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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). Lorn au Arcos expresses his disdain for the newer method of wearing razors around the forearm, criticizing the possibility of accidental amputation.

Razors are constructed by specialized Oranges, known as Artificers.

Variants[]

Razors of the Rim have two variants. One variant is known as the hasta, described as more of a lance than a sword, reaching two meters when in blade form and over three in whip form. The other known variant is called the kitari, which is a shorter razor used primarily for stabbing. They are often used in tandem with the hasta.

Razors are also known to vary in size, depending on the size of the wielder.

Notable razors and whereabouts[]

  1. Darrow O'Lykos's razor - Destroyed. Remnants in the possession of Lysander au Lune.
  2. Silenius au Lune's razor, Lightbringer - In the possession of the Abomination.
  3. Raa ancestral razor, Starfire - Unknown, stolen at Darrow's Triumph.
  4. Bellona ancestral razor - In the possession of the Society Remnant.
  5. Apollonius au Valii-Rath's razor, Moloch[1] - Aboard the Morning Star in Sevro's personal stateroom.
  6. Aja au Grimmus's razor - Presumably in the possession of Volsung Fá, stolen from Sefi the Quiet
  7. Ragnar Volarus's razors - One in the Society Remnant's possession, and one in unknown possession.
  8. Lorn au Arcos's razor - In the possession of Volsung Fá.
  9. Alexandar au Arcos's razor - Destroyed. Fragments presumably in the Society Remnant's possession.
  10. Kalindora au San's razor - Last seen in Darrow's chest, presumably in his possession.
  11. Telemanus ancestral razor, Bad Lass - In Darrow's possession.
  12. Helios au Lux's daughter's hasta - last seen in Helios' office aboard the Dustmaker. Presumably lost to space when the ship was destroyed.

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.

Blades[]

Most Golds have their razors extended to their full length, but some like to have their razor blades in specific shapes.

  • Darrow of 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.
  • 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.

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

Blade Colors[]

Razor

Razor as depicted in the graphic novel "Red Rising: Sons of Ares"

Most razors are white/silver in color, but they have been known to come in different colors.

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[]


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[]

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 between late 754 and early 755 PCE.

Known Moves[]

Known Users[]

  • Darrow of Lykos

Famous Razormasters[]

  1. Pierce Brown, Instagram. March 14, 2024.
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