I haven't a clue where to begin with my introduction. I loathe to admit that it was my elder brother Brandon that  possessed the greater skills in diplomacy. The majority of my childhood at the Vale was spent learning how to swing a sword, with little time left for education on pleasantries. Nevertheless, I was informed that an introduction is expected of me in this realm, so I shall do my best not to disappoint.

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My name is Eddard, though almost everyone refers to me by Ned. When opening an account here on Steemit, I had attempted to use *Ned* as my profile title, but it appears that some commoner has stolen my name and used it for their own. I have been forced to use my given name in its entirety, though I shall not be offended if you, my new friends, call me by the name of Ned.

I am a loving husband and a father of five, to three boys and two girls. Almost seven years it has been since I last saw their faces, though I know that they are well. My boys, and even my girls, are strong and fierce. That strength and ferocity is only exceeded by that of my loving wife, Catelyn. I know that wherever they are, she is there with them, protecting them and guiding them towards their destinies. 

There was no choice for me but to leave them behind. A friend, Lord Varys, had revealed to me the bastard King Joffrey's plot to assassinate me and place my head on a spike. What good could I have been to my family then? With payment of thirty gold stags, I bought myself an escape through a sorcerer from the shadowlands beyond Asshai. 

Two nights before my execution, with the help of Lord Varys, my position in the dungeons of King's Landing was switched with that of a murderer and raper from the Iron Islands. Using blood magic, the witch from East of Asshai disguised this criminal to look and sound just as I do, allowing me the opportunity to flee the city and search for a new home.

After thirteen months of travel, I found myself in the realm of Earth. I did not know what to expect, but I have, over time, grown to love this kingdom. Back in Westeros where I'm from(I doubt you would have heard of it), I was a renowned Lord and could not go anywhere without being recognized. Here, I am but a man among many, bothered by none. 

Westeros is a land of great suffering, where the weak are eaten alive(quite literally beyond the wall) by the strong. It is a burden on any man's soul to see such misery and pain on a daily basis. My own brother and father were victims to a brutal murder at the hands of the Mad King Aeris II. The evil there seems to greatly overwhelm the good. This world is very different, however.

Here, the people pay no mind to the horrors that be. Each and every person I meet on my travels possesses a level of ignorance that I envy greatly. In Westeros, even the small folk knew too well of the evil that surrounded them. Here in the realm of Earth, all but a few seem steadfast in their belief that the world is a loving place, that there is no such thing as human sacrifice, and that the ruling class have the best interests of their subjects at heart.

*What a wonderful illlusion!* Part of me wishes that I had made the journey to a mangrown here on Earth, so that I may have been able to partake in this fairy tale that so many others are immersed within. For me though, the Gods willed it that I shall live the life of a soldier, and a warrior of truth.  Glad I am now that I'm able to hang up my sword, but my battle with lies will wage on.

You may wonder what landed me in that cell, awaiting my execution. It was my quest to uncover the truth of the bastard King Joffrey's lineage. I refused to play a part in the charade which portrayed him as the rightful heir to King Robert, when I had discovered that he was the product of incest between the Queen and her twin brother Jaime. I know. It's *disgusting.*

I feel the God's have granted me this gift of survival so that I might continue to wage my war of truth in this realm, and I have come to Steemit to do just that(among other things). I will share with this community whatever lies and deceit I uncover on these lands, with the hope that you might be enlightened-- if you so wish it. **And to those of you whom seek to hide in the shadows, spinning webs of deception, I have a message for you...**

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### To my new friends here on Steemit; Winter has come, and it may be a long one. Follow me for the path to truth, and resteem my post so that others may find their way to me through the darkness.

**EDIT:** It would appear that I have received an upvote of great magnitude from this Ned character. I suppose I shall offer him my forgiveness in regards to him stealing my name. Thank you for the support, kind sir.