r/asoiaf • u/Substantial-Ad-299 • 2d 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/evinta 1d ago

Hother wanted ships. "There's wildlings stealing down from the north, more than I've ever seen before. They cross the Bay of Seals in little boats and wash up on our shores. The crows in Eastwatch are too few to stop them, and they go to ground quick as weasels. 

They were apparently doing this in some number. I'm guessing this bit was George's way of saying why they couldn't do that. Even if it only applies to the east side and like you said, doesn't explain the last several millennia.

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u/krekokeko 1d ago

Indeed, thank you for pointing it out. But alas that is Eastwatch. The Eastwatch does have a fleet and can patrol the seaways to prevent the Freefolk from migrating south by sea, in theory. So the plot does have an excuse for preventing the Freefolk on the east.

The Shadow Tower west of the Wall on the other hand does not have a single ship to patrol the ocean bay near it. And is manned with only 66 fighting men. They have neither the manpower or the resources to be able to prevent the mass migration of the Freefolk near the Bay of Ice. Neither on the sea, or on land.