Fan makes Serah Farron of Final Fantasy XIII-2's bowsword, Starseeker [Fandom]

As the fans are well aware, Final Fantasy has a history of inspired, though unfortunately unrealistic weaponry. But that's a nice feature of the franchise that helps it stand out against so many other RPG's that in in turn has helped inspire over the last two decades. The games have such a dedicated fan base that not only do they play the games and dress like the characters, but they'll spend hours to try in vain to re-create the weapons as well. Or, just hire a professional.

The professional in this case is Ashley Montgomery, a certified prop maker who has been comissioned to make everything from a boomerangs, swords, masks and more from The Legend of Zelda, Borderlands, Assassin's Creed, and countless other games, movies, and anime (one of my personal favorite is a nifty Harley Quinn style knife).

But the one creation of hers that truly stands out is the one pictured below, another of Final Fantasy's out there weapons, Starseeker. Wielded by Final Fantasy XIII-2's protagonist, and sister to Final Fantasy XIII's original hero, Serah Farron. The Starseeker is definitely an interesting weapon. Starseeker is just the name, kind of like how Private Pyle had Charlene for any "Full Metal Jacket" fans out there. Starseeker is technically a bowsword, which is exactly like it sounds, a combination bow and sword, so it's just as good for fighting up close melee style as it is for shooting enemies from a ranged distance.

As you can see from the picture, the blades of the sword fold back to make up the upper and lower limbs of the bow. As Montgomery notes in the description, the weapon itself is made from fairly safe materials like "poplar wood, plastic cast jewels, and metal fixtures," but it certainly looks like the real deal. And to help you appreciate the work that went into this weapon, the two shots seen above? The sword and the bow aren't separate, this thing legitimately transforms between each weapon.

You can see more of Ashley's work on her deviantart page here, and if you want to hire her or her partner Paul professionally, the two have opened their own business, The Props Shop. Even if you don't need your own working Mark 2 Lancer Assault Rifle from Gears of War, it's worth stopping by just to see what these two very talented people are capable of.