The bardiche was a member of the poleaxe family of polearms.[1][6]
Description[]
The bardiche was similar in design to the average battleaxe, but elongated.[1] They were rather broad and heavy,[6] with shafts measuring 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 meters) in length and large, narrow, curved axeheads measuring 24 to 32 inches (0.61 to 0.81 meters) in length[1] or 2‒3 ft (0.61‒0.91 m).[6] This axehead was mounted to its shaft by means of two metal rings,[6] the lower of which improved the axehead's strength and protected the bardiche's most exposed area from attacks.[1]
Weaponology[]
Bardiches were rather cumbersome and unwiedly,[6][7] more so than a halberd,[6] requiring more room to wield than a pike or spear.[1]
The upper half of the bardiche's axehead could be utilized for thrusting.[1]
Availability[]
Places in the Realms where one could purchase bardiches included:
History[]
Bardiches existed as far back as 650 DR, where they were used by some members of the Akh'Velahr.[9]
Notable Users[]
Groups[]
- The Hak-kubra tribe's members were widely outfitted with bardiches.[10]
- The Shieldbreakers, an ogre mercenary company in the Lands of Intrigue, were especially known to wield bardiches.[11]
Individuals[]
- The demon lord Baphomet and his avatar sometimes wielded a giant a bardiche.[12][13][14][15]
- The Ravenian merchant Bendekar had multiple bardiches in his home's expansive weapons collection.[16]
- Jhaax Dolbruin, a former adventurer working in the Yawning Portal, was revered at an expert in all forms of bardiche.[17]
- Naris, a servant of the vampire Bodhi, wielded a razor-sharp bardiche.[18]
- Owen, a young adventurer in Waterdeep.[19]
- Wynter wielded an enchanted bardiche.[20]
Races & Sentient Creatures[]
- Bardiches were among the prefferred weaponry of cyclopskin.[21]
- Some taller members of the kender race were liable to use bardiches.[22]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Video Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 85. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
- ↑ Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), pp. 122, 132. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
- ↑ Ari Marmell and Jason Bulmahn (May 2005). “The Point of Pole Arms”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #331 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 24.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0880380845.
- ↑ Ari Marmell and Jason Bulmahn (May 2005). “The Point of Pole Arms”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #331 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 23.
- ↑ Strategic Simulations, Inc. (1989). Designed by George MacDonald. Curse of the Azure Bonds. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 119. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ Aaron Allston (January 1987). Treasure Hunt. Edited by Steve Winter. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 9, 11–13. ISBN 0-88038-326-7.
- ↑ Tim Beach (1992). Gold & Glory. (TSR, Inc), p. 21. ISBN 1-56076-334-5.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), p. 81. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.
- ↑ Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1988). The Throne of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), p. 64. ISBN 0-8803-8560-X.
- ↑ Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
- ↑ John D. Rateliff (August 1993). A Handful of Dust. Living City (RPGA), p. 37.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (March 1996). “The Reports from Undermountain”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #227 (TSR, Inc.), p. 15.
- ↑ Philip Athans (September 2000). Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 18. ISBN 0-7869-1569-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Secrets of the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Jean Rabe (December 1991). Red Magic. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 11. ISBN 1-56076-118-0.
- ↑ Johnathan M. Richards (December 1998). “The Ecology of the Cyclopskin”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #254 (TSR, Inc.), p. 104.
- ↑ Roger E. Moore (September 1985). “All about the kender”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #101 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.