From Stone to Steel

Credits
Written by: Aaron Stimson
Editor: David K. Hurd & Kle Hall
Cover Art: Allan Pollack
Interior Art: Weapons & Armor Jim Branch, Vignettes Fred Rawles
Graphic Design: Lawrence Whalen Jr.
Production: David K. Hurd & Lawrence Whalen Jr.

Table of Contents

Introduction 3
Sticks and Stones 5
Chariots of Bronze 35
Iron and Empire 61
Rome 82
The Far East 117
A Dark Age, A Golden Age 186
Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols 225
Myth and Magic 272
Materials 291
Appendix 304
Master Tables 313
Index 338
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 Introduction

elcome. You hold in your hands the product of hundreds point for Players and DMs alike, allowing them new inspirations
W of years of research, based on thousands of years of test-
ing, application, refinement, and innovation. From the dawn of
and insights into the craft of war, and, in turn, the craft of peace.

mankind to the modern age, human existence has been a testa-

ment to the struggle for survival and the will to overcome obsta-
cles. Though this book is far too small to dedicate to the whole
of the human experience, it will focus on one aspect of that expe-
rience. It will attempt to chronicle the development of arms and
armor over the span of human existence, from the time of Prehis-
toric Man to the Renaissance Period. We will try to encompass
the diversity of weapons and armor across the globe and through
civilizations, and make their development, significance, and use
clear and available. And we will attempt to allow you insight
into the art of warfare, from its most primal to its most elegant.
This book should be considered a supplemental source book for
any D20 product. It provides new material for use in any cam-
paign world or setting that is written within the limits of the D20
product line, and is completely compatible with the Dungeons and
Dragons Players Handbook. It should provide you with valuable
source material, ideas, and applications, to make your game
worlds more real, or merely to spice them with interesting cultural
or historical accents. Moreover, this book should be a jumping
Why From Stone to Steel?
o role-playing game on the market can afford to be
N exhaustive in one area to the exclusion of another. Pub-
lishers and writers need to choose carefully which elements of
a work are unnecessary, or extraneous. In most fantasy role-
playing games the authors seek to make each element unique
and indispensable. If two spells do the same thing, with only
minor differences, why maintain them as two different spells.
If a snee and a stiletto do relatively similar damage, why dupli-
cate the listing? Thus daggers are often grouped into one
group, given a uniform set of statistics, and a basic cost. This
is a useful and important to the RPG writer, and prevents the
game from becoming awkward and unwieldy.
There is no such limitation on supplemental material. By its
very nature, supplemental material can be as extensive as it
chooses to be. DMs, in the end, can decide how much of the
supplemental material they wish to use, and how much they wish

3
 From Stone to Steel
to leave alone.
This, in turn, allows us to add realism and depth to our game
worlds.
One of the best ways to make a game world really come alive is
to give it history. We often attempt to envision new and fantastic
worlds, far different from our own, where people can do what
we only dream of, and where the enemies they face are equally
impressive and detailed. But we always tend to base our fan-
tasies on something weve read, something weve heard, some-
thing weve experienced. This is because those familiar
elements in our fantasy experience give our players common
points of understanding, common frames of reference, land-
marks to guide ourselves in an unfamiliar realm. Those who
experiment with historical gaming or pseudo-historical gaming
often find the experience entrancing. The depth of material
available from actual history is immense, and the variations of
our own world are often stranger than any fantasy we can indi-
vidually imagine. It is our hope that while looking through this
book you will discover some facet of history, some period of
time, some exotic weapon that you had no idea existed, or per-
haps just never viewed in the light we present.
Because history, especially shared history, has a depth that can
make your two-dimensional fantasy world into a fully fleshed,
multi-dimensional experience.
One of the reasons we drape this tapestry of arms and armor on
the frame of history is to show the rationale of why a specific
weapon or armor is used, why a material is used, or why it took
a certain form. The purpose of this book isnt to restrict the
usage of these items only to the historical settings we describe.
The point of source material is to provide the DM with sources
of inspiration, not confine them. As you pause on an illustration
or a specific description in this text, think about other ways to
make use of the same item in your campaign world. Perhaps the
Gnolls in your campaign world are rudimentary savages, hunting
by simple pack tactics and wielding prehistoric stone weapons.
Or maybe the neighboring kingdom survives on slave labor, and
its able-bodied men are in service to the crown for most of their
productive lives, like in Sparta. Or perhaps you desire to mix
historical themes and cultures in unexpected ways, maybe hav-
ing Vikings encounter a well-established Incan empire, or War
Elephants in your Medieval Europe-like world.
This book will provide you with enough material to do that: And
more.
From Stone to Steel should, in fact, provide a benchmark, a viable
way to allow cross period or genre gaming. What you find within
should allow you to simulate war and combat in any fantasy
realm you can imagine, and give you the tools to merge radically
different periods. Using all the materials within will allow Baby-
lonian Soldiers to fight Japanese Samurai, with realistic and fair
guidelines to determine such outcomes. Envision a world where
elegant drow wield rapiers and wheel lock pistols against hordes
of wode-covered dwarven barbarians? Well give you rules and
ideas aplenty. From the simple rock to the primitive hand mortars
4
of the Renaissance period, from the lion skin to the full plate mail
suit, all weapons and armor will be written and measured by the
same scales, and balanced equally.
In short, even if it never happened historically, if you want to
do it, you can.
What Is This Book?
rom Stone to Steel is a historical record of the evolution of
F arms and armor over time. It draws from many exhaustive
works, examining tactics, materials, developments, social stim-
uli, even dead end concepts, and works to express their impact
on the art of warfare and the cultures that used them. This book
may not necessarily take you through every battle of Rome, but
it will talk about the changes that Rome brought to war, the for-
mation of the Legionnaires, the tactics and innovations they
used, and the impact that Rome had on later society. It will also
explore the unique armaments of minor cultures, like the shark
tooth weaponry and armors of certain Pacific Islander cultures,
or the hunting weapons of Australian Aboriginal people.
From Stone to Steel contains rules that can make weapons and
armor more realistic. It also contains new rules additions to
diversify combat, and introduces subtle new concepts to spice it
up. You will find new skill concentrations for existing skills and
new knowledge skills. And there will also be new feats to learn,
and new prestige and NPC classes available. In the Fantasy
Appendix, you will also find new guidelines for enchantment,
construction materials, spells, and new artifacts and magical
items.
And then, of course, there are the weapons and armors them-
selves.
How To Use This Book
se this book to deepen your current campaign world. Each
U rule, item, and concept we introduce here becomes a tool
for you to develop your campaign the way you want to. It our
intent that any new rules we introduce will not overwhelm the
already elegant mechanism of the D20 system, but instead
enhance it. Thus, everything in this book builds on what is dis-
cussed before. Materials, weapons development, tactics, each of
these things are refined over time, and so it is in the book.
This does not mean, however, that you have to include every-
thing that we give you in your game. Each concept, rule, skill, or
class will be listed independently, so that you can include or
exclude items as you see fit. If the durability system is difficult
for you, you may still use the fantasy stats of your favorite
weapons with our blessing. If the barbed weapon rules seem too
powerful, you can bypass them and still use the rest of the book.
This book should be a resource, not a hindrance, and it is written
with that express intent in mind.
Sticks and Stones

Prehistory 6 Table 1-3: Jaguar Knight 23

Sticks and Stones 7 Meso American Weapons 24
Animal Resources 7 Meso American Armor 26
Further Refinements 8 Islander Developments 26
Technological Advances 9 Polynesian Weapons 27
Shields 11 Polynesian Armor 27
The Pack Mentality 11 African Developments 28
War, Infection, and the Dead 12 European Developments 29
First Aid & Healing 13 Other (Australia, Asia, etc.) 30
Table 1-1: Amputation 13 Aborigines 30
Natural Ingenuity 14 Asia 30
Native American Developments 14 Forces of Change 31
Native American Weapons 14 Leather 31
Native American Armor 17 The Science of Warfare 31
Meso American Developments 19 Table 1-4: Stone Age Weapons 32
The Aztecs 19 Table 1-5: Stone Age Armor 34
Table 1-2: Eagle Knight 21
Other Aztec Orders 23

5
 From Stone to Steel
They were there. Just at the edge of its vision. Strange, below a rise. It followed, determined to gore a few, so the rest
indistinct shapes, crouched behind brush or standing in tall would be warned away.
grass. Too long and thin, supported by two spindly legs,
But over the rise it found a steep drop, and the ground it
smelly. Some stood upwind from it, and it tasted strange
charged onto was loose. Its own weight began to push the
scents of animal fat and char. There were also smaller
earth from beneath; it lurched forward, off balance, and
forms, moving restlessly among the taller ones; smell like
down a cliff-face into a ravine.
almost-wolves.
It landed on its side, and felt bone splinter. The pain was
Why were they here? Why did they watch it?
incredible. It labored to breathe. The strange creatures gath-
It resumed its scratching, rubbing its hide against the tree ered on the cliff above, and began to drop large rocks down.
bark, trying to reach the spot on its flank that itched. It Some struck it, stunning it, breaking more bones. Ropes were
paused to strip bark away from the tree with its tusks and lowered down, and a few of the creatures descended them.
trunk, then scratched again. They climbed like baboons, but with less cleverness. When
they reached the ground, they approached, their sticks raised
There was a loud noise behind it. It turned around, to see
like tusks, their pace careful. It watched them, and tried to
more of the frail creatures, yelling and cavorting. Lower
move, only to find that movement made the pain and the
sounds drifted among them, and they began to approach a
breathing worse.
little, coming into view.
The creatures began to make more sounds amongst each other.
Hairy faces and hairy bodies. Skins like antelope, wilde-
The rocks slowed, but the pain did not. More creatures were
beest, even plains lion, hung loose about them. They had
climbing down, now. Some did not carry the big sticks, but
long sticks in their hands, and waved them. Almost-wolves
instead had strange, pointy rocks.
ran around their feet.
It shuddered, and fought the darkness that threatened it.
What did they think they were doing? They couldnt possi-
But as the first of the creatures approached it, it knew it
bly think they could threaten it.
could do no longer do anything against them.
Something bit it in the flank. It shivered on the impact.
Wood bit through flesh...
Then another, higher up, more to the right. Stings. Pain. It
turned, growing angry. What bit it?
Strange long thin sticks flew at it, some tickling as they
skidded across its rough skin. One tore at the skin of its ear. Prehistory
Pain! It moved forward a little, listening to the sounds of rehistoric Man had a number of substantial disadvantages.
the yelling creatures behind it, looking for why the sticks
were flying, and where from.
P He was not the top of the food chain. Though a pack animal,
he had no natural weapon to hunt with, such as claws or fangs,
nor did he have any major physical defense, like a thick hide or
More of the strange creatures were the culprits, doing some-
protective coloration. Without some form of physical adaptation,
thing that made the small sticks jump far distances at it. A
man needed to focus on what few advantages he did have.
number now bit in its shoulders, but the damage was superfi-
cial, mostly just a little pain. It would show these creatures Man was a pack species. Gregarious and prone to group iden-
why they should not attack it. It lowered its tusks, and began tity, mans primary strength as a species came from its num-
to walk more purposefully towards them. bers. By banding together, humans could accomplish more than
individuals could, both in dealing with natural obstacles and
The creatures behind it suddenly began to move quickly
with hunting. Like all pack animals, man developed communi-
towards its flank. Something was wrong. These creatures were
cations, and this allowed him to coordinate movements over a
hunting like jackals. And if small sticks were all they had,
distance, which made hunting more efficient, and allowed
they could not hope to hurt it. The almost-wolves snapped at
more elaborate planning possible.
its hind legs. It was being hunted! It trumpeted in warning.
Man, as well, is an innovator. He is curious and imaginative, and
The small sticks still flew, and then a few of the creatures
through trial and error, persistence and drive, man is able to find
stood and hurled larger sticks at it. These bounced off of its
newer and better solutions to problems. If a water source is con-
skin, but now it was quite angry and flustered, and it
trolled by superior predators, man is likely to find better ways to
charged the creatures in front. The creatures began to run
access that water source, whether its finding the source, or find-
away, but one was not quite fast enough, and its tusks slid
ing a way to distract the predators to allow access. Eventually
across its hide, knocking it to the side and away, but not
mankind found ways to deal with those superior predators as
piercing the stolen skin. Still there were more noises from the
well, and improve their place on the food chain, eventually sepa-
creatures, and now it knew they feared it.
rating itself entirely from the natural order.
This was the way it expected things to go. Let the strange
creatures know their place. The frail things disappeared
6
 Sticks and Stones
7 5
Key: 1. Throwing Rock; 2. Long Stick (Quarterstaff); 3. Short Stick (Club); 4. Bone Club; 5.Spike Bone; 6. Long Tusk; 7. Short
Tusk
Sticks and Stones
The first weapons that mankind used were simple. They were
typically those things closest at hand, things that could be
found wherever a person was. Typically this was sticks or
stones. The best stones were those useable with a single hand,
and preferably round ones, which flew best. Sticks were best
slightly flexible, so that they wouldnt shatter or snap on use,
and the straighter they were, the more useful, either to throw or
to strike with. Sticks with too many bends were more likely to
break, or to catch on things.
Rock, Throwing
Throwing rocks are generally considered diminutive in size. If
a given stone is larger, the weight is obviously more, and it will
do more. A 30 lb. or better stone is suggested when dropping
from 100 foot high cliffs.
Stick, Long (Quarterstaff)
The proto spear/staff, a long stick is simply that, long and
wooden. Although it could be thrown, it is not inherently aero-
dynamic. Due to its length, it is a double weapon. You can fight
with it as if fighting with two weapons, but if you do you incur
all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting with
two weapons as if you are using a one-handed weapon and a
light weapon. A creature using a double weapon in one hand,
such as a Large creature using a long stick, cannot use it as a
double weapon.
Stick, Short (Club)
The short stick is the first club. Usually stouter than a long
stick, it doesnt encumber the off hand.
7
4
Animal Resources
Mankind, ever the innovator, was not content to stay with
whatever it found. People experimented. Since a portion of
mans diet was meat, the portions of an animal that were inedi-
ble were experimented with. Bones of larger prey were particu-
larly effective as blunt weapons, or for making impaling
weapons from. Tusks and teeth could be used to create stabbing
or edged weapons. And hides from animals were often tougher
than human skin, and offered the chance to avoid an indirect
blow. Furs and hides, thus, kept a person warm in the cold, and
safe from danger.
Club, Bone
When wood is at a premium, bone may be a desirable substi-
tute. Bone, although also brittle, is slightly more flexible than
wood, thus bone may last a tad longer than wood.
Spike, Bone
Bone can be shaped to form a point. The thrusting damage may
not cause as extensive wounding as a club might, but it has a
much better chance of striking something vital thus the
improved critical range.
Tusk
Sometimes tusks need not be carved to form a point. Tusks are
a natural goring weapon, both for animals and for people.
Shorter tusks may be carried like the bone spike, but do not
require manufacturing. They may also be mounted on armor or
shields, as per the rules on adding spikes to armor and shields
in the Players Handbook. Damage by mounted tusks is 1d4.
 From Stone to Steel
Note that anyone attacking the spikes with a weapon leaves
himself open to an attack of opportunity.
Skin Armor
Skin armor is made from cured (but not tanned) animal skins,
and usually only covers the torso and upper leg region of the
body. Flimsy, prone to molding and getting stiff, it is still better
than just plain skin.
Furs and Hides
This kind of armor is similar to the skin armor above, but it
consists of layers of skins, some of which still possess the ani-
mal hair. Very popular with the barbarian set, furs and skins are
very useful in cold climates. Unfortunately, their protection
comes at the expense of a little maneuverability.
Further Refinements
Cave paintings and archaeological evidence from many areas
show that prehistoric man developed a variety of weapons and
tactics to improve hunting. Rocks began to be shaped for their
use. Some were made sharp, so as to cut or stab. These became
8
10
Key: 8. Skin Armor; 9. Furs and Skins; 10. Rock Knife; 11. Wooden Javelin; 12. Wooden Spear; 13. Hardened Wood Javelin; 14.
Hardened Wood Spear
8
the first knives, and these were primarily used for cutting up
meat.
Sticks were given points. These improved the damage when
thrown, or the defensive use of sticks, as a point could be used
to impale a charging opponent. At some point the trick of fire
hardening was learned. Wood, when held over a fire (but not in
it) eventually begins to blacken. People discovered that this
slightly scorched wood was harder than normal, and held a
point longer. This signified a definite step forward.
Knife, Rock
This knife is really just a rock that has been chipped off a larger
piece to produce a sharp cutting edge.
Javelin, Primitive Wooden
This javelin is a wooden weapon with a carved point on either
end. Usually thrown before a charge, javelins may be carried in a
long quiver. It can be used in melee, but since it was not
designed for such, all characters are treated as non-proficient,
conveying a -4 to all melee rolls.
9
11, 13
12, 14
 Sticks and Stones
Spear, Primitive Wooden
This spear is a weapon, between 45 feet in length, with a sharp-
ened head. It tends to be slightly thicker than the javelin, and
does not fly as far. The spear can be readied against a charge, and
it may also be used as a double damage weapon if set against a
charge. This weapon is the premiere weapon of its age.

Javelin, Primitive Wooden Hardened

Similar in description to the primitive wooden javelin (above),
15
this version has been hardened by fire, and is more durable. It
will take more abuse before needing to be replaced. As with
other javelins, it can be used in melee, but since it was not
designed for such, all characters are treated as non-proficient,
conveying a -4 to all melee rolls.

16a
Spear, Primitive Wooden Hardened
This spear is similar in description to the primitive wooden
spear (above), however this version has been fire-hardened and
is more durable as a result.

Technological Advances
Later, primitive man began to put different materials and con- 16b
cepts together. Archaeological evidence exists to suggest that
certain prehistoric cultures wove nets. Made from plant fiber
(grasses, primarily), and woven with patience, these nets were
intended to entrap prey. Nets were usually thrown as a precur-
sor to closing in on a beast with either spear or club ready to
take advantage of the entrapped creature.
Primitive man began to combine clubs with stone heads and tips 17
to produce axes and maces. Although essentially just another
club, the stone axe and mace have a harder head, and does not
wear down as quickly as a club would. Spears got their improve-
ment, also a stone head, which made them more penetrating and
durable, although more difficult to construct. Indeed, the stone
headed spear was a real improvement.
But the most potent development of prehistoric man would
have to be the bow: A supple stick, capable of bending, but
strong enough to desire to return to a specific form with a
string, the bow was either made from the tendons of a strong 18b
animal, or braided plant material (often strips of bark). The ten- 18a
sion between string and stick could be used to fling arrows
over long distances.

Net, Grass
The grass net is made of woven grasses, usually with stones tied
along the edges to weight it down and make it more likely to hold
its victim. In order to throw it optimally, it must be gathered
together carefully, and launched as a ranged touch attack against
the target. The nets maximum range is 10 feet, and there is no
penalty for trying to strike a target even up to the nets maximum
range. If you hit, the target is entangled. And entangled creature is Key: 15. Grass Net; 16a. Stone Axe (flaked stone); 16b. Stone
a -2 on attack rolls, and a -4 penalty on effective Dexterity. The Axe (ground stone); 17 Stone Adze; 18a. Stone mace (based on
entangled creature can only move at half speed and cannot charge Iroquois war club); 18b Stone mace
or run. Unlike the fighting net listed in the players handbook,

9
 From Stone to Steel
grass nets usually had no trailing rope. If an entangled creature
attempts to cast a spell, it must succeed at a Concentration check
(DC 15) or be unable to cast the spell.
The entangled creature can escape with an Escape Artist check
(DC 15) that is a full-round action. The grass net has 4 hit
points, and a damage threshold of 1. Once torn, it must be
repaired to be used effectively. A grass net can be burst with a
Strength check (DC 20, also a full-round action).
A net is only useful against creatures between Tiny and Large
size, inclusive.
The first time a net is thrown in a fight, it must make a normal
ranged touch attack. After it has been unfolded, any further
attempts suffer a -4 penalty on attack roll. It takes 2 rounds for
a proficient user to fold a net and twice that long for a non-pro-
ficient one to do so.
Primitive axes were made by lashing wedge shaped vertical
blades or round, pointed stones to forked sticks, usually with
strips of wood bark or animal hide. Sticks had superior reach,
while stones could maximize impact and damage. Thus the
stone axe became superior to either the wooden or bone club
for the kind of physical trauma it could inflict.
Axe, Stone
The stone axe is a one handed weapon. At construction or pur-
chase it must be decided as to whether the axe is a slashing
weapon with a wide, vertical head, or a piercing weapon with a
conical, round impaling point (like a pick). This is not an aero-
dynamic weapon, and is not made for throwing.
Bow, Primitive (Hunting & Medium)
Both standard primitive bows have similar statistics, with the
difference being their range. The Medium bow was about a
foot longer than the hunting bow, and was used for warfare
more than for capturing food. Although riding horses came
much later, both bows are viable for use on horseback, (note
the Medium bow would have to be drawn at an angle).
Arrows themselves varied from small, sharpened sticks to
wooden shafts with various heads attached. Some stone was more
brittle than others, and when struck, the flakes could be used to
create arrowheads. Bone was also a viable alternative, from long
slivers to rounded spikes. Fletching an arrow with ribbon or
feathers at the end improved stability in flight, and helped an
arrow fly true.
Flights
The feathers on an arrow, referred to as the flights, give an
arrow its stability. Some cultures skew these guides, so as to
give the arrow a spin, which tends to keep the arrow on course.
Other cultures did not, but instead practiced arching the shot,
so as to gain range. Regardless of the cultural method, the
results were the same, accurate shots came from arrows with
carefully placed flights. Arrows that are made without flights
lose 10 feet from their range increment, and are at an automatic
-1 to hit.

Adze, Stone 19
The adze was a variation on the axe, with the wedge blade hor-
izontal, rather than vertical. It was useful for breaking earth, 20
but was equally powerful at cutting flesh. Its use in later times,
was more as a farming implement than as a weapon, but this
was not necessarily its first purpose. Often those adapted to
war had a knee bend a curve in the handle that allowed more
impact in a strike.

Mace, Stone
Another variation on the axe was the stone mace. Equipped with
a stone head, and affixed to a stout length of wood, the stone
mace was more damaging than the plain club. One of the advan-
tages of the stone mace over a bladed weapon was its tendency
to leave the hide intact. Intact hides required less mending, and
were excellent for clothing or dwelling coverings.

Spear, Stone Head 21 22 23 24

This spear is a weapon, about 45 feet in length, with a sharp-
ened head. It tends to be slightly thicker than the javelin, and
does not fly as far. The spear can be readied against a charge,
and it may also be used as a double damage weapon when set Key: 19. Stone spear head (close-up); 20. Primitive bow; 21.
against a charge. This is a stone headed version of the spear, Wooden arrowhead; 22. Stone arrowhead; 23. Bone arrowhead;
and is more durable as a result. 24. Blunt arrowhead

10
 Sticks and Stones
The arrows listed in the weapons tables are indicative of most
arrows of this period. Note that their damage threshold is low,
and they have relatively little structural rating. Arrows are very
likely to break, unless they are carefully removed, and normal
maintenance is practiced. Even then, powerful blows or lucky
strikes may break them. Although different heads are used in
each, it is the wood of the arrow that is most vulnerable.
Arrows Versus Armor
The wooden arrow does not have the damaging power of the
stone or bone headed arrow, and has a -1 to damage when it is
applied to armor. Thus, though an arrow might normally inflict,
say, 6 points of damage against armor, the wooden arrow only
inflicts 5. This may mean the difference between taking armor
damage or not.
Finally, the blunt arrow is purposely made with a bar or flat
stone or bone head. It is used for stunning creatures or doing
damage without damaging the hide as much. It is a subdual
damage weapon, and is useful when you want to take a target
alive or stun a small prey animal like a bird.
Shields
Some people, especially those lived close to more aggressive
predators or to more warlike tribes of humanity, also learned to
extend their defense through shield making. Primitive shields
were usually made of bark or hide stretched taut over a wooden
25a
Key: 25a. Hide Shield; 25b. Bark Shield
11
frame. Strikes could be deflected with these, and charges could
be diverted. Some peoples decorated their shields with fear-
some images, to frighten predators or other tribes.
During this age shields were either held by hand or strapped
onto the forearm with hide thongs. Often no items could be
carried in the shield hand because of this. Bash attacks are pos-
sible with shields, and do 1d3 points of damage for small
shields and 1d4 points of damage for large and great shields on
a successful strike, respectively, with a x2 critical modifier.
Adjust the damage downward (1d2 and 1d3) for smaller wield-
ers. Used in this way the shield is a martial bludgeoning
weapon. For purposes of attack penalties, treat the shield as a
light weapon. If you use a shield as a weapon, you lose its AC
bonus until your next action.
The Pack Mentality
Primitive man hunted with a large variety of weapons, and the
different weapons developments allowed man to hunt larger
game. His use of hides and furs also gave him better defense
than he had been born with, and allowed him to be bolder in
combat.
Man tended to live in clans and tribes, usually bound by family
affiliation. These close bonds promoted cultural identity, and
enforced group identity in clan or tribal defense. Tactics sprang
25b
 From Stone to Steel
from mutual trust and dependency. Men of varying ability
could hunt together and bring down more animals than a single
man alone. This allowed the clan or tribe to eat better, and
made life easier. Co-ordination in combat became essential as
growing clans and tribes needed more food. Larger prey was
desired, and larger prey was more dangerous.
Man learned to hunt with pack tactics. He learned the lay of the
land he hunted in. He knew where obstacles were, and usually
knew where the natural geography made it impossible for prey
to flee: Perhaps a ravine with sheer sides, or a cliff face, or a
body of water. On the opposite side, Man learned how to take
advantage of the terrain to do the damage he could not. For
large prey, driving them off of cliffs or into deep water allowed
an otherwise imposing foe to be conquered. An animal injured
in a fall was slower to flee, if it still could, and was more easily
apprehended. If the hunting group knew it was going to drive
an animal over a dangerous obstacle, it would often prepare
stakes at the bottom, or have large rocks at the top to throw
down on the injured animal. An animal in deep water is
slowed, and it cannot react as quickly to attack. This could give
humans the advantage against aggressive or powerful crea-
tures.
Man, hunting in packs, also made up the inherent weakness of
individuals. If a hunting party member was injured, the others
could distract an animal in order to draw it off of the injured
party. As well, large groups could flank prey, and take advan-
tage of openings that an individual could not. The primary
advantage to hunting as a pack is in being able to force an indi-
vidual or smaller group to divide their attentions. When an
enemys attention is divided, it cannot attack as effectively as
when its attention can focus on an individual.
Packs tend to target individuals or small groups. They take
advantage of terrain to control the field of battle. They flank
opponents, to take advantage of openings. They react to protect
their injured while still maintaining a pattern. They understand
the value of the individual, so they do not throw themselves
away wantonly.
Domestication, the taming and inclusion of normally wild ani-
mals in human culture, started in this age, and it started with
dogs. Wild dogs shared a similar pack structure to man, and
were found to be very flexible in how they defined their pack.
Dogs could accept a non-dog as pack leader, and were comfort-
able with sharing a kill. Dogs, as well, had developed rudimen-
tary communications skills, and adapted to directions given by
human pack mates. As dogs grew to trust and interact with
humans, humans made places for them in camp, and began
generations of breeding that have resulted in dogs being the
most diverse single species on Earth. The role of the dog in
human society, though started with its usefulness in hunting
and keeping watch.
Most of primitive mankind lived this way. Certain cultures devel-
oped unique refinements or different methods. Some cultures
even maintained the nomadic, tribal or clan-based lifestyle typical
12
of prehistoric man. Even today, some peoples still live this primal
existence, and some, when given the option of living in a more
modern world, still choose the way of their traditions.
This is not to say that war between tribes or clans did not occur.
Mankind has always engaged in war, and more than one
archaeological site has uncovered evidence of prehistoric con-
flict. Low population density and small numbers of people
might have prevented some conflicts from escalating, but there
has been clear evidence that when war came between peoples,
there was rarely any discrimination as to whom was killed.
Men, women, children were all killed, and often left where
they lay. Taboos against touching the dead were common in
ancient cultures, and part of the reason for this was the poten-
tial for disease to be spread.
War, Infection, and
the Dead
During the Hundred Years war, field physicians and herbalists
determined that the best way of dispensing healing salves was
to smear them on the swords of the combatants. Thus, the
wound was clean, and already possessed the needed medicines
to begin healing. Unfortunately, this kind of generosity towards
ones enemies in war is nearly unknown.
Wounds are a horrible breeding ground for infection. Many
germs that live on the skin can be dangerous inside the body,
and wounds can force this kind of rough and involuntary relo-
cation. Assume that any wound has a 5% chance of becoming
infected (plus 20% per hour untreated). Make a Fortitude roll
(DC 20) for any such wound, and if it succeeds the infection is
fought off by the characters immune system. Otherwise, the
wound is indeed infected.
If a wound is infected, instead of healing normally, it will fes-
ter. In game terms, each festering wound prevents 1 point of
healing. Thus a character with 15 hit points can only heal back
to 14 while possessing a festering wound. Worse, if left
untreated, it can develop into a variety of diseases of the flesh.
If you desire to include more realistic infections, make another
Fortitude roll, and on a failure roll percentile and refer below
for the possible additional effects:
125 Septicemia
Septicemia is the gradual rotting of flesh, due to infection by the
bacteria that usually only set in after death. It requires a 1d3 day
incubation period, after which it begins to progressively reduce
the constitution score of the victim, one point a day. This damage
is considered temporary, and lost constitution can be recovered if
the victim is cured. Each week that slow rot is left to spread, 1
point of constitution loss becomes permanent. When the perma-
nent constitution reaches zero, the character dies.
 Sticks and Stones
2650 Gangrene 5175 Neural Necrosis
Gangrene has a 1d6 hour incubation period, and is a rapid dis- Neural Necrosis has a 1d3 day incubation period, and manifests
ease. Wounds so infected tend to turn green after infection. as a general numbing of the area of the wound, which gradually
Every minute after infection has set in, roll 1d100. On a 5 or spreads each day. In essence, the nerves in the region are dying,
lower infected blood has reached the heart, and the person will and thus sensation in the body part is lost. Roll on the gangrene
die in 1d20 hours. The best mundane way to prevent gan- chart if the location of the wound is unknown. That portion of
grenous blood from reaching the heart is by amputating the the body is at a -1 to all tasks in general, due to the inability to
affected area. This stops the rolls. Tying off the infected area of sensually assess the effect on the body, except for skills that
the body tightly can delay the rolling for d100 minutes. Note require touch, such as lock picking or pocket picking, which are
that sometimes the damage of the amputation has sent a body at -4. Worse, wounds to this portion of the body are unsensed,
into shock, and killed the patient anyway. A fortitude save (DC and can be allowed to bleed freely, or promote new infections.
20 for minor appendages and 25 for major) must be made, or Assume that it takes a week for this infection to spread to all
the amputation is still deadly. Amputation usually only works neighboring regions of the body. There is no cure for nerve dam-
on limbs, as cutting out chunks of torso or head flesh is imprac- age, which, in a mundane world, is unhealable.
tical. If the damage was not specified, roll 1d6 + 1d8 on the
following chart to determine location and hit points that will 76100 Tetanus
permanently be lost by amputating: Tetanus occurs when a wound is infected with impurities, and
the impurities hit the bloodstream. The incubation period for
Table 1-1: Amputation tetanus is 1d6 days, and its results are muscular rigidity, usu-
ally in the jaw first. The reason tetanus effects the jaw first is
# Location Result due to deposits of minerals in the muscles of the face. These
react to the impurities of the tetanus infection, and cause the
-5% hit points, possible weapon
2. Right Hand jaw muscles to contract uncontrollably, keeping the jaw locked
hand
shut. In some cases this can lead to starvation or suffocation,
-5% hit points, possible weapon
3. Left Hand depending on the persons general health. Tetanus is progres-
hand
sive, and could not be cured until the modern period. Older
-7% hit points, possible loss of
4. Lower Right Arm remedies invariably involved the breaking of the jaw, in order
weapon arm
to allow nourishment into the body. Living with tetanus is
-7% hit points, possible loss of
5. Lower Left Arm nearly unbearable, as eventually all muscles in the body will
weapon arm
seize up, including the heart.
-10% hit points, possible loss of
6. Upper Right Arm
weapon arm
-10% hit points, possible loss of
First Aid & Healing
7. Upper Left Arm Fortunately, barring the presence of a cleric, a simple success-
weapon arm
-5% hit points, loss of 5 ft of base ful first aid attempt after a battle prevents all wounds from dis-
8. Right Foot ease. If a person with the Heal skill is not available, those with
speed and cannot run
-5% hit points, loss of 5ft of base Profession (herbalist) skill can fashion poultices to prevent
9. Left Foot infection. The DC of the profession check is 15. Poultices may
speed and cannot run
also be purchased or made prior to an arduous event. Wet poul-
-8% hit points, cannot stand without tices tend to last about a week before needing to be replaced,
10. Lower Right Leg
special aid, let alone walk while dry poultices can last up to three weeks. Application of
poultices after combat boosts the fortitude check against infec-
-8% hit points, cannot stand without tion by +3 for dry poultices and +6 for wet ones. Salves can
11. Lower Left Leg
special aid, let alone walk also be prepared by herbalists. These oily concoctions, when
smeared on wounds, give a +2 to Fortitude saves vs. infection.
-15% hit points, cannot stand A canister of salve is usually good for 50 applications, and
12. Upper Right Leg
without special aid, let alone walk should be applied to all wounds, but multiple applications are
not cumulative.
-15% hit points, cannot stand
13. Upper Left Leg Dead bodies left exposed for too long can be hazardous to your
without special aid, let alone walk
health, as well. Bodies in a water system that people drink out
Cannot be amputated. Death is of can transmit gastro-enteritis or cholera, and mishandling
14. Vitals assured in a non-magic using world. corpses and not washing ones hands afterwards can also com-
Pray. municate these diseases when the person eats. Fortitude saves
vs DC 25 must be made to avoid contracting such a disease,
and 90% of those who do not contract the disease become car-
riers for 1d3 days. Those who come in contact with a carrier

13
 From Stone to Steel
must also make a Fortitude vs DC 25 roll, or contract the dis-
ease. Typical incubation is 1d6 days, and symptoms are
extreme diarrhea, cramping, and dehydration. This conveys a
temporary loss of 1d6 con, and the infected must make a Forti-
tude save vs. 20. Failure indicates a more serious case, with an
additional loss of 1d20 con, 1d3 of which are permanent. If all
Con is lost, the victim dies. Things like this became the origin
for legends of a mummies curse or a curse of the dead.
In fantasy worlds, magical healing of any stripe also clears out
any infections, while cure disease will cure any disease, at any
point. But it might be wise to carry poultices or salve, just in case.
Natural Ingenuity
Different cultures adapted to their own environments, and devel-
oped different weapons, armors, and tactics based on their expe-
riences. Some, due to an abundance or shortage of resources,
never moved on to metal use or larger cultural organizations.
While the weapons above can be found in virtually every cul-
ture, those that follow were unique to their peoples.
Native American
Developments
In the Americas, few civilizations moved out of the Stone Age
before the coming of Europeans. This was due to a variety of
reasons. In particularly harsh environments, like the far north,
the Western Andes, or the depths of Amazonian jungles, life
itself was a struggle, and mineral resources required too much
effort to obtain. In these areas, tribes made due with the
resources at hand, to varying degrees of success.
On the rest of the continent, though, indigenous peoples found
themselves with an abundance of resources, and this plenty
made it unnecessary to develop metallurgical skills. Although
it is arguable that certain Meso-American tribes had reached
26
Key: 26. Stone Harpoon; 27. Bone Dart
14
the Copper Age, having learned the techniques of smelting
gold and copper, there was no need for using such metals in
weaponry or armor, as they were too pliable, and so these met-
als were used for ornamentation only.
In fact, the only culture to have reached substantially beyond
the Stone Age in the New World was the Incas, and they will be
discussed more in the next chapter.
In the Far North and North West of America, hunting was a
way of life, and weapons and armor reflected that. Many tribes
in these areas developed specialized harpoons, using stone for
points. These points were barbed, allowing the harpoon head to
grab and hold, despite the struggles of the animal speared.
Darts were also in common use. These darts usually had points
made of antler, bone, or ivory, and were sometimes barbed.
Both Harpoons and Darts would often have animal bladders
attached with a small length of rope to them, so that a harpoon
or dart could be tracked, even in the animal attempted to dive
out of view.
Most items, spears, bows, even shields were often colorfully
decorated, sometimes with feathers, tassels, and/or fur trim
added. This flair and beauty of workmanship spoke of the
importance of the items and of the attention that went into
them. The shields, in general, were small, often decorated with
local animals, important symbols, talismans, or some personal
emblem.
Native American Weapons
Harpoon, Stone
The harpoon is a weapon, 5 feet in length, with a barbed,
sharpened stone head. It is used like a javelin, but is thicker
and heavier, and requires both hands free to throw. It can be
used in melee, but since it was not designed for such, all char-
acters are treated as non-proficient, conveying a -4 to all melee
rolls. Often these have ropes or bladders attached, to aid in
recovery. These are intended to strike creatures in the water.
27
 Sticks and Stones
29
30
Key: 28. Atatl; 29. Blowgun & Needle; 30. North American Indian Longbow; 31. Cordage Backed bow; 32. Ulu
Dart, Bone
Darts, made with bone or ivory heads, and intended for throw-
ing. Bone darts are simple to make, and usually contain little
precious wood.
Atlatl
Harpoons and Darts were often thrown with main force of arm
strength, but many native tribes also used a device called the
atlatl to extend their throwing range and force. The word atlatl is
actually Meso-American in origin, and the item itself is a length
of wood, usually braced in the hand or along the arm, about two
feet in length, with a curve one end. When the thrower wished to
cast the harpoon or dart, they would fit it into the curved end of
the atlatl, and use it to throw the object. The extra two feet of the
atlatls length added to the throwing distance and power of the
throw, and could make the weapon soar up to three times its nor-
mal range, and have stunning striking power. It was as if the
throwers arm was two feet longer!
Atlatl are usually held on the arm, and a weapon (dart or spear)
is braced on it, in a small groove in the wooden surface. This
groove helps to anchor the weapon. Then, when the attacker
throws, the atlatl acts as an extension of the arm, greatly
increasing the distance of the throw, while also adding slightly
to the damage.
Blowgun
Blowguns, long tubes sometimes up to 6 feet in length, were
common throughout the Americas. Using poisoned needles up to
6 inches in length, these were used to take down larger game,
usually from a covered position. The poisons were usually spe-
cific to the region, and were rarely very strong, since the meat of
the animal still needed to be eaten. During warfare, however, this
wasnt always a concern, since not all tribes were cannibals.
15
28
32
31
The damage of the blowgun is negligible, but its use is almost
silent, and needles are regularly coated with venom. Blowguns
do not take damage from attacking, unlike other weapons.
Instead, they only take damage from being attacked. Blowguns
usually range from 24 feet in length.
Barbs on Weapons
Barbed weapons have a tendency to lodge. Whenever a
barbed weapon strikes and greater than half its normal dam-
age is done, the weapon should be considered lodged. Such a
weapon cant be removed without a strength check (DC 15)
and inflicting the weapons damage on the person again.
Players using Heal (DC 15) can try to expose the barbed
weapon head through the flesh, which could allow the
barbed portion to be cut off, limiting the secondary damage
of a barbed weapon to a single point of damage. If the Heal
roll fails, it should be assumed that the head cannot be
exposed, at which point the strength option remains.
Ulu
A curving half-moon blade, flaked from antler bone, the Ulu was
an Eskimo woman's knife, used to cut skins and to prepare meat.
With a handle horizontal to the blade, it had good strength, but
little range, and it was a poor hand weapon. Eskimo women
were more likely to use a dart or harpoon for protection, in a
pinch, since the Ulu had too little range to be effective in com-
bat. Attacks with an Ulu, like those of an unarmed combatant,
automatically draw an attack of opportunity.
Longbow, North American Indian
Like most native peoples, the Northern native used bows rang-
ing from 26 to 72 inches in length. The longest bows were not
common, however, due to the strength required to wield them
and the difficulty of their use. The North American Indians
longbow doesnt have the range of the later Europeans long-
 From Stone to Steel
bow, but is otherwise very effective. Up to 6' in length, this
bow is not usable while mounted.
Bow, Cordage Backed
Just because they had little wood, doesnt mean they didnt use
it. Eskimo bows were crafted out of just about any wood they
could find. They shaped driftwood, and then, to give it strength
and prevent breakage, they laminated it with whalebone and
bound the bow with a prodigious amount of sinew. This
strengthened the wood immeasurably, and lengthened the life
of the bow, preventing wood breakage. The knot pattern of the
cord bindings was unique to each tribe, and the strength they
conferred on the bow made them some of the most powerful
bows in the new world.
Each cordage backed bow was different, primarily because the
wood was generally driftwood, and so wasnt very uniform.
Thicker and less elegant than most bows, its unique flair is the
knotwork and binding of the sinew that reinforces the bow so
solidly. The raw durability of the Cordage Backed bow is
unmatched.
Bola
Northern Native Americans, like some Southern Native Ameri-
can peoples, used bolas to hunt. Bolas are rocks bound by a
cord. In the North these were two rocks, while some South
American Tribes would bind three or more rocks in a bola. In
35
33a
33b 34
33a. War club; 33b. War club; 34. Bola; 35. Tomahawk; 36. Rabbit Stick; 37. Club, Stone Throwing; 38. Sling & Bullet;
39. Lance, North American Stone
16
the North, these weapons were used primarily to take down
birds and were flung with the intent that the cord would strike
the bird and the rocks would force the cord to bind around the
bird, bringing it to the ground. Not only were bolas useful for
entangling, but the stones themselves could do damage when
they struck flesh.
The bola is made of rocks bound by cord, 2 rocks for the North
American version, and 3 or 4 for the South American version. It
should be considered an exotic weapon. Throw as a normal
ranged weapon: If it hits the target (even on the armor), there is a
25% chance the target is entangled. A -2 penalty can be taken to
the attack roll to increase the entangle chance to 50%. An entan-
gled creature is a -2 on attack rolls, and a -4 penalty on effective
Dexterity. The entangled creature can only move at half speed
and cannot charge or run. If an entangled creature attempts to
cast a spell, it must succeed at a Concentration check (DC 15) or
be unable to cast the spell.
The entangled creature can escape with an Escape Artist check
(DC 15) that is a full-round action. Alternately, they can attack
the bola, attempting to cut it apart. Slashing weapons are most
effective for this purpose (divide the damage threshold of the
bola in half). A bola can be burst with a Strength check (DC 20,
also a full-round action).
A bola is only useful against creatures between Tiny and Large
size, inclusive. It can be used in melee, as a flail-like weapon,
38
37
36
39
 Sticks and Stones
but since it was not designed for such, all characters are treated
as non-proficient, conveying a -4 to all melee rolls.
Tomahawk
Many natives in this region used Tomahawks. Stone axes, usu-
ally made with a sharp, wedge-like head, and a longer bar than
normal, Tomahawks could be used in close combat, but were
intended for throwing. Their weight, length, and blade shape
all contributed to its extended use, and it became popular even
with European colonists and later settlers. Some Tomahawks
had a hollow haft, and also doubled as smoking pipes, although
these were rarely as durable as normal Tomahawks. As with
many things made by Native Americans, these weapons were
often highly decorated.
Rabbit Stick
As well, many native tribes used throwing sticks as hunting
weapons. Usually thin, often with a single knobby end, these
were used for taking down small game, or unarmored oppo-
nents. The Hopi tribe called these kinds of weapons Rabbit
Sticks. The throwing stick, though, did not gain the popularity
in the Americas that it did in Australia.
Not a fearsome weapon, this slightly curved thrown stick still
has good range and is very light. Since a number of rabbit
sticks can be carried at one time, these make a good alternative
to more damaging weapons that encumber quickly. It can be
used in melee, but since it was not designed for such, all char-
acters are treated as non-proficient, conveying a -4 to all melee
rolls.
Club, Stone Throwing
War clubs, as well, were made for throwing. War clubs in the
Americas often had centered, oval stone heads, and long hafts
than regular clubs. These did not have the range or penetration
of Tomahawks, and were often used in hunting, in place of
throwing sticks. Clubs used by Northern tribes tended to be
decorated with local imagery, symbols important to the region
and people. Usually they would depict animals, often war-like
in position, and were carved of either wood, bone, or ivory.
Sling
Slings, often made from elk or dear hide, rounded out the many
common weapons of the Native North American. A strip of
hide up to 2 feet in length, a rock (or bullet) was usually placed
in the center, and then the hide was folded over it, to hold it.
The sling could be swung around, over the head or to the side,
and then one held edge would be released to allow the stone to
fly. This caused the stone to do significantly more damage at
greater range.
Bullets: The sling is a simple weapon used by almost every
people at different periods of time. Unlike other weapons, the
slings damage is based on its ammunition, the bullet. Throw-
ing this ammunition without the sling inflicts no damage. The
17
sling takes no damage from attacking, but takes double damage
from slashing attacks.
Lance, North American Stone
Like the northern tribes, most Native North Americans used
darts, atlatls, blowguns, and longbows. However, not all Native
American weapons were ranged weapons. Even though the
American equivalent of the horse was hunted to extinction well
before any oral history was maintained, the Native Americans
did have lances. Heavier than spears, often 6' in length, these
were headed with stone, and used much like later pikes were
used, albeit without the range advantage. Stone Lances were
sometimes used with charges, but would not see their peak
until the coming of Europeans, a time outside the range of this
work.
The Nomadic Plains Indians Fact/Myth
There is a general romantic myth about the nomadic nature of
the Native American Plains Indian. Although some tribes did
travel with the animals they hunted, the vast majority of Plains
Indians had permanent residences, and cultivated food crops
and fished or hunted for meat. Even the nomadic tribes had
various camps that they occupied for months at a time before
moving. It was not until the introduction of the horse in Amer-
ica that truly nomadic Plains Indian cultures flourished. It is
for this reason, more than any other, that Nomadic Plains
Indian culture was so well developed. In most very nomadic
cultures, oral tradition and social traditions develop normally,
but the lack of a permanent home or regular resources retards
the development of cultural decoration, art, and philosophy.
There are always, of course, exceptions.
Essentially a powerful, long spear, the North American Stone
Lance has reach advantage. It can be used at double damage in
a charge, as well. Although Native Americans never used this
weapon while mounted, it is particularly suited for this task. As
a spear, this weapon can also be readied against a charge.
Native American Armor
A number of the Northwestern Native American tribes were
quite warlike. The Tlingit people, in particular, were known for
their fierce fighting acumen, for taking slaves, and for canni-
balism. They wore a unique kind of armor made with hard
woods and heavy hide. Rods and slats of hard wood (about 1"
by 3/8") were bound vertically together with braided sinew and
then covered over with thick hide, sometimes a few inches in
thickness. These heavy armors were often painted with an
owners crest, or with symbolic designs.
Capping the Tlingit armor were their renown war helmets. Hel-
mets of hard wood, there were two kinds. The first were helmets
in the stylized images of fearsome animals. These were enclosed,
and had holes to allow the wearer to see out. The second were
helmets carved with grimacing and angry faces. This second type
had a visor below the fearsome face, which covered the lower
part of the warriors face, and the space between the head and
 From Stone to Steel
visor was the viewing area. These helmets were considered
nearly as good as any European equivalent.
In the area of what is now Southern Canada and the United
States, natives lived in much more abundant circumstances.
Great amounts of resources made life easier, and meant less
inter-tribal warfare. Armor was not as much of a requirement,
and so wasnt as developed as it was in the North West.
For protection, simple hides were sufficient for most of the
time before the arrival of Europeans, but Plains Indians eventu-
ally developed better leatherworking abilities, and developed a
kind of leather called buckskin. It required a combination of
ashes, hemlock and oak bark, long with boiling water, and took
about three months from start to finish. Thin, supple, but
durable, buckskin could be worked easily, embroidered, and
worn as better protection than mere hides. Some tribes also
used wood or bone vests, combined with hides, as armor.
Slat Armor
Slat armor is very bulky, and not very maneuverable armor,
made from rods and slats of wood, braided with sinew and cov-
ered by thick hide. Most useful against slashing and bludgeon-
ing weapons, although piercing weapons can be completely
blocked if they strike a slat directly.
40a
40b
Key: 40a. Tlingit style helmet; 40b. Haida style helmet
18
A number of tribes wore this kind of slat armor, each with a
unique decoration. The helmets, though, were only common in a
few tribes who lived in the Northwest.
Bone Plate
The Eskimo peoples of the far North wore armor into battle as
well. Their environment, though, had little wood, and so they
had to make do with non-wood materials for much of their
weaponry and armor. The armor they wore was fashioned from
whale rib bones (usually in lengths from 6 inces to 3 feet), and
strung together with sealskin. These long bones proved good
deflection from enemy weapons, although not as comprehen-
sive as the hardwood armors of their Southern neighbors.
Shield, Small Wooden
Usually 2 feet in diameter, these shields were usually covered
with hide or buckskin and painted with animal or symbolic
motifs. Feathers or fir might be added, as decoration, but
Native Americans never used spikes.
Buckskin
Buckskin is a marvel of protective ingenuity. Light but surpris-
ingly durable, it surpasses the simple leather armors of Europe.
Buckskin is also easier to repair, repairing like cloth rather than
 Sticks and Stones

41

42

Key: 41. Slat Armor; 42. Bone Plate

leather. Obviously, this kind of armor would be popular among
fantasy world spell casters.
Meso American
Developments
Breast Plate, Bone Hair Pipe
Unlike the North American Natives, Meso American peoples
The Bone Hair Pipe Breast Plate was a ceremonial device,
developed more warlike cultures, and eventually began to form
worn over other armor or alone. It has no practical defensive
large communities. When Europeans came, they found a young
ability, although it may (optionally) deflect a slashing attack
empire forming in Central America, with a burgeoning army
5% of the time. Warriors decorated these items with trophies in
and an alien, often frightening culture. It has been argued that
order to proclaim their prowess and status to other warriors. A
if the Meso American cultures had been left to themselves for a
highly decorated Bone Hair Pipe Breast Plate may reduce the
few hundred more years, they might have developed bronze
morale of opponents. In a fantasy setting this item of armor
and iron technologies, and been more of a match for their
would likely be enchanted to improve the armor bonus and
European conquerors.
durability, and any armor bonus of such an enchanted Bone
Hair Pipe Breast Plate would be added to any other armor
worn.
The Aztecs
The Aztecs, who dominated the region when the Europeans
arrived, were a bloody culture, divided among rival faiths, and
Wood and Hide Armor
split by inter-tribal war. They succeeded numerous other
A wood or bone breastplate attached to animal hides. Although
empires, notably the Teotihuacan and Toltecs. As an inheritor
surpassed by other kinds of armor, wood and hide armor was
Empire, its cuture was bolstered by a variety of religious,
the only armor in its region that boasted reasonable durability.
social, and military heritages. Though it started off as a rela-
Awkward and uncomfortable, armor like this was only worn
tively democratic affiliation of tribes, it became more and more
when going into war.
feudal and totalitarian as its culture became more and more

19
 From Stone to Steel

military centered with promotion often being linked to bravery

in battle.
There existed a number of prestigious military orders in Aztec
society that one could be promoted to. These orders were
named for animals, such as the jaguar, eagle, arrow, etc., and
usually wore real hides or feathers to indicate their affiliation.
Helmets, carved in the shape of the order animal were also
worn. Since the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice and slavery,
promotion to these special warrior orders usually involved cap-
turing warriors in battle, rather than killing them. Eligibility
started with the capture of at least 4 worthy oppo-
nents, and rose sharply depending on the order a
warrior wished to enter.
The Eagle and Jaguar Knights were the pinnacle of
achievement for an Aztec Warrior. The Eagle and Jaguar
were both warrior-aspected creatures who, in myth, proved
their bravery by jumping into the fire after a great hero. The
Eagle was granted the aspect of the sun, while the Jaguar was
granted the aspect of the moon. So it was in battle. When
approaching a city, Eagle Warriors would array at daybreak, and
they would chant and dance to show their power and fearsome
mien. As night fell, the stealthy Jaguar Warriors would invade the
city, and open its defenses. Upon the cry of the Jaguar
Warriors, the Eagle Warriors would lead the
attack at the defenseless city.
In real life, both orders were made up of
warriors of great strength and merit, who
fought valiantly for their ruler and people. But
in a fantasy world, the orders of the Eagle and
Jaguar Knights might be something far greater
Eagle Knights (Prestige Class)
Powerful warriors who have already proven their loyalty to the
Empire, Eagle Knights are the vanguard warrior of the Aztecs.
First to battle, leaders of many, the Eagle Knights were granted
more respect than even the Jaguar Knights. Indeed, the Eagle
Warriors made up the Kings Royal Bodyguard, and even noble
warriors competed for invitation to the Order.
Fighters, Clerics, and Rangers are all likely candidates for the
Eagle Knights. Paladins are not to be found much in Aztec
society, but one willing to leave their religious service might
well pursue entrance into the Eagle Knights. Monks, Rogues,
Druids, and Sorcerers might be offered entrance if they could
meet the steep requirements. But Bards and Barbarians would
not have the discipline, and Wizards would likely find it impos-
sible to join unless they were already multi-classed.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements
To qualify to become an Eagle Knight, a character must fulfill
all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any Lawful.

20
 Sticks and Stones
Basic Attack Bonus: +6
Feats: Cleave, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Macahuitl), Power
Attack
Special: Besides the requirement of capturing 4 worthy oppo-
nents alive, a potential Eagle Warrior must commit an unselfish
act of heroism or valor without regard to personal safety. It is
best if there are many witnesses to this act. This act becomes
the basis for nomination to the Order of the Eagle Knights.
Class Skills
The Eagle Knights class skills (and the key ability for each
skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha),
Jump (Str), Swim (Str)
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int Modifier
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Eagle Knight pres-
tige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Eagle Knights are profi-
cient with all simple weapons, martial weapons, and the Mac-
ahuitl, an exotic weapon. They are also proficient with light
armors and shields. Note that armor check penalties for armor
heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape
Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Improved Critical (Macahuitl): Whether or not they meet
the minimum requirements for this Feat, they gain this feat
upon becoming a first level Eagle Knight.
Armor Expertise: Starting at first level, and following at 4th,
7th, and 10th, the Eagle Knight is able to improve the way he
wears and maneuvers in his armor, boosting his armor bonus
on each level. The bonus conferred by Armor Expertise
increases the armored AC of the Eagle Warrior, and represents
his ability to make the most of his armor and/or shield.
Bonus Feat: Eagle Knights get to choose a bonus feat every
other level, starting at level 2, from the list in the Fighter
Description of the Players Handbook.
Heroic Resolve: This is a magical ability granted at 2nd level
allows the Eagle Knight to fight past their normal limits. If the
hit points of an Eagle Knight drop to zero, he may elect to use
his Heroic Resolve to fight on to the point of death. This can be
done only once per day, regardless of any subsequent healing.
Eagle Visage: At 3rd and 6th level the Eagle Knight gains the visi-
ble aspect of his Orders patron. At third level, Eagle Knights
tend to look more eagle-like in profile, and carry themselves with
noble stature. The Eagle Knight gets a +1 to any social roll,
involving skills or interaction, due to the predisposition of others
to like the noble warrior. At 6th level the Eagle Warrior can use his
presence in battle to confer a +1 morale bonus to all friendly
units. This may be stacked with any other effects that influence
morale. This may be invoked once per day by a warrior, and
requires the Eagle Knight to utter a war cry (in order to draw
attention).
Suns Flame: At 5th level the Eagle Knight gains the ability to
infuse the fire of the sun in a melee weapon strike. The
weapon, for that strike, should be considered flaming, and the
light it radiates should be considered sunlight for any creatures
affected by sunlight. This may be done a number of times equal
to the Eagle Knights levels of Eagle Knight.
Eagle Shield: At 8th level the Eagle Knight may animate the
eagle on his shield, giving it form and life. This Mystic Eagle is
an avatar of the Order Patron, and may be directed at any one
foe in view. [Stat Ref: The Mystic Eagle is the equivalent of a
Giant Eagle, as listed in the Monster Manual and attacks inde-
pendently from the Eagle Knight.] The Eagle Knight may sum-
mon the Mystic Eagle once a day.
Suns Aura: At 9th level the Eagle Knights Suns Flame abil-
ity develops into a more long lasting ability. The Eagle Knight
may invoke the fires of the sun upon his weapon. For the dura-
tion of this ability, weapon should be considered flaming, and
the light it radiates should be considered sunlight for any crea-
tures effected by sunlight. This effect lasts until the next sunset,
and may be cancelled any time. Note that this ability may be
invoked after sun fall, and thus last up to 24 hours.

Table 1-2: Eagle Knight

Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Improved Critical (Macahuitl), Armor Expertise +1
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Heroic Resolve,
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Eagle Visage (+1 to social)
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Armor Expertise +2
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Suns Flame
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Bonus Feat, Eagle Visage (Rally)
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Armor Expertise +3
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Eagle Shield
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Suns Aura
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Armor Expertise +4
From Stone to Steel
Jaguar Knights
Fearsome, stealthy warriors, the Jaguar Knights are the
night to the Eagle Knights day. Although not as
outright dangerous as the Eagle Knight, the
Jaguar Warrior is much feared for the fact that
they are the unseen danger, the unperceived threat.
Even those who man a citys walls before an
attack know that the Jaguar Warriors can pass
under their noses unseen, and bring with them
death. First inside a city, feared abductors, the
Jaguar Knights may not have the respect the
Eagle Warriors do, but they have all the fear they
could ever want: And with good reason.
The ambitious are those to whom the Jaguar Knights may
appeal, as well as those of a
crafty bent. Any class is
open for admission, but the
requirements of the Jaguar
Knights may be more difficult
for those with low intelligence..
Hit Die: d8

Requirements
To qualify to become an Jaguar Knight, a character
fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any
Basic Attack Bonus: +6
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Expertise
Skills: Hide +5
Special: Besides the requirement of capturing 4 worthy
opponents alive, a potential Jaguar Warrior must capture two
more enemies of their own level, or above.
Class Skills
The Jaguar Knights class skills (and the key ability for
each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int),
Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump
(Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock
(Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str)
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int Modifier

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Jaguar Knight
prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Jaguar Knights are pro-
ficient with all simple weapons, martial weapons, and the
Macahuitl, an exotic weapon. They are also profi-
cient with light armors and shields. Note that armor
check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply
to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump,
Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.

22
 Sticks and Stones
Uncanny Dodge: At 1st level, and then again at 4th, the Jaguar Jaguar Visage: At 2nd and 7th level the Jaguar Knight gains the
Knights gain uncanny abilities to avoid damage. At 1st level the visible aspect of his Orders patron. At third level, Jaguar Knights
Jaguar knight is able to react to danger before his senses would tend to look more predatory in profile, and their eyes will glitter
normally allow him to even be aware of it. At 1st level , the in light at night, like those of the Jaguar. The Jaguar Knight may
Jaguar Knight retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) fix a person with their stare and force a willpower roll. Upon fail-
regardless of being caught flat footed or struck by an invisible ure, such a person is subjected to the effects of a Cause Fear spell,
attacker. (He stills loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobi- as if cast by a caster of the Jaguar Knights level. This effect may
lized. be used once a day per level of the Jaguar Knight prestige class.
At 7th level the Jaguar Warrior can use his presence in battle to
At 4th level the Jaguar Warrior can no longer be flanked, since he
drive fear into the hearts of his foes. This functions like the spell
can react to opponents on opposite sides of himself as easily as he
Fear, as if cast by a caster of the Jaguar Knights level, and only
can react to a single attacker. This defense denies rogues the abil-
effects his foes. This may be invoked once per day by a warrior,
ity to use flank attacks to sneak attack the Jaguar Knight. The
and requires the Jaguar Knight to utter a war cry (in order to draw
exception to this defense is that a rogue or assassin at least 4 lev-
attention).
els higher than the Jaguar Knight can flank him (and thus sneak
attack him). Winds Key: At 5th level the Jaguar Knight gains the spell-like
ability to open locked doors. This functions as per the spell
Bonus Feat: Jaguar Knights get to choose a bonus feat every
Knock, as if cast by a caster of the Jaguar Knights level. This
other level, starting at level 2, from the list in the Fighter
ability may be used a number of times equal to the Jaguar
Description of the Players Handbook.
Knights levels in their prestige class.
Invisibility: This is a spell-like ability granted at 3rd, 6th, and 9th
Wall of Air: At 8th level the Jaguar Knight gains the spell-like
level allows the Jaguar Knight to become invisible in certain
ability to create passages through walls as per the Passwall
circumstances. All versions of Invisibility can only be used as
spell. This functions as if cast by a caster of the Jaguar
long as the Jaguar Knight is not moving. As soon as the Jaguar
Knights level. This ability may be used a number of times
Knight moves, the effect is negated. A Jaguar Knight may use
equal to half the Jaguar Knights levels in their prestige class.
any version of Invisibility a number of times a night as they
have levels in the Jaguar Knight prestige class. These Invisibil- Jaguars Touch: At 10th level the Jaguar Knights connection
ity abilities are not possible during the daytime. with the Jaguar, a most feared hunter, conveys to himself the
limited ability to paralyze a victim with fear. A Jaguar Knight
At 3rd level, the Jaguar Knight may become invisible in shadow
may invoke this ability once per day, and it lasts for 1d8x15 min-
sufficient to cover his entire body. At 6th level, the Jaguar Knight
utes. During that time, a Jaguar may touch someone, and force
may become invisible when illuminated only by moonlight. At
them to make a Willpower save vs. a DC equal to the Jaguar
9th level the Jaguar Knight may opt to become invisible when
Knights total levels. Failure paralyses the victim for up to 1d6
illuminated only by firelight. Sunlight will automatically dispel
hours. Often these victims find that when they can move again,
this spell-like ability, as will movement on the part of the Jaguar
they have been bound and are scheduled for sacrifice to the
Knight.
gods

Other Aztec Orders

Other Aztec military orders included the Arrow Warriors, Owl
Knights, and Coyote Warriors. The Arrow Warriors were famed
Table 1-3: Jaguar Knight
Class Base Fort Ref Will Special
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save
1st +0 +0 +2 +0 Uncanny Dodge (AC to Dex), Skill Expertise (Move Silently)
2nd +1 +0 +3 +0 Jaguar Visage (Fear vs. Individual)
3rd +2 +1 +3 +1 Invisible in Shadow
4th +3 +1 +4 +1 Uncanny Dodge (no flanking)
5th +3 +1 +4 +1 Winds Key
6th +4 +2 +5 +2 Invisible in Moonlight
7th +5 +2 +5 +2 Jaguar Visage (Fearsome Presence)
8th +6 +2 +6 +2 Wall of Air
9th +6 +3 +6 +3 Invisible in Firelight
10th +7 +3 +7 +3 Jaguars Touch

23
 From Stone to Steel
for their superiority with the bow, and captained troops of
archer. The Owl was a symbol of evil and death to the Aztecs,
and its order was a hold over from a lost empire. Owls knights
were not concerned with capturing opponents alive, and they
were usually retained for last-ditch city defense only. The Coy-
ote in Aztec lands was traditionally a protector, a persistent
hunter who was willing to delay his own necessities to provide
for the pack. Coyote Warriors were generally only found
among the Chechimecs, a tribe that serves as mercenaries for
the Aztec Empire, and admission to their order was secret and
exclusive.
Meso American Weapons
Aztecs used spears, knives, clubs, bows, javelins, darts, atlatl,
and slings, as listed above, but they had one very unique
weapon, the macahuitl. A club, made of wood, usually plain for
common warriors, or carved for officers and chieftains, it had
ten projecting slots, five on either side. In those slots were
placed flaked blades of obsidian. Obsidian is a metamorphic
stone, lava rock turned to glass by the passage of glaciers. Due
to its being glass, it is both brittle and sharp. In fact, obsidian
can be much sharper even, than steel. Due to its brittle nature,
the blades often broke, and so often needed to be replaced.
47
43
Key: 43. Macahuitl; 44a. Mayan Stone Club; 44b. Mayan Stone Mace; 45. South American Wooden Lance; 46. Forked South
American Wooden Lance; 47. Tepoztopilli
24
However, the Aztec Empire was rich in sources of obsidian,
and its usage of obsidian spread to any bladed weapon.
Aztecs dominated their region through displays of superior
military power, and extraction of tribute from their neighbors.
This promoted a sort of indirect empire rule, which allowed
specific tribes to maintain their own beliefs and structures,
which promoted, in turn, diversity and internecine war. Shared
similarities in religion, sacrifice, and sport all tended to bind
the region culturally, but leave each tribe somewhat unique.
This was far different from the Incan form of Empire, men-
tioned in the next chapter.
In South America the Incas, an ancient empire ruled that over
the northern Andes Mountains also maintained imperial hege-
mony along the western edges of the Amazon. Outside of Inca
rule, the tribes of Native Americans lived simply, often poorly.
Those that dwelt in the jungle tended to be more isolated, and
so only rarely had peaceful contact with each other. Conflict
would be carried out with spear and blowgun, although some
cultures also developed a kind of lance-like weapon, a spear
with a very extended head. Some had one head, and were much
like the North American Stone Lance, except made of wood.
But some had forked heads. All were hand-carved, often with
symbolic forms in the base.
44a 44b
45
46
 Sticks and Stones
48
Key: 48. Aztec Cotton Armor; 49. Shield, Small Reed
In the plains, east of the Andes and south of the Amazon, many
tribes of natives lived like those of North America, using spear,
knife, bola, bow, dart, and javelin to hunt. These South Ameri-
can natives also tamed and domesticated the llama, and used it
as a herding, pack, and food animal, and would often use its
wooly hide to make coats for the cold months. Through domes-
tication of the llama, a creature that is adept to mountain travel,
these natives were able to establish trade with tribes in far
regions, and even with the dominant Incan Empire.
Macahuitl
The Macahuitl is a fearsome and deadly war club that fights
like a slashing sword. Its durability, however, is special. At the
beginning the weapon degrades as per the rules for stone
weapons. Assume that every time weapon experiences degra-
dation, it destroys one of the 10 obsidian blades. After all 10
obsidian blades are destroyed, the Macahuitl functions as a
wooden club, and then damage is applied against the wood
durability and degradation. Obsidian blades can be replaced
easily (thats the hallmark of the Macahuitl) but if the wooden
portion of the Macahuitl is damaged, the whole weapon must
be replaced.
Lance, South American Wooden (Standard and
Tepoztopilli
The Tepoztopilli was effectively a large, heavy spear, lined with Forked)
10 obsidian blades in the same manner as the Macahuitl. At the
beginning the weapon degrades as per the rules for stone
weapons. Assume that every time weapon takes 2 points of
damage it destroys one of the 10 obsidian blades along the spear
edge. After all 10 obsidian blades are destroyed, the Tepoztopilli
is a top-heavy staff, and then damage is applied against the wood
hardness of 3 and wood degradation applies. Obsidian blades
can be replaced easily (that's the hallmark of Aztec weaponry)
25
49
but if the wooden portion of the Tepoztopilli is damaged, the
whole weapon must be replaced.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a volcanic stone turned to glass by glacial action.
Like all glass, Obsidian is fragile, but it forms dangerously
sharp edges with a little coaxing. Blades made with obsidian
do +2 damage above whatever normal damage they would
do. Thus a dagger of obsidian would do 1d4+2, while an
obsidian shortsword or sickle would be 1d6+2. This bonus is
to damage only, and the durability of the weapon, no matter
what it was, drops to 3S, and the Damage threshold is
decreased by 2 as well. The Macahuitl, for example, is a
rough equivalent of an obsidian falchion. Glass is lighter
than metal, and weight in most items is reduced by .5 to 1lb.
Note that the +2 to damage is applied before any damage
multiplier, such as are given with charges, readied weapons
for a charge, or sneak attacks. Obsidian is particularly vul-
nerable to hard armors (stone or metal) and its durability
drops to 2S vs. stone or armor targets. Assassins, though,
may find obsidian a particularly prized material for murder
weapons, since armor is rarely a factor for them
Essentially a powerful, long spear, the South American
Wooden Lances have the reach advantage. They can be used at
double damage in a charge, as well. The Forked South Ameri-
can Wooden Lance gives a +2 bonus on your opposed attack
rolls when attempting to disarm an opponent (including the roll
to avoid being disarmed if you fail to disarm your opponent).
Although Native Americans never used this weapon while
mounted, the non-forked variant is particularly suited for this
 From Stone to Steel
task as well. Like spears, these weapons can also be readied durable wooden version of the Chimali, that is identical to the
against a charge. Small Wooden Shield.

Meso American Armor

Most warriors in any army went into battle naked, save a loin
cloth. They often painted their weapons and bodies to identify
which officer they followed, so as to not be confused in battle.
Officers, on the other hand, usually work complex, dress-like
cotton armor, usually covered in woven feathers. These were
capped by feathered crests and capes, often decorated with
honorariums. This armor was remarkably resistant to punctur-
ing by javelins, spears and the local equivalent of swords, due
to the tight weave. Even some Spanish adopted this armor
while in the New World, as it was strong and light. The Aztec
officers also carried wooden or reed shields, called Chimali,
decorated with their symbol.
Aztec Cotton Armor
More comfortable than equivalent armors, and not as stifling in
the heat, the Cotton Armor of the Aztecs was a marvel that
even the Spanish appreciated as it was reasonably comfortable,
and could be worn on the campaign. This kind of armor was
only used in Aztec lands. More elaborate versions, along ani-
mal motifs, were worn by officers who were members of the
military orders, but these outfits conveyed no further benefit.
Shield, Small Reed (Chimali)
Usually 2 feet in diameter , these shields were called Chimali
by the Aztecs, and were usually covered with hide. Those of
the officers were painted with animals (if the officers belonged
to a military order) or symbolic motifs. There is also a more
Bamboo
Bamboo is a cylindrical stalked plant that grows best in
warmer wet climates. Its wood is particularly lightweight
and strong, and unlike most wood, holds and retains an edge.
Bamboo can ignore the slashing weapon damage threshold
limitation of wood.
Islander Developments
Many islands of the Pacific have people of various Polynesian
decent. These people have had to make do on islands with lim-
ited resources, and so have developed unique, if limited,
weapons strategies.
Most pacific islanders use bone to varying effect. Bone from seal,
walrus, or even whale are used to make weapons and knives with,
and even teeth, especially sharks teeth, are used in weapon and
armor construction. Certain islander tribes mounted shark teeth
on clubs, sword-like sticks, or arrows, using the superior serrated
edges of shark teeth as weapons in combat. Shirts of grasses and
reeds, lined with shark teeth have also been used. Excellent proof
against weapons, these hard to make but valuable shirts are also
dangerous to come in contact with.
While most wood cannot hold an edge for long, bamboo is an
exception. In places were bamboo flourishes, spears and knives
of bamboo could be made that were much more efficient than
those of other natural materials. Swords, however, were

53

54a
52
50

51

54b

Key: 50. Shark Tooth Club; 51. Shark Tooth Sword; 52. Shark Tooth Arrow; 53. Maori Whip; 54a. Bamboo Knife; 54b. Bamboo
Spear

26
 Sticks and Stones
55
55. Shark Tooth Mail Shirt; 56. Tortoise Breast Plate
impractical, as the required a long edge, and were primarily for
slashing, while bamboo made an excellent impaling material.
Polynesian Weapons
Club, Shark Tooth
A standard club with shark teeth embedded for extra damage.
Sword, Shark Tooth
A stick lined with shark teeth and wielded much like a sabre.
Powerful for their lightweight, they are, never the less, rela-
tively weak. Those who wield shark tooth weaponry, though,
do so for the offensive value of the weapon. Any shark tooth
weapon should be considered barbed.
Arrow, Shark Tooth
In all other respects like bone headed arrows, the shark tooth
arrow is naturally considered barbed.
Whip, Maori
This whip, made by the Maori tribe, deals subdual damage
only, but also inflicts a great deal of pain. Basically a switch,
this weapon was used in endurance rituals. In order to simulate
these is to use the following mechanic: Each strike with a whip
requires a Fortitude roll (starting at DC 10). Add one to the DC
for every point of damage done so far. If this fails, the victim
cannot help by cry out with pain. Similar mechanics may be
used with any endurance combat. Made from saplings, these
whips are merely long, supple sticks, usually with a braided
handle.
27
56
Knife, Bamboo
Otherwise similar to their stone and wooden cousins, the bamboo
versions of these weapons are tougher and more long lasting.
Spear, Bamboo
Otherwise similar to their stone and wooden cousins, the bamboo
versions of these weapons are tougher and more long lasting.
Spear, Stingray Spine
In the Caribbean there were fewer inhabited islands than in
Polynesia, and the people who lived on them lived relatively
simple lives. Most of these tribes used crude wooden weapons
or stone knives, but bones of fish were useful, especially the
stingray. Its serrated spine was ideal for hunting and warfare,
and spears capped by this kind of head were common.
Like the stingray, these kinds of spears can be deadly. They are
naturally considered barbed, and the blade is particularly brit-
tle, so if it has been damaged, it tends to break off deep in the
wound, increasing the chance of infection (25%).
Polynesian Armor
Mail Shirt, Shark Tooth
Exotic and disturbing in appearance, the Shark Tooth Mail Shirt
is an excellent shirt of non-metal armor, light, relatively durable,
and not too encumbering. Two things make this shirt notable.
Grappling with someone in a Shark Tooth Mail Shirt will inflict
an automatic 2d3 damage to an unarmored foe, and will also do
automatic damage against soft armors (cord, cloth, leather). Any
strength bonuses (from either combatant) increase the automatic
 From Stone to Steel
58b
58a
57
59
57. Stingray Spine Spear; 58a. Large Wooden Shield; 58b. Large Grass Shield; 59. Spear Thrower; 60. Tower Hide Shield;
61. Aboriginal Fire Shield
damage accordingly. The other detail of note involves damage. If
the Shark Tooth Mail Shirt is damaged beyond its structural rat-
ing, it rends, as per the rules under metal armor. In this case,
shark teeth become lodged in the resulting wound, and must be
removed to allow normal healing.
Breast Plate, Tortoise
The Maori tribe are noted for use of large tortoise shells in
making breast plates. These breast plates are excellent proof
against slashing and bludgeoning weapons, and useful in
deflecting some arrows. They are only used in serious warfare,
however. When conflict within the tribe occurs, the Maori
often arbitrate through ritual use of their whips, making armor
use unnecessary. Heavier than the shark tooth mail shirt, but
more durable, this breastplate was individually crafted, usually
by the wearer, and held on by hide straps.
Shields, Grass and Wooden
Many islander cultures used larger shields, mostly oval in
shape. These were fashioned from materials readily available.
Some would be constructed from wood, bark, or bamboo,
while other people wove them from wicker or grasses. Cultures
that caught fish of the ray family sometimes used ray hide on
their shields. Often these shields were decorated with fearsome
designs or intricate and meaningful geometric images.
28
60
61
African Developments
Africa was the place where real tool use began, and it was the
first to develop most of the general weapons. Some tribes also
developed a spear thrower similar to the atlatl. Though not
quite as effective in magnifying the distance of the thrower, it
none-the-less proved more effective than a strong arm. As well,
throwing sticks, identical to the rabbit stick, were also devel-
oped and used throughout the continent.
Spear Thrower
Spear Throwers are usually held on the arm, and a spear is
braced on it, in a small groove in the wooden surface. This
groove helps to anchor the spear. Then, when the attacker
throws, the spear thrower acts as an extension of the arm,
greatly increasing the distance of the throw, while also adding
slightly to the damage.
Shield, Tower
Shields of hide and/or wood have always been a part of warfare
in Africa, and some of them were quite large, even rivaling the
length of tower shields. Sometimes these shields were deco-
rated, but most of the time they were left unadorned. The use of
the spear and shield would resonate throughout history.
 Sticks and Stones
Tower Shields do not provide an armor bonus, but instead pro-
vide cover. The percentage of cover is determined by place-
ment on the field.
European Developments
In certain northern areas of Europe flint was in good supply. In
areas where this flint was readily accessible, longer lengths were
manufactured into full-fledged swords, stone bladed and wooden
handled. These flint swords were fearsome for their potential
damage, but like all stone implements, prone to severe breakage.
When a flint sword broke, its wielder often found himself at the
mercy of those who still possessed workable weapons, and bat-
tlefields were littered with the remains of such broken blades.
Such blades were never longer than 16 inches in length, as the
stone became too brittle beyond that measurement.
Shortsword, Flint
Reaching up to 16 inches in length, the flint shortsword was an
extension on the idea of cutting weapons, lengthened for use in
inter-tribal warfare.
Celt (Stone Axe)
In Central and Eastern Europe, the adze was the most popular
tool and weapon. In most of Western Europe, a local version of
the stone axe, called the Celt, was popular. Celts possessed a
63a
62
66
62. Improved Stone Axe; 63a. Returning Boomerang; 63b. Kylie; 64. Horn Bow; 65. Composite Bow; 66. Toothed Stone Mace
29
wooden handle, and the stone head was affixed to it via an
antler bone sleeve. Different from the ax used in Spain, Britain,
and the Northern areas of Europe, the Celt was more durable
and easier to repair.
Made for intertribal warfare, the Celt is designed to facilitate
repairs. If either the wood or stone portion of the weapon is
damaged, it can be removed and replaced without requiring
extra fixture time. Cut all repair times in half for this weapon.
Axe, Improved Stone Adze or Stone Battleaxe
Certain Germanic people developed the ability to perforate
stone through use of a boring tool. Holes could be put through
the stone, to allow a wooden handle to be placed in the stone
head. This made the ax or adze manufactured in this way more
powerful, as it could convey more force without the loss of
strength. This technique allowed the development of improved
versions of the stone axe and adze, and for manufacture of
stone battleaxes. This battleaxe was either double sided, or
constructed with a splayed blade.
Each of these improved stone weapons is a marked advance
over the previous method of weapon making, and they came to
dominate in their region of Europe, although geography pre-
vented further expansion.
63b
64
65
 From Stone to Steel
Other (Australia, Asia, etc.)
Aborigines
In Australia, the Aboriginal peoples had no metallurgical skills
and little natural resources. Thus, they made do with that they
had. And they did very well. Australian Aboriginal people also
carried the usual variety of stone and wooden weapons,
although coastal tribes favored the barbed spines of stingrays.
Instead of binding spear heads with sinew, strips of hide, or
plant fiber, they used resins and wax, which held better, but
was prone to melting under heat. As well, their spears were
often barbed, usually far up the length of the spear pole, and
their shields were tall, thin affairs, useful for guarding a side
strike, but not a frontal blow. These shields doubled as fire
starters, and hunters who carried spear and shield could start a
fire as quickly as any who use a modern flint and steel.
Boomerang, Returning and Kylie
A common theme in Australian Aboriginal weaponry is the
throwing stick. The popular and vaunted returning boomerangs
were not, actually, common weapons. They were a side-evolu-
tion from the kylie, the common non-returning boomerang,
which was used for hunting. Each kind of throwing stick is
unique. The returning boomerang has the coveted ability to
return after being thrown, but only if the weapon misses. The
kylie, in turn, has the longest range of this kind of throwing
stick, and hits harder than the rabbit stick.
The non-returning Kylies were generally about 3 feet long, and
had a cord width of 3 to 4 inches, and perhaps a half inch in
thickness while the returning boomerangs are somewhat
smaller. These sticks were aerodynamic, and flew straight and
far, having more force and distance than the rabbit stick.
Boomerang, Fighting
Another offshoot was the fighting boomerang, which had a
pick like hook on one end. The hook was intended to strike a
shield or weapon held defensively, and allow the fighting
boomerang to swing on the hook pivot, to strike the defender
anyway. Although this was not always successful, when it was,
it could be quite stunning.
Asia
Many archaeologists believed Asia to have been very backward
during the stone age, but recent evidence suggests that artisans
in Asia may have used advanced African techniques of
Resin/Wax/Glue
Resin, Wax, or Glue can be used as a binder to hold two sep-
arate materials together. The strength of the bond is easily
equal to that conveyed by sinew or bindings, but the liquid
adhesives cant be cut. The weaknesses of these materials are
solvents or heat. If heat damage inflicts 2 or more points of
damage to the weapon, it should be assumed that the resin,
wax, or glue has failed, and the two separate materials fall
apart. This may be quite critical in a battle. A long pole is not
quite as useful as a spear. As well, when an item takes 2 or
more points of damage from acid, assume the resin, wax, or
glue has failed, and the separate elements have fallen apart.
weapons making. Thus, Asian weapons were easily on par with
most of north Africa. In Asia, the major development was the
composite or horn bow.
In Java the horn bow was common. Made from the antlers of
deer, and then strung with sinew, it was surprisingly springy,
although it required special treatments to maintain that springi-
ness over a long period of time. Bone could be softened when
soaked in water or, preferably, vinegar, and then straightened,
but it had to dry for a while to become stiff again. If a horn
bow cracked, though, it could not be salvaged.
Much of the rest of Asia, though used either the traditional
wooden hunting bow, or the composite bow, which had certain
advantages, but was more difficult to construct. The composite
bow was made primarily of horn and wood, with sinew forming
both the draw string and backing. The wood was a compressible
material, and allowed the string to give more easily, while the
bone acted as a stiffener, and gave it strength. The sinew helped to
reinforce the bow, although it was not used nearly as liberally as it
was in the cordage backed bow. The composite bow lasted a sur-
prisingly long time, historically, up until the 18th century, in certain
parts of the world, and has seen relatively few modifications.

The fighting boomerang has a 25% chance to ignore any AC

bonus of a shield or defensive weapon on any given throw. It
Bow, Horn
This kind of bow does not necessarily possess any advantage
does this due to a hook that creates a rotation point on a defen-
over the wooden bow, but was used more commonly in the
sive item, allowing an attack to bypass it. Roll for this before
Java region.
you roll to hit, and if you are successful, ignore the armor
bonus of the shield.
Bow, Composite (Short and Medium)
Composite bows mate the mutual strengths of wood, bone, and
Shield, Aboriginal Fire
sinew to make a durable long range weapon. There is some
The Aboriginal Fire Shield is not the most defensive of shields,
debate as to the exact origin of the composite bow, but it was
but it does allow an object (or light weapon) to be carried in the
only used in Asia during the Stone Age, usually in Siberia and
shield hand. As well, it is culturally used for starting fires while
Northern China.
on a hunt or march.

30
 Sticks and Stones
Forces of Change
As populations were more successful, they grew, and
demanded more permanent lodgings and structure. Develop-
ments in agriculture and domestication would eventually lead
to the first cities and nations. The presence of larger popula-
tions in one area forced man to form social contracts, often to
the advantage of the aggressive and strong. This was most evi-
dent among societies like the Tlingit or Aztecs, although Ger-
manic, Siberian, African, and Nomadic Middle Eastern tribes
also took advantage of these early population centers.
Leather
Another innovation that prompted serious changes in warfare
was the development of true leather. Since skins could often
become coarse, odorous, and stiff with age, people experi-
mented with various oily substances, rubbing them into the
hides to soften them. Eventually it was discovered that certain
kinds of tree bark contained tannin a substance we now
know as tannic acid. This substance, when spread on hides,
made the leather both pliable and durable. Leather was far
more effective at preventing damage than plain hides and furs,
and could be fashioned into more comfortable and effective
garments. The process of manufacturing leather in this was
called tanning.
With the advent of leather armor, stone weapons like the stone
mace were far less effective, and innovations were required to
keep weapons at pace with armor. Egyptians developed a
toothed stone mace, which appeared to be made explicitly to
pierce armor, but this mace required great strength to use, and
was not a complete solution.
Leather Armor, Tanned
Tanned Leather Armor is the kind mentioned in the Players
Handbook. Appearance is dependant on the animal the hide
came from, although generally the color is a deep brown.
Shield, Leather (Small or Large)
Heavier than the hide shields, leather shields were also more
durable. Often these were painted with devices, or culturally
important symbols.
Mace, Toothed Stone
Made first by Egyptians, these heavy maces were designed to
pierce leather armor and helms. The toothed mace design
became one of the most common variants of mace in history.
The Science of Warfare
Observing that certain stones, when left in fire for long periods,
yielded small amounts of metal, people began to experiment.
The first few metals found were pretty, but too pliable to use
reliably for tools. Copper and Gold became decorations, and
though copper was used, for a time, in combat, it would see a
relatively short hey day, when the first alloys were made, and
this process of subjecting stone to heat to distill metals, smelt-
ing, came into its own.

68

67

69

70

67. Flint Shortsword; 68. Celt in Antler Sleeve; 69. Tanned Leather Armor; 70. Leather Shield

31
 From Stone to Steel
As well, in the growing science of warfare, it became obvious that
the more maneuverable an army was, the more effective it was,
regardless of numbers. Scouts and lightly armored foot troops
became the rule of the day in late Stone Age engagements, but in
various cultures a new theory prompted adventurous men to use
newly domesticated horses. At first tamed for their strength, horses
had been used for a short time in the late Neolithic age as plow
animals, along with oxen, and as beasts of burden, like the llama
of the New World. But a mounted rider could maneuver more
quickly than any footman, and longer weapons could be potent
when charging on a horse. As the age of sticks and stones came to
an end, it made way for an age of Horses, Bronze, and Armies.

Table 1-4: Stone Age Weapons

Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Tiny
Knife, Bamboo 8sp 1d3 1920/x2 1 lbs S W 4/3
Knife, Rock -- 1d3 1920/x2 1.5 lbs S S 3/3
Short Tusk -- 1d3 x2 1.5 lbs P B 3/5
Spike, Bone -- 1d3 1920/x2 1.5 lbs P B 3/5
Ulu 5sp 1d3 x2 1 lbs S B 3/3
Small
Adze, Improved Stone 2gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs P WS 4/17
Adze, Stone 1gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs P WS 3/15
Mace, Stone 2gp 1d6 x2 6 lbs B WS 3/18
Medium-Size
Club, Bone -- 1d6 x2 2.5 lbs B B 3/5
Club, Shark Tooth* 6gp 1d6 x3 4 lbs B BW 3/8
Macahuitl* 45gp 1d8 1920/x2 6 lbs S/B SW 3/28
Mace, Toothed Stone 6gp 1d8 x2 12 lbs B & P WS 3/24
Stick, Short (Club) -- 1d6 x2 3 lb B W 3/8
Large
Long Tusk -- 1d6 x2 2 lbs P B 3/4
Spear, Bambooa 2gp 1d6 x3 20ft 5 lbs P W 4/12
Spear, Primitive Woodena -- 1d6 x3 20ft 7 lbs P W 3/14
Spear, Primitive Wooden Hardeneda -- 1d6 x3 20ft 7 lbs P W 4/14
Spear, Stone Heada 1gp 1d8 x3 20ft 8 lbs P WS 3/16
Stick, Long (Quarterstaff) -- 1d6/1d6 x2 2.5 lbs B W 2/7
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Tiny
Rock, Throwing -- 1d2 x2 15ft .5 lbs B S 3/4
Small
Dart, Bone 2sp 1d3 x2 20ft .5 lbs P B 2/2
Sling -- Per Ammunition x2 50ft .01 lbs B L 2/1
Medium-Size
Javelin, Primitive Wooden 6sp 1d4 x2 30ft 2 lbs P W 3/4
Javelin, Primitive Wooden Hardened 1gp 1d4 x2 30ft 2 lbs P W 4/4
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Axe, Improved Stone 3gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs S SW 4/12
Axe, Stone 2gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs S or P WS 3/10
Celt 2gp 1d6 x3 3.5 lbs S SBW 3/7
Shortsword, Flint 5gp 1d6 1920/x2 3.5 lbs S S 3/7
Medium-Size
Axe, Stone Battle 5gp 1d8 x3 7 lbs S SW 3/14
Sword, Shark Tooth* 50gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs S BW 3/10
Large
Lance, Forked South American Woodena 4gp 1d6 x3 10 lbs P W 3/18
Lance, North American Stonea 3gp 1d8 x3 10 lbs P WS 4/20

32
 Sticks and Stones
Table 1-4: Stone Age Weapons
Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Large
Lance, South American Woodena 3gp 1d6 x3 9 lbs P W 3/18
Tepoztopilli* 50gp 1d8 1920/x2 13lbs S W 2/26
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Small
Tomahawk* 4gp 1d6 x2 15ft 3 lbs S WS 3/9
Tomahawk, Peace Pipe* 4gp 1d6 x2 15ft 2.5 lbs S WS 2/8
Medium-Size
Bow, Composite Medium 85gp 1d6 x3 90ft 3 lbs Per arrow WB 3/9
Bow, Horn 20gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2 lbs Per arrow B 3/6
Bow, Primitive Hunting 30gp 1d6 x2 60ft 2 lbs Per arrow W 3/6
Bow, Primitive Medium 45gp 1d6 x2 70ft 2 lbs Per arrow W 3/6
Bow, Short Composite 75gp 1d6 x3 70ft 2 lbs Per arrow WB 3/8
Club, Throwing Stone 5sp 1d4 x2 10ft 3 lbs B WS 3/9
Large
Bow, Cordage Backed 100gp 1d8 x3 80ft 3.5 lbs Per arrow WC 3/11
Harpoon, Stone* 5gp 1d6 x3 20ft 12 lbs P WS 3/22
Longbow, North American Indian 90gp 1d8 x3 90ft 3 lbs Per arrow W 3/9
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Small
Rabbit Stick 5sp 1d4 x2 20ft 0.5 lbs B W 3/4
Medium-Size
Whip, Maori* 1sp 1d3 x2 1 lbs S W 2/2
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Tiny
Blowgun 1gp 1 x2 20ft 2 lbs P W 4/4
Small
Bola, Northern American* 8sp 1d3 x2 20ft 2 lbs B CS 3/6
Bola, South American* 1gp 1d4 1920/x2 15ft 3 lbs B CS 3/9
Boomerang, Fighting*# 2gp 1d6 x2 15ft 3.5 lbs B W 3/11
Boomerang, Returning* 2gp 1d4 x2 10ft 2 lbs B W 2/6
Kylie* 2gp 1d6 x2 20ft 3 lbs B W 3/9
Medium
Atlatl* 8sp +1 x3 1 lbs W 2/2
Net, Grass* 8gp 10ft 8 lbs FC 2/16
Spear Thrower* 1gp +1 x2 2 lbs W 2/4
Spear, Stingray Spine* aa 15gp 1d6 x3 20ft 4.5 lbs P B 2/9
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Arrow, Blunt (20) 1gp 3.5 lbs B WB/S 1/4
Arrow, Bone Head (20) 6sp 2.5 lbs P WB 1/3
Arrow, Shark Tooth (20) 2gp 3 lbs P WB 1/3
Arrow, Stone Head (20) 6sp 3 lbs P WS 1/3
Arrow, Wooden (20) -- -1 2 lbs P W 1/2
Bullet, Stone (10) 6cp 1d3 2 lbs B S 2/2
Needles (20) 1gp .5 lbs P W 1/1

* See the description in the text for special rules.

Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage 33
 From Stone to Steel
Table 1-5: Stone Age Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Light Armor
Aztec Cotton Armor 115gp +2 +5 -2 15% 30ft/20ft 20lbs F 4/42
Breast Plate, Tortoise 30gp +3 +5 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 20lbs B 4/40
Breast Plate, Bone Hair Pipe 2gp +0 N/A 0 0% 30ft/20ft .5lbs BC 1/1
Buckskin 13gp +2 +6 0 5% 30ft/20ft 8lbs L 3/10
Furs and Hides 8gp +2 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 12lbs L 2/24
Leather Armor, Tanned 10gp +2 +6 0 10% 30ft/20ft 15lbs L 3/32
Mail Shirt, Shark Tooth# 25gp +3 +4 -1 25% 30ft/20ft 18lbs B 3/34
Skin Armor -- +1 +6 -1 10% 30ft/20ft 8lbs L 1/14
Wood and Hide Armor 10gp +2 +4 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 18lbs WL 3/36
Medium Armor
Bone Plate 15gp +3 +4 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 22lbs BL 3/44
Slat Armor 30gp +3 +4 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 25lbs WL 4/50
Shields
Shield, Aboriginal Fire 1gp +1 -1 10% 3lbs W 3/6
Shield, Great Bark 12gp +3 -3 20% 15lbs W 1/28
Shield, Large Bark 5gp +2 -2 15% 10lbs W 1/18
Shield, Large Grass 6gp +2 -2 15% 7lbs C 2/14
Shield, Large Hide 5gp +2 -2 15% 8lbs L 1/16
Shield, Large Leather 7gp +2 -2 15% 9lbs L 3/18
Shield, Large Wooden 7gp +2 -2 15% 10lbs W 3/20
Shield, Small Bark 1gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs W 1/8
Shield, Small Hide 1gp +1 -1 5% 3lbs L 1/6
Shield, Small Leather 3gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs L 3/8
Shield, Small Reed 8sp +1 -1 5% 2lbs W 1/4
Shield, Small Wooden Shield 3gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs W 3/8
Shield, Tower Hide** 22gp * -8 50% 21lbs L 2/42
Shield, Tower Wooden** 30gp * -10 50% 45lbs W 3/90

# See the text for special rules.

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.

B = Bludgeoning
P = Piercing
S = Slashing

34
Chariots of Bronze

Domestication 36 Mishaps 48
The Riding Skill 38 Table 2-2: Terrain 48
Table 2-1: Riding Modifiers 38 Table 2-3 Terrain Changes 48
Copper and Bronze 38 Table 2-4: Driver Mishap 48
Copper 38 Table 2-5: Breakage 49
Skittishness 38 Charioteer Prestige Class 49
CopperArsenic Alloy 38 Table 2-6: Charioteer 50
Bronze 39 New Feats 51
The Fertile Crescent: Sumeria 39 The Far East 52
Sumerian Tactics 40 China 53
Shield Trapping 42 The Divine Mandate 54
Phalanx tactics 43 The Inca 54
Battle Wagons/Onager 44 Europe & The Mediterranean 56
Babylon 44 The Celts 56
North Africa: Egypt 44 The Minoans 56
Forced Innovation: The Hittites 45 The Mycenaens 57
Chariots and Chariot Combat. 47 The End of an Age 58
Iron and the Late Bronze Age 47 Table 2-7: Bronze Age Weapons 59
Hazards 48 Table 2-8: Bronze Age Armor 60

35
 From Stone to Steel
As floorboard rocked, the soldier adjusted his stance, lean-
ing into the turn and eyeing the nail-studded wheel rim
flashing on his right. The chariot maintained its grip, how-
ever, and now they shot toward the plain of war. The soldier
adjusted his grip on his javelin, and inventoried the quiver.
Hed have five throws before the chariot would swing to one
side, and he and the three other soldiers would disembark
and enter the melee. Those five throws had to count.
A brief dip pulled at the pit of his stomach, and he fought
the discomfort and the jarring thud of stones under the
wheels, then the ride became smoother. The plain was an
advantageous field for battle, and he could already see the
wagons of the enemy pulling wide in reaction to the chariot
rush. The enemys onagers couldnt achieve the speed that
horses could, and their four wheeled wagons weighed them
down, sacrificing mobility for stability. Hed fought these
Elamites before, during a summer raid, and he knew how
fortunate it was that this force had been drawn down out of
the mountains and onto a fair footing. Soon those wagons
would disgorge their own soldiers, and the battle would
begin in earnest.
Sweat ran along the leather lining of his armor. Already it
was growing warm, and before the battle was over he would
wish he wasnt wearing it. But its protection was necessary,
the Elamite curved swords were deadly against unarmored
foes, and their arrows could pierce mere leather. Riding
another turn, he raised his javelin, and sighted the enemys
wagon drivers.
With a heave he cast the bronze capped javelin into the air,
and the momentum of the chariot and his own throwing arm
gave it a strange, arcing grace, sending it farther than a
mortal arm could normally throw. But perhaps Marduk
was watching over the Elamite driver, for a brief skid put
him out of harms way, and the javelin struck soil behind
him, embedding itself.
Frustrated, the soldier pulled another javelin from the
quiver, and then sighted a second wagon. This flight went
true, and soon the second Elamite driver sprouted a javelin
from his chest. The life quickly fled his form, and, un-
guided, the war wagon left its formation. As the soldier
drew his third javelin, he noted the warriors in the pilot-less
wagon rushing to master the onagers and regain control.
Another javelin cast forced them to duck low, but shortly
they were out of range.
His fourth cast was sent wide by a sudden lurch, as a large
rock shook the chariot. He cursed his luck but then spotted
the Elamite commanders wagon. Alerting to the driver, he
steadied himself, focusing on his target. They altered course.
They were now venturing into the Elamites portion of the field.
Archer formations, directed by officers, hastily put arrow to
bow, and tested range on their chariot. A fellow warrior beside
him put up his shield, holding it to guard the thrower from
enemy fire. The soldier eyed the commander, and drew back
36
his arm. The commander, noting the danger approaching, lifted
up his shield to ward off a javelin strike, but as the soldier cast
his last javelin, it did not fly towards the commander. The
chariot driver hauled on the reigns, heaving the horses sharply
to the left by their nose-rings. The chariot bumped and
careened, going off one wheel briefly, threatening to spill them
all out. The soldier turned against the corner, though, watching
his javelin cast, hoping his aim was true.
The javelin struck the right onager in the neck, causing it to
stumble and collapse. The wagon, still traveling forward,
suddenly had a burden at yoke, rather than a charging ani-
mal. It lurched, and rolled partially up onto the form of the
onager, and then the guide-bar snapped. The wagon tipped
vertically for a moment and then collapsed backwards, on
top of its occupants. It was better than he could have hoped.
He shouted in triumph, and the other soldiers cheered his
good arm. Without their commander, the Elamites would be
fighting a losing battle, dispirited and without new com-
mands. Already figures were running towards the wrecked
wagon, to see what had happened.
The soldier drew his battleaxe, and looked about for his
shield, but it was nowhere to be found. Likely it was back
there, in the dirt, where they had made the great turn and
fled their dangerous position. He shrugged. It was no mat-
ter. The others would cover him in the beginning, and hed
claim a shield as soon as an enemy dropped one. This was
just one battle in a month of battles, and blessings of Mar-
duk aside, he would have many days of campaign to go.
Domestication
A s the Neolithic Stone Age came to a close, large commu-
nities sprang up in static locations, supported by advanced
hunting practices, cultivation, and domestication. The first ani-
mals to be domesticated were dogs, followed afterwards by cat-
tle, donkeys, and horses. These later domestications were brought
about to improve the stable food supply, and to haul loads too
heavy for men to carry. Early horses were not as large as todays
horses, and they did not have the strength bred into later varieties.
Thus, the riding of horses was extremely uncommon.
Only in areas like Siberia, or the barbarian regions of China
and Mongolia did people ride horses. There religions about the
creatures and their place in society sprang up, and it was com-
mon for these people to ride horses as part of their nomadic
migration. These peoples would someday become the horse-
bound cultures of the Scythians, Magyars, Huns, Hittites,
Medes, and Mongols, and to some degree the practice of horse
cavalry is owed to their cultural lineage.
Camels, both Bactrian (two humps) and Dromedary (one
hump), were not commonly bred in Mesopotamian culture
until later, well into the Bronze Age period. An animal with a
less pleasant temperament than the horse, the camel was best
suited to desert conditions and privation, and as such was bet-
 Chariots of Bronze
ter as a nomadic animal in the Middle East. No substantial cav-
alry was organized around the camel at this time.
In India, the only other animal domesticated for work was the
elephant, and only certain tribes held this practice. The ele-
phant is an intelligent creature that does not take to captivity
willingly. Those peoples who practiced domestication of Ele-
phants developed specific social groups who lived with and
cared for such domesticated Elephants, and they were prima-
rily used to aid load hauling and construction. It would be quite
some time before the first elephants would be used in war.
1
Oxen, horses, and donkeys were trained to pull. This task
allowed farmers to plan their crops, allowing greater yield than
a field tilled by hand. With the development of the wheel, these
dray animals could also be used to haul large loads. Oxen were
strongest, and so used for heavy loads, but horses proved to be 1. Whip
the fastest haulers, and so, with training, could be made to haul
than animals. The whip deals subdual damage, and deals no
lighter loads faster and farther than any other dray animal. In
damage to any creature wearing armor of at least +1 armor
time certain cultures would find use for the horses speed in
bonus, and does no damage to a creature with a +3 natural
warfare, pulling chariots, but that later development would also
armor bonus. Although kept in the hand, it is treated as a
require extensive training and conditioning of horses for war. It
ranged weapon with a maximum range of 10 feet, and no range
would be the donkey, domesticated first in Egypt that would
penalties. Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb, it
take the battlefield first, under the archaic name onager.
may also be used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during
your own trip attempt, you can drop the whip in order to avoid
The Whip being tripped. Those using a whip gain a +2 bonus on their
Made from braided animal hair or woven grasses, the first opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
whips were used as tools in training and controlling wild ani- including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
mals. Made to inflict pain more than actual damage, these first disarm attempt. The whip is considered an exotic weapon. This
whips were eventually also turned on those treated little better weapon is a shield bypass weapon.

c d e

a. Horse; b. Camels (Dromedary, Bactrian); c. Elephant; d. Ox; e. Donkey

37
 From Stone to Steel
The Riding Skill
One of the first inventions designed to help control a horse was
the blinder. Without blinkers horses can easily become distracted
by events near them. Blinkers were very important for charioteers
in the heat of battle, to prevent horses at the yoke from fighting
each other in the heat of the moment. Horses are also sensitive to
loud sounds, and will shy away from them instinctively unless
desensitized by war training. The specific equipment and training
of the horse also has a direct impact on their behavior.
The Players Handbook covers Mounted Combat in the Com-
bat Chapter, but it assumes that all horses are properly
equipped and have had extensive training, even those not
trained for combat. The following modifiers should be consid-
ered when making rolls to control non-war trained mounts.
Were any of these circumstances to occur, the rider would be
required to make a Ride skill check (all penalties cumulative).
Riders failing this roll may note behavior such as aggression
towards other horses or animals, bolting in fear, following
other animals, or rearing.
Obviously it is of value to have a well trained horse before
going into battle with it. All of these factors contributed to the
formation of the Bronze Age armies, and to their general lack
of cavalry.
Table 2-1: Riding Modifiers
DC Circumstance
-5 The horse is equipped with Blinkers.
The horse is guided by a nose-ring, rather than a bit
+2
(nose-rings can be more painful to the horse) .
+2 The saddle has no stirrups.
The horse hears a loud shout from the rider or a footman
+3
within 1 foot .
+4 The horse is wearing barding it is not trained to use.
+5 The horse is within a foot of another horse.
+5 The horse is within 6 feet of an unfamiliar animal.
There is a shiny object moving within 3 feet of horses
+5
head (sword, axe, jewelry).
The horse can hear the impact of weapons on armor or
+5
shields within 1 foot (usually between riders).
+7
The horse has been trained for only one rider (is not
familiar with any other rider).
+8 The horse is not trained for a rider and is being ridden.
An extremely loud sound, like a horn, gong, or explo-
+10
sion occurs within 2 feet.
Skittishness
Horses, by their nature, are skittish. Generally energetic and
high-strung, horses do not trust animals they are unfamiliar
with, including humans. When wild, horses had to watch for
large cats or wolves. Though fast and powerful, horses have
deceptively fragile legs. Once broken, they rarely mended
right. Thus, horses are quite cautious and require a great deal
of training and preparation for use other than dray work.
38
Copper and Bronze
melting, the art of isolating metallic ore from stone, most
S likely developed with the advent of the oven or kiln. Vari-
ous cultures experimented with ways of generating a great deal
of heat in an enclosed space for cooking. Although wood fires
burned hottest, early civilizations discovered that placing stones
among the wood in a fire helped the heat remain longer, as
stones cooled slower than charcoal. In enclosed spaces, this heat
could be maintained for long periods of time, allowing food to
be cooked or pottery to be dried in a controlled environment.
Some ingenious soul, when cleaning out one of these ovens,
noted that lumps of metal were sometimes found among the
ashes and stones. Experimentation revealed that metal could be
found within specific stones, and that metal could be refash-
ioned into a great variety of shapes and forms. Soon smelting
sprang up throughout civilized regions, and even in the wilder
environs where the benefit of metal tools was quickly realized.
The first few metals discovered through smelting were gold,
silver, and copper. Of the three, only copper was found in suffi-
cient amounts to make good tools from, although it was barely
more adequate than gold or silver for the task.
Copper
Copper is a soft metal, of rich brown-gold hue. For nearly 4000
years, copper was the only metal used for regular tools. Knives,
cooking wear, and armor were all formed of copper, and there
was rarely any artistry to its manufacture, since copper imple-
ments quickly dulled, dented, and bent. Copper, though, could
be repaired, making it highly desirable in items like armor.
Although a copper shield could be quickly holed or a copper
sword quickly blunted, it could also be beaten out and reforged,
so as to be useful again.
Still, since copper is so easily warped, the spear, rather than the
sword, was the mainstay of the field of war, having reach,
strength, and versatility. The sword was purely a backup
weapon, only used when army formations broke down and
fighting was in close quarters. Combatants fully expected to
blunt their swords into clubs by end of battle.
CopperArsenic Alloy
Armies in the field, even the smaller, less organized ones of
the copper age, required a good deal of food and drink to
keep it on its feet. Soldiers often had to boil their water and
food to make it potable, during a long campaign. During the
copper age it appears to have become a common practice for
a soldier to use their helmets as a boiling or cooking pot. The
practice became very dangerous when the first bronze alloy,
copper arsenic, was adopted to make armor. Small particles
of the bronze alloy would inevitably become suspended in
the boiling water, and would be consumed. As a molecule,
copper arsenic isnt as lethal as pure arsenic, so often the
worst results of a single experience might be a belly ache.
But arsenic, like lead, is only slowly processed out of the
 Chariots of Bronze
body, and it accumulates in the vaious organs. Thus soldiers
on campaign would eventually develop debilitating symp-
toms or even die as the result of gradual poisoning. When the
practice of boiling water in helmets was banned, this strange
malady of the warfare vanished. The later alloy of copper
and tin did not have these properties.
There is no simple d20 system mechanic for this. Most charac-
ters would not be likely to boil water in their helmets, and grad-
ual poisoning takes time. It may, however, make an interesting
and unexpected plot element or method of assassination.
Bronze
Bronze was the first major alloy to be invented, and it revolu-
tionized metalworking. What once was a lesser art among
many useful crafts came to the forefront of technology. Bronze
is made by alloying copper and various other compounds, most
notably arsenic and tin. The resulting metal is stronger, more
durable, and lighter in color, ranging from a rich gold to a sil-
very white. It is worth noting that although minor kingdoms
were formed during the age of copper, the Bronze Age was the
first time period to foster true Empires.
Bronze, unlike copper, holds its form longer and more easily,
and can be worked more decoratively. This lead to a change in
way bronze implements, but most especially arms and armor,
were made. Generally things made for the common soldier
were simplistic, minimalistic, made quickly and without much
attention to fine detail. Soldiers might invest in metal working
tools to inscribe their own weapons or decorate them as they
pleased, but generally only officers had custom made or deco-
rated items. This generally made it easier to determine order of
command, for good or for ill.
Bronze work dominated metalworking for a great deal of time,
until tin mines in Assyria and other areas began to give out.
The local shortage of tin forced people to move away from the
exclusive use of bronze or to seek other sources. As iron
became more commonly used, bronze became more of an
accent to arms and armor, a decoration or minor component.
The Fertile Crescent: Sumeria
umeria is the oldest known civilization. Whether it is truly
S the oldest civilization or not is up to debate, but it was likely
the first transition culture, moving from the stone age to the cop-
per and bronze ages. Sumeria is a good model of how early civi-
lizations were born: Developments in domestication, the
invention of the wheel, and breakthroughs in farming (seed use,
growing cycles, and the development of the plow) lead to larger
social groups, and extensive trade for metals and materials not
found in the region. These groups formed internal hierarchies,
usually around people who possessed wealth, and eventually they
formed communities. These communities grew into city-states in
Sumeria, and each city-state was a sovereign region, ruled by the
hierarchy. In Sumeria this hierarchy was centered on the church.
39
Each city revered the gods, and the temples were the center of
city life. The priesthood controlled and regulated city growth and
resources. In return, the priesthood had the burden of interpreting
the whims of the gods. All events were attributed to the actions of
the gods, and the priesthood constantly had to reconcile those
events with the common people.
The religious leaders of a Sumerian city-state were called the
Ensi, and they controlled the armed forces of the city-state.
These forces were primarily a militia, an army made up of male
civilians that had other occupations, but took up weapons in time
of trouble. The militia was usually issued weapons and armor,
and these were property of the state. Commonly this consisted of
leather or wooden shields (although richer cities might afford
copper or bronze equivalents), slings, light bows, spears (ini-
tially stone bladed), clubs, maces, javelins, and, after the advent
of copper or bronze smelting, knives, battleaxes, a sort of prun-
ing hook (bill) polearm, and eventually a curved sword. They
would also be given a leather cloak, riveteted with circular
patches of copper or bronze, as defensive wear, although eventu-
ally they developed the bronze plate shirt. These plates were
generally rectangular, circling the shirt and overlapping, and
were quite bulky. Armor was only worn in battle, since one
became very hot in it quickly, especially during the summer
months, when the military was the most active. Other than these,
Sumerian militiamen of poor cities might also wield farming
implements turned to weapons of war, like the sickle, thresher,
scythe, or hayfork. These tools made weapons fared well enough
in battle, although they would see rapid development much later
in the medieval period.
In time, the religious leaders of the Sumerian cities became too
greedy and controlling, and the people of Sumeria allied them-
selves behind wealthy landowners, called lugals. These lugals
slowly usurped power from the hands of the Ensi, and began the
first rule of kings in Sumeria. For a time each city in Sumeria was
ruled by its own king, who raised armies to raid each other and
protect themselves from other Sumerian Kings. But armies of
civilians were costly, and kept people from producing the neces-
sities that drive civilization. A lot of lesser tribes migrated through
the region, either nomadic in nature or displaced by environmen-
tal disaster or warfare. Often times men among these nomadic
groups would hire themselves out as mercenary soldiers to the
local city, offering their service as a full-time sword in exchange
for food, shelter, and status. This allowed armies to become inde-
pendent from the local community, and the practice of maintain-
ing mercenary troops became common among the aggressive
cities. This was the origin of the standing army.
A young man named Sargon, born of a single mother who gave
him into adoption to a fruit merchant, rose to prominence in the
non-Sumerian city of Akkad. Playing to the interests and needs
of the middle and lower classes, Sargon took control of the city
of Akkad, and forged their military aged men into a formidable
fighting force. Leading them against the Sumerian cities, he con-
quered each, one by one, and eventually united all of Sumeria
under his own crown. Then he drove his armies westward, and
 From Stone to Steel
6a
5 6b
2. Copper Shield; 3. Bronze Shield; 4. Light War Bow; 5. Copper Headed Arrow; 6a. Bronze Headed Arrow; 6b. Bronze Headed
Arrow; 7. Copper Bladed Spear; 8. Bronze Tipped Javelin
claimed all the land up to the Mediterranean Sea for the Sumer-
ian Empire. Thus, Sargon became the first Emperor of Sumeria.
Since the people of Sumeria looked to their leaders for spiritual
guidance, Sargon was forced to become the spiritual leader of
Sumeria as well. Thus the ruler of Sumeria claimed to rule by
Divine mandate, starting a tradition that would return again and
again throughout history. Though Akkad would not remain the
Sumerian capital for long, and kingdoms would rise up in the
non-Sumerian territories, Sargon and Akkad made a deep and
permanent mark on the whole region.
Sumerian Tactics
Sumeria should be noted as the first civilization to use the pha-
lanx formation. Soldiers would often pack into tight forma-
tions, clustering their spears together to form lethal, nearly
impenetrable walls. This formation was highly effective
against the generally chaotic rushes of their less organized
foes. The King and or General might also ride a Battle Wagon
into combat. Drawn by 4 onagers (domesticated donkeys),
these proto-chariots allowed Sumerian commanders to
advance on the field quickly, in order to get a good perspective
on the battle and issue new commands quickly. Often a war-
rior would accompany them on the wagon, carrying a brace of
javelins to throw, using the momentum of the chariot to their
advantage. Use of the Battle Wagon was very limited, how-
ever, due to poor turning radius and low numbers. True chariot
warfare would not be born in Sumeria.
40
2 3
Shields
Metal shields of this period were often round or rectangular in
design, round for warriors expecting to fight singly, and rectan-
gular for warriors fighting together or in formation. The rectan-
gular shield was sometimes bowed, to curve slightly around the
defender, and the round shield was often notched to allow
room for a wide swing with a weapon, or to give better mobil-
ity for the feet. A few shields were made in a teardrop shape,
which is best for diverting high body blows. Shields were often
left blank, or decorated with the city emblem. Shields were
rarely personalized, mainly because they were often the prop-
erty of the king or army.
Bow, Light War
Well made, the light war bow is a stout weapon, a strong draw
but a short body. The advantage of this bow is that it does not
make the archer as prominent a target as a larger bow would,
since the draw is accomplished much sooner and the stance
required is less dramatic. As with all bows, both hands must be
free to use this bow. Optionally, those already proficient with
bows may fire this bow as if they had the feat Rapid Shot
(although they do not gain the bonus of the pre-requisite Point
Blank Shot as well). This bonus does not stack with Rapid Shot
if the user already has this feat.
Arrow, Copper & Bronze Headed
Arrows, as always, do damage as per the bow. The shaping of
the blade of an arrow was unique to its culture, but usually was
 Chariots of Bronze
similar to the shape of the spear-head. Although slightly more
durable than stone age arrows, often the only thing retrieved
for use after battle were the arrow heads.
Spears & Javelins
Whether possessing metal heads or capped with metal (either
copper or bronze), these weapons became the mainstay of most
infantry in the Bronze Age. Possessing decent throwing range
and excellent stopping power, both the spear and javelin were
culturally and socially associated with warfare. Great figures in
legend and history were given spears to denote importance and
command, and javelins were often to be found near every
campfire when on campaign. Spears used by the Sumerians,
and those who traded with them often had forked butts. These
were used in conjunction with a leather sling to allow the spear
to be thrown farther. Using such a spear with a sling in this
manner increases the range increment of the spear by 10 feet.
The javelin can be used as a melee weapon, but it was not
meant to, and so all characters are treated as non-proficient,
conveying a -4 to all melee rolls.
Clubs & Maces
Clubs and maces used during this time period were inherently
similar. Both used a solid core of hardened wood, supple-
mented with durable metal. Clubs were primarily wood,
11
9 10
14
9. Copper Studded Club; 10. Copper Headed Mace; 11. Bronze Headed Mace; 12. Copper Knife; 13. Bronze Dagger; 14. Sumer-
ian Bronze Axe; 15. Bronze Sickle Sword; 16. Bronze Pruning Hook
41
although some were studded with lumps of metal, meant to
give the club more weight and impact. Mace heads of the time
were generally round, although some variance was common.
Only the Egyptians used toothed maces (as mentioned in the
prior chapter), which were not made of metal.
Edged Weapons
The knives, Sumerian battleaxes, and sickle sword are all good
examples of the philosophy of the time period. Copper and
bronze do not hold points well, but they do hold edges decently.
Capitalizing on this strength, single hand weapons of the time
focused on chopping and hacking motions, rather than thrusts.
The similarities between the sickle sword, the kopesh, and the
Canaanite sword all show the strength of the design, which
would later influence the many curved blades of the near east.
Pruning Hook
The pruning hook was primarily used in groves to trim hard to
reach branches, but it saw extensive use in Sumeria on the bat-
tlefield. Resembling a spear with a barb on one side, the prun-
ing hook is a reach weapon, used much like a spear. It can
easily be used to attack foes 10 feet away, but is a liability
against closer enemies. The protruding hook may be used to
make trip attacks and the user, if tripped during the attempt,
13 12
15
16
 From Stone to Steel
may drop the pruning hook to avoid falling. A pruning hook
may also be used to trap a shield (see sidebar).
Shield Trapping
Some weapons possess a hook or feature that is especially use-
ful in trapping a shield. Shield trapping is the process of grap-
pling a shield and making it impossible for an opponent to
gain any defensive benefit from it, usually by pinning it to the
floor or pulling it out of its proper position. Since most of the
weapons that may be used to perform a shield trap are two
handed, someone else is usually left to take advantage of this
opening.
In order to trap a shield, the bearer of the weapon must make a
melee touch attack. If the attack succeeds, make a Strength
check opposed by the defender's Strength or Dexterity
(whichever modifier is higher). If that succeeds, the oppo-
nent's shield has become trapped, and it cannot be used as long
as it is trapped. All armor bonuses are lost, and the shield can-
not be used for any special shield maneuvers or attacks while
the shield is trapped. Worse, the victim of a trapped shield can-
not move without disengaging or dropping the shield.
Each turn the opponent can attempt to disengage his shield
by making a Dexterity or Strength check (whichever is
17 18
22
17. Bronze Armored Cloak; 18. Bronze Plated Shirt; 19. Sumerian Helmet; 20. Bone (mandible) Sickle; 21. Bronze Sickle; 22.
Thresher
42
higher) opposed by the trappers Strength check. If they suc-
ceed, the shield and weapon are no longer locked, and the
shield user can again use the armor bonus of the shield. Dis-
engaging is a move-equivalent action.
Attempting a shield trap does provoke an attack of opportu-
nity. In order to maintain a shield trap, the trapper may not
make any attacks with their trapping weapon, nor may they
move beyond the appropriate combat range from an oppo-
nent (510 feet in a circle around the trapped opponent,
depending on the reach of the weapon).
Shield Spikes
Metal spikes may be added to any shield but the Buckler or
Tower Shield. These spikes turn the shield into a martial
weapon that deals 1d6 points of piercing damage (x2 crit)
regardless of the size of the shield. Possessing multiple
spikes on a shield does not confer an advantage in battle.
Any person with shield proficiency who has a spiked shield
may attempt a disarm maneuver with their shield, at a +2 to
disarm (including the roll to resist being disarmed if you fail
a disarm). This does not provoke an attack of opportunity,
unlike a normal disarm. Remember than any off hand penal-
ties apply, if you have attacked with your regular hand
weapon during the same turn.
19
20 21
 Chariots of Bronze
23
24
23. Bronze Scythe; 24. Hayfork
Cloak & Shirt, Bronze
The bronze armored cloak is an unusual form of armor, a
leather cloak with bronze disks sewn to it. Meant to deflect
chance blows, it contributes little armor value, but can be worn
(stacks) with other forms of armor.
The bronze plated shirt is a leather vest and skirt with plates of
bronze sewn to its surface. These plates are usually rectangular,
and about 8 inches in length, rarely overlapping. Not as com-
prehensive as the more protective banded armors, it still saw
common use throughout the region by many of the Semitic
tribes who lived or traded with the Sumerians. This is not
stackable.
Farm Implements (Sickle, Thresher, Scythe, Hay-
fork)
Sickles are short, crescent-shaped knives with a sharp edge
along the inner curve. Used primarily to harvest grasses, they
are simple, one-handed weapons not well suited for combat.
The thresher was usually a pole with a length of chain attached
to the end, used to beat harvested grain, separating the grain
from the chaff. Again, it is ill suited to combat, as the chain is
not long enough to use in trip attacks, and there is no head
weighted at the head is too light. The scythe is a long harvest-
ing tool, with a curved wooden shaft, a handle for both hands,
and a long, curved blade, sharpened only on the inside. Carried
at the side, and used in large sweeping arcs, its remarkably
unsuited to combat, but can cause terrible wounds to an unar-
mored or unsuspecting foe. Lastly, the hayfork is a two-
pronged forked pole weapon, no longer than 6 feet in length.
Usually made of wood capped with metal, the hayfork is used
to manipulate large piles of grain or grass for baling or sorting.
It is in no way intended for throwing, and can only be used as
43
an improvised thrown weapon if so employed. Obviously items
like these are not optimal in a combat situation.
Phalanx tactics
Phalanx is a Greek word meaning battle line. It was Phillip II
of Macedonia who first perfected the phalanx tactic, but the
Romans mastered it. The Sumerians used a basic phalanx tactic
of having soldiers stand in formation, shoulder to shoulder, so
that the shield of the soldier on the left overlapped the shoulder
of the soldier on the right. Each soldier held their spears low
and forward, overlapping those held by the men behind them.
This process created a nearly seamless shield wall, and a dan-
gerous array of spearheads preceding it.
The Sumerian tactic had a few flaws, however. The spears of the
Sumerians were rarely longer than 78 feet in length, so the
actual array of spear points was relatively shallow. Secondly, this
tactic fares best against charging foes, especially cavalry, who
might impale themselves against the spears. Since the cavalry of
the time was Battle Wagons, there was rarely a time when this
tactic was used, and the force of a pair of charging onagers and
the Battle Wagon behind them became a liability in the few
encounters when someone did charge the battle line with one.
Third, the soldiers did not have the kind of training and disci-
pline required to hold their position for long periods of time.
Thus an enterprising commander could use the impatience of
their enemy to break the phalanx maneuver and open the Sumer-
ian army up to attack.
Still, the use of the phalanx maneuver at this time shows how
effective it was, even in a time period where it could not see its
best application.
New Feat: Formation Tactics: [General]
You are trained to fight with other soldiers in formation.
 From Stone to Steel
Prerequisites: Shield Proficiency
Benefit: Any person with the Formation Tactics feat standing
shoulder to shoulder to another person who also possesses this
feat may confer their armor bonus for the shield upon their fel-
low combatant as well. This armor bonus stacks with any other
armor bonuses that person may have.
If a line with multiple ranks is bracing against a charge, first
roll to hit for the combatants in front. If the person in front
strikes, roll to hit for the person supporting them with Forma-
tion Tactics. The support combatant gains a +3 circumstance
bonus to successfully strike the charger as well. This is because
both weapons are in line with the charge in question. If the per-
son in front misses, the person in the support position may still
roll to strike, but without any bonus to hit.
New Feat: Improved Formation Tactics: [Gen-
eral]
You are trained to fight with other soldiers in formation.
Prerequisites: Formation Tactics
Benefit: Any person with Improved Formation Tactics also con-
fers a +1 to hit bonus to an ally if both people are threatening the
same target and are standing in formation (this is especially
effective with reach weapons). This is a free action that does not
stack with the aid another combat maneuver. This bonus is lost
when formation is broken, even if both combatants remain in
their relative positions.
Obviously, armies full of soldiers with Improved Formation
Tactics can be deadly. Fortunately, most armies of this period
didnt have time to spend on this level of training. Later on, the
Romans would change that.
Battle Wagons/Onager
As mentioned before, the onager is a donkey domesticated for
use as a draft animal. These Battle Wagons were the precursor
of the chariot, but they had a few notable differences:
Battle Wagons are larger, with four wheels, substituting stabil-
ity for mobility. Battle Wagons could never reach the speeds or
perform the maneuvers chariots could.
Battle Wagons often carried 610 soldiers on board, usually
well trained and ready to jump off an into battle. This allowed
the army to move people into strategic positions in the heat of
battle.
Battle Wagons used a strong guide-bar and yoke, rather than a
guide-bar and lashings. This meant that when an onager died
while drawing the wagon, there was no way to quickly release
the animals body before it could cause trouble.
Despite its limitations, the Battle Wagon was a substantial
move towards mobility on the battlefield, and its use by the
Sumerians helped them to dominate Mesopotamia over other,
lesser tribes.
44
Babylon
Babylon was one of the cities in the Sumerian region, and, for a
time, its scientists, engineers, and lugals made great strides that
gained them renown in the region. Already the stage was set for
a great leader. And just as other major civilizations were waning
(Egypt was in a period of Chaos, Sumeria was experiencing
serious internecine warfare, Assyria was being conquered by the
Kassites, and the Harappans were disappearing), a man named
Hammurabi ascended the throne of Babylon. The presence of
the man alone appears to have been immense, and his mind was
obviously quite keen. Besides establishing a legal code that
would be referenced and built upon for centuries, Hammurabi
also distinguished himself on the battlefield, leading armies to
victory defending weaker Sumerian cities from ambitious kings.
In the end, Hammurabi took it upon himself to conquer the
majority of Sumeria and to establish his own nation, with Baby-
lon as its center.
Babylon ruled just as much by cultural influence as it did by mil-
itary force. Indeed, when the armies of the Hittites and the Kas-
sites invaded Babylon and sacked the royal city, the civilians of
the respective countries protested and staged costly rebellions
against their own governments heavy handedness. One reason
for this reaction was the presence of prominent temples in the
City of Babylon that were sacked during the raids, another was
the reputation of Babylon as a land where even slaves had rights.
Babylon, as the inheritor of Sumerias domain, possessed the
same technology, but refined it. Babylonian archers favored the
medium composite bow, and Babylonian soldiers wore banded
armor similar to that of the Egyptians. Combined with their
phalanx tactics and chariots, the Babylonians fielded a formi-
dable army.
North Africa: Egypt
nlike Sumeria, in Egypt the role of the priesthood and the
U king were very separate. The king controlled the armies,
and wielded power over the lives of the civilians. The priest-
hood, on the other hand, studied and worshipped the gods and
busied itself on studying the nature of the afterlife. Early in its
history, the King of Upper Egypt called together all the men of
fitness to fight, lead a campaign against the more technologi-
cally advanced people of Lower Egypt, and conquered them.
Uniting all of Egypt under his own crown, he forged the begin-
ning of the Egyptian Empire, a completely different type of
empire than that of the earlier Sumerians.
Egypts only close neighbors were the various tribes to who lived
in the Sinai Peninsula or in the wild lands to the west, and the
Nubian Kingdom of Kush, their major enemy to the south. Thus
Egypt was surprisingly isolated from most other major cultural
centers. As such, it did not require much of a standing army, and
so its military was relatively weak during the Bronze Age. The
Pharaoh himself did maintain a personal guard and policing
force, lightly armed with copper (later bronze) spears, cudgels
 Chariots of Bronze

25

26a 26b 26c

27a

27b

25. Great Egyptian Shield; 26a. Egyptian Bronze Battleaxe; 26b. Bronze Battleaxe; 26c. Bronze Battleaxe; 27a. Bronze Kopesh
Sword; 27b. Canannite Sickle Sword
(clubs), maces, knives, hunting bows, and long wooden or bronze Sword, Kopesh Bronze
shields, but they wore little armor, since the hot weather made The famous Egyptian Kopesh occupies a very small niche in
doing so exhausting. It would not be until much later, after the the world of weapons, like the Kris blade of South East Asia,
rise of many dynasties that Egyptians would come into contact the kopesh descends from a religious origin, rather than a com-
with more aggressive forces, and would be forced to innovate. mon day origin. The kopesh sword was originally used in fer-
Early Egyptian weapons included a kind of battleaxe (resembling tility rites, its symbolic form mimicking the common sickle.
a slightly offset, large bladed spear), the military version of the The first kopesh swords were made of expensive metals,
Kopesh (a sword based on the sickle, and wielded more like an mainly silver and gold, and it was not until many dynasties
axe), light composite bows, and a kind of throwing club made of after the unification of Egypt that the kopesh was recast in
wood or bone. Light leather garments became common among bronze and used on the field. It seems likely that the kopesh
the enlisted, and soldiers and officers wore leather shirts banded was only given to choice elite units at first, due to its religious
with bronze and bronze helmets into battle. But the greatest deter- significance, although later it saw more widespread use when
rent that Egypt possessed was its large population. Left relatively the design became standardized and mass produced. The
alone by other major powers, and existing in a very fertile valley, kopeshs heavy chopping blade (making it more akin to the axe
Egypt had more inhabitants than most other major regions. than the sword) could inflict brutal wounds, especially in com-
bat against lightly armored foes. The version listed in the
Shields, Egyptian weapons tables reflects the fine manufacture of these special
Egyptian shields were typically large and long, being oval or weapons.
inverted teardrop shaped. Often painted blue and gold, they
might also bear the device of the powerful king the soldier Forced Innovation: The Hittites
served under. Personal ornamentation was rarely allowed, since While Sumeria and Egypt were by far the most advanced civiliza-
the stature and prominence of the commanding officer was tions in their region during the Bronze Age, they were not the
more important than personal expression. Bronze shields were only ones. The Kingdom of Nubia, mentioned before, existed far-
expensive and prized, and were almost never carried except ther up the Nile than Egypt, and developed a unique culture and
during ceremonies or matters of state. architecture. In what would later become Lebanon, the Phoeni-
cians began to ply the sea developing advanced boats and ships
Battleaxe, Egyptian Bronze and eventually developing the concepts of commerce and cur-
The Egyptian battleaxe is unusual for the period, resembling a rency. They would found colonies all along the Mediterranean,
very heavily bladed spear set off center, with a dipping blade on seeding their culture and religion in various places, spawning
one side. Used just as much for thrusting as for chopping, its later civilizations. A variety of Semitic peoples occupied the Holy
weight made it unwieldy, but its damage made it fearsome. This Lands, forming small kingdoms, fighting wars, and sometimes
battleaxe, despite its similarities to the spear, is not made for facing the might of either giant neighbor.
throwing.

45
 From Stone to Steel
The Hittites were a people from outside of the Middle Eastern
region, who entered into Anatolia (modern day Turkey) and 28
lived among the similarly named Hatti people. Both peoples 30
29
intermixed, and the Hittites became dominant, and spread 31
throughout the Hatti lands. The Hittites had two major assets
when they finally made war on the major powers in the region:
knowledge of horse taming and knowledge of iron smelting.
The Hittites developed iron smelting as an alternative to bronze
working, probably due to a lack of tin resources in their origi-
nal region. Early iron was not, despite the simplifications of
certain historical references, a substantial advantage over
bronze. Iron has a tendency towards being brittle, and is much
more likely to break and chip. Thus early iron implements were
not widely adopted, although the novelty prompted some trade.
It was the knowledge of horse taming that gave the Hittites
such a substantial advantage that they could attack and subdue
the larger nations of Sumeria and Egypt, although they were
never able to hold these regions, preferring to loot them and
return home. Generals in both major nations, though, licked
their wounds from the various Hittite campaigns, and learned 32a 32b
their lessons. War wagons were discarded in favor of faster,
lighter chariots, pulled by horses rather than onagers. Egyp-
tians refined the design by developing better yokes that
allowed for more maneuverability or the addition of up to 4
horses, while Sumerian states stayed with two horses, but piled
up to four specialized chariot warriors in a chariot, as well as 28. Early Iron Sword; 29. Early Iron Battleaxe; 30. Early Iron
the driver. When the Hittites tried to attack again, they found Spear; 31. Early Iron Spear; 32a. Early Iron Arrowhead; 32b.
themselves rebuffed, turned back by people who had learned to Early Iron Arrowhead
use their technology and improve upon it. tary defeats. Egyptians developed a kind of armor formed of
overlapping bands of bronze that circled the entire torso and
Armor, Banded Bronze was supported by a belted and plated skirt. Unlike the Banded
After the invasions of the Hittites, Egypt developed more Armor listed in the Players Handbook, this armor did not have
effective armor and arms, in order to prevent more such mili- chainmail as part of its foundation. This armor was usually
backed by a simple leather shirt, and the heat alone could be
stifling for a regular or long-term wearer. Restrictive and bulky,
it nonetheless protected very effectively and was seen in use by
elite troops in the region.

Early Iron Weapons (Sword, Axe, Spear)

These early iron weapons had little to recommend them as
being better than their bronze counterparts. They were actually
quite brittle, and broke more easily than bronze. However, iron
33 swords could have longer blades than bronze swords, and the
Hittite swords were straight, allowing thrusting attacks as well
as slashing ones. The spear came in two types, throwing and
non-throwing.
For ranged attacks, the Hittites used a leaf-bladed throwing
spear, lighter and easier to throw than those of their southern
34 opponents. Although still more prone to breakage than bronze
spears, it was effective, as were the iron headed arrows they
used. Trade for these items was light, as iron was a little used
metal commodity. It wouldnt be until after bronze shortages
started that iron craft would become popular.

33. Bronze Banded Armor; 34. Shield Spikes

46
 Chariots of Bronze
Iron and the Late Bronze Age
Some iron implements began to be used in the late Bronze
Age, but iron was harder to smelt, and was expensive as a
result. It was also quite brittle, and this lead to more reluc-
tance in the region for its use. Even well after the Iron Age
started, bronze would see a resurgence in popularity as more
ore repositories were found and processes to work bronze
were refined. Ultimately, the shortage of tin, combined with
the innate superiority of iron equipment, would spell the end
of the age.
Chariots and
Chariot Combat.
hariots are primarily about maneuverability on the battle-
C field, and there are a few mechanics that can be used to sim-
ulate chariot warfare.
Chariots in the bronze age were lead by war-trained light horses.
These horses may have a movement rate of 60 ft, but dragging a
chariot or battle wagon significantly reduces their speed. The
Sumerian battle wagon was usually lead by two horses, but it
had two axles and was usually quite heavy. The Babylonian
chariots, two wheeled, with two horses, traveled faster, since the
weight was significantly less, although a handful of men did
occupy the chariot. The Egyptian chariot usually had a team of 4
horses, and only 3 men in the chariot, an archer, a warrior, and a
driver. There can be little surprise that the Egyptian chariot was
swift and imposing, since the four horses could share the burden
of the chariot quite effectively.
In order to determine the exact speed of the chariot or battle
wagon, use the following guidelines:
34a
34a. Egyptian chariot; 34b. Greek chariot
47
Each horse can only travel as fast as the slowest horse. Multiply
the speed of the slowest horse by the total number of horses.
Then divide that figure by the number of axles on the vehicle +
1. For every two men on a chariot, subtract 5 from the divided
movement rate. If the final number is greater than the speed of
the slowest horse, then the chariot travels as fast as the slowest
horse can move.
Example 1: A Sumerian battle wagon, lead by two light
warhorses who have a movement rate of 60 ft, is carrying a driver
and 3 soldiers. The movement rate of the battle wagon is 30 ft (60
feet (slowest horse) x 2 horses = 120 feet, 120/3 (2 axles + 1) =
40 feet, 40 - 10 (-5 per 2 riders, with 4 riders) = 30 feet.)
Example 2: A Babylonian chariot has 1 driver and 5 soldiers,
with two light warhorses who have a movement rate of 60 ft.
The movement rate of the chariot is 45 feet (60 X 2 = 120, 120/2
= 60, 60 - 15 = 45). If 4 riders jump off, the movement rate of
the chariot will rise to 55 feet!
Example 3: An Egyptian chariot with 3 riders (archer, warrior,
and driver) is lead by a dray workhorse (50 movement) and three
light warhorses (60 movement). The total speed of the chariot will
be 50 feet (50 (for slowest horse) X 4 horses = 200, 200 / 2 = 100,
100 - 5 = 95, since 95 is faster than the slowest horse the chariot
travels at 50.). Even if the archer and warrior leave the chariot, it
will travel no faster. However, if they are able to replace the dray
workhorse with another light warhorse (60 movement) the speed
of the chariot will increase to 60, no matter what.
After the first incursions of the Hittites, chariots began to be
equipped with nail-studded wheels, which adds +1 to the die roll
of a driver.
34b
 From Stone to Steel
Hazards
Certain situations cause trouble for a chariot driver. Well
divide this trouble into three grades: Minor trouble requires a
Handle Animal roll against DC 15; Moderate trouble requires a
Handle Animal roll against DC 20; Severe trouble requires a
Handle Animal roll against DC 25. In addition, for every 20
feet of movement per turn a chariot travels, add one to the DC
of any maneuver.
Terrain
Terrain has an impact on driving. Some terrain is easy to travel
on, and causes no inherent difficulty. These are roads, grass-
lands, and plains, whose flat and featureless ground makes
charioteering easy. Sand or rolling terrain (such as moorlands)
cause minor difficulty, and a chariot driver should roll once to
compensate during non-combat situations, or every other turn
during combat situations. Rough ground like sparse forest,
rocky wasteland, or beaches cause moderate trouble, which
requires a skill check every turn. Some other specific features
require a roll each time encountered:
Simply changing terrain also prompts a skill check, as per table
23 below:
Table 2-2: Terrain
Light slope Minor
Steep slope Moderate
Rocks Moderate
Tree Impassable
Shallow water ( up to 6") Moderate
6"24" Water Severe
Over 24" Water Impassable
Turning
Chariots have a rigid axle and little suspension at best, so it is
no exaggeration that chariots have only one direction, forward.
Turning at all is difficult, except for the widest and slowest of
turns. Movinghalf of the movement forward and half of it at a
diagonal (if using a square or hex grid), is a minor maneuver. A
move where all of the movement is at a diagonal on a square or
hex grid was a moderate maneuver. A Move (turn) where half
of the movement is at a diagonal and half at a perpendicular is
a severe maneuver.
Slips, on the other hand, are easier to control. A slip is when a
vehicle shifts a column to the left or right but still continues
forward. A one-column shift slip requires no roll. two column
shifts are a moderate maneuver. Three column shifts are a
severe maneuver, since youre allowing the chariot to skid a bit
to come to a new position.
Mishaps
With all of this rolling, a driver is bound to fail his Handle Ani-
mal skill check at some point. What does that failure indicate?
Roll 1d6 and look at the chart below:
Table 2-4: Driver Mishap
1 Accelerate/Decelerate
2 Skid
3 Jolt
4 Major Jolt
5 Possible Break
6 Crash
Accelerate/Decelerate: On a roll of 1 the animals ignore the
prompting of the driver, and continue in the same direction for
the rest of their current movement. Roll 1d6. On an odd num-
ber the animals decelerate the vehicle by 10 feet a turn, while
on an even number they accelerate. If you are at the maximum
speed and you roll an even, ignore the result and just move the
full allotment. If you make a terrain change roll appropriately.
If you move into an impassible terrain, the chariot crashes.
Skid: On a roll of 2 the chariot skids. Treat a skid as an uncon-
trolled slip. Roll 1d4. On a 1 slip two columns to the left. On a
2 slip 1 column to the left. On a 3 slip one column to the right.
On a 4 slip two columns to the right. This slip does not require
a roll, and any movement left continues in the same direction.
Jolt: On a roll of 3 the chariot experiences a jolt. All occupants
of the chariot must make a Balance check, DC 20, to stay in the
chariot. If they fail, they fall out, and may attempt to make a
soft fall roll (as per Ride rules, except using Tumbling), or they
will take 1d6 falling damage.
Major Jolt: On a roll of 4 the chariot experiences a major jolt,
possibly going up on one wheel. All occupants must make a
Balance check, DC 25, to stay in the chariot. If they fail, they
fall out, and may attempt to make a soft fall roll (as per Ride

Table 2-3 Terrain Changes

From Road Plains/Grassland Sand Rolling Terrain Rough Terrain Beach
To
Road X Minor Minor Minor Minor Minor
Plains / Grassland Minor X Minor Minor Minor Minor
Sand Minor Minor X Minor Moderate Minor
Rolling Terrain Minor Minor Minor X Minor Minor
Rough Terrain Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate X Moderate
Beach Minor Minor Minor Minor Moderate X

48
 Chariots of Bronze
rules, except using Tumbling), or they will take 1d6 falling Charioteer Prestige Class
damage.
Charioteers were an elite set of warriors, trained to ride one of
Possible Break: On a roll of 5 the chariot is in precarious dan- the most dangerous vehicles of any time. Dedicated to fighting
ger. The driver must make an unmodified dexterity check vs. and possibly dying from a precarious perch that could throw
DC 20, or the chariot experiences a major accident. If the them at any time, the charioteer had to have a strange combina-
driver succeeds, let them breath a sigh of relief. Otherwise, roll tion of traits. All charioteers had to be knowledgeable in gen-
1d6 and consult the chart below to see what kind: eral animal handling, but also quick to react and of sound
tactical reflexes. Chariots were highly mobile, which meant
Table 2-5: Breakage that the charioteers had to be ready to fight in the thick of bat-
1 Cracked Guide-bar tle, or to reinforce weak areas in order to bolster defenses or tip
2 Fractured Hub the favor to the side of the offense. Charioteers, most of all,
3 Broken Axle had to think and work well together, as often the survival of the
4 Lost Wheel whole relied on the contributions of all individuals.
5 Broken Guide-bar
6 Horse breaks leg

A cracked guide-bar makes any maneuver one level harder, as

does a fractured hub. A broken axle will force the chariot to
grind to a halt (decelerating at 20 feet per turn), although riders
need only make a jolt roll to remain in the vehicle. A Lost
Wheel brings the chariot to a halt (decelerating at 30 feet
per turn), and riders must survive a Major Jolt
roll to stay on board. The broken guide-bar or
death of a horse brings about a crash.
Crash: On a roll of a 6 (a bad break), or if
you are forced into impassable terrain, you
crash. Each occupant must roll a Reflex save
vs. DC 25 upon a crash. The ones who suc-
ceed will be thrown from the crash, and will
only take 1d6 points of falling damage. The
ones who fail are the truly unlucky ones. They
take 1d6 points of damage for every 10 feet
per turn the chariot was traveling when it
crashed. Worse still, there is a 25% chance
that they are trapped under either debris or a
fallen horse, which may or may not continue
to cause the person to take damage (DMs
option) and either way must be removed to
free the victim. Its difficult to survive a
crash like this unmaimed.

49
 From Stone to Steel
Teamsters, ambitious soldiers, and agile archers all made good
charioteers. It took a certain amount of guts to ride the bone-jar-
ring, oft doomed chariot right into the face of the enemy. A bet-
ter than average sense of balance helped, as did quick reflexes
and a sharp mind. But sometimes even that wasnt enough, and
then it took almost suicidal confidence to drive horses into
melee, to risk your own neck so that the driver or archer next to
you could survive to get you through, or to jump free when there
was no other way to survive.
The Charioteer Prestige class is somewhat unique in that it does
not describe a single path, but rather a more general path to create
a variety of charioteers, from drivers to archers to throwers to sol-
diers. The basic structure allows a great deal of customization, and
if a person has the skill requirements necessary to becoming a
Charioteer, they can pursue any route of advancement they desire.
Hit Die: d8
Requirements
To qualify to become a Charioteer, a character must fulfill the
following requirements.
Attributes: Dexterity of at least 12, Intelligence of at least 12
Skills: Handle Animal 5 ranks, Balance 6 ranks
Feats: Iron Will, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Whip)
Class Skills
The Charioteers class skills (and the key ability for each skill)
are Animal Empathy (Cha), Balance (Dex), Handle Animal
(Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Ride
(Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Use Rope (Dex)
proficient with light and medium armors and shields. Note that
armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to
the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move
Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Charioteers Balance: All charioteers are trained to be able to
stand on the floorboard of the chariot while it is in full motion.
Akin to sea legs, the balance of a charioteer in his chariot is
necessary for him to function on the battlefield. Without this
level of balance a person standing in a chariot in motion must
make a Balance skill check as if moving at full their full move-
ment rate on a precarious surface every turn they wish to
remain standing. With only a primitive suspension, the chariot
was a perilous vehicle, inside and out.
Bonus Ability/Feat: Starting at second level, and following each
level afterwards, the charioteer may opt to gain a charioteer abil-
ity or feat from the following list. If that ability or feat has a pre-
requisite, its requirements must be met before it can be taken.
Advanced Chariot Driving: A charioteer with this ability
gains a +2 to any special maneuvers requiring a Animal Han-
dling check, and can ignore minor terrain change rolls, such as
road to grassland/plains or slopes.
Advanced Guard: This is a new feat; see below.
Advanced Terrain Control: Requires Advanced Chariot Dri-
ving. The charioteer gains an addition +2 to any special maneu-
vers requiring a skill check, and can ignore any moderate
terrain change rolls, such as road to sand, or rocky terrain.
Advanced Turn Control: Requires Advanced Chariot Dri-
ving. The charioteer gains a +3 to any turn maneuver roll they
make, due to extensive training and practice.

Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int Modifier Brace Javelin: A charioteer has trained to use a javelin as a
melee weapon in a pinch, and does not incur the standard -4
unfamiliarity penalty normally incurred from such use.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Charioteer pres- Cut Lashings: Requires Defensive Driving. The charioteer
tige class. with this skill can attempt the risky maneuver of cutting the
lashings from an injured or killed horse, in order to prevent a
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Charioteers are proficient
major crash. This distracts the charioteer, so all other maneu-
with all simple weapons and martial weapons. They are also
Table 2-6: Charioteer
Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +0 +2 +0 Charioteers Balance
2nd +2 +0 +3 +0 Bonus Feature/Feat
3rd +3 +1 +3 +1 Bonus Feature/Feat
4th +4 +1 +4 +1 Bonus Feature/Feat
5th +5 +1 +4 +1 Bonus Feature/Feat
6th +6 +2 +5 +2 Bonus Feature/Feat
7th +7 +2 +5 +2 Bonus Feature/Feat
8th +8 +2 +6 +2 Bonus Feature/Feat
9th +9 +3 +6 +3 Bonus Feature/Feat
10th +10 +3 +7 +3 Bonus Feature/Feat

50
 Chariots of Bronze
vers during that turn are at -2. The driver must have a slashing
weapon in hand, and must make a dexterity check vs. DC 25 +
1 for every 10 feet of current movement. Success indicates the
wounded or dead animal has been cut free in the nick of time,
and the chariot does not crash. However the chariot looses the
speed of the horse (either or of the chariot speed, depend-
ing on model), and is hard to control. Thus all maneuvers
should be considered one level higher in risk. This makes all
simple maneuvers minor risks, all minor risks become moder-
ate risks, etc.
Defensive Driving: Requires Advanced Chariot Driving. The
charioteer can opt to drive defensively. This reduces the maxi-
mum speed of the chariot by 10 while using this maneuver, but
adds a +2 armor bonus to either the horses or the passengers,
but not both. This is a full round action.
Deflect Missiles: This is a new feat; see below.
Extended Shot: Requires a charioteer first take Mounted
Archery. A charioteer with this ability may throw or fire an arrow
in the forward arc farther, by taking advantage of the momentum
of the chariot. For each 40 ft. of movement add +10 to the range.
Fire from Under Cover: This is a new feat; see below.
Impaling Shot: Requires a charioteer have Streaking Shot. A
charioteer with this ability throws or fires powerful missiles
when using the streaking shot. The impaling throw or shot con-
tinues in the same direction, and may hit any other target in an
adjacent square provided they are in a direct line from point of
origin. A separate to hit roll must be made at -4 to hit. How-
ever, if that roll is successful, that person is hit by the throw or
shot as well. The damage for this is rolled normally, the streak-
ing shot damage applying to only the first person in line. This
ability cannot be used with barbed weapons that lodge or
through targets of Large size or greater.
Mounted Archery: The Charioteer may take Mounted Archery
with no regard to prerequisites.
Moving Mount/Dismount: This is a new feat; see below.
Offensive Whip Use: The chariot driver with this skill may
use their whip to make an attack once a combat round, without
sacrificing any driving rolls. Normally using the whip in this
manner makes any maneuver a -2 for the combat round.
Penetrating Shot: Requires a charioteer have both Extended
Shot and Streaking Shot. A charioteer with this ability may add
1 point of bonus damage for every 10 feet of speed a chariot is
traveling to all throws or shots in the forward arc (up to a max-
imum bonus equal to the charioteers class level). This cannot
be combined with the streaking shot damage bonus, but can be
used on an extended shot. (Example: If the chariot is traveling
at 40 feet, the charioteer may add a +4 damage bonus to all
shots in the forward arc.)
Ride By Attack: The Ride By Attack feat may be taken by a
charioteer with no regard to prerequisites.
Rope Arrows: This is a new feat; see below.
51
Shield Guard: This is a new feat; see below.
Skill Focus (Handle Animal): The charioteer has a +2 bonus
on all skill checks using the Handle Animal skill.
Spirited Charge: The Spirited Charge may be taken by a char-
ioteer if they have Ride By Attack.
Streaking Shot: Requires a charioteer first take Mounted
Archery. A charioteer with this ability may fire at a target
within their throwing or bow range increment in the forward
arc and strike with increased threat range, due to the momen-
tum of the chariot. For every 40 ft. of movement, increase the
threat range by one. For example, if moving at 80 ft. per round
a weapon that normally has a threat on a roll of 1920 would
now have a potential critical on a roll of 1720. This ability can
only be used 1 time per day for every 4 levels of the charioteer.
Crushing Impact: A charioteer with this ability, using a bludg-
eoning weapon and mounted on a moving chariot, may add +1
to damage rolls for every 10 ft. of movement (up to a maxi-
mum equal to the charioteers class level).
Sway: Every passenger with Sway may add a +1 bonus to the
Chariot drivers skill roll to perform a risky maneuver or keep
the chariot under control. Alternately, the charioteer may add
+1 to the difficulty of a driver skill roll. Likely this second
would only be used when in an enemy chariot.
Tight Turning: Requires Advanced Turn Control. A charioteer
with this skill is able to halve all DC for turn rolls. This repre-
sents their superior turning skill, and their attunement with
their animals.
New Feats
Deflect Missiles [General]
You have trained to deflect missiles with a large or great shield.
Benefit: : If a person with this feat forgoes any attacks, they may
concentrate on deflecting any incoming missiles they are aware
of. This confers a deflection bonus, based on the type of shield
wielded, in addition to normal armor bonuses. People with this
feat gain a +1 deflection bonus for a buckler, +2 for a small
shield, +3 for a large shield, and +4 for a great shield. A person
using this feat can take no other action in a combat round.
Fire from Under Cover [General]
You have trained to fire from under the cover of others shield
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot
Benefit: A person with this feat may halve the penalty from fir-
ing from under the cover of someone elses shield (rounded
up). The minimum penalty from firing from under cover is -1.
Improved Shield Guard [General]
You have trained to guard more than one person with your
shield
Prerequisites: Shield Guard, Shield Proficiency
 From Stone to Steel
Benefit: A person with this skill can cover a number of people
equal to their Dexterity bonus at one time, as per Shield Guard.
All these people must be within the same line of fire. The per-
son with this skill can count themselves as one of the persons
Improved Shield Guard covers.
Moving Mount/Dismount [General]
You are trained to mount or dismount a vehicle or riding ani-
mal while it is in motion
Prerequisites: Ride 6+ or Handle Animal 6+
Benefit: Any person with the Moving Mount/Dismount feat
may attempt to mount or dismount a vehicle or riding animal
they are qualified to ride (see Prerequisites) while it is in
motion. This requires a standard Ride or Handle Animal
Maneuver, as though making a fast mount or dismount. Suc-
cess indicates the character has safely mounted or dismounted
the animal or vehicle in motion. If the character fails they may
take an automatic soft fall. Note that this action is effected by
the armor check penalty.
Normal: Normally this is a highly risky maneuver, requiring a
DC 25 roll, not counting the armor check penalty. Failure
requires a soft fall maneuver (using the ride skill or handle ani-
mal, as appropriate) at +5 DC (DC 20 as found under the Ride
skill) to avoid falling damage.
Note: This may be used to board unfriendly vehicles or ani-
mals, as well, although doing so will provoke an attack of
opportunity.
Rope Arrows [General]
You have practiced firing arrows that trail a rope line.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Benefit: A person with this skill has learned to compensate for
the drag a rope attached to an arrow can cause. The maximum
range for a rope arrow is the range increment.
Normal: A rope creates a lot of drag on an arrow, and effectively
reduces the range increment for such an arrow to 10 feet. Thus,
every 10 feet afterwards incurs a -1 to hit.
Shield Guard [General]
You are trained to protect others with your shield
Prerequisites: Shield proficiency
Benefit: Charioteers often had to defend their comrades while
under fire. Anyone with shield guard may confer a bonus of par-
tial coverage on anyone within 5 feet of themselves. A small
shield confers 10% coverage, a large shield confers 25% cover-
age, and a great shield confers 50% coverage. Note that coverage
can interfere with the attacks of those being shielded, as per the
rules of coverage. Someone shield guarding another does not gain
the defensive armor bonus of that shield while performing a
shield guard. Shield Guarding is a move-equivalent action.
52
The Far East
cross the Hindu Kush, in the Indus valley, the Harappan civ-
A ilization briefly flourished. Existing in a fertile valley, they
developed a strong agrarian culture, and trading precious stones,
copper work, and gold with Sumeria via sea and overland travel
to get finely made Sumerian items, including weapons and armor.
The Harappans were the first culture to actively practice city
planning, designing their walled cities before they were built,
practicing paving of roads with brickwork, separating industrial
and urban districts, and even developing a prototype sanitation
system, which allowed people to have indoor bathrooms.
Not long after the rise of Sargon, however, the Harappans
began to experience drought. The areas of the Indus Valley
they inhabited were drying, and the increased aridity drove
them from the cities. By the time of the rise of Babylon they
had been driven North and, lacking strong cultural bonds, they
eventually merged with the other tribal populations of the
region, becoming part of both the mountain tribes of modern
day Afghanistan and the plains people of Northern India.
Behind them they left cities had at one time sheltered upwards
of forty thousand people.
The Aryans, an Indo-European civilization, began to enter the
Indic region around the time of the decline of the Harappans.
Although some suspect that they may have had a hand in the
Lost Civilizations
Throughout history, the victors are the ones who write the his-
tory books. This tends to make it hard to discover real infor-
mation on cultures that did not fare so well. Some cultures
become part of myths or legends, like Atlantis. It seems likely
that some Mediterranean culture was the basis for this mythi-
cal land, but history gives us little to go on. The Harappans,
like the Anasazi of the four corners region of the United
States, left cultural records, rather than a great deal of histori-
cal records, for us to learn about them. We learn a little at a
time about their culture by tokens, building methods, and
common items we find in those sites.
Lost civilizations give the DM an excellent opportunity to
introduce uncommon or out of place items into a campaign.
Historical lost civilizations can make interesting and unfamil-
iar settings for semi-historical campaigns. You can revisit the
Harappans metropolis, or climb the ladders to the cliff
dwellings of the lost Anasazi. Such cultures give you a good
degree of flexibility in semi-historical campaigns, and can
spice up an adventure. Perhaps characters may become
attached to the unique culture they discover, and will seek out
ways to prevent their eventual decline. Or perhaps, inadver-
tently, they will become the reason for the sinking of your own
home-grown Atlantis.
downfall of the Harappan people, there is no evidence to support
that. It is know however, that Aryans did split during their migra-
tion, with a portion entering the Hindu Kush and settling there,
 Chariots of Bronze
35
37
35. Bronze-Bound Leather Lamellar; 36. Bronze Studded Leather Block Armor; 37. Bronze Ge
while another portion entered India and conquered the native
tribes. The Aryan culture would dominate for quite a while, and
their influence would eventually shape the formation of religion,
as well as subsequent cultures in the region.
China
North, across the Himalayas, small tribes lived in the wilds of
China. Recent archaeological evidence suggests that these tribes
had some bronze working ability, and may have had trade with
the Harappans or Sumeria. These tribes, though, left very little
record, other than bronze bladed knives and pottery, and it is
likely that they were either remnants of the Yang-shao era stone-
age tribes of ancient China, or perhaps even independent groups,
possibly of Indo-European stock. In the end there eventually
absorbed into the larger Chinese culture.
In the north of China, the Hsia were said to have ruled since
before the rise of Sargon. There are a great number of stories
written about the Hsia, however, these stories are generally
mythical in nature, involving characters like the Three Cultural
Heroes (who taught the Chinese about writing, hunting, trapping,
and fishing, agriculture and mercantilism, government and
Taoist philosophy, respectively) and the Three Sage Kings who
ruled with perfect wisdom, clarity, and virtue. These characters,
much like the long list of begats found in the biblical book of
Genesis, may not have actually corresponded with individuals as
they might have to cultural segments, tribes, or philosophical
movements. Archaeological evidence for any culture prior to the
53
36
Shang Dynasty does not confirm the existence of the Hsia, but
we are still discovering cultures thought mythical, like the fol-
lowing Shang Dynasty, or the City of Troy, so it seems possible
that we may eventually find evidence of the Hsia.
Tang, a man of reputed virtue, rose up against the decadent
emperor Chieh, and ended his reign, establishing the Shang
Empire. During this empire the concept of Divine Mandate
became established in Chinese culture. It was the mandate of
Shang Te, the supreme god, that the King ruled. As in Sumeria,
this precedent, once in place, would become justification for a
great deal of otherwise irrational behavior. Still, the Shang
Empire flourished, and its armies benefited from new develop-
ments in bronze working.
The soldiers in the Shang army were divided into three seg-
ments, the infantry, the archers, and the charioteers. Like the
Sumerians, the Shang developed Battle Wagons. In Shang
China these were lead by horses, and each wagon contained a
driver, an archer, and a soldier armed with a battle-axe. Sol-
diers wore various kinds of armor, ranging from tanned leather
to a kind of leather lamellar to a bronze studded leather patch-
work suit. The station of the soldier dictated the amount of
money spent on his equipment, and most soldiers were armed
with perhaps a spear and a knife. Clubs rounded out the limited
armory of a Shang era soldier.
 From Stone to Steel
Lamellar, Bronze-Bound Leather
Lamellae is a Latin word, describing the overlapping plate
structure of lamellar armor. Lamellar is the precursor to scale
armor, and is made up of squares, rectangles, or irregular
square or rectangular shaped plates, usually 12 inches wide
and 23 inches long, layered over each other to fashion a shirt,
usually with sleeves, shoulder pauldrons, and a plated skirt.
The bronze in the bronze-bound leather lamellar suit is there to
keep the entire suit together, and gives the suit a good deal of
its weight.
Armor, Studded Leather Block Bronze
The Leather Block armor is a somewhat simpler design, where
the squares are sewn edge to edge, rather than laced and over-
lapping. The bronze studs usually cover the lacing holes, and
give the whole suite its character. Again, heavier than regular
studded leather, it makes up for it with excellent protection for
its cost.
Ge, Bronze
Longer than its counterparts in Sumeria, Babylon, or Egypt, this
weapon is an axe on a 4-foot pole, giving it longer reach, but
with a simpler, lighter blade. This weapon may be wielded as if
fighting with two weapons, a battleaxe and a light staff. If used
in this manner, the user incurs all the normal penalties associated
with fighting with two weapons, as if you were using a one
handed weapon and a light weapon. A creature using a double
weapon in one hand cannot use this weapon as a double weapon.
Obviously, a soldier trained with the Two Weapon Fighting feat
could be quite formidable with this weapon.
The Divine Mandate
The Shang worshipped their ancestors, and practiced many forms
of divination, including astrology and throwing bones. Sacrifices
were often made after the death of great personages, and for kings
those sacrifices might be human. Princes and other powerful
nobles could convene religious ceremonies, since there was no
official priesthood. In their place, those who learned to read and
write formed almost a scribe class, not unlike that in Egypt, and
their study of the stars and letters made them seem altogether
mystic in nature. In a fantasy world, Wizards would come from
this elite scholar class, while Sorcerers might come from the gen-
eral populace. And the general populace lived very poorly indeed.
Though the nobles lived in luxury, the commoner still lived in
caves and farmed with bone tools. When most of the rest of the
world was experiencing the Iron revolution, the peasants of
Shang China still lived in a barely Neolithic culture, almost sepa-
rate from their rulers. This disparity probably brought about the
next revolution, when the Chou usurped power from the weak-
ened Shang dynasty, and fractured China into various smaller
kingdoms, each warring with each other for resources and power.
As the Chou dynasty consolidated their power, they redefined
the nature of the Divine Mandate, and established the King as
intermediary between heaven and earth. Again, the mating of
54
religion and secular power was intended to cement the legiti-
macy of the regime, and to gather support from the faithful. And
this support would be necessary. Just as the Chou came into its
own, it would face attacks from the most feared barbarians in
history, the Mongols. But this is a story for another time.
Sword, Grain Bronze
The Grain Sword's form descended from a grain-beating stick
that was in common use in Asia. Most versions had indentations
on the unsharpened edge, slots with small bends in them, which
were intended for sword breaking. For information on sword
breaking, please refer to the Far East chapter. The grain sword
was uncommon in the Shang Dynasty, although it would see
greater use in later periods.
Sword, Horse Head Bronze
A heavy, curving, chopping blade, somewhat a cross between a
cleaver and a sword, the Horse Head sword was so called
because the blade slightly resembled the curve and posture of a
horse's head. Most Shang relics of the Horse Head sword have a
wide loop hilt, which may have had tassels. The eventual prede-
cessor of the Horse Head sword would be the Dao.
Fu, Bronze
A light axe, likely only held by the elite, the Fu was not a
weapon of warfare, but one of status. During the Shang Dynasty,
many Fu blades were embellished, and were likely held by
prominent men and warriors of state. Their bronze blades were
sometimes prematurely aged, the green verdegris giving the
golden brown metal a kind of stately splendour.
The Inca
he Inca, like the Aztecs, were empire-builders. But the cir-
T cumstances and methods were completely different. The
Inca had a God-Emperor who was believed to be the avatar of
Manco Capac, the first King of the Inca people and God of the
Sun. Around the God-Emperor lived an intricate aristocracy of
intermarried tribal leaders from the various tribes the Inca sub-
dued. As part of the conquering process, the Inca took family
members from the leading families of a people and forced them
to marry into the aristocracy, creating blood ties between all
members of the Empire, ostensibly to prevent betrayal. Ironically,
this actually fostered a great deal of plotting and scheming among
the aristocracy, to an almost Byzantine scale.
The Inca had regimented armies. Men marched in formation,
and when an army was raised it could number from 200 to 300
thousand men. When on the march the men were severely
policed, and not allowed to live off the land, a tactic that will be
examined in the next chapter. The men were issued helmets of
hard wood and jackets of thick cotton, simpler than Aztec Cotton
Armor, and large, rectangular wooden shields. Slings and fire
hardened spears were the most common weaponry, followed by
copper war bolas, heavy copper maces (similar to the Sumerian
 Chariots of Bronze
mace), macanas (a long war club), copper axes, and a kind of
copper halberd. Indeed, the only things they lacked were cavalry,
and llamas were no good for that use.
Besides regimental training, the Inca also used two tactics more
common with later civilizations: calculated cruelty and espi-
onage. The Inca frequently murdered important enemies in hor-
rific ways, in order to impress upon witnesses the fierce nature of
the Incan Empire. They would often take trophies from their ene-
mies, such as skulls, heads, or skins, and use them to decorate,
make drums, or fashion into cups. When targeting a tribe for
inclusion in the empire, the Incan Emperor would send trusted
close family members to that tribe, to get information on the ter-
rain, number of soldiers, their receptivity and preparedness, and
to give bribes to key players, in order to isolate potential victims.
These tactics were highly effective, and made them supreme in
their region until the coming of the Spanish.
Why were the Incas conquered? The Inca were conquered for a
variety of reasons. The Spanish had firearms and steel, both
superior technologies. In addition, the Spanish had cavalry,
where the Inca did not. But perhaps the most important
weapons the Spanish had were their diseases. European dis-
eases were unrelated to anything in the New World, and let
loose in a land without immunity, those diseases ravaged the
people of the Incan Empire more than anything else. It is
impossible to raise an army for defense when all of your men
are sick. In the end the Incas literally died out.
Armor, Incan Cotton
The Incan Cotton armor was not on the same level of protection
as the Aztec armor was. Still, it is sturdy, and the helmet offered
superior protection. As an interesting note, all soldiers were
issued a sling, and most used the sling as an impromptu head
covering to cushion the helmet.
Bola, War Copper
This bola is made of 3 lumps of copper bound by cord. It
should be considered an exotic weapon. Make a ranged touch
attack. If successful, there is a 25% chance the target is entan-
gled. A -2 penalty can be taken to the attack roll to increase the
entangle chance to 50%. An entangled creature is a -2 on attack
rolls, and a -4 penalty on effective Dexterity. The entangled
creature can only move at half speed and cannot charge or run.
If an entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must succeed
at a Concentration check (DC 15) or be unable to cast the spell
with a somatic component.

42

39

38

40

43

41 44

38. Incan Cotton Armor; 39. Copper War Bola; 40. Copper Incan Handaxe; 41. Copper Incan Halberd; 42. Bronze Fu; 43. Bronze
Horse Head Sword; 44. Bronze Grain Sword
55
 From Stone to Steel
Handaxe, Incan Copper
The Incan handaxe was made with a small half-moon blade,
and a flanged mace head on the back. The wielder could decide
whether to use the axe blade to chop at an enemy, or the mace
flanges to bash an enemy. This versatility was unique to the
region
Halberd, Incan Copper
The Incan halberd consisted of an 8-foot spear with an attached
axe blade and a rearward facing copper hook. The wielder
could use it to thrust, hack, or impale with any of the three
damaging surfaces. This weapon was often wielded by elite or
royal forces, usually to protect someone of importance.
Europe & The Mediterranean
The Celts
In mainland Europe, smelting brought with it a rapid transforma-
tion from stone to bronze. Though there were no widespread cul-
tures in the region, the development of weapons, armor, and
48
45
46
47
45. Bronze Adze; 46. Bronze Hand Axe; 47. Bronze Celt;
48. Bronze Sword
56
trade did not stop. Wealth brought tribes into groups, and hered-
ity and burial became important as evidenced by paintings and
carvings. The Europeans crafted adzes, axes, swords, spears,
sickles, shields, and armor of bronze, and deployed these in
inter-tribal warfare. The armor, was of various kinds, ranging
from banded armor like that of later Egyptians, to bronze lamel-
lar, and studded leather. European shields sometimes had a
raised or spiked boss (central metal plate), which was used to
deflect sword blows and protect the hand. Spiking the boss of a
shield allowed an experienced soldier to perform a disarming
tactic with the shield, as well as making shield bashes more dan-
gerous.
New Feat: Shield Disarm [General]
You are capable of disarming an opponent using a shield
spike.
Prerequisites: Shield Proficiency
Benefit: Any person with the Shield Disarm who has a
spiked shield may attempt a disarm maneuver with their
shield, at a +2 to disarm (including the roll to resist being
disarmed if you fail a disarm). Unlike a normal disarm
maneuver, this does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If
your attacker succeeds in disarming you when youve
attempted a Shield Disarm, you do not drop your weapon,
but, instead, drop your shield. Remember than any off hand
penalties apply, if you have attacked with your regular hand
weapon during the same turn.
Celtic Weapons
Like the Adze and Axe of the stone-age period, these weapons
still competed for more common use in Europe at this time.
Their bronze counterparts were common and readily available.
The bronze version of the celt also saw extensive use, and its
modular nature allowed it extensive life. The bronze sword of
Europe was a straight bladed weapon, with a wide base and
tapering point. It was used throughout the northern climes.
Lamellar, Bronze
The Europeans, perhaps due to their milder climate, seemed
comfortable using large amounts of metal in their armors.
Metal Lamellars started in Eastern Europe, with a bronze suite
with rectangular plates.
Leather, Studded Bronze
Softer leather armors were reinforced with bronze studs, in
order to maximize protection while still keeping a supple suit
of armor.
The Minoans
The Minoans were a polyglot civilization, on the island of Crete,
made of many tribes from most civilized regions in the world.
Thus their appearance was a general mixture of the regional stan-
dards, and they had good ties with most areas. As an island
nation, naval technology was important, and the triremes of
Minoa were the most powerful ships of their time. The Phoeni-
 Chariots of Bronze
cians may have traveled far and wide, and traded much, but their
ships were not as swift or maneuverable. Like their ships, Minoan
weaponry was described as elegant and prized for its workman-
ship as well as its use. If their architecture is any indication,
Minoan weaponry was likely decorated with wavy images or fan-
ciful images, likely of the snake or bull, both holy animals.
We can guess from murals and pictures on amphorae (urns for
holding oil, wine, or other liquids) that the Minoans developed a
kind of bronze breastplate, complete with leather studded cap,
kilt, and leg greaves. This armor would be repeated in the Myce-
naen culture of the mainland Greeks, who were known to have
highly admired Minoan civilization, and who took many aspects
of it in their own architecture and art. They definitely developed
spears, shields, slings, javelins, daggers, clubs, maces, short
swords, and even a kind of bronze longsword that was somewhat
impractical but unique for its time.
Breastplate, Minoan Bronze
Minoan Bronze breastplate armor was not as heavy or protec-
tive as Mycenaen Bronze armor, but it was more effective than
the lamellar armors of Europe. Well made, with peaked cap to
divert sword or axe strikes, it was a durable testament to the
capable armies of Minoa.
Longsword, Bronze
Able to craft long blades in fine bronze, the Minoans wielded
weapons that were otherwise impossible for the material and
52
49
50
49. Bronze Lamellar; 50. Bronze Studded Leather; 51. Minoan Bronze Breastplate; 52. Bronze Longsword
57
time. Well made, these blades were often treasured by those
who received them as gifts, and only saw battle when Minoan
national interests were at stake.
The Mycenaens
The Mycenaens, unlike the Minoans, made war a way of life,
and a right of kings. The Mycenaens could be unfavorably typ-
ified by their tendency to prey on their weaker neighbors, and
make peace with their stronger neighbors. They were a very
clan and tribe oriented people, and each clan and tribe was lead
by those with the ambition to lead. All such kings were consid-
ered equal in Mycenaen society, although some equals were
held in higher regard than others. Generally clans or tribes
were left to their own governance, but kings might gather to
make war on particularly wealthy states or to come to the com-
mon defense. In a way, the Mycenaen Greek State was similar
to the Scottish Clan structure of the Middle Ages.
Ironically, this culture tended to promote the interests of the
individual, unlike many of the larger civilizations of the period.
Since kingship often had more to do with actions than with
bloodline (in a clan and tribal system bloodlines were often
mixed), any person could hope to become prominent. Indeed,
the heroic ideal comes from stories of this Mycenaen period, as
recorded by the bard Homer. The Illiad and Oddessy,
although laced with a great deal of myth, also contain a great
deal of history and cultural information. The Iliad, which
involves the greatest Greek military campaign of the period, is
still easily available today, and is read widely. Many families
51
 From Stone to Steel
throughout Europe often tried to trace their bloodlines back to
heroes of the Iliad, from either side of the war between
Greece and Troy.
By the sack of Troy, Mycenaen Greeks had developed a full
bronze breastplate armor, complete with conical helm, breast-
plate, belts, skirt, and greaves. This was the heaviest armor of
its time. For lighter infantry they also used linen cuirasses,
which were light but protective, and sometimes bore bronze
plating. In addition, the Greeks armored their chariot horses
with bronze headpieces. Leather armor was also in common
use. The Mycenaen chariot was roughly on par with the Baby-
lonian, although there were rarely more than two soldiers in
any given chariot. This early armoring would eventually
inspire full barding for horses, and acted as blinkers. The
Greeks were also known for their innovation with the sling:
The sling bullet. Essentially a slug of bronze, this weighty
object obviously had more impact than a standard sling stone.
Mycenaens used swords, shields, knives, daggers, bows, axes,
spears, and javelins, and were also known to use fire as a tacti-
cal weapon, lighting arrows or using torches to set critical
items ablaze. And, of course, they employed chariots.
Breastplate, Mycenaen Bronze
Mycanean Breastplate armor, as described above, was perhaps
the pinnacle for armor in its time. Strong, yet allowing good
flexibility and mobility for its period, this kind of armor was
crafted only for men of station and great wealth.
Cuirass, Linen & Plated Linen
Made from many layers of cloth glued together, these suits of
armor were light and minimally encumbering. They allowed
53
53. Mycenaen Bronze Breastplate; 54. Bronze Plated Linen Cuirass
58
infantry to move quickly, but still provided protection, while
leaving the arms and legs free for movement. These were sub-
stantially less expensive to manufacture.
Arrow, Bronze Fire
The fire arrow is used like any normal arrow except that it must be
lit in order to gain the fire damage. Although the arrow does have
a bronze head and can be fired unlit, it is always at a -2 due to the
weight and unwieldy nature of the combustible material. Note that
the fire arrow is not capable of flying as far, and is almost certainly
destroyed on impact. If lit, it will sufficiently burn out its fuel in 3
rounds, and will no longer be useable after this.
Bronze Horse Headcovering
Not a true armor, the Bronze Headcovering used by the Greeks
conveys a +1 armor bonus vs. any strike intended to hit the head
of a horse. The main point of interest for this method of armoring
is the fact that the headcovering also acts as blinkers for the horse,
which may have an impact on any ride skill rolls attempted.
Bullet, Bronze Sling
Made from ingots of bronze, these bullets inflicted painful
wounds. Superior to stones, these were only used by armies, as
bronze was too expensive to make available for common use.
The End of an Age
Mycenae didnt end with the sack of Troy. Although the battle
of Troy depleted the home-front (indeed, many heroes of the
sack returned to find their own homes and lands pillaged and
destroyed) Mycenaen society flourished for a great period of
time, and the Mycenaens eventually landed on Crete after the
54
 Chariots of Bronze
fall of the first Minoan society, and attempted to re-establish
Minoan society in the Mycenaen image. Eventually, though,
the Mycenaens were attacked and conquered by the Dorians,
another Greek people from the north, who plunged Greece into
its first Dark Age. But that period, and its recovery, will be
covered in the next chapter.
As mentioned before, one main reason for the transition from
the Bronze Age to the Iron Age was a relative material short-
age, especially of tin. Mines in Anatolia began to give out first,
followed by mines in Assyria. Without a dependable source of
tin for forging bronze, metal-hungry and army-laden nations
needed an alternative metal to maintain tools of the war trade.
And iron, brittle, expensive, and hard to work, was the answer.
This transition from Bronze to Iron was neither universal, nor
smooth, as the next chapter explains.

Table 2-7: Bronze Age Weapons

Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Tiny
Dagger, Bronze 1.4gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5 lbs P M 4/6
Dagger, Copper 1.2gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5 lbs P M 3/6
Knife, Bronze 1gp 1d4 x2 1.5 lbs S M 4/4
Knife, Copper 9sp 1d4 x2 1.5 lbs S M 3/4
Small
Adze, Bronze 4gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs S MW 4/17
Sickle, Bone 1gp 1d4 x2 2 lbs S B 2/6
Sickle, Bronze 3gp 1d6 x2 3.5 lbs S M 4/11
Sickle, Copper 2gp 1d6 x2 3.5 lbs S M 3/11
Sickle, Stone 1gp 1d4 x2 2.5 lbs S S 2/8
Sickle Sword, Bronze 6gp 1d6 x2 3 lbs S M 5/9
Thresher (Proto-Flail) 3gp 1d6 x2 3 lbs B W 3/9
Medium-Size
Club, Bronze Studded 3gp 1d6 x2 6 lbs B MW 4/12
Club, Copper Studded 2gp 1d6 x2 5 lbs B MW 3/10
Hayforka 2gp 1d8 x2 7 lbs P MW 3/14
Mace, Bronze Headed 8gp 1d8 x2 14 lbs B MW 4/28
Mace, Copper Headed 6gp 1d8 x2 13 lbs B MW 3/26
Throwing Spear, Early Irona 8sp 1d6 x3 20ft 4 lbs P WM 4/12
Large
Pruning Hook, Bronze*a 3gp 1d8 x3 15 lbs P MW 4/30
Pruning Hook, Copper*a 2gp 1d8 x3 14 lbs P MW 3/28
Scythe, Bronze 13gp 2d4 x4 13 lbs S MW 4/26
Scythe, Copper 10gp 2d4 x4 12 lbs S MW 3/24
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Medium-Size
Javelin, Bronze Tipped 8sp 1d6 x2 30ft 4 lbs P MW 4/12
Javelin, Copper Tipped 7sp 1d6 x2 30ft 3 lbs P MW 4/9
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Celt, Bronze 4.2gp 1d6 x3 6 lbs S MBW 4/18
Handaxe, Bronze 4gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs S MW 4/17
Handaxe, Copper Incan 3gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs S/B MW 3/17
Medium-Size
Battleaxe, Early Iron 8gp 1d8 x3 8 lbs S MW 4/16
Battleaxe, Egyptian Bronze 7gp 1d8 x3 9.5 lbs S/P MW 4/19
Battleaxe, Sumerian Bronze 7gp 1d8 x3 9 lbs S MW 4/18
Battleaxe, Sumerian Copper 6gp 1d8 x3 8 lbs S MW 3/16
Ge, Bronze 8gp 1d8 x3 11 lbs S/B M 4/22
Fu, Bronze 4gp 1d6 x3 7 lbs S MW 4/14
Longsword, Bronze 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 6 lbs S M 5/12
Sword, Bronze 7gp 1d6 1920/x2 6 lbs P M 4/12

59
 From Stone to Steel
Table 2-7: Bronze Age Weapons
Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Medium-Size
Sword, Early Iron 13gp 1d8 x3 5 lbs P/S M 4/10
Sword, Grain Bronze 9gp 1d8 1820/x2 7 lbs Slashing M 4/14
Sword, Horse Head 7gp 1d6 1820/x2 6 lbs Slashing M 4/14
Sword, Kopesh Bronze 8gp 1d6 1820/x2 6 lbs S M 5/12
Large
Halberd, Incan Coppera 8gp 1d10 x3 16 lbs P/S MW 3/32
Spear, Bladed Bronzea 2gp 1d8 x3 15ft 11 lbs P WM 4/22
Spear, Bladed Coppera 1.5gp 1d8 x3 15ft 10 lbs P WM 4/20
Spear, Early Irona 3.5gp 1d8 x3 10 lbs P WM 4/20
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Medium-Size
Bow, Light War 45gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2 lbs Per arrow WC 4/6
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Tiny
Bola, War Copper* 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 15ft 3.5 lbs B CM 2/11
Small
Whip, Braided or Hair#* 6sp 1d2 x2 10ft 1.5 lbs S C 2/5
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Arrow, Bronze Fire* (20) 20gp +1/rnd -10ft 3.5 lbs P+Fire WM 1/4
Arrow, Bronze Headed (20) 9sp 3 lbs P WM 1/3
Arrow, Copper Headed (20) 8sp 3 lbs P WM 1/3
Arrow, Early Iron Headed (20) 1gp 3 lbs P WM 1/3
Bullet, Bronze Sling (10) 1sp 1d4 5.5 lbs B M 4/6

Table 2-8: Bronze Age Armor

Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Light Armor
Armor, Incan Cotton 9gp +2 +5 -1 5% 30ft/20ft 20lbs F 4/38
Armor, Bronze Studded Leather Block 22gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 18lbs LM 3/36
Lamellar, Bronze-Bound Leather 60gp +3 +4 -2 25% 30ft/20ft 23lbs LM 4/46
Leather, Bronze Studded 23gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 15lbs LM 4/30
Cuirass, Linen 14gp +2 +5 0 10% 30ft/20ft 12lbs F 3/24
Cuirass, Bronze Plated Linen 20gp +3 +5 -2 15% 30ft/20ft 25lbs MF 4/50
Medium Armor
Breastplate, Minoan Bronze 35gp +4 +2 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 4/60
Breastplate, Mycenaen Bronze 180gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 32lbs M 5/64
Lamellar, Bronze 30gp +4 +3 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 32lbs M 4/64
Shirt, Bronze Plated 18gp +3 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 22lbs M 4/44
Heavy Armor
Armor, Bronze Banded 165gp +5 +1 -5 25% 20ft*/15ft* 36lbs M 5/70
Shields
Shield, Great Bronze 32gp +3 -3 25% 22lbs M 3/44
Shield, Great Wooden 18gp +3 -3 25% 13lbs W 3/26
Shield, Large Bronze 15gp +2 -2 15% 17lbs M 4/34
Shield, Large Copper 14gp +2 -2 15% 16lbs M 3/32
Shield, Small Bronze 5gp +1 -1 5% 5.5lbs M 4/14
Shield, Small Copper 4gp +1 -1 5% 5.5lbs M 3/14
Extras
Cloak, Bronze Armored 5gp +1 +6 -1 5% 5lbs LM 3/10

60
 Iron and Empire

Iron 63 Sparta 70
Rust 63 Athens 71
Faeries 63 Persia 71
Iron 63 The Greek-Persian Wars 72
The Paradox of Steel 63 Marathon 73
Assyria 63 The Second Invasion 73
The Assyrian War Machine 64 Rise of Macedonia 73
Slashing Weapons 64 The March of Alexander 76
Improvised Weapons 64 Customizing your Fighter 76
Chariot Upgrades 64 Morale 77
Psychological Warfare 65 Elephants; 77
The Scythians 67 Sub-Saharan Africa 78
Living off the land 67 Diffusion of Technology 78
The Greeks 68 Table 3-1: Iron Age Weapons 80
Greek Fire 69 Table 3-2: Iron Age Armor 81
Comparison: Sparta and Athens 70

61
 From Stone to Steel
He ran, heart pounding in his head, wounds bandaged, his
linen cuirass clinging to his skin and slapping against his
pumping thighs. His head felt strangely hollow, as if some-
how great elation or delirium had taken root. He could
hardly believe what his own eyes had seen.
The marauders had come, and stood abreast on the field,
colorful robes and bright painted shields, their horses, hun-
dreds upon hundreds, pawing the earth and snorting as if
impatient. Before their force the army of Athens seemed so
small, even supported by the allies from the neighboring
cities, even with Spartan elites among their number. How
could they hope to overcome so great a number of Persians?
Within in his heart grew fear, and this time the anger over
Naxos and Eretria would not clench its cold fingers. If they
failed this day, nothing would stand in the way of the Per-
sians marching on Athens. In his heart of fear he saw all of
Greece fall, even the warlike Sparta, and the temples of the
gods burning and blackening.
The blood rushed through his ears, and he could feel every
breath as if it were scouring his lungs with sand. There was
burning in his muscles, but he pushed himself to keep run-
ning. The news had to be spread.
They had stood and stared at each other from their ranks.
The challenging clamor of spear on shield from the hoplite
warriors was quickly answered by trumpets from the ranks
of the Persian invaders, and the horses charged forward
from the enemy lines, their riders raising longspears, as they
thundered across the plain of Marathon towards the Greek
alliances ranks. The entire Greek line broke into a trot, a
measured pace meant to advance the line of skirmish with-
out tiring the soldiers; they would be death-weary before the
day was out. The horses careened towards the right flank,
where a large contingent of Spartans, Thebans, and Corinthi-
ans prepared. Spears were raised and the line slowed. No one
questioned the bravery of the Spartans, but whether it was
the spirit of Ares among them or the bravery of the Spartans
who fueled them, the Thebans and Corinthians did not break
and run either. At the last moments, the soldiers of the right
flank halted, bracing themselves behind their shields and
readying spears against the charge.
With a crack as loud as any bolt of Zeus, the charging Per-
sian cavalry impacted against the implacable wall of Greek
soldiers. Spears shattered. Horses and men cried out in pain,
agony, run through, pierced from belly to spine, impaled
upon iron blade and hardened wood. Then came the Persian
arrows, and all able soldiers raised their shields and looked
to their own defense. There was no time to dwell on the fate
of those who faced the first charge.
Blood. There had been much blood. Every mans spear saw
use, and many swords as well. Shields and breastplates
breached. Helmets cut from their wearers. Pheidippides
himself had seen the light of a mans eyes dimmed by his
own blade. The Persians seemed to come without end.
62
Androcles, his friend from youth and fellow phratry mem-
ber, fell to an arrow from one of those horse archers the Per-
sians prided in. Pheidippides cast his spear at him, but it
was lost from his view, and he was forced to fight on, taking
each moment as it came, unsure of when his own end would
come.
Every step now was pain. After a day of battle he had felt
his limbs grow heavy from the exertion. But he had tasked
himself with this mission, and he could not fail. Indeed, it
was as if he could hear the thundering of the cavalry charge
echoing in his ears again.
He saw the city ahead, and the heads of the skeleton city
guard standing on the walls. As he neared he heard shouts,
and a trumpet sounded. Men raised spears, uncertain of
what omen brought a blood-streaked soldier running from a
battlefield more than a days march away. But it was every-
thing for Pheidippedes to keep moving. His bandages were
soaked red, and his eyelids felt leaden. He almost feared
that he would fall asleep if he were to stop.
There had been trumpets on the field. He had been too
weary even to understand what they meant. They cried out
again and again, and it was only after Pheidippedes could
see no more Persians to face them that he understood what
the noise was. It was a call to retreat. The Persians were
calling for retreat. Somehow, on a field soaked in the blood
of battle, strewn with more bodies that Pheidippedes could
count, the Persians were fleeing. The gods had been with the
Greeks on this day. And a ragged cheer rose up out of the
remnants of the Greek army: A cry weary and proud. They
had avenged Naxos and Eretria. There was hope. As Phei-
dippedes bound his wounds he realized how important this
news would be to his family, to Athens. He had to go home.
He had to tell them. Tell them everything.
He was near, now, but his armor dragged at him with every
step. He loosened the ties with fatigued fingers and let it slip
from his body, running on nearly naked. Men on the walls
must have recognized him. A door in the gate opened, and
the captain of the wall stepped out, concern etched into
every wrinkle of his face. He reached out a hand to Phei-
dippedes as the young soldier staggered the last few paces to
the gate. Clasping the captains hand, Pheidippedes took a
deep breath, and choked out Niki! Victory. He tried to
draw another deep breath, so he could say more: More about
the bravery of the Spartans, Thebans, Corinthians, more
about the terrible charge, about the blood and the spears,
about Androcles. But the breath never came. He struggled
for breath against a weakness he had never known. His eyes
fell closed. He wondered at how much less work it was to
just not try. His knees buckled, and he tumbled to the
ground. And released what breath he still had.
Niki. Victory. And now they knew.
 Iron and Empire
Iron
ith the decline of Bronze, power shifted away from the
W old kingdoms and towards those fledgling nations and
barbarian tribes that had begun to experiment with iron. Iron
was not a new metal, nor was it innately superior to bronze.
Iron had been discovered and used by the Hittites, for example,
while most nations were still using bronze for all metal and
armor. Iron was much harder to find than copper, and required
more heat to smelt, thus iron was expensive and rare. It was
only with the tin shortages, combined with greater demands for
weapons and armor, that iron became a preferable substitute.
The first and most obvious advantage of iron was its rigidity.
Iron held its shape much better than copper or bronze. Sword
blades could be longer, and straight bladed swords became
more practical, since points did not blunt as easily. Also, once
shaped to the desired form, iron was less likely to bend and
warp, which made repairing iron armor or implements easier.
All of this came with a number of negatives. Iron did not have
the flexibility of bronze, and was much more prone to break-
age. Iron was brittle, and harder to decorate, due to its inflexi-
bility. Moreover, iron was expensive, even with bronze on the
decline, so those nations without iron resources, most notable
of which was Egypt, never effectively made the transition.
Lastly, bronze may have been prone to verdigris after years of
exposure, but iron had a unique problem with rust.
Rust
Iron may begin to rust if it is not appropriately dried after sub-
mersion or soaking. If an iron item is submersed, soaked, or
otherwise immersed in water for at least 15 minutes, roll per-
centile. There is a 15% chance the iron will begin to rust. If
rusting iron is not dried properly, it will take 1 point of struc-
tural damage the day after contracting rust, although this dam-
age, unlike rotting, is not progressive. Rusting causes the item
to permanently grow weaker. Note that the original structural
rating is still referred to when calculating deterioration. Cor-
rectly coating an iron item with oil or wax will reduce this risk
to 1%, and will require reapplication after submersion or 1
month, whichever comes first.
The Paradox of Steel
Steel occurs when charcoal is folded into iron during the smithing
process. Due to the heat required to make iron pliable, extremely
hot fires were required, and the main way to create a hot fire was
to use copious amounts of charcoal. Thus, even from the begin-
ning, small amounts of charcoal became part of the iron during its
initial shaping.
In later times, when smiths began to understand the role of char-
coal (carbon) in the steel-making process, smiths began to exper-
iment with the ratio of charcoal to iron. They soon discovered
that the mixes that favored iron were heavier and more brittle,
63
but they held edges longer, and could make sharper blades. Steel
mixes that favored greater amounts of carbon, in turn, were
lighter, more flexible, but tended to deteriorate faster. Thus, the
variance of the quality of steel throughout the ages and cultures
was not so much based on one culture making better steel than
another as much as having different processes and different pref-
erences. Toledo steel, for example, was highly flexible and light,
while Japanese blades were fearsomely durable and sharp. It
would not be until the modern age that more advanced alloys
would be able to take advantage of irons rigidity and carbons
flexibility equally.
Faeries
Fey creatures are particularly vulnerable to wounds from iron
weapons. Called cold iron by such creatures, all wounds from
iron weapons do double damage and ignore any natural dam-
age resistance. Also, a wounded fey loses any magical abilities
it may possess for 1 round per point of damage they sustain.
Iron armor not only protects the wearer from the blades and
arrows of the fey, but can also provide considerable defense
against fey magic. As a rule of thumb, for every +1 the armor
grants to the wearers armor class naturally (not including mag-
ical bonuses from enchantment) he receives 5 Spell Resistance
to the spell-like abilities of the fey (so a suit of iron chainmail
with a +4 natural bonus would grant a SR of 20 against faean
spells and spell-like abilities).
Steel, being adulterated, has no special effect against a fey
opponent.
Assyria
ssyria was a relatively small kingdom that had already
A seen two peaks in power. Though it was centered around
the northern cites of Nineveh, Assur, Nimrud, and Khorssbad,
it had controlled Akkad when Sargon conquered and united
Sumeria. Akkad then rose to the forefront, cutting off connec-
tions with Assyria. Again, when the Arameans began to popu-
late Mesopotamia and the Mediterranian coast, Assyria rose to
strike against the Arameans. It was Assyrias attacks, along
with the Elamites and Babylonians, that prevented the domina-
tion of the region by the Arameans, although the Aramean lan-
guage remained, becoming the common tongue of the whole
region.
Assyria, though, saw its true rise to power in its last age, when
bronze was on the decline. Assyria was one of the regions that
mined tin, and they began to stockpile it as the mines began to
fail. Thus, Assyria was able to continue to produce bronze items
without feeling the pinch of the shortage that other countries felt.
In addition, through judicious trade and contact with barbarian
tribes more familiar with iron smelting, Assyria was able to shift
over to iron weapons more quickly than other nations.
Assyrias bronze weapons and armor werent expressly unique,
but they were well made. The quality of their craftsmanship
was most notable in their increased durability. Late bronze-age
 From Stone to Steel
weapons were virtually identical to their earlier counterparts,
but with a 5 durability, rather than a 4.
As Assyrias strength grew and other nations weakened, a
series of great kings came to power, and their new vision of
warfare would lead to the conquest of all the lands from the
Caspian to Chaldea, Anatolia to Egypt.
Chariot Upgrades
The Assyrians and Persians made developments that add new
wrinkles to chariot warfare.
The Assyrians added a leather running board, rather than the
traditional wooden one. This gave their chariots (which were
otherwise identical to Babylonian chariots) a smoother ride.
All chariots equipped with this kind of leather running board
add a +2 circumstance bonus to any balance rolls made while
in the chariot.
The Persians experimented with putting iron scythe blades
on their chariots (which they took from the Assyrians). Any
person within 5 feet of the hub side of a chariot wheel
equipped with scythe blades is automatically attacked by
these blades each round they remain within 5 feet. Roll
against their armor with a straight d20. A driver with
Advanced Chariot Driving may add his +2 special maneuver
bonus to this roll, or he may subtract it (if he does not want
the blades to hit the person in question). If the person is hit,
resolve damage as if struck by an iron scythe.
The Assyrian War Machine
Assyria set quite a few precedents as it became the first militar-
ily dominant empire in the region. They improved the chariot,
making the baseboard of pliable leather, rather than wood, so
as to absorb some of the shock of travel. They employed two
kinds of chariot: a light chariot with two horses and three men
whose sole purpose was to charge into enemy formations and
then dismount the warriors into the resulting chaos, and a heav-
ier four horse chariot which held up to six men, and was
employed to deliver crack troops where needed. Additionally,
familiarity with horse-riding barbarian tribes lead the Assyrians
to employ true cavalry. Two thirds of Assyrian cavalry were
horse-mounted archers, trained to fire from horseback and flee
retribution from enemy archers. The other third carried long-
spears, a weapon designed in Egypt, but not used on horseback
there. These longspears were often referred to as lances,
although they could not be properly couched. At first, Assyri-
ans used bronze lamellar and bronze scale armor, adding hel-
mets, greaves, and boots, but later forged suits of iron scale,
which became standard issue. Soldiers wielded shields, spears,
daggers, iron swords, maces, studded clubs (including a ver-
sion of the great club), and battleaxes, and were expertly
trained. Moreover, the Assyrians paved their roads, had a mili-
tary corps dedicated to procuring weapons (caches have been
found by archaeological digs that have contained 200 tons of
iron swords) and horses (up to 3000 a year) all year round, and
64
they even employed siege engines like catapults, battering
rams, and siege towers. When one considers that the Assyrian
army could muster up to fifty thousand men at short notice
(total army strength was closer to two hundred thousand), and
move them swiftly, there is little question as to why they were
effective.
Spear, Iron (short and long)
The longspear was developed in the late bronze age in Egypt,
and adopted by the Assyrians after they first attacked Egypt.
The longspear is a reach weapon, and can be readied against a
charge. The Assyrians usually equipped front ranks with longs-
pears, and gave shorter, throwing spears to those closer to the
rear. As with the majority of reach weapons, the spear cannot
be used against a foe within 10 feet.
Scale Mail, Bronze & Iron
Scale mail was an improvement upon lamellar armors. Scales
were better articulated, allowing more flexible joints. Suits of
metal armor were expensive, and generally only used by shock
troops.
Shield, Iron
Iron shields, regardless of size, were usually only for officers
and elite soldiers. The common soldier had to make do with
wood or leather equipment.
Dagger or Knife, Iron
Since iron held a better edge, piercing weapons were more
effective than their bronze counterparts. Note that the primary
difference between a knife and a dagger is that a dagger is dou-
ble edged, and is better suited to throwing.
Clubs & Maces
Clubs saw a brief renaissance during the Assyrian period, and
were carried by a majority of the poorer soldiers, as they were
reasonably inexpensive and very effective. Assyrians differen-
tiated the mace, making a lighter version with a wooden handle
and a heavier one of solid iron.
Slashing Weapons
Slashing weapons did not see quite the same explosion of
development as piercing weapons did in the period, although
the shem sharru was the descendant of the sickle sword and
precussor for the kopis, the scimitar, the shamsir, and the saber.
Instead straight edges (longsword, shortsword) were more
common, since a point can focus a great deal of pressure in a
single location, often piercing heavy armors.
Improvised Weapons
The scythe was developed first in Babylon, but the Assyrians
spread its use, since it was far more efficient for reaping grain
than the hand sickle. Still, both weapons were used when, in
emergency, there was no other alternative.
 Iron and Empire
1
6 7
1. Chariot wheels with iron scythe blades; 2. Bronze Longspear; 3. Bronze Scale Mail; 4. Large Iron Shield; 5. Iron Short Spear;
6. Iron Dagger; 7. Iron Headed Arrow
Whip (Leather & Bone Scourge)
The standard whip was made from leather, usually strips of
scrap or skin that was unusable for larger products. The
scourge was first developed in Syria, and was made from vari-
ous lengths of cord woven onto a wooden handle, with teeth or
pieces of sharp bone bound in the cord. Leather whips were
primarily used as tools in training and controlling wild animals,
although they were also used by various cultures to keep slaves
in line. The scourge was a device intended to torture people,
and was either used in punishment or in religious ceremonies
where pain was intended to expiate a sin. The leather whip
deals subdual damage, and both whips deal no damage to any
creature wearing armor of at least +1 armor bonus or creatures
with a +3 natural armor bonus. Although kept in the hand, the
leather whip is treated as a ranged weapon with a maximum
range of 10 feet, and no range penalties. The leather whip can
be used to wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be used
to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the leather whip in order to avoid being
tripped. Those using a whip gain a +2 bonus on their opposed
attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent, including
the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm
attempt. Either whip is considered an exotic weapon. This
weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
65
3
Psychological Warfare
One of the greatest innovations the Assyrians employed wasnt
a physical asset or new form of training. The Assyrian military
used psychological warfare. In short, they used fear.
The Assyrians had a sizeable army, and it took a great deal of
food to keep that army fed. Even more than the food, though,
was the pay and privileges that soldiers required. The kings of
this third Assyrian Empire, instead of stripping food stores bare
to maintain their army, began the practice of living off the land.
Assyrian armies would march through fertile land and take
what grain and meat animals were available to supplement
their baggage trains. The soldiers were promised the right to
keep anything they were willing to march with. Soldiers were
encouraged to loot, rape, and plunder during the campaign, and
there was general amnesty for soldiers.
Officers, who could come from the regular volunteers or from
noble families were held to higher standards. A certain portion of
their loot was taxed by the King, but in return the officers had sta-
tus and prestige in Assyrian society. Soldiers were regularly
feared and avoided, but officers were revered for their restraint
and prowess.
The effect of this shift in military attitude was profound. This
total war mentality created fearsome civilian casualties, and
 From Stone to Steel
could cripple a citys survival chances even if the Assyrians
were diverted, because of the loss of food supplies. Many cities
opted to present the Assyrian army with tribute when they
knew it was coming. They would gather great amounts of food
and valuables, and then offer them to the army in hopes that
they would be left alone. Sometimes this worked. Sometimes
the tribute was rejected, and the cities were sacked and demol-
ished. Either way, conquered cities were absorbed into the
empire, and soon it came to span the vast majority of the civi-
lized world.
There were definite advantages and drawbacks to this philoso-
phy. While soldiers were on campaign, the level of crime in the
city decreased, since most criminals found that the army was a
way to get what they wanted without having to break the law. It
is no surprise the lock and key were invented by the Assyrians.
On the other hand, the enforcement of the law could not be left
to the army, so the militia once more grew to prominence. In
fact, in conquered cities, it was preferable to leave the local
militia relatively intact, in order to allow them to enforce the
law effectively. Another advantage was that actual military
fatalities were lessened, since many cities eventually opted to
pay tribute rather than oppose domination. But with a large
standing army that expected some kind of personal indulgence
on a regular basis, the Assyrian army was almost always on the
move. Without long periods of peace, the populace rarely had
an opportunity to recover from war.
There were other repercussions to this war intensive focus. For
example, the Assyrians practiced forced migration. When con-
quering another people or nation, they often forced a sizeable
portion of that nation to relocate to a radically different part of
the Empire. It was hoped that this displacement would reduce
the chance of revolt, as people would be preoccupied with learn-
ing to cope in the new region. This practice, more than any other,
probably contributed to a general reduction of popular support
all over the empire. Also, with the military being the central
focus of the Assyrian Empire, the military leaders began to
demand more and more power, and larger and larger portions of
the tribute. The Assyrian Empire walked a precarious path, and
one that would lead them to complete dissolution.

12

8 9 10
18

17
20
20

19

11
16

13 14

15

8. Iron Studded Club; 9. Light Iron Mace; 10. Heavy Iron Mace; 11. Iron Knife; 12. Iron Battleaxe; 13. Shem Sharru; 14. Iron
Shortsword; 15. Iron Longsword; 16. Iron Sickle; 17. Iron Scythe; 18. Leather Whip; 19. Bone Scourge Whip; 20. Scythian Iron
Lamellar

66
 Iron and Empire
Living off the land
Nations before Assyria usually maintained baggage carts to
carry food they would need on the march. The logistics of
keeping up the train of food and supplies usually limited the
distance an army could march. This is the source of the say-
ing, An army marches on its stomach.
Due to the huge size of the Assyrian army, Assyria found it
almost impossible to carry more than a 3 pound ration of
wheat per soldier. In the climate they marched in, and travel-
ing for 10 hours a day, 3 pounds of wheat fell far short of the
required calorie intake necessary just to sustain a healthy sol-
dier. He would need protein, as well, and more than a gallon
of water to keep fighting fit. Just to carry 3 pounds per sol-
dier meant the average field army of 50,000 had to carry
150,000 pounds of wheat per day.
So the Assyrian army sent out scouts into the lands they were
invading, who determined where the best fields and herds
were, and the Assyrian army would march through those
areas to replenish supplies and maintain stocks. This invari-
ably meant poor harvests and shortages in lands conquered
by Assyria, which prompted cities to bring tribute as soon as
they heard of the Assyrian army marching on them.
The Scythians
During this period, a number of horse-riding cultures came to
prominence both in Europe and the Middle East. The Scythi-
ans, a culture that lived along the Caucasus Mountain Range,
were active in both regions, and were an excellent example of
horse-riding tribes of the time.
The Scythians used a great variety of materials and equipment,
depending on what was available and advantageous in an area.
The warriors tended to wear bone, bronze, or iron lamellar
armor, although they also were known to use leather armor,
bronze scale, iron scale, and a bronze ringmail developed by
the Greeks. They used a double recurve bow, which would later
be adopted by the Persians. They wore armbands of bronze,
iron, or bone, used straight or curved knives, (the latter of a
Chinese design), and used shields of leather, wood, or iron.
Arrow heads could be of any material, although bone, bronze,
and iron were most common. Before the Persians they pre-
ferred the spear or iron shortsword, but after the rise of the Per-
sians they adopted the Persian kopis and the bowcase. The
Scythians used a great deal of gold and animal motifs in their
decoration.
Lamellar Armor, Bone & Iron
Lamellar was slightly easier to construct than most other
armors, and the Scythians were primarily nomadic, so they
were unlikely to maintain a camp long enough to develop more
complex armor smithing techniques. Bone lamellar was rare,
and only worn by Scythians, since many cultures considered it
barbarous armor. The iron version was far more effective, but
67
usually only worn by those who could afford it, mainly clan
leaders.
Ringmail, Greek Bronze
The Greeks developed an armor of interlocking rings, backed
by leather. This armor tended to diffuse the impact of bludg-
eoning weapons and block slashing weapons, as well, but it
was ungainly and poorly made. The Scythians preferred to
trade for Greek suits, but did construct a bronze version of this
armor for themselves. Piercing weapons are particularly effec-
tive against this armor, and it only grants a +4 bonus against
them.
Armbands
Armbands were culturally significant for the Scythians, and
were often inscribed with holy symbols or personal images. In
a fantasy world it is very likely that Scythian Priests would
have blessed them, or Scythian mages would have enchanted
them. Besides armor enchantments, they might have had
enchantments to improve symbiosis between riders and horses
(horses being an important part of Scythian religion), or fear,
bravery, or strength effects.
Bow, Double Recurve
The double recurve bow must be wielded with two hands. It is
an incredibly powerful bow, and every double recurve bow
should be considered the quivalent of a masterwork mighty
composite longbow (usually at least +2). The craftsmanship of
this Scythian bow made it prized among more civilized
nations, and it was often traded for. Both the Persians and the
Greeks preferred these for their archers, when possible, and the
Scythians became very rich off of their trade.
Knife, Chinese Curved
Curved weapons are intended to be used in a chopping fashion,
bringing into contact as much of the blade as possible with the
foe. The curved knife they carried appears Chinese in origin,
and they likely traded for them with another horse tribe or with
Scythian tribes living closer to Chinese society.
Kopis
The kopis was a Persian blade, based on the Shem Sharru. Usu-
ally possessing we call a pistol grip, and wider in the front por-
tion of the blade, the kopis was an excellent weapon for close
in fighting and for use from horseback. Later in Persian history
it would be replaced by the falcate. The Scythians, again,
traded for these.
Barding, Leather and Bronze Plate
The Scythians were also the first to make true barding, armor-
ing their horses in leather and bronze plate. This kind of extrav-
agance would not be embraced by more civilized nations for a
great while, but the protection to the horse was substantial, and,
 From Stone to Steel

21

25

26
24

22

23

21. Greek Bronze Ringmail; 22. Scythian Armband; 23. Double Recurve Bow; 24. Chinese Curved Knife; 25. Kopis; 26. Leather
and Bronze Plate Barding
due to fact that the horse was religiously important in Scythian
society, it was a small cost to them for the benefit it provided.
The making of barding is an individual affair. One could not
make a standard size suit of barding and hope they would fit
the horse. Horses would first be brought to have the leather
backing of the barding draped over them. The leather would be
marked or cut to the horses proportions and then the armorer
would bind bronze plates to it. Although conceivably such armor
could be bound together with chains, the leather provided a
smooth backing to prevent chafing while on a hard ride. This
armor, combined with the skill of a good rider, kept the horses
that Scythians prized so much alive much longer in a battle.
The Greeks
With the invasion of the Dorians, Greece fell into a dark age. A
dark age is any period in a region or culture where technology
and learning regress substantially. Although the Dorians were
smelters of iron, they were otherwise much less advanced than
the Mycenaens were, and for a time the Greek peoples lived
under their domination. During this time there was very little
mobility, and bandits and outlaws became rampant in the
wilder places, prompting many to move to the cities for protec-
tion. Elaborate walls were erected around many major cities,
and some of these walls were quite complex, not only encom-
passing the city proper but extending into the immediate farm-
ing countryside, in order to allow farmers to escape in case of
surprise attack. These extensions to the walls were often built
into hill sides, and required extensive tunneling and bracing.
The bracing itself was made so as to be easily destroyed. Thus,
if invaders discovered these escape passages, segments could
be collapsed to prevent the enemy from bypassing the city
walls. Eventually the city-states of Greece threw off the Dorian
occupation, and during the following period the power of the
cities increased again.
With walls comes crowding. And crowding leads to increased
problems with crime and sanitation. These pressures, as well as
a budding new exuberance about the Greek way of life
prompted many cities to establish colonies. Colonists were sent
to establish new colonies in Asia Minor, the many islands of
the Mediterranian, the Italic peninsula, Iberia, and even por-
tions of Northern Africa, although Carthage tended to dominate
north Africa. These colonies increased the spread of Greek

68
 Iron and Empire
thought, religion, and culture, and allowed people to develop
new cities as they wished. As part of the colonization agree-
ment, the colony cities also manufactured goods for trade in
Greek markets.
Each city-state was different in organization, although they
tended to use the same kinds of weapons. Longspears, bows,
slings, javelins, daggers, axes, and straight swords were com-
mon, as were round shields, helmets, and greaves. Some
shields sported skirts of leather, intended to deflect arrows
away from the legs, or to snag low enemy strikes. Lamellar and
Scale armor were more common in the Northern cities, while
the Southern cities favored much lighter armor, depending,
instead, on mobility. There was even a scale version of the
linen cuirass. A kind of ringmail, backed with studded leather,
was developed and experimented with in a few cities, but never
saw widespread use. Only a few cities used breastplate armor
like their forebears. It is interesting to note that while iron was
the common metal during this period, there was a revival of
bronze smithing at one point, and the styles and armors that
were forged with this revival bronze indicate a definite nos-
talgia trend. These revival armors were better made than the
older armors they emulated, but were probably only worn and
used by nobles and those with a great deal of disposable
income. Revival bronze armors would have their durability
increased by one (e.g. a 4 durability would be 5, a 5 durability
would be 6, etc.). It should be noted that chariots were never
used in combat after the end of the Dark Age.
Greek Fire
Greek fire is a flammable composition believed to have con-
sisted of sulfur, naphtha, and quicklime. Its origin is lost to
historians, although most records state that the Greeks first
developed it in the Classical Age. It was never employed on a
large scale during this time period, perhaps mostly being
saved for rare sieges or sea warfare, to burn boats or buildings.
In a fantasy world, one might make more aggressive use of
Greek fire, perhaps as fire bombs or siege defense (like boiling
oil). Such firebombs would be used like Grenade-like
weapons, similar to alchemist's fire but far more virulent, and
would do 2d6 dice of fire damage a turn for 2 minutes (20
rounds), or until doused. It is entirely likely that, should the
fire burn for the full duration, the character will keep burning,
as per the set on fire rules.
Cuirass, Iron Scaled Linen
Made from many layers of cloth glued together, these suits of
armor were light and minimally encumbering. They allowed
infantry to move quickly, but still provided protection, while
leaving the arms and legs free for movement. These were sub-
stantially less expensive to manufacture than full scale mail,
even with iron scale work. Of course, they were also easier to
damage and destroy.
69
Ringmail, Greek Iron
The Greeks developed an armor of interlocking rings, backed
by leather. The rings were usually about 1 to 1 inches in
diameter, much larger than the diameter of the later developed
chainmail. This armor tended to diffuse the impact of bludg-
eoning weapons and block slashing weapons, but it was
ungainly and poorly made. Greek suits were made of iron
rings, but these suits were not commonplace. Piercing weapons
are particularly effective against this armor, and it only grants a
+4 armor bonus against them.
Leather Shield Skirt
The Greeks often hung a leather skirt from the bottom of their
shields. This skirt did not have any backing behind it, but was
intended to snag attacks intended for the legs. A shield with a
leather skirt will sometimes retard an attack just enough to
make it inconsequential. Leather shield skirts can only be
mounted on Large or Great shields. Any time a roll exactly
equals the number necessary to hit a person wielding a shield
with a leather shield skirt, roll any die. On an odd number the
strike was blocked by the skirt instead. Apply all damage
against the skirt instead of against the shield bearer. As long as
the skirt has any hit points it can continue to block attacks in
this manner.
Bullet, Lead Sling
With the development of smelting, metals other than iron were
discovered. One of these new metals was lead. Lead is a very
pliable metal, and mostly worthless in weapon use. Except, of
course, as sling bullets. Lead bullets were heavy and damaging,
having more impact than stones or bronze bullets. They were
also reasonably durable, and therefore more reusable. Lead shot
could easily be recast in simple molds, so it was not uncommon
for the poor to raid a battlefield and collect shot to sell back to
local smiths for a minimal price.
Javelin, Iron Headed
The Javelin was commonly used in Greece, although they gen-
erally used a simple wood hardened javelin in sport or hunting.
The iron-shod javelin was used only in battle, and was often
saved for important attacks, since it was expensive to make and
expensive to lose.
Arrow, Iron Fire
The fire arrow is used like any normal arrow except that it
must be lit in order to gain the fire damage. Although the arrow
does have an iron head and can be fired unlit, such use would
be at a -2 due to the weight and unwieldy nature of the fire
arrow. Note that the fire arrow is not capable of flying as far as
a normal arrow, and is almost certainly destroyed on impact. If
lit, it will sufficiently burn out its fuel in 3 rounds, and will no
longer be useable after this.
 From Stone to Steel
28
27
32
27. Iron Scaled Linen Cuirass; 28. Greek Iron Ringmail; 29. Leather Shield Skirt; 30. Inscribed Lead Sling Bullet; 31. Iron
Headed Javelin; 32. Iron Fire Arrow
Comparison: Sparta and Athens
During different period of the Archaic Age, various cities rose
to prominence in Greece. Corinth was the first of this period,
but it was swiftly enough supplanted by Sparta and then both
by Athens. As each person is different from the next, each city-
state was unique, and it is worth noting just how different two
cities could be.
Sparta
Sparta was a warrior state: This cannot be stressed enough. But
rigorous military training was not the norm until the Classical
period of Greece. This doesnt mean that Spartan life was sim-
ple. At the age of seven freeborn boys were taken from their
families and placed in a communal education system. The edu-
cation they received was harsh, and they lived in these commu-
nities until the age of 20, when they were eligible to join a
syssita. Syssitas were organizations, somewhat like a club or
society that the men would belong to for the rest of their lives.
Men, at this point, were allowed to live by themselves, but they
ate in their Syssitas and spent much of their lives with their
Syssita brethren. Men were forbidden from most forms of
70
30
31
29
work, so women and free non-citizens did most of the other
work.
Messina, a neighboring region, was defeated and annexed by
Sparta at the end of the Dark Age, and the citizens of Messina
were made serfs. Called helots, these people spent their days
farming and manufacturing for the Spartans. In times of war,
the helots were called upon to supply a tithe of infantry for the
Spartan ranks, and good service in battle could be grounds for
being granted freedom (although not citizenship). Still, a free
helots child would be absorbed into Spartan culture, and for
some, this was a desirable goal. It is primarily the huge serf
class of the helots that forced Sparta into its constant military
role, and every year Sparta formally declared war on the helots,
although this was rarely an active war.
Sparta was ruled by two kings and 5 ephors, as well as a citi-
zens council of elders. Ephors at one time were the servants of
kings, but they eventually took on enough power to become
civil servants. Ephors could be nominated by a king, but were
elected by the citizens council. There was often friction
between the two kings, but the system of government balanced
 Iron and Empire
itself, and, in times of war a single king would take control
(often by election) to lead the military.
The military of the Spartans was highly organized. There were
five tiers of an army formation, regiments (morae), mora (usu-
ally six in a regiment), lochos (4 lochoi made a mora), Pen-
tekostys (2 per lochos), and enomotia (2 per pentekostys). An
enomotia consisted of 36 fully armed soldiers standing in 12
ranks. So an average regiment consisted of 3,456 armed sol-
diers, and any given army had a number of these regiments.
Those who showed the most promise were trained to become
hoplites, and they had an entire regiment of their own. The
king, as well, had his own honor guard, and there is evidence to
suggest that his honor guard was mounted.
The Spartans used shield, sword, a long thrusting spear, and
daggers. Archers wore no armor, while slingers might wear
linen cuirass armor at best. Hoplites might wear heavy armors,
but the Spartans favored mobility over armor, so they were
often the only ones to wear any serious armor. Since the com-
mon wear of Sparta was a coarse woolen cloak, their native
garb was impossible to wear into battle, so it is no exaggeration
to say that many warriors wore no armor. But armor was by no
means unused. Spartans favored cuirasses and good shield use.
Combat training stressed a series of simple movements and
maneuvers intended to favor the spear, with some defensive
training with a sword.
Athens
Athens, on the other hand, was at first lead by a king, but later
replaced by a polemarch. Elected from among the ranks of the
council of archons (a group of nine respected men elected to
the council by the citizens) by the archons, each polemarch
served for a year in their office. Although Solon of Athens did
propose the creation of a true democratic state, Athens never
truly moved beyond a representative government, although the
individual citizen had a much greater say on the laws and struc-
ture of Athenian life. Citizens of Athens belonged to a phratry,
sort of like a clan or tribe. The phratry one was born into had a
heavy influence on ones religion and social standing, but each
citizen was eligible for any political position. A phratry usually
consisted of one or more genes, a genos (the singular of genes)
being a large, extended family group.
Not that tribes were negated by the phratry system. Athens was
populated by 4 Ionian tribes, although later these tribes were
legally split into 10 new tribes. Each of these tribes had a cer-
tain stature, and among those tribes there was another layer of
hierarchy, based on ones wealth, that helped to influence
where in society one existed. Though it was theoretically possi-
ble for anyone to be on the council, in practice the richer, more
prominent families held those positions, and thus, controlled
the election of the polemarch.
All men were nominally under duty to the military from the
age of 20 to 37. These men had minimal, if any, training, and
were usually only drafted in time of war. Still, Athens, during
the Archaic period, was able to field an army of 20,000, so it
71
was quite capable of mobilizing large portions of the male citi-
zenry. Athenian soldiers used sword, spear, and shield, but war-
riors also wore whatever armor they could afford, and bows,
slings, axes, and clubs were carried by those who preferred
them. The military organization of the Athenians was limited,
but this was not true of their tactics.
Persia
bout this time Assyria was going through its death throes.
A It had reached its final greatness, and now it was being
wracked by civil insurrections and aggression from a strength-
ening Babylonian kingdom to its south and an alliance of the
Medes (a horse tribe) and the Persians to its East. While
Assyria was grappling with the Elamite threat and civil wars
sponsored by Egypt, the Medes and Persians attacked the capi-
tal cities of Assyria, and conquered them. Suddenly without
leadership, the Assyrian empire crumbled, and Babylon and the
Medes divided up the territories they desired, leaving the rest
of Mesopotamia to its own devices. But the Medes did not
share their new power equally with the Persians, and the Per-
sian king stewed.
When a new Median king came to power that was not popular
with the aristocracy, Cyrus the Second and the dissenting aris-
tocracy revolted against Median rule. Their army did not have
the strength of the Median army, but it was able to hold out
long enough for Babylonian allies to make moves of aggres-
sion against the capitol of the Medes. Thus the Medes were
forced to surrender to Cyrus, and Persia took control of the
Median empire.
Cyrus, though, was not done. Taking his full armies, he
marched through surrounding territories, consolidating his rule
in areas like Armenia, Cappodocia, and Cilicia, adding a few
Babylonian holdings in the process. Wherever native kings
already existed, Cyrus allowed them to remain in power as
Satraps. Thus, Cyrus was able to move on quickly, knowing his
newly conquered satrapies were well administered.
This level of aggression worried western powers, and an
alliance of Spartans, Lydians, Egyptians, and Babylonians
came together to oppose Persian dominance. At that time,
Cyruss general, Hypargus, made the excellent suggestion of
putting together a mounted column of Arabian camel riders.
These camel riders spooked the Lydian cavalry that lead the
alliance armies, and the Persian army was able to take advan-
tage of the cavalry rout to crush the Lydian empire to dust.
Lydia, being a Greek kingdom in Asia, was near a number of
other Greek city colonies, and so these cities were taken as
well, which caused much alarm in Greece, but did not yet
prompt war.
Cyrus, always the opportunist, turned his eyes on Babylon.
One of Babylons generals, Gobryas, was dissatisfied with the
king, and offered a place of power if he helped Cyrus conquer
Babylon, he agreed. Babylon soon buckled without its military
 From Stone to Steel
support, and Cyrus established Gobryas as its new satrap.
Since Babylon was an ancient and revered culture, Cyrus took
advantage of his presence there to return lost idols to their tem-
ples, in order to legitimize his claim to the Babylonian throne.
He also allowed citizens previously displaced by Assyrian con-
quest to return to their homelands, which gained him a great
deal of support from various conquered peoples. Jewish
prophets, for example, hailed him as the Lords Anointed.
With all of the old Assyrian Empire but Egypt under his con-
trol, and with holdings north and east of the previous empires
holdings established, Cyrus once more turned his eyes east.
Marching over the mountains, Cyrus invaded the Punjab region
of India, the lands once held by the ancient Harrapans, and
later by the Aryans and various Vedic kingdoms. The Aryan
split that had occurred long in the past had sent some people
west into the mountains, and some of those Aryan tribes settled
in lands that would later become Persia. Thus, the Persians
already had some connection to the new people they con-
quered, and the Satrap of Punjab was established.
It should be noted that various kingdoms did spring up in India
previous to the Persian invasion, but few were very substantial.
Usually these kingdoms consisted of one city and perhaps a
few surrounding communities, but there were no large king-
doms in this period. Tempted by the thought of easy conquest,
Cyrus again marched east, but was unable to cross the Jaxartes
River, destroying most of the Persian army in the attempt, and
dying himself.
Cyruss son Cambyses, after assassinating his younger brother to
prevent rivalry over the throne, raised a new army and marched
on Egypt. His army, lead by a mercenary Greek general and
aided by Bedouin nomads, was able to conquer Egypt, and take
it and Nubia (the kingdom of Kush) as well. Cambyses also con-
sidered attacking Carthage, but his Phoenician allies refused, and
he could not cross the desert safely. When insurrection threat-
ened at home, Cambyses tried to return, but died en route.
It was Darius, one of Cambyses sons, who finally brought
peace to Persia, and consolidated the rule of this new Empire.
Although he led armies against the Scythians, and established
footholds along the northern shore of the Caspian Sea, his main
work was in consolidating rule over the Indus Valley and
Egypt, and establishing laws. He also standardized a currency
system, based on the Lydian bimetallic currency system using
silver and gold. He transplanted fruit trees to the east of his
empire, and sesame and rice to the west.
Then Darius moved on the Scythians again. The Scythians,
being nomads burned their fields, destroyed their own lands, and
harassed the Persian armies with horse-borne guerilla warfare.
Darius, fearful for his own personal safety, left a substantial
army in Scythian territories to continue the fight, and returned to
Persian land. Again, Darius concentrated on administration,
leaving his generals to expand his territories. One general con-
quered the Lybian desert, while another crossed the Bosporus
(the strait between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and he
72
conquered the Greek cities there, demanding surrender of many
Ionian cities as well as Macedonia, a northern Greek kingdom.
They did submit, which set the stage for the Greek-Persian wars.
The Greek-Persian Wars
Several of the Ionian Greek cities in Lydia revolted against Per-
sian rule, but were swiftly crushed. Their handsome men were
made eunuchs while their beautiful daughters were sent to royal
harems. Sensing weakness and lack of unity, the Persians
demanded surrender of all of Greece to Persia. Some cities did
send signs of submission, but both Athens and Sparta refused.
Following the same pattern as previous conquests, Persia moved
on Greek cities, and conquered them one by one on the way to
the two powerful states. Cities like Naxos and Eretria were con-
quered, through both military means and subversion of dissi-
dents. But Persia made the fatal error of destroying the temples
of both cities and enslaving their people. No Greek would ever
tolerate this on their own soil.
Athens called up its army, and marched to intercept the Persian
army on the plain of Marathon. The Persians there were garbed
in cuirasses of iron, iron scale, iron lamellar, and iron plated
armor, as well as lighter padded armor. They bore violin-
shaped large and great shields, and their first ranks all bore
wooden tower shields. The Persian army favored a combined
weaponry formation, where one soldier bore a large shield, to
protect a longspear bearing soldier slightly behind them. But
the majority of the Persian armies were archers, also protected
by shield bearers. Most shield bearers wore heavier armor, and
carried a short spear to defend with, while the archers wore
light padded armor and carried composite longbows. Most all
soldiers, even the elites and the Immortals, wore robes over
their armor, which were usually brightly colored. Besides the
long and short spears, Persian soldiers bore straight swords
called Akinakes, a curved chopping blade called the Kopis, and
axes. The Persians still used Chariots, but they were unable to
bring them to Greece. Persian chariots were usually driven by a
heavily armored driver, and their wheels had iron scythe blades
mounted on the hubs. They were, however, able to bring quite
a number of mounted troops, and Athens had no equivalent
cavalry.
The Greeks, on the other hand, wore revival bronze plated
linen cuirasses, iron scaled linen cuirasses, iron scale, Greek
ring mail, linen cuirasses, and bronze revival breastplate armor.
They carried round large shields, and carried spears, swords,
axes, daggers, bows, slings, and clubs. Greek soldiers were not
mounted. The Athenians lead the army at Marathon, but a num-
ber of Greek cities joined the battle, including Sparta.
Akinakes
The akinakes is Persian broadsword, replete with a blood
groove and double edged blade. Used almost as much as the
kopis, the akinakes was primarily a piercing weapon, and its
heavy blade made it very damaging. Ornamentation was com-
mon, and the pommel was split, rather than rounded. This
 Iron and Empire
made it less versatile than later swords since it was more diffi-
cult to change the manner in which the sword was wielded.
Cuirass, Iron
The Iron Cuirass was developed in Greece, and then imported
to Persia. Simple versions were relatively featureless, while
more expensive suits were shaped to look like a muscular
human torso. When backed with leather, the Iron Cuirass was
very effective against most attacks, at the sacrifice of some
movement.
Armor, Persian Charioteer
The Persian Charioteer armor was highly restrictive, made to
protect the charioteer but did allow them freedom of movement
in their arms. An Iron Cuirass, Iron helmet with iron plated
leather face and neck mask, plated sleeves, iron skirt, iron leg
braces and iron shod boots, this armor favored protection at the
expense of freedom of leg movement. In fact, the charioteer
armor was so encumbering that they needed help into the char-
iot, and could not walk or run very effectively. Any charioteer
who survived a crash or being thrown from their chariot was
likely to try and strip off the armor as quickly as possible.
Longbow, Composite
The Composite Longbow was developed in Persia, based on
the Light war bow of the Assyrians and certain developments
by the Scythians. Though not as powerful as the Scythian bow
could be, it had impressive range, and was used by military
forces up into the 19th century.
Spear, Iron Half
The Iron Half Spear was a short stabbing spear carried by non-
front rank troops in the Persian army. Usually those who car-
ried the halfspear also carried a great or tower shield, and they
were trained to protect another warrior in battle, usually an
archer or longspearman. Paired defense was the norm in the
Persian army, since the majority of Persian soldiers were
archers.
Marathon
The Greek army was able to mobilize fast enough to control
the access to the plain of Marathon. A tired Persian army
arrived, low on supplies, to find their next target was not what
they expected. Instead of finding yet another Greek city hiding
behind its walls, the Persians came upon a fresh army, well
trained and incensed at the treatment of Naxos and Eretria.
There both sides fought a terrible battle, but the Persians,
already depleted, could not hope to hold against the Greeks.
Their army routed, and fled back to Persian controlled lands. It
is said that a soldier named Pheidippides ran from the scene of
the battle to Athens, a distance of about 24.8 miles, to deliver
the news of victory. Legend says that he uttered the word
Niki! which meant victory, and then dropped dead on the
73
spot. This, incidentally, is the origin of the modern Marathon
footrace.
The Second Invasion
Darius, already encumbered by revolts in Egypt, could not
respond to the rout right away, and he died before a second
attack was launched. In the intervening time the Greeks were
not idle. Sparta stepped up its military training, and Athens
pulled together its allies. Eventually the alliance of Athens and
a number of northern Greek cities would form the core of the
Delian League, but Sparta would never join, suspicious of the
intentions of Athens and worried about Athenian domination.
When Persia finally regrouped, it found a Greece prepared for
war.
And war they had. Persia at first seemed successful. Launching
an attack with 180,000 men (half of the total Persian Army),
Persia set sail in 1200 ships, and landed in the southern portion
of Greece. The Spartans made a number of attempts to stop the
colossal Persian army, including holding the pass of Ther-
mopylae against the entire army with only 300 soldiers, but
those 300 soldiers were finally killed, and the cities of Sparta,
Thebes, and eventually even Athens fell to the Persian forces.
While the Spartans fielded the best army in Greece, the Atheni-
ans ruled the seas. It was Athenian forces at sea that crippled
the Persian army, sinking a substantial portion of the Persian
fleet, leaving the army without enough support to maintain
their holdings. The Persian army was forced to retreat over-
land, and it eventually lost its main commanders in the attempt.
The last battle, at Mycale, destroyed the bulk of the Persian
fleet, as well as its army. Thus the second invasion, too, failed.
Due to the loss of the sea war, Xerxes, then king of Persia, exe-
cuted his Phoenician captains and crushed the remnants of the
Phoenician cities in Asia. The last stronghold of Phoenician
culture was the North African city of Carthage, and even that
was conquered by Persia in retaliation, although it was not
destroyed.
The Greeks rebuilt, and the Delian League was established.
Spartans began to parley with North African states of Persia,
while the Delian League created an army and declared a cru-
sade to free the Greek cities still under Persian rule. Now on
the defensive, Persia found itself trying to hold down a number
of revolts while facing a marauding army in poorly held terri-
tories. The weakened Persian kingship fought a number of bat-
tles over the next 50 years, eventually being forced to grant
independence to all asian Greek city-states, as well as recog-
nize the independence of all European holdings. Still the
Greeks harried the Persians at sea and plotted with dissatisfied
Persian satrapies.
Rise of Macedonia
Macedonia was a kingdom north of Greece. Considered only
nominally Greek by the southern cities, it was a tyranny not
 From Stone to Steel

34

33
39
35

38

37

36

33. Akinakes; 34. Iron Cuirass; 35. Persian Charioteer Armor; 36. Composite Longbow; 37. Iron Half Spear; 38. Persian Shield;
39. Sarissa
centralized in a single city but over an area of land. When the
Greeks forced Persia to return independence to all of European
Greece, Macedonia was among those countries no longer
beholden to the Persians. As the Delian league and the Spartans
busied themselves with the Persians, the Macedonians concen-
trated on reforming their armies and improving their cavalry.
By the time Phillip the Second came to power in Macedonia,
Macedonian Cavalry, called the Companions, was the finest in
Greece, and it rivaled that of the Persians in skill if not size. A
king with a military bent, Phillip focused on reforming the
infantry. Phillip still honored the place of the elite Hoplite, but
he created a number of new elite soldiers. Phalangites were
phalanx troops, well armored and bearing the sarissa, a long-
spear that was the predecessor of the pike. Hypaspists were
lighter armored and armed than the Hoplites and Phalangites,
and were primarily reserve troops, meant to shore up weakness
in a battle line and support weary soldiers. Archers and
Slingers were also used in larger numbers in the Macedonian
armies, and the archers favored the double recurve bow of the
Scythians. Standard armament for all soldiers were javelins,
spears, and swords, either straight edged or the kopis. The
armies of Macedonia favored the Greek round shield
Cestrosphendone (kestros)
The Cestrosphendone, or kestros for short, was a small arrow
or bolt adapted to be fired from a specialized sling. Adapted
long after the collapse of the Empire, it was used primarily in
Macedonia, and did not see use in later cultures. It was an odd-
ity, a testament to the Greek fascination with the sling.
Double string sling
The Double stringed sling was an improvement made to
accommodate the kestros. Able to sling all common kinds of
sling ammunition, it was only used in Greece, and went out of
use with the kestros. The sling takes no damage from attacking,
but takes double damage from slashing attacks.

74
 Iron and Empire
40. Gastrophetes
Falcata
The Falcata is a descendant of the kopis, with an even heavier
blade. The Macedonians adopted its use for those soldiers who
preferred chopping weapons, and the falcate spread from there
all over thier conquered lands. The Yataghan, Kukri, Kora, Fal-
chion, and Pata all descend from this weapon.
Gastrophetes
The gastrophetes was one of the few Greek bow inventions,
and possibly the first crossbow invented in Europe. The gastro-
phetes literally translates to belly-bow, and it was a huge cross-
bow that had a wide, concave end. When the gastrophetes
needed to be reloaded, one merely placed the concave segment
against the belly, and grasped the bowstring with both hands,
using the full strength of the upper body to pull the bow into
place. The gastrophetes had surprising range and draw, and it
used a composite longbow as its main bow, but it was an
unwieldy weapon. The Romans would later adapt the gastro-
phetes to a pillar-like stand, and assign two men to load and
fire it, making it a multi-man siege weapon, the predecessor to
the ballista. The gastrophetes used standard arrows, rather than
crossbow quarrels or bolts.
Pole-mounted sling
The Macedonian military devised a pole-mounted sling, which
was used to launch larger stones. A slinger using the pole-
mounted sling could launch up to 10 miniscule stones or bul-
lets, up to 3 tiny stones, or 1 small sized stone of no more than
20 lbs weight.
When slinging miniscule ammunition, the to hit roll is applied
to a figure in a 5 foot area. If the roll is unsuccessful, roll as per
missing with a grenade-like weapon. Otherwise roll 1d10. That
many bullets have struck the target. Roll damage for each one
75
separately. If they strike armor, apply each stones damage sep-
arately, since the damage does not stack. If any damage multi-
plier is in order that multiplier only affects the first die roll.
Every roll after that cannot benefit from a multiplier. If there
are any targets in any 5 foot space adjacent to the primary tar-
get, and any stones have not struck a target, subtract one from
the number of stones still unaccounted for (in order to account
for the distance) and roll to hit again, with a -5. If there is a
success, roll a d10 again to determine the number of bullets
that hit that target. Remember the original number of bullets
slung and how many have hit you cant hit with more bullets
than youve slung. This process can be repeated for all valid
targets in a 5 foot radius around the primary target, or until all
stones have been accounted for.
When slinging with tiny ammunition the same process as
above is used, except roll with 1d3 to determine the number of
stones that strike. Damage for a tiny stone is 1d4. Damage for
a tiny lead bullet is 1d6+1.
Damage for a small stone bullet is 1d6. Damage for a small
lead bullet (the equivalent of a shot put) is 1d8+1. When used
with a single bullet or stone, roll standard to hit, rather than to
hit against a 5 foot area.
Note that stone ammunition can be heated as per the materials
rules, although the weapon will also sustain that heat damage
as a consequence.
Sarissa
The Sarissa is an extremely longspear (16 feet) with a longer
than average spear head. It is an extended reach weapon, and
requires 15 feet on a map to be effective. It may be used to attack
an opponent 15 feet away if set in the ground at one's feet. If
held, the 5 foot square behind the wielder may not be occupied
 From Stone to Steel
42
45
43
44 46
41
41. Falcata; 42. Cestrosphendone; 43. Double String Sling; 44.
Pole-mounted Sling; 45. Paddle Club; 46. Great Wood Shield
by an opposed combatant, otherwise the Sarissa is unwieldable.
The Sarissa, when held in both hands, must be able to extend up
to five feet behind the wielder, and then may only be used
against a foe 10 feet away. Any foe within that range may not
effectively be attacked by a Sarissa. The precursor of the pike,
the Sarissa was used by forward ranks in an army to blunt or stop
charges, primarily horse charges. When set against a charge, the
Sarissa does triple damage, rather than double damage, against a
charging creature or target. Being a large weapon, it must be
wielded with two hands. As an alternative method of using the
weapon, two soldiers may wield the Sarissa together, each using
one hand, and therefore allowing each to wield a shield as well.
This may be done only when setting the Sarissa against a charge
or when soldiers march in rank. The distance from the rear sol-
dier indicates the reach distance.
The March of Alexander
Forging his infantry into a varied and capable fighting force,
Phillip turned his gaze southward to test their mettle. His first
campaigns tested his armies and found them wanting, but with
refinement the Macedonian force became feared throughout
Greece. Before a handful of years were out, Athens petitioned
76
Phillip for peace, proposing that Phillip keep his holdings if he
agreed not to march south. This gave Phillip time to administer
the cities he captured and recruit more soldiers. Then he
marched south anyway, and this time no city or alliance could
stop him. Twenty years into his reign Phillip had defeated all of
Greece, and accepted the surrender of its major cities. In order
to promote solidarity among his conquered lands, he formed
the League of Corinth. It performed much as the Delian League
did, opposing Persia who watched Phillips campaign with
much interest. Heartened by Phillips opposition to Persia,
Greece united behind him. Perhaps he would have marched
against Persia soon after his conquest. But he never had the
chance. At a celebration he was poisoned, and he died soon
after, leaving the throne of Macedonia to his son, Alexander.
Customizing your Fighter
The Fighter has a great degree of variance only rivaled by the
Rogue. In this chapter three very different soldiers all fall under
the Fighter class description. The Scythian horseman is a
mounted bowman/warrior. The Persian Immortal is a heavily
armed and armored archer. The Greek Hoplite is an elite cam-
paign footman. Yet each of these soldiers is a Fighter, each just
pursues a different track. The Scythian Fighter focuses on
mounted feats, and builds up his ride skills. The Persian
Immortal focuses on archery feats, and concentrates on skills to
improve their mobility. The Greek Hoplite is a straight Fighter,
focusing on strong attacks and precision. When considering
how best to spend new skill points or feats, consider what kind
of fighter you envision yourself having. Does he fight from
horseback? Does he use a sword or a bow? Does he fight with
finesse or brutal strength. The Fighter may seem to be a very
basic class with a very limited scope, but it is actually a tem-
plate towards creating any warrior you can imagine.
History records hundreds of times when young kings are
handed the reigns of power and fail to perform. It is easy and
tempting to sit on the accomplishments of the past, and many
rulers do. But not Alexander: Tutored by Aristotle, sired by a
warrior king, he had lead the cavalry units in Phillips final bat-
tles in Greece, at the ripe age of 18. Now 20 and king, Alexan-
der was about to do something no other man would equal in the
span of history.
There were a few minor upheavals with the assassination of
Phillip, but Alexander was swift to crush a minor Theban rebel-
lion and establish his dominance in Greece. Two years into his
kingship he had settled the unrest, and, with an army of 43,000
men and 50 warships he entered Asia. The then king of Persia
Darius the Third brought an army to bear quickly, meeting him
in Anatolia, but Alexander proved far more of a tactician than
Darius expected, and the Persian army was soundly defeated.
Alexander marched south through Asia Minor and Lebanon,
defeating Persian troops and liberating cities. From time to
time he would stop to found new cities, giving them Greek
names like Antioch and Thebes, as well as naming some for
himself (Alexandria). Marching into Egypt he again faced Dar-
 Iron and Empire
ius, and defeated him, destroying yet another key part of the
Persian defense. Egypt was only too happy to see Alexander,
and they embraced him, giving him troops and erecting shrines
to him. Then Alexander returned to Syria, stopping in temples
and shrines along the way to worship, declaring that the local
gods were obviously just different faces of the same gods wor-
shipped in his native Greece. Everywhere he went he embraced
those who spoke Greek as his fellows, and soon a cult of
Greece sprung up in the liberated lands, united behind the
credo that any who spoke Greek were equal citizens in Alexan-
ders Greece. When Darius attacked Alexander for a third time,
his army was already demoralized, and they routed swiftly.
Darius himself fled east, but his own followers captured him
and executed him publicly when Alexanders armies
approached.
Elephants;
Elephants were first domesticated in India. Large, intelligent,
and prone to fearsome madness in battle, these unpredictable
beasts were highly dangerous and destructive. In some armies
a contingent of elephants, usually with gold or silver capped
tusks, were kept on one flank, and goaded into a stampede by
their handlers. Once loose, elephants were just as likely to hurt
ally as they were to hurt foe, so armies using elephants stayed
well away from the front they intended to attack with ele-
phants on.
Other armies, though, used elephants in a more thoughtful
manner. Mounting platforms called howdahs on the backs of
elephants, they would place half a dozen archers atop the ele-
phant. The elephants tough skin could keep it from injury,
while the archers on its back had an excellent vantage point
to strike at unsuspecting targets. Alexander was so impressed
with this use that he brought a contingent of elephant sol-
diers back with him, and elephants became an addition to a
number of his armies. At first the Indian elephant was the
most common found in post-Alexander armies, but the ele-
phants of Africa were larger, and they were eventually
adopted as more preferable mounts.
Elephants that are trained to berserk in combat have the
added combat ability of rage.
Rage (EX): When an elephant that has been trained to
berserk receives damage in combat, it flies into berserk fury
in the following round, goring and trampling any creature it
can see. An enraged elephant gains +4 Strength, +4 Constitu-
tion, and -2 AC. The creature cannot end its rage voluntarily.
Alexander claimed the throne of Persia just six years after
coming to power in Macedonia. He even adopted Persian dress,
and viewed all later opposition as rebellion against his right-
eous rule of Persia. He continued to pursue the remnant forces
of Persia throughout the north and east, even crossing the
Hindu Kush into the Indus. Then, having disposed of the last
resistance, he returned to Susa, which now was the capital of
his domain. He spent the next three years putting down rebel-
77
lions, plots, and then he married the daughter of a Bactrian
nobleman in order to secure peace. The same year Alexander
married Roxanne, he decided to march East once again.
Crossing again into the Indus, Alexander pushed into India,
fighting against many of the kingdoms of the Punjab region.
When he at last came to the edge of the Ganges, his men, long
afield and disturbed by the alien land they fought in, refused to
continue, and so Alexander was forced to change course.
Instead he and his men built a fleet of ships, and sailed the
Hydaspes south, to conquer the lands of southwest India. In the
battle of Multan Alexander was grievously wounded, and it
was at this time that he turned west, and decided to cross back
into Persia by a more southerly route. This proved to be devas-
tating to his army, which lost half its number traveling through
Baluchistan.
Morale
Morale is a difficult factor to quantify. A highly successful
and potent army, the Macedonian forces under Alexander
were willing to march with him into the face of a much
larger enemy. But eight years later, with a surfeit of victory, a
longing for home, and facing a strange and unknown land,
his same army almost mutinied. Darius the Third experi-
enced an even worse side of failing morale, when after his
third loss and on the run, his own people killed him in order
to make peace with Alexander.
Morale often has nothing to do with simple things like food or
comfort, and everything to do with leadership. Since most d20
situations that involve armies usually involve the head of those
armies, a good indication of morale comes from comparing
the leadership skill of each leader. In times when the battle is
at a critical juncture, it is the leader with the higher leadership
score who tends to prevail. An easy way to simplify this is to
make an opposed leadership roll between both characters, with
the highest score winning the juncture. This still allows
enough variance to let an underdog win from time to time, but
follows with the heroic aspect of d20 role-playing.
When Alexander returned to court he discovered things in dis-
array. Corruption and disloyalty was rampant in his empire,
and he was forced to purge much of the aristocracy he had
trusted while he was away. With war in Greece brewing,
Alexander forced most of his officers to take Persian wives, in
order to solidify their attachment to the conquered land and
help him raise Persian soldiers. This caused a mutiny in his
army, which he put down mercilessly, but the damage was
done. The army looked on Alexander with fear, for they saw a
man much changed by his campaigns. He was ruthless and
powerful, controlling all the civilized lands he could, and he no
longer seemed Greek to his primarily Greek army.
Some records suggest that Alexander may have claimed per-
sonal divinity. This was an alien concept to Greece, but quite
common in the lands Alexander had conquered. There is defi-
nite evidence to suggest he had adopted other eastern ruling
 From Stone to Steel
methods, and records of his pronouncements used formulaic
language that suggested he believed in his own divinity. To his
mind he had accomplished tasks only heroes of yore did. But
this period was not to last.
Alexander, after suffering the loss of a close friend, returned to
Susa, and grew ill. Whether this was a natural illness or poison
is unknown, but he died at the age of thirty three. His wife,
Roxane, was pregnant at his death, and bore him a son, who
inherited his kingdom, but his son barely survived long enough
to claim rule before he was killed. Thus, Alexanders empire
was left without an heir, and no man even tried to rule his land
alone. In the end three of his greatest generals divided Alexan-
ders empire in portions. Seleucus, general of Alexanders cav-
alry, took control of all lands east of the Euphrates. Ptolemy, a
distinguished cavalry officer, took control of Egypt. Antigonus,
another general, was awarded portions of Asia that are now
Afghanistan and Iran. Lysimachus, a bodyguard to Alexander,
was given control of Thracia. And Cassander, a son of one of
Alexanders generals, was given control of the former Macedo-
nia and Greece. Thus was the world divided up.
But peace was not to reign. Within a few years the only surviv-
ing kings were Seleucus, Ptolemy, and Lysimachus, and Greece
was once more independent of Macedonia. Ptolemy and Seleu-
cus would eventually found dynasties and fight often over con-
trol of Palestine and Syria, while Greece would eventually face
defeat from a growing power to its west: Rome.
Diffusion of Technology
When lands are conquered, any technological advances are
usually diffused between the regions. In the Bronze Age the
conquests of the Hittites brought chariot technology to the
major powers. In the Iron Age the curved swords of the kopis
and falcata were shared between Europe, the Middle East,
Northern Africa, and India because of the various wars of
conquest that spread them around. As weapons like the fal-
cate dispersed, different cultures adapted them to their own
uses. In a fantasy world, regardless of what cultures might
normally gravitate towards, this same process occurs. If you
want to place an exotic culture near your base culture, its
only natural that technology will be shared between the two
groups, even if only because of warfare.
78
Sub-Saharan Africa
In the lands south of the Sahara, metalworking probably started
much earlier than in other regions, but iron smelting was only
common in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Nigeria. It would not be
until after the first century A.D. that iron working would be
common throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
The inhospitable climate of much of Africa prevented large-
scale urbanization. Certain cities, like Timbuktu, were estab-
lished as centers of commerce and trade, but the majority of
Sub-Saharan African culture was nomadic. This prevented
extensive development of cultures and armies. Weapons and
armor in Africa tended to focus on protection of the individual
warrior.
A few kingdoms of note did spring up before the colonization of
Africa. Ethiopia would eventually become a powerful Christian
kingdom, opposing Islam but not participating in the Crusades.
The Bantu, who were probably once nomadic people from
Northern Africa, established a number of kingdoms in the Congo
and East African Highlands, and continued to travel south.
Wherever they went they imposed their language, but in
exchange they brought advanced agriculture and iron working,
which improved life in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. Later ages
would see the rise of the kingdom of Ghana as well, although
Ghana would eventually crumble under the onslaught of Islam.
The spear and club were the most common weapons of Sub-
Saharan Africa. Often the clubs had flat, paddle-like striking
surfaces, and sometimes a knee-bend in the haft. The knee
bend gave strikes extra force. Such clubs were always made of
hard wood, and were differently shaped and manufactured by
each tribe. The sickle sword or sickle axe was also common in
these regions. Often more curved than those of Egypt, these
sickle weapons were used to cause grievous wounds to limbs,
being ineffective against armor.
Club, Paddle
The Paddle club was a common weapon, south of the Sahara,
usually used where metal was hard to come by. Something of a
hybrid between axe and club, its a close in slashing weapon,
often with a knee-bend in the haft.
Sword & Axe, African Sickle Style
Africa developed a number of fearsome curved blades, notably
their own unique sickle sword and sickle axe. Both weapons
have a thin haft and crescent blade, with the sickle sword hav-
ing some blade extension down the haft. Neither weapon has a
substantial guard so the most common injuries suffered in war-
fare were to the limbs.
 Iron and Empire

47
49a

49c

48

49b

47. African Sickle Sword; 48. Sickle Axe; 49a. African Throwing Knife (Zaire); 49b. African Throwing Knife (Central African
Empire); 49c. African Throwing Knife (Sudan)
Knife, African Throwing .African Armor
The most striking weapon of Sub-Saharan Africa was the Warriors in Africa usually wore leather or hide armor, although
throwing knife. Fearsome and fanciful in design, these often certain kingdoms also used a light iron scale shirt with leather
had two or more abruptly jutting curved blades that were use- greaves. Shields were generally large or great, and made of
less for regular striking. Worn into battle in sheathes draped stretched leather (hide) or wood. Metal shields were never
over the neck or on this inside of shields, these were ceremo- used.
nial weapons, and each tribe had an individual way of manu-
facturing their knives. Many of those with curved, hooked Shield, Great Wood
blades were intended to catch onto shields or parrying weapons The great wooden shield is an excellent defensive item, but it
and swing over the obstruction to strike at the warrior behind, can be quite weighty. Often these are decorated with appropri-
like the war boomerang of the Aborigines. These weapons ate devices.
were the primary reason that Sub-Saharan Africa developed leg
greaves to go with all its armor.
The African throwing knife has a variety of shapes, depending
on the region of its origin. Some are Y,ew or K shaped, and
often with hooked or crescent blades. This design actually
makes it more likely that a blade will strike your opponent
when you throw it. The hooks on the African throwing k make
it a Shield Bypass weapon. The hooked blades create a rotation
point on a defensive item, allowing an attack to bypass it.

79
 From Stone to Steel
Table 3-1: Iron Age Weapons
Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Tiny
Dagger, Iron 1.6gp 1d4 1920/x2 15ft 1.5 lbs P M 6/5
Knife, Chinese Curved 1.8gp 1d4 x3 1.5 lbs S M 6/5
Knife, Iron 1.3gp 1d4 x2 1.5 lbs S M 6/5
Small
Mace, Light Iron 9gp 1d6 x2 6.5 lbs B MW 6/18
Sickle, Iron 4gp 1d6 x2 3.5 lbs S M 6/12
Medium-Size
Club, Iron Studded 4gp 1d6 x2 5 lbs B MW 6/10
Club, Paddle 1gp 1d6 x2 5 lbs B&S M 5/10
Mace, Heavy Iron 10gp 1d8 x2 13 lbs B M 6/26
Spear, Half Irona 9sp 1d6 x3 20ft 4 lbs P WM 4/8
Large
Spear, Short Irona 1.6gp 1d8 x3 20ft 5 lbs P WM 4/10
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Small
Double string sling 2gp As per ammo x2 50ft .1 lbs As per ammo C 2/3
Medium-Size
Gastrophetes* 45gp 1d10 1920/x2 110ft 13lbs P WB 5/39
Javelin, Iron Headed 9sp 1d6 x2 30ft 4 lbs P WM 6/12
Martial Weapons - Melee
Small
Falcata 13gp 2d3 1820/x2 10.5 lbs S M 6/32
Kopis 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 7.5 lbs S M 6/23
Shem Sharru 13gp 1d6 1820/x2 5 lbs S M 6/15
Shortsword, Iron 9gp 1d6 x3 3.5 lbs P M 6/12
Medium-Size
Akinakes 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 6 lbs P M 6/12
Battleaxe, Iron 9gp 1d8 x3 8 lbs S M 6/16
Longsword, Iron 13gp 1d8 1920/x2 5 lbs P M 6/15
Large
Club, Great Iron Studded 4.5gp 1d10 x3 11 lbs B MW 6/22
Sarissaa 10gp 1d10 x3 13 lbs P WM 4/26
Scythe, Iron 16gp 2d4 x4 13 lbs P&S MW 6/26
Spear, Long Bronzea 3gp 1d8 x3 9 lbs P WM 4/18
Spear, Long Irona 4gp 1d8 x3 10 lbs P WM 4/20
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Large
Bow, Double Recurve* 120gp 1d8 x3 100ft 3 lbs Per arrow W 4/9
Longbow, Composite 100gp 1d8 x3 110ft 3 lbs As per arrow W 4/9
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Small
Axe, Sickle 8gp 1d8 x3 7 lbs S MW 6/21
Cestrosphendone (kestros) 2gp 1d4 x3 10ft 3 lbs P W 4/9

80
 Iron and Empire
Table 3-1: Iron Age Weapons
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Small
Knife, African Throwing#* 4gp 1d6 x4 15ft 3 lbs P MW 6/9
Sword, African Sickle 5gp 1d6 x2 4 lbs S MW 6/12
Whip, Bone Scourge#* 8sp 1d2 x2 1.5 lbs S CB 3/5
Whip, Leather#* 1gp 1d2 x2 10ft 2 lbs S L 4/6
Large
Pole-mounted sling* 3gp As per ammo x2 60ft 4 lbs B WL 4/13
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Arrow, Iron Fire* (20) 22gp 1/rnd -10ft 3.5 lbs P & Fire WM 1/4
Arrow, Iron Headed (20) 1gp 4 lbs P WM 1/4
Bullet, Lead Sling 1sp 1d4 6 lbs B M 8/6

* See the description in the text for special rules.

Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage
Table 3-2: Iron Age Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Light Armor
Armbands 2gp 1lbs M 6/2
Cuirass, Iron Scaled Linen 50gp 4 4 -3 20% 30ft/20ft 24lbs MF 6/48
Leather Shield Skirt# 5gp +.5 1lbs L 4/2
Medium Armor
Cuirass, Iron 180gp 5 3 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Lamellar, Bone 33gp 4 3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 26lbs B 4/52
Lamellar, Iron 44gp 4 2 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Scale Mail, Bronze 42gp 4 3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 32lbs M 5/64
Scale Mail, Iron 45gp 4 3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Heavy Armor
Charioteer Armor, Persian# 235gp 6 1 -9 40% 15ft*/10ft* 42lbs M 6/86
Ringmail, Greek Bronze 185gp 5 1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 37lbs M 5/52
Ringmail, Greek Iron 190gp 5 1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 36lbs M 6/50
Shields
Shield, Great Iron 34gp 3 3 -3 25% 30ft/20ft 26lbs M 6/52
Shield, Large Iron 17gp 2 2 -2 15% 30ft/20ft 16lbs M 6/32
Shield, Small Iron 6gp 1 1 -1 5% 20ft/15ft 6lbs M 6/18

Spd
Mount's Gear 40'/50'/60'
Medium
Barding, Leather and Bronze Plate 160gp 4 3 -4 30'/35'/40' 64lbs ML 5/128

# See the description in the text for special rules.

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.
81
 Rome

The Roman Monarchy 84 Dog, War 102

Nascent Republic 85 Auroch 102
The Greek Response 86 Bull 103
The First Punic War 87 Gazelle 103
Trouble With the Gauls 87 Giraffe 104
Hannibal 88 Hippopotamus 104
Hannibals Downfall 89 Ostrich 105
The Road to Empire. 89 Gladiator Armor 106
Roman Weapons & Armor 90 Gladiatoral Weapons 108
Sparticus 91 Ben Hur 108
Julius Caesar 92 Table 4-3: Open Faced Helm 108
Table 4-1: Legionairre 94 Gladiator (Prestige Class) 109
Playing a Legionnaire 95 Table 4-4:Gladiator 110
The Germans 96 Army Ascendant 111
German Combined Cavalryman (Prestige Class) 96 Gladiators as PCs 111
Table 4-2:German Combined Cavalryman 97 Days of Decline 112
The Celts of Britain 98 The Huns 114
Consolidation 99 The Fall of Rome 114
Days of Glory 101 Table 4-5: Weapons 115
Gladiators 101 Table 4-6: Armor 116

82
 Rome
acituss head spun with the blow and he fell to the ground,
T not quite sure of what just happened. Glancing up he saw
the heavy jaw and gap-toothed grin of the trainer. The power-
ful Thracians head was shaved bald, his scalp marred by burn
scars and his face cracked in glee. Turn around you imbecile,
and take whats coming to you like a man! he shouted. His
Latin was accented with backwoods Greek, its intonation
strange and awkward. Tacitus staggered to his feet, his head
still ringing from the backhand of the ugly man. Come on, the
Thracian growled, raising the flagellum in his other hand.
Youll be craving my fists if I give you a taste of this. Raise
your sica and dont back away. As Tacitus turned towards his
training partner he was cuffed again by the trainer, but this
time he managed to keep his feet.
The trainer could be heard to back away. Alright. Fight, you
wretches! Show me why you deserve to be called Thracian war-
riors in the Arena two weeks from now! The flagellum
cracked, but Tacitus only flinched a little at the sound. No one
cried out, which was a good thing. If they had, it would be two
hours more training, and that meant dinner would be late.
Tacitus looked over at the swarthy skinned Egyptian that faced
him. Like everyone in Ligulas school, he wore strips of leather
wrapped around his arms and clenched at the fists to keep
them tight. A heavy wooden shield, slightly larger than a plate,
was bound to his left arm and grasped in its hand, while the
right held a wooden practice stick, heavily weighted in front.
He raised his shield, and eyed the Egyptian. The Egyptian had
shown surprising speed and agility, and Tacitus already had a
sizeable bruise on his ribs from the last strike. It didnt hurt to
breathe, though, so it was possible the bone was still healthy.
The Egyptian moved forward aggressively, his eyes slits,
focused on Tacitus. His wooden sica swung wide and high, try-
ing to catch Tacitus in the head, a dangerous move for practice,
but effective. Tacitus barely ducked below the swing, and too
late he realized that he could probably have taken advantage
of the Egyptians miss to strike. Did that mean he was learning?
Or did that mean that he was just too slow to survive as a glad-
iator?
Still musing, Tacitus almost didnt see the shield moving
towards him in time. As he threw his shield up for the block,
the Egyptian grinned at Tacituss hasty defense. Why was he
smiling? Then Tacitus felt pain blossom in his ribs again as the
Egyptians sica took him square in the purpling skin. Red
streaked his ribs as his body protested the abuse.
The Egyptian, though didnt seem to feel the strike was enough.
He battered at Tacituss shield with his own, knocking it aside,
and then brought his sica up, aiming to take Tacitus in the jaw.
The moment before his jaw was to be broken, Tacitus was flung
to the ground by a powerful shove. You! the trainer said,
pointing at the Egyptian. Youre good. Get some water and
practice on the post. I want you with second weeks tomorrow.
Youve had some kind of training.
83
The trainer then turned around to eye the other slaves.
Alright, thats it. Go to the posts and then youll have your
dinner. More than one future gladiator seemed to let out a sigh
of relief. But no one let the relief hit their face. There was no
weakness allowed in Ligulas school. Ligula staked his reputa-
tion on his training regimen and his gladiators. Tacitus picked
himself up off of the ground, and grabbed for his sica and
shield. Hed need to rewrap his leather, which hed lost grip on
when he fell.
No. the trainer said darkly, as he prevented Tacitus from
moving to the posts. The other trainees battered at the wooden
posts, practicing the eight striking forms, each one in succession.
The Egyptian moved with fluid grace, making the others look
slow and lame. Youre coming with me, servant. Tacitus felt
dread in the pit of his stomach. What did the trainer have in
mind?
Tacitus never wanted to be a gladiator: the stink, the sweat, the
death. Tacitus was not cut out for this. He was a house slave, a
changer of linens and floor cleaner. He didnt have the strength
or the courage for it. He counted himself proud to even have
gone two rounds with the Egyptian. But his master had not been
pleased with him. Tacituss habit of taking sips from the masters
wine store made him drunk one night, and hed been found
sprawled in the garden, drunk. And Tacituss master had sent
him into Ligulas school. He had little illusion about what was
in store for him. In his dark moments he could only hope to have
an experienced foe. Someone who would sever his neck and free
him from this life with little pain. He did not relish a maiming.
The trainer lead Tacitus into the compound, to a bare closet
with a pile of wood in the corner. Get in there, worm, the
trainer commanded, his contempt palpable. Select two pieces of
wood. Tacitus eyed the wood and picked up the smallest
pieces. This was not lost on the trainer. Put one in each hand.
Now, hold them out at your sides, with your arms out, even
with the floor.
Tacitus did this, unsure of the reason. The trainer continued.
We get house slaves here from time to time. Fooling around
with the Masters mistress or selling his tableware for pocket
change at the games. But you are the sorriest specimen Ive
ever seen. And you fight like a woman. Tacitus burned, not
with anger, but with shame. Worse. Ive seen plenty of women
fight better than you, the trainer continued. Ligula will have
me flogged if you arent ready for the arena in two weeks.
A curious sensation entered Tacituss arms as the trainer con-
tinued to berated him: A burning in the shoulders. Somehow
these flimsy pieces of wood seemed heavier than he expected.
Something must have shown in Tacituss face, because the
trainer went thoughtfully quiet. Im going to leave, to get the
rest ready for their meal. If I come back, and youve let your
arms drop at all The trainer fingered his flagellum thought-
fully. Dont disappoint me. Then the trainer gave him a cruel
smile, and closed Tacitus in the closet. In the dark Tacitus felt
the burning spreading through his arms and shoulders. His
 From Stone to Steel
bruise throbbed almost in time with the pounding of his heart. Rome was a male-dominated society. The power of the king
Which would disappoint him more, Tacitus wondered? If he mirrored the power of the father of every household. In early
let his arms fall? Or if he didnt? Rome the father could do anything to any member of their
household, without question, from selling a member into slav-
Tacitus could only hope the trainer returned soon. Please,
ery to outright murder. But generally social expectation and
please return soon. His voice cracked in the silence, as tears
internal family relationships tempered that power. The Latin
formed at his eyes...
word for father is Patris, and Roman society was Patriarchal.
The Patriarchs of Rome, the leaders of the clans, had greater
power than many other leading families did in total monar-
The Roman Monarchy chies. The Patriarchs could gather in the Senate to advise the
king on the views of the people, and often those views helped
bout the time that the Greeks were entering their archaic
A period, a number of tribes of Sabine, Faliscan, Latin, and
Etruscan people lived among seven hills in a rural portion of
Roman kings avoid extremely harsh decisions. Beyond the
Senate existed another legislative body, the assembly, which
consisted of all male citizens who could prove Roman heritage
the Italic peninsula. It is generally believed that one man,
from both parents. The assembly had one power only: they
Romulus, through strength and ambition, united these various
alone chose succession. The Roman monarchy was not heredi-
tribes and founded the city which would take his name, Rome.
tary, and when a king died the Senate would convene to deter-
Legend has it that Romulus was one of twin boys (his brothers
mine who would be next king. Then the assembly would
name was Remus) born to the Trojan warrior Aeneas, and sup-
decide whether or not to grant this king imperium, or complete
posedly raised in the wild by wolves. Little of this story can be
power. This decision meant that people from any tribe and
substantiated, however, though certain truths can be ascer-
tribal origin could be king, ensuring that no single tribe domi-
tained. There was definitely a small common culture in this
nated the kingship exclusively, and it gave every male citizen a
region dating back to the Bronze Age, which began to flourish
voice.
in the Iron Age. And usually disparate tribes are only brought
together in one place by people with vision. Unfortunately, Rome was in a difficult position, situated between
stronger powers. The early monarchy of Rome spent much of its
The Roman monarchy was absolute, the king having complete
time defending itself against aggressors from all quarters. Early
power. More than just life or death, the ultimate tool in the
conflicts between Rome and the nearby Greek colonies eventu-
Roman kings arsenal was banishment, which meant that a per-
ally lead to a treaty by which Rome and the Greeks agreed to not
son could no longer enter the lands they called home, nor make
challenge each others borders. The Samnites in the south made
any kind of contact with any person in those lands. In a world
regular raids, although the Romans soon grew adept at driving
where ones tribe was extremely important, this kind of exile,
them off. Initially, the Romans practiced war as the Greeks did,
called excommunication by the Latins, was worse than death,
using hoplite soldiers and phalanx ranks, which put them at an
as an excommunicated Roman would find no comfort in lands
advantage against disorganized attackers. Rome expanded its ter-
abroad, and might often suffer at the hands of those at odds
ritory, and as it did, it expanded its populace as well. Servius
with Rome.
Tullius, a Latin king of Rome, eventually called a census, in
In the beginning Rome was small. When the king had need to order to know the true population of Rome, so as to expand the
call up an army, he could count on 3000 men, about 1000 from Legio. By his mandate every man between 17 and 46 who
each founding tribe (the tribes of Ramnes, Tities, and Luceres), passed a minimum land ownership requirement was available for
as well as 300 men who could fight as cavalry. Because of their military service, and every man from 47 to 60 were required by
proximity to the Greek colonies of Corinth and Thebes, the law to stand as the home front militia, should the city of Rome
Romans did use chariots, although only as transportation, not be attacked. This land requirement did limit the total number of
in battle. These 3000 soldiers made up a legion, legio being a soldiers available, but made certain that every soldier was also a
Latin word literally meaning the levy. The legion was then citizen.
divided into units of 100 men. The fact that the Roman term for
But success always attracts the eyes of those larger, and the
100 is a century, eventually lead to the Roman soldiers being
Etruscans of the north, seeing growing wealth and prosperity in
called centurions, one of one hundred. The cavalry soldiers
Rome, raised a large army to challenge Rome. The resulting
were equites, horsemen, from which we get the modern word
invasion was devastating, killing the king, destroying most of
equestrian. The equites came from the wealthiest families of
the army, and placing a new Etruscan king on the throne of
Rome, those that could afford to feed and maintain horses of
Rome. Tarquin Superbus (Tarquin the Great), was the second
war. When considering that Athens could call up an army of
King Tarquin of Rome, although the first not to be placed in
20,000 at this same time, the small army of the Romans seems
power by the assembly. Ruling with impunity, he ignored the
insignificant. The Romans were a truly minor force in their
assembly and made light of the Patricians. In the end, his rape
region at the start, isolated between the Greek colonies, the
of a Patricians wife was the last straw. Angered and incensed
Samnites to the south, and the strong Etruscan tribes of the
at this innate strike at the family, the core institution of Rome,
north.

84
 Rome
the Romans rose up against their Etruscan oppressors and over-
threw them.
Instead of reinstating the monarchy after the overthrow of Tar-
quin Superbus, the Roman Senate chose to retain the power of
ruling Rome for itself. Without a king there could be no more
such atrocities, and the interests of the people, already vested
in the Patricians, could be pursued in the Senate. Thus Rome
changed from a monarchy to a republic, and the great Republic
of Rome was born.
Nascent Republic
n the following years the army of Rome was lead by elected
I magistrates, who would call up the Legion when there was
need, and disband it when the purpose was finished. Eventually
the practice was to raise the Legion in the winter, when the har-
vest was done. Since the membership of the Legion was by
levy, different people could be elected from a given sub-section
of a tribe, so as to make certain that no one person was unduly
burdened by military service. The army was doubled to 6000
men, thanks to an increased population, and the equites grew in
number to a respectable 1800 men, the horses of which were
provided at public expense. The military began to be subsi-
dized by the state, so that soldiers could still earn a living wage
while on campaign, and not leave their families destitute. All of
these changes lead to a strong military, and, with time and
training, the Romans were able to subdue the stronger elements
of the hostile Etruscans, and establish a firm border with the
Samnites.
Much as some modern countries tend to rush to recognize
emerging nations today, Carthage was one of the first to recog-
nize the new Republic of Rome. Not a year after the Republic
was founded, Carthage signed a treaty of friendship, supporting
Romes independence from the northern Etruscans, and pro-
moting trade between both nations. Carthage, from its Phoeni-
cian heritage, was a merchant state, influencing trade in all
civilized regions, if not controlling it.
This new trading relationship gave Rome access to foreign
resources, and allowed Romans to become prosperous quickly,
particularly the senators. Early Senate domination of Rome
caused an uprising among the plebians, or common class, and
established the office of the Tribune. The office of Tribune
allowed common citizens a voice in the Senate, and theoretically
allowed a plebian to be elected for offices should they be avail-
able, including the office of magistrate of the army. They estab-
lished a mutual defense league with other Latin tribes in the
region, which would eventually be integrated into Romes popu-
lace, ensuring a strong Latin cultural dominance. Lastly, Rome
established and built up a navy, and with both navy and army
was able to besiege and capture the Etruscan city of Veii. The
city of Veii was destroyed not long after the capture, but the
damage it did to the Etruscan tribes was evident.
85
Not long after this an army from Gaul, some 30,000 strong,
crossed the Appenines and laid siege to the remnant Etruscans.
The Gauls were a Celtic tribe that dominated what is today
France. Although not quite as aggressive as the Celtic tribes of
Brittany and the British Isles, they were proud and dedicated
warriors, who brought with them a fantastic innovation in
armor: chainmail. Armed with bronze and iron axes, swords,
spears, arrows, and daggers, large wooden and leather shields,
and medium bows, and wearing the new chainmail, the Gauls
were able to crush the Etruscans with ease.
Then they marched on Rome. Roman Legions went to meet
them at the Allia River. Romes force, strong as it was, could
not face the vast numbers of the Gauls, and they were defeated.
Rome itself was attacked, and though it held out for 7 long
months, it, too, eventually fell to the Gauls. The Gauls were not
interested in establishing an empire in foreign lands, and even-
tually their armies withdrew, but their lesson would not be lost
on Rome.
Rome had seen the error of depending on their limited levy,
and their first duty, once free from the domination of the Gauls
was to build a city wall. The Servian Wall would surround the
seven hills of Rome: Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Caelian,
Esquiline, Viminal, and Quirinal Hills. They tightened their
hold on the Latin League, and together they forged a stronger
nation than Rome had ever been. With the Legions expanded,
and wealthy legionnaires armored in chainmail of bronze or
iron, the Romans drove south, taking all of central Italy, and
finally defeating and subjugating the Samnites. This extended
their borders, and gave them control over a fifth of the Italic
Peninsula, and it brought them into direct conflict with the
Greek cities of southern Italy. These cities, long established
and now well fortified, were anxious about the aggression of
their northern neighbor, but their anxiety would not defend
them. Roman armies marched on the Magna Graecia, and one
by one the old cities fell.
Chainmail & Chainmail Shirt
The Gauls wrought tiny links of bronze chain, and then con-
nected those links into tightly laced shirts, or shirts with kilts
and sleeves. Chainmail is fashioned by linking metal rings into
an interlocking pattern. This pattern diffused the force of blows
over a larger area, preventing more direct damage, and often
turning slashing or piercing attacks away. Chainmail is light
and easy to repair, since only the broken links require replac-
ing, rather than entire plates.
The general defensive ability of chainmail in either form, cou-
pled with the fact that chainmail didnt need to be tailored to
the wearer made it popular among both the Celts and the
Romans. This version, crafted in bronze was used first by Celts
and then by Romans, and saw use well into the first century
A.D. Later, the Romans would craft their chainmal from iron
links until the development of Lorica Hamata.
 From Stone to Steel

1a

1b

1a. Chainmail Shirt; 1b. Chainmail detail

The Greek Response Phyrric Victories

n Greece there was concern about fall of the Magna Graecia,
I and a Greek general, Phyrrus, raised an army and marched
on Rome. Phyrruss army invaded northern Italy, and besieged
a number of northern Italic cities controlled by the Latin
League. His victories, though, came at a tremendous loss of life
on both sides, and usually resulted in croplands being burned
and cities being indefensible. These victories served to weaken
the forces of Greece so substantially that, by the time Rome
redirected its forces to meet him, Phyrruss force was no longer
able to face them on the battlefield. The result was a complete
defeat of Phyrrus, and the eventual defeat of the remaining
Greek Cities. It took only a handful of years for Rome to con-
solidate its hold on Southern Italy, and turn its eyes to larger
conquests.
Rome grew in strength, on land and on sea. On land it had
reformed its tactics, abandoning ancient phalanx tactics in
favor of a new system, where by armies were composed of two
kinds of infantry, one heavily armored, the other lightly
armored but maneuverable. Conflict would be started by the
lightly armed leves troops, who would cast their javelins, hop-
ing to embed them in enemy shields. The intent was to remove
the defense of the enemy, who would be forced to drop their
shields or fight at a disadvantage, with a long and weighty
spear lodged in their shield. If the leves were threatened they
could drop behind the lines of the more heavily armored main
troops, whos ranks would cast heavier javelins and then retire
to allow the next rank to throw. Veterans were usually in the
third rank, mainly because it was likely they would be the rank
casting javelins last when the battle was engaged. Since every
unit had a ranged weapon, archers and slingers were not used
as extensively in Roman formations.
Phyrrus is one of those people whom history remembers not
for their successes but for their failures. Phyrrus was a dedi-
cated, loyal, and capable general in Macedonia, but when
fighting the Romans he found himself in an unfamiliar land
and against people who were used to fighting less conven-
tional wars. Phyrruss victories in Roman territories were
often empty. A city would be taken, but so much of the wall
was destroyed and so little grain and supplies might be left
that it cost him more to take the city than he would gain from
sacking it. Or he might take on a defensive force of 5,000
men holding a city, and lose as many men in his own army
taking the city. Such victories, where the success cost as
much or more than the failure, have come to be known as
Phyrric victories.
Javelin, Heavy Iron-tipped
Romes heavy javelins were crafted to take advantage of one of
the properties of wood: its tendency to warp. Roman soldiers
cast their javelins with the hope that they would embed them-
selves in their opponents, or, failing this, in their opponents
shields. The wood of the Roman heavy javelin was made to
bend on impact, to make it difficult and undesirable to throw
back. If it did enough damage to embed itself into an enemy
shield, it would become a hindrance, adding to the weight of
the shield and making it difficult to maneuver. If a heavy
javelin hits an enemy shield (by any means, including being
deflected by the Feat Deflect Missiles), and does any damage
to its HP, the javelin should be considered embedded. The
weight of the embedded heavy javelin should be added to the
shield weight. Anyone grabbing the javelin can use it to shield
trap the shield bearer, without needing to roll the melee touch
roll, since the javelin is already embedded in the shield. Since

86
 Rome
the javelin may change their encumbrance, and leaves them
open to having their shield trapped, many foes opted to drop
the shield rather than hold onto it.
The First Punic War
At sea Rome began to actively vie with Carthage for trade trig-
gering a second treaty between the two empires. Through
treaty, Carthage hoped to control where Rome could trade. But
the Romans did not honor this treaty, and they eventually laid
siege to Sicily, the main trading hub of the Western Mediterran-
ian, and an island controlled by Carthage after the fall of the
Greek states. This started the First Punic war, during which
Rome would develop a sizeable navy. Naval tactics of the time,
inherited from those used during the wars between Greece and
Persia, involved ramming, shipboard archers, and forced
boarding. The Greek and Persian wars had led to a number of
developments in the way of grappling devices, both hooks on
ropes and hooks on poles. The trident was one such develop-
ment, although it was the Romans who adapted it most effec-
tively to sea warfare. Though the First Punic war would end
after a naval battle in the Aegates Sea, with Rome as the victor,
it started a cycle of harassment and conflict that would cost a
great many lives on both sides before Carthage would eventu-
ally fall to Rome.
Not that Carthage was by any means a pushover. They had
spent centuries at sea, trading, acting as mercenaries for pow-
ers like Greece, Persia, and Egypt, pirating and facing pirates.
All of these experiences made them superior at naval conflict.
Though the First Punic war, which involved control over Sicily
and portions of southern Italy, was fought largely on land, it
was the prowess of the Carthaginian fleets that prevented
Rome from outright dominating the war. Indeed, the treaty that
was signed after the first Punic War secured borders as they
were before the war, only granting Rome extended trading
freedoms over the previous trade agreement and access to
Sicily.
Trident, Iron Headed
The trident, a Greek invention used more actively by Rome,
was a multipurpose weapon. The name, trident, meaning three
teeth, was apt, as all three teeth of the trident were traditionally
barbed. This allowed it to be thrown, or to be used to shield
2. Iron-tipped Heavy Javelin; 3. Iron Headed Trident
87
trap. Disarming was also possible, trapping a blade or pole
between two tines and drawing it away, although the weapon
only confers +1 bonus to disarm.
Trouble With the Gauls
After the end of the First Punic war, Rome focussed on restor-
ing order in the Latin League, and securing its new borders. A
few border skirmishes with the Gauls who inhabited the lower
Alps eventually secured the northern border of Rome. Merce-
naries in Sardinia and Corsica lead a revolt and requested the
support of Rome. Rome was more than pleased to support the
mercenaries, and took control of the two islands swiftly. Then
in the year 235 B.C. Rome declared universal peace for the
first time in its history. Indeed this peace would last for all of
five years before the Gauls would again threaten Rome.
Although the Gauls were at first successful, the Romans would
stop them at the Po River. However, once distracted by this
invasion, they faced an increase in pirate raids by Illyrians,
people who lived along the coast if what today is Albania.
Rome opted to declare war on the Illyrians after the murder of
some of their ambassadors. It seems likely that the increase in
Roman trade, coupled with the Roman tendency to ignore the
navy in times of peace, lead to the Illyrians harassing merchant
ships and taking their rich cargo for themselves. There is also a
strong likelihood that Carthage may have given the Illyrians
financial incentives to sweeten the pot, and may have provided
the Illyrians with ships from time to time. Unable to hold out
against land forces, however, Illyria would surrender, and
Rome would establish a puppet regime in order to prevent
more violence.
As Romes sphere of influence grew, they began to be
approached by foreign powers interested in forging an alliance
with the growing state. The people of Segundo, a city in Iberia,
approached Rome and asked for a treaty of friendship. Iberia,
the peninsula of modern day Spain, had, until this time, been
considered in Carthages influence. With the signing of the
Ebro River treaty, Rome found a way to limit that influence,
and establish a foothold in Iberia. The Romans agreed to come
to the aid of Segundo should it need it, in exchange for access
to Segundos ports and trade. This treaty would eventually
become the basis for the Second Punic war.
 From Stone to Steel
But the Gauls were not finished. Emboldened by their brief
success against Rome, a greater army would be formed num-
bering 150,000 soldiers supported by 20,000 horses and chariot
units. This great army of the Gauls struck out at Rome from the
southern Alps, and were met by half of the Roman army at
Telemon, where the Romans engaged in a delaying action long
enough for a reserve army stationed in Sardinia to make land-
fall and flank the Celtic force. The Romans lost 6,000 men in
the battle, but managed to kill 40,000 and take 10,000 more as
prisoners. Despite the tremendous victory, the Romans realized
that as long as the Gauls controlled northern Italy, they could
attack again at any time. The Romans resolved to strike deep in
to the former stronghold of the Etruscans, in the hopes of crip-
pling the remaining forces and driving them out of the region.
Over the next four years, Rome would strike again and again,
with highly mobile forces, deep into the Gaul held Alpine
region of Northern Italy, conquering cities and dislodging por-
tions of the Celtic armies. The Gauls attempted to resist, but
found mob tactics to be less potent than the tactics of the
Romans. Eventually they would surrender the region, and
Rome would declare the region of Cisalpine Gaul to be a new
province. This allowed them access to northern ports like
Milan and Genoa, and land access to the region of Illyrium.
Deception in Combat
Alls fair in love and war is a common saying today.
Although later concepts of honor in combat would develop,
first among the Goths and then throughout Europe, during
this period there was little concern about the method of gain-
ing victory. Hannibals deception with the torches on the
steer is a fine example of anticipating your foes expectations
and taking advantage of them.
It is not often in an rpg that combat can be anticipated. Usu-
ally the combat is quickly upon the players, and its every-
thing to just keep from being chopped, burned, or torn to
pieces. But if there is an opportunity to study a situation and
determine what an enemy group is composed of, proper
planning and deception can mean the difference between life
and death.
For example: Animals set to guard something usually will
fight only as long as they think they can win. If faced by
something it fears, or if given the proper bait, animals can
often be drawn away from whatever they are guarding. Sol-
diers, on the other hand, may only retreat if they feel out-
numbered or outmatched. An Audible Glamour spell
combined with a Dancing Lights spell could easily create the
impression of many men, bearing torches, heading towards
the soldiers.
Despite the tendency to look at combat as another way to
gain XP, it should be noted that good role-playing should
reward those who find a way to avoid unnecessary pain and
suffering.
88
Hannibal
annibal was a general of great cunning and bravery. He
H lead his men well, and had a keen mind for tactics. He
favored non-conventional forces, and could actively switch tac-
tics in battle to maximize on opportunities. In short he was one
of those rare and ingenious men who seemed born to war. His
only flaw was in being born in Carthage, and opposing Rome.
Hannibal was born into a military family. His grandfather,
uncles, father, and brothers were all officers in the Carthagin-
ian military, and with Hannibal it was the same. Trained in all
manner of warfare, from cavalry to elephants to infantry to
negotiations, Hannibal was entrusted with leadership positions
within the army in his early twenties. It was Hannibal who
went to Antiochus, the Ptolemic King of Egypt, and drummed
up support for a Carthaginian war against Iberia. Antiochus
was a powerful king, and with his support Hannibal was able to
secure many soldiers, armor, and support, which was most
important because if Egypt did not support the war, they might
well have found the lightly defended Carthage an appealing
target.
When he felt he had enough men, Hannibal took his army into
Iberia, entering through the Carthaginian city of Nova
Carthage, and bringing war to the tribes and peoples settled in
this region. Hannibal was able to quickly dominate all of Iberia
short of Segundo, then, in an attack that would send a serious
message to Rome, he attacked and took Segundo, in direct vio-
lation of the Ebro River treaty. With his conquests complete,
Hannibal rested and the next year raised three armies in the
region. One he sent with his brother, to defend Carthage. The
other he set to defend Carthages new holdings in Iberia. The
third army Hannibal took; their crossing of the Southern Alps
is remembered even to this day in jokes and sayings about
Hannibal crossing the Alps with Elephants. This feat was no
joking matter, however, to a Greek mercenary by name of Her-
cules who held the pass that Hannibal crossed. His army was
completely decimated with inconsequential losses to Hanni-
bals army.
Hannibal was a man always considering the possible reactions
of his foes. When passing through the newly held northern
province of Rome, he faced army after hastily raised army, and
routed them routinely. As he marched south, his reputation as
being undefeatable grew, and he found what little resistance he
ran into unchallenging. Indeed it took him little time to fight
his way to the hills surrounding Rome, and all of Rome shud-
dered in fear of his name.
One night Hannibal had little choice but to camp in a narrow
defile, which allowed limited access in either direction, but
which kept his entire army penned in. Quintus Fabius Max-
imus, the then leader of the Senate in Rome, took an army and
invaded the hills around the defile, setting up an ambush that
prevented Hannibals armies from being able to proceed or
escape. Or so they thought, Hannibal was intelligent. He had
scouts gather cattle from the nearby hills, as if in need of food.
 Rome
That night he had his men tie torches to the horns of the cattle,
and set them alight. The cattle began to wander around, taking
the hills, the plains behind, and seeming as though a vast army,
many times the size of Hannibals. The Romans were so afraid
of the invading force that they never saw Hannibal lead the
retreat, escaping the ambush without losing a single life.
Hannibals Downfall
Now mere miles from Rome, Hannibal received a missive from
the leadership in Carthage: They wanted him home. His war
had taken him much farther than Iberia, which had been the
only region they had agreed to go to war in. Also, Antiochus,
removed his support, feeling it was no longer needed. But even
more pressing to Carthage was the army of Publius Scipio, a
Roman general who had been empowered to take an army to
Northern Africa. This army had faced the army of Hannibals
brother and defeated it, and Carthage was in fear of being
invaded, which would negate any gains made in Iberia or Italy.
Despite defeating every general sent against him, Hannibal
would never again have a chance to attack Rome. He bowed to
the orders of his nation, and returned home.
Somehow, the man who had bested every general of Rome in
Italy was defeated on his home turf, in a battle at Zama. The
army of Publius Scipio defeated the Carthaginians, and Hanni-
bal was forced to retreat across harsh desert, nearly 300 miles
in two nights and a day. A number of Numidian tribesmen who
had been with his army in Zama attempted to capture him dur-
ing the retreat, intending to hand him over to the Romans as a
peace offering. Hannibal was not only able to evade their plot,
but he had the plotters put to death, and then raised an army in
Hadrumetum, so as to continue with his war.
Nevertheless, Publius Scipio took advantage of his victory over
Hannibal, and forced Carthage to sign a treaty, returning bor-
ders to where they had originally been before Hannibals Iber-
ian Campaign, and giving Iberia to Rome. Hannibal was
understandably unwilling to accept this, and he continued to
campaign in Africa against the Romans, until Rome forced
Carthage to recall him from military service in exchange for
the return of prisoners of war. Carthage capitulated, demanding
Hannibal come home, but as soon as the prisoners were
returned, they elected Hannibal to kingship, as a reward for his
service.
Hannibal was efficient in his role as monarch, but paranoid of
Rome. When Rome sent an envoy to Carthage after the war,
Hannibal assumed it was to protest his being given the post of
king. Worse, he expected Carthage to concede to supposed
Roman demands, and hand him over. Hannibal took as much
property and money as he could, and fled in secret to Syria, to
live under the protection of the Ptolemies. In Carthage, his peo-
ple were outraged at his abdication and theft of property, and
they confiscated what property he had left behind, razed his
house to the ground, and declared him an outlaw.
Over the years, Hannibal would attempt again and again to
attack Rome. He would secure the support of kings and send
89
armies, lead by relatives or foreign generals, to attack Rome. But
no commander would ever be successful, and each attack would
heap more and more suspicion and hatred upon Hannibal him-
self. He would end his life fleeing from country to country, seek-
ing asylum and avoiding plots to capture him, steal his wealth,
and give him over to Rome. When, at last, he felt he could no
longer hide from his persecutors, Hannibal took poison, and
killed himself, rather than be killed by any other hand.
Hellenization
After conquering Macedonia and Greece, Rome went
through a period called the Hellenization. It was a time when
a great number of Greek philosophers, Greek thought, and
Greek culture were imported to Rome. Architecture changed,
favoring more Greek columns and flares, and many Greek
myths and gods were added to the Roman pantheon. The
Hellenization lead to the toga being the common dress of
Rome, and actually made it easier for the Romans to interact
with and conquer many Greek regions of Asia Minor and the
Middle East. Of course, Rome periodically exiled large num-
bers of Greek philosophers for encouraging thought and
movements that did not support Romes policies, so perhaps
all of the Hellenization was not to Romes benefit.
The Road to Empire.
hen Hannibal first attacked Rome, he may have been a
W little lucky. The Illyrians and their supposed puppet
government did not play to Romes tune as had been antici-
pated. Indeed, the king they put in power declared war on
Rome, and set their navy against that of Rome. Thus, Rome
was distracted while Hannibal invaded. The Romans soundly
defeated Illyria, but the puppet king fled to Macedonia, result-
ing in the Romans declaring war on Macedonia. This war
would occupy half of the Roman army, which might explain
some of Romes inability to defend against Hannibal.
Regardless, the Romans were triumphant in their war with
Macedonia. In a decade all of Macedonia, and, therefore, all of
Greece was conquered. This conquest would be short lived,
however, as Phillip the Fifth would campaign and gain support
against the Romans with the Ptolemic Empire, eventually driv-
ing the Romans out. Antiochus, however, would not be an hon-
orable ally, and shortly after driving the Romans out he
invaded. This lead to a war of three nations, and eventually
Rome would emerge the victor, taking all of Greece, and Asia
Minor as well. Later conflicts by the son of Phillip the Fifth,
Perseus, would lead to the Romans taking hostages. These
hostages were held in Rome, and were used as pawns to
threaten Greece, when Greece attempted to revolt again.
Carthage would again attack Rome, but by now Romes reach
was much greater, and this third and last Punic war ended with
the destruction of Carthage, and the annexation of much of
Northern Africa as a new province of Rome. By now Rome
was the dominant force in the Mediterranian. Its culture, influ-
 From Stone to Steel
enced by the Hellenization after the invasion of Greece,
became popular, and its military forces, once insignificant, had
become for all intents and purposes, world spanning. No single
force could oppose the Romans, and nations like Pergamum
eventually opted to join Rome, seeing in it their hope for the
future. Rome had become a superpower, much like Macedonia,
Persia, and Assyria before it.
Power grew in Rome, so did the ambition of those who were
given its reins. Many consuls, elected to govern Romes
Legions, sought to rule as dictators. Many, in fact, did. Their
wars made them worshipped in Rome. Although the continued
existence of the Senate convinced the people of Rome that it
was still a Republic, often consuls dictated policies and laws to
the Senate and the Senate would enact them. Military matters,
especially, fell to the consuls to govern, and the consuls
reformed the military, removing much of the property require-
ments, forcing the state to pay for the armament of the soldiers,
and allowing for career military terms. Soldiers would now
spend their whole lives in the military, and could expect to be
paid well and to have social influence when they left it.
Roman Weapons & Armor
Military tactics developed as well. Spear use became particu-
larly key to Roman armies. The pilum was a spear, usually
made of new wood, which was intended to be broken. Also, the
spanish sword, a short two-edged stabbing sword called the
gladius hispanicum was made common issue. The cavalry used
a heavier version of this sword, the Spatha. Other varieties of
5a
5b
4. Pilum; 5a. Gladius; 5b. Gladius Scabard; 6. Spatha; 7. Pugio; 8. Scutum
90
shortswords would be used by non-military people, most
notably the pugio. Armor would often consist of chainmail, a
heavy iron helmet, and a scutum, a large shield, most com-
monly of wood, although often lined with iron. The cohort, one
tenth of a legion, became the main fighting force, and each
cohort would be specialized. The first cohort was usually elite
forces, while the others would contain regular troops, engi-
neers, and various lighter fighting forces, including the velites,
who would be armed with a small shield and weapons, but no
armor. These last were often scouts or light reserve troops, but
could also be called upon to harry heavier armored foes, since
they could often retreat quickly to avoid casualties.
Pilum, Light & Heavy
Romes pilums were the ultimate end of their javelin strategy.
The long, thin piercing head of the javelin was well-crafted
iron, however one of the pins by which the head was bound to
the shaft was made of wood. This pin was quite easy to break,
resulting in the head becoming loose and severely impacting its
flight-worthiness. Roman soldiers cast their pilums with the
hope that they would embed themselves in their opponents, or,
failing this, in their opponents shields. Like the heavy javelin,
if it did enough damage to embed itself into an enemy shield, it
would become a hindrance, adding to the weight of the shield
and making it difficult to maneuver. If a pilum hits an enemy
shield (by any means, including being deflected by the Feat
Deflect Missiles), and does any damage to its HP, the pilum
should be considered embedded. The weight of the embedded
heavy pilum should be added to the shield weight. Anyone
 Rome
grabbing the pilum can use it to shield trap the shield bearer,
without needing to roll the melee touch roll, since the javelin is
already embedded in the shield. Because of this many foes
opted to drop the shield rather than hold onto it. Should a pilum
take a point of damage or more when thrown, the wooden pin
should be considered broken, and the pilum is an automatic -2
to hit with, due to the head being loose.
Gladius, Spatha & Pugio
The blades of Rome were generally simple, sometimes with an
eagle adorning the hilt. The Gladius was the mainstay of the
Roman Empire, synonymous with the Roman military. The
Spatha was a heavier sword, used primarily for slashing rather
than piercing, a progenitor of the longsword. The Pugio was a
lesser blade, only a touch longer than a dirk, sometimes worn
in a sheath in the armpit. This weapon was easily enough hid-
den there, and was often used by assassins. The pugio actually
does 1d6-1 damage, but the minimum damage is one, rather
than zero. Assassins often coated the pugio with poison, so as
to make their attacks more deadly.
Scutum
The Roman Scutum was a curved shield, which protected the
left side of the centurions body during battle. Unlike a flat
shield, the scutum cannot be used to protect both the wielder
and others through the advanced guard feat.
Provinces
As Rome conquered and subdued a region, it would often
establish a provincial governor to overlook the running of
the Province, direct the armies, and collect the appropriate
tribute. This Provincial system became the backbone of the
Empire, making it possible for Rome to grow as large as it
did. This province system did not go away after the fall of
Rome, though. The concept of provinces as areas of power
became embedded in the European mindset, and it was not
until late in the 19th century and early 20th century that the
provincial system was finally discarded. Even in the High
Medieval period and the Renaissance, powers that had impe-
rial tendencies would focus on conquering provinces, usually
by subduing the ruling city of the province, and thereby
claiming the region. Provinces could be traded back and
forth between sovereign nations, either though armed con-
flict or peaceful negotiations. This lead to most common
people thinking about their province loyalties first, and any
national loyalties secondarily. The modern adjective provin-
cial comes from this seemingly limited mindset, and today
means short sighted or unsophisticated.
Spartacus
During this period a great many tribes that had once been con-
sidered lesser members of Rome were granted citizenship. This
shift changed the nature of how soldiers were called to service.
91
Before, non-citizen groups were expected to provide a levy to
the legion, but with that soldier base reduced by the grant of
citizenship, the levy of armies grew dependant on roving
recruiters, called conquistadores, who would travel through the
empire drumming up interest in the military. These recruiters
would gain significant political power as Rome grew, and
would become players in the games of politics, often serving
specific generals and consuls during times of civil war.
Civil wars were becoming common. Dictators would claim
Rome, and consuls would raise armies to drive them out. This
process went back and forth in the last days of the republic, and
would plague the Empire that would follow. As Rome was a
militant society, the state of the military presaged the state of
the nation. In the midst of wars of conquest and society wars
(the common term for civil wars), there were periodic slave
revolts. Slavery was common in Rome, and slaves were used
everywhere, from private homes to entertainment in the gladia-
torial rings. One such revolt was the revolt of a gladiator
named Spartacus.
Spartacus was a former soldier who had deserted and become a
brigand. When he was captured, he was forced into slavery,
and he opted to join a gladiatorial troupe, rather than be forced
to hard labor. Conditions in the troupe were so brutal that the
gladiators conspired to revolt and escape. When their plot was
discovered, they carried it out faster than they could be
stopped, and escaped from their slavery.
While fleeing from their captivity, the former gladiators hap-
pened upon a caravan of carts carrying gladiatorial weapons.
They fell on this convoy and armed themselves. They chose
captains for themselves, and Spartacus was one of the three.
Then they made their way to Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that
was thought to be extinct, and made camp in the caldera. They
were eventually attacked by a Roman general with 3,000 men,
yet they were able to repulse him, having grown familiar with
the terrain. Spartacuss success against Roman forces began to
attract new followers, and soon his army numbered in the tens
of thousands. With this army, Spartacus set about conquering
the whole of northern Italy, and succeeded, despite being chal-
lenged by Roman forces.
At this point Spartacus had the opportunity to escape to neigh-
boring Thracia, and freedom. But he opted to stay, having
grown overconfident from his victories. His army urged him to
march south, and he did, defeating yet another general and giv-
ing his army such a sense of righteous cause that he could no
longer stop the southern march if he wanted to. Though his
forces would continue to be successful, attrition and overconfi-
dence would eventually lead them into an indefensible posi-
tion. He was forced to march around Rome, which was too
heavily defended, and eventually ended up in southern Italy,
near the coast not far from Sicily. He attempted to negotiate for
transport to Sicily, hoping to make a new base there, but was
cheated by the ship masters he negotiated with. Then, pinned
down by an army supported by the Roman navy, he was forced
to retreat. While he was able to fend off his pursuers, his army
 From Stone to Steel
became confident that they could defeat the whole of the
besieging army, and they charged, to their deaths. Grasping at
one last hope, Spartacus attempted to defeat the enemy com-
mander in the battle, but he was surrounded by Roman soldiers
and killed. Spartacuss revolt was the only gladiator revolt to
last for more than a few days, but other than being mentioned
in histories, it had little impact on Romes attitude toward glad-
iatorial sport. Such sport will be discussed later in this chapter.
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar, contrary to modern day myth, was not born of
poor station, nor did he move his way up through the ranks of
the Roman military to become Emperor. Through both birth
and marriage, Gaius Julius Caesar was a man of high station,
who distinguished himself during one of the Mithradatic wars
in the province of Asia Minor. It was there he uttered the now
legendary phrase veni, vidi, vici which translates to I came,
I saw, I conquered. Having close ties to the Consul Pompey,
Julius Caesar was able to get himself named Proconsul of
Illyricum and Gaul. Illyricum, long conquered and now sub-
servient to Rome, was a province of great income, while Gaul
was largely self-ruling. After forming an unofficial alliance
with Pompey and another prominent Senator, Crassus, they
formed a triumvirate of power, aimed at dominating all of
Rome, as was the more common tendency of rulers in the Late
Republic. Through this alliance, Julius Caesar was able to
become a full Consul, which gave him access to the legions of
Rome, and full right to deal with Gaul as he wished. And Julius
Caesar did.
Julius Caesar was not the first Roman general to campaign in
Gaul. In the past Roman Generals had fought in Gaul, some-
what in retribution for the many attacks against Rome that
Gaul had initiated in ages past, somewhat in the interest of
forming new alliances with certain tribes and driving off Ger-
manic invasions that struck from time to time. Not that the
Gaul could not defend themselves. The Gaul were one of many
Celtic tribes common to Central and Western Europe, and they
often found themselves at odds with the more barbaric Ger-
mans, even facing invasions by the Cimbri and Teuton peoples.
But politics of the region made any alliance between Gaullic
tribes rare, and it was this disunity that made it possible for
Rome to conquer them.
It started with the Helvetti, a people who lived in more rugged
territory that would today be the western part of Switzerland.
The Helvetti had a rather prominent leader, Orgetorix, who
claimed that the Helvetti could conquer all of Gaul, given half
a chance, and form a Helvetian Empire there. Orgetorix was
one of those people who couldnt help but boast in front of
prominent people, and his words began to catch notice in
neighboring tribes. When they expressed interest in sharing
with the Helvetti in the conquering of Gaul, he made deals with
them to form a unified army, and sealed them with arranged
marriages with his daughters. Orgetorix, unfortunately, died
92
before he could begin his conquest, but the Helvetti felt honor
bound to fulfill his boasts, and they set fire to their villages and
took all the food they could carry, and burned the rest. This was
done to give them no inclination to return. Then, with their
neighbors, who had done the same, they marched on Gaul.
One of the routes to Gaul for the Helvetti involved traveling
through the Roman controlled province of Provence, which
Rome was not about to allow them to do, seeing as the Helvetti
supplemented their stores by living off the land. So Julius Cae-
sar marched 5 legions into Provence, and set them up to inter-
cept the marching Helvetti. They briefly fought, but since the
Helvetti didnt see any use fighting the Romans, they covertly
arranged to march through a neighboring tribes land, and com-
mence the attack. Since a few tribes were close to Rome and
had treaties with Rome, they petitioned for Romes support.
This was really all Julius Caesar could have hoped for. His first
year as Consul of Gaul saw him invade, decimate the Helvetti,
and force most of the hostile people of Gaul to give him
hostages. When the Helvetti had begun their march, their total
numbers were about three hundred and sixty thousand. When
they were forced to return to their destroyed homes, they num-
bered only one hundred and ten thousand, and those numbers
included all people of the tribe, from children to elders. The
people of Gaul were glad to have been aided by Rome, and
they allowed the Roman Legions to winter in their lands.
Hostage Taking
The practice of taking hostages is age old, and honored. Tribes
would often offer hostages to each other as a pledge of faith
over an agreement, usually involving traveling through one
tribes land or forming a temporary alliance to fight an enemy.
The hostages were required to be family members of impor-
tant people in a tribe, people you didnt want to see dead. As
soon as an agreement was concluded the hostages would be
released, and things would return to the status quo. However,
should one break an agreement, that tribes hostages were
likely to be killed, or tortured at the least, to show displeasure.
Where such practices were common, Rome was more than
happy to take hostages in exchange for agreements. If a tribe
that had given Rome hostages broke an agreement, Rome
would likely sell their loved ones into slavery. If a tribe
became a friend of Rome, but not part of a province of Rome,
their hostages were treated as guests of Rome, often staying in
a Roman city and being given many of the rights of citizens. If
these guests of Rome were ever returned, they were often
excellent propaganda for Rome, talking about the wonders of
Roman life and bringing Roman ways to their tribes. There are
even accounts of hostages returning to live in Roman territo-
ries, out of preference.
Over that winter the many tribes of Gaul gathered in secret and
voted to inform Rome of a little embarrassing secret they had
been keeping. They sent ambassadors in secret to Julius Caesar,
and asked if he could help them to rid their lands of Germans.
As it turned out, the Germans had invaded Gaul a number of
 Rome
years previously, after being invited in to help one tribe wage
war on another. The Germans had been only too happy to
agree, as Gaul had by far more fruitful croplands, and when the
Germans crossed the Rhine river and entered Gaul they
promptly took many hostages from the tribe who invited them
in, attacked all the neighboring tribes and forced them to agree
to steep tribute. The Gauls, seeing the prowess of the Romans,
hoped the Romans could rid them of the German invaders.
Again, Julius Caesar could not have hoped for a more advanta-
geous opportunity. He split his forces to hold a highly defensi-
ble area, and then advanced on the Germans. Although there
were brief negotiations, nothing came of these, and eventually
the battle was joined near the Rhine river, where Julius Caesar
had learned that the invading German tribe was inviting other
tribes from Germany to cross, in order to strengthen their hold
on Gaul. The battles were fierce, primarily because the German
warriors were strong and brutal on the whole, while the Roman
Legionares were a highly disciplined force, trained not only in
combat with pilum, gladius, and scutum, but also advanced
warfare tactics, like building trenches, fortifications, bridges,
and traps. Their speed at such engineering feats was legendary.
They were able, for example, to build a bridge across the Rhine
in a single day. Whenever they encamped, they would build a
wall 12 feet high, and surround it with a trench 18 feet deep.
This was after marching many leagues each day. The Roman
soldiers worked with precision, and they were masters at dele-
gating tasks to cohorts and accomplishing them in record time.
Roman Legionnaire (Prestige Class)
Roman Legionnaires were a highly disciplined fighting force,
honed by battle and expected to be ready to die for their leader
at any time. Trained in the finest military traditions of Europe,
armored in the most protective armor that still allowed them
freedom, and driven by the knowledge that they fought for the
greatest nation on Earth, the Roman Legionnaires were a force
to be reckoned with, on and off the battlefield. But their train-
ing was not simply in sword or shield craft alone. Legionnaires
were trained to be brave in the face of danger. While still in
training they would be whipped with the flagellum if they
showed fear, and given arduous tasks if they shirked their
duties. A drilling period of up to three months could be
required before a potential legionnaire was allowed to carry
bear a gladius and scutum into battle. And though they were
foot troops, they were expected to face any force imaginable,
on any frontier, and win.
Besides mental and physical training, legionnaires were trained
to work together, to build military fortifications and equipment,
and to perform delicate military maneuvers while in formation.
This deep discipline alone could be intimidating to witness,
when, at the end of a hard days forced march they could
assemble a highly defensible fortification, complete with
trenches and palisades in a matter of an hour or two, and have
scouts, sentries, and cook fires ready shortly afterward. To
many less civilized people it was as if the Romans could do

93
 From Stone to Steel
anything they set their will to, and these feats of discipline did
more to spread their reputation than many feats of arms.
Young men, citizens of the Empire, were drawn to join the
Legions by their reputation, an interest in civil service, the
hope for a steady income, or the impassioned words of a con-
quistadore. Many had no previous experience, and some would
be sent away, unfit or incapable of completing the demanding
training. But those with the strength, wits, and will to finish the
grueling training often found that the life of a Legionnaire was
worth the danger, and many opted to remain a legionnaire for
life. These grizzled veterans may or may not rise through the
ranks of the military hierarchy, but to them the military life was
paramount.
The Legionnaire Prestige class is unusual in that it is quite pos-
sible to join at the first level. However, the Legionnaires are a
semi-restricted prestige class. Many opt to raise a few levels in
other classes while serving as a legionnaire (such as fighter,
ranger, rogue, or Expert (Engineer)), and certain levels have
unique requirements beyond experience value in order to gain
the next level. Legionnaires are considered to be part of the
army, and their time is not wholly their own while they are
legionnaires. A Legionnaire may choose to leave the military at
any time after their first level, but if they do so, they may never
return to the legions, and any possibility of gaining another
level in this prestige class is eliminated.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
To qualify to become a Legionnaire, a character must fulfill the
following requirements.
Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom
must all be 11 or more.
Alignment: Any Lawful Alignment. All Legionnaires become
lawfully aligned upon completion of their initial training as a
legionnaire, unless they were already lawfully aligned. This
conveys no direct advantage or disadvantage, although it may
cause problems with any action that requires a non-lawful
alignment. This alignment change is due to training and strict
enforcement, but is not a spiritual change, and will not confer
any spiritual benefit, such as allowing atonement for a paladin
who would not be eligible for it.
Special: Must be a citizen of Rome (or equivalent, if a fantasy
world). Must ethically be able to wield any weapon the Legion-
naire is trained with (cannot be a pacifist or have a religious
limitation on weapons use). Must be willing to go wherever
ordered and serve without question while a legionnaire. This
class is not exclusive, but one cannot leave the military service
and continue to gain levels in the Legionnaire Prestige Class.
Class Skills
The Legionnaires class skills (and the key ability for each
skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha),
Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Military Engineer-
ing) (Int), Profession (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str)
Skill: Knowledge (Military Engineering)
Military Engineering is a knowledge skill involving construc-
tion and manufacture of military defenses or offensive seige
devices. This includes such things as trenches, palisades, tow-
ers, wooden stakes, battlefield traps, and false blinds (items to
hide things from view). This encompasses the methods of con-
struction of seige engines such as catapults, ballistae, and
seige towers or ramps, to name a few. From time to time it is
necessary to construct certain civil improvements, such as
bridges or city walls. Although regular Engineering skill is
best for long-term construction of these types of items, Mili-
tary Engineering can be used to create short-term bridges or
patch city walls that have been broken.

Table 4-1: Legionairre

Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Formation Tactics
2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Improved Formation Tactics
3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Weapon Focus (Pilum)
4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Requirements: Minimum Dexterity of 12, Minimum
Knowledge (Military Engeneering) of 6. Deflect Missiles
5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Point Blank Shot
6th +6 +5 +2 +5 Requirements: Minimum Con of 12, Minimum Strength
of 12. Improved Penetration
7th +7 +5 +2 +5 Second Wind, Iron Will
8th +8 +6 +2 +6 Advanced Maneuvers
9th +9 +6 +3 +6 Requirements: Minimum Dexterity of 13.Improved
Critical (Pilum), Improved Critical (Gladius)
10th +10 +7 +3 +7 Heroic Demeanor

94
 Rome
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int Modifier
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Legionnaire pres-
tige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Legionnaires are proficient
with all simple weapons and martial weapons. They are also
proficient with light and medium armors and shields. Note that
armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to
the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move
Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Formation Tactics: As per the Feat mentioned in the Chariots
chapter.
Improved Formation Tactics: As per the Feat mentioned in
the Chariots chapter.
Improved Penetration: The Legionnaire has learned how to
make his attacks more devastating to armor. The Legionaire
receives a +2 competance bonus to any attempt to break an
opponents armor, weapon or shield. Also assume that the hard-
ness rating of an item is reduced by 2 for any attempt to damage
an item. If you are not using the option materials rules, replace
this with Precise Shot.
Second Wind: The Legionnaire can push through exhaustion
and continue to fight effectively. A legionnaire may ignore the
first 2 points of any fatigue modifier.
Advanced Maneuvers: The Legionnaire has become more
experienced at using his armor and maneuverability to his
advantage. He gains a +1 armor bonus while wearing Roman
9
11a
9. Heavy Hides; 10a. Dart; 10b. Dart; 11a. Throwing Axe variation; 11b. Throwing Axe variation; 11c. Throwing Axe variation;
12. Dacian Falx
95
armor, and only loses 5 feet of movement if medium sized or 3
feet if small sized for medium armor.
Heroic Demeanor: Truly dedicated veteran legionnaires are an
inspiration to their compatriots. They may rally troops with a
battle cry up to five times a day, giving a +2 vs. fear affects to
all allies within 20 feet. Veteran legionnaires can continue to
fight past all safe limits. If such a legionnaire is reduced to 0 hit
points or lower, he may opt to fight on. He must then make a
Fortitude Save vs. DC 15, or fall unconscious. Otherwise he
may continue to fight until his hit points reach -10 or below. If
they reach this limit he will drop dead.
Playing a Legionnaire
The difficulty of playing a member of the military is that their
life is not their own. Often its easier to play something periph-
eral, like an auxilliary, who might from time to time come into
contact with the Legions, but normally spends their time apart.
Still, the chance to play an elite member of the military may be
a perk for some. Here are a few suggestions as to how to struc-
ture adventures or campaigns:
Consider one-shot military adventures, where the players
play scouts, auxilliaries, and soldiers advancing through an
unknown region (like Germany or Britain) and coming into
contact with new cultures. These can be intense, with sud-
den flurries of combat or pantomimed negotiations with
people who speak only a smattering of Latin.
Perhaps the characters are part of a cohort assigned to hunt
down exotic animals for the Arena. Such characters would
work as a more intimate group, interact with numerous
exotic cultures, and, depending on the fantasy level of your
10a
10b
12
11b 11c
 From Stone to Steel
world, spend plenty of time trying to defeat and capture
creatures alive. An added perk might be bonus pay for rare
creatures.
City duty might be appropriate for Legionnaires garrisoning
a city against attack or policing a newly captured city. City
intrigue can be as gritty as you desire, and characters inter-
ested in staying at the city might become part of a perma-
nent guard force. Like a Roman police drama.
One final idea is to take a small group and isolate them from
the rest of a legion. Forced to fend for themselves and dis-
cover where they are, they might be transported to a fantasy
world or merely lost in the wilds of Eastern Europe. How
they survive and what they encounter would be up to you.
Again, depending on the fantasy level of your world, a fantasy
Rome might face any number of threats, and as long as there is
the Legion, there is potential for adventure.
The Germans
The Germans were fierce, strong, and mobile. They wore little
metal armor, preferring soft or boiled leather, heavier hide armor,
or hides and furs. German warriors generally carried long
swords and axes (descended from celts), although they also car-
ried clubs, maces, darts, throwing axes, and spears. A small num-
ber carried the dacian falx, a long, single edged curved sword.
They generally used the phallanx formation, which was common
training throughout most of Europe by now, but they were
nowhere near as orderly as the Romans. Indeed, most German
warriors would probably be generated as barbarians, using the
Players Handbook. The one tactic that made the Germans most
feared was their combined cavalry.
German cavalry were not trained to fight on horseback well.
They didnt carry many weapons that were useful on horse-
back, and they did not practice charge maneuvers. Rather, the
German cavalry was swift, and they trained infantry to run
alongside a man on horseback, to turn aside weapons readied
against charges, and to make a fighting line wherever the cav-
alry stopped. Thus German cavalry would advance rapidly,
avoid armed defenses, perhaps throw a spear, javelin, or fire
arrows, and then the cavalry soldiers would drop to the ground
and enemies would be facing a double strong line of infantry
ready to fight. If the German cavalry was forced to flee, the
man on foot could prevent swift pursuit, which meant that Ger-
man cavalry attacks were hard to counter. Much later, Julius
Caesar would hire German mercenaries to use this tactic
against an Iberian attack on Gaul, and the Iberians, who
favored regular cavalry charges were unable to adjust to a cav-
alry resistance that could equal that of an infantry line.
Hides, Heavy
The heavy hides worn by many Germanic tribes are more
sophisticated than the hides of the stone age. Prepared, treated,
tanned, these hides could be up to three inches thick, and often
were layered. Sometimes lined with fawn, calf, or kid skin
inside for comfort, they were usually stiff and bulky, but were
96
superior protection when compared to other leather items. If
fur was left on these hides, they were far more comfortable in
cold climates, and can be considered as protective as winter
clothing. This armor should be considered the equivalent of the
Hide Armor in the Players Handbook.
Dart, Bronze & Iron
Darts were used by both the Germanic tribes and the Gauls.
They were easy to make, and were best used from the advan-
tage of height, to extend their range and potential damage.
Since objects that fall farther do more damage, they took
advantage of cliffs and high walls to increase their impact. This
is best simulated by adding falling damage to the dart damage
total when there is a significant height difference.
Throwing Axe, Bronze & Iron
Throwing axes were used extensively by the Germanic tribes,
usually as a precursor to a charge. Although not barbed, throw-
ing axes that do more than half its base damage should be con-
sidered lodged, as per the rules for barbed weapons.
Falx, Dacian
The Dacian Falx was a long curved, one-edged blade with a
long and guardless wooden handle. Two handed and wielded
like the later zweihander, it was a fearsome blade, but poor for
defense. Any defensive maneuver or stance taken with a Falx
will add one less point of AC, since the Falx has no guard and
leaves the swordsman very exposed.
German Combined Cavalryman (Prestige
Class)
More than just horsemen or footmen, every Combined Caval-
ryman was a powerful and swift fighter in his own right.
Trained to ride and run hard, German Combined Cavalrymen
were able to perform incredible feats of speed, charging up to
an enemy line as swiftly as a horse could run, and still be ready
to fight.
Men unafraid to rush into the face of danger took the difficult
training to become Combined Cavalrymen. Those with the skill
to fight when others fell back were the only ones to survive.
The Combined Cavalryman is not as heavily armored as a nor-
mal German soldier, but their speed becomes an asset unto
itself. The discipline of their training made them the recog-
nized experts at Cavalry Warfare at their time. The class below
is used for all Combined Cavalrymen, as they often switched
off who would ride and who would run.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
To qualify to become a Combined Cavalryman, a character
must fulfill the following requirements.
Base Attack Bonus: +4
 Rome
Attributes: Minimum Strength 13, Minimum Dexterity 13
Skills: Ride 6 ranks
Feats: Endurance, Dodge, Run
Special: Must be at least Medium Sized.

Class Skills
The Cavalrymans class skills (and the key ability for each
skill) are Animal Empathy (Cha), Balance (Dex),
Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Tumble
(Dex)
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int Modifier
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the
Combined Cavalryman prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Combined Cav-
alryman are proficient with all simple weapons and the follow-
ing weapons: the Dacian Falx, the throwing axe, the
longsword, and shortbow. They are also proficient with light
armor and shields. Note that armor check penalties for armor
heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape
Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Faster Movement I: The German Combined Cavalryman has
practiced charging and can move 10 feet faster than their nor-
mal movement rate for a number of rounds equal to their
class level plus Cha bonus.
Running Evasively: The German Combined Cavalryman is
able to run and retain half of their Dexterity bonus to their
AC, rounded up. This involves a practiced running maneuver
that maintains their forward momentum while moving them
from side to side to avoid running in a straight line.
Faster Movement II: The German Combined Cavalryman
has practiced charging and is now able to move at 20 feet
faster than their normal movement rate for a number of
rounds equal to their class level plus Cha bonus, or double
that time at 10 feet faster.

Table 4-2:German Combined Cavalryman

Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +1 +1 +0 Quick Mount / Dismount, Faster Movement I
2nd +2 +1 +1 +0 Point Blank Shot
3rd +3 +2 +2 +1 Running Evasively
4th +4 +2 +2 +1 Mounted Combat
5th +5 +3 +3 +1 Faster Movement II
6th +6 +3 +3 +2 Mounted Archery
7th +7 +4 +4 +2 Mobility
8th +8 +4 +4 +2 Spring Attack
9th +9 +5 +5 +3 Shot on the Run
10th +10 +5 +5 +3 Fleet Footed

97
 From Stone to Steel
Fleet Footed: The German Combined Cavalryman can use his
entire Dexterity bonus for their AC while running.
The Celts of Britain
Eventually Rome would drive the Germans back across the
Rhine, and even invade Germany briefly, in order to scare them
into signing treaties with Rome. But by now the people of Gaul
were becoming worried about Julius Caesars tendency to win-
ter his troops in Gaul, rather than in Provence, and that Julius
Caesar intended to make all of Gaul another province for
Rome. They were right.
When a number of tribes banded together to harass Rome by
sea, they were almost successful. The boats of Gaul were better
suited to the harsher waters of the Atlantic, so Rome could not
effectively attack them at sea. And if a coastal city of Gaul
were attacked, they could load everyone up onto boats, and sail
away, making the taking of a city worthless, since those people
could be transplanted to any other city on the coast. Eventually
the Romans forced a number of tribes to build them several
boats like those of Gaulish construction, and Rome took the
battle to the sea, fighting at a great disadvantage, where only
the discipline of the Roman soldiers lead them to victory. Still,
with much of Gaul unable to face Rome in the field or, now, at
sea, Julius Caesar felt confident enough to do something no
one else in Romes history had ever done. Julius Caesar built a
fleet of ships, and sailed for Britain.
The Celts of Britain were by no means unknown to Romans.
The Gauls often hired British mercenaries, to swell their ranks.
The Celtic warriors of Britain were wild men, generally, wield-
ing longswords, spears, daggers, darts, or bows. Sometimes
they might wear leather armor, and occasionally chainmail, but
often they went into battle unarmored, save perhaps for a
shield, trusting the gods to protect them. Covered in wode, a
blue powdery material, and chalk, often with their hair glued
into spikes with a chalk and urine solution, Celtic warriors
were renowned for their fearsome battle cries, and for their
chariot driving.
Wode
Wode was a chalk-like blue dye applied to the skin of a Celtic
warrior before battle. Meant to create an intimidating appear-
ance, it often startled the Roman soldiers who were unfamiliar
with their Celtic opponents. Wode, in a fantasy setting, would
be a great manner for Druids to convey enchantments of
strength, protection, and fear auras on warriors.
The British chariot was a light, low affair, pulled by two horses
and holding two men, a warrior and a driver. The warrior
would throw spears until he was out, and then drop off the
chariot. The driver might also drop off his chariot to help in
battle, but he kept near it, so that he could leap back in and
charge away swiftly. Celtic chariots had a low railing, which
allowed Brittish chariot drivers to perform daring and danger-
ous feats, climbing the guide pole to the horses, and controlling
the horses directly. This tactic allowed a British chariot driver
98
to make more dangerous turns easier, and allowed him to more
directly calm and direct his animals.
Hands on Chariot Driving
The eager British Celtic driver was often likely to leave the
chariot and mount the horses themselves to perform more
risky maneuvers. Although difficult, mounting the horses
directly allowed a chariot driver to make more dangerous
maneuvers safely, reducing the difficulty level of any maneu-
ver by one. Thus he could make better turns, and move
between terrains with less risk of a crash, since he was con-
trolling the horses directly from their backs. In order to do
this, the driver had to leave the chariot as per a quick dis-
mount, with +5 to any DC roll. If successful, the driver
gained the maneuvering benefits mentioned above.
The British were actually quite successful at holding the
Romans off. After a long pitched battle, Rome was only able to
hold a beachhead for two months, and then was forced to
return to Gaul to winter. The next year Julius Caesar returned
in force, to break the British under his heel. But he found that
Britain was difficult to conquer. The wode-covered natives
knew their forests well, and could spring out of them at any
time, often during the setting up of camp, and then could flee
faster than a heavily armored enemy could chase them. These
tactics took a terrible toll on the Roman troops, as did the
weather, which caused a great many of the ships the Romans
had crossed the channel in to be destroyed or damaged while at
anchor.
Still, Julius Caesar was not a man to give up. Some of his men
he appointed to repair the ships, while others he set as scouts to
find where the largest number of Celts lived. When he found
their encampment along the river Thames, he took the battle to
them, and, as became habit by now among the Celtic peoples,
the British Celts surrendered, rather than facing Rome in the
field. By now Caesars reputation alone could put fear in the
hearts of his opponents, and enemies would rather present trib-
ute and hostages than face Roman soldiers in their element.
Satisfied, Julius Caesar returned to Gaul, and sent his troops to
winter.
But in his absence a conspiracy of Gallic tribes had hatched a
plan to revolt while the Roman Legions were wintering, when
they were least prepared. Since the legions were sent to winter
independently, a number of tribes gathered and attacked the
legion under Ciceros command, catching them by surprise and
forcing them into a defensive position. As soon as they were
sure they had the Roman soldiers in one place, they struck their
camp with heated clay sling bullets and heated javelins. These
set fire to the thatched roofs of the camp buildings, and burnt
the buildings, baggage, and supplies to the ground. Still, the
Romans fought valiantly, hoping other legions would mobilize
to come to their aid.
 Rome
Bullet, Clay Sling
Crafted of mud and dried until hard, clay bullets might not
seem like a good idea, but they had one advantage: they could
be easily heated and made to keep that heat a long time. Fre-
quent use of clay bullets lead to slings becoming brittle and
breaking, but there ease of manufacture and ability to hold heat
for a long time made them effective to use for a people who did
not develop the fire arrow.
Consolidation
Finally an auxiliary was able to sneak through Gaullic lines
and get message to Caesar. Another legion was forced to march
the 25 miles to the besieged position that night, and made it
nearly the whole distance. This dislodged those besieging
Ciceros forces, and a later skirmish with Caesar dispersed the
rebelling forces. But the leader of the rebellion went into hid-
ing, and the army, though dispersed, was not destroyed.
Auxiliaries
It became the practice for Roman conquistadores to drum up
interest in the Roman military throughout the provinces. This
practice also spilled over into regions where the Legions
operated. When a Legion moved into an unconquered area,
conquistadores would speak to friendly tribes and convince
them to send war-worthy men to aid the Romans in their
activities. This increased the number of men the Romans
could field, and allowed them to recruit units unique to the
region, like the combined cavarly of Germany, or units of
archers, which were always in short supply in Roman ranks.
These forces were called auxiliaries, and were trained along
side the Roman forces, which, over time, tended to make
them more disciplined and effective. As history progressed,
Rome became more and more dependant on her Auxiliary
forces to fight battles and protect frontiers.
13
13. Clay Sling Bullets
99
The next year Caesar embarked to put an end to resistance in
Gaul, and he hunted the leader of the previous years rebellion,
a Gallic chief who was hiding in Germany. Again, Caesar
erected a bridge across the Rhine, and crossed, laying waste to
German troops and eventually capturing and killing the resist-
ance leader. This, along with favorable tributes from the Ger-
manic people, lead Caesar to retire early, and to assert once
more his control over all of Gaul.
In the next year Rome issued a new decree that all Italian
youths were required to apply for military service. Seeing this
as a method of securing his power over all of Gaul, Julius Cae-
sar insisted that this also apply to Provence and the whole of
Gaul. Although many tribes hastened to agree, one of their
kings, Vercingetorix, opposed this, and refused to pay tribute to
Rome. Instead, he raised his own army, and opted to focus on
cavalry tactics, rather than infantry. He used his forces for
lightning raids, and for breaking up Romes access to crucial
food supplies. It was an effective tactic, and would have suc-
ceeded, had he been facing any other power but Rome.
Caesar pursued the raiders and discovered the high-walled city
they were using as their base. Caesar knew he couldnt face the
cities defenses without great loss of life. So he camped in the
open plain near the city, and built himself a fearsome fortifica-
tion in a matter of days. First he started with a 20 foot deep
trench. 400 feet from that he built two more trenches 14 feet
deep, the second filled with water diverted from a local river.
Behind that was built a 12 foot high wall, made from wood
from local forests, replete with parapets and battlements. The
walls he laid with jutting spikes to prevent scaling. He also dug
a trench around the whole fortification, 5 feet deep, filled with
wooden spikes. 3 foot deep pits were filled with a single spike
and trampled clay, and on those spikes were placed hooks of
iron. The pits were also filled with twigs, leaves, and grass, in
order to camouflage them. In a limited time Caesar trans-
formed an open, indefensible plain into a highly defensible bat-
tlefield, with every device ready to repel attackers.
Traps of War
Trenches, walls of stakes, spurs, pallisades If the Romans
didnt have a favorable environment to fight from, they cre-
ated it. Setting stakes made it possible to prevent charges, as
horses were often unable to stop in time to avoid the danger.
Spurs sat close to the ground, hard to see, their metal hooks
ready to catch a passing hoof and break the leg it was
attached to in a single, sickening snap. Trenches required
filling and crossing, which prevented charges, while walls
prevented foes from reaching you. And these werent the
only traps used. Pit traps could be covered with leaves and
branches and filled with stakes. Moats could be made by
diverting water, and if the water was stagnant they could be
covered over with dirt and debris to make them look like
solid ground. In the Eastern Empire, Greek Fire would even-
tually be remembered, and could be used to make fire on
water, or to create flaming trenches. It is not easy, in the heat
of the moment, to realize that a shovel is as much a tool of
 From Stone to Steel
war as a sword. Setting up camp isnt just about putting up a
tent. Especially in higher level campaigns, where heroes may
be pursued by large forces or jealous and vengeful enemies,
preparation, traps, snares, trip wires attached to cooking sup-
plies, trenches, walls all make a campsite safer, and can be
erected quickly by organized and skilled people. If one is
prepared, one can evade a ward spell, but how many people
expect trip wires?
But it was the final tactic that drove Vercingetorix to attack.
Rome entreated certain loyal tribes to approach, as if in support
of Vercingetorix. The appearance of reinforcements drew the
Gauls out at last, and they rode against the Roman fortifica-
tions. Some of the trenches they did manage to fill, but the iron
hook traps, called spurs, caught on the legs of charging horses
and broke them, often killing or maiming the rider as well.
When the Gaullic forces finally came upon the wall, they found
the ground before it soft, since the Romans had heavily
watered it the night before, and so their ladders sank in, making
them nearly useless. As their charge faltered, the loyal tribes
14c
14b
14a
15b
15a
18
14a. Wall of Stakes; 14b. Trenches; 14c. Palisade; 15a. Spur; 15b. Spurs set in ground; 16. Caltrop; 17. Parthian Iron Scale and
Chain Mail; 18. Light Iron Lance
100
entered the city behind them, and closed its gates. They were at
the mercy of the Romans, and were slaughtered.
The next two years would see minor rebellions, but the Romans
constant forceful presence soon made it impossible for Gaul to
defend itself, and when Caesar declared all of the region of Gaul
as subdued, they had little choice but to agree to become a
province of Rome. Julius Caesars ambitions paid off.
Unfortunately, trouble at home made this great general unpop-
ular. His informal alliance was endangered as Pompey grew
less and less trusting of him, and Pompey used a war with the
Parthians (Persians) to take two of Caesars legions, leaving
Caesar barely enough to maintain Gaul with. Then a law was
passed by the Senate, binding Caesar to Gaul and demanding
he disband his armies. Caesar, in response, took his two
legions, and raised a large force of auxiliaries. Taking German
Combined Cavalry and Gallic and British Warriors, he invaded
Rome. Pompey himself attempted to oppose Caesars return,
but was defeated in battle at Pharsalus, and fled to Egypt,
where he was later killed. With the dissolution of the First Tri-
umvirate, Caesar marched on the capitol itself. Caesar entered
17
16
 Rome
as a hero, his writings about his campaigns being popular
among the populace and his fame as a general held in higher
regard than his obedience to the Senate. Caesar had himself
elected as dictator of Rome, and he ruled Rome for 3 years,
dictating policies to the Senate, and campaigning against
Republican forces. He eventually defeated them in Iberia, but
was later assassinated by the Senate. This treachery would lead
to a 14 year war, between those who wanted to establish a dic-
tatorship and those who wanted to preserve the republic. On
one side was Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian (the Second
Triumvirate), on the other Brutus and Cassius, senators and
republicans. The republicans would find themselves less and
less potent against the Second Triumvirate, and the Triumvirate
members would find themselves constantly trying to maintain
popular control of their regions. Eventually Lepidus would be
forced to leave the alliance, and tensions between Mark Antony
and Octavian would lead to a split. The Senate, seeing dictator-
ship as inevitable, sided with Octavian, and Octavian was able
to meet the forces of Mark Antony and his ally Cleopatra at
Actium, and in a naval battle he defeated them. Octavian
returned to Rome with accolades, and was crowned Emperor of
Rome.
Octavian took the title of Augustus, and the name of his great
uncle Caesar, and announced that his victory would return
Rome to the republic. This can only be seen as a compromise
to ensure that the Senate would retain prominence. But the
Senate, in turn, granted the Emperor the right to propose any
law, which would immediately be ratified by the Senate. In
effect, the Emperor would have complete power.
Days of Glory
For a time it would seem the Empires reign was supreme. The
Romans measured themselves against the people they had con-
quered and prided themselves at their victories. While the army
busied itself with the pacification of Britain, Germany, and
Parthia, the citizens of Rome began to lose sight of just how
momentous and tenuous the Roman Empire was. The common
Roman rarely left his home city, and expected that everything
would be the same in all lands conquered by Rome.
And the city of Rome had grown. During Flavians rule a new
wall was built around the city, easily twice the diameter of the
early Servian Wall. Perhaps as many as a million people lived
in the city of Rome during this time, and many of them lived
off of the Roman equivalent of welfare, which required that
every citizen be given a minimum amount of resources to sur-
vive. This welfare subsidy helped to maintain a large city pop-
ulation, and the poorest citizen still ate better than many
non-citizens in other parts of the world.
Technology was adapted to Roman use as they discovered it.
The cataphract, a heavily armored cavalry unit used by the
Parthians, became the model for heavy Roman cavalry.
Armored with iron lamellar armor or chain and scale armors,
he rode a heavy warhorse, barded in scale, and bore a shield
and lance. The lance added a new wrinkle to cavalry charges,
101
allowing the cavalry units to kill unprotected defenders quickly
and make holes in enemy lines.
Mail, Scale and Chain Iron
Used only on horseback, due to its restrictions on regular mobil-
ity, this heavy armor made the cataphracti extremely hard to
injure, but very hot. When wearing iron scale and chain mail,
running speed is triple the listed movement, not quadruple.
Lance, Light Iron
Finally the horse and lance came together. Looking more like a
spear than a lance, the light iron lance made heavy cavalry
charges devastating, doing a natural triple damage with a spir-
ited charge. Naturally critical damage with such a charge
would be deadly. Lancers were usually called to charge only
when enemy forces were in disarray, too worried about other
attacks to have time to set a spear against a charge.
Gladiators
ther armors and weapons were taken from surrendered
O enemies and sent to various gladiatorial schools, where
prisoners would learn to fight with them in personal combat.
The practice of gladiatorial combat was first introduced at the
beginning of the First Punic War, as a way to commemorate the
death of prominent citizens with blood sacrifices, and eventu-
ally developed into a pastime to occupy the masses.
Gladiators were criminals, slaves, or, (rarely) citizens who vol-
unteered to give up their rights, who joined a gladiatorial school
and were brutally trained under the close attentions of a Lanista,
to fight and die in the arenas. Originally held in an empty portion
of the marketplace, Gladiatorial bouts were eventually held in
nearly every province, often in a circus or amphitheater. The
greatest of these galleries of blood and battle was the Flavian
Amphitheater, which we today call the Coliseum.
As they developed, any given day at the Games (Ludi) came to
traditionally have the same schedule. In the morning there was
the Venatones, combat with animals. Then came executions at
lunchtime, as a sort of intermission. Then the afternoon would
hold the Munera, the gladiatorial combat that would cap the
day. Seats were cheap, and the regularly strict Roman schedule
of events had no power over secular spectacles, so the games
were popularly attended whenever they were held.
Gladiators were trained, as mentioned before, in schools. Their
training focused them on one of two styles: fighting animals or
fighting people. Bestiarii gladiators trained with conquered
tribesmen, learning their methods of hunting, stalking, and
slaughtering of prey. A Bestiarii might train with a Moorish or
Numidian hunter to learn how to kill elephants, training to thrust
a spear into the hollow just below the eye. A Bestiarii might also
learn from a Parthian how to fight the cunning tiger. Thracians,
Germans, or Dacians might teach the gladiator how to fight the
bear. Bestiarii generally carried mixed armaments, either a spear
 From Stone to Steel
or a shield and gladius, and sometimes wore leather cuirasses. Locking Jaw (Ex): If a War Dog does maximum damage with
Bestiarii were trained to fight both together and alone. a bite attack, it may opt to lock its jaw. This is the equivalent of
an improved grab, and may only be broken by breaking the
The Venatones first started as menageries, parades of strange and
animals jaw, which requires at least 4 points of damage. The
exotic animals to entertain the crowds. But the people of Rome
war dog may opt to release at any time. The War Dog may opt
soon became jaded with such sights, and so the slaughter of
to hang from the wound after it has locked its jaw, doing an
these exotic animals became a far more popular pastime.
additional 1d6 damage per round.
Hunters would capture and sell exotic animals to Roman buyers
who would ship them back to Rome for the Venatones. A large Skills: *War dogs receive a +4 racial bonus to Wilderness Lore
number of wild animals would be released into the arena, and the checks when tracking by scent.
Bestiarii, aided by war dogs, were tasked with the slaughter.
Aurochs, bears, bulls, great cats, elephants, rhinoceroses, hip- Auroch
popotami, and all manner of exotic but less dangerous creatures
like gazelles, giraffes, and ostriches would swarm the ring, and it Large Animal
was a great chaotic melee. Many of these creatures can be found Hit Dice: 6d8+18 (45 hp)
in the MM Appendix 1: Animals. Those not listed are detailed on Initiative: +0
the following pages. Speed: 40 ft
AC: 13 (-1 Size, +4 natural)
Dog, War Attacks: Gore +8 melee
Damage: Gore 2d6+6
Medium Size Animal Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 10 ft./5 ft.
Hit Dice: 2d8+6 (15 hp) Special Attacks: Stampede
Initiative: +1 (Dex) Special Qualities: Scent
Speed: 40 ft Saves: Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +1
AC: 15 (+1 Dex, +4 natural) Abilities: Str 18, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4
Attacks: 1 bite +4 melee Skills: Listen +8, Spot +5
Damage: bite 1d6+4 Feat: Spirited Charge
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 Climate/Terrain: Temperate Plains
ft./5 ft. Organization: Solitary, Herd (630)
Special Attacks: Challenge Rating: 3
Locking Jaw Treasure: None
Special Qualities: Alignment: Always Neutral
Scent Advancement: 67 HD (Large)
Saves: Fort +5,
Related to the bison and the modern cow, these impressive
Ref +5, Will +0
creatures were driven to edge of extinction due to their popu-
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 13, Con
larity in the Venatones. Large shaggy beasts with great horns
17, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 10
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +5, Swim +5,
Feats: Trip
Climate/Terrain: Any land
Organization: Solitary, War Pack (310 War dogs (1d8+2))
Challenge Rating:
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 34 HD (Medium)
War Dogs were bred by the Romans to fight along-side them in
battle. The modern mastiff descends from this breed of dog.
The phrase Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war references
these animals.

Combat
A war dog is a vicious, opportunistic killer, trained to fight
aggressively against men. It prefers to charge into battle, but
will back away from a foe that has demonstrated the ability to
kill with ease.

102
 Rome
that could cause fearsome damage, these lords of the plains
were finally hunted to extinction some time in the 17th century.
Combat
An Auroch is a normally passive creature, although the bulls
are very territorial and protective of their cows. In the arena
Aurochs were often whipped, prodded, or burned in order to
drive them into a state of anger. Aurochs prefer to gore enemies
on their horns, and will often make charging runs towards any
antagonist.
Stampede (Ex): A frightened herd of Aurochs flees as a group in
a random direction (but always away from the perceived source
of danger). They literally run over anything of size Large or
smaller that gets in their way, dealing 1d12 points of damage for
each five aurochs in the herd. A successful Reflex save (DC 16)
halves the damage.
Bull
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 4d8+12 (30 hp)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 67 HD (Large)
The smaller cousins of the Auroch, these creatures were popu-
lar substitutes for the larger beast in the Venatones. Powerful
and with strong significance in Greek myth, they were often
used in mythical re-enactments as well. Unlike the more even-
tempered Aurochs, Bulls can fly into a rage when provoked.
Combat
Bulls are very territorial and protective of their cows. In the
arena bulls were often whipped, prodded, or burned in order to
drive them into a state of anger. Bulls prefer to gore enemies on
their horns, and will often make charging runs towards any
antagonist. Treat cows as listed above except cows do not have
the Rage Attack.
Rage (Ex): A bull that takes damage in combat flies into a
berserk rage the following round, twisting and lunging madly
in an attempt to gore its enemy until either it or its opponent is
dead. It gains +4 Strength, +4 Constitution, and -2 AC. The
creature cannot end its rage voluntarily.
Stampede (Ex): A frightened herd will flee as a group in a ran-
dom direction (but always away from the perceived source of
danger). They literally run over anything of size Large or
smaller that gets in their way, dealing 1d12 points of damage
for each five bison in the herd. A successful Reflex save (DC
16) halves the damage.

Gazelle
Small Animal
Hit Dice: 1d8 (5 hp)
Initiative: +3 (Dex)
Speed: 50 ft
AC: 16 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 nat-
ural)
Attacks: Gore -1 melee
Damage: Gore 1d6-2
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Initiative: +0 Special Attacks: None
Speed: 40 ft Special Qualities: Scent, Low-light vision
AC: 13 (-1 Size, +4 natural) Saves: Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +1
Attacks: Gore +6 melee Abilities: Str 7, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 1, Wis
Damage: Gore 1d8+6 12, Cha 6
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 10 ft./5 ft. Skills: Listen +9, Spot +8
Special Attacks: Stampede, Rage Feat: Run
Special Qualities: Scent Climate/Terrain: Warm Plain
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +1 Organization: Solitary, Mated Pair, Herd
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4 (10100)
Skills: Listen +8, Spot +5 Challenge Rating: 1/4
Feats: Spirited Charge Treasure: None
Climate/Terrain: Temperate Plains Alignment: Always Neutral
Organization: Solitary, Herd (1 bull and 515 cows) Advancement: 23 HD (Mediumsize), 45 HD (Large)

103
 From Stone to Steel
Lithe and elegant, spare of form and with a graceful curving Organization: Solitary, Pair, Herd (318)
horn, the gazelle is a gorgeous creature, but not an effective Challenge Rating: 2
fighter. Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Combat Advancement: 56 HD (Large)
Gazelles prefer to flee, rather than fight, and only kick with These majestic creatures of the plains spend the majority of
hind legs. Should the gazelle be surrounded, it will attempt to their time grazing among the trees. Other than their rearward
gore with its horns, but only if flight is not possible. kicks, these animals are not very combat worthy. Giraffes pre-
Keen Hearing (EX): This racial ability grants gazelles a +4 to fer to run from danger, and kick at enemies in pursuit.
all listen checks.
Hippopotamus
Giraffe
Huge (Tall) Animal
Hit Dice: 4d8+16 (34 hp)
Initiative: +2 Dex
Speed: 40 ft
AC: 13 (2 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural)
Attacks: Kicks +7 melee (females) or Gore +7 melee (males)
Damage: Kicks 1d6+4, gore 1d8+4
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, Scent
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +3
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 8
Skills: Listen +8, Spot +5
Climate/Terrain: Warm Plains

Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 9d8+54 (95 hp)
Initiative: +0 Dex
Speed: 15 ft, Swim 20ft
AC: 12 (-2 Size, +4 natural)
Attacks: Bite +11/+6 melee
Damage: Bite 1d10+10
Face/Reach: 10 ft. by 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, Scent
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +2, Will +2
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 11, Con 22, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 6
Skills: Hide -5, Listen +3, Spot +3, Swim +17
Climate/Terrain: Warm Plains
Organization: Solitary, Herd (212)
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 1012HD (Huge)

104
 Rome
Massive and lumbering, Hippos are both aggressive and territo- Large flightless birds, the ostrich can reach a height of 7 feet,
rial, but generally gives warning before an attack. At home on and bears brown, black, and white plumage. The ostrich was an
land and in water, Hippos prefer to work as little as possible. absurdity to Romans, but like so many other animals it often
met its death in the Arena.
Ostrich
Combat
Large Animal If threatened, Ostriches can be quite aggressive, nipping (for
Hit Dice: 3d8+9 (23 hp) negligible damage) and kicking (for very effective damage).
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 50 ft Trample (Ex): A Ostrich can trample Medium-size or smaller
AC: 14 -1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural) creatures for 1d4+4 points of automatic slam damage. Oppo-
Attacks: Bite +5 melee, kick +0 melee nents who do not make attacks of opportunity against the bird
Damage: Bite 1d8+4, kick 1d6+4 can attempt a Reflex save (DC 15) to halve the damage.
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Trample. Bestiarii as Rangers
Special Qualities: Low-light vision Although certainly not the standard image of the Ranger, the
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1 Bestiarii are best generated as having at least one level in the
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 8 Ranger class, with a favored foe as one of the creatures most
Skills: Listen +2, Hide +2, Spot +6 commonly faced in combat. This best simulates the special-
Feat: Run ized training bestiarii went through to become elite animal
Climate/Terrain: Warm Plains fighters. Optionally, a Game Master may consider allowing
Organization: Solitary, Flock (312) the favored foe to be a specific subgroup of animals, such as
Challenge Rating: 2 big cats, or even something as large as arena animals, which
Treasure: None would include all normal animals faced in the arena
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: None
Man-eaters
Carnivorous animals trained for the arena were actively trained
to be man-eaters. Most animals in nature prefer not to eat the
flesh of man, as they have learned to fear man (although some
overcome that fear). Animals that have learned to be man-
eaters are rarely driven off by loud noises or fire, and will often
stop to devour a kill before attacking another human.

The noontime executions were nowhere near as fair, and since

most crimes in Rome were capitol crimes, the executions were
tasked to go quickly. Most executions were either ad bestium (by
animal) or ad flammas (by flames). On certain rare occasions
they might have prisoners fight each other, or force them to free
wild beasts that would subsequently tear them apart. But there
was no freedom for someone slated to die. If, somehow, they
survived their method of execution, something more painful and
gruesome would be thought up for them. There was no such con-
cept of no cruel or unusual punishment in Rome. Indeed, cruel
and unusual was considered an exceptional deterrent.
The afternoon Munera was the main event of the day for many,
though. Trained Gladiators, tutored by their Lanista and his
many trainers, armed in a variety of antiquated and ceremonial
armors, would take to the Arena, to fight and possibly die for
the entertainment of the masses. And the training they went
through was difficult. Practicing with wooden items many
times heavier than the weapons they would wield in the ring,
Gladiators were trained to increase strength and endurance, and
to learn all methods of fighting with the weapons they might
use. Their lessons also involved liberal use of the leather whip,

105
 From Stone to Steel
scourge, flagellum, or branding irons, as well as quick and easy
access to the best medicine money could buy.
Except in the rarest of cases, Gladiatorial bouts were not
explicitly to the death. Generally they were held between two
combatants, and would be fought until one opponent signaled
they gave up. There was even musical accompaniment,. Gladi-
ators were expected to fight bravely and well, and, if necessary,
face death without fear. But if a gladiator lost and was judged
to have fought with valor, a missus would be allowed, and the
losing gladiator would be spared. If, however, the gladiator was
not aggressive enough or appeared to be afraid, he could expect
to be ordered to die. Then it was his duty to kneel at his oppo-
nents feet while his opponent drove a sword blade through
their neck. If done right, this was a quick and relatively pain-
less death.
Sometimes events were not so straightforward. Sometimes
teams would fight together. Or two gladiators would be tied
together and forced to fight. Sometimes they would bring in
plants and enact myths. Sometimes they would flood the arena
or construct a lake to hold naumachie, or naval battles. And
rarely the emperor himself might enter the arena. Under a few
emperors reigns the Emperor himself fought in the arena, but
there is no question that the opponents did not fight back.
Being slated to fight the Emperor meant death, pure and sim-
ple. No weapon would be raised against him, and no self-
respecting gladiator would flinch from his approach.
Usually such a victim is restrained in some fashion, and the
heated end is merely pressed against their flesh. The heated end
does 1 point of heat damage per round applied, and the heat
lasts 1 minute for every 10 it was left in whatever was heating
it (up to 3 minutes total). Often these are drawn directly from a
fire pit, brazier, or smiths forge, and then placed back in to
preserve their effectiveness.
Gladiator Armor
Gladiators sometimes specialized in a specific kind of fighting,
or learned a few different types. The most common types were
Samnites or Hoplomachi, Secutores, Retiarii, Mymillones (or
Galli), Thracians, and Dimachaeri. Other kinds of gladiators
did exist, some using bow and arrow, some riding on chariot or
horseback, some with helms with no eye holes, and some were
true uniques, fighting with individual styles. Also, periodically,
there would be freak matches, where dwarves or women
might fight. The practice of women entering the gladiatorial
arena actually grew over time, until a law was passed prevent-
ing this.
Each type of fighting style had its own equipment. A Hoplo-
machi, for example, bore an oblong large shield, a gladius, a
galea (an elaborate helmet), greaves, a wide leather belt, and a
manica, a scaled leather arm covering for the sword arm. The
Secutores carried a great shield, rather than a large one, but had
no greaves. The Retiarii, on the other hand, wore no armor

Slowly, with the growing influence of Christianity, the games

would come to an end. But it would take hundreds of years, and
the fruits of the arena are still with us today.

Flagellum & Scourge, Metal 19

The scourge, as mentioned before, was first developed in Syria,
and was made from various lengths of cord woven onto a
wooden handle. In Rome pieces of sharp metal were bound in
the cord, in order to make it more painful, and to promote long
gashes. The scourge was a device intended to torture people,
and was either used in punishment or in religious ceremonies
where pain was intended to expiate wrong doing. The scourge 20
eventually became the standard for self-mortification among
certain extreme Christian sects.
The flagellum was simpler than the scourge, a whip of three
cords with knots at the end. It was used on gladiators or to flog
disobedient soldiers. The Flagellum deals subdual damage, and
both whips deal no damage to any creature wearing armor of at
least +1 armor bonus or creatures with a +3 natural armor
bonus. Either whip is considered an exotic weapon.

Branding Iron 21
The Branding Iron was a long metal rod or wand that was
heated glowing red, and then applied, with fearsome results, to
human skin. The damage listed is for a person swinging to
injure with the branding iron, although it is not necessary to
swing at most people to whom a branding iron is to be applied. 19. Metal Scourge; 20. Flagellum; 21. Branding Iron

106
 Rome

28

23
24

25

22

27

29

30

26

22. Manica; 23. Galerus; 24. Galea; 25. Girdle; 26. Greave; 27. Leather Arm Wrappings; 28. Open Faced Helm; 29. Retiarii Net;
30. Sica
other than a galerus (a kind of armored shoulder piece), and
carried a net and trident, capitalizing on mobility and range. Partial Armor
The Myrmillones went the opposite extreme, complete with a In order to determine the maximum dexterity bonus, total the
fish-shaped helm, carrying a curved blade (likely a falx, seeing number of items above worn and subtract it from 8. Thus a
as the Myrmillones were also refered to as Gaullic gladiators). Hoplomachi would have a maximum dexterity bonus of +4,
The Thracian gladiators favored the sica (a scimitar, descended after donning the Manica, Galea, Girdle, and Greave (8 - 4
from the sickle sword and kopis), a small shield (round or items of armor = 4). Armor check penalty and speed are deter-
square), and leather arm wrappings. The Dimachaeri opted for mined by weight, as per the chart below.
two swords, favoring manica on both arms, and a light helm, Half armor bonuses are treated in the following manner: deter-
similar to that of the Roman soldier, and optionally a greave on mine the AC without the fraction of the full point. Roll to hit.
either leg. Gladiators never wore breastplates, as this would If the number rolled is the minimum required to successfully
unnecessarily prolong battles. A great variety of weapons injure the foe, roll one die. On an even roll the damage is done
might be used for unique one-off combats, although armor is to the foe, as normal. On an odd roll, the damage is done to the
usually made from the items mentioned below. item of armor that conveys the half armor bonus, instead. If
Gladiator armor was not intended to protect them much. The armor damage is not factored, consider the hit a miss.
point of gladiator armor was to give them a slight chance to avoid Note: The gladiator armor listed in this section should never be
damage, so that they wouldnt outright flee each other in combat. used in conjunction with regular sets of armor. Gladiator armor
does not confer any extra armor bonus to a complete set of
armor, and the values given above for partial pieces of armor

107
 From Stone to Steel
are purely to construct gladiator armor only. If you are using
the optional durability rules, and armor damage is indicated by
the effect die, determine which piece of armor is damaged ran-
domly. Gladiatorial armor would never be purchased by any-
one other than the owner of a gladiator, or the head of a
gladiatorial school (hence the high price). Anyone who wore
the above armor outside of the arena likely be considered an
escaped slave, and soldiers would be called to capture them.
Manica
The Manica was a scaled leather sleeve only worn on the
sword arm, made from boiled leather and intended to block
strikes at the sword arm. It was relatively flexible, but tough
enough to catch and block a few direct strikes.
Galerus
The Galerus was a metal shoulder pad, with a few plates intended
to protect the upper arm. It could potentially be used to block a
blow, but the Retiarii hoped to never have to counter a blow.
Galea
The Galea was a heavy helmet, closed faced, with a varying
crest. They were heavy, and made it difficult for a gladiator to
see, confering a -1 to any perception roll while it was on.
Girdle
The Girdle was a thick leather belt with metal plating, in a cir-
cular, coin-like pattern, sometimes referred to as bezainted. It
was meant to catch and deflect blows away from the waistline.
Greave
Usually gladiators only wore a greave on the leg that was
intended to be forward when entering combat. Thus it could
deflect a low strike, but kept weight restrictions to a minimum.
Leather Arm Wrappings
Leather Arm Wrappings, common to the Dimachaeri, were
only minimally protective, meant to deflect a glancing blow
without causing a scrape, although not intended to actually
withstand many attacks.
Open Faced Helm
The Open Faced Helm mentioned here was actually a modified
version of the Legionaires helmet, which does not convey a
separate armor bonus when used as part of a suit of armor.
Here it is given separate statistics only to illustrate its effect as
a part of gladiator armor.
Table 4-3: Open Faced Helm
Weight Armor Check Penalty Movement
112 lbs 0 30ft/15ft
1318 lbs -1 30ft/15ft
1924 lbs -2 30ft/15ft
25+ lbs -3 20ft/15ft
108
Gladiatoral Weapons
Net, Retiarii
Made of leather, with lead weights bound in the weave, some-
times slightly barbed, this net was intended to be a means for
the Retiarii to manipulate and control his foes. In order to
throw it optimally, it must be gathered together carefully, and
launched as a ranged touch attack against the target. The nets
maximum range is 10 feet, and there is no penalty for trying to
strike a target even up to the nets maximum range. If you hit,
the target is entangled. An entangled creature is a -2 on attack
rolls, and a -4 penalty on effective Dexterity. The entangled
creature can only move at half speed and cannot charge or run.
Identical to the net in the Players Handbook, it also has a
guide rope, which, if an opposed Strength Check is succeeded,
can be used to limit the movement of the entangled foe by the
length of the rope (10 feet). If an entangled creature attempts to
cast a spell, it must succeed at a Concentration check (DC 15)
or be unable to cast the spell.
The entangled creature can escape with an Escape Artist check
(DC 20) that is a full-round action. This net has 12 hit points,
and a hardness of 3. Once torn, it must be repaired to be used
effectively. A grass net can be burst with a Strength check (DC
25, also a full-round action).
A net is only useful against creatures between Tiny and Large
size, inclusive.
The first time a net is thrown in a fight, it must make a normal
ranged touch attack. After it has been unfolded, any further
attempts suffer a -4 penalty on attack roll. It takes 2 rounds for
a proficient user to fold a net and twice that long for a non-pro-
ficient one to do so.
Ben Hur
The popular movie Ben Hur had a segment with a chariot
race in the circus, where one of the opponents had chariot
wheels with spikes on the hubcaps. This development was
Thracian in origin, although not likely to have been used in a
Roman chariot race. For all intents and purposes these spiked
hubcaps are treated the same as the Persian scythe blades
mentioned in the previous chapter. DMs are encouraged to
determine the effect, if any, these might have on chariot
races.
Sica
The Sica was a weapon finding more and more use in the
Easter Empire, a scimitar-like blade excellent for chopping and
slashing.
Cestus & Spiked Cestus
The Cestus was an adaptation of the Greek boxers leather
wrappings, which wound around the center of the fist quite a
few times to make blows more solid. The plain Cestus was a
 Rome
33
32
31. Cestus; 32. Spiked Cestus; 33. Iron Double-Headed Axe
leather wrapping, and improved unarmed strikes by one dam-
age level, thus making a medium sized creatures unarmed
strike 1d4 subdual damage, and the small creatures unarmed
strike 1d3 subdual damage. Some, though were not pleased to
keep Cestus combat so non-lethal in the arena, and added
spikes and nails to the glove, making it a weapon that inflicted
1d4 normal damage.
Axe, Iron Double Headed Battle
The Double Headed Battleaxe, although not quite a Great Axe
as indicated in the Players Handbook, has been found in cer-
tain Thracian excavations, although its use in war is not
recorded in any documents. A weapon like this would likely
have been an interesting alternative to standard gladiatorial
armaments. It is, of course, a two handed weapon.
Gladiator (Prestige Class)
Gladiators have a certain mystique today that they may or may
not deserve; People who lived a hairs breadth from death;
Elite single combat warriors; Men inured to death, competing
to live, perhaps to earn glory and freedom in the arena.
But this image is not entirely accurate. By the time the Colle-
seum was built, estimates put the number of free men who vol-
untarily joined the ranks of the gladiators as 3050% of all
gladiators. There was glory to be found, surely, but gladiators
were also reviled as criminals, slaves, and worse. They were
often those who had been arrested for various crimes, but for one
reason or another, werent quite deserving of immediate death.
Although they were popular, desired, and skilled at their individ-
ual specialty, they were not super soldiers or wronged innocents.
109
31
Life as a Gladiator was harsh, and gladiators had to be, as well.
They were taught to be fearless. They were practiced in all
aspects of their specialty class. And they were trained to fight
for their lives, and not fear death on each others weapons.
Whether or not this training was completely successful, the
whips and brands enforced some level of learning. And yet
there are records of Senators wives who entered gladiator
troops and learned to fight in the arena.
Criminals, Slaves, and thrill seekers found their way into this
class. Anyone could be trained, although the weak were
expected to die in combat. Trained in one specific fighting
style, the gladiators had to be able to perform for the crowd as
well as themselves. In the end the crowd would see a long pro-
cession of Hoplomachi, Retiarii, Secutores, Myrmillones,
Thracians, Dimachaerie, and unique fighters. If the gladiator
wanted to earn at least a missus, they had better make their
match exciting and memorable.
Hit Die: d12
Requirements:
Any character can become a gladiator. However, they must
designate a kind of fighting style at the beginning of joining the
ranks of gladiators. After that each level gained as a gladiator
should be considered a level gained as their specialty, either
Hoplomachae, Retiari, Secutor, Mymillone, Thracian,
Dimachaeri, or their own unique class. Creating a unique class
requires the selection of a weapon combination, either two
identical weapons, one two handed weapon, or a weapon and a
shield. The unique class then selects from the gladiator armor
as many pieces as they desire. Heavier armored gladiators are
 From Stone to Steel

harder to hit, but less mobile. Lightly armored gladiators have

the advantage of moving faster and being less encumbered. If
you choose the wrong combination, youre likely to end up in a
gladiators grave, so think about what advantages you would
need.
Should a gladiator wish to take up a new combat style, they
should start back at first level with the new style.
Thus a gladiator could be a 3rd level Retiari and a
1st level Dimachaeri. Combat advantages do not
stack between different specializations.
Note that all gladiators are considered slaves, and
must live in their gladiator troops. If a gladiator
earns their freedom they may opt to return to the
arena to fight, but may live as a free man (or as a
citizen, if they were citizens previously).

Class Skills
The Gladiators class skills (and the key ability for each
skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha),
Jump (Str), Perform (Cha), Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int Modifier

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Charioteer pres-
tige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Gladiators are proficient
with all simple weapons and their specific class weapons only.
They are also proficient with their gladiator specialty armor
and shields. Note that armor check penalties for certain armor
combinations apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist,
Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
: Gladiators train extensively with their specialty weapon, and
may be considered focused with that weapon. Retiarii focus on
the trident, for example. If a unique gladiator carried two dif-
ferent weapons, he may choose one to be his primary weapon.

Table 4-4:Gladiator
Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +0 +2 +0 Weapon Focus (Primary Weapon)
2nd +2 +0 +3 +0 Combat Advantage
3rd +3 +1 +3 +1 Reputation
4th +4 +1 +4 +1 Combat Advantage
5th +5 +1 +4 +1 Preferred Opponent
6th +6 +2 +5 +2 Combat Advantage
7th +7 +2 +5 +2 Reputation
8th +8 +2 +6 +2 Combat Advantage
9th +9 +3 +6 +3 Preferred Opponent
10th +10 +3 +7 +3 Combat Advantage

110
 Rome
Combat Advantage: Starting at second level, and following
every two levels afterwards, the gladiator gains a +1 bonus to
one of the following: AC, To hit, or Damage. This bonus is
only conferred while the gladiator is wearing his specialty
armor and carrying his specialty weapon. This bonus shows his
intimate knowledge of his equipment and its use. He must
choose which of the three the bonus applies to when he gains
the level, and he may not alter his choice later. Thus, a myrmil-
lone may opt to gain a +1 to hit for his second level Advantage.
Later, at fourth level, he may opt to take a +1 to his AC, but he
cannot alter his second level selection. Should a gladiator lose
a portion of his armor during combat or a weapon, he loses any
bonuses gained through this class ability.
Reputation: The Gladiator has had enough success to gain a
reputation. At third level this doubles the purse he gains from
any wins. At seventh level he may add his specialty levels of
gladiator to any intimidate roll he attempts.
Preferred Opponent: At fifth and ninth level the gladiator must
select a specific type of gladiatorial style. The gladiator has
become skilled at fighting this kind of gladiator, and gains a +1
bonus to hit and damage rolls against this kind of gladiator.
Army Ascendant
W saw greater and greater power during this period. New
developments also made them the most efficient army in most
35
34
34. Lorica Segmentata; 35. Lorica Squamata; 36. Lorica Hamata
111
Gladiators as PCs
It is very likely PCs may be interested in playing gladiators.
Usually this is before they realize how limiting this can be. If
PCs really want to play a gladiator character, construct them
with the Prestige Class rules, and proceed. Usually games are
only held every couple of months, so there may not seem like
a lot of opportunity for gaining experience. Some Lanistae
took their gladiators on tour through different provinces, so
one method to give them more exposure would be to put
them in a mobile gladiatorial troop. You may wish to increase
XP gains for gladiatorial bouts, if you feel they are coming
too slowly to have an impact on play. If a character rises to
10th level, it is likely theyve already won their freedom. If
they desire to continue rising in ranks as a gladiator, they
may either select a new style and advance from level 1, or
continue to allow them to rise, as per the progression indi-
cated by the tables, and give them another Combat Advan-
tage every even level. In addition, new gains in reputation
might give more money or preferential treatment, and per-
haps the gladiator could gain yet another preferred opponent.
ith the Emperor holding ultimate power, the military
36
 From Stone to Steel
of their known world. Three new kinds of infantry armor were
adapted.
Lorica Segmentata, Lorica Squamata & Lorica
Hamata
Lorica Segmentata was a plated metal breastplate, the first true
plate armor, which still allowed arms and legs free for move-
ment and maneuver. Lorica Squamata was a very dense scale
mail, each scale being perhaps inch to 2 inches in length.
Held together like scale and lamellar, Lorica Squamata was a
flexible dense armor that was in many ways superior to Scale.
Lorica Hamata was a denser chainmail, under which a subar-
malis would be worn. The Subarmalis (under armor, literally)
was a padded undershirt.
The various forms of Lorica armor were used commonly dur-
ing the second century A.D., although eventually Lorica Seg-
mentata became too complex and expensive to manufacture,
and armies relied more and more heavily on Squamata and
Hamata armor. Since, by this time, the army provided soldiers
with their armor at public expense, the better kinds of armor
were worn by soldiers with higher rank. Thus, the bulk of sol-
diers wore Hamata, while cohort leaders and standard bearers
were more likely to wear squamata, and officers would wear
the Segmentata.
Mail, Scale and Plate
As the cavalry developed the cataphracti became the only cav-
alry units in Romes army to wear armor. Later the cataphracti
were reduced to chainmail while another type of unit, the
37 38
37. Scale and Plate Mail; 38. Steel Plated Leather
112
Clibanariii, wore scale and plate mail, an incredibly dense and
protective armor that made an individual Clibanari like a living
tank. Most cavalry of this period carried lances, although the
unarmored troops also carried iron javelins, pilum, or light war
bows, as well as caltrops, primarily for use against cavalry.
Prohibitively heavy, and dangerously unwieldy, those clibanarii
who wore these into battle were called oven men, due to the
heat that would build up while riding in this armor. Later plate
armor developments would prove superior to this design,
which never saw use with foot troops.
Days of Decline
The army became a vehicle to power in the Empire. Although it
still focused on putting down rebellion and expanding the power
of the Empire, it also began to play the game of Imperial politics
as well. Consuls and Proconsuls would engage in civil war to gain
power, and more than one Emperor was deposed by a military
leader. Indeed, in the second century AD, the Empire of Rome
experienced 50 years of anarchy, where up to 30 generals were
declared to be Emperors by individual army garrisons. Empire did
not bring stability to Rome. It brought weakness, increased fac-
tionalism, and ultimately destruction.
Rome had grown too much. Diocletian, an emperor of the late
second century, realized that no one man could rule the
Empire. Increased barbarian attacks made it clear that insurrec-
tions in the east could not wait to be discovered by the west
before they could be dealt with. Thus Diocletian established
the Tetrarchy. Four men were given the power that the Emperor
previously wielded. Two co-Emperors ruled over portions of
Rome, one in the East, another in the West. In addition, two
Consuls were established to control the army, each one region,
who could operate independent from the Emperor, and move to
deal with insurrection or attacks as they arose.
The army began to change roles, from a conquering force to a
peacekeeping force. The army no longer journeyed beyond the
borders of Rome, but repulsed invaders and fought against rev-
olutionary forces. And the numbers were never enough. Inva-
sions by various Gothic tribes, the Vandals, the Huns, as well
as rebellions in Gaul, Parthia, and Thracia left the Roman
forces weak. Thus another law was passed that made all free
people of Rome, regardless of Province, citizens. This allowed
Rome to recruit larger numbers of citizens into the legion, and
they could also offer citizenship to neighboring tribes in
exchange for recruiting them into the army. Many Germanic
tribes readily accepted this offer, and since the Germans were
generally larger, stronger, and more imposing than the Romans,
they soon became the backbone of the Roman Army.
Constantine, one Emperor of the East, made changes that would
lead to a great alteration of Europe. Constantine embraced Chris-
tianity. Christians had be previously persecuted by Rome,
blamed for many crimes (including the burning of Rome during
Neros reign) and general weakness. Constantines mother,
though, converted to Christianity, and it seems likely his notable
tolerance was mainly due to her influence. After campaigning
 Rome
against Western Rome, which was floundering in miss manage-
ment, Constantine put an end to certain elite units in Rome, and
remodeled both armies to stress cavalry and recruit auxiliaries
for infantry. Later Constantine would declare tolerance of Chris-
tianity, and then he would declare Christianity the religion of
Rome. Although Constantine did not convert to Christianity
himself until he was on his deathbed, the grant of freedom to
worship legitimized Christianity, and they began to proselytize
actively. Since most religions of the period were not so actively
seeking members, Christianity appealed to many as a vibrant
religion, and their membership increased rapidly. Christianitys
focus on the importance of human life and peace caused a gen-
eral decline in interest in the infantry, which made the Romans
more and more dependant on the Germans.
In order to encourage more German immigration, Rome
offered Germany land in Gaul. The Germans, who had always
had interest in the fertile lands of Gaul, accepted this offer
eagerly. Thus Rome itself precipitated the collapse of mainland
gaullic society, which fell under wave after wave of Germanic
immigrants. Eventually the Franks would become the dominant
tribe in Gaul, and it would be the Franks, rather than the Gallic
people, who would determine the future of that region.
40
39
44
42
43
39. Early Steel Longsword; 40. Early Steel Throwing Axe; 41. Hunnic Horse Bow; 42. Sheaf Arrow; 43. Flight Arrow; 44. Hunnic
Early Steel Saber; 45. Lariat
113
Despite Constantines efforts to strengthen the West, Western
Rome would not hold. The Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, and
Vandals generally favored iron plated leather armor, large
shields, longswords, long lances, and throwing axes. Like
Rome they favored cavalry, and fought relentlessly. At various
times the Goths would fight Rome together or ally with Rome
against the other. Periodically Rome would be forced to pay
tribute to Gothic tribes after particularly bad losses, although
the Goths were not so interested in taking land.
Leather, Steel Plated
Light, flexible, and with the leather covering the steel plates on
both inside and out, this armor still left the Gothic warriors free
to move around, although not quite with the flexibility of scale.
The weight, though, made this option seem more appealing to
the Gothic forces.
Longsword, Early Steel
Potent, more prone to bending but also more flexible than the
iron version, this longsword represents some of the early
advances in steel alloys. The addition of carbon to the iron mix
made these longswords lighter, without sacrificing blade
41
456
 From Stone to Steel
strength or damage. Favored by all the Germanic tribes, this
became the basis for the modern longsword.
Throwing Axe, Early Steel
Throwing axes were used exclusively by the Germanic tribes,
usually as a precursor to a charge. Although not barbed, throw-
ing axes that do more than half base damage should be consid-
ered lodged, as per the rules for barbed weapons. The version
above was an early steel variant, lighter and more flexible than
its precursor.
The Huns
The Huns were a tribe from the east, having crossed Siberia,
the Urals, and Eastern Europe. They were likely related to the
Mongols, and wore light leather and leather lamellar armor,
and favored a variety of armaments. They carried a unique kind
of horse bow, light lances, spears, lariats, curved sabers, stone
axes, and leather whips. They also carried three kinds of
arrows, based on range. Short Range Arrows were made with
lozenge shaped armor piercing heads. Medium Range Arrows
were the equivalent of normal arrows. Their long range arrows
were thin and extremely long, meant to fly far and to prevent
lighter forces from closing quickly. The Huns preferred to keep
their enemies in bow range, and to flee to a safe distance if
closed with. They also used light chariots, like the Celts. The
Huns, like the Goths, extracted a heavy tribute from Rome, and
almost sacked the city of Rome before accepting a tribute, sup-
posedly, of a thousand pounds of gold. The leader of the Huns,
Atilla, was both respected and feared by the Romans, and he
would hold much of Rome hostage, entreating with Popes and
Emperors, until assassinated by an ill-chosen wife.
Bow, Hunnic Horse
The Hunnic bow is a relative of the Mongol bow, and is useable
from horseback. Made to fire while the horse is in full motion,
its lowered grip is intended to make it easier to fire on either side
of the rider. The Huns used various kinds of ammunition, includ-
ing short range sheaf arrows and long range flight arrows.
Arrow, Sheaf
Sheaf arrows are heavier and have an iron head intended to
pierce armor. This gives the sheaf arrow a +1 to hit bonus
against anyone wearing any kind of armor (the armor is less
effective at protecting the wearer). In addition, if the arrow
does do damage to the armor, that damage is at a +1, due to its
added effectiveness against armor.
Arrow, Flight
The Flight arrow is intended to fly farther, and is lighter and
thinner than a standard arrow, but is more fragile and less dam-
aging, doing 1 less point of damage, to a minimum of 1.
114
Saber, Hunnic Early Steel
The prototype of the later slavic saber, this saber was slightly
shorter and more curved, but effective at slashing strikes.
Intended to be used mostly from horseback, it often had embel-
lishment, as Hunnic warriors would inscribe victories, family
marks, and decoration of their sword blades in their spare time.
A rare number of these sported golden hilts, often made from
the many gold tributes the Huns extracted from Rome.
Lariat
Effectively a rope used for combat purposes, the lariat was
generally 20 feet, although it could be longer. Used to lasso rid-
ers and pull them from their mounts, the lariat is an exotic
weapon, whose maximum range is its length. If you hit, the tar-
get is entangled. An entangled creature is a -2 on attack rolls,
and a -4 penalty on effective Dexterity. The entangled creature
can only move at half speed and cannot charge or run. If an
opposed Strength Check is succeeded, can be used to limit the
movement of the entangled foe by the length of the rope. If the
opposed Strength Roll is succeeds by 3 or more, you can opt to
pull the victim from his horse, inflicting falling damage. If an
entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must succeed at a
Concentration check (DC 15) or be unable to cast the spell. The
strength of a mount can be added to any opposed strength roll
if the rope is attached to the pommel.
The entangled creature can escape with an Escape Artist check
(DC 20) that is a full-round action. This rope has 3 hit points,
and a hardness of 1. The ropes length is shortened by 1d6 feet
every time this occurs, but it can be used effectively until it is
only 6 feet long. A rope can be burst with a Strength check (DC
25, also a full-round action).
A rope is only useful against creatures between Tiny and Large
size, inclusive.
The Fall of Rome
The final blow to Imperial Rome would not come from an out-
side invader, but from the very Germans who became the back-
bone of Romes army. More and more Rome relied on allies to
defend itself, and in the end the last Emperor of Rome, Romulus
Augustus, was deposed by his own soldiers and allies, who
established a German Monarchy in Ravenna to administer what
remained of Western Rome. Eastern Rome would try to recover
what it could of the West, but the Germans allowed Eastern
Rome little success, and the Eastern Empire, based in Constan-
tinople, would eventually survive independently as the Empire
of Byzantium. The Roman era ended in the hands of the Ger-
mans, left much of Europe unprotected, dominated by various
Germanic tribes, and in its own Dark Age.
 Rome
Table 4-5: Roman Weapons
Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Tiny
Cestus* 6sp x2 2.5 lbs B L 3/8
Cestus, Spiked* 1.2gp 1d4 x2 3 lbs P LM 4/9
Pugio* 1gp 1d6-1 x2 3 lbs P M 6/9
Small
Branding Iron* 6sp 1d3+1 x2 1.5 lbs B M 3/5
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Small
Dart, Bronze 3sp 1d4 x2 20ft 1.5 lbs P MW 5/5
Dart, Iron 4sp 1d4 x2 20ft 1.5 lbs P MW 6/5
Medium-Size
Javelin, Iron-tipped Heavy 1gp 2d3 x2 30ft 4 lbs P MW 6/12
Pilum, Heavy* 7gp 1d8 x3 30ft 7 lbs P WM 4/19
Pilum, Light* 5gp 1d6 x3 30ft 5 lbs P WM 4/13
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Axe, Throwing Bronze 6gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4.5 lbs S MW 5/14
Axe, Throwing Early Steel 7.5gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4 lbs S MW 7/12
Axe, Throwing Iron 7gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4.5 lbs S MW 6/14
Gladius 9gp 1d6 1920/x2 4 lbs P M 6/10
Lance, Light Irona 5gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs P M 6/12
Medium-Size
Longsword, Early Steel 14gp 1d8 1920/x2 4 lbs S M 7/8
Saber, Hunnic Early Steel 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 3 lbs S M 7/6
Sica 13gp 1d6 1820/x2 5 lbs S M 6/10
Spatha 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 5 lbs S M 6/10
Trident, Iron Headeda 13gp 1d8 x2 10ft 6 lbs P M 6/12
Large
Axe, Iron Double Headed Battle 16gp 1d10 x3 15 lbs S M 6/30
Falx, Dacian* 25gp 1d12 1920/x2 9 lbs S MW 6/18
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Medium-Size
Bow, Hunnic Horse 85gp 1d6 x3 100ft 3 lbs Per arrow W 5/9
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Small
Flagellum* 8gp 1d2 x2 1.5 lbs S C 3/5
Scourge, Metal* 1gp 1d4 x2 2 lbs S CM 3/6
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Medium-Size
Lariat* 4sp 20ft 4 lbs S C 2/8
Net, Retiarii* 20gp 10ft 10 lbs L 3/12
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Arrow, Sheaf 2gp -10ft 3.5 lbs P WM 2/4
Arrow, Flight 2gp -1 +10ft 2.5 lbs P WM 2/3
Bullet, Clay Sling 3cp 1d3 -- -- 3.5 lbs B S 2/4

* See the description in the text for special rules.

Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage
115
 From Stone to Steel
Table 4-6: Roman Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Light Armor
Chainmail Shirt, Bronze 80gp +4 +4 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 27lbs M 5/54
Chainmail Shirt, Iron 90gp +4 +4 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 26lbs M 6/52
Medium Armor
Chainmail, Bronze 130gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 42lbs M 5/84
Chainmail, Iron 140gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 41lbs M 6/82
Hides, Heavy 35gp +3 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 25lbs L 5/50
Leather, Steel Plated 85gp +4 +2 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 26lbs L 7/52
Heavy Armor
Lorica Hamata 170gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs M 6/82
Lorica Segmentata 185gp +5 +3 -4 30% 20ft*/15ft* 39lbs M 6/78
Lorica Squamata 180gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs M 6/82
Mail, Iron Scale and Chain 190gp +6 +0 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 39lbs M 6/78
Mail, Scale and Plate 465gp +7 +0 -8 40% 20ft*/15ft* 51lbs M 6/102
Shields
Scutum 18gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs MW 6/30
Gladiator Armor
Galea# 60gp +1 0% 10lbs M 6/20
Galerus# 45gp +1 15% 7lbs M 6/14
Girdle# 30gp +1 0% 9lbs LM 5/18
Greave# 20gp +0.5 0% 3lbs M 6/6
Leather Arm Wrappings# 10gp +0.5 15% 3lbs L 4/6
Manica# 25gp +1 20% 6lbs L 5/18
Open Faced Helm# 35gp +1 0% 6lbs M 6/12

# See the description in the text for special rules.

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.

116
 The Far East

Ancient China 119 Elite Mongol Horsemen (Prestige Class) 153

Combat Maneuver: Sword Breaking 121 The Successors 154
The Warring States Period 122 The Ming Dynasty 154
Qin Rule & the Steel Era 124 Guang Hu Adventurer (Prestige Class) 155
India 126 Creating your Guang Hu School 157
Alternate Hides 126 Developments in Armor & Weapons 157
The Spread of Buddhism 127 Indian Contributions 158
The Han Dynasty 128 The Moghuls 161
Han Expansion 130 European Colonialism 161
Tibet 130 Other Notables 161
The Red Eyebrows 131 Nepal 161
The Turks 132 Okinawa 162
The Chin Dynasty 132 Malaysia & Indonesia 162
The Gupta Empire 132 Weapons Used in Kuanto and Pentjak 163
The Fall of the Guptas 133 Tribal and Civil weapons 164
A Brief Flourishing 133 Japan 166
The Wudan Movement 135 Outside Influences 167
Improvised Weapon Training 143 The Samurai System 167
The Tang Period 144 Ninja 171
Conquest 145 Ninja (Prestige Class) 173
The Persians 148 The Edo Shogunate 174
Not Weapons 148 New Perform Subskills: 175
The End of an Era 148 Samurai (Prestige Class) 176
The Great Ride 149 Table 5-5: Far East Weapons 178
Guns and Reliability 151 Table 5-6: Far East Armor 184

117
 From Stone to Steel
The abbot has admitted Ta Mo!
Wu Zhengde looked up and blinked the water from his eyes.
The brush stood stiff as a tree, clamped in his cramped
hands. The words still floated in his mind, clouding his
thoughts...
...clinging to views, clinging to doctrines, without describing
the full understanding of clinging to rules and observances
and clinging to a doctrine of self...
What? Wu Zhengde stammered.
The abbot was up on the wall, talking with Ta Mo again.
They spoke for a long time, and then the abbot said to let
him in.
Wu Zhengde struggled to remember who Ta Mo was. After
a few moments it came back to him. Ta Mo: the trouble-
maker. Ta Mo had come from lands south, from the home of
the great Buddha. Wu Zhengde tried to recall Ta Mos true
name. Bodhidharma? It sounded right. Ta Mo had come to
speak with the Emperor, about the transcription of texts.
Word from the capitol was that Ta Mo and the Emperor
disagreed on the merit of transcribing the sacred texts, and
Ta Mo had been asked to leave the Imperial City. Why he
had come to plague this temple was beyond Wu Zhengde to
explain. They were a relatively new temple, built on the
edge of reforested land, and their work was mainly in copy-
ing sacred texts.
When Ta Mo had first come, the abbot turned him away.
The abbot was concerned that Ta Mo would try and stir up
controversy in the temple, as he did in the Emperors Court.
But Ta Mo persisted. He returned every day for a week,
then he appeared to leave. But Monks sent to gather sup-
plies came back telling tales of Ta Mo living in the area,
having taken up residence in a cave. That had been months
and months ago.
Ta Mo came back? Wu Zhengde asked.
Yes, and hes asked to see all the monks. Come quickly.
Easy for you to say, Wu Zhengde exhorted the novice. He
tried to relax his hand, but it took massaging it to get the
fingers to unclamp. Then came the arduous process of leav-
ing his chair, and the painful process of stretching. The halls
were empty when he made his way out of copy room and
into the main temple proper.
In the courtyard the monks were assembled, but the abbot
was nowhere to be seen. Someone was speaking loudly in the
center of the assemblage. Wu Zhengde moved closer.
...all I see is complacency. The teachings of Buddhism
arent merely for the eyes. They must be practiced in all
facets of life. What meditations are you currently working
on? The voice paused, and Wu Zhengde edged his way into
the gathered monks, so he could see the speaker. A short
man, with a wide frame and raven hair stood with his back
to Wu Zhengde, looking at the passive, speechless monks.
118
I see... Ta Mo nodded, and turned to survey the whole
assemblage. So the monks of Shaolin do not even practice
the meditations? His eyes finally landed on Wu Zhengde.
His eyes were dark and piercing. They burned with inten-
sity, and they seemed to make the air crackle with Ta Mos
energy. Wu Zhengde knew instinctively that this man was
gazing into his very soul, and perceiving every fault and
error. Eyes like his could cut through flesh, and convict the
soul. Wu Zhengde now understood how the abbot was con-
vinced to let him in. Eyes that could bore through stone,
even.
What is your name, father, Ta Mo asked of Wu Zhengde.
Wu Zhengde, Master.
What do you do here, Father Wu?
I am a copyist. I copy the sacred texts. Wu Zhengde
smiled, blinking his watery eyes, and doing his best to show
the real pride he bore for his sacred works.
Is that all? Ta Mo asked. When he was Wu Zhengde fal-
ter, he continued. What were you transcribing?
On the nature of clinging, Wu Zhengde answered.
Fitting, Ta Mo answered, addressing the gathered. What
I see here is a monastery clinging to observances, rules, and
habits, without honoring them. You have become compla-
cent in your traditions, and it makes you weak, even to neg-
lect the meditations. While I am here, this will change.
Through discipline you will find meaning.
Ta Mo strode forward, and took Wu Zhengde by the hand.
Selecting a larger monk, Ta Mo drew them both into the
center. Now, Father Wu, strike your fellow monk.
Wu Zhengde was stunned speechless.
Strike him. Do not tell me you are afraid you will hurt
him.
Wu Zhengde saw the smirks in the circle, and steeled his
hand. He threw a feeble punch, and barely struck the larger
monks torso.
No. You put no energy into that. Focus your energy into
your fist. Ta Mo showed a fist.
Wu Zhengdes second punch was no better than the first.
The Ta Mo took a hold of Wu Zhengdes hand. Hold your
hand like this. Ta Mos hand curled the aged monks into a
fist, and held it together almost impossibly hard. It almost
hurt. Now, when you throw your fist, push from here, Ta
Mo indicated a muscle on the shoulder, and here, a muscle
on the back, and here, a muscle on the leg. Wu Zhengde
did not understand, but he tried, clenching his hand even as
Ta Mo let go. He pushed with one fluid motion, and for a
moment every muscle seemed to contribute to the punch.
Wu Zhengde struck his fellow monk, and the larger monk
 The Far East
stumbled backwards and landed on his seat. There was a
collective gasp of surprise.
Ta Mo smiled at Wu Zhengde. Thank you, Father. Never
doubt your chi. Then he turned to the assemblage. We will
begin a new regimen tomorrow morning. You all have much
to learn of being a true monk, and much discipline to learn.
There will be meditations, exercises, a strict diet, and less
copying. Words are only as important as their practice. I
will expect much of you. More, probably, than you expect
of yourself. But if you persevere, you will understand the
true nature of the teachings of the Buddha, and the temple
of Shaolin will stand as a center of true wisdom for all of
China. Ta Mo gazed around the gathering, his piercing gaze
striking each and every one of the attending.
Wu Zhengde still felt the warmth in his hand from the
punch he threw. Bowing, he spoke, Welcome to Shaolin
Temple, Ta Mo.
The others, as if on cue, did likewise. Welcome to Shaolin
Temple.
Ancient China
hile Greece was still mired in its dark age, the Shang
W Dynasty came to a close, ushered out by the rise in power
of the Zhou, a frontier tribe lead by a charismatic chieftain.
Records make it clear that the Zhou were not considered Chinese
by the people who wrote about them, but the fame of their early
rule, particularly that of the first two kings, King Wen and King
Wu, were considered to be of such great benevolence and wis-
dom that hundreds of years later they would be held up as
paragons of virtue and righteous rulers. The Zhou practiced char-
iot warfare, much like the Shang before them, and the chariot
was the mainstay of the Chinese armies, which were lead and
manned by the aristocracy. Evidence suggests that the Zhou
probably came from an area similar to where the Hittites origi-
nated, and they might have had some relation to the Hittites and
Scythians.
The Zhou instituted what is often referred to as a Chinese Feudal
system. The European Feudal system was typified by granting of
fiefdoms to members of aristocracy in order to decentralize gov-
ernance of a nation, but this does not entirely fit the Zhou form
of Feudalism. The Zhou practiced strong intermarriage as a form
of creating bonds of loyalty, and required frequent ratification of
rulership among the leaders they established. Thus a duke might
have the approval of the King, but his chosen heir might lose the
kingdom to another upon inheritance. During the period of the
Shang the oldest surviving brother of the former ruler inherited
lands, but the Zhou changed the inheritance to the eldest son.
This alteration angered more Chinese subjects, and lead to
some weakening of Zhou rule.

2a 2b
1a 4a 4b 4c

1b

1a. Ge (closeup); 1b. Ge; 2a. Bronze Jian; 2b. Jian; 3. Chinese Knife; 4a. Bronze Qiang; 4b. Qiang variation; 4c. Qiang variation

119
 From Stone to Steel
While the Shang relied on bronze and stone technology to arm
their armies, the Zhou began to experiment with iron. This iron
experimentation was loose and rare, and there was often more
wrought ironwork and iron in decorations than there were on the
battlefield. We cannot be certain how extensive ironwork was
during the early or Western period of Zhou rule, mainly
because iron does not persist through the ages as well as bronze
does. The Zhou used both bronze and iron versions of the Ge,
Jian (straight sword), Qiang (spear), Fu (axe), Dao (saber or
curved blade), mace, knife, and arrow. Staves of various compo-
sitions were common weapons, especially for the commoners.
Leather armor and Leather Lamellar were the main forms of
armor used by the military well into the 700s CE, as iron armor
was expensive and heavy, and armies were so large as to make
common usage of iron armor impractical.
Ge
The Ge made the translation into iron during this period. A thin,
dagger-like blade attached near the top of a stick 2 to 4 feet in
length, the Ge is close to being a dagger-bladed axe or pick. The
Ge was the primary weapon of the Chinese military, followed by
5a
5b
6 8
5a. Fu variation; 5b. Fu variation; 5c. Fu; 6. Dao; 7. Iron Grain Sword; 8. Short Staff; 9. Mace Staff; 10. Double Mace
120
the Jian, Dao, And Qiang, and was the predecessor of the Fang
and the Halberd.
Jian
Straight swords in China were usually double edged, and were
frequently decorated at the hilt. Oftentimes the hilts and pom-
mels would be made of brass or plated with gold, especially if
the wielder owned the sword and had money to spend on such
appearances. Carried as often as the Dao, the Jian would see use
throughout Chinese history, and most straight double-edged
swords would follow this mold.
Chinese Knife
Chinese knives were generally curved, rather than straight,
although straight examples can be found. Curved blades are gen-
erally easier to unsheathe quickly, since the action of drawing
them also helps to ready them. The Chinese knife was an often-
traded item, and most neighboring peoples would possess them,
an easy way for modern day archaeologists to track Chinese
influence among other ancient peoples.
5c
7
9 10
 The Far East
Qiang
The Qiang is a long fighting spear, not intended for throwing.
The Qiang was used much like the spears of most other Bronze
and Iron Age empires, usually en-mass, set against a charge or
leading a formation to prevent attacks and injure the unwary.
Although tassels from weapons from this age have long ago rot-
ted away, current practices of the spearhead being ringed with
tassels can be seen in diagrams and paintings of the day, suggest-
ing that this practice may have started during this time.
Fu
The Fu was not a military weapon. Some Fu were about the
length of a hatchet, while others were longer. The Fu was prima-
rily a bodyguards weapon, and a personal guard usually bearing
Fu would often accompany nobles and aristocrats. Often the
workmanship of these Fu was incredible, with family symbols,
elegant forms, and artwork covering the blades. Weapons were
far more acceptable in polite society if their design was aestheti-
cally pleasing.
Dao
The Dao, or curved saber, is a rather generic sword used in the
Chinese military. Dao from this ancient period were generally
the same thickness as the Jian, and were one-handed weapons
only. Later developments of the Dao would look more like a
scimitar or falchion, or would be two handed, but the early Dao
was merely a curved version of the straight sword.
Grain Sword
An offshoot of the Dao, the Grain sword took a number of forms,
usually with a heavier blade. Some versions had indentations on
the unsharpened edge, slots with small bends in them, which
were intended for sword breaking. Similar in form to certain
threshers, it is this pattern that gives them their name. The stats
for the Grain Sword given at the end of this chapter are for the
Grain Sword with the sword-breaking indentations. Use of this
weapon permits the sword-breaking maneuver.
Combat Maneuver: Sword Breaking
Certain items may be specified as being capable of performing
sword breaking maneuvers. Such items are particularly effec-
tive at breaking swords and certain bladed non-sword
weapons. A good rule of thumb is that if the weapon has 6 or
more inches of blade length, and the blade is less than 6 inches
in width, the weapon can be damaged by a sword break
maneuver. This can include weapons like the naginata, sickle
mace, etc.
A sword break maneuver may normally be attempted in either
an active manner or a passive one. An active sword break is
performed as per Striking to Break, (see the durability rules in
the appendix), and the sword breaking item gains an automatic
+3 to any strikes to break.
121
A passive sword break is less work for the weapon bearer, but
is less likely to occur. A player attempting to passively use the
sword break maneuver must elect to fight using a defensive
style, either Fighting Defensively or through elective Exper-
tise reductions. If, during the course of combat, your opponent
should strike your weapon on the strike chart, the defensive
strategy has paid off, and you have caught the attackers blade,
may now attempt a sword break as a free maneuver, without
prompting an attack of opportunity. Since your opponent has
played into your gambit, you need not make the standard
opposed strike checks, but simply proceed with the rules for
Strike to Break as if you succeeded. Roll damage as normal
for both weapons (using the sword breaking weapon's damage
roll, rather than your opponent's weapon damage roll), then
check to see if the break roll succeeds. Note that the strike to
break bonus for sword breaking weapons does not apply to a
passive break attempt.
Short Staff and Mace Staff
Short staves, usually two or three feet in length, composed
entirely of bronze or iron, were uncommon weapons used during
this period. Essentially a metal club, their weight gives them
extra strength for blows, and their size allows them to be carried
by aristocrats, nobles, and just about anyone who might need a
little self protection. A variant of this staff bore a mace head on
one end, and the length allowed the maces impact to be
improved slightly.
Double Mace
A strange hybrid of the Mace Staff, this is a two to three foot
staff with a mace head at one end, a bound handle in the center
of the staff, and another mace head below the handle. The Dou-
ble Mace was an exotic weapon, rarely used, but effective as
both a mace and a brutal punching weapon. The second mace
head, as a light weapon, can be used during a grapple or close
combat.
Archers Thumb Ring
Not really a weapon, the thumb ring is an item common to
archers of this period, usually a loop of bone used to aid in the
draw and firing of a bow. Archers who use the thumb ring may
ignore the first point of fatigue they accrue, although this only
affects their performance while firing a bow. Otherwise all
effects of fatigue apply.
It was during the late Western Zhou period that the crossbow was
also invented. At first machined with bronze parts, it would later
be made with more durable iron. China had a love affair with the
crossbow that the west never had. Crossbows could be given to
anyone, including untrained commoners, and could be fired both
accurately and far. Simple, dangerous, easy to use, and requiring
little practice, the crossbow fundamentally changed the style of
battle in China. As we will see in later periods, the crossbow was
the mainstay of any Chinese army, like the spear was in the
Bronze Age and the sword in the medieval period.
 From Stone to Steel
Light Crossbow
The first crossbow was likely a bow set on a wooden stock, with
an indentation for the thumb or a finger at one end, to allow the
bow to be held drawn and fired when needed. The first recorded
crossbows of the Zhou period were made with bronze or iron
parts, and were designed, so that pressing a trigger released the
thring for the shooter. Made to fire metal darts or Quarrels, the
crossbow swiftly became the staple of the Chinese military, and
every soldier carried one.
The Warring States Period
The Zhou spread their influence by marriage and diplomacy
across much of Northern China, unifying most of the major war-
lords and regions under the Zhou king. But the Zhou had trouble
from the nomadic horse tribes that lived in the Northern Steppes.
The Ronds and the Di enjoyed raiding northern territories, and
the beleaguered Zhou found that mountainous terrain was not
good for chariot warfare. Thus a transition to infantry style
armies began to occur, but not swiftly enough to stop a Rond
raid into the heart of Zhou territory. The mounted Ronds were
able to strike at the Zhou capitol, and in that raid they killed the
Zhou king. His heir was a young boy so a regency was required
with the Duke of Zhou, the kings brother, standing as regent
until the king was old enough to rule. The capitol of Zhou was
then moved farther east, into more civilized lands, so as to pre-
vent another assassination of this kind.
The Zhou never recovered their power, and the many regions of
China held allegiance to the Zhou in word only. War was fought
between regions, and new warlords came to power, declaring
themselves rulers of whatever lands they could conquer. During
this time, chronicled in a history called the Spring and Autumn
Period, the Zhou rule was nominal at best, only effective when a
majority of the states believed the matter was important. At one
time there were 170 states in the Zhou kingdom, but over time
war reduced this number to only seven. These seven states (Qi,
Chu, Yan, Hann, Zhao, Wei and Qin) all had unique cultural
identities, and they often vied with each other for the most power
in the region. As the feudal wars between these nations esca-
lated, China entered the Warring States period, which would see
immense change in the practice of warfare in China.
As mentioned before, the Aristocracy had previously manned the
army. However, this lead to a reduction in the population of the
Aristocracy. Other families were recruited to help maintain the
states of the Aristocracy, and this second aristocratic class, the
Shi, became prominent. Governors, stewards, and members of
the bureaucracy, the Shi were often not replaced when a new
state took power. Instead they were usually kept in place or shuf-
fled to new areas, thus making many Shi apolitical. Since mili-
tary prowess was highly celebrated among the Aristocrats, they
began to practice the Wushu, or Martial Methods during this
period. The Wushu traditions involved weapons practice, martial
discipline, hand-to-hand fighting, throws, and physical develop-
ment. The Wushu traditions would develop throughout history,
and would be the core of the Wudan movement. They would be
122
modified by religion, by social class (as the methods practiced
among aristocracy were very different than those practiced
among the peasantry), and by social events that would change
the focus of martial training. The Martial Arts we know today
come from this Wushu tradition, but it is difficult to determine
exactly how much of what we have today is what was practiced
during the beginning of the tradition.
The Warring States period started about 100 years before
Alexander would rise to power in Macedonia, when the state of
Qi was destroyed by a the Tian clan. This destruction of a major
State lead to a power vacuum, and the other states finally offi-
cially ignored the Zhou rulers and focused on warring among
themselves, in order to make sure that when the dust settled one
state would have the advantage over the others. This lead to State
leaders taking on the title of King (which previously had been
used only for the Zhou emperor), and the seven states (reformed
Qi under the power of Tian, Chu, Yan, Hann, Zhao, Wei, and
Qin) continued this internecine war. During this period a master
smith, Ou Yezi is reputed to have begun development of the
Lungchan weapons, named for their region. A number of these
weapons would see intermittent military use, although they
would eventually become part of the Wudan movement. In the
end the state of Qin finally took prominence, just about the time
that Rome was consolidating power in the Italic Peninsula.
Sword, Seven Star
Made in the Lungchan region, the Seven Star Sword was named
from the seven streams that pass through the valley. A light
straight edged sword, this was Ou Yezis ultimate version of the
Jian, and it set the standard for straight edged swords for many
generations. Owners of a seven star sword took pride in their
craftsmanship and design, and kept them in places of honor.
Seven star swords often sported tassels.
Zhou as Campaign Setting
The Zhou period is an excellent early period to consider run-
ning a Chinese campaign. Choosing some time in the Spring
and Autumn period or the Warring States period means that
there will be an abundance of small kingdoms, each vying for
personal power, and willing to hire heroes to help them estab-
lish dominance. Do the heroes wish to support the ineffectual
Emperor, and help him restore his rule, bringing back the for-
mer glory and beneficent rulership of that bygone era? Or will
they gather behind another ruler, and press his claim to the
throne? Fighter types will likely be members of the flourishing
Wushu movement, stressing perfection in the martial arts, and
their constant drive will be to perfect their martial form.
Monks may be from the south, Hindus, perhaps, or if it is late
enough in the Warring States period, Indian Buddhist Monks
out to proselytize China. Clerics are likely not dedicated to
gods, since religion during this period was considered the
refuge only of the desperate, however they might be members
of the ancestor worship cults. Magic Users are likely Daoist
scholars, controlling the fluctuating forces shaping reality,
learning to manipulate the five elements in their static and
 The Far East
dynamic states. This period is unique among ancient settings
since, although most societies of this period believed they
were at the height of their development, most Chinese of the
time believed the golden age had already past,. Good attention
to detail could make this highly compelling.
incurs all penalties associated with fighting with two weapons as
if they were using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. A
variant of the Kwandao, the Bisento, would eventually be devel-
oped in Japan, which would not have the secondary spearhead.
The Bisento is not a dual weapon.

The falling numbers of the Aristocracy also promoted reforms

Sword, Iron Pudao
in major states, taking the defense of the populace from being
This two handed chopping swords grip is nearly the same length
a responsibility of the Aristocracy and making it the obligation
as the blade. The wide handle allows easy shifting of stances, and
of the peasant class. This change allowed large armies to be
the chopping blade can be quite brutal. These weapons were not
raised, and the focus of warfare shifted from chariots to
quite practical for the battlefield, since wielders could not use
infantry, with armies during the Warring State Period reaching
them in tight formation, due to the required maneuvers. Should an
numbers as high as 600,000 men. This change in emphasis
ally pass through the same square or hex of a Pudao wielder dur-
occurred after the failures by Zhou and State forces against the
ing the combat turn, the Pudao wielder incurs a -2 circumstance
Di and Rond horse tribes, and it lead to consolidation of
penalty to their to hit rolls for that round.
strength in the states.

Kwandao, Iron Monks Spade, Iron

This double weapon bears a rounded chopping blade on one end
of a pole, and a spearhead on the other. The Kwandaos blade
has a small hooked protuberance on the back of the blade that is
intended to facilitate disarms. This hook grants a +1 bonus on
the users opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an
opponent, including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they
fail their disarm attempt. If used as a double weapon, the wielder
This weapon, along with the Monks Cudgel, was developed for
monastery defense. The monks spade is a shovel adapted to bat-
tle. The shovel blade is flat, rather than curved, and the edge is
sharpened. At the other end of the staff is a curved crescent
blade, whose midpoint meets the staff. This is a double weapon,
and if used this way, the wielder incurs all penalties associated

11

12

13

14 15 16 17 18

11. Light Crossbow; 12. Light Crossbow Quarrels; 13. Seven Star Sword; 14. Kwandao; 15. Pudao; 16. Monk's Cudgel; 17. Monk's
Spade; 18. Tiger Fork

123
 From Stone to Steel
with fighting with two weapons as if they were using a one-
handed weapon and a light weapon.
Cudgel, Monks
This weapon is a mace head on the end of a long staff. Usually
measuring 4 feet in length, the Monks cudgel is a two handed
mace designed to help defend monasteries. Usually held over the
head and swung in wide arcs, this weapon gave the aggressive
defender a chance to mercilessly pound invaders from atop
defensive walls. A version of the Monks Cudgel, called the Tet-
subo, was later developed in Japan and was otherwise identical
in statistics to the Monks Cudgel.
Tiger Fork, Iron
The Tiger Fork is a trident developed specifically to hunt tigers.
Tigers were a constant threat in the forests of southern and west-
ern China, and the peasants found that the trident was an apt hunt-
ing weapon, since its multiple tines gave a wielder a better chance
of catching a tiger in mid-pounce. The side tines of the Tiger Fork
are curved slightly outward, so as to better catch an unexpected
charge. The Tiger Fork can be set against a charge. A variant of
the Tiger Fork incorporates a spearhead onto the other end of the
weapon, making it a double weapon. This variant cannot be set
against a charge, and if used as a double weapon, you incur all
penalties associated with fighting with two weapons as if you
were using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon.
Tamo, Iron
An excellent hidden weapon, the Tamo appears to be a wooden
stick only slightly longer than a foot, capped with metal at both
ends. When needed, however, the Tamo user can reveal that the
stick is in fact two daggers sheathed together. This excellent dual
weapon makes a nasty surprise for those who do not expect the
deception, and might well be as useful for a wizard or sorcerer as
for a fighter, since the Tamo might well pass for a wand after a
brief inspection.
Great Wall of China. Built upon the base of a mountain range
separating certain portions of Northern China and Asia from the
bulk of more civilized China, the first Great Wall was neither as
long nor as tall as the modern version. It was established prima-
rily to stave off tribes like the Ronds and Uighur, who were mak-
ing frequent raids.
Li Kwei- Double Axes
Li Kwei was a hero who favored using twin axes. A Wushu
adherent and martial artist, Li Kwei also dabbled in smithing,
designing the characteristic style of axe that would bear his
name for more than two and a half millennia. Many one
handed weapons were paired during the Wushu movement,
and heroes practiced to become masters of two-weapon com-
bat. If you are considering playing a Chinese Setting or with
Chinese heroes, dual weapons should likely be more common,
in fitting with the cultural climate.
Steel Fang
Unlike many of the other common weapons of china, the Ge
would not last into the steel era. The Fang took the place of the
Ge during the Qin period, a superior design that was more effec-
tive as a weapon. The Fangs blade is L shaped, with one dagger-
like blade pointing outwards from the haft and the other end
thrusting up from the end of the haft. Thus the Fang could be like
the Ge was, as a chopping piercing weapon, and also like a
spear, as a thrusting weapon. The Fang would see regular use
until the halberd replaced it.
19

Qin Rule & the Steel Era

22
The Qin rule was relatively short in comparison to most dynas-
ties. They lasted 14 years, only to be toppled by the Han dynasty.
But during Qin rule a number of interesting changes in military 21
practice took place. First, true steel making, using forced air and
advanced smithing techniques, was started during this period.
The stronger metal, flexible yet durable, gave Chinese forces the
most effective weaponry of their period, and Europe would take
ages to match this feat. There was also experimentation with 20
alternate forms of armor, made from exotic materials such as
paper, cord, and unusual animal hides. Though none of these
armors saw extensive use in the military, certain cultural groups
and occupations retained their manufacture, which would lead to
empowerment of the general populace. This is not to say that
most peasants owned or wore armor, but rather that it was often
possible for someone not in the military to purchase and use
armor, which is not often the case throughout history. Most
notable is that the Qin dynasty was responsible for the First 19. Tamo; 20. Steel Fang; 21. Chu Ko Nu; 22. Quarrel, Steel;

124
 The Far East
24
23
23. Chinese Paper Armor; 24. Corded Armor; 25. Rhino Hide Armor
Chu Ko Nu
The Chu Ko Nu was a fascinating development of crossbow
technology unique to China. The Chu Ko Nu sported a wooden
box over the loading mechanism of the crossbow, and an auto-
matic loading mechanism controlled by a wooden handle at the
base of the box. Quarrels were loaded into the Chu Ko Nu, and
could be fired as swiftly as the weapons controller could lift and
drop the handle. Though the range and accuracy of the Chu Ko
Nu left something to be desired, it became the favored weapon
for guards at city walls, the Great Wall, and fortifications, since
it could be prepared and left ready for an attack, and, when
braced, the to hit penalty was negated. Unless the Chu Ko Nu is
braced on a rock, wall, or other stable surface, a -2 to hit modi-
fier must be added for each shot. The Chu Ko Nu can fire 2 shots
per turn. If a character may normally only make a single attack
during a combat round, they can still take the second shot at their
Ranged Combat Bonus -5. The Chu Ko Nus ammunition box
can hold up to 6 quarrels at a time.
Paper Armor, Chinese Pirate
Paper armor seems like an impossible concept. How could
something made of paper be protective enough to justify its use?
To compound this, consider how paper reacts to contact with
water, and it seems doubly strange to consider pirates using
paper as a defense. But the paper of this period was not the thin,
light, fragile paper we use in the modern era. Thicker, with a
heavier grain, and glued in many layers, paper armor was much
125
25
like the linen cuirass of the Greeks, which gained strength from
laminating multiple layers together. Paper armor was extremely
light and, better than no armor at all, could be very practical to
replace after repeated use in combat. Eventually this kind of
armor would be adapted by the Koreans and would become the
template for Jigap.
Corded Armor
Corded armor is composed of corded rope fiber, wrapped in a
laborious pattern into the form of a suit of armor. This process
can take months to complete, and the cord must be wound and
rewound to give the armor strength. Used primarily in Southern
China, corded armor was never used by the military, and was
more commonly seen on conscripts, monks, and mercenaries.
Due to the expense that metal armor could be, corded armor was
often the only alternative for those without wealth who desired
more protection than leather would afford.
Hide Armor, Rhino
Another alternate armor was constructed out of Rhinoceros hide.
This process, too, was arduous, and required great attention to
detail. If properly cured, tanned, and dried, Rhino Hide Armor
was a very effective armor, if bulky. But Rhino hide is very
thick, and the drying process required exact conditions. Fully
25% of the time a suit of Rhino Hide Armor was made, the cur-
ing process failed, and rot set in before it was complete. Rot
could invade the inner layers of the armor that the leatherwork-
 From Stone to Steel
ing process couldnt treat, and would eventually separate the
heavy outer layer from the pliable inner leather layer. The result
would often be armor that fell off of the combatant, fequently in
the middle of combat, when active movements stressed the
armor and promoted tearing and wear. If using the optional
materials rules, roll secretly to determine if a given suit has rot,
and if it does, reduce the maximum and current Structural Rating
by 1 each week.
Another important development during the Qin dynasty was the
establishment of the Silk Road by the Turks. The Turks were an
agglomeration of Turkish Central Asian tribes, commonly consid-
ered barbarian tribes, although they practiced a great deal of com-
merce throughout the region. As trade with Rome and Europe
opened up a strong interest in silk, which was only made in
China, the Turks saw an opportunity for making great wealth, and
they established exclusive caravan routes through the region.
China saw an incredible influx of wealth, and cultural exchange,
and this allowed Turkish and Central Asian tribes to begin to
make inroads among the populations in western China, as well as
allowing more regular communication with India, and thus allow-
ing Buddhism more access to China. Although it did not immedi-
ately have an effect on the military arts, the Silk Road would
become the source of a great deal of conflict, invasion of foreign
ideas, and trade and contact with the West.
India
fter the coming of Alexander a prominent king, Chang-
A dragupta Maurya, saw the potential for Empire in India.
Before this time India was ruled by limited sovereign states,
which often left cities to determine their own administration, not
unlike the situation in Medieval Germany. Changdragupta made
war against the strongest Kingdom (the Nandas) left in power
after Alexanders invasion in hopes of toppling the Alexander-
friendly regime, and then he targeted Seleucus Nicator, the then
viceroy of the Indic holdings of Alexanders Empire. Alexander,
already flagging in health and trying to stabilize his unwieldy
Empire, could lend Seleucus little aid, and Changdraguptas
vision and leadership made him an implacable foe. Seleucus lost
battle after battle against Changdraguptas forces, until he was
forced to surrender all of the territory he had been given gover-
nance over, including much of modern day Afghanistan and Pak-
istan. This peace offering was sealed with the marriage of
Seleucuss daughter to Changdragupta, and the Maurya Empire
was born.
Changdragupta united most of Northern India during his reign.
His armies bore the benefits of their contact with Persia and
Macedonia, using swords like the kopis and akinakes, battle
axes, maces, a kind of sickle, daggers, long spears, tridents,
throwing sticks, bows, javelins, leather armor, studded leather
and bezainted leather, iron lamellar and small and large shields.
Among those armaments would undoubtedly be the katar, a
strictly Hindu weapon that is noted to be the oldest weapon in
India. No examples of these weapons survive to the present, but
126
at this time it is assumed that the handle would have been crafted
from a hard wood, and the blade from bronze or iron. The Mau-
ryan army also used War Elephants as platforms and as chaotic
juggernauts of random violence. A form of barding was even
developed, made of leather, studded leather, bezainted leather, or
iron lamellar, just for Elephants. Cavalry was not as widely used,
although in time this knowledge would be exchanged along the
Silk Road.
Alternate Hides
Leather need not be from a cow. Often a culture would
endorse one kind of animal for the majority of its hides, like
Bison for the Native Americans, or Cattle for Europe. But
leather in the Far East could often be taken from tigers, goats,
deer, or horses, as well as cattle. In India, where Hindu society
prohibited the killing of cows, leather had to come from
another source, and besides the animals already mentioned,
that leather sometimes came even from elephants. In a fantasy
world, these alternate hides and leather armors might well be
particularly prone to certain enchantments, such as deer armor
with movement enchantments or tiger armor with offensive
enchantments.
Bezainted Leather
Bezainted Leather armor is leather with ring-shaped studs. Since
the stud is larger, bezainted leather is more effective than regular
studded leather at turning blades. Since the stud is ring-shaped, it
also has a better chance of halting thrusts and impaling weapons
than the standard studded leather. A version of this armor was
made for horses and elephants as barding.
Katar
The Katar is a Hindu weapon based on an entirely different
premise than most daggers. The handle of the Katar is composed
of two bars with a horizontal pair of handles between them. This
allows the user to grasp the handle in their fist, and thrust with
the Katar blade as if punching. Generally the Katar was the
length of a short sword, although smaller versions, called punch-
ing daggers, were known to exist.
Veecharoval
A curved slashing weapon, often referred to as a sickle axe,
although it most resembles a curved sword set off from its
wooden haft, the Veecharoval is an ancient Indian weapon only
found among western tribes. The Veecharoval descends from the
sickle, like so many other kinds of swords, but the sharpened
edge is on the outside of the curve, rather than the inside. Made
of Bronze or Iron, these would have a subtle influence on the
two main sword developments of India.
Hora
The Hora is a hand weapon used in much the same way as
knuckledusters are today. Made from animal horn, the Hora is
clutched in the hand, so that a jagged, sharp-edged portion proj-
 The Far East
ects from the front of the fist. Like the Katar, the Hora is a
weapon used in the same manner that a person punches. A per-
son making an attack with a Hora automatically does normal
damage, rather than subdual damage, plus one. Punching with
the Hora still promotes an attack of opportunity, like any normal
unarmed strike. Should a person armed with the Hora have the
Advanced Unarmed Strike Feat, they can use the Hora without
attracting an attack of opportunity.
Elephant Barding
Elephant Barding was common in India, due to the large num-
bers of elephants used in most Indian militaries. Leather, Stud-
ded Leather, Bezainted Leather, and even Iron Lamellar armor
were made to be draped over the back of an elephant, so as to
cover the majority of the animal. The weight of even a leather
suit of Elephant Barding was oppressive, and multiple men
might be needed to prepare an elephant for metal armor. If an
elephant had particularly rich armor and was killed in battle,
scavengers were know to saw off portions of armor and melt
them down for the gilt or iron in their weave.
26a
27a
27b
26b
26a. Bezainted Leather Armor; 26b. Bezainted Leather Horse Barding; 27a. Katar; 27b. Katar; 28. Veecharoval; 29. Hora
127
The Spread of Buddhism
Changdraguptas son Asoka completed his fathers empire and
brought all of India under one rule. But in his greatest conquest,
Asoka was responsible for a blood bath, where more than
100,000 people died in battle (which was extreme, considering
the general size of Indian armies), and more than that were taken
prisoner. So stricken was Asoka that he embraced Buddhism, and
the rest of his reign was shaped by this conversion. A great many
laws were enacted to help enforce proper behavior and living, and
learning and religion were encouraged and exported, with Bud-
dhist Missionaries traveling throughout Burma and South East
Asia, as well as North into China. Buddhisms spread would have
a marked effect on much of the region, and would lead to a sur-
prising number of interesting combat developments.
In the end the Maurya line lost the power to hold onto conquered
lords. The Mauryan Empire fractured and broke up into king-
doms again, but the precedent of a pan-Indian Empire had been
set. Later powers would again rule over this land of deep faith
and culture, but for the next few hundred years Northern India
would be conquered by various powers, from Bactrian Greeks to
Parthians (Persians) to long gone cultures like the Shakas and
29
28
 From Stone to Steel
30a
30b
30c
30. various Elephant barding
Kushians. Western India would take the greatest impact of these
invasions, and the multicultural exposure of this region would
lead to a great trade of ideas with those nations west of India.
These various cultural groups would eventually introduce chain-
mail to India, but for now Hindu culture retreated to the Deccan
region, and chaos seemed to reign in the North.
128
The Han Dynasty
s India was experiencing the full flush of the Mauryan
A dynasty, the Quin dynasty came to an end, as military lead-
ers finally withdrew their support from the Emperor. The last
remaining general assassinated the final Qin Emperor, and for a
period of time there was civil war. A number of warlords
attempted to claim the throne, but eventually the royal house of
Han, not to be confused with the Hann state of the Warring States
Period, came into power. They would remain in power (except
for a brief period of usurpation lasting from 9-24 AD) from the
end of the second century B.C. to the early part of the second cen-
tury A.D. Han rule experimented with adopting philosophical and
spiritual movements in China, reforming the bureaucracy and
army, and creating a strong national identity in China. After the
Han period, the majority population of Chinese would consider
themselves Han, a sign of the indelible impact the Han rule had
on society.
By the end of the Qin period, chariot warfare was all but aban-
doned. Still, the Han had to face raids and opposition from
horse-bound tribes that lived in mountainous regions. The
Uighor and certain Turks were a constant threat that gave the
military incredible prominence in China. Slowly the Chinese
military began to adopt cavalry, although it would take many
centuries for cavalry troops to become a standard, often because
of the lack of stirrups, bits, and pommels. In the meantime,
China began to develop halberds to counter charges. The use of
lances was also adopted from the raiding tribes, and the Chinese
began to experiment with whips. A metal tipped whip proved
most useful in warfare, but only when using it to trip other
horses or pull riders from their mounts. The whip also entered
the civil arena, and experimentation eventually lead to the multi-
segment chain, which would persist in various forms and lengths
through Chinese history. The crossbow was also redesigned,
using better machined parts, and both bolts and arrows for Chi-
nese bowmen were commonly poisoned.
Halberd, Chinese
The Chinese Halberd is relatively easy to recognize, due to the
nature of the blade. Usually the blade of a Chinese halberd is
crescent shaped, with two metal extensions holding it to the pole.
The pole itself often had a spearhead, so that the Chinese Hal-
berd could be used for thrusting or chopping, and could be set
against a charge. Often tassels would be attached to the halberd,
to distract opponents. Like all halberds, the Chinese Halberd
may be used to trap a shield and perform trip maneuvers.
Lance, Chinese
The Chinese lance is a long, heavy spear, inherited from the Tur-
kic tribes of Central Asia. Usually these lances were carried
across the saddle, so as to use the horse to brace the charge. Still,
without a guard or brace, the spear was not optimally set, unlike
lances of the Late Medieval period. Chinese lances often sported
tassels around the spearhead.
 The Far East

33
31

34
32

36a

36b

35

36c

31. Chinese Halberd; 32. Chinese Lance; 33. Steel Barbed Chinese Whip; 34. Segmented Chain; 35. Modern Chinese. Crossbow;
36. Whistling Arrow
Whip, Steel Barbed Chinese
The Steel Barbed Chinese Whip was a leather whip with a single
fearsome barb at the end. This barb made any damage normal
damage, rather than subdual damage, although the armor penal-
ties of the whip still made it difficult to damage an armored foe.
The whip deals no damage to any creature wearing armor of at
least +1 armor bonus, and does no damage to a creature with a
+3 natural armor bonus. Although kept in the hand, it is treated
as a ranged weapon with a maximum range of 10 feet, and no
range penalties. Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb,
it may also be used to make trip attacks. If an opponent attempts
to trip you during your own trip attempt, you can drop the whip
to remain standing. Those using a whip gain a +2 bonus on their
opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt. This whip is considered an exotic weapon. You
may use the Weapon Finess feat to apply the characters Dexter-
ity modifier instead of the Strength modifier to attack rolls with
a whip. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Chain, Segmented
Generally these chains had a wooden handle, and then a variable
number of segments, usually from 6 to 9, each segment consist-
ing of a 3 to 4 inch steel bar linked on either end to a similar
length of bar with chain loops. The last chain segment usually
ended in a blunt flat tip, often sharpened. The segmented chain
does normal damage, and does not have the armor penalties
common to most whips. A segmented chain has reach. You can
strike opponents 10 feet away with it but, unlike other reach
weapons, you can also use it against an adjacent foe. Because it
can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to make
trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you
can drop the chain in order to avoid being tripped. Those using
this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when

129
 From Stone to Steel
attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep
from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. The Seg-
mented Chain is considered an exotic weapon. You can use the
Weapon Finesse feat to use a characters Dexterity modifier
instead of the Strength modifier on attack rolls with a Segmented
Chain. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Crossbows, Modern Chinese Light and Heavy
During the Han period the mechanisms of the Light and Heavy
Crossbows were improved substantially, allowing easier repair
of machines parts and better range. The Crossbow was the back-
bone of the Han Armies, and became ubiquitous in stories, draw-
ings, and accounts of the time period. These crossbows were
often imitated by neighboring states, although most horse-bound
troops still preferred the regular bow to the crossbow.
Chu Ko Nu, Improved
The Chu Ko Nu was improved during this time, improving both
the amount of Quarrels it could hold and the accuracy of the
weapon. Although it still was not as accurate as a regular cross-
bow, it was still favored for defensive use, since it could put a
high volume of quarrels in the air at one time. If you are using
the optional equipment damage system, you should note that this
improved version is also more difficult to damage. Unless the
Improved Chu Ko Nu is braced on a rock, wall, or other stable
surface, a -1 to hit modifier must be added for each shot. The
Improved Chu Ko Nu can fire 2 shots per turn. If a character
may normally only make a single attack during a combat round,
they can still take the second shot at their Ranged Combat Bonus
-5. The Improved Chu Ko Nus ammunition box can hold up to
8 quarrels at a time.
Arrow, Whistling
The Whistling Arrow may well be of Hunnic origin. An arrow,
designed with a cavity that catches air while in flight and lets out
a loud whistling sound, the Whistling Arrow was used for multi-
ple purposes in the Chinese military. Officers who fired a
whistling arrow during maneuvers or during battle expected to
be obeyed by every man who could hear him. Sometimes preset
signals for advance or retreat were linked to a whistling arrow
with a specific tone. Whistling arrows were often used during
recreational hunting, to give hunters an idea as to where a kill
landed by the direction the sound came from. Although the
Whistling Arrow may often be broken after firing, there is a 50%
chance that the whistling arrowhead is still salvageable, so that a
new head does not have to be crafted for a new whistling arrow.
Han Expansion
Han emperors sought to extend the borders of China, as had the
Qin before them, reasoning that by conquering more territory
there would be less land for their enemies to attack from. Han
holdings eventually extended into Korea and as far south as Viet-
nam, and the cultural influence of that Chinese rule would allow
cultural exchange. Korean culture adopted the paper armor of
China and developed a more resistant form, Jigap, which would
130
be passed down to modern day. The Wushu and later martial arts
developments of China would be carried on in Buddhist temples
and shrines in Vietnam, further diversifying the eastern martial
arts. During this time certain coastal tribes in Korea would begin
settling Japan, which would eventually be recorded in early his-
tories as the land of Wa. Small islands in the South China Sea
would also see settlement, such as Formosa, the Philippines,
Indonesia, and Okinawa. Many of these islands, including
Japans main islands, had other native peoples; usually Stone
Age societies, and their cultural fusion would later result in alter-
ations of religion, weapons, martial styles, and histories.
Armor, Jigap
An improvement on the original paper armor, Korean Jigap is
still used during this day and age. Made with thick paper and
layered until it had the tensile strength of corrugated cardboard,
Jigap armor also included a treatment process that made the
paper more resistant to water damage. Effective and relatively
easy to make, (as compared to, say, metal armors) Jigap was a
reasonable alternative for non-military personnel, like pirates.
Tibet
Chinas enemies also made advances, and new enemies began to
surface. The Tartars, Turks, and Xiongnu found that attacks on
border settlements could be very profitable, and imperial Chi-
nese often paid tribute rather than fight costly and pointless wars.
Tibet, as well, finally came into contact with the southern portion
of China, and Tibetan horsemen were the scourge of the southern
mountains, wielding compound bows, curved sabers, Indian
lamellars, and a variety of Persian and Indian weapons. The
Tibetans also had an interesting variant of the bow, the pellet
bow, which was likely used only for hunting. It is unclear exactly
when this was developed, or whether this invention was origi-
nally a Tibetan one, but the Tibetans used it widely, and most of
their neighbors tended to use the Tibetan form of this bow. China
would later develop a sport crossbow along the same conceptual
line. Another bow development that seems to have started or
centered around Tibet was the hinged bow. Again, the time of
development is indeterminate, and the use of such bows around
Tibet is the only strong evidence that the Tibetans may have
developed them. Other unique weapons of Tibet included a spi-
raled spear and an exorcists knife.
Material: Lacquer
Lacquer is a way to coat and seal wood, so as to make it
harder and more resistant to the elements. Any wooden object
coated in Lacquer has its hardness increased by one, and is no
longer subject to wood rot. Lacquered wood can hold an edge,
and is better than normal wooden bladed weapons.
Bow and Crossbow, Pellet
Found in a general proximity of two hundred miles from ancient
Tangut, pellet weapons are generally used for sport hunting. The
key difference between a regular bow or crossbow and a pellet
equivalent is that there are two drawstrings, rather than one, and
 The Far East
between them a small leather pouch is suspended, inside of
which rests the clay hunting pellet. The pellet is a bludgeoning
weapon that inflicts subdual damage, rather than normal dam-
age. This is the Far Easts response to the sling, as the sling was
not regularly used in the Far East.
Bow, Short and Long Hinged
Hinged bows were often constructed from old, used bows, or
items that made excellent bow material but were not long
enough to be a full bow. Hinged at the grip, these bows were far
more compact than a normal bow, and could be carried unobtru-
sively before being set up for firing. Usually a catch helped to
keep the hinged bow straight during the draw, however there is a
50% chance that any metal damage breaks the hinge and makes
the bow useless until the hinge is replaced.
The Dung
A spear with an ornate spiraled handle and a long double-edged
blade, the Dung is a strong, heavy thrusting spear. The spiral pat-
tern made the weapon stronger, and the dung could also be used
as a lance in a pinch.
Phurbu
The Phurbu is a unique dagger, intended for exorcisms. Usually
used by Tangut shamans, this weapon was used to let blood from
37
39
41a
38
40
37. Jigap; 38. Pellet Crossbow; 39. Hinged Bow; 40. The Dung; 41. Phurbu; 42. Tangut Armguards; 43. Silk Padded Armor
131
a patient believed to be afflicted by an evil spirit or demon, so as
to allow the demon to flee the body. In a fantasy setting, should
this weapon be blessed as per the cleric spell, it also temporarily
gains the ability to affect the insubstantial, as though it were a
magical item with the ghost touch ability. Should a person use a
Phurbu to draw blood from a possessed victim, the victim gains
an automatic extra will save to resist the possession.
Armguards, Tangut
The Tangut warriors often sported ornate armguards, leather
armbands often plated with iron in intricate patterns. These arm-
guards might make excellent vessels for enchantments improv-
ing aim, horsemanship, attacking skills, or weapon damage.
The Red Eyebrows
In the first part of the Han dynasty there was a tendency to
reserve high stations in the Imperial Bureaucracy for members of
prominent houses. This ostensibly protected the power of the
aristocracy and the shi, but lead to families campaigning against
each other for key offices, and eventually became so rampant
that a former Empress was able to engineer a coup and place her
nephew in power. Wang Mang briefly broke the Han dynasty
and attempted to establish his own dynasty, called the Hsing.
Wang Mangs dynasty was short-lived however, as it was inter-
rupted by a civil revolt, as a peasant army rose up to oppose him.
42 43
41b
 From Stone to Steel
Called the Red Eyebrows, for their tendency to paint the top half
of their head read, this revolt broke the power of the Hsing mili-
tary. It took little for a Han family member to raise a token mili-
tary force and reinstate the Han Dynasty, which was welcomed
back by popular consent, although certain populist leaders were
unhappy with the way their revolution was hijacked by the Han.
The lessons of the brief usurpation of Wang Mang lead to a
reform of the bureaucratic placement procedures, and many of
the major offices of the Chinese Imperial Government were
awarded to graduates of Chinas extensive and impressive exam-
ination system, which conceivably allowed people from any
walk in life to enter government service.
Padded Armor, Silk
Padded Armor in China came from the common clothing of the
people, worn in layers and reinforced with silk. Silk is an
extremely strong material, light, and durable. This kind of
padded armor was far superior to the padded armor of Europe,
and wearers of this padded armor take fatigue from exertion at
half the normal rate, due to the excellent ventilation of this
armor. Silken Padded Armor is the only armor light and unre-
strictive enough to be worn while sleeping without incurring the
standard sleeping with armor penalties.
The Turks
The Xiongnu, a turko-mongolian people from whom it is sus-
pected the Huns descended, gained power during the first Han
Dynastic period, eventually subsuming the Rond and Di, and
subjugating other Turkish tribes. Horsebound, nomadic, wearing
leather, and armed with iron sabers, composite bows, and lariats,
the Xiongnu were adept horsemen who evaded the slower Chi-
nese armies and made it difficult for Chinese border colonies to
prosper. As the second Han Dynasty began to flourish, the
Xiongnu were in the midst of an internal split, which members
of the tribes comprising the Xiongnu in a furor over succession.
The Han, seeing an advantage, pledged financial support of the
closer faction, and eventually a civil war erupted, which forced
this southern faction to petition for settlement and entry into the
Chinese Empire. The Chinese, happy to have border barbarians
guard their weak territory, accepted. This agreement later would
prove ill advised, as reconciliation eventually lead the Xiongnu
in Chinese territory to invite in their former enemies, and China
was forced to go to war with the whole of the Turkestan.
This war was costly and brutal. The Xiongnu fought fiercely, and
other foes of China, the Jurchen of Korea, the Tibetans, various
Turkic tribes of Central Asia, and internal insurgency by a grow-
ing number of overtaxed peasants severely weakened the Han
state. While the Han could and did defeat and drive out invaders
from all quarters, it would eventually be most destabilized by
another popular revolution, lead by a cabal of civil leaders called
the Yellow Turbans. This revolution, combined with the
untimely death of an Emperor who had yet to name a successor
set the stage for a drama that would be commemorated in the
historical fiction story The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
132
The Chin Dynasty
For sixty years the nations of Wei, Shu, and Wu would fight to
reunite the Chinese Empire. Eventually, Cao Cao of the Wei
nation would bring together an alliance Chinese elite infantry
with horsemen and horse archers from neighboring tribes like
the Xiongnu, Xiongpei, Wu-huan, and Chiang. This mighty
force would conquer the Shu, and their combined forces con-
quered the Wu, and the most powerful military family elevated
their leader as scion of a new Dynasty, the Chin. But the Chin
dynasty would fail for the Emperors first act, which was to dis-
solve that same formidable army that put him in power. Or actu-
ally, he attempted to dissolve it. Other families retained control
of what military units they could afford to maintain, and some of
the other forces became minor powers in their own right, either
selling their weapons and armor to the enemies of the state or
retaining power in the lands they occupied. The Chins dissolu-
tion of their army left them defenseless when the Huns, a newly
formed tribe, invaded China. Armed with better weapons than
the Turkic tribes and virtually unopposed, the Huns conquered
the Chin dynasty nine years after it assumed control. The Huns
tried to claim being descendants of the Han, due to intermar-
riages from decades past, but the claim never took hold, and the
Huns never established a Dynasty. Instead, they eventually
moved west, and China was left in a shambles.
The Gupta Empire
hile many empires take power in war, the Gupta Empire
W is a notable example of an empire that gained prominence
from marriage and politics more than the sword. Not to say the
sword was unnecessary. The Gupta family appears to have been
a mercantile family that purchased their way into power. Chan-
dra Gupta I was the first leader of the Gupta nation, and he,
indeed, brought armies to bear on other northern Indian King-
doms, eventually conquering the whole of the Ganges Valley.
His grandson, who would also bear his name, would campaign
against the Chakras, but it would be his marriage to a prominent
chieftains daughter, a member of the Satavahana kingdom,
which dominated much of Southern India that would bring the
Guptas to their greatest power.
But the Gupta dynasty came to power at an importune time. The
Roman Empire was fading, and with it the trade along the Silk
Road. In addition, turmoil in China cut down on trade, and the
Guptas had to strengthen trade with their eastern neighbors. This
trade increased the spread of Buddhism and Indian philosophy.
This melding of Chinese and Indian influences would greatly
shape the weapons development and philosophies of these
regions, and would create a number of fascinating offshoots.
The common weapons of the Gupta armies included influences
from the invaders and barbarian tribes as well as traditional Indian
weapons. The kopis was being adapted, and statuettes and draw-
ings show two directions the curved Persian sword was develop-
ing. The first was a thicker bladed chopping sword, similar to the
 The Far East
scimitar, which shows a great deal of later Persian influence. The
second was a thinning of the blade, and a reverse of the curve, the
beginning of the Tulwar. To these two weapons was added the Kri-
tant axe, a wide bladed battleaxe that Samudra Gupta, Chandra
Gupta Is son, took from a neighboring tribe as the sign of the
Right to Kingship. Chainmail began to see use in India, although
only with officers, as the hot climate made maintenance an issue,
as rust and heat could cripple a soldier as easily as any blade.
Finally the horse and lance were becoming common features in
Indian Armies, both from Persian and Turkic influence.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is perhaps the most popular
published book in Asia. Written by Luo Guanzhong during the
Ming Dynasty, this book details the struggle between three
generals for control over all of China. The story is of epic
length, with modern English translations totally 1500 pages.
For those interested in playing a low or no magic China setting
there can be no better source for heroic adventure ideas and
concepts. This work is historical fiction, deeply steeped in the
historical events of the time, but written as fiction to bring out
the human drama and the character of the three main charac-
ters. The power of this story has lead to many computer games
based on this novel, some of which are available outside of
China.
Scimitar, Iron Indian (Ahir)
Heavy of blade, with a thick chopping head, the scimitar would
eventually become synonymous with Arabian and Islamic cul-
ture. The scimitar, however, was an amalgam of various devel-
opments across most of southern Asia, with various experiments
involving the curve of the blade, the point (or lack of a point),
and the weight of the blade. The scimitar is based on the concept
that a heavy blade gives a blow more impact, and the average
combatant merely tried to get good momentum behind a blade,
with the intent being to let the blade do most of the work. The
scimitar variants of this period, like the Ahir, were heavy blades,
with a slight curve near the tip, sometimes sporting hand guards.
Tulwar, Early Iron (Halab)
The Tulwar is a thin curved blade, good for slicing and defensive
maneuvers. The curve of the Tulwar usually came midway down
the length of the blade, and this curve made the blade easier to
draw and ready, and supported slicing strikes while in close
proximity with other friendly combatants. The Tulwars of this
period, like the Halab, were not yet truly pointed, usually focus-
ing on slashing attacks. As chainmail became more common a
thrusting tip was added.
Axe, Kritant, Bullova, Khond
A variety of axes became common in Indian warfare at this time.
The Kritant, as mentioned before, was a wide-bladed axe, often
to be seen on the coin of the period, and generally associated
with royalty among the Kritantic peoples. The Bullova are actu-
ally a number of varieties of axe, usually crescent shaped, and
133
thinner bladed than the Kritant. The Khond axes came from the
same region as the Bullova, but usually had a bifurcated or split
head, which made it less likely to lodge in a wound.
Axe, Naga War
The Naga War axe was used primarily in Assam. A large bladed
axe on a long pole, this weapon generally bore a tassel on the
opposite end, and was used by the primitive Naga people of this
region for tribal defense. Older version of this axe had a more
traditional rounded head, but more modern Naga War Axes have
inverted triangular heads, an improvement that came with steel.
Ankus
The Ankus is a descendant of the elephant goad, a small, sharp
stick used to control elephants. The Ankus was a later adaptation
that developed an entirely new purpose. The Ankus is a short
thrusting spear, less than two feet in length, with a sharp thrust-
ing head at the point, and a hook curving out from the base of the
spear head. This backwards curving hook was used primarily to
shield trap, and since the Ankus was light, it allowed the shield
trapper to make an attack with the opposite hand, if the Ankus
wielder had a weapon in that hand. Using the Ankus to shield
trap still provokes an attack of opportunity, and the lack of
mobility that any shield trapping action requires still leaves the
Ankus wielder open to danger.
Gadha
The Gadha is a great club with a rounded, almost spherical head,
which is used in an uniquely Indian martial arts called Kalari
Payatt. The gahda, at the base, is about three inches in diameter,
but the club widens to nearly eight to twelve inches at the spheri-
cal head. It is said that the oldest versions of the Gadha were
crafted of iron, although later versions were crafted of hard-
wood. With a length of 3 to 4 feet, the Gadha is a heavy but dam-
aging weapon.
The Fall of the Guptas
Eventually the Hunas, an alliance of tribes from the Kritantic
region struck south and struck down the Gupta reign. Despite the
similarity of their names with the Huns, the Hunas were of no
relation, and the name comes more from the region they invaded
from than from any cultural relation. Indeed, the Hunas were so
loosely affiliated that when they conquered the Gupta Empire,
they did not even attempt to establish domain in India, and
returned with their loot to the mountains they came from. With
the royal family destroyed, the Gupta Empire devolved again
into various kingdoms, and this left Northern India open to inva-
sion and subjugation by the Persians.
A Brief Flourishing
China had entered a period of disunity. In the north warlords
fought amongst each other, attempting to reassert Empire, while
in the south Kingdoms were established in wealthier regions,
and these fought games of politics amongst each other while
 From Stone to Steel

44

45
49 50 51

46a 46c 46e 47

46b 46d 46f

48

44. Iron Indian Scimitar; 45. Early Iron Tulwar; 46a46d Bullova Axe varieties; 46e46f Khond axe varieties; 47. Naga War Axe;
48. Ankus; 49. Long Bar Flail; 50. Chinese Broadsword; 51. Long-Handle Nine Ring Sword
opposing the Northern States. Still, in the forge of war steel is
Cult of Kali
tempered, and eventually a Northern warlord won through and
There is no record of when the Cult of Kali was founded,
established the Tsui dynasty. As short-lived as the Qin, the Tsui
although records first mention them in the 600s. Based on
attempted to do too much on an almost non-existent budget.
certain revelations, the Cult of Kali was established to fight
Rather than consolidating control and establishing effective lines
against so called demons that masqueraded as men among
of taxation, the Tsui Emperor spent money on battles with the
the true chosen people of Kali. Also known as the Thuggees,
Jurchen, who had taken the whole of Korea back, as well as
they were a cult of murderers who traveled throughout India,
building the Great Canal and erecting much of what is todays
passing themselves off as regular travelers and waylaying
Great Wall. The Great Wall was never an effective deterrent of
individuals in large groups, killing those who were considered
barbarian aggression, and was primarily built to build up support
of the demon race. Their favored method of murder was stran-
among the southern states and the shi, who were afraid of bar-
gulation, usually using a strangle cord, often worn as a belt to
barian encroachment. With insolvency rampant, the populace
disguise its purpose. As soon as the victim was lulled into false
revolted against the Tsui, and corruption and assassinations
confidence and was unwary, they would be murderer would
ended what the peasants could not.
slip the cord over their victims head and then draw it tight,
asphyxiating their target. The hatchet was also a favored
weapon, used to dismember corpses or to take down particu-
larly resistant foes. The Cult of Kali thrived in various forms
throughout this period, although during the colonial period no
Thuggee ever attacked a British citizen.

134
 The Far East
In a fantasy setting, Kalis domains would likely be Evil,
Death, Trickery, and Strength, and her favored weapons would
be the Strangle Cord and Hatchet. Kali is a death goddess,
whose dancing is said to hasten the end of the world. Goddess
of Blood and Cemeteries, her clerics oppose the undead as
robbing their Mistress of her due, and they turn undead rather
than rebuke them. It is up to the GM to determine what group
of people the fantasy Kali cult might target as demons.
The Wudan Movement
he Tang Dynasty replaced the Tsui, although not without
T difficulty. While fighting remnant forces of Tsui loyalists, Li
Shimin, the emperor to be of the Tang, was defeated and taken
hostage. The fledgling Tang dynasty appealed to the Shaolin
monks of the region to send support. Legend says that the
Shaolin sent 13 monks to rescue Li Shimin, although some
records note that as many as 113 monks were sent. Though they
faced nearly 5000 men in mountainous terrain, the Shaolin
monks defeated the remnant Tsui forces and recovered Li
Shimin. Li Shimin later took the throne and granted the Shaolin
monks land and more religious freedoms than Buddhists had
ever seen in China to date. The martial arts fighting styles of the
Shaolin (Gongfu, called Kung Fu in the West) became more
popular, and would eventually spawn the Wudan movement.
Shaolin
The story of the Shaolin is a story of cross-cultural influence.
Bodhidharma, a Buddhist Priest from India, traveled to China
to meet with the Emperor, to talk with him about the
Emperors translation of Buddhist texts. On his return trip,
Bodhidharma came across the Shaolin temple, and petitioned
for entrance, but was denied access to the temple because the
abbot distrusted Bodhidharmas intentions. Legend says that
Bodhidharma undertook a trial, going to a nearby cave and
meditating while staring at the cave wall. It is said that after 9
years Bodhidharmas gaze bored through the cave wall, and
the monks of the temple came and asked him to enter, as his
discipline and dedication was no longer questioned.
When Bodhidharma was admitted it quickly became obvious
that the monks of the Shaolin temple were in poor shape. The
bulk of the Shaolin monks time was spent transcribing the
holy texts, and their hunched figures and weak frames were
deemed incapable of performing the traditional Buddhist med-
itations. Bodhidharma instituted exercise rituals, in order to
strengthen the bodies of the monks, so that they might perform
their duties more ably, and these exercises included early box-
ing forms.
Eventually these exercises became true martial arts, ritualistic
hand combat techniques that stressed body awareness and
avoidance of conflict. This fighting style became known as
Gongfu, and as the popularity of Shaolin practices increased,
more temples would be established, and styles of Gongfu
would develop in other regions of China. The Monk class of
the Players Handbook is loosely based on these historical
Shaolin Monks.
The Wudan movement in China was a second flourishing of the
Wushu movement, a refinement and emphasis on martial artistry.
Today we think of the martial arts as hand-to-hand combat in a
ritualistic manner, but in this time period martial arts encom-
passed the expertise and skill of all aspects of the military or
martial tradition. The Wudan period was a watershed time, last-
ing for nearly 600 years, where a great variety of weapons were
developed and included in schools of fighting. Besides the com-
mon weapons like sword, axe, or spear, may of these weapons
developed from common tools or as variations on already exis-
tant weapons of the period, and their use was often limited.
Wudan weapons were more about fighting style than about war-
fare. Still, any Middle Imperial Chinese setting would feel empty
without these weapons. In addition to steel versions of the
Lungchan weapons, the following weapons were among the
more exotic weapons practiced, although common military
weapons were also part of this movement.
Flail, Long bar
The long bar flail (or di sow gee) consists of a four to five foot
haft, a short chain, and another foot of wooden pole. An exagger-
ation of the common grain flail, this weapon is a long range
bludgeoning weapon. The long bar flail can be used to make trip
attacks, usually through a low, ground-sweeping attack. If you
are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the long
bar flail in order to avoid being tripped. This weapon is a shield
bypass weapon.
Broadsword, Chinese (Nine Ring Broadsword)
The Chinese broadsword is the steel inheritor of the seven star
sword legacy. Bearing the same heavy chopping blade, the
lighter steel manufacture and changes in weapon weighting
eliminated the hoop pommel and improved its balance. A variant
of this broadsword, known as the nine-ring broadsword, has a
series of nine rings in the back of the blade, and these rings may
be used to perform a sword break maneuver.
Sword, Long-Handle Nine Ring
This is actually a pole-arm version of the nine-ring broadsword.
The pole is generally 6 feet in length, and the blade of the
sword is another three feet long. This heavy weapon can be
used to perform the sword break maneuver, like the original
broadsword, and is considered a reach weapon. A reach weapon
may strike targets ten feet away, but not targets within that range.
Halberd, Double
Also sometimes referred to as the trident halberd, this is a hal-
berd with the traditional Chinese halberd blade on both sides
(not ends) of the pole. This allows the wielder some leeway in
which direction to attack from, and makes the weapon more ver-
satile, but this version was not quite as common on the battle-
135
 From Stone to Steel
field. Like all halberds, the Double Halberd may be used to trap
a shield and perform trip maneuvers.
Spear, Double Headed
The double-headed spear is essentially a staff with a spearhead at
either end. Best used against multiple combatants, the double-
headed spear is not quite as practical in the battlefield as its sin-
gle headed variant, since the rearward head may cause trouble
for allies. Both spearheads are often tasseled, although this does
not confer any extra penalty or benefit. This is a double weapon,
and if used as a double weapon, you incur all penalties associ-
ated with fighting with two weapons as if you were using a one-
handed weapon and a light weapon.
Flute
Usually crafted from Bamboo, the flute is an instrument first and
a weapon second. The flute is an exotic weapon, and is used in a
particular dance-like manner, at times looking like fencing; at
others like staff work. The flute was never used in a military con-
text, and its use in the Wudan movement is more as an art form
than a weapon. Indeed, whenever the flute takes damage it loses
its ability to play music normally, a significant indicator that the
54 56
52 53 57
55a 55b
52. Double Halberd; 53. Double Headed Spear; 54. Flute; 55a. Wooden Cane; 55b. Sword Cane; 56. Fan; 57. Chinese Hammers; 58.
Golden Coin Shovel; 59. Chay Yang Longsword; 60. Moonteeth Shovel; 61. Snake Spear
136
flute was never really intended to be a serious weapon. You can
use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a characters Dexterity
modifier instead of the Strength modifier on attack rolls with a
flute.
Canes
Three kinds of canes were popular in the Wudan period of the
Wushu movement. The wooden cane, sometimes made of rattan,
was the most common, as it could easily be passed as a normal
cane, but was solid and useful as a club or a tripping weapon.
The Steel cane, being made of steel, was considerably harder and
more potent as a weapon. The third kind of cane was actually a
sword cane, a sword sheathed in the canes wooden body, and
using the canes crook as its handle. This kind of cane could be
used as a bludgeoning weapon, or the sword could be drawn and
used as a sword. The sword cane could not be used to effectively
trip an opponent. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a
characters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier
on attack rolls with a Cane. A Japanese variant of this weapon,
the Shinobi Zue, was used by Ninja, and is identical to the
Sword Cane.
58 59 60 61
 The Far East
Fans
Fans were an ornamental item carried by magistrates and mem-
bers of the nobility and aristocrats. The adaptation of the fan into
the Wudan period required that the fan be made of wood and lac-
quered, in order to make it hard enough to carry an edge. The fan
fighting style involved careful deflection of strikes by catching
the enemy weapon at an angle, and use of swift slashes to inflict
wounds. The fan could even be thrown. A considerably heavier
iron version of the fan was introduced later, and was used in the
same manner. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a
characters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier on
attack rolls with a Fan. A variant of the Fan developed in Japan
was called the Gunsen, and both wooden and iron versions of the
Gunsen were developed.
Hammer, Chinese
Not a hammer in the European sense, the Chinese Hammer was
a large solid round weight on the end of a short pole. Often
plated in bronze, the Chinese Hammer was referred to as a
Golden Mellon, due to its size and shape. Essentially a very
heavy mace, the Chinese hammer was often used in pairs, and
the impressive weight of the weapons requires higher than aver-
age strength to counteract the weight of the weapon.
Shovel, Golden Coin
The Golden Coin Shovel is another weapon ostensibly adapted
from a common tool. A long staff with a coin-like circular blade
at one end, it is used like a pole arm, and is swung in a slashing
motion at enemies. A tassel is often mounted behind the blade,
and fancy versions of this weapon have gilding on the blade.
Longsword, Chay Yang
A variant of the Kwandao, this double weapon bears a rounded
chopping blade on one end of a pole, and a spearhead on the
other. Chays Longsword has a small recessed area on the back
of the blade that is intended to allow disarms. This notch grants a
+1 bonus on the users opposed attack roll when attempting to
disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep from being dis-
armed if they fail their disarm attempt. If used as a double
weapon, you incur all penalties associated with fighting with two
weapons as if you were using a one-handed weapon and a light
weapon.
Shovel, Moonteeth
Yet another adapted shovel, the Moonteeth shovel is a double
weapon with a wide, thick, crescent shaped head on one end of
the haft, and a spearhead on the other. The wide blade allows the
wielder to control an opponents maneuvering, to keep them
constantly in the desirable range of the weapon. If used as a dou-
ble weapon, you incur all penalties associated with fighting with
two weapons as if you were using a one-handed weapon and a
light weapon. A variant of this weapon, called the Long Full
Moon Blade, does not have the spearhead, and is not considered
a double weapon.
137
Spear, Snake
A spear with a wavy, curved head, the snake spear is essentially
a more artistic appearing longspear. The curved blade grants lit-
tle benefit, although the wounds caused by it tend to be wider
than the actual blade width. This spear often sports a tassel
behind the head, and generally never saw exposure during wars.
A Malaysian variant of this weapon was the Hak, which never
sported a tassel, but was otherwise identical, statistically.
Sword, Tigerhead Hook
This sword is a popular flavor weapon for Chinese-themed
movies and weapon-oriented action films. A sword with a
reversed hook at the end and a halberd-bladed hilt, the Tigerhead
Hook sword is exclusively a martial weapon, developed to dis-
arm opponents. The Tigerhead Hook sword can slash with either
the blade or the guard, and is often used in pairs. A single Tiger-
head Hook sword grants a +2 bonus on the users opposed attack
roll when attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to
keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. If
using a pair of Tigerhead Hook swords, the disarm attempt is not
considered to provoke an attack of opportunity.
Wheel, Wind and Fire
This is an exotic hand weapon, a circular blade with flame-like
flanges at three places on the wheel, and a central stabilizing
guard over the corded handle. Used in pairs, the Wind and Fire
Wheel is a weapon that stresses speed and flexibility. You can
use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a characters Dexterity
modifier instead of the Strength modifier on attack rolls with a
Wind and Fire Wheel. A variant of this weapon has a seven wavy
blades jutting from the ring at regular intervals, but is otherwise
identical in stats and usage.
Meteor Hammer
The only rope double weapon of the Wudan period, the Meteor
Hammer is 14 feet of rope with a heavy steel weight on either
end. The Meteor Hammer is an exotic weapon that requires
training and dedication to use effectively. The Meteor hammer is
a reach weapon, but it can also be used on foes within 10 feet.
Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be
used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the weapon in order to avoid being
tripped. Those using this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their
opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt. If used as a double weapon, you incur all penal-
ties associated with fighting with two weapons as if you were
using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. You can use the
Weapon Finesse feat to apply a characters Dexterity modifier
instead of the Strength modifier on attack rolls with a Meteor
Hammer. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Javelin, Rope
Also sometimes referred to as the Flying Dart, the rope javelin is
a short, heavy javelin head attached to more than 10 feet of rope.
 From Stone to Steel
63
67
62
68a
64
68b
65 66
62. Tigerhead Hook Sword; 63. Wind and Fire Wheel; 64. Meteor Hammer; 65. Javelin Rope; 66. Flying Weight; 67. Emi Piercers;
68a. Iron Balls; 68b. Iron Rings; 69. Heaven and Earth Blade; 70. Iron Claw; 71. Wolf's Teeth Staff
Usually the wielder swings the javelin head to build up momen-
tum, and then throws it at its target while maintaining a hold on
the rope. Although kept in the hand, it is treated as a ranged
weapon with a maximum range of 10 feet, and no range penal-
ties. Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also
be used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own
trip attempt, you can drop the weapon in order to avoid being
tripped. Those using this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their
opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt.
Flying Weight
Similar to the Rope Javelin above, the Flying weight is a squat,
conical weight attached to more than 10 feet of rope. Usually the
wielder swings the weight to build up momentum, and then
throws it at its target while maintaining a hold on the rope.
Although kept in the hand, it is treated as a ranged weapon with
a maximum range of 10 feet, and no range penalties. Because it
can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to make
138
71
70
69
trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you
can drop the weapon in order to avoid being tripped. Those using
this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when
attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep
from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. This
weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Emi Piercers
Emi Piercers are finger weapons, used to augment a hand attack.
Basically a one foot steel pin attached to the finger by a ring,
these are used to stab an opponent. This makes any unarmed
attack a normal impaling attack. This weapon was originally
invented for underwater combat, where larger weapons might be
impractical. Attacking with Emi Piercers provokes an attack of
opportunity, just like any other unarmed weapon. Should a per-
son armed with Emi Piercers have the Advanced Unarmed Strike
Feat, they can use the Emi Piercers without attracting an attack
of opportunity. One Emi Piercer may be used per hand, since
they must be grasped in the fist to be used appropriately.
 The Far East
Balls or Rings, Iron
Although actually crafted from steel, Iron balls are simply what
they sound like, balls of solid metal. These are thrown, much
like a stone, although a slinger could conceivably use them in a
sling. Heavy, these items are intended to distract more than
injure, although strong throwers may use them more effectively.
Metal rings, also crafted of steel, were a variant throwing
weapon, causing little damage but useful for distraction value.
Blade, Heaven and Earth
This exotic weapon is a two handed blade staff with halberd
blades over the grips. With a slightly curved sickle-like blade on
either end, this weapon can be used to stab opponents on either
side of the wielder and slash at opponents in front. Wielded
somewhat like a quarterstaff, this is a double weapon. If used as
a double weapon, you incur all penalties associated with fighting
with two weapons as if you were using a one-handed weapon
and a light weapon. A variant of this weapon is the Butterfly
wing sword, which has heavier chopping blades instead of the
sickle blades.
Iron Claw
The Iron Claw is a mace-like weapon shaped in the form of a
hand with sharp nails outstretched as if to scratch. The Iron Claw
was used as a mace, and could inflict both bludgeoning and
scratching strikes. Sometimes the nails of the Iron Claw would
be poisoned, to aggravate their wounds.
Staff, Wolfs Teeth
The Wolfs Teeth Staff is a polearm with a large, spiked head,
not unlike a huge mace. Heavy and unwieldy, it required consid-
erable strength to wield for long. The head of the mace is espe-
cially potent against soft armors, and inflicts twice the damage
indicated by the dice when damaging soft armors. A variant of
the Wolfs Teeth Staff, which bears no spikes and resembles
nothing more than a metal football on the end of a pole, has
identical stats, but does not inflict the extra damage to soft
armors.
Chain Sword
The Chain Sword is a pair of short, double-edged swords without
quillions attached at the hilt by a length of chain. Used like the
Nunchaku, the Chain Sword is an exotic weapon that requires
training and great dexterity to use effectively. You may use the
Weapon Finesse feat to apply a characters Dexterity modifier
instead of the Strength modifier to attack rolls with a Chain
Sword. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Blade, Mandarin Coin
A curious exotic hand weapon, the Mandarin Coin Blade con-
sists of a round protective blade and halberd-blade guard, with
two thrusting heads on either side of the handle. Used to fight
opponents coming from front or back, this weapon is easy to
change tactics with, and generally used in pairs. The round coin-
139
like portion of the blade is not sharpened, and acts primarily as a
blocking device. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a
characters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier
on attack rolls with a Mandarin Coin Blade. A variant of this
weapon is the Double Snake Ring sword, which has wavy
thrusting heads, but is otherwise the same weapon statistically.
Knife, Deer Antler
This exotic hand weapon consists of two opposing crescent
blades, with one blade bearing the grip. Used in pairs, these
weapons are excellent at deflecting attacks and performing dan-
gerous slashing attacks. A single Deer Antler Knife grants a +2
bonus on the users opposed attack roll when attempting to dis-
arm an opponent using a sword, including the roll to keep from
being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. If using a pair of
Deer Antler Knives, the disarm attempt does not provoke an
attack of opportunity. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to
apply a characters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength
modifier on attack rolls with a Deer Antler Knife. Variants often
emphasize a single pair of blades.
Hook, Nine Teeth
A weapon looking like nothing more than a combat poker with a
serrated handle guard, this weapon never saw battlefield use.
The blade and serrated guard can be used to make slashing
attacks, while the butt end of the weapon and the point can make
impaling strikes. The hook of the weapon allows shield trapping,
and grants a +2 bonus on the users opposed attack roll when
attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep
from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. The Nine
Teeth Hook can be used in pairs, and if using in pairs the disarm
attempt is not considered an attack of opportunity. A variant of
the Nine Teeth hook is the Double Hook Lain Sword, which
replaces the serrated guard with a halberd blade guard, but is
otherwise identical in stats and use.
Blade, Sun and Moon Spear
A weapon similar to the Mandarin Coin Blade, the Sun and
Moon spear has heavier chopping blades and three rays coming
from the hand guard. Used to fight opponents coming from front
or back, this weapon is easy to change tactics with, and generally
used in pairs. The rays on the round portion of the blade act as
traps for sword blades, giving a +1 bonus on the users opposed
attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent using a
sword, including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail
their disarm attempt. If using a pair of Sun and Moon Spear
Blades, the disarm attempt does not provoke an attack of oppor-
tunity. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a charac-
ters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier on
attack rolls with a Mandarin Coin Blade.
Razor, Yuen Yang
Also called rooster knives or Mandarin Duck razors, these
blades seem to be an experiment in creating an offensive weapon
that is truly offensive. Nearly every angle of these weapons has
 From Stone to Steel
72
73 75
74
80
72. Chain Sword; 73. Mandarin Coin Blade; 74. Deer Antler Knife; 75. Nine Teeth Hook; 76. Sun and Moon Spear Blade; 77. Yuen
Yang Razor; 78. Unicorn Horn Sword; 79. Hard Whip; 80. Horse Chopping Blade; 81. Ying Yang Dagger Sword
an active slashing surface, and foes in front or back can be
stabbed with spearheads. The main haft of the weapon is a blade
that rides along the length of the arm, with a spearhead forward
and a split spike called a chicken claw ending blade that tucks
behind the elbow. The actual handle is attached along the side of
the haft, and a larger chicken claw extension juts out to connect
the handle to the blade. Generally used in pairs, these exotic
weapons confer a +1 bonus to the armor class when used
together by someone proficient in their use.
Sword, Unicorn Horn
A short sword with a bladed hilt and a slight jutting quillion on
the opposite side of the guard, this weapon is often used in pairs.
Light, swift, these swords make excellent paired weapons, and
are similar enough to regular swords to be considered martial
weapons.
Whip, Hard
The hard whip is actually a mace, a hard handle with metal
bands spaced periodically along the haft. Essentially a very well
140
77 81
76
79
78
balanced metal club, this weapon is often used to train a user for
more difficult to control weapons. The Hard Whip can duplicate
most sword and staff maneuvers, and is likely to be found in
many training centers.
Blade, Horse Chopping
A slashing pole weapon that can be used as a double weapon,
this item has a chopping sword like blade and two halberd hand
guards. The weapon can be used as a standard pole weapon, or
can be held at the hand guards to use one end as a slashing
weapon and the other as a staff weapon. Since the weapon dam-
age decreases if used as a double weapon, those untrained usu-
ally use it as a single weapon. If used as a double weapon, you
incur all penalties associated with fighting with two weapons as
if you were using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon.
Sword, Ying Yang Dagger
These weapons actually resemble axes with a spearhead at the
end of the handle. Compact and maneuverable, these weapons
can be used as either slashing weapons or stabbing weapons, and
 The Far East
are often used in pairs. Since the damage is different for the
slashing and stabbing attacks, a user should declare how they
intend to use each weapon before an attack. These weapons may
also be thrown, although not for an impaling attack. The Dian
Pin Fu is a variant form of this weapon, larger, more traditional
appearing, but performing the same functions.
Sabu
A polearm with a central tine and two side tines, one facing for-
ward and the other facing backward, this weapon is a spiritual
cousin of the Sai. Used for thrusting attacks, the side tines can be
used to attempt shield trapping, and they grant a +2 bonus on the
users opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an oppo-
nent, including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail
their disarm attempt. Adapted from a kind of fishing spear, this
was a weapon that was traded with other nations like Korea and
Okinawa.
a wavy blade jutting from between the blades. This weapon is
often used in pairs. The Tian-chi Fay Short can be used as a
thrusting or stabbing weapon, and as a chopping axe-like
weapon.
Flail, Great
The great flail was used by Shaolin monks, and consisted of a
four foot long pole with another foot and a half of chain, and a
heavy iron weight at the end. Used to unhorse cavalrymen, or
trip opponents, this weapon was feared, but difficult to master.
Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be
used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the chain in order to avoid being tripped.
Those using this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack
roll when attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to
keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. This
weapon is a shield bypass weapon.

Tian-chi Fay Short Knife, Golden Coin Long

Looking like a short-hafted double halberd, these weapons are a A kind of polearm with a heavy chopping blade and hoop base,
kind of hand axe, usually with a spearhead on the other end, and this weapon gains its name from the coin design etched into the

89
86

82 83 84 85 87 88

90

82. Sabu; 83. Tian-chi Fay Short; 84. Great Flail; 85. Golden Coin Long Knife; 86. Swallow Trident Long Knife; 87. Yeung Guen
Long Knife; 88. Nine Teeth Rake; 89. Chinese Throwing Darts; 90. Executioner Sword

141
 From Stone to Steel
93
91 92
94
95
91. Fong Ting Lance; 92. Two Teeth Fork; 93. Full Moon; 94.
Horse Hair Tassel Whip; 95. Combat Shield
blade. Similar to the Naginata, its use is primarily defensive,
although, unlike many Wudan weapons it is a design more prac-
tical for the battlefield.
Knife, Swallow Trident Long
An elaborate knife, with wavy, exaggerated quillions, this
weapon is an elaborate Chinese version of the more popular Sai.
The quillions are particularly useful for disarm attempts, and
those using this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack
roll when attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to
keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt.
Unfortunately, this weapon is almost impossible to conceal,
despite its small size, because of the exaggerated quillions, and
any attempt to disguise or hide this weapon is subject to a -4
penalty on any concealment attempt relating to the knife.
142
Knife, Yeung Guen Long
Another pole arm referred to as a knife, this weapon resembles a
thick, tri-bladed spear with a normal spearhead on the other end
of the staff. Effective as both a thrusting and chopping weapon,
this is a double weapon. The split head grants a +1 bonus on the
users opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an oppo-
nent, including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail
their disarm attempt. If used as a double weapon, you incur all
penalties associated with fighting with two weapons as if you
were using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon.
Rake, Nine Teeth
The Nine Teeth Rake evolved from the common rake, and it still
resembles its forebear enough that few people expect an attack
from it. This allows a nine teeth rake wielder to make a surprise
attack if he does not otherwise appear to be dangerous. A peasant
or monks weapon, this pole arm has a rack with nine sharpened
teeth jutting from it, which can cause fearsome gouges in an
opponent. Those who are not concerned about the element of
surprise often put tassels just below the rack.
Darts, Chinese Throwing
The Chinese throwing dart is a small, flat blade usually in an
arrow shape. Grasped between fingers, up to three Chinese darts
may be thrown at once, although at a -2 to hit penalty for each
extra dart being thrown. If using in conjunction with a sneak
attack, only the first dart should be considered a sneak attack.
Sword, Executioner (Tan-Kiev)
A straight sword with a blunt point, the executioner sword was
originally used only for executions, but was adapted as a parry-
ing blade in the Wudan movement. Usually used in conjunction
with another weapon, this item does reasonable damage, but
conveys a +1 armor bonus if used defensively by a person with
the Two Weapon Fighting feat. Attacks which fall into this range
on a to hit roll will do damage to the sword as per the optional
weapon damage rules. Thinner variants like the Tan-Kiev were
also common and conveyed the same benefit, although they did
less damage.
Lance, Fong Ting
A lance with a halberd blade below the thrusting head, this
weapon may be used as a charging weapon, or as a two-handed
pole arm with a spearhead and chopping blade. This weapon
may be set against a charge. Like halberds, this weapon may be
used to trap a shield and perform trip maneuvers.
Fork, Two Teeth
This weapon developed from the hayfork, a two tined fork used
throughout the world. A decent thrusting weapon, this item is a
sturdy, reliable item common among peasants.
 The Far East
Full Moon blade, but otherwise may be secreted in most portions of a
This weapon is similar to the Deer Antler Knife, except that one weapon. The hidden knife stats given are for a generic steel
of the crescent blades completes a full circle, with the entire knife. The GM is the final arbiter of whether or not a weapon
edge sharpened. A single Full Moon grants a +1 bonus on the can bear a hidden knife.
users opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an oppo-
nent using a sword, including the roll to keep from being dis-
armed if they fail their disarm attempt. If using a pair of Full
Shield Combat
The shield was often used as a primary weapon during the
Moon, the disarm attempt does not provoke an attack of oppor-
Wudan period. Used to block and to attack, this style favors
tunity. Use a a characters Dexterity modifier instead of the
diversions, deflecting attacks, and striking with stunning
Strength modifier on attack rolls with a Full Moon.
blows. Imagine a dance where the shield shifts from arm to
Tassels on Weapons arm, blocking blows, pushing away an attacker, and then
Many of the weapons listings so far have noted if a weapon being used, one or two handed, to buffet an attacker into sub-
can have tassels. Weapons with tassels or other distracting mission. Shield proficiency is required to perform effective
embellishments can be used by those with the right expertise, Shield combat.
to distract a foe in combat. A person with the appropriate
weapon proficiency and the feat Expertise can take a -1 to Improvised Weapon Training
their to hit rolls, and confer the same penalty on one specific For campaigns where cinematic battle scenes or swashbuckling
enemy through using the tassels in a distracting manner. If style is preferred, consider the below feat.
both foes use their tassels in this fashion on each other, these
penalties overlap (thus both would have a cumulative -2 to
their hit rolls).
96
It should be noted that another important reason tassels were
added to weapons was to soak up blood that might otherwise
make the weapon slippery and dangerous to the wielder. Take
this lesson very seriously, and always make sure your weapons
are never left bloody, to avoid accidents

Whip, Horse Hair Tassel

A wide, heavy whip, made, unsurprisingly, from the tail of a
horse, this item was, like the flute, not a serious weapon, but one
to illustrate a technique and focus on elegance and form. The
weapon does a minimum of subdual damage, and deals no dam-
age to any creature wearing armor of at least +1 armor bonus, 98
and does no damage to a creature with a +1 natural armor bonus.
Although kept in the hand, it is treated as a ranged weapon with
a maximum range of 10 feet, and no range penalties. This
weapon is incapable of performing disarms or trips. Using this
weapon to defeat a foe would be the height of embarrassment
and shame for that foe.

Iron Sleeves
A defensive item, iron sleeves were often sewn into the lining of
a martial outfit, to allow an unarmed man parry weapon strikes.
When fighting defensively or using the Expertise skill with an
97
unarmed weapon or attack, someone with Iron Sleeves may add
an additional +1 armor bonus. This bonus does not stack with
armors that already have sleeves.

The Hidden Knife

Knives could be hidden in the stock, scabbard, or base of any
weapon. Characters who wish to purchase a hidden knife must
spend 10 more gold than the item costs, and then they must spec-
ify where the knife is hidden. The Knife cannot be part of a 96. Iron Sleeves; 97. Hidden Knives; 98. Beheading Sword

143
 From Stone to Steel
New Feat:
Improvised Weapon Training: [General]
You are trained to be able to use any object in your environment
in as a weapon.
Prerequisites: INT 13+, Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Base
Attack bonus of +3 or higher
Benefit: Any person with the Improvised Weapon Training feat
can use any object in their environment as a weapon. This pro-
vides a number of bonuses:
If a person with Improvised Weapon Training comes across a
weapon they are not proficient with, but similar to weapons
that they already have proficiency with, they may wield that
weapon with only a -1 penalty on attack rolls. Thus a person
with Simple Weapons Proficiency could use a martial weapon
like a sword with a -1 penalty (since it is used a lot like a club
or sickle), and a person with Martial Weapons Proficiency
would be able to use a Kama at a -1 penalty (since they are
already familiar with the pick, which is used in a similar fash-
ion). Really unusual weapons, like a spiked chain would only
be available at a -1 penalty if that person already had profi-
ciency with other similar weapons like the lariat or whip.
If a person with Improvised Weapon Training comes across a
weapon they are not proficient with, and its use is unlike any
weapon they are trained with, they may use that weapon with
a -2 penalty on attack rolls. Thus a person with simple
weapons proficiency who attempts to use a longbow will
experience the -2 penalty, or a person with martial weapons
proficiency will experience the same penalty when trying to
use a whip.
If a person with Improvised Weapon Training attempts to use
a non-weapon as a weapon, and the object can easily be used
as such, for example a fireplace poker used as a sword or
mace, or a curtain rod as a staff or sword, then the person
experiences a -3 penalty on attack rolls with that weapon, and
the item does damage determined by the DM (usually one
size step lower than the weapon emulated, although certain
weapons will do considerably less damage). In this manner a
candelabra might be used like a trident, or a flaming brazier
like a flail. Note that in this instance fire damage may be
appropriate.
Finally, a person with Improvised Weapon Training may use
any object deemed solid enough to inflict damage as a
weapon, with a -4 penalty on attack rolls. These objects are
myriad, from things like chairs to beer steins to crystal balls
to silverware. Damage for these items should be based on
counterparts, where possible, although generally it will range
from 1d4 to 1d6 in damage. Obviously more damaging items,
like a statue being wielded by a magically strong character
might do considerably more damage. The DM is the final
arbiter of damage, and may even deem an item non-damaging
or only inflicting subdual damage.
144
Whenever there is a question of the damage of an improvised
weapon due to its size, remember to consult the weapon size and
damage chart. A copy may be found at the end of this book.
Chinese Enchantment
Much of Chinese folklore connects the written word with
magic. Certain fictional wizards used written characters to cast
spells. If running a Chinese-themed campaign, rather than
magical glows, consider the possibility of enchanted objects
being ornately inscribed with beautiful calligraphy. Perhaps the
blade with Tigers Claw in fine calligraphy turns out to have a
keen edge, or one with Roses Thorn is wounding. These the-
matic touches can really bring a campaign world alive.
Sword, Beheading
Developed during this period, but never used on the battlefield
or the Martial community, the Beheading Sword was a true exe-
cutioners blade, a heavy, two handed sword used to execute
criminals. Executioners would often travel between municipali-
ties and earn their pay by cutting off the heads of those sentenced
by the local lord. Executions were actually saved until an execu-
tioner passed through the area, and then were held as public
spectacles.
Scale Armor, Chinese Mountain Pattern
An incredibly hard, dense, and heavy, Chinese Mountain Pattern
Armor was worn exclusively by the officers of the military. No
copy of this armor is in existence today, and much of what we
know about this armor is speculation by modern armor crafters.
The name of the armor comes from the fact that the scales of this
armor were shaped like the character for the word mountain,
which looks something like an inverted Y. This pattern made
tightly interlocking plates of scale, as hard as many plated
armors, but at the cost of mobility and flexibility. The cost of this
kind of armor was incredible, and each suit was painstakingly
made on commission, and sized to the wearer. Should a charac-
ter come across a suit of this armor in a game, it is very unlikely
they would be able to wear it.
The Tang Period
The Tang period is often noted as one of the high points in Chi-
nese culture. Tang Emperors ruled by Confucian standards, and
the examination system was often the way to the most presti-
gious offices. But events conspired to muddy this reputation.
First the eunuchs plotted and eventually took control of the
Dynasty, increasing their power through offers of offices and
wealth, as well as assassination. Late in the Tang Period the
eunuchs actually consolidated their power and were able to
choose successors and even assassinate emperors with impunity.
These later emperors began to move away from Confucian stan-
dards, and put great restrictions on Buddhism, a popular but for-
eign religion. At one point a purge of Buddhist temples was
authorized, and more than 14,000 temples were closed and
40,000 Buddhist Monks and Nuns were killed. Rebellions
became more common. Generals refused to answer Imperial
 The Far East

99b
99a

100

99a. Chinese Mountain Pattern Scale Armorfull suit; 99b. Chinese Mountain Pattern Scale Armorcloseup; 100. Chinese Steel
Scalemail
summonses, and consolidated their power in border provinces.
perhaps your campaign centers on freeing the Empire from the
Eventually a General attempted to free the Palace from eunuch
control of the Eunuchs and restoring the glory of the Tang
control. General Zhu Quanzong invaded the palace and killed all
Empire before it is too tarnished to last.
of the eunuchs, but in the process he also killed the Emperor.
Although a popular rebellion attempted to take control of the
government, General Zhu Quanzong claimed power and estab- Conquest
lished a short lived Liang dynasty. n the north five dynasties rose in fell in fifty years. In the
Tang as Campaign Setting
I south the various states became ten kingdoms. Barbarians
took advantage to reclaim the Silk Road, which was again quite
The Tang period is one of the most robust periods of Chinese
profitable with trade to Persia, Arabia, and certain European
History. And the tension of a game set in this period could be
mercantile families. In other lands this would bring about an
very interesting. Eunuchs control the palace, and in Chinese
incredible holy war, but in the East this was just business. Even-
fantasy many Eunuchs were Sorcerers, controlling dark magic.
tually the Song Dynasty, a northern dynasty established in the
Shaolin Monks may either be common or rare, depending on
ashes of another failed empire, would arise with aspirations to
the exact time you set the campaign. Fighters might be mem-
greater control. The Song built up an effective army and invaded
bers of the military, or members of the Wudan schools.
the south of China. Allying with various states against their ene-
Besides venturing against barbarians in the borderlands,
mies, the Song conquered the southern Kingdoms, often taking
adventures might include raiding Qin burial sites filled with
advantage of Tibetan raids to arrive in a devastated region and
stone golems painted like living soldiers, fending off rampag-
consolidate power. It took decades for the Song to finally domi-
ing spirits or monsters in the wild lands of the far south, or
nate the southern kingdoms, but gradually the Song dynasty con-
perhaps working for a military regent trying to establish an
quered and ruled all of civilized China, but did so with a
independent state from the Sorcerer-controlled Empire. Or
different focus.

145
 From Stone to Steel
The Song dynasty worked heavily on infrastructure, building up
cities and promoting urbanization, improving roads and trans-
portation, and preventing the power of the military from grow-
ing. Having learned from previous dynasties that a strong
military might eventually rebel, military officers were restricted
from entering public service, and many soldiers were tattooed to
prevent them from leaving military service. The aristocracy no
longer automatically held officer status in the military, and the
Song Dynasty went a long way towards awarding rank to those
soldiers whose skills and talents merited it. This lead to the army
being a professional army, and civilians could enter the military
and expect long-term employment. In addition, refined steel
making techniques improved the strength and flexibility of their
weapons and armor. The Dao became the standard armament of
most of the army, backed by the halberd, the crossbow, and the
horse-bound lancer. The development of better armor technology
also lead to improvements in military efficiency.
Scalemail, Chinese Steel
A less restrictive scale mail was developed. Although not as pro-
tective as the mountain scale version, this one was easier to
make and mass-produce, and was worn by soldiers whose lords
could afford the cost.
101b
101a
101a. Chinese Banded Armor; 101b. Mirror Plated Armor; 102. Chinese Brigandine
146
Banded, Breastplate, and Mirror Plated Armor,
Chinese
Chinese metal armors were expensive, and were generally only
worn by those officers who didnt wear the traditional Mountain
Scale. Breastplate armor included arm, head and neck covering.
Mirror Plated Armor was generally studded leather with large
rectangles or squares of metal forming plates over vital areas.
The densest armor used at this time was Banded Armor, which
had overlapping plates and bands of metal that kept much of the
body encased and protected. Of course, the general drawback of
armor was a lack of mobility.
Brigandine, Chinese
One attempt to improve this while still retaining better protection
was the use of brigandine. Brigandine consists of metal plates, or
sometimes even scales, that are riveted to a layer of leather on
either side. This creates a flexible body mesh that still affords
significant defense. This kind of armor would be developed by
many cultures. For those lords who could afford it, this would
eventually replace Scalemail as standard troop armor.
As the Song Dynasty began to establish itself, in India war was
brewing. India remained a land of kingdoms, the north influenced
by the Silk Road and the West, while the south was more and
more dominated by The Chola Kingdom. Military developments
of this period were few but unique. India developed studded cloth
armor, light enough for summer heat but more durable than their
heavy padded armor. In the South the Katar was experimented
102
 The Far East
104 105
103
106
103. Studded Cloth Armor; 104. Early Steel Ballam; 105. Early Steel Tschehouta; 106. Closed Hilted Early Steel Katar; 107.
Three Bladed Early Steel Katar
with, and new variants were created. The metal smiths of India
were beginning to perfect woozt steel, the famed Damascus steel,
which would see active use in the Crusades. Unfortunately these
developments were not enough to combat the Persians.
Cloth Armors, Heavy and Studded
The hotter climate of India made heavy armor oppressive during
the summers. Peasants and poor militia often wore heavy cloth-
ing when going into battle. Usually made of many layers of
clothing, they were itchy, stifling, but tolerable. Some kinds of
cloth armor attempted to augment cloth armor with metal studs,
although the benefit was only slight. Heavy cloth armor should
be considered the rough equivalent of padded armor from the
players handbook.
Ballam, Early Steel
A heavy, barbed steel spear, this weapon was more of use
against horses and elephants than against men. The wide blade
made it perfect for countering a charge, and the barbed head
made the wound even more massive when someone attempted
to remove the spear. This spear was not a throwable weapon,
and was difficult to use when not braced. A similar spear was
147
107
used in Malaysia, called the Tampuling, which is otherwise
identical in stats.
Tschehouta, Early Steel
A two headed spear similar to the double spear, this Indian
weapon is used in much the same way. This is a double weapon,
and if used as a double weapon, you incur all penalties associ-
ated with fighting with two weapons as if you were using a one-
handed weapon and a light weapon.
Katar, Closed Hilted Early Steel
The Katar saw some development during this period. One devel-
opment was the closed hilted version of the Katar. The katar
blade included a locked gauntlet. Any weapon with a locked
gauntlet is much harder to disarm, as per the rules in the Players
Handbook.
Katar, Three Bladed Early Steel
Another departure from the standard Katar included two similar
triangular blades on either side of the weapon, facing left and
right. This allowed the Katar wielder to strike at opponents to
either side equally as well as they could strike forward. This also
 From Stone to Steel
conferred a slight deflection bonus, adding a +1 armor bonus to
defense for a wielder fighting in a defensive stance.
Advanced Chinese Steel
The Chinese began to experiment with the early hard steel,
attempting to make it more flexible. China would not find an
easy way to maintain the hard edge while keeping steel flexi-
ble, and this lead to a number of experiments. New inlayed or
mixed steel techniques would be created, to meld different
strengths of steel together to form a stronger alloy. This often
left distinctive marks on the blade of such a weapon. China
would never take this practice to its ultimate conclusion.
Instead, India and Japan would proceed with this kind of steel
in two different directions. India would develop woozt steel,
and use it to create potent patterned steel weapons. This Indian
style of smithing would migrate to Muslim lands, where it
would be known as Damascus steel. The Japanese, on the other
hand, would develop their unique folding technique, and,
through nearly infinite patience, craft incredibly durable blades.
The Persians
The Persians invaded not long after the end of the first millen-
nium, and with them they brought Persian culture and Islam. The
Persians dominated all of Northern India, and new peoples began
to settle more widely in the north, notably the Sikhs and Punjabs.
It was through this invasion that Islam would first reach southeast-
ern Asia and China, and it would be through Persia that Damascus
steel would become the favored steel of the Islamic nations.
Material Properties: Damascus Steel
Damascus steel is made from Woozt Steel, and is made by
combining various hardnesses of steel together with minute
quantities of other material to create a strong and flexible
material able to deal with the rigors of battle. Weapons made
of Damascus steel gain a +1 damage bonus, and any item
made of Damascus steel is significantly more wear resistant
than regular iron or steel weapons (10 Hardness and +3 to Hit
Points). Items made of Damascus Steel cost an additional 400
gp above the normal price for the weapon type.
Mace, Damascened Ox
The Ox mace is a stylized mace, whose head is shaped like that
of an ox. Often these maces had holes in the head to make it
whistle when it was swung. This was used to make horses
unsteady (-1 to all Ride checks) and to make demoralized troops
even more anxious as the screaming maces struck at them. If a
foe already has a negative morale modifier do to any effect,
using an ox mace around them will only worsen that modifier
(Will save DC 12 or add an extra -1). This effect lasts as long as
that foe is within hearing distance of the ox mace.
Scale and Banded Armors, Damascened
Armor was rarely made of Damascus steel, mainly due to the
cost. They are, in all respects similar to their steel equivalents,
except for materials aspects.
148
Plate Armor and Damascened Scale
The scale and plate armor of Persia, which had been adopted by
Rome and carried on in the heavy horsemen of Persia, was rarely
converted to Damascus steel, but a few suits did exist. The cost
for this suit of armor was formidable, and it must be assumed
that only great soldiers and nobles ever wore this armor.
Not Weapons
Sufi Islam came to India during this invasion, and with it came
Fakirs, mystics and wandering mendicants who shared and taught
Islamic mysticism. Laws in India, established during the Gupta
Empire, forbade holy men to carry weapons, and the Persians did
not see fit to change local laws. The Fakirs found themselves
under constant threat from bandits and robbers who saw holy
men as easy targets, and sought a solution. Their best solution
was the development of weapons that werent weapons, items
that could be passed off as normal implements but could be used
offensively. Two such were the Fakirs Cane and Fakirs Horns.
During this time the Maru came into more common use.
Cane, Fakirs
This cane is, in most respects, used in the same manner as the
wooden cane of the Wudan movement. However, the handle of
the Fakirs cane sometimes came to a sharp point, so that it could
be used like a pick weapon. Besides bludgeoning or stabbing,
the Fakirs cane can also be used to trip opponents.
Fakirs Horns
This is a hand weapon, grasped and used to stab. The horns are
sharp, and sometimes capped in iron, although usually this cap-
ping process attracts attention.
Maru
The Maru is a rare object, a shield with weapons attached. Pro-
tecting like a small shield, the Maru also mounts two steel tipped
horns at either end. This allows the shield to be used as an offen-
sive stabbing weapon, much like a spear would be used. When
used as a weapon, the Maru does not confer any defensive
bonuses. The Maru is a double weapon.
Tabar
The Tabar is a large, heavy double axe, made entirely of steel. A
formidable weapon, this is powerful axe is demanding, and
requires great strength to use effectively.
Arrow, Axeblade
A wide bladed arrow, the axe blade delivers a potent slicing
blow, rather than an impaling strike. This arrow was very useful
for slicing through ropes, inflicting cuts in narrow spaces, and
driving animals to fear and flight.
The End of an Era
The Persians did not remain in India long. Muslim tribes
remained in control of the North, but the Persians faced more
 The Far East
conflict in the West, and so left India to its own devices. Eventu-
ally Turkish and Afghani chieftains would establish the Delhi
Sultanate, which would rule India for most of the Medieval
Period. Held off only by strong kingdoms in the South, the print
of Islam on India would last until the modern day.
Before the Delhi Sultanate was formed the Song dynasty found
itself in trouble. Steppe tribes were causing trouble along the bor-
ders, with the Jurchen of Korea threatening the Eastern border of
China and the Liao people, a descendant tribe of the Xianpei,
beginning a war of conquest. The lessened power of the military
had kept the nation from a homegrown military coup, but now the
military was hard pressed to defeat the Liao, and eventually the
Song dynasty had to retreat to the South, giving up control of the
North to the Liao and Jurchen, in exchange for peace. Even
worse, the Tibetans finally established a firm stronghold along the
Silk Road, and declared themselves the Western Xia, demanding
tribute for access to southern trade routes. Hedged in on all sides
by enemies, the Song tried to stave off invasion and worked to
establish new trade routes with their neighbors.
And the Song Dynasties plan appeared to work. During this
period the merchant class began to develop, a firm middle class
between lords and peasants, and the economy of China flourished
despite the restrictions. The Liao, having lived near the Chinese
region and now inhabiting it, embraced Chinese culture and gave
up their nomadic ways, adopting the language and customs of
their conquered people. Ironically, this would work against the
Liao and the Song when their next enemy was to arrive.
The Great Ride
From Lake Bajkal runs the river Onan, which makes its way
through wild lands, between hills and down into the flatlands,
where it meets the Herlen and Amur rivers, to join them in their
voyage to the Pacific. Along the bank of the Onan was born
Temujin, the man who would one day be known in the west as
Ghengis Khan, or the Oceanic Khan.
Before Temujin there was no Mongolian identity. The Mongo-
lian region was a place where various Turkic tribes lived, some
of them preserving blood strains of the Huns. It was a land
between the steppes of the north and the mountains of the west,
pressed firmly against the Great Wall and the armies of China.
Temujin, though, was a man of strength, and of vision.
Life in Mongolia was harsh. Most tribes required a child to ride
a horse by the age of three, and those unfit to do so were often
left to die. If they found a way to survive anyway they might be
readmitted to the tribe, but this was not guaranteed. Strength was
favored, but not the absolute measure of a man. A strong man

111

108
109

112
113

110

108. Damascened Ox Mace; 109. Fakir's Cane; 110. Fakir's Horns; 111. Maru; 112. Tabar; 113. Axeblade Arrow

149
 From Stone to Steel
114 115
114. Mongol Lacquered Leather; 115. Mongol Recurve Bow; 116. Chinese Rocket; 117. Spear Gun; 118. Primitive Chinese Gun
might be feared, but a man cunning in weapon craft was
respected. Some would say the tribes-people of Mongolia were
inherently warlike and barbaric, but to them it was the only prac-
tical existence when life was hostile and death was near.
Temujin rose to power through apprenticeship to Toghrul, a
tribal leader given tribute by the Jin to protect their borders.
Under Toghruls tutelage Temujin learned the art of negotiation,
and the value of organization. Temujin put these lessons, and
those of a life in conflict and hardship to good use, conquering
neighboring tribes and bringing them under his control. Various
Mongolian tribes became part of Temujins horde, and Turk
stood beside Kereyit stood beside Merkit stood beside Naiman.
Each new tribe gave up autonomy and joined forces with Temu-
jin. We do not have diaries or records written by Temujin him-
self, but one can only suppose that besides strength what many
saw in Temujin was destiny.
Temujin sought Empire, but not empire like any other northern
tribe sought. Temujin spent time studying warfare, even accept-
ing exile to China after a failed battle, in order to learn the art of
war. And then Temujin struck back at his enemies, and crushed
and consolidated the Tartars, ancient enemies of both China and
Eastern Europe. By this time Temujin and Toghrul had a parting
of ways, and they eventually waged war against each other, with
Temujin killing the opposing lord and taking power over all of
Mongolia and portions of Central Asia for himself. Many war-
lords would end their conquest there.
150
117
118
116
But Temujin continued.
He took the title of Ghengis Khan at this time, choosing water to
symbolize the ubiquity of his intended rule. And he set about to
make it true. First he struck at the Jin, and crushed their hold on
Northeast China and Korea. Then he turned his gaze to
Khwarazm. Khwarazm was an empire situated in Afghanistan,
Persia, and portions of Central Asia, including modern day
Uzbekistan. Once dominated by the Sejulk Turks, Khwarazm
had become independent and was a flourishing center for Islamic
thought, agriculture, and trade. But news of an attack upon Mon-
golian merchants drew Temujin from the conquered land of the
Jin, and down into the Middle East. Though the Shah of
Khwarazm brought 400,000 men to face the Mongols, the Mon-
gols attacked with 90,000 Mongolian Warriors, and defeated the
numerically superior force, possibly killing as many as 180,000
men in the battle. The Shah fled the battle, and Temujin followed
with 40,000 horsemen split in two groups. Each group traveled
through different portions of Persia, and records say whole areas
of Persia were depopulated by their passage. The demoralizing
effect of the killing and bloodshed made what was left of
Khwarazms army too weak to face the Mongol forces, and
within a year Khwarazm fell to the Mongols.
Temujins armies did not stop in Persia, however, but they
skirted the Caspian Sea and raided deep into Russia, looting por-
tions of southern Russia before turning back to return to Mongo-
lia. On the way back, the Mongols conquered Georgia, and then
 The Far East
prepared for battle in China. But Temujin died unexpectedly in
battle against the Western Xia, and succession was thorny, with
multiple sons of Temujin vying for approval as the next Khan.
Mongol Warriors of this period wore lacquered leather armor,
and carried small leather shields. Their horses were also barded
with similar lacquered leather. They carried axes, scimitars,
lances, lariats, and their own version of the recurve bow. Arrows
were poisoned as often as were not, and the range of the Mongol
recurve bow was exceptional. Both the Mongols and the Chinese
of this period used guns, which ranged from pots stuffed with
gunpowder and short spears to true guns with stone or iron shots.
Primitive rockets were also in use. Later Mongol horsemen
would adapt chainmail, lamellar, scale, banded armor, brigan-
dine, and various kinds of plate and mail.
Leather, Lacquered
A weather treated leather worn by the early Mongol forces, Lac-
quered Leather is only slightly more durable than regular leather,
and was often a leather lamellar. Light enough to maneuver in, and
easy to repair, this remained the common armor of most Mongol
Hordesmen. A barding version of this armor was also common.
Bow, Mongol Recurve
The Mongol Recurve bow descends from both the Hun and
Scythian designs, and incorporates much of their innovations. A
natural mighty bow, the Mongol Recurve bow had fearsome
range and propelled arrows with exceptional force. All Mongol
Recurve bows act as Mighty Composite Shortbows (usually +2),
and may be used from horseback.
Rockets, Chinese
The Chinese had the technology of explosives from an early
time, and manufactured fireworks for trade and celebration for
ages. Eventually some ingenious soul noticed that when certain
fireworks did not function as expected, the thrust of the fuel pro-
pelled the firework a fair distance before an explosion. This tech-
nology was eventually adapted into the Chinese Rocket. A one
shot weapon, the Chinese rocket was a length of bamboo filled
with a combustible mixture and an explosive head. Once lit, the
wielder would attempt to aim it where they intended to strike,
and would hold on until the fuel created enough force to propel
the rocket forward and explode. Chinese rockets are destroyed
during the explosion, and cannot be repaired.
Spear Gun
Effectively an urn packed with explosives and lined with spears,
this was a dangerous weapon to everyone on the battlefield. Once
lit, a fuse descends into the urn, which detonates the propellant.
When the Spear gun fires, it propels a half dozen short spears the
listed range. Roll to hit on the target aimed at. If the target is
struck, and is in the first range increment, the target is actually
struck by 1d3 spears (use the stats for the Steel Qiang), with the
added damage bonus conferred by the Spear gun. If the target is
in the second range increment, it is struck by 1d2 spears, with half
151
of the added damage bonus conferred by the spear gun. Any tar-
get in a five foot wide path in the third range increment has a
chance to be struck by 1 of the remaining spears. Roll an unmodi-
fied d20 attack for each such target, until there are no more spears
to be accounted for. Any spears not accounted for are considered
lost, since they splinter against the ground on impact. The relia-
bility rating for the spear gun is 5. Spear guns can only have a
spectacular failure. Ignore the chart and apply the following result
upon any failure: the urn explodes, and inflicts 6d6 damage on
the wielder, and 3d6 to all beings within 5 feet.
Gun, Primitive Chinese
Essentially a long length of bamboo tightly wrapped and banded
for stability and fitted with a priming pan, this gun was the extent
of the development of the gun in Chinese history. Neo Confucian
thought would prevent new developments in firearms, which
would mean firearms in Europe would eventually outstrip those in
China. The Primitive Chinese Gun fired shot of both stone and
iron. This gun is equivalent to the Primitive Handcannon, and
information on reliability, reloading times, and powder usage can
be found in the chapter Pageantry, Platemail, and Pistols.
Guns and Reliability
Guns are designed to take incredible punishment from the
internal explosions necessary to propel their ammunition
towards a target. But sometimes guns fail. Because of this
guns have a reliability rating. That rating indicates the rate of
failure of the weapon. When the d20 is rolled to determine to-
hit, should the number rolled be equal to or below the reliabil-
ity rating, the gun experiences a failure. Roll 1d20 (or use the
effect die) to determine what kind:
110Misfire: the gun does not fire, as the powder charge
does not catch. There is nothing wrong with the gun, and
the wielder may attempt to fire it again the next round.
1115Internal Scoring: the projectile scrapes the inside
of the barrel, creating a natural skew. All shots are at a -1 to
hit. Each such result is cumulative. This may be fixed as
per rules for repair.
1618Jam: the projectile lodges in the gun barrel. This
causes scoring (see above), and requires 3d6 rounds to
remove. Usually most people opt to drop a jammed gun
and fix it after combat.
19Major Failure: A major mechanism on the gun breaks,
and the gun cannot be used again until it has been repaired.
20Spectacular Failure: The gun explodes, inflicting max-
imum damage on the wielder and standard rolled damage
on every person within five feet. People at five feet may
attempt to avoid this damage by attempting a reflex save.
Gun Damage and Armor (Optional)
Due to the incredible velocity a gun's projectile travels at, guns
treat armor differently. When guns miss and strike armor,
apply damage to the armor as normal. However, take that
same damage roll, and subtract the armor bonus from it. Any
 From Stone to Steel
damage left over from this subtraction should be applied to the
armor's wearer, as the impact causes bruising (if not broken
bones). In this way, armor still acts as a buffer (an impromptu
damage resistance).
Scaled Jack
A coat layered with hexagonal metal plates, the Scaled Jack is an
armored jacket, developed after the Mongols moved south into
Persia. This armor was surprisingly flexible and protective.

Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms): [General]

Plated mail, Kolontar
You are trained to be able to use any firearms. A chainmail and plate armor combination consisting of rectan-
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus of +1 or higher gles of plate covering much of the chest and mid-section. Helm
and chain coifs are standard with this kind of plated mail armor.
Benefit: You can make attack rolls with any firearm as normal. As with all plated mail armors, these afford impressive protec-
Normal: Firearms are not inherently more difficult to fire than tion, but are quite heavy.
a crossbow. Any untrained person can fire a loaded gun with a
-2 to hit. However, without training, a person will not know
the proper reloading techniques, and will be unable to appro-
priately maintain powder and a weapon. The reliability rating
of a gun being handled by an untrained person is doubled, and
twice as much powder is used per shot.

119

120

119. Scaled Jack; 120. Kolontar Plated Mail

152
 The Far East
Elite Mongol Horsemen
(Prestige Class)
The Dread of the World. The Force
which humbled China and Europe. The
Wolves of the Steppes, and the greatest war-
riors of their time. The Mongols were
respected and feared as the best horsemen,
horse archers, and the most fearsome footmen of
their time. They practically invented modern cav-
alry tactics, which are used even today in tank war-
fare. From the age of three a child who could not ride
a horse was left by the tribe to die. If the child could
survive and catch up with the tribe they would be given
a second chance to rejoin, or be killed. The harsh land
they came from demanded a people who could move on a
moments notice, and though much of their lifestyle might
see barbaric and cruel to the modern reader, this was the only
life they knew
Any Mongol warrior wanted to be one of the elite horsemen.
And the membership was not closed. Turks and foreigners of
great mettle were often invited to join the Hordes. The require-
ments were challenging, but anyone who could fill them
would be called brother.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements
To qualify to become an Elite Mongol Horseman, a character
must fulfill all the following criteria.
Basic Attack Bonus: +6
Skills: Ride 6 ranks
Feats: Mounted Combat, Any 2 other Mounted Feats,
Class Skills
The Elite Mongol Horsemans class skills (and the key ability
for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha),
Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Swim (Str)
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int Modifier

Table 5-1:Elite Mongol Horsemen; Class Base Fort Ref Will

Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Advanced Horsemanship
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Shoot on the Move
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Brutal Attack
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Battle Cry
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Streaking Shot
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Brutal Flurry
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Horse Brother
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Last Ditch Strike
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Second Wind
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Penetrating Shot

153
 From Stone to Steel
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Elite Mongol Horse-
man prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Mongol Horsemen are profi-
cient with all simple weapons and martial weapons. They are
also proficient with light, medium, and heavy armors and
shields. Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier than
leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide,
Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Advanced Horsemanship: The Elite Mongol Horseman lives
with their mount, and must care for it night and day. They eat
while riding and touch ground only to make camp. All ride
maneuvers are at a +2 to perform, and any mounted combat
maneuver gains a +2 bonus.
Shoot on the Move: The Elite Mongol Horseman takes no
penalty for firing from horseback, regardless of the speed of the
horse.
Brutal Attack: An Elite Mongol Horseman may take a standard
action to make a melee attack at their standard attack bonus. If
they hit, they inflict the maximum damage for the weapon
(including their strength bonus). If the hit is a critical hit, they
inflict the maximum critical damage for that weapon (including
their strength bonus). This ability can only be used once per day.
Battle Cry: All allies within 30 feet of an Elite Mongol Horse-
man using this ability gain a +1 morale bonus, and all enemies
receive a -1 moral penalty. This ability can only be used once per
day, and lasts a number of rounds equal to their total character
levels.
Brutal Flurry: At 6th level the Elite Mongol Horseman gains
the ability to double their attacks for one round, albeit at a -2
penalty. Thus an Elite Mongol Warrior who attacks with
+12/+7/+2 normally would have, for one round,
+10/+10/+5/+5/-0/-0. This ability can be used only once per day,
and cannot be used in conjunction with a Brutal Attack.
Horse Brother: At 7th level the Elite Mongol Horseman may
communicate with their mount as if through an Empathic Link.
It takes one month to establish an Empathic Link with a mount,
and if that mount dies, the Elite Mongol Horseman will be dazed
for 1d8 rounds. This Link allows the Elite Mongol Warrior to
give more complex commands and provides a +2 willpower
bonus to the Horse for resisting Fear effects.
Last Ditch Strike: If an Elite Mongol Warrior with this ability is
reduced to zero hit points or below, they are given one more
combat round to perform any task before succumbing to their
wounds. Generally this round is used to make a final strike, but
any action may be taken that occurs within the time-span of the
round. This ability may only be used once per day.
Second Wind: At 9th level the Elite Mongol Warrior may sum-
mon deep reserves of strength to push on in battle. A Mongol
Warrior may sacrifice 1 temporary point of constitution to
remove any negative non-magical physical effects inflicting him,
154
such as poison, fatigue, disease, or moral penalties. This ability
can only be used once per day.
The Successors
Eventually succession would be decided, and the Jin would be
finally crushed. Then the Mongols would turn west again, and
send 150,000 Mongol Horsemen into Russia and Eastern
Europe. Russia and all the provinces of the region would fall to
the Mongol forces and be incorporated into the Golden Horde. It
would not be until the late medieval period that Russia would
finally gain freedom from the Mongols again. In Europe Russia
would invade Poland and Hungary, taking great portions of land
and sacking cities. They would eventually march on Austria, but
Temujins heir would die before the Mongols could move far-
ther. The Mongols returned home to fight over the next succes-
sor. It is strongly suspected that the Mongols were intent on
conquering the whole of Europe and, had it not been for Ogedei
Khans death, they likely would have.
The next few Khans would be unable to retain their holdings in
Hungary and Poland, but would strengthen their grip on Russia
and Persia. Eventually it would be Kublai Khan who would
return to China and finally topple the Liao and Sung Dynasties
after a failed attempt to conquer Japan. Having finally unified
China, Kublai Khan would establish himself the first Emperor of
the Yuan dynasty. But already the Mongol Empire was in
decline. Kublai Khan would see mediocre results in the battle-
field after his establishment of the Yuan Dynasty. Another attack
on Japan would fail, foiled by the weather as well as Japanese
warriors. He would also attack the Champa and Annam, regions
of Vietnam, and find only marginal success. A later raid on Java
would fail for lack of supplies. The Mongols, never seamen, had
found their limit.
Slowly the greater empire would crumble, as the Yuan Mongols
concentrated on controlling China. They were largely unsuccess-
ful, as they favored non-Han peoples, and promoted a great deal
of non-traditional practices. In the other lands the Mongols con-
quered Turkic and Mongolian tribes would establish Khanates,
various Islamic states to control what land they could. The
prowess of the Mongolian Warriors would decline under Chi-
nese domination, and in the end it would be the Mongolians who
would drive themselves from China, unable to resolve disputes
over succession. The remnants of the Yuan dynastic families
would retreat to Lake Bajkal to resolve their dispute, but would
never return to China. Over the span of a little more than a cen-
tury and a half the only land that would still pay the Mongols
tribute would be Russia. And the Mongol Empire would end up
only a short distance from where it began, after briefly becoming
the largest land empire in history.
The Ming Dynasty
In the aftermath of the retreat of the Mongols, a Han peasant and
former Buddhist monk would establish the Ming Dynasty. Con-
quered in stages, The Ming Dynasty would attempt to reconcile
 The Far East
changes established by the Yuan with the Neo-Confucian Hit Die: d10
thought of the Song Dynasty. For the first century of its exis-
tence the Ming Dynasty was the most maritime Chinese Dynasty Requirements
in history, with Chinese sailors traveling as far as Africa, and To qualify to become a Guang Hu Adventurer, a character must
possibly even crossing the Pacific, as certain unique parallel fulfill all the following criteria.
developments suggest contact between China and Mesoamerican Basic Attack Bonus: +4
cultures. But after this first century of expansion China suddenly
ceased sending ships so far. Scholars cite many reasons for the Feats: Expertise, 1 other combat related Feat
change, from moral dilemmas to financial reasons, but there is
no definitive answer for this change in policy. Ironically, this
would leave China ripe for exploitation during the Opium Trade.

The Guang Hu Setting

The Guang Hu Setting is a fictitious time period sometime in
the early Ming Dynasty, after China
has returned to self-rulership. It
involves something of an extension to
the Wudan period, and the rise of a
disenfranchised wandering adventurers
culture called the Guang Hu. This is the backdrop
of many Wuxia movies and fiction, and the con-
trasted freedom of the Guang Hu adventurers with the
stratification of Chinese culture make for an interesting
contrast. The Guang Hu culture is not unlike a criminal
underworld, where reputation and status is everything, and
adventurers are constantly seeking to improve their own rep-
utation by taking down more powerful adventurers. This inter-
nal competition is heightened by rivalries between different
schools. If the chance to explore a wild world and then return
to a highly cultured society appeals to your gaming
group, this fictitious campaign setting might just be perfect
for your players.

Guang Hu Adventurer (Prestige Class)

The Guang Hu was an underworld of so-called lawless adventur-
ers who wandered China perfecting their skills in combat
against each other, or using their martial prowess for
their own ends. Some were forces for good, tracking
down criminals and safeguarding shipments, while
others were evil, striking at the forces of law and taking
what they want. To be in the Guang Hu meant to be distrusted by
society, but to be free from its strictures as well.
Many sought to join the Guang Hu. Some were soldiers who left
the military but could no leave a life of conflict. Others were
those who sought spiritual enlightenment in the martial disci-
pline and meditation. Some sought to leave family obligations,
while others found themselves destitute, with nowhere else to
go. Once you entered the Guang Hu, it often became more diffi-
cult to completely leave it.

155
 From Stone to Steel
Class Skills
The Guang Hus class skills (and the key ability for each skill)
are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Heal (Wis), Intimi-
date (Cha), Perform (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Philosophy)
(Int), Swim (Str)
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int Modifier
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Guang Hu Adven-
turer prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Guang Hu Adventurers start
their first level with proficiency in all simple weapons, 4 martial
weapons of their school, and 1 exotic weapon of their school.
Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather
apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump,
Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Meditation: Guang Hu Adventurers are trained to Meditate. At
1st level a Guang Hu Adventurer may meditate to remove the
effects of fatigue. At 4th level a Guang Hu Adventurer may
Meditate for Clarity, which gives a +1 to strike for a number of
hours equal to the Adventurers total levels divided by two. At
7th Level the Guang Hu Adventurer may Meditate to place their
body in a state of suspended animation. This delays poison or
prevents hit point loss due to bleeding for a number of hours
equal to the Adventurers current levels. At 10th Level the
Guang Hu Adventurer may Meditate to neutralize any spell or
spells affecting them. This last form of meditation requires one
hour to take effect.
Two Weapon Fighting: This is the Feat, as listed in the Players
Handbook
Improvised Weapon TrainingThis is as per the Feat in this
chapter.
Reputation: As the Guang Hu Adventurer journeys, their repu-
tation grows and spreads. At 3rd level there is a 25% chance that
a Guang Hu Adventurer will be recognized on sight or by name
by another Guang Hu Adventurer. At 6th Level there is a 50%
chance that another Guang Hu Adventurer will recognize you,
and a 25% that a person from civilized culture will recognize
you. At 9th Level there is a 75% chance that another Guang Hu
Adventurer will recognize you, and a 50% chance that a person
from civilized culture will recognize you. Recognition may have
positive or negative consequences, depending on you actions.
You may earn respect from your fellow adventurers, or they may
wish to prove themselves by challenging you. You may be paid a
greater fee because of your fame, or you may be watched by the
police while in the city, due to their knowing youre a member of
the Guang Hu.
Full Membership: At 5th Level a Guang Hu Adventurer
becomes a full member of their school, and may have a private
room. If they wish, they may invite guests to stay, under their
protection. Moreover, they can participate in training classes,
and share in the fees collected.
Guang Hu Martial Techniques:
A Guang Hu martial artist may perform any combination of
known techniques a number of times equal to their Guang Hu
class level/2 plus Cha bonus per day.
Body Like WaterUnder heaven nothing is more soft and yield-
ing than water: This ability allows the Guang Hu Adventurer to
halve the damage of a bludgeoning attack once per day per level
of Guang Hu Adventurer.

Training: Guang Hu Adventurers may pick one of the following
Proficiency with 4 More Martial Weapons of their school
Proficiency with 1 More Exotic Weapon of their school
Weapon Focus with one known Weapon
Weapon Specialization with one known Weapon
1 Guang Hu Martial Technique
Body Like WindThe movement of Heaven is powerfulstrong
and untiring: This ability allows a Guang Hu Adventurer to
move at their full movement rate over any surface, including
vertical walls, bodies of water, or branches of trees. As long as
the Adventurer continues to move at their full movement rate
each round, they may ignore certain normal physical limitations.
As soon as the Adventurer moves less than their full movement

Table 5-2:Guang Hu Adventurer

Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +0 +2 +0 Starting Proficiencies, Meditation, Two Weapon Fighting
2nd +2 +0 +3 +0 Training
3rd +3 +1 +3 +1 Reputation
4th +4 +1 +4 +1 Training, Meditation
5th +5 +1 +4 +1 Full Membership
6th +6 +2 +5 +2 Training, Reputation
7th +7 +2 +5 +2 Meditation
8th +8 +2 +6 +2 Training
9th +9 +3 +6 +3 Reputation
10th +10 +3 +7 +3 Training, Meditation

156
 The Far East
in a turn, they are again subject to normal laws such as gravity,
mass, and buoyancy. (This emulates the eerie almost flying
scenes from Wuxia movies and fantasy.)
Body Like FireThat which is bright rises twicethe image of
fire: This ability allows a Guang Hu Adventurer to gain an extra
attack at their highest Attack Bonus once per combat. Thus if a
Guang Hu Adventurer has Attack Bonuses +9/+4, they can make
three attacks +9/+9/+4.
Refined DefenseInvincibility is a matter of defense, vulnera-
bility is a matter of attack: The Guang Hu with this ability may
add a +4 dexterity bonus to their AC once per day per 2 charac-
ter levels.
Body at PeaceThe Master sees things as they are, and does
not try to control them The Master resides in the center of the
circle: The Guang Hu with this ability may add a +8 bonus to
their Balance Skill for a number of rounds equal to their charac-
ter level once per day.
Combat CalmEmpty yourself of everything. Let the mind be at
peace: The Guang Hu Adventurer cannot be effected by any
spell or ability that imposes a negative morale penalty while in
combat. The meditation and centering techniques of the Guang
Hu make him immune while in battle.
Japanese blades coveted. Shortly before China gave up seafaring
it came into contact with the Portuguese, and gradually Euro-
pean traders would be given access to Shang Hai, which allowed
importation of European goods and items, including European
plate armor. Though the armor was expensive, suits were pur-
chased and adapted for Chinese tastes. Such armor would sup-
plant mountain pattern armor as the armor of choice for military
officers, and it will be discussed in later chapters dealing with
European armors.
Saber, Long and Broadsword, Two Handed Chi-
nese
The Long Saber and the two Handed Chinese Broadsword are
huge chopping weapons, with blades roughly a yard across. Both
weapons require substantial strength to wield appropriately, but
do devastating damage in the right hands.
Tachi, Imitation Chinese
The Tachi of the Japanese swords makers was the first sword to
be traded with other nations, and the Chinese soon understood
that this steel technique was superior to their own. Still, cultural
restrictions made it difficult to imitate this process, and Chinese
style Tachis did not measure up to the original.

Creating your Guang Hu School

A Guang Hu School trains its students in a subset of the Wudan
weapons. Each Guang Hu school chooses its own assortment,
and trains members with a certain number, stressing developing
expertise in one or a few. To design a Guang Hu School you
should select 18 weapons from the Wudan weapons of the
Weapons list. Use the following as a guide:
Select 24 Pole weapons or Spears
Select 35 one-handed weapons
Select 35 weapons used in pairs
Select 35 common Chinese weaponsJian, Dao, Fu, Knife,
Staff, Mace, Crossbow, Bow
Select 13 throwing weapons 121a 121b
Select up to three exotic items not previously selected.
This will give your school a good range of weapons, and make
your school more attractive to adventurers.
New Adventurers who join this school must pay a fee for their
training (up to 5th level, when they become full members).
This fee is usually 100 gp per level, although this can be paid
in installments. Student Membership also warrants a Guang Hu
adventurer a bed in a common barracks, and food a common 122
meal.

Developments in Armor & Weapons

The Ming suffered extensive piracy from Korea and Japan.
Japanese developments in armor and weapons were often mim-
icked in China, and a number of long sabers, chopping 121a. Two-Handed Chinese Saber; 121b. Two-Handed Chinese
broadswords, and two-handed swords became popular in coastal Broadsword; 122. Imitation Chinese Tachi
defense. Trade with Japan was light, making the now famed

157
 From Stone to Steel
Zhuge Nu
The Zhuge Nu was the ultimate in crossbow technology. Able to
hold up to a dozen quarrels in its ammunition box, and firing
automatically, like the Chu Ko Nu, the Zhuge Nu was the last
word in defense along the Great Wall and in fortified cities. A
variant of the Zhuge Nu did not fire automatically, but instead
fired two bolts at once. This multishot weapon only requires a
single to hit roll, and a successful hit indicates that both bolts
strike the target! Unless the Repeater Zhuge Nu is braced on a
rock, wall, or other stable surface, a -1 to hit modifier must be
added for each shot. The Repeater Zhuge Nu can fire 3 shots per
turn. If a character may normally only make a single attack dur-
ing a combat round, they can still make a second shot at their
Ranged Combat Bonus -5. If a character may normally only
make two attacks during a combat round, they can still make a
third shot at their Lowest Ranged Combat Bonus -5. The Zhuge
Nus ammunition box can hold up to 12 bolts at a time.
Indian Contributions
In the south the Sultanate of Delhi was now a rich and vibrant
culture, adapting Hindu, Sikh, Persian, Afghan, Buddhist,
Islamic, and Tangut influences. Even when the Mongols sacked
the bulk of Persia, the Sultanate of Delhi was a flourishing exam-
ple of the kind of cultural fusion found in Eastern Islam. Weapons
of the period were excellent and elegant in design. Made of both
123
124a
125a
125b
123. Multi-shot Zhuge Nu; 124a. Quoit Mace; 124b. Sickle Mace; 124c. Ghargaz Mace; 125a. Indian Bladed Pick; 125b. Indian
Bladed Pick; 126. Steel Fish Spine Sword
158
Woozt steel and regular steel, they were durable and artistic.
Indian versions of European weapons and armor were being
made, including early forms of plated mail armor.
Mace, Quoit, Ghargaz, Sickle, Cumber-Jung
A stylized mace with a head like the Quoit coin, the Quoit mace
was just one of a number of new styles of mace. The Ghargaz
was another common style, with a flanged, pear shaped head and
a guarded hilt. The Sickle mace was a strange departure, placing
a sickle blade on the end of a mace haft and hilt. All three maces
were constructed in steel, although damascened versions were
available. A two-headed flail variant of the Quoit mace was also
common, called the Cumber-Jung.
Binnol, Sabar, and Hoolurge
India experimented with the bladed pick, designing various mod-
els. Straight spiked blades or curved, the bladed picks of India
were usually embellished and solidly made, usually being con-
structed entirely from steel.
Sword, Steel Fish Spine
Fashioned in a stylized pattern, the Fish Spine Sword was a wide
and unwieldy weapon whose main advantage was being able to
perform the sword break maneuver. There is no record that a
damascened version of this blade ever existed.
124b 124c 126
 The Far East
127a 127b 128
133
127a. Dual Bladed Katar; 127b. Tri-Bladed Katar; 128. Pata; 129. Steel Bow; 130. Buhj; about the same weapon); 131. Bagh Nakh;
132. Santie; 133. Great Longsword
Katar, Dual Bladed and Tri-Bladed
The Katar went through a few more designs. A version with two
thin blades was produced. And a more complex version, with a
mechanism in the hilt, called the tri-bladed Katar was developed.
This katar appeared to be a single bladed katar until the hilt was
squeezed in a specific manner. This triggered a mechanism in the
blade to split the main Katar blade into two side blades, reveal-
ing a smaller Katar blade within. This tri-bladed katar could
cause fearsome damage when opened, and made an excellent
nasty surprise.
Pata
The Pata is a Sikh weapon, a longsword with a locked gauntlet
on the hilt. This weapon was expensive and usually custom
made for the user, although the gauntlet usually fit most users.
Any weapon with a locked gauntlet is much harder to disarm, as
per the rules in the Players Handbook.
Bow, Steel
A strange experiment, the Steel Bow of India is the only entirely
steel bow in existence. The steel bow is actually a short bow, and
its draw is not particularly spectacular, but the material of the
bow makes it hard to break. No damascened version of this
weapon is known to exist.
159
131
130
129
132
Buhj
A very small knife, often hidden in a boot or belt, the buhj was a
secret weapon, and is an Indian alternate version of the hidden
knife.
Bagh Nakh
The Bagh Nakh is a strange hand weapon. Certain versions were
merely a knife blade with a spiked hilt that had individual finger
spaces. But variants of the Bagh Nakh sport multiple blades, up
to three, and some also feature significant spikes on the grip. The
extra blades, however, only make the weapon more complex.
The Bagh Nakh listed here sports a single blade and a spiked
grip.
Santie
An all steel spear with a handgrip at the center, this halfspear
was a thrusting only weapon, and was not thrown.
Longsword, Great
Called the Mel Puhah Bemol, this incredibly long two handed
sword sports a blade nearly 6 feet in length. Complete with a
handhold on the blade and incredible balance for its size, it still
requires great strength to wield well.
 From Stone to Steel
134 135a 135b 135c
136a
134. Short Sword; 135a. Khanda; 135b. Patisa; 135c. Sosun Pattah; 136a. Bakhteretz Plated Mail; 136b.
Sikkim Plated Mail
Shortsword armor bonus, and does no damage to a creature with a +4 natural
Various short swords like the Zafar Takieh were smithed during
this time period as well. Often these blades were single edged,
and sported hand guards or elaborate decoration of the hilt.
Some swords in the north of India were straighter, with flat
points, resembling the machete.
Patisa, Sapola
Various medium length swords were constructed, most of them
chopping blades. Some of them, like the Sapola, had split tips.
The Nagan was an interesting variant with a wavy blade, which
gave the weapon a sinister appearance and tended to cause wider
wounds.
Urumi
Often refered to as the Whip Sword, the Urumi is an exotic
weapon, developed during the medieval period to showcase the
mobility focus of the Kalari Payatt school of Indian martial arts.
The Urumi consists of a sword hilt attached to roughly 15 feet of
paper thin steel, which is often worn as a belt when not in use.
When the Urumi is uncoiled, its user must remain in near con-
stant motion to keep the blade in the air. The thinness of the
blade makes it very sharp, but since it must constantly stay in
motion, the Urumi does not benefit from the strength bonus, as
most melee weapons do. It is treated as a ranged weapon with a
maximum range of 15 feet and no range penalties. The Urumi
deals no damage to any creature wearing armor of at least +2
160
136b
armor bonus. Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb, it
may also be used to make trip attacks. Unlike most trip attacks,
if this attack is successful, it also inflicts damage as normal. If
you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the
Urumi in order to avoid being tripped. The Urumi is exception-
ally difficult to use without training, and it confers an extra -4
penalty to all attacks made with it by one without Exotic
weapons proficiency for the Urumi. Due to the nature of the
Urumi, it has an exceptional chance of backlash. Should the total
attack roll for the user of an Urumi be 4 or less, a new attack roll
must be made against the wielder, adding 10 to the wielder's
Dexterity bonus as factored after armor penalties. Should this
roll hit the wielder, they take damage as normal (unless their
armor prevents this). The Urumi is a shield bypass weapon.
Plated Mail, Bakhteretz, Sind, and Sikkim
The Bakhteretz form of Plated mail consisted of rows of thin,
tight plate over the chest, and a more extensive coif and conical
helmet than Kolontar. Sind Armor was extremely elaborate, with
nearly every portion of the chainmail covered in extensive plat-
ing, from head to toe. Sikkim plated mail focussed around a mir-
rored round plate in the center of the chest and back, and two
smaller plates under the arms. A girdle of steel finished the
ensemble. All three types of mail were stifling and heavy to
wear. A barded version of the generic plated mail was also made
for both horses and elephants, although the elephant barding
required many men to carry and fit.
 The Far East
The Moghuls dle classes, shi, and aristocracy would know their government
for what it was: an occupation. The Qing would be too worried
As Persia recovered from its devastation at the hands of the
about internal revolt to see the true nature of the danger that con-
Mongols certain royals eyed the Sultanate of Delhi with envy.
fronted them. As history would show, it would be the West that
Eventually one family allied with chieftains in Afghanistan, and
would lead to the eventual fall of the Qing Dynasty. Trade, mis-
attacked the Sultanate together, joint forces in joint conquest.
sionaries, and Opium would destroy Imperial China from with-
Babur, a Prince of Persia, eventually challenged Ibrahim, the
out, but not for ages to come.
Shah of Delhi, in battle, and defeated the sovereign, taking con-
trol of the whole Sultanate. Babur established his separate
empire in Northern India, the Moghul Empire. Though the
Afghans would eventually wrest control from the Persian Other Notables
Emperor for a while, the Persians would regain and hold control
of Northern India during this period, and would become a very Nepal
progressive Muslim nation. Through marriage and war the Nepal is a small nation north of India, which has often been sub-
Moghuls would come to dominate all of India through Mysore, ject to the fortunes and misfortunes of India. Many of Indias
and would go a long distance towards becoming a true multicul- developments would influence Nepal, and steelcraft would come
tural nation, giving Muslim and non-Muslim citizens nearly to Nepal during the late medieval period. Two weapons were
equal protections under the law. It was during this time period central to Nepalese culture in the medieval period, notably the
that the Chakram would become a common weapon in India, Kora and the Ram Dao. Later, after the colonial powers were
usually used by the Sikhs. taking control of India, the Ghurkas would claim control of
Nepal and bring with them the kukri, a blade that would see
Chakram extensive use in the Middle East in the 18th Century.
Chakram were metal rings about 12 to 14 inches in diameter,
which were often worn on the hat on the head of a Sikh, the peo- Kora
ple who invented this weapon. Chakram were generally spun up The Kora is the national weapon of Nepal, a curved chopping
to speed somewhat like a frisbee on the finger of a wielder sword without a thrusting point. Used to hack at legs, arms, or
before being cast at ones opponent. The Chakrams flight was
similar to that of the frisbee, and it had a tendency to embed
itself like a barbed weapon.
137
European Colonialism
The Moghul Empire would retain control of most of India into 136c
the 18th century, until an attack from Persia would destroy Delhi
and weaken the Empire, allowing kingdoms to split off again.
This would leave India prey to growing European Colonialism,
and the Moghuls would be the last major empire born on Indian
soil. Indias history, for a time, would not be her own.
Late in the 17th Century the Ming Dynasty would find its own
fortunes failing. Increased pirate raids, a decadent and inattentive 139
aristocracy, and an alliance of Jurchen and Northern non-Chi- 138
nese forces would put the Empire in peril. Manchu forces
massed on the Chinese border, and Chinese forces, having stag-
nated after a growing sentiment that China had already achieved
its greatest glory and height of culture, could not hold them back.
The Manchu attacked and sacked Beijing, and despite the
Manchurians being non-Chinese, the peasants accepted them as
having the Mandate of Heaven. The Manchurian Dynasty, called
the Qing, would be the last Empire of China.
The Qing would maintain the same structures that had become a
facet of Chinas government: the examination system, the social
and scholarly projects, and the maintenance of the Great Wall.
But the Qing did not trust the Han Chinese, and would keep
them from the highest offices. The Han would be prevented from
joining the military, or from intermarriage with the Qing. 136c. Sind Plated Mail; 137. Chakram; 138. Kora; 139 Urumi
Though most peasants saw no change in their treatment, the mid-

161
 From Stone to Steel

horses, this weapon is highly damaging and easy to use in a sin-

gle hand.

Ram Dao
The Ram Dao is a sacrificial axe, curved in a sort of sickle 143
shape, with the blade on the outside of the weapon. Used prima-
rily to slaughter animals, this weapon was not used in warfare,
except by priests. 141

Kukri
The Ghurkas invented the Kukri, a bent, leaf-bladed one handed
chopping sword. Its use became almost universal among native
troops during the British Imperial period.
140
Okinawa
Many of the islands of the Pacific traded with China, so many of
the weapons of these islands were similar to Chinese make. In
the Philippines the natives used Chinese weapons almost exclu-
sively, except for the Butterfly Knife, Head Axe, and Escrima. 144
On Okinawa a fertile farming culture flourished, but attacks
from pirates forced them to adapt certain martial practices of the
Chinese mainland to defend themselves. Most notable of these
were the Nunchuku, Eku, Sai, Kama, Ji-Kuwa, and Tonfa, as
well as the Bo staff, a variant quarterstaff. These Okinawan
weapons were later adopted by adopted by the Chinese and
Japanese.
142
Knife, Butterfly
Unlike the modern knife of the same name, the Butterfly Knife
of china is a squat looking blade with a guard over one side of
the hilt. These weapons are usually used paired, and they are
140. Ram Da'o; 141. Kukri; 142. Butterfly Knife; 143. Head
generally used in brief flurries, attempting to slash the enemy a Axe; 144. Escrima
number of times before a solid killing thrust is made. A variant
of this weapon is the Bulls Ear sword, which is often mistaken today. The Ji-Kuwa resembles a short tonfa, and was actually a
for the Butterfly Knife. common kind of hairpin for women. The Tonfa was a rice-beat-
ing club. And the Bo was a common staff. All of these items
were used extensively in Okinawa and imported to Japan and
Axe, Head China, where they entered society in different facets. As a note:
The head axe is a large axe with a broad head. Used for day-to- the Sai grants a +2 bonus on the users opposed attack roll when
day cutting, the Head Axe is often planted in the ground when a attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep
knife blade is needed, and then the item needing to be cut is run from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. Sai, Ji-
over the exposed blade. Kuwa, and Tonfa are often used paired. A Malaysian variant of
the Sai is the Tjabang, which is essentially used in the same
Escrima manner. Use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a characters Dex-
Escrima are essentially lacquered sticks, used in a native martial terity modifier instead of the Strength modifier to attack rolls
art. Wielded in pairs, their general use is to bludgeon an oppo- with a Nunchuku. The Nunchuku is a shield bypass weapon.
nent with quick and rhythmic strikes, until your enemy cannot
defend themselves any more. Malaysia & Indonesia
The nations of Malaysia and modern day Indonesia, having felt
Nunchuku, Eku, Sai, Kama, Ji-Kuwa, Tonfa, Bo the influences of China and India often but never having been
The weapons of Okinawa had to be made from inconspicuous conquered by them, developed a great variety of weapons and
items so as not to arouse the suspicions of occupying forces. The unique martial arts. Pentjak Silat is a collection of highly aggres-
Nunchuku was designed from the grain flail. The Eku was an sive martial arts native to this region, which stress swift and
oar, turned to a bludgeoning weapon. The Sai was a furrowing decisive attacks to disable a foe before they can become a threat.
tool before it became the formidable disarming weapon it is Kuanto, another martial art, stressed careful preparation and

162
 The Far East
power strikes. The weapons of Malaysia and Indonesia devel-
oped with obvious influence from their neighbors, but the more
primitive origins and tribal customs of the region, which include
headhunting and cannibalism, can often show through in the pri-
mal form of some of their older weapons.
Tombak, Kujungi
The knives of Malaysia are rarely as symmetrical as the Tombak.
Most of them are like the Kujungi, asymmetrical, flanged, often
with random metal hooks or points, and generally dangerous
looking.

Weapons Used in Kuanto and Pentjak Laingtjat

Sickle, Arit and Tjaluk
The Arit is a standard sickle, forward curving with a sharpened
inner edge. The Tjaluk is a sickle on a reversed handle, so that
the sickle blade seems to extend from the end of the hand along
the back of the arm. Both weapons are used to inflict painful
wounds. A variant of this is the Hui-Tho, which has a sickle
blade, but it is attached to a rope, so that the weapon can be used
at range.
Hwa-Kek, Sjang Sutai
Both polearms show that not all of Malaysias martial arts
require blinding speed. The Hwa-Kek resembles nothing so
much as a solid trident. The Sjang Sutai, on the other hand, looks
like a chopping sword-headed polearm. Both weapons require
substantial strength to use effectively, and stress physical control.
The Laingtjat looks like two dear antler razors mounted on either
end of a staff. This double weapon is a fearsome slashing tool,
and it fully earns its fearsome reputation. This is a double
weapon, and if used as a double weapon, you incur all penalties
associated with fighting with two weapons as if you were using
a one-handed weapon and a light weapon.
Paku
The Paku is a short spike or cylindrical knife, usually thrown at a
foe as a surprise attack. The miniscule size of the Paku makes it
very easy to conceal (+4 to any conceal attempts), and a Paku
can be held in a hand along with a readied weapon. This allows
the wielder to carry and throw a weapon while still being pre-
pared for melee.

145
152

147 154a 154b 156

153
151

146
148
155a 155b

159

149 158

150 157

145. Nunchuku; 146. Eku; 147. Sai; 148. Kama; 149. Ji-Kuwa; 150. Tonfa; 151. Bo; 152. Arit Sickle; 153. Tjaluk Sickle; 154a. Hwa-
Kek; 154b. Sjang Sutai; 155a. Tombak; 155b. Kujungi variations; 156. Laingtjat; 157. Paku; 158. Pedang; 159. Pendjepit

163
 From Stone to Steel
Pedang (variant Luris)
The Pedang is a machete like blade, and is indicative of the gen-
eral make of swords from this region. A variant, the Luris
Pedang, is actually two edged, however the general shape of
most swords of this region is the one edge variety. The Luris is,
in every other aspect, identical to the regular Pedang.
Pendjepit
The Pendjepit is a particularly exotic weapon, effectively a pair
of combat tongs. These spiked grippers are intended to grab a
hold of free flesh in order to pull, tear, and grind it. The weapon
deals no damage to any creature wearing armor of at least +1
armor bonus, and does no damage to a creature with a +1 natural
armor bonus. Attacking with the Pendjepit prompts an attack of
opportunity, just like any other unarmed weapon. Should a per-
son armed with the Pendjepit have the Advanced Unarmed
Strike Feat, they can use them without attracting an attack of
opportunity.
Sa Tjat Koen
Known as the three part staff, this weapon is suspected to have
originated in Malaysia before being introduced to the rest of the
Eastern World. Essentially three 2-foot poles attached by short
chains, the Sa Tjat Koen is used in a similar manner to the Nun-
chaku, although it generally has longer reach. Use the Weapon
Finesse feat to apply a characters Dexterity modifier instead of
the Strength modifier to attack rolls with a Sa Tjat Koen. This
weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Siangkam
The Siangkam is a one handed weapon that looks like a very
short spear. Generally wielded in pairs, they are effective when
used in quick thrusting maneuvers. These are identical to the
Siangham weapon in the Players Handbook.
Tribal and Civil weapons
Kapak
The Kapak is a small, iron throwing axe. Light and short, this
was usually flung preceding a full-scale assault.
Karambit (Sabit)
The Karambit is a very short, hooked dagger usually used for
skinning or butchering. A variant, called the Sabit, has a reversed
hook but is in all other ways identical, statistic-wise.

162
160

163
164a 164b 164c
161

169 165

168a

170 168b
167

166

160. Sa Tjat Koen; 161. Siangkam; 162. Kapak; 163. Karambit; 164a. Kingfisher Kris; 164b. Kris scabbard; 164c. Kris; 165. Lad-
ing; 166. Mancatcher; 167. Paralyser; 168a. Gina Parang; 168b. Latok Parang; 169. Piau; 170. Rante (star and spike)

164
 The Far East
Kris Blades and Black Magic
Many pre-metal cultures find the art of smithing metal to be
something disturbing and unwholesome. Many sub-Saharan
tribes believes that blacksmiths worked dark magic to fashion
metal into blades, and a similar belief was held in Malaysia
and its surrounding regions for a time. Thus the Kris blade was
automatically seen as dark sorcery, death magic made physical
by trapping it in the form of a knife. If playing a primitive cul-
ture at the advent of smithing, perhaps metal weapons really
are death spells given physical form. This concept could make
weapons very dangerous to own, since a cloudkill mace might
be very deadly in an enclosed space, or a fireball knife might
make a powerful throwing weapon.
Kris
The Kris blade is perhaps the best known weapon of Malaysia.
An asymmetrical long knife with a wavy blade, the Kris is an old
weapon, with great heritage in Malaysia. Every Kris blade is
made commission, and is decorated specifically for the wielder
by the smith. The shape of each Kris is unique, and the history of
the Kris blade is often remembered by the owner. The people of
the region often fear this blade, for the important spiritual conno-
tations the weapon conjures.
Fated Items
When a Kris blade was first forged, it was believed that a spirit
or magic was trapped inside the blade. The nature of that spirit
or magic was unknowable, although using the blade would
reveal what kind of magic the Kris possessed. Some Kris
blades were highly effective at killing ones opponents, while
others might be particularly powerful against animals. But
some Kris blades were foul things, murderous weapons that
killed relatives or innocents. One could never know what fate
a Kris might bear until it was first used. Thus, it was preferred
to receive a Kris as a gift from someone who knew how the
blade was fated, so that you could avoid discovering your
newly commissioned blade was fated to take only your rela-
tives blood. Weapon histories began to be kept so as to keep
track of the weapon fate.
Fated Weapons make an interesting twist on magical weapons.
Some Fates act as banes, making a blade more effective
against a specific type of foe. But some may have more exten-
sive enchantments or requirements, like those that require reg-
ular sacrifice or that doom you to kill your companions. In a
world where metal weapons are rare or scarce, making all
metal weapons fated weapons adds a definite amount of dan-
ger and prestige to carrying on of them.
Lading
The lading is a double-edged knife with a fascinating origin: it
was originally a spearhead. When spears became broken or use-
less, the heads were often removed and fashioned into lading,
usually temporarily, although sometimes it was not practical to
use the lading to create a new spear. Should a suitable shaft be
165
found, the ladings handle is ample cord to reattach the Lading to
a pole to create a spear.
Mancatcher (variant with Spike)
The Mancatcher is one of those rare instances of co-evolution of
similar weapons concepts. The Mancatcher, like the lariat, is a
weapon that is not designed to inflict damage. A large rattan loop
on the end of a wooden pole, this is used much like a net. The
loop is dropped around the target by succeeding with a ranged
touch attack. A successful hit means that the person is now
caught within the loop of the Mancatcher. If an opposed Strength
Check is successful, the person wielding the Mancatcher can
limit the movement of the entangled foe by the length of the pole
(10 feet). This is a reach weapon, and cannot be used on foes
within 10 feet. Some versions of the Mancatcher have a spike
seated at the base of the loop, where it attaches to the pole,
which can be extended to make things more difficult for the cap-
tured person. The spike imposes a -4 penalty on the person in the
Mancatcher loop when performing the Strength Check. If the
person in the Mancatcher succeeds he takes an automatic 1d6
impaling damage from the spike. The captured person may elect
to accept the automatic damage and make the Check without the
imposed penalty.
Paralyser
The Paralyser is a gruesome weapon, a long, serrated, two-
headed spear. The second head is set slightly below the shaft,
and about a foot away from the first spearhead. The concept was
that the serrations made it difficult for a person impaled on the
spear to back off of it, while the second spear head would pre-
vent an impaled opponent from running up to the wielder to
attack them. The Paralyser is a reach weapon, and cannot be
used on opponents within 10 feet. Should a Paralyser wielder
inflict critical damage, and the victim is still alive after the
attack, the victim should be considered impaled on the weapon.
Should they attempt to retreat off of the Paralyser, they will
inflict the same damage to themselves again extricating them-
selves. Should they push forward to close on the wielder, they
will inflict the same damage on themselves by impaling them-
selves again on the second spearhead. Most such victims will
likely opt to attack the weapon, hoping to chop the Paralyser
apart and give themselves an easier freedom. For each round that
a victim is trapped on the Paralyser, the wielder can jostle the
weapon in the wound, causing an automatic additional 1d6 of
damage per round.
Parang (Gina, Latok)
The Parang is a heavier bladed sword, similar in design to the
Pedang. Parang is actually a generic term for this kind of blade,
which has many variations, such as the Gina Parang or the Latok
Parang. Solid and reliable, these weapons were used by natives
and foreign explorers who sought to enter the depths of the
native jungles.
 From Stone to Steel
171 172
171. Yoroi armor; 172. Tanko armor; 173. Keiko armor
Piau
The Piau is a short throwing knife, shaped somewhat like an axe
head. If a person is caught in melee, they can attack with the
Piau, grasping it so that they inflict damage as a slashing attack.
Attacking with the Piau as a hand weapon prompts an automatic
attack of opportunity, just like any other unarmed weapon.
Should a person armed with the Piau have the Advanced
Unarmed Strike Feat, they can use them without provoking an
attack of opportunity.
Rante
The Rante is an exotic chain weapon that is commonly used in
Malaysia as a weapon. Normally this weapon inflicts damage as a
bludgeoning weapon, however there are two variants. One vari-
ant, the Star Rante, has a serrated star at one end of the chain,
which makes the damage identical but slashing. Another, the Dart
Rante, has a sharp spike on the other end, making the damage
identical but impaling. Make sure to specify which variant you
are purchasing so that your DM will know. Because it can wrap
around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to make trip
attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can
drop the weapon in order to avoid being tripped. Those using this
weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when
attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep from
being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. You may use the
Weapon Finess feat to apply a characters Dexterity modifier
166
173
instead of the Strength modifier on attack rolls with a Rante. This
weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Japan
No examination of the Far East would be complete without a look
at Japan. But Japan, an island nation, has far less interaction with
other nations than land-bound nations like India and China. There
is archaeological evidence that supports a Stone Age culture (The
Jomon) in Japan before the Korean settlers (Yayoi) arrived, and
their intermarriage bred the unique culture that is Japan. The Yayoi
brought with them a fledgling religion that would become Shinto,
and they also brought a clan-centric cultural system that would
eventually develop into the prominent uji system.
The first armors of Japan were lamellars and cuirasses, the Yoroi
and Tanko. These saw use for two hundred years, as well as
forms of leather and padded armor. It would not be until the
development of the Keiko that Japanese armor would begin to
resemble the familiar armor of Japan. Made up at least 7 differ-
ent sizes of scale, the Keiko armors are essentially a very com-
plex kind of scale work. All of these armors were made of iron.
Yoroi, Tanko, Keiko, Iron
The three early Japanese armors, they are least like the armor
stereotypical of Japan. The Yoroi armor was a kind of iron lamel-
lar breastplate, which left the arms and legs free to move. The
 The Far East
Tanko was an extension of this same concept, a heavy, metal
cuirass without any shoulder protection, but which kept the torso
very well protected. The rest of the body was likely covered by
leather armor. The Keiko was the first step towards more tradi-
tional looking Japanese armor, and it was a complex form of
interlocking lamellar. With plates and scales of 6 different sizes,
the Keiko was time-consuming to make and expensive.
Outside Influences
Japanese culture began to absorb a great deal of Chinese culture,
adopting similar views on aesthetics and good governance,
adopting a more Chinese Imperial culture, and similar art. The
Japanese practiced spirit worship as well as ancestor reverence at
this time, and Shinto was still in its fledgling stages. During the
Nara period two key changes would occur. Firstly, Buddhism
would merge with Shinto thought, and temples would be estab-
lished, where monks practiced meditation and a unique form of
martial arts. Secondly, Steel would be developed in Japan, and
with it new techniques of forging.
Early Japanese swords were straight edged, like the Dao. They
also had a native staff, shorter than the quarterstaff, called the Jo.
Spears, (Yari) were simple, although tassels were added later on
for distraction and decorative purposes. Nageyari were the throw-
ing equivalent, and Uichi-ne were darts that looked like short
spears and could be used as a stabbing weapon. Where Japan
really began to vary with mainland nations was in their early
polearms. The Naginata was first developed in the 700s and was
used by Bushi (soldiers) and monks alike. Later polearms would
include the Bisento, Feruzue, Kama-Yari, Kongo-Zue, Tetsubo,
Jumonki-Yari.
Ken, Ama Goi Ken (Short sword)
The Ken was the first sword of Japan. A straight, two-edged
sword, like the Jian, this weapon was used like most European
swords. A smaller version, the Ama Goi Ken, was used for tem-
ple defense, usually by monks, and was not adapted for battle.
Jo
The Jo stick was Japans native staff weapon. A little less than
three feet in length, this weapon was used like a club.
Yari, Nageyari, Uichi-ne, Kama-Yari, Jumonki-
Yari
Yari is the Japanese word for spear. The Yari was a longspear, the
most commonly used weapon in the early Japanese military, given
to nearly every Bushi. The Nageyari was a shorter throwing ver-
sion of the Yari. The aristocrats, who generally didnt see battle,
were still expected to make an appearance, and the Uichi-ne was
designed as a nobles weapon. Resembling a short spear, this dart
weapon was the defensive weapon of choice by nobles, who were
also trained to use them like the Siangkam. The Kama-Yari was a
tri-bladed yari with two rearward swept blades and one forward
blade. Used to trip opponents and attack horses legs, this Yari was
a vicious weapon in the right hands. The Jumonki-Yari was a tri-
167
bladed variant of the Yari, whose side tines extended perpendicu-
lar to the staff, making it easier for the wielder to hit a foe.
Naginata
In the early period of Japans warfare development, the Naginata
style polearm was as common as the Yari on the battlefield. But
the Naginata was relatively light for a polearm, and was eventu-
ally relegated to women, who were traditionally left to guard the
castle. The Naginata became known as a womens weapon, as
was shameful to fight with for men, except in practice.
Feruzue
A staff weapon resembling the Wolf Tooth Staff, the Feruzue has
a nasty surprise. The haft is hollow and contains a striking head
attached to a chain within. While the Flail head is locked at the
end of the staff, the staff is a normal polearm. But when the flail
head is released, it becomes a dangerous reach flail weapon.
Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb in this state, it
may also be used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during
your own trip attempt, you can drop the weapon in order to
avoid being tripped. Those using this weapon gain a +2 bonus on
their opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt. Extreme strength is needed to wield the Feruzue
effectively as a flail weapon. When the Feruzue head is released,
the Feruzue is a shield bypass weapon.
Kongo-Zue
The Kongo-Zue is a weapon favored by the warrior monks of
Japan. A staff with iron rings at either end; this is an exotic
double weapon. The rings allow the user to perform sword-
breaking maneuvers. This is a double weapon, and if used as a
double weapon, you incur all penalties associated with fighting
with two weapons as if you were using a one-handed weapon
and a light weapon.
The Samurai System
During the Heinan period, the next major development was the
Samurai system. Professional mounted soldiers, called servants
(in Japanese, Samurai) were under the direct authority of the
Emperor, but were spread through the various provinces. Over
time these Samurai become loyal to the local aristocracy, who
supported and funded their activities. During this period the fold-
ing process came into practice, which created ultra-strong
blades. The first such blades were straight, but later develop-
ments showed that a slightly curved blade was easier to remove
from its scabbard, so smiths began to developed curved
weapons. The crossbow, called the oyumi in Japan, also began to
see common use.
As power devolved to the landed aristocracy, certain more pros-
perous families made alliances and eventually ousted the
Emperor. War broke out among the many families and the end
result was the re-establishment of the Imperial line and the
development of a military dictatorship in the form of the Shogu-
 From Stone to Steel
nate. During this period the Samurai began to develop codes of
conduct that would eventually become published in the Bushido,
or way of the Warrior. Eventually the more ornamental o-yoroi
armors came into common use, although the more fantastic Kab-
utos, or helmets, were only worn by prominent warriors.
The samurai were also encouraged to become cultured, and to
practice meditation and spiritual exercises. They were encour-
aged to learn the ways of the sword, horsemanship, archery, and
hand-to-hand fighting, as well. As the samurai became a ruling
class in their own right, ceremony and culture was stressed every
bit as much as military prowess. And weapons were developed
here and there among the samurai.
The Mongols attacked twice during this time. The Mongols were
never great at sea, and their first landing on Japanese soil saw
their own soldiers too weary from the sea travel to effectively
establish a beachhead. Samurai warriors and conscripts drove the
Mongols into the sea, and sailors kept them from finding a place
to land. The second attack, after Kublai Khan had established the
Yuan dynasty, was an equal failure, with more than half of his
boats sinking during a terrible tempest (Kamikaze or Divine
Wind in Japanese), and the rest, again, being unable to recover
well enough to fight the Samurai. Emboldened, it is not so sur-
prising that eventually a Shogun would look to take holdings in
the mainland.
By the time Shogun Ashikaga Takauji sought to strengthen the
power of the Shogunate, the Samurai class was a fixture in Japan-
ese society. The katana was developed, and within a short period
the Wakazashi followed, a shorter weapon intended for close
fighting indoors. Zen, the tea ceremony, flower arranging, poetry,
calligraphy, and gardening were all talents an accomplished
Samurai might brag of. The Samurai caste prided itself on being
cultured and refined, not the rough and crude blood spillers main-
lander soldiers were. As a result, a variety of armors, all variants
on the Do-Maru style armor began to develop
Ken and Tachi, Japanese Early Folded
The folding techniques developed in Japan made the sword a
more durable weapon, and gave it more effectiveness. The Tachi
was the first curved Japanese blade, and was used universally in
Japan by Samurai until the invention of the Katana.
O-yoroi
A more ornamental armor than the Keiko, the O-yoroi looks
more like traditional Samurai armor. Large plates, bound in cord
and leather, and layered heavily over the body created fine pro-

174

175

176

177 178

179

180

181

182

183

174. Ken; 175. Jo; 176. Yari; 177. Nageyari; 178. Uichi-ne; 179. Kama-Yari; 180. Jumonki-Yari; 181. Naginata; 182. Feruzue; 183.
Kongo-Zue

168
 The Far East
185
184
184. Tachi; 185. O-yoroi armor; 186. Bokken; 187. Chijirki; 188. Dai-Kyu; 189a. Ornamental Arrowhead; 189b. Piercing Arrow-
head; 189c. Forked Arrowhead; 190. Jitte
tection at the cost of mobility. Samurai trained to act and react
effectively in their heavy armor, but this kind of armor never
caught on in the mainland.
Bokken
A wooden practice sword, the Bokken was used to train students
in sword technique. Solid enough to cause bruises and break
bones, the Bokken could duplicate any maneuver a Tachi could.
Chijiriki
A yari with a chain mounted to the opposite end of the staff, this
double weapon performed a variety of tasks. Besides the stan-
dard thrusting, the Chijiriki could wrap around a leg or other
limb to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the weapon in order to avoid being
tripped. Those using this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their
opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt.
Dai-Kyu
A large, asymmetrical bow used by the Samurai, this weapon is
nearly six feet long. The grip of this bow is low, allowing this
169
187
186
189a
190
189b
189c
188
weapon to be fired from horseback. The Dai-Kyu is powerful,
and is often a specialty weapon for certain Samurai.
Arrows, Armor Piercing and Forked
These arrows are unique designs. The Armor piercing arrow is a
specially made impaling arrow that adds +1 to attack rolls
against armored foes. The Forked arrow inflicts slashing dam-
age, but was often used to cut things, such as ropes.
Jitte
The Jitte is a parrying weapon designed to capture and disarm
swords. The Jitte looks a lot like a Sai with a single tine, usually
at a straight angle, rather than a curved one. Those using this
weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when
attempting to disarm an opponents sword, including the roll to
keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. The
Jitte was often used as an off-hand weapon.
Kumade
A polearm with a three pronged grappling head, this weapon was
designed, much like the first tridents, for use during sea combat.
A solid weapon used to grab objects or people and pull them to
where you need them, it does minimal damage. A successful hit
allows a grapple check. If successful, the person wielding the
 From Stone to Steel
192
196 197 198
194
191
193
199
195
191. Kumade; 192. Manriki-gusari; 193. Masakari; 194.
Nagegama; 195. Nagimaki; 196. No-Dachi; 197. O-No; 198.
Sode Garami; 199. Tonto
Kumade can limit the movement of the entangled foe by the
length of the pole (5 feet).
Manriki-gusari
The Manriki-gusari started out as a simple chain, and eventually
two blunt weights were added to give it better throwing range.
Designed by a samurai to allow him to disable a foe without
killing him, the Manriki-gusari can be used as whip-like weapon.
When using it as a melee weapon, the manriki-gusari has reach.
You can strike opponents 10 feet away with it but, unlike other
reach weapons, you can also use it against an adjacent foe.
Because it can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be
used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the weapon in order to avoid being
tripped. Those using a whip gain a +2 bonus on their opposed
attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent, including the
roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt.
When thrown, if it hits the target (even on the armor), there is a
25% chance the target is entangled. A -2 penalty can be taken to
the attack roll to increase the entangle chance to 50%. An entan-
gled creature is a -2 on attack rolls, and a -4 penalty on effective
Dexterity. The entangled creature can only move at half speed
and cannot charge or run. If an entangled creature attempts to
cast a spell, it must succeed at a Concentration check (DC 15) or
be unable to cast the spell. You can use the Weapon Finesse feat
to apply a characters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength
170
modifier on attack rolls with a Manriki-gusari. This weapon is a
shield bypass weapon.
Masakari
With a regular axe blade on one side and a tapered spike on the
other, the Masakari is a weapon made to be used against armored
and unarmored foes alike. The Masakari can be used like an axe
to do slashing damage, or it can be used like a pick to do impal-
ing damage. This is one of the few axes used in Japan.
Nagegama
The Nagegama is a Kama-like sickle on the end of a Manriki-
type chain. Swung in the hand as a Kama, it can also be thrown,
like a Rante, to injure an opponent at range. When throwing the
Kama portion and retaining the chain, it has reach. You can
strike opponents 10 feet away with it but, unlike other reach
weapons, you can also use it against an adjacent foe. . Because it
can wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to make
trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you
can drop the weapon in order to avoid being tripped. Those using
this weapon gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when
attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep
from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt.
Nagimaki
A longer, heavier cousin of the naginata, this blade does not have
the social stigma of its forebear. Indeed, it was designed to allow
men to use the popular womens weapon without ridicule.
No-Dachi
A katana-like weapon with a blade six feet long, the No-Dachi is
the quintessential two-handed Japanese longsword. Usually
worn on the back and drawn over the shoulder, the No-Dachi
was a very difficult weapon to manipulate effectively, but was
fearsome in the hands of a master.
O-No
A six foot staff topped with an axe blade, the O-no was a long-
range chopping weapon. Used to attack foes from a wall or to
strike at enemies from afar, the O-no was not very popular, due
to its unwieldy nature.
Sode Garami
Also known as the sleeve tangler, the Sode Garami is a long pole
with many jagged barbs. Used to apprehend thieves or fleeing
criminals, a successful hit allows you to make an immediate
grapple check. If successful, the person wielding the Sode
Garami can limit the movement of the entangled foe by the
length of the pole (5 feet).
Tonto
A short knife, made with folded steel, it was often a side weapon
to the Tachi, before the invention of the Wakazashi.
 The Far East
200
200. Do_Maru armor
Do-Maru
A lighter armor than the O-yoroi, the Do-Maru provides slightly
less protection but has more flexible plating. The Do-Maru
became the standard armor worn by most Samurai, although
some chose heavier armors, for their protection.
Katana
The signature weapon of the Samurai, the Katana is the Japanese
equivalent of the bastard sword. Although too large to be used in
one hand without special training, all Samurai are trained to use
the Katana in one hand. The katana was always custom made,
and each Katana was made with the advanced folding techniques
of Masamune.
Wakazashi
The companion blade to the Katana, this weapon is shorter than
the Katana or Tachi, and was intended for indoor use, where the
Katana might be too unwieldy. The Wakazashi is worn slightly
below the katana, and is a required weapon for the Samurai. The
171
Wakazashi is made with the advanced folding techniques of
Masamune.
Haramaki Do
Some experimentation was made on the Do-Maru. Haramaki Do
was a variant identical except for lacing strategy. The Tsuzumi
Do was a heavier suit, with thicker plates and a leather covering,
making it more protective, but not as flexible. The Tatami Do
had a cloth backing for the plates, which made it inherently less
durable, although slightly more protective than the Do-Maru in
the short run.
Ninja
During this time the Ninja became a private force for espionage
and assassination. Various histories propose that the ninja were
in Japan from the earliest times, from the 600s to the 1200s,
Masamunes revolution
Masamune was a legendary smith, the man who took the prac-
tice of folding steel and made it an art. Most smiths would
fold steel perhaps 35 times before being satisfied with the
temper. Masamune would fold no blade less than 10 times,
and many blades were folded more, a rare few up to 20 times.
This folded steel was highly superior, and weapons made with
steel folded this often were far superior to just about anything
they would ever come in contact with. Masamune is also
credited with crafting the first No-Dachi. Any weapon made
in this advanced folding manner is automatically a masterwork
weapon, has a hardness of 11,and receives the traditional +1
combat bonus.]
and claim that they were everything from people with the right
skills to isolated death cultists. Due to the popularization of Nin-
jas in modern culture and the great wealth of literature by so-
called Ninja experts, there is little modern historical information
that can clear up the exact origin of the Ninja. Suffice it to say
the Ninja became a way for aristocratic families to gain informa-
tion on their enemies and assassinate them. Ninja trained in
hand-to-hand martial arts, and had a wide variety of weapons
they could access, depending on their training. The Ninja were
generally stigmatized in society, so disguising body wear was
adopted to hide their identities, and nothing heavier than padded
armor was ever used, since it interfered with stealth.
Ninja-to
A short, straight, single edged blade used by the Ninja, the
Ninja-to is an efficient assassination device. A smith belonging
to the Ninja Dojo would be the one to craft the Ninja-to, since no
regular smith would knowingly make a ninja weapon, for fear of
repercussions.
Shuriken
The traditional throwing star, the Shuriken is too light to allow
the addition of the strength modifier to its damage. Grasped
between fingers, up to three Shuriken may be thrown at once,
 From Stone to Steel

202 208
207

213
201

203 212

204
209

210

205
211

206 214

201. Ninja-to; 202. Shuriken; 203. Han-Kyu; 204. Garrote; 205. Fukidake; 206. Kyoketsu-Shogi; 207. Nekode; 208. Kawanaga; 209.
Katana; 210. Wakazashi; 211. Teppo; 212. Nageteppo; 213. Nunti-Sai; 214. Kusari-gama
although at a -1 to hit penalty for each dart being thrown. If any actions as if grappled and fatigued. Every subsequent attack
using in conjunction with a sneak attack, only the first Shuriken by the Garrote dealer automatically hits, although a die roll is
should be considered a sneak attack. still necessary to determine if critical damage should be applied.

Han-Kyu,
A short bow, the Han-Kyu was used by the Ninja when a target
could not be approached easily. Ninja had access to all manner
of arrows (any previously mentioned), and often poisoned an
arrow, in order to make certain a target was eliminated.
Garrote
A long wire or cord used for strangling. Wrapped about the
hands or wrists, and carried in a reverse loop, the Garrote
required that the wielder get up behind an opponent and slip the
loop over their head swiftly. Then the reversed loop would be
tightened, to strangle the victim. Wire versions also cut into the
flesh, causing terrible damage to the throat. Some variants of the
Garrote had wooden handles, to prevent damage to the hands. A
Garrote is only useful as a flanking attack, and is best used when
a foe is surprised. The to-hit roll is given a -4 modifier for hit
location, and a foe wearing any kind of armor other than soft or
none is immune to this attack. Besides the rolled damage, any
victim of this attack also suffers from suffocation, and performs
172
Fukidake
A small blowgun, usually split into 1 foot portions, and made to
be reconnected, the Fukidake is used to fire small needles, usu-
ally poison tipped. Fukidake do not take damage from attacking,
unlike other weapons. Instead, they only take damage from
being attacked. The Fukidake is nearly silent, and can be used
while hiding and not reveal its source.
Kyoketsu-Shogi
A weapon with a rope attached to the haft and an iron or wooden
ring on the other end of the rope, this exotic double weapon has
a surprising number of uses. The ring can be thrown for bludg-
eoning damage, or the like-like weapon can be thrown for slash-
ing damage. The rope itself can be used to attempt disarms or
trips. And the ring can be used as a defensive object, conferring
a +1 armor bonus in the round it is used in this manner. When
throwing either end, it is treated as a ranged weapon with a max-
imum range of 10 feet, and no range penalties. Because it can
wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to make trip
 The Far East
attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can
drop the whip in order to avoid being tripped. Those using a
Kyoketsu-Shogi gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll
when attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to
keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt.

Nekode
A grappling hook on a rope, this weapon was used much like the
Rante as a bludgeoning weapon by the Ninja. Because it can
wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to
make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the weapon in order to avoid
being tripped. Those using this weapon gain a +2
bonus on their opposed attack roll when attempting to
disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep from
being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. You
can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a charac-
ters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modi-
fier on attack rolls with a Nekode. This weapon is a
shield bypass weapon.

Kawanaga
Climbing hooks, which grant a +2 bonus to climbing while
worn, these weapons make unarmed strikes normal piercing
attacks. The Kawanaga does not change the normal hand attack
damage. Attacking with the Kawanaga prompts an automatic
attack of opportunity, just like any other unarmed attack. Should
a person armed with the Kawanaga have the Advanced Unarmed
Strike Feat, they can use them without provoking an attack of
opportunity.

Ninja (Prestige Class)

Those without Honor. Those who walk in the Night. The Ninja
were feared and reviled for their secretive ways and their rejec-
tion of the code of Bushido. The Ninja were assassins and spies,
for a cost, although many ninja clans claimed they also per-
formed their duties out of religious conviction.

Table 5-3:Ninja
Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +0 +0 +2 +0 Training
2nd +1 +0 +3 +0 Sneak Attack +1d6
3rd +2 +1 +3 +1 Training
4th +3 +1 +4 +1 Sneak Attack +2d6
5th +3 +1 +4 +1 Training
6th +4 +2 +5 +2 Sneak Attack +3d6
7th +5 +2 +5 +2 Training
8th +6 +2 +6 +2 Sneak Attack +4d6
9th +6 +3 +6 +3 Training
10th +7 +3 +7 +3 Sneak Attack +5d6

173
 From Stone to Steel
The Ninja were made up of those who did not have a place in the
Samurai Hierarchy. Some were Ronin, masterless samurai who
turned to a Ninja clan to give them purpose. Many were com-
moners who could not legally carry weapons or wield power, but
who trained to give themselves the power society denied them.
Some truly were death monks; warriors who believed that per-
fection of death dealing would give them final enlightenment.
And some Some just did it for the money.
Hit Die: d8
Requirements
To qualify to become a Ninja, a character must fulfill all the fol-
lowing criteria.
Basic Attack Bonus: +4
Feats: Expertise
Skills: Move Silently rank 7, Hide rank 7
Special: Must complete one mission successfully to join clan
and become a Ninja
Class Skills
The Ninja class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bal-
ance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide
(Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Perform (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen
(Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Swim (Str),
Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int Modifier
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Ninja prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Ninja start their first level
with proficiency in all simple weapons and martial ninja
weapons. Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier than
leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide,
Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
First Level Selection: At first level the new Ninja must select
one of the three options given.
Sneak Attack: This is the Feat, as listed in the Players Hand-
book
Training: A Ninja may take one option from the following list:
Improved Unarmed Strike (If not already possessed)
Weapon Focus (Martial Ninja Weapon)
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Exotic Ninja Weapon)
1 Ninja Ability
Ninja Abilities are the following:
Fumiki Bari: This is the art of spitting poisoned needles. The
Ninja learns how to carry and safely place poisoned needles in
their mouth to spit at an opponent. Range increment for a needle
is 5 feet. If any damage is done to the target the poisons effect
should be determined.
174
Pass In the Shadows: The Ninja learns how to use their dark
costume and movements to their advantage while in the dark.
This grants a +4 Hide bonus for any attempt to hide in shadow.
This ability may be taken multiple times, and bonuses will stack.
Metsubishi: The Metsubishi is a small ceramic or shell container
with a blowhole and pinhole exit point. This container was usu-
ally filled with powdered glass, pepper, or possibly poison. One
of the three should be designated in advance when a Ninja
intends to use a Metsubishi. The range of the Metsubishi is five
feet, but it is rolled as a ranged touch attack to strike. If hit, the
target is blinded for 1d3 turns, and is subject to the appropriate
secondary penalty:
Pepper: Sneezing fits for the next 1d6 turns, inflicting a further -
2 to any physical skill rolls or attack rolls. (Ref DC 15 to avoid
inhaling pepper)
Ground Glass: Intense Irritation. Extend the blinding duration to
1d6 rounds. Roll 1d20. If a 20 is rolled, the blinding effect is per-
manent.(Ref DC 15 to avert eyes)
Poison: Mild Poisoning. The subject is affected by the poison
designated, but at half strength. A successful fortitude save
negates this entirely.
Play Dead: The Ninja has learned how to slow their autonomic
functions so as to simulate death. Anyone checking the Ninja for
signs of life must make a Heal roll at DC 20 or a Spot Roll at DC
25 to notice the Ninja is still alive.
Iron Sleeve Proficiency: The Ninja has learned how to use Iron
Sleeves, and has them sewn into their costume.
Trackless Running: The Ninja has learned how to run while
leaving little sign of their passage. Anyone attempting to track a
Ninja with this ability must treat the track as if it was carefully
hidden (+5 to DC)
Great Leap: The Ninja has practiced using sudden explosive
maneuvers to leap far distances. Once per day per Ninja Level, a
Ninja may double their Jump distance. When using this ability
the size limit does not apply.
Poisoning: The Ninja has learned the art of making poison and
applying poison to objects, weapons, or foods. Alchemy imme-
diately becomes a class skill.
The Edo Shogunate
Peril came to Japan in three ways. The central government col-
lapsed, leading to a 32 year long war for supremacy. Then a Por-
tuguese ship crashed along Japans coast, bringing with it the
matchlock arquebus. Renamed the Teppo by the Japanese, it
would revolutionize warfare in Japan. In addition, Christianity
would come, bringing instability and change, which the Chinese
form of the stable society did not support well. Various generals
would rise to power, some seeking to conquer land on the main-
land, but it would take one man to unite Japan under a lasting
peace: Tokugawa Ieyasu.
 The Far East
215b
215a
215c
215d
215a. Hotoke Do; 215b. Mogame Do; 215c. Tatami Do; 215d.
Yokinoshita Do
The Edo Shogunate would be an end to wars. During this time
Tokugawa would establish trade with their island nations and the
mainland, but would limit mainlanders and Europeans to trading
with Japan only at Nagasaki. This would introduce a number of
new weapons into the Japanese arsenal. He would establish the
code of Bushido, or the Way of the Warrior, a collection of estab-
lished practices, beliefs, and rituals that Samurai had come to
embody. Between this code and the body of laws Tokugawa
would create a lasting peace that would endure into the 19th
Century. During this time the Samurai would only ever face
forces attacking them from the outside, and with armoring being
so much less important with the introduction of the firearm, the
incredible armors of Japan would progress no farther.
Teppo
The Teppo is a converted Portuguese Common Arbequis. A single
shot weapon firing iron shot, the Teppo was mass-produced from
a few original weapons, and is slightly less reliable than the origi-
nal version, having a reliability rating of 3. Information on reload-
ing times and powder usage can be found in the chapter
Pageantry, Platemail, and Pistols.
Nageteppo
A grenade-like weapon filled with gunpowder, the Nageteppo
was used as a last ditch weapon by the Ninja. The Nageteppo
must be lit before being thrown, as a standard round action. The
explosion causes 2d6 fire damage in the square that it lands in,
175
and people in the blast radius must make a Reflex Save (DC20)
to avoid taking half damage.
Nunti-Sai
As the Okinawan weapons were imported to Japan, and as con-
tact with the mainland continued, the Nunti-Sai was invented by
combining the Sabus tines with the Sai weapon concept. The
result, the Nunti-Sai, is a Sai with no handle, a single tine blade
with an s-shaped tine blade intersecting it. Used in pairs, this
weapon can be used forward or reversed, and as an effective dis-
arming weapon. The Nunti-Sai grants a +2 bonus on the users
opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an opponent,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt.
Kusari-gama
The Kusari-gama is a Kama blade with a Manriki-gusari chain
attached to the head. The blade may be used as a Kama, or the
chain may be used to strike like a Rante. When using the chain
as a melee weapon, it has reach. You can strike opponents 10
feet away with it but, unlike other reach weapons, you can also
use it against an adjacent foe. Because it can wrap around a leg
or other limb, it may also be used to make trip attacks. If you are
tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the weapon
in order to avoid being tripped. Those using a kusari-gama gain
a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when attempting to dis-
arm an opponent, including the roll to keep from being disarmed
if they fail their disarm attempt.
Tsei gusoku (Modern Armors)
Tosei Gusoku is the term for modern armors: armors made after
the Edo Peace. Maru Do is a slightly improved version of Do-
Maru armor, made in a more efficient modern fashion. Okegawa
Do (and the variant Tatahagi Do) is a form of Samurai armor that
sports a riveted breastplate, similar to that of European Half-
plate. Nuinobe Do is a more elegant looking version of Maru
Do, with a slightly better range of movement, while Hotoke Do
was a seamless metal cuirass, nearly identical to Okegawa Do,
except for its hardness. Yokinoshita Do is also an equivalent
armor to Half-plate, with less embellishment than most Samurai
armor. Nio Do, on the other hand, is a closer modern equivalent
to Tatami Do, but was decorated with the starved chest of a Bud-
New Perform Subskills:
A number of Japanese cultural skills might fall into the Per-
form Skill category
CalligraphyThe art of careful and precise painting of words
Flower ArraigningThe art of careful choice and arrange-
ment of flowers for aesthetic and social reasons.
Tea CeremonyThe art of precise and formulaic perform-
ance of the Tea Drinking Ceremony
GardeningThis is the art of the Zen Garden, which stresses
careful placement of plants and objects in a garden to achieve
the greatest harmony.
 From Stone to Steel
dha. Mogame Do was a variant of Okegawa Do that substituted
laces for rivets, which made the armor less structurally sound.
But the most unusual version was Hatomune Do, which incorpo-
rated imported Portuguese Plate armor, with notable success.

Samurai (Prestige Class)

Samurai are those Bushi who take an oath of fealty to a lord in
exchange for elevation to the rank of Samurai. The role of the
Samurai is of preserver of the peace and loyal servant of his
liege lord. The Samurai code is one of dedication to Honor,
Duty, and Warcraft. To break the code would be worse than
death, and those that perceive they have failed their code are
honor bound to commit suicide. The Samurai were fearless war-
riors, trained in fighting and taught to consider their lives already
forfeit, so that they won their lives back every battle they won.
Those who sought to become samurai were those drawn to the
power and the rigor of the life of a Samurai. Most had to belong
to a Samurai family in order to join, although those with honor
and dedication could join their ranks if they impressed a lord.
This is not to say that those who sought their own power could
not be Samurai. They just had to be exceptionally good at obey-
ing their liege lord in the letter of their command.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements
To qualify to become a Samurai, a character must fulfill
all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any Lawful
Basic Attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Expertise, Combat Reflexes
Skills: Perform: 5 ranks
Special: Must be willing to take an oath with a lord, and that
lord must be willing to accept the oath. If the Samurai ever
openly disobeys their liege lord, the liege lord can rescind the
oath, and the Samurai becomes Ronin, a masterless warrior.

Table 5-4:Samurai
Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Training
2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Honor
3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Training
4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Leadership, Honor
5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Training
6th +6 +5 +2 +5 Honor
7th +7 +5 +2 +5 Training
8th +8 +6 +2 +6 Honor
9th +9 +6 +3 +6 Training
10th +10 +7 +3 +7 Honor

176
 The Far East
Ronin will retain any gained abilities, but cannot gain another Zen Awareness:
level of Samurai until taken into the patronage of another Lord. Body Awareness: The Samurai who learns this awareness is able
If the disobedience is sufficiently grievous, the Samurai may be to maneuver more effectively, regardless of his encumbrance.
commanded to commit seppuku (ritual suicide). If they refuse, The Samurai moves as if encumbered by a load one level lighter
they become Ronin, and are hunted by their former fellow than their actual load. This does not allow the Samurai to carry
Samurai. Optionally, the character must belong to the upper more, but merely allows them to move more effectively under
caste. their current load. If a Samurai is unencumbered (a light load),
they may move at 10 feet faster than their normal movement
Class Skills speed.
The Samurai class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Blind Fight: The Samurai gains the Feat of this same name.
Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Perform (Cha), Jump
(Str), Listen (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) Blind Shot: The Samurai may fire at any opponent they cannot
see, as long as they have detected that opponent with another
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int Modifier sense. The penalty to do so is half the normal penalty. This can
be used to fire through thin materials like paper walls, if an
Class Features enemy is known to be inside.
All of the following are class features of the Samurai prestige
Advanced Alertness: The Samurai has improved their senses to
class.
a nearly supernatural level, and gains a +4 to all spot and listen
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Samurai start their first level checks. This bonus supercedes the bonus granted by Alertness.
with proficiency in all simple weapons and martial Samurai
Combat Calm: The Samurai cannot be affected by any spell or
weapons. They are also proficient with Light, Medium, and
ability that imposes a negative morale penalty while in combat.
Heavy Armor. Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier
The meditation and centering techniques of the Samurai make
than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist,
him immune while in battle.
Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Envisioned Shot: The Samurai can take a full round to fire a sin-
First Level Selection: At first level the new Samurai must select
gle shot, and add +4 to their to-hit roll.
one of the three options given.
Eagles Vision: The Samurai may double their normal vision
Low Justice: The Samurai, as part of their oath, gains the power
range while outside, under normal sunlight.
of life and death over all peasants in the region they are assigned
to. They are required to adjudicate disputes and meet out appro- Tracking: The Samurai gains the feat of this same name.
priate justice. Should a lord disagree with the decision, this may
be grounds for becoming Ronin.
Honor: A Samurai accrues honor for loyal service. Each level of
Honor allows a Samurai to negate one point of fatigue, non-mag-
ical morale penalty, ability damage through non-magical poison,
or ability damage through non-magical disease. This ability may
be used once per day, and the Honor pool is restored to full
points each day.
Leadership: This is as per the feat of the same name.
Training: A Samurai may take one option from the following
list:
Improved Unarmed Strike (If not already possessed)
Weapon Focus (Martial Samurai Weapon)
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Exotic Samurai Weapon)
1 Zen Awareness

177
 From Stone to Steel
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Buhj, Damascened 402gp 1d4+1 1920/x2 1lbs P M 10/6
Buhj, Steel 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/3
Dagger, Punching Bronze 1.3gp 1d4 x3 2.5lbs P MW 5/8
Dagger, Punching Damascened 402gp 1d4+1 x3 2lbs P M 10/9
Dagger, Punching Iron 1.5gp 1d4 x3 2.5lbs S MW 6/8
Dagger, Punching Steel 2gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 9/6
Fakir's Horns 5sp 1d6 x3 1.5lbs P B 3/5
Hora* 4sp 1d3+1 x2 .5lbs B B 3/2
Karambit 6sp 1d3 x3 .5lbs S M 6/2
Knife, Chinese Bronze 2gp 1d4 x2 1lbs S M 5/3
Knife, Chinese Iron 3gp 1d4 x2 1.5lbs S M 6/5
Knife, Chinese Steel 5gp 1d4 x2 1lbs S M 9/3 G
Knife, Hidden Steel 1gp 1d3 x3 .5lbs S M 9/2
Kris 4gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5lbs S M 6/5
Kujungi 1.5gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5lbs S M 6/5
Lading 1.5gp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 6/5
Paku* 1gp 1d3 x3 10 ft. .5lbs S M 6/2
Phurbu* 6gp 1d4 x2 1.5lbs P M 6/5
Piercers, Emi* 1gp 1d3 x3 .5lbs P M 9/2 G
Tombak 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 5lbs P M 6/15
Tonto 1.8gp 1d4 1920/x2 1 lb. P M 9/3 N/S
Small
Arit Sickle 5gp 1d6 x2 3.5lbs S M 6/11
Bagh Nakh, Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S M 9/15
Bagh Nakh, Steel Greater 10gp 2d3 x3 7lbs S M 9/21
Escrima 2gp 1d4 x2 2lbs B W 5/6
Iron Claw 7gp 1d6 x2 5.5lbs B&S M 9/15 G
Jo 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B W 5/8 N/S
Tamo, Iron (Note that cost is for two Tamo knives)* 4gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5lbs P M 7/7
Tamo, Steel (Note that cost is for two Tamo Knives)* 6gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/5 G
Tjaluk* 5gp 1d6 x2 10ft 3.5lbs P M 6/11
Whip, Hard 5gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 9/12 G
Medium-Size
Axe, Head 12gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S MW 6/28
Cane, Fakir's* 6gp 1d6 or 1d4 x2 or x3 4lbs B or P W 6/8
Cane, Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 9/8 G
Cane, Wooden 2gp 1d4 x2 2lbs B W 5/6 G
Ghargaz, Damascened 412gp 1d8+1 x2 12lbs B M 10/27
Ghargaz, Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 9/24
Mace, Ox Damascened* 408gp 1d8+1 x2 8lbs B M 10/19
Mace, Ox Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B M 10/16
Mace, Quoit Damascened 408gp 1d8+1 x2 8lbs B M 10/19
Mace, Quoit Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B M 10/16
Mace, Sickle Damascened 412gp 1d6+1 x2 10lbs S M 10/21
Mace, Sickle Steel 12gp 1d6 x2 10lbs S M 10/18
Rake, Nine Teeth* 15gp 1d8 x2 14lbs S M 9/28 G

178
 The Far East
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Santie, Damasceneda 406gp 1d6+1 x3 7lbs P M 10/17
Santie, Steela 6gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P M 9/14
Staff, Mace Bronze 9gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 4/24
Staff, Mace Iron 10gp 1d8 x2 13lbs B M 6/26
Staff, Mace Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 9/24 G
Staff, Short Bronze 5gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 4/8
Staff, Short Iron 6gp 1d6 x2 5lbs B M 6/10
Staff, Short Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 9/8 G
Veecharoval, Bronze 7gp 1d8 x3 9lbs S MW 5/18
Veecharoval, Iron 8gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 6/16
Large
Bo* 2gp 1d6/1d6 x2 4lbs B W 6/8 G/N/S
Cudgel, Monk's Iron 10gp 1d10 x2 14lbs B MW 7/28
Cudgel, Monk's Steel 12gp 1d10 x2 13lbs B M 9/26 G
Fork, Two Teetha 10gp 1d8 x2 10lbs S M 9/18
Naginata 10 gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S WM 5/28 S
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Tiny
Ball, Iron 6sp 1d3 x2 10ft .5lbs B 10M 9/2 G
Rings, Iron 5sp 1d2 x2 15ft .1lbs B 10M 9/1 G
Small
Crossbow, Light Bronze 29gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 4/22
Crossbow, Light Iron 32gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 7lbs As per Quarrel MW 6/19
Crossbow, Light Modern Chinese 40gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/18
Crossbow, Light Steel 35gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/16
Medium-Size
Crossbow, Heavy Modern Chinese 50gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/24
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Ama Goi Ken 4gp 1d4 1920/x2 3lbs S M 6/9
Fu, Bronze 3gp 1d6 x3 5.5lbs S MW 4/17
Fu, Iron 4gp 1d6 x3 5.5lbs S MW 6/17
Fu, Steel 6gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S MW 9/15 G
Hatchet 5gp 1d6 x3 7lbs S MW 6/21
Kapak 6gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4lbs S M 6/12
Shortsword, Damascened 410gp 1d6+1 1920/x2 3lbs S M 10/9
Shortsword, Steel 10gp 1d6 1920/x2 3lbs S M 9/9
Wakazashi 300gp 1d6 1920/x2 3lbs S M 11/11 S
Medium-Size
Axe, Bullova 8gp 1d8 x3 11lbs S MW 6/22
Axe, Khond 8gp 1d8 x3 10.5lbs S MW 6/21
Axe, Kritant 8gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S MW 6/20
Binnol, Damascened 407gp 1d6+1 1920/x2 10lbs P&S M 10/33
Binnol, Steel 7gp 1d6 1920/x2 10lbs P&S M 9/30
Bokken 3gp 1d4 x2 6lbs B W 5/10 S
Broadsword, Chinese 75gp 1d8 1820/x2 6lbs S M 9/32 G

179
 From Stone to Steel
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Dao, Bronze 11gp 1d6 1820/x2 7lbs S M 4/14
Dao, Iron 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 6lbs S M 6/12
Dao, Steel 14gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/10 G
Ge, Iron 5gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S MW 6/20
Jian, Bronze 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 4/12
Jian, Iron 13gp 1d8 1920/x2 5lbs S M 6/10
Jian, Steel 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/8 G
Katar, Bronze 5gp 1d6 x3 4.5lbs P MW 5/14
Katar, Damascened 408gp 1d6+1 x3 4lbs P M 10/15
Katar, Iron 6gp 1d6 x3 4.5lbs P MW 6/14
Katar, Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P M 9/12
Ken 8gp 1d6 1920/x2 5lbs S M 6/10
Ken, Japanese Early Folded 10gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/12 S
Knife, Butterfly 25gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S MW 6/28
Kora 8gp 1d6 x2 4lbs S M 9/18
Lance, Chinesea 12gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P WM 5/18 G
Nagan 20gp 1d8 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/10
Parang 14gp 2d3 1920/x2 5lbs P M 6/10
Patisa 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/8
Pedang 7gp 1d6 x2 4lbs S M 6/8
Sabar, Damascened 410gp 1d8+1 1920/x2 10lbs S M 10/33
Sabar, Steel 10gp 1d8 1920/x2 10lbs S M 9/30
Sapola 20gp 1d8 x3 4lbs P M 9/8
Scimitar, Damascened 415gp 1d6+1 1820/x2 5lbs S M 10/10
Scimitar, Iron Indian 13gp 1d6 1820/x2 6lbs S M 6/12
Sword, Executioner* 9gp 1d8 x2 4lbs S M 9/8 G
Sword, Seven Star 13.5gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 7/14
Sword, Steel Fish Spine* 12gp 1d6 x2 5lbs S M 9/10
Sword, Unicorn Horn 8gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/6 G
Tachi, Early Folded 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/8 S
Tachi, Imitation Chinese 13gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/6
Tan-Kiev* 7gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/6 G
Tulwar, Damascened 412gp 1d6+1 1820/x2 4lbs S M 10/8
Tulwar, Early Iron 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 6/10
Large
Axe, Naga War 20gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S WM 5/30
Ballam, Early Steela 8gp 2d4 x3 9lbs P WM 5/18
Broadsword, Two Handed Chinese 55gp 2d6 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Dung, Irona 4gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P MW 6/22
Dung, Steela 6gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 9/20
Flail, Long bar* 15gp 1d10 1920/x2 20lbs B WM 5/38 G
Hoolurge, Damascened 415gp 2d4+1 x3 15lbs P&S M 10/33
Hoolurge, Steel 15gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P&S M 9/30
Knife, Golden Coin Longa 15gp 1d10 1920/x2 13lbs S MW 9/28 G
Lance, Fong Ting*a 20gp 1d8 or 1d10 x3 14lbs P or S WM 5/24 G
Longsword, Great Damascened 450gp 2d6+1 1920/x2 16lbs S M 10/32

180
 The Far East
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Large
Longsword, Great Steel 50gp 2d6 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32
Nageyaria 5gp 1d8 x3 10ft 9lbs P WM 5/18
Nagimakia 8 gp 2d4 x3 15lbs S MW 5/30 S
No-Dachi 55gp 2d6 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/34 S
Qiang, Bronzea 2gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P MW 4/22
Qiang, Irona 3gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 6/20
Qiang, Steela 5gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P MW 9/18 G
Saber, Long 20gp 1d10 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Sabu*a 12gp 1d8 x3 14lbs P M 9/28 G
Spear, Snakea 5gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P MW 5/22 G
Steel Fanga 7gp 1d8 1920/x2 10lbs P&S MW 9/20 G
Yaria 6gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P WM 5/20 S
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Medium-Size
Bow, Short Hinged* 60gp 1d6 x3 55ft 2lbs As per Arrow WM 4/6
Large
Bow, Long Hinged* 150gp 1d8 x3 90ft 3lbs As per Arrow WM 4/9
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Tiny
Fan, Iron* 2gp 1d4 x2 5ft 1lbs S M 6/3 G/S/N
Fan, Lacquered* 1.5gp 1d3 x2 5ft .5lbs S W 6/2 G/S/N
Garrote, Cord* -- 1d3* x3 1lb S* C 3/3 N
Garrote, Wire* -- 1d4* x4 .5lbs S* M 9/2 N
Ji-Kuwa* 1gp 1d2 x3 .5lbs P M 9/2
Kukri 8gp 1d4 1820/x2 1lb S M 9/5
Strangler's Belt -- 1d2 x2 1lbs B F 2/3
Small
Kawanaga (cost per hand)* 1gp 1lb P M 9/3 N
Nekode* 6gp 1d6 x2 10ft 7lbs B M 9/19 N
Blade, Mandarin Coin* 3gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/9 G
Blade, Sun and Moon Spear* 4gp 1d6 x3 3.5lbs S M 9/11 G
Cane, Hidden Sword (damage as cane or sword)* 10gp 1d4 or 1d6 x2 Or 1920/x2 3lbs B or P M 9/9 G/N
Flute* 1gp 1d3 x2 .5lb B W 3/2 G
Full Moon* 6gp 1d6 1920/x2 2.5lbs S M 9/8 G
Jitte* 5 sp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 9/5 N/S
Kama 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B WM 5/6 G/N
Katar, Closed Hilted Early Steel* 23gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P MW 8/21
Katar, Dual Bladed Damascened* 412gp 2d3+1 x3 5lbs P M 10/15
Katar, Dual Bladed Steel* 12gp 2d3 x3 5lbs P M 9/15
Katar, Three Bladed Damascened* 417gp 1d6+1 x3 6lbs P M 10/18
Katar, Three Bladed Early Steel* 17gp 1d6 x3 9lbs P MW 8/25
Katar, Three Bladed Steel* 18gp 1d6 x3 6lbs P M 9/18
Katar, Tri-Bladed Steel* 20gp 1d6 or 3d3 x3 5lbs P M 9/15
Knife, Deer Antler* 6gp 1d6 1920/x2 2lbs S M 9/6 G
Knife, Swallow Trident Long* 3gp 1d6 x2 1lbs P M 9/3 G
Kusari-gama*# 10gp 1d6/1d6 x2/x2 3lbs S/B M 9/9 N/S

181
 From Stone to Steel
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Small
Manriki-gusari*# 8gp 1d6 x2 5lbs B M 9/15 N/S
Ninja-to 10gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S M 9/12 N
Nunchuku*# 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B WC 5/6 G/N
Nunti-Sai* 5gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 9/6 N
Pendjepit* 4gp 1d4 x3 1lb P M 6/3
Rante*# 8gp 1d6 x2 10ft 6.5lbs S M 6/20
Razor, Yuen Yang* 15gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P or S M 9/12 G
Sai* 3 gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 9/4 G/N
Siangkam* 3gp 1d6 x2 3.5lbs P M 6/11
Tian-chi Fay Shorta 15gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P or S M 4/12 G
Tonfa 1gp 1d6 x2 1.5lbs B W 5/5
Wheel, Wind and Fire* 4gp 1d6 x3 3.5lbs S M 9/11 G
Medium-Size
Broadsword, Nine Ring* 80gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Chain, Segmented* 20gp 1d6 x2 4.5lbs S M 9/10 G
Chain Sword* 20gp 1d4/1d4 1920/x2 5lbs S M 9/15 G
Cumber-Jung, Damascened 425gp 2d4+1 X2 15lbs B 10M 15/22
Cumber-Jung, Steel Quoit 25gp 2d4 x2 15lbs B M 9/30
Eku 2gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B W 5/10
Grain Sword, Iron* 16gp 1d8 1820/x2 7lbs S M 6/14
Grain Sword, Steel* 20gp 1d8 1820/x2 6lbs S M 9/12 G
Hammer, Chinese* 35gp 2d4 x3 14lbs B M 9/28 G
Hook, Nine Teeth* 12gp 1d8 x2 4lbs P or S M 9/12 G
Katana 400 gp 1d10 1920/x2 6lbs S M 11/18 S
Kyoketsu-Shogi* 12gp 1d6/1d4 1920/x2 / x2 10ft 8lbs S/B M 9/16 N
Maru* 7gp 1d6 x2 9lbs P WBM 5/18
Masakari 16gp 1d8 or 1d4 x3 or x4 5lbs P or S M 9/10
Nagegama* 14gp 1d6/1d6 1920/x2 8lbs S/B M 9/16 N/S
Pata, Damascened* 465gp 1d8+1 1920/x2 16lbs S M 10/35
Pata, Steel* 65gp 1d8 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32
Sa Tjat Koen*# 11gp 1d8 x2 4lbs B WM 5/8 G/N/S
Sword, Tigerhead Hook* 12gp 1d8 x2 4lbs S M 9/8 G
Tiger Fork, Iron*a 12gp 1d8 x2 7lbs P MW 7/14
Tiger Fork, Steel*a 13gp 1d8 x2 5lbs P MW 9/10 G
Urumi**# 30gp 1d6 1920/x3 15ft 8lbs S M 9/16
Large
Blade, Heaven and Earth 60gp 1d8/1d8 x2 13lbs S M 9/26 G
Blade, Horse Choppinga 75gp 1d6/1d10 x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Chijiriki* 40gp 1d8/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs P/B MW 9/30 S
Feruzue (staff or flail damage)*# 20gp 1d8 or 1d10 x2 or 1920/x2 15lbs B&P M 6/30
Flail, Great*# 25gp 1d12 x2 20lbs B WM 5/40 G
Gadha, Iron 18gp 1d10 x2 15lbs B M 6/30
Gadha, Wood 16gp 1d10 x2 13lbs B W 6/26
Halberd, Double*a 60gp 1d10 x3 15lbs P/S MW 9/30 G
Hwa-Keka 20gp 2d4 x2 10lbs S MW 6/22
Jumonki-Yari*a 10gp 1d8 x3 12lbs P or S WM 5/24

182
 The Far East
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Large
Kama-Yari*a 10gp 1d8 x3 12lbs P or S WM 5/24
Knife, Yeung Guen Long*a 55gp 1d8/1d6 x3 16lbs P&S MW 9/32 G
Kongo-Zue* 15gp 1d6/1d6 x2 9lbs B WM 5/18
Kumade* 14gp 1d4 x2 11lbs P WM 5/22 S
Kwandao, Iron*a 44gp 1d8/1d6 x3 18lbs P&S MW 7/36
Kwandao, Steel*a 50gp 1d8/1d6 x3 15lbs P&S MW 9/30 G
Laingtjat 25gp 1d6/1d6 x3 13lb S M 6/26
Longsword, Chay Yanga 50gp 1d8/1d6 x3 15lbs P&S MW 9/30 G
Mace, Double Bronze 49gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 16lbs B M 4/32
Mace, Double Iron 51gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 15lbs B M 6/30
Mace, Double Steel 55gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 14lbs B M 9/28 G
Mancatcher* 6gp 10lbs W 5/18
Mancatcher w/ Spike* 11gp 1d4 x2 11lbs P WM 5/20
Meteor Hammer*# 65gp 1d8/1d8 x2 14lbs B MC 9/28 G
Monk's Spade, Iron 13gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 22lbs S MW 7/44
Monk's Spade, Steel 15gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 20lbs S/S MW 9/40 G
O-No 20gp 2d4 x3 14lbs B M 9/28
Paralyser*a 15gp 2d4 x3 11lbs P W 5/22
Pudao, Iron* 65gp 2d6 x3 16lbs S MW 7/32
Pudao, Steel* 70gp 2d6 x3 15lbs S MW 9/30 G
Ram Da'o 13gp 1d8 x2 6lbs S M 9/12
Shovel, Golden Coin 20gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S M 9/20 G
Shovel, Moonteetha 30gp 1d8/1d6 x3 16lbs P&S MW 9/32 G
Sjang Sutaia 25gp 2d4 1920/x2 11lbs S MW 6/22
Sode Garami*a 14gp 1d4 x2 13lbs P M 9/26
Spear, Double Headeda 12gp 1d8/1d8 x3/x3 10lbs P/P MW 9/20 G
Staff, Wolf's Teeth* 16gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B&P M 9/24 G
Sword, Beheading 40gp 2d4 1820/x2 18lbs S M 9/34
Sword, Long-Handle Nine Ring 75gp 3d3 1920/x2 20lbs S M 9/40 G
Tabar, Damascened 425gp 1d12+1 x3 22lbs S M 10/47
Tabar, Steel 25gp 1d12 x3 22lbs S M 9/44
Tschehouta, Early Steel*a 12gp 1d8/1d8 x3/x3 10lbs P/P MW 8/20
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Tiny
Darts, Chinese Throwing* 6sp 1d3 x3 10ft .5lbs P 10M 9/2 G
Piau* 3gp 1d3 x3 10ft 1lbs S M 6/3
Shuriken* 2gp 1d2 x2 10ft .1lbs P M 9/1 N
Uichi-ne 6gp 1d4 x2 20ft .5lbs P MW 6/2 S
Small
Chakram, Damascened* 410gp 1d4+1 x3 30ft 2lbs S M 10/9
Chakram, Steel* 10gp 1d4 x3 30ft 2lbs S M 9/6
Fukidake* 1gp 1 x2 10ft 2lbs As per Needle W 3/6 N
Nageteppo* 50gp 2d6 x2 10ft 1lb N/A M 9/3 N
Whip, Horse Hair Tassel* 3gp 1 x2 10ft 3lbs S FW 2/9 G
Whip, Steel Barbed Chinese* 6gp 1d4 x2 10ft 3lbs S LM 4/9

183
 From Stone to Steel
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type D/M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Bow, Mongol Recurve* 90gp 1d6 x3 110ft 4lbs Per Arrow W 5/12
Bow, Steel 75gp 1d6 x3 60ft 5lbs As Per Arrow M 9/15
Chu Ko Nu* 60gp 1d6 1920/x2 60ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/21
Chu Ko Nu, Improved* 75gp 1d6 1920/x2 70ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/23
Flying Weight* 12gp 1d6 x2 10ft 3lbs B MC 9/6 G
Han-Kyu 35gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2lbs As per arrow W 5/6 N
Javelin, Rope* 12gp 1d6 x2 10ft 2.5lbs P MC 9/8 G
Spear Gun* 100gp +5* As Steel Qiang 120ft 36lbs As Steel Qiang 2S 2/36
Teppo 300gp 1d12 x3 150ft 10lbs As per Shot MW 9/30
Zhuge Nu, Multishot* 150gp 1d6/1d6 1920/x2 80ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/21
Zhuge Nu, Repeater* 175gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/21
Large
Dai-Kyu 80gp 1d8 x3 90ft 3lbs Per Arrow WC 5/11 S
Gun, Primitive Chinese 200gp 1d10 x3 70ft 9lbs As per shot MW 9/27
Rockets, Chinese* 200gp 2d6 x2 150ft 8lbs N/A W 3/24
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Arrow, Axeblade 2gp 3lbs S WM 5/3
Arrow, Forked 2gp 4lbs S WM 5/4
Arrow, Steel Armor Piercing* 3gp 3lbs P WM 5/3
Arrow, Whistling* 2gp 3lbs P WM 5/3
Bow, Pellet 20gp 1d4 x2 40ft 2lbs As per Pellet W 4/2
Crossbow, Pellet 25sp 1d4 1920/x2 60ft 7lbs As per Pellet WM 5/21
Pellet, Clay (weight per 30) 3gp 2lbs B S 1/2
Quarrel, Bronze (weight per 10) 7sp 1.5lb P MW 4/2
Quarrel, Iron (weight per 10) 8sp 1.5lbs P MW 6/2
Quarrel, Steel (weight per 10) 1gp 1lbs P MW 9/1
Shot, Iron 3gp 2.5lbs P M 6/3
Shot, Stone (weight per 10) 2gp 2lbs P S 4/2

G Indicates a weapon is part of the Guang Hu subset

N Indicates a weapon is part of the Ninja subset
S Indicates a weapon is part of the Samurai subset
* See the description in the text for special rules.
Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield Bypass Weapon
Subdual damage

Table 5-6: Far East Armor

Armor Max Dex Armor Check Arcane Speed30ft/
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Spell 20ft Weight M H/HP
Light Armor
Bezainted Leather 75gp +3 +5 -3 20% 30ft/20ft 23lbs LM 5/46
Cloth Armor, Heavy (Padded) 5gp +1 +8 0 5% 30ft/20ft 10lbs F 2/20
Cloth Armor, Studded 13gp +2 +5 0 15% 30ft/20ft 15lbs FM 2/30
Corded Armor 25gp +2 +6 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 14lbs C 3/28
Jigap 15gp +2 +7 0 10% 30ft/20ft 12lbs F 3/24
Leather, Lacquered 45gp +3 +5 -1 10% 30ft/20ft 16lbs L 5/32
Padded Armor, Silk 12gp +1 +9 0 5% 30ft/20ft 8lbs F 3/18
Paper Armor, Chinese Pirate 8gp +1 +7 0 5% 30ft/20ft 7lbs F 2/12
Scaled Jack 85gp +4 +4 -3 20% 30ft/20ft 22lbs MF 9/44
 The Far East
Table 5-6: Far East Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure Speed30ft/20ft Weight M H/HP
Medium Armor
Breastplate Armor, Chinese 210gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 9/60
Brigandine, Chinese 340gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 41lbs ML 9/82
Hide Armor, Rhino 40gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 27lbs L 5/54
Keiko, Iron 180gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 33lbs M 6/66
Nio Do 205gp +5 +3 -4 30% 20ft/15ft 34lbs M 9/68
Plated Armor, Chinese (Mirrors) 230gp +5 +3 -4 35% 20ft/15ft 40lbs M 9/80
Scale Armor, Damascened 450gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 10/63
Scalemail, Chinese Steel 55gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 9/60
Tanko 230gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Tatami Do 195gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 35lbs MF 9/70
Yoroi 45gp +4 +4 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 28lbs M 6/56
Heavy Armor
Banded Armor, Chinese 265gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs M 9/70
Banded Armor, Damascened 750gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs M 10/73
Do-Maru 255gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Hatomune Do 850gp +8 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 52lbs M 9/104
Hotoke Do 506gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 51lbs M 9/102
Maru Do 260gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 44lbs M 9/88
Mogame Do 640gp +7 +1 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 47lbs M 9/94
Nuinobe Do 335gp +6 +2 -5 30% 20ft*/15ft* 42lbs M 9/84
Okegawa Do 510gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 53lbs M 9/106
O-yoroi 505gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 9/100
Plate and Scale Armor, Damascened 560gp +7 +0 -8 40% 20ft*/15ft* 52lbs M 10/107
Plated Mail, Bakhteretz 205gp +6 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 49lbs M 9/98
Plated Mail, Kolontar 225gp +6 +1 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 47lbs M 9/94
Plated Mail, Sind 510gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 9/102
Scale Armor,
Chinese Mountain Pattern 225gp +6 +0 -6 40% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Tsuzumi Do 250gp +6 +1 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 46lbs M 9/92
Yokinoshita Do 650gp +7 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 49lbs M 9/98

Mount's Gear
Light
Barding, Bezainted Leather Elephant 600gp +3 +5 -3 N/A 40ft/50ft/60ft 69lbs LM 5/138
Barding, Bezainted Leather Horse 300gp +3 +5 -3 N/A 40ft/50ft/60ft 46lbs LM 5/92
Barding, Lacquered Leather Horse 180gp +3 +5 -1 N/A 40ft/50ft/60ft 32lbs L 5/64
Barding, Leather Elephant 80gp +2 +6 0 N/A 40ft/50ft/60ft 45lbs L 3/90
Barding, Studded Leather Elephant 200gp +3 +5 -1 N/A 40ft/50ft/60ft 60lbs LM 4/120
Medium
Barding, Iron Lamellar Elephant 362gp +4 +3 -5 N/A 30ft/35ft/40ft 93lbs M 6/186
Heavy
Barding, Plated Mail Elephant 1600gp +6 +0 -7 N/A 30ft*/35ft*/40ft* 135lbs M 9/270
Barding, Plated Mail Horse 800gp +6 +0 -7 N/A 30ft*/35ft*/40ft* 90lbs M 9/180

# See the text for special rules.

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.
 A Dark Age,
A Golden Age
Barbarians and the Remnants of Rome 188
Goths 189
Vandals 190
Franks 190
Christianity 190
Byzantium 190
The Rise of Islam 192
Lances on Foot 192
Conflict 194
More on Greek Fire 194
Of the British Isles, Arthur, and the Saxon invasion 196
Feudal Europe 197
Charlemagne 201
The Vikings. 202
The Fragmentation of Islam 204
Sources of the Crusades 205
End of an Age 207
The Crusades 208
The First Crusade 208
The Second Crusade 209
Flaming Clothing 211
The Third Crusade 211
The Fourth Crusade 213
The Fifth Crusade 217
The Sixth Crusade 217
A Storm Rises in the East 218
The Seventh Crusade 219
Table 6-1: Dark Age Weapons 221
Table 6-2: Dark Age Armor 224

186
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
I will treat with the Franji King tomorrow. The fever that
was upon him appears to have abated at last, although my
aides tell me hfe all but rejected my gifts of snow and fruit.
There is a mighty spirit in him, which I have seen in battle,
and I cannot help but picture him, flushed and shaky, yet
mighty-maned and fierce as a lion, craving my gifts but
telling himself he cannot take them, on account of his honor.
Yet the honor is mine, in the giving, and a worthy foe should
be treasured.
I feel for him. He has seen thousands of men die, and he is no
closer to his goal than when he arrived here. His task is impos-
sible, and yet, were it merely a matter of willpower, I believe he
would batter down the walls of Jerusalem by himself. Ive seen
him fall under a horse in battle and come up with sword
swinging. When I have brought him to sit with me under the
pavilion, his pride preceeds him like an honor guard.
Yet I am here, knowing that I will take a meal with him in my
tent, show him my hospitality, and make him another offer. An
offer he cannot afford to refuse. His forces have withered like
grapes left too long on the vine. His victory at Acre, followed
by the martyrdom of thousands, will leave him a city too large
for its populace. And even I have heard of the doings of his
brother in his homeland. If he wishes to have a country to
return home to, he will accept my offer.
There is a look in the eyes of the Emirs, in the eyes of my Kur-
dish generals, in the eyes of the Mameluke slaves who are not
allowed to believe our faith. They look at me as an instrument
of Allah. I have fought the Franji king. I have brought this
army against his best and worst, and though we have failed in
battle, we have also succeeded. His great horses bore down on
my faithful warriors, and yet he could not destroy us. We have
reclaimed the holy city of Jerusalem, and he cannot take it
from us. We have victory, even before he accepts my offer.
And who am I to question them? The prophet himself said that
all things happen as Allah wills. We need only look to our
prosperity, to our sense of right, to our very lives, to see that we
do as Allah desires. And yet it is humbling to see their admi-
ration. I do not wish to be known as anything but an instru-
ment of Allahs will. All the talk, all the admiration can
deflect my eyes and heart, if I let it. And this victory is not the
end of my work.
With a truce signed, I will not be able to reclaim Acre. I will
have to return to those for whom this battlefield is a far away
place, and try to explain to them how the loss of a city is a vic-
tory for Islam. I will return to Damascus, and tell my people
that, by the Will of Allah, I have killed their fathers, sons, and
brothers so as to secure a tenuous peace with the Franji that
still occupy our land. I almost do not wish to return to Damas-
cus. Though I know they have been received into paradise, I
cannot help to feel the burden of the death I have wrought
upon my own people.
There will be peace. Acre will remain in their hands, but
Jerusalem will remain in mine. I am even willing to give them
187
access to Jerusalem, if they truly wish to come as pilgrims.
Though they will not accept it, we share a God, after all, and I
would not want to deny them access to Him. I have studied
their customs as best I can, by those few Franji who I was able
to capture. I understand their concepts of honor and generosity,
so similar to our own. There are the seeds of civilization even
within their barbaric culture.
As to the particulars, I will have one of my stewards find
something we can both eat. I do not think a show of opulence
will impress him, so I will have him meet with me in my own
tent, and I will, for once, not have to gild it to impress someone.
There will be no need for silks, gold, and women. Richard is a
warrior born, and he would not appreciate such things as my
Emirs feel the need to see. Should I laugh that it is only among
my servants and my enemies that I can feel most free to be
myself?
Let this victory be permanent. May I never have to take the
field again to claim that which I should already own. I will
leave it to other Sultans, other generals, other faithful men to
fight and die for this land of blood. I do not think this will be
the last Crusade. The holy men among them cry for blood, and
their best warriors still rally to spill it. I can only hope that
this journal may convey some of my insight, some seed of our
victory, so that those who read it may be better prepared for the
next attack.
Inshallah.
It is the Will of Allah.
Romes collapse was not total. With the split in the Imperial
rulership, steps had been taken to preserve a portion of the
Roman Empire from collapse. When Western Rome fell to bar-
barians, Eastern Rome remained, a stronghold of civilization
straddling portions of the Balkans and Asia Minor. In the major-
ity of Europe, barbarian tribes like the Ostrogoths, Visigoths,
Franks, Vandals, and remnants of the Huns sought dominion.
The Middle East was divided between the Sassanids of Persia,
and various minor kingdoms. With those larger powers doing
everything they could to merely maintain what power they had,
and the barbarians seeking to establish a greater dominion, much
of the western world entered a Dark Age.
Before Rome fell, the invasion of the Huns set into motion the
great roaming barbarian Gothic nations. Actually a conglomera-
tion of Gothic tribes, the Goths were a relatively stable force out-
side the borders of Rome until the Huns entered the region,
driving another tribe of barbarians, the Alans (who were
descended from the Scythians), before them. Two waves of
attack put the Goths in a precarious position; lacking fertile land,
a stable home-front, and security, the Gothic tribes raided across
the Danube and moved south, sacking Roman cities. This lead to
a favorable settlement and tribute from Rome, weakening an
already decaying border defense force, and eventually paving the
way for certain Gothic tribes to be approached with an offer.
Those tribes that agreed to defend the borders of Rome would be
the ones to receive the tribute and distribute it, and they would
 From Stone to Steel
be considered citizens of Rome. Most of those tribes that agreed
to this offer would eventually become known as the Visigoths.
Many of those that did not would eventually become the Ostro-
goths. Both of these forces would stand in the battle with the
Huns, the Visigoths on the side of Rome, the Ostrogoths with the
Huns.
Other barbarian tribes, the Vandals, Alans, and Sueves, would
travel across Gaul and into Iberia, establishing themselves in
Spain. From here the three tribes would draw straws to divide
their holdings among themselves, although certain disputes lead
to duel by champion to determine the outcome. The Vandals
would be allotted Northern Africa, which at this time was cooler
and more fertile than it is today. The Alans would come to pos-
sess the Iberian lands in the South East, most related to the lands
Carthage had dominated. Other minor tribes would split the
northern territories, and the Sueves would take the lands closest
to the Pyrennes.
As the Western Roman Empire folded, the Ostrogoths and Visig-
oths would split. The Ostrogoths invaded the Italic peninsula and
formed a German Kingdom there. The Visigoths spread over
southern Gaul and through most of Iberia, eventually driving
most other tribes from the land and forcing the Sueves into only
the northwesternmost point of Spain. The Franks, descendant
German tribes of those who had often sought to invade Gaul,
took control of most of the Gallic region, except the small north-
western portion where the Bretons, a Celtic tribe, held dominion.
The Vandals, at this point, controlled most of the North African
lands that Carthage had controlled, while the Angles and Saxons
warred in Northern Germany and Southern Denmark, and made
war together against the Celtic British people in the British Isles.
The British themselves absorbed the last remnants of the Roman
forces that had been in the region and were themselves trying to
hold back an invasion of the barbarian Picts at Hadrians Wall.
The remnants of the Western Empire encamped along the Dal-
matian coast, clinging to the hope that they might regain their
lost homeland. They would never return.
Byzantium herself was powerful still, holding all of Greece,
Thracia, and Moesia, three provinces south of the modern day
Ukraine. Her holdings in Asia were even more impressive, con-
trolling all of Asia Minor and Anatolia (modern day Turkey), the
Palestinian coast, and Egypt. Their neighbors to the west were
the Persians, whose tenacious refusal to fall to Byzantium still
resulted in skirmishes along the joint borders from time to time.
The western world was in chaos.
Barbarians and
the Remnants of Rome
The major barbarian tribes of Europe had a great deal of similar-
ity in their warfare tactics. Most warriors wore leather or chain-
mail, and wore the spangenhelm, an iron helmet with a chain
veil, which sometimes also had a faceguard. Shields were taken
188
from Roman designs, with large rectangular or oval shields most
common. The general weapons of the barbarian tribes were
broadswords, spears, scramsaxes, axes, bows, javelins, darts,
throwing clubs, and francisca. The barbarians tended to fight
poorly in sieges, through a lack of good siege weaponry and
training, and their unwillingness to fight in a skirmish line as the
Romans did.
Scramsax, Early Steel
A thick knife about a foot in length, the scramsax was an eating
utensil, a skinning tool, and a backup weapon. The Saxons take
their name from this weapon, which they invented, and they
trained with its use as children. The scramsax may be used as a
dagger by those with only Simple Weapon proficiency, but those
with Martial Weapons proficiency may also throw it without
penalty.
Broadsword, Early Steel
Not as long as the longsword, the broadsword is characteristi-
cally two to three inches in width. Many early broadwords were
tapered, either getting wider or thinner towards the point. Those
that grew thinner towards the point had a very wide base, and
were better for thrusting with. Those wider at the tip were heav-
ier in the front and did more chopping damage. Most
broadswords, though, were of uniform width nearly to the point,
and were used in much the same style as the longsword,
although without quite the same reach.
Optional: Should you opt to have a tapered broadsword, you
may elect to make the weapon solely a thrusting (piercing) or
chopping (slashing) weapons. Such a decision should be made
on purchase.
Battleaxe, Early Steel
The battleaxe is a generally single edged chopping weapon, and
it may either have a half-moon shaped blade, a crescent blade, or
flat-topped with a curving blade. Adapted from tree-cutting axes,
the battleaxe is not the perfect weapon for combat, since its par-
rying surface is poor. Still, the battleaxe was a practical weapon,
and it does most of its damage from the weight of the blade.
Francisca, Early Steel
The francisca is a substantial throwing axe. The blade itself is at
an awkward angle to use as a chopping axe, but a perfect angle
to strike a target the francisca is thrown at. The Francisca is a
practical weapon for the Germans, who were used to fighting in
dense forests, where the superior range of other missle weapons
was moot. A throwing axe might not travel far, but it did so in a
straight, vertical manner, and if it struck a tree, the blade was
more likely to avoid damage than an arrowhead.
Club, Wooden and Early Steel Throwing
Commonly used by German tribes, wooden throwing clubs were
little better than very heavy sticks, although sometimes these
would be lit before being thrown. The later throwing clubs were
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
5a 5b
3a 4
1 2a 2b 3b
3c
1. Scramsax; 2a. Broadsword; 2b. Tapered Broadsword; 3a. Battleaxe; 3b. Battleaxe variation; 3c. Battleaxe variation; 4. Francisca;
5a. Wooden Club; 5b. Steel Throwing Club; 6. Byzantine Breastplate and Mail; 7. Byzantine Chainshirt; 8. Byzantine Padded Armor
short and metal. These precursors to maces were thrown with the
intention of being recovered. Being a ranged bludgeoning
weapon, the throwing club was very effective at knocking out
enemies unexpectedly, and someone throwing a throwing club
may opt to make the damage subdual rather than normal at only
a 2 to attack penalty. The sneak attack bonus of rogues can be
added to this attack as well.
Goths
Although the barbarians were often grouped together by more
civilized nations, there were differences. Generally the Gothic
tribes were considered honorable by those more civilized. They
rarely broke treaties and insisted that those they made treaties
with held to their word. When they married, they married for
life, and remarriage was forbidden. In fact, those who were
known to be unchaste were excluded from being able to marry.
Since status came from family, this was a particularly cruel pun-
ishment. Both Goth men and women fought in battle, and some
historians claim that the women often fought bare-chested to dis-
tract their opponents. These same historians also claimed that the
Goth men fought armored with only a cloak, although archaelog-
ical evidence and other historic accounts suggest this to be a fan-
189
8
7
ciful fiction intended to make the Goths seem fearsome and bar-
baric. One fascinating (and factual) tactic the Goths employed,
though, was the wagon ring.
After their defeat by Roman forces, the Huns retreated to
Eastern Europe. With the questionable wedding night death
of Attila and the new strength of the Visigoths, the Huns
became marginalized, fighting skirmishes for tribute with
both halves of the Empire, but losing as often as they won.
Eventually they would disappear, blending into local eastern
populations, and most of the Slavic peoples of Eastern
Europe would inherit their heritage. Magyar legends attest to
the relationship between the Slavs and the Huns, and Slavic
culture would see re-infusions from later warlike eastern cul-
tures like the Turks and Mongols in later periods.
Goth Wagons
Goth wagons were large, leather-sided affairs, canopied and
drawn in trains. When Goths were traveling or embarking on a
raid, they would draw the wagons into as perfect a circle as they
could. Then they would move on their target, usually a caravan
or encampment, and attack from cover. At the first sign of a
 From Stone to Steel
counter attack from their foes, the Goths would retreat into the
circle of wagons, which acted as a makeshift fortress, blocking
arrows, spears, and sling stones. The Goths could stand in the
breaches and attack from relative safety, throwing their missile
weapons until they were exhausted. This tactic was especially
effective against the Romans, since the Romans often attacked in
a rigid line, men shoulder to shoulder with shields locked, shar-
ing their protection, often carrying an extra shield above their
head to protect from missiles. This formation, the Tetsudo or tor-
toise formation, was extremely effective, and made it impossible
for the light Goth forces to make a successful hit. But if the
Goths were within their wagon ring, the Romans were forced to
fight in a skirmish order. Siege weapons like the catapult were
very effective at breaking up wagon rings, but since patrols often
didnt have any siege weapons to speak of, this tactic was only
effective in a limited capacity.
Vandals
The Vandals, on the other hand, were considered impassive and
devout. Where the Goths resisted Christianity, the Vandals
embraced it. However, the Vandals did not embrace Roman
Catholicism, but rather Arian Christianity, a sect that preached
the non-divinity of Jesus. As the Vandals conquered lands they
imposed their religion on the populace, and treated Roman
Catholics harshly. They also rejected the celebrations common to
other barbarian peoples, like the Goths. Stern, serious con-
querors, they established not only a land empire that spread
through most of Northern Africa, but a powerful navy that
ranged throughout the Mediterranean. Carthage, Sicily, and most
of the western Mediterranean islands were eventually conquered
by the Vandals, and this aggression would eventually lead the
forces of Byzantium against them.
Franks
The Franks, whose land often faced the threat of outside
invaders, fought off waves of barbarian tribes, who generally
made the crossing over the Danube and into Central and South-
ern France. The Frankish King allied himself with a number of
friendly tribes and brought war to the invaders, driving the Visig-
oths out of Central and Southern Gaul, and establishing the
Frankish state. The king of the Franks, in order to defray the cost
of having to defend the whole of Gaul, divided his nation into
fiefs, and offered major tribes and families jurisdiction over cer-
tain portions of land in exchange for their fealty to himself. This
system decentralized power and military control, but made it
possible for a number of allied lords to control larger portions of
land. This was the beginning of the Feudal system that would
dominate Europe during the Medieval period.
Christianity
Christianity, despite being the religion of Rome at the end of the
Empire, was very weak at the beginning of the Dark Ages. With-
out the Roman infrastructure the Church became very vulnerable
190
to the whims of the German rulers, and popes and priests were
often killed for not conforming to the desires of those who ruled
their region. In the former Roman provinces heresies, beliefs that
varied strongly from what was considered the universal norm,
prospered, like that of the Arians. This lead to various regional
churches. The Roman Church maintained communications
between itself and the provinces, and used the old Roman system
of dividing the empire into parishes and diocese to establish their
own internal hierarchy.
Roman Catholic Christianity would receive its first major boost
when Clovis, King of the Franks, converted to Roman Catholi-
cism, and mandated that his Kingdom become Christian. This
not only made the largest contiguous Kingdom in Europe at the
time an overlty Christian nation, but it also lent a lot of implied
power to the Roman Church. In areas where lesser kingdoms or
no one lord ruled, monasteries gradually grew in social power,
taking on the spiritual care, and sometimes physical care, of the
general populace. This also aided the Roman Church in fighting
heresies or reabsorbing groups that had strayed from Church
teachings. It should be noted that not all heresies were perse-
cuted, and that some heresies lead to dialog and change within
the Roman Church.
In Byzantium the Orthodox Church held sway. A doctrinal split
early in the history of the Christian church separated the Roman
Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The Patriarchy of the Ortho-
dox Church was based in Constantinople, and the Orthodox
church absorbed a great deal of the rich culture of the Eastern
Empire. The tense relations between both religions was often
lost on the peasantry, but it would lead to a split between most of
Europe and those nations that would eventually adopt Ortho-
doxy, most notably Russia.
Byzantium
Byzantium had been fighting Persia for hundreds of years before
Western Rome fell. The Fall of Western Rome left Byzantium
without much defense from barbarian tribes, and the Dalmatian
Roman forces were entreated to accept Byzantine hegemony, in
order to bolster Byzantine defenses. As it was, armies had to be
transferred from the Persian front and relegated to Syria,
Lebanon, Palestine, and Asia Minor. But the Persians, under the
rule of the Sassanids, were implacable. Relying heavily on their
Cataphracts and Archers, the Persians were nearly impossible for
the archery light Byzantine armies to defeat, but their siege craft
was not perfect. Byzantium established forts and fortified cities,
and preferred to fight their wars from behind high walls, sallying
forth with their horsemen during lulls in combat. The Byzantine
army was made up of heavy cavalry similar to the Cataphracts of
Persia, which wore breastplate armor and bore lance and sword
(Spathion), Lighter Horse archers garbed in chain shirts and car-
rying composite bows, soldiers in scale armor and bearing
spears, maces, swords (Xiphos or Spathions) and shields, and
light troops in either padded or leather armor with spears, slings,
bows, and shortswords (Xiphos).
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
Breastplate and Mail, Byzantine Early Steel
The Breastplate and Mail armor of the Byzantines is a historical
oddity. Breastplates were phased out of use by the Persians, and
the western warriors of the Crusades would only wear chainmail.
The basis for this armor came from the lorica segmentata, which
became too expensive to produce in the late Roman period, but
which, simplified, survived in Byzantium, which also had many
Greek roots. The similarity between the Byzantine breastplate
and the Greek cuirass was often evident in the design.
Chain shirt, Byzantine Early Steel
The Byzantines gave professional archers mail shirts, and usu-
ally one size fit all. On some the fit was tight, on others the chain
hung loose and far down on the chest. This meant that the armor
was often less than fully effective, no matter how well made it
was. If you wish to simulate this with chain shirts or chain armor
in general, consider rolling a d10. On a roll of 1, the mail is too
tight, and the armor bonus is 1 versus bludgeoning strikes. On a
roll of 10, the mail is too loose, and the armor bonus is 1 versus
piercing attacks. European chainmail was used in a similar fash-
ion, although chainmail barding was fitted.
Padded Armor, Byzantine
Byzantine padded armor evolved from the heavy quilted cloth-
ing worn with heavier armors. Usually given to militia and con-
scripts, padded armor wasnt much to look at or to defend with,
but it was better than nothing. A slashing weapon might draw
more stuffing than flesh in a quick strike, and in a battle that
could mean the difference between disembowlment and living to
fight another day.
Lance, Byzantine Early Steel
The Byzantine lance was often eight feet in length. The lance is
considered a reach weapon. The lance can be used in a charge,
doing doublee damage (triple with the Spirited Charge feat).
Critical damage on a charge would triple that lance damage yet
again, often with deadly consequences.
Xiphos, Single and Double Edged Early Steel and Spathion,
Early Steel
The xiphos descended from the kopis, akinakes, and falcata.
There were two kinds of xiphos. One was a full length slightly
curved thick sword, reminiscent of the scimitar and falchion,
without any embellishments. The double-edged xiphos was a
shorter sidearm, often carried by those whose main weapon was
not a sword. Someone who favored a longer double-edged blade
would favor the spathion, which descended from the Roman
spatha.
When the Vandals took Carthage, it was a blow to Byzantium,
who had taken on rulership of the fallen Western Empires hold-
ings. When the Vandals took Sicily, it was an insult. When the
Vandals assaulted Rome itself, well after the fall of the Western
Empire, it was taken as a declaration of war by the Byzantines.
Belisarius, the General of Byzantium at the time, had just fin-
191
ished a military reorganization. One of the most interesting
results of this reorganization was not its new formations of war-
band, brigade, and division, but its careful attention to a non-
standard division of forces.
Comitatus and the Optimati
The Germans used a kind of military unit called the Comitatus
during the years that lead to the fall of the Roman Empire. The
Comitatus was a gathering of soldiers-at-arms who pledged
themselves to a particular tribal chieftain or leader because of
their affection or respect for that leader. The Comitatus system
established bodyguards of irregular soldiers for major chief-
tains. The bonds that men formed in the Comitatus were often
as strong or stronger than family bonds, since the men in a
Comitatus ate, slept, fought, and died together. Later, in the
Dark Ages, these groups would attach themselves to beloved
nobles, calling themselves Frater Comitatus, Brothers in Com-
mitment. This is the basis for legendary groups of knights like
the mythical Round Table of Arthur.
The Optimati were a German military force elected by their
tribes. Each Optimati warrior was determined by their clans to
be the best warriors they had. Optimati received the tribes sup-
port and were often assigned assistants, called armati, who were
sent to attend to the Optimatis needs and tend to his armor and
weapons. The Optimati tradition appears to be a direct progeni-
tor to the later knightly traditions that would become popular
with the Feudal System and the Chivalric Movement.
The scouting of an enemys army to determine their numbers
was an ancient and established practice. Techniques like count-
ing campfires and torchlights had often been used, although this
was exploited by Hannibal to great effect. The most common
scouting method involved counting marching units. Since most
armies were organized in a specific number, knowing how many
formations there were and simple arithmetic could determine a
roughly accurate number of soldiers. The Byzantine forces, how-
ever, were not organized by strict number, and scouts found it
much more difficult to get an accurate count of men in the field.
Without accurate numbers, their foes often over or underesti-
mated Byzantine forces, and would either fall back too early or
stand at a defense that was untenable.
Belisarius fell upon the Vandals like an avenging angel. His
troops, tempered in battle against Persia and hardened by long
marches through Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, easily over-
whelmed the Vandal forces in Numidia, and then marched
straight into Carthage. During their time in Carthage, and espe-
cially after the sack of Rome, the rich living of the Vandals, as
well as their poor treatment of the local people made them ripe
for slaughter. There was no need to march on Mauritania after
the fall of the Vandals. The Vandal king was captured and forced
to surrender, and Byzantine rule was established throughout all
of Northern Africa. The Vandals, who had never developed any
kind of unique artwork or culture that was passed down, faded
from the annals of history.
 From Stone to Steel
Byzantium once more came under attack by the Persians. At first
the Persians struck deep into Syria, and took all of Palestine. But
Belisarius and his successor Narsis employed their new tactics
with great success. The Byzantines crippled the Persian forces
with attacks that struck deep into Persia territory, and the Per-
sians were forced to retreat from much of their initial holdings.
Narsis even added a new tactic to the works. During several bat-
tles he had heavy cavalrymen dismount and set lances against a
charge in a phalanx formation, thus creating a sort of mounted
pikeman, which would prove effective against the Persians. Still,
possession of Syria and Palestine remained disputed, only to be
interrupted by another invasion.
Lances on Foot
Most lances (except tournament lances) were intended for use
both on foot and on horseback. The lance is used much like a
longspear when wielded on foot, and can be set against a
charge when used in this manner. Most lances are reach
weapons, and the penalties for reach weapons should be kept
in mind when they are wielded in this manner. The main bene-
fit of using a lance from horseback is the charge multiplier,
which can be devastating.
The Rise of Islam
Over the centuries, the Peninsula of Arabia was settled by
nomadic Bedouin and Semitic tribes. These Arabs were common
in the deserts of Syria and Western Persia, and settlements in
Arabia were generally around oases. Arabia was a cultural hub,
where Byzantine and Persian cultures met, and Arabs were often
to be found fighting as auxiliaries in both Persian and Byzantine
armies. Mecca, home of the sacred shrine of the Rock, was also
the spiritual center of Arab culture. A great variety of gods were
worshipped in Mecca, and bazaars were held at different times
where almost anything from most parts of the world could be
purchased. Pilgrimages were made to Mecca by many Arabs,
usually on a yearly basis, to worship at the Kabah, a holy place
for all Arab peoples.
While the war between Persia and Byzantium was becoming
more active, a man named Muhammad, while in a desert retreat,
experienced a number of deep spiritual revelations. Three years
after he started to receive these revelations, he began to preach in
public in Mecca. If it were not for his family ties and marriage
relationships with a high-ranking family in Mecca, he may well
have been silenced by the powers that ruled the city. Christianity
had already visited the Arab world, and a number of Arab groups
were Christian, but the majority of Meccan civilians were poly-
theistic, and Muhammads preaching was very much against
their form of worship. Moreover, he began to gain converts to
his new belief system, and city leaders were concerned that he
was going to foment a rebellion.
Ironically, it would be their own short-sighted actions that
brought about what they worst feared. After the death of
Muhammads first wife and her uncle, whose family prestige had
192
formerly kept the clan leaders from action, a systematic persecu-
tion began. It started with harassment of Muhammads follow-
ers. It was not uncommon for them to be accosted in the streets,
and the clan leaders turned a blind eye to beatings or torture.
Muhammad during this time, had his first contact with the city of
Yathrib, a smaller Arab community to the north of Mecca. After
they sent to Mecca for him to adjudicate a conflict between rival
tribes, Yathrib invited Muhammad to settle in its territory. As
things worsened in Mecca, he sent 70 of his followers to Yathrib,
starting the Hijrah. Eventually Muhammad got wind of an assas-
sination plot against him, and he and his closest friend, Abu
Bakr, fled Mecca. When the assassins went to Muhammads
house that night, they discovered he was not there, and that his
cousin Ali was waiting in Muhammads bed. The assassins,
incensed, pursued Muhammad, but did not capture him.
In Yathrib, Muhammad so impressed the ruling tribes that they
pledged support to him. After taking two years to organize his
men and the tribes that allied themselves with him, Muhammad
brought war to the Meccans. At his first battle, in Badr, he struck
against a force three times larger than his own. Muhammads
men fought in formation, tightly ranked, most likely using
Byzantine or Persian tactics, while the Meccan forces in Badr
were mostly loosely confederated horsemen and light infantry.
The superior defense and tight fighting techniques of the Mus-
lims routed the Meccans, who were likely unprepared for serious
warfare. Following the victory, one of the tribes who allied itself
to Muhammad that proved to be un-supportive in the battle of
Badr was cast out of the alliance of tribes in Yathrib. This set the
requirement of full support for Muhammads tribal allies.
Likely it was during this first year that the Constitution of Med-
ina was established, under which the tribes and clans that allied
themselves with Muhammad recognized his station as the
Prophet of God. The city of Yathrib was renamed Medina, and
the structure of lawful society was established as an example of
how a Muslim city should be ruled. There was a Jewish commu-
nity in Medina at that time, and they were declared dhimmis,
protected people, due to their worship of One God and their
adherence to a book. A tax was established, and all dhimmis
were required to conform to the civil laws, while payment of the
tax perpetuated religious tolerance. Christians in Islamic cities
would also be considered dhimmis, but this status was never
conferred to polytheists.
War continued with Mecca. The Meccans fought a successful
engagement with Muhammads forces at the ridge of Uhud, driv-
ing them back into Medina. With an even larger army, the Mec-
cans attacked Medina two years later, laying siege to the city,
but experiencing a terrible attrition. Called the Battle of the
Trench, Muhammad had had his forces dig a wide, deep trench,
so long that the Meccan cavalry could not cross it without expos-
ing their forces to withering archer fire. The Meccans losses
were great, and although the Muslims of Medina never made an
effective countercharge, the Meccans were forced to withdraw.
Muhammads bid to create a new identity for his community and
faith was now impossible to stop. It is said that Muhammad even
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age

10a 11 15 17 18b 18c

14a 14b

12
10b 16
13
18a 19

9. Byzantine Lance; 10a. Xiphos shortsword; 10b. Xiphos curved; 11. Spathion; 12. Solenarion; 13. Byzantine and Arab Bow Darts;
14a. Early Longspear Head; 14b. Early Longspear Head; 15. Saxon Shortsword; 16. Sparte; 17. Double Winged Battleaxe; 18a.
Heavy war mace; 18b. Heavy war mace; 18c. Ceremonial mace; 19. Morning Star mace
wrote to the Emperor of Byzantium, the King of Persia, the Gov- organized Arab forces along their borders, but since they were
ernor of Egypt, and the Negus of Abyssinia, inviting them to more concerned with each other, no concerted effort was made
submit to Islam. to stop the raids.
Within a year, Muhammad was able to negotiate his return to Succeeding Caliphs had greater and greater successes against the
Mecca, to that he and his followers could worship at the Kabah. greater powers. The Arabs, now awakened and united, began to
A year after that Muhammad peacefully occupied Mecca, carve out an empire throughout northern Egypt, Palestine, and
destroyed all the idols in the Kabah, and forbade any polytheis- Syria. Major cities often held out against Islamic forces, but the
tic practice. He also won over two of his greatest enemies, Amr lands and people in between were often Arab held and con-
ibn al-As and Khalid ibn al-Walid. The latter of these men trolled, and Byzantine and Persian forces found it impossible to
would one day hold the title of Sword of God, while the former maintain effective fronts to stop this encroachment. During this
was the future conqueror of Egypt. This was the climax of time it is likely the Majra was designed by Arab forces, which
Muhammads career. In a few years Muhammad took ill, and would eventually lead to the Byzantine Solenarion.
died.
Abu Bakr inherited the leadership of Islam in a briefly contested Majra/Solenarion
succession. Taking the title of Khalifah, or Caliph, as the angli- The solenarion and the Majra were likely developed in response
cized version is spelled, Abu Bakr held together the alliance of to each other. The majra was likely developed first, with the
tribes, and funneled their aggression against the larger powers. solenarion being developed in reaction to this new tactic by Arab
Byzantium and Persia saw an increase in skirmishes with more and Islamic forces. The majra (or solenarion) is not a weapon in
itself, but rather a bow accessory. The majra was a reed or bone

193
 From Stone to Steel
sheath, with a cord attached to one end that was either tied to the Conflict
bow, the bow wielders wrist, or held in the hand bracing the
Denied of supplies, and unable to reinforce or replace their sol-
bow. The majra was then loaded with up to five darts, each usu-
diers, cities like Damascus and Jerusalem eventually fell to Mus-
ally six inches in length. When the bow was drawn back, the
lim forces. Other cities, where religious differences between
majra would rest like an arrow on the string, holding the darts in
Christian sects already had them in turmoil, minority sects would
place. The archer would fire the majra, and the majra, darts and
often ally themselves with the Muslims, whose brand of reli-
all, would race forward in the same manner as an arrow, only to
gious tolerance would allow them to finally practice their beliefs
be stopped short by the attached cord. The darts, however, would
openly. Like the tide before a storm, the forces of Islam contin-
remain on their same trajectory, perhaps only a tad less effective
ued to grow more and more bold and effective. When Byzantine
than an equivalent bow shot. This allowed a single archer to
forces stymied them in the North, they moved against the Sas-
deliver a merciless barrage of dart fire.
sanids, using fast moving light cavalry and unorthodox tactics to
The majra, and the later solenarion, provided a number of other subdue and crush the ailing empire, despite the Persian cat-
advantages. Darts were small and easy to carry. An archer could aphracts and elephant units. With the fall of the Sassanids, Persia
carry twenty arrows in a quiver, but forty darts in a quiver half lay wide open to Islamic forces. Later conquests over the follow-
the size. Darts could not be picked up by enemy archers and ing decades would consolidate Islams power in Eastern Persia.
fired back, unless the enemy also possessed a majra or solenar-
Under the Caliphate of Uthman, conflict grew up within the
ion. An archer trying to fire a dart from a bow was as likely to
burgeoning Islamic world. Uthman consolidated power under
strike himself in the bracing hand as hit any target in front of
his family, in the hope of establishing a dynastic chain. He
themselves.
moved the capitol of Islam to Damascus, where his family held
In game terms the majra or solenarion are identical, and mice the majority of power. While Libya and Armenia were brought
(see below) or arab darts can be fired from either. The range under Islamic rule and a true navy was beginning to develop to
increment of darts fired from a bow using a majra or solenarion counter the Byzantines, Uthman attempted to cement the
is reduced by 10 feet, to show the slight loss of range and force. Umayyadd dynasty, but protests and grievances lodged by other
For the first range increment, the damage of a fired dart is +1 leaders lead to a power struggle within Islam, and the killing of
damage. Each range increment after that subtracts 1 damage Uthman.
point. Thus, the second range increment does normal damage,
The succession from that point was contested. Ali, Muhammads
while the third does normal damage -1, etc. When firing into a
cousin who had stayed in his place to draw the attentions of the
group, roll randomly to see which target(s) might be struck and
assassins, was nominated to succeed Uthman, primarily, it is
then make attack rolls against each. If using multiple darts, each
said, by those who were responsible for Uthmans death. The
has a -2 to attack rolls per extra dart. Thus if two darts are used
Umayyadd family, on the other hand, promoted Muawiyah ibn
each has a -2 penalty, if three darts are used each has a -4
Abi Sufyan, the leader of the new navy, governor of Syria, and
penalty, etc. If firing from hiding and a sneak attack is made,
the cousin of Uthman. This contested Caliphate spawned two
only the first dart qualifies for the sneak attack damage bonus.
factions within Islam, the Sunnis and the Shiis. Sunnite and
Darts may not target more than one foe.
Shiite divisions were primarily political, rather than religious in
Use of the majra or solenarion requires special training, and are nature, and would eventually lead to inter-islamic conflict.
considered an exotic items. The majra and solenarion were
Before the Islamic state was fifty years old, an Islamic army
regional weapons, and the extensive training bowmen required
laid siege to Constantinople. By this time it controlled all of the
to use it made its use limited. Western cultures did not have
land Byzantium had won back from the Vandals, and all of
enough exposure to the weapons to adopt them, and the advent
Syria, Palestine, and Asia Minor (Anatolia or modern day
of the crossbow would allow large number of untrained con-
Turkey). The first siege failed, as the Byzantines were able to
scripts in both Europe and Arabian lands to supercede the use of
maintain good supply and cause more casualties than the Mus-
this fascinating weapon. The majra and solenarion require a full
lim siege forces could sustain. Byzantine siege tactics were
round action to reload.
well refined, and included large siege weapons, use of Greek
Fire, and Cavalry sorties.
Darts, Byzantine and Arab Bow
The darts used by the Arabs and Byzantines were very similar to More on Greek Fire
regular darts. They were about six inches in length, and Byzan-
The Byzantines were the ones to perfect Greek Fire (alchemists
tine darts had bullet-shaped heads while the Arab darts could be
fire). Heated in pressurized cauldrons and then sent spewing at
arrow-headed (slashing), bullet shaped (piercing), barbed (pierc-
ships at sea or cascading down fortification walls, Greek Fire was
ing w/barbs), or spiked (piercing with +1 damage, but the armor
something of a Dark Ages equivalent to modern napalm. Greek
bonus of an enemy wearing medium or heavy armor is +1). The
Fire could burn on the surface of water, and the flames of Greek
Byzantines often referred to such darts as mice.
Fire were not doused by submersion. Worse, Greek Fire would
cling to skin, and was nearly impossible to wipe off, owing to its
dangerous nature. Greek Fire merely had to come in contact with

194
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
anything on a person. Armor would grow intensely hot, baking
the victim within it. Clothing or leather would shortly begin to
burn, and needed to quickly be removed if the victim had any
hope of surviving. And once it came in contact with skin and
flesh, there was rarely hope for the victim, other than complete
immersion in sand or a swift amputation, if possible.
Greek Fire was not as mysterious or well kept a secret as many
historians may make it out to be. The Byzantines were, without a
doubt, the most common users of Greek Fire, but the Arabs
knew the manner in which to prepare Greek Fire, and documents
often speak of naval battles where Byzantine, Arab, and Venetian
ships all had pressurized Greek Fire weapons in use. The rarity
of Greek Fire is due to the difficulty of acquiring and processing
the ingedients, and the skill needed to tend the pressurized caul-
dron that heated it. If the pressure became too high in the Greek
Fire cooker, it had a tendency to explode, which meant death for
anyone on the ship or on the portion of city wall that employed
the weapon.
Greek Fire does not rightly fall under the category of personal
weapon or armor, but makes an excellent and fearsome weapon
to use in either naval or siege battles, along side such standbys as
molten lead, boiling water, and flaming pitch.
This did not stop the growing state of Islam. The Arabs contin-
ued to push into the interior of Persia, crossing the Hindu Kush
and entering portions of western India, while also moving across
Mauritania and into Spain. In Cordoba, where the minority Cor-
doban court held sway, Islam established a Western capitol, a
portent of how long a stay Islam would have in Iberia. Islam had
finally entered Europe.
The Umayyads returned to Byzantium, looking to extend across
the Bosporus, but again, the Byzantines proved too expert on
siege warfare. With little ground gained, the only front to press
was the Spanish front, and that, too, was countered eventually at
Tours, where Frankish forces, under the rule of King Charles
Martel, countered and turned back the forces of Islam. The
Umayyads had reached the limit of their power. They could no
longer expand westward, and for the time being they were
overextended in Persia.
Primer on Sieges
It is not in the scope of this work to detail the use of Siege
Engines or Large-Scale Battle tactics. Still, the development of
weapons, armor, and tactics were certainly shaped by the
nature of the siege, which was one of the most common battle-
field activities besides the skirmish or full scale battle.
A sieges goal is to occupy a fortified location, be it a tower,
keep, city, or castle. Often these targets were built on difficult
terrain, which made one or more sides of the target location
impossible to attack. Those laying siege had a few options
when it came to how to take the objective.
On a siege where the attackers had no means of breaching the
defenses of the location, a blockade was the most common
tactic. Blockades involved cutting off any access to the city,
195
either in and or out, usually by establishing a perimeter that
prevented relieving forces from reinforcing the defenders and
preventing any supplies from coming in. Often, if a siege was
expected, the defenders would stockpile food and water, so
blockades could last for months, and possibly years, if a well
was located within the city walls. If the defenders felt they
were strong enough, they might also attempt sorties, attacks to
weaken the besieging force, usually by having heavy cavalry
attempt a short charge against whatever they could attack. Sor-
ties might simply be to demoralize the besiegers or they might
be coordinated to allow a relieving force into the location
under siege. Still, blockades promoted starvation, thirst, dis-
ease, and boredom, all of which could lead to the surrender of
a target. If you do not believe boredom could be a dangerous
condition, consider how lax bored defenders might get on
guard duty, or how an anxious gate warden might, through
boredom and fear of attack, consider giving the enemy access
to the city in exchange for a position in the occupiers forces.
Another common tactic was Escalade, the mounting of walls
in order to establish a foothold on defensive ground. This
required scaling ladders or siege towers, and was highly dan-
gerous, as those climbing ladders could be tipped over, have
things poured down on them (such as the aforementioned
Greek Fire, molten lead, boiling oil, or flaming pitch), or come
under fire from archers on the defending wall. Siege towers
were usually very vulnerable to fire hazards, or smoke, which,
in the close quarters of a siege tower, could be a deadly
weapon, choking those waiting to climb onto the wall. Ditches
or moats made use of a siege tower impossible. If the besieg-
ing force could successfully mount the enemy walls, though,
they could considerably shorten the length of a siege, often
establishing control of towers, baileys, or portions of wall to
lead attacks from. Some fortresses were built with multiple
layers of walls, to limit the benefit of a successful Escalade.
Siege forces with the right equipment might attempt to breach
a wall, either through use of a bombardment, battering ram,
bore, or mouse. Very weak walls might be knocked apart with
enough bombarment by a catapult or trebuchet, although this
tactic took a great deal of time and effort. Often such bom-
barding siege weapons were used to attack the interior of a tar-
get, to disrupt interior defenses or to simply cause injury and
death, often with hopes that this might cause confusion, panic,
or disease. Battering rams, usually made from large trees and
capped by iron, could be wheeled up to a city gate, and then
swung against the gate in an effort to break them. Operators of
a ram were vulnerable while close to the wall, though, and
defenders could throw down rocks, fire flaming arrows, pour
liquids, or generally make it impossible to operate the ram.
Thus, palisades, called cats, which were effectively roofed
structures to cover the ram and it operators, were often
employed. Smaller cats might also conceal a bore, much like a
modern drill, which could be used against the city wall, to
break up stone and mortar, or a mouse, which was simply a
sharpened lever, which was used to scrape the mortar between
 From Stone to Steel
stones away until the stones could be loosened and removed.
In this way a wall could be breached, and attackers could enter
the target location at will.
Another tactic might be mining, which was the process of dig-
ging under the foundation of the city walls, in order to weaken
them. This required trained miners, who would dig so far,
establish braces to keep the tunnel from collapsing, and then
move farther. Once the mine extended under the wall founda-
tions, braces would be set up, and then burned, so that miners
could back away from where the wall would collapse, and so
that, once burned, the wall above would have no support struc-
ture. This would cause the wall to fall, creating a breach. If the
defenders knew where the enemy miners were digging, they
could often countermine, establishing their own mine well
before the foundations and then laying in wait for the time the
enemy would break through. Then it would fall to tunnel fight-
ing, often with little light and mining equipment.
But quite often deceit was the tactic of choice, attempting to
bribe, frighten, or otherwise manipulate the defenders into giv-
ing the attackers the advantage. Perhaps a captain wanted to
control the city after the besiegers left, or simply wanted a por-
tion of the loot. Perhaps a political faction was interested in
allowing the besieger to rule, perceiving some advantage.
There were often many reasons for why a defender might
allow an attacker entrance, but in the end it usually lead to
murder, looting, and a change in power.
Of the British Isles, Arthur,
and the Saxon invasion
While barbarian tribes moved across Europe, the British Isles
struggled to maintain some of the Roman civilization that had
been brought to them. Even when Roman forces left the island,
the majority of the civilized lands, the cities in South East Eng-
land especially, still identified themselves as Roman. A civilized
Briton would point to Hadrians Wall, which separated their civi-
lized lands from those of the barbaric Picts, who dyed or tattooed
their skin and fought with crude weapons. So when Roman
armies withdrew to help fight wars in the southern lands of
Rome, the Britons looked on their departure with dread. There is
evidence that the political structures and military structures of
Rome endured in the aftermath. Civil militia still practiced drill,
and elections for local ruling bodies still were held. Bishops
from the mainland and Irish monks still arrived to try and evan-
gelize the populace, which was not as open to Roman Catholi-
cism as other areas were. Many diehard Rome supporters likely
converted to the Christian religion when Rome made it univer-
sal, and it is very likely that the man we know as King Arthur
was born into one of these families.
By the likely time of Arthurs birth, the situation in Britain was
grim. Pict raids had finally breached Hadrians Wall, and without
the structure to defend from, the depredations were severe. A
tribe of people called the Scots had joined the Picts in the lands
above the wall, immigrants from Ireland who had a more warlike
196
demeanor. Added to this were increasing numbers of Saxons, a
northern Germanic tribe hired to deal with the Pictish problem,
who came to Briton in increasing numbers and showed no inter-
est in leaving. In fact, when the Picts were driven back, the Sax-
ons saw Briton as an easy conquest.
Saxon culture, like many northern Germanic cultures, celebrated
warriors. As with most central and northern Germanic cultures,
male Saxon children began combat training at a young age,
likely age 67, and trained to use the scramsax and dart. Fist
fighting was an encouraged sport, as was Greco-Roman
wrestling. By the age of ten the child would graduate to spear
and sword training, would learn to carry a shield, and would be
taught to string and shoot a bow, if they showed promise. Javelin
training was briefly touched upon, but it was assumed that some-
one able to use darts well would adapt to the javelin as quickly.
Some Germanic tribes also used slings. At some point a male
child needed to go through a rite of passage to attain adulthood.
Those who did not undertake this rite of passage were still con-
sidered tribe members, but were never considered adults, and
could never achieve a position of importance in the tribe. This
did not make it impossible to marry or raise children, but it did
mean that a man who never undertook the rite of passage would
be buried with a childs grave, and would never be considered a
true warrior. Those who did complete the rite of passage would
be taught to throw the francisca and fight with the battleaxe. Cer-
tain strong warriors even favored a double winged battleaxe, for
its fearsome appearance and optional two-handed grip.
Saxon culture also stressed seamanship, and even organized its
military units in keels. The historians of this period note that
Saxons were experts at sea-craft, and that they also practiced sur-
viving wrecks and even using deliberate shipwrecks to their
advantage. If attacking a village with a limited port, the Saxons
often deliberately sunk a hulk or two outside a harbor, to prevent
enemy ships from evacuating. A wrecked ship could not be used
against the Saxons, and if a wreck was set ablaze it could be a
treacherous hazard to other ships at sea.
The Saxons began to build up forces in South-Eastern Briton,
taking over the provinces of Kent and Anglia, where the bulk of
civilized people lived. The Scots north of the Grampians and
Hadrians Wall kept the northern Britons from organizing, and
the Welsh lands were still primarily ruled by wild Celtic tribes.
Still, the man who would be called Arthur raised up forces in the
remaining civilized Britons, and fought against the Saxon
encroachment.
It is likely that Arthurs men were organized as the late Roman
forces were, with Heavy Cavalry primary (likely only the nobles,
who could afford to maintain horses) and armed infantry second.
In the twelve battles Arthur waged against the Saxons, he
showed a keen grasp of terrain and tactics, and reputedly suf-
fered few casualties. He fought alongside his men, and records
suggest that he became feared among the Saxons for his fearless-
ness and supposed invulnerability. The popular trappings of the
Arthur myth had no deep basis in fact. No true knighthood had
been established yet (although knight probably comes from a
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
Saxon word meaning military servant), there was no Camelot,
they likely wore chainmail or old Roman lorica armors, and in
the last fateful battle where Arthur fell, it is likely Britons last
defenses fell. The Britons were forced to retreat from the Saxon
held territories, and live between the Welsh wilds of the West,
the Saxon lands of the East, and the Scot lands of the North.
The Angles, a Germanic tribe that warred often with the Saxons,
saw the wealth of the Saxons increase and approached them dur-
ing a brief peace. The Saxons invited the Angles to join them in
the land of the Britons, and eventually the Jutes and Danes sent
token forces to this relatively free region. With them came the
Germanic tongue, which blended with the gaelic and latin
dialects of Briton and eventually lead to the development of the
English language. As time progressed, the Angles and Saxons
intermarried in Briton, and their combined forces eventually sub-
jugated all of southern Briton except for the wildest portions of
Wales. The name, England, comes from the Frankish name for
their landAngle-terre: Land of the Angles.
Spear, Early Steel Long
The longspear, one of the oldest weapons in history, was used as
a common footmans weapon, but also doubled as a makeshift
lance for charges. The long spear is a reach weapon, and can be
readied against a charge (doing double damage when set). As
with the majority of reach weapons, the spear cannot be used
against a foe within 10 feet.
Sword, Early Steel Short
The Saxon shortsword was a development of the scramsax, and
was a single sided chopping blade up to two feet in length. The
shortsword was the primary weapon of teens and warriors in
training, and made a good stepping-stone to larger types of
swords, as many of the tactics learned with the shortsword
applied to larger variants.
Sparte, Early Steel
The sparte was a single-bladed battleaxe developed by the Sax-
ons. The sparte had a broad, half-moon shaped blade, and a haft
about three feet in length. The sparte was an axe, an adults
weapon, and is sometimes found buried by the bodies of war-
riors fallen in battle. Most of them were unadorned, but those
with wealth sometimes had inlays of gold or silver on the blade
or haft, as a sign of their wealth and station. Though the amount
of gold or silver on the weapon was not enough to improve or
decrease its combat effectiveness, it did let ones opponent know
exactly who they were facing. Such adorned weapons were
likely not used often, if at all.
Battleaxe, Early Steel Double Winged
Called double winged because of their twin blades, one on either
side of the haft, these weapons are quite popular in modern bar-
barian fantasy, but were only rarely used in battle. The problem
with a double-winged axe is that the second blade increases the
head weight, requiring more strength for the weapon to be han-
197
dled effectively, and the second blade cannot be brought to bear
against an enemy while the first is striking. The benefit of the
double winged axe was one that only the trained fighter could
take advantage of. The main defense against a standard axe
attack was to simply block the first strike, which would force the
axe-wielder to withdraw their weapon and reset their stance.
With the second head pointing in the opposite direction of the
strike, a deflected slash could be reversed without having to get
back into a stance, meaning that an aggressive fighter could keep
their foe on the defensive, rather than giving them a chance to
take over momentum.
Feudal Europe
Across the Channel the Franks joined together with the Burgun-
dians, the Brettons, the Auvergnes, and the Orleans to unite and
drive away foreign powers, and take back all of France for them-
selves. The Feudal System spread gradually through Europe, and
lords took up the protection of their limited fief, extracting taxes
and goods from the peasants to feed and clothe the soldiers, and
the hierarchy of the feudal system gave nobles and peasants a
recourse for judgement of conflicts. The nobles often intermar-
ried to strengthen their ties to each other, so as to promote peace
between fiefdoms and to promote their joint well-being. A con-
cern for the purity of bloodlines would only begin to set in when
war broke out between feudal states. Conflict between feudal
states was a new kind of war, not so much for conquest and sub-
jugation, but more for honor and prestige. Soldiers fought each
other more often for the honor of their lord than for the change
of a dynasty. Not to say that a noble with aspirations for the
crown couldnt fight their way to it, but as European civilization
stratified from the feudal system, it became more difficult to win
power from strength of arms. Often other nobles were much
more likely to oppose a particularly aggressive lord out of the
belief that the feudal system was there to protect states from the
ambitions of the few. All of this helped to strengthen the power
of the higher lords, and conveyed a new kind of security to
Europe. While not as enlightened or civil as the Pax Romana, the
Feudal systems security came from its obsessive order.
Mace, Early Steel Light and Heavy
There were a great variety of maces developed during the Dark
Ages. The mace became such a prominent symbol of war and
military authority that kings began to fashion fancy maces for
themselves as a sign of their dominion. These scepters were gen-
erally gilt light maces, and were rarely if ever used in combat.
Maces came in a variety of styles, from those with a plain ball
head to those with triangular jutting blades to those with spikes.
This last, called the morning star, has it own unique statistics.
Hatchet, Early Steel
The hachet, or hand axe, was a common workers tool. Used to
break up fallen wood, cut down bushes, or split and hammer
board, the hatchet was one item likely to be found in most peas-
 From Stone to Steel
Tinting of Metals
Although the Romans discovered the secrets of tinting metals,
metal tinting was not actively used until the Dark Ages. Tint-
ing Metal required that, at some point in the forging process,
the iron or steel item be exposed to some kind of liquid agent,
in order to cause a slight corrosion. This corrosion changed the
color of the metal, but imparted a curious and useful trait,
namely, it made the item much more corrosion resistant.
Blackening of armor or weapons required that, when the steel
was hottest, it was subjected to a bath of oil, which caused a
slight charring in the metal. Browning armor required using a
salted liquid (many kinds were used) at the end of the forging
process, and then allowing the item to cool and rust for a few
days before scrubbing the item with a chain cloth. Mild acids,
used to quench the item during the smithing process, tended to
blue the metal, although there was a definite range of blue,
which often tended towards black. Extreme heat could also
cause the iron or steel to blue, although this required an
extremely hot forge.
Items that are tinted (blued, blacked, or browned) have their
hit points reduced by 1, since they are inherently slightly dam-
aged (although not visibly so), but their likelihood to rust,
untreated, after submersion, is only 1%. Mercenaries often
used tinted mail, since they were often on the march, since it
prevented rust and gave the armor more durability. Militia or
guard units might also tint their armor or weapons a specific
color in order to appear as a unified group.
Feudal warriors often wore chainmail suits, and officers wore
patches on their forearms to indicate their family heritage and
loyalties. These patches allowed soldiers to recognize friends
or foes, and richer feudal lords liveried (or dressed) their sol-
diers in their house colors. From time to time, if necessary,
peasant levies would be called to defend a land, and more
often than not these levies carried whatever items they had
that could be used as a weapon. This motley assortment
included hatchets, sickles, scythes, whips, knives, grain flails,
various forks, slings, crooks, staves, smithing or carpentry
hammers, masons mauls, or even miners pick axes. Maces,
longspears, or shortswords might be provided by a rich lord,
should he feel it necessary to arm the conscripts. Armor was
often many layers of the heaviest clothing you could afford, if
not skins or furs and skins. Again, a wealthy lord might be
able to afford leather armor or hide or wooden shields for con-
scripts, but this was an extreme expense.
When Islam invaded Europe these were the armies that stood
against it. In truth there is much to be said of King Charles
Martels force and strategy, that he was able to weld his fight-
ing men into an army capable of stopping the potent Islamic
forces. At Tours he met and turned back an invading army
with a cadre of loosely affiliated lords, in a variety of armors,
their small body of personal soldiers, and a larger body of
green conscripts. It is likely this victory that began to promote
the Kingdom mentality of France.
198
ant homes. The hatchet is not aerodynamic, unlike the throwing
axe. It can be used as a bludgeoning weapon if the back of the
axe head is used as the striking surface, but use of the hatchet in
this manner incurs a -4 to hit, due to the weapon not being used
in its intended fashion.
Axe, Woodcutters
The woodcutters axe was also a common item in the peasant
community, and was used to fell trees. Often the woodcutters
axe has a knee-bend about a third of the way down the haft, that
increases the force of a strike and also makes it easier to pull an
axe out of wood, as the knee-bend acts as point of torque. The
woodcutters axe was not intended for warfare, but peasant brig-
ands were often depicted with such axes waylaying knights or
merchants in tapestries or drawings from the Dark Ages.
Sickle, Early Steel
The sickle was rarely crafted in steel. Often the work involved to
craft a steel sickle made it too expensive for the farmers who
might want to use it. The only time sickles were crafted in any
version of steel was when they were made by a particularly
skilled peasant craftsman, and usually items like this were lim-
ited to the village that craftsman lived in. The sickle was rarely
carried onto the field of battle in this age, and would only have
been used in combat in desperate situations.
Scythe, Early Steel
Like the sickle, the scythe was rarely crafted in steel. The scythe
blade was never finely crafted, more of a curved wedge of metal
than a weapon of war. A well-made scythe was a rarity, while
one made of steel would be even rarer and more precious still.
Whip, Bull
The bull whip was made from leather, wrapped in a spiral pat-
tern to enhance its strength. Bull whips were primarily used as
tools in training and controlling wild animals, although they
were also used by various cultures to keep slaves in line. The
bull whip deals subdual damage, and no damage to any creature
wearing armor of at least +1 armor bonus or creatures with a +3
natural armor bonus. Although kept in the hand, the bull whip is
treated as a ranged weapon with a maximum range of 15 feet,
and no range penalties. The bull whip can be used to wrap
around a leg or other limb, it may also be used to make trip
attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can
drop the bull whip in order to avoid being tripped. Those using a
whip gain a +2 bonus on their opposed attack roll when attempt-
ing to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep from being
disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. The whip is consid-
ered an exotic weapon. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon.
Knife, Early Steel
The knife was used primarily for skinning and cutting up kills
after a hunt. The knife, in Europe, tended to be straight, and was
usually single-edged, although double-edged versions were not
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age

20 27a

26 28a 28b 29 33
34

23
21

27b

24

31
30
22 25

32

20. Hatchet; 21. Woodcutter's Axe; 22. Sickle; 23. Scythe; 24. Bull Whip; 25. Knife; 26. Grain Flail; 27a. Hayfork; 27b. Pitchfork;
28a. Shepard's Crook; 28b. Crozier; 29. Quarterstaff; 30. Hammer; 31. Maul; 32. Pick Axe; 33. Miner's Axe; 34. European Padded
Cloth Armor
completely uncommon. The double-edged version is identical in The main difference between a hayfork and a pitchfork is the
statistics to the single edged version, although its damage is con- number of tines on each fork: the hayfork has two tines while the
sidered piercing. Some knives had a curved hook at the tip of the pitchfork has three. Steel versions of the hay or pitch forks were
blade, in order to aid in cutting sinews and separating bones. rare for many of the same reasons that steel sickles or scythes
This has no benefit in combat, however. were rare. Still, the forks would inspire the development of cer-
tain polearms.
Flail, Grain (Plain and Studded)
The grain flail consisted of a long pole, a short thong of leather Croziers
or length of chain, and then a shorter pole. This was used to beat The shepherds crook, or crozier, is an ancient staff, likely as old
grain off of the stalk, after the grain had been cut in the field. The as sheep herding. The term crook refers to the often bent or
usefulness of the flail as a war weapon gradually became obvi- curled head at the top of the staff. The shepherds crook was
ous when conscripts used the weapon for battering opponents at used to defend against wild animal attack, and to guide sheep
a distance, and for entangling the legs of horses. The grain flail when the shepherd was moving them. During the Dark Ages the
can be used to wrap around a leg or other limb, it may also be shepherds crook became a symbol of the guiding role of the
used to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip Christian Church in Europes development, and many higher
attempt, you can drop the grain flail in order to avoid being officials in the church took to carrying a metal, stylized shep-
tripped. A studded version was developed to inflict more damage herds crook, often with an ornate head, as a sign of their office.
upon impact. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon. Some less scrupulous individuals hid a blade at the end of the
weapon, in case of the need for a weapon of last resort. Although
Hayforks and Pitchforks in the Dark Ages and Medieval period there was some leeway
These were common use weapons kept around the farm for for clergy of the Christian church to defend themselves with
stacking hay, moving compost, or any of a variety of other jobs. weapons, a concealed weapon in a symbol of their office was
considered deceitful. You can fight with the spear-bearing

199
 From Stone to Steel
crozier as if fighting with two weapons, but if you do you incur
all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting with two
weapons as if you are using a one-handed weapon and a light
weapon. A creature using a double weapon in one hand, such as
a Large creature using a crozier, cannot use it as a double
weapon.
Quarterstaff
The quarterstaff is a simple weapon with a variety of uses. In the
hands of the untrained, it is a heavy stick, something to wield
like a longsword and club on the heads of attackers. To one of a
more martial bent the quarterstaff can be used as a double
weapon, using each end of the quarterstaff to attack an opponent
while using the center to defend against strikes. The master of
the staff, though, knows that the staff can be used effectively in
both manners. Quick, swift strikes and blocks are effective
against multiple opponents or against a trained opponent who
cannot attack swiftly themselves. However, the master also
knows how to use the length and flexibility of the staff to attack
opponents before they expect it, with swift, crushing blows that
stave armor and shatter bones. You can fight with the quarterstaff
as if fighting with two weapons, but if you do you incur all the
normal attack penalties associated with fighting with two
weapons as if you are using a one-handed weapon and a light
weapon. A creature using a double weapon in one hand, such as
a Large creature using a quarterstaff, cannot use it as a double
weapon.
Hammer
The hammer was a multipurpose tool. Many peasants had a
hammer for effecting repairs to their homes, which were often
wooden framed. Wagon wheels that came loose required being
pounded back into place with a hammer, and then having the
locking piece hammered in to hold it there. Carpenters, obvi-
ously, had an occupational need for the hammer. The word ham-
mer appears to descend from an ancient German word for rock,
and most old hammers were simply stone clubs. Hammers with
metal heads were introduced during the Dark and Middle Ages,
and as they entered conscript armies they came to the attention
of the ruling lords. It is said that Charles Martel carried a great
hammer and wielded it in battle. The hammer would pave the
way for the warhammer and variants like the martel de fer.
Maul
The maul was the larger cousin of the hammer, and was used for
everything from pounding stakes for a fence to breaking rocks in
a quarry. The maul was large, heavy, and somewhat clumsy, and
required two hands to wield. Still, those brutes strong enough to
use the maul without penalty could cause fearsome injuries, and
drive men from their feet with a single blow. Metal version of
the maul were used almost exclusively by masons.
Axe, Pick
A popular tool, the pickaxe was a weapon that found its way into
mobs and conscript armies. The wound from the pick itself tends
200
to be small, but the small area that the weapon concentrates its
force into can make it frightfully damaging. Picks could go right
through armor on a square hit, and as soon as this was demon-
strated on the battlefield, military commanders began experi-
menting with the pick, to discover better ways to use it in
combat.
Axe, Miners
Although it is called a miners axe, this weapon did not develop
in the mines, among the peasantry. Instead, the miner in the
miners axe, refers to those engineers and sappers who practiced
the very dangerous and effective siege work of mining. Devel-
oped to dig well, cut support timbers quickly, and fight in close
quarters, the miners axe was a weapon that was rarely seen
above ground, at first. As the art of siege engineering became
more prestigious, and as its use became more treasured, the
miners axe found its way into the collections of frequent cam-
paigners, who might have it highly decorated or inscribed, or
forged with great artistry and flourish. These later versions of
miners axes were mostly for show, and would not see the regu-
lar scour of soil, splinter of wood, or the splash of blood that
their more utilitarian cousins were likely to see.
Cloth, European Padded
Padded armor developed from the gambeson worn under the
heavier forms of armor used in Europe. Quilt stitched, warm,
and prone to mold, padded armor tended to stink after a few days
of regular use, and required a great deal of boiling to clean.
Padded armor was the most common armor given to conscripts,
and many archers preferred it to heavier forms of armor that
restricted their movement.
Charlemagne
When Charlemagne came to rule France, his people were greatly
divided, and the static nature of the Feudal system was taking its
toll. Lords fought amongst each other for choice land, and the
king was often ignored when his commands were unpopular.
The military arts were more and more neglected, as the nobles
took much of the responsibility of being the elite forces on them-
selves, leaving their soldiery mostly defensive. Peasants had
minimal education, little religion, and very little contact with
those outside their local community. Charlemagne sought to
change this.
Internal dissention in Europe and yet more sectarian conflicts in
the Christian church left Rome in peril. The Lombards, yet
another Germanic tribe, found the Gothic Kingdom of Italy in
shambles, and they quickly conquered the region and began to
dispute with the Pope for both temporal and spiritual control of
the region. The Frankish powers, who had closely allied them-
selves to the Pope under the rule of Clovis, were invited by the
Pope to come to his aid, and Charlemagne did, destroying the
Lombards and establishing much of Italy as a feudal state under
the control of the Pope. Called the Papal States, this became the
first example of the Roman Catholic church directly administer-
ing lands in Europe, although the process, once begun, spread
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
quickly. Local monasteries, parishes, and diocese more and more
often held onto lands deeded to the Church by the dying, which
originally were turned over to local rulers. This lead to conflict
between local feudal rulers and the Roman Catholic church, a
pattern that would continue through a great deal of history, as
either temporal or spiritual powers vied for domination of the
populace of Europe.
Whats in a name?
Many peoples were often named by others who did not know
their lands well. When Charles Martel fought the forces of
Islam at Tours, it was recorded that he fought an army of
Moors and Saracens, with certain Vandals in their number. The
Moors were swarthy, sometimes black skinned African Mus-
lims from the lands of Mauritania, for which they were named
(Mauritania shortened to Maur or Moor). The Saracens were
considered any of a great number of people who dwelt in the
lands of Syria and south of there, of which the Arabs were just
one of many (Syria became Saria, or Saracens). Eventually
Saracen came to describe any Muslim who was not so dark
skinned as a Moor. The Vandals mentioned in their number
were likely any number of conquered Germans who had dwelt
in Spain before the invasion, who were now conscripted into
fighting with the Islamic forces. They were likely to be from
one of any number of different Germanic tribes, but Vandals
being the most common and most hated, historically, that was
the label used. For their part, the Islamic invaders returned to
their conquered lands after the battles of Tours with tales of
the fearsome and deadly Franji (similar in sound to French or
Frank), who had stopped the conquest of all the known world.
When the Crusades would begin, generations later, any Euro-
pean on Crusade was often referred to as a Franji.
Charlemagne allied himself to the Pope and the Roman Church
during his reign, enforcing catechism among his people, and
requiring captured lands and peoples to become Christians. He
united France under the crown again by declaring war on the
barbarous north, on Germany. Charlemagne forged new tactics
with his feudal armies, organizing them in heavy cavalry, light
scouts, heavy infantry, and conscripts, and he employed both for-
tifications and siege warfare to great effect. The barbarians had
no chance. Charlemagne rolled across Europe, conquering tribes
and states, converting them from their pagan or sectarian beliefs,
and forcing them to bow to his rule. Even so, this war lasted a
punishing 32 years.
Germany was not Charlemagnes only field of conflict. Charle-
magne attempted to retake parts of Spain from the Moors, but
failed miserably, as recounted in the Song of Roland. Charle-
magne brought forces against the Slavs, the Magyars, and the
Avars (descendants of the Huns) in Eastern Europe, and he made
much progress against them, destroying what nascent states had
been there, to establish more Feudal structures. By the year 800
A.D. Rome repaid Charlemagne by conferring on him the title of
Holy Roman Emperor. The establishment of the Holy Roman
Empire cemented the power of the Roman Catholic church over
201
Europe, and the many states established within the Holy Roman
Empire would remain part of the alliance for ages to come. Even
when other crowns rose in Europe, the states of the Holy Roman
Empire retained their unity, and eventually it became the practice
for those Holy Roman Empire states to vote for the Emperor, so
that no one crown of Europe would hold complete power over her.
While Charlemagne was recreating Europe, a new power began
to grow in the North, one which, in its own way, would create
sweeping change: The Vikings.
Material Properties: Pattern Welded Steel
Developed in the Rhineland, the secret of Pattern Welded Steel
was kept primarily among a few smiths in that region. Pattern
Welding is a process of braiding steel of various strengths, so as
to maintain the flexibility of softer steels while retaining the
hardness and edge of denser steels. Similar in concept to Dam-
ascus steel, it also tends to create a similar visual effect,
although the pattern on the blade is not as fine as that of Damas-
cus steel. Blades made of Pattern Welded steel are usually mas-
terwork (and gain a +1 damage bonus), and are generally of
Hardness 9. Charlemagne would eventually draft laws forbid-
ding trade in Pattern Welded weapons to such tribes as the
Vikings and Avars, but when the Vikings acquired such blades
they also learned the technique of Pattern Welding. The Vikings
would eventually improve upon these weapons to the degree
that each blade be able to bend a full inch to either side and then
return to its original state without warping. Such Viking made
Pattern Welded blades were a Hardness of 10. At some point
during the many wars of Europe, the secret of pattern welding
was lost, and when the Vikings eventually began to fade as a
world influence, so would the secret of Pattern Welding..
The Vikings.
The Vikings came from the far northern lands of Europe, from
high in the fjords, where villages were set in fertile outcrops and
ship travel was more efficient than foot travel for trading
between villages. Fjord culture developed gradually, with those
villages highest up the fjord trading with the lower villages for
food and supplies that they could not manufacture or grow on
their own. In some fjords this relationship of trade became
antagonistic, when the highest villages had nothing to offer the
lower villages by means of trade. Then the higher villagers
would take up arms and sail down the fjords, raiding the lower
villages for what they needed, then rowing back up swiftly
enough to evade capture. The higher villages built up wooden
forts to oppose attack, and, enriched by this raiding practice, they
grew powerful. This practice was called viking in the Nordic
lands, and those who practiced it took the name for themselves.
Viking culture and religion celebrated the life of the warrior. It was
their belief that they practiced in life the ways of the warrior so
that, when the end of the world came, they would be able to stand
with the Gods in the final battles. Those judged unworthy and
unfit were cast out, sometimes literally, and were believed to go to
Hel, the land named for the Tricksters fell daughter, a realm of
 From Stone to Steel
fire, death, suffering, and hate. There is little surprise that Viking
culture became so aggressive and warlike, with their religious
motivations. And as they prospered on the wealth and bounty of
others, the Vikings multiplied, populating the fjords and spreading
out, to create new communities.
It started in England. At first sporadic, minor raids, then there
came a great raid in the fertile lands around Lindsfarne
Monastery. A village was destroyed, the monastery was ran-
sacked, all the grain and livestock were taken or slaughtered, and
most items of value were carried away by the great bearded war-
riors that came on dragon-prowed ships. The Vikings of the time
wore leather armor, if they wore any armor at all, although those
without still carried a wooden shield, sometimes covered with
leather, and all Vikings wore the heavier clothing favored in their
mountain climes. Helmets were never horned (despite myth),
and were likely similar to those of the Franks, with a conical
shape and nose guards. Some rare few might have worn chain-
mail shirts or byrnies, but most did not. The weapons most com-
monly in use were spears, bows, long knives like the scramsax,
battleaxes, long bearded axes, and a small smattering of pattern
welded swords, forged to exacting specifications.
Shield, Viking Wooden Small and Large
Viking Shields were made to take damage. They were thick,
heavy, and hard at the center, with a metal boss that protected the
hand. But the Vikings would often soak the outer rim of the shield,
or oil it, and refrained from lining the shield with metal to protect
its rim. This was because the Vikings used their shields to disarm
their foes. The wood at the rim was left soft to catch the blades of
swords or axes used to attack them. When an axe strikes a Viking
shield with more than half its normal damage, it is considered
stuck, and requires an opposed strength roll to determine if the
blade is removed. If the axe wielder succeeds in the opposed
strength roll by only 1 point, he is unable to remove his axe, but he
may use his axe to shield trap the person wielding the Viking
shield. Should he succeed by more than 1 point, his axe is free. If
a sword strikes the shield for 3 or more points of damage, it is con-
sidered stuck, and the Viking shield wielder may, as an attack of
opportunity, attempt to make a sword breaking maneuver, if he is
eligible. If the Viking shield wielder does not elect or cannot not
make such a maneuver, the sword wielder must make an opposed
strength roll in the same fashion as the axe wielder above.
Spear, Krokaspjt
The krokaspjt spear was a spear with a hooked point, somewhat
a forbear of the glaive. A reach weapon used for slashing, the
krokaspjt was used by Vikings for snagging and cutting rigging,
slashing at horses legs, and shield trapping. The krokaspjt, a
large two handed weapon, was a forebearer to the halberd, along
with the refthi.
Refthi
The refthi was originally referred to in ancient sagas as a ham-
mer axe weapon. Effectively a polearm with a short hammer-
202
head on one side of the head and an axe blade on the other, the
refthi was both a bludgeoning and slashing reach weapon. As
time went on the axe head grew more pronounced and the ham-
mer portion was minimized, leading to a very halberd-like
design.
Axe, Bearded
The bearded axe was a mainstay of Viking warfare. A two
handed battleaxe with a long, dropping blade, the bearded axe
was used for savage attacks. Many stories tell of Vikings cleav-
ing through the wooded shields of their foes with single blows of
this axe. Well designed for battle, this was the weapon of choice
even for the Danes and Varangians, and saw use from Byzantium
to Iceland.
Pattern Welded Viking Swords
Potent and dangerous blades, these weapons were used by Vikings
of all ages, and were more common on the battlefield than in raids.
Whether short, long, or two-handed, these Viking blades were
coveted throughout Christendom. In Viking tradition, swords were
passed down from father to son, and a well kept blade could last
generations, and see battles in many hands. Most Viking blades
were inlaid with runes, and those runes were believed to confer
magical powers on the blades themselves.
Byrnie, Chainmail
The byrnie was a knee-length chain shirt, backed by leather and
topped with a spangenhelm. Where the Chain did not cover on
arms or knees, splint armor, usually iron or steel, but sometimes
wood or bone, covered. The byrnie was a very protective gar-
ment, but it was expensive and time consuming to manufacture.
Usually only great warriors or chieftains wore byrnies.
Viking raids spread. Ireland, France, and England bore the brunt
of the Viking onslaught, but it did not take the Vikings long to
attack Spain, to sail down the great rivers of France and England
to attack major cities, or to reach the Mediterranian. Once in the
Mediterranian the Vikings became a real menace, and no shore
seemed safe from their attacks. Their ships could appear at any
time, bringing battle hardened warriors intent only to terrorize
the populace, take anything they could hold onto, and evade
slower moving militia or soldiery when they arrived. With the
Viking homeland often well beyond the reach of most naval
forces of the age, the Vikings could not be pursued, and their vic-
tories stood uncontested. Their land tactics were varied, incorpo-
rating shield walls such as the Romans used and wild tactics
called boar snout which was a running wedge intended to break
through an enemy line and then disperse to flank them. Add to
that their use of sword-breaking tactics and their legend as great
warriors is well deserved. But the Vikings did not merely seek
goods and wealth. They also sought land to settle.
Varangians, a Swedish Viking tribe, landed in the cold lands off
the Baltic coast, and ventured deep in to Slavic lands. Finding a
large number of unaffiliated villages, the Varangians established
a kingdom in that land called Rus. At first the Slavs opposed the
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
Vikings and drove them out, but within a decade, having discov-
ered that they could not resolve tribal differences and rule them-
selves, they invited the Varangians back in, and established the
Rus Kingdom with Viking rulers. These landbound Vikings
forged an alliance between the Slavic tribes, and lead armies
over land to raid northern Byzantine holdings, during a time
when the Byzantines were concerned with holding their southern
border against the Saracens. Their prowess so impressed the
Byzantines that they paid tribute and eventually hired a substan-
tial Varangian mercenary contingent to help in their defense,
cementing an alliance between Byzantium and Russia that would
promote Orthodox Christianity in that state. Eventually the
Kingdom of Rus would be based in the city of Novgorod, and
the Russian nation would begin its slow rise, expanding her
power as other cities, like Kiev, were founded.
Kingdoms were established in many lands. The Kingdom of
York was established by Danish Vikings. The Kingdom of Man
would be established in Ireland and the wilds of Wales. Vikings
would land and establish lands in the north of France, in Nor-
mandy, where they would learn the tongue of the Franks and be
known as Normans. The drive to expand lead the Vikings to sail
west, beyond familiar seas, and to colonize Iceland, Greenland,
and even portions of North America, and some speculate possi-
bly as far south as the modern day state of New Jersey. The
North American settlements proved too difficult to maintain,
however, and eventually they were abandoned.
35
40
38
39
37
36
35. Viking Shield; 36. Krokaspjot Spear; 37. Refthi; 38. Bearded Axe; 39. Pattern Welded Viking Sword; 40. Chainmail Byrnie; 41.
Splint Mail
203
Runic Inscription and the Naming of Swords
and Axes
The Vikings believed that runes held power, and that by
inscribing them on sword blades they might confer that power
to the weapon. According to Sagas, this kind of power did not
require understanding the runes that were inscribed on the
blade, and powers could include anything from a sword made
to cleave shields in a single blow to a sword made to slay
oathbreakers. The runes were inscribed on a blade by the
Viking smith, and it was entirely up to the smith as to whether
the sword purchaser knew what the enchantment was or not.
The runes on a blade rarely had anything to do with the name
given it. Axes, which did not regularly sport runic magic, were
often given names of giantesses or valkyries from sagas, while
swords were given a variety of names. Some bore names like
Foot-biter or Leg-biter, likely indicative of the first wound
caused by such a blade, while others might be named for their
(hoped) effect in melee, like Fierce or Flame of Battle. Still
others might confer a kind of spirit, like Gnawer or Viper.
Sword names were selected by the first owner of a given
blade, and the prestige of a given blade would carry its name
with it.
41
 From Stone to Steel
Splint Mail
In the later years of the Viking expansion, the byrnie-clad
Vikings were joined by Viking warriors wearing splint mail into
battle. Made of metal, bone, or wooden splints riveted to a
leather backing, splint mail was an oddity, good at deflecting
most glancing blows, but sacrificing mobility and ease of repair.
Most non-metal versions of splint mail were employed by poor
Viking tribes, while the metal versions were prohibitively expen-
sive, although not as expensive as chainmail. Splint mail saw
only limited use, failing to develop the popularity of chainmail.
The Vikings shook up the established feudal states, attacking
Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Portugaul, Morocco, Italy, and even Turkey. Their
culture further diluted the already varied culture of England, and
the eventual Norman invasion of France and England further
infused England with Viking culture and gave it claims to land in
the north of France, which would spawn quite a few wars in the
future. Though eventually Christianized and civilized, the
Nordic nations were never as dedicated to Roman Catholicism,
and would be among the first nations to embrace the Reformed
faiths in later ages.
The Fragmentation of Islam
Not long after the halting of the Arab expansion at Tours, the
Abbasids revolted. The revolt, based on political issues of the
succession of Caliphs, eventually cast the Umayyads out of
power, and the Umayyads fled to Spain, to establish the separate
Umayyad Spain. This would lay the foundation for eventual con-
flict between the Shiite and Sunni divisions that would form
throughout greater Islam. Still, the Abbasid dynasty brought with
it an openly acknowledged flourishing of scholarship, culture,
trade, and industry. The Arabs had assiduously saved Grecian
texts over the generations as Roman civilization decayed, and as
Islamic culture spread, they added to their classical knowledge
with Indian philosophy and cultural discoveries. Arab philoso-
phy, science, and warfare would make jumps that European civi-
lization would not for many centuries.
Arab civilization spread gradually into Central Asia and China,
as discussed in previous chapters, but even before the coming of
the Vikings, Islam had reached something of a peak. The
Abbasid dynasty moved the center of Islam to Mesopotamia, and
founded the city of Baghdad. Schools of law were established to
explore the nature of justice. An academy, the House of Wisdom,
was established, to translate great works from Sanskrit, Greek,
Syriac, and Persian into Arabic. And then something changed.
Islam had grown large, and governors were needed to control
different regions appropriately. These strictly temporal officials
were called Sultans, and Sultanates were established as a means
to administrate vastly different regions such as Egypt and Persia.
After a time the governors took on more power, and new inde-
pendent regions were born. Slowly Islam found itself parti-
tioned, becoming separate regions, all united by religion but
204
divided by local Caliphs, whose politics often differed with those
of other Caliphs. The Tahirids, Saffarids, Samanids, Buwayhids,
Ziyarids, and Ghaznavids sprung up in the east, the Hamdanids
developed in Syria and northern Mesopotamia, and the Tulunids,
Ikhshidids, and Fatimids took hold of Egypt. The Fatamids, for
example, who opposed and eventually conquered the Tulun
Caliph of Egypt, were more a political movement than a reli-
gious one. The Buwayhids, on the other hand, attacked Baghdad,
opposing the Abbasids on purely succession-based grounds.
These movements were met with outrage, as Muslims were not
supposed to bear arms against other Muslims. Independent
caliphs often used their power to attack minority groups they
personally disliked. Such was the case when the Fatamid Caliph,
Al-Hakim ordered the destruction of the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Even though he would later have it
rebuilt, actions like this, as well as other purges of dhimmis in
individual cities, often by rogue generals, would have ripples in
the European community.
Causes of the Crusades
The coming of the first millennia saw Europe at war. The Nor-
mans fought against Frankish forces, which were in retreat hav-
ing surrendered much of France to the Viking descendants. The
Vikings themselves were on the decline, their colonization pro-
grams growing too expensive to maintain, and their holdings in
Europe dwindling as Germanic nations and the Danes turned
against them. Christians in Spain were agitating against the
Umayyad government, calling for help from Christian nations.
The Italic states were in the midst of a trade war, as mercantile
families vied with the hierarchy of the church and local ruling
families for control of the economies of Italy, where trade made
the nation the only importer of Silk Road goods, a monopoly that
could make the right people phenomenally rich.
The Sejulk Turks were one of the many Turkish peoples to con-
vert to Islam, but their alliance with Persia made them particu-
larly powerful. The Sejulk-Persian alliance gave both nations
substantial power within the Arab community, and the Sejulks
maintained strong military forces that could be brought to bear
swiftly. The alliance and access to the mountainous regions east
of Byzantium meant that the Sejulks were in a prime position to
terrorize and debilitate the traditional enemy of the Islamic state.
Sejulk raids were particularly costly, and despite reinforcements
by Russian troops, Byzantium worried that their borders would
not last.
In the many Sultanates and caliphates of Islam, Christians were
agitating. Although the dhimmi tax was considerably reasonable,
many Christian peoples saw it as a form of oppression, and more
and more they felt treated as second-class citizens. Christian
protests and failure of tax payments were met with a variety of
reactions. Some states required conversion for those who refused
to pay taxes, while others forced people into exile, or executed
troublemakers. Some more extreme leaders used events like this
to purge cities of undesirable elements, although this was not in
accord with the tenets of Islamic teaching. Word of these purges
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
would reach Europe slowly, and among those who most cared,
these events would be viewed as reasons to consider war.
In 1066, the Normans, under the rule of King William, would
invade England. According to legend, William would trip while
debarking his ship, something that would certainly have been
taken as an ill omen by his men if he was not a quick thinker. But
Williams wit was swift, and he placed a kiss upon the shore,
telling his men that he wished to embrace the land they were
about to conquer. The conquest of England from its Anglo-
Saxon rulers was swift. The Norman soldiers, armed with qual-
ity middle-steel blades, were more than a match for the
weakened kings of England. Conquest on this scale sent ripples
of anxiety through the Feudal states.
Warfare in Europe had progressed, and weapons development
along with it. The heavy dependance on elite cavalry promoted
the introduction of whole regiments of soldiers carrying
polearms. The halberd, which descended from the long bearded
axe and refthi, became a staple in the Holy Roman Empire, and
eventually beyond. New military versions of conscription
weapons were being developed, often in two varieties, one for
knights on horseback and one for footmen. But the most impor-
tant development for European combat was the crossbow, which
was seeing increased use in the armies of Europe, especially in
cavalry charges.
Halberd
The halberd, an axe blade with a protruding spike and thrusting
head, was developed from the influence of the bearded axe,
refthi, and the krokaspjt. The halberds original name, halbert,
implies that it, at one time, also had a bearded reputation. The
Halberd has a variety of uses and attack forms. The Halberd
could be used as a slashing axe weapon, a piercing thrusting
spear weapon, or as a double weapon, using the piercing spike or
the slashing axe as one attack and the butt end of the weapon as
a light staff weapon. When using the Halberd as a double
weapon you incur all the normal attack penalties associated with
fighting with two weapons as if you are using a one-handed
weapon and a light weapon. A creature using a double weapon in
one hand, such as a Large creature using a halberd, cannot use it
as a double weapon. The Halberd may also be used for tripping
attacks (using either the axe blade or the spike to attempt a trip).
If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the
Halberd in order to avoid being tripped. Some versions of the
Halberd have a metal-capped butt, to increase the impact of a
butt-end attack, while others had a short spike, to use as a
makeshift spear, in close quarters. The Halberd may be set
against a charge.
Bill
Cousin of the halberd and guisarme, the bill was incredibly com-
mon among conscript armies. The name bill comes from the
similarity between most bill blades and the bill of a duck or
goose, and, indeed, some version of the bill were referred to as
duck bills. A slashing reach polearm similar to the krokaspjt,
205
the bill also had thrusting spike and small hook blade that
allowed tripping attacks or attacks at horses legs. . If you are
tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the bill in
order to avoid being tripped. The bill, unlike the halberd, was not
appropriately weighted for effective use as a double weapon, but
it can still be used as a slashing weapon and a normal bludgeon-
ing pole weapon, with normal two weapon fighting penalties,
although it looses the reach attack ability when used in this man-
ner. A creature using a double weapon in one hand, such as a
Large creature using a bill, cannot use it as a double weapon.
The bill may be set against a charge. The guisarme is statistically
the same as the bill, but the hook is not separate on the guisarme,
but found at the end of the spear-like blade, and thus may not be
set against a charge.
Crossbow, (Middle Steel) Light
The crossbow was originally a siege weapon, similar to the bal-
lista, in Roman times. Eventually the size of the crossbow was
greatly reduced, and a single man could carry and fire it without
significant training, which was a great boon for conscript armies.
This began a great debate between proponents of the bow and
advocates of the crossbow as to which weapon was superior on
the field of battle. The crossbow, for its simplicity of use, was
often maligned by those who felt that training and status should be
the order of the battlefield, while the bow, which required talent
and practice, remained a less used and more elite weapon. Despite
its lack of appeal among bards as a knightly weapon, many
mounted knights would ride into a charge bearing a crossbow first.
Then, once the bolt was deployed, the knight would raise his lance
and commence his charge in earnest. Crossbow charges, although
common, were not a regularly documented tactic.
Mace, Footmans and Horsemans
The major difference between a footmans weapon and a horse-
mans weapon was that the horsemans weapon was often
shorter and better constructed. A footmans mace had a wooden
haft two feet long, and a heavy head, usually with a rounded
attack surface, although some had spiked, studded, or toothed
heads. The horsemans mace was generally smaller, easier to
carry and draw quickly, and the haft was made of steel, not
wood. Its entirely possible to use a horsemans mace off of a
horse, and there is no penalty for doing so.
Pick, Footmans and Horsemans
Again, the major difference between a footmans weapon and a
horsemans weapon is its make and length. The military version
of the pick was designed to puncture armor, and armor is less
effective against it. The pick is quite capable of puncturing
armor, but the damage it does to armor is very localized, and so
(if you are using the option equipment damage rules) any dam-
age by a pick that exceeds the hardness should be halved (round-
ing up) before being applied to the hit points. The footmans pick
often had a short bludgeoning head on the other side of the
attack head, which gave it an alternate attack. The horsemans
pick did not have this head, was shorter, and was made entirely
 From Stone to Steel
42a 42b 42c 42d 43a
44
42a42d. Halberd variations; 43a43d. Bill variations; 44. Light Crossbow; 45a. Footman's Mace; 45b. Horseman's Mace; 46a.
Footman's Pick; 46b. Horseman's Pick
of steel. Its entirely possible to use a horsemans pick off of a
horse, and there is no penalty for doing so.
Warhammer, Footmans and Horsemans
The warhammer adapted the German hammer to military use.
The two versions follow the established pattern between foot-
mans weapons and horsemans weapons, and both weapons fea-
ture a spike at the rear of the hammer head, to use as a secondary
attack. The spike was designed to puncture armor. Its entirely
possible to use a horsemans warhammer off of a horse, and
there is no penalty for doing so.
Axe, Footmans and Horsemans
The axe had long been a part of military warfare. The footmans
axe was a battleaxe, usually with a spike or pick on the rear of
the blade. The spike was designed to puncture armor. The horse-
mans axe also sported a short spike, and was made entirely of
steel. Its entirely possible to use a horsemans axe off of a horse,
and there is no penalty for doing so. The Byzantines used a vari-
ant of the footmans axe that also had a thrusting spike at the end
of the haft.
206
43b 45a 45b
43d
46a 46b
43c
Martel de Fer, Middle Steel
In the tradition of weapons that did double duty, the martel de fer
was a warhammer with spike facing rearward. The heavy head
of the martel de fer was mallet like, and quite capable of pulver-
izing bones through light armor. If you are using the optional
armor damage rules, when inflicting damage with a martel de fer
against light armor, half of any damage that the armor takes from
a strike effects the foe as well. The martel de fer does not have a
horsemans variant.
Flail, Military
The military flail was a heavy, two handed flail with three chains
connected to round, steel flail heads. The power, and inherent
danger, of a military flail is the three striking heads that it puts
into play at one time. This weapon is extremely dangerous to use
for the untrained, and those without Martial Weapons Profi-
ciency are at a -8 to strike with this weapon. Even should a mili-
tary flail wielder be trained generally in Martial Weapons, there
is a great benefit to focus or specialize in the military flail, as it
increases full strikes. Flails grant a +2 bonus to disarm attempts
and may be used to make trip attacks. This weapon is a shield
bypass weapon.
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
End of an Age
In the nations of Islam the Golden Age was coming to an end.
Fragmentation of the Islamic state and heightened hostilities pro-
moted a number of changes. Contact with India brought a slow
introduction of the material that would one day be called Damas-
cus steel. It would take time and investments for the legendary
Damascus blades to become anywhere near common in the Arab
lands, although eventually a contingent of smiths trained in its
manufacture would establish a colony in Damascus, explaining
the names origin. The shamshir was becoming more common in
western Persian lands, and the scimitar was in its early stages of
development. The composite bow was in common use, although
the crossbow, imported from China, could be found here and
there. Arab forces promoted light cavalry, cavalry archers, and
heavy infantry.
Optional Flail Mechanics
Multiattack: Normally only a single attack roll is made with
a flail regardless of how many heads it actually possesses.
Optionally, when attacking with a multiheaded flail, you may
make an attack roll for each head. For each additional head
apply a cumulative -5 circumstance penalty to attack rolls.
Thus, both attack rolls with a two-headed flail would be at a -5
penalty, whereas all three attacks with a triple-headed flail
would be at -10. Anyone attempting a multiattack is subject to
backlash (see below).
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Flail): If an exotic weapon pro-
ficiency feat is used for the flail reduce all multiattack
penaltiesto -3 per additional head. Thus, both attack rolls with
a two-headed flail would be at a -3 penalty, whereas all three
attacks with a triple-headed flail would be at -6.
Backlash: During a multiattack, should any flail heads attack
roll be a natural 1, backlash occurs. Instead of striking your
opponent, that flail head completes its revolution and strikes,
instead, at you. The wielder must then make a Reflex save at a
DC of 10 + Base Attack Bonus or be struck by his own
weapon. Use the backlash rule only if the multiattack option is
being used.
Shamshir, Early
The shamshir is a thicker, slightly curved chopping blade, regu-
larly used by Arab cavalry. The shamshir did not have a covered
guard in its early form, and its pommel was usually flat or
crested, making it difficult to change stances easily with the
blade. Heavier than a scimitar, it was used extensively in Persia,
although it would eventually move into certain Central Asian
Turkish lands and Northern India. Some rare versions of this
early shamshir were damascened.
By the end of the first millennium, Byzantium was facing
increased attacks from the Sejulks. The Byzantines asked the
Papacy to send help. In addition, the Papacy saw increasing
strife in Europe, and disunity appeared to be leading towards
another time of chaos. Word of the troubles in the holy land gave
207
weight to the call for action, and the Papacy also saw a chance to
focus the financial concerns of the Italic peninsula onto an action
against the Arabs. So in 1095, Pope Urban II called upon the
Franks, and all of Christendom, to embark upon a Crusade to the
Holy Lands, to liberate the sacred cities from Saracen influence,
and to free the Christian peoples oppressed there. His impas-
sioned speech fired the hearts of many knights, but more impor-
tantly it also fueled the hopes of thousands of the poor, who
would also march on the Arab lands with little more than the
clothes on their backs, right into the very heart of battle with sea-
soned Sejulk and Arab armies.
The Crusades
In the history of Islam the Crusades were really nothing more
than yet another barbarian uprising against their rightful rule.
Since only the first Crusade was anywhere near organized and
effective, Islamic histories only really concern themselves with
the first Crusade. In Europe, however, the success and failure of
the Crusades as military campaigns would lead to a number of
incredible developments, and would catapult Europe towards her
own eventual rise.
The First Crusade
The First Crusade may have been called in 1095, but it took time
to muster armies and march across dozens of states, having to
pay tolls and taxes, and pledge friendship along the way with
any number of feudal lords, in order to arrive at Byzantium. And
the first Crusader armies were anything but organized. Each
army took on a Lord or Priest at their lead, and could be com-
posed of trained soldiers or peasants with hopes of making their
fortune in the Holy Land. One of the first armies to reach the
Holy Land, a mostly peasant army under the control of Peter the
Hermit, caused nearly as much damage to Byzantium as it did to
Islam, raiding and sacking Belgrade, and then later fighting and
being routed at Nish. When, at last, Peters army made it to Ana-
tolia, they established a stronghold at Civetot, and struck out to
raid the region. Their initial successes were against villages in
the region, most of which were Christian, although Peters Cru-
saders were not very attentive to this. Their attacks eventually
faced opposition, when Kilij Arslan, the Sultan of Nicaea,
brought his trained soldiers to bear on the rabble of Peter the
Hermit, and after a successful ambush, killed them nearly to the
man, taking the young men and women in the rabble prisoner
and selling them into slavery.
Many of the less organized forces met similar fates, if they left
Europe at all. A contemporary force of German knights who
encamped at the abandoned castle of Xerigordon, around the
time that Peters peasant army encamped at Civetot, found them-
selves swiftly captured and forced to convert or die. Other
groups like the Crusades of Gottschalk, Volkmar, and Count
Emicho, ended up getting into trouble while trying to cross
through Hungary, and eventually their Crusades led to the
slaughter of a great number of Jews, all innocent of any crime.
 From Stone to Steel
However, not all Crusaders were inept. Godfrey of Bouillon lead
a Crusade of trained solders that successfully negotiated Ger-
many, Hungary, and Byzantium, and made it to the Holy Land
intact. So did Bohemond of Tarentum and Raymond of
Toulouse. Others opted to travel to Italy and then sail for the
Holy Land, although naval mishaps often caused great calamity,
and not all of those armies successfully arrived. Still, one year
after the call for the Crusades began, most of the major players
had arrived in the region.
The true Crusades started after Byzantium tried and failed to get
a pledge from the Crusaders that any lands once held by Byzan-
tium that were reconquered would be turned over to the
Emperor. When that failed to be accepted, Byzantium helped the
Crusaders on their way, and the wars in Asia Minor began. The
first conquest was, of course, Nicaea, but the Byzantines, in
hopes of preventing looting, entered the city first, and declared it
protected by Byzantium. This worsened the relations they had
with the Crusading troops, and the Crusaders refused to cooper-
ate with Byzantine forces after that.
Crusading forces spread out. Some marched on Antioch, while
others made for Tarsus and Jerusalem. Tarsus fell quickly and
was reinforced. Antioch fell only after a long siege and the brib-
ing of a key captain of the watch. But in the fall of Antioch, the
Crusaders plundered the city only to find that they, themselves,
were besieged by the reinforcements who had been marching to
the cities defense. It was only upon the discovery of a spear
reputed to be the Spear of Longinus that the Crusaders were able
to break the siege of Antioch and take full control of the region.
Palestine was held by the Fatamids, who did not post defensive
encampments, so the cities of Beirut, Tyre, and Acre were easily
taken. Jerusalem, a holy city for both Christianity and Islam, had
a strong defensive force, but the Crusaders eventually took it en-
mass. After the fall of Jerusalem, there was a general slaughter,
and both Jews and Muslims were massacred. Though a war
started ostensibly in religious fervor and with concern for the
innocents, the Crusades would cause greater suffering than they
would ever alleviate.
After taking Jerusalem, the First Crusade ended, its goal of
securing the Church of the Holy Sepulcher attained and a great
deal of Arab lands (in the eyes of the West) subdued. The knights
who led the first Crusade either returned to Europe with what
they could carry or stayed in the Holy Land to administer the
new Christian lands. Another wave of Crusaders was launched to
provide reinforcements to the new Christian states, but the three
armies sent arrived only to discover Antioch had been retaken by
the Turks. Poor navigation and constant attack from Turkish and
Arab forces would destroy those three armies before they could
even reinforce the forces in Palestine.
After a time seven knights, under the command of Hughes de
Payens, dedicated themselves to the care and protection of all
pilgrims to the Holy Lands. Supported by the King of Jerusalem
and the local Patriarch, the Poor Knights of the Temple were
established. The Knights Templar became the model that other
Religious Knightly orders would follow, most notably the
208
Knights Hospitaller and the Teutonic Knights. Bernard de Clair-
vaux, a contemporary, would help them draft a Rule for their
order, and their power, both in the Holy Land and in France,
would grow.
The Second Crusade
The Second Crusade started with the pledge of King Louis of
France to the Crusading cause. Joined by King Conrad, the cur-
rent Holy Roman Emperor, it seemed destined to success. The
greatest crowns of the age had dedicated themselves to conquest
of the Holy Lands. But this wasnt the only Crusade embarked
upon. In Southern France the Reconquistadores raised armies to
retake Spain from the Infidels. In Germany a Crusade against the
Wendish Slavs was declared, due to the Slavs being pagan. The
army of King Louis of France was forced to take a circuitous
route by sea around Gibraltar, and during the course he was
forced to set in at Oporto in Portugal. There they temporarily
joined forces with a Frankish lord Henry who was attempting to
free Portugal from Muslim control. After helping secure Por-
tugual for the now crowned King Henry, many of King Louiss
force decided to remain in Portugal or return home. Still, King
Louis and the remnants sailed on to the Holy Land.
The Rule as a Guide for Paladins
The Rule of the Templars is an excellent historical document
that tells a story that was unintended by the drafter. It would
behoove any player seeking to play a Paladin to read the Rule
of the Templars, so as to get into the mindset. Translations can
be found both in print and on the internet.
The beginning of the rule speaks with great passion about the
call to live as a knight for the only king who might be obeyed
with all heart, mind, soul, and strengththe knights God. In
the first two paragraphs alone it is intended to convert the
devout soul, and to convince the reader than anyone strong
enough to carry a sword should find it an honor to serve as a
Knight Templar. After a good deal on the history of the foun-
dational meeting, the Rule goes into the requirements and
obligations of a Knight Templar. Besides matters of religious
devotion, it speaks of the required color of dress (white, black,
or brown), it prohibits the wearing of pointed shoes, requires
brothers to eat in pairs from the same bowl, forbids hunting,
and, of course, forbids the embraces of women, among many
other requirements and prohibitions. The Rule was a product
of its time, inspired by Benedict of Clairvaux, who was a
charismatic founder of orders, and it attests to many of the
concerns and strange matters the Crusaders had to deal with
while on Crusade at the time the Knights Templar were
founded. In a fantasy realm it is entirely possible a Rule at
least as complex might be created for any religion embracing
Holy Knighthood.
King Conrad arrived in the region first, and his forces were mas-
sacred while watering their horses. His entire force was dis-
persed, and he was forced to retreat to Christian held lands until
he could join up with King Louiss army. King Louis first
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
marched to help Antioch, which had been retaken by Christian
Knights, but, rather than striking at Aleppo, as his advisors sug-
gested, King Louis moved south into Palestine, and provided
support for the King of Jerusalem and Queen Jocelyn of Edessa.
After a time he resolved to march on Damascus, in hopes that
taking out the stronghold would weaken the attacks of the Sara-
cens attacking the Holy Land. But King Louiss army could find
no safe place to encamp, and Damascus was so strongly held
that they were forced to retreat. In the end the Second Crusade
militarily netted only Portugal.
A Womans Place in War
Women were generally not allowed to fight in the Dark Ages
and the Medieval Period (at least in the West), although
strapped townships or villages might allow them to help
defend with a peasant militia. Believed to be too weak of con-
stitution for combat and too frail, this was only made worse by
the growing popularization by bards of the virtues of Chivalric
Love, which stressed the femininity of the gentle woman. But
this didnt prevent the popularity of certain fantasy fighting
women, like the Fighting Warrior Women of Ireland, the
Polyanitzas, and the Amazons.
The Irish have a rich oral history of heroes and heroic deeds.
Often warrior women featured in these stories would per-
formed incredible feats of dexterity and acrobatics during bat-
tle, feats that would not seem out of place in a wuxia film. One
warrior woman might leap on top of an opponents upheld
shield to strike him, or make a acrobatic spin that disarmed her
foes. The Polyanitzas, on the other hand, were a Russian leg-
end based around women who fought along side the men
when Russian lands were invaded by the Turks. Wearing
chainmail and bearing swords, they were said to have fought
every bit as well as the defending men. The Greek legend of
the Amazons persisted from Homers time to the Medieval
period, warrior women who lived in a Matriarchal society, and
whose zealot archers cut off a breast to aid in their bow-wom-
anship. Eleanor, wife of King Louis of France, stood dressed
as an Amazon during the ceremony that started the Second
Crusade, and it is said that she (symbolically) took the cross at
his side. While Eleanor was not allowed to fight during the
Crusade, she did remain a powerful political figure during the
Second Crusade.
But the struggles were not completely a waste. Exposure to mili-
tary technology in the Holy Lands improved crossbow design, as
the composite bows used by the Arabs and Turks became tem-
plates for heavier crossbows with stronger pulls. Developments
in Wales would eventually lead to the legendary English long-
bow. In Europe the Chivalric Code began to gain popularity
among the nobility, mainly through the agency of the bardic tra-
dition, which sang songs and told stories glorifying it. Trade
between the Christian holdings in the Holy Land and Italy
increased, and the Knights Templar flourished by acting as a
kind of bank, allowing lords and merchants to trade land and
capital for an equal amount of currency to trade along the Silk
209
Road. As the Knights Templar became rich off of the trade, they
also began to be persecuted in France, where their holdings were
substantial and untaxed, by Papal Writ.
Crossbow, Heavy (Early Arbalest)
Better metalworking, composite bow technology, and the devel-
opment of a number of retraction mechanisms allowed the cross-
bow to have a much greater pull. This made the crossbow charge
even more deadly. The most notable addition to the crossbow
was the boot stirrup, a sort of metal loop on the end of the cross-
bow that allowed a soldier to brace the crossbow with their feet
while pulling the drawstring back into place. The second most
notable advance was the belt hook, which was placed under the
drawstring before the soldier stepped into the stirrup, so that the
soldiers belt could being the process of bringing the drawstring
back into position. Drawing the bowstring without these mecha-
nisms requires the wielder to succeed at a DC 15 Strength test in
order to load the weapon in a full combat round. This test may
be retried any number of times, although a DM may opt to
Chivalry
No philosophical movement had a greater impact on the
development of Europe and the ending of the Dark Ages than
Chivalry. The Gothic sense of honor would definitely be con-
sidered the original wellspring of the Chivalric movement, but
a heavy dose of Christianitys best aspects, combined with the
growth of the bardic tradition lead to a the social movement of
Chivalry. Chivalry is about the behavior and character of
knights, and, indirectly, of good Lords. Besides the virtues
held dear by Christianity, such as faith, honesty, generosity,
purity, and loyalty, Chivalry dictated the virtues of martial
prowess, courage, hospitality, and nobility. Knights were
expected to act with courtesy, to honor their words, to obey the
commands of their liege lord, and to stand firm in the face of
certain doom. The knighthood spoken of in the documents on
chivalry published during the Medieval period was an idyllic
knighthood, a standard that many would consider unreachable.
The closer a knight might reach to the ideal, the more honor he
was likely to garner for himself. And since most knights were
generally only slightly better off than freemen, honor was
often a more important currency than coinage, as a knight with
honor was more likely to be treated with respect by his liege,
and his honor could become the basis for financial credit from
his peers. This did not prevent knights or barons from using
their power and soldiers to terrorize the peasantry and rob
merchants and travelers. Indeed, these raubritter (meaning
robber barons in German) were often an excellent way for
more honorable knights to test their mettle and courage against
their contemporaries.
The concept of courtly love, which does not fall into the scope
of this work, was also propagated with the Chivalric move-
ment, and the romance of this bardic tradition is often what
leads people in the modern day to lament the supposed death
of Chivalry.
 From Stone to Steel
increase or decrease the difficulty as appropriate. A Medium
sized or larger character may shoot (but not load) a crossbow
with one hand, incurring a 4 penalty. They may attempt to fire
a heavy crossbow from each hand at a 6 penalty, plus the nor-
mal 4 penalty for off-handed firing (making it 6/-10). The
Two Weapon Fighting feat will not mitigate this penalty, since it
is used for melee weapons only. Ambidexterity, however,
removes the offhand penalty (making the firing penalty 6/-6).
The cranaquin or windlass would go a long way towards over-
coming this less than reliable reloading problem.
Longbow, Welsh
The Welsh developed the longbow that would eventually
become the English longbow. The Welsh longbow was about
five feet in length, and was used quite effectively against invad-
ing English forces. The incredible range and force of the Welsh
longbow impressed the English, who adopted and later refined it,
making the longbow the national weapon of choice for England.
Arrows for a Welsh lLongbow were longer than most traditional
arrows were, measuring over two feet in length and bearing 3-4
inch arrow heads.
Early Tournaments
Martial combat as sport in Europe is nothing new. Trial by
combat, feuding, and dueling all come from Germanic tradi-
tions, and then there is the example of the Romans to give
weight to a European fascination with death and bloodshed.
Even after the end of gladiatorial combat, dog and cock fight-
ing was still a rural sport, and bear baiting was popular in
much of Northern and Western Europe. But the practice of
tournaments began as an extension of the training regimens to
train soldiers and knights. Neighboring Lords would bring
their fighting men together to have mock battles, often with
real weapons, simply for the testing of their training regimens
and their tactics. Most such battles shed no blood, but the
damage to equipment could be expensive, and some did lead
to bloodshed and death. In an effort to control the circum-
stances in these gatherings, the tournament format was pro-
posed. Lords would agree to the schedule of events, from
melees to skills testing (like lance work or feats of arms) to
single man combat to duels of honor. Though jousting might
be on the agenda for a tournament, it was by no means as pop-
ular as it would be in later tournaments, mainly because the
lances used were not blunted in any fashion, and death was not
infrequent. There were no lists in the early tournaments, and
horsemen who fell in combat often took the battle to the
ground, drawing melee weapons and attacking their mounted
foe. Early tournaments might even be used between two
potential foes to test each others forces, and even to settle
minor squabbles. Still, the tournament process at the end of the
13th century would set the stage for the rise of the tournament
as a sporting event rather than practice for war.
210
Flaming Clothing
The Arabs used a very unorthodox tactic when attacking
encampments or undefended villages in Christian control with
the express intention of disruption. By treating a cloth garment,
and then covering it with naphtha, the clothing could be ignited
and yet allow the wearer a limited immunity to the flames
engulfing them. Once set ablaze, the wearer would run into the
camp or village and either strike at flammable supplies or merely
grab anyone and everyone they could, in order to set other peo-
ple ablaze, in an effort to cause wholesale chaos and terror. Usu-
ally this attack would last only a few minutes, and then the
blazing man would flee back to a designated location where his
clothing would be extinguished he could be treated for any burns
or injuries. Sometimes the blazing mans fireproofing would not
prove adequate, and his clothing would either begin to burn in
earnest or he would succumb to heat and exhaustion, collapsing.
These unfortunate few would either die of being baked to death,
or would be killed by his victims, once their senses were about
them.
Flaming clothing provides no defensive bonus, other than a lim-
ited fire resistance. It does not mitigate heat damage, and the
wearer of such clothing, when it is flaming, takes damage as if
engulfed in abysmal heat. Worse, the fire proofing may not be
fool proof. Roll a d20. Should the result of the roll be a 1, the fire
proofing is incomplete, and the wearer will begin to take 1d3 fire
damage each combat round after the third combat round. Should
the wearer of flaming clothing douse or beat out the flame before
the third combat round, this damage does not occur. Still, the
person wearing this form of flaming clothing must merely come
into contact with a flammable object to set it on fire. Even non-
flammable items will burn for 1d3 turns, due to the nature of
naphtha, although damage to the object itself will be halved.
Usually the naphtha will consume its fuel entirely in 15 minutes,
if allowed to burn that long.
The Third Crusade
The Sack of Jerusalem by Salah al-Din was the impetus for the
Third Crusade. The Pope appealed to the French King, who was
in the midst of a war with England, to send forces to help the
Knights Templar and other forces still in the Christian held lands
retake Jerusalem. King Phillip of France made peace with King
Henry of England, and both agreed to lead a Crusade, but King
Henrys son, Richard of Pitou, started a war in the interim
between himself and the Count of Toulouse. When King Henry
restricted funding and publicly rebuked his son, Richard
switched sides, and, as an agent of France, made war on his
father. King Henry died of natural causes during the war, and
Richard found himself King of England. So it was that King
Richard and King Phillip lead the forces of England and France
to the Third Crusade.
King Richards Crusade against Salah al-Din, known as Saladin
in the west, was rocky from the start. Fredrick Barbarosa (Red
Beard), the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, had left more
than a year before, and had made inroads in Turkey, but when
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age

52a

51
52b 52c
47a 47b 48a 48b

53

54
49 50

47a. Horseman's Warhammer; 47b. Footman's Warhammer; 48a. Horseman's Axe; 48b. Footman's Axe; 49. Martel de Fer; 50. Mili-
tary Flail; 51. Shamshir; 52a. Heavy Crossbow; 52b. Crossbow Boot Stirrup; 52c. Crossbow Belt Hook; 53. Welsh Longbow; 54.
Falchion
trying to cross into Syria Fredrick drowned while fording the time, especially when the city was under the most dire pressure.
Cilician River. Without their Emperor to guide them, the German Since it was dangerous to commit all forces to a siege while
forces disbanded, and many returned home, while others made there was an active army in the area, the siege of Acre lasted
for Antioch. The Kings of England and France took a sea route, longer than expected, but the result was still a loss of the city.
sailing from Sicily to Cyprus, a small island that had, until The peace negotiated when the city was surrendered, however,
recently, been allied with the Byzantines off the coast of Turkey. was the most devastating portion of the siege. The city agreed to
When Richard and Phillip arrived (actually shipwrecked was surrender, give over 2000 prisoners, pay a large ransom, and turn
closer to accurate) off of the coast, the current ruler took mem- over the True Cross.
bers of one ship prisoner in hopes that this would ensure peace
Saladin, the Sultan, was honor bound to fulfill the surrender
while Richard and Phillip were in Cyprus. But Richard opted to
agreement. The Crusaders encamped in Acre, and during their
go to war against the insurgent government, and when the ruler
encampment, King Phillip decided to return home. Richard,
lost the first few battles against Richards Crusaders the people
intent to stay and continue the Crusade, took a large number of
of Cyprus overthrew him, and accepted Richard as their King.
Muslim civilians hostage. This was intended to ensure payment
Richard, rather than taking control of the island for England,
of the required settlement. But when Saladin could not turn over
would eventually sell it to the Knights Templar.
the full amount pledged by the city, nor produce the True Cross,
When Richard joined Phillip in the holy land, they immediately Richard slaughtered his prisoners: over 2500 men, women, and
moved on Acre. Due to the decline of the Fatamid state and the children. The butchery took all day, and Saladin attempted to
rise of independent emirates in the area, Saladin had been forced rescue the prisoners, but could not penetrate the Crusaders
to recruit his armies from many Emirs, and to make concessions defenses. Historians condemn Richard for the slaughter, but it
to each in the process. Saladin could not afford to focus on one should be noted that Richard did not have the supplies necessary
area too long, as the Emirs would take his attention as to feed, clothe, and maintain that many prisoners, and the Mus-
favoritism, and he could only operate during one season of the lims generally regarded the slaughtered as having died a holy
year. Still, he harried the forces in siege of Acre from time to martyrdom. And it was shortly after this affair was completed
211
 From Stone to Steel
that Richard marched south out of Acre, intent on taking
Jerusalem.
Saladin was a scholar of both Turkish and Arabic tactics. Many
times on the southern march Saladin would attack the Crusaders
with small numbers of light infantry, armed with composite
bows, who would ride swiftly at the army and then retreat after
firing off a few volleys. Saladin hoped to draw the Crusaders
into a charge against the small units of light infantry, so as to
draw them into an ambush where Saladin could bring heavier
forces to bear. Though the tactic had worked well with less
organized Crusades, Richard did not fall for the maneuver, even
though it meant his men had to stop marching and hide behind
their shields until the archers retreated. Eventually this practice
was too much for the Templars among the Crusaders to stand.
Two Templars led a charge despite Richards orders to stand
their ground, and soon the whole army followed. Ironically, this
sudden change in tactics, backed by a huge force of charging
knights, broke Saladins army, and they had a clear march to
Jerusalem, while Saladin rushed to reform his forces.
Richard would never arrive at Jerusalem. Without Phillip, most
of the French contingent disbanded and left, and Richard had to
sell the isle of Cyprus to pay the rest of those who stayed with
him. With reduced numbers, Richard could not safely approach
Jerusalem, whose desert location made it hard to arrive unex-
pected, and whose fortifications were well manned by Saladins
remaining forces. Worse yet, news of his brother, John the
Usurpers doings began to arrive, and Richard realized he might
not have a Kingdom to return to if he remained on Crusade
much longer. After King Conrad, who had vied for the throne of
Jerusalem, was killed by the Assassins, Richard was required to
witness a marriage and approve the new king of Jerusalem, and
in the process mollify a close supporter by arranging for him to
rule Cyprus.
After this, Richards campaign was one of a delayed retreat. First
Richard was forced to give up a siege on Jerusalem. Then he lost
Jaffa to Saladins forces, only to regain it in a battle that would
nearly destroy his army. At one point they fought behind a wall
made of planted shields and lances, their only defense against a
force many times their size. Richard had a horse killed from
under him, and, in recognition of Richards gallantry Saladin
sent him two horses, so that he would not have to fight
unmounted. Perhaps this was because Saladin could see that the
Crusaders would go no farther. After driving off Saladins forces,
Richard fell ill, and Saladin had fresh fruit and snow from far
mountaintops sent to him, to ease his discomfort. A month later a
treaty would be signed, leaving Jerusalem in Muslim hands, but
promising that Christian pilgrims might visit the city free from
molestation. Richard attempted to return home.
Knowing that he would cross through lands of those he had
made enemies of, Richard opted to disguise himself as a Tem-
plar, but his disguise would only last until he reached Austria. In
an inn in Vienna Richard was recognized and apprehended.
Duke Leopold of Austria, during the taking of Acre, had been
insulted by English forcesthey had cast his flag into the mud
212
when he attempted to place it in an equal footing with those of
England and France. Now he had Englands King in his hands.
Eventually he would be forced to give up Richard to Emperor
Henry, his rightful lord, but Henry would place a high ransom on
his head. In the end, Richard was ransomed and he returned to
England to chastise his brother for his excesses in the rule of
England. Richard, often called the Lion Hearted, would rule
England for about five years before his death. Still, his return, as
chronicled in such stories as the Tale of Robin Hood and Ivan-
hoe, would be regarded as a high point in the era.
The Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was a travesty. Originally dedicated to
recapturing Jerusalem, the Crusaders would eventually end up in
Venice, trying to pay for a fleet to take them to Egypt. When
they could not come up with the funds, they were convinced to
help Venice by recovering territory in Dalmatia, and, while on
the march to Dalmatia, they came upon Alexius the Fourth of
Constantinople. Byzantine intrigue left his father blind and in
prison, and his uncle on the throne, and Alexius requested the
Crusaders support in returning him to power in Constantinople.
In exchange he offered them the money to pay for the fleet wait-
ing in Venice.
After recovering territory in Dalmatia for Venice, the Crusaders
moved on Byzantium. In an ironic turn of fate, the Crusaders
would accomplish what the Muslims never had: they attacked
and conquered Constantinople. But the people of Byzantium
would not accept Alexius the Fourth as Emperor, and after the
Crusaders established him as Co-Emperor along with his blinded
father, another family member rose to claim the crown, and the
people revolted. When the Crusaders saw the Emperors mur-
dered and the Empire usurped by Alexius the Fifth, they decided
that they should establish an Emperor of their own, so that
Byzantium would finally be at peace, and would support the
Crusades.
The second sack of Constantinople was both a success and fail-
ure. It was the richest city in Europe, having stored art and treas-
ures for nearly a millenium. When the Crusaders sacked
Constantinople, they took away shiploads of treasure, and left
the city weakened, ruled by a weak ruler and unable to support
any significant army. Without Constantinople to watch over
them, Bulgaria and Serbia began to grow in power, and they
would often oppose the rest of Europe. Byzantium would even-
tually revolt again, returning rule to Byzantine rulers, but it
would never reclaim its former glory. And the Fourth Crusade
would never so much as set foot in the Middle East.
Crusading fervor reached a fever pitch at the beginning of the
13th century. Stories of the valor of Christian Knights and tales
of Templar bravery fired the imagination, and the tournament
culture helped to make individual knights as popular as modern
day sports heroes. Two boys, one in France and one in Germany,
were so moved by their Crusade mania that they began to preach
a childrens Crusade. Boys as young as six years of age took up
the cross and left their homes, eventually raising a childrens
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
army of thousands. During their march they were turned back
again and again by those that told them a childrens Crusade
would never succeed. History does not record if they ever made
it to the holy land. It does not record their fate. Many suspect
that they were massacred or enslaved. The end result was that
thousands of young men and boys set out and few ever returned
home.
At roughly the same time the Albingensian Crusade began. The
Cathars, a heresy that preached a dualistic world view, was
strong in southern France. When France proved unable to ade-
quately put down the heresy, the Pope called for a Crusade,
which promptly took place. All of southern France became
involved, as did the King of Aragon, and many provinces
changed hands. It quickly became evident that heresies could not
easily be rooted out by warfare, and a short while after the finish
of the Albingensian Crusade the Inquistion would be established
to prosecute heresies on a social scale, since armies were best
used for warfare, not social change.
In Spain the Crusades were going well. The Reconquista, as it
was known, had borne fruit. The two families, Castile and
Aragon, along with the King of Navarre, were slowly driving
back Muslim held Spain. Chain-mailed French and Christian
Spanish Knights fought Moorish warriors on horseback, the dou-
ble edged European broadsword versus the Spanish Falchion.
The Falchion, was the final descendant of a long line of heavy
chopping swords. The Spanish and Portuguese had forged an
unsteady alliance, and driven the Muslims into the south of
Iberia, isolating them in Catalonia and Granada. While the King
of Aragon was fighting the Albingensian Crusade, King Ferdi-
nand of Castille would be conquering Cordova, Murcia, Jaen,
and Seville. He would drive the Muslims before him, and they
would eventually fall back to Granada, their final stronghold.
The success of the Reconquista would enable the Kings of Spain
to run for election as Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire,
although Granada would last long beyond the last true Crusade.
Falchion
At last, the falchion came into existence. Developed by Arabs,
the falchion became popular among the Crusaders for its strong
offensive capabilities. Damascened versions were uncommon
but were made when someone paid for their manufacture. The
Crusaders imported this weapon to Europe, although the Moors
and Muslims of Spain also used a steel version (but not dama-
scened) version of this weapon independently. The falchion,
being a weapon designed outside of Europe, was not considered
an appropriately chivalric weapon, and was never depicted in
drawings or tapestries as a knights weapon.
European warfare was finally coming to resemble what most
people picture Medieval combat to look like. Chainmail still pre-
dominated, but leg, arm, hand, knee, shoulder, and head wear
was now sometimes plated. Cuirbouille, boiled leather, was
again becoming popular, and hard suits of boiled leather armor
were common among infantry. Along with the broadsword,
longsword, bow, crossbow, mace, hammer, pick, and axe, the
213
glaive, pike, partisan, and mace and chain came into common
use. A coat of plates was being experimented which would even-
tually lead to European plated armor. Rivetted chain mail and
reinforced chain mail were also being experimented with, both
attempts to make chain mail more protective. Most shields were
wooden, with a rare number of them being steel, and small,
large, great, and tower shields were found on the battlefield,
from the teardrop great shields common to cavalry and their
lesser cousin the kite shield to rectangular, oblong, round, or
square shields of all sizes.
Sword Shield
Deemed an appropriate dueling weapon in the Assizes of
Jerusalem, the sword shield was any long, thin rectangular or
oval shield that bore at least two triangular spike-like blades on
it, usually at opposite ends. Some bore more such blades, up to
six, and often of varying lengths or at asymmetrical intervals.
The sword shield counts as both a shield and weapon, and was
wielded two-handed. The Sword Shield may be used as a double
weapon. When using it in this manner you incur all the normal
attack penalties associated with fighting with two weapons as if
you are using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. A crea-
ture using a double weapon in one hand, such as a Large creature
using a sword shield, cannot use it as a double weapon. When
fighting defensively with a sword shield, you may add the sword
shields armor bonus to your AC, unlike most shield weapons.
Knights were likely to duel with these until first blood, but some
duels ended in death anyway, either from a lucky strike or from
hot blood and deliberate ignoring of the decorum of dueling.
There is no record of the sword shield being used in regular
combat, but adding sword blades to shields did become more
popular after the Assizes of Jerusalem were disseminated among
the Barons of Palestine and the Lords of Europe.
Chainmail, Steel Plated
Chainmail was the dominant armor of Europe, and was only
slightly improved upon during this period with the use of plates.
Small plates were added at weak points: the hands, knees,
elbows, shoulders, and feet. Chain boots were developed, and
closed helms became more common, especially the heaume. The
most common covering for a Crusader was a white surplice with
a crimson Crusaders cross on it. Many pictures of this era that
appear to depict a chainmailed knight with a breastplate invari-
ably are over dramatized depictions of bloused surplices. Heavy
plating would not be found in the 13th Century.
Leather, Cuirbouille and Studded Cuirbouille
The art of boiling leather was never lost. However, after the fall
of the Romans, tanned leather became more popular, and chain-
mail seemed excellent as a harder armor. Boiled leather returned
to prominence primarily as an armor for more wealthy militias or
infantry. It compromised cost with defense and mobility, and
could be studded to provide a slight boost in defensibility. Cuir-
bouille was never as finely worked in the Medieval period as it
 From Stone to Steel
had been in earlier eras, and was rarely decorated in any signifi-
cant fashion.

The Assizes of Jerusalem

A compilation of the governing charter of the Kingdom of
Jerusalem, the Assizes were a sort of model document written
after the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin. Since Jerusalem had no
original European Christian government before the Crusades,
there was no unwritten body of law to govern the kingdom, 55
and it fell to the first European King of Jerusalem to gather the
best laws and practices of the Feudal Period and attempt to
administer the new region by them. Besides establishing a
House of Burghers to help run the Kingdom and its four
duchies, the Assizes established laws of lawful conduct and
adjudicating disputes based on the principles of Chivalric
behavior, and many legal matters were given the option of
being resolved in combat, either by the accused and his
accuser or their chosen champions. There was a long list of
lawful reasons to call for a duel between two parties, as well
as legal guidelines on how to lawfully pursue feuds. Whether
Jerusalem was ever truly ruled to the letter of the Assizes is
open to question, but the Assizes became the basis of later
governments or kingly rules who sought to have the perfect
feudal system.

Coat of Plates
A leather coat lined with heavy steel plates, this type of armor
was found in an archaeological dig in Denmark. Dated to the
early 14th century, it represented a unique form of armor, a sort
of stepping stone between chainmail and platemail that never
saw great prominence in the rest of Europe. It seems likely that
the coat of plates began to be experimented with during the end
of the 13th Century, and that it was an attempt, of sorts, to make
a heavier militia armor that might still remain flexible. It was
likely combined with leather for the rest of the body, and a hel-
met or open faced helm for headgear.

Shield Blades
Like spikes, sword-like blades may be added to any shield but
the buckler or tower shield. These blades turn the shield into a
martial weapon that deals 1d4 points of slashing damage (x2
crit) regardless of the size of the shield. Possessing multiple
blades on a small shield does not confer an advantage in bat-
tle, however having two blades opposite each other on an
oblong or rectangular Large or Great shield will make it a dou-
ble weapon, as per the Sword Shield.

55. Steel Plated Chainmail

Chainmail, Riveted or Reinforced
Chainmail was made in a variety of ways, but riveted and rein-
forced chainmail were significant enough variants to make note
of. Riveted chainmail was made by closing a chain link with an
iron rivet, making the armor considerably more dense, but less
flexible. The rivet gave the chainmail a stippled appearance,
almost like minute studding. Still, riveted chainmail was unpop-
ular due to the lack of flexibility at the joints. This did not pre-
vent it from seeing significant use as barding. Reinforced chain-
mail also sought to make chainmail harder to penetrate, and it
used thin leather strips in its attempt. The leather stripes were
woven between the chain links, filling the space between them
and attempting to make it harder for piercing weapons to break
through the armor. Leather was used, rather than steel wire, for
example, because leather was assumed to be flexible enough to

214
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age

take the regular wear and tear without making the armor too
stiff. The result was not entirely satisfactory. True, piercing
weapons were not quite as effective against chainmail as they
were normally, but the leather tended to wear away quickly and
required time intensive maintenance to keep in top performance.

Glaive, Middle Steel

This polearm is often thought to be a descendant of the bill or
halberd. A long, wood-hafted weapon with a 6-8 inch curved
chopping blade at the end, the upthrust point of the Glaive was
not effective enough to set against a charge, and the balance was
too ungainly to use the Glaive as a double weapon. The Glaive
was generally used in infantry groups to keep enemy lines back
and chop at enemy weapons. Since the blades did fearsome
damage in close quarters melee the weapon head often had a
flared disk at its base, to prevent an opponent from being
impaled too far down the weapon haft.

Pike, Middle Steel

The Pike was a spiritual descendant of the sarissa, a 15 foot
polearm meant to prevent charges by both cavalry and infantry.
The pike is an extended reach weapon, and may be used to
attack an opponent 15 feet away. The pike, if choked up on, must
be able to extend up to five feet behind the wielder, and then
may only be used against a foe 10 feet away. As with most reach
weapons, any foe within the pikes range may not effectively be
attacked. The pike may be set against a charge, doing damage
against a charging foe. Pikes were often carried in large numbers

Glaives

57 58 by light and medium infantry, and would bristle in nearly impen-

etrable lines at the beginning of a battle. This maneuver lead to
the greater prominence of archers in enemy formations being
used at the beginning of battle.

Partisan, Middle Steel

The partisan is a close cousin of the halberd, having an axe
blade, rearward spike, and thrusting spike. While the axe blade
was prominent on the halberd, the thrusting spike at the top of
the partisan was its dominant feature. The staff end of a partison
can also be used to strike making this a double weapon. When
using the partisan as a double weapon, it does not count as a
reach weapon, and you incur all the normal attack penalties asso-
ciated with fighting with two weapons as if you are using a one-
handed weapon and a light weapon. A creature using a double
56 weapon in one hand, such as a Large creature using a partisan,
cannot use it as a double weapon. The partisan may also be used
for tripping attacks (using the rearward spike to attempt a trip). If
you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the
partisan in order to avoid being tripped. The partisan may be set
against charge.

56. Sword Shield; 57. Studded Cuirbouille Leather; 58. Coat of

Plates

215
 From Stone to Steel

59a

59b 60a 60b 60c 60d 61a 61b 61c 61d

62

63

59a. Rivetted Chainmail; 59b. Reinforced Chainmail; 60a-60d. Pike examples; 61a-61d. Partisan examples; 62. Mace and Chain; 63.
Horseman's Flail
Mace And Chain
The mace and chain was a simplification of the military flail,
sacrificing the multiple heads for a single flail head that was not
quite as dangerous to use. The strike head of the mace and chain
could either be a smooth round steel ball or it could be spiked,
like a morningstar. The spiked version of the mace and chain
was sometimes referred to as the day-star or the good day, in an
attempt to make a joke of how unpleasant a day someone struck
by the weapon could experience. Either version gives a +2 bonus
on their opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an oppo-
nent, including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail
their disarm attempt. This weapon is a shield bypass weapon and
can be used to trip an opponent.
Flail, Horsemans (Goupillon)
The goupillon was a much shortened, one-handed version of the
military flail, intended for use on horseback. The chains were
greatly foreshortened, lessening the damage but eliminating the
chance of backlash. The goupillon was never as popular as the
daystar for horsemen, mainly because of its less than advanta-
geous damage and lessened disarm bonus (+1). The flail heads
of the goupillon were generally spiked like that of a morningstar.
The Fifth Crusade
The Fifth Crusade targeted Egypt, as most Crusaders now
believed that as long as Egypt could send reinforcements,
Jerusalem would not fall. The Crusaders knew that the Nile was
their best route to Cairo, but there was a chain on the river, lead-
ing from a tower to the city walls of Damietta. The chain made it
impossible for ships to sail in either direction along the Nile, and
in order to attack Cairo, the Crusaders needed supply ships and
reinforcements from the mainland to be able to navigate the
river. The Crusaders laid siege against the tower first, and they
controlled it within a month.
With the chain cut, the Egyptians knew their time was limited.
Worse, a plot was hatched by the Kurdish general of the Egypt-
ian forces to stage a military coup and change the rulership of
Egypt. The Egyptian Sultan discovered the conspiracy before it
was sprung, and he arrested the general and retreated from
Damietta. When his forces learned that their Sultan had fled and
the general was under house arrest, they fled Damietta them-
selves. The Sultan sent the Crusaders an offer: he would give
them the Kingdom of Jerusalem, minus two castles, and they
would agree to a truce with Egypt for thirty years. Cardinal
Pelagius, the papal legate and current commander of the Christ-
ian forces, believed that they were about to take Egypt, and he

216
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
refused the offer. The Sultan sweetened the deal by offering
30,000 bezaints, but still the Cardinal refused.
After a number of skirmishes the Crusaders fought the civilian
militia of Damietta and finally took the city. As soon as they were
well fortified, they pursued the Egyptian army in the field. The
Sultan of Egypt was dedicated to retreating, knowing his forces
were weak and demoralized. This tactic, though, proved to be
confusing to the Crusaders, and when the Sultan noted that the
Crusaders hesitated in their march while he retreated, he ordered
a cavalry charge and scored huge losses on the Crusaders. Then,
hoping their weakened position might prompt them to take an
offer, he sent them yet another surrender offer, offering to help
them rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and to return the True Cross,
in exchange for peace. The cardinal, again, refused.
The cardinal, for his defense, was expecting the Holy Roman
Emperor to arrive. But he never did. Worse, the cardinals refusal
to accept the terms put him at odds with all but the Italian contin-
gent of the Crusaders. This made it impossible for him to com-
mand the Crusaders, and it wasnt until the forces of the Holy
Roman Empire arrived that another could take control and lead
the Crusaders against the Egyptians. In the time they fought
amongst each other, the Egyptians had had time to reorganize
and restore their forces.
The Crusaders marched on the Egyptian forces, but it was their
ignorance of the environment that defeated them. The Crusaders
made camp between a dry canal and the Nile, and the flood sea-
son was fast approaching. When the flood finally came, the Cru-
saders found themselves on a muddy island cut off from the
main land, and Egyptian ships sailed past them to cut off their
escape or resupply. The Crusaders were trapped.
Knowing there was only twenty days of food left, and no way to
get to the supply ships, the cardinal ordered retreat. The Crusaders,
feeling it a shame to leave good supplies behind, torched their
excess food and drank all the wine. Many of them were intoxi-
cated when they fled the camp at night, but the sight of the fire in
their supply gave their retreat away to the Egyptian forces. The
Egyptians moved to meet the retreat, and the drunken Crusaders
were forced to fight in the mud and water against mounted sol-
diers. There was no way to win. Most were forced to retreat to
their camp, which now had no supplies, and a few managed to
reach supply ships and retreat to Damietta. Finally, the Cardinal
accepted terms of surrender with the Egyptians. The Egyptians,
now having the upper hand, simply demanded that the Crusaders
leave Egypt and not return. Once the Crusaders agreed, the Egypt-
ian Sultan fed the Crusaders and entertained their officers until
they could all leave by ship. With the failure of the Fifth Crusade,
the Crusades lost much of their shine. Only the Reconquista
seemed to be effective, and the superior weaponry that was com-
ing out of Damascus made combat with the Saracens a danger.
The Sixth Crusade
The Sixth Crusade was anything but a Crusade. The Holy
Roman Emperor, Fredrick the Second, who was widely blamed
for the failure of the Fifth Crusade, finally decided to leave on
217
his own Crusade. Unfortunately, when he and his men were
about to sail for the holy land, they caught Malaria. This delay,
plus previous failures to make a Crusade got Fredrick excommu-
nicated. Excommunication was a tool used by the Pope to stig-
matize rulers or individuals, and in this case his
excommunication caused many of his Crusaders to leave
Fredrick. When Fredrick recovered he decided to embark on his
Crusade anyway, and was excommunicated again for not having
confessed before undertaking a Crusade. When his men heard of
his second excommunication, still more left him.
Fredrick was left without a substantial army. Although
Jerusalems wall was broken, he knew he had no hope of taking
the city while the Sultan of Egypt was still a threat. Fredrick
opted to negotiate for a settlement to recover Jerusalem without
a fight. The Sultan, who was currently besieging Damascus in a
hope to subdue all of Syria and bring it under Egyptian control,
wanted freedom from the threat of a Crusader army, so he could
finish his offensive. Eventually the Sultan decided it was better
to give Frederick a minor victory so as to make his own position
secure. The Sultan of Egypt agreed to give the Christians control
of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the castles of Montfort
and Toron. In return the Arabs would have free access to the city,
and would retain ownership of the Dome of the Rock and the al-
Aqsa Mosque. Both men got what they wanted from the negotia-
tion, although they both were criticized for their decisions. The
Sultan of Egypt was accused of giving up without a fight. Fred-
erick was accused of not using his Crusaders to negotiate a better
settlement. Most people on both sides knew that with the walls
of Jerusalem indefensible, the truce would last only as long as
the Muslim forces wanted it to last. Still, Emperor Frederick
gained by negotiation what previous Crusades had been unable
to: the return of Jerusalem to Christian hands.
With the reclamation of Jerusalem secured, the popularity of the
Crusades waned. Italian merchants continued to establish ties with
the Muslims, who welcomed the money and trade, and the Christ-
ian barons of Palestine knew that they were tolerated only as long
as they could defend themselves. The Muslim people were in the
midst of social reorganization, and murmurs from the East told of
a great scourge approaching from beyond Islamic lands.
A Storm Rises in the East
Between the Sixth and the Seventh Crusade, the Mongols came.
Their thundering, horsebound hordes tore through the armies of
Russia and crushed the capitol of Kiev, uniting all of Russia
under the Golden Horde. Then the Mongols invaded Lithuania,
Poland, Hungary, and the Balkans. What little Byzantine control
was left in the Balkans fell under the Mongol onslaught, and for
a time all of Europe was in terror that the Mongols were about to
wash over it, erasing the tenuous society they had established.
Fortunately, the Khan at the time, Ogodai, died before the inva-
sion could have extended beyond eastern Europe. Plans had been
in place to move across Europe, possibly in as little as two years,
and had they proceeded, Europe would likely have been recon-
stituted entirely, ruled by Khanates, united in an Empire stretch-
ing from China and Korea to the edge of the Pyrenees. But the
 From Stone to Steel
Mongols retreated from Europe, leaving their controlled lands in
the hands of the hereditary rulers, and only required continued
tribute from Russia. Russia would ever after have ties to the
Turks and Mongols, and would be influenced by factors that the
rest of Europe would be immune to.
The Eagles Nest
In what today is modern day Iran, in the valley of Alamut, a
man called Hassan I Sabbah ruled. From the castle of Aluh Ala-
mut, Hassan I Sabbah controlled one of the most deadly organ-
izations in history, the Assassins. There is a story, recounted by
Marco Polo and repeated by many many historians of how the
Assassins were established by Hassan creating a mock up of
the Islamic paradise and having new recruits smoke hashish
until they passed out. When they awoke, they would find them-
selves in a place that they could only take as heaven, and when
they were later taken from it, they would obey Hassan com-
pletely, believing by serving him they would return to paradise
again. This story, beautiful and poetic, is not true.
Hassan was an Ismailite, a member of a heretical sect of Islam
that split from the Shiite branch of Islam over political and
religious differences. Hassan was a charismatic and devoted
man who converted many to the Ismailite cause, and used his
power to take the poorly defended castle of Aluh Alamut.
Making it his home, he used it to solidify his power in his por-
tion of Persia, and he employed his assassins, called fidais, to
kill those who stood in the way of his ambitions. The Assas-
sins employed simple tactics, appearing as unassuming
strangers, drawing their weapons only when they were directly
in front of their targets, and stabbing them, in the open, in pub-
lic. There was no use of poison or backstabbing, and the
Assassins were often killed upon completion of their mission.
Called Assassins by the Crusaders, after Hassan himself
(whom they called the Old Man), they were as much myth as
they were a reality for the Christian invaders. Assassins only
rarely struck the Crusaders, and then only when a Palestinian
Baron or Lord was interfering with the religious wars between
the Ismaili and Shiite sects. Later inheritors of Hassans man-
tle caused more chaos in the Persian lands than they ever did
in Palestine, since a split between the Ismailis in Cairo and
those in Alamut left the two organizations opposed to each
other. Only the Ismailis in Syria still interacted with Crusaders
at all, while those in the East were to embark on their own eso-
teric religious journey that had no effect on this narrative.
Among the charges leveled against the Templars when the
order was tried a century later was this supposed interaction
with the Assassins, and it was intimated that the Templars had
regular contact with them. Although a short alliance was
attempted by the Assa ssins with Jerusalem shortly before
Jerusalem was sacked by Saladin, it never came to fruition.
In the end, the Assassins were destroyed by the Mongol con-
quest. They dismantled Aluh Alamut stone by stone, and
attempted to utterly purge their controlled areas of the Assas-
sins completely. The remnants of Hassans forces were forced
underground, and would never cohesively surface again.
218
Meanwhile, while fighting the reconquista, the Moors of Spain
developed a number of unique weapons which, unfortunately,
never spread much outside of Iberia and Morocco.
Manople
The Manople is a gauntletted longsword, with two lesser, curv-
ing blades extending parallel on either side of the main one.
Besides being exceptionally difficult to disarm (+10 versus an
opponent's disarm), the Manople's shorter blades made give it an
additional +2 on their opposed attack roll when attempting to
disarm an opponent. This includes the roll to keep from being
disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. The Manople is con-
sidered an exotic weapon.
Adarga
Another exotic weapon, the Adarga was a strange shield-weapon
combination. A short pole with a spear at either end was mated
with a diamond or rectangular small shield, which was set at the
midpoint of the pole. As if it was not already an awkward
weapon, the Adarga also had a sword blade that thrust from the
center of the shield, giving the attacker a thrusting weapon as
well. The Adarga was generally used like a shortsword, except
when the wielder needed to make a quick stab with either spear
blade. The shield bonus of the small shield cannot be used while
attacking.
In the interim, Jerusalem fell once more to the Muslim armies.
As had been suspected, the walls proved inadequate to defend as
long as Egypt could attack. Though the armies of Palestine did
their best to hold against the Arab forces, but they did not have
the numbers that the Muslim armies did. At this time the Egyp-
tians began to employ the Mamelukes, slaves of non-Arabian
descent who were not muslim, and could be used to fight both
Christian and Muslim forces. The Mamelukes became the
prominent military force of Egypt after the Kurds proved
untrustworthy.
The Seventh Crusade
The Seventh Crusade, lead by King Louis the Ninth of France,
again targeted Egypt. As before, the Crusaders landed and had an
initial victory at Damietta. Again, they were offered Jerusalem in
return for Damietta. Again, the Crusaders refused, feeling that
they could get a better settlement with a successful attack on
Cairo. This time they anticipated the flooding of the Nile, and
waited to proceed to the place where the Nile and the dry canal
met (see 5th Crusade). This time they avoided the obvious
defensive location, knowing it to be a death trap, and instead
attempted to create a dam to cross the river. The Mamelukes
foiled this, but a Coptic Christian offered to show the Crusaders
a ford. The Crusaders forded the river under cover of darkness,
and, though King Louis ordered the advance forces to wait for
his command to attack, the Templar Knight who lead the
advance force decided to strike anyway.
The advance forces were mostly knights, elite riders who sur-
passed most Muslim cavalrymen, being trained to fight long and
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
64
63
63. Manople; 64 Adarga
hard on horseback. They came upon the Mameluke encampment
while they were going through their morning activities, and
utterly crushed the Egyptian army. Surprised, and unprepared to
defend against an attack on their own side of the river, the army
collapsed and fled to the city of Mansourah. The Crusaders fool-
ishly opted to pursue.
The captain of the Mamelukes ordered that the gates of the city
be left open, and that the Crusaders be allowed to enter the city.
Only when the attackers were deep in the city did his spring his
counter-attack. The crusading knights were potent warriors and
excellent horsemen, but the alleys and streets of Mansourah
were frequently narrow, sometimes so much so that a horse
could not even turn around. The people of Mansourah joined the
Mamelukes in the attack, throwing rocks from rooftops, or leap-
ing down to unhorse knights. Once on foot, the knights were sur-
rounded and overwhelmed. Of nearly three hundred Templar
knights to enter the city, only five escaped. Most of the English
forces that had come with the largely French army perished in
Mansourah. Many nobles lost their lives in the attack. And all of
this occurred while King Louis and the rest of the army, mostly
infantry and archers, were still crossing the ford.
Without their knights, the Christian forces knew they were at a
severe disadvantage. Worse, the Sultan of Damascus arrived
with reinforcements for Egypt, cutting off supply ships and cre-
ating a famine in the Christian camp. The Christians were forced
to fall back, but typhus and dysentery were rampant, and the
Mamelukes, now having time to recover from the attack on their
army, were able to harass the Crusaders, although never actually
being able to effectively defeat them. In the end, the Crusaders
219
were cornered, with most of their leaders sick, and when the
Mamelukes made a lightning strike, the Crusaders surrendered.
Nearly the entire army was captured.
The Mamelukes could not feed or care for such a great number
of prisoners. They were forced to take three hundred of the sick-
est Crusaders and behead them, in order to lessen the burden.
King Louis, who was very sick, was taken to Mansourah and
cared for in a private home, placed in chains but nursed back to
health. The Egyptians needed him healthy if they intended to
ransom him. And ransom him they did. Eventually they sold him
back to the forces of Damietta in exchange for the city and half a
million pounds of gold coinage. Louis had to sell a great deal of
land and take out loans with the Templars to pay half of the ran-
som, and then he and the rest of the Christians in Damietta
retreated by ship to Acre. Those soldiers too ill to leave were left
behind, and slaughtered by the Mamelukes when they occupied
Damietta.
The Mamelukes, meanwhile, took advantage of the chaos and
the presence of the Sultan of Damascus to stage a coup. Their
leader attempted to assassinate the Sultan, but he fled. His horse
was killed from under him, and he waded deep into the Nile to
escape pursuers, but was riddled with arrows while fleeing.
Eventually the leader of the coup had to wade out into the water
to hack the Sultan apart. With the Sultan of Damascus dead and
Egypt firmly in their hands, the Mamelukes took over rulership
of Egypt, although through puppet Sultans to begin with, so as to
avoid causing too great a backlash among their neighbors.
 From Stone to Steel
The Mongols, by this time, were invading Persia, and they
Gifts of the Mongol Conquest
appeared to be intent on conquering all of Islam. The forces of
With the Mongols came both death and life. The Mongols
Damascus and Egypt, at odds because of the death of the Sultan
sacked Persia and established their own Empire in its wake,
of Damascus, were forced to put their enmity aside to face the
but within a generation the ruling Mongols converted to Islam,
Mongols together. The Christians were forced to accept that the
and returned it to the laws that governed much of Islam. But
successes of the First Crusade would never be repeated, and that
with the Mongols came better steel weapons, the many armors
the lands lost would likely never be recovered. As Islam pre-
common to the Mongol rule (lacquered leather, scaled jack,
pared for a true invasion, the Christians looked upon the suc-
and kolontar plated mail), the much improved silk armor of
cesses and failures of the Crusades and realized that they were
China, and the secret of rocketry.
largely finished with their task. For good or ill, the Holy Land
would not rest solely in the hands of the Christians. Acre was a stronghold. Its walls were well maintained, and it
was fully garrisoned by both Templar and Hospitaller forces,
The Mongols never successfully took Palestine. Muslim forces
as well as a large militia contingent. The Muslims brought a
balked them in Western Syria, and this left the Mamelukes free
huge force of artillery, and bombarded the city day and night.
to focus on the Christian holdings. Antioch was crushed in a
They employed more than 1000 engineers to sap the walls.
massive attack, and two French Castles were crushed as well.
Their army was ten times that of the army held in Acre. Sorties
Then came the Sultan Kalavun. He pulled a coalition army of
were attempted, but they failed twice and were abandoned.
Emirs together dedicated to one task: driving out the Franks.
Although reinforcements arrived, they were not enough. The
They besieged Acre, but the Sultan was aged and died during the
muslims were finally dedicated to retaking their lands. Acre
campaign. The Christian rulers thought they were spared, but for
fell 9 years before the turn of the century.
once the succession was swift and painless, and Kalavuns son
took up where his father left off. The Templars and Hospitallers took cruel losses. Many were
forced to flee by ship, and were pursued by a muslim fleet.
The remnants of the Templars retreated to their own castle, but
it, too fell within ten days. Those Templar Knights that had
remained were either executed or sent into slavery. And with
them, Christian control of any part of the Holy Land fell. The
final cities were easily crushed, and the castles left were sys-
tematically destroyed. Only a little more than a century after
the Crusades began, the Holy Land was once more completely
occupied by Islam.

220
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
Table 6-1: Dark Age Weapons
Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Tiny
Knife, Early Steel 1.4gp 1d4 x2 1lb S M 7/3
Knife, Middle Steel 1.5gp 1d4 x2 1lb S M 8/3
Small
Axe, Woodcutter's Iron 7gp 1d6 x3 7lbs S MW 6/21
Axe, Woodcutter's Early Steel 7.5gp 1d6 x3 6.5lbs S MW 7/20
Mace, Horseman's Middle Steel 5gp 1d6 x2 5.5lbs B MW 8/19
Mace, Light Early Steel 4.5gp 1d6 x2 2.5lbs S M 7/8
Scramsax, Early Steel 6gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 7/18
Sickle, Early Steel 5gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 7/9
Medium-Size
Axe, Miner's Early Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 7/16
Axe, Pick Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 6lbs P MW 7/12
Axe, Pick Iron 5gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P MW 6/14
Club, Throwing* -- 1d3 x2 10 ft 2lbs B W 4/4
Club, Throwing Early Steel* 2gp 1d4 x2 10 ft 3lbs B MW 7/6
Hayfork, Irona 7gp 1d8 x3 8lbs P MW 6/16
Hayfork, Early Steela 8gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P MW 7/14
Mace, Early Steel Heavy 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B MW 7/24
Mace, Early Steel Footman's 11gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 7/22
Mace, Middle Steel Footman's 12gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 8/22
Morningstar, Early Steel 7gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B and P MW 7/16
Morningstar, Middle Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B and P MW 8/16
Pitchfork, Irona 8gp 1d8 x3 8.5lbs P MW 6/17
Pitchfork, Early Steela 9.5gp 1d8 x3 7.5lbs P MW 7/15
Large
Crozier 5gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B 6M 6/12
Crozier w/ Hidden Spearhead 10gp 1d6/1d8 x2 8lbs B 7M 7/16
Quarterstaff 2gp 1d6/1d6 x2 4lbs B 4W 4/10
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Small
Crossbow, Light Middle Steel 35gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/18
Medium-Size
Crossbow, Heavy Middle Steel 50gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 9lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/27
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Flail, Horseman's*# 7.5gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 8/12
Francisca, Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 10ft 8lbs S MW 7/24
Hatchet, Early Steel 6gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 7/24
Mace & Chain, Middle Steel*# 7gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 8/12
Mace & Chain, Middle Steel (Spiked)*# 8gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B and P MW 8/15
Shortsword, Early Steel 9gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs P M 7/12
Shortsword, Viking Pattern Welded* 409gp 1d6+1 1920/x2 4lbs P M 9/12
Medium-Size
Axe, Footman's Early Steel 8gp 1d8 x3 6lbs S 7MW 7/12
Axe, Footman's Middle Steel 9gp 1d8 x3 6lbs S 8MW 8/12
Axe, Horseman's Middle Steel 8.5gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S 8MW 8/10

221
 From Stone to Steel
Table 6-1: Dark Age Weapons
Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Medium-Size
Axe, Spiked Middle Steel 12gp 1d8 or 1d4 x3 8lbs S or P MW 8/16
Battleaxe, Early Steel 9gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 7/16
Battleaxe, Middle Steel 10gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 8/16
Broadsword, Early Steel 22gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 7/18
Broadsword, Middle Steel 25gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 8/18
Flail, Grain*# 5gp 1d6 x2 3lbs B W 4/6
Flail, Grain Iron Studded*# 7gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B WM 6/10
Flail, Grain Early Steel Studded*# 7.5gp 1d8 x2 4.5lbs B MW 7/9
Hammer, Iron 6gp 1d6 x2 7lbs B MW 6/14
Hammer, Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 7/12
Lance, Byzantine Early Steel* 7gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P WM 5/14
Lance, European Early Steel*a 7gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P WM 5/14
Lance, Middle Steel Knight's*a 10gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P MW 8/18
Longsword, Middle Steel 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 8/12
Longsword, Viking Pattern Welded 415gp 1d8+1 1920/x2 6lbs S M 9/12
Manople* 30gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 8/14
Pick, Footman's Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x4 4lbs P MW 7/8
Pick, Footman's Middle Steel 8gp 1d6 x4 4lbs P MW 8/8
Pick, Horseman's Middle Steel 7.5gp 1d4 x4 4lbs P MW 8/10
Shamshir, Middle Steel Early 16gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S M 8/8
Shamshir, Damascened Early 416gp 1d6+1 1820/x2 4lbs S M 10/11
Sparte, Early Steel 15gp 1d8 x3 7lbs S M 7/14
Spathion, Early Steel 14gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 7/12
Warhammer, Footman's Early Steel 10.5gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 7/16
Warhammer, Footman's Middle Steel 12gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 8/16
Warhammer, Horseman's Middle Steel 11gp 1d6 or 1d3 x3 or x4 5.5lbs B or P MW 8/11
Xiphos, One Edged Early Steel 14gp 1d6 1820/x2 6lbs S M 7/12
Xiphos, Double-Edged Early Steel 14gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs P M 7/8
Large
Axe, Bearded 9gp 2d4 x3 9lbs S MW 7/18
Battleaxe, Double Winged Early Steel 18gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 7/30
Bill, Early Steel*a 18gp 1d8 or 1d3/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S or P / B MW 7/28
Bill, Middle Steel*a 20gp 1d8 or 1d3/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S or P / B MW 8/28
Falchion, Middle Steel 75gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 8/32
Falchion, Damascened 475gp 2d4+1 1820/x2 16lbs S M 10/35
Glaive, Middle Steela 8gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 8/30
Halberd, Capped Early Steel*a 13.5gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 8/30
Halberd, Capped Middle Steel*a 15gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 8/30
Halberd, Early Steel*a 9gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 7/30
Halberd, Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 8/30
Halberd, Spiked Early Steel*a 18gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3 15lbs S or P / P MW 7/30
Halberd, Spiked Middle Steel*a 20gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3 15lbs S or P / P MW 8/30
Maul, Wooden 5gp 2d3 x2 8lbs B W 4/16
Maul, Iron 7gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 6/22
Maul, Early Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B MW 7/20
Partisan, Middle Steel*a 12gp 1d8 or 1d6/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 7/30

222
 A Dark Age, A Golden Age
Table 6-1: Dark Age Weapons
Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Large
Pike, Middle Steel*a 8gp 1d10 x3 14lbs P MW 8/28
Refthi (Halberd-like Axe) 8gp 1d6 or 1d8 x2 or x3 13lbs B or S MW 7/26
Scythe, Early Steel 16gp 2d4 x4 12lbs P and S MW 7/24
Spear, Krokaspjt (Hooked Spear)*a 8gp 1d8 x3 9lbs S MW 7/18
Spear, Long Early Steela 4.5gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 7/20
Spear, Long Middle Steel*a 5gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 8/20
Two Handed Sword, Viking Pattern Welded* 420gp 1d12+1 1920/x2 11lbs S M 9/22
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Large
Longbow, Welsh 150gp 1d10 x3 120ft 3.5lbs As per Arrow W 6/13
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Large
Flail, Military* 120gp 1d8 1920/x2 16lbs B MW 8/32
Martel de Fer, Middle Steel* 30gp 1d8 or 1d3 x3 9lbs B or P MW 8/20
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Small
Whip, Bull*# 1gp 1d2 x2 15ft 2lbs S L 4/6
Accessories
Solenarion/Majra* 9sp -10 ft .5lbs As per Dart W 1/2
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Arrow, Welsh Longbow (wt. per 20) 3gp 3lbs P MW 8/3
Darts, Byzantine Bow (Mice)* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Darts, Arab Arrow Headed Bow* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs S M 6/1
Darts, Arab Bullet Headed Bow* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Darts, Arab Barbed Bow* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Darts, Arab Spiked Bow* 2gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Special Items Damage Critical Range Weight Type Mater- H/HP
Adarga* 45gp 1d8/1d6 x3/x2 13lbs P/S M 8/26

Armor Bonus Armor Check Arcane Spell Failure

1 -1 5%

* See the description in the text for special rules.

Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage

223
 From Stone to Steel
Table 6-2: Dark Age Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Speed
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30ft/20ft Weight M H/HP
Light Armor
Chainshirt, Byzantine Early Steel 90gp +4 +4 -2 25% 30ft/20ft 25lbs M 7/50
Cloth, European Padded 8gp +1 +8 0 5% 30ft/20ft 10lbs F 3/20
Leather, Cuir-bouille 15gp +2 +6 0 10% 30ft/20ft 15lbs L 4/30
Leather, Cuir-bouille Studded 30gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 20lbs LM 6/40
Padded Armor, Byzantine 8gp +1 +9 0 5% 30ft/20ft 10lbs F 2/20
Medium Armor
Byrnie, Chainmail 165gp +5 +2 -4 30% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 7/60
Chainmail, Early Steel 145gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 40lbs M 7/80
Chainmail, Reinforced 210gp +5 +3 -4 35% 20ft/15ft 43lbs M 8/86
Chainmail, Steel Plated 260gp +6 +2 -6 30% 20ft/15ft 45lbs M 8/90
Coat of Plates 215gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 25lbs M 8/50
Heavy Armor
Breastplate and Mail,
Byzantine Early Steel 480gp +7 +0 -8 40% 20ft*/15ft* 48lbs M 8/96
Chainmail, Rivetted 240gp +6 +1 -6 30% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 8/92
Splint Mail, Bone 180gp +5 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 34lbs BL 6/66
Splint Mail, Early Steel 190gp +6 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs ML 8/90
Splint Mail, Wood 180gp +5 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs WL 4/68
Shields
Shield, Great Early Steel 34gp +3 -3 25% 25lbs M 7/50
Shield, Great Middle Steel 36gp +3 -3 25% 25lbs M 8/50
Shield, Large Early Steel 19gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs M 7/30
Shield, Large Middle Steel 20gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs M 8/60
Shield, Large Viking Wooden 9gp +2 -2 15% 10lbs W 3/20
Shield, Small Early Steel 8gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 7/12
Shield, Small Middle Steel 9gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 8/12
Shield, Small Viking Wooden 5gp +1 -1 5% 5lbs W 3/10
Shield, Tower Early Steel** 55gp * -10 50% 60lbs M 7/120
Shield, Tower Middle Steel** 60gp * -10 50% 60lbs M 8/120

Mount's Gear
Medium
Barding, Early Steel Chainmail Horse 580gp +5 +2 -5 30ft/35ft/40ft 60lbs M 7/120
Barding, Rivetted Chainmail Horse 960gp +6 +1 -6 30ft/35ft/40ft 68lbs M 8/166
Special Item Damage Critical Range Type
Sword Shield 35gp 1d6/1d6 X2 S 16lbs M 8/32
Armor Armor Check Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
+2 -2 15%

# See the text for special rules.

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.

224
 Pagentry, Platemail,
and Pistols

A Time of Strife 227 Table 7-2: Janissary 244

Bows vs. CrossbowsThe Great Debate 227 The Beginning of the Renaissance 245
War and Consolidation 230 The Rise of Personal Weaponry 253
Developments in Armor and Weapons 232 Prestige Class: Duelist 256
Compound Bows and Crossbows 234 Table 7-3: Duelist 258
The Progress of War 237 Fencing) 259
NPC Class: Yeoman 237 Table 7-5: Pagentry Weapons 265
Firearms 239 Table 7-6: Material Updates Weapons 269
Table 7-1: The Yeoman 239 Guns and Reliability 269
Reloading guns 240 Table 7-7: Pagentry Armor 271
Prestige Class: Janissaries 242

225
 From Stone to Steel
Rambaldo raised his pistol and discharged it. The rain bar-
rel at the end of the alley cracked and burst apart, creating
an obscuring explosion of water and making the whole area
slick. The first of his pursuers was drenched, and fell, not
compensating for the slick footing. Two of the buffoons
behind him tripped over their fallen comrade in quick suc-
cession. It would take them time to untangle, and the others
would have to slow to avoid them, but Rambaldo had no
intention of sticking around watch. He turned and sprinted
down the alleyway, taking the next left fork, hoping to elude
his pursuers.
As he took yet another turn in the winding confusion of for-
eign alleyways, Rambaldo racked his brain, trying to figure
out who might have sent them after him. He was new to
Vienna, and had thought he hadnt yet had time to make
any enemies. These days it seemed everyone hated Veni-
tians. Glancing down an alleyway, Rambaldo thought he
saw movement. How could they move so fast? Sliding along
the wall past the corpse of a dog, Rambaldo dashed down
the next right, hoping he could hit a main thoroughfare
soon, and disappear into the crowd.
He immediately realized this was a bad move. A figure
stood at the end of the alleyway, and from behind Ram-
baldo could hear the sounds of rapid footfalls. The figure at
the end of the alley raised a hand, and in the gloom Ram-
baldo spotted the reflection of light off of metal. The light
from the street beyond obscured the figure making him seem
a shadow against reality.
Rambaldo called out, Guards!
The figure let out a familiar chuckle, and Rambaldos heart
sunk. Theyve been paid good money to leave us alone,
Rambaldo. It seems Im no longer one step behind you any-
more.
Francois The figured nodded, and stepped forward,
allowing Rambaldo to make out more details. It was indeed
Francois, down to the scar on his forehead Rambaldo gave
him last time they met up. Why the gun, Francois. Do you
mean to shoot me?
Francois gestured with the gun. Drop your pistols. If you
try anything funny, Ill kill you.
Rambaldo shrugged, and pulled his guns from his belts
carefully, so as to avoid being shot. He dropped them
nearby, just in case. Hands from behind him grabbed the
weapons, and more began to search him. He felt something
sharp press into the small of his back. After a moment of
searching, and the discovery of his third pistol, Francois
nodded. Let him go. Then Francois lowered his pistol, and
drew his rapier. Its time we finish this, Rambaldo. I will
not chase you all over creation anymore. Draw your
weapon, and face me like a man.
Rambaldo knew Francois from way back. Francois seemed
to believe that Rambaldo had something to do with the col-
226
lapse of Francoiss business, and the disappearance of
Francoiss wife. Francois had been pursuing Rambaldo for
a few years now, but so far Rambaldo had stayed ahead of
him. Shaking his head, he pulled his own rapier from its
sheath. Are parrying blades allowed? Rambaldo asked,
gesturing to his belt.
Francois took a stance and shook his head. No. One
weapon, one man. Defend yourself.
Predictable. Francois started with a standard thrust, which
Rambaldo turned aside and countered. Rambaldos blade
slid down his opponents blade, but at the last moment
Francois flicked his wrist, and Rambaldos coupe went
wide. The elegance of the maneuver was not lost on Ram-
baldo. Francois had not been idle.
The thugs behind Rambaldo were not moving to attack him,
which Rambaldo could only take as a fortunate turn of
events. As long as they thought of this as a grudge duel, they
were likely to stay out of it. Rambaldo decided to take the
offensive, laying out a series of beats and thrusts, trying to
force Francois into an error or produce an opening, but
Francois turned the attacks aside, and avoided a Corps-a-
Corps that Rambaldo tried to draw him into. There would
be no scuffle, no knife in the gut. Rambaldo found himself
worrying, seeing his avenue of escape closing.
Rambaldo pulled a feint, hoping to draw Francois into an
attack against a false opening. But before Rambaldo com-
pleted the feint, Francoiss blade danced forward and cut a
shallow furrow along Rambaldos side. The pain was mini-
mal, but the sudden warmth of his blood reminded Ram-
baldo of just how mortal he was. Playing with Francois
was no longer an option, and being the first man injured left
Rambaldo at a distinct disadvantage.
Rambaldo sneered. That was luck.
Francois smirked. Not likely. And then he thrust again, as
if trying to prove a point. Rambaldo tapped the thrust aside,
and, with an unexpected speed, struck Francois in the jaw
with the basket hilt of his rapier, giving himself the open-
ning he needed. While Francois was still too distracted to
react, Rambaldo pressed past him, and sprinted for the
street at the end of the alley. There were shouts, one of them
Francoiss, but Rambaldo shoved his sword into his belt,
and ran as if his life depended on it.
Stop! Francois screamed.
Rambaldo shot into the street and between two merchants,
then dodged a wagon and a militiaman in brigandine. The
militiaman scowled at Rambaldo, until he noticed then
blood, and then he spotted Rambaldos pursuer. Halt! the
militiaman shouted. Rambaldo couldnt be sure who the
militiaman was shouting at, but he took a gamble that it
wasnt himself. All he had to do was make it to the banking
district, and find Giancarlo. Hed know where Rambaldo
could hide, and hed probably know a way of getting out of
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
the city unnoticed. Behind him he heard more shouts, and
sounds of fighting. The crowd began to bunch up, and Ram-
baldo pressed past the dawdlers, who were turning to see
what was going on.
Rambaldo cursed as he fled the scene. One of those pistols
had been his cousins. Mafeo would kill him when he found
out it was lost.
A Time of Strife
By the end of the 14th Century, England was at a turning point.
After the fall of the Romans, the invasions of the Angles and
Saxons, and the later Normans, the English found themselves in
a curious position. In the North the Scots had been subdued after
a number of wars, and it had become royal policy to offer the
border clans special privileges and rights. This served to create
dissention among the southern and northern clans, and kept the
Scots from uniting. The Welsh were, at times, allies, and when
they were not, the English were able to keep them to their bor-
ders. Through these skirmishes, the English acquired the long-
bow, and were slowly making it their own. Across the sea to the
west was Ireland, and English invasions, backed by Scottish
mercenaries and colonial settlement, had given England a size-
able population pool to draw conscripts from. In France, Eng-
land was allied with Brittany, and had holdings in a great number
of southern and western French counties. With the bloodlines as
close as they were between England and France, heritage and
rights were often in question, and more and more the English
and French were at odds in how to divide French land.
Longbow, English
The English Longbow descended from the Welsh Longbow, and
was gradually adopted as the national weapon of choice for Eng-
land. The English Longbow was about five to six feet in length,
and could be accurate to incredible distances. Even after the
advent of guns, the longbow was still more accurate at greater
range, making it the perfect sniping weapon. Arrows for the Eng-
lish Longbow were longer than most traditional arrows were,
measuring over two and a half feet in length and bearing 45
inch arrow heads. An unorthodox style of firing was experi-
mented with during the Hundred Years war, and in battles after-
ward would be used when being able to fire a long distance was
more important than being able to fire accurately: reclined firing.
An English Longbow is huge, and its size meant that it could be
fired by an archer bracing his knees (or, if he was particularly
short, his feet) on the bow, and drawing the string back with both
hands. Reclined firing was very dangerous: the archer had a very
high likelyhood of damaging the bow. However the range
achieved by this extensive over-drawing of the bow gave it the
ability to either fire ballista arrows at a limited range (60 ft range
increment, -3 to hit) or fire standard longbow arrows at an even
greater range (150 ft. range increment), albiet without much
accuracy (-6 to hit). Accuracy rarely mattered when firing at an
army, fortunately, and the fear that striking at this kind of dis-
227
tance caused engendered was remarkable. When firing the Eng-
lish Longbow reclined, fire as normal, but roll damage dice no
matter what. Compare the damage dice to the Longbows hard-
ness halved (4 hardness), and apply damage to the bow right
away. Damage for a ballista arrow fired in this manner is 2d8-1.
An archer firing reclined is considered a prone defender vs. any
attack, and firing reclined provokes an attack of opportunity.
Robin HoodFact and Myth
The Robin Hood of Nottingham fame is, unfortunately, a fan-
ciful fabrication, a work to romanticize the period of John the
Usurpers rule. The real Robin Hood was a highwayman in
England at the end of the 13th century, well after the return of
Richard the Lionhearted. Traveling the roads in search of a fat
purse, Robin Hood was renowned for his disguises and
escapes. There exist no descriptions of Robin Hood, mainly
because he was noted as appearing different in most encoun-
ters. He was also very experienced at fleeing from capture,
using forests, fens, and moors to their best advantage. Eventu-
ally Robin Hood was captured by soldiers and killed on the
road, ending his crime spree. The proceeds of his thefts, how-
ever, were never officially recovered, leading to the popular
but highly unlikely theory that Robin Hood had donated his
ill-gotten gains to a church or to the poor. More than likely he
buried or spent his proceeds.
Bows vs. CrossbowsThe Great Debate
Throughout the Medieval period there had been much debate
among nobles as to whether the crossbow or the bow was a
superior weapon of war. Englands monarchs were actually
members of the crossbow camp until the Welsh wars. After their
experience with the Welsh Longbow, however, they came to
advocate the superiority of the bow, arguing that the superior
range of the longbow was more tactically advantageous. Most
crossbow proponents, such as the Holy Roman Empire or
France, argued that the crossbow was superior, since it did not
require extensive training to use, and was equally as effective,
regardless of strength of limb or speed of arm. On the continent
the crossbow was far more common in conscript and infantry
units, while in England the Yeoman class would develop among
the peasant militias and conscripts, and at tournaments archery
contests were often held to promote interest in the use of the
longbow. ]
The French were dealing with the aftermath of the failures in the
Middle East. The Templars held a great deal of land in southern
France, and, by papal writ, were allowed to tithe all land they
controlled. Besides their French holdings, the Templars had land
in Spain, Portugual, and Germany, and monastery/fortresses had
been built on those lands to help administrate them and provide
sovereigns to make trades for trade currency in the Middle East.
The Templar Orders great influence in the Holy Land gave them
excellent credit and a mercantile presence that allowed them to
trade in common goods, and this became the backbone of a rare
kind of banking system. In France, the Templars most likely col-
lected more money in the required tithe of their lands than the
 From Stone to Steel

1
7 8 9

2 2 4 5 6
10

1. English Longbow; 2. Sulitsa; 3. Chekan; 4. Oslopi; 5. Sovna; 6. Sekir; 7. Dirk; 8. Sgain Dubh; 9. Kidney Dagger; 10. Claymore
French King collected in taxes. Strapped by funding a number of
Crusades, and facing rebellions among his people, the King of
France was looking for a way to recoup money that he saw the
church taking from him.
Meanwhile, the German territories were in turmoil. Over the
decades the Hapsburgs of Austria became more and more domi-
nant in German society, and the other German nations began to
react against their hegemony. Eventually the Hapsburgs would
attempt to get the Papacy involved in the legitimization of their
control of the Holy Roman Empire, but this would only lead to
assassination and intrigue. The Papacy had its own problems
with Frances bid to control the local clergy and their own trou-
bles with Venice, which was a constant threat.
The Catalan Furnace and the Legend of Toledo
Steel
The Catalan Furnace was the end result of centuries of interest
in iron and steel working in the Toledo region of Spain. Able
to heat metal to a high temperature and keep it there during the
forging process, the Catalan Furnace allowed superior forging
conditions to creating a truly formidable steel. Toledo Steel
has been considered superior from Roman times, and any
weapon crafted of Toledo Steel has its Hardness increased by
1 and its Hit Points increased by 3. Thus, while an Early Steel
weapon is Hardness 7, a Toledo Steel version of that weapon
would be a Hardness 8. Toledo Steel items are considered
masterwork, due to the time and workmanship of their con-
struction, and are priced accordingly.
Even Byzantium faced trouble. Though the Empire had returned
to Greek Orthodox hands, they were forced to rely more and
more upon mercenaries to protect themselves. A Turkish warrior
by the name of Osman began to worry Byzantiums borders,
wreaking havoc and even defeating the full army of Byzantium
at Nicomedia. Besides a stronger, heavier cavalry based on Mon-
golian tactics, Osmans Turks (who would later be known as the
Ottomans) brought with them two major developments: Rockets
and rudimentary handguns (both identical to the Chinese Rock-
ets and Primitive Chinese Handgun of the Far East Chapter). The
Byzantines resorted to hiring Catalonian (Spanish) mercenaries,
but this proved unpopular among the populace, and revolts broke
out as the commoners perceived they were once again under
enforced ruled by latins.
In the lands of Rus, the principalities of Novgorod, Moscovy,
and Kiev were picking up the pieces after the Mongol Invasion.
Having faced the destruction caused by the Mongols cavalry,
Russian forces were developing tactics to fight cavalry heavy
forces, which would serve them in good stead against later
threats from Turkic and Mongolian hordes. Armored in scale,
chainmail, and leather, they favored bows (both normal and
composite short bows), the axe, longspear, a short spear called

228
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
the sulitsa, the chekan (a hammer-pick, a nail-studded quarter-
staff variant called the oslopi, flails, maces, a naginata-like
polearm called the sovna, straight swords and sabres, sekir,
javelins, and the rare light crossbow. As armor got heavier, they
developed Kolontar Plated Mail.
Sulitsa
Sulitsas were short spears, usually about 34 four feet in length,
made either of wood and steel or entirely of steel. Meant to be
fought with in close, like swords, or thrown at nearby targets, the
Sulitsa was a workhorse for most infantry. Up to three Sulitsa
would be strapped to a common soldiers back, to make certain
the soldier always had a weapon handy.
Chekan
A military hammer/pick, the Checkan was excellent at punctur-
ing armor or battering it out of shape. The Chekan often had a
concealed blade (see Hidden Knife in the Far East Section) in
the haft, either at the bottom or at the top. Those version with an
unscrewing hidden blade at the top could reverse the hidden
blade and screw it in, to add a thrusting, piercing attack of 1d6
(crit x3). The Chekan was common among infantry.
Oslopi
A quarterstaff-like weapon, the Oslopi was roughly 6 feet in
length at the beginning of its incarnation. Each end of the Oslopi
was studded with nails (blunt side out), which gave each end a
little more impact. A simple weapon, the Oslopi was used much
like a quarterstaff. In the hands of the untrained, it is a heavy
stick, something to wield like a longsword and club on the heads
of attackers. To one of a more martial bent the Oslopi can be
used as a double weapon, using each end of the Oslopi to attack
an opponent while using the center to defend against strikes. The
master of the staff, though, knows that the staff can be used
effectively in both manners. Quick, swift strikes and blocks are
effective against multiple opponents or against a trained oppo-
nent who cannot attack swiftly themselves. However, the master
also knows how to use the length and flexibility of the staff to
attack opponents before they expect it, with swift, crushing
blows that stave armor and shatter bones. You can fight with the
Oslopi as if fighting with two weapons, but if you do you incur
all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting with two
weapons as if you are using a one-handed weapon and a light
weapon. A creature using a double weapon in one hand, such as
a Large creature using an Oslopi, cannot use it as a double
weapon.
Sovna
Looking something like the naginata, the Sovna is a bladed
polearm, used by infantry, usually to attack soldiers on horse-
back. The Sovna was not a common staple in the Russian mili-
tary, but was used throughout the Slavic lands, although never
gaining the popularity of the glaive. The Sovna was often embel-
lished for the bodyguard of a prominent lord.
229
Sekir
An axe with a hook, the Sekir descended from a purely social
weapon, a kind of axe (Topor) offered to ambassadors as a badge
of their status. While the Topor is simply a hand axe, the Sekirs
hook is very useful in trips, disarms, and shield trapping. The
Sekir gives a +2 bonus on the opposed attack roll when attempt-
ing to disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep from being
disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. If you are tripped dur-
ing your own trip attempt, you can drop the Sekir in order to
avoid being tripped.
The French pressured the Pope into relocating to Avegnon.
Using their access to him, they were able to bring the Templar
Order under the Inquisition, and charged them with all manner
of foul deed, from trafficking with the infidels to trafficking with
devils. The Inquistion was very effective at extracting confes-
sions, and in the end their lands in France were confiscated, and
most of them were executed. In other lands where the Templars
held property they met a variety of fates, the mildest of which
involved giving up some lands and disbanding as a Militant
Order, while others faced similar fates to their French compatri-
ots. The perceived failure the Templars in the Crusades
destroyed them, both in Islamic lands and in Christendom. Other
Knightly Orders did their best to make alliances with other
nations, such as the Prussian alliance with the Teutonic Knights.
The Hospitallers attacked and conquered the Isle of Rhodes,
long a haven for pirates in the Mediterranean, and established
themselves as a sovereign nation. Over generations the Hospi-
tallers would become known only as the Knights, and they
would vie with Aragon and Castille, often unsuccessfully, for
control of many of the islands of the Mediterranean.
Besides rockets and primitive handguns, the 14th century brought
another devastating change to warfare: the cannon. Early experi-
ments with gunpowder lead to the creation of cannons. Forged,
of copper and bronze, then later of iron, these weapons had unri-
valed destructive power, both in terms of the range it could strike
at and in terms of the damage of its shot. The first cannons likely
fired stone shot, either from being packed with a large amount of
stone fragments or from the larger stones shattering upon the ini-
tial explosion. Lead eventually replaced stone as the material of
choice for cannonballs, and a variety of different shot were used.
Grape shot involved great numbers of lead slugs about the size
of a sling bullet, while some cannon used large cannon balls to
put holes in major targets, such as walls or ships. In the 14th Cen-
tury, cannons were huge, heavy, and they required a very stable
base. They would only be found in fortresses and castles during
most of this century, and it would be a long time before they
became mobile enough to place on ships or carts. Although
Europe was exposed to rudimentary guns during the Mongol
incursions into Easter Europe and the Ottomans attacks, the can-
non would be the central source of inspiration for the hand gun
in Europe, and most early handguns of the 14th century were
referred to as hand cannons.
At the end of the 13th century the Scots rebelled. Robert the
Bruce with an alliance of clans (mostly northern, although some
 From Stone to Steel
southern clans joined out of fear) brought war on England. Tired
of the impositions of the English lords, and their manipulations
of the southern clans, the Scottish rebellion seemed to take on a
11
life of its own. Although the English were able to field superior
cavalry, legions of Irish conscript footmen, and Archers (both
longbowmen and crossbowmen), they were unable to fully put
down the Scottish forces. William Wallace, a common-born gen-
eral of the Scottish armies, became a figure of legend, and more
than once the conscripts would leave the field rather than face
his armies. Wallace trained his men in the use of pikes, and he
used native forests to cover his small numbers of archers. The
Scottish forces were generally armed with various knives, short
and longswords, claymores, maces, battleaxes, flails, mace-and-
chains, padded armor, various kinds of leather, chainmail
hauberks, and Scottish targes. In the end the English, facing
internal strife, would sue for peace, and Scotland would become
an independent nation. France immediately offered and signed a
treaty with Scotland, establishing one of the most durable and 11. Scottish Targe
longstanding alliances in European history. The French-Scottish Targe, Scottish
alliance would effectively put a check on English expansion for The Targe is a Scottish shield that eventually became semi-com-
centuries to come. mon in France and parts of Spain and Germany. The Targe is a
small wooden shield, faced with leather that is rivetted to the
Dirk, Sgain Dubh, Kidney Dagger wood, with a pair of leather handles on the back. The Targe
A thick, business-like dagger, often 8 to 10 inches long, the dirk sports a spike in the boss of the shield, which is useful, of course,
was a sidearm that precluded the need for a shortsword. Carried for shield bashing, but also for disarms. The Targes spike was
at the belt, the dirk was first used in Scotland, but eventually intended to catch onto chains, flourishes, or edges of weapons, in
adopted in much of Western Europe by mercenaries and freemen order to pull them out of a foes hand. The Targe gives a +2
with a tendency to get into trouble. Dirks were solidly made, bonus on the wielders opposed attack roll when attempting to
durable, and could put up with impressive punishment. The disarm an opponent, including the roll to keep from being dis-
Sgain Dubh was another Scottish knife, worn in the sock, at the armed if they fail their disarm attempt.
top of the boot. Weighted for throwing and small enough to
evade attention, the Sgain Dubh was intended to be a surprise
dagger, a backup when the trouble you couldnt anticipate came War and Consolidation
calling. The Kidney Dagger, on the other hand, was a long, thin,
four-sided knife, an excellent stabbing weapon also called the While the Holy Roman Empire was embroiled in political strug-
Bollocks Dagger. Regardless of the name, the intent of this gles to determine if any state could take power away from the
weapon was very clearits blade was meant to be placed as far Hapsburgs, tensions in the east and west mounted into full scale
into a sensitive portion of your foes anatomy as possible. All war. In the West, Englands King Edward the Third would make
three daggers did little to convince the more refined in Europe a public claim for the French Throne, a move intended to force
that Scotlands populace was deeply civilized. France into a war it was not prepared for. England had claim to
many of the northern and coastal provinces in France, and sought
to reclaim those that had fallen under French rule, although con-
Claymore, Middle Steel
trol of all of France was not entirely their goal. With allies in Brit-
The Claymores origin is disputed, many claiming it started as
tany, a great number of Irish conscripts, and the Scottish delayed
early as the 12th century, while others claim as late as the 15th.
in rebuilding after their war, England clearly had an upper hand.
Many records sight William Wallace (as well as many other free-
Little did any nation know that this conflict would drag on far
dom fighters fighting for Scottish independence) as having
beyond the length of any previous war. A whole generation would
wielded a huge two-handed sword with up-facing quillions and a
be born and die before the end of this conflict.
wrapped leather portion above the hilt for a hand-rest. Since this
fits within the definition of a Claymore of an early period, it In the East, Byzantium was embroiled in civil war, as the tradi-
must be assumed to have been an early form of Claymore. The tional complex and obscure politics and succession brought grand-
Claymore is a heavy, two-handed sword. The leather wrapping father against grandson in a battle for power. With Byzantium
just above the hilt was entirely optional, but was usually placed weakened by Ottoman raids, an emboldened Serbian Prince would
there so that a wielder could brace a hand there, to shorten the strike against Bulgaria, taking their Macedonian holdings and
length of the blade, when necessary. establishing the Serbs as the dominant power in the Balkans. They
would go on to secure Albania, and declare themselves an empire,

230
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
even going so far as to establish a separate Patriach, in an attempt
to make a separate Orthodox religious identity for the Serbs. Later
attacks would pick away at Byzantine control in the Balkans, but
other events would make this Empire building irrelevant.
The Ottoman Turks were not patient with modest gains and
raids. Seeing weakness in Byzantium, the Turks pushed forward,
taking territory in Anatolia and cutting out the population base of
the faltering Byzantine Empire. Later drives would remove all of
Byzantiums Asian holdings, and then begin the process of sur-
rounding Constantinople, cutting off its regional support. It
would take time, but the Turks were patient conquerors, and they
would strike into Greece, then up, through Bulgaria, where they
would meet and defeat a coalition of Hungarian, Serbian, and
Bulgarian forces, then into Kosovo, where they would conquer
the Serbian Empire and consolidate their holdings in the
Balkans. During this process they would force Byzantium into
vassalage, and eventually they would absorb most of the
provinces of the Balkans into the Ottoman Empire. It would take
an outside challenge to halt the Ottoman expansion, which,
unchecked, might have spread to all of Eastern Europe.
In the North, the Teutonic Knights made a deal with Denmark.
Denmark sold them the rights to Estonia, so as to raise money
for projects to unite the core territories of Denmark. This, along
with the Prussian territories, territories siezed from the Templars,
portions of the Pommeranian coast, and Livonia, the Teutonic
Knights became a sizeable power in North Eastern Europe. But
it would be the Hansa, a purely mercantile concern, which would
shake up the Teutonic Knights growing influence.
Vassalage
War in Europe was an event that required much consideration.
Going to war with your neighbor required a declaration of war
to be issued. Hopefully a nation had a Causus Belli (Case for
War) to cite, because without one the social outcry, both within
and without the attacking nation would be great. A nation at war
would have to consider its other border nations readiness to
join an alliance or attack. Many a nation would attack a foe,
only to discover that a neighbor declared war on them once the
attackers armies were committed elsewhere. Lastly, one had to
consider what ones goals were for the attack. Did the nation
attack to prevent another nation from going to war?; To take
land?; To extract a heavy tribute in war indemnities?
Annexation was frowned upon by most of Europe, because it
tended to weaken the assumed natural balance established by
Feudalism. Often it was expedient to vassalize a conquered
nation. In the Feudal system a vassal is a subordinate lord,
who must pay a certain portion of their income and provide
armies to support their lieges wars. Vassalage allowed a coun-
try to maintain something of an independent national identity
while still keeping them under your control. Vassalization
served to placate states that might be nervous about expan-
sionism while still increasing a nations power and influence.
In history, most large nations had a few vassal states, usually
in the Holy Roman Empire.
231
The Hanseatic League was a mercantile alliance between many
of the cities of the Holy Roman Empire. In exchange for inde-
pendence from local rule by the feudal lords of the Holy Roman
Empire, the Hanseatic League cities would pay a yearly tribute
to their local lord, as assessed by their city income. League cities
(called Hansa members) were granted unrivaled freedoms in
exchange for this tributary system. Cities elected their own lead-
ership, often from the crafts guilds. All citizens of a city were
considered freemen, and their children were eligible to appren-
tice at any craft guild. Serfs who fled their lords lands and lived
in a free city for a year and a day without being recaptured were
granted natural citizenship, making them freemen. And since the
Hansa cities were allied, they did not compete with each other
for market share in foreign markets. Hansa merchants could
expect fair to good return for their products, and as the League
expended to cover most of the great cities of the Holy Roman
Empire, they also created an insurance and banking system,
which allowed people to convert their wealth into letters of debit,
which were redemable with Hansa merchants or at Hansa banks.
The Hansa letters of debit made money mobile, made banditry
more difficult (since a Hansa letter of credit was worthless to a
wanted and known criminal), and since it could be insured to
some degree, promoted investment by the nobility in the cities.
The League even owned trading ships, and eventually a small
navy force that allowed them to fight pirates. Mercenaries would
hire themselves to Hansa merchants, and some eventually signed
on as Hansa mercenaries, preferring regular pay in the socially
acceptable currency. Some of the Teutonic properties in Pom-
merania and Prussia included Hansa cities. But their conflict
would take nearly a century to foment.
But the greatest surprise, one that would most directly affect the
path of both the lands of Islam and of Christendom, would come
from a Tartar born in what is today Uzbekistan. Timur Lang
(Tamerlane), born to a military family in the Mongol established
Tartar Hordelands, was disadvantaged from youth, being partially
paralyzed on the right side of his body. Despite his handicaps,
both social and physical, Timur would come to rule the Jagatai
Horde, and from his capitol of Samarkand he would raid through
neighboring lands, claiming to be restoring the Mongol Empire.
Serfdom vs. Peasantry
With almost 90% of the European populace being peasants or
serfs, the events important to much of the Medieval period
really only describe what happen to that last 10% of the popu-
lation. Both peasants and serfs had little contact with the great
lords, and they might well see many changes in leadership dur-
ing their short, often difficult lives. But there was a significant
difference between serfs and peasants. Serfs were not free.
Though not slaves, serfs were bound to the land they lived on,
and when land switched hands as the result of an inheritance or
treaty, the serfs were considered a part of the value of the land.
Serfs were required to provide a certain percentage of their
crops to the lord who owned their land, which often left the
Serfs with just enough to live on. Coin was a rare commodity
for a serf, and a serf who came into money would often see it
 From Stone to Steel
taxed away quickly, or be arrested as a possible thief. Peasants,
on the other hand, rented land from a lord, and had full rights to
whatever they grew or manufactured. They were taxed a cer-
tain portion of their income, often well over 50%, but whatever
they had left over was theirs to keep. This meant that, although
peasants were often poor, they could conceivably improve their
lives with diligence and productivity. When land changed
hands by inheritance or war, the peasants had the right to leave,
and some did. Most, however, understood that the lords rarely
took a deep interest in the peasantry unless they were interested
in new taxes or a peasants daughter. Serfdom or peasantry
could be altered at a lords whim, and at certain times in history
peasants became serfs or serfs became peasants. Some lords
often charged such high rent and taxes that peasants had noth-
ing left over for themselves. But the difference between serf-
dom and peasantry, although in appearance minimal, was
significant enough that serfs would risk imprisonment and
death to escape, often fleeing to Hansa cities for freedom.
His first conquests focussed on the fading Mongol State in Per-
sia. Uniting Georgia and Armenia along the way, Timur Lang, or
Tamerlane, as he is often referred to in history texts, lead Mon-
gol style hordes through these lands, although he left their ruling
structures intact, preferring tribute to control. Many accounts
speak of the destruction of Tamerlanes conquests, especially of
the destruction of cities and the pyramids of skulls left in his
path. It is notable that Tamerlane wreaked so much destruction in
Persia that the Mongol-born Empire collapsed. Tamerlane even
raided into India and ancient Mesopotamia, sacking Delhi and
putting hundreds of thousands of Indian soldiers to the sword.
Then Tamerlane turned his eyes westward. As the Ottomans
were strengthening their grip around Constantinople, consolidat-
ing their power in Anatolia, and moving south into Syria and
Palestine, the forces of Tamerlane struck. The Ottomans, a
young empire, had yet to face defeat. But in Tamerlane they
found only death and slaughter. Some historians suggest that,
had Tamerlane pressed his advantage, the Ottomans might have
been utterly destroyed in their homeland. Indeed, he raided as
deep as Ankara, and for a time Tamerlane received tribute from
both Egypt and Constantinople, both sovereigns concerned that
he would attack them next. Either way, Christendom was inad-
vertently given a reprieve from a robust and advancing Ottoman
Empire, which would require time to recover from the depreda-
tions of Tamerlanes conquests.
Why was Tamerlane so focused on conquest and slaughter? It
seems most likely that Tamerlane desired to control the Silk Road.
At this time the Silk Road was all but closed, its trade dried to a
trickle and restricted to only the most limited of trade agreements.
Tamerlanes conquest and tributaries gave him control over every
inch of the Silk Road route, and when he died he was drawing up
plans of conquest in China. But, like so many empires created
from mostly nomadic origins, when Tamerlane died, his children
fell to conflict to determine who would rule his holdings. In the
end the Empire of Tamerlane would collapse, leaving the Timurid
dynasty in what today is Iraq, as well as portions of Persia.
232
Developments in Armor and
Weapons
The 14th century was a time of transition. The coat of plates paved
the way for greater use of metal plating to avoid damage. Plated
gloves gained larger use, shoulder pauldrons grew larger, knee
and elbow joints were covered by metal disks, and greaves began
to come back into style. Breastplates of steel were adopted, the
first being riveted plates formed to cover the torso, while later
versions were single piece breastplates that could be linked to the
pauldrons. During the first half of the 14th century these greaves
only went as high as the knee, but the later half saw platemail
wearing soldiers often having plate along the full length of their
legs and arms. Closed helms began to vary somewhat depending
on where they were made, but they became more and more popu-
lar as protection during battle. With the Hundred Years war rag-
ing, all of Europe vied to sell France and England the
accoutrements of war, and so nobles might often sport different
helms depending on where they purchased their armor.
Platemail, Light and Half
Platemail was a gradual, almost organic development in armor,
and one of the few times where defensive development appeared
to outstrip the development of offensive countermeasures. Light
plate involved a breastplate that was separate from arm and
shoulder plating, and leg armor was limited to plated greaves. In
Light Platemail, chainmail was still acting as the primary buffer
between weapons and the wearer. As armor crafting technology
became more sophisticated, leg armor could be actuated enough
to allow reasonable movement, and the breastplate could be con-
nected to other armor on the torso. Although still using chain-
mail to cover places that were hard to cover, such as the neck,
groin, and the inside of joints, Half Platemail was definitely
more protection than Light.
Brigandine, the rivetting of steel plates under layers of leather,
also developed from the coat of plates. At first brigandine was
only made in coats. Men-at-Arms would wear a brigandine coat,
a helmet or open-faced helm, and carry a shield to guard their
unarmored legs. Longer Brigandine Hauberks were eventually
developed, which dropped to the knee, and, with boots, made a
better protection for the legs. Flexible, well able to disperse
bludgeoning damage, and exceptional at blocking slashing and
piercing damage, Brigandine was also easy to disguise, since it
tended to look like studded leather to the untrained eye. Imagine
the surprise of a soldier thinking he was facing a thug in studded
leather when his sword would scrape against steel. The practice
of bandits and highwaymen wearing brigandine became so com-
mon that the word brigand was termed to mean an outlaw or
raider who waylaid the unwary. Brigandine was relatively popu-
lar among those lords who could afford it, but anyone who could
pay for the riveting and sewing required could purchase a suit.
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Optional MechanicsHelmets and Helms
Helmets and Helms do not provide an armor bonus, since they
are considered part of a given suit of armor. However, some
effects specifically target the head or neck of a character (vor-
pal swords, for example). In such a circumstance one may still
give certain benefits for helmets, open faced helms, and closed
faced helms.
A Helmet, covering the top of the skull but not extending past
the ears, provides a one quarter cover bonus for the head.
Thus, a successful strike to the head must still exceed the hel-
mets cover bonus, added to the normal armor bonus, or it is
turned aside.
An Open Faced Helm, covering the cheeks, bridge of the nose,
and the back of the head, provides one-half coverage against
effects targeting the head. Again, this means that the cover
bonus must be added to the normal armor bonus, before
checking to see if the strike is successful. An Open Faced
Helm, however, interferes with peripheral vision, and imposes
a 1 to all visual perception checks.
A Closed Face Helm covers the entire head, often with only a
thin grating or slit to view through. This provides a nine-tenths
coverage for the head, and gives the head Immunity to Critical
Hits. This means that the attacker must add the coverage bonus
to the armor bonus before determining a successful hit, and a
critical hit may not be made on the head. A Closed Face Helm,
greatly interferes with vision in general, and imposes a 3 to all
visual perception checks and any ranged strike rolls. Archers,
in general, preferred to wear Helmets or Open Faced Helms.
plague, Europe was experiencing a population decline, which
put the whole continent in jeopardy.
Buckler
Whether made of leather on a wooden frame, wood, or steel, the
buckler was a surprisingly effective addition to the defensive ret-
inue. Literally buckled to the forearm, the buckler left the shield
arm free to maneuver, allowing a person to carry a second
weapon or wield a bow. Bows and crossbows may be wielded
without added penalty by someone wearing a buckler. Off hand
weapons only receive a 1 to their attack roll, due to the extra
weight on the arm. This penalty stacks with any other penalties.
If you use a weapon in your off-hand, you do not gain any AC
bonuses from the buckler in the round that weapon is active.
Bucklers, due to their lack of mass, are too light to effectively
shield bash with.
Weapons were getting heavier and more damaging. The couched
lance was developed, an innovation that made the lance far more
effective and dangerous in charges. The crossbow, previously
composite, began to be made with steel bows, making them even
harder to pull, but more damaging. Pulleys were also added to
some crossbows to make them easier to draw, although this often
reduced damage and range. The bastard sword was developed to
allow a swordsman a weapon strong enough to pierce plate. And

Brigandine Coats, Hauberks, and Armor 12 13

As mentioned above, all forms of Brigandine look like studded
leather of a similar make. Brigandine coats covered the torso and
arms, usually to the elbow. Early versions were laced in the front,
but eventually they laces were moved to the back, to avoid hav-
ing an enemy cut them off, leaving the armor dangling, and the
defender effectively unprotected. The Hauberk extended the
sleeves to the wrist, and included a belted skirt, to protect the
groin and upper legs. Hauberks still allowed the legs to be free, to
allow better movement, but its protection of most of the vital
areas caused Brigandine Coats to fade out of usage. Full Brigan-
dine Armor is just as covering as studded leather, but with the
superior backing of plates, making it somewhat harder to move
elegantly, but still providing ample protection and support. Brig-
andine was the most popular heavy protection in Europe, and
those that could afford it armored as many non-noble professional 14
soldiers in it as possible.
Shields saw some development as well. The buckler was devel-
oped by the English to give their archers a modicum of protec-
tion. A small shield strapped to the forearm, it was often made of
leather, wood, or steel. The buckler spread quickly through
Europe, primarily because the English and French were so intent
on their mutual warring that they had to pay other nations to pro-
duce the armor and weapons they could not make in large
enough quantities themselves. Especially with the coming of the 12. Light Platemail; 13. Brigandine Armor; 14. Buckler

233
 From Stone to Steel
there was a revolution in polearms, as an incredible variety of
polearms from all over Europe flourished among conscript and
militia armies.
The Plague
The Bubonic Plague was caused by poor sanitation, poor
hygiene, and vermin infestation in the larger cities of Europe,
and spread like wild fire, decimating European population
centers. Stories like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, or childrens
songs like Ring-Around-the-Rosey are direct historical refer-
ences to the Plague, which lead to such rapid and universal
death that bodies had to be collected daily and carted outside
of cities to be burned, to prevent the spread of other death-
borne diseases.
Ashes, Ashes
We all fall down!
Although the rats were commonly blamed for the spread of the
Bubonic Plague, it was actually the fleas that carried the infec-
tion. Fleas carrying tainted blood would bite a person, giving
them the disease. Rats were usually just unfortunate carriers.
The infection usually revealed itself 1-7 days after the bite,
and its most obvious signs were oozing, pussy sores over the
lymph nodes, called buboes. Spots would also develop, first
red, then black. The disease was terminal about 50% of the
time, and, although herbal remedies were claimed to work by
certain Medieval herbalists, there was really no known cure.
One third of Europes population died during the first bout of
Plague, over a 5 year period from 1347 to 1352. Medieval
Europe would never again see the prosperity it once had, and
from treasuries to collection boxes, the loss of that much of the
workforce was felt keenly.
Unfortunately, the Plague was not a truly impartial killer.
Those with more exposure to the flea plague carriers were
more likely to get the disease. This included a great number of
priests, nuns, Franciscan friars, physicians, and other selfless
souls who sought to alleviate the suffering of the plague vic-
tims. Some of the moral decline of Europe and the Renais-
sance period has been speculated to stem from the loss of a
great number of humanitarians to the Plague.
Although the Plague struck Europe in 1347, it did not end
quickly, and it would return again and again until it would
finally disappear in the 17th century.
Lance, Couched
The Couched Lance is the Heavy Lance, as listed in the Players
Handbook. A reach weapon, wielded primarily from a mounted
position, the couched lance is the ultimate charging weapon. At
the base of the lance, where the hand grasps it, the couched lance
has an extended flare, somewhat like a shield, which provides
added protection (+1 vs disarm attaempts) in a charge. The
lance, in a charge, does x2 damage (x3 with the Spirited Charge
Feat). Couched lances would see even greater usage when the
lance rest was invented.
234
Steel Crossbows
As steelworking became more refined, steel bows replaced the
composite bows on most crossbows. Steel bows could have even
greater pull, and could be repaired more easily when the bow
took damage. Steel Crossbows were manufactured all over
Europe, and the crossbow became the most common weapon in
Europe, useful and easy to master, yet very powerful. Steel
crossbows made for the public were mostly of a lighter construc-
tion than those used primarily for war.
Compound Bows and Crossbows
The pulley is a simple machine used to redirect force. In the 14th
century, Renaissance thinkers began experimenting with simple
machines, and the compound bow and crossbow were devel-
oped. Using pulleys made it easier to draw a bow or pull back a
crossbow string, allowing people with less arm strength to wield
a bow or crossbow more easily.
With a traditional bow, the greatest effect is gained when the
bow is drawn to its maximum distance. More powerful bows
have a heavier draw, and contribute that force in proportion to
how far the bow is drawn. Since the traditional bow resists more
the farther its drawn, the archer must draw quickly and release,
giving him less time to aim.
Crossbow Reload Mechanisms
Crossbows are very difficult to reload, generally. Since com-
pound crossbows were not universal, or even common, most
crossbows were constructed to be reloaded via some kind of
mechanism. Some employed a crude cord and pulley system,
where the crossbow was braced and a cord attached to the
draw string was pulled, using a pulley to give the drawer a bet-
ter angle to work from. The Goats Foot draw involved a lever
that could be braced on the stock of the crossbow, with two
metal prongs that would pull the drawstring into place when
the lever was applied. The Screw & Handle method involved
a screw set into the stock of the crossbow, which attached to
the drawstring through a forked prong, and a handle not unlike
a huge butterfly nut, which, when wound by hand, allowed the
drawstring to be pulled back. The Cranequin and Windlass
were more complex machines, the cranequin being a kind of
jack-like device, which required the rotation of a handle to
pull a central stock down a toothed track, the end of the stock
attached to the drawstring. The Windlass, on the other hand,
required two hands to rotate a two handed crank, which,
through a complex pulley system, drew the drawstring back
into place. The weight of the crossbow and its pull indicated
the kind of reload mechanism involved. A light crossbow
likely employed a cord and pulley or a goats foot device,
while a heavy crossbow might use a Screw and Handle sys-
tem. light steel crossbows used the cranequin, and the wind-
lass was used almost exclusively with the heavy steel
crossbows.
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
15a
15b
16a
16b
16c
15a. Couched Lance, French 16th century; 15b. Couched Lance, German 16th century; 16a. Steel Crossbow; 16b. Cranequin; 16c.
Windlass; 16d. Goat's Foot Lever
The compound bow, however, diverts some of the energy of the
draw. Thus, there is a let off as the bow draws closest to maxi-
mum. During this period, the let off was something like 35-40% of
the full draw weight. Thus, if the bow drew to 70 pounds, it would
only feel as if one were drawing back about 42 pounds, which was
a welcome relief. This does not mean that you do not, at some
point, draw back the full 70 pounds. Usually you will reach this
draw weight about two thirds of the way to full extension.
The compound bow, thus allows a person to do more damage
than their Strength score would normally allow: +1 with a stan-
dard bow, +2 with a mighty +1 composite bow, +3 with a mighty
+2 composite bow, etc.
There are fewer variables to consider with the compound cross-
bow. Making a crossbow a composite crossbow makes reloading
it considerably easier. Compound Crossbows are reloaded as a
standard action and do not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Compound bows may only be made from composite bows or
steel bows. Thus, the only varieties of compound bow are com-
posite short, composite long, and all crossbows. Compound
bows cost 50% more than standard bows. Thus, a compound
composite longbow would cost 150 gp, 50% more than the 100
gp a normal composite longbow costs.
235
16d
Sword, Bastard
The Bastard Sword is also known as the Hand-and-a-Half sword,
and its unique construction makes it useable as either a one or
two-handed weapon. Bastard swords were longer than
longswords, and those without special training (Exotic Profi-
ciency) with it found it necessary to use it two handed. Whether
wielded two-handed or one, the damage was the same, and the
Bastard Sword had its own following among the Germans.
Ahlespeiss and Awl Pike
Both of these weapons descended from the same origins. The
Ahlespeiss is a roughly four-foot thrusting weapon, much like a
short spear with a sword handle, common in Bohemian Infantry.
The blade itself was usually conical and thin, and it was wielded
much as a kind of thick, heavy sword. The Awl Pike was a much
longer affair, a reach weapon with a similar thrusting blade,
meant to spear charging cavalry or infantry. Neither weapon was
widespread, the thrusting blade proving too fragile to make it a
universal favorite.
Falcastra
The Falcastra was an attempt to make the scythe a more military
weapon. A reach polearm with a triangular blade at the end, the
Falcastra was a better weapon for defending city or castle walls
 From Stone to Steel
than a battlefield weapon. The Falcastra was best used in sweep-
ing maneuvers, and makes an excellent tripping weapon. If you
are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the Fal-
castra in order to avoid being tripped.
Falx
By name alone one might think that the Falx descended from the
Dacian Falx used during Roman times. Unfortunately, this is a
false connection. The Falx was yet another refinement of the reach
polearm, bearing a heavy axe head with a serrated bladed, a
rounded surface, and a short triangular flange on the opposite side
of the striking head. The Falx could be used as a double weapon,
using the chopping head as the primary weapon and the butt end
of the weapon as a light staff weapon. When using the Falx as a
double weapon, it does not count as a reach weapon, but if you do
you incur all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting
with two weapons as if you are using a one-handed weapon and a
light weapon. A creature using a double weapon in one hand, such
as a Large creature using a Falx, cannot use it as a double weapon.
The Falx may also be used for tripping attacks (using either side of
the blade to attempt a trip). If you are tripped during your own trip
attempt, you can drop the Falx in order to avoid being tripped.
17 18
20
21
20
19 19
17. Bastard Sword; 18. Ahlepeiss; 19. Awl Pike; 20. Falcastra; 21. Falx; 22. European Half Moon; 23. Scaling Fork; 24. Spetum
236
Half Moon, European
The European Half Moon resembles nothing so much as a great
letter C on the end of a polearm. Intended to catch the pole of an
opponents polearm, in order to disarm them, the European Half
Moon conveys a +2 bonus on the wielders opposed attack roll
when attempting to disarm an opponent wielding a polearm,
including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they fail their
disarm attempt. The Half Moon was not used in large numbers,
and was often interspersed with other types of polearms, in order
to camoflage it. The Half Moon is a reach weapon. The Half
Moon can be used as a double weapon, using the head as the pri-
mary weapon and the butt end of the weapon as a light staff
weapon. When using the Half Moon as a double weapon, it does
not count as a reach weapon, but if you do you incur all the nor-
mal attack penalties associated with fighting with two weapons
as if you are using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. A
creature using a double weapon in one hand, such as a Large
creature using a Half Moon, cannot use it as a double weapon.
Fork, Scaling
A late fork weapon, and a reach polearm, the Scaling Fork was
used for fortification defense. Between the tines of the Scaling
fork were two smaller hooks, which were intended to be hooked
22 23 24
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
onto scaling ladders, to push them away from the walls. This pre-
vented the Scaling Fork wielder from being exposed to enemy
archer fire, while still keeping the walls clear of attackers. The
Scaling Fork was not well enough balanced to be used as a dou-
ble weapon, but it could be set against a charge in the rare event
that the Scaling Fork Wielder was subject of a charging attack.
Spetum, Ranseur, Chauves-Souris
Whether descended from the trident or the pitchfork, the Spetum
was a surprisingly common tri-bladed reach polearm. Excellent
for setting against charges, spetum ranks were very common in
the Holy Roman Empire, especially in the Eastern portions. The
Spetum was not well enough balanced to be used as a double
weapon. The Ranseur, its French cousin, has a tighter set of
prongs, and gives a +2 bonus on the wielder's opposed attack roll
when attempting to disarm an opponent, including the roll to
keep from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. The
Chauves-Souris (Bat, in french) was a later variant of the Spe-
tum, a slashing weapon with identical stats.
Voulge
A reach polearm related to the halberd, the Voulge possess a
heavier axe head, the top of which draws up into a thrusting
point. Behind the axe head is a short spike, intended to pull rid-
ers from horses or make tripping attacks. The Voulge can be set
against a charge, but is too top heavy to use as a double weapon.
If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the
Voulge in order to avoid being tripped.
The Progress of War
The Hundred Years War changed the landscape of war in
Europe. England could only count on a limited number of
knights, and as war dragged on, the loss of nobles in battle
reduced those numbers further. England had to increase its
reliance on infantry, and make better and more extensive use of
archers. The debate over the merits of the longbow as opposed to
the crossbow forced adaptations of the role of archers in the Eng-
lish army, and the English employed archer teams as a large por-
tion of their military force. An archer team consisted of a
longbowman (called a yeoman) and a shieldman with a mace
and shortsword, but only padded armor. The shieldman carried a
tower shield, which he would use to guard both himself and the
archer, providing cover on the battlefield for the archer to fire
from. The shieldmans only reason to carry weapons at all was to
protect the archer in case of a charge overtaking them.
Combat Maneuver: Unseating a Rider
A good number of weapons that possess hooks or spikes are
particularly good at unseating a rider. Should a horseman
charge past a footman with such a polearm, the footman may
attempt to Unseat the Rider. Refer to the Trip rule in the PHB.
237
NPC Class: Yeoman
In England, the Yeoman was a commoner who excelled at bow-
manship. Yeomen could come from any part of common society,
from peasants to freemen and artisans. Yeomen were not trained
Fighters or Warriors, nor were they nature-bound like Rangers.
Instead, the Yeomen were those who were strong of thew and
keen of eye, able to wield the bow for defense of his village or
lord. Yeomen were critical to English defense: the Yeoman sup-
ported local militia and could be conscripted into an army as
needed.
Player Characters should not be Yeoman, except under very lim-
ited circumstances. The Yeoman is quite limited in scope, and
most bow-centric PCs fare better as Fighters, since they gain
more training and access to more feats to make themselves more
potent archers. The Yeoman represent commoners who, either
through patriotism or a strong sense of loyalty to their people or
lord, opt to become experts with the bow. Neither are they war-
riors, who learn the use of heavier armors and most melee
weapons.
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills
The Yeomans Class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are
Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Listen
(Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Int), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int Modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int Modifier
Class Features
The following is a class feature of the Yeoman NPC class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Yeoman is proficient in
the use of all simple weapons, the short bow, short composite
bow, longbow, long composite bow, and the Welsh and English
Longbows. The Yeoman is proficient with light armors and the
buckler shield. Note that armor check penalties for armor heav-
ier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist,
Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Starting Gear: 2d4 x 10 gp worth of equipment, plus an English
Longbow.
The French, on the other hand, had a larger heavy cavalry force,
their pool of nobles being larger, and they practiced older meth-
ods of combat that made the cavalry charge the main focus of
battle. Heavily armored knights in chainmail and platemail
(when they could afford it) would charge into battle, and then
lighter infantry and crossbowmen would pick away at the strag-
glers. This tactic relied on the shock value of the first charge to
propel the army, and this was why England succeeded, at first.
Englands infantry became adept at forming pike walls to receive
charges, while their longbowmen, behind tower shields, rained
death down on their enemy much farther than the crossbow
could return it. Again and again, French Knights would chase
 From Stone to Steel
English light infantry into traps where pikemen could close in
behind them and whittle them down so that the small force of
English Knights could plow through the survivors.
But, despite limited success, the matter of the kingship of France,
or the control of all of France by Eng-
land appeared more and more impos-
sible. The territorial gain of the war
was slight, at first, and as the war
dragged on the people of England
became weary of the costs in lives and
luxury. Generations had to go without to
support the war taxes, and their lords paid
less and less attention, leaving the care of
the land they lived on to landlords who often
overtaxed them and lived on the excess.
Revolts among the common people forced Eng-
land to withdraw some forces to the home front to
put down uprisings, and as Scotland recovered from
their war with England, they renewed their attacks.
In France, revolts of their own lead to the independence
of the Burgundians, a rival noble family that claimed cen-
tral and southern lands in France. This force weakened the
French by removing the forces France could draw upon for rein-
forcements. Even when England had to fall back, and give up
territory in order to put down revolts at home, the French
could not make an effective attack. England, as a counter-
measure to avoid French resurgence, gave up some of
its French territory to the Burgundians, in exchange
for a military alliance.
Eventually, a poor shepherds girl, a farmers
daughter, began to receive visions in the field
while tending her sheep. Counseled by the saints and an angel of
war, Joan of Arc, at the age of 16, presented herself to the King
of France and told him she was being sent to him by God to help
him fight the war. After much questioning by the king and the-
ologians, she was given command of an army, a suit of plate
armor, and sent to fight against the English and Burgundians.
Joan despite every expectation, reformed what was left of the
French Army, reorganized it to make better use of the mercenar-
ies and infantry, and for two years she retook southern provinces,
eventually legitimizing the French monarchys hold on France.
Ultimately the Burgundians captured the visionary girl/general,
who had been a constant thorn in the English and Burgundians
side and gave a seeming holy mandate from God for the French
cause. In an attempt to de-legitimize her holy mystique they held
a sham trial, alleging a number of baseless allegations, and then
burned her at the stake. The trial angered the French, and would
eventually be condemned by Rome, who would declare Joan of
Arc a saint many years later.

238
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Table 7-1: The Yeoman
NPC Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save
1st
+1 +0 +2 +0
2nd +2 +0 +3 +0
3rd +3 +1 +3 +1
4th +4 +1 +4 +1
5th +5 +1 +4 +1
6th +6/+1 +2 +5 +2
7th +7/+2 +2 +5 +2
8th +8/+3 +2 +6 +2
9th +9/+4 +3 +6 +3
10th +10/+5 +3 +7 +3
11th +11/+6/+1 +3 +7 +3
12th +12/+7/+2 +4 +8 +4
13th +13/+8/+3 +4 +8 +4
14th +14/+9/+4 +4 +9 +4
15th +15/+10/+5 +5 +9 +5
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +5 +10 +5
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +5 +10 +5
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +6 +11 +6
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +6 +11 +6
20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +6 +12 +6
Field Plate touch hole igniting the powder in the barrel. In a D&D setting,
Field Plate is the equivalent of the Full Plate listed in the there are better alternatives for ignition - tindertwigs, the 'firefin-
Players Handbook. Heavy, elaborate, with a leather backing, ger' function of Prestidigitation, etc. No matter the ignition
rather than chainmail, and plating covering most of the body, source, gunpowder weapons worked poorly in wet weather. The
Field Plate was the kind of armor worn by knights and kings. DM may wish to require a skill check (Firearms, Int, useable
Field Plate was far too expensive for most soldiers, and often its untrained) to successfully fire a gun under these conditions. DC
use alone implied station. Crests and patterns on the armor might 15 for fog, 20 for drizzle, 25 for rain, etc. None of these primitive
be added to parade armor to identify the person within, but bat-
tlefield plate armor was most often plain, to avoid something The Order of the Golden Fleece
that might catch an opponents weapon. With the rarest of excep- Established as a knightly and chivalric order by the King of
tions, Field Plate includes a Closed-Face Helm, should optional Burgundy, the Order of the Golden Fleece was a secular order
rules about helms be in use. Barding of Plate is also available. of knights, ruled by a Grand Master, who usually was the King
of Burgundy. Eventually, through intermarriage, the Grand
Firearms Mastership passed to the Hapsburgs, primarily the Spanish
Branch, although for a time it was claimed by both the Austrian
The difference between most guns listed in this chapter involves
and Spanish branches of the family. The Order stressed culture
not the damage or the appearance, but the firing mechanism.
and civilization of its members, and members were required to
Once the primitive firearms, crafted of bronze or iron, were sur-
act in as chivalric a manner as possible in public. They were
passed, and the principles of explosive discharge were understood
encouraged to be solicitous to women and the poor, and to help
better, new guns were designed, with wooden stocks supporting
all those who were in need. Piety and obedience to the Pope
long steel barrels.
were included as meritorious behavior, but since the order was
secular, could not be enforced. Membership in the Order gave
Handgonne, Early Matchlock many Knights and Nobles prestige in Europe, and carried the
The first individual gunpowder weapons were simply tiny ver- expectation that the member was a man of sterling character
sions of field guns. Some were fired held in the crook of an arm, and courage. The Order is an excellent example of a secularly
and some had a simple stock (really just a straight handle) founded Knightly Order in the later Medieval Period. Other
attached to the barrel. The latter were generally fired braced on a similar secular orders include the Danish Order of the Ele-
shooting stick, and were more accurate than the former. Both phant, the English Order of the Garter, The Piedmontese Order
types were fired in the same way: the gunner carried a burning of Annuziata (which claims heritage from the Savoyan Order
'match', actually a slow burning wick, which was held to the gun's of the Collar), and the Mantuan Knights of the Precious Blood.

239
 From Stone to Steel
26
25a 25b
25a. Voulge; 25b. Voulge; 26. Field Plate; 27. Early Matchlock Handgonne; 28. Common Serpentine Lock Arbequis; 29. Tournament
Plate Armor; 30. Coronel Lance Head
guns were ever adopted as standard armament for military units,
and their appearence ! on the battlefield was unusual and spo-
radic.
Reloading a handgonne is a laborious process. First the touch
hole has to be reamed out with a metal spike or wire, and the bar-
rel must be swabbed to quench any hot embers from the last shot
(gunners generally kept small pieces of cloth called 'patches' in
their cheek for this purpose). Next the charge of gunpowder has
to be measured into the barrel, then the bullet (wrapped in a dry
patch) placed in the barrel and rammed home. Finally, a small
amount of powder must be poured into the touch hole. Now the
weapon is ready to be mounted, aimed, and fired.
Reloading guns
The weapon tables at the end of this chapter and the appendix list
rates of fire (ROF) for each firearm. This number represents the
number of full round actions required to load the particular
weapon. Because of the delay in reloading a weapon, gun use was
not common in the middle of melee. Gunners either dropped their
weapons quickly to prepare for a charge, or they fired from a hard
to reach location. Pistols, invented later, take less time to reload,
and use half the powder of a comparable carbine.
New Feat: Swift Reload: [General]
You are trained to reload a gun more quickly.
240
27
29
28
30
Prerequisites: Exotic Weapons Proficiency (Firearms)
Benefit: It takes one less full round action for you to load a
gun. If the gun only requires one full round action to load, then
this feat reduces it to a standard action. Thus, if the character
would normally reload a gun in 5 rounds, the Swift Reload feat
would allow him to reload the gun in only 4 rounds.
New Feat: Superior Gunnery: [General]
Prerequisites: Exotic Weapons Proficiency (Firearms)
You have learned to compensate for the innate inaccuracies of
the gunpowder firearm.
Benefit: All guns listed in this book may be fired up to ranges
10x the listed value. A person with the superior gunnery feat can
fire at targets up to 15 range increments distant, although still at a
-2 penal;ty per range increment beyond the first..
New Feat: Impaling Shot: [General]
You have learned to take advantage of line of sight to strike two
targets in line.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Dex 15+
Benefit: This feat is, in effect, a version of Cleave for ranged
weapons. If you a deal a creature enough damage to make it drop
with a ranged weapon (typically by dripping it to below 0 hit
points, killing it, etc.) you gain an immediate, extra ranged strike
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
against another creature in the line of sight. If there is no creature
immediate line of strike, no extra attack make be made. The
extra ranged strike is made with the same missile, with the prior
attack bonus. If the missile must travel far enough to enter a new
range increment, the bonus is further modified accordingly. You
can use this ability once per round.
New Feat: Greater Impaling Shot: [General]
You have learned to take advantage of line of sight to strike mul-
tiple targets in line.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Impaling Shot, Dex 15+, Base
attack bonus of +5 or higher
Benefit: As impaling shot, except that you have no restriction to
the number of times you can use it per round, as long as all tar-
gets are in the same line of sight.
Arbequis, Common (Serpentine Lock)
The matchlock arquebus was the first personal gunpowder
weapon to see widespread battlefield use. It used the same igni-
tion system as the earlier handgonnes, but was designed with a
stock generally similar to that of modern long arms, and had a
long, smaller bore barrel. Shooting sticks were standard to brace
the weapon, and a ramrod was generally held in a tube below the
weapon's barrel. The stock often had an inset box to hold patches
and extra match material. Reloading a matchlock follows gener-
ally the same proceedure as a handgonne, but is quicker due to
the ready access to the required tools.
The serpentine lock arquebus was a distinct step forward in gun
design. The burning match was now held by an S - shaped (or
serpentine) latch attached to the musket with a pivot in the mid-
dle. When the time came to fire, the bottom of the latch was
pulled towards the firer, pressing the lit match to the gun's touch
hole. This was the first 'trigger' on a gun. There were numerous
other improvements to these weapons, for instance the shooting
stick was now attached to the gun's stock near the muzzle and
hinged so that it could fold against the stock when not in use.
The gun's touch hole usually had a pan next to it to hold powder
for improved priming. Loading a serpentine lock firearm is simi-
lar to loading a matchlock, but various advances such as charge -
measuring powderhorns and improvements in training reduce
the required time.
France had the momentum after that. The English lost their best
field commander, then the Burgundians made a separate peace
with France, after concluding the war could not be won. Weak-
ness in the English Monarchy forced them to disadvantageous
truces with France again and again. As the English Monarchy
became embroiled in matters of succession, they found them-
selves unable to continue anything like an effective war with
France. In the end, with virtually every province they had ever
possessed lost to them but Calais, the English signed a compre-
hensive treaty and ended the Hundred Years War.
241
Wicks and Powder
The Wick material was cheap and easy to produce. The liquids
it was soaked in varied from linseed oil to kerosene, and wax-
ing was optional, although waxed cord had a better chance of
resisting soaking. Wick should cost 1 silver per 5 feet, and the
average firing requires 2-3 inches of wick, making it a cheap
expense. Powder, on the other hand, was expensive. Usually
stored in kegs and then portioned out into horns, powder could
cost as much or more than the gun, at least in the early 14th
century. 25 GP would get you a 5 pound keg, which resulted in
enough powder to fill 5 horns. Each horn (carrying a pound of
powder) was usually good for 10 musket shots (or 20 pistol
shots). Detonation of a 5 pound keg was something to be
greatly avoided (unless it was meant to be used as a bomb),
and could inflict up to 6d6 damage in the initial target square,
and 1d6 in all adjacent squares, (Reflex save DC 15 halves).
Larger kegs were certainly available, often up to 32 pounds.
As an alternative to the powder horn, 16th century or later
hunters and soldiers might wear a bandolier with a pouch for
shot, and up to one dozen wooden apostles, small wooden
vials that held a pre-packed charge for a given gun. Each
apostle was hollowed out to hold the approximate amount of
powder needed to fire the given pistol or musket, and could be
easily refilled from the keg while encamped. Apostles would
cost 1 GP a piece.]
Lance Rest
The lance rest was a simple device that could be bolted to suits
of Tournament Plate Armor. Basically a hook, often with a hinge,
so that it could be folded out of the way when the wearer was not
carrying a lance, the rest was underneath the right arm, slightly
above the waist, and the butt of the lance was placed on top of
that hook, so as to hold it in place. Once the lance was placed in
the lance rest, it was a great deal easier to carry and aim. The
lance rest conveys a +1 to the strike roll for any lance placed
within it, since the lance is held steady, and can be brought to
bear with more accuracy. Lance rests, as mentioned above, are
standard on Tournament Plate Armor. Should one wish to have a
lance rest built onto any other kind of plate armor, they may do
so at the cost of 25 gold for a normal lance rest and 40 gold for a
hinged rest.
Plate Armor, Tournament
Tournament Plate Armor was heavy, thick, and meant to with-
stand the impact of a charging knights lance. The damage two
men can inflict when charging at each other, lance vs lance, was
incredible, and tournament armor reinforced every area of the
body possible. It was also nearly impossible to walk in. Tourna-
ment Plate Armor armors the upper body almost exclusively, and
leaves the lower torso almost untouched. A short plate skirt cov-
ers some of the hip area, but, other than the boots, the leg portion
of tournament armor is actually attached to the horses saddle.
Many forms of tournament armor had shields bolted to the off
arm, making the protection of the shield a permanent feature,
and often immobilizing the upper arm. As well, although it was
 From Stone to Steel
technically illegal in the tournament, many suits of armor actu-
ally locked to the leg guard, effectively locking the knight into
the saddle, making him that much harder to unseat. Even as
heavily armored as they were, knights died in tournament jousts.
Impacts with the helmet could snap necks or cause brain dam-
age. Splintering lances (and they often splintered) could enter the
smallest of gaps in armor. The last joust in England ended with
Henry the Second dead, a splinter from a charging lance having
passed through his visor and into his head, killing him. Even the
constant pounding of lance to armor to flesh could cause broken
bones and concussions. There are a number of tales of knights
unhorsed who, dazed, leave the field, fall asleep, and die. No
matter how protective the armor was, the human body was
sometimes too fragile for the punishment meted upon it. Tourna-
ment Plate Armor has a lance rest built into it.
The Height of the Tournament Culture
The tournament culture hit a peak during the 14th century.
Tournaments would last for days, with the first two days regu-
larly being exhibitions. Exhibition competitions included
events that freemen could participate in, such as archery com-
petitions (popular in England), wrestling, horsemanship (both
to show the talent of the rider and to show the training of the
horse), duels between feuding knights (generally to first
blood), and tests of skill. The third day was usually the main
event, with jousting, one on one melee combats (with axes,
swords, and polearms, either blunt or sharp), even free for all
melee (where a number of knights were set in an arena and the
last knight standing won). Prizes for the winner of a joust were
often the armor and horse of the fallen knight, as well as a
modest sum for the winner of the competition. Jousts became
so well regulated that there were actual divisions of expertise,
and some nobles performed almost solely on the tournament
grounds, rather than the battlefield. It was an unofficial tradi-
tion for knights to sell back armor or mounts won from fellow
knights who might not have extra, but this tradition was not
enforced, and a poor knight might often needed to keep his
winnings. Some grew to depend on the winnings of tourna-
ments to make up for poor lands or empty titles. As the gun
grew more powerful on the battlefield, the tournament grew
less prominent, and tournaments devolved into parades, shows
of wealth, displays of horsemanship and maneuvers, or subtle
mockery.
Lance w/ Coronel
The coronel (crown) was made to protect the opponent during a
charge. The three-lobed head was intended to spread the power
of the lance over a larger space, dispersing the force and making
the lance a bludgeoning weapon. A heavy lance with a bludgeon-
ing head, the Lance with coronel was made only for tournament,
and was usually made of dried wood, so as to promote breakage.
The lance with the coronel does normal damage in a charge and
only x2 with the Spirited Charge Feat. It is highly suggested that
the damage rules to unseat be applied when attempting to simu-
late jousting.
242
Near the end of the Hundred Years War, the Ottomans, suffi-
ciently recovered from the attacks of Tamerlane, and having con-
solidated their power in the Balkans, moved forward again.
Crusades, lead by the Hungarians, and allied armies from
claimed territories, attempted to dislodge the Ottomans, but the
only major result of this was the incorporation of handguns in
the repertoire of the Janissaries. Then, for the first and last time,
the Turks finally laid siege to Constantinople, and won. Despite
Russian claims to the mantle of Rome, via the Orthodox Church
and the Varangian connection, this would be the last fall of the
True Rome. With Constantinople fallen, the Ottoman Turks
moved their capitol there, and they would never leave. For a
while it seemed the Turks would rest, now that all of Greece and
the Balkans was theirs. Still, they sat on Hungarys doorstep, and
their ships began to compete with Viennas at sea.
Prestige Class: Janissaries
The elite slave-warriors of the Ottoman Empire, the Janissaries
were the last in a great tradition of slaves who became greater
than the freemen. In Rome, the gladiators stole the minds and
hearts of their persecutors, drawing the Roman commoner into
the passion of their brutal lives. In Egypt the Mamelukes served
foreign rulers, prevented from embracing the One True Faith of
Islam until they overthrew their masters and became the power
behind the throne. In the Ottoman Empire the Janissaries started
as slaves from conquered territories, and they ended up nearly
ruling the Empire itself.
The Janissaries were selected from among those who were not
only strong but healthy and able to learn. Taken young, they
were given a rigorous education, taught warcraft and drills, tac-
tics and weaponry, as well as Islamic belief and literature, Arabic
language and writing. The Janissaries were given great freedoms
in exchange for their service to the Empire. Janissaries were
given great pay, and wives when they were deemed ready. They
were given rank in the army, and the privilege of being the first
on every battlefield. And they were given the right to choose
their weaponry. Whenever a new technology was developed or
taken from enemies, the Janissaries were given the first crack at
it. The Janissaries were given gunpowder weapons first, and
every one of the Janissaries took to carrying a gun as well as
their normal chosen weapons. Their familiarity with their
weapons gave them the offensive edge in combat. Their pride
and their prestige gave them a stake in the development of the
Empire. Regardless of their land of origin, the Janissaries were
the pride of the Empire.
Hit Die: d10
Requirements
To qualify to become a Janissary a character must fulfill all the
following criteria.
Minimum Statistic: STR 12, CON 12, INT 12
Base Attack Bonus: +1
Alignment: Any non-chaotic
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Special: A potential Janissary must be a prisoner of the
Ottomans; they were usually taken as tribute while children. or
citizen of a region captured by the Ottoman Empire. They must
pass rigorous inspection, and be deemed capable of adapting to
the lifestyle of a Janissary. They must complete the training regi-
ment of the Janissaries, including conversion to Islam. Should a
Janissary be deemed unfit or incapable of performing his duties,
they will be expelled from the Janissaries, and maybe exiled,
made a slave, or killed. Any member expelled from the Janis-
saries may retain any gained abilities, but cannot gain another
level of Janissary unless readmitted to the Janissaries. If this
class is used in a fantasy Empire, substitute Ottoman and Islam
for whatever Empire and/or Organization is most appropriate.

Class Skills
The Janissarys class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are
Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump
(Str), Knowledge (Islam), Knowledge (Islamic Literature), Ride
(Dex), Speak Language (Int), Swim (Str)
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int Modifier

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Janissary
prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Janissaries are proficient
with all simple weapons and martial weapons. They are also
proficient with light, medium, and heavy armors and shields.
Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather
apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump,
Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Weapons Training: The Janissary is given extensive weapons
training, and may select one weapon they are proficient with to
take the Weapon Focus feat with. Alternately, they may choose
one exotic weapon and take Exotic Weapon Proficiency with it.
Alternately, they may select one weapon they already have
Weapon Focus with and take Weapon Specialization with that
weapon, as per the Fighter feat in the Players Handbook.
Adaptive Tactics: The Janissaries were best known for their abil-
ity to adapt to the conditions of the battlefield and revise their tac-
tics to meet their challenges; no small feat, considering they did
this in the heat of battle. Few military groups were as resourceful,
and many of the later tactics of Europe and the Ottomans were
developed by Janissaries, often involving firearm use. At 2nd, 5th,
and 8th level, the Janissary gains a point of adaptive tactics. Each
point may be used, once per day, to make the following modifica-
tions after the roll of the diceAdd or subtract 1 from the armor
bonus, Add or subtract 1 from a strike roll, or Add or subtract 1
from a damage roll. Multiple points may be used on the same roll,
but points do not return until after the first full nights sleep
(which might not be so common during a campaign).
Second Wind: The Janissary can push through exhaustion and
continue to fight effectively. A Janissary may ignore the first 2
points of any fatigue modifier.

243
 From Stone to Steel
Table 7-2: Janissary
Class Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
st
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Weapons Training
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Adaptive Tactics
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Second Wind
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Adaptive Tactics
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Prestige
7th +7 +5 +2 +2
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Adaptive Tactics
9th +9 +6 +3 +3
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Prestige

Prestige: Despite being slaves, the Janissaries gained prestige, either looking to Constantinoples fall or the rebuilding after the
and could gain certain privileges with it. At 6th Level a Janissary Hundred Years War, the Polish did not have to worry about retri-
may wed (multiple times, if his income permits), have his own bution from a conflict with the Teutonic Knights.
dwelling, carry a mid-level rank when dealing with regular sol-
When the war was finally declared, the Teutons had already
diers, and move freely within any city at which he is billeted. At
managed to drum up support in a number of German Duchies,
10th Level, a Janissary is given a royal pension, giving him a reg-
most notably Saxony and Brandenburg. Although the Polish and
ular income beyond his soldiers pay, for life, of 10x his soldier
Prussian forces possessed better artillery and included some of
pay (or 1d6 X 1000 gp, if no pay is given). At 10th level he also
the unreliable but new matchlock pistols to great effect, the Teu-
gains General-level rank when dealing with regular soldiers, and
tons were able to use the new support to great effect, holding the
freedom to travel anywhere within the Empire when not on cam-
Polish forces back and retaking portions of Eastern Prussia. The
paign. In history, Janissaries eventually gained enough power
Polish sued for peace, asking that Brandenburgian mediators be
and prestige to control the Sultanate for a while, until they were
used to negotiate the settlement. But the Teutonic Grand Master
brutally suppressed and disbanded.
refused. Seeing an advantage, the Teutons pressed forward.

Kinzhal
A small, curved knife carried by the Turks, the Kinzhal was con-
sidered as much a badge of citizenship as it was a weapon. Most
Turks did not even consider it a weapon when they were
required to disarm, such as before entering a palace or temple. In
a Turkish city this was not a problem, and only the most para-
noid of rulers would prevent a citizen from carrying a Kinzhal.
However, in the land of a foreign power, this practice sometimes
lead to international incidents.
In Prussia and Pommerania, the rule of the Teutonic Knights was
wearing thin. As the Hansa Cities prospered and German culture
promoted a sense of independence in these areas, a coalition of
anti-Teutons developed to protest the rule of the Teutonic
Knights. They were accused of being backwards, antiquated, and
too restrictive of hereditary freedoms, all claims that were often
leveled at unpopular rulers. Indeed, when the coalition presented
their grievances to the Holy Roman Emperor, he demanded that
the coalition disband and submit to the Teuton authorities. The
alliance then turned their pleas to the Polish king.
Poland, at this time, was not the dominating powerhouse it
would become. Since Poland and Lithuania shared a common
royal family, Poland could normally draw on the support of the
larger and more robust Lithuanian nation, but at this time both
countries were at odds, so Lithuania refused to even entertain
Polands entry into the conflict. But with most of the world
Pistol, Matchlock and Serpentine Lock
The pistol was a definite advance, a shorter gun that could still
inflict sizeable damage. Matchlock pistols were often braced on
the arm, and lit from a match held in the mouth. Serpentine Lock
pistols did not enjoy the foot of their longer cousins but the pow-
der required to fire a pistol was just half that of the longer guns,
which saved on supplies while still allowing a man to carry a
potent weapon on his person.
Serpentine lock pistols were fairly common also, especially
among the cavalry. They were less powerful and accurate that a
long gun, and nearly as cumbersome to reload, but they only
required one hand to fire.
Poland used the time bought in seeking negotiations to call up
armies even into Russian territory, recruiting Slavic and Tartar
forces and mercenaries from all over. When war restarted, the
Polish army was larger than before, while the Teutons had no
new armies. The tide slowly turned against the Teutons. Merce-
naries turned against the Knights and sold three castles to the
Poles. For a brief time the Poles occupied the Teutonic capitol,
but it was not to be. The Grand Master retook his capitol, and the
tide turned once more.
Back and forth it seesawed, until the king turned command of
the army over to an able bodied general not of noble birth. Piotr
Dunin lead more effective offensives, and slowly Poland made

244
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
ground against the Teutons. Negotiations were heated, with both Great Axe, Flamberge, and Zwiehander
parties unwilling to come to compromise over the ownership of Men of great character and bravery required great weapons. The
Prussia. It would take 5 years of negotiation, punctuated by weapons of the Landsknecht seemed almost oversized, although
bloody sieges and capture of fortresses and cities by the Polish to they drew from the tradition of the Swiss Guard, defenders of
force the Teutonic Knights to give up Prussia to Poland. Part of Switzerland and aggressive social militants. The Great Axe was
the agreement allowed the Teutons to continue to rule a portion just short of a polearm, a heavy, two handed axe, often with a
of Prussia as a vassal to Poland, while the Grand Master of the long-dropping lower tooth that could be used to shield trap, The
Teutonic Knights was given the title of Senator of the Polish Flamberge was a weapon of intimidation more than a truly
kingdom. The immediate benefit for Poland was coastline, potent variant, a two-handed sword whose blade became wavy
which gave them the ability to form a fleet and improve their about half way along its four foot blade. The Zwiehander, how-
trade. As well it gave them access to the Hansa and to the com- ever, is the weapon that would become common among most
munity of German thought, which allowed them to improve their mercenary units in Europe. Literally, the Two Hander, the
tactics and have a better chance of recruiting mercenaries. Zwiehander is a reach weapon, a sword with a six foot blade,
broad and heavy, with straight, unflourished quillions. The
Zwiehander required tremendous strength to wield effectively,
but its damage made it popular. All three weapons common to
The Beginning the Landknecht were used both to maim the opposition and to
sunder their enemies pikes before a charge.
of the Renaissance
Across Europe new weapons and armor were being developed.
The Renaissance was a philosophical movement, spurred on by
In Italy a new style of sword was being developed. Long but
rediscoveries and new advances in science that lent man new
with a thin, light blade, the rapier was quickly adopted by the
insights into the workings of the world around him. It stressed
dueling culture. Behind this culture new schools of thought,
freedom and individuality, reason and pursuit of knowledge.
inspired by the Renaissance Reason and Science movements,
Advances in ship construction allowed Portugual to sail around
were being developed to make warfare more scientific and per-
Africa to circumvent the Silk Roads exorbitant prices and bring
fect individual fighting styles. This movement would lead to
new trade to Europe. This lead to better steel refinement, which
schools of fencing and warfare. In Germany Plate Armor grew
would yet again improve steel. It also allowed Columbus to sail
to the New World in search of a more direct route to China. The
initial battles with the natives of America were brief, deadly, and 32
in favor of the Europeans.
Near the end of the 15th century, the Landsknecht movement
started in the Holy Roman Empire. The Landsknecht were com-
moner mercenaries who had become experts at heavy infantry 33
warfare, being trained with pikes, polearms, great axes, two
handed swords, and gunnery, as well as crossbowmanship. The
Landsknecht were given specific rights by the Holy Roman
Emperor, in exchange for their service as high quality mercenar-
ies. First, they were allowed to carry and keep their weapons at
all times. Second, they were given the right to wear anything
they chose. Lastly, they were given the right to determine their 31
own internal hierarchy. The Landsknecht would be a major force
on the battlefield well into the 17th century, and their creation and
growth would underline the new face of war- one where merit,
more than family name, was most important.

Landsknecht Matchlock and Arbequis

Otherwise similar to their common cousin, the Landsknecht
guns also doubled as clubs, their heavy butts reinforced and
bulky, to improve the impact. Thus a Landsknecht could fire a
few times and then swing their guns at a charging foe, adding
usefulness to the weapon. Later versions of the gun would be
appropriately reinforced to use as clubs, and the Landsknecht
practice spread to common usage.
31. Kinzhal; 32. Serpentine Lock Pistol; 33. Landsknecht
Arbequis

245
 From Stone to Steel
even heavier, entering into its high Maximillian period. Max-
imillian plate would be the most robust pure plate armor that
would ever be seen on the battlefield. It attempted to rectify the
imbalance brought by the addition of gunpowder weapons,
although it never proved sufficiently protective. Still, refining the
standards would be a halmark of the 16th century. Refinements
of battlefield common weapons lead to more elegant versions,
like the Backsword, Bec-de-Corbin, Berdiche, Chaves-Souris,
Dagger Mace, Doloire, Fist Mace, Hurlbat, Jeddart Axe, Lucerne
Hammer, Main Gauche, Saber Halberd, and Thrusting Axe.
Rapier, Early
The early rapier was a simple, straight sword, with a thinner blade
than the longsword, and a simple hilt guard. Used as personal
defense for Italian nobility, rapier usage gradually spread all over
Europe, becoming the weapon of gentlemen, scholars, and those
who fancied themselves educated. The rapier would be the source
of a great deal of writing, as scholars and philosophers seeking to
understand the science of personal combat. You can use the
Weapon Finesse Feat with the rapier, in order to use your dexter-
ity bonus rather than your strength bonus in attack rolls.
do you incur all the normal attack penalties associated with
fighting with two weapons as if you are using a one-handed
weapon and a light weapon. A creature using a double weapon in
one hand, such as a Large creature using a bec-de-corbin, cannot
use it as a double weapon.
Berdiche
The berdiche is a huge axe, two handed, which was used in East-
ern Europe and Russia. The berdiche has a very large axe head
with a rising edge that can be used for quick thrusts. The
berdiche was a very effective footmans weapon, made to cleave
through plate, and it was much feared in the hands of a well-
trained user.
Dagger and Fist Maces
Not unlike the fist maces of China, European fist maces were a
merger of artistry and warcraft. The fist mace merely resembled

Landsknecht Fashion
The Landsknecht, given the right to wear whatever they chose,
tended to wear extremely motley garb. Battle often caused 34 35 36
clothing to rip and tear, and for the Landsknecht, each battle
became a chance to restore their clothing by salvaging cloth-
ing after the battle. If a shirt was torn, perhaps only the sleeves
were salvageable, and so those were taken and tied or sewn
onto another shirt. Perhaps a pair of pantaloons were holed.
These pantaloons were likely patched with any material found
nearby, making the average Landsknecht appear almost
clown-like, often with clothes of varying value, hue, and style.
Cheerful and comedic as such clothing might seem to chil-
dren, the attire of a Landsknecht did far more to explain what
occupation they had than any title or scar ever would.

Backsword
A sort of cross between a scimitar and a broadsword, the
backsword was a much more solid weapon, but without the
grace of its lighter relative. The backsword was so named
because it was usually carried on a sheath over the back, and was
popular both on ships, as an alternate to the cutlass, and among
mercenaries. The backsword, as a single edged, short, slightly
curved weapon, was common in much of Europe.

Bec-de-Corbin
The bec-de-corbin (Ravens Beak) is a French polearm, effec-
tively a reach warhammer. The weapon head had a four-pronged
hammer, and a pick on the opposite head, with a short thrusting
spike on the top. The butt of the bec-de-corbin was often spiked
as well. The bec-de-corbin can be used as a double weapon,
using the head as the primary weapon and the butt end of the
weapon as a light staff weapon. When using the bec-de-corbin as
a double weapon, it does not count as a reach weapon, but if you 34. Great Axe; 35. Flamberge; 36. Zwiehander

246
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
37 38 39 41a
40
41b
44
37. Early Rapier; 38. Backsword; 39. Bed-de-Corbin; 40. Berdiche; 41a. Fist Mace; 41b. Dagger Mace; 42. Lochaber Axe; 43. Jed-
dart Axe; 44. Lucerne Hammer; 45. Main Gauche; 46. Saber Halberd; 47. Thrusting Axe; 48. Misericorde
a fist, and, other than its elegant design, it was nothing more than
that. The dagger mace looked like a fist carrying a dagger, and
the dagger portion could be used much like a pick, although
without the same effect, since the dagger was a blade, rather than
a spike. Both maces were more common in Venice and Italy.
Hurlbat
The Hurlbat is the spiritual descendant of the francisca. A light
throwing axe, the hurlbat is made entirely of steel, and the haft is
a flat rectangular piece of steel with two sharpened points at
either end. The Hurlbat was used by horsemen, and thrown
before battle. The sharpened points meant that most contact
points were likely to damage an opponent, rather than just the
axe blade. The Hurlbat was a Germanic weapon.
Lochaber and Jeddart Axes
Both axes from Scotland, these pole weapons were axes of a
similar theme, with a heavy chopping blade on one side and a
hook on the other. The jeddart axe had the top edge of the axe
swept up into a thrusting point, while the lochaber axe was not
247
45
42
47
48
43 46
quite as effective for thrusting. Either weapon was most feared
for its simple hook, however, which was very effective for
pulling riders off of horses. Neither weapon was a reach weapon.
Hammer, Lucerne
The Lucerne hammer was similar to the bec-de-corbin, a reach
polearm with a warhammer head. However, the rear spike was
slightly curved, the better to unseat a rider, and the thrusting
spike was replaced with a double edged sword-like blade that
stretched about 810 inches above. Some versions had a spike at
the base of the weapon, however those that didnt were best used
to set against a charge. Either spiked or unspiked version could
be used a double weapon. When using the lucerne hammer as a
double weapon, it does not count as a reach weapon, but if you
do you incur all the normal attack penalties associated with
fighting with two weapons as if you are using a one-handed
weapon and a light weapon. A creature using a double weapon in
one hand, such as a Large creature using a lucerne hammer, can-
not use it as a double weapon.
 From Stone to Steel
Main Gauche
Literally, left hand, the main gauche was a parrying dagger,
intended to be used as an off-hand weapon and to block strikes
the primary weapon could not. The main gauche often had an
exaggerated hilt, the kind more commonly found on much larger
blades, in order to aide in blocking and disarming maneuvers.
The main gauche has particular use for Duelists.
Halberd, Saber
A halberd with the thrusting point replaced with a length of saber
blade, the saber halberd was not quite as popular as its progeni-
tor. The saber halberd was an attempt to make a kind of fencing
polearm, in order to give polearm wielders more range in
maneuvers. However, the added length of the saber made the
weapon awkward, and only those that take exotic proficiency
with the saber halberd can use it as a double weapon. When
using the saber halberd as a double weapon, it does not count as
a reach weapon, but if you do you incur all the normal attack
penalties associated with fighting with two weapons as if you are
using a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. A creature using
a double weapon in one hand, such as a Large creature using a
saber halberd, cannot use it as a double weapon.
Axe, Thrusting
The thrusting axe was an experiment with certain common
workers axes, most notably the doloire or workmans axe, to
give the axe more versatility in combat. The doloire was one of
any number of workmans axes, sometimes with a rising upper
end to the axe blade. The thrusting axe drew that rising blade
into a full-fledged thrusting blade, making the thrusting axe both
a chopping and thrusting single-handed weapon. It was easy to
use, and light, often carried as a backup weapon, and some sap-
pers were known to carry it rather than the mining axe.
Misericorde
Called the mercy blade and named for a prayer for mercy, the
misericorde was a small thrusting knife, carried by knights, to
put a mortally wounded knight out of his misery. The miseri-
corde had a four-sided blade (square cross-section), and was
very capable of piercing plate armor with a weighty shove. The
misericorde was rarely used for anything other than a coupe-de-
grace, and was only used when the foe was determined without
hope of recovery.
Plate Armor, Maximillian
Named for the Emperor who introduced it, Maximillian plate
armor is the heaviest, most well made plate armor constructed.
Crafted in a variety of forms, Maximillian plate armor was never
mass produced, and each item, individually tailored and crafted,
is already considered masterwork (and the masterwork bonus is
reflected in the statistics). Maximillian armor came in a great
variety of forms, from pleated and crimped suits looking like
great metal shells to austere, unburnished metal suits that could
look at home in a cathedral. Maximillian plate armor was only
owned by the rich.
248
Wheellock Muskets and Pistols
The wheel lock was the first mechanical firearm action. They
used clockwork gears and springs to spin a flint or carborundum
coated wheel against a metal plate, shooting a stream of sparks
into the firing pan. This system was a great improvement as it no
longer required a lit match to be carried at all times, and was also
far more resistant to wet weather (+10 circumstance bonus). For
the first time, it was possible to carry a gun that was ready for
action at a moment's notice. Unfortunately, wheellocks were
extremely expensive and fairly fragile. They were also mainte-
nance intensive - the wheel needs replacement after every 20
shots or so (20gp) as well as the drive spring every 50 shots or so
(25 gp and a craft: gunsmith check DC20). Field repairs to bro-
ken wheel locks are difficult, as fine tools and a work space are
needed. Due to these restrictions, no army ever equipped more
than a handful of soldiers with wheel lock guns, and the arque-
bus still remained the battlefield standard.
With the advent of the wheel lock, multi barrel guns began to
spring up - at least among the nobility. This gave the opportinity
for a follow up shot before reloading. Two barrels were generally
the limit for the period, and such a weapon would cost triple and
would also have to be masterwork. No gunsmith would build
such a complex custom job without making it his very best
work. Both barrels could be fired at once (- 6 attack penalty to
both shots), though this wasn't the intent. Obviously, each barrel
takes the full time to reload.
Wheel locks followed the same basic drill for reloading, though
there was one new step; every 5 shots or so, the mechanism
needed to be rewound like a clock (a standard action). Waxed
paper cartridges holding premeasured powder charges were now
being produced, and this and other improvements further
speeded the reload process.
Early in the 16th century guns also had a number of revolution-
ary breakthroughs. The wheellock would be invented, which
made the use of guns more reliable. In addition, better metals
lead to more durable barrels, which could take being packed
with more powder. Damascened guns, which were manufac-
tured exclusively in Spain, were much more durable, and were
able to be packed with more gunpowder, allowing a more
forceful blast and greater range. The gun was still highly
innaccurate, but in large numbers, when used against a massed
line, their effects were deadly.
The statistics for the damascened versions indicate a barrel
fully packed, although it can be fired with a lesser charge, like
the regular wheellock, and use the regular wheellocks damage
and range stats.
Rifled barrels started becoming available about this time. In
general, a rifle is double the cost of a smoothbore, has a 50%
greater range increment, and requires one more full action to
reload.
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
During the time that the Ottomans halted movement in Europe,
they began a southern expansion. Moving through Mameluke
territory, they established dominance in Palestine and Northern
Egypt. They attempted to completely wipe out the Mameluke
forces, but could not pursue them up the Nile effectively. The
enmity between the Mamelukes and the Ottomans would lead to
many wars between them in the future. The Ottomans, aided by
their growing fleets, also attacked and vassalized Algiers and
Tunisia, although they did not extend their thrust to Morroco.
For a short time they landed in the Papal States and took a port
city, but they were driven back as much by the ire of much of
Christendom as they were by the Papal forces. The Ottomans
took Cyprus, and challenged the ownership of Crete and Iona,
although Venice would also expand its island holdings in the
Mediterranian, leading to conflict between both nations and a
general mistrust of Venice by European powers who saw their
expansion as ambition.
Nations like Spain and Portugal began to turn their eyes west-
ward. The Portuguese were consummate sailors, but Spains
navy was huge, and they saw westward expansion as a way to
get in on the trade explosion. The Treaty of Tordesillas was
enacted by Pope Alexander the Fourth to prevent conflict over
who would have claim to the new lands of America, and it estab-
lished a latitude line that gave much of South America and North
America to Spain while Portugal received mainly the area of
land that makes up modern Brazil. Westward expansion would
begin with Spain and Portugual, but eventually England, France,
and the as yet unformed Netherlands would follow.
Expansion into the New World had a great number of conse-
quences. The New World had valuable resources that brought
high prices on the European market, tobacco chief amongst
these. Spain would reintroduce the conquistadore practice, and
would look on the native inhabitants of the New World as primi-
tive subjects to be administered as lower than serfs. Illness
would spread through native populaces as contact between the
colonizers and the natives of the New World increased, some-
times decimating whole tribes. Similar patterns would be seen in
sub-Saharan Africa, Deccan India, and South East Asia, when
colonization hit those areas, although many of the illnesses were
already known there. But trade did flourish with some tribes, as
well, and metal craft would eventually be shared, leading to a

50a

50b

49

51a 51b 53
51c

52

49. Maximillian Plate Armor; 50a. Wheel Lock Musket; 50b. Wheel Lock Pistol; 51a. Executioner's Sword; 51b. Executioner's Axe;
51c Hurlbat; 52. Russian Double Chainmail; 53. Late Steel Scimitar

249
 From Stone to Steel
few new weapons of American origin, primarily the steel ver- claiming most of southern Hungary, and political pressure forced
sions of the tomahawk and the North American lance. the Hungarian monarch to join with Austrias royal family to sur-
vive, making Hungary a part of Austria and establishing the Aus-
Early in the 16th century a religious schism would change the
trio-Hungarian Empire. Suleyman would lay siege to Vienna, as
face of Europe and lead to a whole new age of warfare. Martin
part of a temporary alliance with France to try and overthrow the
Luther, with his 95 theses, began a move against the church that
influential Hapsburg domination of the Holy Roman Empire,
lead to the foundation of Protestantism. Protestantism started as
however he would never take the city. After Suleyman, no
an outcry against many of the inconsistencies and hypocritical
Ottoman Emperor would reach this height again. The Ottoman
practices endemic in the Roman Catholic Church, but early
Empire had peaked, controlling land from Hungary to
chances for a dialog between the Roman church and the nascent
Mesopotamia to Northern Africa, as well as dominating the
Protestant movement were ignored, and no reconciliation was
Mediterranian and being a force in the Red Sea and the Indian
possible later in this century, after the Council of Trent. The
Ocean. The Ottoman dream of reestablishing the Caliphate
Counter-Reform movement in the Roman Catholic church
would never be realized.
would remove the possibility for establishing effective commu-
nication between both groups, and Protestantism and its sister
movement of Reformism would spread through many of the Russian Double Chainshirt and Chainmail
areas of Europe that had had the most difficulty with the Roman Double chainmail involved a six ring pattern of chain weaving,
Catholic doctrine. not dissimilar to hexes on a hex grid. Each chain was linked with
6 others, which greatly increased the density of the chain and
War over religion became quite common. England, after Henry reduced some of its flexibility. This made chainmail less easy to
the Eighth split with the Roman Catholic church, would face penetrate, even by impaling weapons. Evidence of similar chain-
multiple attempted invasions and a political succession that mail in Celtic graves has often been sited as the origin for this
would see-saw back and forth over the policy of the established kind of armor, but lack of battle evidence for this suggests that
state religion. Religious groups would travel throughout Europe, the more elaborate pattern was rejected as too complex for real
establishing colonies in more permissive provinces or going over use. Some of Russias neighbors also took to using double chain,
seas to New World territories to escape the religious conflict in although not quite as universally as Russia did.
Europe. The Holy Roman Empire would be torn apart by the
schism of Christianity, and warfare, as often as not, would use
Scimitar, Late Steel
religion as cover for expansionism, as state would conquer state
The Scimitar, long in arriving, saw entry into Europe from the
to attempt to enforce a change of religion and control. A series of
Turks. Either made of late or damascened steel, the scimitar was
peasant revolts would force the nobles to brutally suppress the
every bit as useful as the longsword, and more common in Islamic
populace to maintain their power, helping to brew the powder
lands. Still, no European would use a scimitar, since it was consid-
keg that would eventually destroy many German monarchies.
ered the weapon of heathens, and eastern cultures that did adopt
the scimitar were often declared enemies of Christianity.
Executioners Axe and Sword
Although many means of execution were available in the
Lamellar, Late Steel
Medieval and Renaissance period, execution by axe or sword
Lamellar remained a popular armor in the East, common in
was most common. The executioners sword was a broadsword
fallen Byzantium, Turkey, Poland, Southern Russia, the
without a thrusting point, and the axe was often a simplified bat-
Khanates, and Arab lands. Steel versions capitalized on its sim-
tleaxe. Neither weapon was made to the specifications of a battle
ple construction, and often plates were burnished or decorated
version of the weapon, and they were more likely to break, as a
with script or images, when the money was available. Leather
result. Executioners were often wandering tradesmen, who
ties were often studded, to make the armor appear more martial.
offered their services to the lord of a region as they passed
through. Those that were carpenters often were able to construct During this time the Polish army began a large shift in policy
gallows and coffins with equal ease, and most executioners spe- and practice. Knights, already becoming irrelevant due to the
cialized in a specific kind of execution. high concentration on gunnery in the Polish army, were being
replaced by Hussar cavalry. The Hussar cavalrymen were lightly
The Ottomans took advantage of this situation, certainly. A great
armored at first, carrying only a large shield for defense, and a
deal of Ottoman gold was sent to support fledgling Protestant
lance, pistol, and saber for attack. As the 16th century progressed
nations. The Ottomans sought to expand into Europe even more,
they would add a chainshirt or segmented breastplate armor to
and a Europe in Chaos was a Europe that could not defend itself.
the mix, as well as a light skins for decoration. The Hussars were
As well, they were increasingly worried about the Russian terri-
a light, fast unit, intended to strike quickly to cause maximum
tories, which were beginning to expand aggressively, conquering
shock in their foes. With fanciful wings on wooden frames
crumbling Khanates and Turkic states in Central Asia. Russia
behind them, the Hussars appeared to be half-feral avenging
would continue to expand nearly unchecked, throughout the 16th
angels on charging striders.
century, uniting the Russian territory under the once inconse-
quential Moscovite nation. The Ottomans pressed forward,

250
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
54
55
54. Late Steel Lamellar; 55. Segmented Breastplate with Hussar Wings; 56. Czekan; 57. Nadziak; 58. Oubuch
Breastplate, Segmented
Made of riveted sections and often attached at the back of the
open-faced helmet, the segmented breastplate of the Hussars was
a gorgeous armor, stately and every bit the appearance of martial
strength. Backed with chain over the arms and waist, the seg-
mented breastplate left exceptional mobility to the Hussar, and
was just as useful on foot as in the saddle. Often, a wooden
frame was attached with screws before a battle, to bear the Hus-
sars wings.
Later in the century the Poles would begin experimenting with a
slightly heavier cavalry. They would employ Russian double
chainmail, and would wield short lances, sabres, pistols, car-
bines, bows, as well as one of the three popular Polish warham-
mers, the oubuch, nadziak and czekan. For those who could
afford it, some would make the stock of their warhammers into
carbines, to augment their already formidable armament. The
Hussars would remain a lighter force, but they would add the
Hussar sabre, a longer sword intended only for charges.
251
56 57
58
Hussar Wings
Attached to the back of their Hussar armor, the wings were
made of two curving wooden frames that were lined with
eagle feathers. Graceful, yet simple, there was no combat
value to the Hussar wings. Most likely, like the bone hair pipe
breastplate of the Native Americans, the Hussar Wings were
added for psychological shock, to undermine the determina-
tion of enemy foes. The appearance of a Hussar in shining
armor, with wings and animal skin, racing towards a standing
line would very well have been imposing. In a fantasy world,
wings of this kind might well be enchanted with shining auras
to intimidate or flight ability to allow a flying Hussar to
engage a foe without need for a steed.
Czekan, Nadziak, and Oubuch
The Poles were proud of their warhammers, and carried them
everywhere, much to the chagrin of non-Polish hosts. Each ham-
mer had its own unique features. The Czekan was simple, a ham-
mer with an axe head on the opposite side. The Nadziak had a
fancy, hexagonal hammer head, and a drooping pick on the
opposite side, excellent for shield trapping. The oubuch had a
simpler hammer head, and a curved hook, made to pull riders
 From Stone to Steel
from saddles (as trip). All three hammers were banned from pub-
lic use multiple times by the monarchs of Poland, although these
laws were rarely enforced.
About half way through the 16th Century a number of provinces
of Dutch heritage, then under the control of Spain, via an inheri-
Melee Weapons with Guns
In the 15th century a few nobles experimented with building
guns into standard melee weapons. Eventually the novelty of
this practice grew very popular among nobility, and many
maces, battleaxes, and hammers were made with guns inside
them. As the versatility of these novelties became evident, the
craze spread to other types of weapons. The Cossacks, for
example, were known for building guns into their warham-
mers. Certain elite bodyguards built guns into their halberds or
partisans. The utility of having a weapon that could also fire at
range made the expense and drawbacks seem insignificant for
those who could afford and desire them.
Any medium or larger weapon with a metal or wooden haft
may have a gun built into it. Only pistols may be built into a
medium weapon, although either a pistol or a long arm may be
built into any large weapon. Any kind of pistol from the ser-
pentine lock variety forward may be chosen. Statistics for the
60 61 62a 62b 63
66
59a. Snaphaunce detail; 59b. Snaphaunce pistol; 60. Cutlass; 61. Long Rapier; 62a. Schiavona; 62b. Schiavona hilt detail; 63.
Schnepfer; 64. Tuck; 65. Target; 66. Lantern Shield
252
gun built into the weapon are identical, however the Hardness
and Hit Points are as per the weapon with one noted differ-
enceThe pistol subtracts 1d3 hit points from the weapons
hit points, since the weapon is inherently weakened by the
addition of the gun.
Guns built into the weapon have a very high chance of being
damaged when the weapon is used as a melee weapon. Any
time the weapon takes damage, there is a 50% chance that the
built in guns mechanism is broken and becomes inoperable.
Thus, the gun will likely need to be repaired frequently. Most
guns built into weapons were expected to fire just once before
the wielder was in melee anyway. Building a weapon into a
gun costs three times as much as the weapon and gun would
cost combined. plus the masterwork cost
Guns were also built, from time to time, into shields. Any
Small, Large, or Great Steel shield may have a gun built into
the boss of the shield. Using a gun in this manner does not
negate the protective capacity of the shield. Building a weapon
into a shield costs three times as much as the shield and gun
would cost combined plus the cost of masterwork.
tance from Austria (Burgundy), revolted against Spain and estab-
lished independence. Calling themselves the Netherlands, they
were the first of what are termed the New Nations, a state that
64 65
59b
59a
 From Stone to Steel
did not previously exist that established its own governance in
and after the Age of Reason. The Netherlands were a unique sit-
uation, where an ethnic group that did not have a previous his-
tory of independence rose up and established nationhood in an
already stratified region. It was also the first state established
with a Reformed religion, rather than converted to one. The
Dutch would prosper quickly, and would join the colonialist
nations quickly, settling in the New World as well as establishing
colonies in Africa and India. Spain, on the other hand, would see
rocky times ahead, as it entered war with England over domi-
nance of the oceans.
At roughly this same time the gun became the primary weapon
on the battlefield, surpassing the pike and sword. Infantry whose
primary role was to carry a musket were called Musketeers.
Musketeers wore no armor, carried no shield, and likely only
carried simple weapons, although a rich sponsor might provide
them with a Melee Weapon Gun, as detailed above. Such sol-
diers were expected to fire as often as possible until the pike
walls and cavalry engaged, then fall back and look for opportu-
nities. If they were ever attacked, they more than likely ran.
France, as well as a number of other countries, kept an elite
guard of musketeers as a royal bodyguard, and though they also
rarely sported armor, they were usually far better trained and for-
midable than the common Musketeer. Many of them, in fact,
were active duelists.
Snaphaunce Muskets and Pistols
In an effort to build a gun that had many of the advantages of the
wheel lock at an affordable price, the shaphaunce action was
The Rise of Privateers
Sometimes referred to as the Age of Sail, the Renaissance
included great developments in ship technology and a greater
interest and boldness about the sea. Piracy had always been an
issue, throughout history, but with the development of faster
craft and inclusion of cannon on ships, nations often commis-
sioned privateers to ply the seas, raiding enemy shipping and
otherwise causing havoc on the high seas. Historical figures
like John Hawkins, Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh all sailed as
privateers for England, for example, raiding Spanish holdings
in the New World, even targeting the renowned Treasure
Fleets, which brought back gold and valuables from the
colonies for the Spanish coffers. Buccaneers and pirates are
one of the largest European sources for adventurers in all of
history.
concieved. This design had a spring loaded hanmmer holding a
piece of flint. When the trigger was pulled, the hammer scraped
the flint along a rough metal striker plate, showering sparks into
the pan. The snaphaunce was more vulnerable to weather than a
wheel lock, only providing a +5 circumstance bonus. Generally
seen as more delicate and less reliable than the arquebus, the
snaphaunce was more successful in private use than military.
The flint needs to be replaced every 25 shots or so, at negligable
253
cost. Double barreled shaphaunces follow the same rules as
wheel locks.
The Rise of Personal
Weaponry
With the lance and gun dominating warfare in the 16th and 17th
centuries, the sword would go into decline. Sabers would see
greater use on the battlefield, while pistols and cutlasses would
be more common on the sea. In Italy the rapier would become
more and more popular as an elegant weapon for the gentleman
and noble, and development and understanding of the rapier
would lead to the long rapier and the dominance of basket hilts.
Swept Hilts and Basket Hilts
Swept and Basket hilts were invented to protect the hand
wielding a sword. While they do not add an armor bonus, they
do have beneficial effects during certain combat maneuvers. A
swept hilt is a hilt with a great degree of filigree on the guard
work, but the guard itself is not closed. Made to block a slid-
ing blade and to trap a miss-timed thrust, a sword with a swept
hilt reduces an opponents attempt to disarm you by 1 (-1 to
any opponents disarm check) and adds a +1 to any disarm
check you may make if your opponent fails to disarm you.
A basket hilt, on the other hand, is a thicker, more solid guard,
which protects the hand and prevents disarms. A basket hilted
sword reduces an opponents attempt to disarm you by 2 (-2 to
any opponents disarm check), although it does not confer any
bonus to the react disarm check.
Swept and basket hilts take time, effort, and skill to craft, and
any sword (other than those that list these properties in their
description) so equipped costs 25% more than a normal ver-
sion of that sword would cost. Thus, a shortsword with a bas-
ket hilt would cost 12 gold and 5 silvers (original cost of 10
gold *1.25 = 12.5 gold).
Cutlass
The cutlass was a thinner version of the backsword, and the most
common weapon on the seas, able to cut rigging as swiftly as
flesh. Since armor on the sea was light, the cutlass did not
require the heavy weight of a larger sword, and a pistol was
often used in the off hand.
Rapier, Long
The long rapier was designed according to theories that sug-
gested a longer, lighter blade could inflict more damage than the
original rapier. Well over three feet in length, but light, the rapier
often sported a swept or basket hilt. Like the early rapier, the
long rapier can be used with the Weapon Finesse Feat, in order
 From Stone to Steel
to use your dexterity bonus rather than your strength bonus in
attack rolls.
Schiavona, Schnepfer, Tuck, Verdun, and Claymore
All four of these blades featured advanced hilts, and were used
among the educated fighters and duelists. The schiavona was
Venetian, a broadsword with a basket hilt, while the schnepfer
was Swiss, a slightly lighter saber, also sporting a basket hilt.
The tuck was likely a Scottish or English blade, commissioned
from Spain, and thin, straight, elegant, with a swept hilt, while
the verdun was likely made in Italy, but French in origin, also of
a swept hilt. Experimentation with these dueling weapons fueled
dueling culture among the nobles, and increased its popularity.
There was even a one-handed version of the claymore that bore
a basket hilt. Although not as potent as its predecessor, it shows
the amount of experimentation that was going on with personal
weaponry.
Schools of fighting and warcraft, as mentioned before, were not
new. The Marxbruder is often sited as the first, and it was estab-
lished in the late 15th century. Training manuals from the 15th and
early 16th century showed that a variety of fighting styles were
already becoming popular. In fact, cloak and dagger fighting,
where a cloak was carried in the off hand, rather than a shield,
was already an established dueling practice in the early 16th cen-
tury. The main gauche (literally, the left hand) was developed as
a parrying dagger. Small shields, called targets, were also rela-
tively common in duels, and were a slightly larger style of buck-
ler. Styles of fighting with two rapiers, called Florentine, since it
was most popular in Florence, were experimented with, requir-
ing good dexterity and awareness. Even lantern fighting with a
bullseye lantern was experimented with.
Target
The target was a small shield (basically a buckler), wooden or
steel, and usually square or round, carried in the hand. Used in
certain kinds of fencing, the target was intended for active
defense, as it really covered very little of the combatant. Most
target wielders were duelers, and the target saw only limited bat-
tlefield use.
Shield, Lantern
The Lantern Shield was an experiment of sorts, that went a tad
wild. Invented in Italy, and made to take advantage of lantern
fencing, the lantern shield was a large shield mounted on an
armored glove, with a sword-like blade mounted beneath the
glove and two spikes projecting from the glove. The shield
might or might not also sport a spike, like the target, and a small
window at the top of the shield could be opened to dazzle an
opponent with a lantern that could be mounted on the inside of
the shield. The result was elaborate, complex, and somewhat
unwieldy. With a variety of attacks available, the lantern shield
appeared an offensive nightmare, a weapon that was impossible
to prepare a fight against, but in general it was quite weighty,
hard to maneuver, and, if the lantern was broken, could become
a burning mass at the end of a combatants arm. If the shield
254
sported a spike, it could be used to disarm, giving a +1 bonus on
the wielders opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an
opponent, including the roll to keep from being disarmed if they
fail their disarm attempt. Use of the lantern shield in the off hand
incurs all penalties associated with using any normal off-hand
weapon. The lantern shield is an exotic weapon.
Tactics were also devised for using common battlefield weapons
like polearms (such as the Morris Pike), or for new weapons cre-
ated to explore combat theories or allow weapons to be used in
social settings. The cane and sword cane, for example, were
developed in the late 16th century in France, to allow a fighting
enthusiast to display their prowess in social settings. The
fokosok was of a similar theme, a cane with an axe head. The
dusack was a kind of practice saber that never saw battlefield
use, but was popular in certain German fighting associations.
The feather staff was an elegant but slightly impractical weapon,
attempting to act as a surprise polearm. Experiments with leaded
weapons (weapons filled with lead to increase the impact)
resulted in leaded version of the cane, as well as the sap. The
saber had its own following, especially in Hungary, and a shorter
version of the saber was developed for dueling.
Pike, Morris
The morris pike is an ironically named weapon, morris meant to
imply the pike is of Moorish origin, and could, therefore, not be
of so great a length as the European pike. The morris pike is an
short pike, effectively a heavy, long spear, with a spike at either
end. It may be set against a charge, is a reach weapon, and may
be used as a double weapon. When using the morris as a double
weapon, it does not count as a reach weapon, but if you do you
incur all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting
with two weapons as if you are using a one-handed weapon and
a light weapon. A creature using a double weapon in one hand,
such as a Large creature using a morris pike, cannot use it as a
double weapon.
French Fighting and Sword Canes
The French began to experiment with canes, much like the Indi-
ans and Chinese, adapting them to combat. The cane could be
used as a bludgeoning weapon, and was excellent for tripping.
The sword in a sword cane could also be drawn and used as a
sword, however, the sword cane could not be used to effectively
trip an opponent. Use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a charac-
ters Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier to attack
rolls with a cane or sword cane.
Cane, Leaded
The leaded cane was a separate advance, involving a hollow
cane with lead powder inside of it. The hollowing made the
weapon very light and quick, and the lead gave it a potent
impact. The leaded cane can be used to inflict subdual damage at
only a 2 to hit, as the principle of use is similar. The leaded
cane does not have the mass to make an effective trip attack.
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols

67

79

68 69 70 71 74

80

73 72

78
81 82 83

75 77 76

67. Morris Pike; 68. French Sword Cane; 69. Leaded Cane; 70. Fokosok; 71. Dusack; 72. Feather Staff; 73. Sap; 74. Short Saber; 75.
Bilbo; 76. Bodkin; 77. Stiletto; 78. Snicker-snee; 79. Sword-breaker; 80. Triple Knife; 81. Colichemarde; 82. Short Rapier; 83. Epee
Fokosok it can be used as a delicate quarterstaff. But, once the cap is
Another cane weapon, the fokosok was an Eastern European removed and the feather staffs three blades are extended, it
cane, with an axe head in the handle. The fokosok was not well became a tri-pronged polearm. Unfortunately, the spring mecha-
made for tripping, but was solid enough to use as a bludgeon in a nism of the feather staff was usually weak. Any time the feather
pinch. The head of the fokosok was often embellished in order to staff takes 3 or more points of damage, there is a 25% chance the
stress its utility as cane. blades retract, and cannot be extended until the mechanism is
fixed. Beyond that, the feather staff is a weapon that could well
Dusack have been one of the most elegant polearms in Europe.
The dusack is a practice blade, a single-edged thick chopping
blade with a hole at the base to admit a hand. The dusack was Sap
intended to be used only in practice, and was rarely given an A leather sack filled with powdered lead, the sap is subdual
edge. Indeed, sharpening the blade of a dusack could be evi- weapon. Best used at the base of the neck, the cap of the skull, or
dence enough of a desire to end a sparring partners life. The at the temple, the sap was marginally better than using ones own
dusack originated in Germany. fist to attack an unsuspecting foe.

Feather Staff Saber, Short

The feather staff appears, at first, to be a wooden pole with a The short saber eventually became the national weapon of Hun-
leather cap at one end, a kind of over-done walking staff. Indeed, gary. No more than two feet in length, with a blade that widens

255
 From Stone to Steel
near the point, the short saber was used to make quick, savage
strikes. Twin sabers were not an uncommon fencing style in
Hungary, and saber fencing was almost as popular in Eastern
Europe as rapier fencing was in Western Europe.
One of the most notable proliferations during this period was in
knives. Knives of various types were everywhere, and were as
much a part of ones attire and daily routine as shoes or cloaks
were. Many, like the bilbo, bodkin, or stiletto were designed to
be deadly but only in a restricted sense. Others had a secondary
purpose, like the snicker snee, which was used for scaling. The
sword breaker was an off-shoot of the main gauche, but it was
not widely used, and was not carried onto the battlefield.
Another, similar, fencing development in knives was the triple
knife, mostly found in Germany.
Bilbo, Bodkin, and Stiletto
The bilbo, bodkin, and stiletto are all thrusting knives, with
thicker blades not intended to cut. The bilbo is either a very short
sword or a very long knife, depending on your source, and its 4
cornered blade was used by those who sought to get between the
plates of armor on a more heavily armored foe. The bodkin, on
the other hand, was definitely a knife, also four cornered, and
intended for stabbing or throwing. The stiletto was an Italian
development, a knife with a conical or pick-like blade, not unlike
the modern ice pick, and it was often ornamented, to accessorize
with any attire. The stiletto, of the three, was a very social knife,
often used as part of a cloak clasp or a decoration for a Venetian
woman.
Snicker-Snee
A Dutch weapon, common among sailors, the snicker-snee is a
large knife, resembling a sword. Often used in knife fights along
the quay, the snicker-snee gained a bad reputation, and its usage
was forbidden in some ports. Often, a portion of the back of the
snicker-snee blade is serrated, to aid in scaling of fish, although
this was not the primary use of the weapon.
Sword Breaker
The sword breaker was invented as a means to give more func-
tionality to the main gauche. A parrying knife with a series of
square cuts along one side of the blade, the sword breaker con-
veys a +4 to any active sword break attempt, and may also be
used to passively sword break. The sword breaker may be used
in any maneuver a normal parrying knife might be used in.
Knife, Triple
Another variation on the main gauche, this parrying knife
appears, at first glance to be nothing special. It may be used quite
effectively as a standard parrying knife. However, when the
mechanism in the hilt is depressed, the blade splits into three
parts, which aid in locking (+2), disarming (+2), and binding
(+2). The +2 bonus on the wielders opposed attack roll when
attempting to disarm an opponent also includes the roll to keep
from being disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt.
256
Regardless of the weapon of choice, a whole subculture sur-
rounding dueling and martial prowess developed in Europe dur-
ing this time, even among the Aristocracy, who generally had
more and more time on their hands due to the phasing out of
noble-only cavalry. The development of the short rapier was one
of convenience, established when the King of France changed
his courtly attire and demanded that a lighter blade be made to
go with his new clothing style. By the year 1700, the epee would
be developed, the end result of the refinement of a weapon that
was no longer intended to kill except in the most extreme of situ-
ations.
Colichemarde
Whether basket or swept hilt, the colichemarde was the progeni-
tor of the epee. A thin, triangular blade, with slightly concave
sides, the colichemarde was made to enhance the thrusting
dynamics of the rapier. The colichemarde was made for dueling,
but it suffered from a tendency for the blade to crack. You may
use the Weapon Finesse Feat with the colichemarde to add your
dexterity bonus to attack rolls, rather than your strength bonus.
Rapier, Short
For some, the long rapier was just too long. In order to make a
sword that worked well with courtly attire, the rapier had to be
shortened. The modern image of the rapier, a short fencing
weapon, descended from the short rapier. Shortening the blade
made the rapier faster, and slightly more defensive, as the blade
was actually stronger in its shorter incarnation. The short rapier
may sport a swept or basket hilt. You may use the Weapon
Finesse Feat with the short rapier to add your dexterity bonus to
attack rolls, rather than your strength bonus.
Epee
The ultimate dueling sword, the epee has a long, thin, round
blade with a short, conical point. Structurally light, sporting a
basket hilt, the epee could whip around swiftly, and its thrusts
could be quite deadly. But it was entirely too weak for effective
parries. The Hardness of an epee is halved when the Epee is
struck by another weapon. You may use the Weapon Finesse
Feat with the epee to add your dexterity bonus to attack rolls,
rather than your strength bonus.
Prestige Class: Duelist
The Duelists have a very varied history. Starting with the 15th
century Marxbruder, and descending from schools of thought
that included both Islamic and Western philosophy, the Duelists
were nearly as different as each province in Europe was from
each other. The Duelists came from a variety of backgrounds,
from the aristocracy to the scholars to the mercenaries to the
dilettantes. From country to country the art of combat was stud-
ied as intensely as the new sciences of Physics and Biology, and
the variance of thought was great.
Duelists are those who train for personal, one on one combat.
Some nobles may train because warfare is no longer the sole
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
province of their elevated blood. Some scholars may train to pro-
tect themselves from bullies and ruffians, bravos and scholarly
rivals. Many mercenaries train in the hopes of their added skills
giving them better survival chances in the next engagement. And
the dilettantes they learn dueling to pass the time, and relieve
the monotony.
Hit Die: d8

Requirements
To qualify to become a Duelist, a character must fulfill all the
following criteria.
Basic Attack Bonus: +4
Feats: Expertise, 1 other combat related Feat
Skills: Knowledge (Philosophy) +5

Class Skills
The Dualists class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are
Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft
(Int), Fencing (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Perform (Cha), Jump (Str),
Knowledge (Philosophy) (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), and Speak
Language (Int).
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int Modifier

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Duelist prestige
class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Duelists are proficient with
all simple weapons and all duelist martial weapons, which are:
Rapier, Early; Main Gauche, Middle Steel; Main Gauche, Late
Steel; Rapier, Long; Schiavona; Schnepfer; Tuck; Verdun; Cane,
French Sword; Dusack; Saber, Short; Sword Breaker; Knife,
Triple; Colichemarde; Rapier, Short; Epee; Pappenheimer.
Duelists also have Shield Proficiency. Note that armor check
penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to the skills
Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move
Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
Training: Besides access to the Fencing Skill, which
grants certain special maneuvers, the Duelist may take one of the
following special Feats at each level noted on the chart above. If
a feat has prerequisites, those prerequisites must be completed to
take the feat.
Cloak Fighting; Advanced Dodge; Ambidexterity; Combat
Reflexes; Cruel Wounding; Dodge; Improved; Disarm;
Improved Initiative; Improved Trip; Improved Two-Weapon
Fighting; Improvised Weapon Training; Lantern Fighting; Light-
ning Reflexes; Mobility; Move Through Punch; Off-Hand Parry;
Punch ; sing Hilt ; Punch Using Hilt; Quick Draw; Spring
Attack; Two-Weapon Fighting; Weapon Finesse; Weapon Focus;
Whirlwind Attack.

257
 From Stone to Steel
New Feat: Advanced Dodge: [General] Punch Using Hilt or with an Improved Unarmed Strike. If this
You are trained to aggressively evade against multiple targets. hit misses, the character may opt to continue with the move any-
way, provoking the standard Attack of Opportunity, or the char-
Prerequisites: Alertness, Dodge
acter may abort the move. If the hit is successful, the impact
Benefit: Any person trained with advanced dodge may use their distracts the target (Will save vs DC 15+ damage) enough to
entire dexterity bonus +1 as a dodge bonus against attacks from allow the character free movement within or out of the threat
a single specified opponent, or they may divide this bonus up (if area. If the character moves into an area that is threatened by an
possible) between multiple opponents, selecting how much of a opponent other than the punched opponent, they will provoke an
dodge bonus they wish to use on each opponent at the start of a attack of opportunity from the unaffected opponent.
round. Thus, if a person with Advanced Dodge has a +3 dexter-
ity bonus, they may opt to add +4 as a dodge bonus to their New Feat: Cloak Fighting: [General]
Armor Class against a single opponent, or, if faced by opponents You have learned to use your cloak in your offhand in combat.
A, B, C, and D, they may opt to give themselves a +2 dodge
bonus against B, and a +1 dodge bonus against B and D. This Prerequisites: Shield Proficiency
bonus may be reapportioned each round. Benefit: A person with Cloak Fighting has learned to use their
cloak as a form of defense, much like a shield. A cloak draped
New Feat: Punch Using Hilt: [General] over the off arm or wrapped around it grants the person with the
You have learned the unorthodox tactic of punching an opponent Cloak Fighting skill a +1 armor bonus. Someone proficient in
with your fencing sword. Cloak Fighting may also use the cloak to distract, weapon trap,
or disarm. The cloak wielder proficient in Cloak Fighting may
Benefit: The person who has Mastered Punching with the basket
voluntarily forgo their armor bonus from their cloak to distract
hilt of a weapon may make an unarmed attack doing normal
their opponent, granting their opponent a 1 to hit anyone. As
damage without provoking an attack of opportunity. Making this
well, a proficient cloak fighter may attempt to grab their oppo-
kind of attack allows you to keep your weapon at ready, and
nents weapon, by making an attack to strike the weapon with
allows you to use any other feat or ability normally reserved for
the cloak hand. If this attack succeeds, the weapon is entangled
an unarmed strike, such as Stunning Fist. Punch Using Hilt may
in the cloak, and may either be trapped or disarmed. Trapping a
be substituted for Improved Unarmed Strike if one wishes to
weapon requires an opposed strength check. Success on the part
take the Stunning Fist Feat, if this Feat is purchased in this man-
of the cloak wielder means that the opponent cannot pull his
ner, it may only be used in conjunction with Punch Using Hilt,
weapon free, or use it to attack for that turn. Failure means that
unless the character later purchases Improved Unarmed Strike.
the weapon wielder has extricated his weapon, and may make an
attack on the cloak wielder, and the cloak wielder cannot use the
New Feat: Move Through Punch: [General] armor benefit of the cloak for that turn. If the cloak wielder
You have learned to use the punch as a prelude to movement attempts to disarm, they must roll as normal, adding a +1 to the
Prerequisites: Dodge, Punch Using Hilt or Improved Unarmed wielders opposed attack roll when attempting to disarm an
Strike, Dex 13+, Str 13+. opponent. This bonus also includes the roll to keep from being
disarmed if they fail their disarm attempt. A return disarm will
Benefit: A person with Move Through Punch may attempt to tear the cloak to shreds, making it useless.
move within or out of a threat area by distracting an opponent
with a quick jab. A character must declare he is using the Move
Through Punch before making any rolls. The character must New Feat: Lantern Fighting: [General]
make a successful hit against the target opponent, either with a You have learned to use a Bulls Eye lantern in your offhand in
combat.
Table 7-3: Duelist
Class Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +0 +2 +0 Training
2nd +2 +0 +2 +0 Training
3rd +3 +1 +3 +1
4th +4 +1 +3 +1 Training
5th +5 +1 +4 +1
6th +6 +2 +4 +2 Training
7th +7 +2 +5 +2
8th +8 +2 +5 +2 Training
9th +9 +3 +6 +3
10th +10 +3 +6 +3 Training

258
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Prerequisites: Shield Proficiency
Benefit: A person with Lantern Fighting has learned to use a
Bulls Eye Lantern as a form of defense at night or in dark
places. If someone proficient with Lantern Fighting carries a
Bulls Eye Lantern into combat in a dark place, they may make a
free action once a turn to attempt to dazzle your opponent. The
opponent must make a fortitude save vs a DC (10 + total charac-
ter levels of lantern wielder) to withstand the dazzling. Each sub-
sequent lantern attack in a single combat gives the opponent a
temporary +1 to their fortitude save vs. dazzling (cumulative)
since theyre growing to anticipate the attack. This attack does
not work against sightless foes.
New Feat: Off-Hand Parry: [General]
You have learned to use a parrying knife or dueling blade defen-
sively in your off-hand in combat.
Prerequisites: Proficiency with the weapon in the off-hand, Two
Weapon Fighting Feat, +7 Base or greater attack bonus
Benefit: A person with Off-Hand Parry has learned to use a par-
rying knife or dueling blade in their off-hand as a form of
defense. The combatant proficient in the Off-Hand Parry feat
may add a deflection bonus to their armor class based on the
base attack bonus after off-hand weapon and two weapon fight-
ing penalties. Thus a person with a +7 Base attack bonus, after
off-hand weapon and two weapon fighting penalties (-6 to hit,
with Two Weapon Fighting Feat), gains a +1 deflection bonus to
their armor class. The maximum deflection bonus that can be
gained from this feat is +5.
New Feat: Cruel Wounding: [General]
You are trained to make strikes with a piercing or slashing
weapon that cause intense pain.
Prerequisites: Expertise, Power Attack
Benefit: The Cruel Wounding feat allows an attacker to make a
cruel strike, where the blow is intended to distract ones oppo-
nent through pain. An attacker must declare they are attempting
a Cruel Wounding before making an attack. The Cruel Wounding
strike is resolved as per a normal attack, but with a 2 to hit. If
the strike is successful, normal damage is inflicted, and the
opponent must make a fortitude save vs 10 + the damage rolled.
Failure indicates that the blow inflicted debilitating pain, and the
victim is considered shaken for the next turn.
Fencing (Int, Trained Use Only; Armor
Check Penalty)
The Fencing skill is used to perform special maneuvers in com-
bat. The higher your Fencing skill, the better your performance
against other fencers. Since Fencing is a fighting style, this skill
is a measure of your expertise with standard Fencing practices,
but it may be used to answer knowledge questions about fencing.
Fencing maneuvers may be attempted using any traditional fenc-
ing weapon (see the Duelist weapon proficiencies above) and
259
any similar item at the DM's discretion. As a rule of thumb, any
weapon eligible for the Weapon Finesse Feat might be consid-
ered. Defensive items such as sticks, cloaks, small shields and
bucklers, and off hand weapons are also allowed.
Check: When used to answer knowledge questions the Armor
Check Penalty does not penalize skill use.Aside from using
Fencing skill to answer knowledge questions about fencing, the
following maneuvers may be attempted:
Balestra
A balestra is a leaping attack. Should a fencer wish to perform a
balestra, they must elect to jump forward before their attack and
make a Fencing check at DC 20. If the fencer succeeds, he may
make a normal attack with a +2 circumstance bonus to damage
for every 5 ft jumped. Otherwise they provoke an attack of
opportunity and gain no benefits (although the fencer may still
attack). Fencers able to jump forward a good distance due to
magical aide may find the balestra to be a devastating attack. If
the balestra attack misses, the damage bonus is still applied,
should the attack strike a weapon, shield, or armor.
Beat
A beat is a sharp slap at an opponent's weapon, to jar the oppo-
nent and create an opening to attack. A fencer may elect to make
a beat attempt as a full-round action. The fencer must make an
opposed skill roll, using their Fencing skill versus the opponents
Fencing skill (or their standard attack roll if better). A successful
beat attack knocks the opponents weapon aside, giving the
fencer an immediate attack of opportunity with an circumstance
bonus of +4 to hit. If the beat attempt fails, and the opponent is
able, he may make a riposte attempt.
Bind
A bind is an attack that carrys your opponents weapon with it,
leaving them open to attack and out of readiness. A fencer may
elect to make a bind attempt as a full-round action. The fencer
must make an opposed skill roll, using their Fencing skill versus
the opponents Fencing skill (or their standard attack roll if bet-
ter). Success allows the attacker to make an opposed Dexterity
check to bind the weapon. A successful bind allows the fencer an
immediate attack of opportunity and leaves the defender effec-
tively Dazed for the next round (unable to attack, defends nor-
mally). If the Dexterity check fails, the defender may make a
riposte attack (if able) and disengage.
Ceding Parry
A ceding parry is a maneuver where the fencer moves their blade
out of a corps-a-corps (below) by following his opponents blade
into a disengaged position. A fencer caught in a corps-a-corps
may immediately attempt to make a ceding parry. The fencer
should attempt an opposed Fencing roll (or Strength check if bet-
ter) against their opponents Fencing skill, giving himself a +2
for their ceding parry maneuver. If the roll succeeds, the fencer
making a Ceding Parry may step back into an empty square and
 From Stone to Steel
automatically disengage. Otherwise, the corps-a-corps stands,
and proceeds as normal.
Corps-a-Corps
The corps-a-corps is a defending reaction to a beat, bind, or
press, by drawing one's opponent into a close position, usually
with both blades trapped against each other and both combatants
fighting to gain an advantage. A fencer, faced by a beat, bind, or
press, may desire to draw his opponent into a clinch. An opposed
Fencing maneuver must be made, and if the fencer attempting to
create a corps-a-corps situation wins, both fencers enter the same
square, find their blades locked, and regular fencing becomes
impossible. Both fencers may then resort to fighting with off-
hand weapons, attempt to over-power each other, or attempt to
disengage. Attacking an opponent in a corps-a-corps with an off-
hand weapon invokes no penalty, as there is little room to
maneuver, either to dodge or miss. If one or both fencers are
using a dueling weapon in their off-hand, they will find this
weapon ineffective, due to its length, however, parrying knives
are perfect for this kind of in-close fighting. Attempting to over-
power your opponent involves making a straight, opposed
strength test. The winner may opt to disengage safely, or force
their opponent into a disadvantageous position. This may either
be forcing an opponent into a kneeling position, or, if they are
already kneeling, forcing them into a fall. Forcing an opponent
into a kneeling position makes it impossible for them to use their
Dexterity bonus to their armor class. Forcing an opponent to fall
automatically disengages and leaves the opponent prone. If one
or both opponents in a corps-a-corps attempts to disengage while
the other is still standing or kneeling, they must make an
opposed fencing check, with the fencer attempting a disengage
at a -3 if kneeling. If the disengage succeeds, the disengaging
fencer steps back into an empty square at their flank. If it fails,
the disengaging fencer steps back into an empty square at their
flank, but draws an attack of opportunity. Both fencers may ver-
bally agree to disengage, and, as long as both fencers do not try
anything, they may both step back and out of a corps-a-corps.
Crois
A crois is like a beat or bind, except it is executed as part of a
parry. If an opponent misses an attack, the fencer may attempt a
crois. The fencer attempting a crois must make a Fencing skill
check vs. a DC equal to 10 plus opponents Strength bonus+
opponents rank in Fencing (or base attack bonus, whichever is
greater). If that skill roll succeeds, the fencer sweeps his oppo-
nent's blade aside, creating the opening for an attack of opportu-
nity. This is a free action that can be attempted once per round.
Feint
A dangerous maneuver, where the fencer attempts to mislead his
opponent with a false attack or false opening. Feinting in combat
is a miscellaneous standard action that does not instantly draw an
attack of opportunity. Make an opposed Fencing roll vs. your
opponent's Sense Motive or Fencing skill, whichever is higher. If
the check is successful, your target may not use his Dexterity
260
bonus to his armor class, since he is reacting to a false signal. If
your feint fails by 5 or more points, you do draw an attack of
opportunity, as your opponent takes advantage of a real opening
while you feint.
Fleche
A fleche is a charging thrust, where the momentum of the fencer
adds to the damage of the attack. A fencer who elects to make a
fleche must make a Fencing check at DC 15 while charging his
foe. If successful he may attack normally (as per the Charge
rules) and receives a +1 circumstance bonus to damage for every
10 feet he charged (to a maximum of +3). Should the fencer be
attacked before delivering a fleche (such as by drawing an attack
of opportunity during movement), the fleche damage bonus from
movement is negated, regardless of the success of the attack, as
it distracts the fencer. If the fleche attack after the movement
misses, the damage bonus is still applied, should the attack strike
a weapon, shield, or armor.
Lunge
A lunge is a quick, forward strike, where the entire body extends
to strike an opponent out of normal arm-reach. A fencer may
attempt to strike an opponent at 10 feet by making a lunge attack
as though he were using a reach weapon. The space directly
between the fencer and his target must be empty, and the fencer
must make a successful Fencing check (DC 15) to return to his
original position. If successful, he does not provoke an attack of
opportunity, otherwise the fencer winds up in that intervening
space and does provoke an attack of opportunity. An opponent
may attempt a riposte or crois against a lunge, even if they do
not have a reach weapon. Lunging is a full-round action. Note:
Tiny creatures can only lunge 5 feet whereas Large creatures
may lunge a distance of 10 feet.
Pattinando
A pattinando is an advance combined with a lunge. If a fencer
has already moved and wishes to attack an opponent 15 feet
away, he may attempt a pattinando, by taking an additional 5
foot step and a lunge. The lunge works exactly as the lunge
maneuver described above, however the fencer incurs a -2 cir-
cumstance penalty to his AC for this over-extending attack. This
is a standard action.
Press
A press is much like a bind, however the fencer does not disen-
gage blades to strike-he simply catches the opponent's blade and
holds it with his own. In order to attempt a press, the fencer must
make a standard strike a weapon attack (without provoking an
attack of opportunity). If the attack is successful, resolve the
weapon damage as normal, and then make an opposed Fencing
skill check (using the opponent's Fencing skill or their base
attack bonus, if they have no Fencing skill). A successful
opposed Fencing skill check allows the fencer to hold the oppo-
nent's blade out of combat, so long as the fencer does not use the
pressing weapon. Each turn another opposed Fencing check
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
must be made to determine if the press holds. Off-hand weapons
may still be used normally, thus this maneuver favors the com-
batant with a blade in his off-hand. In a pinch, unarmed attacks
may be made with the off-hand, although normal unarmed
attacks provoke an off-handed attack of opportunity from one's
opponent. If the strike a weapon succeeds but the press attempt
fails, the opponent may attempt a riposte, if they are able.
Remise
A remise is an attempt to correct a failed attack. If a fencer fails
an attack and is not counter-attacked in any fashion, they may
attempt a Remise. The fencer must make an opposed Fencing
roll versus his opponent's Fencing skill (or base attack bonus). If
the fencer succeeds, he may roll a new attack, with a -5 circum-
stance penalty to his attack roll. A Remise consumes one attack
of opportunity so can be attempted only once per round unless
the fencer has combat reflexes. This is a free action.
Riposte
A reversal, or counter attack, the riposte takes advantage of
openings left when an opponent attacks. If an opponent misses,
the fencer may opt to make a Fencing skill roll vs. a DC of 10 +
the opponents Fencing skill rank (or base attack bonus,
whichever is higher). If that skill roll succeeds, the fencer may
use the failed attack as an opening for an attack of opportunity. If
the riposte fails, the opponent may make an attack of opportu-
nity, if he is able. The coup is a form of riposte.
Swashbuckling
The term swashbuckler has an ironic origin, coming from the
habit of certain lower talent bravos to slap their weapons
against their bucklers to intimidate their opponents. Despite
this low origin, swashbuckling has come to mean a fast paced,
raucous and witty, sword-spangled adventure in a time of
rapiers, pirates, and musketeers. Those who wish to play D&D
with a swashbuckling style may want to consider adding a few
levels of the Duelist class, or allow players to purchase the
Fencing skill as an out-of-class skill. Doing this allows them
to gain the use of the fancifully adapted fencing maneuvers
mentioned in its skill description, but hardcore duelists will
still advance more quickly. Consider the Improvised Weapon
Training feat from the Far East chapter, to increase the utility
of setting props. Suddenly candelabras, goblets, and ham
bones all have much more use in a game. Above all, action in
a swashbuckling game should favor the flashiest, boldest, and
most outrageous maneuvers, in order to get into the spirit of
events.
Thrust
A thrust is a quick, lunging strike, attempting to move past one's
opponent's guard before they can react. If the thrust fails, it
leaves the attacker very open to a counter attack. A fencer may
elect to make a thrust as a full-round combat action. The thrust
gains a bonus to strike of the fencer's Fencing rank, minus any
Fencing ranks of the opponent (or base attack bonus if he does
261
not have the Fencing skill). If the attack is successful, the fencer
may return to their combat stance without incident. If the attack
fails, or if it inflicts no damage (due to damage resistance or
other circumstances), the fencer is open to an attack of opportu-
nity, and is considered flat-footed for that attack of opportunity.
The new century brought with it yet another weapon refinement.
The snaphaunce, which was adopted by much of Western
Europe, was further refined into the flintlock, which would be
dominant through the rest of the Renaissance period. The now
more reliable pistols and carbines were becoming very common
at sea or among hunters, which meant that a commoner had a
great chance of killing a knight at distance. This power, in the
hands of commoners, served to further weaken and displace the
noble families, and heavy armor began to decline, looking for
limited protection that still gave enough mobility to move out of
danger. Through the 17th century new armors would be less
defensive than Maximillian plate, but they would allow greater
range of motion.
Flintlock Muskets and Pistols
Basically a refinement and improvement of the snaphaunce
design, the flintlock realised the full potential of that idea. It was
just as reliable and weather resistant as a wheel lock, and much
cheaper and more durable. The flintlock quickly became the
weapon of choice for the military and citizenry, and remained
dominant until the 19th century.
Double barreled flintlocks can be had as non-masterwork items,
though they still cost triple. 3 barrelled muskets are now avail-
able, though at 5 times cost, requiring masterwork craftsman-
ship, and an exotic weapon proficiency to avoid a -4 penalty.
Only one barrel of one of these curiosities maybe fired at a time.
Pistols can be made with more barrels also, usually in a pepper-
box configuration. Triple barrelled pistols cost 5x, quadruple
barrelled ones 10x, and both must be masterwork. These 3 & 4
barrelled pistols also require exotic weapon proficiency, and a
DM might want to require a skill check (firearms, DC 20 or
more) for subsequent shots unless a move equivalent action is
taken between each shot to properly work the action.
Flintlocks are the fastest reloading guns in this supplement. Many
advances, such as waxed paper cartriges containing powder
charge and bullet with training (see the Swift Reload Feat) allow
a standard military rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute. This rap-
idly spelled the end for melee weapon units, outside the cavalry.
Plate Armor, Half
Unlike half platemail, half plate armor is a suit of plate armor
without chainmail. Armored thoroughly from the waist up, the
legs are left relatively unprotected, since they were less likely to be
a target for gunners, who aimed for the thickest part of the body.
Despite this seeming weakness, half plate was what eventually
took the place of plate armor in most of Europe, especially Spain.
The 17th century would use war to bring a grim kind of peace to
Central Europe at last. The Thirty Years war would start as a way
 From Stone to Steel

86

85 88

87

84a

84b
84c

84a. Flintlock Musket; 84b. Flintlock Pistol; 84c Apostle; 85. Half Plate Armor; 86. Pappenheimer style hilt; 87. Catchpole; 88.
Three Quarter Plate Mail
for Austria and Spain to strike against Protestant nations in Catchpole
Northern Germany. At first they would be highly successful, a The idea imported from the East Indies by the English, the catch-
prospect that made France and much of the Protestant world pole is a reach polearm without a weapon head. Instead, the
nervous, since it threatened the fall of Protestantism and would catchpole has a spring-loaded mechanism involving two semi-
have conceivably left France surrounded by Spanish holdings. circular forks that, once released, form a tight ring. This weapon
This left France opposing the Holy Roman Empires elected was carried by town watchmen, and was used in apprehending
Emperor, and France allied itself with Sweden and the Nether- villains, by trapping their necks in the ring. The catchpole hits
lands in an effort to prevent a complete victory by Spanish and with a melee (reach) touch attack, rather than a normal melee
Austrian forces. roll. A successful hit means that the person is now caught within
the ring of the catchpole. If an opposed Strength Check is suc-
Pappenheimer ceeded, the person wielding the catchpole can limit the move-
A rapier-like blade found in Northern Europe, the pappenheimer ment of the entangled foe by the length of the pole (10 feet).
featured an elaborate swept hilt and a slightly longer blade than
the short rapier. The pappenheimer was a dueling sword, and the Plate Mail, Three Quarter
more elaborate the hilt, the more it was supposed to signify the Three quarter plate mail was yet another step away from plate
wielders wealth and influence. The pappenheimer hilt is still mail, with the top half of the body being armored as plate mail,
quite popular today, although the blade style itself has faded with while chainmail pants were worn, with plate knee cops. Three
the rise of the fencing movement, which favored the rapier. You quarter plate retained the high protective value of plate armor,
may use the Weapon Finesse Feat to apply your Dexterity bonus but did not go as bare as half plate armor. Three quarter plate
to attack rolls rather than you Strength bonus. armor was still quite expensive, and was used more for footmen
than for riders.

262
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
While the French monetary contribution proved not to be enough,
Swedens armies were almost enough. Swedens military was per-
haps the most effective of the time, using much smaller units of
infantry and cavalry in order to achieve objectives more swiftly
than the larger, lumbering armies of the Empire. Swedish muske-
teers were trained to fight in ranks, like the pilum throwers of
Rome, with the first line firing, then falling back to allow the line
behind them to fire while they reloaded. This cycling process car-
ried through 5 ranks, so that the Swedish musketeers would keep
up a steady stream of gunfire throughout a conflict, which had
deadly effects. In an entirely freak occurrence, Gustavus Adol-
phus, the Swedish General, died in a battle in Luetzen, and the
Swedish lost momentum and were forced to sign a peace before
all of the Protestant kingdoms could be regained. The Austrians
were able to use their influence to secure that the Emperor would
always be elected from the Hapsburg family, a tremendous coup
that would permanently tie the strength of the Holy Roman
Empire to Austrias family. The Spanish ended up taking a number
of territories along the French eastern border, though, which lead
to the Spanish-French Wars, a war that France felt forced into, in
order to counter Spanish strength.
Two significant developments occurred near the end of the
Thirty Years war. In Italy, experiments with gunpowder grenades
(statistically identical to nageteppo) lead to the determination
that a device should be made to throw them far enough away not
to threaten the carrier. Thus the hand mortar was developed, a
highly inaccurate and dangerous indirect personal weapon that
was, effectively, the first grenade launcher. In Bayonne, France,
89
90a
92
90b
91
89. Hand Mortar; 90a. Plug Bayonet; 90b. Fixed Bayonet; 91. Tarch; 92. Karacena Armor; 93. Karabela; 94. Plate Reinforced
Leather Armor
263
it became common practice to affix a long knife to the end of a
musket. This made the long arm into a short pike, a kind of thick
thrusting spear. This bayonnette, as it was called, gave a muske-
teer another way to use his gun in melee without causing the
damage that using it as a club did.
Hand Mortar
An Italian development, the Hand Mortar was a very dangerous
indirect fire exotic weapon. Squat, with an enormous mouth and
a weighty body often carried in the crook of the arm or braced on
the ground, the hand mortar fired a gunpowder grenade with a lit
fuse. Once the mortar was packed, the fuse was lit on the grenade,
and then the mortar was fired, via a modified flint-lock. If the
mortar worked correctly, the grenade would be delivered a great
distance away, where it would detonate as per a gunpowder
grenade. If it failed, the grenade either detonated inside of the
mortar (igniting the powder in the mortar, causing an explosion
equivalent to that of a 5 pound keg) or if the seal was not quite
right, the grenade would only fly about 1d6 feet before exploding,
which often had dire results. If a misfire is rolled with a reliability
check, on a 1-5 (d20) the grenade actually fired, but only the 1d6
feet away. Otherwise the powder did not catch, and one should
hope that another shot might be taken before the grenade
explodes. It takes an entire powder horn to fire a hand mortar.
Grenade fuses generally last 1d3 rounds. Later developments by
the Dutch and Swiss lead to a chemical, impact fuse, which
caused the grenade to explode once the compounds were suffi-
ciently jarred, usually on impact. They function almost identically
93 94
 From Stone to Steel
to lit grenades, but only explode on impact, not in the barrel of
the mortar.
Bayonet
Invented in Bayonne, the bayonet was intended to make a mus-
ket into a pike. Actually, it made it into a spear. The first bayo-
nets were affixed in the barrel of the flintlock, and were used as
a spear might be. Later versions of the bayonet were screwed
onto the bottom or top of the gun, and were used to stab a charg-
ing enemy. If a gun is ready to fire and a foe is struck with the
bayonet, the gun wielder may use a free action to fire the gun,
inflicting an automatic hit. A roll should still be made to deter-
mine if the damage is critical.
England, by the 1640s, was in the depths of civil war. Royalist
factions who sought to place Charles the First on Englands
throne saw this as a way to return England to the Catholic
Church. Parlimentarians, lead by Oliver Cromwell, sought to
prevent the return of Roman Catholicism. The war would waver
back and forth for a decade until the Parlimentarians won, abol-
ishing the monarchy, and establishing the Commonwealth.
Cromwells death, which occurred shortly before the end of the
Spanish-French wars, would be the end of the brief rule by a
commoner, and the monarchy would slowly be restored,
although without some of the power it previously held.
In Russia, conflict with Poland increased, as Polish Hussars and
Cossacks attacked Russias southern border. Explorers began
their journey east, looking to expand Russian territory into the
thinly settled Siberian region. The rise of Peter the Great would
see growing expansion to all corners, with Russians adopting
muskteers, employing their own Cossack cavalry, and picking
apart failing Khanates to the South while opposing Poland-
Lithuania. Lithuania, long in decline, would eventually crumble,
leaving Poland much weaker for the loss. Russia, on the other
hand, would face popular uprisings against the forced modern-
ization by Peter the Great, but it would begin a level of expan-
sion that would one day make it a major world power.
Tarch
A modified shield, the Tarch was a gauntleted small shield with a
blade attached to the mailed gauntlet. Attempting to move the
shield to the weapon arm, the tarch heavily armored that arm and
gave the body considerable protection, while the blade was still a
usable weapon. Using a tarch does not negate its armor bonus. The
gauntlet of the tarch can be used to wield a two-handed weapon,
but it cannot wield another weapon and use the blade effectively.
KaracenaJazerainted scale for infantry
Karacena armor was infantry armor, made in small, coin-shaped
plates. This kind of armor is referred to as jazerainted armor, and
was used primarily in Poland and parts of Russia near Poland.
Karacena was often very intricately decorated, and the ties
between jazeraints were often brass or bronze, to give the armor
color. Karacena was usually worn with a helmet or open faced
helm.
264
Karabela
A three foot saber, the karabela was a charging saber used by the
Cossacks, and was made for use on horseback. The karabela was
an attempt to make a saber into something like a lance. Quick,
elegant, and very dangerous, eventually the karabela was
replaced with a shorter saber in the 18th century.
For short periods of time the Ottomans would attempt to lay
siege to Vienna, but with the Janissaries diminished and Europe
much more capable at self-defense, the Ottomans would see
their first major losses. Eventually Austrian forces would retake
portions of Hungary held by the Ottomans. It would be another
200 years before the Ottomans would collapse, however, and
they would fight every step of the way.
Leather Armor, Plate Reinforced
By the end of the 17th Century, plate armor was being phased out.
The most radical departure was plate reinforced leather, which
was essentially breastplate armor with leather, rather than chain-
mail. The cost of making this kind of armor was much lower
than normal forms of heavy armor, and whole armies could be
outfitted in plate and leather. This was the armor worn by the
conquerors of the New World, and the national armor of Spain.
Variants came into use in many other parts of Europe, before
heavy armor was eventually abandoned altogether.
In the New World, Spain and Portugual would dominate,
although the English would establish a firm foothold in Northern
America. France would nominally hold title to much land in the
New World, but it would not effectively govern it, allowing
many traders and commoners to grow rich from a lack of heavy
taxation. Wars with the Native Americans would prove to
expand the strength of the colonists, and would, in the long run
lead to policies of extermination and unbridled expansion in the
decades to come. Already a new culture was developing in the
English colonies, based on deism, individuality, self-reliance,
and opposition to strong government. Minority opposition cells
would eventually lead a rebellion to change the role of colony
and patron nation.
With the decline of armor, the rise of the gun, and the atrophying
of the aristocracy, the Renaissance would give way to a century
of civil wars and dynastic collapses. Contact with the East would
make England a world power, while France would dominate the
continent. Slaves, rum, and molasses would bring wealth to
Dutch coffers, while Germany would struggle in turmoil almost
two more centuries to finally achieve unity. Spain would slowly
decline, as war and revolt would weaken a nation already prone
to conflict. Islam would see factions rise and fall, but, other than
Persia, none would come close to the greatness that once was. It
would not be until the industrial age and oil consumption before
prosperity would return to the Middle East. By then, many of the
seeds planted at the end of the Renaissance and Colonialism
would grow into new conflicts the likes of which 17th Century
Europeans could not even speculate on.
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Table 7-4: Pagentry Weapons
Simple WeaponsMelee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Tiny
Bilbo 4gp 1d6 x3 2lbs P M 9/6
Bodkin 3gp 1d4 x3 10ft 1lbs P M 9/4
Dirk, Middle Steel 4gp 1d6 x2 2lbs S M 8/6
Dirk, Late Steel 5gp 1d6 x2 2lbs S M 9/6
Kinzhal 5gp 1d4 x3 2lbs S M 9/5
Dagger, Kidney Late Steel 7gp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 9/5
Dagger, Kidney Middle Steel 6gp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 8/5
Misericorde, Middle Steel 9gp 1d3 x4 1lb P M 8/3
Misericorde, Late Steel 10gp 1d3 x4 1lb P M 8/3
Sgain Dubh, Late Steel 4gp 1d4 x3 10ft 1lbs S M 9/3
Sgain Dubh, Middle Steel 3gp 1d4 x3 10ft 1lbs S M 8/3
Stiletto 11gp 1d4 x3 15ft .5lbs P M 9/3
Small
Snicker-Snee 6gp 1d6 x2 2.5lbs S M 9/7
Medium-Size
Ahlespeiss, Middle Steela 10gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P M 8/14
Ahlespeiss, Late Steela 11gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P M 9/14
Cane, French Fighting 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B W 5/6
Cane, Leaded 8gp 2d3 x2 3lbs B WM 5/8
Mace, Dagger Late Steel 22gp 1d8 19-20/x2 8lbs S and P M 9/16
Mace, Dagger Middle Steel 20gp 1d8 19-20/x2 8lbs S and P M 8/16
Mace, Fist Late Steel 17gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B M 9/20
Mace, Fist Middle Steel 15gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B M 8/20
Sulitsa, Early Steela 1gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 7/9
Sulitsa, Middle Steela 2gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 8/9
Sulitsa, Late Steela 3gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 9/9
Large
Oslopi* 10gp 1d6/1d6 x2/x2 14lbs B WM 5/26
Simple WeaponsRanged
Small
Crossbow, Light Steel (Middle) 40gp 1d8 19-20/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/12
Crossbow, Light Steel (Late) 45gp 1d8 19-20/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/12
Medium-Size
Crossbow, Heavy Steel (Middle) 80gp 1d10 19-20/x2 120ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/16
Crossbow, Heavy Steel (Late) 90gp 1d10 19-20/x2 120ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/16
Martial WeaponsMelee
Tiny
Knife, Triple* 8gp 1d4 19-20/x2 1lbs P M 9/3
Main Gauche, Middle Steel* 6gp 1d4 19-20/x2 1lbs P M 8/5
Main Gauche, Late Steel* 7gp 1d4 19-20/x2 1lbs P M 9/5
Sap 1gp 1d6 x2 3lbs B LM 4/4
Sword Breaker* 8gp 1d4 19-20/x2 1lbs P M 9/4
Small
Axe, Thrusting Middle Steel 9gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S or P MW 8/10
Axe, Thrusting Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S or P MW 9/10
Hurlbat 12gp 1d6 x3 10ft 2lbs S M 9/6

265
 From Stone to Steel
Table 7-4: Pagentry Weapons
Martial WeaponsMelee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Small
Sekir, Early Steel* 6gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 7/16
Sekir, Middle Steel* 7gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 8/16
Sekir, Late Steel* 8gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Tomahawk, Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 15ft 3lbs S WM 4/9
Medium-Size
Axe, Executioner's 7gp 1d8 x3 9lbs S MW 8/9
Backsword, Middle Steel 15gp 1d8 19-20/x2 6lbs S M 8/14
Backsword, Late Steel 17gp 1d8 19-20/x2 6lbs S M 9/14
Bayonet on Rifle*a 4gp 1d4 x3 1lbs P M 9/3
Cane, French Sword* 10gp 1d6 x3 2lbs S MW 9/6
Chekan, Early Steel* 11gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 7/16
Chekan, Middle Steel* 12gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 8/16
Chekan, Late Steel* 13gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 9/16
Claymore, Basket-Hilted 35gp 1d8 19-20/x2 6lbs S M 9/14
Colichemarde* 25gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P or S M 9/8
Cutlass 17gp 1d6 18-20/x2 5lbs S M 9/12
Czekan 15gp 1d8 x3 9lbs B or S M 9/16
Doloire, Middle Steel 6gp 1d6 x3 6lbs S MW 8/12
Doloire, Late Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 6lbs S MW 9/12
Dusack 4gp 1d4 x2 3lbs S M 9/9
Epee* 15gp 1d4 18-20/x2 2lbs P M 9/4
Karabela 20gp 1d6 18-20/x2 4lbs S or P M 9/12
Lance w/ Coronel*a 7gp 1d6 x2 11lbs B WM 4/11
Lance, Couched*a 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S WM 6/10
Lance, Steel North American*a 9gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P WM 5/10
Nadziak* 12gp 1d8 x3 10lbs B M 9/18
Oubuch* 12gp 1d8 x3 10lbs B M 9/18
Pappenheimer* 25gp 1d6 18-20/x2 3lbs S or P M 9/9
Rapier, Early* 22gp 1d6 18-20/x2 3lbs S or P M 8/9
Rapier, Long* 25gp 1d6 18-20/x2 4lbs S or P M 9/10
Rapier, Short* 20gp 1d6 18-20/x2 3lbs S or P M 9/9
Saber, Short 15gp 1d6 18-20/x2 5lbs S M 9/10
Schiavona 40gp 2d4 19-20/x2 8lbs S M 9/14
Schnepfer 25gp 1d6 18-20/x2 4.5lbs S M 9/9
Scimitar, Late Steel 17gp 1d6 18-20/x2 5lbs S M 9/15
Sword, Executioner's 8gp 1d6 x3 7lbs S MW 8/7
Tuck 18gp 1d6 19-20/x2 2.5lbs S or P M 8/8
Verdun 19gp 1d6 19-20/x2 3lbs S or P M 8/9
Large
Axe, Great Late Steel* 22gp 1d12 x3 20lbs S MW 9/38
Axe, Great Middle Steel* 20gp 1d12 x3 20lbs S MW 8/38
Axe, Jeddart Late Steel*a 12gp 1d10 or 1d4 x3 14lbs S or P MW 9/26
Axe, Jeddart Middle Steel*a 11gp 1d10 or 1d4 x3 14lbs S or P MW 8/26
Axe, Lochaber Late Steel*a 11gp 1d10 or 1d3 x3 14lbs S or P MW 9/26
Axe, Lochaber Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d10 or 1d3 x3 14lbs S or P MW 8/26

266
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Table 7-4: Pagentry Weapons
Martial WeaponsMelee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Large
Bec-de-Corbin, Middle Steel* 8gp 1d8 or 1d4/1d6 x3 or x2/x2 16lbs S or P / P MW 8/30
Bec-de-Corbin, Late Steel* 10gp 1d8 or 1d4/1d6 x3 or x2/x2 16lbs S or P / P MW 9/30
Berdiche, Middle Steel 10gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S M 8/28
Berdiche, Late Steel 11gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S M 9/28
Chauves-Souris, Middle Steel*a 10gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs S MW 8/17
Chauves-Souris, Late Steel*a 11gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs S MW 9/17
Claymore, Middle Steel 50gp 2d6 19-20/x2 15lbs S M 8/30
Claymore, Late Steel 60gp 2d6 19-20/x2 15lbs S M 9/30
Falcastra* 9gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P or S WM 6/16
Falx, Middle Steel* 13gp 1d8/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S/B MW 8/28
Falx, Late Steel* 15gp 1d8/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S/B MW 9/28
Flamberge, Middle Steel 50gp 2d6 19-20/x2 15lbs S M 8/30
Flamberge, Late Steel 60gp 2d6 19-20/x2 15lbs S M 9/30
Fork, Scaling Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d8 x3 8lbs P MW 8/16
Fork, Scaling Late Steel*a 11gp 1d8 x3 8lbs P MW 9/16
Half Moon, European* 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S WM 6/18
Hammer, Lucerne Middle Steel 15gp 1d10 or 1d6 x3 or x3 12lbs B or P MW 8/24
Hammer, Lucerne Late Steel 17gp 1d10 or 1d6 x3 or x3 12lbs B or P MW 9/24
Pike, Awl Middle Steela 10gp 1d10 x3 11lbs P MW 8/20
Pike, Awl Late Steel a 12gp 1d10 x3 11lbs P MW 9/20
Pike, Morris*a 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P WM 6/22
Ranseur, Middle Steel*a 10gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P MW 8/30
Ranseur, Late Steel*a 11gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P MW 9/30
Sovna, Early Steel 9gp 1d10 x3 12lbs S M 7/24
Sovna, Middle Steel 10gp 1d10 x3 12lbs S M 8/24
Spetum, Middle Steel*a 10gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs P MW 8/17
Spetum, Late Steel*a 12gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs P MW 9/17
Voulge, Middle Steel*a 25gp 1d12 or 1d4/1d4 x3 18lbs S or P / P MW 8/38
Voulge, Late Steel*a 28gp 1d12 or 1d4/1d4 x3 18lbs S or P / P MW 9/38
Zwiehander, Middle Steel 60gp 2d6 19-20/x2 18lbs S M 8/36
Zwiehander, Late Steel 66gp 2d6 19-20/x2 18lbs S M 9/36
Martial WeaponsRanged
Large
Longbow, English* 175gp 1d10 x3 120ft 4 lbs As per Arrow W 8/12
Exotic WeaponsMelee
Medium-Size
Fokosok 8gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S MW 9/8
Sword, Bastard Middle Steel* 35gp 1d10 19-20/x2 10lbs S M 8/20
Sword, Bastard Late Steel* 38gp 1d10 19-20/x2 10lbs S M 9/20
Large
Halberd, Saber Middle Steel* 50gp 1d10 or 1d6/1d4 x3/x2 17lbs S/B MW 8/32
Halberd, Saber Late Steel* 53gp 1d10 or 1d6/1d4 x3/x2 17lbs S/ B MW 9/32
Feather Staff*a 38gp 1d4 or 1d8 x2 or x3 14lbs B or S WM 5/14

267
 From Stone to Steel
Table 7-4: Pagentry Weapons
Exotic Weapons (Firearms)-Ranged
Gun Cost ROF Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Handgun
Hand Gonne, Matchlock Early Landsknecht* 350gp 5 1d12 x3 15ft 12lbs As per shot MW 7/18
Hand Gonne, Matchlock Early* 300gp 5 1d12 x3 15ft 10lbs As per shot MW 8/24
per As per
8/20
Hand Mortar* 500gp 5 grenade per grenade 25ft 13lbs Grenade M
Handcannon, Primitive* 100gp 6 1d10 x3 10ft 9lbs As per shot M 9/26
Pistol, Flintlock* 425gp 2 1d10 x3 15ft 3lbs As per shot MW 9/9
Pistol, Matchlock* 150gp 5 1d10 x3 5ft 5lbs As per shot MW 9/9
Pistol, Snaphaunce* 350gp 3 1d10 x3 15ft 3.5lbs As per Shot MW 9//8
Pistol, Wheel Lock Damascened* 650gp 3 2d6 x3 15ft 4lbs As per shot MW 11/11
Pistol, Wheel Lock Late Steel* 250gp 3 1d10 x3 10ft 4lbs As per Shot MW 8/8
Longarms
Arbequis, Common* 150gp 4 1d12 x3 30ft 10lbs As per shot MW 8/20
Arbequis, Landsknecht* 200gp 4 1d12 x3 30ft 12lbs As per Shot MW 8/24
Musket, Flintlock* 850gp 2 2d6 x3 60ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/20
Musket, Snaphaunce* 700gp 3 2d6 x3 45ft 10lbs As per shot MW 11/11
Musket, Wheel Lock Damascened* 900gp 3 2d8 x3 45ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/20
Musket, Wheel Lock Late Steel* 500gp 3 2d6 x3 35ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/20

Weapons RangedAmmunition
Arrow, English Longbow (wt. per 20) 3gp 3lbs P WM 5/3
Arrow, Ballista (wt. Per arrow) 6gp * 3lbs P WM 5/9

Exotic Weapons (Firearms) Ranged Ammunition

Gun Cost ROF Damage Critical Range Weight Type M
Shot, Lead 3gp 4lbs P M

Special Items Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type

Shield, Lantern 40gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S or P M 9/16
Armor Armor Check Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
+1 -1 25%
Tarche 40gp 1d6 x2 10lbs S M 9/20
Armor Armor Check Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
+2 -2 30%

Explosives
Weapon Cost RoF Damage Critical Range Weight Type M
Grenade, Gunpowder (Lit Fuse)* 50gp 2d6* N/A 5ft 1lb Fire M
Grenade, Gunpowder(Incendiary Fuse)* 75gp 2d6* N/A 5ft 1lb Fire M

* See the description in the text for special rules.

Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage

268
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols

Guns and Reliability Weapon Reliability

Handcannon, Primitive 4
Guns are designed to take incredible punishment from the
Handgun, Early Matchlock 3
internal explosions necessary to propel their ammunition
Arbequis, Common 2
towards a target. But sometimes guns fail. Because of this
Pistol, Matchlock 3
guns have a reliability rating. That rating indicates the rate of
Handgun, Early Landsknecht Matchlock 3
failure of the weapon. When the d20 is rolled to determine to-
hit, should the number rolled be equal to or below the reliabil- Arbequis, Landsknecht 2
ity rating, the gun experiences a failure. Roll 1d20 (or use the Musket, Late Steel Wheel Lock 1
effect die) to determine what kind: Musket, Damascened Wheel Lock 1
Pistol, Late Steel Wheel Lock 1
110Misfire: the gun does not fire, as the powder charge Pistol, Damascened Wheel Lock 1
does not catch. There is nothing wrong with the gun, and Musket, Snaphaunce 2
the wielder may attempt to fire it again the next round. Pistol, Snaphaunce 2
1115Internal Scoring: the projectile scrapes the inside Musket, Flintlock 1
of the barrel, creating a natural skew. All shots are at a -1 to Pistol, Flintlock 1
hit. Each such result is cumulative. This may be fixed as Hand Mortar 3
per rules for repair.
1618Jam: the projectile lodges in the gun barrel. This
causes scoring (see above), and requires 3d6 rounds to Rate of Fire
remove. Usually most people opt to drop a jammed gun The weapon tables here and in the appendix list rates of fire
and fix it after combat. (ROF) for each firearm. This number represents the number of
19Major Failure: A major mechanism on the gun breaks, full round actions required to load the particular weapon.
and the gun cannot be used again until it has been repaired.
20Spectacular Failure: The gun explodes, inflicting max-
imum damage on the wielder and standard rolled damage
on every person within five feet. People at five feet may
attempt to avoid this damage by attempting a reflex save.

Table 7-5: Material Updates Weapons

Simple Weapons-Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Tiny
Knife, Late Steel 2gp 1d4 x2 1lb S M 9/4
Small
Axe, Woodcutter's Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 6.5lbs S MW 9/13
Mace, Light Late Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 9/12
Mace, Horseman's Late Steel 6gp 1d6 x2 5.5lbs B MW 9/16
Sickle, Late Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/6
Medium-Size
Axe, Miner's Late Steel 11gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Axe, Pick Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 6lbs P MW 9/12
Hayfork, Late Steel a
10gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P MW 9/12
Mace, Footman's Late Steel 14gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 9/22
Mace, Heavy Late Steel 16gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B MW 9/24
Morningstar, Late Steel 10gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B and P MW 9/16
Pitchfork, Late Steela 13gp 1d8 x3 7.5lbs P MW 9/15
Large
Crozier 7gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B M 9/10
Crozier w/ Hidden Spearhead 12gp 1d6/1d8 x2 8lbs B M 9/14
These are material updates of items from previous chapters that were still in use during this period

269
 From Stone to Steel
Table 7-5: Material Updates Weapons
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Small
Crossbow, Light Late Steel 55gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/16
Medium-Size
Crossbow, Heavy Late Steel 40gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/12
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Mace & Chain, Late Steel*# 9gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 9/10
Mace & Chain, Late Steel (Spiked)*# 10gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B and P MW 9/12
Flail, Horseman's*# 9gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 9/12
Hatchet, Late Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Shortsword, Late Steel 12gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs P M 9/8
Medium-Size
Axe, Footman's Late Steel 11gp 1d8 x3 6lbs S MW 9/12
Axe, Horseman's Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S MW 9/12
Axe, Spiked Middle Steel 14gp 1d8 or 1d4 x3 8lbs S or P MW 9/16
Battleaxe, Late Steel 12gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Broadsword, Late Steel 28gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 9/16
Hammer, Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 9/12
Longsword, Late Steel 18gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 9/12
Pick, Footman's Late Steel 9gp 1d6 x4 4lbs P MW 9/8
Pick, Horseman's Late Steel 9gp 1d4 x4 4lbs P MW 9/12
Shamsir, Late Steel 18gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S MW 9/8
Warhammer, Footman's Late Steel 14gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 9/16
Warhammer, Horseman's Late Steel 13gp 1d6 or 1d3 x3 or x4 5.5lbs B or P MW 9/17
Large
Axe, Bearded 13gp 2d4 x3 9lbs S MW 9/18
Battleaxe, Double Winged Late Steel 22gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 9/30
Bill, Late Steel*a 22gp 1d8 or 1d3/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S or P / B MW 9/28
Falchion, Late Steel 83gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 9/32
Glaive, Late Steel 10gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 9/30
Halberd, Capped Late Steel*a 18gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 9/30
Halberd, Spiked Late Steel*a 24gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3 15lbs S or P / P MW 9/30
Halberd, Late Steel*a 12gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 9/30
Maul, Late Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B MW 9/20
Partisan, Late Steel*a 15gp 1d8 or 1d6/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 9/30
Pike, Late Steel*a 10gp 1d10 x3 14lbs P MW 9/28
Scythe, Late Steel 20gp 2d4 x4 12lbs P and S MW 9/24
Spear, Long Late Steela 7gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 9/20
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Large
Flail, Military* 135gp 1d8 1920/x2 16lbs B MW 9/32
Martel de Fer, Late Steel* 35gp 1d8 or 1d3 x3 9lbs B or P MW 9/18

These are material updates of items from previous chapters that were still in use during this period

270
 Pagentry, Platemail, and Pistols
Table 7-6: Pagentry Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure Speed 30ft/ 20ft Weight M
Medium Armor
Breastplate, Segmented 260gp +5 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 26lbs M
Chainshirt, Russian Double 190gp +5 +3 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 29lbs M
Hauberk, Brigandine Middle Steel 195gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 34lbs ML
Hauberk,Brigandine Late Steel 205gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 34lbs ML
Karacena 200gp +5 +2 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 25lbs M
Lamellar, Late Steel 60gp +5 +2 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 29lbs M
Leather Armor, Plate Reinforced 220gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs ML
Shirt, Brigandine Late Steel 100gp +4 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 29lbs ML
Shirt, Brigandine Middle Steel 90gp +4 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 29lbs ML
Heavy Armor
Brigandine, Late Steel 330gp +6 +2 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs ML
Brigandine, Middle Steel 320gp +6 +2 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs ML
Chainmail, Russian Double 375gp +6 +2 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs M
Field Plate, Late Steel 1050gp +8 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M
Field Plate, Middle Steel 1000gp +8 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M
Half Plate and Leather Armor 390gp +6 +2 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs ML
Half Plate Armor 250gp +6 +1 -6 40% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M
Half Platemail, Middle Steel 500gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M
Plate Armor, Maximillian Late Steel 2100gp +9 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 48lbs M
Plate Armor, Maximillian Middle Steel 2000gp +9 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 48lbs M
Plate Armor, Tournament# 1000gp +9 -1 -8 50% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M
Plate Mail, Three Quarter 750gp +7 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M
Platemail, Light Middle Steel 300gp +6 +1 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 40lbs M
Shields
Buckler, Late Steel 18gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs S
Buckler, Leather 12gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs LW
Buckler, Middle Steel 15gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs S
Buckler, Wood 13gp +1 -1 5% 5lbs W
Targe, Scottish 15gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs LW
Target, Late Steel 10gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs S
Target, Wooden 8gp +1 -1 5% 5lbs W
Mounts Gear
Heavy
Barding, Plate Late Steel 4200gp +8 +1 -6 30ft*/35ft*/40ft* 100lbs M
Barding, Plate Middle Steel 4000gp +8 +1 -6 30ft*/35ft*/40ft* 100lbs M
Material updates of items from previous chapters that were still in use during this period
Medium Armor
Chainmail, Late Steel 175gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 40lbs M
Mounts Gear
Medium
Barding, Late Steel Chainmail Horse 700gp +5 +2 -5 30ft/35ft/40ft 60lbs M
Shields
Shield, Great Late Steel 40gp +3 -3 25% 25lbs M
Shield, Large Late Steel 22gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs M
Shield, Small Late Steel 10gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M
Shield, Tower Late Steel 65gp * -10 50% 60lbs M

# See the text for special rules.

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.
271
Myth and Magic
Divine Items 273
Special Divine Property
Death 273
Plague 273
Pestilence 273
Famine 273
Inner Reflection 273
Missiles Without Limit 274
Unerring 274
Weightless 275
Normal Magical Item Abilities 275
Aura 275
Banishing 275
Blurred 275
Corrosion 275
Darkness-Bearing 276
Finding 276
Heart Seeking 277
Impervious 277
Light-Bearing 277
Material Cutting 278
Potent 278
Quaking 278
Renewing 278
Sundering 278
Warding 278
Specific Wonderous Item: 279
Items by Region 279
America 279
Australia 280
Sub-Sahara Africa 280
Egypt 281
Asia 282
India 282
Japan 283
Mesopotamia 283
Europe 284
Teutonic/Nordic Myth 284
Celtic Myth 285
Rome 285
Greece 285
Medieval 287
Historical Racial Items 288
New Spells 288

272
 Myth and Magic
he following are new Magical Weapon and Armor Special
T Abilities, followed by a regional list of notable Legendary
and Mythical Items.
Divine Items
Divine Items are items directly imbued with the power of a god
or gods. All Divine Items have certain shared properties, but
many also have additional divine abilities. The shared properties
of Divine Items are:
Divine Items cannot be damaged except by direct divine
attack or other Divine Items.
Divine weapons are supernaturally potent against non-divine
items. Divine weapons ignore the hardness of any non-divine
item when inflicting damage. Magical Items have a limited
amount of defense vs. Divine weapons, based on their total
enhancement bonus. A +1 short sword would have 1 hardness
when resisting damage from a Divine weapon, regardless of
its material and normal hardness. A +3 Holy Defender
Longsword has 6 hardness vs. Divine Weapons: 3 + 2 (for the
Holy Ability) + 1 (for the Defender ability) = 6. Divine
weapons facing other divine weapons or armor damage each
other as normal.
Divine Items are automatically masterwork. Divine Weapons
do damage as if they are one size larger than their actual size
(You may wish to refer to the Size Chart on page ???). Divine
armor gains an additional +1 to its conferred armor bonus.
Certain Divine Items have additional properties.
Special Divine PropertyDeath
Death Divine Items are imbued with the power of a god who has
influence over life and death. If the victim is injured in any man-
ner by this divine item of Death, even accidentally, they must
make a fortitude save vs. DC 20, or die instantly, as per a Death
Attack. Only Death Ward can protect against this kind of attack.
More powerful gods may have even higher save DCs, if the DM
so desires. The DM may also wish for Death Items (especially
armor) to effect animals or plants as well.
Special Divine PropertyPlague
Plague Divine Items are touched by the rancor of a god who is
concerned with healing or illness, or whose aspect engenders
contagion, such as that which spreads after war or natural disas-
ter. There are two ways Divine Plagues spread. Contact requires
that the victim be touched or wounded by the item. Touching is
weaker, requiring a fortitude save versus DC 20 to avoid being
infected. Wounding increases the save DC to 25. Contagion is a
region of dispersal (60 foot radius), where one need only breathe
in order to contract the sickness. Contagion generally requires a
fortitude save versus DC 15. Obviously, undead and those that
do not need to breath are not subject to contracting contagion
diseases. Any illness may be transferred on a Divine Plague
item. Ranged Divine Plague weapons generally are Contact only,
273
while Divine Plague melee weapons can be either the Contact or
Contagion type. Divine Plague Armor is almost exclusively
Contagion only, although there is no reason why armor could not
be a Contact carrier as well. Again, more powerful gods may
have even higher save DCs or greater ranges of dispersal, if the
DM so desires. If the DM so chooses, the plague effect may also
effect mounts, livestock, or wildlife.
Special Divine PropertyPestilence
Pestilence Divine Items generally come from war or illness
gods, although death and fertility gods may also use these items.
Pestilence often accompanies Plague in Divine Items, but it
holds a different role, that of weakening the healthy. Divine
Pestilence Items project a field of Pestilence to a radius of 60
feet, and in that field no healing magic may take place and all
wounds act as if inflicted by a weapon of Wounding. Addition-
ally, anyone within the radius of Divine Pestilence must make
fortitude save versus DC 15, or suffer 2 to Strength, Dexterity,
and Constitution for as long as they remain within the 60 foot
radius. As always, the DM may opt to increase the DC or radius
for more powerful gods. Divine Items with Pestilence should be
considered Wounding at all times.
Special Divine PropertyFamine
Famine Divine Items are cruel, devastating, yet passive. Often
empowered by sun, nature, or spiteful gods, famine items target
people only indirectly, by killing or withering their source of
nourishment. Divine Famine items project a field Famine to a
radius of 60 feet. Within those 60 feet, all food rots, and all palat-
able drink sours, curdles, or goes bitter. No one may gain nour-
ishment from food or drink that has turned. Grain in the field or
fruit on the bough wither and fester, and the flesh of any animal
slaughtered in that 60 foot radius automatically turns rancid.
Famine may not directly affect a person, but the effects can
potentially destroy armies.
Special Divine PropertyInner Reflection
Divine Items with Inner Reflection are difficult to define,
because they have the power to reflect the inner nature of the
wielder. By their contact with the Divine, certain items seem to
take a small portion of gods power, and allow those who use
them to shape that power into incredible abilities, all based on
their own subconscious desires. The Inner Reflection ability is
well hidden in an item, and cannot be detected until the wielder
has spent time with that item, learning its secrets and capabili-
ties. Spells like Legend Lore or Contact Other Plane are excel-
lent ways to research the powers of such a Divine Item. Research
in a great library (with a high DC), prayer (In an important tem-
ple, and often after much repetition), or 1d20 + 6 months in con-
stant contact with such an item might also reveal the secret of
such an item. Once an individual discovers an item has hidden
power, it must be activated while the object is being held or
worn. Inner Reflection may mirror any number of standard mag-
ical item abilities (you have 10 points to design the items power,
as below).
 From Stone to Steel
For Armor
All Resistances may be increased by 5 points for every point
spent.
The Arrow Deflection DC can be lowered by 2 for every
point spent, and by spending an extra point on Arrow Deflec-
tion, exceptional items can be deflected by an appropriate
Divine Shield.
Shields with the Bashing Ability may be treated as if their
damage is one size higher per point spent.
Blindings DC may be increased by 2 for every point spent.
Invulnerability may be enhanced: for every point spent, the
damage reduction may be increased by 1. For every 5 point
points spent, the bonus required to ignore damage reduction
may be increased by 1.
Reflection may be used one extra time a day per point spent.
The + circumstance bonus for Shadow, Silent Moves, or Slick
may be increased by 2 per point spent on the ability.
Darkness-bearing armor (see below) can have the range of
darkness emission increased by 10 feet per point spent.
Renewing armor (see below) can heal an additional hit point
per round per point spent on this ability.
One use Aura Enchantments (see below) may be used one
additional time per day per 2 point points spent. Three use
Aura Enchantments may be used one additional time per day
per 1 point point spent.
For Weapons
The weapon gains a +1 enhancement bonus for every point
spent (up to +5 maximum)
Extra damage dice for abilities that add extra damage dice
may be purchased at 1 extra die per 5 points spent.
The duration of the ability Dancing may be increased to
unlimited rounds by purchasing it with an extra point.
Disruptions DC may be increased by 2 for every point spent.
Banes extra enhancement bonus can be increased by +2 for
every point spent.
Distance can be purchased multiple times, doubling ranged
distance for every point spent.
Mighty Cleaving may be purchased additional times, adding
an additional cleave attempt per round per point spent.
Spell storing may be purchased with a higher maximum level
for a stored spell or may be purchased to store more than one
spell: for every extra point spent this way, the maximum level
may be increased by one, or another spell may be stored in
the item.
Wounding damage may be increased by one point per 2
points spent this way.
Darkness-bearing weapons (see below) can have the range of
darkness emission increased by 10 feet per point spent.
Renewing weapons (see below) can heal an additional hit
point per round per point spent on this ability.
274
Heart Seeking weapons (see below) may use the Heart Seek-
ing ability an additional time per day per 2 point points spent
on it.
One use Aura Enchantments (see below) may be used one
additional time per day per 2 point points spent. Three use
Aura Enchantments may be used one additional time per day
per 1 point point spent.
The first time an individual activates the Inner Reflection abili-
ties of this Divine Item, they must select the powers that item
will exhibit. DMs should take careful note to make certain those
abilities are clearly defined, and any augmentation is clearly
accounted for. If a being activating the Divine Item has an ele-
mental or spiritual aspect, such as an Elemental or Celestial, at
least 5 points of that items abilities should be focused on their
innate aspect. Once the Divine Items Inner Reflection abilities
have been defined, they will remain set for the individual unless
they suffer an alignment change. Other individuals may pick up
such an item and, after detecting the power within that item,
select an entirely different suite of abilities, but once that item
has been defined for an individual, it is again set. Shape-shifting,
reincarnation in a new form, or amnesia will not change how that
item reacts to that specific wielder. These powers represent your
inner desires and drives, given a small portion of divine power to
shape your reality.
DMs should consider carefully before using a Divine Item with
this power, because the effects can potentially be game breaking.
If other powers are selected for use with an item, or if a player
wants to boost other powers than those mentioned above in a
specific manner, discuss it with your DM first. DMs may opt to
limit or increase the number of points available to purchase pow-
ers with, at their own discrimination.
Special Divine PropertyMissiles With-
out Limit
Certain Divine bows and many Divine missiles or thrown
weapons have no true range. These Divine Items Without Limit
ignore range, and do not lose accuracy, no matter how far they
must travel. Theoretically, an arrow can be shot directly to the
sun, or to the depths of the ocean, as a Divine Item Without
Limit will not stop until it has struck something solid. Regard-
less of the distance, such an item will travel to its target in one
round, and even gravity does not affect such a missile, making
arcing unnecessary. Obviously, Divine Bows Without Limit con-
fer this ability upon their ammunition.
Special Divine PropertyUnerring
Fortunately, Unerring Divine weapons are rare. War gods or
patrons of hunters are the most likely sources for these danger-
ous items. An Unerring Divine Weapon will not miss. It may be
limited by range (remember that a missile weapon can only fire
up to 10 times the range increment), but an Unerring Divine
Weapon will not miss a valid target. Concealment or Cover (if
not full cover) are ignored by an Unerring Weapon (it automati-
cally avoids these obstacles), but as long as an defender can be
 Myth and Magic
seen and aimed at, it will be struck. To resolve a combat roll for
an Unerring Divine weapon, roll to strike as normal, and if the
weapon critically strikes, resolve damage as per a critical hit.
Otherwise, damage is rolled normally and applied to the oppo-
nent or object in question.
Special Divine PropertyWeightless
Weightless Divine items are a blessing. Whether it may be armor
or weapon, a weightless item does not weigh down the bearer.
Weightless Armor is particularly advantageous: the Maximum
Dexterity Bonus for Divine Weightless Armor is doubled (to a
maximum of +8) and the Armor Check Penalty is halved (to a
minimum of 1). Weightless items will float in water, but they
do not float in air (fortunately), and the damage of Divine
Weightless Weapons is not decreased, as might normally be
expected. Weightless Divine Items do not effect encumbrance,
but keep note of the normal weight of such an item, just in
case
Normal Magical Item Abilities
The following are new Magical Item Abilities to add to Magical
Weapons or Armor.
Aura
All weapons except for ammunition, all armors, and all shields
may be enchanted with an Aura. Each Aura has a different abil-
ity. To randomly determine the type of aura enchantment an item
has, roll on the following table:
Caster Level: 12th for Command, Peace, 10th for Nobility, Brav-
ery, and Chaos; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Mass Suggestion (For Command) or Sanctuary(For Peace) or
Emotion (For Nobility) or Remove Fear(For Bravery) or Confu-
sion (For Chaos); Market Price: +3 Bonus for Nobility and
Bravery, +4 Bonus for Command, Peace, and Chaos
0120: CommandAn aura of command may be activated
once per day. When activated by command word the closest
12 creatures within 220 feet become open to suggestion, as per
the spell Suggestion. The duration of this effect is 12 hours, or
until the suggested task imposed on a creature is completed.
Spell resistance can protect a creature from this enchantment.
2140: PeaceAn aura of peace and calm may be activated
once per day. When activated by command word, any being
that attacks the aura of peace bearing individual must first
make a successful willpower save (vs the caster level of the
object). If they fail, they cannot follow through with the
attack, that portion of their combat round is lost, and they can-
not attack the individual until this effect wears off. This effect
lasts for 12 rounds, or until the bearer makes an attack of their
own. Area affect attacks do not invoke the willpower save.
4160: NobilityAn aura of nobility may be used upon the
statement of a command word. When activated, this aura proj-
ects a sense of respect and admiration for the item bearer to all
living creatures within 15 feet. All NPC attitudes are improved
one favorable step (as per the NPC Attitudes table) for as long
as the effect remains active. The effect can be ended with a
command word. This ability may be used up to three times per
day.
6180: BraveryAn aura of bravery may be used up to three
times per day. When activated by command word, this effect
grants a +4 moral bonus to against fear, including allowing
someone already affected by fear to make a new save versus
fear with the +4 morale bonus. This aura lasts 10 minutes.
81100: ChaosAn aura of chaos may be activated once per
day. When activated, this aura projects confusion to all crea-
tures within 200 feet. All creatures must make a willpower
save versus the caster level of the item, or be affected, as per
the Confusion spell. This aura lasts 10 rounds (1 minute).
Unlike most enchantments missile weapons with this ability
do not confer this ability to their ammunition.
Banishing
Banishing weapons are often carried by witch hunters or those
who intend to fight conjurers. Banishing weapons have a chance
of banishing an Outsider every time they strike that creature.
Any Outsider struck by a banishing weapon must make a
willpower save (DC 22), or be banished back to their home
plane. If that Outsider has Spell Resistance, the character must
make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level of the item) at
least equal to the creatures spell resistance rating for the banish-
ment to affect that creature. Missile weapons with this enchante-
ment confer this ability to their ammunition.
Caster Level: 15th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Banishment; Market Price: +4 Bonus
Blurred
Weapons with the blurred enchantment are harder to see clearly,
and, therefore, harder to dodge. An opponent can only apply half
of their positive Dexterity bonus (rounding down) to their armor
class against this weapon. If an opponent has a negative Dexter-
ity bonus, their negative Dexterity bonus is doubled, as the
already maladroit foe finds it yet harder to try and get out of the
way of the attack. Missile weapons with this ability confer this
ability to their ammunition.
Caster Level: 10th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Blur; Market Price: +2 Bonus
Corrosion
Weapons with corrosion inflict verdigris or rust on copper,
bronze, iron, or steel. Corrosion weapons do not harm the armor
on the hands of the wielder. When a weapon with corrosion
comes into contact with a normal copper, bronze, iron, or steel
275
 From Stone to Steel
item, it causes instant verdigris or rust where it strikes, inflicting
an additional +1d6 hit points of damage to that item. Missile
weapons so enchanted confer the corrosion energy upon their
ammunition.
Caster Level: 10th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Rusting Grasp; Market Price: +1 Bonus
Darkness-Bearing
Darkness-bearing items carry with them a magical darkness that
can obscure sight at the item bearers command. Through speak-
ing the command word, the darkness-bearing item will exude an
almost palpable darkness to a radius of 20 feet. Within that
space, only creatures that can normally see in darkness (such as
those with darkness vision) can see, and only light spells of 3rd
level or greater can cancel out this magical darkness. This ability
is activated by command word, lasts for one hour, and may be
used three times per day. Darkness-bearing objects may be any
kind of armor, shield, or weapon, and missile weapons with this
ability confer this ability to their ammunition.
Caster Level: 6th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Darkness; Market Price: +2 Bonus
Finding
The finding enchantment is cast on ammunition, rather than
weapons. A finding item is used to direct searchers towards
something. Each type of finding item leads towards a different
kind of thing. To randomly determine the type of finding
enchantment an item has, roll % on the following table:
Caster Level: 10th for all but Specific Creature Finding which is
12th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Detect
Chaos/Evil/Good/Law/Magic/Poison/Secret Doors/Snares and
Pits/Undead (for Finding items of the same aspects) or Detect
Animal or Plant (For Specific Type of Animal or Plant) or
Locate Object (For Specific Type of Object) or Locate Creature
(for Specific Creature Finding), Feather Fall; Market Price: +1
Bonus for Chaos/Evil/Good/Law/Magic/Poison/Secret
Doors/Snares and Pits/Undead, +2 Bonus for Specific Type of
Animal, Plant, or Object, +3 for Specific Creature Finding.
0108: ChaosAn item of Chaos Finding, once fired, will
turn towards the nearest, most powerful chaotic object or crea-
ture within 800 feet. If the object or creature is within that
items normal range, it will land safely in front of that object
or creature. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, point-
ing in the direction of the object or creature.
0917: EvilAn item of Evil Finding, once fired, will turn
towards the nearest, most powerful evil object or creature
within 800 feet. If the object or creature is within that items
normal range, it will land safely in front of that object or crea-
ture. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the
direction of the object or creature.
1826: GoodAn item of Good Finding, once fired, will turn
towards the nearest, most powerful good object or creature
276
within 800 feet. If the object or creature is within that items
normal range, it will land safely in front of that object or crea-
ture. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the
direction of the object or creature.
2735: LawAn item of Law Finding, once fired, will turn
towards the nearest, most powerful lawful object or creature
within 800 feet. If the object or creature is within that items
normal range, it will land safely in front of that object or crea-
ture. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the
direction of the object or creature.
3643: MagicAn item of Magic Finding, once fired, will
turn towards the nearest, most powerful magic object or crea-
ture within 800 feet. If the object or creature is within that
items normal range, it will land safely in front of that object
or creature. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, point-
ing in the direction of the object or creature.
4453: Poison - An item of Poison Finding, once fired, will
turn towards the nearest, most powerful poisonous object or
creature within 800 feet. If the object or creature is within that
items normal range, it will land safely in front of that object
or creature. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, point-
ing in the direction of the object or creature.
5462: Secret DoorsAn item of Secret Door Finding, once
fired, will turn towards the nearest secret door within 60 feet.
If there is no secret door, the item will fire as normal, and take
damage as normal if it strikes a wall. Otherwise it will lightly
tap against the secret door and then fall gently to the ground in
front of the secret door.
6371: Snares and PitsAn item of Snares and Pit Finding,
once fired, will turn towards the nearest snare or pit within 60
feet. If there is no snare or pit, the item will fire as normal, and
take damage as normal if it strikes a wall. Otherwise it will
lightly tap against the snare or pit and then fall gently to the
ground in front of it.
7280: UndeadAn item of Undead Finding, once fired, will
turn towards the nearest, most powerful undead creature
within 800 feet. If the creature is within that items normal
range, it will land safely in front of that creature. Otherwise it
will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the direction of the
creature.
8186: Specific Type of AnimalAn item of Specific Type
of Animal Finding is permanently attuned to one species of
animal. Determine which type of animal randomly, or have the
DM select one. Once fired, the item will turn towards the near-
est animal of that type within 800 feet. If the animal is within
that items normal range, it will land safely in front of that ani-
mal. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the
direction of the animal.
8792: Specific Type of PlantAn item of Specific Type of
Plant Finding is permanently attuned to one species of plant.
Determine which type of plant randomly, or have the DM
 Myth and Magic
select one. Once fired, the item will turn towards the nearest
plant of that type within 800 feet. If the plant is within that
items normal range, it will land safely in front of that plant.
Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the
direction of the plant.
9398: Specific Type of ObjectAn item of Specific Type of
Object is permanently attuned to one general type of item or
mineral. Determine which type of item or mineral randomly,
or have the DM select one. Once fired, the item will turn
towards the nearest item or mineral of that type within 800
feet. If the item or mineral is within that items normal range,
it will land safely in front of that item or mineral. Otherwise it
will fall gently to the ground, pointing in the direction of the
item or mineral. Dwarves often craft crossbow bolts of Gold
Finding, for example, to determine where new veins are
located.
99100: Specific Creature - An item of Specific Creature is a
bit more complex than most finding items. If found randomly,
there is a 90% chance it is already attuned to one specific crea-
ture when found. This item will not be reset until that creature
is found. In order to attune an item of Specific Creature Find-
ing, it must be touching some part of the creature in question
when the command word is used. This part of the creature
may include blood, flesh, hair, etc., which has been later sepa-
rated from the creature (such as hair that has been cut, or
blood from a puddle). Once fired, the attuned item will turn
towards the creature if it is within 800 feet. If the creature is
within that items normal range, it will land safely in front of
that creature. Otherwise it will fall gently to the ground, point-
ing in the direction of the creature. The attunement can only be
nullified by bringing the item into contact with some part of
that creature again, and using the command word. Then the
item is free to be attuned to a new creature.
If the type of thing a Finding item detects is not with the range
of the item, it will act in all other aspects like a normal version
of that item.
Heart Seeking
The heart seeking enchantment is only placed on individual
ammunition or throwing items. Quite rare and valuable, heart
seeking items confer a +20 insight benefit to the attack roll when
firing or throwing that item. Fortunately (or unfortunately) this
enchantment may only be used once per day, and requires a stan-
dard action to activate. Otherwise the item is treated as no differ-
ent than any other.
Caster Level: 8th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
True Strike; Market Price: +3 Bonus
Impervious
Impervious magical items are immune to damage from a specific
damage group. This ability does not confer any immunity to the
bearer, but merely indicates an immunity in the item. Unlike
most enchantments missile weapons with this ability do not con-
fer this ability to their ammunition. To randomly determine the
type of immunity a shield, armor, or weapon has, roll on the fol-
lowing table:
Often more than one Impervious enchantment is cast on a single
item or set of armor.
Caster Level: 10th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Appropriate Protection From Spell; Market Price: +1 Bonus
134: BludgeoningItems that are impervious to bludgeon-
ing take no damage from bludgeoning attacks of any kind.
3567: SlashingItems that are impervious to slashing take
no damage from slashing attacks of any kind.
68100: PiercingItems that are impervious to piercing take
no damage from piercing attacks of any kind.
Light-Bearing
Light-bearing items do more than just emit a magical glow, as a
good number of magical items do. Light-bearing items bear
celestial light, either true sunlight, moonlight, or starlight. Each
type of light-bearing item has unique features. To randomly
determine the type of light-bearing item a shield, armor, or
weapon is, roll 1d6 on the following table:
Light Bearing objects may be any kind of armor, shield, or
weapon, and missile weapons with this ability confer this ability
to their ammunition.
12: SunlightSunlight-bearing items radiate natural sun-
light to a radius of 60 feet. All creatures that suffer penalties in
natural sunlight suffer them while within the radius of this
items light. This ability may be invoked by command word
up to three times a day, and will last for one hour.
34: MoonlightMoonlight-bearing items shed the cool,
pale light of the moon to a radius of 30 feet. Within that light,
however, darkness (normal or magical) cannot affect the
wielder, locations, objects, or creatures that are invisible will
be revealed, illusions can be seen through, and the true form of
an altered, polymorphed, or shape-shifted creature is revealed.
This ability may be invoked three times per day, and lasts up
to 15 minutes.
56: StarlightStarlight-bearing items project the faint, mes-
merizing light of the stars. Although it only projects light in a
15 foot radius, starlight-bearing items tend to enthrall viewers,
effecting 12d4+6 HD of creatures who can see the wearer.
Creatures must make a will save (DC 15), with the lowest
number of HD are affected first, and of creatures that are of
equal HD, the ones closest to the item bearer are affected first.
All creatures who fail are affected by the enchantment, and act
as though they are affected by the spell hypnotism, although
they are not open to suggestions. Creatures that cannot see are
not affected by the enchantment.
277
 From Stone to Steel
Caster Level: 6th for Sunlight, 12th for Moonlight, 8th for Starlight;
Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Daylight(for Sun-
light) or Continual Flame, True Seeing (for Moonlight) or Hyp-
notic Pattern (for Starlight); Market Price: +2 Bonus for
Daylight and Starlight, +3 Bonus for Moonlight.
Material Cutting
The material cutting enchantment is only cast on slashing
weapons, and usually only very old ones, as it is an enchantment
with ancient heritage. Material Cutting weapons are either made
to cleave wood or stone (50% Wood, 50% Stone). Material cut-
ting weapons cut through the material in question as it were but-
ter, ignoring the hardness of any item made of that material.
Material Cutting weapons. Folklore has it that such items were
used to create wilderness fastnesses for druids, or to shape the
standing stones of Ireland and England, including the famous
Stonehenge.
Caster Level: 12 for Wood Cutting, 16 for Stone Cutting; Pre-
th th
requisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Repel Wood (For Wood
Cutting) or Repell Stone (For Stone Cutting); Market Price: +2
Bonus for Wood, +3 Bonus for Stone
Potent
Potent weapons deal more damage. The enchantment on a potent
weapon makes it naturally more damaging, rather than adding
additional damage dice to a weapon. A potent weapon does dam-
age as a weapon one size greater per rank (see appendix II).
Thus a rank IV potent weapon would do damage as a weapon 4
sizes greater. The Potent enchantment does not increase the
actual size of the weapon.
Caster Level: 15th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Bulls Strength, Magic Weapon; Market Price: +2 Bonus for
Rank I, +3 Bonus for Rank II, +4 Bonus for Rank III, +5 Bonus
for Rank IV
Quaking
The first quaking weapon was an accident, the result of trying to
bind two opposing high level enchantments into the same
weapon. The result was a weapon that seemed to tremble with
energy, almost as if the embedded enchantments were about to
burst out in a magical explosion. Fortunately, there was no
explosion, and as the maker experimented with the first quaking
weapon, he realized that there were certain advantages to the
enchantment. Quaking items constantly quiver with energy, and
when they strike they cause an extra +2d6 points of kinetic dam-
age. Quaking items are very potent against glass, bone, or stone
due to the constant vibration of the weapon, and strikes against
these materials do an extra +4d6 points of kinetic damage.
Unfortunately, wielding a quaking weapon puts a tremendous
strain on the arm muscles, as the jarring force of the quaking
weapon also puts the body through its paces. If a battle goes
more than 3 minutes (30 rounds), the quaking weapon wielder
takes 1 point of temporary Strength damage, which will return
278
after an hour of rest. Quaking enchantments are only cast upon
melee weapons.
Caster Level: 12th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Resonate; Market Price: +3 Bonus
Renewing
Renewing items gradually repair themselves. If a renewing item
is damaged for any reason, it will regain 1 Hit Point per round
until it has returned to full Hit Points. Renewing Items do not
confer any healing capacity to the bearer, but merely indicates a
property of the item. Unlike most enchantments missile weapons
with this ability do not confer this ability to their ammunition.
Caster Level: 10th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Renew; Market Price: +1 Bonus
Sundering
A weapon with sundering deals extra damage to weapons, armor,
or shields they strike. When a sundering weapon strikes a
weapon, armor, or shield, it deals an extra +1d6 shattering dam-
age to the item it strikes. Missile weapons so enchanted confer
the shattering energy upon their ammunition.
Caster Level: 10th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
Shatter; Market Price: +1 Bonus
Warding
A warding weapon protects its wielder from a particular type of
threat (determined below), absorbing the first 5 points of damage
from that threat. Additionally, a warding weapon confers an
additional +2 enhancement bonus against the source of the
threat. To randomly determine the threat type a weapon is ward-
ing against, roll on the following table:
0110: LightningItems with Lightning Warding absorb the
first 5 points of electrical damage per round, and confer a +2
bonus versus creatures with electrical attacks. These weapons
tend to have a bluish tinge, and may sport a cloud or lightning
motif.
1120: FireItems with Fire Warding absorb the first 5
points of electrical damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus
versus creatures with fire-based attacks (including fire ele-
mentals). These weapons tend to have a slightly reddish tinge
(not to be confused with rust), and may sport a flame or dra-
conic motif.
2130: ColdItems with Cold Warding absorb the first 5
points of cold damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus versus
creatures with cold-based attacks (including ice elementals).
These weapons tend to have a bluish tinge, and may sport a
snowflake or mountaintop motif.
3140: AcidItems with Acid Warding absorb the first 5
points of acid damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus versus
creatures with acid-based attacks. This weapons tend to have a
 Myth and Magic
dull grey finish, and may sport a tear drop motif or a second-
ary yellow or green tinge.
4150: SonicItems with Sonic Warding absorb the first 5
points of sonic damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus ver-
sus creatures with sonic attacks. These weapons tend to appear
glistening, as if just submerged, and may sport a ripple motif.
5160: Evil - Items with Evil Warding absorb the first 5 points
of unholy damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus versus
evil creatures. These weapons tend to appear brightly pol-
ished, and may sport etched holy symbols.
6170: GoodItems with Good Warding absorb the first 5
points of holy damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus ver-
sus good creatures. These weapons tend to appear blackened,
and may sport profane or unholy symbols or iconography.
7180: ChaosItems with Chaos Warding absorb the first 5
points of chaos damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus ver-
sus chaotic creatures. These weapons tend to look completely
normal, although they may, in rare cases, sport symbols of
lawful divinities or organizations.
8190: LawItems with Law Warding absorb the first 5
points of law damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus versus
lawful creatures. These weapons tend to appear normal until
the light catches the weapon a certain way, then it appears to
fluoresce. Symbols of chaotic divinities or organizations might
also rarely be found on these items.
91100: Poison - Items with Poison Warding absorb the first 5
points of poison damage per round, and confer a +2 bonus ver-
sus creatures with poison attacks. These weapons tend to have
a greenish tinge, and may sport ophidian imagery.
If a creature has an item that confers an elemental or poison
attack, the Warding enchantment does not confer the noted
enhancement bonus against that creature. The Warding enchant-
ment does confer the noted enhancement bonus against a crea-
ture imbued with an elemental or poison attack by magic, but
only for the duration that they possess that attack. The Warding
weapon does not harm the wielder if the wielder would normally
be warded by the weapon (i.e. a chaotic character can wield a
weapon of Chaos Warding without incident).
Caster Level: 8th for all but Poison, 12th for Poison; Prerequisites:
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Endure Elements (for Lightning,
Fire, Cold, Acid, and Sonic) or Protection From
Evil/Good/Chaos/Law (for the respective weapons) or Neutral-
ize Poison (for Poison), Repulsion; Market Price: +3 Bonus for
All but Poison, +4 Bonus for Poison.
279
Specific Wonderous Item:
Quiver of Recall
This appears as a typical arrow container
capable of holding 20 arrows. Examina-
tion shows the stitching of arcane symbols
inside the bottom lining of the quiver.
When the command word is used, the
quiver is attuned to all arrows within it.
From that point forward, if an arrow is
fired from the quiver and is still intact when it
comes to rest, the arrow is instantly transported
back into the quiver the next round. If the arrow is
barbed and lodged in a creature, this effect removes
the arrow from the creature without causing extra
damage to that creature, as the arrow merely disap-
pears from the wound, and reappears in the quiver. Useful in
long battles, it is still wise to refill the quiver from time to time
and re-attune it to the new arrows, since broken arrows can still
occur, and, when broken, these arrows do not return.
Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Craft Wonderous Item, Arcane
Mark, Ds Instant Summons; Market Price: 2000 gp; Weight: -
Items by Region
Each of the items in this section come from myth or folklore in
this region, and represent appropriate powerful cultural items.
These items, with very little work, may be adapted to your own
campaign world easily, and may allow you to add depth and fla-
vor to a region or culture group. If the item does not imply a spe-
cific material, consider the weapon true steel (Hardness 10)
America
In Meso America, a common weapon of the gods was the blow-
gun, which was used to cast spells at a distance, and to hunt both
animals and other gods. There are a number of more interesting
Meso-American items, though.
Atlauas Atlatl
Atlaua is the Meso-American god of fishermen, and the inventor
of the atlatl. His first atlatl, which he still possesses, appears
rough-hewn, with none of the artistry that later atlatls tend to be
crafted with. This Divine atlatl is Without Limit, and Atlaua can
cast a dart into the heavens or spear fish at the depths of the
ocean with it. From time to time,
Atlaua will appear in disguise to
a fisherman, and lend
him his atlatl to fish with for
the day. The fisherman who willingly
shares his catch and makes appropriate sacri-
fices to Atlaua may be richly rewarded.
 From Stone to Steel
Itzlacoliuhque Obsidian Knife
Itzlacoliuhque is the Meso-American god of the
obsidian knife. His worship teaches the appropri-
ate sacrificial uses of the obsidian knife, and priests
of many other Meso-American gods tend to seek
his favor before sanctifying new sacri- ficial knives.
Itzlacoliuhques Knife is said to be particularly
Keen, and being a Divine Knife, it does not face the
swift breakage that most obsidian knives experience. It
should be noted that Itzlacoli- uhque is not known to
lend out his knife, but he would be very jealous of any blood
shed by it, and woe to any who do not make appropriate sacri-
fices of that blood, should they bear his knife.
Itzlis Stone Sacrificial Knife
Before Itzlacoliuhque crafted the obsidian knife, Itzli
crafted the stone knife. Itzlis worship declined as blood
sacrifice became more important than outright death sac-
rifices. Itzlis Stone Knife (Material (Stone) Hardness
(3)) is a Divine Death weapon, and care should be taken
with its usage. Should the wielder ever slip and cut him-
self with its blade, he may find himself in deaths embrace,
rather than the intended sacrifice.
Tezcatlipocas Smoking Mirror
Tezcatlipoca is often called Smoking Mirror, for his most potent
possession, a Divine Death Mirror. Tezcatlipoca is a shapeshifter
and trickster, the evil foe of Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent).
His mirror never appears the same twice, and it smokes with the
malevolence of its Death magic. Those who gaze upon its sur-
face view their own death, and usually this experience is enough
to kill them. Should a character gaze into the Smoking Mirror,
they should instantly make their Divine Death save, or die.
Should Tezcatlipoca ever be defeated, and his mirror claimed by
another, it may well be that it has other abilities hidden deep
within it, making it a Divine Weapon of Inner Reflection.
Navaho myth is a subject that there is little written on, mainly
because ancient Navaho culture had a large number of restric-
tions on the kinds of representations and stories that could be
told about their gods. Of the few war and hunt gods and god-
desses, Nayanezgani is the one we have the most detail on.
Nayanezganis Armor and Arrows
Nayanezganis aspects as a war god are
underplayed, and his role as a thunder
god is primary. Nayanezgani wears
Divine armor of flint, and as
the joints of the armor come
together, they produce great
bursts of lightning. Descrip-
tions are few, but it seems
likely that flint armor would
be splint or slat armor
(Material (Stone) Hardness
280
(2)), Divine in nature, with Blinding and Shocking Burst
enchantments. In other myths his arrows are bolts of chain light-
ning (Divine Shocking Burst Arrows), which he uses to defeat
his foes.
Australia
Australias Aboriginal people have a rich and fantastic mythol-
ogy, centered around an ancient type of existance called Dream-
time. Most beings in Dreamtime make use of the most
rudimentary and natural objects, but there are a few notable
exceptions.
Bobbi-bobbis Rib
Bobbi-bobbi was a snake who lived under the
Earth. When man was starving, Bobbi-bobbi sent
him flying foxes (bats) to eat. But the flying foxes
escaped the men, and Bobbi-bobbi gave the men one of
his ribs to use as a Divine Returning Boomerang, so that
they could hunt down the food animals. Bobbi-bobbis rib
kept man well fed, but the men fell to idle foolishness, and
one man took the rib and struck a hole in the sky with it
(Since the rib was Without Limit). Bobbi-bobbi, in his
anger, sent out his tongue, and grabbed both his rib and
the two men who tried to keep ahold of it. All three have never
been seen again, but perhaps Bobbi-bobbi may again decide to
grant his rib to a worthy man in need
Wati-kutjaras Boomerang
When the Man in the Moon
(Kidili) attempted to rape the first woman, it was
Wati-kutjara, the Iguana Man, that came to her rescue.
Wati-kutjara took his Divine Returning Boomerang, the
most cunningly sharp ever designed, and threw it at Kidili. The
boomerang was Unerring, and its Vorpal edge struck Kidili.
Kidili was emasculated, and he fled to a nearby Water Hole,
where he eventually died. Wati-kutjaras legacy has passed to the
tribes of central-western Australia, and it may be his boomerang
is also in their possession.
Sub-Sahara Africa
Africa has a variety of beliefs about weapons, includ-
ing a fear of the black magic of smithing, not unsimilar
to that of certain groups in Malaysia. In lands were iron
weapons were rare, the ability to craft the very bones of
the Earth seemed somehow wrong or dangerous. Not
that Earths bones alone were necessary to
Khonvoums Bow
Khonvoum is a hunting god, and the creator god of the
Pygmy people. Khonvoum hunts creatures across the
very heavens, and his Divine Bow is quite Potent (Class
III). Weightless, Khonvoums bow was constructed
from two great snakes, whose glossy scales appear as
the rainbow by those who see his bow on Earth. Fortu-
 Myth and Magic
nately, his bow is Weightless, and he may traverse the skies with
ease while pursuing his prey. Should one ever find their way into
the heavens, perhaps Khonvoum might consider the lending of
his bow, but only for matters most grave.
Shangos Double Headed Axe
The Yoruba people of Nigeria claim to descend
from a thunder god. Shango is a great, but turbu-
lent god, who once held the secrets of magic before
his first wife stole them from him. The symbol for thun-
der in many Sub-Saharan African cultures is the Dou-
ble Axe, and Shangos Divine Battleaxe packs a
Shocking Burst. Should the DM wish to deal with a
Shango who still, alone, held the secrets of magic, his
Battleaxe might also possess the mysterious power of
Inner Reflection.
Egypt
Egypt has some of the most popular and recognizable mythic
traits of any culture. The Egyptian fascination with death makes
Divine Death items somewhat more common than most other
cultures, but there are definitely a great variety of Divine items in
Egyptian culture. The most common weapon of the gods is the
Divine Spear, which nearly every Egyptian god seems to carry in
various images.
Bess Weapons
Bes is often depicted as a crude, ugly
dwarf, sometimes with leonine or feline
facial features. A god of human pleasures,
song, dance, and celebration, Bes is also the
patron of children and women in labor. Bes has
a veritable armory of knives and sword (both
straight and kopesh), and he uses hid Holy
Divine weapons to protect children and
women from evil spirits. Bes may well be
willing to equip those who join him in
his protective duties.
Atums Sunbeams
Atum is one of the oldest gods of Egyptian myth, and he is cred-
ited as being a progenitor of the line of the Pharoahs. His many
aspects and roles in Egyptian culture indicate how old his cult is,
and it is little surprise that one of his depictions is that of an old
man with the sunset behind his back. Atum has represented the
suns light from time to time, and he is sometimes depicted as
firing sunbeams at the four corners of the world when a Pharoah
ascends. His Divine, Holy Arrows illuminated the whole heav-
ens, being Without Limit. Should a Dynasty face premature
demise from unholy forces, Atum may yet come to their aid, or
lend his sunbeams to a rightful heir.
281
Horuss Sword
Horuss Divine Sword is the definition of Vorpal. When he is in
his full capacities, Horus might stride through a battlefield, strik-
ing the heads from his foes left and right. But, on the night of the
new moon, Horus is blind, and in battle he has been known to
strike the heads from allies as well as enemies. Those who wish
to make battle as an ally with Horus are best advised to choose
their time of war carefully.
Neiths Arrows
Neith is a minor hunting goddess, who Divine Heart Seeking
arrows take down the greatest of prey. Her priesthood blesses the
bows and arrows of hunters, and her protections also extend to
the remains of the dead, which were nominally under her care.
Neiths priesthood may grant her blessing on a hunters weapon
for a reasonable fee.
Neiths Blessing
Transmutation
Level: Clr 2
Components: V,S,DF
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Weapon Touched
Duration: 1 minute/level after activation
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless, object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (Harmless, Object)
Neiths Blessing, once activated, gives a weapon a +1 enhance-
ment bonus to attack and damage rolls. If youre a good cleric,
the cleric of a good deity, or a paladin, the weapon is considered
blessed, which means it has special effects on certain creatures.
Neiths Blessing remains dormant on the weapon until it is acti-
vated, and no bonus is given until the full action activation
occurs.
Sakhmets Arrows
Sakhmet is a dark goddess in Egyptian mythology, a woman of
vengence and war. When Re sent her to stop mortals who were
plotting against him, she became so enraptured by the slaughter
that proceeded, that she nearly slew all of humanity. Sakhmets
Arrows may be normal Divine Arrows, but she also carried the
title Lady of Pestilence, and she bears Divine Plague and
Pestilence Arrows as well. If one could survive her onslaught, it
might be possible one of her divine arrows may survive, and
such weapons could bring great power.
Sets Spear
Set is a god of chaos, hostility, and evil. Black at heart, Set
favors an ebon spear, which he has, from time to time, appeared
 From Stone to Steel
to have forgotten here or there. His ebon spear is a Divine Death
weapon, cruel and uncompromising when used. But the true
danger to one who finds it is that, no matter where they may be,
when Set wants that spear, he will appear nearby to reclaim it.
Most finders of Sets spear usually end up dead.
Asia
Between China, India, South East Asia, Persia, Siberia, and
Mesopotamia, Asia has an incredible diversity of mythology and
divine items. Here is just a small smattering.
China has a very regulated afterlife and pantheon. With a Heav-
enly Bureaucracy, mostly good aligned dragons, and a strong
national tendency to avoid religion, one might imagine the possi-
bilities here to be quite limited. One would be wrong.
Cai-shens Cap and Mace
In Chinese tradition, great figures in history can be
deified for their life actions. Cai-shen was one of these.
In life he was Zhao Xuan-tan, a General of the Qin
dynasty. After death, Cai-shen became a god of prosperity,
and he gained powers to protect from thunder and light-
ning. Cai-shens Divine Iron Cap grants Lightning and Sonic
resistance, and his Divine Mace is a mace of Light- n i n g
Warding. It is said a prayer to Cai-shen before a business
transaction often brings fortune.
Men-shen Arrows, Sabers, Spears
The Men-shen are guardian gods, who are often
depicted in sculp- ture before doorways. Origi-
nally two 6th century generals, Qin Shu-bao and
Hu Jing-de, the Men- shen now guard homes
and public buildings, and are said to chase evil spirits
away. Their Divine Arrows, Sabers, and
Spears should all be considered Evil Warding. Obviously,
if there is a great supernatural catastrophe in a city,
the Men-shen might well be found fighting along side
the army and civilians.
Monkey Kings Compliant Staff, Golden Armor, Cloud
Riding Shoes, Iron Crown
The Monkey King is a fantastical being, born
from rock, who travels in search of wisdom
and mischief. Early in his legend he goes to
the Palace of the Dragon Kings, in the East
Ocean, and bargains with them for a magical
weapon. When no weapon in the kingdom
seems to be right for him, they lead him to
the staff that Da Yu purportedly used to tame
the great deluge from antiquity. When Mon-
key King claimed the Divine Staff he found
himself able to control its size (which, in turn,
controls the damage it inflicts, as per the size
chart), so that with a thought he could shrink it
to the size of a pin or extend it to hundreds of
282
feet. Its weight was in the vicinity of 13,500 pounds. From the
Dragon Kings he also bullied a golden set of +3 Mountain Pat-
tern Armor, a set of Cloud Riding Shoes (the equivalent of
Winged Boots), and a Golden Crown. Much later his crown was
replaced with one of Iron, but the Iron Crown had a curse.
Should anyone speak the appropriate command word, the crown
would constrict, causing the Monkey King 1d6 points of damage
per round until the command word was re-invoked. Thus was the
Monkey King somewhat subdued.
Southern Tian-wang Sword
Called the Celestial Kings, the Tian-wang are quasi-demonic
creatures who guard the four corners of the earth and protect
goodness everywhere. Each Tian-wang has their own powers
and aspects, and the Southern Tian-wang is dedicated to fighting
against darkness and ignorance. His Divine Sword is Light Bear-
ing, carrying the illuminating Light of the Sun, and it radiates an
aura of Nobility.
Shen Yis Bow
When the earth was young, its surface was scorched
by the light of 10 suns. No plants could flourish under
this combined enslaught, and Shen Yi took up his bow
and shot 9 of the 10 suns from the sky. The light and
heat much lessened, Shen Yis bow was stayed by the
other gods, and the world cooled, becoming abundant
with life. Shen Yi was declared the Celestial Archer,
and his Divine Bow Without Limit was taken, with him,
into the heavens. Shen Yi is depicted with the sun in
his hand, but the whereabouts of his bow is unknown.
Zhong-kuis Sword
Zhong-kui is a demon, a man who committed suicide because he
failed to reach first place in the examinations. In his afterlife he
is the patron of literature and examinations, and he protects
against evil spirits and demons that might seek to encourage oth-
ers to his fate. He must constantly pit himself against their poi-
soned words, which threaten to turn the heart, and his Divine
Sword possesses the enchantment of Poison Warding. Zhong-kui
is often invoked by nervous scholars before tests.
India
Indias Hindu religion has hundreds, if not thousands, of gods,
and equally as many strange, wonderful, and terrible mythical
creatures. From time to time people are born who seem to
exceed the common existence of human experience, and these
people are often considered avatars of the gods. Add to this mix
 Myth and Magic
the fact that the heavenly realm can and often has been invaded
and even conquered by ambitious spirits, demi-gods, and men,
and you have a myth base that is action packed and bursting with
color and nuance.
Kalki Avataras Scimitar
In Hindu myth there are to be 10 incarnations of Vishnu. Vishu
descends to earth from time to time when the balance of exis-
tence is upset, and it is believed that he will descend again in the
Kalki Avatara when the earth needs to be set in appropriate bal-
ance again. The Kalki Avatara will come riding a white horse,
and bearing a Divine Scimitar, by which he will subdue nations,
destroy the wicked, and restore the righteous. It seems likely that
his Scimitar will bear an Aura of Command, to help rally the
faithful.
Devis Sword
Many gods and goddesses in Hindu belief have multiple incar-
nations. Devi the Divine Mother incarnation of the goddess who
is also Durgha, Kali, and Parvati. Devi is the consort of Shiva,
and as the mother of all things, she holds the power of life and
death. Devi bears a Divine Broadsword (in both her own incar-
nation and that of Kali), and it represents Death. Still, Devi is
very careful about dealing death, and she does not wage war
indiscriminately.
Vajra, Indras Bolt
Indra is another major god in Hindu belief, but while he was
once the supreme god, later religious movements have reduced
his role in Hindu society. One of his lesser aspects is as the Lord
of Weather, and he bears the Divine Spear Vajra. Vajra is a
Divine shortspear of Shocking, and he uses it in battle to drive
back his foes. At various times he has also used a bow, net, and
hook as weapons, although there is no indication that these were
divine weapons.
Shivas Flaming Discus
Jalamdhara was born of the union
between Shivas Uncontrolled
Anger (who had taken on inde-
pendent existance) and the god-
dess of the Ganges river.
Jalamdhara was an asura, a powerful spirit-being opposed to the
283
Devas, or gods. Jalamdhara inherited a kingdom, and, when the
time was right, he summoned his armies and invaded heaven.
Jalamdhara, among his many abilities, had the power to raise the
dead, so while he lead mere mortals against the gods, his armies
never lessened, and he was able to conquer heaven and chase the
Devas from it. The Devas, in order to retake heaven, combined
their powers to create an unstoppable weapon. Divine fire from
the gods, the power of Shivas third eye, and Vishnus divine
anger were combined into the form of a Flaming Discus. This
Unerring Divine Discus (1d8, x3 critical, throwing increment
30ft) was Flaming and Vorpal, and its Bright Energy was nearly
blinding, and could only be hidden under Shivas armpit. When,
at last, Jalamdhara and Shiva came to blows, Shiva cast the Dis-
cus at his foe, striking Jalamdharas head from his shoulders
three times. In the end the deva goddesses were summoned to
the battlefield as blood-drinking ogres, to weaken Jalamdhara
sufficiently for Shivas deadly weapon to finish him.
Japan
Japans heroes were often the most exciting portion of Japanese
myth and folklore. Many of them were awarded named swords
for their tasks, but few of those weapons were overtly magical.
Susanowos Grass Cutting Sword
Susanowo is a Shinto god of the winds, storms, and ocean. He is
a courageous but evil god, who plagues both his loved ones and
the earthly mortals, until he is banished. In his exile he wanders
from place to place, adventuring. One such adventure involved
defeating Koshi, an eight-headed serpent. From Koshis corpse
Susanowo drew the Grass Cutting Sword, a +3 Vorpal
Katana. Eventually Okuni-Nushi, Susanowos son, and the god
of magic and medicine, tricked Susanowo out of his sword.
Susanowo is said to be seeking his lost sword.
Mesopotamia
Nergals Club and Sickle
Many of the D&D gods are based on mythical gods from various
cultures, and Nergal is one of the most
directly adapted. Descending from
Sumero-Babylonian myth, Nergal is
an evil god of the netherworld,
who brings war, pestilence,
fever, and devastation. In
his depictions he car-
ries a club and
sickle. His club is a
Divine Club of
Wounding, a cruel
weapon to inflict pain and
suffering. But his Sickle is
 From Stone to Steel
much worse. Death, Pestilence, and Plague accompany his
Divine Sickle, and it also carries the Sundering enchantment, so
that he may lay low even the mightiest of those who oppose him.
Europe
Europe has a number of unique myth centers. Teutonic or Nordic
myth is one source for much of our fantasy beliefs about elves
and dwarves, while Celtic myth is rich in heroic action and
drama. Romes myths were an amalgam of every land they con-
quered, and they bespoke the complexity of the common citi-
zens life at the crossroads of one of the worlds greatest
empires. Greeces pantheon and heroes are among the most com-
mon stories in western culture, but more recent legends, like
those of Roland and Arthur, are also sources for modern wonder.
Teutonic/Nordic Myth
Most Norse mythical items were crafted by the swartalfs, or dark
elves, which was an alternate name for dwarves. The nordic
dwarves were incredible smiths and craftsmen, and could
empower their items with incredible abilities, partly because
they were also superb magic wielders. That the dwarves often
resented the gods only made things more interesting.
Balmung
One of the few great weapons not created by the dwarves, Bal-
mung was created by Wayland, an elven smith. Odin placed Bal-
mung in a tree and stated that the man who could pull it from the
tree would be destined to win in battle. Only Sigmund, of the Vol-
sung princes, could draw it forth. Eventually Balmung would be
destroyed by Odin but Sigurd, Sigmunds son, would later reforge
the weapon, and use it to kill the dragon Fafnir. Balmung is a +3
Class III Potent Viking Longsword with an Aura of Bravery.
Fenrirs Muzzle
Fenrir, the Great Wolf, was a wild creature, fearsome and deadly,
but worse, unpredictable. Eventually the gods decided Fenrir
needed to be apprehended, and they conspired to capture and
restrain him. The first time they attempted this, the stout rope
they used would not hold him, and many were wounded. They
petitioned the dwarves for something to restrain him, and when
the dwarves produced the subtle golden ribbon that would hold
him, they again approached Fenrir. Freyr restrained Fenrir long
enough to put the ribbon around Fenrirs neck, but he lost his
right hand to the Wolf. Then, to keep Fenrir from biting anyone
else, they placed a sword in his mouth. The sword would have
had to be Divine, and Impervious to Piercing in order to survive
Fenrirs ferocity.
284
Freyrs Sword
After Freyr lost his sword hand, a new sword was crafted for
him. Freyr need merely draw it, and it would fight for him, danc-
ing about the field. Later Skirnir, Freyrs servant, would threaten
to cover the earth in ice in order to force the Giantess Gerd to
marry Freyr. Eventually, the Fire Giant Surtur would acquire
Freyrs sword, and while he wielded it, it would burn with a fire
greater than the sun, melting the ice. Thus, it seems most likely
that Freyrs Divine Viking Longsword is a sword of Inner Reflec-
tion, and since it is uncertain when or how Surtur got the sword
from Skirnir, perhaps there are others who will bear it
before Ragnarok.
Thors Hammer Mjolnir and Glove
The dwarves were petitioned to craft a weapon for
Thor, Odins son and the God of Thunder. Mjolnir was
crafted as a great hammer, a shortened Stone Maul
which Shocked and Thundered. They also crafted
an iron glove to protect Thor. When Thor
invested his divine power in Mjolnir it became
Divine, and he could hurl it Without Limit. The
power invested in the glove allowed him to
call Mjolnir back after it was cast, giving it the
power to Return (Making it Returning if you wear the
Glove) to the glove wearer. On rare occasions others
have taken or used the hammer, but never with the skill
and power of Thor.
Odins Gungnir
Odin bears a short spear, Gungnir. This Divine short spear is
Unerring, and he may cast it in battle or fight with it in hand.
Though he has survived many battles with it, Odin is not only a
war and death god, but also a god of wisdom and poetry. In
Ragnarok, Odin will face Fenrir, and they will kill each other in
battle.
Valkyries Spears and Armor
The Valkyrie or Choosers of the Slain
appear as beautiful women, mounted on
winged horses. They carry Spears Barbed
with Flames (+3 Flaming Barbed Longs-
pears), in order to protect their chosen war-
riors. As well, they wear Starlight-Bearing
Chainmail Hauberks, which the Norse attrib-
uted to being the source of the Aurora Borealis.
 Myth and Magic
Celtic Myth
The Celts at one time spanned the lands from Ireland to Middle
Europe. Their various myths are as often based on rumors and
memories of farther east lands they once occupied, and the vari-
ation from area to area is indicative of the changed in Celtic cul-
tures in the new lands they occupied.
Cuchulainns Notched Spear
Cuchulainn was a hero of Irish myth, who placed a geas upon
himself after accidentally killing the watchdog of the smith
Culann. For a time he was known as the Hound of Culann, and
he guarded the pass into Ulster for a while. Later he went to train
with the warrior goddess Scathach, on the Isle of Shadow. When
he returned he bore a Divine spear described as being notched in
every fashion so as to cause as much pain and difficulty as possi-
ble when it was removed from a wound. His Divine Bronze
Barbed Spear was also Unerring, never missing the target it was
thrown or thrust at. Cuchulainn eventually headed the Red
Branch, and fought in many wars, but died in a war against
Queen Maeve of Connacht.
Manannan mac Lirs Sword
Manannan mac Lir is the Irish god of the sea and fertility. He
forecasts the weather and rides the sea in chariot. It is said that
he existed before the Tuatha De Dannan, but he is also consid-
ered one of them, an inconsistency often found in many-layered
myth. Among the many magical objects he bears are a self-guid-
ing ship without sails, a cloak of invisibility, a helmet of flames,
and a Divine Unerring Sword. Manawydan ap Llyr is said to be
his Welsh equivalent.
Lughs Rainbow Sling
Balor is the god of Death, and the leader of the Fomorians. Balor
had one eye, which he kept closed at all times, because anything
he gazed at would die. Fated to be killed by
his own grandson, he imprisoned his
daughter, but a member of the Tuatha De
Dannan was able to come to her any-
way, and they sired a child, Lugh.
Lugh grew up among the Tuatha De
Dannan, and when Balor came to war
with them, Lugh was able to defeat him
by striking out Balors eye with his
Divine Sling, which spun with such Haste that it appeared like a
rainbow when used.
285
Tuatha D Lances and Shields
The Tuatha De Dannan are a race of gods in Irish
myth. Coming from a land in the west, they have per-
fect knowledge of magic, and are also the source of
the sidhe or fairies. In war the bear Divine
long spears, Flaming with blue
flames, and they carry Moon-light
bearing Divine Shields, to protect
themselves from foes and false
images. The forces of the Tuatha
De Dannan were eventually driven
into the underworld by the Mile-
sians, followers of the fantastical
king Milesius, of Spain.
Rome
Saturns Sickle
Many of Romes gods and myths come from other cultures, but
some are uniquely their own. Saturn is
loosely related to the Greek Titan
Cronus, but this relation is one of con-
venience, since Saturn has a number of
very different aspects, and the relation
to Cronus comes from Saturns role as
father of Jupiter. Saturn had many
aspects, being a harvest and
wine god. But he was also
ancient, and his senility (or madness) was a
noted aspect of his celebration. Every December
17th, the Romans would hold a Saturnalia, a festival of Saturn
where the roles of slave and master were reversed, morals were
loosened, work was put off, and gifts were given. Saturn bears a
Divine sickle in his depictions, and it bears an aura of Chaos, as
it drives men to distraction.
Veioviss Arrows
Descended from an Etruscan god, Veiovis is one of the first gods
of Rome. A god of healing, Veiovis was later identified with
Aesclepius. Veiovis is portrayed with a bunch of Divine arrows
in the form of lightning bolts (Shocking) in his hand. Veiovis,
fortunately, did not use these often.
Greece
Arrow of Abaris
Abaris was a priest of Apollo in Scythia, when plague broke out.
Through the help of his god he fled the plague, and Apollo gifted
him a single golden arrow that bore a number of powers. The
Arrow of Abaris could Remove Diseases as per the spell, any
number of times a day. It also gave Oracles, foretelling the future
in a cryptic manner, but never on command, or in ways that were
obvious before the event foretold occurred. Abariss Arrow also
granted the wielder flying on command, and could turn him
invisible for 5 minutes at a time, once per day. In time Abaris
 From Stone to Steel
gave his arrow to Pythagoras, but there is no record as to whom
it was given thereafter
Aegis, Cloak-Shield of Zeus and Athena
It may have been the skin of the Almalthean Goat which nursed
Zeus as a babe, or it might have been the skin of some
great scaled lizard. The legends of Aegis
are confused at best as to the exact
origin of the Cloak-Shield, but it
is clear that Hephaestus forged
it, and the earliest drawings of
Zeus with Aegis show it as a
cloak. Later, when Zeuss
daughter Athena was born, he
gave her Aegis, which Hephaes-
tus forged into a shield. Either incar-
nation of Aegis is as a Divine
Weightless Cloak or Shield that is
Lightning and Sonic Resistant.
Apollos Plague Arrows
Apollo, the Sun God, is proud of his archery skills. He bears
with him a bow, and he will often compete with his sister
Artemis in feats of skill. Apollo is not expressly a war god, but
from time to time certain people have called on Apollo for aid in
conflict. One of Apollos most unusual weapons is his Divine
Arrows of Plague, which spread illness throughout a particularly
egregious enemy. Apollos alternate role as a patron of healers
gives him unique insight into the causes and types of plague.
Aress Sword
Ares the bold lives for war. He takes joy in combat, and it is said
that in every war one can find Ares knee-deep in blood. He does
not care which side he fights on, or the merit of his cause, but he
fights because he can, often in the company of Fear, Terror,
Plague, and Famine. Ares carried a Divine Sword of Wounding,
that also bears an Aura of Confusion, in order to promote more
indiscriminate bloodshed. Ironically, Ares is one of the few gods
who is often wounded by men, and when he is wounded he often
flees battle, rather than continue fighting.
Artemiss Bow
Artemis, as mentioned above, competes with her brother
in archery, usually to her own advantage. Artemis is a vir-
gin goddess, a moon goddess, and patron of hunters.
Although she uses many bows, her personal Divine Bow is
Without Limit. Fortunately, the Greek Gods prided them-
selves of personal accomplishment, so her bow is not
Unerring. Oddly, when she seeks revenge, it is not by the
bow.
286
Charons Hammer
Charon is usually depicted as the robed ferryman on
the River Styx. A being somewhere between God and
Man, Charon leads the newly dead to Hades, although
those without the proper payment cannot cross. Charon is
the child of Erebus, a Being of Primordial Darkness, and
Nyx, a goddess of Darkness. In his true form he is a dark,
demonic being, winged and wielding a Divine Maul of
Disruption, to punish the living invaders or the dead who
do not know their place.
Cronuss Sickle
Cronus was the youngest titan born of the union of Uranus
and Gaia. Uranus hid his children with Gaia away in Tar-
tarus, a place deep in the earth. In time, the pain caused by
having her children buried deep within herself prompted
Gaia to conspire with Cronus to kill his father. Gaia
gave Cronus a Divine Sickle, a Vorpal blade deadly
sharp. With it he confronted his father and emas-
culated him, driving him far away from Gaia,
and allowing her to free her children from
Tartarus.
Eross Arrows
Eross incarnation in Rome is Cupid, whom is depicted as a
cherub with a bow and arrows. Eros, as son of Aphrodite, had
similar powers over the passions as his mother, and he too car-
ried bow and arrow. Eros was a beautiful, quiet young man, and
he possessed two kinds of arrows, rather than the common love
arrows held by Cupid. One kind of Arrow engendered love
between the person struck and the next person they saw. The
other kind of arrow engendered hatred between the person struck
and the next person they saw. These arrows did no damage, but
their effects were permanent, and could change the lives of men
and gods.
Europas Javelin
Zeus had a number of trysts that populated the world with Demi-
gods and caused conflict with his Wife-Sister Hera. Europa was
one of these, whom Zeus appeared to as a bull, but one so gentle
of nature that she got on his back, and he took her to the Isle of
Crete. On Crete they bore three children, and Zeus gave her
three gifts for her protection. One of those gifts was a Divine
Unerring Javelin, which she made her legacy to her children,
and which supposedly descended through the lineage of King
Minos of Crete.
Melpomene Knife
Melpomene is the Muse of Tragedies. Of the two masks often
associated with theater, the smiling mask symbolizes comedy,
and is the province of the Muse Thalia, while the frowning mask
is Melpomenes tragic mask. Besides the masks Melpomene

sometimes bears a Divine
her aspect, either weapon
to cause more harm than
draw blood. Whether it be that
relative, or the person clubbed
tor, Melpomenes instruments
quick solution they appear to pro-
Poseidons Trident
Myth and Magic
Club or Dagger. In fitting with
should be considered cursed
good whenever used to
the person stabbed is a
was a secret benefac-
never bring the Odysseus could draw it, and when
vide.
his wife besieged by suitors. It had
become a contest to see who could
fully draw Odysseuss Mighty Long-
bow (which would be considered +5
and Potent (Class I). No man but
Odysseus revealed himself, he was
forced to kill all of the suitors with it.
Medieval
Durandal

Poseidon is one of the most powerful gods in Greek myth, and

one of the most feared. Poseidon rules the oceans, and every-
thing in them, and many hero stories center around heroes who
have foolishly angered Poseidon. His Divine Trident is a Quak-
ing weapon, which can summon forth the white horses of the In true history, Roland commanded a rear-guard action against
sea, conjure earthquakes as per the spell, and control the mutinying Basques, and was killed in the battle. Later his story
weather. With it Poseidon can conjure storms to sink ships, or was revisited in the Chanson de Roland, where Roland was pic-
becalm the seas, so as to take the wind from a ships sails. tured as a great Christian warrior who struggled to defend
against the Moors who were coming to invade France from
Spain. Roland, in the story, carried a blade called Durandal,
Zeuss Lightning Bolts
which, when he realized he was about to die, he tried to break, so
Forged by Haephestus, with the help of the Cyclopes, the light-
that it would not fall into the enemys hands. But no matter what
ning bolts of Zeus were his weapons of vengeance and warning.
force he brought against it, it would not break. Durandal is a +1
Zeus was often depicted reclining in a dark cloud, watching the
Early Steel Longsword Impervious to Slashing, Piercing, and
ground with lightning bolt in hand. When he spotted someone or
Bludgeoning.
something that aroused his anger, he would cast his bolt down
upon the earth, although not with great accuracy. Zeuss Light-
ning bolts act as Divine Shocking Javelins Without Limit, but he The Dolorous Stroke
regularly only has a few of these on hand.

Nemean Lion Skin
Heracles, the Demi-god son of Zeus, was put
his cousin for a time, to atone for his
sins. One of the tasks he was set to
resolve was the problem of the
Nemean lion. This fearsome creature
was terrorizing the land, and so far no
one had found a way to subdue it.
When Hercules attacked it with
sword, javelin, and spear, he found
that nothing could pierce its hide.
Eventually he had to wrestle with the
beast and kill it with his bare hands.
He took its skin as armor, and it should be treated as +4 Skin
Armor Impervious to Slashing and Piercing.
The story of the Fisher King is older than Christianity in the
in service of West, and is a morality tale about a king who would not take his
responsibilities seriously. In the end he was injured by a spear
called The Dolorous Stroke. This wound would not heal, and he
found the only way to withstand the pain was to spend his days
fishing. In the Christianization of this story, Dolorous Stroke was
equated with the Spear of Longinous, a spear which reputedly
pierced the side of Jesus on the cross. It is a Divine Spear of
Wounding, although it may also possess the power of Inner
Reflection, as the tales of its other abilities (usually when refer-
ring to it as the Spear of Destiny) suggest it may have deeper
mysteries.

Odysseuss Armor and Bow

Odysseus was a Grecian king who went with Agamemnon to
fight Troy. After Achilles died, his Divine Armor (Golden Breast-
plate Armor) was given to Odysseus after a contest of wits.
Odysseus lost that armor at sea on his return voyage, which is
chronicled in the Odyssey. When he arrived at home he found

287
 From Stone to Steel
Excalibur and Scabbard bolts were essentially pieces of rock and turf, intended to wound
Excalibur is a sword older than the and drive away foes. In continental elf-myth, fae elves also used
legend of King Arthur. It has sleep arrows to great advantage.
Celtic roots, and it has changed
names throughout history. Calad- Mythic Dwarves
bolg (variously hard belly or hard The Nordic dwarves were reluctant allies of the gods, and from
lightning) was one incarnation of time to time they rebelled or created cursed items. One such item
it, where it was reputed to con- was Tyrfingr, a cursed Viking longsword that, once drawn, could
sume anything. Nuadas Sword not be sheathed until someone was killed by it. Usually it
was also the same kind of a selected the closest person, like a nearby family member or
weapon, a sword that could be friend. Dwarves made marvelous caps for themselves, such as
stopped by nothing. Excalibur was the Red Cap, which made a dwarf invisible, or the Helm of Awe,
a Divine Sword, likely crafted by which could allow a dwarf to change shape to whatever he
the Tuatha De Dannan, and given desired. They wrought Iron when Bronze was the common mate-
to the Lady of the Lake. It was a rial, and Steel in the age of Iron. Once, a dwarven master smith
Potent (Class I) blade, and it was created a Hauberk of Chainmail, described as a dark-grey rip-
also an excellent Sundering blade. pling coat of rings. This Chainmail Hauberk was likely master-
Merlin claimed that the scabbard work, and quite possibly magical, although it was destroyed by
was every bit as valuable as the jealous men who wanted to own it.
sword, however, as the scabbard
was reputed to keep wounds from Other Racial Items
bleeding. The bearer of Excal-
Giants in myth may bear axes, swords, and clubs and staves of
iburs scabbard, thus, is immune
ironwood. In the story of Beowulf, Beowulf killed the mother of
to Wounding. Although Excalibur
Grendel with the Sword of Eotens, a +4 Keen Sword made for a
was supposed to be cast into the
Giant (Huge Size), which he could barely lift. Some stories talk
Lake after Arthurs fall, the scab-
of ogres or trolls crafting leather or hide armor from lizard skins,
bard was supposed to be retained by Bedivere. In 1191, Richard
possibly even dragon skin, and many foul creatures used human
the Lionhearted presented to the sovereign of Cyprus a sword he
leather. The farther a creature strayed from human-like appear-
claimed to have been Arthurs. In a mythical Europe, its entirely
ance, the more primitive their means became. Grendel, a crea-
possible the true Excalibur might have been lost in the Crusades.
ture reputedly descended from the line of Cain, had claws of
iron, making it unnecessary to even carry a weapon. Of course,
not fighting with a weapon was a sign of barbarism in the Dark
Historical Racial Items Ages.
Many cultures have different views of elves. Celtic lands saw
elves as fae creatures, or beings near to divinity. Norse cultures
split their elves into three groups: light elves, dark elves, and New Spells
swarthy elves or dwarves. Light elves were willowy forest
The following are new arcane spells to enhance a fantasy setting.
dwellers, keen in magic, but withdrawn from other races. Dark
Take care when introducing any new spells to your campaign
elves and dwarves were both underworld dwellers, and there is
world, as they may change the balance of your setting. Spell
much to suggest that the dark elves and dwarves come from sim-
Bind is particularly prone to abuse, and the DM should be aware
ilar roots, or were alternate names for each other. Dark Elves are
of the spells capabilities and limitations before allowing PCs to
referred to as ugly, black, and short, while dwarves are referred
use this spell.
to as sooty, stunted, and short. Little is known of the Dark Elves,
other than the name, probably because their stories were never
recorded in Eddas. The Dwarves, though, were great magicians
Durance
and smiths, and their weapons and handicrafts were desired by
Transmutation
the gods. Norse dwarves also turned to stone in daylight. The
Level: Brd 1, Clr 1, Pal 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Danish added an interesting twist to elves, making them comely
Components: V, S, M/DF
in appearance from the front, but having sunken, hollow backs.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Mythic Elves Target: Weapon, armor, or shield touched
In most Irish myth, the elves bore Lightning (Shocking) Arrows, Duration: 1 minute/level
which they either fired directly at a victim, or fired at the ground. Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless, object)
Those fired at the ground would throw up wedges of turf, called Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless, object)
elf-bolts, which would invariably hit the intended target. Elf-
288
 Myth and Magic
Durance gives a weapon, set of armor, or shield a +1 enhance-
ment bonus to hardness, and adds temporary hit points to the
item equal to its current hit points. This magically reinforced
item can take much more punishment. Any damage taken by the
item must be subtracted from the temporary hit points first, and
only the damage that is done to the actual hit points of the object
is retained after the spell duration has elapsed. This spell cannot
be cast on natural weapons or armor, such as claws or tough
hide. The arcane material focus for this spell is a cube of steel,
which is not consumed in the casting process (it may be used
again).
Protection from Bludgeoning
Abjuration
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 10 minutes/level or until discharged
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
The warded creature gains resistance to bludgeoning weapons.
The subject gains damage reduction 5/+1 against bludgeoning
weapons. It ignores the first 5 points of damage each time it
takes damage from a bludgeoning weapon, though a weapon
with a +1 enhancement bonus or any magical attack bypasses the
reduction. The damage reduction increases with the caster level
to 10/+2 at 5th, 15/+3 at 10th, 20/+4 at 15th, and 25/+5 at 20th.
Once the spell has prevented a total of 10 points of damage per
caster level, it is discharged. The arcane material focus for this
spell is a chunk of granite.
Protection from Piercing
Abjuration
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 10 minutes/level or until discharged
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
The warded creature gains resistance to piercing weapons. The
subject gains damage reduction 5/+1 against piercing weapons.
It ignores the first 5 points of damage each time it takes damage
from a piercing weapon, though a weapon with a +1 enhance-
ment bonus or any magical attack bypasses the reduction. The
damage reduction increases with the caster level to 10/+2 at 5th,
15/+3 at 10th, 20/+4 at 15th, and 25/+5 at 20th. Once the spell
has prevented a total of 10 points of damage per caster level, it is
discharged. The arcane material focus for this spell is a scrap of
silk.
289
Protection from Slashing
Abjuration
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 10 minutes/level or until discharged
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
The warded creature gains resistance to slashing weapons. The
subject gains damage reduction 5/+1 against slashing weapons.
It ignores the first 5 points of damage each time it takes damage
from a slashing weapon, though a weapon with a +1 enhance-
ment bonus or any magical attack bypasses the reduction. The
damage reduction increases with the caster level to 10/+2 at 5th,
15/+3 at 10th, 20/+4 at 15th, and 25/+5 at 20th. Once the spell
has prevented a total of 10 points of damage per caster level, it is
discharged. The arcane material focus for this spell is a wad of
tar.
Renew
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wis 2
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25ft + 5 ft/2 levels)
Target: One object of up to 10 cu.ft/level
Duration: 1 minute/level or until discharged
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Take note of the objects hit points when Renew is cast. Once an
object has Renew cast upon it, it will heal damage done to it, up
to a maximum of the objects hit points at the time when Renew
was cast, at a rate of 1 hit point per round. This spell does not
restore any magical abilities to an object that lost them before the
spell was cast, and it does not repair an already broken object. If
the object is in multiple pieces before Renew is cast, only one
piece is the target of Renew, and it will only heal damage to
return it to its state at the beginning of the casting of Renew.
This spell is primarily useful in protecting an object that is about
to be used in a brutal environment. Ropes to be used over fire,
stilts to be used to cross acid pools, or swords to be wielded in a
war might all be good targets of Renew. The arcane material
focus for this spell is a scrap of troll hide.
Resonate
Evocation [Sonic]
Level: Brd 3, Clr 4, Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S, M or DF
Casting Time: 1 action
 From Stone to Steel
Range: Touch
Target: One solid object touched.
Duration: Concentration (up to 1 round per level)
Saving Throw: Will negates (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)
Resonate channels a gradually building thrumming sonic wave
through the touched object. The sonic wave increases in volume
and pitch as long as the caster can concentrate, until the object
touched crumbles under the sonic onslaught. Resonate can
destroy an object of up to 10 pounds per level of the caster in a
single round. For every round that resonate is maintained after
the first, that amount is doubled. Thus, a 7th level wizard may
destroy an up to 70 pound object in the first round, or he may
maintain resonate, and each round double the weight of the
object he can destroy. If he maintains it for 3 rounds, for exam-
ple, he may destroy a 280 pound object: 1st round is 70 pounds,
2nd round is 140 pounds, 3rd round is 280 pounds. A 7th level
caster who maintains this spell for the full 7 rounds may destroy
an object up to 4480 pounds in weight! Resonate only works on
a single solid object, regardless of the total amount of weight a
caster can destroy, so if resonate is targeted at the cornerstone in
a castle wall, it will only destroy that stone, rather than a whole
wall. Strategic use of this spell can still be very effective. The
object destroyed is reduced to dust. The arcane material focus
for this spell is a horn instrument.
Spell Bind
Universal
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 rounds
Range: Touch
Target: One solid touched object
Duration: 1 year and 1 day
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless, object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless, object)
Spell Bind allows you to empower an object with magic item
enchantments for a long-term but temporary period of time.
Spell Binding is a limited form of the process that empowers a
true magic item, and in order to spell bind an item, the caster
must possess the appropriate caster level, item creation feat, and
prerequisites necessary to craft the actual item. In order to cast
the spell, the item to be empowered by the spell binding is
brought together with a brass ring (which is the arcane material
component), and all prerequisite spells must be cast upon the
item, followed by the spell bind spell. While casting the spell
bind spell a brass ring must be pressed against the item, and if
the spell is not resisted, the ring will pass through the item harm-
lessly upon completion of the spell. Once bound, the item will
possess the magic item enchantments bound to it, but only for
the period of a year and a day. During that time, the brass ring
will begin to corrode, and the extent of the corrosion indicates
the amount of time left that the spell is bound to the object.
An object that is spell-bound is not a true magical weapon. It
takes damage as a normal weapon, unless the enchantment on it
would prevent the damage (such as an Impervious Enchantment,
or a Resistance Enchantment). If a dispel magic spell targets a
spell bound object and overcomes the objects resistance, the
spell binding is permanently dispelled, removing any enchant-
ments temporarily laid on the item, and rendering it mundane.
The ring bound to the item during spell binding will fall off,
should the object become dispelled. Lastly, an object with true
enchantments or an object with spells already bound to it cannot
be further enhanced by a spell binding. The already existent
enchantments will need to be dispelled or removed before the
item can be the subject of a spell binding.

290
 Materials

What happens when you miss? 292 Leather 297

Creating a Strike Table: 292 Metal (Adamantine) 298
Item Damage 293 Metal (Copper, Bronze, Iron) 299
Deterioration 293 Metal (Gold or Silver) 299
Durability, Strike a Weapon, and the Break DC 294 Metal (Mithril) 300
How to calculate the Break DC 294 Stone 301
Material Properties 294 Wood 301
Bone and Teeth 294 Maintenance and Repair 302
Cord 295 How to Generate Stats for Items: 302
Dragon Hide, Scale, and Tooth 295 Weapon Statistics 302
Fabric 296 Armor Statistics 302
Gemstone 296 Table 9-1: Weight 302
Glass 297 Table 9-2: Hit Points 303
Ice 297 Table 9-3: Hardness 303

291
 From Stone to Steel
hroughout From Stone to Steel each weapon has been given
T statistics describing its durability and material composition.
As well, you have read about ways to damage items, and items
that have particular vulnerabilities. As with every new rule set in
this work, the Durability system is an optional rule set, but one
which guided much of the philosophy of this work. All items
degrade. Armor will rust, molder, or warp. Weapons will notch,
bend, and skew. Bows will crack, and their strings will fray.
Arrows and daggers snap. Shields will rot or split. Often these
things happen by virtue of the materials they are constructed
from. In the Materials segment you will find a number of real
and fantasy materials, and their properties. Those properties can
allow you to more realistically track item hit point loss for such
things as rust, rot, heat damage, and so on.
A bronze sword does not do less damage than a steel sword sim-
ply because its material is more pliable. It does not hit less often,
either. A bronze sword, instead, is more likely to blunt through
regular use, and eventually it will loose its effectiveness as a cut-
ting implement. This is because the hardness of a bronze item is
lower than that of a steel item. In the current d20 system Hard-
ness only usually comes up when someone is attempting to
break down a door, or snap a sword. But in real combat,
weapons, armor, and shields are put under constant stress. They
degrade. They fall apart merely from use. The Durability system
is a way to track that gradual decay, and to add some realism to
your fantasy game. If you do opt to use the durability system, it
is suggested that a second d20 is rolled with every strike roll.
This d20 is called the effect die, and is used to determine what a
strike really does when it misses. If a strike hits and is in the crit-
ical range, the effect die can double as the critical check die.
What happens when you miss?
elee is not made of up of two men alternating sword
M strokes until one man collapses from his injuries. Melee
may be frantic or deliberate, chaotic or brutally efficient, but it
involves opposing forces seeking to bring each other down. Peo-
ple in combat do not miss each other half of the time. But the
current strike system suggests that this is the case, since any roll
from 1-10 is likely to miss the average character.
Missing happens quite rarely in real melee combat. Usually
melee combatants strike something when they attack each other.
Often the first thing they strike is the shield or weapon of an
opponent. These are the first things in the way of an attack, and
the trained combatant knows how to use weapon and shield to
defend themselves. If the defenses of weapon and shield are
bypassed, the next most likely thing one strikes is the armor.
Armor is designed to diffuse the force of a blow, and impede it
so as to protect the wearer. In order to determine what a melee
attack really hits when a character misses, a strike table needs to
be established. The strike table uses the effect die to determine
where an attack strikes.
292
Creating a Strike Table:
On the roll of the effect die (the extra d20 mentioned above), the
numbers 1 and 2 will always indicate a true miss. This is when a
weapon strikes nothing, which is actually a somewhat rare event.
If a character has a positive dexterity bonus after their armor lim-
itations, that bonus becomes the next few numbers, and they, too,
indicate a miss. This kind of miss occurs because an agile oppo-
nent has avoided your strike. If constructing a strike table for a
character with a +2 dexterity bonus wearing scale mail (max
dexterity bonus of +3) their full bonus would be available and
the numbers 3 and 4 and four would indicate misses. If a charac-
ter had a +5 dexterity bonus, but was wearing a chainmail shirt
(maximum dexterity bonus of 4), the character would only be
able to use 4 points of their dexterity bonus, so the numbers 3-6
would indicate misses. If a character has a negative dexterity
bonus, no penalty is applied on the strike table, but no extra miss
spaces are added.
The armor worn comes next. Armor strikes indicate that the
armor itself has been struck. Strikes to armor may damage that
armor (see item damage, below), but only in very rare cases do
armor strikes result in injury to the wearer. In the above example,
the scale mail wearer would allot numbers 5-8 for armor, since
scale mail confers a +4 armor bonus. The chainmail wearer
above would allot numbers 7-10 to armor (since chainmail con-
fers a +4 armor bonus).
The rest of the numbers on the strike chart are divided between
the shield and the weapon, with the shield being struck on even
numbers and the weapon being struck on odd numbers. If a char-
acter does not use a shield, but uses a secondary weapon, then
the secondary weapon is struck on even numbers. If the charac-
ter only wields a weapon, for example, a two-handed sword,
then obviously only the weapon is struck after armor. In the rare
case of a combatant only using a shield, then the shield is the
only thing struck after armor. Again, strikes against shield or
weapon may damage said item (see item damage, below), but
only rarely results in an injury to the wearer.
Let's look at a strike chart: If our above scale mail wearer were
carrying a small shield and wielding a dagger, their strike chart
would look like the following.
 Materials
1 True Miss 1 True Miss
2 True Miss 2 True Miss
3 Miss 3 True Miss
4 Miss 4 True Miss
5 Scale mail 5 True Miss
6 Scale mail 6 True Miss
7 Scale mail 7 True Miss
8 Scale mail 8 True Miss
9 Dagger 9 True
10 Small Shield 10 True
11 Dagger 11 Scale mail
12 Small Shield 12 Small Shield
13 Dagger 13 Scale mail
14 Small Shield 14 Small Shield
15 Dagger 15 Scale mail
16 Small Shield 16 Small Shield
17 Dagger 17 Scale mail
18 Small Shield 18 Small Shield
19 Dagger 19 Scale mail
20 Small Shield 20 Small Shield
As you can see, the odds favor the dagger or shield being struck
most often, and there is an equal chance of a strike hitting the
Item Damage
armor or missing. To determine if an item is damaged, simply roll the weapon
damage, and then apply that damage to the hardness of the item
A physical chart like the one above isn't necessary to figuring out it struck. If there is any damage left over, that damage is applied
what is struck. Simply use the following guidelines to keep to the item's hit points. For most steel items, damage is likely to
quick track of the strike chart: be minimal, but for older or more fragile materials, damage may
1 and 2 are always misses not be infrequent.
Next add the modified dexterity bonus But damage also occurs to weapons that strike as well. The same
Next add the armor bonus rolled damage should be applied to the striking weapon's hard-
All the rest strike shield (or secondary weapon) on even, ness, and excess points should be subtracted from the weapon's
weapon on odd, or single item if only one item is carried. hit points. A man with a bronze sword striking at a man in steel
Ranged combat has a slightly simpler strike chart. Thrown or platemail will notice his sword blunting quickly, while the
shot missiles are more likely to completely miss. As well, it is platemail will likely still look very solid.
extremely difficult to deflect a shot with a weapon in hand. To
generate a strike chart for ranged combat, use the following Deterioration
guidelines: Every time an item takes 25% of its hit points in damage, it dete-
riorates. In the materials section (below), roll on the appropriate
1-10 are always misses
deterioration chart (there are 2-3 for every material) to determine
All the rest strike either shield on even or armor on odd. If
how the weapon has degraded. Items that have deteriorated loose
there is no shield, then all the rest strike armor. their effectiveness, until they are repaired. This process will
The ranged strike chart for the scale mail wearer above would occur again at 50% of hit points and 75% of hit points. When all
look like this: hit points are lost, an item is considered broken. Refer to the
breakage description to see if anything special occurs. Items that
are broken can usually be repaired (see the materials description
to see if repairing or replacing is suggested). If someone wishes
to use a broken melee or thrown item, its damage is halved
before applying the 3 deterioration penalties it has accrued.
Damage cannot be reduced below 1, and range increments can-
not be negative. Missile weapons like bows or ammunition can-
not be used if broken.
If an item has less than 4 total hit points, every point of damage
requires a deterioration roll. As well, if an item receives enough

293
 From Stone to Steel
damage to require multiple deterioration rolls, each roll must be
made.
Durability, Strike a Weapon,
and the Break DC
The Durability system requires a minor alteration of the rules for
striking a weapon, as given in the Player's Handbook. The nor-
mal striking of a weapon is very common in combat, and isn't
restricted to slashing weapons only. Under the durability system,
any weapon may attempt to strike a weapon or shield, regardless
of comparative size. Such an attack does not provoke an attack
of opportunity because you need not drop your defense to attack
a defending weapon or shield: the weapon or shield is being put
in the way of any oncoming attack. In order to land such an
attack, you and the defender must make opposed strike rolls, and
if you succeed, roll damage and apply it to both your weapon
and your opponent's weapon or shield as listed above.
One may also attempt to strike to break. Striking to break is an
attempt to outright break an object with a heavy blow, and it
requires you to focus all of your strength and attention on break-
ing the weapon or shield you are targeting. Because of your shift
of attention, you do provoke an attack of opportunity for a Strike
to Break. Striking to break requires the use of a slashing or
bludgeoning weapon. In order to land such an attack, you and
the defender must make opposed strike rolls, and if you succeed,
roll damage and apply it to both your weapon and your oppo-
nent's weapon or shield as listed above.
In addition, you may now check to see if the attack break's your
opponent's weapon. The break attempt is a strength check
against the target weapon or shield, using its Break DC as the
target. Use the following chart to determine any modifiers:
How to calculate the Break DC
of a weapon or shield
The base Break DC of a weapon or shield can be hard to esti-
mate. As a rule of thumb, take the item's hardness + half of its hit
points (rounded up) and add a base of 2 (tiny), 4 (small), 6 (med)
or 8 (large). That DC is further modified by the following:
+1/-1 for each size category larger/smaller your weapon is than
the target weapon or shield
+1/-1 for each point of hardness your weapon has above/below
the target weapon or shield
+1 for each level of deterioration already suffered by the target
weapon or shield
To determine shield size a buckler is considered small, a small
shield is medium sized, a large shield is large, and a tower shield
is considered huge. Once all modifiers have been determined,
roll to determine whether or not the item breaks.
A success means that the target item is broken (its hit points have
been reduced to zero). A defender may elect to drop the weapon
or shield that is struck, rather than allow it to break. In order to
294
do so, they must make a reflex save vs. a DC of 10 + your base
attack bonus. If they succeed, they may drop the weapon or
shield (which provokes an attack of opportunity), but the
weapon or shield will not be broken. If they fail, they are unable
to react swiftly enough to prevent the breaking of the weapon or
shield.
If either weapon is broken through normal damage before a
break check, no break check is made.
Material Properties
Each material listed below has unique properties that extend to
any item made of that material. Whether a bone comes from a
leopard or a mammoth, it shares certain properties when used in
armor or weapons. Stone, from flint to granite, can have similar
properties as well. The entries below indicate general properties
that each material group shares and the various effects of dam-
age on them as they degrade or deteriorate (see appendix). Note
that some items or special materials have additional properties,
which were noted in their chapter entries.
In a Fantasy Setting, one isnt restricted to historical materials.
Items of gold, silver, mithril, or adamantine are all possible,
and have thus been included.
Bone and Teeth
Weaknesses
Bone is particularly susceptible to extreme heat or cold, and
takes 2 times the normal damage from heat or cold based attacks.
Bone is prone to fractures, and so does not hold an edge well.
Slashing weapons made of bone have half the standard hardness.
The primary exception to this is items made with teeth, which
are particularly resilient, and so do not have this limitation. Such
items will have this noted in their special information.
Effects of damage
Bone chips or cracks when damaged. When a bone melee
weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
15 -1 damage
6 -1 to hit
When a bone missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When bone armor deteriorates, reduce the Armor Bonus by 1
Breakage
Bone tends to snap when it breaks, although extreme blows
may cause splintering. If a bone item takes 5 more points of
damage than needed to reduce its hit points to zero, it shatters
into splinters.
 Materials
Repair
Damaged wholly bone weapons cannot be repaired and must be
replaced. If a weapon contains bone, among other materials, the
bone portions must be completely replaced as part of the repair
process. Wholly bone armor does not require complete replace-
ment, but instead requires replacement of only damaged por-
tions.
Cord
Weaknesses
Cord is flammable, and should be considered to have half its
hardness versus fire attacks. If it is damaged by a fire, (by
exceeding the hardness of the item) it will catch on fire. Such an
item will take another 1d6 damage (ignoring the hardness) each
turn until the character can put the fire out. The character may
also catch on fire, as per the rules in the DMG. Spells, or spe-
cific treatments mentioned in the text may increase the cord
items resistance to catching on fire.
Cord may begin to rot if it is not appropriately dried after sub-
mersion or soaking. If an item is submersed, soaked, or other-
wise immersed in water for at least 15 minutes, there is a 15%
chance the cord will begin to rot. If rotting cord is not dried cor-
rectly, it will take 1 point of damage a week, from both the cur-
rent and maximum hit points. Rotting causes the item to
permanently grow weaker. Correctly coating a cord item with oil
or wax will reduce this risk to 1%, and will require reapplication
after submersion or 1 month, whichever comes first.
Effects of damage
Cord frays when damaged. When a corded missile deteriorates,
roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When corded armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the follow-
ing chart:
14 -1 Armor Bonus
5 -1 Maximum Dexterity Bonus
6 +1 Armor Check Penalty
Breakage
Cord splits when broken. There is no adverse effect of cord
breakage.
Repair
Damaged cord items are best replaced, rather than repaired.
Good maintenance can restore 12 hit points of damage for a
corded item, but no more. If a weapon contains cord, among
other materials, the cord portions must be completely replaced as
part of the repair process. Armor made from cord does not
require complete replacement, but instead requires replacement
on only damaged portions.
295
Dragon Hide, Scale, and Tooth
No creature in fantasy literature has so many items worked from
it as the Dragon has. Dragon Hide may be used to create armors
or weapons that normally require leather. Dragon scale can be
used to make plated items. Dragon teeth may serve as arrow-
heads, spearheads, or blades for swords or knives. From time to
time the nature of the dragon who contributed the material has
an effect on the way the item functions.
Properties
Dragon is highly flammable, and should be considered to have
half hardness versus fire attacks, unless the dragon it came from
was immune to heat damage. If it is not immune, and damaged
by a fire, (by exceeding the hardness of the item) it will catch on
fire. Such an item will take another 1d6 hit points of damage
(ignoring the hardness) each turn until the character can put the
fire out. The character may also catch on fire, as per the rules in
the DMG. Spells may increase the Dragon Hide items resistance
to catching on fire.
Dragon Hide from a dragon not native to marsh or aquatic
regions, or from a dragon who does not possess water breathing
may begin to rot if it is not appropriately dried after submersion
or soaking. If an item is submersed, soaked, or otherwise
immersed in water for at least 15 minutes, there is a 15% chance
the Dragon Hide will begin to rot. If rotting dragon hide is not
dried and treated properly, it will take 1 point of damage a week,
starting the first weak after contracting rot. Rotting causes the
item to permanently grow weaker. Correctly coating a dragon
hide item with oil will reduce this risk to 1%, and will require
reapplication after submersion or 1 month, whichever comes
first.
Dragon teeth are particularly susceptible to extreme heat or cold,
unless the dragon they came from is immune to heat or cold-
based damage. Non-immune teeth take 2 times the damage from
heat or cold-based attacks.
Items made from dragon hide, scales, or teeth are immune to any
type of attack the original dragon had immunity to. This immu-
nity is not conferred to the wearer. Items made from a dragon
that had a subtype such as cold or fire also possess that subtype.
Effects of damage
Hide cracks, splits, or frays when damaged. Scale and Teeth
crack or chip when damaged. When a dragon-material melee
weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
13 -1 damage
46 -1 to hit
When a dragon-material missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and con-
sult the following chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
 From Stone to Steel
When dragon-material armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult
the following chart:
12 -1 Armor Bonus
34 -1 Maximum Dexterity Bonus
56 +1 Armor Check Penalty
Breakage
Hide tends to tear when it breaks. Scale and Teeth tend to snap or
shatter. Extreme blows may cause Dragon Tooth items to splin-
ter. If a Dragon Tooth item takes 5 more points of damage than
needed to reduce its hit points to zero, it shatters into splinters.
Repair
Damaged Hide items are best repaired, but scale and tooth items
need to be replaced when broken. Good maintenance can restore
13 hit points of damage for a hide item, but no more. If a
weapon contains scale or tooth, among other materials, the scale
or tooth portions must be completely replaced as part of the
repair process. Armor made from multiple scales does not
require complete replacement, but instead requires replacement
on only damaged portions.
Fabric
Weaknesses
Fabric is highly flammable, and should be considered to have
half hardness versus fire or heat attacks. If it is damaged by a
fire or heat, (by exceeding the hardness of the item) it will catch
on fire. Such an item will take another 1d6 hit points (ignoring
the hardness) each turn until the character can put the fire out.
The character may also catch on fire, as per the DMG. Spells, or
specific treatments mentioned in the text may increase the fabric
items resistance to catching on fire.
Fabric may begin to rot if it is not appropriately dried after sub-
mersion or soaking. If an item is submersed, soaked, or other-
wise immersed in water for at least 15 minutes, there is a 15%
chance the fabric will begin to rot. If rotting fabric is not dried
and treated properly, it will take 1 point of hit points a week,
starting the first weak after contracting rot. Rotting causes the
item to permanently grow weaker. Correctly coating a fabric
item with oil will reduce this risk to 1%, and will require reappli-
cation after submersion or 1 month, whichever comes first.
Effects of damage
Fabric tears when damaged. When fabric armor deteriorates,
reduce the Armor Bonus by 1
Breakage
Fabric tears completely when broken. There is no adverse effect
of fabric breakage.
Repair
Damaged fabric items are usually best repaired, rather than
replaced. Armor made from a fabric can be sewn or patched.
296
Gemstone
Besides use as a display of wealth, gemstone items may be desir-
able as a cultural status symbol or, in the case of diamond, for
specific material density. Historically, gemstone items were
rarely made, but in a fantasy world its possible one might find
gemstones of sufficient size to craft large items. Perhaps in a fan-
tasy world a specific type of gemstone may be related to a spe-
cific kind of enchantment, which might necessitate its use in a
weapon or suit of armor.
Properties
Gemstones retain heat. A gemstone item heated in flames will
inflict an extra +1 of heat damage. This effect lasts 1 round for
every 3 minutes of exposure in flame. After a gemstone has been
exposed to flames for 1 hour, it has reached its greatest retention
of damage, so the maximum time a gemstone item can retain this
kind of heat for is 20 rounds, or 2 minutes. A gemstone object
that is struck by intense heat from an attack will similarly do 1d6
damage to whatever touches it in the round it is struck, and in the
next round.
Effects of damage
Gemstones flake or crack when damaged. When a gemstone
melee weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following
chart:
15 -1 damage
6 -1 to hit
When a gemstone missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the
following chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When gemstone armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
13 -1 Armor Bonus
45 -1 Maximum Dexterity Bonus
6 +1 Armor Check Penalty
Breakage
Gemstone tends to snap or shatter when broken. If a gemstone
item takes 5 more points of damage than needed to reduce its hit
points to zero, it shatters into shards.
Repair
Damaged wholly gemstone weapons cannot be repaired and
must be replaced. If a weapon contains gemstones as a major
material portion, among other materials, the gemstone portions
must be completely replaced as part of the repair process.
 Materials
Wholly gemstone armor does not require complete replacement,
but instead requires replacement on only damaged portions.
Glass
Items crafted of glass are fragile, but may be preferable for cer-
tain special uses. Glass items are perfect for carrying poison or
acid, as they are not susceptible to this damage. Glass daggers,
glass darts, and glass arrowheads might well be desirable in
advanced and complex societies
Properties
Glass is particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures, and
take 2 times the damage from heat-based and cold-based attacks.
In addition, if a glass item takes damage from heat, its hardness
is halved for 1 minute per point of heat damage it takes. Glass
takes no damage from poison or acid attacks.
Effects of damage
Glass cracks or splinters when damaged. When a glass melee
weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
15 -1 damage
6 -1 to hit
When a glass missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
1 -1 Armor Bonus
25 -1 Maximum Dexterity Bonus
6 +1 Armor Check Penalty
Should you wish to employ glass armor, it deteriorates, roll 1d6
and consult the following chart:
13 -1 Armor Bonus
45 -1 Maximum Dexterity Bonus
6 +1 Armor Check Penalty
Breakage
Glass tends to snap or, in extreme cases, shatter. If an glass item
takes 5 more points of damage than needed to reduce its hit
points to zero, it shatters into shards.
Repair
Damaged glass weapons are best replaced, rather than repaired.
If a weapon contains glass, among other materials, the glass por-
tions must be completely replaced as part of the repair process.
Armor made from a single piece of glass, such as a helmet, will
require full replacement to completely repair, but items made
from multiple pieces of glass only require damaged portions to
be replaced.
297
Ice
Items crafted of ice are fragile and heat sensitive, but may allow
resource poor ice-bound tribes to produce slashing and piercing
weapons.
Properties
In temperatures above freezing, ice will melt, taking one point of
damage per round until the temperature drops to below freezing.
Ice in contact with skin will melt as above, due to body heat. Ice
is particularly susceptible to extreme heat, and take 2 times the
damage from heat-based attacks. Ice takes no damage from cold-
based attacks.
Effects of damage
Ice cracks when damaged. When an ice melee weapon deterio-
rates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
14 -1 damage
56 -1 to hit
When an ice missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
1 -1 to hit
24 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When ice armor deteriorates, reduce the Armor Bonus by 1
Breakage
Ice tends to snap when it breaks, although extreme blows may
cause splintering. If an ice item takes 5 more points of damage
than needed to reduce its hit points to zero, it shatters into
splinters.
Repair
Damaged wholly ice weapons cannot be repaired and must be
replaced. If a weapon contains ice, among other materials, the
ice portions must be completely replaced as part of the repair
process. Armor made from a single piece of ice, such as a helmet
or breastplate, will require full replacement to completely repair,
but items made from multiple pieces of ice only require dam-
aged portions to be replaced.
Leather
Weaknesses
Leather is highly flammable, and should be considered to have
half hardness versus fire attacks. If it is damaged by a fire, (by
exceeding the hardness of the item) it will catch on fire. Such an
item will take another 1d6 hit points (ignoring the hardness) each
turn until the character can put the fire out. The character may
also catch on fire, as per the DMG. Spells, or specific treatments
mentioned in the text may increase the leather items resistance
to catching on fire.
 From Stone to Steel
Leather may begin to rot if it is not appropriately dried after sub-
mersion or soaking. If an item is submersed, soaked, or other-
wise immersed in water for at least 15 minutes, there is a 15%
chance the leather will begin to rot. If rotting leather is not dried
and treated properly, it will take 1 point of hit points a week,
starting the first weak after contracting rot. Rotting causes the
item to permanently grow weaker. Correctly coating a leather
item with oil will reduce this risk to 1%, and will require reappli-
cation after submersion or 1 month, whichever comes first.
Effects of damage
Leather cracks or is cut when damaged. When a leather melee
weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
13 -1 damage
46 -1 to hit
When leather armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the follow-
ing chart:
15 -1 Armor Bonus
6 +1 Armor Check Penalty
Breakage
Leather splits when broken. Usually portions of the armor fall to
the ground.
Repair
Damaged leather items are best replaced, rather than repaired.
Good maintenance can restore 13 hit points of damage for a
leather item, but no more. If a weapon contains leather, among
other materials, the leather portions must be completely replaced
as part of the repair process. Armor made from a leather can be
sewn or patched.
Metal (Adamantine)
Appearing as steel (although sometimes with a white or green
luster), adamantine is an extremely rare, hard metal found in cer-
tain fantasy worlds. Items made of adamantine are considered
masterwork but gain a +2 enhancement bonus for attack rolls,
rather than the usual +1 for masterwork items (this bonus does
not stack with enchantments).
Properties
Adamantine retains heat. An adamantine item heated in a normal
fire will inflict an extra +1 of heat damage. This effect lasts 1
round for every 20 rounds of exposure in flame. After an
adamantine item has been exposed to flames for 1 hour, it has
reached its greatest retention of damage, so the maximum time a
adamantine item can retain this kind of heat for is 120 rounds, or
10 minutes. An adamantine object that is struck by intense heat
from an attack will similarly do +1 damage to whatever touches
it in the round it is struck, and in the next two rounds. Note that
298
the wielder must wear a protective glove or automatically suffer
the heat damage himself.
Adamantine is conductive, although not as conductive as other
metals. The AC bonus of adamantine armor should be halved
versus electrical attacks that require an attack roll (such as an
electrically charged weapon). If a shield is also adamantine, it,
too, will add only half the AC bonus (rounded up) when rolling
to hit directly. However, direct strikes against adamantine shields
or armor with electricity will do only times the usual damage,
but will ignore the materials hardness and also do direct damage
to the victim.
Effects of damage
Adamantine dents and warps when damaged. When an adaman-
tine melee weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the follow-
ing chart:
13 -1 damage
46 -1 to hit
When an adamantine missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult
the following chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When adamantine armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the
following chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
Breakage
Adamantine snaps, rends, or staves when broken. If adamantine
armor takes more than three points of damage than what is
needed to reduce its hit points to zero, it staves or rends. This can
be quite dangerous. The excess damage is applied to the victim
that turn, and every turn afterwards the character receives one
less point of damage, until the armor is removed or the damage
falls to zero. Clerical spells or other healing will only heal dam-
age done, but after the healing spell is cast, the wound will
reopen, due to the adamantine still in their flesh, and this damage
progression will begin again.
It is suggested that a character remove staved or rended armor
immediately, preferably with the help of others, as per the sec-
tion of the Players Handbook, Getting Into and Out of Armor,
and Table 7-6. Any plated armor also has leather buckles that can
be cut to reduce removal time by half, but destroy the usability
of the armor.
Repair
Damaged adamantine items are usually best repaired, rather than
replaced. Good maintenance can restore 1-6 hit points of damage
 Materials
for an adamantine item, but no more. If a weapon contains
adamantine, among other materials, the other portions must be
completely replaced as part of the repair process. Broken
adamantine items can be repaired, sometimes to full ability.
Adamantine armor whose leather straps have been cut will
require the straps to be replaced.
Metal (Copper, Bronze, Iron)
Weaknesses
Metal retains heat. A metal item heated in a normal fire will
inflict an extra +1 of heat damage. This effect lasts 1 round for
every 10 rounds of exposure in flame. After a metal item has
been exposed to flames for 1 hour, it has reached its greatest
retention of damage, so the maximum time a metal item can
retain this kind of heat for is 60 rounds, or 5 minutes. A metal
object that is struck by intense heat from an attack will similarly
do +1 damage to whatever touches it in the round it is struck,
and in the next two rounds. Note that the wielder must wear a
protective glove or automatically suffer the heat damage himself.
Metal is highly conductive. Its AC bonus should be ignored
versus electrical attacks that require a to hit roll (such as an elec-
trically charged weapon). If a shield is also metal, it, too, will
not add to the AC when rolling to hit directly. Strikes against
metal shield or armor with electricity will only do half the nor-
mal damage, but will ignore hardness and also do direct damage
to the victim.
Effects of damage
Metal dents, cracks, warps, or splits when damaged. When a
metal melee weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
13 -1 damage
46 -1 to hit
When a metal missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When metal armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the follow-
ing cha rt:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
Breakage
Metal snaps, rends, or staves when broken. If metal armor takes
more damage than needed to reduce its hit points to zero, it
staves or rends. This can be quite dangerous. The excess dam-
age is applied to the victim that turn, and every turn afterwards
the character receives the same damage less one, until the armor
299
is removed or the damage falls to zero. Clerical spells or other
healing will only heal damage done, but after the healing spell is
cast, the wound will reopen, due to the metal still in their flesh,
and this damage progression will begin again.
It is suggested that a character remove staved or rended armor
immediately, preferably with the help of others, as per the sec-
tion of the Players Handbook, Getting Into and Out of Armor,
and Table 7-6. Any plated armor also has leather buckles, which
can be cut to reduce removal time by half, but destroy the usabil-
ity of the armor.
Repair
Damaged metal items are usually best repaired, rather than
replaced. Good maintenance can restore 1-6 hit points of damage
for a metal item, but no more. If a weapon contains metal,
among other materials, the other portions must be completely
replaced as part of the repair process. Broken Metal Items can be
repaired, sometimes to full ability. Metal Armor whose leather
straps have been cut will require the straps to be replaced.
Metal (Gold or Silver)
Noble metals like gold or silver may be popular to display the
wealth of the wearer. Gold is immune to acid, while Silver is
often useful against specific creatures.
Properties
Gold and silver retain heat. A gold or silver item heated in a nor-
mal fire will inflict an extra +1 of heat damage. This effect lasts
1 round for every 10 rounds of exposure in flame. After a gold or
silver item has been exposed to flames for 1 hour, it has reached
its greatest retention of damage, so the maximum time a gold or
silver item can retain this kind of heat for is 60 rounds, or 5 min-
utes. A gold or silver object that is struck by intense heat from an
attack will similarly do +1 damage to whatever touches it in the
round it is struck, and in the next two rounds.
Gold or silver is highly conductive. Its AC should be ignored
versus electrical attacks that require a to hit roll (such as an elec-
trically charged weapon). If a shield is also gold or silver, it, too,
will not add to the AC when rolling to hit directly. Strikes against
metal shield or armor with electricity will only do half the nor-
mal damage, but will ignore hardness and also do direct damage
to the victim.
Gold takes no damage from acid.
Effects of damage
Gold or silver dents, cracks, warps, or splits when damaged.
When a gold or silver melee weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and
consult the following chart:
13 -1 damage
46 -1 to hit
When a gold or silver missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult
the following chart:
 From Stone to Steel
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When gold or silver armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the
following chart:
1 -1 to hit
23 -1 damage
46 -5ft range increment
Breakage
Gold or silver snaps, rends, or staves when broken. If gold or sil-
ver armor takes more damage than needed to reduce its hit points
to zero, it staves or rends. This can be quite dangerous. The
excess damage is applied to the victim that turn, and every turn
afterwards the character receives one less point of damage, until
the armor is removed or the damage falls to zero. Clerical spells
or other healing will only heal damage done, but after the heal-
ing spell is cast, the wound will reopen, due to the gold or silver
still in their flesh, and this damage progression will begin again.
It is suggested that a character remove staved or rended armor
immediately, preferably with the help of others, as per the sec-
tion of the Players Handbook, Getting Into and Out of Armor,
and Table 7-6. Any plated armor also has leather buckles which
can be cut to reduce removal time by half, but destroy the usabil-
ity of the armor.
Repair
Damaged gold and silver items are usually best repaired, rather
than replaced. Good maintenance can restore 1-6 hit points of
damage for a gold and silver item, but no more. If a weapon con-
tains gold and silver, among other materials, the other portions
must be completely replaced as part of the repair process.
Broken gold or silver items can be repaired, sometimes to full
ability. Gold or silver armor whose leather straps have been cut
will require the straps to be replaced.
Metal (Mithril)
Mithril is a silver-blue iron-like material found in certain fantasy
settings. Light, durable, and easier to maneuver in, Mithril items
are rare and treasured. Creation and repair time for mithril items
is treated as if the item were masterwork, but the masterwork
enhancement bonus or armor check penalty bonus is not applied
to mithril items.
Properties
Mithril retains heat. A Mithril item heated in a normal fire will
inflict an extra +1 of heat damage. This effect lasts 1 round for
every 20 rounds of exposure in flame. After a mithril item has
300
been exposed to flames for 1 hour, it has reached its greatest
retention of damage, so the maximum time a mithril item can
retain this kind of heat for is 120 rounds, or 10 minutes. A mithril
object that is struck by intense heat from an attack will similarly
do +1 damage to whatever touches it in the round it is struck,
and in the next two rounds.
Mithril is conductive, although not as conductive as other metals.
Its AC bonus should be halved versus electrical attacks that require
an attack roll (such as an electrically charged weapon). If a shield is
also mithril, it, too, will add only half the AC bonus (rounded up)
when rolling to hit directly. Strikes against a mithril shield or armor
with electricity will only do half the normal damage, but will
ignore hardness and also do direct damage to the victim.
Effects of damage
Mithril dents and warps when damaged. When a mithril melee
weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
13 -1 damage
46 -1 to hit
When a mithril missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
When mithril armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the follow-
ing chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment
Breakage
Mithril snaps, rends, or staves when broken. If mithril armor
more that three points of damage than needed to reduce its hit
points to zero, it staves or rends. This can be quite dangerous.
The excess damage is applied to the victim that turn, and every
turn afterwards the character receives one less point of damage,
until the armor is removed or the damage falls to zero. Clerical
spells or other healing will only heal damage done, but after the
healing spell is cast, the wound will reopen, due to the mithril
still in their flesh, and this damage progression will begin again.
It is suggested that a character remove staved or rended armor
immediately, preferably with the help of others, as per the sec-
tion of the Players Handbook, Getting Into and Out of Armor,
and Table 7-6. Any plated armor also has leather buckles that can
be cut to reduce removal time by half, but destroy the usability
of the armor.
Repair
Damaged mithril items are usually best repaired, rather than
replaced. Good maintenance can restore 1-6 hit points of damage
 Materials
for a mithril item, but no more. If a weapon contains mithril,
among other materials, the other portions must be completely
replaced as part of the repair process. Broken mithril items can
be repaired, sometimes to full ability. Mithril armor whose
leather straps have been cut will require the straps to be replaced.
Stone
Weaknesses
Stone retains heat. A stone item heated in flames will inflict an
extra +1 of heat damage. This effect lasts 1 round for every 3
minutes of exposure in flame. After a stone has been exposed to
flames for 1 hour, it has reached its greatest retention of damage,
so the maximum time a stone item can retain this kind of heat for
is 20 rounds, or 2 minutes. A stone object that is struck by
intense heat from an attack will similarly do one point of heat
damage to whatever touches it in the round it is struck, and in the
next round.
Effects of damage
Stone flakes or cracks when damaged. When a stone melee
weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the following chart:
Wood
Weaknesses
Wood is flammable, and if it is damaged by a fire or heat attack,
(by exceeding the hardness of the item) it will catch on fire.
Such an item will take another 1d6 hit points (ignoring the hard-
ness) each turn until the character can put the fire out. The char-
acter may also catch on fire, as per the DMG. Spells, or specific
treatments mentioned in the text may increase the wooden items
resistance to catching on fire.
Wood may begin to rot if it is not appropriately dried after sub-
mersion or soaking. If an item is submersed, soaked, or other-
wise immersed in water for at least 15 minutes, there is a 15%
chance the wood will begin to rot. If rotting wood is not dried
correctly, it will take 1 point of hit points a week, from both the
current and maximum structural rating. Rotting causes the item
to permanently grow weaker. Correctly coating a wooden item
with oil or wax will reduce this risk to 1%, and will require reap-
plication after submersion or 1 month, whichever comes first.
Wood is fibrous, and does not take an edge well. Slashing
weapons made of wood have half the listed hardness.

15 -1 damage
Effects of damage
6 -1 to hit
Wood cracks, splinters, or warps when damaged.
When a stone missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
When a wooden melee weapon deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult
lowing chart:
the following chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage 13 -1 damage
56 -5ft range increment 46 -1 to hit
When a wooden missile deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the
When stone armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the follow-
following chart:
ing chart:
12 -1 to hit
34 -1 damage
13 -1 to hit 56 -5ft range increment
45 -1 damage
6 -5ft range increment When Wooden armor deteriorates, roll 1d6 and consult the fol-
lowing chart:
Breakage
Stone tends to snap or shatter when broken. If a stone item takes 13 -1 to hit
5 more points of damage than needed to reduce its hit points to 45 -1 damage
zero, it shatters into splinters. 6 -5ft range increment

Repair
Damaged wholly stone weapons cannot be repaired and must be
replaced. If a weapon contains stone, among other materials, the
stone portions must be completely replaced as part of the repair
process. Wholly stone armor does not require complete replace-
ment, but instead requires replacement on only damaged por-
tions.
301
Breakage
Wood tends to snap or, in very extreme cases, splinter. If a
wooden item takes 8 more points of damage than needed to
reduce its hit points to zero, it shatters into splinters.
Repair
Damaged wooden weapons are best replaced, rather than
repaired. Good maintenance can restore 13 hit points of dam-
age for a wooden item, but no more. If a weapon contains wood,
among other materials, the wood portions must be completely
replaced as part of the repair process. Armor made from a single
 From Stone to Steel
piece of wood, such as a helmet, will require full replacement to Arcane Spell Failure is reduced by 10%
completely repair, but items made from multiple pieces of wood Maximum Dexterity Bonus is increased by 2
only require damaged portions to be replaced. Armor Check Penalty is reduced by 3

Maintenance and Repair

It is assumed that if a character is trained in the use of a weapon Table 9-1: Weight
or armor, they know the proper methods of maintenance and
The base weight of an item is its weight in steel. Follow the
treatment. Usually maintenance requires tending to items for
below chart to determine exact weight:
about 5-15 minutes after theyve been used, although if they are
used multiple times a day, this time frame is not increased. Use Material Weight Modifier
a day period as a rule of thumb. If an item has been in use dur- -.5 to -2 lbs (small or tiny items are -
Dried Clay
ing the day, 5-15 minutes must be spent at the end of the day to .5, all others are -2)
make certain it stays in top form. Using proper maintenance will Stone No modifier
restore structure as noted above. -.5 to -1 lbs (small or tiny items are -
Obsidian
.5, all others are -1)
Use the rules in the Players Handbook under the craft skill to
-.5 to -1 lbs (small or tiny items are -
repair items. Note that the appropriate skill must be had to work Wood, Soft
.5, all others are -1)
the appropriate materials and items. A character trained as an
Wood, Normal No modifier
armorer, for example, will know how to fashion metal armors,
but will also need training as a tanner to work leather into armor. Wood, Hard No modifier
Primitive materials usually require a special sub-skill, like bone +.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
Wood, Iron
carving or stone masonry. Several skills may be applicable for +.5, all others are +1)
repairing an item: An iron sword may be correctly repaired by a Leather No modifier
metalsmith, weaponsmith, or blacksmith, but the weaponsmith +.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
Boiled Leather
would be the best at it, and have all the appropriate tools. When a +.5, all others are +1)
repair attempt fails, deduct 13 hit points permanently. This loss Hide No modifier
should not exceed the number of hit points actually being Fabric No modifier
repaired. Otherwise, the process may be repeated as often as +.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
Copper
desired, following the limitations given in the Players Handbook. +.5, all others are +1)
+.5 to +2 lbs (small or tiny items are
Bronze
+.5, all others are +2)
+.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
How to Generate Stats for Iron
+.5, all others are +1)
+.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
Items: Lead
+.5, all others are +1)
Early Steel No modifier
Weapon Statistics
Middle Steel No modifier
The Damage, Critical Range, and Range Increment, and Damage
Late Steel No modifier
type for a weapon will not change for any material, except in the
following cases: True Steel No modifier
Pattern-Welded Steel No modifier
Adamantine adds a +2 enchancement bonus on attack rolls Damascus Steel No modifier
for any weapon. +.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
Folded steel items are automatically considered masterwork Folded Steel
+.5, all others are +1)
Pattern welded items, Damascus steel items, and Obsidian -.5 to -1 lbs (small or tiny items are -
add +1 to damage rolls. Ice
.5, all others are -1)
Armor Statistics -.5 to -2 lbs (small or tiny items are -
Glass
.5, all others are -2)
The Armor Bonus, Maximum Dexterity Bonus, Armor Check
+.5 to +2 lbs (small or tiny items are
Penalty, Arcane Spell Failure, and Speed will not change for any Gold
+.5, all others are +2)
material, except for Mithril. Mithral confers the following
Silver No modifier
changes:
No modifier for armor, weapons are
Mithril
Mithril armors are one category lighter for purposes of move- half normal weight
ment (Heavy moves as Medium, Medium moves as Light. +.5 to +1 lbs (small or tiny items are
Adamantine
Light has no modification.) +.5, all others are +1)

302
 Materials
Table 9-1: Weight Table 9-3: Hardness
Material Weight Modifier The hardness of an item is based on its primary material (the
Dragon Hide No modifier first material its made from). Use the following chart to deter-
Dragon Scale No modifier mine hardness:
-.5 to -1 lbs (small or tiny items Material Hardness
Dragon Tooth
are -.5, all others are -1)
Clay 12
These items are +.5 lbs for
Stone 34
small or tiny, +2 lbs for all
Diamond Obsidian 2
other weapons, and +4 for
armor Wood, Soft 12
Pearl, Shell, Amber These items are half weight Wood, Normal 34
Other Gemstones No modifier Wood, Hard 56
Weight for barding is determined by multiplying the weight by Wood, Iron 7
2 for horse barding or by 3 for elephant barding. Leather 34
Boiled Leather 45
Hit Points Hide 5
To determine the hit points of an item, multiply the item weight Fabric (Exception: Jigap [2]) 1
by the following: Copper 2
Bronze 35
Table 9-2: Hit Points Iron 56
Item Type Multiply Early Steel 7
Weight Middle Steel, Lead 8
Normal Melee Weapons, Shields and X2 Late Steel 9
Armor True Steel 10
Pattern-Welded Steel 9
Non-gun Missile Weapons and Thrown X3
weapons (but not ammunition) Damascus Steel 10
Folded Steel 11
Guns and Grenades X2
Ice 2
Ammunition X1
Glass 23
Masterwork Missile Weapons X3.5 Gold 5
Masterwork Melee Weapons X3 Silver 8
Masterwork Shields or Armor X2.5 Mithril 15
Adamantine 20
The following modifiers may be applied to hardness:
Dragon Hide 6
Items that are structurally weak or top-heavy have their hit Dragon Scale 10
points modified by -2 Dragon Tooth 10
Items that are particularly solid and sturdy have their hit Diamond 16
points modified by +2 Ruby, Sapphire, Chrysoberyl 8
Damascus Steel items gain +3 hit points for their superior Aquamarine, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Tourmaline 7
manufacture Agate, Amethyst, Bloodstone, Chalcedony, Cit-
Boiled Leather items are more brittle than normal, and their 6
rine, Jasper, Onyx, Peridot, Tiger's Eye, Quartz
hit points are modified by -2. Jade, Lapis-Lazuli, Moonstone, Turquoise 5
Half hit points are rounded up Coral, Fluorite, Malachite, Pearl, Shell 4
Amber 2
The following modifiers may be applied to hardness:
Fire hardening increases the hardness of wood by 1
Lacquering increases the hardness of leather by 1
Viking-made Pattern Welded Steel hardness is increased by 1
Primitive stone arrowheads have a hardness of 1
Masterwork items have their hardness increased by 1

303
 Appendix

Table 10-1: Weapon Size and Damage 305

Table 10-2: Blunt Force Trauma 305
Weapon Size and Damage 305
Optional Mechanics 305
Alternate Armor System: Armor as Damage Resistance 305
Alt Armor/Damage System: Blunt Force Trauma 305
Converting Range Increments 305
Minimum Strength 306
Alternate Fatigue System 306
Table 10-3: Fatigue 306
Item Crafting and Quality 307
Glossary of Terms 307
Table 10-4: Item Crafting and Quality 307
Bibliography 308
Works Cited 308
Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons. Extended Damage/Size Chart 310
Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons. Extended Damage/Size Chart 311
Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Armor. Extended Damage/Size Chart 312
Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons. Extended Damage/Size Chart 312

304
 Appendix
Weapon Size and Damage
Table 10-1: Weapon Size and Damage
As a weapon gets larger or smaller, the damage it deals changes
according to the following progression:
One Size Smaller Original Damage One Size Larger
1 1d2 1d3
1d2 1d3 1d4
1d3 1d4 1d6
1d4 1d6 1d8
1d6 1d8 2d6
1d6 1d10 2d6
1d8 1d12 2d8
For an even larger version of a weapon that does 2 or more dice
of damage, convert each die to the next larger category. For
instance, a Large version of a longsword does 2d6 points of
damage (up from 1d8), and a Huge version of a longsword does
2d8 points of damage (increasing each d6 to a d8).
A weapon reduced in size so that it does less than 1 point of
damage is useless.
Optional Mechanics
The following systems attempt to give more the player and DM
more realism. These systems are completely optional, and some
may not work well with each other.
Alternate Armor System:
Armor as Damage Resistance
Armor is not designed to make the wearer harder to hit. Armor
is designed to deflect blows and absorb shock. One way to rep-
resent this would be to make armor a kind of damage resistance
(DR), rather than part of the strike roll. Those who wish to use
armor as DR should use the following guidelines:
The armor bonus conveyed by a suit of armor becomes the
damage resistance of the armor. Any time the player takes
damage, he reduces the damage by his armor bonus before
applying it to his hit points
Shields grant a true armor bonus, since they do not so much
soften a blow as prevent it from ever striking the body.
Shields still make an attack roll more difficult.
Misses still process on the Actual Strike chart, but hits to
armor on the Actual Strike chart do not carry through to the
wearer (unless the weapon used is a gun).
This change means that characters will be hit much more
often, although they wont always take damage. Optionally,
the DM may assert that over time a character learns to better
defend themselves and avoid attacks. They may award a
Defense bonus, which makes a character harder to hit, based
305
on the highest base attack bonus of the character. If a charac-
ter has a base attack bonus of +11/+6/+1, then they would
receive a +11 Defense bonus. Note that this option strongly
favors fighter classes.
Alt Armor/Damage System:
Blunt Force Trauma
This optional system attempts to reconcile the concept of blunt
force trauma with the current combat system. Blunt force
trauma is the damage that travels through armor and into the
wearer, which causes bruises, disorientation, and sometimes
unconsciousness. To use this system, you must also use the rules
for incidental weapon and armor damage.
Whenever armor is damaged, Blunt Force Trauma can occur.
The type of damage indicates how much blunt force trauma
occurs. Apply the following modifier to damage taken by armor:
For every 2 points of damage after the above modifier is fac-
tored, blunt force trauma causes 1 point of subdual damage.
Obviously, blunt force trauma is best caused by bludgeoning
weapons, like staves, clubs, maces, and flails.
Table 10-2: Blunt Force Trauma
If the damage type was Then divide by
Bludgeoning 1
Slashing 2
Piercing 4
Round off any fractions as appropriate.
Converting Range Increments
In real life, bows do not have range increments. A bow is rated
by its pull, and the pull of the bow, combined with the users
strength, determine how far an arrow can fly. In order to gener-
ate more realistic ranges for bows, you may wish to try an alter-
nate ranging system.
The pull of a bow can be determined by subtracting 20 from the
range increment. Thus, a bow with a range increment of 70
would have a pull of 50 (70 - 20 = 50). Then, in order to deter-
mine the true range increment of a bow when wielded by your
character, just multiply your strength bonus by 10, to determine
the additional range due to your strength. A character with a
strength bonus of +3 would be able to fire the above bow at a
range increment of 80 (+3 strength bonus x 10 = + 30 range
bonus, 50 pull + 30 range bonus = 80 range increment). In this
way a strong bowmen may be able to fire farther than a weaker
one.
There is a limit, however, to the amount of strength that can be
used with a given bow. The pull of the bow also indicates the
maximum amount of range bonus it can be modified by. A bow
can only be modified until the pull is doubled. Thus, if a charac-
ter has a +6 strength bonus and wields a 50 pull bow, they will
only have a range increment of 100, and the extra 10 range
bonus points would be lost.
 From Stone to Steel
Note that only mighty bows add the strength bonus to the dam-
age of a bow. The range bonus does not affect damage in any
Table 10-3: Fatigue
way. Medium Heavy
Action Light Load Load Load
Minimum Strength 20 minutes 5 minutes 2 minutes
Some weapons are heavy. Items like the Golden Melons can be Fighting (100 rounds) (50 rounds) (25 rounds)
intimidating for a weaker character to carry. Should a DM feel it Running 30 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes
necessary to prevent weak characters from using heavy weapons Swimming 20 minutes 5 minutes 2 minutes
one handed without a penalty, the optional Minimum Strength Heavy Exertion (IE:
mechanics may be used. rock or rope climbing,
To determine the minimum strength needed for a medium sized sprinting up stairs, ford-
creature to wield a medium-size or smaller weapon one handed ing a swift river, lifting
without penalty, refer to the Carrying Capacity table in the and holding maximum
Players Handbook. Look at the Light Load level for the crea- lift weight, rapid mining 20 minutes 5 minutes 2 minutes
ture in question. A creature may use any weapon that is of or smithing, fighting to
their Light Load carrying weight (rounding down) without hold a crushing wall
penalty. For every pound over that of their Light Load carry- trap in place, dragging a
ing weight a wielded weapon is, a 1 to hit should be applied. struggling prisoner by a
For example, a creature with 10 strength, has a limit of 8 pounds rope, etc.)
(light load = 33 lbs. 33/4 = 8.25, rounded to 8). Thus, a strength
Medium Exertion (IE:
10 creature can wield most traditional d20 medium-size
scaling a ladder quickly,
weapons, but the heavy mace, heavy lance, bastard sword, or
fording a regular river,
dwarven waraxe might cause trouble. A medium-sized creature
mining or smithing at a
may wield a medium-size or smaller weapon two handed with-
normal pace, frequent 30 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes
out penalty, gaining the strength bonus benefit for wielding a
jumping and ducking
one-handed weapon two-handed.
(for complex traps),
Small size creatures may wield a small or tiny size weapon one dragging a heavy object
handed without penalty if is it of their Light Load carrying by a rope, etc.)
weight (rounding down). Note that the heaviest small weapon in
the traditional d20 list is the light mace, at 6 pounds, so small Light Exertion (IE:
creatures with a strength of at least 8 neednt worry about this scaling a tall ladder at a
much. Again a small size creature may wield a small or tiny size normal rate, regular
weapon two handed without penalty, gaining the strength bonus monks exercises,
benefit for wielding a one-handed weapon two-handed. pulling a laden cart at a
1 hour 30 minutes 15 minutes
normal pace, fighting a
Greater sized creatures may use this same method to determine stubborn mount, plow-
which weapons they can and cannot use one-handed without ing, regular heavy lift-
penalty, but such creatures are rarely lacking in strength. ing (longshoreman
work), etc.)
Alternate Fatigue System
Fatigue points gained are incremental, and each point is a 1
Fatigue occurs when one over-exerts oneself. As people fight,
penalty to all skill checks and attack rolls. When a person is
run, jump, and otherwise subject themselves to extreme experi-
tired, they are bound to make poor decisions, and are slower to
ences, they are bound to become tired, and, therefore, less men-
react to opportunities.
tally acute. This alternate fatigue system may be used to
encourage characters who expect to exert themselves to travel Rest may remove fatigue points. For every hour a character rests
light and plan for rest. For the purpose of this alternate system, (sits, reads, sings quietly, practices a tune on an instrument, per-
consider the fatigued condition to be separate from the fatigue forms basic maintenance on a weapon, cooks a simple meal,
counter. This alternate system also requires paying attention to a eats, meditates, performs a tea ceremony, etc.) the character loses
characters encumbrance. a point of fatigue. This rate may be doubled for every hour spent
in total rest (sleep, or, for elves, deep meditation).
When a character is active, they are bound to gain fatigue. Refer
to the following chart to determine how much time an activity The DM may, at any time, deem that a stressful activity has given
may be sustained before a character gains 1 point of fatigue: a player a point of fatigue. Torture or psychological trauma is
likely to convey fatigue, as is poisoning. Also, healing elixers,
bathing in a warm/hot bath, massage, or other activities may

306
 Appendix
allow a character to loose fatigue more quickly than normal.
Assume a good nights sleep cures all ills. A hard days adventur-
ing may well make night in a tavern bed seem very welcoming.
Item Crafting and Quality
Hand-made items are rarely crafted with the exact same quality
every time. Some items are of better quality than others. The
following chart may be used when crafting a weapon or armor to
determine the effects of craftsmanship. Shields are not apprecia-
bly changed by variance in quality.
When crafting a weapon or suit of armor, the craftsman may
elect to craft an item at one of the above quality levels, and alter
the construction modifier by the specified amount. This allows
the option for more variance in item quality. Bonuses or penal-
ties for quality are not cumulative in a given column. A poor
quality armor has an armor check penalty of 1, for example, not
2. An Excellent weapon will receive a +4 to its hit points. The
benefit of crafting items of lower than average quality is that
they are quicker to construct and easier to make, which in crisis
times may be an advantage. Many of the swords from the Hun-
dred Years war were crafted by smiths in the wagon trains of
armies, and their poor quality was offset by the practical needs
for new weapons on the battlefield.
Glossary of Terms
Throughout From Stone to Steel, there may be terms that you are
unfamiliar with. Hopefully youll find your answer here.
AilettesAilettes are small square or rectangular plates attached
to the pauldrons, which display the coat of armes in battle.
These were used to identify a lord of note, to prevent confusion
on the battlefield.
BardingArmor for animals. Barding is usually used on
horses, but other kinds of war animals bore barding, such as ele-
phants. Horse barding usually consists of a chamfron, crinet,
and coat.
BossWhen shields are constructed, it is common to leave a
hollow at the center to make a hand hold. The hollow is covered
with a metal covering, called the boss. Shield bosses became
common after the practice of having a hand-hold in the center of
the shield was abandoned, because bosses could mount spikes
quite easily, and were better at deflecting arrows.
BreastplateThe breastplate as that portion of armor which
covers the torso, regardless of material. See also Cuirass
ChamfronThe head covering of horse barding, the chamfron
is often decorated by wealthy lords.
CoifThe portion of chainmail that covers the head.
CoronalA three-pointed cap for a lance, to prevent casualties
on the tournament grounds.
CourboilleCourboille is boiled leather. Boiled and then
allowed to dry, courboille is harder than normal leather, but can
be more brittle.
CrinetThe neck covering of horse barding, the Crinet may
sometimes sport a false mane, and is often decorated.
CuirassAn older form of chest armor, often sculpted to appear
like the human form, the cuirass is similar to a breastplate. The
Cuirass can be hinged or may be laced and buckled on.
FlightsThe feathers on an arrow, that keep it on target and
accurate. Without flights, arrows dont travel as far, and tend to
spin more.

Table 10-4: Item Crafting and Quality

Construction Level of To Max Dex Armor Check Arcane Spell Hit Cost for Cost for
DC modifier Quality Hit Damage Bonus Penalty Failure Hardness Points Armor Weapon
+6 Excellent - - - - - +1 +4* +100 +200
+4 Superior - - - - - - +4* +50 +100
+2 Good - - - - - - +2 +25 +50
0 Average - - - - - - -
-2 Fair - - - - - - -2* -1/8 cost -1/8 cost
-4 Inferior -1 - - -1 - - -4* -1/4 cost -1/4 cost
-6 Poor -1 -1 -1 -1 +5% -1 -4* -1/2 cost -1/2 cost
* Hit points can only be increased to a maximum of weight x3 +2. If this addition exceeds that, then the extra hit points are lost.
The minimum hit points for an item are 1.

307
 From Stone to Steel
FullerThe groove down the center of many sword blades, the
fuller is added to lighten a blade without weakening it.
GauntletHand covering, either as part of a suit of plate, or as
a separate accessory.
GorgetThe neck protection of a suit of plate armor, the Gor-
get prevents easy decapitation on the battlefield.
GreavesGreaves are leg armor, often a single plate strapped
or buckled to the leg. Plate armor versions of the greave were
hinged.
GripThe portion of a sword hilt that is grasped in the hand
during combat.
GuardThe portion of the sword hilt at the base of the blade
that prevents an opponents weapon from sliding up the blade
and injuring the sword-wielders hand. In the later medieval
period, the guard was often extended out over the grip, to protect
the wielders hand from direct attack, especially when armor fell
out of style, and it became more common to fight unarmored.
HaftA metal or wooden pole that connects a handle to the
striking surface of a weapon.
LamesPlates, usually square or rectangular, although many
different kinds of lames were made. Armor constructed from
lames was called lamellar.
LaminateTo layer over something, so as to cover it. Lami-
nate may be in the form of some kind of plate covering, like split
or whalebone armor, or it may be a kind of lacquering that cov-
ers leather, wood, or metal and hardens, making the item dense.
NockThe notch at the end of an arrow that allows it to be set
on a bow string.
PauldronThe shoulder plate on plated armors.
PolearmAny of a large number of weapons which are set on a
long pole. Most polearms are reach weapons.
PommelThe portion of the hilt below the grip, which helps to
counterbalance the weight of a sword blade.
QuillionThe extending portions of a guard which block a slid-
ing blade, quillions are one of the parts of the sword most deco-
rated.
SabatonMetal shoes or boots that come as part of plate armor.
SinewMuscle and gristle from a slaughtered animal that is
often used as cord for bows or binders for primitive armors and
items.
TangThe portion of a blade that extends into the hilt, to give
the blade stability and anchor it.
Vambrace That portion of armor that covers the forearm, the
vambrace may be part of a suit of armor, or worn separately.
The armor that covers the mid-face and eyes in helmet, the
visor is often hinged, to allow it to be raised or lowered. Raising
a visor allows a person to see better.
308
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309
 From Stone to Steel

Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons

Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Simple Weapons-Melee
Unarmed Attacks
Gauntlet 2gp * * 2lbs B M 10/4
Tiny
Dagger* 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 10ft 1lbs P M 10/3
Dagger, Punching 2gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 10/6
Gauntlet, Spiked* 5gp 1d4 x2 2lbs P M 10/6
Small
Mace, Light 5gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B M 10/18
Sickle 6gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S MW 10/9
Medium-size
Club 1d6 x2 10ft 3lbs B WM 4/8
Halfspeara 1gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 10/12
Mace, Heavy 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 10/26
Morningstar 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs BP MW 10/16
Large
Quarterstaff* 1d6/1d6 x2 4lbs B W 5/8
Shortspeara 2gp 1d8 x3 20ft 5lbs P WM 5/13
Simple Weapons-Ranged
Small
Crossbow, Light* 35gp 1d8 1920/x2 80 ft 6lbs P WM 5/16
Bolts, crossbow (10)* 1gp 1lbs M 10/1
Dart 5sp 1d4 x2 20ft .5lbs P WM 5/1
Sling* 1d4 x2 50ft 0lbs B L 2/3
Bullets, Sling (10)* 1sp 5lbs M 8/3
Medium-sized
Crossbow, Heavy* 50gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 9lbs P WM 6/27
Bolts, Crossbow (10)* 1gp 1lbs M 10/1
Javelin* 1gp 1d6 x2 30ft 2lbs P WM 5/6
Martial Weapons-Melee
Small
Axe, throwing 8gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4lbs S MW 10/12
Hammer, light 1gp 1d4 x2 20ft 2lbs B M 10/6
Handaxe 6gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S MW 10/15
Lance, light* 6gp 1d6 x3 5lbs P WM 4/15
Pick, light 4gp 1d4 x4 4lbs P M 10/10
Sap 1gp 1d6 x2 3lbs B LM 3/9
Sword, Short 10gp 1d6 1920/x2 3lbs P M 10/11
Medium-sized
Battleaxe 10gp 1d8 x3 7lbs S MW 10/14
Flail, light* 8gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B MW 10/10
Lance, heavy* 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P WM 5/20
Longsword 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 10/10
Pick, heavy 8gp 1d6 x4 6lbs P M 10/12
Rapier* 20gp 1d6 1820/x2 3lbs P M 10/6
Scimitar 15gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S M 10/10
Tridenta 15gp 1d8 x2 10ft 5lbs P WM 5/10
Warhammer 12gp 1d8 x3 8lbs B MW 10/16

310
 Appendix

Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons

Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Martial Weapons-Melee
Large
Falchion 75gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 10/32
Flail, heavy* 15gp 1d10 1920/x2 20lbs B M 10/38
Glaive* 8gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S WM 5/30
Greataxe 20gp 1d12 x3 20lbs S MW 10/40
Greatclub 5gp 1d10 x2 10lbs B WM 6/22
Greatsword 50gp 2d6 1920/x2 15lbs S M 10/30
Guisarme* 9gp 2d4 x3 15lbs S WM 5/30
Halberd*a 10gp 1d10 x3 15lbs PS MW 10/30
Longspear* 5gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P MW 10/18
Ranseur*a 10gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P MW 10/30
Scythe 18gp 2d4 x4 12lbs PS WM 5/24
Martial Weapons-Ranged
Medium-size
Shortbow* 30gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2lbs P W 6/6
Arrows (20)* 1gp 3lbs WM 4/3
Shortbow, composite* 75gp 1d6 x3 70ft 2lbs P WB 6/6
Arrows (20)* 1gp 3lbs WM 4/3
Large
Longbow* 75gp 1d8 x3 100ft 3lbs P W 6/6
Arrows (20)* 1gp 3lbs WM 4/3
Longbow, composite* 100gp 1d8 x2 110ft 3lbs P WB 6/6
Arrows (20)* 1gp 3lbs WM 4/3
Exotic Weapons-Melee
Tiny
Kama, halfling* 2gp 1d4 x2 1lbs S MW 10/3
Kukri 8gp 1d4 1820/x2 3lbs S M 10/9
Nunchaku, halfling* 2gp 1d4 x2 1lbs B W 5/3
Siangham, halfling* 2gp 1d4 x2 1lbs P M 10/3
Small
Kama* 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs S MW 10/6
Nunchaku* 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B W 5/6
Siangham* 3gp 1d6 x2 1lbs P M 10/3
Medium-size
Sword, bastard* 35gp 1d10 1920/x2 10lb S M 10/20
Waraxe, dwarven* 30gp 1d10 x3 15lb S M 10/32
Hammer, gnome hooked* 20gp 1d6/1d4 x3/x4 6lbs BP M 10/12
Large
Axe, orc double* 60gp 1d8/1d8 x3 15ft 25lbs S MW 10/50
Chain, spiked* 25gp 2d4 x2 15lbs S M 10/30
Flail, dire* 90gp 1d8/1d8 x2 20lbs B MW 10/40
Sword, two-bladed* 100gp 1d8/1d8 1920/x2 30lbs S M 10/60
Urgrosh, dwarvena 50gp 1d8/1d6 x3 15lbs SP M 10/32
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Tiny
Crossbow, hand* 100gp 1d4 1920/x2 30ft 3lbs Piercing WM 4/7
Bolts (10)* 1gp 1lbs M 10/1
Shuriken* 1gp 1 x2 10ft .1lbs P M 10/1
311
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Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons

Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Small
Whip* 1gp 1d2 x2 15ft* 2lbs S L 4/6
Medium-size
Crossbow, repeating* 250gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 16lbs P WM 5/30
Bolts (5)* 1gp 1lbs M 10/1
Net* 20gp * * 10ft* 10lbs * CM 3/18

Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Armor

Armor Max Dex Armor Check Arcane Spell Speed
Armor Cost Weight M H/HP
Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30ft 20ft
Light Armor
Padded 5gp +1 +8 -0 5% 30ft 20ft 10lbs F 1/20
Leather 10gp +2 +6 -0 10% 30ft 20ft 15lbs L 4/30
Studded Leather 25gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft 20ft 20lbs LM 4/40
Chain shirt 100gp +4 +4 -2 20% 30ft 20ft 25lbs M 10/50
Medium Armor
Hide 35gp +3 +4 -3 20% 20ft 15ft 25lbs L 5/50
Scale mail 50gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft 15ft 30lbs M 10/60
Chainmail 150gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft 15ft 40lbs M 10/80
Breastplate 200gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft 15ft 30lbs M 10/60
Heavy Armor
Splint mail* 200gp +6 +0 -7 40% 20ft 15ft 45lbs M 10/90
Banded mail* 250gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft 15ft 35lbs M 10/70
Half-plate* 500gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft 15ft 50lbs M 10/100
Full plate* 1000gp +8 +1 -6 35% 20ft 15ft 50lbs M 10/100
Shields
Buckler 15gp +1 -1 5% 5lbs M 10/8
Shield, small, wooden 3gp +1 -1 5% 5lbs W 5/10
Shield, small, steel 9gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 10/12
Shield, large, wooden 7gp +2 -1 15% 10lbs W 5/20
Shield, large, steel 20gp +2 -1 15% 15lbs M 10/30
Shield, tower** 30gp -1 50% 45lbs W 6/90
Extras
Armor spikes +50gp +10lbs M
Gauntlet, locked 8gp Special +5lbs M
Shield spikes +10gp +5lbs M

* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Hand not free to cast spells.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.

312
 Master Tables
Table 11-1: Simple Melee Weapons 314

Table 11-2: Simple Ranged Weapons 318

Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee 319

Table 11-4: Martial Weapons-Ranged 326

Table 11-5: Exotic Weapons-Melee 327

Table 11-6: Exotic Weapons-Ranged 330

Table 11-8: Special Items 331

Table 11-7: Weapons Ranged-Ammunition 331

Table 11-9: Firearms-Ranged 332

Table 11-10: Light Armor 333

Table 11-11: Medium Armor 334

Table 11-12: Heavy Armor 335

Table 11-13: Shields & Accessories 336

313
 From Stone to Steel
Table 11-1: Simple Melee Weapons
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Bilbo 4gp 1d6 x3 2lbs P M 9/6
Bodkin 3gp 1d4 x3 10ft 1lbs P M 9/4
Buhj, Damascened 402gp 1d4+1 1920/x2 1lbs P M 10/6
Buhj, Steel 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/3
Cestus* 6sp * x2 2.5 lbs B L 3/8
Cestus, Spiked* 1.2gp 1d4 x2 3 lbs P LM 4/9
Dagger, Bronze 1.4gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5 lbs P M 4/6
Dagger, Bronze Punching 1.3gp 1d4 x3 2.5lbs P MW 5/8
Dagger, Copper 1.2gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5 lbs P M 3/6
Dagger, Damascened Punching 402gp 1d4+1 x3 2lbs P M 10/9
Dagger, Iron 1.6gp 1d4 1920/x2 15ft 1.5 lbs P M 6/5
Dagger, Kidney Late Steel 7gp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 9/5
Dagger, Middle Steel Kidney 6gp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 8/5
Dagger, Punching Iron 1.5gp 1d4 x3 2.5lbs S MW 6/8
Dagger, Punching Steel 2gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 9/6
Dirk, Late Steel 5gp 1d6 x2 2lbs S M 9/6
Dirk, Middle Steel 4gp 1d6 x2 2lbs S M 8/6
Fakir's Horns 5sp 1d6 x3 1.5lbs P B 3/5
Hora* 4sp 1d3+1 x2 .5lbs B B 3/2
Karambit 6sp 1d3 x3 .5lbs S M 6/2
Kinzhal 5gp 1d4 x3 2lbs S M 9/5
Knife, Bamboo 8sp 1d3 1920/x2 1 lbs S W 4/3
Knife, Bronze 1gp 1d4 x2 1.5 lbs S M 4/4
Knife, Bronze Chinese 2gp 1d4 x2 1lbs S M 5/3
Knife, Chinese Curved 1.8gp 1d4 x3 1.5 lbs S M 6/5
Knife, Copper 9sp 1d4 x2 1.5 lbs S M 3/4
Knife, Early Steel 1.4gp 1d4 x2 1lb S M 7/3
Knife, Hidden Steel 1gp 1d3 x3 .5lbs S M 9/2
Knife, Iron 1.3gp 1d4 x2 1.5 lbs S M 6/5
Knife, Iron Chinese 3gp 1d4 x2 1.5lbs S M 6/5
Knife, Late Steel 2gp 1d4 x2 1lb S M 9/4
Knife, Middle Steel 1.5gp 1d4 x2 1lb S M 8/3
Knife, Rock -- 1d3 1920/x2 1.5 lbs S S 3/3
Knife, Steel Chinese 5gp 1d4 x2 1lbs S M 9/3 G
Kris 4gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5lbs S M 6/5
Kujungi 1.5gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5lbs S M 6/5
Lading 1.5gp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 6/5
Misericorde, Late Steel 10gp 1d3 x4 1lb P M 8/3
Misericorde, Middle Steel 9gp 1d3 x4 1lb P M 8/3
Paku* 1gp 1d3 x3 10ft. .5lbs S M 6/2
Phurbu* 6gp 1d4 x2 1.5lbs P M 6/5
Piercers, Emi* 1gp 1d3 x3 .5lbs P M 9/2 G
Pugio* 1gp 1d6-1 x2 3 lbs P M 6/9
Sgain Dubh, Late Steel 4gp 1d4 x3 10ft 1lbs S M 9/3
Sgain Dubh, Middle Steel 3gp 1d4 x3 10ft 1lbs S M 8/3
Short Tusk -- 1d3 x2 1.5 lbs P B 3/5

314
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Table 11-1: Simple Melee Weapons
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Spike, Bone -- 1d3 1920/x2 1.5 lbs P B 3/5
Stiletto 11gp 1d4 x3 15ft .5lbs P M 9/3
Tombak 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 5lbs P M 6/15
Tonto 1.8gp 1d4 1920/x2 1 lb. P M 9/3 N/S
Ulu 5sp 1d3 x2 1 lbs S B 3/3
Small
Adze, Bronze 4gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs S MW 4/17
Adze, Improved Stone 2gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs P WS 4/17
Adze, Stone 1gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs P WS 3/15
Arit Sickle 5gp 1d6 x2 3.5lbs S M 6/11
Axe, Woodcutter's Early Steel 7.5gp 1d6 x3 6.5lbs S MW 7/20
Axe, Woodcutter's Iron 7gp 1d6 x3 7lbs S MW 6/21
Axe, Woodcutter's Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 6.5lbs S MW 9/13
Bagh Nakh, Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S M 9/15
Bagh Nakh, Steel Greater 10gp 2d3 x3 7lbs S M 9/21
Branding Iron* 6sp 1d3+1 x2 1.5 lbs B M 3/5
Escrima 2gp 1d4 x2 2lbs B W 5/6
Iron Claw 7gp 1d6 x2 5.5lbs B & S M 9/15 G
Jo 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B W 5/8 N/S
Mace, Horseman's Late Steel 6gp 1d6 x2 5.5lbs B MW 9/16
Mace, Horseman's Middle Steel 5gp 1d6 x2 5.5lbs B MW 8/19
Mace, Light Early Steel 4.5gp 1d6 x2 2.5lbs S M 7/8
Mace, Light Iron 9gp 1d6 x2 6.5 lbs B MW 6/18
Mace, Light Late Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 9/12
Mace, Stone 2gp 1d6 x2 6 lbs B WS 3/18
Scramsax, Early Steel 6gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 7/18
Sickle Sword, Bronze 6gp 1d6 x2 3 lbs S M 5/9
Sickle, Bone 1gp 1d4 x2 2 lbs S B 2/6
Sickle, Bronze 3gp 1d6 x2 3.5 lbs S M 4/11
Sickle, Copper 2gp 1d6 x2 3.5 lbs S M 3/11
Sickle, Early Steel 5gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 7/9
Sickle, Iron 4gp 1d6 x2 3.5 lbs S M 6/12
Sickle, Late Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/6
Sickle, Stone 1gp 1d4 x2 2.5 lbs S S 2/8
Snicker-Snee 6gp 1d6 x2 2.5lbs S M 9/7
Tamo, Iron (Note that cost is for two Tamo knives)* 4gp 1d4 1920/x2 1.5lbs P M 7/7
Tamo, Steel (Note that cost is for two Tamo Knives)* 6gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/5 G
Thresher (Proto-Flail) 3gp 1d6 x2 3 lbs B W 3/9
Tjaluk* 5gp 1d6 x2 10ft 3.5lbs P M 6/11
Whip, Hard 5gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 9/12 G
Medium-Size
Ahlespeiss, Late Steela 11gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P M 9/14
Ahlespeiss, Middle Steela 10gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P M 8/14
Axe, Head 12gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S MW 6/28
Axe, Miner's Early Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 7/16
Axe, Miner's Late Steel 11gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16

315
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Table 11-1: Simple Melee Weapons
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Axe, Pick Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 6lbs P MW 7/12
Axe, Pick Iron 5gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P MW 6/14
Axe, Pick Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 6lbs P MW 9/12
Cane, Fakir's* 6gp 1d6 or 1d4 x2 or x3 4lbs B or P W 6/8
Cane, French Fighting 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B W 5/6
Cane, Leaded 8gp 2d3 x2 3lbs B WM 5/8
Cane, Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 9/8 G
Cane, Wooden 2gp 1d4 x2 2lbs B W 5/6 G
Club, Bone -- 1d6 x2 2.5 lbs B B 3/5
Club, Bronze Studded 3gp 1d6 x2 6 lbs B MW 4/12
Club, Copper Studded 2gp 1d6 x2 5 lbs B MW 3/10
Club, Iron Studded 4gp 1d6 x2 5 lbs B MW 6/10
Club, Paddle 1gp 1d6 x2 5 lbs B&S M 5/10
Club, Shark Tooth 6gp 1d6 x3 4 lbs B BW 3/8
Club, Throwing Early Steel* 2gp 1d4 x2 10ft 3lbs B MW 7/6
Club, Throwing* -- 1d3 x2 10ft 2lbs B W 4/4
Ghargaz, Damascened 412gp 1d8+1 x2 12lbs B M 10/27
Ghargaz, Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 9/24
Hayforka 2gp 1d8 x2 7 lbs P MW 3/14
Hayfork, Early Steela 8gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P MW 7/14
Hayfork, Irona 7gp 1d8 x3 8lbs P MW 6/16
Hayfork, Late Steela 10gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P MW 9/12
Macahuitl* 45gp 1d8 1920/x2 6 lbs S/B SW 3/28
Mace, Bronze Headed 8gp 1d8 x2 14 lbs B MW 4/28
Mace, Copper Headed 6gp 1d8 x2 13 lbs B MW 3/26
Mace, Dagger Late Steel 22gp 1d8 1920/x2 8lbs S and P M 9/16
Mace, Dagger Middle Steel 20gp 1d8 1920/x2 8lbs S and P M 8/16
Mace, Fist Middle Steel 15gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B M 8/20
Mace, Footman's Early Steel 11gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 7/22
Mace, Footman's Late Steel 14gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 9/22
Mace, Footman's Middle Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 8/22
Mace, Heavy Early Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B MW 7/24
Mace, Heavy Iron 10gp 1d8 x2 13 lbs B M 6/26
Mace, Heavy Late Steel 16gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B MW 9/24
Mace, Late Steel Fist 17gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B M 9/20
Mace, Ox Damascened* 408gp 1d8+1 x2 8lbs B M 10/19
Mace, Ox Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B M 10/16
Mace, Quoit Damascened 408gp 1d8+1 x2 8lbs B M 10/19
Mace, Quoit Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B M 10/16
Mace, Sickle Damascened 412gp 1d6+1 x2 10lbs S M 10/21
Mace, Sickle Steel 12gp 1d6 x2 10lbs S M 10/18
Mace, Stone Toothed 6gp 1d8 x2 12 lbs B&P WS 3/24
Morningstar, Early Steel 7gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B and P MW 7/16
Morningstar, Late Steel 10gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B and P MW 9/16
Morningstar, Middle Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 8lbs B and P MW 8/16
Pitchfork, Early Steela 9.5gp 1d8 x3 7.5lbs P MW 7/15

316
 Master Tables
Table 11-1: Simple Melee Weapons
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Pitchfork, Irona 8gp 1d8 x3 8.5lbs P MW 6/17
Pitchfork, Late Steela 13gp 1d8 x3 7.5lbs P MW 9/15
Rake, Nine Teeth* 15gp 1d8 x2 14lbs S M 9/28 G
Santie, Damasceneda 406gp 1d6+1 x3 7lbs P M 10/17
Santie, Steela 6gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P M 9/14
Spear, Iron Halfa 9sp 1d6 x3 20ft 4 lbs P WM 4/8
Staff, Mace Bronze 9gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 4/24
Staff, Mace Iron 10gp 1d8 x2 13lbs B M 6/26
Staff, Mace Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B M 9/24 G
Staff, Short Bronze 5gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 4/8
Staff, Short Iron 6gp 1d6 x2 5lbs B M 6/10
Staff, Short Steel 8gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B M 9/8 G
Stick, Short (Club) -- 1d6 x2 3 lb B W 3/8
Sulitsa, Early Steela 1gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 7/9
Sulitsa, Late Steela 3gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 9/9
Sulitsa, Middle Steela 2gp 1d6 x3 20ft 3lbs P M 8/9
Throwing Spear, Early Iron 8sp 1d6 x3 20ft 4 lbs P WM 4/12
Veecharoval, Bronze 7gp 1d8 x3 9lbs S MW 5/18
Veecharoval, Iron 8gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 6/16
Large
Bo* 2gp 1d6/1d6 x2 4lbs B W 6/8 G/N/S
Crozier 5gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B 6M 6/12
Crozier 7gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B M 9/10
Crozier w/ Hidden Spearhead 10gp 1d6/1d8 x2 8lbs B 7M 7/16
Crozier w/ Hidden Spearhead 12gp 1d6/1d8 x2 8lbs B M 9/14
Cudgel, Monk's Iron 10gp 1d10 x2 14lbs B MW 7/28
Cudgel, Monk's Steel 12gp 1d10 x2 13lbs B M 9/26 G
Fork, Two Teetha 10gp 1d8 x2 10lbs S M 9/18
Long Tusk -- 1d6 x2 2 lbs P B 3/4
Naginata 10 gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S WM 5/28 S
Oslopi* 10gp 1d6/1d6 x2/x2 14lbs B WM 5/26
Pruning Hook, Bronze*a 3gp 1d8 x3 15 lbs P MW 4/30
Pruning Hook, Copper*a 2gp 1d8 x3 14 lbs P MW 3/28
Quarterstaff 2gp 1d6/1d6 x2 4lbs B 4W 4/10
Scythe, Bronze 13gp 2d4 x4 13 lbs S MW 4/26
Scythe, Copper 10gp 2d4 x4 12 lbs S MW 3/24
Spear, Bambooa 2gp 1d6 x3 20ft 5 lbs P W 4/12
Spear, Short Irona 1.6gp 1d8 x3 20ft 5 lbs P WM 4/10
Spear, Primitive Wooden Hardeneda -- 1d6 x3 20ft 7 lbs P W 4/14
Spear, Primitive Woodena -- 1d6 x3 20ft 7 lbs P W 3/14
Spear, Stone Heada 1gp 1d8 x3 20ft 8 lbs P WS 3/16
Stick, Long (Quarterstaff) -- 1d6/1d6 x2 2.5 lbs B W 2/7

317
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Table 11-2: Simple Ranged Weapons
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Ball, Iron 6sp 1d3 x2 10ft .5lbs B 10M 9/2 G
Rings, Iron 5sp 1d2 x2 15ft .1lbs B 10M 9/1 G
Rock, Throwing -- 1d2 x2 15ft .5 lbs B S 3/4
Small
Crossbow, Light Bronze 29gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 4/22
Crossbow, Light Iron 32gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 7lbs As per Quarrel MW 6/19
Crossbow, Light Late Steel 55gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/16
Crossbow, Light Middle Steel 35gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/18
Crossbow, Light Modern Chinese 40gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/18
Crossbow, Light Steel 35gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/16
Crossbow, Light Steel (Late) 45gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/12
Crossbow, Light Steel (Middle) 40gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/12
Dart, Bone 2sp 1d3 x2 20ft .5 lbs P B 2/2
Dart, Bronze 3sp 1d4 x2 20ft 1.5 lbs P MW 5/5
Dart, Iron 4sp 1d4 x2 20ft 1.5 lbs P MW 6/5
Sling -- Per Ammunition x2 50ft .01 lbs B L 2/1
Sling, Double String 2gp As per ammo x2 50ft .1 lbs As per ammo C 2/3
Medium-Size
Crossbow, Heavy Late Steel 40gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 6lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/12
Crossbow, Heavy Middle Steel 50gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 9lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/27
Crossbow, Heavy Modern Chinese 50gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/24
Crossbow, Heavy Steel (Late) 90gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 9/16
Crossbow, Heavy Steel (Middle) 80gp 1d10 1920/x2 120ft 8lbs As per Quarrel MW 8/16
Gastrophetes* 45gp 1d10 1920/x2 110ft 13lbs P WB 5/39
Javelin, Bronze Tipped 8sp 1d6 x2 30ft 4 lbs P MW 4/12
Javelin, Copper Tipped 7sp 1d6 x2 30ft 3 lbs P MW 4/9
Javelin, Iron Headed 9sp 1d6 x2 30ft 4 lbs P WM 6/12
Javelin, Iron-tipped Heavy 1gp 2d3 x2 30ft 4 lbs P MW 6/12
Javelin, Primitive Wooden 6sp 1d4 x2 30ft 2 lbs P W 3/4
Javelin, Primitive Wooden Hardened 1gp 1d4 x2 30ft 2 lbs P W 4/4
Pilum, Heavy* 7gp 1d8 x3 30ft 7 lbs P WM 4/19
Pilum, Light* 5gp 1d6 x3 30ft 5 lbs P WM 4/13

G Indicates a weapon is part of the Guang Hu subset

N Indicates a weapon is part of the Ninja subset
S Indicates a weapon is part of the Samurai subset
* See the description in the text for special rules.
Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage

318
 Master Tables
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Knife, Triple* 8gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/3
Main Gauche, Middle Steel* 6gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 8/5
Main Gauche, Late Steel* 7gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/5
Sap 1gp 1d6 x2 3lbs B LM 4/4
Sword Breaker* 8gp 1d4 1920/x2 1lbs P M 9/4
Small
Ama Goi Ken 4gp 1d4 1920/x2 3lbs S M 6/9
Axe, Hand Bronze 4gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs S MW 4/17
Axe, Improved Stone 3gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs S SW 4/12
Axe, Stone 2gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs S or P WS 3/10
Axe, Throwing Bronze 6gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4.5 lbs S MW 5/14
Axe, Throwing Early Steel 7.5gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4 lbs S MW 7/12
Axe, Throwing Iron 7gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4.5 lbs S MW 6/14
Axe, Thrusting Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S or P MW 9/10
Axe, Thrusting Middle Steel 9gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S or P MW 8/10
Celt 2gp 1d6 x3 3.5 lbs S SBW 3/7
Celt, Bronze 4.2gp 1d6 x3 6 lbs S MBW 4/18
Falcata 13gp 2d3 1820/x2 10.5 lbs S M 6/32
Flail, Horseman's*# 9gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 9/12
Flail, Horseman's*# 7.5gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 8/12
Francisca, Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 10ft 8lbs S MW 7/24
Fu, Bronze 3gp 1d6 x3 5.5lbs S MW 4/17
Fu, Iron 4gp 1d6 x3 5.5lbs S MW 6/17
Fu, Steel 6gp 1d6 x3 5lbs S MW 9/15 G
Gladius 9gp 1d6 1920/x2 4 lbs P M 6/10
Handaxe, Copper Incan 3gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs S/B MW 3/17
Hatchet 5gp 1d6 x3 7lbs S MW 6/21
Hatchet, Early Steel 6gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 7/24
Hatchet, Late Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Hurlbat 12gp 1d6 x3 10ft 2lbs S M 9/6
Kapak 6gp 1d6 x2 10ft 4lbs S M 6/12
Kopis 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 7.5 lbs S M 6/23
Lance, Light Irona 5gp 1d6 x3 5.5 lbs P M 6/12
Mace & Chain, Late Steel (Spiked)*# 10gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B and P MW 9/12
Mace & Chain, Late Steel*# 9gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 9/10
Mace & Chain, Middle Steel (Spiked)*# 8gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B and P MW 8/15
Mace & Chain, Middle Steel*# 7gp 1d6 x2 4lbs B MW 8/12
Sekir, Early Steel* 6gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 7/16
Sekir, Late Steel* 8gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Sekir, Middle Steel* 7gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S MW 8/16
Shem Sharru 13gp 1d6 1820/x2 5 lbs S M 6/15
Shortsword, Damascened 410gp 1d6+1 1920/x2 3lbs S M 10/9
Shortsword, Early Steel 9gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs P M 7/12
Shortsword, Flint 5gp 1d6 1920/x2 3.5 lbs S S 3/7
Shortsword, Iron 9gp 1d6 x3 3.5 lbs P M 6/12
Shortsword, Late Steel 12gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs P M 9/8
Shortsword, Steel 10gp 1d6 1920/x2 3lbs S M 9/9

319
 From Stone to Steel
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Small
Shortsword, Viking Pattern Welded* 406gp 1d6+1 1920/x2 4lbs P M 9/12
Tomahawk, Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 15ft 3lbs S WM 4/9
Wakazashi 300gp 1d6 1920/x2 3lbs S M 11/11 S
Medium-Size
Akinakes 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 6 lbs P M 6/12
Axe, Bullova 8gp 1d8 x3 11lbs S MW 6/22
Axe, Executioner's 7gp 1d8 x3 9lbs S MW 8/9
Axe, Footman's Early Steel 8gp 1d8 x3 6lbs S 7MW 7/12
Axe, Footman's Late Steel 11gp 1d8 x3 6lbs S MW 9/12
Axe, Footman's Middle Steel 9gp 1d8 x3 6lbs S 8MW 8/12
Axe, Horseman's Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S MW 9/12
Axe, Horseman's Middle Steel 8.5gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S 8MW 8/10
Axe, Khond 8gp 1d8 x3 10.5lbs S MW 6/21
Axe, Kritant 8gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S MW 6/20
Axe, Spiked Middle Steel 12gp 1d8 or 1d4 x3 8lbs S or P MW 8/16
Axe, Spiked Middle Steel 14gp 1d8 or 1d4 x3 8lbs S or P MW 9/16
Backsword, Late Steel 17gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 9/14
Backsword, Middle Steel 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 8/14
Battleaxe, Early Iron 8gp 1d8 x3 8 lbs S MW 4/16
Battleaxe, Egyptian Bronze 7gp 1d8 x3 9.5 lbs S/P MW 4/19
Battleaxe, Iron 9gp 1d8 x3 8 lbs S M 6/16
Battleaxe, Stone 5gp 1d8 x3 7 lbs S SW 3/14
Battleaxe, Sumerian Bronze 7gp 1d8 x3 9 lbs S MW 4/18
Battleaxe, Sumerian Copper 6gp 1d8 x3 8 lbs S MW 3/16
Battleaxe, Early Steel 9gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 7/16
Battleaxe, Late Steel 12gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 9/16
Battleaxe, Middle Steel 10gp 1d8 x3 8lbs S MW 8/16
Bayonet on Rifle*a 4gp 1d4 x3 1lbs P M 9/3
Binnol, Damascened 21gp 1d6+1 1920/x2 10lbs P&S M 10/33
Binnol, Steel 7gp 1d6 1920/x2 10lbs P&S M 9/30
Bokken 3gp 1d4 x2 6lbs B W 5/10 S
Broadsword, Chinese 75gp 1d8 1820/x2 6lbs S M 9/32 G
Broadsword, Early Steel 22gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 7/18
Broadsword, Late Steel 28gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 9/16
Broadsword, Middle Steel 25gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 8/18
Cane, French Sword* 10gp 1d6 x3 2lbs S MW 9/6
Chekan, Early Steel* 11gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 7/16
Chekan, Late Steel* 13gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 9/16
Chekan, Middle Steel* 12gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 8/16
Claymore, Basket-Hilted 35gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 9/14
Colichemarde* 25gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P or S M 9/8
Cutlass 17gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/12
Czekan 15gp 1d8 x3 9lbs B or S M 9/16
Dao, Bronze 11gp 1d6 1820/x2 7lbs S M 4/14
Dao, Iron 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 6lbs S M 6/12
Dao, Steel 14gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/10 G
Doloire, Late Steel 7gp 1d6 x3 6lbs S MW 9/12

320
 Master Tables
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Doloire, Middle Steel 6gp 1d6 x3 6lbs S MW 8/12
Dusack 4gp 1d4 x2 3lbs S M 9/9
Epee* 15gp 1d4 1820/x2 2lbs P M 9/4
Flail, Grain Early Steel Studded*# 7.5gp 1d8 x2 4.5lbs B MW 7/9
Flail, Grain Iron Studded*# 7gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B WM 6/10
Flail, Grain*# 5gp 1d6 x2 3lbs B W 4/6
Fu, Bronze 4gp 1d6 X3 7 lbs S MW 4/14
Ge, Bronze 8gp 1d8 x3 11 lbs S/B M 4/22
Ge, Iron 5gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S MW 6/20
Hammer, Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 7/12
Hammer, Iron 6gp 1d6 x2 7lbs B MW 6/14
Hammer, Late Steel 10gp 1d6 x2 6lbs B MW 9/12
Jian, Bronze 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 4/12
Jian, Iron 13gp 1d8 1920/x2 5lbs S M 6/10
Jian, Steel 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/8 G
Karabela 20gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S or P M 9/12
Katar, Bronze 5gp 1d6 x3 4.5lbs P MW 5/14
Katar, Damascened 408gp 1d6+1 x3 4lbs P M 10/15
Katar, Iron 6gp 1d6 x3 4.5lbs P MW 6/14
Katar, Steel 8gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P M 9/12
Ken 8gp 1d6 1920/x2 5lbs S M 6/10
Ken, Japanese Early Folded 10gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/12 S
Knife, Butterfly 25gp 1d6 x3 4lbs S MW 6/28
Kora 8gp 1d6 x2 4lbs S M 9/18
Lance w/ Coronel* a
7gp 1d6 x2 11lbs B WM 4/11
Lance, Byzantine Early Steel*a 7gp 1d8 x3 7lbs P WM 5/14
Lance, Chinesea 12gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P WM 5/18 G
Lance, Couched*a 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S WM 6/10
Lance, European Early Steel* a
7gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P WM 5/14
Lance, Forked South American Woodena 4gp 1d6 x3 10 lbs P W 3/18
Lance, Knight's Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P MW 8/18
Lance, North American Stonea 3gp 1d8 x3 10 lbs P WS 4/20
Lance, South American Woodena 3gp 1d6 x3 9 lbs P W 3/18
Lance, North American Steel* a
9gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P WM 5/10
Longsword, Bronze 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 6 lbs S M 5/12
Longsword, Early Steel 14gp 1d8 1920/x2 4 lbs S M 7/8
Longsword, Iron 13gp 1d8 1920/x2 5 lbs P M 6/15
Longsword, Late Steel 18gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 9/12
Longsword, Middle Steel 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 8/12
Longsword, Pattern Welded Viking 415gp 1d8+1 1920/x2 6lbs S M 9/12
Manople* 30gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 8/14
Nadziak* 12gp 1d8 x3 10lbs B M 9/18
Nagan 20gp 1d8 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/10
Oubuch* 12gp 1d8 x3 10lbs B M 9/18
Pappenheimer* 25gp 1d6 1820/x2 3lbs S or P M 9/9 d
Parang 14gp 2d3 1920/x2 5lbs P M 6/10
Patisa 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/8
Pedang 7gp 1d6 x2 4lbs S M 6/8
Pick, Footman's Early Steel 7gp 1d6 x4 4lbs P MW 7/8
Pick, Footman's Late Steel 9gp 1d6 x4 4lbs P MW 9/8
Pick, Footman's Middle Steel 8gp 1d6 x4 4lbs P MW 8/8
321
 From Stone to Steel
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Pick, Horseman's Late Steel 9gp 1d4 x4 4lbs P MW 9/12 d
Pick, Horseman's Middle Steel 7.5gp 1d4 x4 4lbs P MW 8/10 d
Rapier, Early* 22gp 1d6 1820/x2 3lbs S or P M 8/9 d
Rapier, Long* 25gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S or P M 9/10 d
Rapier, Short* 20gp 1d6 1820/x2 3lbs S or P M 9/9 d
Sabar, Damascened 410gp 1d8+1 1920/x2 10lbs S M 10/33
Sabar, Steel 10gp 1d8 1920/x2 10lbs S M 9/30
Saber, Hunnic Early Steel 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 3 lbs S M 7/6
Saber, Short 15gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/10 d
Sapola 20gp 1d8 x3 4lbs P M 9/8
Schiavona 40gp 2d4 1920/x2 8lbs S M 9/14 d
Schnepfer 25gp 1d6 1820/x2 4.5lbs S M 9/9 d
Scimitar, Damascened 415gp 1d6+1 1820/x2 5lbs S M 10/10
Scimitar, Iron Indian 13gp 1d6 1820/x2 6lbs S M 6/12
Scimitar, Late Steel 17gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 9/15
Shamshir, Damascened Early 58gp 1d6+1 1820/x2 4lbs S M 10/11
Shamshir, Middle Steel Early 16gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S M 8/8
Shamsir, Late Steel 18gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S MW 9/8
Sica 13gp 1d6 1820/x2 5 lbs S M 6/10
Sparte, Early Steel 15gp 1d8 x3 7lbs S M 7/14
Spatha 12gp 1d8 1920/x2 5 lbs S M 6/10
Spathion, Early Steel 14gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 7/12
Sword, Bronze 7gp 1d6 1920/x2 6 lbs P M 4/12
Sword, Early Iron 13gp 1d8 x3 5 lbs P/S M 4/10
Sword, Executioner* 9gp 1d8 x2 4lbs S M 9/8 G
Sword, Executioner's 8gp 1d6 x3 7lbs S MW 8/7
Sword, Grain Bronze 9gp 1d8 1820/x2 7 lbs Slashing M 4/14
Sword, Horse Head 7gp 1d6 1820/x2 6 lbs Slashing M 4/14
Sword, Kopesh Bronze 8gp 1d6 1820/x2 6 lbs S M 5/12
Sword, Seven Star 13.5gp 1d8 1920/x2 6lbs S M 7/14
Sword, Shark Tooth * 50gp 1d6 x3 5 lbs S BW 3/10
Sword, Steel Fish Spine* 12gp 1d6 x2 5lbs S M 9/10
Sword, Unicorn Horn 8gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/6 G
Tachi, Early Folded 15gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/8 S
Tachi, Imitation Chinese 13gp 1d8 1920/x2 4lbs S M 9/6
Tan-Kiev* 7gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/6 G
Trident, Iron Headeda 13gp 1d8 x2 10ft 6 lbs P M 6/12
Tuck 18gp 1d6 1920/x2 2.5lbs S or P M 8/8 d
Tulwar, Damascened 412gp 1d6+1 1820/x2 4lbs S M 10/8
Tulwar, Early Iron 12gp 1d6 1820/x2 5lbs S M 6/10
Verdun 19gp 1d6 1920/x2 3lbs S or P M 8/9 d
Warhammer, Footman's Early Steel 10.5gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 7/16
Warhammer, Footman's Late Steel 14gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 9/16
Warhammer, Footman's Middle Steel 12gp 1d8 or 1d4 x2 or x4 8lbs B or P MW 8/16
Warhammer, Horseman's Late Steel 13gp 1d6 or 1d3 x3 or x4 5.5lbs B or P MW 9/17
Warhammer, Horseman's Middle Steel 11gp 1d6 or 1d3 x3 or x4 5.5lbs B or P MW 8/11

322
 Master Tables
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Xiphos, Double-Edged Early Steel 14gp 1d6 1920/x2 4lbs P M 7/8
Xiphos, One Edged Early Steel 14gp 1d6 1820/x2 6lbs S M 7/12
Large
Axe, Bearded 13gp 2d4 x3 9lbs S MW 9/18
Axe, Bearded 9gp 2d4 x3 9lbs S MW 7/18
Axe, Great Late Steel* 22gp 1d12 x3 20lbs S MW 9/38
Axe, Great Middle Steel* 20gp 1d12 x3 20lbs S MW 8/38
Axe, Jeddart Late Steel*a 12gp 1d10 or 1d4 x3 14lbs S or P MW 9/26
Axe, Jeddart Middle Steel*a 11gp 1d10 or 1d4 x3 14lbs S or P MW 8/26
Axe, Lochaber Late Steel*a 11gp 1d10 or 1d3 x3 14lbs S or P MW 9/26
Axe, Lochaber Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d10 or 1d3 x3 14lbs S or P MW 8/26
Axe, Naga War 20gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S WM 5/30
Ballam, Early Steela 8gp 2d4 x3 9lbs P WM 5/18
Battleaxe, Double Headed Iron 16gp 1d10 x3 15 lbs S M 6/30
Battleaxe, Early Steel Double Winged 18gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 7/30
Battleaxe, Late Steel Double Winged 22gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 9/30
Bec-de-Corbin, Late Steel* 10gp 1d8 or 1d4/1d6 x3 or x2/x2 16lbs S or P / P MW 9/30
Bec-de-Corbin, Middle Steel* 8gp 1d8 or 1d4/1d6 x3 or x2/x2 16lbs S or P / P MW 8/30
Berdiche, Late Steel 11gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S M 9/28
Berdiche, Middle Steel 10gp 1d10 x3 14lbs S M 8/28
Bill, Early Steel*a 18gp 1d8 or 1d3/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S or P / B MW 7/28
Bill, Late Steel*a 22gp 1d8 or 1d3/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S or P / B MW 9/28
Bill, Middle Steel*a 20gp 1d8 or 1d3/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S or P / B MW 8/28
Broadsword, Two Handed Chinese 55gp 2d6 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Chauves-Souris, Late Steel*a 11gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs S MW 9/17
Chauves-Souris, Middle Steel*a 10gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs S MW 8/17
Claymore, Late Steel 60gp 2d6 1920/x2 15lbs S M 9/30
Claymore, Middle Steel 50gp 2d6 1920/x2 15lbs S M 8/30
Club, Great Iron Studded 4.5gp 1d10 x3 11 lbs B MW 6/22
Dung, Irona 4gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P MW 6/22
Dung, Steela 6gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 9/20
Falcastra* 9gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P or S WM 6/16
Falchion, Damascened 475gp 2d4+1 1820/x2 16lbs S M 10/35
Falchion, Late Steel 83gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 9/32
Falchion, Middle Steel 75gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 8/32
Falx, Dacian* 25gp 1d12 1920/x2 9 lbs S MW 6/18
Falx, Late Steel* 15gp 1d8/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S/B MW 9/28
Falx, Middle Steel* 13gp 1d8/1d4 x3/x2 14lbs S/B MW 8/28
Flail, Long bar* 15gp 1d10 1920/x2 20lbs B WM 5/38 G
Flamberge, Late Steel 60gp 2d6 1920/x2 15lbs S M 9/30
Flamberge, Middle Steel 50gp 2d6 1920/x2 15lbs S M 8/30
Fork, Scaling Late Steel*a 11gp 1d8 x3 8lbs P MW 9/16
Fork, Scaling Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d8 x3 8lbs P MW 8/16
Glaive, Late Steela 10gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 9/30
Glaive, Middle Steela 8gp 1d10 x3 15lbs S MW 8/30
Halberd, Capped Early Steel*a 13.5gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 8/30
Halberd, Capped Late Steel*a 18gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 9/30

323
 From Stone to Steel
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Large
Halberd, Capped Middle Steel*a 15gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 8/30
Halberd, Early Steel*a 9gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 7/30
Halberd, Incan Coppera 8gp 1d10 x3 16 lbs P/S MW 3/32
Halberd, Late Steel*a 12gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 9/30
Halberd, Middle Steel*a 10gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 8/30
Halberd, Spiked Early Steel*a 18gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3 15lbs S or P / P MW 7/30
Halberd, Spiked Late Steel*a 24gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3 15lbs S or P / P MW 9/30
Halberd, Spiked Middle Steel*a 20gp 1d10 or 1d4/1d6 x3 15lbs S or P / P MW 8/30
Half Moon, European* 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S WM 6/18
Hammer, Lucerne Late Steel 17gp 1d10 or 1d6 x3 or x3 12lbs B or P MW 9/24
Hammer, Lucerne Middle Steel 15gp 1d10 or 1d6 x3 or x3 12lbs B or P MW 8/24
Hoolurge, Damascened 415gp 2d4+1 x3 15lbs P&S M 10/33
Hoolurge, Steel 15gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P&S M 9/30
Knife, Golden Coin Longa 15gp 1d10 1920/x2 13lbs S MW 9/28 G
Lance, Fong Ting*a 20gp 1d8 or 1d10 x3 14lbs P or S WM 5/24 G
Longsword, Great Damascened 450gp 2d6+1 1920/x2 16lbs S M 10/32
Longsword, Great Steel 50gp 2d6 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32
Maul, Early Steel 8gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B MW 7/20
Maul, Iron 7gp 1d8 x2 11lbs B MW 6/22
Maul, Late Steel 12gp 1d8 x2 10lbs B MW 9/20
Maul, Wooden 5gp 2d3 x2 8lbs B W 4/16
Nageyaria 5gp 1d8 x3 10ft 9lbs P WM 5/18
Nagimakia 8 gp 2d4 x3 15lbs S MW 5/30 S
No-Dachi 55gp 2d6 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/34 S
Partisan, Late Steel*a 15gp 1d8 or 1d6/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 9/30
Partisan, Middle Steel*a 12gp 1d8 or 1d6/1d4 x3/x2 15lbs S or P / B MW 7/30
Pike, Awl Late Steel a 12gp 1d10 x3 11lbs P MW 9/20
Pike, Awl Middle Steela 10gp 1d10 x3 11lbs P MW 8/20
Pike, Late Steel*a 10gp 1d10 x3 14lbs P MW 9/28
Pike, Middle Steel*a 8gp 1d10 x3 14lbs P MW 8/28
Pike, Morris*a 10gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P WM 6/22
Qiang, Bronzea 2gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P MW 4/22
Qiang, Irona 3gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 6/20
Qiang, Steela 5gp 1d8 x3 9lbs P MW 9/18 G
Ranseur, Late Steel*a 11gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P MW 9/30
Ranseur, Middle Steel*a 10gp 2d4 x3 15lbs P MW 8/30
Refthi (Halberd-like Axe) 8gp 1d6 or 1d8 x2 or x3 13lbs B or S MW 7/26
Saber, Long 20gp 1d10 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Sabu*a 12gp 1d8 x3 14lbs P M 9/28 G
Sarissaa 10gp 1d10 x3 13 lbs P WM 4/26
Scythe, Early Steel 16gp 2d4 x4 12lbs P and S MW 7/24
Scythe, Iron 16gp 2d4 x4 13 lbs P&S MW 6/26
Scythe, Late Steel 20gp 2d4 x4 12lbs P and S MW 9/24

324
 Master Tables
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Large
Sovna, Early Steel 9gp 1d10 x3 12lbs S M 7/24
Sovna, Middle Steel 10gp 1d10 x3 12lbs S M 8/24
Spear, Bladed Bronzea 2gp 1d8 x3 15ft 11 lbs P WM 4/22
Spear, Bladed Coppera 1.5gp 1d8 x3 15ft 10 lbs P WM 4/20
Spear, Early Irona 3.5gp 1d8 x3 10 lbs P WM 4/20
Spear, Krokaspjt (Hooked Spear)*a 8gp 1d8 x3 9lbs S MW 7/18
Spear, Long Bronzea 3gp 1d8 x3 9 lbs P WM 4/18
Spear, Long Early Steela 4.5gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 7/20
Spear, Long Irona 4gp 1d8 x3 10 lbs P WM 4/20
Spear, Long Late Steela 7gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 9/20
Spear, Long Middle Steel*a 5gp 1d8 x3 10lbs P MW 8/20
Spear, Snakea 5gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P MW 5/22 G
Spetum, Late Steel*a 12gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs P MW 9/17
Spetum, Middle Steel*a 10gp 2d4 x3 9.5lbs P MW 8/17
Steel Fanga 7gp 1d8 1920/x2 10lbs P & S MW 9/20 G
Tepoztopilli* 50gp 1d8 1920/X2 13lbs S W 2/26
60gp 1d12+1 1920/x2 11lbs S M 9/22
Voulge, Late Steel*a 28gp 1d12 or 1d4/1d4 x3 18lbs S or P / P MW 9/38
Voulge, Middle Steel*a 25gp 1d12 or 1d4/1d4 x3 18lbs S or P / P MW 8/38
Yaria 6gp 1d8 x3 11lbs P WM 5/20 S
Zwiehander, Late Steel 66gp 2d6 1920/x2 18lbs S M 9/36
Zwiehander, Middle Steel 60gp 2d6 1920/x2 18lbs S M 8/36

325
 From Stone to Steel
Table 11-4: Martial Weapons-Ranged
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Small
Tomahawk* 4gp 1d6 x2 15ft 3 lbs S WS 3/9
Tomahawk, Peace Pipe* 4gp 1d6 x2 15ft 2.5 lbs S WS 2/8
Medium-Size
Bow, Composite Medium 85gp 1d6 x3 90ft 3 lbs Per arrow WB 3/9
Bow, Composite Short 75gp 1d6 x3 70ft 2 lbs Per arrow WB 3/8
Bow, Horn 20gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2 lbs Per arrow B 3/6
Bow, Horse Hunnic 85gp 1d6 x3 100ft 3 lbs Per arrow W 5/9
Bow, Hunting Primitive 30gp 1d6 x2 60ft 2 lbs Per arrow W 3/6
Bow, Primitive Medium 45gp 1d6 x2 70ft 2 lbs Per arrow W 3/6
Bow, Short Hinged* 60gp 1d6 x3 55ft 2lbs As per Arrow WM 4/6
Bow, War Light 45gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2 lbs Per arrow WC 4/6
Club, Stone Throwing 5sp 1d4 x2 10ft 3 lbs B WS 3/9
Large
Bow, Cordage Backed 100gp 1d8 x3 80ft 3.5 lbs Per arrow WC 3/11
Bow, Double Recurve* 120gp 1d8 x3 100ft 3 lbs Per arrow W 4/9
Bow, Long Hinged* 150gp 1d8 x3 90ft 3lbs As per Arrow WM 4/9
Harpoon, Stone* 5gp 1d6 x3 20ft 12 lbs P WS 3/22
Longbow, Composite 100gp 1d8 x3 110ft 3 lbs As per arrow W 4/9
Longbow, English* 175gp 1d10 x3 120ft 4 lbs As per Arrow W 8/12
Longbow, North American Indian 90gp 1d8 x3 90ft 3 lbs Per arrow W 3/9
Longbow, Welsh 150gp 1d10 x3 120ft 3.5lbs As per Arrow W 6/13

G Indicates a weapon is part of the Guang Hu subset

N Indicates a weapon is part of the Ninja subset
S Indicates a weapon is part of the Samurai subset
* See the description in the text for special rules.
Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage

326
 Master Tables
Table 11-5: Exotic Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Fan, Iron* 2gp 1d4 x2 5ft 1lbs S M 6/3 G/S/N
Fan, Lacquered* 1.5gp 1d3 x2 5ft .5lbs S W 6/2 G/S/N
Garrote, Cord* -- 1d3* x3 1lb S* C 3/3 N
Garrote, Wire* -- 1d4* x4 .5lbs S* M 9/2 N
Ji-Kuwa* 1gp 1d2 x3 .5lbs P M 9/2
Kukri 8gp 1d4 1820/x2 1lb S M 9/5
Strangler's Belt -- 1d2 x2 1lbs B F 2/3
Small
Axe, Sickle 8gp 1d8 x3 7 lbs S MW 6/21
Blade, Mandarin Coin* 3gp 1d6 x2 3lbs S M 9/9 G
Blade, Sun and Moon Spear* 4gp 1d6 x3 3.5lbs S M 9/11 G
Cane, Hidden Sword (damage as cane or sword)* 10gp 1d4 or 1d6 x2 Or 1920/x2 3lbs B or P M 9/9 G/N
Flute* 1gp 1d3 x2 .5lb B W 3/2 G
Full Moon* 6gp 1d6 1920/x2 2.5lbs S M 9/8 G
Jitte* 5 sp 1d4 x3 1.5lbs P M 9/5 N/S
Kama 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B WM 5/6 G/N
Katar, Closed Hilted Early Steel* 23gp 1d6 x3 7lbs P MW 8/21
Katar, Dual Bladed Damascened* 412gp 2d3+1 x3 5lbs P M 10/15
Katar, Dual Bladed Steel* 12gp 2d3 x3 5lbs P M 9/15
Katar, Three Bladed Damascened* 417gp 1d6+1 x3 6lbs P M 10/18
Katar, Three Bladed Early Steel* 17gp 1d6 x3 9lbs P MW 8/25
Katar, Three Bladed Steel* 18gp 1d6 x3 6lbs P M 9/18
Katar, Tri-Bladed Steel* 20gp 1d6 or 3d3 x3 5lbs P M 9/15
Kawanaga (cost per hand)* 1gp 1lb P M 9/3 N
Knife, Deer Antler* 6gp 1d6 1920/x2 2lbs S M 9/6 G
Knife, Swallow Trident Long* 3gp 1d6 x2 1lbs P M 9/3 G
Kusari-gama*# 10gp 1d6/1d6 x2/x2 3lbs S/B M 9/9 N/S
Manriki-gusari*# 8gp 1d6 x2 5lbs B M 9/15 N/S
Nekode* 6gp 1d6 x2 10ft 7lbs B M 9/19 N
Ninja-to 10gp 1d6 1820/x2 4lbs S M 9/12 N
Nunchuku#* 2gp 1d6 x2 2lbs B WC 5/6 G/N
Nunti-Sai* 5gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 9/6 N
Pendjepit* 4gp 1d4 x3 1lb P M 6/3
Rabbit Stick 5sp 1d4 x2 20ft 0.5 lbs B W 3/4
Rante#* 8gp 1d6 x2 10ft 6.5lbs S M 6/20
Razor, Yuen Yang* 15gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P or S M 9/12 G
Sai* 3 gp 1d4 x3 2lbs P M 9/4 G/N
Siangkam* 3gp 1d6 x2 3.5lbs P M 6/11
Sword, African Sickle 5gp 1d6 x2 4 lbs S MW 6/12
Tian-chi Fay Shorta 15gp 1d6 x3 4lbs P or S M 4/12 G
Tonfa 1gp 1d6 x2 1.5lbs B W 5/5
Wheel, Wind and Fire* 4gp 1d6 x3 3.5lbs S M 9/11 G
Medium-Size
Broadsword, Nine Ring* 80gp 2d4 1820/x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Chain Sword* 20gp 1d4/1d4 1920/x2 5lbs S M 9/15 G
Chain, Segmented* 20gp 1d6 x2 4.5lbs S M 9/10 G
Cumber-Jung, Damascened 425gp 2d4+1 X2 15lbs B 10M 15/22

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Table 11-5: Exotic Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Medium-Size
Cumber-Jung, Steel Quoit 25gp 2d4 x2 15lbs B M 9/30
Eku 2gp 1d8 x2 5lbs B W 5/10
Flagellum* 8gp 1d2 x2 1.5 lbs S C 3/5
Grain Sword, Iron* 16gp 1d8 1820/x2 7lbs S M 6/14
Grain Sword, Steel* 20gp 1d8 1820/x2 6lbs S M 9/12 G
Hammer, Chinese* 35gp 2d4 x3 14lbs B M 9/28 G
Hook, Nine Teeth* 12gp 1d8 x2 4lbs P or S M 9/12 G
Katana 400 gp 1d10 1920/x2 6lbs S M 11/18 S
Kyoketsu-Shogi* 12gp 1d6/1d4 1920/x2 / x2 10ft 8lbs S/B M 9/16 N
Maru* 7gp 1d6 x2 9lbs P WBM 5/18
Masakari 16gp 1d8 or 1d4 x3 or x4 5lbs P or S M 9/10
Nagegama* 14gp 1d6/1d6 1920/x2 8lbs S/B M 9/16 N/S
Pata, Damascened* 465gp 1d8+1 1920/x2 16lbs S M 10/35
Pata, Steel* 65gp 1d8 1920/x2 16lbs S M 9/32
Sa Tjat Koen*# 11gp 1d8 x2 4lbs B WM 5/8 G/N/S
Scourge, Metal* 1gp 1d4 x2 2 lbs S CM 3/6
Sword, Tigerhead Hook* 12gp 1d8 x2 4lbs S M 9/8 G
Tiger Fork, Iron*a 12gp 1d8 x2 7lbs P MW 7/14
Tiger Fork, Steel*a 13gp 1d8 x2 5lbs P MW 9/10 G
Urumi*# 30gp 1d6 1920/x3 15ft 8lbs S M 9/16
Whip, Maori* 1sp 1d3 x2 1 lbs S W 2/2
Large
Blade, Heaven and Earth 60gp 1d8/1d8 x2 13lbs S M 9/26 G
Blade, Horse Choppinga 75gp 1d6/1d10 x2 16lbs S M 9/32 G
Chijiriki* 40gp 1d8/1d6 x3/x2 15lbs P/B MW 9/30 S
Feruzue (staff or flail damage)*# 20gp 1d8 or 1d10 x2 or 1920/x2 15lbs B & P M 6/30
Flail, Great*# 25gp 1d12 x2 20lbs B WM 5/40 G
Flail, Military* 120gp 1d8 1920/x2 16lbs B MW 8/32
Gadha, Iron 18gp 1d10 x2 15lbs B M 6/30
Gadha, Wood 16gp 1d10 x2 13lbs B W 6/26
Halberd, Double*a 60gp 1d10 x3 15lbs P/S MW 9/30 G
Hwa-Keka 20gp 2d4 x2 10lbs S MW 6/22
Jumonki-Yari*a 10gp 1d8 x3 12lbs P or S WM 5/24
Kama-Yari*a 10gp 1d8 x3 12lbs P or S WM 5/24
Knife, Yeung Guen Long*a 55gp 1d8/1d6 x3 16lbs P & S MW 9/32 G
Kongo-Zue* 15gp 1d6/1d6 x2 9lbs B WM 5/18
Kumade* 14gp 1d4 x2 11lbs P WM 5/22 S
Kwandao, Iron*a 44gp 1d8/1d6 x3 18lbs P & S MW 7/36
Kwandao, Steel*a 50gp 1d8/1d6 x3 15lbs P & S MW 9/30 G
Laingtjat 25gp 1d6/1d6 x3 13lb S M 6/26
Longsword, Chay Yanga 50gp 1d8/1d6 x3 15lbs P & S MW 9/30 G
Mace, Double Bronze 49gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 16lbs B M 4/32
Mace, Double Iron 51gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 15lbs B M 6/30
Mace, Double Steel 55gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 14lbs B M 9/28 G
Mancatcher w/ Spike* 11gp 1d4 x2 11lbs P WM 5/20
Mancatcher* 6gp 10lbs W 5/18
Martel de Fer, Middle Steel* 30gp 1d8 or 1d3 x3 9lbs B or P MW 8/20

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Table 11-5: Exotic Weapons-Melee
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Large
Meteor Hammer*# 65gp 1d8/1d8 x2 14lbs B MC 9/28 G
Monk's Spade, Iron 13gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 22lbs S MW 7/44
Monk's Spade, Steel 15gp 1d8/1d8 x2/x2 20lbs S/S MW 9/40 G
O-No 20gp 2d4 x3 14lbs B M 9/28
Paralyser*a 15gp 2d4 x3 11lbs P W 5/22
Pudao, Iron* 65gp 2d6 x3 16lbs S MW 7/32
Pudao, Steel* 70gp 2d6 x3 15lbs S MW 9/30 G
Ram Da'o 13gp 1d8 x2 6lbs S M 9/12
Shovel, Golden Coin 20gp 1d8 x3 10lbs S M 9/20 G
Shovel, Moonteetha 30gp 1d8/1d6 x3 16lbs P&S MW 9/32 G
Sjang Sutaia 25gp 2d4 1920/x2 11lbs S MW 6/22
Sode Garami*a 14gp 1d4 x2 13lbs P M 9/26
Spear, Double Headeda 12gp 1d8/1d8 x3/x3 10lbs P/P MW 9/20 G
Staff, Wolf's Teeth* 16gp 1d8 x2 12lbs B&P M 9/24 G
Sword, Beheading 40gp 2d4 1820/x2 18lbs S M 9/34
Sword, Long-Handle Nine Ring 75gp 3d3 1920/x2 20lbs S M 9/40 G
Tabar, Damascened 425gp 1d12+1 x3 22lbs S M 10/47
Tabar, Steel 25gp 1d12 x3 22lbs S M 9/44
Tschehouta, Early Steel*a 12gp 1d8/1d8 x3/x3 10lbs P/P MW 8/20

G Indicates a weapon is part of the Guang Hu subset

N Indicates a weapon is part of the Ninja subset
S Indicates a weapon is part of the Samurai subset
* See the description in the text for special rules.
Double Weapon
Reach Weapon
a If you ready an action to set this weapon against a charge you deal double damage.
# Shield bypass weapon
Subdual damage

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Table 11-6: Exotic Weapons-Ranged
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP Subset
Tiny
Blowgun 1gp 1 x2 20ft 2 lbs P W 4/4
Bola, Copper War* 2gp 1d4 1920/x2 15ft 3.5 lbs B CM 2/11
Darts, Chinese Throwing* 6sp 1d3 x3 10ft .5lbs P 10M 9/2 G
Piau* 3gp 1d3 x3 10ft 1lbs S M 6/3
Shuriken* 2gp 1d2 x2 10ft .1lbs P M 9/1 N
Uichi-ne 6gp 1d4 x2 20ft .5lbs P MW 6/2 S
Small
Bola, Northern American* 8sp 1d3 x2 20ft 2 lbs B CS 3/6
Bola, South American* 1gp 1d4 1920/x2 15ft 3 lbs B CS 3/9
Boomerang, Fighting# 2gp 1d6 x2 15ft 3.5 lbs B W 3/11
Boomerang, Returning* 2gp 1d4 x2 10ft 2 lbs B W 2/6
Cestrosphendone (kestros) 2gp 1d4 x3 10ft 3 lbs P W 4/9
Chakram, Damascened* 410gp 1d4+1 x3 30ft 2lbs S M 10/9
Chakram, Steel* 10gp 1d4 x3 30ft 2lbs S M 9/6
Fukidake* 1gp 1 x2 10ft 2lbs As per Needle W 3/6 N
Knife, African Throwing#*# 4gp 1d6 x4 15ft 3 lbs P MW 6/9
Kylie* 2gp 1d6 x2 20ft 3 lbs B W 3/9
Nageteppo* 50gp 2d6 x2 10ft 1lb N/A M 9/3 N
Whip, Bone Scourge#* 8sp 1d2 x2 1.5 lbs S CB 3/5
Whip, Braided or Hair#*# 6sp 1d2 x2 10ft 1.5 lbs S C 2/5
Whip, Bull*# 1gp 1d2 x2 15ft 2lbs S L 4/6
Whip, Horse Hair Tassel* 3gp 1 x2 10ft 3lbs S FW 2/9 G
Whip, Leather#*# 1gp 1d2 x2 10ft 2 lbs S L 4/6
Whip, Steel Barbed Chinese* 6gp 1d4 x2 10ft 3lbs S LM 4/9
Medium-Size
Atlatl* 8sp +1 x3 1 lbs W 2/2
Bow, Mongol Recurve* 90gp 1d6 x3 110ft 4lbs Per Arrow W 5/12
Bow, Steel 75gp 1d6 x3 60ft 5lbs As Per Arrow M 9/15
Chu Ko Nu* 60gp 1d6 1920/x2 60ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/21
Chu Ko Nu, Improved* 75gp 1d6 1920/x2 70ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/23
Flying Weight* 12gp 1d6 x2 10ft 3lbs B MC 9/6 G
Han-Kyu 35gp 1d6 x3 60ft 2lbs As per arrow W 5/6 N
Javelin, Rope* 12gp 1d6 x2 10ft 2.5lbs P MC 9/8 G
Lariat* 4sp 20ft 4 lbs S C 2/8*
Net, Grass* 8gp 10ft 8 lbs FC 2/16
Net, Retiarii* 20gp 10ft 10 lbs L 3/12
Spear Thrower* 1gp +1 x2 2 lbs W 2/4
Spear, Stingray Spine*a 15gp 1d6 x3 20ft 4.5 lbs P B 2/9
Teppo 300gp 1d12 x3 150ft 10lbs As per Shot MW 9/30
Zhuge Nu, Multishot* 150gp 1d6/1d6 1920/x2 80ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/21
Zhuge Nu, Repeater* 175gp 1d8 1920/x2 80ft 7lbs As per Quarrel WM 5/21
Large
Dai-Kyu 80gp 1d8 x3 90ft 3lbs Per Arrow WC 5/11 S
Pole-mounted sling* 3gp As per ammo x2 60ft 4 lbs B WL 4/13

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Table 11-7: Weapons Ranged-Ammunition & Special Items
Weapons Ranged-Ammunition
Weapons Cost Damage Critical Range Wgt Type M H/HP
Arrow, Axeblade 2gp 3lbs S WM 5/3
Arrow, Ballista (wt. Per arrow)* 6gp 3lbs P WM 5/9
Arrow, Blunt (20) 1gp 3.5 lbs B WB/S 1/4
Arrow, Bone Head (20) 6sp 2.5 lbs P WB 1/3
Arrow, Bronze Fire* (20) 20gp +1/rnd -10ft 3.5 lbs P+Fire WM 1/4
Arrow, Bronze Headed (20) 9sp 3 lbs P WM 1/3
Arrow, Copper Headed (20) 8sp 3 lbs P WM 1/3
Arrow, Early Iron Headed (20) 1gp 3 lbs P WM 1/3
Arrow, English Longbow (wt. per 20) 3gp 3lbs P WM 5/3
Arrow, Flight 2gp -1 +10ft 2.5 lbs P WM 2/3
Arrow, Forked 2gp 4lbs S WM 5/4
Arrow, Iron Fire* (20) 22gp +1/rnd -10ft 3.5 lbs P & Fire WM 1/4
Arrow, Iron Headed (20) 1gp 4 lbs P WM 1/4
Arrow, Shark Tooth (20) 2gp 3 lbs P WB 1/3
Arrow, Sheaf* 2gp -10ft 3.5 lbs P WM 2/4
Arrow, Steel Armor Piercing* 3gp 3lbs P WM 5/3
Arrow, Stone Head (20) 6sp 3 lbs P WS 1/3
Arrow, Welsh Longbow (wt. per 20) 3gp 3lbs P MW 8/3
Arrow, Whistling* 2gp 3lbs P WM 5/3
Arrow, Wooden (20) -- -1 2 lbs P W 1/2
Bullet, Bronze Sling (10) 1sp 1d4 5.5 lbs B M 4/6
Bullet, Clay Sling 3cp 1d3 -- -- 3.5 lbs B S 2/4
Bullet, Lead Sling 1sp 1d4 6 lbs B M 8/6
Bullet, Stone (10) 6cp 1d3 2 lbs B S 2/2
Darts, Arab Arrow Headed Bow* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs S M 6/1
Darts, Arab Barbed Bow* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Darts, Arab Bullet Headed Bow* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Darts, Arab Spiked Bow* 2gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Darts, Byzantine Bow (Mice)* 1gp 1d3 .2lbs P M 6/1
Needles (20) 1gp .5 lbs P W 1/1
Pellet, Bow 20gp 1d4 x2 40ft 2lbs As per Pellet W 4/2
Pellet, Clay (weight per 30) 3gp 2lbs B S 1/2
Pellet, Crossbow 25sp 1d4 1920/x2 60ft 7lbs As per Pellet WM 5/21
Quarrel, Bronze (weight per 10) 7sp 1.5lb P MW 4/2
Quarrel, Iron (weight per 10) 8sp 1.5lbs P MW 6/2
Quarrel, Steel (weight per 10) 1gp 1lbs P MW 9/1
Shot, Iron 3gp 2.5lbs P M 6/3
Shot, Stone (weight per 10) 2gp 2lbs P S 4/2
Table 11-8: Special Items
Special Items Cost Damage Critical Range Weight Type Material H/HP
Adarga* 45gp 1d8/1d6 x3/x2 13lbs P/S M 8/26
Armor Armor Check Arcane Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
1 -1 5%
Shield, Lantern 40gp 1d6 x3 8lbs S or P M 9/16
Armor Armor Check Arcane Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
+1 -1 25%
Tarche 40gp 1d6 x2 10lbs S M 9/20
Armor Armor Check Arcane Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
+2 -2 30%

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Table 11-9: Firearms-Ranged
Gun Cost ROF Damage Critical Range Weight Type M H/HP
Handgun
Gun, Primitive Chinese 200gp 4 1d10 x3 35ft 9lbs As per shot MW 9/27
Handcannon, Primitive* 100gp 6 1d10 x3 10ft 9lbs As per shot M 7/18
Hand Gonne, Matchlock Early* 300gp 5 1d12 x3 15ft 10lbs As per shot MW 8/24
Hand Gonne, Matchlock Early Landsknecht* 350gp 5 1d12 x3 15ft 12lbs As per shot MW 8/20
As per As per As per
Hand Mortar* 500gp 5 grenade grenade 25ft 13lbs Grenade M 9/26
Pistol, Flintlock* 425gp 2 1d10 x3 15ft 3lbs As per shot MW 9/9
Pistol, Matchlock* 150gp 5 1d10 x3 5ft 5lbs As per shot MW 9/9
Pistol, Snaphaunce* 350gp 3 1d10 x3 15ft 3.5lbs As per Shot MW 9//8
Pistol, Wheel Lock Damascened* 650gp 3 2d6 x3 15ft 4lbs As per shot MW 11/11
Pistol, Wheel Lock Late Steel* 250gp 3 1d10 x3 10ft 4lbs As per Shot MW 8/8
Longarms
Arbequis, Common* 150gp 4 1d12 x3 30ft 10lbs As per shot MW 8/20
Arbequis, Landsknecht* 200gp 4 1d12 x3 30ft 12lbs As per Shot MW 8/24
Musket, Flintlock* 850gp 2 2d6 x3 60ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/20
Musket, Snaphaunce* 700gp 3 2d6 x3 45ft 10lbs As per shot MW 11/11
Musket, Wheel Lock Damascened* 900gp 3 2d8 x3 45ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/20
Musket, Wheel Lock Late Steel* 500gp 3 2d6 x3 35ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/20
Teppo 150gp 4 1d12 x3 30ft 10lbs As per shot MW 9/30
Other
Spear Gun* 100gp 4 +5 x3 120ft 36lbs P 2S 2/36

Exotic Weapons (Firearms) Ranged Ammunition

Gun Cost ROF Damage Critical Range Weight Type M
Shot, Lead 3gp 4lbs P M

Explosives
Weapon Cost ROF Damage Critical Range Weight Type M Subset
Grenade, Gunpowder (Lit Fuse)* 50gp 2d6 N/A 5ft 1lb Fire M
Grenade, Gunpowder(Incendiary Fuse)* 75gp 2d6 N/A 5ft 1lb Fire M
Nageteppo* 50gp 2d6 x2 10ft 1lb N/A M N
Rockets, Chinese* 200gp 2d6 x2 150ft 8lbs N/A W
Armor Check
Armor Bonus Penalty Arcane Spell Failure
1 -1 5%

* See the description in the text for special rules.

Subdual damage

Rate of Fire
The weapon tables here and in the appendix list rates of fire (ROF) for each firearm. This number represents the number of full
round actions required to load the particular weapon.

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Table 11-10: Light Armor

Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Armbands 2gp 1lbs M 6/2
Armor, Bezainted Leather 75gp +3 +5 -3 20% 30ft/20ft 23lbs LM 5/46
Armor, Bronze Studded Leather Block 22gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 18lbs LM 3/36
Armor, Incan Cotton 9gp +2 +5 -1 5% 30ft/20ft 20lbs F 4/38
Aztec Cotton Armor 115gp +2 +5 -2 15% 30ft/20ft 20lbs F 4/42
Breast Plate, Tortoise 30gp +3 +5 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 20lbs B 4/40
Breast Plate, Bone Hair Pipe 2gp +0 N/A 0 0% 30ft/20ft .5lbs BC 1/1
Buckskin 13gp +2 +6 0 5% 30ft/20ft 8lbs L 3/10
Chainmail Shirt, Bronze 80gp +4 +4 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 27lbs M 5/54
Chainmail Shirt, Iron 90gp +4 +4 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 26lbs M 6/52
Chainshirt, Byzantine Early Steel 90gp +4 +4 -2 25% 30ft/20ft 25lbs M 7/50
Cloth Armor, Heavy (Padded) 5gp +1 +8 0 5% 30ft/20ft 10lbs F 2/20
Cloth Armor, Studded 13gp +2 +5 0 15% 30ft/20ft 15lbs FM 2/30
Cloth, European Padded 8gp +1 +8 0 5% 30ft/20ft 10lbs F 3/20
Corded Armor 25gp +2 +6 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 14lbs C 3/28
Cuirass, Bronze Plated Linen 20gp +3 +5 -2 15% 30ft/20ft 25lbs MF 4/50
Cuirass, Iron Scaled Linen 50gp 4 4 -3 20% 30ft/20ft 24lbs MF 6/48
Cuirass, Linen 14gp +2 +5 0 10% 30ft/20ft 12lbs F 3/24
Furs and Hides 8gp +2 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 12lbs L 2/24
Jigap 15gp +2 +7 0 10% 30ft/20ft 12lbs F 3/24
Lamellar, Bronze-Bound Leather 60gp +3 +4 -2 25% 30ft/20ft 23lbs LM 4/46
Leather Armor, Tanned 10gp +2 +6 0 10% 30ft/20ft 15lbs L 3/32
Leather, Bronze Studded 23gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 15lbs LM 4/30
Leather, Cuir-bouille 15gp +2 +6 0 10% 30ft/20ft 15lbs L 4/30
Leather, Cuir-bouille Studded 30gp +3 +5 -1 15% 30ft/20ft 20lbs LM 6/40
Leather, Lacquered 45gp +3 +5 -1 10% 30ft/20ft 16lbs L 5/32
Mail Shirt, Shark Tooth# 25gp +3 +4 -1 25% 30ft/20ft 18lbs B 3/34
Padded Armor, Byzantine 8gp +1 +9 0 5% 30ft/20ft 10lbs F 2/20
Padded Armor, Silk 12gp +1 +9 0 5% 30ft/20ft 8lbs F 3/18
Paper Armor, Chinese Pirate 8gp +1 +7 0 5% 30ft/20ft 7lbs F 2/12
Scaled Jack 85gp +4 +4 -3 20% 30ft/20ft 22lbs MF 9/44
Skin Armor -- +1 +6 -1 10% 30ft/20ft 8lbs L 1/14
Wood and Hide Armor 10gp +2 +4 -2 20% 30ft/20ft 18lbs WL 3/36
# See the description in the text for special rules.
Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.

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Table 11-11: Medium Armor
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Breastplate Armor, Chinese 210gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 9/60
Breastplate, Minoan Bronze 35gp +4 +2 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 4/60
Breastplate, Mycenaen Bronze 180gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 32lbs M 5/64
Breastplate, Segmented 260 gp +5 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 26lbs M 9/52
Brigandine, Chinese 340gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 41lbs ML 9/82
Byrnie, Chainmail 165gp +5 +2 -4 30% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 7/60
Chainmail, Bronze 130gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 42lbs M 5/84
Chainmail, Early Steel 145gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 40lbs M 7/80
Chainmail, Iron 140gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 41lbs M 6/82
Chainmail, Late Steel 175gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft 15ft 40lbs M 9/80
Chainmail, Reinforced 210gp +5 +3 -4 35% 20/15ft 43lbs M 8/86
Chainmail, Steel Plated 260gp +6 +2 -6 30% 20ft/15ft 45lbs M 8/90
Chainshirt, Russian Double 190 gp +5 +3 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 29lbs M 9/58
Coat of Plates 215gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 25lbs M 8/50
Cuirass, Iron 180gp +5 +3 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Hauberk, Late Steel Brigandine 205 gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 34lbs ML 9/68
Hauberk, Middle Steel Brigandine 195 gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 34lbs ML 8/68
Hide Armor, Rhino 40gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 27lbs L 5/54
Hides, Heavy 35gp +3 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 25lbs L 5/50
Karacena 200 gp +5 +2 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 25lbs M 9/50
Keiko, Iron 180gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 33lbs M 6/66
Lamellar, Bone 33gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 26lbs B 4/52
Lamellar, Bronze 30gp +4 +3 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 32lbs M 4/64
Lamellar, Iron 44gp +4 +2 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Lamellar, Late Steel 60 gp +5 +2 -5 25% 20ft/15ft 29lbs M 9/58
Leather Armor, Plate Reinforced 220 gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs ML 9/60
Leather, Steel Plated 85gp +4 +2 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 26lbs L 7/52
Nio Do 205gp +5 +3 -4 30% 20ft/15ft 34lbs M 9/68
Plate, Bone 15gp +3 +4 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 22lbs BL 3/44
Plated Armor, Chinese (Mirrors) 230gp +5 +3 -4 35% 20ft/15ft 40lbs M 9/80
Scale Armor, Damascened 150gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 10/63
Scale Mail, Bronze 42gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 32lbs M 5/64
Scale Mail, Iron 45gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Scalemail, Chinese Steel 55gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 30lbs M 9/60
Shirt, Brigandine Late Steel 10gp +4 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 29lbs ML 9/58
Shirt, Brigandine Middle Steel 8gp +4 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft 29lbs ML 8/58
Shirt, Plated Bronze 18gp +3 +4 -3 20% 20ft/15ft/ 22lbs M 4/44
Slat Armor 30gp +3 +4 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 25lbs WL 4/50
Tanko 230gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20ft/15ft 31lbs M 6/62
Tatami Do 195gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft/15ft 35lbs MF 9/70
Yoroi 45gp +4 +4 -3 25% 20ft/15ft 28lbs M 6/56

# See the description in the text for special rules.

Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.

334
 Master Tables

Table 11-12: Heavy Armor

Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell Spd
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Banded Armor, Bronze 165gp +5 +1 -5 25% 20ft*/15ft* 36lbs M 5/70
Banded Armor, Chinese 265gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs M 9/70
Banded Armor, Damascened 750gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs M 10/73
Breastplate and Mail, Byzantine Early Steel 480gp +7 +0 -8 40% 20ft*/15ft* 48lbs M 8/96
Chainmail, Rivetted 240gp +6 +1 -6 30% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 8/92
Chainmail, Russian Double 375gp +6 +2 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs M 9/70
Do-Maru 255gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Field Plate, Late Steel 1050gp +8 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 9/100
Field Plate, Middle Steel 1000gp +8 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 8/100
Half Plate and Leather Armor 390gp +6 +2 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs ML 9/70
Hatomune Do 850gp +8 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 52lbs M 9/104
Hotoke Do 506gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 51lbs M 9/102
Late Brigandine Steel 330 gp +6 +2 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs ML 9/82
Lorica Hamata 170gp +5 +2 -5 30% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs M 6/82
Lorica Segmentata 185gp +5 +3 -4 30% 20ft*/15ft* 39lbs M 6/78
Lorica Squamata 180gp +5 +3 -5 30% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs M 6/82
Mail, Iron Scale and Chain 190gp +6 +0 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 39lbs M 6/78
Mail, Scale and Plate 465gp +7 +0 -8 40% 20ft*/15ft* 51lbs M 6/102
Maru Do 260gp +6 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 44lbs M 9/88
Middle Brigandine Steel 320 gp +6 +2 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 41lbs ML 8/82
Mogame Do 640gp +7 +1 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 47lbs M 9/94
Nuinobe Do 335gp +6 +2 -5 30% 20ft*/15ft* 42lbs M 9/84
Okegawa Do 510gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 53lbs M 9/106
O-yoroi 505gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 9/100
Persian Charioteer Armor# 235gp +6 +1 -9 40% 15ft*/10ft* 42lbs M 6/86
Plate Armor, Damascened and Scale 480gp +7 +0 -8 40% 20ft*/15ft* 52lbs M 10/107
Plate Armor, Half 250gp +6 +1 -6 40% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Plate Armor, Maximillian Late Steel 2100gp +9 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 48lbs M 9/96
Plate Armor, Maximillian Middle Steel 2000gp +9 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 48lbs M 8/96
Plate Armor, Tournament# 1000gp +9* -1* -8 50% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Plate Mail, Three Quarter 750gp +7 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Plated Mail, Bakhteretz 205gp +6 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 49lbs M 9/98
Plated Mail, Kolontar 225gp +6 +1 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 47lbs M 9/94
Plated Mail, Sind 510gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 9/102
Platemail, Half Middle Steel 500gp +7 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 50lbs M 8/100
Platemail, Light Middle Steel 300gp +6 +1 -5 35% 20ft*/15ft* 40lbs M 8/80
Ringmail, Greek Bronze 185gp +5 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 37lbs M 5/52
Ringmail, Greek Iron 190gp +5 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 36lbs M 6/50
Scale Armor, Chinese Mountain Pattern 225gp +6 +0 -6 40% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs M 9/90
Splint Mail, Bone 180gp +5 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 34lbs BL 6/66
Splint Mail, Early Steel 190gp +6 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 45lbs ML 8/90
Splint Mail, Wood 180gp +5 +0 -7 40% 20ft*/15ft* 35lbs WL 4/68
Tsuzumi Do 250gp +6 +1 -7 35% 20ft*/15ft* 46lbs M 9/92
Yokinoshita Do 650gp +7 +1 -6 35% 20ft*/15ft* 49lbs M 9/98

# See the description in the text for special rules.

Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.
* When running in heavy armor you move only triple your speed, not quadruple.
335
 From Stone to Steel
Table 11-13: Shields & Accessories
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell
Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure Spd 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Shields
Scutum 18gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs MW 6/30
Shield, Aboriginal Fire 1gp +1 -1 10% 3lbs W 3/6
Shield, Great Bark 12gp +3 -3 20% 15lbs W 1/28
Shield, Great Bronze 32gp +3 -3 25% 22lbs M 3/44
Shield, Great Early Steel 34gp +3 -3 25% 25lbs M 7/50
Shield, Great Iron 34gp +3 -3 25% 26lbs M 6/52
Shield, Great Late Steel 40gp +3 -3 25% 25lbs M 9/50
Shield, Great Middle Steel 36gp +3 -3 25% 25lbs M 8/50
Shield, Great Wooden 18gp +3 -3 25% 13lbs W 3/26
Shield, Large Bark 5gp +2 -2 15% 10lbs W 1/18
Shield, Large Bronze 15gp +2 -2 15% 17lbs M 4/34
Shield, Large Copper 14gp +2 -2 15% 16lbs M 3/32
Shield, Large Early Steel 19gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs M 7/30
Shield, Large Grass 6gp +2 -2 15% 7lbs C 2/14
Shield, Large Hide 5gp +2 -2 15% 8lbs L 1/16
Shield, Large Iron 17gp +2 -2 15% 16lbs M 6/32
Shield, Large Late Steel 22gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs M 9/30
Shield, Large Leather 7gp +2 -2 15% 9lbs L 3/18
Shield, Large Middle Steel 20gp +2 -2 15% 15lbs M 8/60
Shield, Large Viking Wooden 9gp +2 -2 15% 10lbs W 3/20
Shield, Large Wooden 7gp +2 -2 15% 10lbs W 3/20
Shield Skirt, Leather # 5gp +.5 1lbs L 4/2
Shield, Small Middle Steel 9gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 8/12
Shield, Small Bark 1gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs W 1/8
Shield, Small Bronze 5gp +1 -1 5% 5.5lbs M 4/14
Shield, Small Copper 4gp +1 -1 5% 5.5lbs M 3/14
Shield, Small Early Steel 8gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 7/12
Shield, Small Hide 1gp +1 -1 5% 3lbs L 1/6
Shield, Small Iron 6gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 6/18
Shield, Small Late Steel 10gp +1 -1 5% 6lbs M 9/12
Shield, Small Leather 3gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs L 3/8
Shield, Small Reed 8sp +1 -1 5% 2lbs W 1/4
Shield, Small Viking Wooden 5gp +1 -1 5% 5lbs W 3/10
Shield, Small Wooden Shield 3gp +1 -1 5% 4lbs W 3/8
Shield, Tower Early Steel** 55gp -10 50% 60lbs M 7/120
Shield, Tower Hide** 22gp -8 50% 21lbs L 2/42
Shield, Tower Late Steel** 65gp -10 50% 60lbs M 9/120
Shield, Tower Middle Steel** 60gp -10 50% 60lbs M 8/120
Shield, Tower Wooden** 30gp -10 50% 45lbs W 3/90
** The tower shields grants you cover. See the description.
Special Item Damage Critical Range Type
Sword Shield 35gp 1d6/1d6 x2 S 16lbs M 8/32
Armor Armor Check Spell
Bonus Penalty Failure
+2 -2 15%

336
 Master Tables
Table 11-13: Shields & Accessories
Armor Max Dex Armor Check Spell
Gladiator Armor Cost Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure Spd 30'/20' Weight M H/HP
Manica# 25gp +1 20% 6lbs L 5/18
Galerus# 45gp +1 15% 7lbs M 6/14
Galea# 60gp +1 0% 10lbs M 6/20
Girdle# 30gp +1 0% 9lbs LM 5/18
Greave# 20gp +0.5 0% 3lbs M 6/6
Leather Arm Wrappings# 10gp +0.5 15% 3lbs L 4/6
Open Faced Helm# 35gp +1 0% 6lbs M 6/12

Mount's Gear Spd 40'/50'/60'

Light
Barding, Bezainted Leather Elephant 600gp +3 +5 -3 N/A 40'/50'/60' 69lbs LM 5/138
Barding, Bezainted Leather Horse 300gp +3 +5 -3 N/A 40'/50'/60' 46lbs LM 5/92
Barding, Lacquered Leather Horse 180gp +3 +5 -1 N/A 40'/50'/60' 32lbs L 5/64
Barding, Leather Elephant 80gp +2 +6 0 N/A 40'/50'/60' 45lbs L 3/90
Barding, Studded Leather Elephant 200gp +3 +5 -1 N/A 40'/50'/60' 60lbs LM 4/120
Medium
Barding, Chainmail Early Steel Horse 580gp +5 +2 -5 N/A 30'/35'/40' 60lbs M 7/120
Barding, Chainmail Late Steel Horse 700gp +5 +2 -5 N/A 30'/35'/40' 60lbs M 9/120
Barding, Lamellar Iron Elephant 362gp +4 +3 -5 N/A 30'/35'/40' 93lbs M 6/186
Barding, Leather and Bronze Plate 160gp +4 3 -4 N/A 30'/35'/40' 64lbs ML 5/128
Barding, Rivetted Chainmail Horse 960gp +6 +1 -6 N/A 30'/35'/40' 68lbs M 8/166
Heavy
Barding, Plate Late Steel 4200gp +8 +1 -6 N/A 30'*/35'*/40'* 100lbs M 9/200
Barding, Plate Middle Steel 4000gp +8 +1 -6 N/A 30'*/35'*/40'* 100lbs M 8/200
Barding, Plated Mail Elephant 1600gp +6 +0 -7 N/A 30'*/35'*/40'* 135lbs M 9/270
Barding, Plated Mail Horse 800gp +6 +0 -7 N/A 30'*/35'*/40'* 90lbs M 9/180

Extras
Cloak, Bronze Armored 5gp +1 +6 -1 5% 5lbs LM 3/10

# See text for special rules

Armor fitted for small characters weighs half as much.
* A mount running in heavy armor moves only triple its speed, not quadruple.

337
 From Stone to Steel
A Bronze Headed 40
Copper 40
Aborigines 30
Flight 114
Adaptive Tactics (Janissaries) 243
Forked 169
Adarga 218
Iron Fire 69
Advanced Chariot Driving (Charioteer) 50
Shark Tooth 27
Advanced Dodge 258
Sheaf 114
Advanced Horsemanship (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154
Whistling 130
Advanced Maneuvers (Legionairre) 95
Arrows Versus Armor 11
Advanced Terrain Control (Charioteer) 50
Artifacts
Adze, Improved Stone 29
America
Adze, Stone 10
Atlauas Atlatl 279
African Armor 79
Itzlacoliuhque Obsidian Knife 280
African Developments 28
Itzlis Stone Sacrificial Knife 280
Ahlespeiss 235
Nayanezganis Armor and Arrows 280
Ailettes 307
Tezcatlipocas Smoking Mirror 280
Akinakes 72
Asia
Alexander, March of 76
Cai-shens Cap and Mace 282
Alternate Armor System
Men-shen Arrows, Sabers, Spears 282
Armor as Damage Resistance 305
Monkey Kings Compliant Staff, Golden Armor, Cloud
Blunt Force Trauma 305
Riding Shoes, Iron Crown 282
Alternate Fatigue System 306
Shen Yis Bow 282
Ama Goi Ken 167
Southern Tian-wang Sword 282
Ancient China 119
Zhong-kuis Sword 282
A Brief Flourishing 133
Australia
Warring States Period 122
Bobbi-bobbis Rib 280
Animal Resources 7
Wati-kutjaras Boomerang 280
Animals
Celtic Myth
Auroch 102
Cuchulainns Notched Spear 285
Bull 103
Lughs Rainbow Sling 285
Camel 36
Manannan mac Lirs Sword 285
Donkey 36
Tuatha D Lances and Shields 285
Elephant 37, 126, 128
Egypt
Gazelle 103
Atums Sunbeams 281
Giraffe 104
Bess Weapons 281
Hippopotamus 104
Horuss Sword 281
Horse 36
Neiths Arrows 281
Onager 37
Sakhmets Arrows 281
Ostrich 105
Sets Spear 281
Oxen 37
Greece
War Dog 102
Aegis, Cloak-Shield of Zeus and Athena 286
Ankus 133
Apollos Plague Arrows 286
Arbequis 245
Aress Sword 286
Arbequis, Common (Serpentine Lock) 241
Arrow of Abaris 285
Archers Thumb Ring 121
Artemiss Bow 286
Arit 163
Charons Hammer 286
Armbands 67
Cronuss Sickle 286
Armguards, Tangut 131
Eross Arrows 286
Armor 233
Europas Javelin 286
Armor Expertise (Eagle Knight) 21
Melpomene Knife 286
Army Ascendant 111
Nemean Lion Skin 287
Arrow
Poseidons Trident 287
Armor Piercing 169
Zeuss Lightning Bolts 287
Axeblade 148
India
Bronze Fire 58

338
 Index
Devis Sword 283 Aztec Cotton Armor 26
Kalki Avataras Scimitar 283
Shivas Flaming Discus 283
B
Vajra, Indras Bolt 283 Babylon 44
Japan Backsword 246
Susanowos Grass Cutting Sword 283 Bagh Nakh 159
Medieval Ballam, Early Steel 147
Dolorous Stroke 287 Bamboo 26
Durandal 287 Banded Armor 146
Excalibur and Scabbard 288 Bronze 46
Mesopotamia Damascened 148
Nergals Club and Sickle 283 Barbarians and the Remnants of Rome 188
Quiver of Recall 279 Barbs on Weapons 15
Rome Barding 307
Saturns Sickle 285 Bronze Plate 67
Veioviss Arrows 285 Chainmail Barding 191
Sub-Sahara Africa Elephant 127
Khonvoums Bow 280 Leather 67
Shangos Double Headed Axe 281 Plate Barding 239
Teutonic/Nordic Myth Riveted Chainmail 214
Balmung 284 Bastard Sword 235
Fenrirs Muzzle 284 Battle Cry (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154
Freyrs Sword 284 Battle Wagons/Onager 44
Odins Gungnir 284 Battleaxe
Thors Hammer Mjolnir and Glove 284 Early Steel 188
Valkyries Spears and Armor 284 Early Steel Double Winged 197
Assizes of Jerusalem 214 Egyptian Bronze 45
Assyria 63 Iron Double Headed 109
Assyrian War Machine 64 Stone 29
Chariot Upgrades 64 Bayonet 264
Athens 71 Bec-de-Corbin 246
Atlatl 15 Ben Hur 108
Auroch 102 Berdiche 246
Awl Pike 235 Bestiarii as Rangers 105
Axe Bibliography 308
African Sickle Style 78 Bilbo 256
Bearded 202 Bill 205
Bullova 133 Binnol 158
Executioners 250 Blowgun 15
Footmans 206 Bodkin 256
Head 162 Bokken 169
Horsemans 206 Bola 16
Improved Stone 29 Copper War 55
Jeddart 247 Bone Plate 18
Khond 133 Boomerang
Kritant 133 Fighting 30
Lochaber 247 Returning 30
Miners 200 Boss 307
Naga War 133 Bow
Pick 200 Arab 194
Stone 10 Composite
Thrusting 248 Medium 30
Woodcutters 198 Short 30
Aztec 19 Cordage Backed 16
Double Recurve 67
339
 From Stone to Steel
Horn 30 Celts of Britain 98
Hunnic Horse 114 Auxiliaries 99
Light War 40 Consolidation 99
Long Hinged 131 Hands on Chariot Driving 98
Mongol Recurve 151 Wode 98
Primitive Cestrosphendone 74
Hunting 10 Cestus 108
Medium 10 Chain Sword 139
Short Hinged 131 Chain, Segmented 129
Steel 159 Chainmail 85
Bows vs. Crossbows 227 Reinforced 214
Brace Javelin (Charioteer) 50 Rivetted 214
Branding Iron 106 Russian Double 250
Breast Plate Steel Plated 213
Bone Hair Pipe 19 Chainmail Shirt 85
Tortoise 28 Chainshirt, Byzantine Early Steel 191
Breastplate 307 Chakram 161
Byzantine Early Steel 191 Chamfron 307
Minoan Bronze 57 Charioteer 49
Mycenaen Bronze 58 Charioteer Armor, Persian 73
Segmented 251 Charioteers Balance (Charioteer) 50
Breastplate Armor 146 Chariots and Chariot Combat 47
Brigandine Coats 233 Hazards 48
Brigandine, Chinese 146 Mishaps 48
British Isles 196 Accelerate/Decelerate 48
Arthur 196 Crash 49
Saxon invasion 196 Jolt 48
Broadsword Major Jolt 48
Chinese 135 Possible Break 49
Early Steel 188 Skid 48
Two Handed Chinese Sword 157 Terrain 48
Bronze 39 Turning 48
Brutal Attack (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154 Charlemagne 200
Brutal Flurry (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154 Chauves-Souris 237
Buckler 233 Chekan 229
Buckskin 18 Chijiriki 169
Buhj 159 Chimali. See Small Reed Shield
Bull 103 Chin Dynasty 132
Bullet Chinese Enchantment 144
Bronze Sling 58 Chivalry 209
Clay Sling 99 Chou dynasty 54
Lead Sling 69 Christianity 190
Byrnie, Chainmail 202 Chu Ko Nu 125
Byzantium 190 Chu Ko Nu, Improved 130
Belisarius 191 Class
Narsis 192 Yeoman 237
Claymore 254
C Claymore, Middle Steel 230
Canaanite sword 41 Cloak Fighting 258
Canes 136 Cloak, Bronze 43
Fakir 148 Cloth Armor
Catchpole 262 Heavy 147
Celt (Stone Axe) 29 Studded 147
Celtic Weapons 56 Cloth, European Padded 200
Celts 56
340
 Index
Club 7, 41, 64 Dai-Kyu 169
Bone 7 Damascus Steel 148
Early Steel Throwing 188 Dao 121
Paddle 78 Dart
Shark Tooth 27 Bone 15
Stone Throwing 17 Bronze 96
Wooden 188 Byzantine 194
Coat of Plates 214 Chinese Throwing
Coif 307 Iron 96
Colichemarde 256 Days of Decline 112
Comitatus 191 Days of Glory 101
Compound Bows and Crossbows 234 Deception in Combat 88
Conflict 194 Defensive Driving (Charioteer) 51
Converting Range Increments 305 Deflect Missiles (Charioteer) 51
Copper 38 Dirk 230
CopperArsenic Alloy 38 Divine Items 273
Corded Armor 125 Divine Mandate 54
Coronal 307 Divine Property
Courboille 307 Death 273
Crinet 307 Famine 273
Crossbow Inner Reflection 273
Heavy (Early Arbalest) 209 Armor 274
Light 122 Weapons 274
Light (Middle Steel) 205 Missiles Without Limit 274
Modern Chinese Pestilence 273
Heavy 130 Plague 273
Light 130 Unerring 274
Reload Mechanisms 234 Weightless 275
Croziers 199 Dog, War 102
Cruel Wounding 259 Doloire. See Axe, Thrusting
Crusades 204 Do-Maru 171
First Crusade 207 Domestication 36
Second Crusade 208 Double Mace 121
Third Crusade 210 Duelist 256
Fourth Crusade 212 Dung 131
Fifth Crusade 216 Durability and Material
Sixth Crusade 217 Misses and what happens 292
Eagles Nest 218 Break DC and Weapons 294
Seventh Crusade 218 Break DC, calculating for weapon or shield 294
Crushing Impact (Charioteer) 51 Creating a Strike Table 292
Cudgel, Monks 124 Deterioration 293
Cuirass 307 Item Damage 293
Linen 58 Dusack 255
Plated Linen 58
Cuirbouille Leather 213
E
Cult of Kali 134 Eagle Knights 20
Cut Lashings (Charioteer) 50 Eagle Shield (Eagle Knight) 21
Cutlass 253 Eagle Visage (Eagle Knight) 21
Czekan 251 Early Iron Weapons
Axe 46
D Spear 46
Dagger 246 Sword 46
Iron 64 Edged Weapons 41
Kidney 230 Egypt 44
Punching 126 Eku 162
341
 From Stone to Steel
Elephants 77 Move Through Punch 258
Emi Piercers 138 Moving Mount/Dismount 52
Epee 256 Off-Hand Parry 259
Escrima 162 Preferred Opponent 111
European Colonialism 161 Punch Using Hilt 258
Executioners Sword 250 Reputation 111
Extended Shot (Charioteer) 51 Rope Arrows 52
Running Evasively 97
F Second Wind 95
Fakirs Horns 148 Shield Disarm 56
Fakirs 148 Shield Guard 52
Falcastra 235 Superior Gunnery 240
Falcata 75 Swift Reload 240
Falchion 213 Feruzue 167
Fall of Rome 114 Feudal Europe 197
Falx 236 Field Plate 239
Falx, Dacian 96 Fighter, Customizing your 76
Fang, Steel 124 Fire from Under Cover (Charioteer) 51
Fans 137 Firearms 239
Far East 52 First Aid & Healing 13
China 53 Flagellum 106
Farm Implements Flail
Grain Flail Grain
Hayfork 43, 199 Plain 199
Pitchfork 199 Studded 199
Pruning Hook 41 Great 141
Scythe 43 Horsemans (Goupillon) 216
Sickle 43 Long bar 135
Thresher 43 Military 206
Faster Movement I (German Combined Cavalryman) 97 Flail Mechanics, Optional 207
Faster Movement II (German Combined Cavalryman) 97 Backlash 207
Fated Items 165 Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Flail) 207
Feather Staff 255 Multiattack 207
Feats Flamberge 245
Advanced Dodge 258 Flaming Clothing 210
Advanced Maneuvers 95 Fleet Footed (German Combined Cavalryman) 98
Cloak Fighting 258 Flights 10, 307
Combat Advantage 111 Flute 136
Cruel Wounding 259 Flying Weight 138
Deflect Missiles 51 Fokosok 254
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms) 152 Fork, Two Teeth 142
Faster Movement I 97 Formation Tactics 43
Faster Movement II 97 Francisca, Early Steel 188
Fire from Under Cover 51 Franks 190
Fleet Footed 98 French Fighting 254
Formation Tactics 43 Fu 121
Greater Impaling Shot 241 Fu, Bronze 54
Heroic Demeanor 95 Fukidake 172
Impaling Shot 240 Full Membership (Guang Hu Adventurer) 156
Improved Formation Tactics 44 Full Moon 143
Improved Penetration 95 Fuller 308
Improved Shield Guard 51 Fumiki Bari (Ninja) 174
Improvised Weapon Training 144 Furs and Hides 8
Lantern Fighting 258

342
 Index
G Guard 308
Gun Damage and Armor 151
Gadha 133
Gun, Primitive Chinese 151
Galea 108
Guns and Reliability 151, 269
Galerus 108
Gupta Empire 132, 148
Garrote 172
Gupta, Fall of the 133
Gastrophetes 75
Gauls, Trouble with the 87 H
Gauntlet 308 Haft 308
Gazelle 103 Halab. See Tulwar, Early Iron
Ge 120 Halberd 205
Bronze 54 Chinese 128
Generate Stats for Items 302 Double 135
Armor Statistics 302 Incan Copper 56
Hit Points 303 Half Moon, European 236
Weapon Statistics 302 Hammer 200
German Combined Cavalryman 96 Hammer, Chinese 137
Germans 96 Han Dynasty 128
Ghargaz 158 Red Eyebrows, The 131
Giraffe 104 Han Expansion 130
Girdle 108 Hand Mortar 263
Gladiator 109 Handaxe, Incan Copper 56
Gladiator Armor 106 Han-Kyu 172
Partial Armor 107 Hannibal 88
Gladiatoral Weapons 108 Hannibals Downfall 89
Gladiators 101 Haramaki Do 171
Gladius 91 Harpoon, Stone 14
glaive 215, 229 Hatchet, Early Steel 197
Glossary of Terms 307 Hauberks 233
Glue 30 Hayforks 199
Golden Fleece, Order of 239 Heaven and Earth Blade 139
Gorget 308 Heavy Hides 96
Goths 189 Hellenization 89
Goth Wagons 189 Helmets and Helms 233
Grain Sword 121 Heroic Demeanor 95
Grain Sword, Bronze 54 Heroic Resolve (Eagle Knight) 21
Great Axe 245 Hidden Knife 143
Great Leap (Ninja) 174 Hide Armor, Rhino 125
Greater Impaling Shot 241 Hides, Alternate 126
Greave 108 Hilts
Greaves 308 Basket 253
Greek Fire 69, 194 Swept 253
Greek Response 86 Hippopotamus 104
Greek-Persian Wars 72 Historical Racial Items 288
Greeks 68 Mythic Dwarves 288
Grip 308 Mythic Elves 288
Ground Glass (Ninja) 174 Other Racial Items 288
Guang Hu Martial Techniques 156 Hittites 45
Body at Peace 157 Honor (Samurai) 177
Body Like Fire 157 Hook, Nine Teeth 139
Body Like Water 156 Hoolurge 158
Body Like Wind 156 Hora 126
Combat Calm 157 Horse Brother (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154
Refined Defense 157 Horse Chopping Blade 140
Guang Hu Setting 155 Horse Head Sword, Bronze 54
343
 From Stone to Steel
Horse Headcovering, Bronze 58 Jo 167
Hostage Taking 92 Julius Caesar 92
Huns 114 Jumonki-Yari 167
Hurlbat 247 K
Hussar Wings 251
Kama 162
Hwa-Kek 163
Kama-Yari 167
I Kapak 164
Impaling Shot 240 Karabela 264
Impaling Shot (Charioteer) 51 Karacena 264
Improved Critical (Macahuitl) (Eagle Knight) 21 Karambit 164
Improved Formation Tactics 44 Katana 171
Improved Penetration (Legionairre) 95 Katar 126
Improved Shield Guard 51 Closed Hilted Early Steel 147
Improvised Weapons 64 Dual Bladed 159
Inca 54 Three Bladed Early Steel 147
Incan Cotton Armor 55 Tri-Bladed 159
India 126 Kawanaga 173
Spread of Buddhism 127 Keiko, Iron 166
Indian Contributions 158 Ken 167
Indonesia 162 Ken, Japanese Early Folded 168
Invisibility (Jaguar Knight) 23 Kestros 74
Iron 63 Kinzhal 244
Faeries 63 Knife
Rust 63 African Throwing 79
Steel 63 Bamboo 27
Iron and the Late Bronze Age Butterfly 162
Iron Claw 139 Chinese 120
Iron Cuirass 73 Chinese Curved 67
Iron Scaled Linen Cuirass 69 Deer Antler 139
Iron Sleeve Proficiency (Ninja) 174 Early Steel 198
Iron Sleeves 143 Golden Coin Long 141
Islam, Fragmentation of 204 Iron 64
Item Crafting and Quality 307 Rock 8
Swallow Trident Long 142
J Triple 256
Jaguar Knights 22 Yeung Guen Long 142
Jaguars Touch (Jaguar Knight) 23 Kongo-Zue 167
Janissaries 242 Kopesh 41
Japan 166 Kopis 67
Edo Shogunate 174 Kora 161
Ninja 171 Kris 165
Outside Influences 167 Kris Blades 165
Samurai System, The 167 Kuanto 163
Javelin 41 Kujungi 163
Heavy Iron-tipped 86 Kukri 162
Iron Headed 69 Kumade 169
Primitive Wooden 8 Kusari-gama 175
Primitive Wooden Hardened 9 Kwandao, Iron 123
Rope 137 Kylie 30
Jazerainted scale for infantry. See Karacena Kyoketsu-Shogi 172
Jian 120
Jigap Armor 130 L
Ji-Kuwa 162 Lading 165
Jitte 169 Laingtjat 163

344
 Index
Lamellar Armor M
Bone 67
Macahuitl 25
Bronze 56
Mace 41, 158
Bronze-Bound Leather 54
Damascened Ox 148
Iron 67
Early Steel Heavy 197
Late Steel 250
Early Steel Light 197
Lames 308
Fist 246
Laminate 308
Footmans 205
Lance
Horsemans 205
Byzantine Early Steel 191
Stone 10
Chinese 128
Toothed Stone 31
Couched 234
Mace And Chain 216
Fong Ting 142
Mace Staff 121
Lances on Foot 192
Macedonia, Rise of 73
Light Iron 101
Maces 64
North American Stone 17
Magical Item Abilities
Rest 241
Aura 275
South American Wooden
Banishing 275
Forked 25
Blurred 275
Standard 25
Corrosion 275
w/ Coronel 242
Darkness-Bearing 276
Landsknecht Fashion 246
Finding 276
Landsknecht Matchlock 245
Heart Seeking 277
Lantern Fighting 258
Impervious 277
Lariat 114
Light-Bearing 277
Last Ditch Strike (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154
Material Cutting 278
Leaded Cane 254
Potent 278
Leather 31
Quaking 278
Arm Wrappings 108
Renewing 278
Armor, Tanned 31
Sundering 278
Bezainted 126
Warding 278
Lacquered 151
Mail
Shield Skirt 69
Byzantine Early Steel 191
Steel Plated 113
Main Gauche 248
Leather Armor, Plate Reinforced 264
Maintenance and Repair 302
Li Kwei- Double Axes 124
Majra 193
Living off the land 67
Malaysia 162
Longbow
Mancatcher 165
Composite 73
Spiked 165
English 227
Mandarin Coin Blade 139
North American Indian 15
Man-eaters 105
Welsh 210
Manica 108
Longsword
Manople 218
Bronze 57
Manriki-gusari 170
Chay Yang 137
Marathon 73
Early Steel 113
Second Invasion 73
Great 159
Martel de Fer, Middle Steel 206
Lorica Hamata 112
Maru 148
Lorica Segmentata 112
Masakari 170
Lorica Squamata 112
Masamunes revolution 171
Lost Civilizations 52
Matchlock Handgun, Early 239
Low Justice (Samurai) 177
Material: Lacquer 130
Lucerne Hammer 247
Luris. See Pedang

345
 From Stone to Steel
Materials N
Bone and Teeth 294 Nadziak 251
Cord 295 Nagegama 170
Dragon Hide, Scale, and Tooth 295 Nageteppo 175
Fabric 296 Nageyari 167
Gemstone 296 Nagimaki 170
Glass 297 Naginata 167
Leather 297 Naming of Swords and Axes 203
Metal Native American Developments 14
Adamantine 298 Native American Armor 17
Bronze 299 Nekode 173
Copper 299 Nepal 161
Gold 299 Net
Iron 299 Grass 9
Mithril 300 Retiarii 108
Silver 299 New Spells
Stone 301 Durance 288
Wood 301 Protection from Bludgeoning 289
Maul 200 Protection from Piercing 289
Meditation (Guang Hu Adventurer) 156 Protection from Slashing 289
Melee Weapons with Guns 252 Renew 289
Meso American Armor 26 Resonate 289
Meso American Weapons 24 Spell Bind 290
Metal Tinting 198 Ninja-to 171
Meteor Hammer 137 Nock 308
Metsubishi (Ninja) 174 No-Dachi 170
Ming Dynasty 154 Nomadic Plains Indians 17
Developments in Armor & Weapons 157 Nunchuku 162
Guang Hu School, Creating your 157 Nunti-Sai 175
Minimum Strength 306
Minoans 56 O
Mirror Plated Armor, Chinese 146 Obsidian 25
Misericorde 248 Odysseuss Armor and Bow 287
Moghuls 161 Offensive Whip Use (Charioteer) 51
Mongols Off-Hand Parry 259
Mongol Conquest 220 Okinawa 162
Successors 154 O-No 170
The Great Ride 149 Open Faced Helm 108
Ghengis Khan 149 Optimati 191
Khwarazm 150 Oslopi 229
Russia 150 Ostrich 105
Tartars 150 Other Aztec Orders 23
Temujin 150 Oubuch 251
Toghrul 150 O-yoroi 168
Monks Spade, Iron 123
Morale 77
P
Move Through Punch 258 Pack Mentality 11
Moving Mount/Dismount (Charioteer) 52 Padded Armor
Musket Byzantine 191
Flintlock 261 Silk 132
Snaphaunce 253 Paku 163
Wheel Lock 248 Paladins 208
Mycenaens 57 Paper Armor, Chinese Pirate 125
Pappenheimer 262

346
 Index
Paralyser 165 Sind 160
Parang 165 Platemail
Gina 165 Half 232
Latok 165 Light 232
Partisan, Middle Steel 215 Play Dead (Ninja) 174
Pass In the Shadows (Ninja) 174 Poison (Ninja) 174
Pata 159 Poisoning (Ninja) 174
Patisa, Sapola 160 Polearm 308
Pattern Welded Steel 201 Pole-mounted sling 75
Pattern Welded Viking Swords 202 Pommel 308
Pauldron 308 Preferred Opponent (Gladiator) 111
Pedang 164 Prehistory 6
Pellet Prestige Classes
Bow 130 Charioteer 49
Crossbow 130 Duelist 256
Pendjepit 164 Eagle Knights 20
Pentjak 163 Elite Mongol Horsemen 153
Pepper (Ninja) 174 German Combined Cavalryman 96
Perform Subskills Gladiator 109
Calligraphy 175 Gladiators as PCs 111
Flower Arraigning 175 Guang Hu Adventurer 155
Gardening 175 Jaguar Knights 22
Tea Ceremony 175 Janissaries 242
Persia 71 Ninja 173
Persians 148 Roman Legionnaire 93
End of an Era 148 Playing a Legionnaire 95
Personal Weaponry 253 Samurai 176
Phalanx tactics 43 Privateers 253
Phurbu 131 Progress of War 237
Phyrric Victories 86 Pruning Hook 41
Piau 166 Psychological Warfare 65
Pick Pugio 91
Footmans 205 Punch Using Hilt 258
Horsemans 205 Punic War, The First 87
Picts 196
Pike
Q
Middle Steel 215 Qiang 121
Morris 254 Qin Rule & the Steel Era 124
Pilum, Light & Heavy 90 Quarterstaff 7, 200
Pistol Quillion 308
Matchlock 244 Quoit 158
Serpentine Lock 244 R
Pitchforks 199
Rabbit Stick 17
Plague 234
Rake, Nine Teeth 142
Plate Armor
Ram Dao 162
Half 261
Ranseur 237
Maximillian 248
Rante 166
Tournament 241
Rapier
Plate Mail 112
Early 246
Three Quarter 262
Long 253
Plated Mail
Short 256
Bakhteretz 160
Rate of Fire 269, 332
Kolontar 152
Razor, Yuen Yang 139
Sikkim 160
Refthi 202

347
 From Stone to Steel
Reloading guns 240 Schiavona 254
Renaissance 245 Schnepfer 254
Reputation (Gladiator) 111 Science of Warfare 31
Reputation (Guang Hu Adventurer) 156 Scimitar
Resin 30 Iron Indian 133
Ringmail Late Steel 250
Greek Bronze 67 Scourge, Metal 106
Greek Iron 69 scramsax, Early Steel 188
Rings, Iron 139 Scutum 91
Rise of Islam 192 Scythe, Early Steel 198
Abu Bakr 192 Scythians 67
Battle of the Trench 192 Second Wind
Muhammad 192 Elite Mongol Warrior 154
Road to Empire 89 Janissary 243
Provinces 91 Legionnaire 95
Robin Hood 227 Sekir 229
Rock, Throwing 7 Sgain Dubh 230
Rockets, Chinese 151 Shamshir, Early 207
Roman Legionnaire 93 Shaolin 135
Roman Monarchy 84 Shark Tooth Mail Shirt 27
Nascent Republic 85 Shark Tooth Sword 27
Roman Weapons & Armor 90 Shield 40
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 133 Aboriginal Fire 30
Rope Arrows (Charioteer) 52 Egyptian 45
Runic Inscription 203 Grass 28
Running Evasively (German Combined Cavalryman) 97 Great Wood 79
Russian Double Chainshirt 250 Iron 64
Lantern 254
S Leather
Sa Tjat Koen 164 Large 31
Sabar 158 Small 31
Sabaton 308 Small Reed 26
Saber Small Wooden 18
Chinese Long 157 Tower 28
Hunnic Early Steel 114 Viking Wooden
Short 255 Large 202
Saber Halberd 248 Small 202
Sabit. See Karambit Wooden 28
Sabu 141 Shield Blades 214
Sai 162 Shield Combat 143
Santie 159 Shield Disarm 56
Sap 255 Shield Guard (Charioteer) 52
Sarissa 75 Shield Spikes 42
Scale and Chain Mail, Iron 101 Shield Trapping 42
Scale Armor Shields 11
Chinese Mountain Pattern 144 Shirt, Bronze 43
Damascened 148 Shoot on the Move (Elite Mongol Horsemen) 154
Scale and Plate Armor Damascened 148 Short Staff 121
Scale Mail 112 Shortsword 160
Bronze 64 Early Steel 197
Iron 64 Flint 29
Scaled Jack 152 Shovel
Scalemail, Chinese Steel 146 Golden Coin 137
Scaling Fork 236 Moonteeth 137

348
 Index
Shuriken 171 Stingray Spine 27
Siangkam 164 Stone Head 10
Sica 108 Spear Gun 151
Sickle 158, 163 Spear Thrower 28
Sickle Sword 41 Spetum 237
Sickle, Early Steel 198 Spike, Bone 7
Sieges 195 Spiked Cestus 108
Sinew 308 Splint Mail 204
Sjang Sutai 163 Staff, Wolfs Teeth 139
Skills Steel Crossbows 234
Fencing 259 Stick
Balestra 259 Long 7
Beat 259 Short 7
Bind 259 Sticks and Stones 7
Ceding Parry 259 Stiletto 256
Corps-a-Corps 260 Streaking Shot (Charioteer) 51
Crois 260 Studded Cuir-bouille Leather 213
Feint 260 Studded Leather Block Armor, Bronze 54
Fleche 260 Studded Leather, Bronze 56
Lunge 260 Sub-Saharan Africa 78
Pattinando 260 Sufi Islam 148
Press 260 Sulitsa 229
Remise 261 Sumeria 39
Riposte 261 Sumerian Tactics 40
Thrust 261 Sumerian battleaxes 41
Knowledge (Military Engineering) 94 Sun and Moon Spear Blade 139
Riding 38 Suns Aura (Eagle Knight) 21
Skin Armor 8 Suns Flame (Eagle Knight) 21
Slashing Weapons 64 Superior Gunnery 240
Slat Armor 18 Swashbuckling 261
Sling 17 Sway (Charioteer) 51
Bullets 17 Swift Reload 240
Double string 74 Sword
Snicker-Snee 256 African Sickle Style 78
Sode Garami 170 Beheading 144
Solenarion 193 Executioner 142
Sovna 229 Iron Pudao 123
Sparta 70 Kopesh 45
Spartacus 91 Long-Handle Nine Ring 135
Sparte, Early Steel 197 Seven Star 122
Spatha 91 Steel Fish Spine 158
Spathion, Early Steel 191 Tigerhead Hook 137
Spear 41 Unicorn Horn 140
Bamboo 27 Ying Yang Dagger 140
Double Headed 136 Sword Breaker 256
Early Steel Long 197 Sword Breaking 121
Iron 64 Sword Canes 254
Long 64 Sword Shield 213
Short 64
Iron Half 73
T
Krokaspjt 202 Tabar 148
Primitive Wooden 9 Tables
Primitive Wooden Hardened 9 Table 1-1: Amputation 13
Snake 137 Table 1-2: Eagle Knight 21
Table 1-3: Jaguar Knight 23
349
 From Stone to Steel
Table 1-4: Stone Age Weapons 3233 Tachi
Table 1-5: Stone Age Armor 34 Imitation Chinese 157
Table 2-1: Riding Modifiers 38 Japanese Early Folded 168
Table 2-2: Terrain 48 Tamo, Iron 124
Table 2-3 Terrain Changes 48 Tang 308
Table 2-4: Driver Mishap 48 Tang Period 144
Table 2-5: Breakage 49 Chinese Steel 148
Table 2-6: Charioteer 50 Conquest 145
Table 2-7: Bronze Age Weapons 5960 Tang as Campaign Setting 145
Table 2-8: Bronze Age Armor 60 Tan-Kiev 142
Table 3-1: Iron Age Weapons 8081 Tanko, Iron 166
Table 3-2: Iron Age Armor 81 Tarch 264
Table 4-1: Legionairre 94 Targe, Scottish 230
Table 4-2:German Combined Cavalryman 97 Target 254
Table 4-3: Open Faced Helm 108 Tassels on Weapons 143
Table 4-4: Gladiator 110 Technology, Diffusion of 78
Table 4-5: Roman Weapons 115 Tepoztopilli 25
Table 4-6: Roman Armor 116 Teppo 175
Table 5-1: Elite Mongol Horsemen 153 Throwing Axe
Table 5-2: Guang Hu Adventurer 156 Bronze 96
Table 5-3: Ninja 173 Early Steel 114
Table 5-4: Samurai 176 Iron 96
Table 5-5: Far East Weapons 178184 Tian-chi Fay Short 141
Table 5-6: Far East Armor 184, 185 Tibet 130
Table 6-1: Dark Age Weapons 221223 Tiger Fork, Iron 124
Table 6-2: Dark Age Armor 224 Tight Turning (Charioteer) 51
Table 7-1: The Yeoman 239 Tjaluk 163
Table 7-2: Janissary 244 Toledo Steel 228
Table 7-3: Duelist 258 Tomahawk 17
Table 7-4: Pagentry Weapons 265268 Tombak 163
Table 7-5: Material Updates Weapons 269270 Tonfa 162
Table 7-6: Pagentry Armor 271 Tonto 170
Table 9-1: Weight 302 Tsei gusoku 175
Table 9-2: Hit Points 303 Tournament Culture 242
Table 9-3: Hardness 303 Tournaments 210
Table 10-1: Weapon Size and Damage 305 Trackless Running (Ninja) 174
Table 10-2: Blunt Force Trauma 305 Training (Duelist) 257
Table 10-3: Fatigue 306 Traps of War 99
Table 10-4: Item Crafting and Quality 307 Trident, Iron Headed 87
Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Armor. Chart 312 Tschehouta, Early Steel 147
Table 10-5: Traditional d20 Weapons. Chart 310312 Tuck 254
Table 11-1: Simple Melee Weapons 314317 Tulwar, Early Iron 133
Table 11-2: Simple Ranged Weapons 318 Turks 132
Table 11-3: Martial Weapons-Melee 319325 Tusk 7
Table 11-4: Martial Weapons-Ranged 326 U
Table 11-5: Exotic Weapons-Melee 327329
Uichi-ne 167
Table 11-6: Exotic Weapons-Ranged 330
Ulu 15
Table 11-7: Weapons Ranged-Ammunition 331
Unseating a Rider 237
Table 11-8: Special Items 331
Urumi 160
Table 11-9: Firearms-Ranged 332
Table 11-10: Light Armor 333 V
Table 11-11: Medium Armor 334 Vambrace 308
Table 11-12: Heavy Armor 335 Vandals 190
Table 11-13: Shields & Accessories 336337 Veecharoval 126

350
 Index
Verdun 254 Wicks and Powder 241
Vikings 201 Apostles 241
Voulge 237 Winds Key (Jaguar Knight) 23
Womans Place in War 209
W Wood and Hide Armor 19
Wakazashi 171 Works Cited 308
Wall of Air (Jaguar Knight) 23 Wudan Movement 135
War and Consolidation 230
Serfdom vs. Peasantry 231 X
Vassalage 231 Xiphos
War, Infection, and the Dead 12 Double Edged Early Steel 191
Gangrene 13 Single Edged Early Steel 191
Neural Necrosis 13
Septicemia 12
Y
Tetanus 13 Yari 167
Warhammer Yeoman 237
Footmans 206 Yoroi, Iron 166
Horsemans 206 Z
Wax 30
Zen Awareness (Samurai)
Weapons Training (Janissaries) 243
Advanced Alertness 177
Whats in a name 201
Blind Fight 177
Wheel, Wind and Fire 137
Body Awareness 177
Whip 37
Combat Calm 177
Bone Scourge 65
Eagles Vision 177
Bull 198
Envisioned Shot 177
Hard 140
Tracking 177
Horse Hair Tassel 143
Zhou as Campaign Setting 122
Leather 65
Zhuge Nu 158
Maori 27
Zwiehander 245
Steel Barbed Chinese 129

351
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