The Valyrians are largely extinct in Game of Thrones, with only their descendants, like the Targaryens, remaining.
The echoes of a powerful civilization resonate through Westeros, yet the people who built it are gone. We often wonder, where are the Valyrians in Game of Thrones? The once-mighty Valyrian Freehold collapsed centuries before the events of the series. Their dragons and their incredible magical prowess are now legends.
Most of the Valyrians perished in the Doom, a cataclysmic event that destroyed their homeland. The Targaryens, who were a minor noble family in Valyria, escaped and survived. Their bloodline carries the last trace of these ancient people.
Where Are the Valyrians in Game of Thrones?
The world of Game of Thrones is filled with fascinating history, and one of the most intriguing pieces of that history is the story of the Valyrians. They were a powerful and advanced people, but they are largely gone from the world by the time the main events of the story begin. So, where did they go? What happened to them? Let’s explore the mystery of the missing Valyrians.
The Valyrian Freehold: A Mighty Empire
First, let’s talk about who the Valyrians actually were. The Valyrian Freehold was a massive empire that existed long before the events of Game of Thrones. They weren’t just any old kingdom; they were the top dogs for centuries. The Valyrians were known for their advanced civilization, powerful dragons, and skilled magic users. They built magnificent cities and controlled a large part of the world, especially the areas around the eastern continent called Essos. They were able to conquer and control so much territory because of their skill in dragon riding. The Valyrians’ power was something no one else could match at the time. Imagine a group of people who could fly around on dragons and make powerful magic – that’s what the Valyrian Freehold was all about.
Dragonriders and the Power of Magic
The key to Valyrian dominance was their bond with dragons. Valyrians were able to form special connections with these powerful beasts, becoming dragon riders and gaining immense strength in battle. These bonds allowed them to travel quickly and project their power across long distances. They were also skilled at magic, and they used that power to build their cities and control their territory. Valyrian steel was another product of their magical knowledge, renowned for its sharp edges and impressive strength. Valyrian steel is lighter and sharper than regular steel, making it a highly prized material in Westeros and Essos. The Valyrians were master craftsmen, using magic to forge incredibly strong and useful materials.
The Doom of Valyria
The Valyrian Freehold didn’t last forever. A cataclysmic event known as the Doom of Valyria destroyed the heart of their empire. No one knows for sure what caused the Doom, but the story goes that volcanic eruptions and massive earthquakes tore the land apart, causing the cities to fall into ruin and the surrounding land to be engulfed by lava and smoke. Most of the Valyrians were killed in the Doom, and most of their dragons perished. The Doom was a truly devastating event, erasing much of the Valyrian civilization from the face of the world. What was once a mighty empire turned into a place of legend and fear.
Theories About the Doom
Many theories try to explain the Doom. Some people believe it was a natural disaster, while others think it was caused by magical forces or even by the Valyrians themselves. Perhaps they were overreaching with their power, or maybe something they awakened during their explorations led to their downfall. The real reason for the Doom might remain a mystery, but one thing is certain: it changed the course of history.
- Natural Disaster: Volcanoes, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena could have caused the destruction.
- Magical Cataclysm: Some believe the Valyrians’ use of magic went too far and caused the Doom.
- Divine Punishment: A few consider it punishment from the gods for the Valyrians’ arrogance.
Survivors of the Doom
While the Doom wiped out most of the Valyrians, a few families managed to escape. The most important survivors were the Targaryens. They had left Valyria with their dragons before the Doom and settled on the island of Dragonstone in Westeros. Because they were dragonlords and survived the doom, they are one of the last pure-blooded Valyrian families left. They brought their dragon riding and valyrian steel swordmaking tradition to Westeros. These are not the only people that carry Valyrian heritage, many people from Essos also have valyrian ancestry, it just wasn’t as pure as the Targaryens.
The Targaryen Dynasty
The Targaryens are extremely important in Game of Thrones. They conquered Westeros using their dragons and ruled for nearly 300 years. They are an example of how a Valyrian family could adapt and thrive after the Doom, though they were still affected by its trauma. They are known for their silver hair and violet eyes, both signs of their Valyrian ancestry. As the series progresses, many characters reference this lineage.
Here’s a table of Valyrian families (and one group of people) who survived or were remnants of the Freehold:
| Group/Family | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| House Targaryen | Dragonstone (formerly), then across Westeros | Dragonlords who conquered Westeros; only family to possess dragon riding abilities |
| Volantenes | Volantis | Descended from the Valyrians, known for their bloodlines and slavery practices. They represent one of the cities closest to Old Valyria, and their culture still shows its Valyrian influences. |
| Tyroshi | Tyrosh | Descendants of the Valyrians, renowned for their craftsmanship and as a trade hub. |
| Lyseni | Lys | Another group that has Valyrian heritage. The people of Lys are known for their beauty and skilled assassins. |
| Other Free Cities of Essos | Across Essos | Many cities were created by Valyrians or were under their influence. These city-states still have traces of Valyrian culture and heritage, though often diluted by time and integration with local populations. |
The Legacy of Valyria
Even though the Valyrians are mostly gone, their legacy continues to influence the world of Game of Thrones. Their language, High Valyrian, is still spoken by some characters, often used in magical rituals or dragon commands. The Valyrian steel they produced is still highly prized, and the tales of their dragon-riding power fuel legends and aspirations. Even after the downfall of the empire, their culture left a mark on the world. The existence of Valyria and the Doom remain a significant factor in the politics and conflicts of the present-day world.
Valyrian Steel and its Importance
Valyrian steel weapons are rare and highly sought after. They are stronger and lighter than normal steel, and can cut through other blades with ease. They were forged using magic and techniques that have been lost since the Doom. Valyrian steel is only found in the ancestral blades passed down through families. Some of the more well-known Valyrian steel swords are Longclaw (used by Jon Snow) and Ice (used by the Stark family and later reforged into two other swords). These blades often become important plot devices and powerful weapons in the stories they inhabit.
The Search for Valyrian Knowledge
Throughout Game of Thrones, characters often search for knowledge of the past. This includes Valyrian history, magic, and secrets, especially after Daenerys Targaryen appears with dragons. Some characters seek to learn the secrets of forging Valyrian steel, while others hope to use Valyrian magic to achieve their own goals. The secrets of Valyria remain sought after, and many believe they could grant immense power.
What Remains of Valyrian Magic
Valyrian magic is a big mystery. Some believe that dragon riding is itself a form of magic, while others think that the special forging of Valyrian steel was due to powerful magical spells. It’s not exactly known what the full extent of the Valyrian powers were, but the little we have seen makes it clear they were adept in many fields. The most common form of Valyrian magic is closely tied with dragons, which is why the Targaryens are the most suitable dragon riders.
Where Are the Valyrians Now?
So, if the Valyrians are mostly gone, where are they now? The answer is complex. There are no ‘pure’ Valyrians left, in the sense that there are no large groups of them living in any particular location. Their culture and people were mostly destroyed in the Doom. What remains of Valyrian heritage is diluted within the Free Cities of Essos and with the Targaryens. The Targaryens are an example of pure blooded descendants of Valyria, having survived the doom and then conquered Westeros, but they are not all pure and are not in power anymore. The dragon riding Valyrians are, for the time, no more, as there are no dragons left, except for the ones which are born in the series during the reign of Daenerys Targaryen.
The Valyrian Legacy in the Free Cities
The Free Cities of Essos were once part of the Valyrian Freehold. They still bear some marks of their Valyrian past, such as architectural styles, some cultural practices, and some bloodlines. Places like Volantis, Tyrosh, and Lys are examples of cities where the influence of Valyria can still be seen, even if the people of these cities are not ‘pure’ Valyrian.
Here is a simplified list of where to find hints of Valyrians:
- In the Free Cities: Remnants of Valyrian culture and heritage remain in cities like Volantis, Tyrosh, and Lys, although these are no longer pure Valyrian people.
- With the Targaryens: The Targaryens were the only family with dragon riding skills who escaped the Doom. Although their power and direct claim has diminished, they remain an example of a Valyrian house.
- In the legends: Valyria has passed into history, but its legends and influence continue to live on throughout the stories and the search for their lost knowledge.
The Valyrians are not a living empire anymore, but their impact on the world is undeniable. Their stories still drive conflicts, and their weapons and lore continue to influence the events of Game of Thrones. Their disappearance remains a crucial element of the story. The search for their lost knowledge and the legacy they left behind will always be a focus of the characters and viewers.
The story of the Valyrians is a cautionary tale, demonstrating the impermanence of even the most powerful civilizations. They are a constant reminder of the rise and fall of empires, as well as the importance of history and legacy. Their story is a big part of what makes the world of Game of Thrones so captivating.
Where are the Velaryons in Game of Thrones?
Final Thoughts
The Valyrians, as a civilization, are extinct in Game of Thrones. Their once-great empire fell long before the show’s timeline. Most Valyrians are dead; only a few bloodlines remain.
These remaining Valyrians are mainly Targaryens, but they carry a diluted lineage. The question of ‘where are the valyrians in game of thrones’ is answered by their absence. They exist only through their descendants.
