Folklore Friday

Weapons and Armor

Greetings, Fellow Adventurers,

It’s another Folklore Friday!

As you know every Friday, we’ll embark on a journey through ancient tales, hidden myths, and mysterious legends that make up the fantasy worlds. Folklore Fridays will dive into the stories that shape the heart of our epic adventures.

So grab your sword, light your lantern, and prepare to journey into realms of fantasy and lore. Who knows what we’ll uncover?

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THIS WEEK: Weapons and Armor

HOW HAVE WE NOT TALKED ABOUT THIS YET?!

Weapons and armor are crucial elements in fantasy world-building because they not only define the combat and physical capabilities of the characters you create but also talk about the culture, history, and power structures of your world. The design, rarity, and magical properties of these items can reflect societal values, and technological advancements. From a narrative perspective, they can act as symbols of status, tools of conflict, or key plot devices that propel characters into action. By carefully considering the role and significance of weapons and armor, you can deepen your world and shape both your characters development and the broader story.

Things to Consider:

1. Material and Crafting

• What are the materials used to make weapons and armor? Are there common metals like steel, or are there more exotic materials like dragon bone, star iron, or living wood?

• How are these weapons crafted? Do certain weapons require special skills or magic to forge?

• Are there any magical or rare metals that enhance the strength, weight, or magical abilities of weapons/armor, like mithril, adamantium, or obsidian?

  

Image Credit: Lord of the Rings, The One Ring

2. Design and Aesthetics

• What style are the weapons and armor? Are they sleek and elegant, rugged and utilitarian, or ornate and ceremonial?

• How do the designs reflect the culture of the people who use them? For example, elven armor might be light and beautifully decorated with nature motifs, while orcish armor might be bulkier and crafted from scavenged materials.

• Do weapons and armor have unique decorations or runes carved into them? Are they symbolic of something?

  

  Image Credit: Avengers, the Infinity Gauntlet

3. Weapon Types and Combat Styles

• What kinds of weapons are common in your world? Swords, axes, bows, and daggers? Or are there more exotic weapons like whips, staffs, polearms, or energy-based weapons?

• Are certain weapons culturally specific, like katanas for samurai-inspired warriors or scimitars for desert-dwelling nomads?

• Are there magical weapons that defy traditional forms, like swords that channel the power of storms, or arrows that seek their target without the archer’s guidance?

  

Image Credit: Monster Hunter, wielding the Monster Long Sword

4. Armor Types

• What kinds of armor are used? Plate armor, chainmail, leather, hide, or something more fantastical, like crystal armor or shadow-based armor?

• How heavy is the armor, and how does it impact the wearer’s mobility? For example, heavy plate armor is strong but slow, while light leather armor offers flexibility but less protection.

• Are there special armors for specific environments, like armors for underwater exploration, or armor designed for stealth?

  

Image Credit: Lord of the Rings, King Theoden’s Armor

5. Magical Properties of Weapons and Armor

• Are the weapons or armor enchanted or cursed? Can a sword summon storms or a shield reflect magic?

• What are the limitations or drawbacks of magical armor or weapons?

• Are there ancient, legendary weapons like swords of the gods, hammers of the titans, armor of the ancients?

Image Credit: Harry Potter, the Cloak of Invisibility

6. Weapon and Armor Rarity

• How common are weapons and armor in your world? Do only the elite have access to the best gear, while the common folk are forced to make do with simple tools?

• Are certain weapons or armors rare artifacts?

• How are weapons and armor passed down? Are they heirlooms, or do they change hands through conquest or trade?

  

Image Credit: Big Bang Theory, Sheldon gaining the Rare Sword of Azeroth. (made up for television purposes) After this Sheldon says my favorite line: “I’m a rogue knight elf, don’t you people read character descriptions?”

7. Weapons and Armor in Society

• Who controls weapons and armor in your world? Are they in the hands of the military, guilds, or mercenaries?

• How does weaponry play into social dynamics? Do people feel safer with weapons, or does a society of peace frown upon carrying weapons?

• Are weapons and armor seen as symbols of status or power? For example, in some cultures, having a sword might signify noble blood. ⬇️

Image Credit: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Unique weapons from Movies

Ashes Chainsaw hand from the Evil Dead series

The Noisy Cricket from Men in Black

Darth Mauls Double Light Saber from Star Wars

The Proton Pack from Ghostbusters

Prince Colwyn’s Glaive from Krull

The Arc gun from District 9

Phasers from Star Trek

Wolverines Claws from X-Men

ZF1 from the Fifth Element (see below)

……and many, many others. I have not even started talking about video game weapons.

Fantasy Weapons & Armor Creation Checklist✅

1. Material and Crafting

• Common materials (steel, iron) vs. exotic (dragon bone, star iron)?

• Crafting process: magical or skill-based?

• Magical/rare metals (mithril, adamantium)?

2. Design and Aesthetics

• Style: sleek, rugged, ceremonial?

• Reflects culture: elven nature motifs, orcish scavenging.

• Decorations/symbols: runes, family crests.

3. Weapon Types and Combat Styles

• Common weapons: swords, axes, bows.

• Exotic: whips, staffs, energy weapons.

• Culturally specific: katanas, scimitars.

• Magical weapons: storm swords, homing arrows.

4. Armor Types

• Common: plate, chainmail, leather.

• Fantasy: crystal, shadow armor.

• Mobility: heavy plate vs. light leather.

• Specialized: underwater, or stealth?

5. Magical Properties

• Enchanted/cursed items.

• Limitations: cost to use, side effects.

• Legendary weapons: gods’ swords, titans' hammers.

6. Weapon and Armor Rarity

• Common vs. rare.

• Artifacts and heirlooms.

• Passed down: family heirlooms, conquest, trade.

7. Weapons and Armor in Society

• Controlled by: military, guilds, mercenaries?

• Social impact: status, safety, taboo?

• Status symbols: swords = nobility?

Final Thoughts:

By designing these elements in your world, you create not only a more immersive and dynamic setting, but also a more engaging and personal journey for your characters. The right weapon or piece of armor can be a symbol of growth, a token of loyalty, or a curse that ties your character to a past they can’t escape. Ultimately, these items become more than just functional objects, they are the keys to unlocking the soul of your world and the heart of your characters. Happy Writing!

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