The story takes place in a fictional world, primarily on a continent called Westeros, with one storyline occurring on another continent to the east, Essos. Like the novel, the season follows up the dramatic death of Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark, with all of the Starks being separated across Westeros. Season two mainly centers around the War of the Five Kings, fought among the leaders of Westerosi factions who are either staking a claim to the Iron Throne, or seeking independence from it. King Robert's widow, Cersei, stays in the capital as queen regent; her twin brother Jaime is Robb Stark's prisoner, and her other brother, the dwarf Tyrion, acts as King Joffrey's Hand, until the siblings' father, Tywin Lannister, returns to help defend the capital. Meanwhile, in Essos, with three newborn dragons by her side, Daenerys Targaryen works with religious certitude to find allies and resources to help her to fulfill her perceived destiny to win the Iron Throne. The season ends beyond the northern Wall, with the first glimpse of the army of the dead.