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Home , Backsword, Barong (sword), Claymore, Crossguard, Dao (Naga sword), Dao (sword)

he 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 , heavy bastard sword, versatile short sword, massive two-handed sword, or dextrous ? , 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 since the Age, or maybe even earlier. They reached their height of variety and versatility in the European and have found a place among the armies of the world, stretching across , 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, , , , , and Viking swords to Norman , Zweihanders, , , epee, and 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 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 and (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 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. : 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 . 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. : 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. : 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. : A single-edged Chinese saber with a broad blade and a disc-shaped . -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. : 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. : A round or beveled groove in the flat side of a sword. The fuller helps to lighten the blade without sacrificing strength. Sample file : 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. : Single-handed short sword with a straight, single-edged blade. Often used to finish off game when hunting. : Double-edged straight sword of Chinese design. Blade length varies between 45 and 80 cm. They usually have a wing-shaped crossguard. : 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. : A single-edged, curved with a slender blade and a long grip. Blade lengths are greater than 60 cm. Khopesh: -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 : A sword or 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. : 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. : Single-edged sword with a slight curve. : 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. : 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. : 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. : A type of or saber with a curved blade. The weapon originated in Southwest Asia (the ). It is properly called a saif in Arabic. It is also called a , , , 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. Spatha: Double-edged straight sword of Roman design between 75 and 100 cm in length. The spatha was used in the 1st century AD and later by the . Tang: An extension of the blade to which the hilt is fitted. On some swords the maker places his maker’s mark on the tang to identify the weapon. : Double-edged longsword, used in North Western Europe from the 8th to 11th centuries. It is a development from the Roman spatha and had fullers running the full length of the blade. They were between 90 and 100 cm long. : A single-edged, curved Japanese short sword with a slender blade and a long grip. Blade lengths are between 30 and 60 cm. : Double-edged sword with a leaf-shape design between 50 and 60 cm in length. Zweihander: True two-handed longsword, also called a great sword. Double-edged, straight blade used in the 16th century. Blade length was around 150 cm.

3 Arsenal Card Layout Each Arsenal Card follows a similar design. The front of the card features a picture of the weapon, while the back of the card details the facts about the weapon.

Type: This is the specific classification for the sword. Blade Length: This is the length of the blade, given in both inches and centimeters. Blade Material: The type of material used to manufacture the blade, such as or . Edge: This is the number of sharpened edges on the blade, either single or double. Grip Material: The type of material used to manufacture the grip, such as leather or horn. Pommel Material: The type of material used to manufacture the pommel, such as brass. Guard Type: The description of the type of guard on the sword, if applicable, such as cross, basket, etc. Guard Material: The type of material used to manufacture the guard, such as iron or brass. Scabbard Material: The type of material used to manufacture the scabbard, such as wood. Sword Quality: This is a general description for the overall quality of the blade: Poor, Fair, Good, and Very Good. This description can be used to determine how well the sword is crafted, whether the sword’s value is different from the standard for the type, or whether the sword might have other special properties or value. As a general rule we recommend the following adjustments to a swords value and function based on the quality. (These values are based on a d20 for attack rolls and damage rolls of 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, 1d12, or 2d6 for the swords. If you use different dice rolls for attack or damage, adjustments to these values may be necessary.) -1 to damage and -1 to attack. Value is 20% Poor: less than is typical for the sword type. -1 to attack. Value is 10% less than is typical Fair: for the sword type. No changes to the weapon. This weapon Good: is comparableSample to the filestandard, or typical weapon for this type. +1 to attack. Value is 10 to 20% higher than is Very Good: typical for the sword type.

Notes: This section provides a simple description of the sword, any special qualities, features, or other identifying marks that may not be apparent in the picture. Card Design

Type Silhouette Short Sword Sword Quality Quality: Good

Blade Length: Grip Material Blade Length 16.3 in (41.4 cm) Grip Material: Wood Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: N/A Pommel Material Blade Material Edge: Single Edge Guard Type: Cross Scabbard: Leather Guard Material: Steel Scabbard Guard Type Notes: This blade appears to more of a very large , however it Guard Material is well made with a sharp edge and a cherry-wood handle.

Notes 4 Printing Arsenal Cards are designed to be printed on business cards. We recommend a two-side printable business card such as Avery® product number 8877. (We encourage you to print a sample page on plain paper first to make sure the artwork will align with the business cards.) Alternatively you can print the cards on regular card stock and cut the cards out. Print the images of the weapons on the front of the card, then turn the cards (or card stock) over and print the weapon information on the back of the card. References The information and images for this book came from many sources. We tried to make sure the information presented in Arsenal Cards is as accurate as possible. In some cases specific information such as the sword’s length, type, etc. had to be estimated. We made the best estimate we could based on similar weapons. Descriptions in the comments for each sword are the work of our imagination. If we knew some details about the sword, or could make an educated guess based on the image, we included that in the description. Images of weapons were taken from open source material whenever possible. Some images were taken from specific sources and they are listed here to acknowledge their work.

Macao Museum of Art: Barong (40.5 cm blade), Barong (41 cm blade), Panabas (29 cm blade), Jian (42 cm blade), Short Sword (42.5 cm blade), Kris (43.5 cm blade), Dao (46 cm blade), Panabas (46 cm blade), Dao (48 cm blade), Panabas (49.5 cm blade), Saber (50.2 cm blade), Falchion (50.2 cm blade), Short Sword (53.9 cm blade), Kris (54.3 cm blade), Falchion (55.3 cm blade), Dha-lwe (59 cm blade), 2nd Dha-lwe (59 cm blade), Jian (59.5 cm blade), Jian (60.6 cm blade), Dha-lwe (61 cm blade), Dha-lwe (62 cm blade), Kampilan (64.8 cm blade), Kris (65.4 cm blade), Jian (65.5 cm blade), Dao (67.5 cmSample blade), file Wikimedia Commons: Rama - Gladius (50 cm blade), Janmad - Xiphos (52 cm blade)

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Sample file

6 Sample file Wakizashi Panabas Quality: Very Good Quality: Fair

Blade Length: 15 in (38 cm) Grip Material: Fish Skin Blade Length: 11.4 in (29 cm) Grip Material: Wood & Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: Bronze Blade Material: Steel Leather Edge: Single Edge: Double Pommel Material: N/A Guard Type: Cross Scabbard: Wood Guard Type: N/A Guard Material: Bronze Guard Material: N/A Scabbard: N/A Notes: The short blade is well crafted and set in a long grip covered Notes: The blade broadens at the tip and is squared off. The grip is in fish skin. The pommel has a stylized fish-head design. The scab- wood and leather cord and is about 3 feet long. bard is carved as a large lobster claw and capped with bronze.

Jian Wakizashi Quality: Poor Quality: Good

Blade Length: 15.2 in (38.7 cm) Grip Material: Bronze Blade Length: 15.2 in (38.5 cm) Grip Material: Leather Blade Material: Bronze Pommel Material: Bronze Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: N/A Edge: Double Edge: Single Guard Type: N/A Scabbard: N/A Guard Type: Disc Scabbard: Wood Guard Material: N/A Guard Material: Bronze Notes: The blade has started to corrode in the middle. Whatever Notes: The blade has a slight curve to it. The leather is wrapped edge the blade held has been dulled. and set over a wood core. The scabbard is carved with a snake pattern.

Machete Barong Quality: Fair Quality: Very Good

Blade Length: 16 in (40.6 cm) Grip Material: Brass Blade Length: 15.9 in (40.5cm) Grip Material: Brass & Silver Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: Brass Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: Horn Edge: Single Edge: Single Guard Type: Cross Scabbard: N/A Guard Type: N/A Scabbard: Wood Guard Material: Brass Guard Material: N/A Notes: The blade is very broad and tapers slightly at the tip. It Notes: This blade is distinguished by an intricately-carved horn is scratched and nicked in many places. The grip has a scale-like pommel with inlays of bone. Part of the grip is carved silver and is pattern on it. Samplewell filepolished. The wood scabbard also has detailed carvings.

Short Sword Barong Quality: Good Quality: Very Good

Blade Length: 16.3 in (41.4 cm) Grip Material: Wood Blade Length: 16.1 in (41cm) Grip Material: Steel Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: N/A Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: Wood Edge: Single Edge: Single Guard Type: Cross Scabbard: Leather Guard Type: N/A Scabbard: N/A Guard Material: Steel Guard Material: N/A Notes: This blade appears to be more of a very large knife. How- Notes: This sword has a nicely carved pommel made from cherry ever it is well made with a sharp edge and a cherry-wood handle. wood. The grip is simple in design.

Short Sword Jian Quality: Good Quality: Poor

Blade Length: 16.7 in (42.5 cm) Grip Material: Horn Blade Length: 16.5 in (42 cm) Grip Material: Bronze Blade Material: Steel Pommel Material: N/A Blade Material: Bronze Pommel Material: Bronze Edge: Single Edge: Double Guard Type: N/A Scabbard: N/A Guard Type: N/A Scabbard: N/A Guard Material: N/A Guard Material: N/A Notes: This curved blade has a double-edged tip and broadens out Notes: The blade has developed a deep green patina where it has away from the grip. The grip is of water buffalo horn and has a oxidized. There is still a slight edge to the blade, though it is nicked bright steel accent. in many places.