Ned Stark is a fictional character from the book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin, as well as the television series "Game of Thrones" based on the books. He is the head of House Stark, one of the noble families in the fictional world of Westeros. Ned Stark is known for his honor, loyalty, and sense of duty. He serves as the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, and later becomes Hand of the King to his childhood friend, Robert Baratheon. However, his character meets a tragic fate in the first season of the TV series, which sets off a chain of events that shape the story.