The Dragonpit and the Death of the Dragons

This thread follows the rise of dragon power, its regulation, and the mass destruction that ends the dragons’ dominance.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Dragons Secure the Conquest

Power from the Sky A Military Advantage Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes enable the Targaryens to defeat armies and intimidate castles. A New Dynasty Dragon power makes conquest possible but also creates an unequal political order. The dynasty’s authority becomes inseparable from its beasts.

The Dragonpit Is Built

Dragons Brought Under Guard A Royal Stable The Dragonpit is built on Rhaenys’s Hill to house dragons close to the capital. Dragonkeepers watch them and regulate access. Containment and Control The structure makes dragons visible and manageable, but also confines them in a purpose-built space that will become dangerous during the Dance.

The Dragons Become Factional

Dragons Divide with the Family Riders Choose Sides Targaryen and Velaryon dragons serve opposing branches of the dynasty. Their bonds turn a succession dispute into aerial warfare. A New Scale of Conflict Ordinary armies can no longer determine the war alone. Dragons become both weapons and symbols of competing legitimacy.

The Sowing and Its Cost

New Riders, New Risks The Search for Dragonseeds Jacaerys seeks new riders for the unclaimed dragons. The effort expands the queen’s strength beyond the royal family. Loyalty Is Uncertain The newly empowered riders are not bound by dynastic ties. Some prove loyal, while others defect when offered greater power.

The Dragonpit Stormed

Dragons Die in the City A Mob Attacks The Shepherd persuades an angry crowd that dragons are demons. The crowd storms the Dragonpit and kills its captive dragons at enormous cost. Power Collapses The destruction demonstrates that dragons can be killed by numbers, confinement, and human desperation. The dynasty’s most visible advantage is nearly extinguished.

2 BC–1 AC, during the Conquest

45–54 AC, from Maegor’s reign into the early Jaehaerys era

129 AC, as the Dance begins

Late 129 AC, before the Battle of the Gullet

130 AC, during the riots in King’s Landing