Wind's Points of View.

[unBloodraven]

Well, what is strongly possible is that, seing the groups that are now, we'll have les povs:

Barristan, Tyrion, Victarion, (Dany): together.

Jaime, Brienne: together.

Theon, Asha; together.

Arianne, Aeroh: together.

Jon, Melisandre: together.

I'm inclined to agree with groupings like this. One of the positive aspects of everyone moving to the same locations by the end of aDwD is that the plots can be covered by one POV instead of multiple without losing much.

[Browncoat]

Just because two or more characters are in the same region doesn't mean that there should be fewer POVs. I want Asha AND Theon POVs, because they are both great characters that I care about.

The most economic storytelling is not necessarily the best.

[unBloodraven]

Thought for the Prologue POV that we might see is someone on Skagos, which will fill in the Rickon/Osha line and Davos. Since there are cannibals there that person could be cooked which would fufill the unfourtunate deaths we always have in the Prologue POVs...

[dreamcatcher]

Just because two or more characters are in the same region doesn't mean that there should be fewer POVs. I want Asha AND Theon POVs, because they are both great characters that I care about.

The most economic storytelling is not necessarily the best.

Um, well if you have 2 characters together that means you can have 3 chapters of char. A and 3 chapters of char. B, and tell as big a chunk of story as you would have if you had 6 chapters for each of the two separate characters.

[Browncoat]

Um, well if you have 2 characters together that means you can have 3 chapters of char. A and 3 chapters of char. B, and tell as big a chunk of story as you would have if you had 6 chapters for each of the two separate characters.

Right. I'm saying that if a story thread is to be delivered in six increments, and I'm given a choice between 6 Theon chapters or 3 Theon and 3 Asha chapters, I'll take the latter. I don't believe that reducing the number of POVs is something Martin absolutely must do to make a good Book 6 and Book 7.

I'm actually sort of sad to hear that Martin is trying to avoid introducing new POVs, because one of the joys of reading these books is the surprise that comes from turning a page after a chapter ends and seeing whose chapter is next.

[bemused]

While I'm really looking forward to Sansa POVs , I can't think that she'll ever rule Winterfell . Even if she could ( so far, at least ) prove that her marriage was never consummated, we don't know how Robb worded his will / edict. If he didn't spell out his reason..that could be against her.

I don't think that's the most important reason , though . I have a feeling it will prove to be necessary that the ruler of WF have his / her direwolf , like the old kings did , as evidenced by the statues in the crypts..Perhaps , in winter , there must not only be a Stark in WF , but a Stark bonded with a direwolf ... for magical / Bran the builder reasons.

It may be very important that there be a few candidates of various ages to see them through the winter , should it last really long.

I can see Sansa filling some vital secondary role in WF ( say , helping to educate Rickon ) ..or to seal some important alliance through marriage .. or maybe eventually take on some role in Riverrun..almost anything but Lady of Winterfell.

[protar]

While I'm really looking forward to Sansa POVs , I can't think that she'll ever rule Winterfell . Even if she could ( so far, at least ) prove that her marriage was never consummated, we don't know how Robb worded his will / edict. If he didn't spell out his reason..that could be against her.

I don't think that's the most important reason , though . I have a feeling it will prove to be necessary that the ruler of WF have his / her direwolf , like the old kings did , as evidenced by the statues in the crypts..Perhaps , in winter , there must not only be a Stark in WF , but a Stark bonded with a direwolf ... for magical / Bran the builder reasons.

It may be very important that there be a few candidates of various ages to see them through the winter , should it last really long.

I can see Sansa filling some vital secondary role in WF ( say , helping to educate Rickon ) ..or to seal some important alliance through marriage .. or maybe eventually take on some role in Riverrun..almost anything but Lady of Winterfell.

I feel the exact opposite. Sansa is imo destined to be Lady of Winterfell and to rule the Starks/Hardyngs because she alone of the Stark children is in the position to gain some political know how. Also her marriage to Harry Hardyng has the potential to unite the North, Vale and the Riverlands, and gods know we need something like that to boost the story along.

Also, while I certainly agree the Direwolves are important, there's nothing to suggest there needs to be a Direwolf at Winterfell, in winter or otherwise. The current generation of Starks is the only one we know of to have pet direwolves. It's likely that a long time ago the Starks did keep direwolves more regularly, but considering the long gap without Stark direwolves I think it's safe to say it's not a neccessity.

[bayrodney]

My Opinion, my predicted POV's (including deaths & actions):

- Dany (Getting herself to Westeros, even if she is smuggled there)

- Tyrion (Will join Dany)

- Jon S (Never died - Wilding/Nights Watch/Others 3-way war)

- Sansa (Saved by Davos on his way back to Westeros with Rickon)

- Arya (Will come back to Westeros)

- Theon (Death - sacrifice?)

- Davos (Saving Rickon and Sansa)

- Jamie (Will meet Stoneheart and be sent to kill Cersei, he will die the same time he kills her)

- Samwell (Pate will have some influence over Sam)

- Cersei (Robert Strong will champion her and she will win and be reinstated Regeant)

- Brienne (Adventure on with Jamie)

- Aeron (?)

- Victarion (Death similarly to Quentyn)

- Arianne (?)

- Asha (Death)

- Areo (?)

- Barristan (Death defending Dany)

- Jon C (Death)

- Melisandre (Death - which will turn Stannis away from the Red God)

Not POV:

- Bran (We will see Bran subtly through his warging into Weirwood Tree's and communicating with other characters - he will find Benjen)

Prologue:

- Galbart Glover (I just really want to see Greywater Watch - it is NOT a coincidence that Jon's supposed death, Robb's letter of an heir, and Howland Reed have all conveniently been put in the same basket).

This is only a wild stab in the dark

[Invicticus]

The main character I'd like to know of the whereabouts is the Blackfish.

Yeah, i hope we get some more information on him. He is kinda badass.

[Arkash]

- Victarion (Death similarly to Quentyn)

That would be way too redundant.

[bemused]

protar... So far there are only hints , seemingly random bits of information here and there about the direwolves , but I do think they could eventually add up to something. What that something will be ,only GRRM knows , but I don't think the direwolves are there just to be cool and interesting.

All the old King's statues have their direwolves at their feet ,while direwolves are not mentioned when speaking of the Lord's statues.The Starks bent the knee after the last long winter. Now the threat of another long winter looms, and the direwolf pups appear.( Many people speculate the mother wolf was "ridden" there by Bloodraven or CoTF, which certainly seems possible. ) I doubt that the statue wolves are just symbolic , but rather , serve some practical purpose(s).

There has been a lot of speculation about what ,exactly, is in the lower crypts under Winterfell . People don't go there ; we're told it's dangerous ,and blocked in some way or other. It made me think of the gate under the Nightfort ,and how only a brother of the NW could get it to open. I wondered if only a Stark could access the lower crypts and not just someone with some Stark blood , but a Stark who is bonded with a direwolf...Well, I don't want to highjack this thread, but that's just one possible example of how important a direwolf could be. It may be something like that ,or something else entirely , or a combination of reasons, but I think it's important.

Direwolves aside , while I think Sansa is on the road to developing some excellent political skills..she has the social graces and is learning political maneuvering from a master ... she doesn't have the military tactical knowledge or experience that would be necessary in the present and coming conflicts.I think she'd be an excellent ambassador , adviser or member of a King's council , though.

[protar]

protar... So far there are only hints , seemingly random bits of information here and there about the direwolves , but I do think they could eventually add up to something. What that something will be ,only GRRM knows , but I don't think the direwolves are there just to be cool and interesting.

All the old King's statues have their direwolves at their feet ,while direwolves are not mentioned when speaking of the Lord's statues.The Starks bent the knee after the last long winter. Now the threat of another long winter looms, and the direwolf pups appear.( Many people speculate the mother wolf was "ridden" there by Bloodraven or CoTF, which certainly seems possible. ) I doubt that the statue wolves are just symbolic , but rather , serve some practical purpose(s).

There has been a lot of speculation about what ,exactly, is in the lower crypts under Winterfell . People don't go there ; we're told it's dangerous ,and blocked in some way or other. It made me think of the gate under the Nightfort ,and how only a brother of the NW could get it to open. I wondered if only a Stark could access the lower crypts and not just someone with some Stark blood , but a Stark who is bonded with a direwolf...Well, I don't want to highjack this thread, but that's just one possible example of how important a direwolf could be. It may be something like that ,or something else entirely , or a combination of reasons, but I think it's important.

Direwolves aside , while I think Sansa is on the road to developing some excellent political skills..she has the social graces and is learning political maneuvering from a master ... she doesn't have the military tactical knowledge or experience that would be necessary in the present and coming conflicts.I think she'd be an excellent ambassador , adviser or member of a King's council , though.

I didn't say that the wolves were just there to be interesting and cool. I actually agree that one of them (Ghost me thinks, warged by Jon.) could open the lower levels of Winterfell's crypts and the others have their parts to play as well. But I don't think there's some magic spell meaning there needs to be a Stark Direwolf at Winterfell, as there's no evidence of that considering the hundreds of years without Stark Direwolves. You've also got your timelines muddled up. The Starks did not bend the knee after a long winter, but after Aegon's Conquest, so that doesnt really help with your theory. So to reiterate, I beleive that the Starks used to have Direwolves long ago, and that the current wolves will be important, but not that they are magically neccessary.

[protar]

Also aout Sansa' miltiary ability, sure she's never going to be a battle commander, but she can easily learn something of tactics. Plus she's got plenty of potential advisors to help here on that count. I foresee a Stannis/Jon/Sansa trifecta coming up at some point, so hopefully their skills could all round eachother's out. For me it just seems that Sansa offers more narrative potential by becoming lady of winterfell than the other Stark kids do.

[bemused]

protar.. I didn't mean to imply that you thought the direwolves were there for purposes of cool ..but that in reading around, plenty of people are just sort of fixated on that aspect..you know , like who has the baddest sword ,or other neat accessory..;)

I stand corrected on the timeline, of course. I blush ..but it doesn't really alter the idea much, since I don't really have a theory..just a bunch of ideas that I think will be important , or come into play , somehow. I do feel the wolves are magically necessary, somehow , though not necessarily to gain access to the crypts , that's just a possibility that came to mind. ( maybe I should start a thread )

I guess one of the things that really draws me is the " The lone wolf dies , but the pack survives " The Stark children have all been forced, one way or another , into a lone wolf position and I think they will have to reform into a pack to survive or prevail . Thinking of them as a pack, I can't really see Sansa as Alpha.( though I believe LF is in for a nasty awakening , if he thinks he can keep her under his control )

[Pekazh]

I'm expecting a little bit of change twist in the main POVs for this book. Obviously the name points to more action in Westeros instead of free cities.

Theon is dying sooner rather than later, but Asha has to stay alive, since she will be the POV we will have on the future battles of the north.

I don't think we are going to get any views on Jon Snow in the first half of the book, no matter what's actually happening with him. We are more likely getting a few Mel chapters to know whats happening on the wall.

Since Tyrion is joining Dani's side, that will make it 3 POV on the same side in the same place. Obviously one too much, i'm putting my money on Barristan dying, I just hope GRRM gives him the epic death he totally deserves, not like Ned's. Victarion is getting in this place too, I'm giving him no more than 3 chapters to live, surely he is going to fail with taming a dragon as did Quentyn.

I have no clue what Martin has in mind for Brienne/Jaime, I'm expecting UnCat to make them cut some deal, which includes both of them. So we gonna get just one of them as POV for the most of the book, i'dd put my money on Brienne for the one Martin is going to choose to present the action.

Surely we are going to get more Sansa chapters, since the Vale needs some movement and getting more involved in the war. I'm actually quite exciting to see what Littlefinger is planning to do - might he consider helping JonCon and Aegon? I'm sure it will be known by the end of this book what his plan actually is.

Speaking of JonCon and Aegon, we are getting one more POV in there too - Arienne, i got the feeling JC won't survive this book, which will make the political situation even more interesting. Not expecting more than three chapters of Arienne tho, it's obvious Jon is the one Martin wants us to see the story trough.

We have Davos as well, we have to get a fair amount of his chapters too, so we get to know whats happening with Rickon.

I'm not expecting many chapters about Sam, i don't see him fitting in this book yet, skipping this one would give the audience the feeling that he was learning for so long time he is ready as maester. Sounds reasonable to me.

Arya is going back to Westeros, most likely with Stannis' sellswords, but who knows. I'm expecting her POV in the second half of the book, maybe we going to get one in the first too, but no more.

At last, Kings Landing. We have Cersei there, but her being the only POV in there is not quite working well. I'dd rather have another one - Lady Nim?, but who knows what twist will take place and which of the other POVs might end up there.

So after reviewing all this, my conclusion is that we are going to get Sansa as one of the leading POVs alongside Tyrion, Asha, Cersei and Davos. I think Tyrion is going to tell us the most of whats happening with Danny, so I think she's just going to be a secondary POV in this one. As I said we are not going to get much of Arya and Sam, depending on what happened with Jon Snow we going to get some with him later on as Ghost or something else. Barristan, Vict, Theon will die fast and for good.

Main POVs - Tyrion, Asha, Cersei, Davos and Sansa.

Secondary POVs - Danny, JonCon, Arya, Melisandra and Brienne.

Backup POVs(3-4 chapters each) - Arienne, Lady Nim, Victarion, Theon, Jaime, Sam and Jon Snow.

Deaths for Victarion, Theon after few chapters and Barristan, in order his death to be as epic as it's supposed it has to be from the eyes of someone else, so I don't think he is going to get a POV at all.

Now its looking like the usual setup Martin does: 5-6 main POVs, 5-6 secondary POVs and it has to have some less involved ones. Thoughts? :)

[Arkash]

I can't really see Sansa as Alpha.( though I believe LF is in for a nasty awakening , if he thinks he can keep her under his control )

There would be no Alpha since they all have their speciality...

But I doubt Bran will ever reunite with them better than via weirwood...

But Sansa, Arya, Rickon and Jon can really do one hell of a team !

I have no clue what Martin has in mind for Brienne/Jaime, I'm expecting UnCat to make them cut some deal, which includes both of them. So we gonna get just one of them as POV for the most of the book, i'dd put my money on Brienne for the one Martin is going to choose to present the action.

No, Jaime !

Brienne is aware of what happened with Uncat, and that will be a surprise for Jaime who just naivly follows her ! He'll fall into the trap without being anywhere near of it ! Brienne would give away too much !

Not expecting more than three chapters of Arienne tho, it's obvious Jon is the one Martin wants us to see the story trough.

Again, I disagree, I dont think JC will have so much PoV, we already know there are two Arianne PoV that take place before Storm's End is even taken. I guess Arianne will be one of the characters with the most PoV in the next book.

She's quite the only one we have to see what happens in Dorne, the Reach and the Stormlands.

Areo doesnt count since he's with Doran in Sunspear.

And JC... well, I dont see this one getting more than two chapters.

At last, Kings Landing. We have Cersei there, but her being the only POV in there is not quite working well. I'dd rather have another one - Lady Nim?, but who knows what twist will take place and which of the other POVs might end up there.

Her, Tyene, or a Tyrell, but we need someone else in King's Landing. GRRM said he didnt want to add PoV so the solution would be to make Arianne arrive as fast as possible there...

My main ideas about the main PoVs are :

Sansa.

Arianne.

Daenerys.

Asha.

Cersei.

Funny how I think this book will mainly be a feminine book ! Good thing if I'm right.

[bemused]

Hmmm.. I thought GRRM said there would be no new POV's from characters we haven't met yet..but we've "met" a number of characters who haven't had POVs to date , who could provide an interesting perspective.

E.g...it might be pretty interesting to view the aftermath of the attempt on Jon's life through the eyes of Val ,or Tormund , or Bowen Marsh.

In Mereen , what about Daario ( even though so many hate him ) or the Shavepate, or one of Dany's bloodriders who are searching for her ?

George could still surprise us quite a bit.

I'd love to get inside Mance's head....

[blackseer]

Hmmm.. I thought GRRM said there would be no new POV's from characters we haven't met yet..but we've "met" a number of characters who haven't had POVs to date , who could provide an interesting perspective.

E.g...it might be pretty interesting to view the aftermath of the attempt on Jon's life through the eyes of Val ,or Tormund , or Bowen Marsh.

In Mereen , what about Daario ( even though so many hate him ) or the Shavepate, or one of Dany's bloodriders who are searching for her ?

George could still surprise us quite a bit.

I'd love to get inside Mance's head....

If that is true, any debate is meaningless, since we have a few hundreds characters that we have met.

Nonetheless, I think the last few posters are ignoring the importance of Sam's POV and the position he is in right now.

- He is studying in the Citadel, the place where it will occur a Conclave right now and the next Grand Maester could be important.

- Also, there is the maester conspiracy theory, defended by a few characters.

- One of his colleagues is a Tyrell and he may bring the politics into the game, since Sam is a Tarly.

- Another is a Sand Snakes and they are all interesting. Also, she is a woman pretending to be a man in a institution forbidden for women. Remember Danny Flint?

- There is a Frey there.

- And a faceless man, whose mission is unknown so far, but he already has a key that can open many doors.

- Outside the Citadel, the ironmen are raiding Oldtown and Euron could be there at the moment.

- And Lord Hightower is trying everything to protect his city, even messing with magic.

- Lastly, it would be a nice place to learn about the Others, with so many knowledge in the city.

So, Sam would be my pick for a main POV, even if I doubt GRRM would give Sam more than 6 chapters. And I don't believe he will become a maester, at least not during the books.

[Pekazh]

No, Jaime !

Brienne is aware of what happened with Uncat, and that will be a surprise for Jaime who just naivly follows her ! He'll fall into the trap without being anywhere near of it ! Brienne would give away too much !

Again, I disagree, I dont think JC will have so much PoV, we already know there are two Arianne PoV that take place before Storm's End is even taken. I guess Arianne will be one of the characters with the most PoV in the next book.

She's quite the only one we have to see what happens in Dorne, the Reach and the Stormlands.

Areo doesnt count since he's with Doran in Sunspear.

And JC... well, I dont see this one getting more than two chapters..

Yeah, you might be right about Jaime/Brienne situation. I think tho GRRM has to write some more JonCon chapters if his death has to feel like a real disaster for Aegon's side. We need to know more about his plans and everything, so we can compare it to what will really happen when YG goes to doing the stuff alone. But we will see.

GRRM has a thing for women, they are much easier to kill, yet I don't think he killed more than 2 that are relevant to story - Catelyn and Shae. And you know, Cat is not kinda dead :D

Altho you might be right about Arienne, she wont give us that much info of whats happening inside the GC and other interesting things, I will be dissapointed if she's the main POV in that area.

[Plem]

Before I knew about Aeron and Arianne getting chapters I had these POVs in mind for TWOW:

Tyrion

He will probably not have so many chapters, just because I think that TWOW will mainly focus on what is happening on Westeros (hence the title). Out of all the people he on Essos he will get the most, though. I assume he and the sellswords will arrive in Meereen very soon, so he will be our eyes and ears there.

Daenerys

I imagine she'll only get one or two chapters, three tops, to establish where she is and where she is going. On the other hand GRRM mentioned that Mago will play an important part in TWOW, so Dany could end up with way more chapters.

Jon/Ghost or Melisandre

Melisandre was set up as a POV character in ADWD and I think he will use her to tell us about what is happening on the Wall from now on, with the readers thinking that Jon is really dead. At least for the first half of the book. In the second half it will be revealed that Jon is in Ghost now and we will start to get chapters from his POV.

Davos

I think he will be one of the most prominent characters in the book. He'll probably start off arriving on Skagos. If GRRM wanted to tell the story of his journey he would have done it in ADWD.

Theon or Asha

I don't think that both will get chapters. I'd bet my money on Theon though, just because he is more established.

Connington

I think it's necessary to give him quite a few chapters in order to make us care about Aegon, who is a major player now.

Sansa

She is the only Stark child left who can have a substantial amount of chapters. I don't think that we will see Bran again as Bran until A Dream of Spring and we won't see much of Arya, because she is still in training. Sansa will probably have the most chapters in the book.

Arya

As mentioned before, she'll probably be still in training and we won't see much of her. One or two chapters tops, though I wouldn't put it past GRRM to leave her out of TWOW completely and then bring her back in A Dream of Spring out of the blue.

Jaime

As someone else here said, Brienne knows too much about what is going on with UnCat so we will see all the events through Jaime's eyes. I also think that he will die in this book and that Brienne will get one or two chapters to describe what is happening, but maybe not until A Dream of Spring.

Cersei

We need someone in King's Landing. That's all.

Barristan

If Tyrion or Dany don't return to Meereen in the first half of the book, Barristan will probably be our eyes and ears there. Though I don't think he will survive TWOW.

Victarion

Don't know why exactly we need him, but GRRM made a point of naming his last chapter in ADWD Victarion, instead of using a descriptive title, which makes me think that he will play an important part in TWOW.

Samwell

Yeah, well, he's in Oldtown and important things are happening there.

I was hoping that GRRM was done with the one-off characters like Areo Hotah, but the fact that Aeron gets a chapter doesn't seem to support that. Or maybe he is actually going to have a real storyarc and all my doubts will be washed away. I also hope that we are done with those weird chapter titles. Either call everyone by their first name (except for Jon Connington maybe, although it would be funny if his first chapter chapter was titled Jon and then everybody goes like "oh ... that Jon") or use descriptive titles for everyone. This back and forth is terrible for my OCD.