(Spoilers All) The Iron Bank of Braavos and the Bavarian Illuminati I've long assumed that the Iron Bank of Braavos is the fictional creation inspired by the once very real Bavarian Illuminati. Much like the conspiracies of the Illuminati, the Iron Bank of Braavos has their hands dipped into virtually every on-going event that occurs throughout ASOIAF, be it Essos or Westeros. Clearly geography is of no issue for these guys. Anyway. I'm not really getting anywhere with this. Just thought it was an interesting comparison to share.