Daenerys Targaryen served as a prominent figure throughout Game of Thrones, but she took a lot of lives during her journey to the Iron Throne.
Daenerys Targaryen had one of the most gripping arcs in Game of Thrones, and she took a lot of lives during her journey in the HBO series. Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the epic fantasy drama starred Emilia Clarke as the key member of House Targaryen. Clarke portrayed the figure for all eight seasons of the series after taking over Tamzin Merchant’s role following the failed Game of Thrones pilot.
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Initially presented as an exiled Targaryen princess, Daenerys quickly rose to power after becoming a “khaleesi.” With her three dragons–Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion–by her side, the once timid young woman obtained an army of Unsullied to conquer cities, free slaves, and acquire more allies. During her mission to become the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Daenerys eventually aligned with Jon Snow. Following a battle against the Night King and a horde of White Walkers, Daenerys targeted King’s Landing, but it didn’t end as she had hoped.
Despite claiming the throne by the end of the series, Daenerys succumbed to the madness that historically plagued House Targaryen. Jon had no choice but to kill the new queen, but not before she had plenty of time to rack up an extensive list of victims. Here’s every character Daenerys killed throughout eight seasons, including the figures she ordered others to kill and those who fell victim to her dragons’ fire.
Khal Drogo
Daenerys married Khal Drogo as part of an arrangement orchestrated by Daenerys’ brother, Prince Viserys Targaryen. After killing Viserys because of his disrespect, Drogo led an assault on the village of Lhazareen. A difference in opinion resulted in Drogo dueling with one of his own men, which left him wounded in the process. The injury worsened to the point Drogo was close to death. Daenerys begged a maegi from the village to use her magic, which in turn, left Drogo in a vegetative state. Seeing that her husband was suffering, Daenerys smothered him with a pillow.
Mirri Maz Duur
Mirri Maz Duur was a godswife from Lhazareen who became enslaved when the Dothraki army attacked the village. After initially tending to Drogo’s wound, Daenerys convinced her to use blood magic to save the man’s life. Rather than helping him, Duur cursed Drogo so he would remain in a vegetative state while also preventing Daenerys from giving birth to a healthy infant son. For her actions, Duur was tied to Drogo’s funeral pyre and burned alive by Daenerys.
Khals In Season 6
In the Game of Thrones season 6 episode titled “Book of a Stranger,” Daenerys revealed his intention of leading the Dothraki. She was taken to the leader of the army, who told her she must live out her days with the other widows of the Dosh Khaleen in Vaes Dothrak. She was warned that she would be judged for defying traditions, but that never seemed to deter Daenerys. Instead, she met with the khals, claiming that they didn’t lead an army across the Narrow Sea to take the Iron Throne as promised. After calling them weak and unfit to lead, the men attempt to mock Daenerys, threatening her in the process. Without their vow to serve, Daenerys set fire to the temple, burning the khals alive. By proving herself as the true khaleesi, Daenerys killed Khal Moro, Khal Rhalko, Khal Brozho, Khal Qorro, and Khal Forzho.
Lord Varys
Technically, Lord Varys was killed by Drogon, but Daenerys ordered the death sentence. For much of Game of Thrones, Varys was a supporter of Daenerys’ fight for the Iron Throne. He eventually joined her small council, serving as the Master of Whisperers. When Varys became worried that Daenerys would share the same fate as her father, he began to undermine her cause. When Daenerys found out Varys supported Jon over her, he was sentenced to death for treason. Daenerys ordered Drogon to burn Varys alive, ending his arc in season 8.
Cersei & Jaime Lannister
House Lannister served as the most dangerous enemies in the eyes of Daenerys for the duration of Game of Thrones. Following the battle of Winterfell, Daenerys set her sights on King’s Landing. During the march, the power-hungry figure lost Rhaegal and Missandei. Full of rage, Daenerys planned an attack on King’s Landing after Cersei refused to surrender. With the use of Drogon, Daenerys destroyed King’s Landing defenses. Despite a late surrender, Daenerys carried on with the assault, burning the city. During the assault, Jaime reunited with his sister/lover in the Red Keep. They attempted to take refuge, but the pair were killed when the Red Keep crumbled due to Daenerys’ attack.
Citizens Of King’s Landing
While signs were hinting that Daenerys would do what it took to take the Iron Throne, her allies weren’t fully aware of her plans to destroy King’s Landing in the process. Cersei convinced innocent civilians to take shelter in the Red Keep, intending to use them as human shields. Seeing as Daenerys decimated the city’s defenses, she ended up slaughtering countless innocent civilians. In addition to those caught up in the battle, the attack presumably took the lives of Ser Ilyn Payne, Olyvar, Ellaria Sand, Septa Unella, and the High Septon.
Characters Killed Due To Daenerys’ Orders
Xaro Xhoan Daxos: A merchant from Qarth who betrayed Daenerys with the help of Pyat Pree in Game of Thrones season 2. After stealing her dragons, Daenerys discovered the truth and had him locked in a vault.
Doreah: A handmaiden of Daenerys who conspired with Xaro Xhoan Daxos to betray her master. Upon finding her participation in the coup, Daenerys also had the woman locked in the vault, where she was left to die.
Mossador: A former slave from Meereen that represented the freedmen in Daenerys’ small council. After he killed a prisoner set for a fair trial, Daenerys ordered Daario Naharis to behead Mossador in Game of Thrones season 5.
Characters Killed By Daenerys’ Dragons
Pyat Pree: The warlock from Qarth who agreed to help Xaro Xhoan Daxos conspire against Daenerys if he could acquire her dragons. When Daenerys recovered her three dragons in the House of the Undying, she ordered them to burn Pyat Pree alive after using the powerful command “dracarys.”
Kraznys mo Nakloz: A slave-trader that was killed during Daenerys’ Sack of Astapor. After trying to make a deal to acquire Drogon, Daenerys used dragonfire to kill the wealthy member of the Good Masters.
Greizhen mo Ullhor: A fellow slave-trader and member of the Good Masters that Drogon killed during the negotiations with Daenerys in season 3.
Zalla: The 3-year-old daughter of a civilian from Meereen killed by Drogon, which greatly disturbed Daenerys.
Master Eaton: The former Great Master of Meereen was one of the leaders of great families that were offered up to Viserion and Rhaegal.
Lord Randyll Tarly: The Lord of Horn Hill was burned alive by Drogon on Daenerys’ orders after the Battle of Goldroad.
Dickon Tarly: The favorite son of Randyll Tarly, who Drogon also killed following the Battle of Goldroad in Game of Thrones season 7.