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

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]

[multiplez]

"...your sword just moved," Z pointed out helpfully. "Hey, maybe it's worth a million dollars!"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"If it's the real Excalibur no way would I sell it for a million dollars," Wyatt said, picking up the sword again and grinning. Then he frowned. "Oh, frak, am I going to get in trouble for having a weapon?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[multiplez]

"Probably. They made me check my gun," Z told him.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt did not flail, because flailing with a sword in his hand would be bad. "It's not my fault!" he protested. "It just appeared!"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[multiplez]

"Yeah, I don't think they care," Z said. "They're still gonna make you check it."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"One doesn't check Excalibur," Wyatt grumbled. He eyed the sword and willed it to vanish. It disappeared from his hand. He waited a second, then said, "Excalibur!" and the sword reappeared.

"Okay. That's totally handy," he said.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[multiplez]

"Did you seriously just refer to yourself as 'one?'" Z asked. "And I don't really think it's fair for you to have a weapon on demand when the rest of us can't, but whatever, the magic sword didn't pick me."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 10]

[blessed_twice]

"I guess I kinda did," Wyatt said sheepishly. "And I've always loved the Arthurian legends. I've read them since I was a kid and seen like every movie possible except that porn one that Anders made me rent. I never dreamed that I would get Excalibur though."