Razors are the primary weapon of Golds in single combat, and a notable symbol of Gold's right to rule. Razors are considered sacred, and as such the punishment for any other Color (with the exception of Orange artificers, who make the weapon, and some elite Gray soldiers) caught using a razor is (typically) quite severe. For Obsidians, the punishment for merely touching the weapon is death by starvation. During The Rising, Darrow of Lykos encouraged low- and midColors to wield razors as a symbol that the true power rests in the hands of the common people.
Description[]
The blade of the razor is made of polyenne fiber, and is harder than diamond. The blade is about a meter long when in sword form, and can be toggled via a button into the form of a whip twice the length of the stiffened blade. When in whip form, its shape can be altered at will with a chemical impulse. As a result, the razor is an incredibly versatile weapon. The average length of the razor is one meter, but the maximum length is one and a half meters long.
The weapon is incredibly sharp and can pierce RecoilArmor and PulseArmor.
Though it is meant to be worn on the belt, different generations of Golds have adopted different traditions for the carrying of a razor. It has been popularly worn as a sash, and more recently around the forearm (a trend started by Darrow). The latter method was viewed with disdain by Lorn au Arcos and criticized for the possibility of accidental amputation.
Razors are constructed by specialized Oranges, known as Artificers.
Notable razors and whereabouts[]
- Darrow O'Lykos's razor - Destroyed. Remnants in the possession of Lysander au Lune.
- Silenius au Lune's razor, Lightbringer - In the possession of the Abomination.
- Raa ancestral razor, Starfire - Unknown, stolen at Darrow's Triumph.[1]
- Bellona ancestral razor - In the possession of the Society Remnant.
- Apollonius au Valii-Rath's razor, Moloch[2] - Aboard the Morning Star in Sevro's personal stateroom.
- Aja au Grimmus's razor - Presumably in the possession of Volsung Fá, stolen from Sefi the Quiet.
- Ragnar Volarus's razors - One in the Society Remnant's possession, and one in unknown possession.
- Lorn au Arcos's razor - In the possession of Volsung Fá.
- Alexandar au Arcos's razor - Destroyed. Fragments presumably in the Society Remnant's possession.
- Kalindora au San's razor - Last seen in Darrow's chest, presumably in his possession.
- Telemanus ancestral razor, Bad Lass - In Darrow's possession.
- Helios au Lux's hasta, Sunburn - last seen in the possession of Atlas au Raa during the Kalyke Massacre.
- Helios's daughter's hasta - last seen in Helios' office aboard the Dustmaker. Presumably lost to space when the ship was destroyed.
- Pyrphoros - in Darrow's possession.
Razor History[]
The weapon originated from the real-life urumi. It is not known when the first razor was created, but it was sometime before The Conquering. Razors were the main weapons of Golds and (possibly) Obsidians, until the Dark Revolt - which ended with the only Color allowed to touch a razor being the Golds themselves. The punishment for an Obsidian touching a razor is the most severe of all, with the Obsidian in question punished by death via starvation.
Around 450 years later, Revus au Raa, the ArchGovernor of Io, banned all Ionians from dueling on Luna, and most Rim Houses followed. After this, there have been very few occasions when the fighting styles of the Rim and the Core have come into contact.
Approximately 50 years later, during and after the Lion's Rain, Darrow of Lykos encouraged lowColors to wield razors - Obsidians in particular. Among these Obsidians were Ragnar Volarus and Sefi the Quiet.
Variations[]
Razors are built and used in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and styles depending on various factors such as planetary culture, individual preference, the size of the wielder, or simply the needs of a given situation.
- Darrow O'Lykos prefers to have his razor in the shape of a slingBlade, a scythe-like tool he used in the mines of Lykos and in the Martian Institute.
- Lysander au Lune prefers to have his razor in the shape of the House Lune symbol - a slight crescent.
- Darrow and Virginia au Augustus used thicker, shorter blades when in close confines in Morning Star.
- The Telemanuses are said to have razors "half the size of Darrow's body", due to their naturally large proportions.[3]
- Ajax au Grimmus's blade is twice as thick as the average razor.
- Virginia au Augustus prefers her razor to be one point three meters long
- Sevro au Barca's razor has a serrated edge, which he (correctly) believes looks scarier than the average razor.
- Venusian Golds in general tend to prefer their blades in the shape of a rapier, while Martian Golds use razors with broader blades.
Hasta and Kitari[]
The Hasta is a variant of the razor developed and used by Golds of The Rim. They have longer blades than standard razors, reaching two meters long in blade form and over three in whip form. Because of their greater length, they are described as being more of a lance than a sword.[1]
Golds of the Rim have also developed a second variation of the razor known as the Kitari. Where the hasta is longer than a standard razor, kitari are shorter, and used primarily for stabbing.[4] The two Rim razor variants are commonly used in tandem, or with an Aegis.
Engravings[]
Some razors have special inscriptions carved into the blade or handle, detailing personal triumphs or family achievements.
- Cassius au Bellona had the triumphs of the Bellona family engraved into the blade of his razor.
- Darrow's blade bears engravings of his family and friends.
- The razor of Lorn au Arcos is said to have a special handle, although it is not described.
- The handle of Wulfgar's razor was fashioned from the fang of an Ice Dragon.
- Kalindora au San's hilt is described to be "etched with flame".
- The Telemanus razor Bad Lass is embellished with images of foxes and trees
- Pyrphoros, a razor developed by the Daughters of Athena, is etched with the lyrics of The Reaping Song.[5]
Blade Colors[]
Most razors are white or silver in color, but they have been known to come in different colors.
- Darrow O'Lykos' blade is pure white.
- Leto au Augustus' blade has a spiral rainbow pattern.
- Diomedes au Raa's blade is solid black.
- Seraphina au Raa's blade is transparent.
- Gaia au Raa's blade is also transparent.
- Aja au Grimmus' blade is said to "shimmer with the colors of a nebula."
- Thraxa au Telemanus' razor is silver.
Combat Styles[]
There are many fighting styles within the Society. Specialized styles are cultivated by individual razormasters and taught to students they believe worthy of the form, although not without charging exorbitant prices for the lessons.
Kravat[]
The most common fighting style for Golds of the Core. Sparring is a common pasttime, and masters of Kravat are well-respected among their peers.
Rules of Engagement[]
- 4 seconds, 6 moves per set.
- Appears to move in a pattern of "attack, retreat, assess, engage".
Known Stances[]
- Hydra Fighting Stance
Known Moves[]
Known Users[]
- Virginia au Augustus
- Cassius au Bellona
- Karnus au Bellona
- Sevro au Barca
- Most Golds of The Core
The Willow Way[]
The Willow Way is a derivation on the commonly used Kravat, created and taught by legendary razormaster and Rage Knight for 60 years, Lorn au Arcos. He developed the Willow Way as a means of countering what he saw as the inherent failings of Kravat. Lorn was famous for not taking apprentices, but made exceptions for Aja au Grimmus and Darrow of Lykos.
(see page)
Rules of Engagement:[]
- Alternate between 6 seconds, 12 moves per set and 7 seconds, 12 moves per set.
- Never retreat. Move side to side.
- "A fool pulls the leaves. A brute chops the trunk. A sage digs the roots."
Known Stances[]
- Summer Hold
- Root Cutter
- Winter Whirlwind
- Bough Splitter
Known Moves[]
- Snapping Branch Gambit
- Irenicus Folly
- Weeping Noose
- Falling Leaf
- Branch Which Cannot Snap
- Whirlwind
- Wing Scalp
Known Users[]
- Lorn au Arcos
- Aja au Grimmus
- Darrow of Lykos
- Cassius au Bellona (After Golden Son, trained by Aja)
- Alexandar au Arcos (Trained by Darrow before and during Iron Gold)
- Ajax (trained by his mother, Aja)
Shadowfall[]
A style of combat exclusive to Golds of The Rim, designed for use with hasta and kitari. Masters of this style are called Shades.
Rules of Engagement[]
Unknown.
Known Stances[]
- The Shadowfall
Known Moves[]
Known Shades[]
Breath of Stone[]
A unique style developed by Darrow O'Lykos between late 754 and early 755 PCE.
Known Moves[]
Known Users[]
- Darrow O'Lykos