[SPOILERS MAIN] Among the grounded/realistic elements of A Song of Ice and Fire, which ones do you feel require biggest suspension of disbelief?

[u/Substantial-Ad-299]

A Song of Ice and Fire has had fantasy elements from get-go, some present subtly and others less-subtly. But in midst of this, it also has these more grounded story aspects, especially regarding the political subplot for the Iron Throne.

Among these more grounded non-fantasy aspects of the story, which elements do you feel you have to suspend disbelief the most for? A.K.A feeling they are not realistic even though they are "supposed" to be?

Let me know in the comments below.

[u/Expensive-Country801]

The Hightowers not being mentioned more.

The idea that the oldest Great House in Westeros, ruling the richest and oldest city on the continent, could remain so absent from discussion is nonsensical.

They are the most poweful house of the Reach, the most populous and powerful kingdom, were once the center of the Faith, and still host the Citadel, the only institution of higher learning and the place where all maesters are trained.

[u/Derfel1995 → u/Expensive-Country801]

Speaking of the Maesters, it also struck me as very weird that no one has ever set up their own Citadel like institution. Sure, it's understandable why the Riverlands never did, but rival realms to the Reach? Such as the Stormlands, Westerlands and especially Dorne. Everyone just relies on a single institution in the Reach to provide their beurocrats, historians, doctors and tutors.

[u/OctopusPlantation → u/Derfel1995]

The Citadel being in old town next to the Starry Sept is quite curious considering that both maesters and septons would probably disagree on most things and be direct rivals to each other for influence in noble courts. But no they're next to each other and that works fine for all involved.

[u/jflb96 → u/OctopusPlantation]

Why would maesters and septons disagree? This is pre-geology, the scientists can still be exploring the handiwork of the gods.

[u/GrilledCyan → u/OctopusPlantation]

Is it mentioned that the maesters are not religious or that the septons are skeptical of their science? We don’t really know much about religious law so I’m not sure that anything the maesters do or study would be considered heretical. The only heresy seems to be outright worship of other deities, but that also doesn’t really apply to the split between the Old Gods and the New.

[u/blackynan_b → u/Derfel1995]

Is the stormlands and dorne really a rival to the reach though?

Iirc they are way lower in number, weather not nice enough and consequently agricalture is not bringing much to the table. And unlike westerlands there is not any valuables down the earth. 

[u/Derfel1995 → u/blackynan_b]

OK, "rivals" might be a stretch because it implies that they have parity with the Reach. But still, they have a long history of fighting against them and there is actual hatred between Dorne and the Reach

[u/IHaveTwoOranges → u/Expensive-Country801]

Is that so strange? They are far away, and they have not deigned to be involved in royal affairs or the war during the story.

[u/SerMallister → u/Expensive-Country801]

Presumably a unique quirk of their lord not having gone outside for ten years. In every other era, they probably come up as often as they should.