HBO's Game of Thrones is one of the most influential TV shows of the 21st century. Titled after the first book in George R.R. Martin's multi-novel saga, Game of Thrones is a high fantasy adaptation on par with The Lord of the Rings. It won dozens of awards over the course of its eight-season run, earning both critical acclaim and a flourishing fandom.

RELATED: Game Of Thrones: The 10 Most Mature Characters, Ranked

Unfortunately, the final season of Game of Thrones failed to satisfy audience expectations; far too many plot points were left up in the air. Many fans claim that Game of Thrones could have expanded its final moments into a ninth season in order to strengthen the main character arcs. Now that the show is officially complete, fans might wonder what would happen if the story continued exactly where it left off.

9 Arya Discovers New Continent(s)

Arya from Game of Thrones goes on an adventure.

Arya has always been deeply curious about the world — she mentions her desire to see what lies beyond "the west of Westeros" on multiple occasions, starting with Lady Crane in Braavos. In the books, the so-called Sunset Sea is said to be enormous and impossible to navigate. It apparently swallows up anyone who attempts to cross it, including talented explorers like Brandon the Shipwright.

Even the Ironborn are terrified of the Sunset Sea, but Arya Stark is one of the few people brave enough to undertake a voyage through its waters. She may learn that the world is round if she ends up in the Shadowlands of Essos, or that other continents exist in the Sunset Sea. The worst-case scenario would be Arya perishing in the Game of Thrones' equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle.

8 The Free Folk Spread Across Westeros

A group of Free Folk moving through the Wall in Game of Thrones.

The Free Folk would have never made peace if Jon Snow hadn't intervened and interrupted Mance Rayder's plan. They are ultimately offered asylum for assisting the North against the Army of the Dead, a truce that King Bran and Queen Sansa presumably maintain.

Interestingly, a large number of the Free Folk are seen returning beyond the Wall, hoping to resume their lives without the threat of the Night King looming over their heads. This doesn't mean all of them return; on the contrary, it's equally likely that the Free Folk spread across Westeros and establish new homes for themselves.

7 The Children Of The Forest Come Out Of Extinction

The Children of the Forest from Game of Thrones.

The Children of the Forest were a part of Westeros long before the arrival of the First Men, approximately 12,000 years prior to the main storyline. Although they look and speak like humans, their diminutive stature, moss-green skin, and prolonged lifespan distinguish them from their colonizers.

RELATED: 10 Game Of Thrones Characters With No Manners

Given that the Children of the Forest vanished from the history of Westeros for over six millennia, nearly everyone on the continent considers the Children of the Forest as nothing more than an old wives' tale. The Night King's attack on the Three-Eyed Raven seemingly destroys the last four extant members of this mysterious species. That said, there could be Children still hiding out in their underground caverns.

6 Jon Snow Maps Out The Real North

Jon Snow from Game of Thrones.

The Lands of Always Winter are named for their chronically freezing weather. The true north of Westeros used to be verdant and filled with life, as shown in the flashback revealing the Night King's creation. With the complete annihilation of the White Walkers, however, it can be assumed that these lands will revert to their original climate.

Unsurprisingly, their geography has never been properly analyzed, but this status quo is about to be altered forever. Jon Snow ventures northwards in the Game of Thrones finale, where he will have the opportunity to explore and chart these thawing regions. Fans can already imagine a spin-off based on Jon's adventures with Tormund Giantsbane.

5 King Bran Keeps The Peace, Albeit Barely

King Bran the Broken at his Small Council in Game of Thrones.

Daenerys' death throws Westeros into more turmoil than ever, partly because the Unsullied and the Dothraki are on the brink of exacting vengeance for their leader's assassination. Fortunately, Tyrion manages to save the continent by convincing the Great Council to elect Bran as their next ruler.

Bran's status as the Three-Eyed Raven ensures the safety of the realm, unquestionably the most important mission for anyone who wears the crown. Wars, battles, conflicts, and even inter-House skirmishes are going to be minimized under the young King's guardianship. Then again, Bran knows that peace never lasts very long, so he's definitely going to have his hands full.

4 Sansa Stark Tries To Expand The North

Sansa Stark being crowned as Queen in the North in Game of Thrones.

The probability of Winterfell submitting to Daenerys is near zero, explaining why Jon Snow ultimately kills his beloved Queen. Sansa demands the North's secession during Bran's regal investiture, following which she is crowned Queen in the North. As the first independent monarch since Torrhen Stark "bent the knee to Aegon Targaryen," Sansa understands the various nuances of governing the largest political entity in Westeros.

RELATED: Game Of Thrones: 9 Characters Who Abused Their Power For Personal Gain

More importantly, Sansa's traumatic experiences in King's Landing, the Vale, and Ramsay Bolton's Winterfell have forged Sansa into an effective military commander. She could rule the North as expected, or she could abruptly expand her territory. Sansa isn't as unpredictable as Daenerys, but her calculating nature makes her relatively dangerous.

3 Daario Naharis Marshalls Essos Against The Iron Throne

Daario Naharis preparing for single combat in Game of Thrones

Daenerys Targaryen builds her empire with charisma, tenacity, and dragonfire — in the process, she acquires armies of trained warriors who are blindly devoted to her cause. All her paramours eventually surrender themselves to her will, including Khal Drogo, Daario Naharis, and Jon Snow.

Daenerys informs Daario that his presence in Westeros jeopardizes her chances, and orders him to oversee Meereen and the Bay of Dragons as her regent. Daario's reaction to Dany's assassination isn't shown, but he's certainly not someone who'd take the news lightly. Daario might marshall the people of Essos against the Iron Throne, which would consequently bring war back to Westeros.

2 Drogon Takes Daenerys To The Red Temple

Drogon unfurls his wings behind Daenerys, giving her the look of a dragon Game of Thrones.

Daenerys inevitably transforms into her father, Aerys Targaryen, in her bid to seize control of her birthright. The difference, however, is that her children are far superior to Wildfire when it comes to burning King's Landing to the ground. The people of the world owe an eternal debt of gratitude to Jon Snow, even if everyone doesn't share the same opinion.

Drogon may not have incinerated him on the spot, but he gently carries his dead mother and flies away. The dragon is "last spotted flying east," prompting Bran to "find him" using his Greensight. If Drogon takes Daenerys to the Red Temple on Volantis and High Priestess Kinvara resurrects her, then Westeros is well and truly doomed.

1 Samwell Tarly Establishes Democracy On Westeros

Samwell Tarly with a shocked expression in Game of Thrones.

The Great Council grudgingly agrees with Tyrion Lannister's plan of choosing a ruler from among themselves. Edmure foolishly attempts to propose his own name, at least until Sansa puts him in his place. Samwell then tells the attendees that the chosen monarch "won't just rule over lords and ladies," and that "the decision about what's best for everyone should be left to... well, everyone."

The assembled lords and ladies find the mere suggestion of democracy a laughable notion, akin to "giv[ing] dogs a vote." Even Sansa and Arya break into a muffled snicker, forcing a humiliated Sam to retake his seat. It sounds like a long shot, but Sam is the only member of King Bran's Small Council who follows Varys' philosophy — the realm matters infinitely more than whoever sits on the Iron Throne.