Solamnic Weaponry

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

bohica

Sep 12, 2004 8:18:31
I have always wondered what type of sword was "standard issue" for Solamnic Knights. Personally I would vote for the bastard sword, as a Knight could fight two handed in the event his shield was destroyed. But I doubt all Knights would take the exotic weapon proficiency feat required to use this weapon. And I've always affiliated the longsword to elven warriors. What do you think?
#2

cam_banks

Sep 12, 2004 8:33:02
The bastard sword isn't really a cavalry weapon, being more suited to an armored knight on foot, so the Brightblades were probably somewhat atypical. The War of the Lance sourcebook describes, among other things, the structure and composition of the Solamnic forces in the Age of Despair and makes note of standard equipment, based on unit type.

Most of the Solamnic army consists of professional soldiers, levies, and mercenaries, equipped with chain shirts or (if heavy infantry and heavy cavalry) breastplates, and longswords with either light crossbows, lances, or longbows depending on the unit type. The knights of Solamnia, who make up a comparably small part of the army (acting as the core of the heavy cavalry and as officers) are almost always armed with longsword, breastplate, and lance.

Individual knights may have their own unique style or signature weapon. However, in the interests of keeping to an ordered and disciplined fighting force, most will stick to the longsword - it really is, in many ways, the quintessential knightly weapon.

Cheers,
Cam
#3

dragontooth

Sep 12, 2004 9:18:45
Not to mention that both the Late Paladine, and Kiri-Jolith favorite weapon is a Long Sword. Two of the gods favored by the Knights or revered by the Knights. So I too would say that most Knights use Long Swords. The unique Knights would use another type weapon.
#4

lugnut71

Sep 12, 2004 10:27:29
When we play we would actually see a lot of bastard swords. Okay we only played one campaign and only had one Knight.
#5

edgelett

Sep 12, 2004 18:22:35
I'm playing a Solamnic who will eventually become a Knight of the Crown - I've chosen the bastard sword as my weapon and have taken Exotic Weapon proficiency so I can use it one handed. Why did I choose the bastard sword instead of the traditional longsword? I wanted to use a different weapon, to stand out - my character is trying to make a name for herself & you tend to get noticed more if you use something different to everyone else. I'll also be going the "mounted combat" feat route.
#6

kalanth

Sep 12, 2004 19:43:59
The last campaign that I ran had a Solamnic in it that carried a Longsword for when he was mounted on horse back, but at most times he wielded a Hand Axe. He prefered the upclose and personal feel, and there were the occasional warriors and knights in history that used such a weapon because the chopping motion of the wielder could allow extra momentum and force. Thusly, this would allow the user to maim a target in battle. Of course, as I said, if he was mounted, the reach of the Longsword provided him with a way to make up for all the downsides the axe brings with it.
#7

zombiegleemax

Sep 14, 2004 5:46:53
Currently my group is playing Key of Destiny campaing. I had little extra to encounters and one of the knights-to-be found Scimitar+1. When players started to discuss who takes what magical I taught someone else would get that sword (it really doesn't seem that "knightly weapon"), but this Knight loved that sword - and now he has wielded half of the adventure that sword. It's probably soon named after him