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Chapter 9: Equipment
cavalry or other charges, the base of the pike is fixed
into the ground. Long strips of steel down the shaft
may be considered 1 of its special features, as it cannot
be put out of action by any ordinary (natural 25
or higher on attack rolls) cuts of the sword, axe, etc.
Those impaled in this way receive double damage
and are twice as likely to receive Graphic Gore (see
Chap. 10: Combat). BCT is 1 day for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Berdeesh: Also called a bardiche
or a Sparth axe, this weapon consists of a pole typically
5 feet in length with a large, elongated axe-like
blade attached to 1 end. This weapon is popular for
beheading at executions, and so is the zwei-hander.
BCT is 1 day for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Bec de Corbin: Also called a
Raven’s Beak, this weapon consists a hammer-like
head, a small spike on top, and a small back spike.
All are affixed on the end of a pole. BCT is 1 day
for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Bill: Although the term ‘bill’ is
applied to all shafted weapons of peculiar form that
do not fall readily under any particular heading, the
bill is a polearm that was most popular about 400
years ago. The most common bill consists of a long
and thin blade attached to the end of a pole. In the
middle of 1 side of the blade is a hook that points
downward, usually 6 inches in length. Roughly onethird
up the other side of the blade, a straight spike
extends roughly 4 inches perpendicularly. These
proportions and locations vary somewhat. BCT is
1 day for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Bipennis: This 2-handed weapon
is the double-bladed pole axe. At the end of a 6'
pole is affixed a large double-bladed axe-head. This
fierce weapon hits hard due to the considerable
weight and the leverage offered by the pole. If a
weapon is needed to cleave through something, the
Bipennis is highly recommended. Conversely, the
disadvantage of this weapon is that a large area is
necessary for it to be swung effectively. BCT is 1
day for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Fauchard: This weapon is a more
recent version of an old glaive, and it is currently
very popular. The weapon consists of a blade resembling
a short sword attached to the end of a
pole. There is nothing fancy about this weapon,
but many folks seek to abolish the weapon due to
the deadly and ghastly nature of the wounds inflicted
by this weapon. BCT is 1 day for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Glaive: Differing from the bill,
this weapon has the cutting edge upon the convex
instead of the concave curve of the blade, and it is
also much broader. Essentially, this weapon consists
of a blade attached to the end of a pole. BCT
is 1 day for a weaponsmith.
Polearm, Guisarme: This weapon may be
claimed with confidence to be one of the most ancient
of weapons, originating when bronze was the
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