The The Dorn has long been the least united of the seven kingdoms.

Part of that is because it was the last of the kingdoms to be

united under a single ruler, by far. Most of the other kingdoms were united more than a thousand

years before Dorn. Of course, that means they've had less time to coalesce into a single unit,

so to speak. But geography and a wide variety of cultural differences within

Dorn have played a role in keeping them relatively independent along all along these years.

This is an advantage in some cases, for example, that fierce independence kept them from ever being

violently subjugated by House Targary, and it took

marriage to bring them into the Seven Kingdoms.

But, on the other hand, this can make civil conflict more likely and more bloody when it does

happen.

The death of the Red Viper was a trigger for exactly that.

The more hostile elements in Dorn, and there are many, wanted war with the Iron

throne. It was just too much to bear for them. The Lannisters killed Elya Martel, sister to

Oberyn and Prince Doran, and her children, they killed two, and now they've killed Oberyn as well?

Yet Doren does nothing, they say. The prince is cowardly, afraid of war, and not enough of a man to avenge his own family.

He shames all of Doran in their eyes. We readers know better. We know Doran has been plotting carefully and patiently, changing plans when necessary, but always focused on the downfall of House Lannister, especially Tywin.

Of course, he didn't.

Tywin died before he could get that revenge, but still, that's been his goal.

And it's not through open war, of course, because Dorn can't match Castorley Rock and manpower and wealth,

especially not while they're sitting the Iron Throne.

But through subterfuge, plotting, intrigue,

...