Seacht Sleá Fada

Seacht sleá fada is a multi-faceted tool with roots in two seperate activities - hunting and fishing. It has three main components:

1. A spear tipped with a lethal seven-pronged head
2. A thrower
3. A tether (either elastic or inelastic)

The spear thrower was originally made from wood or beast horn/antler as a mechanism for throwing spears farther, faster by the region's primitive hunters. Conversely, the unique spear head and tether are of fishing origins. The multi-pronged head increased the probability the spear would embed itself into its victim whereas the tether would allow the catcher to prevent its escape. The transition from inelastic to elastic tethers likely stemmed from fishing from a boat or underwater to launch the spear instead of throwing it.
Seacht sleá fada were always capable of being used for self-defense; however, intentional repurposing of the tool as a weapon is a recent endeavour (most notably by the Cú Gcnoc Glas). With enough practice and training, it can be wielded in three seperate ways:

1. As a regular spear or short spear in hand-to-hand combat
2. Launched with or without its tether using the thrower to function as a javelin or harpoon
3. As using the tether to constrain or strangle and individual

There have also been some allegations of some seacht sleá fada having poisoned detachable heads to permit the shaft to be retrieved and loaded with a new head while an impaled victim continues to suffer in immense agony.

Item type

Weapon, Melee