Illifer, I politely disagree with your assessment of Theon. I do not envision a redemptive end for him. I see him doing anything to earn his freedom and his life. Theon will become the Wormtongue of ASOIAF. As Grima son of Galmod became Worm, Theon will become Reek. He'll hate Ramsay, he'll curse Ramsay, but in the end he'll go along with everything Ramsay orders... in the end he'll long to do whatever Ramsay even hints as desirable. Theon will not redeem himself. He'll be an object lesson of playing on a slippery slope and getting his heart's desire.
The obvious character to look for redemption is Jaime and this has been discussed elsewhere. But instead of Theon, look to Jorah. I think his heart may be softer than Theon's. I think he may find some way to prove himself honorable. I'd look for this to happen by Jorah going to the Wall and dying in defense of the Seven Kingdoms... like his father. But then again, I'm not going to dismiss the idea that Jorah may go crazy and kill Lynesse, his second wife, and himself in a murder-suicide... but once again, I think this will not be resolved until the sixth or seventh book.
Cul, I beg to differ. Those three will live until at least the last four chapters of the sixth book, The Winds of Winter. I think one or two of them will die in A Dream of Spring, the seventh book, to produce the bittersweet ending.
Dead Pool.... hmmmm, Doran is in poor physical condition. Lancel's health is a bit better, but he's in way over his head. Lord Gyles Rosby is also failing. Pycelle is also a bit old, besides being a scumbag. And with Cersei and Margaery imprisoned by the Faith and with Jaime, Kevin, Mace, and Loras gone from KL, I think the days are numbered for Rosby and Pycelle when the High Septon declares Lancel Lannister as regent... with the High Septon as the real power behind the throne.
And little Lord Robert's health is poor, but his biggest danger is from Middlefinger.
In addition, Davos, Brienne, Pod, Hyle, Loras, Brynden, Edmure, Cersei, and Margaery all seem to be in fairly precarious situations.
I think those are the easy picks.
Going a bit more out on a limb, I think Myrcella is as good as dead. Doran and all of Dorne long for revenge for Elia, Rhaenys, Aegon, and Oberyn. And once Doran gets his alliance with Dany, Myrcella's life is worth nothing. But this may not happen until TWOW.
Now the character that I think will die in ADWD is Aeron Greyjoy. In the scramble for power after Balon's death, Aeron took charge. He held great influence and he used it to summon the Kingsmoot. In this he put the Drowned God's approval upon the chosen one, i.e. his personal endorsement of the King. But Aeron in his righteous zeal, overlooked opportunities to seal a victory for Victarion. Aeron disavowed Asha whose support would most likely have given victory to Victarion. With Asha's backing, Victarion could have moved against Euron before the Kingsmoot and had Euron killed. But Aeron snubbed Euron, snubbed Asha, and did not support Victarion strongly enough. Euron is currently buying allies, Victarion has gone east, and Asha has gone North. Aeron's few unarmed followers are easy prey for Euron if Aeron causes trouble. I imagine Aeron to be the Thomas Becket or Thomas More to Euron's Henry II or Henry VIII.
Edit: Illifer, thanks for the thread. I find Dead Pools regarding real people disgusting... but this is fun.
