The voulge was a popular polearm variation on the axe and cleaver,[5] variously classified within either the poleaxe family of weapons[6] or the family of polearms that were derived from agricultural tools.[7]
Description[]
Voulges consisted of a long, stout shaft,[8][9][7] measuring 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 meters) in length,[8][9] mounted at the end with a large heavy cleaving blade.[8][9][7] Sometimes the top front or back edge of this blade was ground down,[7] giving it a narrowed spiked tip[9][7] and a hook-shaped fluke at its rear.[9]
Weaponology[]
A voulge stands in the center-right of a group of polearms.
The cleaving head of a voulge was used for the purpose of cleaving through armor,[9][7] aided by the leverage which their poles gave.[7] Those that featured a spiked tip or fluke at their end were better suited for keeping enemies at a distance.[7] And the spiked tip of a voulge was also used for piercing through armor.[9][7] They required two hands to wield.[4][10]
They were relatively easy to craft[5][9] and simple to learn how to wield,[5] But they were one of the slowest varieties of polearms.[9]
Availability[]
- The Weaponers of Cormyr sold voulges among their many types of polearms.[11]
History[]
The design of the voulge was originally derived from peasants fastening meat cleavers to the end of staves to form makeshift polearms.[12]
Notable Owners[]
- The Ravenian merchant Bendekar had multiple voulges in his home's expansive weapons collection.[13]
- Voulges were sometimes utilized by ninjas.[14]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Video Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
_2nd_edition.png){kind=link}
References[]
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 94. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), p. 129. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ari Marmell and Jason Bulmahn (May 2005). “The Point of Pole Arms”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #331 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 24.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 99. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 126. ISBN 0880380845.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 94. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 88. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
- ↑ Donald D. Miller (November 1987). “Two Hands Are Better Than One”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #127 (TSR, Inc.), p. 34.
- ↑ Strategic Simulations, Inc. (1989). Designed by George MacDonald. Curse of the Azure Bonds. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), pp. 125–126. ISBN 0880380845.
- ↑ John D. Rateliff (August 1993). A Handful of Dust. Living City (RPGA), p. 37.
- ↑ Aaron Allston (1995). The Complete Ninja's Handbook. Edited by Barbara G. Young. (TSR, Inc), p. 33. ISBN 0786901594.