Kring

DISCWORLD, THE COLOR OF MAGIC

Rincewind

Every hero would cringe in fear whenever Kring is mentioned. It is said to be made from a thunderbolt and enchanted with sorcery. Kring might be a powerful sword — if it did not talk so much. It also refuses to be sheathed.

Many of Kring's conversations involve its relationships over the past few centuries. It also likes to show off the gemstones on its body, and would not hesitate to talk about its dreams — which were ironically about settling down in the quiet countryside as a plowshare. Worst of all, it likes to sing.

Indeed, Kring never fails to drive people up the wall. Many warriors regretted picking up the sword. Some of them accepted their miserable fate — much like an unhappy marriage. Others though, sought to get rid of Kring by dumping it into water. Unfortunately, the sword always resurfaces after some time, ready to seek out another victim. Pasha the Redundant, the Archmandrite of B’ltuni, and Hrun the Barbarian are some of its casualties.  

Hrun the Barbarian is probably the only person who is unaffected by Kring’s failed attempts to create talk. Although he is considered a hero, he is also too thickheaded to understand anything besides fighting. One day, he was exploring a temple when he encountered Rincewind the Wizard and Twoflower, an insurance salesman. Unfortunately, Kring’s loud voice woke the monster slumbering in the temple. The three of them were able to defeat it with help from Twoflower’s magical creatures. Thereafter, they became companions, and traveled together.

The Color of Magic

Hrun and Twoflower were later captured by dragon-riders. Consequently, Rincewind was left with Kring, much to his dismay. The sword did have its uses. Rincewind was able to use it to defeat the dragon-riders and rescue his friends. After the ordeal, Kring is lost in the Circle Sea — much to everyone's relief.  

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