The Seven Swords of Isayama
Isayama is the Lord of the Seven Swords and the god of war. While many think there is a story about Isayama and the swords, followers of him and students of history know there is one. Isayama was once a mortal man who thrived in combat. Through his time he sought out the greatest weapons that existed on Zhen Gho. Through his traveling he discovered many swords and secrets to enchanting them as well. At the end of his journey as he ascended to Godhood his seven swords took on vastly more power. His time as a god he has thrown his swords to the continent and they have been "lost" to him. The followers of Isayama are constantly in search of them to bring to their temples in hopes to curry his favor.
The most well known and versatile sword that has been lost is the Sword of the Seasons. This particular sword is able to switch between different types of damage based on what season you choose for it to take on at the moment. Within Summer a fiery blaze takes over the sword and swepts other enemies around you. For fall a necrotic shroud hangs over you and those hit by the sword find healing is much more difficult. In the winter mode cold slices through your opponents and ice keeps them off balance. Lastly for spring radiance surrounds you and brings you health to continue the fight. Most recently the Sword of Seasons was recovered during the The Siege of Inkonai and returned to Isayama's temple there.
Another rather famous sword of Isayama is the Bloodletter. This sword has been seen at the hands of conquers and dark magic users. It does indeed give you the powers you think based on the name. In a true vampiric nature it will bleed your opponent and give you the ability to heal yourself. However it has another part to it. It will actually steal arcane and magical energy from cast spells from your opponents. It then is able to convert that into magic for you or to cast the spells it has stolen. It is quite a potent sword. It has not been seen for a few hundred years, since the last would be conqueror of Zhen Gho Gris Tian the Insatiable.
The very first sword that Isayama worked on himself has lost its original name since that time. Today it is referred to as Runemight. It has hundred of etched runes on it. Runemight is one of Isayama's most powerful swords. It is told that the sword will give you all the powers you dreamed of and have every wanted. However it does enact a price. Sometimes the price isn't until later but it also gets its due. Many have used it in days gone past and gained fame and fortune and power. They always seem to lose the sword as it goes to the next owner. This particular sword has not been seen for a long time, ever since Kolsaka Ryma used it to found the city of Ryma.
A sword that is most associated with ghost stories and ones meant to scare children is the Spectral Edge. So many legends surround what this sword can do. One story talks about how it can compel ghosts, spirits, and other creatures of that nature bend to your will. Yet another story tells that the Spectral Edge is the only blade able to kill those creatures and send them to the next life. There is even a story out there that claims the sword can cause the wielder to become incorporeal and pass through any object or person at will. The truth, that followers of Isayama know, is that all those are true. The Spectral Edge bridges the gap between the living and spirits.
A classic blade, that probably has the most stories of people having the Sword is the Blade of Song and Mirth. The name implies a sword that is more about empowerment and not something to be worried about this. This is not the case with any sword of Isayama, even the the Blade of Song and Mirth. This song seems to pass from bard to bard as time goes on. The sword is said to although the bard to cast spells as though it were an arcane focus. It also has been told to give leadership abilities to its wielder along with great support possibilities. It has been wielded by great leaders as well, mostly among generals and noble leaders of armies. It has not been seen with someone in about 50 years now, the last being the great bard Diu Bin of the Five Strings.
One of the last swords that Isayama worked on before he ascended into godhood was Soulshard. He fused his magical skills with those of the forge to create this very powerful blade. With Soulshard he was actually able to put a piece of his mortal soul inside the blade. It would infuse the wielder with a portion of the power he had gained throughout his life as a fighter, blacksmith, combat mage, and warlord. It was said that when he swung this sword in battle whole armies fell to its cut. It was seen specifically with the five who helped found Zhen Gho, but after that has been lost to time, little stories here and there filtering in claiming to have seen or heard word of it. Nothing for sure though
The last sword of Isayama is also the one with the most mystery surrounding it, the Vault's Key. Every one of Isayama's swords are special but this one is set apart. While this weapon is magical in nature its special traits are not battle or damage related. Don't be mistaken, it is still incredibly sharp and will cut deeply. But the real trick of this sword is that it can be used as a skeleton key of sorts for most any mundane, and mildly magical lock. Stories also tell of how the sword can be used to "unlock" portals to teleport and move around very easily. The last story attached to this story comes from its name. It is said that this sword unlocks the weapon vault of Isayama himself. To this day though, no one has found it and been able to verify this part of the sword. The last anyone knew this sword has been in the personal collection of nobles in the city of Altandene.
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