Shieldbreaker

Shieldbreaker (also known as The Sword of Force) is one of the Twelve Swords of Power featured in the Books of Swords series by Fred Saberhagen.

History
Coming soon.

Appearance
Shieldbreaker is virtually indistinguishable from the other Swords of Power (barring Soulcutter), with the exception of a white hammer engraved on the hilt. It is a one-meter, double-bladed Sword with a black hilt, forged by Vulcan from a meteorite and cooled in human blood. Like the other Swords, Shieldbreaker retains its edge and luster regardless of use.

Abilities
Shieldbreaker provides protection from all enemy attacks, whether melee, ranged or magical. Like Townsaver, Shieldbreaker takes over the sword arm of the person using it, and cannot be put down until the battle is over; however, Shieldbreaker will deflect incoming blows, while Townsaver will not. The Sword's one weakness is its inability to be used against an unarmed foe, meaning that the wielder (weakened by using Shieldbreaker) can be defeated quite easily in hand-to-hand combat. Even Vulcan, while using it, found himself greatly weakened, his prodigious strength and ability to change size suddenly gone; he was quickly overpowered by the humans in the House of Courtenay.

Shieldbreaker is unique among the Swords, in that it can easily destroy any of the others in melee combat (with the exception of Woundhealer, which will actually destroy Shieldbreaker). In addition, any abilities possessed by the other Swords are negated by Shieldbreaker (i.e., the wielder cannot be slain by Farslayer, or tracked by Wayfinder).

While being used, Shieldbreaker emits a thudding rhythm that quickens when combat begins.

Verse
From the Song of Swords:

"I shatter Swords and splinter spears;

None stands to Shieldbreaker.

My point's the fount of orphans' tears

''My edge the widowmaker."