Longsword

Longswords were an extremely common and very versatile variety of sword.

Description
The design and length of longswords varied between cultures, they could even vary within the same culture depending upon the era. Their length commonly ranged between.

Most longswords had a double-edged blade, though some had a single-edged blade, with a sharp point at their tip. They often had grooves known as "fullers" that ran the length of their blade, one on each surface, that made the blade both lighter and more flexible.

Most long swords had an ovaloid metal plate between the blade's base and grip, protecting the latter from getting damaged against the metal in the mouth of a sheath, in addition to offering the user's hand some protection. A second plate of metal, either circular or ovaloid in shape, would also be fitted on to the pommel.

Weaponology
Though primarily designed to attack opponents by slashing at them with the edges of its blade, the versatile nature of the longsword cannot be disputed. Various combat manuals and the design of historical, real-world weapons lend credence to the thought that the entire sword was considered a weapon. Combat techniques taught wielders to slash with the blade, thrust with the tip, bludgeon with the pommel, and in at least one manual, use the crossguard to snare the leg of an opponent and trip or over-balance them. As the tactics to use the weapon evolved into "half-handing" the weapon design began to morph itself gradually into what is now considered a bastard sword and eventually into a greatsword.

Realmslore
This weapon could be found in use throughout Toril in Faerûn, Kara-Tur, and Zakhara. As usual, it had various regional names depending upon location. It was most common in Faerûn and less common in Kara-Tur and Zakhara.

Regional Variants

 * Chondathan steelsword: A broad-bladed sword that was good at breaking other weapons.

Notable longswords

 * Angul, the longsword of Kiril Duskmourn and Raidon Kane
 * Cormanthyrian elfblade, a +1 magic longsword with the keen quality.
 * Evithyan's Blade
 * Faervian
 * Ilbratha, a +1 longsword forged for King Azoun Obarskyr I.
 * Nightwatcher, a netherese +3 adamantine longsword.

Longswords of Deities

 * Justicar, the longsword of Tyr
 * Razor's Edge, the longsword of Cyric
 * Sahandrian, the longsword of Corellon
 * Stealthwhisper and Shadowblade, a pair of magical longswords that belonged to the deity Mask.
 * Weaveshear, the longsword of Erevis Cale
 * Justice blade, the longsword of the church of Tyr
 * Talon, the longsword of Aldith Tresendar

Groups

 * Detachments of the Red Plumes were typically outfitted with longswords.
 * Most members of the Red Ravens were outfitted with longswords.
 * Longswords were a typical armament of the mounted patrols of the Riders in Red Cloaks.
 * Longswords were a common armament of the Zhentarim forces of the Citadel of the Raven and Darkhold. As well as patrols in the Far Hills area and along Yellow Snake Pass.

Individuals

 * Florin Falconhand
 * Gayrlana
 * Merith Strongbow
 * Sharantyr
 * Torm

Races & Intelligent Creatures

 * Elves were often proficient in the use of longswords.
 * Sprites were known to sometimes wield miniature longswords.

Regions & Settlements

 * The militia of Corm Orp were armed with longswords.
 * Longswords were a common weapon among barbarians in the Desert's Edge.
 * Longswords were a common weapon throughout northwest Faerûn, including in the kingdom of Silverymoon and in High Forest.
 * Longswords were a common weapon throughout the Sword Coast, including in the city of Waterdeep.
 * Longswords were a common weapon on Evermeet.
 * In northeast Faerûn, longswords were a common weapon in the Aerie of the Snow Eagles and Thesk.
 * In interior Faerûn, longswords were a common weapon in the nation of Cormyr.
 * In southeast Faerûn, longswords were a common weapon in the nation of Luiren.
 * In the Lands of Intrigue, longswords were a common weapon in the nation of Amn.
 * In the Unapproachable East, longswords were a common weapon in the nation of Altumbel.
 * Beyond the Prime Material plane, long swords were a common weapon in Sildëyuir.

Trivia

 * Clerics of Tyr could create longswords of force with the spell spiritual weapon.

Background
The classic style of longsword often seen in Fantasy settings, such as the Forgotten Realms, was derived from designs of swords in Europe's Gothic period.