Home of the Dragon’s dysfunctional household bushes are somewhat simpler to decipher than the hodgepodge of homes, bloodlines and characters in Sport of Thrones. Because of the concentrate on Targaryen lineage, people aren’t the one foremost characters within the collection. Dragons — albeit CGI variations — with their very own personalities, talents and options are arguably the best factor in regards to the present. Certain to the Targaryens by way of blood magic, their powers vary past the bodily.
Now that the TV collection is wing-deep within the Dance of the Dragons civil struggle storyline, it is good to know which dragon is which, their historical past and their general function previously, current and way forward for Home Targaryen. Drawn from Home of the Dragon and the books The World of Ice and Fireplace: The Untold Historical past of Westeros and the Sport of Thrones and A Tune of Ice and Fireplace, here is a take a look at a few of the most vital beasts within the present — and their riders.
Be warned, although: In case you’re holding off on watching season 2 of Home of the Dragon till after the finale airs on HBO and Max on Aug. 4, there are spoilers forward.
Learn extra: Max: The 34 Absolute Finest TV Reveals to Watch
Dragons in Home of the Dragon, lifeless and alive
Balerion: That is the OG of Targaryen dragons and previously probably the most highly effective in Westeros. Nicknamed “the Black Dread,” Balerion was born in previous Valyria and was considered one of 5 dragons the Targaryens moved to Dragonstone earlier than the Doom. He was the eldest and largest and first certain to Aegon “The Conqueror” Targaryen I, after which his son, Maegor I. Based on ebook lore, Balerion’s fiery breath cast the Iron Throne, which is produced from the swords of Aegon’s adversaries.
After a break, Balerion turned Princess Aerea’s dragon, and the pair famously went lacking in components unknown for greater than a yr. They each returned in unhealthy type, with the princess contaminated with a mysterious situation. Balerion got here again injured and took a 40-year break earlier than Prince Viserys (Rhaenyra’s dad) bonded with him. The Black Dread died shortly after and did not final a yr with Viserys. He was over 200 years previous when he perished, and the Targaryens have revered him ever since.
Vhagar: The grande dame Vhagar hatched in Dragonstone, and her first rider was Princess Visenya Targaryen, who’s Aegon the Conqueror’s older sister and eventual spouse. As a part of Aegon’s Conquest, Vhagar fought many battles and killed hundreds of people, flying alongside Balerion and Meraxes and their sibling dragonriders, Aegon and Princess Rhaenys. Almost 30 years after Visenya’s loss of life, Vhagar turned Prince Baelon’s dragon for over 20 years. Throughout that point, she flew out on missions with Caraxes and Vermithor, two dragons who are actually a part of the “Dance of the Dragons” storyline in Home of the Dragon.
The collection confirmed that Laena Velaryon was Vhagar’s subsequent rider after Baelon died, and after she burned her beloved princess in season 1, Vhagar was later claimed by Prince Aemond. There are rumors that Vhagar is presumably grandmother to Caraxes and Meleys, however it’s not confirmed. As Home of the Dragon continues, followers should not miss the upcoming “Battle Above the Gods Eye,” that includes Vhagar and Daemon’s Caraxes. It could outdo the tragic combat that took Luke.
Meleys: In a heartbreaking scene in season 2, viewers noticed Meleys meet her finish along with her rider, Princess Rhaenys at Rook’s Relaxation. Referred to as the amazingly swift “Pink Queen,” Meleys was claimed from the dragon pit at Dragonstone by Princess Alyssa Targaryen, Viserys’ and Daemon’s mom. Alyssa’s marriage to her older brother Baelon meant that Meleys and Vhagar typically flew collectively — for recreation and struggle.
A number of years after Alyssa’s loss of life, Rhaenys bonded with Meleys and so they rode to the very finish. Rhaenys arrived at her personal wedding ceremony to Lord Corlys on Meleys, and the duo spent years occurring army missions. In season 2 of Home of the Dragon, they meet their demise, however not earlier than Meleys sadly takes out Sunfyre, King Aegon II’s dragon.
Caraxes: We all know Daemon’s dragon, Caraxes, from each seasons of Home of the Dragon, however his historical past started with Prince Aemon Targaryen, the elder brother of Alyssa and Baelon, and Rhaenys’ father. Nicknamed the “Blood Wyrm,” Caraxes typically accompanied Meleys and Vhagar on flights on sibling dragon rides with Aemon, Baelon and Alyssa. Skilled in battle, the dragon was later claimed by Daemon following Aemon’s loss of life.
Syrax: Group Black’s Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is Syrax’s dragonrider. Their bond is so robust that Syrax is in tune with Rhaenyra’s ache throughout her miscarriage and her grief when she sees her lifeless son Luke’s cloak. Syrax is much less skilled in battle than Caraxes and spends a lot of her time chilling within the pit. In ebook lore, Syrax is alleged to have produced a number of batches of dragon eggs, together with the 4 eggs that Rhaena has been entrusted with defending in season 2 of Home of the Dragon. Rhaenyra is the one one to say her within the collection. For now, this dragon remains to be alive.
Sunfyre: Sunfyre was severely wounded in episode 4 of the present’s second season, and bits of the younger dragon’s golden scales and blood are scattered within the forest at Rook’s Relaxation. Is he lifeless? We do not know but — however King Aegon II is the one one identified to experience this majestic dragon.
Moondancer: Baela Velaryon’s dragon mount, Moondancer, is fast and clever and has solely had the princess as her rider. Her on-screen story shifts somewhat bit from what’s within the ebook in regards to the Dance of the Dragons struggle, so followers will see what turns into of her within the TV collection.
Dreamfyre: The blue-scaled dragon was first claimed by Princess Rhaena Targaryen, King Aenys I’s daughter and King Aegon I’s granddaughter. Years after Rhaen’s loss of life, Viserys and Alicent’s daughter Haelena claimed her, however the Group Inexperienced queen barely rides her. At the moment, Dreamfyre sits within the dragon pit at King’s Touchdown.
Vermithor: A dragon that is youthful than Vhagar however older than Caraxes, Vermithor was as soon as the dragon for King Jaehaerys Targaryen I. He is regarded as about 100 years previous by the point struggle breaks out between the Greens and the Blacks and has frolicked with Silverwing. Vermithor hasn’t had a rider for the reason that king, however that would quickly change.
Vermax: A younger dragon, Vermax hatched from the egg given to Rhaenyra’s eldest son, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Jace). The dragon has been to the Wall the place the Starks are and flown round Westeros to assist Jace on envoy missions. We are going to see what turns into of Vermax as season 2 forges on.
Tyraxes: Tyraxes hatched from the egg given to Prince Joffrey, Rhaenyra’s youngest son with Ser Harwin Sturdy. The dragon is smaller than Arrax and Vermax, ridden by Joffrey’s siblings Jacaerys and Lucerys. At the beginning of Dance of the Dragons, Joffrey flew to the Vale underneath his mom’s orders. Hold watching the present to see how issues play out for this dragon and its rider.
Stormcloud: But to be ridden, Stormcloud was gifted to child Aegon III, considered one of Rhaenyra’s youngsters with Daemon. Look out for this dragon as Home of the Dragon continues, and what occurs to Prince Aegon III.
Silverwing: Silverwing is an older dragon who initially belonged to Queen Alysanne Targaryen. She was primarily used for transport and funsies and has a robust distaste for the Wall within the North. Silverwing hasn’t had a rider since that queen‘s loss of life however remains to be related to the civil struggle in Home of the Dragon. Hold a watch out for her.
The Cannibal: Wild and untamed and residing as much as its identify, the Cannibal is a dragon with no rider who lives on Dragonstone Island. It hasn’t made an look but in Home of the Dragon, however it’s identified for consuming dragon carcasses in addition to people. Highly effective, previous and large, it is one of the vital terrifying dragons within the franchise.