House Targaryen

House Targaryen of King's Landing has a long and storied history. The last of the Dragonlords of Old Valyria, their ancestors fled to Dragonstone before the Doom, and as such were spared from destruction. They resided for more than a century at Dragonstone on the island of the same name, until Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, began the first of the Wars of Conquest in 2 BC. The Targaryen sigil is a three-headed dragon breathing flames, red on black. The house words are "Fire and Blood". It eventually became the first royal house of the Seven Kingdoms.

During Aegon's Conquest, the family built the Aegonfort in the new capital city of King's Landing. The Aegonfort was later torn down and replaced by the Red Keep, which remained their main seat for the duration of their dynasty, and which housed the Iron Throne. Their original castle was almost always given to the heir to the throne, the Prince of Dragonstone. The typical Targaryen features remind strongly of the typical Valyrian features: pale skin, silver, platinum, or gold hair and eyes in a variety of shades of purple, or light blue. The Targaryens can tolerate a bit more heat than most ordinary people; However, they are not immune to fire.

Another trait typical to Targaryens is the ability to have premonition-like dreams.The trait has been in the Targaryen family since before they relocated from Valyriato Dragonstone in 114 BC (and in fact, is what caused them to relocate). This trait was passed on to the cadet branch, House Blackfyre, as well.

The Targaryens are seen as prone to madness, presumably caused by their inbreeding. According to King Jaehaerys II, "madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born [...] the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land".

The current head of House Targaryen is Daeron II Targaryen, the King of the Seven Kingdoms.