During the peak of ancient Valyria, numerous dragons soared in the skies. Different families used to ride these majestic creatures. However, everything changed as the city fell into decline, and a curse began to spread through the streets. The Targaryens and Velaryons left Valyria and settled in Westeros, where they established their rule. Aegon Targaryen conquered the Seven Kingdoms aboard his dragon, Balerion the Black Dread, and declared himself king. Since then, these gigantic reptiles were a symbol of the house’s divinity and the legitimacy of their rule.
Many years after the conquest, Rhaenyra and her half-brother Aegon found themselves on opposite sides in a civil war for the throne succession. The Blacks and Greens unleashed their dragons on the battlefield, fighting fiercely and leaving behind countless charred corpses. The contenders realized the need to incorporate more dragons into their armies, which meant finding capable riders to tame them.
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In a conversation in the first season, King Viserys tells Rhaenyra that being dragonriders is a form of illusion perpetuated by the Crown to portray a divine nature. He admits that there are not enough Targaryens to ride the dragons. Rhaenyra’s son Jacaerys proposes a solution: to find individuals who lost their Targaryen name by joining other dynasties but still carry the blood of the house of the dragon and are thus legitimized to ride the creatures. The Velaryons, in contrast, never rode dragons.
“House of the Dragon” has aired the first five episodes of its second season, with three more to come, and HBO has already renewed it for a third season. Other spin-offs like “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and a series on Aegon’s conquest are also in the works.
In the heyday of ancient Valyria, thousands of dragons soared through the air, with members of different families riding these majestic beasts. However, everything changed in the twilight of the city when a curse spread through the streets. The Targaryens and Velaryons, two prominent families, abandoned the city and moved to Westeros, where they soon established their rule. Aegon Targaryen, riding his dragon Balerion the Black Dread, conquered the Seven Kingdoms and declared himself monarch. From that moment on, the gigantic reptiles were used as a symbol of the house’s divinity and legitimacy to rule.
Many years later, a civil war erupted for the succession to the throne between Rhaenyra and her half-brother Aegon. The Blacks and Greens, representing the two opposing sides, deployed their dragons on the battlefield, leaving destruction in their wake. Realizing the need to incorporate more dragons into their armies, the contenders sought riders capable of taming these powerful creatures to gain an advantage in battle.
In a conversation during the first season, King Viserys reveals to Rhaenyra that the Targaryens being dragon riders is more of an illusion used by the Crown to portray a divine nature to the subjects. With the realization that there are not enough Targaryens left to serve as riders, Rhaenyra’s son Jacaerys proposes a solution: to find candidates who may have lost their Targaryen surname but still possess the blood of the house of the dragon, thereby legitimizing them to ride the dragons. The Velaryons, another noble family, were never known to be dragon riders.
The popular series “House of the Dragon” has captivated audiences with its depiction of dragon riders and the power struggles within the Targaryen dynasty. With the release of the first five episodes of the second season and the announcement of a renewal for a third season by HBO, fans can expect more exhilarating episodes to come. Additionally, there are plans for spin-offs such as “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and a series focusing on Aegon’s conquest, expanding the rich lore of the world of Westeros.
The dragons in the world of Game of Thrones represent not only immense power but also the legacy and lineage of the noble houses. As these creatures play a crucial role in the battles for power and supremacy, finding skilled dragon riders becomes a strategic necessity for those vying for the Iron Throne. The intricate relationships between the dragons and their riders add a unique element to the storyline, creating a captivating narrative that continues to engage viewers around the world.
In conclusion, the dragons and their riders in the world of Game of Thrones are essential components of the intricate political and power struggles depicted in the series. As the legacy of the Targaryen and Velaryon families intertwines with the destiny of Westeros, the quest for dragon riders becomes a pivotal aspect of the battle for dominance. With the upcoming seasons and spin-offs exploring new storylines and characters, the role of dragon riders in the world of Westeros is set to evolve and shape the future of the realm.
