maesternewton

Barba Bolton. She attended the Maiden's Day Ball just to ask aid for her people.

I don't think these are accurate assumptions. The Starks and the Arryns were constantly on conflict over the sisters. They were at war several times. In the south, the Westerlands, the Reach and the Stormlands all invaded each other frequently over petty border issues. The borders were constantly changing and the smallfolk got the short end of the stick. If the Reach invaded the Westerlands, the Stormlands would take advantage of that and invade the Reach, vice versa. A conflict between two Kingdoms could spiral to involve 3 or even 4.

Indeed, that is true that wars did not cease to plague the realm under Targaryen rule, yet the consolidation of Westeros by the Targaryens into one kingdom, lessened them. Alas, our knowledge of the pre-Conquest era remains scarce, but it is most certain that the number of conflicts that took place before the Conquest exceed the battles that transpired during the Targaryen dynasty's reign.

True, they are hints dragons existed before Old Valyria. The most logical conclusion I have come to on that is that Targaryens reinvented the wheel, so to speak. Perhaps an empire, Great Empire of the Dawn, before that knew how to breed dragons similar to the Valyrians. They eventually learned how to do so by acquiring the knowledge on blood magic.

Septon Barth has been established by the narrative to be a reliable source of information. Dragons did most likely exist before Old Valyria, but the point put forward by Septon Barth's claims is that the dragons used by Valyrians were, to put it in sci-fi terms, genetically engineered by the Valyrians. Perhaps they obtained the knowledge on how-to from Asshai.

Since he is a eunuch, he cannot have children. My guess is that he impregnated the Daughter of the captain of the Myraham. That child will be his heir.

So immediately after Ned came to Starfall, Ashara had somehow been contacted by Varys that Aegon was saved and she should fake her death to come and serve him? You are telling me that people in the Dayne household went through a lot of trouble to hide Allyria's true parentage because she is a bastard? In a region that doesn't stigmatize bastards in comparison to the rest of Westeros? According to GRRM: It'd be an exaggeration to say that Brandon died before he could have children. It's established in the books that he was no virgin. He could very well have left behind some little Snows in the various places he visited. But what's absolutely clear is that he had no legitimate children. When also look at Barbery's perspective of Brandon, then it's quite clear that Brandon was just like Robert. A man whore.

In TWOIAF, we found out that Septon Barth wrote a book on how Valyria acquired it's dragons. In his book, Barth makes the bold claim that Old Valyria made their dragons from bloodmagic. I do believe his claim to be the truth. Why? Most of what Septon Barth claims, turns out to be the truth. Septon Barth made another bold claim that the Children of the Forest taught the men of the Night's Watch how to speak through ravens, that using ravens as a means to transport letters is a degraded form. This claim turns out to be the truth, despite the Maesters disagreeing with this notion. He also claims that the seasons are a result of the higher mysteries and magic rather than natural causes, a notion that is again scoffed at by the Citadel. A notion that our author GRRM has confirmed to be the truth. By looking at those two examples, it's reasonable then to establish Barth as a reliable source of information. Blood magic seems to be capable of doing what Barth claims. According to TWOIAF, blood magic is capable of breeding two distinct creatures to create an entirely different one. Whatever Aerea encountered during her flight to Old Valyria seems to be a result of blood magic. Dragons do resemble wyverns and firewyrms After the Battle of Rook's Rest, Sunfyre is too injured to take flight and instead remained at the Rook's Rest. During this time, it's likened to wyrm by those that witness it crawling throughout the place. When Daenerys takes Quentyn to see her chained dragons, she wonders whether her dragons can dig tunnels similar to firewyrms. They could, to a certain degree. The strongest evidence of all, we find in Fire & Blood. Laena Targaryen, the daughter of Baela and Alyn, has an egg that hatches a creature that is for all intents and purposes, a wyrm. When you look at all these points, the most logical conclusion one can come to, is that yes. Targaryen dragons, or dragons from Old Valyria are a result of sorcerery and magic done by the Valyrians.

Why would they hide Allyria as Ashara's sister? Is she the daughter of Rhaegar? Cause if she was, at least hiding her existence would make sense, but in this scenario it doesn't because her life is not at risk if people knew her identity. Why would Ashara fake her death?

Ned thinks about his dead brother and sister more than he does about the women he supposedly was in love with once upon. If Ned was really the one who "dishonored" Ashara, he would've definitely thought about it once or felt guilty. I don't think loving someone prevents you from thinking about your exes.

My issue with it being Ned, is that we don't even get a clue of such a thing from Ned. Not even when Cersei brings up Ashara, does Ned react. Plus, does Ned even think of Brandon postively?

Whether or not it's Ned or Brandon, the problem with theories that state the father of Ashara's baby was a Stark is that the timelines don't make sense. Most of the theories state that Ashara's babe was conceived during the Tourney of Harrenhal, which happens in 281 AC. Since this is where Barristan states she was dishonored by a Stark. But part of the reason why Ashara dies by suicide is because she has a stillborn daughter. If her daughter was conceived during the Tourney, then it does not make sense for that to be the cause that makes her jump off a tower since by 283 AC, the year Ashara dies, the baby would have been already dead. If then the baby was not conceived during the tourney in Harrenhal, then it could not be Brandon since after the Tourney he dies and could not be Ned, since he spends most of his time fighting a war. Looking at the wiki, it seems like the Tourney of Harrenhal occured close to the end of the year, since it happens in 281 AC but it is stated Brandon dies in 282 AC. And after leaving the Tourney Brandon goes to Riverrun.

I've had this personally theory that Harrenhal can only be held by Kings, or at least the lineage of Kings. That's why every house that has been given Harrenhal dies out. Bran will most likely make Harrenhal his seat and new Capital once he is chosen as King, partly due to its proximity to the god's eye.

Oberyn poisoned Tywin, and I'm sure that was planned. It seems like the Martells want to undo Tywin's legacy, remove the Lannisters from power and see them turned into nothing. But that will most likely come with a cost. I don't buy this theory that Doran was late to his revenge, if anything his revenge is already in motion since he could be working with Qyburn.

A very insightful read, if I should say so myself. Especially for someone who has never read Stormbringer. The only question I have after reading it, is why would Daenerys be more affected by her dragons than any other Targaryen we have seen before her? Neither, Jaehaerys, Aemon, Baelon, Aegon the Conqueror or even Maegor are noted nor implied to be affected by their dragons to such a dragon that they take on their traits. Sort of unrelated, that sounds suspiciously similar to Skinchanging, since we know if you Skinchange into an animal for too long, you eventually take on it's traits.

Certainly, while some may interpret the situation as a manifestation of nepotism, it is important to consider the following perspective. Walys, by all accounts, is the individual who exerted influence over Rickard's decisions regarding the betrothals. This brings us back to the central argument that if there indeed exists a conspiracy within the higher echelons of the Citadel, it becomes conspicuously evident through the involvement of both Walgrave and Walys. The Citadel, as explicitly stated, upholds a inclusive ethos wherein any individual, regardless of their societal status, is welcome to join its ranks. Such a policy's effectiveness is evident through the presence of individuals from low backgrounds such as Pate. I comprehend the argument you are making concerning nepotism; however, it is imperative to acknowledge that Walys was an active participant in a machination that ultimately resulted in the decline of the Targaryen dynasty. This particular circumstance serves as a compelling indication that lends credence to the existence of the underlying anti-magic conspiracy formulated by the higher ups in the Citadel.

Tyrion is a Chimera; he is both the son of Aerys and Tywin. What is a human chimera? How does a human chimerism come about? Heterochromia, having congenitally different colored eyes, hair, or skin pigmentation—is the only visual phenotypic cue indicative of genetic chimerism, and Tyrion possess two of these in his eye and hair coloring. For example, this genetics study's section on "When to Suspect Chimerism" is fairly clear: Chimerism requires the mother to release two eggs within a day of each other. This is precisely how fraternal twins, such as Jaime and Cersei, are created when the eggs do not fuse together. Fraternal twins run in families because double ovulation is heritable, and women who have one set of fraternal twins are more likely to have a second set of fraternal twins than the average woman. Aerys lusted after Joanna Lannister, he took “liberties” during the bedding when she and Tywin were married, and they may have been involved before either was married - she was at court as one of Rhaella’s companions. The timeline of events presented in AWOIAF makes it possible for her to have been in the same place as Aerys at the time of Tyrion’s conception. Tyrion is figuratively a chimera: Tyrion embodies a striking resemblance to the mythical Chimera in a multitude of aspects. A Lannister, and known mainly as a lion, but he’s the goat of the family. Tywin hates him, goat's notorious inclination towards lustfulness. Moreover, his alliance with the mountain clans mirrors the adaptability of goats to rugged terrains. With an innate vindictive nature, Tyrion retaliates against his kin during his departure from King's Landing, evoking imagery of a serpent-like tail poised to strike back. He’s also described as pretty monstrous in appearance, given his dwarfism, differing eye colors, and his hair color. Notably, Tyrion's affinity for fire becomes evident during the Battle of Blackwater Bay, which intriguingly parallels his fascination with the dragons. Tyrion has dragon dreams: GRRM has explicitly and specifically chosen to inform readers that; Tyrion has physical features consistent with chimerism. Joanna was capable of double ovulation necessary for chimerism. Aerys–Tywin–Joanna love triangle likely existed, all of which are necessary but not sufficient for Tyrion to be a heteropaternal chimera. Tyrion is figuratively a chimera. Tyrion has dragon dreams just like Daenerys.

GRRM on the Night's Watch: Q: I assume that the Night's Watch does not pay the Black Brothers any wages in coin for their service - they get their provisions for free, after all. What I was wondering...how do the Brothers pay the whores in Moletown? Since they're not using coin, do they pay in naturalia filched from Night Watch' stores? I guess some women so far north would choose such a life (given that life is relatively harsher than farther south), even if they are not paid in coin... A: A lot of the Mole's Town transactions are paid by barter, certaintly, but there is coin at the Wall... not much, though, especially these days... (see following answer). Some coin comes north with the highborn brothers... someone like Ser Waymar Royce undoubtedly arrived well heeled, and I imagine families send gifts and such as well... and there's trade that goes in and out of Eastwatch... Second; do the Night's Watch receive funding and resources from Winterfell, the crown, or both? Some from both, certainly... but traditionally the main support of the Watch has come from the Gift, a broad belt of land immediately south of the Wall, which the Watch owns. There is more about this in ASOS. The northernmost half of this was "Brandon's Gift," the southern half "the New Gift." Historically the Watch farmed the former (the stewards) and taxed the latter. Of course, the decline in the size of the NW and the depopulation of the Gift have both have huge impacts... again, there's stuff about this is SOS.

Tyrion is a Chimera; he is both the son of Aerys and Tywin. Heterochromia, having congenitally different colored eyes, hair, or skin pigmentation—is the only visual phenotypic cue indicative of genetic chimerism, and Tyrion possess two of these in his eye and hair coloring. For example, this genetics study's section on "When to Suspect Chimerism" is fairly clear: Chimerism requires the mother to release two eggs within a day of each other. This is precisely how fraternal twins, such as Jaime and Cersei, are created when the eggs do not fuse together. Fraternal twins run in families because double ovulation is heritable, and women who have one set of fraternal twins are more likely to have a second set of fraternal twins than the average woman. Aerys lusted after Joanna Lannister, he took “liberties” during the bedding when she and Tywin were married, and they may have been involved before either was married - she was at court as one of Rhaella’s companions. The timeline of events presented in AWOIAF makes it possible for her to have been in the same place as Aerys at the time of Tyrion’s conception. GRRM has explicitly and specifically chosen to inform readers that; 1. Tyrion has physical features consistent with chimerism. 2. Joanna was capable of double ovulation necessary for chimerism. 3. Aerys–Tywin–Joanna love triangle likely existed, all of which are necessary but not sufficient for Tyrion to be a heteropaternal chimera.

Fire & Blood 2. I wanna know how the dragons died, and I feel like GRRM is not releasing it because it would spoil certain parts of TWOW and ADOS.

The Conclave, you know, the institution that controls the whole Maesters is the one that decides which Maesters goes to where. We are told by the books that Walys, is the son of the Archmaester Walgrave with a Hightower girl. Considering the potential involvement of a clandestine plot originating from the upper echelons, it stands to reason that an influential figure within that stratum would opt to dispatch his own offspring to execute the plot himself. The composition of the Citadel likely consists of individuals who do not belong to the noble class but rather hail from humble origins. In this scenario, it is highly probable that they would possess a deep understanding and compassion for those who bear the weight of oppression imposed by the nobility, or even the Targaryens. Regardless of the circumstances, the motivations behind the Citadel's desire to curtail the practice of magic need not be rooted in altruism or moral justifications for the theory to make sense or be true.

I mean that's the point, isn't it? That all the Great Houses are suddenly seeking marriages outside their domains, and most importantly, marriages with other great houses. We know marriages in a society such as Westeros, especially among the nobility are not done out of love, but to form alliances. The Great Houses were forming alliances amongst each other for some unknown reason. The friendships can explain something like Steffon sending Robert to be fostered in the Eyrie or Steffon being Aerys' hand. It doesn't explain all the great lords decide to form marriage alliances with each other. = Rickard is the one who sent Ned to the Eyrie. I don't think Jon specifically asked for Ned to be fostered there. My guess is that Steffon sent Robert to the Eyrie to be fostered due to the friendship they formed during the war of the ninepennys, Rickard took notice and thought it was a good opportunity. Oh, absolutely! It's totally ordinary and not at all bizarre to witness the Great Houses marrying each other. I mean, who wouldn't expect such an everyday occurrence? And of course, we should definitely avoid any discussions about the potential reasons behind this fascinating phenomenon. Because, you know, anyone who dares to question it must be desperately attempting to rationalize the sheer lunacy of good ol' Aerys. Brilliant reasoning there, folks! It's flawless! For sure! Because clearly, the whole purpose of this post is to highlight the undeniable truth that only the noble Targaryens, those paragons of inbreeding, are the only ones allowed to concoct elaborate conspiracies against their own kin. No one else in the entire realm is not allowed to do this. Bravo, Rhaegar! Keep up the remarkable work and remind us all of your family's exclusive monopoly on familial treachery.

I mean dragons are dangerous. The whole Dance shows it. The war was fought primarily using dragons and not men, and it caused a lot of damage. If there is a conspiracy, then it's most likely the conclave. They run the citadel and decide which Maester goes where. I never thought of this, perhaps it explains why the isn't many Skinchangers in Westeros anymore. Some people might have the ability to skinchanger, but due to Maester propaganda they never tried to learn how to control their ability or just didn't think they had it. Like the Clover Organization, they don't kill you but just tell you, your abilities aren't real which ends up making you suppress them and not use. Perhaps, since we are told Leyton and Malora Hightower are busy consulting magic tomes in their tower.

Tywin is the type of person to play both sides. Perhaps he saw the growing unintentional which would be a threat and wanted to join in. Or he wanted to nit it in the bud by marrying Cersei to Rhaegar and Jaime to Lysa. I can't remember where I read it, but the was a theory that stated Dorne is dying or undergoing rapid desertification so the Princess of Dorne was perhaps looking for alliances to eventually seek help? You bring up good points. Perhaps due to their friendships formed during the ninepenny war, Robert was fostered at the Eyrie.

Okay. Perhaps Aegon V's reforms caused the lords to become concerned on royal overreach. They might have believed that the crown was attempting to infringe upon their noble rights so they formed an alliance to potentially block such an attempt. Or maybe Rickard Stark was influenced by his Maester to form such an alliance in order to grow House Stark's power. Bingo! It has been never done. Perhaps a Stark would marry an Arryn, but a Stark-Baratheon, Stark-Tully and Tully Arryn marriages in one decade. Too much to be a coincidence.