Ascalon

Ascalon is a giant sword, given to Acqua of the Back by the Astrological Surgery Brigade. It is based of the legend of the holy sword wielded by St. George to slay a dragon.

Appearance
Ascalon is about 3.5m long. Inscribed on the side of the sword is its name and the coat of arms of Acqua of the Back.

The sword has various portions of varying thickness and angles, with sections of the blade resembling an axe, a razor and saw, with spikes and a wire positioned on it.

Principles
Ascalon was created based around what weapon would be required to slay the 50 foot long dragon from the legend of St. George, using just that weapon. Though certain writers described the sword in the legend as a one-handed falchion, when such a weapon was actually constructed, the result was a giant sword 3.5m long and weighing 200kg.

The sword possesses various traits which are designed to allow it to be used in different ways, meant to cut through the different parts of the dragon. Magical power is supplied to the section of Ascalon which is to be used and the shine of the blade changes colour depending on which function is being used :
 * Red: A thick axe-like blade, meant to cleave the dragon's sinews.
 * Blue: A thin razor-like blade, meant to cut away the dragon's fat.
 * Green: A church-key spike in the blade, meant to tear the dragon's scale off. (can-opener-5)
 * Yellow: A fretsaw wire nestled on the blade, meant to disembowel the dragon. (Coping saw-like wire-5)
 * Purple: A giant saw on the back of the blade, meant to sever the dragon's bones.
 * Pink: A hook spike attached to the pommel, meant to pull out the dragon's fangs.
 * White: A close-combat spike near the grip, meant to gouge out the dragon's nerves.

Imbedded within the giant sword's grip is a hidden, smaller sword, about 1m long. This sword can release it's blade on a thin wire connected to the grip, which can be extended and retracted. A small clasp mechanism is located on the grip to secure the blade. A giant mace can also be produced from the wire.

Background
Ascalon was created at the end of the 16th century by an artist who based it on the sword used by St. George and was created around the idea of working out what exactly would be needed to slay the dragon from the legend if it actually existed.

Sometime afterwards, the weapon ended up in the possession of a member of the Astrological Surgery Brigade.