[Dfwrech]

What is your opinion of the Book of Swords Series by Fred Saberhagen. It was one of my favorite reads, but I aways felt there should have been more to it. I would have liked to see one book per Sword.

[skwirlinator]

THE 12 SWORDS
FARSLAYER
Quote:
Remarks: Farslayer when thrown at a foe will travel any distance necessary to reach intended target. Skewers the heart (in case of a demon, the physical object housing the life). No physical or magical barrier (except, of course, SHIELDBREAKER) is effective.

WOUNDHEALER
Quote:
Remarks: Actually not a weapon. When plunged into body causes no pain or damage--quite the contrary. Heals any injuries or disease, as long as spark of life remains. Will not raise dead or restore youth. Can be used prophylactically, e.g., a man can hold this Sword embedded in his flesh and jump off a cliff, or face an armed attack, without being hurt more than momentarily. Caused Jord the Smith to regrow his amputated arm, over a period of months.

WAYFINDER
Quote:
Remarks: Aims itself physically, geographically, twisting in the hand to point in the direction of whatever goal user asks for. If necessary will point, unerringly, to the proper intermediate goal or destination, person, place, or thing.

SOULCUTTER
Quote:
Remarks: On being drawn from its scabbard, induces utter, incapacitating hopelessness and despair--beginning with the person who draws it, spreading slowly to those nearby, then farther. Under Soulcutter's influence no human activity seems worth the effort. Radius of operation enough to cover a fair-sized battlefield. Whole armies may be induced to throw down their weapons. This Sword will prevail over MINDSWORD when the two are brought into direct conflict.

SIGHTBLINDER
Quote:
Remarks: When drawn, causes others to see its wielder as someone they desperately fear, or desperately love. Perception may switch from one to the other and back again. The SW. Of STEALTH itself generally becomes invisible in use, thus can be used to strike a treacherous blow.

STONECUTTER
Quote:
Remarks: Cuts stone of any kind (diamonds, granite, etc.) neatly and smoothly as cheese. Great for undermining forts, escaping dungeons, setting ambushes. Marvelous sculptor's tool.

DRAGONSLICER
Quote:
Remarks: See DRAGONS. Penetrates easily the thickest armored scales and finds the vital spots of these otherwise almost invulnerable monsters.

SHIELDBREAKER
Quote:
Remarks: violently trumps any and all other weapons, physical or magical, passive or active. DEMONS and WARBEASTS also count as weapons for this purpose.

COINSPINNER
Quote:
Remarks: renders bearer incredibly, magically lucky. Anyone attempting harm to user has amazing bad luck, swallowed by an earthquake if necessary to save user.

MINDSWORD
Quote:
Remarks: inspires fanatical loyalty, obedience, worship of wielder. Can even cause GODS to fall down and worship humans

DOOMGIVER
Quote:
Remarks: anyone attacking user suffers whatever injury (s)he is trying to inflict. Was destroyed by SHIELDBREAKER very early in the series.

TOWNSAVER
Quote:
Remarks: in physical combat very similar in effect to SHIELDBREAKER, but only under limited conditions: when defending some place of human habitation, as a castle, village, house, cave, etc. Also does not defend its wielder against injury.

There's more description on the page.

http://www.berserker.com/info_swdprop.htm

http://www.berserker.com/bk_swdcompbk.htm
http://www.eaglesondesign.com/images/publ/Swords.jpg