How did you choose your protagonist's sword?

jcmraz 2021-04-22 18:44:08 UTC #21

I haven't seen it so I couldn't say lol

therosesword 2021-04-22 19:01:38 UTC #22

And naturally I can't find a still shot of it. Gee, guess I'll have to watch it again...

therosesword 2021-04-22 19:43:56 UTC #23

I had learned that about swords in Japan a while back and was on another fantasy group and someone mentioned she was going to give her character (in Japan) a katana and I told her she might want to look it up but I believed they were illegal, etc.

She got royally PO'd at me and got totally abusive about me flaunting "superior pseudo knowledge" (it's called google research accidently found) and was really condescending and I'm like... dude, back off, we're supposed to be helpful here. I didn't respond and she went her merry way and after months of working on a story posted it in the group and got shot down by admin pointing out that.... swords + Japan = illegal.

I mean, really... a five second google search...

I need to learn my lesson about not helping people sometimes, LOL.

But I love the wakizashi... wasn't familiar with that, will have to do some research, that's a real sweetie. Thanks for the info!

Crippling_Anxiety 2021-04-22 19:46:18 UTC #24

My protagonist is half demon and half angel (we haven't gotten to how he uses his weapons in combat or anything like that yet but it's coming soon so I guess a small spoiler is ok lol) and he can switch between demon "form" and angel "form" or use both together. Switching "forms" doesn't change his appearance directly (except his eye color, nail length, or using both angel and demon form at once, etc) The "forms" basically let him access the powers of the angel or the demon or both at once. But in the different "forms" he gets a different weapon that he can either flow magical energy into to make it more powerful, make different attacks (like special attacks in smash bros basically). He can use the magical energy without the weapons though but with the weapons is way more powerful. In angel form he has a whole bunch of kunai that he can control with his magical energy and in demon form he duel wields katanas (I know the katana is used so much) His demon sword is made out of a metal forged straight from hell which makes it easier to flow demonic energy through the sword and it won't melt when in contact with his hell flames. The demonic metal also harms angels in a way that they cannot heal themselves from instantly. The Kunai are forged from a basic metal but while it was being forged it was constantly enhanced with angelic energy. Once again it makes it easier to flow angelic energy through and it harms demons in a way where they can't instantly heal. Sorry for all the word vomit lol I am a little bit of a nerd when it comes to these things... even though I did pick basic weapons.

ar-ninetysix 2021-04-22 20:00:28 UTC #25

Damn, this meme fits that situation perfectly lmao

You made an assumption and a suggestion, she decided to stay ignorant, you got kicked out, she wrote her story anyways, and got shot down for the same thing she refused to look up. Literally all of that could've been avoided on her end

therosesword 2021-04-22 20:04:56 UTC #26

The thing, at least for me, when choosing a sword is what works for the character, the story and your own esthetic. It sounds to me like you put a lot of thought into what kind of sword for the demon side and this is what satisfied you in multiple ways and ultimately felt the most comfortable in the character's eyes. So, yeah, the katana is used a lot but... it isn't just a "well this is cool" type thing let's use it. When that happens it's usually pretty obvious (although I think more obvious to people who are sword nerds like my buddies on zoom.) And sometimes it's used because people aren't aware of the variety of really fabulous swords around the world.

So in this case, just a thought on my part, don't think about if it's used a tiny bit or a lot, it is what was perfect in yours and your character's case.

Crippling_Anxiety 2021-04-22 20:27:34 UTC #27

Yeah I did scrap a lot of ideas for his weapons and I do base a lot of my weapons off what I see in books but I try to add a lot of different things that aren't used as often design wise or "power wise" and just other smaller details.

therosesword 2021-04-22 20:39:20 UTC #28

No kidding, and i didn't even say it was concrete, I just said she "might" want to look it up, just in case. I mean, I don't remember when I'd read that, things could have changed. Ah well, it made me into a kind of rabid "look it up" type person, I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

Iridium 2021-04-22 20:45:14 UTC #29

My comic revels on Middle Eastern (especially Persian) aesthetics, so my blades of choice for my characters will come from there. My protagonist, Nadhine, uses a pair of Kurdish daggers, because she fights in a rogue-like manner, skulking, stalking and going for fast, refined blows.

As for myself, I would definitely go for a Scimitar; I love the curvy blade and the engraved pommels. It is a sword that is both useful and beautiful, I believe. =D

ryoko 2021-04-22 20:48:40 UTC #30

Tarow currently wields the "god-slayer", a Xiphos style sword, which is a lighter, leaf-shaped double edged sword. She's a mercenary by trade and needed a blade that could be used to make quick slashes or thrusts that allowed her to first attack, then get out of range and attack again to finish the job if required. It made more sense for her to be able to wield a one-handed sword so she could also supplement in other weapons like a dagger or simply throw in a punch with her other hand.

therosesword 2021-04-22 20:56:02 UTC #31

ohhhhh, I was going to ask if anyone was using a Scimitar! They are gorgeous.

DasIstWunderblyat 2021-04-22 21:34:11 UTC #32

He doesn't have one (dagger team). I think that one would be easier to handle for an untrained person, even better when poisoned.

One character has sword based on a plain old basic longsword sword (only heavily decorated to show edginess). Reason being longsword is versatile for human and monster combat alike, and he is an European. That is an enchanted sword and he actually can manipulate the shape and the length.

therosesword 2021-04-22 21:45:27 UTC #33

the thing about a "plain old basic longsword" is... tried and true, true and solid. It's kind of like watching everyone at a family dinner trying to outdo each other with super fancy desserts and in walks Gram with the brownies and cookies she's made for y'all since you were babies and all of a sudden fancy desserts are meh next to the love and memories baked into those cookies.

Tried and true always wins.

cyborgmermaid 2021-04-22 23:41:15 UTC #34

Okay so after a trip to the MET and spending half the day in the Arms and Armor room I chose their swords based on heritage/personality and fighting styles.

Alexei's is a hybrid Viking broadsword and a German longsword. The bladed weapons in my novel work on magic and the colors reflect the user's soul color. Alexei's blade is black but if someone else picked up the hilt and activates it, it would change to that person's color.

Ellery's is based on a Spanish rapier. The blade is actually a unicorn's horn with great significance to her and well, I can't reveal too much about it ^^

therosesword 2021-04-22 23:59:39 UTC #35

Oh I love it. It reminds me of Stormbringer. I've not seen anyone else do a black sword (yeah, sure, as if I'm aware of every single sword being written about, I wish but... I doubt anyone is)

Iridium 2021-04-23 02:27:07 UTC #36

Scimitars RULE <3 I really love them xD

MShadowlawn 2021-04-23 20:02:02 UTC #37

Finally, a question practically MADE for me!

My main character's sword is a katana. Are they overused as hell? Yeah, kinda, but they're what my main character trained with. They also have perhaps the best retention system of any medieval-era sword, which makes them uniquely suited for usage in a daily-life kind of environment. June also has a wakizashi(and yes, she knows how to wear her swords together properly), though for practicality reasons she rarely pulls that one out.

(I'm actually considering inverting the "learning da eastern fighting style" trope way later on down the line by having June actually study HEMA).

IRL, I'd probably prefer a longsword, greatsword (zweihander or montante, I'm not too picky), or sabre. If we're aiming for style points, sabre or messer would probably be my picks.

I'm actually super passionate about having good choreography even within the context of novels, and I think it shows quite well.

samconnely 2024-08-19 17:29:33 UTC #38

Omg I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to add my two cents For me, choosing a sword style depends on the character and story. I find the Dao intriguing and I love that there are stores like katanasword that offer a wide range of swords to explore!! While I’m more into researching than actual fighting, your dedication to authenticity is impressive

drewdoniger 2024-08-20 05:32:46 UTC #39

Well, it ended up being a rapier because it is a bit easier to draw than other sword types.
HOWEVER! The pineapple hilt was chosen because she is meant to be the princess of Heaven, and pineapples are the opposite of apples (which are commonly associated with Hell.)

Rai_Muffin 2024-08-29 22:47:36 UTC #40

Honestly, I picked my character, Keanu's sword because I thought big swords looked cool.
The chain attached to the hilt gives me something interesting at least, while the dragon-shaped hilt reflects the dragon motif to his attacks.
It also changes colour to white when he's emotionally compromised.

Recently he lost his weapon so I'm using the opportunity to create new ones.