The Lokaji

So generously shimmers our divine blessing

Radomir's Divine Beast

In the 6th century, a village blacksmith named Radomir unveiled the art of Steelchant – the ability to bring weapons to life, in the most literal sense. Through this craft, Steelchanters, or simply Chanters, are able to breathe life into otherwise ordinary weapons, which allows them to awaken and gain not only sentience, but human-level intelligence.

These awakened weapons are called Lokaji. Besides possessing keen wit and a sharp tongue, these weapons are capable of transforming into what is commonly referred to as their living form, a combination of a winged creature and a four-legged beast, the exact type of which depends wholly on what weapon it was that the Chanter awakened. This is, however, only possible if the Lokaj is able to bond with one specific human. Unbonded Lokaji lie dormant, and are indistinguishable from regular weapons by any ordinary mortal.

The omen...

The weapon type determines what kind of Lokaj the living form will be.

The blade or bow grip material determines the colour of the front half of the body.

...and its bearer.

The heraldic beast carved into the weapon determines what animal will make up the Lokaj's hind half..

The handle or bow limb material determines the colour of the hind half of the body..

Heralds

Before me loomed a divine creature, its grace matched only by the cunning gleam in its eye.

It did bow deep, as finely as any noble lady, and trailed its master into the great hall.

Heralds are the most commonly seen type of Lokaj, but their frequency in Develesja makes them no less unique or intriguing. Herald Lokaji are known for their agility, speed, and elegance, and are the perfect fit for a handler needing to travel through busy cities and dense forests alike.

Heralds are easily recognised by their horns, which no other Lokaj type possesses. They stand at about 2 metres at the shoulder. Their front legs are more akin to those of a horse and allow the Heralds to travel in a speedy gallop when necessary.

Weapon types:

One-handed sword | Grey heron
One-handed axe | Eurasian spoonbill
Bow | Eurasian goshawk
Shield | Long-eared owl

Heraldic beasts:

Horse
Wolf | Grey wolf
Lynx | Eurasian lynx

Bulwarks

The beast was gargantuan. Its plumage ruffled in the wind as its mighty head dipped low, sizing me up with a single bright eye.

A metallic trill rang from its chest, deep as a war drum's summons, shaking my very bones.

The largest known Lokaj type. Bulwarks, on average, stand at around 2.5 metres at the shoulder. They make up for their relative lack of agility with their massive size and considerable strength, which makes them perfect for sieges, warfare, and dragon hunts. They sport an extra pair of wings to support their heavy frame.

Bulwarks are rarely seen outside of Develesjan knightly orders and nobility. Their ownership by commoners is not prohibited by law, but by principle: few have the accommodations needed for a beast of this size, and fewer still have the resources to have it crafted.

Weapon types:

Two-handed sword | Golden eagle
Two-handed axe | Eurasian griffon vulture
Greathammer | Trumpeter hornbill
Spear | Common crane

Heraldic beasts:

Dragon
Bear | Brown bear
Deer | Red deer

Anatomy

The exact inner anatomy of a Lokaj is unknown to Develesjans. It is, however, known that a Lokaj's living form reflects the state of its weapon form and vice versa. A wounded Lokaj will therefore result in a chipped weapon. Typically, repairs to the Lokaj are more easily made in its weapon form.

The feathers covering a Lokaj's body have a slight metallic sheen, and their primary feathers leave small cuts on the hands of anyone careless enough to touch them without care. Lokaji exude warmth, though less so than a regular living being. They do not bleed - rather, parts of them simply snap

Gifts from our gods

off, leaving behind metallic gashes. If a Lokaj gets so grievously injured that its weapon form would be damaged beyond repair, it will leave its living form and fall entirely silent, unable to be re-awakened.

Lokaji are more durable than the creatures that seem to make up their bodies would be. They are, however, more easily damaged by other Lokaji or malevolent creatures such as dragons. Contrary to many a handler's worry, Lokaji can freely move in water and are not damaged by it unless left in it for extended periods of time.

Lokaji are divine creatures. They possess an affinity towards all things related to Develesja's gods, and are, by nature, opposed to anything that would harm things they consider part of the "divine world". Senseless killing or abuse of animals, destruction of nature or acts

directly opposing the gods' will are all in direct conflict with a Lokaj's nature. Lokaji are, however, not familiar with the human world and civilisation. They do not possess understanding of basic societal concepts and may come off as alien and brash as a result.

To live by (and with) the sword

Handlers oft find themselves baffled by their first Lokaj's habits. The creatures appear to mimic the sleep of their human companions, but are quick to awaken. Lokaji do not need to eat, but they possess the ability to consume and 'digest' anything, ranging from organic materials to metal ingots. Lokaji possess no sense of taste. They can and will, however, attempt to consume things to discover their texture. Decorated furniture, clothing, and colourful items are especially of interest to them in terms of consumption.

While Lokaji first start out in a form some might consider juvenile, their intelligence remains like that of an adult human. They do not become elderly and do not deteriorate unless their weapon form is not maintained. Lokaji likewise cannot die of old age.

Bound together, heart and soul

While Lokaji possess wondrous power, their potential is only ever revealed if they successfully form a divine bond with a human. The individual in question must typically prove themselves to the Lokaj before the creature reveals its sentience, which commonly happens by wielding the Lokaj's unawakened weapon form for some time. If the Lokaj awakens and its bond is accepted by the human, the two's souls are linked for the remainder of their lives.

A bond created or severed

A Lokaj's Handler is capable of comprehending the language the Lokaj speaks (which will sound to them as if they spoke the common tongue, like any human), and will allow the Lokaj to shift between its weapon and living form at will. Lokaji possess a will of their own and are not bound by any necessity to obey their bonded handler. A Lokaj with arcane abilities will also share these abilities with their Handler, be it in weapon form or living form.

If a Lokaj perishes, the bond is severed, and the handler instantly receives a grievous injury, seemingly with no source – just as a piece of their soul has been ripped out, so a part of their physical form is damaged.

If the Handler perishes, the bond is only severed once they have been given a proper burial. Only then does their Lokaj lose the ability to gain its living form.

Lokaji in Develesjan society

While the exact attitudes towards Lokaji and their purpose in the world differ between Develesja's regions, the nation's inhabitants share one belief: Lokaji are sacred, and to seek to harm them would be an offence to the very gods.

Due to their status as living weapons, Lokaji are commonly referred to as 'it'. While in some nations, illegal acts committed by them are instead held against the handler, they

are considered entirely individual in terms of will, decision, and consequence.

Lokaji are rarely given human names – it is seen as disgraceful. Instead, they are named after concepts (War, Endeavour), qualities (Swift, Valiant) or nominalised versions of those qualities (Alacrity, Ingenuity). These names can be given in Slavic languages or in English.