The Night King was created by the Children of the Forest as a powerful weapon during their ancient war against the First Men. This pivotal event, revealed in the episode "The Door," explains his origin and purpose.
The Genesis of the Night King
Who Created Him?
The Children of the Forest, the ancient non-human inhabitants of Westeros, were responsible for the Night King's creation. They are depicted as small, ethereal beings with a deep connection to magic and nature.
The Method of Creation
During a desperate time in their conflict with the invading First Men, the Children of the Forest transformed a captive First Man into the Night King. This was achieved by plunging a shard of dragonglass into his heart. This act imbued him with immense, dark power and solidified his role as the progenitor of the White Walkers.
When Was He Created?
The Night King's creation occurred thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, specifically during the prolonged war between the Children of the Forest and the First Men. This timeline places his origin long before the founding of the Night's Watch and the construction of the Wall, highlighting the ancient nature of the threat he represents.
The Purpose Behind His Creation
The Children of the Forest created the Night King and the White Walkers to serve as an ultimate defense mechanism against the relentless advance of the First Men, who were cutting down their sacred weirwood trees and destroying their way of life. However, this creation proved to be a catastrophic miscalculation, as the Night King eventually turned against his creators and became an existential threat to all living beings.
Key Aspects of the Night King's Creation
Here's a summary of the critical details surrounding the Night King's origin:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Creator | The Children of the Forest |
| Subject | An unnamed First Man |
| Method | Impalement with a shard of dragonglass |
| Timeframe | During the ancient war between the Children of the Forest and the First Men |
| Motivation | To serve as a weapon to defend against the First Men's invasion |
| Revelation | Revealed in the Game of Thrones episode "The Door" (Season 6, Episode 5) |
| Implication | Distinct from the legendary Night's King of the Night's Watch, as suggested by sources like the Wiki of Westeros |
This complex origin story underscores the deep, often tragic, history of Westeros and the unforeseen consequences of wielding powerful magic.
