Valyrian steel

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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 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.

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

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 is a fantasy metal. Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging. [11]

- GRRM


References and Sources

  1. Producing Valyrian Steel. (March 11, 2001) So Spake Martin
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  3. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown.
  4. The Princess and The Queen
  5. The Princess and The Queen
  6. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
  7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 28, Bran IV.
  8. A Feast for Crows, Appendix.
  9. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
  10. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 7, Jon II.
  11. So Spake Martin. The Process of Making Valyrian Steel. (November 06, 2002)