Swords of Answering
| Swords of Answering | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type: | Weapons |
| Location: | Varies, some unknown |
| Rules | |
| Alignment: | Varies by individual sword |
| Body slot: | Hand |
| Publishing | |
| First published: | Unearthed Arcana (1985) |
The Swords of Answering also known as Final Word swords[1] are a set of aligned broad swords inspired by the magical blade, Fragarach.
The swords have appeared in various editions of Dungeons & Dragons since Unearthed Arcana in first edition, all the way up to the DMG in fifth edition. There have always been described as at least six, and as many as nine swords named after the original on which they were modeled. They are always described as having various alignments, though what those are specifically has been either left unspecified or has varied from edition to edition.
"Fragarach" translates as "final word" from ancient Oeridian,[1], but is variously translated as "the Answerer"[2] or "the retaliator".[3] Each of these weapons has a similar name inspired from that, and each has a differing alignment.[1]
Powers
[edit | edit source]First edition
[edit | edit source]- Unearthed Arcana (1985)—Final Word Type swords
"Sword, Broad, “Final Word" Type is a very rare item—only nine of these blades are known to exist. Each is patterned after the legendary broadsword Fragarach (which means "final word” in the tongue of the ancient Oeridians). Each of these weapons is thought to have a differing alignment, but in all other respects each is alike. Each of these swords has a gem of 10,000 gp value set in its pommel, and each gem is different in type from all the others."[4]
Each sword also bears an identifying name; the nine appellations are:
- Answerer, Back-talker, Concluder, Last-quip, Rebutter, Replier, Retorter, Scather, and Squelcher[1]
First edition
[edit | edit source]- Temple of Elemental Evil (1987) "Other Swords of Answering"
Only six swords are identified in ToEE. They are broadswords, and are identified by the differing gems set in the pommel:
- amethyst, aquamarine, garnet, peridot, topaz, and tourmaline stones.
These six weapons are named:
- Rebutter, Scather, Replier, Retorter, Squelcher, and Back-Talker[5]
Third edition
[edit | edit source]- Dungeon #106, "Other swords of answering"
- Minor artifacts
In third edition, nine names are given, and some of the swords were given last known locations. They are bastard swords rather than broadswords.[6]
| Name | Alignment | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Answerer | LG | Unknown |
| Back-talker | NG | lost in the depths of White Plume Mountain |
| Concluder | CG | wielded by Fasstal Dothmar, Royal Consort of Queen Yolande |
| Last-quip | LN | lost near Irongate at the Battle of a Thousand Banners |
| Rebutter | N | wielded by Lord Eraj, servant of Mordenkainen |
| Replier | CN | lost in the Bandit Kingdoms during the Greyhawk Wars |
| Retorter | LE | trapped in the treasure ward of the Overking’s Palace in Rauxes |
| Scather | NE | in the possession of Dantalion, travels the Flanaess |
| Squelcher | CE | Unknown |
There exists a tenth sword of answering as well, Fragarach. Kelanen stole this sword from an alien god and used it as the template to create the nine, and then allowed the legendary sword to pass into the hands of his mortal worshippers. Fragarach's powers are rumored to be even greater than the nine swords of answering, but its current location and owner are unknown.
Each of the swords and their scabbards are worth tens of thousands of gold pieces, .
Fifth edition
[edit | edit source]- Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), "Swords of Answering"
There are nine swords named, though they are longswords instead of broadswords.
"In the world of Greyhawk, only nine of these blades are known to exist. Each is patterned after the legendary sword Fragarach, which is variously translated as “Final Word.” Each of the nine swords has its own name and alignment, and each bears a different gem in its pommel."[7]
| Name | Alignment | Gem |
|---|---|---|
| Answerer | Chaotic good | Emerald |
| Back Talker | Chaotic evil | Jet |
| Concluder | Lawful neutral | Amethyst |
| Last Quip | Chaotic neutral | Tourmaline |
| Rebutter | Neutral good | Topaz |
| Replier | Neutral | Peridot |
| Retorter | Lawful good | Aquamarine |
| Scather | Lawful evil | Garnet |
| Squelcher | Neutral evil | Spinel |
A wielder of a Sword of Answering in fifth edition will "gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this sword. In addition, while you hold the sword, you can use your reaction to make one melee attack with it against any creature in your reach that deals damage to you. You have advantage on the attack roll, and any damage dealt with this special attack ignores any damage immunity or resistance the target has. ... Proficiency with a longsword allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it."[7]
References
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b c d Unearthed Arcana, p105
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.126.
- ↑ Deities & Demigods (1980), p.28.
- ↑ Unearthed Arcana (sourcebook) 1e' (1985), p.105.
- ↑ The Temple of Elemental Evil, p.127
- ↑ "Critical Threats: Dantalion, Dark Champion of the Sword Lord". Dungeon #106 (Jan 2004), p.53.
- ↑ a b Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), p.206.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Gygax, E. Gary. Unearthed Arcana. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. ISBN: 0-88038-084-5
- Gygax, E. Gary, and Frank Mentzer. The Temple of Elemental Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
- Mearls, Mike, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins and James Wyatt. Dungeon Master's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2014. Item code A9219. ISBN 978-0-7869-6562-5
- Mona, Erik, et al. "Critical Threats: Dantalion." Dungeon #106. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fragarach {The Answerer} (Sword) | Item | Artifact, | Encyclopedia Magica - Volume IV | 1340, 1341 |
| Fragarach {The Answerer} (Sword) | Item | Artifact, | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 12 |
| Fragarach {The Answerer} (Sword) | Item | Artifact, | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 3, 44, 86, 126, 127 |