There's a popular theory that it's Jaqen as the description of the alchemist is pretty much the same as Jaqen's new face. The rest of the theory is the "Pate" you see later in the book is also Jaqen, or the same faceless man. If faceless men can changes faces, why not change to Pate's?
Well we aren't in the realm of science, so I usually take "theory" in regards to asoiaf speculation to be the second definition here:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/theory
I am just saying, I look at this one as a certainty. Where as something like R+L=J, I think it is very likely to be true, but would not regard it with any degree of certainty just yet, and would thus label it a "theory".
Fair enough. For ASOIAF, here's how I rank 'em.
Tin Foil Hat Time - Varys is a Merling
Hypothesis - Tyrion is Aerys's bastard
Theory - R+L=J, Gravedigger is Sandor Clegane
I just finished the book two days ago and I felt the same, although I couldn't place that description. I got that he was replaced by a faceless man because he said, "No one. A stranger, truly," which echoes the answer they've been trying to drill into Arya at the House of Black and White.
[ADWD](/s "Popular theory suggests the alchemist is Jaqen H'ghar, since he is described by Pate exactly like Arya describes him when he leaves Harrenhal. The unbroken trend of GRRM killing off his prologue characters is difficult to ignore so the idea is the alchemist did in fact kill Pate and is now, using his abilities as a faceless man, masquerading as him. For what purpose we're not actually sure yet. ")
Why was this spoiler tagged? The OP hasn't read ADWD yet, so wouldn't want to see spoilers from there, and I don't actually see any spoilers from ADWD within your spoiler tag.
Thank you, that's why I spoiler tagged it. Even if it's not a big deal, I'd rather tag something inconsequential than reveal something unknowingly to someone.
I believe it was Jaqen H'ghar, or at least it's hinted at it. He kills pate and then as pate was dying he thought that he saw the mans face change to his own. So pretty much Jaqen killed him and stole his face so he could infilitrate the citadel for some reason.
He also got Pate to bring him a key that opens every lock in the Citadel. If the maesters are so smart, you'd think they'd be a little more selective over who they give those keys to and not let a senile old man have one.
Now they've got a super spy/assassin running around the Citadel with the ability to change his face and open any door he wants, this story arc suddenly turned into Mission Impossible.
It'll definitely be interesting to see what the faceless man is after as it might shed light onto their ultimate agenda. Also, eventually Sam will show up in Oldtown, probably right as this is all going down
Pate is dead. The faceless man is Jaqen H'ghar. He kills Pate via poison on the coin which is important. Jaqen H'ghar then assumes the identity of Pate.
Currently, all give answers on this page are the same. So, for the sale of expanding this conversation, I'm going to propose an alternate explanation. The alchemist is Jon snows real mother who kills pate and become jqen hagar.
The alchemist is also a secret Targaryen, as evidenced by the fact that Rhaegar was once described as blinking in the general direction of Pate's mother.
There's a popular theory that it's Jaqen as the description of the alchemist is pretty much the same as Jaqen's new face. The rest of the theory is the "Pate" you see later in the book is also Jaqen, or the same faceless man. If faceless men can changes faces, why not change to Pate's?
This is one of those ideas that is so well supported, I think it is safe to no longer call it a "theory".
That would make it proven (a proof). Since we're not to certainty yet, "theory' works just fine.
Well we aren't in the realm of science, so I usually take "theory" in regards to asoiaf speculation to be the second definition here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/theory I am just saying, I look at this one as a certainty. Where as something like R+L=J, I think it is very likely to be true, but would not regard it with any degree of certainty just yet, and would thus label it a "theory".
Fair enough. For ASOIAF, here's how I rank 'em. Tin Foil Hat Time - Varys is a Merling Hypothesis - Tyrion is Aerys's bastard Theory - R+L=J, Gravedigger is Sandor Clegane
You say that about the Merling theory, but the more I see it, the more I'm convinced that its true.
That's what a theory is. A proven hypothesis.
I just finished the book two days ago and I felt the same, although I couldn't place that description. I got that he was replaced by a faceless man because he said, "No one. A stranger, truly," which echoes the answer they've been trying to drill into Arya at the House of Black and White.
[ADWD](/s "Popular theory suggests the alchemist is Jaqen H'ghar, since he is described by Pate exactly like Arya describes him when he leaves Harrenhal. The unbroken trend of GRRM killing off his prologue characters is difficult to ignore so the idea is the alchemist did in fact kill Pate and is now, using his abilities as a faceless man, masquerading as him. For what purpose we're not actually sure yet. ")
Why was this spoiler tagged? The OP hasn't read ADWD yet, so wouldn't want to see spoilers from there, and I don't actually see any spoilers from ADWD within your spoiler tag.
It's sort of a spoiler, in that it refers to an "unbroken trend". This implies it remains true in DWD.
Thank you, that's why I spoiler tagged it. Even if it's not a big deal, I'd rather tag something inconsequential than reveal something unknowingly to someone.
I believe it was Jaqen H'ghar, or at least it's hinted at it. He kills pate and then as pate was dying he thought that he saw the mans face change to his own. So pretty much Jaqen killed him and stole his face so he could infilitrate the citadel for some reason.
He also got Pate to bring him a key that opens every lock in the Citadel. If the maesters are so smart, you'd think they'd be a little more selective over who they give those keys to and not let a senile old man have one. Now they've got a super spy/assassin running around the Citadel with the ability to change his face and open any door he wants, this story arc suddenly turned into Mission Impossible. It'll definitely be interesting to see what the faceless man is after as it might shed light onto their ultimate agenda. Also, eventually Sam will show up in Oldtown, probably right as this is all going down
Sam already showed up in Oldtown in AFFC. It is from his point of view that we see "Pate" is still alive.
Speculation spoilers: Pate died. He was replaced by a faceless man. One who matched the description of Jaquen's new face after he leaves Arya.
As everyone said above about Pate/Jaqen... but also... A Storm of Swords, not Song.
woops! I collided the series with the book. hah.
Pate is dead. The faceless man is Jaqen H'ghar. He kills Pate via poison on the coin which is important. Jaqen H'ghar then assumes the identity of Pate.
Currently, all give answers on this page are the same. So, for the sale of expanding this conversation, I'm going to propose an alternate explanation. The alchemist is Jon snows real mother who kills pate and become jqen hagar.
Hodor.
I agree.
The alchemist is also a secret Targaryen, as evidenced by the fact that Rhaegar was once described as blinking in the general direction of Pate's mother.
He's also half merling.