The Second Apocalypse

Miscellaneous Chatter => Literature => Topic started by: Camlost on July 23, 2015, 04:07:09 pm

Title: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Camlost on July 23, 2015, 04:07:09 pm: I was just doing a quick reread of Richard Morgan's A Land Fit for Heroes trilogy before diving into the last book and it kind of surprised me that the topic of legendary weapons has never come up given that we comprise what I suspect is primarily a spec-fic audience. So, based on my most recent read, I present the Ravensfriend:

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"I am Welcomed in the Home of Ravens and Other Scavengers in the Wake of Warriors," Ringil recited for him, hollowly. "I am Friend to Carrion Crows and Wolves. I am Carry Me and Kill with Me, and Die with Me Where the Road Ends. I am not the Honeyed Promise of Length of Life in Years to Come. I am the Iron Promise of Never Being a Slave."
"That's its dedication?"
"That's its name," Ringil told him flatly.

A few others come to mind immediately, but I haven't any defining passages to include for them. Any weapons you've read about that really stand out to you? If this catches on I'll add some more
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Wilshire on July 23, 2015, 04:26:14 pm: I think this is a great idea, though nothing to add myself. I dont seem to recall any great weapons such as what you've described above.

Quote from: Camlost on July 23, 2015, 04:07:09 pm
Quote
...
"That's its name," Ringil told him flatly.
lol thats brilliant.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Madness on July 23, 2015, 04:28:24 pm: Erickson's got two good ones.

Anomander's Dragnipur and Karsa Orlong's Flint Sword.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Camlost on July 23, 2015, 04:58:24 pm: Dragnipur was another one that immediately came to mind. I don't know that there is any single passage that truly encapsulates what is going on with that smoked-chained blade
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Madness on July 23, 2015, 05:03:06 pm: I don't have any books with me really but Erikson does have a fairly encapsulating single passage.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: H on July 23, 2015, 05:36:57 pm: All I can think of off the top of my head is Terminus Est from Book of the New Sun.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Wilshire on July 23, 2015, 06:20:17 pm: Quote from: Madness on July 23, 2015, 04:28:24 pm
Erickson's got two good ones.

Anomander's Dragnipur and Karsa Orlong's Flint Sword.
Ahh good call on those two. The blade of darkness is indeed legendary. There are several in Erickson. The Flint Sword was not terribly fancy but the forging was cool. Also Burn's Hammer comes to mind.

Quote from: H on July 23, 2015, 05:36:57 pm
All I can think of off the top of my head is Terminus Est from Book of the New Sun.
I also thought of this, but as I only read the first book I'm not sure its much more than just a heavy sword.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Francis Buck on July 23, 2015, 07:26:03 pm: Damn, I was gonna say Terminus Est as well. It actually has quite a few interesting traits, such as a channel filled with mercury (or something like mercury) in its center, as well as having various "executioner sword" features (male edge for men, female edge for women) and a squared tip, so it can't be used for thrusting.

As for others...there's Kosall from Heroes Die, a sword so stereotypically cliche that it circles back around to being rather original (which is a common thing in that series).

And the Vorpal Sword!

Also the many incarnations of Masamune throughout mythology and fiction, like Sephiroth's giant-ass katana from FF7:

(http://www.ffcompendium.com/misc/kh-sephiroth-a.jpg)
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: SilentRoamer on July 23, 2015, 08:27:36 pm: Ill go with these off the top of my head that haven't been listed:

Terry Brooks: Sword of Shannara - (Various) Made in the Old Times so almost indestructable.
Terry Goodkind: Sword of Truth (Richard Rahl)- Powers change over time.
David Gemmell: Swords of Night and Day (Skilgannon) which are copies of Swords of Blood and Fire. (Decado) < Expected Madness to mention them. :)
Robert Jordan: Callandor - "The sword that is not a sword" (Rand al Thor) I suppose we can put this here?
Tolkien: Glamdring (Gandalf) Sting (Bilbo+Frodo) Orcwrist (Thorin) - I know there are a load more I just cant think of them.
Ancient Myths: Excalibur
George. R. R. Martin: Needle (Arya) and Oathkeeper (Brienne) - I am not sure if they are names in the books as I have only seen the tv series.
Rowling: Sword of Gryffindor (Gryffindors)
Hayden: The Daystar Clarion (Rhapsoy)

Thats all I can think of for now but if I remember anymore ill repost.

Shame on you FB you don't mention the Buster Sword!
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Somnambulist on July 23, 2015, 08:37:59 pm: Tad Williams' titular blades from his epic fantasy series, Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. They were essentially three blades with very different provenances, that were (obviously) central to the story.

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When frost doth grow on Claves’ bell
And shadows walk upon the road
When water blackens in the well
Three Swords must come again.

When Bukken from the earth do creep
And Hunën from the heights descend
When Nightmare throttles peaceful sleep
Three Swords must come again.

To turn the stride of treading Fate
To clear the fogging Mists of Time
If Early shall resist too Late
Three Swords must come again.
— Nisses, Du Svardenvyrd
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Camlost on July 23, 2015, 10:08:09 pm: Quote
Terminus Est from Book of the New Sun
Another good one, and a reminder I need to finish the latter half of that series.
Quote
Also Burn's Hammer comes to mind.
Forgot about that one. It definitely has some heavy moments attached to it. Rake's brothers carry some pretty cool blades too. Vengeance has a fairly interesting role
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Tolkien: Glamdring (Gandalf) Sting (Bilbo+Frodo) Orcwrist (Thorin) - I know there are a load more I just cant think of them.
Wondered how long before Tolkien would make an appearance on the list. Middle-Earth is packed with legendary gear. Aragon's sword Andúril, "the blade that was broken", and its reforged counterpart Narsil come to mind
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: MSJ on July 23, 2015, 11:35:50 pm: Cool topic! I like many you've mentioned, but my favorite weapons of all-time come from A Land Fit for Heroes. And its not til the final book The Dark Defiles, that they get that special touch.

Archeth, who is half human/Kiriath, has an assortment of Kiriath steel daggers (sharpest product in the world, duh). Long story short, she meets a Warhelm (a machine made by her fathers race used for......war!) and is trained how to properly use them. They are essentially an extension of herself, and when she needs them they will "jump" out of their holders and into her hands. Totally awesome and the names are too. Bandgleam, Quarterless, Laughing Girl, Wraithslayer and Falling Angel. And Ringil's sword Ravensfriend (also Kiriath steel), isn't too shabby either.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: H on July 24, 2015, 10:21:07 am: Obviously I'm an idiot and completely forgot what is probably one of the most important weapons in a fantasy series: Stormbringer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormbringer).
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: SilentRoamer on July 24, 2015, 10:42:55 am: Seems to be a focus on swords and I just assumed we were doing swords then realised the title is weapons. So I wracked my brains last night and remembered the following:

Robert Jordan: Ashanderie (Matt Cauthon) - Black bladed quarterstaff staff with some cool powers.
David Gemmell: Snaga (Druss) legendary Axe made by The Old Lady - sends the weilder insane and into a bloodlust, Druss was only affected after years and years due to his immense goodness and willpower.
Mythology: Mjollnir (Thor) We all know about the hammer forged from the heart of a dying star. Gungnir (Odin) His badass spear. Hrunting (Beowulf) one of his legendary swords (cannot remember the other.)
Brent Weeks: Curoch - legendary sword.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: SilentRoamer on July 24, 2015, 10:43:14 am: I approve of this topic a lot!
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: The Great Scald on July 25, 2015, 06:28:53 pm: My favorite weapon in fantasy...probably Gurthang, the sword in JRR Tolkien's epic tragedy The Children of Húrin.

A sentient sword made of black glowing metal, forged from a fallen meteorite, can slice a dragon's hide like butter, and kills the anti-hero Túrin in the end:

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'Hail, Gurthang! No lord or loyalty do you know, save the hand that wields thee. From no blood will you shrink. Will you therefore take Túrin Turambar, will you slay me swiftly?'
And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yea, I will drink thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly.'
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: SilentRoamer on July 25, 2015, 09:30:58 pm: I totally forgot about that and I love The Children of Húrin. Good call.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Camlost on July 27, 2015, 09:22:18 pm: I was trying to come up with more that haven't already been said, and while they're not specifically legendary they are fairly central to their respective novels.

The first being Jean Tannen's Wicked Sisters. He's rarely without them unless they've been buried in someone's head.

The other was One-Eye's spear from the Black Company. Nothing particularly special about the weapon, but
(click to show/hide)
there does end up being enough sorcery invested in it to slay a god..
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Cüréthañ on July 29, 2015, 09:22:04 am: Quote from: H on July 24, 2015, 10:21:07 am
Obviously I'm an idiot and completely forgot what is probably one of the most important weapons in a fantasy series: Stormbringer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormbringer).

All other magic blades are but shadows of Stormbringer, cast through dimensions.

Also, Saberhagen's 12 Swords of Power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Swords_of_Power).
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Garet Jax on July 29, 2015, 01:33:30 pm: Quote from: Cüréthañ on July 29, 2015, 09:22:04 am
Quote from: H on July 24, 2015, 10:21:07 am
Obviously I'm an idiot and completely forgot what is probably one of the most important weapons in a fantasy series: Stormbringer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormbringer).

All other magic blades are but shadows of Stormbringer, cast through dimensions.

Also, Saberhagen's 12 Swords of Power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Swords_of_Power).

I just spent quite some time reading about the 12 Swords of Power... Do you recommend the series Curethan? Also, feel free to delete this post, after replying of course ;) , as it doesn't really belong here.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Alia on July 30, 2015, 08:38:53 am: Sanderson's "Stormlight Archives" is in a way focused on swords, namely Shardblades. Since they can cut through anything, including human soul, they are highly valued and coveted. Oh, and they also change their users' eye colour from dark to light. And then we learn that in fact they are not really swords, they are something totally different.
Kane of Wagner's novels has a huge sword of Carsultyal steel, which he wears on his back. The sword is not magical, but since Carsultyal is a city of sorcerers that is long gone, the sword is very distinctive.
Witcher from Sapkowski's novels has two swords - the silver one is for monsters, the iron one for humans.

And moving away from swords, since I'm currently re-reading Zelazny's "Amber", Corwin's son Merlin has Frakir, which is basically an intelligent garotte and in addition to killing enemies, it also warns him of danger. Very cool weapon, IMO.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Wilshire on July 30, 2015, 11:41:44 am: Ah, I thought of one.

The Subtle Knife, from the His Dark Materials trillogy, and the title of the 2nd book. http://www.bridgetothestars.net/wiki/index.php?title=The_Subtle_Knife

The Subtle-Knife, also known as Æsahættr, meaning "God-Destroyer", is the name given to the dagger created by the Guild of Torre degli Angeli. An ordinary looking dagger, it possesses extraordinary capabilities; able to cut through any substance - lead, flesh, Dust; even the membrane that separates one world from another.

"It was an ordinary-looking dagger, with a double-sided blade of dull metal about eight inches long, a short crosspiece of the same metal, and a handle of rosewood. As he looked at it more closely, he saw that the rosewood was inlaid with golden wires, forming a design he didn't recognize till he turned the knife around and saw an angel, with wings folded. On the other side was a different angel, with wings upraised. The wires stood out a little from the surface, giving a firm grip, and as he picked it up he felt that it was light in his hand and strong and beautifully balanced, and that the blade was not dull after all. In fact, a swirl of cloudy colors seemed to live just under the surface of the metal: bruise purples, sea blues, earth browns, cloud grays, the deep green under heavy-foliaged trees, the clustering shades at the mount of a tomb as evening falls over a deserted graveyard...."

The two edges of the knife are very different. One is clear bright steel that is incredibly sharp and will cut through any material in the world. The other side is just as sharp but silvery. This is the side that cuts into different worlds.

The knife is carried in a leather sheath, backed with stiff horn. There are buckles to hold the knife firmly in place because any movement would cut through the leather.

Bonus: Those chosen by the knife to wield it, once they grasp the handle, their ring and little finger fall off.

Major Series spoiler if anyone cares
(click to show/hide)
The Wielder literally stabs God and kills him.

-----
unrelated
Quote from: Garet Jax on July 29, 2015, 01:33:30 pm
Quote from: Cüréthañ on July 29, 2015, 09:22:04 am
Quote from: H on July 24, 2015, 10:21:07 am
Obviously I'm an idiot and completely forgot what is probably one of the most important weapons in a fantasy series: Stormbringer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormbringer).

All other magic blades are but shadows of Stormbringer, cast through dimensions.

Also, Saberhagen's 12 Swords of Power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Swords_of_Power).

I just spent quite some time reading about the 12 Swords of Power... Do you recommend the series Curethan?
Same thing happened to me. And same question.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Alia on July 30, 2015, 11:52:33 am: And from Sanderson also, this time "Warbreaker" - Nightblood. A sentient sword created with one aim only, "To destroy evil". And it speaks in its wielder's head. The problem is, its concept of evil is a bit fuzzy.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Garet Jax on July 30, 2015, 02:57:41 pm: ASoIaF: All of the Valeryian swords... They have no real innate magic, but just their superiority to other weapons set in that world make them memorable. Also Lightbringer, whenever we get to see that one.

Drizzt: Twinkle & Icingdeath... Because, yea, they are like his business cards.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Somnambulist on July 31, 2015, 04:16:19 am: H mentioned Stormbringer. It was but one of a number of similarly enchanted blades, only one other of which was named afaik: Mournblade. I personally feel like Moorcock couldn't think of similarly badass names to call the others, so he just left it. lol

In The Scar, by China Mieville, a character named Uther Doul wields the Possible Sword.
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When he has his sword switched off, he relies on precision. Precision doesn't work when the sword is switched on, though. The sword makes every possible strike varying degrees of real. The results are typically extremely messy, as dozens, or even hundreds, of possible strikes land with each attack, generally puréeing whatever is on the receiving end.
Quote is from a topic on a fantasy board, but describes what the sword does fairly well. Basically, it enacted probabilities in combat. He was one of my fav characters in the book, and I loved the idea of the sword.

And here's me breaking the rules again (i.e. not from a book), but I couldn't help thinking of Souledge from the Soul Caliber games.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Cüréthañ on August 02, 2015, 07:17:05 am: Quote from: Wilshire on July 30, 2015, 11:41:44 am

Quote from: Garet Jax on July 29, 2015, 01:33:30 pm
Quote from: Cüréthañ on July 29, 2015, 09:22:04 am
Quote from: H on July 24, 2015, 10:21:07 am
Obviously I'm an idiot and completely forgot what is probably one of the most important weapons in a fantasy series: Stormbringer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormbringer).

All other magic blades are but shadows of Stormbringer, cast through dimensions.

Also, Saberhagen's 12 Swords of Power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Swords_of_Power).

I just spent quite some time reading about the 12 Swords of Power... Do you recommend the series Curethan?
Same thing happened to me. And same question.

Ah, sorry. Not really. Been 20 years since I read 'em, but iirc it's pretty generic stuff. You got all the cool bits in that wiki entry. Would recommend Berserker and his Empire of the East trilogy though.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: mrganondorf on August 09, 2015, 08:26:56 pm: Quote from: Camlost on July 23, 2015, 04:07:09 pm
I was just doing a quick reread of Richard Morgan's A Land Fit for Heroes trilogy before diving into the last book and it kind of surprised me that the topic of legendary weapons has never come up given that we comprise what I suspect is primarily a spec-fic audience. So, based on my most recent read, I present the Ravensfriend:

Quote
"I am Welcomed in the Home of Ravens and Other Scavengers in the Wake of Warriors," Ringil recited for him, hollowly. "I am Friend to Carrion Crows and Wolves. I am Carry Me and Kill with Me, and Die with Me Where the Road Ends. I am not the Honeyed Promise of Length of Life in Years to Come. I am the Iron Promise of Never Being a Slave."
"That's its dedication?"
"That's its name," Ringil told him flatly.

A few others come to mind immediately, but I haven't any defining passages to include for them. Any weapons you've read about that really stand out to you? If this catches on I'll add some more

i think Ringil is the name of the sword that Fingolfin injures Morgoth with in the Silmarillion

- anyone mentioned Grond yet? hammer of the underworld, what Morgoth broke Fingolfin with. later the battering ram that crashes Minas Tirith's gates is also called Grond
- the black sword that Turin wields in his tragedy
- other swords in Silmarillion (i'm sorry, i don't know where my copy is!)
- Tiffany Aching fucks up fairyland with her trusty iron skillet
- Peter's sword and Susan's bow from Narnia
- Jorg's 'special weapon' (at the end of King of Thorns)
- the Nuban's bow (Prince of Thorns)
- the talking sword that uses Rincewind in The Colour of Magic (that trunk of sapient pearwood is pretty much a weapon too)
- i can't quite remember, does The Subtle Knife count?
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Wilshire on August 10, 2015, 03:37:21 pm: Quote from: gorfnarmordu on August 09, 2015, 08:26:56 pm
- i can't quite remember, does The Subtle Knife count?

See: http://www.second-apocalypse.com/index.php?topic=1612.msg22279#msg22279
;)

I think it counts.

From the Drizzt series I like:
Taulmaril: "Heartseeker" Bow that could not be broken a quiver that never emptied and was filled with lightning arrows.
Khazid'hea: Sentient sword obsessed with killing. Sharp enough to cut through anything, even magically enchanted "impenetrable" armor. This thing was basically a lightsaber.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: mrganondorf on August 10, 2015, 06:59:43 pm: Quote from: Wilshire on August 10, 2015, 03:37:21 pm
Quote from: gorfnarmordu on August 09, 2015, 08:26:56 pm
- i can't quite remember, does The Subtle Knife count?

See: http://www.second-apocalypse.com/index.php?topic=1612.msg22279#msg22279
;)

I think it counts.

From the Drizzt series I like:
Taulmaril: "Heartseeker" Bow that could not be broken a quiver that never emptied and was filled with lightning arrows.
Khazid'hea: Sentient sword obsessed with killing. Sharp enough to cut through anything, even magically enchanted "impenetrable" armor. This thing was basically a lightsaber.

derp! Wilshire all over like a red jelly bean driving a cherry porsche into a dying sun
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: SilentRoamer on August 10, 2015, 07:04:00 pm: Cant believe I didn't think of Waylanders awesome crossbow. He doesn't name it but it is a one of a kind weapon.

Also from another series I mentioned before Achmeds Cwellan which is a weird projectile weapon that shoots little metal stars that go wherever he wants them to go, he can feel your blood pulsing and your heart beating from hundreds of metres away.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Madness on June 05, 2016, 05:32:47 pm: Lol, yeah, sorry I forgot that Gemmell, SR.

How didn't Snaga and the Swords of Night and Day come to my mind :-/.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: MSJ on August 10, 2016, 12:00:30 am: In Luke Scull there men who have been integrated with magic that enhance their fighting ability. Alot of great and neat wepons come from this. The one I like most is a guy who has magical shoes that make him have ridiculous speed. There are others, but right now I can't seem to think of other. Really neat magical system in those book. I've heard the books described as Abercrombie but wit actual magic. A great description.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Wilshire on September 20, 2016, 07:46:55 pm: Quote from: MSJ on August 10, 2016, 12:00:30 am
The one I like most is a guy who has magical shoes that make him have ridiculous speed
The prefered 'weapon' of ye ol' famous drow elf Drizzt. He kills some guy who is wearing them as gauntlets, takes them, decides that having them on your wrists is ridiculous because you can't move your feet fast enough to make meaningful adjustments to your 'style', puts them on his feet, and he becomes invincible for the next 200 books.
Title: Re: Weapons in Fantasy
Post by: Wilshire on September 20, 2016, 07:51:59 pm: Hust swords mentioned in Malazan.

"... were made in the forges of the Hust Hold in the realm of Kurald Galain. These swords were quenched in Dragon's blood and were forged to slay Eleint."
An Eleint is a Dragon, btw.

They also made a sound like hysterical laughter when killing. very creepy.

Other magical properties
"They were supposedly immortal, immune to all decay, and could shear other blades in two. A broken Hust sword would also heal in time. It could also sense those of Eleint blood nearby, other than its wielder. Hust blades protected their wielders from exhaustion, magic and mundane attacks, and enhanced the wielder's capabilities by 'fusing' with them. This could cause destruction of the physical body of a person wielding the Hust sword, since their actions were beyond the limits of their body.

Hust weapons were known to be possessed, laughing and shrieking with glee as they slaughtered everyone who dared face its wielder in the battlefield."