Why I created the Safanni

When building the world of Trexlin, I’ve always strived for more than just swords, spells, and scenery—I want each culture to feel lived-in, distinct, and reflective of values that go far beyond surface aesthetics. One of the ways I do that is by giving each race or faction not just a unique history or language, but tools—artifacts—that embody their worldview. For the Zanne, that weapon is the Safanni.

So why create a completely unique blade, with its own dimensions, its own lore, and even a fighting style that can take decades to master?

Because it tells you everything you need to know about the Zanne.

The Safanni isn’t just cool-looking (though, let’s be honest, it is). It’s a weapon that represents precision, tradition, and discipline. The Zanne are a people who believe in control—of body, of mind, of surroundings. Their society doesn’t value brute strength or flashy chaos; it values elegance, mastery, and efficiency. A weapon like the Safanni, with its twin sweeping prongs and lethal spinal notch, reflects that beautifully. It’s not designed for flailing in a brawl. It’s a weapon of intention.

Write your text From a design standpoint, I wanted the Safanni to stand out immediately—to look like it belonged to someone from a very different tradition than, say, a human woodsman or a Threv warrior. I thought - what if their sword looked like two curved scimitars fused at the base? What if it had a precise purpose. Not just to kill, but to disable with terrifying effectiveness?

That idea led to the blade’s defining feature: the spinal notch. A deliberate cut. A disabling strike. The kind of move you train for years to get right.

And here’s the thing. Not just anyone can wield a Safanni. In the world of Trexlin, few non-Zanne even have the opportunity to learn how. Most teachers refuse to train outsiders. This is not out of malice, but the reason is two-fold. It can take decades to truly master - and most humans aren't willing to dedicate that much of their life to learning a single weapon - and, because to the Zanne, teaching someone the Safanni isn’t about teaching swordplay. It’s about passing down philosophy, heritage, and cultural identity.

As a writer and worldbuilder, that’s gold.

A weapon like the Safanni becomes more than a blade—it becomes a symbol. When one appears in a story, you know something serious is happening. It carries the weight of its people with it. And that’s why I put in the time to design something unique, something that couldn’t just be swapped out with a generic longsword or katana.

So the next time you see a Safanni gleam in the hands of a Zanne warrior, know this: the sword is speaking. And it’s saying far more than just “prepare to die.”