The Cannibal’s Importance In House Of The Dragon, Explained

There is no dearth of dragons in HBO’s House of the Dragon and lore. While Aenar the exile brought five dragons from Old Valyria to Dragonstone, the smallfolk of the said island claim that a dragon dwelt on the island before the arrival of the Targaryens. Predatory, menacing, and wild, this dragon goes by the name of the Cannibal.

The serpent-like creature has intrigued the likes of Septon Eustace and Grand Maester Munkun. The oldest of the three wild dragons of Dragonstone, he is different from the rest in more ways than one. The question remains of whether the Cannibal will appear in House of the Dragon – season 2.

The Cannibal Devours His Kind

So far, cannibalism among the Targaryen dragons is seldom heard of, and this wild dragon is an exception. He lairs at the back of the Dragonmont, toward the east, and is particularly known for his cannibalistic behavior. A few among the smallfolk widely hold the belief that the Cannibal was present on Dragonstone before the dragonlord, Aenar Targaryen, arrived on the island along with his household, slaves, and five dragons. This claim from Game of Thrones lore would make the Cannibal older than the Doom of Valyria, and the she-dragon, Vhagar, who was hatched on Dragonstone during the Century of Blood.

While this claim is debatable, what is certain is that the Cannibal is the oldest and the biggest of the three wild dragons who dwell on Dragonstone during the Dance of the Dragons. The smallfolk claim that the Cannibal does not share a common descent with the Targaryen dragons, and this adds intrigue to his name, to say the least. Though the Cannibal eats members of his species, he also devours Silver Denys and his sons during the Red Sowing on Dragonstone.

The Cannibal Vis-à-vis The Sowing

Does The Cannibal Take Part In The Dance Of The Dragons?

While the Cannibal’s birth year isn’t in the records, Sheepstealer, the wild dragon who is younger than him, was born during Jaehaerys I’s youth or the first few years of his reign. As for the Sowing of the Seeds or the Red Sowing, which gains momentum after Princess Rhaenys and Meleys, on behalf of the Blacks, are trapped and killed in a fight at Rook’s Rest, the Cannibal is avoided outright by the Dragonseeds and the wannabe dragonriders.

The Sowing refers to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon’s call to all Dragonseeds to claim a riderless dragon to help them in taking King’s Landing from the Greens and so forth. The prince wants to tilt the balance in their favor anyhow, but the Cannibal simply isn’t the right dragon. To pursue the policy of balance of power, the Dragonseeds and countless men and women try their luck with Vermithor, Sheepstealer, Seasmoke, Grey Ghost, and Silverwing. The wild Grey Ghost, who is shy of humans, is a rarely seen, and no one dares to approach the Cannibal, who doesn’t even spare his own kind.

Archmaester Gyldayn’s account of the Sowing puts the whole thing into perspective:

None of the dragonseeds were fool enough to disturb the Cannibal.

Did The Cannibal Kill Grey Ghost?

Ser Robert Quince, who serves as the castellan of Dragonstone during the Dance, dubs the Cannibal as Grey Ghost’s “killer.” When the fisherfolk of Dragonstone urge action, Quince refuses, saying it’s best to leave the Cannibal unbothered:

If we do not trouble him, the Cannibal will not trouble us.

Quince takes another measure for the safety of his people, in that, he issues a prohibition against fishing in areas beneath the eastern side of Dragonmont where Grey Ghost’s burnt, broken, and partially eaten carcass lies. The truth is, the Cannibal had no part in Grey Ghost’s death, and Aegon II’s Sunfyre is responsible. Sailors aboard Nessaria are witnesses to a fight that takes place near the Dragonmont between a dragon of golden scales (meaning Sunfyre) and the wild Grey Ghost. Quince finds it easy to blame the Cannibal and get on with things, but Daemon’s daughter, Lady Baela Targaryen, wishes to have the matter investigated. Quince has her restricted to her chambers.

Silver Denys’ Tryst With The Cannibal

Silver Denys, the man who claimed to be a descendant of the sterile king, Maegor’s bastard son, was devoured by the Cannibal along with his sons during the Sowing. This happened after Denys tried to tame the wild dragon, Sheepstealer, and lost his arm in the process. While Denys lay on the ground and his sons tended to him, the Cannibal flew down and gobbled down the bunch.

Silver Denys’ character is adapted for House of the Dragon, and Robert Rhodes will portray him in the upcoming season. Given that a new character is being brought to the story, the Sowing of the Seeds is likely to be every bit exciting. Additionally, it means that Sheepstealer and the Cannibal are two dragons to look forward to in House of the Dragon – season 2.