Swordsman of Lost Terra

Name: Swordsman of Lost Terra
Author: Poul Anderson

The story takes place on a planet where the native inhabitants have been wiped out and replaced by humans who are struggling to survive in a harsh environment. The protagonist is a swordsman who has lost his memory and must navigate this unforgiving world while trying to regain his past. As he travels, he encounters various factions vying for power and resources, including a group of rebels fighting against the ruling elite. The swordsman becomes embroiled in their struggle and must use his skills to help them achieve their goals. Throughout the story, the protagonist's memories begin to return, revealing a complex past that is intertwined with the fate of the planet. He discovers that he was once a member of an elite group tasked with protecting the native inhabitants from human colonizers, but ultimately failed in his mission. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and redemption as the swordsman grapples with his past mistakes and works to make amends.

By Poul Anderson · First published 1967 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 9 chapters · 22,736 words

First lines

The third book of the Story of the Men of Killorn. How Red Bram fought the Ganasthi from the lands of darkness, and Kery son of Rhiach was angered, and the pipe of the gods spoke once more.

Now it must be told of those who fared forth south under Bram the Red. This was the smallest of the parties that left Killorn, being from three clans only -- Broina, Dagh, and Heorran. That made some thousand warriors, mostly men with some women archers and slingers. But the pipe of the gods had always been with Clan Broina, and so it followed the Broina on this trek. He was Rhiach son of Glyndwyrr, and his son was Kery.

What this Textopian page supports

Swordsman of Lost Terra is listed on Textopian as a novel by Poul Anderson, dated 1967 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Poul Anderson
Date: 1967 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery, Action
Length: 22,736 words
Structure: 9 chapters, 465 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Swordsman of Lost Terra by Poul Anderson
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Science Fiction — The narrative explores advanced technology, alien civilizations, and speculative futures.
Fantasy — Elements of magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests are integral to the plot.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with peril and exploration.
Sword and Sorcery — Focus on heroic characters, swordplay, and magical elements in a fantastical setting.