How Many Dragons Perished in the Dance of the Dragons? A Comprehensive Analysis

The Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war that ripped Westeros apart, was a conflict defined by fire and blood, and fueled by the majestic and terrifying creatures that served as the ultimate weapon: dragons. The sheer scale of destruction and loss of life is staggering, and a significant part of that loss was the dragons themselves. So, to answer the burning question directly: At least twenty dragons perished during the Dance of the Dragons. This number includes those that died in battle, from injuries sustained during combat, or due to captivity and the inability to thrive. This also includes wild dragons. The exact number is debated, as records from that era are fragmented and sometimes contradictory, but twenty is a well-supported minimum estimate.

The Dragon Casualties: A Closer Look

The Dance wasn’t just a war of knights and armies; it was a clash of titans, a draconic free-for-all that decimated the dragon population of Westeros. Let’s delve into the specifics of some of the most prominent dragon deaths:

• Syrax: Ridden by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Syrax was a mature, formidable dragon, but unused to battle. She was killed in the Storming of the Dragonpit, overwhelmed by the mob.

• Arrax: Prince Lucerys Velaryon’s young dragon, Arrax, was brutally killed by Aemond Targaryen’s larger dragon, Vhagar, over Shipbreaker Bay. This was the incident that sparked the full-scale war.

• Vhagar: The oldest and largest dragon in Westeros at the time, ridden by Aemond Targaryen. Vhagar died locked in mortal combat with Daemon Targaryen on Caraxes over the God’s Eye. Both Dragon and rider perished in the plunge.

• Caraxes: Known as the Blood Wyrm, Caraxes was a formidable battle dragon ridden by Prince Daemon Targaryen. He died locked in mortal combat with Aemond Targaryen on Vhagar over the God’s Eye. Both Dragon and rider perished in the plunge.

• Vermithor: The Bronze Fury, ridden by Hugh Hammer, died during the Second Battle of Tumbleton. Though the circumstances are not fully clear, it’s believed he died from wounds sustained in the chaos of battle.

• Tessarion: The Blue Queen, ridden by Daeron Targaryen, also died at the Second Battle of Tumbleton.

• Seasmoke: Riderless for a time after the death of Addam Velaryon, Seasmoke eventually died after suffering wounds from Vermithor and Tessarion during the Second Battle of Tumbleton.

• Sunfyre: Aegon II Targaryen’s golden dragon, Sunfyre, sustained grievous wounds during the Battle at Rook’s Rest and later died on Dragonstone. He even had to eat a wild dragon to survive the journey back to Dragonstone.

• Moondancer: Baela Targaryen’s young and nimble dragon died in the Storming of the Dragonpit. Despite being smaller, Moondancer delivered grievous wounds to the much larger Shrykos before being killed.

• Shrykos: Princess Jaehaera Targaryen’s dragon died during the Storming of the Dragonpit, at the claws of the much smaller dragon Moondancer.

• Tyraxes: Prince Joffrey Velaryon’s young dragon, Tyraxes, died during the Storming of the Dragonpit.

• Stormcloud: Prince Aegon Targaryen’s dragon perished shortly after carrying the wounded prince safely to Dragonstone following the Battle of Rook’s Rest.

Beyond these named dragons, several wild dragons housed in the Dragonpit were killed during the Storming of the Dragonpit by the rioting mob, as well as additional dragons whose fates are less clear.

The loss of these magnificent creatures marked a turning point in the history of Westeros. After the Dance, the number of dragons dwindled drastically, eventually leading to their extinction until Daenerys Targaryen hatched her three dragons centuries later. Understanding the dragon lore is a very exciting field, much like GamesLearningSociety.org offers an amazing opportunity to explore the world of games and learning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Dance of the Dragons and Dragon Deaths

1. Why was the Dance of the Dragons so devastating for the dragon population?

The Dance of the Dragons saw dragon fighting dragon in unprecedented numbers. The war involved risky strategies such as the Battle Above the God’s Eye with the resulting plummet to earth for both dragons. Furthermore, the Storming of the Dragonpit resulted in the deaths of multiple dragons trapped in the dragon pit. The war significantly reduced the dragon population and the knowledge of dragon breeding.

2. What was the Storming of the Dragonpit?

The Storming of the Dragonpit was a riot in King’s Landing where a mob attacked the Dragonpit, killing several dragons housed within. This event was a major blow to the Targaryens and their dragon strength.

3. Who was the last dragon to die during the Dance?

While several dragons died around the same time, Sunfyre, Aegon II’s dragon, arguably died last. Sunfyre survived longer than other dragons who participated in the Second Battle of Tumbleton and perished shortly before Aegon II.

4. Were any dragon eggs lost during the Dance of the Dragons?

While there is no explicit mention of dragon eggs being lost, the chaos and destruction likely disrupted any ongoing efforts to hatch new dragons. The focus was on survival, not propagation.

5. How did the dragon deaths impact the Targaryen dynasty?

The death of so many dragons weakened the Targaryen dynasty significantly. Dragons were their ultimate weapon, and their near extinction shifted the balance of power in Westeros.

6. Did any dragons survive the Dance of the Dragons?

Yes, a few dragons survived. Silverwing, Cannibal, Sheepstealer, and Morning (hatched after the Dance) are among the notable survivors.

7. What made Vhagar such a formidable dragon?

Vhagar was the oldest and largest dragon in Westeros during the Dance. She had seen countless battles and was a force to be reckoned with.

8. How did the common people of Westeros view dragons during the Dance?

Initially, dragons inspired awe and fear. However, the Dance instilled a sense of terror and resentment towards the Targaryens and their dragons due to the immense destruction and loss of life they caused.

9. Was there any attempt to stop the dragons from fighting each other?

No, the war was largely driven by the use of dragons. Both sides sought to utilize their dragons to gain an advantage, leading to direct confrontations.

10. What role did dragonriders play in the Dance of the Dragons?

Dragonriders were crucial. They controlled the dragons and directed them in battle. Their skill and experience often determined the outcome of dragon fights.

11. How did the dragon deaths contribute to the decline of magic in Westeros?

The decline of dragons coincided with a general decline in magic. Some believe the dragons were a source of magic, and their dwindling numbers weakened the magical forces in the world.

12. Are there any accurate records of all the dragon deaths during the Dance?

Unfortunately, accurate records are scarce. Most accounts are fragmented and biased, making it difficult to determine the exact number and circumstances of each dragon’s death.

13. Did the environment of Westeros play a role in the dragons’ well-being?

The environment likely played a role. With the Dragonpit destroyed, dragons were forced to be housed in potentially unsuitable conditions, which may have contributed to their decline.

14. What impact did the Dance of the Dragons have on the knowledge of dragonlore?

The Dance of the Dragons resulted in the loss of valuable knowledge about dragons. Many dragonriders died, taking their expertise with them. This contributed to the dragons’ eventual extinction. Learning about history can be as simple as reading articles like this one or going more in-depth through educational websites and online games! You can find some examples at the Games Learning Society!

15. How does the Dance of the Dragons compare to other conflicts involving dragons in Westeros’ history?

The Dance of the Dragons was the most significant conflict involving dragons in Westeros’ history. No other war saw such a large-scale deployment and destruction of dragons.

The Dance of the Dragons stands as a tragic chapter in Westerosi history, a testament to the destructive power of war and the devastating consequences of internal conflict. The loss of so many dragons not only shaped the future of the Targaryen dynasty but also left an indelible mark on the world of Westeros, ushering in an era where dragons became legends of the past.