Who Is HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Admiral Lohar? The Character’s FIRE & BLOOD History, Explained

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As a seasoned gamer and avid fan of George R.R. Martin’s world, I must say that the introduction of Admiral Sharako Lohar in House of Dragon’s Season Two Finale was nothing short of electrifying! The character, played brilliantly by Abigail Thorn, is a breath of fresh air amidst the political intrigue and dragon-fueled chaos that defines Westeros.

House of the Dragon‘s season two finale brought Tyland Lannister across the Narrow Sea to meet with the Triarchy. Prince Regent Aemond Targaryen needs an armada to break House Velaryon’s blockade of the Gullet. The green council’s Master of Ships secured the alliance at great cost, both in terms of money and personal injury. He only sealed the deal after also proving his own worth as a man to a memorable new character. “The Queen Who Ever Was” introduced Admiral Sharako Lohar, a fascinating, eccentric character based on two pirates from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.

Admiral Lohar in House of the Dragon‘s Season Two Finale

Tyland Lannister believed he had reached an agreement with the representatives of the Triarchy, but later discovered there was still one more task left undone. The pirates warned that their fleet wouldn’t engage unless Commander Admiral Lohar himself led them. They added that the sailors held a deep loyalty towards him. To secure Admiral Lohar’s cooperation, Tyland would have to take on a dirty task – quite literally.

When Commander Tyland stepped into the tent, he didn’t anticipate encountering the Lyseni Admiral who was known as Lohar. Other pirates addressed Lohar, portrayed by trans actress and renowned YouTuber Abigail Thorn (from “The Acolyte”), using male pronouns such as “he” or “him.” Interestingly, Lohar wore men’s clothing and spoke of multiple wives they hoped Tyland would father children with. However, Lohar presented herself in a way that led Tyland to believe she was expressing romantic interest when the Admiral mentioned wanting “children with” him, which Tyland initially misunderstood as a proposal for intimacy.

It was deliberate that the character of Lohar, both on-screen and behind the scenes, presented a gender ambiguity. Lohar, referred to as “she” by Thorn upon casting announcement for the show, may identify as transgender or gender fluid; however, specific terms might not be applicable within the world of House of the Dragon. The key point is that Lohar’s character sought to keep Tyland guessing during their interactions.

Thrilled to share the news – I’m part of the cast for HBO’s House of the Dragon 🔥�ragons. My character is Sharako Lohar, who has taken command of the Triarchy, and she’ll be appearing on screen shortly! ☠️⚔️💪 #HOTDS2

— Abigail Thorn (@PhilosophyTube) June 4, 2024

Admiral Sharako Lohar Isn’t a Major Character in Fire & Blood, So House of the Dragon Uses Rycallio Ryndoon’s Story

The book Fire & Blood scarcely discusses Sharako Lohar, the Lyseni Admiral often referred to as “he,” yet his character seems to have been significantly influenced by another pirate, Rycallio Ryndoon of Tyroshi origin, who is more prominent in George R.R. Martin’s internal history.

Standing towering at 6 feet 6 inches, the renowned Ryndoon, celebrated in ballads and verses across the Free Cities of Esos, chose to color his hair and beard a vibrant mix of orange and purple. This dashing seafarer engaged in battle with Daemon Targaryen in the Stepstones, predating the infamous Dance of the Dragons. In the course of his life, he even assumed the title of King of the Narrow Sea. Known for his flair, Ryndoon also dressed as a woman and worked as a prostitute at times. This skilled swordsman was just as liberal with his coins as he was with his crude language. He enjoyed testing potential allies by having them fight in the mud, and would occasionally ask the most esteemed men to impregnate his multiple wives.

In the world of “House of the Dragon,” Lohar shares more similarities with Rycallio Ryndoon than their counterparts from “Fire & Blood.” This diversity enriches the show immensely. Westeros, even in its best moments, is rigid and bound by tradition. But during a raging war, a gender-fluid pirate who enjoys mud wrestling and challenging the comfort of wealthy lords is just what the realm needs to breathe some fresh air into its stale atmosphere.

Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob, with a peculiar fascination for pirates. Keep up with his updates on Twitter and Bluesky under the handle @burgermike. Additionally, you can find him in discussions ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2024-08-06 19:02