My Name is Sido Nun'spa, first born dark elf of the High Elven city of Benden, Bard, spellblade, fellow adventurer. Some of ye may asking yourselves why have I sat down to produce this work? Well, that's easy, I'm a Bard, I'm expected to know a lot about some things, a little about other things, and generally I'm expected to know something about everything.

To all Bards who are reading this, I extend my deepest sympathies, because, as we all know, as a bard we are expected to know almost everything (and that, my friends, is a full time chore). But I digress. Why am I here? To answer the age-old question ` What does a look like?' How good is a ?

I'm here to give ye bits of knowledge. I come to my opinions through my experiences, and thanks to a fellow Bard Daraleen, I have been able to acquire some additional artwork. This is a compilation of memories, that is all. I do not claim to be an expert, and I will only speak of weapons that I have used or seen used. Please note that this is the one of many works. Edged Weapons of the lands will be followed (I pray) By Blunt Weapons, Pole Arms, and Rare Weapons of the land.

My first experience was with the rapier. I was new to Wehnimer's Landing, fresh into my adventuring career. After getting a loan from the Hall of Moot I walked over to Tykel's Arms (By the way Tykel is a very kind man, and showed me around). I looked through his weapons and fell in love with rapiers. I quickly acquired two and went on my way. Rapiers are very expensive compared to other weapons because of the time needed to forge such a weapon. They are vary fast and light, damage potential is modest, but they seem to do quite well against unarmored targets. But then, anything with light armor or better will deflect the rapier more often than not. During my first year I also came across an epee (gift from a lad whom I helped drag back to town). They seem just as good as rapiers, maybe a little less powerful, but speed is somewhat the same. Most rapiers have only a sharpened point, but I have come across a rapier with an edge. It was a little heavier than a normal rapier and hit a little better, somewhat like a short sword. The epee is basically a sharpened metal rod with a sword grip. The epee is also known as a small sword in some circles. But the best thing about the epee and rapier is that they make a fine addition to any formal wear. However, I soon learned that the rapier and the epee are not the weapons for the hunt.

Then I came across my first falchion, another gift from a fellow adventurer that noted my problem with a particular cave gnome. The falchion is basically an over-sized cleaver, a very heavy one handed weapon. For the first time I had to used a shield, as I soon found out that two falchions used in the two-weapon style are ridiculously slow. But they do have the ability to cleave just about anything in one fell swoop. To this day I carry one on me...just in case. This weapon is for the serious hunter. The weapon has a fierce reputation, a well-deserved one.

About my 3rd year of adventuring here, I decided to give the scimitar a chance. It didn't last long. Two scimitars are a nice combination, their light weight and there cleaving ability are better than that of the rapier. But for some reason, they seem underpowered against some types of heavy armor. Scimitars are curved blades akin to the falchion (falchions developed from the scimitar). This weapon is a nice weapon and used by many a hunter in the lands. However, the current trend of dark elves using two scimitars is rather disturbing.

Then I came across my first broadsword. It was a drake broadsword that I had found on a dead kobold. The broadsword is your basic long, straight, edged weapon. The broadsword has a moderate weight and seems capable against almost all armor types, though not as good as the falchion. It's a reliable weapon, nevertheless. Another note: long swords are basically elven made broadswords; lighter, longer and a little faster. Damage potential is higher but its advantage vs. differing armor types seems about the same. I had some experience with a shimmering thin-bladed longsword, and it was ok...

At that same time, I started to experiment with a drake dagger I came across, once more found in the posession of a dead kobold. The dagger is an oversized kitchen knife. They're very light and easy to throw. I rarely miss, even though have never been trained in the style.

Now we come to the axes. I have experimented with handaxes and battle axes. There is only one thing I can say; they are amazing. The power that these weapons possess is quite impressive for their size. They may be a little slower than the average sword of the same size, but they make up for it in pure damage potential.

While I have never used one, the two-handed sword and the famed claidhmore are fearsome in battle. They are slow and because of the required two-hand use of these weapons, you sacrifice most of your defense. The danger is well worth the bone jarring hits that these weapons are capable of. I have seen forest trolls downed in two well-placed hits. I myself was hit by a hill troll with a two-handed sword, and was forced to run back to town as I tried to keep my lung in my chest.

Here are some of my other observations:

Bastard swords: I have seen bastard swords at work and they are amazing, their ability to go from the one handed style to the two-handed style with ease seems well worth the high price.

Sabers: Sabers seem to hit much the same as a broadsword. Yes, they have lower advantage vs. differing armor types, but it seems a good trade off for those that need a flashy weapon. They are also an acceptable formal weapon for those fancy occasions.

Cutlass: The cutlass is basically a scimitar with a fist cup. It's flashier than a normal scimitar, but rarer.

Khopesh: The khopesh is an ancient weapon, much like the falchion. Some collectors seem to prize these weapons.

The other weapons listed on Daraleen's artwork, I have not had the pleasure of seeing in combat. However, if I do, I will be adding my observations to my next article. Once more I stress that I'm not an expert on weaponry, I just know a little about some things and a lot about others.

I do hope that this article helps you in the future. May the Gods bless yourway. May your hunting be prosperous and your life as joyful as a festival.

Sido Nun'spa

This article is in the memory of my dear friend Daraleen who's has left our land . . .

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