Kenkul
Khalrukan Kenkul are elongated, elegant weapons resembling the fusion of a glaive-like polearm with a spear, though the bladed end may vary from sword-like (glaive) to axe-like (halberd) based upon the owner’s preference. Kenjul are forged from Windreed - a flexible yet sturdy plant that grows on high altitude, sheer cliff faces, which is hardened through a special treatment and curing process. The resultant blade is sharp and durable, with an intricate feather-like texture when examined up close. The haft is made of dark, polished wood, often tapering to a point at the base. Dangling from the weapon are ribbons or cords woven from the feathers of the wielder's ancestors, which often catch the wind creating a haunting whistling sound when swung.
Khalruka reserve more honor and respect for Kenkul than any other weapon. When a Khalrukan Vethrain forges their Kenkul, it is a sacred moment, a formal rite of passage from youth to adulthood, and is accompanied by a ritualized ceremony in which the forge and surrounding area are meticulously purified to ward off malevolent ancestral spirits and ensure the weapon is imbued with positive energies.
Once forged, the Kenkul undergoes rigorous testing to prove its sharpness, balance, and effectiveness. Traditionally, the weapon is tested on the bodies of executed criminals or slaves, reducing them to pieces to demonstrate the blade’s efficiency. Gentler tests, such as slicing through floating flower petals or delicate sheets of paper, are also performed to measure precision and craftsmanship. It is considered a grave insult to touch a Kenkul without the owner's explicit permission, as the weapon is deeply personal and sacred.
In a friend's home, a Vethrain leaves his Kenkul in an upper hall on a weapon rack. At a stranger's home, a Vethrain lays his Kenkul beside him. If he goes to another room, or even another part of the same room, he takes his Kenkul with him. If the guest places the weapon on his right side, it means he distrusts his host or the host should distrust him. Placing it on his left side means he feels some trust for the host. It is impolite for a Kenkul to be lain down with its hilt facing the host, since this implies the host is too unskilled to be any danger to the guest.
Khalruka reserve more honor and respect for Kenkul than any other weapon. When a Khalrukan Vethrain forges their Kenkul, it is a sacred moment, a formal rite of passage from youth to adulthood, and is accompanied by a ritualized ceremony in which the forge and surrounding area are meticulously purified to ward off malevolent ancestral spirits and ensure the weapon is imbued with positive energies.
Once forged, the Kenkul undergoes rigorous testing to prove its sharpness, balance, and effectiveness. Traditionally, the weapon is tested on the bodies of executed criminals or slaves, reducing them to pieces to demonstrate the blade’s efficiency. Gentler tests, such as slicing through floating flower petals or delicate sheets of paper, are also performed to measure precision and craftsmanship. It is considered a grave insult to touch a Kenkul without the owner's explicit permission, as the weapon is deeply personal and sacred.
In a friend's home, a Vethrain leaves his Kenkul in an upper hall on a weapon rack. At a stranger's home, a Vethrain lays his Kenkul beside him. If he goes to another room, or even another part of the same room, he takes his Kenkul with him. If the guest places the weapon on his right side, it means he distrusts his host or the host should distrust him. Placing it on his left side means he feels some trust for the host. It is impolite for a Kenkul to be lain down with its hilt facing the host, since this implies the host is too unskilled to be any danger to the guest.
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