Why the North Didn't Hire a Faceless One to Assassinate the Night King in Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones has always captivated audiences with its intricate plotlines and complex characters. One often questioned scenario is the North's lack of seeking assistance from the Faceless Men to kill the Night King. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this strategic decision, touching on various aspects of the show's universe including the perceived threat, possible outcomes, and the practicality of such an action.
The Lack of Knowledge
The North initially didn't realize the true threat posed by the Night King. Beyond the immediate concern of the White Walkers invading, the lords and factions of the North were operating under the assumption that any opposing magical force would likely replenish with new leaders. This mindset was shared among some high-ranking officials, making it less of a priority to seek out unconventional methods of assassination.
Perception of the Threat
For all intents and purposes, the Night King was an enigmatic and powerful magical being. Even the Night’s Watch was skeptical of an actual "Night King" beyond the shadows of lore and legend. This uncertainty contributed to the inaction of the North in pursuing such an unconventional strategy.
Cost and Reliability
The Faceless Men are known for their steep fees and fees that escalate based on the client's wealth and the complexity of the request. In the context of the mega-corporation that is the Kingdom of the North, these costs would be prohibitive. Moreover, the reliability of the Faceless Men is questionable given their motivations and beliefs. The Faceless Men worship the god of death, and they might consider the Others, whose entire purpose is to bring death, as servants or authentic instruments of the divine.
The Practicality of Killing the Night King
Assassinating the Night King with the help of the Faceless Men raises more questions than it answers. While it is theoretically possible that a skilled assassin could attempt to neutralize such a powerful entity, the practicality of this scenario is highly questionable. Regular people might be able to impersonate someone, and simple voodoo or shape-shifting techniques could be used, but a magical being like the Night King might not be as easily felled with these methods.
The Superiority of White Walker Magic
In terms of magical prowess, the White Walkers clearly hold the upper hand. They possess necromancy, which allows them to control and reanimate the dead, and large-scale elemental control over magic, ice, and cold, among other elements. Facing the Night King’s legions of wights and animated frost giants, any practical attempt to take him down by conventional means seems futile.
Alternative Strategies and the Cost Factor
Even if the North had considered hiring the Faceless Men, the cost would have likely been a decisive factor. The practicality of such an assassination might have been too low to warrant the expenditure. Additionally, the North could have opted to address the threat through more conventional means within their realm, such as the Night's Watch, wildlings, or other house lords, providing a more cost-effective and strategically aligned approach.
Given these factors, the North remained strategically cautious and opted for more tangible and feasible methods to counter the threat posed by the Night King and the White Walkers. Their decisions were rooted in a pragmatic assessment of the current and future threats, ensuring that they preserved resources for the more immediate and critical challenges at hand.