One of the best things about role-playing games is the variety of weapons and armor that can be used in the game. Using authentic armor and weapons really grounds the gaming experience in something a bit more than just a game. It takes a bit of history and reality and places it into your game world. But the thing about a lot of gaming is that it tends to revolve around the typical range of weapons. You don’t have to be this predictable in yor gaming. You can get creative and still remain authentic to the period your game takes place in. I am not saying that you should put a ninja in your dungeon – although it is your dungeon and you can put anything you want in there. What I am saying is that there is an enormous range of really exciting and really creative items, based on real items, that you can use to add a new level of excitement to your game playing – and of course a new level of arguing over damage and defense stats.
With a little research you can dig up some fine examples of exotic weapons and here is a sample of some of my favorites.
The Lantern Shield – This is a very unusual type of weapon that was used in the big cities of Renaissance Italy. It was a small buckler sized shield that had a bladed gauntlet attached to it and several blades including a long thrusting blade that ran parallel to the wearer’s arm. It also had a lantern mounted right into it. This lantern was used to dazzle an opponent. This weapon was much like a porcupine in how it looked and it was probably not effective in traditional combat but probably was a good deterrent against nighttime muggings.
The Triple Dagger – This is an unusual weapon that came out of the late middle ages. On initial inspection it looked like a normal long-bladed dagger. But the wielder could depress a latch and the two sides of the dagger would spring out and form a V-shape. This shape looked much like the Sai and it made it very effective at parrying and capturing an enemy’s blade. It was a bit of a stealth weapon.
The Man Catcher – This weapon has a bit of a silly name but it really did exist and it is testament to the fact that not every weapon was explicitly made with mayhem in mind. The man catcher was a polearm weapon and the business end was similar to a two-tined pitchfork with a spring-loaded gate. From the ground, a man could use the man catcher by pushing it up against the waist or neck of a mounted person. This would trap the victim inside the spring-loaded gate and he could be pulled down from his horse. It was often used when the intent was to kidnap knights or royalty for ransom without harming them.
The Caltrop – You may have heard of this weapon but it is a very good example of creativity in weapons. Not every weapon is held in the hand. The caltrop was a small metal object that looked like a childs Jack. It had four points and when thrown onto the ground it always fell so that one point was sticking straight up. Throwing a bunch of these onto the ground could be a very effective deterrent against foot soldiers and mounted soldiers. Think of it as a non-explosive land mine.
All of these weapons are authentic weapons from the Middle Ages. They were really used, and there are lots more exotic weapons that you can use to spice up your gaming experience. You just have to do a little bit of research.
Will Kalif is the author of two Epic Fantasy novels and a big fan of all things medieval. If you would like to learn more about Medieval Weapons, Armor, and Castles visit his website at Medieval - The Medieval Armory