Sword

A sword is a bladed weapon used for cutting or thrusting in combat. Common on virtually every world, these weapons have appeared in Ultima I,  II,  III,  IV,  V,  VI,  VII,  VII Part Two, and  IX, as well as in the Ultima Underworld series, Savage Empire and Martian Dreams.

Description
Swords of some variety or another have been in use since before the first Age of Darkness, and have persisted in popularity through to the last days of the Avatar. A formidable weapon, especially when used in conjunction with a shield, the sword is the workhorse of warriors across numerous realms, and has long been a staple piece of equipment amongst fighters and adventurers.

In Ultima VII and Ultima VII Part Two, a simple one-handed sword has a damage of 6 and a reach of 2. In Ultima VIII, a sword does between 4-12 damage. In Ultima IX, a short sword does between 1- 5 damage, whilst a broadsword does between 35-45 damage and a long sword does between 40-60 damage.

Two-Handed Swords
For those with the muscle to wield one, a two-handed sword (or greatsword) can prove a fearsome weapon - with its intimidating bulk dealing nearly twice the amount of damage per blow as a simple short sword. True to their name, such blades require the use of both hands to wield effectively, and thus may not be used in conjunction with shields.

Sabers, Scimitars and Cutlasses

 * Main articles: Sabre, Scimitar, Cutlass

Differing traditions of sword smithing have led to a variety of blades designs being prevalent in different cultures throughout the multiverse, and an assortment of curved blade styles atypical of Britannian weapons frequently appear on worlds such as Pagan and Earth, as well as throughout the realm's somewhat separate pirate culture. It is uncertain if the curved edge to these swords gives them any benefit over a standard short sword in battle, although those who make use of them certainly don't seem at a disadvantage in combat.

Obsidian Swords
The Nahuatla of Eodon, much like their Nahua cousins on Earth, made use of club-like swords whose edges are lined with volcanic glass to give them a cutting edge. These obsidian swords, similar to the Aztec maquahuih, were amongst the more refined pieces of martial technology in the valley, and could be purchased from the weaponsmith Atlipacta for three emeralds each.

Decorative Swords
Given the prominence of the sword as an icon of war, adventure and heroism, many blades have been worked with features designed to be purely aesthetic, such as custom metalwork,  serpentine blade patterns,  jeweled embellishments, or the use of  precious metals. Such additions, of course, being artistic in nature seldom do much to add to a sword's efficiency in battle, and at time, may even prove a hindrance to a weapon's functionality.

Ceremonial Swords
Swords are prevalent in symbolism, and some swords have taken on a ceremonial function, such as the iconic Caliburn which stood for a time as a living emblem of Justice; or the Ophidian sword which was used in the ritualistic slaughter of the Great Earth Serpent's statue upon Sunrise Isle. Such blades' power lies not only in their strength in battle, but also in their value as ritual or symbolic items.

Magic Swords
There are innumerable swords which have been enchanted to increase their potency or accuracy in battle, or which have been magically enhanced to some other effect. Such swords may have a wide range of effects, ranging from a slight edge in combat to the ability to strike foes dead with spectral fire.

Swords in Symbolism
Being amongst the most iconic weapons of war, swords often have come to stand as symbols of virility and masculine power. This archtypal image of the sword as a source of strength played into the Avatar's dreams on the distant world of Mars - where the hero would often envision swords as a manifestation of desires to attain physical prowess. Sigmund Freud, who numbered among the explorers of the red planet, would explain to the hero that to reach toward these swords would be indicative of their achievement of greater strength.

Trivia

 * In Ultima II, an Agility of 29 was required to wield a sword.