Was the Night's Watch Condoning Child Sacrifice by Keeping Craster in Business?

In the complex world of A Song of Ice and Fire, the Night's Watch's relationship with individuals like Craster is not just a matter of policy but a serious ethical dilemma. It is clear that the Watch is turning a blind eye to Craster's activities, although it seems unlikely that they are fully aware of the full horror of what he is doing.

The Morality of Tolerance

The Night's Watch is a desperate organization in a world where survival is the most important goal. In exchange for food and shelter, they do not actively condemn Craster's practices but their willingness to overlook them highlights their moral ambiguity. This complicity with such horrific behavior can be viewed as a form of moral failure, as they prioritize their own survival over the lives of innocent children.

Past Sacrifices to the Others

Regarding the Night's Watch's relationship with the Others, there are inconsistencies in the lore. Long before the arrival of the Andals in Westeros, the Night's Watch was already established. Even during its early years, there is mention of one individual who is said to have offered sacrifices to the Others. Though his name is now forgotten, he may have been from a great house or a local lord, possibly even a member of the Starks.

The Night's King

This man, known in legend as the Night's King, was the Thirteenth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. According to the tale, he fell in love with a woman with skin as cold as ice and eyes like blue stars. While it is speculated that she could have been one of the Others, her fate is not clearly defined. The Night's King took her to the Nightfort, where he claimed her as his queen and himself as a king. Using strange sorceries, he bound his sworn brothers to his will and ruled from the Nightfort for thirteen years until he was defeated by an alliance of Brandon Stark and Joramun.

During his reign, it was discovered that the Night's King had been making sacrifices to the Others, a practice that led to his downfall. However, his actions do not provide explicit evidence of the Night's Watch engaging in similar practices in its more recent history.

The Atmosphere of Dread

The series implies that the threat of the White Walkers has led to desperate measures by various factions in Westeros, but the Night's Watch's direct involvement in these dark practices is not clearly detailed. This ambiguity adds to the atmosphere of dread surrounding the Others. The Watch's relationship with Craster and the Others underscores themes of morality, survival, and the consequences of desperation in a world filled with existential threats.

The moral ambiguity and dark practices surrounding the Night's Watch add depth to the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, inviting readers to question the true motivations and the moral standing of these honorable men in the throat of darkness.