Commonly called "crows" by Wildlings, the men of the Night's Watch are known for their black cloaks and heavy furs to protect them in the coldest place of Westeros. The ranks are divided into three orders:

• Rangers: main military force of the Watch. Adept at scouting and surviving in the harsh cold beyond the wall.
• Builders: engineers responsible for maintaining the Wall, the castles, and forging weapons.
• Stewards: main support system for the daily maintainance of the Watch. Keepers of message ravens, cooks, farmers, and traders.

The Vows

Those who join the ranks by volunteering may end their watch any time during their training. However, no man may leave after he has taken the black. Any deserters are executed by the Lord of Winterfell himself. After taking their vows, Brothers of the Watch cannot own land, marry, or father children. They are also persuaded to cut any ties left with their families, if they were lucky enough to have one. When each brother is ready to take the black, they say their vows either in a sept or before a heart tree.

The vows are as follows:

Varying Opinions

The role and importance of the Night's Watch is heavily debated between two major houses of Westeros.

• According to the Starks
• According to the Lannisters

Because the Starks have resided in the North since the Age of Heroes, they believe the strength of the Watch is of utmost importance to the realm. The legendary Brandon Stark himself is believed to have constructed the Wall, alongside giants and the children of the forest. The Starks consider the Night's Watch an honorable order and a chance for all men to start their lives anew. Because the Night's Watch is a lifetime service, any deserters are punished by the lord of Winterfell himself. Eddard Stark believed a man who deals the sentence shall carry out the punishment.