I read something about Sir Emeth's character Kimun and there was a sword involved that could turn into a ring....and I was like that's what my werewolves need!

But the similarities end there, while Kimun's sword had some kind of magic about it that allowed it to float around at his command and stuff, the ones my WereWolves use (if this isn't stealing Jay's idea) are 'normal' as swords go, except that they are indestructible because of Runes carved on the ring (the runes are also responsible for the shapeshifting ability of the sword.

Anyway, I feel like I'm not really copying Jay's idea, because I'm changing a lot of ideas (the only thing I gleaned from his story was that it could turn into a ring). Besides, these swords my WereWolves use are actually rings that can turn into swords (if you can't see the difference, what I mean is, Dwarves in my world wrought the ring of a certain metal alloy and Dwarven Runesmiths carved the runes into them, giving them the ability to unleash power in the shape of a real, physical sword, so they are Ringswords, not Swordrings).

So the bottom line/real question is: Am I "cheating" by using the idea of a weapon that can change shape (ring that can turn into a sword, to be more accurate)? What are your feelings on this?

P.S. I do have even more technical details about my version of ringsword type things, but didn't include all of them here as I didn't think it necessary.

My two cents... I've seen this done elsewhere, also, so I don't think it originated with Jay. It seems fine to me.

Thanks! *drops two cents into can* I couldn't find anything like that anywhere else, so I wasn't sure...

I don't think Jay has any rightful claim to "ownership" of the concept of transforming weapons, so you should be OK on that score. The relevant question, then, is whether this makes your story feel like a knock-off of his or improves it. I can't say for sure, not having read either story, but it doesn't sound like you're cheating to me.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I knew that legally I was ok, but I didn't want to seem (to other people) to just be stealing his idea...I don't really feel like I am, but if others did, I would rethink about it. Yeah, they are a lot different once you get into it more...I'll post about it in the weapons forum later!

I don't think you'd be stealing his idea, Wolf. And if you were still very worried about it, you could always write him and chat to him about it. But I don't think he'd see it as you stealing his idea.

Thank you Elanor. I think in the matter of my own conscience I am fine, I was just afraid that others might not like it. I had never heard of anything like it before and oddly enough couldn't find anything about something like that on google. And to me the line between "inspiration" and "a complete rip-off" is usually pretty hazy, and I wanted to check my own feelings about it against other HWers' thoughts, so it's comforting to know other writers agree with me.

A similar concept appears in the Percy Jackson series; the hero's sword appears to be a pen until you uncap it.

Wow, that's pretty cool! That reminds me of different spy weapons developed during WWII and the cold war, there was a pen that could shoot .22 bullets (doubt it was very effective though, especially as far as accuracy and long range hits would go).

I seriously don't think Jay would mind...

I think I've thought that exact same thing before! *dieshappy too*
Really though, that is what I try to do, because I know that if something (like dwarves) have become cliche, they must not be that bad a race to add to my own fantasy world, I just have to be creative about it.


By the way...I was also *ahem* inspired by the Kingkiller's trilogy world (I forget it's name, it's in the books by Patrick Rothfuss), that's how I thought of the runes, but mine are still different from his.
Good, I wouldn't want him to send Kimun after me. Thank you both Sir Racham and Maiden Elly for the replies!

...Ok, thanks.

*laughs * This is exactly what I was going to bring up.

Maybe I should make something else too, like a necklace that turns into a chakram! ...actually, I might do that. *thoughtful expression*

I'm impressed. I actually had to look that one up with the link you gave me.

Thanks! Yeah, I really like the chakram, it sounds pretty epic, and I thought it'd make a good defense weapon for woman.

It would.

Nice weapon idea.

Thanks! I also thought later, I could also do this with bracelets (they have bracelet sized chakrams too)...so if you're ever in Vadra and see a lady wearing lots of bracelet/necklace type jewelry, keep in mind that each of those could possibly be a lethal ranged weapon.

That sounds like a good idea, too.

Haha, thanks!

I would be interested in such jewelry.

That's understandable! To tell the truth, I'd want some too, but don't tell!

If only I knew runes and had some of that sort of metal...