The Most Cunning Characters In House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon has given a bunch of interesting characters. Some are intelligent while others are reckless. But in typical Game of Thrones fashion,

By Chandraboli Majumdar
September 22,2022
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House of the Dragon has given a bunch of interesting characters. Some are intelligent while others are reckless. But in typical Game of Thrones fashion, the characters are as cunning and sly as they come. Here’s our list of the most cunning characters in House of the Dragon.

1. Ser Otto Hightower

Otto Hightower talks to Alicent
Otto Hightower talks to Alicent

The previous Hand of the King and ardent supporter of Aegon II Targaryen, Ser Otto Hightower had to top our list. He has been a cunning player ever since the first episode of House of the Dragon and his actions mostly went unnoticed by the King. After the death of Queen Aemma, he groomed Alicent and made her King Viserys’ wife. Otto Hightower’s conversation with Alicent in the rain was also instrumental in turning her against Princess Rhaenyra and starting the Dance of the Dragons. He uses Mysaria and her network of child spies to do his bidding. Undoubtedly, Otto Hightower is the most cunning character in House of the Dragon.

2. Lord Larys Strong

Lord Larys Strong in House of the Dragon
Lord Larys Strong in House of the Dragon

We have just seen Lord Larys Strong make a huge move in House of the Dragon episode 5. He made Alicent aware of the fact that Grand Maester Mellos served Princess Rhaenyra a tea because she was unwell on the very night that Daemon returned to King’s Landing. Lord Larys will play a very important role in the upcoming Dance of the Dragons as he will become a fierce ally of the greens. He observes and notices all that happens in the Red Keep and is extremely cunning in his ways.

3. Prince Daemon Targaryen

Prince Daemon returns to King's Landing in House of the Dragon
Prince Daemon returns to King’s Landing

At first glance, Prince Daemon Targaryen may seem like a rebellious, reckless man who is all brawns and no brains. But he is much more cunning and intelligent than that. While his actions are not subtle at all, his motives are definitely layered and multifaceted. Right from taking Rhaenyra to the Street of Silk and taking off her disguise to killing Lady Rhea Royce he always has something up his sleeve. In fact after killing his wife, not only was he able to marry someone else but he also inherited Runestone, all in one fell swoop.

4. Lady Mysaria

Lady Mysaria in House of the Dragon
Lady Mysaria in House of the Dragon

Mysaria came from nothing and proceeded to become the Mistress of Whisperers and one of the strongest allies of Princess Rhaenyra. This happened because she was cunning, resourceful and smart. She used her connections and wit to climb up the ladder in House of the Dragon and established a remarkable spy network made up of inconspicuous children.

5. Lord Corlys Velaryon

Lord Corlys Velaryon
Lord Corlys Velaryon

The Sea Snake, Lord Corlys Velaryon is an extremely cunning and intelligent man. At every step, he has used his smarts to strategize and come up with a plan that would further him in his quest for power. Right from aligning himself with Daemon to fixing Lady Laena’s marriage with the son of the Sealord of Braavos, his moves have created ripples in the King’s small council.

6. Queen Alicent Hightower

Emily Carey as Queen Alicent in House of the Dragon episode 5
Queen Alicent in House of the Dragon

While Queen Alicent Hightower is yet to truly become the shockingly cunning and intelligent character that she is in the books, she has already started her journey by showing up in a green dress to Rhaenyra’s wedding in House of the Dragon. Eventually she will even conceal the King’s death so as to further Aegon’s claim to the throne.

7. Craghas Drahar

Craghas Drahar
Craghas Drahar

We have seen only a little bit of Craghas Drahar in House of the Dragon but he was a force to be reckoned with. He led the Triarchy troops very well and used his wit to escape the wrath of the Targaryen dragons by hiding inside the caves. The only reason he was defeated was because Daemon Targaryen is a mad man who was ready to walk straight into the enemy’s mouth and kill them all alone.

8. Ser Joffrey Lonmouth

Ser Joffrey Lonmouth in episode 5
Ser Joffrey Lonmouth in episode 5

Joffrey Lonmouth appeared very briefly in House of the Dragon but he seemed like quite a cunning character. He was smart enough to figure out that Princess Rhaenyra’s paramour was her own sworn protector, Ser Criston Cole. Then he slyly went to Ser Criston and implied that he knew about him and Rhaenyra and that the best way to proceed would be to protect each other’s secrets.