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Author: kjnoren

Jun 28th 2012 at 4:08:19 PM

Another thing for the description:

This trope can take two main forms. One is when the leader or primary hero of the group carries a sword, while most of the other characters in the group carries other weapons. The other one is when a character receives a sword, as a signifier that they are now a hero. In short, this is similar to a {{Knighting}} ceremony.

Also, it maybe should be mentioned that the sword is the hallmark of the individual warrior. Weapons like pole arms, spears, and short swords (like the Roman gladius) gain a lot of effectiveness when used in large groups. The longsword, on the other hand, require more space to move and manoeuvre.

Examples

Film:

* Luke Skywalker receives a sword when he is about to leave Tatooine and his old life, and to become a hero.

Literature:

* In TheLordOfTheRings, Aragorn goes from being a ranger among others and someone fighting a losing fight to the man who will be King of Gondor and a member of the party that will win the war. This transfer coincides with the re-forging of Narsil and he claiming it as Anduril.
* In TheWheelOfTime, Rand al'Thor is most proficient with a bow, but he receives a sword he is leaves home for the quest. He is accompanied by two friends and followers: Mat Cauthon uses a bow and a staff, while Perrin Aybara uses an axe.

Mythology:
* KingArthur received a sword twice. When he pulled the sword from the stone he proved he was the King, and then he received {{Excalibur}} after his first sword was broken.