Folks here have posted much information on swords and bows. No fantasy writer has an excuse for getting the details wrong!
Lately, though, I've been thinking about other folk in my fantasy world. Would they all choose swords as their primary melee weapon? And bows for their ranged weapon?
At first I'd say yes, since that's what cultures all around the world have chosen, with spears and slings also popular. In the interest of adding variety, though, what about other tools?
Take the war hammer, for example. Sure, have dwarves use that; it's a stereotype but we can finesse it later. My question to The Group is whether we have any hard information on how such a weapon gets used in real combat. I know ... hit 'em with the heavy end. But are there resources about rarer or exotic weapons? Are there details that might let me pair Weird Weapon A with my ogres (for example) or mermen (I can't imagine a trident is actually very useful underwater)?
This isn't really a specific question, just something for Year's End to throw out for brainstorming.
Lately, though, I've been thinking about other folk in my fantasy world. Would they all choose swords as their primary melee weapon? And bows for their ranged weapon?
At first I'd say yes, since that's what cultures all around the world have chosen, with spears and slings also popular. In the interest of adding variety, though, what about other tools?
Take the war hammer, for example. Sure, have dwarves use that; it's a stereotype but we can finesse it later. My question to The Group is whether we have any hard information on how such a weapon gets used in real combat. I know ... hit 'em with the heavy end. But are there resources about rarer or exotic weapons? Are there details that might let me pair Weird Weapon A with my ogres (for example) or mermen (I can't imagine a trident is actually very useful underwater)?
This isn't really a specific question, just something for Year's End to throw out for brainstorming.