Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts, Week 10

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

The slideshow playing on the display screens today featured weaponry -- largely swords, but also spears, bows, and a few other, more unconventional pieces of equipment. Perhaps more recognizable out of all of the images might feature a sword held upright by a woman's arm coming out of a lake.

"I hope most of you are familiar with the legend of Excalibur," Sakura said calmly as she passed a pair of handouts around the room. "It's probably one of the most famous legendary weapons of Western history and literature. It has a counterpart in Japanese history, most commonly known as Kusanagi. The main difference between these two blades is that Excalibur is traditionally a tool of battle, whereas Kusanagi's function is more ceremonial and is a mystical weapon in a truer sense, as its abilities tend to be magical. Excalibur, on the other hand, was said to bestow the right of kingship upon a worthy wielder."

She opened the lockbox on the table to reveal a small clump of metal ore; scanning it with her Accellular revealed a Hazard Level of 100.

"The Steel of the Heavenly Mine," Sakura intoned. "Among other things, our research indicates that it has unique properties when used in an alloy, and possesses the ability to absorb life energy. In addition, its resistance is nearly unlimited, and its own innate energy level is extremely high. It's possible that Kusanagi was forged from this steel; however, the greater danger lies in the fact that weapons made from this ore could very easily be abused -- not to use a threadbare phrase, but weapons of mass destruction. I'm sure you can all see the greater implications here."

"Therefore," she continued, "we won't be going into too much depth on the . . . virtues of the ore itself, and focus more on the nature of weapons of legend instead. For instance, Celtic legend features weapons such as Fragarach the Retaliator, Cuchulainn's spear Gáe Bulg, and Fergus mac Roich's sword Caladbolg. Norse legend has Hrunting, Gungnir, and Tyrfing. In your handouts, you'll find brief summaries of a number of weapons of various mystical, magical or otherwise legendary origin. Please take a few moments to look over the handout and write a brief essay on three properties you find in common among the weapons listed there; if you know of another weapon not listed, or have personal experience with any, please feel free to share these with the class as well."

[OOC: Class Info Post. Apologies for the low-interaction/kinda short class post, but work is eating my brain again this week. :( OCDis up -- have at!]

Comments

During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

For all your sleeping, note-taking, anything-but-paying-attention, and actually-paying-attention needs.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe is paying good attention -- in that very pale, staring at her desk and not really listening kind of way.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt peered at his aunt. "You okay, Aunt Phoebe?" he said.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was finiding the desk very, very fascinating this morning. "I'm... no? I don't know?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt leaned in closer. "What's going on?" he said in that "who do I need to kill" voice.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt had been waiting for this class. "Cool!" he said. "Excalibur!"

And then he suddenly had a sword in his hands. "Ummm."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe blinked at the sword. "Uhmm... Wyatt?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"I have a sword," Wyatt said, staring at the blade.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[sensethevisions]

"Yes and I am sure Anders will be very happy to know that but this one I see that's a big... where did it come from? Are you often able to summon things like this?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[wannabehunter]

Jo stared at Wyatt's sword.

"Whoa."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"I have a sword," Wyatt said, because, hey, way to state the obvious.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[wannabehunter]

Jo tilted her head. "It's kinda long," she replied, since it was just kind of a stating the obvious day.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[water-wonder.livejournal.com]

"Whoa." Tori stared at the sword that had suddenly appeared in Wyatt's hands. "That was... wow."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"All I said was Excalibur and there it was!" Wyatt said excitedly.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[multiplez]

Z boggled at Wyatt and his sword. "Does this kind of thing happen to you often? And if so, try saying 'a million dollars.'"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt gingerly set the sword down on the floor. He held out his hand. "A million dollars," he said hopefully, but it did not appear, alas. The sword, however, did move by itself, sliding a few inches across the floor until it was touching Wyatt again.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"Ohhhhh!" Evie's voice is going up in an envious whimper. "Is that, is that really, have you got-- ooooooo!" She started making itchy fingers toward the sword, not even aware of it.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"I don't know," Wyatt said, staring at the sword. "I just said Excalibur and there it was!"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn was taking notes, but there was a lot of glancing in Sam's direction while she tried to figure out if he'd slept.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean looked like he was taking notes, but was really just doodling as he tried very hard not to look at his brother.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[likethegun]

Sam was trying to take notes, he really was. But his continued lack of a decent night's sleep was starting to take its toll, and every once in a while, he'd drift off for a few moments before snapping back to attention.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[stykera]

Stark was paying attention. The shiny sword suddenly appearing across the room might have distracted him a little, what with all the shininess, but he paid attention other than that.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[multiplez]

Z was also taking notes and not at all glaring at Sam.

Really.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[water-wonder.livejournal.com]

Tori was totally paying attention and taking notes. It was the legend of Excalibur! She knew Dustin would be jealous.

She noted Sam's lack of ability to stay awake and felt bad for him. He must've been getting a lot of flack for the e-mail and such.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[fh-kyochan.livejournal.com]

Kyo eagerly took notes. Fighting was much more his style.