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.

 

[Malik]

Swordfighting isn't sport fencing. It's the incidental damage that wears a fighter down. More often than not--especially in armor--sprains, bruises, concussions, fractures, dislocations, and broken pieces of kit all add up until finally one or the other gets overwhelmed and makes a fatal mistake. It all leaves marks.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Swordfighting isn't sport fencing. It's the incidental damage that wears a fighter down. More often than not--especially in armor--sprains, bruises, concussions, fractures, dislocations, and broken pieces of kit all add up until finally one or the other gets overwhelmed and makes a fatal mistake. It all leaves marks.

The thing with this guy, he's lived (almost) ten decades. Long enough for 'myths' to be written about him based on his appearances and skills. Many of them are false, but his raw power is very real, not just as a swordsman. (Because the principals of swordsmanship are tied to the principals of magic in my world)
He does have one near fatal wound, that left a permanent scar, and he's made it a point not to appear until less severe wounds have properly healed, mostly to fuel the myths about him. He's a bit of an oddball and a showman, that knows a thing or two about 'publicity' and pulls a few silly stunts now and then just for presentation, but his power and skill are very real. There aren't too many swordsmen in the realm that can 'match' him, and the few that are he either hasn't met yet, or are the mentor that delivered the near fatal wound.

 

[pmmg]

I would add, though it does not appear in fiction much, but scars do take their toll. They cut into things and make them less functional. Depending on location, they are prone to reopening. I cut my thumb by accident once with a knife, and I must have hit a nerve. I've lost feeling in a portion of it. Imagine if I was hit at the shoulder, or the armpit. How many nerves would be severed then and how long to get feeling back? if ever?

I have never seen a boxer get cut above his eye and come back to win the fight. Mike Tyson got head butted twice by Holyfield and got both eyes cut open. After that, he had a weak spot. The scars would open up in every fight after. That happens to a lot of boxers if they get scar tissue around their eyes. It just never seems to go away.