The Kris

The Kris is a short, wavy blade that is often carried by respected officers all over Quarasia, and is considered a status symbol among nobles and royalty. It is forged through a process of repeatedly folding layers of iron and steel in intricate patterns, that takes much time and skill.

Warriors armed with a kris would use the short, agile blade by quickly whipping it back and forth, occasionally darting forward and using the wavy blade to inflict ragged, painful wounds upon the enemy. The Kris is also designed to be the perfect medium for magical energy, and spellcasters can use it to give form to their spells to devastating effect.

Manufacturing process

The iron and steel is heated to the point of being malleable, but not melted. Each ingot is then hammered out into strips the length of the blade, and the beginnings of the wave are created by hammering around metal pins inserted into dedicated holes in the anvil. Paste is applied to each of the waved strips and the strips are quenched, resulting in long strips of metal with a slightly wavy shape and more flexible spines than edges. After that, the strips are heated again, and placed atop each other in order to be molded into a single blade. The strips are folded and flattened multiple times, developing strength as well as creating the wavy pattern on the place. During the folding process, magically energy and form is imbued into the blade by engraving runes into the blade. As the blade is folded over and over, the runes become part of the blade, giving it power and creating a conduit for spiritual and magical energy. Spellcasters enchant the blade as it as form, giving it enhanced strength, durability, and agility. Finally, the blade is quenched, then sharpened. The blade is attached to the handle, and the Kris has been forged.

Significance

The Kris is an honored historical weapon in Quarasia. Ceremonial kris swords, slim and ornamented with gold and gems, are a common feature among the dwellings of Quarasia’s elite. However, the original Kris was a weapon of war, and some few still know the techniques of fighting with a real, non-ceremonial Kris. The Imperial Guard of Quarez are armed with a Kris, and among Coul and New Moquiera officers often wear them as a status symbol.

Item type

Weapon, Melee

Related ethnicities

• Quarezi
• Shoas Pranan

Owning Organization

Imperial Guard of Quarez

Rarity

Used by many commanders among Quarez, but still a uncommon sight, while it is much rarer in modern Coul and New Moqueira. The blade wouldn't even be recognized outside of Quarasia.

Weight

2 Pounds

Dimensions

36 inches long, 2.5 inches wide.

Base Price

A war Kris could range from 100-300 GP depending on its quality, while cerimonial Kris are typically well over 800 GP.

Raw materials & Components

2 ingots of steel and 1 of iron are used to forge the blade. The steel must be as pure as possible, and should have an optimal carbon ratio. The handle is usually carved of wood, sometimes with iron or steel needed to reinforce it.

Tools

A high temperature forge is needed to heat the metal to the required temperature. A sturdy anvil and hammer is needed to flatten the metal repeatedly, and specialized calipers are used to fold the metal around pins in order to create the wavy shape. Finally, a grindstone is needed to sharpen the blade, and a carving knife to make the handle.