Star Dragon Sword

From Gensopedia

The Star Dragon Sword (星辰剣, Zodiac Sword) is a weapon and physical incarnation of the Night Rune appearing in Suikoden I, Suikoden II and Suikoden III. A cocky being who transformed into a sword following severing its bonds with the Sun Rune, the sword was wielded by Viktor for a while before being given to Edge.

Biography

Despite its sword-like appearance, the Star Dragon Sword is actually one of the 27 True Runes. It was born into the world with its existence heavily intertwined with the Sun Rune; the two held a strong bond given their respective natures of controlling darkness and light. However, the Night Rune grew annoyed by the dazzling brilliance of the Sun Rune; rather than stay in tandem with it, the Night Rune severed its bonds, transforming itself into sword, and went off on its own.

The severed tie between the two runes birthed the Dawn and Twilight Runes; these runes remained with the Sun Rune, to act as guardians.

Unlike most runes, and even amongst True Runes, the Star Dragon Sword is unique for its abilities. It is the only True Rune known to have a personality or to be able to converse with those around it verbally. This is often not held as a prized quality to its owners, however, due to its somewhat arrogant and brash nature.

During its time as a sword, it has become known as a legend, thanks to its effectiveness against vampires such as Aegia and Neclord. During the Toran Liberation War, Viktor awoke the sword from a long nap in order to use it against Neclord; the sword worked perfectly, destroying what was thought to have been the original Neclord. However, during the Dunan Unification War it was revealed this was a double, as the real Neclord appeared in Tinto during this time. Viktor, who had stashed the sword in the Cave of the Wind following the end of the Toran Liberation War, retrieved it, and with the help of Kahn Marley and Sierra Mikain, was able to finish off the vampire for good.

Following this, Viktor carried the sword with him as he departed to the Grasslands. There, he ran into a young boy named Edge who desired to hunt a vampire, and gave the sword to him in order to help slay it. To Edge's surprise and deep honour, however, Viktor allowed him to keep the sword even after the vampire had been dispatched; this suited the Star Dragon Sword, who found Edge's more patient temperament preferable to Viktor's violent one.

As of SY 475, Edge was still in possession of the Star Dragon Sword, and was said to be heading to the Southlands in order to battle another vampire there.

Gameplay Information

Star Dragon Sword
Suikoden II
Picture	HP	Level	Encountered
	2,500	32	Cave of the Wind
Drop	Potch	Bribe	Characteristics
N/A	0	No	Immune to Darkness, Death, Poison and Sleep

Trivia

• The Star Dragon Sword's name would be more properly translated as the Zodiac Sword. The reason it is known as the Star Dragon Sword is because when Konami translated Suikoden I into English, they translated each Kanji directly, thus 星辰剣 became Star (星) Dragon (辰) Sword(剣) instead of its true meaning, which would have been 'Zodiac Sword'. As such, Zodiac Sword remains a popular way to refer to it within the fan community.
• When fighting against it in the Cave of the Wind, it uses three moves against your party: a flying thrust through the middle column, and two large magical attacks against your whole party... one lightning-based, and the other darkness-based (resembles Black Shadow of the Soul Eater Rune).
• Zerase claims to be a "daughter" of the Night Rune. What exactly this means or entails remains a complete mystery, as much as Zerase is herself. Although her appearance being shrouded in black and bearing a unique rune, the Star Rune, holds some significance to her claim. Is there an order out there somewhere called "The Daughters of the Night Rune?"