House of the Dragon: Seasmoke and his riders explained
HBOSeasmoke began life in House of the Dragon with Laenor Velaryon riding him into battle, but his history extends further into the Targaryen Civil War than one might think.
Seasmoke might not be as big or ferocious as the other House of the Dragon dragons, but he does have a role to play. First introduced in Season 1 Episode 3, Seasmoke makes a grand entrance during the War for the Stepstones.
House of the Dragon viewers quickly fell in love with this particular dragon. Considering how he bonds with more than one rider during his time, it’s worth getting to know his history.
Here’s everything you need to know about Seasmoke, his relationship with Laenor, and his other riders. (Warning: spoilers ahead!)
Seasmoke and Laenor Velaryon
Seasmoke’s first rider was Ser Laenor Velaryon, the only son of Corlys and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and their second child after Lady Laena.
In George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, Seasmoke bonded with Laenor in 101 BC, but he had yet to ride him at that point. The dragon would become his greatest pride. Described as being pale and silver colored, Seasmoke was smaller and quicker than other dragons, about three times smaller than Vermithor.
The pair first appear together in Season 1 Episode 3, fighting alongside Corlys and Daemon against the Crabfeeder’s army in the Stepstones.
His biggest scene comes as all hope looks to be lost for Daemon. Surrounded by enemy combatants, he prepares to take them all on, before Laenor flies in on Seasmoke and floods the beach with dragonflame.
As for how Laenor can ride a dragon, it’s not just Targaryens who can be dragonriders. In order to ride a dragon, you need to be a Valyrian, as in the people or ancestors of whom who were native to the Valyrian Peninsula, on the continent of Essos.
Laenor Velaryon, of House Velaryon – the only house with bloodlines dating back as far as the Targaryens – is a pureblood Velaryon, making him more than eligible to be a dragonrider.
In the books, the two are parted when Laenor dies in 120 AC, and Seasmoke retreats to Dragonstone, living for almost a decade in solitude. In the TV show, Laenor’s death is a trick, used for him to escape with his lover, Ser Qarl.
Still, he has to leave the dragon behind, and Seasmoke flies around Dragonstone, yearning for a rider and missing his old one.
Who rides him after Laenor?
After Laenor’s death, Addam of Hull claims Seasmoke during Dance of the Dragons.
When the Blacks require more dragonriders for their cause, since they cannot combat Vhagar without them. Prince Jace has the idea to enlist the help of dragonseeds (bastards of Valyrian descent), who may have the ability to claim and ride dragons, given their bloodline.
HBOThey attempt to pair Seasmoke with Ser Steffon Darklyn, but this ends horribly when he is killed by dragonfire during the ceremony. Seasmoke then takes off, leaving Dragonstone.
The dragon then finds Addam of Hull, who he encounters on Driftmark. He chases Addam down, but instead of killing the terrified man, he bonds with him. After aligning with the Blacks, Rhaenyra removed the mark of bastardy from Addam and his brother Alyn, and Addam becomes the heir to Driftmark.
Seasmoke and Addam then fought together throughout the war, including in the Battle of the Gullet and the Fall of King’s Landing.
For more dragon details, check out our guide to all the Game of Thrones dragons. You can also learn about Ulf the White, Hugh Hammer, and Nettles.