Rhaenys Velaryon

Aelyx Velaryon

Addam Velaryon

Saera Velaryon

Lucerys Velaryon

Laenor Velaryon

Aelor Velaryon

Valaena Velaryon

Corlys Velaryon

Rhaenys Velaryon is a daughter of Lord Jacaerys Velaryon and Captain of the Sea Dragon.

## Appearance and Character

A lively and bold Valyrian beauty, all this young woman lacks are the violet eyes... though her own blue are just as captivating. She stands at the median height of 5'6" with a slender build, lightly toned from various physical activities and seafaring. Her silver-gold hair reaches past her shoulders, often worn in small braids that keep it away from her face. Rhaenys, like the name of her ship, is a sea dragon.

Independent and passionate are two words which describe her personality, yet she is also charismatic and naturally has a way of drawing people to her: a real gift for words to play the game as well as any other noble lady her age. While she is as loyal as they come to family and those she cares for, she has a side that must be a throwback to some of the Targaryen blood in her veins from years past -- and woe be to anyone that mistakenly rouses it. All in all, Rhaenys is more than able to stand with one foot in the realm of the courts and one in the world that exists outside of them.

## History

In the year of 361, Rhaenys came into the world the first of two fraternal twin daughters born to Lord Jacaerys and Lady Leona Valeryon of Driftmark. Her sister, Saera, came just minutes later and the pair would be nigh inseparable from that moment on -- except when they were made to be. They were hardly alone however, already having four siblings preceding them: three older brothers and one sister. In the years that would follow, they would gain five more. Her life on the island was idyllic, she never wanted for anything and quickly learned how to wrap her father around her little finger... much to the chagrin of her mother at many points growing up. While her twin Saera was eager to follow Leona around and learn to be the proper little lady, the influence of their three older brothers was great upon Rhaenys and she begged her father to allow her to train in the yard with them. He agreed, so long as she wielded a weapon that suited her. She chose the dagger, and that was that. Monterys, though several years her elder, was greatly amused by the spirit of his younger sister and would help her to practice. She grew close to him and also her cousin of similar age from High Tide, Vaemond, as they took her pursuits more seriously than any of the others did.

Rhaenys’ interests were also rather scholarly for a girl of her age, enjoying the stories of her Valyrian heritage and the dragons commanded by some of her ancestors… instilling in her a sense of pride that she still carries. She even went so far as to fashion a pair of ‘wings’ from some of Daenaera’s personal items and tie them around her favorite of the castle dogs -- claiming he was Balerion the Black Dread come again as she paraded him around the courtyard! While most found it humorous, her mother and Daenaera were not among them. However such childish glee and good fortune can only last so long, when in the year 372 a disease swept through the island which cost far too many lives among the peasantry and even their own castle. It was the first real taste of the bitterness that life could bring and, with great resolve, an eleven year old Rhaenys told her father that she would live up to their house words in adulthood: she would be true and brave.

Three years later in 375, a teenage Rhaenys traveled with her family to Oldtown to attend the wedding of Monterys to Lady Desmera Hightower. It was a lavish event, complete with a tourney that had the budding young woman starting to look a bit differently at the boys her age… but most older. Saera was much the same, though she wanted to be the bride where Rhaenys’ intentions weren’t so domestic. The next year, Jacaerys decided to take all the family (that were of age) on a voyage to Essos and share some of his favorite places with them. It was a dream for the fifteen year old as they toured Braavos, Tyrosh, Lys, and the Summer Isles -- it would be this trip that stoked the flame of becoming a captain within her. Just like one of her idols, Elissa Farman, she would travel the world and see places none in Westeros ever dared to dream of. When they returned home, she began her studies with navigation and geography for seafaring.

It was in 378 when Daena Targaryen launched her invasion with intent to return the Seven Kingdoms to the Dragons; she was concerned to see her father called off to war but knew it was his duty. During this time she finally was able to take claim of her own ship from the fleet their family controlled. She chose a smaller one, however sturdily built and very swift -- perfect for what she would one day need it for. Rhaenys became captain of the Sea Dragon, taking it for small cruises on the sea… touring many closer islands along the eastern coast though her dream was to sail east as far as she could go. However before the war began, her twin sister came to her to reveal that their father had arranged a marriage for her to Rory Manderly and she would be leaving home soon. While on one hand happy for her, as it was what Saera always wanted, part of her was still crushed to be seeing her go so soon. Despite this, Rhaenys gave her best wishes and said her farewells before watching as she sailed away. She thought it would be some years before they would see one another again.

This was not to be so. In 381, Rory the Manderly heir was slain in battle and her sister returned home to Driftmark at the end of the war. Saera was devastated to already be a widow, and she spent many a night staying up with her sister and being there to console her. Even when the threat of piracy was rising around in their waters, she would only help if she felt her twin would be all right without her. There were some moments of respite though, like the visit of Lady Theodora Lannister whom Rhaenys became very fast friends with and kept in touch via ravens after she left on occasion. It was in early 383 that she began to ponder her next steps in life: Saera had done her duty for their family, her brothers were doing the same, and her elder sister as well. At some point, it would also be her turn. Little did she know that an opportunity would present itself later that year, as her father tasked her with being the official house representative for the family in King’s Landing. It was a chance to finally prove herself a Velaryon, to be true and brave as she swore in childhood.

## Recent Events

After learning that her older siblings plan to deal with the bulk of the new pirate incursions, as well as her father hosting Houses Tarth and Tudbury, she prepares herself to leave for King's Landing with a mental list of allies that Jacaerys gave to her to speak to upon arrival. Rhaenys doesn't plan to stop there however, eager to meet others and hopefully form new ties for her father's goals.