Companion Sword

A Companion is what Harnothi-speaking Kiri call their personal swords. Mihurite refer to their short blades as companions, as in company to their lances and polearms: Kiri see the warriors themselves as weapons, and so the steel blade is companion to the living arm. These arms are most often very well-made steel swords, curved and to be wielded with both hands-- the swords are many, yet precious, as they are considered the crystallized forms of both martial prowess, and the skill of yon smiths to have built them.

Vaerg'varan captains (commanders of 180 men, or an artillery battery) are commonly seen ready upon having a Companion forged. The Academy in Khórr lands creates hardened, educated soldiers, who possess the means and the spirit to bring home victory, or die trying. These men are forbidden to duel for position, unless it is in the ring. Companions must clash-- blood must be shed in order for the best to lead. Thus, the poorer man must not fall for having inferior arms. Vaerg'vara Academy sees to the chances of all. A noble scion is more likely to lead, true; he or she is trained often since birth, and very motivated, living for warfare. Yet the attitude of equality lives in the Companions. Equality, as a chessman: all are knights in this game, and no single king with their pawns will defeat such a force, a nation of warriors-- a marching nation, as the saying goes.
Tvbéran Companions are usually made in Vaerg'vara. However, Tigers tend to have their own types of sword, which often wield traditional, straight and broad, or maybe sabre-like dual bladed fencing swords. Or even in 7-600 maces and axes. The City Fathers often possess expensive and rare blades, and at times disrespect them to the horror of Issqar. Duke Harkgan was furious upon the Mayor ordering 500 blades for the Tigers which had been let in the City for the first time as a garrison, as the mass production would surely lead into inferior arms and exhausted smiths. He was, as usually, quite right, and laws were passed by the Dukedom to limit most craftsmen into Ducal service, and later the Kiri Imperial Seat to limit production and make the smithy 'hallowed' in that it was 'inspired' meaning the Fathers' Spirits watch over the place, and the few remaining smiths are extension to their influence this side the Sleep.
Raq'huemean warriors had gained incredible amounts of loot by 7-00s; these included thousands of Companions, which were at times repurposed for either fighting cavalry, or as cavalry. A typical Raq'huemei warrior would wield a large blade and thickly padded armor. The very largest Companions, thus, were at times found in Raq'huemea. At times outright criminal hands gained these weapons: there were Blacks to have turned into bandits who wielded blood-soaked arms. Tar-Arhükk Malmüth was known to carry such a blood-soaked weapons, meaning weapons which do not only bleed, but drink blood. His arm whilst champion mounted was a great Companion called Kahlnmiha. The blade was massive, and very old. The Behemoth kept the arm well, but was rumored to have deleted the original markings on the blade to remove from existence the original owners, and smith's mark on the world. Other than his great poleaxe, Hatred's Prayer, this single sword likely ended more lives in terror and excruciating pain than any other non-artillery piece in history up to that point.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Simple curved steel sword, well made and smitten with expertise. Some units have a pommel guard, others a longer hilt. Some are more straight; these are called Gloomies, as they possess lesser or no curved 'smile' and are usually older pieces, which would be used in half-swording and more traditional fencing styles.

Manufacturing process

Upon an order being placed, the smith takes a look at the customer: a Wolfpack Captain? His arms will be soaked. This is taken into account. Tiger? He will have to punch through armor. Vaerg'varan captain? He is to duel his peers for position and honour, so a fencing blade is best. Short discussions are held to take into account matters such as visible heraldry and symbols which are to be present in the blade, hilt or pommel-- a times, the pommel serves as a signet. Metal is brought from Khaerlemmen, or Rämenara and inspected thoroughly to find imperfections. At times lesser ones will be ignored, war-time or when the customer is not interested in a weapon, but a symbol, as well as to cut the costs. Metal is smelted; traditional forges in Vaerg'vara possess master smelters who often learn their crafts partly from druidic sources, self-learning and academic process: the metal is formed into snake-shaped bars, and transported to the smith. He, in turn, creates the blade in a manner of some weeks, perhaps months. He sleeps little; he eats as he works, and considers carefully the build and if an inspiration takes him, and considers also carefully the measurements of the one to wield the blade. At times, the smith has plaster models of the wielder to be, his or her hands and arms.

Significance

The Houseland sword of choice for war, especially for Issqara. The blades are extremely well balanced, sharp and able to cut and pierce armor and flesh both. Companions are seen as a wife away from home for men who wield them, and do not part with them. It is considered extremely important for a young man or woman to receive a Companion sword as a gift; it is, however, considered odd to gift to a more mature person, as the symbolism has to do with maturing and finding a place for oneself. However, if one has had the original blade destroyed or heaven forbid lost, it is acceptable to gift, especially by a commander or father.

Item type

Weapon, Melee

Related ethnicities

• Kiri of the Orient

Rarity

Somewhat common for soldiers: Companions are most often found in the possession of professional soldiers, or dueling warriors such as Tigers or Wolves. They are only standard issue for Academy trained captains who number in roughly 1 000 in 7-600: however, pieces remain in private collections, armories and even art-compendiums. Smiths at times create loose versions in order to display their skill.

Weight

c.a. 2.5kg for a dueling blade.

Dimensions

Smaller than a two-hander, larger than a dueling sabre

Base Price

Fairly cheap: Vaerg'varan officers have bespoke blades made for 80 silver pieces of 8.

Raw materials & Components

Blade, hilt, guard all are made according to time and customer's needs. Some men are stronger; these may often wield a Companion with one hand. Female warriors may prefer a solid two-handed grip with no guard. Some prefer solid steel, with no leather finery and an extremely sturdy, heavy make. Others venture into more Taergaledian make, which nets a weapon lighter and more agile.
All in all, materials vary: what is required, deep down, is exceptional steel. Duke of Issqar, as well as his Captain-General usually carry a Qum-lined blade as a symbol of their officer.

Tools

Well equipped smithy is required; Companions are smelted, forged and polished, as well as decorated and marked in the presence of the master smith. Vaerg'varan forges are considered the best, as their craftsmen. Issqarans often work abroad; these sometimes return, and bring back to Kiri-ara their newly found foreign techniques and methods. They are quickly absorbed, if useful. At times traditionalists find much to fault in even good techniques-- for example, the original Imperial design of the 'smiling' curved blade was, ironically enough, at first resisted in the 5-600s for being foreign and odd.