Grand Defiance

The Grand Defiance was a massive Braavosi dromond whose destruction became the decisive ship-to-ship encounter in Alyn Velaryon’s surprise attack in the Stepstones. With four hundred oars, it was formidable in scale, but its size also made it slow to maneuver when Queen Rhaenys closed in.

Design and Role

The Grand Defiance was a towering dromond propelled by four hundred oars. During the attack on the Braavosi fleet, it fought past six smaller Velaryon warships and reached open water. Its escape brought it face to face with Alyn Velaryon, who was bearing down on it aboard Queen Rhaenys.

The Engagement

The Braavosi crew tried to turn the Grand Defiance to meet its attacker, but the great vessel was ponderous in the water and too slow to answer. Queen Rhaenys struck it broadside with its oars churning the water. The impact broke the dromond’s oars, damaged its hull, toppled its masts, and nearly split the ship in two.

Sinking and Significance

Alyn shouted for his rowers to back away after the collision. Water poured into the breach Queen Rhaenys had made, and the Grand Defiance sank within moments. Its loss was both a material defeat for the Braavosi and a symbol of the fleet’s collapse: the account links the sinking to the Sealord’s wounded pride, while the surrounding battle left half the Braavosi ships captured, burned, or sunk.