Rhaegar Velaryon

Rhaegar Velaryon was born the second son to Ser Aethan the Black Velaryon the Heir to Driftmark and Joanna Celtigar in 367AC. Never expected to inherit Driftmark, he entered the direct line of succession when his elder brother Elmar died at the age of six. Rhaegar and his cousin Haeron grew up together as they were of an age. Both were sent as pages to Kings Landing at the age of seven. Rhaegar’s father Ser Aethan was already ill from a degenerative illness and died three years later leaving Rhaegar heir to Driftmark. Just over a year later, Rhaegar’s grand-father Lord Edric also died (after 50 years as Lord of Driftmark), making the ten year old Rycherd the new Lord. Too young to rule and with Rhaegar fostered at Kings Landing, the rule of Driftmark fell to Ser Jacaerys Velaryon, the eldest surviving uncle of Rhaegar’s still in Westeros (as old Lord Edric’s second son Ser Laenor Velaryon, claiming to be the Lord of Driftmark had been exiled from Westeros in the year after Rhaegar’s birth for supporting the Sixth Blackfyre rebellion)

With both Rhaegar and Haeron now serving as squires to Prince Viserys of Dragonstone, Rhaegar was trained in the traditional way to be a knight of the realm. Unlike his cousin who aspired to be one of the greatest knights of his age, it was Rhaegar that continually found himself drawn to the sea, often to be found sailing on the river Blackwater in his leisure time and even daring to sail the inner waters of Blackwater Bay. When Rhaegar was fifteen, Prince Viserys his mentor succeeded to the throne with Rhaegar as Lord of Driftmark and a close relative of the royal family taking part in the coronation ceremony.

When his uncle Laenor Velaryon returned from exile to try and take Driftmark from his nephew on behalf of the Blackfyres, Viserys knighted both cousins and sent Rhaegar, the rightful lord, to rally Driftmark’s levies and loyal people to resist his uncle’s rebellion. Rhaegar himself and his other three uncles (Laenor’s younger brothers) resisted the Blackfyre incursion by actively rallying some of Driftmark’s smallfolk and levies. In an effort to negotiate with Laenor without bloodshed, Rhaegar bravely met his uncle at the head of his rebel smallfolk host and demanding that Laenor leave Driftmark, promising him his life and liberty if he voluntarily agreed to go. An altercation broke out, and one of Rhaegar’s household knights Willem Wendwater pulled Laenor down from his horse and killed him. The situation became tense once the rebel smallfolk realised what had happened, but Rhaegar acted with calm resolve and, saying "I am your lord, follow me!" he led Driftmark’s rebel smallfolk away from the scene. Wendwater meanwhile gathered a force to surround the rebel smallfolk host and was prepared to massacre them and hang the ringleaders, but Rhaegar instead granted clemency and allowed the rebels to disperse and return to their homes.

After dispersing the rebellion, Rhaegar took full control of Driftmark. His three uncles were divided in their loyalties. The middle uncle Aemond threw his loyalty behind Rhaegar but the other two Jacaerys and Trystane objected to the manner of Laenor’s death and to an extent blamed Rhaegar. Rhaegar worked hard to reconcile with his uncles and by 309 had repaired his relations with them and their families.

Since that time Rhaegar Velaryon has moved between Kings Landing and Driftmark, often visiting Dragonstone and even occasionally Braavos and Pentos. He has led constant naval sorties against pirates, ships belonging to the Blackfyres and helping keep the trading routes and laneways in the Narrow Sea open, honing his naval skills. The sight of the sails of the Lord of Driftmark in the Narrow Sea now strikes fear into the pirates and other reavers that stalk the Narrow Sea.