— DESCRIPTION —

Dragons are magical, flying, fire-breathing, reptilian-like creatures that once existed across all four continents of the known world. They are roughly scaled with strong jaws, sharp teeth and claws, leathery wings, long necks and tails, and horns along their heads and spines. They have two sets of limbs; two wings that are used as forelegs like a bat and two rear legs. Each dragon holds their own special and unique coloring, from the hue of their scales down to the pigment of their eyes and teeth.

— CHARACTERISTICS —

Dragons are commonly referred to as "fire made flesh" in reference to the immense heat that radiates from their bodies. They are known to often emit steam on cold nights because of this. Their dragonfire, which is believed to be the source of such heat, is routinely used to cook their meals before being consumed, as well as a weapon during battle. Their flames strongly correlate with their external coloring, and they steadily become hotter as they age.

The scales of a dragon are almost entirely impervious to fire and are considered to be nearly as strong as steel. Both aspects only grow stronger with age. Dragonbone holds much of the same properties with the addition of being lightweight, and is often used to make bows, dagger hilts, and other forms of weaponry. The lifespan of a dragon is much greater than that of any other naturally occurring animal or creature within the known world. Many dragons live to reach over a century old with the oldest ever recorded, Balerion the Black Dread, having died at almost two hundred.

Dragons, while considered having an exceedingly strong exterior, are not impervious to injury. Younger dragons are more susceptible to dragonflame from other dragons, as well as being wounded from other forces like scorpions, large wooden weapons that resemble a crossbow and shoot projectiles of the same likeness.

Dragons are believed to be intricately tied to magic with many theories of their origin being the result of such powers. No definite correlation has ever been proven between them, but it is noted that after the death of the Last Dragon the winter seasons became longer and colder, while spells and other rituals became less powerful.

The matter of dragon reproduction has been a topic of debate amongst maesters and septons throughout time. According to most, the ability for a dragon to lay eggs proves that said dragon must be female. However, Septon Barth, a septon and Hand of the King during the reign of Jaehaerys I, believed that dragons were able to change their sex when the need arose, but this theory is wildly unpopular amongst historians.

— CULTURE —

While dragons allow for riders to claim them, they are still sentient and intelligent creatures. Training of a dragon is needed once they are claimed to ensure they will not disobey the commands of their rider. Such commands are given in the ancient language of Valyrian, or otherwise known as High Valyrian.

To become a dragonrider, one must possess the blood of Old Valyria, as only those of Valyrian descent are known to have mounted dragons. This belief is a prominent reason as to why Targaryens marry within their own family. To keep their bloodline primed with the ability.

However, not only pure-blooded Targaryens have successfully claimed dragons. Bastards of Valyrian descendants, or dragonseeds, were given the opportunity during the Targaryen civil war, the Dance of the Dragons. Four were known to have accomplished such a feat.

Dragons and dragonriders are known to have a special connection with one another. A claimed dragon will not allow someone other than their rider to saddle them, unless in their rider's company, and will always listen to their rider's command above anyone else. (This includes Dragonkeepers.) Upon their rider's death, a dragon may be claimed by another, if the dragon allows them. It is unknown as to if a rider can claim another dragon after the death of their first.

The bond between a dragon and dragonrider is said to be so strong that a rider may be able to feel their dragon's pain, and vice versa. In addition to this, it was recorded that Dreamfyre, having been chained within the Dragonpit at the time, was able to sense the death of her rider, Helaena Targaryen, from all the way across the city in Red Keep.

The true depth of this bond is unknown.

— HISTORY —

Many legends have been recorded as to what possibly brought forth the existence of dragons. In Valyria, they claimed dragons crawled their way out of the Fourteen Flames, the fourteen volcanoes that made up the Valyrian peninsula. In Qarth, they tell of a second moon that graced the sky until it was scorched by the sun, cracking open like an egg and letting millions of dragons spill free. There are tales of dragons having originated in the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai and that their people were the first to tame them, only later to teach the Valyrians the art and then promptly disappearing from history.

Septon Barth even put forth his own theory that dragons were created by Valyrian bloodmages by blending the stock of a regular wyvern with that of firewyrms.

Dragons were heavily believed to have once populated every continent of the known world, after their bones were discovered in places as far as Ib to the north, Sothoryos to the south, Yi Ti to the east, and the Reach to the west.

However, the Valyrians were the ones to master the art of raising and taming dragons. They used them as weapons of war, conquering lands like the Old Empire of Ghis and the city-states of the Rhoyne, and even cultivated their dragonfire as a means of creation, melting stone and other building materials to use at their leisure.

But with the Doom of Valyria, the cataclysm that destroyed the Valyrian peninsula, only five dragons survived when House Targaryen fled to Dragonstone in 114 BC and so ended the Valyrian dynasty of Dragonlords.

— DRAGON EGGS —

Dragon eggs are large, oval shaped, and covered in small scales that resemble the exterior of the dragons that laid them. Their colorings are unique and differ from egg to egg and always correlate to the hatchlings within them.

Halfway through the first century of Targaryen rule, it became tradition for dragon eggs to be placed in the cradles of babies born into the family. Queen Rhaena Targaryen was noted to have been the start of the practice when she placed an egg in the cradles of her younger siblings, King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne. From that point on, many Targaryens were privileged enough to share their first months in the world with one.

Despite the tradition, it was recorded that many dragon eggs never hatched, even in the cradle of a Targaryen child, and eventually became petrified to stone. (Although not canonically stated, it is commonly believed the children of King Viserys I with his second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower, received eggs that never hatched.) And upon the death of the Last Dragon, all dragon eggs failed to hatch for the next hundred and fifty years.

However, the hatching of an egg does not mean a dragon will emerge healthy and whole. Lady Rhaena Targaryen, daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon, had an egg hatch within her cradle that produced a malformed dragon. It died mere hours later. And nearly twenty years later, Lady Laena Velaryon, daughter of Lady Baela Targaryen and Lord Alyn Velaryon, had an egg hatch to a blind, wingless wyrm that tore a bloody chuck from her arm and was promptly hacked to death.

Throughout the years, the number of dragon eggs laid by the Targaryen dragons were numerous and many were left unaccounted for. Several were lost to time, eaten by the Cannibal on Dragonstone, or even stolen and sold for unknown riches. Three of these eggs, laid by the dragon Dreamfyre, were recorded to have been taken by a woman named Elissa Farman, rumored lover of Queen Rhaena Targaryn, when she fled to Essos in 54 AC. It was said that she sold them to a Sealord of Braavos and that they were never seen again.

At least, until 298 AC at the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo when she is gifted three dragon eggs as a bride gift. (This is a popular fan theory and has not been confirmed by George R. R. Martin.)

— TARGARYEN DRAGONS —

Balerion (The Black Dread) — hatched in Valyria before House Targaryen migrated to Dragonstone in 114 BC. He had scales of pitch black and breathed black fire swirled with red. He was the largest dragon ever recorded. Four riders claimed Balerion throughout his life, until his death of old age in 94 AC.

• King Aegon I Targaryen claimed Balerion sometime before the Conquest in 2 BC until his death in 37 AC.

• King Maegor I Targaryen claimed Balerion in 37 AC until his death in 48 AC.

• Princess Aerea Targaryen claimed Balerion in 54 AC until her death in 55 AC.

• King Viserys I Targaryen claimed Balerion in 93 AC until Balerion's death in 94 AC.

Vhagar — hatched in 52 BC on Dragonstone. Her scales were bronze in color with greenish-blue highlights, and she had bright green eyes. She was the second largest dragon ever recorded. Four riders claimed Vhagar throughout her life, until her death in battle with Caraxes above the God's Eye in 130 AC.

• Queen Visenya Targaryen claimed Vhagar sometime before Aegon's Conquest in 2 BC until her death in 44 AC.

• Prince Baelon Targaryen claimed Vhagar in 73 AC until his death in 101 AC.

• Lady Laena Velaryon claimed Vhagar in 105 AC until her death in 120 AC.

• Prince Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar in 120 AC until both of their deaths in 130 AC.

Meraxes — hatched before 52 BC on Dragonstone. She was noted to have been bigger than Vhagar but smaller than Balerion. She had silver scales and golden eyes. She had only one rider throughout her life, until her death in 10 AC, having been shot through the eye with a scorpion bolt at Hellholt in Dorne during Aegon's Conquest.

• Queen Rhaenys Targaryen claimed Meraxes sometime before Aegon's Conquest in 2 BC until both of their deaths in 10 AC.

Quicksilver — hatched in 7 AC on Dragonstone. She was noted to have been a quarter of the size of Balerion. She had silver scales and breathed fire of pale white. Two riders claimed Quicksilver throughout her life, until her death in battle with Balerion near the God's Eye in 43 AC.

• King Aenys I Targaryen claimed Quicksilver upon her hatching in 7 AC until his death in 42 AC.

• Prince Aegon Targaryen claimed Quicksilver in 43 AC until both of their deaths the same year.

Dreamfyre — hatched in or before 32 AC. She was slender in build with scales of pale blue marked by silver. She had silver crests and wings of pale blue. Two riders claimed Dreamfyre throughout her life, until her death during the Storming of the Dragonpit in 130 AC.

• Queen Rhaena Targaryen claimed Dreamfyre upon her hatching around 32 AC until her death in 73 AC.

• Queen Helaena Targaryen claimed Dreamfyre in 120 AC until her death in 130 AC.

Vermithor (The Bronze Fury) — hatched in the cradle of Jaehaerys I Targaryen around 34 AC. He had bronze scales and tan wings. He was said to be a fearsome beast and often coiled with Silverwing. He was noted to have been the second largest dragon in the world, after the death of Balerion. Two riders claimed Vermithor throughout his life, until his death during the Second Battle of Tumbleton in 130 AC.

• King Jaehaerys I Targaryen claimed Vermithor upon his hatching around 34 AC until his death in 103 AC.

• Hugh the Hammer, a dragonseed, claimed Vermithor in 129 AC until both of their deaths in 130 AC.

Silverwing — hatched in the cradle of Alysanne Targaryen around 36 AC. She had scales of silver and was considered a rather docile and friendly dragon, even to strangers. She was often seen coiled with Vermithor. Two riders claimed Silverwing throughout her life, until she became wild upon the death of her last rider. The cause and date of her death is unknown.

• Queen Alysanne Targaryn claimed Silverwing upon her hatching around 36 AC until her death in 100 AC.

• Ulf White, a dragonseed, claimed Silverwing in 129 AC until his death in 130 AC.

Caraxes (The Blood Wyrm) — hatched in or before 72 AC. He was large and lean with an unnaturally long neck, which caused his roar to sound like a whistling shriek. He had scales of red with fire of the same hue, and he was noted to have been half the size of Vhagar. Two riders claimed Caraxes throughout his life, until his death in battle with Vhagar above the God's Eye in 130 AC.

• Prince Aemon Targaryen claimed Caraxes upon his hatching around 72 AC until his death in 92 AC.

• Prince Daemon Targaryen claimed Caraxes sometime before 105 AC until both of their deaths in 130 AC.

Meleys (The Red Queen) — hatched in or before 75 AC. She had scales of red and pink wing membranes with crest, horns, and claws of bright copper. She was recorded to have been the swiftest dragon alive until age caused her to slow. Two riders claimed Meleys throughout her life, until her death during the Battle of Rook's Rest in 129 AC.

• Princess Alyssa Targaryen claimed Meleys in 75 AC until her death in 84 AC.

• Princess Rhaenys Targaryen claimed Meleys in 87 AC until both of their deaths in 129 AC.

Seasmoke — hatched in or before 101 AC. He had scales of pale silver-grey and was noted to have been around three times smaller than Vermithor. Two riders claimed Seasmoke throughout his life, until his death during the Second Battle of Tumbleton in 130 AC.

• Ser Laenor Velaryon claimed Seasmoke upon his hatching around 101 AC until his death in 120 AC.

• Addam of Hull, a dragonseed, claimed Seasmoke in 129 AC until both of their deaths in 130 AC.

Syrax — hatched in the cradle of Rhaenyra Targaryen around 97 AC. She had yellow scales and flames of a golden hue. While huge and formidable, she had been regularly kept in chains and did not often hunt for her food. She had only one rider throughout her life, until her death during the Storming of the Dragonpit in 130 AC.

• Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen claimed Syrax upon her hatching around 97 AC until Syrax's death in 130 AC.

Sunfyre (The Golden) — hatched sometime after 107 AC on Dragonstone. He had gleaming golden scales and pink wing membranes with fire the hue of molten gold. He was noted to have been huge and heavy, and adopted the moniker of the most beautiful dragon in the known world. He had only one rider throughout his life, until he succumbed to his wounds sustained during the Battle of Rook's Rest in 129 AC and then in a fight with Moondancer on Dragonstone in 130 AC.

• King Aegon II Targaryen claimed Sunfyre sometime after 107 AC until Sunfyre's death in 130 AC.

Vermax — hatched in the cradle of Jacaerys Velaryon around 114 AC. He had scales of olive green and wing membranes of pale orange. He grew quickly with each passing year and was noted to become ill-tempered in the proximity of snow, ice, and the cold. He had only one rider throughout his life, until his death during the Battle of the Gullet in 130 AC.

• Prince Jacaerys Velaryon claimed Vermax upon his hatching around 114 AC until both of their deaths in 130 AC.

Tessarion (The Blue Queen) — hatched around 114 AC. She had scales, wing membranes, and fire of cobalt blue and claws, crest, and belly of bright copper. She was the youngest of the dragons to participate in the Dance of the Dragons, and was noted to have been a third of the size of Vermithor. She had only one rider throughout her life, until her death during the Second Battle of Tumbleton in 130 AC.

• Prince Daeron Targaryen claimed Tessarion around 114 AC until both of their deaths in 130 AC.

Arrax — hatched in the cradle of Lucerys Velaryon around 115 AC. He had scales of pearlescent white with a golden chest and eyes of the same hue. He was noted to have been five times smaller than Vhagar at the time of his death. He had only one rider throughout his life, until Vhagar killed him above Shipbreaker Bay in 129 AC.

• Prince Lucerys Velaryon claimed Arrax upon his hatching around 115 AC until both of their deaths in 129 AC.

Tyraxes — hatched in the cradle of Joffery Velaryon around 117 AC. His appearance was never recorded, but he was noted to have been slightly smaller than Arrax and Vermax. He had only one rider throughout his life, until his death during the Storming of the Dragonpit in 130 AC.

• Prince Joffrey Velaryon claimed Tyraxes upon his hatching around 117 AC until Tyraxes's death in 130 AC.

Moondancer — hatched sometime before 118 AC on Dragonstone. She was a slender dragon with scales of pale green and horns, crest, and wingbones of pearl. She was noted to have not been large enough to ride until 129 AC. She had only one rider throughout her life, until a fight with Sunfyre on Dragonstone caused her death in 130 AC.

• Lady Baela Targaryen claimed Moondancer upon her hatching around 118 AC until Moondancer's death in 130 AC.

Stormcloud — hatched in the cradle of Aegon III Targaryen around 120 AC. His appearance was never recorded, and his first and final flight with his rider ended with his death. The cause had been arrows shot into his neck and chest from a Triarchy ambush in the Gullet in 130 AC.

• King Aegon III Targaryen claimed Stormcloud upon his hatching around 120 AC until Stormcloud's death in 130 AC.

Morghul — hatched in the cradle of Jaehaera Targaryen around 123 AC. Their appearance and sex was never recorded, and they were noted to have never been ridden upon their death during the Storming of the Dragonpit in 130 AC.

• Queen Jaehaera Targaryen claimed Morghul upon their hatching around 123 AC until Morghul's death in 130 AC.

Shrykos — hatched in the cradle of Jaehaerys Targaryen around 123 AC. Their appearance and sex was never recorded, and they were noted to have never been ridden upon their death during the Storming of the Dragonpit in 130 AC.

• Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen claimed Shrykos upon their hatching around 123 AC until his death in 129 AC.

Morning — hatched in late 129 AC in the Vale of Arryn. She had scales of pale pink with horns and crest of black. In the third month of 134 AC, she was large enough to ride for the first time by her one and only rider. The cause and date of her death is unknown.

     • Lady Rhaena Targaryen claimed Morning upon her hatching in 129 AC until Morning's death some time before 153 AC.

The Last Dragon — hatched sometime before 153 AC. She had green scales and was sickly, small, and misshapen with withered wings. She was noted to have been stunted in growth, but managed to lay five eggs before her death in 153 AC. Her name is unknown.

Drogon — hatched from the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo in 299 AC. He has scales of pitch black and red spinal plates along his back. His teeth are black and his eyes are blood red, and his fire brings forth the same blend of colors. He is believed to be the reincarnation of Balerion the Black Dread and was hatched under mysterious circumstances.

     • Queen Daenerys Targaryen claimed Drogon around the year 300 AC (books) or 302 AC (show).

Rhaegal — hatched from the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo in 299 AC. He has scales of jade green and eyes of bronze with claws and teeth of black. His fire is a mixture of yellow and orange, and it is shot through with veins of green. Along with his two brothers, he was hatched under mysterious circumstances and grows rather quickly year to year.

While in the books Rhaegal remains unridden, the show, Game of Thrones, depicts him as being claimed by Jon Snow, or Aegon Targaryen. He is also shown to have been killed by a scorpion bolt to the chest around 305 AC, but in the books, he is alive and well.

• Jon Snow/Aegon Targaryen claimed Rhaegal around 305 AC (show) until Rhaegal's death the same year.

Viserion — hatched from the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo in 299 AC. He has scales of a cream hue with eyes, wingbones, and spinal plates of molten gold. His claws are sharp and black, and his fire is a blend of red and orange. Along with his two brothers, he was hatched under mysterious circumstances and grows rather quickly year to year. He is often referred to as the White Dragon. When wounded, his blood glows gold and red. He remains unridden.

In the show, Viserion is killed by the Night King with a spear to the chest around 304 AC, but in the books, he is alive and well.

— WILD DRAGONS —

The Cannibal — rumored to have hatched before the Targaryens migrated to Dragonstone in 114 BC. He had scales as black as coal and eyes of bright green. He was the largest of the wild dragons and far more antagonistic. He was known to attack small hatchlings and often feasted on them, along with other dead dragons and dragon eggs. He remained unridden throughout his life until he vanished suddenly from Dragonstone around 132 AC. He was never seen again.

Grey Ghost — rumored to have hatched around the minority of Jaehaerys I Targaryen. He had scales of pale grey-white, easily allowing him to blend in with the clouds or morning mist. He was notably shy around people and would disappear for years at a time. He was perceived to favor eating fish as he often flew low over the Narrow Sea to hunt in the waters. He remained unridden throughout his life, until his death in 130 AC caused by a fight with an injured Sunfyre.

Sheepstealer — hatched in or around 34 AC on Dragonstone. He had scales of a mud brown hue and was large but slender in build. He preferred sheep over all other prey, which afforded the dragon his name. He was not outwardly aggressive toward people, but he would become vicious or ill-tempered when provoked. He had only one rider throughout his life, until he disappeared within the Vale of Arryn's Mountains of the Moon and was never seen again.

• Nettles, a dragonseed, claimed Sheepstealer in 129 AC until they both completely vanished in 130 AC.

— LEGENDARY DRAGONS —

Urrax — a dragon who was said to have lived during the time of the First Men. According to legend, Serwyn of the Mirror Shield killed Urrax when he snuck up behind him with a shield polished until it could reflect a visage. When Urrax looked upon the shield, he only saw his reflection and was distracted long enough for Serwyn to plunge a spear into his eye.

Nagga — a sea-dragon said to have lived during the Age of Heroes. According to legend, Nagga was the first sea-dragon and was able to fend off krakens and leviathans and drown whole islands when angry. The Grey King, with help from the Drowned God, managed to slay her off the coast of the Iron Islands and built his hall and throne out of her bones.

Terrax — hatched sometime during the reign of the Valyrian Freehold. Their appearance and sex was never recorded, nor their age and death. They were said to have been ridden farther south into Sothoryos than anyone had ever gone before, and they had only one rider throughout their life, according to legend.

• Jaenara Belaerys claimed Terrax and flew them to Sothoryos, declaring the continent filled with jungles and deserts as large as Essos and "a land without end."