Michael Davis
Mushroom is a dwarf who served as the court jester to House Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between rival factions of the Targaryen dynasty. In George R. R. Martin's book Fire & Blood, Mushroom's account of the war is one of three conflicting narratives, alongside those of Septon Eustace and Grand Maester Munkun. Mushroom's testimony, The Testimony of Mushroom, provides a unique perspective on the events of the war, as he was perceived as simple-minded and was therefore privy to sensitive information. While some fans have expressed disappointment that Mushroom does not appear in the HBO series House of the Dragon, others argue that his absence avoids perpetuating harmful stereotypes about dwarves, as well as simplifying the narrative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 feet tall |
| Head | Enormous |
| Role | Court jester, fool |
| Intelligence | Sharp, witty, intelligent |
| Social status | Commoner |
| Nature | Lascivious, foul-mouthed |
| Position | Observer, not a player |
| Portrayal | Salacious, debaucherous, grotesque |
| Purpose | Feigns feeble-mindedness to gather information |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom is a dwarf
In the books, Mushroom serves as a fool at the courts of Viserys I Targaryen, Aegon II Targaryen, Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Aegon III Targaryen. He is present for many important events and records his experiences in "The Testimony of Mushroom," which is written by an unknown scribe. Mushroom's account is one of several conflicting perspectives that make up the narrative of the book "Fire & Blood," which is presented as a historical record rather than character-driven storytelling. Mushroom's interpretation of events is often more salacious and debaucherous than that of other historians, and his testimony provides an interesting and unique perspective on the history of the Targaryen dynasty.
However, Mushroom does not appear to be included in the HOTD TV series. There has been no indication of any little person being cast in the role, and people who have seen the premiere have confirmed that Mushroom is absent. One reason for his exclusion could be related to representation. Dwarves are often stereotyped and mistreated in the fictional universe, and including Mushroom could perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Additionally, with the large number of characters in HOTD, introducing another dwarf character similar to Tyrion Lannister from "Game of Thrones" could be seen as repetitive.
While Mushroom does not appear onscreen in HOTD, his testimony is still referenced in the show's timeline. His absence may be a creative decision to streamline the narrative and focus on a singular timeline of events.
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He is a court jester
Mushroom is a dwarf who served as a court jester to House Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between rival factions of the dynasty. He was in the service of King Viserys I Targaryen and later his daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen, who both competed for the Iron Throne. Mushroom's role as a jester was to tell jokes, dance, and entertain the court.
Mushroom's unique position as a jester, perceived as a "lackwit fool", allowed him to move through different social circles and gather information that others did not have. He was assumed to be unintelligent and simple-minded, which led to people speaking freely around him and revealing their secrets. This gave him a distinct and interesting perspective on the events of the Dance of the Dragons, which he recorded in "The Testimony of Mushroom". His accounts often conflicted with the records of other historians, such as Septon Eustace and Grand Maester Munkun, and included salacious and debaucherous tales.
Mushroom's absence from the "House of the Dragon" TV series has been a topic of discussion among fans. Some speculate that it is due to the sensitive nature of portraying a dwarf character, especially after the portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in "Game of Thrones", which faced criticism for perpetuating stereotypes about dwarves. Others suggest that including Mushroom as a narrator alongside other historians would have made the series more complicated. However, co-creator Ryan Condal hinted that Mushroom may appear in the future, and bits and pieces of his testimony are expected to be included in the show's timeline.
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He serves House Targaryen
Mushroom, whose true name is unknown, is a fictional character from the book series *A Song of Ice and Fire* and the *Game of Thrones* universe. He is a member of House Targaryen and serves as a trusted advisor and confidant to the royal family. Mushroom is known for his distinctive appearance, marked by a bald head and a thick beard, and his sharp wit and cunning intellect.
Mushroom's loyalty to House Targaryen is unwavering, and he has served multiple generations of the family. He acts as a counselor to the rulers, offering insights and advice rooted in his knowledge of history and the intricacies of court politics. Over the years, Mushroom has become a close confidant to the Targaryens, often serving as their eyes and ears in the court, providing them with valuable information and keeping them apprised of any potential threats or intrigues.
His role within the household is unique. While he is not of noble birth, his intelligence and discretion have earned him a respected position. Mushroom often acts as an intermediary between the Targaryens and other members of the court, facilitating communication and negotiation. He excels at extracting information from people; his charm and cunning allow him to get close to individuals and uncover their secrets.
Mushroom's relationship with House Targaryen is built on a foundation of trust and loyalty. He has proven his worth time and again, risking his life on numerous occasions to protect the family. His knowledge of court politics and the various factions within the kingdom has helped the Targaryens navigate treacherous waters. They value his counsel and rely on his discretion, confident that he always acts in their best interests.
Mushroom takes great pride in his service to House Targaryen, considering it his life's duty to protect and serve the family. He has dedicated himself to ensuring the Targaryens' continued success and prosperity, and his loyalty remains steadfast even in the face of danger. The family respects and appreciates him as an invaluable member of their household.
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He is intelligent, not feeble-minded
Mushroom is a dwarf who served as a court jester or fool in the Targaryen court. He is a character in George R. R. Martin's book "Fire & Blood", on which the TV series "House of the Dragon" is based. However, Mushroom does not appear in the TV series.
In the book, Mushroom is described as "a three-foot-tall dwarf possessed of an enormous head". He is illiterate and foul-mouthed, but he is also intelligent and witty. He uses the prejudice of the court to his advantage, allowing people to assume he is feeble-minded so that they speak freely in front of him and divulge their secrets. He is present for many important events and later records his eyewitness accounts in "The Testimony of Mushroom". His testimony provides an interesting perspective on the events of the war, as he recalls conversations from some of the most important moments firsthand.
Mushroom's account is one of several conflicting primary sources used by Archmaester Gyldayn, the in-universe author of "Fire & Blood". Gyldayn compares Mushroom's debaucherous tales to the more accurate but cleaner and chaster accounts of Grand Maester Munkun and Septon Eustace, who were biased in favour of Aegon II Targaryen, Rhaenyra's half-brother and enemy. Mushroom, on the other hand, was loyal to Rhaenyra and his interpretation of events is often more salacious or grotesque.
The absence of Mushroom from "House of the Dragon" has been a source of speculation and criticism. Some have suggested that it is due to the sensitive nature of portraying a dwarf character, especially after the portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in "Game of Thrones", which faced criticism for perpetuating stereotypes about dwarves. Others have speculated that it is simply because the series is already complicated, and introducing another unreliable narrator would add to the confusion. However, co-creator Ryan Condal has hinted that Mushroom may appear in the future.
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He may not be in HotD due to representation issues
In the book "Fire & Blood", Mushroom is a dwarf who serves as a fool at the courts of several Targaryens. He allegedly recorded the events that occurred during his time at court in "The Testimony of Mushroom", written by an unknown scribe. His account is filled with tales of plots, murders, and debaucheries, and is often compared to the accounts of other historians.
Mushroom has not been included in the TV series "House of the Dragon" (HotD), which is an adaptation of "Fire & Blood". There are several possible reasons for his exclusion:
Firstly, Mushroom's character plays into demeaning stereotypes about dwarves, which could be considered offensive and insensitive. Including him in the show could continue the representation of a demographic that struggles to find roles in TV shows, but it could also perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Mushroom's portrayal in the book is of a crafty, feeble-minded jester, which is similar to how dwarves are often stereotyped and treated horribly across the realm in "Game of Thrones" (GoT). Including a similar character in HotD could be seen as a betrayal of Tyrion Lannister's progressive identity arc in GoT, where his intelligence and complexity as a dwarf character were highlighted, and he fought against stereotypes about dwarves being morally degenerate or aggressive.
Secondly, the role of Mushroom in the story may not translate well from the page to the screen. In the book, Mushroom is a narrator and an important primary source of information, as he is present for many events and overhears things that others don't. However, on screen, his role would mostly be standing in the background being ignored, which could make him seem unnecessary or irrelevant.
Lastly, it is possible that the creators of HotD wanted to avoid having too many similar characters to those in GoT. Including another "bawdy dwarf" could create the impression that every show in this universe revolves around a dwarf character, and that every dwarf is a crafty miscreant.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom is a dwarf who served as a fool at the courts of Targaryens.
Including Mushroom in HotD would have betrayed Tyrion Lannister's progressive identity arc in Game of Thrones.
Mushroom was an illiterate, foul-mouthed fool who served King Viserys Targaryen. He later served the king's daughter, Rhaenyra, who vied for the Iron Throne after her father's death.
Mushroom was an intelligent character who used the prejudice of House of the Dragon's characters to his advantage. He played into demeaning stereotypes to get people to divulge their secrets, as they assumed he was stupid.
Co-creator Ryan Condal hinted that Mushroom may appear in the future.
