Victarion Greyjoy

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Victarion Greyjoy
Greyjoy coat sigil.png
Victarion Greyjoy by Amok©
Victarion Greyjoy by Amok©

Alias The Iron Captain
Titles
Allegiance House Greyjoy
Culture Ironborn
Born or between 257 AC and 269 AC[1]
Pyke
Books

Victarion Greyjoy is a member of House Greyjoy and is a younger brother of Lord Balon Greyjoy. He is the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet,[2] and his flagship is the Iron Victory.

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Victarion Greyjoy

Victarion is a large and powerful man, with a bull's broad chest and a boy's flat stomach. His hair is flecked with grey.[3] He wears plate armor in combat, a helm in the shape of a kraken, and wields a cruel axe.[3][4]

Victarion is a capable commander and a fierce warrior in battle, but has a calm demeanor outside of it, thinking of enemies who show bravery with great respect.[5] He is a religious man and wears full plate armor while sailing because he has no fear of drowning.[3][4] According to George R. R. Martin, Victarion is "dumb as a stump"[6] and "a dullard and a brute".[7]

History

Victarion Greyjoy coming ashore leading his ironborn men - by Matt Olson ©

Victarion and his two eldest brothers, Balon and Euron, convinced their father, Lord Quellon Greyjoy, to join Robert's Rebellion, and they raided the Reach late in the war. After Quellon was killed in a battle at the Mander, however, the new Lord Balon returned to the Iron Islands with his younger brothers.[8][9]

Victarion recognized the greatness of Balon and followed him loyally. He commanded the great fleet constructed by Balon, the Iron Fleet, during Greyjoy's Rebellion. During the rebellion, using a plan Euron had concocted, they sailed into Lannisport and burned the Lannister fleet at anchor.[10] Victarion tossed the first torch onto the flagship of Lord Tywin Lannister.[3] Later in the rebellion, the Iron Fleet was smashed by Stannis Baratheon in a sea battle off Fair Isle, during which Victarion's younger brother Aeron's vessel, the Golden Storm, was chopped in half by the warship Fury. After the rebellion's end, Victarion continued to serve faithfully as Lord Captain.

Victarion has wed three times: his first wife died in childbirth, birthing a stillborn daughter; his second wife was stricken by a pox; his third wife was seduced and impregnated by his brother Euron, which drove Victarion to beat her to death to retain his honour. Only the taboo against kinslaying kept Victarion from doing the same to Euron. He has not married since, nor has he forgiven Euron, who was forced into exile by Balon in 297 AC.[3][10][8]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

In preparation for the invasion of the north planned by his brother, Balon Greyjoy, Victarion loans his steersman, Rymolf Stormdrunk, to his nephew, Theon Greyjoy. Victarion attends a feast at Pyke's Great Hall with his brothers, Balon and Aeron.[10] He is sent with the main strength of the Iron Fleet to take Moat Cailin by his king and brother, Balon Greyjoy.[10] Moat Cailin falls to the ironborn's surprise assault.

A Storm of Swords

Upon hearing of Balon's death and the return of his brother, Euron, King Robb Stark thinks that Victarion will leave Moat Cailin to claim Balon's throne.[11]

A Feast for Crows

Victarion leaves a token force to defend Moat Cailin under the command of Ralf Kenning and returns to the Iron Islands with his fleet to decide on the succession of the next Iron King.[3]

Victarion makes a claim to the Seastone Chair as Balon's brother and second-in-command. Victarion makes a strong claim at the kingsmoot, but the crowd ultimately favors Euron.[12]

Despite his hatred for Euron, Victarion's obedient and dutiful nature keeps him following Euron's orders. He leads the taking of the Shields, slaughtering unarmored sailors and winning a duel with Ser Talbert Serry, the son of Lord Osbert Serry, but wounds his hand during the fight. After his victory, he watches helplessly as Euron steals many of his trusted comrades away from him by giving them titles on the Shield Islands. Victarion also deplores the cruelty Euron displays toward the slain lords' women.[4]

Apparently oblivious to Victarion's hatred, Euron summons Victarion to a private meeting in Lord Hewett's castle and asks him to find Daenerys Targaryen and deliver Euron's marriage proposal. The new king explains that Victarion will receive the Seastone Chair once Euron claims the Iron Throne. Victarion agrees, but secretly plans on courting Daenerys for himself.[4]

A Dance with Dragons

Victarion in plate armor - by Amok ©

After the yielding of Moat Cailin, Ramsay Bolton executes the small garrison left behind by Victarion.[13]

Victarion's Iron Fleet of over ninety ships splits into three squadrons and sets sail for Meereen. With him aboard Iron Victory is "the dusky woman", a gift of Euron's. She is comely but mute. On the journey, Victarion loses nearly half his ships, though he also gains some ships back by capturing and seizing several trading vessels and their cargo. Victarion's wounded hand continues to trouble him, and he suspects that Kerwin, the maester that Euron sent to accompany him, is poisoning him.

During the voyage, a Red Priest of R'hllor named Moqorro is discovered clinging to wreckage out at sea. The crew wants him killed, but Moqorro convinces Victarion to allow him to treat his wounded hand. Behind closed doors, Moqorro apparently uses magic on the lord captain; when Victarion emerges from his cabin, his hand is charred and blackened.[14]

Moqorro, like Melisandre, can see the future in the flames, and uses the magic to aid Victarion in his quest. For instance, Victarion orders his crew to kill Kerwin, as Moqorro had a vision that the maester's death would bring the ship good winds.[14] The Iron Victory's crew live in great fear of Moqorro and call him the Black Flame. Victarion makes offerings to both the Drowned God and R'hllor. Moqorro also alerts Victarion that he has seen Daenerys married in the flames, but Victarion is unconcerned by this, stating "she would not be the first woman I made a widow."[15] Moqorro tells Victarion that in order to bind Daenerys's dragons to the Iron Captain's will, Victarion must claim the dragon horn Dragonbinder with blood.[15]

The Winds of Winter

Just as the Second Siege of Meereen is about to begin, Victarion and the Iron Fleet arrive in Meereen's bay.[16]

Quotes by Victarion

Words are wind, and the only good wind is that which fills our sails.[3]

- Victarion to his captains


When Balon was wed, it was me he sent to Harlaw to bring him back his bride. I led his longships into many a battle, and never lost but one. The first time Balon took a crown, it was me sailed into Lannisport to singe the lion’s tail. The second time, it was me he sent to skin the Young Wolf should he come howling home. All you’ll get from me is more of what you got from Balon.[12]

– Victarion, at the kingsmoot


A wolf is not a kraken. What the kraken grasps it does not lose, be it longship or leviathan.[12]

- Victarion to Asha Greyjoy


Victarion Greyjoy fights Talbert Serry - by acazigot ©

May he feast as he fought, in the Drowned God’s watery halls.[4]

– Victarion, on Talbert Serry, after slaying him


Wizards may be well and good, but blood and steel win wars.[4]

- Victarion to the dusky woman


A lion may be fierce enough on land, but at sea the kraken rules supreme.[4]

- Victarion to Dunstan Drumm


There is no wine so sweet as wine taken from a foe. One day I shall drink your wine, Crow’s Eye, and take from you all that you hold dear.[4]

– Victarion's thoughts regarding Euron Greyjoy


I beat her to death with mine own hands, but the Crow’s Eye killed her when he shoved himself inside her. I had no choice.[4]

– Victarion's thoughts regarding his third wife


Euron: It is a fearsome thing to sail beyond Valyria.
Victarion: I could sail the Iron Fleet to hell if need be.[4]

- Euron Greyjoy and Victarion


The most beautiful woman in the world has urgent need of my axe.[15]

– Victarion, on Daenerys Targaryen

Quotes about Victarion

Victarion Greyjoy - by Aurelien Hubert ©FFG

Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, and a fearsome warrior. I have heard them sing of him in the alehouses.[10]

– "Esgred", to Theon Greyjoy


Victarion is like some great grey bullock, strong and tireless and dutiful, but not like to win any races. No doubt he'll serve me as loyally as he has served my lord father. He has neither the wits nor the ambition to plot betrayal.[10]

Theon Greyjoy, to "Esgred"


You ought to have no trouble catching our uncles. One is drunk on seawater, after all, and the other is a great grey bullock so dim he'll probably get lost.[10]

Asha Greyjoy, to Theon Greyjoy


The king must be Victarion, or the storm will slay us all.[8]

Aeron Greyjoy's thoughts

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dagon
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Son
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lady Stonetree
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quellon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lady Piper
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lady Sunderly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harlon
 
Quenton
 
Donel
 
Balon
 
Alannys Harlaw
 
Euron
 
Victarion
 
Unknown
three wives
 
Urrigon
 
Aeron
 
Robin
 
Stillborn
daughter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rodrik
 
Maron
 
Asha
 
Erik
Ironmaker
 
Theon
 
Bastard
sons
 
 
 
Stillborn
daughter
 
 


References and Notes