- - The Forge- -
Cane Sword
The Cane sword is a simple looking walking cane designed with a thin rapier-like blade hidden within. The canes are a product of high society as a last means of defense against cut-purses, thieves and wouldbe assasins. The canes may be simple wooden sticks or elaborately decorated. Most canes will only pass a quick inspection without being discovered. Some of the craftier individuals have devised ways to lock the blade into the cane so it will pass a more thorough inspection.
The cane may be used as both a club and a sword. It takes 1 combat round to remove the sword from the cane and prepare it for combat. Yet another modification to this weapons design was invented for those individuals who might need the weapon ready at a moments notice. Some canes have fall-away sides that are released at the push of a button. This negates the need to draw the sword from within the cane.
Many people who use a cane sword use a two-weapon fighting style. They will use the sword for the attack and the cane as a parrying weapon. The cane is typically well reinforced for such use.
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War Maul
This is not the war maul is the warhammer of fantasy gaming. A war maul is generally a two-handed weapon. Only characters with 18 or greater strength may wield these weapons one handed. A war maul has a large head made of wood or steel with a thick handle long enough to be yielded in two hands. These weapons are extremely top heavy but can crush a man in a single blow.
The best example of a famous war maul would be Wulfgar's Aegis Fang. This weapon is completely optional in a campaign. I feel that the warhammer as depicted in real life is a rather unimpressive looking weapon and this version is my answer for players who wish to look intimidating.
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War Mallet
A war mallet is similar to a war maul except that it has a slightly smaller head and is meant to be yielded in one hand. This weapon most closely reflects a smithy's hammer and is therefore a favorite of dwarves and weaponsmiths.
The best example of a famous war mallet would be Thor's Mjolnir. While it is typically referred to as a warhammer, pictures of the weapon would suggest that it is a war mallet by my description. This weapon is completely optional in a campaign. I like the image of this compact little weapon and it fills the gap for many Thor worshippers in a campaign.
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Blade Staff
A Blade Staff is about the length of a quarterstaff. The middle 2' of the staff is rounded and sized for gripping. Each end is formed into a sword-like point similar to two longswords attached end-to-end. This weapon is extremely fast for its size. This weapon was specifically designed for fighting multiple foes and is extremely difficult to learn. It takes two proficiency slots to become proficient with the weapon. The blade staff also grants the wielder an extra attack each round as if using two weapons. The wielder may only obtain this extra attack if he is fighting multiple opponents.
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Battle Staff
The Battle Staff is a wooden staff that has studded strips of metal wrapped around the last 18" of each end of the staff. The added weight allows these staffs to be swung with ferocious speed and adds significant damage to foes.
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War Blades
Warblades come in three sizes. The Battle Blade is akin to the size of a shortsword. The War blade comes in a one and two-handed version. The war blade is about the length of a longsword with a blade that resembles a katana except twice as wide. The battle blade is very similar to the war blade except its length is much shorter. The two-handed version has a blade that is about 8" longer and has a handle to accomadate. These blades are popular amongst many warriors for their durability and effectiveness against armored opponents. Their extra wide blade is very resistant to breakage (+2 to saves) and the angled point makes them very effective for puncturing thru plate armor.
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Two-handed Footman's Mace
There is little to describe about the two-handed version of the footman's mace. They are quite simply larger versions of a standard mace with a two-handed grip. The few of these that are made, however, are often designed to enhance the already intimidating appearance of these large weapons. Wicked barbs and hooks often adorn the head of each weapon.
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Zweihander
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The zweihander is a brutish two-handed sword of great weight. Its mass helps contribute to its large damage potential but tends to make it one of the slowest weapons available. The zweihander can only be yielded by the exceptionally strong (STR 15 or greater). It can easily break the legs of a charging horse or split open plate mail. A zwiehander is about 6' in length overall. The handle is about a foot and a half in length and usually has a large counterweight to help balance the weaopon. Like all swords, a zweihander can have any number of crosspieces. The blade of this weapon is unforgettable. It is about 6" in width for its entire length; it flairs slightly towards the end and has a blunt tip. It cannot be used as a thrusting weapon.
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Wrist Crossbow
The wrist crossbow originated from the hand crossbow. It was designed as a quick response attack for suprise. The newest designs are even smaller than the hand crossbow, being just a bit wider than the average mans forearm. They are activated by flexing the wrist is a specific way. They are commonly mounted on a leather or metal bracer with additional darts stored around the bracer. This weapon is often used in conjunction with poisons to increase its deadliness. It is possible to use weapons and other such items in a hand that has a wrist bracer equipped, although a loaded bracer has a 50% chance of going off when in combat for each attack made. In addition, the wrist crossbow inflicts a -1 penalty to the hit roll for the given arm.
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Collapsable Crossbow
The collapsable crossbow is nearly identical to a standard light crossbow. This version of the light crossbow has a lever and locking mechanism that extends through the stock and connects with the crossarm. Whem released, the arms fold back along the side of the crossbow. This allows the bow to be stored for long periods without stressing the string as well as making it less cumbersome when not in use. When collapsed, the bow is almost undetectable to the casual observer when worn under a cape or cloak making it attractive to assasins.
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Double-Arm Longbow
The double-arm longbow is a custom designed bow built for exceptionally strong archers. It is one of many techniques used to create composite longbows that inflict greater damage. From the handle, the arms of the bow split and recurve at different degrees then attach again where the string is attached. The difference between each recurve effects the pull of the bow. They are much easier to make because of the split arm. This allows the Bowyer to use normal woods without the added cost of unique materials or extra laminations. The only downside to these bows, is that they much bulkier than a standard longbow.
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Shield Bow
The shield bow is a cumbersome gnomish invention. It was designed to combine what were originally two seperate parts of ground troops, the archers and the shield wall, into one group. The shield bow has a large shield attached to the front of it which shields the upper and lower half of the body with the center being open to allow for siting. The bow increases the yielders AC by +2. However, the shield is not without its drawbacks. Despite its open center, it still inflicts a -2 penalty to hit. Additionally, its is rather heavy and inflicts a +3 initiative modifier when switching targets.
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Dwarven Cleaver
A Dwarven Cleaver is similar in length to a shortsword except that it has a much wider and heavier blade. These weapons look crude but are nonetheless very effective. In fact, the irregularity of the blade is what makes this weapon so devastating. Their cunningly designed hooks and barbs inflict grievous wounds. Anyone surviving a blow from such a weapon will have a definite and gruesome scar. Due to their balance however, anyone wielding a dwarven cleaver must have a minimum strength of 15.
No two dwarven cleavers ever look the same, each smith having his own opinion of how to inflict the maximum damage. A very famous dwarven cleaver, the Grizzly, can be found in the magical blades section.
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War Scythe
Endless years of use in the Abyss by tanari and abysal warriors has led to the improvement of this farming tool into a deadly weapon. Favored for its intimidating appearance, scythes are popular amongst the warriors and demons of the Abyss. The war scythe is very similar to a normal scythe except that it has been better balanced for combat giving it a speed advantage over its more mundane cousin. These weapons alos demand a larfer amount of money because they are often detailed with skulls and demonic images to enhance their intimidating appearance.
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Drow Blade Boots
submitted by Tom Costa.
These knee high hard steel tipped boots were designed by the drow for combat. They have six inch wedge shaped blades That extend from the front of the foot. They are often designed to contain small containers for 2 doses of poison. These boots require their own proficiency to use effectively.
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Shyrlass
submitted by Tom Costa.
A shyrlass is a wicked drow-made saber, somewhat of a cross between a katana and a cavalry saber. Often extremely well crafted and decorated these blades are favored for their speed and effectiveness in melee. Although not designed to have a basket hilt, these weapons to have extensive handguards that grant the usual +1 bonus to parrying attempts. Unlike a basket hilt, these weapons do not do extra damage when punching.
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Star Pick
submitted by Lach.
This large pick hardly resembles its much smaller and innocent looking mining pick brother. The star pick, more affectionately called the bleeder amongst dwarves, has six thorned spikes radiating 360 degrees. The top and bottom of the pick each have a sharp spike. Wielders of these deadly weapons are usually berserk warriors or Battleragers who like the gruesome wounds the star pick causes. The star pick is usable one-handed but it is easier to use two handed due to its heavy weight.
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Mounted Crossbow
submitted by Lach.
This crossbow is essentially a small siege weapon. It requires two people to use it and must be stablily mounted to the ground. The mounted crossbow has four legs, it may be mounted on the front two or the rear two enabling it to fire at many different angles and positions. Although it may only be used by two people, only one is needed to carry it. Since the quarrels used in the crossbow are much larger then even the heavy crossbow variety, they travel shorter distances and fall faster. The crossbows main advantage is that it can fire multiple heavy or light quarrels (up to 4 heavy and 6 light). This use is particularly handy when firing into large mobs of enemies where the chance to hit something is greater. The quarrels are tied by straps which are released during flight showering enemies below. Treat this as an area effect spell with a 10'x10' area of effect. Victims in the area may save vs. breath for half damage.
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Double Axe
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The double axe is a polearm about 6 feet in length with two small axe blades at each end. It is weilded much like a staff, from the center. Masters of this weapon can sipn the weapon at deadly speeds and make quick strikes. The blades on each end are very effective for catching opponent's weapons and the the overall length of the doubleaxe usually provides enough leverage to make disarms a snap.
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Great Broadsword
submitted by Azariah
This heavy sword is the same length as a two handed sword, but instead of only having a 2 or 3 inch wide blade, it has a 4-6 inch wide blade. These blades are commonly serrated to enhance their omminence. The swords weight limits its use to individuals with 16 or greater strength. Because of the extremely wide blade, this sword is considered to do bludgeoning and slashing damage. This makes the sword an attractive choice for undead slayers. This weapon is naturally imposing, the first time someone encounters this weapon in a fight, roll 1d20. If it is 1, that persons enemy suffer -1 to their attack roll because of intimidation.
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