"The sword, the quick, short, double-edged Gorean gladius, was drawn back for a thrust." Descriptions and Explanations of the Weaponry of Counter-Earth "Gold for the merchant, Iron upon the slave Copper for the craftsman, cunning at his trade...'Aye,' said the Warrior, sitting in his hall; 'But Steel, cold Steel shall be Master of them all.' "-a quote from the Warrior Term
Shortsword:
The common Gorean shortsword, designed to be used in conjunction with the round battle shield so often favored by Gorean warriors, is described as a leaf-shaped,double-edged blade with a short singlehanded grip. The grip is typically either of polished ka-la-na or temwood, either unadorned or wrapped in leather, cloth or cord. The blade of this weapon is between twenty and twenty-two inches in length, and it is worn either in a belt scabbard on the left hip or alternately in the same scabbard, slung over the left shoulder for travel. In later books this weapon is described as a "gladius," which implies that rather than a typical crossguard assembly it sports a simple sculpted or disk-shaped hilt, without lengthy quillions, and either a plain disk-shaped or knobbed pommel. It is also mentioned by Tarl Cabot that this weapon is ideal for the kind of swift, close-up infighting which is so near and dear to the hearts of the Gorean male. Typically honed to razor sharpness, the owner can even achieve a keen enough edge that when a piece of silk is dropped upon the blade, the fabric will part effortlessly. The best example of such blades come from the smithies of Ar and Ko-ro-ba. During the tempering process such blades are commonly quenched in wine, though it is not unknown for the red-hot metal to be quenched by driving it through the body of a male slave. Such shortswords are heavily employed in the city states that have a standing army, since one of its primary uses is for it to be wielded by a standing formation of men in matched ranks, shield in one hand and sword in the other. Unlike the traditional Roman gladius, however, this small weapon is often used singly, without the benefit of a shield, and the Goreans seem to have developed a system for attack and defense with it which is not unlike that of traditional fencing. This weapon first appears in Tarnsman of Gor, and appears regularly throughout the series thereafter.
Longsword (Viking spatha):
The longsword is commonly used by the denizens of Torvaldsland, Asperiche, Scagnar, and other such northern cold-weather climes. It is approximately 36 inches in length, though longswords in excess of 40 inches can also be found, depending upon the reach and preference of the user. It is carried in a belt-scabbard or leather support loop on the wielder's off side, or strapped across its user's back over his right shoulder. The Northerners employ it to great effect with their thicker thews and greater arm length. It is primarily used for slashing, to batter an enemy's shield to pieces, after which the wielder follows through with a killing stroke. Universally hand forged, these swords are "pattern blades" constructed in the Damascus style, whereby many braided rods of both soft flexible steel and stronger, more brittle steel are heated and worked into a single piece, then hammered flat for shaping and tempering. In this way the blade is imbued with both great flexibility and superior strength. Because of this, when rubbed with a mild acid or oxydizing compound, the finished blade will display a twisted, snake-like pattern caused by the different carbon contents of the woven steel, embedded in the polished surface. Each of these weapons is typically named by its creator, and it is even a common belief among some northerners that such blades are sentient beings, possessed of souls. This weapon makes its first appearance in the series in Marauders of Gor.
Scimitar (Tahari):
A long curved sword, used either one-handed or with two-hands, depending upon the situation. It has a wickedly curved, single-edged blade, honed to razor-sharpness, which will easily part silk dropped upon its edge. Even a light stroke of a Tahari scimitar will pass effortlessly through the flesh, leaving a carved mark 1/4" inch deep in the bone beneath. The overall blade length is perhaps thirty or more inches, with an 8" inch long "false-edge" across the back of the tip, for backhanded slashes. Used one handed from kaillaback it is incredibly deadly; used two-handed upon the ground it is equally terrifying. This weapon is mentioned in Nomads of Gor, and described further in book Tribesmen of Gor
Spear (common Gorean):
The common Gorean battle spear, designed to be used both in single combat and thrown, though it is typically depicted primarily as a missle weapon. Aided by the significantly lighter gravity of the Counter-Earth, it is deadly when thrown, quite capable of penetrating thick shields and even passing virtually unhindered through the body of its victim. As described by Tarl Cabot, the typical Gorean spear is approximately seven feet in length, with a fitted wooden handle up to two inches thick, capped by a leaf-shaped, tapering bronze spear head eighteen inches in length. Alternately this spear head can be made of steel, which is probably true in many cases, bronze being too soft and brittle a metal for repreated or long-term usage. Nevertheless, perhaps as a matter of custom, many spears in use on Gor do retain the traditional bronze tip. The handle itself is usually made from ka-la-na wood, and can be banded with metal near the juncture of the spear-head socket to prevent the handle from shearing when thrown. This weapon first appears in Tarnsman of Gor, and appears regularly throughout the series thereafter.
Spear (Red hunters/savages):
Similar in most respects to the common Gorean spear, though often it is found tipped with carved bone or shaped stone, rather than metal. It is also highly carved and decorated, according to tribal custom. First seen in Savages of Gor.
War Spear (Kurii):
Constructed similarly to the common Gorean war spear, only much larger and heavier. The Kur war spear is some 12 feet in length, with a long, tapering bronze head. The shaft of the Kur war spear is 3" in diameter, and the bronze head weighs up to twenty pounds. First appears in Savages of Gor.
Tharlarion Lance:
A thick spear, normally fashioned of ka-la-na or needle wood, approximately ten to fourteen feet long. It tapers from a lanceolate metal tip (either steel, iron or bronze) to a much thicker handguard type grip... at the thickest part it is four inches in width and is often fluted to lighten it while preserving its strength. Carried couched beneath the right arm of the user, the length of the lance itself crossing over and above the neck of the mount, to menace its target, often supported by a lance-rest which is either attached to the saddle or worn strapped to the user's chest. Can also be thrown, though not specifically designed for such use. First appears in Tarnsman of Gor.
Kaiila Lance (Wagon Peoples):
A long slender spear, eight to ten feet long, designed to be used from the saddle of a rider on kaillaback. These lances are not used couched, but rather carried in the right fist, easily, and are flexible and light. Used primarily for thrusting. They are black in color, cut from the poles of young tem trees, and so flexible that they may be bent almost double before they break. A loose loop of boskhide, wound twice about the right fist, helps the user to retain the weapon in mounted combat. It is seldom, if ever, thrown. First described in Nomads of Gor.
Kailla Lance, hunting (Red savages):
Similar in many respects to the kailla lance of the wagon peoples, though the hunting lance of theRed Savages is commonly longer, heavier and thicker than the war lance. They are commonly undecorated or adorned only with a knot or tuft of feathers. The point of a hunting lance is typically longer and narrower than the war lance, designed to pierce deeply enough to strike a kailiauk's heart. The shaft is shaped temwood. The tip is either metal, carved bone or shaped stone, lashed to the shaft with boiled sinew or rawhide, or attached with metal trade rivets. Leather grips, hand loops, and decorations are often present also. Described in Savages of Gor.
Kailla Lance, war (Red savages):
This weapon is almost identical to the kailla lance of the Wagon Peoples, though it is more heavily carved and decorated. First appears in book Savages of Gor.
Tarn Lance (Red savages):
Similiar in most respects to the war lance, except that it is longer and more slender, to facilitate easier use from tarnback. Described in Savages of Gor.
Harpoon:
A long slender javelin-type spear, fitted with a barbed head and used with an attached line for retrieval. A similar weapon first appears in the brine pits of Klima in Tribesmen of Gor, and the actual harpoon itself is used extensively in Beasts of Gor.
Trident:
The three-pronged spearing fork used by fishermen and sailors of the island Ubarates of Gor. Can be utilized both as a thrusting weapon and as a missle weapon. Also used, in conjunction with a hooked net, in various gladitorial arenas throughout Gor. It is briefly described as being approximately seven feet in overall length, with prongs of 10 inches or more. Often used with a lanyard or line attached, for retrieval should it be thrown. This weapon is described in Raiders of Gor.
Dagger (common Gorean):
This is a very common weapon, a simple or ornate handle fitted with either a double or single-edged blade of sharpened steel. Daggers upon Gor take many forms, depending upon the needs and whims of their users, and such weapons are the most common form of side-arm used on the Counter-Earth, brandished by persons of all ages and castes. Commonly disparaged by professional warriors as a "woman's weapon," it is easily concealable and fairly simple to use. Gorean daggers can range from four to eight inches in length, and can be found in every city in various forms. It is worn openly in a belt-sheath or concealed beneath one's clothing, often strapped to the wrist beneath the owner's sleeve, tucked into the collar behind the neck, or hidden in a boot. Used by many freewomen as a personal means of self-defense. Examples of these weapons can be found in every book of the series.
Killing Knife:
A throwing knife, typically used only in the larger cities such as Ar, and favored by those of the Caste of Assassins. It is much smaller than the quiva, approximately six to eight inches in length, and its blade is tapered on only one side. Such knives are often inscribed on the hilt or blade with such ritual phrases as "I have sought him. I have found him." Sometimes used in conjunction with poison kanda paste smeared upon the blade, though trained Assassins typically disdain the use of poison. It is rarely used in hand-to-hand combat, designed primarily to be thrown at the body of an unsuspecting victim. Described in Assassin of Gor.
Hook Knife:
Though never described in detail, its usage seems to suggest that it is a short weapon, consisting of a thick, ridged fighting handle and a wide curved blade, sharpened on both sides. The blade is perhaps stubby and crescent shaped, like a modern Earth linoleum or grouting knife, though larger and sharper. Its hilt and pommel can be either fancy or plain and unadorned. The hook knife is often seen in duels and ritual combats, though in displays or sport it is kept sheathed and the sheath itself is coated with colored powder or pigment, so that any successful attack scored by the user can be easily detected for judging purposes. Very popular in the larger cities such as Ar. This weapon first appears in Assassin of Gor.
Whip Knife:
The use of this weapon is widely regarded as a difficult and delicate art to master. The whip knife consists of a twelve foot long braided leather whip of the "bullwhip" type commonly found on Earth, equipped with a lanyard to insure retention of the weapon in combat. Set into the final eighteen inches of its length are twenty thin, narrow blades, woven into the leather and arranged in sets, four such blades to a set. Each such weapon is tipped either with a double-edged knife blade approximately seven or eight inches long, or a "stunning tip," a lead weight which is designed to incapacitate the victim when he is struck. Possibly originally intended to be effective against an opponent with a shield (the blade or weight, on its leather extension, would conceivably be able to flex in mid-air, passing around such a protective device to strike the target, similar to a medieval flail) or perhaps developed simply as an attempt to make the common whip more lethal. Rarely used in actual warfare, this weapon is said to be unique to the delta city of Port Kar and is often utilized in the fighting of duels. The whip knife is first mentioned in Assassin of Gor.
Sleen Knife:
This is a broad bladed, flat, double edged utility knife equipped with a simple stubby crossguard and unadorned pommel.Much favored by hunters and woodsmen, it is equally suited for use as a camping and skinning knife, prying tool, and as a weapon in single combat. This weapon is first mentioned in Hunters of Gor.
Tarn Knife:
This is a short bladed, single edged utility knife typically used by tarnsmen and generallyincluded among their saddle equipment. Some versions of such knives are designed so that the blade folds into the handle for safety when not in use. Often equipped with a lanyard so that it may be lashed to the tarnsman's saddle or belt, to prevent its loss while in flight. First mentioned in Tarnsman of Gor.
Battle Axe (Torvaldslander):
This weapon is described as a single-bladed axe of hardened iron, with a blade of anywhere from 8 to 14 inches in width. It is mounted on a thick wooden handle and also usually has a wrist thong attached to the end the handle, which enables it to be more easily retained during combat. Used in conjunction with a round iron-bound shield of wood and hardened leather. This weapon first appears in the series in Marauders of Gor.
Battle Axe (Kurii):
A huge axe wielded by the members of the Kurii race who have become native to Gor. It has a four inch thick round handle of green needlewood, approximately eight feet in length, and is equipped with a fixed double-bladed iron axe head, the blade of which is over two feet wide, and razor sharp. It is typically used in conjunction with a wide round iron shield some four feet in diameter. This weapon makes its first appearance in the series in Marauders of Gor.
Great Axe (Torvaldslander):
This weapon is similar in most respects to the Torvaldslander Battle Axe, except it is much larger, with a handle up to four feet in length. The axe blade is also much larger, and this weapon is used two-handed, without the benefit of a shield of any sort. Occasionally such axes will be double-headed, though that adds considerably to the weight of the weapon. This weapon makes its first appearance in the series in book #8, Marauders of Gor.
Tomahawk:
This weapon consists of a shaped wooden handle up to two feet in length, capped with a narrow hatchet-type blade comprised either of sharpened metal, shaped stone or obsidian glass. Often carved with ceremonial inscriptions, it is a common war-arm in use by the Red Savages of the vast Grasslands located to the northwest of the civilized city states of Gor. Can be used as a hand weapon, often in conjunction with a shield of dried rawhide over a wood frame, or thrown as a missle weapon. First described in Savages of Gor.
