A Carpathian tradition

Fiery amber eyes focused on the shimmer of the rippling steel in the light of the forge. They traced over the dancing metal with all the precision of an artisan, scouring it for any signs of imperfections, delaminations, or flaws. The beautiful pattern forged into the tempered steel reflected the light beautifully, showing off its unmarred finish. The blade was utterly perfect as far as he could see. No warps from the quenching, the edge was razor sharp and hard without being brittle, and the mirror finish on the entire blade made the signature Carpathian steel pattern stand out with every shift of the angle. This particular pattern in the steel had come out with rippling bands and ribbons of the Carpathian steel and forged steel like cables intertwining with one another, a pattern Artorias had never crafted before. But for this blade and its purpose, the uniqueness was perfect.

Setting to work on the handle, Artorias selected a block of ebony wood harvested from the trees in the southern continent’s grasslands. The dark contrast and durability of the wood would be the perfect match for this new blade. After carving and sanding down the wood into an ergonomic grip, the dire wolf bladesmith attached the handles to the blade and affixed them in place with matching Carpathian steel pins with a piece of fire agate embedded at the end of each pin. He then varnished and sealed the handle before polishing it all down and admiring his work. The blade had a thin, curved profile, clearly designed to be a wicked sharp slicer and thruster. The bright silver metal and black handle stood in sharp contrast, and the fire agates inlaid in the pins stood out like little embers of fire against the dark wood. As a final finishing touch, Artorias had carved out the initials "B.C." into the handle and gilded them in rich gold that blazed against the ebony.

Sheathing the finished dagger in a scabbard made of supple alpaca leather tanned and dyed black, Artorias stowed the weapon away in an ash wood box for presentation purposes, then left the resin to finish curing and setting on the handle. It would take at least a day for it to set fully, and for now he had to wash up and prepare to meet his family for dinner.

— time skip —

Artorias returned to the forge the following day and checked on the handle of the dagger, pleased with how tightly and securely it held on. After giving it a few test swings against a mannequin to ensure its lethality and squeezes in his jaws to make sure it all held together, the weapon was finally ready. It had taken the better half of a season to forge and countless days of failed attempts, but every millimeter of the Carpathian steel dagger had been lovingly crafted to perfection. Stowing the weapon in its box, the Lord of Cinder carried the gift out to the Great Hall and took his seat upon his throne, setting the box down on the expansive dining table his family ate at while he howled for his daughter, Bramble.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"