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Sturm Brightblade's sword held the legend:

legend says this sword will break only if I do.

Was that just the wishful thinking of a proud family, or did the sword possess magical (or clerical) properties that allowed it to live up to the legend?

1 Answer 1

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I came across a Advanced Dungeons and Dragons module, Knight's Sword, set in the Dragonlance universe and it contains a background and description of the blade, including the magical properties and origin of the breaking legend.

The Brightblade is a two handed sword +3 of dwarvish make. Mined from the purest ore in Thorbardin, it is remarkably resistant to rust and wear. Additional dwarven enchantments increased this resistance, making it well nigh invulnerable to the banes of the common blade. This, the edge never loses its razor sharpness, despite heavy use. In addition, the swords runes grant the wielder a +2 modifier to all reaction checks and the blade has the speed factor of a long sword. Finally, the Brightblade has the power to emulate a light spell and protection from evil spell once per day.

Note that it does not outright state that it will never break. The origin of the quote appears further along in the description:

... Only those of good heart, noble virtue and courage can wield the Brightblade without bringing about its destruction. Legend holds that the sword is only has strong as the heart of its user. If it is used by one of dark purpose, weak beliefs or in the service of Evil, it will shatter itself. Once this is accomplished, it may be restored only through the grace of the Gods of Good and the best weaponsmith alive. If it is ever shattered, so too will be the knighthood's honor until the blade is repaired.

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  • I guess we'll have to try and break it and see. Aug 12, 2013 at 16:41
  • @JackBNimble - Go ahead. Be aware, though, that most magical swords tend to explode when enchantments/blades are broken. :p
    – JohnP
    Aug 12, 2013 at 16:45
  • Do you have any canonical evidence to backup that claim? Aug 12, 2013 at 16:47
  • @JackBNimble - D&D 'verse. One of the most common, possibly unwritten house rules. In theory, only the staff of the magi and staff of power are written to explode when broken. However, IIRC there was a Dragonlance article describing the effect, and implementation of same. I have also played in a tournament campaign where a +3 sword of flame exploded when broken.
    – JohnP
    Aug 12, 2013 at 16:50
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    @JackBNimble - Canon description found.
    – JohnP
    Mar 7, 2019 at 15:57

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