Which "Major" character dies next?

[xLORDSNOWx]

Obviously, the series is almost over and some if not the majority of the characters we have grown to love and loathe will have to die off eventually. However, knowing George the unsuspecting death of a major character in the next book shouldnt be overlooked. I can easily (well not that easy) see a curveball like Dany, Jon, or Tyrion having a line drawn through their names instead of underneath, in which will put an end to 75% of those who suspect one of the three is one of the heads of the dragon. I have yet to hear a three headed dragon theory without one of these three being mentioned. (for obvious reasons, since we're all drinking the same kool-aid)

I read the first four books of the series back to back with no gap in between so i'm unaware of the crackpot theories that came about after the first book was released. How many people suspected that Rob would have his last supper at the Red Wedding, instead of him being mentioned as a plausible end game character. Ned wasnt able to peak his head into ACOK, but how many would have had him as a major player in the end game?

With that being said, who do you think will be the next "Major" character to make an unexpectedly exit from the series?

 

[Clansman]

Well, given that Jaime Lannister is starting to turn into something of a decent person (and that he has stopped doing the horizontal bop with his sister (eeewww!)), and that I am starting to like him, I don't like his chances for continued survival. Plus, any major regime change, and the Lannisters are screwed.

 

[Mesanna]

Nooooo! I don't want Jaime to die just yet, I like his character too much. I imagined him and Cersei dying (or killing/being killed by each other) near the very end. Tyrion better stay alive throughout or I'll throw pies at GRRM!

I reckon the survivors are:
Jon, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, Sam, Tyrion, Davos

Goners are:
Jaime, Cersei, Dany, the dragons, Brienne, Stannis and, with any luck, everyone from the Iron Islands

I'm on the fence about Littlefinger. Could go either way with him.

 

[hadd]

Don't see Cersei dying before Dany comes to westeros. As the old witch said to her that a younger and prettier queen shall take her place or something (and i doubt that goes to Margaery, who knows though).

I'd say one of the Greyjoys is going to be the next one dead. Possibly the one who will betray Dany for power!

 

[No One]

Don't see it being Jaime. Not in ADWD anyway.

I'll put my money on Stannis, even if I can't remember how much he's supposed to feature in the next book.

But what odds can I get on Walder Frey surviving the series?

 

[Eulalia]

Doran Martell. It is known.

 

[Culhwch]

I don't know that Doran could be called a major character.

 

[Eulalia]

Doran is major in terms of strength that he can command, wiles, land area, influence, status. Certainly not in words in the books, agreed. And wouldn't it set the cat among the crows(sic), if he died soon?

Stannis was taken by No One, but I think he, too, has been marked.

I think GRRM will take out all of the older generation.

 

[xLORDSNOWx]

Doran is major in terms of strength that he can command, wiles, land area, influence, status. Certainly not in words in the books, agreed. And wouldn't it set the cat among the crows(sic), if he died soon?

Stannis was taken by No One, but I think he, too, has been marked.

I think GRRM will take out all of the older generation.

I can understand your meaning of major in regards to your description above. However, Doran wouldnt give me the "OMG!" feeling that i got from Ned, Rob and Cat. Arianne dying would be more of a jaw dropper than Doran, IMO. (Which would catapult Quentyn into the picture)

 

[Clansman]

Walder Frey has some merit. I think that when all is said and done, old enemies will unite, and wipe the Freys from the face of Westeros. Nobody likes the Freys since Walder betrayed his guest oath.

 

[Eulalia]

I trust that GRRM could write an OMG about short term character appearances and deaths. (Oberyn Martell). How about Arianne killing Doran nastily? Then Quentin has another reason to be. Doran is not a character that we worry about much, true. Tyrion did.

Walder doesn't have Tywin's support anymore. The Bolton's are playing their own game, at this point. The Frey's have an undead crusader after them, and I don't think the wolves like them. Sweet.

Brienne just has to get to Stannis.(one of her oaths and she has the sword Oathkeeper, right?) Then she can be a kingslayer too, for all she mocked Jaime for that. Actually, a lot of people think she already is a kingslayer (Renly)--and it would give her a rep for being a double KS, even though she is an almost obnoxiously honourable character.

 

[No One]

And if Brienne swears an oath to kill Jaime, but doesn't, she'll also be an oathbreaker.

Granted, Walder's chances of survival are very, very slim. So slim, in fact, that the sheer unlikeliness of it makes me think he has an appreciable chance. It makes sense - sort of.

As Clansman and Eulalia point out, there's every chance of House Frey being wiped off the map and if Walder did survive, he'd have to watch that happen...

 

[Koopa]

I want to see Walder die,but only from Old age, the wily old fox deserves that death.
It's his children that i want to see kill each other to pieces. Strange that currently i can't bring myself to hate the old badger. perhaps it's because too a certain extent i'd have done the same thing. Why risk death during Robert's rebbelion when you can sit savely hide behind your walls, and get away with it. Why continue on an alliance that not only is starting to seem fruitless, but is starting to look bad for your house. Let's face it before Tyrion gathered unto him a crossbow, and Tywin ended shiting his life away the Lannisters where very much on top winning the war.

 

[TK-421]

In my mind, those that are best candidates are:

Stannis
Melissandre
Davos
Asha
Doran Martell
Brienne
Littlefinger
Cersei
Arianne
Euron
Barristan the Bold

 

[Boaz]

I'm on the fence about Littlefinger. Could go either way with him.

So could Lyn Corbray.

TK, I don't know if your list is by ranking or not, but Brienne either needs to be at the top of the list or the bottom. The end of AFFC looked bad for her. As Eulalia said, "she is an almost obnoxiously honourable character" which makes her almost a Stark so she should never be completely removed from the list.

Now as for the term "Major" in the title of this thread... How did xLORDSNOWx mean it and how did you interpret it? As a POV character? As a major player in the game of thrones? As an integral part of Ice and Fire? As a potential part of the war against The Other?

One character who I've not seen mentioned yet in this thread is Jorah.

The major deaths in AGOT ocurred in KL and around Dany. The major deaths in ACOK concerned the Baratheons and the NW. The major deaths in ASOS ocurred in KL, the Riverlands, the Vale, and along the Wall. The only death in AFFC that even remotely be construed as major happened in Dorne. My point is that it's been a long time since any important to Dany has died... and I think it's time. Jorah is a prime candidate in my book. Barristan is an interesting character and I think has great promise, but just like you know who died in AGOT Barristan may have to die before he reveals the truth about Jon's parentage. Daario might be the one to betray Dany for gold and thus he'll have to die.

No one mentioned any of the Tyrells. Loras seemed to be left in a dire predicament... as did Margaery.

What about Mance? Being scrutinized by Mel is never good for anyone's health. Just ask... oop, almost gave away spoilers.

What about Janos? Not a major character, but there's a man I'd like to see hang. Hang. The very word. Yes I would. I would love to see him swing. Yes I would.

Sam is in the middle of the Citadel (avowed haters of dragons), Marwyn, Alleras/Sarella, and fakePate. Throw in Lazy Leo, raiding Ironmen, and Lord Randyll's wrath at being misled regarding Gilly and I'd say Sam is not in a very healthy environment.

It also strikes me that serving in the Kingsguard is fairly hazardous. One was fired in the first book. Two were killed, one was dismissed and later re-admitted, and one flat out quit in the second book. One was maimed in the third book. One was killed and one was horribly injured, mayhaps mortally, in the fourth book. What will happen in the fifth? Nothing because A Dance with Dragons will not cover (most likely) the events surrounding KL... which brings us back to Jorah and Barristan.

Which reminds me that any deaths in ADWD will revolve around the North, the Wall, and Slaver's Bay. Theon, Davos, Stannis, Jorah, and Barristan then are my candidates for a major death in ADWD.

 

[devilsgrin]

to be honest, keeping in the theme of jaw-droppingly shocking deaths... in the Ned category, would point me towards Tyrion (not because i dislike him, tho i do), or Arya (whom i've always rather liked, but as the books have progressed i've switched my alliegance from one Stark sister to another - Sansa i think is the safest of the Starks from death).
Jon would normally be in this group, but i personally think he's the safest of the major POV characters.
people like Cercei, Maergery, Loras (no way is it Loras in that full bandaging, Olenna has sent him off to Dany, just like Doran has sent Quentyn to her).
Jorah could be a good choice for a surprise death. Barristan is safer of the two, as he legitimises her for a Westerosi audience. Jorah could ostracise those who recall his shame, and those who recall the role he performed for Robert. Unfortunately for BFS his death would be extra shocking if it was done in a fashion almost as cavalier as Ned's sudden execution. some random nobody stabbing him through the heart or something of the sort.
Theon's death would come as a shock, but only because we so expect him to be killed that an actual death would be less expected, if that makes any sense. I actually rather like the cad, so i'd rather he didn't meet his death as the Dreadfort.

Asha would be a big shock, i think. she's being painted as a much truer warrior woman than Brienne (since Asha actually IS proud to be a woman whilst also being a Captian and raider among men, and Brienne is even more naive than early Sansa in what a Knight actually is), being killed off would come as a great shock.
Brienne herself, i'd expect her to be dead already, and if not, [shrugs] either way... not a big shocker.

Davos... would be surprised if he got killed off, but not too disappointed. Stannis though, i would cheer!!! Brittle and rigid like cast iron... perfectly apt description of this reprehensible "it should be mine, i DESERVE it" whiner baby...

I'd be stunned if Melissandre got killed. She seems so untouchable.

Walder Frey is ancient already.... i think he'll live JUST long enough to see his house start to crumble, as the legion of heirs turn on eachother for his title. but dead by old age is entirely likely.
I'd also be devastated if Arianne got killed off. She's so feisty. She smart, determined and driven to achieve. Yes she got outmanouvred by her father, but it seemed he was actually quite proud of her independent actions. It proves how capable she'd be as Prince of Dorne. She might not yet have the "long-game" of Doran, but she's certainly showing she can play. and be more ruthless.

I can understand your meaning of major in regards to your description above. However, Doran wouldnt give me the "OMG!" feeling that i got from Ned, Rob and Cat. Arianne dying would be more of a jaw dropper than Doran, IMO. (Which would catapult Quentyn into the picture)

Quentyn as a possible head of the dragon is already in the picture. besides we're likely to see that actual picture in ADWD. Arianne doesn't need to die for that.

the most likely major shocker death would be ... Dany's Dragons one or all... it would also put to bed all those "three heads" threads...

 

[xLORDSNOWx]

Boaz, Now as for the term "Major" in the title of this thread... How did xLORDSNOWx mean it and how did you interpret it? As a POV character? As a major player in the game of thrones? As an integral part of Ice and Fire? As a potential part of the war against The Other?

The "OMG" feeling is what i was getting at. If any of these that you have mentioned gives you the same feeling that you had when Ned lost his head, then i believe it will qualify.

Yes, there is a reason that no one mentions the Tyrells. Its becasue they will be the first house to join Danny, since they were the last to bend the knee to Robert (at least that's what i'm thinking) and they should be a big part of your GUTSIF or is it GUSIF, who knows, but we're still waiting

Devilsgrin, Quentyn as a possible head of the dragon is already in the picture. besides we're likely to see that actual picture in ADWD. Arianne doesn't need to die for that.

That is true. Arianne doesnt need to die in order for Quentyn to be brought into the series. However, I'm sure the proverbial axe is coming as the series starts to conclude and heads will roll. I also like the list you provided, with the exception of Stannis. Even though that would be a semi-jaw dropper, he is one who i think will make it to the end of the series. With that being said, if Davos dies, Stannis might as well pack it in, as he is Stannis' only moral compass.

 

[Dearth]

All I want is Cersei dead. I've always wanted Cersei dead.

 

[Clansman]

All I want is Cersei dead. I've always wanted Cersei dead.

All that means is that she won't die. Jaime, on the other hand, people are starting to like him, so PFFFT! Dead.

 

[devilsgrin]

All that means is that she won't die. Jaime, on the other hand, people are starting to like him, so PFFFT! Dead.

its so true! once George realises a semi-major or major character is liked by the readers, we should start getting ready for the headsman's axe to fall.