Vermax

Vermax was a dragon of House Targaryen hatched on Dragonstone in the early 120s AC and bonded to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, eldest son of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. As a cradle dragon, Vermax was raised alongside his rider and reached maturity during the years leading up to the Dance of the Dragons. By the outbreak of the war, he was large enough for sustained flight and combat, though still smaller than the oldest dragons of the realm.

Vermax was described as a green dragon, though detailed accounts of his exact coloration and size are limited. He was considered strong and capable, suitable for long-distance travel and battlefield engagement. Under Jacaerys Velaryon, Vermax played a central role in the early diplomatic and military efforts of the Black faction. Jacaerys used Vermax extensively during his missions to secure alliances across the North and the Vale, demonstrating the continued importance of dragons as both symbols of power and practical means of rapid travel.

During the Dance of the Dragons, Vermax was actively involved in military operations, particularly those connected to naval engagements. His most significant action came during the Battle of the Gullet in 130 AC, where forces loyal to Rhaenyra Targaryen clashed with a Triarchy fleet supported by the Greens. Vermax, ridden by Jacaerys, engaged enemy ships from the air, using dragonfire to attack vessels and disrupt formations.

During the battle, Vermax descended low over the water while attacking the fleet, placing him at risk from return fire. Accounts suggest that he was struck by missiles from the ships below, which damaged his wings and caused him to lose control. Unable to maintain flight, Vermax crashed into the sea. The impact proved fatal, and both dragon and rider were lost in the waters of the Gullet.

The death of Vermax and Jacaerys Velaryon was a significant loss for the Black faction, removing one of its most capable leaders and a key dragon from the war effort. The Battle of the Gullet itself was one of the largest naval engagements of the conflict, and Vermax’s fall marked a turning point in the balance of power during the later stages of the war.

Vermax is remembered as a capable war dragon and as the mount of one of Rhaenyra’s most important supporters. His role in both diplomacy and combat highlights the dual function of dragons during the Dance of the Dragons, serving as instruments of both political influence and military force. His death reflects the increasing risks faced by dragons when engaged in large-scale warfare, particularly in environments where they could be targeted from multiple directions.