Have you ever talked about the similarities that the Others have with myths regarding the Wild Hunt (not the witcher game, but the historic myths) or germanic myths regarding elves that hindered humans? I have a friend that I tried to explain the concept of the Others probably taking inspiration from such sources, but the moment he heard the word “elves” he closed his ears and said how they had been done to death, that he hated the Tolkien elves, and I didn’t know what I was talking about.

warsofasoiaf:

I have, as has @racefortheironthrone and @poorquentyn, who compares the Others to the fae every so often (he may, in fact, be past due, he’ll need to check his schedule). I’d recommend using the term ‘fae’ or ‘The Fair Folk’ when it comes to talking about the historical faeries for better reception. The ones where we called them the Fair Folk not because they were particularly fair, but because we were scared of them being upset with us and because they were enchanting and horrifying.

The Others are straight out of the Unseelie Court…unearthly creatures who look at humans the same way we look at insects. Their inhumanity is emphasized every time they finally creep out of the shadows into the main narrative. Whether it’s dancing around Waymar Royce or slicing a torchhead off as they might flick off a fly, they are emphasized as too fine for our clumsy world. They parry Waymar Royce in an “almost lazy” fashion, they are as “light as snow on the wind.” They’re elegant in a fashion so beyond even the most intricate and precise of humans that it’s straight up terrifying.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

I’m right on schedule, man.