Caraxes
The dragon with a huge head and barbed tail bonded to the Rogue Prince.
Caraxes is the dragon bonded to Daemon Targaryen, known for his immense size and distinctive appearance featuring a huge head and a long tail with barbs. He serves as a primary mount during the devastating war of succession for the Iron Throne known as the Dance of the Dragons. While often associated with the color red in broader lore, the provided source text specifically identifies him only by his physical traits: a huge head and a long tail with barbs. He is central to Daemon's actions throughout the series, from his time at Dragonstone to his presence in Harrenhal.
- Rider
- Daemon Targaryen
- Affiliation
- House Targaryen
- Origin
- Unknown (Source does not state origin)
- Status
- Alive (during the Dance of Dragons)
- Notable Trait
- Huge head and long tail with barbs
Lore & Background
Caraxes is firmly established as the dragon ridden by Daemon Targaryen. Their partnership is highlighted during key moments, such as when Daemon flies to Harrenhal and single-handedly takes the castle for Rhaenyra's cause after Ser Simon Strong yields. During this time, Daemon threatens Lord Amos Bracken with burning him alive using Caraxes. The dragon is also mentioned in the context of Daemon's visions and his role in the civil war between Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (the Blacks) and King Aegon II Targaryen (the Greens).
In Their Own Story
During the War for the Stepstones, Lord Corlys Velaryon requested Daemon's help against the Triarchy. After a three-year campaign, Daemon killed the leader of the Triarchy, Craghas Drahar, during the climactic Siege of Bloodstone. While the source does not explicitly name Caraxes in this specific battle description, it confirms Daemon is a dragonrider bonded to Caraxes who later threatens Amos Bracken with him. In Season 2, after Prince Lucerys Velaryon's death, Daemon departs Dragonstone and flies to Harrenhal on his dragon. There, he uses the threat of fire from Caraxes to confront Lord Amos Bracken, who refuses to surrender despite the dragon's presence.
Reader's Guide
To understand Caraxes, one must look at his rider, Daemon Targaryen. The source states that Daemon is bonded to Caraxes and wields Dark Sister. Their bond is tested during the political maneuvering of Season 1 and the open conflict of Season 2. In Season 1, Daemon attends Ser Vaemond Velaryon's petition where he decapitates Vaemond after the lord insults Rhaenyra; while the dragon is not named in this specific scene, it is the asset Daemon commands as a dragonrider. By Season 2, Caraxes is instrumental in Daemon's seizure of Harrenhal. The dragon serves as both a weapon and a symbol of Daemon's authority when he summons House Tully and House Blackwood to meet him at Harrenhal.
Did You Know?
- Caraxes is explicitly described as having a huge head and a long tail with barbs.
- Daemon Targaryen, the rider of Caraxes, also wields the Valyrian steel sword 'Dark Sister'.
- During the Siege of Bloodstone in the War for the Stepstones, Daemon killed Craghas Drahar after a three-year campaign.
- At Harrenhal, Daemon used Caraxes to threaten Lord Amos Bracken with being burned alive.
- Daemon flies to Harrenhal on his dragon in Season 2 and single-handedly takes the castle for Rhaenyra's cause.
More in Characters & Dragons
Related in House of the Dragon
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Elsewhere in the House of the Dragon universe
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