Handaxes were a type of light, martial melee weapon in the axe family.[5]
Description[]
Handaxes were similar to hatchets in size and shape. Their shafts were usually made of wood, though metal was sometimes used.[7] Their blades were single-edged and their back sides were either unadorned, spiked, or had a peen. Handaxes were heavier than throwing axes and not balanced enough to be used effectively as a thrown weapon.[8]
Weaponology[]
Classified as a light weapon, handaxes were often used while grappling an opponent. Because some training was required to use them effectively as an off-hand weapon in conjunction with another, they were typically considered as martial weapons.[9]
Notable Handaxes[]
- Sky Cleaver, the legendary handaxe of the giant god Annam All-Father.[10]
- Snowbeard's avalanche axe
Notable Users of Handaxes[]
Classes[]
- Fugitive slaves that had escaped from farms were liable to be wield handaxes due to experience with chopping wood.[11]
Individuals[]
Races & Sentient Creatures[]
- Alaghi hunters were typically trained in the use of handaxes.[12]
- Dwarves were known to favor handaxes as an off-hand weapon.[13]
- Handaxes were a common weapon among both human and demihuman races all across Faerun.[14]
- Approximately a quarter of all Scro fighting forces were likely to be armed with handaxes.[15]
Regions & Settlements[]
Religions[]
- Handaxes were a favored weapon of the deities Gaknulak and Nomog-Geaya. They were also featured in the holy symbol of the latter.[17]
Appendix[]
See also[]
Appearances[]
- Adventures
- Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
- Video Games
- Pool of Radiance • Secret of the Silver Blades • Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Treasures of the Savage Frontier • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance • Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the Beholder • Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II • Sword Coast Legends • Baldur's Gate III • Warriors of Waterdeep
- Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
- War of Everlasting Darkness
Gallery[]
A pair of Waterdhavian handaxes, from the late 15th century DR.
A pair of handaxes made out of bone, from the late 15th century DR.
A handaxe.
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.
Handaxes article at the Baldur's Gate 3 Community Wiki, a community wiki for Baldur's Gate 3.- Tomahawk (axe) article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 172–173. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
- ↑ 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 (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 35, 37. 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.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 116. 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.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 95. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Roger E. Moore (January 1999). Demihumans of the Realms. (TSR, Inc.), p. 86. ISBN 0-7869-1316-9.
- ↑ David Cook (1991). Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix (MC11). (TSR, Inc), p. 4. ISBN l-56076-111-3.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Roger E. Moore (January 1999). Demihumans of the Realms. (TSR, Inc.), p. 73. ISBN 0-7869-1316-9.
- ↑ Scott Davis, Newton Ewell, John Terra (1991). Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix 2. Edited by Allen Varney. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 1-56076-071-0.
- ↑ Uncredited (December 1994). “Heroes of Malatra”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #102 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.
- ↑ Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), pp. 50, 55. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.