Sample File Gladius: Double-Edged Sword of Roman Design Between 65 and 70 Cm Long
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he sword has been an iconic weapon in role-playing games from the earliest days. Who Thasn’t played a game where at least one player played a character wielding a mighty sword — be it a simple longsword, heavy bastard sword, versatile short sword, massive two-handed sword, or dextrous rapier? Swords, in their many flavors and varieties have filled the pages of role-playing games, fantasy books, and other writings for generations. But when you play your games, whether set in far off fantasy lands or in Norman England, do your swords all look alike? What sets one longsword apart from another? Sure, they all do the same amount of damage, but what makes them special? Swords have been around in human history since the Bronze Age, or maybe even earlier. They reached their height of variety and versatility in the European Middle Ages and have found a place among the armies of the world, stretching across Europe, Africa, and Asia. In basic terms, a sword is a bladed (edged) weapon used for cutting and thrusting. The exact definition, style, and name depends on which age of history you are examining and the culture that created the weapon. From saifs, daos, khopesh, katanas, spatha, talwar, and Viking swords to Norman Longswords, Zweihanders, scimitars, rapiers, epee, and cavalry sabers, swords have found a place in our history. These weapons were all designed to meet a specific need for the wielder - whether functional or emotional or both. From purely utilitarian functionality to great works of art, swords run the gamut of form and function, which is probably why they are so important in role-playing games. But getting back to that longsword in your fighter’s hands – what sets it apart from the longsword held by the elf in the same party or the longsword weilded by the orc your fighter is facing? What makes your English knight’s longsword different from those of his French, German, or Italian brethren? In reality each blade is unique, and in some cases is a work of art that takes several weeks (or longer) to forge before it is readySample to be wielded. file How does one capture the unique nature of each blade in a role-playing game? The answer is in Arsenal Cards Volume 4: Short Swords. This is the first of a three-part set that features over 200 different swords, from the common to the unique. This first part features swords with a blade length of less than 70 cm and includes 80 unique weapons. Each weapon is given a description that includes the length of the blade and material of construction, as well as other details about the hilt and scabbard (if available). This allows the player a chance to select the perfect sword for their character – something that matches his or her personality. It also gives the GM a chance to know what inventory is available when the players walk into a weapon shop, or what loot is on that group of bandits the party just defeated. Maybe all the blades are the same - mass produced and of low quality, or maybe each of the weapons is a unique specimen - a work of craftsmanship and art. With Arsenal Cards Volume 4: Short Swords, you have the opportunity to create a special and unique role-playing experience. Sword Terminology Arsenal Cards use a lot of sword terminology to define the properties and types of the different weapons. We provide here simple definitions for the terms so you can increase your knowledge for more enjoyable game play. 1 Arming Sword: Double-edged longsword with a cruciform hilt and a straight blade. Used by European knights from the 11th to 16th centuries. Blade length was between 69 and 85 cm. Barong: A short sword with a broad, leaf-shaped single-edged blade. The blade can range between 20 to 56 cm in length. Bastard Sword: A sword that is typically midway between a short sword and longsword in length. The term can also refer to single-hand arming swords with compound hilts. It can sometimes be referred to as a ‘hand-and-a-half’ sword. Blade: Portion of the weapon designed to cut and/or puncture, stab, slash, chop, slice, or thrust. Most sword blades are made from some form of metal. They can be of either single edge or double edge, indicating which side is the cutting side. Broadsword: A variety of swords, generally characterized as having a basket hilt and a broad, straight blade. They were termed ‘broad’ in contrast to the thinner blade of the rapier. Blade length varies between 90 and 110 cm. Also called Walloon Sword, Schiavona, and Mortuary Sword. Claymore: Scottish variant of a two-handed longsword, translated as ‘great sword’. Used in the 15th to 17th centuries. Blade length is between 100 and 115 cm. Cutlass: A short, broad-bladed saber or slashing sword with a single edge. The blade could be straight or slightly curved and had a cupper or basket guard. Dao: A single-edged Chinese saber with a broad blade and a disc-shaped crossguard. Dha-lwe: A Burmese sword with a gently curving blade with a single edge. These weapons usually lack a crossguard. Blade length is between 55 and 65 cm. Executioner’s Sword: Sword designed specifically for beheadings. Two-handed, with a blade between 55 and 90 cm long. Falchion: A single-edged, one-handed sword with a broad, heavy blade. It combines the power and weight of an axe with a sword’s versatility. Blades are between 50 and 90 cm in length. Fuller: A round or beveled groove in the flat side of a sword. The fuller helps to lighten the blade without sacrificing strength. Sample file Gladius: Double-edged sword of Roman design between 65 and 70 cm long. Grip: The handle of the sword. Often made of wood or metal and covered with some form of leather (sharkskin or ray skin are often preferred). Guard: Portion of the handle that keeps the hand from slipping up the blade, especially in thrusting motions. Complex guards may offer some protection to the hand holding the sword, but the intention of the guard is not primarily to protect the hand. The guard can also be called a crossguard or a quillons. Hilt: The handle of a sword, usually consisting of a guard, grip, and pommel. Hunting Sword: Single-handed short sword with a straight, single-edged blade. Often used to finish off game when hunting. Jian: Double-edged straight sword of Chinese design. Blade length varies between 45 and 80 cm. They usually have a wing-shaped crossguard. Kampilan: A single-edged Filipino longsword, between 60 to 100 cm in length. It has a tapered blade, being broader and thinner at the tip than at the base and may have a protruding spike on the tip. The hilts are usually bifurcated. Katana: A single-edged, curved Japanese sword with a slender blade and a long grip. Blade lengths are greater than 60 cm. Khopesh: Sickle-sword, about 50 to 60 cm long. The curved blade was designed to disarm an opponent or hook their shield. The blade is only sharpened on the outside portion of the curve. 2 Kris: A sword or dagger with an asymmetrical blade, sometimes with a wavy or sinuous curve, but can also have a straight blade. Longsword: Double-edged sword with a cruciform hilt and a straight blade. Used by European knights from the 13th to 17th centuries. Blade length between 100 and 122 cm. Machete: A short, broad-bladed sword with a single edge. The blade length is between 33 and 60 cm long. In use and function it is more like an oversized cleaver than a true sword. Makhaira: Single-edged sword with a slight curve. Panabas: A forward-curved short sword of Filipino origin with a long handle. The blade is thicker at the base and the blade shape can vary, some having blunt tips and others pointed or shaped tips to make a simple spike. Pata: Double-edged, straight sword with a blade length between 25 and 115 cm. The sword is characterized by having a gauntlet as the hilt. Pommel: An enlarged fitting at the top of the handle developed to prevent the sword from slipping from the hand. They can also serve as a counterweight to the blade. Rapier: Slender-bladed sword used to make thrusting attacks. Characterized by having an intricate and complex hilt to protect the hand. Blades are usually no wider than 2.5 cm and up to 100 cm or more in length. The rapier is also referred to as the spada, espada, and epee, depending on the country. Ricasso: Blunt section of blade just below the guard. On zweihander swords it can offer an additional hand position. Many swords do not have a ricasso. Saber: Single-edged sword with a large hand guard. The blade can be straight, though most versions of the weapon have a curve. Blade lengths vary, but are usually between 80 and 100 cm. Scabbard: A sheath for holding a sword or similar bladed weapon. They are made from many different types of material, including wood, leather, and metal. Scimitar: A type of backsword or saber with a curved blade. The weapon originated in Southwest Asia (the Middle East). It is properly called a saif in Arabic. It is also called a shamshir, kilij, nimcha, mameluke, pulwar,Sample or talwar, file depending on the country. Blade length can vary. Short Sword: A single-handed sword with a double-edged blade between 55 to 90 cm in length.