Claymore

Claymores are the titular characters of the series. Named after the Great swords they wield, they are half-human, half-Yoma hybrid warriors of the Organization. Normally, Claymores don't call each other by the name "Claymore"; instead, the humans gave them this name, alternatively referring to them as "silver-eyed witches/slayers."

Etymology
"Claymore" is a transliteration of the Japanese series title, "Kureimoa" (クレイモア, pronounced "kray-mor"). "Claymore" is derived from the Scottish-Gaelic claidheamh mór, meaning "great sword." Claidheamh mór can be pronounced "cleiv-more."

The name "Claymore" is in fact a term coined by the civilians on the island used to refer to these human-Yoma hybrids. The word is typically not used by the Claymores themselves when referring to one another. Rather, they refer to each other as "warriors" or "comrades."

Description
Claymores are not necessarily more powerful than Yoma, being only half-Yoma themselves. However, due to their highly advanced martial arts training by the Organization, and the fact that only the most resilient and intelligent survive the final exam (there is, perhaps, an 80% fatality rate) Claymores succeed in defeating Yoma by using "brains over brawn." A proper parallel would be humans hunting dangerous wild beasts such as boar, wolves, or bears.

Standard Claymore abilities include heightened physical strength, speed, durability and regeneration, limited shapeshifting and the ability to detect Yoma and other Claymores by sensing their Yoki. To further enhance these abilities, they access the powers of their Yoma half, releasing their Yoki. In most cases, a Claymore will lose her human mind and become a super-predator called an Awakened Being if the amount of Yoki she releases exceeds a certain limit. This process is known as "Awakening". However, there are exceptions to this rule and certain Claymores are able to temporarily go over their limits and then revert back to their original forms. Unfortunately, all Claymores will eventually succumb to their Yoma sides and Awaken due to the extreme toll that Yoki release has on the human mind and spirit. To, hopefully, prevent this from happening, a Claymore will send a black card marked with her personal symbol to another Claymore of her choice, usually a trusted friend, when her Awakening draws near so that she can die as a human before the process is completed and she becomes an Awakened Being. Presumably. the Organization taught this to warriors in order to save unnecessary bloodshed from having a powerful and troublesome yoma on the loose.

Creation
All current Claymores are female. Originally, male warriors were also created. The Organization had no qualms over their strength, but they were found to be more prone to awakening due to their inability to resist the urge, as the Awakening process brings sensations akin to sexual pleasure.

The Organization takes in young girls, typically orphans, abandoned children, and survivors of Yoma attacks - though they may also purchase them from their families or villages if they possess a desirable quality - and embed Yoma flesh and blood into their bodies through an incision made from the throat to the mons pubis. This incision never heals. The incision is held together through a series of stitches throughout the life of the claymore. The transformation is extremely painful, as long as the transplant does not adapt to the human body. Side effects include loss of pigment in the hair and eyes, resulting in all Claymores having silver eyes and pale brown, blond, or silver hair. A few also develop pointed, elf-like ears. It may also be possible that hair growth is stemmed after the creation of a claymore, as suggested in chapter 77.2 (volume 14) where Clare has her hair intentionally cut off in order to slay a yoma with her hair resembling her modern appearance afterward.

The only known exception is Clare, who took Teresa's flesh and blood inside her in order to become a Claymore and take revenge on Priscilla. Thus, many Claymores have a personal vendetta against Yoma and throughout the series, stories are told of the horrors experienced by these young survivors, most notably Deneve and Priscilla. Some, such as in the cases of Clare and Ophelia, seek revenge against specific Yoma or Awakened Beings.

Appearance/Physical Traits
Claymores tend to be slender, elegant, pale and taller than average, with most females being around 170 to 180 cm (approximately 5 ft 7 in to 5 ft 11 in) in height (from Claymore Databooks 1, 2, and 3). They appear fully human, save for their silver eyes and unusually light-colored hair. Certain individuals may have elf-like ears, such as Irene, Ophelia, Queenie and Cassandra. The most common hair colors are varying shades of blonde or very light brown; silvery-white is also occasionally seen. Some like Clarice may retain noticeable traces of their natural hair color; however, this is due to faulty hybridization, which also results in a lack of power. These individuals are considered "failed creations," and thus, darker hair is looked down upon.

Claymores can survive on minimal amounts of food, needing only to consume a very small portion once every couple of days, and can easily go a week without water or nourishment. This loss of appetite appears to be a result of taking in Yoma flesh; Yoma are capable of staving off hunger for up to two weeks on end. Upon reaching adulthood, Claymores cease to age, maintaining lifelong youth.

A Claymore's upper body also bears a stigma, a hideous deformation appearing as a vertical incision extending from the neck all the way down to the groin. Although Claymores have extraordinary regenerative abilities, this particular wound does not heal, and can only be crudely sewn shut to prevent organs from spilling out. Deneve explains that numerous other methods have been proposed, but all have proven futile. The area where the stigma is present may be a weak spot, as Yoma and Awakened Beings seem to aim for the belly when attacking, and in the latter's case, use it as a torture hot-spot. Humans typically find the stigma frightening; early in the "Teresa of the Faint Smile" arc, Teresa scares away a gang of rapacious bandits by exposing the front of her torso, but Clare later hugs the stigma to show her love for Teresa.

Awakened Beings do not appear to bear stigmas.

Eyes
Claymores' eyes are the only visible trait that sets them apart from regular humans. The irises are typically silver in color and maintain the normal round pupils of human eyes. When at least 10% of a Claymore's yoki is released, the color shifts to gold and the pupils take on the slit shape characteristic of yoma. Yoki suppression pills are often used to temporarily achieve a natural eye color when disguising among humans.

Uniforms
Claymores wear a very simple uniform consisting of a plain long sleeved shirt and pants. It consists of a white (iron grey during the male period) garments, with a mock-neck dickie marked with the Claymore's symbol near the base of the throat. Over top of this, several pieces of plate armor are worn: shin-high, slightly heeled metal boots (sabatons), large wrist-guards (vambraces), shoulder pieces (pauldrons) and a partial skirt (fauld). Finally, they wear a short white cape, though the Male version of the uniform does not have this feature.

Certain Claymores may have modifications to their overall uniform to help compensate for unique abilities. Helen, for example, has arm coverings that are made out of a special black material to allow her ease of limb extension. Alicia and Beth both wear completely black uniforms of the same material, saving the Organization the trouble of having to constantly make new uniforms for them whenever they need to Awaken.

Symbols
When a Claymore is deemed ready by the Organization, she is given a rank and symbol. Each Claymore's symbol is unique and serves as an identification marker. It appears in white on their uniform at the base of the throat (though not present in the older uniforms from Isley's time), and in red on the Black Card and the forte of the sword.

Lifestyle
Despite protecting humans, Claymores are usually feared and shunned due to their incredible powers, their relation to Yoma, and their typically aloof attitudes. Humans often refer to them "silver-eyed witches/slayers" or "monsters." Family members of individuals impersonated by Yoma tend to be banished from villages out of fear that they might be Yoma too, as experienced by Raki and Clare. Claymores are often young girls who suffered this fate or are survivors of villages and towns wiped out by Yoma.

Due to their background, Yoma blood, training, social isolation and harsh lives, Claymores tend to be outwardly cold, unexpressive and emotionless. Claymores live unhappy, lonely lives due to their solitary lifestyle and the knowledge that the only thing they have to look forward to is either death or Awakening. Some become hot-tempered and aggressive, like Helen or Undine; some suffer from psychological problems and mental instability, most often due to emotional trauma, like Miata; and others, like Ophelia, become homicidal killers who enjoy taking any form of life, more savage than the Yoma they hunt. Generally, companionship with humans is avoided.

Claymores require far less food and water to survive than normal humans do. They need only consume a small portion once every few days and if required, can go for over a week without any. Claymores usually rest by sticking their swords into the ground and leaning against them rather than lying down as it seems to be the only "comfortable" way they can rest.

Claymores take orders from their black-clothed agents, who in turn appear to take orders from a small council of older males. Clare says the name "Claymore" is used by those outside the Organization. Its soldiers do not have an official name. Instead they refer to themselves by the term "senshi" (in the original Japanese text) which roughly translates to "warrior."

When a Claymore dies, her sword is used as her gravemarker.

Abilities
Claymore warriors possess physical strength, speed, and reflexes far greater than that of an average human being, allowing them to wield their exceedingly heavy claymore swords as both single-handed and two-handed weapons with ease and grace.

In addition to this, Claymores possess vast regenerative capabilities and resilience, allowing them to survive injuries like evisceration and multiple stabs to the torso, both of which are fatal if sustained by a human. Any wound that does not kill them usually heals over completely within hours. Defensive-type Claymores, such as Deneve, can even regenerate entire limbs within minutes. These abilities, combined with their intelligence, combat training and weaponry, allow Claymores to fight on par with most Yoma.

Claymores are also able to break down toxins like alcohol at will to avoid drunkenness and, conversely, allow them into their system if they wish to do so.

Aside from their physical prowess, perhaps the most well-known ability possessed by Claymores (and the one for which they are most prized by their clients) is their ability to detect the presence of Yoma, even those in human form. This is achieved through the sensing of Yoki, or Yoma energy.

The extent of a Claymore's Yoki-sensing ability is dependent on the individual's skill; specialized Claymores like Galatea, Tabitha and Renee can detect the aura of Yoma from as far as several miles away. In Galatea's case, she can also read others' emotions from that distance as if she were right next to them. A refined form of sensing, utilized by Teresa and Clare, allow certain Claymores to be able to predict the movements of Yoma and other warriors to the point of being able to dodge attacks even before they have been fully executed.

A Claymore's abilities depend on control of Yoki flow to specific parts of the body. Most Claymores use their Yoki to gain strength, speed, and faster healing. At a 10% release, the eyes shift to gold and become cat-like; at 30%, the face distorts also gaining sharp teeth; at 50%, the body distorts, more muscular and color changes; at 80%, the body begins to Awaken and the human mind is overpowered, succumbing to predatory instinct and loss of self-awareness. Despite the theoretical limit being 80%, there have been cases of Claymores surpassing this percentage and successfully reverting back to their human forms; this is known as "partial-Awakening," which causes a permanent increase in power and occasional pangs of hunger. It is also possible to temporarily Awaken parts of the body, such as the limbs, instead of the entire body without going over the limit; however, this has been shown to be dangerous and can result in a full Awakening if improperly controlled. Higher-ranking Claymores usually show far greater control of their Yoki, often displaying unique abilities or techniques.

Ranks
Claymores are given ranks in correspondence to their overall power: Claymore No. 1 is the strongest, while No. 47 is the weakest (and receives a corresponding lack of respect). The number of official Claymores at any time is 47, the number of districts their island home is divided into.

Names
Claymores seem to go by only their first names, with some having nicknames due to a personality trait ("Teresa of the Faint Smile," "Roxanne of Love and Hate"), appearance ("Alicia the Black,"), exceptional physical ability ("Muscular Sophia," "Stormwind Noel," "God's Eye Galatea"), fighting style ("Twin Sword Undine," "Winged Anastasia," "Cassandra the Dust Eater") or special technique ("Quicksword Irene," "Phantom Miria," "Windcutter Flora," "Hysteria the Elegant"). In the "Endless Gravestones" arc, Ophelia expresses a desire to have her own nickname ("Rippling Ophelia"), although she was unknowingly dubbed the "Blood Smeared Wicked Witch" by her peers.

Claymore names alone are striking: Here is a full list of the Claymore epitaphs (nicknames) which have appeared in the series so far:
 * Goddesses: Teresa, Irene, Eva, Flora, Nina, Uma, Diana, Nike, Clare.
 * Princesses: Alicia, Beth, Audrey, Renee, Anastasia, Queenie, Helen, Diana, Claudia.
 * Saints: Teresa, Agatha, Sophia, Jean, Veronica, Lucia.
 * Warriors: Hilda, Jean, Raftela, Zelda, Karla, Matilda, Nike, Clare ("Clare" does not have a warrior etymology or history, but is a homophone for the Scottish-Gaelic word for "sword").


 * "Teresa of the Faint Smile"
 * "Quicksword Irene"
 * "Muscular Sophia"
 * "Stormwind Noel"
 * "Phantom Miria"
 * "Rippling Ophelia" (unofficial, coined by Ophelia herself); "Blood Smeared Wicked Witch" (official)
 * "God's Eye Galatea"
 * "Windcutter Flora"
 * "Twin Sword Undine"
 * "Alicia/Beth the Black"
 * "Winged Anastasia"
 * "Tracker Dietrich"
 * "Red Wall Violet"
 * "Sand Cloud Abigail"
 * "Beheader Letitia"
 * "Hysteria the Elegant"
 * "Roxanne of Love and Hate"
 * "Cassandra the Dust-Eater"
 * "Sistina the Divine Oracle"
 * "Universal Lutecia"
 * "Heavy-Bladed Chloe"
 * "Three-Armed Licht"
 * "Empress Riful of the West"
 * "Isley the White-Silver King"
 * "Rigaldo the Silver-Eyed Lion King"
 * "Priscilla, the One-Horned Monster"
 * "Fresh Blood Agatha"
 * "Europa the Lazy"
 * "Wild Horse Octavia"
 * "Drill Sword Jean"
 * "Shadow Hunter Nina"
 * "Blood Eye Miata or Soul Link Miata"

Combat Types
There are two main combat types: "defensive" and "offensive." These are qualities inherent to an individual Claymore, not techniques that can be learned. The determination of combat style comes from one's approach to confrontation, either by "protecting oneself in order to survive," or by "killing or defeating the opponent in order to survive." The stronger the desire to live, the more likely the combat style will be defensive. Conversely, a Claymore who most desires destruction of the enemy will more likely be an offensive fighter.

A third, less common typing is "special," only seen in Alicia and Beth, who make extensive use of the Soul Link ability.

Defensive Type
While not as physically strong as offensive fighters, defensive types possess remarkable self-healing abilities, and can regrow limbs of equal strength to the originals. Galatea, Veronica, Cynthia, Deneve and Yuma are of this type. Deneve, in particular, is an extreme example of a defensive type Claymore; she is able to regenerate lost limbs and heal from non-fatal injuries within minutes, even during a fight.

While defensive types can heal more quickly and from more serious wounds than their offensive counterparts, certain injuries can still be fatal or remain permanent if left unattended. Galatea, for instance, cannot regain her eyesight due to the seven years that had passed since she blinded herself. Healing also stems from the Claymore's individual skill, thus, unskilled defensive types such as Yuma are unable to regenerate much faster than offensive types without outside assistance.

In the case of Awakened Beings, some individuals can regenerate almost instantaneously.

Offensive
Offensive types are capable of more powerful attacks than defensive types, but at the cost of significantly reduced regenerative ability. Clare, Ophelia, Rafaela and Irene are examples.

Offensive types are typically much slower and weaker to recover from serious injuries than defensive types, and regenerated limbs are only equivalent in power to those of normal humans. However, they can reattach recently severed limbs, including those of another Claymore.

In spite of their limited healing capabilities, offensive types are still able to survive some injuries that would kill a normal human being. The degree of healing depends on the severity of injury and the individual Claymore's Yoki control. For instance, during Clare's first Awakened Being Hunt, she is stabbed several times in the torso, Miria suffers internal wounds, and Helen had her back sliced open, but all eventually recover. In Jean's case, however, the hole in her abdomen from the fight with Rigardo couldn't be closed due to its size and severity, resulting in her eventual death.

In the case of Awakened Beings, those who are offensive types may still be able to regenerate body parts, but typically at a much slower rate. Dauf and Rigardo are such examples. There are exceptions, though. The Abyssal Ones and Priscilla, despite being offensive types, possess regenerative abilities surpassing those of weaker defensive types.

Claymore Generations
Claymore rank is based on strength and ability. They can obtain higher ranks as they become stronger, but when surpassed by others, their rank is lowered. Claymores are known to belong to different "generations," marking the time they joined the Organization, but not all the Claymores who are active at the same time necessarily belong to the same generation.

The "After Seven-Year Timeskip" refers to the time period after the survivors of the Northern Campaign return south.

Clarice's Time
The Current and Final Generation

Riful’s Time
First All Female Generation.

Isley’s Time
Male Generation.

Trivia

 * The trainees and the current generation are the last Claymores to be created.
 * Rubel agreed to keep the war from ever affecting the island again; this along with Rimute's death effectively ended the inhumane experiments of the Organization.
 * Due to the stigma on the front of their bodies, its unlikely Claymores would be capable of handling a pregnancy as it would require their abdomens to swell to accommodate a growing baby. Such a development would likely cause the sutures to burst.
 * Awakened Beings do not seem to have stigmas, though it is unknown if they can reproduce.