Mortal Sword

"The Mortal Sword. Other than its ability to summon the Ishim, which those weirdo already forgot centuries ago, this is nothing more than an over-glorified lie detection."

- David Gramarye regarding the Mortal Sword

Maellartach, also known as the Mortal Sword or the Sword of Truth, is the second of the Mortal Instruments created by the first Shadowhunters, with it being under the direct protection of Abigail Alicante.

It is an artifact of immense importance to the Shadowhunters, being a great part of their culture and history.

Summary
The Mortal Sword was created by Abigail Alicante with the rarest of adamas cores using an intricate thaumaturgical and alchemical system that had reached the territory of the gods. This resulted in the accidental creation of the first Artificial Sacred Gear, much to the envy and admiration of the Cadre Azazel.

In August 20XX, Clary Fray saw the sword when she came to the Silent City. Some weeks after, it was stolen by Valentine Morgenstern in his attack of the Silent City with the help of Aelios Agramon, the evening before Jace's trial by the sword. Valentine stole it for the Ritual of Infernal Conversion, which he was able to successfully perform, allowing him to build an army of demonic creatures to summon weeks later at Idris. He also used the sword to kill Jace and summon Raziel.

In September 20XX, the sword was used to question Annabel Blackthorn, who subsequently used it to kill Robert Lightwood and Livvy Blackthorn. It was shattered when Emma struck it with the False Cortana. Emma and Julian later acquired a version of the sword from Thule, claiming that the Iron Sisters had repaired it and used it to force Horace Dearborn to tell the truth about his involvement with the Unseelie Court and his schemes to gain the position of Consul.

Appearance
The Mortal Sword is kept by the Silent Brothers in the Silent City, hung on the wall above the Speaking Stars in the Silent Brothers' council chamber.

The sword is an enormous silver sword, shaped like a typical arming sword from the Middle Ages. It has a straight double-edged blade and a one-handed hilt, made out of pure adamas, with an elaborate design of outspread wings, emerging from the point where blade meets handle.

The sword is agonizing to bear. Its weight and coldness give the holder a tingling sensation, as if hooks embed their hands onto their swords, contributes to the mental pain truth compulsion it triggers - metaphorically pulling the truth out of someone.

Abilities
The Mortal Sword is primarily used to compel Shadowhunters to tell the truth, mostly during trials. Those who wish to have their claims tested and proved may submit themselves to "trial by the Sword," during which a suitable judge, often a Silent Brother, sometimes the Consul or Inquisitor, wields the sword and places it in the hands of the deponent, where it adheres and cannot be removed until the judge wills it.

Supernatural beings and humans cannot be compelled by the sword, thus preventing the Sword from becoming used by the Shadowhunters as a general tool for interrogation.

A secret and mostly forgotten ability of the sword is the ability to summon forth the Ishim - low-leved angelic beasts - to serve and protect the wielder. Despite being known as "low-leveled", they are still much more powerful than the average Shadowhunter, often being Top-ranked Ultimate-class to Low-ranked God-class in terms of power.

The sword can also have a dark purpose, if intended. Originally, the alliance of the sword is angelic, its power drawn from the Angel Raziel himself. However, Valentine Morgenstern discovered an ancient witchcraft ritual to reverse the alliance from angelic to demonic, through a process called the Ritual of Infernal Conversion, which allow the sword to summon demons and allows its wielder to have control over them.