Winds of Winter Theory: Stannis, the Night Lamp, and the Battle of Ice

[@starcusmcr3964]

"What battles has the bastard of Bolton won, that i should fear him?"

[@tylerasuncion3208]

Honestly the battle of ice is one of the reasons I’m most excited for Winds. I can’t wait to see how well the Mannis’ Plannis turns out

[@jonathanshihadeh]

Its never coming

[@Laketwig]

@@jonathanshihadeh it is

[@albdamned577]

@@jonathanshihadeh lol the dude set up plans for IF he were to die, that someone would be able to at least carry it over the finishing line. I suspect he wishes to avoid something like Dune's series from happening. It is gonna be made, the question is when, and how many people have to die to make it happen!

[@Randy.Bobandy]

@@albdamned577 George has specifically said he doesn't want anyone to continue writing the series after he dies. So I dunno where you heard that. Winds of Winter MIGHT release, but A Dream of Spring is never coming.

[@jonathanshihadeh]

@@albdamned577 he said to burn all of his work after death

[@marthvader14]

He doesn't have to kill POV characters off just to simplify the writing, he just needs to not give them new POV chapters

[@striker8961]

that, and hear me out....the story still progresses...through different peoples eyes. the more people get into the same locations, the quicker the pace of events can unfold.

[@stingerjohnny9951]

@@striker8961 I’d love some chapters like that with Tyrion. We get it dude, you’re well-read and clever, can we move it the fuck along please?!

[@nont18411]

True. That’s what he did with Catelyn. He half-assed killing her then shifted POV to someone else once she became Stoneheart.

[@samwinchester1326]

Or maybe stannis will just 1v1 the entire army. He is the mannis

[@QuinnTheGM]

Plausible.

[@captainforest7404]

I’m disappointed that this possibility wasn’t discussed tbh

[@aureum7479]

@@captainforest7404Bear in mind the battle of ice will only take out the Frey army, the Bolton’s are sending their armies out in waves, the ice lake will only take out one wave.

[@thatsoundslikeheresytomeyo4960]

I'm pretty sure there was a legend of a guy challenging an entire army to a 1v1 and they all accepted so it had to be done over the course of a couple days. It was Cu chulain I believe? Knowing GRR martin he might have decided to reference that and thus would put in a scene where he kills them all

[@Batt-jk7sk]

This look more accurate to me

[@Fire_Summoner]

During medieval battles, kings would bring their jester along to taunt the enemies. This would cause hot tempered enemies to break ranks and attacks. The English soldiers would taunt French knight to bait them to attack causing them to fight on unfavorable terrain and advantages. It makes sense that Stannis would do something similar to bait the Freys to their defeat.

[@QuinnTheGM]

The only way this battle could be improved is if Stannis puts Patchface in the middle of it.

[@theprimo100]

@@QuinnTheGM I know, I know! Oh, Oh, Oh!

[@liftedmarco4976]

Who can forget famous historical taunts like “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries”

[@masterplokoon8803]

​@@QuinnTheGM isn't Patchface at the wall?

[@bakthihapuarachchi3447]

During the English Civil War, a guy had to fight another guy who's wife was cheating on him, so he made a banner that said "Come out you cuckold."😂😂😂

[@ChickensVentura]

Roberts true heir will always have a special place in my heart

[@Levacque]

Why would you randomly bring up Edric Storm, the darling of the Stormlands, in a video about Stannis?

[@mjisurdad]

@@Levacque 🤡

[@yurigb116]

​@@LevacqueStannis is the heir cause Edric isa bastard

[@Levacque]

@@yurigb116 that's the joke, my man. The original comment didn't specify Stannis, so I pretended to think they're talking about Edric because he's more popular in-world.

[@turnip9367]

I really hope that GRRM doesn't try to subvert our expectations by having Stannis dying unceremoniously. After all he's endured and gone through, he deserves at least one victory before the curtains close on his journey.

[@PageIsYourGod]

I'm worried that the plan will mostly go off, but something going wrong somewhere vital. Maybe the mid-battle side swapping goes off wrong, or in the night Stannis accidently hits the manderlys pretty bad.

[@jacobenke7936]

Stannis' role in the story seems to have been delivering Mel to Jon. You'll note that Mel is still at the Wall, mirroring the mistake Stannis made on the Blackwater. That's not an accident. I think Mel will sacrifice Shireen without orders or consent from Selyse or Stannis.

[@nont18411]

GRRM will do whatever he wants though. I think Stannis will die in this battle but at least his team will come out with something, not pointless like in the show.

[@thamayor6324]

History tends to repeat itself maybe Stannis will die and John marches South and marries shireen to tommen 😂

[@imean5399]

Stannis will singlehandedly take all three dragons

[@markmooney9416]

*deep breath* THE ONE TRUE KING!

[@Riftrender]

Hes not Arthas.

[@GodDamnRider]

STANNIS, THE MANNIS!!! COME WITH ME AND TAKE THIS CITY!

[@markmooney9416]

@@GodDamnRider RHAaaaghhhhhhhh

[@TiTaN28ALLISON]

Damn man I can’t wait for this epic battle!!! FOR THE ONE TRUE KING STANNIS!!!!!!!

[@markmooney9416]

@@TiTaN28ALLISON Bolton and Frey blood will flow

[@openthemind1244]

I heard a theory that some old man will be cooked in Theon's place, and it would be easy to dress some old man as Theon or Theon as some old man. So the sacrifice would not be hard. and the specific old man headed for the barbeque in Theon's place… Arnolf Karstark.

[@QuinnTheGM]

Also a good point, given Theon’s white hair in the books.

[@BenJover]

Lol yeah that silly Karstark

[@johnnye87]

Also, the Dreadfort maester would be extremely useful for spreading false information about the battle, such as the reports of Stannis' death. Don't want to waste a resource like that. Karstark meanwhile is of no further use to Stannis: he's no good as a hostage due to his age and his family's infighting ("Uncle Arnolf is captured!" "I call his castle!") and he can't be trusted as a double agent.

[@johnnye87]

Another thought: how exactly is the maester a turncloak? They explicitly have no loyalty except to the master of their assigned castle. Whether you consider his master to be Roose or Arnolf, he's doing their bidding, which is the whole extent of his duty. His orders came from Arnolf Karstark, who as a lord sworn to King Stannis broke his oaths by giving those orders and deserves a traitor's death. Third argument for Karstark: king's blood. It's a deliberately fuzzy concept that has a lot to do with "power lying where men believe it to lie", but the Karstarks are directly descended from the Starks, who were one of the oldest line of kings around.

[@fantasyhaven1]

GRRM may have been inspired by the Battle on the Ice between Alexander Nevsky and Teutonic knights (although the idea that the knights fell through the ice may have been invented in a Soviet film)

[@QuinnTheGM]

He does very often take inspiration from history! And who doesn’t love a good Soviet film

[@fantasyhaven1]

@@QuinnTheGM Real (or pop) history taken and turned up to 11, that seems to be his motto lol

[@Svensk7119]

The Battle happened. I am of the belief that what Tom Clancy said about it in Red Storm Rising was accurate to lend authenticity to his characters. What I most question is whether the Russians had the Germans defeated before the ice failed. It makes sense that they would fight on ice, as they would need flat, treeless ground. I will look into it. Now, y'done intrigued me. Darn it, I had to look it up! It is called The Battle of the Ice, but some historians believe the ice breaking was added and embellished by Comrade Sergey Eisenstein.

[@InJouHande]

​@@Svensk7119 interesting! Thanks

[@Baelor-Breakspear]

@@fantasyhaven1still a cool idea though, it’s a cool idea of knights fighting on ice and the bad guy falls through the ice. I like it, I like it a lot

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

One topic I would like to see being discussed is Gendry and his future role in the story. He has connections with Catelyn/Stoneheart and is likely to meet Jaime soon. George must be planning something big for him in Winds.

[@QuinnTheGM]

That’s a great topic, especially given his faith in the Lord of Light, which is really interesting.

[@CrackingCody]

I've always thought it was odd that most ASOIAF theorists and KZbinrs just gloss over Robert Baratheon's most well known and fleshed out bastard as if he doesn't factor into the overall story.

[@barrone71]

I think Edric Storm will have more of a role than Gendry. Not saying Gendry won’t have a role/storyline but what happened in the Show (Gendry being elevated to lord Baratheon of Storms End) would fit Edric Storm better since he is an acknowledged bastard of the former King and a lady from a very noble house

[@davethebarbarian4419]

Nah, he is being saved to be the north-of-the-wall-message-delivering-sprint-boi in the last book.

[@robincrisman4814]

If you believe Gendry is the true born son of Cersi and Robert, and Cersi is the daughter of the Mad King. That would make Gendry of the blood line that will produce the Prince that was promised. He is also a blacksmith making him someone who actually pulls swords from fire. If all of this is true and that's a big if, you can make the math fit that he is the Prince that was promised. Or something like that. I know all of this is all smoke but it's a fun rabbit hole to play with with when you're bored 😂

[@afnanbogey]

Finally a youtuber who gives the One True King his due.

[@Alduin_el_Compadre]

My opinión of Stannis path in TWoW. °Win against Freys °Marches on Winterfell. Northern Lords Open the Gates. °"The Hour of the Mannis" °Thw wall falls °Last Stand at Winterfell °If Shireen isn't burn to resurrect Jon Snow , i suspect She'll be burned here °Winterfell falls °Stannis dies. The protector of the realm

[@blackeyedlily]

Sounds about right. I think these predictions are quite likely based on the way I have read the text.👍

[@Lila_S.]

Great video, Quinn! The thing about Stannis is that nothing comes easy to that man, so I do think it will be a win for him, but not an easy one as luring Hosteen may suggest, but at a great cost.

[@niofalpha]

I feel like we'll see the Manderly troops betray the Freys then still be attacked by Stannis.

[@QuinnTheGM]

I think that’s quite likely as well, or they’re at least partially on the ice and fall in as well.

[@gooby214]

Damn it, Stannis doesn't know the truth yet...he thinks the Manderlys killed Davos too.

[@aureum7479]

@@gooby214Wyman will likely inform Stannis of this, and that he has sent Davos to Skagos.

[@luigicavallo270]

​@@gooby214 "GIVE ME BACK MY ONION KNIGHT, YOU FAT BASTARD!"

[@luiscaetano6184]

@@aureum7479 Wyman is at Winterfell

[@jayse324]

Can't wait for you to hit 10K! You deserve it! Some of the best asoiaf content on the platform, truly.

[@QuinnTheGM]

Thank you! :D

[@freddymeisner]

Your vids are quickly becoming some of my favorite ASOIAF content on the internet! Stoked for you to hit 10k, keep it up my guy

[@maxmustermann9058]

It would make sense for some mountain clansmen to break line, but I really don't want it to happen. Stannis needs everyone he can get.

[@Yes_Fantasy_419]

"If my army and I are destroyed at Winterfell, you will find my sellswords and seat my one true born daughter upon the iron throne!" - King Stannis Baratheon

[@coleheilgeist]

You should do a Theon analysis one day! Such a great, complex character

[@warlordofbritannia]

So much heart in conflict with itself

[@coleheilgeist]

Great video btw! :)

[@idontuploadanym0re]

4:40 i love that you listed “Frey” as a con lmao

[@mavenous22]

The aftermath of the battle would be an interesting video to cover.

[@rabbithaze9707]

Thank you for summarizing this theory so well! Ever since we read the books we've been watching content theorizing about TWOW we all wait and most people just discuss the Night Lamp theory by name without going into it (I know it's a famous theory but still) or link to the huge original post. I appreciate someone taking the time to break it down in a nice video form.

[@GreyWasteTim]

I disagree on Asha being Greyjoy to die here. As is implied in the books and was heavily bashed repeatedly on the show Theon has been castrated by Ramsay. He is unable to produce more children. Asha however may be carrying Qarl the Maid's child. Since Euron, Vic and Aeron are unlikely to live to the end the Greyjoy name would have to continue on through Asha. She'll more than likely become Lord of the Iron Islands with Theon's backing and Qarl's child as heir. It would be a progression in Ironborn politics with a female leader and the heir coming from a thrall family.

[@QuinnTheGM]

That’s an interesting point as well, you’ve convinced me that it could very much go either way in regards to which Greyjoy survives.

[@mrbluesly4377]

Or asha gives birth and dies but the baby lives. Theon then raises his niece/nephew to rule isles, and becomes a father figure to a child that is not his. Much like his own father figure; Ned

[@BenJover]

@@mrbluesly4377 Why would any of the other houses (ironborn or mainland) accept ashas bastard as legitimate ruler?

[@redhippopotamus9144]

Theon will die

[@americansoccerunited]

Ehhh maybe. But I think Theon can't die until his redemption arc is complete and having Asha once AGAIN survive a losing battle would be a bit too much imo. I thought it was too much plot armor when she survived in the forest.

[@hansnotgruber3326]

4:28 Wyman’s sons does not lead his forces. One died at the red wedding, the other is back at White Harbour.

[@mschell8022]

Wow this is incredibly fresh and well put together. I feel like this vid essay really urged me to re-think a lot about the Stannis storyline. I'm really wondering- we all have this assumption that GRRM will give Stannis a fateful, depressing defeat of some sort in TWOW based on the fact that Stannis had has to endure many fateful, depressing defeats thus far. But since when does GRRM give his characters a predictable ending?? There was a point where we all thought Ned would be heroic. Maybe there will be a point where Stannis DOESNT meet the predicted final end in TWOW that many people think he will?

[@QuinnTheGM]

I’ve been warming to this interpretation lately. George has continually emphasized that characters will get different endings than in the show, and I think Stannis could be a great example of that. I don’t think he’d end up taking the throne, should he survive, but I could see him ending the series as Lord of Storm’s End.

[@djokealtena2538]

Love it

[@JagmasterGeneral12374]

​@@QuinnTheGMhe could also die honorably buying enough time for them to either negotiate with the others or too defeat them. Not nesserscrly a a depressing defeat but being remembered as the king who cared who died for the realm.

[@salemhassan2010]

Bro… every video you put is pure GOT gold so glad I subscribed

[@theprimo100]

I heard one theory that Stannis is going to burn Arnolf Karstark in Theon's place because Theon already looks like an old man.

[@alexfdezpal]

I will always watch/read a new piece of content about The Night Lamp and the Battle Of Ice and I will always love every single one of them

[@samuelleask1132]

Been bingeing your content hard recently mate, keep up the good work!

[@ilovemesomme]

Hoping the old Hill clansmen can taste as much Bolton blood as they can before they perish.

[@blackeyedlily]

Your suggestion about the Northern Clans makes me think of Big Bucket Wull, who says, “Let me bathe in Bolton blood before I die.“ This, along with the rest of his blood thirsty quote is very memorable. I think you have put together a good summary of the theories about this battle. History of Westeros has a three podcast series that goes into tremendous detail about it for anyone who wants to explore this upcoming battle in great minutia.

[@drugcel]

I've been waiting for this to drop! Great job, I keep binging your videos.

[@thehonestaspy102]

Even if my man Stannis never sits the throne that's rightfully his, at least I can rest safe in the knowledge he won't have a stupid end in the books

[@jakewolf432]

Wake up babe, new Quinn the GM video dropped

[@IceManBgd]

I’ve finished reading the last book back in 2012. and while I figured that Stannis is going to lure the Freys into the frozen lake, I didn’t put together how. Great content and awesome narration! Liked and subbed

[@lyarrastark6254]

Congratulations on 10.000 subscribers!

[@RoastedToasted0]

Another fantastic video, keep up the great work!

[@geoffbeidler]

Lord Manderly probably used the parting gifts (horses) to make the pies, just like Stannis is eating his horses at the same time. And then he asked the bard to sing about the Rat Chef and thought about how funny it would be if he had actually put a few Freys into the pies. That way he gets to have his fun, but doesn't actually stoop to the Frey's level and make himself a cannibal.

[@swayback7375]

Lol! 3 freys went missing, he brings 3 pies and eats 2 pieces of each! Not only did he turn them into pies, he ate each on purpose and served them to everyone! “The best pies you’ve ever had my lords” while serving. And he DID NOT break hospitality or guest right either.

[@thelaughingman3825]

Horseflesh has a different consistency than pork. Pork is similar to human.

[@Smellykev]

Great explanation! The fates of Stannis, Rickon, Dany, Sansa, and several others need to be revealed soon! Getting EVEN MORE ANTSY for WINDS!!!

[@Rocsanna]

Congratulations on 10k subs! 🥳 Well deserved! Great video, btw.

[@sgauden02]

The Battle Of Ice and the Battle Of Blood are the battles I'm most looking forward to in Winds Of Winter! Great analysis! While I agree that George needs to thin out the ranks of the POV characters, I just don't see Asha Greyjoy dying. I mean, it's possible, but not yet at least. I think the following POV characters are likely to die: Ser Barristan Selmy, Aeron Greyjoy, Victarion Greyjoy, Jon Connington, and maybe even Areo Hotah. Cersei Lannister is also a possibility; I think she has 50/50 chance of surviving Winds Of Winter.

[@ryanbrets7695]

He definitely needs to kill off Aeron and Victarion. Most useless characters ever

[@vanessaamesty6739]

I love it. I do want to SEE more theories on this battle, Stannis & the aftermath

[@ethanbarnacles]

great video! Ive heard of the Night Lamp theory before, but this was a really awesome summation of it!

[@frustis]

I love the unabashedly biased admiration towards Stannis o7

[@ThommyofThenn]

2:20 I don't recall any villagers in the crofter's place but I have a sense that everyone had left by the time Stannis arrives. If this is the case, who keeps feeding fuel the watchtower ?

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

What do you think about the Theory of Stannis men slipping into Winterfell with the Armour of the fallen Freys? Eventually taking it and opening the doors for the rest of the troops? I think he’ll have to capture Winterfell unlike in the show.

[@QuinnTheGM]

I like that idea, though the armor would be difficult to retrieve if the Freys fell through the ice. More likely I think he’ll give Lightbringer to the Manderlys to bring back as proof of his death.

[@Ludovicus-Wyndham]

They have access to Karstark heraldry too.

[@Dustbinlid1]

First comment on the original blog post "Get hype, basically - August 28, 2014" My mans been hype for coming on 10 years now.

[@MacArthurMacNukes]

I know I'm rather late, but i wonder if the two groups that "rushed together" are possibly the Freys and Karstarks. If i remember correctly, only the Karstark leader was punished for his intent to betray while his army remains ignorant. Perhaps Stannis could force the Karstarks onto the ice against the Freys as an alternative to being burned alive or something. The Karstark soldiers, being decently high in number, would be an ample distraction force for the Freys to fight. When the ice breaks Stannis will have dealt with both the traitors and Freys in one fell swoop.

[@Rougarou99]

I am curious whether Lady Dustin’s conversation regarding the maester’s conspiring against their lords might be setting up the Maester Tybald reveal, especially with Theon’s presence at both.

[@vegeta9898]

A concise version of preston's prepping for winter.. good job lol

[@BenJover]

Hey if George won't make use of the material he's given us then I guess we will lol

[@fishpastethe4th340]

Count me down as interested in a post battle Video!

[@jolinefields3460]

I’m happy to see this art work and your factual interpretation are upbeat very rewarding yeah these are great😅

[@emarti3853]

Arnolf karstark is another good candidate for sacrifice for lightbringer to glow

[@brodyday6509]

My boy Big Hos Frey is ready to crack some skulls

[@fanpiresam482]

I like the theory of burning someone and pretending it's Theon, it mirrors his own betrayal of Winterfell. The North remembers.

[@purplepanda8805]

Even if Winds never comes out, I sure hope that the Battle of Ice portion is finished, I'm probably most excited to see it out of anything in Winds.

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

Besides the Battle of the Blackwater the only battle Stannis has lost is the battle against male pattern baldness.

[@flashaxl]

I understand the reason most want Stannis to win the throne, not just this war, but Stannis has the potential to be a bad king if Melissandre continously influencing him. And his reign will be very challenging, with a new religion at the throne, which may or may not competing with Faith of the Seven, which has more followers, the practice of sacrificing a tribute by burning them alive which people of Westeros are not fond of and the use of magic by Red Priestess which the Maesters dislike, just to name a few

[@julioacceus253]

I always imagined he would die fighting the Others.

[@iMajoraGaming]

My hottest take is I want Aegon and Dany to take the throne. As in I want Dany's husband to die, and Aegon to be revealed as a Blackfyre, and they marry and rule a pancontinental realm. It would be so weirdly poetic if all 5 rebellions were a waste of life before, in the end, Black and Red joined again, not by blood, but, like Dorne, through cocks and c*nts. I will even accept Aegon Blackfyre winning and Dany being fed to Patches. I just really want Aegon to be a Blackfyre and win. I will settle for Stannis as well. I could care less about who rules the North. I just desperately want Faegon to win, I cannot explain why, it just calls to me.

[@Matyunkin]

@@julioacceus253 it could even mirroring scene from the show, when overwhelming forces of Boltons defeat small army of Stannis, but in that case that would be Others. And just like in the show, Mannis lead his people to meaningles but glorious fight.

[@matztz_4560]

Stannis is cetical and Just, These little Problems is nothing If you See the Challenges os the Others pretendents

[@mintw4241]

Its worth noting that Stannis is NOT a follower of Rhllor. His wife is, and many of his men are because he permits the red priests to prosthelytise in the queens name, but if Selyse were to die in the mutiny at the wall, I think he’d drop Mel quickly as soon as the others were gone

[@alexkonoff2273]

Great video!

[@ashleyofnaath]

I agree that Big Walder's new leadership position doesn't bode well for the Freys' strategic capabilities military; but I don't think it's supposed to. It's highly likely that Big Walder killed Little Walder, and the discovery of LW's corpse is what led to the clash between the Freys and Manderlys, which ultimately led to Roose sending them into the field to face Stannis. I'd actually argue this moment was truly meant as a diversion for Barbrey Dustin to mail the Pink Letter undetected (she's noticeably absent during the clash), but I digress. Big Walder having murdered his cousin set a ton of things in motion for the Northern Conspirators; so I'd argue he's one of them. And that his new position isn't intended to help the Frey cause. Rather, he's likely there to serve as a pigeon carrier and transport a message from Wyman to Stannis. Perhaps he'll allow himself to be captured to deliver it. Or maybe he'll kill another cousin, the unsuspecting Hosteen, which puts command in BW's control, and he'll yield- which could eventually get him in position to drop his message. Awesome revelation, and awesome video Quinn.

[@ashleyofnaath]

Follow up- This wouldn't be BW's first time serving as a pigeon carrier. In ASOS, BW wrote the letter given to King Robb Stark which falsely implicated Theon for burning Winterfell. So maybe we'll see him write/deliver another letter to a different king, only this time it'll be truthful. Further, because of BW's having personally written the letter to Robb, he could exhaunerate Theon- which supports your idea that Stannis will spare him.

[@aliasfakename3159]

Despite having a disdain for smugglers, Stannis took the food Davos smuggled him (and only cut off the first digits of his fingers). Stannis has Ned's honor but Tywin's pragmatism. He'll definitely lure the Boltons and Freys onto the holey ice and drown the majority of him. Ned would call it dishonorable but Tywin would approve

[@zzaaatoom]

New to your stuff but really enjoying it. Have you ever considered adding the audio to Spotify? As that's where I binge Alt Shift X nowadays Unsure of the barriers there but just a thought on another stream for you

[@QuinnTheGM]

Interesting idea! I’ll have to look into it, I have no earthly idea how the creator side of Spotify works lol

[@dee-taylor]

You've somehow become a Sunday fixture for me, nice job. Also, what does 'GM' stand for?

[@QuinnTheGM]

This was originally a Dungeons and Dragons channel, so it initially meant "Game Master". Nowadays, I'm unsure! Ran a poll on it a month or so ago, and I'm still undecided on what it should be. "Grand Maester", maybe?

[@kworyl6490]

Yes boss! Ur legit. Can’t wait for WoW, started readin FfC again to fend off the need ;)

[@QuinnTheGM]

Just finished rereading Feast myself!

[@parastroika2393]

Multiple historical precedents for Stannis' plan as outlined in this video. Most apparent is the Battle of Austerlitz where Napoleon's army reportedly lured the Russians onto ice and bombarded it with cannons, causing them to panic. Another was during the Trajan's Conquest of Dacia, specifically the Battle of Adamclisi in which a Dacian army was almost completely lost when it fell through the ice of the frozen-over Danube river which broke apart under the weight of around 15,000 men.

[@Bewbscueser]

I used to devour all the ASoIaF videos I could find. At this point it's just heartbreaking. I have had two friends pass away unexpectedly in recent years who had a deep and abiding love for this world and story. Having come to the realization that the story will never be finished makes me sad. The thing that angers me is the fact that George is a liar. He knows perfectly well he's given up on finishing the story. If he did he would have by now, it's just that simple. Once it became clear that he didn't finish during the pandemic my last shred of hope dissolved completely. We will never have closure on any of the theories kicking around the internet. I fervently wish that someone at some point will call George out for being a huge liar. I kind of hate George. I am perfectly aware of how irrational this is but man he is hard to stomach.

[@hsgame4088]

Im srry to hear that. But hey he said he was 3/4 done so thatsh something

[@Bewbscueser]

@@hsgame4088 It really isn't. For starters since the last book came out 12 years ago it would mean that at best we can expect the book to finally be done in four years. George also had over a year of forced isolation during the pandemic to get serious and finish the book. The fact that he didn't can only be explained by the fact that he has no intention to finish which sums up my feelings on the matter. So the best case scenario is a septuagenarian with a famously low fitness level finishing the second to last book in the series and somehow living long enough to finish the whole thing despite prioritizing literally everything else. Look I get it, the truth hurts but anyone who thinks George is finishing ASoIaF has been dining on brain tumors.

[@condor2279]

He'll never finish it himself, but the Winds of Winter will come out after he dies. The publishers paid him up front for a finished book, so I don't think he has the legal privilege to forbid it.

[@Bewbscueser]

@@condor2279 I agree with this completely. The thing is that George is a brilliant writer. There is a subtext, a parallel to what is manifest on the page that I have never seen in any other works of fiction. The notion of ASoIaF being finished by some hack like RA Salvatore or Robin Hobb or whoever doesn't interest me in the least. ASoIaF will always exist for me as an unfinished Magnum Opus.

[@Rocsanna]

Some unsung gems in this video: Hosteen pros: big; cons: angry, stupid, Frey 🤭 Around 12:00 mark: ASOIAF fans, as healthy and well adjusted as we are.... 🤪 yup, def-def-definitely.

[@bretonfou7046]

13:29 This could just be a flanking maneuver by Stannis. As the Freys rush onto the lake they're then hit on the sides by the mountain clans and from behind by the Manderlys, complete encirclement.

[@AJHyoton]

Stannis needs Theon to take Winterfell, and Asha and her Iron boys can do what Theon did when Winterfell was first taken. Theon knows the castle, and probably a way to sneak in some people to institute an ambush. Either that, or the "Freys" actually the Mountain Clans in Frey garb fished from the pond, gain access by having "captured" Stannis.

[@aaronabarca4919]

10:28 It could also be the Karstark leader

[@Nalhirrim]

Can't wait for Stannis to throw Ramsay on the BBQ

[@Yes_Fantasy_419]

(DRAWS SWORD) THE ONE TRUE KING OF WESTEROS!!!

[@tmullins64]

Wow this video randomly popped up for me. It’s been almost 5 years since I read and the last book but for some reason I thought hat Stannis had died at some point.

[@juststop5768]

Watching this to forget about my college debt for a couple hours

[@garrys248]

Who are the 5 in Essos going to Meereen? Ser Baristen Tyrion Victarian Danaerys? Arya?

[@QuinnTheGM]

Barristan Tyrion Victarion (At the beginning of the book) JonCon Quentyn

[@garrys248]

@@QuinnTheGM thank you for replying. I was watching your newest video and must have clicked on this video. I didn’t notice until, I was like what does this battle have to do with barristen’s doom! 😂 d’oh!

[@IsamotKol]

Great video

[@americansoccerunited]

I'm curious to see if Theon will confess to Stannis the fact that he didn't kill the Starke boys. Maybe in order to keep Stannis from killing him or most like Asha will do so as we know Theon told her this when they met up in the snow at the end of Dance. Stannis won't believe it at first but if Manderly forces join up with him and whoever is commanding them might be in the know about the plan with Davos and confirm to Stannis that Rickon is in fact alive. The Manderlys will have to admit to not killing Davis in order for Stannis to be willing to allow them to join him.

[@CNERail]

I agree with all of this, EXCEPT, I don't think he will use a catapult, I think it will be a massive hammer. This will make the whole cracking of the ground and flooding of the army an allegory of the Children's Hammer of the Waters that created the Stepstones

[@d.m.collins1501]

My suspicion is that you're on to something with the idea of mountain clans breaking formation. Maybe this will be a battle of tragic irony, as the snare intended to draw the Freys onto the ice will be revealed ahead of time by the mountain clans charging in early--the mountain clans will collapse the ice, reveal the ruse, and in some way leave Stannis' forces weak and exposed rather than victorious. Then the Boltons will win the war, Theon and Asha will flee, and the Pink Letter will turn out to be written by Ramsay Bolton after all.

[@JagmasterGeneral12374]

I don't think stannis would be beaten I could see him winning a pytheric victory taking massive casualties while still defeating them when manderlys attack the freys

[@joshsylvester1450]

What if stannis’s plan is for the mountain clans to rush in to trigger the ice breaking

[@QuinnTheGM]

Despite the fact that they’re not his core troops, I don’t think Stannis would willingly sacrifice that many people given how starved for forces he currently is.

[@CheeseCrumbs00]

Theons sample chapters are great because you can see how Stannis is living. He has no bed and one chair meaning he still cannot sleep and takes no counsel on what moves to make next. It makes me worry that a lord will take it as a slight, although I suppose he maintains the trappings of power. Also makes me concerned that his health is declining rapidly, every new description we get of Stannis he looks worse and worse. By the time of the tower Asha could see the shape of his skull which does not make him seem healthy especially considering hes only 35. But knowing GRRM it probably means he is going to live for 1000 years.

[@sinthoras1917]

I mean, he is starving at that time

[@CheeseCrumbs00]

@@sinthoras1917 yeah ik, everytime someone sees him since Renlys death he just described as worse and worse even when he had food tho.

[@faegotte]

the description of stannis' sword reminds me of glass candles

[@musicaldooder20]

I think one thing that we fans of the books can agree on is this: if Stannis does die, but I don’t think he will, at least not in Winds, he most certainly will NOT go out with a pathetic whimper like he did in the show. The show version of Stannis that we got was not the true Stannis. He wouldn’t burn his own child, he would never bring his queen and their daughter on a dangerous military campaign in the first place, and he most certainly wouldn’t foolishly charge headlong into a pointless battle. I think that Stannis’ story still has a ways to go, and that Winds, if it ever comes out, will be a great follow up.

[@johnpotts8308]

While it's bad to lose too many men, given his supply situation, Stannis it might be to his advantage to lose a few so he has less ("fewer!") to feed. My guess is he wins on the ice and makes it into Winterfell, defeating Roose but is assassinated by Ramsay (who has taken on a fake identity to get close to Stannis).

[@CrackingCody]

I don't see Ramsay being able to slip past people like Theon or the Manderlys to get close enough to Stannis, wouldn't make much sense. It worked in book 2 because no one knew Ramsay at the time. He was a thought dead bastard. Now he's made himself widely known to the North, taunting and murdering. If Winterfell fell to Stannis, I don't see how he'd just be able to throw on some rags and pretending for a second time.

[@Cataphract3]

I really don't think Ramsay is going to beat Stannis in Winds of Winter. The show makes Ramsay far more competent than the idiotic psychopath he is in the books. I think something unexpected will happen to Stannis that will throw things into motion.

[@jalocin]

Who does the title illustrations? I really like them!

[@QuinnTheGM]

Character art is by TheMico!

[@jalocin]

@@QuinnTheGM thank you

[@Steelion69]

The Night Lamp theory, Red Wedding 2.0, Frey Civil War (With Baelish and the Arryns rocking up to stop) theories could all be true, and actually building up to a Second Battle of the Trident; where Stannis and his forces (Starks, Baratheons, Arryns, Tullys) fight fAegon and his forces (New Targaryens, Tyrells and Martells) in a reversal and repetition of history (of which George seems so fond of) that results in Aegon defeating the last king claimant, and consolidating his power as "the king" of Westeros. Stannis will probably end up taking the black and die fighting the others at the wall when it collapses.

[@JLchevz]

Imagine if GRRM knew about all the well researched theories that float around, he'd go crazy trying to find something new to surprise us lmao

[@fullirishham1015]

Probably not, seeing as that's half of what led to the disappointing of the show, I'd imagine he'd rather see his magnum opus well written and enjoyable, even if his fans have already theorized over Twow enough to guess every plot point he'll use.

[@AwesomeReshiram]

i think his only contact with the internet is with his blog. so he probably has zero interactions with theories.

[@albdamned577]

I have a feeling the lamp will be a burning weirwood, which would cause the northern men to desert.

[@doc_holliday9484]

Honestly I could see him just trapping them between the lakes and using the mountain clans mean to harass them from the sides and hit them with the classic hammer and anvil strategy. Trap them between well fortified positions in front of the tower and the mountain clans rushing in from behind as shock troops with what cav he has left and I could see the Freys crumbling in the chaos. Their numbers would become a disadvantage as they lose cohesion and possibly try to flee into the ice and there it’d be like the Russians fleeing Napoleon.

[@littlebabycarrotful]

The Asha Fragment doesnt invalidate the theory in my mind. Even if Stannis springs this trap and it's more successful that even he dreamed, there's likely still going to be circumstances where she can see belligerents from opposing sides rushing each other. It might even refer to just two combatants, might it not? Its possible visibility is quite low and she can only see a handful of men at a time. Unless she ends up fighting alongside Stannis and the northern clans, i guess

[@deezdgbt]

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't get the Theon sacrifice theory....The northmen want him dead but he's useful as heir to the Iron Islands, so Stannis will fake his execution? If he shows up later ruling the islands, wouldn't the northmen know Stannis played them?

[@KOSJ153]

Who cares at that point, he won

[@Adam-qy8vz]

I don’t think grrm ever went ice fishing. Once the hole is cut, the water rushes to the top and freezes, so it’s as though a hole was never there.. If it didn’t freeze, it’s too mild therefore it isn’t cold and shouldn’t be freezing cold blizzard

[@frankvandorp2059]

This is one of the battles I look most forward to, mostly because it will finally dispel the absolutely foul taste of season 5 from my mouth, where D&D ruined everything about Stannis and the North and which prompted me to start reading the books, simply because I wanted a better story than season 5 had given me. So ever since that moment I've been waiting to find out what REALLY happens to Stannis. I really, really hate season 5.

[@alfieingrouille1528]

Hint to frey civil war eh very nice 😁.

[@funbro99]

As stannis lies dying he shall not be known as the chosen one or as a baratheon but the 1000 man slayer of the stormlands. Praise be his fury.

[@feral7523]

I would have thought you'd suggest the Castellan Karstark as the "sacrifice" as he's old and grey and a traitor ,Theon is said to have aged and he's hair is all grey due to the horrors he's had to endure so a better fit i'd say, also the Castellan Karstark has heirs present that's probably agree once they become the Lord of Karstark and regain honor for their house.

[@openomniverse446]

Stannis will probably end up being the King's blood sacrificed, the sword falling to Jon as Azor Ahai.

[@BDawg-hy7pl]

You know he’s not gonna drop the book right?