Difference between revisions of "Valyrian steel"

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(List of known Valyrian steel blades)
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==History==
 
==History==
Valyrian steel was manufactured in the [[Valyrian Freehold]] with [[dragonfire]] before the freehold fell.{{Ref|HboGoT|s04e01}} Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel, and feature distinctive rippled patterns similar to real world [[wikipedia:Damascus steel|Damascus steel]], the mark of steel that has been folded back on itself many thousands of times.{{ref|ASoS|32}} 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.{{Ref|HboGoT|s04e01}} 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 of Valyria|Doom]].
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Valyrian steel, possibly forged with [[dragon]]s,{{ref|AGOT|72}} 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 [[wikipedia:Damascus steel|Damascus steel]], the mark of steel that has been folded back on itself many thousands of times.{{ref|ASoS|32}} 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 of Valyria|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.
 
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.
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Lord [[Eddard Stark]] uses [[Ice]] to execute [[Gared]], a deserter from the [[Night's Watch]].  
 
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 Tully]], show the dagger to [[Petyr Baelish]], who claims to have lost the dagger in the [[tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day]].
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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]].{{ref|AGOT|18}}
  
Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] uses Ice to execute Ned Stark in [[King's Landing]].
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Ser [[Ilyn Payne]] uses Ice to execute Ned Stark in [[King's Landing]].{{ref|AGOT|65}}
  
In gratitude for having been saved from [[Othor|a wight]], Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] gives [[Longclaw]] to [[Jon Snow]].  
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In gratitude for having been saved from [[Othor|a wight]], Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] gives [[Longclaw]] to [[Jon Snow]].{{ref|AGOT|60}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has [[Tobho Mott]], a blacksmith trained in [[Qohor]], reforge [[Ice]] into two new Valyrian blades. The first, [[Widow's Wail]], is given to King [[Joffrey Baratheon]] as a wedding gift by his grandfather, Tywin. Joffrey chooses its name from the shouted suggestion of an unnamed guest. Following Joffrey's death at his [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]], ownership of Widow's Wail presumably passes to his younger brother, King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]].
+
Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has [[Tobho Mott]], a blacksmith trained in [[Qohor]], reforge [[Ice]] into two new Valyrian blades.{{ref|ASOS|32}} The first, [[Widow's Wail]], is given to King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]] as a wedding gift by his grandfather, Tywin. Joffrey chooses its name from the shouted suggestion of an unnamed guest.{{ref|ASOS|60}} Following Joffrey's death at his [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]], ownership of Widow's Wail presumably passes to his younger brother, King [[Tommen Baratheon|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]].
+
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]].{{ref|ASOS|72}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
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'''Blades known to still exist:'''
 
'''Blades known to still exist:'''
  
*'''[[Heartsbane]]''', the ancestral two-handed greatsword of [[House Tarly]], currently in the possession of Lord [[Randyll Tarly]].
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*[[Heartsbane]], the ancestral two-handed greatsword of [[House Tarly]], currently in the possession of Lord [[Randyll Tarly]].
*'''[[Lady Forlorn]]''', the ancestral sword of [[House Corbray]], currently in the possession of Ser [[Lyn Corbray]].
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*[[Lady Forlorn]], the ancestral sword of [[House Corbray]], currently in the possession of Ser [[Lyn Corbray]].
*'''[[Longclaw]]''', the ancestral Valyrian steel bastard sword of [[House Mormont]]. Currently in the possession of [[Jon Snow]].
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*[[Longclaw]], the ancestral Valyrian steel bastard sword of [[House Mormont]]. Currently in the possession of [[Jon Snow]].
*'''[[Nightfall]]''', the ancestral blade of [[House Harlaw]] and currently wielded by Ser [[Harras Harlaw]].
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*[[Nightfall]], the ancestral blade of [[House Harlaw]] and currently wielded by Ser [[Harras Harlaw]].
*'''[[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.
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*[[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.
*'''[[Red Rain]]''', the sword of [[House Drumm]], which was stolen by them in a raid.{{ref|affc|19}} Given the name and coloring, possibly the ancestral sword of [[House Reyne]].
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*[[Red Rain]], the sword of [[House Drumm]], which was stolen by them in a raid.{{ref|affc|19}} Given the name and coloring, possibly the ancestral sword of [[House Reyne]].
*'''[[Widow's Wail]]''', one of two Valyrian blades reforged by Tobho Mott from Ice. Following [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s death, ownership of Widow's Wail has presumably passed to his younger brother, [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]].
+
*[[Widow's Wail]], one of two Valyrian blades reforged by Tobho Mott from Ice. Following [[Joffrey Baratheon]]'s death, ownership of Widow's Wail has presumably passed to his younger brother, [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]].
*The dagger with dragonbone hilt wielded by [[Bran Stark]]'s [[catspaw|failed assassin]], and currently in the possession of [[Petyr Baelish]].
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*[[Valyrian steel dagger|The dagger]] with a [[dragonbone]] hilt wielded by [[Bran Stark]]'s [[catspaw|failed assassin]], and currently in the possession of [[Petyr Baelish]].
 
*Valyrian steel ''[[arakh]]'' owned by [[Caggo]].{{Ref|aDwD|25}}
 
*Valyrian steel ''[[arakh]]'' owned by [[Caggo]].{{Ref|aDwD|25}}
 
*Valyrian steel axe reputedly possessed by [[House Celtigar]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}}
 
*Valyrian steel axe reputedly possessed by [[House Celtigar]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}}
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'''Blades with known fates:'''
 
'''Blades with known fates:'''
  
*'''[[Ice]]''', the ancestral two-handed greatsword of [[House Stark]]. Following [[Eddard Stark]]'s execution in King's Landing, it is reforged into two longswords ('''[[Widow's Wail]]''' and '''[[Oathkeeper]]''').
+
*[[Ice]], the ancestral two-handed greatsword of [[House Stark]]. Following [[Eddard Stark]]'s execution in King's Landing, it is reforged into two longswords ([[Widow's Wail]] and [[Oathkeeper]]).
  
 
'''Blades with unknown fates:'''
 
'''Blades with unknown fates:'''
  
*'''[[Blackfyre]]''', the sword of [[Aegon I Targaryen]]. Carried by all [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] kings until [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]], who gave it to his bastard [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon]], who rose in rebellion against the Targaryens, taking the sword's name for his house. Its whereabouts are currently unknown.  
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*[[Blackfyre]], the sword of [[Aegon I Targaryen]]. Carried by all [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] kings until [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon IV]], who gave it to his bastard [[Daemon I Blackfyre|Daemon]], 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.
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*[[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]]. Its last known owner was [[Brynden Rivers|Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers]].
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*[[Dark Sister]], the sword wielded by [[Visenya Targaryen]]. Its last known owner was [[Brynden Rivers|Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers]].
*'''[[Lamentation (sword)|Lamentation]]''', the ancestral sword of [[House Royce]], lost in the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]].{{ref|twoiaf}}
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*[[Lamentation (sword)|Lamentation]], the ancestral sword of [[House Royce]], lost in the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]].{{ref|twoiaf}}
*'''[[Orphan-Maker]]''', the ancestral sword of [[House Roxton]]. Its last known owner was Ser [[Jon Roxton]].{{ref|tpatq}}
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*[[Orphan-Maker]], the ancestral sword of [[House Roxton]]. Its last known owner was Ser [[Jon Roxton]].{{ref|tpatq}}
*'''[[Truth]]''', a Valyrian steel sword last carried by [[Moredo Rogare]] of [[Lys]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
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*[[Truth (sword)|Truth]], a Valyrian steel sword last carried by [[Moredo Rogare]] of [[Lys]].{{ref|twoiaf| The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh}}
*'''[[Vigilance]]''', the ancestral sword of [[House Hightower]]. Its last known owner was Lord [[Ormund Hightower]].{{ref|tpatq}}
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*[[Vigilance]], the ancestral sword of [[House Hightower]]. Its last known owner was Lord [[Ormund Hightower]].{{ref|tpatq}}
  
 
==Other objects==
 
==Other objects==
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*[[Dragonbinder]] - a [[dragon horn]] banded with red gold and Valyrian steel.
 
*[[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.
 
*The [[crown]] worn by [[Aegon I Targaryen]] (and a few other kings), embedded with rubies.
 
==Dragonsteel==
 
When looking in the archives of the [[Night's Watch]] for a way to combat the [[Others]] [[Samwell Tarly]] reads about dragonsteel. He and [[Jon Snow]] think Valyrian steel may be meant by this.{{ref|affc|5}}{{ref|adwd|7}}
 
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
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{{Quote|Valyrian steel is a fantasy metal.  Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging.<ref> [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P30/ So Spake Martin. The Process of Making Valyrian Steel.] (November 06, 2002)</ref>}} – [[George R. R. Martin]]
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{{Quote|Valyrian steel is a fantasy metal.  Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Process_of_Making_Valyrian_Steel The Process of Making Valyrian Steel], November 06, 2002</ref>}} – [[George R. R. Martin]]
  
  
{{Quote|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.<ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/ So Spake Martin. On Valyrian Steel and Twist Endings.] March 16, 2008</ref>}} – [[George R. R. Martin]]
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{{Quote|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.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/On_Valyrian_Steel_and_Twist_Endings On Valyrian Steel and Twist Endings], March 16, 2008</ref>}} – [[George R. R. Martin]]
  
 
==References and Sources==
 
==References and Sources==
 
{{references|3|refs=
 
{{references|3|refs=
   <ref name=Producing>Producing Valyrian Steel. (March 11, 2001) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Category/C91/P105/ So Spake Martin]</ref>
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   <ref name=Producing>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1153/ Producing Valyrian Steel], March 11, 2001</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
  
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[[Category:Valyrian steel blades| ]]
 
[[Category:Substances]]
 
[[Category:Substances]]
 
[[Category:Valyria]]
 
[[Category:Valyria]]
[[Category:Valyrian steel blades| ]]
 
  
 
[[es:Acero valyrio]]
 
[[es:Acero valyrio]]

Revision as of 17:33, 9 June 2016

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.

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.[5]

Ser Ilyn Payne uses Ice to execute Ned Stark in King's Landing.[6]

In gratitude for having been saved from a wight, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont gives Longclaw to Jon Snow.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9]

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.[10][11]

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.[18][19]
  • 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.[20]

- 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.[21]

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.[22]

George R. R. Martin

References and Sources