Stormbringer
From ancient relics of divine power to cursed blades that consume souls, fantasy literature brims with iconic swords. These weapons are more than tools, they are symbols of destiny, identity, and the eternal clash between light and darkness. Below, we explore 20 legendary blades that have carved their names into the annals of fantasy.
1. Excalibur
Book: Arthurian Legends (multiple authors)
Wielder: King Arthur
Traits: Radiates holy light, unbreakable, symbolises divine kingship.
Lore: Forged by elves or gifted by the Lady of the Lake; pulled from a stone to prove Arthur’s worth.
Why iconic: The blueprint for the “chosen sword” trope, embodying destiny and legitimacy.
2. Stormbringer
Book: Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock
Wielder: Elric
Traits: Sentient, soul-devouring, cursed.
Lore: Feeds on souls to sustain its wielder, including Elric’s allies.
Why iconic: A tragic, chaotic counterpoint to noble swords, power at a moral cost.
3. Andúril (formerly Narsil)
Book: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Wielder: Aragorn
Traits: Reforged from shards, glows with renewed power.
Lore: Symbolises Aragorn’s claim to Gondor’s throne and the resurgence of hope.
Why iconic: Represents redemption and the weight of legacy.
4. Needle
Book: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Wielder: Arya Stark
Traits: Slim, lightweight rapier for agility.
Lore: Gifted by Jon Snow; named to mock Arya’s disdain for traditional femininity.
Why iconic: A weapon of survival and defiance, mirroring Arya’s journey.
5. Ice
Book: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Wielder: House Stark (Ned Stark)
Traits: Massive Valyrian steel greatsword.
Lore: Destroyed and reforged into Oathkeeper and Widow’s Wail after Ned’s execution.
Why iconic: Embodies Stark honour and the brutality of political betrayal.
6. Glamdring
Book: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Wielder: Gandalf
Traits: Glows blue near orcs, Elven-crafted.
Lore: Once wielded by the Elven King of Gondolin.
Why iconic: A relic of Middle-earth’s ancient glory, trusted to a wizard.
7. The Sword of Shannara
Book: The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Wielder: Shea Ohmsford
Traits: Reveals truth, unusable by self-deceivers.
Lore: Forged to combat evil through honesty, not force.
Why iconic: Victory through truth, not strength, a subversion of brute power.
8. Callandor
Book: The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Wielder: Rand al’Thor
Traits: Crystal blade, channels immense magical power (saidin).
Lore: A sa’angreal that amplifies the Dragon Reborn’s abilities.
Why iconic: Bridges prophecy and power, demanding both strength and control.
9. Nightblood
Book: Warbreaker and Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Wielder: Vasher, Szeth
Traits: Sentient, compels wielder to “destroy evil” recklessly.
Lore: Created with BioChromatic Breath; hungers for souls.
Why iconic: Darkly humorous and lethally unpredictable, a weapon with agency.
10. Orcrist (“Goblin-cleaver”)
Book: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Wielder: Thorin Oakenshield
Traits: Glows near orcs, Elven-forged.
Lore: Feared by goblins; buried with Thorin after his death.
Why iconic: A blade whose name declares its purpose, simple yet iconic.
11. Dragnipur
Book: Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
Wielder: Anomander Rake
Traits: Contains a portal to a dimension of eternal war.
Lore: Imprisons souls to drag a chained wagon bearing Chaos.
Why iconic: A weapon of tragic burden, blending power and consequence.
12. Sword of Truth
Book: The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind
Wielder: Richard Cypher
Traits: Amplifies magic, usable only by the righteous.
Lore: Central to defeating dark forces and Richard’s identity.
Why iconic: Embodies moral absolutism and the cost of truth.
13. Vorpal Sword
Book: Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
Wielder: The Jabberwock’s slayer
Traits: Razor-sharp, beheads mythical foes.
Lore: Famously “snicker-snacks” through the Jabberwock.
Why iconic: Inspired the term “vorpal” in gaming, synonymous with lethal precision.
14. Grayswandir
Book: The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
Wielder: Corwin of Amber
Traits: Silver blade, harms supernatural beings.
Lore: Forged in Chaos, symbolises balance between order and entropy.
Why iconic: A weapon of duality, reflecting its wielder’s struggle.
15. Father of Swords
Book: The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Wielder: Logen Ninefingers
Traits: Ancient, enormous, steeped in bloodshed.
Lore: Passed through generations, each owner adding to its grim legacy.
Why iconic: Represents the cyclical nature of violence and legacy.
16. Aerondight
Book: The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski
Wielder: Geralt of Rivia
Traits: Silver, grows stronger with virtuous deeds.
Lore: Gifted by the Lady of the Lake; reacts to its wielder’s worth.
Why iconic: Ties Geralt’s fate to his moral choices and skill.
17. Sword of the Rivan King
Book: The Belgariad by David Eddings
Wielder: Garion
Traits: Blue-flamed, prophesied to kill a god.
Lore: Only usable by the true heir of Riva.
Why iconic: A classic “hero’s blade,” pivotal to fulfilling destiny.
18. Thorn
Book: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams
Wielder: Simon Snowlock
Traits: One of three mythic swords, tied to sorrow.
Lore: Required to defeat the undead Storm King.
Why iconic: Mirrors Simon’s growth from apprentice to hero.
19. Darksword
Book: The Darksword Trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Wielder: Joram
Traits: Nullifies magic, forged from living metal.
Lore: Heretical in a magic-dependent world.
Why iconic: Challenges societal norms, power through rejection of tradition.
20. Brisingr
Book: The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Wielder: Eragon
Traits: Blue blade, bursts into flames when named.
Lore: Forged with dragon fire and elven magic.
Why iconic: Symbolises Eragon’s bond with Saphira and mastery of magic.
21. Sting
Book: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Wielder: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins
Traits: Elven dagger, glows blue near orcs, lightweight.
Lore: Found in a troll hoard; becomes Frodo’s weapon against Shelob.
Why iconic: A humble blade turned vital tool for survival in Middle-earth.
22. Terminus Est
Book: The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
Wielder: Severian the Torturer
Traits: Executioner’s sword with a mercury-filled blade for balance.
Lore: Symbolises Severian’s role as both killer and saviour.
Why iconic: Blurs morality, elegant yet designed for death.
23. Lamentation
Book: The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Wielder: Ancient Knights Radiant
Traits: Shardblade, screams when summoned due to its dead spren.
Lore: A relic of broken oaths and fallen Radiants.
Why iconic: Embodies the tragedy of lost honour and cosmic betrayal.
24. Sword of Kas
Source: Dungeons & Dragons lore
Wielder: Kas the Betrayer
Traits: Cursed, vampiric, seeks to destroy Vecna.
Lore: Forged to kill the lich-god Vecna; corrupts its wielder.
Why iconic: A legendary RPG weapon tied to D&D’s darkest myths.
25. Dawnbreaker
Source: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Wielder: The Dragonborn
Traits: Daedric artifact, deals fire damage, annihilates undead.
Lore: Gifted by Meridia, Daedric Prince of Light.
Why iconic: A radiant blade in a grim world, beloved by gamers.
26. Twinkle
Book: The Legend of Drizzt by R.A. Salvatore
Wielder: Drizzt Do’Urden
Traits: Elven scimitar, glows blue in darkness.
Lore: Symbolises Drizzt’s rejection of his dark elf heritage.
Why iconic: Represents hope and defiance in a morally grey world.
27. Zireael (Swallow)
Book: The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski
Wielder: Ciri
Traits: Meteorite-forged, lightweight, balanced for speed.
Lore: Gifted by Geralt; named after Ciri’s Elder Speech nickname.
Why iconic: Tied to Ciri’s identity as a warrior and time-travelling heir.
28. Sword of Omens
Source: ThunderCats (1980s animated series)
Wielder: Lion-O
Traits: Transforms into a larger blade, grants “sight beyond sight”.
Lore: Key to leading the ThunderCats against Mumm-Ra.
Why iconic: A pop-culture relic blending fantasy and sci-fi.
29. The Sword of Summer
Book: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan
Wielder: Magnus Chase
Traits: Summonable, transforms into a pendant, channels Norse magic.
Lore: Once wielded by Frey, the Norse god of summer.
Why iconic: Modernises myth with Riordan’s trademark wit.
30. Gae Bolg
Source: Irish mythology (featured in Fate/stay night)
Wielder: Cú Chulainn (mythology), Lancer (Fate)
Traits: Barbed spear/sword, inflicts unhealable wounds.
Lore: Cursed weapon forged from a sea monster’s bones.
Why iconic: A Celtic legend reimagined in anime and games.
Honourable Mentions
- Joyeuse: Charlemagne’s sword (Song of Roland), symbolises divine rule.
- Godsplitter: From The Acts of Caine, kills gods, but at existential cost.
- Hrunting: From Beowulf, fails against Grendel’s mother but inspires later tales.
Why These Blades Endure
Each sword reflects the ethos of its world: hope, corruption, legacy, or rebellion. Whether drawn from myth, gaming, or modern YA, they resonate because they mean something, not just to their wielders, but to us. What’s your pick? A soul-drinking monstrosity, or a humble blade that glows in the dark?
