Sounds like it could be a good show!
It was rust-proof. I do know that.
there was 3 diffrent versions of excalibur in 1st edition. 2 of which were +10 holy avengers. (which became +20 vrs evil) and the other was a +5 sharpness weapon. (like vorpal but you would roll for which limb.) but all 3 of them had the same scabard which was best part the scabard would not allow you to be cut so half damage from slashing i think even less from periceing and immune to bleeds etc.
for a more pf version i would start with a holy avenger and make it artifact level of power.
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I'd make it a Keen, Wounding, Axiomatic, Mighty-Cleaving, +5 Longsword. If I wanted tone it down to a more sane power level, then a +3 Keen, Mighty Cleaving Longsword, or a +3 Keen, Axiomatic longsword.
I go with Axiomatic over Holy because Excalibur never really represented goodness so much as it did the power of the King. It was a sword of state meant to forge a nation, not a blessed blade for fighting evil.
Excalibur was shown to have the power of casting a light like the sun over the battlefield (Malory and his source for the early years- the Vulgate); Arthur, while wielding it, also cuts down hundreds of men-- and is in his teens.
The source (via the Welsh Caledfwlch) is probably the Caledbolg carries by Fergus mac Roich, an Ulster hero and fertility demigod. This sword is very hard and sharp-- able to cut stone, mountains, and dragons easily. -Bolg/Bwlch in the name appears to be linked (viz John Koch's research) to Belgae, i.e., a Celtic word meaning 'lightning' and the god Beli (*Belgi). The same word is found in Cuchulain's spear, the Gae Bolga. Caled- means "sharp."
I'd make it Vorpal (or maybe Keen), Holy, and Shocking, with a Daylight spell 1/daily; and +5.
The scabbard appears to grant some sort of major Deflection bonus.
Stormbringer is waaaaaaaay more badass.
Stormbringer is waaaaaaaay more badass.
Well, one of them had to come first...
Is your benchmark of power "vs other weapons in Arthur's Kingdom" is your benchmark "vs other weapons in the Pathfinder universe"?
In Arthur's Universe, well, that's hard to emulate in PF. :-) Suffice to say, probably not more than a +3 weapon.
In Pathfinder, I agree that the weapon should be Axiomatic (instead of Holy), and be of Mighty Cleaving. Toss on some weird abilities, like Illusion-bane (a la Pathfinder #5: magic of Thassalon), and perhaps projects a constant Zone of Truth. It should be a Minor Artifact, and have associated powers (such as perhaps +4 to CHA, or bonuses to Kingdom Building if using Kingmaker rules). Yes, Minor Artifact.
This should contrast with the scabbard of Excalabur, which should be a Major Artifact, that grants various defensive powers approaching near-immortality: I would go as far as to say a host of immunities to disease and death effects and bleeding, and definately aging. Perhaps gives DR 10/- or DR 20/Chaos or something like that. Also Major Fortification if that's not too much already. Give the weilder the ability to do things like cast Heal once/day or somesuch. It should also impart SR to the weilder, but only against Fey.
Remember, the scabbard is ridiculously powerful, and is truly an epic item.
(snip) In Pathfinder, I agree that the weapon should be Axiomatic (instead of Holy), and be of Mighty Cleaving. It should be a Minor Artifact, and have associated powers (such as perhaps +4 to CHA). Yes, Minor Artifact.
I tend to agree, -- though my background in Celtic history and myth means I kind of choke on the Axiomatic part. Fergus mac Rioch is the epitome of CN. Beli (Belgios) is a deified war leader (or two men of the same name) -- linked to the sack of Rome and Delphi. That aspect of Excalibur's history tends to suggest that it craves violence, adventure and conquest from the Chaotic side of things. I figure the ambiguity of its link to kingship has to do with the semi-elective/heroic/reckless aspect of the Celtic title, not the Roman-like orderly rulership theme that is tacked onto Arthur since the Renaissance.
Actually I wouldn't align the blade at all. I's more of an instrument of Destiny rather than alignment.I tend to agree, -- though my background in Celtic history and myth means I kind of choke on the Axiomatic part. Fergus mac Rioch is the epitome of CN. Beli (Belgios) is a deified war leader (or two men of the same name) -- linked to the sack of Rome and Delphi. That aspect of Excalibur's history tends to suggest that it craves violence, adventure and conquest from the Chaotic side of things. I figure the ambiguity of its link to kingship has to do with the semi-elective/heroic/reckless aspect of the Celtic title, not the Roman-like orderly rulership theme that is tacked onto Arthur since the Renaissance.(snip) In Pathfinder, I agree that the weapon should be Axiomatic (instead of Holy), and be of Mighty Cleaving. It should be a Minor Artifact, and have associated powers (such as perhaps +4 to CHA). Yes, Minor Artifact.
True! -- at least in the versions where Mordred wields it against his father/uncle and mortally wounds him. That might be the Stormbringer similarity. Wow, that's a dark thought...
Actually I wouldn't align the blade at all. I's more of an instrument of Destiny rather than alignment.
I will posit that Destiny is an inherently Lawful concept. :-)
Actually I wouldn't align the blade at all. I's more of an instrument of Destiny rather than alignment.I will posit that Destiny is an inherently Lawful concept. :-)
I'd say Neutral, in as much as it includes life, death, success, and failure. What's a True Neutral aligned weapon?
edit: plus we got Pharasma (N) as the goddess of Destiny.
At least two, possibly more. The first one, the sword from the stone, wound up getting sundered and replaced.did not aRthur have two swords???
the one he pulled from the stone and the one he got from the lady of the lake???
That one is Clarent, apparently Uther's sword.
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Excalibur should be intelligent with a highly annoying personali--"FOOL!"
Excalibur was shown to have the power of casting a light like the sun over the battlefield (Malory and his source for the early years- the Vulgate); Arthur, while wielding it, also cuts down hundreds of men-- and is in his teens.
The source (via the Welsh Caledfwlch) is probably the Caledbolg carries by Fergus mac Roich, an Ulster hero and fertility demigod. This sword is very hard and sharp-- able to cut stone, mountains, and dragons easily. -Bolg/Bwlch in the name appears to be linked (viz John Koch's research) to Belgae, i.e., a Celtic word meaning 'lightning' and the god Beli (*Belgi). The same word is found in Cuchulain's spear, the Gae Bolga. Caled- means "sharp."
I'd make it Vorpal (or maybe Keen), Holy, and Shocking, with a Daylight spell 1/daily; and +5.
The scabbard appears to grant some sort of major Deflection bonus.
OMG, those Ulster guys had some crazy stuff going on. Slashing boulders in two, throwing spears with 30+ barbs, vorpal sling stones...
...and that's just CuChulainn (or insert your preferred spelling.
Excalibur should be intelligent with a highly annoying personali--"FOOL!"
This.
Excalibur should be intelligent with a highly annoying personali--"FOOL!"
The worst part of searching for the holy sword Excalibur? Finding the holy sword Excalibur!
Excalibur should be intelligent with a highly annoying personali--"FOOL!"The worst part of searching for the holy sword Excalibur? Finding the holy sword Excalibur!
And what about Excalibur Junior?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grailquest