Is this a 'real' thing? (In reality, not just romanticized fiction)

[Naruzeldamaster]

So, I've been playing it 'fast and loose' with my fantasy based world, there's a nice blend of 'regular' modernized tech (They have things like small portable tvs and soda machines, but also much more advanced things are legitimate magi-tech) but one thing I wrote recently I'm somewhat curious about. It has to do with swordsmanship.

At least in my story swordsmen/women are judged not just by how strong they are, but how pristine their body is. As in, they never let their opponents get close enough to wound them in the first place, meaning they're either superbly skilled or insanely powerful. Maybe the skill gap between a given swordsman/woman and their opponents is just that deep etc.

But that got me thinking is it an actual thing in real life? Like were Swordsmen considered 'Barbaric' if they had too many flesh wounds? Maybe they were seen as badges of Honor? etc.

Bear in mind this is a realm where a skilled enough swordsman can use their willpower to use a metal toothpick like a real ass sword, provided they had the intent and focus to prevent said toothpick from snapping in two on contact with the real blade.

 

[ThinkerX]

People who play with sharp objects tend to get hurt bad. 'Pristine Body' doesn't happen. Injuries that impair strength and agility do happen.

 

[pmmg]

Someone with lots of battle scars would look like someone who's been in a lot of battles. If they aren't dead, they probably know a thing of too.

Consider the phrase...you learn from your mistakes.

 

[Prince of Spires]

Personal opinion, but I doubt you'd see a lot of swordmen with scars. Simple reason is, you'd be dead after one or two. Swords (and other weapons) are deadly things. They only give you a scar if you're lucky. Otherwise, they'd either outright kill you (if you're lucky) or main you in such a way that you bleed out slowly or end up with a large wound that probably gets infected and then the infection kills you.

There aren't really exceptions. Duels to first blood maybe. But they still cary the risk of just outright killing you. And how many duels without protection and using blunt swords would anyone realistically fight?

 

[El_d_ray]

Very brief search through the internet led me to believe that viewing scars as something repulsive or ugly is a more modern tendency as we view body beauty as something that suppose to be preserve in the most untouched way. In a very simple manner: our society allows us to be unharmed for a significant period of our lives which creates an image of un-scarred person as attractive. And in the earlier scars where more a sign of your profession, as the more you work with something, the more it reflects on your body.

I really didn't found any culture (except somewhat beginning of 21 century) that have a view of scars as something shameful or bad.
Even with swordwoman/man who is incredibly skilful, it is incredibly hard to believe to not receive any scars during the training. As in, if you ever learned to play a guitar it literally shows on your fingers even after initial steps.

There should be scars that have symbolism of a shame, but I can't remember specific ones right now, and can speculate that marks of the collars or some sort of branding, but I'd need more time to look for examples,

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Someone with lots of battle scars would look like someone who's been in a lot of battles. If they aren't dead, they probably know a thing of too.

Consider the phrase...you learn from your mistakes.

Considering his backstory, he does have one significant scar on his back (though he does wear thick armor plating to 'hide' it) from the time he dueled his 'mentor' with real swords. Otherwise his body is pristine, and if he does get scars they're only surface level scars that heal within a few months.

Even knowing his origins and longevity, she is shocked to see that he's alive when she sees him again. The kind of strike she laid upon him (should have) ensured he died.

Personal opinion, but I doubt you'd see a lot of swordmen with scars. Simple reason is, you'd be dead after one or two. Swords (and other weapons) are deadly things. They only give you a scar if you're lucky. Otherwise, they'd either outright kill you (if you're lucky) or main you in such a way that you bleed out slowly or end up with a large wound that probably gets infected and then the infection kills you.

There aren't really exceptions. Duels to first blood maybe. But they still cary the risk of just outright killing you. And how many duels without protection and using blunt swords would anyone realistically fight?

I was going to have it that he received one near fatal blow after completing his training with his 'mentor' where he finally challenged her with swords he crafted himself. (He's also a blacksmith) Before he blacks out. She jokes about 'sparing' him because he was 'just so adorable' which, really shattered his heart, considering up to that point they had an 'honest' relationship. He was nothing more than a plaything to her.