Who Are The Dragonkeepers In House Of The Dragons? ExplainedG

By the onset of the Dance of the Dragons, the Dragonkeepers had been in existence for almost a century, making them deeply rooted and adhering to traditional practices. In the book, they are depicted as men donning black armor suits embellished with dragon scales, whereas the TV portrayal differs significantly. The Dragonkeepers in House of the Dragon wear light robes and have shaved heads, resembling monks, and instead of wielding swords, they carry dragonglass daggers and long staffs.

The Dragonkeepers are tasked with taking care of the Targaryen dragons, securing the dragonpit in King’s Landing, and protecting against potential dangers and thieves. They went as far as keeping Princess Saera Targaryen from gaining entry, as detailed in Fire & Blood. Moreover, they supervise Princess Viserra Targaryen, who invited boys to interact with the dragons and made advances towards them by placing their heads near the dragons’ mouths. Despite any orders given by a Targaryen, their commitment to their duty remains unwavering.

The Dragonkeepers, as depicted in House of the Dragon, are not ordinary attendants; they are individuals who are born into these roles and nurtured to carry out their sacred responsibilities. They hold the belief that the Targaryen royal line possesses a divine claim over the dragons, and that it is inappropriate for commoners to meddle with their authority.

In the world of House of the Dragon, the individuals known as Dragonkeepers converse in High Valyrian and possess the unique ability to interact with dragons. They are tasked with nourishing and summoning these mighty beasts when their Targaryen riders desire to ride them. This demanding position is fraught with peril, given that some dragons within House of the Dragon can be unpredictable and difficult, thereby underscoring the extreme nature of their roles and reinforcing the exceptionalism often associated with the Targaryens.

For more than a century, Westeros saw no presence of Dragonkeepers and dragons, an absence that eventually led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty. They were presumably lost during the upheaval that occurred between House of the Dragon and the original series, which included the Storming of the Dragonpit, a riot in King’s Landing, and later, the Dance (a rebellion).

In King’s Landing, a tragic incident known as the Clash at the Dragonpit occurred, pitting ordinary people against dragons. This confrontation resulted in a significant loss of life. Among the casualties were the dragon keepers, who were relying on their dragons to fend off the mob. The Dragonkeepers’ demise made this moment in House of the Dragon particularly poignant.

House of the Dragon has a unique portrayal of the Dragonkeepers

Dragonkeepers find it difficult to assert ownership over the dragons because of the House of the Dragon’s history of mishandling them. Dragons are revered as divine beings, and only those with dragon blood possess the ability to fully control them. Targaryens and a few Velaryons are the only ones known to have this unique connection, so the bond between dragonkeepers and dragons remains incomplete compared to the Targaryens’. Hence, simply being near the dragons does not grant the dragonkeepers the right to claim them.

In a 2023 episode of his podcast, The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, House of the Dragon’s showrunner, Ryan Condal, shared why the dragonkeepers in the series differ from the books. Originally, budget limitations required simpler clothing, but this idea morphed into a monastic order over time. These dragonkeepers work in pairs, with an older dragonkeeper guiding a younger one. Additionally, they exclusively use High Valyrian as their language for training purposes.

In addition, Condal pointed out that dragonkeepers are skilled in creating daggers from a special mineral called dragonglass. This training element was hinted during their role, and as we see in Game of Thrones, this rare stone can be mined in Dragonstone. It’s not only lethal to White Walkers but also resistant to dragon flames. Although Condal didn’t specify the reason for carrying this weapon, it might be related to the dragonkeeper who sacrifices himself when Seasmoke ignites him.

Dragonkeepers believe dragons are like deities, so if a dragonkeeper gets burned and ends their life, they’re essentially saying that they can’t let the dragons be blamed for their own deaths. This act can also be seen as an admission of their mistakes, a way to shield the dragon from any blame. Ideally, there won’t be more instances of this tragic behavior throughout the series.