The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros | Blacks (Rhaenyra Targaryen | Daemon Targaryen) | Greens (Alicent Hightower) | Houses of Westeros (House Targaryen [Viserys Targaryen] | House Velaryon) | Others | Dragons
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King's Landing
Small Council
Small Council members on other pages
Current Members:
- Ser Otto Hightower (Hand of the King; Green)
- Ser Tyland Lannister (Master of Ships; Green)
Former Members:
- Rhaenyra Targaryen (Cupbearer then seat for the Princess of Dragonstone; Currently Queen-Claimant of the Blacks)
- Lord Lyonel Strong (Hand of the King; deceased)
- Lord Corlys Velaryon (Master of Ships; Currently sworn to the Blacks)
- Daemon Targaryen (Commander of the City Watch; Currently Prince-Consort of the Blacks)
Current Members
Grand Maester Orwyle
Grand Maester Orwyle
Portrayed By: Kurt Egyiawan
The second Grand Maester of King Viserys's reign, promoted after the passing of Mellos.
- Adaptational Wimp: At least to his own account as transcribed by Grand Maester Munkun. According to his own recount, Orwyle went to offer peace terms to Rhaenyra himself, and detailed a long and clear list of reasons why Aegon should rule. In the show, the talking was left to Otto, with Orwyle only being there to nervously hand the terms to Otto when ordered to do so. Averted with Mushroom's testimony, where it was said that Orwyle did nothing but stammer and piss himself when delivering the terms.
- Court Physician: Replaces the late Mellos as the Grand Maester of the court of King Viserys, as a Maester he has great knowledge of various sciences including medicine, which comes in handy to take care of King Viserys' declining health.
- Everyone Has Standards: Even though he ultimately goes along with the Greens' usurpation of the throne, he's shocked when Lord Beesbury is murdered (albeit by accident), checks the man's pulse to see if he can be helped and tries to have his body removed from the room to grant the late lord some dignity.
- Ignored Expert: Orwyle takes it upon himself to develop remedies using herbs for the treatment of Viserys, but Mellos remains firm in his leechings, even as the king's health steadily degrades. Subverted when Mellos dies and Orwyle gets to take over. Before the 10 year Time Skip in "The Princess and the Queen", back when Mellos was in charge, Viserys seemed to be on death's door. Afterwards, under Orwyle's treatment, Viserys is still in a rough shape but he seems stable. The fact that he's alive at all a decade later is a huge testament to the efficiency of Orwyle's more progressive methods.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: When it becomes clear that every other member of the Small Council other than Orwyle, Beesbury and Westerling have been plotting to usurp Rhaenyra, Orwyle quietly urges Beesbury to sit down.
- Loyal to the Position: Due to his position being determined by the Citadel and not by any actual political affiliation, Orwyle appears content to move along with what the Small Council deigns to do under Otto Hightower, even to the extent of allowing Aegon II's usurpation to proceed. While he may not necessarily be inimical to Rhaenyra, he inadvertently aids Otto in his actions. (Rhaenyra, despite collectively calling the Green envoys traitors, does not exhibit any personal venom for him, focusing all of her contempt on Otto.)
- Omnidisciplinary Scientist: As the Grand Maester, his role on the Small Council is to speak to all things academic.
- Race Lift: No mention of Orwyle's race is made in the book but he is described as a Westerosi of noble birth, so he was presumably white. He's played by black English actor Kurt Egyiawan.
- Rank Up: He was a Maester in his first appearance, but was given the title of Grand Maester after the passing of Mellos during the decade-long Time Skip.From the books
- Superior Successor: He's a way better healer than Mellos was. Although he didn't manage to cure Viserys per se, he helped him live at least 16 more years while he was already almost on death's door when Mellos was in charge.
Jasper Wylde
Jasper "Ironrod" Wylde
Played By: Paul Kennedy
The Master of Laws following the promotion of Lord Strong.
- Adaptational Villainy: Septon Eustace in the books describes Jasper as someone who holds a sincere, if stringent and overtly textualist, view of legal precedent and the "Andal tradition". Jasper's conservatism in the show is depicted in a more hypocritical light, as he is clearly more willing to bend and even to break the law if that allows Aegon's rule to have a veneer of legitimacy. For all of book!Jasper's harsh and misogynistic views, he seemed to be in full belief that Aegon's crowning was legitimate, and along with Otto he never conspired to murder Rhaenyra and her family.
- Hanging Judge: Consistent with the following tropes, he appeared enthusiastically on board with Otto's plot to wipe out Rhaenyra's family in the dark, such that Alicent had to threaten him with the Wall to back down.
- Hypocrite: Despite his reputation as a Rules Lawyer, he seems to be fully aware that he has been participating in a purely illegitimate "darkling scheme" to place Aegon on the throne rather than a legal transfer of power, which he doesn't seem to mind.
- In-Series Nickname: He's known as Ironrod. How exactly he earned this nickname is unclear.From the books
- Rules Lawyer: As to be expected of the Master of Laws, he is able to notice and utilize instances of Loophole Abuse to his advantage. When Vaemond Velaryon makes a vie for the Driftwood Throne, he justifies his support of a re-appraised decision on the matter by noting Lord Corlys never officially declared Lucerys Velaryon (his grandson) the heir.
Former Members
Lord Lyman Beesbury
Lord Lyman Beesbury
"I am six and seventy years old. I have known Viserys longer than any who sit at this table."
Played By: Bill Paterson
The Master of Coin and Lord of Honeyholt under King Viserys, having worked in this capacity under his predecessor as well.
- Age Lift: In Fire & Blood, he was eighty years old at the time of his death. In the show, he is a bit younger, only being seventy-six, closer to his actor's age of seventy-seven at the time of House of the Dragon's release.
- Conflicting Loyalties: Stayed true to the will of his late king rather than the command of the Hand (who was also his liege lord), and paid with his life.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Despite having regressed to a doddering, somewhat senile man, he does still have some sharpness in him. When the Greens announce their intent to crown Aegon over Rhaenyra, he stands firm with Viserys' original wish. Sadly, this costs him his life.
- Dies Differently in Adaptation: In Fire & Blood, he is said to have been killed, possibly by Ser Criston Cole, either slashing his throat, tossing him out of a window, or dragging him to the Black Cells, where he died in captivity. Here, it's shown that it was an Accidental Murder by Cole, as the knight slams Beesbury's head against the Small Council table hard enough to crack open his skull.
- Dies Wide Open: His eyes remain open even after he is killed, which especially perturbs Alicent, as his body is "staring" directly at her for the remainder of the Small Council discussion.
- Dying Moment of Awesome: Beesbury dies defending the rights of Rhaenyra, the daughter of his longtime friend Viserys, calling out the Green Council for their plans to seize the throne and stating plainly that the king had 20 years to name Aegon as his heir, and a deathbed confession heard only by Aegon's mother is hardly watertight evidence.
- Everyone Has Standards:
- Reacts with disgust towards Daemon's unseemly remarks regarding the sexual preferences of the men of the Vale during a Small Council meeting.
- Following the death of Viserys, Beesbury is just as shocked as Alicent to realize everyone else on the Small Council has already made a plan to have Aegon supplant Rhaenyra's claim to the throne. He's furious as he says he has no intention to go along with usurping Rhaenyra and calls them all out on their treason. Unfortunately, Cole makes him pay for his standards with his life.
- The Gambler: During the tourney, he eagerly places a bet on Daemon Targaryen against Gwayne Hightower in the jousts. Amusingly, he does this in earshot of Gwayne's father.
- Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: His full head of hair has prominently thinned out after the time skip between "Driftmark" and "The Lord of the Tides".
- Honest Advisor: While he can be a bit stingy, his opinions are unmarred by the familial politicking of other members of the council. He plays his role in court and nothing more. Tellingly, as the council discusses who would succeed Viserys in an impromptu meeting after Baelon's passing, all of them have an opinion on the matter save for him, who doesn't speak a word. He also refuses to believe Viserys passed up Rhaenyra as heir, even when every other member of the Small Council has already been plotting to have Aegon usurp her, and calls them all out on their treason, resulting in his death.
- Irony: Is opposed to the Hightowers seating Alicent's eldest son on the throne. His house is a vassal of the Hightowers.
- Killed Mid-Sentence: In the middle of his speech to the Small Council members more willing to accept Aegon as ruler, Criston Cole suddenly cuts him off by fatally bashing his head against the table.
- Meaningful Name: His family's name and their seat (Honeyholt) seem to invoke Virtuous Bees, and he's been a good Master of Coin (otherwise he wouldn't have stayed in the job for so long). He also proves himself to be a man of honour and integrity by remaining loyal to Viserys' wishes that Rhaenyra be queen, which references the intense loyalty worker and soldier bees have towards their queens.
- Miser Advisor: As to be expected as a financial advisor, he tends to base his opinions on any matters on how costly it would be for the kingdom. Throughout Small Council meetings during the first season, he is against holding a The Tourney celebrating Baelon's birth before it is assured, Daemon's actions as Commander of the City Watch, and the idea of fortifying the Stepstones due to their high costs.
- Non-Idle Rich: As Master of Coin, it is his duty to manage the finances of the realm and crown. The fact that the Small Council could afford to host tourneys and begin preparations for a naval expedition means their coffers have been full under his watch.
- Old Retainer: Other than Grand Maester Mellos, he's one of the most elderly statesmen in the Council. After Mellos' death at some point during the Time Skip he is still seen serving on the council and after the second Time Skip between episodes 7 and 8, he is likely the oldest and longest continuously serving member of the Small Council. In Episode 9, he states that he's known Viserys longer then anyone else at the table. One of the people is Otto who has been Hand since Jaehaerys' reign, meaning Beesbury was around before even him.From the books
- Old Windbag: What he's become by "The Lord of the Tides", meandering his way through dull reports on such topics as local wool taxation. Alicent barely hides her exasperation with him and has no qualms about rather bluntly cutting him off.
- Sacrificial Lamb: Tecnically, he's the first casualty of what would become the Dance of the Dragons. His station is not high enough for his death to be deeply felt, but it does show how the serious the Greens are in their plan to crown Aegon, and it ties the remainder of the Small Council into the conspiracy.
- Scatterbrained Senior: By the time of episode 6 he is clearly losing his marbles, being unable to keep up with the current topic of conversation during Small Council meetings and attempting to talk about issues that have already been shelved. He also misses the silent coup of the Small Council by the Greens up until Viserys' death, being utterly shocked by the depth of their deception and conspiracy when he finds out.
- Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: When the panic breaks out at the wedding of Rhaenyra and Laenor, he is quick to abandon his seat at the table and flee the room.
- Undignified Death: He served two kings for most of his life as a very effective financial administrator only to die protesting a coup by getting his head slammed into his own marble of office hard enough to crack it, following which his body is left to cool and leak blood all over the table whilst the remaining Small Council members finalise their plans. A very unfitting end for such a noble servant of the Realm.
- Undying Loyalty: To King Viserys Targaryen and Rhaenyra. He stands by his king's declaration of succession even when the rest of the Small Council concede to name Aegon the king, and is killed for it.
Grand Maester Mellos
Grand Maester Mellos
Played By: David Horovitch
The first Grand Maester of King Viserys' court.
- Composite Character: There are actually two Grand Maesters during most of Viserys I's reign: Runciter in the first half, Mellos in the second half. Thus book-Mellos wasn't actually the one present for Queen Aemma's death in childbirth. The TV character basically has Mellos's personality (politically neutral, highly recommends leechings), extended back to cover the entire reign (and Runciter had even less personality description than book-Mellos).
- Court Physician: As a trained maester, Mellos also serves as this to the King — which increasingly becomes necessary as Viserys' health deteriorates throughout the series. The service also extends to other members of the royal family, as he is the one that signs off on Queen Aemma's Traumatic C-Section, as well as prepares Fantasy Contraception for Princess Rhaenyra when allegations of her sexual adventures reaches the king's ears.
- Harmful Healing: There are hints that even by the standards if this time, Mellos is not a very good physician. He refuses to do anything for Viserys beyond leechings, and he sticks to is familiar therapies not on the ground that they're the most effective but because they seem to work well enough. Case in point, his treatments have managed to turn a small cut into a deadly infection.Mellos: Rest now, Your Grace. I will bring the leeches.
Orwyle: If I may, Grand Maester, I took the liberty of preparing a fresh set of herbal poultices that might be more... effective.
Mellos: That will not be necessary, Orwyle. The leechings have always brought His Grace relief.- Partially justified by the fact that Viserys deliberately downplays his failing health to the Maesters because he thinks he deserves it for what he did to his wife Aemma.
- Killed Offscreen: Passed away at some point between episodes 5 and 6, leaving the Grand Maester position to his former underling Orwyle.
- Old Retainer: Due to his longer tenure, Mellos shares this position with Lord Beesbury. In contrast, however, since Mellos is elected to the position by the Order of Maesters, he is not nominally a vassal of the King. This explains his willingness to more forcefully advice or reprimand him.
- Omnidisciplinary Scientist: As the Grand Maester, his role on the Small Council is to speak to all things academic. He also presides over the delivery of the king and queen's baby, and it's he who advises the king to sign off on a Traumatic C-Section.
Kingsguard
In General
A sworn brotherhood of seven knights sworn to protect the King and the royal family.
For later eras of the organization as shown in Game of Thrones, see this.
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Appointment to the Kingsguard is presumed to be a reward for daring in various feats of arms. Knights who are successful at apprehending criminals, tourney winners and actual battle-hardened veterans are eligible for the post—though the last one is most preferred. The Lord Commander also enjoys some form of political position, as he is expected to attend (and sometimes weigh in) on Small Council meetings—especially on military matters.
- Badass Creed: "The Black Queen" implies they have one—with the emphasis Daemon gives on the oaths Sers Steffon Darklyn and Lorent Marbrand gave to Viserys I and Rhaenyra, as well as the words Ser Erryk Cargyll intones as he kickstarts Rhaenyra's coronation:Ser Erryk Cargyll: I swear to ward the Queen... with all my strength... and give my blood for hers. I shall take no wife... hold no lands... father no children. I shall guard her secrets... obey her commands... ride at her side, and defend her name and honor.
- Bodyguarding a Badass: In principle, their original role when they were founded by Aegon I and Queen Visenya. Even if the king is capable of defending himself, the risks of being assassinated within King's Landing and the dangers of the battlefield means he would still need backup and support. Currently, however (especially since Viserys I is at best a Non-Action Guy), they're more akin to a Praetorian Guard—albeit one comprised of the most professional and loyal of this institution.
- Knight in Shining Armor: By design, the order must be composed of Westeros' finest—but this chivalric ideal, even in this heyday, is being questioned. Even as Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Harrold Westerling both agree that they should be comprised primarily of combat-experienced soldiers, Lord Otto Hightower (the Hand of the King) tries inveigling the idea that a Kingsguard appointment can be used as a means to bind noble houses to the throne.
- Glory Days: The institution under Jaehaerys I and Viserys I has been very well-regarded. Unfortunately, by the time of Game of Thrones, Otto Hightower's perspective of turning it into a "political reward" will solidify during the Baratheon-Lannister rule.
- A House Divided: Since their job description is to fight the king's enemies and protect the royal household, this is their biggest headache — especially as this opens them towards becoming pawns and overmighty actors in the game of thrones. Lord Commander Harrold Westerling is already somewhat suspicious of Criston Cole's persistent proximity to the first ladies of the house — first Princess Rhaenyra, then Queen Alicent — precisely because of this. The squabbling between Prince Aemond and the Velaryon heirs over Vhagar during the events of "Driftmark" is something they failed to prevent from escalating — and leads to the first public breach between the camps of Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent.
- My Master, Right or Wrong: They are supposed to serve the King regardless of how heinous or insane he or his orders are. Under Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, fortunately and appropriately, nearly all of them had been upstanding bearers of the white cloak.From the books...
- Praetorian Guard: They answer only to the king as his sworn bodyguards for life. The organization as a whole becomes more apparent as this as Viserys I is a Non-Action Guy—and become more explicitly so when his competing successors (Rhaenyra and Aegon II) follow suit.
- Sibling Team: Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk of House Cargyll, identical twin brothers who both serve as Kingsguard during the same period, performing their duties side by side and training against each other. Until "The Green Council" which sees Erryk abandon his position out of loyalty to Rhaenyra.
- Truer to the Text: In contrast to the Costume Evolution they experienced during the post-Targaryen era of Game of Thrones, the show's Kingsguard wears elaborately-engraved white-and-grey armor, which is closer to the pure white, sigil-less armor of the books.
- Ultimate Job Security: They're tenured for life, which comes in handy when they fail to deescalate a brawl between Aemond and the Velaryon children in time, resulting in the prince losing an eye, something that would get any real-life child caretaker fired with a vengeance.
- Vow of Celibacy: This rule, which gave morally-grey Kingsguard like Jaime Lannister grief in Game of Thrones, is already in place around this time period. This very same would stain Criston Cole's honor for giving in to Princess Rhaenyra's seduction, turning him into a particularly-hateful enemy.
Kingsguard members on other pages
The Succession Crisis following the death of King Viserys also split the loyalties of the Kingsguard.
- Kingsguard of King Aegon II (Greens): Ser Criston Cole, Ser Arryk Cargyll.
- Queensguard of Queen Rhaenyra (Blacks): Ser Erryk Cargyll, Ser Steffon Darklyn, Ser Lorent Marbrand.
Former Members
Ser Ryam Redwyne
Ser Ryam Redwyne
Played by: Garry Cooper
The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard since the reign of King Jaehaerys I.
- Alliterative Name: Ryam Redwyne.
- Killed Offscreen: Died in his sleep in the six months Time Skip between the first and second episodes of Season 1.
- Old Soldier: Already old in the last years of Jaehaerys' reign, Ryam is quite elderly fifteen years into Viserys' reign.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Had one line and died in his sleep in the six months between the first and second episodes of Season 1.
Ser Harrold Westerling
Ser Harrold Westerling
"Every time that golden beast brings you back unspoiled it saves my head from a spike."
Played By: Graham McTavish
A knight of the Kingsguard assigned to watch over Princess Rhaenyra. He is made Lord Commander after the death of Ser Ryam Redwyne.
- Ascended Extra: His screentime in the book is a single sentence mentioning that he passed away from old age. The show elevates him to one of the more prominent Kingsguard members.
- Beneath Notice: It seems absurd, but Otto Hightower overlooks the Lord Commander when he talks Viserys out of confronting Daemon then lies to Daemon about it, exposing his duplicity to Ser Harrold, who subtly reacts with displeasure at Otto’s manipulative nature.
- Bodyguarding a Badass: Has the unenviable duty of overseeing Rhaenyra as a child, a dragon rider who can come and go to wherever she fancies.
- Brave Scot: He has shades of this, and the Fantasy Counterpart Culture of Scotland in Westeros is the North.From the books... His actor uses his real, strong Scottish accent for the role. Harrold is also a very fearless man who defies the Small Council when they order him to kill Rhaenyra, and reacts to Ser Criston threatening him like a father calmly dealing with a toddler's temper tantrum.
- The Caretaker: He's tasked to watch over Rhaenyra whenever she's not inside the Red Keep. Which means he's somewhat worried whenever she rides Syrax since his head could end up on a spike if something was to happen to her as he mentions it, though he doesn't prevent her from doing it since her family rides dragons for centuries.
- Contrasting Sequel Main Character: Prequel, of course. Lord Commander Westerling's position, age and personality evokes a future Kingsguard, Barristan Selmy—especially with his experience and Undying Loyalty to Viserys's will. Barristan, as we all remember, resigned in protest at Joffrey's accession instead of accepting a retirement settlement—then defecting (and falling) in service to Daenerys. Harrold, for his part, resigns specifically not to be involved in any dishonorable proceeding of the Green court against his former ward Rhaenyra.
- Cool Old Guy: Despite being exasperated by Rhaenyra's free spirit, he's still rather relaxed about it, takes his position seriously and they clearly have a close bond. He's also the first one she goes to for information on people, as she did with Criston Cole.
- Everyone Has Standards:
- When Viserys calls Alicent "Aemma", Ser Harrold tries to indirectly call attention to it and correct him.Viserys: I'm going to bed, Aemma.
Ser Harrold: Shall I see after Queen Alicent, Your Grace? - When Alicent orders Ser Criston to cut out Lucerys' eye, Harrold looks at Criston with concern, indicating that he was preparing to stop him if he tried. He looks pretty relieved when Criston refuses.
- When Criston Cole murders Lord Beesbury for speaking out against the Small Council's plan to usurp Rhaenyra, Harrold pulls out his sword and tells Cole to put down his blade and forfeit his cloak, clearly wanting him gone from the Kingsguard.
- He refuses to carry out Otto Hightower's order to assassinate Rhaenyra in order to secure Aegon's claim. No Kingsguard worth their salt would engage in regicide on the orders of a scheming Hand. He immediately resigns and vows not to return until the succession is settled.
- When Viserys calls Alicent "Aemma", Ser Harrold tries to indirectly call attention to it and correct him.
- Intergenerational Friendship: Is this with Rhaenyra. He's assigned to look after her when she's young and often frets when she's off riding her dragon Syrax. Rhaenyra clearly trusts him and the two actually have a rather easygoing and respectful relationship. When her throne is usurped from her in "The Green Council", Harrold refuses to scheme against her and resigns from the Kingsguard in turn, clearly disgusted with Otto's orders to kill Rhaenyra and her followers and the overall plans to undermine her.
- Loyal to the Position: Invokes this when Otto orders him to execute Rhaenyra, declaring that only the king can command him and until a new one is crowned, Westerling doesn't have to take his orders from the Small Council.
- Minor Major Character: The Lord Commander is really a glorified bodyguard during Visery's reign, not having any impact or active duty beyond overseeing Rhaenyra. Despite that, Ser Harrold's formidable background presence is noticeable in every scene he is in.
- Nerves of Steel: Both Daemon Targaryen and Criston Cole are some of the most dangerous men in their time and most people are careful around them. Harrold Westerling, on the other hand? Treats Daemon as a casual annoyance at best and reacts to Criston threatening him with the same air as a father calmly dealing with a toddler's throwing a temper tantrum.
- No Hero to His Valet: Due to being established as already serving as Kingsguard under Jaehaerys I, he likely witnessed both King Viserys I and Prince Daemon grow up. Thus, despite Daemon growing into the "Rogue Prince", Ser Harrold never loses his cool dealing with him—either a) by pulling a You Shall Not Pass! during Daemon's first banishment by Viserys; or b) hauling him (while massively hung-over) in front of the Iron Throne to answer for his conduct against Rhaenyra).
- Old Soldier: A white-bearded and bald soldier, though he still looks solid.
- Rank Up: Becomes Lord Commander of the Kingsguard after the death of Ser Ryam Redwyne.
- Resign in Protest: Downplayed. Kingsguard swear a lifetime oath to protect the royal family and can only be dismissed at the pleasure of the monarch. However, when the Small Council means to install Aegon and tries to order him to execute Rhaenyra and her family, he makes it clear that he isn't going to pick sides and tells them not to call upon him until there is a new ruler.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: In "The Green Council" he forfeits his white cloak and quits his position as head of the Kingsguard when the Small Council plans to install Aegon on the throne instead of Rhaenyra. As he points out, he is sworn to the King, not his Small Council, and since there is no King, their orders carry no weight.
- Spared by the Adaptation: In the books, Lord Commander Harrold is said to have passed away prior to the marriage of Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon. Here, he is still alive at the start of the Dance of the Dragons.
Other Citizens of King's Landing
Mysaria
Mysaria
"There is no power but what the people allow you to take."
Played By: Sonoya Mizuno
"Hard lessons are not welcomed but suffered."
A former sex-slave who becomes Daemon Targaryen's mistress for a time. She then becomes a well-known spymaster in King's Landing called the White Worm.
- Adaptational Heroism: She shows an interest in ending the exploitation of children in Flea Bottom and generally helping the common people. There's no indication in the books that Mysaria had any such compassionate intent.
- Dark and Troubled Past: She was originally a slave in Essos and her far-from-happy experiences have shaped her into a pragmatic woman who just wants to survive.Mysaria: I have been sold as property more times than I care to count, beginning in a homeland I can no longer recall. Most of my years have been spent living in terror.
- Elite Man–Courtesan Romance: She's a prostitute, Daemon's a prince. Nevertheless, she seems to share Daemon's more unorthodox view of the world, and she seems to be one of his few genuine emotional supports. She does bring up the power imbalance as a potential issue when Daemon includes her in his antics in "The Rogue Prince", chastising Daemon that while he can afford to galavant around pissing off powerful lords, someone in her position is at far greater risk.
- Fake Pregnancy: Daemon makes an announcement that she's pregnant and that he's going to be marrying her as a second wife, even though neither are true. This only serves to aggravate her, as she realizes how Daemon just did this to stab at his brother.
- Foreign Fanservice: She's Daemon's Lust Object. She's also a foreigner and speaks with a non-UK accent, in contrast with the rest of the cast who are Westerosi-born.
- Godiva Hair: In her first scene, her hair hides her nipples.
- Knowledge Broker: She runs a network of informants, which gives her a constant and handy ear on the streets of King's Landing for anyone of importance who needs informations.
- The Mistress: To Daemon since his own marriage is miserable and loveless. He goes to her for sex and comfort, and brings her with him to Dragonstone when Viserys kicks him out of King's Landing.
- Ms. Fanservice: In the great tradition of whores in the franchise, she is introduced fully nude and having sex with Daemon after a night out of his conduct of The Purge.
- Not with Them for the Money: Downplayed; she's not with Daemon for money specifically, but she is motivated by what he can materially provide her: protection, so that she can live without fear.Mysaria: I didn't come into your service wanting gold. Or power. Or station. I came to you to be liberated.
- Race Lift: In the source material she's Lysene of Valyrian ancestry. In the show she's not specified to be from Lys, and is portrayed by a mixed-race Japanese-Argentine-British actress. This visually distinguishes her from the Targaryen characters.
- Rags to Riches: She went from a youth as a Sex Slave to the crown prince's favourite courtesan, and years later she has worked herself up to a wealthy and influential figure within the King's Landing underworld, wearing fine threads, living in a large house and operating a massive network of spies.
- Smarter Than You Look: Otto Hightower is quick to dismiss her as a whore, but not only does Daemon count her as a confidante rather than a mere bed warmer, she also understands High Valyrian. This level of street smart enabled her, in the years Daemon was away fighting in the Stepstones, to build herself up as "the White Worm", an underground informant running spies throughout King's Landing, essentially a proto-Varys.
- The Spymaster: She runs a network of informants as the "White Worm".
- Uncertain Doom: The ending of "The Green Council" has Larys send his agents to burn down her house. While a pair of hands can be seen banging against the window as the flames engulf it, it's unclear whether it's her or not. It's possible she escaped or wasn't present, but only time will tell.
Dyana
Dyana
Played By: Maddie Evans
A young maid serving Helaena Targaryen at the Red Keep. She gets raped by Prince Aegon Targaryen, and Queen Alicent buys her silence about the "incident".
- Fantasy Contraception: Like young Rhaenyra over a decade prior, she is presented an abortion tea. Queen Alicent has her drink it so Aegon's uncontrollable sexual pulsions won't result in the birth of a bastard (in her case at least).
- Innocent Bystander: The poor girl got raped by the ever so lustful Aegon while doing her job and fears the worst when having to face Queen Alicent because of it.
- My Nayme Is: Her name is pronounced "Diana", but with a "y" replacing the "i".
Essos
The Triarchy
In General
- The Alliance: They are formed by the concert of three of the Free Cities—Tyrosh, Lys and Myr. They are descendants of the outposts of the ruined Valyrian Freehold, where House Targaryen itself originated from. Thus, they have shared history (as well as competing interests) with the prominent Valyrian descendants of Westeros, Houses Targaryen and Velaryon.From the books...
- From Nobody to Nightmare: While Viserys I and his Small Council originally approved of the Triarchy's anti-pirates operations in the Stepstones, Corlys Velaryon immediately recognized their desire to seize control of naval trade in the Narrow Sea. The latter's fears were ultimately founded.
Craghas Drahar
Craghas Drahar aka "The Crabfeeder"
Played By: Daniel Scott-Smith
A Myrish corsair who serves the Triarchy of the Free Cities and preys upon sailors in the Stepstones, drawing House Velaryon into a war there against his forces.
- Adaptational Ugliness: Though he's never described in official sources, one piece of artwork of him is an illustration for Fire and Blood, where he's shown to be an ugly, but fairly normal looking man with long matted hair and a thick beard. Here, his appearance is downright monstrous, with a body covered in a severe case of Greyscale, and his face covered in a broken mask.
- Adaptational Villainy: In the books, Craghas Drahar is called "Crabfeeder" figuratively for ordering hundreds of pirates staked out on beaches to drown in the rising tides of the Stepstones. In the series, the character is Bloodier and Gorier, making the epithet literal, with all the gruesomeness this entails. Craghas is even shown crucifying/nailing his victims himself. He also wasn't known to attack or kill Westerosi sailors, with his beef with Corlys Velaryon coming from the exorbitant tolls he and other sailors forced on merchants trying to pass through the Stepstones.
- Atrocious Arthropods: He's The Dreaded, and his nickname alludes to his habit of feeding hapless sailors he captures to crabs.
- Body Horror: His Shirtless Scene reveals his body has been infected with greyscale. In the three years between Episodes 2 and 3, his greyscale has further advanced to a bleeding, borderline necrotic extent.
- Combat Pragmatist: After the intervention of Velaryon forces, with Daemon's backing, he has his men withdraw to the caves in the Stepstones, denying open combat, and negating the advantage the dragons provide. Later, when his forces are lured out into the open, he retreats back into the caves, with Daemon in pursuit, not that it does him any good.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: His modus operandi. He nails the hands of captured sailors to wooden poles on the beach to be slowly pinched and eaten alive by hungry crabs. Even in this world, this is a particularly painful and horrifying way to die.
- The Dreaded: Corlys Velaryon is clearly very alarmed when he reports his presence near the Driftmark and even Daemon takes his presence seriously. In fact, part of the reason Corlys came to Daemon was because he knew no one else would be able (or willing) to stand against him. The people of the Stepstones are shown to be terrified of him and considering the horrors he inflicts on them, this is completely understandable.
- Dies Different In Adaptation: In the book, he's described as simply being decapitated by Daemon. In the show, he's bisected at the shoulder.
- Establishing Character Moment: The very first thing we see of him is a Cold Open showing the horrifying remains of his victims being gnarled at by crabs. When we actually see him, he is taking the time to also crucify and nail the victims himself.
- Half the Man He Used to Be: He's killed (offscreen) by Daemon, who drags half of his body out in presentation.
- In-Series Nickname: He is generally referred to by his epithet "the Crabfeeder" rather than his actual name.
- Killed Offscreen: He flees back into his caves when the final battle turns against him, and Daemon pursues. When Daemon comes back out, he's already killed the Crabfeeder offscreen.
- Malevolent Masked Men: He feeds the unfortunate sailors he captures to hungry crabs, and he wears a golden mask not unlike those of the Sons of the Harpy in Game of Thrones.
- Names to Run Away from Really Fast: His "inventive methods" of killing his enemies have earned him the moniker "the Crabfeeder".
- Pirate: Attacks and pillages ships in the Stepstones, causing much concern to House Velaryon. His job actually was to fight pirates initially, but the Triarchy has a desire to seize control of naval trade in the Narrow Sea ultimately.
- Properly Paranoid: When Daemon is offering himself, he's always shooting glances at the sky, watching for dragons. These prove to be very founded fears.
- Red Right Hand: The severe greyscale scarring that covers much of his upper body serves as a physical signifier of his monstrous character.
- Savage Spiked Weapons: Carries around a spiked warhammer to use both in combat and to nail prisoners to pikes. After killing him, the hammer is kept as a trophy by Daemon who presents it to Viserys as proof of his demise and offers to let him add it to the Iron Throne.
- Silent Antagonist: He never utters a word of dialogue and delivers orders to his men through nods of his head.
- Starter Villain: The first major antagonist faced by the crown. He's defeated in the third episode.
- The Voiceless: He's never heard saying anything.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: He appears in two episodes, says nothing in either of them, and dies in the second offscreen.
Racallio Ryndoon
Racallio Ryndoon
Played By: N/A
A Tyronshi general sent by the Triarchy to regain control of the Stepstones, a decade after the defeat of the Crabfeeder.
- Agent Peacock: A massive cross-dressing pirate who dyes his beard purple. Between him and Crabfeeder, it seems like the Triarchy military really likes promoting eccentric weirdos.
- All There in the Manual: His name is not mentioned in the episode itself, but in the Fire & Blood book.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: a cross-dressing, larger-than-life hammy madman, but he's fought the Velaryon fleet to a standstill during the six year time skip between episodes 7 and 8.
- Foil: To Craghas Crabfeeder, a scary pirate of few words who enjoyed torturing his victims. Racallio is the complete opposite: an utterly flamboyant, fun-loving madman of a pirate.
- Large and in Charge: He's the leader of the new Triarchy expedition to the Stepstones and described as a giant.From the books
- Villainous Crossdresser: He's said to be fond of wearing woman's clothing. And from the Westerosi perspective, he's an invader and a new pirate, not to mention that, as an official of the Triarchy, he would engage in slavery.
Pentos
Prince Reggio Haratis
Prince Reggio Haratis of Pentos
Played By: Dean Nolan
The ruler of Pentos, who hosts Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon, along with their dragons, as a deterrent against their enemies in the Triarchy to the south.
- Adipose Rex: He's the ruler of Pentos and on the bigger side.
- Gentleman and a Scholar: At the very least, presents himself as such, even invoking Targaryen history to flatter Daemon. The fact that Daemon's keep in Pentos holds a massive library is likely also from his influence.
- Merchant Prince: A wealthy merchant who rules a city that thrives with such activities.
- Named by the Adaptation: The Prince of Pentos allied with Daemon was only referenced by his title in Fire & Blood.
- Realpolitik: A bit more benevolent and polite than usual, but his niceties with Daemon's family relies primarily on their serving at his beck and call essentially as hired firepower. Laena is under no illusion about this, and even little Rhaena is concerned she won't be allowed to stay with her family for not having a dragon.
