Weapons1

WEAPONS OF GOR
Weapons of Gor

"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

SWORDS

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 thetraditional 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

SPEARS/POLEARMS

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 totribal 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. Canbe utilized both as a thrusting weapon and as a missle weapon. Also used, in conjunction with ahooked 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.

KNIVES

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 hiddenin a boot. Used by many freewomen as a personal means of self-defense. Examples of theseweapons 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 insets, 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 shed to the tarnsman's saddle or belt, to prevent its loss while in flight. First mentioned iTarnsman of Gor.

AXES

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.

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