A marked lack of weapons left from the age of the Fallen could either suggest theirs was a society in which peace prevailed, or one in which those in power were unable to be contested. Those few weapons that do remain are found to be extremely lightweight, and nigh indestructible, but unfortunately impossible to duplicate in modern-day forges.
The bastard sword is a popular choice amongst mercenary alliances because its size—not too long, yet not too short, not too light, yet not too heavy—accommodates a variety of fighting styles, both one- and two-handed.
Taking up this frightfully bloodthirsty blade in one's hands invokes strange yet familiar images of lifelong companions who cast their lot with the flames of rebellion.
Taking up this ancient hooked longsword in one's hands invokes strange, yet familiar images of four nameless warriors who embark on a perilous journey to save their realm.
"Lingered there no warmth nor smoke. But in his light did burn both flesh and bone."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Days 2:18
Even in the hands of an untrained soldier, the broadsword can prove a deadly weapon, which is why it remains a popular choice for armies across the Twins. It also doesn't hurt that the pig iron blades are extremely simple and inexpensive to forge.
Taking up this cold, unassuming steel in one's hands invokes strange yet familiar images of friendship and rivalry, love and loss, while the notches along its blade speak of hardship immeasurable.
Coral, while razor sharp, is also painfully brittle, which is why its use in all but the most primitive of weapons is unheard of. This sword of unknown provenance, however, is possessed of a remarkable rigidity, while maintaining an edge that rivals that of Odin's blade.
Throughout history, many prominent battle strategists have declared that the best offense is a good defense. So with a name like "Defender" one might assume this blade the best of both worlds.
A cursory inspection of this hefty broadsword will reveal diamonds on neither its hilt nor its blade. So why, then, the use of the precious gemstone in its name? The answer liest in its blade, into which the dust of Fallen ruins has been hammered during its forging, rendering it nigh unbreakable—much like a diamond.
Though a savvy merchant would have you believe that through arcane magicks imbued into the sword (at high cost to the supplier), its wielder will experience enhanced strength and dexterity, in truth, it is the reduced weight and increased hardness afforded by the weapon's narrow blade of folded steel that ultimately provides the illusion of these enhancements.
"In darkness shall he ever wonder, content in her cold embrace."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Nights 3:22
Though modern-day plays such as The Adventures of Sir Crandall have taken to embellishing the tale considerably, historians do agree that long ago the nations of Valisthea were (for a short time) united under a single king and his band of loyal knights. Whether or not he was indeed crowned upon drawing a sword from a stone is a matter still up for debate.
Shadowy details of its make and provenance aside, attempting to explain why a blade so apparently blunt might be able to slice through hardened steel like a brand through butter would be like trying to explain why birds can fly or the sky is blue—an endeavor best left for bards and bookwrights.
"With a tongue of flame spake he the words of destruction."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Brin 17:10
While common on the southern continent, worship of the land itself as a deity is almost unheard of in Valisthea. That, however, has not stopped the import of fine steel blades blessed by Gaian presbyters, under the claim that they are deadlier and more durable than those forged in the Twins.
If Ragnarok was forged to mark the war of the gods, then Gotterdammerung—meaning "twilight of the gods"—was forged to mark the fall of those selfsame deities.
"And when he lifted his fists, beneath them was found naught but dust."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Barrows 7:30
"Yet deep was frost's bite, leaving her fell mark upon their skins."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Glaciers 8:12
When a Bearer dies in service of the Sanbrequois imperial army, it is more likely his sword—not his body—will be retrieved from the battlefield, that it might be provisioned to the next unwilling volunteer without additional cost to the crown.
One of a set of seven swords said to have been forged in the flames of Mt. Drustanus, Invictus has been passed down through generations for use by the Archduke's family and his closest Shields. Archduke Elwin presented Invictus to Rodney Murdoch on the day he was promoted to Lord Commander of the Ducal Army.
"From heaven on high, far did his bolt fall for to deliver justice."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Levin 4:20
If you can swear you have seen this blade somewhere before, it is probably because you have. Longswords are some of the most common weapons in the realm, so it is no surprise the hot-tempered gate guard barking at you to begone also has one strapped to his back.
The warriors of those islands situated off the far eastern coast of the southern continent are a curious lot, choosing a cloistered existence upon their lonely archipelago—seemingly content with the constant squabbling over lands within their own demesne—as opposed to setting out to claim territory anew. This is fortunate for the rest of the world, as the warriors are peerless when it comes to swordplay.
A blasphemous coupling of living flesh and synthetic bone, this relic of an age long forgotten shudders with that selfsame vital spirit that animated the Sagespire's mightiest of sentinels.
"And when he looked upon mankind's creation, he saw himself."
- Unknown
Taking up this radiant blade of gold and turquoise in one's hands invokes strange yet familiar images of four homespun youths on a journey to quench the coming darkness.
Platinum makes for a poor blade, being too soft to withstand rigorous use in battle and too expensive for the common soldier to afford. It does, however, allow for ornate designs on crossguard, hilt, and pommel, where the rare metal is most often employed.
Ancient Ashen legend purports that one day, the "Age of Dominants" will draw to a close in an epic clash of Eikons that sets the land ablaze, cleansing it of foulness and allowing for its rebirth—a clash they call Ragnarok.
Long before the Valisthean alphabet became commonplace, early tribes across the Twins used a form of lettering now known collectively as "runes." While most scholars agree that these runes were merely a crude representation of sophisticated pre-Fall writing, some religious sects believe that the symbols hold power that is unlockable only when used in a specific order—much like those inscribed on the blade of this sword.
"So spurred by her cries did wind become storm."
- Eikonomachy - Book of Gales 13:22
One of a set of seven swords said to have been forged in the flames of Mt. Drustanus, the Burning Thorn has been passed down through generations for use by the Archduke's family and his closest Shields. As it is the smallest of the seven, it will be carried by the prince Joshua until he is of an age that allows him to handle a larger weapon.
"His word was the first, so shall it be the last."
- Eikonomachy - Genesis 3:11