Bardiche

The bardiche was a member of the poleaxe family of polearms.

Description
The bardiche was similar in design to the average battleaxe, but elongated. They were rather broad and heavy, with shafts measuring in length and large, narrow, curved axeheads measuring  in length or. This axehead was mounted to its shaft by means of two metal rings, the lower of which improved the axehead's strength and protected the bardiche's most exposed area from attacks.

Weaponology
Bardiches were rather cumbersome and unwiedly, more so than a halberd, requiring more room to wield than a pike or spear.

The upper half of the bardiche's axehead could be utilized for thrusting.

Availability
Places in the Realms where one could purchase bardiches included:
 * The Weaponers of Cormyr.

History
Bardiches existed as far back as 650 DR, where they were used by some members of the Akh'Velahr.

Groups

 * The Hak-kubra tribe's members were widely outfitted with bardiches.
 * The Shieldbreakers, an ogre mercenary company in the Lands of Intrigue, were especially known to wield bardiches.

Individuals

 * The demon lord Baphomet and his avatar sometimes wielded a giant a bardiche.
 * Jhaax Dolbruin, a former adventurer working in the Yawning Portal, was revered at an expert in all forms of bardiche.
 * Naris, a servant of the vampire Bodhi, wielded a razor-sharp bardiche.
 * Owen, a young adventurer in Waterdeep.
 * Wynter wielded an enchanted bardiche.

Races & Sentient Creatures

 * Bardiches were among the prefferred weaponry of cyclopskin.
 * Some taller members of the kender race were liable to use bardiches.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Treasure Hunt • The Throne of Bloodstone
 * Novels
 * Red Magic • Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn • Sea of Swords
 * Video Games
 * Pool of Radiance • Curse of the Azure Bonds • Gateway to the Savage Frontier