Let’s be honest here, we all know whyHouse of the Dragonis so popular. I mean it’s pretty obvious, right? The dragons, of course!
I mean Matt Smith is definitely eye-candy, don’t get me wrong, but there’s just something about the dragons in this show that demands our interest. The detail that goes into thesevisualscertainly is something worth admiring. The power behind a dragon is harnessed by many in House of the Dragon, but it seems like the scales are about to be tipped in the Blacks' favor.
With around 13 dragons to the Green’s 4, the one true queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, seems to have the odds in her favor, but how many dragons does she have that can compete with Vhagar, the largest dragon in Westeros. There are some dragons that don’t have riders that could help. Let’s take a quick look at these dragons, with a full breakdown on where they might be going below:
Dragon Name
Team Black
Dragonstone
Silverwing
Sheepstealer
Around 100
Wild dragon
Grey Ghost
The Cannibal
House of the Dragon
1Vermithor
Feared among the masses, The Bronze Fury
Vermithor is known as one of the oldest and largest dragons. He originally had King Jaehaerys I as his rider, but after his long reign and death, Vermithor has yet to find anyone bold enough to bond with him. In the season 1 finale, we are given the first glimpse into one of the most feared dragons, The Bronze Fury himself, as Daemon Targaryen is seen trying to soothe and bond with him in the Dragonmount. This apparently was unsuccessful though, as Vermithor is still riderless in season two.
Vermithor is 95 years old at the time of House of the Dragon, and he’s the second-largest dragon in Westeros, as well as the Black’s best chance to take on Vhagar, but there’s currently no obvious choice as a rider.
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2Silverwing
Surprise, surprise… known for her striking silver scales.
This she-dragon is a force to be reckoned with; originally bonded with Queen Alysanne Targaryen, the wife of King Jaehaerys I. The dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing are rumored to have mirrored their bonded riders and mated. They currently both reside on Dragonstone, even though we have yet to catch a look at Silverwing.
Silverwing is getting close to 100 years of age, having been born early in the reign of King Jaehaerys 1. She’s also the fourth-largest dragon in Westeros, meaning finding her a rider could greatly impact the Black’s war efforts.
You can watch House of the Dragon Episode 1 on YouTube for free
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Now with a rider!
Seasmoke is the main dragon that Rhaenyra has tried to find a rider for. He was originally bonded with Rhaenyra’s former husband, Leanor Velaryon, who willingly disappeared across the Narrow Seas in season one. In the most recent episode, titled Smallfolk, we saw Rhaenyra attempt to bond Seasmoke to a member of her Kingsguard in Ser Steffon Darklyn. It went pretty badly, with Seasmoke deciding to torch Ser Steffon before leaving Dragonstone for Driftmark.
That’s where Seasmoke finds Addam of Hull, a bastard-son of Driftmark’s lord Corly Velaryon. After a tense few minutes, it seems like Seasmoke views Addam as more than just his next snack. Then before the end of the episode, Rhaenyra learns Seasmoke has taken a new rider, and heads out to meet Addam of Hull on her own dragon, Syrax.
4Sheepstealer
Our first mention of a wild dragon
We got our first mention of wild dragons in the House of the Dragon series when Lady Jeyne Arryn reveals to Rheana Targaryen that a dragon has recently begun feeding on Livestock in the Vale. In the books, there are only three wild dragons in Westeros at this time, one of which is known for feeding on livestock, like the burned animals we saw before Rhaena learned of the dragon. That dragon would be Sheepstealer.
Sheepstealer is around 100 years old, with his birth occurring sometime early on in the life of King Jaehaerys I. Rhaena claiming him would be a significant departure from the books though, and the show seems to be setting it up. In Fire and Blood, the in-universe history book that covers this timeframe, Sheepstealer is claimed by a young peasant girl named Nettles, who domesticates the dragon by offering him sheep.
5The Cannibal and Grey Ghost
The two wild dragons not mentioned on the show yet
The other two wild dragons in Westeros during the Dance of the Dragons are The Cannibal and Grey Ghost.
Grey Ghost is the smallest of the wild dragons, but not much is known about the dragon other than its small size and a distinctive gray color. In the books, it makes a nest on Dragonstone, which is opportunistic for the Rhaenyra and the Blacks.
The Cannibal is a much older dragon, with smallfolk telling stories that have him being on Dragonstone before the Targaryens arrived. Whatever age he is actually, The Cannibal is the third-largest dragon in Westeros, making him a prize potentially capable of taking on Vhagar and Aemond if the Blacks can manage to find him a rider. In the books, he’s described as an all-black dragon with green eyes.
The under-discussed part of the Black’s plan to find riders, is giving the political leverage, power, and reverence that dragons exude to any regular person in Westeros. Each new rider can singlehandedly change the dynamic of the world. Whoever can claim Vermithor, The Cannibal, or Silverwing will immediately catapult from a Westerosi afterthought into a power player helping to determine the outcome of the Targaryen civil war.
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