Bran Stark was chosen to be the Three-Eyed Raven because of his innate warging abilities that allowed him to control animals and see through their eyes. As the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran gained immense magical powers like greensight which gave him prophetic visions of the past, present and future. He was able to influence events across time and space, making him a key player in the fight against the White Walkers. Let’s explore in detail the reasons why Bran was selected to be the Three-Eyed Raven.
Bran’s Warging Abilities
From a young age, Bran exhibited powerful warging abilities that enabled him to enter the minds of animals like his direwolf Summer. He was able to see through the wolf’s eyes and control its actions. This ability to skinchange or body swap is very rare and showed Bran’s immense untapped magical potential. The Three-Eyed Raven recognized that Bran’s warging talents made him a prime candidate to develop greenseer powers and succeed him.
As a warg, Bran was also able to tap into the weirwood trees which amplify magical powers. The weirwood roots spread across Westeros and give greenseers visions of past, present and future events. Bran’s innate warging allowed him to connect with the weirwood network and enhance his greenseeing skills. That’s why the Three-Eyed Raven brought Bran to the cave of the last weirwood tree beyond the Wall. Near the weirwoods, Bran’s powers accelerated rapidly under guidance.
Bran’s Greenseeing Abilities
While all greenseers have prophetic visions, Bran’s talents exceeded even the Three-Eyed Raven’s expectations. With training, Bran quickly learned to harness his greenseeing to witness events across time and space. He saw Ned Stark as a boy in Winterfell, the Night King being created, and a pregnant Lyanna Stark. Bran even influenced past events like Hodoring young Hodor. His prodigious talents convinced the Three-Eyed Raven that Bran was the ideal successor.
Bran’s visions were not limited to the past. He was able to see real-time events happening far away, like at Greywater Watch and Eastwatch. He could also peer into the future, for example foreseeing the sea swallowing Winterfell. These diverse greensight powers gave Bran unique knowledge to prepare Westeros for the coming Long Night. The Three-Eyed Raven knew Bran must succeed him to guide humanity against the White Walkers.
Bran’s Lineage
As a Stark of Winterfell, Bran came from a lineage of powerful Northern figures like his father Ned Stark. The Starks were Kings of Winter for thousands of years before Aegon’s conquest. Moreover, Bran’s namesake Bran the Builder allegedly built the Wall over 8,000 years ago to keep out the White Walkers. So Bran had ancestral ties to magical knowledge to fight the dead.
Some fan theories also suggest Bran is descended from the First Men, an ancient non-Andal race who made pact with the Children of the Forest. The First Men adopted the Old Gods of the weirwood trees which amplify greenseer powers. If true, Bran’s bloodline gives him a strong advantage learning magic under the Three-Eyed Raven.
Bran’s Personality
Besides his powers, Bran’s own personality made him well-suited to be the Three-Eyed Raven. As a boy, Bran was known to be quite curious and loved to climb the walls of Winterfell. This natural curiosity drove him to eagerly accept the Three-Eyed Raven’s guidance and learn about Westerosi history.
Bran was also very dutiful to his family and wanted to help in the fight against the dead. After losing his legs in season 1, he persevered through hardships to fulfill this goal. So Bran selflessly took on the Three-Eyed Raven mantle knowing it would help his family despite requiring personal sacrifice.
He Was Touched by the Night King
A key reason Bran was selected was that he was marked by the Night King during a vision. The Night King grabbed Bran’s arm, leaving a frostbitten imprint. This “mark” let the White Walkers pass magical barriers and detect Bran’s location.
So Bran had to become the Three-Eyed Raven to lure the Night King into a trap. His mark made him a target while his powers let him set a trap. If the Three-Eyed Raven didn’t pass the mantle, the Night King could’ve continued marching south unchecked.
Table Showing Key Reasons Bran was Chosen as Three-Eyed Raven
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Warging Abilities | Let him enter minds of animals & trees |
| Greenseeing Skills | Visions of past, present & future events |
| Stark Lineage | Descended from Winter Kings & First Men |
| Curious Personality | Eager to learn magic & history of Westeros |
| Marked by Night King | Let White Walkers detect and target Bran |
Bran’s Journey to Become Three-Eyed Raven
Bran’s ascension to become the Three-Eyed Raven was not easy – it involved a difficult personal journey. After his crippling fall in Winterfell, Bran was forced to flee the Greyjoy invasion to go beyond the Wall. There he found the Three-Eyed Raven, who began training him in greenseeing.
But to grow his powers Bran had to sacrifice his human connections. He ignored Meera’s suffering while warging for days. Over time Bran lost his identity, telling Meera “I’m not Bran anymore.” This difficult journey turned Bran from a little boy to the inhuman Three-Eyed Raven.
Key Events in Bran’s Journey
- Crippled from climbing fall in Winterfell
- Fled Greyjoy invasion to go beyond the Wall
- Found Three-Eyed Raven and began training
- Learned greensight by warging for days
- Lost human identity and connections
- Sacrificed self to become Three-Eyed Raven
This journey changed Bran on a fundamental level. The sweet little boy who loved climbing died so that a mystically powerful seer could be born. Bran gave up his human wants and desires to become a vessel for the Three-Eyed Raven’s powers. This incredible sacrifice enabled him to play a pivotal role in the fate of Westeros.
His Wisdom Guides Key Characters
As the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran used his immense knowledge and wisdom to guide other key characters and events. He revealed Jon Snow’s true identity as Aegon Targaryen so Jon could ride Rhaegal into battle. Bran also exposed Littlefinger’s betrayals, leading to his execution by Arya.
He used his wisdom to have Arya sneak up on the Night King and kill him. Bran knew this was the only way to destroy the White Walkers for good. So without Bran guiding events, the Night King may have prevailed at Winterfell.
Key Guidance Provided by Bran
- Told Samwell Tarly truth about Jon’s parents
- Revealed Jon’s identity as Aegon Targaryen
- Exposed Baelish’s lies and had him executed
- Knew Arya must kill the Night King
- Had Arya hide to ambush the Night King
As the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran shaped the future of Westeros through wise counseling. He guided others towards defeating the White Walkers by sharing critical truths only he knew. Without Bran’s knowledge, the living may not have prevailed.
He Preserves Mankind’s Memories
An important role of the Three-Eyed Raven is to preserve mankind’s history and memories. As the longest serving Three-Eyed Raven told Bran – “It is time for you to become me.” The Three-Eyed Raven is history’s memory, passing knowledge between generations.
With greensight Bran can witness any event in history, even ones lost to myth and legend. He preserves these memories, acting as a living archive of humankind’s triumphs and follies. Without the Three-Eyed Raven this history would be forgotten.
How Bran Preserves Knowledge
- Witnesses any historical event with greensight
- Stores these memories within his mind
- Passes on important learnings to influence future
- Teaches successors to extend knowledge for humanity
As Three-Eyed Raven Bran form carries millenia of memories. He maintains the continuity of knowledge so mankind can learn from the past. This role protects humanity from repeating historical mistakes.
He Holds Immense Magical Power
As the Three-Eyed Raven Bran is arguably the most powerful wizard in Westeros. He has immense magical abilities like greensight, warging, psychic powers and time manipulation. Bran can see across time, possess animals and humans, and influence the past with his powers.
Greenseers like Bran are also reputed to have magical abilities like casting glamours, creating magical barriers, and helping the growth of weirwood trees. So Bran has phenomenal magical potential to aid against threats like the White Walkers.
Bran’s Magical Abilities as Three-Eyed Raven
- Greensight – visions of past, present and future
- Warging – possessing minds of animals and humans
- Psychic powers – omniscience of current events
- Time manipulation – limited influence over past events
- Other magical powers – glamours, barriers, growing weirwoods etc.
The full extent of Bran’s powers remains unclear. But as the Three-Eyed Raven he is possibly the strongest sorcerer in the known world. He can use these immense magical powers to serve the greater good.
He is Detached from Human Biases
To maximize his mystical powers Bran shed his human desires, emotions and biases. He tells the Stark siblings “I don’t really want anymore.” He does not judge events as good or evil, but accepts them dispassionately.
This detachment allows him to guide humanity towards long-term interests over selfish gains. Most rulers lack his neutrality. That’s why Tyrion suggests Bran is ideal to “break the wheel” and rule Westeros justly.
How Bran’s Neutrality Helps His Powers
- Not motivated by human cravings for power, wealth etc.
- Sees world objectively without bias or prejudice
- Accepts all events dispassionately as necessary
- Able to make decisions for greatest good, ignoring loud voices with selfish interests
Bran’s ultra-rational views make him uniquely poised to guide Westeros towards progress. Without human flaws that corrupt most leaders, he can reshape society for the benefit of all.
Conclusion
In summary, Bran was chosen to be the Three-Eyed Raven due to his warging talents, greenseeing potential, Stark lineage, sacrificial journey and detachment from human biases. He uses his immense powers neutrally for the greater good, guided by millennia of recorded memories. Bran passes on this knowledge across generations to ensure humanity does not repeat past follies. His wisdom and guidance were pivotal in defeating the Night King. As arguably the most powerful wizard and Westeros’ memory, Bran Stark is ideally suited to rule the Six Kingdoms wisely.
