Because of how well he dealt with bandits and pirates in the Stepstones, Craghas Drahar became known by his nickname. Craghas Crabfeeder, a prince admiral from Myr, served the Triarchy.
At the beginning of House of the Dragon Episode 2, KILLER CRABS have taken over the coastline of a conflict zone. But in the upcoming weeks, would they be able to stand up to the ships of Corlys Velaryon and Caraxes, the dragon of Daemon Targaryen?
We see Daemon (Matt Smith) and Corlys (Steve Toussaint) agreeing to take control of the Stepstones, a group of islands east of Dorne, by the end of Episode 2. Because so much of the sea traffic between Westeros and the Free Cities of Essos must travel through them, the Stepstones are crucial from a strategic standpoint. To the dismay of Corlys, who serves as the Master of Ships on King Viserys I Targaryen’s (Paddy Considine) small council, their present owners, the Triarchy (composed of the three towns of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh), have raised tolls, the Triarchy has imposed new restrictions on travel. Read More recap at tvacute.com
Corlys defies Viserys and decides to handle things in the Stepstones on his own terms since he is upset that Viserys rejected his daughter in favor of marrying Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey). Daemon, who is equally furious with his brother for stealing his stolen dragon egg and depriving him of his minor council titles, accepts Corlys’ offer to team up with her and makes a promise to win back King’s Landing. The commander of the Triarchy’s forces, Craghas “Crabfeeder” Drahar, poses their greatest danger in the Stepstones.
Although Craghas isn’t shown in House of the Dragon Episode 2, we have seen Daniel Scott-character Smith’s in advertisements. He covers his damaged face, which was probably burned during Targaryen and Velaryon attacks on the islands, by donning a mask. Westerosi lords were eager to pay Triarchy charges for secure travel after the pirates’ defeat. Craghas and his Lysene and Tyroshi co-admirals’ avarice drove increased tolls years later. Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, was most stung by these tolls, so he teamed up with glory-hungry Prince Daemon Targaryen to push Triarchy soldiers from the Stepstones in 106 AC. The Triarchy lost several battles during the War for the Stepstones before Craghas was beheaded by Daemon with his Valyrian steel longsword, Dark Sister.
At the beginning of Episode 2, we do see the results of Craghas’ tyranny as well. Due to his orders to stake pirates and outlaws who dared to interfere with the Stepstones on beaches so they would perish in the ebbing tide or be eaten by the crabs, Craghas earned the nickname “Crabfeeder.”
When Will The War For The Stepstones Take Place?
Episodes 3 and 4 of House of the Dragon are most likely where we’ll see the bloody conflict known as the War for the Stepstones, which involved the troops of the Triarchy, Corlys Velaryon, and Daemon Targaryen. Viserys names Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) his successor, marries Alicent, and exiles Daemon from King’s Landing before the first assault starts.
In the end, Daemon triumphs, and despite having no right to the title, he anoints himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea, a move that Corlys enthusiastically applauds. But Daemon’s triumph is fleeting. Soon after, the Triarchy launches a defence, and battle continues until Daemon stealthily retreats to King’s Landing. While waiting for the situation to calm down, Daemon offends Viserys by requesting the hand of his niece, Rhaenyra, in marriage. Although incestuous acts were not unknown to the Targaryens, Viserys is protective of his daughter and does not think her uncle would make a good match. When Daemon is once more expelled from King’s Landing, he gives up his position on the Stepstones.
Caraxes, called the Blood Wyrm, were ridden by Princes Aemon and Daemon Targaryen. We know that Daemon rides Caraxes into battle in the Stepstones based on promotional video for House of the Dragon. Fans have no way of knowing what will be adapted for the big screen in House of the Dragon, not even with prior knowledge of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire prequel stories. Since Daemon’s claim on the islands causes his return to King’s Landing and the beginning of his longtime friendship with Corlys, it seems likely .
