Daemon

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Daemon Targaryen (戴蒙)
Alias(es)	Prince of Dragonstone; Crown Prince; Ranger Prince 386 480 590
Species/Race	Valyrian Dragonlord of House Targaryen 256
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Targaryen
Occupation/Role	Dragonrider, prince, military commander
Status	Alive; fought alongside Caraxes against White Walkers 690

Background / History

Exile from King's Landing

Daemon demanded permission to marry his niece, Princess Rhaenyra, intending to secure his claim to the Iron Throne. King Viserys rejected the proposal and banished him after their confrontation. 48

He later returned for a royal feast, where Viserys allowed his attendance but confiscated his ancestral Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister. 115 During a fire in the Red Keep, Daemon escaped custody and fled toward the Dragonpit. Rhaegar pursued him on Glutton; Caraxes was defeated and crashed into Blackwater Bay with Daemon chained to the dragon. Rhaegar chose not to pursue him into the sea. 117

Family, Identity, and Ambition

Daemon returned to Driftmark to seek custody of his children with Laena Velaryon, nearly coming to blows with Rhaegar before Rhaenyra, Laena, and Corlys intervened. 137 He later refused Corlys's proposal that his children adopt the Velaryon surname and inherit Driftmark, considering their Targaryen identity and dragonriding rights more valuable than Velaryon inheritance. 256

Though his earlier ambition centered on the Iron Throne, Daemon later sought territory of his own. Rhaegar recognized that Daemon remained proud and protective of family, but viewed his expansionist ambitions as a danger to an already unstable realm. 269

Campaigns Across the Narrow Sea

Without a dragon, Daemon led an unauthorized naval raid on merchants of the Three Daughters, seizing cargo and freeing enslaved Targaryen loyalists. 267 Near Tyrosh, he disregarded Rhaegar's order to await reinforcements and launched a nighttime assault on Caraxes, driven by his desire to seize a city for himself. 386

During the war in Dorne, Daemon pursued Olivi Yronwood's retreating forces on Caraxes after the attack on King's Landing. 452 He later led dragons alongside Rhaegar and Rhaenys during the campaign that devastated Dornish castles, villages, and resistance forces; he also directed Aemond in battle. 455

When reports emerged of another possible Dragonlord family in Slaver's Bay, Daemon joined Rhaegar, Laena, and Helaena in attacking its blockade fleet. He ordered captured slaves burned, exposing his ruthless approach even as Laena contested his strategy. 522

The Smoking Sea and Laena's Death

After learning of Laena's pregnancy, Daemon entered the Smoking Sea alone with Caraxes, hoping to find a unique dragon for their unborn child and reclaim his honor. 578 The expedition failed: he lost his fleet, Caraxes was badly injured, and Rhaenys confronted him over his failures and refusal to take responsibility. 590

Laena later died in childbirth. Daemon withdrew to the beach in grief and guilt, believing himself responsible for Benella's hatred toward both him and Laena's newborn son. His confrontation with Corlys escalated into a physical altercation before Viserys came to console him. 616

Later Service

Daemon resumed carrying Dark Sister and returned to Lys with renewed vigor. 594 He later remained an active Targaryen commander, provoking Rhaegar while receiving news of Baelor and Benella's military victories. 639

During the northern conflict, Daemon fought a White Walker directly. He discovered that his Valyrian steel sword could withstand the creature's ice weapon, while Caraxes used dragonflame to hold back the wight army. 690

Appearance

Daemon has the silver-gold, straight hair associated with the main Targaryen line. He has been described as dark-complexioned and commonly dresses in black. 350 518 590

• Wears the ancestral Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister. 594
• Rides the scarlet dragon Caraxes, known as the Blood Wyrm. 117 386

Personality

Daemon is proud, arrogant, and intensely attached to the Targaryen name. He refused to let his children become Velaryons despite the inheritance offered to them, viewing dragonlord blood and royal identity as non-negotiable. 256

He is impatient with diplomacy and repeatedly acts without authorization when he sees an opportunity for conquest. His assault on Tyrosh against Rhaegar's orders and his raid on the Three Daughters' merchants show a preference for decisive violence over political restraint. 267 386

Despite his selfishness and brutality, Daemon cares deeply for his family. He rejected Viserys's abdication because he recognized only his brother as king, and he later agreed to political terms concerning his children when the royal family's interests required it. 486 488 Laena's death leaves him grief-stricken and burdened by guilt. 616

Abilities & Skills

Dragonriding

Daemon rides Caraxes, a scarlet dragon capable of devastating aerial warfare and long-distance travel.

• Escaped King's Landing by attempting to flee on Caraxes during the Red Keep fire. 117
• Used Caraxes to launch an unsanctioned night attack on Tyrosh. 386
• Pursued Dornish forces after their attack on King's Landing. 452
• Used Caraxes's dragonflame to block a wight army during the northern campaign. 690
• Caraxes was defeated by Glutton over Blackwater Bay and later suffered serious injuries during the Smoking Sea expedition. 117 590

Martial Combat

Daemon is a dangerous close-range fighter who combines physical aggression with Valyrian steel.

• Easily overpowered Aegon after Aegon attempted to attack him at Storm's End. 268
• Fought a White Walker with his Valyrian steel sword, successfully parrying its ice spear. 690
• Was disarmed and unable to force his way past Kingsguard during his initial escape from the Red Keep. 117

Command and Raiding

Daemon is an experienced, feared commander whose subordinates obey quickly.

• Led a naval raid on Three Daughters merchants, plundering cargo and freeing Targaryen loyalists. 267
• Ordered a premature attack on Tyrosh rather than wait for reinforcements. 386
• Directed Aemond during the Targaryen campaign in Dorne. 455

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dark Sister — Ancestral Valyrian steel sword. Viserys confiscated it upon Daemon's return to court, but Daemon later resumed wearing it. 115 594
• Caraxes — Scarlet dragon known as the Blood Wyrm; Daemon's mount and chief weapon of war. 117 386

Relationships

• Viserys I Targaryen — Elder brother and king. Their relationship is defined by succession disputes and open defiance, but Daemon insists that Viserys alone is his rightful king. 48 486 489
• Rhaegar Targaryen — Nephew and political rival. Daemon repeatedly challenges Rhaegar's authority, though they fight on the same side during the Dornish campaign. 386 455 639
• Rhaenyra Targaryen — Niece. Daemon sought to marry her to strengthen his claim, and later clashed with her over the upbringing of his children. 48 137
• Laena Velaryon — Wife and mother of his children. Daemon defended their children's Targaryen identity; her death in childbirth leaves him devastated. 256 616
• Benella and Rhaenia Targaryen — Twin daughters with Laena. Daemon refused to surrender their Targaryen surname or dragonriding rights for Driftmark's inheritance. 256
• Little Daeron Targaryen — Youngest son. Daemon ultimately agreed to Rhaenyra adopting and raising him under negotiated conditions. 488
• Mysaria — Mistress known as the White Worm. Their relationship endured estrangement after her miscarriage, and Daemon later sought to provide security for her and their child. 494 518
• Rhaenys Targaryen — Cousin who holds him accountable for his failures after the Smoking Sea expedition. 590
• Aegon Targaryen — Nephew and adversary. Daemon brutally defeated Aegon when he attempted to attack him at Storm's End. 268
• Caraxes — Dragon and battle companion. Their bond remains central to Daemon's military power, including against the White Walkers. 386 690

Notable Quotes

“I disagree. You are my brother, and I only recognize you as King.” 486

“You're even uglier up close, you ghastly thing.” 690