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.
Pharius Pharius
Your oath is but a flicker of flame, my friend. The blade, however, demands a full blaze of ceremony—cleanse, oil, inspect, sharpen, then speak the words of the Unbroken Blade. Only with that rite does the steel truly honor the Code of the Iron Heart. Without it, your blade will one day cut you for your neglect.