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The Others known as the "White Walkers" among the wildlings, exist north of the Wall. Before the current events, the Others had supposedly not been seen for many thousand years. So far the Others have appeared in the flesh only twice in the whole saga and their purpose remains unknown at this time.

According to legend, the Others first appeared approximately 8,000 years before War of Conquest, during a winter that lasted a generation and a period of darkness known as the Long Night. Eventually they were defeated by the united force of the First Men and the Children of the Forest. It was at that time that the Night's Watch was formed and The Wall raised as a defense against them.