Difference between revisions of "Sheepstealer"

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
(History)
(6 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{Hatnote|For Harrag Sheepstealer, see [[Harrag Sharp]].}}
 
{{Infobox character
 
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= Sheepstealer
+
| Character_name = Sheepstealer
| image         = [[File:Netty.png|350px]]
+
| image = [[File: Nettles and Sheepstealer by Jota Saraiva.jpg|350px]]
| image_caption = [[Nettles]] takes a sheep to Sheepstealer
+
| image_caption = Sheepstealer and Nettles by Jota Saraiva
| Alias         =  
+
| Alias =
| Title         =
+
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[Nettles]]
+
| Owner = [[Nettles]]
| Race         =  
+
| Species = [[Dragon]]
| Place_of_Birth=
+
| Allegiance = [[Nettles]]
| Date_of_Birth = after {{Date|48}}
+
| Race =  
| Place_of_Death=  
+
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Death =  
+
| Date_of_Birth = after {{Date|34}}
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
+
| Place_of_Death =  
 +
| Date_of_Death = {{Date|136|153}} <small>(presumably)</small>
 +
| Books = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[Fire & Blood]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Rise of the Dragon]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[The Princess and the Queen]]'' (mentioned)
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{Hatnote|For Harrag Sheepstealer, see [[Harrag Sharp]].}}
+
'''Sheepstealer''' was a wild male{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} [[dragon]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] with a taste for mutton.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} It lived at the back of [[Dragonmont]] and would hunt between [[Driftmark]] and [[Wendwater]]. The [[smallfolk]] of [[Dragonstone]] named it for a self-evident reason. At the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], he was one of three wild dragons living on Dragonstone.{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
  
'''Sheepstealer''' was a wild male{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} [[dragon]] during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] with a taste for mutton.{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} It lived at the back of [[Dragonmont]] and would hunt between [[Driftmark]] and [[Wendwater]]. The [[smallfolk]] of [[Dragonstone]] named it for a self-evident reason. He is one of three wild dragons with [[the Cannibal]] and [[Grey Ghost]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
+
==Appearance and Character==
 +
Sheepstealer's coloring was an ugly "mud brown".{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} He was not aggressive towards humans unless provoked, but could be vicious and ill-tempered. He had a taste for mutton. While he devoured the occasional sheep dog, he never harmed a shepherd.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
  
==Appearance==
+
Grand Maester [[Munkun]] described Sheepstealer and his rider Nettles as "a skinny brown girl on a skinny brown dragon", though it is also noted that Munkun never actually saw Nettles.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} Thus the accuracy of Munkun's description is unknown. Sheepstealer was not a young dragon by the time Nettles bonded with him, well over fifty years old. On the other hand, [[Dreamfyre]] was even older than Sheepstealer, but was consistently described as "slender" - thus it's possible that Sheepstealer could have both been large and of slender build.
Sheepstealer's coloring was an ugly "mud brown". He was hatched when King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] was young, which would put him around 80 years old at the time of the civil war.{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} He was not aggressive towards human unless provoked.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
At the beginning of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], six rider-less dragons dwelled on Dragonstone - three had once had riders and were more used to the presence of men, but there were also three "wild dragons", who had grown to adulthood without ever having a human rider. Like wild horses, this made them extremely difficult to master: the [[Cannibal]] was so vicious that it ate anyone it encountered (even other dragons), while [[Grey Ghost]] was so shy and timid that he fled at the first sight of any man. Sheepstealer was between these two in temperament: attacking anyone who attempted to mount him, but avoiding men in general.
+
[[File:Netty.png|350px|thumb|[[Nettles]] takes a sheep to Sheepstealer, by Ashley Hunter Rice]]
 
+
Sheepstealer's [[dragon egg]] hatched when King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] "was still young".{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Sheepstealer made its lair in the caverns of the [[Dragonmont]] on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], and would hunt sheep as far as on [[Driftmark]] and at the [[Wendwater]]. Sheepstealer went unclaimed by any [[dragonrider|rider]] in his youth, which made him more and more unused to the presence of men and harder to claim with each passing year. Eventually he spent over seven decades living wild on Dragonstone, snatching sheep from pastures across Blackwater Bay.
As the civil war progressed, [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] realized that his mother [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s faction was in the odd position of having more dragons than riders, and as it was believed that only those of Targaryen blood can bond with dragons, he put out a call for any [[Dragonseed|Targaryen bastard]] - or those who suspected they might be descended from a Targaryen bastard - to claim the beasts if they could. Several died claiming the first three dragons who had previous riders, but they were more accustomed to men and found mounts before long. No one was foolish enough to try to claim the Cannibal, and while some wished to claim Grey Ghost, he proved too difficult to even find before fleeing.
 
  
Sheepstealer was thus the only wild dragon that potential riders attempted to mount - and in the process, he killed more failed candidates than the first three dragons combined. [[Silver Denys]], a man who claimed to be a descendent of King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], tried to master the dragon. Sheepstealer tore off the man's arm but was chased off by [[the Cannibal]] before he could finish Silver. [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn of Hull]] tried to tame him, but received a burnt cloak for his troubles, barely saved by the intervention of his brother, riding [[Seasmoke]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}
+
During the early phase of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] called upon any potential [[dragonseeds]] to try and claim a dragon to ride. During this event, which became known as the [[Sowing]], Sheepstealer was one of four dragons who people attempted to mount, and the only one who had never had a [[dragonrider|rider]] before. In the process, Sheepstealer killed more candidates than the other three dragons ([[Seasmoke]], [[Vermithor]], and [[Silverwing]]) combined. [[Silver Denys]], who claimed to be a descendent of King [[Maegor I Targaryen]], had his arm torn off by Sheepstealer when he tried to master the dragon, and [[Alyn Velaryon|Alyn of Hull]] was burned by the dragon when he made his attempt.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
  
Just as it seemed that no one would be able to claim Sheepstealer, a bastard girl named [[Nettles]] finally managed to tame him. She achieved this through cunning: while the other riders had immediately approached the wild beast and been killed, she left out a freshly killed sheep every morning for him, gradually drawing closer each time, until eventually he grew used enough to her presence that she was able to mount him.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
+
A bastard girl named [[Nettles]] eventually managed to tame the dragon, through a cunning method. She left out a freshly killed sheep for the dragon every morning, causing the dragon to grow accustomed to her presence, until he allowed her to mount him.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Along with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s other dragonriders, Nettles and Sheepstealer took part in the [[Battle of the Gullet]] and the [[Fall of King's Landing|rapid capture of King's Landing]],{{Ref|TPATQ}} after which Sheepstealer made its lair in the [[Dragonpit]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
Along with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s other dragonriders, Nettles and Sheepstealer took part in the [[Battle of the Gullet]] and the [[Fall of King's Landing|rapid capture of King's Landing]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}
+
Nettles and Sheepstealer joined Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] and his dragon [[Caraxes]] in hunting [[Aemond Targaryen]] and [[Vhagar]] along the [[Trident]]. They remained at [[Maidenpool]], from where they continued their search every morning.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
When Rhaenyra named Nettles a traitor for taking [[Daemon Targaryen]] to bed, Nettles was allowed to flee from [[Maidenpool]]. The dragon and its rider were last seen flying over the [[Bay of Crabs]]. Many think that in despair, Nettles just kept flying out into the open ocean until her dragon was too tired to continue flying, and they both drowned.  Wild tales by the singers say that Nettles and Sheepstealer secretly escaped and subsequently picked up Daemon - who according to the legend, miraculously survived his fall during the [[Dance over Harrenhal]], and the two lovers dropped out of history. The veracity of this legend is unknown, but it is certain that Nettles and Sheepstealer played no further role in the Dance.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
+
When Queen Rhaenyra named Nettles a traitor, Nettles left Maidenpool with Sheepstealer early in the morning, after feeding Sheepstealer the largest black ram present at the castle. The dragon and its rider were last seen flying over the [[Bay of Crabs]].{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
  
When King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] regained the [[Iron Throne]] after Rhaenyra's death, there were reports that Sheepstealer had been seen at [[Crackclaw Point]] and the [[Mountains of the Moon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} In {{Date|134}} during the reign of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], Ser [[Robert Rowan]] led a royal army to the [[Vale of Arryn]] to support Ser [[Joffrey Arryn]]. Robert's men encountered Sheepstealer and a ragged Nettles in a cave, and in the ensuing fight sixteen men were slain and threescore more were wounded. Nettles and her dragon were last seen flying deeper into the Mountains of the Moon.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
+
When King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] regained the [[Iron Throne]] after Rhaenyra's death, there were reports that Sheepstealer had been seen at [[Crackclaw Point]] and the [[Mountains of the Moon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} In {{Date|134}}, during the reign of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], Ser [[Robert Rowan]] led a royal army to the [[Vale of Arryn]] to support Ser [[Joffrey Arryn]]. Robert's men encountered Sheepstealer and a ragged Nettles in a cave, and in the ensuing fight sixteen men were slain and threescore more were wounded. Nettles and her dragon were last seen flying deeper into the Mountains of the Moon.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
  
Some [[maesters]] believe that the [[Burned Men]] originated from members of the [[Painted Dogs]] who worshipped a fire-witch and her dragon in a hidden vale after the Dance, bringing gifts to the dragon woman and displaying burns as proof of their valor.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Vale}}{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
+
An offshoot clan of the [[Painted Dogs]] in the Vale came to worship a "fire-witch", to whom they would send their boys with gifts for her. In exchange, they would face the flames of her dragon to prove their manhood. This offshoot clan was considered to be one of the most savage of the mountain clans, and stories are still told about this fire-witch to this day. Some of the [[maester]]s of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] believe that this practice was the origin of the tradition held nowadays by the [[Burned Men]], where young men must give some part of their body "to the fire" to prove they have the courage to be a man.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Vale}}{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
  
 
==Known dragonrider of Sheepstealer==  
 
==Known dragonrider of Sheepstealer==  
*[[Nettles]], the first and last rider.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
+
*[[Nettles]], the first and only rider.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 22:05, 24 February 2023

Sheepstealer
Nettles and Sheepstealer by Jota Saraiva.jpg
Sheepstealer and Nettles by Jota Saraiva

Allegiance Nettles
Born In after 34 ACDragonstone
Died In 136153 AC (presumably)
Books

Sheepstealer was a wild male[1] dragon during the Dance of the Dragons with a taste for mutton.[2][1] It lived at the back of Dragonmont and would hunt between Driftmark and Wendwater. The smallfolk of Dragonstone named it for a self-evident reason. At the start of the Dance of the Dragons, he was one of three wild dragons living on Dragonstone.[3][1]

Appearance and Character

Sheepstealer's coloring was an ugly "mud brown".[3][1] He was not aggressive towards humans unless provoked, but could be vicious and ill-tempered. He had a taste for mutton. While he devoured the occasional sheep dog, he never harmed a shepherd.[1]

Grand Maester Munkun described Sheepstealer and his rider Nettles as "a skinny brown girl on a skinny brown dragon", though it is also noted that Munkun never actually saw Nettles.[4] Thus the accuracy of Munkun's description is unknown. Sheepstealer was not a young dragon by the time Nettles bonded with him, well over fifty years old. On the other hand, Dreamfyre was even older than Sheepstealer, but was consistently described as "slender" - thus it's possible that Sheepstealer could have both been large and of slender build.

History

Nettles takes a sheep to Sheepstealer, by Ashley Hunter Rice

Sheepstealer's dragon egg hatched when King Jaehaerys I Targaryen "was still young".[1] Sheepstealer made its lair in the caverns of the Dragonmont on Dragonstone, and would hunt sheep as far as on Driftmark and at the Wendwater. Sheepstealer went unclaimed by any rider in his youth, which made him more and more unused to the presence of men and harder to claim with each passing year. Eventually he spent over seven decades living wild on Dragonstone, snatching sheep from pastures across Blackwater Bay.

During the early phase of the Dance of the Dragons, Jacaerys Velaryon called upon any potential dragonseeds to try and claim a dragon to ride. During this event, which became known as the Sowing, Sheepstealer was one of four dragons who people attempted to mount, and the only one who had never had a rider before. In the process, Sheepstealer killed more candidates than the other three dragons (Seasmoke, Vermithor, and Silverwing) combined. Silver Denys, who claimed to be a descendent of King Maegor I Targaryen, had his arm torn off by Sheepstealer when he tried to master the dragon, and Alyn of Hull was burned by the dragon when he made his attempt.[3]

A bastard girl named Nettles eventually managed to tame the dragon, through a cunning method. She left out a freshly killed sheep for the dragon every morning, causing the dragon to grow accustomed to her presence, until he allowed her to mount him.[3] Along with Rhaenyra Targaryen's other dragonriders, Nettles and Sheepstealer took part in the Battle of the Gullet and the rapid capture of King's Landing,[3] after which Sheepstealer made its lair in the Dragonpit.[4]

Nettles and Sheepstealer joined Prince Daemon Targaryen and his dragon Caraxes in hunting Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar along the Trident. They remained at Maidenpool, from where they continued their search every morning.[4]

When Queen Rhaenyra named Nettles a traitor, Nettles left Maidenpool with Sheepstealer early in the morning, after feeding Sheepstealer the largest black ram present at the castle. The dragon and its rider were last seen flying over the Bay of Crabs.[3][4]

When King Aegon II Targaryen regained the Iron Throne after Rhaenyra's death, there were reports that Sheepstealer had been seen at Crackclaw Point and the Mountains of the Moon.[5] In 134 AC, during the reign of King Aegon III Targaryen, Ser Robert Rowan led a royal army to the Vale of Arryn to support Ser Joffrey Arryn. Robert's men encountered Sheepstealer and a ragged Nettles in a cave, and in the ensuing fight sixteen men were slain and threescore more were wounded. Nettles and her dragon were last seen flying deeper into the Mountains of the Moon.[6]

An offshoot clan of the Painted Dogs in the Vale came to worship a "fire-witch", to whom they would send their boys with gifts for her. In exchange, they would face the flames of her dragon to prove their manhood. This offshoot clan was considered to be one of the most savage of the mountain clans, and stories are still told about this fire-witch to this day. Some of the maesters of the Seven Kingdoms believe that this practice was the origin of the tradition held nowadays by the Burned Men, where young men must give some part of their body "to the fire" to prove they have the courage to be a man.[7][6]

Known dragonrider of Sheepstealer

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  2. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 The Princess and the Queen.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  5. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale.