I have a sword in a story series that's made up of six pieces. Each piece represents a particular trait of the sword (minus the last piece), describing it as a near perfect sword the MC uses at the end of the series. I'm wondering, should the pieces represent character traits the MC acquires along the way, or describe the sword? Or both?

What I have for the pieces now:

Arrowhead: Sharpness
Willow bough: Flexibility
Diamonds (2 small ones, they count as one): Strength
Eagle's tail feather: Balance
Small red marble: Weight
Lion's claw: Courage

Any thoughts?

Wow, I love this, Aris! It's awesome, and the essence of the objects you have chosen speaks volumes! Love it.

They could describe both. I like it as a description of the sword, it seems so perfect; however you could easily make it match your character as well.

Thank you, Elanor. I'm glad you like it.

I could make the traits I have now match MC's traits, you mean?

Yes, that's what I meant.

How could they match? For instance, how could the marble's trait, weight, fit with the MC's?

Now that would be a problem. It's the weight and the balance that you'd have a problem with, isn't it. So I don't think it would work.

So all the pieces except weight and balance could also refer to the MC? They wouldn't have to be directly connected, like they would be to the sword, but they could be 'discovered' by the readers?

Er, I'm getting confused now.

Maybe I didn't quite understand. You said I'd have a problem with the weight and balance, and that they wouldn't work. Or did I misunderstand?

Oh, I meant they probably wouldn't work for both the sword and the character. Am I making sense?

Yep. So the others could refer to the character and the sword, right?

How could I suggest the sharpness and flexibility traits are the same for the sword and character? What could the character do to display them?

Interesting idea.

The arrowhead (sharpness) could stand for the character's keenness of mind.
The diamonds (strength) could be for the character's physical fitness.
The lion's claw (courage) is self-explanatory.

I'm having a little trouble with the others though...

What if the willow bough stood for 'endurance' instead of flexibility?


You could have your character go through a certain trial related to the object in order to get the piece. Just throwing ideas out there.

Thanks.

Endurance would also refer to willow bough, right?

He does, for some of the pieces. For some pieces, like the diamonds and the marble, they are near or even on an item (or animal) that also displays the trait (the marble is inserted in the tiara of an elephant in a fun-house type of world, for example). But yeah, having the MC go through some sort of trial would also be good.

Those are good ideas, Sui!

Or if you want physical, just put the marble across a crazy balance-beam/precipice thingy...
just a quick thought.

Yeah. Flexibility is a lot like endurance, in that the bough endures a lot of tension before it snaps. Basically, it would be referring to the same trait, but that trait would be easier to ascribe to your character.

Lady E- Those are good ideas. The character is emotionally 'upset' (he's gone through a lot of emotional stuff before he starts off on his adventuring), so those could help him get back on track.

Reiyen- The marble? Or the tail feather? The marble is weight.

Sui- Yeah... that would make a whole lot more sense than flexibility. Sounds better too. The endurance in the sword really comes into play at the very end. That's a good idea.

You're all absolutely brilliant at this.

*chuckles* I'm glad I could help.