The Dothraki aren't just a homage or reference. GRRM just wanted Genghis Kahn and a Mongol horde... Fermented Milk, Milk with blood in it. The honorific Khal rather than Kahn. Anyone else notice the more subtle Lovecraft reference... As well as several Dagon's there's a couple of characters described as being pale and unhealthy looking, with bulging frog-like eyes. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Iron Islands is called Innsmouth... Also, it's more of a trope I suppose, but Jon Snow should have learnt from Luke Skywalker and Peter Parker... Uncle Ben is around long enough to teach you something, then he dies. Them's the uncle Ben rules.
