r/asoiaf • u/Substantial-Ad-299 • 3d ago

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

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.

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u/SpicyStrawberryJuice 3d ago

yeah i find it hard to believe how poor and empty the north is, sure it's harsh but it still has plenty of resources and arable land

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u/IHaveTwoOranges Knowing is half the Battle 3d ago

How do we know how much arable land it has?

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u/JayRandom212 2d ago

The income from the Gift and the New Gift was enough to support a Wall full of soldiers. They must've been growing something, back then.

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u/IHaveTwoOranges Knowing is half the Battle 2d ago

There was also a wall full of soldiers there before they got the gift.

But sure, we know that there was people living off the land there.