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[[File:Dark Sister by Velvet Engine.png|Dark Sister, as depicted by Velvet Engine in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.|thumb|right|250px]]
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[[Image:Visenya.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Visenya Targaryen]] with Dark Sister, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©] ]]
'''Dark Sister''' is a famous [[Valyrian steel]] [[Armament|longsword]], one of two ancestral swords of [[House Targaryen]], the other being [[Blackfyre]].  
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'''Dark Sister''' is a famous [[Armament|longsword]] of [[Valyrian steel]]. It is one of two ancestral swords of [[House Targaryen]], the other being [[Blackfyre]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
[[Image:Visenya.jpg|200px|thumb|left|[[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]] and Dark Sister, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/ Amok©].]]
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Dark Sister has been in the possession of [[House Targaryen]] since before [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} It may have been forged for a [[woman warrior]] originally, as its slender blade is designed for a woman's hand.<ref name="SSM">[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/citadel/ssm/entry/1254 More Targaryen Descriptions (December 24, 2005)]</ref>
The sword was in the possession of [[House Targaryen]] since before [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} It may have been forged for a [[woman warrior]] originally, as its slender blade is designed for a woman's hand.<ref name="SSM">[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/citadel/ssm/entry/1254 More Targaryen Descriptions (December 24, 2005)]</ref>
 
  
Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] was skilled in the use of Dark Sister, having trained beside her younger brother, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], since childhood. During the [[First Dornish War]], the Targaryens were attacked on multiple occasions by assassins sent by [[Dorne]],{{ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} and Visenya possibly saved the king's life with Dark Sister in {{date|10}} in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} Two of Visenya's guards were killed during one attack, but Visenya slew the last assassin with her [[Valyrian steel]] blade.{{ref|TWOIAF| Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Aegon still felt he was sufficiently protected by his guards, but Visenya quickly drew Dark Sister and cut Aegon's cheek before the king's defenders could react. Aegon then entrusted Visenya with establishing the [[Kingsguard]] as more competent bodyguards.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
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===Visenya===
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[[File:Dark Sister by Velvet Engine.png|thumb|75px|Dark Sister, as depicted by Velvet Engine in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]''.]]
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Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]] was skilled in the use of Dark Sister, having trained beside her younger brother, King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], since childhood. During the [[First Dornish War]], the Targaryens were attacked on multiple occasions by assassins sent by [[Dorne]].{{ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} Visenya was attacked one night in King's Landing, and the queen slew the last assassin with Dark Sister after two of her escorts were killed.{{ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}} Visenya also twice wielded her longsword against Dornish assassins in Aegon's defense,{{Ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}} with one such attack taking place in {{Date|10}}.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} When Aegon proclaimed he still felt sufficiently protected by [[House Targaryen guards|his guards]], Visenya quickly drew Dark Sister and cut Aegon's cheek before the king's defenders could react. Aegon then entrusted Visenya with establishing the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}}
  
Visenya bestowed Dark Sister on her thirteen-year-old son, Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]], in {{Date|25}}.{{ref|TSOTD}} Maegor wielded [[Blackfyre]], however, after he became king with the death of his elder brother, King [[Aenys I Targaryen]], in {{date|42}}.{{ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} After Visenya died in {{date|44}}, the hostage Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], Aenys's widow, fled from [[Dragonstone]] with her children [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], taking Dark Sister from Visenya's chamber as well.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} King Maegor the Cruel had her son, Prince [[Viserys Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Viserys Targaryen]], tortured to death in a failed attempt to locate Alyssa's whereabouts.{{ref|TSOTD}} In {{date|48}}, Jaehaerys carried Dark Sister when his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] was announced at [[Storm's End]] by Lord [[Rogar Baratheon]].{{ref|TSOTD}}
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===Maegor and Jaehaerys===
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Visenya bestowed Dark Sister on her thirteen-year-old son, Prince [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor Targaryen]], in {{Date|25}}.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} When his brother [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]] became king in {{Date|37}}, Maegor was given [[Blackfyre]]. Since that day, he hung Dark Sister on the walls of his chambers on [[Dragonstone]], while wielding Blackfyre in battle.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}}
  
Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] was [[knight]]ed at sixteen, and King Jaehaerys I gave him Dark Sister for his prowess.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} Ser [[Criston Cole]] defeated Daemon in the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]], knocking Dark Sister from the prince's hand with a morningstar.{{ref|TRP}} Daemon wielded Dark Sister during his [[war for the Stepstones]], using it to behead [[Craghas Drahar]] in {{Date|108}},{{ref|TRP}} and he also defeated a [[Braavos]]i exile with the blade during a duel for the hand of [[Laena Velaryon]] in {{Date|115}}.{{ref|TRP}} During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], in the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], Daemon leapt from the back of his [[dragon]], [[Caraxes]], to plunge Dark Sister into the eye of Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]]. When Aemond's bones were found some years later in the waters of the [[Gods Eye]], Dark Sister was thrust hilt-deep through his eye socket.{{ref|tpatq}}
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After Dowager Queen Visenya died on Dragonstone in {{date|44}}, the hostage Dowager Queen [[Alyssa Velaryon]], Aenys's widow, fled from with her children [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]], taking Dark Sister from Visenya's chamber.{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} In {{date|48}}, Jaehaerys carried Dark Sister when he announced his claim to the [[Iron Throne]] at [[Storm's End]]. The prince became king after Maegor died on the throne.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
  
Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]], the Dragonknight, was the greatest jouster and swordsman of his age, a knight worthy to bear Dark Sister.{{ref|twoiaf| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}{{ref|TSS}}
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===Baelon the Brave===
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Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]], one of King Jaehaerys's sons, wielded Dark Sister in {{Date|92}} when avenging the death of his brother, Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], who had been slain by [[Myr]]ish exiles who had invaded and occupied [[Tarth]]. Baelon the Brave slew countless Myrmen with the blade.{{Ref|fab|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
  
Lord [[Brynden Rivers]] bore Dark Sister, though his favorite weapon was a [[weirwood]] longbow.{{ref|tss}}<ref name="SSM" /> According to a semi-canon source, Brynden took Dark Sister with him when he went to the [[Wall]] to join the [[Night's Watch]].<ref>/r/asoiaf: [https://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/97fvfz/spoilers_extended_grrm_confirms_longheld_theory/ GRRM confirms long-held theory about Dark Sister], August 15, 2018</ref> The sword's current whereabouts are unknown.
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===The Rogue Prince===
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Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] was given Dark Sister by King Jaehaerys I for his prowess.{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}<ref group="N">This likely occurred in {{Date|101}}, {{Date|102}} or {{Date|103}} (in between the deaths of Baelon and Jaehaerys I).</ref> Ser [[Criston Cole]] defeated Daemon in the [[tourney for King Viserys I's accession]], knocking Dark Sister from the prince's hand with a morningstar.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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Daemon wielded Dark Sister during his [[war for the Stepstones]], using it to behead [[Craghas Drahar]] in {{Date|108}}.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} In {{Date|115}}, he defeated the [[Braavos]]i betrothed of [[Laena Velaryon]] with the blade in a duel.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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During the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Daemon fought against [[Aemond Targaryen]] with the blade in the [[Battle Above the Gods Eye]], leaping from the back of his [[dragon]], [[Caraxes]], to plunge Dark Sister into Aemond's eye. When Aemond's bones were found some years later in the waters of the [[Gods Eye]], Dark Sister was thrust hilt-deep through his eye socket.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
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===The Dragonknight===
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Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]] was deemed worthy of Dark Sister. The Dragonknight was considered the greatest jouster and swordsman of his era.{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}{{ref|TSS}}
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===Bloodraven===
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[[File:Lord commander brynden rivers by mike hallstein-da2ejzl.png|thumb|250px|[[Brynden Rivers]], by Mike Hallstein ©]]
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Dark Sister was eventually bestowed upon Lord [[Brynden Rivers]], though his favorite weapon was a [[weirwood]] longbow.<ref name="SSM" /> In {{Date|205}}, a young [[Duncan the Tall]] saw Lord Bloodraven wearing Dark Sister on his hip while riding in the [[Street of Steel]] with his [[Raven's Teeth]].{{ref|TSS}}
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According to a semi-canon source, Brynden took Dark Sister with him when he went to the [[Wall]] to join the [[Night's Watch]].<ref>Twitter, History of Westeros podcast: [https://twitter.com/WesterosHistory/status/1029594354308898816 "Breaking news, Bloodraven confirmed to have taken Dark Sister to the Wall."], August 15, 2018</ref> Bloodraven rose to become [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]] in {{Date|239}}, but he disappeared [[beyond the Wall]] in {{Date|252}}.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} The sword's current whereabouts are unknown.
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==Known wielders==
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*Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}
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*King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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*King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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*Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
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*Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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*Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon Targaryen]]{{Ref|TSS}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}}
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*Ser [[Brynden Rivers]]{{Ref|TSS}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|Dark Sister was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.{{ref|trp}}|[[Daemon Targaryen]] to [[Corlys Velaryon]]}}
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{{Quote|Dark Sister was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.{{ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}|[[Daemon Targaryen]] to [[Corlys Velaryon]]}}
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==Notes==
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{{Notes}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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[[es:Hermana Oscura]]
 
[[es:Hermana Oscura]]
 
[[fr:Noire Sœur]]
 
[[fr:Noire Sœur]]
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[[pt:Irmã Sombria]]
 
[[ru:Темная Сестра]]
 
[[ru:Темная Сестра]]
 
[[zh:黑暗姐妹]]
 
[[zh:黑暗姐妹]]

Revision as of 08:12, 6 January 2023

Visenya Targaryen with Dark Sister, by Amok©

Dark Sister is a famous longsword of Valyrian steel. It is one of two ancestral swords of House Targaryen, the other being Blackfyre.

History

Dark Sister has been in the possession of House Targaryen since before Aegon's Conquest.[1] It may have been forged for a woman warrior originally, as its slender blade is designed for a woman's hand.[2]

Visenya

Dark Sister, as depicted by Velvet Engine in The World of Ice & Fire.

Queen Visenya Targaryen was skilled in the use of Dark Sister, having trained beside her younger brother, King Aegon I Targaryen, since childhood. During the First Dornish War, the Targaryens were attacked on multiple occasions by assassins sent by Dorne.[3] Visenya was attacked one night in King's Landing, and the queen slew the last assassin with Dark Sister after two of her escorts were killed.[4] Visenya also twice wielded her longsword against Dornish assassins in Aegon's defense,[5] with one such attack taking place in 10 AC.[6] When Aegon proclaimed he still felt sufficiently protected by his guards, Visenya quickly drew Dark Sister and cut Aegon's cheek before the king's defenders could react. Aegon then entrusted Visenya with establishing the Kingsguard.[6]

Maegor and Jaehaerys

Visenya bestowed Dark Sister on her thirteen-year-old son, Prince Maegor Targaryen, in 25 AC.[7] When his brother Aenys I became king in 37 AC, Maegor was given Blackfyre. Since that day, he hung Dark Sister on the walls of his chambers on Dragonstone, while wielding Blackfyre in battle.[7]

After Dowager Queen Visenya died on Dragonstone in 44 AC, the hostage Dowager Queen Alyssa Velaryon, Aenys's widow, fled from with her children Jaehaerys and Alysanne, taking Dark Sister from Visenya's chamber.[8] In 48 AC, Jaehaerys carried Dark Sister when he announced his claim to the Iron Throne at Storm's End. The prince became king after Maegor died on the throne.[7]

Baelon the Brave

Prince Baelon Targaryen, one of King Jaehaerys's sons, wielded Dark Sister in 92 AC when avenging the death of his brother, Prince Aemon, who had been slain by Myrish exiles who had invaded and occupied Tarth. Baelon the Brave slew countless Myrmen with the blade.[9]

The Rogue Prince

Prince Daemon Targaryen was given Dark Sister by King Jaehaerys I for his prowess.[10][N 1] Ser Criston Cole defeated Daemon in the tourney for King Viserys I's accession, knocking Dark Sister from the prince's hand with a morningstar.[11] Daemon wielded Dark Sister during his war for the Stepstones, using it to behead Craghas Drahar in 108 AC.[11] In 115 AC, he defeated the Braavosi betrothed of Laena Velaryon with the blade in a duel.[11]

During the Dance of the Dragons, Daemon fought against Aemond Targaryen with the blade in the Battle Above the Gods Eye, leaping from the back of his dragon, Caraxes, to plunge Dark Sister into Aemond's eye. When Aemond's bones were found some years later in the waters of the Gods Eye, Dark Sister was thrust hilt-deep through his eye socket.[12]

The Dragonknight

Prince Aemon Targaryen was deemed worthy of Dark Sister. The Dragonknight was considered the greatest jouster and swordsman of his era.[13][14]

Bloodraven

Brynden Rivers, by Mike Hallstein ©

Dark Sister was eventually bestowed upon Lord Brynden Rivers, though his favorite weapon was a weirwood longbow.[2] In 205 AC, a young Duncan the Tall saw Lord Bloodraven wearing Dark Sister on his hip while riding in the Street of Steel with his Raven's Teeth.[14]

According to a semi-canon source, Brynden took Dark Sister with him when he went to the Wall to join the Night's Watch.[15] Bloodraven rose to become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch in 239 AC, but he disappeared beyond the Wall in 252 AC.[16] The sword's current whereabouts are unknown.

Known wielders

Quotes

Dark Sister was made for nobler tasks than slaughtering sheep. She has a thirst for blood.[11]

Notes

  1. This likely occurred in 101 AC, 102 AC or 103 AC (in between the deaths of Baelon and Jaehaerys I).

References

  1. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  2. 2.0 2.1 So Spake Martin: More Targaryen Descriptions (December 24, 2005)
  3. The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons.
  4. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  5. Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  6. 6.0 6.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  8. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain.
  10. 10.0 10.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  12. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  13. 13.0 13.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 The Sworn Sword.
  15. Twitter, History of Westeros podcast: "Breaking news, Bloodraven confirmed to have taken Dark Sister to the Wall.", August 15, 2018
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  17. Fire & Blood, Aegon's Conquest.