10 Game of Thrones Mysteries With Zero Answers 6 Years Later

Throughout its eight-season run, HBO’s Game of Thrones introduced various layered storylines and complex characters that lured fans in. As the show surpassed the progress of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, the quality of the writing waned, and many interesting prophesies and plot points were never addressed in full. Some were ambiguous, ancient hints from Martin’s extended world that could have been explored further to add more depth to Game of Thrones, while others seemed to be prominent arcs that fizzled out before coming to fruition.

What made Game of Thrones compelling in the early years was the juxtaposition of the gritty political landscape of Westeros with the hinted, looming presence of ancient magic and magical prophecies. Martin has described his series as a low fantasy, but that doesn’t mean that the more esoteric elements of A Song of Ice and Fire do not have a thread of influence running through the larger narrative.

The House of the Undying & Daenerys Targaryen’s Visions Were Underwhelming

In the “Valar Morghulis” episode of Season 2 of Game of Thrones, Daenerys, influenced by Shade of the Evening, has a series of visions in the House of the Undying that contrast with the more cryptic and politically nuanced prophetic hallucinations found in A Song of Ice and Fire, where the Warlocks can manipulate the visions for misdirection, as illustrated by Euron Greyjoy’s interactions with his brother. While, depending on one’s interpretation of the visions in Game of Thrones, the show delivered on aspects of the prophecies, yet their true meaning remains ambiguous.

It was all the tastes she had ever known and none of them . . . and then the glasses were empty. – A Clash of Kings, Daenerys IV

Ultimately, fans are left to speculate and pull on potential threads to extract meaning from her visions in HBO’s Game of Thrones. The open-ended nature of the visions highlights an issue with storytelling at large regarding more prophetic and magical subject matter. Even years later, her visions or hallucinations within The House of the Undying remain a point of debate for the fandom.

The Role of the Lord of Light in Westeros Remains Mysterious

R’hllor, also referred to as the Lord of Light by its followers, is one of the most enigmatic forces in Game of Thrones. Fans are introduced to the mysterious religion through the Red Priestess Melisandre and Thoros of Myr. Initially viewed as just another religion, the Lord of Light stands apart as Thoros and other followers are seemingly able to perform miracles in R’hllor’s name. Viewers see Thoros of Myr resurrect Beric Dondarrion several times throughout the show’s run.

The Lord of Light is keeping Beric alive for a reason. He gave a failed, drunk priest the power to bring him back for a reason. We are part of something larger than ourselves. – Thoros of Myr, Game of Thrones

Despite the various displays of the Lord of Light’s power, the role of the fire god in the greater conflict against the White Walkers is unclear. Perhaps it’s meant to underscore that prophecy and faith can never guarantee a certain outcome, but fans still debate R’hllor’s role in the Long Night to this day. It’s possible that even for gods, there is a limit to their power in the material world.

The Maesters’ Potential Influence on the Dance of Dragons

While HBO’s House of the Dragon is still in progress, it remains to be seen whether the show will touch upon a prominent fan theory that has been hinted at within George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. The maesters are suspected of secret involvement in the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of Dragons. Due to the Citadel’s anti-magic beliefs, they may have played a role in the reduction of dragons that led to their near extinction before Daenerys’s rise in Game of Thrones.

The world the Citadel is building has no place in it for sorcery or prophecy or glass candles, much less for dragons – Archmaester Marwyn, A Feast for Crows

The maesters’ close ties to Westerosi nobility allow for significant influence over key events, as even a few with malicious intent can manipulate circumstances to align with their agenda. Though these ideas involving the maesters have yet to manifest on-screen, it’s still a prominent talking point among fans of the series and the books.

The Origins of the Sword Dawn and House Dayne

Even more so than Valyrian steel, the sword Dawn of House Dayne of Starfall carries with it an air of mystique. There are many legends surrounding the mysterious origins of the sword, including that it was forged from the heart of a fallen star. In contrast to the ancestral lineage of most famed weapons of Westeros, Dawn is handed down only to a member of House Dayne who is considered worthy of the title “The Sword of the Morning.”

The finest knight I ever saw was Ser Arthur Dayne, who fought with a blade called Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. They called him the Sword of the Morning, and he would have killed me but for Howland Reed. – Ned Stark

During the reign of the Mad King, Ser Arthur Dayne carved out his name as one of the most legendary knights in Westerosi history. In the prominent prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised, the hero is said to wield the sword Lightbringer. Fans have often speculated that Dawn could be the source of the legends for Lightbringer. Though Dawn does not exude flames, it does possess celestial qualities and perfectly aligns with the light motifs in the stories of Azor Ahai.

Game of Thrones Fans May Never Know the Reason for the Greatest Cataclysm in Martin’s World

The Doom of Valyria may be the most important event to occur in the ancient history of George R. R. Martin’s writings. The in-world historical descriptions are intentionally vague due to the time in which the Doom occurred and the lack of information about its causes. The maesters largely attribute the cataclysm to a series of massive volcanic eruptions. Others have hinted that the Valyrians obsession with blood magic and sorcery helped contribute to their downfall.

The proudest city in all the world was gone in an instant, its fabled empire vanished in a day, the Lands of the Long Summer scorched and drowned and blighted – Tyrion Lannister on the Doom of Valyria

Perhaps the most important outcome of the Doom of the Valyria from the perspective of Westeros was the Targaryens’ escape and survival from the event. The Doom wiped out the other dragon riders, which made House Targaryen the only survivors with the knowledge on how to tame the beasts.They would use this power to conquer Westeros and shape its history for centuries after Aegon’s Conquest.

The Fate of Syrio Forel Remains Subject of Many Debates

Game of Thrones fans became enamored with Arya’s dancing master in season one, Syrio Forel. Syrio trained Arya during her time at King’s Landing in the Braavosi style of sword fighting. Syrio laid the foundation for Arya’s skills that would improve throughout the series. She can be seen practicing the same techniques during her time with Sandor Clegane. Syrio’s fate came into question during his confrontation with the Kingsguard when they came to take Arya after Ned Stark’s imprisonment.

The First Sword of Braavos does not run. – Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones

Even though Syrio was armed only with a wooden sword, he fended off several members of the Kingsguard, giving Arya time to escape. The last time fans see him, he is facing off with Ser Meryn Trant before the screen fades to black. The ambiguity of his supposed death opened the door for many fan theories that Syrio survived, or perhaps that he was the faceless man Jaqen H’ghar in disguise. Considering the moment was never referenced again, viewers are left to debate Syrio’s fate.

The Three-Eyed Ravens’ Powers

Known as the Three-Eyed Crow in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, the Three-Eyed Raven in HBO’s Game of Thrones is one of the most powerful and mysterious figures. Due to the ambiguous nature of these powers, fans are left with more questions than answers by the end of Game of Thrones. The Three-Eyed Raven is the most prominent example present in the series of the link between the physical world and the supernatural background Martin hints at.

The past is already written. The ink is dry. – The Three-Eyed Raven, HBO’s Game of Thrones

Viewers are told that the Three-Eyed Raven is the keeper of the realm’s memories, but what that entails isn’t exactly clear. Through his visions of the past, and Bran accompanying him, viewers are given insight into past events. While these events were central to understanding key pieces of lore, they also raised new questions. Despite the quotation above, it’s not clear if the Three-Eyed Raven has the power to influence or alter events, but it can’t be argued that having access to the information can substantially influence the future.

The Disappearance of Howland Reed After the Tower of Joy

Known as one of Ned Stark’s most loyal friends, Howland Reed played a small but significant role at The Tower of Joy in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Howland Reed saved Ned Stark’s life by attacking Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, from behind. Beyond the Tower of Joy, Howland’s children Meera and Jojen Reed were instrumental in aiding Bran Stark in his journey north, helping him to better understand his developing powers along the way.

When I told my father about your father, for the first time in my life, I saw him cry. – Jojen Reed to Brandon Stark, referring to the death of Ned Stark.

There are many theories about why Howland Reed remained absent from the narrative despite playing such a pivotal role. In addition to Ned, Howland may have been the only other person aware of Jon Snow’s true parentage, leading him to shy away from the public. Others suggest Howland stays in Greywater Watch, the mysterious home of the Crannogmen said to roam throughout the swamps of the Neck. Some expect that George R. R. Martin will save Howland Reed’s appearance for The Winds of Winter, though readers will have to wait and see.

The Identity of the Prince That Was Promised

For much of Melisandre’s time on HBO’s Game of Thrones, she references the prophecy of The Prince That was Promised. The prophecy is rooted in Valyrian legend and closely tied to the stories of Azor Ahai. Throughout the show, the prophecy was hinted at multiple times; however, by the time of the finale, it was left unresolved and disregarded. For Melisandre, the legend was a guiding force for her actions that shaped her alliances.

Westeros must unite beneath her one true king, the prince that was promised, Lord of Dragonstone and chosen of R’hllor. – Melisandre to Davos

Initially, Melisandre believed that Stannis Baratheon was the Prince That Was Promised. As Stannis’ campaign came to a halt, she turned her attention to Jon Snow. Daenerys also seemed to fit within the parameters of the legend. For years, fans argued over who the figure was that the prophecy referenced. When Arya Stark killed The Night King, it shattered the build-up and the hints that had been dropped throughout the series regarding the identity of the Prince That Was Promised, and left a void in the narrative of Game of Thrones.

The Night King’s True Identity in HBO’s Game of Thrones

In HBO’s Game of Thrones, before the often maligned season 8, the Night King loomed heavily from beyond the Wall. The personification of death and destruction, his cryptic presence carried with it a sense of impending doom. For as imposing a figure as the Night King was, his motivations and ultimate purpose remain a sense of mystery for fans to ponder. Fans were offered glimpses of his origins through Brandon Stark’s vision, but many argued that if his enigmatic history were going to be explored at all, more information was needed.

He wants to erase this world, and I am its memory. – Brandon Stark on The Night King

Not to be confused with The Night’s King from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Night King was a unique character created specifically for Game of Thrones. This choice allowed Brandon Stark and the Children of the Forest to have a more direct connection to the supernatural threat of The Night King. Six years later, the Night King’s identity and motivations remain one of the most frustrating loose ends for fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones to ponder.