The uncivilized barbarians have been brought under the control of Mance Rayder, who has crowned himself the King Beyond the Wall. According to ravens from Maester Aemon of Castle Black, his forces number over one hundred thousand men and he is marching on the wall. Our spies tell us that Mance Rayder is a former member of the Nights Watch, so he understands the way of things in this realm. If he is able to defeat the Night's Watch and enter the Seven Kingdoms, he would be a direct threat to the North and could cause the pretender Robb Stark to have to retreat to defend his homeland. Perhaps he could be aided in his endeavor, and or be open to an alliance.