Why Fantasy is Obsessed with Swords

[@TheTaleFoundry]

The first 500 people to use our link will get a FREE MONTH of Skillshare: skl.sh/talefoundry01251 Click the link to take the Creating Unique and Powerful Worlds class for FREE!

[@pyeitme508]

WOW!

[@tayloredwards4968]

Swords ⚔️ system cool magical item

[@CyanideDiablo]

... Used it. KZbin's better

[@sigmar4564]

You could have opened up the video in a more positive manner and then you go directly into an ad read i get it you got to eat too but your first minute and twenty seven seconds fills me with meh

[@Dragon.um5tz]

Wanna know why swords are most common in fantasy, because they are cool AF

[@Triumvirate8283]

I ran a DnD campaign where the antagonist was a sentient sword. The villains mental consciousness was trapped inside, and the party stumbled upon the sword early on in the campaign. The villain spoke to them through it, and manipulated them by becoming their friend, and then lying to them to have them kill all those who stood in his way from gaining a new physical form. When the twist came and all the little inconsistencies in his stories were revealed, and the final fight was waged, my players loved seeing their favorite weapon/ally become their worst enemy in a moment. They still talk about Alfred the sword, and tell me it's the best villain I've ever made. In short, swords are cool, and you feel cooler swinging them. (: Edit: Apparently, I have ripped off the game Xenoblade without ever playing/hearing of this game before LOL

[@Abstrakt_YT]

That sounds awesome

[@Briskeeen]

That's the plot of Deep Labyrinth

[@Denny_Boi]

Blackrazor?

[@Vektor_Ohio]

True but they could have casted detect evil and ruin the whole plot twist when they found the talking sword.

[@Hermes-Trismegistus777]

Stormbringer!

[@phantasmagoria8228]

"The Master Glock", yeah someone's definitely taking that idea and running with it.

[@deweysmithey567]

I didn't know i needed to see something so badly that I'd never even thought of before but here we are

[@nathanblue5548]

Just played a game with a doomsday glock. The description is "Each shot counts down toward the end of time."

[@justinsinke2088]

"Link, the hero of time, pulls out a f**king glock" - Blue of Overly Sarcastic Productions.

[@AdamYJ]

Hmm . . . if they want a Zelda game where a gun is as mythologized as the Master Sword, they're going to need to change the genre and setting. The Legend of Zelda: The Western. Though, then I suppose it would have to be a Master Colt or Master Winchester.,

[@mirage809]

Someone already has. Control gives us the "Service weapon". It's a rather strange looking transforming pistol that also doubles the game's Excalibur. It tests whoever picks it up, seeing if you are worthy to wield the kind of power that it offers. Or well, those that provided the gun test you. And if you fail it takes control of your arm and you shoot yourself with it. If you pass, you're the chosen one and you better get to work.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

Talebot: "People still use swords...as decorations. " Me, looking at the Spanish swords on my office wall: "I feel seen. "

[@LuisSierra42]

What really ignited my love for swords was watching Kill Bill

[@jer103]

What if there's a zombie apocalypse? At least you are prepared....

[@Damalycus]

humble brag

[@Kez_DXX]

To be fair there are a lot of horrible quality objects that have the appearance of swords, but were never made with any purpose beyond wall decor.

[@Anon-c3i]

@@Kez_DXX I have three of those on my wall they suck as weapons, but look cool.

[@chaqueteam6127]

"I do not love the sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend."

[@adibrata6472]

That’s Faramir’s quote.

[@chaqueteam6127]

@adibrata6472 it is!

[@sriramn1809]

Defend from other swords mostly

[@demonzabrak]

@@adibrata6472 no wonder he let Osgiliath fall.

[@lezty]

a fantasy sword is just a long magic wand

[@FaolanHart]

I dont think most people think of violence. They think of "cool". People love dangerous yet elegant things. Every rose has its thorns after all. Arguably the most popular sword, the katana, embodies this more than most. It's elegant & stunningly beautiful. But so sharp, just putting it back into its scabbard can give you a nasty cut if you're not careful. What do fantasy swords do? They add to that elegance &or dangerous nature though design. People argue for realism usually because they understand & appreciate the artistry in how they where made & designed. There is a beauty in its function & practicality. Mixed with the feeling of holding such an item. Its in our blood. Every man, & some woman, instinctively appreciate a well-balanced stick they find outside lol. It goes further. Your favourite weapon can say a lot about you. You can see this in how specific weapons are often chosen to symbolise something about a character. Think what kind of characters use axes, maces, bows or polearms. You'll start to see patterns. We only truly recognise violence when it comes to the modern equivalent. Even ignoring the obvious gun example. Doesn't a baseball bat feel far more violent & brutal than a mace? Why do you think that is? Because one is modern & more recognisable in violent acts. The other is strictly in the realm of story & fantasy.

[@jayeisenhardt1337]

"baseball bat feel far more violent & brutal than a mace" Yup, a mace was made to end you, a bat takes a bit of extra work. More work more violence more brutal. Now the mace seems a mercy killing because it is quicker.

[@valhatan3907]

I think I agree with last statement, at least it resonates with what I thought about how people differentiate fantasy violence and real violence. For baseball bat we see it as "violence" because its closeness to our reality, while a mace is detached from us since the last thing we saw it is either in history or fantasy topic. Though, I still think a mace is more violent than baseball bat 😅

[@mrszmatan2727]

Very well said. I usually do not disagree so hard with talefoundry video as today. I believe that when people think sword they do not think of violence but about noble weapon, one that would be wielded by hero, due to it's strength as well as elegance. Of course that depends on design, curved and jagged swords are more likely to be used by villains as sort of corruption of those noble ideals that sword often represents. Axe fits violence much more, it feels barbaric, even if it also is a weapon that requires skill and can be elegant, it doesn't have same touch, it isn't used in same way as a symbol. There are stories where sword as tool itself is singled out as symbol for violence like for example Vinland Saga, but for most stories sword is portrayed as the least brute of weapons. Knives? They are for murderers and assassins. Axes? For brutes that love tearing others apart. Various sorts of hammers, maces and other heavy weapons? They are for crushing behemoths, that trample on enemies like a moving mountain. Spear? The soldiers weapon, usually doesn't characterize as much but I've seen it used as symbol for war itself or discipline, since it's much more of a war weapon than personal one.

[@AsherReigns]

@@mrszmatan2727I’d argue that’s exactly what he’s saying at 14:00 onwards.

[@gtwarden7292]

I feel like the bat is more violent because it’s a piece of equipment meant for playing a game repurposed for violence. Like you’re breaking an additional rule when using a non weapon as a weapon as opposed to a mace.

[@amarvelousgeek222]

I also want to point out that there's something intimate about sword fights- tests of skill between two or more people. They are one of the few weapons that don't distract from the language of hand-to-hand combat, and instead enhance it. Like the modern sports with swords show- every sword fight is a conversation where the language is skill and ingenuity. It's just a conversation with very high stakes.

[@blahthebiste7924]

I think this is a big part of the answer. Ties into that quote from The Blade Itself in the video as well. Swords represent ones own personal skill and beliefs in a way that other weapons simply cannot.

[@hainleysimpson1507]

Spear fights and club and knife fights are the same way. Just like swords are.

[@NevisYsbryd]

Less than firearms. The more advantageous the weapon itself, the more victory comes down to appropriate deployment of it. Swords are far more reliant on natural ability than firearms are.

[@kohakuaiko]

In stage combat a sword fight is divided into "phrases" just like verbal conversations

[@neron93939]

In 99% of cases, the explanation is simple: the authors don't know about real weapons. In the media, swords are used not only in duels between the main characters, but are also used by ordinary soldiers instead of spears. For example, DnD movie where soldiers without spears can't do anything against a huge owlbear.

[@My6119]

Fine, I'll write a story about a broken spatula

[@sinclaire5479]

I'd read it

[@freyamehrab]

me too but who's your mc

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

Sounds like Spongebob has found a competition.

[@meldunk4444]

It makes the perfect pastry every time.

[@freyamehrab]

@@meldunk4444 yeah well meanwhile me writes a story about a guy with a dagger

[@ryandeschanel6925]

Trebuchets and nuclear missiles are harder to carry around.

[@shooey-mcmoss]

drone-powered photonic laceration machine is easier

[@tonysladky8925]

That's why Fallout miniaturized nukes so they could be carried around.

[@spacebear1483]

That’s why I carry a pocket mace. It’s actually requires me to use a tote bag because the morning star is a little too big. it doesn’t actually fit in my pocket, a bit of a misnomer. Otherwise, it’s very useful.

[@mike7652]

Hear me out on this: Massive trebuchets built with modern materials and such like, big enough to sling Little Boy type A-Bombs at stuff. Would be kinda awesome 🤷

[@justsaying4303]

spears are cheaper and easier

[@juanpabloacosta2531]

You my friend, have made a great video on a topic that I deeply love, not because I consider myself a warrior or knowledgeable on swords, but because I love what sword represent in stories and fantasy. I think swords are beautiful symbols for skill, justice, bravery, growth, etc and I carry them close to my heart. I learned a lot from your video and was gladly entertained all the way through. Congratulations for a job well done.

[@under-chonker]

Enter the Gungeon has the "Gun That Can Kill The Past", which is a major story element and the objective for the player characters and requires the "Bullet That Can Kill The Past" which can be used to change the user's past events.

[@86fifty]

15:08 - this line really got to me. "The weapon you need isn't always obvious." I've only made like three OC's in my entire LIFE, all from middle school. The one I remember best was actually a talking sword with a sassy, roguish personality. And in middle school, I didn't need a sword at my side. I needed... a friend.

[@DrunkenDragon788]

Sounds kinda like Jack from magnus chase

[@Jedidaily]

@@DrunkenDragon788fr

[@mattmerced1148]

there is an entire anime built on the premise of a talking sword

[@SilverionX]

@@mattmerced1148 But are they a friend?

[@zackyfaisalb9007]

"Maybe the real friends are the swords we made along the way~"

[@redjaypictures4528]

Even in Stephen king’s dark tower series which features mystical wild west gunslingers, the guns they use are forged out of the steel of Excalibur, swords are inescapable

[@Salamander_falls]

And the analogy is pretty concise: like the sword, a pistol really only has one function… to kill. I really enjoyed the Dark Tower books when I read them

[@SinEater_]

@@Salamander_falls That is false. There are uncounted amounts of people who have stopped someone from attacking them just by being armed.

[@Salamander_falls]

@@SinEater_ okay, so a pistol/sword has TWO uses: violence or the THREAT of violence. Not really a convincing argument

[@SinEater_]

@@Salamander_falls Stopping someone harming you with the threat of violence is how the police protect YOU every day...

[@Salamander_falls]

@@SinEater_You’re attempting to conflate two unrelated issues. The threat of death by pistol is an extension of the pistol’s function as a tool of death, not a separate function. It’s irrelevant to this conversation HOW that function is used.

[@richscott2619]

The master halberd is something I want to see.

[@Kameraspie]

I'm a Glaive guy myself

[@Starfloofle]

@@Kameraspie What is a glaive, but a sword on a long pole?

[@Merilirem]

@@Starfloofle That's a different weapon actually. The swordstaff.

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

Guan Yu and his Green Dragon Crescent Blade for the win!

[@ErikratKhandnalie]

In my household, we believe in polearm supremacy

[@CrusoelandProductions]

I love how this channel can pose such a simple question as “why people like sharp stick?”, and then skillfully and naturally shift it to a discussion of humanity’s desire to find simple solutions to all our problems and our innate need to express ourselves. Well done.

[@foureyedelf6151]

So, in other words, "Sharp stick has point!" Me and My Arrow plays in the background.

[@Linkario]

Your essay really made me contemplate why I find swords so fascinating and I think it really comes down to the idea of a tool that can be wielded to defend and as an expression of ideals. When I think of a sword, I dont see a weapon, I see a tool that represents prescion, skill, and embodies a certain ideal of justice and morals. Its an instrument that requires one to really embody a certain mindset when wielded due to its nature of intent. Its hard to accidentally strike someone without an intent behind the strike. I think having that power really helps someone to feel empowered: empowered by their ambitions, their goals, their own actions. This video made me realize that I don't have one to hurt others, but because of its status as a focus for channeling ideas such as chivalry and/or bushido or other "noble" ideals. Though the history of swords is shaped from violence, it has trancended that idea and I cant think of a better way to describe it as a sort of reliable companion and an extension of one's will. In a way, I almost see it as a talisman or a focus meant to help us wield the power we all know we have when faced when insurmountable odds. Definitely a romantic idea! Its more symbolic than a weapon.

[@damianrockwell]

I just got done watching Wistoria: Wand and Sword, and I think it really helps explain why it's a weapon of a hero. In the anime, a sword requires you to engage your target at close range, bringing you within striking distance of your enemy. Unlike magic or ranged weapons, it doesn’t allow you to fight from the safety of a distance. No matter how large or intimidating the foe, you have to face them head on. The sword becomes a symbol of resolve and courage, representing a character's willingness to put their own life on the line to protect others.

[@deleanor9665]

I love that anime so much

[@pinesandtraplines]

Same could be said about any melee weapon. The reason the sword stands out is because they are made specifically to engage in hand-to-hand combat, unlike axes or hammers which often have their origin within non-combat tools. A sword is nothing more than an enlarged knife, which is worse than a regular knife at doing the non-combat jobs of a knife. However, the sword is made to kill fellow humans. This is why the sword stands out among other melee weapons.

[@Chao5uns1]

I think it also has to do with it being a personal weapon. Because although swords are often shown in medivial times in war, spears and other longarms were the weapon used most often for war while the sword was often a symbol of personality whether you're a more experienced officer a king or a layperson. For the officer a symbol of his skill, for the king his authority and the layperson the ability to protect himself

[@Merilirem]

Ok but any melee weapon can do the same. Swords in fact are supposed to be used to stay away from the opponent as much as possible. If you wanted to really get up close, punch them. If you want a weapon why not use a hammer or an axe? Is a spears range really too much? Sword users also often devolve into throwing ranged slash attacks too.

[@notyourbusiness7391]

Safety of a distance in a world with wands? I'm not sure I understand you. It's like the good range of up to 200 meters of some assault rifles is safe in a world with snipers and artillery strikes. I see it more like melee combat is raw and bloody and emphasis strength and willpower, with blood and body parts splattering the fighters. While ranged combat emphasis on intelligence and it's a lot more clean... Like, OK, the looser's brains are still splattered around, but there, where he was, not here, on the winner's long ago shining armor.

[@Dyiad]

When I was watching this, I couldn't help but think of a comparison to the spear. Like the sword, it's also entirely a tool meant for war. You can't use it to farm crops or build a house or cut a tree. It's designed to kill. But while the sword has almost an air of nobility to it, the spear is much more humble. It is the weapon of the every man, something that was mass produced and handed out to ordinary soldiers. Where the sword takes years to properly learn, a person can get to decent skill with a spear in weeks. And further, I find it interesting that despite these differences, spears are in a way much more practical than swords. A wall of spears can ward off a cavalry charge or force a mass of enemies to retreat or strike foes at a safe distance, all things that most swords can't do nearly as well. They're also easier to produce, requiring a relatively small amount of metal at the end of a long stick, while a sword needs a hefty amount of metal and a highly skilled smith to make. It's a fascinating dynamic, and something I don't see nearly talked about enough. Although the objective truth is that polearms are the best melee weapon, and I will die on that hill.

[@Merilirem]

Polearms are indeed the best. They are the weapon that a spear it, but can also be a tool like an axe.

[@liorgoldshtein2373]

spears are the first tool for hunting humans had after rocks id say the mace is more comparable

[@dlcyKing]

Spears were very much a tool. A hunting tool. Even clubs had uses outside of combat with people. Swords were solely made to kill other humans.

[@lilylilylily2675]

A spear is also vastly superior to sword. There was a video in KZbin of a spearman warding off 3 swordsmen and they can't even approach him.

[@arkana9684]

Kaladin, the Stormlight Archives protagonist, uses a spear. And it has to do with the fact that he is someone who relates with the people and ordinary people. You can give it a try.

[@burghleyimeanberdly6513]

I mean Swords were pretty much always a sidearm, spears had better reach (an extremely good advantage), axes had more power behind them, hammers crumpled armour, flails could circumvent shields, but swords were more of a jack-of-all-trades weapon. They mostly saw use amongst nobility in duels and such. The Japanese Katana and Tachi (Arming sword and Bastard sword equivalent) were exclusive to the Samurai (nobility equivalent) social class and rarely saw use on the battlefield. (Samurai were primarily mounter archers and commanders combat wise) (The way I see it) Swords are the Hero's Weapon because of its ties to nobility and the Divine Right of Kings.

[@DBT1007]

BOW is always a favorite. Bow, spear, axe.

[@alyssavanderklift9296]

the sidearm part always comes down to 'right tool for the job' hence why in modern conflict soldiers carry a knife (for multiple purposes) a sidearm and their primary firearm, it always boils down to 'right tool for the job' and it also showed historically. Iirc part of why it was mainly nobility that held swords it was also the costs of production and maintanence, similar to why many medieval soldiers did not wear plate armor, it was expensive as heck and soldiers had to buy their own equipment, in that same vein it was also primarily nobility that could afford the costs of a sword.

[@yamitsukikarasu8857]

The tachi is a cavalry sword.

[@granttennis]

The bow (and rifle) was responsible for almost two thirds of the deaths at sekigahara, with spears being a quarter and swords a fraction. Swords don’t win battles.

[@ineedpowers5151]

​@@granttennisTrue!! Its more of a Status/symbolic thing

[@joeleon5718]

“I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” Faramir - The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers

[@Dormons]

I believe that the sword occupies a similar role as the revolver, both are designed for the purpose of harm, yes, but they aren't the main weapons of the battlefield and are just as well suited for self-defence if not better, both are considered outdated and both are associated with power, the knights and nobles, and cowboys, sheriffs and officers.

[@oscarchen796]

I believe the modern fascination with swords stems from their historical role in forced proximity. Unlike other weapons, which were often carried solely for specific occasions like battles, swords were deeply personal and intimate objects. They were companions to their wielders, present in everyday life rather than reserved only for war (carried for self-defense). This is particularly true for the types of swords most commonly depicted in media, such as one-handed, hand-and-a-half, or two-handed swords, which were not specialized for anti-cavalry or mass battle purposes. This constant closeness to the individual likely contributed to the sword’s romanticization. Furthermore, these types of swords were often carried by relatively affluent individuals, lending them an aura of prestige and elevating their cultural significance as "special" weapons. Additionally, the fact that swords were carried in what we might now consider "civilian" settings made them more visible and prominent compared to other weapons. This increased prevalence, born out of necessity and practicality, likely solidified their importance historically and influenced their symbolic power in modern storytelling.

[@rianfagundes7724]

I think you got most of what makes swords special, but I'll add a little piece that I think also factors into this. Visually, most cold weapons are made with handdles that are significantly bigger than the metal part (aka the part would to hit people with). Swords and daggers are the exception, with the blade composing most of the weapon's area, and with extra parts like pommel and guard that things like axes don't have. This means swords have a lot of extra parts that can be customized, and those custom parts are more visually appealing, than other waepons.

[@oscarchen796]

@@rianfagundes7724 That is something I haven't considered, no doubt having a short handle lets you present the cool parts (blade, guard and what have you) more easily together with a character in different perspectives and poses compared to polearms and such. However this could only apply to visual media, but an increased prevelense in visual media would surely influence written forms.

[@Merilirem]

@@rianfagundes7724 Except any weapon can be made visually appealing to the same degree. The basic design of a sword is the same design of all weapons. You can also just put a pommel on an axe if you want to. Nothing saying you can't. Not like most swords in stories don't do stuff no sword would.

[@hainleysimpson1507]

Let's be real. Only the rich or well connected could have and maintain a sword. Knives, clubs, and sticks were more common melee weapons. Knives are easier to get for common people or even a sharpened piece of wood or sharp tough stone shaped into a blade.

[@farkasmactavish]

​@@hainleysimpson1507Not at all true. Swords were the same as cars are now. Nobles had Ferraris and Lamborghinis, while peasants had Toyota Camrys.

[@fitzchevalerie6597]

Just a quick comment, at 12:33 , the phrase "return to violence" really bugs me out, because we never quit violence, so there is no way we could return to it, the same we can't return to a place we haven't left. It is simply that modern weaponry and warfare pushes the violence of killing farther and farther, and this can be seen through the evolution of weapons, from bare fists to swords to guns, to now missiles, we didn't leave the violence, we just try to not face our own violence directly. And this might be a controversial opinion, but I think swords-violence is lesser than gun-violence or missile-violence, as with swords, if you wish to kill, you have to do it yourself, and it's both a difficult decision and a hard fight against the victim, and fewer people die, but with guns, and missiles, and ultimately whatever weapons we will invent next, you don't need to face the act of killing, you just press a trigger, and they're dead, or you push a button, and a nation vanished. Swords are less often violent, compared to guns, but when they are, they hurt both the attacked and the attacker, to actually pretty close degrees. And I think that's also part of why we prefer to have swords in our media rather than guns, because guns are impersonal, compared to swords.

[@als3022]

Modern guns anyways, fighting with muskets isn't as impersonal

[@Stratelier]

The difference is (to use a fighting-game term) the "skill floor" required to actually use the weapon at all. Ranged weapons have existed for centuries and even _millennia_ before firearms, but they were really only displaced once firearms became so effective and convenient that pretty much _anybody_ could wield one with little to no physical training. A bow required physical strength to draw the string; a crossbow mechanized that process but was much more time-consuming and unwieldy despite its power. Or for a modern analogy, compare desktop computers to modern phones. Modern "phones" bring together the functions of a telephone and camera AND computer-with-Internet-access all together in a pocketable, easy-to-use form factor. There is still space and purpose for desktops and portable laptops, but neither of those were seriously challenged before modern phones went mainstream.

[@J31]

There are so many things about this video that lead me to the conclusion that the author of this channel is almost fully detached from reality

[@nkanyezihlatshwayo3601]

Not to be a contrarian - but I do think there is a certain “remove” to remove; simple violence is qualitatively different to complex violence (and perhaps in a romantic sense more attractive), and think that’s the bit that’s worthy of some pause, because there are many ways in the world to scratch that itch without a sword.

[@ZarHakkar]

Hmmm... makes me think of US healthcare insurance Violence through policy, the most impersonal of all...

[@DMJ94UC]

From the perspective of someone who does train with bladed weaponry I can say that compared to a gun what I like about a sword is that its much more connected to you and your own capabilities. A very good sword in the hand of an unskilled fighter isnt going to improve their performance. But a good blade in the hands of someone who can actually wield it, thats a different story. It becomes an extension of what you can do. On the other hand toddlers shoot family members by accident pretty much daily. Anyone can kill with a gun and that makes it a less personal tool. And since of all medieval weapons the sword, as you have shown here, is only really used for one thing and and therefor embodies it the most its clear why it would be revered over the axe or the bow. This is also where beauty comes into play. A brute with a mace can deal horrifying damage but it wont be pretty. And good swordfighter though? That just looks great.

[@elio7610]

I disagree with the idea that swords require any more training than guns, it is very easy to kill with either. Cutting with good edge alignment of the blade of a sword is not really any harder than aiming a gun and sometimes you can still potentially kill even if your hit was miscalculated with either. There may be more fancy moves that be done with a sword but they are not always necessary and skilled markmanship is just as significant even if it provides less of a spectacle. The difficulty of either depends almost entirely on your opponent's skills and equipment. An untrained individual is not going to do any better in modern warfare than medieval warfare.

[@thedigitaldummy3098]

Guns absolutely do require skill. Just as it takes skill to land a killing blow with a sword, it takes skill to aim a killing shot with a gun. A good rifle won’t save someone without training. Flailing a sword around an equally equipped opponent from cutting you down and neither will simply firing a rifle stop them dropping you. Try as you might, landing a piece of lead only millimeters across where want it to is easier said than done.

[@fe2o3.rustyiron]

Swords are the first metal tools modified to perform the specific task of killing a person in close combat, most weapons before the invention of swords originated from other uses,like spears or bow and arrows. Before metal forging such weapon would be a wood club or a stone sling, which are relatively easy to make. Therefore swords earns the throne of symbolizing violence, because you take so much effort to craft a sword, a tool specifically used to kill your fellow humans.

[@andrewli6606]

That’s probably not entirely true. Most probably some form of axe would have undergone that treatment first. A weapon axe is much thinner and maneuverable than a tool axe. Clubs, knives, and spears wouldn’t be too unchanged from more utilitarian tool versions.

[@fe2o3.rustyiron]

@ I mean if you want to go that way, a sword is just a shorter spear with a longer blade

[@Samu2010lolcats]

@@fe2o3.rustyiron Actually a sword is just a bigger/longer knife. There's even a type of sword that's called 'knife' and 'large knife' in German: Messer, großMesser.

[@enriquecabrera2137]

That's actually a myth.

[@vladyvhv9579]

The Master Sword is often stated as being able to expel evil, being unwieldable by evil (why someone like Ganon couldn't take it, and why it cures the "turned into a wolf" curse). Similarly, the Sword of Omens is shown to not be able to be used for evil or by evil (Lion-O can't draw it to kill a deer for food, it has harmed Mum-Ra when he tried to hold it). Even the violent aspects typically require a more close quarters encounter than something like a gun, or even a bow. Thus, a sword is often seen as a more "honorable" type of weapon, due to it requiring one to be in close proximity to one's target, giving them ample chance to retaliate.

[@eveleynce]

Swords are a symbol of status and power, and most swords were a gift given as a symbol of trust, to wield a sword gifted by royalty or the people is to not only hold a bladed object, but to hold all of their futures, to keep them safe, and to drive off threats to your lands and peoples

[@zeppie_]

I agree with this notion. The image we have of swords is very much based on our historical conception of it. It's become less of a tool, and more of a symbol, like how words lose their original meaning over time and become something different. It's a symbol of honorable conflict and purity of mind. You might compare it to the lotus in buddhist belief, but less of divinity and more of humans. Even though it's far from the most effective weapon in single combat, swordfighting was still the method of choice for honorable duels. There's this historical gravity to it that's persisted all the way to our modern conceptions as expressed within medieval-inspired writing

[@malickmeziani_FreePalestine]

Simple answer: most fantasy stories happen in a medieval setting and swords are also f*cking cool.

[@Rynewulf]

Even millenia before and centuries after, swords were still both fighting tools and social symbols. Our society hasnt changed enough to drop swords yet

[@mekingtiger9095]

Montantes/Greatswords/Zweihänders are the coolest ones because BIG. Fight me on that.

[@Rynewulf]

@@mekingtiger9095 Flamberge?

[@poenpotzu2865]

​@@mekingtiger9095 is the Zweihander the double handed lobg sword one that can be used upside down as a battle pick?

[@Ocarina-i6x]

Personally, i concur... Swords are F*CKING AWSOME

[@davidjordan697]

Probably a class element to it, for most of history only the nobility could afford swords, they were the only people who could afford bards, skalds and scholars to write romantic accounts of themselves. So when authors looked to these stories for influence and inspiration swords got grandfathered in as the symbol of someone above and beyond the ordinary.

[@robertstuckey6407]

This is why spears arent idolized imo

[@RyunoOhi]

@@robertstuckey6407 Gungnir would like a word.

[@robertstuckey6407]

@@RyunoOhi am I about to join the lucky 10,000 who learn about a thing for thr firsr time?

[@sowpmactavish]

It's worth noting that while the "for most of history" thing is true, in the medieval period which inspires most fantasy, swords werent that prohibitively expensive anymore. Depending on how rich the locale was, even militias and levies could afford sidearms. It was honestly common sense to have one on you for self defense if you can afford one.

[@alejandrovallejo6763]

Swords werent that rare, if you had army and you couldn't afford to give them a secondary weapon it wasn't a really good army honestly. Spears (and spear like weapons) were THE weapons but swords were definitively a close second un importance.

[@beawatson5224]

woke up from a nightmare that freaked me out a bit and watching this video was nice and comforting. love the way you explore interesting ideas in a safe and easily accessible way

[@patrickshaw411]

My main assumption for swords spotlight was that they have been used a lot in history as a ceremonial and authoritative tool compared to the humble spear for example. This history has made it more than just the tool it was designed for. It’s symbolizes power, justice, hope, and yes, as you said our own willpower. When Arthur pulls the Excalibur out of the stone, it doesn’t symbolize him murdering his enemies, it symbolizes the prophecy being fulfilled that he is to become the king of England due to some virtuous quality that is not related to sheer strength.

[@oboretaiwritingch.2077]

The sword is more romanticized over other medieval weapons for several reasons. 1) It's melee, making swordfights more personal than longer ranged fights using bows or even spears. 2) Compared to other melee weapons, it's appears to be the most "average" one. Axes and hammers are associated with being powerful but slow, and polearms are viewed as sacrificing power for the sake of reach while also being unusable in tight spaces. Note that this isn't necessarily realistic, but it gives swords the appearance of being the jack-of-all-trades. 3) Swords are romanticized over spears the same way handguns are romanticized over rifles despite both swords and handguns actually being used as backups and not main weapons IRL It's exactly that smaller size that make them appear more skill-based than their bigger counterparts. Again, not neccesarily true to realism. There's a reason spears remained viable up to WW1 in the form of bayonets. 4) Culturally, given that you need more metal to make a sword than a spear, a sword is somewhat a weapon of the upper class. Again, swords are not main weapons but rather backup, that's why you gotta be rich to be able to afford to carry one around showing it off. Swords are also used in ceremonies such as knighting, which further associate them with nobility and bravery. 5) In mythology, swords are weapons of heroes. Excalibur, Kusanagi, Balmung. Polearms are instead often the weapons of gods, Greek Big 3 all use polearms, Odin's Gungnir, Shiva's Trishula, Izanagi's Amenonuboko. 6) Sword as sports is still alive and popular like fencing and kendo. Other weapon sports tend to be more niche.

[@ShortKingofKings]

Its also extremely phallic

[@Merilirem]

Its entirely just a myth that has been made. Like daggers making people faster. Polearms are god tier weapons confirmed.

[@Carzeyday]

@@Merilirem There some downside to polearms..I larped (live action roleplay) and I had a habit of using my axe to grab people's polearms and disarm them or even when aloud stepping on their weapon's staff and holding them in place. It is a good army tool the polearm...But in solo combat It has flaws.

[@farkasmactavish]

Polearms absolutely do not sacrifice power.

[@farkasmactavish]

​@@CarzeydayThat's not a weakness of polearms, it's a strength of axes, and of being more skilled than your opponent.

[@olianims]

I think the problem with fantastical guns is that it's hard to make using a gun look difficult. With a sword, you can show the protagonist pushing through by literally pushing harder down on a strike and overpowering the villain. With a gun, you can't really pull the trigger harder. You can't point the gun harder. You can aim faster, but that doesn't really make for an epic fight.

[@bad_ideas289]

I mean, one of the main aspects of Westerns are cool gun fights, so I'm not sure your point stands.

[@Merilirem]

@@bad_ideas289 It does. Westerns don't do the cool stuff. The cool part is the gun fight. Its not the intimate clashing of steel. Two people facing off with guns is often over quick or a lot of hiding behind cover. When its not it becomes martial arts focused but not so much on the gun as the body. Weapons like swords allow for a personal feeling closer to fists.

[@Merilirem]

You could definitely have a gun that you "pull harder" to use. Power of friendship style.

[@PhantomGato-v-]

You can't literally pull the trigger harder or aim harder, but it's absolutely possible to depict it as such if you are a skilled enough creator. Sure, it's difficult, but it's doable. You can put a lot of impact into anything if you try!

[@llamadrama1090]

​@PhantomGato-v- super complicated shooting mechanism, 10 trigers and 4 levers, all spread out across the gun. Or just make the gun sentient and use the power of friendship ;)

[@Coldend]

12:43 - The longing for the return of violence to 'the sword', is an acknowledgement that violence is a fundamental fact of reality. Humans are mortal and absent any moral 'ought', the reality is that any conflict between two individuals can immediately be resolved (if temporarily) by one ending the life of another... and that fact scales to tribes, nations, and civilizations. Human beings have already carried this concept to it's ultimate expression, and with modern weapons, we have the capacity to end all human life on the planet. States have the power, and seemingly from now until the end of time, will never NOT have the power to end all challenges to their authority through violence. Humanity has now escalated violence beyond the scale of human comprehension. Our capacity for violence outstrips our ability to understand it. Longing for the return of 'the sword' is a longing for violence and war to return to a human scale, not one that kills entire communities 'by accident', not one where human lives could be ended at the press of a button while an individual sips coffee, and not one where all human civilization could cease to exist. The reach of a sword extends about 3-5 feet... not a globe. If it is true that a human being is capable of ending the life of another, that is probably the scale / limit we would want an individual to reach with that power.

[@SerialSnowmanKiller]

It's not all rosy though. The use of the sword of the primary weapon of war meant the monopoly of the professional warrior when it came to dispensing violence. Throughout history there have been four main ruling classes: the administrative class, the priest class, the merchant class, and the warrior class. Of those four, three still maintain their status, but warriors are no longer a ruling class. To return to the days of the sword, is to return to the days of the king.

[@farkasmactavish]

I find it disturbing that you think we need a "moral ought" to not be evil.

[@SerialSnowmanKiller]

@farkasmactavish Ah, but without a moral ought, what are good and evil beyond personal whim? You can do good without a moral ought; but without a moral ought you have no reason to do good beyond enlightened self-interest.

[@farkasmactavish]

@SerialSnowmanKiller Nope. You can measure it against the harm or flourishing you cause. I don’t need an authority or magical force to make that assessment.

[@SerialSnowmanKiller]

@@farkasmactavish But without an objective ought, why is harm 'bad' or flourishing 'good'? What standard are you measuring against?

[@raybrandt]

I think regular swords are not 'designed for murder', rather impractical compared to daggers or poison in a criminal context and almost never a primary weapon in a war context (Roman Legions being a notable exception), because spears/lances/bows and similar weapons with more reach generally were used first. I see swords as designed for SELF DEFENCE, and SECONDARY weapons in war; where you would use them only if/when you lost your bow or your spear. My understanding is that they turned into a symbol of status because of the relative skill (and price, at least for some time) needed to make them (compared to, let's say, an axe or a mace) and to wield them, and the cool design/fashion component. This inevitably had duels as a consequence. And pre-arranged duels fought with otherwise defensive weapons and rules are among the most honourable things one can come up with. No other weapon had that much social value and expectations, Stories revolving around those who master a defensive weapon and do it with honour are naturally compelling.

[@LivingParadox87]

I’m really surprised you didn’t reference Obi-Wan’s quote from Star Wars in which he speaks about the Lightsaber as being a weapon from a more civilized age. The Lightsaber is very much this sort of magical device that not only has many applications, but when properly wielded, becomes more powerful than practically any other weapon.

[@CyberSlugGump]

I was looking for this comment. And remember Han Solo's famous quote: "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

[@mrmason23]

Well, apparently not good enough against a slug thrower. Those who know, knows 😉

[@sinclaire5479]

Being real we never left violence behind it just got less personal in nature. Its easy to pull a trigger and kill from a distance. With swords and knives you have to be up close and personal it is a physical visceral choice. In some aspects i would argue that is the greater deterrent.

[@anibarukyouran1145]

a sword is a symbol, not a tool not a wepon. The one who wields it is what defines the nature of the sword.

[@Snowshill]

I look to terry pratchits description of swords and guns from the Fifth Elephant, I think swords have this immage of being heroic and this is the principle behind it, but thats just me Vimes: 'This is not a weapon. This is for killing people,' he said. Uh, most weapons are,' said Inigo. 'No, they're not. They're so you don't have to kill people. They're for . . . for having. For being seen. For warning. This isn't one of those. It's for hiding away until you bring it out and kill people in the dark.

[@illibrium4590]

Yea, this whole video made me think of the Gonne from Men at Arms too ...

[@ericbright1742]

It goes back to Joe Abercrombie's quote in the video, that the sheathed sword at the hip is a warning, and a promise that violence will be returned in kind. You carry a weapon with the hope you will never _have_ to weild it.

[@Colorcrayons]

It's all about "The Implication". {*flashes Dennis' crazy eyes*}

[@thoughtengine]

@@ericbright1742 Elizabeth Hayden wrote of a giant bolg who carried a huge polearm he called "Friendmaker" for that same reason. Because when you see him with it, you'd rather be his friend than his enemy. There was a webcomic once that dealt with an elite unit of superheroes who could fire energy beams out of their fingers, but still had to train on guns - because no-one gets the point when you point a finger at them, even if they've just seen a beam emanate from that finger that melted through an inch of steel plate.

[@ericbright1742]

@@thoughtengine Sir Terry Pratchett touched on this again in "Monstrous Regiment," with Maladict, who is a Vampire (a member of the League of Temperance, swore off sentient blood). He carries a sword that he doesn't know how to use, for "protection." When others see the sword, they don't attack. When challenged by a sergeant that if someone _did_ attack, he wouldn't be any good with it, he responded, "No, sir. I'd probably settle for ripping their heads off, sir. That's what I mean by protection, sir. Theirs, not mine." The sergeant conceded it was a well thought out point.

[@dursty3226]

you usually make deep videos, but WOW this was a deep video!!! i love the revelation that swords are not swords, but visual poetic representation of changing the things around you through force of will. i'm gonna watch this again tomorrow when i'm more awake and see what other incredible stuff i can glean.

[@renatocorvaro6924]

I always liked the Wheel of Time take on why swords are special. A sword is a weapon. A spear is a tool of survival. It's designed to hunt, or fish, or reach fruit from trees. An axe is a tool of woodcraft. It's made for chopping trees and reducing the size of lumber. A hammer is a tool of industry. It's made for labour and construction. A knife is a tool of versatility. It's made for all sorts of things, from skinning to whittling to crafting. A sword is a weapon. It has one purpose, and one purpose only, and that is to kill other people. That's what it's designed to do, that's the only thing it's good for, and until firearms rolled along fairly recently, it was unique in that aspect.

[@PjotrFrank]

As a HEMA-head myself, I frequently pondered on this topic in the past. From a historic point of view the sword derived from tools as well, if you see shorter, more versatile blades - such as the seax - as the ancestor of the weapon of war. The obsession with swords is partly rooted in the Obi Wan Kenobi quote: an elegant weapon of a more elegant time. Especially if you compare the simple sharpened metal rods with modern killing-technology. Landmines, sniper rifles, drones, cruise missiles, … those are mere instruments of murder - applied from comfortable safety. One does not have to develop significant (melee) fighting skills, nor has to risk his own well-being in combat. That makes swords much more sympathetic to me. Well, sword of … 😉

[@geoffreyentwistle8176]

In before the video proper starts... There are a few reasons I could think of. The first is image - a sword is pretty consistently an icon of nobility. Other weapons can have different origins - a hammer might be the weapon of a blacksmith or laborer, bows for hunters, axes for lumberjacks or executioners, spears for militias or fishermen, and knives with thieves and assassins... but swords are associated with, at minimum, knights and their squires. These people are always a cut above the common folk, and we like to read stories of extraordinary people. And as an icon of status, swords are also an icon of authority. You could extrapolate that to having control over oneself or one's destiny, or it could be just a symbol of office. But again, this puts the bearer firmly in the category of "extraordinary", which makes a story more interesting. The last thing that comes to mind is that a sword can come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and that might help to define a character. A cruel warrior king might have a two-handed sword that bristles with serrations and drips with agonizing venom; a simple knight with a good heart might have a simple straight blade, with a plain and written handle but a mirror-bright blade. A cavalry commander suffering from decadence might have their trusty saber, but with bits of rust and a dull edge. Let's see if I've guessed the major points...

[@AlexHerrera-wk6lq]

Someone needs to show spears, axes, and hammers more love. and ESPECIALLY shovels.

[@crestFall1]

Heart of Stone Caretaker enters the chat

[@watcherofmemelords7967]

Is that a fellow Krieger I see?

[@geoffreyentwistle8176]

*happy gas mask noises*

[@arkana9684]

Kaladin, the Stormlight Archives protagonist, uses a spear as his primary weapon

[@crestFall1]

@@arkana9684 Stormlight Archive mentioned. Noice. Haven't read the latest book yet, you?

[@survivordave]

Swords' symbolic association with war and primacy in fantasy is not due to their actual historic use case. Historically their use case was as sidearms for self-defense or as backup weapons on the battlefield. While swords are plenty deadly, wars were fought primarily with polearms. Reach is the primary advantage in melee combat, and spears and halberds (to name 2) have a far longer reach than most swords. Swords struck a balance between deadliness and ease of carrying and use indoors. (The main place you'd want a sword over a polearm is indoors, where the length of the weapon becomes more of a liability than an asset.) They can also be worn on a belt, so they're not as immediately threatening as a polearm but still easily drawn in emergencies and visible in their scabbards to deter violence.

[@grfrjiglstan]

Zoro’s swords from One Piece basically double as magic wands. Sometimes he’ll hit people with them, but most of his strongest attacks seem to fire some long range beams of energy that can hit opponents from yards away. His Three Swords Style seems impractical, but if a wizard was holding two wands in his hands and another between his teeth, you’d recognize the increased threat immediately.

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

As a fencer and antique sword collector who also happens to write fantasy stories in his spare time, I feel like the main connotations of swords are the dedication, resolve, and bravery required to master them, as well as their noble legacy and connection to our history. In real life, swords have always spent most of their life inside their scabbard as symbols, however, once drawn, they require their wielder to put his own safety at risk by virtue of being close-range weapons. So, I beleive that their predominance in fantasy is partly linked to heritage, and even more to the fact that they ask a brave attitude of the characters who use them. In general, I do not see swords as representative of a glorification of violence (romanticization, perhaps), especially as in our world after they fell out of use in real combat they were eventually replaced by far more brutal weapons. While war has always been horrible in all of its forms throughout the millennia, the swords reminds us of a time were even combat felt more "human" in his display of skills and courage, compared to modern times in which conflicts are still primarily resolved through violence, but using missiles, faceless drones, and shelling from afar. Maybe, when we engage with fantasy stories, we want to feel like we have more agency in difficult times, and we are not as impotent as in the real world. And swords can embody this strive for agency and mastery of our own destiny.

[@skeepodoop5197]

A sword has a level of personality a gun simply cannot capture. If you slay something with a gun, you don't, the bullet is the death deliverer. You slay something with a sword, YOU are the slayer.

[@badtaste7415]

I don’t think that’s going to hold up in court.

[@nicholaspeters9919]

This got me thinking on how swords in fiction tend to be more personally distinct. The designs and aesthetics of fictional swords are much more varied than those of firearms.

[@Jenna_Talia]

Tell that to the fantasy bow and crossbow fetishists. Might as well be saying that pulling the trigger/releasing the bowstring lets the bolt/arrow kill instead of you.

[@LoarvicLoarvic]

But what about slaying something with a mace, a glaive, an axe, a spear, a morningstar?

[@Stratelier]

Ranged weapons have existed for millennia -- the very word "missile" literally derives from "throw this thing at that guy", but what made the gun a gamebreaker (compared to swords) is that it packed the power of a ranged weapon into a form that was convenient and accessible to basically _anyone._ It's like the modern phone (a portable computer with easy Internet access) vs. a desktop computer with landline (or no) Internet access. Basically the same tech internally, but the major selling point IS the new packaging of it.

[@jamesfoster9613]

One of my favorite fantasy series is the Symphony of the Ages by Elizabeth Haydon. In that world, one of the most powerful elemental weapons is a sword that shines with starlight and ringed in fire, called Daystar Clarion. When you draw the sword, it rings out like a horn, and bolsters the spirits of your allies while bringing fear to your enemies. It is shown to be a weapon of defense, the music and light shown to be supportive. It can be used to kill, but the wielder of the blade has a title which is translated to be "bringer of light into dark places." I feel like the idea of what the sword is in fantasy is a rich topic, and I think you could have spent three times the length of this video going over those ideas and topics. Defense and attack, support and violence. It's... truly double edged.

[@NormalLunk]

My favourite sword was created with just one task in mind. "Destroy Evil"

[@shad0wfall615]

One of my favorite depictions of swords in fantasy is from Brandon Sanderson in the Stormlight Archives. There are these huge swords called "Shardblades", and they can cut through non-living objects it's soft butter. There's an element of horror to them as well; passing the blade through the spinal cord of a living being kills them instantly, causing their eyes to burn out into husks. For the most part, it seems pretty clear to the inhabitants of the world that those blades were designed only to kill, but in the later books it's discovered that (without spoiling too much) Shardblades held by the right people, can be anything from the classic sword form to a spear, to a pen. The books are incredibly long but they're some of my favorite fantasy books, and especially since Wind and Truth (the fifth book in the Stormlight Archives and the last book of this main arc) is released I would definitely suggest taking a look at it :)

[@justinAclark2075]

I really like the exerpt you pulled from that book. The idea that a sword is not merely a weapon or tool, but a more just method of violence. With an axe, you either are ready for battle, or you are not. But with the sword, you can speak directly to another's soul, through your cautious approach to it's use.

[@TheWretchedOwl]

Surprised there was no mention of Cowboy Bebop. The antagonist fights near exclusively with a bladed weapon, and is constantly going toe to toe with the protagonist and his pistol. Realistically this is ridiculous, but somewhere deep down we all know you can deflect bullets with a katana if you’re cool enough. 😎

[@kirtil5177]

Its the rule of cool. Slicing bullets with a blade is tremendously cool, hence you just go with it when it happens

[@djx7134]

@@kirtil5177 Vicious never actually deflects bullets, IIRC. He usually gets the jump on Spike, so it's more a matter of him being fast and sneaky. He could have easily killed Spike numerous times if he just used a gun (and he does use guns in flashbacks, so it's not like he's against them or anything). It's rule of cool, but it's also in-character for someone like Vicious to have become so bored of killing, and life in general, that he must gimp himself by getting up close and personal at all times.

[@MedievalAngryDude]

Swords are cool, but people miss on the knightly lance symbolism. If you think in that way, knights are cruel yet gentle surrealistic creatures, that exist solely by acquiring loot and through Arthurian exaltation, and operate through coats of symbols. They are crabs of medieval shallows, proliferating in shadows of grant coral cathedral

[@DanyBlue]

Im writing a novel (or draw a comic) and I have a crew of heroes all with differents ones The Main Heroine wield a Lance for instance, I think fit better with her personality. She is not noble or heroic, she is cold and distant (Lance is a long weapon that keep enemies distant from you). However, another hero in the crew it does wield a Sword but he is a deuteragonist I like original things, so I decide to give a Lance instead of a Sword I like Swords but it take to much spotlight in fantasy story

[@thomaslacroix6011]

The story I want to write gives a lot of importance in the difference between a spear and a sword, due to religious connotations. A sword is a tool of self-defense and of judgement. Any man capable of it must wear one, as it is with a sword that you defend your honor and what you love, in addition to punishing those who threaten them. A spear is a tool of war, or at the very least a demonstration of force, that must be used carefully. Wielding one is a demonstration either that you are ready to wage war if need be, or that what is kept safe by the spearmen is of the utmost importance.

[@YamiFlyZX]

I feel you, but your last sentence left my brain stuck on hermit crab knight society with a holy coral lance

[@joeycoe85]

And in reality, Knights were extremely underhanded, for the most part. There were exceptions, like King Richard, but for the most part, kidnapping was an acceptable tactic in European history.

[@hawoaliahmed6996]

​@@joeycoe85 that is an accepted tactics even in modern times. rendering a enemy a pow is considered by far the superior outcome.

[@caseymcpherson5658]

The sword is distinct from a lot of weapons from its era. A sword is a sidearm, it hangs on the belt, it's a work of art, almost like jewelry, but the important aspect of a sword being a side arm is that it can be carried for protection. Spears, halberds, and other various polearms generally don't come with sheaths, if they're carried at all, it is in a ready position, and it is clear that whoever has them intends to use them, or they wouldn't lug around a cumbersome item that has to be gripped at all times. Knives, daggers, needles, and smaller blades are designed to be concealable, treacherous, maybe hidden up a sleave, the wielder does not announce its existence, instead relying on surprise to kill their target before they know they are in danger. Swords are a symbol of chivalry, they hang at the belt, the blade is covered, it sits clothed in a manner as regal or humble as the garments of its wielder. It is both a warning and a promise, while it is sheathed, while the hand does not grip it, it is a declaration that, "I can do harm, but wish not to." It doesn't hide that it is dangerous, but it does not show the intent of war associated with many other weapons, it could almost be a love sentiment, "If anyone threatens those the wielder loves, it's blade will uncover itself." Setting aside the poetic jargon, it's a defense tool, if you went to war, your primary weapon would be a polearm or ranged weapon, the sword was a backup in case your primary weapon was broken or disarmed from you, they were carried around in every day life by many people, not because they wanted to hurt people, but because they looked cool, and they were practical. Less cumbersome than a proper war weapon, and better for self defense than a smaller blade, which might be seen as a tool of mischief. The beauty of a sword's design is also something that should not be overlooked, if someone goes to a renaissance festival with a sword from the time period, it's a piece of art, the functionality speaks to the quality of the craftsmanship as well, but a sword with a gilded cross guard and a polished blade is a pleasurable sight regardless of functionality, whereas a machete (of equal size) with no polish, no artistic care, produced in a factory, though functionally similar, will likely get you arrested if you carry it openly, because it's clear by the lack of artistic care that it only exists to be used, not looked at, not carefully played with as a somewhat hazardous toy (as many collectors do when "practicing" sword techniques that will never get actual use) The more beautiful and artistic a sword, the more it conveys a lack of desire to kill with it (though not lack of ability) a tool of violence made with the intention of maintaining and restoring peace when those who desire conflict would otherwise go undenied from forcing their will through violence. Most other weapons don't receive much artistic care, thus making it clear that they are not there to be looked at, only to be used.

[@LexYeen]

13:31 Those who crave the "simplicity" of violence are more often more concerned about eliminating nuance. Umberto Eco said a few things about such people.

[@suspicioussand]

Swords make the fight more close up and personal

[@Ari.Atland]

"The pen might be mightier than the sword, but the pen will draw a sword."

[@illibrium4590]

"The pen is mightier than the sword if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp."

[@Merilirem]

@@illibrium4590 Pens are ranged weapons.

[@illibrium4590]

@@Merilirem lol, my first thought was using a pen as an arrow shot from a bow ... and then I got rational and thought about just throwing it, lol

[@cheifDeisel]

I love you, Tale Foundry. Your juxtaposition of incredible understanding of the depth of humanity with dissociative robotic perspective is *chef's kiss*. Thank you for *gestures broadly* 💜

[@no3ironman11100]

He litteraly touched upon nothing of what actually draws people to the sword though This video is kind of a miss compared to what I'm used to from him. What about it's symbolism with nobility? The stories of old? How it helps make the fight personal and up close, bringing a human element? Instead he went out about made up, non-universal things a scant few feel about "It's a symbol of victory and protecting the home" (???) they aren't commonplace to begin with.

[@mogwiawolf4354]

It was an elegant weapon for a more civilized age

[@Pegasuz1233]

I think it's the sword practicality to be carried at all times also play major part, it's a perfect balance between the portability of a dagger and the size of a spear to be a status symbol. In the modern setting, pistol might be the successor of the sword. To think, a sword and a pistol might only be good at violence but they're not as good as their longer counterparts like a spear and a rifle which is the most practical weapon of war. So, due to their ease of carry, swords are practical to carry at all times even during peacetime where people of status like samurai who allowed to carry weapons have their katanas all the time. It may also be why the common people like writer or artist substitute katana with samurai.

[@FireyDeath4]

One thing about swords is that they just look more elegant. A hilt, a cross-guard, a shining blade, embellished with luxurious colours and designs. Beauty in simplicity. Guns look more mechanical. They are fundamentally mechanical, and simplifying the design of a gun would make it look cartoonish. They are also not bejewelled, since modern manufacturers don't care about expensive decoration rather than utility. Guns being black probably exploits a colour psychology to portray deadly seriousness, which isn't as appealing as the fantastic aesthetic of a sword. That's why the sorts of guns held by Wild Westerners and pirates also look more appealing - they're more interesting with their colour schemes and cultural aesthetics. Another thing about sword-fighting is that swordplay can be choreographed; marksmanship cannot. The closest you can get is either an action scene based on pursuit, tactical combat and environmental leverage, or the bullet-hell dodging you see in things like MinusT's animations. And that is also far more elegant, since all of the bullets are non-fatal pretty shining colours, not someone collapsing unceremoniously at a single opportune loud bang. Swordsmanship is a dance; shooting is a task to cross off a list. I think the best handheld weaponry to have would be a sword and a gun together, to assist in both ranged and close-quarter combat. A sword is constantly active, making it better for reachable use, but a gun is only active when it's being fired, making swords a bit more useful. And, there are still some stabbings and knife-fights happening every now and then, and swords are generally better at such combat than knives. Though, a knife could be more versatile since it's smaller. Man! You sure have a lot of references that aren't in the description because you left the clumsily-placed citation marks in the captions! (^∇^;)

[@VeritabIlIti]

4:42 actual footage of me playing Skyward Sword

[@mecomeko6657]

I think a statement I heard a while back could make sense here. In medieval times, the most honourable way to fight was with a sword/as close as possible and things such as bows were viewed as dishonourable, the same way attacking someone from behind is more widely known as dishonourable. As time went on, people slowly began to put aside their honour in exchange for an advantage in a fight and it progressed to where we are today where we can kill an opponent without ever even seeing their face because you’re so far away. The closer you are the more honourable, the farther away the less. It’s an idea I love and wish was never lost. This idea I feel bled into modern society to where we have disregarded out honour for easier ways of living and/or easier money. Greed in simpler terms.

[@lezty]

a fantasy sword is just a long magic wand

[@kidcthulhufortney1320]

As a sword enthusiast myself, I agree with just about everything you're saying. Very insightful.

[@KaiserAfini]

In the past, swords seemed magic. They were made with a lot of finely forged metal. Forged in a red hot flame, a polished blade stood out amongst weapons, something clean and reflective in the grittiness of the battlefield. Not as common as a spear or made of common materials like a bow, they were something only used when someone got past the spear, in close quarters, a special weapon for a special occasion. Maybe that perspective contributed to it being seen as special weapon for those brave enough to wield it.

[@Vit-Pokorny]

Its kinda funny to me because in most RPG/MMO games I tend to gravitate towards the more obscure weapon options or classes. Sadly a lot of the time the developers seem to not care too much about them so they are either pretty bad or lack build diversity. But you can always count on the sword options to have more cool toys than everyone else combined. Edit: I wrote this before fully watching the video, now my comment feels mildly irrelevant.

[@sciguy98]

FFXIV has a weird issue where since the weapon is tied to your character class, they had to keep subdividing "sword" into different classifications to add more classes. We started with 1 sword user, now we have 5.

[@shooey-mcmoss]

That being said: A fae... basically, regional deity, not a regular pixie - descends near you. Beautiful enough to be reward herself(well Her attention really) - too bad you gonna fight her to get that sword.... but it instead multiplies in amount, consumes your brainpower and grinds to dust whatever EXISTS near you. Just a sword. Just a Terraprism. Still unusual

[@Scribblersys]

@@sciguy98 It's especially funny that the symbol for the DPS role is a sword, but there weren't any sword-wielding DPS jobs in the game until the 2nd expansion (if you don't count ninja daggers)!

[@Starfloofle]

@@shooey-mcmoss Hello Terraria, pleasure seeing you here

[@shooey-mcmoss]

@@Starfloofle yes, and it came with Cosmic Bliss as one of sidequest bosses To be entirely honest, vasculatory malfunction might make Empress of Light harder too - your heart just decided you need to romance her instead

[@noytelinu]

Even Sci Fi is obsessed with swords. Dune came up with energy shields to use swords, Star Wars made Lightsabers, Cyberpunk made blades in your arms and being able to move so fast it slows down time. Whatever the excuse to put swords in, they make it because it is cool, because it is personal, takes skill, is iconic.

[@nilodelmundo]

It's probably also due to a Plots conflict. The "I am your father" part wouldn't be as impactful if Darth Vader just shot luke from a far with a blaster because of the two characters'distance. Some anime fights which use guns often lead to a melee fight for the characters to have a good conflict with the opponent. It's also probably something to do with the saying "up close and personal" to face your opponent within each other's striking range feels somewhat honorable or respectful in a way far more at least than snipping them from a far

[@PhantomGato-v-]

Warhammer 40k is especially interesting to me in this case. Guns are far more practical. There is almost no need to use a sword whatsoever when you have guns and tanks that can decimate a daemon from 100m away. However, most factions still use swords regardless because they're to antiquated concepts of honour, glory, and beauty inside the blade. Even the Tau, a race of creatures infamous for their incredible firepower and utter failure in melee combat, have learnt to use sword simply because the other races, mostly humans, just choose to ignore their bullets and get in close only to achieve a much more gory finisher that sends fear into the ranks of their enemies.

[@Rubyfireruby]

I saw your video on Rainworld, you should check out Outer Wilds or Tunic! Both are games that many Rainworld fans love as well, and they've got amazing storytelling methods. Tunic's got a very Legend of Zelda/Dark Souls vibe with a super interesting mechanic for progressing/learning in the game. Outer Wilds is completely nonlinear, but every bit of information is important in the game and it's got a super unique story. I would definitely recommend a playthrough if Rainworld and Zelda are the kind of vibe you like!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I've been in love with swords and fantasy for much of my early childhood and it still prevails to this day (just look at my channel). I've always believed the thing that made swords magical above all other weapons is the idea that the sword is an extension of one's arm. I've trained in several different weapon styles (via LARP and HEMA) and I've found the sword to be my prevailing favorite, as it feels more personal, more connected. The fact that it is not a tool used for any other task combined with the sword's versatility of technique lends itself to be highly versatile, similar to one's arm, with a high skill ceiling, which causes us to form a strong attachment to it. I believe the reason swords are so legendary is this personal connection that can be formed.

[@RTWLR]

6:45 I don’t know. From what I’ve always seen from an axe, it’s a favored executioner’s tool in horror movies. Specifically, it’s a blunt instrument that’s arguably drawn just as much blood as the sword. All this talk about how a sword is a weapon designed for the explicit purpose of killing people, saying that an axe is inherently an agricultural tool meant for cutting down trees, not cutting off heads, is the real culture shock to me, not the gruesome monologue about the true nature of a sword.

[@YouWinILose]

They're right, though everyone's media experience varies. Axes are powerful tools, like a hammer. Yet war hammers and axes never get the spot that swords do.

[@steamtasticvagabond474]

I think it's that exact reason why axes are so common in horror movies, they're tools. They are a viable weapon a non violent everyman might have in their garage, along with saws, hammers, and the like. They can be used as improvised weapons by both a violent murderer, and the survivor turned badass at the end of a horror movie.

[@RTWLR]

@YouWinILose Right. My media experience just showcases axes as tools of murder, not for harvesting wood and, to be fair, I'd rather choose a sword over an axe, but I like to think hammers on the OPPOSITE end of the spectrum swords are on. When the two are put together, it forces you to ask an important question: "Are you a surgeon, or a butcher?"

[@YouWinILose]

@@RTWLRThe real question is "Knife, spoon, or fork?" Honestly, it probably comes down to life experience + media experience. If you grew up in an urban environment, then the axe has been divorced from its reality.

[@TimMoorsom]

The origin of Abercrombie's title is extremely pertinent to this discussion. The full quote is from the Odyssey and reads "The blade itself incites men to violence". It's said near the end of the story when Odysseues asks his men to hide their weapons before a feast, fearing the very presence of weapons makes it more likely violence will break out. It positions the sword as an active force in creating violence and not only a tool to carry it out. Many will disagree, but it reminds me of the notion of deskilling, I.e that when police, intelligence agencies and other authorities are permitted to use violence against people, they lose the skills to solve conflcit without violence. Your thesis pokes a welcome hole in this idea, and implies that a weapon can be defanged until it becomes an aesthetic object. But perhaps, like in the Odyssey, that history of violence is only hidden, not gone. N.b I waited until the end to see if you mentioned this and scrolled through the comments to check. But apologies if I missed that this was already addressed.

[@tonyelia2362]

Thank you! I was going to make a similar point. One of the points of the novel is that the characters are unable or perhaps unwilling to break the cycle of violence. They can't find another way, and so they fall back on the swift solution the sword offers. The status quo. Add onto this the person making the quote in the video (not to spoil) is perhaps the living embodiment of the status quo the characters are fighting so hard against. So the author is aware of the trope, and I think it less of a nostalgic return to form and more of a tragic reality of the characters world.

[@chanceycakes]

THE MASTER GLOCK 😂😂😂

[@TheBrokensaintvxvx]

I'm not gonna lie, I love how you did your ad in the beginning. It came off less as a "HEY FAM" and more of a book recommendation.

[@AzariahWolf]

One thing I think has been lost that makes swords so iconic is that it often results in an exchange with an opponent. If you have a sword and they have a sword, you're often going to be clashing directly, skill against skill. For guns, there's often not that kind of exchange. In fact, some of the most popular modern gun movies, they have started using guns more like swords, with combatants having direct, face-to-face exchanges, using martial arts to get past defenses before using the gun as a "sword" to finish the duel. It allows the characters to be rivals and matches in skill, without a gun being the cheat code that bypasses skill differences.

[@michaelferrone4112]

I think there's value in the idea that swords can represent the beutifily simple and seductive nature of violence, but I think there's another side to the analogy in the sword's relationship with its sheath. If a sword embodies violence, then stowing it away at your side means that you have willingly and visibly set aside violence. In the symbolic sence, condemning violence entirely would be like not carrying a sword at all, making peicefulness and mercy indistinguishable from helplessness. Like you said, the temptaions of violence as a easy solution are a dark truth, but I think the even darker truth is in how much we rely on it without even realizing it. I feel like we've gotten so comfortable in a world where the average person never has to personally inflict physical violence that we want to forget that, although our human rights are enshrined in law, the law cannot protect itself, and violence still sits as the foundation of it all.

[@emmettobrian1874]

I think you're missing a few critical ideas inherent to a sword. It is a weapon that protects you. It can deflect other weapons. Why is a lightsaber a sword and not a really short range gun?

[@cenauge]

I was kind of surprised that the quote "a elegant weapon, for a more civilized age" didn't make an appearance in the contemplation on swords.

[@Pegasuz1233]

It's more like the force that actually protect the jedi than the lightsaber itself by allowing them see a second in to the future to actually have the reaction to deflect blasters.

[@emmettobrian1874]

@@Pegasuz1233 so why is a lightsaber a sword and not a short range gun?

[@Pegasuz1233]

@ Because the writer decide space wizard knight dueling for long time is cool and the fans think so too. A shotgun blast or a slugshot would end the fight quickly and the latter is canon in star wars.

[@emmettobrian1874]

@Pegasuz1233 the practicality of the concept aside, most people see the behavior of a lightsaber and agree it is sword like. If you disagree I'd venture you'd be in the minority. I've heard plenty of people question how a light saber works. Until you, I've never heard anyone say they don't behave like a sword. In fact they explicitly do, since they're basically fiberglass rods that the actors are swinging around. Fiberglass rods aren't too far off what the SCA or Hema use to practice sword play. So really, no. They behave as the average person would approximate a sword's behavior. Therefore what is the quality that exemplifies "sword like?" Is it not the ability to block another weapon? If you say no, then offer a plausible theory of your own. Why do people pick up a stick and take up a sword fighting stance? The stick is sword like not because it is sharp or deadly, but because it can both attack and defend.

[@bale7297]

The one thing that I feel I need to say is that the guard on the sword throughout the video like at 8:14 is flipped. The points should be facing upwards, not downwards.

[@lubue5795]

This funnily enough only further demonstrates that swords today are tools of fantasy. Their purpose is to look cool and convey a certain emotion or concept, not to actually be useful. I mean, 95% of all swords in media would be just not usable as swords. Whether it is because they are too big, too heavy, badly balanced, get stuck everywhere, hurt the wielders hand or whatever else it is. And here too the sword is not actually needed to be useful. It's needed to look good.

[@Silly_Andres]

While people were kissing girls, you were studying the blade, I see

[@llamadrama1090]

​@@lubue5795his mistake doesn't apply to fantasy as a whole, most fantasy swords, even the most egregious ones, have the guard in the right direction/dont have protrusions like that

[@lubue5795]

@@llamadrama1090But it's far more than just the guard. You can find mistakes for literally every part of a sword. Grip size, blade width, blade length, blade, thickness, blade shape, weight distribution, point of balance, weight as a whole, decorations, etc. And it also extends to everything around swords like the forging process, cutting power, fighting styles and so much else. There's a whole sub community around the depiction of swords in media and basically every piece of media gets something wrong.

[@sousukesagara-im3td]

Funnily wnough i was just given a sword last week. Friend is moving across the country and didnt want to bring a weapon across numerous state lines.

[@fromthedepths4428]

Swords were never really mainline weapons. They are inefficient, have a shorter reach, and hard to train with compared to pikes or axes. Swords are mainly just symbols. Since you needed more metal to make one, only rich nobleman, knights or royalty would have them. Therefore, Swords represent power, law, status. I'd also be remiss not to mention that the Freudian interpretation is that it is a phallic symbol.

[@WikiSorcerer]

I'd like to see a fantasy story that treats guns like swords. A holy gun imbedded in a rock somewhere, said to be indestructible and never misses its target, the bullets capable of making miracles happen whenever it's fire. That sort of thing.

[@trozaach]

Romeo + Juliet (1996)?

[@ethancoster1324]

Read the Dark Tower.

[@MpMan-w5d]

I dont read but there must be some gun n fantasy in steampunk genre

[@Merilirem]

Just makes me think of someone finding Ash's boomstick.

[@finaldusk1821]

There is indeed a game that takes that approach, albeit one far more focused on gameplay than lore or storytelling: Into The Gungeon treats its world's varied and omnipresent assortment guns the way most works of fiction treat their swords. The all-powerful macguffin the heroes are seeking is a gun in the deepest depths of the Gungeon allegedly capable of 'killing' the past, which it does by allowing you to shoot yourself back in time to try and correct a past failure. It's as gloriously absurd as it sounds!

[@TheBlob.]

ngl, you bring up compelling points but i think they are either used as the default "knight weapon" or just because swords are awesome

[@Merilirem]

Swords show up in stories without knights. Like in Asian stories. They LOVE swords. Has this whole myth about them that makes them superior for no good reason.

[@jaba-_-]

4:18 MODDEEEEEERS! MAKE MASTER GLOCK A REAL THING!

[@Jpthecool1800]

The Master Glock goes so hard.

[@theshamonk668]

ARES!! GIVE ME THE MASTER GLOCK AND MY LIFE IS YOURS!!!

[@AMVsGaloreYT]

I look forward to every video Tale Foundry puts out.

[@deforeestwright2469]

In a lot of old epics and myths, spears feature prominently-Cu Chullain, Achilles. . . But swords are not exclusive weapons of war. They are personal sidearms that can be used in city streets as well as a battle field. They can be used by individuals or in formation, they can be used with other weapons. They can have a variety of different designs that tell you things about the character, the time period, and so forth. They are easy and fairly intuitive to use, and yet using them well requires training and skill. A fight with them is very personal as well, and the whole psychology of the duel is very dramatic. Swordplay can also be beautiful to look at. It’s really just kind of the perfect weapon for storytelling.

[@williams100292]

The sword can be simplified conceptually to one word. Agency.

[@pandoratheclay]

You choose who gets stabbed

[@Merilirem]

@@pandoratheclay If you fight the spear guy, you chose you.

[@masterradiant3149]

Because I think I’m him😅 0:37

[@voidlets3359]

Emphasis on "think" 💀

[@CurrentlyDuck1]

Because the pristine blade is your implement. You need it if you want to do things right.

[@saberserpent1134]

Yes, there are delusional people whom don't understand the hell of warfare with swords and spears. But, there are those of us that see the sword as a "brush", "painting our forms and kata", and knowing there's an inherent power in that skill. I've been a competitive cutter for almost 20 years. The reality of what a sword does to a human being is horrific, and no one REALLY wants to go back to that, regardless of posturing.

[@ryant7482]

I enjoy this thought you’ve expanded on. In the story I’m writing the few sword wielders find the same path of logic, that swords need not always issues violence with their actions but find peace in their grace. They’re often designed to express regality and status even more than effectiveness in battle.

[@damonhawkes2057]

Not to mention that even in history in the medieval period, swords were not the primary weapon in most cases. Spears are the most common primary weapon throughout history, and swords were usually a sidearm. But even in history swords were often more highly esteemed than spears or other polearms that were in fact the primary battlefield weapons. My thinking on this is that it's sort of akin to how the revolver is the iconic weapon of the "Wild West", even though in an actual battle in that time period, a rifle would actually be the primary weapon soldiers used, and a pistol is just a sidearm. This is because most of the time you aren't in a battle, your sidearm is the weapon you carry with you at all times, and outside of war it's often your primary means of self defense, or the weapon you'd use in a duel. It actually has a bigger impact on your life than the main weapon you might bring to war, unless most of your life is spent as a soldier in an active conflict. Just some disorganized thoughts on the matter.

[@me0101001000]

This got me thinking about my favorite weapon: a staff. Not necessarily the wizard's staff. Just an ordinary stick. It's a common first weapon for people who do martial arts, and most people tend to move on and do another weapon. But something about the staff kept me hooked. Part of it is because my normal build suits it- I'm tall, lean, and have really long limbs. But the staff also has the title as "Grandfather of All Weapons". Nearly all of its fundamental moves translate to other weapons. It is highly useful and versatile. It can be used to carry things. It can be a walking stick. It can be used to prod the safety of where you step. The staff is a versatile tool that is more than just a weapon. Ironically, though, its greatest shortcoming is something characteristic of a weapon, in that it does a poor job of killing. This is one reason why you see a lot of more pacifistic people choose it as a weapon of choice. Something about that great versatility combined with the willingness to, "Do absolutely anything, except kill", is beautiful to me.

[@brightspear]

I feel this is why I like short spears, because it also retains that promise of violence if absolutely necessary when you keep the point sheathed. But on the flipside, it's harder to go all out in your blows even with a sheathed spear because of that lack of bluntedness. Sure, I can stab strategically, trying to incapacitate someone to make sure they back off, though it's hard to ascertain whether even a shallow stab causes less blood loss than a cut from a sword. In any case, I like the precision it's capable of in the thrust...you know, maybe that's me contending with my own dominating tendencies, when I think of a spear. But a staff is the peaceful way to go.

[@elliart7432]

Love how out of all things, Our Flag Means Death actually kind of does operate with realistic sword physics, lol. A big part of why Stede earns the respect of his pirate crew when he accidently kills a naval officer by making him fall on his own sword, passing it off as a purposeful attack, is because its actually really difficult to drive a blade clean through bone. Later on he wins a duel by tricking his opponent into stabbing the mast, getting his sword stuck and rendering it completely inoperable.

[@MrEpsilonGamma]

Just saying. “Laws were created and swords upheld them. Domains were established and swords defended them. Enemies were proclaimed and the swords vanquished them.” Goes hard.

[@Nordys_Webwoods]

Just sayin, In the real world, good has not always conquered evil, and swords were just as deadly in the hands of histories villains, as histories heroes, and we know most of history from the mouths of the victors, not necessarily the mouths of the “just”. Goes hard, both ways 🤔

[@CasualDandyAkaSqwrty]

I always thought Jedi were the coolest protagonists because in a world of lasers, hovercraft, alien life forms, and every other danger: Jedi are sent, two at a time, with a sword on their belt. Expected to succeed. Expected to return. It spoke of a reliance on themselves and a capability to perform without violence, using their other talents. Charm, calm, diplomacy. But also it spoke of a willingness to dispatch imminent danger with righteous violence, if it were needed. p.s.: I haven't kept up with current Star Wars, so don't flame me for what they've done with it. I don't know, don't wanna know. I loved the Phantom Menace, so that tells you which generation I was.

[@Rynewulf]

Society hasnt changed enough in millenia for swords to stop being a potent symbol. Millitaries still use ceremonial swords, and we see dramatic symbollic art of swords at least back to the start of recorded history in the bronze age.

[@Gearthepunk]

I was very excited to see regal bones mentioned in this, I LOVE her work!!

[@KnightsofGaming2016]

When you talked about how swords went from tools of war and violence to items of art and skill, it reminds me of this quote I heard: "We celebrate what they are now, not what they once were"

[@smol_angr_void7224]

I really like these points! Quite well put together! Another thing I'd like to add to this discussion is the long-standing symbology of swords as 'power', specifically 'imperium'. Imperium is the Roman word for power, namely the power over life and death that was typically associated with the emperor. Life is largely regarded as miraculous and the most precious thing someone can possess, give, or take away. The nebulous and terrifying nature of death, especially as an end to the aforementioned miraculous life, typically instills a feeling of awe and horror. Life and death are equalizing forces that unite all people, and being able to govern them - determine who gets which - is often thought of as the closest someone can come to wielding magic, or some would argue even godhood. Since the sword exists, as you said, for the purpose of ending human life, it maintains its unique standing as a symbol of that mystical and terrible power. I think that this is a big part of why fantasy is so obsessed with swords: they represent this terrifying power; the ability to take what is most precious to others, and to preserve it in those you favor.