Myth Direction: Excalibur
Arthur’s sword Excalibur (or Caliburn, in some translations) is perhaps the single most iconic of legendary weapons — its particular part of the Arthurian legend is fairly widely known among the general public, and of course Arthurian legend is a major influence for many fantasy campaigns. Anything with knights in shining armor probably owes at least a little to Arthur and his Round Table. They weren’t the earliest tales of heroic warriors, but they’re some of the most recognized.
And Arthur’s wondrous sword wasn’t the first magical weapon, but it’s one of the best known. Meanwhile, the legendary weapon is a trope that applies well to many fantasy roleplaying campaigns. So let’s take a look at implementing it in 4e terms.
Caledfwlch, as the sword was known in Welsh, is described as having a design of two chimeras on the hilt, and its blade is like two flames springing from the chimeras’ mouths. The sword shed light, apparently; sufficient light that it was difficult for anyone to look at it. This is backed up by a later tale, in which the blade of Excalibur shines as brightly as thirty torches when drawn, blinding Arthur’s enemies. Some versions also state that Excalibur’s blade could cut through metal; in Malory, its name is translated as “cuts-steel.”
Categories: Myth Direction, Original Game Content | Comments (3)
