so obviously there's the core set what came out in order after that? I'm ordering the martell expansion first but aside from that I'd like to order the chapter packs in order so i can learn the new mechanics like summer/winter and stuff in the order they appeared. and aside from summer/winter what other big effects are there in the other packs?

Zso Sahaal said:

The Wikipedia page has all the expansions and CPs listed in order of publication (including notations on when each new mechanic was introduced).

The reprints aren't listed, though (only A Clash of Arms has not been reprinted in x3 yet).

which is the "Valaryian" block? across the narrow sea?

Valyrian block is from CCG days. Here is a list of all cards, ccg->lcg in order of release: http://www.agotcards.org/card