In the 2nd episode of House of the Dragon we see the brutal work of a possible new villain: the Crabfeeder (originally Crabfeeder) up to mischief on the fringes of the Targaryen Empire.
Here in the article there are Explanation, why the crab feeder is so important, who or what the triarchy is, and what they do on the stepping stones. After all, Seafarer Corlys (Steve Toussaint) has been warning of the triarchy since the first episode, which King Viserys (Paddy Considine) downplays.
Crab feeders, triarchy and stepping stones explained
Who is the crab eater? The Crab Feeder’s real name is Craghas Drahar (Daniel Scott-Smith). He is not some random pirate, but a prince-admiral from the Free City of Myr on Essos. Craghas owes his nickname to a brutal method of execution: he nails opponents to wooden boards on the beach so that they drown in the tide. His appearance including the mask is probably due to the disease greyscale (OT: Greyscale), which also affected Shireen Baratheon and Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones.
What is the triarchy? Craghas acts on behalf of the so-called Triarchy (OT: Triarchy). This is an alliance of the three free cities of Myr, Lys and Tyrosh. These cities are on the continent of Essos, outside of the Targaryens’ sphere of influence. The alliance has existed for around 20 years at the time of House of the Dragon and is thriving. Even to the extent that they want to expand their power beyond Essos: That’s why the Triarchy with the troops of Craghas invade the Stepstones (OT: Stepstones) and free them from pirates. Viserys likes hearing that in the first episode of House of the Dragon, because what’s wrong with displaced pirates? But the triarchy does not stop there.
What and where are the stepping stones? The Stepping Stones are a group of islands to the southeast of Westeros, off the coast of Dorne. The rocky islands are not particularly attractive and mainly served as a pirate nest. But they have a strategically important location: the stepping stones are in the strait between Westeros and Essos. Whoever controls them can impose tariffs and worse. And that’s exactly what the triarchy is after.
Why Viserys massively underestimates the stepping stone problem and the crab feeder
the Triarchy now rules the stepping stones and thus via an important trade route. As we learn in House of the Dragon, she also does not shy away from attacking the ships of the Seven Kingdoms to assert her claim of ownership. Corlys Velaryon, master of ships who controls (and owns) the realm’s fleet, has already lost four ships to the crab eater Craghas.
© HBO
Should not have as an enemy: Corlys Velaryon
So it’s no longer just about dug up pirate nests, but about one growing foreign power in the south of the empire, which challenges the Targaryens’ sphere of influence. King Viserys hopes that with an emissary and talks with the triarchy he can solve the problem. Corlys and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) don’t believe in that path.
Because Viserys turns down Corlys’ request for a crackdown, the Master of Ships finds another dragon-accessed partner at the end of Episode 2: Daemon. Of the brother of the king banished from the court has settled on Dragonstone and as the episode with the stolen dragon egg shows, he’s just looking for an opportunity to get back at Viserys.
That makes them Lethargy of the king so dangerous. Viserys has estranged both: Corlys, lord of the fleet, and Daemon, a Targaryen with a legitimate claim to the throne. Since he does not intervene, his subordinates form unsupervised alliances to advance their interests. This is a sign of the weakness of the Head of the Seven Kingdoms. Now they are making plans together against the triarchy and if the king is not careful, this can have fatal consequences for him.
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