Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

Per discussion here, we are looking at breaking the Equipment Emporium into more manageable chunks. This is the first breakout: weapons.

I have a GM section at the back for rules options - if there's anything really weapon-specific, we can add it here. I've also started tweaking weapon stats for balance.

Coming from the light weapon rules here:

Would it be better for shortswords to be noted to stand for "light" or fencing blades, or should I create a separate listing? The game statistics would most likely be unchanged.

I believe shortswords are generally just bigger stabby weapons.

Personally I would prefer a weapon entry for Rapiers, Sabres, or other Fencing-type blades. But this distinction has more to do with Weapon Specialization issues than stats. They are used substantially differently than slashing broader bladed weapons. One should not get both sorts with one specialization.

A short sword (in my mind) is essentially a really big dagger, while such fencing blades are long like a Longsword, but slender and used mainly for quick moves and stabby stabby.

Yeah. The typical shortsword, to my mind, is more like a cinquedea or gladius in its shape than anything else.

It would be a distinct weapon, it's just a question of making it a separate entry or a note under short swords.
Do we have a name we want to use for these? Rapier captures the essence of it, but a more generic term would leave open other light & fast blade options.

On further review, I've got a puzzle for you. What Size is it?
Also, should we preserve the short sword statistics? Most of the rapier and proto-rapier weapons weigh in closer to 2, but I'm okay leaving it at 3.

Then again, lower weight would justify a price increase.

Okay, anyone want to take a stab at a name?

I rather like the "Equipment Emporium" for the just gear section (if that won't confuse things with the existing combined document), and would like to steer this more in line with other supplement titles.

But I think we need a bit more than just "Weapons". "More Weapons" doesn't quite have the right ring to it.

Also, I'm holding the light blade group under "Rapier", listed as a Small/Medium weapon (it's medium length, but effectively a small weapon based on weight, speed, balance). I'd like a different name for the family, and a couple other not-sport-fencing weapon examples. Most sabres are relatively broad-blade - or rather, scimitars aren't as wide as you imagine. and I can't call it a "light" sabre. You know why.

How about "Weapon Emporium" or switch all of them so that they will be grouped as:
Emporium: Weapons
Emporium: Equipment
Emporium: Armor & Shields

I think Rapier is fine (especially with a small note that it encompasses "quick fencing-type weapons"). I think the sabre-type weapons (as you mention) are pretty much either Longswords or Shortswords, only having a single edge rather that both sides... but functionally for the rules, the same as L.Sword/Short... case in point, Scimitar is mentioned on same entry as Long Sword.

How about "Fencing Blades" or "Fencing Weapons" as the family name?

Something with "Armory" in it, seems to me.