Swords
History of the Sword
The most common definition of a sword is an edged weapon with a long blade made for cutting blows, thrusts, or both.
Swords first appeared in the prehistoric period when humans, who had been using daggers of stone, began working with copper. The copper dagger could be fashioned with a long blade, and in the ensuing years, the blades got longer and longer. Eventually, the blade reached such a length that it could no longer be called a dagger.
This new, improved weapon was superior to the dagger, which was quickly relegated to a secondary role in melee combat.
Copper eventually gave way to bronze. Swords of varying lengths (what we now know as the long sword and short sword) came into being, with blades ranging from 27 to 35 inches.
Sword design was influenced by the dagger. Since the dagger is a thrusting weapon, early swords were also designed for thrusting. Eventually, the need arose for a weapon capable of slashing blows, so swords developed the double-edge, still retaining the sharp point. Sword handles went through their own stages of development. In southern Europe, sword handles were decorated with ivory, gold, and semi-precious stones, while in northern Europe, the handles were decorated with engravings.
The discovery of iron revolutionized sword making. Bronze was rare, while iron was plentiful, though the latter was harder to work with. The change from bronze to iron was slow. For three centuries, both iron and bronze swords were in use.
The Romans developed the gladius, a short sword, in order to have a weapon that their rigidly-trained troops could use with swiftness and precision.
With iron proving itself superior to bronze, the latter was relegated for accessory parts, such as the grip or the sheath. The Hallstatt culture developed longer sword blades (31-35 inches) as advances in ironworking enabled them to make lighter and stronger blades. These blades were so pliable that they could be twisted into a spiral for three or four turns before breaking. This was known as "pattern welding." One drawback of this, however, was the fact that the blade could become misshapen when it struck something, often forcing the wielder to stop fighting and straighten out the blade with his foot or a rock! This was the type of sword that Gallic and Teutonic armies used against Roman legions, and is considered a long sword. Often, the craftsman making a sword placed a trademark identifying the maker.
As swords evolved, a small oval plate was placed between the shoulder of the blade and the grip. This was designed to protect the grip against damage from the metal mouth of the sheath. It also protected the user's hand.
Early stories of famous knights include lore about their swords, even mentioning the craftsmen who made the weapons. Siegfried had Balmus, Roland had Durandal, and Charlemagne had Joyeuse. King Arthur, of course, had Excalibur.
In the Carolingian period, the sword's grip was altered, becoming more specialized and defined. The oval attached to the grip was turned into a four-sided bar about four inches long. This became the guard. The wooden grip ended in a large pommel, which balanced the weapon. Such a sword measured about 40 inches in length.
At the start of the Romanesque Period (11th-12th centuries), the sword's form remained the same, but the blade became broader. These swords are considered broad swords by some scholars.
During this period, the sword was used primarily for slashing blows, as reflected in the Bayeux Tapestry, which shows armed men using swords in this manner.
The Gothic period saw swords becoming more specialized, depending on the knight's intentions. The knight's sword was a thing of beauty and strength, and it is this sword that resembles the long sword of fantasy. Knights usually owned several swords, each with its own use. In the 15th and 16th centuries, swords were given to common foot soldiers, and their designs changed accordingly. There were more ring-guards (to protect fingers), knuckle bows, and other such devices. The two-handed sword emerged from this era.
During the 16th century, fighters began emphasizing sword thrusts, and blades changed to accommodate this. Elaborate basket hilts were perfected to give the hand better protection. This gave birth to swords such as the rapier.
By the end of the 16th century, with guns rising in prominence, swords were increasingly relegated to dueling.
The longsword is considered by some to be the principle weapon of nobility, the broad sword the typical weapon of the commoner, and the bastard and two-handed swords the specialized weapons of mercenaries.
Eventually, the sword became a symbol of tradition, and is still worn on many military dress uniforms out of respect for that tradition.
Bastard sword
Also known as the hand-and-a-half sword, the bastard sword derives its name from the fact that it is halfway between the two-handed sword and the long sword.
The bastard sword has a double-edged blade and a long grip, which can accommodate both hands if preferred. The overall length of the bastard sword ranges between four feet and four feet ten inches.
Some bastard swords are equipped with knuckle guards, and others have asymmetrical pommels shaped like animal or bird heads.
Lieu Yeh Dau (Willow Leaf Saber) & Pok Dau
The Lieu Yeh Dau, or "Willow Leaf Saber," is considered the easiest lethal weapon for the novice martial artist to learn. While weak in defensive maneuvers (it's difficult to block or parry), the weight and power of this two-handed weapon makes it difficult to be parried or blocked by others. There was a time in China's history when carrying a Pok Dau was a pretty good way for a wandering martial artist to make a living. That's because a Pok Dau is known as the "executioner's blade," and smaller communities, not being able to afford a fulltime executioner, would happily pay for killing services if there were any condemned prisoners in the local jail.
Broad sword
The broad sword is a heavy military sword with a double-edged blade. Overall sword length is about three and one-half feet, and the sword is designed mostly for cutting. Most broad swords have a basket hilt or a shell guard. A favored cavalry weapon, the broad sword is known in different cultures by different names, usually dependent on the hilt configuration. The basket hilt broad swords offer a +1 bonus to Parry maneuvers. In addition, punching attacks done with the basket hilt are treated like a metal gauntlet (d3+Strength mod. dmg. ).
Claymore/Great Sword
The claymore is a large, cross-hilted sword consisting of a straight, broad, double-edged blade and long quillons angling toward the blade. The grip is leather-covered and topped with a wheel-shaped pommel. The sword is slightly shorter than the two-handed sword.
Claymores are treated as bastard swords in terms of damage, weight, and weapon speed.
Claymores are greatswords of Scottish origin, used by Highlanders and Scottish mercenaries in Ireland. The sword was popular from the end of the 15th century to the early 17th century. The term claymore is from the Gaelic claidheamohmor, meaning great sword.
Cutlass
The cutlass is a sword with a single-edged, curved, broad blade attached to a basket hilt. The blade is short and heavy. The sword is favored among pirate crews and is easily found in port communities, but is rare inland. Cutlass users enjoy the same advantages in Parrying as broad sword users.
Gladius
The gladius is the first refined version of the short sword. It has a double-edged blade and a strengthened tip. The grip is made of wood, bone, or ivory and is topped with a round pommel. The sword is carried on a warrior's right side, slung from a baldric passing over the left shoulder. In terms of damage and length, the gladius or drusus resembles the short sword.
Drusus
The Drusus is a Gladius (short sword) of Exceptional quality. It looks just like an ordinary gladius; only by testing the sharpness of the blade can someone tell the difference. The Drusus has been forged so that the metal is better-tempered and holds an edge better, and then sharpened until it has a razor-like edge.
Because of this, it does +1 damage and confers a non-magical +1 to attack rolls over the normal gladius. (This means the wielding character gets a +1 to attack rolls when using the weapon, but the weapon does not give him the ability to hit monsters which require magical weapons to affect.)
The Drusus also has a disadvantage. In order to keep its keen edge, it must be regularly sharpened with a lot more attention and time than an ordinary weapon requires. After any day in which the Drusus has been fought with (even one attack!), someone with the Blacksmithing, Armorer, or Weaponsmithing nonweapon proficiency, must sharpen the blade for half an hour... or, on the next day, it will act as an ordinary short sword (losing its to-hit and damage bonus) until it is so sharpened.
Exposure to high heat (a smith's forge, dragon's breath, lava, etc.) will ruin the temper on a Drusus, turning it into an ordinary short sword and forever destroying its bonus on attack and damage rolls.
The Drusus uses the same weapon proficiency as the short sword. If a character can use a short sword, he can use a Drusus with equal proficiency. Weapon specialization with one does transfer to the other.
In cultures where there are gladiators, any weaponsmith with a weaponsmithing ability check of 14 or better can make a Drusus for the cost shown. These weapons are seldom exported, as local demand is high for the few made. A foreign weaponsmith could not make one merely if it were described to him; he would have to study with a local weaponsmith. Having done so, he could make the weapon.
Falchion
The falchion is a sword with a single-edged, heavy blade. The blade's back is usually straight, while the edge has a curve. The blade also broadens close to the tip, which gives the blade a cleaver-like appearance and increases the damage inflicted. The sword is heavy, which also contributes to a fearsome cutting blow.
Katana
The katana is the samurai's sword. It's a medium-length, slightly curved blade with no quillions (only a small, circular guard) and a hilt suitable for one-handed and two-handed use. The blade is sharpened only along one edge and at the tip, but it is sharpened to a razor's edge. It is forged with a special technique known only in the east, where layers of steel and iron are sandwiched, heated, folded, stretched, refolded, stretched, re-folded, on and on until the blade consists of microscopically thin layers of alternating metals, providing strength, resilience, and the ability to hold a remarkable edge. This is why the katana has the excellent speed and damage listed for the weapon. The katana requires its own weapon proficiency, which is related to the bastard sword/long blades group. Weapon specialization confers the usual benefits. Katanas are very personal; a samurai is dishonored if he loses his, and so very few are lost. This means that it is very hard to get one in the west, other than by taking it from its owner - a difficult task. In the east, a character might be willing to commission one from a weaponsmith, for the listed price... if he gets a good reaction roll from the NPC. (An ordinary weaponsmith could not make one. The blade-making technique requires study in the east and the learning of a specialized individual weaponsmithing nonweapon proficiency.) Also, a hero who does a favor or performs a mission for an eastern lord might be awarded a matched set of katana and wakizashi, if he's very lucky; this would be a high honor.
Khopesh
This Egyptian weapon has approximately six inches of handle and quillons. The blade extends straight out about eighteen inches from the handle, then curves into a slight sickle shape for another two feet. In effect, this only adds another eighteen inches to the overall length. The entire sword is usually made of bronze or iron.
Long sword/Shi-Zi Jen/Wu Grou Jen/Double Hook Axe
These swords are usually referred to as doubled-edged swords, war swords, or military swords. In many cases, the long sword has a single-edged blade. There is no single version of the long sword; the design and length vary from culture to culture, and may vary within the same culture depending on the era.
Among the most common characteristics of all long swords is their length, which ranges from 35 inches to 47 inches. In the latter case, the blade is known to take up 40 inches of the total length.
Most long swords have a double-edged blade and a sharp point at the tip. Despite the tip, the long sword is designed for slashing, not thrusting.
Often, long swords have two grooves that run the length of the blade, one on each surface. These grooves are called fullers, and are meant to make the sword lighter and more flexible. If a sword did not have some elasticity, it would shatter when it hit a target.
The handles of all long swords fit only one human-sized hand. Most long swords have a small, oval, metal plate between the blade's base and the grip. This oval protects the grip from getting damaged against the metal in the mouth of the sheath. It also offers some modest protection to the hand. A second piece of metal, either oval or round, is fitted onto the pommel.
The classic long sword depicted in fantasy gets its design from the Gothic period. This is the longest variety of long sword, with a 40-inch blade.
Giau Tzu Jen
The "Snake-Headed Sawtooth Sword" is designed to strike fear in opponents. First, by it's appearance. Both edges are serrated, like the teeth on a hacksaw, which gives it a nasty look. Even more terrifying for those unfamiliar with this weapon, is the sharp, loud, and high-pitched "hissing" sound the sword makes. This is caused by the "eyes" near the tip of the sword. These eyes are actually small holes, cunningly placed so even a gentle swinging of the sword will cause a disquieting "hiss."
Shi-Zi Jen
The classic "Lion Head Sword" is a favorite of many martial art forms. Even those who have abandoned weapon styles and katas will still value the symbolism of this sword. Both edges and the point are sharp. It is traditional to always have a brightly colored cord on the pommel, which is used in training and to show off the styles of various katas.
Wu Grou Jen (Double Hook Axes)
The sword most favored by ancient Chinese armies was this "hooked" version of the Lion Head Sword. It's when fighting another sword-wielder that the main advantage of the Wu Grou Jen comes into play. When parried, it's possible to slide the blades together (the point of contact moving toward each hilt), and then twist so that the hook could catch the opponent's hand or arm. Instead of a conventional scabbard (the hook prevents it), the wielder of a Wu Grou Jen needs to either use a special sword case (like the case for a musical instrument), which means added time in drawing the weapon, or to carry it in hand.
Rapier
The rapier is a light weapon with a straight, double-edged, pointed blade. It is designed to be a light, thrusting sword. The term rapier is often used to describe a civilian weapon, as opposed to the heavier and deadlier swords of soldiers and mercenaries. Rapiers are fashionable among nobles and gentlemen.
As a new art of fighting evolved with emphasis on thrusting with the blade as opposed to slashing, a new weapon was required. This art is known as fencing, and it requires a rapier. As the sport grew in popularity, the rapier was required to be narrower and lighter. It became not a slashing weapon at all, but a weapon purely for thrusting.
The early rapier handles have straight quillons (cross guards), side guards, and knuckle bows. The later versions have shell guards, similar to the basket hilts of the broad sword and cutlass. As a result, the rapier wielder enjoys the same Parry and punching bonuses outlined earlier.
Sabre/Wen Jen
The lightest, most flexible swords are considered "Scholar's Swords." More similar to contemporary fencing swords, the Wen Jen were considered to be a good compromise between utility and lethality. A Wen Jen is considered a thing of beauty, to be admired, worn or carried and is not considered a dangerous weapon. At the same time, a Wen Jen, in the hands of an expert can be as deadly as it's less dainty cousins.
Scimitar
Alternatively spelled saber, this sword is a long, curved, single-edged blade intended mostly for horsemen. It is a popular weapon for light cavalry. The sabre's hilt grants the user the Parry and punching bonuses of the rapier.
Members of the foul race of yuan-ti often use scimitars.
The sabre was initially developed in Central Asia, used by tribes that wandered the steppes. By the 9th century, the Slavs, who battled the
Asians, had adopted the weapon. The term sabre is Slavic-Hungarian.
Sabres were used extensively in central and eastern Europe and by the Turks.
The Persian style of the sabre was discovered by Napoleon's troops. This version was known as the shamshir, which is commonly called the scimitar. This blade has a greater curve to it and is tapered to an elongated, sharp point.
Short sword
The short sword is the first type of sword to come into existence. In the simplest of terms, a short sword can be considered a dagger with a blade so long that it can no longer be called a dagger. The term short sword does not exist in sword classifications. However, it has come to be used to describe a double-edged blade about two feet in length. The sword tip is usually pointed, ideal for thrusting.
Short swords are fitted with a handle that can accommodate only one hand.
Da Kan Dau (Butterfly Knives)
Commonly known as "Butterfly Knives," the Da Kan Dau are usually used as a pair. The blades are at least 3 inches (8 cm) wide, but are relatively short (18 inches/46 cm or so). The handle always comes equipped with a large, wraparound guard.
Shou Li Jen (Sleeve Sword)
This is a weapon with two secrets. First, it is designed to be concealed up the sleeve of a traditional Chinese loose jacket. Second, the weapon, when first revealed, will seem to be relatively short, the length of a standard dagger. However, concealed in the hilt of the weapon is a spring. When activated, the blade is extended to its full length.
Two-handed Sword/No-dachi
The two-handed sword is a derivative of the long sword. Weaponsmiths have always looked for ways to improve existing weapons. In an effort to improve the long sword, the blade was lengthened (having a longer reach than one's enemy is always preferable). Eventually, the handle had to be extended and two hands became necessary in order to properly swing the sword. The primary function of two-handed swords is cleaving mounted knights and breaking up pike formations.
The blade on the two-handed sword is a long, double-edged blade. The blade point may be sharp or rounded. The hilt has straight or slightly curved quillons. The pommel may be faceted, triangular, or pear shaped, though whatever the shape, it tends to get larger toward the top, as a counterbalancing measure.
As its name implies, this sword is a two-handed weapon and cannot be used in one hand, even if the wielder has high Strength. The weapon and its hilt are balanced for two-handed use. A fighter wielding a two-handed sword cannot use a shield.
An average two-handed sword measures five to six feet in length. It is a favored weapon among foot soldiers.
The astral race known as the Githyanki favor two-handed swords. These weapons tend to be decorated with gems, beads, and precious metals.
The two-handed sword was a weapon of 13th century Teutonic origin. It was extensively used by German and Italian foot soldiers from the mid-15th to the late 16th century. In later years, the two-handed sword became largely a ceremonial or processional weapon, usually heavily decorated.
Wakizashi
The wakizashi is the short-sword companion of the katana. Its blade is forged the same way, and the weapon looks like a shorter version of the katana. It is often part of a matched set with the katana, and is of almost equal importance as the katana to the samurai. Only samurai can wear both katana and wakizashi. Wakizashi proficiency is related to short sword. Specialization confers the usual benefits. Many samurai fight with the katana in one hand and wakizashi in the other, in two-weapon technique, and some learn the two-weapon style specialization to further improve their ability with this style. Wakizashis are as hard to come by as katanas.