The falchion
The falchion is a curved slashing blade carried by Tarcomir, a Loruthi swordsman who appears in Days of Shattered Faith. It is introduced as part of his armament in the novel's second chapter and serves primarily as a marker of his combat tradition, distinguishing his Loruthi fighting idiom from the straighter cutting weapons of Usmiat tradition. The text is explicit in drawing that distinction, framing the falchion as an object that belongs to a neighbouring but different martial culture.
Across the single book in which it appears, the falchion is described once and never wielded. No wound is inflicted with it, no blow is struck, and no damage it sustains is recorded. Its narrative function is entirely one of characterization and cultural signalling rather than action, establishing Tarcomir's martial identity at the moment he enters the story.
The Object
Description
A curved hacking blade associated with Loruthi combat style. The text distinguishes it from the Usmiat clavar, noting it is "not quite" that weapon, implying a form close to but separate from the straighter cutting weapons of Usmiat tradition. Its curvature marks it as a slashing implement rather than a thrusting one. Material, length, edge treatment, and specific markings are not described. It is carried as part of Tarcomir's armament. - Days of Shattered Faith, ch 2
What It Does
As a curved blade it is designed for slashing cuts rather than thrusts, consistent with the Loruthi fighting idiom to which Tarcomir belongs. Within the text, however, it is never employed: no wound is inflicted with it, no blow is struck, and no damage it sustains is recorded. Its appearance is confined to its initial description as part of Tarcomir's carried weapons. - Days of Shattered Faith, ch 2
Provenance
Tarcomir is its bearer. No maker, previous owner, or fate after the book's events is recorded. - Days of Shattered Faith, ch 2
History
Days of Shattered Faith
The falchion is the sword carried by Tarcomir, a curved hacking blade associated with Loruthi combat style; the text is explicit that it is "not quite an Usmiat clavar," distinguishing it from the straighter cutting weapons of Usmiat tradition - ch 2. Its curvature marks it as a slashing implement rather than a thrusting one, consistent with the Loruthi fighting idiom to which Tarcomir belongs. Within this book's pages the falchion appears only in its initial description, presented as part of Tarcomir's armament rather than as an instrument of any specific act; no wound is inflicted with it and no damage it sustains is recorded - ch 2.
Relationships
- Tarcomir - carries the falchion as part of his armament; the blade is introduced solely as an element of his martial identity and is not associated with any other character or event in the text. - Days of Shattered Faith, ch 2
Notable Quotes
- "not quite an Usmiat clavar" - narration, Days of Shattered Faith, ch 2
Tags
- weapon · #curved · #loruthi-weapon