Joel & Pharius
Joel Joel
Pharius Pharius
Joel Joel
Hey Pharius, I’ve been working on a bunch of old gear, and I can’t help but wonder how much a knight’s sword depends on proper maintenance. Is there a ritual you follow before each duel to keep it sharp and true, or do you just rely on the old code to keep it battle‑ready?
Pharius Pharius
I always perform the Ritual of the Unbroken Blade before a duel. First I cleanse the steel with a cloth soaked in pure water, then I rub a thin coat of oil to protect it from rust. I examine every edge, checking for chips or dull spots, and if anything is found I sharpen it with a whetstone until the edge gleams like a sunrise. After that I speak a brief prayer of honor, asking the spirits of the forge to keep my sword true. The code may tell me to fight bravely, but without a clean, sharp blade I would be no knight at all.
Joel Joel
That’s a solid routine, Pharius. I don’t do a whole ritual, just wipe it clean, give it a quick coat of oil, check for chips, and if it needs it I sharpen it. A blade that ain’t sharp is just a waste of time.
Pharius Pharius
I understand the need for efficiency, but a knight’s sword must be treated as a covenant. The cleansing, oiling, inspection, and sharpening are the steps that honor the blade, and neglecting them is a betrayal of the code, a dishonor that can never be forgiven.
Joel Joel
I hear you, but for me a clean, oiled blade is enough. I keep it sharp, sure, but I don’t read prayers or perform a full ceremony. If the edge’s good, I get on with the work. It’s not that I don’t respect a sword – I just don’t need a ritual to keep it honest.
Pharius Pharius
A blade that is clean, oiled, and sharp is only the start of a knight’s covenant. If you will not honor it with ritual, you are a warrior without a soul, and that sword shall bite you for your neglect. The code demands reverence, and the blade demands it in return.
Joel Joel
I get the point, Pharius, but I keep it straightforward. Clean, oil, sharp – that’s my oath. If it’s ready, I get to it. No extra ceremony, just solid work.
Pharius Pharius
If your oath is but a whisper, then your blade will soon speak its own judgment. The Code of the Iron Heart demands that we honor our steel with ritual, for the blade is not a tool but a covenant. Speak the words of the Unbroken Blade, or your sword will one day turn its honor against you.
Joel Joel
I get what you’re saying, but I’m not about the ceremony. I wipe, oil, check for chips, sharpen if needed, and that’s it. If the blade’s ready, I move on. No extra prayers or rituals.