Main > The Armoury
Name of your Sword
Sir Robert:
Since this started with something I said....
I find it interesting that most swords from literature pre-dated their owners, most are mythical and were given names by someone generally unknown as they are often known through legend. While LOTR follows this to a point, Sting was an exception (I believe). In other worlds (Song of Ice And Fire, Swords follow the mythical name with at least one noted exception, Joffrey names at least two of his swords and, well, he was unworthy of both.
So here it is, as you are building your persona, naming a sword also requires a sketched persona, most swords were given a name based on their deeds and ego. Swords in literature were just as good or evil as the characters who used them. Some names would have great fantasy value but bad timeline value (soul stealer may be looked at as a demonic blade by the church and its bearer a heritic).
The Samurai held there swords in religious honor, under their belief the sword had a soul in its own right, and therefore would be named. Most were given names originating in elemental, earth, or nature. As Samurai lived to serve, the sword was an extension of that service with blades handed down for many generations.
So while I make no comment on what to name your blade, its part of your chracter, I do find it an interesting topic, and a great way to add interest to your character, and a natural thing to do for something you depend your life on.
Joshua Santana:
Sir Wolf: after looking up the translation I find out the double translations and I do apologize. I meant it in good humor only.
Sir Robert: This is quite good material for the thinking process of penning a sword name. I did the same with my sword name as it was inspired from my coat of arms (which you see in my profile) and it was almost easy. Hence it is why I will call my A&A (or Darksword, probably both) Black Prince Sword "The Lion Blade". Which it fits nicely because Prince Edward belonged to the Plantenget Line (ancestral line from Richard the Lion-Heart) and his coat of arms (if you look in the Order of the Garter COA Roster) has the proof of this.
--- Quote ---So while I make no comment on what to name your blade, its part of your character, I do find it an interesting topic, and a great way to add interest to your character, and a natural thing to do for something you depend your life on.
--- End quote ---
I agree, and this helps a great deal with my 1350's English Knight in the Service of the Black Prince character (coming up with a character name). Once you add history and accounts of individuals who lived in that time frame and historical novels dealing with the same time period, you got material to right a historical novel. This is one of the joys of this kind of activity.
Sir James A:
--- Quote from: Sir Robert on 2013-01-28, 21:08:13 ---The Samurai held there swords in religious honor, under their belief the sword had a soul in its own right, and therefore would be named. Most were given names originating in elemental, earth, or nature. As Samurai lived to serve, the sword was an extension of that service with blades handed down for many generations.
--- End quote ---
Sir Robert, as a fellow Japanese weapons / armor guy, do you have a source for this? I know they held their swords in high regard, but have not seen of them naming them. My focus has been upon the arms and armor as items, as well as some interest in Bushido; the rest of their lifestyle, I know little of. Seems an interesting topic.
SirNathanQ:
Though I would like to mention that wieding a blade named "Soul Stealer" probably wouldn't get you branded a heretic, or actually punished. Though to the spiritual peoples of that time though, it would be similar to having a sword named "Helpless Orphan Stabber" or "Naked Baby Kicker"
Then again, with all the dark humor abound, some people might have a chuckle over it.
Food for thought.
Lord Dane:
--- Quote from: SirNathanQ on 2013-02-04, 03:17:29 ---Though I would like to mention that wieding a blade named "Soul Stealer" probably wouldn't get you branded a heretic, or actually punished. Though to the spiritual peoples of that time though, it would be similar to having a sword named "Helpless Orphan Stabber" or "Naked Baby Kicker"
Then again, with all the dark humor abound, some people might have a chuckle over it.
Food for thought.
--- End quote ---
How about "Ass Whooper". Hath one thought of that???
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