The Core Conflict: Who Gets the Iron Chair?
Everything boils down to one question: who succeeds King Viserys I Targaryen on the Iron Throne? For years, his named heir was his only child, Princess Rhaenyra. He made the lords of Westeros swear an oath to support her claim. But there’s a catch: Westeros has
never had a ruling queen, and many powerful men prefer a male ruler. After Viserys’s second wife, Alicent Hightower, gave him sons, a rival faction emerged. When Viserys died, this group ignored his wishes and crowned his eldest son, Aegon II. Now, the kingdom is split between two rival monarchs, and a civil war known as the 'Dance of the Dragons' is inevitable. The two sides are informally known as the Blacks (for Rhaenyra) and the Greens (for Alicent and her children).
Team Black: The Queen's Loyalists
This faction supports Rhaenyra Targaryen’s declared right to rule. She’s the heart of the cause—proud, capable, and burdened by her father’s legacy. Her biggest (and most chaotic) ally is her uncle-husband, Prince Daemon Targaryen. He’s a legendary warrior, a seasoned dragonrider, and a political wildcard who is fiercely loyal to his wife and her claim. They are supported by House Velaryon, the richest house in Westeros, led by Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Sea Snake.” Rhaenyra’s sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys, are also key players, though their disputed parentage is a major source of political ammunition for their enemies.
Team Green: The King's Usurpers
The Greens are the faction that put King Aegon II Targaryen on the throne. This side is masterminded by Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower and her politically ruthless father, Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King. Alicent was once Rhaenyra's best friend, but years of courtly pressure, ambition, and moral disagreement turned them into bitter rivals. Her son, Aegon II, is a reluctant king who prefers pleasure to duty, but he's pushed into the role by his family. The most formidable Green is Alicent's second son, Prince Aemond Targaryen. He's a stone-cold, one-eyed warrior who rides the largest and oldest dragon in the world.
The Dragons: Flying Nuclear Weapons
In this war, dragons are the ultimate superweapons. The key thing to remember is that the Blacks and Greens both have them, but the Greens have the biggest one. Here’s a quick rundown: * **Vhagar:** The largest living dragon, a terrifying beast from Aegon the Conqueror's time. She's ridden by the Greens' Prince Aemond, giving them a massive military advantage. * **Caraxes:** A formidable, aggressive red dragon known as the “Blood Wyrm.” He’s ridden by the Blacks' Prince Daemon. * **Syrax:** Rhaenyra's personal dragon. She’s large and powerful, though not as battle-tested as Caraxes or Vhagar. * **Seasmoke:** Ridden by Laenor Velaryon in the past, he currently has no rider and resides on Dragonstone, making him a potential asset for Team Black. * **Vermax, Arrax, and Tyraxes:** The smaller, younger dragons belonging to Rhaenyra's sons. Their size makes them vulnerable against older dragons.
The Betrayal That Kicked It All Off
The central betrayal happened in King's Landing the moment King Viserys died. Instead of alerting the declared heir, Rhaenyra (who was on her home island of Dragonstone), Alicent and Otto Hightower locked down the castle. They conspired with members of the Small Council to suppress the news of the king’s death, rally support, and hastily crown Aegon II. They demanded lords and knights betray their sworn oaths to Rhaenyra and bend the knee to a new king. This act of usurpation was the point of no return, transforming a cold family rivalry into an open declaration of war.
The Point of No Return: A Son for a Son
If the coronation was the spark, the death of Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys Velaryon, was the explosion. Rhaenyra sent Lucerys as a messenger on his small dragon, Arrax, to secure the allegiance of House Baratheon. But Aemond Targaryen was already there with his colossal dragon, Vhagar. After taunting and bullying his much younger nephew, Aemond pursued Lucerys through a stormy sky. While Aemond may have only intended to scare him, the dragons acted on their own aggressive instincts. Vhagar devoured both Lucerys and Arrax in a single, horrifying bite. This act of kinslaying ended any hope of a peaceful resolution. When Daemon delivered the news to Rhaenyra, her grief-stricken face signaled that diplomacy was over. Now, it's time for revenge.
