A Note on Regganorian Swords and Gemstone Inlays

The crafting and smithing style known as Gornish began through the efforts of a family by that same name in the former Regganorian capital of Jarrenstead in the 6th century ARR. Steadily rising in popularity through the years, Gornish smithing took on two distinct features in the forms of metallic, styled outlines, and gemstone inlays. Metallic outlines were utilized for knights in service to the Royal Army or of another higher order to signify their length of time in service - and though the trade was nearly lost to time after Regganor's loss of the Copper War, it still continued to survive amongst the highest ranking of service members. Gemstone inlays served an altogether different and important purpose. Mages at Regganor's esteemed Melmerth Magic Academy had long ago discovered the connection held between certain gemstones and the personalities of various magical creatures; topmost among them, dragons. 

When the golden age of Regganorian dragon-riding had been in full swing and the Dragoneer Corps firmly established, every knight that even dreamed of being a Dragoneer sought a smith at no little expense capable of forging them a Gornish-style sword that reflected the aspects of his or her personality - so that they may, if so lucky, be one day paired to a dragon of similar attributes. Soul bonding a dragon to rider was both a complicated and permanent ritual that held detrimental and even fatal consequences if the chosen pair were incompatible. Luckily enough, the color reflected in the eyes of a dragon is telling of its character, somewhat simplifying the process of matching one to a candidate Dragoneer. Since the practitioning of magic had been outlawed within Regannorian borders as part of their war reparations to the sovereign Animaeris, and a large culling of the dragon population as a result of the war, Dragon-Riding became nothing more than a page in historic texts - though the tradition of gemstone inlaying carried on, despite its reasoning being greatly lost on newer generations. 

Outlines: 

Bronze = Typical outline for average knights/trainees seeking higher knighthood.

Silver = <20 years' service< p>

Gold = 20 - 40 years' service

Brimstone = >40 years' service unless specially decorated by the crown

Gemstone Inlays: 

Diamond: The Royal Stone - Considered to be the most valued stone by Regganorian Royalty, knights found with this inlay are said to possess a strange amount of power and found to easily bond to any species of Dragon.

Ruby: The Stone of Courage - Those possessing a ruby inlay are known to be brave beyond comparison and borderline fearless, making them naturalists on the battlefield.

Sapphire: The Stone of Honor - The sapphire represents the self-truth of morality and the independence of thought; these souls are not guided by law but rather independent moral belief. 

Peridot: The Stone of Truth - Honesty is held above all for owners of this stone, and there is little wonder why; they are known to become the very best keepers of justice. 

Opal: The Stone of Wisdom - One with the wisdom stone is both cautious and calculating of every circumstance, taking the time to weigh out every option set before them before coming to a decision. 

Jasper: The Stone of Compassion - The jasper gemstone represents a soul with a compassionate heart, one that both puts one's needs before their own and gives more than they receive. 

Amethyst: The Stone of Magic - The stone of magic is not always found with those who possess inherent magical abilities, but rather to those with a heightened sense for them. These natural senses allow the individual to understand the nature of magic with more clarity and perceive when something is amiss, allowing for a greater aptitude for learning and adapting to magic. 

Topaz: The Stone of Loyalty - Those few knights to be gifted the stone of loyalty are known as some of the most trustworthy in the land, and are willing to both fight and die for their homelands and loved ones. 

Emerald: The Stone of Mirth - The nature of one paired with the emerald tends to be jovial in almost any circumstance. Hard to displease, these folk tend to boost morale and raise the spirits of others wherever they might go. 

Garnet: The Stone of Resilience - The ability to carry on through dire straits, physically, mentally, and spiritually, is a trait found in few not in possession of the garnet gemstone. 

Jade: The Stone of Diligence - Hardworking are those in possession of the Jade, prudent in their work and adept at a wide variety of skills as a result and cunning to boot.

Lapis: The Stone of Initiates - Traditionally, knights preparing to enter the Royal Army or Dragoneer Corps are in possession of this gemstone until their true gemstone alignment can be determined. 

Pearl: The Adventurer's Stone - Rare amongst knights, the Pearl is the mark of a wandering spirit. Though beneficial in some cases, these individuals rarely stay in one place long enough to be reliable.

Onyx: The Stone of Mystics - Incredibly rare, those few knights akin in spirit to the onyx are believed to possess unknown or uncanny magical abilities.