#the lore

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First off, Meito are strictly swords. The fact that any blade can be a Meito is...dull. In fact, Eneru's staff is a Meito...huh????

Second, it is not the goal of a swordsman to turn a blade into a black blade. Instead, its to use their will (Haki) to temper the blade, making the blade appear more vibrant, so that the blade (regardless of rank; sense the whole rising one rank is omitted) is performing at its greatest potential. Black blades are made from material like obsidian ore.

Lastly, the ranking system. I feel that I should look into as the person traveling around the world to study and catalog these swords.

Note: Under the assumption that Wano can let outsiders in, but its incredibly on who they let in. Extensive background checks and what not.

This person checks for the materials used to forge the blade, who made the blade, and it's reliability and performance in combat.

Supreme Grade (Saijo O Wazamono): Forged from legendary Grand Line/New World ores/metals, crafted by a legendary master smith, and boasts flawless, peerless combat performance.

Great Grade (O Wazamono): Made with superior Grand Line materials, made by a renowned smith, and shows exceptional performance.

Skillful Grade (Ryo Wazamono): Uses standard Grand Line or high-grade Blue materials, shaped by a skilled smith with reliable durability.

Grade Sword (Wazamono): Made from standard Grand Line materials, forged by a simple local blacksmith, and offers passable, sturdy combat performance and reliable to not break in most fights.

Swords made from standard material found in the Four Blues are disqualified from the ranking system due to just being more like mass produced tools.

However, what makes a Meito worthy or has the potential to become a Meito is the presence of a distinct energy/personality, made from the intention of the blacksmith and how it "resonates" with future wielders.

Like i said before, jester and king really is just anachronistic thinly veiled fantasy porn. but! because i am insufferable about these kinds of things im going to wax poetic about it.

Jester, referred to as Stańczyk in fake hockey rpf as a jester rpf joke because of the historical jester and political philosopher by that name, is a genderfluid anomaly unconstrained by anything except the stupid outfit. its magic or something but the changes come to pass and just Are.

king would default to diminishing jester as feminine regardless bc of the power differential between them. jester is at king's mercy and one off color comment away from being killed. but maybe king has a moment of surrender somewhere in there and gets fucked and its like this euphoric power trip for jester. the relationship, though passionate is mostly that way because of how fraught it is. the jester is a worker and is being misused in a sense but also benefiting.

Jester exists, in the king's estimation, entirely to amuse and please him. King is a ruthless and selfish despot with almost no regard for anyone except himself. He and the jester are engaged in a torrid affair behind the back of the fiefdom's Queen who actually runs things.

i havent designed her yet but check back. maybe something interesting to be said for casual misogyny in fantasy????

Leblanc is the king's untrustworthy advisor. he sucks at his job and is unbelievably jealous of the king and the jester, not because hes attracted to either of them, but because he wants to be loved too. he is later courted by a roving warlord that imprisons the king and forces the jester into exile/prison with king/servitude. i forgot to draw him but theres a comic in the tag.