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The conflict between the Greens and the Blacks has spread like wildfire, and no region or stronghold is safe from the dragons' wrath. That said, this war cannot be won by dragons alone. The opposing factions require armies to fight their battles.
The Greens have the support of the Hightowers and the Lannisters, while Rhaenyra counts on Cregan Stark’s Greybeards and the Velaryon Fleet. The war of succession is yet to evolve becauseHouse of the Dragon– Season 2has focused on raising armies thus far. Here are the strongest armies that the Greens and Blacks could muster inHouse of the Dragon.
Jason Lannister’s Host
Jason Has Assembled A Decent Force
The oaf, Jason Lannister,brings mounted knights, archers, and men-at-arms to the Golden Tooth in the Westerlands. There they are joined by House Lefford’s 500 fighting men. With them, Jason hopes to smash the Rivermen in the Riverlands.
Jason has to lead the effort but demands Vhagar’s cover for him and his host. He decided to garrison at the Golden Tooth, but Aemond ordered him to deliver his host to Harrenhal without counting on his aerial protection.
Ser Criston Cole’s Host
Lord Commander Cole Musters A Well-Trained Host & Raises Levies
The Greens muster a few men at the start of theHouse of the Dragon, but that changes with Ser Criston Cole’s strategy. He marches out of the Red Keep with the men personally trained and starts felling smaller strongholds near the capital. Cole raises the levies ofHouses such as Rosby, Stokeworth, Darklyn, and Duskendaleand then advances to Rook’s Rest.
Cole loses a few hundred at Rook’s Rest, but returns with moderate success. He speedily turns the Crownland Houses to the Greens' cause and now marches West to secure Harrenhal for the Greens. He is unaware of the fresh developments in the Riverlands, but he has the numbers to challenge the enemy.
The Hightower Armies
Ser Gwayne Hightower Marches From Oldtown
Hightower men, under Ser Gwayne Hightower, march for three months to the Red Keep. Gwayne reaches the night before Cole’s march, and volunteers to accompany him into battle. Cole, however, doesn’t want Gwayne to accompany him and excuses himself by saying he has a full complement.
Gwayne is unwilling to remain at the Red Keep and leads the Hightower host out of the court. The Hightowers make their presence felt because they usurped the throne. The King and the Prince Regent on the Iron Throne are half-Hightower, half-Targaryen, and the Hightower army must stand behind them. Currently,Lord Ormund Hightower’s army in the Reach faces the threat of two armies united in the name of House Beesbury.
The Greybeards Of the North
Cregan Stark Has Pledged Well-Honed Warriors
The Lord of Winterfell, Cregan Stark, pledges hoary old men who call themselves the Greybeards to Rhaenyra’s cause. He has thousands of them at the ready, waiting to march south and fight hard in the name of the Dragon Queen.
The Greybeards are well-honed combatants. They are mobile as they mount shaggy horses and fight with spiked maces and iron swords, and they have seen many a battle. Cregan promises two thousand Greybeards in the name of his Queen, and they should reach the Riverlands soon. Cregan Stark’s Greybeards may be old and ragged, but they have survived many winters and aren’t afraid to die in battle.
The Velaryon Fleet of Ships
Dominates The Vast Gullet
The total blockade imposed on King’s Landing has been made possible by the Velaryon fleet. The operation is currently led by the Queen’s Hand, the Sea Snake, and Lord Corlys withAlyn of Hull as his First Mate. The Sea Snake’s ship has Sharp Point as its destination and anticipates threats from the Lions and the Krakens.
This blockade has led to rising prices, scarcity of food, and severe economic consequences. King’s Landing is helpless because it doesn’t have the strength to break the seal on the Gullet. The city remains cut off, but the Greens count on the Lannister fleets' help. The Triarchy has had a slim success rate fighting the Velaryons at the Stepstones. In lore, the Free Cities ally with the Greens and launch a maritime military operation, but the ensuing naval battle has disastrous consequences for both factions.
The Riverlords Under Lord Oscar Tully
The Riverlords Unite For Queen Rhaenyra
The Rivermen who have sworn fealty to Queen Rhaenyra are the key to winning the Dance of the Dragons. They were reunited by the young Lord Oscar Tully at Harrenhal inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 7. Oscar became Lord Paramount of the Riverlands after the death of his grandsire, Lord Grover.
Oscar will lead the effort in the Riverlands and will be joined by the Greybeards marching. The Riverlords have declared Black for Queen Rhaenyra, not the representative, Prince Daemon. Bracken, Mooton, Darry, Frey, Strong, Mallister, Piper are Oscar’s bannermen.
Rhaenyra’s Army Of Bastards
Rhaenyra Raised New Dragonriders
Rhaenyra Targaryen raises an army of dragon-riding bastards at Dragonstone, and now isn’t dependent on Daemon or anyone else. Because of the addition of threenew Dragonriders, viz, Ulf, Hugh, and Addam, Rhaenyra has gained the upper hand. The Blacks have tilted the balance of power in their favor, and Rhaenyra will press her advantage.
Ulf claims to be of Dragonseed descent. Hugh is the bastard son of Princess Saera Targaryen, and Addam is Lord Corlys' bastard. The Army of Bastards on Dragonstone is to be trained in the ways of dragon-riding. They will be a formidable force inthe future ofHouse of the Dragon.
