A Historical Recount of House Dragaryen From the years 136 AC to 300 AC

Article 1: The Modern Dragon Riders

Dragon Riders of the Year 300 AC: A New Age of Mystery and Legacy

As the year 300 AC dawns, the legacy of dragon riders lives on in only a few scattered individuals, far from the grand days of Targaryen rule when dozens of dragon riders soared across the skies of Westeros. In this age, just five known dragon riders remain, each with their own complex lineage, mystery, and stories that add to the rich, yet fading tapestry of dragonkind. Here is a detailed account of the five dragon riders of this era.

1. Elaena Dragaryan, Daughter of Maenar the Lame

Elaena Dragaryan stands as one of the last direct heirs of the Dragaryan line, descended from Maenar the Lame. A fierce and proud dragon rider, she is known to ride a silver-scaled dragon named Aelion. Elaena, though carrying the weight of her lineage, is more a survivor than a ruler. Her father, Maenar the Lame, had overseen the decline of the Dragaryan influence, leaving Elaena with little to rule but a name, a dragon, and a fractured house. She is fiercely independent and has cultivated a reputation as a warrior, much like her ancestors, though her true ambitions remain clouded in mystery.

Elaena's loyalty to her Dragaryan roots keeps her at odds with the newer powers that have arisen since the decline of House Targaryen. She rarely makes public appearances, keeping her dragon and house's remaining power secluded on Dragonstone, biding her time. Despite this, her name still commands respect and fear, as she represents a fading yet potent remnant of dragonkind.

2. Prince Dorian Silverwing, Son of King Russell Silverwing

Prince Dorian Silverwing is the missing son of King Russell Silverwing, the founder of House Silverwing. Russell, who discovered his Targaryen lineage, established his dragon house, though much of it now lies in ruin after his death in 278 AC. Dorian, born into this fading legacy, was a dragon rider known for his mysterious ways. He rode the dragon Sylvanna, a descendant of one of the last surviving dragons bred by the Targaryens before their fall.

Dorian went missing some years ago under circumstances that remain unclear. He had ventured into the lands beyond the Wall, reportedly seeking to find ancient secrets of dragon magic or a lost power. His disappearance left the realm guessing, with some believing he is dead, while others whisper that he may return one day, stronger than before. His dragon, Sylvanna, has not been seen since his departure, further deepening the mystery around his fate.

3. Lord Andrew Waters, Bastard of House Velaryon

Lord Andrew Waters is the illegitimate son of Rhaegar Velaryon, a nobleman of House Velaryon, and Lady Colianne Waters, herself a bastard daughter of House Connington. Though born of two noble houses, Andrew's lineage is further complicated by rumors regarding his mother. Colianne Waters is said to be the daughter of a secret Targaryen mother due to her striking violet eyes, a telltale trait of Valyrian descent. These rumors lend some credibility to Andrew's claim as a dragon rider, despite his bastardy.

Andrew rides the dragon Stormfyre, a powerful and wild beast that has been difficult to tame. His strength as a rider has earned him respect, but his lowborn status keeps him from truly integrating into noble society. Nevertheless, his position as a dragon rider gives him a unique power in a world where dragons are few. He uses his might carefully, often aligning himself with whoever promises him the greatest reward, making him a dangerous and unpredictable player in the political landscape of Westeros.

4. Lady Colianne Waters, Bastard of House Connington

The rumors of Lady Colianne Waters' Targaryen ancestry go beyond her being a mere noble-born bastard. She was the daughter of Rearce Connington, but her mysterious mother, with her distinctive purple eyes, has fueled speculation that Colianne may actually be the daughter of a secret Targaryen or Velaryon. Colianne herself never spoke much about her mother's heritage, and the rumors have only grown since her death.

Her legacy, however, lives on through her son, Andrew Waters, who inherited both her rumored dragon blood and the ability to ride a dragon. Colianne's own life was one of intrigue and hidden connections, and though she was never a dragon rider herself, her role in producing one continues to keep her name whispered in the halls of power.

5. Gaeron, the Lowborn Rider

Perhaps the most enigmatic of all the dragon riders is Gaeron, a lowborn man who has defied the odds to become a dragon rider. His father, Aegon, was also lowborn, but his origins are shrouded in mystery. There are two prevailing theories about Aegon's parentage: one claims that Aegon was born in 202 during the reign of Maelys the Fiery Dragon, the son of Helaena Targaryen, who was a daughter of Aegon II Targaryen. The other theory posits that Aegon was the bastard son of Rhaegal the Mad Flame, a direct descendant of Baelon II Dragaryan.

Regardless of his true lineage, Gaeron's rise to dragon rider status is remarkable, given his humble beginnings. He rides the dragon Greyflame, a smaller but no less ferocious beast. Gaeron's lowborn status makes him an outcast among the nobility, but his ability to command a dragon gives him undeniable power. His presence is a reminder that dragons choose their riders based on strength and will, not just noble bloodlines. Despite the whispers surrounding his parentage, Gaeron remains an influential figure among the dragon riders, though he largely stays out of the political affairs of the noble houses.

The Legacy of the Last Dragon Riders

These five dragon riders represent the last echoes of an era once dominated by dragons. Their lineage is a patchwork of noble houses, bastardy, and even lowborn roots, showcasing how the power of dragons has been both coveted and elusive throughout Westeros' history. Each rider has a unique story, and though their number is small, their influence cannot be denied. As 300 AC unfolds, the future of these riders remains uncertain, and the possibility of dragons once again dominating the skies of Westeros is ever-present, depending on the actions of these last few riders.