For today’s piece of the GOT universe , we would be discussing the real MVPs of the show ‘the dragons’ on the house of the Dragon so far in season one. These mythical beasts turned many battle in favour of the Targayens.
First, how are dragons in this universe born? how are they assigned riders or rather how are riders assigned to them? We first get familiar with these before delving into the main topic.
As reptiles, the female dragons lay eggs wrapped in wrapped in a membrane as seen when Daemon retrieves Syrax’s in Episode 8, For a Dragon egg to hatch, it must be kept in a warm environment, typically around Volcanos.
The Valyrians (Dragonlords) learned however that simply keeping the egg shrouded in embers is sufficient to incubate it.
Even with their knowledge of Dragons, the Valyrians were success rate for egg hatching was not 100%, some eggs do not hatch no matter how long they are kept in the flames.
To solve this dilemma, a person may be inclined to place the egg upon a pyre, a pyre with a human sacrifice. This blood magic is sufficient to awaken the young drake, as the price for its emergence has been paid – a life for a life
Dragon bonding is a crucial ritual in this process to assign owners to these beasts. If coincidentally there is a dragon egg available at the birth of a Targaryen, they put a dragon egg in an infant’s cradle so they can bond quickly.
It is not sure when their eggs will hatch, or they might not hatch at all. Since this process has a low probability, the Targaryens developed an hierarchy.
Simply put, Dragons will be passed down in the family if the owner has died or cannot ride them. Dragon bonding is a complex procedure, and its science is still uncanny. Generally, it is believed that the best time to bond with the dragon is when the owner is young.
Moreover, a dragon and a human bond is a one-to-one relationship. After the dragon is bonded, it does not allow any other rider to sit on it, the bond remains intact as long as both are alive.
Also read: Movie Review of House Of The Dragon 2022
Usually, the firey beasts outlive their owners, so they are passed on to their children, but if an owner outlives their dragon, they can attempt to ride a new one.
Targaryens use their ancestral language, high valyrian, to communicate with the dragons. Moreover, they have appointed dragon maesters who feed and help them train these beasts.
Below is the list of dragons we got to see in season one of the House of the Dragon;
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Balerion the black dread (Just his skull)
The largest and eldest of all the Targaryen dragons, Balerion was flown by Aegon the Conqueror and later became the steed of King Viserys I.
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Vhagar
The second largest dragon of the Targaryens, Vhagar is an ancient female dragon and the last of those flown during Aegon’s conquest, when she served as the steed of Queen Visenya Targaryen.
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Caraxes
Dubbed the Blood Wyrm, this huge, red, and horned beast is the steed of Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and is as fearsome and vicious as his rider.
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Syrax
The yellowish Syrax is the “huge and formidable” female steed of Princess Rhaenyra.
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Sunfyre
With his golden scales and flame, it’s no wonder this huge and formidable male dragon is dubbed “Sunfyre the Golden.” He is the steed of Aegon II Targaryen.
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Vermithor
“The Bronze Fury,” the third largest dragon, is described in The World of Ice & Fire as “old and hoary.” This male dragon was once the steed of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, aka the Old King.
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Meleys
Also known as ‘The Red Queen’ is described in The World of Ice & Fire as “old and cunning, lazy, but fearsome when roused.” Steed of The Queen who never was, Pricess Rhaenys.
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Moondancer
She is a slender and beautiful female dragon, small but swift steed of Lady Baela Targaryen.
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Seasmoke
This grey and white dragon is still relatively young during the Dance of Dragons, during which it bonds with Ser Laenor Velaryon.
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Dreamfyre
This silver and blue she-dragon has been the steed of both Princess Rhaena Targaryen.
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Vermax
This young male dragon will serve as the steed of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon.
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Arrax
Said to be five times smaller than Vhagar, this young male dragon is the steed of Prince Lucerys Velaryon.
Consecutively in season two, more dragons would be introduced alongside their riders. Till we meet again, saddle your dragons and beware Vhagar lurks in the fog.