Home of the Dragon’s first episode had so much to arrange. There are present and former kings, a complete host of attainable heirs, a battle for succession, and a prince so unhappy he couldn’t even have enjoyable at an orgy. So it’s excusable that the pilot wasn’t in a position to commit a lot time to Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, the realm’s best and pettiest couple.
In truth, if any of the characters in Home of the Dragon might deserve their very own prequel exhibits, it’s these two. So in case the present by no means makes time for his or her backstory, right here’s somewhat bit extra about Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen and why they’re each so rattling cool.
Who’s Corlys Velaryon?
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23971185/steve_toussaint.jpg)
Photograph: Ollie Upton/HBO
Ser Corlys Velaryon is a member of Home Velaryon, one of many Targaryens’ oldest and most ardent allies, and one of many few homes in Westeros that may lay declare to Valyrian blood — although they aren’t dragon riders. Regardless of the home’s vaunted place in Westeros, it wasn’t among the many wealthiest or most vital homes within the Seven Kingdoms till Ser Corlys took issues over. The Velaryons have all the time had a repute for his or her naval prowess (usually serving because the Grasp of Ships for his or her Targaryen Kings), however Lord Corlys took seafaring additional than anybody else in his household ever has.
In his youthful days, lengthy earlier than he grew to become Grasp of Driftmark, Home Velaryon’s familial seat, Corlys sailed the seas on a ship referred to as the Sea Snake — which might give him the nickname he stored the remainder of his life. Aboard the Sea Snake, Corlys sailed all by the recognized world. These adventures would later be mythologized as “The 9 Voyages” and took him to the strangest and most superstitious corners of the world. In the long run, nonetheless, Corlys’ primary takeaway from these journeys was 14 ships filled with treasure and gold from Essos that helped make his home one of many wealthiest in Westeros.
After his voyages, when he grew to become Grasp of Driftmark — a place also called Lord of the Tides — Corlys married Rhaenys Targaryen and commenced his service to the Iron Throne, together with serving to Rhaenys’ father, Aemon, battle a warfare towards the Myrish, and finally served on the small council as Grasp of Ships, which is the place we be a part of him in Home of the Dragon.
Who’s Rhaenys Targaryen?
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23937046/eve_best.jpg)
Photograph: Ollie Upton/HBO
Rhaenys Targaryen is the daughter of Aemon Targaryen, granddaughter of Jaehaerys Targaryen and at one level one of many potential heirs to the Iron Throne. Nevertheless, through the Nice Council of 101, the realm elected to position her cousin Viserys on the throne as an alternative, thus establishing the precedent of male succession in Westeros and dooming Rhaenys to the destiny of endlessly being referred to as “The Queen Who By no means Was.”
Except for harboring righteous anger about her declare to the Seven Kingdoms being denied, Rhaenys can also be a fierce dragon rider whose dragon is Meleys, and he or she is as at residence in a swimsuit of armor as in a costume at courtroom.
The couple even have two youngsters, Laenor and Laena, who’re each dragon riders. With out stepping into any spoilers for the story forward, all 4 can have an important half to play as Home of the Dragon marches towards its inevitable and violent conclusion.
