Follow the trend or be left a fool
All around the room, he could see them, people of wealth and high status, dancing and drinking the night away. A huge ballroom of fools that were completely self-absorbed with showing off their own wealth. This ceremonial dagger trend had hit its zenith, everyone had one. Strapped to their hips, extravagant and overpriced. Dressed in garish and jewel-encrusted sheaths and fine ropes made of exotic materials.
The Baïzair rulers would be disgusted at the bastardization of their well-respected practice. One used to garner peace. What he saw here was just a stuck up bunch of fools following the latest fashion trend. He looked down at his own dagger and sighed, a must he thought. Better to fit in with this bunch than being cast away as uncouth. The ears of the rich and well-known were much more useful than the pockets of the poor. At least at this moment they were. And he had a lot of work to do.
What is it?
A sheathed and rope wrapped dagger, usually of high-quality, strapped to the side of the hip or to the front of the waist. It is traditionally worn to symbolize the peaceful interaction between two or more parties. An ancient practice originating from the far off kingdom of Baïzair, it has become a popular trend in Heldrin over the last few years.
The trend is common only amongst the rich and noble of the country due to the related and often exorbitant cost. It is an absolute must for any well-to-do gathering, gala, or ball. Many within this selection of society spend an obscene amount of time and money on this fashionable accessory.
It is no more than the most current of high fashion trend and most do not realize the cultural significance of the gaudy daggers they wear around their waists. With only a few in Heldrin cultured enough to understand the true cultural significance
Cost and Purpose
To properly achieve this look, one's dagger must be one that is worth at least a dozen or more gold coin. Far more expensive than the average dagger, which goes for as a little as two gold coins, which still fetches a dagger of fine quality. This dagger is then placed in an often customized sheath of similar or higher value, which is then tied tightly shut using a thin rope. This beautifully adorned dagger is then strapped to the side of the hip or front of the waist of the wearer.
The purpose of the original Baïzair tradition was to show good faith and peace, the wealthy of Heldrin are widely unaware of this fact. Any typically only practice this tradition in their attempts to show off their wealth and engage in whatever is the current fashion of the elite. The wealthiest spend hundreds of gold coins on exceedingly expensive daggers, sheaths, and ropes. With the daggers and sheaths encrusted with jewels and precious metals. Even the rope ties are often made of high-quality materials like silk or some exotic material from the other side of the world.
Origin
The practice was adopted after King Thadeus Telvour the VIII visited the rulers of Baïzair where this tradition is practiced and originated from. Several of those in the king's party brought home ceremonial daggers and stories of this practice, the wealthy found it delightful and decided to adopt it as their newest fashion trend.
In Baïzair the practice is conducted between the leaders and soldiers of warring groups when sitting down to discuss terms, it is a physical representation of a cessation of violence for the purposes of peaceful resolution.
The rulers of Baïzair would likely not be very pleased with the bastardization of a well-respected tradition. It is yet to be seen how they will respond upon learning of the trend. No visits to Heldrin by these rulers is currently planned, though the king and his council continue to discuss solutions just in case. They hope the trend will end before action must be taken.
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