List of fictional swords

Contents

In Arthurian fiction:

Arthur's sword Caledfwlch (Excalibur)
Arthur's sword Caledfwlch (Excalibur)

Excalibur, of course is featured in every tale of Arthur or Merlin ever written, in some form or another. The examples below list two of the more unique takes on Arthurian swords.

Bernard Cornwell: The Warlord Chronicles
  • Excalibur (Originally known as Caledfwlch, "Hard Lightning") - sword of Arthur
  • Hywelbane - sword of Derfel Cadarn, champion of Dumnonia
  • The Christ-blade (formerly Tanlladwyr, "Brightkiller") - sword of Lancelot
  • The Sword of the Straunge Gurdyls - sword of Galahad

Stephen R. Lawhead: The Pendragon Cycle

In fantasy fiction (Alphabetically by author)

Robin of Sherwood

The Seven Swords of Wayland

  • Albion, the sword of Herne's Son (Robin Hood). It cannot be used to slay him.
  • Beleth
  • Morax
  • Solas
  • Orias
  • Faluros
  • Eligor

The power of the sword is neither good nor evil until used. In the episode "The Swords of Wayland" a coven gains all seven and attempts to summon Lucifer. This is thwarted by Robin Hood who reclaims his sword, Albion, and see the other six apparently destroyed. Any special abilities of the other swords were not discussed in the show, so not much is known about them beyond their names.

Steven Brust

The Great Weapons, 17 swords and daggers created by the Serioli in order to kill the Gods, for having stolen their world. All have the ability to destroy souls (and to decide on its own whether to destroy it), and to temporarily swallow the soul of their wielder to prevent its destruction.

  • Godslayer, a short sword/dagger with a large silvery round pommel, which has the ability to pierce the effects of Orb Sorcery, and heal its user. It is inhabited by the soul of Teldra. Current Wielder: Vlad Taltos
  • Blackwand a black longsword which has the ability to expel a lethal black beam. Current Wielder: Morrolan
  • Pathfinder has the ability to find and bring the wielder to anything and anyone that wielder desires. Current Wielder: Aliera
  • Iceflame is a dagger that can create fire that burns like ice. Current Wielder: Sethra

David Eddings

  • The Sword of the Rivan King, also known as Iron-Grip's Sword. Wielded by the King of Riva, i.e. the Heir to Riva Iron-Grip's throne. It is one of the most powerful swords in the Belgariad and Malloreon, with the ability to enhance the sorcery of its wielder through the Orb of Aldur, which is its pommel-stone. The Orb makes the Sword virtually wieghtless and enables it to counter sorcery, as seen when Belgarion (current wielder) used it to flick aside fireballs hurled at him, while giving it a tendency to burst into bright blue flame. It is also capable of killing Gods, as seen when Belgarion, the Godslayer used it to kill Torak, Dark God of Angarak.
  • Cthrek Goru, the Dark Sword of Shadows wielded by Torak as the counter to The Sword of the Rivan King. It appears to be able to control the powers of Darkness and was retrieved later in the Mallorean and wielded by the Demon Lord Mordja and used to kill one of Belgarion's Companions, the Silent Man---the Mute Toth.

Michael Ende: The Neverending Story

  • Sikanda, wielded and named by Bastian Balthazar Bux. It was given to him by Graograman in Chapater O. Sikanda is drawn by itself, at the sense of danger, jumping into the hand of his bearer, but it must never be forced out of its sheath.

David Gemmell

  • The Swords of Night and Day, wielded by Olek Skilgannon 'the Damned' in White Wolf and The Swords of Night and Day. Powerful, yet inferior, copies of the Swords of Blood and Fire.
  • The Swords of Blood and Fire, twin swords wielded by Decado in The Swords of Night and Day, and by Boranius in White Wolf. The original swords from which the Swords of Night and Day were copied.
  • Snaga, Although Druss’ "axe’s" name is Snaga, Druss exorcized the demon from it which is later used to imbue Gorben’s sword with similar powers as the axe; causing Gorben to become insane.

S. Morgenstern: The Princess Bride

  • The Six-Fingered Sword, wielded by Inigo Montoya, originally forged for the polydactyl Count Rugen by Montoya's father. See http://www.historicalfencing.org/Macdonaldarmory/montoya.htm for the only available accurate reproduction of the movie sword

Terry Goodkind: Sword of Truth Series

M. John Harrison: Viriconium

  • tegius Cromis's sword, "which contrary to the fashion of the time had no name" – The Pastel City et seq.

Robert Jordan: The Wheel of Time

  • Callandor — A powerful sa'angreal, also known as The Sword that is not a Sword
  • Heron Mark Sword — The sword of the blademasters
  • Sword of the Malkieri Kings-Lan's sword, Aes Sedai work and unbreakable

C.S. Lewis: Chronicles of Narnia

  • Rhindon — The sword of Peter, given to him by Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and later used to slay Maugrim.

George R.R. Martin: A Song of Ice and Fire

  • Dawn — the ancestral sword of House Dayne with 'a blade as pale as milkglass'
  • Heartsbane — the ancestral Valyrian steel greatsword of House Tarly
  • Ice — the ancestral Valyrian steel greatsword of House Stark, now melted down
  • Brightroar — Valyrian steel sword of House Lannister, lost before the time of the series
  • Lion's Tooth — a child-sized longsword borne by Prince Joffrey of House Baratheon
  • Longclaw — the ancestral Valyrian steel bastard sword of House Mormont, given to Jon Snow
  • Needle — a side-sword given to Arya Stark by her half-brother Jon Snow when he left Winterfell to serve on the Wall.
  • Widow's Wail — a Valyrian steel longsword forged from the remains of Ice and presented to King Joffrey by his grandfather
  • Oathkeeper — a Valyrian steel longsword that was also forged from the remains of Ice. It was given to Jaime Lannister by his father, who then gave it to Brienne of Tarth

Michael Moorcock: Eternal Champion

As Moorcock co-opts some characters from legend and myth as avatars of the Eternal Champion, this list might also include:

  • Durindana (see above)
  • Excalibur (see above)

Boyd Robertson

Manzorus, an ancient Tatzik weapon wielded originally by Alox the Great and eventually his distant descendant Tomas in Beyond War. A Metal Soul (a sort of magical A.I.) inhabits it, greatly increasing its ability. It is a 110cm bluish-silver blade fixed to a two-handed ivory hilt, with Tatzik symbols engraved along its length. Its hilt also contains the microscopic portal surrounded by Alox's magical field. When held by Alox or someone sharing his DNA (such as one of his descendants) the Metal Soul awakens and the symbols glow blue. The Soul then assists the user during fights, making the sword faster and stronger. At the height of a duel the sword can explode into super-hot magical blue flame similar to balefire (in fact it may be a conditioned form of balefire generated by the Metal Soul) that will let Manzorus burn through any material. However the balefire is powered by the user's soul, as well as burning at over 2,000 degrees. These restrictions mean the balefire can only be used for a few seconds before it begins to damage its user. The Metal Soul, being a created specifically for the sword, constantly desires battle and can influence the weilder's decisions slightly. Manzorus was used to slay countless Adasfaghakl soldiers during the Tatzik-Adasfaghakl War and was well-used by Tomas in his career as a Giartar soldier and in the defence of Sayants during the invasion by the Adasfaghkl. Gazkell fears the sword because Alox disfigured him with it, however the fear of the sword will not stop him attacking the owner if they posses one of the Glyphs. Tomas, after killing Jerrimer using it, hurled Manzorus into they eye of Amerioss as he attempted to drag Eva back to their world. It was thought lost, but after Boyar reveals that it is needed to activate Giartar's defence system, he and Tomas travel into Eva's world using the portal-orb Boyar had taken from its hilt at Giartar. After being retrieved, Tomas inserted it into the activation pedastal. The Metal Soul took control of the defence system and obliterated Jakob's army. However, the Metal Soul was old, and insane after being exposed to a different world. It began to turn the system back on the population of Giartar. Facing the death of thousands of innnocent lives, Gazkell's spirit intervened in one last good act and destroyed the Metal Soul, Manzorus, and itself. The fragments of Manzorus were collected and placed in the Citadel of Giartar as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices of the war.

J.K. Rowling

Christopher Paolini

  • Misery, or Zar'roc, as it was known in the Old Tongue was made from the same, mysterious metal all the Rider's swords were made of. It was bright red in color and Eragon wielded it before it was taken from him.

Raven Night

  • The Sword of the Rose wielded by Gabriel Rose in the POD book Gabriel's Stand. Made of a substance called roserock or rosegem, the Sword of the Rose was forged by Gabriel's ancestor's along with a Mask and Ring; its power allowed the wielder to directly disengage one's spirit from their body and render them destroyed.

Fred Saberhagen: Books of the Swords

The twelve swords, each with a unique magic property, were forged by Vulcan and capriciously scattered across a world in which technology had been replaced by magic and the deities of classical antiquity returned.

  • Coinspinner - a sword which brings luck to its wielder but may desert him at any moment.
  • Doomgiver - the "sword of justice," which turns any attack back on the attacker.
  • Dragonslicer - a sword which transcends dragons' resistance to normal weapons (but does not protect the wielder in any way).
  • Farslayer - a sword which kills a named victim, regardless of distance, when it is thrown by its wielder... Who may, of course, become the next target.
  • Woundhealer - a sword which heals diseases and injuries and cannot be used as a weapon.
  • Mindsword - the "Sword of Glory" or "Skulltwister," which inspires instant and fanatic loyalty to the wielder.
  • Shieldbreaker - a sword which destroys any weapon, including other Swords.
  • Sightblinder - a sword which causes its wielder to be perceived by observers as someone they either fear or trust, giving the power of disguise but not the pwoer of stealth.
  • Soulcutter - the "Tyrant's Blade," which imposes instant and unbreakable depression on anyone nearby—including the wielder.
  • Stonecutter - a sword which can cut through stone.
  • Townsaver - a sword which will protect the innocent from any number of attackers... But does not protect its wielder.
  • Wayfinder - a sword which leads the wielder to whatever he seeks... But by the most dangerous way.
  • The Song of Swords

J. R. R. Tolkien: Middle-earth

Non-canon swords (movie only):

See also: Middle-earth swords (category)

Tad Williams: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

The Great Swords, which give the series its name:

  • Memory, also called Minneyar - iron sword of King Fingil Bloodfist
  • Sorrow, also called Jingizu - witchwood/iron sword of Ineluki, the Storm King
  • Thorn - Sir Camaris' long sword crafted from the tailings of a fallen star.

Lesser swords also named in the series:

  • Naidel, Prince Josua's thin rapier
  • Kvalnir, Duke Isgrimnur's blade
  • Bright-Nail, Prester John's holy blade
  • Indreju, Jiriki's witchwood sword

Gene Wolfe: Book of the New Sun

  • Terminus Est - Has liquid metal within the blade, making it hard to lift and giving more power on the downswing.

Roger Zelazny: Chronicles of Amber

(various authors): Forgotten Realms

In movies

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Star Wars

In computer games and video games

Devil May Cry series

Final Fantasy series

For more, see List of Final Fantasy weapons.

Fire Emblem series

The Legend of Zelda series

Lineage II

  • Caliburs
  • Dual Artisan Swords
  • Dual Bastard Swords
  • Dual Crimson Swords
  • Dual Damascus
  • Dual Elven Long Sword
  • Dual Keshanberks
  • Dual Knight's Sword
  • Dual Raid Swords
  • Dual Samurai Longsword
  • Dual Shamshir
  • Dual Stormbringer
  • Dual Sword of Limit
  • Dual Sword of Nightmare
  • Dual Tsurugi
  • Deathbringer Sword
  • Dragon Slayer
  • Elemental Sword
  • Keshanberk/Damascus
  • Keshanberk/Keshanberk
  • Spirits Sword
  • Sword of Delusion
  • Sword of Miracles
  • Sword of Nightmare
  • Sword of Valhalla

Namco's Tales series

  • Eternal Sword; the ultimate weapon in the Tales series
  • Vorpal Blade (Named "Material Blades" when paired with the Flamberge)– Used by Cless Alvein in Tales of Phantasia and by Lloyd Irving in Tales of Symphonia
  • Dymlos, a Swordian (talking sword) used by Stahn Aileron in Tales of Destiny
  • Atwight, a Swordian used by Rutee Katrea in Tales of Destiny
  • Chaltier, a Swordian used by Leon Magnus in Tales of Destiny
  • Clemente, a Swordian used by Philia Felice in Tales of Destiny
  • Igtenos, a Swordian used by Garr Kelvin in Tales of Destiny
  • Berselius, a Swordian used by Hugo Gilchrist in Tales of Destiny

Onimusha series

  • Raizan used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha and Onimusha 3
  • Enryuu used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha and Onimusha 3
  • Shippuu used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha and Onimusha 3
  • Bishamon Sword used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha and Onimusha 3
  • Buraitou used by Yagyū Jubei in Onimusha 2
  • Senpumaru used by Yagyū Jubei in Onimusha 2
  • Rekka-ken used by Yagyū Jubei in Onimusha 2
  • Tensoujin used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha 3
  • Kuugatou used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha 3
  • Onimusha Sword used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha 3
  • Genma Samonji used by Samanosuke Akechi in Onimusha 3

Super Robot Wars

  • Keitouragouken (計都羅喉剣), wielded by the Super Robot Grungust
  • Keitoushungokuken (計都瞬獄剣), wielded by the Super Robot Grungust Nishiki
  • Zankantou (斬艦刀), any one of the similar giant swords wielded by Grungust Reishiki, Grungust Sanshiki, Daizengar and Thrudgelmir
  • Ryuou Hazanken (龍王破山剣), a magical sword used by RyuKoOu
  • Koou Zanshin Rikouken (虎王斬神陸甲剣), a giant magical katana used by Shin KoRyuOu
  • Shishiou Blade

Warcraft series

Other

In Manga, Anime and Cartoons

The Zanpakutō of Bleach

The names of the zanpakutō ("soul cutter") swords are also that of their shikai (initial release)

In Opera

In Card Games

  • World Slayer - The *one* sword with which *one* swing will rip asunder the very fabric of reality, bringing upon total annihilation to its foes and friends alike. Not even its wielder can remain unscathed, nor can the world which he stands on. (From Mirrodin block, Magic The Gathering)

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