Swords of Answering
Encyclopedia
The Swords of Answering or "Final Word" swords are a collection of 10 named magical swords introduced in the campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons
roleplaying game. There exists one original Sword of Answering and 9 others that were created as duplicates of the original.
is described as a "hefty steel broadsword". One of six of Fragarach
's duplicates, Scather is also introduced as a treasure that the players could possibly gain though the names of the other five are mentioned.
The Swords of Answering, appeared next in Unearthed Arcana
and renamed "Final Word" Type broadswords. The number of duplicate swords that exist is raised from six to nine.
Lastquip makes an appearance in the module H4: The Throne of Bloodstone
as possible treasure found while exploring the layer of Orcus
.
is found on top of a sarcophagus but an illusion spell cast over it disguises it as a silver cross. Within the sarcophagus (also disguised by illusion as a vampire) is Prince Thrommel, Grand Marshall of Furyondy, Provost of Veluna, a Paladin Lord. Prince Thommel is the owner of Fragarach
and if "the broadsword Fragarach
is in sight, he simply speaks—and it comes to his hand." If rescued, Prince Thommel later on gives the players gifts as rewards and Scather to the player that "recovered the broadsword Fragarach
and was gladly willing to allow or help Thrommel to regain it". Fragarach
is later on described as being created by a demigod elsewhere and eventually ended up in the Forgotten Realms
world. Fragarach
is also described as Chaotic Good, implying there was a mistake on either its alignment or Prince Thommel's character class as Paladins in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons could only be Lawful Good. Gary Gygax
later corrected this mistake by stating it was an editorial mistake and the sword should have been Lawful Good . Fragarach
's unique power which coined it the Sword of Answering is that it would strike unerringly as many opponents that had struck its possessor's. But the trade-off was that Fragarach
always struck last in the round. Fragarach
is also described as possessing a hilt of silver and gold wire with seven perfect emeralds set in its pommel.
The duplicate Swords of Answering made in honor of Fragarach
are of lesser power and gem values. Each separate sword having amethyst, aquamarine, garnet, peridot, topaz, and tourmaline stones set in their pommels respectively. Their names were Rebutter, Scather, Replier, Retorter, Squelcher, and Back-Talker.
In Unearthed Arcana
, the Swords of Answering are called "Final Word" types and still were broadswords. Here, they number nine, one for each of the nine alignments. They all still are patterned after a more legendary sword called Fragarach
. All nine have a single gem set in their pommels, again with each gem differing from each other. And the names of these nine are Answerer, Back-talker, Concluder, Lastquip, Rebutter, Replier, Retorter, Scather and Squelcher.
Dungeon Adventure reinvented the Swords of Answering for Dungeons & Dragons third edition. In this magazine, the nine Swords of Answering became creations of the god Kelanen
. Fragarach
is described as a sword that Kelanen
stole from an alien god and then used it as a template to create the other nine. Afterwards, Kelanen
passed Fragarach
down to his worshipers. The nine Swords of Answering are re-written as bastard swords but keeping the different colored gems set in their respective pommels. And all nine are again of each alignment. Dantalion is a master swordsman introduced as an antagonist in the Dungeon issue who wields Scather.
In the 4th edition, Dragon Magazine
introduces the newest version of the Swords. They lose their uniqueness of only existing as nine swords to becoming a weapon property. These weapons are among the many magic items that were looted from Ashardalon's lair after his demise. The description given to the blades is "Etched into the weapon’s blade are profound curses and dire threats."
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
roleplaying game. There exists one original Sword of Answering and 9 others that were created as duplicates of the original.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The Swords of Answering first appeared in the Temple of Elemental Evil. The original Sword of Answering, FragarachFragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is described as a "hefty steel broadsword". One of six of Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
's duplicates, Scather is also introduced as a treasure that the players could possibly gain though the names of the other five are mentioned.
The Swords of Answering, appeared next in Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana is the title shared by two hardback books published for different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
and renamed "Final Word" Type broadswords. The number of duplicate swords that exist is raised from six to nine.
Lastquip makes an appearance in the module H4: The Throne of Bloodstone
The Throne of Bloodstone
H4 - The Throne of Bloodstone is an Official Game Adventure or "module" for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.-Plot summary:In The Throne of Bloodstone, the player characters take a trip to the Abyss to steal the wand of the demon prince Orcus....
as possible treasure found while exploring the layer of Orcus
Orcus
Orcus was a Roman god of the underworld.Orcus can also refer to:* Orcus , a demon prince in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game*90482 Orcus, a Trans-Neptunian object* Orcus , a genus of ladybird...
.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The next appearance was in Dungeon Magazine . Here, Scather is reintroduced as a minor artifact and a bastard sword. The number of existing swords stay the same with all nine described as bastard swords and each "has a different-colored 10,000-gp gem set in its pommel."Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-present)
In Dragon Magazine , 4th edition introduced the Final Word Swords as a weapon property, no longer unique to nine swords. The Final Word property can be applied to any axe or heavy blade.History
In the Temple of Elemental Evil, FragarachFragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is found on top of a sarcophagus but an illusion spell cast over it disguises it as a silver cross. Within the sarcophagus (also disguised by illusion as a vampire) is Prince Thrommel, Grand Marshall of Furyondy, Provost of Veluna, a Paladin Lord. Prince Thommel is the owner of Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
and if "the broadsword Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is in sight, he simply speaks—and it comes to his hand." If rescued, Prince Thommel later on gives the players gifts as rewards and Scather to the player that "recovered the broadsword Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
and was gladly willing to allow or help Thrommel to regain it". Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is later on described as being created by a demigod elsewhere and eventually ended up in the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
world. Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is also described as Chaotic Good, implying there was a mistake on either its alignment or Prince Thommel's character class as Paladins in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons could only be Lawful Good. Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
later corrected this mistake by stating it was an editorial mistake and the sword should have been Lawful Good . Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
's unique power which coined it the Sword of Answering is that it would strike unerringly as many opponents that had struck its possessor's. But the trade-off was that Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
always struck last in the round. Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is also described as possessing a hilt of silver and gold wire with seven perfect emeralds set in its pommel.
The duplicate Swords of Answering made in honor of Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
are of lesser power and gem values. Each separate sword having amethyst, aquamarine, garnet, peridot, topaz, and tourmaline stones set in their pommels respectively. Their names were Rebutter, Scather, Replier, Retorter, Squelcher, and Back-Talker.
In Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana
Unearthed Arcana is the title shared by two hardback books published for different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
, the Swords of Answering are called "Final Word" types and still were broadswords. Here, they number nine, one for each of the nine alignments. They all still are patterned after a more legendary sword called Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
. All nine have a single gem set in their pommels, again with each gem differing from each other. And the names of these nine are Answerer, Back-talker, Concluder, Lastquip, Rebutter, Replier, Retorter, Scather and Squelcher.
Dungeon Adventure reinvented the Swords of Answering for Dungeons & Dragons third edition. In this magazine, the nine Swords of Answering became creations of the god Kelanen
Kelanen
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Kelanen is the hero-deity of Swords, Sword Skills, and Balance...
. Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
is described as a sword that Kelanen
Kelanen
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Kelanen is the hero-deity of Swords, Sword Skills, and Balance...
stole from an alien god and then used it as a template to create the other nine. Afterwards, Kelanen
Kelanen
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Kelanen is the hero-deity of Swords, Sword Skills, and Balance...
passed Fragarach
Fragarach
In Irish mythology, Fragarach, known as 'The Answerer' or 'The Retaliator', was the sword of Manannan mac Lir and later, Lugh Lamfada.Forged by the gods, Manannan wielded it as his weapon before passing it on to Lugh...
down to his worshipers. The nine Swords of Answering are re-written as bastard swords but keeping the different colored gems set in their respective pommels. And all nine are again of each alignment. Dantalion is a master swordsman introduced as an antagonist in the Dungeon issue who wields Scather.
In the 4th edition, Dragon Magazine
Dragon Magazine
Dragon Magazine may refer to:*Dragon , an American magazine for Dungeons & Dragons players*Dragon Magazine , a Japanese light novel magazine...
introduces the newest version of the Swords. They lose their uniqueness of only existing as nine swords to becoming a weapon property. These weapons are among the many magic items that were looted from Ashardalon's lair after his demise. The description given to the blades is "Etched into the weapon’s blade are profound curses and dire threats."