I'm working on a story and one of the important parts/ingredients are King Swords. There are only seven (when my story first begins, there are six; the seventh one gets made as the story goes on). Each sword looks unique but all are long swords. Every sword has two special powers that aid its user - one power that helps in combat and one that is useful apart from combat.
I have figured out most of the powers each sword has but need a few more ideas to finish.
Here is what I've come up with so far:
1. greatly speeds up the user's movements, allowing him to react much faster than normal; heals wounds; the gem stone on its hilt is red

2. completely dulls any opponent's blade (except if it is another King Sword) upon contact; purifies/cleanses water making it safe from pathogens or toxins; the gem stone on its hilt is blue

3. makes the user invisible while he/she is grasping the hilt; ?; the gem stone on its hilt is purple

4. causes the wounds it inflicts to never stop bleeding (prohibits clotting); can open any lock or break any bond just by touching it; the gem stone on its hilt is green

5. temporarily blinds the users opponent upon contact with their weapon; looks like a dagger unless the hilt is grasped (making it easy to conceal); its gem stone is gold in color

6. cuts through shields/ swords?/armor, etc. as easily as it would cut through butter; solidifies water?; its gem stone is orange

7. This one is different from the other six in that it has only one power - the ability to take the powers of the other King Swords upon contact. In other words, it steals the other swords' powers and absorbs them into itself (and therefore obtains the use of those powers). It has only a clear crystal on its hilt.

So, anyone have any ideas/suggestions for swords 3 and 6? I'm really still toying with number six. I don't want any one of these swords to be entirely all powerful so I'm thinking that it should only be able to cut through certain objects (maybe just armor and shields, but not swords). Also, I'm not settled on its power that is useful apart from combat. Just not sure if solidifying water is "useful enough" for the story. It could be very useful in certain situations, but I would really like a few more ideas to choose from before I make a final decision.

I like number 3. Hmm... Could it turn objects invisible? Maybe it could grow a miniature garden, or cook food, or something.

For number 6, It interesting to have it cut through swords and see how that play out, but I wouldn't have it cut through all three of those, it might seem too easy... I like the idea of solidifying water. Maybe it could turn it into ice, or you could "cut" out a square of liquid water and carry it to where you wanted it.

I also had a question on number 7. Can it take all the powers at once? Does the gemstone change colors depending on the power(s) it takes? Does it take them permanently?

I'll think on that. It did give me an idea, though. Maybe it could be used to erase tracks. That would compliment being invisible.

Hadn't thought of that. It might be more interesting if armor and shields could withstand it, but swords could not. I'd feel pretty sorry for the fellow that tried to block number 6 with a common sword, though.

I might stay with that anyhow. Ice is a good idea, too. I'll have to think it over and see if it would compliment the story better.

That won't quite fit for the atmosphere of the story, but wow it is a really cool idea!

Number 7 can contain all the powers at one time. However, it has to obtain them one sword at a time. Also, the one wielding number 7 has to be stronger physically and magically than his opponent to be able to steal the powers of the other's sword.
I was thinking that the stones on each sword should change when a power is taken. The one that lost, should turn clear, and the one that gained should turn the color the other lost. Number seven's stone would end up being sort of rainbow-ish if it were to obtain all the powers.
No, not permanently, but it is difficult to get the powers back once they are stolen (first you'd have to obtain number 7 ). And each sword can only get back the powers that were its before (1-6 can't get each others').


Thanks so much for your suggestions!

How does the dagger-appearance work? Does it physically shrink down to dagger size and grow back when the hilt is grasped or does it stay full sword size but give the illusion of being a dagger until the hilt is grasped and the illusion removed?

Good question. I'd not thought on that, but I'd probably go with the former.

That's the one I would have gone with as well.

I think number 3. seems a little bit too powerful if you added erasing tracks. It is almost to powerful anyway. I mean, anyone would get sliced down instantly, even if he had another king sword, which would also make it extremely difficult to take its power. I think I would keep out swords on number 6. If it cut through swords and not armor, there would be no way to defeat it, unless you could get around it by not using a sword. Some of the others also seem a little extreme, like number 5. and number 4. They aren't quite so bad though, because you could defeat those, if you had another king sword. 4. seems a little drastic, since the slightest nick would mean death. It is your story though, so don't let me deter you. And 5. would be impossible to beat unless you had some way to not let it hit your weapon, like sword 1.

One question: do each of the swords have a king or are they just called king swords because of their power?

Griffin,
Sorry I've been slow in replying. I really needed to be able to think through what you brought up. Let me see if I can work through it now.

You have a point. Maybe number 3 would make the user invisible, except during combat (he turns visible when he attempts to strike someone, giving his opponent a second or two to react).

I pondered that for awhile and think you are right. It would be better if it could be blocked by swords and instead would slice right through shields and armor.

I'm going to stay with number 4's trait, but decided that sword number 1 is the only thing that can stop the bleeding. (I'm afraid number 4 and number 1 are my favorite swords and already play a pretty crucial part in my story.)
As for number 5, it is a pretty lethal weapon, but I thought it would be best if it only blinded the opponent if the weapon used was another sword or a dagger (that would exclude shields and anything wooden, like a staff for example).
However, if the opponent is using another king sword, the power number 5 has would be annulled.

If two people are fighting each other with king swords, the swords will not be able to manifest their powers, except for number 1 and number 3, since their powers (speed and cloaking) do not have a direct affect on the opponent or his weapon.
While each king sword is pretty powerful in and of itself, you have to keep in mind, there are only seven of them compared with the thousands and thousands of other swords and weapons in the world. They would be most effective in one on one combat rather than a battlefield (granted, they would help there as well).

Originally, yes, each sword was given to a king, but through time, treachery, and war, they have become scattered among the peoples.

I hope I did a decent job explaining everything. My brain is rather foggy at the moment.
Thanks, though, for your input! It really helped me solidify my ideas and work out several rough spots.

I moved the thread because I thought this was a better place to discuss magical swords!

Okay, that sounds a lot better. Glad I could help!

I can see some very interesting images from this.

Tsahraf, what see ye?

For 2:
A man is handed a poisoned cup. He draws his own chalice from within his cloak, draws his sword, and holds his sword over his chalice. Then he pours the cup that he was given over his sword, into his chalice. Sparks fly from the drink, and steam rises from the chalice. Then he drinks it, and smiles.

For 6:

A man is fleeing from his enemies. He comes to a lake and runs across holding his sword in the water before him.

A man runs through a waterfall. Another follows him, but is struck down. The first man had held the king sword into the waterfall above him.

For 5:

A man is standing in a room where a fight has broken out. Another man tries to cut his legs from under him, but he reaches beneath his cloak and grasps the hilt of a dagger.
The daggers sheath breaks apart, and a sword blade shoots down and blocks the blow.

For 1:

A man is slashed in the right arm by the king sword, and drops his own sword. He retrieves it with his left hand, catches the next blow of the king sword on his hilt, and drapes his wounded arm over the king swords blade. He is instantly healed, and springs backward, taking his sword in his right hand again.

If someone knew the power of 6, he would take off his armor before he fought it.

Sorry this is very delayed.

For number 3 the invisibility might only take effect when the sword is in its sheath or if the user is standing still. That way one wouldn't have to fight an invisible person (which would be very hard ).

Those are interesting ideas. They are useful, but limited.