Caltrops - S.T.A.L.K.E.R.





	[quote name="motherfuckerfoodeater"][quote name ="wikipedia"] Terminus Est is a sword in the science fiction series The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. It is wielded by Severian, a torturer and the narrator of the series. [/quote] Okay, so that's pretty much it, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminus_Est">right</a>? [quote name="wikipedia"] Terminus Est is described as being "Light to raise, weighty to descend," by Master Palaemon. This is due to a channel in the spine of the blade, containing liquid hydrargyrum, another name for mercury. (Wolfe makes use of obscure Latin and Greek terms in many of his works.) Given the fact the novel's text is described as having been translated from "a language that has not yet achieved existence", the substance referred to may not in fact be mercury, although its properties would seem to suggest that it is. The channel would have been extremely difficult to fabricate: the usual techniques of forging would have crushed it. However, a simple possibility is that the sword was forged and then the channel drilled, especially before quenching and heat hardening. In addition, the melting point of iron is 1811 K (1538 °C, or 2800 °F), which is far above the boiling point of mercury (629.88 K, 356.73 °C, or 674.11 °F)), which would complicate the task of sealing the mercury into the channel. Terminus Est is mentioned several times in the book as being able to be removed from its hilt, and especially after it is destroyed, Severian removes the shards from the hilt and keeps the furniture. This indicates a Japanese style of construction with hilt independent of sword tang. A simple means of sealing the mercury into the sword would be to employ a plug or screw in the end of the tang. This could easily be hammered over once inserted so that the edges of the tang overlap and trap in the plug. All of this would be covered over by the sword furniture and could have been accomplished with well-below-modern levels of technology. [/quote] [/quote]