Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-180.244.166.61-20150429013111/@comment-26044227-20150429014150

1. I'm pretty sure they are actual swords brought to life (tsukumogami), though I'm not sure if that was actually confirmed.

2. Historical revisionists. They're trying to change the course of history for their own benefits. It's interesting because some people think that they're corrupted swords from alternate timelines who are trying to change history for the benefit of their masters, who may have died untimely deaths because of how history has panned out.

3. Not really. Very few maps have branching rules involving what types of swords are on your team (4-1 and possible 6-1 are the only ones I can think of). Captains (secretaries) generally don't have much effect on who you'll smith. Kebiishi are a thing.