Terminus Est
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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.
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[edit] Terminus Est and Severian
After Severian is expelled from the city of Nessus for showing mercy to one of his charges, he is sent north to serve as a carnifex in a different city. A carnifex is an executioner, and may also perform excruciations. Officially, Severian remains a journeyman torturer, to conceal the disgrace he has brought upon the guild. Before Severian leaves, Master Palaemon gives him Terminus Est. A sharp, intimidating sword, it serves as a symbol of his authority and as a deadly weapon. Despite its utility, the sword is apparently extremely ostentatious, as "art had been lavished upon her," according to the narrator.
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, adding to the allure and verisimilitude of his stories.)
During the course of Severian's travels Terminus Est plays a vital role, alternately saving his life and placing it in peril. Shortly after leaving the Citadel of Nessus, Severian is caught in a ploy masterminded by Agia and her twin brother Agilus, designed to rid him of his sword and belongings after he loses a duel to the disguised Agilus. Luckily, Severian survives the duel on the Sanguinary Fields (the portion of Nessus set aside for duels), even after being struck by a poisoned leaf of an avern (a viciously sharp plant using as the dueling weapon), due to the fact that he is carrying "The Claw of the Conciliator", which has the ability (among others) to revive the dead by folding time back to when the dead person or thing was still alive. Agia becomes a major character in the series, seeking revenge on Severian for the death of her brother.
Terminus Est is described as having been one of the last works of a famous swordsmith - so in addition to its inherent utility, it is an antique Agia describes as being worth ten times her shop.
The sword is double-edged, having both a "male" and "female" side, the design being to only sever male heads with one edge and female heads with the other. Severian takes meticulous care of the sword, always cleaning, oiling, and sharpening the blade before and after an execution, to the point where he uses Terminus Est to shave with, forgoing a razor.
It resembles a type of German 16th-century two-handed sword which was designed solely for the purpose of execution. Just like this sword, the point of Terminus Est is not sharp and therefore cannot be used for stabbing opponents.
Terminus Est is eventually destroyed while Severian wields it in battle. This occurs during his fight against Baldanders, his former traveling companion. When Terminus Est strikes the powerful and bizarre club Baldanders wields, both weapons are destroyed and the combat ends with Baldanders' escape into the lake.
Upon the destruction of Terminus Est, Severian recovers the hilt of the shattered blade, later returning it to Master Palaemon upon his triumphant return to the Citadel at the close of the series.
[edit] Other meanings
Terminus Est is Latin for "It is the end." However, Severian interprets the phrase to mean "this is the line of division," and Typhon translates it as "this is the place of parting."
[edit] Symbolism
Severian describes Terminus Est several times as a "paterissa" or cross (the sword has long, straight guards and is carried over the shoulder, tip-downward) and once as an "iron phallus" (an image suggested by the fluid-filled channel inside the blade.) The cross is of course an instrument of torture and death, but in Christianity it symbolizes resurrection. Master Gurloes's iron phallus was also a torture instrument, but phallic images have long been used to symbolize fertility and therefore life.
[edit] References in other works
- A sword called Terminus Est appears in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, where it is a two-handed execution sword that has a poisoned blade.
- The third edition of Dungeons & Dragons includes the "mercurial greatsword" as an exotic weapon.
- Plague Lord Typhus's flagship is called the Terminus Est in Warhammer 40,000
- Julia Ecklar wrote a folk song on her album Divine Intervention called "Terminus Est" about Severian.
