Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.

Summary

House of the Dragonseason 2 has foreshadowed a devastating dragon moment in Targaryen history, linking to the show’s central story. SinceHouse of the Dragonseason 1’s ending, the feud between the Greens and the Blacks has threatened to explode into all-out war.House of the Dragonseason 2 has explored the continued crawl toward the tipping point that will see Westeros engulfed in theTargaryen civil war known as the Dance of Dragons.

As is known from the history of Westeros established in George R. R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and FirebooksandGame of Thrones, the Dance of Dragons began the downfall of House Targaryen and the source of their power: the dragons. The manydragons featured inHouse of the Dragonbecome embroiled in their masters' war, causing most of the ferociously loyal beasts to perish. One of the biggest factors in the deaths of many dragons, however, is not a military battle, but a devastating event thatHouse of the Dragonseason 2 has foreshadowed for future episodes.

A composite image of Matt Smith in full armor looking devious in front of Emma D’Arcy and Olvia Cooke standing back to back in front of a Dragon’s eye in House of the Dragon

House Of The Dragon Season 3: Cast, Story & Everything We Know

The Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon returned for its long-awaited second season in 2024, and now season 3 is confirmed.

The following sections contain spoilers for Fire and Blood, and likely House of the Dragon’s future seasons.

A small army of knights departs from King’s Landing to seize castles in the surrounding area in House of the Dragon season 2  episode 3

House Of The Dragon Season 2’s King’s Landing Riot Sets Up The Storming Of The Dragonpit

The Discord In King’s Landing Foreshadows An Event Later In The Dance Of Dragons

InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, the people of King’s Landing have been growing steadily discontent. Due to the Velaryon blockade of the Gullet, food and supplies have been unable to reach King’s Landing, causing the smallfolk of the city to go hungry and grow desperate. This desperation was only worsened by the closing of the city gates, which erupted into all-out rioting when Rhaenyra Targaryen sent supplies to the people via Blackwater Bay. These riots are not the first to occur during the Dance of Dragons, foreshadowing the Storming of the Dragonpit.

The dragons housed in the Dragonpit at that time were all killed, further weakening their numbers in Westeros after several died in previous conflicts of the Dance of Dragons…

Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Helaena (Phia Saban) running towards the carriage, fleeing from the enraged crowd in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6

InFire and Blood, the people of King’s Landing grow continuously restless in the latter stages of the war. After Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing, she struggles to keep a hold of the citizens of the capital of Westeros. The discontent of the people turns into paranoia, who fear that the Greens will retaliate on their dragons and kill them all. A raving man called the Shepherd then stokes this paranoia, leading to the riots of King’s Landing and the Storming of the Dragonpit.

The Storming of the Dragonpit is the fifth-last major event in the Dance of Dragons. meaning it will likely not happen until near the end of House of the Dragon.

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The Storming of the Dragonpit saw hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens from King’s Landing do exactly what the name suggests. The dragons housed in the Dragonpit at that time were all killed, further weakening their numbers in Westeros after several died in previous conflicts of the Dance of Dragons. This is one of the more devastating events of the war, if only due to the former reverence the smallfolk of Westeros held for the dragons that turns to resentment, resulting in the deaths of several of the reptilian creatures.

How Many Dragons Will Die In The Storming Of The Dragonpit

Five Dragons Are Killed During The Riots Of King’s Landing

When the people of King’s Landing decide to take fate into their own hands and kill the dragons in the city, five of the creatures are killed. Four of these were housed in the Dragonpit, while the fifth was loose over the city. The four that were killed in the Dragonpit were named Shrykos, Morghul, Tyraxes, and Dreamfyre. Of these four dragons, only Dreamfyre has been seen inHouse of the Dragonthus far during season 1. The fifth dragon to be killed is Rhaenyra’s own, Syrax, who is flying over the city during the riots.

Dragons Killed in the Storming of the Dragonpit

Did House Of The Dragon Season 2 Secretly Introduce The Shepherd?

The Crazed Fanatic May Have Been Teased In House Of The Dragon

As alluded to, one of the biggest factors in the Storming of the Dragonpit was a man named the Shepherd. This man was a fanatic of religion, who stoked the already paranoid citizens of King’s Landing into a frenzy. The Shepherd was written as someone who ranted about the dragons being demons, spawn of the godless Valyria, and would eventually be the doom of all men. InFire and Blood,the Shepherd is described as an elderly man with only one hand. InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, the Shepherd could have been teased.

In the riots of King’s Landing shown inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 6, a somewhat crazed, elderly man grabs the arm of Alicent Hightower. One of the members of the Kingsguard cuts off his arm, potentially setting up the Shepherd for the show’s future. Making this man the Shepherd would not only give him more reason to hate the crown and stoke the paranoia of the people of King’s Landing, but add another layer of foreshadowing for the tragic Storming of the Dragonpit inHouse of the Dragon’s future.

House of the Dragon

Cast

House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.