Difference between revisions of "Valyrian steel"

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(List of known Valyrian steel blades)
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*'''[[Lady Forlorn]]''', the ancestral sword of [[House Corbray]], it is currently in the possession of Ser [[Lyn Corbray]].
 
*'''[[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]]
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*'''[[Red Rain]]''', the sword of [[House Drumm]] stolen in a raid.{{ref|affc|19}} 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]].
 
*'''[[Nightfall]]''', the ancestral blade of [[House Harlaw]] and currently wielded by Ser [[Harras Harlaw]].

Revision as of 11:41, 24 June 2014

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]

About

Valyrian steel was manufactured in the Freehold of Valyria with dragonfire before the freehold fell.[2] It is much lighter and stronger than regular steel. It cannot be made any more, no one knows the secrets to its forging since Valyria vanished.

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. Valyrian steel keeps its edge forever.[2]

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.

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.

Blades with known fate:

Blades with unknown fate:

Other objects

  • 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.

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 Snow think with this Valyrian Steel may be meant.[9][10]

Quotes

Valyrian steel blades were scarce and costly, yet thousands remained in the world, perhaps two hundred in the Seven Kingdoms alone.[11]

A Storm of Swords


Valyrian steel is a fantasy metal. Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging. [12]

GRRM


Valyrian steel was always costly, but it became considerably more so when there was no more Valyria, and the secret of its making were lost. [13]

GRRM

References and Sources