Aemon

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Aemon Targaryen (伊蒙)
Alias(es)	Dragon Prince; Aemon the Dragon Slayer; Born of Bronze and Fire; Rune Knight; Shackles Breaker 36 142 201
Species/Race	Human; Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Targaryen; House Royce through his maternal inheritance; River Valley Town and the Black Rose network 43 147
Occupation/Role	Dragonrider, knight, ruler, military commander, sorcerer, and blacksmith
Titles	Prince of the Vale; Lord of the Stepstones; Prince of Myr; Regent Prince and Warden of the Realm; Dragon Slayer 291
Status	Alive 384
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 13%	12	The Magic Essence Panel first records his bloodline after he obtains Fire Magic associated with Balerion's skull; it improves his physique and heat resistance.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 18%	20	Gains a portion of Burning Fire Magic from Dreamfyre.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 23%	22	Increases after touching Syrax.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 28%	47	Absorbs another portion of Burning Fire Magic, gaining a slight increase in strength.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 33%	55	Reaches pureblooded Dragonlord status after touching and taming Vermithor; obtains the red-card reward Heaven-Sent Bronze.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 34%	68	Learns the incomplete Binding Spell after completing fourteen ancient dragonriding techniques.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 36.5%	70	Gains 2.5% from Grey Shadow, leading Aemon to conclude young dragons yield less power than adult dragons.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 41.5%	84	Gains 5% and 100 essence after contact with Silverwing.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 42.5%	116	Increases by 1% through magic contained in a broken horn.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 43%	147	Reaches a bottleneck; the panel warns that further growth is slowing.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 53%	155	Gains 10% and 200 essence from Vhagar and Seasmoke; begins consciously sensing Fire Magic Power.
Burning Rune — Beginner	156	Unlocks the Burning Rune, a fire-oriented rune that is easy to learn but difficult to master.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 58%	157	Gains 5% and 100 essence after touching Meleys, having contacted every currently ridden dragon in the family.
Complete Binding Spell — Proficient	186	Masters the complete Binding Spell, allowing magical commands that can restrain Vermithor even when the dragon is enraged.
Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord bloodline — 59%	306	Gains a final recorded 0.5% increase alongside improved stamina and magic power.
Binding Spell / Solid Rune / Illumination Art — Mastery	292	Brings his principal dragon-control and rune arts to mastery; Burning Rune reaches proficient level.
Dragonstone Secret Art — Beginner	368	Learns a Dragonstone-derived art involving Blood Mage sacrifices.

Background

Aemon was born to Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Rhea Royce as the result of a political marriage arrangement meant to bind the Targaryens to the Vale. Though he bears the Targaryen name, he is the expected heir to Runestone through his mother. His parents' hostile marriage left him isolated during childhood, and he understood early that Rhea disliked Targaryens—including, seemingly, him. 1 3

At eight years old in 109 AC, Aemon studied under Maester Hugh at Runestone. King Jaehaerys I had placed a black Dreamfyre egg in his cradle before his death, giving Aemon an early fixation on dragons. Aemon hopes to hatch a dragon both to protect himself and to avert the future Dance of the Dragons. 1

His arrival in King's Landing brought him into closer contact with King Viserys I, Queen Alicent, Princess Rhaenyra, and the royal court. He began using his knowledge of court politics and his ability to collect magic essence from Valyrian artifacts and dragons to build personal power. 10 11 17

Appearance

Aemon possesses the distinct Valyrian features of House Targaryen: silver-gold hair and violet eyes. As he grows older, he becomes notably tall, broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, and physically imposing; even hostile nobles associate his appearance and bearing with a dragonlord. 1 142 287

• Long, slightly wavy silver-gold hair. 287
• Violet eyes. 1
• Porcelain-white skin and refined Targaryen features. 182 287
• Often wears dragonriding gear, scarred silver-gray armor, or richly made court clothing. 36 142
• Possesses an intimidating presence amplified by the Kingly Demeanor Magic Card. 150

Personality

Aemon is confident, calculating, and acutely conscious of status. He studies political motives even as a child, requests rewards strategically, and builds his authority through titles, armies, dragons, alliances, and public displays of strength. 14 35 112 150

He is fiercely protective of those he considers family. He comforts Rhaenyra, supports Helena and Aemond, raises his children closely, and repeatedly treats the strength of House Targaryen as a collective responsibility. 51 143 242 243

His protectiveness is tempered by arrogance and brutality. Aemon favors fear over conciliation when challenged, kills enemies who threaten dragons or Targaryen prestige, and openly admits that he is not a reasonable man. 150 176 221 297

Abilities & Skills

Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord Bloodline

Aemon's unusually pure Dragonlord bloodline grants him enhanced physique, fire affinity, and a powerful connection to dragons.

• Can withstand heat sufficient to touch dragon eggs without injury. 17
• Survived Vermithor's dragonfire through his bloodline and Magic Cards. 55
• His body becomes increasingly stronger and more heat-attuned as his bloodline rises. 12 155
• His bloodline nears a stated limit around 60%, with the panel warning that his body may struggle to bear further burden. 155

Dreamer

Aemon possesses the Gold-ranked talent Dreamer.

• Experiences unusual dreams from childhood, though most are not clearly prophetic. 17
• Dreams of Dragonmont erupting and later receives other disturbing visions connected to dragons and impending events. 47 215
• Does not treat prophecy as unavoidable fate, advising Helena to learn from Daenys Targaryen's warning rather than submit to it. 242

Dragonriding and Binding Spell

Aemon is Vermithor's rider and one of the era's most skilled dragonriders.

• Tamed Vermithor after enduring the Bronze Fury's dragonfire. 55
• Completed fourteen ancient dragonriding trials, qualifying him to learn the complete Binding Spell. 186
• Uses the Binding Spell to issue commands infused with magical fluctuations, ensuring Vermithor can hear and obey under any conditions. 186
• Can force Vermithor out of rage and reduce battlefield losses through precise control. 186
• Uses the spell alongside archery to drive off the wild dragon Fire Eater and rescue Aemond. 242

Martial Skill

Aemon is an accomplished ranged fighter and swordsman.

• Archery is recorded at Unerring level; he combines it with dragon-related sorcery in combat. 68 242
• Swordsmanship reaches top-tier level. 292
• Fights with Lady Forlorn and Lament simultaneously, using one blade for attack and one for defense. 229
• Won a tourney championship at thirteen and was knighted by Viserys, becoming the youngest recorded knight in Westeros. 142 143

Rune Magic and Artifice

Aemon studies and applies ancient Valyrian magical techniques.

• Uses Solid Runes to imbue special materials and equipment. 156
• Learns Burning Rune and Illumination Art, with the latter capable of being amplified to blind opponents. 156 221
• Forges rune-inscribed armor for William and the Rune Iron Guard. 188
• Learns Dragonstone Secret Art, though it is connected to Blood Mage sacrifices. 368

Magic Essence Panel and Cards

Aemon can detect magic in objects, dragons, and artifacts, then harvest Magic Essence or Burning Fire Magic.

• Harvested essence from every dragon egg in the King's Landing Dragonpit. 17
• His known Magic Cards include Strong and Sturdy, Solid as a Rock, and Kingly Demeanor. 368
• Obtained the Flame Hammer, a Valyrian Steel rune hammer requiring 10,000 Fire Magic Power to activate. 216
• Uses a Spatial Ring to store and retrieve equipment instantly. 186 229

Equipment

• Vermithor's dragon saddle and chains — Used to ride and secure Vermithor. 59
• Lament — Valyrian Steel longsword and family sword. 116 297
• Lady Forlorn — Valyrian Steel sword used in Aemon's dual-blade style. 155 229
• Dual Valyrian Steel daggers — Gifted by Daemon before his departure from Runestone. 47
• Spatial Ring — Ancient Valyrian artifact used for storage and rapid equipment retrieval. 186 229
• War Horn — Used to command attention and announce his arrival before Myr. 201
• Flame Hammer — Rune-inscribed Valyrian Steel hammer powered by Fire Magic Power. 216
• Pyromancer's Stone Sculpture and Nightlight — Magical artifacts retained in his inventory. 186 292

Heraldry

• Two-Part Banner — Aemon's personal standard combines the symbols of House Targaryen and House Royce, representing his intent to unite his Valyrian and Vale inheritances. 43 44
• He publicly displayed the banner after winning a tourney as the Rune Knight, using it to signal his growing independence from the main royal household. 142

Relationships

• Daemon Targaryen — Father. Their relationship begins distant and strained, but Daemon later acknowledges Aemon as his son, gives him Valyrian Steel daggers, and recognizes his achievement in taming Vermithor. Their conflict eventually escalates into direct combat. 47 60 204 229
• Rhea Royce — Mother and Lady of Runestone. Their early relationship is troubled by her dislike of Targaryens, but she fiercely supports Aemon's inheritance and later works with him to secure his position in the Vale. 1 36 44
• Viserys I Targaryen — Uncle, benefactor, and political rival. Viserys grants Aemon the Dragon Prince title, knighthood, and further offices, but increasingly fears his nephew's independence and influence. 36 143 260
• Alicent Hightower — Queen and close maternal figure. Alicent welcomes Aemon warmly in King's Landing and later receives his Crown of Love and Beauty, causing political and personal turmoil at court. 10 142
• Rhaenyra Targaryen — Close royal kin, political ally, and betrothed. They share a long-standing bond through dragons, comfort one another during crises, and jointly pursue dragon eggs and Targaryen interests. 17 51 172 221
• Laena Velaryon — First wife and mother of his twin daughters, Baela and Rhaenys. Their relationship combines affection, dragonriding, and the political union of Targaryen and Velaryon bloodlines. 147 234 291
• Rhaenys Targaryen — Aunt and trusted ally. Aemon regards her as one of the few relatives capable of preserving Targaryen unity, while Rhaenys remains protective despite recognizing his mischief and ambition. 113 182
• Vermithor — Principal dragon and mount. Vermithor accepts Aemon after the Dragonstone taming arc and becomes the foundation of his military strength. 55 59 186
• Aegon, Helena, and Aemond Targaryen — Younger royal relatives whom Aemon alternately protects, disciplines, and commands. He saves Aemond from Fire Eater, pressures Helena to become a capable dragonrider, and sends Aegon on patrol with Sunfyre. 242 244
• Gaemon Swann — Aemon's firstborn son with Johanna Swann. Aemon publicly acknowledges him and gives him special affection despite Gaemon bearing the Swann name. 243 317
• William — First member of the Rune Iron Guard to follow Aemon personally; Aemon forges him rune armor as a mark of authority and trust. 188

Story Role / Major Arcs

Runestone Heir

Aemon begins as the isolated child of Daemon and Rhea, studying at Runestone while preparing to inherit a seat he must still win recognition to claim. He develops the Two-Part Banner to reconcile his Targaryen identity with his Royce inheritance. 1 43 44

Rise at Court

In King's Landing, Aemon becomes close to Alicent and Rhaenyra, learns to read Viserys's intentions, and begins exploiting magical relics and dragon eggs to improve his bloodline. Viserys eventually creates the title Dragon Prince for him and confirms his future inheritance of Runestone. 10 17 35 36

Dragon-Taming Arc

Aemon secretly travels to Dragonstone to tame a dragon. He survives Vermithor's fire, earns the Bronze Fury's acceptance, and emerges as a young Dragonrider whose arrival at Driftmark reshapes Targaryen-Velaryon power dynamics. 51 55 59 60

Vale Consolidation

Aemon builds support in the Vale through his Targaryen-Royce identity, personal banner, military presence, and dragonriding. He later asserts that the Vale belongs to his Targaryen branch rather than House Arryn. 112 149 150 260

Strait Sea and Stepstones Campaigns

Aemon commands armies and dragonriders against the Three Daughters and their allies. He garrisons Gulltown, captures pirate ships with Vermithor, cooperates uneasily with Corlys Velaryon, and acquires ancient Valyrian knowledge during the campaign. 112 186 188 198

Slaver's Bay Campaign

Aemon purchases the Unsullied, abolishes slavery in New Ghis, and continues eastward against Meereen. There, he executes the Great Masters after their surrender, kills a Green Priestess before her spell can be completed, and recovers petrified and viable dragon eggs. 193 194 221 223

Dragonlord Family Builder

After the Long Lake conflict, Aemon maintains Dragon Valley as an incubation site, supervises younger dragonriders, and takes increasing responsibility for the next generation of Targaryens. He later protects Dragonstone from Dornish egg thieves with ruthless reprisals. 234 242 257 297

Regent Prince

Aemon becomes a central political and military force across the Vale, Myr, the Stepstones, Tarth, and additional territories. He uses the Black Rose intelligence network, Valyrian immigration, dragon exhibitions, and expanding dragon habitats to build a durable Dragonlord power base. 291 314 338 381

Notable Quotes

“Do you think the dragons of House Targaryen have grown old?” 176

“Who is the true dragon!” 176

“I'm not a reasonable man.” 297

Trivia

• Aemon was placed in a cradle with a black dragon egg taken from Dreamfyre by King Jaehaerys I. 1
• He initially believed every dragon he touched would increase his bloodline by 5%, later discovering hatchlings provide less. 22 70
• He considers dragonriding a hobby, while viewing ranged combat as his true talent. 221
• He is known for preferring mature, rational women and openly describes “respect” as the reason. 291