While a major "Game of Thrones" plot point is the shocking arrival of new dragons long after they've supposedly gone extinct, "House of the Dragon [1]" takes place in an age of dragons and dragon-riders [2]. Based on George R.R. Martin's book "Fire and Blood," [3] the prequel series centres on a terrible civil war fought by the ruling Targaryen dynasty [4] called the Dance of the Dragons, which should convey how heavily dragons are involved in this brutal succession crisis.
During the show's first two episodes, viewers meet a few of the Targaryens' fleet of dragons and get some major information about one dragon who's been missing. Plus, the show includes some fighting over a highly prized dragon egg. Several of the dragons ahead will play major roles in the civil war, while others are significant as historical figures who are closely tied to Targaryens from past generations. Showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik told TVLine [5] on 16 Aug. that the series will have a whopping 17 dragons. Here's everything you need to know about the most important dragons we might see or hear about in "House of the Dragon," plus the ones we already spotted in the first episode. Warning: there are tons of spoilers from the book "Fire and Blood" ahead.
Will the Red Queen Be in "House of the Dragon"?
The red dragon Meleys, also known as the Red Queen, is the dragon primarily associated with Targaryen princesses Alyssa and Rhaenys. Princess Alyssa is the mother of two major figures in the civil war: Viserys I, the king whose death sets off the succession crisis, and Daemon, husband of one of the claimants, Rhaenyra. According to "Fire and Blood," Alyssa took both of her sons on Meleys's back when they were just a few days old.
After Alyssa's death, Meleys is claimed by Rhaenys, daughter and heir of the late Prince Aemon, who was himself heir to the Iron Throne. Passed over in the line of succession largely due to being a daughter instead of a son, Rhaenys is known as the "Queen Who Never Was." Rhaenys sides with Rhaenyra, another passed-over female heir, during the Dance of the Dragons. During a great battle, both Meleys and Rhaenys are killed.
Based on her history in the book, it seems pretty safe to say that we'll see Meleys at some point during "House of the Dragon."
Will Seasmoke Be in "House of the Dragon"?
Wilder and more temperamental than some of the other dragons, Seasmoke refuses attempts to "claim" him until Addam of Hull, an illegitimate relative of his previous rider, comes to try. Addam sides with Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons, and he and Seasmoke fight to defend the queen's holdings. In one great and devastating battle, Addam and Seasmoke take on younger dragons, saving lives and protecting their queen at the cost of their own lives.
Since Seasmoke fights in the civil war, he'll probably appear on "House of the Dragon."
Will Balerion the Dread Be in "House of the Dragon"?
The dragon Balerion is known as the Black Dread, and with good reason. One of the most significant dragons in "Fire and Blood," he's ridden by Aegon I during the Targaryen conquest of Westeros. He is also ridden by other Targaryen descendants over the course of his long life. Unlike many of the other dragons in the book, he lives out a long life, dying of old age during the reign of Jaehaerys I long before the civil war.
"House of the Dragon" is currently poised to cover the civil-war era, so unless there are flashbacks, we probably won't see Balerion depicted on screen.
Will Vermax Be in "House of the Dragon"?
When he was still a dragon egg, Vermax was given to the sons of Rhaenyra, the would-be Targaryen heiress and daughter of Viserys I. Vermax hatches and bonds with Jacaerys, one of the sons of Rhaenyra and her first husband, Laenor Velaryon. During the Dance of the Dragons, Jacaerys rides Vermax into battle. Ultimately, both dragon and rider perish in an attack gone wrong, although accounts differ as to what exactly led to their deaths.
Vermax should show up at some point during "House of the Dragon," given his close ties to the main characters.
Will Vhagar Be in "House of the Dragon"?
Vhagar is first ridden during the Targaryen conquest, when she is the dragon of Queen Visenya, the sister-wife of Aegon I. Many years later, after going riderless after Visenya's death, Vhagar is claimed by Laena Velaryon, the first wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen. Following Laena's death, Vhagar becomes the dragon of Aemond Targaryen, the son of Viserys I by his second wife, thus fighting in the civil war on the side of Aegon II. Vhagar is in the battle that kills the dragon Meleys but suffers only minor injuries. Ultimately, Vhagar is killed in the enormous Battle Above the Gods Eye, where she fatally fight Daemon and his dragon Caraxes.
We can assume that "House of the Dragon" will depict some of these great battles, so keep an eye out for Vhagar!
Will Caraxes Be in in "House of the Dragon"?
Caraxes is the dragon of Prince Daemon Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons, having previously been ridden by Prince Aemon, one of Jaehaerys's heirs. Throughout the civil war, Caraxes and Daemon fight many battles, supporting the claim of Daemon's wife, Rhaeynra. In the end, Caraxes and his rider die in battle. Daemon challenges Aemond and his dragon, Vhagar, to a great battle, which ends with all four dead.
Daemon is one of the main characters in "House of the Dragon," so it's all but certain that we'll spend some time getting to know Caraxes on the show.
Will Syrax Be in "House of the Dragon"?
Unlike many of the other dragons in "Fire and Blood," Syrax is tied only to one rider: Rhaenyra Targaryen, the queen claimant during the Dance of the Dragons. Although she's connected to the queen, she is not a strong fighter, which proves to be part of her downfall. During a riot in the Dragonpit, she heads directly into the heart of the fighting to try to save the other dragons trapped there. Instead of flying and using her flame to fight, she descends to the ground to fight with her claws and teeth, eventually succumbing to her own wounds.
With Rhaenyra playing such a big role on "House of the Dragon," it's likely Syrax will also be part of the series.
Will Sunfyre Be in "House of the Dragon"?
Sunfyre's evocative name is aided by an additional moniker: "the Golden." With golden scales and a reputation as the most beautiful dragon ever seen, Sunfyre is another dragon tied to just one rider: Aegon II, the other claimant of the Iron Throne during the Dance of the Dragons. Throughout the war, Sunfyre fights in many battles, nearly losing a wing in the battle that kills Meleys and her rider, Rhaenys. Repeatedly injured in battle, he is eventually is unable to fly anymore, although he does kill Rhaenyra when she is captured by Aegon. Eventually, he dies from his accumulated injuries.
As the dragon ridden by one of the most significant characters in "House of the Dragon," it's safe to say that Sunfyre will appear in the show.