Perfumed Seneschal: Who Plots Daenerys’ Doom? (Winds of Winter Theory)

Hello everyone! Today I'm going over theories as to the true identity of the Perfumed Seneschal in #asongoficeandfire, as well as speculating on their role in the story to come. What do you think? Is there anything I missed? What do you think of #houseofthedragon so far? Be sure to leave a comment, as well as like the video and subscribe if you enjoy. More #asoiaf content is on the way!
Thank you all for watching! Art in the thumbnail is by avvart on DeviantArt! Character art in this video is by TheMico!
My Twitter: / quinnthegm
00:00 The Nature of Prophecy
01:04 The Mysterious Quaithe
01:47 A Guide in Dreams
02:19 The Prophecy
02:41 Dire Warnings
03:46 An Early Draft
04:24 A Lingering Thread
04:38 Vocabulary Word of the Day
05:12 Who is the Seneschal?
05:33 The First Candidate
06:33 The Second Candidate
07:19 The Third Candidate
08:00 More Likely Candidates
08:59 BOAT TIME (it's boat time)
10:00 The Most Likely Candidate
11:22 Conclusions

[@kongming7684]

Garth Tyrell is the perfumed seneschal. He's seneschal of Highgarden, and his flatulence is his fragrance. Even Olenna says when a Tyrell farts it smells like Roses, sounds pretty perfumed to me

[@dgeezy5392]

Baelor is heir to the hightower your thinking of Garth the gross bro

[@eternalistmorqan9476]

Thats why its called the WINDS of winter…

[@kongming7684]

​@@dgeezy5392Corrected

[@sesshowmarumonoke]

It's Varys. He supposedly is a Targaryen restorationist, but he's not in it for them or even the realm - he's went on to cause a war so that he could replace the Baratheons, after all - he's in it for himself. And he's very perfumed.

[@Duisiwowowoekjeuejdjeuwjwhwj]

@@dgeezy5392yeh he said highgarden not Hightower

[@limbobilbo8743]

In the asoiaf miniature game there is a character called the high seneschal This character is meant to be GRRM, explicitly. Therefore the prophecy is referring to seneschal grrm Quathe was warning about grrm not writing the next fucking book

[@Ieremos]

it all makes sense now

[@lnsflare1]

Beware the Elden Ring and the Spin-Off Stories.

[@jer2689]

​@@lnsflare1Elden Ring is worth the delay

[@10bunks12]

I have felt it was Varys. My reasons are simple. In Dance Epilogue he tells Keven that he’s the master mind behind Young Grif, along with him having played a larger roll in the story thus far compared to the other characters. My second reason is Varys pops up I believe just about more times then these other characters as well. And it’s always noted that Varys smells of perfumes, lilac so on and so on. Every time he appears RR notes this feature about Varys. Even when he’s in a Disguise RR will make note of his smell even if bad smells.

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

I think Illyrio is also possible since he's more directly connected to Dany.

[@ambermarshall2922]

It's Varys

[@shara1979]

I've always thought Varys. He's working with Illyrio, they acted like they were setting her or Vyseris up to rule, but all the while, they knew once they threw in Griff, that those 2 would lose their claim. So they were setting them up to fail, or setting up 3 heads of the dragon, or giving themselves 3 options, so that their plan would work even if there were setbacks

[@ohno5880]

So much so that Catelyn(iirc, but it could've been Ned) notices the perfume the first time she meets him. "Plump, perfumed and as hairless as an egg"

[@dyeager152]

"it's a pretty gross disease so I'm just using a horse picture" actually made me bust out laughing, love your content, so smart and informative but also fun and funny :D

[@Rougarou99]

If it weren’t for the fact that GRRM has confirmed that the warlocks of Qarth were captured by Euron, I would suspect the visions were from them trying to trick Daenerys.

[@Nemenon]

I'd put my money on Illyrio, he is basically the one who orchestrated everything revolving around Dany from Khal Drogo, Strong Belwas/Selmy, Aegon, etc. All of these things push her further and further from safety, and closer and closer to her doom. However you could sort of batch him together with Varys since they are working towards the same goal.

[@PinkGrapefruit22]

I remember when I first looked up the definition of seneschal and saw that "steward" was a synonym. It immediately made me think of the Night's Watch stewards. I wonder if it could refer to someone like Jon (started out as a steward, Dany saw a vision of a sweet-smelling blue flower at the Wall) or perhaps Sam (can't confirm what he really smells like, but he could wear perfume or something). I think an even bigger question is, what even is Quaithe's goal? Is she giving Dany these prophecies purely to help her, is she using Dany for her own purposes, or is she actively working to harm Dany or prevent her from achieving her goals? The prophecies are so vague that even we, who have vastly more information about the world than Dany ever will, struggle to properly interpret them. How helpful is it really to give Dany such vague warnings, which mostly just leave her paranoid and looking for danger around every corner?

[@QuinnTheGM]

That’s a fascinating idea, especially given Daenerys’ undying vision of Jon as a blue rose at the wall.

[@endrithalili758]

I really like your idea of Jon Snow as the parfumed seneshal. I never thought of that.

[@unlapras9365]

I love it ! Moreover, if we assume that L+R = J is true et Aegon is a fake, Jon Snow is indeed the greatest threat to Daenerys as he invalidates her claim.

[@davidlewis5312]

I have to say that is probably one of the most genius ideas ever. I think it actually works. I am not sure if I believe it but... well in this the bloody show helps you. I am pretty sure Jon assassinating Dany is in the book and ... yep I would warn her about that. Although that is probably the most USELESS warning. Perfumed Senechal. Yeah Dany I agree I so thought that was referring to the wolfish roughed King of Winter too...

[@kagekun1198]

Personally I'd prefer Occam's razor to apply to this. It's pretty apparent what those other figures are, and the most dangerous Perfumed Seneschal is Varys. The Perfumed Seneschal is Varys. Otherwise we'll drive ourselves crazy with layers upon layers of paranoia

[@ashleyofnaath]

I tend to think the ps is Varys; however my tinfoil theory is that it could be Jon Snow because a)he was originally appointed as a steward when he joined the Watch, and b)when he's seemingly referenced in the House of the Undying, Dany notes a sweetness that fills the air. Considering Dany's told to "Remember the Undying", that last bit could be particularly important.

[@JMTgpro]

That's a point, quite reasonable. The way prophecy is structured in my opinion materializes two warnings, not just one. The structure talks first about the travelers she should not trust (Tyrion, Morroqo, Aegon, Griff...); in my opinion, as we saw with Quentyn, possibly because it will have that pattern. People who approach her making requests, giving support, but who in the end will want or try to steal her power or more importantly; her dragons. That to me is the warning. Tyrion, Morroqo, Aegon, Connigton, Victarion... Like Quentyn, they will try to take the dragons from Daenerys or at least take one (Quentyn being the first to arrive and initiate the patterns that the rest will follow). Daenerys must not "trust them". Now, the second warning does intertwine the visions of the House of the Undying with the Perfumed Seneschal, as you say. Jon could be, in fact, I love it, and the important thing is, Qaithe here doesn't tell her not to trust him, she tells her to be careful, to "Beware", but in what sense? Here comes another part, immediately after this prophecy, Danny tries to get information from Qaithe, to be clearer, and what she says is that... Remember more about the House of the Undying, which leads Danny to conclude that this seneschal is the third traidor of which she was warned, the treason for love. Which, in my opinion, will be the betrayal that will completely separate her from the throne... A betrayal, not out of love for her, as we suspected, but for love for another, for a relative who will eventually be king. the Perfumed Seneschal It's not about Meeren, it's a warning about the latest betrayal. A warning about how she will not reach her goal.

[@ashleyofnaath]

@@JMTgpro Are you in my head? Haha I couldn't agree more. The perfumed seneschal was definitely a separate warning than the other group. If Jon is that person, I definitely think it's because he could be a betrayal for love rather than a desire to steal a dragon. I was thinking it would be to protect one of his sisters more so than Bran, but it's essentially the same thing. The only area I'd push back on is Quentyn. I actually think he's a red herring and wasn't the person Quaithe warned of. Personally, I think Gerold Dayne is Oberyn's secret son, which means he too is a "sun's son" and would fit the figure's description. I think he was paired with the mummer's dragon because he'll end up on fAegon's kingsguard, and Dany will encounter them when she gets to Westeros. Under this interpretation, everyone would be encountered in the order Quaithe said. And not for nothing, but between the two I think Darkstar would be far more damaging to Dany than Quentyn could ever be.

[@JMTgpro]

@@ashleyofnaath The weakest point, being the description of Jon Snow as perfumed, I think, this will be a future point in Winds ... I can see it, the ingredients are already on the table! The person closest to Jon, in a more aspect related to the care of his person, is Satin (basically his personal assistant and the person in charge of the care of the Lord Commander), someone who is described as enjoying the use of perfume and then; Jon Snow is dead. If upon Jon returns he feels insecurities about the smell of R'hllor's non-regenerative resurrection (Jon will continue to have unhealed open wounds, just like Beric and Catelyn); Well, take advantage of the proximity to Satin, to make use of perfumes to hide the smell of death ... It is not possible, but even obvious. In this way, from the first moment, when Danny meets Jon, she would know him as perfumed. About Quentyn, I don't see it as a Red Herring, I see it more as the setting/framework. Sure, Quentyn has more reason to exist as a character and PoV than just to give context to a prophecy, but I think it's a framework to encapsulate the meaning of it. With the exception of Aegon/JonCon; he was the first to reach her, while the rest still remain on the way, so it serves as an opening to the central themes of the Victarion/Tyrion/Morroqo - Daenerys relationship. Which is this idea of wanting to offer something to Daenerys (Alliances, union, advice or spiritual guidance), but really just wanting something from her. (Dragons or Fire and Blood). TThings that Qaithe, someone perhaps interested in the great magical panorama of the world, would see as a distraction. A, "Don't waste time with alliances in Dorne and his revenge against the Lannisters, don't waste time with Tyrion's revenge against his sister, of victarion against his brother, of Morroqo and his "princes who were promised", Aegon/JonCon and his Blackfyre restoration... You be you, girl. You're doing well" About the candidates presented here; Reznak is the real red herring, Theobald and Garth are "no character", it would have no weight if it were them. Varys is already in the prophecy as "mummer" would be improper, that in the same paragraph, the same character describes him as mummer and then as seneschal only for ... What? Create confusion? The same goes for the idea that it is the ship, since Tyrion and Morroqo are individualized in the prophecy, to create an abstract third personification that includes them again just to add Jorah, is ridiculous and counterproductive... And Marwyn... So far I doubt he has bad intentions... I don't know, I see him more as Daenerys' real guide.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

@ashleyofnaath damn that's a good theory. Oberyn has all daughters, but for one son, only one son, which fits the use of THE sun's son

[@azekeprofit]

Argument for Tyrell perfumed senechal is that their house still carries "upjumped stewards" stigma because they come from majordomo (basically butlers) of Gardeners.

[@selina2052]

And of course their house crest is the rose, which smells sweet! I would also argue they’ve been in a steward-like position in Westeros during the events of the series (being support first for Renly and then now for the Lannisters) - so maybe a warning not to trust the Tyrells when Dany gets to Westeros?

[@RedbadofFrisia]

I wonder if Charlemagne ever carried this stigma in his lifetime, Pepin the Short was also Maior Palatii.

[@SapphireSolstice67]

Maybe Quaith doesn’t mention Marwyn because she doesn’t want Dany to mistrust him. Or because he doesn’t appear in ADWD unlike every other person on that list

[@mixkid3362]

Could it not be a red herring? Quaithe gives Dany this spooky premonition encouraging paranoia and suspicion. Dany will not be the same once she returns from the Grass Sea, she'll become more suspicious, more paranoid of strangers and traitors and considering the bad company who'll surround her, she'll more violent. This whole prophecy could be Quaithe trying to ingratiate herself to Dany and get control of her, albeit abstractly. Just my thoughts.

[@queenxx1690]

but Quaithe never said anything bad she is reminding her that there is threat and she need to hurry her thing in Meereen and go fight with real threat Quaithe is using glass candle to communicate with Daenerys and when Marwin will come he will bring his own and she will be able to see more

[@carlrood4457]

That's the thing with prophecy in legends. Their existence is what ends up making them come true. Oedipus' birth father hears the prophecy and gets rid of him. Oedipus didn't know he was adopted, hears the prophecy, and leaves to protect the man who raised him. Macbeth never considered becoming king before hearing the prophecy.

[@mixkid3362]

@@queenxx1690 she never eluded to The Others in her prophecy though.

[@mixkid3362]

@@carlrood4457 the best thing for anyone who hears a prophecy, is to completely ignore it. For their own safety and the safety of others

[@mikeboi1587]

Prophecies are always nebulous & shrouded in mystery in this world, Quaithe would be the most powerful foreteller in history if her visions were completely crystal clear.

[@HerbCoswellBornAgain]

I believe Varys is the one Quaithe tried warning Dany about.

[@dee-taylor]

This is still one of the more interesting threads still hanging there, looming large on the story. In true GRRM fashion, he's got three or four red herrings laid out to throw everyone off.

[@davidlewis5312]

I don't know why we also are taking Quaithe's words at face value. We don't know who she is, we don't know what she wants. Unlike Mel who is at least open about her identity and agenda (and has a PoV chapter so no mysteries there), Quaithe is seemingly a very powerful rogue agent.

[@QuinnTheGM]

I’ve got a whole section about that in the video, the reasoning is that the rest of this prophecy is pretty directly and apparently accurate.

[@davidlewis5312]

@@QuinnTheGM I just find it weird how so much is based on people that I have no idea why a word they say is trusted. Like Marwyn. The entire Maester's Conspiracy is based on two people's testimony; Marwyn and Lady Dustin. Two VERY sketchy people who probably shouldn't be trusted to tie your shoes. The fact Marwyn apparently trained Mirri and Qyburn is not treated as a massive red flag that this guy has bad intentions is baffling to me.

[@bratdfortd]

Preston Jacobs is the perfumed seneschal.

[@ZendikarMage42750]

I like the theory that both Quaithe and Marwin are members of the Church of Starry Wisdom (Quaithe appears with a mask of stars giving Dany "wisdom" in her final vision to her and Marwin is known to hang out with sailors who make up most of the modern membership of the Church of Starry Wisdom) so I don't think Quaithe would be warning Dany against him. Varys makes the most sense to me since he's such a pivotal character and clearly doesn't have Dany's best interests in mind

[@mikeboi1587]

Edric Storm, the portents of his blood being literally & figuratively fatal to his potential rivals. Though he isn't a seneschal yet, his lineage, self confidence, charm & him remaining in the Westerosi capital of perfume(Lys), suggests a currently hidden "game of thrones" playing future(possibly a very high up position on a small island)for the charismatic bastard of a mortal enemy of Dany's & the Targ dynasty in general.

[@QuinnTheGM]

I like this idea a lot!

[@bonzibuddy4483]

Marwyn smells like a privy with even worse breath. I can totally see grrm calling him "perfumed" in prophecy, just as brienne may be the "more beautiful" woman from Maggy the frogs prophecy

[@Lord_Taron_Texas]

People comment often in the books on varys perfumed scents...

[@invincibleluis]

Best Asoiaf channel!

[@victor2510]

Quinn right now your videos are the ones I enjoy the most

[@julioulloa5403]

I was certain that it was the ship, but now im rocking with marwen. Good to see that you did update your microphone setings

[@VinceLovesToast]

OK something whack is happening with this video. I cannot get past 4.48 without it freezing, I've tried the browser youtube, reinstalling, etc. My Internet is working fine and other videos load fine. Anyone else experiencing this?

[@Maldonnys]

Yes, same here

[@RUDEWOLF900]

Same problem. Maybe we're not supposed to learn what Seneschal meens. smh

[@jeff_mania]

ok thank god. i thought i was going crazy

[@ashleyofnaath]

Yep me too.

[@silver057]

Same here. I even tried it on another devices and restarted my pc.

[@mschell8022]

I dont think Quaithe is supposed to have any sort of "hidden identity." Shes an oracle like in an ancient Greek play. The fandom needs to let go of clinging to the idea of "hidden identity."

[@scoliosis9478]

fair but someone who always wears a mask is by definition hiding their identity

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

I've been saying Marwyn for ages!! I hadn't considered the Cinnamon Wind being the cause of the perfumed part though! I had thought he would probably change ships at some point in his journey, and probably arrive in Meereen on the Selaesori Qhoran! Either way, Marwyn sounds like he probably smells quite strongly, and perfumed doesn't necessarily mean pleasant smelling! So glad someone else thinks it's Marwyn though, I thought I was going nuts! People say Quaithe didn't warn about Marwyn because they're on the same side, but they feel kinda opposites to me, and if they were on the same side surely she'd say 'trust in the perfumed seneschal' or something?

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

or it could just be Varys, but where's the fun in that?!?

[@konstantinpobedonotsev5589]

Ooh! What if it’s Jaq’en Ha’gar? He’s undercover in the citadel, and could become the seneschal. The faceless men hate Valyria, so there’s motive there too. Just spitballing though.

[@QuinnTheGM]

Not a bad idea! Pate might be considered smelly.

[@miramarjonas6934]

Luv your vids man! I have i whole bunch of friends here in brasil who love your work! Keep it up!!! Peace and love peace and love

[@uilliamunknown4844]

Ooh I love a Daenerys video. I’ll come later to watch. At work

[@katiedlk]

As with many prophecies/theories, I don't think we will ever find out. I don't think we'll ever get a definitive moment of "aha you were the perfumed seneschal all along!" I think with many prophecies, especially ones related to Daenerys, they aren't meant to have a concrete answer. For Daenerys, these prophecies heighten and encourage her paranoia - who will betray her next? Was this person related to this foreseen betrayal or to another? I think that's the reason that so many prophecies are applicable to so many situations/people, just as much as we are speculating and theorising about them, the characters are too which often leads them down dangerous and self-destructive paths (e.g. Cersei and the valonqar prophecy).

[@lestercrest1730]

Let's hope we winds soon lol

[@azlnbstrmann1577]

Great work as always. I would love to see a Video about stannis chances after the battle of ice

[@mappingshaman5280]

Imo it depends on a lot of factors. How many men die in the battle? Are the northerners doing a grand northern conspiracy against stannis as well or just the boltons? If stannis defeats the freys at the twins, will the riverlands join him? Will the depleted north and riverlands be enough to defeat the lannisters and young gryff?

[@niallgaffney2475]

From memory, doesn’t Tyrion’s boat never make it to Meereen? I doubt the Perfumed Seneschal would be something that Danny never meets in person, or else how can she beware it?

[@talanhayward3792]

He makes it to Meereen on a slave ship, he’s sold to a Yunkish lord who dies when he mounts the pale mare. He grabs the opportunity and flees to the second sons who, in a preview chapter, switch sides again to fight for Dany. So he will almost definitely meet and serve Daenerys.

[@niallgaffney2475]

@@talanhayward3792 sure, but the boat itself, which is the "Perfumed Seneschal", never makes it to Danny, so it doesn't make sense for it the be what Quaithe is referring to. If it is, Quaithe may have well said "Beware the Shy Maid".

[@SweeneyTodd5197]

The ship that Tyrion takes to Meereen is called the “Stinking Steward” or in other words the Perfumed Seneschal. George make sure to repeat the ship name and it’s translation heavily in Tyrions chapters on the way to Meereen

[@mschell8022]

You're so good at this

[@ashleyofnaath]

Hey Quinn, I think you've got an issue here. I can't get past the 'definition for seneschal' without it freezing. It does however pick back up if I skip it forward to the 'most likely candidate' section. So a significant portion of the video is inaccessible.

[@kieranm1997]

Having the same issue.

[@andymonserud9029]

Likewise

[@QuinnTheGM]

I’m having the same issue on my end, I have no idea what’s happening. I uploaded it yesterday and it worked perfectly. I’m currently in contact with KZbin’s support team and working to fix it.

[@QuinnTheGM]

ITS FIXED

[@paxmundiabolition]

I think Varys makes the most sense being that he is likely a secret blackfyre like Aegon. Likely he’ll side with Daenerys at first to broker a peace to Aegon, but will like in the show betray her later on for Aegon to ensure a Blackfyre line sits the throne.

[@samuelhiatt9338]

This would also fit Dany's third betrayal for love as Varys would be betraying her for a relative. It could also tie into Azor Ahai and the three headed dragon as it could be Jon Snow who kills her like in the show, fulfilling the forging of Lightbringer for Azor Ahai. It would also make the three headed dragon be symbolic of Dany, Jon, and fAegon and would also make sense somewhat for Jon as a further extension of the betrayal for love as if Jon believes fAegon, that would make them half-brothers. This could also play into Jon's personality after having seemingly lost his brothers with Robb dead and Rickon and Bran missing. My biggest issue with this specific theory is it forces the fAegon plot line down the road to AFTER Dany's death, which doesn't make a ton of sense to me given Dany's importance to the entire series so far whereas fAegon has only been present for a very small portion. It just doesn't make a ton of sense to swap out Dany for fAegon in the story to me, which is essentially what GRRM would be doing.

[@arjunsandhar578]

Great vid

[@jeremyj8153]

I always interpreted "the pale mare" as Danaerys herself, as the white haired wife of the horse lord Khal Drogo. It also makes the prophecy flow chronologically, which leaves the details of the prophecy of the undying and allows for the "perfumed seneschal" to be one of her three deceits.

[@samuelhiatt9338]

Isn't Dany also gifted a white horse by Drogo as a wedding gift? Or is that show-only? If so, that further solidifies Dany as the pale mare.

[@HayatoByakurai]

@@samuelhiatt9338 It's described as silver in the books, but that could still be called pale; it's a female, too, if that wasn't stated.

[@jwatt1800]

I think the most likely options are Varys,Littlefinger,or Marwyn. Apart of me feels like Dany is going to have to deal with a conflict in the free cities before going to Westeros so my other options are Illyrio since he ticks pretty much all the boxes and is a magister and very wealthy. Possibly a future character in Volantis. My crazy theory I don’t think is true is that it’s Jon Snow. Since he died and if he ends up being wighted to return he’ll probably have a stink about it. Plus he was a apart of the order of stewards in the nights watch.

[@diamondinmyeye6160]

I always assumed it was Varys, but the more I think about it, it’s redundant with the mummer’s dragon. They’re aligned and have the same goal.

[@samuelhiatt9338]

I think that it is almost 100% either Marwyn or Jon Snow. Varys to me seems the obvious answer, which is almost always intentional deception by GRRM, so that eliminates him. Aside from him, all the others as you said are either irrelevant or are already named in the prophecy. That seemingly only leaves Marwyn. However, as many other commenters have pointed out, the prophecy ends by telling Dany to remember the Undying. Jon Snow was a steward, making him a seneschal, and when Dany has the vision in the House of the Undying that seemingly applies to Jon, she thinks of how sweet it smells, potentially making him perfumed. Also, this is connected to her third betrayal for love, which strongly reminds me of the ending of the GoT TV show where Jon kills Dany. This makes me wonder if that part of the ending was one of the story notes that GRRM gave D&D to work with in the last few seasons. It obviously wouldnt be butchered that badly in the books, but it fits the prophecy perfectly and could also neatly tie into the Azor Ahai prophecy and the forging of Lightbringer. This betrayal for love, could be Jon killing Dany, creating the forging of Lightbringer in the heart of a lover. This would perfectly tie the two prophecies together while intertwining Dany and Jon's stories together in a similar fashion to the show.

[@miyoko_17]

It will probably be considered "fence sitting", but I believe the "Perfumed Seneschal" is yet to be revealed in the story.

[@xtensioncordtv1969]

Suprised the Green Grace wasn't brought up. Always thought the community consensus was she was the perfumed seneschal.

[@Holocaustica]

The “perfumed seneschal” is a warning reference to Dany’s future king consort regarding his probable duplicity. The guy who is later killed by Ser Selmy(books) or in the pit riot by harpies(HBO).

[@TheCronesEye]

Satin is a steward of the Night’s Watch and combs perfume into his beard. (Just putting another candidate/red herring into the basket! 😊 All your candidates are plausible. I’ve been mulling over the same people/ship as you’ve done here! Cheers 🍻 👍)

[@jumjalalabash]

With Marwyn always remember he taught Mirri Maz Duur, she was part of what helped the dragons to be born.

[@PineappleLiar]

Having read through Dance now its the boat its definitely the boat Tyrion and Moqorro look to camera and say 'its almost like this ship's named 'perfumed senechal', crazy huh?'

[@Raincognoscente]

What about Illyrio like ik he's essentially one with Varys but he's been present in Danys storyline in a way where she's suspicious of him.

[@E_T_31]

To me, Varys ist the most obvious sound candidate. But I find it odd that JonCon & (f)Aegon are listed separately - so why would we need Varys as well? That's why I agree that Marwyn might be the one.

[@Liberater4589]

It’s definitely either Varys or reznek, I’m leaning toward reznek and it later being revealed he is the “harpy” and his position in the court was whats been giving the sons the information they need to stay one step ahead from the Dany loyalists

[@unlapras9365]

99% sure it's Varys. Boring I know, but we have to think from a narrative perspective. When a first-time reader learns Quaithe's prophecy, Varys has been nowhere to be seen since ASOS so they most likely won't think of him. Then, suddenly, in the next chapter, we have that huge reveal when Varys kills Kevan and explains his plans regarding Aegon. Now, Varys has become a very likely candidate to be the perfumed seneschal. Mentioning it before the reveal is just good foreshadowing from GRRM : first there is a threat that is unknown to both the reader and Daenerys, and then GRRM reveals who the threat is to the reader while Dany still remains unaware. It's a common narrative process that gives the reader information the characters don't have and makes the story more catchy.

[@Lord_Taron_Texas]

Varys is the perfumed seneschal

[@jasonhilldj]

I have thought this was Varys. It seems that just about every time Varys appears in Tyrion's chapters the way he smells is mentioned.

[@thomasb.anderson8113]

its the name of a boat with a different name, but similar meaning to "perfumed seneschal". i dont remember who was on it or what the name was, since i have read the books a decade ago. it was easy so spot in the german translation

[@BaronofStrange]

It could be the boat but not because of the people on it. The boat could bring a plague similar to how the black death spread. Perhaps it could cause the Pale Mare to spread or bring Greyscale with it. Quaithe is quite direct in her warnings such as the Kraken, the Dark Flame and Mummer's Dragon. It is not meant as a riddle. Dany would recognise them as she meets them. If it is a person then I think it is either Tyrion because of the ship he came in or Marwyn the Mage due to his connection to the citadel and the perfume could be something to do with spells. It is unlikely to be Varys though. He is mentioned as the Mummer rather than the Perfumed Seneschal. It would be strange to mention him twice by two different names.

[@bl1754]

Varys was who i thought of first, but the name of the boat is very compelling. Could such a name really be a coincidence?

[@staceyburke4285]

Varys! Kevin’s epilogue made it clear the Varys is 100% Fagon and has no problem disposing anyone who may threaten him taking the Iron throne.

[@davidlewis5312]

my problem with the Kevan epilogue is why is Varys telling Kevan this fairy tale, he is about to kill him. Whose repeating this fairy tale to the court? There is no narrative reason for this. JonCon, Griff, and Illyrio have already told us bits of this story. So why do we see Varys tell Kevan his fairy tale especially if it's a lie?

[@staceyburke4285]

@@davidlewis5312 it gives the reader insight to what’s going on and what’s to come

[@Matt-xc6sp]

Ilyrio, magistrar of Pentos, doused in scented oils, who gave Danny dragons but backs Aegon VI (Aegon the Sneaky). The first trueborn son of Rehgar Targaryen gon take them dragons.

[@davidlewis5312]

Aegon the Savior!

[@datchicray]

I think Varys makes the most sense to progress the story. Dany will likely be considering an alliance/proposal with aegon in the next book and it could be Varys connection to the prophecy that tips her off that aegon is a fake.

[@Koudey]

I like Quinn learns words

[@veigarfrigeirsson2661]

Good video

[@carter9449]

Does it have to be just one? The way it is phrased could be a summary of the list / a general warning.

[@finnlilienthal8408]

honestly i feel its probably varys only cause we know he going to support aegon over daenerys and we don't really know much about marywn or his goals/allegiances and also the boat and garth fit well but i don't really think they make sense like why would quaithe phase it like beware the perfumed seneschal if its a boat that gets destroyed before it even reaches meereen

[@natemccollum3731]

I think it’s pretty clear that it’s the Selaeasori. The last couple things Quaithe says are more of a summary of what she said before. I’m not sure however why she has to fear Tyrion, as he is no obvious threat. I feel like maybe she should fear him because maybe he’ll give bad advice, but that’s a stretch.

[@chadbailey3623]

I think the reference is to the ship. All of the relevant passengers want her to go west, but Quaithe wants Dany to go east.

[@QuinnTheGM]

True, though Quaithe already warned against Moqorro and Tyrion in that same prophecy.

[@callumcouzens-barton6827]

i think its varys and I also love the house of dragons one of the best tv shows of 2023

[@johnpotts8308]

I would not be at all surprised if GRRM hadn't decided who it's meant to be - he seems to like keeping his options open (and avoiding making any definitive choices is one reason he hasn't finished Winds yet)!

[@shinrugal]

It could very well be Illyrio or Varys .Dany would be likely to trust Ilyrio blindly even though he's working against her.

[@Tarpad]

I feel like the idea of it being Reznak is fairly undervalued. I think Quaithe has a fairly concrete agenda, as her messages have largely been pushing Daenerys into being more warlike and aggressive. Everyone she lists in the first part of the warning are also all suitors or associated with suitors, and Quaithe seems not to want Daenerys to share her power or dragons. Reznak's advice, while not malicious, runs pretty explicitly counter to this hypothetical agenda. It's also of note that the third warning is both the one least explicitly tied to prophesy and it gives a description that fits someone that Dany knew in her court. I think it would be almost strange for Quaithe to give that specific description if she didn't want to fuel the bias Dany already had against Reznak.

[@burnedbread4691]

I think the perfumed senechal is meant to represent all of the people on the boat Stinky Steward, and also Varys and Marwin the mage, and Reznak. It's not the actions of any single one of them but all of them combined that will bring out major problems for Daenarys. But it is also Quaithe saying "beware of political schemers who cloak themselves in pleasant manners" in general, I believe. Daenarys has a habit of judging men by how they look and Quaithe is trying to temper that

[@sblinder1978]

Ancient legend tells of a seneschal, a steward and a major-domo arriving at a door at the same time and being unwilling to enter until the order of precedence could be determined. Some say they're still out there arguing.

[@aenorist2431]

7:00 The likely reason the Title is unwanted is *because* he is a Seneshal. That word actually means "dude who has to administer shit and make sure everything works". Have you ever been at Uni? Professors want to research, they hate doing paperwork or doing anything administrative. This is a rotating "gotta buy new paper and food for ravens" job.

[@Gauche69]

I always thought that the Perfumed Seneschal was Varys

[@tombullard123]

I think it'll be garth tyrell. he was supposed to be master of coin, so he may end up in the red keep. when he is mentioned by mace tyrell as "Lord seneschal" to be master of coin it is immediately followed up with how much he farts on the same page. if he does get a royal position he would no doubt perfume himself, cersei would never allow anyone on the small council that stunk.

[@NeonAkira]

I honestly wish that there will never be a clear answer

[@hansolowe19]

Could it be Varys?

[@Vmac1394]

A majordomo is something of a butler on a grander scale, he takes care of the lord's household.

[@E-Brightvoid]

It’s the boat, Stinky Steward

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

I have always thought Verys.

[@saskiaviking9447]

No sound in the later half of the video?

[@QuinnTheGM]

Just got that fixed!

[@kennyhudson9201]

Why doesn't the video work for me after 4:49?

[@onlookervb]

Huh I always thought it rather blatantly varys and never gave it more thought, other than being a bit rhythmic it's not an overly cryptic prophecy so I don't think it needs to be anyone other than the obvious but I could be wrong

[@rpproductions6241]

I dont think its Varys for one simple reason; the Mummer's Dragon is of course very likely Young Griff. This means Quaithe would warn against Varys TWICE, which Dany is not likely to think it would mean the same person and I dont think Martin would write it that way.

[@rpproductions6241]

Also, a Seneschal is basically a representative (usually a House) and Varys isn't much of a mediator or messenger. Not an in between but rather a man in the shadows.

[@nickslade7635]

The mummers dragon does not mean false dragon it means varys dragon, varys is a mummer and aegon is a dragon although he is not the one they claim. I think you may have nailed the boat one though, tyrion will try to manipulate danny and she needs to beware.of him. First time ive heard that and it is just up georges alley

[@callumcouzens-barton6827]

ranking every queen of westeros

[@CrackingCody]

I think Varys will do what he did in the show, in a way. I think him betraying Dany (or at least being a double agent) is something that will indeed happen in the book.

[@byjordi2185]

Before I watch the vid I think it has obviously to be Varys. He and Illyrio plotting Danys downfall so fAegon can rise up above her. The dragon eggs being a gamble, instead they wanted to setup Viserys as a terrible warmonger so fAegon can be the hero for Westeros. And by achieving that Varys Blackfyre can see his blood and Illyrios son ascend the iron throne.

[@Methus3lah]

Here’s my harebrained theory: Quaithe is SUPER convinced that Daenerys is (the one and only) Azor Ahai, and had a vague prophecy about how a “perfumed seneschal” would lead to the death of Azor Ahai. But here’s the thing: Daenerys isn’t the only Azor Ahai. There’s also Jon. (And also FAegon). Enter: Satin. He began training for the Night’s Watch at the beginning of ACoK, and was fully inducted as a steward in ADWD. And then Jon appoints him as one of his personal stewards, which REALLY pisses off a big chunk of the Night’s Watch (because Satin is lowborn and a former whore). And also, during Dance, it’s stated that Satin combs perfume into his beard. And since that appointment pissed off a lot of the Night’s Watch, you could say it was one of many decisions that led to the mutiny at Castle Black. So Satin is the perfumed seneschal, but Quaithe’s magic visions got muddled, and she thought that a perfumed seneschal would be a danger to Dany. When really, the perfumed seneschal was only a danger to Jon. A word of life advice for anyone reading: don’t take a femboy as your squire.

[@conors4430]

Satin doesn’t do anything to john

[@rushnafwadud]

Aren’t we agreed it’s the Salaesori Qorhan ship carrying Tyrion and Moqorro?

[@micahmcfadden8082]

Im starting to believe its about the ship tyrion was aboard

[@erisofliria]

Maybe Marwyn will sail with Selaesori Qhoran

[@saminator3563]

Think we can narrow it down. You just made me realize. Assumed was Varys the whole time. Like him too much so dont trust him haha. But if he is the perfumed seneschal why call Aegon the mummers dragon, at first thought that meant Varys' dragon (Varys starting as a mummer). SO be wary of either Varys or Aegon? Ive confused myself. Maybe Quaithe is just trying to get her to distrust everyone to rot her brain and make her evil dragon lady haha

[@ToucanBinks]

👍

[@eternalistmorqan9476]

Its Baelor Breakwind! Hes perfumed!

[@mschell8022]

Quaithe is an oracle character just like the Ghost of Highheart is an oracle character.

[@Gray_ninja]

Gawd damn it can we stop the Mummers Dragon thing already? Quinn? Please? Can someone state the reason and meaning behind Aegon VI being a Blackfyre or a Brightflame? It would've mattered if a Targ sat the throne, but right now it's not true. Blackfyres are just as targs as Dany or Jon are. Daemon Blackfyre was legitimised. A precedent for his descendants to not inherit the throne wasn't really set. Aegon being a Brightflame could be more interesting but again, it's just the Targaryen dynasty branch, and while the precedent of Aerion and his heirs not being able to inherit was set, it will hadly matter in the fourth century. Aegon lying to be one Targaryen while actually being... Just another Targaryen, and as far as we know- a trueborn male... It doesn't make sense storywise and wont change anything, he will still be the rightful king and inherit before falseborn Jon and woman Dany. Only cases in which Aegon being a "Mummers Dragon" theory could work is if he is A) Just some random peasant son and a "Pisswater prince", not being any noble at all B) Being falseborn, so he would be same as Jon in inheritance. But you know what would be totally crazy?? If an all-powerful spider actually did safe a child prince for a later restoration seeing as Aerys was the first man to ever see anything more in Varys than a eunuch or a fraud. Have any ppl who believe in blackfyre theory ever considered Varys' "secret motivation" to just be staunch Targ supporter, serving the realm he sees best. What a crazy idea it would be if Aegon is just litteraly son of Rhaegar, adding more drama into Jon and Dany stories and building tensions between their claims if Aegon is destroyed by them(maybe mislead by mummers dragon prophecy)? What if Varys is actually not lying to a man he's gonna shoot next second? What if Golden Company also understand that with no Blackfyres they can only join with the Red Dragon? And... *Drum rolls"... What if Aegon possible getting Blackfyre sword is just a gift from the Golden Company who no longer need it as there are no Blackfyres? What if it doesn't make sense having Golden Company know Aegon is a blackfyre and keeping it in secret. Hundreds if not thousands of men, at least 30% of whom need to be motivated by more than gold. Totally wont drunkenly leak that secret so the Seven Kingdoms know in an instant.

[@Gray_ninja]

Aegon supporters coping and seething rn

[@user-bb5kk5lt6u]

Frankly, I don't like the idea, that "perfumed seneschal" refers to the ship. Tyrion and the read priest have already been mentioned in the prophecy, so mentioning them again under a different name doesn't seem to make sense rhetorically. Based on how the prophecy is worded, the perfumed seneschal is more important and dangerous, than any other person, mentioned there. Also the master connection seems very far fetched to me. If the prophecy turns out to be just a way to manipulate Danny and does not come true at all, it will be very unsatisfying. Why have a prophecy in the book, if it does not come true in some unexpected and elaborate way in the end?

[@cdowg187]

MAESTER MARWYN!!!!

[@LRaide]

Quithe seems very suspicious imo. We dont know what she wants or why is she "helping" Daenerys. And I read this prophecy as "trust noone but me, become paranoid and turn into the Mad queen"

[@natemccollum3731]

Theobald is archmaester of scents and fragrance… obviously he’s the perfumed seneschal