𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍'𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍ㅤㅤㅤ❪ hotd¹ ❫

001. viserys the peaceful

The Old King, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, died in his bed in 103 AC. Viserys inherited a secure throne, a full treasury, and a legacy of goodwill from his grandfather. House Targaryen was at its most powerful during Viserys's time, having the most members and dragons since the Doom of Valyria. Viserys was known as the Young King when he ascended the Iron Throne, and due to his amiable nature the smallfolk were optimistic about his reign. In 104 AC, the tourney for King Viserys I's accession was held in Maidenpool.

Many consider the reign of King Viserys I to represent the apex of Targaryen power in Westeros. Beyond a doubt, there were more lords and princes claiming the blood of the dragon than at any period before or since. Though the Targaryens had continued their traditional practice of marrying brother to sister, uncle to niece, and cousin to cousin wherever possible, there had also been important matches outside the royal family, the fruit of which would play important roles. There were more dragons than ever before as well, and several of the she-dragons were regularly producing clutches of eggs. Not all of these eggs hatched, but many did, and it became customary for the fathers and mothers of newborn princelings to place a dragon’s egg in their cradles, following a tradition that Queen Rhaena had begun many years before; the children so blessed invariably bonded with the hatchlings to become dragonriders.

King Viserys I was a peaceful man who hated conflict, and was kind and pleasant. He was amiable, open-handed, and eager to please. Though he was never considered strong willed, he was not pliable or indecisive either; when he made a choice, he was unwavering, and firmly stood by his decision. He was plump and round-faced, with a bushy silver-gold mustache and beard. He dressed in dark purple silk brocade and wore the gold-and-gemstone circlet of his grandfather, Jaehaerys I Targaryen. He bore typical Targaryen looks and purple eyes. During his young adulthood, he kept his siver-gold hair short, but as the years went by he let it grow past his shoulders. His generosity was legendary, and the Red Keep became a place of song and splendor during his reign. He hosted countless balls, feasts, and tournaments, and he lavished gold and offices and honors among those he favored. Viserys was well loved by lords and smallfolk alike.

Holding a splendid court with his cousin and wife, Queen Aemma Arryn, the Young King was determined to maintain the peace and goodwill of his grandfather, Jaehaerys the Wise. Aemma Arryn was the fifth child of Lord Rodrik Arryn, and the only one by his second wife, Princess Daella Targaryen, herself the daughter of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and his sister-wife Alysanne Targaryen. Daella died in childbirth, while giving birth to Aemma. She had four elder half-siblings from her father's first marriage, including her half-sisters Elys and Amanda. She had the features of both her parents. Her silver-gold hair was inherited from her mother, while her pale blue eyes, from her father.

Aemma married Viserys Targaryen, in 93 AC, at the age of ten-and-one, but their marriage was not consummated until she turned ten-and-three. Aemma became pregnant multiple times in the early years of her marriage. She suffered multiple miscarriages, and gave birth to a son, Aelor, who eventually died in the cradle. In 97 AC, she gave birth to a healthy daughter, Princess Rhaenyra.

Viserys' younger brother Daemon, was everything he was not. Daemon was dashing, daring, and dangerous, but mercurial and quick to take offence. Archmaester Gyldayn wrote that Daemon was ambitious, impetuous, and moody, as charming as he was hot-tempered. He was a renowned warrior skilled in the joust, hunting, and swordplay. Daemon was knighted at sixteen, and was gifted with the Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister, by King Jaehaerys I. His looks were the most Valyrian-like out of the whole family. He wore his silver-white hair long, often braided, and his eyes were of the same shade of violet as Aegon The Conqueror's.

In 97 AC, Queen Alysanne suggested a betrothal between Daemon and Lady Meredyth Velaryon, one of Lord Daemon Velaryon of Driftmark's granddaughters. But Daemon refused, claiming that the girl did not have a position high enough to marry a Prince of the Crown and that she was too ugly for his liking. In 100 AC, Daemon was wed - against his will - to Lady Rhea Royce, the heir to Runestone, but he disliked both her and the Vale of Arryn; Daemon referred to Rhea as his "bronze bitch." However, the marriage was consummated, and much to both Daemon and Rhea's despair, a son was born the year later, which Daemon named Baelon, after his own father.