Skofnung was a magical Viking sword, earlier owned by prince Gellir. In modern times it was wielded by Randolph and was used to free the god Loki. It is meant to be handled with the Skofnung Stone.
History
Skofnung was forged in ancient times by King Hrolf, who sacrificed the souls of his twelve berserker followers to instill it with magic. It was stolen from the king's grave by a man named Eid. At one point, Eid lent it to another named Thorkel. Thorkel had forgotten to return the weapon, so when he perished in a shipwreck his son Gellir discovered the sword in the shores of Iceland. Skofnung was used by Gellir in various battles before it was buried with him and his berserkers for safekeeping.
Appearance
The Skofnung is a double-edged blade kept in a sheath. It is made of cold, gray iron, with runes on its central ridge that glow multiple shades of blue, from permafrost to vein blood. When wielded, wisps of ice cold vapor twist from its edges, and it continually radiates a frigid darkness.
Use
The Skofnung sword is incredibly powerful but also cursed, as it is fueled by the twelve berserkers' souls. Because of the danger Skofnung possesses, it is considered that it is better left unused, but on the occasions it is wielded it proves to be deadly.
Considered famous among Vikings, Skofnung's blade is enchanted to be sharp enough to cut through anything. The wounds it leaves cannot be healed by anything other than its matching stone, which cannot be stolen. Due to this, many of its victims simply bleed forever or until they die. Its keen edge also has the ability to cut through otherwise unbreakable binds, such the ones restraining the god Loki.
Despite its powers, it must meet a certain amount of conditions. For an example, the sword cannot be drawn in the presence of women, though it does not apply if they are unconscious. It cannot be used in direct daylight and can only be wielded by those who are descendants of Swedish nobility. Lastly, the sword cannot be put back in its sheath until it tasted a person's blood. Violation of these rules leads to the destruction of the sword along with the person using it.
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
The Hammer of Thor
Hundreds of years later after its creation, Skofnung was found in an underground chamber in Provincetown by Magnus, along with Samirah, Hearthstone, and Blitzen. Expecting to find Thor's hammer, the group defeated the draugr guarding it. However, they realize they had only succeeded in freeing Skofnung for Loki. While Loki failed to take it for himself he had Randolph fatally wound the dwarf Blitz with it.
Later on, the Skofnung is made a part of Loki's deal at Samirah's wedding, along with Mjolnir. During the official ceremony Loki convinces Randolph Chase to use the sword and its matching stone to cut his binds. Unfortunately, the law of the sword was violated when Randolph drew it in the presence of Samirah, Alex, Thrynga and Sigyn. This aggravates the souls in the sword, who attack Randolph with a high-pitched shriek as he frees Loki. Ultimately, the weapon dissolves completely alongside his body.
Trivia
- The Skofnung Stone is used alongside the sword, its purpose to sharpen its blade and prevent it from dulling.
- According to Jack, the sword is a female. He considers Skofnung to be attractive.
- The kenning of the Skofnung Sword is Blood River.
- The sword bears similarities to another mythological Viking sword, the Dáinsleif, also notorious for demanding one to be killed before being sheathed and causing wounds that never heal.