Blades of the Nine Dominus

The Nine Dominus

The relics known as the Blades of the Nine Dominus, are indeed an assortment of swords forged by the hands of no master, at least known to the mortal world. They were a gift, granted to the warlords that would follow the old Lightbringer of Ysand and become the leading families of the Golden Empire.
Their significance to the nations sworn underneath the unity can not be underestimated, as they are said to give them the divine rights to rule. Each sword harnesses an angelic essence that makes their wielder just a notch above the mortal man, to varying degrees depending on their rule.

The Nine Blades:

Debellator: A blade brought down through the bloodline of Valeria. A steel gladius radiating with a white and orange glow. This magical blade is known to shield its wielder in a holy aura of woven arcane bindings hard enough to stop bullets without cracking.
Currently wielded by the High Prince of the Valerian Principality.
Custos: A bastard sword that is unreasonably massive for an ordinary blade. To the point of absurd. It could easily shield a person's whole body, as it is not only taller than the average human, though also wider.
Somehow, this weapon is still as light as they come. It’s mere touch granting one clarity on how to handle it like a masterful artist does a pen.
Its current wielder is the last heir of Casteviedo, also known as the Flaming Griffin.
Prodromus: A long,curved and scythe-like blade that highly empowers its wielder's prowess with magics of fire and wind.
This blade used to have been brought down from the Bloodline of Valerbella, though with the tragic death of a previous commander who inherited the sword, it was lost in beastkin territory.
Avenging this grave atrocity, the Ysandrian Inquisition landed a swift and merciless blow to one of the Taurius Mesa villages. Leaving no survivors, they would eventually find the blade on the corpse of one slain beastkin warrior.
Having avenged the grandfather of the current ruler of Valerbella, he saw no reason to request the blade back from the inquisition. Rather than make demands for the heirloom to be returned, relinquishing it has formed a bond of steel between the Valerbella family, and the inquisition.
Susurri An odd blade with a unique build for the common world. Its blade is sharp like a whisper, with a small round handguard and a curved tip at the end of its single edge. There only exists one other weapon like it, held within the hands of The Shadow.
This version though is shorter, almost like an oddly tall knife. Its powers veiled in shadows, deceit and mystery. Just like the Korvino family that holds the relic.
Sagittarius An arming sword bursting with a mysterious blue gaslike flame. The one who wields this blade is gifted with agility, flexibility and an enchantment of their fire magic, which makes their spells burn with an intense blue heat. Thrice as hot as any normal fire cast. The wielder also gains a resistance towards fire, to the point they could walk through a burning building unscathed. Though lava would still grill them dead like any other mortal.
This blade is held by the Orincia family, though is regarded in Vindictan faith as the selfsame legendary sword which was once granted to Ysand from Ophalmitrus as a sign of family and friendship.
The sword hence, as a sign of good will, travels to the temple of Zeos once a year. Being used in a religious rite to worship both the Ysandrian Coven and Ophalmitrus wisdom.
Astutia A shortsword carved out of pure gold. While this blade is practically useless in melee combat, it works more like a sceptre and wand. Its ability is to weave and counter spells that are sent for its wielder. As long as they hold focus.
The sword is a relic inherited by the wealthy Petrina family. It is also said that the blade has an ability to detect gold and other metals in the earth, like some form of magnet. Although whether the claims are true or not, the Petrina family would rather keep their secrets to themselves.
Amator A beautiful scimitar inlaid with jewels and fine metals. To ever use this weapon would be a crime unto itself. No, its powers lay in the astute diplomatic skills and seductive charms that its wielders have been known to harness with enchanting magnitude.
Held by the great diplomats of the Amareus family. This artwork is a symbol of both peace, prosperity and many heartbroken women. The latter two naturally hold no correlation whatsoever.
Salvatorem A divine blade of holy origin. This sword is by far the most powerful of all the Nine Dominus blades. Able to conjure smaller armies from pure light, that serve their wielder like a hivemind of flaming, incorporeal knights.
Shaped like a zweihander. This glorious, golden light radiating blade was wielded by none other than the Lord Imperator himself. However, betrayed by an old steward of his. The Imperator of old wound up dead. The blade and the steward lost as aught remained but the grim history of that tragic day. When a noble and caring soul was murdered in cold blood. For reasons yet unknown three hundred years later.
In name and in fame, this sword still belongs to the ruling Benedict family. Should it ever be reclaimed, no shortage of wealth and glory would come to the one that liberates the heritage of the very masters of the Golden Dunes.
Sanguinis A mastercrafted zweihander, known to be second only to Salvatorem in terms of power. This blade seems to live and breathe. Being fueled by ancient blood magic, where the liquids of life seep into the essence of this sword. This blade can effectively be used, either empowered to deliver swift and brutal strikes, or to heal the wounded. The blood magic is able to replace lost essence, cleanse and close wounds and even attach missing limbs back to their owners, if caught early enough.
This sword was originally passed down through the Penumbra family, until they were found to be co-conspirators in the murder against the Imperator of yore. It was then stripped from their name. Granted to the general who bravely stood against their treason.
On legal paper, the blade belongs to the family of Solarius and the Commander of the Knights of Sol. In reality, the blade has been reclaimed by the vampiric heir of its ancient claimant. Though he never betrayed Solarius and rather looked up to the man, Luciano Penumbra would still by happenstance end up wielding his ancestors blade again.

Writing by Tonarus
Art AI generated with Midjourney

Item type

Unique Artifact