The Riddle of Steel (in Contests)


AdminQBGentlemanLoser [{END}] May 5 2010 2:45 PM EDT

Fire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts. [Points to sword] This you can trust.

He is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, "What is the riddle of steel?" If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me. That's Crom, strong on his mountain!

Conan: The riddle... of steel. Thulsa Doom: Yes! You know what it is, don't you boy? Shall I tell you? It's the least I can do. Steel isn't strong, boy, flesh is stronger! Look around you. There, on the rocks; a beautiful girl. Come to me, my child... [coaxes the girl to jump to her death] Thulsa Doom: That is strength, boy! That is power! What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength in your body, the desire in your heart, I gave you this! Such a waste. Contemplate this on the tree of woe. Crucify him!

:D

The contest. To provide the best answer to the Riddle of Steel!

Prize is: A Blade of Thuringwethil [73x1] (+0) 8,207

Winner will be decided from the results of a community Poll, I might have to sequester some judges to shortlist, if I get a few entries!

Will last until interest fades.

No entry fee, post as many times as you want!


Don't make me cast you out and laugh at you! :P

Zippy May 5 2010 2:50 PM EDT

Is said steel stainless?

If not steel will very much rust after battle from all the scrapes and knicks and when left in the elements.

Chucktilla May 5 2010 2:55 PM EDT

Benchmade=perfection.

{DF}malS 'lo emaS [Demon Forging] May 5 2010 4:15 PM EDT

the riddle of the steel is that without the deadlier hand to wield the deadly weapon what good is the weapon but for nothing ?

idk just a stab at it i spose

[Redneck RV] Truc May 6 2010 3:43 AM EDT

The true strength of steel is in the hand that wields it.

{WW]Nayab [Cult of the Valaraukar] May 6 2010 3:48 AM EDT

What you wield means little if you know not how to wield it.

AdminNightStrike May 6 2010 9:43 AM EDT

This is kind of a weird contest. Thulsa already gave the answer directly in your quoted text (it wasn't even hidden... It's everything after "Shall I tell you? It's the least I can do.") So, the only thing I can think maybe you are trying to reference is the Riddle of Steel RPG that's based on this scene.

AdminQBGentlemanLoser [{END}] May 6 2010 10:12 AM EDT

I want people's personal takes on the Riddle of Steel. ;)

There own opinions and ideas.

Can't let Thulsa have all the fun!

AdminNightStrike May 6 2010 10:47 AM EDT

Oh.. next time, say so :P

Chucktilla May 6 2010 1:57 PM EDT

"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women."

This post has nothing to do with the riddle of steel. Sue me for reminiscing. ;)

{Wookie}-Jir.Vr- May 6 2010 2:51 PM EDT

I still can't stop laughing every time I watch Conan punch the horse. I don't even remember which movie it happens in, but it's so funny to me, he's like BAM... I don't know, maybe I'm strange.

Jasper May 6 2010 6:57 PM EDT

The answer to the riddle of steel is the will to use it.

Just as Steel can bend without breaking, Conan arose from slavery without breaking; with his will intact. Thulsa Doom destroyed the girl by will alone as an example.

AdminQBGentlemanLoser [{END}] May 10 2010 3:12 AM EDT

Subtle bump by adding;

The answer doesn't have to be Conan related.

If you die and stand before Crom, what would *your* answer be?

Admindudemus [jabberwocky] May 10 2010 11:09 AM EDT

the power to create is often seen as god-like. without man's wisdom & brawn, we would be left with iron or ore.

wilo May 10 2010 12:32 PM EDT

the mind...its all about the will...but this isn't a question, ur own copied text reveiled it all (as gods tend to do when they bother to say something). you just looking for a reason to give away weapons? cuz this rlly wasn't a riddle

AdminQBGentlemanLoser [{END}] May 10 2010 12:48 PM EDT

As for everyone refering back to Thulsa, he got it wrong. ;)

Anyway, keep them coming!

AdminLamuness May 10 2010 12:55 PM EDT

Steel bears the will of the wielder. An extension of the flesh.

pariah May 12 2010 8:36 AM EDT

Steel is earth, air, fire, and water compacted and hardened by time.

AdminQBGentlemanLoser [{END}] May 14 2010 1:08 PM EDT

Getting some more nice one's in. ;)

No more? Come on folk! :P

AdminQBGentlemanLoser [{END}] May 25 2010 3:18 AM EDT

Well it looks like nominations in the Poll have dried up, and Jasper is in the lead!

Congratualtions!

It was such a close run contest between him and Truc, and at one point I tohught it would be a draw, so I'm going to send a BoTH to truc as well.

Enjoy!

Jasper May 25 2010 11:07 AM EDT

Thanks!

I came up with another way to put it: Steel can cleave flesh, but flesh gives strength to the blade. Will is greater than both.

A fun and interesting riddle, Thanks again!
This thread is closed to new posts. However, you are welcome to reference it from a new thread; link this with the html <a href="/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0032zO">The Riddle of Steel</a>