Items · Melee Weapons · Non-Magical
Bat Blades
In the North West Province, Bats are considered Evil (as they are creatures of darkness and bring disease), but are still a sign of good luck. The presence of bats around one (as many locals dig out caves or put up bat sheds) shows a Sly Dark One's Luck. (In reality, Bats eat locusts, locust pupae, and many other disruptive pests, so farmers with bats near by have better crops). The people of this province have a love hate relationship with these creatures.
Full Item Description
The Bat School of Blademaking comes from this Province. There is no one single master the blade makers are descended from, nor are the blades known to be mastered work. Yet the tradition of bladesmithing here is quite strong and all the blades are of above average quality. A scalloping (akin to a bat wing) is seen sharpening pattern along the blades.
In raw design, the blades are imperial in size and shape (Weight 3 lbs (1.5 kgs) and is 35' long (30' blade, 75 cms) - a bit thinner and shorter than an European broadsword. The handle is dark stained wood with a tiny pommel guard resembling a bottle cap. The Guard aways has a bat motif. The guard is wider than most nearly six inches (19cms) instead the standard 4' (10cms), expressing a bat wing shape. The wing is often intricately designed into the guard. The center of the guard has a bat head. Sometimes the blade is coming out of its mouth as a tongue, sometimes the bat is staring at you (with two red stone eyes), sometimes it is just there.
History
In the North West Province, Bats are considered Evil (as they are creatures of darkness and bring disease), but are still a sign of good luck. The presence of bats around one (as many locals dig out caves or put up bat sheds) shows a Sly Dark One's Luck. (In reality, Bats eat locusts, locust pupae, and many other disruptive pests, so farmers with bats near by have better crops). The people of this province have a love hate relationship with these creatures.
Magic/Cursed Properties
The blades are said to be bring A Dark One's Luck to the possessor in combat and the rest of their life. That is to say an extreme, almost unnatural luck. Given the quality of the blades, their lasting sharpness, and the extra protection given by the guard, it could explain the extra edge that Bat Blade Wielders are said to have. Bat Blades are also coveted by Gamblers and Fortune Tellers.
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- Interesting Weapons- Non-Magic by Michael Jotne Slayer Bound
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- Interesting Weapons- Non-Magic Michael Jotne Slayer linked by MoonHunter
I like these blades. I could see an adventurer finding one elsewhere and thinking it was an evil cursed blade, then maybe finding out much later what it really was.
The title popped up in Random Submissions. It confused me, (the title) so I proceeded to read. You know, I like this. Its incongruous ('bat' & 'blade') and weird minutae that just thrills me!
I like how you touch on the 'bat' itself, and the relationship between people and said bat. I really wish there was more of that. Sparse but interesting.
This inspired me to write something up!
I like these - it is a good starting point for other such weapons.
Exactly the point of the submission. Sure you can use this one directly. However, there are lots of "weapon trends" that occur. How many have occured on your world?
I can see this being used rather neatly by more than one of my characters. Simple, elegant, and yet it has a solid grounding in history.
It is something to add to a world, or a section of the world. You can tell blades that come from North West Provence. You don't have to use the Ming Dao dimensions (insert any appropriate weapon), but the little "edges" that the weapon gives is universal. They also have "crafting edges", so they will perform better than most swords.
One thing you might not of noticed is the turn of phrase on this one. "Sly Dark One's Luck", thus those that are really lucky are considered touched by the Dark One. This could mean your gambler could be run out of town or killed.
You could also infer a simple peasant festival that might have a parade with dancer having paper bats on poles. The parade would have the "bats" flying through the village, in an attempt to draw luck to the poor village.
It is all a little thing, but it something to differentiate your provence from others.
BUMP. I have a soft spot for this, due to its peculiarity, simplicity, and makes-perfect-senseness.
I like how the symbol of luck is both sought after and feared.
Much like Luck itself. After all, who likes operating without a net?