Need

A magical sword that can only be used by women, and never in violence against women. It is "called" by "Woman's Need... as Woman's Need made [it] Her Need will [it] answer as [its] maker bade [it]." It intervenes in the lives of many characters in the Valdemar world (including Kethry, Kerowyn, and Princess Elspeth).
Among its talents, it is capable of healing all wounds (up to death-dealing ones), protecting its bearer from all magical harm, and imbuing its bearer with expert-level skill in fighting. However, as a price for this, it exerts tremendous "pull" over those who carry it, and often forces the bearer to jump into battles she would otherwise find healthy to avoid.

Much isn't known about Need or its less obvious powers as it is very old.…more