Switching Allegiances: A Strategic Analysis of House Velaryon and House Baratheon
Imagine a scenario where the Velaryons, who traditionally hold power in the green camp, are switched to the black faction, and the Baratheons, who support the green side, switch to the black. This hypothetical shift raises numerous questions in the context of A Song of Ice and Fire and A Game of Thrones. Let’s explore the implications and challenges of such a switch.
House Baratheon
The reallocation of House Baratheon from the green camp to the black would be a relatively straightforward process. Traditionally, the Baratheons have promised one of their daughters to the Targaryen royal family. However, Douchez McGhee’s contributions to the war efforts, whether for the green or black faction, are minimal. Logically, this minimal involvement remains unchanged by switching his allegiances.
The true challenge lies in the potential consequences for Rhaenyra Targaryen, who is set to lose King's Landing if her hold on this region weakens. Since the Stormlands are right next door, it might provide her with additional support. Nevertheless, this shift would complicate Rhaenyra's strategic position, as King's Landing is a crucial stronghold.
House Velaryon: A More Complex Transition
The transition of House Velaryon, a key family known for their prowess in the navy, is far more problematic. The Velaryons have historically maintained a delicate balance, refusing to marry into the Hightowers. This refusal is rooted in both familial pride and strategic positions within the Targaryen hierarchy.
Madular Velaryon, Defounder of the Three Daughters, has a sweet deal with the Targaryens, offering them the lion's share of their dragon muscle. This arrangement is further strengthened by the marriage of Laena Velaryon to Daemon Targaryen. Notably, Daemon does whatever he wants, often disregarding conventional alliances and loyalties. His willingness to alienate even powerful entities like the Sealord of Braavos to remind them of his significance shows that he might be willing to further complicate these existing ties.
Furthermore, placing House Velaryon under the black faction would create a significant dilemma. As mentioned, the moment Rhaenyra marries Laenor Hightower, the Hightowers can no longer offer additional support, making this switch even more difficult to justify strategically.
Strategic Analysis
The hypothetical re-alignment of these powerful houses would dramatically alter the political landscape of the Seven Kingdoms. Hassignificantly, the conflict between Targaryens and non-Targaryens is more than just a battle for power; it's a fight for resources, allies, and control over key assets like the navy and military strength. Failing to align these powerful houses effectively could lead to a fragmented front, weakening the entire defense and increasing the vulnerability of the Targaryen cause.
Moreover, the fluid nature of the Targaryen family itself—particularly the unpredictable behavior of characters like Daemon—means that maintaining alliances is more complicated. The Targaryens, known for their ferocity and cunning, have a reputation for breaking promises and forging new ones at a moment’s notice. This instability further complicates any strategic shifts in alliances.
Conclusion
The proposed switch of House Velaryon and House Baratheon from their traditional allegiances presents a range of strategic challenges and opportunities. While the Baratheons' transition might be simpler due to their traditional familial détente, the Velaryons, because of their strategic naval power and delicate alliances, represent a far more complicated and potentially destabilizing shift.
Ultimately, the reallocation of such powerful houses would demand meticulous planning and unwavering loyalty to navigate the treacherous waters of political maneuvering in Westeros.