In Cala Bryn Sturgis, the women’s weapon is the Oriza plate, a sharpened disk thrown like a discus.
The Oriza is a distinctive weapon in Stephen King’s Dark Tower universe. It resembles a metal plate with a cutting edge, allowing a skilled user to hurl it with enough force to decapitate an opponent. The women who master these weapons are known as the Sisters of Oriza.
The Orizas are especially important in Wolves of the Calla, where the people of Calla Bryn Sturgis prepare to defend their children from the mysterious Wolves. The weapon is not a boomerang, hatchet, or psychic technique; its defining feature is its spinning, disk-like flight. The name is sometimes shortened to “Riza,” which can cause confusion when readers encounter both terms.
The Oriza also reflects the series’ mixture of frontier adventure, folklore, and strange technology. Its decorated surface and unusual construction make it feel both ceremonial and practical, while its use gives the women of the Calla a specialized role in the town’s defense.