WEAPONRY USED ON GOR

Any Free on Gor knows good weaponry when it is gripped in Their hand. The feel of the weapon as it slices through the air, the meaty *THUNK* of the weapon as it hits either the meat and bone of a person or a loud *CLANG* as it hits other steel, these are the things that a Warrior likes to hear with the right weapon in hand. This is a list of the certain weaponry that I had seen in My travels on Gor. Some of the weaponry featured here may not be in accordance with the Books. I will make mention of them as I come across them.

• Black Lance-A slender javelin-type spear, fitted with a barbed head and used with line attached to assist in retrieval. Described in Book #10 and Book #12.
• Bola The favored weapon of the Wagon People Warriors, who fight mainly from the backs of their kaiila. The bola consists of three (3) long leather straps, each about 5 feet in length, and terminating in a leather sack which contains, a heavy rounded metal weight. Developed for hunting fleet-footed and flighted game it is also used as a weapon of war. Thrown low the long straps, with their approximate ten-foot sweep, strike the victim and the weighted balls, as soon as resistance is met, whip about the victim's legs, tangling and tightening the straps. Thrown high it can pin a man's arms to his sides; thrown at the throat it can strangle him; thrown at the head the whipping weights can crush his skull. Once a victim is entangled with the bola, another weapon, usually a quiva, is then utilized to dispatch the victim if he or she still lives.
• Crossbow-The standard infantry weapon of Gor, for distance in fighting. It consists of a heavy, flexible bow of tempered steel, perhaps 18" across (when bent), mounted on a heavy wooden stock about two feet long, with a trigger mechanism built into the shaped handle. Quarrels, or "bolts," are carried by the user in a belt-case or quiver.
• Gorean Short Sword -The basic weapon of all warriors of Gor, except those that fought while mounted and even they had considerable skill in its usage. Approx. 20 inches in length from hilt tip to blade tip, narrower at the hilt base and then widening to a width of 3 or 4 inches and then descending to a curved and pointed tip. The grip is generally either of polished wood or leather. This is the basic weapon of the warrior in Gor, it is generally carried, in a sheath slung over the left shoulder by means of a leather harness, but may also be worn a the hip. Modeled after the Roman short sword. Primarily a thrusting and hacking weapon. Very good in close, able to punch through light shields and armour. A quick, deadly little sword found all over Gor. This sword is mentioned in all books relating to Gor, from Book #1 and throughout.
• Gorean Warrior's Shield-A circular shaped shield; generally about 24 to 36 inches in diameter, the shield is sufficient in size to cover the areas where a fatal blow may be struck, yet it may also be used as a covering in a Gorean sand storm. The shield is made of several layers of bosk's hide (generally 7 to 9 layers thick) stretched over a lightweight framework of wood or horn, and normally are round in shape. The common shield in use is the warrior's shield. It is worn upon the user's arm, usually the left one, and is carried slung across the back while in travelling.
• Shield of Torvaldsland-A large 30 - 36 inch center boss round shield. Made of wood and reinforced with iron bands and often an iron edging. This shield was made to stop an axe blow, so it will stop most arrows and thrown weapons. It is also an excellent weapon in the right hands.
• Gorean War Spear-A heavy, yet easily thrown spear favored by the Caste of Warriors, it is armed with a bronze blade for a tip that is approx. 12 inches in length. While much heavier that the "black lance", the War Spear can also be thrown with considerable force over a fair distance. This may be due to the gravitational differences between the Earth and Gorean atmosphere.
• Spear-A 9-foot long, iron bound shaft with 18 inches of double edged steel/bronze. Fearsome weapon, although very slow and cumbersome up close. Mainly used in the North for fighting Kur and clearing the deck of a ship.
• Great Bow of the Peasants-The Great Bow was generally made from the wood of the ka-la-na tree or sometimes of temwood, this bow is over six feet in length and require great strength in order to pull it fully. The string of such a bow is usually made of hemp line or animal sinew wound about with silk thread. The arrows of such a bow are generally made of temwood, steel tipped and feathered by the feathers of the vosk gull. Each such arrow is approximately three feet in length. It is commonly carried slung or strapped over the shoulder when not use, as is the quiver containing numerous shafts. (40 or more) The Great Bow is a difficult weapon to use well. It is commonly called the Weapon of The Peasants because of their common use of it. It is an awsome weapon with the range of 500 - 600 yards. This mighty bow will drive an arrow through a wooden shield or steel helm at 100 yards. While nowhere near as fast as a Short Bow, a good archer is still able to launch a second arrow before the first hits its target. It is also used by the rencers of the Vosk Delta, as mentioned in Book #6, "Raiders of Gor".
• Horn Bow-A weapon favored by the Wagon People, it is small, double curved and about 4 feet in length. This small, quick bow is deadly in the right hands. This is a bow made of layers of a bosk's horn that has been split and cured. It is banded and reinforced with leather from the hide of the bosk; it is banded with metal of 1/2 inch width at 7 points, including the grip. The horn bow is a rather stubby bow, but due to the many layers of split, cured and shaven bock horn that is bound together with glues and strips metal and of bosk hide, it is an extremely powerful and accurate weapon. Arrows are generally carried in the number of 40 to 50 and they are carried in a lacquered, narrow, rectangle shaped quiver, made from bosk hide cured and dried over a frame work of light wood or split horns. A warrior of the Wagon Peoples can have the third arrow launched by the time the first strikes its target. While the range is not great, it is powerful enough to puncture a hide shield or lung.
• Kurt-The five-bladed slave whip. Usually used in cases of severe discipline.
• Longsword (aka Great Sword, Bastard Sword, Boarding Sword)-The longsword is commonly used by the denizens of Torvaldsland. It is a long, heavy blade which is approximately 54 - 72 inches, 3-4 inches wide. This monster was used to clear a path through your enemies. While much slower than a short sword, few things could stand before it. It is carried in a belt-scabbard or strapped across its user's back over his right shoulder. The manufacture of these "long swords" seems to follow the pattern of the making of the swords of the Japanese Samurai. In this method, many lengths of steel, both hard and soft or flexible steel are beaten together under heat and folded within itself and beaten flat again. This creates a blade with both a tremendous amount of flexibility and also one that is virtually unbreakable. Most longswords bear the name of their maker and as with ships and other things of Gor, many believe that the sword possesses a sense of being with the maker. It was used two-handed. Used almost exclusively in the North and among seafaring nations.
• Quiva-A balanced saddle knife, usually part of a set of seven such weapons. It consists of a narrow double-edged blade of between 9 and 12 inches in length mounted on a shaped handle of wood, bone, or horn. It is honed to razor sharpness, and its blade tapers to a needle point. Designed for use primarily as a missile weapon, the quiva is also perfectly functional as a hand weapon and general utility knife. It is mostly used by the nomadic Wagon Peoples of the southern hemisphere, who will carry matched sets of seven in special sheaths attached to their kailla saddles. Generally the steel used in making the blades of the quiva comes from the foundries within the City of Ar and are carried by traders to the South and thus traded to the Wagon People's. This weapon is so deeply ingrained within the very hearts and souls of the Wagon People, it is a part of the traditional Tuchuk greeting and farewell. Also known as the Tuchuk Saddle Knife, the quiva is a dagger favored by the Wagon People, especially the Tuchuks, but carried by most FreeWomen and many Warriors. Designed for both stabbing and balanced to be thrown with lightning speed and accuracy. Generally carried in the quantity of seven in number, sheathed and hung on the handed side of a warrior's saddle be it a kaiila or tarn.
• Scimitar- A long curved sword, the simitar maybe used either one-handed or with two-hands. The curved, single-edged blade is always honed to razor-sharpness. The simitar's blade length is approx. thirty inches. This weapon when used one-handed from the back of a kailla is incredibly deadly. When it is used two-handed by a fighter while on the ground it is as deadly a weapon as is found upon Gor.
• Sleen Knife-This is a broad bladed, flat, double edged utility knife equipped with a simple stubby crossguard and unadorned grip. Described by TreeMarker in his bio as the weapon he was ordered to fight with when he was forced to do battle with the sleen in the pit.
• Tarnsmen's Crossbow-Similar in most respects to the larger crossbow, though instead of possessing a heavy metal bow, it has a much lighter bow of layered wood and horn. It is slightly smaller in overall size than its heavy cousin, and is equipped with a metal stirrup at the firing end, enabling it to be more quickly restrung and drawn from kailla or tarnback.
• Torvaldsland Battle Axe-There are two main styles to this weapon:
  Two-Handed Great Axe-This fearsome monster has a single-bitted head with spike or hammer back and will sport at 10 - 12 inch cutting surface. Capable of chopping through nearly anything, including a man with a single blow. It has an iron bound haft measuring 48 - 72 inches. It is a slow weapon and hard to reverse once started, though in the hands of an enraged Torvaldslander, it is an awesome sight.
  One-Handed Single-Bitted Axe-A smaller version of the first, designed to be used one-handed. A 6 - 8 inch cutting surface with a hook or hammer back (much like a fire axe). This weapon moves as fast as a sword and hits a LOT harder. It was designed to hack through shields, doors, weapons and people. Almost always used in conjunction with a Torvaldslander shield.
  NOTE: both of the Torvaldsland axes are capable of blasting right through a southern shield or sword parry. Especially effective verses a katana, scimitar or any of the lighter southern swords or lances.)
• Kur Axe-Double the size of a Torvaldsland Great Axe. Double the damage. Wielded by the Kurii and occassionally a "BERSERK" Torvaldslander.
• Hand Axe-This is an even smaller version of the Torvaldslander style of axe, having only a 20 - 24 inch haft and a three to five inch cutting surface. Used by some in tandem with a sword for a deadly two-pronged attack. Unfortunately, it's attack is limited to a short,chopping blow. More often used to distract the opponent and hook a leg or shield, or to use its weight to punch and knock an enemy off balance.found all over Gor though Mainly in the north.
• Trident-The three-pronged spearing fork used by fishermen and sailors of the island peoples of Gor. The trident can be utilized both as a thrusting weapon and as a weapon to be thrown. It is described as being approximately seven feet in overall length, with 3 rather lengthy prongs. Often used with a line attached, for retrieval should it be thrown. This weapon is described in book #6, Raiders of Gor.
• Wagon People's Kaiila Lance-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.

NOTE:

• Katana-This sword with its long 36 - 40 inch long, 1 - 1 1/2 inch wide blade is a two-handed slicing weapon. Razor sharp, it was designed to cut through cloth and leather armor. Although very flexible, its edge is quickly destroyed in serious combat. Used by a few Warriors, despite some People claiming that they should not use them as it is not in the books.
• bat'telh-Klingon sword of honor, formed by Kahless the Unforgettable. It is probably the most widely recognized Klingon weapon in existence, and is definitely the most sought-after. It derives its name from the klingon words for sword (bat')and Honor (letlh), thus making it the Sword of Honor.
• d'k tahg-the Klingon triblade, rich in ceremonial value and can also be used in hand to hand combat.
• mek'leth-a curved sword (like a scimitar) half the size of the bat'telh.