The scimitar (pronounced: /ˈsɪmɪtɑːr/ SIM-i-tar[6]) was a one-handed, martial melee weapon of the sword family.[1]
Contents
Description
The scimitar was similar to the falchion in that it was a "backsword", sharpened on one edge and the other edge was thicker to give it strength. Scimitar blades were 2 to 3 feet (0.61 to 0.91 meters) long and almost always curved, though a few were angled like a khopesh.[7] Starting at the hilt, the blade might taper gradually to a point or might increase in width and then rapidly come to a point. The hilt was one-handed and had quillons.[8]
Weaponology
A ceremonial scimitar with scabbard.
Scimitars did not have the damaging power of longswords or other heavier swords, but with skill they could hit vital areas better than most. Using the one-sided, curved scimitar required special training and was therefore classified as a martial weapon.[1][2]
History
Scimitars first became available in the Netheril Empire in 1800 NY (−2059 DR). They had developed from the khopesh, which were created a thousand years prior. During this time scimitars were primarily utilized by drow.[9]
In later centuries, these blades were commonly favored by Calishites[10] and some druids.[11][12]
Notable scimitars
- Ashram: An enchanted, bronze scimitar that was forged by the church of Anhur centuries prior to the Dale reckoning.[13]
- Blade of larceny were enchanted scimitars used by the members of Myth Drannor's Thieves' Guild.[14]
- Icingdeath, the right handed weapon of the drow Drizzt Do'Urden.[15]
- Twinkle, Left handed weapon of Drizzt Do'Urden.[15]
- Hornblade, the personal weapon of the nature deity Mielikki.[16]
- Silver Scimitar of Amahl the Mad, a strongly enchanted silver scimitar that was commissioned by Amahl Shoon IV early in his reign as qysar of the Shoon Imperium.[17]
- Starzad a strongly enchanted scimitar forged by a genie in Qudra.[18]
- Scimitar of the fool, an enchanted scimitar that negatively affected the morale of its wielder.[19]
- Scimitar of shame[20]
- Scimitar of Souls, an enchanted scimitar that was the personal weapon of Iyachtu Xvim.[21]
- Whirling scimitar, an enchanted Zakharan scimitar that bestowed upon its wielder the ability to fly.[22]
Notable Users of Scimitars
Groups
- Scimitars were a commonly used weapon among members of the Anaconda Company.
Individuals
- Ali Haqim
- Amahl Shoon IV
- Anwar al-Sifr
- Aziza al-Nayyir
- Bahija bint Tufala
- Daryth
- Drizzt Do'Urden
- The demon lord Fierna was known to wield a long scimitar.
- Hargun Skullknuckle, the gnoll chief of the Bezantur police in the 14th century DR, typically wielded a scimitar.[23]
- Houndaer Tuin'Tarl
- Jalarkh Ohngate
- Jamid abd-Balduro
- Keyfa al-Parid
- Larala Dumian
- Milos Longreach, a eunuch bodyguard of the Red Wizard Naglatha, wielded a scimitar so massive that it was comparable to a bastard sword.[24]
- Osco Salibuck the Elder
- Pizentios
- Saleem ibn Ahogar
- Sisaspia
- Tannous al-Assad
- Theras
- Turhan al-Ruffik
- Umar bin Farid
- Vhondryl
- Zallara
- Zaroum Al-Saryak
Races
- Winged kenku often favored the use of scimitars in combat.[25]
Religions
- The deities Mielikki and Iyachtu Xvim were known to wield scimitars.
- Scimitars were the favored weapon of the deity Doresain.[26]
- Scimitars were the favored weapon of the deity Raxivort.[27]
- Scimitars were the favored weapon of the Untheric deity Utu.[28]
Appendix
Gallery
Scimitars from Turkey
Ottoman sultan scimitars
A Damascus scimitar
Appearances
- Video Games
- Dungeons & Dragons Online • Baldur's Gate III
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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. 109. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt (June 2008). Player's Handbook 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 218. ISBN 0-7869-4867-1.
- ↑ Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 28.
- ↑ 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. 120. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ slade, James Butler (November 1996). Netheril: Empire of Magic (The Winds of Netheril). (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 84. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ George Krashos (November 2000). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Soargar's Legacy”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #277 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 87.
- ↑ Stormfront Studios (2001). Designed by Mark Buchignani, Ken Eklund, Sarah W. Stocker. Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. Ubisoft Entertainment.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 177. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (July 1996). “Nemesis”. In Anthony J. Bryant ed. Dungeon #60 (TSR, Inc.), p. 57.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 144. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. Genie Lore. (TSR, Inc.), p. 61. ISBN 978-1560766476.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 82. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Steve Berman (February 1998). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Miracles of Flight”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #244 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 76–82.
- ↑ Steve Perrin (1988). Dreams of the Red Wizards. (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 0-88038-615-0.
- ↑ Steve Perrin (1988). Dreams of the Red Wizards. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-88038-615-0.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook, et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Two. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-8803-8753-X.
- ↑ Andy Collins, Bruce R. Cordell (October 2004). Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 15, 17. ISBN 0-7869-3433-6.
- ↑ Wesley Schneider (September 2007). “Class Acts: Forgotten Faiths”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #359 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 121.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 165. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
