Blowpipes, otherwise known as blowguns, were a type of exotic ranged weapon.[8]
Contents
Description[edit | edit source]
Blowpipes were long hollow tubes, ranging from 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 meters) in length.[1] Smaller blowpipes were generally made of wood. Larger blowpipes could be made out of any metallic substance and could double as clubs.[citation needed]
They came in varying sizes, depending on philosophy of use. When the user needs a medium ranged weapon, for hunting or fighting, the blowpipe is longer, about 2 to 4 feet long, and heavier and uses larger darts. When they need a small, concealable short range weapon they are 8 inches to 2 feet. Sometimes the blowpipe is foldable, allowing it to be concealed but also offering greater range and stopping power.[citation needed]
Usage[edit | edit source]
Some tribes were known to use stands to brace their blowpipes,[1] in order to prevent swaying.[9]
Beyond their purpose as a weapon, some were known to use blowpipes as breathing tubes for swimming underwater.[1][10]
Ammunition[edit | edit source]
A wide variety of ammunition were known to be used in blowpipes. This included blowgun darts, needles, and little pellets of hardened clay. Darts were the most commonly used form of ammunition, while needles were used to deliver poison and pellets were used in hunting small game.[1]
Blowgun darts were small arrows, with cotton or some other form of plant fiber used as fletching. This fletching made an efficient seal in the pipe, allowing for a greater build up of pressure from the wielder's breath.[1] Feathers were often attached to keep them stable in flight.[11]
Blowgun needles were typically 2 inches (0.051 meters) in length and made of iron. They were known to be sold in groups of twenty in small wooden cases. Poisons typically used with these needles included greenblood oil, bloodroot, blue whinnis, shadow essence, and deathblade.[8]
Varieties[edit | edit source]
- Netherpelter, a type of magical blowpipe that was developed by arcanists.[12]
- Tufenk, a type of blowpipe unique to the land of Zakhara.[13]
Notable Blowguns[edit | edit source]
Notable Users of Blowpipes[edit | edit source]
Individuals[edit | edit source]
Classes[edit | edit source]
- Ninjas were often known to use blowguns, either as weapons or a distraction.[10]
- Blowguns were a preferred weapon for priests among deities associated with wind.[16]
- Some Spirit Warriors were known to use blowguns.[17]
- Some wu-jen were known to use blowpipes.[18]
Nations[edit | edit source]
Races[edit | edit source]
- Grippli were known to occasionally use blowpipes.[1]
- In the land of Kara-tur the korobokuru, hsing-sing,[20] and people of Purang were often known to fight with blowguns.[21]
- The fabled "beastmen" of the Forbidden Plateau were said to have fought with bolas.[22]
- Qullan were well known for fighting with blowpipes.[23]
- Wild dwarves were known to frequently use blowpipes.[24]
Appendix[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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. 57. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 39. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 94. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 145. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Claudio Pozas, Robert J. Schwalb (April 2011). Player's Option: Heroes of Shadow. Edited by Michelle Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7869-5745-3.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 250. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1982). “New Weapons from Another Great Mind”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #64 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Aaron Allston (1995). The Complete Ninja's Handbook. Edited by . (TSR, Inc), p. 66. ISBN 0786901594.
- ↑ (December 1994). Encyclopedia Magica Volume I. (TSR, Inc.), p. 371. ISBN 1560768428.
- ↑ (November 1996). Netheril: Empire of Magic (Encyclopedia Arcana). (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
- ↑ (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 96. ISBN 978-1560763581.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 (December 1994). Encyclopedia Magica Volume I. (TSR, Inc.), p. 176. ISBN 1560768428.
- ↑ (June 1988). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Magical items for a less-than-serious NPC”. In ed. Dragon #134 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 42–44.
- ↑ (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ (1995). The Complete Ninja's Handbook. Edited by . (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0786901594.
- ↑ (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ (December 1994). “Heroes of Malatra”. In ed. Polyhedron #102 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.
- ↑ (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), pp. 12, 122. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume II). (TSR, Inc), p. 99. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ (December 1995). “Liber Benevolentiae”. In ed. Planes of Conflict (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-0309-0.
- ↑ (January 1998). The Spine of the World. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1180-8.
- ↑ (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 25. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
