Game Of Thrones: What Is Greyscale (And Why It Matters)?

5. So WTF Are The Stone Men?

Stone Men are humans with severe greyscale, usually in the most advanced stages. They tend to congregate in an area of Essos called the Sorrows, although the TV show has transferred this to Valyria. The disease has caused them to become mindless, and start off generally harmless when they're left alone. Further progression can lead to madness, and with it a higher risk of aggression and attack. Contact with a Stone Men pretty much guarantees the contraction of greyscale - so going near them isn€™t really a wise move. Before they were introduced in Season 5's Kill The Boy, there had been some exposition earlier in the season that foreshadowed their arrival: Gilly tells Shireen of her two sisters who had the disease. Their skin was completely covered and they were acting like animals before their father put them out of their misery. When Stannis is detailing the disease to Shireen, he makes mention of the Stone Men, as it was recommended she is sent to live with them. When Tyrion hears a Red Priestess preaching and mention the Stone Men, he utters: €œStone Men? Good luck stopping the spread of Greyscale with prayer. You'd have better luck dancing away the plague.€ All of this led to the end of Episode 5. Tyrion and Jorah, completely (and rather understandably) distracted by the appearance of Drogon flying overhead, fail to notice the Stone Men amongst the ruins of Old Valyria and are ambushed. At one point, Tyrion is pulled under the water, but Jorah comes to his rescue. Tyrion emerges unscathed, but as ever Jorah wasn't so lucky.