Twelve Swords of Power

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See also the Star Wars Expanded Universe Imperial Star Destroyer Doomgiver.

The Twelve Swords of Power, Swords of Power, or swords featured in the epic Fred Saberhagen sci-fi/fantasy series, Books of the Swords. They are the central focus of the novels, and are often considered unique characters themselves.

Contents

[edit] Common Features

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The Swords were created by the gods of the Books of the Swords universe out of boredom, as a game to play on mortals. By making the Swords and scattering them throughout the land, the gods hoped to derive amusement as men and women sought them out and lorded power over each other.

The Swords were forged by Vulcan. He conscripted the finest human blacksmiths in the earth as assistants. Using divine forging methods, Vulcan completed each Sword by quenching it in human blood, sacrificing his unwilling assistants one by one. Only one man survived the forging process, the smith Jord, who escaped with the loss of his arm. As a form of payment, Jord was given Townsaver, which became the first of the mysterious Swords revealed to humanity.

All Swords are exactly one meter long, with bright double-edged blades that have a maximum thickness of one centimeter. They are all surgically sharp and resistant to all forms of damage, except destruction by violent confrontation with Shieldbreaker. They never rust, dull, tarnish, or soil. The metal used in the construction of the Swords is of meteoric origin.

They are physically identical in design, having a simple black hilt with straight crossbar. The overall construction of the blade is described as simple and elegant, not ornate or flashy, despite the illustrations featured on some of the paperback copies of the book covers. The first printing of the hardback Book of Swords bears an approximate image of the Swords' appearance. (Compare the originals (800k image) to the paperbacks (60kb image)) Some have suggested that the far more ornate design on some covers reflects the fact that the artist did not read the books he was illustrating. Others have pointed out that the cover illustration appears to have been based on the design of the wooden sword-cases the Swords are stored in, as described in certain passages in the story (most notably, in the Tasavaltan treasury). However, the paperback editions of the first three books also have a back-cover illustration which more accurately reflects the actual appearance of the Swords.

A Sword can only be distinguished from its companions by a unique white symbol etched into one side of its hilt. In addition to each Sword's magical properties, all can also serve as peerless conventional blades, due to their perfect balance, extreme sharpness, and indestructible nature.

There are three exceptions to these general rules. Woundhealer is incapable of killing, though its blade will cut anything but living flesh as well as any other Sword. Soulcutter lacks a distinguishing hilt symbol, and features a blade that has no luster, and draws light inward creating a pocket of localized gloom when drawn. Shieldbreaker cannot be used as a normal physical weapon unless the enemy has a weapon on them somewhere, in which case Shieldbreaker's power activates.

It is suggested at times that it can be very dangerous to hold two Swords at one time - at least one person is known to have been knocked unconscious simply from holding two, without drawing on their powers. Conversely, a number of characters have been seen wielding two at once with little adverse effect - this can be explained by the fact that certain stronger personalities seem better able to resist the draining effects of wielding two Swords, and by the fact that some Swords seem to "tolerate" each other better than others. While dual-wielding, the wielder is described variously as feeling euphoric, or as if he/she were having an out-of-body experience.

[edit] Coinspinner

Coinspinner is also called the Sword of Chance. It has a pair of dice engraved in white on its hilt.

Coinspinner gives its holder good luck, and brings misfortune on anyone trying to harm or hinder its current possessor. However, the Sword of Chance is the most unpredictable of all the Swords, having the habit of leaving its owner when they need it most.

Coinspinner's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

Who holds Coinspinner knows good odds
Whichever move he make.
But the Sword of Chance, to please the gods
Slips from him like a snake.

Coinspinner seems to be endowed with a limited form of intelligence. Should one take one's eyes off of it, Coinspinner can teleport to a new destination and a new owner. The Sword is capable of generating distractions to achieve this purpose.

While a person holds Coinspinner, even if it remains sheathed in a scabbard, they are blessed with supernatural good luck. If they play poker, every hand wins. If they walk a tightrope, they would not fall, and if they did fall, one can be sure that the fall would somehow not harm them, and result in a personal profit.

A secondary use of the Sword is that it can function similar to Wayfinder, by pointing the user in the general direction of something they are searching for. It apparently doesn't home as strongly as Wayfinder, nor does it lead its possessor to interim goals required for successfully reaching the object of their desire. However, with the luck of Coinspinner, it is likely the user would be able to deal with any difficulty they meet with while en route.

Often Coinspinner will create a rebound effect of bad luck to its former owner after it leaves. It is not uncommon for Coinspinner to leave its master for his arch rival, with disastrous results. Therefore, Coinspinner serves as a wild card, making total control of the Swords of Power an impossible proposition. Because of this unpredictability, Coinspinner has often been the target of destruction for Shieldbreaker by those who wish to control all of the Swords.

[edit] Doomgiver

Doomgiver is also called the Sword of Justice. It has a hollow circle engraved in white upon its hilt.

Doomgiver is one of the least understood of all the Swords. Its verse in The Song of Swords hints at its powers, and is as follows:

The Sword of Justice balances the pans
Of right and wrong, and foul and fair.
Eye for an eye, Doomgiver scans
The fate of all folk everywhere.

Doomgiver is poorly understood because of the ambiguity of its verse, and because Doomgiver was rarely used in canon. It was observed to turn any attack directed toward it back to the source. If an arrow is fired at the wielder of the Sword of Justice, the arrow would turn around in mid-flight and fatally strike the archer. It also in general redirects maliciousness directed toward the one who holds it. For example, the goddess Aphrodite was entranced by her own power when She tried to seduce one who held Doomgiver. In Blind Man's Blade, Doomgiver had bats eat themselves, had a demon folded painfully into its own gut. Doomgiver prevails over Soulcutter in that same book, turning its despair back at the Gods, and it is also hinted at Doomgiver's power would prove superior to the other Swords, including being able to turn Farslayer back at the one who threw it, that Sightblinder's holder would see a terrible apparition while remaining vulnerable, that the Mindsword holder should worship Doomgiver's holder, and Coinspinner's master would suffer excruciating bad luck. Likewise, in that same book, when Mars tried to take Doomgiver away from the man who held it, in the name of the council of Gods, Doomgiver exacted its retaliation, and took all the Swords of the Gods away from them, except, of course, Shieldbreaker, which is immune to Doomgiver's powers.

The Sword may have had other properties only hinted at in its verse, but it was destroyed early on in the series by Shieldbreaker, making many facets of its power and use unclear.

[edit] Dragonslicer

Dragonslicer also called the Sword of Heroes. It has a stylized dragon engraved in white on its hilt.

Dragonslicer's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

Dragonslicer, Dragonslicer, how d'you slay?
Reaching for the heart in behind the scales.
Dragonslicer, Dragonslicer, where d'you stay?
In the belly of the giant that my blade impales.

Dragonslicer is one of the few Swords that is wholly benevolent in nature. In the Books of the Swords universe, Dragons are non-sentient predatory creatures that can grow to a hundred meters in length or more. The larger forms are capable of ravaging entire countrysides, and their hides are impervious to conventional weapons. Dragonslicer guides its user into the right place to deliver a fatal blow to any dragon, and can cut through dragon scale (and limbs, and tails, etc) as easily as soft butter. However, care must still be taken, for Dragonslicer does not actually magically protect its wielder against a dragon's various means of attack.

When not employed against dragons, it is simply a sharp, well balanced, and well crafted blade that is proof against most damage, but offers no magical advantage. Thus, it is one of the least feared of the Swords -- at least by humanity.

[edit] Farslayer

Farslayer is also called the Sword of Vengeance. It has a series of concentric circles in the form of a bullseye or target engraved upon its hilt.

Farslayer's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

Farslayer howls across the world
For thy heart, for thy heart, who hast wronged me!
Vengeance is his who casts the blade
Yet he will in the end no triumph see.

Farslayer is relatively straightforward in operation. The possessor must simply swing the blade around and think of the person whom they wish to kill, then release the sword. It is customary for the wielder to chant the second line of the Swords verse, "For thy heart...", as above, while they are spinning the Blade. This appears to be unnecessary for the proper function of Farslayer.

After launching, the Sword flies from the hand of its master, creating a shrieking rainbow-colored streak through the sky, terminating in the heart of the intended target. Nothing can be done to hide from Farslayer. The sword is intelligent enough to know exactly how to kill its target, including demons and gods. Farslayer will pass through any substance that is placed between it and its target. Assassinations have taken place with the target in houses, fortified castles, even in caves hundreds of feet under ground. Distance from the target is also no obstacle. Only Shieldbreaker and Woundhealer offer sure defense from the Sword of Vengeance. As it was destroyed early in the series, it's hard to know, but it is also possible that Doomgiver could offer protection, even sending the blade back at the one who launched it.

However, once it reaches its target it remains there. Often, the next thing to happen is that the dead person's loved ones pull the Sword from the body, thinks of the person who hurled the Blade, and sends it back on its way. This is of course a major drawback, and makes employing Farslayer a risky proposition. This sequence is played out in a version of the Hatfield-McCoy feud over the course of the events contained in The Fourth Book of Lost Swords: Farslayer's Story.

[edit] Woundhealer

Woundhealer is also called the Sword of Mercy, and less frequently, the Sword of Love. It bears an open human hand engraved in white on its hilt.

Woundhealer's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

Whose flesh the Sword of Mercy hurts has drawn no breath,
Whose soul it heals has wandered in the night,
Has paid the summing of all debts in death
Has turned to see returning light.

Woundhealer is the only Sword incapable of killing, though it can cut and hack inanimate matter as well as any of the other Swords. Instead, when living flesh is pierced with the Blade, it has a powerful healing effect. The Sword can knit broken bones, heal disease, fix genetic disorders, regenerate lost limbs, and repair mental or psychological problems (including the effects of Soulcutter.) Properly employed, it can enable its user to sustain extensive damage without dying. Its healing effect can prevent amputation of entire limbs if the Sword is in active use; the blade heals the wound before the attack can complete it's path across the limb, and before the wound can start to bleed.

The sensation of Woundhealer cutting or piercing an individual is described as a sort of exquisite pain. Woundhealer works on any living thing, human or animal. It is not known to restore the dead to life, though it could arguably revive a recently, or clinically dead person.

Woundhealer does not project a healing aura. The blade must come into contact and break the skin of the person being healed. Woundhealer can be self administered. For example, one could plunge the Blade into one's chest, jump off a high cliff, and survive the fall, though it would not spare the individual from the pain and shock of the experience. The time of effect depends on the severity of injury or sickness, and proximity of the Blade to the problem area. While Woundhealer can eventually repair a broken leg by being stuck into the patient's heart, the healing is instantaneous when it is sliced through the affected limb. It has also taken Woundhealer several weeks to completely regenerate a lost arm after a single application.

At least one short story in An Armory of Swords seems to suggest that Woundhealer does project an air of good health. That is, while it does no actual healing unless actively employed, long-term proximity to the blade will make a person healthier than otherwise. This is only implied, though, and not stated.

When in action, Woundhealer emits a sound similar to a human sigh.

Woundhealer is the only Sword that has survived an encounter with Shieldbreaker, although the circumstances were unusual. The Sword was plunged into the heart of Prince Mark, the son of the god-like Emperor, at the time Mark's opponent attacked with Shieldbreaker. Shieldbreaker was then obliterated. The result was explained as occurring because Woundhealer was combined with the strongest weapon of all, the human heart. Many readers were dissatisfied with this outcome and explanation, which served as the climax of the entire Book of Swords series. It is unclear whether the outcome would have been the same if the tactic was tried by a character of less distinctive lineage, or by an evil character. There is also a theory that the Shieldbreaker only identifies an object as a weapon when used as a potential danger to the user. This would explain why the Woundhealer was impervious, as it is the complete opposite of danger (indeed, it is something of an anti-sword).

At the end of the Swords series, Woundhealer is the only one of the Twelve remaining in existence, the rest having been destroyed by Shieldbreaker.

Coincidently, Woundhealer abilities and properties are very similar to Tenseiga, a sword from the manga InuYasha. Both swords have the power to heal and can not harm a living thing. Though Woundhealer may be able to cut inanimate objects, Tenseiga can only cut creatures of the undead or things related to the afterlife. One difference among these swords are that Woundhealer can only heal the living, Tenseiga can only resurrect dead people, in which their wounds are healed afterwards, it can not help heal physical wounds nor regenerate lost limbs.

[edit] Mindsword

The Mindsword is also known as the Sword of Glory, or by the pejorative Skulltwister. It has a flying banner engraved in white on its hilt.

The Mindsword's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

The Mindsword spun in the dawn's gray light
And men and demons knelt down before.
The Mindsword flashed in the midday bright
Gods joined the dance, and the march to war.
It spun in the twilight dim as well
And gods and men marched off to hell.

The Mindsword is one of the more overtly evil of the Swords, as it is difficult to imagine a good cause Skulltwister would be associated with. The Mindsword, when drawn, compels absolute and fanatical devotion to the person holding it. It flashes brightly as if catching the sun, and emits the faint roar of a cheering mob, which cannot be blocked out by covering ears or averting eyes. All who are in visual or aural range are affected. Not even the gods of the Swords universe are immune to its power.

The strength of the devotion is such that one under the Mindsword's power would even throw their life away if so ordered. There is no possibility of resisting or recovery, except for the passage of time. When removed from the Mindsword's presence, a person will gradually begin to lose the unnatural loyalty they felt toward the Sword's bearer and show signs of skepticism and then increasing rebelliousness before finally regaining their own mind. It takes around a week to fully recover, depending on the relationship between the target and the wielder, the wielder's own personal charisma, and the psychological resistance of the target.

The Blade seems to have another, lesser property as well - wounds made from its edge fester, preventing healing and possibly leading to fever and delirium. At one point, only the intervention of Woundhealer was enough to save one character from what was little more than a light wound.

Other Swords provide some protection from the mind-control effect of Skulltwister, by virtue of their hold on the user's psyche. Sightblinder has offered resistance, although it still takes a great deal of willpower from the affected wielder. Soulcutter will trump Skulltwister's power, but in this case the cure can be worse than the disease. Shieldbreaker offers absolute immunity when employed. Although this was never demonstrated in the books, it seems likely that Doomgiver would also provide protection, perhaps forcing the wielder of the Mindsword to worship its owner. Woundhealer, if in the owner's body, might also protect from the Mindsword, effectively "healing" the madness it incites people to.

The Mindsword is one of the few Swords that is always "on". On occasions when it has been abandoned in an unsheathed state, it emits a constant flow of psychic strain that starts several hundred meters from the Blade itself, intensifying to near unbearable levels the closer one gets, inducing madness in those caught unprepared and without resolve. The "Sword of Glory" is one of the most sought after of all the Twelve. Tyrants want it to dominate others, and good men want it locked up where it can do no harm, or destroyed if possible.

[edit] Shieldbreaker

Shieldbreaker is also called the Sword of Force, and occasionally 'the Widowmaker'. It has a war hammer engraved in white on its hilt. It is arguably the most powerful of all Swords.

When drawn, it offers absolute protection against all armed enemy attacks, including mêlée, ranged, and magical. It interprets demonic or animal assault with tooth, claw, and beak (in the case of birds) as a weaponized attack and destroys the demon or animal on contact. When any weapon is brought against Shieldbreaker, it emits a rhythmic throbbing or hammering sound, that steadily increases in volume and speed as it is used in combat. When its blade comes into contact with a weapon, the weapon is destroyed, shattering into many fragments with explosive force. This often has a deleterious effect on the opponent.

Once it is unsheathed in combat, Shieldbreaker will not allow the user to let go of its hilt until the source of danger has been overcome or destroyed. The sword actually takes control over its wielder, directing his or her arms automatically to block incoming attacks, and to carry out counter attacks, imparting superhuman speed and strength if required.

Its verse in The Song of Swords is as follows:

I shatter Swords and splinter spears;
None stands to Shieldbreaker.
My point's the fount of orphan's tears
My edge the widowmaker.

While Shieldbreaker is unbeatable in armed combat, it does have a weakness, as hinted at by the verse. Literally, none, or no weapon, stands to Shieldbreaker. The Sword of Force is useless against an unarmed foe. The one way to successfully attack a person bearing Shieldbreaker would be to drop one's weapons and grapple with him. Not only will Shieldbreaker pass harmlessly through one's body if one is unarmed, but the wielder's physical strength will be greatly diminished, as all of their physical strength is drawn into their sword-arm to wield Shieldbreaker. Since he is also unable to drop Shieldbreaker until combat is resolved, he is essentially helpless. Since this weakness was discovered, many showdowns involving Shieldbreaker end up in elaborate games of chicken involving dropping, picking up and repeated feints with the Sword and conventional arms.

Counters have been developed, including using a conventional sword to dispatch unarmed opponents while holding Shieldbreaker with one's off arm, though this requires some skill in swordplay and one must account for the personal strength the Sword saps. Shieldbreaker is also a popular choice for dual Sword wielding, since any other Sword will greatly offset Shieldbreaker's weakness, with the exception of Woundhealer, and Shieldbreaker will offset some of the weaknesses of other Swords.

Shieldbreaker can destroy other Swords as easily as conventional ones, even Swords whose own power would seem to counteract the 'Widowmaker'. Indeed, by the end of the series, Shieldbreaker had been used to destroy all but one of the other Swords. When a Sword is destroyed in this fashion, it leaves behind the vanquished Sword's black hilt. The lone exception is Woundhealer, which obliterated Shieldbreaker under special circumstances in the Last Book of Lost Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story.

[edit] Sightblinder

Sightblinder is also called the Sword of Stealth. It bears a stylized human eye engraved in white upon its hilt.

Sightblinder's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

The Sword of Stealth is given to
One lonely and despised.
Sightblinder's gifts: his eyes are keen
His nature is disguised.

Sightblinder's powers are twofold. First, it alters the appearance of its possessor. This is not via a traditional cloaking device or holographic projection, but it alters how outside agents perceive the person carrying the Sword of Stealth. When a person looks at someone holding Sightblinder, they either believe they are looking at someone they love and trust implicitly, or someone they fear.

The illusion is complete, regardless of how perceptive or skilled in magic the target may be. One may see Sightblinder as a parent, sibling, lover, god, or leader. In a situation involving multiple targets, every person will see something completely different from everyone else. The illusion may switch from a person one fears to a person one loves and back again over the space of a single encounter. Nevertheless, the effect is so convincing that the target never doubts from moment to moment the identity of the person they are looking at. Sightblinder will disguise its bearer's voice if required. Sightblinder disguises itself as well, appearing as a cane, a scepter, another Sword, or even as nothing at all, depending on what would enhance the illusion. In practice, the effect is similar to the Mindsword in that the target will obey without hesitation most commands given to them. Unlike the Mindsword, the subject will not totally disregard their base inhibitions and are unlikely to throw their life away for the illusion, unless that is what they are naturally inclined to do.

A drawback to use of the Sword is that it makes sneaking around impossible. When one appears as a fearsome god, demon, or an intimate relation, they do not easily escape notice.

The second effect of Sightblinder is that it enhances the perceptions of the person carrying it. In particular, their eyesight and hearing are supernaturally keen. It also allows its bearer to see through other illusionary magic and effects, no matter what the origin or strength. It offers some protection from the Mindsword by allowing its user to see the true nature of the other Sword's possessor. Sightblinder's bearer intuitively can tell when a person is being honest or deceitful. As powerful as Sightblinder's illusions are, it cannot fool the one who carries Shieldbreaker, or an activated Farslayer if they have been targeted by the Sword of Vengeance. Also, in theory, Doomgiver would be able to reverse the effects of Sightblinder onto its own wielder, but this has not been seen in practice.

[edit] Soulcutter

Soulcutter is also called the Sword of Despair, or the Tyrant's Blade. Unlike the other Twelve Swords, the Soulcutter's blade is a dull color lacking all luster that actually seems to draw light into itself, creating a pocket of localized gloom when drawn. It is also unique in that it bears no symbol or other marking on its black hilt.

Soulcutter's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

The Tyrant's Blade no blood hath spilled
But doth the spirit carve
Soulcutter hath no body killed
But many left to starve.

When drawn, the Tyrant's Blade projects a field of total apathy that spreads to cover a fair-sized battlefield. Any creature caught within Soulcutter's sphere of influence immediately loses all interest in life and slumps to the ground in a state of profound depression. They are incapable of movement and take no notice of hunger, thirst, or exposure to elements. They will eventually die of deprivation if the Sword of Despair is not sheathed.

The critical drawback is that not even Soulcutter's wielder is spared this effect. In fact, once they draw the weapon, they cannot find the motivation to sheathe the Sword, making the choice to use the Sword of Despair the last one they make. If by some extreme intervention, like a person bearing Shieldbreaker entering the scene and covering the cursed Blade, Soulcutter's possessor will have aged at an extremely advanced rate, and still suffer severe long-term depression. Woundhealer can dispel most of the lingering mental effects, and some (but not all) of the physical deterioration.

Considering the poisonous effects of a wound from the Mindsword, it seems likely that an injury from Soulcutter would be similarly infected. This is all speculation, of course, since no one not protected by another Sword could wield Soulcutter as a physical weapon.

Because of the horrific effects of the Sword, and the personal cost to the one employing it, Soulcutter is rarely drawn. It is sometimes used to achieve a credible threat, where the mere knowledge that one possesses the Tyrant's Blade deters attack. Most actual uses have been out of extreme desperation as an act of last defense. Soulcutter has also been drawn to counteract the Mindsword's influence, and it should be noted that Soulcutter "prevailed."

For the bulk of the series, Soulcutter is hidden away by the god-like Emperor in an extremely remote location. Even when asked, the Emperor refuses to permit Soulcutter to become active again, citing its extreme danger to all involved.

Shieldbreaker and Soulcutter together would render a person for all intents and purposes invincible. Indeed, this very scenario occurs at the climax of the series, and is defeated only by the ability of Woundhealer to "heal" Soulcutter's damage immediately.

[edit] Stonecutter

Stonecutter is also called the Sword of Siege. It has a wedge driving into a block engraved in white on its hilt.

Stonecutter's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

The Sword of Siege struck a hammer's blow
With a crash, and a smash, and a tumbled wall.
Stonecutter laid a castle low
With a groan, and a roar, and a tower's fall.

Stonecutter's use, like Dragonslicer, is highly specialized. It carves any stone of whatever thickness or density as easily as soft butter. When it is being used to this end, it emits a distinct hammering sound (like the sound of a chisel chipping away stone), which is louder or softer depending on the scale of its use.

As its verse suggests, Stonecutter can be used to topple castle walls, but it can and has been used by artists to sculpt fine art (or even to cut fine gemstones). Like all of its fellow Swords, the Sword of Siege makes an excellent conventional blade in addition to its magical properties.

[edit] Townsaver

Townsaver is also called the Sword of Fury. It has a sword raised above a stylized segment of castle wall engraved in white on its hilt.

Townsaver's power is defending groups of helpless people. When its wielder draws it for this purpose, the blade emits a screaming sound and takes over control from the user, moving his arms with superhuman speed and power to defeat any attackers. It is not an overstatement to say that Townsaver can singlehandedly defeat an entire army.

Townsaver's verse in The Song of Swords hints at its power and peril, and is as follows:

Long roads the Sword of Fury makes
Hard walls it builds around the soft
The fighter who Townsaver takes
Can bid farewell to home and croft

Unfortunately, unlike many of its fellow Swords, such as Shieldbreaker, it does nothing to protect the actual wielder. In fact, it will use the wielder's body to deflect and absorb ranged attacks and other blows, if it is practical to do so and if the action will result in the protection of the people it is trying to defend. Townsaver will keep its wielder alive until the battle is over. If the user has sustained serious wounds during the battle, they can and often do die.

In addition, Townsaver will not allow its user to drop or relinquish its power once the battle has been engaged. The user is totally committed once Townsaver is drawn. Another weakness of Townsaver is that it will only defend groups of people. Two or more people can be considered a group by the weapon, but one is not; in addition, it will take no action to defend the user if he stands alone.

Of course, countermeasures have been developed to offset Townsaver's weaknesses somewhat. Giving the user strong armor is one that has been used with success. Since it is not the user's speed and power driving the weapon, it is possible to burden the wielder with heavy armor that would ordinarily be a fatal encumbrance.

Townsaver would make an ideal dual-wield Sword. Combined with Shieldbreaker, for example, it would be an almost unbeatable defense. Unfortunately, Townsaver was destroyed by Shieldbreaker in the Third Book of Swords.

[edit] Wayfinder

Wayfinder is also called the Sword of Wisdom. It has an arrow engraved in white on its hilt.

Wayfinder's verse in The Song of Swords describes its power as follows:

Who holds Wayfinder finds good roads
Its master's step is brisk.
The Sword of Wisdom lightens loads
But adds unto their risk.

Wayfinder's chief power is guiding its bearer to whatever it is they seek. Not only will it lead one to their ultimate goal, it will also intelligently guide them to things that are required to successfully accomplish its mission. Wayfinder seems to do better and be more kind to its user when the request is broad and general, and less so the more specific the user is. Its main drawback is that while it picks routes that will eventually lead its master to success, it never picks the safest route, if one exists. It is the opinion of many of the past owners of the Sword that it actually picks the worst, most dangerous path for its user to follow. Thus the Sword does indeed "add unto their risk."

For example, if one were to seek great wealth, Wayfinder might lead one to a bank vault. But before doing so, it would lead one to the world's best safe cracker, and then the equipment he would need to break into the vault. If the safe cracker would need some sort of special compensation to cooperate, it would help one find that as well. When it is operating in this type of "seeker" mode, it quivers when it is being pointed in the right general direction, also subtly steering its possessor's arms as a kind of divining rod.

In addition, Wayfinder can also act as the ultimate Magic 8-ball, answering questions such as, "Which of these plates of food is poisoned?" or "Which of these men is lying to me?" It is unnecessary to vocalize these questions; a mental query is sufficient. Just like when it is in seeker mode, it indicates the correct answer by quivering when its blade is pointing in the correct direction. This is the chief reason Wayfinder is also dubbed the "Sword of Wisdom".

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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