Cannibal

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Cannibal first confronts Rhaegar’s party as a wild dragon while they search for the injured Grey Shadow. It breathes fire into the cavern, but Rhaegar enters to protect the smaller dragon 60. Cannibal later becomes Rhaegar’s mount; their coordination allows it to accept commands even when it cannot hear him 179.

Ancient texts identify dragons that habitually prey on eggs and other dragons as a dangerous dragon-eating species. Rhaegar recognizes Cannibal’s nature but regards it as a long-standing partner rather than rejecting it. He suspects it may have eaten dragons without his knowledge 417.

Cannibal serves in Rhaegar’s campaigns, including the destruction of Mountain Clan attackers and the burning of rioters in Myr 177 418. In the Long Summer Land, it leads Rhaegar’s fleet through fog to shore, then feeds and hibernates at Fire Peak 599 602 603. It later helps Rhaegar hunt the pale wild dragon responsible for Prince Aemon’s death 645 656.

Appearance

Cannibal is an immense black dragon with a fearsome head and broad wings 417 603.

• Scales: Coal-black, with a metallic sheen 622.
• Eyes: Green vertical pupils 417 622.
• Fire: Eerie emerald-green dragonflame that can cling to a target 318 425.
• Size: Reaches a documented length of 180 meters 622.

Personality

Cannibal is predatory, territorial, and intelligent enough to understand Rhaegar’s intentions. It enjoys pursuing other dragons and, when chasing a young dragon, delays the kill to prolong the hunt 234 493. It can also be defiant: the Dragon-taming Whip provokes its resistance, and it grudgingly stops attacking Sea Smoke when Rhaegar intervenes 415 417 425.

Abilities & Skills

Dragonflame

Cannibal breathes powerful green fire; in a direct clash, its flame overwhelms Vermithor’s golden dragonflame 318.

• Its fire engulfs Sea Smoke and adheres to the younger dragon’s scales 425.
• Rhaegar uses it against armies, fortifications, and ships 177 455 458.

Hunting and Combat

Cannibal combines size and strength with cunning in fights against other dragons 494 656.

• It attacks with its jaws and claws, and can react quickly enough to counter an airborne dragon’s sudden reversal 656.
• Hunting is not without risk: a wild dragon from the Smoking Sea escapes after leaving Cannibal with a broken wing bone and other wounds; steel spears contribute to its injuries 353.

Bond with Rhaegar

Cannibal and Rhaegar share thoughts and respond to one another’s emotions 179 353.

• Rhaegar receives some of Cannibal’s fire magic through their Knight’s Oath connection 180.
• Rhaegar can command it with the Dragon-taming Whip, though Cannibal dislikes the tool 415 417.
• Cannibal’s innate mark is incorporated into Rhaegar’s Dragon’s Horn, enabling communication regardless of distance 609.

Relationships

• Rhaegar Targaryen — Rider and long-standing partner. Rhaegar restrains Cannibal’s attacks on other dragons but trusts it in battle and exploration 417 493 599 656.
• Sea Smoke — Cannibal hunts and pins the younger dragon before Rhaegar orders it to stop 425.
• Vermithor — Rival in dragon combat; their flames clash, and they fight again on Dragonstone 318 494.
• Mogul — Dragon opponent whose death and consumption precede Cannibal’s rapid growth 379 603.