Fragarach
| Fragarach | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type: | Minor artifact |
| Location: | Unknown |
| Rules | |
| Alignment: | Chaotic good |
| Attunement: | Requires same alignment |
| Publishing | |
| First published: | Unearthed Arcana (1985) |
Fragarach is the original and inspiration of the Swords of Answering. It is a longsword and minor artifact. It was lost with Prince Thrommel IV when he was abducted in 573 CY.[1]
Description
[edit | edit source]"This hefty steel broadsword bears a mighty enchantment. It was originally fashioned for a demigod of elsewhen, and eventually passed into the World of Greyhawk setting.
The sword has a hilt of silver and gold wire, most cunningly wrought. Its guard and pommel are set with seven perfect emeralds (corundum)... Its scabbard is likewise trimmed with precious metal and decorated with many gems of green and golden hue."[2]
Fragarach means 'the Answerer'[1] or "final word" in Old Oeridian.[3][note 1]
Powers
[edit | edit source]The weapon returns attacks back against the wielder's opponents. The wielder makes a free attack back against any creature who strikes them (regardless of if they do damage). In some editions, this is limited by the number of normal attacks the wielder can make, or their available attacks of opportunity, or number of reactions. In the earliest iterations, the sword strikes unerringly, but in later editions receives a significant bonus or advantage to these attacks.[3][4][5]
The sword is of Chaotic Good alignment. Any Lawful or Neutral creature trying to grasp it takes damage and passes out, with the effects being worse for Lawful creatures.[1] Despite this, Thrommel IV was able to use it. Thrommel was able to call to the sword, and it would come to his hand.[6] Later, the alignment was stated to have been an editorial error, and should have been lawful good, and in third edition it was published as LG.[note 2][note 3]
History
[edit | edit source]The blade served Kelanen's followers for some time, before falling into the hands of the minions of the Temple of Elemental Evil with the capture of Thrommel, where they held it for more than a decade.[1]
Myths and legends
[edit | edit source]According to myths, Kelanen played a role in the sword coming to Oerth, having "wrested the blade from an alien god,"[4][8] and used it as the template to create the nine Swords of Answering.[3][9]
Creative origins
[edit | edit source]This sword is incredibly famous in D&D because it was one of the first major magic weapons in the game, first appearing in the first edition Unearthed Arcana (1985). But, the name originally comes from Irish mythology and was "the sword of the sea god Manannán mac Lir"[10] who was detailed in the earlier Deities & Demigods (1980) and is most likely the "demigod of elsewhen" referred to in the sword's description.[note 4]
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]- ↑ The name "Answerer" is also the name given for one of the nine Swords of Answering, not the original sword.
- ↑ When asked about the Fragarach's alignment, Gary Gygax stated in Oerth Journal #12 (2001), in an interview with Paul Stromberg, "It was an editorial error. The sword should have been designated as LG."
- ↑ On the Wizards of the Coast forum, Erik Mona discussed Fragarach's alignment, when the Swords of Answering were published for third edition in Dungeon #106 (Jan 2004)[4], "Fragarach and the "final word" swords recieve treatment in a "Critical Threat" included in Dungeon #106.... I've officially retconned the sword as lawful good, which was obviously the original intent. Sometimes a mistake is just a mistake.... My take on the controversy is that it's more important that the story match Greyhawk continuity (option A) than it is for the story to match Celtic mythology (option B). The story of a CG paladin with a level title of paladin, with all due respect, seems like revisionist history."[7]
- ↑ In Deities & Demigods (1980), however, in the Celtic Mythos, the sword of Manannán mac Lir is called "Retaliator" rather than "Final Word" or "Answerer".[11]
Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b c d T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.126.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.126-127.
- ↑ a b c Unearthed Arcana (sourcebook) 1e' (1985), p.105.
- ↑ a b c "Critical Threat: Dantalion". Dungeon #106 (Jan 2004), p.52-53.
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), p.206.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.86.
- ↑ Prince Thrommel, The Answer. Archived from the original on 2015. Retrieved on 15 January 2026.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal #3 (Feb 2001), p.12.
- ↑ T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil (1985), p.127.
- ↑ Fragarach. wikipedia.com. Retrieved on 15 January 2026.
- ↑ Deities & Demigods (1980), p.28.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Gygax, E. Gary, and Frank Mentzer. The Temple of Elemental Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
- Sean K Reynolds, Fred Weining and Erik Mona. Blood of Heroes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, February 2001.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fragarach {The Answerer} (Sword) | Item | Artifact, | Encyclopedia Magica - Volume IV | 1340, 1341 |
| Fragarach {The Answerer} (Sword) | Item | Artifact, | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 12 |
| Fragarach {The Answerer} (Sword) | Item | Artifact, | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 3, 44, 86, 126, 127 |