Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category:Arms]]
[[Category:Arms]]
==Description==
==Description==
These great [[Materials#Common Metals|steel or mithril]] axes are simple, yet time consuming, to make. Their most common form is that of a great daneaxe wielded by a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] or [[Wintermark]] warrior, although they are also popular in some parts of [[The Marches|Marches]]. Woodcutter’s Axes are often engraved with [[Yoorn]], the Rune of Ending or [[Kyrop]], the Rune of Weakness.
Setting out to create one of these great [[Materials#Common Metals|steel or mithril]] axes can be a daunting proposition given the sheer amount of materials required to create them. Their most common form is that of a great daneaxe wielded by a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] or [[Wintermark]] warrior, although they are also popular in some parts of [[The Marches|Marches]]. Woodcutter’s Axes are often engraved with [[Yoorn]], the Rune of Ending or [[Kyrop]], the Rune of Weakness.


In Wintermark they are commonly made  by [[Kallavesi]] [[Crafting_skills#Artisan|crafters]]. They first select a strong tree for the haft that has been pecked by a  [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Birds|woodpecker]] only once. That woodpecker must then be caught and killed. Its bones are ground into a powder and mixed with the molten metal that will become the axe head, its skin is used to make soft leather grips, its guts the binding and finally the final whetting of the blade is done with the feather.
In the [[tThe League]], there is a tradition of making these weapons in the form of heavy, thick bladed greatswords colloquially called ''Butterknives'' - a waggish reference to the way the weapons cut through steel as if it was butter. For a similar reason, some [[the Marches|Marcher]] or [[Navarr|Navarri]] warriors refer to them as ''Hotknives''. The greatsword incarnation of this weapon is often marked with the rune [[Hirmok]], representing its dominance over other tools of war.  


Sometimes these weapons are carried by warriors whose primary focus is on a different weapon, often a one-handed weapon and shield combination, allowing them additional versatility when facing opponents who themselves have shields.
Finally, the ''Splintering Hammer'' is a version of this potent weapon popular in [[Dawn]] and among the [[Imperial Orcs]]. A heavy hammer or great mace, studded with tempest jade and inlaid with orichalcum and green iron, swung with a forceful two-handed blow can sometimes cause a poorly made barbarian shield to literally explode into wooden splinters. Denied their protection, the follow-up swing from a skilled warrior leaves the enemy crippled or bleeding out with shattered ribcage and pulverised internal organs. Knights who favour these potent weapons have a perhaps not undeserved reputation for brutality - especially if they choose to use a splintering hammer in a duel or tournament. By contrast, that very reputation for brutal, straightforward practicality that first disarms and then destroys an opponent makes them quite popular with the Orcs (and with more than a few who carry the [[briar]] [[lineage]]).


==Rules==
==Rules==

Revision as of 10:46, 11 December 2016

Description

Setting out to create one of these great steel or mithril axes can be a daunting proposition given the sheer amount of materials required to create them. Their most common form is that of a great daneaxe wielded by a Varushkan or Wintermark warrior, although they are also popular in some parts of Marches. Woodcutter’s Axes are often engraved with Yoorn, the Rune of Ending or Kyrop, the Rune of Weakness.

In the tThe League, there is a tradition of making these weapons in the form of heavy, thick bladed greatswords colloquially called Butterknives - a waggish reference to the way the weapons cut through steel as if it was butter. For a similar reason, some Marcher or Navarri warriors refer to them as Hotknives. The greatsword incarnation of this weapon is often marked with the rune Hirmok, representing its dominance over other tools of war.

Finally, the Splintering Hammer is a version of this potent weapon popular in Dawn and among the Imperial Orcs. A heavy hammer or great mace, studded with tempest jade and inlaid with orichalcum and green iron, swung with a forceful two-handed blow can sometimes cause a poorly made barbarian shield to literally explode into wooden splinters. Denied their protection, the follow-up swing from a skilled warrior leaves the enemy crippled or bleeding out with shattered ribcage and pulverised internal organs. Knights who favour these potent weapons have a perhaps not undeserved reputation for brutality - especially if they choose to use a splintering hammer in a duel or tournament. By contrast, that very reputation for brutal, straightforward practicality that first disarms and then destroys an opponent makes them quite popular with the Orcs (and with more than a few who carry the briar lineage).

Rules

Template:Two-Handed Weapons