the show, "warg" is used as a blanket term for all skinchangers, and the verb "warging" is coined. It is believed that skinchangers share a genetic connection with the First Men, implying that only the Northerners, Ironborn, and wildlings may carry the gene. It is widely speculated that most of Ned Stark's children are innate skinchangers, with Arya experiencing dreams through her direwolf Nymeria's eyes, and Sansa possibly having similar experiences despite losing her wolf early on. Jon is explicitly shown entering the body of his direwolf, Ghost. Within the Stark family, Bran exhibits the greatest proficiency as a skinchanger, showcasing his extraordinary ability to control a human by skinchanging into Hodor, all without formal training.

Among wildling skinchangers, there are established rules that govern their practice. They are prohibited from inhabiting the mind of a human being. Although it remains uncertain if most skinchangers can even achieve this, wildlings tend to ostracize anyone who does. Additionally, wildling skinchangers are cautioned against entering the mind of an animal while it is mating or consuming human flesh, as these actions are regarded as akin to bestiality and cannibalism, and are widely condemned. The Northmen and wildlings generally hold the belief that skinchanging is a divine gift from the Old Gods, a faith inherited from their ancestors who coexisted with the indigenous Children of the Forest for thousands of years. The text further suggests that approximately one in every 1000 eligible newborns possesses the ability to become a warg, thus implying that there may be an abundance of individuals unknowingly experiencing animal dreams without comprehending their true potential.

Wargs possess a distinctive ability that sets them apart from the conventional knights and barbarians in Westeros, making them highly hazardous. Though their skill remains enigmatic, the notion of facing an individual capable of transforming into a wolf adds a captivating element to the fantasy realm. While the show may not have explored the concept of skinchangers as extensively as the book, the wargs still prompt numerous intriguing inquiries. With the upcoming Jon Snow spin-off series, there is potential to delve further into the Stark family's bond with their wolves. Until then, skinchangers will persist as a captivating aspect in the broader world of A Song of Ice and Fire.