Game of Throneshas a strange relationship with magic. Most iconic events take place in traditional melee combat, throne room negotiations, brutal executions, or other grounded everyday real-world events. When mystical elements appear, they can feel out of place. Hours of swordfights and political trickery are suddenly broken up by a magic wolf or a blast of fire. The death of Renly Targaryen at the hands of Melisandre’s shadow baby is a perfect example.
Few shows can run the gamut of genres likeGame of Thrones. The series features some of TV’s finest action, romance, drama, comedy, and horror. Many ofits most memorable momentsdepict the sudden shift between tones. When the series bursts out into something more fantastical than its usual fare, it frequently leaves audiences picking their jaws up off the floor.
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What are shadow assassins in Game of Thrones?
Shadows, also known as shadow assassins or shadow babies, arecreatures born of magic. Those that can summon shadows are called shadowbinders. They are considered the most sinister sorcerers. Shadowbinders come from Asshai, a walled-off port city kept in consistent darkness by high mountains. The two well-known shadowbinders inGame of Thronesare Melisandre and Quaithe. Quaithe spends most of her time skulking around in a lacquered mask and givingcryptic advice to Daenerys. She demonstrates the ability to project her consciousness across distances by appearing in shadow. Melisandre’s gifts are more violent.
Shadow assassins are gifts from the Lord of Light, R’hllor. Shadows are conceived through intercourse, then born through traditional methods. Their conception is only implied in the books but explicitly depicted in the series. Once birthed, shadow babies mature immediately into wispy recreations of their fathers. Mature shadows can take the properties of smoke to travel long distances on the wind and enter guarded areas unnoticed. They can phase through solid objects and shape their bodies into weaponry. Only one shadow assassinappeared inGame of Thrones. Melisandre conceived the creature with Stannis Baratheon to murder his younger brother Renly. The shadow rises suddenly, takes the form of Stannis, and stabs Renly to death. It’s gone as quickly as it arrived. The book saw Melisandre send out a second shadow to target Ser Cortnay Penrose. It’s as effective as the first.
The shadow that killed Renly demonstrates a level of power that wouldn’t be easily matched. It’s a perfect infiltrator, an untouchable warrior, and deals staggering damage. The bookdescribes the shadow assassin’sblade cutting Renly’s throat while cleaving his steel forget. After witnessing the murder, Ser Loras Tyrell states that even the Mountain would’ve needed a heavy ax to make the cut. Stannis is said to perceive the actions of his shadow babies through his dreams. As horrific as they are, Melisandre argues that shadows are servants of the light. She’s in a unique position as both a shadowbinder and a Red Priestess of R’hllor. Herfaith in the Lord of Lightappears to change her outlook. Other characters study with shadowbinders, but none demonstrate this power. She and Stannis seem to regard the shadow babies as their children. Stannis continues to refer to it as his son for years.
Why aren’t shadow assassins used more often?
Surely Stannis could rule Westeros in a few days with the use of a small army of shadow assassins. He could simply have Melisandre send one after each Targaryen at King’s Landing, then hitthe Starks at Winterfell, and he’d basically be in charge. Summoning a shadow baby has a significant cost. Though Melisandre seems to be completely unaffected by the experience, Stannis sacrifices his life force to create his children. Davos Seaworth notes that Stannis looks like he’s aged ten years after the birth. His eyes sink into his face, and his body grows weak. Melisandre refuses to give Stannis more shadow babies because the process would kill him. She offers Davos the chance to make more, but he refuses. Shadowbinders could create an endless supply of shadow assassins with a pile of lovers they’d be willing to sacrifice. The talent to create them is rare, and the borderline suicidal devotion to a cause is even rarer.
The shadow assassins remain mysterious tothe people of Westeros. Shadowbinders are spoken about in hushed tones and haunting threats. They’re frequently used as a plot device to suggest evil intent. Whenever anyone is dealing with a shadowbinder, they’re seen as insidious and threatening. Melisandre is the only shadowbinder fans get to see using her power for violence. There’s no telling whether that’s her limit. Other shadowbinders could be capable of slaughtering armies or summoning gods. The brutal murder of Renly Baratheon is a shocking moment inGame of Thrones, and it still raises many more questions than it answers. Shadow babies disappear from the story as quickly as they do from the scene of the crime.
