Originally Posted by
Vyrerus
They wanted to give the sword weight. Holding swords as large as DRK's in real life is nearly impossible without like, mechanical arm aid due to physics and leverage. The whole theme of the job is struggle for what's right and what you love, even against the powers that be and make laws.
The default stance for the sword reflects the struggle portion of the class fantasy. It's not really for realism at all. If it were, they'd give DRK more moves involving stabbing, as well as moves involving moving a hand to the part of the blade just above the hilt for more control/leverage.
So it looking painful is on point.