House Of The Dragon Season 2: Who Is Admiral Lohar? Character Explored

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As a devoted fan with over two decades of immersion in the captivating world of Westeros and Essos, I find myself utterly enthralled by the introduction of Admiral Sharako Lohar in the second season finale of House of the Dragon. Her complex backstory, woven from the threads of Fire & Blood’s Sharako Lohar and Racallio Ryndoon, promises an exciting and unpredictable journey that will undoubtedly shape the futures of both Westeros and Essos.

In the final episode of House of the Dragon’s second season, we meet Admiral Sharako Lohar, an influential character whose role has been reimagined as female and combined with that of Racallio Ryndoon, a Triarchy pirate. Despite her gender change, it doesn’t alter her story substantially; instead, her actions will decisively influence the fates of Westeros and Essos. Admiral Lohar is one of the series’ most formidable characters, as her naval force matches that of Lord Corlys Velaryon in strength.

Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a more significant struggle than any the Triarchy has known before. Lohar escapes Westeros with what could be its most priceless asset – its future – an irony that underscores the risks and potential repercussions of Lohar’s association with the Triarchy.

Admiral Lohar is a composite of two characters from the Fire & Blood book

In the “Fire & Blood” account, Sharako Lohar hailing from Lys gained the confidence of the Triarchy to command their naval forces during the Dance of the Dragons. Notably, he was relied upon by three distinct factions for such a bold offensive operation. His triumph in the Battle of the Gullet, however, indirectly led to the downfall of the Triarchy as his maritime victory over them had been due to his faith in their alliance.

In House of the Dragon, Admiral Lohar’s character, as portrayed, is primarily inspired by Racallion Ryndoon from Fire & Blood, rather than Sharako Lohar as his name might suggest. Notably, Racallion Ryndoon was a prominent Tyroshi captain-general who led the Triarchy’s forces to reclaim the Stepstones following Prince Daemon Targaryen’s killing of Craghas Drohar.

In Racallio’s early life, we only know that he strongly opposed slavery, hinting at a possible past enslavement. His unique habit of dying his hair purple lends credence to the theory that he hailed from Braavos, a city in Essos renowned for its abolition of slavery. This could explain why Racallio detested slavery so intensely, as Braavos is one of the few places in Essos where it’s outlawed.

In Racallio, Lohar is famed for her unconventional behavior and kindness towards her shipmates and the less fortunate. She’s often seen donning women’s attire and fragrances, and she consistently shows respect to others, as demonstrated in her dealings with Tyland Lannister. The unique side of Lohar is evident in her exchanges with Tyland Lannister, who managed to impress her during their encounter in the mudpit. Even with her unusual characteristics, it’s expected that Lohar will participate in many more escapades before her story reaches its conclusion on the show.

Lohar’s contribution in the Dance of the Dragons

The show concluded with Lohar and Tyland sailing to Westeros to break Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen’s blockade, leading to the Battle of the Gullet. This was one of the largest naval conflicts in history and involved the largest number of dragons since Old Valyria’s time. Prince Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon were killed in the battle, as they tried to rescue Prince Viserys Targaryen from the Triarchy, who had captured their ship.

In the aftermath of their victory, the Triarchy retreated from Westeros with merely a third of their naval fleet, inciting disagreements among its leaders. Suspicions fell on Lohar, who was believed to have deliberately spared her Lysene ships, allowing other factions to perish in the battle. Faced with isolation, Lohar resorted to bartering Prince Viserys for the allegiance of a Lysene Magister, who offered both support and wealth. Tragically, Lohar met an untimely end through political assassination, which ultimately dismantled the Triarchy and sparked a war among the three cities. The narrative of Lohar now shifts to this critical juncture.

In simpler terms, Racallio takes control of the Stepstones, stirring up the Daughters’ War. Later, he rules as King of the Stepstones, backed by Braavos for a few years. This move might have made Lohar feel disrespected and undermined by the Triarchy following their upcoming losses. Interestingly, this independent action ultimately benefited Westeros in the long run, as it weakened the Triarchy and prevented them from interfering further in the Dance of the Dragons, thus inadvertently causing their collapse.

Lohar, emulating Racallio Ryndoon, rules as Queen of the Stepstones briefly before encountering Lord Alyn Velaryon. However, her rule is abruptly cut short when she is compelled to escape for her own safety. Scholars studying Racallio’s life have composed songs and poems about her, labeling her one of history’s most remarkable and enigmatic pirates. Her reign as Queen concludes with her journey to the Basilisk Isles.

Her significant impact on history lies in her indirect assistance to Westeros. While she did dismantle the Black Blockade and order the death of Prince Jacaerys, it’s important to note that her actions also paved the way for House Targaryen’s survival. After the Dance of the Dragons ended, the line of succession had become remarkably narrow.

Although Aegon III, Rhaenyra’s son, became the new king, his past traumas left him reluctant to marry, as the boy had nearly lost all happiness in his existence. However, by getting rid of Prince Viserys, Lohar unintentionally preserved the future Targaryen heir and protected him from the ongoing conflicts. The young prince was eventually brought back to Westeros, and it’s through his lineage that House Targaryen continued.

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2024-08-08 13:24