DUNGEON MASTER Guide

Rules Supplement
Arms
and
Equipment
Guide
Copyright !!"# TSR# $n%& All rights reser'ed&
$ntrodu%tion
Dungeon Masters o( the )orld# rela*+
Until no)# you,'e all had to du%- or dodge questions a.out armor# lengths o( s)ords#
and the .lades /or la%- o( them0 on pole arms& At .est# you,'e said# 1$t -inda loo-s li-e a &
& & 1 At )orst# you,'e had to go to the li.rary to loo- up su%h in(ormation&
A (e) o( you are (ortunate to .e s%holars o( history and already -no) the ans)ers to
su%h questions& 2ut (or the rest o( you# this .oo- %ontains the in(ormation you,'e .een
)aiting (or&
The Arms and Equipment Guide is the most %omplete %ompilation o( in(ormation a.out
armor# )eapons# and equipment (or the AD3D game to date& $t is intended to help .oth
DMs and players to understand and .etter use the )ide 'ariety o( equipment a'aila.le&
4e,'e in%luded a plethora o( illustrations to ma-e this 'olume as user5(riendly as
possi.le&
For DMs: 2e a)are that the in(ormation in this )or- en%ompasses a )ide 'ariety o(
equipment suita.le (or many %ampaign styles& Don,t .e a(raid to 'eto %ertain )eapons or
armor to suit your o)n %ampaign )orld& The intention o( this .oo- is not to pro'ide
ad'enturers )ith e'ery )eapon -no)n to man6 it is merely to e*pand the %hoi%es
a'aila.le& 7eel (ree to disallo) any items that don,t (it the grand s%heme o( your
%ampaign&
Historical Accuracy: E'ery attempt has .een made to ensure that the in(ormation
presented here is histori%ally a%%urate& 8o)e'er# s%holars o( history o(ten disagree among
themsel'es# resulting in %on(li%ting opinions among resour%es& $( you (ind that the
in(ormation in this 'olume disagrees )ith )hat you -no) o( history# %onsider %he%-ing
one o( the resour%es listed .elo)& Or %hal- it up to to a di((erent historian& /$( you,re
%on'in%ed )e,'e .lundered# )e,re al)ays happy to hear a.out it in a letter& Any
do%umentation you %an pro'ide )ould .e appre%iated&0
Weapons: As the longest se%tion in this .oo-# the )eapons %hapter has some unique
(eatures& 9ou,ll (ind %omments (rom seasoned ad'enturers in italicized type& These are
intended to o((er ne) ideas (or role5playing& 9ou,ll also (ind numerous .o*ed entries&
These .o*es %ontain interesting histori%al tid.its that might pro'ide role5playing ideas
and are :ust plain (un to read&
4ith these things in mind# you,re ready to go (orth and %onquer& 8ere,s hoping that the
Arms and Equipment Guide )ill help you do it+
Re(eren%es and Additional Reading
Ashdo)n# Charles 8enry& European Arms & Armour. 2russel 3 2russel# Ne) 9or-#
!;<&
2roo-s =i%-en# Mary& The Language of Fashion. 7un- and 4agnalls Company# Ne)
9or-# !>!&
Cassin5S%ott# ?a%-& Costumes an !ettings for !taging Historical "lays##$olume %&
The Meiae'al "erio. =lays# $n%&# 2oston# !<!&
Duggan# Al(red& (ro)ing *p in +,th Century Englan. =antheon 2oo-s# Ne) 9or-#
!;@&
((oul-es# Charles& The Armourer an His Craft From the -.th to the -$.th Century.
Do'er =u.li%ations# $n%&# Ne) 9or-# !@ and !AA&
Gorsline# Douglas& What "eople Wore. 2onanBa 2oo-s# Ne) 9or-# !"@&
Si%hel# Marion& History of Men/s Costume. 2ats(ord A%ademi% and Edu%ational Ctd&#
Condon# !AD&
Stone# George Cameron& A (lossary of the Construction& Decoration an *se of Arms
an Armor in All Countries an in All Times. ?a%- 2russel# Ne) 9or-# !;&
Tarassu-# Ceonid# and 2lair# Claude# editors& The Complete Encyclopeia of Arms an
Weapons. Simon and S%huster# Ne) 9or-# !<!&
9ar)ood# Doreen& The Encyclopeia of Worl Costume. 2onanBa 2oo-s# Ne) 9or-#
!<A&
C8A=TER
Armor
"ae Armor 0AC 12
Description: =added armor# also re(erred to as quilted armor# is the simplest (orm o(
manmade armor& $t %onsists o( t)o or more layers o( spun %loth stu((ed )ith thi%- .atting
and quilted together&
=added armor typi%ally %o'ers the %hest and shoulders# .ut (ull5length suits are
sometimes seen&
Campaign *se: =added armor is mostly (ound among the poor and uns-illed& Only the
poorest e*%uses (or armed (or%es )ould .e %aught dead in padded armor& The .ul-y and
restri%ti'e nature o( the armor ma-es it a poor su.stitute (or a stout set o( leather /q.v.0&
Eillage militias# neophyte .andit pa%-s# ur.an street gangs# and primiti'e .ar.arian
hordes are the most %ommon users o( padded armor& $n short# this in%ludes anyone )ho
%annot a((ord leather armor /i&e&# the truly destitute0# %ultures )ithout the te%hnology to
tan hide /i&e&# the truly primiti'e0# or those )ho ha'e no other option at their time o( need
/i&e&# the truly desperate0&
=added armor %an .e made .y any ra%e or nation& Thus# it is %ommon prote%tion (or the
poorer %lasses& Sin%e ma-ing a padded suit o( armor requires little more than a %rude
needle and thread# lo)5le'el or desperate ad'enturers in need o( additional prote%tion %an
usually )hip up a set o( padded armor in less than t)o days& The dura.ility and le'el o(
%om(ort a((orded .y the homemade suit naturally 'aries in dire%t proportion to the s-ill o(
the )ould5.e armorer& 7or game purposes# se'eral layers o( hea'y %loth or (urs %an .e
%onsidered padded armor (or the purposes o( determining a %hara%ter,s .ase armor %lass&
=added armor# .eing little more than multiple layers o( %lothing# tends to soil and )ear
out easily& Although ne)ly (ashioned sets may sell %heaply# padded armor must .e
repla%ed o(ten# e'en i( it is )ell %ared (or& Ci%e# s)eat# dirt# (leas# and inse%ts all ta-e their
toll&
$( the DM :udges that a set o( padded armor has seen its last days# the armor %lass o(
the armor drops one pla%e /AC !0& The armor# no) rotted and torn# is little more than
.ul-y %lothing& $mportantly# hea'ily soiled armor redu%es the )earer,s sa'ing thro)s
against disease and disease5%ausing spells .y 5@&
Under ideal %onditions# a set o( padded armor should .e repla%ed monthly& 8o)e'er#
)hen tra'elling through hea'ily in(ested s)amps or in monster5laden (orests# padded
armor may require repla%ement as o(ten as e'ery (e) days& On any long :ourney# spare
sets o( padded armor should .e ta-en along as i( they )ere spare sets o( %lothing& Too
mu%h (rugality .e(ore a :ourney %an lead to mu%h dis%om(ort later&
Naturally# those )ho ha'e no a%%ess to .etter armor try to ma-e the .est appearan%e
)hene'er they %an& No.ody )ants to appear %heap or desperate# espe%ially )hen they
are& There(ore# de%orating one,s padded armor is the most %ommon (orm o( 1upgrading1
the appearan%e o( one,s (or%es& All armies and nations ha'e .anners and shields adorned
)ith their o)n %olors# and these %olors are o(ten repeated in intri%ate patterns on their
padded armor& This is most o(ten seen )hen the lo%al -ing or no.le qui%-ly re%ruits the
lo%al (armers, militia to de(end his lands or aid him in laun%hing an assault& The )i'es#
sisters# and daughters qui%-ly )hip up anything they %an to prote%t their ill5trained
hus.ands# .rothers# and sons& The %olors o( the lord are either quilted into the design o(
the armor in %he%-er.oard (ashion# or painted or dyed onto the hastily prepared
prote%tion&
$n similar (ashion# the most ne(arious o( e'il -nights ha'e .een -no)n to use quilted
armor to %amou(lage their o)n soldiers as peasants o( the opposing ran-s# ta-ing de'ious
ad'antage o( the militia,s -no)n la%- o( %om.at training&
This is only one o( many reasons )hy F5le'el (ighters are neither (eared nor respe%ted
.y the armed (or%es& Certainly in the %ase o( padded armor# one %an tell a -na'e .y his
suit&
Leather Armor 0AC 12
Description: Ceather armor# despite the popular mis%on%eption# is not so(t and supple
li-e the leather used to ma-e a ranger,s .oots or a druid,s ro.e& That -ind o( leather o((ers
no .etter prote%tion than %ommon %lothing&
Ceather armor is a%tually strong and sti((# ha'ing .een hardened in .oiling oil and then
stret%hed o'er a )ooden or stone model o( a man,s or )oman,s %hest& The resulting
.reastplate and shoulder guards are %om.ined )ith a tuni% or -irtle and# in %older %limes#
leggings o( )ool or so(t leather&
Campaign *se: This is the most %ommon (orm o( 1modern1 armor& The materials
/leather and oil0 are readily a'aila.le in all %i'iliBed lands& Only the te%hniques (or
.oiling and shaping the leather is ne%essary# and this is not a di((i%ult (eat (or a
leather)or-er&
This armor is .oth ine*pensi'e and dura.le& 4hile the leather is e*tremely sti((# it is
ne'er (ashioned into anything larger than a .reastplate# )hi%h -eeps restri%tion o(
mo'ement to a minimum& Naturally# this arrangement means leather armor a((ords no
prote%tion to the :oints# .ut this is true o( most types o( armor# and is a %hallenge all
%i'iliBed ra%es ha'e .een attempting to o'er%ome sin%e )ars .egan&
$n se'ere %om.at situations# leather armor may need to .e repla%ed )ee-ly& 8o)e'er#
the armor is easily %leaned# reasona.ly una((e%ted .y )eather# and resists all .ut the
se'erest o( a.rasions& This means a good set o( leather %an .e )orn daily (or many
months )ithout need (or repla%ement& Many retired )arriors and middle5%lass militia
ha'e a set o( leather armor stored a)ay that they ta-e out and polish at least annually&
2e%ause ra) leather %omes (rom a .y5produ%t o( medie'al daily li(e /i&e&# eating .ee(
and other meats0# in %i'iliBed so%ieties leather armor is 'ery %ommon& E'en rural
%ommunities ha'e little trou.le manu(a%turing leather armor (or the troops )ithin a (e)
days&
Co)s are not the sole sour%e o( hide (or tanning& 8orses# sheep# and %amels %an .e
used :ust as easily& $n short# the %reature must ha'e a thi%-er s-in than that o( a normal
man# .ut not quite as thi%- as that o( an elephant o( .ear& The s-ins o( these )ell5
prote%ted %reatures# )hen tanned# .e%omes hide armor /q.v&0&
$rregular human (or%es /e&g&# militias and le'ies# (reemen# %ommoners a.o'e peasant
le'el# .ar.arians# light in(antry# and marines0 are the primary users o( leather armor# (or
the (ollo)ing reasonsG A0 leather armor is drasti%ally %heaper and more readily a'aila.le
than metal armor6 20 the armor %an .e )orn (or long periods o( time )ithout leading to
in%reased (atigue or disease6 C0 the method or prote%tion is so simple that many armies
%an ma-e ne) sets o( armor (rom %attle seiBed in ne)ly raided territories# o(ten s%ant
days .e(ore meeting the de(enders in .attle6 and D0 they %an .e sto%-piled (or years
)ithout the e*%essi'e maintenan%e required .y metal armors that are prone to rust&
Another .ene(it o( leather armor# mu%h e*tolled .y those o( a more disreputa.le
persuasion# is the ease )hi%h it %an .e silen%ed& 4hile leather armor is not typi%ally
noisy# its .u%-les and (asteners tend to rattle and %lin-& Unli-e metal armor# leather armor
is easily mu((led .y %lothing and as su%h ma-es little sound during normal mo'ement&
Additional layers o( %lothing (urther dampen sounds made .y the )earer )hile hiding&
More rouges than %an .e %ounted o)e their li'es to mu((led leather armor&
The (reedom o( mo'ement# adequate general prote%tion# la%- o( noise# high
a'aila.ility# and lo) pri%e ma-e this the armor o( %hoi%e (or the general human
population&
!tue Leather Armor 0AC 32
Description: Studded leather armor has little in %ommon )ith normal leather armor&
4hile leather armor is a hardened shell# studded leather armor is so(t and supple )ith
hundreds o( metal ri'ets a((i*ed& The ri'ets are so %lose together that they (orm a (le*i.le
%oating o( hard metal that turns aside slashing and %utting atta%-s& The so(t leather
.a%-ing is little more than a means o( se%uring the ri'ets in pla%e&
Campaign *se: Studded leather armor is -no)n as 1poor man,s mail1 .e%ause o( its
metalli% %omponents and lo) pri%e& $t is more %ommon among the general population
than most people )ould (irst .elie'e .e%ause# unli-e other types o( mail armor# studded
leather is relati'ely easy to ma-e&
4hile a so(t leather .a%-ing is the most dura.le and %om(orta.le# any stout %loth %an
.e used as a .a%-ing (or the ri'ets& The ri'ets themsel'es are also easy to a%quire# as
e'erything (rom nails to pe..les ha'e .een su.stituted at one time or another in times o(
desperation& $n general# as long as the .a%-ing is se%ure and the ri'ets are hard enough to
)ithstand a glan%ing .lo)# the armor so %omprised should .e %onsidered studded leather
(or purposes o( )eight and prote%tion&
Studded leather# li-e .rigandine /des%ri.ed later0# is %ommonly )orn .y pirates and
other sea(arers& The prote%tion a((orded is .etter than normal leather armor# )hi%h is an
important point during sea %om.at )hen a shield may not .e pra%ti%al /a shield is useless
)hen %lim.ing or (ighting in a ship,s rigging0&
4ith regard to s)imming# the )eight o( studded leather is signi(i%antly less than metal
armor# and the (le*i.ility o( the so(t leather .a%-ing is .etter (or su%h demanding a%ti'ity&
$ndeed# (or short times in the )ater# it is as easy to maneu'er in studded leather as it is to
mo'e in a normal leather .reastplate& There(ore# most sea5going mer%enaries and pirates
pre(er to )ear studded leather as their all5purpose armor& Trained marine %ontingents#
ho)e'er# )hose main (un%tion is .oarding# usually )ear normal leather and %arry a
shield&
Miserly mer%hants# )ho sha'e pie%es o( gold more than they li-e to admit# )ill o(ten
.uy studded leather to out(it their hired guards& 8o)e'er# these %opper5pin%hers pay (or
the prote%tion one )ay or another# as studded leather tends to )ear out rather qui%-ly& Not
only does the so(t .a%-ing )ear out as qui%-ly as thi%- %lothing# .ut the metal studs %an
.e a((i*ed only .y dri'ing them through the leather# %onsidera.ly )ea-ening the o'erall
strength o( the .a%-ing& E'entually# the holes open up and the ri'ets drop out& Studded
leather is also prone to the same pro.lems o( s)eat# grime# and inse%ts as padded armor
/q.v.0&
!pi4e Leather
A 'ariation o( studded leather that is sometimes seen among .ar.arians o( northern
%limes /and# oddly# among some hill giant %lans0 is spi-ed leather& Mu%h as it sounds#
spi-ed leather armor is studded leather armor in )hi%h the ri'ets ha'e .een augmented .y
sharp spi-es& /Most intelligent .eings )ould .e )orried a.out mounting spi-es into their
armor# :ust in %ase they should trip and (all# not to mention the pro.lems pa%-ing or
storing the armor0&
O'er.earing and grappling )hile )earing su%h armor in(li%ts additional damage .ased
on the )earer,s siBe& A small %reature in(li%ts 5@ points o( pier%ing damage# a man5siBed
%reature in(li%ts 5> points# and a large %reature in(li%ts 5D points& These 'alues are
%onsidered (or ea%h indi'idual atta%-# not (or e'ery round that a %reature is grappled&
Spi-ed armor is usually made spe%ially (or the )earer and %osts a.out "FH o( the
pri%e o( a normal set o( studded leather&
Spi-ed armor is o%%asionally used to equip gladiators# pit (ighters# and other
spe%ialists&
Hie Armor 0AC 52
Description: 8ide armor is made (rom the thi%- hide o( a 'ery large animal /an elephant#
(or e*ample0 or (rom many layers o( normal leather (rom %ommon animals# li-e %o)s&
Campaign *se: 8ide armor is mu%h too thi%-# hea'y# and in(le*i.le to .e used mu%h in
the ad'an%ed human %ultures& $ts )eight is %ompara.le to %hain mail# .ut its prote%tion is
less& 8o)e'er# among the .ar.ari% humanoid masses throughout the dar- (orests and
misty :ungles o( the )orld# hide armor is %ommon&
2e%ause o( its simple %onstru%tion# any ra%e )ith Co) $ntelligen%e or .etter %an ma-e
suita.le hide armor& All that is required is a dead animal and someone to )ear its s-in&
Sin%e no e((ort to tan the hide is ne%essary to get .asi% prote%tion# %reatures )ith a desire
(or e*%ellent prote%tion at a (air pri%e /i&e&# usually (ree0 (ind hide armor ideal (or
e'eryday use& =roper tanning# o( %ourse# impro'es the armor,s li(e /and a%%eptan%e in
polite so%iety0&
The smell o( untanned armor# as any ogre %an testi(y# is something a )arrior must get
used to&
As mentioned in the se%tion on leather armor# the sti((ness that results )hen hide armor
dries %ompletely isn,t %onsidered a dra).a%- .y humanoids& /$n (a%t# )ithout that
sti((ness# the hide )ould lose one le'el o( armor %lass prote%tion&0 7or only a little .it o(
)or-# any humanoid )orth his hit di%e %an start ad'enturing at AC ; and .egin hunting
(or a shield&
$roni%ally# )hile leather armor may allo) greater (reedom o( mo'ement# dura.ility# and
a more pleasant appearan%e and smell# hide armor is a%tually t)o le'els o( prote%tion
.etter /AC ; instead o( AC A0& $t illustrates that humans trust their de*terity and
intelligen%e to aid in a'oiding )ounds during %om.at# )hile less5intelligent humanoids
typi%ally rely on redu%ing the %han%es o( a 'ital stri-e )ith a thi%-er armor&
Ci-e padded armor# hide armor is o(ten de%orated to sho) tri.al allegian%es&
Commonly# the type o( %reature used to ma-e the armor is su((i%ient to denote %lan
allian%e# as )ith the 8ydra %lan (ire giants or the 2la%- 2ear ogres&
Unique to the humanoid ra%es is the ha.it o( a((i*ing some part o( one,s nota.le -ill to
one,s hide armor& 4hile this doesn,t a((e%t the armor %lass rating o( this armor in any
su.stantial )ay# it does tend to ma-e one less popular around the %i'iliBed %amp(ire .ut
more important around the humanoid or .ar.arian %amp& $mportantly# these trophies#
)hi%h o(ten in%lude su%h grisly things as s-ulls# s%alps# teeth and %la)s# are %onsidered a
sign o( (ero%ity and ruthlessness and are there(ore seen most %ommonly among high
leaders and shamans&
The equi'alent o( hide armor among humans and demihuman ra%es is layered leather
armor# )herein many layers o( normal leather armor are .onded to one another to (orm a
hea'y# thi%- plate o( prote%tion& This armor is %onsidered hide armor )ith regard to
)eight and %ost# .ut does not su((er the pro.lems o( odor and disease seen in hide and
padded armors&
7e) human %ultures employ hide armor e*tensi'ely& Most nota.ly# %ertain northern
.ar.arian tri.es %ommonly )ear thi%- hide armor& Some o( these tri.esmen a%tually
.elie'e that the hide armor gi'es them animal5li-e strength and po)ers# and that human
armors li-e %hain and plate mail a%tually ro. them o( their innate %om.at instin%ts& 4hile
this may .e dismissed as ignorant superstition# there are shamans o( the northern )astes
)ho tell great tales o( (amous suits o( hide armor# .lessed )ith the spirits o( the animals
(rom )hi%h they %ame&
4hether or not spe%ial hide armor e*ists /li-e the White Skin of Umpluutu# )hi%h
allo)s the )earer to shapechange into a polar .ear0 is up to the DM# .ut hide armor
o((ers unique a'enues in a .ar.arian or primiti'e %ampaign&
!cale Mail 0AC 52
Description: This is a %oat o( so(t leather %o'ered )ith o'erlapping pie%es o( metal#
mu%h li-e the s%ales o( a (ish& $t is :ust as hea'y as %hain mail# .ut o((ers slightly )orse
prote%tion& $t has no signi(i%ant ad'antages o'er hide or .rigandine armor&
Campaign *se: S%ale mail is an old type o( armor# mu%h li-e splint mail /des%ri.ed
later0& $t ne'er .e%ame popular in )estern medie'al %ulture (or 'ery long6 its produ%tion
)as (ound to .e too time5%onsuming and thus less e((i%ient to ma-e in %omparison to
other armor types& $n the AD3D game %onte*t# s%ale mail is most %ommon in Dar- Age
periods# in (oreign %ultures# or in those areas )here its materials are unusually plenti(ul&
Some human %ultures# nota.ly those similar to the 2yBantines and other eastern and
southern -ingdoms# did not pursue the e'olution o( armor made o( large plates# .ut rather
%hose to ma-e use o( small plates& 4here metal is not (orged .ut is instead %ut (rom
sheets o( mallea.le metal ores# the te%hnology o( s%ale mail and its su%%essors /splint#
.rigandine# and .anded armor0 predominates&
This is not a matter o( primiti'e 'ersus %i'iliBed# .ut rather t)o separate approa%hes to
the same pro.lem& 4here )estern %ultures stress prote%tion# eastern %ultures see- to
ma*imiBe (le*i.ility /and 'entilation in the hotter %limates0&
The s%ales in s%ale armor are made smaller in order to ma-e the suit more (le*i.le and
%om(orta.le )hen )orn& $ndeed# in this respe%t# s%ale mail (ar e*%eeds either plate or
.anded mail&
8o)e'er# all those s%ales require more maintenan%e# as the more items atta%hed to an
armor,s .a%-ing# the greater the %han%e some )ill (all o((& S%ale armor not properly
maintained loses one le'el o( armor %lass prote%tion&
S%ale mail su((ers the same pro.lems o( dirt# grime# li%e# and odor that studded leather
and padded armor su((er&
S%ale mail does o((er prote%tion as good as that o( .rigandine (or the same pri%e and at
a %ompara.le )eight& The %hoi%e .et)een s%ale mail and .rigandine armor is li-ely to .e
determined .y the nature o( the %ultures in the DM,s %ampaign )orld&
!ea Elf !cale Mail
The most intri%ately %onstru%ted demihuman s%ale mail is (ound in the undersea
-ingdoms o( the sea el'es& More as a matter o( appearan%e and %eremony than (or
additional prote%tion# the sea el'es adapted the idea o( s%ale mail to their o)n pe%uliar
designs& Their armor %an .e )orn under)ater# as it is made o( metals that do not rust# and
the s%ales are a((i*ed to a .a%-ing o( eel5s-in# )hi%h does not disintegrate as leather does
in salt )ater& 2rought (orth only in times o( )ar or o( great %eremony# this e*pensi'e
armor is )orn only .y the no.le el'en elite&
This s%ale mail is unique among others (or its .eauti(ul sil'er %oating& Some armorers
)onder )hether this %oating is sil'er# platinum# or e'en mithril& $t is generally agreed that
the rare s%ale mail o( the sea el'es is nearly as 'alua.le as el'en %hain mail /q.v.0&
Coin Armor
A 'ariant o( s%ale mail is armor made )ith the %ommon %oins o( the realm& This %oin
armor is seen only rarely# and then usually among dignitaries and high generals& Ea%h set
o( armor %an sto%- a large quantity o( %oins /up to #FFF+0& Rarely are they stolen#
ho)e'er# as the people )ho are ri%h enough to )ear them are also ri%h enough to see to
their personal se%urity&
There are many 'ariations possi.le# (rom armor s%aled )holly o( gold or sil'er %oins to
mi*ed suits )herein the %oins themsel'es are arranged in a personal# (amily# %lan# or
other heraldri% pattern&
6riganine Armor 0AC 52
Description: A de'elopment o( .oth s%ale mail and studded leather# .rigandine armor is
%omposed o( a layer o( small metal plates ri'eted to an under%oat o( so(t leather# thi%-
%loth# or %oarse %an'as& A (urther o'er%oat o( %loth is applied to the e*terior o( the suit#
ma-ing (or a layered prote%tion that is lighter than s%ale mail& An alternati'e
%on(iguration is (or the plates to .e sand)i%hed .et)een t)o layers o( so(t leather&
Campaign *se: 2rigandine is a light armor o( %omposite %onstru%tion# o(ten )orn .y
.rigands and other rogues& The armor is essentially a 'ariant o( studded leather )ith an
o'er%oat o( %loth& The %loth %o'ering ser'es .oth to strengthen the entire (rame)or- as
)ell as to ma-e the armor less %onspi%uous (rom a distan%e& 2rigandine armor is quieter
than %hain# splint# or .anded mail# .ut less quiet than studded leather or leather armor&
2rigandine )eighs more than hide .ut less than s%ale mail& $t is generally more (le*i.le
than hide# .ut its three layers ma-e it some)hat sti((er than s%ale mail&
2rigandine armor is generally the .est armor a run5o(5the5mill 'illage armorer %an
ma-e and still get good results& 7or anything )ith a higher armor %lass# a pro(essional
master armorer is required& This means that .rigandine armor is the highest le'el o(
prote%tion a((orded many lo)5le'el AD3D game %ultures and %ampaigns&
This represents the limit (or the early Middle Ages period AD3D %ampaign& $( a
%ampaign resem.les the Dar- Ages more than the Age o( Chi'alry# s%ale mail and
.rigandine armor pro.a.ly represent the pinna%le o( personal armor&
=irates and .andits /i&e&# .rigands0 (ind that .rigandine %an .e made (rom anything on
hand (rom sails to %an'as sa%-s# and (rom %oins to .rass sha'ings& Su%h armor still o((ers
de%ent prote%tion against most slashing atta%-s /the most %ommon types en%ountered in
these pro(essions0&
As mentioned# .rigandine is easier to mu((le than most metal armors and mails and
thus is the armor o( %hoi%e among many rogues and the less reputa.le mem.ers o( the
%ampaign so%iety&
Rangers o(ten o)n a set o( .rigandine as a (ield %om.at .a%-up to their normal armor
o( either studded leather or leather& =oor or no'i%e rangers and )arriors might .e a.le to
a((ord or a%quire .rigandine armor )hen other armors might not .e a%%essi.le&
2rigandine armor %an also .e use(ul (or smugglers# allo)ing items to .e %on%ealed
)ithin its multiple layers& Not only %oins and pre%ious metals might .e %on%ealed# .ut
treasure maps# personal de(ense traps# and %on%ealed )eapons are all possi.ilities (or the
%le'er %hara%ter& 4hether these are a%tual ma%hinations o( de'ious minds or :ust rumors
spread to dis%ourage personal thie'ery is a su.:e%t o( some de.ate among ad'enturers and
legal authorities&
4hat is -no)n is that it is possi.le to %on%eal su%h items# either )ithin the padding or
.y interlea'ing them )ith the metal plates& This potential (or use /or a.use0 o( .rigandine
armor in the %ampaign should not .e o'erloo-ed .y the DM or player& Se%ret po%-ets (or
use .y thie'es or prestidigitators might .e re'ealed in the heat o( %om.at# or lo%al
authorities may miss a 'alua.le %lue the =Cs are lu%-y enough to dis%o'er on their o)n&
Mu%h li-e gnomish )or-man,s leather /des%ri.ed later0# an ad'enturer,s set o( .rigandine
may hold many )el%ome or un)el%ome surprises&
Chain Mail 0AC 72
Description: Chain mail is made o( interlo%-ing metal rings& $t is al)ays )orn o'er a
layer o( padded (a.ri% or so(t leather to pre'ent %ha(ing and lessen the impa%t o( .lo)s&
Campaign *se: Chain mail is the standard medium armor in most (antasy %ampaigns& $n
many pla%es# it is so %ommon that the pri%e o( a good suit o( %hain mail may a%tually .e
%heaper than less sophisti%ated armors li-e s%ale mail and .rigandine& This ma-es the
appeal o( %hain mail armor 'ery high indeed&
Chain mail is only slightly hea'ier than hide or .rigandine armor and mu%h lighter than
any o( the plate armors& $mportant to the )earer# ho)e'er# is the (a%t that the )eight o( a
suit o( %hain mail does not rest e'enly upon the .ody& Rather# most o( the .urden o( a
%hain suit rests upon the shoulders# ma-ing %hain armor (eel hea'ier than it really is&
$n game terms# this means %hain mail %an .e )orn (or only a.out a day .e(ore the
shoulders o( e'en the strongest )arriors .egin to (atigue& E*perien%ed )arriors usually
%arry a se%ond set o( lighter armor /o(ten leather or studded leather0 (or use )hen
tra'eling or at night )hen not on )at%h&
8ptional 9ule: =rolonged shoulder (atigue (rom )earing %hain mail more than one day
at a time a((e%ts %om.at /5@ to hit0 and leads to heada%hes and .a%-a%hes&
$n general# %hain mail is )orn .y mid5le'el (ighters# guardsmen# mer%enaries# and men5
at5arms )ith some o((i%ial %apa%ity& The pri%e o( %hain mail is equi'alent to many years
in%ome (or most peasants# and is thus out o( rea%h (or most %ommon (ol-& 8o)e'er# some
middle5%lass (amilies ha'e a set or t)o o( heirloom %hain mail armor handed do)n (rom
glorious days past (or use in dangerous days to %ome&
Typi%ally# to)n guards and no.le patrols are .ede%-ed in %hain mail armor& $t is per(e%t
(or short duty tours and gi'es the no.le )arrior a great ad'antage o'er the lo%al ra..le&
?ust the di((eren%e .et)een %hain mail and leather armor alone %an gi'e the o((i%er a
signi(i%ant ad'antage o'er most ru((ians& Anyone )earing %hain mail armor )ith any sort
o( heraldi% %rest or uni(orm is usually assumed to .e a lo%al o((i%ial o( some -ind .y the
e*perien%ed and per%epti'e tra'eler&
$n general# %hain mail is the .asis (or all o( the more ad'an%ed and more prote%ti'e
armors (ound in most AD3D game %ampaigns& The potentially lo) %ost o( %hain mail
is a re(le%tion o( the (a%t that many sets o( %hain mail are .ought as a .ase (or .anded
mail and the more sophisti%ated plate armors&
2e%ause %hain mail armor is not usually )orn (or long periods at a time# its underlying
padding rarely su((ers the pro.lems o( padded armors& The metal mail# ho)e'er# )ill rust
i( not oiled and s%ru..ed )ith a )ire .rush )ee-ly& A(ter a month o( negle%t# %hain mail
armor loses one le'el o( armor %lass sin%e it is no longer as (le*i.le and lin-s may ha'e
.egun to rust& /Naturally# this applies only to (errous armor mail and not to %hain mail
%onstru%ted o( non5(errous metals0&
Chain mail is %ertainly the .est armor 'alue (or ad'enturers )ho %annot yet a((ord the
hea'ier armors&
9ing Mail
This (orm o( %hain mail is made .y se)ing large metal rings to a leather or %loth
.a%-ing& Ring mail has the same role in early5period %ampaigns that %hain mail has in
later ones& $n later %ampaigns# it is more e*pensi'e to .uy than %hain mail# )eighs a
%ompara.le amount# pro'ides )orse prote%tion /AC <0# and su((ers all the maintenan%e
pro.lems o( padded and studded leather armor& 7e) human groups# other than to)n
militias and .andit gangs# use ring mail to any signi(i%ant degree&
6ane Mail 0AC :2
Description: 2anded mail armor is made o( o'erlapping horiBontal strips o( laminated
metal se)n o'er a .a%-ing o( normal %hain mail and so(t leather .a%-ing& Camination in
this %onte*t re(ers to a pro%ess in )hi%h many thin sheets o( metal are hammered or
ri'eted together to (orm ea%h indi'idual metal strip&
Campaign *se: This type o( armor is most %ommonly )orn .y eastern )arriors and
)ould .e as %ommon as plate mail in a %ulture .ased on the Tur-s# (or e*ample# late
period Mongols# or the ?apanese&
$n a )estern %ampaign# .anded mail %an .e %onsidered to .e the pre%ursor o( plate
armor& Sin%e .anded mail ine'ita.ly )ill ha'e gaps .et)een the metal strips# ho)e'er#
the total prote%tion o( 'ital areas is not quite as good as hea'ier plate armors& The result is
the slightly poorer armor %lass rating o( .anded mail&
The strength and (le*i.ility o( %hain mail ma-es it ideal (or prote%ting the :ointed areas
)here large metal plates are traditionally in%apa.le o( pro'iding adequate prote%tion&
One ad'antage o( this metal5and5%hain arrangement o'er %hain mail alone is the (a%t
that the %onstru%tion o( .anded mail naturally restri%ts mo'ement o( the metal plates
a%ross the torso& The .ene(i%ial side e((e%t is that the )eight o( the armor is more e'enly
distri.uted on the )earer# ma-ing it easier to )ear .anded mail (or longer periods o( time&
$n game terms# )hile .anded mail does ha'e an o'erall higher le'el o( prote%tion than
normal %hain mail# the dura.ility o( .anded mail# espe%ially at the :oints# is a.out hal( that
o( a standard suit o( %hain& 4hile a (ine set o( %hain armor might last si* months or more#
a set o( .anded mail rarely lasts three months# e'en )ith %onstant up-eep&
Mu%h li-e %hain mail# (errous metal .ands are su.:e%t to rust& 8o)e'er# sin%e the metal
strips (ound in .anded mail are already in(le*i.le and designed to remain that )ay# the
armor %lass o( rusty .anded mail is no di((erent (rom that o( a ne) suit& 8o)e'er# the
estimation o( one,s peers )ould %ertainly .e diminished# as a )ell5tended suit o( .anded
mail %an gleam most .eauti(ully i( %ared (or properly&
!plint Mail
Splint mail is a 'ariant o( .anded mail in )hi%h the metal strips are applied 'erti%ally
to the .a%-ing o( %hain# leather# or %loth rather than horiBontally as in .anded mail& Sin%e
the human .ody does not s)i'el in mid5torso as mu%h as it (le*es .a%- to (ront# splint
mail is more restri%ti'e in .attle&
$n game terms# splint mail is to .anded mail as s%ale mail is to .rigandineG splint mail
is the style o( the earlier and less e((i%ient armoring te%hniques& Mu%h li-e s%ale and ring
mail /q.v.0# splint mail )ill .e used .y the less ad'an%ed %ultures and poorer )arriors& $ts
relati'ely lo) street pri%e in a )estern %ampaign )hen %ompared to .anded mail and
e'en %hain is due to the (a%t that (e) )estern )arriors )ill e'en tou%h a set o( splint mail
unless they are destitute or desperate&
The prote%tion splint mail a((ords is equi'alent to that o( .anded mail# .ut it is mu%h
more (atiguing to )ear in a lengthy .attle& 7urthermore# .ro-en splints tend to )or-
in)ard to)ard the )earer in the %ourse o( a .attle& More than a (e) )arriors ha'e (ound
themsel'es pain(ully %ut a%ross the ri.s )hen .ro-en .anded mail )ould ha'e merely
shi(ted up or do)n& Maintenan%e pro.lems (or splint mail are other)ise the same as (or
.anded mail&
7or %hara%ters )ith a light purse# splint mail %an .e pi%-ed up in seedier armor shops&
$ts pri%e ma-es it ideal (or ad'enturers )ho )ant the e*tra .it o( prote%tion o'er %hain
mail&
6ron;e "late Mail 0AC :2
Description: The so(test o( the true plate mail armors# .ronBe plate mail is made o(
hea'y metal plates atta%hed to a layer o( .rigandine or %omposite layers o( metal s%ales
and leather or padded armor&
Campaign *se: 8istori%ally# .y the time the armorer,s %ra(t had ad'an%ed to the point
that plate mail had .e%ome %ommon# steel had repla%ed .ronBe as the .est metal (or
%onstru%ting armor& Thus# aside (rom %eremonial armor# most .ronBe plate mail appears
in areas )here %opper and tin are plenti(ul and iron is rare& $n general# sin%e .ronBe plate
mail is designed to .e lighter and more (le*i.le than normal plate mail /q.v.0# .ronBe plate
armorers use leather and padding under the .ronBe plates instead o( the hea'ier %hain
mail& Also# to redu%e the o'erall )eight o( the armor# there are no .ronBe plates atta%hed
to the mo'ea.le :oints& A large .ronBe .reastplate and grea'es are o(ten the only
di((eren%e .et)een .ronBe plate mail and .ronBe s%ale or .rigandine armor&
2ronBe plate o((ers .etter prote%tion than normal .rigandine or %hain mail and a lo)er
pri%e tag than standard plate mail& Sin%e .ronBe plate is usually .a%-ed )ith sti(( layered
armor rather than loose %hain mail# .ronBe plate mail isn,t as (le*i.le as .anded# splint# or
plate mail&
4ho )ould use .ronBe plate mail in a standard %ampaign# )hen so many other
alternati'es e*istI =late mail# as )ill .e dis%ussed later# is a sign o( no.ility to the general
population& 4hat does the lo)ly peasant or inn-eeper -no) o( the ad'antages and
disad'antages o( 'arious types o( plate mailI Cittle to .e sure& $n (a%t# this armor is one
pie%e o( equipment )hose pri%e is not determined .y its true 'alue in %om.at .ut .y its
per%ei'ed 'alue to persons around the )earer&
Any -night )orth his salt a%quires (ull plate armor /q.v.0 as soon as he %an# e'en i( it
means selling priBed items o( magi% or a stout )arhorse& $( a -night %an s%rape up DFF
gold pie%es .ut %an,t get the e*tra @FF gold pie%es to .uy a real set o( plate# .ronBe plate
is the only real %hoi%e open to him&
More than a (e) lo)5le'el ad'enturers )ith perhaps a little too mu%h gold to spend and
not enough e*perien%e or training in su%h matters o(ten are %heated into .uying .ronBe
plate mail that has .een painted sil'er& They immediately lose @FF gold pie%es in the deal
.y ta-ing home the in(erior armor& A(ter e'en one su%h su%-er5sale# the %harlatan
salesman s-ips to)n (or a (e) )ee-s or mo'es to a di((erent part o( the %ity& Naturally#
su%h gulli.le )arriors usually don,t dis%o'er their mista-e until the heat o( .attle# )hen a
)eapon stri-e that )ould ha'e .oun%ed o(( a real set o( plate mail dents or %uts through
the .ogus plate& Ca'eat emptor+
Not all .ronBe plate is part o( a hoa* or s%am# ho)e'er& There are 'ersions o( .ronBe
plate used .y %ultures )ho (or one reason or another ha'en,t learned the (ine art o(
(orging iron and steel& There is mu%h pre%edent (or this in history and (antasy# and many
ad'an%ed %ultures ha'e lost the art or ne'er stru%- the right mi* o( metals throughout
their long history& These %ultures may ha'e de'eloped the s-ill o( (orging .ronBe into a
high art# ma-ing armor that loo-s li-e gold .ut )ears li-e steel&
Note that these types o( .ronBe mail last mu%h longer than the typi%al medie'al (orms
and may ha'e a .a%-ing o( solid .ronBe %hain and leather& These suits )ear li-e real
plate# and the relati'e so(tness o( the metal is o(ten )or-ed into a de%orati'e design& Easy
to em.oss )ith one,s (amily %rest or tri.al insignia# )ell5)or-ed .ronBe shines li-e gold
and %an .e polished to the sheen o( a mirror& Some tri.es ha'e literally )on entire .attles
on the distra%ting .eauty o( their e*quisite armor alone&
"late Mail 0AC ,2
Description: =late mail is a %om.ination o( %hain or .rigandine armor )ith metal plates
%o'ering the 'ital areas su%h as the %hest# a.domen and groin& Similar in %onstru%tion to
.ronBe plate mail# true plate mail %omprises hea'y steel plates ri'eted to a sturdy .a%-ing
o( %hain and leather& These metal plates are o(ten .etter %onstru%ted than those (ound in
.ronBe plate and .anded mails# relying on superior metallurgy and ad'an%ed lamination
te%hniques to produ%e a light)eight steel )ith e*%ellent %om.at %hara%teristi%s&
2rigandine .a%-ing (or this type o( armor is rare# .e%ause the sti((ness o( .rigandine
armor ma-es this type o( .a%-ing an unpopular %hoi%e among plate armorers and )arriors
ali-e&
7or all o( these reasons# plate mail prote%ts the human .ody more e((e%ti'ely than
.ronBe plate mail&
Campaign *se: The de'elopment o( plate mail heralded the .eginning o( the age o(
%hi'alry and -nighthood& Asso%iated most o(ten )ith %lassi% 7ren%h medie'al %ulture# the
names gi'en to the segments o( plate mail re'eal their 7ren%h origin to this day&
The most important metal plate on the armor is %alled the plastron-de-fer# or
.reastplate& $t prote%ts the 'ital %hest and a.dominal areas (rom atta%-& Typi%ally# the
shoulders )ere prote%ted .y metal shoulder guards %alled epaulieres& Co)er leg
prote%tors# %alled grevieres /or grea'es0# and metal5plated %hain glo'es# or gauntlets# are
also %ommon a%%essories to a plate mail suit& Any manner o( helm is also desira.le /see
the se%tion on 8elms0&
=late mail is the most %ommon (orm o( hea'y armor in (antasy %ampaigns& $t pro'ides
ma*imum prote%tion (or a (ra%tion o( the %ost o( (ield or (ull plate armor# and %an ta-e
month a(ter month o( grueling %om.at punishment& $t is only moderately hea'ier than
.anded or %hain mail# and .e%ause o( its %ustom (itting and sturdy straps# )ears easier
than either&
2e%ause the plates are %are(ully (itted to %om.ine )ith the %hain suit .eneath# the layer
o( leather or padding .eneath the %hain is o(ten mu%h thinner and more (le*i.le than that
(ound in .anded or .rigandine armor& Many long years ha'e gone into per(e%ting the
%onstru%tion o( plate mail# )hi%h ma-es e'en the most .asi% o( suits a )onder o(
medie'al engineering& 4ith regard to %ost# the pur%haser o( a set o( plate mail may ha'e
to (or- out a %onsidera.le sum o( money %ompared to .anded mail# .ut no )earer o( plate
mail dou.ts (or long the 'alue and summary )isdom o( his pur%hase&
Jnights# royal guards# and mer%enary %aptains o(ten )ear plate mail& E'en as a priBe o(
.attle# plate mail is in(initely easier to (it to a ne) o)ner than either (ield or (ull plate
armor& =late mail is the pre(erred prote%tion o( the 'ast per%entage o( the )orld,s most
e*perien%ed )arriors# .e%ause it is not nearly as %um.ersome to don or remo'e as other
hea'ier types o( armor&
$t is a matter o( pride among many -ingdoms that e'en the slightest impro'ement to
the general plate mail design )as qui%-ly attri.uted to the armorer )ho in'ented the
alteration and the -ing )hose )isdom it )as to a%%ept the %hange&
As su%h# most sets o( plate mail )ere %onstantly upgraded throughout the -no)n
)orld# and no) are 'ery similar indeed& $n (a%t# the per(e%tion o( the .asi% plate mail
design )as so nearly %omplete that many armorers had already .egun de'oting most# i(
not all# o( their time and resour%es to )or-ing (ield and (ull plate armor )ith similar %are
and pre%ision&
=late mail is the hea'iest armor %ommonly used .y ad'enturers# .oth as a matter o(
pride and (or the general ne%essities o( daily use and e((i%ien%y&
Fiel "late Armor 0AC %2
Description: 7ield plate is a%tually a more %ommonly used (orm o( (ull plate armor
/des%ri.ed later0& $t %onsists o( shaped and (itted metal plates ri'eted and interlo%-ed to
%o'er the entire .ody& Ci-e plate mail# a set o( (ield plate usually in%ludes gauntlets#
.oots# and a 'isored helmet /see 8elms0& A thi%- layer o( padding must .e )orn under the
armor&
Campaign *se: This armor is rarely used# e*%ept .y no.le -nights on a military
%ampaign& $n theory# the .ul- o( a set o( (ield plate armor is so e'enly distri.uted o'er the
)hole .ody that the en%um.ran%e rating o( (ield plate %ompares quite (a'ora.ly )ith that
o( plate mail and .anded mail& $n pra%ti%e# the in%reased prote%tion is paid (or )ith
redu%ed mo.ility and in%reased (atigue&
Ea%h suit o( this e*tremely rare and e*pensi'e armor is %ustom5made and (itted (or its
prospe%ti'e )earer& Only a master armorer %an %reate (ield or (ull plate armor# and only a
master armorer %an re5siBe %aptured pie%es o( a suit (or a ne) o)ner& The ne) o)ner
must .e o( at least a similar siBe and .uild as the pre'ious o)ner# or the e((ort required to
modi(y the pie%e in question e*%eeds the e*pense and e((ort ne%essary in (orging an entire
ne) set&
Aside (rom its e*pense# the main disad'antages o( (ield plate armor are the la%- o(
'entilation through the suit# )hi%h ma-e moisture and (ungus a pro.lem# and the time
required to put it on and ta-e it o((& As detailed in the AD3D @nd Edition Plaer!s
"and#ook# d;KD rounds are required to dress in (ield plate armor )ith outside
assistan%e& Triple that amount o( time is required i( the )earer is alone& Similarly# it ta-es
dDK rounds to remo'e su%h armor# and hal( that time /(ra%tions rounded up0 i( pressed
(or time or assisted .y an attendent /see 7ull =late Armor0&
7ield plate armor is typi%ally used .y the high -nights o( a -ingdom# li-e Jing Arthur,s
legendary Jnights o( the Round Ta.le# (or e'erything e*%ept (ormal %eremonies and
triumphant .attle %ele.rations& 7ull plate armor is reser'ed (or su%h o%%asions )here style
is more important than %om.at&
7ield plate %an .e (i*ed mu%h more %heaply and easily than (ull plate# and is .uilt to
)ithstand the rigors o( long5term use and %om.at& The entire .ody is en%ased in metal
plates# and e'en the :oints are prote%ted )ith metal %aps and sturdy %hain mail& A great
helm .earing the em.lem o( the house or name o( a legendary -night is %ommon and is
one o( the (e) )ays a -night %an re%ogniBe a (riend or (oe (rom a distan%e&
7ield plate# )hile e*pensi'e and painsta-ingly %ra(ted .y master armorers# is normally
not adorned )ith many trappings or em.ellishments& Sin%e legendary -nights ma-e a
ha.it o( .attling great armies and dragons almost daily# their armor rarely lasts longer
than a year )ithout needing to .e %ompletely repla%ed&
A DM may de%ide that .eing allo)ed to )ear (ield or (ull plate armor is a sign o(
no.ility or -nighthood in his %ampaign& $n su%h %ampaigns# )ealthy )arriors had .etter
ha'e a legitimate no.le %rest or re%ogniBed royal patron .e(ore parading themsel'es a.out
to)n&
8ptional 9ule: This rule may .e in'o-ed i( a player insists on )earing .adly repaired or
pat%h)or- plate mail& 7ollo)ing e'ery strong :olt to the )earer# )hether (rom a good hit
in .attle or a (all (rom a %li((# the material .inding the pat%h)or- plate to the .a%-ing /as
stated at the time o( repair0 must ma-e a sa'ing thro) 'ersus Crushing 2lo)& 7ailure
means the plate (alls o((# )hile su%%ess means the ne*t sa'ing thro) is made )ith a 5
penalty to the roll& Note that this penalty is %umulati'e# so any pat%h)or- plate is .ound
to (all apart e'entually&
Full "late Armor 0AC +2
Description: 7ull plate armor is the .est armor a )arrior %an .uy# .oth in appearan%e and
prote%tion& The per(e%tly5(itted interlo%-ing plates are spe%ially angled to de(le%t arro)s
and .lo)s# and the entire suit is %are(ully adorned )ith ri%h engra'ing and em.ossed
detail&
Campaign *se: Suits o( (ull plate armor are as rare as po)er(ul magi%al items in most
(antasy %ampaigns& Magi%al sets o( (ull plate are arti(a%ts to .e treasured and hidden
a)ay# the o.:e%ts o( glorious quests&
$n most %ampaigns# the num.er o( sets o( (ull plate armor %an .e %ounted as easily as
the num.ers o( %ro)n -nights )ho o)e their allegian%e to the -ing& $n many -ingdoms# it
is a %rime to possess a set o( (ull plate armor )ithout royal permission# as a )ise -ing
-eeps any armorer %apa.le o( su%h %ra(tsmanship at his .e%- and %all&
7ull plate armor is one o( the greatest gi(ts a great lord %an .esto) upon his (ollo)ers&
$t is a priBe as %o'eted (or the status it %on(ers as its monetary 'alue& A suit o( (ull plate
armor )ill o(ten .e a gi(t presented to great -nights upon great ser'i%e to the realm# or as
an in%enti'e to attra%t a -night errant o( unquestioned pro)ess to the -ing,s pri'ate %ir%le&
$n addition# (ull plate armor is the most te%hnologi%ally ad'an%ed armor a'aila.le in
the later medie'al and high %hi'alry settings& The spe%ial tou%hes and %ustom
enhan%ements added .y the (e) li'ing master armorers are )hat gi'e (ull plate armor its
in%reased armor %lass rating o'er the more traditional (orms o( (ield plate& At pri%es that
start at D#FFF gold pie%es (or a simple# unadorned suit# (ull plate armor represents the
%ro)ning a%hie'ement o( the armorer,s ultimate goal55to (orge (or man a ne) s-in o(
steel# as (le*i.le as his o)n# .ut as in'ulnera.le as anything in the land&
This in%reased prote%tion %omes only )ith a pri%e& 4hile (ull plate armor )ears )ell
)hen %orre%tly (itted# it is %um.ersome to don or remo'e )ithout assistan%e& 8erein
enters the attendent&
7or most -nights# the attendent is a 'assal or squire )ho tends to the -night,s e'ery
need& 8e sharpens his lord,s s)ord and .rushes his horse& 8o)e'er# the great -night
%hooses his attendent %are(ully# (or he -no)s his li(e may depend on this de%ision&
4ithout the assistan%e o( a %apa.le attendent# a -night requires dFKF rounds to don
his armor& An attendent %uts this time .y hal(& As most %om.at 'eterans -no)# %utting the
a'erage armoring time in hal( %an mean the di((eren%e .et)een .eing at the .attle and
missing it entirely+
4arriors in a hurry %an %ut this dressing time .y hal( again& The rami(i%ations o( this
haste is that a -night and his attendent )ho are e*tremely lu%-y might# at .est# .e a.le to
get dressed in only > rounds /i&e&# .est roll o( # add F equals rounds6 rounds %ut in
hal( (or attendent,s assistan%e equals ; rounds6 ; rounds hal'ed again (or rushing yields >
rounds0&
8o)e'er# a -night hurrying in this manner su((ers penalties in %om.at& 8is straps are
not ad:usted %orre%tly# meaning his plates are too loose or too tight and )ill hamper his
o'erall e((e%ti'eness in .attle& The -nights su((ers a 5 to all atta%- rolls and his armor
%lass li-e)ise drops one pla%e# meaning his hasty dressing has gi'en him armor
equi'alent in prote%tion to that o( (ield plate armor&
$( a -night dis%o'ers that his loose (ittings are %ausing him to miss his mar- or .e
stru%- .y his enemies too o(ten# he need only spend as many rounds tightening his straps
as he negle%ted .y rushing his preparations /t)i%e that i( unattended# o( %ourse0&
E<ample: Sir 8u:er rolls a ; on dF )hen attempting to don his armor# thus needing
; rounds& An attendent redu%es this to A rounds# and rushing redu%es this (urther to D
rounds& The rushing penalties )ould .e remo'ed i( Sir 8u:er too- D rounds /attended0 or
A rounds /unattended0 to read:ust his armor&
(nomish Wor4man/s Leather Armor 0AC 32
Description: Gnomish )or-man,s leather armor is a 'ariation o( high5quality gnomish
leather armor /as des%ri.ed in the Equipment Chapter o( $he %omplete &ighter!s
"and#ook0& Gnomish )or-man,s leather is adorned )ith doBens o( tiny tool holders and
pou%hes# typi%ally (illed )ith the most .iBarre %olle%tion o( %oins# nails# tools# )eapons#
)idgets# and spro%-ets e'er assem.led on one .ody& 7or this reason# a set o( gnomish
)or-man,s leather pro'ides prote%tion identi%al to studded leather armor&
Campaign *se: Typi%ally# gnomish )or-man,s leather is as silent as normal high5quality
gnomish leather armor /no Thie'ing S-ill Armor Ad:ustment0& 8o)e'er# this is .e(ore a
gnomish )or-man has gotten any)here near it& As )ith most things o( gnomish design#
the )hole is a rather sundry %ompilation o( many dis:ointed parts&
Strange in'entions# se%ret %ompartments# lo%-ed and trapped po%-ets# and a diBBying
array o( tool holders and layered item ra%-s are added# modi(ied# mo'ed# and
%amou(laged almost daily& 7rom )ee- to )ee-# a gnomish )or-man,s armor may %hange
drasti%ally in appearan%e and (un%tion& The armor has a sto)age %apa%ity o( F l.s&# up to
hal( o( )hi%h %an .e %onsidered hidden&
$mportantly# the spe%ial .ene(its o( gnomish high5quality leather armor are lost )hen a
gnomish )or-man .egins %olle%ting items to tu%- into this leather gar.& 4hile a (e)
items on the .elt do not signi(i%antly ruin this (eature o( the .ase armor# enough gadgets
to alter the armor %lass %annot help .ut %lin- and .ang into ea%h other# %rin-le and spill
out )hen the o)ner .ends o'er# or a%%identally drop o(( or e*plode in the most heated
.attle or (light&
Outside o( gnomish so%iety# this type o( armor has .een rarely seen .y non5gnomes&
8umans and el'es rarely steal things they %annot use# unless hired to do so# and d)ar'es#
)ho might squeeBe into a suit i( o((ered# (ind the %on%ept distaste(ul and the appearan%e
mu%h too garish (or their other)ise stoi% tastes& 8al(lings ha'e displayed a )ea-ness (or
the many se%ret %ompartments (ound in gnomish )or-man,s leather# and hal(ling thie'es
in parti%ular might treasure this type o( armor a.o'e all else& $ndeed# the .la%- mar-et (or
gnomish )or-man,s leather is rumored to .e (unded entirely .y hal(ling5run thie'es,
guilds& This only adds (uel to any (ires o( dis%ontent .et)een hal(ling and gnomish %lans&
$n human settlements and %ities# gnomes only don )or-man,s armor )hen )or-ing
pri'ately# deep in their se%ret )or-shops& Sin%e no one around them either appre%iates or
respe%ts the trappings o( 1master %ra(tsmanship#1 there seems to .e little need to (launt
them&
4ithin the gnomish %lan# ho)e'er# there is a %onstant %ompetition .et)een all gnomish
%ra(tsmen# among .oth masters and apprenti%es& $n some %lans# the %ompetitions ha'e
.e%ome (ormaliBed# )ith a%tual %ategories /most items %arried# .est personal trap# most
se%ure pou%h# ni%est appearan%e# et%&0 and priBes /%lan %ontra%ts or a spe%ial .adge to .e
se)n onto the armor0& These %ontests are held on high (esti'al days# mu%h li-e a
mer%hant,s .aBaar /:ust another spe%ial guild tradition to %on(use the ne)%omer or
o'ernight 'isitor0&
$n the largest o( %lans# many %ompeting %ra(tsman,s guilds might sponsor and support
indi'idual designs or %andidates& E'ery %ra(tsman in the hall )ill spend long nights
tin-ering )ith his o)n armor to emulate or dupli%ate the desired e((e%t& Those )ho
su%%eed )ill %laim partial %redit (or 1testing and per(e%ting1 the .asi% design& Those )ho
(ail might o((er small sums o( gold (or the se%ret o( the ne) in'ention&
El'en Chain Mail 0AC 72
Description: El'en %hain mail is the only (orm o( armor made o( a legendary el'en alloy#
a light5)eight sil'ery steel o( great strength& E'en )ithout en%hantment# el'en %hain mail
is typi%ally hal( the )eight o( its human5(orged %ounterpart&
Campaign *se: The el'es guard the se%ret o( ma-ing el'en %hain mail )ith more
(ero%ity than they prote%t e'en their o)n %hildren& $n the entire multimillennia5long
history o( the el'en ra%e# the num.er o( el'en armorers )ho learn the se%rets o( (orging
el'en steel %an .e %ounted on .ut one hand& Needless to say# these masters o( the art tend
to .e an%ient in the e*treme# and the %hoi%e o( an apprenti%e %omes .ut on%e e'ery
thousand years& This is the highest honor a%%orded to any single el(# sa'e .eing %hosen .y
his peers to lead the el'en ra%e&
Apprenti%eship is not a gi(t .esto)ed .y the )ealthy or po)er(ul# .ut %hosen .y
magi%al testing in a se%ret %eremony& Some outsiders )ould argue that the training ma-es
the armorer# .ut tradition holds great s)ay in el'en %ir%les&
8uman and d)ar'en armorers ha'e .een a.le to di'ine at least some o( the se%rets o(
the el'en armorers# .ut not the most important ones& They -no)# (or e*ample# that mithril
sil'er# that part o( mithril )hi%h gi'es this purest o( metals its glimmer in the moonlight#
is someho) alloyed )ith other materials& The pro%ess o( alloying has ne'er .een
dupli%ated outside o( an el'en master (orge# so most armorers .elie'e some (orm o(
magi%al manipulation is in'ol'ed in the pro%ess some)here& 7urthermore# anyone hoping
to (orge el'en armor must .e a.le to see the magi%al emanations radiating (rom it& 4hile
this may .e done arti(i%ially through magi%# this tas- is geared more to)ard the el'es,
natural eyesight& Dro) armorers /des%ri.ed later0 )or- under similar %onditions&
Naturally# )hen one has a thousand years to per(e%t the s-ills (or one,s :o.# :ust a.out
anything is )ithin grasp& The d)ar'es %all this an un(air ad'antage# )hile the humans
don,t e'en .other trying anymore& Ci(e is too short# they (eel# to )aste time on %reating
something that )ould .e easier stolen or dis%o'ered in a dragon,s horde&
El'en %hain mail is used .y el'en troops# .oth %a'alry and in(antry& $t is %ommon
among the grey /(aerie0 el'es and ad'an%ed el'en %ultures# .ut less %ommon among the
high el'es& $t is e*tremely rare among the )ood el'es&
Sin%e the material is so strong and 'alua.le# in those rare instan%es )hen a suit o( el'en
%hain mail is damaged to the point o( needing repair# the suit is ne'er dis%arded# .ut
returned to the armorer (or repair or repla%ement&
2y the num.ers o( suits estimated to e*ist .y human military planners and master
armorers# .est estimates are that it might ta-e up)ards o( ten years to ma-e :ust one suit
o( el'en %hain& Other)ise# they reason# there )ould .e a lot more o( the armor in use .y
the el'es# and many more suits )ould .e (ound in the lairs and treasure hordes o(
monsters a%ross the realms&
Magical El'en Chain Mail
Ordinary el'en %hain mail is rare in the e*treme# .ut magi%al el'en %hain is so pre%ious
a gi(t that only a hand(ul o( suits ha'e .een rumored to e*ist any)here .ut in royal el'en
hands&
$n addition to the normal )eight and (le*i.ility ad'antages o( el'en %hain# magi%al
el'en %hain mail is so )eightless that it %an .e )orn under one,s normal %lothes& $t is so
%om(orta.le and unrestri%ti'e that it %an .e )orn %onstantly# e'en )hile sleeping& Magi%al
el'en %hain is so so(t to the tou%h that it %an .e )orn )ithout any padding .eneath it& This
ma-es magi%al el'en %hain the ideal armor (or tra'elers# e*%luding only the greatest o(
-nights# )ho .y tradition pre(er plated armors o'er all others&
7or rogues espe%ially# a set o( magi%al el'en %hain mail is a more priBed possession
than e'en full plate armor '(& Ad'enturers ha'e lost their li'es o'er mere rumors o(
magi%al el'en %hain&
Dro) Chain Mail 0AC :2
Description: Dro) %hain mail is a (inely5%ra(ted# satiny .la%- metal mesh that does not
en%um.er its )earer in the least& $t is similar# .ut not identi%al to# the magi%al el'en %hain
mail des%ri.ed pre'iously& $t is typi%ally (ashioned only into tuni%s# as dro) el'es share
their (orest5.ound %ousins, pre(eren%e (or armor that adequately prote%ts )ithout .eing
o'erly )eighty or restri%ti'e&
Campaign *se: Mu%h li-e their %ousins in the sunlight# the dro) ha'e in'ented their
o)n (orm o( spe%ial armor&
4hat is -no)n (or %ertain is that dro) %hain mail uses adamantite# the strongest metal
-no)n# as the prin%ipal %omponent o( their mysti%al alloy& $t is mined .y myriad dro)5
allied ra%es in great quantities# and the dro) )ar ma%hine is )holly dependent on
adamantite5related te%hnologies&
This alloy has spe%ial properties due to the pe%uliar nature o( the radiation emanating
(rom the dro) homeland# gi'ing e'en the .asest (orm o( the alloy the equi'alent o( a
magi%al K& Dro) )eapons# shields# armor# et%&# all .egin )ith a K .onus# and .ased on
the alloy# the amount o( time spent in the (orge# and the se%ret pro%esses used# it %an
in%rease to as mu%h as K"& The alloy does not radiate magi% in the traditional )ay /a
detect magic spell re'eals no tra%e o( magi%al properties0&
4hene'er dro)5alloyed %reations# in%luding armor# are e*posed to dire%t sunlight# their
magi%al .onuses are immediately lost and they .egin to utterly and irre'ersi.ly de%ay&
This happens e'en a(ter one short e*posure# meaning that e'en a set o( dro) armor that is
immediately returned to utter dar-ness or the nearest dro) homeland )ill still de%ay&
=hysi%al de%ay .egins d@KA days a(ter e*posure to sunlight& The armor %ompletely
(alls apart a(ter another d@ days ha'e passed&
$( e*traordinary pre%autions are ta-en# an ad'enturer %ould theoreti%ally use a set o(
dro) armor# i( )orn only in the dead o( night and returned to %omplete dar-ness /e&g&# a
light5proo( %hest or 'ault0 .e(ore the .rea- o( day& 8o)e'er# the armor must .e returned
to the dro) homeland on%e e'ery t)o )ee-s to .e re5e*posed to the radiation& Armor
must remain in the homeland t)o days per day spent a.o'e ground& $( the armor is not
returned to the underdar- .e(ore t)o )ee-s ha'e passed# the magi% o( the armor is
permanently lost& De%ay then .egins as des%ri.ed a.o'e&
The (ragments o( metal that remain a(ter dro) armor deteriorates may .e %olle%ted and
reused (or (uture (orgings& 8o)e'er# the metal is nonmagi%al until the (orging pro%ess
im.ues the en%hantment&
The sur(a%e el'es %ontend that these %onditions are poor )or-manship on the part o(
the dro)# .ut s%holars ha'e noted many parallels .et)een el'en and dro) alloys&
7or e*ample# one possi.ility is that :ust as the strange magi%al emanations o( the dro)
homeland aid in the %onstru%tion o( their spe%ial adamantite o.:e%ts# it is has .een
surmised that moonlight# pure and %ool# may ha'e something to do )ith the (orging o(
el'en mithril armor& The (a%t that mithril is as re(le%ti'e# light# and pure as adamantite is
dull# hea'y# and dense has not es%aped o.ser'ation&
4hat is %ertain a.out the t)o magi%al types o( armor is that su%h parallels %annot .e
sheer %oin%iden%e& Some)here in the distant past o( the t)o ra%es# )hen times )ere
.etter and .e(ore the dar- el'es retreated to the earthen depths# there must ha'e .een one
%ommon armor te%hnology& The dro) too- the se%rets o( (orging el'en metals )ith them
)hen they le(t# .ut had to dis%o'er something to repla%e .oth the mithril and moonlight
%omponents o( the an%ient se%ret art&
4hat they e'entually dis%o'ered# perhaps a(ter many %enturies o( e*perimentation# )as
a magi%al alloy more a.undant than mithril# yet not as sta.le as el'en %hain&
D)ar'en "late Mail 0AC %2
Description: The (orged .la%- iron plate made .y the d)ar'es e*%lusi'ely (or their o)n
)arrior leaders is .oth hea'y and unattra%ti'e .y human and el'en standards& 8o)e'er#
d)ar'es ha'e traditionally pla%ed less emphasis on appearan%e than on personal de(ense&
D)ar'en )arriors )ho )ear d)ar'en plate are o(ten %alled 1)addling %auldrons1 .y their
enemies due to the .ul- o( this armor&
Campaign *se: As detailed in .oth $he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook and $he %astle
Guide# high5quality d)ar'en plate is the .oilerplate 'ersion o( human plate armor& $t is
"FH hea'ier than equi'alent mails# ma-ing a single suit o( d)ar'en5siBed plate mail
armor )eigh appro*imately the same as a set o( human5siBed plate mail&
Additionally# the denser armor a((ords prote%tion equi'alent to plate mail '(# and the
armor itsel( sa'es against equipment damage at K;# in addition to any .onuses permitted
i( the d)ar'en plate in question is also magi%ally en%hanted& Stories a.out d)ar'en plate
armor )ithstanding the smelting (ires o( a red dragon,s .reath may .e .oast(ul
e*aggeration# .ut it is an esta.lished (a%t that d)ar'en plate o(ten sur'i'es an atta%- that
its )earer does not&
As mentioned# d)ar'es priBe %om.at e((e%ti'eness o'er a )arrior,s appearan%e& $t is
there(ore 'ery rare (or the iron appearan%e o( d)ar'en plate mail to .e adorned in any
)ay&
Mu%h li-e the el'es# d)ar'es do not ma-e d)ar'en plate (or non5d)ar'es& Not only is
it %onsidered impra%ti%al to spend one,s time .uilding a suit o( armor no d)ar( %an e'er
hope to )ear /a )aste o( time0# .ut the d)ar'es )ill admit to ha'ing no s-ill in )or-ing
)ith the pe%uliarities o( the human .ody& D)ar'es tend to ignore things li-e (le*i.le
:oints# as their range o( mo'ement is already restri%ted .y nature& An an%ient d)ar'en
)arrior,s saying goes something li-e 1$( it doesn,t (it# .end it& $( it still doesn,t (it# .rea-
it+1 Along those lines# another popular d)ar'en saying is 1Ne'er let your armor impede a
good (ight&1
D)ar'en (ield and (ull plate armor do not e*ist& Not only )ould d)ar'es loo- li-e
miniature iron golems )hen so prote%ted# .ut d)ar'es pre(er to let their (a%ial
e*pressions spea- (or them in %om.at& The pro.lem o( (ree mo'ement plays a .ig part in
this pra%ti%al de%ision as )ell&
No human has e'er managed to %on'in%e a group o( d)ar'es to (orge a set o( (ull plate
armor (or them& $( su%h a tas- )ere e'en to get past the .argaining phase# it )ould
qui%-ly .e%ome apparent to all %on%erned that the d)ar'es ha'e no e*perien%e or
-no)ledge o( su%h %onstru%tions and la%- the moti'ation to learn it& D)ar'es themsel'es
%laim they,d rather .e 1.eating their hammers on or% s-ulls than .eating them in the
(orge&1
Curiously# gnomes ha'e o((ered to gi'e (ull plate their 1.est shot1 (rom time to time#
.ut so (ar# no human has .een .ra'e or (oolish enough to a%%ept the o((er&
D)ar'en plate mail lasts longer than its human %ounterpart& As detailed in $he
%omplete &ighter!s "and#ook# d)ar'en plate mail %an sustain t)i%e as many points o(
damage as normal plate mail /i( the optional armor damage point system presented
therein is .eing used0&
Magical D)ar'en "late Mail
Magi%al d)ar'en plate mail is only as en%um.ering as ordinary plate mail& The
en%hantment is %umulati'e )ith the natural K to armor %lass d)ar'en plate possesses&
There(ore# d)arven plate mail '( is a%tually equi'alent to ordinary plate mail '* (or
purposes o( armor %lass /.ut not sa'ing thro)s0& $t may .e easier (or the DM and player i(
the .ase armor %lass (or d)ar'en plate is remem.ered to .e # equi'alent to (ield plate
armor (or humans&
!hiels 0=+ AC2
Shields ordinarily impro'e a %hara%ter,s armor %lass .y /or more i( magi%al0& Shields
%annot .e used to .lo%- atta%-s (rom the rear or rear (lan-s&
6uc4ler or Target !hiel
A .u%-ler# also -no)n as a target shield# is a small round shield o( )ood or metal that
(astens to the (orearm& $t %an .e )orn .y %ross.o)men and ar%hers )ith no hindran%e to
their atta%-s )ith their %hosen )eapons&
2e%ause o( its small siBe /appro*imately , in diameter0# a .u%-ler prote%ts against one
atta%- per melee round& The user %an %hoose )hi%h atta%- he )ishes to use his .u%-ler
against# .ut he must de%lare this .e(ore the atta%- roll has .een made& This in%reases the
de(ender,s armor %lass only .y /more i( magi%al0 against that single atta%-&
>ote: 2u%-lers should .e treated not as (ull shields )hen determining the armor %lass
o( the user# .ut more as a spe%ial item that %an .e %alled upon to add e*tra prote%tion (or
one atta%- per round&
!mall !hiel
A small shield is usually round and is %arried on the (orearm# gripped )ith the shield
hand& $ts light )eight as %ompared to a medium shield permits the user to %arry other
items in that hand# although he %annot )ield or %arry another )eapon&
A small shield /appro*imately @, in diameter0 %an .e used to prote%t against t)o (rontal
atta%-s o( the user,s %hoi%e& Ci-e the .u%-ler a.o'e# the user %an %hoose )hi%h atta%-s to
use his shield against# .ut must de%ide .e(ore the atta%-s are rolled&
>ote: Ci-e the .u%-ler# the small shield should .e %onsidered a spe%ial item used (or
de(ense# not as a general addition to (rontal armor %lass&
Meium !hiel
A medium shield is %arried in the same manner as a small shield /i&e&# on the (orearm0&
Unli-e the small shield# ho)e'er# its )eight pre'ents the %hara%ter (rom using his shield
hand (or anything other than %arrying the medium shield& Medium shields are usually
made o( metal# range (rom >,5D, in diameter# and %an .e o( any shape# (rom round to
square to a spread dragon,s )ings& A typi%al medie'al shield resem.les a triangle )ith
one point (a%ing do)n)ard&
4ith a medium shield# a %hara%ter %an de(end against any num.er o( (rontal or (lan-ing
atta%-s in a gi'en round& $n this instan%e# the %hara%ter applies the K armor %lass .onus
/not in%luding magi%al .onuses0 (or the shield to his o'erall armor %lass rating# pro'iding
he remem.ers to disregard the shield .onus during the o%%asional atta%- (rom the rear&
6oy !hiel
The .ody shield# also -no)n as the -ite or to)er shield# is a massi'e metal or )ooden
shield rea%hing nearly (rom the %hin to the toe o( the user& $t must .e (irmly (astened to
the (orearm and the shield hand must (irmly grip it at all times& Naturally# this pre%ludes
use o( the shield hand (or anything .ut holding the .ody shield in pla%e&
Standing around ;, tall# the .ody shield pro'ides a great deal o( prote%tion to the user#
impro'ing the o'erall armor %lass o( the %hara%ter .y against melee atta%-s and .y @
against missile atta%-s& As )ith all shields# these .onuses apply only against (rontal and
(lan-ing atta%-s&
Sin%e the .ody shield is 'ery hea'y# the DM may )ant to use the optional en%um.ran%e
system i( he allo)s its use in the %ampaign& This )ill help to pre'ent o'eruse o( .ody
shields in %om.at&
Helms
Campaign *se: 8elms are part o( a )arrior,s .asi% prote%tion& 7ailure to use proper
headgear lea'es a %hara%ter open to %alled shots .y opponents or to other disad'antages at
the DM,s option& All headgear e*%ept that )hi%h does not %o'er the ears must .e remo'ed
)hen ma-ing rolls (or listening&
$he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook o((ers an optional rule (or 8earing and Eision
%he%-s& All helms restri%t 8earing and Eision %he%-s to some degree& /A Eision or
8earing %he%- is a d@F roll against a %hara%ter,s $ntelligen%e or 4isdom# )hi%he'er is
higher& These %he%-s %an .e used )hen a %hara%ter has a %han%e to hear or see something
o( importan%e& This %he%- isn!t used )hen %hara%ters listen at doors6 that has its o)n
%he%-&0
Optionally# great helms and %losed5(a%e helmets# )hen )orn )ith plate armor# gain
.onuses against dragon,s .reath and spells that a((e%t the eyes /see the Equipment se%tion
in $he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook0&
Helms an Thie'es: Thie'es su((er automati% penalties to hearing i( a helm is )orn&
The (ollo)ing des%riptions in%lude penalties to 8earing and Eision %he%-s& $( these rules
are not used# the penalties (or Eision %he%-s should .e ignored6 (or 8earing %he%-s#
su.stitute a 5"H penalty to the thie(,s 8ear Noise a.ility (or ea%h 5 8earing %he%-
modi(ier /e&g&# a 5> to a 8earing %he%- is a 5"H to the thie(,s 8ear Noise roll0&
Cap
A %ap is a padded# leather# or steel s-ull%ap )orn mu%h li-e a %lose5(itted %ap# .eret# or
.onnet& Caps are usually )orn )ith padded armor# leather# studded leather# hide# or any
other light)eight prote%tion&
$ision an Hearing: 5 penalty to 8earing %he%-s6 no penalty to Eision %he%-s&
Coif
A %oi( is a padded %hain mail hood& $t (its snugly around the ne%- and o'er the head#
e*%ept the (a%e& $t usually %omes )ith or is .uilt into a suit o( %hain mail or mail5.ased
armor& O(ten# a hea'ily armored -night )ill )ear a %hain mail %oi( under a great helm&
This allo)s him to remo'e his great helm (or a .etter 'ie) o( the (ield )hile maintaining
a (air le'el o( head prote%tion&
$ision an Hearing: $denti%al Eision and 8earing %he%- penalties as those asso%iated
)ith a %ap /a.o'e0& $( a great helm is )orn# penalties are assigned (or the great helm and
are not %umulati'e )ith those o( the %oi(&
8pen#Face Helmet
This %lass o( open5(a%e helmet# made o( rein(or%ed leather or metal# %o'ers most o( the
head# sa'e the (a%e and ne%-& These helmets %ommonly pro'ide prote%tion (or the nose
/this pie%e o( the helm is %alled a nasal0&
Open5(a%e helmets are popular )ith o((i%ers and leaders# and are appropriately )orn
)ith medium5)eight armors li-e .rigandine and %hain mail&
$ision an Hearing: 5 penalty to Eision %he%-s6 5@ penalty to 8earing %he%-s /su%h
helms %o'er the ears entirely e*%ept (or a small hole0&
Close#Face Helmet
The %losed5(a%e helmets are identi%al to the open5(a%e helmets /a.o'e0# .ut in%lude a
'isored (a%eplate&
These tend to .e )orn .y o((i%ers and sergeants5at5arms& They are most %ommonly
)orn )ith plate mail&
$ision an Hearing: 4hen the 'isor is up# Eision and 8earing %he%- penalties are
identi%al (or those o( open5(a%e helmets& Other)ise# the 'isored )earer su((ers a 5@
penalty to all Eision %he%-s and a 5> penalty to 8earing %he%-s&
(reat Helm
A great helm is any massi'e metal helm that %o'ers the entire head# in%luding the ne%-
and o(ten the upper shoulders& The only gaps in the prote%tion are (ound in the narro)
slits that allo) limited 'ision# and some small holes to permit .reathing& The 'isor is not
normally remo'a.le&
$t is rare to (ind a great helm used )ith armor lighter than .anded mail& Great helms are
most o(ten (ound in %om.ination )ith plate mail or hea'ier armor&
$ision an Hearing: 5> penalty to Eision %he%-s6 5D penalty to 8earing %he%-s&
C8A=TER @
Equipment (or Mounts
The (ollo)ing in(ormation e*pands the details (ound in the Plaer!s "and#ook )ith
regard to .arding# ta%-# harness# and other items used )ith horses and mounts& Optional
rules are pro'ided to allo) the DM to mat%h the armor o( mounts and their riders /)hi%h
%an .e used to simpli(y the re%ord -eeping )hen large num.ers o( mounted troops are
en%ountered0& $n addition# partial .arding is %o'ered in an optional ta.le that allo)s
%al%ulation o( a mount,s armor %lass i( only partial .arding is a'aila.le&
The in(ormation in this se%tion %enters on horses# .e%ause this type o( mount is the
most %ommonly en%ountered& Mu%h o( this material# ho)e'er# %an .e easily adapted (or
other types o( mounts& The (ollo)ing se%tions deal mainly )ith .arding# as this )ill ha'e
the most dire%t e((e%t on ad'enturing and %om.at&
6aring
2arding re(ers to armor designed (or mounts& Mounts are most %ommonly horses# .ut
also in%lude the huge .easts that %arry (ighting plat(orms into %om.at /su%h as elephants
)ith ho)dahs0& The 'ast ma:ority o( mounts )ill )ear no .arding at all& Su%h prote%tion
is e*pensi'e and time5%onsuming to %onstru%t# tires the mount qui%-ly# and redu%es the
speed and maneu'era.ility o( the mount in %om.at&
8istori%ally# .arding rea%hed its pea- de'elopment in the medie'al era& A(ter the
introdu%tion o( gunpo)der and the gun# .arding qui%-ly degenerated into little more than
parade trappings& The de'elopment o( .arding )as %ontrolled .y t)o (a%torsG the
.reeding o( horses strong enough to )ear the prote%tion and %arry an armored rider# and
the te%hni%al pro.lems o( designing su%h armor to .e e'er lighter and more (le*i.le than
that )orn .y men )ithout sa%ri(i%ing prote%tion& $n many )ays# the de'elopment o(
.arding parallels the de'elopment o( armor (or the (ighting man&
Meie'al 6aring
Most (orms o( .arding# other than padded or quilted %loth# required massi'ely hea'y
and po)er(ul mounts& The )eight o( .arding and the man# in%luding his armor and
)eapons# easily strained e'en the largest )ar horses& 7or this reason# later .arding )as
redesigned using lighter materials su%h as .oiled leather or thi%- padded %loth& One o( the
most %ommon histori%al .ardings )as made o( .oiled leather /sometimes more than @
in%hes thi%-0# )ith spe%ially rein(or%ed parts made o( steel .ands and )ooden plan-s or
short strips o( thi%-# hard )ood&
Cate medie'al .arding %omprised a num.er o( pie%es o( armor %o'ering di((erent parts
o( the mount& These in%luded the chanfron /(or the head and ne%-0# the crinet /(or the side
o( the ne%-0# the cuello /(or the (or)ard %hest0# the poitrel /(or the (lan-s and .road
%hest0# the flanchards /%o'ering areas around the saddle0# and the crupper /(or the
hindquarters0& 2arding almost ne'er prote%ted the legs o( the mount&
$n )armer and more humid %limates# (ull .arding is less %ommon than hal( .arding&
4hen used at all# lighter (orms are pre(erred& 8al( .arding usually in%ludes only the
%han(ron and poitrel /plus the %rinet and %uello (or plate .arding0&
6aring in Campaigns
$n the AD3D game )orlds# the use o( .arding 'aries .y %ulture and ra%e& Although
indi'idual 'ariations are up to the DM /and are en%ouraged0# a (e) generaliBations are
use(ul& Most .arding )ill .e used .y human (or%es& Other than humans# el'es /and
sometimes hal(lings0 )ill use horse .arding& $t is rare to see gnomes or d)ar'es mounted#
e*%ept as mem.ers o( ad'enturing groups& $t is mu%h rarer to see them on .arded mounts#
as they pre(er (ighting on (oot&
2esides horses# )ar elephants are sometimes out(itted )ith leather or metal .arding&
Camel riders tend not to .ard their mounts# as the .ul-y armor ma-es them more di((i%ult
to handle# redu%es their %arrying %apa%ity se'erely# and inter(eres )ith their a.ility to
sur'i'e desert %onditions mu%h more so than )ith horses&
4orgs and )ar dogs are o%%asionally .arded )ith leather# though this is rare&
Aerial mounts %an .e .arded )ith leather or lighter materials&
Types of 6aring
Full ?aring: This is a %omplete set o( horse armor that pro'ides the rated prote%tion
)hen atta%-ed (rom any side& Note that the term 1(ull plate1 is used to denote a ne)# more
ad'an%ed type o( horse armor# li-e the (ighter,s (ull plate armor&
Half ?aring: The di((eren%e .et)een hal( .arding and (ull .arding is that hal( .arding
%o'ers only the (ront and (or)ard sides o( the animal& Atta%-s (rom the rear or rear (lan-s
use the mount,s .ase armor %lass&
"artial 6aring: This is an option that allo)s the a'eraging o( a mount,s armor %lass
i( (ull .arding is not a'aila.le& See Ta.le D&
NoteG All 1suits1 o( .arding# in%luding hal( .arding# are %omplete units6 that is# hal(
.arding is not a%hie'ed .y lea'ing o(( hal( a horse,s armor& The pie%es are made to .e
used together55they are spe%ially (ormed# (itted# and .alan%ed to pro'ide a %ertain le'el o(
prote%tion and a %ertain degree o( mo.ility in a (ight& Co..ling together odd or ill5(itting
pie%es degrades the e((e%t o( the )hole# to the degree ruled .y the Dungeon Master&
$n the (ollo)ing se%tion# .arding is dis%ussed in order o( least prote%ti'e to most
prote%ti'e& Ne) types o( .arding are in%luded& Ta.les summariBing the in(ormation %an
.e (ound on pages "F5"&
"ieces of Horse Armor
Chanfron: This pie%e o( armor %o'ers the mount,s head# ne%-# and mane& $n its most
primiti'e (orm# the %han(ron is made o( .oiled leather& Chan(rons made .y humans and
d)ar'es are usually made o( iron or steel# )hile or%s and other humanoid ra%es tend to
(a'or leather and syl'an el'es use )ood or strong# (i.rous plant materials&
Crinet: This ne%-pie%e is (ound only in plate armor& $t %o'ers the upper side o( the
mount,s ne%- and is made o( narro) strips o( steel arti%ulated )ith si* to eight in%hes o(
mail&
Cuello: 7ound only in plate .arding# this is armor (or the underside o( the horse,s ne%-
/the throat0& $t is hung (rom the %rinet )ith a num.er o( straps and .u%-les& $n more
ad'an%ed .arding# the %uello has (ully arti%ulated plates hinged )ith )ide .ands o( tight
%hain lin-s&
"oitrel: This part o( the horse,s .arding %o'ers its %hest and (lan-s& The poitrel is also
-no)n .y names su%h as the petrel# pectoral# or poitrinal& $t %o'ers the (ront o( the %hest
and sides as (ar as the saddle& Early poitrels used hea'y %loth )ith s%ales# rings# or studs6
later ones used plates or .ands o( steel&
Flanchars: These are plates o( armor (or the horse,s side# in%luding the area .ehind the
(ront shoulders# a%ross the saddle length# and ending at the hindquarters# prote%ting areas
not %o'ered .y the poitrel or %rupper&
Crupper: This pie%e %o'ers the hindquarters o( the horse and is sometimes re(erred to as
the croupiere #acul& The lightest (orm o( this armor is made o( light leather se)n together
into small squares# then :oined together .y straps and stit%hes& The most ad'an%ed
%ruppers are made o( se'eral thi%- steel .ands :oined )ith pie%es o( %hain or mail# .ound
to the saddle and the (lan%hards&
Light 6aring
"ae 6aring 0AC 52
This style o( quilted .arding has only minor prote%ti'e 'alue# gi'ing the mount an AC
.onus o( & $n the standard AD3D game %ampaign# padded .arding is (un%tionally the
same as leather .arding and )eighs ;F pounds& =added .arding tends to )ear out rapidly
)ith use&
8al(lings and el'es o%%asionally use this type o( armor on their ponies and light horses&
Half "ae: 8al( padded .arding gi'es prote%tion only to the (ront and (ront sides o(
the mount& $t is used mainly in poorer or less %i'iliBed %ultures& $n more %i'iliBed %ultures#
parade de%orations might .e %onsidered hal( padded& This prote%tion )eighs a mere @"
pounds&
Leather 6aring 0AC 52
This .arding is the most %ommon type o( light .arding& Ceather .arding has most o( the
%hara%teristi%s o( the leather armor )orn .y )arriors& Among humans# leather .arding is
used primarily .y irregular horsemen and o%%asional .ands o( nomads# )hose mounts are
usually smaller and a.le to %arry less )eight than the spe%ially .red mounts o( %i'iliBed
lands& Ceather .arding )eighs ;F pounds&
8al(lings and el'es tend to use leather on their light mounts& 8al(ling .arding is
usually de%orated )ith %olor(ul .eads and .its o( shells&
Although d)ar'es and gnomes generally don,t use .arding# they )ill o%%asionally
ma-e leather .arding to prote%t pa%- mules and similar animals&
8umanoids# i( they use .arding on their mounts at all# o(ten ma-e use o( this type&
Half Leather: This is leather .arding that prote%ts only the (ront hal( o( the horse& $t
)eighs >F pounds&
Meium 6aring
!cale 6aring 0AC 72
S%ale .arding is an early (orm o( medium prote%tion .arding# generally super%eded .y
%hain in more ad'an%ed regions& $t is most %ommon in Dar- Ages# eastern# or (rontier
settings# )here it )ill still .e some)hat less %ommon than %hain .arding in a )estern
medie'al setting& Re(er to Chapter (or more in(ormation on the %onstru%tion and
appearan%e o( s%ale armor& 7ull s%ale .arding )eighs <" pounds&
Half !cale: 8al( s%ale .arding in%ludes a mu%h lighter mesh o( s%ale and %o'ers only
the head and (ront quarters o( the horse& $t is the hea'iest armor %ommonly (ound on a
light horse& 8al( s%ale )eighs only "F pounds&
8al( s%ale is sometimes used .y su%%ess(ul or% and go.lin )ar .ands& Other humanoid
ra%es may also .e (ound using the .arding in their %a'alry units&
6riganine 6aring 0AC 72
A late period %omposite armor made (rom small metal plates sand)i%hed .et)een
layers o( leather# .rigandine is the most ad'an%ed .arding that a typi%al 'illage armorer
%an ma-e& $t is not as en%um.ering as the more restri%ti'e s%ale# )eighing <F pounds&
Half ?riganine: This .arding prote%ts the (ront hal( o( the horse and )eighs D"
pounds&
The rogues o( the road /in%luding o%%asional ad'enturers0 tend to use hal( .rigandine
.e%ause it is light# generally non5en%um.ering# and easy to %are (or&
9ing 6aring 0AC 72
This early (orm o( .arding is made o( metal rings se)n onto a hea'y %loth or leather
.a%-ing& $t is hea'ier than standard s%ale .arding# and in most %ampaigns )ill .e used
only .y those )ho %an,t get anything .etter& /$n (a%t# )hether a .arding li-e ring .arding
a%tually e*isted is open to question6 it may ha'e .een too hea'y (or the horses o( the
time&0 Ring .arding )eighs AF pounds&
Half 9ing: This is ring .arding (or the (ront areas o( the horse& $t )eighs "" pounds&
!tue Leather 6aring 0AC 72
This early .arding is made o( layers o( so(t leather# rein(or%ed )ith many small metal
studs intended to turn aside slashes& $n all important respe%ts# it is equal to ring .arding
and )eighs AF pounds&
Half !tue Leather: This .arding %o'ers the (ront o( the horse& $t )eighs "F
pounds&
8umanoids tend to use studded leather .arding& $n some instan%es# the studs are long
and (iled to sharp points& The damage5%ausing a.ility o( these short spi-es is
questiona.le# .ut they %ertainly add to the (ero%ious appearan%e o( a mount&
Chain 6aring 0AC :2
This .arding is the standard armor (or medium )ar horses& $t is put on in se%tions# )ith
the main pie%es .eing atta%hed to the saddle or laid o'er the horse and .u%-led
underneath& A hea'y %loth or .lan-et is pla%ed under the %hain to pre'ent ru..ing and
a.rasions (rom the .arding# )hi%h )ould %ause the horse to qui%-ly .e%ome (atigued&
Only in the %ooler %limes %an a horse )ear su%h armor (or long /the horse %annot mo'e
all day )ith the armor on6 it must ha'e su((i%ient rest and (ree graBing0& Chain .arding
)eighs appro*imately <F pounds&
Chain .arding is used .y grey el( medium %a'alry %ompanies&
Half Chain: This is %hain .arding %o'ering the (ront areas o( the horse& $t )eighs D"
pounds&
El'en chain ?aring: This type o( .arding e*ists# though it is e*tremely rare& $t has a
)eight o( @" pounds& Su%h .arding %annot .e pur%hased and is generally una'aila.le to
anyone other than el'en no.ility&
Hea'y 6aring
6ane 6aring 0AC ,2
This is similar to %hain .arding# .ut is rein(or%ed )ith horiBontal strips o( metal&
O((i%ers and riders )ealthy enough to a((ord this type o( .arding are usually the only
persons )ho use it& Only the large )ar horses %an .ear its )eight& $t remains a hy.rid
(orm# and the (requen%y o( its appearen%e depends on the te%hnologi%al le'el o( the
%ampaign& Su%h armor )eighs A" pounds&
Half 6ane: This is .anded .arding %o'ering the (ront o( the horse& $t )eighs ;F
pounds&
!plint 6aring 0AC ,2
Splint .arding is similar to .anded .arding& The main di((eren%e is that the strips o(
metal are 'erti%al instead o( horiBontal& The )eight and prote%ti'e 'alue are the same at
A" pounds and AC >&
Half !plint: This %o'ers only the (ront hal( o( the horse& $ts )eight is ;F pounds&
"late 6aring 0AC %2
This type o( .arding %orresponds to plate mail# and is the standard prote%tion (or a (ully
armored )ar horse& Only hea'y )ar horses %an .ear the )eight o( this armor and still
(ight e((e%ti'ely&
This .arding in%ludes the %han(ron that %o'ers the head# the %uello that guards the ne%-
and mane# the poitrel that %o'ers the (or)ard %hest and quarters# the (lan%hards that
prote%t the side quarters and (lan-s# and the %rupper that de(ends the rear&
This .arding is made o( %hain mail and small steel plates lin-ed together and hinged
)ith arti%ulated :oints& O'er this metal and %hain rests a thi%- padded or quilted %loth
equipped )ith metal studs& The %omplete set )eighs a.out A" pounds& This is e*tremely
(atiguing to the mount# and usually su%h armor is put on the horse only )hen .attle is
imminent&
=late .arding is used almost e*%lusi'ely .y human hea'y %a'alry& El( lords may also
ha'e plate armor (or their mounts&
Only in 'ery rare instan%es )ill an or%# go.lin# ho.go.lin# or other humanoid ha'e
a%%ess to su%h armor& $n su%h %ases# usually only the %ommander or %hie(tain o( the tri.e
o)ns su%h .arding# and then only i( allied to a ruler or )iBard )ith the a.ility to %onstru%t
su%h armor&
Half plate: This gi'es the horse plate .arding prote%tion to its (ront& $t )eighs ;"
pounds&
Fiel "late 6aring 0AC +2
7ield plate .arding is the hea'iest .arding normally used in .attle& $t is rare e'en in late
period %ampaigns# and should .e restri%ted to no.les# high o((i%ers# and unusual
indi'iduals& The %onstru%tion o( (ield plate .arding requires a master armorer& The
.arding must .e %onstru%ted and (itted to a parti%ular horse& 7ield plate .arding )eighs !F
pounds&
Half Fiel "late: This gi'es the equi'alent o( (ield plate prote%tion to the (ront o( the
horse only& This %on(iguration is ne'er en%ountered# e*%ept perhaps as %eremonial armor&
$t )eighs <F pounds&
Full "late 6aring 0AC @2
7ull plate .arding# li-e (ull plate armor# is the highest a%hie'ement o( the .est
armorers& $t is a'aila.le only in late period %ampaigns and )ill .e 'ery rare at the .est o(
times6 only the most ad'an%ed and ri%hest -ingdoms %an master the te%hniques o( its
%onstru%tion& The ser'i%es o( a master armorer are required& 7ull plate .arding )eighs !F
pounds&
Half Full "late: This gi'es the equi'alent o( (ull plate prote%tion to the (ront o( the
horse only& Again# this .arding# i( en%ountered# is almost %ertain to .e %eremonial armor&
$t )eighs <F pounds&
Horse Tac4 an Harness
6it
The .it is the general name (or the t)o prin%iple -inds o( equestrian mouthpie%es used
to %ontrol a horse,s mo'ement& Ea%h o( the t)o .it types are des%ri.ed .elo)&
!naffle: This .it is %omposed o( a steel rod or .ar )ith t)o rings at either end& The
reins are (astened to these rings& The sna((le is a gentler .it than the %ur. designs# and is
usually used (or riding horses as opposed to )ar or )or- horses& The sna((le .it tends to
gi'e less %ontrol o'er a spirited mount&
Cur?: This .it has a plate that is inserted in the mouth o( the .east& Short 'erti%al .ars
are atta%hed to either side o( the plate& Ea%h .ar has a ring at the top and .ottom o( the
.ar& The reins are atta%hed to the t)o .ottom rings# )hile the t)o upper rings are
%onne%ted .y a stout strap or %hain passing under the :a) o( the horse& This allo)s great
physi%al (or%e to .e .rought upon the animal# allo)ing great %ontrol o'er the mo'ement
and speed o( the horse& The %ur. .it is mu%h more se'ere than the sna((le .it and is o(ten
used )ith )ar horses&
6rile
A simple .ridle is nothing more than a hea'y ring o( rope or leather hit%hed around the
mount,s lo)er :a) and used to guide or lead the animal&
There are three .asi% parts o( a .ridleG the #it# the headstall# and the reins& The .it )as
dis%ussed pre'iously& The headstall is the set o( straps and %ords that se%ures the .it to the
horse,s :a)& The reins are the straps that run (rom the .it around the horse,s ne%- that
ena.le the rider to steer the animal&
6rioon: This is %omple* .ridle )ith a sna((le .it and )ide reins& A .ridoon is mu%h
more di((i%ult to snare or %ut than a normal .ridle& $t is also more e*pensi'e than the
standard .ridle /"FH o( .ridle %ost0&
Ca'esson: A type o( .ridle used to train and .rea- horses& The %a'esson loo-s mu%h
li-e other .ridles e*%ept (or t)o e*tra rings at the .ase o( the .it# )here lead ropes %an .e
atta%hed to .e held .y a trainer or tied to a pole& The horse %an then .e led easily and
slo)ly .ro-en and trained& The %ost is %ompara.le to that o( a standard .ridle&
Horseshoes
$n the )ild# horses )ear do)n their hoo'es as (ast as they gro) them& 2ut
domesti%ated horses# )ith the e*tra )eight o( rider and equipment# )ill )ear a)ay
hoo'es mu%h more qui%-ly& 4ithout prote%tion# the horse )ould qui%-ly .e%ome lame
and useless&
Metal horseshoes are used to %ountera%t the )ear and tear on the mount,s hoo'es& The
horseshoe is nothing more than a steel .ar hammered into a LLU,, shape# then nailed
tightly into the hoo( o( the horse& The nails %ause no dis%om(ort to the animal& 4ith
horseshoes# the mount %an tra'el (arther and (aster&
Thro)ing a horseshoe or getting a stone lodged .et)een the shoe and the hoo( are
e'ents that need e*tra attention i( the horse is to .e -ept in good %ondition&
Magical Horseshoes: Any num.er o( di((erent types o( magi%al horseshoes %an .e
added to the gameG those that allo) unusual speed# the a.ility to mo'e on )ater or
through the air# those that a%t as magi%al )eapons# and so (orth&
!ale
Saddle use is assumed in the Cand5.ased Riding pro(i%ien%y unless a %hara%ter is
spe%i(i%ally (rom a %ulture pro(i%ient in riding .are.a%-& Any other %hara%ter )ho tries to
ride )ithout a saddle is su.:e%t to spe%ial riding %he%-s at the dis%retion o( the DM& /A
general no5saddle penalty o( 5@ is suggested&0
$n a typi%al %ampaign# a'aila.le saddles )ill .e .ased on types used in the mid5to5late
medie'al period&
2y this time period# the saddle had e'ol'ed through many %hanges in design& The .asi%
saddle in%ludes the (rame /%alled the tree0# the (ront end /%alled the pommel0# and the
.a%- end /%alled the cantle0&
El'en saddles are made o( )ood and plia.le# (i.rous plants& 8al(ling saddles are so(t
and )ell %ushioned& Gnomish saddles are painted and de%orated )ith thin layers o( sil'er#
gold# or semi5pre%ious gems&
Or%s and go.lins use saddles that are quite small# )ith (airly distin%t pommels and
nearly in'isi.le %antles&
War !ale: The -night,s )ar saddle ta-es on huge dimensions& They typi%ally e*hi.it
high pommels and %antles# and are o(ten %o'ered )ith steel or .rass plates or are
de%orated pro(usely )ith sil'er and i'ory inlays& These usually ha'e rings and straps (or
atta%hing .arding and hea'y stirrups&
!ale?ags
Saddle.ags rest dire%tly .ehind the rider# on the rump o( the horse& They %ome in many
di((erent siBes and 'arieties& The most %ommon type is made o( leather and has t)o large
pa%-s# one on either side o( the horse& Ea%h pa%- or .ag %an hold a.out > square (eet o(
material or a.out @" pounds o( )eight /(or the large saddle.ags0& Small saddle.ags hold @
square (eet and " pounds& Saddle.ags may also .e made o( hea'y %loth& Eariant
saddle.ag designs might ha'e any)here (rom one to (our pa%-s instead o( the standard
t)o&
!ale 6lan4et
This is a typi%ally a )arm )o'en .lan-et laid underneath the saddle# prote%ting the
animal (rom a.rasion and pre'enting the saddle (rom shi(ting& A rider )ho uses a saddle
)ithout a saddle .lan-et )ill qui%-ly )ear his horse do)n /and might (ind himsel(
un%eremoniously dumped )hen the saddle shi(ts0&
El'en and hal(ling saddle .lan-ets are )onder(ully )o'en and o(ten de%orated )ith
%olor(ul tassles or :ingling .ells&
!pur
A spur is little more than a small metal atta%hment to the heel o( a .oot or shoe& The
spur has one to si* sharp pro:e%tions that %an .e used to :a. the horse in the sides# %ausing
the animal to mo'e at a qui%-er gait&
!tirrup
A stirrup is a leather strap ending in either a %oni%al shielded (oot rest or an iron ring& A
stirrup is atta%hed on ea%h side o( the saddle .y a hoo- and se'eral ties&
The stirrup has many uses& $ts primary (un%tion is to e*pedite the mounting o( the
.east& The stirrup also helps the rider %ontrol the mount and stay on i( stru%- .y a (or%e(ul
.lo)6 stirrups are essential in a :ousting mat%h&
Stirrups steady the mounted )arrior# allo)ing greater (or%e to .e put .ehind .lo)s
)ith less %han%e o( (alling o(( the mount& They allo) mounted )arriors )ith lan%es to
%harge e((e%ti'ely )ith a le'eled lan%e# a (eat nearly impossi.le )ithout them&
8ptional rule: Mounted (ighters )ithout stirrups )ho are stru%- in %om.at must ma-e
a sa'e 's& paralyBation or (all (rom the horse&
6rile Cutter
A .ridle %utter is a sharp# hoo-ed instrument used in .attle to %ut the reins o( an enemy
and essentially strip him o( his a.ility to %ontrol his mount& These tools loo- li-e short#
.laded a*es )ith se'eral )i%-ed# angled %uts& 2ridle %utters are sometimes used .y (ront
line troops )ho (a%e %a'alry& Many .ridle %utters (ind their )ay into -o.old# or%# or
go.lin .rigades and are used as melee )eapons rather than to %ut reins& A .ridle %utter
in(li%ts 5D points o( damage to small5 and medium5siBed %reatures and 5> points o(
damage to large %reatures& Re(er to Ta.le on page "F (or other )eapon statisti%s&
Ta?le +: 6rile Cutter Wiele as Weapon
!peeDamage Damage
$tem Cost 4eight SiBe Type 7a%tor S5M C
2ridle Cutter > gp D l.s& M S D dD d>
Ta?le %: Horse 6aring
Warhorse "ae Leather !cale Chain 6ane "late
Cight 9es 9es 55 55 55 55
Medium 9es 9es 9es 9es 55 55
8ea'y 9es 9es 9es 9es 9es 9es
The light )arhorse %ategory in%ludes ponies and riding horses /the latter re(le%ts %ustom
and use rather than the a.ility o( the horse to %arry a%tual )eight0&
+imits, A horse %an )ear hal( .arding one %lass hea'ier than its ma*imum (ull .arding&
7lying %reatures are limited to leather and padded .arding only&
Padded in%ludes quilted armor&
Scale in%ludes studded leather# .rigandine# and ring mail /)eights )ill di((er0&
-anded in%ludes splint&
Ta?le ,: 8ptional 6aring Armor Class
/This %an repla%e the %reatures )ith .atural Armor %lass se%tion in Chapter ; o( the
Plaer!s "and#ook&0
AC Ma<imum
Type o( 2arding 2onus AC
Ceather /=added0 K D
S%ale# 2rigandine#
Studded# Ring K@ >
Chain K> @
2anded# SplintKD
=late K" F
A% -onus is the amount o( prote%tion a type o( .arding a((ords& 7or e*ample# a hea'y
)arhorse /AC <0 in plate .arding /K"0 has an ad:usted AC o( @&
/a0imum A% is the .est AC %on(erred .y non5magi%al .arding o( this type& =ast this
point# the innate toughness o( the %reature renders this type o( .arding redundant&
Ta?le :: 8ptional "artial 6aring
The (ollo)ing %hart may .e used to determine the armor %lass o( partial .arding& 2onuses
are added to the mount,s .ase AC&
Armor Full ChanfronACuelloA FlancharA
Type 2arding =oitrel Crinet Crupper
Ceather ; 55555555555555555/see notes05555555555555555
S%ale " 55555555555555555/see notes05555555555555555
Chain D MM F MM
2anded > MM MM MM
=late @ ea& MM ea&
7ield =late ea& MM ea&
7ull =late F ea& ea& ea&
NotesG
+eather, The only e((e%ti'e %om.ination less than (ull leather is hal( leather# )hi%h gi'es
prote%tion to the (ront o( the horse only&
Scale, 8al( s%ale prote%ts the (ront o( the horse only& Any other %om.ination o( at least
three pie%es /e*%ept %rinet0 gi'es a K .onus to armor %lass&
MM Any t)o pie%es gi'e a K .onus to AC&
Ta.le "G Additional 2arding Types /Com.ined Ta.le0
Armor Type AC Wt Cost Time Half Wt. Half Cost
Time
Ceather ; ;FN "F gp D @"N FF
gp @
=added; ;FN "F gp D @"N FF gp @
S%ale " <"N #FFF gp A "FN "FF gp ;
2rigandine " <FN #FFF gp A D"N "FF gp ;
Ring " AFN AFF gp A ""N DFF gp ;
Studded Ceather " AFN AFF gp A "FN DFF gp ;
Chain D <FN "FF gp F D"N >FF
gp A
2anded > A"N #<"F gp D ;FN #FFF gp @
Splint > A"N #<"F gp D ;FN #FFF gp @
=late @ A"N @#FFF gp ; ;"N #"FF gp D
7ield =late !FN "#FFF gp A <FN >#FFF gp ;
7ull =late F !FN A5@F#FFF gp @F <FN "5"#FFF gp A
"alf )eight and half cost are the )eight and %ost (or hal( .arding&
Time is the time an armorer requires to ma-e the .arding /as per $he %omplete &ighter!s
"and#ook0& 8al( .arding ta-es @ )ee-s less than (ull .arding&
C8A=TER >
4eapons
One o( the most %ommon e'ents in the li(e o( an ad'enturer# regardless o(
pro(ession# is the need (or armed %om.at& Some ad'enturers ma-e a %areer o( ha%-ing and
slashing# )hile others use %om.at as a last resort# a(ter diploma%y# negotiation# or
spell%ra(t (ail&
7ortunately (or ad'enturers# there are as many di((erent types o( )eapons as there
are reasons (or using them& This %hapter details the 'ast ma:ority o( )eapons a'aila.le to
the dis%erning ad'enturer& A (air )arning# thoughG a )eapon is only as e((e%ti'e as the
hero )ho )ields it& Sometimes# a smaller# less lethal5loo-ing )eapon may .e %alled (or&
Most o( the entries that (ollo) in%lude %ommentary (rom distinguished ad'enturers& 8eed
their ad'i%e# loo- o'er the list %are(ully# and %hoose )ell6 your =C,s li(e may depend on
it+
>otes: During the resear%h into the 'arious )eapons# %on(li%ting .a%-grounds
arose (or se'eral o( the )eapons& The terminology and history that (ollo) )ere %hosen
(or %onsisten%y )ith )hat has already .een esta.lished in the AD3D game uni'erse&
Many re(eren%es are made to an item -no)n as the 2ayeu* Tapestry& This is a
tapestry that depi%ts the 2attle o( 8astings in F;; AD# in )hi%h 4illiam the Conqueror
led the Normans (rom the European Continent to England& The Normans de(eated the
Anglo5Sa*ons under Jing 8arold& This tapestry has gi'en s%holars many %lues on ho)
)ar(are )as %ondu%ted at that time&
ArBue?us
The arque.us is a mus-et used .y %ultures :ust learning the te%hnology o( guns& $t is a
t)o5handed )eapon# (ired li-e a ri(le e*%ept that the arms a.sor. the re%oil# not the
shoulders# sin%e the )eapon does not rest on the latter& The gun is also %alled a 1ha%-.ut&1
9ears a(ter its de'elopment# the term 1arque.us1 e*panded to in%lude handguns o(
the same era# and e'entually the )ord lost its original meaning and )as used instead to
des%ri.e small handguns used .y %a'alry& $n terms o( AD3D game %ampaigns# the
arque.us re(ers to the large# t)o5handed primiti'e gun )ith a smooth .ore .arrel as
opposed to a ri(led .arrel& 8en%e# the gun is te%hni%ally not a ri(le& This (orm o( arque.us
o(ten has a hoo-li-e pro:e%tion on the underside o( its .arrel&
The arque.us )as de'eloped in order to gi'e the a'erage in(antry the use o(
smo-e po)der# )hose destru%ti'e potential is only ne)ly re%ogniBed in many areas&
The mus-et arque.us is loaded .y pouring smo-e po)der (rom a (las- or horn
into the muBBle and (irmly pa%-ing it )ith a pie%e o( paper& The pro:e%tile# an iron .all# is
rammed in a(ter this& On%e the .arrel is ready# the pan is (illed )ith smo-e po)der# the
pan,s %o'er is %losed# and a .urning slo)5mat%h /a pie%e o( %loth or paper rolled into a
(use0 is pla%ed in the me%hanism %alled the serpentine /the %ur'ed pie%e o( metal )here
the trigger )ould someday .e on a modern ri(le0& =ressure on a metal plate releases the
serpentine into the pan# and 2OOM+
Sin%e this )eapon in'ol'es smo-e po)der# DMs may (or.id its use& =layers
should %he%- )ith their DM as to )hether it is allo)ed in the %ampaign&
Smo-e po)der is %onsidered a magi%al item& The histori%al arque.us required t)o
types o( gun po)der# a (iner 'ariety (or pan loading and a %oarse 'ariety (or muBBle
loading& Ea%h type )as %arried in a separate %ontainer& $( the DM desires# the gunner may
require the t)o di((erent po)der types in order to operate the arque.us&
The arque.us is a 'ery dangerous instrument# nearly as dangerous to the user as to
the target& $n order to reload# the gunner has to hold the smoldering slo)5mat%h in his le(t
hand )hile reloading )ith his right& A slo)5mat%h .urns (or eight rounds&
An arque.us %an .e (ired only on%e e'ery three rounds pro'iding the %hara%ter is
not .eing atta%-ed )hile loading& Treat the gunner the same as a spell%aster %asting a 'ery
long spell& 4hen (iring an arque.us# all range penalties are dou.led&
$( an arque.us atta%- roll is a or @# the gun .a%-(ires# in(li%ting d; points o(
damage to the gunner& $t is also (ouled and %annot .e used until %leaned# a pro%ess )hi%h
ta-es at least >F minutes /and relati'e pea%e0&
4hen an arque.us s%ores a hit# it does 5! points o( damage on dF& $( a F is
rolled# the die is rolled again and this amount is added to the F& Ea%h time a F is rolled#
the die is rolled again and added to the total&
There are no Strength modi(iers to an arque.us, damage&
$( the arque.us, smo-e po)der is e*posed to )ater# the po)der is ruined&
1As far as man folk are concerned2 smoke po)der and magic don!t mi03 Sure2 the
arque#us is a ne)fangled )eapon2 #ut not all ne) things are necessaril #etter3 With an
arque#us2 the firer has to take time to reload2 unless he )ants to have someone tag along
and suppl him )ith an e0tra arque#us2 alread loaded2 in order to keep up a stead rate
of fire. 4h2 certainl that can #e done--or the more intelligent adventurer )ill go out and
get himself a long #o) )hich fires arro)s quicker than an arque#us can thro) shot2 and
has compara#le range3 As far as can #e determined2 the arque#us is good for making
gods-a)ful noise that )ill either scare the .ine "ells out of an enem2 or possi#l anger
the target into attacking )ith even more ferocit.1
-- Grm)and2 Professional /ercenar
The arque.us gets its name (rom the German 8a-en.u%hse# meaning 1gun )ith a
hoo-&1
6attle A<e
Contrary to popular art)or-# the most %ommon 'ersion o( the .attle a*e is a stout
pole a.out (our (eet in length )ith a single5edged# trumpet5shaped .lade mounted on one
end& 2attle a*es are also %alled .road a*es&
The .attle a*e is a (ootman,s )eapon# gi'ing these soldiers a longer rea%h and a
(ighting %han%e against mounted opponents& $ts long handle allo)s the )ielder to put
%onsidera.le (or%e into his s)ing& Despite the sha(t length# a .attle a*e is a one5handed
)eapon&
The typi%al d)ar'en .attle a*e is a dou.le .laded )eapon# usually )ith a spi-ed
top& D)ar'es (a'or these )eapons sin%e the long handles %ompensate some)hat (or the
shorter d)ar'en stature# espe%ially against large humanoid opponents& They are o(ten
)ielded )ith t)o hands& $n many d)ar'en %ultures# the .attle a*e is a sym.ol o( d)ar'en
might&
A thrust )ith the spi-ed head o( a .attle a*e in(li%ts d> hit points o( damage&
D)ar'es are not the only ra%e that (a'ors the .attle a*e& Gnolls o(ten are
en%ountered )ith .attle a*es& Troglodytes use a stone 'ersion o( the .attle a*e# )ith all o(
the disad'antages o( stone )eapons /i&e&# prone to %hipping and shattering0&
T)o5handed .attle a*es ha'e the same statisti%s as the .ardi%he& They are %alled
1great a*es&1
1$hough the #attle a0e is a one-handed )eapon2 its longer handle2 )hich gives it
good momentum2 is not a good horseman!s )eapon2 as the )ielder has to put a lot of his
)eight into the s)ing2 something hard to do from a saddle. 5t is also useless as a missile
)eapon. Still2 its damage is respecta#le2 and it looks nast2 especiall the d)arven stles.
A #attle a0e is good for the foot soldier or adventurer )ho needs to strike at a large
creature or at someone on horse#ack.
1-attle a0es are good for their percussive and cutting effects against armor. 5f
adventurers )ant to use a #attle a0e and still gain some measure of protection2 it is )ise
to fight alongside a companion )ho is armed )ith a s)ord and shield. $he companion
acts as the a0e-)ielder!s defense )hile the latter is #us chopping a)a. $his is a good
e0ercise in team)ork2 )hich ma keep #oth adventurers alive much longer.
1As for d)arves2 our center of gravit is lo) enough that )e can s)ing a #attle
a0e and not topple over from the momentum. 5t is a fine )eapon for he)ing the legs of a
giant out from under him2 and it is a )eapon that lets us put all of our )eight into the
s)ing.!!
-- 6agalor Golden#eard2 of the 6)arven %lan Golden#eard
The .attle a*e has the distin%tion o( .eing one o( the oldest tools and )eapons o(
man& The (irst .attle a*e dates .a%- a.out >"#FFF years# )hen )eaponers .egan atta%hing
the .lade to long )ooden handles& The dou.le5.laded .attle a*e )as .orn in Egypt during
the 2ronBe Age# .ut the design did not gain )idespread a%%eptan%e&
During the Gre%o5Roman times# the .attle a*e )as seen as a .ar.arian )eapon
used .y the 7ran-s# Celts# Com.ards# and Ei-ings&
The earliest modern .attle a*es )ere a Danish )eapon o( the ninth %entury& These
)eapons did not ha'e dou.le5.laded heads# .ut )ere still t)o5handed )eapons& The
Danes o(ten de%orated these a*e heads )ith %ar'ings& Some sha(ts rea%hed si* (eet in
length# )hi%h %aused great stru%tural strain on the point immediately .elo) the a*e5head&
English -nights o( the Dth %entury adopted the .attle a*e as a (a'ored )eapon in
(oot %om.at& $ts long handle a((orded a great rea%h# and allo)ed (or a great amount o(
(or%e to .e (o%used in the .lo)&
Na'al %re)s used .attle a*es as .oarding )eapons until the ta%ti% o( .oarding
parties .e%ame o.solete&
The d)ar'en .attle a*e design is .ased on an a%tual design .y the S)iss# )ho
%alled their 'ersion the morda*t&
6elaying "in
Not intended as an a%tual )eapon# the .elaying pin is a )ooden or metal rod that
is inserted in holes .ored through a ship,s rail& Ship,s ropes are se%ured to these .elaying
pins& The pins are usually (ound in ro)s# .ringing a series o( ropes together to one
lo%ation& The pins may .e pulled out and used as a melee )eapon# more o(ten than not
during .oarding a%tions at sea )hen no other )eapons are in rea%h&
The pin is a one5handed )eapon& $( hurled in %om.at# it is treated as a %lu.&
1When a #loke is at sea2 unarmed and surrounded # degenerate pirates2 a
#elaing pin makes a fine on-the-spot )eapon2 even though its primar function is to
hold rope2 not #ash heads. .o )arrior in his right mind )ould #other to specialize in or
stock up on #elaing pins3!!
-- %aptain Ar2 of the Galleon 7lame.urst
6lo)gun
2lo)guns are long# hollo) tu.es %omposed o( )ood or metal# ranging (rom (our
to se'en (eet in length& They are used to (ire darts# needles# and pellets& The )eapons date
.a%- to primiti'e times# )hen they )ere used mostly (or hunting&
2lo)guns may ha'e had a part in the in'ention o( guns# sin%e the .lo)gun
demonstrated that one end o( a tu.e needs to .e %losed o(( in order (or the propelling
(or%e to shoot the missile in the proper dire%tion&
Tri.es still e*ist# espe%ially primiti'e peoples in tropi%al :ungle %ultures# that use
the .lo)gun& $n most %ases# these tri.es are not ad'an%ed in terms o( in'entions#
espe%ially )eapons o( )ar& Some tri.es use stands to .ra%e their .lo)guns& $( a stand is
used# the (irer gains a K .onus to his atta%- rolls&
The grippli ha'e .een -no)n to use .lo)guns on rare o%%asions&
1$hough the #lo)gun has poor range2 it is a quiet )eapon )hich ma #e fired
t)ice per round. 6esperate adventurers )ho find themselves )eaponless ma make
#lo)guns out of the local flora2 such as reeds2 if the are resourceful.
1-lo)guns can also #e used as makeshift #reathing tu#es if adventurers are
crossing or hiding in a #od if )ater.
1-eing virtuall noiseless2 the #lo)gun is a good )eapon for use in infiltrating a
stronghold. 6arts dipped in a sleep drug ma knock out sentries quickl2 and this ma #e
an ideal arrangement for someone )ho )ishes to avoid causing e0cessive #loodshed. 5t is
certainl #etter suited for that sort of )ork than com#at on the field2 since the #lo)gun is
a ver fragile )eapon.!!
-- %edric 6!A#alone2 Sage
6lo)gun Darts: The .lo)gun dart is a small arro) )ith a )ad o( %otton or other
plant (i.ers instead o( (let%hing& This allo)s (or a .uild5up o( pressure (rom the user,s
)ind& The (i.ers ma-e a .etter seal in the tu.e# allo)ing more (or%e to gather .ehind it& A
.lo)gun dart is not the same as a regular dart# and the latter %annot .e shot out o( a
.lo)gun&
>eeles: Needles are sometimes used to deli'er a poison# o(ten a paralyti% poison
su%h as %urare& Needles do less damage than other .lo)gun missiles# .ut this is not a
disad'antage# sin%e their (un%tion is to %arry the poison to the target# not to %ause damage&
6lo)gun "ellets: Most .lo)gun pellets are o( hardened %lay# and are used (or
hunting& A solid hit (rom a pellet %an stun a small .ird&
6ola
The .ola is a missile o( prehistori% origins& Currently# it is still used .y ar%ti%
tri.es and .y sa'ages )ho d)ell on temperate plains& The main (un%tion o( the .ola is to
pro'ide a hunter )ith a good missile )eapon that )ill %at%h the prey o(( guard and
entangle it so as to ma-e es%ape impossi.le&
The .ola is .asi%ally a leather strap or straps )ith )eights (astened to the ends#
although there are many 'ariations to the design& Ar%ti% .olas are generally used (or
hunting .irds& The .ola may ha'e (our# si*# or ten )eights made o( )alrus i'ory or .one&
The )eights are egg5shaped# spheri%al# or %ar'ed into the li-eness o( animals& All o( the
straps or %ords :oin together to ma-e a sort o( handle& The thro)er grasps the handle#
:er-s .a%- the strand to straighten them# )hirls the .olas o'er his head# and releases them&
Ea%h .ola strand is a.out @A in%hes long and ea%h )eight is a.out t)o in%hes in diameter&
T)o5.all .olas are %alled somais6 triple5.all .olas are a%hi%os&
Temperate plains .olas are usually t)i%e as large and %onsist o( a single leather
thong )ith a leather5%o'ered stone at ea%h end& O(ten a se%ond %ord is (astened in the
%enter o( the (irst %ord# )ith a small )eight atta%hed at the end& This )eight is held .y the
thro)er& This 'ersion o( the .ola %an .ring do)n a man5siBed target& 4hen a .ola hits#
the 'i%tim is held (ast and must ta-e a round to ma-e a Strength %he%- in order to get (ree&
7ailure means the .olas are still holding (ast&
$( an atta%-er ma-es a Called Shot to the target,s legs and su%%eeds# the .olas )rap
themsel'es tightly around the 'i%tim,s legs and pre'ent (urther mo'ement& The target
must ma-e a De*terity %he%- in order not to (all do)n# in%urring a 5> penalty i( the 'i%tim
)as mo'ing )hen the .olas hit&
$( the atta%-er su%%eeds in a Called Shot to the 'i%tim,s arms# the .olas )rap
themsel'es tightly around the torso# pre'enting the 'i%tim (rom using a )eapon or
employing the prote%tion o( his shield until he (rees himsel(& Strength %he%-s are made at
5@ penalty due to la%- o( le'erage&
A su%%ess(ul Called Shot to the 'i%tim,s head )raps the .olas around his ne%-#
strangling him /unless the %hara%ter is )earing a great helm or %losed5(a%e helm0& The
.olas %ause normal damage on the round in )hi%h they hit# then an additional d> hit
points o( strangulation damage e'ery round the .olas are still in pla%e&
1$his is a good )eapon to trip someone up2 in case a )anna take an opponent
alive. -ut a gotta make sure a got enough room to give the #ola a good s)ing. -olas
onl )ork outside or in huge rooms. $he )ork good if er on horse#ack.!!
-- -arkhan2 -ount "unter
6o)
$n one (orm or another# .o)s ha'e .een used sin%e the early days o( man& They
represented a great step in man,s a.ility to %ause damage# sin%e the atta%-er )as at a
%onsidera.le range (rom the target# not )ithin rea%h o( the enemy,s %la)s or melee
)eapons& The (irst .o)s )ere long# slender rods /also %alled sta'es0 )ith a string o(
animal tendon or plant (i.er&
!hort 6o)
Short .o)s )ere the (irst to .e de'eloped# although they )ere not %alled su%h&
This is more o( a de(ault term that re(ers to anything )hi%h is not a long .o)& Short .o)
sta'es are a.out " O@ (eet long on the a'erage& As the years passed# attempts )ere made
to in%rease .o) ranges& 2o)s )ere either gi'en longer sta'es or (le*i.ility )as in%reased
)ith no %hange to the length& The (ormer resulted in )hat is no) %alled the long .o)&
2o)s (ell into de%line )ith the spread o( handguns& $t )as reasoned that )hile a
)ounded or )ea-ened soldier might la%- the strength to pull a .o)# he %ould still pull a
trigger& $n (antasy settings# there is no danger o( the .o) .eing repla%ed so qui%-ly&
Short .o)s %an (ire only short .o) arro)s /identi%al to (light arro)s (or game
terms0&
Long 6o)
The long .o) is similar to the short .o)# e*%ept that the sta(( is a.out as high as
the ar%her# usually ; to ; O@ (eet& $t has .etter range than the short .o)# and %an (ire .oth
(light and shea( arro)s&
Composite 6o)s
Composite .o)s are long .o)s or short .o)s )hose sta'es are made (rom more
than one type o( material& This gi'es greater (le*i.ility# and thus .etter range& These )ere
de'eloped a(ter the normal long .o)&
The se%ond material that ma-es up a long .o) may .e anything (rom another type
o( )ood to .one# sine)# or metal& The di((erent materials are usually glued together&
An ad'enturer )ho )ishes to gain a damage .onus (rom high Strength )hen
)ielding a .o) must pur%hase spe%ially %ra(ted .o)s& Su%h a .o) %osts the normal pri%e
(or a .o) plus the normal price again for ever #onus point desired& Thus# a )arrior )ith
< Strength )ho )ants a long .o) /.ase %ost <" gp0 that gi'es him his K .onus to
damage rolls )ould ha'e to pay a total o( "F gp& The same (ighter )ith AOFF Strength
/K; .onus to damage0 )ould pay "@" gp& These .o)s %an .e strung and dra)n only .y
%hara%ters o( that Strength or higher& Others attempting this must ma-e a su%%ess(ul .end
.arsOli(t gates roll&
Most ar%hers prote%t their )rists (rom the snap o( the .o)string .y (astening a
pie%e o( horn# .one# or leather to them& Su%h an item is -no)n as a .ra%er&
15n our times2 #o)s still are prefera#le to the primitive firearms or even the
cross#o)s offered. A high rate of fire2 lo) noise2 and good range make the #o) a #etter
choice than the other missile )eapons.
1%entaurs favor #o)s2 usuall composite #o)s adapted to ena#le them to take
advantage of their Strength. Elves in particular are adept at making and using #o)s2 of
#oth the long and short varieties. E0actl ho) the elves happen to #e so good at archer
is up for de#ate. Some sa elves are trained to shoot #eginning in childhood. 4thers sa
that their skills are no different than those of humans2 #ut the uncann2 keen elven senses
ena#le the fair folk to anticipate the target!s location at the time of the arro)!s impact.
1Whatever the reason2 no one argues that the elves e0hi#it clear evidence of the
superiorit of the #o) as the #est missile )eapon availa#le to the aspiring adventurer.
1-o)s are not )ithout their faults. -o)strings must #e kept dr2 the staff must not
#e allo)ed to crack2 and a certain amount of strength is required to string and pull a
#o). Still2 even a short #o) is a good thing to have )hen a )arrior )ants to inflict
damage on someone from a long distance3
1A short #o) can fire onl flight arro)s2 )hile the long #o) can fire an tpe of
arro)s. "o)ever2 the short #o) is easier to carr and is good for the fighter )ho relies
primaril on a melee )eapon #ut )ishes to have a respecta#le missile )eapon.!!
-- +ad Adriennedar 5ronedge2 7anger of "a)khaven
2o)s )ere used e*tensi'ely (or )ar .y the Egyptians# 2a.ylonians# ?e)s# and
other peoples o( the eastern Mediterranean )orld& $n an%ient Gree%e and Rome# .o)s
)ere used mainly (or hunting&
The 8uns )ere the deadliest ar%hers o( all the in'ading .ar.arian peoples )ho
atta%-ed Rome& Charlemagne made the .o) a mandatory )eapon (or the 1%i'iliBed1
armies&
At the 2attle o( 8astings in F;;# many historians %laim that the Normans# led .y
4illiam the Conqueror# .eat the enemy .y unleashing a rain o( arro)s on them& Some
spe%ulate that 8arold died (rom an arro) through his eye& The .o) used )as only (i'e
(eet long&
The English# learning (rom the lessons o( 8astings# %ontinued to re(ine and adapt
their .o)s# ma-ing the sta(( longer and longer# %opying the 4elsh long .o)& This .e%ame
-no)n as the English long .o) )ithin England&
The long .o) pro'ed 'ery e((e%ti'e# espe%ially in the 2ritish 'i%tories at Cre%y
and Agin%ourt& $n the (ormer# 2ritish ar%hers outshot their Genoese %ounterparts )ho
)ere using %ross.o)s& ?ust as the $talians and 7ren%h gained reputations as e*%ellent
%ross.o)men# the English gained a reputation (or ar%hery& $n the time o( 8enry E$$$#
English la) required all males to learn the use o( a long .o) .y the time they rea%hed
their teens&
European .o)s )ere most o(ten made o( ash and ye) )ood& Short .o)s )ere
%alled Continental .o)s# )hile long .o)s )ere sometimes %alled 4elsh .o)s&
An e*ample o( the poten%y o( the long .o) %an .e (ound in a parti%ular histori%al
in%ident& An arro) (ired .y a 4elsh .o)man is reported to ha'e pier%ed a -night,s leg
armor# his leg# the armor on the other side o( the leg# the -night,s saddle# and to ha'e
(inally lodged in the horse# pinning the -night to his mount&
Medie'al ar%hers did not al)ays use qui'ers# .ut rather -ept their arro)s tied in
.un%hes and se%ured to their .elts .y loops& Mounted ar%hers used qui'ers that )ere
atta%hed to the saddle&
2o)s )ere used as late as AF<# )hen Russian irregulars harassed Napoleon,s
armies# and in 4orld 4ar $$# )hen deta%hments o( Ameri%an ar%hers )ere used in spe%ial
a%tions in Asia&
E'en today# %ertain A(ri%an pygmy tri.es and indigenous (ol- o( the AmaBon use
.o)s&
Arro)s
$n general# arro)s range in length (rom @F to DF in%hes& The (eathers# or (let%hing#
o( the arro) %onsist o( t)o or more (eathers set %oa*ially to the sha(t& This gi'es the
arro) its aerodynami% li(t& $( the (eathers are instead set diagonally# the arro)s rotates in
(light& Goose (eathers and parrot (eathers are used most o(ten in (let%hing# though pressed
paper and leather are sometimes used&
Flight Arro)
The (light arro)# as its name implies# is .uilt (or distan%e& These are light)eight
arro)s and are o(ten used (or hunting& Most o( these arro)s are made o( ash or .ir%h and
are >F to DF in%hes long&
.nceniary Arro)
An in%endiary arro) is any arro) type /e*%ept .one or stone0 )ith a )ad o( hemp
soa-ed in a .ituminous su.stan%e /su%h as tar0 pla%ed :ust .eneath the head& The hemp is
lit .e(ore the arro) is (ired&
$n addition to its normal damage# the arro) %auses one additional hit point o( (ire
damage on the round o( impa%t unless the target ma-es a sa'ing thro) 's& death magi%&
At the DM,s option# (laming arro)s may ignite %om.usti.le materials %onta%ting it&
!heaf Arro)
Shea( arro)s# also -no)n as )ar arro)s# are hea'ier arro)s )ith less range than
(light arro)s# .ut %ause more damage& The arro)heads are steel and quite sharp& Shea(
arro)s are used in )ar(are and %an .e (ired only .y long .o)s& These arro)s range in
length (rom @F to @< in%hes&
!tone Arro)
Stone arro)s are %onsidered (light arro)s (or game purposes# e*%ept that the
stone arro)heads %ause less damage and ha'e a tenden%y to shatter i( they impa%t armor
or similarly hard sur(a%es& $( a stone arro) hits any o.:e%t made o( metal# stone# or a
harder su.stan%e# it has a @FH %han%e o( sur'i'ing the hit )ithout damage to the arro)& $(
a die roll does not indi%ate su%%ess# the arro) is still allo)ed a sa'ing thro) 's& %rushing
.lo) )ith a KD .onus using the (igures (or Ro%- Crystal& 7ailure indi%ates that the arro)
shatters&
Stone arro)heads are almond shaped or rhom.oid and are usually made (rom
stone splinters o( (lint or o.sidian&
Caltrop
A %altrop is a metal .all .ristling )ith metal spi-es or prongs& 4hen a %altrop is
le(t on the ground# there is al)ays at least one spi-e standing more or less upright# ready
to pier%e the (oot o( the un)ary&
$n order to .e e((e%ti'e# at least F %altrops must .e dropped in an area o( @"
square (eet /a ",*", square0& Ea%h %hara%ter entering the area must ma-e a sa'ing thro)
's& paralyBation& 7ailure means that the pursuer has stepped on a %altrop# su((ering dD hit
points o( damage& The %hara%ter )ill .e a.le to mo'e at only one5hal( his normal rate
until the %altrop is dislodged (rom his (oot& The 'i%tim must also ma-e a se%ond sa'ing
thro) 's& paralyBation# )ith (ailure indi%ating that the %hara%ter is lame (or @D hours
/unless magi%ally healed0# and %an mo'e at only one5third his normal mo'ement rate& $n
any %ase# the 'i%tim must spend one round remo'ing the %altrop (rom his (oot&
$( hal( the num.er o( %altrops are dropped in an area /(i'e in a @" square (oot
area0# the (irst sa'e is made )ith a KD .onus& 7or e'ery (i'e e0tra %altrops o'er the
required F dropped in a @" square (oot area# the sa'ing thro) is made at a 5@# up to a
ma*imum penalty o( 5;& A ne) sa'ing thro) must .e made (or ea%h (i'e5(oot se%tion
entered in )hi%h %altrops ha'e .een dropped&
Chara%ters mo'ing at less than one5third their normal mo'ement rate through an
area o( %altrops need not ma-e a sa'ing thro)& They are mo'ing slo)ly enough to a'oid
the %altrops /although they must .e a.le to see the terrain in order to do so0&
Cestus
The %estus is a leather glo'e that has spi-es and raBor edges on the .a%- and
a%ross the -nu%-les& Other (orms o( %esti are loaded )ith lead or other hea'y (iller in
order to gi'e a pun%h more (or%e& The )eapon is mainly used as a gladiator )eapon in the
arenas o( sport&
The damage %aused .y the %estus /dD 's& small and medium %reatures6 d> to
large0 repla%es the damage %aused .y a pun%h& Although this may seem to .e a
disad'antage# remem.er that pun%hing damage is temporary )hile damage (rom the
%estus is permanent until healed& There is no pro(i%ien%y in the %estus# though a )arrior
%an spend a pro(i%ien%y slot and spe%ialiBe in it&
1A cestus isn!t a true )eapon of #attle. 5t!s 8ust a cruel )a to add damage to a
fighter!s punch. A cestus is a good )eapon onl if ou like to punch opponents.
1-ut since most com#atants inside and outside the arena have missile )eapons2
spells2 long melee )eapons such as spears2 polearms2 and s)ords2 or #enefits due to size2
a fighter using a cestus ma find himself #adl che)ed up2 if not dead2 #efore closing in
enough to use the )eapon. And using a cestus in tavern #ra)ls )ill pro#a#l accomplish
little more than calling the cit guard!s )rath on the o)ner of the cestus.
1$he cestus is 8ust a dramatic device meant to dra) #lood and make a contest
look more terri#le. &e) monsters )ill care a#out the drama produced # a cestus if the
glove is used in real com#at.!!
-- $isha2 S)ords)oman E0traordinar
Clu?
Most %lu.s are stout# hard)ood sti%-s# narro) at the grip and )ider at the end&
This simple )eapon has .een used sin%e man-ind (irst .egan using tools& Anyone %an
(ind a good stout pie%e o( )ood and s)ing it6 hen%e the %lu.,s )idespread use&
The %lu. is the an%estor o( the ma%e# sin%e )arriors e'entually (itted their %lu.s
)ith spi-es and metal heads in order to in%rease their deadliness&
As %enturies passed# %ultures .egan em.ra%ing %i'iliBation and ad'an%ed
te%hnology& They loo-ed do)n on the %lu. as a primiti'e tool and a .ar.arian )eapon&
=easants o(ten arm themsel'es )ith %lu.s# sometimes adapting them .y adding iron
spi-es# resulting in the morningstar&
Centaurs are o(ten seen )ielding %lu.s# sin%e syl'an settings ha'e ample )ood (or
(ashioning su%h )eapons& Ogres also use %lu.s# sin%e the )eapon does not require .rains
to use or ma-e&
16espite the lo)l status of the clu#2 it is a useful proficienc. A stout tree #ranch2
a )ooden chair leg2 or a metal rod all ma #e considered clu#s2 and all can #e found
most an)here. When an adventurer is )ithout a )eapon2 kno)ing ho) to )ield a
common stick ma save his life.
1%lu#s are common among adventurers. %it guards )ho do not intend to shed
#lood use clu#s in la) enforcement2 thieves )ho )ish merel to steal a purse carr them2
and hum#le peasants or street urchins )ho cannot afford a s)ord ma )ield a stout piece
of )ood. 5f anone anticipates a life filled )ith tavern #ra)ls2 proficienc )ith the clu# is
a must.
16ruids favor clu#s2 since the can cast shillelagh spells on the )ood. %arring a
)eapon made of )ood2 an organic2 natural material2 is prefera#le to using iron2 since
man self-respecting druids )ill use metal )eapons onl as a last resort.!!
-- Archdruid "eather 7ose
The 'ersatility o( the %lu. is sho)n in the 2ayeu* Tapestry# )hi%h depi%ts squads
o( Sa*ons )ielding %lu.s as .oth melee )eapons and missile )eapons& Some %ultures
de%orate their %lu.s or e'en %ar'e the %lu. heads into representations o( the %reatures they
e*pe%t to hunt&
Cross?o)& Light an Hea'y
A %ross.o) is a .o) mounted %ross)ise on a )ooden or metal sha(t# the latter
%alled a tiller& The .o) is usually made o( ash or ye)& The %ross.o) (ires a quarrel /also
%alled a .olt0&
Cross.o)s are loaded .y pulling the string .a%- until it lo%-s onto a nut (itted on
the tiller& A man,s strength is enough to pull the .o) to the lo%-ing position# although
hea'ier %ross.o)s )ith more po)er(ul .o)s require a me%hani%al aid& The most e((e%ti'e
o( these de'i%es is the )indlass# a series o( pulleys and %ran- handles (itted at the
%ross.o),s sto%-& 7or %ross.o)s that do not ha'e the )indlass# a stirrup is (itted on the
(ront o( the %ross.o)& 4hen resetting the .o)# the (irer pla%es his (oot in the stirrup in
order to -eep the .o) o(( the ground )hile he is pulling the string up to the lo%-ing
position&
The main di((eren%es .et)een the light and hea'y %ross.o)s are the siBe o( the
quarrel and the presen%e o( a stirrup# )hi%h is (ound only on the hea'y %ross.o)& 8ea'y
and light %ross.o)s are more %orre%tly re(erred to as t)o5(oot and one5(oot %ross.o)s#
respe%ti'ely& This term re(ers to the length o( the quarrels&
The one5(oot %ross.o) is made )ith a steel tiller and is quite rugged& $t may .e
easily %on%ealed .eneath (lo)ing garments su%h as %loa-s or ro.es& $t is (ro)ned upon .y
the more la)(ul# %i'iliBed %ities&
Although .o)s %annot .e used under)ater# the %ross.o) %an# sin%e the tension
produ%ed .y the )eapon o'er%omes the )ater resistan%e& Under)ater ra%es su%h as the
lo%athah# mermen# and tritons use %ross.o)s o( .oth hea'y and light 'arieties&
Cross?o)& Han
This deadly little .o) is a pistol5siBed )eapon made )ith a steel tiller& $t is more
easily %on%ealed than the light %ross.o) and its use is %onsidered unethi%al in %i'iliBed
so%iety& 8and %ross.o)s ha'e a reloading me%hanism .uilt into the tiller&
1Apparentl2 the dro) couldn!t care less a#out the hand cross#o)!s reputation2
since the favor this )eapon in all encounters. 6erro also use hand cross#o)s2 pro#a#l
a ha#it the picked up from their fello) su#terranean d)ellers2 the dro).
14f all the cross#o)s2 light cross#o)s )ere the first to #e developed. $heir rate of
fire and range are their main advantages. -ut damage potential is less than that of a #o)
and arro).
1"eav cross#o)s have #etter range and damage potential2 #ut the can fire onl
once ever other round. 5f a )arrior does not kill his opponent )ith the first shot2 he ma
not get another chance.
15t )ould #e foolish to dismiss the cross#o) completel. "eav and light
cross#o)s have #etter ranges than their respective #o) counterparts2 the long and short
#o)s. $he #est tactic )hen using a cross#o) is to assem#le a line of people2 all armed
)ith these )eapons2 )ho unleash a devastating volle at an enem.
1"and cross#o)s are easil concealed2 have an adequate rate of fire2 and good
range for such a small )eapon. 4n the other hand2 damage potential is )orse than that
of a dagger2 and the )eapon ma #e #anned in some la)ful kingdoms or cities. Some
societies2 such as the dro)2 place poison on their #olts in order to immo#ilize an
opponent.!!
-- Emrl Aelorthas2 Professional -o)er
Cuarrels
Puarrels or .olts are the ammunition (ired .y %ross.o)s regardless o( the
)eapon,s siBe& Cross.o)s are rated as one5(ooters or t)o5(ooters# a%%ording to the .olt,s
length& Puarrels are shaped li-e arro)s# .ut the sha(ts are shorter and thi%-er& The quarrel
heads used (or )ar(are are %oni%al or pyramid5shaped iron heads&
European %ross.o)s ha'e e*isted sin%e the Dth %entury AD and at (irst )ere used
primarily (or hunting& 2y FFF AD# %ross.o)s had .een adopted (or )ar(are& Use .egan
to )ane upon the ad'ent o( the English long .o)# (or despite the (a%t that the %ross.o)
)as a more po)er(ul )eapon )ith .etter range and )as easier to use in %lose quarters#
the rate o( (ire o( a .o) )as a huge psy%hologi%al ad'antage& The most talented ma-ers
and users o( the %ross.o) )ere the $talians# )hose Genoese mer%enary %ross.o)men
)ere the .est in the )orld&
Although hea'y and light %ross.o)s en:oyed a (a'ora.le reputation among
military %ommanders# these )eapons su((ered a .ad reputation& The %ross.o) )as so
lethal that =ope $nno%ent $$ .anned its use in >! AD& The edi%t )as later %hanged#
ho)e'er# so that Crusaders %ould use it against Moslems&
Cight %ross.o)s )ere %onsidered unethi%al )eapons# and )ere o(ten .anned
.et)een the ;th and Ath %enturies& The light %ross.o) )as primarily used as a hunting
)eapon&
The %ross.o) )as originally de'eloped in China# %ulminating in a sturdy# relia.le
model during the 8an Dynasty# %ir%a @F; 2C& This parti%ular %ross.o) model# some
s%holars .elie'e# )as seen as early as a.out >; 2C .y a.out FF Roman soldiers )ho
)ere ta-en prisoner in Central Asia& Su%h e*perien%es or the trade routes that e'entually
opened passed the %on%ept o( the %ross.o) (rom East to 4est&
$nitially# the European %ross.o) )as made )ith a )ooden sta'e& This
%onstru%tion# ho)e'er# does not gi'e optimum po)er to the .olt,s (light& 2y the end o( the
th %entury# it is .elie'ed that many %ross.o) sta'es )ere made o( %omposite
%onstru%tion# usually horn and sine) in %on:un%tion )ith )ood /usually ye)0& This
method o( %ross.o)ma-ing %ame (rom the Sara%ens# and the Sara%en in(luen%e in
southern Europe e*plains )hy the area .e%ame )ell -no)n (or %ross.o) manu(a%turing
and use&
Dagger
The typi%al dagger has a pointed# usually dou.le5edged .lade# as opposed to a
-ni(e# )hi%h has a single edge and is a .it shorter than the dagger&
The dagger is one o( man,s oldest )eapons& The (irst daggers )ere most li-ely
hand5held spearheads used .y %a'emen# made o( .one or stone& 2one daggers are made
(rom the .ones o( large animals su%h as reindeer and .ison# )ith one end sharpened and
the handle %ar'ed to resem.le the animal (rom )hi%h the .ones %ame& Su%h daggers are
relati'ely (ragile# and stone repla%ed .one )hen early man dis%o'ered ho) to )or- )ith
stone&
Stone daggers are more di((i%ult to ma-e due to the %omposition o( stone& Most
stone daggers are made o( (lint# a hard stone that %an .e )or-ed easily& The (lint is
%hipped until the proper shape is a%hie'ed# usually that o( a .road lea(# then it is
sometimes lashed to a )ooden handle& This sort o( stone dagger has a ma:or )ea- pointG
the pla%e )here the .lade is atta%hed to the handle& =rimiti'e tri.es -no) that the .est
stone dagger is made (rom a single pie%e o( stone )ith the dagger,s handle %onsisting o( a
straight se%tion o( stone& The handle is then )rapped in hide (or a good grip& The a'erage
stone dagger measures @ in%hes long&
4hen man .egan )or-ing )ith %opper and .ronBe# the te%hnique o( ma-ing a
dagger,s handle and .lade (rom a single pie%e o( material remained& 2lade lengths
in%reased up to @D in%hes long# and )hen the length e*%eeded this# a ne) )eapon# the
short s)ord# )as .orn&
Some )eaponsmiths ha'e turned dagger ma-ing into an art (orm# de%orating the
handles# %rossguards# and e'en the .lades# )ith .eauti(ul %ar'ings& Some daggers are
de%orated )ith %ar'ed s%enes deri'ed (rom a %ulture,s mythology&
4ith the ad'ent o( s)ords# the dagger )as relegated to the role o( .a%-5up
)eapon& $n (a%t# the a'erage Roman soldier did not %arry a dagger# .ut his Teutoni%
.ar.arian enemy used them& As the .ar.arian,s in(luen%e s)ept o'er Europe# the dagger
)as gi'en ne) li(e&
Daggers )ith steel .lades .e%ame ne%essary in order to penetrate armor& Although
-nights %arried daggers# they )ere %onsidered a )eapon o( last resort&
The modern handsha-e deri'es (rom a ha.it used .y .odyguards& They )ould
ta-e the hand o( anyone 'isiting the -ing and sha-e his arm# hoping to dislodge any
dagger %on%ealed in the 'isitor,s slee'e&
Dagger& Dir4
A dir- has qualities o( .oth the dagger and the -ni(e& 4hile use(ul as a )eapon# it
)as designed (or a 'ariety o( uses& $t is a 'ersion o( the .allo%- -ni(e /or 1-idney
dagger10& The dir- has t)o round# symmetri%al glo.es at the .ase o( the handle# )here the
handle meets the .lade& The grip itsel( emerges (rom .et)een the glo.es and is (lared at
the top& The .lade is o(ten made (rom a large shard o( a s)ord .lade& The dir- is a single5
edged# groo'ed )eapon )ith a .a%- edge near the point& $t usually (eatures a de%orati'e
not%h at the .ase&
Most dir-s ha'e a spe%ial s%a..ard that has t)o small po%-ets in the (ront# one (or
a -ni(e and one (or a (or-# used .y )arriors in the (ield as an early mess -it&
The dir- is a S%ottish )eapon# %arried .y 8ighlanders# ma-ing its appearan%e in
the late <th %entury& The grip is usually leather# i'y root# or i'ory& $n the Ath %entury#
the dir- )as sometimes mounted in sil'er or gold& Though normally %onsidered a %i'ilian
)eapon# the dir- )as produ%ed as a military .lade )hen S%ottish men )ere in%orporated
into 2ritain,s regular army&
1A dagger is great #ecause it!s eas to conceal2 it!s good in close-fighting or as a
#ackup )eapon2 and its shape allo)s it to #e hurled. 5t has onl a fe) pro#lems--it!s a
short )eapon2 )ith neither the reach nor the damage potential of a s)ord.
1A dagger makes a hand tool as )ell. Soldiers and adventurers use their daggers
as eating utensils. 4)ning a sharp #lade that is easil carried makes life easier 98ust tr
dra)ing a long s)ord to cut some #read or a piece of rope3:.
1/ favorite advantage of a dagger is that )hen ou rel on stealth2 ou can use
a dagger to dispatch a foe and dra) less attention than resorting to a s)ord2 in )hich
case ou might as )ell ell out our intentions. $his is one reason )h those of us )ho
attack our enemies indirectl savor the dagger and usuall carr at least t)o.!!
-- ;asmine2 "alfling $hief
Dagger& "arrying
This spe%ialiBed type o( dagger is used in %on:un%tion )ith a s)ord& $t is used to
%at%h or .rea- an opponent,s s)ord& Some 'ersions o( this dagger are equipped )ith
spring .lades that split into three .lades at the push o( a .utton& 4hen su%h a dagger is
employed in this (ashion# it %annot .e thro)n su%%ess(ully&
Most parrying daggers ha'e long# straight or %ur'ed quillons# and a tough side
ring that e*tends perpendi%ular to the .lade in order to prote%t the user,s (ingers&
Unli-e the main5gau%he# the parrying dagger is made (or a spe%i(i% purpose# to
de(le%t or .rea- an opponent,s )eapon& The main5gau%he# )hile also good (or parrying# is
less o( a )eapon5.rea-er&
Dart
The dart is a small# easily %on%eala.le missile )eapon that is thro)n rather than
(ired (rom a .o) or other laun%her&
Darts are -no)n to e*ist among ad'an%ed %a'eman tri.es& These darts are usually
small# )ooden sha(ts (itted )ith a head o( .one or stone&
$n modern %ultures# darts ha'e lea( or arro)5shaped heads and sta.iliBers on the
sha(t,s .utt end# mu%h li-e miniature arro)s&
Many %ultures use darts (or sport# hunting# and )ar(are on land and sea& CiBard
men use .ar.ed darts&
16arts are small2 eas to hide2 and have a good rate of fire. 7ange is slightl
#etter than a dagger2 #ut darts cause less damage. 6arts ma #e smeared )ith various
to0ins to make them more effective. 5t makes sense to fire darts at their ma0imum rate
/three per round0# )hich not onl gives the thro)er three chances of hitting2 #ut also
offsets the lo) damage potential # offering the possi#ilit of multiple hits.
1A dart is a good )eapon to thro) at a spellcaster. As long as one dart hits a
spellcaster2 the latter!s spell is ruined2 regardless of the damage caused. 4f course2 this is
)h man spellcasters carr darts. /ost are nim#le enough to use them effectivel2 and if
the are una#le to cast a spell #ut see an enem spellcaster a#out to cast2 a dart can ruin
the spell. 5t helps to #e a sharp-eed2 quick-thinking2 nim#le2 handsome fello) such as
mself.!!
-- /alraz Alizar the /agnificent2 5llusionist Without Peer
Flail
The (lail is a sturdy )ooden handle atta%hed to an iron rod# a )ooden rod )ith
spi-es# or a spi-ed iron .all& 2et)een the handle and its implement is either a hinge or
%hain lin-& The )eapon )as originally used as a tool (or threshing grain& 4hether a (lail
is used .y a (oot soldier or a horseman# the prin%iple is the same&
Rumors tell that the (linds, (lind.ars are in (a%t a 'ariation o( the (lail& This has not
.een su.stantiated# and the (linds ha'e no )ish to %ooperate in the resear%h&
Footman/s Flail
The (ootman,s (lail has a handle appro*imately (our (eet in length& $t other)ise
%on(orms to the a.o'e des%ription&
Horseman/s Flail
The horseman,s 'ersion o( the (lail has a t)o5(oot5long handle& The horseman
already has a good positional ad'antage# sitting atop a horse# and %onsequently does not
need the greater rea%h a((orded .y the long handle o( the (ootman,s (lail& This is a one5
handed )eapon&
15n the adventurer!s )orld2 a flail can #e used # )arriors or priests2 especiall if
the latter is not allo)ed edged )eapons. $he footman!s flail causes more damage2 since
the longer pole ena#les the )ielder to make a stronger s)ing. $his is a good )eapon to
use in su#duing someone2 or even for a disarming maneuver. -ear in mind that the
footman!s flail is a t)o-handed )eapon2 )hereas the horseman!s flail is one-handed.
1$here is certainl no pro#lem in a footman using a horseman!s flail2 although it
is not a good ha#it. A foot soldier )ould #e #etter off )ith a different #lunt )eapon that
can cause more damage or have more versatilit2 such as a )arhammer.!!
-- -rother George2 %leric
The (ollo)ers o( =eter the 8ermit )ho (ought in the Crusades in the th and @th
%enturies used (lails# pla%ing spi-es on the short (lail heads& This adaptation ga'e rise to
other modi(i%ations# su%h as repla%ing the se%ond .ar )ith t)o or more iron .alls atta%hed
.y %hains&
7ootman,s (lails )ere used mostly in the >th and Dth %enturies .y (oot soldiers#
espe%ially peasant troops# )hile the horseman,s 'ersion en:oyed use .y %a'alry troops
during the same time period&
7lails )ere used as late as the !@F,s .y =olish peasants against So'iet troops&
(affAHoo4
The ga(( or hoo- is a%tually a tool used to hoo- and land (ish& $t is %ommonly
(ound )here (ishing .oats are en%ountered# and the hoo-s are in plenti(ul supply#
a((ording the disarmed ad'enturer a )eapon o( last resort&
The ga(( %onsists o( a metal hoo- )ith a )ooden or metal %ross.ar at the .ase& A
one5handed tool# the hoo- protrudes (rom .et)een the middle and ring (ingers&
Some sailors )ho ha'e lost a hand ha'e a %up )ith a ga(( hoo- atta%hed to the
stump# guaranteeing that they are ne'er )ithout a )eapon&
1<a don!t often see adventurers )hacking a)a )ith gaffs. $o them2 it!s onl a
tool. -ut more often than not2 dock )orkers2 press gangs2 pirates2 and sailors have a
prett good s)ing )ith those hooks.!!
-- 7ch the Seeker2 "ar#ormaster
Han or Thro)ing A<e
The hand a*e or thro)ing a*e is also -no)n as a hat%het& The a*e .lade has a
sharp steel tip# %ounter.alan%ed .y a pointed (lu-e& The short handle has a point on the
.ottom and the head may ha'e a spi-e on top&
This )eapon is o(ten used .y .ar.arian tri.es& Some hand a*es are %arried on the
saddles o( -nights and horsemen# )ho respe%t this )eapon a(ter seeing .ar.arians )ield
the a*es e((e%ti'ely&
Despite this a%%eptan%e .y %i'iliBed (ol-# the thro)ing a*e is o(ten relegated to
.a%-up )eapon status sin%e the %reation o( the .attlea*e# )hose longer handle gi'es the
)ielder greater (or%e in his s)ing& The ma*imum length o( the hand a*e,s handle is a.out
A in%hes# not 'ery great# though .etter than a dagger,s rea%h in hand5to5hand %om.at&
The thro)ing a*e,s last ad'antage# its a.ility to .e hurled# )as e%lipsed )ith the ad'ent o(
.etter .o)s su%h as the long .o)&
Short ra%es su%h as gnomes ma-e good use o( hand a*es& The gnomes, traditional
enemies# the -o.olds# also use hand a*es& The )eapon,s siBe is small enough to .e
)ielded properly# and it %an .e hurled as a last resort& D)ar'es# o( %ourse# are (ar more
interested in the hea'ier .attlea*e&
1$he thro)ing a0e is a good #ackup )eapon for an adventurer. 5t can #e used in
melee com#at or as a missile )eapon2 although )ith mediocre range. $he )eapon is also
useful as a general tool2 especiall to outdoor tpes such as rangers2 )ho often need a
good tool to hack a)a at undergro)th in order to #laze a trail.!!
-- 6alraun 5ronedge2 7anger
Harpoon
The harpoon is a hunting )eapon# )hi%h# in times o( duress# may .e used (or
de(ense& $ts de'elopment .y prime'al man )as (or hunting marine mammals and large
(ish&
The (irst harpoons )ere merely pointed sti%-s& Cater# these .e%ame sti%-s )ith a
sharp head o( horn or .one& The heads o(ten had hoo-s %ut into them (or in%reased
damage and to hold the harpoon (ast in the .east,s (lesh& The head )as then (itted or
atta%hed to the end o( the sha(t# se%ured .y animal sine)s&
Metal harpoon heads e'ol'ed later# most )ith pointed or .ar.ed heads& These
heads are usually deta%ha.le (rom the sha(t# .ut are %onne%ted to the thro)er .y a %ord
atta%hed .et)een the point and the .ar.&
4hen a hunter thro)s the harpoon and hits an animal# he (ollo)s the 'i%tim as
.est he %an# playing out as mu%h rope as needed until the .east tires and dies&
Some %reatures may .e o( su((i%ient intelligen%e to try to (ree themsel'es (rom the
harpoon& $( the target has $ntelligen%e o( @ or greater and some means o( dislodging the
hoo- or .rea-ing the line# it is allo)ed a sa'ing thro) 's& poison& Su%%ess means the
'i%tim is (reed& 7ailure means the harpoon is still atta%hed# the 'i%tim ta-es another hit
point o( damage# and is dra)n F, %loser to the harpoon,s )ielder& The 'i%tim is pulled
to)ard the )ielder onl i( a %on%entrated attempt is made and the 'i%tim is o( a siBe and
)eight that ma-es this possi.le /e&g&# a harpooned )hale %annot .e hauled in .y a (ighter
)ith > Strength0&
Certain primiti'e :ungle tri.es traditionally use harpoons to hunt )ild .oar& Juo5
toa# the aquati% su.terranean (ish5men# (a'or the harpoon )ith as many nasty .ar.s on the
)eapon as possi.le&
8arpoons may .e used one5 or t)o5handed# and there is no %hange in speed (a%tor
(or using it one )ay or the other& This is a de(inite ad'antage& On the other hand# the
harpoon has a poor thro)ing range# and damage potential is less )hen it is used one5
handed# mu%h li-e a .astard s)ord& The harpoon is a %ommon )eapon in %oastal areas#
.ut its primary (un%tion is not as a )eapon against an intelligent opponent&
Ad'enturers on ships may e*periment )ith (itting harpoons onto .allista
laun%hers# i( the DM permits& This may .e espe%ially handy i( the =Cs are hunting some
sea %reature that they must haul .a%- to port&
Da'elin
?a'elins are %lassi(ied as light spears# suita.le (or melee or missile %om.at# usa.le
either on horse.a%- or on (oot& The )eapon has .een around sin%e man,s earliest days&
The :a'elin head is not 'ery large# and is usually lea(5or lan%et5shaped& ?a'elin heads may
ha'e .ar.s&
As a )eapon o( )ar# the :a'elin has lo) popularity# though it is o(ten used (or
hunting purposes& ?a'elins are also used as a %eremonial )eapon o( .odyguards in
%i'iliBed nations& 8al.erdier yeomen are o(ten assigned :a'elins&
?a'elin thro)ing is a %ommon %ontest o( the games o( sport o( an%ient
%i'iliBations&
?a'elins may .e used either one5 or t)o5handed# and li-e the harpoon# there is no
di((eren%e in speed (a%tor .et)een the t)o styles& The :a'elin has a respe%ta.le thro)ing
range# %ertainly .etter than that o( a spear# )ith damage potential %ompara.le to the spear&
Ci-e the harpoon# the :a'elin gi'es the ad'enturer the ad'antage o( a )eapon that may .e
used e((e%ti'ely either as a melee )eapon or as a missile )eapon&
Many dro) %arry :a'elins# o(ten %oating the )eapons )ith the same poison they
use on %ross.o) .olts& Jo.olds also use :a'elins# as any )eapon )hi%h in(li%ts damage
(rom a long distan%e is em.ra%ed .y that %o)ardly ra%e& Ad'an%ed ra%es o( liBard men are
also :a'elin users&
Enife
A -ni(e %onsists o( a single5edged# pointed .lade )ith a handle mounted
asymmetri%ally& $t is an early )eapon# used e'en .y primiti'e tri.es& $n these %ultures# a
-ni(e is little more than a (lint .lade )ith one or t)o %utting edges&
2one -ni'es are little more than a sharpened pie%e o( .one# o(ten de%orated in the
same )ay as daggers& Ci-e other .one )eapons# .one -ni'es are apt to shatter&
True -ni'es appeared )hen man .egan using alloys su%h as .ronBe& A -ni(e )as
%ast (rom a single pie%e o( .ronBe# )ith a single straight edge or slightly %ur'ed .lade&
The %ur'ature is o(ten a%%entuated near the point&
4hen man .egan using iron# -ni(e handles )ent through a %hange& The
mallea.ility o( iron made it easy to %reate and -eep a sharp edge# )hile also ena.ling the
ma-er to e*tend the .lade into a (lat tang# )hi%h )as then %o'ered )ith sidepie%es o(
)ood# .one# or horn& This made the handles easier to de%orate& $n primiti'e %i'iliBations#
-ni'es are used as an all5purpose tool# on the hunting grounds# and as a tool o( sa%ri(i%e&
Di((erent (orms o( -ni'es may .e (ound among the di((erent peoples )ho depend
hea'ily on this use(ul tool& Small -ni'es are made (or domesti% uses# longer -ni'es (or
hunting and )ar&
Small -ni'es e*hi.it their o)n e'olution# resulting in the %ommon man,s small
-ni(e )ith a (our5in%h .lade and a plain handle o( .one or horn& The more in(luential
%itiBen may ha'e a -ni(e )ith a handle o( ro%- %rystal or other stone# en%losed in a
pre%ious metal& Despite the great 'alue o( these -ni'es# they are not as e((e%ti'e in
%om.at as the larger -ni'es /5 to atta%- and damage rolls0&
Non5domesti% -ni'es# or outdoor -ni'es# ha'e stronger .lades and sharper points&
They are %arried in their o)n sheaths# or in the s%a..ard o( a larger )eapon# su%h as a
s)ord# %reating a spe%ialiBed set&
$n some areas# -ni(e ma-ers are prohi.ited (rom selling -ni'es )ith lea(5shaped
.lades& Su%h de%rees are an e((ort to pre'ent su%h -ni'es (rom .eing %arried %asually& The
lea( shape %auses a large# gaping )ound that .leeds hea'ily&
1$hough it seems as if a dagger and a knife are ver much alike2 there are
important differences. A knife is lighter than a dagger. 5ts shape does not allo) it to #e
thro)n as easil2 )hich e0plains )h the lighter knife has the same thro)ing range as a
dagger. $he knife causes onl slightl less damage than the dagger. -oth )eapons have
the same rate of fire. $he dagger is less a tool and more a )eapon2 )hile it can #e argued
that the reverse applies to the knife.
1An adventurer of high station )a )ish to have a knife and a s)ord of similar
design2 #oth housed in one sca##ard. Such a thing is certainl considered a status sm#ol
9definitel a mi0ed #lessing:.
1A #ig advantage of knives is that the are found ever)here. %ooks2 trappers2
and hunters are #ut three occupations that 8ustif carring a knife.!!
-- Peripim &urfoot2 "alfling Adventurer and Professional %ook
Jni(e handles histori%ally e*hi.ited )ide 'ariations in materials and
)or-manship& Cast sil'er -ni(e handles )ere popular in the ;th %entury# inlaid mother5
o(5pearl )as in 'ogue in the <th %entury# por%elain handles )ere popular in the Ath
%entury# and %ar'ed i'ory and .one )ith (ine sil'er plate )as the trend in the !th
%entury&
Nations or %ultural groups %reated -ni'es that suited their parti%ular styles or
%ustoms& A %ommon -ni(e in southern Europe# (or instan%e# had a .lade that (olded
to)ard the handle# )ith the %utting edge housed in a spe%ial groo'e& $n Spain# these )ere
%alled the Na'a:a# and in $taly the Serraman%io& 4e -no) them today as %lasp -ni'es or
:a%--ni'es&
2y (ar the most (amous -ni(e o( the past t)o %enturies )as a hea'y# single5edged#
sharply pointed .lade )ith a small handle )ith )ooden sidepie%es& The -ni(e )as
designed (or melee %om.at& This -ni(e )as mu%h in use in the Ameri%an 4est# and )as
named (or its %reatorG Colonel ?ames 2o)ie&
Lance
The term 1lan%e1 originally re(erred to spears )ielded .y (ootmen and %a'alry& $t
e'entually re(erred only to %a'alry spears&
Can%e design 'aries .et)een %ultures and eras& Generally# the lan%e is a long sha(t
o( tough )ood# usually ash# )ith an iron head in the shape o( a laurel or )illo) lea(# )ith
%utting edges and a sharp point meant to penetrate armor&
Can%es are meant to .e gripped %lose to the .ottom# putting a great distan%e
.et)een the )ielder and his target& As a rule# the lan%e is aimed diagonally a.o'e the
horse,s ne%-& The opponents (a%e ea%h other )ith their le(t sides on%oming&
Along )ith almost any 'ariety o( s)ord# the lan%e is %onsidered the .est o((ensi'e
)eapon (or mounted soldiers& Some -nights %arry a small (a.ri% pennant a((i*ed :ust
.elo) the lan%e head& These pennants are either triangular or square# and %arry the %olors
or sym.ols o( the -night,s (amily or liege&
$n parades# lan%es are held 'erti%ally# )ith the .utt set in a stirrup or on the
horseman,s right thigh& On a mar%h# the lan%e is held a%ross the shoulder# a%ross the
saddle.o)# or horiBontally alongside the horse&
Through e'olution# )eaponsmiths sought to in%rease the damage %aused .y the
lan%e .y ma-ing them hea'ier&
One o( the .iggest pro.lems )ith using a lan%e is the :arring impa%t on the user&
$n order to address this pro.lem# a thi%- leather ring %alled a graper is (itted to the sha(t
:ust .ehind the )ielder,s hand& This a%ts as a stop against the armpit# halting the lan%e,s
rear)ard motion upon impa%t&
Another important part o( a lan%e is a rest& The rest is a small# sometimes (olding
.ra%-et (i*ed to the right side o( the -night,s .reastplate armor& The graper is leaned
against this rest )hen the lan%e is in use& The rest ena.les the -night to get the ma*imum
push (rom his lan%e# in(li%ting the most damage&
The di((eren%e .et)een the light# medium# and hea'y# lan%es stems (rom the
length /F, (or a light# @, (or a medium# and D, (or a hea'y0# and )eight /(i'e pounds#
ten pounds# and (i(teen pounds (or light# medium# and hea'y respe%ti'ely0&
Ea%h lan%e type %an .e used only i( the rider is on a horse o( %orresponding type
or greater& Thus# a -night on a hea'y )arhorse %an use any lan%e# )hile the s%out on a
light )arhorse is limited to the light lan%e&
Dousting Lance
?ousting lan%es# used in 1:ousts o( pea%e#1 are the hea'iest lan%es# )eighing @F
pounds and measuring at least > (eet long& These lan%es are (itted )ith a three5pronged
head in order to pre'ent armor penetration& The prongs are short# .lunt pro:e%tions that
emerge (rom the headpie%e# as opposed to a sharp point& This lan%e is also -no)n as a
1%ourtesy lan%e&1 $n a (ull tilt# a :oust o( )ar# the head is .lunt and may a%tually %ause
(atalities&
Co%athah riding on the .a%-s o( giant eels use light lan%es&
1+ight lances can #e used as a polearm # adventurers )ho do not relish com#at
on horse#ack2 preferring instead to meet the enem on foot. 5t can #e hard to )ield a
heav lance in a forest2 so a medium lance ma #e a good compromise.
1+ances are #est used as a mounted )eapon. When used from the #ack of a
charging mount2 it inflicts dou#le damage.
1.othing is more a)e-inspiring than a mounted knight2 )ielding her lance and
charging a dragon. 4f such things legends are made2 and no mounted )arrior )orth his
salt should #e )ithout his lance2 especiall a paladin. 5 kno) 5 have mine3!!
-- /aura Small)ood2 Paladin
The lan%e,s history %an .e tra%ed to the Middle East# and )as )idely used .y
Gre%o5Roman horsemen&
Though rendered o.soles%ent in ;FF .y the ad'ent o( (irearms# lan%es )ere still
used .y light %a'alry until the !th %entury# )ith many European armies maintaining use
o( the lan%e in the Russian Ci'il 4ar and 4orld 4ar $& T)o o( the most )ell5-no)n uses
o( the lan%e in the @Fth %entury )ere the =olish lan%ers, %harges against German armor in
!>!# and the $talian %harges against the Russians in !D@&
Lasso
A lasso is a length o( rope )ith a loop at one end# tied )ith a -not that ena.les the
loop to .e tightened& The )ielder t)irls the lasso and thro)s the loop at the intended
target& $( it hits# the lasso has en%ir%led the target# ena.ling the atta%-er to dismount the
'i%tim# ma-e him (all# pin him# strangle him# et%& The )ielder must spe%i(y e*a%tly )hat
he )ants the lasso to a%%omplish .e(ore ma-ing his atta%- roll&
A su%%ess(ul hit does not %ause damage to the target# .ut in%idental damage %an
o%%ur (rom the results o( %ertain a%tions per(ormed )ith the lasso# su%h as ma-ing
someone (all or strangling a 'i%tim&
The many tri%-s )hi%h %an .e per(ormed )ith a lasso are outlined in the
Equipment Chapter o( $he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook&
A lasso may .e se'ered .y @ hit points o( %utting damage& A 'i%tim,s Strength %an
.rea- a lasso# using the %hara%ter,s 2end 2arsOCi(t Gates roll& Only one attempt %an .e
made on any one lasso&
Cassos are also %alled lariats& Chara%ters %an ta-e lasso as a )eapon pro(i%ien%y#
.ut they should remem.er that the Rope Use non)eapon pro(i%ien%y gi'es a K@ .onus to
hit )ith a lasso&
1+asso= What sort of heroic )eapon is a lasso= What is a )arrior going to do2 tie
up his victim and make him die of em#arrassment= -ah3 5f a )arrior is so keen on using
a length of hemp rope2 let him learn 7ope Use. $hat )a2 not onl is there a #etter
chance at hitting a victim )ith a lasso than if he )ere proficient )ith the lasso as a
)eapon2 #ut the adventurer )ill also pick up man more tricks2 rather than )asting time
tring to #ecome e0pert at thro)ing sill loops of rope3 +assos2 indeed3!!
-- >edar the 6ark2 Warrior +ord of Adauntlnn
Mace
The ma%e is a dire%t des%endant o( the .asi% %lu.# .eing nothing more than a
)ooden %lu. )ith a stone or iron head mounted on one end& The head design 'aries# )ith
some .eing spi-ed# others (langed# and still others )ith pyramidi%al -no.s&
The ma%e has e*isted sin%e man .egan )or-ing )ith metal& The (irst ma%es )ere
made in order to gi'e the %lu. )ielder more po)er in his s)ing&
8igh5le'el priests# -nights# and e'en paladins may ha'e a personaliBed# de%orated
ma%e that ser'es primarily as a sym.ol o( ran-&
Sin%e the ma%e is a )eapon that requires 'ery little in the )ay o( spe%ialiBed
training# it is a (a'ored )eapon among go.lins&
Footman/s Mace
7ootman,s ma%es originated as hea'y )ooden trun%heons# a.out t)o and a hal(
(eet in length and %o'ered )ith iron studs& As time )ent .y# (langed heads similar to the
horsemen,s ma%e )ere used instead& This ma%e is a t)o5handed )eapon&
There are t)o di((erent types o( (ootman,s ma%esG an emergen%y )eapon made
(rom materials at hand and thro)n together .y a .la%-smith# and the ma%es made .y
pro(essional )eaponsmiths (or troops& $n order to re(le%t the di((eren%e .et)een the t)o
types# the homemade ma%e should .e gi'en a 5 penalty to atta%- and damage rolls&
The hasty# emergen%y ma%es are usually a )ooden handle )ith any sort o( metal
head atta%hed&
Horseman/s Mace
The (irst horseman,s ma%es )ere a )ooden handle# a.out A in%hes long# )ith a
leather )rist strap at the .ottom o( the handle so the )eapon )ould not .e dropped# and a
metal head& As time progressed# -nights pre(erred to ha'e ma%es made entirely o( metal&
The horseman,s ma%e .e%ame an important )eapon to the -night& Jnights usually
-eep a ma%e slung o'er a hoo- on the saddle.o)& Not surprisingly# an alternate name (or
the horseman,s ma%e is the -night,s ma%e& This type o( ma%e is a one5handed )eapon&
1/aces are a step up from the #asic clu#2 and are a good )eapon especiall for
priests )ho cannot use edged )eapons. Adventurers ma find that the horseman!s mace
is actuall a good secondar )eapon for a footman2 though the reverse is certainl not
true3
1A mace is speciall made for crushing things2 especiall helmets and armor.!!
-- -rother 1"elms#ane!! /anard
The Romans armed their allied au*iliaries )ith .ronBe5headed ma%es# although
they ne'er used ma%es themsel'es&
T)o styles o( ma%e head patterns emerged .e(ore the Dth %entury& The (irst )as a
(errule (rom )hi%h e*tended -not or node5shaped pie%es# and the se%ond )as a
geometri%ally designed head )ith 'anes /%oni%al or diamond5shaped (langes0&
Gothi% in(luen%e in the Dth %entury made ma%es more de%orati'e# a trend )hi%h
ended in the ;th %entury# )hen ma%es )ere gi'en a more military (orm& Eastern
European ma%es# espe%ially those (rom =oland and 8ungary# had onion5shaped heads# an
idea ta-en (rom the Tur-ish ma%es& Ma%es )ere used as a )eapon up until the Ath
%entury&
During the Middle Ages# arming onesel( )ith a ma%e too- on signi(i%an%e among
no.les and army %ommanders& The ma%e .e%ame a pre(erred )eapon among )ealthy or
illustrious users# and it .e%ame sym.oli% o( po)er# )ealth# and reno)n& These ma%es
)ere shaped or de%orated in a manner that represented the )ielder& Thus# the o)ner o( a
ma%e .e%ame re%ogniBed as a person o( prominen%e and ran-# )ith the num.er o( ri.s
and (langes on the ma%e indi%ating the o)ner,s status&
Main#(auche
The main5gau%he /7ren%h (or 1le(t hand10 is a large dagger )ith a .as-et hilt&
Sin%e most s)ordsmen use their right hand to )ield a s)ord# this dagger is meant (or the
le(t hand# )ielded as a de(ensi'e )eapon )hen a )arrior is using the t)o5handed (ighting
te%hnique& The main5gau%he is also %alled a 1le(t5hand dagger&1
The hea'y .as-et o( the main5gau%he is the equi'alent o( an iron gauntlet (or the
purposes o( hand5to5hand %om.at&
7ighters pro(i%ient )ith main5gau%he gain a K .onus to hit )ith Disarm and
=arry maneu'ers& More in(ormation on (ighting styles and maneu'ers %an .e (ound in
$he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook in the Com.at %hapter&
1A main-gauche causes the same damage as a normal dagger2 #ut the former is
designed especiall for defense. 5t!s important not to confuse the main-gauche )ith the
parring dagger. $he latter has a different design2 including longer quillons and
sometimes a triple #lade. A parring dagger also has a greater likelihood of #reaking an
opponent!s )eapon. A main-gauche offers #etter protection to the user!s hand. 5n an
case2 it is quite a sight to see a )arrior using a s)ord in one hand and a main-gauche in
the other.!!
-- /endrill "alfelven2 -ard
Mancatcher
A man%at%her is a polearm )ith a spe%ial (un%tionG to %apture an opponent )ithout
-illing him& The )eapon %onsists o( a long pole )ith a set o( spring5loaded# sharpened
:a)s at one end& The 'i%tim is %aught .et)een the :a)s# )hi%h then snap shut&
The target# regardless o( armor and other de(ensi'e de'i%es /magi%al or
other)ise0# is treated as AC F# though appropriate De*terity .onuses are allo)ed& $( a hit
is s%ored# the opponent is %aught# losing shield and De*terity .onuses& $n addition# the
'i%tim %an .e pushed and pulled around at the )him o( the man%at%her,s )ielder&
4hile %aught in the man%at%her# the 'i%tim su((ers d@ hit points o( damage per
round& There is a @"H %han%e that the trapped %hara%ter )ill (all to the ground&
The 'i%tim may attempt to es%ape the grip o( a man%at%her .y ma-ing a
su%%ess(ul .end .arsOli(t gates roll# .ut he su((ers an e*tra d@ points o( damage )hile
.rea-ing a)ay&
1/ancatchers are good for pulling horsemen off their mounts and pinning them
to the ground2 #ut the )eapon is onl good on man-sized opponents. Smaller creatures
like go#lins and ko#olds can 8ust slip on through2 and the larger creatures don!t have the
right frame2 though )h anone )ould )ant to capture an of these disgusting things
alive is #eond me.
1/ancatchers are used often # that foul2 su#terranean race of fish-men2 the kuo-
toa. Some adventurers )ho ma have suffered the depredations of the kuo-toa and )ho
see a character )ielding a mancatcher ma get a #it upset. 4ften2 it!s #est to steer clear
of )eapons that remind certain people of certain races2 unless of course2 someone is
reall good )ith the )eapon in question3!!
-- $ro0el the Unpredicta#le
Morning !tar
The morning star is a )ooden sha(t topped )ith a metal head made up o( a spi-ed
iron sheath& Morning stars ha'e an o'erall length o( a.out (our (eet& Some su%h )eapons
ha'e a round# o'al# or %ylindri%al shaped head studded )ith spi-es& E*tending (rom most
morning star heads# regardless o( design# is a long point (or thrusting&
The )eapon is designed to allo) the )ielder to in(li%t greater damage )ith his
s)ing& The )eighted# spi-ed head adds to this a.ility signi(i%antly&
Cong5handled morning stars are used .y (oot soldiers# )hile the short5handled
'ersions are used .y horsemen& $t is a 'ery popular )eapon due to its e((e%ti'eness and its
simpli%ity o( produ%tion&
The morning star tra%es its an%estry to the ma%e# )hi%h in turn tra%es its lineage
.a%- to the %lu.&
8o.go.lins# a ra%e that ta-es great delight in in(li%ting pain# o(ten use morning
stars& Troglodytes use stone morning stars&
1/orning stars are clu#s )ith a real nast attitude. $he can cause as much
damage to a man as a longs)ord2 pro#a#l #ecause of them spikes. 5 hear tell that the
morning star is called a #ludgeoning )eapon as )ell as a piercing )eapon2 #ut tell me2
have ou ever seen a sharp spike hit someone at high speeds and have that called
#ludgeoning=!!
-- Suriel2 %leric of $r
The morning star )as deri'ed (rom the S)iss Morgenstern /literallyG 1morning
star10# and )as used during the ;th and <th %enturies# espe%ially in England& The
)eapon had the per'erse ni%-name o( 1holy )ater sprin-ler&1
The morning star )as popular (rom the Middle Ages to the late <th %entury#
though its use %ontinued among peasants and poor ur.an militiamen and gangs up to the
!th %entury&
>et
The net is a tool that has .een used as a )eapon sin%e the days )hen emerging
%i'iliBations held gladiatorial arena %om.at& This 'ersion o( the net is an eight5 to t)el'e5
(oot diameter %ir%ular net )ith )eights around the edges and a trailing rope used to guide
the net and pull it a)ay& $t is usually (olded in su%h a )ay that it t)irls open )hen
thro)n& $t is tossed )ith one hand# )ith the atta%-er holding onto the guide rope )ith the
other hand&
A su%%ess(ul hit )ith this )eapon means that the 'i%tim is netted and must try to
.rea- (ree .y ma-ing a Strength %he%- on%e per round until su%%ess(ul& The netted 'i%tim
%annot ma-e any sort o( atta%- until the net has .een sha-en o((&
On the round a(ter the 'i%tim is netted# the atta%-er has se'eral options (or his
ne*t a%tion# in%luding using another )eapon to stri-e the entangled 'i%tim& The 'i%tim
loses his De*terity and shield .onuses to armor %lass until he is (reed&
The atta%-er may impro'e his grip on the 'i%tim .y looping the trailing rope
around the netted %hara%ter& This requires a normal atta%- roll (or su%%ess# and the 'i%tim
loses D points o( e((e%ti'e Strength /(or determining su%%ess o( (reeing onesel( (rom the
net0 per su%%ess(ul round o( atta%-& $( the 'i%tim,s Strength is redu%ed to Bero# he is
hopelessly tangled and %annot es%ape unless helped .y someone outside the net&
$( a )arrior thro)s a net and misses# it is open and un(olded& $t may still .e
thro)n# .ut it is no longer (olded %orre%tly and is %onsequently an un)ieldy )eapon&
Atta%-ers su((er a 5> penalty to hit )hen thro)ing an un(olded net&
A properly (olded net allo)s the atta%-er to per(orm Disarm# =arry# and =in
maneu'ers& Su%h atta%-s are at a 5> to hit i( the net is un(olded&
Certain under)ater ra%es# su%h as ni*ies and sahuagin# use nets not only (or
(ishing# .ut also as a %om.at )eapon# usually )hen they )ish to ta-e a 'i%tim ali'e&
1$his )eapon is rather unusual2 #ut it can #e quite effective. 5magine2 a )eapon
)hich2 if it hits2 )ill immo#ilize an opponent in 8ust one round. 4f course2 such a )eapon
is not ver effective on larger than man-sized or e0ceptionall strong creatures 9such as
an ogre:2 though it ma #u a )ounded adventurer some time2 since a successful hit
means that the victim must a#andon plans for attacking and concentrate instead on
getting out of the net.
1%haracters )ho can set snares and traps ought to consider the net )hen making
their little traps. 5t could come in hand for defense or in a hast retreat.!!
-- -ramm Po2 5llusionist
"ic4& Military
The medie'al military pi%- )as a spe%ialiBed )eapon& $t pro.a.ly originated (rom
the %ommon mining tool& As armor gre) hea'ier# the pi%-,s (orm and (un%tion )ere soon
adapted to a spe%ialiBed role& This role )as to penetrate the hea'ier armor types# (rom
%hain mail up through (ull plate armor& The military pi%- )as a modi(i%ation o( a )eapon
%alled the martel-de-fer# a type o( )ar hammer that had a hammerhead .alan%ed .y a
thi%-# %ur'ed pier%ing (lu-e or Q%ro),s .ea-&R
The military pi%- generally %onsists o( a hea'y pier%ing (lu-e mounted on a ha(t&
The )eapon might ha'e either one or t)o (lu-es# and the ha(t might .e spi-ed&
The )eapon is popular )ith -nights and the hea'y (oot soldiers o( %ertain
mer%enary %ompanies& D)ar'es and gnomes are also (ond o( the )eapon# and deep
gnomes /s'ir(ne.lin0 in parti%ular use great num.ers o( them&
Footman/s "ic4
The (ootman,s 'ersion o( this )eapon has a longer ha(t /up to ",0# ena.ling it to .e
)ielded )ith t)o hands& The )eapon )eighs a.out si* pounds and %an .e s)ung )ith
great penetrating (or%e&
Horseman/s "ic4
The horseman,s pi%- is lighter /a.out D pounds0 and has a shortened ha(t /a.out
t)o (eet0# ma-ing it easier to )ield (rom horse.a%-& $t is %ommonly used .y -nights and
hea'y mer%enary horsemen# )ho (a%e more hea'ily armored opponents& The deep
gnomes, )eapon is also o( this lighter 'ariety&
17aces )ho particularl en8o mining2 such as gnomes2 svirfne#lin2 and d)arves2
can #e found )ith these )eapons. $he usuall kno) ho) to use a pick #oth as a tool and
as a )eapon2 though the )ill first use normal )eapons if given the chance. Sometimes
the have to )ield these as )eapons against another race kno)n for its su#terranean
diggings2 and )ho also use the pick as a )eapon, the duergar.!!
-- .ahac the Gnome Sage
"olearms
Also %alled sta(( )eapons# polearms are de(ined as ha(ted )eapons55edged
)eapons mounted on a short handle or on a longer sha(t )ielded )ith t)o hands& The
sha(ts are usually made o( )ood# though metal sha(ts sometimes e*ist&
An alternate term (or polearm is polla*e# )hi%h is used to des%ri.e any )eapon
)hi%h has a metal head in a %om.ination o( a*e# .ea-# or hammer# mounted on a pole
ranging (our to si* (eet in length& =oll is the %ontemporary )ord (or a steel head mounted
on a sta((# and the term should not .e %on(used )ith 1polea*e&1
Though des%riptions o( the 'arious polearm types (ollo)# there are %ertain
%hara%teristi%s %ommon )ith all pole )eapons# as outlined here&
=olearms are easy to ma-e and are used o(ten .y peasants and %ommon (oot
soldiers& The polearm is a great equaliBer (or these troops# )ho o(ten must (ight armored
men on horse.a%-& A polearm gi'es the )ielder a long rea%h )ithout e*posing himsel( to
the s)ing o( a s)ord& Setting polearms to re%ei'e a %harge grants the )ielders an
initiati'e .onus&
A primary use o( the polearm is to allo) )arriors in the se%ond ran- to atta%- o'er
the shoulders o( the (ront ran-& O(ten times# a (ighter )ith a hand )eapon and shield )ill
team up )ith one using a pole arm# and they )ill (ight as a %oordinated unit&
=olearms that ha'e spe%ial atta%hments to topple mounted targets ha'e a .ase
@FH %han%e o( su%%ess&
Spe%ial optional rules (or implementing polearm ta%ti%s may .e (ound in the
Com.at %hapter in $he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook&
Gnolls and ho.go.lins ma-e it a point to %arry polearms o(ten& A .and o( su%h
%reatures en%ountered %arrying polearms )ill .e -no)ledgea.le in polearm ta%ti%s& Or%s
(a'or hal.erds# pi-es# and glai'es&
4hile the Master 4eapons Chart at the end o( this %hapter sho)s )hi%h polearms
%ause e*tra damage )hen set to re%ei'e a %harge# any polearm %an .e used to re%ei'e a
%harge regardless o( )hether it %auses e*tra damage&
The Real Way To Use A Polearm
1Alright2 listen up2 for 5 am onl going to sa this once. 5 gro) )ear of seeing
groups of #um#ling amateurs running around )ith polearms2 each person )ith a
different tpe. 4ne uses his hal#erd2 another uses a pike2 still another has a guisarme-
voulge2 and he cannot even pronoun%e it2 let alone use it3 $his is ridiculous. 5f ou are
going to use a polearm2 use it correctl3 "ere!s ho).
1&irst of all2 for the gods! sake2 tr to get some idea of )here our group is going.
Are ou going to the 8ungle or a dense forest= <ou are= $hen )h #u a polearm2 ou
fool3= <ou )ill have no room to )ield it2 and more often than not ou!ll )ind up poking
our comrade!s ee out. /ake sure that the terrain suits the )eapon.
1.e0t2 once ou kno) that the destination 8ustifies a polearm2 each person should
get the same tpe of polearm. $he )eapons var in the speed )ith )hich the can #e
s)ung and the amount of space needed to )ield the things. 6ifferent polearms
complicate )hat should #e a simple operation.
1When ou see an enem charging at ou2 have all the polearm #earers line up in
the front ro)2 )ith )eapons set to receive the charge. 5n order to set for a charge2 the
)ielder should stand side)as2 leaning for)ard so the left shoulder faces the oncoming
foe. $he polearm should #e set at an angle2 )ith the head pointing a)a from the ground2
facing up at the enem. $he end of the handle should rest against the instep of the right
foot. -oth hands hold the pole firml. <ou are no) read to receive a charge.
14nce the enem impales himself on the #lades2 ou cannot 8ust pull out the staff
)eapon and #egin hitting the creature. <our non-polearm-)ielding comrades #ehind ou
should #egin thro)ing spells2 hurling missiles2 spears2 )hatever2 at the impaled foes. $r
our #est to keep the enem on the #lade2 and out of our reach.
1.o) that!s the )a to use a polearm3 5t is a team effort that needs to #e
practiced often. 7emem#er this2 and perhaps it )ill save our life3!!
-- &iona the 7anger2 6aughter of 6ierdre
A)l "i4e
Also -no)n :ust as a 1pi-e1 and a Morris pi-e /%orruption o( Moorish0# this is an
in(antry spear ranging ; to @@ (eet in length& A)l heads are usually lea(5 or loBenge5
shaped& The pole is made o( a strong )ood# su%h as ash& Many pi-e heads are made )ith
t)o tongues o( steel# nailed do)n the sides o( the sha(t in order to pre'ent the head (rom
getting ha%-ed o((& The grip is o(ten .ound )ith %loth and the .utt %apped in steel to
pre'ent the sha(t (rom splitting& The a)l pi-e has the du.ious distin%tion o( .eing the
slo)est polearm a'aila.le& Add to this its medio%re damage against man5siBed opponents#
and one is le(t )ith a )eapon o( questiona.le 'alue# e*%ept )hen used en masse on the
.attle(ield&
6ariche
The )ord .ardi%he is the %orrupted spelling o( .erdysh& The .erdysh /Russian
term0 is in e((e%t an elongated .attlea*e )ith a large# narro)# %ur'ed a*e head measuring
@D to >@ in%hes long# mounted on a pole (i'e to eight (eet long&
The upper part o( the head %an .e used (or thrusting# )hile the lo)er part is in the
(orm o( a langet& A langet is an iron strap used to in%rease the strength o( the head and
prote%t the most e*posed part o( the )eapon (rom .lo)s&
2erdysh require more room to )ield than a pi-e or a spear# .ut the )eapon has a
unique (un%tionG it %an .e used as a gun rest& The smaller .erdysh ha'e t)o rings (or
atta%hing to a shoulder strap& This arrangement is popular among horsemen&
6ec e Cor?in
Also %alled the .e% de (au%on# the names mean 1%ro),s .ea-1 and 1(al%on,s .ea-1
respe%ti'ely& This pole )eapon has a hoo- mu%h li-e a .ird,s .ea- and is ideal (or %utting
open armor li-e some great %an opener& The )eapon also has a hammer or a*e side that
deli'ers a solid hit& This is a highly spe%ialiBed )eapon# designed (or the purpose o(
%utting armor then stri-ing the no) unarmored 'i%tim )ith the other side o( the )eapon&
The pole sha(t is eight (eet long&
6ill#(uisarme
Also -no)n simply as a 1.ill#1 this )eapon is deri'ed (rom an agri%ultural tool#
the .ill hoo-& Throughout its years o( use# the .ill,s head )ent through many %hanges& $ts
most %ommon head (orm is a sharp spi-e )ith a sturdy hoo- )hose inside and outside
edges )ere sharpened# and a %utting .lade reminis%ent o( a %lea'er& The pole length
ranges around eight (eet&
Fauchar
De'eloped (rom the %ommon agri%ultural si%-le or s%ythe# the (au%hard %onsists
o( a long# %ur'ing .lade )ith a large# pointed head and a fluke /a small# %ur'ed hoo-
(ound on many polearms0& The head is mounted on a )ooden pole a.out eight (eet long&
=easants %an o(ten %hange s%ythes into (au%hards&
The (au%hard is %lassi(ied as a glai'e& $t is not 'ery good as a thrusting )eapon#
.ut is used mainly as a slashing )eapon& $t (ul(ils the need (or a )eapon that puts some
distan%e .et)een the )ielder and his enemy&
Sin%e the (au%hard is not an instrument designed (oremost as a )eapon .ut rather
a (arm tool adapted (or )ar# it is ine((i%ient as a )eapon o( )ar# .eing rather .ul-y and
needing a large area to .e used properly&
Fauchar#For4
This term denotes a (au%hard )ith the (lu-e atta%hed& The (lu-e )as added in
order to impro'e the )eapon,s thrusting %apa.ility# .ut the e((ort )as (ruitless& $t is still a
.ul-y )eapon# requiring mu%h spa%e to .e )ielded e((e%ti'ely&
(lai'e
The glai'e is a pole )eapon )ith a large head shaped li-e a -ni(e or a s)ord
mounted on an eight5 to ten5(oot long sha(t& The .lade usually turns out)ard in order to
in%rease the %utting area& Some glai'es are (itted )ith (lu-es& O'erall# the glai'e,s damage
potential is not spe%ta%ular# .ut its long rea%h ma-es up (or this& $t e((e%ti'ely ta-es a
normal s)ord .lade and gi'es it a great rea%h&
(lai'e#(uisarme
This term des%ri.es a glai'e )ith a (lu-e mounted on the .a%- o( the .lade& $t is
slo)er and hea'ier than a glai'e# and its potential damage is nothing note)orthy&
(uisarme
Also %alled the gisarme or the giserne# the guisarme is an ela.orately %ur'ed
.lade# mu%h li-e the %res%ent .lade o( an a*e# atta%hed to a si*5(oot long sta((& Thrusting
spi-es are o(ten atta%hed to the top o( the sha(t& The guisarme is supposed to ha'e %ome
(rom the (armer,s pruning hoo-& The )eapon may ha'e %ontri.uted to the de'elopment o(
the .erdysh and the hal.erd&
(uisarme#$oulge
This term des%ri.es the guisarme in its later stages# )ith a %ur'ed a*e5head& $t
(eatures a .a%- spi-e# the (lu-e# (or pun%hing through armor# and the .lade,s end tapers
(or thrusting atta%-s& O(ten# the (lu-e is repla%ed )ith a sharp hoo- (or use in
dismounting riders& $t is a slo)er )eapon than the plain guisarme .ut %auses %ompara.le
damage&
Hal?er
2y (ar the oldest and most o(ten used polearm# the hal.erd %onsists o( a
%lea'erli-e a*e .lade mounted on a sta(( a'eraging si* (eet in length& The a*e .lade is
.alan%ed at the rear )ith a (lu-e# and surmounted .y a sharp spi-e# usually o(
quadrangular design& The (lu-e is sometimes repla%ed .y a hoo- used to dismount
%a'alry& A hal.erd %an .e .est des%ri.ed as a %ross .et)een a spear and an a*e&
Though a hal.erd,s main (un%tion is to dismount %a'alry# it may also .e employed
as a thrusting )eapon and a %utting )eapon& $t is not a (ast )eapon# e'en %ompared to
other polearms& Still# it does more damage to a man5siBed opponent than all other
polearms&
Hoo4#Fauchar
Ci-e the (au%hard5(or-# the hoo-5(au%hard is another attempt to impro'e the
(au%hard& This )eapon has a hoo- (itted on the .lade,s .a%-& The hoo- is used to
dismount %a'alry& Ci-e its prede%essors# it )as not a 'ery e((e%ti'e )eapon& $ts damage
potential is horri.le %ompared to the (au%hards that it )as supposed to impro'e upon# and
it is slo)er than the original (au%hard&
Lucern Hammer
The lu%ern hammer is a hammerhead )ith a spi-e at its rear# mounted on a long
pole# rea%hing as mu%h as ten (eet in length& $n some %ases# the end is (itted )ith a spi-e
to -eep enemy soldiers at .ay& $t is one o( the hea'ier pole )eapons and is rather slo)&
The entire )eapon is usually made o( steel# in%luding the pole# and o(ten it is de%orated
)ith %ar'ings and pre%ious metal gilding&
Military For4
The military (or- is the )arrior,s 'ersion o( a simple agri%ultural (arming tool&
The head %onsists o( t)o parallel spi-es# o(ten (itted )ith hoo-s (or pulling horsemen o((
their mounts& Certain 'ersions o( the (or- ha'e a .lade mounted :ust .elo) the spi-es&
The )ooden sta(( is a.out se'en (eet long&
7or-s are use(ul not only as thrusting )eapons# .ut as tools (or %lim.ing the
de(ender,s ramparts# setting up ladders# and hoisting .as-ets o( supplies&
"artisan
The partisan /alternati'ely spelled 1partiBan10 is a sta(( )eapon %onsisting o( a
long# tapering# dou.le5edged spear .lade )ith t)o diagonally5set (lu-es at the .ase& The
sha(t is a.out eight (eet long& The partisan,s (lu-es may .e used to %at%h and .rea-
opponents, )eapons# as )ell as to in(li%t e*tra damage& =artisan heads are large enough to
allo) engra'ing and ornamentation&
9anseur
Also -no)n as the ran%oon and the ra)%on# the ranseur resem.les a partisan#
e*%ept that the ranseur,s (lu-es are longer# resulting in a three5pronged head& The (lu-es
are# ho)e'er# shorter than the middle .lade& =artisans are sturdier than ranseurs& The
three prongs are large enough to pun%ture armor or trap a )eapon and disarm the
opponent /%onsidered a Called Shot# 5D to hit# see Com.at %hapter o( $he %omplete
&ighter!s "and#ook0&
!petum
Spetums are similar to ranseurs# e*%ept that the side .lades sometimes angle
.a%-)ard# in%reasing the damage )hen the .lade is pulled out o( a )ound& 4hen the
)eapon is pulled out o( a 'i%tim# he su((ers an additional d@ hit points o( damage due to
the side .lades& The spetum,s sha(t is eight (eet long&
$oulge
Also %alled the 'ouge and the Co%ha.er a*e# this )eapon is a large# long .lade#
narro)ing to a spi-e at the top# )ith a hoo-5shaped (lu-e at the .lade,s rear& The sta(( is
eight (eet long& Though it is a simple )eapon to ma-e# this ad'antage is o((set .y the (a%t
that it is one o( the slo)est polearms a'aila.le&
1$aken as an entire )eapon group2 polearms are a useful )eapon especiall in an
outdoor setting. $heir advantages include a good reach2 e0cellent defensive capa#ilit2
and the a#ilit to knock opponents off their mounts. Among the dra)#acks of polearms as
a )hole are the amount of room needed to )ield them2 their diminished usefulness in
close-quarters melee2 their overall slo)ness2 and their encum#rance. Also2 )ith so man
polearm tpes to choose from2 it is unlikel that a group of adventurers all have the same
)eapon or that everone in the group )ill )ant a polearm of an sort in the first place.
Polearms are more effective if several people have them? a single adventurer )ielding a
hal#erd is not going to stop a ro) of four charging orcs. 7emem#er the advice given
earlier and tr to co-ordinate polearm choices #efore going off to adventure.!!
-- &iona2 6aughter of 6ierdre
The sarisa# a Ma%edonian in(antry spear# )as the an%estor o( the pi-e& The S)iss
redis%o'ered the idea o( mounting a spear head on a 'ery long pole# and it .e%ame so
popular that they adopted the pi-e as their national )eapon in the "th %entury& Their
pro)ess )ith the pi-e# not only as a de(ensi'e )eapon .ut as an o((ensi'e one# prompted
other European nations to adopt it& The pi-e remained in use until the end o( the <th
%entury# )hen mus-ets and .ayonets made the long spears o.solete&
The .erdysh )ere %reated .y the Russians and used .y Mus%o'ite in(antry during
the ;th and <th %enturies& They )ere also used in S%andina'ia and eastern Europe&
The .e% de %or.in /and (au%on0 )as used .y the upper %lasses during the Cate
Middle Ages and early Renaissan%e& The terms are 7ren%h# .ut the )eapons )ere so
named .y English )riters+
The .ill )as a popular )eapon )ith the English# and# along )ith the hal.erd#
remained in use longer than all other polearms# )ell into the early <th %entury& The
English .ills had a shorter sha(t length# usually around (our (eet# and )ere rather tough&
The glai'e /deri'ed (rom the Catin gladius# meaning 1s)ord10 .lade in%reased in
siBe o'er the years until it )as .ig enough to ha'e a nation,s or ruler,s %oat o( arms
engra'ed upon it& $t )as o(ten %arried in parades& Glai'es )ere introdu%ed in the Dth
%entury and (a'ored .y the 7ren%h& The .lade is said to resem.le a large .read -ni(e& The
;th %entury $talians and Germans (a'ored the glai'e as a pala%e guard )eapon&
The guisarme )as used e*tensi'ely .et)een the @th and <th %enturies&
8al.erds )ere introdu%ed sometime .et)een the ;th and !th %enturies AD# )hen
(oot soldiers o( Northern Europe mounted their s)ords# %alled s%ramasa*# on poles& The
S)iss re(ined this )eapon and )ielded it )ith de'astating s-ill& $n (a%t# hal.erds )ere
-no)n to split a man,s head (rom pate to :a)# armor not)ithstanding+ The hal.erd got its
name during the (irst primiti'e 'ersions made .y the S)iss&
The )ord hal#erd %omes (rom the German )ords halm /sta((0# and #arte /a*e0&
=rimiti'e hal.erds had a )ide .lade )ith a straight %utting edge& The sta(( (it
through t)o so%-ets in the .a%- o( the .lade& This design )as pro.a.ly inspired .y the
guisarme& 2y the end o( the "th %entury# the hal.erd )as modi(ied in order to in%rease
its e((e%ti'eness& This is the hal.erd type most o(ten re(erred to )hen using the term& The
primiti'e hal.erds )ere soon re(erred to as the S)iss vouge /'oulge0& Ci-e most
polearms# the hal.erd (ell into de%line )ith the introdu%tion o( (irearms&
Con(usion o(ten e*ists )hether a lu%ern hammer is a hammer& $t is sa(e to say yes#
it is a hammer# and is alternately %alled a )ar hammer& A short5handled 'ersion o( the
lu%ern hammer )as used .y mounted troops as early as the mid5>th %entury& $t is longer
than the )eapon most ad'enturers %all a )ar hammer and is used mainly .y massed units
on the .attle(ield& The lu%ern hammer gets its name (rom the S)iss %ity o( Cu%erne#
)hose armories )ere )ell5sto%-ed )ith the )eapon# so mu%h so that s%holars named
them a(ter the %ity&
Military (or-s are des%ended (rom (armer,s pit%h(or-s# though the (ormer,s spi-es
)ere straight as opposed to the %ur'ed spi-es o( the latter& This )eapon appeared
(requently during the Crusades and peasant re'olts (rom the "th to !th %enturies& $n
!@F# =olish peasants used (or-s to (ight o(( So'iet troops atta%-ing 4arsa)&
=artisans are a deri'ati'e o( the langde.e'e# a .road5.laded spear& The name
partisan %ame (rom the people )ho )ielded it# the partisans# in late "th %entury 7ran%e
and $taly& A(ter its retirement as a )eapon o( )ar# partisans %ontinued to .e used as
%eremonial )eapons in royal %ourts& $n (a%t# the S)iss Guards o( the Eati%an and the
9eomen o( the Guard at the To)er o( Condon still use partisans at state o%%asions or
)hen in (ull dress&
The term voulge has .een used to des%ri.e many types o( polearms# thus its true
meaning is o.s%ure& A num.er o( te*ts asso%iate the 'oulge )ith the English .ill# the
7ren%h glai'e# and the S)iss 'ouge# the latter o( )hi%h is the a%%epted 'oulge (orm& The
lo%ha.er a*e is a S%ottish polearm used in the ;th to Ath %enturies# most li-ely
des%ended (rom the gisarme&
Cuarterstaff
The simplest and hum.lest o( sta(( )eapons# the quartersta(( is a length o( )ood
ranging si* to nine (eet in length& 8igh quality quartersta'es are made o( stout oa- and
are shod )ith metal at .oth ends& The quartersta(( must .e )ielded )ith .oth hands&
1Such a simple )eapon2 et so popular. An class of adventurer2 #e he an armored
)arrior2 spell thro)er2 cutpurse2 or man of faith2 can use a quarterstaff. $he staff is also a
fine practice )eapon2 especiall in place of other t)o-handed )eapons such as t)o-hand
s)ords or polearms. $he staff is held in the middle )ith the left hand2 )hile the right
hand holds on at one-quarter of the )hole staff!s length from the end.
1@uarterstaves are popular among the kenku2 the msterious2 4riental2 #irdlike
humanoids. $his #lunt )eapon is usuall used to knock out an opponent as opposed to
killing him.
1Wizards ma decorate their staves2 even cast spells on them in order to make the
)eapons look magical. 5t ma fool someone into thinking that a simple )ooden staff is in
fact a sta(( o( the magi&,,
-- Al#ertus2 -attle /age
!ap
Alternati'ely %alled a .la%-:a%-# the sap is a small leather .ag (illed )ith sand#
lead shot# %oins# or other )eighted materials& $t is used to quietly -no%- out a 'i%tim .y
administering a .lo) to the head or .a%- o( the ne%-& Thus# the sap has no e((e%t on
helmeted targets& $( the sap stri-es any other part o( the .ody# the damage is hal'ed and
there is no other e((e%t&
O( the damage %aused .y the sap atta%-# @"H is a%tual physi%al damage# and the
other <"H is temporary damage that )ears o(( in d; turns&
$n order to e((e%ti'ely use the sap# the atta%-ing %hara%ter ma-es a Called Shot at
5A to hit& $( a hit is s%ored# damage is determined normally& The atta%-er then has a "H
%han%e per hit point o( damage to -no%- out the 'i%tim# up to a ma*imum o( DFH& This
maneu'er )or-s only against targets that are man5siBed or smaller&
4hen a sapping maneu'er is per(ormed on a sleeping or magi%ally held 'i%tim#
the maneu'er automati%ally hits# .ut the %han%e o( -no%-out in%reases to FH per hit
point o( damage# to a ma*imum o( AFH&
1A sap is more suited to an ur#an environment than to the great outdoors or
dungeon cra)l. 5t is a )eapon favored # thieves looking to cosh someone on the head
and take his purse. 5f a part of adventurers is infiltrating a stronghold in order to
capture someone2 ho)ever2 a sap ma come in hand.!!
-- >rian 6arkstar2 the 5nfiltrator
!courge
The s%ourge is a short )hip )ith se'eral leather tails or thongs& Ea%h thong has
metal .ar.s# .ro-en glass# or any other sharp (ragments atta%hed along its length& A
similar de'i%e# the %at5o5nine5tails# is a nine5tailed )hip )ith -nots tied in ea%h thong&
The s%ourge is not so mu%h a )eapon as it is a means o( in(li%ting great pain& Still#
it %auses damage and %an .e used as a )eapon&
The only %reatures -no)n to )ield s%ourges )ith any sort o( %onsisten%y are the
2alor Tanar,ri# %haoti% e'il deniBens o( the A.yss& This should gi'e the idea o( the type o(
%reature )ho )ields su%h an instrument&
1A scourge= Wh )ould an self-respecting adventurer )ant one= $hose dreaded
things are most associated )ith torture2 not com#at. .o one raises an ee )hen an
adventurer )alks into to)n )ith a s)ord? a man has to protect himself2 and2 times #eing
)hat the are2 no one )ill #egrudge an adventurer!s right to carr a s)ord. -ut carring
a scourge )ill pro#a#l mark someone as a follo)er of some cruel2 torturing deit2 or at
the ver least2 as an evil person. An adventurer )ith a shred of decenc )ill avoid the
scourge and get something that )ill put an enem out of its miser2 not prolong it3!!
--Strang of $empus
1"o) odd. Personall2 5 find the scourge to #e of great value in temple )orship. 5t
is also a great motivator.!!
-- +eeahn2 Priestess of +oviatar2 /istress of Pain
The s%ourge is truly a monument to man,s a.ility to %ause su((ering& 4hen a
s%ourge hits a 'i%tim# the thongs %url around the trun- and lim.s# )ith the .ar.s digging
into the (lesh& The torturer then pulls the s%ourge a)ay# ripping e'en more o( the 'i%tim,s
s-in& $n an%ient Rome# %ertain soldiers )ere trained )ith the s%ourge to %ause the
ma*imum amount o( pain )ithout -illing the 'i%tim& Roman %itiBens )ere e*empt (rom
s%ourging# )hile su.:e%t peoples )ere not&
!ic4le
The si%-le is a (arming implement %onsisting o( a %res%ent5shaped .lade mounted
on a short handle& $t is used in %om.at primarily .y peasants or ad'enturers )ho ha'e no
)eapon and are (or%ed to ma-e do )ith )hate'er they %an (ind& Most (arms ha'e si%-les#
)hi%h are used (or %utting )eeds# grass# and grains&
Druids (a'or the si%-le due to its strong asso%iation )ith agri%ulture& Golden
si%-les are used to har'est mistletoe as %omponents (or druid spells&
As a )eapon# the si%-le is as e((e%ti'e as a dagger# .ut is slo)er o'erall&
!ling
Slings ha'e e*isted sin%e the .eginning o( re%orded history& The .asi% sling
%onsists o( a leather or (a.ri% strap )ith a pou%h (or holding the missile& The )eapon is
held .y .oth ends o( the strap and t)irled around the )ielder,s head& 4hen top speed is
attained# the missile is laun%hed .y releasing one o( the strap,s ends&
The sling is a %heap )eapon and is easy to ma-e& Thus# it is %ommon among
peasants# espe%ially sin%e it ma-es a good hunting )eapon&
The sling,s missile is either a smooth# rounded stone or a .all o( lead& 4hile
stones are easier to (ind /most shallo) streams ha'e an a.undan%e o( smooth stones0# the
lead .ullet %auses more damage and (lies (arther than the stone&
A sling,s pro:e%tile is %apa.le o( produ%ing se'ere .ruising or e'en .ro-en .ones
against a man or his mount& Against armor# ho)e'er# the sling loses most o( its
e((e%ti'eness&
8al(lings are -no)n to .e quite good at using the sling# and it is a %ommon
)eapon among mem.ers o( that ra%e&
1Slings are a fine missile )eapon for thieves2 since the )eapon is easil
concealed and quiet. Actuall2 it is not a #ad proficienc for anone to pick up2 since
making a sling and finding ammunition is eas. $he sling!s missiles have a good range. 5f
using a sling out-of-doors2 one never lacks for ammunition2 though lead #ullets fl
farther and cause more damage.!!
-- Ariane2 Professional %utpurse
Slings )ere hea'ily used .y the peoples li'ing around the Mediterranean .asin&
The Romans did not assign slings to their soldiers# .ut allo)ed their au*iliary troops to
use them& The sling )as used during the Middle Ages# and slingers are depi%ted on the
2ayeu* Tapestry# not as soldiers# .ut as hunters&
!pear
One o( man,s earliest )eapons# dating .a%- to the most primiti'e o( times# the
(irst spears )ere simply )ooden poles or sti%-s sharpened at one end& 4hen (ire )as
dis%o'ered and mastered# spear points )ere hardened .y %harring& As man .e%ame more
adept at using tools# spears )ere either (itted )ith a stone head or the point )as
rein(or%ed )ith splints o( stone or .one&
4hen man mastered metals# spear heads )ere made (rom iron and steel& 8a'ing
rea%hed this end# )eaponers .egan e*perimenting )ith di((erent types o( spear heads#
thus leading to the de'elopment o( %ertain polearm types su%h as the ranseur&
Spear sha(ts are usually made (rom ye) or ash# sin%e these )oods are .oth
(le*i.le and strong& The sha(ts range (i'e to ele'en (eet in length& $n melee# spears may .e
used either one or t)o handed# )ith more damage in(li%ted i( used in the latter mode&
Spears F (eet or longer %annot .e )ielded )ith one hand&
Though spears are normally used (or thrusting# they %an also .e thro)n& Spe%ial
de'i%es e*ist (or hurling spears& These de'i%es are 'ariously shaped pie%es o( )ood# horn#
or .one )ith hoo-s# hollo)s# or groo'es meant to house the spear .utt& 4hen using one
o( these thro)ers# the spear,s thro)ing range is dou.led& The %ost o( a spear thro)er is
gold pie%e& The thro)er )eighs t)o pounds&
A %hara%ter )ielding a spear gains an atta%- .onus (or high De*terity and a
damage .onus (or high Strength&
Long !pear
A long spear is li-e a normal spear# e*%ept that its sha(t ranges @ to > (eet in
length and %annot .e thro)n&
Or%s and ogres use spears o(ten in .attle& They are simple )eapons (or simple5
minded %reatures&
1Spears are versatile2 since the can #e used # footmen and horsemen alike. $he
former can set their spears into the ground2 in hope of impaling a charging enem.
&ootmen can use spears as melee )eapons or as missile )eapons. "orsemen use spears
in much the same )a as lances.
1As for long spears2 unless one is prepared to forego shield protection and use the
)eapon )ith t)o hands2 it is not )orth selecting over the normal spear. +ong spears need
room to #e )ielded properl2 the cannot #e thro)n2 their damage is not much #etter
than a normal spear2 and the are slo)er than their smaller #retheren.!!
-- +ord -oris Aladimir2 Professional Warrior
Spears ha'e e*isted sin%e the =aleolithi% era# some "FF#FFF years ago& 8orsemen
o( @F#FFF 2C .egan using them as missile )eapons# %omplete )ith the hurling de'i%es
e*plained earlier&
The Gree-s )ere (ond o( large (ormations o( spearmen in their armies&
The 7ran-s .egan produ%ing )hat )e -no) as the spear& These spears had long#
lea(5shaped .lades and t)o triangular 1)ings1 set :ust .elo) the head& These )ings
pre'ented the spear (rom penetrating too (ar into a 'i%tim /and %onsequently ma-ing it
harder to pull out0# and ena.led the spear %arrier to parry more easily )ith his )eapon&
$n the Dth %entury# spears used .y horsemen e'ol'ed into the lan%e& Cong spears
in the "th %entury de'eloped into the pi-e&
!taff#!ling
Also %alled the (usti.alus# the sta((5sling %onsists o( a )ooden rod# three to (our
(eet in length# )ith a sling atta%hed to one end& The rod is used to in%rease the range that a
hea'y o.:e%t %an .e thro)n .y ena.ling the slinger to t)irl the sling harder& $t is not
meant to in%rease the distan%e o( the a'erage sling .ullet& $n (a%t# it has poorer range (or
stones or .ullets&
An optional (orm o( ammunition is the stin-pot# a %lay 'essel (illed )ith .urning
sul(ur or qui%-lime& This is %onsidered a grenade5li-e )eapon and is su.:e%t to the
%om.at rules (ound in Chapter Nine o( $he Plaer!s "and#ook& 7or range# the stin-pot
has a short range o( @F (eet# medium range o( DF (eet# and long range o( ;F (eet&
4hen the stin-pot .rea-s# e'eryone in a @F5(oot diameter %ir%le )ho does not
lea'e the area )ithin one round must sa'e 's& poison or .e una.le to atta%- or mo'e at
greater than hal( their mo'ement rate& Those )ho sa'e su%%ess(ully atta%- at a 5@ penalty
due to nausea and )atering eyes& The e((e%ts last as long as the su.:e%t remains in the
area and (or dD rounds therea(ter&
The stin- %loud lasts (or d>K rounds# then dissipates& Optionally# stin-pots in
underground settings may gi'e o(( %louds that last d;K rounds due to la%- o( open air&
Due to the tra:e%tory that a sta((5sling gi'es a missile# it %annot (ire at short5range
targets& $t has less range than a sling and is a slo)er )eapon# .ut the sta((5sling %an hurl a
hea'ier o.:e%t&
1Anone )ho gets a staff-sling in the hope of seeing his sling #ullet fl into the
ne0t kingdom is in for a rude shock. $he )eapon is onl good for hurling large loads a
health distance. $he stinkpot idea is perhaps the #est )a to get the most use out of the
staff-sling. 4ne thing!s for sure2 as much as halflings like slings2 ou!ll rarel catch one
using this thing3!!
-- Severian2 /aster S)ordsman
!tiletto
Also -no)n as a stylet# the stiletto is a short dagger )ith a strong# triangular or
square5se%tioned .lade that tapers to a sharp point at the tip& The stiletto is designed (or
thrusting# in parti%ular to pier%e armor su%h as leather or mail& There(ore# the stiletto gi'es
the )ielder a K@ .onus to atta%-s against plate mail# ring mail# %hain mail# and all (orms
o( leather armor& Most stilettos are made %ompletely o( steel&
Most %ities# e*%ept those in'ol'ed in a )ar# prohi.it the %arrying o( a stiletto sin%e
it is an easily %on%ealed )eapon&
Stilettos are narro) enough to .e %on%ealed in s)ord %anes or e'en in the handle
o( a large s)ord# su%h as the long# .astard# or t)o5handed s)ords&
!)or
(eneral .nformation
History of the !)or
The most %ommon de(inition o( a s)ord is an edged )eapon )ith a long .lade
made (or %utting .lo)s# thrusts# or .oth&
S)ords (irst appeared in the prehistori% period )hen humans# )ho had .een using
daggers o( stone# .egan )or-ing )ith %opper& The %opper dagger %ould .e (ashioned )ith
a long .lade# and in the ensuing years# the .lades got longer and longer& E'entually# the
.lade rea%hed su%h a length that it %ould no longer .e %alled a dagger&
This ne)# impro'ed )eapon )as superior to the dagger# )hi%h )as qui%-ly
relegated to a se%ondary role in melee %om.at&
Copper e'entually ga'e )ay to .ronBe& S)ords o( 'arying lengths /)hat )e no)
-no) as the long s)ord and short s)ord0 %ame into .eing# )ith .lades ranging (rom @< to
>" in%hes&
S)ord design )as in(luen%ed .y the dagger& Sin%e the dagger is a thrusting
)eapon# early s)ords )ere also designed (or thrusting& E'entually# the need arose (or a
)eapon %apa.le o( slashing .lo)s# so s)ords de'eloped the dou.le5edge# still retaining
the sharp point&
S)ord handles )ent through their o)n stages o( de'elopment& $n southern
Europe# s)ord handles )ere de%orated )ith i'ory# gold# and semi5pre%ious stones# )hile
in northern Europe# the handles )ere de%orated )ith engra'ings&
The dis%o'ery o( iron re'olutioniBed s)ord ma-ing& 2ronBe )as rare# )hile iron
)as plenti(ul# though the latter )as harder to )or- )ith& The %hange (rom .ronBe to iron
)as slo)& 7or three %enturies# .oth iron and .ronBe s)ords )ere in use&
The Romans de'eloped the gladius# a short s)ord# in order to ha'e a )eapon that
their rigidly5trained troops %ould use )ith s)i(tness and pre%ision&
4ith iron pro'ing itsel( superior to .ronBe# the latter )as relegated (or a%%essory
parts# su%h as the grip or the sheath& The 8allstatt %ulture de'eloped longer s)ord .lades
/>5>" in%hes0 as ad'an%es in iron)or-ing ena.led them to ma-e lighter and stronger
.lades& These .lades )ere so plia.le that they %ould .e t)isted into a spiral (or three or
(our turns .e(ore .rea-ing& This )as -no)n as 1pattern )elding&1 One dra).a%- o( this#
ho)e'er# )as the (a%t that the .lade %ould .e%ome misshapen )hen it stru%- something#
o(ten (or%ing the )ielder to stop (ighting and straighten out the .lade )ith his (oot or a
ro%-+ This )as the type o( s)ord that Galli% and Teutoni% armies used against Roman
legions# and is %onsidered a long s)ord& O(ten# the %ra(tsman ma-ing a s)ord pla%ed a
trademar- identi(ying the ma-er&
As s)ords e'ol'ed# a small o'al plate )as pla%ed .et)een the shoulder o( the
.lade and the grip& This )as designed to prote%t the grip against damage (rom the metal
mouth o( the sheath& $t also prote%ted the user,s hand&
Early stories o( (amous -nights in%lude lore a.out their s)ords# e'en mentioning
the %ra(tsmen )ho made the )eapons& Sieg(ried had 2almus# Roland had Durandal# and
Charlemagne had ?oyeuse& Jing Arthur# o( %ourse# had E*%ali.ur&
$n the Carolingian period# the s)ord,s grip )as altered# .e%oming more
spe%ialiBed and de(ined& The o'al atta%hed to the grip )as turned into a (our5sided .ar
a.out (our in%hes long& This .e%ame the guard& The )ooden grip ended in a large
pommel# )hi%h .alan%ed the )eapon& Su%h a s)ord measured a.out DF in%hes in length&
At the start o( the Romanesque =eriod /th5@th %enturies0# the s)ord,s (orm
remained the same# .ut the .lade .e%ame .roader& These s)ords are %onsidered .road
s)ords .y some s%holars&
During this period# the s)ord )as used primarily (or slashing .lo)s# as re(le%ted
in the 2ayeu* Tapestry# )hi%h sho)s armed men using s)ords in this manner&
The Gothi% period sa) s)ords .e%oming more spe%ialiBed# depending on the
-night,s intentions& The -night,s s)ord )as a thing o( .eauty and strength# and it is this
s)ord that resem.les the long s)ord o( (antasy& Jnights usually o)ned se'eral s)ords#
ea%h )ith its o)n use&
$n the "th and ;th %enturies# s)ords )ere gi'en to %ommon (oot soldiers# and
their designs %hanged a%%ordingly& There )ere more ring5guards /to prote%t (ingers0#
-nu%-le .o)s# and other su%h de'i%es& The t)o5handed s)ord emerged (rom this era&
During the ;th %entury# (ighters .egan emphasiBing s)ord thrusts# and .lades
%hanged to a%%ommodate this& Ela.orate .as-et hilts )ere per(e%ted to gi'e the hand
.etter prote%tion& This ga'e .irth to s)ords su%h as the rapier&
2y the end o( the ;th %entury# )ith guns rising in prominen%e# s)ords )ere
in%reasingly relegated to duelling&
The longs)ord is %onsidered .y some to .e the prin%iple )eapon o( no.ility# the
.road s)ord the typi%al )eapon o( the %ommoner# and the .astard and t)o5handed
s)ords the spe%ialiBed )eapons o( mer%enaries&
E'entually# the s)ord .e%ame a sym.ol o( tradition# and is still )orn on many
military dress uni(orms out o( respe%t (or that tradition&
6astar !)or
Also -no)n as the hand5and5a5hal( s)ord# the .astard s)ord deri'es its name
(rom the (a%t that it is hal()ay .et)een the t)o5handed s)ord and the long s)ord&
The .astard s)ord has a dou.le5edged .lade and a long grip# )hi%h %an
a%%ommodate .oth hands i( pre(erred& The o'erall length o( the .astard s)ord ranges
.et)een (our (eet and (our (eet ten in%hes&
Some .astard s)ords are equipped )ith -nu%-le guards# and others ha'e
asymmetri%al pommels shaped li-e animal or .ird heads&
1$he #astard s)ord is an e0cellent2 versatile edged )eapon )hich can #e used
one-or t)o-handed. Using it t)o-handed gives a )arrior #etter damage potential2 #ut
makes him una#le to use a shield. 5t is also a slo)er )eapon. Using it one-handed allo)s
the use of a shield2 #ut causes less damage2 compara#le to that of a long s)ord.!!
-- +ord ;on 5ronedge2 7uler of "a)khaven
6roa s)or
The .road s)ord is a hea'y military s)ord )ith a dou.le5edged .lade& O'erall
s)ord length is a.out three and one5hal( (eet# and the s)ord is designed mostly (or
%utting& Most .road s)ords ha'e a .as-et hilt or a shell guard& A (a'ored %a'alry )eapon#
the .road s)ord is -no)n in di((erent %ultures .y di((erent names# usually dependant on
the hilt %on(iguration& The .as-et hilt .road s)ords o((er a K .onus to =arry maneu'ers&
$n addition# pun%hing atta%-s done )ith the .as-et hilt are treated li-e a metal gauntlet
/see the Plaer!s "and#ook# Chapter !0&
1$he #road s)ord is as fast as a long s)ord and causes compara#le damage to
man-sized targets2 #ut lacks the same a#ilit against larger creatures. 5ts #enefits in
parring and hand-to-hand com#at are good2 #ut if an adventurer is more of the Bforget
finesse2 let!s 8ust hack them to #its! school2 a long s)ord or a #astard s)ord ma #e a
#etter choice. Someone )ho likes sho)ing off2 such as a s)ash#uckler2 )ould favor a
#road s)ord.!!
-- 7ushlight of $eths2 7anger
Claymore
The %laymore is a large# %ross5hilted s)ord %onsisting o( a straight# .road# dou.le5
edged .lade and long quillons angling to)ard the .lade& The grip is leather5%o'ered and
topped )ith a )heel5shaped pommel& The s)ord is slightly shorter than the t)o5handed
s)ord&
Claymores are treated as .astard s)ords in terms o( damage# )eight# and )eapon
speed&
Claymores are greats)ords o( S%ottish origin# used .y 8ighlanders and S%ottish
mer%enaries in $reland& The s)ord )as popular (rom the end o( the "th %entury to the
early <th %entury& The term clamore is (rom the Gaeli% claidheamohmor# meaning
great s)ord&
Cutlass
The %utlass is a s)ord )ith a single5edged# %ur'ed# .road .lade atta%hed to a
.as-et hilt& The .lade is short and hea'y& The s)ord is (a'ored among pirate %re)s and is
easily (ound in port %ommunities# .ut is rare inland& Cutlass users en:oy the same
ad'antages in =arrying as .road s)ord users&
1%utlasses cause damage compared to short s)ords2 #ut are slo)er and heavier.
A #road s)ord is a #etter )eapon2 since it gives the same Parr #enefits and causes more
damage.!!
-- &irst /ate Arlundar2 of the galleon Angel)ing
Falchion
The (al%hion is a s)ord )ith a single5edged# hea'y .lade& The .lade,s .a%- is
usually straight# )hile the edge has a %ur'e& The .lade also .roadens %lose to the tip#
)hi%h gi'es the .lade a %lea'er5li-e appearan%e and in%reases the damage in(li%ted& The
s)ord is hea'y# )hi%h also %ontri.utes to a (earsome %utting .lo)&
(laius
The gladius is the (irst re(ined 'ersion o( the short s)ord& $t has a dou.le5edged
.lade and a strengthened tip& The grip is made o( )ood# .one# or i'ory and is topped )ith
a round pommel& The s)ord is %arried on a )arrior,s right side# slung (rom a .aldri%
passing o'er the le(t shoulder& $n terms o( damage and length# the gladius or drusus
resem.les the short s)ord&
A drusus is a gladius o( e*%eptional quality# and %onsequently has a series o(
spe%ial things asso%iated )ith its %are in order to maintain a sharp edge& The restri%tions
are listed in $he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook /Equipment Chapter0&
Ehopesh
This Egyptian )eapon has appro*imately si* in%hes o( handle and quillons& The
.lade e*tends straight out a.out eighteen in%hes (rom the handle# then %ur'es into a slight
si%-le shape (or another t)o (eet& $n e((e%t# this only adds another eighteen in%hes to the
o'erall length& The entire s)ord is usually made o( .ronBe or iron&
1$he khopesh is a slo) s)ord2 heav and un)ield. 5ts damage is unremarka#le
as compared to other s)ords2 especiall )hen one realizes the dra)#acks that must #e
suffered )hen )ielding the khopesh. All in all2 it is a primitive )eapon of a culture that
has not grasped the finer techniques in s)ord-smithing.
1Still2 the )eapon resem#les a sickle in some )as and is usa#le # druids. $his
gives these nature priests a chance to )ield a s)ord2 et sta )ithin their )eapon
restrictions.!!
-- Ei#helin "athleah2 WarriorCPriestess
Long !)or
These s)ords are usually re(erred to as dou.led5edged s)ords# )ar s)ords# or
military s)ords& $n many %ases# the long s)ord has a single5edged .lade& There is no
single 'ersion o( the long s)ord6 the design and length 'ary (rom %ulture to %ulture# and
may 'ary )ithin the same %ulture depending on the era&
Among the most %ommon %hara%teristi%s o( all long s)ords is their length# )hi%h
ranges (rom >" in%hes to D< in%hes& $n the latter %ase# the .lade is -no)n to ta-e up DF
in%hes o( the total length&
Most long s)ords ha'e a dou.le5edged .lade and a sharp point at the tip& Despite
the tip# the long s)ord is designed (or slashing# not thrusting&
O(ten# long s)ords ha'e t)o groo'es that run the length o( the .lade# one on ea%h
sur(a%e& These groo'es are %alled (ullers# and are meant to ma-e the s)ord lighter and
more (le*i.le& $( a s)ord did not ha'e some elasti%ity# it )ould shatter )hen it hit a target&
The handles o( all long s)ords (it only one human5siBed hand& Most long s)ords
ha'e a small# o'al# metal plate .et)een the .lade,s .ase and the grip& This o'al prote%ts
the grip (rom getting damaged against the metal in the mouth o( the sheath& $t also o((ers
some modest prote%tion to the hand& A se%ond pie%e o( metal# either o'al or round# is
(itted onto the pommel&
1Ah2 the long s)ord3 A )arrior!s #est friend3 5t is )ithout a dou#t the most
common melee )eapon among skilled adventurers2 and rightl so. 5t inflicts a respecta#le
amount of damage to #oth man-sized and large opponents2 is fairl fast for its size2 and is
relativel light.
1Elves favor long s)ords2 and most are trained from childhood in their use. 4ne
guess as to the reason for this is the fact that the s)ord is light and quick and can cause a
lot of damage )hen in #attle2 much like the elves themselves. $hat!s onl a guess2 of
course2 and the truth ma never #e kno)n2 at least if 5 have anthing to sa a#out it.!!
-- +ord .oro Goldentree2 "igh Elf
The %lassi% long s)ord depi%ted in (antasy gets its design (rom the Gothi% period& This
is the longest 'ariety o( long s)ord# )ith a DF5in%h .lade&
9apier
The rapier is a light )eapon )ith a straight# dou.le5edged# pointed .lade& $t is
designed to .e a light# thrusting s)ord& The term rapier is o(ten used to des%ri.e a
%i'ilian )eapon# as opposed to the hea'ier and deadlier s)ords o( soldiers and
mer%enaries& Rapiers are (ashiona.le among no.les and gentlemen&
As a ne) art o( (ighting e'ol'ed )ith emphasis on thrusting )ith the .lade as
opposed to slashing# a ne) )eapon )as required& This art is -no)n as (en%ing# and it
requires a rapier& As the sport gre) in popularity# the rapier )as required to .e narro)er
and lighter& $t .e%ame not a slashing )eapon at all# .ut a )eapon purely (or thrusting&
The early rapier handles ha'e straight quillons /%ross guards0# side guards# and
-nu%-le .o)s& The later 'ersions ha'e shell guards# similar to the .as-et hilts o( the .road
s)ord and %utlass& As a result# the rapier )ielder en:oys the same =arry and pun%hing
.onuses outlined earlier&
1$he rapier isn!t as fast as the short s)ord2 #ut it does a slight #it more damage.
$he rapier is a good dueling )eapon2 and is popular )ith rich oung no#les and
s)ash#ucklers.!!
-- 7ollo2 Aspiring S)ash#uckler
!a?reA!cimitar
Alternati'ely spelled sa#er# this s)ord is a long# %ur'ed# single5edged .lade
intended mostly (or horsemen& $t is a popular )eapon (or light %a'alry& The sa.re,s hilt
grants the user the =arry and pun%hing .onuses o( the rapier&
Mem.ers o( the (oul ra%e o( yuan5ti o(ten use s%imitars&
1Another curved2 single-edged #lade= Well2 the sa#re is a #it different since it!s
meant to #e a slashing )eapon instead of a thruster like the rapier. -oth s)ords cause
the same amount of damage and are equall as fast.
1As for the scimitar2 it is merel another form of sa#re2 #ut )ith heavier 4riental
influences. 5t causes slightl #etter damage than the sa#re2 and is 8ust a #it slo)er.
6ruids favor scimitars.!!
-- G)nne Arendahl2 &ighter
The sa.re )as initially de'eloped in Central Asia# used .y tri.es that )andered
the steppes& 2y the !th %entury# the Sla's# )ho .attled the Asians# had adopted the
)eapon& The term sa#re is Sla'i%58ungarian&
Sa.res )ere used e*tensi'ely in %entral and eastern Europe and .y the Tur-s&
The =ersian style o( the sa.re )as dis%o'ered .y Napoleon,s troops& This 'ersion
)as -no)n as the shamshir# )hi%h is %ommonly %alled the s%imitar& This .lade has a
greater %ur'e to it and is tapered to an elongated# sharp point&
!hort !)or
The short s)ord is the (irst type o( s)ord to %ome into e*isten%e& $n the simplest
o( terms# a short s)ord %an .e %onsidered a dagger )ith a .lade so long that it %an no
longer .e %alled a dagger& The term short s)ord does not e*ist in s)ord %lassi(i%ations&
8o)e'er# it has %ome to .e used to des%ri.e a dou.le5edged .lade a.out t)o (eet in
length& The s)ord tip is usually pointed# ideal (or thrusting&
Short s)ords are (itted )ith a handle that %an a%%ommodate only one hand&
1$he short s)ord is a good )eapon for archers2 cross#o)men2 and other )arriors
)hose primar )eapon is not a s)ord2 #ut )ho see the necessit for having an edged
)eapon that causes respecta#le damage. $he small size and lightness of the s)ord makes
it an ideal )eapon to carr )ithout the )arrior )orring a#out getting encum#ered )ith
too much )eight. Short s)ords are quick )eapons2 almost as fast as daggers2 and
causing more damage. A short s)ord )ith even a minor enchantment #ecomes an
e0tremel valua#le )eapon.
1"alflings2 gnomes2 and d)arves are kno)n to favor short s)ords2 since the
)eapon!s length is compati#le )ith their stature.
1Elves are trained in use of the short s)ord. 5t is a common elven )eapon for t)o
reasons, the elves favor the s)iftness and lightness of the )eapon2 and2 since man elves
are archers2 the short s)ord #ecomes a good fall#ack )eapon should the enem close
ranks into melee range.
1$he short s)ord is often seen on the #elts of the average man2 or at least the
average man )ho can afford one and kno)s ho) to use it3 5t is a good )eapon to have in
a cit2 provided one follo)s an local rules for securing the )eapon. A short s)ord
ena#les a man to discreetl )ear a s)ord in the cit2 not calling as much attention to
himself as he )ould if he )ore a #astard s)ord or t)o-handed s)ord strapped to his
#ack3!!
-- %endril2 Elf Warrior-/age
The short s)ord is a des%endant o( the Roman gladius& $n essen%e# it is a gladius
made .y impro'ed metal)or-ing te%hniques&
The Germans de'eloped the #aselard short s)ord# %ommon in the ;th %entury#
)hile the $talians had the cinquedea# a short s)ord )ith a .lade that )as .roader at the
.ase& 2oth 'ersions o( short s)ord )ere popular )ith %i'ilians# not pro(essional soldiers
or -nights&
T)o#Hane !)or
The t)o5handed s)ord is a deri'ati'e o( the long s)ord& 4eaponsmiths ha'e
al)ays loo-ed (or )ays to impro'e e*isting )eapons& $n an e((ort to impro'e the long
s)ord# the .lade )as lengthened /ha'ing a longer rea%h than one,s enemy is al)ays
pre(era.le0& E'entually# the handle had to .e e*tended and t)o hands .e%ame ne%essary
in order to properly s)ing the s)ord& The primary (un%tion o( t)o5handed s)ords is
%lea'ing mounted -nights and .rea-ing up pi-e (ormations&
The .lade on the t)o5handed s)ord is a long# dou.le5edged .lade& The .lade
point may .e sharp or rounded& The hilt has straight or slightly %ur'ed quillons& The
pommel may .e (a%eted# triangular# or pear shaped# though )hate'er the shape# it tends to
get larger to)ard the top# as a %ounter.alan%ing measure&
As its name implies# this s)ord is a t)o5handed )eapon and %annot .e used in
one hand# e'en i( the )ielder has high Strength& The )eapon and its hilt are .alan%ed (or
t)o5handed use& A (ighter )ielding a t)o5handed s)ord %annot use a shield&
An a'erage t)o5handed s)ord measures (i'e to si* (eet in length& $t is a (a'ored
)eapon among (oot soldiers&
The astral ra%e -no)n as the Githyan-i (a'or t)o5handed s)ords& These )eapons
tend to .e de%orated )ith gems# .eads# and pre%ious metals&
1$his is the sort of )eapon that makes a statement to all )ho see the )ielder2 and
the statement is .e)are& $he t)o-handed s)ord is correctl associated )ith lots of
damage. 5n fact2 )earing such a s)ord slung across our #ack ma make the impression
that the )ielder is not so much interested in saving his o)n neck 9since he cannot use a
shield and is consequentl easier to hit: as he is in relieving an enem of his head.
1$his s)ord is slo) and heav2 #ut then again2 it needs to have great mass in
order to cause the damage that it does. Warriors )ho carr a t)o-handed s)ord usuall
don!t carr an other large or medium-sized )eapon. At #est2 a dagger is carried as a
#ackup )eapon of desperation.
16espite the impressive features of the t)o-handed s)ord2 a #astard s)ord is a
#etter )eapon. &irst of all2 the #astard s)ord gives the )arrior the choice of using it one-
or t)o-handed2 thus ena#ling him to use a shield.
1&urthermore2 the #astard s)ord is faster. $he t)o-hander does a #it more
damage than the #astard s)ord )ielded t)o-handed2 #ut the difference is insignificant.
Still2 )hen it comes to hitting those e0tra large #easties such as dragons2 a t)o-handed
s)ord comes in might hand.!!
-- &innegan -ospur2 Paladin
The t)o5handed s)ord )as a )eapon o( >th %entury Teutoni% origin& $t )as
e*tensi'ely used .y German and $talian (oot soldiers (rom the mid5"th to the late ;th
%entury& $n later years# the t)o5handed s)ord .e%ame largely a %eremonial or
pro%essional )eapon# usually hea'ily de%orated&
Trient
A trident is a long pole measuring (our to eight (eet )ith a metal# triple5.laded
(or- on one end& $t is not used as a )eapon .y pro(essional armies# .ut has seen some
limited use (rom peasant guerrillas& The trident is normally a tool used (or (ishing# )ith
some limited uses as an agri%ultural or hunting tool& $t is a t)o5handed )eapon&
Se'eral aquati% ra%es# su%h as lo%athah# mermen# sahuagin# and tritons# use
tridents& They realiBe the 'ersatility o( the trident# sin%e it is e((e%ti'e as .oth a (ishing
tool and a )eapon&
War Hammer
Mounted -nights %annot e((e%ti'ely use long pole )eapons )hile on horse.a%-#
and as a result# many )eapons ha'e .een (itted )ith shorter sha(ts so they may .e
)ielded )ith :ust one hand& Ma%es and (lails are t)o pre'ious e*amples o( this55the )ar
hammer is another&
The horseman,s )ar hammer is the des%endent o( the Cu%erne hammer& $t is made
entirely o( steel# )ith rondels prote%ting and strengthening the grip& Rondels are small
dis-s o( metal# o(ten shaped into de%orati'e designs& The sha(t is a.out A in%hes long&
D)ar'es (a'or )ar hammers as a primary )eapon& $t is guessed that# gi'en the
d)ar'es, s-ill in using the hammer (or non5%om.ati'e purposes# they naturally de'eloped
the s-ill (or using it as a )eapon o( )ar& The )ar hammer personi(ies the d)ar'en ra%eG
short# tough# and .lunt&
Some )ar hammers are (itted )ith a spi-e at the top& This %an .e used as a
thrusting )eapon and %auses d> points o( damage&
1A )ar hammer is a good secondar melee )eapon. 5t causes a little more
damage than a dagger and can #e thro)n 8ust as far. $he )eapon is terrific against
skeletons2 #etter than edged )eapons. 5n a pinch2 the )ar hammer can also #e a tool for
things like hammering in spikes. A lot of clerics )ho can!t use edged )eapons have found
the hammer an accepta#le alternative.!!
-- Pandar Goldsmith2 6)arven Warrior
Whip
The )hip or .ull )hip is a long# hea'y# plaited lash usually made o( leather or
ra)hide /untanned hide0& The .raided leather is thi%-er to)ard the handle# narro)ing to a
slender %ord at the end& Some handles are )ooden rods atta%hed to the lash# )hile others
are part o( the same pie%e o( ra)hide& The )hip,s length 'aries (rom " to @" (eet& A )hip
is %arried %oiled and atta%hed to the user,s .elt&
Common uses (or the )hip in%lude leading herd animals and as a tool (or
punishment&
$( a %hara%ter )ishes to -no%- a )eapon out o( an opponent,s hand# this may .e
attempted )ith a )hip using a Called Shot )ith intent to disarm& The atta%-er gets a 5D
penalty on his atta%- roll& 7urther details are (ound in $he %omplete &ighter!s "and#ook
in the Com.at %hapter&
A %hara%ter pro(i%ient )ith the )hip %an entangle an opponent,s lim.s or )eapon&
2e(ore rolling the atta%- die# the user de%lares )hether or not he intends to entangle& $( a
hit is s%ored# some sort o( entanglement o%%urs& $( )ielded .y a non5pro(i%ient user# the
%han%e to entangle is only "H& $( )ielded .y someone pro(i%ient# there is a "H %han%e per
le'el that entanglement o%%urs /to a ma*imum o( !"H0& =er%entile di%e are rolled to
determine the e*a%t e((e%t& The entanglement %han%es are "FH /F5"F on dFF0 (or one
lim.# FH /"5;F0 (or t)o lim.s# @FH /;5AF0 (or the )eapon arm and the )eapon# and
@FH /A5FF0 (or the head&
8o.go.lins are -no)n to %arry )hips# .ut this is pro.a.ly more (or -eeping
prisoners and sla'es in line than as a %om.at )eapon& Still# a ho.go.lin )ielding a )hip
should .e presumed to .e s-illed at it# and a.le to ma-e the spe%ial atta%-s )ith it&
1$he )hip is another e0ample of something designed for one purpose that gets
used for another2 much like a pitchfork2 pruning hook2 or harpoon. As a )eapon2 the )hip
is unimpressive if ou!re talking a#out ra) damage. $he )hip is great for %alled Shots
and such2 #ut tr using a )hip on a troll2 and all ou!ll get is one slightl stung2 ver mad
troll.
1$he same holds true for armored targets. A )hip is designed for hitting #are
skin. An sort of armor2 including leather and padded2 )ill help protect the )earer from
the )hip!s sting.
1.o2 if someone is looking for a )eapon that causes damage and is a good
parring tool2 the )hip is not it. 5f ou en8o fanc maneuvers and #izarre trick shots2
then the )hip is the right thing. $he )hip is #etter suited for the cit environment2 )here
there are more humans2 demi-humans2 and other such races )hich fear the lash2 as
opposed to the )ilderness2 )here mriad monsters a#ound )ho do not shrink from a little
pain.
1A )hip is a slo) )eapon. Someone using a )hip must have at least (D feet
#et)een himself and the enem2 since a )hip )ill not )ork too )ell in close quarters.
1A )hip is great for a fighter )ho )ants to disarm an opponent2 snare a victim2 or
even )rap the )hip around a #eam and use it to s)ing over a chasm.!!
-- Gorin Grim#lade2 Aeteran Warrior
TA6LE 5: Master Weapons Chart
Weight !pee Damage
$tem Cost /l.s0 SiBe Type 7a%tor S5M C
Arque.usMMM "FF gp F M = " dF dF
2attle A*e " gp < M S < dA dA
2elaying pin @ %p @ S 2 D d> d>
2lo)gun " gp @ C 55 " 55 55
2ar.ed Dart sp S S = 55 d> d@
Needle @ %p S S = 55
2olas " sp @ M 2 A d> d@
2o) 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
Composite long .o) FF gp > C 55 < 55 55
Composite short .o) <" gp @ M 55 ; 55 55
7light arro) > spO@ S M = 55 d; d;
Cong .o) <" gp > C 55 A 55 55
Shea( arro) > spO; S M = 55 dA dA
Stone arro)# (light > %pO@OF M = 55 dD dD
Short .o) >F gp @ M 55 < 55 55
Caltrop @ sp @OF S = nOa d@
Cestus gp @ S S @ dD d>
Chain " sp > C 2 " dDK dD
Clu. 55 > M 2 D d; d>
Cross.o) 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
8and quarrel gp S S = 55 d> d@
8and %ross.o) >FF gp > S 55 " 55 55
8ea'y quarrel @ sp S S = 55 dDK d;K
8ea'y %ross.o) "F gp D M 55 F 55 55
Cight quarrel sp S M = 55 dD dD
Cight %ross.o) >" gp < S 55 < 55 55
Dagger or dir- @ gp S = @ dD d>
2one dagger sp S = @ d@ d@
=arrying dagger " gp S = @ d> d>
Stone dagger @ sp S = @ d> d@
Dart " sp O@ S = @ d> d@
7lail# 7ootman,s " gp " M 2 < d;K @dD
7lail# 8orseman,s A gp " M 2 ; dDK dDK
Ga((O8oo- 55 55 55 55 55 55
Atta%hed @ gp @ S = @ dD d>
8eld " %p @ S = @ dD d>
8andOThro)ing a*e gp " M S D d; dD
8arpoon 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed @F gp ; C = < dDK d;K
T)o5handed @F gp ; C = < @dD @d;
?a'elin 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed " sp @ C = D dD dD
T)o5handed " sp @ C = D d; d;
?a'elin# Stone 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed " %p @ M = D dD dD
T)o5handed " %p @ M = D dDK d;
Jni(e " sp O@ S =OS @ d> d@
2one -ni(e > %p O@ S =OS @ d@ d@
Stone -ni(e " %p O@ S =OS @ d@ d@
Can%e T 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
8ea'y horse lan%e " gp " C = A dAK >d;
?ousting lan%e @F gp @F C = F d>5 d@5
Cight horse lan%e ; gp " C = ; d; dA
Medium horse lan%e F gp F C = < d;K @d;
Casso " sp > C 55 F 55
Main5Gau%he > gp @ S =OS @ dD d>
Man%at%her MM>F gp A C 55 < 55 55
Morning star F gp @ M =O2 < @dD d;K
Net " gp F M 55 F 55 55
4eight Speed Damage
$tem Cost /l.s0 SiBe Type 7a%tor S5M C
=olearm 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
A)l pi-e N " gp @ C = > d; d@
2ardi%he < gp @ C S ! @dD @d;
2e% de %or.in A gp F C =O2 ! dA d;
2ill5guisarme < gp " C =OS F @dD dF
7au%hard " gp < C =OS A d; dA
7au%hard5(or- A gp ! C =OS A dA dF
Glai'e M ; gp A C S A d; dF
Glai'e5guisarmeM F gp F C =OS ! @dD @d;
Guisarme " gp A C S A @dD dA
Guisarme5'oulge A gp " C =OS F @dD @dD
8al.erd F gp " C =OS ! dF @d;
8oo- (au%hardF gp A C =OS ! dD dD
Cu%ern hammer N < gp " C =O2 ! @dD d;
Military (or- M " gp < C = < dA @dD
=artisan N F gp A C = ! d; d;K
Ranseur N ; gp < C = A @dD @dD
Spetum N " gp < C = A d;K @d;
Eoulge N " gp @ C S F @dD @dD
Puartersta(( 55 D C 2 D d; d;
Sap gp OF S 2 @ d@ d@
S%ourge gp @ S 55 " dD d@
Si%-le ; sp > S S D dDK dD
Sling " %p S S 55 ; 55 55
Sling .ullet %p O@ S 2 55 dDK d;K
Sling stone 55 O@ S 2 55 dD dD
Spear 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed A sp " M = ; d; dA
T)o5handed A sp " M = ; dAK @d;
Spear# long 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed " gp A C = A dA dAK
T)o5handed N " gp A C = A @d; >d;
Spear# stone 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed A %p " M = ; dD d;
T)o5handed A %p " M = ; d; @dD
Sta(( sling @ sp @ M 55 55 55
Stin-pot sp @ S 2 55 d> d>
Stiletto " sp O@ S = @ d> d@
S)ord 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
2astard s)ord 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed @" gp F M S ; dA d@
T)o5handed @" gp F M S A @dD @dA
2road s)ord F gp D M S " @dD d;K
Claymore @" gp F M S A @dD @dA
Cutlass@ gp D M S " d; dA
Drusus "F gp > M S > d;K dAK
7al%hion < gp A M S " d;K @dD
Jhopesh F gp < M S ! @dD d;
Cong s)ord " gp D M S " dA d@
Rapier " gp D M = D d;K dAK
Sa.re < gp " M S D d;K dAK
S%imitar " gp D M S " dA dA
Short s)ord F gp > M = > d; dA
T)o5handed s)ord "F gp " C S F dF >d;
Trident 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
One5handed " gp " C = < d;K >dD
T)o5handed " gp " C = < dAK >dD
4ar hammer @ gp ; M 2 D dDK dD
4hip sp @ M 55 A d@
M This )eapon in(li%ts dou.le damage against %harging %reatures o( C or greater siBe&
MM This )eapon %an dismount a rider on a su%%ess(ul hit&
MMM This )eapon a'aila.le only i( allo)ed .y the DM&
T This )eapon in(li%ts dou.le damage )hen used (rom the .a%- o( a %harging mount&
N This )eapon in(li%ts dou.le damage )hen (irmly set to re%ei'e a %harge&
S These items )eigh little indi'idually& Ten o( these )eigh one pound&
Chapter D
Ad'enturer,s Equipment
The (ollo)ing se%tion in%ludes in(ormation a.out the general equipment used .y
ad'enturers& $n addition to armor and )eapons# a %hara%ter also needs equipment to (ight
the elements and rugged terrain that he )ill en%ounter on his :ourneys&
2a%-pa%-s
Ad'enturers, .a%-pa%-s %ome in a )ide 'ariety o( shapes# siBes# and materials&
The least e*pensi'e 'ariety is a simple %an'as sa%- equipped )ith shoulder straps& These
may .e pur%hased or %onstru%ted .y the ad'enturer&
A .a%-pa%- may also .e a )o'en .as-et )ith a )o'en or )ooden lid& This is
%arried on the .a%- .y means o( shoulder straps& They are dura.le# .ut %um.ersome due
to their rigid (orm&
The pre(erred style o( .a%-pa%- is a leather .ag equipped )ith multiple po%-ets
and slung o'er the shoulders )ith padded shoulderstraps& Some types o( leather may .e
)aterproo(ed& Su%h a .ag has a leather (lap that is se%ured )ith one or more .u%-les& $(
the .ag is loaded properly and se%ured %orre%tly# the %ontents )ill not spill e'en i( the
ad'enturer is suspended upside do)n&
E*perien%ed tailors or leather)or-ers may .e %ommissioned to %onstru%t spe%ial
.a%-pa%-s& This may in%lude spe%ial po%-ets to hold %ommonly used items or a spe%ial
padded se%tion o( po%-ets to hold 'alua.le .rea-a.les su%h as potions& Cost o( su%h .ags
is generally dou.le that o( the delu*e .a%-pa%-&
CostG Sa%- D sp
2as-et " sp
Delu*e Ceather @ gp
6loc4 & Tac4le
A .lo%- and ta%-le is a set o( ropes and pulleys that in%reases the a.ility to li(t
hea'y o.:e%ts& 4hen a rope is passed through the multiple )heels o( the .lo%-s# it allo)s
%hara%ters o( any degree o( strength to pull hea'y o.:e%ts /more than their normal
strengths )ould allo)0&
A .lo%- and ta%-le has limited use and normally %an .e used only to li(t o.:e%ts
'erti%ally& $n addition# the .lo%- and ta%-le must .e a.le to .e se%urely suspended a.o'e
the o.:e%t and ha'e enough room (or the ad'enturers to )or-&
A .lo%- and ta%-le may .e %onsidered to add a KD .onus to any one %hara%ter,s
Strength# (or purposes o( li(ting# to a ma*imum o( !& $( a num.er o( persons )or-
together# a .onus o( K@ is added to the Strength s%ore o( ea%h parti%ipant&
2lo%- and ta%-les 'ary in )eight depending on the load they %an support& A .lo%-
and ta%-le suita.le (or li(ting o.:e%ts o( less than @FF pounds )eighs F pounds6 a set
%apa.le o( li(ting #FFF pounds )eighs "F pounds6 and a set suita.le (or li(ting up to
"#FFF pounds )eighs @FF pounds&
A .lo%- and ta%-le %omes equipped )ith a series o( square )ooden .lo%-s )ith
greased internal )heels# straps and harnesses to atta%h the .lo%-s to a )all# tree lim.# or
other atta%hments# and "F (eet o( rope appropriate to the set /depending on the )eight o(
the .lo%- and ta%-le# the rope may .e light# hea'y# or %hain0&
CostG A gp /light0# " gp /Medium0# @" gp /8ea'y0
Crampons
Crampons are sold in pairs to .e atta%hed to hard .oots .y se'eral leather straps&
Crampons are spi-ed and gnarled .ands o( steel that in%rease the tra%tion o( smooth5soled
.oots& They %an .e used to s%ale ro%-y %li((s or %ross i%y plains& 4hen )orn# %rampons
in%rease Clim.ing a.ility .y K"H or Mountaineering pro(i%ien%y .y K& Crampons %an
also .e used as a )eapon& $( a 'i%tim is prone# stomping on the 'i%tim )hile )earing a
pair o( %rampons in(li%ts d@ points o( damage per FF pounds o( )eight o( the %hara%ter&
$( the 'i%tim is in melee# a su%%ess(ul atta%- roll must .e made& Su%%ess %auses point o(
damage /only one (oot %an thrust0& $( an atta%- roll indi%ates a miss# the )earer must
ma-e a su%%ess(ul De*terity %he%- to a'oid (alling& Using %rampons in this )ay ruins
them in a dF rounds o( a%ti'e use&
CostG D gp
Cla)e (lo'es an !hoes
Similar to %rampons# %la)s gi'e %lim.ers and mountaineers greater a.ility to %ling
to handholds and ledges& 2oth types are held on )ith leather straps and add a K"H to
Clim.ing and a K to Mountaineering&
CostG Glo'es > gp# Shoes " gp
Flint an !teel
More than the name suggests# (lint and steel may in%lude a num.er o( items& The
equipment is %arried in a small leather pou%h# o(ten )aterproo(ed# and in%ludes a large
pie%e o( (lint# se'eral %oarse steel .ars# tinder# and s%raps o( %harred %loth& 4ith su%h
tools# a %hara%ter %an start a small smoldering (lame in d; rounds /longer in )indy
%onditions or i( the -indling is )et0&
Starting a (ire )ith (lint and steel requires pra%ti%e# .ut is not di((i%ult& A )ad o(
tinder /(rayed %edar .ar-# thistledo)n# or dried grass0 is pla%ed in a dirt depression& A
s%rap o( %harred %loth /a one5in%h square is su((i%ient0 is pla%ed on the tinder& The (lint is
stru%- against the steel# -no%-ing spar-s o(( the metal& The %ar.on %ontent o( the %harred
(a.ri% is highly ignita.le and lights qui%-ly )hen tou%hed .y a spar-& This# in turn# lights
the tinder and the (ire may gradually .e (ed )ith larger .its o( )ood&
CostG " sp
(rappling Hoo4
A grappling hoo- is used to se%ure a rope (or %lim.ing& A grappling hoo- is
normally made o( t)o# three# or as many as (our %ast iron .ent .ars )elded or (used
together& Delu*e grappling hoo-s are sometimes a'aila.le )ith (olding hoo-s6 thus# they
%an .e (olded (lat (or easy %arrying& Su%h a hoo- %osts appro*imately t)i%e the pri%e o(
an ordinary hoo-&
The grappling hoo- %an .e thro)n easily into a tree# roo( ledge# or ro%-y %re'i%e&
$n determining )hether a grappling hoo- %at%hes in the target o.:e%t# a normal atta%- roll
is made 's& AC F& One round is required to thro) the hoo-6 another round is required to
retrie'e it&
$n an emergen%y# the DM might allo) %le'er ad'enturers to (ashion a ma-eshi(t
grappling hoo- (rom a rope and a )ooden slat or metal rod& This may .e used as a normal
grappling hoo-&
CostG A sp
Healer/s 6ag
This .ag may %ome in any shape or siBe# .ut is usually made o( leather or hea'y
%an'as& $t is used primarily .y %hara%ters )ho ha'e the 8ealing =ro(i%ien%y& A healer,s
.ag allo)s su%h a %hara%ter a K .onus to his %han%e to su%%ess(ully heal a 'i%tim&
A healer,s .ag may .e pur%hased ne)# %omplete )ith all supplies# or may .e
assem.led .y a healer& A %omplete .ag in%ludes >F rolled .andages o( 'arying siBe# @F
(eet o( rolled gauBe# a tiny metal mi*ing .o)l# a %erami% mortar and pestle# and ten :ars
o( 'arious her.s that %an .e %rushed and mi*ed )ith )ater to (orm a paste to .e applied to
)ounds& The -it also in%ludes three %ur'ed needles /o(ten made o( gold to pre'ent rust0
and a spool o( )hite or .la%- sil- thread /"F (eet0 to .e used to stit%h gaping )ounds&
Some -its may in%lude se'eral %erami% 'ials to .e (illed )ith %lean )ater&
CostG ; gp
House?rea4er Harness or !pier
This leather halter is essential (or any thie(& The harness# sometimes re(erred to as
a spider# is an assortment o( straps that are hoo-ed around the thighs and o'er the
shoulders& A .road leather strap is se%ured around the )aist& Atta%hed to the .elts are
small hoo-s# sa(ety %lips# and ad:usta.le %lamps& 7rom these 'arious %lips# the thie( %an
hang small tools or atta%h ropes or tether lines& Using this harness %an pre'ent a thie(
(rom (alling# se%ure him to a )all# or (ree his hands to use his pi%-s&
One possi.le dra).a%- to su%h a harness is the :angling noise it may ma-e& $( a
thie( spends t)o rounds se%uring all %lips and remo'ing any unused %lips# he operates
under his normal %han%e to mo'e silently& $( su%h pre%autions are not ta-en# the thie(,s
%han%e to mo'e silently is penaliBed "H&
CostG A gp
Lantern
An ad'enturer,s lantern is similar to a %ommon lantern# .ut is usually made o(
more rugged material& Ad'enturer,s lanterns rarely ha'e a glass plume or to)er& $n
general# lanterns %ome in three 'arieties# as des%ri.ed .elo)&
6eacon Lantern: A .ea%on is more than a simple lantern& The light sour%e )eighs as
mu%h as "F pounds and is normally (ound in a light house or mounted on a ship rather
than )ith a group o( ad'enturers& A .ea%on pro'ides a (o%used .eam o( light rea%hing @DF
(eet# )ith an additional @F (eet o( semi5dar-ness /a total o( >;F (eet o( light0& A .ea%on
is (ueled .y lantern oil )hi%h lasts @ hours per pint&
CostG "F gp
6ullseye Lantern: A .ullseye lantern is an easily porta.le light sour%e# similar in design
to the .ea%on lantern& $t has a metal housing )ith a panel o( glass to -eep )ind a)ay
(rom the (lame& The metal is usually polished on the inside to re(le%t light out)ard& A trap
door or shutter %an .e set in pla%e o'er the glass to .lo%- out the light& E'en )hen the
shutter is %losed# some light still es%apes (rom the lantern& Closing o(( e'ery %ra%- in the
lantern,s assem.ly )ould qui%-ly e*tinguish the (lame& Su%h lanterns are o(ten equipped
)ith ad:usta.le 'ents to regulate air(lo)& Ad'enturers must remem.er that e'en i( the
shutter is %losed# the lantern )ill shed enough light to gi'e a)ay their position in a dar-
dungeon&
This lantern pro:e%ts light in a (unnelled path& A .ullseye lantern,s light rea%hes ;F
(eet# )ith an additional @F (eet o( semi5dar-ness& A .ullseye lantern .urns si* hours per
pint o( oil&
CostG @ gp
Hooe Lantern: A hooded lantern pro:e%ts light in >;F degrees and is %apped o'erhead
to limit the radiation o( heat& This allo)s it to .e %arried )ith a handle lo%ated at the top
o( the lantern&
8ooded lanterns generally ha'e a metal reser'oir (or the oil and a metal %ap&
2et)een the t)o is a %ylinder o( thi%- glass that allo)s light to es%ape& Some models
ha'e metal spines .et)een panes o( glass or a metal assem.ly )ith dis-s o( thi%- glass
set in& The latter type is the most dura.le&
7e) hooded lanterns %an .e %o'ered to restri%t light# .ut the DM may allo) su%h
lanterns to restri%t light to a (e) (eet&
This lantern pro:e%ts light >F (eet in all dire%tions and .urns si* hours per pint o(
oil supplied&
CostG < gp
Loc4s
Co%-s are a'aila.le (or a 'ariety o( purposes& These range (rom simple padlo%-s
suita.le (or se%uring a small %hest to ela.orate inset door lo%-s (or houses and mansions&
Simple lo%-s are usually made o( iron# steel# or .ronBe and ha'e a simple me%hanism that
opens )ith one -ey& Ela.orate lo%-s may .e made o( gold# sil'er# or other pre%ious
metals& They may ha'e a hidden -eyhole or multiple -eys&
$nset lo%-s are usually %ommissioned to (it a spe%i(i% door& =adlo%-s may .e
a'aila.le (or ready sale (rom a lo%-smith or sometimes a .la%-smith& Single -ey lo%-s are
most %ommon6 dou.le -ey lo%-s are a'aila.le (rom perhaps @FH o( lo%-smiths&
CostG Good 5 FF gp# =oor 5 @F gp
"ro'isions
Dry pro'isions generally %onsist o( a (e) .asi% (oodstu((s& $n general# rations
in%lude a hard .is%uit %alled hardta%-# made o( ground )heat and )ater# and .ee( or
.u((alo :er-y or dried (ish& Dried (ruits su%h as apples# apri%ots# %herries# and raisins may
also .e in%luded in dry rations&
Many hard %heeses %an sur'i'e se'eral days or )ee-s on the trail& Cheese#
ho)e'er# is not part o( standard rations and must .e a%quired in addition to the standard
pa%-age&
Rations are not meant as a su.stitute (or meals (or any length o( time& 7oraged
her.s# greens# .erries# and 'egeta.les are ne%essary to maintain good health& 4ithout
su%h supplements# 'arious nutritional diseases may set in& The disease most li-ely to
plague ad'enturers is s%ur'y& This %an .e a'oided .y the in%lusion o( (ruits# espe%ially
%itrus# and onions&
2oth .ee( :er-y and hardta%- are relentlessly hard6 the .is%uits ha'e 'ery little
taste& Considera.le quantities o( )ater /as mu%h as dou.le a normal ration o( )ater0 must
.e %onsumed )hen li'ing on su%h rations to ma-e su%h (ood digesti.le6 la%- o( )ater %an
also result in dehydration&
$( a party attempts to li'e on rations (or more than three to (our )ee-s at a time#
the DM may rule that point o( Constitution is lost due to nutritional de(i%ien%y& This
may .e re%o'ered .y eating (oods other than rations (or one )ee-&
8ardta%-# :er-y# and the li-e are generally %arried .y human ad'enturers& Other
ra%es ha'e their o)n 'ariations on rations& El'es in parti%ular %arry a mi*ture o( nuts#
%orn# seeds# dried (ruit# and small %andies& This is sometimes %arried as a loose mi*# and
is sometimes %arried in small patties held together .y .ro)n sugar# honey# molasses# or
lard& Either 'ariation requires the %onsumption o( e*tra )ater as e*plained a.o'e&
CostG <5" gp /per one5)ee- supply0
9ope
Rope is one o( the most important items o( equipment to an ad'enturer& A "F5(oot
length o( rope )ill .e used )hen %lim.ing sur(a%es# pulling hea'y loads# repelling do)n
sheer %li((s# and tra'ersing deep ra'ines& There are t)o .asi% types o( ropes&
Hemp 9ope: 8emp is a tough# (i.rous plant used to ma-e stout rope& A hemp rope is
rugged and dura.le# .ut 'ery .ul-y and hea'y& The diameter o( a hemp rope %an range
(rom OD5in%h to three in%hes or more /(ound primarily on ships0& A (i(ty5(oot length o(
hemp rope )eighs nearly @F pounds and is %apa.le o( holding more than "FF pounds o(
)eight&
CostG gp
!il4 9ope: A sil- rope is made o( long threads o( sil-& The threads are .raided together
)ith other strands o( sil- to ma-e thin %ords# and these in turn are .raided together into a
plia.le and sti(( .raid& A sil- rope is less en%um.ering and easier to )or- )ith /its smooth
te*ture is not as rough on the hands0# .ut does not ha'e the a.ility to hold as mu%h )eight
as a hemp rope& Usually no more than @FF pounds %an .e held .y the line at on%e& A sil-
rope )eighs a.out eight pounds (or a "F5(oot length&
CostG F gp
Thie'es/ "ic4s an Tools
A thie'es, tool-it %omes in a (lat# (olding leather %ase or a rolled suede %ase and
in%ludes doBens o( small tools& A set normally %ontains @F )ires# ranging in gauge (rom
the thi%-ness o( string to that o( a slender pen%il& Ea%h is appro*imately @ to A in%hes
long& These are used to po-e into small holes or push triggers or .uttons (rom a short
distan%e& The tool-it also in%ludes a set o( @ s-eleton -eys that (it many standard lo%-s&
Also in the set are se'eral s%re)dri'ers# a )ire %lipper# %lamps# and pin%ers ranging in
three siBes (rom minute# small# and a'erage& 2undled )ith this pa%-age may .e a small
%hisel# ha%-sa)# and hammer&
$n some o( the more delu*e tool-its# small 'ials o( metal5eating a%ids may .e
(ound# along )ith magni(ying glasses and slender pie%es o( high5tempered steel that are
used as miniature %ro).ars& A thie'es, tool-it )ill range in )eight and siBe greatly#
depending on the initial %ost o( the pa%-age&
CostG 2asi% >F gp
Delu*e "F gp
Waters4inAWines4in
4ater and )ine s-ins %ome in a 'ariety o( shapes# siBes# and materials& The most
%ommon type is the -idney5shaped goats-in .ag )ith a metal %ap on the narro) end&
Other types may .e en%ountered made o( sheeps-in# .ears-in# or other hide& 2ar.ari%
ra%es and humanoids /espe%ially or%s# go.lins# and ho.go.lins0 may adorn their
)aters-ins )ith teeth# horns# or hoo'es o( the animal that ga'e up its hide (or the item&
A )aters-in o( normal siBe %an hold t)o quarts o( )ater& =layers should
remem.er that a normal human requires t)o quarts o( )ater per day to maintain good
health& More )ater )ill .e required in hot %onditions or in %ases o( high physi%al a%ti'ity&
Chara%ters su.siding on dry rations also require more )ater& An a%ti'e %hara%ter may
drin- a gallon o( )ater a day# and those tre--ing through deserts and open sa'annahs may
(ind it ne%essary to drin- as mu%h as t)o gallons per day&
CostG A sp
Weapon?lac4
This oily su.stan%e %omes in small 'ials or :ars& Su%h 'ials %ould potentially .e
mista-en (or potions /%onsumption %auses dF points o( damage0&
4eapon.la%- is used to smear the sur(a%es o( )eapons and metal armor to %oat
them )ith a pasty# matte .la%- (inish# rendering them nearly in'isi.le in dar-ness&
Thie'es )ho %oat their .lades gain a K"H .onus to their %han%es to 8ide in Shado)s&
A(ter a typi%al melee# the )eapon.la%- )ill .e )iped (rom most o( the .lade (rom its
hea'y use& The )eapon must .e .la%-ened again i( desired& Armor )ill need its .la%-
%oating tou%hed up (ollo)ing a melee&
A :ar o( )eapon.la%- %ontains enough material to %oat one (ull set o( plate armor#
t)o sets o( s%ale mail# or three sets o( %hain mail& The same siBe :ar %an %oat a long s)ord
F5@ times&
CostG gp
Chapter "
Clothing
.ntrouction
Clothing (or the (antasy ad'enturer 'aries drasti%ally .et)een %hara%ter %lasses# among
so%ial %lasses# (rom one %ity or pro'in%e to the ne*t# and (rom %ampaign to %ampaign&
The types o( apparel presented here are the most %ommonly )orn items o( the medie'al
period&
Many 'ariations e*ist in ea%h arti%le o( %lothing& 7a.ri%s# (asteners#
em.ellishments# and the quality o( %ra(tsmanship %an all %reate )ide 'ariations in style#
%om(ort# and dura.ility& 7or e*ample# a dou.let might .e made o( sil-# linen# or )oolen
%loth# depending upon the s-ill or lo%ation o( the tailor& This must .e ta-en into a%%ount
)hen using the pri%es presented here& The pri%e ranges are intended to .e guidelines only&
=ri%es should .e ad:usted to suit the o%%asion )ithin the ad'enture# ta-ing into a%%ount
the a'aila.le materials and )or-manship and the needs o( the %hara%ter&
(eneral !tyles an Trens
"easant Clothing
The peasant or poor .eginning ad'enturer generally has (e) resour%es and )ears
)hate'er is a'aila.le and (un%tional& Su%h indi'iduals rarely .other )ith (ashion&
Jeeping )arm is usually the (irst priority& There(ore# peasants tend to )ear as many
layers as possi.le&
The most typi%al# .asi%# and (undamental peasant garment is the %hemise# )hi%h
is a loose shirt that %o'ers the .ody (rom the ne%- to the thigh or mid5%al(& A %hemise
may ha'e long or short slee'es or may .e slee'eless&
The ne*t layers o( %lothing add t)o garments to the .asi% %ostume# a %ote and
sur%ote& These t)o arti%les o( %lothing are )orn o'er the %hemise# )ith the sur%ote o'er
the %ote& These items may 'ary in the e*treme# ranging (rom a style resem.ling a -nee5
length tuni% to 'ariations on a simple or hooded %loa-&
Acaemical Dress
Early uni'ersities are o(ten asso%iated )ith the %hur%h# so many o( the edu%ated people#
espe%ially tea%hers# are o( a 8oly Order& There(ore# priestly and a%ademi% dress are
pra%ti%ally identi%al&
The earliest medie'al E%%lesiasti%al dress is the same as the e'eryday %lothing o(
the a'erage person& This %onsists o( many loose# long tuni%s /do)n to the an-les0# a hood
)ith shoulder %ape# hose# and shoes& A round hat )ith a ta. or nu. on the top may also .e
)orn&
4hile se%ular styles %hange# the dress o( priests and a%ademi%s tends to remain
the same& This stagnant style has the e((e%t o( distinguishing the a%ademi% %ommunity
(rom other mem.ers o( the equi'alent %lass le'el& Many priests )ear similar types o(
%lothing and %an there(ore .e immediately identi(ied as either an edu%ated person or a
mem.er o( a priestly so%iety&
!umptuary La)s
The Sumptuary Ca)s# histori%ally passed (rom >FF to <FF A&D&# )ere designed to
restri%t the import o( (oreign goods# and# more importantly# to maintain a so%ial %lass
stru%ture .y permitting only mem.ers o( a %ertain %lass le'el and position to )ear spe%i(i%
garments# (a.ri%s and styles& 7or e*ample# at one time# the most important indi%ation o(
one,s status )ithin the upper %lass )as the type o( (ur that lined the edges o( garments&
7urs permitted only to the aristo%ra%y in%luded marten# 'air# and ermine& $n des%ending
so%ial importan%e order# other (urs )ere otter# (o*# .ea'er# lam.# goat# and )ol(& Any
%ommoner )earing restri%ted materials )as su.:e%t to harsh punishment&
Another e*ample o( a Sumptuary Ca) is the reser'ation o( the %olor purple (or
persons o( royalty& Spe%i(i% purple dyes are made a'aila.le only to the tailors o( the
aristo%ra%y&
At the DM,s option# sumptuary la)s might .e %reated (or %ertain %ities# pro'in%es#
or %ountries& There(ore# spe%i(i% materials may .e hard (or the ad'enturer to (ind (or sale
in the open mar-et& Su%h la)s )ill undou.tedly add (la'or and %olor to role5playing and
may pro'ide the .asis (or unusual ad'entures&
Ad'enturers tra'eling (rom one -ingdom to another %ould easily and un-no)ingly
o((end the lo%al aristo%ra%y .y )earing a (or.idden %olor or material& Common
punishments in%lude a spe%i(ied term o( hard la.or# a )hipping# or imprisonment& The
se'erity o( the punishment 'aries )idely# depending on the -ingdom and other (a%tors&
Materials *se in Meie'al Clothing
6rocae Material
A ri%h (a.ri%# o(ten sil-# )o'en )ith raised designs# usually )ith gold or sil'er thread&
8ighly sought .y the upper %lasses&
6rocatelle
An imitation o( .ro%aded material e*e%uted )ith a %om.ination o( %olored yarns& This
material is used .y mem.ers o( the lo)er %lass to emulate genuine .ro%aded material&
Camlet& camelot
This re(ers to a (a.ri% that is rumored to .e %omposed# in part# (rom an e*oti% animal,s
%oat# namely %amel hair& $t a%tually re(ers to an elegant (a.ri% that is a mi*ture o( sil- or
'el'et and some %amel hair& Used only .y the upper %lasses&
Fur
7ur is the dressed pelt o( 'arious animals# used in the ma-ing o( garments& $t is used as
the predominant material o( some garments# )hile used only as trimming and de%oration
in others&
Many outer garments that are designed spe%i(i%ally (or )armth are made o( (ur#
and may line the inside or the outside o( su%h a garment& =easant %loa-s and other (ur5
lined garments are usually %omposed o( sheeps-in# )ol(s-in# or other smaller mammals&
Other (urs used primarily .y the lo)er %lasses in%lude ra..it and %ommon squirrel& The
poorer people tend to stit%h pie%es o( smaller animal (urs together to pro'ide prote%tion
(rom the %old&
Some (urs are restri%ted and are allo)ed to .e )orn only .y the upper %lass& 7urs
reser'ed (or the aristo%ra%y in%luded sa.le# ermine# and 'air& Espe%ially priBed .y royalty
is the dar-er s-inned sa.le and .la%-5tipped )hite ermine& A 'air is a highly sought
spe%ies o( squirrel&
An ad'enturer %ould ma-e a good deal o( money selling (urs i( a good (urrier and
a )illing .uyer o( the (urs )ere dis%o'ered& Su%h entrepreneurs should remem.er that
some (urs are not only restri%ted (or )earing# .ut merely o)ning the animal,s hide may
.e illegal&
Leather
Ceather may .e %reated (rom the hide or s-in o( any animal# .ird# or reptile& The s-in is
tanned or treated to preser'e it& Ceather is used in the %reation o( many o.:e%ts o( %lothing
and armor& The ma:or ad'antage o( leather is that it pro'ides adequate prote%tion )hile
remaining (le*i.le and supple# (or quiet and %omple* maneu'ering&
Articles of Clothing
Apron
Aprons are )orn (or a 'ariety o( reasons& The most %ommon uses are to prote%t %lothing
and the )earer o( the apron& This %an range (rom a simple %loth apron )orn )hile
preparing a meal to the )earing o( a leather apron .y a .la%-smith& Su%h aprons are made
o( thi%- leather and are intended to prote%t the )earer (rom (lying spar-s and %hips o(
metal&
CostG Cloth "5A sp# Ceather A5@ gp
6ag& "ouch& Almoner& (ipser
These pou%hes are made (rom a 'ariety o( (a.ri%s in%luding leather# sil-# )ool# or linen
and %ome in a 'ariety o( siBes& A spe%ial type o( pou%h is %alled the almoner& $t is )orn .y
mem.ers o( the upper %lass and is used espe%ially (or holding money to .e gi'en as alms#
hen%e the name&
All su%h items are usually atta%hed at the .elt or girdle& The pou%h might .e in
plain sight# or# o(ten in populated areas# it might .e .elted to the undertuni% so the
)andering eyes o( thie'es )ouldn,t see it&
CostG D5A %p
6alarana
This is a (ull# )ide %loa- )ith a hood used .y tra'elers to prote%t against the rain&
CostG ;5! sp
6alric& 6anoleer
Usually made o( leather /or sil- (or those )ho %an a((ord it0# this arti%le o( %lothing is
slung around the .ody (rom one shoulder to the opposite hip and is used to %arry a
dagger# pou%h# .ugle# or s)ord& Some .aldri%s are de%orated )ith .ells or tassels along
the .ottom edge& 2aldri%s are used .oth (or de%oration .y the lords and ladies o( the
aristo%ra%y# and (or pra%ti%al purposes .y ad'enturers and go'ernment o((i%ials& 4omen
o( the upper %lass may )ear sil- .aldri%s )ith gold .ells (or ornamentation&
De%orati'e .aldri%s al)ays ha'e tassels# .ells# or other adornments and are made
o( (ashiona.le materials su%h as sil- or .ro%ade& 7un%tional .aldri%s# in %ontrast# are
%omposed only o( leather and a .u%-le# (or ease o( use and pra%ti%ality&
CostG Ornamental @"5"F gp# Ceather <5F gp
6an
2ands are 'ariations o( %ollars that in%lude the ru(( that is (a'ored .y royalty& Some .ands
simply (old o'er the outer shirt and are %alled a (alling .and# )hile others are designed to
stand up# and are appropriately %alled a standing .and& The ru(( is reser'ed (or (ormal
o%%asions# )hile a (alling .and might .e used (or daily )ear .y an o((i%ial& Most peasants
and ad'enturers .elie'e the )earing o( these .ands to .e sno..ish and a .latant attempt
to emulate the aristo%ra%y&
CostG 5D sp
6oots
2oots are an important part o( the )ardro.e (or tra'eling and outdoor )or- and
ad'enturing& They are 'ital (or prote%tion against %old and )et %onditions as )ell as hot
and ro%-y terrains& Many peasants need to )ear .oots indoors as )ell# as their li'ing
%onditions pre%lude mu%h %om(ort or heat&
2oots may .e (ound in many stages o( design& One o( the most popular is the
pointed toe 'ariety& The e*tended toe is espe%ially popular among per(ormers and
:ugglers# although thie'es )ould do )ell to a'oid them& The pointed toe tends to get in
the )ay )hile %lim.ing and running&
Another %ommon and (un%tional .oot is the leather# mid5%al( .oot )ith roll5tops#
la%ed up the side& A 'ariation on the mid5%al(.oot is the -nee5high .oots# )orn .y
peasants and %alled %o%-ers&
Elegant designs reign at %ourt& Su%h .oots might .e made o( so(t leather and e'en
sil-# em.roidered or inlaid )ith gems& These are more (or sho) than any pra%ti%al
purpose& See Shoes (or more in(ormation a.out (oot)ear&
CostG @5A gp
6oot Hose
These hose are %loth sto%-ings )orn inside the .oot to prote%t the sil- sto%-ing
underneath& They are not 'isi.le outside the .oot and are generally used only .y the
upper %lass&
CostG 5" %p
6raies
2raies are shapeless trousers held up .y a dra)string at the )aist# )orn .y men& They are
usually -neelength or longer# )ith the .ottoms either .eing tu%-ed into sto%-ings or
.ound )ith leg )rappings& 2raies (orm the .asi% daily leg)ear (or the %ommoner&
CostG ;5F sp
6reeches
This outergarment is )orn .y males& 2ree%hes %o'er the hips and legs do)n to the -nees&
This garment has many di((erent styles# (rom (ull# pu((ed designs made (rom e*pensi'e
material to tights made )ith %ommon %loth# similar to the .raie&
CostG @5" gp
6uc4le
A seemingly in%onspi%uous pie%e o( a person,s %lothing# .u%-les a%tually hold great
signi(i%an%e& The .u%-le is one o( the items that denotes )ealth and status )ithin so%iety&
Materials used to %reate .u%-les in%lude sil'er# gold# iron# steel# %opper# and e'en
%erami%& Along )ith the .asi% (orm o( the .u%-le# these items might .e engra'ed# inset
)ith :e)els# or other)ise adorned&
CostG Common 5D gp# Ornamental F5@F gp
Cannons
Cannons are tu.e5li-e .ree%hes that (it snugly o'er a man,s thighs# do)n to his -nees&
This arti%le o( %lothing is usually em.roidered in %olored sil-# gold# or sil'er thread&
Cannons are )orn %hie(ly .y the upper %lasses&
CostG A5@ gp
Caps
Many types o( %aps e*ist# .ut the most use(ul type (or ad'enturers is a (ur %ap ne%essary
in %old %limates& 8igh quality 'ersions o( this %ap may ha'e ear5%o'erings atta%hed&
Generally# %aps (it %losely on the head and are usually .rimless&
CostG 5D sp
Cassoc4
A %asso%- is a long %oat or %loa- )orn outdoors& $t is used %hie(ly .y soldiers and
hunters& $t is )orn un.elted# and .uttons do)n the (ront& This garment is used# espe%ially
.y hunters# (or e*tra )armth )hile out in the %old& The soldier,s 'ersion also ser'es as an
identi(ying uni(orm&
CostG ;5F gp
Caul
These are netted %aps )orn .y )omen# made o( sil- and )ool )ith 'arious designs& 7or
pra%ti%ality# a %aul is used .y )omen to -eep long hair out o( the )ay& 7or de%oration# a
more ela.orate %aul is used during (ormal (un%tions and gatherings&
CostG >5< gp
Chainse& Chemise
This is a )hite linen undertuni% )orn under the .ilaud# the o'ertuni%& The slee'es o( the
%hainse are (itted at the )rists and are 'isi.le .eneath the o'ertuni%& The ne%-line is a
simple round%ut )ith a short slit& This is the most %ommon garment (or the peasant& Men
o( higher %lasses )ear other outer %o'erings o'er the %hemise&
CostG 5; gp
Cloa4& Mantle
The %loa- %an .e made in e'ery possi.le shape )ith :ust a.out e'ery type o( (a.ri%& The
most %ommon (orms are a %ir%ular pie%e o( (a.ri% )ith a hole in the %enter (or the head#
and (a.ri% draped (rom ne%-# %onne%ted .y a %hain# .roo%h# %ord# or pins&
A %ommon dou.le use o( the %loa- is as a .lan-et in the )ilderness& Outdoor
%loa-s are large and made o( dura.le# thi%- (a.ri% to -eep the ad'enturer )arm during
those %old nights under the stars&
CostG @5A sp
Coif
Coi(s are )hite linen %aps )orn .y .oth se*es& They (it %losely on the head and are tied
under the %hin& The %oi( is used as a sleeping %ap and as an underlayer .eneath another
hat&
CostG 5; gp
Dou?let
This is a shirt# usually (astened up the (ront )ith .uttons# and sometimes ha'ing a short#
s-irt5li-e se%tion or peplum& There are many style 'ariations o( dou.lets&
CostG 5; sp
Dra)ers
Dra)ers are an undergarment (or the .ody and legs# usually made o( )hite linen&
Dra)ers are )orn under other trousers to pro'ide additional )armth&
CostG D5A sp
Ferronniere
This item o( :e)elry is a thin %hain )orn around the (orehead )ith a small :e)el set in the
%enter& The (erroniere is )orn e*%lusi'ely .y ladies o( the upper %lass& The )earing o( a
(erronniere is %onsidered to .e an elegant tou%h )ithin the aristo%ra%y& An ad'enturer
hoping to impress someone o( high station might .ene(it (rom )earing a taste(ul
(erronniere&
CostG "F5FF gp
Fitchet
Not an item o( %lothing .ut a (eature on a garment# a (it%het is a 'erti%al opening at the
hip o( a go)n or sur%oat# used to rea%h the .elt and pou%h %on%ealed )ithin& This is
%on'enient (or hiding 'alua.les in a pou%h under many layer o( outer garments# ma-ing it
di((i%ult (or a thie( to (il%h the .ag&
(amash
These long leggings are )orn outside other leg garments to prote%t the )earer (rom %old
and )et )eather& They are made o( %loth and are .uttoned do)n the outside o( the leg&
CostG >5A sp
(arnache
This outer garment %o'ers the )earer (rom the ne%- do)n to the an-les& $t has )ide#
el.o)5length slee'es %ut as part o( the garment# li-e a %ape& This allo)s the )earer to
hide .ul-y items# su%h as )eapons or pou%hes# under the garna%he )ithout attra%ting
attention&
Thie'es and (ighters espe%ially (a'or this garment (or its e*%ellent a.ility to
%on%eal o.:e%ts and allo) the )earer (ull# unhindered mo'ement&
CostG "5F sp
(irle
The girdle# in its usage as it applies to the medie'al period# is a .elt (or the hips or )aist&
$t is )orn .y .oth men and )omen& The girdle is made o( metal# leather# %ord# or (a.ri%
and o(ten has one or t)o ends hanging loosely& O.:e%ts may .e hung (rom the girdle to
add em.ellishment to the o'erall out(it&
CostG 5; gp
(lo'es
Glo'es %ome in many di((erent types and styles& The most %ommon type is a leather
glo'e )orn to prote%t the )earer (rom %old )eather and (rom in:ury& A hea'ier leather
gauntleted glo'e is used (or (al%onry and ha)-ing# to pro'ide a per%h (or the .ird and to
prote%t the (al%oner&
Another (un%tional glo'e is one designed (or ar%hery& Designed to .e )orn )ith a
normal pair o( glo'es# the ar%hery glo'e has t)o or three rein(or%ed leather (ingerstalls
)hi%h are .uttoned a%ross the )rist to pro'ide prote%tion )hen (iring arro)s&
De%orati'e glo'es are also )orn .y men o( the no.le %lass& These glo'es are made
o( so(t leather# suede# or -id and are adorned )ith em.roidery# :e)els# and (ringes&
$n general# glo'es are )orn mainly .y the upper %lass& =easants ma-e do )ith
either %loth mittens or .y )rapping their hands in the e*tra long slee'es o( their shirts&
Many %ustoms ha'e .een .uilt around glo'es& Jnights )ear them as (a'ors in
their helmets during tournaments& They may .e used as pledges and %an .e tossed do)n
as a %hallenge&
CostG Ceather 5> gp# Ar%her >5A gp# Ornate F5@F gp
(orget
The gorget is a %ollarli-e arti%le o( %lothing (or the ne%-# (ull and .road in (ront& This
originally re(erred to a pie%e o( armor that prote%ted the ne%-# .ut it also applies to the
arti%le o( %lothing men and )omen o( the upper %lass )ear around the ne%-&
CostG 5> gp
Hoos
8oods are used to -eep the head dry and )arm in in%lement )eather& 8oods )ere
originally a simple head %o'ering# .ut e'ol'ed into more ela.orate designs su%h as a hood
)ith a small %ape atta%hed& See liripipe (or a spe%i(i% 'ersion o( a popular hood&
CostG 5; sp
Hose
8ose are a %ommon %o'ering (or the legs& The original design )as as roughly5(itting
trousers6 they e'ol'ed into a tighter5(itting garment& The material used to ma-e hose %an
range (rom homespun %loth (or peasants to 'el'et and sil- (or the )ealthy& This arti%le o(
%lothing is )orn instead o( dra)ers& The main di((eren%e is that hose ha'e a tighter (it
than dra)ers& 2oth garments ser'e the same (un%tion# -eeping the )earer,s legs )arm&
CostG 5> sp
Liripipe
This is a hood )ith a long pea- that %an rea%h a length o( @ to ; (eet& The length o( the
pea- 'aries )ith the (ashion o( the day& ?o-ers# :ugglers and other per(ormers espe%ially
(a'or the liripipe&
CostG "5F sp
"antaloons
These are 'arious (orms o( loose %o'erings (or the legs# rea%hing (rom the )aist to the
%al'es& =antaloons are tight (itting at the )aist and %al'es# emphasiBing the o)ner,s
sto%-ings and (oot)ear& They are )orn primarily .y the upper %lass )hile indoors# su%h
as in %ourt&
CostG 5; sp
9uff
This tight# ru((led %ollar is )orn en%ir%ling the entire ne%-& The ru(( is highly admired
)ithin the upper %lass and is used almost e*%lusi'ely .y aristo%ra%y& Although held in
disdain .y the lo)er %lass and most ad'enturers# the ru(( is an e*%ellent pie%e o( %lothing
(or a thie( to o)n# espe%ially one )ho en:oys disguises& 4earing an authenti% ru(( in
%on:un%tion )ith other appropriate upper %lass %lothing )ill almost al)ays guarantee
entran%e to aristo%rati% (un%tions )ith little or no (uss o'er in'itations&
CostG A5@ gp
!hirt
Any undergarment %o'ering the top hal( o( the .ody may .e %onsidered a shirt& This is a
.asi% pie%e o( %lothing )orn ne*t to the s-in&
CostG 5> sp
!hoes
=easants and poor ad'enturers o(ten )ear a simple pie%e o( ra)hide as (oot)ear# o(ten
)ith the (ur still on it& A leather thong is threaded through the top o( the pie%e o( leather
and tied at the top in order to hold the leather in pla%e&
4ealthier people )ear a .asi% leather shoe# %onstru%ted )ith a pointed toe& The
length o( the toe 'aries a%%ording to the indi'idual shoema-er& Some shoe points are so
long that they must .e %hained up and (astened at the -nee& This type o( shoe )ould .e a
hindran%e to an ad'enturer# .ut might .e )orn in a %ity&
CostG Ra)hide 5> sp# Ceather shoe A5@ sp
!lop
This term des%ri.es many loose (itting arti%les o( %lothing su%h as %loa-s# mantles#
go)ns# or .aggy .ree%hes& The term slop indi%ates a parti%ularly %heap# ready5made
garment6 there(ore the lo) %ost&
CostG "5A %p
!urcoat& !urcote
A sur%ote is a loose5(itting garment )orn o'er a %ote or tuni%& There are many styles o(
sur%otes# some )ith slee'es# hoods# %apes# or any %om.ination thereo(& The sur%oat is
used primarily as another layer (or )armth and is )orn .y the middle %lass&
CostG "5F sp
Ta?ar
A ta.ard is a loose5(itting# re%tangular pie%e o( %loth that hangs .a%- and (ront o'er the
tuni%& $t )as originally used to %o'er armor (rom the sun,s rays# -eeping the )earer
%ooler# .ut has de'eloped into %lothing adopted .y non5armored men and )omen& A
person,s sym.ol# %olors# %oat o( arms# or other identi(ying mar-s are %ommonly pla%ed on
this garment&
CostG D5A sp
Tunic
This .ody garment is slipped o'er the head and may .e styled )ith or )ithout slee'es& $t
may .e girded at the )aist& This garment %an .e -nee5 or an-le5length and is sometimes
%alled a %ote&
CostG "5F sp