Old Blood is the collective term by which the aristocratic families of Volantis are known. They consider themselves heirs of the Valyrian Freehold, but they are not descendants of dragonlords but of the footsoldiers that made up the garrison - and the only settlers - of the early Volantis. Only the Old Blood is allowed to live behind the Black Wall of eastern Volantis. Any outsider - slave, freedman or foreigner - requires an express invitation of a member of the Old Blood to be allowed inside.