House of the Dragon’s first episode had lots to arrange. There are present and former kings, a entire host of attainable heirs, a battle for succession, and a prince so unhappy he couldn’t even have enjoyable at an orgy. So it’s excusable that the pilot wasn’t capable of dedicate a lot time to Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, the realm’s biggest and pettiest couple.

In truth, if any of the characters in House of the Dragon might deserve their very own prequel exhibits, it’s these two. So in case the present by no means makes time for his or her backstory, right here’s slightly bit extra about Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen and why they’re each so rattling cool.

Who is Corlys Velaryon?

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

Ser Corlys Velaryon is a member of House Velaryon, one of many Targaryens’ oldest and most ardent allies, and one of many few homes in Westeros that may lay declare to Valyrian blood — although they aren’t dragon riders. Despite the home’s vaunted place in Westeros, it wasn’t among the many wealthiest or most necessary homes within the Seven Kingdoms till Ser Corlys took issues over. The Velaryons have all the time had a repute for his or her naval prowess (typically serving because the Master of Ships for his or her Targaryen Kings), however Lord Corlys took seafaring additional than anybody else in his household ever has.

In his youthful days, lengthy earlier than he turned Master of Driftmark, House Velaryon’s familial seat, Corlys sailed the seas on a ship often called the Sea Snake — which might give him the nickname he stored the remainder of his life. Aboard the Sea Snake, Corlys sailed all by way of the recognized world. These adventures would later be mythologized as “The Nine Voyages” and took him to the strangest and most superstitious corners of the world. In the top, nevertheless, Corlys’ principal takeaway from these journeys was 14 ships filled with treasure and gold from Essos that helped make his home one of many wealthiest in Westeros.

After his voyages, when he turned Master of Driftmark — a place also referred to as Lord of the Tides — Corlys married Rhaenys Targaryen and commenced his service to the Iron Throne, together with serving to Rhaenys’ father, Aemon, struggle a battle in opposition to the Myrish, and finally served on the small council as Master of Ships, which is the place we be a part of him in House of the Dragon.

Who is Rhaenys Targaryen?

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

Rhaenys Targaryen is the daughter of Aemon Targaryen, granddaughter of Jaehaerys Targaryen and at one level one of many potential heirs to the Iron Throne. However, throughout the Great Council of 101, the realm elected to put her cousin Viserys on the throne as an alternative, thus organising the precedent of male succession in Westeros and dooming Rhaenys to the destiny of ceaselessly being known as “The Queen Who Never Was.”

Aside from harboring righteous anger about her declare to the Seven Kingdoms being denied, Rhaenys can be a fierce dragon rider whose dragon is Meleys, and she or he is as at residence in a swimsuit of armor as in a costume at court docket.

The couple even have two kids, Laenor and Laena, who’re each dragon riders. Without stepping into any spoilers for the story forward, all 4 could have an important half to play as House of the Dragon marches towards its inevitable and violent conclusion.