First of all, it was a lot quicker to get things done. My last physical body was a large ship, and while it was the only body I had known for centuries and I knew how to use it to the fullest, it was still a large, cumbersome ship. A sword hilt is significantly smaller and has no moving parts.
Also it probably doesn’t develop a barnacle problem.
Barnacles on the hull always made me break out in a rash. Not the ship, mind you — that would be silly — but my physical manifestation.
There were a few problems regarding the sword’s blade. I sort of knew how to manifest it using an anger response, but once it was out I didn’t know how to control it. I think a lion’s mane of purple flames shooting out of an otherwise benign looking hilt was what finally made one of guards leave and call for his superior just a few minutes ago.
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From Chapter 2 of ‘How to Prove Your Insanity’ — (“Learning to Smell”)