Qoren Martell

Qoren Martell is identified as the ruling prince of Dorne during the struggle for King Aegon’s support. His brief appearance establishes Dorne as a potential ally whom Otto Hightower sought to draw into the conflict—and as a power unwilling to be drawn in.

Rule and Earlier Conflict

Qoren had previously warred against Prince Daemon Targaryen in the Stepstones. That history gives context to Otto’s approach: Dorne had already encountered the Targaryens in war, and its prince was not persuaded by the prospect of a new alliance.

Refusal of Otto’s Offer

After Grand Maester Orwyle’s peace overtures were rejected, Otto intensified his efforts to secure allies for King Aegon, sending messages across the realm and reaching out to Dorne. Qoren spurned the offer, comparing Dorne’s past dealings with dragons to a reason for caution and declaring that he would sooner sleep with scorpions. His refusal left Dorne outside the alliance Otto was trying to assemble and framed its earlier conflict with Daemon as a warning rather than an opening for cooperation.