And presenting, the first batch/version of "Aelyrian Weaponry" by: Me (so far).
Aelyrian Weaponry
This is an attempt to help us players in Role-playing better. The document is by no means perfect, nor comlete. The goal of “Aelyrian Weaponry” is to provide us players with a basis on how weapons may be used, and how to judge their power and strength. The document is divided into multiple parts as follows:
I. Weapons in the Aelyrian Empire
a. Axes in the Aelyrian Empire
b. Bludgeons in the Aelyrian Empire
c. Gripped Weapons in the Aelyrian Empire
d. Knives/Daggers in the Aelyrian Empire
e. Pole Arms in the Aelyrian Empire
f. Ranged Weapons in the Aelyrian Empire
g. Spears in the Aelyrian Empire
h. Swords in the Aelyrian Empire
i. Sword Breakers in the Aelyrian Empire
II. Armor in the Aelyrian Empire
a. Armor in the Aelyrian Empire
b. Helms in the Aelyrian Empire
c. Shields in the Aelyrian Empire
III. Misc. Weapons
a. Seige Weapons in the Aelyrian Empire
b. Legendary Weapons/Armor in the Aelyrian Empire
IV. Smithing in the Aelyrian Empire
Axes in the Aelyrian Empire
Adze
The adze is an ancestor of the modern axe, and perhaps the pick as well. The adze resembles a stone/metal pole placed sideways on a stick, which functioned as a blade-like implement. Its point and edge was sharp, and the weapon-piece varied in size, but could generally be about 6in-12in. Since the adze never actually became a military weapon, or a weapon uniformly used by large groups, the quality of such a weapon varies greatly, due to different materials used, and so, there can also be no relative estimate of weight. The adze could still be used effectively, if used only as a stopgap weapon.
Battleaxe
The battle-axe, or the double-headed axe, has a blade shaped in a convex that is approximately 8in-10in long (measured through the curve), and the width of the head is 10in-14in. This type is wielded in a single hand, and demands an offensive use. The weapon may have an overall length of around 28in-32in. Like all axes, the battle-axe is very good for destroying armored troops, and was an efficient shield-wrecker. The axe may weigh around 3lbs-5lbs, depending on construction.
Bludgeons in the Aelyrian Empire
The term used here includes all non-bladed weapons, such as maces, war hammers, and the like.
Arnis Sticks
The weapons are basically wooden sticks, with no metal implements. They measure from 24in-32in, standard size is 28in in length, and have a diameter of 1in-1 ½ in. The materials used in these weapons are either fibrous woods or hardwoods. The weapons were tailored for use with the martial fighting style of Arnis, developed for warfare unlike many martial arts. The sticks are polished and sanded to ensure uniformity, and weigh less than ½ lbs each. See Arnis Entry for the martial style Arnis. (Tentative.)
Martel de Fer
See Warhammer entry for further details.
Morning Star
The Morning Star is similar to a mace in many aspects. It measured around 20in-24in, like most maces, and was made of iron or steel. It was used in a single hand, and was designed as an armor-piercing weapon. The multiple spikes on the morning star focused the weapon’s power into many small points. It weighed from 3lbs-5lbs, depending on material and construction. This weapon was particularly effective when used by cavalry, or mounted troops.
Gothic Mace
The Gothic Mace measured around 20in-24in, and was made of iron or steel. The mace was used in one hand, and was heavier than swords of the same length. Their purpose was to destroy troops in heavy armor. The flanges on the head dealt focused damage to multiple areas. A mace could weigh from 3lbs-5lbs, depending on materials and construction. This weapon was particularly effective when used by cavalry, or mounted troops.
Spiked Mace
The Spiked Mace was more of a slight change in design rather than a whole new weapon. It is almost identical to the Morning Star, with only minor variations in aesthetic value and dimensions. See Morning Star entry for details.
Warhammer
The Warhammer measured approximately 20in-26in, and again, as were most Bludgeons, an armor-piercing or anti-armored troops weapon. The head usually had spikes to pierce armor, and the “flat” part was often made with small spike-like protrusions that added an uneven nature and made it more effective in destroying armor. The weapon could achieve a much higher velocity upon impact compared to swords, axes and many other bludgeoning weapons, and was much preferred by knights. Its weight ranged from 2lbs-4lbs, varying according to materials used.
Gripped Weapons in the Aelyrian Empire
Korambit
This was called the “Eagle’s Claw”. The weapon has one sickle-like blade that had double-edges and 5-½in -6in long. The grip is curved downwards, with a 1in-1 ½ in hole at the butt of the handle to facilitate the use of a finger (middle or index) in using the Korambit. The weapon weighs less than ½ lbs. The weapon is easy to conceal, since it is very small, and useful in a brawl or fistfight.
Knives/Daggers in the Aelyrian Empire
These are blades with either a single or double edge, generally measuring less than 1 foot, or 12in. These are generally wielded in one hand, and due to their length (rather, lack off), they are useful for fast attacks, but lack range.
Main Gauché
The Main Gauche was usually a left hand weapon, and was commonly referred to as the “left-hand dagger”. Its blade measured around 9in-10in, often with a fuller along its center and two shorter fullers at the ricasso. Many main gauches had quillons on the guard. One would weigh around 1lbs-1½ lbs.
Stiletto
The Stiletto was a dagger with a very slim quadrangle blade, around 9in-11in long. The blade was useful for piercing small exposed areas, since the blade was very thin. It was easy to conceal, and was favored by many experienced assassins. The stiletto was exclusively a first-strike weapon; since after the initial stab, there would be little chance to get a clear stab in again.
Stone/Bone Dagger
The most primitive form of bladed weapon, the stone/bone dagger, measured from 7in-12in. This depended on the stone/bone used. The one very interesting thing about such weapons was that the best of their kind were far sharper than many steel/metal weapons, their edges being around one molecule thin. Of course, the trade off is in durability, and when pitted against metal armor, they were ineffective. Still, these are simple weapons to make, requiring minimal skill. They were very light, weighing less than ½ lb.
Polearms in the Aelyrian Empire
Naginata
The Naginata metal piece measures approximately 24-48 inches, and is subdivided into two major parts, the blade and the “tang”, or the part covered by the attached shaft. The shaft may be made out of hardwood or similar material, and could measure about 2 meters to around 3 meters at most. They were often reinforced with rings/bands or collars of brass or copper. The blade measures about 12-24 inches, the same length as the tang, curves abruptly at the point, and were thicker than katana blades by far. It has a false edge along its back to lighten it somewhat. The Naginata metal piece weighs approximately 2-4 lbs.
The Naginata functioned somewhat like sword blades on a long pole, and were particularly favored by fanatical warrior monks and women. They could be used either on foot or on horse, as their weight was more manageable due to the pole, but more ungainly due to size.
Tetsubo/Tetsu-bo
The Tetsubo was a heavy war club, in simplest terms. It consisted of a wooden club that was bound with rings or bands of metal, usually iron or steel. The tetsubo literally meant, “Iron club”. These were wielded in two hands, and had few, if any, refinements on usage, though any warrior who used a tetsubo on a battlefield would be quite formidable, or stupid and inexperienced, though one would tend towards the former. A tetsubo measured far more than a sword, and the battle-part was usually around 36in-48in, generally had a diameter of around 4in-5in, and commonly weighed more than 5lbs, perhaps up to 8lbs-10lbs, depending on construction.
Ranged Weapons in the Aelyrian Empire
Note that some weapons (Throwing Weapons and Spears) with remain under their parent category.
Boomerang
The boomerang is a missile weapon, made out of hardwood and has a V-like shape. There are two types of boomerang, one: the return boomerang, two: the non-return boomerang. The return boomerang measures 12in-30in, and is used in hunting small targets with smaller mass. On returning, the boomerang curves left to glide back to its owner. The return boomerang has a range of 90-100 meters, or 300 feet approx. The non-return boomerang is straighter and heavier, and measures 24in-36in. This type is used is war, or hunting large game, and can easily deal a lethal blow to a person in light armor when used by a skilled warrior. It has a range of around 150m, or 500ft.
Spears in the Aelyrian Empire
Javelin (Throwing Spear)
The Javelin was the name for the throwing spear. Javelins were around 4ft-6ft long, including the point. The Javelin is a variation of the basic spear, and shares identical qualities in all other aspects but length, and therefore, weight. A Javelin could pierce through many non-metal armor and shields, and through lower strength metal armor. They had a range depending on length, material used (weight), and the user’s power. The average javelin throw could reach around 15-20 meters, or 50-70 feet, which also depended on elevation. As such, Javelins were discarded in favor for more efficient weapons, though javelins could still be used in certain situations.
Pilum
The Pilum is similar to the Javelin, or Throwing Spear. It is refined however, and was particularly effective in dealing with shields, especially of the non-metal, light metal types. The Pilum consisted of a 2in-3in metal head on a soft iron (must be iron) shaft of 2in-3in, which was mounted on a pole that was around 3 ½ft-4ft. The Pilum was thrown at ranks of shields, which the pilum pierced. Thanks to the soft iron shafts, the weight of the poles and any attempt to remove the pilum, the iron would bend, making it much more difficult to remove than would a normal steel/hard iron shaft Javelin. The shield would be rendered useless or ineffective, and may have to be discarded. The bend could be re-straightened with the help of any blacksmith.
Spear (Standard)
The spear was usually between 8 and 9 ft long, consisting of a shaft tipped with a sharp point, the metal point being around 9in-12in, although this estimate may vary slightly. The spear could be used as a throwing (see Javelin) or hand weapon. The weight varied on the type of wood used, and the metal used to make the sharpened point, from region to region.
Yari
The Yari’s metal piece measures approximately 12-16 inches on the average, and was fasted onto a pole. Blade lengths may range from 6 inches-24 inches, depending on blade type. The Yari pole was often made out of oak, surrounded by bamboo laminations and covered with weatherproof lacquer. The yari staff could extend from 2 meters to 4 meters, though there have been records of men using yari up to 5.4 meters in length.
The Yari, like most spear-type weapons, are a valuable “offensive” defensive weapon. Lesser-trained men used these to protect ranged troops.
There are multiple types of Yari blades, the primary ones were the Su Yari and the Kama Yari. Su Yari had straight blades, while Kama Yari had small horizontal crossbars. Exceptionally long Su Yari were called Omo no Yari. There two variations of the Kama Yari, which were the Jumonji Yari, which had the edged crossbars at equal length, and the Katakama Yari, which had unequal crossbars which gave an L-like look.
Yari were forged depending on their blacksmith, the better ones were tempered, while the lesser quality ones (usually given to common soldiers) were one-piece and had no hamon.
Swords in the Aelyrian Empire
Note: All measurements are the measurements of the actual blade/edge, excluding the guard and handles.
Swords (Oriental/Asian)
Mainland Swords (Chinese/Korean Blades)
Butterfly Sword
The Butterfly swords were often wielded in a pair, and were suited for cutting. The Butterfly sword’s blade was triangular in shape, thick at the base and ending in a point. It measured from 14-18in, though the common length was around 16 inches. A single sword weighed a light ¼ lbs, since the blade was quite thin itself. It had an iron/steel guard that looked like a long hook-like implement that served as a sword catcher, extending below the handle as a knuckle guard.
Darn Dao
The Darn Dao (pronounced "Tao") was a standard army weapon, and had a single-edged blade that measured from 26-30 inches, normally 28in, and flared towards the tip. The top section of the blade was grooved to lighten the weapon, and had a final weight of approximately 2lbs-2½ lbs.
Katana-style Swords (Japanese Blades)
The katana is the generic name given to Japanese style swords that were popularized during the 13th century onwards. The katana term is generally used in lieu of the name “Daito”, which is the proper term for the Japanese-style blades which are popularly used in Aelyria.
Daito
The Katana/Daito measures approximately 28-32 inches, though a Japanese style blade with a minimum length 24 inches approx. is also considered a Daito. The Daito/Katana has one edge, and has a slight curve (sori). The Daito/Katana blades are among the most technically advanced swords ever crafted, both in Aelyria and in real life. This is worn through the belt with the curve, or edge upward.
The Daito is made by using two or more pieces of metal, depending on the smith. The inner piece is softer and more ductile, giving the Daito a measure of flexibility, and is folded fewer times. The outer piece is folded more times, giving the blade its razor sharp edge. The folding determines the carbon content of the blade, and thus, its brittleness.
The highest record of folds in a sword was approximately 230 folds, or equivalent to 1,073,741,824 layers in the blade. However, this does not equate to the strength of the blade directly, as Japanese blades are still relatively brittle. The inner core was usually folded 210 times, giving 1000 layers, and the outer layer folded to around 212 or 2 16 times, giving around 4000 to 65,000 layers.
Though the folding gives them a measure of strength, they are not very well suited for cutting through very heavy armor, as there is a chance they may break. Their lighter weight in comparison to Western blades is both an asset and a liability, trading speed for lesser power, though the Katana is strong enough to cut a man with lighter armor literally in half.
Kodachi
The Kodachi is identical in shape to the tachi, and measures the same length as the Wakizashi, 12-24 inches. It difference with the other Japanese style blade was, as the tachi to the daito, the more pronounced sori, though due to the length or rather, lack of it, the sori was not very noticeable when compared.
Note: See Katana/Daito entry for forging details.
Chokuto/Ken
The Chokuto is identical to Japanese blades in their forging, and that it had only one side as an edge. However, it had no sori at all, and looked like most straight European blades. It measures 24-32 inches, same as the Daito.
Note: See Katana/Daito entry for forging details.
Ninjato
The Ninjato was not used by most Japanese warriors, or rather, the samurai (noble footmen) and ashigaru (peasant footmen). The ninjato was used by the, as can be seen in the name, the Ninja. It measures at the same length of the Wakizashi, and was similar to the Chokuto/Ken in that it has little or no sori. The Ninjato is easily concealed, since most have a small tsuba (guard).
Note: See Katana/Daito entry for forging details.
No Dachi
The No Dachi is identical to the tachi, but it had a longer handle and longer length. The No Dachi was wielded in two hands, and very rarely otherwise, due to weight and length. The No Dachi could measure up to past 36 inches, and was worn across the back rather than on the belt.
Note: See Katana/Daito entry for forging details.
Tachi
The Tachi is the predecessor to the modern (1500s approx. onwards) Katana. The main difference between the katana and the tachi was that the tachi has a much more pronounced curve (sori), and its general length was about 32-36 inches, though many tachi can measure the length of the more modern katana. It was worn curve (sori) down, and its application on the battlefield was more appropriate horseback, due to length and curvature, though it is not unusual to use a tachi on foot.
Note: See Katana/Daito entry for forging details.
Wakizashi
The Wakizashi is identical to the Daito, except in length. The Wakizashi measure 12-23 inches long, and of course, is much lighter than the Daito. The Wakizashi was used for ritual suicide, though in combat purposes, it could serve as the defensive weapon, if the fighting style supports its use, as most kenjutsu/ryu usually use the Daito alone.
Note: See Katana/Daito entry for forging details.
South-Asian Swords (Philippine/Malaysian Blades)
Most South-Asian swords were folded, similar to Japanese blades. However, the absence of metal deposits on ground made it difficult to craft these weapons, and hence, had fewer opportunities to apply or develop more advanced techniques. The primary source of metal used in these blades was particularly unique among most weapons in the world: Star metal, or meteorite iron/steel. The quality metal made these weapons almost mythical, and numerous legends have been made and lost about these blades.
South-Asian blades strike a successful balance between swords and knives/daggers, having ample range, power and speed. Primarily Philippine/Malaysian blades, there are a few weapons from Vietnam and surrounding countries.
Combat Barong
The Combat Barong is leaf-shaped in form, and had a single edge. It measured approximately 12in-18 in, but was normally 14in-16 in. Its belly was around 2in-3in. The design evolved from a long history of warfare. It had a false edge of around 5in-6in for lightening weight. The blade was suited for very fast slashing attacks. It weighed 1lbs-1.2lbs.
Kris Bolo
The Kris Bolo measured approximately 16in-24in, though the usual length was around 16in-18in. The Kris Bolo often had a waved blade, from a full-wave sword to a half-wave sword (some waves before straightening). The double-edged blade had an acute point, well suited for thrusting, and the waved edge produced terrifying wounds, and was wielded in one hand. The Kris bolo used a metal cross-guard and hardwood handle.
Kampilan
The Kampilan was made famous by the Moro (Moorish/Muslim) pirate/mercenaries of Mindanao. The blade was around 24in-30in, usually 26in-28in. The blade was single edged and had a small spikelet on the tip of the blade, making thrust attacks and cutting attacks ideal. It was easily identified by a forked handled that looked like a stylized gaping jaw of a crocodile. It weighed around 2lbs-3lbs.
Linear Mode
