Beric Dondarrion

Beric Dondarrion is the Head of House Dondarrion and Lord of Blackhaven, a castle in the Dornish Marches. He is engaged to Allyria Dayne, and his squire is her nephew, Lord Edric Dayne. He rides in the Hand's Tourney. When Ser Gregor Clegane "the Mountain that Rides" begins raiding the Riverlands Lord Eddard Stark sends a hundred men under Beric to arrest the Mountain. However they are ambushed at the Mummer's Ford and Beric is wounded by the Mountain's lance. Edric Dayne pulls from the water and stands over him while the fighting happens, though Beric dies. The Red Priest Thoros of Myr, who was in the party and is a friend of Beric, performs the last kiss on Beric, a rite of R'hllorism. To his astonishment Beric is brought back to life. He rallies the survivors to fight the Lannisters' invasion of the Riverlands. However when King Robert dies the Lannisters usurp the throne, making Beric and his men outlaws. Eddard Stark is executed by the Lannisters' King Joffrey Baratheon. Eddard's son Robb Stark arrives in the Riverlands to fight the Lannisters, and on hearing of his father's death the Northmen and Rivermen at Riverrun proclaim him King in the North.

The war between the Lannisters and Starks leaves the Riverlands in ruins. Beric raids the Lannisters' foraging parties. Though some of his men die, others join Beric's force, who become the Brotherhood without Banners. Though they were originally sent to fight the Lannisters, the Brotherhood fights all who oppress the smallfolk. Beric is killed several more times, but each time Thoros is able to revive him. However each time Beric forgets more of his original life.