# Pick one handheld sf/fantasy item as your very own. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466 "2008-09-20T19:13:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/41 "2008-09-21T16:08:09Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > [sub]Was there ever a “Ring of Immunity to vener . . . er, I mean, infectious disease”?[/sub] There’s the Periapt of Health, which grants immunity to all diseases. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/42 "2008-09-21T16:30:22Z")
I’ll take a Bag of Holding. Silly, but just think of how much easier grocery shopping would be. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/43 "2008-09-21T16:42:40Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > Gimme the Babelfish! > > Fulfilling my old dream of speaking and understanding every language ever known! It only lets you understand languages, not speak them. Not that that wouldn’t be pretty useful. ---
**Author:** ![BlackNGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BlackNGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackNGold)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/44 "2008-09-21T16:58:35Z")
Ooooh, dibs on Frakir! Not that I can think of an immediate use for a semi-sentient strangling cord, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something. Plus, I’d know I was the coolest kid on the block with Frakir on my wrist. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/45 "2008-09-21T17:04:54Z")
I want the compass from Pirates of the Carribean. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/46 "2008-09-21T17:12:28Z")
I’d like Vanth Dreadstar’s sword. It gave him enhanced strength and other physical abilities, rapid healing from any wound (he didn’t age) and the ability to speak and understand any language. It also had the ability to absorb and redirect energy blasts, although I don’t encounter those on a regular basis. At one point it gave him the power of flight. Also I think it was once mentioned that it gave him the ability to “see” the flow of energy including emotional energy kind of like an empath. Icing on the cake --he didn’t have to walk around with the sword to get all the benefits. Most of the time it was absorbed into his body. Other mystical swords lack that convenience factor. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/47 "2008-09-21T17:16:39Z")
Does a daemon count? They **can** be small. I want a daemon! I want a daemon! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/48 "2008-09-21T18:27:23Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Xena’s Chakram so I can also get a hot blond girlfriend. Wouldn’t you want a hot blond STRAIGHT girlfriend? Because, being a dude, you’ll likely to find Gabrielle mostly frustrating. Also, if it’s late-series Gabby, she might just take the chakrum from you. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/49 "2008-09-21T18:29:53Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Does a daemon count? They **can** be small. I want a daemon! I want a daemon! From the His Dark Materials series? Doesn’t seem the best option, as they’re basically part of you anyway, and if you go into that world, your daemon’s likely to come out on its own anyway. Why wouldn’t you want the alethiometer or the Æsahættr? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/50 "2008-09-21T18:36:41Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > :dubious:…You already own one, don’t you? Not yet.😛 ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/51 "2008-09-21T18:38:31Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Wouldn’t you want a hot blond STRAIGHT girlfriend? > > Because, being a dude, you’ll likely to find Gabrielle mostly frustrating. Also, if it’s late-series Gabby, she might just take the chakrum from you. Gabby likes the guys, too! You’re definitely right about latter-Gabby. When she went all killing-machiney when the Romans were attacking & Xena’s back was broken, that was a turning point. ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/52 "2008-09-21T18:42:10Z")
The Witching Cloak from Fables. A teleportation device, Bag of Holding and impenetrable armor all in one. I’m sure there are other features I’ve forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/53 "2008-09-21T18:56:53Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Gabby likes the guys, too! > > You’re definitely right about latter-Gabby. When she went all killing-machiney when the Romans were attacking & Xena’s back was broken, that was a turning point. Gabby liked A guy, whom Callisto relieved of the burden of his sad and pitiful life. Then it was Xena all the way, baby. 'Cept when she cut the warrior princess off for being bitchy, which happened a lot. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/54 "2008-09-21T19:29:02Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > [QUOTE=Baker] > Ooooh, I want a Lens! Of course, only one woman ever had a Lens, but I can Mary Sue myself into one, can’t I? > > I’d better check with Arisia and Mentor first, though. No Mary Suing necessary. I can’t think of a reason a second woman couldn’t use a Lens, and, besides, you’re not staying in Mentor’s jurisdiction anyhow. [/QUOTE] There is every reason why not unless she was specifically a child of the “Children of the Lens” and then she would not need an Arisian Lens. The canon is explicit that there was only one Woman to wear a Lens. How about the Watch that stops time from [The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080792/)? That would seem to be very effective if not deemed too powerful. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/55 "2008-09-21T19:35:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > There is every reason why not unless she was specifically a child of the “Children of the Lens” and then she would not need an Arisian Lens. The canon is explicit that there was only one Woman to wear a Lens. > > How about the Watch that stops time from [The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080792/)? That would seem to be very effective if not deemed too powerful. I’ll bow to your superior knowledge of Doc what’s-his-name, as I haven’t read the lensmen books since 1988 and my god I’m old! As for the watch–I don’t think time travel = reality warping. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/56 "2008-09-21T19:41:29Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I’ll bow to your superior knowledge of Doc what’s-his-name, as I haven’t read the lensmen books since 1988 and my god I’m old! As for the watch–I don’t think time travel = reality warping. Hey, you can’t be old, I think we’re the same age. 😃 Just to clarify as I failed to, the Gold Watch in question stopped time, it did not allow for Time Travel. I think there was a decent TV show in the 70s with a Watch that did that instead. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/57 "2008-09-21T19:44:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Hey, you can’t be old, I think we’re the same age. 😃 > > Just to clarify as I failed to, the Gold Watch in question stopped time, it did not allow for Time Travel. I think there was a decent TV show in the 70s with a Watch that did that instead. If you had spent the morning with a younger friend, an even younger sister, an even younger wife, and an niece who is younger than springtime, you too would be feeling old. ---
**Author:** ![wunderkammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed8c4c/32.png) [@wunderkammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wunderkammer)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/58 "2008-09-22T03:38:56Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > From the His Dark Materials series? Doesn’t seem the best option, as they’re basically part of you anyway, and if you go into that world, your daemon’s likely to come out on its own anyway. Why wouldn’t you want the alethiometer or the Æsahættr? Well, one rips the fabric of space-time, and the other one is useless unless our world has Dust, so aren’t they out? I, myself, would love a Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/59 "2008-09-22T03:48:09Z")
"A fortune in stones, yet I would trade them all for a hand phaser, or a good, solid club… " ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466/60 "2008-09-22T03:54:09Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > From the His Dark Materials series? Doesn’t seem the best option, as they’re basically part of you anyway, and if you go into that world, your daemon’s likely to come out on its own anyway. Why wouldn’t you want the alethiometer or the Æsahættr? Pish tosh, man. You’re talking _results_ while I am talking _fuzzy awesomeness._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-one-handheld-sf-fantasy-item-as-your-very-own/464466.md?page=4)