6 things we want to see in HBO's Aegon the Conqueror spinoff

The destruction of Harrenhal

There are plenty of memorable moments from Aegon's Conquest of Westeros, but one of the biggest is the destruction of Harrenhal. Remember that ruined castle which featured prominently in Game of Thrones (and which we expect to feature prominently in House of the Dragon season 2)? Well, back in Aegon's day, it was still standing in all its terrible glory. Harrenhal was the seat of a man named Harren Hoare, also known as Harren the Black or Black Harren. By all accounts, he was a cruel, vicious ruler.

Before Aegon's Conquest, Harren ruled both the Iron Islands and the Riverlands. He spent 40 years constructing his mighty castle at Harrenhal, with those he'd captured in battle or elsewhere doing most of the building. Many didn't survive, and it's said that their blood seeped into the mortar of the castle. Needless to say, Harren wasn't popular with the Riverlords or even the people of the Iron Islands, which was where House Hoare held its power before Harrenhal was built.

Black Harren and his sons are one of Aegon's fiercest opponents, with their armies clashing in various battles. Eventually, Harren and his last living son hole up in Harrenhal and refuse to surrender to Aegon, even though Lord Edmyn Tully and several of the other Riverlords flipped sides. The old king refuses to bend the knee, since Harrenhal is a sturdy fortress that's well-stocked to survive a long siege.

But no amount of siege preparations or stout walls can withstand dragonfire. Aegon flies out to Harrenhal on his black dragon Balerion and scorches the entire place with fires so hot that the castle literally melts. It's a key turning point in the war, as well as a moment which ripples through Westeros' history. Harrenhal is never the same after Aegon is finished with it.