Who is Cragas Drahar, the “Crabfeeder” in House of the Dragon?

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Quick Details

Who was Craghas Drahar?

Credits: HBO

Craghas Drahar, also known as the Crabfeeder, was a prince-admiral from Myr. He served the Triarchy. He earned his nickname by feeding his surviving enemies to crabs. He did this by staking them to the shores during low tide.

He occupied and blockaded the Stepstones. This action drew the attention of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen. Together, they launched the War for the Stepstones to oppose him. Daemon eventually killed him during the siege of Bloodstone.

In the television adaptation House of the Dragon, Craghas Drahar is portrayed by Daniel Scott-Smith. His character is depicted as brutal and strategic. He uses fear and cruelty as tools to maintain control in the Stepstones.

In both the books and the show, his actions and the subsequent war are significant. They show his role as a formidable enemy to the Targaryens and their allies. His death marked a turning point in the Stepstones conflict.

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Quick Facts

Show

• Craghas Drahar is portrayed by Daniel Scott-Smith.
• He suffers from greyscale, which disfigures his face and brain.
• He wears a Ghiscari mask found in a shipwreck.
• He serves as the prince-admiral of the Triarchy.
• He stakes his enemies on beaches to drown or be eaten by crabs.
• He is defeated and killed by Daemon Targaryen during the siege of Bloodstone.
• His mask becomes a trophy displayed in the Hall of Nine by Corlys Velaryon.

Books

• Craghas Drahar is a prince-admiral from Myr who serves the Triarchy.
• He earned the nickname “Craghas Crabfeeder” for his cruel methods of execution.
• He led the Triarchy’s forces to conquer the Stepstones from pirates and outlaws.
• He imposed heavy tolls on ships passing through the Stepstones.
• Corlys Velaryon and Daemon Targaryen opposed him during the War for the Stepstones.
• He was beheaded by Daemon with the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister.
• The Triarchy suffered significant losses during the war before his defeat.

In the Show

Credits: HBO

Craghas Drahar’s Background

Craghas Drahar comes from the Free City of Myr. He suffers from greyscale, which has spread to his face and brain. Because of this, he wears a mask, which is of Ghiscari origin. He found the broken mask in a shipwreck. The mask resembles those used by the Sons of the Harpy centuries later.

Introduction in House of the Dragon

During a Small Council meeting, Corlys Velaryon reports on the Triarchy. The alliance includes three Free Cities, and Craghas Drahar styles himself as its prince-admiral. Drahar’s forces attack Westerosi ships passing through the Stepstones. He targets the Velaryon fleet, executing crewmen by staking them on beaches. The victims are devoured by crabs or drowned by the tide. In response, Corlys decides to go to war and convinces Daemon Targaryen to join him.

The War for the Stepstones

For two years, Drahar slowly loses ground during the war. His men discover a strategy to counter dragons by hiding in coastal caves. The caves protect them from dragonfire. Drahar besieges Bloodstone and launches night raids on Velaryon ships. His forces resist Daemon’s attacks during the day. News of Drahar’s growing success reaches King’s Landing. Many wonder if King Viserys should intervene to help Corlys and Daemon despite their rebellion.

Daemon’s Confrontation with Drahar

Daemon rows alone to the beach during the siege of Bloodstone. He waves a white flag, offering Dark Sister in apparent surrender. Drahar exits the caves to verify Daemon’s defeat. Daemon feigns submission, attacking the Triarchy soldiers. This forces Drahar’s men out of the caves. Laenor Velaryon ambushes the Triarchy archers with his dragon Seasmoke. Velaryon forces then reach the shores and attack the remaining soldiers.

Drahar’s Death

Drahar retreats into a cave as defeat looms. Daemon pursues him and kills him inside. Later, Daemon drags Drahar’s bisected corpse out of the cave. This act signifies his victory over the Crabfeeder. Daemon uses Drahar’s warhammer after the war to execute Triarchy corsairs. He later tosses the hammer before Viserys, telling him to add it to the Iron Throne.

Legacy

Corlys Velaryon keeps Drahar’s mask as a trophy. He displays it in the Hall of Nine in High Tide. The war solidifies Corlys and Daemon’s alliance and showcases their defiance of the crown. Drahar’s actions and eventual defeat mark a turning point in the Stepstones conflict.

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In the Books

Credits: Douglas Wheatley

The Rise of the Triarchy

The Triarchy, an alliance of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh, defeated Volantis in the Disputed Lands in 96 AC. After this victory, Craghas Drahar led the Triarchy’s armies and fleets to conquer the Stepstones. The islands had long been controlled by pirates and outlaws. During this campaign, Craghas earned the nickname “Craghas Crabfeeder.” He staked hundreds of captured pirates on beaches, leaving them to drown as the tide rose. Crabs later consumed their bodies.

Westerosi Reaction and Growing Tensions

Initially, the lords of Westeros welcomed the Triarchy’s actions. They appreciated the defeat of pirates and the safety of the Stepstones. They agreed to pay the Triarchy’s tolls for safe passage through the region. However, over time, Craghas and his Lysene and Tyroshi co-admirals raised the tolls significantly. These excessive demands angered many lords. Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides, was especially impacted. His shipping routes suffered the most from these tolls. Seeking relief and an opportunity for power, Corlys allied with Prince Daemon Targaryen. Together, they aimed to remove the Triarchy from the Stepstones and claim the region.

The War for the Stepstones

In 106 AC, Corlys and Daemon launched their campaign against the Triarchy. They sought to drive out the Triarchy’s forces and establish their own realm in the Stepstones. Over two years, the Triarchy suffered multiple defeats at the hands of their combined forces. Craghas continued to resist, commanding his armies and fleets despite mounting losses.

Craghas Drahar’s Defeat

Craghas Drahar eventually met his end in battle. Prince Daemon Targaryen confronted him directly. During the fight, Daemon killed Craghas with his Valyrian steel longsword, Dark Sister. This act marked the end of Craghas’s reign in the Stepstones. The Triarchy’s defeat allowed Daemon and Corlys to assert control over the region.

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Quotes

“A man called Craghas Drahar has styled himself the prince-admiral of this Triarchy. They call him ‘The Crabfeeder’ due to his inventive methods of punishing his enemies.”
―Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon

Quick Answers

Who was Craghas Drahar?

In the books, Craghas Drahar, also known as Craghas Crabfeeder, was a prince-admiral from Myr who served the Triarchy. In the show, he is portrayed as a brutal and cunning antagonist who leads the Triarchy’s forces in the Stepstones and earns his nickname through his cruel methods of punishing enemies.

What was Craghas Drahar’s role in the Stepstones conflict?

In the books, Craghas led the Triarchy’s armies and fleets to conquer the Stepstones, ridding the islands of pirates. In the show, his occupation of the Stepstones and attacks on Westerosi ships led to the War for the Stepstones, where Corlys Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen opposed him.

How did Craghas Drahar die?

In the books, Daemon Targaryen killed Craghas Drahar during the War for the Stepstones, beheading him with the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister. In the show, Daemon kills him during the siege of Bloodstone, dragging his bisected corpse from a cave as a display of victory.

What are Craghas Drahar’s distinguishing features?

In the books, Craghas is known for his brutal tactics, such as staking pirates on beaches. In the show, he suffers from greyscale, which disfigures his face and brain, requiring him to wear a Ghiscari mask.

What is the Triarchy?

In both the books and the show, the Triarchy is an alliance of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh. It aimed to control the Stepstones, charging tolls for safe passage through the region. Craghas Drahar served as the Triarchy’s prince-admiral.

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01/09/2025 12:57 pm GMT