Helena Targaryen

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   House of the Dragon — Plot / Setting House of the Dragon takes place roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, during the height of House Targaryen’s power. The Targaryens rule the Seven Kingdoms from the Iron Throne and possess numerous dragons, but tensions within the royal family eventually tear the dynasty apart. The story begins during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, a generally peaceful king whose greatest political problem is the question of succession. After the death of his wife, Queen Aemma Arryn, and their newborn son, Viserys names his daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen heir to the Iron Throne, breaking with the tradition of favoring male heirs. Viserys later marries Alicent Hightower, daughter of his Hand, Otto Hightower. Alicent gives Viserys several children, including Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron Targaryen. Although Viserys continues to insist that Rhaenyra will succeed him, many nobles believe his eldest son Aegon should inherit instead. Over the years, the royal court divides into two rival factions. The Blacks support Rhaenyra and her claim to the throne, while the Greens support Alicent's son Aegon. Old grudges, disputed parentage, political marriages, personal rivalries, and competition between the family's dragonriders deepen the divide. When Viserys dies, the Greens secretly crown Aegon II Targaryen in King's Landing rather than allowing Rhaenyra to inherit. Rhaenyra is subsequently crowned by her own supporters at Dragonstone. With both siblings claiming to be the rightful ruler of Westeros, diplomacy rapidly gives way to violence. Their struggle becomes known as the Dance of the Dragons, a devastating Targaryen civil war in which members of the same family fight one another using armies and dragons. Houses across Westeros are forced to choose between the Blacks and the Greens, turning a family succession dispute into a war that threatens the entire realm. At its core, House of the Dragon is about the collapse of House Targaryen from within: a family with almost unmatched power destroying itself over inheritance, ambition, resentment, love, and the Iron Throne.

   | Dragon | Rider | | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | | Syrax | Rhaenyra Targaryen | | Caraxes — the Blood Wyrm | Daemon Targaryen | | Vermax | Jacaerys Velaryon | | Arrax | Lucerys Velaryon | | Tyraxes | Joffrey Velaryon | | Moondancer | Baela Targaryen | | Meleys — the Red Queen | Rhaenys Targaryen | | Seasmoke | Laenor Velaryon → Addam of Hull | | Vermithor — the Bronze Fury | King Jaehaerys I → Hugh Hammer | | Silverwing | Queen Alysanne → Ulf White | | Sheepstealer | Rhaena Targaryen in the HBO show* |

   Riderless / wild dragons The Cannibal — enormous wild black dragon; never successfully claimed. Grey Ghost — shy wild dragon living around Dragonstone; no known rider. Sheepstealer — wild dragon until claimed by Nettles in the book; the show appears to be giving this connection to Rhaena. Important earlier pairings Balerion the Black Dread — Aegon the Conqueror → Maegor the Cruel → Viserys I Targaryen. Viserys was Balerion's final rider. Meraxes — Rhaenys Targaryen, sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror. Vhagar — originally ridden by Visenya Targaryen, making Aemond the dragon's fourth known rider. Meleys — Alyssa Targaryen → Rhaenys Targaryen. Caraxes — Prince Aemon Targaryen → Daemon Targaryen. Syrax — Rhaenyra is her only known rider. Sunfyre — Aegon II is his only known rider.

   Team Black — Members & Backstory

   The Blacks are the faction that supports Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne during the Dance of the Dragons. Their name comes from the black-and-red colors associated with House Targaryen and Rhaenyra’s faction, in opposition to Alicent Hightower’s Greens.

   Main members

   • Rhaenyra Targaryen — Leader of the Blacks and Viserys I’s chosen heir. After Aegon II is crowned in King’s Landing, Rhaenyra is crowned queen at Dragonstone and fights to reclaim what she considers her rightful throne.
   • Daemon Targaryen — Rhaenyra’s uncle and husband. A dangerous warrior and experienced dragonrider who becomes one of the Blacks’ most important military leaders. Rides Caraxes.
   • Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon — Rhaenyra’s eldest son and heir. He acts as a diplomat for his mother and works to secure alliances for the Blacks. Rides Vermax.
   • Lucerys “Luke” Velaryon — Rhaenyra’s second son and heir to Driftmark. Rides Arrax. His confrontation with Aemond at Storm’s End becomes one of the major turning points of the war.
   • Joffrey Velaryon — Rhaenyra’s youngest son from her marriage to Laenor. Rides Tyraxes.
   • Baela Targaryen — Daughter of Daemon and Laena Velaryon and twin sister of Rhaena. Fierce supporter of Rhaenyra and rider of Moondancer.
   • Rhaena Targaryen — Baela’s twin and Daemon’s daughter. Member of Rhaenyra’s family and faction.
   • Rhaenys Targaryen — The “Queen Who Never Was,” Rhaenyra’s relative and one of her most formidable supporters. Rides Meleys, the Red Queen.
   • Corlys Velaryon — Lord of the Tides and husband of Rhaenys. His wealth and powerful Velaryon fleet make him essential to the Black cause.
   • Aegon the Younger & Viserys — Young sons of Rhaenyra and Daemon. They aren't major political players at the beginning of the war but are important to the Targaryen succession.
   • Mysaria — Daemon’s former lover who becomes an intelligence asset and adviser to Rhaenyra.
   • Ser Erryk Cargyll — Kingsguard knight who rejects Aegon II and remains loyal to Rhaenyra.
   • Lord Bartimos Celtigar — Member of Rhaenyra’s Black Council.
   • Lord Simon Staunton — Black supporter and member of Rhaenyra’s council.

   Major allied houses

   House Velaryon is initially the Blacks’ most important ally. Corlys provides the Velaryon fleet, while Rhaenys and other members of the family provide dragon power.

   House Arryn supports Rhaenyra partly because of her Arryn blood through her mother, Queen Aemma Arryn. Lady Jeyne Arryn rules the Vale during the Dance.

   House Stark becomes one of Rhaenyra’s most significant northern allies. Jacaerys travels to Winterfell and gains the support of Lord Cregan Stark, creating the famous Pact of Ice and Fire in Fire & Blood.

   Other houses supporting the Blacks include House Celtigar, House Staunton, House Darklyn, House Massey and numerous Riverlands houses. The exact alliances shift as the war develops.

   Backstory

   The conflict originates with King Viserys I naming Rhaenyra his heir after the death of Queen Aemma and their infant son Baelon. The lords of Westeros swear to recognize Rhaenyra as the future ruler.

   Viserys later marries Alicent Hightower and has sons with her, most importantly Aegon. Despite having a male heir available, Viserys never officially replaces Rhaenyra as his chosen successor.

   This creates two competing political camps at court.

   Rhaenyra's supporters → the Blacks Alicent/Aegon's supporters → the Greens

   Rhaenyra eventually establishes herself on Dragonstone, surrounded by Daemon, her children and the Velaryons.

   When Viserys dies, the Greens conceal his death long enough to organize Aegon’s succession and crown Aegon II in King’s Landing. Rhaenyra's supporters reject the coronation because they believe the throne has been usurped from Viserys's declared heir.

   Rhaenyra is subsequently crowned on Dragonstone.

   From that point, the succession dispute becomes the Dance of the Dragons, a Targaryen civil war in which both sides possess dragons.

   The Greens are the political faction that supports Aegon II Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne over his older half-sister, Rhaenyra Targaryen. They become one of the two sides of the Dance of the Dragons, opposing Rhaenyra’s Blacks. Main Members Aegon II Targaryen — Viserys I and Alicent Hightower’s eldest son. The Greens crown him King of the Seven Kingdoms after Viserys’s death, making him the rival claimant to Rhaenyra. Dragonrider of Sunfyre. Alicent Hightower — Dowager Queen, daughter of Otto Hightower and mother of Aegon, Helaena, Aemond and Daeron. One of the central figures behind the Green faction and Rhaenyra’s former childhood friend in the HBO series. Otto Hightower — Alicent’s father and Hand of the King. A major architect of the Green cause. Otto has long feared what Rhaenyra and especially Daemon's rule could mean for Alicent's children. Aemond Targaryen — Aegon’s younger brother and one of the Greens’ most dangerous warriors. He rides Vhagar, the largest living dragon at the beginning of the Dance. He has a particularly bitter history with Lucerys Velaryon after losing his eye during their childhood confrontation. Helaena Targaryen — Aegon’s younger sister and wife, making her the Greens’ queen. Dragonrider of Dreamfyre. Unlike many of her relatives, Helaena is not particularly interested in the political struggle. Daeron Targaryen — Youngest child of Viserys and Alicent. He lives in Oldtown with his Hightower relatives when the conflict begins and later becomes an important Green warrior. Known as Daeron the Daring and rides Tessarion, the Blue Queen. Ser Criston Cole — Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a fierce supporter of Alicent and Aegon. Once close to Rhaenyra, he becomes one of her strongest enemies and an important Green military commander. Larys Strong — Lord of Harrenhal and Master of Whisperers. Closely associated with Alicent and the Green court, using espionage, manipulation and murder to advance his interests. Tyland Lannister — Member of the Green Council and an important political supporter of Aegon II. Jasper Wylde — Master of Laws and member of Aegon’s Green Council. Orwyle — Grand Maester serving in King’s Landing and member of the council. Gwayne Hightower — Alicent’s brother and therefore uncle to Aegon, Helaena, Aemond and Daeron. He fights for the Green cause. Ormund Hightower — Lord of Oldtown and one of the Greens’ most important military allies. He commands Hightower forces during the war, with Daeron accompanying the Hightower army. Major Houses House Hightower is naturally one of the Greens’ strongest supporters. Alicent is a Hightower, and Oldtown provides the faction with considerable wealth, soldiers and political influence. House Lannister supports Aegon II. The Lannisters provide the Greens with significant military and financial power. House Baratheon eventually sides with the Greens after Aemond travels to Storm’s End and negotiates with Borros Baratheon. Other houses and individual lords support Aegon throughout the Dance, particularly those who believe a male heir should take precedence over an older female heir. Backstory The Green faction develops during Viserys I's reign, long before the actual civil war begins. Viserys names his daughter Rhaenyra heir after the deaths of Queen Aemma and their newborn son Baelon. However, Viserys later marries Alicent Hightower, and Alicent gives him several sons. The birth of Aegon creates an obvious succession problem. According to the precedent many Westerosi lords expect, Viserys's eldest son should inherit. However, Viserys refuses to disinherit Rhaenyra and continues publicly recognizing her as his heir. This divides the royal court. Those surrounding Alicent and her children become the Greens, while those supporting Rhaenyra become the Blacks. The names are traditionally associated with the colors worn by Alicent and Rhaenyra's respective factions. Otto repeatedly argues that if Rhaenyra becomes queen, Aegon and his brothers could threaten her claim simply by existing, potentially placing Alicent's children in danger. Daemon's marriage to Rhaenyra makes these fears even stronger. Meanwhile, the Greens challenge the legitimacy of Rhaenyra's eldest sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey Velaryon, because they are widely believed to have been fathered by Harwin Strong rather than Laenor Velaryon. When Viserys dies, the Green Council moves quickly. Rather than immediately announcing the king's death and allowing Rhaenyra to succeed him, they arrange for Aegon to be crowned in King's Landing. Aegon initially does not particularly seek the crown, but he ultimately accepts it and is crowned King Aegon II Targaryen. Rhaenyra is still on Dragonstone when this occurs. When she learns what happened, she and her supporters consider Aegon's coronation usurpation. Rhaenyra is subsequently crowned queen by her own faction. Westeros now has two Targaryen monarchs claiming the same throne. Aegon II + Greens → King's Landing Rhaenyra + Blacks → Dragonstone Their struggle becomes the Dance of the Dragons, ultimately forcing the Targaryen family and their dragons to fight one another.

   King's Landing in House of the Dragon is the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, depicted approximately 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.

   King’s Landing Type: Capital city Location: The Crownlands, Westeros Founded: 1 AC by Aegon the Conqueror Population: Approximately 500,000 before the Battle of King’s Landing Government: Seat of the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms Religion: Primarily the Faith of the Seven Climate: Warm King’s Landing is the capital and largest city of the Seven Kingdoms, located on the eastern coast of Westeros where the Blackwater Rush meets Blackwater Bay. Founded by Aegon the Conqueror, it became the political center of the realm and the traditional home of the Iron Throne. Important Locations Red Keep — Royal castle overlooking Blackwater Bay and home of the Iron Throne. Dragonpit — Enormous structure built to house the Targaryen dragons. Flea Bottom — Poor, densely populated district known for its narrow streets, taverns, and crime. Great Sept — Major center of worship for the Faith of the Seven. Blackwater Bay — Large bay bordering the city and providing access by sea. City Gates & Walls — Fortifications surrounding and protecting the capital. Life in King’s Landing King’s Landing is crowded, noisy, wealthy, impoverished, and dangerous all at once. Nobles and members of the royal court live comfortably around the Red Keep, while much of the population lives in tightly packed neighborhoods below. Markets, inns, brothels, guilds, temples, and merchants fill the streets. The City Watch, commonly called the Gold Cloaks, maintains order throughout the city. Political Importance King’s Landing is the center of royal politics in Westeros. Whoever controls the city, the Red Keep, and the Iron Throne generally claims authority over the Seven Kingdoms. Because of this, the capital is frequently the center of court intrigue, political alliances, betrayals, and struggles for succession. House of the Dragon era: King’s Landing is controlled by House Targaryen and serves as one of the most important locations during the Dance of the Dragons.

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