Ice

Lore & Background

Despite its destruction, Ice remains a potent symbol of Stark resilience. The magical properties inherent in Valyrian steel ensure that even when broken, the metal retains its ability to harm supernatural foes like White Walkers. Its legacy lives on through the new blades forged from its heart: Oathkeeper, named for Jaime Lannister's vow to Catelyn Stark, and Widow's Wail, continuing the cycle of duty and vengeance.

Reader's Guide

Wielding Ice requires two hands and exceptional strength due to its immense size and balance point. It is designed for cleaving through heavy plate armor that would stop ordinary steel. The blade's magical nature makes it one of the few weapons capable of harming White Walkers or their reanimated dead, a crucial advantage in the war against the Others. While originally owned by House Stark, the shards were reforged into smaller blades after its destruction.

These new swords retain the original metal's properties but are easier to handle for skilled warriors like knights. The steel is incredibly durable and can be honed to razor sharpness without chipping or dulling over time. Only those trusted with the legacy of the Starks should wield a blade made from Ice's heart. It demands respect, as the metal carries the history of its past owners. In combat, it serves not just as a tool for killing, but as a reminder of oaths kept and blood debts paid.

Did You Know?

• Valyrian steel is so rare that fewer than twenty blades are known to exist in Westeros.
• Ice was too heavy for most men, requiring a warrior of significant stature to wield it properly.