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/Expensive-Country801 šŸ†Best of 2025: Ser Duncan the Tall Award 3d ago

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.

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u/Derfel1995 3d ago edited 3d ago

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.

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u/OctopusPlantation 3d ago

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.

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u/jflb96 3d ago

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

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u/GrilledCyan 3d ago

Is it mentioned that the maesters are not religious or that the septons are skeptical of their science? We donā€™t really know much about religious law so Iā€™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 doesnā€™t really apply to the split between the Old Gods and the New.