[RQ-Rules] bastard sword

[Bjorn Stolen]

A bastardsword was never used by the vikings, unless you count the normans (vikings that was given normandie by the french king for stopping looting) -as vikings. (they really were not; adapted the local language, culture and habits in a matter of 30 years).

 
The normans started hadving swords with longer blades so they could easier reach their opponents when on horseback. But the swords became harder to wield. 
 
The solution was -as described in other mails -to enlarge the grip to make it possible to wield it two handed. When in full plate, shield (at least before the crossbow, longbow and guns) became unnessecary. So a knight would ride into battle with the sword wielded 1handed. If he for any reason dismounted, he discharged of his shield, and wielded the bastardsword as a multitool (not nessecarily with both hands on the grip; sometimes with one hand 2\3 out on the blade, using it like a quarterstaff).

 
Wether a bastardsword should do 1d8+1 dam when wielded 1handed, I don't know; the str. restrictions as in the original rules is IMO suficcient. If you have 14 in str, the extra 0.2 kg weight compared to a "broadsword" don't hamper. Remember; to cut with a sword have much more to do with skill than sheer strength. It's perfectly possible to take a full swing with a sword at a unprotected head, and still cause minor damage. The extra damage for a bastardsword could just as well simulate the extra inches the blade can slide in a wound, than the extra force for having two hands.

 
In my rules, I've been inspired by the Kenjutsu skill in "Land of Ninja". So if a dude have a Kenjutsuskill of 35%, he can use a broadsword 2h or 1h with the same skilllevel. If he only posess 1h sword skill; f.instance 49%, he'd have only 5% when wielding a bastardsword\longsword\katana\greatsword\wakisashi twohanded. -And a dude that have a 2h skill of -say49% would have only 10% if using a broadsword\ gladius\ sabre\bastardsword 1handed.

 
Finally, I'd like to say that you actually get a longer reach when wielding such weapons 1H (have somthing to do with elipseshapes compared to sircles).



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