You’ve most likely observed a drastic uptick within the form of fantasy jargon that House of the Dragon followers wish to throw round over the past couple of weeks. From the Greens to the Blacks, to the Dance of the Dragons itself, it may be fairly simple to lose the run of issues. Fortunately, all you actually need to know at this level is who’s batting for which crew.

Now that the Dance of the Dragons has kicked off in earnest, we’re about to see a number of seasons’ value of fireside and blood. But what’s really in retailer for House of the Dragon season 2 and past? Here’s what we all know (with minimal spoilers) between what’s been stated in regards to the Dance of the Dragons by the collection creators, and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, which, in a enjoyable twist, has solely proved considerably dependable in anticipating the historic plotting of the variation.

What is the Dance of the Dragons?

By episode 10, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) has efficiently launched a coup d’état to put in Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) as Lord of the Seven Kingdoms forward of his half-sister, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). Naturally, this isn’t going to go down properly with the Realm’s Delight (Rhaenyra’s nickname) or the various nobles who swore fealty to her over a decade in the past. There will likely be penalties.

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

For the uninitiated, the Dance of the Dragons is the civil warfare between belligerent Targaryen factions vying for management of the Realm, which ends up in loss of life, betrayal, and the near-extinction of dragons themselves. As Archmaester Gyldayn writes in Fire & Blood, it most likely would have been extra correct to name it “The Dying of Dragons.”

It’s essential to notice that there are a number of completely different accounts of the Dance inside the fiction of George R.R. Martin. For instance, Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan), the Grand Maester presently serving below Aegon, wrote his model of the story, whereas different accounts come from Grand Maester Munkun, Septon Eustace, and the idiot Mushroom, whose “history” reeks of embellishment but wins the prize for “Most Entertaining.” All of those chronicles have their very own distinctive biases, that means that none of them — not even the aforementioned Fire & Blood, which is the official supply materials for House of the Dragon — might be totally trusted.

(This is even referenced in-universe in A Dance With Dragons, the fifth novel in GRRM’s A Song of Ice and Fire collection. Here, Tyrion explicitly states that one of many chroniclers, Munkun — who purported to put in writing the “true telling” of the Dance — was flawed in that he confused Urrax with Rhaeynra’s dragon, Syrax. As we will all recall, he drinks and he is aware of issues.)

Weirdly sufficient, the discrepancies between these accounts are what finally afford House of the Dragon a worthwhile premise, in that they permit HBO to carve out its personal true model of what really occurred by drawing inspiration from all of them. And now, after 9 episodes of buildup, we’re lastly on the level the place the Dance begins.

If you need a clear indication of what precisely began the Dance, most individuals agree that the primary casualty was Lyman Beesbury, the grasp of coin who vouched for Rhaenyra when Otto introduced his plan to have Aegon usurp her. This is a uncommon occasion through which the entire contradictory accounts are in settlement with each other, though they provide completely different views for a way he died within the guide. Somehow, Ser Criston Cole makes even Mushroom’s model, through which Lord Beesbury is flung from a window, appear tame compared to his second skull-shattering in a single season. Remember the way you all appreciated him?

Anyway, that’s how the Dance commenced. Once Aegon was topped king (with a brand new crown no much less, in that King Viserys’ was stolen to deliver to Rhaenyra in Dragonstone), there was no going again. And now, the Greens and the Blacks are at warfare.

But who’s on which aspect?

Who is Team Green?

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

The time period “Green” is derived from the colour of a gown Queen Alicent Hightower wore to a tourney in 111 AC (Rhaenyra wore black to this occasion, which is equally the place “Black” comes from). House of the Dragon has been referencing this battle for a number of weeks, with Larys drawing consideration to Alicent’s apparel as early as episode 5: “Green is the color the Hightower burns when they call their banners to war.” The present has relied on visible cues like this ever since, to the extent which you could typically inform who’s combating for who by wanting on the coloration of their garments (clearly, black is a reasonably normal coloration for noble apparel, however it’s positively a dependable inform for inexperienced).

So who’s on Team Green, aka Team Alicent? Here are her essential allies proper now:

• King Aegon II Targaryen, her son and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms
• Queen Helaena Targaryen, Aegon’s sister-wife
• Ser Otto Hightower, her father and Hand of the King
• Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard
• Prince Aemond Targaryen, her son
• Prince Daeron Targaryen, her son
• Ser Tyland Lannister, grasp of ships (this may change to grasp of coin)
• Lord Larys Strong, Lord of Harrenhal and unofficial grasp of whisperers
• Grand Maester Orwyle
• Lord Jasper Wylde, grasp of legal guidelines

We’ll additionally see her obtain assist from the Baratheons, the Hightowers, the Strongs, and the Lannisters. And the newest episode identified that Ser Arryk — one of many two Cargyll twins — is Team Green, too.

In equity to Alicent, she is way more advanced within the present than she is within the guide. In the latter, she’s in on Otto’s scheming from the beginning, and wasn’t childhood buddies with Rhaenyra. Here, nevertheless, we see that she is pushed by her misinterpretation of Viserys’ dying phrases. There was even a second in episode 9 the place it appeared like reconciliation was potential! That is, till you keep in mind it is a story written by George R.R. Martin.

Who is Team Black?

Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

We’ve already defined the place the time period “Black” comes from, however who’re the primary characters on Team Rhaenyra?

• Prince Daemon Targaryen, her uncle-husband
• Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, her son
• Prince Lucerys Velaryon, her son
• Prince Joffrey Velaryon, her son
• Prince Aegon Targaryen, her son
• Prince Viserys Targaryen, her son
• Lord Corlys Velaryon, Master of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides
• Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, her aunt and Lady of Driftmark
• Lady Baela Targaryen, her step-daughter
• Lady Rhaena Targaryen, her step-daughter

Rhaenyra will obtain way more assist from the Houses that Game of Thrones followers will likely be aware of, with the Arryns, the Freys, the Greyjoys, the Tarlys, and even the Starks pledging their allegiance to her. She additionally has Erryk, the opposite Cargyll twin. It ought to be fairly apparent that they’re gearing up for House of the Dragon’s Cleganebowl.

Who is in higher form to win the Dance of Dragons?

To reply this, there are fairly a number of variables to think about.

The Greens clearly have the benefit in the case of positioning. They’re in King’s Landing, can simply go to the Great Houses to enlist assist, and have entry to primarily infinite money. But the Blacks have one thing no amount of cash should buy: dragons.

The closing scene of episode 9, through which Rhaenys storms the Dragonpit with Meleys, was there for extra than simply shock worth. The motive Alicent had beforehand imprisoned Rhaenys was as a result of her dragon is a useful bargaining chip — both Aegon has an additional cannon with wings, or Rhaenyra does.

When it involves sheer (and literal) firepower, the Blacks are in a a lot better spot. As it stands, the Greens have three dragons: Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, and Vhagar. (Light spoiler: Prince Daeron will obtain one afterward as properly.)

But the scales are nonetheless tipped closely in favor of Rhaenyra, who has Syrax, Caraxes, Vermax, Arrax, Tyraxes, Moondancer, and Meleys, in addition to Seasmoke, now riderless because of Laenor’s departure. There are additionally three wild dragons on Dragonstone that could possibly be tamed by dragonseeds: The Cannibal, the Grey Ghost, and Sheepstealer. That’s to not point out the entire eggs knocking about.

Unfortunately, the Blacks solely have 5 precise dragonriders proper now. So whereas they’ve extra dragons, they’re brief on individuals to tame them (although that may be organized). When you contemplate the scale of Aemond’s Vhagar, a five-versus-four situation turns into way more evenly matched.

Another element that we’d be remiss to omit is Daemon’s affect, the worth of which might’t be overstated. From his earlier allegiance to the Goldcloaks to his relationship with Mysaria, to all of his numerous connections all through Westeros and past, his attraction is sweet for way more than mere flattery. He’s principally a military in and of himself. And he’s hungry for a combat: In “The Black Queen,” Rhaenyra refers back to the coming battle as Daemon’s warfare.

What will occur in House of the Dragon season 2?

So what occurs after the coup?

Without delving too deep into spoiler territory, we’ll clearly see a counter-coronation for Rhaenyra, who will then type her personal Black Council. Once the warfare begins, it’s going to go on for round three years, which suggests we’re virtually positively completed with actors being recast. This is becoming in that House of the Dragon could have 4 seasons. One for annually, maybe?

There are additionally some fascinating modifications that time to methods through which House of the Dragon might even subvert the expectations of book-readers, corresponding to Laenor and Ser Harrold Westerling being alive. It’s an thrilling time for Game of Thrones followers — if solely we didn’t have to attend an entire yr after the finale airs this Sunday.

Ah properly. At least we will return to Thrones, the world-renowned fantasy collection that additionally has precisely 4 seasons and not more than that.