House of the Dragon: Who is Seasmoke’s New Rider (& Why Did The Dragon Choose Him)?

House of the Dragon: Who is Seasmoke's New Rider (& Why Did The Dragon Choose Him)?

As a die-hard fan of House of the Dragon and a history buff, I’ve been captivated by the intricate narrative of this series since its inception. The latest twist with Seasmoke choosing Addam of Hull as his rider has left me spellbound!


After Laenor Velaryon feigned his death and departed with his lover, Qarl Correy, leaving Seasmoke behind, the dragon became unclaimed. As tensions rose during the succession war between the two Targaryen factions, the Black faction sought to reclaim Seasmoke through one of their loyalists. Rhaenyra considered having Ser Steffon Darklyn ride Seasmoke since his great-great-grandmother Aeriana was a Targaryen Princess. However, as depicted in House of the Dragon, this hasty plan ended tragically for both Ser Steffon and a Dragonrider.

In the story “House of the Dragon”, Rhaenyra was considering halting her activities, but Mysaria advised against it. Instead, she opted to delve into the historical archives and records kept at Dragonstone. Before Rhaenyra could encounter anyone, Seasmoke, one of her dragons, took off from Dragonstone. This dragon then chased after a young man named Addam of Hull on the shores of Driftmark, leaving behind some intriguing mysteries.

Who Is Addam of Hull?

In the early stages of “House of the Dragon,” Addam of Hull is not extensively detailed, but we do know that he and his brother Alyn serve under the Sea Snake/Lord Corlys Velaryon. Addam is a shipwright for the Velaryons, and like other members of this noble house, he has distinctive dreadlocks, although his are dark in color. Being Lord Corlys’ bastard son, Addam spends each day working hard to demonstrate his worth, hoping that one day he might be able to remove the label of illegitimacy from himself.

Addam’s brother, Alyn, is a sailor who once saved Lord Corlys in a sea battle during the War for the Stepstones. Alyn, appreciated by Lord Corlys, often cuts his silver hair short to stay inconspicuous. Conversely, Addam seeks recognition from their esteemed father. While Alyn prefers to keep a low profile, Addam encourages him to claim what he believes is their rightful inheritance. Despite being overlooked, Addam finds an opportunity when Lord Corlys appoints Alyn as his new First Mate. Yet, even in this situation, Addam manages to seize his chance.

Is Laenor Velaryon Dead?

House of the Dragon: Who is Seasmoke's New Rider (& Why Did The Dragon Choose Him)?

Dragons display an impressive level of intelligence, much like humans, and they exhibit emotions such as empathy, anger, fear, and even grief. For instance, Syrax expressed distress when Rhaenyra was in labor with Visenya, while Vhagar mourned the death of her rider, Laena Velaryon, during a failed labor. Conversely, Seasmoke made history by choosing Addam as its rider.

At the end of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6 titled “Smallfolk,” Seasmoke, the dragon, set out for Driftmark seeking Addam of Hull. Despite Addam’s efforts to hide, Seasmoke tracked him down and forced him to submit by bending his neck. This encounter occurred soon after Seasmoke had thwarted Ser Steffon and the Dragonkeepers’ attempt to tame a dragon on Dragonstone. It is worth noting that throughout season 2, Seasmoke showed signs of restlessness, and Mysaria suggested this could be because he was lonely. A brief dialogue between Rhaenyra and Mysaria seemed to suggest Laenor’s demise. There appears to be a strong possibility that Laenor Velaryon perished off-screen during House of the Dragon.

In the text, it doesn’t directly state this, but Seasmoke’s unease on Dragonstone and occasional flights over Spicetown might hint at Laenor’s passing. After being unridden for some time, Seasmoke found another rider, Addam, towards the end of Season 2. This raises a slight suspicion that Laenor and Seasmoke’s bond may have weakened or ended in the years prior due to Laenor leaving following Laena’s funeral in Season 1, when his household was at risk.

Why Did Seasmoke Choose Addam Of Hull?

House of the Dragon: Who is Seasmoke's New Rider (& Why Did The Dragon Choose Him)?

It seems that Seasmoke sensed the passing of his previous rider, or perhaps he was feeling lonely and seeking a new, suitable rider. Regardless, Seasmoke was prepared to renew his lifelong bond with another Dragonrider.

The world depicted in “Game of Thrones” is based on George R.R. Martin’s novels. According to the books, only Martin has full control over the intricate details of “Fire & Blood” lore. Martin suggests that a dragon’s bond with its rider is strong and unbreakable unless the original rider dies. This means that Seasmoke, a dragon in the series, accepting a new rider can only be explained if Laenor (Seasmoke’s previous rider) has died off-screen. The bond between Seasmoke and its new rider, Addam, challenges the claim about dragon bonds being unbreakable without the original rider’s death.

A dragon will only accept a dragonlord to ride it.

1. Addam’s father, Lord Corlys, traces his lineage back to Old Valyria, yet the Velaryons were not dragonlords. However, it’s clear that Addam’s mother, who was a shipwright as well, had Targaryen blood running through her veins. Lord Corlys himself acknowledges that he isn’t fully knowledgeable about Marilda’s ancestry. This hint is significant because it suggests strongly that Marilda had dragon blood. Despite all other indications, Seasmoke chose a commoner as its rider, but this individual’s mother would have been descended from the Targaryens nonetheless.

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2024-07-31 00:33