Blade Sign

To an outside observer, a conversation in Blade Sign looks like a choreographed stage combat. The actions are deliberate, coordinated, yet have no intention of actually causing harm. The language comes from the days of the Crimson Wars, when conscripted soldiers from the country of Pafaman had their tongues removed. The generals of the Pafaman army wanted to stop soldiers forced into service from causing descent.
Unable to speak to one another verbally, Pafaman conscripts were instructed in hand movements by their commanders. Similarly, they were taught their weapons were “an extension of themselves.” The conscripts took this further than intended, slowly but surely developing their own private hand movement language unbeknownst to their leaders.
The language combines one’s grip on their dagger hilt, the height and position in which they hold it, generic hand movements, and flurries of the blade. Four fingers on the grip while swung low, as opposed to five fingers and holding the blade straight up can convey entirely different meanings.
Over time, sparring became the true way in which the “speakers” of Blade Sign would hold conversations. More an improvisational dance than true sparring, they would convey thoughts and meanings in how their movements interacted with the other person they’re speaking with. The hesitation or aggression of their “attacks and blocks” convey the inflection and emotion of their words.
One of the traditional greetings among two friends who speak the language is to exchange daggers. This is essentially the same as a handshake. The implied trust by handing someone else their weapon is a sign of friendship. If one betrays that trust, they may literally be killed by their own blade.
After the Crimson Wars, those without tongues who spoke Blade Sign found it difficult to reintegrate into society, since carrying weapons openly became frowned upon by the Order of Luminance. Many misunderstood and thought the speakers were attacking one another. As a result, and as the original conscripts began to die out, the language was faded out of use. Certain organizations, must notably those involving thieves and assassins, have managed to keep the language alive, but many are not aware that it is even still in use.