Battle at the Stepstones
A hard-fought campaign that drove the Triarchy from the Stepstones and crowned Daemon 'King of the Narrow Sea,' though the victory was not permanent.
The War for the Stepstones was a campaign of several years rather than a single battle. Fought over the treacherous archipelago known as the Stepstones, this campaign pitted the loyalist forces of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lord Corlys Velaryon against the ambitious Triarchy, an alliance of the Free Cities Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh, led by the prince-admiral Craghas Drahar, known as the Crabfeeder. This campaign serves as a crucial turning point in the lead-up to the Dance of the Dragons, highlighting the strategic importance of controlling trade routes between Westeros and Essos. It also introduced key figures like Daemon and Corlys, whose campaign against the Triarchy ended in a decisive victory: Daemon and Corlys drove the Triarchy out of the Stepstones, and Daemon was declared 'King of the Narrow Sea,' though the Triarchy later returned after Daemon abandoned the crown.
Quick Facts
- Key commanders
- Corlys Velaryon, Daemon Targaryen vs. Craghas Drahar (Crabfeeder)
Lore & Background
For centuries, the Stepstones had been a haven for pirates and free captains who terrorized Westerosi trade. The Triarchy, an alliance of the Free Cities Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh, had grown so bold under Prince-Admiral Craghas Drahar that they threatened to cut off supply lines entirely. Lord Corlys Velaryon led the war after the Triarchy disrupted Westerosi sea trade, and enlisted Prince Daemon Targaryen's help; King Viserys at first refused to send aid. The true resolution came after a brutal series of skirmishes and sieges over several years, culminating in a decisive battle where Daemon Targaryen killed the Crabfeeder in single combat, accompanied by his men. Their combined might drove the Triarchy out of the Stepstones, and Daemon was declared 'King of the Narrow Sea,' though the Triarchy later returned after Daemon abandoned the crown.
Reader's Guide
When the Triarchy disrupts Westerosi sea trade and damages the profits and reputation of House Velaryon, Lord Corlys Velaryon leads the War for the Stepstones and enlists Prince Daemon Targaryen, who fights on his dragon Caraxes. After a three-year campaign Daemon kills the Triarchy's leader, Craghas Drahar, in the climactic Siege of Bloodstone, and is bestowed the title of "King of the Narrow Sea"; the Triarchy is pushed back to Essos. Daemon then returns to King's Landing, kneels before Viserys and gives up his crown. Years later the Triarchy re-emerges, and Corlys is gravely wounded fighting in the Stepstones.
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Elsewhere in House of the Dragon
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