Khopesh



A khopesh is an exotic, one-handed melee weapon that can be wielded like a sword or an axe.

Description
The khopesh typically has a handle like a knife rather than a hilt like a sword. The handle is about 6in (15cm) long with optional quillons. The blade extends straight for 8in to 2ft (21 to 60cm) and then becomes curved like a sickle with a sharp convex edge. The end of the blade is shaped to form a hook. An average khopesh costs 10gp and weighs 7lbs (3.5kg).

Weaponology
The khopesh is a specialized weapon, used in a slashing fashion like a sword or an axe. In fact, the khopesh probably evolved from the epsilon axe, which is a type of bardiche. The blade is long (overall weapon length can be up to 4ft or 120cm) and heavy, making this weapon slow to recover, especially after a missed swing. Like battleaxes, which are slightly smaller, khopeshes can be wielded with either one or two hands by creatures of roughly human size, dealing more damage when wielded with two, though at the cost of defense. Khopeshes are more brutal than most weapons, dealing at least minor wounds whenever it hits. Because of the unique shape of their curved blade, khopeshes can be used to hook a shield, snag an opponent's leg in an attempt to trip them, or even tangle an opposing weapon.

Realmslore
Bronze and iron khopesh swords first appear in Netheril in the year -3105 DR, serving as a primary military weapon for over a thousand years; both metals exist side-by-side in military and ceremonial functions, undergoing refinements until -2526 DR, when steel-making technology advances to the point where steel khopeshes are developed to deal with the newly introduced steel chain mail armour. These steel khopeshes continue to evolve until -2059 DR, when it ceases to be recognized as "khopeshes" and are known as "scimitars"

Khopeshes are commonly found and used in Calimshan and Zakhara.