Unanswered Questions?

[Gerold Hightower]

Yeah. Arianne thinks Quentyn has hired them for a coup to steal her birthright. But it's much more likely that they are on their way to Slavers Bay on their own behalf. Joining Dany in her quest to take back Westeros is the opportunity they have been waiting for all along.

[Galerian]

what ever happened to Hal Mullen and Ned's bones?

Greywater Watch. I don't think Reed would allow Ned's bones to fall in hand of the Iron-born occupying Moat Cailin. And as he was one of Ned's closests friends, I think Reed would have wanted to see Ned's bones in any case to pay his respects.

One of the easier questions

[Moosicus]

Yeah. Arianne thinks Quentyn has hired them for a coup to steal her birthright. But it's much more likely that they are on their way to Slavers Bay on their own behalf. Joining Dany in her quest to take back Westeros is the opportunity they have been waiting for all along.

This one gnaws at me a bit. If there's any descendant of Daemon Blackfyre or Bittersteel still with the Golden Company, he would see the Iron Throne as his birthright, not Dany's. I would imagine in that case they would only be supporting her through some sort of marriage pact. Of course, if there are no Targs with them anymore then they may just see Dany as a way of returning from exile, hoping that she will restore whatever lands and titles their families once held.

Greywater Watch. I don't think Reed would allow Ned's bones to fall in hand of the Iron-born occupying Moat Cailin. And as he was one of Ned's closests friends, I think Reed would have wanted to see Ned's bones in any case to pay his respects.

One of the easier questions

This is certainly possible, and once Howland had paid his respects he could arrange for the party to be led through the swamps and left to the north of Moat Cailin. I just don't see why the Ironborn wouldn't let a few guards and silent sisters through the moat, there aren't enough men to be a threat, and they're just escorting a corpse to the crypts. Victarion at least seems honorable enough to let them through.

[ironmaid]

Whatever happened to Benjen Stark?

Whatever happened to (insert the name of any Northerner you like)?

Is there gold in the village?

Is there silver? Gems?

Is there food?

Where is Lord Beric?

Where did he go?

How many men were with him?

How many knights?

[Lord Stark]

Lord Beric is dead, he gave the kiss of life to Un-Cat and then died as I recall from aFfC.

[CryHavoc]

Sorry if this is incredibly obvious, but whatever happened to all the random Northern lords? Did they all die at the Red Wedding or are they floating around somewhere?

[Lord Stark]

Important to note that not all the lords from the north went south with Robb. Many lords are still in the north and refuse to bend the knee to Bolton.

At the Red Wedding many of the army and some lords were killed, but I think it's stated somewhere that some of them were left alive. Most likely incase the Boltons have trouble woth their Houses in the north.

[overcomebyfumes]

Revised list of "Officially Unanswered Questions".

I must say that this is shaping up to be a really impressive list.

I am dropping the Asharra Dayne thing because I have now realized the crack-pot nature of the question. There's a lot that needs to be filled in there, but as things stand now, there's no real evidence that she may still be alive. <sniff>

I would've liked to include a question about the Jaquen=Syrio thing, but I feel that this may be crack-pot-ish as well.

So:

1). What is the true nature of the Others?

2). Where is Tyrek Lannister and why is he important? Did Varys stage the King's Landing riot to kidnap Tyrek and Sansa? Why?

3). Who told ser Mandon Moore to kill Tyrion?

4). What (or who) does Margaery Tyrell need Tansy Tea for?

5). Who is Rosby Giles' ward?

6). What ever happened to Hal Mullen and Ned's bones?

7). What happened to Benjen Stark?

8). What was Brienne's (last?) word?

9). Is Sandor Clegane the gravedigger?

10). Who will be next to betray Dany? Did Jorah's betrayal satisify the "betray for love" prophecy, or is there worse in store? Who of Dany's advisors would sell her out for gold?

11). What is Qyburn doing with Gregor Clegane's remains?

12). What is Hot Pie's real name?

13). What is the fate of Davos?

14). What's up with Quentyn Martell and the Golden Company?

15). What really happened with ser Loras and Dragonstone? Did they take the city or not? Is ser Loras injured or not?

16). Where is Lord Waters taking Cercei's fleet to?

17). The Blackfish - where has he escaped to? What's his plan?

18). Why have the Faceless Men infiltrated the Maester's Citadel?

19). Is ser Raynald Westerling still alive?

20). Which of the Northern Lords were killed at the Red Wedding? Which are still alive?

21). Is there gold in the village?

22). Is there silver? Gems?

23). Is there food?

24). Where is Lord Beric?

25). Where did he go?

26). How many men were with him?

27). How many knights?

Missed any?

[Lord Stark]

I just realized that ironmaid posted the questions asked by the Tickler

Anyways it looks like a good list so far.

What does Howland Reed know?

Who is the Knight of the Laughing Tree? (Howland or Lyanna?)

Where is Dark Sister?

Where is Rickon?

What did Howland Reed learn from the Green Men?

I'll post more when I think of them.

[ironmaid]

I just realized that ironmaid posted the questions asked by the Tickler

:cool:

Anyways it looks like a good list so far.

I concur, though I'd suggest (that's for you Overcome...) a sorting out of the list into the

heavy weight stuff and the lighter sort (such as What is Hot Pie's real name? or Who is Rosby Giles' ward? Of course the questions I posted earlier were a joke... so they can be stroked out).

[Galerian]

One question I always wondered about:

Why did Benjen Stark take the black?

[back_packn]

Revised list of "Officially Unanswered Questions".

I must say that this is shaping up to be a really impressive list.

9). Is Sandor Clegane the gravedigger?

OK, so we're leaving off the question of Jon's parentage because the answer is supposed to be obvious, but the question about Sandor is not?

[Slyfinger]

Check this shit out, son.

Who is the decendant of Dunk the Tall? IIRC, George said his relatives are running around... and could his relatives be the Tarths? His banner was described in a Brienne flashback.

[Sauron The Small]

Who is Coldhands?

What happened at Summerhall?

[Slyfinger]

Who is Coldhands?

What happened at Summerhall?

Summerhall... I think a lot of what happens has its roots there.

[overcomebyfumes]

One question I always wondered about:

Why did Benjen Stark take the black?

I don't know for sure, but it's not hard to figure. Benjen's the third brother. As such, he dosn't stand to inheirit anything.

Idealy, a third brother would want to find a Lord of X, who has a marrigable daughter but no sons. That way, when Lord of X dies, the third brother would become the new Lord of X.

If there is no Lord of X available, then options are pretty much limited to taking the black, becoming a Septon, or sponging off his parents and brothers. In the North, where taking the black would be the most honorable option, it's really not surprising that Benjen took the black.

Pax.

[thick]

I don't know for sure, but it's not hard to figure. Benjen's the third brother. As such, he dosn't stand to inheirit anything.

Idealy, a third brother would want to find a Lord of X, who has a marrigable daughter but no sons. That way, when Lord of X dies, the third brother would become the new Lord of X.

If there is no Lord of X available, then options are pretty much limited to taking the black, becoming a Septon, or sponging off his parents and brothers. In the North, where taking the black would be the most honorable option, it's really not surprising that Benjen took the black.

Pax.

All true except for the fact that this is usually true in the case of

1. lesser houses (take a look at the Freys, rich enough for old Walder to support his entire brood)

2. Houses with lots of sons (such as the Royces before the death of Robar).

Benjen is indeed a third son but his oldest brother is dead. There were probably only three male Starks when he joined the wall - himself, Ned, and a newly whelped Rob which is not really an ironclad future in a familly that would so recently just have lost a father, heir and sister.

I think there were probably other reasons which GRRM will whisk out.

[overcomebyfumes]

All true except for the fact that this is usually true in the case of

1. lesser houses (take a look at the Freys, rich enough for old Walder to support his entire brood)

2. Houses with lots of sons (such as the Royces before the death of Robar).

Benjen is indeed a third son but his oldest brother is dead. There were probably only three male Starks when he joined the wall - himself, Ned, and a newly whelped Rob which is not really an ironclad future in a familly that would so recently just have lost a father, heir and sister.

I think there were probably other reasons which GRRM will whisk out.

In a just and ideal world, as soon as GRRM finishes TSoIaF, he'll immeadiately start a prequel series running from the annointing of King Aerys to the battle of the Trident. Reading ASoIaF, I get the feeling that we're getting half a story, and the lesser half at that. The more I read and discuss, the more I find that I'm much more interested in what happened before this story started.

I don't think Benjen was a criminal or forcably exiled to the wall, there's no evidence for that. I chalk it up to the family honor until there's evidence to the contrary.

Pax.

[cybroleach]

IIf there is no Lord of X available, then options are pretty much limited to taking the black, becoming a Septon, or sponging off his parents and brothers. In the North, where taking the black would be the most honorable option, it's really not surprising that Benjen took the black.

It not that bleak of a choice his father probably willed him a little money and he can always go work for another Great Lord if he doen't want a position at Winterfell under his brother. He could also become a sailor, join the city guard at White Harbor or KL (most likely as the LC), be a traveling tourny champion, some other postion of athority in KL, and many such other endevors that befit his staition. And i doubt it considered unhonorable for a younger brother to work within his family as every house seems to do it (sept Royce he booted out his younger kids which got them killed).

[Lord Stark]

I've never understood why people think there must be some other reason for Benjen joining the Night's Watch. Well the only family we know that the Starks have outside them is the Tully's, this leads me to believe that it's common for the youngest son to join the Night's Watch to keep up the image that service still holds honor.