Hi! This is my first time posting so I am sorry if this isn't the right category. In a roleplay I am having, I have a character who has a relic passed by their ancestors. I wish to describe it, but I am having quite a lot of trouble and I am not quite sure how to start. I have a name, a few distinct traits about it and a set of skills that it comes to, but nothing comes to mind. It is the scale of a serpent-like being (I've named it already, I'll post a picture of it if it helps anyone) who's body was described to be 'the perfect amalgamation of blades'. Could anyone help with a beginning if possible?
I'm confused.... So, there is a scale in the shape of a blade, yes? How is that blade shaped? Can you maybe draw a crude sketch of that weapon? How is that blade attached to a handle? What kind of handle has it? Or does it have a handle at all? What colour is the weapon? What materials is it made of? Is it more shiny and polished or more rustic and worn looking?
It would probably help if you could list the traits you mentioned. Actually I don't see how anyone could help without this info. It's your story, so you'll probably know best how to describe it based on the setting, technology, and even language of the story. That being said, it reminded me of this weapon: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macuahuitl It's made of pieces of razor sharp obsidian, capable (in theory) of being sharper than steel. But, it's very brittle and not a good parrying weapon or effective against armor. So anyways, you could describe it as resembling a razor sharp curved piece of obsidian or flint, but stronger than any known substance, etc.
Kidding aside, could it be like this blade, in that the blade required will form when needed? Basically a hilt with a nondescript blade that then changes upon need. Extending to a longsword or a chopper, a bowie or a hatchet, almost like T2 liquid metal?
A quick sketch of what you mean would be infinitely helpful. Doesn’t have to be good, a stick figure and a basic shape would be fine. The way you described it: is it a combination of creature and blades? I picture a metal serpent covered in blades, ala:
Hi. Thanks for reaching out. I would make the passing down of this magical ancient dragon as a mystical ceremony. Include the characters relatives and how each of them used the power. Good luck.
Is the creature made of metal or a "natural" (in your universe) substance of some kind? The blade of a Crysknife in Herbert's "Dune" series is the tooth of a giant sandworm. How is the "blade" obtained? Is it taken off of a deceased creature (think ivory hunters raiding elephant graveyards for the ivory in early 20th century Africa)? Or must the creature be killed in combat? Does the weapon imbue the wielder with skills? Or does it take extraordinary skills to be the wielder of the weapon? A combination of both? As it's a relic is it possible that its history is shrouded in myth and legend? Then an accurate accounting of its history is unnecessary, just a description of the weapons physical attributes.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw this bit of description, was some type of leaf shaped blade.