Difference between revisions of "Valyrian steel"

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==Characteristics==
 
==Characteristics==
Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel. The blades feature distinctive rippled patterns (similar to real-world [[w: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 is dark grey in color, almost appearing black.{{ref|ASOS|32}}
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Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, harder, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel.{{ref|ADWD|58}} Nothing holds an edge like Valyrian steel, therefore swords hundreds of years old are sharp as the day they were forged.{{ref|AGOT|1}}{{ref|AGOT|2}} The blades feature distinctive rippled patterns (similar to real-world [[w:Damascus steel|Damascus steel]]), the mark of steel that has been folded back on itself many thousands of times.{{ref|AGOT|2}}{{ref|ASOS|32}} Most Valyrian steel is dark grey in color, almost appearing black.{{ref|ASOS|32}} No common fire, not even [[dragonflame]], can damage Valyrian steel.{{ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
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==Usage==
 +
Valyrian steel can be used for weapons,{{Ref|AGOT|1}} tools,{{Ref|AGOT|60}} jewelry,{{Ref|AFFC|Prologue}} ornamentation,{{Ref|AFFC|19}} and armor.<ref name="Forsaken">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[The Forsaken (The Winds of Winter)|The Forsaken]]</ref>
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 +
In the order of [[maesters]], links, rings, rods, and masks of Valyrian steel signify an expertise in the study of [[magic]].{{Ref|ACOK|28}}
 +
 
 +
==Dragonsteel==
 +
In the archives of the [[Night's Watch]] at [[Castle Black]], there is an account of the [[Long Night]] that speaks of the [[last hero]] slaying [[Others]] with a dragonsteel blade, which they could not stand against. It is thought that dragonsteel may be another name for Valyrian steel.{{ref|affc|5}}{{ref|adwd|7}}{{ref|adwd|58}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
[[File:John Goodenough ice.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Ice]] by John Goodenough © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
[[File:John Goodenough ice.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Ice]] by John Goodenough © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Valyrian steel, possibly forged with [[dragon]]s,{{ref|AGOT|72}} was manufactured in the [[Valyrian Freehold]] of old. The costly steel became even more expensive when the method of its making became lost with the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref name="valyria">[[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> Only the greatest weaponsmiths can reforge swords from existing Valyrian steel, making those remaining weapons highly treasured and extremely rare.{{ref|ASOS|32}} The blacksmiths of [[Qohor]] claim to know the magics for reforging Valyrian steel without losing its strength or unsurpassed ability to hold an edge.{{ref|AGOT|27}}{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Valyria's Children}}
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Valyrian steel was manufactured in the [[Valyrian Freehold]], spell-forged with the assistance of [[dragon]]s and dragonflame.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}{{Ref|ADWD|58}} The costly material became even more expensive when the method of making new Valyrian steel was lost with the [[Doom of Valyria]], and existing weapons became highly treasured and extremely rare.{{ref|ASOS|32}}<ref name="valyria">[[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> In all the world, only the [[Free City]] of [[Qohor]] has preserved the art of reworking Valyrian steel,{{ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}} and the master smiths of Qohor jealously guard its secrets, the [[spells]] needed to reforge Valyrian steel without losing its strength or unsurpassed ability to hold an edge.{{ref|AGOT|27}}{{ref|ASOS|32}}{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Valyria's Children}}{{ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}}
 +
 
 +
[[Maester]] [[Pol]] spent many years of residence in Qohor, investigating the secrets of their blacksmiths for his treatise on Qohorik metalworking. He was thrice publicly whipped, and cast out for making too many inquiries. The final time, his hand was also cut off, per the allegation he had stolen a Valyrian steel blade. According to Pol, the true reason for his final exile was his discovery of blood sacrifices — including that of infant [[Slavery|slaves]] — which the Qohorik smiths use in their efforts to produce a steel equal to the original Valyrian steel.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Qohor}}
  
There may be thousands of Valyrian steel blades remaining in the [[known world]], but in [[Westeros]] there are only 227 such weapons according to Archmaester [[Thurgood]]'s ''[[Inventories]]'', some of which have since been lost or have disappeared from recorded history.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Valyria's Children}} Most Valyrian steel blades in [[Westeros]] are treasured heirlooms of noble houses, each with its own name and storied history, and even impoverished lesser houses are unwilling to give them up.{{ref|ASOS|32}}  
+
There may be thousands of Valyrian steel blades remaining in the [[known world]], but in [[Westeros]] there are only 227 such weapons according to Archmaester [[Thurgood]]'s ''[[Inventories]]'', some of which have since been lost or have disappeared from recorded history.{{ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Valyria's Children}} Most Valyrian steel blades in [[Westeros]] are treasured heirlooms of noble houses, each with its own name and storied history, and even impoverished lesser houses are unwilling to give them up.{{ref|ASOS|32}}
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 +
After the death of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] in {{Date|37}}, the king's body was burned in a funeral pyre, with his hands folded over the hilt of his Valyrian steel sword, [[Blackfyre]]. Blackfyre's blade was darkened by the dragon-lit flames, but the sword was otherwise unharmed.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
Line 23: Line 35:
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
[[File:John Moriarty Longclaw.png|thumb|350px|[[Jon Snow]] with [[Longclaw]], by John Moriarty © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
[[File:John Moriarty Longclaw.png|thumb|350px|[[Jon Snow]] with [[Longclaw]], by John Moriarty © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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 Baratheon]].
+
Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] has [[Tobho Mott]], a [[Qohor]]ik master blacksmith who knows the [[spells]] needed to rework Valyrian steel, reforge [[Ice]] into two new Valyrian blades.{{ref|ASOS|32}} The first sword, [[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 Baratheon]].
  
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}}
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Tywin gives the second blade to his son, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]. Jaime then gives the sword to [[Brienne of Tarth]] to 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''===
When looking in the [[Night's Watch]]'s archives at Castle Black, [[Samwell Tarly]] reads about [[dragonsteel]], which he and [[Jon Snow]] think might have been Valyrian steel.{{ref|AFFC|5}}
+
When looking in the Night's Watch's archives at Castle Black for a way to combat the [[Others]], [[Samwell Tarly]] reads about the [[last hero]] slaying them with a blade of dragonsteel, which he and Jon Snow think might be Valyrian steel.{{ref|AFFC|5}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 +
[[Tormund Giantsbane]] says that fighting the Others is impossible, and asks Jon Snow if his sword can "cut cold". Jon recalls what Sam had told him about dragonsteel, and thinks of Longclaw's source in the fires and spells of old Valyria. However, he admits the true test must come in battle.{{Ref|ADWD|60}}
 +
 
During the [[siege of Astapor]], the sellsword [[Caggo]] fights with a Valyrian steel ''[[arakh]]''.{{Ref|ADWD|60}}
 
During the [[siege of Astapor]], the sellsword [[Caggo]] fights with a Valyrian steel ''[[arakh]]''.{{Ref|ADWD|60}}
  
 
===''The Winds of Winter''===
 
===''The Winds of Winter''===
 
{{Warning/twow}}
 
{{Warning/twow}}
[[Euron Greyjoy]], [[King of the Isles and the North]], is seen by his captive brother, [[Aeron Greyjoy]], in a suit of black scale armor which Aeron believes to be Valyrian steel. Aeron Damphair believes it would have cost a kingdom even before the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref name="Forsaken">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[The Forsaken (The Winds of Winter)|The Forsaken]]</ref>
+
[[Euron Greyjoy]], [[King of the Isles and the North]], is seen by his captive brother, [[Aeron Greyjoy]], in a suit of black scale armor which Aeron believes to be Valyrian steel. Aeron Damphair believes it would have cost a kingdom even before the [[Doom of Valyria]].<ref name="Forsaken" />
  
 
==List of Valyrian steel objects==
 
==List of Valyrian steel objects==
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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]].
 
*[[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]].
*[[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 dagger|The dagger]] with a [[dragonbone]] hilt wielded by [[Bran Stark]]'s [[catspaw|failed assassin]],{{Ref|AGOT|14}} and currently in the possession of [[Petyr Baelish]].{{Ref|ACOK|17}}{{Ref|ASOS|68}}
 
*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}}

Revision as of 19:38, 22 November 2022

Aegon I Targaryen with his Valyrian steel crown and sword, Blackfyre. Art by Michael Komarck ©

Valyrian steel is a type of steel from Valyria used to make weapons and various other items of unparalleled quality. Magic and spells play a role in its forging, which makes the steel special and gives it magical characteristics.[1][2][3]

Characteristics

Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, harder, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel.[4] Nothing holds an edge like Valyrian steel, therefore swords hundreds of years old are sharp as the day they were forged.[5][1] The blades 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.[1][6] Most Valyrian steel is dark grey in color, almost appearing black.[6] No common fire, not even dragonflame, can damage Valyrian steel.[7]

Usage

Valyrian steel can be used for weapons,[5] tools,[8] jewelry,[9] ornamentation,[10] and armor.[11]

In the order of maesters, links, rings, rods, and masks of Valyrian steel signify an expertise in the study of magic.[12]

Dragonsteel

In the archives of the Night's Watch at Castle Black, there is an account of the Long Night that speaks of the last hero slaying Others with a dragonsteel blade, which they could not stand against. It is thought that dragonsteel may be another name for Valyrian steel.[13][14][4]

History

Ice by John Goodenough © Fantasy Flight Games

Valyrian steel was manufactured in the Valyrian Freehold, spell-forged with the assistance of dragons and dragonflame.[15][4] The costly material became even more expensive when the method of making new Valyrian steel was lost with the Doom of Valyria, and existing weapons became highly treasured and extremely rare.[6][16] In all the world, only the Free City of Qohor has preserved the art of reworking Valyrian steel,[17] and the master smiths of Qohor jealously guard its secrets, the spells needed to reforge Valyrian steel without losing its strength or unsurpassed ability to hold an edge.[18][6][19][17]

Maester Pol spent many years of residence in Qohor, investigating the secrets of their blacksmiths for his treatise on Qohorik metalworking. He was thrice publicly whipped, and cast out for making too many inquiries. The final time, his hand was also cut off, per the allegation he had stolen a Valyrian steel blade. According to Pol, the true reason for his final exile was his discovery of blood sacrifices — including that of infant slaves — which the Qohorik smiths use in their efforts to produce a steel equal to the original Valyrian steel.[17]

There may be thousands of Valyrian steel blades remaining in the known world, but in Westeros there are only 227 such weapons according to Archmaester Thurgood's Inventories, some of which have since been lost or have disappeared from recorded history.[19] Most Valyrian steel blades in Westeros are treasured heirlooms of noble houses, each with its own name and storied history, and even impoverished lesser houses are unwilling to give them up.[6]

After the death of King Aegon I Targaryen in 37 AC, the king's body was burned in a funeral pyre, with his hands folded over the hilt of his Valyrian steel sword, Blackfyre. Blackfyre's blade was darkened by the dragon-lit flames, but the sword was otherwise unharmed.[7]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Lord Eddard Stark uses Ice to execute Gared, a deserter from the Night's Watch.[5]

A catspaw tries to assassinate Bran Stark with a Valyrian steel dagger, but he is instead slain by Summer.[20] Bran's mother, Catelyn Stark, travels to King's Landing and shows the dagger to Lord Petyr Baelish, who claims to have lost the dagger in the tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day.[21]

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

Ser Ilyn Payne uses Ice to execute Ned Stark before the Great Sept of Baelor.[22]

A Storm of Swords

Jon Snow with Longclaw, by John Moriarty © Fantasy Flight Games

Lord Tywin Lannister has Tobho Mott, a Qohorik master blacksmith who knows the spells needed to rework Valyrian steel, reforge Ice into two new Valyrian blades.[6] The first sword, 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.[23] Following Joffrey's death at his wedding feast, ownership of Widow's Wail presumably passes to his younger brother, King Tommen I Baratheon.

Tywin gives the second blade to his son, Ser Jaime Lannister. Jaime then gives the sword to Brienne of Tarth to use in her quest to locate Sansa Stark, and he asks her to name it Oathkeeper.[24]

A Feast for Crows

When looking in the Night's Watch's archives at Castle Black for a way to combat the Others, Samwell Tarly reads about the last hero slaying them with a blade of dragonsteel, which he and Jon Snow think might be Valyrian steel.[13]

A Dance with Dragons

Tormund Giantsbane says that fighting the Others is impossible, and asks Jon Snow if his sword can "cut cold". Jon recalls what Sam had told him about dragonsteel, and thinks of Longclaw's source in the fires and spells of old Valyria. However, he admits the true test must come in battle.[25]

During the siege of Astapor, the sellsword Caggo fights with a Valyrian steel arakh.[25]

The Winds of Winter

Content.png
Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Euron Greyjoy, King of the Isles and the North, is seen by his captive brother, Aeron Greyjoy, in a suit of black scale armor which Aeron believes to be Valyrian steel. Aeron Damphair believes it would have cost a kingdom even before the Doom of Valyria.[11]

List of Valyrian steel objects

Blades known to still exist

Valyrian steel dagger by Lucas Durham © Fantasy Flight Games

Blades with known fates

Blades with unknown fates

Other objects

Valyrian steel link in a maester's chain, by Raymond Bonilla © Fantasy Flight Games
  • 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.[12][35] The maesters who gain Valyrian steel links do not have to forge the metal themselves.[36]
  • Dragonbinder, a dragon horn banded with red gold and Valyrian steel.[10]
  • The crown worn by Aegon I Targaryen and some of his successors in the Targaryen dynasty, a circlet of Valyrian steel studded with rubies.[37] It was last worn by King Daeron I Targaryen, but was lost after his death in Dorne.[38]
  • A suit of black scale armor worn by Euron Greyjoy.[11]

Quotes

"Ice," that sword was called. It was as wide across as a man's hand, and taller even than Robb Stark. The blade was Valyrian steel, spell-forged and dark as smoke. Nothing held an edge like Valyrian steel.[5]

—thoughts of Bran Stark

I heard of a man who had a razor made of Valyrian steel. He cut his head off trying to shave.[8]

Valyrian steel blades were scarce and costly, yet thousands remained in the world, perhaps two hundred in the Seven Kingdoms alone.[6]

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

A man who bears Valyrian steel should use it for more than scratching his arse.[39]

Valyrian steel is a fantasy metal. Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging.[3]

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.[16]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  2. So Spake Martin: Producing Valyrian Steel, March 11, 2001
  3. 3.0 3.1 So Spake Martin: The Process of Making Valyrian Steel, November 06, 2002
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 58, Jon XII.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 60, Jon VIII.
  9. A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Winds of Winter, The Forsaken
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran IV.
  13. 13.0 13.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
  14. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.
  15. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
  16. 16.0 16.1 So Spake Martin: On Valyrian Steel and Twist Endings, March 16, 2008
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Qohor.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
  19. 19.0 19.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Valyria's Children.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 14, Catelyn III.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 18, Catelyn IV.
  22. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  23. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  24. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 72, Jaime IX.
  25. 25.0 25.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 60, The Spurned Suitor.
  26. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
  27. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
  28. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  30. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  31. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  32. The World of Ice & Fire, The Quarrelsome Daughters: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh.
  33. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  34. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  35. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  36. So Spake Martin: Maester Chains and Valyrian Steel Links, June 20, 2001
  37. The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  38. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.
  39. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.