Greatswords were a type of two-handed, martial sword.[2]
Description[]
A derivative of the longsword,[4] the greatsword was the largest member of the sword family, requiring two hands to wield it. The hilt was elongated to accommodate this extra grip and the blade was doubled-edged. Some versions had parrying hooks (Parierhaken) on their blade, about 4‒8 in (0.1‒0.2 m) away from the guard. The blades were typically dull between their parrying hooks and guard so that they could be gripped there.[2]
Weaponology[]
Due to their size and weight greatswords required a good deal of training in order to wield effectively. Thus, they were classified as a martial weapon. Greatswords with parrying hooks could be gripped with one hand between the hooks and the guard, and the other on the hilt, allowing the weapon to be used in a pole arm fashion. The greatsword was generally recognized by adventurers as a reliable, powerful weapon.[5]
Availability[]
Business and merchants in the Realms where one could purchase greatswords from included:
- A number of merchants in Athkatla's market Waukeen's Promenade commonly sold greatswords, including the merchant Hes, the weaponsmith Maheer el Saddith, the merchant Mira, and Ribald Barterman from his store Adventurer Mart. In the Bridge district, one could find them for sale at the street-side stall of Bel Dalemark.[6]
- A number of general stores in the southern districts of Baldur's Gate sold greatswords.[4]
- Candlekeep Inn.[4]
- Conlan's smithy, a blacksmith shop in Kuldahar sold greatswords.[7]
- Elence Fielding, a merchant in Imnesvale, sold greatswords.[6]
- The inn within the hamlet of Friendly Arm sold greatswords.[4]
- Maheer el Saddith, a traveling merchant.[6]
- Maltz's Weapon Shop.[4]
- Pomab's Emporium, a general store in Easthaven, sold greatswords.[7]
- The Tankard Tree, a tavern in Saradush, sold both mundane and generically enchanted greatswords.[8]
- Ulgoth's Beard inn's owner sold greatswords on the side, alongside a variety of general adventuring equipment.[9]
- The Zephir's owner Zakee Rafeha sold greatswords in his inn on the side, alongside a variety of general adventuring equipment.[8]
Varieties[]
- Flamberges were a type of greatsword.[10][11] They were commonly wielded by armanites[12] and in the late 15th century DR, one could find both fighters and paladins wielding ones that were crafted from black iron.[13]
- Zweihanders were a type of greatsword.[11] In the late 15th century DR, one could find fighters wielding zweihanders that were crafted from black iron.[13]
Notable Greatswords[]
- Abyssal blade, an unholy ehancted greatsword wielded by blackguards.[14]
- Ansrivarr, the ceremonial sword of the nation of Cormyr.
- Carsomyr, the powerful Holy Avenger.
- Gram the Sword of Grief.[8]
- Duty's Bond, the favored weapon of Torm, the god of protection.
- Ir'revrykal, the evil githyanki-forged weapon, said to have been forged in Tu'narath.
- Sword of Shadows, the favored weapon of Shaundakul, the god of travelers.
- Warblade, an enchanted greatsword that came from the barbarian tribes of the North.[6]
Notable Users[]
Individuals[]
- Cattack.[4]
- Kresselack, a barbarian king, wielded an enchanted greatsword.[7]
- Glaicus, the bodyguard of Lord de'Arnise.[6]
- Shar-Teel Dosan.[4]
Races & Sentient Creatures[]
- Greatswords were common among flinds across the Sword Coast[4] and more rarely among flinds in Amn.[6]
- Ogre berserkers in the Sword Coast commonly wielded greatswords.[4]
- The wang-liang of Kara-Tur were often known to wield bronze greatswords.[15]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Video Games
Pool of Radiance series (Pool of Radiance • Curse of the Azure Bonds • Secret of the Silver Blades • Pools of Darkness) • Neverwinter Nights (AOL game) • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Menzoberranzan • Descent to Undermountain • Baldur's Gate series (Baldur's Gate • Tales of the Sword Coast • II: Shadows of Amn • II: Throne of Bhaal • Enhanced Edition • II: Enhanced Edition) • Icewind Dale series (Icewind Dale • Heart of Winter • Enhanced Edition) • Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II • Neverwinter • Sword Coast Legends • Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms • Warriors of Waterdeep
Card Games
Gallery[]
A Waterdhavian greatsword from the late 15th century DR.
A masterwork greatsword from Icewind Dale.
Photo example of greatswords with and without parrying hooks
External Links[]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.
Two-handed Sword article at the Baldur's Gate Wiki, a wiki for the Baldur's Gate games.- Two-Handed Sword article at the Icewind Dale Wiki, a wiki for the Icewind Dale game.
- Greatswords article at the Baldur's Gate 3 Community Wiki, a community wiki for Baldur's Gate 3.
- Greatsword article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
- Flamberge article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
- Zweihander article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 117. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt (June 2008). Player's Handbook 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 218. ISBN 0-7869-4867-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 BioWare (December 1998). Designed by James Ohlen. Baldur's Gate. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 118. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 BioWare (September 2000). Designed by James Ohlen, Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Black Isle Studios (June 2000). Designed by Matt Norton. Icewind Dale. Interplay.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 BioWare (June 2001). Designed by Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ BioWare (May 1999). Designed by James Ohlen. Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ Jason Carl (January 2001). Sword and Fist. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 75. ISBN 0-7869-1829-2.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
- ↑ Jon Pickens ed. (November 1996). Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 103. ISBN 0786904496.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cryptic Studios (June 2013). Neverwinter. Perfect World Entertainment.
- ↑ Beamdog (November 2013). Designed by Philip Daigle, et al. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. Beamdog.
- ↑ Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-851-X.