【对应原文】 Sword-singers were an order of Yokudan warriors who followed the "Way of the Sword", a martial philosophy on blade mastery.[1] Singers were capable of astonishing feats of swordsmanship, and were viewed by some to be as much mages as warriors. They sought strength of body, and of mind.[2] Although the tradition of sword-singing originated in Yokuda, it was brought to the shores of Tamriel by the Ra Gada in the First Era. The sword-singers were instrumental in claiming the entire province of Hammerfell and establishing a new homeland for the Yokudan people. The most accomplished sword-singer in history was Frandar Hunding, whose writings on the subject were revered by the Redguards centuries later.[1]
对应〈原文〉2 In ancient times, the Yokudan people were once artisans, poets, mystics, and scholars, but the constant civil wars that plagued the nation resulted in many searching for enlightenment through the Way of the Sword, also known as the "Song of the Blade". This eventually developed into a martial tradition known as sword-singing. Through the forging of beautiful swords tempered with magic, their artistry and poetry not only survived but flourished.[1][3] Sword-singers believed that the sword was superior to other types of weaponry, and were to devoted to using it exclusively. Anything else would only lead to confusion in their path to seek mastery.[4]
〈对应原文3〉 The sword-singers built temples to the gods of war and training halls named the "Hall of the Virtues of War" in which they could practice their combat skills and the art of forging powerful swords.[1] They venerated warrior-gods such as Onsi, who showed early Yokudans how to pull their knives into swords,[4] Diagna, an avatar of the HoonDing who brought them orichalc weapons and Leki, the goddess of aberrant swordsmanship who introduced the singers to the "Ephemeral Feint" maneuver.[5] The sword-singers initially recruited from among the offspring of noble families.[1] New members were accepted into the order at age eleven. Males became known as "Brothers of the Blade" while females earned the title "Maidens of the Spirit Sword".[3] In later centuries, mastery of the Way was achieved upon completing the Walkabout—a wilderness trek emulating the life of Frandar Hunding, where singers would wander the countryside defeating monsters and aiding the citizenry in the name of virtue. The Walkabout could take years to complete and some singers didn't survive the trials.[6]
〈对应原文4〉 Although the sword-singers were never a numerous people due to harsh and unforgiving desert lifestyle, they had a significant influence on Yokuda. Within a few generations, the Way of the Sword had become their life and was ingrained into Yokudan culture.[1][6]For the singers, the sword was seen as an extension of their soul and a symbol of honor.[3]They maintained that it was the swordsman, not the sword, that mattered.[7]Various legends and tales speak of masters requiring only a simple wooden training sword to defeat their adversaries.[8][9]Such was the influence of the Way of the Sword to Yokudan life, that everyday items bore depictions of swords or warriors assuming fighting stances.[10][11][12]
【对应原文Ansei〈1〉】 The greatest among the sword-singers were known as "Saints of the Sword", or Ansei in Yoku. Ansei had the ability to manifest a sword from their very soul, known as a Shehai or "Spirit Sword".[1] By sheer force of will, an Ansei warrior could create this ethereal sword of pure thought and it would take shape in their hand.[13] This form of the Way became known as "Shehai Shen She Ru" or Way of the Spirit Sword.[14] All sword-singers trained to learn this form through intense training and meditation in the Way of the Sword, but not every swordsman was successful in becoming an Ansei.[1][6] Those who could were said to be more than mortal. They possessed intense devotion to the gods of war, immense piety, and a focus and skill far beyond what others could ever achieve.[15][3] Conversely, there have been certain gifted individuals who could form a Shehai from a very young age or with little or no training.[6] Other times, a Shehai may be formed in times of great stress.[14][6]