Halberd

A halberd was a member of the poleaxe family of polearm.

Description
The business end of a halberd consisted of three parts: the axe-head, the back spike and the spear tip. While many pole arms had a similar structure, halberds had a few distinguishing features. Their axe-heads were concave (curving inward) to nearly straight, instead of convex like most axes. They were also set at an angle to the shaft, instead of being mounted perpendicular. Their back spikes were fairly short and angled slightly downward. Some had spear tips that were long and slender, while others were medium length and broader (often on ceremonial weapons).

The average halberd measured in length, or longer with their spear tips.

Weaponology
Halberds were extremely versatile against a wide range of opponents due to ability to unleash slashing, piercing, or tripping/dismounting attacks. However, their large size was often considered detrimental when fighting in close quarters. They were also quite effective against plate armor.

Halberdiers could attack the flanks of a pike formation with great effect, due to pikemen being unable to bring their much longer weapons to bear in close combat.

Availability
Places in the Realms where one could purchase halberds included:
 * Aunsible Durn, a smithy in the town of Ghars, Cormyr, produced halberds that outfitted a number of local farmhands.
 * The Weaponers of Cormyr.

History
Halberds first became available in the Netheril Empire in.

Around 1372 DR, the Zhentarim were smuggling halberds into Daggerford with the frigate Barracuda.

Prior to 1371 DR, the average halberd cost 10 gp and weighed. After 1371 DR, and up to the Spellplague, the price of halberds remained the same, but weighed.

Notable Halberds

 * Arc Asunder
 * Blackmist
 * Chesley Crusher
 * Chieftain Halberd
 * Daggerford Blade, an enchanted halberd that belonged to Nayeli Goldflower.
 * Dredging claw
 * Duskblade, an enchanted halberd that belonged to the shadow Patrick.
 * Fayr's halberd, an enchanted halberd that belonged to Bedwyn Fayr.
 * Gloomgate, an enchanted sentient halberd that belonged to Gamaliel.
 * Halberd of sparks
 * Halberd of vigilance
 * The Icon of Power, an enchanted halberd that was issued to the garrison of the Black Spires of the Maiden.
 * Ravager
 * The Wave

Groups

 * The Company of the Black Snake.
 * The Trading Company outfitted a majority of its mercenaries with halberds.

Individuals

 * Arganon, an adventurer from Long Reach that once wielded the Wave.
 * Bort, a barbarian gnoll.
 * Eagus, a mercenary.
 * Kane, a monk of the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, was proficient in the use of halberds.
 * Redtoe, a verbeeg guardsman.
 * Seker's avatars often wielded +3 halberds.
 * Yuan ti.

Races & Sentient Species

 * Dracon were often fond of using halberds.
 * Hadozee often favored the use of halberds.
 * Among the oni, go-zu oni and me-zu oni were often skilled in the use of halberds.
 * Among the rilmani, halbers were a favored weapon of many aurumachs and ferrumachs.
 * Among the tanar'ri, halberds were sometimes used by armanites.

Regions & Settlements

 * Castle Hartwick outfitted some members of the Giant Guard with halberds.
 * The Ginger Palace's soldiers were outfitted with halberds.
 * On the Rock of Bral, the ruler Prince Andru was followed around by bodyguards wielding halberds.
 * The guards of the Royal Court of Myth Drannor were outfitted with halberds of vigilance.
 * Halberds were a common weapon among the armed forces of Shadowdale.
 * Halberds were a common weapon among the armed forces of the Sembian cities Ordulin and Yhaunn.
 * The city of Zazesspur outfitted its guardmen with halberds made of bronze during the Tethyrian Interregnum.

Religions

 * The Shrine of Swords, a shrine dedicated to Tempus, typically had a minimum of twenty halberds in its cache of weapons during peacetime.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Ruins of Adventure • Waterdeep • The Ship of Night • Halls of the High King • Keys from the Golden Vault: "Prisoner 13"


 * Novels
 * The Ogre's Pact • The Veiled Dragon • The Council of Blades • War in Tethyr • Star of Cursrah • Lady of Poison • The Rite • Master of Chains • Crypt of the Moaning Diamond
 * Video Games
 * Pool of Radiance • Curse of the Azure Bonds • Secret of the Silver Blades • Pools of Darkness • Eye of the Beholder • Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Treasures of the Savage Frontier • Menzoberranzan • Ravenloft: Stone Prophet • Icewind Dale • Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Sword Coast Legends • Neverwinter Nights • Warriors of Waterdeep