Valyrian steel
From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Valyrian steel is a magical alloy invented in Valyria and used to make weapons of unparalleled quality. It is the spells and magic that make the steel special.[1] Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel, and feature distinctive rippled patterns similar to Damascus steel. Most Valyrian steel blades in Westeros are treasured heirlooms of noble houses, each with its own name and storied history.
Only the greatest weaponsmiths can reforge swords from existing Valyrian steel, but the secret of creating such an alloy was apparently lost with Valyria, making those remaining weapons highly treasured and extremely rare. The blacksmiths of Qohor claim to know how to reforge Valyrian steel, and Tobho Mott did reforge Ice at the request of the Lannisters, in King's Landing.
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Dragonsteel
When looking in the archives of the Night's Watch for a way to combat the Others Sam reads about "Dragonsteel". He and Jon think with this Valyrian Steel may be meant.[2][3]
List of known Valyrian steel blades
Blades known to still exist:
- Widow's Wail; One of two Valyrian blades reforged by Tobho Mott from Ice. The blade was made for King Joffrey Baratheon as a wedding gift by his grandfather, Lord Tywin. Where it was given its name from the shouted suggestion of an unnamed guest. Following Joffrey's death, ownership of Widow's Wail has presumably passed to his younger brother, King Tommen.
- Oathkeeper; One of two Valyrian blades reforged by Tobho Mott from Ice. The blade was made for Ser Jaime Lannister, but he has given it to Brienne of Tarth for use in her quest to locate Sansa Stark. The blade was given its name, Oathkeeper, at that time.
- Heartsbane, the ancestral two handed greatsword of House Tarly, currently in the possession of Lord Randyll Tarly.
- Longclaw, the ancestral Valyrian steel bastard sword of House Mormont. Currently in the possession of Jon Snow.
- Lady Forlorn, the ancestral sword of House Corbray, it is currently in the possession of Ser Lyn Corbray.
- Red Rain, the sword of House Drumm stolen in a raid. Given the name and coloring, possibly the ancestral sword of House Reyne
- Nightfall, the ancestral blade of House Harlaw and currently wielded by Ser Harras Harlaw.
- The dagger with dragonbone hilt wielded by Bran Stark's failed assassin, and currently in the possession of Petyr Baelish.
- A Valyrian steel axe possessed by House Celtigar [4].
Blades with known fate:
- Ice, the ancestral two handed greatsword of House Stark. Following Eddard Stark's execution in King's Landing, it was melted down and reforged into two longswords(those being Widow's Wail and Oathkeeper).
Blades with unknown fate:
- Blackfyre, the sword of Aegon I Targaryen. Carried by all Targaryen kings till Aegon IV who gave it to his bastard Daemon Blackfyre who rose in rebellion against the Targaryens, taking the sword's name for his house. Its whereabouts are currently unknown.
- Brightroar, the ancestral sword of House Lannister, lost when King Tommen II Lannister of the Rock sailed to Valyria and never returned.
- Dark Sister, the sword wielded by Visenya Targaryen. The last known owner was Bloodraven.
Other objects
- A pair of Valyrian sphinxes that guarded the door of the Small Council chamber.[6]
- A very small number of Maesters have Valyrian steel links in their collars, representing their study of magic and occultism. Among them are Maester Luwin and Archmaester Marwyn. Marwyn also has a ring, a rod and a mask of Valyrian steel.[7][8]
- Dragonbinder - a Dragon Horn banded with red gold and Valyrian steel.
References and Sources
- ↑ Producing Valyrian Steel. (March 11, 2001) So Spake Martin
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown (Quentyn II).
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
