Introduction

George R. R. Martin set out to write an epic trilogy with his first volume, A Game of Thrones, publish in 1996. However, he soon realized that three books would not contain the story he had to write. To date, Martin has completed five of seven planned books. Meanwhile, with completion of Season 6 of the HBO series, Game of Thrones has outpaced Martin’s story (leaving many of his fans bitter with Martin). The final two Seasons will exceed the current story line with much speculation as to whether the TV series and the books will continue to the same finish.(However, I have it that Martin has revealed the end of his epic to the series creators, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.) Over the 8 Seasons, Game of Thrones has put up some very impressive ratings:

• Season 1 finale - 3.0 million viewers
• Season 2 finale - 4.2 million viewers
• Season 3 finale - 5.4 million viewers
• Season 4 finale - 7.1 million viewers
• Season 5 finale - 8.1 million viewers (while going up against the NBA finals)
• Season 6 finale - 8.9 million viewers
• Season 7 finale - 16.5 million views
• Season 8 finale - 19.3 million views

And, over Season 8, viewership has averaged 6.5 million views per episode! (That includes ALL views of the episode, not just the night of airing.)

Game of Thrones is HBO’s presentation of George R. R. Martin’s medieval fantasy epic, A Song of Ice and Fire. Named for the first novel in the series, it relates the struggle for the the Iron Throne of the mythical country of Westeros. The world of Westeros is not named though it is often referred to (outside of the tales) as The Known World. In addition to Westeros, The Known World includes the continent of Essos, lying east of the Westeros across The Narrow Sea, and the little known continent of Sothoryos, lying south of Essos.


While I have modified the order of this presentation, I have retained the original layout of working from the "bottom up" starting with Season 6 at the bottom of the page. (Actually, the last sections of the page are A History of Westeros and The Religions of Westoros.) So next comes the Epilogue where I give my fintal thoughts on the series followed by Season 8 and so on. I considered reordering it but decided to stick with my original concept. Epilogue

Eight years. Eight years! The time of this journey initiated by George R. R. Martin way back in 1996 and brought to life by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. In many ways it is hard to believe that it has come to an end. Whether you liked the ending, and season 8 in general, we can surely say that Monday mornings will never be the same. And we can thank these three people for the magnificent ride. So here are my final thoughts on Episode 8.

• My powers of prediction totally suck!
• Bronn is awarded with High Garden and becomes the Master of Coin. He promptly calls for rebuilding of all of the brothels.
• Gendry was not crowned king.
• Yara survived.
• Tyrion survived. And once again is given the title Hand of the King.
• Jon survived.
• Daenerys did not! Her death at Jon’s hand was not totally unexpected. Was I the only one that, when the dagger slid into flesh, was, for an instant, not sure who was the recipient?
• Drogon survived but flew off into the east, presumably not to be seen again.
• Arya’s decision to sail to the west was not totally unfounded. She mentioned to Lady Crane back in Season 6 Episode 8 that “Essos is east and Westros is west, but what’s west of Westros?” Lady Crane replies, “The edge of the world maybe.” to which Arya says “I’d like to see that.” However, considering that this was the only time the subject came up, I feel it is somewhat tenuous to base her fate on. On the other hand, it is the great basis for a sequel, be it a book, a TV series or a movie.
• Bran the Broken, First of his Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. I didn’t really see that coming, but, given the situation, fitting.
• Sansa Stark, Queen in the North! This was not so unexpected. You could see it building the last several seasons. With it, the Starks truly come out the winners in the Game of Thrones.
• Perhaps the disappointment of Season 8 is due to one factor - the hand of GRRM had little effect on the story telling. He had not written an episode after Season 4 and Benioff and Weiss did not have even the draft of The Winds of Winter as a guide. This is proof of the genius of GRRM as a writer as opposed to the ability of Benioff and Weiss to take advantage of his work.
• The ultimate winner of the final season of GOT has to be GRRM himself. I am sure that many readers of the books, including myself, forswore reading the final tomes (assuming they are actually published) in protest to GRRM’s procrastination that has left his faithful fans wanting. Now, however, I feel it necessary in order to fill in the details left out of the series. While I don’t expect the ending to change, certainly the substance of the story will be deeper. (The Winds of Winter is currently expected sometime in 2024.)

And so it ends. Season 8 - The Final Season

Season 8, the Final Season, has arrived. After almost two years of anticipation, I am now faced with the fact that it will all soon come to an end. For me, the journey started thirteen years ago when I discovered A Game of Thrones, the first book of the Song of Ice and Fire series. Along the way, I met characters that I loved from the beginning, those that I came to love as the story progressed, and those that I loved to hate all along. (Okay, there was Theon that I liked, then hated and, finally, loved. And, of course, Jaime, who I disliked, then liked and ultimately came to hate.) They have become etched into my memory like many of the great serials - Zelazny’s Amber Series, Stirling’s Change Series, Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Cook’s The Tales of the Black Company and, of course, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. (And from SciFi I have to include Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy.) Old friends all.

As of the end of Episode 5, many questions and speculations have been answered and proved or disproved. For me, most (perhaps all) of my speculations and predictions have proved to be worth no more than than the ether they were written on. Here is a recap of Season 8 to date.

• Ser Jorah’s death, while regretful, was probably fated. However, his death could not have been more valiant.
• Had I written a long list of those to die, I would not have included Missandei.
• Nor, perhaps, Varys. Of the two, I found Varys’ death the most troubling. After all, he had been there from the beginning, evolving from a secondary character of dubious honor to an endearing person whose single mindedness for the future of Westeros became admirable.
• Arya’s explosion out of no where to end the reign of the Night King and defeat all of his minions was my greatest surprise. After all, I was sure that the final battle would be King vs King. (Is this the work of Martin, whose inability to complete the series is deplorable, or was this the fabrication of Weiss and Benioff?) On reflections, this is what Arya had trained for and it was in defense of her brother.
• We finally got to see Clegane vs. Clegane. While the death of the Mountain was a given, I wish the Hound could have been spared. However, it was probably never in the cards.
• I admit that I found Cersei’s death less than satisfying. But at least she died.
• Arya’s lack of accomplishing anything of note in the Battle of King’s Landing was disappointing.
• The Battle of King’s Landing was almost too easy. Drogon took out the Iron Fleet in just a few passes and then proceeded to destroy the scorpion defenses with hardly a bolt fired. When he blasted through the gate (probably the Dragon Gate as it fronts on the King’s Road) and made the Golden Company no more than supersized fries, the battle was essentially over. After all, at this point, Dany’s army had not suffered one death.
• Then Daenerys goes full on Mad Queen.
• What caused Daenerys to become what she hated the most? Perhaps, as she earlier told Jon, the only way she would rule was through fear. Hopefully, Episode 6 will explain her turn to the dark side.

As of E5, many have died. My Game of Thrones Guide has been updated to reflect those that that survive and those that do not.

So, it now comes down to my final predictions (or perhaps I should say speculations). Given my track record, you can probably skip this. But, I will take a shot since, after all, everyone else has.

• Drogon, Daenerys’ last “child” will not survive. The time of the dragons has passed and Westeros has no place for them.
• I would like to think that Tyrion will survive. He has evolved from a whore mongering sot to a man of morals and integrity. (I believe that he has had this all along but it was suppressed by his father and sister. The change began with Sansa and was punctuated by his killing of his father.) His final scene with Jaime was one of the most poignant in the series. However, Daenerys warned him that his next betrayal would be his last and, for freeing Jaime, she may decide to cast the same fait on him as Varys. (If so, with the rumor that his father was actually the Mad King, could he be impervious to fire as is Daenerys?) And Tyrion must now see Daenerys as much a monster as Cersei.
• If Tyrion survives, will he reinstate his marriage to Sansa and become the “Lord of Winterfell”? After all, Tyrion is now the Lord of Casterly Rock and a merge of the Starks and Lannisters would be a powerful union.
• If Tyrion dies, Bronn will be out on his arse.
• Though Arya told the Hound that she would not return to Winterfell, I believe that she will travel north and hope that she will finally be reunited with Nymeria.
• What happened to Yara Greyjoy?
• Episode 6 will see the death of either Jon or Daenerys! Dany’s rape of King’s Landing cannot be tenable to Jon and I do not think that he can now call her “my Queen”. However, she still has a formidable army of Dothraki and Unsullied…and a dragon. Jon’s northern army strength is unknown. GRRM’s story line tends to lean toward the good and, as E5 ends, that would point to Jon. I do not see how this will play out. Which begs the final question…
• Who will rule Westeros?

Postscript: I intended to stop with this hanging question. However, thinking on GRRM’s original theme, which Weiss and Benioff seemed to have abandoned, the only sure bet is…something totally unexpected. So once again I will cast my thoughts into the ether. What if Jon and Dany both die? Perhaps, in her madness, Daenerys sees Jon as a betrayer and kills him. In response, Arya then kills Daenerys (redeeming her non-role in the Battle). This leaves one legitimate heir to the thrown - Gendry Baratheon, First of his Name.
A Recap of Season 7

Season 7 was first and foremost the shortest season of the series. Seems it was just rolling good and then it was gone leaving many of us with the DTs. However, in the short season, many major events occurred. For an update on the players, check the Updated Guide to the Houses & Character Relationships.

Season 6 brought us the resurgence of House Stark, culminating in the declaration of Jon Snow as The King in the North. As we stand on the verge of another Winter with the imminent invasion of the White Walkers, here is a recap of the major events of season 7.

• After having killed Walder Frey at the end of Season 6, Season 7 opens with Arya poisoning the remaining lords of House Frey. She leaves one Frey girl alive, telling her, “When people ask you what happened here, tell them the North remembers!” Upon hearing that Jon has been raised as King in the North, she turns from Kings Landing to return to Winterfell.
• Daenerys lands at Dragonstone, the ancient seat of House Targaryen, with her army of Dothraki and her three dragons.
• John Snow travels to Dragonstone to invoke an alliance and to lay hands on the dragon glass that lies beneath it.
• Bran returns to Winterfell as the Three Eyed Raven. Little Finger gives Bran the knife, made of Valyrian steel, that was used back in Season 1 in the attempt on his life. Recognizing his inability to wield it and, possibly, its role in the coming war, Bran gives it to Arya.
• Euron Greyjoy delivers the Sand Snakes to Cersei hoping to get in her, uh, good graces.
• Lady Olenna Tyrell, possibly one of the most loved and certainly one of the most admired characters, sees her end at the hands of Jaime Lanister. However, before she drinks her own poison, she confesses to Jaime that she was responsible for the death of his son, Joffrey. As she takes her last breath, she tells Jaime, “Tell Cersei I wanted her to know it was me.”
• Daenerys’ dragons, along with the Dothraki, finally enter the fray in the defeat the Lannister army at the Battle of the Goldroad. Sam Tarly’s father, Randyll, and brother, Dickon, are toasted by Daenerys for forsaking House Tyrell and siding with the Lannisters.
• Samwell Tarly cures Ser Jorah Mormont of the greyscale in defiance of the Citadel Maestors. This allows Ser Jorah to return to the service of Daenerys. And, who knows, possibly to be the husband of Sansa. After all, Mormonts are bannermen of the Starks.
• Jon ventures north of the Wall to capture an undead soldier to prove the existence of their army. However, when it seemed that they would not make it, up pops Daenerys and her dragons to save them. Unfortunately, in a move not foreseen by anyone, the dragon Viserion was struck down by the Night King.
• At the Dragonpit, all of the forces of Westeros meet and are shown the living dead soldier. Though all swear to band together to oppose the White Walkers, Cersei confesses to Jaime that she intends to sit out the fight and deal with the, hopefully, weakened victor. And, oh yeah, she’s pregnant!
• We all knew that the White Walkers would somehow have to overcome the magic of the Wall to venture south. But it’s only when, to everyone’s dismay, the Night King drags Viserion’s corps from the frozen lake and resurrects him to become one of the undead, do we see how this would be accomplished. Subsequently, we see the Night King, riding the undead Viserion, bring down the Wall.
• In one of the final scenes, we see a lone Jaime leaving King’s Landing and riding north to keep the promises he made. He is, after all, an honorable person in his own way.
• Oh yeah, Jon and Daenerys do the dirty deed . Ewwww.

If GoT is known for anything, it is who dies next. But first, let’s look back at who was killed in Season 6.

• Randyll and Dickon Tarley - While not major players in the story, they are Samwell’s father and brother. Though there was no love loss between Sam and his father, it remains to be seen how it will affect Sam and his reaction to Daenerys.
• Lady Olenna Tyrell - Lady Olenna, the Queen of Thornes, has played a major role since season 3. Often her acerbic wit has put Cersei or Joffrey in their place. And, after all, she had a major part in Joffrey’s death which we all enjoyed. And Diana Rigg was one of only two actors (the other being Sean Bean) that many of us recognized.
• The Sand Snakes - The bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand, Tyene and Nymeria Sand were killed in the raid by Euron Greyjoy and Obara was slowly poisoned by Cersei in the dungeon while Ellaria watched chained to the wall.
• Uncle Benjen Stark - Uncle Benjen has been around since the first season though his appearances have been rather sparse. However, his appearances have been pivotal in the story line - first to save Brandon from the White Walkers and the wights and second to save Jon Snow from, yes, once again, the White Walkers and the wights. Unfortunately, it appears that this will be his last cameo. Fortunately, he cannot come back as a wight because he has a fragment of dragon glass in his chest that had been placed there by the Children of the Forest when he had been left for dead by a White Walker.
• Pyter “Littlefinger” Baelish - This is one of those deaths that, while unexpected at this point in the storyline, was appreciated by many. Littlefinger gets his title of Lord as the lone member of House Baelish, a minor house in the Fingers east of the Eyrie. This, along with his stature, earned him the name of Littlefinger by Edmure Tulley. Ironically, he was killed by Arya with his own dagger.
• Thoros of Myr - A member of the Brotherhood without Banners and a priest of R’hollor, he is responsible for bringing Eric Dondarrion back from the dead a total of six times. He is also on Arya’s list for turning Gendry over to the Red Woman.
• Tormond Giantsbane??? - In the final episode, when the dragon wight destroyed the wall, it appeared to have collapsed before Tormond made his escaped. However, unless you see him lying dead with his heart’s blood running out on the ground, I wouldn’t really count him out. His red beard and affection for Brienne has endeared him to many fans. I suspect he’ll be back next season.
• Viserion the Dragon - I don’t think anyone expected the death of one of Daenerys’ dragons, at least not at this point. However, once the White Walker raised his dead body, it became evident that something such as this was necessary to destroy the Wall so that the WWs and the wights could pass to the south.

While several of the deaths came as a surprise, there were many other surprises that occurred, or didn’t occur, this season.

• I had expected Cersei to meet her end in the finale of this season. Or at the least, set it up for episode one of Season 8. I just felt that this complication had to be dealt with so that the real battle could begin. Since this doesn’t appear to be happening, I now expect her to survive till the next to last episode. (Think of the death of Saruman as almost a post script to LOTR.)
• Jon and Dany doing the dirty deed. Not that I didn’t think it would happen, I just didn’t expect it this season.
• Arya and Nymeria were reunited. However it did not come off as most of us would have liked. Perhaps she’ll return for the grand finale.
• The fact that Jaime is traveling north to keep his word was totally unexpected. However, this will put all of the known Valyrian Steel weapons in play. Perhaps there will be one VS weapon per White Walker (I don't know the exact number of WWs). The following are the swords that I know of:

1. Jon's sword, Longclaw, given to him by Ser Jeor Mormont. He tried to give it to Ser Jorah, its rightful owner but Ser Jorah refused it.
2. Brienne's sword (formerly Jaime's), Oath Keeper, which was one of the swords made from the Stark great sword and the larger of the two.
3. Jaime's sword (formerly Joffrey's), Widow's Wail, which also was made from the Stark great sword. (I wonder if the Stark sword will be remade?)
4. Arya's dagger, Catspaw, given to her by Bran (who was given it by its owner, Littlefinger.)
5. Samwell's Tarley family sword, Heartsbane. It was probably good that he stole it from his father or it might have been melted when the dragon fried his father.

• And the biggest revelation - Jon is not only the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, but that Lyanna and Rheagar had married (after the death of Rheagar’s first wife, Elia Martell). This would make Jon not a bastard, but actually the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. (He is the legitimate heir because Rhaegar was the elder son and, therefore, the immediate heir to Aerys, the Mad King. With Rhaegar's death at the Battle of the Trident, his son, Jon, would have become heir apparent rather than Daenerys or Viserys.) Not sure how this will sit with Dany. Of course, it also makes Daenerys Jon's aunt since Rhaegar is Dany's brother. Looking back at the sex scene, all I can say is "Ewwwww".

It’s official - Season 8 will air April 14, 2019!

Finally! Though we wish it could air in the Winter (how appropriate) at least it won't be as late as season 7 which did not air until mid July. Why so long? Partly due to the late shooting schedule for the winter scenes. Rumor has it that HBO wishes to produce more lavish, possibly longer, episodes which extends the shooting schedule. Maybe to allow GRRM to release his 6th book, The Winds of Winter (though I'll believe it when I see it). HBO has also confirmed that the final season will consist of only 6t’s official - Season 8 will air April 14, 2019! episodes though each episode will be longer. For the official teaser 'Crypts of Winterfell', click here.

One other thing seems to be certain - HBO will follow GoT with another series of Westeros and Essos. It will probably be a prequel (though NOT Dunk and Egg) rather than a spin off (say the love life of Brienne or the further adventures of Bronn). Supposedly five story lines are in the works though only one will rise to production.

NEWS FLASH! HBO has announced a Game of Thrones Prequel. It will take place about a thousand years before the current series and will chronicle the descent of Westeros from the Golden Age of Heroes. To date the only cast member named is Naomi Watts who won an Oscar for her role in 21 Grams. GRRM will, of course, be one of the creators of the new series. That's all I know at this point. Predictions for Season 8

And so here are my thoughts and predictions for Season 8.

• Jon and Dany will, of course, learn of their relationship. What happens after that is up for grabs. However, given the in-breeding history of the Targaryens and the chemistry between them, they could go on to rule Westeros together. Whether Dany will submit to Jon as King is yet to be seen.
• Dany will be pregnant with Jon's love child. (Jon alluded to this so it shouldn't be a complete surprise.)
• Will Jon retain his title of King in the North given he is not Ned's son? Literally, Ned's blood does not run through Jon's veins though, technically, the blood of Ned's father, Rickard, runs through both Ned's and Lyanna's veins.
• If Jon gives up his title of King in the North for King of Westeros (after all, he gave up the title of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch), will Sansa be hailed Queen in the North? Perhaps she'll take Ser Jorah as a husband since he is a member of the Stark's bannermen, House Mormont. Or perhaps she will finally recognize the value of her marriage to Tyrion.
• Arya’s dire wolf, Nymeria, will show up for the final battle, probably saving Arya’s life. And also Ghost.
• Sandor, the Hound, will kill his brother (hopefully for the last time) Ser Gregor, the Mountain.
• Cersei will finally meet her death at the hand of brother Jaime rather than Tyrion (probably either in Tyrion's defense or to prevent her from reigning Wild Fire on Kings Landing or both). Thus, in addition to the King Slayer, he will gain the name Queen Slayer. Quite possibly, the Hound will step in and kill the Mountain when the Mountain tries to come between Cersei and Jaime.
• Alternately, Tyrion will slay Cersei as has been anticipated for some time.
• The Valyrian steel blades will take out individual White Walkers and their related Wights (zombies) leaving only the Night King's minions.
• Tyrion will not become a dragon rider even though his father is rumored to be Mad King Aerys. Unfortunately, with Viserion’s death, there aren’t enough dragons to go around and Jon gets first dibs.
• Will Hodor return as a wight?
• Does Gendry still have a major role to play? I think so, but I’m not sure what it is.
• What about Eric Dondarion?
• And the biggy - Jon and the Night King will meet in an aerial battle, Drago a Drago (yes Jon will become a dragon rider, but not Tyrion) and Jon will triumph which will take out all of the remaining Wights and the Ice Dragon. After which they will turn south to kick Cersei's butt. Perhaps Jaime will convince the Lannister army to stand down.

So, the big question is, who will remain when the curtain falls on Game of Thrones? Few know, but here are my thoughts. First who might die.

• Jon Snow - he has already died once and few escape Death’s hand. The first major character to fall was a Stark. It is only fitting that the last to fall would be a Stark.
• Arya Stark - Again, she’s a Stark and probably the most likely of the Stark name to die. (However, most likely might also be her saving grace.)
• Tyrion Lannister - Tyrion has come to be liked by most fans of GoT. So he is ripe to fall.
• Euron Greyjoy - It just seems from the beginning that he would not make it to the end. Perhaps Bronn will put him to rights.
• The Night King - of course!
• Cersei Lannister - again, of course!

And so, who will stand?

• Daenerys Targareon - Someone must remain to rule and Dany seems to be the most likely.
• Jaime Lannister - Jaime has slowly transformed from a hated character to one that is, well, not so hated. He sometimes exhibits a good moral compass, but at the same time is capable of evil, usually in defense of his family.
• Sansa Stark - One Stark must survive to carry on the name. Though Bran will also survive, his duties as the Three Eyed Raven will not be conducive to any heirs.
• Lord Varys - I just don’t know why he would die.
• Sam Tarly - In the final scene, the elderly Sam will pen “The End” to his master work “A Game of Thrones”!

Of course, with the exception of Cersei and Sam, you could swap any or all on the two lists. And if any of my predictions seem contradictory, well, that’s just a given. So there it is. For some, this journey started about nine years ago. For others, it started with the publication of the book “A Game of Thrones” in August of 1996. Regardless, it will end for all before we see the Summer Solstice. Recap of Season 6

Season 6 led us into uncharted waters with a still not released publication date of Martin’s sixth tome -The Winds of Winter. For five seasons we have witnessed the on-going decline for House Stark. It began with the slaughter of Ned’s men outside of Littlefinger’s brothel and the slaying of Jory Cassel, Captain of the Stark guards and Ned’s subsequent beheading at the order of the sociopathic King Joffrey.

After Ned’s death, his son Robb, was proclaimed the King in the North and became known as the Young Wolfe. With several strategic victories over the Lanisters it appeared that the Stark power was waxing. However, it was dashed at the Red Wedding when, at the hands of Walder Frey and with the betrayal of Roose Bolton, Robb Stark, his pregnant wife, Talisa, (whose marriage precipitated the Red Wedding) and Lady Stark, Ned’s wife, Caitlen, were treacherously killed. Robb’s army, camped and celebrating outside of Lord Frey’s castle, was set upon by the Freys and slaughtered. Possibly the most emotional death was that of Robb’s direwolf, Grey Wind, ambushed in his kennel by Frey’s men. The ultimate affront comes with the naming of House Bolton as the Wardens of the North and their taking possession of Winterfell, the ancestral home of the Starks. And to add insult to injury, Roose Bolton’s bastard, Ramsay Snow, is made a Bolton by order of the King and, after murdering his father, assumes the title of Warden of the North. Ramsay Bolton gives King Joffrey a run to the title of Sociopath of the Age.

Fortunately, as Season 6 closes, Ramsay Bolton lies dead at the jaws of his own hounds, the Starks are back in possession of Winterfell and Walder Frey lies dead at the hands of Arya Stark. Finally, the Stark fortune is once again rising.

So here is a summary of the major characters living at the beginning of Season 6 along with their travails. (To assist in your confusion, please refer to the Updated Guide to the Houses & Character Relationships above.)

Jon Snow
Sansa Stark
Arya Stark
Brandon and Rickon Stark
Joffrey Baratheon
Cersei Lannister
Daenerys Targaryen
Tyrion Lannister Season 7 - What can we expect?

There has been much (and I mean much) speculation as to where GoT goes in Seasons 7 and 8. Actually, the consensus is that Season 8 will be devoted to the war with the Night King and his minions. The question is, who will show up for the good guys. That seems to be the crux of Season 7.

So at the end of Season 6 we are left with the following scenarios:

Cersei has crowned herself Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, etc., etc., and Jaime appears to be displeased. She may have 20-30,000 troops at her disposal, but no navy; however, she’s managed to kill all of the Lannisters with any strategic abilities with the exception of Jaime. And his future is in question. And she has alienated herself from all of the Great Houses with the possible exception of the Freys.

Jon Snow has been declared King in the North. Along with the Knights of the Vale, he may be able to field 30,000 loyal northerners including perhaps 1,000 wildlings. However, many were killed in the battles and the exact number available is uncertain.

Daenerys sails from Essos with around a 1,000 ships (made up of Iron Borne, Slave Master and Dornish), 100,000 Dothraki, 8,000 Unsullied and 3 Dragons.

Euron Greyjoy is building a fleet of 1,000 ships. Not sure what he’ll do with them when they are built. His strength of fighting men is unknown but is surely the smallest of the lot.

And here are many of the questions that we can only hope Season 7 will answer:

Will Bran reveal to Jon his parentage? The fact that the information exists is its own raison d’etre. And given this knowledge, will the North still hail him as King? After all, Lyanna was still a Stark and technically, the blood of Ned Stark’s forebears runs through his veins.

Will Daenerys, accepting that Jon is in fact a Targaryen, seek his hand in marriage? Targaryens have intermarried for ages (thus the Mad King.) Or will she reject this road in her quest for change?

If she rejects Jon as a mate, will she accept him as an ally? And if so, will she allow him to remain as King in the North (thereby sundering the Seven Kingdoms.)

If the North rejects Jon as Ned’s heir, will they instead accept Sansa as Queen in the North? Is this even a viable option? Has there ever been a Queen in the North?

Will Jaime see Cersei’s use of wildfire as the same insanity as the Mad King? If so, will he kill her (thus becoming the King and Queen Slayer.) After all, the witch’s foreseeing of her death by her “little brother” could also apply to Jaime. Though they are twins, she was born first making Jaime the younger.

Or will Tyrion be the one to do Cersei in? It would be sweet revenge for the Imp after all of the years of torment. However, I also think that Tyrion would have some regret since I honestly feel he has some familial love for her.

Will Arya complete her death list? Here is her list and the the status status of its members - Joffrey, dead at the hands of the Queen of Thornes and Littlefinger; Cersei, alive and Queen; Walder Frey, dead at Arya’s hand; Ser Meryn Trant, killed by Arya in Braavos; Tywin Lannister, dead by Tyrion; Melisandre, alive; Beric Dondarion, alive; Thoros of Myr, alive; Ser Ilyn Payne, alive; Ser Gregor Clegane (the Mountain), seems to be alive; the Hound, alive and possibly no longer on the list; Polliver, killed by Arya at the inn; the Tickler, killed by Jaqen at Arya’s request; Ser Amory Lorch, killed by Jaqen at Arya’s request.

Will Arya rejoin her sister, Sansa, and half-brother, Jon, in Winterfell? With Cersei, Ser Ilyn Payn and the Mountain in the same location, King’s Landing would seem like her next destination. Or possibly the Band of Brothers where she will find Beric and Thoros and probably Melisandre. And she will be surprised to find the Hound alive. And he knows all of the names on her list.

Will Arya be reunited with Nymeria, her dire wolf? She set her free way back in Season 1 after Nymeria attacked Joffrey in her defense. It was near the Crossroads Inn in the Riverlands lying along her path to either King’s Landing or the Brothers.

Who will Daenerys marry? Jon has already been mentioned. She told Ser Jorah that she could not take the throne without him. However, he is a disenfranchised member of a minor house and would probably not qualify. Jaime Lannister would bring a large portion of the Westeros army to her side. Then there is Littlefinger who aspires to the thrown and might deliver The Vale. A long shot…first he has to survive Season 7. Then there’s always Sweet Robert Arryn. Oh yeah, what about Tyrion? Hmmmm. (I think we can scratch Lord Varys off the list.)

What major players will die in Season 7? In the early episodes, it seemed that as soon as we grew fond of a character and thought that he or she would be the savior of the Seven Kingdoms, they were killed. However, since the Red Wedding, I can think of only three major characters to die that have been around from the beginning and that we care about. (No, not Tywin, no one really cared about him and no one in Baelor’s Sept really meets my criteria, not even Margaery Tyrell.) The only meaningful deaths in Season 6 were Hodor and Summer and Shaggydog, Bran and Rickon’s dire wolves. We will have to wait and see.

As the Three-Eyed Raven, what will Bran do?

What about Uncle Benjen Stark?

And what role will Gendry play?

…And then there is the Night King and his minions. But that’s best left for Season 8. A History of Westeros

She first known inhabitants of Westeros was a race of small humanoids known as the Children of the Forest. They shared their world with giants and other mythical creatures. It was about 12,000 years ago that the First Men ventured west from Essos across The Narrow Sea. Being more numerous and larger than the Children and bearing bronze weapons, Men gradually drove them back and established numerous petty kingdoms. Finally, after 2,000 years of warfare, the First Men and the Children of the Forest agreed to a peaceful coexistence with men having dominion over the open lands and the children over the forested areas. It was at this time that the Seven Kingdoms were founded that would last for 4,000 years. And in time, the First Men, with the exception of the Iron Islands, came to worship the Old Gods of the forest. The Seven Kingdoms were:

• Kingdom of the North, ruled by House Stark of Winterfell.
• Kingdom of the Mountain and the Vale, ruled by House Arryn of the Eyrie.
• Kingdom of the Isles and Rivers, ruled by Harren Hoare of Harrenhal.
• Kingdom of the Rock, ruled by House Lannister of Casterly Rock.
• Kingdom of the Stormlands">Kingdom, ruled by House Durrandon of Storm's End.
• Kingdom of the Reach, ruled by House Gardener of Highgarden.
• Principality of Dorne, ruled by House Martell of Sunspear.

About 8,000 years ago, Westeros suffered the longest winter in history, lasting for a generation. As the ice spread to the south, a species of humanoids known as the Others, and more recently as the White Walkers, marched with the ice killing and raising the dead to be their warriors and servants. The First Men and the Children united to drive the Others back to the reaches of the Far North using weapons forged of dragonglass (obsidian).

After the defeat of the Others, the Wall was built by Bran the Builder. It is said that Giants aided in the construction of the Wall and that it was bound with mighty spells to keep the Others and the dead from passing. It was also at this time that the Sworn Brothers of the Night's Watch was founded as “the shield that guards the realms of men”. It is also believed that Bran the Builder built Winterfell and became the first King in the North and founded House Stark.

This peaceful truce between First Men and the Children lasted 4,000 years until the invasion of the Andals from Essos. Worshipers of the Faith of the Seven and guided by their head deity, they crossed the Narrow Sea, landing near the Vale of Arryn wielding swords of steel. Opposed by both the First Men and the Children, they quickly swept Westeros with their superior weapons. Eventually, the six southron kingdoms fell to the Andals, leaving only the Kingdom of the North in the hands of the First Men.

As the Andals, the Free Men and the Children, war over Westoros, dragons are found lairing in the chain of volcanoes extending across the neck of the Valyrian peninsula. Tamed with magic, the once peaceful folk of the peninsula employ the dragons to conquer the area and the Valyrian Freehold is founded. At this time, the secret of Valyrian steel was discovered and many swords were forged.

Valyria thrived for almost 5,000 years, expanding its influence throughout Essos and, approximately 200 years ago, even to a small island at the mouth of Blackwater Bay, naming it Dragonstone. Seventy-five years later, as a result of a dream by his daughter, Daenys, Lord Aenar Targaryen left Valyria with all of his family and belongings and settled at Dragonstone. Twelve years later, the volcanoes of Valyria shattered the peninsula and the city of Valyria was laid waste and the race of dragons in Essos was wiped out. This later came to be known as the Doom of Valyria.

One hundred and twenty-six years after their move to Dragonstone, Aegon the Conqueror invaded Westeros and, within two years, riding on the wings of his dragons, conquered six of the seven kingdoms, leaving only Dorne unconquered. He constructed a new capitol on the banks of Blackwater Bay which he names King’s Landing. It took another 150 years to conquer Dorne. Ironically, it came four years after the death of the last dragon. However, it took the marriage of the king’s younger sister, Daenerys, to Prince Maron Martell to finally bring Dorne under Targaryen rule.

Two hundred and eighty-two years after Aegon’s invasion, Rhaegar Targaryen, son of Aerys, the Mad King, abducts Lyanna Stark, betrothed of Robert Baratheon. Lyanna’s father, Rickard, and brother, Brandon, appear before the king and demand the return of their daughter and sister. Aerys has them burned alive with wild fire in the throne room. In retribution, Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon raise their banners in open rebellion to the crown. The king’s army is defeated by the rebels at the Battle of the Trident, where Prince Rheagar is killed.

The Lannisters march to the aid of the king, but turn against him. At the command of Tywin Lannister, Ser Gregor Clagane (the Mountain) killed Prince Rhaegar’s wife, Elia Martell (sister of Oberyn Martell) and their children. King Aerys is slain by Ser Jaime Lannister during the sack of King’s Landing, for which he is ever labeled “The Kingslayer”. He later reveals that the king planned to “kill them all”, referring to the citizens of King’s Landing, using wild fire which is stored in the catacombs beneath the city.

After The Trident, Eddard Stark, along with Howland Reed, defeat Ser Arthur Dane, the Sword of the Morning and possibly the greatest swordsman of his day, before the Tower of Joy. Inside they find Eddard’s sister, Lyanna, dying on her birthing bed. A baby boy is placed in Eddard’s arms and Lyanna whispers words heard only by Eddard and then “If Robert finds out, he'll kill him, you know he will.” Eddard takes the babe back to Winterfell where he introduces him as a bastard by an unnamed woman and names him Jon Snow. Eddard takes knowledge of this to his death, not even revealing it to his wife, Catelyn, though she loathes Jon for the rest of her life. The Religions of Westeros

The Old Gods - The Children of the Forest, the aborigines of Westeros, worshipped the old gods. These were the gods of the mountains, forests and streams. Though nameless, they were symbolized by the weirwood trees. It was said that the greenseers of the Children, wise men of a kind, were able to talk with birds and beasts, see through their eyes and, through the eyes of the carved faces in the weirwood trees, see the greater world at large. After the First Men reached a peace accord with the Children, many of them came to accept the old gods. It is not recorded what their beliefs were prior to this.

The old gods continue to be revered and worshipped by those in the North to the current day.

The Drowned God and the Storm God were worshipped by the Ironborn of the Iron Islands. The Drowned God is a harsh deity that governs the Ironborn lives, encouraging raiding, reaving and raping of those not Ironborn. The Storm God and the Drowned God have warred since their creation. It is said that when the oceans roil and the storm winds squall, the gods are battling.

The Lady of the Waves and the Lord of the Skies - The Lady of the Waves and the Lord of the Skies was worshipped by the folk of The Three Sisters, islands lying to the east of The Neck. Storms, sacred to these people, were thought to be the result of the Lady and Lord mating.

The Faith of the Seven - The Faith of the Seven, referred to simply as the Faith, was born in the hills of Andalos in Essos approximately 6,000 years ago. Adopted by the Andals, it was brought to Westoros with their invasion. It embraces the concept of the Seven Who Are One - the Father, the Mother, the Warrior, the Maiden, the Smith, the Crone and the Stranger. The tenets of the Faith are defined in the holy text The Seven-Pointed Star. The Faith’s place of worship is the sept, each of which has one or more septons (priests) or septas (priestesses).

The Faith was brought to Westoros by the Andals and eventually became the dominant religion. Because among the requirements to become a knight is the requirement to spend a nightlong vigil in a sept and be anointed in the name of the Seven, there are few knights in areas where the Faith is not kept. Since the old gods are still worshipped by most of the North, there are few knights from this region.

The Lord of Light - R’hllor, the Lord of Light, though little known in Westoros, is a prominent god in Essos. R’hllor is locked in an eternal struggle with the Great Other, the god of ice and death. This conflict will end only when Azor Ahai returns to raise dragons from stone and defeat the Great Other with his flaming sword, Lightbringer. The red priests of R’hllor can be either male or female.