Zulfiqar

One of the deadliest weapons in the magical world, the zulfiqar is synonymous with the Geziri and Qahtani reign.

## Description

A famous Geziri weapon, the zulfiqar is a copper scimitar with a two-pronged end. The sharp edges are coated in a deadly poison that is activated when the blade is set aflame by their wielder. In addition, the poison causes a greenish haze in the heart of the fire. Only those with Geziri blood can summon flames on the zulfiqar.

## History

Invented during the war against the Nahid Council, Zaydi al Qahtani's rebellion used them to counter the Nahids' ability to heal, which helped turn the war in his favor. The weapons were so powerful that it was rumored that Zaydi had stolen them from the very angels that guarded Paradise.

## Usage

Unlike most blades, the zulfiqar is best used with quick slashes and side strikes, rather than thrusting or jabbing motions. Because of its poisoned edges, a minor injury is all that's required to end an opponent. A long blade, it is usually sheathed at the waist.

### Poison

Zulfiqar are especially deadly because of their poison. Any physical contact with it or the poisoned flames will end in death. The poison turns the skin greenish-black with tendrils that spread outward from the wound, following the veins and nerves. The wound is unable to be healed by Nahids, because through whatever magic, the wound and poison appear invisible to them; as though the stricken body ends where the poison begins. Depending on the wound, the poison can take hours for it to kill someone, the greenish-black tint taking over their entire body. Unlike other magical ailments, it doesn't seem like the poison reaching the body's lungs or throat is enough to cause death in itself.

However, the absence/suppression of all magic will reverse the effects of this poison entirely.

## Training

Mastering the zulfiqar takes many years; the training ruthless in order to separate out those who can properly wield and control the destructive blade from those who can't. Men have died in that pursuit.
Citadel cadets normally don't train with real blades until they are fifteen years of age, or older. As such, the warriors who do master it are
quite valuable.

### Training blades

For use in training and sparring, training blades are identical to the real zulfiqar but have been stripped of their deadly poison. Those with years of training can even smell the difference between them.

## Quotes

* Ali drew his zulfiqar. The hilt warmed in his hands. *Brighten,* he commanded. It burst into flames.

## Trivia

* Alizayd al Qahtani is considered one of the best zulfiqari in his generation, as talented and fast as Zaydi al Qahtani himself. Unlike most cadets, Ali began training with a real blade when he was eleven years old.
* Even though Darayavahoush e-Afshin is not Geziri, he was able to summon flames on the zulfiqar using his magic.

## References

1. ↑ The City of Brass, ch.4, pg. 75
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The City of Brass, ch. 19, pg. 338
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The City of Brass Prologue, pg. 8
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Kingdom of Copper, ch. 4, pg. 76
5. ↑ The City of Brass, ch. 19, pg. 342
6. ↑ The City of Brass, ch. 19, pg. 339
7. ↑ The Kingdom of Copper, ch. 38, pg. 566
8. ↑ The Kingdom of Copper, ch. 38, pg. 567
9. ↑ The Kingdom of Copper, ch. 39, pg. 575
10. ↑ The Kingdom of Copper, ch. 41, pg. 601
11. ↑ The Kingdom of Copper, ch. 41, pg. 603
12. ↑ The City of Brass Prologue, pg. 13
13. ↑ The City of Brass, ch. 4, pg. 77
14. ↑ The City of Brass, ch. 6, pg. 129
15. ↑ The City of Brass, ch. 19, pg. 343
16. ↑ The City of Brass, ch. 19, pg.349