Longsword

The longsword is an extremely common and very versatile weapon. It is typically of western design, though all Faerûnian cultures exhibit weapons of similar design and intent. The classic, straight blade is a favorite of many paladins. It is generally laid out in a cruciform pattern with four major sections; the blade, the crossguard, the handle, and the pommel. It has a long, straight, double-edged blade and is typically wielded with one hand by creatures of roughly human size. Some varying designs have a handle large enough for two hands, or at least most of the second hand, which allows warriors who use two hands to wield a longsword to put additional attack power behind their blows.

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.

Specific examples

 * Cormanthyrian elfblade : A +1 magic longsword with the keen quality.
 * Stealthwhisper and Shadowblade : A pair of magical longswords belonging to the deity Mask.
 * Chondathan steelsword : A broad-bladed sword that is good at breaking other weapons.

Notable longswords

 * Angul, the longsword of Kiril Duskmourn and Raidon Kane
 * Justicar, the longsword of Tyr
 * Razor's Edge, the longsword of Cyric
 * Sahandrian, the longsword of Corellon
 * Stealthwhisper, the longsword of Mask
 * Weaveshear, the longsword of Erevis Cale
 * Justice blade, the longsword of the church of Tyr
 * Talon, the longsword of Aldith Tresendar

Trivia
What is called a longsword here would more accurately be referred to as an arming sword in the real world. The primary difference is that longswords are longer and require two hands, but can be used in one, while arming swords are one handed but can be used with two hands if needed. A sword that falls between the two is called a bastard sword, or a hand-and-a-half sword.