Viserys

Biodata

History

Accession and early reign

Viserys prevailed over Rhaenys in the succession dispute at the council of 101 and succeeded Jaehaerys I. His lack of a living dragon and his weak will left some subjects believing that Rhaenys should have inherited instead 1 39.

By the opening of the story in 105 AC, Viserys was popular among both nobles and commoners in King's Landing. He and Queen Aemma filled the Red Keep with feasts, tournaments, music, and lavish rewards, distributing gold, offices, and honors to favored subjects 1.

Aemma's death and Baelon's succession

Certain that Aemma would bear the son from his prophetic dream, Viserys anxiously awaited her delivery. When the labor became life-threatening, he authorized an attempt to cut the child from her womb despite her pleas. Aemma died, but their son survived. Viserys named him Baelon after his own father and wept while holding him 1.

After Aemma's funeral, Viserys placed the infant on the Iron Throne and formally invested him as Prince of Dragonstone. The assembled lords swore allegiance, establishing Baelon as heir and displacing Daemon 4.

Viserys initially rejected pressure to remarry, considering an immediate replacement for Aemma insulting to her memory. When the Velaryons proposed Laena as his bride, Lyonel Strong suggested betrothing her to Baelon instead. By Baelon's fifth Name Day, the betrothal had strengthened the royal alliance with House Velaryon, and Viserys remained unmarried 4 8.

Peace policy and conflict with Daemon

Viserys negotiated an agreement with the Triarchy over the Stepstones rather than support Corlys Velaryon's demands for war. The settlement required Westerosi shipping to pay steep tolls and provided no restitution for previously seized people, ships, or wealth. Viserys nevertheless regarded the resulting peace as a success 5.

His relationship with Daemon deteriorated after Otto reported that Daemon had called Baelon a “kinslayer.” Viserys confronted his brother, defended Otto's service, and declared that Daemon would never become Hand of the King. Despite threatening punishment for any repetition of the insult, he allowed Daemon to retain command of the City Watch. Three months later, the brothers were visiting Baelon together on friendly terms 5 6.

Renewed ambition and the royal marriage plans

A wound inflicted by the Iron Throne became infected, but healed after Baelon advised Viserys to clean and dress it. With his health restored and royal power strengthened by marriage alliances, Viserys began contemplating the conquest of Dorne 16 17.

He proposed marrying Rhaenyra to Jason Lannister and taking a Hightower queen to bind the Westerlands and Reach more closely to the crown. Lyonel warned against war, but Viserys interpreted Baelon's birth as divine confirmation that his opportunity for greatness had arrived. He agreed to conceal his intentions until the alliances and preparations were secure 17 18.

Criston Cole's condemnation

After learning of Criston Cole's affair with Rhaenyra, Viserys ordered Cole brought before him and condemned him to death, rejecting service in the Night's Watch as an alternative. He eventually permitted Cole a sword after the knight pleaded to die fighting 23 25 26.

Cole subsequently attacked Rhaenyra, injuring her wrist before she killed him. Viserys embraced his daughter once she was safe, and the family gathered together in the aftermath 27.

Journey to Dragonstone

Viserys repeatedly opposed Baelon's determination to claim an adult dragon. He relented only after Baelon falsely claimed that dangerous prophetic dreams made a full-grown dragon necessary for his protection. Viserys insisted on accompanying him to Dragonstone and waited outside Dragonmont while Baelon sought Vermithor 28 30.

After Baelon's successful first flight, Viserys declined an invitation to join him, saying that the experience should belong to the boy and his dragon. When Vermithor later grew dramatically, Viserys publicly attributed the transformation to the Seven's favor and privately accepted it as another rare Targaryen gift 31 36 39.

Fearful that Baelon might investigate Old Valyria, Viserys forbade him from visiting the Smoking Sea and demanded that Vermithor live in the Dragonpit. Baelon promised not to explore the ruins without permission. Viserys subsequently returned to King's Landing aboard Vermithor with Baelon and Maester Orwyle 40 42.

Stepstones war preparations

Back in King's Landing, Viserys appointed Larys Strong Master of Whisperers on Baelon's recommendation. When the Crabfeeder seized a Velaryon merchant ship, he listened to arguments for retaliation rather than immediately demanding negotiations as he once would have done 42 46.

His ambition still competed with fear for his family and concern about defeat. Baelon finally helped overcome that hesitation by claiming to have foreseen Sunspear burning beneath circling dragons. Supported by arguments from the council, Viserys ordered the realm to take the Stepstones 47 48.

The order began preparations rather than an immediate campaign. Viserys did not summon all his vassals, intending first to seize the islands and assess the responses of Dorne and the Triarchy before committing more heavily 49 68.

Iron Islands and council disputes

When House Greyjoy ignored his summons, Viserys reluctantly permitted Baelon and Ser Harrold to travel to the Iron Islands on Vermithor. News that Baelon had called a Kingsmoot alarmed him; he requested reports from nearby strongholds while Corlys arranged to send ten warships 52 59.

Viserys later endorsed Baelon's kingship over the Ironborn, arguing that it strengthened the Iron Throne. He initially assigned the Stepstones fleet to Corlys, but briefly agreed to divide command after Daemon protested. Baelon opposed the division, and Daemon ultimately accepted Corlys's leadership 66 69 70.

During these preparations, Viserys announced a marriage agreement with Alerie Hightower. He also promised Otto a castle in Dorne and his weight in gold if he returned safely from Volantis and Qohor with powerful allies 68 69.

Appearance

• Silver hair and purple eyes: Viserys explicitly recognizes these shared Targaryen features in himself, Daemon, Rhaenyra, and Baelon 6.
• Forearm scar: A blade on the Iron Throne left a scar two palm-lengths long after the wound became infected and healed 16.
• Further throne injury: He cuts his little finger on the throne while deciding Cole's fate 26.

Personality

Viserys is mild, generous, and eager for harmony. He enjoys celebration and rewards those who please him, but finds confrontation difficult. Outside matters involving his brother and children, he is easily persuaded and often struggles to maintain a firm decision 1 18 66.

His affection for Baelon becomes intensely protective. He would rather indulge expensive hobbies and extravagant gifts than expose his son to danger. Baelon's desire to claim Vermithor forces him to confront the possibility that his heir cannot remain safely within the Red Keep forever 9 10 28 52.

Family loyalty also limits his willingness to punish Daemon. Even after bitter arguments, Viserys insists that his brother will always have a place at court. His anger can be fierce, but estrangement repeatedly gives way to reconciliation 6 70.

Beneath his preference for peace lies frustration that he has neither fought a war nor conquered territory. Improved health, stronger alliances, and faith in prophecy revive his ambition, though fear of losing his family continues to undermine his resolve 17 47.

Abilities & Skills

Prophetic dreams

Viserys recounts a dream of his son born wearing Aegon the Conqueror's iron crown, surrounded by the sounds of battle, before being placed upon the Iron Throne 1.

• He deliberately echoes the dream when presenting Baelon as his heir 4.
• He regards Baelon's survival and extraordinary gifts as confirmation that the gods sanctioned his own kingship 17 39.
• His faith in dreams makes him susceptible to Baelon's fabricated claims about dangerous visions and Sunspear's destruction 28 48.

Dragonriding

Viserys was Balerion's rider before the dragon's death 17.

• His only actual flight on Balerion consisted of three circuits over King's Landing; the aged dragon lacked the strength to reach Dragonstone 39.
• He mounted Balerion on later occasions but could not persuade him to fly again 42.
• He later travels as a passenger on Vermithor; no new dragon bond is established 42.

Craftsmanship and historical study

Viserys spends his leisure time carving and recreating subjects connected to Targaryen and Valyrian history 4 39.

• Hand-carves a stone statuette of Balerion 4.
• Works on a recreation of Aenar, identified in the text as Old Valyria's capital 39.
• Directs stonemasons carving a map table of King's Landing 16.
• Explains Valyrian blood magic, dragon pacts, craftsmanship, the Doom, and Daenys's warning dream to Baelon 39.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Seven-gem crown — His usual gold crown, set with seven differently colored gemstones 1 4.
• Aegon the Conqueror's crown — A ruby-set Valyrian steel crown worn when he invests Baelon as Prince of Dragonstone 4.
• Blackfyre — Aegon the Conqueror's sword and a symbol of royal authority; Viserys carries it at Baelon's investiture and rests his hand on it while confronting Daemon 4 6.

Relationships

• Aemma Arryn — His first queen. Her death leaves him grief-stricken and initially unwilling to remarry 1 4.
• Baelon Targaryen — His son, heir, and presumed prince of prophecy. Baelon increasingly influences royal appointments and policy 4 17 42 48.
• Rhaenyra Targaryen — His daughter. His treatment of Aemma remains a source of resentment for her, despite his concern for Rhaenyra's safety 27 51.
• Daemon Targaryen — His younger brother. Their disputes center on succession, Otto, and Daemon's desire for recognition, but Viserys refuses to exclude him permanently from court 6 70.
• Otto Hightower — His trusted Hand, whom he regards as diligent, loyal, and dependent on royal patronage 6.
• Lyonel Strong — His Master of Laws and trusted adviser, particularly on marriage alliances; Lyonel strongly opposes his plans to conquer Dorne 4 17 18.
• Corlys Velaryon — His Master of Ships and prospective family ally through Baelon and Laena. Viserys respects his naval ability while remaining wary of Velaryon power 4 46 66.
• Alerie Hightower — The woman named in his later marriage agreement 68.

Notable Quotes

“If a king cannot earn your mercy, then take pity on your father. If you die, there will be no joy left in his life.” 10

“I, Viserys I, swear before the Old and New Gods that I will become a Targaryen king of accomplishment.” 18

“Your first flight should belong to you and your dragon.” 31

“Baelon, you are the prince of prophecy, an extraordinary dreamwalker, but that doesn't mean you have to take responsibility for everything.” 70