The Damphair

Aeron Greyjoy, known as the Damphair, is a priest of the Drowned God and the youngest surviving son of Quellon Greyjoy. He is defined by his fanatical devotion to the faith of the Iron Islands and his bitter opposition to his brother Euron Greyjoy, whom he denounces as a godless usurper. The Damphair's authority stems from his role as a holy man, not a warrior or lord, and he uses his religious standing to challenge the political order of the islands.

Identity and Background

Aeron Greyjoy was once a wild and violent youth, but a near-death experience at sea transformed him into a devout servant of the Drowned God. He was drowned and revived by the priests, an ordeal that left him with a profound sense of religious purpose. He adopted the title "Damphair" to signify his wet, salt-crusted hair, a mark of his devotion. As a priest, he performs the sacred rites of the Drowned God, including the drowning and revival of converts, and he is a vocal advocate for the Old Way of reaving and plunder. His piety is absolute, and he views the world through a stark lens of godly and ungodly, with no room for compromise.

Role in the Kingsmoot

The Damphair plays a pivotal role in the kingsmoot on Old Wyk, the traditional assembly where the ironborn choose their king. He is the one who calls the kingsmoot after Balon Greyjoy's death, hoping to prevent Euron from seizing power. He believes that Euron, who has committed unspeakable crimes and consorts with dark sorcery, is an abomination before the Drowned God. The Damphair speaks passionately against Euron, declaring that "no godless man may sit the Seastone Chair." However, his words fail to sway the captains and kings, who are seduced by Euron's promises of wealth and conquest. The kingsmoot chooses Euron, a devastating defeat for the Damphair, who sees it as a sign of the islands' moral decay.

Opposition to Euron Greyjoy

After Euron's coronation, the Damphair becomes a hunted man. He refuses to accept his brother's rule and goes into hiding, preaching against the Crow's Eye and rallying the faithful. He is sought by Euron's men, who are tasked with silencing him. The Damphair's resistance is not military but spiritual; he seeks to undermine Euron's legitimacy by exposing his godlessness. He believes that the Drowned God will eventually punish Euron for his sins. The Damphair's opposition is rooted in a deep-seated fear and hatred of Euron, whom he knows to be capable of any atrocity. He is convinced that Euron murdered their brother Balon and will stop at nothing to maintain his power.

Thematic Significance

The Damphair represents the tension between faith and politics in the Iron Islands. He embodies the Old Way's religious fervor, a belief system that sanctifies violence and reaving. His failure at the kingsmoot illustrates the decline of religious authority in the face of worldly ambition and the allure of power. The Damphair is a tragic figure, a man of unwavering faith who is powerless to prevent his people from embracing a leader he considers a monster. His story underscores the theme of lost causes and the futility of moral absolutism in a world driven by greed and violence. He is a ghost of a bygone era, clinging to a faith that can no longer hold his people together.