Dracarys! 7 crucial questions about House of the Dragon answered

Fire is coming Westeros used to look a little different. by Robin Bea Updated: Feb. 20, 2024 Originally Published: Aug. 16, 2022 HBO

HBO House of the Dragon is almost here, and it’s been a while since we last visited Westeros. The new series is set in the world of Game of Thrones , but the situation looks very different, so here’s what you need to know before you dive in.

7. What is House of the Dragon’s story? Compared to Game of Thrones , House of the Dragon will follow a relatively simple story. Rather than the former’s continent-spanning saga, the prequel focuses on the Targaryens. HBO

King Viserys Targaryen names his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir, breaking with patriarchal tradition and angering his brother Daemon . House of the Dragon chronicles the years between Viserys’ decision and the Dance of the Dragons, the civil war that follows. HBO

6. When does House of the Dragon take place? Don’t expect to see many familiar faces. House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones . HBO

HBO By Westeros’ reckoning, that puts it around the year 100 AC , a century into the reign of the Targaryens . By the end, we’ll be somewhere around 129 AC, the year the Targaryen civil war begins.

5. Where is House of the Dragon set? House of the Dragon will mix familiar GoT locations with new ones. We’ll see Driftmark, where House Velaryon is situated, as well as the Targaryens’ home on the island of Dragonstone. HBO

HBO Dragonstone showed up briefly in GoT , and more well-known places like King’s Landing will play a major part too. Every major house takes a side in the civil war, so expect to see at least a glimpse of their homes as well.

4. Who are the Velaryons? House Velaryon didn’t play a part in Game of Thrones , but they’re a major force in House of the Dragon . HBO

HBO The family hails from Valyria , just like House Targaryen, which is why they also have silver hair. The Velaryons join the Targaryen civil war and don’t get out of it unscathed.

3. Will we see the White Walkers? The White Walkers do exist while House of the Dragon takes place, and have been around for centuries by that point, but they’re not part of the story. HBO

HBO Fire and Blood , the novel that chronicles the story told in House of the Dragon , doesn’t include White Walkers , as it’s focused purely on Targaryen family drama. Knowing the Targaryens, that should be quite enough conflict.

2. Will there be more dragons? Oh yes. The Dance of the Dragons goes terribly for the creatures, who are seemingly extinct at the start of Game of Thrones . HBO

HBO At the start of the prequel, dragons are an even bigger deal than they were in GoT . Dragons made House Targaryen the power it is, and the family will have 17 of them at its command in House of the Dragon .

1. Are Game of Thrones ’ showrunners back for House of the Dragon ? Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss aren’t returning for House of the Dragon. Reportedly, they won’t factor into any future spinoffs either. Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik are behind the helm here. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Jon Kopaloff/WireImage/Getty Images Sapochnik directed some of the best GoT episodes , particularly those focused on all-out warfare like “Battle of the Bastards.” Condal was picked for the job by George R.R. Martin.

HBO House of the Dragon premieres August 21 on HBO Max.

Dracarys! 7 crucial questions about House of the Dragon answered

More stories from Inverse