Flail

A flail is a one-handed martial weapon.

Description
A flail is a melee weapon consisting of a short pole with a heavy metal ball attached by chain to the pole. The ball is often spiked. An average flail costs 8gp and weighs 5lbs (2.3kg).

In 2nd edition D&D, this weapon is called the horseman's flail.

Weaponology
Military flails evolved from tools used to thresh grain. In the Realms flails are often used by priests although several warriors of note, including the genasi Cephas preferred the flail to other weapons. Flails are typically used as one-handed weapons but there is a heavy flail and a dire flail that require two hands. Flails can be used to trip an opponent and the flexible chain increases the chance of entangling an enemy weapon and disarming them.

Notable flails

 * Flail of Ages, from the Baldur's Gate (game)