I didn't know how to contact you or if it was worth a shot to be honest but I am interested in the historical context of The Song of Ice and Fire series. I read that it is based off of the War of the Roses and that the west is supposed to be a giant representation of England and Essos is eastern Europe? I also read that the Dothraki are Mongols? I am not sure how much of this is true but I am considering doing a dissertation on contemporary fantasy writing and depictions of eastern Europe. Am I correct in the assumption that the south Eastern area of Essos is the Balkans?