BlackLightning
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Posts posted by BlackLightning
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On 4/10/2024 at 9:11 AM, PrettyLittlePsycho said:
This is not that big of a butterfly effect
Because Stannis is still going to be fighting for the Throne. then you would have Tyrion angling to put Tommen on the Iron Throne. And all jockeying between Littlefinger, Varys and Tyrion become absolutely unrestrained.
Arianne likely tries to make Myrcella queen earlier on...except Quentyn and Oberyn would likely still be around to either help or hurt.
Honestly, the events in Feast and Dance that only could have happened in Tywin's absence just happen earlier on.
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6 minutes ago, Northern Sword said:
Forgive me, but do we actually know this ? or is this a theory ? I don't recall resolution on this one. Link?
When the show revealed that Coldhands was actually Benjen at the end of Season 6, Martin said that Benjen is not Coldhands and that the two are separate individuals. And based on what Martin was saying, Benjen is still alive.
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I'm beginning to think that Benjen did desert the NW but only in the sense that he has decided NOT to return to Castle Black after his ranging mission went sideways.
If Benjen is still alive (I don't think Martin would have him die "offscreen"), he's in the Lands of Always Winter or maybe in the Heart of Winter itself. Either he is being held captive, he has switched sides and is working with the Others or he is trying to negotiate with the Others on the behalf of the Seven Kingdoms.
I doubt Martin would have had Benjen die "offscreen" after all this time, but if Benjen is dead, Bran is going to have to find his body and learn what had happened to him. Or maybe Jon will run across Benjen (or his corpse) as Ghost and Bran finds out what happens.
Either way—dead or alive—I'm 100% sure that Benjen encountered the Others and that he had been sidetracked/delayed. -
On 4/6/2024 at 12:48 PM, Son of Man said:
I want to know how Dany and Drogon will deal with the khalasar. I look forward to her chapters. George won't start with his big guns Tyrion, Jon, and Dany. He wants to save the suspense. We won't get back to the Dothraki Sea until after we go through a few points of view with lower ranking characters. The prologue and then followed by a point of view chapter which is going to be somebody like Sansa, Arya, or Sam. Get some fillers (appetizers to some fans) in before the main entree. Play the bench before the Starters in this game.
I don't know. I feel like one of the opening chapters has to be a Tyrion POV; the Battle of Meereen is upon us and it HAS to happen early on in the book
On 4/7/2024 at 8:34 PM, Aebram said:Reading this thread has made me realize how many of the major characters were left in cliffhanger, life-or-death situations at the end of Dance, or in the Winds preview chapters.
- John Snow: stabbed
- Daenerys: confronting a Dothraki horde
- Theon: a prisoner, possibly about to be executed
- Tyrion and Jorah: in the middle of a war
- Brienne and Jaime: tangled up with Lady Stoneheart
- Aeron: chained to the prow of a warship
- Ser Barristan (perhaps not a "major" character, but I like the guy): about to go into battle
- Victarion: ditto
Did I forget anyone?
Cersei and the King's Landing cast. Not life-or-death but it's a major gamechanger
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On 4/5/2024 at 3:51 PM, Hippocras said:
Yes, sorry I thought you meant confirmed for season 2.
I am thinking he will be a season 3 character with mentions this season.
I think he was confirmed for season 2 during season 1's run
But then they also cut down the number of episodes from 10 to 8 and...then there was the writer's strike. So I think its safe to say that plans changed and that they are taking their time to focus on the assassination attempts and the battles in the Riverlands
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On 4/4/2024 at 6:34 AM, Hippocras said:
If he is, it is strange he is not part of the casting announcements that have come out. Who plays Alys Rivers, Alyn and Addam, and even a few random Lords - these characters have been announced so why not Daeron?
Idk maybe because Daeron isn't supposed to appear until season 3 or late in season 2
but Daeron was confirmed by the showrunner on more than one occasion during season 1...so it's quite possible that things have changed
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On 8/30/2023 at 5:55 PM, Areisius said:
I couldn't agree with you more. Criston Cole has every right to hate Rhaenyra for lying and manipulating him.
Why does he hate Rhaenyra for lying when he lied too? And I wouldn't say that Rhaenyra manipulated him either...
It's projection. They have very different values.
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7 hours ago, FantasyCreature said:
It wouldn't fit in with the all-important number, 7. Seven kingdoms (why do they still call it that if it was merged hundreds of years ago? there were never just seven kingdoms to begin with anyway), seven gods, seven books.
Well, he's just going to have to deal with it I guess
I think he can finish the series in two books. But they will both have to be huge
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- Daenerys
- Samwell
- Bran
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On 4/1/2024 at 2:42 PM, KingoftheRiversandtheHills said:
I whole heartedly believe that adding new centralized bases of control in certain areas would greatly increase the safety of the Crownlands. For example making Dragonstone, Driftmark, and part of Cracklaw's Point into an actual principality, ruled by the prince of Dragonstone.
This is not such a bad idea. The Prince of Dragonstone already rules Dragonstone, Driftmark and the other islands of Blackwater Bay. Giving them part of Crackclaw Point would do nothing.
On 4/1/2024 at 2:42 PM, KingoftheRiversandtheHills said:Another can be made out of the Dornish Marches in the Stormlands, with the houses sworn directly to the would be Prince of Summerhall. In addition, creating a force like the Gold Cloaks, but out of men-at-arms sworn to the various noble house, for each principality would be great (I don’t think summerhall needs it that much). Another force can be created to patrol the rest of the Crownlands and be sworn directly to the King.
This is a bad -- or at least risky -- idea. Creating a principality out of the Dornish Marches under the control of the Prince of Summerhall is basically stealing the Lords of Storm's End of (arguably) their most powerful vassals. To do so would invite a lot of conflict.
You might as well place a royal in the Gift, give him control over the Gift and make him the Prince of Queenscrown.
On 4/1/2024 at 2:42 PM, KingoftheRiversandtheHills said:Also, taking some territory out of the jurisdiction of Harrenhal and putting underneath the Kings direct control would greatly help the Crownlands in term of food and wealth to help fund this effort. Third, would be making a province by conquering the Stepstones and Tyrosh, and giving it to a third son. What do you guys think?
Harrenhal has come under the control of the Iron Throne more than once but again...not sure if it's a great idea. The Iron Throne has more than enough funds; the problem is that they were terribly mismanaged and fumbled by Robert, Cersei, Littlefinger and the rest of the Small Council.
Making a province out of the Stepstones would be expensive (as in you need to commission a new fleet just to protect the islands and enforce the law after its conquest) but doable. It's a good idea. But Tyrosh? No way.
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On 4/3/2024 at 3:54 PM, House Cambodia said:
I'm from the Scottish highlands (specifically, west coast islands) which The North is somewhat based on. If it wasn't for tourism, there'd be too little to support much of a population (and try visiting in the winter). The barren soil and remoteness can only sustain a modest population, and fishing doesn't increase it all that much.
Ahhh okay
On 4/3/2024 at 3:54 PM, House Cambodia said:Dorne is also severely limited by the mountains and deserts, and a dearth of both rivers and coastline that can have a harbour. I think GRRM has the populations of both regions about right. But you're right, like Dorne, the North should have been very difficult to subdue, even with dragons. However, it seems we're about to learn in the first episode or two of Season 2 of HotD that the reason Torrhen bent the knee was not for military reasons.
I don't know. Iraq, Egypt and the Levant are all very hot and arid lands. However, millions have always lived in those areas.
Why? The floodplains of major rivers.
The floodplains of the Greenblood, the Vaith and the Scourge are more than enough to sustain a large population. Sunspear itself should be a very large city on par with White Harbor and Gulltown.
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On 2/13/2024 at 1:58 PM, the trees have eyes said:
If you bother to read the books Catelyn has a ringside view to the slaughter of the Northern and River Lords at The Red Wedding, the tipping moment being when her son is murdered in front of her eyes, so to describe it as some kind of Aegon for Catelyn tit for tat with the score even is pure stupidity. And very poor trolling.
But you know that of course.
Well to be fair, wasn't Catelyn was originally supposed to be imprisoned and used as a hostage?
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2 hours ago, House Cambodia said:
I conceded the point about Torrhen Stark - maybe I should focus on it being a brief jaunt that resulted in no loss of life.
Right but the problem is that Torrhen and his lords bannermen were anticipating a loss of life. The North could've fought a guerilla war against the Targaryens just as successfully as Dorne did...if not better. Torrhen was just hoping to strike a major blow against the Targaryen forces before they could attempt to mount a proper invasion and attack on the North.
2 hours ago, House Cambodia said:But regarding the Stoney Shore, Balon Greyjoy explicitly and opportunistically declared independence and reaved along the west coast in response to the north being depopulated by Robb. Had Deepwood Motte and Torrhen's Square had their usual garrisons, the IB would not have attacked. In normal times, the North had decent natural defenses (and a 700' wall) north, south, east and west. It never had any need to open itself up to Southron enculturation.
This is true
Frankly, a part of me feels like the North (and especially Dorne) should have a higher population. Yes, the winters are unimaginably brutal, and a lot of people die each winter due to famine and disease; that should keep the population relatively low in the northernmost parts of the North. BUT there should still be more people living on the west coast, particularly at Sea Dragon Point where there's an abundance of otters and fish for food and clothing and trees for homes and tools. And Bear Island alone does not suffice as a west coast trading hub.
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10 minutes ago, Buried Treasure said:
The gates of the Wall are built from the southern side. And the oldest gate (at the Night fort) is built upon the magic of the old gods; it wasn't the magic of the Others - it was their enemies, either men or CotF. (More likely the Children - unless Brandon the Builder was schooled by them like our Brand is being).
The first thing we learned about the Others is their cruel humour. The Other that slew Waymar Royce laughed after they killed him
I maintain, the only thing people have wrong about the Others is why they accept sacrifice. It's bullshit built on superstitions of a bunch of frightened and ignorant women. The sacrifices weren't accepted because the boys will become Others, or because they were protecting their worshippers. They left Craster's keep alone for the price of a few sons and sheep because it amused them.
Ooooh that's pretty unnerving
7 hours ago, House Cambodia said:Were giants and Children part of the deal, allowed to remain north of the Wall?
I definitely think that the Children are a big part of the deal
That's why I don't really trust the Children or Bloodraven with Bran.
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As far as I know, Daeron is confirmed.
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On 11/21/2023 at 3:54 PM, sifth said:
He's not getting Dany to the West without a time skip. That's clear as day.
Agreed
We're going to need a time skip between Winds and Dream...
...or, more specifically, a time skip between the establishment of a new status quo (Blackfyre-Martell empowered, Lannisters disgrace, Baratheon extinction, Stark resurgence) and the fall of the Wall. The fall of the Wall has to deeply disturb the brand-new status quo to be effective AND it has to happen either before Dany's arrival or right when she shows up
- Morte, Cas Stark and House Cambodia
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On 3/24/2024 at 8:39 AM, SeanF said:
Terrible vengeance was exacted on the Darklyns and Hollards, but the townsfolk lived. Had the king been killed, probably every living creature in the city would have been killed.
Yeah, saving Aerys was the right decision. Not even for the sake of the townspeople. Because let's be honest: the actions of the Darklyns were wrong as wrong can be.
You can't kidnap and torture people just because you've been inconvenienced by the latest development in an ongoing trade dispute.
It's madness.
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On 2/28/2024 at 9:47 AM, Darryk said:
As vile as Tyrion is much of the time, I do think people overlook some of the good things he does in the books, like giving Bran the design for a saddle, making friends with Jon Snow (Jon is a good judge of character), protecting Sansa from Joffrey, and some other stuff that I'm probably forgetting.
Personally I see him as a grey character.
I do admit that I like him less and less with each reread. I loved him the first time I read the books (after season 2 of the show) because I was picturing the Peter Dinklage version but as I started to pay more attention to how he's portrayed in the books, I realised he is a rather awful fellow.
Yes. The more you reread the worse Tyrion looks (and the better other characters like Catelyn look)
I don't think we overlook the good things he does in the books. It's just that some of us can see right through it. The good things he does (i.e. protecting Sansa from Joffrey) are half-assed and more about his own ego and image instead of doing the right thing because it's the right thing.
The fact that Tyrion knows Robert's murder and the whole onset of the War of the Five Kings is, at its core, all about Cersei's wrongful lust for power and his response was to accumulate more power than her at a faster rate to surpassing Cersei's lust for power with his own is telling...
And to be honest, I do not believe that Jon is a good judge of character. Or at least, he doesn't act on many of his good judgments which makes him being a good judge of character pointless. If he did, he would've seen the problem that was Bowen Marsh coming from a mile away. Also there's no way that Jon thought he was going to be able to maintain his position as Lord Commander of the Nights Watch with the Boltons in Winterfell and the Lannisters behind the Iron Throne.
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I've stated this before in this HoTD Musings thread but I'm concerned about where they are going to take HoTD
It seems like D&D gave Rhaenyra's ending to Daenerys (promising start with a bad end, became a cruel dictator, murdered by a blood relative because of the schemes of jealous people) which has basically made Daenerys' book ending unnecessarily complicated but is slated to make HoTD look bad.
smh
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4 minutes ago, The Dragon Demands said:
Writers strike
But what does the Writer's Strike have to do with reshoots.
Did the showrunners create a rough draft of the season and the reshoots are pretty much the final copy?
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Do we know the reason for the reshoots?
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1 hour ago, SeanF said:
My hope is (if Daenerys survives) that she does not win the IT, because she would hate it.
Daenerys actually finding some comfortable backwater would be a happy ending.
My expectation is that (as per show), Tyrion incites Jon to murder her, but this is *not* St. Tyrion, but Tyrion as Iago.
Yeah, I feel like Dany deciding to leave (or being forced to leave) Westeros and start over makes for a truly bittersweet ending for her. Basically, the show endings for Jon and Arya ending works better for Dany than it did for either one of them.
Dany doesn't even really like ruling; she is like Ned Stark. She only rules because she has to and because she wants to protect people. Dany would actually be very happy being married, barefoot and pregnant on some homestead; I just don't think she really knows it yet.
I think she's so preoccupied with Meereen that she doesn't understand that it's not a Meereen thing. She'd have similar feelings and problems in King's Landing as Queen of Westeros.
She doesn't even like sitting on that one bench in her hall in the Great Pyramid. She'd HATE sitting atop the Iron Throne.
And yes, she'd probably end up having Drogon destroy it.
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It's also worth mentioning that Alysanne basically did the same thing Viserra did when she was a teenager.
The only difference is that Alysanne's mother Alyssa decided to let it go and let her daughter figure it out for herself.
I'm lowkey mad at Baelon for snitching though. He could've just told Viserra no and kept that incident between them. He was grown; there was no need to bring their parents into that situation.
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On 1/15/2024 at 6:25 PM, Him of Many Faces said:
The show is the show, but we can't ignore some obvious things it spoiled no matter how much we want to keep the books separate from it :/ We know the broad strokes about her ending. She will rule no empire.
The broad stroke is that she will die
Not that she will go inexplicably genocidal and crazy
Is Benjen Stark a deserter?
in General (ASoIaF)
Posted
No problem at all
But I don't know if Benjen was still alive or if Martin was doing a bit of misdirection.
Basically the way that Martin was so insistent that "Coldhands is not Benjen" is very similar to how he reacted to how Sansa was a stand-in for both Jeyne Poole and Donella Hornwood in Winterfell."