Entropy Blades

Don't ever take them off. They are a symbol of your rank, and a reminder of the respect you are due. But most of all, they'll be there for you when you'll need a blade because someone thought they could shank you.

— Lexi Rache

  An honour and a symbol in the Firen Military, Entropy blades are deeply associated with Firina's military culture. Awarded to commandants, the blades are constantly worn, mostly underclothing. While not visible aside from the quick flash of their use in discipline or in close quarters fights, even these small glimpse of the blades are enough to signal both that someone is a soldier, and their rank. Attached to the body, usually the legs, using crystal-weave belts and tied to the Elemental they are bound with a magical anchor so that they always return after being thrown, the blades themselves are forged with a Gold edge, and a Steel-Gold Alloy core, a material that binds and bends with Elemental skin. Given that they are unable to cut the skin of the one who wears them, the blades are designed to lie directly against the skin. Along with the material's natural ability to never rust, there truly aren't many reasons why a commandant would ever strip themselves of the blades willingly.

The blades handed out following a promotion in rank are usually plain. 'Engraved' Entropy blades are extremely expensive, requiring a new blade to be created from scratch. The Gold from the edges is artfully crafted with a Smith's magic to be woven between the Steel-Gold Alloy to create the requested design. While expensive and requiring a far more skilled Smith than is usually required for the blades, engraved blades are not rare. It is considered a personal achievement to get the blades engraved, and it is common practice for the images used to be incredibly personal and symbolic. Especially for those that move into higher ranks, many works to achieve a whole set of blades that tells a story, even if it cannot be understood by any other than themselves. It also influences the fact that to see the entire set of blades, especially since they are always on the person, is considered incredibly intimate. While no true rule declares that a commandant must keep the blades covered while not in use, this is the culture that surrounds their wear. Most commandants in the Firen military would describe their blades as a part of their skin. Symbols used for engraved blades often pull from Firen myths and stories, with characters of the various symbolic animals. Other images include the designs of flames that mimic that language that Fire Elemental hear when around actual flames, usually used to invoke particular emotions in those that view them.

This wearing of the blades has also affected the design of clothing worn on top of them, as the use of the blades would be hindered without modifications. Hence, slight alterations are common among leg wear, and available in arm wear as well to create 'pockets' that can be used to allow one to unsheathe the blade from its belt.