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. For example, those made in Shou Lung often had a butterfly-shaped tip. However, the length of longswords generally 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.

Notable longswords

 * Angul, the longsword of Kiril Duskmourn and Raidon Kane
 * Blackrazor
 * Chondathan steelsword: A broad-bladed longsword that was good at breaking other weapons.
 * Cormanthyrian elfblade, a +1 magic longsword with the keen quality.
 * Dragonstooth
 * Evithyan's Blade
 * Faervian
 * Floating Blade of Shin Lu
 * Hornblade
 * Ilbratha, a +1 longsword forged for King Azoun Obarskyr I.
 * Mamluk sword of obedience
 * Moonrill
 * One Thousand Broken Dreams
 * Nightwatcher, a netherese +3 adamantine longsword.
 * Reluraun's Hoarcut
 * Shimmering Blade of Shin Ginsen
 * Sword of the Dales
 * Wyrmsheart

Longswords of Deities

 * Checkmate, the longsword of the Red Knight
 * Justice blade and Justicar, the longswords of Tyr
 * Mortal Strike, the longsword of Oghma
 * 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.
 * Talon, the longsword of Aldith Tresendar
 * Weaveshear, the longsword of Erevis Cale

Classes

 * Dambraii runaways were often trained in the use of longswords.
 * Advisors in the Elven Imperial Fleet often counted longswords among their personal armaments.
 * Some gladiators specialized in the use of longswords, including the fugitive gladiators of Hillsfar.
 * Glorious servitors were typically proficient in the use of longswords.
 * Manhunters often wielded longswords.
 * Paladins often favored longswords.

Groups

 * Many mercenary groups in Chessenta outfitted their infantry with longswords, including the Renegades, the Sailors of the Crimson Sea, and the Society of the Sword.
 * All units within the Company of the Singing Dawn mercenary company wielded longswords. Though the unit Solara's Elite wielded longswords with dusky pink stones embedded in their hilt.
 * Longswords were often the weapon of choice for warriors in the Purple Dragons.
 * Detachments of the Red Plumes were typically outfitted with longswords.
 * Most members of the Red Ravens were outfitted with longswords.
 * One of the three units of the Red Thunder Mercenary Corps were known to wield longswords.
 * Longswords were a typical armament of the mounted patrols of the Riders in Red Cloaks.
 * Longswords were the standard armament of the Sisterhood of the Oaks.
 * Longswords were the standard armament of the Veteran Guild of Ravens Bluff.
 * 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

 * Araevin Teshurr
 * Chassan
 * Dagult Neverember
 * Dalvar Corzon
 * Duromil
 * Filsaelene Merwyst
 * Flambos Axemaster
 * Florin Falconhand
 * Furifax
 * Gayrlana
 * Hamsetis
 * Merith Strongbow
 * Sharantyr
 * Torm
 * Tzarrakyn
 * Vesryn Aelorothi
 * Wanang Sun
 * Wessalen Arturia

Magic

 * Some spells required a longsword as a material component, such as sword of darkness.

Races & Intelligent Creatures

 * Elves were often proficient in the use of longswords. They were especially favored by avariels and moon elves.
 * Longswords were one of many weapons favored by shield dwarves and urdunnirs.
 * Sprites were known to sometimes wield miniature longswords.
 * A variety of undead creatures were known to wield longswords, including baneguards, direguards, and dreads.
 * The human ethnic group Uthgardts often utilized 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, Thesk, and Damara.
 * In interior Faerûn, longswords were a common weapon in the nations of Cormyr and Chondath.
 * 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 nations of Amn and Calimshan.
 * 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.

Religions

 * The specialty priests of Cyric, the Cyric-swords, solely carried longswords and daggers.
 * The specialty priests of Mielikki, the woodscouts, often favored longswords.
 * The specialty priests of Shaundakul, the windriders, often favored longswords.

Trivia

 * Clerics of Tyr could create longswords of force with the spell spiritual weapon.
 * A silver longsword, outlined against a silver moon, was the holy symbol of Eilistraee.
 * Longswords were the favored weapon of a variety of deities, including Corellon Merrshaulk, Sess'innek, and Tchazzar.

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.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Descent to Undermountain • Icewind Dale • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II