Kuuji Blade
CATALOGUE: Weapon
LOCATION: Mara
DESCRIPTION:
Kuuji is a poisonous ink, resembling a black writing ink, to lubricate blade weapons. It is considered as the most poisonous substance in the world, and the most poisonous blade in the world as well (if Zerlina’s Ivory Daggers don’t count). Like the smithing of Sacred Kai and Kaifuru restricted only by Fuzuwa Heir, kuuji is restrictedly crafted by Jianinkori Heir. The one who wields kuuji blade must be the Native Mara from Storageholder clan. The wielder is commonly known as Jianin swordmaster.
History
It is unknown when kuuji was invented. Some speculate as late as the acceptance of firearms usage in Mara, others speculate even as early as the era of pre-establishment of Federation of Order (the same time period when Sacred Kai and Kaifuru began to be forged by the humans). But one certain aspect is that kuuji was an initiative invention by Jianin Heir, coming from all the three branches of the noble family: Jianinka, Jianinku and Jianinkori.
It started from the lack of Shapeshifter clan in the bloodline of Jianin Heir, and mostly are dominated by Storageholder clan. The nature of Storageholders who are the weakest when it comes to combat (due to their pain hypersensitivity) bore the idea to create a blade that was lubricated by a poison. So, Jianinku Heir was responsible for the experimentation of the most suitable poison, the Jianinkori was responsible for the crafting. Meanwhile, the Jianinka was responsible to develop new way of swordmanship teaching among Storageholders; to preserve information in their Storage of all existing combatants, to the point they could recognize every movement of their opponents. This is why Jianin swordmasters are called as “warriors who know the fate of their battle field”.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The record about kuuji craftmanship remains confidential (and one of the historical archives that is not annihilated by Scholars of Sorcery). The knowledge is inherited through inkmasters under Jianinkori Heir. The main knowledge in the making, however, is following:
One of the ingredients is a mixed-carbon-shesium powder (one-quarter amount of shesium).
During the crafting, the water that is used must be coming from Lau River.
In the last step for ripening, the substance must be stored inside a wooden jug made of old Bara tree and buried in the cemetary where Haagi flowers bloom the most in the city.
All of these elements represent Haan Deities: Kaihaan (shesium), Lauhaan (Lau River), Hiihaan (graveyard) and Barahaan (old Bara tree).
Lubrication
Jianin swordmasters must lubricate their weapon daily. The blade will be soaked inside a container oil, anykind of oil (the amount depends on the size of the blade surface) and droplets of kuuji — one until two-fingers dagger-sized of blade requires only a single droplet of kuuji, and taking almost as long as “a mug of boiled tea that turns as cold as ice”. The wider the blade’s surface, the longer it takes for the lubrication.
In the end, the soaked part of the blade takes the black color from the poison. The Mara like to refer it as “black blade”.
The mixed-oil-kuuji must be changed every one or two weeks.
On the poison
A contact to the skin against ripe kuuji can cause chemical burn. One droplet of kuuji can burn the skin, and the effect is continuously. First, it will hole the skin layers, continuing to the muscles structure, lastly to the bone. It doesn’t stop right there; the substance will continue piercing the other side of the body layer until reaching the outermost skin. According to Hospital Society, the trace of kuuji’s burn is like a hole on someone’s limb.
The denser the body mass is, the slower the chemical reaction is creating. Therefore, most of Jianin swordmasters target on the opponent’s limbs. The burn is so severe and painful that it’s effective against Shapeshifters despite of their regeneration. Except against weightlifter; the speed to increase their beastial muscles density is faster than kuuji’s reaction (thus, weightlifters are Jianin swordmaster’s biggest nemesis).
No antidote exists against kuuji — the main intention of Jianinku Heir when inventing the poison. So far, only Zerlina Tovonin can create a kuuji’s antidote (which she keeps it confidential).
Kuuji’s burning reaction only applies to human’s skin.
Application on the blade’s surface
Each Jianin swordmaster applies kuuji differently. Mostly, it covers the half of the blade surface; either crosswise on the pointy part or horizontally along the edge part. The different approach of lubrication shows the unique characteristics of the wielder.
Example:
The dagger from Jianinka Kushina
Kushina lubricates her dagger on the half side of the blade; one edge with kuuji, other edge without kuuji. She soaks her blade with Nafha fish oil due to her frugal living in Ivory Woods to document Deed of the Sect’s Water Mindbenders (and fight them with Oris Tovonov).
The guikuu-imitated sword from Jianinka Sai
The Lieutenant’s Lady Warder lubricates her one-edged sword (almost as long as her body) on the entire surface, giving the black color all over her sword’s blade. The reason is solely for her noble pride (and effective to force a group of criminals to surrender). This application never pleases her junior Nikolay Moranichov and her surrogate nephew Jun Mito.
The sword from Jianinkori Ryuu
The kuuji inkmaster uses his sword as a medium for his handmastering Water Influence; to throw kuuji droplets toward his opponent by rubbing his fingers against his sword’s blade (in certain technique to prevent the chemical burn). Thus, giving the black pattern on his blade like a flame. This application is common among the kuuji inkmasters. And Jianinkori kuuji inkmaster is the only Jianin swordmaster that doesn’t come from Storageholder clan.
The switchblade from Jun Mito
In one of his arm-length switchblades, Mito installs an extended blade to be lubricated by kuuji, one-finger long.
