Light spoilers for Season 6, Episode six. You have been warned.
“I heard of a man who had a razor made of Valyrian steel. He cut his head off trying to shave.”
Valyrian steel is fabled throughout the Game of Thrones world. Though the swords, made from the lost technique, have only been subtly featured in the show, their importance will surely come into play as we get ever closer to large battles involving white walkers and dragons.
Because of that, we thought we'd try and find out where the ones we know about are and who has them.
Valyrian steel was made back in the fabled heyday of Valyria, using a technique lost in the Doom that ended that territory. It is believed that dragons were used in the forging of the blades and George R. R. Martin wrote that magic played a part as well.
"...Valyrian steel is a fantasy metal," he said on Westeros.org. "Which means it has magical characteristics, and magic plays a role in its forging."
For all the things we don't know about it, we do know that it will be probably a big help once those white walkers probably make their way down south below the wall.
Valyrian steel is one of two known substances that can instantly kill white walkers. Dragonglass is the other one and it's in just as short supply.
The fabled blades are most commonly heirlooms for noble houses and bragged about often. They are given lofty, terribly menacing names like Orphan-Maker.
Ice - This was Eddard Stark's broadsword that was taken from him with his life. Tywin Lannister melted it down into two smaller swords.
The first was Oathkeeper, which Tywin gave to his son Jaime. Jaime, in turn, gave it to Brienne of Tarth in thanks for her friendship. Brienne, and the sword, is currently riding south from The Wall with Jon Snow and Sansa Stark, trying to convince smaller Northern houses to help defeat the vicious Ramsay Bolton.
The second melted down sword is Widow's Wail. Tywin gave it to his grandson Joffrey, who drank some very, very expired wine and so it was passed down to his brother, King Tommen. The sword sits at his side on the Iron Throne in King's Landing.
Longclaw is the bastard sword that belonged to House Mormont. Jeor Mormont, as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, gave it to Jon Snow, who served as his steward until Mormont's death. Though Longclaw was taken from Jon's dead body, he got it back after returning from the dead.
Brightroar was one of the few swords belonging to House Lannister, but was lost in an expedition to Valyria. It will probably remain hidden, but since we've already seen decaying Valyria and the things that survive there, we might just visit that region again.
Lady Forlorn is the sword of House Corbray, who swears fealty to the Eyrie and the Vale of Arryn. Since Petyr Baelish has convinced young Lord Robin Arryn, Lysa's son and the head of House Arryn, to muster the troops, we might see the forlorn lady sword in their midst.
And finally, Heartsbane was recently shown as Sam tried his best to make a good prodigal son's return to House Tarly with Gilly and her son. After his dad was a dick, Sam took the sword for himself. It is assumed that the young family is heading to the Capitol in Old Town for Sam to learn the maester ways, and become the hero we all know he can be.
There are more Valyrian steel swords hidden in the world of the seven kingdoms and beyond. Blackfyre, Brightroar, Dark Sister and several others have been lost in various uprisings, skirmishes or wars. They could always turn up to stem the tide of the white walker army, or remain hidden for the rest of the epic tale.
There are also various other implements made from the steel. Petyr Baelish had a knife that he has since lost, some maesters have Valyrian steel links in their necklaces, the crown of Aegon I Targaryen was made from it, etc.
But the swords have received the most attention and those will probably make some small (or large) difference as the converging forces meet.
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TopicsGame Of Thrones
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