Handaxes were a type of light, martial melee weapon in the axe family.[5]
Contents
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
- Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
- War of Everlasting Darkness
Gallery[]
A handaxe.
External Links[]
Tomahawk (axe) article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. (TSR, Inc), pp. 172–173. ISBN 978-0786912377.
- ↑ 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.
