Warhammer

A warhammer was a type of blunt melee weapon.

Description
Resembling a large, heavy sledgehammer (with striking surfaces on either side of the head), the warhammer was originally adapted from the tools of laborers and craftsmen but was no longer suitable for anything but combat.

Weaponology
The warhammer was normally wielded one-handed to bludgeon opponents. Most warriors with martial training were proficient in it. In fantasy, contrast to its actual depiction, the warhammer evolved to be commonly depicted as a rather large weapon of considerable destructive power, weight, and size, but its size and cumbersome weight made it so that only the very strong or tall could use it effectively. Drizzt determined that Aegis-fang, a warhammer near in height to himself, could only be effectively used by those who possess incredible height and strength, claiming that it was too cumbersome to use otherwise, making it ideal for the near seven foot and heavily muscled barbarian, Wulfgar.

Notable Warhammers

 * Aegis-fang: Wulfgar's preferred melee weapon.
 * Craftmaster: Favored weapon of Gond.
 * Hammer of Tyr: A holy relic of the Church of Tyr.

Notable Owners

 * Warhammers were favored by dwarves.
 * Warhammers were considered the favored weapons for clerics of the gods Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Ghaunadaur, Gond, Grumbar, Istishia, Laduguer, Moradin, Skoraeus Stonebones, and Stronmaus.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Mines of Bloodstone
 * Novels
 * Realms of Infamy, "A Matter of Thorns" • Sword Play • Dangerous Games • Mortal Consequences • The Thousand Orcs
 * Video Games
 * Eye of the Beholder series (Eye of the Beholder • The Legend of Darkmoon • Assault on Myth Drannor) • Menzoberranzan • Descent to Undermountain • Planescape: Torment • Dark Alliance series (Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II • Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance) • Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder • Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms • Baldur's Gate III