The Doom of Valyria Explained | How the Targaryens Survived

Valyria ruled much of Essos through dragons, sorcery and slavery. Twelve years before it vanished, Daenys Targaryen dreamed the end was coming and her father Aenar believed her. Aenar sold his holdings, gathered his family, wealth, slaves and five dragons, and left for Dragonstone. The other dragonlords called it cowardice. When the Fourteen Flames erupted, that retreat left House Targaryen as the last surviving dragonlord house. This is the story of the Doom of Valyria: the Freehold before its fall, Daenys the Dreamer, Aenar's escape, the destruction of the Valyrian peninsula, Balerion's survival, Aurion's lost expedition and the violent power vacuum that became the Century of Blood. The books never give one confirmed cause for the Doom. Volcanoes and earthquakes fit the destruction, but failed Valyrian magic, the deaths of the mages who may have controlled the Fourteen Flames, religious punishment and the Faceless Men all remain claims or theories rather than a solved explanation. CHAPTERS 0:00 The Family That Ran 1:22 Before the Ruins 3:27 Daenys the Dreamer 4:50 Five Dragons Leave Valyria 6:14 Twelve Quiet Years 7:18 The Day the Freehold Ended 8:52 What Caused the Doom? 10:53 The Dragonlords Who Survived 12:46 Five Dragons Become One 13:54 A World Without Valyria CANON SOURCES Fire & Blood The World of Ice & Fire A Feast for Crows A Dance with Dragons Unseen Lore creates original illustrated documentaries about the stories famous fantasy worlds never fully showed on screen. We separate confirmed canon from historical accounts, religious claims, interpretation and unsupported theory. Subscribe for the next part of this story: the Century of Blood, when Valyria's former cities and enemies fought over the world it left behind. Unofficial fan-made commentary and education. Not affiliated with or endorsed by George R. R. Martin, HBO, the publishers, studios, or other rights holders. All referenced names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. #ASOIAF #DoomOfValyria #TargaryenHistory