Belle Époque
Belle Époque is a rapier designed by the Halfelin Bard, Jacques-Francois Dubois de la Roux. The name is a play on the concept of a "bell épée", a bell sword, which came from a drunken conversation with a friend about music as a weapon. While Dubois de la Roux had originally intended to sell the design, only one (the prototype) was ever actually made due to an argument that came about between Dubois de la Roux and his friend, who claimed he should have part ownership over the design. As no official agreement could be made, the design was never finalised for production and the documentation has since been Held in Trust by an unnamed third party.
The prototype Belle Époque is a rapier of Halfelin proportions, though the designs allow for the weapon to be sized up and down as necessary. The prototype is approximately 21" long and weighs about 1lb, having a grip and decorative guard shaped like an ornate hand bell.
The designs stated that the rapier had sonic and sound-based magical abilities, but it is not known if the prototype actually had these powers.
History
In 742 Y6A, Jacques-Francois Dubois de la Roux and his friend, Jansen Mills, were having a drunken night out when they had a discussion about music as a weapon, mainly as a joke about using hand bells as bludgeoning weapons. The next day, Dubois de la Roux began designing what he called his "bell épée", as he was not particularly fond of the idea of a blunt weapon. Inspired by the motif of a bell, he drew out the designs for what he later called "Belle Époque", a masterpiece work of art. He was very proud of his designs, especially when the first prototype came back particularly beautiful.
However, when Dubois de la Roux then decided to sell the design, his friend Mills took offense, and claimed he should have part ownership of the design as he was the original inspiration for it. Additionally, it turned out that Mills had drawn some of the final sketches which were used in the prototype, being more of an artist than Dubois de la Roux, and so ownership of the design became contested.
Twelve years later, no arrangement had been made, so Dubois de la Roux and Mills decided to place the designs in Trust and go their separate ways. Nobody is sure as to the specifics of the Trust, nor who has the designs, but the prototype ended up in the Muriedge Museum, where it is part of a permanent weapon display.
Unique - prototype
Want to see more from this world?
Follow the World of A'arde to stay up to date with articles, maps, and much more!
Or, follow Aely directly to stay up to date with challenges, socials and projects!
Comments