[quote]Did Stannis have any sort of impact on the world of GoT besides serving as a way for Melisandre to be in the right place at the right time to revive Jon Snow? .... Did Stannis actually have any significance to the realm or was his story just a dramatic but dead end arc? [/quote] In the show Stannis shapes much of what happens. Stannis, is whom Ned views as the legal next in line for the Throne, as such he informs Stannis that Robert is [b][u]NOT[/u][/b] the father. That beings the "war" in which everything goes to shit. Stannis also introduces his daughter who was cured from grayscale(?), she informs Sam of this and Sam knowing this may be important at some point...perhaps in regards to Captain Friend Zone. Curing him, would almost certainly make it easier for Jon and Danny to be allies, but this is pure speculation. Stannis kills Renly(sp?) who, with the Tyrells probably would have won. Stannis attacks Kingslanding, which raises Tyrion's stock. After the battle Tyrion is a proven and respected commander (even tho his dad doesn't give 2 shits). Stannis introduces the viewer to the Iron Bank. Tho what role the Bank will play in the end is still to be seen. Stannis also puts the Kaibash on the Wildlings army, saving the Wall and the North. Stannis also places Jon in a position where the Wildlings respect him by burning Mance, forcing Jon to kill him. Stannis also solidifies Brianne as being an extremely noble and awesome solider.