Valyrian steel

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Valyrian steel was invented in Valyria and was used to make weapons and various other items of unparalleled quality. Being spell-forged steel, it is the spells and magic that make the steel special.[1][2]

History

Valyrian steel, possibly forged with dragons,[3] was manufactured in the Valyrian Freehold of old. Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel, and feature distinctive rippled patterns similar to real-world Damascus steel, the mark of steel that has been folded back on itself many thousands of times.[4] Most Valyrian steel blades in Westeros are treasured heirlooms of noble houses, each with its own name and storied history. Valyrian steel was always costly, but it became considerably more so when there was no more Valyria, the secret of its making lost with the Doom.

Only the greatest weaponsmiths can reforge swords from existing Valyrian steel, making those remaining weapons highly treasured and extremely rare. The blacksmiths of Qohor claim to know how to reforge Valyrian steel.

Suits of armor can also be fashioned of Valyrian steel. Such armor is worth a kingdoms fortune and is exceptionally rare, no armor of valyrian steel has been seen for 400 years since the Doom and no one in Westeros possesses such armor. [5]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Lord Eddard Stark uses Ice to execute Gared, a deserter from the Night's Watch.

A catspaw tries to assassinate Bran Stark with a Valyrian steel dagger, but he is instead slain by Summer. Bran's mother, Catelyn Stark, show the dagger to Petyr Baelish, who claims to have lost the dagger in the tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day.[6]

Ser Ilyn Payne uses Ice to execute Ned Stark in King's Landing.[7]

In gratitude for having been saved from a wight, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont gives Longclaw to Jon Snow.[8]

A Storm of Swords

Lord Tywin Lannister has Tobho Mott, a blacksmith trained in Qohor, reforge Ice into two new Valyrian blades.[4] The first, Widow's Wail, is given to King Joffrey I Baratheon as a wedding gift by his grandfather, Tywin. Joffrey chooses its name from the shouted suggestion of an unnamed guest.[9] Following Joffrey's death at his wedding feast, ownership of Widow's Wail presumably passes to his younger brother, King Tommen I.

Tywin gives the second blade to his son, Ser Jaime Lannister. Jaime then gives it to Brienne of Tarth for use in her quest to locate Sansa Stark, and he asks her to name it Oathkeeper.[10]

A Feast for Crows

When looking in the Night's Watch's archives, Samwell Tarly reads about dragonsteel, which he and Jon Snow think might have been Valyrian steel.[11][12]

A Dance with Dragons

During the Siege of Astapor, the sellsword Caggo fights with a Valyrian steel Arakh. [13]

The Winds of Winter

Euron Greyjoy is seen by his captive brother Aeron in a suit of black scale armor like nothing Aeron had ever seen before. Dark as smoke, but Euron wore it as easily as if it was the thinnest silk. The scales were edged in red gold, and gleamed and shimmered when they moved. Patterns could be seen within the metal, whorls and glyphs and arcane symbols folded into the steel. The revelation dawns on the shocked Aeron that the armor is forged of valyrian steel and that Euron has indeed been to the ruins of Valyria. [14]

List of known Valyrian steel blades

Blades known to still exist:

Blades with known fates:

Blades with unknown fates:

Other objects

  • A small number of maesters, including Maester Luwin and Archmaester Marwyn, have Valyrian steel links in their collars, representing their study of magic and occultism. Marwyn also has a ring, a rod and a mask of Valyrian steel.[21][22]
  • Dragonbinder - a dragon horn banded with red gold and Valyrian steel.
  • The crown worn by Aegon I Targaryen (and a few other kings), embedded with rubies.

Quotes

Valyrian steel blades were scarce and costly, yet thousands remained in the world, perhaps two hundred in the Seven Kingdoms alone.[4]

– thoughts of Tyrion Lannister


A man who bears Valyrian steel should use it for more than scratching his arse.[23]

- Godry Farring to Jon Snow


Valyrian steel is a fantasy metal. Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging.[24]

George R. R. Martin


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.[25]

George R. R. Martin

References and Sources