Driftmark has a significant role to play in the Dance of the Dragons, and the leader of the house is a man who has perhaps seen more of the known world on the water than anyone else. Known as the Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon is wise, measured, and extremely well-travelled, with his exploits at sea making him a fascinating character to study in finer detail. The disheartening development cycle of Skull and Bones is a reminder that gamers want more of the naval combat that started gaining popularity in Assassin’s Creed 3, and Corlys Velaryon from House of the Dragon could be a great, and popular reentry point into a game mechanic that is universally understood to be great.
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Naval Combat is Assassin’s Creed’s Best Export
Though the franchise is one of the most popular single-player-centric series’ of all time, Assassin’s Creed 3 is sometimes considered a disappointment in comparison to its predecessors. The setting didn’t lend itself well to parkour-based traversal and the story was arguably lacking, but it introduced a mechanic that has gone on to define the franchise’s later years. Naval combat was fresh, unique, and very satisfying, but as Assassin’s Creed is set to take a detour to Baghdad in 2023, the potential for sea skirmishes is limited. Skull and Bones is trying to offer an alternative, but several delays have caused hesitation among fans about the quality of the title.
Exploring the high seas is something that plenty of games since have replicated, from Sea of Thieves to Abzu. The ocean is fascinating, and the thrill of traversing it while narrowly avoiding dangers makes it ripe for video game adaptations. A game that takes advantage of Corlys Velaryon’s expertise could allow players to see the setting as a veteran seafarer would, and the waters around Westeros and Essos are some of the most fascinating in all fiction. From the Stepstones to Slavers Bay and back again, the world Game of Thrones presents sits within vast, but detailed waters, and Assassin’s Creed-style naval combat could make it all the more accessible to both gamers and fans of the George R.R. Martin property.
The Sea Snake is Westeros’ Most Seasoned Sea Captain
Introduced in House of the Dragon as the Master of Ships under the rule of King Viserys, Corlys Velaryon’s stoic intellect and quiet ambition is felt from the off. He’s the wealthiest man in Westeros, and his marriage to Princess Rhaenys means he’s never far from the tumultuous Targaryen family affairs. As the head of House Velaryon and Lord of the Tides, he’s at home on the water, and his exploits out at sea have become legendary in Westeros.
There are few places in the known world of Game of Thrones that Corlys Velaryon hasn’t sailed to. His early voyages to Pentos were just the beginning, as his “Nine Voyages” aboard the Sea Snake ship took him beyond the Jade Gates to Yi Ti and Leng, as well as Asshai to the far east. He’s seen more of Westeros and Essos than almost everyone in the history of the franchise, and getting from place to place relied on his proficiency as a sea Captain and sailor. Corlys Velaryon’s whole life has been spent out at sea, so if there’s anyone who has enough character development and seafaring experience to prop up naval combat in gaming, it’s House of the Dragon’s Sea Snake.
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