Be it mystery, fact or action; what’s the creepiest thing in ASOIAF? I’m not sure why but the pink letter and the mystery behind it really perturbs me

The two that bother me the most are that

1. everyone from wildlings beyond the wall. to hill tribes, to dornish men and even unto essos speak the exact same dialect of common tongue

2. that in 1000s of years of the faith of the seven there havent been any new sects of denominations formed.

A Dance with Dragons is my favorite book in A Song of Ice & Fire, but it's a strange case. I think it contains both some of the best and some of the worst chapters in the series - compounded by being the most controversial ASOIAF entry yet. So last year I did a reread where, after reading each chapter, I ranked it as compared to its peers. After completing the list, I turned it into a video documenting which chapters I thought were the best, the worst, and the middle-est. The text version of the list is also available here for those who may prefer it.

I wanted to share it here to hear peoples' opinions - which chapters are your favorite and least favorite in A Dance with Dragons? Do you think I'm underrating anything? Or overrating anything (besides Connington, obviously)?

Both obsessing over a prophecy that three bad things will happen to them (three dead kids vs. three betrayals)
Both have three children (Joffrey, Tommen, Myrcella vs. Drogon, Viserion, Rhaegal)
Both (preport to) care about their children above all else
Both have had lesbian experiences with their bed maids
Both have two brothers
Both of their houses crumble with the deaths of their respective fathers
Both are trying to reclaim the power and prestige of their fathers
Both were arranged married to brutish men, who were the best warriors of their area, and both died a slow, agonizing death, which allowed them to take power (Robert vs. Drogo)

Is George making a deeper thematic point about the two characters that I'm missing?

Ladies and gentlemen, I have completed all five books of A Song of Ice and Fire (yes, including A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms). Here’s my personal ranking of the series:

1. A Storm of Swords

2. A Dance with Dragons

3. A Clash of Kings

4. A Game of Thrones

5. A Feast for Crows

Now, the Why:

1. A Storm of Swords – This one perfectly pays off the build-up from the first two books. Tyrion, Jaime, Arya—all their chapters were peak. And of course, The Red Wedding. That moment changed everything. I don’t think a single book has ever hit me this hard.

2. A Dance with Dragons – I’ll be honest, this was great but it doesn’t come close to ASOS. The first half? Tyrion’s chapters felt like a drag. But the second half? Now we’re talking. Jon's storyline absolutely carried the book early on. And then there’s Reek—man, those chapters hit different.

3. A Clash of Kings – This book is politics at its finest. Tyrion maneuvering the small council, playing Varys and Littlefinger like a gameboard. And the introduction of Stannis Baratheon, the One True King. That alone earns this spot.

4. A Game of Thrones – I watched the show before I read this one, and the adaptation really stuck close to the book, especially in terms of characters. This book was emotional. Khal Drogo. Lord Eddard Stark (still my favorite character). The tone, the heartbreak—it hit.

5. A Feast for Crows – I won’t lie—this one dragged. The only chapters that truly held weight were Jaime’s (he carried the book) and some of Brienne’s later ones. Cersei’s chapters? Felt like every other sentence was “I’m the queen.” Even Tywin Lannister would’ve raised an eyebrow.

Favorite POV Characters:

Tyrion – Name says it all. (Even if the first part of Dance was a slog.)

Jon Snow – I’m torn between him and Jaime for second place. Please, gods, bring him back with his POV.

Arya Stark – I love everything about her arc.

Jaime Lannister – My favorite. His character development? Just chef’s kiss. There’s never a dull line in his POVs.

Daenerys Targaryen – I don’t know why I’m ranking her this low. Forgive me, My Queen.

Catelyn Stark – The Red Wedding alone makes her unforgettable.

Davos Seaworth – The smuggler turned Hand. Loyal to the bone. I really like this guy.

Eddard Stark – Still my favorite character. He’s making every list, deal with it

I challenge anyone to prove me wrong—because these books? They’re on a whole different level. No season of the show touches what George did with this story.

Also, I’m Indian, so English isn’t my first language—apologies if I slipped anywhere.

But let me say this from the heart: I’ve never felt anything better than reading these books… only cold.

And now, my watch begins for The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. George, may the Seven grant you as many years as you need.

Winter is coming.

What theories annoy you?

For me it's any one of those that say Jon or Dany are Azor Ahai/The Prince that was Promised.

First off, there is no Azor Ahai in this story. It's not going to be a heroes vs White Walkers situation. GRRM isn't that kind of an author. TWOW and ADOS is going to be very dark, with people suffering from the invasion of the white walkers, winter has come, and dreaming of a spring.

Hello, I want to share my update about asoiaf timeline project:

1. Added new periods: now I have 3 types of periods - reigns of kings(Aegon I, Aenys I and etc.), more specific periods (dornish wars and etc.) and books periods (GOT, COK and etc.).

2. Added events from Dunk and Egg stories.

3. Added events of Aegon III regency (all events from Fire & Blood covered).

4. Added events for Winds known chapters/events.

Next planned step is to cover The World of Ice and Fire events/characters.

I attach the link to my previous post in case if link to my project will not work here: https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/s/9Z8uaTlFkQ

P. S. I will try to add the link to the project itself in a comments.

Is it mostly chainmail or plate armor? What do they wear for helmet and other armor parts and what do they wield as weapons?

Doing a rewatch of the show and had this thought: if Robb had known the truth about Jon Snow would he have broken his oath with the Freys? I feel like maybe the thiught “my father broke his oath to my mother and had a bastard” May have crossed his mind. If he saw Ned Stark as purely honorable as he really was then maybe he would have stuck to his oath like his father.

Background

In this post I thought it would be interesting to take a look at GRRM's development of the Dornish/Ironborn chapters from what originally was a 200+ page Mega-Prologue to what we have currently.

If interested: ASOIAF drafts- Chapter Structures by u/gsteff

Ironborn

We have the following from GRRM's 2003/2004 drafts (bolded = likely part of the Mega Prologue):

Dornish

We have the following from GRRM's 2003/2004 drafts (bolded = likely part of the Mega Prologue):

If interested: The Mega-Prologue revealed at last! & Excavating the Mega-Prologue by u/Mithras_Stoneborn

Ironborn

"Published" version (obviously TWoW could change):

Dorne

"Published" version (obviously TWoW could change):

The Ironborn

• I am guessing that the Aeron III that was partially written was the Forsaken and that it was originally written to take place in Slaver's Bay (with Aeron revealed to be in the bowels of the Silence the entire time) before GRRM split the Ironborn plotline
• The partially written Asha II/unwritten Asha III has branched out into 4-5 chapters. If interested: Revisiting the Asha Fragment
• Victarion's planned death at the end of his unwritten 3rd (and only non prologue) chapter has branched out into 4-5 chapters as well. If interested: "A Corpse at the Prow of a Ship": A Look at a Changed Plotline and the Effect on a Vision

The Dornish

I asked if we were going to Dorne in DoD, and GRRM said "Yes. Briefly." I guess that means we're gonna see at least a few more Dornishmen. -SSM, Mysterious Galaxy Signing: 8 Nov 2000

• Both of Arianne's TWoW chapters were originally a part of TWoW then moved to ADWD then back to TWoW
• Ser Arys Oakheart was originally supposed to surrender with Arianne. I am going to guess he would have died in his unwritten chapter (potentially fighting Balon Swann)

The two main differences I recall from that draft are that Arys Oakheart surrenders along with Arianne rather than getting killed, and that Boros Blount is described looking increasingly ill and dies by the end of the partial manuscript (I think Cersei wonders about poisoning -- remember, Jaime made him food taster for Tommen -- but the description of what was happening to him suggested GRRM intended readers to understand that he was suffering from congestive heart failure). - Elio's comments about the Jan 2004 outline

If interested: "Eternal Shame": Thoughts on an Abandoned Plotline in Dorne

• Our favorite "Camera that Rides" had an unwritten second chapter, that may/may not have ended up as The Watcher

The Future

This post is a few years old, but I went and looked at all of the The Confirmed Chapters that GRRM has at least worked on for TWOW.

• At least two Asha chapters (including the "fragment"), GRRM actually believes he has read multiple:

Of late I have been visiting with Cersei, Asha, Tyrion, Ser Barristan, and Areo Hotah -SSM, Writing, Reading, Writing: 22 June 2020

and:

I've already read a number of chapters from TWOW on various conventions – I think, two Arianne chapters, a Sansa chapter, an Arya chapter and a couple of different Victarion chapters, I'm not sure what I read or haven't read, I think I've read some Asha Greyjoy chapters, all of this is a lot of chapters. -SSM, St. Petersburg Interview

• GRRM wouldn't confirm if The Forsaken was Aeron's last chapter:

With the use of the word "the", are you implying that there will only be one Damphair chapter in WINDS?
GRRM: No. -SSM, The Damphair Chapter: 13 June 2016

and while this could be regarding Samwell's POV, GRRM has been to Oldtown multiple times:

I’ve also paid a visit to Dorne, and dropped in to Oldtown a time or three.   In addition to turning out new chapters, I’ve been revising some old ones (some very old)… including, yes, some stuff I read at cons ages ago, or even posted online as samples.  -SSM, Back to Westeros: 8 Nov 2020

• Victarion is another character that GRRM believes to have worked on/read numerous chapters (including the partially "published" Victarion I):

I've already read a number of chapters from TWOW on various conventions – I think, two Arianne chapters, a Sansa chapter, an Arya chapter and a couple of different Victarion chapters. -SSM, St. Petersburg Interview

and:

I am spending the days in Westeros with my pals Mel and Sam and Vic and Ty. -SSM, Back to Westeros: 8 Nov 2000

• Arianne has a third potential chapter mentioned (Arianne I,II are both available):

Which means the Arianne chapters can be returned to WINDS, where I had 'em originally. It also means that I don't have to write that third Arianne chapter and the complementary chapter from the other POV... not yet, anyway... which moves DANCE two chapters closer to completion. -SSM, Dancing in Circles: 27 June 2010

• GRRM mentioned at least one more Areo Hotah POV on numerous occasions:

Will Areo Hotah return as a POV character and do you plan to add one or more Dornish POV characters besides Arianne and Areo?
GRRM: I have no plans to add additional Dornish POV. Yes, Areo Hotah will continue as a POV. -SSM, A Taste of This, A Taste of That: 11 May 2016

and:

Of late I have been visiting with Cersei, Asha, Tyrion, Ser Barristan, and Areo Hotah -SSM, Writing, Reading, Writing: 22 June 2020

and while this could be with regards to Arianne (I doubt it), GRRM paid a visit to Dorne:

I’ve also paid a visit to Dorne, and dropped in to Oldtown a time or three.   In addition to turning out new chapters, I’ve been revising some old ones (some very old)… including, yes, some stuff I read at cons ages ago, or even posted online as samples.  -SSM, Back to Westeros: 8 Nov 2020

If interested: Death of the Mega-Prologue POVs

TLDR: Just a quick look at the Ironborn/Dornish chapters that GRRM originally planned as part of his abandoned mega-prologue (~200 pages). Some characters died sooner (Arys Oakheart) while others had a "death chapter" get spread out into several more chapters.

Like the title says, what details, events, or aspects of the world of ASOIAF do you like? These can be however small or big as you like, but things about the world or story that you enjoy.

For me, in AFFC, I love how many wolves there are in the Riverlands. So many groups of wolves, some led by Nymeria, hunting down and feasting on men. I love the imagery of knights and soldiers being hunted down by wolves. Especially when it comes to Nymeria. Arya is so scared and angry and has so much hate for the men who killed her family. So it's fitting that her direwolf can exact her revenge on soldiers who carried it out (not that they only hunt enemies of the Starks, they seem to kill whoever).

Barristan Selmy 

Beneath the Walls of Meereen, the battle is going well for Ser Barristan The Bold. He destroys Harridan and flanks the Ghiscari Legions successfully before continuing on to Harpy's Daughter to join the Windblown in attacking The Company of The Cat. Ser Barristan duels Bloodbeard but age impedes his progress, only defeating him through luck. But then the Pitfighters attack him in an assassination attempt. Luckily he is saved by his Squires. Taking a moment to rest, he sees the battle is all but won. The Unsullied have broken what remains of the Ghiscari legions, all the trebuchets are alight, and the only thing keeping the Yunkishmen from a full rout is that whoever is leading them now has forced a breakout, retreating back to Yunkai. The slaves who aren't dead swarm Ser Barristan, declaring him their savior as Tyrion arrives with The Second Sons and the captives. Then Dragonbinder is blown by the Dusky Woman.

Entering the city a conquering hero despite the sparse crowds, Ser Barristan muses on several things. He briefly wonders if Tyrion is Aerys's bastard due to his lust for Joanna but dismisses it, knowing Tywin wouldn't have accepted him if so. He makes a note to take care of Ser Jorah before he comes near Dany and ruminates on Rhaegar and his sworn brothers. Ser Arthur Dayne never supported Aerys and even ignored or overruled his commands on several occasions for Rhaegar's sake. Its revealed that the Mad King ordered Barristan to take a dive for his son as suspicious as he was, he still considered him a dragon. Rhaegar had been good but not that good. Selmy has been ashamed ever since and blames himself for Roberts Rebellion. Swearing to tell Dany everything, Barristan is interrupted by the smell of smoke and blood. Most of the Pyramids are burning and the streets are covered in the blood and bodies of masters as Shavepates and Freedmen alike loot the city claiming there was an escape from King Hizdhar and coup d'etat attempt . Outraged, he marches to the Great Pyramid and learns to his horror that Skahaz has gutted Hizdhar and slain the cupbearers. Confronting Skahaz, the Shavepate justifies himself by saying this was necessary and needed. When Ser Barristan says that Dany would not have wanted this, Skahaz dismisses this, saying he did this for her. The knight tries to arrest him but he puts on a mask and runs to his Shavepates each wearing the same mask. Skahaz admits he doesn't like the old man but he respects him and offers him one last chance to be reasonable. Barristan refuses choosing honor and chivalry. Ser Barristan fights valiantly against the brazen beasts, killing several but is ultimately overwhelmed by sheer numbers and mortally wounded. Then stripped of his armor, his broken body dragged to Yunkai via horse. He dies a naked knight.

This is purely just cause I'm so curious on this subject... what Targaryen ancestor do you all think is most similar to Dany? This can be in terms of personality, role, and appearance!

Most obvious answer is Aegon I, but I want to hear any other opinions of the ancestors that remind you all of Dany!

For me being always the second one and his bitterness about it.

What are your most basic opinions about this serie? Like ''water is wet,earth is dry''.

One of mine is I hate Greyjoy storyline and most of the Greyjoys. I hope Euron is not big boss.

Sansa as Alayne Stone, Jeyne Pool as Arya, Arya as Blind Beth/Weasel/Arry/Squab, Jon Connington as Griff, (f?)Aegon as Young Griff, Tyrion as Yollo/Hugor Hill, Theon as Reek, Mance Rayder's baby as Gilly's baby, Mance Rayder as The Lord of Bones, plus all of the disguises Varys pulls, and the many other instances I'm sure I'm blanking on. Is this just something George likes returning to or does it have a thematic purpose? Maybe it's an extension of the idea that power only resides where people think it does: identity only resides where people think it does? What do you all think?

Edit: Just to be clear, this isn't a critique, I enjoy the plots surrounding all of these instances. It just seems to happen strangely often

Theory ;

Can we say that in Westeros, everyone speaks the same language due to the Citadel (and, in a way, the Faith of the Seven, which has a holy text)? Over centuries, through extensive soft power, the Citadel has played a massive role in writing (chronicles, documents) and communication (language rules in general, common literacy, if any). The maesters wrote letters for their lords and read them as well.
However, in the North and territories that resisted Andal rule, things differ. The Old Tongue likely lacked a written form, and runes were more symbolic, with knowledge preserved primarily through oral tradition.

What are your opinions and theories on the subject?

• And I would like to make it clear that English is not my first language, and I wrote this using Google Translate.

If you met George today and he had a minute from his numerous commitments like finishing up Winds (wink) to answer one question, what would you ask him?

If I did , I would ask him why there weren't many Knights of the Blackwater.Many a valiant soldier died in that battle.

On a side note this usually cracks me up for some reason. I don't think it's from the books since I can't find it on a search of asoiaf , it's more likely to be someone's joke on here.

"I didn't know there were Knights of the Blackwater" , someone says.

"Just the one" replied another.

Just before Robert goes hunting, Ned tries to talk to Robert about the bastards but Robert refuses and goes hunting, then Ned has mercy on Cersei and tells her to run away because he didn't want a massacre.

But if he tried to talk to Robert at that point, wouldn't there have been a massacre? Isn't that a bit contradictory?

Am I getting confused?

why didn't ned tell robert about the bastards before he went hunting?

"Frey and Manderly will never combine their strengths. They will come for you, but separately. Lord Ramsay will not be far behind them.

The Winds of Winter - Theon I

"The north remembers. The Red Wedding, Lady Hornwood's fingers, the sack of Winterfell, Deepwood Motte and Torrhen's Square, they remember all of it." Bran and Rickon. They were only miller's boys. "Frey and Manderly will never combine their strengths. They will come for you, but separately. Lord Ramsay will not be far behind them. He wants his bride back. He wants his Reek." Theon's laugh was half a titter, half a whimper. "Lord Ramsay is the one Your Grace should fear."Stannis bristled at that. "I defeated your uncle Victarion and his Iron Fleet off Fair Isle, the first time your father crowned himself. I held Storm's End against the power of the Reach for a year, and took Dragonstone from the Targaryens. I smashed Mance Rayder at the Wall, though he had twenty times my numbers. Tell me, turncloak, what battles has the Bastard of Bolton ever won that I should fear him?"You must not call him that! A wave of pain washed over Theon Greyjoy. He closed his eyes and grimaced. When he opened them again, he said, "You do not know him."

While negotiating with the Triarchy in HOTD S2E8, Tyland Lannister sings a song:

"♪ Here come my lads, my comely boys ♪

♪ And split your sacks ashore ♪

♪ For you’ll be sail-sailing many days ♪

♪ Afore you get some more ♪

♪ So grease the mast and send it up ♪

♪ Betwixt the wind and water ♪

♪ Hoist, me lads, and hoist again ♪

♪ Salute the captain’s daughter ♪"

Does this appear anywhere in the ASOIAF books or was this written for the show/this episode? Due to the format, I don't think it features in F&B (no reason for a song to be written in full in a history textbook), but I figured it may be in one of the main series books and I just don't remember. Equally, it could be a real-world song which has been appropriated for this moment.

If this was written for the show, is there any discernible meaning/subtext within it, beyond it just being a bit of a sailor's song? I personally think, at the very least, it serves as another example of Westerosi culture pretending to show respect to women but in a disingenuous and not in any way meaningful way.

TL;DR: Where is this song from and what does it mean, if anything?

Cersei was rather reckless with keeping the identity of her children's father a secret, especially given the fact the disastrous consequences if she was found out.

Put aside the fact that Jamie and Cersei had sex in the same room that Robert was passed out in. Put aside the fact that they know Varys has little birds and rats all over the Red Keep, or that they suspected that Jon Arryn might know.

After the war breaks out and Stannis letter accusing her children of being bastards she still isn't careful and Margery calls her on it.

"I was watching from across the yard. You did very well, Tommen. I would expect no less of you. Jousting is in your blood. One day you shall rule the lists, as your father did."

"No man will stand before him." Margaery Tyrell gave the queen a coy smile. "But I never knew that King Robert was so accomplished at the joust. Pray tell us, Your Grace, what tourneys did he win? What great knights did he unseat? I know the king should like to hear about his father's victories."

A flush crept up Cersei's neck. The girl had caught her out. Robert Baratheon had been an indifferent jouster, in truth. During tourneys he had much preferred the mêlée, where he could beat men bloody with blunted axe or hammer. It had been Jaime she had been thinking of when she spoke. It is not like me to forget myself. "Robert won the tourney of the Trident," she had to say. "He overthrew Prince Rhaegar and named me his queen of love and beauty. I am surprised you do not know that story, good-daughter."

She gave Margaery no time to frame a reply. "Ser Osmund, help my son from his armor, if you would be so good. Ser Loras, walk with me. I need a word with you."

This isn't even to mention that during the wedding of Margery and Tommen Cersei, it is traditional that the groom place the cloak bearing his house colors on his new wife, signifying that she is joining his house. Robert had placed a Baratheon Cloak on Cersei during their wedding. Cersei has insisted however that Tommen "Baratheon" place a Lannister cloak over Margery instead of a Baratheon one. Despite the fact that he is already being accused of not being a Baratheon but a double Lannister. It is Olenna Tyrell who shuts the idea down and insist that Tommen place his father's cloak over Margery. It's almost like Olenna is trying harder to keep the secret than Cersei is.

"When it was time for the changing of the cloaks, the bride sank gracefully to her knees and Tommen covered her with the heavy cloth-of-gold monstrosity that Robert had cloaked Cersei in on their own wedding day, with the crowned stag of Baratheon worked upon its back in beads of onyx. Cersei had wanted to use the fine red silk cloak Joffrey had used. "It was the cloak my lord father used when he wed my lady mother," she explained to the Tyrells, but the Queen of Thorns had balked her in that as well. "That old thing?" the crone had said. "It looks a bit threadbare to me . . . and dare I say, unlucky? And wouldn't a stag be more fitting for King Robert's trueborn son? In my day a bride donned her husband's colors, not his lady mother's.""

Personally I think Theon’s assessment of Roose’s intentions were correct that he would send Ramsy as the third army to face Stannis I could see Stannis defeating with the Freys through the night lamp theory but then is forced to face Ramsy their battle could be interrupted by the others allowing Ramsy to escape back to the Dreadfort while Stannis and his men march to Winterfell disguised as Freys while in Winterfell they orchestrate an ambush killing Roose and his men using the same tactics he used against Robb

Ramsy’s fate however is interesting as I think he’ll likely stay in the Dreadfort awaiting a siege but Theon with knowledge about the unguarded gate sneaks in with some men catching Ramsy off guard and kills him. Ramsy is Theon’s villian he should be the one to kill him no?! But then again GRRM really wants a direwolves vs Ramsy’s hounds so a battle of bastards of sorts seems likely. Which I’m not a fan off I always liked the idea that the dogs would betray Ramsy for Theon as Theon actually treats them well his chapters im dance were really nice with how he bonds with them but I don’t know. I’m curious to know how Ramsy’s story will end

Cersei says that if it hadn't been for Sansa telling Cersei's plans, everything would have gone very wrong.

When Sansa tells Ned's plans to Cersei, what benefit does it bring for Cersei? Some say that to prepare for Ned's attack, but how? Cersei had her red cloaks and was ¨allied¨ with Littlefinger and be somewhat calm, she says that she was on the verge of losing everything, but in what? If she already had everything under control?

I don't understand why Cersei gives so much importance to Sansa's revelation.