Showing 1 of 1

1. #1Injected lorebook text

   Always on · Order 0

   [House Arryn Lore & Status: Motto & Sigil: "As High as Honor" (Высокий как честь). A white falcon and crescent moon on a sky-blue field. Ancient Andal Ancestry: One of the oldest and purest bloodlines of Andal nobility, tracing their lineage back to Andalos and Ser Artys Arryn, who won the Vale in the Battle of the Seven Stars. Formerly Kings of Mountain and Vale, now Lords of the Eyrie and Wardens of the East. Ancestral Seats: The impregnable mountain fortress of the Eyrie (summer seat) and the Gates of the Moon (winter seat). Cadet Branches: Several impoverished junior branches exist throughout the Vale, as well as the wealthy "Arryns of Gulltown," who are quietly shunned by high nobility for marrying rich merchant daughters. Targaryen Bloodline: Highly prestigious lineage that married into House Targaryen three times, meaning dragon blood flows through the descendants of Rhaenyra Targaryen. Pillar of the Crown: Currently ruled by Lord Jon Arryn—Hand of the King and foster father to both King Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark. The Vale is one of the foundational pillars supporting Robert's rule on the Iron Throne, standing for unquestioned honor, knightly tradition, and absolute loyalty to the King.]

   [Climate & Unpredictable Seasons of Westeros: Unnatural Seasonal Cycles:

   • Seasons in Westeros do not correspond to astronomical years. They last for unpredictable periods—ranging from a single year to a full decade or more.
   • The Citadel of Oldtown tracks seasonal changes, dispatching white ravens across the Seven Kingdoms to officially announce the arrival of Autumn or Winter. Socio-Economic Impact:
   • Severe winters cause widespread famine, hardship, and isolation, forcing lords to hoard vast grain reserves during long summers.
   • Unpredictable weather slowed technological progress and shaped the stoic, survivalist mindset of the population, especially in the North. Recent Seasonal History (3rd Century AC):
   • 276–288 AC: A chaotic decade with multiple short years and winters.
   • 281 AC: The famous "Year of the False Spring" (Год Ложной Весны)—a brief thaw before winter returned, marked by the fateful Tourney at Harrenhal.
   • Current Era (~288 AC onward): The beginning of the "Long Summer" (Долгое Лето)—a decade of unprecedented warmth, abundance, and peace under King Robert's early reign.]

   Targaryen Dynasty — Family of King Viserys I

   Canon: George R. R. Martin's books, primarily Fire & Blood and The World of Ice and Fire. Book canon takes precedence over all screen adaptations.

   King Viserys I Targaryen

   Viserys I Targaryen, born in 77 AC, was the eldest surviving son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and Princess Alyssa Targaryen. He became heir to the Iron Throne following the Great Council of 101 AC and ascended the throne in 103 AC after the death of his grandfather, King Jaehaerys I.

   Viserys was the grandson of Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen. He was known for his amiable nature and desire to preserve peace and stability throughout the Seven Kingdoms.

   Parents

   Prince Baelon Targaryen — Father The third son of King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne. Known as Baelon the Brave, he was a celebrated warrior and served as Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. He married his younger sister, Princess Alyssa.

   Princess Alyssa Targaryen — Mother Daughter of Jaehaerys I and Alysanne, and younger sister as well as wife of Baelon. Alyssa was spirited, bold, and fond of flying on her dragon, Meleys. She died in 84 AC, shortly after giving birth to her youngest child, Daemon.

   Grandparents

   King Jaehaerys I Targaryen — Paternal grandfather The fourth Targaryen king, known as Jaehaerys the Conciliator and the Old King. His long reign brought laws, reforms, and relative peace to the realm. He was the father of Baelon and Alyssa and grandfather of Viserys and Daemon.

   Queen Alysanne Targaryen — Paternal grandmother Sister-wife of Jaehaerys I, known as the Good Queen. She was influential in royal affairs and remembered for her charity, political counsel, and concern for the smallfolk.

   Siblings

   Prince Baelon Targaryen — Elder brother Viserys's elder brother, who died in infancy. He was named after his grandfather, Prince Baelon.

   Prince Daemon Targaryen — Younger brother Born in 81 AC, Daemon was Viserys's younger brother and a formidable dragonrider who rode Caraxes. Proud, ambitious, volatile, and fiercely attached to the Targaryen dynasty, Daemon often clashed with the expectations of the royal court. Despite their differences, he and Viserys shared a complicated familial bond.

   First Wife and Daughter

   Queen Aemma Arryn — First wife Born Aemma Arryn, daughter of Lord Rodrik Arryn and Princess Daella Targaryen. Aemma was Viserys's cousin through his mother's family and became his queen consort in 93 AC. She died in 105 AC following childbirth.

   Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen — Daughter and named heir The only surviving child of Viserys and Aemma. Born in 97 AC, Rhaenyra was known as the Realm's Delight in her youth. After Aemma's death and the death of their infant son Baelon in 105 AC, Viserys formally named Rhaenyra his heir and required the lords of the realm to swear fealty to her.

   Prince Baelon Targaryen — Infant son The son of Viserys and Aemma, born in 105 AC. He died shortly after birth.

   Second Wife and Children

   Queen Alicent Hightower — Second wife Daughter of Ser Otto Hightower, who served as Hand of the King. Alicent married Viserys in 106 AC. Their marriage connected House Targaryen to one of the most influential families in the Reach.

   Their children were:

   • Prince Aegon Targaryen, later King Aegon II.
   • Princess Helaena Targaryen, who married her brother Aegon.
   • Prince Aemond Targaryen, later known as Aemond One-Eye.
   • Prince Daeron Targaryen, the youngest of Alicent's children.

   Viserys continued to recognize Rhaenyra as his chosen heir despite having sons with Alicent.

   Aunts and Uncles

   The children of Jaehaerys I and Alysanne included several important figures in the royal family:

   • Prince Aemon Targaryen: Viserys's uncle, elder brother of Baelon and father of Princess Rhaenys.
   • Princess Daella Targaryen: Viserys's aunt, wife of Lord Rodrik Arryn and mother of Queen Aemma Arryn.
   • Prince Vaegon Targaryen: Viserys's uncle, who became an archmaester.
   • Princess Maegelle Targaryen: Viserys's aunt, who became a septa.
   • Princess Saera Targaryen: Viserys's aunt, who left Westeros and lived in Essos.
   • Princess Viserra Targaryen: Viserys's aunt, who died before his birth.
   • Princess Gael Targaryen: Viserys's youngest aunt, who died during Jaehaerys's reign.

   Other siblings of Jaehaerys and Alysanne died young, including Prince Aegon and Prince Gaemon.

   Cousins and Close Kin

   Princess Rhaenys Targaryen — First cousin Daughter of Prince Aemon and Lady Jocelyn Baratheon. Known as the Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys was passed over in the succession discussions that preceded the Great Council of 101 AC. She married Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake.

   Laena Velaryon and Laenor Velaryon — First cousins once removed Children of Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys. They were close kin to Viserys through the Targaryen line. Laena later married Prince Daemon; Laenor married Princess Rhaenyra.

   Aemma Arryn — Cousin and wife Aemma was the daughter of Princess Daella, making her Viserys's first cousin once removed through his maternal family. Their marriage united the Targaryen and Arryn lines.

   Family Relationships and Succession

   The royal family's relationships are shaped by blood ties, marriages, dragonrider traditions, and competing claims to the Iron Throne. Viserys is the grandson of Jaehaerys I, the elder brother of Daemon, the husband of Aemma and later Alicent, and the father of Rhaenyra, Aegon II, Helaena, Aemond, Daeron, and the infant Baelon.

   The Great Council of 101 AC selected Viserys over Princess Rhaenys's son, Laenor Velaryon, as the preferred successor to Jaehaerys I. This decision is an important precedent in later disputes over succession, but it did not establish an unambiguous, universally accepted rule that women could never inherit.

   Canon rule: Keep relationships, birth order, marriages, and dates consistent with the books. Do not treat later events as having already happened if the roleplay is set earlier. Distinguish established facts from rumors and disputed claims.

   Great Council of 101 AC

   Canon: Fire & Blood and The World of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. This entry follows book canon only.

   Background

   In 101 AC, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen was an old man without a clearly established successor. His eldest surviving son and former heir, Prince Aemon Targaryen, had died in 92 AC after being struck by a crossbow bolt during a conflict with Myrish pirates. Jaehaerys subsequently named Aemon's younger brother, Prince Baelon Targaryen, as heir, passing over Aemon's only child, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.

   In 101 AC, Prince Baelon died unexpectedly. His death left the succession uncertain once again. Although Baelon had two surviving sons, Viserys and Daemon, the question remained whether the throne should pass through the male line of the younger son or through the elder son's line, represented by Rhaenys and her children.

   Fearing a succession crisis and possible civil war, Jaehaerys summoned a Great Council at Harrenhal. The proposal for such a council came from his son, Archmaester Vaegon. The king promised to accept the council's decision.

   The Great Council at Harrenhal

   More than a thousand lords and their entourages gathered at Harrenhal. The assembly deliberated for thirteen days and considered fourteen claims to the Iron Throne. Nine lesser claims were quickly dismissed. The remaining serious candidates included Prince Viserys Targaryen, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, her children Laena and Laenor Velaryon, and Archmaester Vaegon.

   Vaegon was not considered further because his maester's vows made him unsuitable for the throne. Rhaenys and Laena were passed over because they were women. The final choice came down to Viserys and Laenor Velaryon.

   The Main Claimants

   Prince Viserys Targaryen Born in 77 AC, Viserys was the eldest surviving son of Prince Baelon and Princess Alyssa, and a grandson of Jaehaerys I. He was twenty-four years old at the time of the council and had a young daughter, Rhaenyra. His claim was supported by his direct male descent from the king's son Baelon, his age, and the preference of many lords for a male-line successor.

   Princess Rhaenys Targaryen Rhaenys was the only child of Prince Aemon, Jaehaerys's eldest son. By ordinary primogeniture, her line had a strong claim because Aemon had been older than Baelon. However, Rhaenys had already been passed over when Jaehaerys named Baelon heir in 92 AC. The Great Council did not select her.

   Laenor Velaryon Laenor was the son of Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys Velaryon. As Aemon's grandson through his only child, Laenor represented the line of Jaehaerys's eldest son. He was seven years old at the time of the council. His claim was supported by the wealth and influence of House Velaryon and by several houses allied to Rhaenys's family.

   Laena Velaryon Laena was the elder child of Rhaenys and Corlys, and Laenor's older sister. Her claim was also passed over because she was a woman.

   Archmaester Vaegon Targaryen Vaegon was the surviving son of Jaehaerys and Alysanne and therefore an uncle of Viserys. He had withdrawn from dynastic life to become an archmaester at the Citadel. His vows prevented him from being a practical candidate.

   The Vote and Its Outcome

   The lords chose Viserys over Laenor. The exact vote count was never officially recorded, though later accounts claimed that Viserys won by approximately twenty votes to one.

   Viserys's victory reflected the preference of many lords for a male-line successor over a claim transmitted through a woman. It also reflected his closer generational relationship to Jaehaerys and his greater age compared with Laenor.

   When the result reached King's Landing, Jaehaerys accepted the council's decision and named Viserys Prince of Dragonstone, formally establishing him as heir to the Iron Throne. Ser Otto Hightower became Hand of the King, replacing the late Prince Baelon.

   Political Support

   Known supporters of Viserys included:

   • Prince Daemon Targaryen.
   • Lord Tymond Lannister.
   • Lord Grover Tully.
   • Lord Peake.

   Known supporters of Laenor included:

   • Lord Corlys Velaryon.
   • Lord Boremund Baratheon.
   • Lord Ellard Stark.
   • Lords Celtigar and Bar Emmon.
   • Houses Manderly, Dustin, and Blackwood.

   These lists reflect known supporters in the historical accounts and should not be treated as a complete record of every lord's vote.

   Historical Consequences

   The Great Council became a major precedent in debates over royal succession. Archmaester Gyldayn later described the decision as an "iron precedent," suggesting that many people interpreted it to mean that the Iron Throne should not pass to a woman or to a male descendant through a woman.

   However, the council did not create an unambiguous written law governing every future succession. It was a decision made in a specific political crisis, and its meaning remained open to interpretation.

   After becoming king in 103 AC, Viserys later named his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir following the deaths of Queen Aemma Arryn and their infant son Baelon in 105 AC. He continued to uphold Rhaenyra's claim even after sons were born to his second wife, Alicent Hightower. This created a future conflict between the precedent of 101 AC and the king's explicit designation of his daughter.

   Canon Rules for Roleplay

   • The Great Council took place in 101 AC at Harrenhal.
   • Jaehaerys I was still king; Viserys was a prince, not yet king.
   • Viserys was twenty-four years old, and Laenor Velaryon was seven.
   • The council selected Viserys over Laenor.
   • The exact vote count is unknown; the reported twenty-to-one margin is not an officially confirmed tally.
   • Do not claim that every house's vote is known.
   • Do not present the council as having passed a formal law that permanently barred all women from inheriting.
   • Distinguish recorded history from later interpretations, political rumors, and speculation.

   Princess Rhaenys Targaryen & House Velaryon

   Canon: George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood and The World of Ice and Fire. Book canon only.

   Princess Rhaenys Targaryen — The Queen Who Never Was

   Princess Rhaenys Targaryen was born in 74 AC, the only child of Prince Aemon Targaryen and Jocelyn Baratheon. She was the granddaughter of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen, and a cousin of King Viserys I.

   Rhaenys was a dragonrider who rode Meleys, a swift and formidable she-dragon known as the Red Queen. She married Lord Corlys Velaryon, joining the blood of House Targaryen with the wealth and maritime power of House Velaryon. Through this marriage, Rhaenys became Lady of Driftmark.

   Rhaenys was widely regarded as a plausible heir to the Iron Throne. Her father, Prince Aemon, had been Jaehaerys I's eldest son and heir. When Aemon died in 92 AC, however, the king chose Aemon's younger brother, Baelon, as his successor instead of recognizing Rhaenys's claim. After Baelon's death in 101 AC, Rhaenys and her son Laenor were among those considered at the Great Council of Harrenhal. The lords ultimately chose Viserys Targaryen.

   Known as the Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys remained a princess rather than a queen. The name reflects her unrealized claim to the Iron Throne, not a lack of royal blood or standing. She was proud, politically experienced, and acutely aware of the way gender and dynastic custom shaped succession.

   Appearance — Princess Rhaenys Targaryen

   Princess Rhaenys Targaryen was renowned for her great beauty. Unlike many members of House Targaryen, she did not possess the traditional silver-gold hair of her Valyrian ancestors. She inherited her mother's black hair from House Baratheon, while her eyes were a pale lilac, reflecting her Targaryen heritage. Her contrasting features made her appearance distinctive among the royal family.

   In her youth, Rhaenys was considered exceptionally beautiful. As she grew older, her face became lean and lined, and white streaks appeared in her once-black hair. Even in her later years, she retained the fierce, proud bearing of a dragonlord's daughter. Her appearance reflected both sides of her ancestry: the dark hair of the Baratheons and the pale violet eyes of the Targaryens.

   Rhaenys was often associated with the colors of steel and copper, and she was known to wear armor that gleamed in the sunlight. She was a dragonrider who rode Meleys, the Red Queen, and carried herself with the confidence of a princess who had once been considered a possible heir to the Iron Throne.

   House Velaryon of Driftmark

   House Velaryon is an ancient house of Valyrian descent, established on Driftmark before Aegon's Conquest. Like House Targaryen, the Velaryons came from Valyria, but they were not dragonlords in the same sense as the Targaryens. Their traditional strength lay in seafaring, trade, ships, and naval power.

   Their seat is Driftmark, an island in Blackwater Bay, and their principal castle during Corlys's time is High Tide. The Velaryons have long served the Iron Throne as sailors, admirals, and masters of ships. Their fleet is one of the most powerful in Westeros.

   The house's fortunes rose dramatically under Lord Corlys Velaryon, whose voyages brought wealth, prestige, and rare goods from distant lands. His marriage to Princess Rhaenys connected the house directly to the royal Targaryen family.

   House words: The Old, the True, the Brave.

   Lord Corlys Velaryon — The Sea Snake

   Corlys Velaryon, born in 53 AC, is the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides. Known as the Sea Snake, he became one of the most celebrated sailors in Westerosi history. His voyages carried him far beyond the familiar waters of the Narrow Sea, and the wealth he accumulated made House Velaryon exceptionally powerful.

   Corlys is ambitious, proud, practical, and keenly conscious of his family's place in the realm. He seeks to elevate House Velaryon and secure a lasting legacy for his descendants. His marriage to Rhaenys is both a personal union and a powerful alliance between two ancient Valyrian bloodlines.

   Corlys's political interests do not always align with those of King Viserys. The rejection of Rhaenys's claim and the defeat of Laenor's claim at the Great Council created a lasting source of tension between House Velaryon and the Iron Throne.

   Their Children

   Laena Velaryon

   Laena was the elder child and only daughter of Corlys and Rhaenys, born in 92 AC. She became a dragonrider and rode Vhagar, one of the largest and oldest living dragons.

   Laena later married Prince Daemon Targaryen. They had twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena Targaryen. Laena died in 120 AC.

   Laenor Velaryon

   Laenor was the younger child and only son of Corlys and Rhaenys, born in 94 AC. He was heir to Driftmark and a dragonrider whose dragon was Seasmoke.

   At the Great Council of 101 AC, Laenor's claim to the Iron Throne was considered because he descended from Prince Aemon through Rhaenys. He was passed over in favor of Viserys Targaryen.

   In 114 AC, Laenor married Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys's eldest surviving child and named heir. Their sons Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey were legally recognized as Velaryons, although court rumors questioned their paternity. The historical accounts report widespread speculation that Ser Harwin Strong fathered the boys; this was not established as indisputable fact.

   Laenor died in 120 AC.

   The Next Generation

   Baela Targaryen and Rhaena Targaryen are the twin daughters of Laena Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen, and granddaughters of Corlys and Rhaenys.

   Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon are the sons of Princess Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon by law and public recognition. Their parentage is a subject of court rumor in the historical account.

   These children connect House Velaryon to the competing branches of House Targaryen and become important figures in the succession struggle following Viserys's reign.

   Political Relationships

   • House Targaryen: Rhaenys's birth family and the ruling dynasty. The relationship is close through blood and marriage, but complicated by the decisions made at the Great Council and by later succession disputes.
   • House Baratheon: Rhaenys's mother, Jocelyn, was a Baratheon, linking her to one of the great houses of the Stormlands.
   • House Arryn: Connected to the royal family through Queen Aemma Arryn, Viserys's first wife, and her mother, Princess Daella Targaryen.
   • House Hightower: The marriage of Viserys to Alicent Hightower strengthened Hightower influence at court and complicated the Velaryons' relationship with the crown.
   • Prince Daemon Targaryen: Laena's husband and Corlys's ally. Corlys and Daemon joined forces in the Stepstones conflict.
   • Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen: Laenor's wife and the heir named by Viserys. Her marriage to Laenor strengthened the Velaryons' connection to the royal succession.

   Canon Rules for Roleplay

   • Rhaenys is the daughter of Aemon Targaryen and Jocelyn Baratheon.
   • Rhaenys is Viserys I's cousin, not his sister.
   • Corlys Velaryon is Rhaenys's husband, not a Targaryen by birth.
   • Laena and Laenor are the children of Corlys and Rhaenys.
   • Laena rides Vhagar; Laenor rides Seasmoke; Rhaenys rides Meleys.
   • Laenor's claim was considered at the Great Council of 101 AC, but Viserys was chosen.
   • Rhaenyra and Laenor's sons are legally Velaryons, though their parentage is disputed by court rumor.
   • Do not confuse book canon with changes made in the television adaptation.
   • If the roleplay is set before a particular event, do not treat later marriages, deaths, or political allegiances as having already occurred.

   House Hightower of Oldtown

   House Hightower is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most influential noble houses in the Reach. Its ancestral seat is the Hightower, a colossal tower rising above Battle Isle in the ancient city of Oldtown, near the mouth of the Honeywine River. The Hightowers are sworn to House Tyrell of Highgarden, but their immense wealth, independent influence, and longstanding prestige make them powerful in their own right.

   Sigil: A white stone tower crowned with fire on a smoke-grey field.

   Words: “We Light the Way.”

   Seat: The Hightower, Oldtown.

   Region: The Reach.

   Liege lords: House Tyrell.

   Ancestral weapon: Vigilance, a Valyrian steel sword.

   House Hightower traces its origins to the Age of Dawn. Its ancestors were said to have ruled Oldtown as kings before becoming lords. The precise origins of the family and the mysterious black-stone fortress beneath the Hightower remain uncertain. Different accounts attribute the ancient structure to different builders, and some suggest a connection to civilizations that existed before the arrival of the First Men.

   Oldtown is one of the oldest and most important cities in Westeros. It is a major centre of trade, learning, and religion. The Citadel, where maesters are trained, stands in the city, as does the Starry Sept, which was once the principal seat of the Faith of the Seven. Through their control of Oldtown and their long association with the Faith and the Citadel, the Hightowers possess considerable influence beyond their own lands.

   The Hightowers are renowned for their wealth, pride, ancient lineage, and political influence. They have often favoured commerce and diplomacy over unnecessary warfare. Although they owe feudal allegiance to House Tyrell, their power is not merely that of ordinary bannermen: their city, resources, and connections give them a position of exceptional importance in the Reach.

   House Hightower during the reign of Viserys I

   During the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, House Hightower gains additional influence at the royal court through Ser Otto Hightower, who serves as Hand of the King. Otto is the younger brother of the Lord of the Hightower and the father of Alicent Hightower.

   Alicent becomes the second wife of King Viserys I and the mother of his children Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron. Her marriage connects House Hightower directly to the royal dynasty, giving the family a personal stake in questions of royal succession.

   Otto is learned, politically experienced, ambitious, and deeply concerned with the future of the realm and his own family. His position as Hand allows him to advise the king and influence affairs of state. However, his interests and ambitions should not automatically be treated as the views of every member of House Hightower.

   At the time of Viserys I's reign, the head of House Hightower is Otto's elder brother, whose personal name is not specified in Fire & Blood. His son Ormund is the heir to the Hightower. Do not confuse this unnamed lord with Otto Hightower, who is a knight and Hand of the King rather than the head of the house.

   House Hightower's ties to the royal family are politically significant, but they do not by themselves establish a universal position on the succession. Individual members may have different loyalties, interests, and opinions.

   The Royal Court of King Viserys I Targaryen

   The royal court of King Viserys I Targaryen is based in King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, within the Red Keep. During Viserys's reign, the court is known for its splendour, feasts, tourneys, music, and celebrations. The king is generous and peace-loving, and his reign begins during a period of relative prosperity and stability.

   The royal court is the centre of royal government, noble society, diplomacy, and political intrigue. Lords and ladies from the great houses visit or reside at court to seek royal favour, negotiate marriages, secure offices, advance their families' interests, and influence the king's decisions. A courtier's status depends on birth, title, wealth, royal favour, personal relationships, and political usefulness.

   The Red Keep

   The Red Keep is the royal castle in King's Landing and the principal residence of the king and his immediate family. It contains royal apartments, halls for feasts and audiences, administrative chambers, the Great Hall, and the chambers where the Small Council meets. Maegor's Holdfast is a heavily fortified part of the castle associated with the royal family's private quarters.

   The Iron Throne stands in the Great Hall. It represents the authority of the monarch and the unity of the Seven Kingdoms. Royal audiences, formal ceremonies, and important proclamations may take place before the throne.

   The King and the royal family

   King Viserys I is the sovereign of the Seven Kingdoms. He possesses the final authority to appoint officials, grant titles and lands, settle disputes, and determine matters of royal policy. He values peace, family harmony, and the stability of his dynasty, though his reluctance to provoke conflict can complicate difficult political decisions.

   Queen Alicent Hightower is Viserys's second wife and the mother of his children Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king's daughter by his first wife Aemma Arryn, has been designated as his heir. Her claim and the existence of Viserys's sons create a lasting source of tension at court.

   The royal family is not politically uniform. Personal affection, maternal and paternal loyalties, dynastic ambition, and competing interpretations of inheritance may influence the actions of individual family members.

   The Small Council

   The Small Council is the king's principal advisory body. Its members oversee major areas of government and help administer the realm. The king presides over royal policy, while the Hand of the King acts as his chief adviser and may direct the council in his absence.

   Important offices include:

   • Hand of the King: The king's chief adviser and principal representative in government.
   • Grand Maester: Advises the king on matters of knowledge, correspondence, and medicine, and serves as a representative of the Citadel.
   • Master of Coin: Oversees royal finances, revenues, and expenditures.
   • Master of Laws: Advises on law and matters of justice.
   • Master of Ships: Oversees naval affairs and the royal fleet.
   • Master of Whisperers: Gathers intelligence and information, including reports concerning political threats.
   • Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Commands the sworn knights charged with protecting the king and royal family.

   The exact membership of the Small Council changes over the course of Viserys's reign. At different times, its known members include Otto Hightower and Lyonel Strong as Hand; Grand Maesters Runciter, Mellos, and Orwyle; Lord Lyman Beesbury as Master of Coin; and other officials appointed to particular offices. Their presence at court must be matched to the year of the story.

   The Kingsguard

   The Kingsguard is an elite order of sworn knights who protect the king and the royal family. Its members wear white cloaks and are expected to uphold their vows of service. The Lord Commander leads the order. Kingsguard knights may guard royal chambers, escort members of the dynasty, attend the king during public appearances, and enforce royal security.

   Nobles, courtiers, and factions

   The court includes members of the great houses, royal relatives, knights, ladies-in-waiting, household officers, septons, maesters, servants, envoys, and petitioners. Their access to the king varies according to rank, duty, favour, and personal connections.

   Court alliances are rarely simple. Noble houses may cooperate through marriage or shared interests while competing for offices, influence, and royal recognition. The ambitions of individual courtiers do not necessarily represent the views of their entire house.

   During Viserys's reign, the growing importance of Queen Alicent's children alongside Princess Rhaenyra's designated succession creates competing interests within the royal family and among courtiers. However, the court should not be treated as divided into fixed, fully formed factions at every point in the timeline. Political alignments develop over time and may change according to events.

   Court etiquette and conduct

   The royal court is governed by rank, ceremony, and custom. Courtiers are expected to show respect to the king, address royal family members according to their titles, and observe the distinctions between royalty, high nobility, lesser nobility, and commoners. Public insults to the monarch or the royal family can carry serious political consequences.

   Private audiences, council meetings, formal feasts, tourneys, royal ceremonies, and marriage negotiations provide opportunities for courtiers to pursue their interests. Rumours, gifts, personal favours, and carefully worded statements can influence relationships, but rumours must not automatically be treated as established fact.

   The royal court is a place of splendour and hospitality, but also of rivalry and ambition. Its atmosphere depends on the king's presence, the current political situation, the relationships between courtiers, and the events of the story.

   Dragons of House Targaryen

   Dragons are immense, fire-breathing creatures that once made the Valyrian Freehold the greatest power in the known world. House Targaryen was among the few dragonlord families to survive the Doom of Valyria, and its dragons became the foundation of its conquest and rule over the Seven Kingdoms.

   Dragons are not ordinary mounts. They are intelligent, dangerous creatures with individual temperaments. Some are accustomed to human company, while others remain difficult to approach or control. A dragonrider forms a special bond with a dragon, but this bond does not make the creature harmless or guarantee absolute obedience.

   Dragons grow throughout their lives, provided they survive and have suitable conditions. Their size, strength, and age vary greatly. Older dragons can become enormous, while younger dragons are smaller and generally less formidable. Dragons are capable of flight, breathing fire, and causing tremendous destruction, but they are not invulnerable.

   Dragons during the reign of Viserys I

   The following dragons are associated with the Targaryen dynasty and its allies during Viserys I's reign. Their riders and circumstances must be matched to the story's year.

   Balerion — the Black Dread The legendary dragon of Aegon the Conqueror and the largest dragon remembered from the Conquest. Viserys I briefly rode Balerion before the dragon died of old age in 94 AC. By the time of Viserys's reign, Balerion is dead; only his enormous skull remains in the Red Keep.

   Vhagar One of the oldest and largest living dragons during Viserys's reign. Vhagar was once ridden by Queen Visenya, later by Laena Velaryon, and eventually by Prince Aemond Targaryen. The dragon's rider therefore depends on the date of the scene. Vhagar's immense size and long experience make her one of the most formidable dragons of the age.

   Caraxes — the Blood Wyrm The red dragon ridden by Prince Daemon Targaryen. Caraxes is a seasoned dragon with a fearsome reputation. He is known for his long, lean body and fierce temperament. Caraxes is a powerful mount, closely associated with Daemon's martial character and independence.

   Meleys — the Red Queen The dragon of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Meleys is an old, swift, and formidable dragon, renowned for her speed and cunning. She was previously ridden by Princess Alyssa Targaryen. Her red scales and distinctive appearance make her one of the most recognisable dragons of the royal family.

   Syrax The golden dragon bonded to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rhaenyra claimed Syrax as a young girl and named her after a Valyrian goddess. Syrax is accustomed to her rider and is a symbol of Rhaenyra's Targaryen identity. During the years preceding the Dance of the Dragons, Syrax lays several clutches of eggs.

   Dreamfyre A pale-blue dragon associated first with Princess Rhaena Targaryen and later with Queen Helaena Targaryen. Dreamfyre is an old dragon by the time of Viserys's reign. Her history stretches across generations of the Targaryen family.

   Seasmoke The light-coloured dragon ridden by Ser Laenor Velaryon. Seasmoke is younger than the oldest dragons of the era but is already capable of carrying a rider. His connection to Laenor places him among the dragons associated with the Velaryon branch of the royal family.

   Vermithor — the Bronze Fury An enormous bronze dragon formerly ridden by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. After Jaehaerys's death, Vermithor remains without a rider for years. He is one of the largest and most powerful living dragons during Viserys's reign.

   Silverwing A large silver-grey dragon formerly ridden by Queen Alysanne Targaryen. After Alysanne's death, Silverwing remains without a rider. She was once closely associated with Vermithor, though their relationship should not be treated as a guarantee that they will always remain together.

   Sunfyre — the Golden The golden dragon associated with Prince Aegon Targaryen, later King Aegon II. Sunfyre is celebrated for his brilliant golden scales and beauty. His role and rider should be tied to the appropriate period of the timeline.

   Tessarion — the Blue Queen The blue dragon of Prince Daeron Targaryen. Tessarion is younger than the oldest dragons and becomes an important dragon of the Targaryen civil war. Her presence and Daeron's bond with her depend on the chronology of the story.

   Younger dragons and their riders

   Several younger dragons are connected to the children and grandchildren of Viserys I. These include Vermax, ridden by Jacaerys Velaryon; Arrax, ridden by Lucerys Velaryon; Tyraxes, associated with Joffrey Velaryon; and Moondancer, associated with Baela Targaryen. Their ages, size, and abilities differ, and they should not be portrayed as equal in strength to the oldest dragons.

   Other young dragons, including Stormcloud, Morghul, and Shrykos, are associated with the younger generation of the royal family. Their presence in a scene depends on the year and the relevant family circumstances.

   Wild dragons of Dragonstone

   Not all dragons belong to a rider. Dragonstone is home to wild dragons that avoid human control.

   The Cannibal is the oldest and most notorious of the wild dragons. He is feared for preying on other dragons and their hatchlings. No rider has successfully claimed him.

   Sheepstealer is a wild dragon known for feeding on sheep. He is wary of humans and is not bonded to a rider during the period before the Dance.

   The Grey Ghost is a shy, elusive dragon that hunts fish along the shores of Dragonstone. He avoids human contact and is rarely seen.

   Wild dragons should not be treated as obedient companions. Their behaviour is unpredictable, and an encounter with one may be dangerous.

   Dragon eggs and hatchlings

   Dragon eggs are large, heavy, and covered in scales. Their shells may display brilliant colours and patterns that resemble precious stones. An egg may be placed in a Targaryen child's cradle as a tradition intended to encourage a bond between the child and a dragon, although hatching is never guaranteed.

   A hatchling is small and vulnerable compared with an adult dragon. It must grow over time before it can carry a rider. A dragon egg, a hatchling, and a mature dragon are distinct stages and should not be confused.

   Dragonriding and the bond

   A dragonrider does not simply command a dragon as one would command a horse. Dragonriding requires familiarity, courage, and an established bond. Dragons may respond to their riders, but they retain their own instincts and can become violent or difficult to control.

   Not every Targaryen automatically becomes a dragonrider. Some members of the family claim dragons, others may have eggs that never hatch, and some never establish a bond with a living dragon. A dragon cannot be assumed to belong to a character merely because of their family name.

   Canon and chronology rules

   The status of each dragon must follow the date of the roleplay. A dragon may be riderless in one year and have a rider later. Dragons that have already died must not appear alive in later scenes, except in memories, historical accounts, or deliberate alternate-universe settings.

   Book canon takes precedence over television adaptations. If a dragon's precise colour, size, age, temperament, or history is not firmly established in the books, do not invent a detail and present it as confirmed canon. Rumours and uncertain historical accounts should remain clearly identified as such.

   Prince Daemon Targaryen — The Rogue Prince

   Full Name: Prince Daemon Targaryen Titles: Prince of the Targaryen Dynasty; Prince of the City; Lord of Flea Bottom; King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea (a self-proclaimed title) House: Targaryen Born: 81 AC Parents: Prince Baelon Targaryen and Princess Alyssa Targaryen Older Brother: King Viserys I Targaryen Younger Brother: Prince Aegon Targaryen, who died in infancy Dragon: Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm Weapon: Dark Sister, a Valyrian steel sword First Wife: Lady Rhea Royce of Runestone Second Wife: Lady Laena Velaryon Third Wife: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen Children: Baela and Rhaena Targaryen by Laena Velaryon; Aegon, Viserys, and Visenya by Rhaenyra Targaryen Era: Reign of King Viserys I Targaryen

   Appearance and Character

   Prince Daemon Targaryen is a prince of House Targaryen, the younger brother of King Viserys I, and one of the most formidable warriors of his age. He is a skilled swordsman, jouster, and dragonrider, known for his daring nature, ambition, volatile temper, and readiness to take offense. Charming and charismatic, he can also be impulsive, proud, and dangerous when challenged.

   Daemon is associated with the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister, once wielded by his ancestor Visenya Targaryen, and the dragon Caraxes, a lean, fierce red dragon known as the Blood Wyrm. He is drawn to danger, action, and glory, and has little patience for those he considers weak, dull, or obstructive.

   Relationship with King Viserys I

   Daemon and Viserys are brothers whose relationship is marked by affection, rivalry, and recurring conflict. Daemon considers himself a natural successor to Viserys and desires influence at court, while Viserys loves his younger brother but distrusts his judgement and fears the consequences of his ambition.

   Daemon's relationship with the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, is especially hostile. Otto regards Daemon as dangerous and unfit to inherit the throne; Daemon, in turn, resents Otto's authority and interference. Their rivalry repeatedly influences the politics of the royal court.

   Political Career

   Daemon serves as Master of Coin and later Master of Laws under Viserys I, but his time on the Small Council is troubled by disputes and his antagonism toward Otto Hightower. In 104 AC, Viserys appoints him Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing. Daemon equips and reorganizes the watch, earning influence among the common people while gaining a reputation for harsh and ruthless methods of justice.

   In 105 AC, Daemon leaves King's Landing for Dragonstone after falling out with his brother. He later becomes involved in the conflict in the Stepstones, fighting against the forces threatening maritime trade in the Narrow Sea. During the campaign, he claims the title King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea, though this is not a recognized hereditary kingship of Westeros.

   In 111 AC, Daemon returns to court for a tournament celebrating the fifth anniversary of Viserys and Queen Alicent's marriage. He offers his crown to his brother as a gesture of reconciliation. Their renewed peace does not last, and Daemon leaves court again after another scandal and conflict.

   Marriages and Relationships

   Daemon's first marriage is to Lady Rhea Royce, heir to Runestone in the Vale. He dislikes the marriage and has little affection for Rhea, while their union remains politically significant.

   His second wife is Lady Laena Velaryon, daughter of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Their marriage connects Daemon to one of the most powerful maritime houses in Westeros. They have twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena.

   Daemon later marries his niece, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, after the death of Laena and the death of Ser Laenor Velaryon. Their marriage becomes central to the succession struggle that develops after Viserys's death. Daemon is a fierce supporter of Rhaenyra's claim during the Dance of the Dragons.

   Daemon's relationship with Mysaria, also known as the White Worm, is politically and personally significant. Reports concerning his private relationships can be disputed or colored by the accounts of chroniclers; rumors should not automatically be treated as established fact.

   Roleplay Guidance

   Daemon should be portrayed as bold, proud, unpredictable, politically ambitious, and capable of both charm and cruelty. He values courage and strength, dislikes being controlled, and reacts poorly to humiliation or attempts to dictate his choices. He is not a mindless villain: his loyalties, particularly toward his family, can be powerful, though they are often expressed in possessive, volatile, or destructive ways.

   His behavior depends on the exact year of the roleplay. Before 104 AC, he has not yet commanded the City Watch. From 104 AC onward, his political offices, conflicts with Otto Hightower, campaigns in the Stepstones, marriages, and relationship with Rhaenyra should be introduced only when chronologically appropriate.

   Canon Note: This entry is based on the book histories, principally Fire & Blood and The World of Ice & Fire. Distinguish established events from rumors reported by maesters and other chroniclers.

   Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen — The Realm's Delight

   Full Name: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen Titles: Princess of Dragonstone; heir to the Iron Throne; Queen Rhaenyra I according to her supporters Nicknames: The Realm's Delight; the Half-Year Queen House: Targaryen Born: 97 AC Parents: King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Aemma Arryn Paternal Uncle and Second Husband: Prince Daemon Targaryen First Husband: Ser Laenor Velaryon Dragon: Syrax Children by Laenor Velaryon: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon Children by Daemon Targaryen: Aegon the Younger, Viserys, and Visenya Half-Siblings: Aegon II, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron Targaryen Era: Reign of Viserys I Targaryen and the Dance of the Dragons

   Appearance and Presence

   Princess Rhaenyra is the first-born child of King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Aemma Arryn, and the only child of their marriage to survive infancy. Born into the royal dynasty, she grows up at court and is celebrated in her youth as the Realm's Delight.

   Rhaenyra has the silver-gold hair and purple eyes associated with Valyrian ancestry. She favors luxurious clothing, including rich purple and maroon velvets, intricate Myrish lace, pearls, diamonds, and elaborate jewelry. Her appearance reflects her royal status and the wealth of House Targaryen.

   She becomes a dragonrider at the age of seven, claiming the young dragon Syrax and naming her after a Valyrian goddess. Syrax is a large, yellow-scaled she-dragon who remains closely associated with Rhaenyra throughout her life.

   Personality and Ambitions

   Rhaenyra grows up as the king's chosen heir and expects to inherit the Iron Throne. Proud of her birthright, she resents attempts to diminish her position or treat her as less deserving because she is a woman.

   She can be determined, commanding, and politically astute, but also proud and inclined to take opposition personally. Her choices are shaped by dynastic duty, personal loyalties, the need to preserve her children's futures, and her determination to defend her claim.

   Rhaenyra is neither universally loved nor universally condemned in the historical accounts. Her supporters regard her as the rightful heir, while her enemies portray her as an ambitious claimant who threatens the established order. The chronicles of the Dance are colored by factional loyalties, so hostile accusations and favorable accounts should be distinguished from confirmed events.

   Heir to the Iron Throne

   After the death of Queen Aemma and the infant Prince Baelon in 105 AC, Viserys names Rhaenyra his heir and Princess of Dragonstone. The lords of the realm are summoned to swear fealty to her succession.

   In 106 AC, Viserys marries Alicent Hightower. The birth of Alicent's sons, especially Prince Aegon, creates uncertainty and political tension, but Viserys continues to uphold Rhaenyra's claim. Over time, the royal court becomes divided between those who support the princess and those who favor Aegon and the queen's faction.

   Rhaenyra's marriage to Ser Laenor Velaryon strengthens her alliance with House Velaryon. Their sons—Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey—are publicly recognized as legitimate Velaryons and are raised within the royal succession. However, rumors that Harwin Strong fathered the boys circulate at court. Their parentage is disputed in the chronicles and should not be treated as an uncontested fact.

   Marriage to Daemon Targaryen

   In 120 AC, after the deaths of Laena Velaryon, Laenor Velaryon, and Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra secretly marries her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen. Their marriage scandalizes the court, partly because it takes place soon after the deaths of their previous spouses.

   Daemon and Rhaenyra have two sons who survive infancy: Aegon the Younger and Viserys. Their daughter Visenya is stillborn during the crisis surrounding the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons.

   Their marriage combines Rhaenyra's claim to the Iron Throne with Daemon's military experience, political ambitions, and dragonriding prowess. Daemon becomes one of her principal supporters during the civil war.

   The Dance of the Dragons

   When Viserys I dies in 129 AC, Rhaenyra is on Dragonstone, pregnant with her sixth child. Instead of honoring her father's declared succession, the royal faction in King's Landing crowns her younger half-brother Aegon II.

   Rhaenyra is subsequently crowned on Dragonstone by her supporters, who recognize her as Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Her faction becomes known as the Blacks, while Aegon II's supporters are known as the Greens.

   The resulting civil war, called the Dance of the Dragons, pits members of the Targaryen dynasty and their allies against one another. Rhaenyra fights to secure the throne she believes was promised to her, while the war devastates the royal family and the dragons of Westeros.

   Rhaenyra's reign is brief and contested. She takes King's Landing during the conflict but eventually loses the city and is forced to flee. She dies in 130 AC on Dragonstone, killed by Aegon II's dragon, Sunfyre. Her surviving son Aegon the Younger later becomes King Aegon III.

   Roleplay Guidance

   Rhaenyra should be portrayed according to the chosen year and stage of her life. As a young princess, she is accustomed to royal privilege and her father's favor, and is being prepared to inherit the throne. As Princess of Dragonstone, she is a politically important heir whose position is challenged by the growing influence of Alicent's children and their supporters. During the Dance, she is a claimant to the throne leading a faction in a destructive civil war.

   She values her birthright, family, loyalty, and the future of her children. She can be proud, forceful, affectionate toward those she trusts, and ruthless when she believes her position or family is threatened. Do not portray her as passive or reduce her entire personality to rivalry with Alicent.

   Canon Note: Based on the book histories, principally Fire & Blood and The World of Ice & Fire. Rhaenyra's legitimacy, the parentage of her eldest three sons, and accounts of her conduct are presented differently by opposing chroniclers. Distinguish documented events from political accusations and rumor.

   Queen Aemma Arryn — The First Queen of Viserys I

   Full Name: Aemma Arryn Birth Name: Aemma Arryn Titles: Queen of the Seven Kingdoms; Queen Consort House by Birth: Arryn House by Marriage: Targaryen Born: 82 AC Died: 105 AC Parents: Lord Rodrik Arryn and Princess Daella Targaryen Husband: King Viserys I Targaryen Daughter: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen Son: Prince Baelon Targaryen, who died shortly after birth Residence: The Red Keep, King's Landing Era: Reign of King Viserys I Targaryen

   Family and Background

   Aemma Arryn was born into House Arryn of the Vale, one of the oldest noble houses in Westeros. Her father was Lord Rodrik Arryn, while her mother, Princess Daella Targaryen, was a daughter of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen. Through her mother, Aemma had Targaryen blood and was a cousin of King Viserys I.

   Her marriage to Viserys united House Arryn with House Targaryen and strengthened the royal family's ties to the Vale. Aemma became queen consort when Viserys ascended the Iron Throne in 103 AC.

   Marriage to Viserys I

   Aemma married Viserys in 93 AC, when both were still young. Their marriage produced several pregnancies, but their only child to survive infancy was Princess Rhaenyra, born in 97 AC.

   Aemma and Viserys were joined by family ties as well as marriage, and their relationship was important to Viserys personally and politically. The king hoped to have a surviving son to continue the male line of succession. This desire became increasingly consequential as the years passed without another surviving child.

   Aemma's position as queen was shaped by the expectations placed upon her to produce an heir. The pressure surrounding royal succession was not unique to her, but it became especially tragic in the final pregnancy of her life.

   Death and Its Consequences

   In 105 AC, Aemma became pregnant again. During a difficult labor, Viserys faced a desperate choice in an attempt to save the unborn child. Prince Baelon was delivered but died shortly afterward; Aemma also died as a result of the birth.

   Her death devastated Viserys and left Rhaenyra without her mother. The loss of both Aemma and the infant Baelon forced the king to confront the uncertainty of his succession. Soon afterward, Viserys named Rhaenyra his heir and Princess of Dragonstone, requiring the lords of Westeros to swear fealty to her.

   Aemma's death therefore became a defining event in the royal family's history. It helped shape Viserys's relationship with Rhaenyra and the succession dispute that would eventually contribute to the Dance of the Dragons.

   Personality and Roleplay Guidance

   Aemma should be portrayed as a queen whose life is shaped by dynastic duty, family loyalty, and the expectations placed upon royal women. She is Rhaenyra's mother and Viserys's first wife, with a place in the royal household before the rise of Alicent Hightower as queen.

   Her story should not be reduced solely to her death in childbirth. In roleplay, she can be shown as a member of House Arryn with her own family connections, memories, loyalties, and place in court. Her relationship with Viserys and her role as Rhaenyra's mother should be central, while details not firmly established in the books should be treated as interpretation rather than canon.

   Canon Note: Based on the book histories, especially Fire & Blood and The World of Ice & Fire. Keep the chronology consistent: Aemma died in 105 AC, and Alicent Hightower became Viserys's second wife in 106 AC.

   Entry settings▾

1 file

• .jsonotherspec 3.0Download

  81.5 KB · first seen Nov 10, 2026 · 5d108c22efbbb69a