1001 Strange Swords
No more generic swords; with 1001 Strange Swords to choose from¸ every sword the adventurers find¸ every sword their enemies use¸ can look unique and distinctive.
1001 Strange Swords
Garin's hobnails clicked on the cobblestones as the party walked slowly but purposefully down the narrow street. The ancient¸ decrepit buildings divided by the street seemed to want to come together again¸ reaching upper stories together overhead. Many of the buildings contained small shops¸ and the party checked each sign. Finally they halted at one consisting of two gold-painted balls¸ and a dangling chain where a third once hung. After a brief pause¸ they entered.
GM: This definitely looks like the right place. You can't even see the walls¸ the place is so crowded with clutter. It seems that everything someone might want to pawn¸ from a lute missing a string to a pair of boots big enough for an ogre¸ is around here somewhere. Mostly¸ in your way.
Party Leader: Do we see the pawnbroker anywhere?
Jarmak: Do we see any magic swords?
GM: There's someone in the dimly-lit back of the shop; that's probably the pawnbroker. As for swords¸ one of the few lanterns in here is illuminating a rack of swords¸ axes¸ and miscellaneous other weapons.
Party Leader: We'll take a closer look. We know Yannerby pawned that sword here before he died¸ so it pretty much has has to be one of those.
Jarmak: Kalthras¸ why don't you just do your magic finding spell?
Kalthras: You heard the constable at the gate: Spellcasting is prohibited in town¸ except for the Mage Guild. Which¸ by the way¸ I am hoping will not notice that I am here at all.
Party Leader: This shouldn't be that hard. A magic sword will look distinctive. Interesting. Not like the rest. *turns to GM* How many swords are there¸ and what do they look like?
GM: Well¸ you know the magic sword you're hunting was a longsword¸ so there are three that could be it. One has a gold hilt with a fluted rosewood grip¸ and the pommel is the head of an eagle with what look to be diamond eyes. The guard is its wings¸ and its body merges into the steel of the blade. The second has a plain steel hilt¸ with a grip wrapped in some bumpy gray hide and wound with copper wire. The pommel is a crystal cabochon. The guard is a partial basket and the blade is made of what looks like black crystal. The third has an odd-colored metal hilt that you think is what they call star-metal¸ with a fluted purplish crystal grip. The pommel is a lion's paw clutching a crystal sphere. The guard is two sharp flanges¸ and the blade is made of Damascus steel etched with words in an alphabet you don't recognize.
Jarmak: I wonder if any of them has "Property of Yannerby" scratched in it somewhere?
Welcome to the "1001 Things" collections
Swords in a fantasy world are the work of skilled craftsmen¸ not stamped out by machines. The journeyman-made ones sold to beginning adventurers or bought by the barrel-full by those looking to equip armies are plain enough¸ but any truly interesting swords are as unique as those who commissioned them and made them.
The bandit leader might only have a +1 sword¸ or even one not magical at all¸ but if it has a dragon's body for the hilt¸ with the blade emerging from its mouth¸ that's a lot more interesting. What's that written on the blade the orcs had? A clue to the current mystery? Are those real gems decorating that other one¸ and if so¸ could they be more valuable than all the rest of the horde?
1001 Strange Swords gives you a plethora of interesting swords to intrigue your players. You can use them exactly as written¸ or pick one you like and tweak the details to suit your needs