As for the topic, it
did felt a bit ridiculous at times how the Starks got punched in the face at every possible occasion. It's not just the "big" impacts, but all the small sticks and stones on the way.
Wheras everyone else seems to be able to produce several tenthousands of fighting men out of thin air (Lannisters raising what, 3 fresh hosts in the process of the war?) , the North & Riverlands
combined were hard pressed to summon some 15.000 people, most of which slowly trailed off during the course of the war.
Now i'm aware that the north is scarcely populated
but the Riverlands are the central and most fertile part of the Seven Kingdoms, literally crowded with castles, holdfasts and towns.
Even with all the factors taken into account (Being taken unaware by Lannister raiding parties, Edmure being as green a commander as it gets, most of his Bannerman being just as inapt), i kept wondering were they hid all their men.
Additionaly, i've yet to come across some Lannister Deserters (The Mountain fighting & plundering in the Riverlands for the better part of a year without ever so much as resting), when it felt like the Northmen and Riverlords had to be dragged into every fight, kicking
Then you've got some epic treachery going on, Bolton & Frey respectively. Now that seems to be something regular, and the only reason the Lannisters aren't plagued by it is Tywins "special" way to deal with disloyal subjects, but it makes you wonder why Ned Stark failed to anticipate Boltons Nature and keep him in check (or at least tell his son of that lovely "wear Stark hides for cloaks" history of House Bolton). When Robb makes him commander of his Foot, you get the impression he knows nothing about Bolton, apart from a first a glance impression.
Granted, this whole point is rather weak, as treachery grows were people sense weakness (and that's something the Stark alliance had in abundance), but you can't shake the feeling that people are rather eager to gang up on the Starks there.
Same with the Greyjoys. You'd think Lannisport & an alliance with Winterfell and Riverrun would be a jucier treat than some wooden hovels at the stony shore, but no, let's go hit the Starks. Now i know there's some deep rooted spite & pride in Balon after they ended his Rebellion, but i reckon the rivalry with House Lannister runs just as deep.
In the end, i am not so much worried about the Stark children (which are all doing good, in weird ways, as being mentioned before), but about the North as a whole.
Judging from it's military capacity, it seemed to be a no-mans land to begin with. During the course of the war, it has lost pretty much all its fighting men, those who aren't dead being unable to return due to both Neck and Twins being closed to them. Along with Robb, most of his Bannermen got killed at the Red Wedding as well, so all that remains for Bran to inherit is a burned, unpopulated castle and a huge land where the majority of fighting men answers to the Dreadfort or the Iron Islands, respectively.
To that, add another upcoming Winter, probably the longest and fiercest in recorded history...
Unless the Free Folk decides to forsake all it is and become loving & loyal smallfolk overnight, i see no way the North can recover within the lifespan of the remaining Starks. Another possibility would be Daenaerys landing at White Harbour and offering Bran her army for being such a poor, sweet Boy. Suffice to say, that's just as unlikely
While i do hope that the Starks recover in some way, the realistic ways that it could happen grow ever more slim
[GENERAL DISCUSSION] [SPOILERS] G.R.R.Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
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Originally Posted by gapper4
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