Untapped Potential in ASOIAF Resources

[TimJames]

Because ASOIAF is a fantastical series, there are a lot of elements and resources that exist in the series which allow people do to things that in this world would be impossible. However, a lot of these resources and elements are only being used for a fraction of their potential/theoretical utility. 

• Valyrian Steel: This is supposedly the best metal in the world, never dulling or rusting even after centuries of use. Currently it is only used for swords, but if a way to mass-produce it were discovered then it could be used to as a building material and could revolutionize every facet of technology beyond imagination.
  • Qohor Steel: Like Valyrian Steel, this metal is much MUCH stronger than traditional steel. In an industrialized society, it could potentially make an amazing building material. 
• Glass Candles: These candles gave the ability to see across vast distances. Set up properly, they can be used to set up a communications network to connect with people on the other side of the world almost instantly. 
• Wildfyre: Currently only used as a weapon or a decoration, this could easily become a fuel source in the same vein as oil or coal. Better yet, as we do not know what resources are used to make it, it could potentially be a renewable resource. Imagine cars, airplanes, trains, and other vehicles powered by wildfyre: it's amazing.
• Blood Magic: I know, I know, murdering people for their blood is wrong for ethical reasons. However, if the ethical concerns can be circumvented than it can make a potentially powerful technology. If it will work with blood that wasn't acquired by ending human life, than hypodermic needles can be used to extract the necessary blood humanly. If it absloutly requires death to work, than Capitol Offenders who are going to be killed anyway can be put to use for the good of society.
• Water Magic: Once the secret of hydro-power gets unlocked in The World of Ice and Fire, than Rhoyner Water Magic would make harnessing such a power ridiculously easy. If only the blood of Nymeria can do it, than there are thousands of potential water mages (not just every Martell and every Dayne, but everyone who has a Martell or Dayne ancestor).

What other resources, elements, or creatures are in the series that you think could be used for much more if placed in the right hands?

[Isobel Harper]

Not a resource in the strictest since, but warging.  It could be of great use for an agricultural society which relies heavily on animals for labor.  One would expect more efficient (and in some cases safer) training herding dogs, handling livestock and working beasts of burden, and using carrier pigeons (or rather ravens) for communication.

Militarily and politically, one could use animals as spies (for example, birds) or for defense (wolves or bears, etc.)

[Curled Finger]

If you could devise a way to get the webs the giant ice spiders weave to Myr for cut & dye you could revolutionize the castle décor industry.

Wonder if mammoth milk is lactose free?

[Isobel Harper]

14 hours ago, Curled Finger said:

If you could devise a way to get the webs the giant ice spiders weave to Myr for cut & dye you could revolutionize the castle décor industry.

Wonder if mammoth milk is lactose free?

I'm sure Harry Strickland would love to get his hands on some of those mammoths. 

[DominusNovus]

Dragons.  Capable of producing one of - if not the - hottest flames.  They fly.  They're large.  They're only used for war and prestige.

On the other hand, wildfire has the problem of being able to eat through its containers.  So, as a fuel source, it has its problems.  Unless Valyrian steel can withstand it.  Then, you could get Valyrian steel locomotives running off wildfire engines.

Also, regarding Glass Candles.  They're only now just starting to come back 'on line' so to speak.  Its strongly implied that the Valyrians used them just as you suggest.  Which makes sense, when you consider the fact that they had a vast amount of territory but kept almost all their political and military forces in the Valyrian peninsula (and the city of Valyria in particular) itself.  The only way that works is real time communication provided by glass candles.

[Dorian Martell]

Slave labor. It is a highly underrated resource. In the United States, slave labor was the foundation of its export and textile economy.  In fact, it wasn't until after world war two that technology had matured enough to allow a mechanical harvester to be more cost efficient than manual labor. A bonus, slaves when left alone will make more slaves   

[Maester of Valyria]

Wights. Presuming the Others can be brought onside, a large number of wights would revolutionise construction and agriculture. Imagine a workforce that never tires, doesn't feel pain, and obeys orders without question. You don't even have to worry about ethical concerns as with blood magic or slavery, as you can make wights out of the already-dead.

The Dothraki Sea and the Plains of the Jogos Nhai. Although there is the small matter of the nomadic warlords who occupy these areas, tell me they aren't agricultural breadbaskets waiting to happen.

Mountains of the Moon. Geological evidence would seem to suggest the mountains of the Vale and Westerlands were originally the same range. There's no way to know for sure if this is so, but I'd say the Arryns should get digging...

Sothoryos. Just like our own Amazon rainforest, this jungle is ripe for exploitation by the Europeans Westerosi, as soon as they get their technology together and start carving out colonies and empires.

Geothermal power. Yes, I know, they're all about 1000 years away from getting this, but still. The hot springs under Winterfell are a case in point, and I believe Dragonstone and Thenn have great potential.

Goldenheart wood. It doesn't just have to be used for bows. A strong, light and durable wood would, in sufficient quantities, enable grand construction projects and provide the Summer Isles with export income as well.

[Lointain]

The Citadel - if the Crown invested in some more college-like institutions over the Seven Kingdoms - King's Landing, Lannisport, Gulltown, White Harbor, etc.), giving a much more generous patronage to the Maesters, the Realm would gain, over the time, much more educated people in several areas of natural and human sciences, capable of create  a much larger body of private and crown servant to give good counsel over economy, laws, politic, diplomacy, arts, sciences, etc.

In 100 to 200 years the Seven Kingdoms would have the conditions to start their own Age of Discover and 300 to 400 years the conditions to start a Industrial Revolution, assuring the global hegemony of the Iron Throne over the world of ASOIAF.