The Sommerswerd, Sword of the Sun

[Sol]

This topic is for the discussion of Lone Wolf's most powerful weapon - the Sommerswerd, Sword of the Sun (obtained in Book 2).

Here is a starter question: we know that the sword loses its powers if wielded by a non-kai. The question: could these powers be re-awakened if a Kai later discovered and used the blade? Or are they lost forever?

[Zipp]

Lost forever. Kai is just sitting on his throne going: why the hell did I put that rule in there?

It actually does state in all the legends that it's power would be lost forever. This was probably to prevent the Darklords from using it.

You're Sol, shouldn't you know these things?

I always wondered about this too, though. It seemed pretty risky until I realized that potentially any Kai MASTER can weild the sword. So it's not just limited to Lone Wolf, he's just the choosen one who went and got the thing. And he ain't giving it up. Willed it to the local museum. Along with his remains. And apparantly, from other posts, his underwear. That would be the Sun Vault.

[Ghost Bear]

From section 79 of Fire On The Water:

This weapon was forged long before the Sommlending, the Durenese or the Darklords dwelt in the Lastlands. Its makers were of a race that men would now call gods. To release the power that it contains, only a Kai lord may wield it. Should it be used in combat by anyone who is not a Kai lord, its power will fade and be lost forever.

***

Note the word 'forever'. So I'd imagine that the answer would be yes.

My question:

Since Ulnar I wielded the Sommerswerd, he had latent Kai powers, right? Do all of Ulnar's line have latent Kai powers?

-GB

[Ghost of Landar]

Maybe that's just the legend behind the sword. If you go back, there are some inconsistencies with who made the Sommerswerd.

It seems the Sword was forged on the Plane of Light, whereas in Fire on the Water I think it refers to a "race in the Lastlands that men would have called gods." Things like that make me wonder if it was just part of the Sword's legend.

What I do know is that the Sommerswerd is my favorite weapon in all stories. The sword of Elendil is nice, but it does not match the godly power of the Sword of the Sun.

[Ghost Bear]

There's an answer in one of the Newsletters as to who created the Sommerswerd. If I were at home, I'd search it out for you, but I do remember that they were comparable in power to the Shianti, but they never took mortal form on Aon. I also seem to remember that the name of the beings started with a P.

-GB

[Peregrine]

I'd say the fact that that quote comes from the Sixth-Sense-required section implies that Lone Wolf is 'sensing' the sword's history, which precludes the possibility of legend or hearsay. As for non-Kai wielders, of course there were some (including Ulnar at Maakengorge) before the Kai Lords were established. And it would seem logical that its keepers were the royal line of Sommerlund... so perhaps the touch of Kai is in the blood?

[BenKenobi]

In book n.7 - Castle Death - you must be captured by Zahda. After the process, they are disarming you of all your items.... what happens if you have the Sommerswerd ?
A stupid little minion tries to take the Somerswerd, but it gets hurt. It's impossible for him to wield the weapon, or even to touch it. I always thought that scene was so cool !
And the sword didn't lose his power forever

I suppose that only a Kai can use it. King Ulnar had Kai latent abilities, it seems... and all the parents of the children that are sent to the Monastery must have some kind of potential, because they are able to transmit them to their children.

It is how works the Force in Star Wars universe... Jedi cannot have children. But new Jedi are born, continuosly in time. Indeed, we see that Luke Skywalker, Anakin's son, is quite powerful.

Ulnar's descendants would have been powerful Kai warriors, probably.

Or maybe, it is all a matter of hard training...

[outspaced]

Ghost said:

There's an answer in one of the Newsletters as to who created the Sommerswerd.

It's in Newsletter 11 Monastery Mailbag, GB.

Which ‘God-like race’ made the Sommerswerd?
(Simon Martinez, Liverpool)

The Sommerswerd was forged by the Nuoma, a race of spirit-like demigods who serve Kai on the Plane of Light. Their powers are akin to the Shianti, although the Nuoma have always remained within the confines of their plane of existence and have never had need to take on a physical form.

[Peregrine]

BenKenobi said:

In book n.7 - Castle Death - you must be captured by Zahda. After the process, they are disarming you of all your items.... what happens if you have the Sommerswerd ?
A stupid little minion tries to take the Somerswerd, but it gets hurt. It's impossible for him to wield the weapon, or even to touch it. I always thought that scene was so cool !
And the sword didn't lose his power forever

I was thinking of that too... my guess is that the Sommerswerd has sort of built-in protection like that. Random minions can't just pick it up, swing it once or twice and *pop* goes the power. It'd take someone seriously powerful to overwhelm its defences and wield it successfully, thus ending its power. So even though it sounds a little worrisome, it's not that big a threat.

I suppose that only a Kai can use it. King Ulnar had Kai latent abilities, it seems... and all the parents of the children that are sent to the Monastery must have some kind of potential, because they are able to transmit them to their children.

We don't know that for certain. I personally think it's likely that Kai potential runs in the blood, but mostly crops up in others. After all, the Magnamund Companion strongly suggests that most Kai novices come from ordinary children undergoing normal military training, rather than Kai 'dynasties'.

[Shadow]

Perhaps the potential is in al sommerlending people it just is so miniscule in most that they can't utilise it?

[Frying Pan]

I just always assumed that King Ulnar was also a Kai Lord.

[BenKenobi]

Parents of Jedi / Kai have not the potential to become a Jedi / Kai, but their children have it... but I think this is a question that won't be answered.

I wouldn't like an explanation like that of Midichlorian in Star Wars...
I always thought that the Force was something higher than that !!! ... and the Kai powers too, of course !

[columbob]

Frying said:

I just always assumed that King Ulnar was also a Kai Lord.

Since the Kai Order wasn't created until after the defeat of Vashna by King Ulnar I, I don't think this is possible.

[Sol]

I liked the "King Ulnar is a Kai" theory also... but in one of the newsletters Joe clarified this and explained that he wasn't. Sun-Eagle claimed the sword at the edge of the Maakengorge when the King died.

I think Joe said that the Sword could be wielded by Kai -or- members of the House of Ulnar. This was a little bit tough to swallow since it seems to contradict a bit the passage in Book 2.

Here is an idea: maybe the Sun-Sword's true purpose was not realized until the day that Sun-Eagle grasped its hilt in his hands. In a sense, on that day its true purpose awakened. Perhaps on that day it became an instrument of the Lord Kai, transformed, forever then bound to Sun-Eagle and his destiny. As if it had been awaiting him all that time.

[columbob]

Sol said:

Here is an idea: maybe the Sun-Sword's true purpose was not realized until the day that Sun-Eagle grasped its hilt in his hands. In a sense, on that day its true purpose awakened. Perhaps on that day it became an instrument of the Lord Kai, transformed, forever then bound to Sun-Eagle and his destiny. As if it had been awaiting him all that time.

That's a pretty good theory.