Consider this your 101 on the dragons in House of the Dragon
The show is literally named after them, so it's only right we give the dragons in HBO's House of The Dragon their time. Essential for winning battles and as of the end of season one, responsible for causing wars, the dragons are some of the most important characters in the Game of Thrones spin-off.
And unlike Game of Thrones, there's a lot of dragons in the House of the Dragon, so sometimes it can get a little confusing as to which dragon is which and crucially who their riders are.
So consider this your official guide to all the dragons in House of the Dragon.
How many dragons are there in House of the Dragon?
Before we get into all the details of each individual dragon, let's just do a quick tally of all the dragons in Westeros right now.
Following on from the aftermath of episode four of season two (still not over it) there are now 14 dragons alive in Westeros, these include Syrax, Caraxes, Vhagar, Vermithor, Sunfyre, Seasmoke, Vermax, Tyraxes, Moondancer, Dreamfyre, Silverwing and three wild dragons.
Who are the wild dragons?
Right now we haven't heard much about the wild dragons in Westeros, but as we know from George R.R. Martin's novel there are three wild dragons currently alive in Dragonstone.
These are dragons who have never been claimed and are known as Sheepstealer, The Cannibal and Grey Ghost. Will they get riders as season two carries on?
Who is the biggest dragon in House of the Dragon?
The biggest dragon currently alive in Westeros is Aemond's dragon Vhagar and no dragon can match her in size, so that's great news for the upcoming battles.
The dragons of House of the Dragon explained
Arrax
Rider: Lucerys Velaryon
Status: Deceased
Arrax was the dragon of Rhaenyra's son Lucerys and was hatched the same year of Lucery's birth. He and Lucerys are killed after the pair are followed by Aemond and Vhagar, and Arrax burns Vhagar so Vhagar retaliated and killed them both. Arrax was the first dragon to die in the dance of the dragons.
Caraxes
Rider: Daemon Targaryen
Status: Alive
Caraxes is the dragon of Daemon and is nicknamed 'The Blood Wyrm'. He has red scales, and was introduced in the series in episode one of season one. Caraxes was originally the mount of Daemon and Viserys' uncle Prince Aemon Targaryen, he was eating goats when Aemon was killed by a crossbow bolt to the throat. It's not known when Daemon claimed Caraxes has his own.
Just like his current rider, Caraxes has pretty savage tendencies, and he's also got a major appetite. He is frequently seen with Daemon throughout season one, and was used by Daemon to help win the War for the Stepstones. And in season two he's accompanied Daemon to Harrenhal.
Dreamfyre
Rider: Helaena Targaryen
Status: Alive
Dreamfyre was initially the dragon of the original Princess Rhaena Targaryen, and stayed with Rhaena up until her death in 73 AC in Harrenhal, before she then returned to the dragon pit in King's Landing.
By the end of season one Dreamfyre is the dragon of Helaena, however Helaena rarely rides her dragon and we've actually rarely seen her on screen. Her existence is first mentioned during episode two of season one when Daemon tries to steal one of her eggs for the newborn child he was claiming he had with Mysaria.
Dreamfyre later stops Aemond from claiming a dragon when he comes down to the dragon pit and she breathes fire at him, while protecting a nest of eggs.
Meleys
Rider: Rhaenys Targaryen
Status: Dead
Meleys is nicknamed 'The Red Queen' and was first ridden by Princess Alyssa Targaryen up until her death. A few years later she was then claimed by Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and the two formed a close bond.
The pair were so close in fact, that Rhaenys turned up to her wedding to Lord Corlys on Meleys, which is pretty iconic. Like Caraxes she has red scales and during her youth she was faster than Caraxes and Vhagar.
In season one she doesn't get much air time until the end of the series when she's imprisoned in the dragon pit during Aegon's coronation and thankfully Rhaenys frees her and they storm the coronation. At the end of the season she and Rhaenys are seen patrolling the skies around the Gullet.
Meleys has more of a prominent role in season two, however, by the end of episode four she and Rhaenys both sadly meet their end after battling Aemond at Rook's Rest. Despite giving a good fight, the pair were no match for Vhagar's strength and they both perished, falling to the earth.
Moondancer
Rider: Baela Targaryen
Status: Alive
Moondancer is a pale green dragon who is claimed by Baela Targaryen. She wasn't seen much in season one, however by season two she had a more prominent role and in episode three of season two Baela is seen riding on Moondancer and following Criston Cole and his men as they attempted to march towards Harrenhal.
Seasmoke
Rider: Unclaimed
Status: Alive
Seasmoke was the dragon of Laenor Velaryon and makes his first appearance in episode three of season one. Seasmoke was essential in the War for the Stepstones, and actually ends up helping to save Daemon. After Laenor faked his own death in episode seven of season one, Seasmoke was left riderless and resides on Driftmark.
During episode two of season two Rhaenyra mentions to Mysaria that Seasmoke has "grown restless of late", which if you've read the George R.R. Martin books the TV series is based you'll know is a major foreshadow of what is to come.
Silverwing
Rider: Unclaimed
Status: Alive
Silverwing is another unclaimed dragon currently residing in Dragonmount, she was ridden by Queen Alysanne Targaryen up until her death.
Sryax
Rider: Rhaenyra Targaryen
Status: Alive
Syrax is a yellow dragon, who is ridden by Rhaenyra and was first seen on our screens during the opening episode of series one. In Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin upon which House of the Dragon is based on, Rhaenyra began riding her dragon at just seven years old.
Syrax is incredibly fast and can keep up with Caraxes, she is incredibly protective of Rhaenyra and even felt her pain after she miscarried her daughter Visenya. She is also prominent throughout season two, particularly during episode one when Rhaenyra and Syrax travel to find Lucerys and his remains. As the season progresses and the war ramps up its likely we'll see Rhaenyra take to the skies with Syrax soon.
Sunfyre
Rider: Aegon II Targaryen
Status: Alive
Sunfyre is the dragon of the new king Aegon. He's known as one of the most eye catching of the dragons, down to his golden scales and he becomes a major player during season two, when Aegon rides him to the battle at Rook's Rest. He is majorly wounded by Meleys and Vhagar during the battle and as the episode ends we see both Sunfyre and Aegon collapsed in a heap in a clearing.
Tyraxes
Rider: Joffrey Velaryon
Status: Alive
Ok so technically Tyraxes is bound to Joffrey Velaryon, aka Rhaenyra's youngest son, but given Joffrey is still a pretty young child, he's not really being ridden as of yet.
Vermax
Rider: Jacaerys Velaryon
Status: Alive
Vermax is the dragon of Jacaerys, and he's seen early on in his life when Jacaerys is teaching him to breathe fire onto goats in front of Jacaerys' brother and uncles during episode six of season. He is ridden by Jacaerys to the North to secure the Starks at the beginning of season two.
Vermithor
Rider: Unclaimed
Status: Alive
Nicknamed 'The Bronze Fury' Vermithor is the second oldest and biggest dragon after Vhagar. He was ridden by Jaehaerys I Targaryen until his death and now remains unclaimed. Daemon visits Vermithor in his lair, and while he is initially suspicious of Daemon, he calms and the pair lock eyes.
Vhagar
Rider: Aemond Targaryen
Status: Alive
Vhagar is the oldest and largest dragon in all of Westeros, having arrived during the time of Aegon the Conqueror. She was first ridden by Queen Visenya Targaryen during the conquering of Westeros, after Visenya's death Vhagar roams the skies alone.
She is then later claimed by Laena Velaryon, who first mentions the dragon during episode two of season one and then by episode six we come to learn Laena has claimed her. During Laena's difficult birth, rather than die in pain in her bed she finds Vhagar, who she commands to breathe fire over her. Vhagar initially refuses but finally does fire at Laena, killing her instantly.
Following Laena's death, while sleeping on the beach during episode seven of season one, Aemond approaches Vhagar and he manages to claim her as his own. Later, Vhagar kills Arrax and Lucerys despite Aemond's attempts at controlling her and telling her not to during the final episode of season one.
And Vhagar continues to bring destruction to Westeros during season two, most notably during episode four when she and Aemond fire at both Aegon and Sunfyre, and Rhaenys and Meleys, causing the death of the latter two, and injuring the former.
House of the Dragon season two is available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW
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