What will Stannis do if he wasn't killed?

[TheKingWhoCared]

Firstly, let's say Brienne realizes (after Stannis said "Go on do your duty) her oath to Renly wasn't to kill Stannis or avenge him and she failed that. Her second oath was to protect the Stark girls and she Arya refused her but Sansa needed to be saved and she broke it by chasing Stannis instead of trying to rescue Sansa. Her honour didn't let her kill a defenceless man who is unarmed and injured, especially with a sword named "Oath-Keeper".

Also, Podrick saw the candle lit and ran towards Brienne (if she can find Stannis in the middle of nowhere, he can find her) to tell her about it (extra scenes showed in next season) and she swings her sword at nothing (she was a bit too far from his head).

Thus he survives, but what role do you think he will play. I believe it will be a redemption and "we march forward", Here's how:

He will not have an Army but it will be Brienne and Pod who will save him, as she realizes that he is the best bet to get Sansa out of Winterfell (doesn't know about her escape).

The sell-swords are still at the North, and they don't know much about it and neither are the welcomed by any of the Kings, thus will go back to the only place they can, the Night's Watch. Recently killing their leader, the Night's Watch decide to team up with the sell-swords to attack the wilding and kill everyone, even children and the old. Davos learns this, he along with a few Jon Snow loyalists go and try to warn them. On their journey, they meet with Stannis.

Sansa and Theon go to the Night's Watch, they are captured and kept their until negotiations with the Boltons is done for their return. Brienne hears this (if she can find Sansa and Arya out of nowhere, she can hear this too, probably from another villager) and tells Stannis, who now is at the wilding village and decide to take over the wall before an attack is made by the sell-swords and the Night's Watch. Stannis and the Wilding beat them and takeover the Wall, free Sansa in the process and execute Mel (she tries to brain-wash them into believing that their leader is Azor Ahai and thus stay for a while). Upon learning that Rickon and Bran isn't dead, he sends Davos to find them. He makes Sansa the "Warden of the North" and the Stark loyalists pledge their support to Stannis to free Winterfell, which he does.

Then he repels a White Walker attack at the wall with the wilding and his new Northern friends, forcing them to take another route for their march to the South.

Scenarios taken into account:

- Jon Snow is dead, bringing him back to life is too predictable and I believe Azor Ahai will not be revealed until the end of book 6 or the beginning of book 7.

- Only he knows about the White Walkers, the other Kings don't believe the Night's Watch and Danny doesn't even know about the White Walkers (Tyrion expects them to be fairy-tales).

- There seems to be a war at the wall next season and Danny will not make her attack from the North instead of just attacking Kings Landing.

- He isn't dead in the books yet.

[jugdesh258]

he would redeem himself only to be killed again. And who says he is not dead in the book. We don't know the sequence of events involving the pink letter and the pre-release chapter. His death in the show leans more credibility to his defeat in battle of winterfell

[King Onion Knight]

If he isnt dead I wouldnt mind him becoming apart of the Nights Watch and end up as Lord Commander or something.

[Stag_legion]

There is only one thing left for him to do if he is alive (which is likely), he ll be a part of the northern rebellion.

Those who think he d join the NW just aren't thinking clearly, stannis won't relent on his pursuit of the throne because he's whole existence is about what he thinks is just and a big part that is him obtaining the throne. He would rather die than to abandon such a fundamental belief of his.

if he does go back to the wall for whatever reason, he's sure to punish the mutineers severely.

[TheCasualObserver]

he would redeem himself only to be killed again. And who says he is not dead in the book. We don't know the sequence of events involving the pink letter and the pre-release chapter. His death in the show leans more credibility to his defeat in battle of winterfell

Only partially - if Stannis dies in the battle for Winterfell in the book it becomes impossible for him to also preside over the burning of Shireen. Unless of course he loses, retreats to Castle Black, burns Shireen, attacks again, is defeated again and dies. But that sounds very unlikely.

[Philpenn]

Podrick saw the candle lit.

He did? Not sure how I missed that.

[jugdesh258]

Only partially - if Stannis dies in the battle for Winterfell in the book it becomes impossible for him to also preside over the burning of Shireen. Unless of course he loses, retreats to Castle Black, burns Shireen, attacks again, is defeated again and dies. But that sounds very unlikely.

With their backs against the wall, Slimy D&D placed the blame for burning Shireen on GRRM. Although tightlipped over other spoilers they sure made haste to spill the beans on this tidbit. That does not mean that Stannis has to preside over it nor did it suggest the book has cheesy scene where Stannis doats over his daughter before sending her to die. My guess is that the Book Stannis would never have done this. The sacrifice that probably comes is in response to pink letter and act of desparation by Selse and Mel. Others say that the sacrifice misdirected towards Azor Ahai does not find the intended target.

D&D with limited TV writing focus group feeback mentality needlessly had to paint Stannis in bad light to demonstrate in another cheesy disney scene with Brienne that he had it coming

[Rohlin_the_Wretched]

The first thing he should do is change his name before the Bank of Braavos sends someone to break his legs. When they find out the army they financed went AWOL, they aren't going to be happy.

Stannis is better off dead. No army, no allies, no money and really no hope of raising any of them. Although, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is an intriguing idea, but I don't know if Stannis could give up the quest for the throne and swallow his pride.

[MoreOrLess]

My guess is that it will be revealed that Stannis's deserter sellswords actually swapped sides and were the reason the Boltons had such an overwhelming force during the battle. What we'd heard previously made it sound like it was going to be pretty even with Stannis losing his 2-1 advantage and the Boltons lacking a large mounted force. The Boltons are the natural place for them to go as well, they know they will need troops quickly as Stannis is about to attack where as none of the Northern lords are a sure bet.

If Stannis were still alive I think it would only make sense if we saw some kind of shift in his personality which this strongly hinted at in the finale I would say anyway. That would fit into the best potential use for Stannis as well to me, as someone who disavows his previous sense of "destiny" and any kind of magical prophecy and is in opposition to anyone/thing looking to push them, most obviously Mel. That said I can see Davis filling a very similar kind of role in being strongly anti Mel/AA if Stannis is dead.

In terms of drama I think Brienne/Pod/Stannis would be MUCH more interesting traveling party than Brienne/Pod/Sansa/Theon.

[TheKingWhoCared]

He did? Not sure how I missed that.

When she met Stannis, he wasn't with Brienne and we see the candle lit right after he moves away from the screen.

My guess is that it will be revealed that Stannis's deserter sellswords actually swapped sides and were the reason the Boltons had such an overwhelming force during the battle. What we'd heard previously made it sound like it was going to be pretty even with Stannis losing his 2-1 advantage and the Boltons lacking a large mounted force. The Boltons are the natural place for them to go as well, they know they will need troops quickly as Stannis is about to attack where as none of the Northern lords are a sure bet.

If Stannis were still alive I think it would only make sense if we saw some kind of shift in his personality which this strongly hinted at in the finale I would say anyway. That would fit into the best potential use for Stannis as well to me, as someone who disavows his previous sense of "destiny" and any kind of magical prophecy and is in opposition to anyone/thing looking to push them, most obviously Mel. That said I can see Davis filling a very similar kind of role in being strongly anti Mel/AA if Stannis is dead.

In terms of drama I think Brienne/Pod/Stannis would be MUCH more interesting traveling party than Brienne/Pod/Sansa/Theon.

I highly doubt that the Boltons would want to ally with Stannis' sell-swords in such a small period of time (he seemed to have teleported his entire army to Winterfell before dusk and the sell-swords abandoned deep at night). Stannis' force was itself small, I think it was all of the sell-swords and half his Army had abandoned post.

I don't think Stannis ever believed in "God of Light" but rather Mel, he specifically says "I have faith in you" where she replies with "Have faith in the Lord of The Light", meaning he uses her as an unconventional weapon (her previous success forces him to burn his daughter believing she could change the outcome), but it is faith that he still lacks.

[TheKingWhoCared]

Danny will come to Westeros with an Army of Unsullied who are quite different in appearance than the common Westerosi ( I believe that racism exists there since it portrays medieval times) and Dothraki who are best known for raping and pillaging and probably the Ironborn will side with her like in the books and they are quite similar to Dothraki. This will turn the people of Westeros against her and side with someone who they know quite too well, Stannis.

Even if Jon Snow is Azor Ahai, most of us don't see him as someone who make a claim for the Iron Throne but rather as someone who would fight the White Walkers (I believe Bran will play that role instead of Jon).

[GtrGbln]

Nope he's dead confirmed at SDCC.

[TheKingWhoCared]

Nope he's dead confirmed at SDCC.

http://9gag.com/gag/aRVK1Vy

[lyannaisalive]

Nope he's dead confirmed at SDCC.

The show has made a living off killing people on shocking ways. People who are safe in traditional stories. One of the biggest story lines is Brienne trying to kill Stannis. They finally get to the scene but don't show it..... :shocked: he is not dead. I'm not sure why Brienne stopped whether her own conscience or someone else (Sansa perhaps) but he is not dead. No way they don't show that. They don't have Stannis kill his daughter to become hated by fans and then die one episode later and not show it. Dude is alive.

To answer the question I believe Stannis will be sacrificed to save Jon or will become become his greatest ally (after Davos). They have come full circle, a Targaryean conquered Westeros with a Baratheon at his side and perhaps another will do it again.

[lyannaisalive]

Firstly, let's say Brienne realizes (after Stannis said "Go on do your duty) her oath to Renly wasn't to kill Stannis or avenge him and she failed that. Her second oath was to protect the Stark girls and she Arya refused her but Sansa needed to be saved and she broke it by chasing Stannis instead of trying to rescue Sansa. Her honour didn't let her kill a defenceless man who is unarmed and injured, especially with a sword named "Oath-Keeper".

Also, Podrick saw the candle lit and ran towards Brienne (if she can find Stannis in the middle of nowhere, he can find her) to tell her about it (extra scenes showed in next season) and she swings her sword at nothing (she was a bit too far from his head).

Thus he survives, but what role do you think he will play. I believe it will be a redemption and "we march forward", Here's how:

He will not have an Army but it will be Brienne and Pod who will save him, as she realizes that he is the best bet to get Sansa out of Winterfell (doesn't know about her escape).

The sell-swords are still at the North, and they don't know much about it and neither are the welcomed by any of the Kings, thus will go back to the only place they can, the Night's Watch. Recently killing their leader, the Night's Watch decide to team up with the sell-swords to attack the wilding and kill everyone, even children and the old. Davos learns this, he along with a few Jon Snow loyalists go and try to warn them. On their journey, they meet with Stannis.

Sansa and Theon go to the Night's Watch, they are captured and kept their until negotiations with the Boltons is done for their return. Brienne hears this (if she can find Sansa and Arya out of nowhere, she can hear this too, probably from another villager) and tells Stannis, who now is at the wilding village and decide to take over the wall before an attack is made by the sell-swords and the Night's Watch. Stannis and the Wilding beat them and takeover the Wall, free Sansa in the process and execute Mel (she tries to brain-wash them into believing that their leader is Azor Ahai and thus stay for a while). Upon learning that Rickon and Bran isn't dead, he sends Davos to find them. He makes Sansa the "Warden of the North" and the Stark loyalists pledge their support to Stannis to free Winterfell, which he does.

Then he repels a White Walker attack at the wall with the wilding and his new Northern friends, forcing them to take another route for their march to the South.

Scenarios taken into account:

- Jon Snow is dead, bringing him back to life is too predictable and I believe Azor Ahai will not be revealed until the end of book 6 or the beginning of book 7.

- Only he knows about the White Walkers, the other Kings don't believe the Night's Watch and Danny doesn't even know about the White Walkers (Tyrion expects them to be fairy-tales).

- There seems to be a war at the wall next season and Danny will not make her attack from the North instead of just attacking Kings Landing.

- He isn't dead in the books yet.

Jon Snow is not dead. Martin has destroyed your typical cliches but He is FAR to important to be killed. I think by the time he is revived his true identity will be known thus "Jon Snow" is dead. Also I think he will be much different like Master Aemon said "kill the boy and let the man be born". I don't think he is AA though.

[lyannaisalive]

Only partially - if Stannis dies in the battle for Winterfell in the book it becomes impossible for him to also preside over the burning of Shireen. Unless of course he loses, retreats to Castle Black, burns Shireen, attacks again, is defeated again and dies. But that sounds very unlikely.

I dont think he will in the book. In his whole Character his one redeeming quality has been his love for his daughter. He is fighting for the throne to place her on it after his death. I think it is Selyse and Mel (who thinks he will forgive her if it succeeds) but it will backfire and he will kill them both.

[Valhalla Morghulis]

Stannis has become an Agamemnon character, he sacrifices his daughter for victory and is later revenged upon. In the Game of thrones you win or you die. He has lost and won't be joining the NW or anything else.

[MoreOrLess]

As far as the sell swords go last minute changes in alliance aren't exactly that rare are they? the Battle of Bosworth Field is about as GoT as history gets. Stannis does actually mention that he thinks some of the sellswords might be working for the Boltons after Ramseys' attack so it could be that they've struck a deal with a Bolton spy sometime during there being snowed in. We don't know how long Stannis actually takes to get to Winterfell either of course and a mounted force would have a lot of chance to beat him there with time to prepare.

To have Stannis carry and on and not shift his personality significantly to me would just feel cheap, for the story they wanted to tell in the show I think they gave him an excellent ending, the only reason to keep him alive would be to shift the direction of the character.

[Ser Pounce FTW]

I dont think he will in the book. In his whole Character his one redeeming quality has been his love for his daughter. He is fighting for the throne to place her on it after his death. I think it is Selyse and Mel (who thinks he will forgive her if it succeeds) but it will backfire and he will kill them both.

If it's Selyse or Mel that sacrifice Shireen, the impact will not be meaningful. It has to be done with Stannis' knowledge or with the understanding that Stannis will approve the act. Unless Stannis sanctions it, her sacrifice has no meaning. Her death is meant to be the last straw for Stannis not Melisandre. Mel would be happy and willing to burn all of Westeros as the cost that must be paid. It's just not a big deal if it's her. The only other option that makes sense if it's done without Stannis' knowledge only to force him to face the truth later that he does want to succeed more than he wants his daughter. Anything else would make her death very wasteful. I think that was the whole point of Edric. It sets up Stannis' willingness to sacrifice someone related to him for the "greater good".

[Banjo]

The show has made a living off killing people on shocking ways. People who are safe in traditional stories. One of the biggest story lines is Brienne trying to kill Stannis. They finally get to the scene but don't show it..... :shocked: he is not dead. I'm not sure why Brienne stopped whether her own conscience or someone else (Sansa perhaps) but he is not dead. No way they don't show that. They don't have Stannis kill his daughter to become hated by fans and then die one episode later and not show it. Dude is alive..

Let me argue this point. The shocking moments where main characters were killed off were those which caught the audience off guard. Therefore the deaths had to be brutal. Ned who seemed the protagonist was betrayed. His killing was a second betrayal and a shock to the audience unaccustomed to such twists on TV. Oberyn was winning easily when he got cocky and was killed brutally. Robb and Cateyln were again betrayed. Their death had to be brutal and shocking and the brutality added to the shock of those moments

On the other hand since the last two episodes we see Stannis losing everything he held precious. He lost his family, he lost Mel's faith in him and he lost the audience's sympathy. He was "dead" long before Brienne swung that sword. There was nothing shocking about his death, no twist. His death was a mere formality. Thereofre, there was absolutely no reason for a brutal or onscreen death for him.