Visenya Targaryen

Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Ruler of the Known World, Empress Visenya Targaryen (a.k.a. The First Queen, The Whore of Westeros)

Bio

Visenya Targaryen stands as a defining figure in the recent history of Westeros, revered both for her assertive claim to power and her unorthodox personal life, while also hated for the same reasons and many more. The eldest daughter of Aegor I, the man who Reconquered Westeros and ended the Century of Blood, she was named his heir shortly before his death, a controversial decision. Focused on solidifying her claim and intertwining duty with personal affection, Visenya married her brother in a union that echoed the ancient Targaryen tradition of keeping bloodlines pure, yet it was clear from the outset that she would be the sovereign ruler. Visenya's reign, however, would be marked by a passionate and public relationship with Jay Dalt, a charismatic Prince from Dorne. This liaison, which produced a daughter named Helaena, might have once provoked scandal and strife, but under Visenya’s rule, it was met with a surprising lack of public disdain, but privately the matter was much different. From 406 AC to 416 AC, the "Targaryen Empire" conquered most of the Free Cities, except for Volantis, Norvos, Qohor and Lorath. They funded proxy wars in the North and Iron Isles and her network of spies, from the Lord Viceroy Richard Pryor, kept much of the Realm outside of Westeros in a state of terror, as they extorted and killed smallfolk and nobility alike if you didn't bend the knee. In a particularly tumultuous episode during her reign, Visenya Targaryen's authority and the honor of her daughter, Princess Helaena, were fiercely defended by Jay Dalt, resulting in significant political and military consequences. The incident occurred at a royal ball hosted by Lord Siegfried Swann and his wife Ellyria in 413 AC, where Lord Nigel Mertyns brazenly insulted Princess Helaena, calling her a "Dornish Halfbreed" and her mother a "whore." Enraged by these slurs, Jay Dalt, ever the protector of his lover and his daughter's honor, challenged Mertyns to a duel to the death. Dalt's victory in the duel, however, was not the end but the beginning of the "Dornish Sea Wars." In response to the insult and the subsequent duel, House Dalt, supported by House Targaryen, launched a devastating attack on House Mertyns. The conflict was brutal and brief, resulting in the complete extermination of House Mertyns. This aggressive reaction was seen by many as a stark demonstration of Queen Visenya’s ruthlessness, a trait that stirred fear among the nobility. The elimination of House Mertyns marked a turning point in Visenya’s reign, as it incited secret conspiracies among the other lords, who began to fear that any slight might provoke a similarly harsh response. Accusations and whispers questioning the stability of Visenya's rule began to circulate, comparing her unfavorably to the infamous "Mad" Targaryens of the past. This period underscored the complexities of her rule, where her strong leadership was both revered and reviled, highlighting the delicate balance she maintained between power and perception in the realm. Queen Visenya Targaryen's reign, initially filled with promise and marked by a bold vision for the future of Westeros, tragically culminated in the devastating conflict known as the Great Awakening. This massive uprising, which spanned both Westeros and Essos, was a reaction against what many perceived as her increasingly autocratic rule. The rebellion reached its climax when a coalition of forces, including the formidable Pentos Armada, decisively turned against her. In a fateful confrontation, her ship was sunk in Blackwater Bay, leading to her untimely demise and marking a violent end to her controversial tenure on the Iron Throne. In conclusion, Queen Visenya Targaryen's story is one of a ruler with immense potential who ultimately became a victim of the very power she wielded so fiercely. Her vision for a unified and strong realm was overshadowed by accusations of tyranny and corruption, making her one of the most controversial figures to ever sit upon the Iron Throne. Her dramatic rise and fall underscore the volatile nature of power and the perilous balance between maintaining authority and provoking resistance. Her legacy, while influential, remains a cautionary tale about the complexities of leadership and the potent forces of opposition that can arise in response. It should be noted, that Visenya's daughter Helaena, is now the Queen of the Realm and her grandson, Aegon Bracken, is set to inherit the Iron Throne when he is of age.