Rhaegal

Lore & Background

His fate became intertwined with Jon Snow after the Night King resurrected Viserion as an ice dragon during the Battle Beyond the Wall. Although Rhaegal survived the initial conflict by escaping the grasp of his undead brother, he later suffered a fatal wound during the assault on King's Landing. Struck by scorpion bolts from the Red Keep while defending Jon, he fell into the sea, marking the tragic end of one of the last dragons.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the ruins of the Dragonpit as Jon Snow tightened his grip on the saddle. Rhaegal roared, a sound like tearing metal that shook the very stones beneath them. Above, the sky was choked with smoke and the unnatural blue glow of Viserion's eyes. Jon urged the great beast forward, feeling the heat radiating from the dragon's teal scales against his chest. They shot upward, breaking through the smoke to face the army of the dead, a final dance between fire and ice in a world on the brink of eternal winter.

Reader's Guide

Rhaegal functions as both a weapon of mass destruction and a strategic transport for high-value targets like Jon Snow. In combat, he utilizes his ability to breathe intense fire capable of melting stone and incinerating armies instantly. His operation requires a skilled rider who can withstand the extreme heat and G-forces of flight. While Daenerys initially bonded with him, Jon Snow took over as his primary pilot after Viserion's fall, utilizing Rhaegal for reconnaissance and direct assault on enemy fortifications. The dragon is vulnerable to heavy crossbow fire, specifically scorpion bolts designed to pierce thick scales. Despite his size and power, he cannot survive sustained volleys from concentrated ballista fire, a weakness that ultimately led to his demise during the siege of King's Landing.

Did You Know?

• Rhaegal was named after Rhaegar Targaryen, the eldest brother of Daenerys and father of Jon Snow.
• He is one of only two dragons in recorded history known to have been ridden by a person who was not their original hatcher's primary mount.
• His scales are distinctively teal and green, differentiating him from Drogon's black and Viserion's red hues.
• Rhaegal survived the Battle Beyond the Wall despite being attacked by his own undead brother.