Artblade The Artblade ( also known as the Noble Sorcerer ' s Sword , or Ary ' Faern ' Kerym in Elven ) , is one of three Elfblade s created in ancient Cormanthyr to help the elves establish a ruling family . This particular blade is used to name the Spell - Major , the Defender by Art , as he is called . The wielder of the Artblade is responsible for the upkeep of magical defenses of the realm , and command of the Akh ' Faer , the arcane arm of the military . Characteristics . The Artblade , like others of its type , shares some common characteristics with its kin ( see Elfblade ) , but also has its own special powers , described here . The blade appears as if made of darkness , and its shape is a tangible black void , outlined in a crimson streak which is the source of the blade ' s light . It cackles like lightning when drawn , and creates a sharp buzzing sound when swung , like that of an angry bee . Oddly , when the blade strikes a foe , there is no sound from the hit , despite the strength behind it . An elven rune near the pommel signifies a thing of magic . The Artblade like all of the elfblades has a bladerite , a test of character given by the blade itself . Passing the bladerite established a magical bond with the sword where the sword recognizes it ' s prospect as it ' s rightful wielder . Failing the Artblade would sever the prospect ' s connection to the Weave leaving them barren of magic for up to two decades . The blade favored arcane casters that had a selfless love for the Art and the people of Cormanthyr . The bearer could sense magic and negate other ' s . In battle the blade could be used as a weapon while still allowing the wielder to cast . The blade channeled the bearer ' s magic acting as their material focus and used the wielder ' s swing and its own buzzing to complete the casting . This also allowed the wielder to wear heavier armors without fear of hindering their casting . The blade also enchanced the wielder ' s evocation magics . Through the bond with the blade the wielder could call the blade to themselves from any location . This made the blade nearly impossible to be lost or stolen . This bond was only broken upon the death of the wielder . History . The Artblade was created by Elven High Magic alongside its mates , the Warblade and the Rulers ' Blade in - 4000 DR , at the behest of the ill Coronal of Jhyrennstar , Oacenth , who desired the magical swords to determine the rulers of the united tribes and new nation of Cormanthyr . For over four millennia , the sword served the elves well . However , in 450 DR , the Spell - Major Zaos Durothil lost the blade while battling the Red dragon Edallisufanxar . For a time , the sword was replaced by Faervian , a Baneblade , created by the human wizard Demron . In 500 DR , the elven noble and bladesinger Josidiah Starym embarked on a famous quest to retrieve the Warblade from the Twisted Tower with a band of his adventuring friends but when he returned in 674 DR he had found the Artblade instead . Josidiah bore the Artblade until his demise in 714 DR during the Weeping War and the fall of Myth Drannor , when the blade was consumed in a great magical attack by the Starym noble .