Jon is the illegitimate son of Ned Stark (illegitimate children in the North are given the last name of Snow). Jon joins the Night's Watch, a fighting force which guards the Wall, a large edifice that separates the northern region from a land which legends say are full of frightening and deadly creatures. When he hears of Ned's death, Jon is determined to desert and go help his half-brother Robb fight against the Lannisters, but he's convinced to stay by his comrades and prepares to leave on a trip to the dangerous area beyond the Wall.
