#Western Famed-Sword Divine Treasures, 10 Kinds
Compliant with the core masterwork format + the 1st-expansion 99-02 blessing/curse/devotion 3-axis structure.
#§ 10 Famed Swords
#45-01-01. Excalibur (Excalibur, the Sword of the Lake)
Scent: The holy sword that Arthur, the legendary king of Britain, received from the Lady of the Lake. A symbol of kingship. "Only one worthy to be king can draw it."
Basic: great tachi
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excalibur Strike | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+3 | 6 Wounds; against yoma, on a Critical Hit, an instant-death check (00-05 §10: on Critical Hit + Divine Treasure grade + 1 combat, 1 time = 3 conditions) | 1 time per session / 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: at own-class dan 5 or higher, or upon recognition of kingship, Intimidation +1, Energy +1 on the first round (worthy to be king).
- Curse [aptitude]: on dishonor or treason, the sword is neutralized (effect lost until reclaimed).
- Devotion: foreign Adaptation (Western) required. Forced entry into a heroic narrative.
Approach: scenario reward or the Renown Title "Heir of Arthur." Public domain.
#45-01-02. Durendal (Durendal, the Sword of Roland)
Scent: The sword of Roland, hero of the Frankish kingdom. An angel delivered it to Charlemagne. Infinitely hard.
Basic: katana (large)
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durendal Severing | [Kata] | 4 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+2 | 5 Wounds; severs rock | 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: immunity to weapon Break.
- Curse [aptitude]: on the user's death, the sword is also permanently sealed (no subsequent PC inheritance).
- Devotion: Catholic Faith or Crusader thought recommended.
Approach: scenario reward. Public domain.
#45-01-03. Joyeuse (Joyeuse, the Sword of Charlemagne)
Scent: Charlemagne's sword of conquest. The name means "joy." It radiates light in 30 colors.
Basic: great tachi
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiance of Joyeuse | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+1 | 5 Wounds; in 1 zone, Intimidation -2 to enemies by light | 1 time per session |
- Blessing [aptitude]: Bearing +2 (symbol of kingship).
- Curse [aptitude]: on violence against the weak, it loses its light (1 session).
- Devotion: loyalty to the imperial/royal house recommended.
Approach: the Renown Title "Royal Guard." Public domain.
#45-01-04. Nægling (Naegling, the Sword of Beowulf)
Scent: The sword of the hero Beowulf. A Norse legend. The glory of breaking in a duel with a giant foe.
Basic: great tachi
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero's Strike | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+2 | 5 Wounds; +2 extra against giant foes (Elite-grade+) | 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: +2 permanently against giant yoma (Elite-grade+).
- Curse [aptitude]: when the user's Wounds are at half or below, risk of breaking — a 2d10 opposed check (caster's Finesse vs the Divine Treasure's sanctity Target Number 13, the core 03-01 2d10 system). On failure, sealed for 1 session; on Karmic Retribution (1-1), permanently destroyed.
- Devotion: Norse faith or a heroic narrative recommended.
Approach: scenario reward. Public domain.
#45-01-05. Tyrfing (Tyrfing, the Cursed Sword)
Scent: A Norse legend. A sword the dwarves forged with a curse laid upon it. Once drawn, it is not sheathed until it draws blood.
Basic: katana
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrfing Severing | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+1 | 6 Wounds | N times per 1 session (curse accumulation 1 per N uses) |
- Blessing [aptitude]: no Energy cost (curse accumulation 1 per N uses, with a limit of N uses per 1 session).
- Curse [aptitude]: once drawn, it is sheathed only after drawing blood. After each use, it forces the death of a nearby enemy/NPC (if none, the PC enters exhaustion on the next round — 00-05 §2). The curse's intensity increases with accumulated use.
- Devotion: Norse faith + acceptance of the curse.
Approach: not for sale. A hazardous scenario reward. Public domain.
#45-01-06. Joyous (Joyous, Another Sword of King Arthur)
Scent: A sword of King Arthur separate from Excalibur. Blessed by a Catholic clergyman. Emphasizes Faith.
Basic: katana
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike of Faith | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+1 | 5 Wounds; +2 against yoma | 1 time per session |
- Blessing [aptitude]: +2 extra when used by a PC of Catholic Faith.
- Curse [aptitude]: effect halved when used by a non-faithful PC.
- Devotion: emphasizes Catholic Faith.
Approach: scenario reward. Public domain.
#45-01-07. Hauteclere (Hauteclere, the Sword of Olivier)
Scent: The sword of Olivier, Roland's friend. A pair with Durendal. The sword of friendship.
Basic: katana
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike of Friendship | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+1 | 4 Wounds; protects 1 accompanying PC | 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: when 1 accompanying PC first reaches Wounds 1 or below, the PC self automatically gains 1 use of Energy support B-2 (an extra 1 Energy from 0 count — the last beat of friendship's protection, 1 combat, 1 time).
- Curse [aptitude]: when all accompanying PCs die, the sword is permanently sealed.
- Devotion: a friend NPC accompanies permanently.
Approach: scenario reward. Public domain.
#45-01-08. Curtana (Curtana, the Sword of Mercy)
Scent: A ceremonial sword of the British royal house. "The sword with no point" — its tip is cut off to symbolize mercy. Used at the royal coronation.
Basic: katana (variant)
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike of Mercy | [Kata] | 2 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense | 3 Wounds; neutralize (knock out) instead of killing | 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: on a non-lethal action, Energy -1 (the thought of mercy).
- Curse [aptitude]: on a lethal action, PC trauma +1 (when grimdark is introduced).
- Devotion: emphasizes mercy and the non-lethal ideal.
Approach: the Renown Title "Royal Ceremonial" or acquaintance with the British royal house. Public domain.
#45-01-09. Simur (Simur, fictional — a Persian hero's sword)
Scent: The sword of Rostam, hero of the Persian Shahnameh (altered name). A hilt shaped like a lion's paw. An emblem of the southern warriors.
Basic: scimitar (foreign)
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simur Whirl | [Kata] | 3 | Finesse+Swordsmanship >= Defense+1 | 5 Wounds; +1 extra when mounted only | 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: when mounted, evasion +1.
- Curse [aptitude]: when on foot, effect halved.
- Devotion: Persian/Arab origin or foreign Adaptation (Arab).
Approach: scenario reward or acquaintance with Persia. Altered name (a variant of the original Shahnameh).
#45-01-10. Gaelard (Gaelard, fictional — a Celtic hero's sword)
Scent: A hero's sword of Celtic myth (altered name). A sword that radiates blue light. Received from a mountain spirit.
Basic: katana
Techniques:
| Technique | Type | Energy | Check | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Light Strike | [Kata] | 3 | Courage+Swordsmanship >= Defense+1 | 5 Wounds; +2 against yoma | 1 combat, 1 time |
- Blessing [aptitude]: +1 on mountain terrain.
- Curse [aptitude]: -1 on urban terrain.
- Devotion: Celtic/mountain thought.
Approach: scenario reward. Altered name (a variant of Celtic myth).
#§ Design Perspective
- 10 famed swords: public domain 8 (Excalibur, Durendal, Joyeuse, Nægling, Tyrfing, Joyous, Hauteclere, Curtana) + altered 2 (Simur, Gaelard).
- 3-axis structure: all specify blessing/curse/devotion. The 1st-expansion 99-02 pattern.
- Balance: ±1 of the strength of core large masterworks.
"One sword makes one king. Yet even that king cannot hold that sword forever."