Prepping for Winter: The Forsaken Part 1

The line-by-line analysis of the Winds of Winters sample chapters continues. We now take on The Forsaken and Aeron Greyjoy.
Patreon: / prestonjacobs
The Forsaken:
pastebin.com/WU...

[@aspiringnormie9499]

The Doom of Valeria was an inside job.

[@dylanwilliamson6555]

Dragon fire can't melt steel beams

[@mattwalker6285]

Dylan DeVillain This is the funniest comment I've read In a Long Time.

[@7PtsSlime]

Dylan DeVillain -ha ha stone beams. harrenhall

[@dakotasherman632]

@@dylanwilliamson6555 You said what I was about to say lol

[@nurtenc.c]

absolutely agree with you, Targaryens did it!

[@alecnava5465]

I wonder why eurons mutes are so loyal to him. tongue removal is not very endearing

[@jeroenbauwens1986]

I bet he's warging them. And the dusky woman, finally getting some sweet Victarion ass

[@yourdashingheroidol7909]

+CadaverJunky Finally...someone who gets it!(Insert bang joke)

[@stephenray4694]

Just when I think I'm finally getting a handle on ASOIAF you drop this analysis on us. Great work as always Preston.

[@ReflectingSerenity]

There's always the possibility that they willingly have their tongues removed. A chance to sail on one of the most well-known ships with a captain that gives away most of the loot? I'm sure there would be a decent chunk of people who would sign up to have their tongues removed in exchange for being a part of the crew. Beats being a slave still

[@rutgerholtzer3961]

Stockholm syndrome. Ramsay was close to having total loyalty of Theon through it, and he was a proud noble born. A leader such as Euron is probably able to get loyalty of born slaves and the like who never truly knew different.

[@mischahouston8044]

I was reading "The Reaver" chapter when Victarion took The Shields. I'd bet a dollar that Euron had Aeron captive and Victarion didn't know it. He abducted Aeron right after the Kingsmoot. I just realized that.

[@DavidGarcia-oi5nt]

It's so easy to gloss over and miss stuff in the books, even on my third re-read I'm still finding new tidbits everywhere.

[@TheR15C]

David Garcia I’m starting my second read of the books today and so excited to really delve in. The first time I read I was a bit rushed to learn the story but now I can’t wait to read “in between the lines”

[@knightshade1297]

@@TheR15C same

[@thefilmeffect6089]

@@DavidGarcia-oi5nt Hell, I'm on my ninth re-read and I still find new bits.

[@ognjengaric2687]

The whip is the only communication necessary on a ship like the Silence.

[@michellehanson984]

Where there's a whip there's a way

[@JD1010101110]

Ships used to use non verbal signals. Pipes, bells and drums because of the language or dialect differences amongst the crew.

[@TheGreatPower365]

The issue is that you need to be able to pass complex information quickly. Only verbal communication is well suited to this due to the variety of circumstances sailors find themselves in (theoretically sign language could suffice, but given how often sailors need both hands for other things, it seems somewhat impractical.) Yes a drum could be struck to keep rowers in sync, for example, but you can't really use a drum or a pipe or bells to tell someone a complicated series of instructions (use a slipknot to secure the mainsail, then trim the jib just a bit, for example) without being able to speak. Perhaps the crew is so well trained and Euron so skilled a captain he can manage the whole crew without needing feedback. Again, this seems unlikely, and would just result in near-continuous shouting from the captain... not exactly silent. My guess is there is something else going on here we haven't been told about yet.

[@jackdoyle7453]

@@TheGreatPower365 A boatswain call was often used as the sea is loud and battles are louder. So verbal communication wasn't all that used, until you had internal telephones etc.

[@TheGreatPower365]

​@@jackdoyle7453 You think verbal communication wasn't regularly used on sailing ships? Have you ever sailed a large ship? I would guess not from your comments. Yes, whistles and bells can make noises that are louder or more distinct than the human voice. That is why we use them on land. But they don't replace words, because they can't. Look at the list of orders that could be delivered by boatswain's call. Certainly you could command everyone to gather together, or let people know a ship is approaching etc. But giving detailed, specific, complex instructions on the fly with two-way communication? That is not practical with bells and whistles. Imagine managing a thirty-man team in any context, all with different needs and skills, all with different specialities, all managing fluid situations that call for rapid changes on the fly. Now take away the ability for anyone to talk apart from the leader or one person on the team. It doesn't work, does it?

[@TheGreatPower365]

​@@jackdoyle7453 there is a worldbuilding problem here as well. Let's say that whenever the Silence is sailing that Euron is awake, on the command deck, and managing the crew actively. Perhaps he uses magic to keep himself awake or something, ok fine. But a crew that cannot feed back to their captain- cannot report when an enemy is sighted, cannot report when land is sighted, cannot say when a sail is flapping loose, when a rope has become frayed, when a crack in the hull has shown up etc etc- is a crew that is not as effective and not as capable as one that can. The mutes might all be expert sailors, able to carry out the vast majority of their tasks without instruction or needing to feed back to the commanders. Fine, but they are still more of a liability than a crew of people with tongues, right? Do we think that Euron is the type to risk success just because he thinks having a mute crew on a ship named Silence is cool? I don't think so, and I don't think Martin would include the detail unless it was meant to make us wonder and suspect there is more too it. Plus there is the endless associating of Euron with telepathy and telepaths.

[@jackdoyle7453]

@@TheGreatPower365 Sorry were you alive in the 18th and 19th century? What did you sail on a first rate? I know a bit about ships, being from Pompey. I appreciate you might have been on a dinghy but come visit we have a museum you can learn on. This one's pretty good; www.historicdockyard.co.uk/site-attractions/attractions/hms-victory But do go on and tell me about your knowledge of ships?

[@SandwichDemon66]

Thank you for continuing to post videos despite being newly married. We appreciate you so very much, Preston.

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Your welcome. :)

[@hazzmati]

+Preston Jacobs You're*

[@Mister3Pac]

StNico the production of these videos take a lot of time. The fact that he still finds time for us to make these. I can only assume he has a job that provides for him and his family and then to throw a wife on top of that. Those two things take up a lot of time let alone making these videos for us.

[@SandwichDemon66]

StNico I'm sorry my post made you feel that way, it wasn't my intention. I was simply thanking him for giving time to his fans and a fantasy book series over his new wife who he probably wants to be with all the time because he clearly loved her enough to wife it

[@SandwichDemon66]

StNico well that is wonderful! It's hard to tell these days in a world where a comments section fight can start on a video of a cat cuddling with a baby. :)

[@danferno]

Nice point on the chapters that don't have the character's original names. I feel like identity (crisis, loss and reafirmation) is one of the big themes of ASOIAF and it doesn't get as much attention in the discussions as it deserves.

[@raswartz]

Yeah, but GRRM overuses it, especially in the later books. I feel like it's got to be earned -- it makes total sense with Theon/Reek, Sansa/Alayne, Arya/Cat, but then when you start getting it for the more minor POV characters I feel like it cheapens it for the major POV characters.

[@mankytoes]

Richard Swartz I don't mind, it's just a little jarring that he started doing it halfway through the series. Like early Bran chapters would have been called "the broken boy" or something similar.

[@SandyCheeks1896]

It honestly got on my nerves when it started happening for characters outside of Arya, Sansa and Theon who actually changed identity.

[@MUSICLOVER23429]

@@mankytoes Yeah I would have started that in book 1 with Bran after his accident, expanded it in book 2 with Arya when she assuming a false identity, and even have Jaime have a few chapters as something like that immediately after his hand was cut off only to return to Jaime as he began to regain some self confidence.

[@niranjanrajesh1058]

@@raswartz why is it that it must be reduced to characters who have changed identity? Its GRRM who makes the rules.

[@trundlethegreat152]

I ACTUALLY SHOUTED "YES" WHEN I GOT THE NOTIFICATION

[@NordicMarius]

me 2 x)

[@DannyWonder]

I jumped in the air and done a fist pump

[@kqwentin]

Me too I was like thank you preston!

[@VeroTesta]

Your grace! *kneels*

[@kccody7278]

I as well got amped when I saw this. was watching insidious 3 in vr when it buzzed I got a KZbin video. If I would have known it was Preston I would have said Fuck that movie lol

[@jernejfric4810]

The Prophet can skinchange a Kraken, can't wait until Squidbowl TWOW GET HYPE

[@datsweetsansabooty]

And we are back!!

[@kevingibson7654]

love it!!!

[@HebrewsElevenTwentyFive]

Lol, your KZbin name

[@seeranos]

It's interesting that GRRM writes that Aeron's "fetters cut into his wrists." Because in Buddhist theology, the 10 Fetters are the metaphorical barriers to enlightenment and are comparable to the 7 Deadly Sins of Catholic theology.

[@Jooooger]

Great video. The only thing is that "crabs in my belly" could simply be a saying on places w/ crabs nearby to mean "a pinching pain in my stomach". I think this is more likely than Euron telepathically linking up with Hoster. And it was quite common for stomach pain to be a sign of some lethal disorder back before the time of modern medicine. I know you mentioned this in another video and had similar objections in the comments but I thought I'd add my thoughts. In any case it is an interesting coincidence and who knows when it comes to George.

[@unbowed-unbent-unbroken3066]

There's a net for everything. Trees? There's a net for that. Dogs? There's a net for that. Mutes? There's a net for that.

[@kaiperillo5627]

Couldn't the silence just communicate using drums? Similar to how the Baratheon ships communicated with each other in the battle of the blackwater?

[@DavidGarcia-oi5nt]

You do that for the rowers to keep them synced on time, but there's a lot more intricacies to sailing bigger ships.

[@isaacyoung1703]

Skinchanger.

[@jessierobert8750]

Damn George gave us that pissing really far hint way back when, and no one noticed it meant telekinesis except for Preston.

[@shavedata5436]

aerons pissing is a telepathic ability hahaha no but seriously keep em coming

[@moneyman1736]

I thought I was having Preston withdrawal symptoms

[@Majinshadow626]

I know you're going to cover the Valyrian Steel armor at the close of the chapter...but I am going to have to wait weeks to get there. Not that I mind entirely, as I adore the "line by line like an insane person" approach to these chapters, but I am as ever, horrendously impatient. So do you think the armor is more of a magical artifact, perhaps making him immune to more than merely damage? Could it somehow protect him from the telepathic magic or the sight of glass candles? Or do you think it's more an immunity/resistance to flame? It can't be just a super light, durable suit of armor akin to JRRT's Mithril...can it? I know this is all speculation but any thoughts would be appreciated. One more: Do you think the armor represents the extent of the "gifts" Euron has with him, or merely a taste of what he might have? Does it represent something more do you think or is it the symbol that will come to identify Euron in the final leg of the story?

[@mariamk4555]

thank you Preston for breaking down everything for us. I have watched all of the videos on your channel and it has given me so much insight and a better understanding and put all of the pieces together. Congrats on your recent marriage and please do keep up the good work.

[@pezelbuda]

Preston, just wanted to say that i really appreciate your videos and the point of view you have on the book series. Ive been following you for a while, mostly i like to have lunch whilst listening to your content. Im really looking forward to the next book and what you have to say about it. Keep up the good work, hopefully u will have time since u got married and probably have a steady job. Sorry for the english, not my native tongue. Best regards from Concepción, Chile.

[@hinahinananoha7783]

Thanks so much, Preston!! Every video - a relaxing interesting thought-provoking experience:)))

[@guesswho1047]

Nadiya Nanoha Well said!! I have a hard time trying to put his videos into words... agree 100%

[@nononono3421]

Aeron Damp Air. Euron the Storm God. Aeron will become Euron's prophet after losing his faith in the Drowned God. Also Pyat Pree is still alive, one warlock is missing and one of the remaining two is calling out to him. Dany keeps brushing off the threat of warlocks. The Ironborns have started attacking the east coast. Victarion thought he lost ships fit to meet the king's fleet in battle to a storm, but they turned back to attack their real target. Sacrifices gives ships speed-boosts. Euron is preparing a really major sacrifice, to get a really major speed boost. The attacks on the west coast were misdirection, all strongly telegraphed. The Mad Maid will release a beast on Oldtown by accident with no Ironborns around. Euron is going to destroy Storm's End.

[@Macconator2010]

Booo Aeron King! We want Gilbert King!

[@babycowkiller475]

CyaLatte farwynd farwynd farwynd!

[@ComradeSlice]

CyaLatte Erick! Erick King!!!

[@shaunkerr8721]

and there I went, thinking nothing could add to this nearky perfect, 74 degree, sunny day in January Athens Ga is having. thank you you for pleasantly surprising me, Preston, you are the man

[@DolorousDillon]

It wouldn't be to surprising to me if Euron at 12:55 is giving a false direction to Damphair much like Lady Stark did to Tyrion when she took him hostage in a game of thrones

[@drbrontosaurus]

Seizure symptoms? I know a character that suffers from apparent seizures, our main man Sweetrobin. Fascinating.

[@shimavitz47]

The mutes could communicate with whistles, claps, snaps or instruments. Psy options are not the only options but it is an interesting idea.

[@TE4MTIGER]

Euron saying "What can you offer me that i have not had before" may be a reference to Cormac Macarthies Blood meridian, during a monolog on war and conquest being the ultimate virtue the character the judge says (to a former preist) “Ah Priest, What could I ask of you that you've not already given"

[@Kane.the.Samoyed]

I think the condition could be arygria which is caused by silver colloids; this cause blue discoloration of the skin locally if expose to skin for long periods of time or systematically if ingested. I did a presentation on this condition and it’s history is quite fascinating due to silver containing anti microbial properties and still used in medicine.

[@sabrinakrisb4672]

Preston you are an absolutely brilliant genius !!!!!

[@haas1776]

Isn't it amazing that we have someone like Preston? He has a wife, a job, and a life, but he takes the time to make these vids just for the rest of us to enjoy :)) Keep at it man!

[@Feamelwen]

The " belly of the whale" is also the name Joseph Campbell gave to one of the phases of the Hero's Journey in his hugely influencial "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" mythology book. Namely, it's when the hero/heroine is at the darkest moment of his/her adventures. Most of the times it involves being somehow underground or "swallowed up", even if it's only metaphorically. It is a necessary phase before being symbolically "reborn" and starting to rise up.

[@NUFCMVFC]

Ship communication can perhaps be done by things like Drums and Horns as Army battle communication...but in keeping with ASOIF memes I actually reckon Eurons crew is becoming a bit like his own CoTF Weir-net or HoU net, and he is attempting to hook Aeron into this net. I had thought he had only wanted him for his "Priests blood" which seems to have its own powerful magical properties akin to Kings blood but why all the visions etc so this chapter makes me think there's more to it, he may not be dead at the end like I thought he was, the prow could be his place in the Silence-net

[@wulozhiro1316]

damn right we are back....hell yeah....ecstatic to hear PJs breakdown of the chapter!!! itisknown.

[@catelyntully9494]

My body is so ready, i've waiting for this chapter!

[@robbynines2445]

"he can piss really far..." at that point I was like ok I give up. then sure enough thats the end of the friggin video lolll

[@mr-century]

I have been waiting for this since prepping started, Good Going Preston

[@PrestonJacobstheSweetrobin]

Thank you!

[@mr-century]

Preston Jacobs Now the wait for Dying of the Light p2 begins. Keep up this godly work my good man!!

[@georgefotiadis4869]

Hope your vacation was awesome... That was a great video, really got me thinking

[@macnsteez3938]

I love the mirror images of Barristan the Bold/Big Walder you mentioned at the start Hopefully he earns a nickname like Big "Balls" Walder or something like that when people talk about the battle later in the book. Even if he dies in the Asha chapter (which he most likely will)

[@TheRhcprule]

Hey Preston keep up the spectacular work!! you make this universe seem so much more complex and intriguing its hard NOT to watch your videos lol

[@homiz96]

holy shit this chapter is so good

[@TunezCottage]

Preston, would you consider doing a "recap" video on DwD/FoC, whereas you go over where we left things with the POV's featured in the winds of winter and the unanswered questions that linger yet, before the release of WoW?

[@aaronkeeling7154]

Thanks for the new video. Hope you are having a great new year.

[@kccody7278]

thanks Preston. loved the video, amazing as always. the fucking forsaken!!!!!!!!

[@xqiuvmah]

You only need one person to issue orders while sailing. It's the captain's voice that matters, no one else. The only thing a crew needs to say is "yes sir"

[@made-line7627]

Plus, they can probably sign.

[@maxwellswain3083]

Thanks Preston

[@michaelwatson8890]

I can't see how George is going to close off all the different plots in just two books. Your videos are outstandingly good

[@joejessup9775]

Shade-of-the-Evening maybe linking users to the newly emergent "Ghost Grass" - that stuff near Asshai.

[@katenese]

You say that this chapter probably happens before Euron sends Victarion to Slavers Bay--Can you explain how you know what the time line is?

[@psevdhome]

With regard to awakening Aeron's telepathy and perhaps Euron melding his mind with Aeron, a thought came to me. Perhaps Euron is using telepathy to control his mutes and is making Aeron and others like him, the priests and warlocks he captured, into beacons through which he can control other mute ships as well. This would help his fleet to stay together and find each other.

[@kevinmoore4237]

Wow - fantastic biblical knowledge right off the bat. I love this series more than I can say.

[@Dandevan]

PLO PRESTON!! As for Big Walder in grand armour, this reminds me more of a dead man in the Butcher King's armour to give the forces a morale boost.

[@HebrewsElevenTwentyFive]

Nice upload!

[@mumbles2518]

Doran doesn't have gout. Hour that sever would not allow him to stand when he kissed his daughter. It's fake

[@made-line7627]

Greenhand?

[@volcryndarkstar]

Can't wait for you to get to the part with the pale child, Bakkalon.

[@a_lost_one]

Preston uploaded a video. Life is good.

[@Peter_Baelish]

well they don't necessarily have to be mutes. they can have a small part of the tongues cut off impeding thrm from clear conversations but allowing screams and shouts which is what a ship needs. so similar to the bible storied where some events happened but was largely exaggerated in the view of the writer.

[@acrustykrab]

Thank you for this, so enjoyable!

[@Christopherjazzcat]

This chapter legit makes my skin crawl

[@jamestaylor4511]

That crabs in the belly shit is fukn nuts

[@bratdfortd]

do you think there's a chance that the Silence will have a.. Mute-nee? eh?

[@ralphrichardson6044]

that hoster tully picture looks weird if you stare at it.

[@ralphrichardson6044]

JBTechCon i can't stop, the mouth is freaking me out.

[@ralphrichardson6044]

JBTechCon I need ms paint not your bloody wit.

[@TOMBZ23]

I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG..

[@Dershizer]

Im pretty sure that During Dany's stay in Qarth, it is mentioned that shade of the evening stains the lips blue.

[@christophertracy7136]

God wanted Jonah 2 go 2 Nineveh and he runs away on a ship, runs into a storm and is thrown overboard 2 save every one else on the ship. That's when the fish swallows him.

[@TheDeetster]

Weird unrelated question, why does Euron say "All the gods of Earth"? Does he mean all the gods of the land, therefore excluding the Drowned God? That doesn't make sense because he isn't at all religious. Is Planetos referred to Earth in the story by other characters?

[@Halbared]

‘No one really cares about him.’ Awwwww

[@radrickdavis]

Joseph and the dreamcoat is another parallel to the Forsaken.

[@jamesfetterley]

Shield Island are South of Iron islands so that makes sense.

[@katherinederoet4114]

Great analysis! I always like your perspective.Are you going to be doing another part to the alliances of iron series that incorporates the Theon and the Forsaken chapters or wait for twow to come out? Thank you Preston - not least because the mental image of Dany running in circles and banging her head on the wall when she takes shade of the evening will never stop being funny.

[@Brellowcrop]

the blue lips are straight frpm Dune, the spice extends life, allows travel over huge spaces and turns the lips blue.

[@Mr.Slaughter]

Fleets used to communicate via flags. Hence why the ship giving orders is called the Flag Ship. Mutes don't need to speak to see a red, yellow, or green flag.

[@joejessup9775]

Valyrian Steel scale armor. Where did Euron get it? Valyria, Qarth, Asshai?

[@shavedata5436]

Joe Jessup wtf the armor is valyrian steel?!?!

[@adamkeddy5902]

Maybe it's not telekinesis that lets Arya change her face but telepathy affecting the brain causing a short-term version of prosopagnosia. That would better explain why that seems to be the only thing telekinetic thing the faceless men seem to be able to do.

[@RealitiesCookiejar]

wait wait wait wait a moment please... if big walder is leading the frey army thats huge. he wants to inherit the twins, he has claims in one of the books (i dont recall which) that he will do it, so he has voiced intent, and he is the key to the loyalty of some 1400 odd frey soldiers. the only way big walder can inherit the twins is if the freys lose the war, the only reason 1400 freys will march south to the twins again is if the boltons lose in the north. if big walder doesnt go south again he cant really lay claim to the twins in any way much less participate in any succession squabbles to bump his position in the inheritance. in short, the only way big walder gains from any of this is if he joins stannis. in the theon prep it was suggested that stannis might try to sneak into winterfell to take possession of the castle by stealth since he likely cant siege it with his numbers, much less in winter. with big walder on his team this becomes very possible, whether the 1400 freys are alive or dead (stannis's men wearing their uniforms etc), with big walder at the head of the procession back to winterfell it will not be questioned why the gates should be opened. stannis wouldnt need to rely upon the karstarks as was suggested since the freys would be not only more convincing but the porky frey is married to roose himself.

[@Ragnell141]

I would think the face shifting would be a form of telepathy; psychic suggestion. Sending false signals to a person's brain to create false sensations, towards the end of making them perceive something in a way it isn't. Though I would like to know if the faceless men face-shift to 'disguises' of different height than they. I wonder, if Arya disguises herself as a taller person, does she things from a taller perspective? Or does the perspective remain but she simply looks taller to others? I think that's an important detail to take into account, since it can determine what sort of powers hers might be.

[@ThailandOutsider]

Face changing could just be telepathy as well, does someone's face actually change or is it just an implanted image in everyone who looks at you? Could explain changes in body mass, doesn't matter what you look like if you're 2 foot taller than the person your ment to be, plus when Arya feels her face it doesn't feel different 🤷🏻

[@kardiminic]

where did you find the part about Euron and Hoster Tully? i didnt really understand the reference

[@tiberivsgracchvs2393]

Or maybe he’s just torturing his brother not trying to train him lol

[@spraycan81]

another 12 part series coming up!

[@gabrielmaia2838]

Preston, Could you please enlight me on the chronology, please? I'm having a hard time to understand the time paralels, like how are Tyrion and Aeron thinking at the same time?

[@FreePeoplesMovement]

"wierwood" acorn paste.

[@MatthewKoonsComedy]

Do you think therknow is any significance to euron referring to planetos as earth?

[@trueman.r.849]

We were prepping for winter 5 years ago 😐

[@timkoch95tk]

This chapter came out over 7 years ago 😢

[@TheHarlemGhost2]

What type of Ironborn loses his wits in a storm?

[@TheHarlemGhost2]

@Preston Jacobs to be honest a lot of this chapter leaves me in doubt due to a mix of whether euron is just using his brothers fear against him to make him believe most of his claims I don't believe although that armor though

[@robotraptor7332]

Yes this is an amazing prequel chapter, I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it!

[@debodatta7398]

one of the best chapters in ASOIAF

[@zachunderwood663]

sounds like he needs aeron to be a dragon rider

[@davidgonzalezjr.6550]

Yes!

[@kevinmoore4237]

Preston - how are you dating this chapter? If someone claimed that it occurred after all the events of ADwD, how would you rebut that?

[@feral7523]

Big Walder mirrors Sir Barristan? Nope!!

[@CactusJackIV]

I believe that GRrM is playing the long Troll game and their is no WoW. He has all the cash he needs, or would ever need. At the end of next year he will release a 700 page blank book.

[@feral7523]

A boat manned by mutes is Dumb! lol

[@joshl4751]

The faceless men could very well still be telepathy. Rather than changing their faces they may just make those around them see a different face.

[@Lily2U1515]

Is it CPR? or is it more like "the kiss of life?" Do they in fact drown?

[@zachsimon5587]

Diarrhea Dragons. The less known but equally feared relatives of the Targaryan Dragons.

[@dannelder3800]

why are you saying thins chapter happened before Euron sends Victorion to slavers bay?

[@dannelder3800]

or rather, how do you know?

[@Meisekitani]

The appearance of Falia Flowers confirms one of the dungeons is on Oakenshield, where Euron sends Victorion to slavers bay.

[@KristinSchultz-tb2iy]

the moon, a telepathic satelit, magic,... how about symbolism? we're reading after all a book