Basics of Weaponry

Basics of Weaponry

There are many different types of weapons available for characters to wield in The World Called Hollow. Individual races or classes favor some weapon types, and each has a strength and weakness. The following is a basic summary of the most common weapon types available as items.

Dagger

The simplest sharp weapon, a dagger is small and quick. It is preferred by thieves and rogues and the smaller races such as pixies and hobbits, who don’t possess the physical strength needed to wield larger weapons. A dagger is like a knife, with a double-edged blade usually no longer than six inches long attached to a small hilt. It is very lightweight and can be used as a missile weapon when thrown. Often a dagger is concealed in a boot or pocket rather than being worn on the belt as a sword would be.

Sword

Swords come in many shapes and sizes, from the short-swords barely longer than a dagger to long swords and rapiers that are many feet long. They can be single or double-edged, one-handed or two-handed, curved or straight, but they almost always are fashioned with a keen, razor-sharp tip. Blades can be made of many kinds of materials, including but not limited to iron, steel, and mithril. Heavier, thicker blades are better for hacking, bashing, and cleaving, while lighter, thinner blades are much better suited for armor-piercing and precise thrusts. Swords are some of the most common weapons in Hollow, having been wielded by the most insignificant peasants to heroes of great renown.

Bow

A bow is the only true ranged weapon in Hollow. It is meant for attacks from distances, usually through means of stealth. A ranger will use a bow to hunt his prey in the forest, an assassin will use a crossbow to kill his enemies without needing to be near them. Bows can come in any shape and size, the bigger versions often offering more range and power, although this is often more dependent on the strength and skill of the wielder, not the 'strength' of the bow itself. A bow always has a string connected on both ends to a curved piece of wood or metal. While arrows are the typical missile used, crossbows use what is termed ‘bolts’ due to the lack of feather on the barb's back end.

Wand

Wands can be considered missile weapons, but they’re meant to channel magic instead of physical objects such as arrows. They can also help a mage cast their spells when they couldn’t without the help of their wand. A wand is typically a short stick, carved from wood, a precious gem, or some other significant substance, and can be charged with different types of elements such as lightning, wind, or fire. Obviously, classes that don’t use magic will not find much use for using wands.

Stave/Staff

A longer version of a wand, a stave, or staff can also be used as a blunt weapon and often is employed by monks and others who use gymnastics and martial arts to fight. It is carved from wood, precious metal, gemstone and is often imbued with magical properties. Magic-using classes would find these useful, for they serve as much more than just a walking stick. They typically measure at least three feet in length, often equaling the sorcerer in height.

Axe

Unlike the typical hatchet used to chop wood, battleaxes are terrifying weapons in the right hands. Dwarves, because of their hearty strength, prefer these weapons, often enchanting them with different magical properties. Contrary to popular belief, the heads of most battleaxes are not heavy or thick; instead, they are usually thin and seldom double-bitted. Axes are always hacking/chopping weapons; the business ends always has more than enough to cut even the toughest man down to size.

Club

The simplest of blunt weapons, the club is typically seen in a bumbling ogre or giant's hands. Sometimes spikes can be put on the end of the club, but with the force these large creatures already use to swing it, even a blunt wooden end can bash someone’s skull in. It bears no magical properties and often is more a weapon of necessity than choice.

Mace

Maces are essentially clubs with a heavy piece at the end. Sometimes they are adorned with spikes, other times flanged with grooves for crushing armor and snapping bones. Though they rarely tear through armor on their own, maces are best for delivering pure blunt force trauma, transferring the energy of a high powered blow straight to the bones and organs within.

Flail

A flail is basically a club with a mace’s head attached to the end on a chain. It can be made of metal, wood, or any combination of the two. Typically heavier than a simple mace due to the extra chain links, it can have anywhere from one chain and ball to three or more. While flails can be enchanted, it’s rare, and again they’re preferred by the fighting classes who don’t rely on magic to attack their enemies.

Whip

Typically made of leather or cloth, a whip features a handle with either one or several long ropes attached that can be used to flay an opponent. A variation on a whip is a cat-o-nine-tails. A whip requires agility to use rather than strength and can be favored by lither races such as felines and classes such as assassins and thieves. Someone practiced with using one would be able to not only lash their enemy with it to attack but wrap it around objects and limbs to incapacitate them.