The banurak is a natural extension of the hammer nearly every Dwarf learns to swing against the anvil during apprenticeships in the craft halls. It is typically heavy, square-headed, and backed by a curved spike or beak which is useful for smashing through plate armors. Most are also fitted with a sharp spike at the top, enabling the weapon to be used as a thrusting weapon causing 1d3 points of damage.
The banurak is typically a one-handed weapon but can be wielded two-handed if the shaft is lengthened enough to accommodate the second hand.
"The banurak is both weapon and tool. It
is excellent for shattering shields and breaking armor and is
better than any long sword when fighting skeletons. It can also
be used for spiking doors closed or battering them open. You
can also throw your banurak as far as your dagger, and do more
damage when it gets there, too. Many Dwarven adventurers keep
a banurak as a good secondary weapon. And, for those of us whose
gods don't like edged weapons, the banurak is more than acceptable."
-- Kheldus Stonecutter, Dwarven Priest of Durill
The bloodrose is an Elven missile weapon modeled after the shuriken of Kara-Tur, typically four or five sharp blades arranged radially from a central hub. Larger than the Kara-turian shuriken, the bloodrose is thrown much like a discus with the strength of the whole arm rather than a flick of the wrist.
The blades of a bloodrose are wickedly barbed and cause an additional 1d4 points of damage when pulled free.
Hollow, and designed with numerous channels along the interior, the bloodrose will strike a major artery on any attack roll of a natural 20, and will cause an additional 1d4 points of damage from blood loss until it is pulled free of the wound.
"Though it does comparable damage, the bloodrose
does not have the range of even a poor quality short bow. However,
its psychological effects more than make up for its lack of range.
One can gain a significant advantage in battle while your opponent
debates whether to pull the bloodrose free, and suffer more damage,
or leave it and slowly bleed to death."
-- Orrian'tanur-Tellanuramaturani, Hyrrianethani
Ranger
The khuraath, or Dwarven battle axe, is the standard double-bladed axe of the Dwarven military. Too large to be wielded one-handed, the khuraath is a fearsome weapon with a haft nearly the height of its wielder. The khuraath is well designed for the shorter stature of the Dwarven people, increasing their reach and allowing them to put their weight behind the swing.
Khuraath figure heavily in Dwarven heraldry and artwork, being considered a symbol of strength and battle prowess.
The khuraath is a favorite weapon of the Dwarven battlerager, enabling the infliction of terrible damage against opponents much larger than any dwarf. Armies of the world have reason to fear a battalion of Dwarven axemen.
"The haft of a khuraath fits as natural
into a Dwarf's hands as does the pick, the shovel, or the forge
hammer. It is as indispensable a tool in warfare as the pick
is in mining. Its damage is respectable and it is effective against
armored opponents, too. Sure, you can't throw one with any degree
of accuracy, but that's what crossbows are for!"
- Barduran Steelfist, Dwarven military commander
The dhuraka, or Dwarven falchion, is a sword with a single-edged, heavy blade. The blade's back is straight, while the edge consists of two straight edges joined in an obtuse angle near the front of the blade. The blade also broadens close to the tip, which gives the blade a cleaver-like appearance and increases the damage inflicted. The sword is heavy, which also contributes to a fearsome cutting blow.
The weight and balance of the dhuraka is perfect for the stature and physical structure of Dwarves allowing them to put a great deal of their considerable weight and low center-of-gravity behind the swing of their swords.
"Those who claim that fighting is an art
have never stood shoulder to shoulder with his comrades in narrow
hallways fighting back wave after wave of crazed goblin attackers
intent on destroying your homes and families. There is no time
for art in such situations. In truth, battle is about hacking
down your enemies as quickly as possible until their are no enemies
left to attack you. The dhuraka is the perfect weapon for cleaving
the skull of a goblin or an orc."
-- Durmar Hammerhand, Dwarven Veteran Warrior
The ehravel is a short sword designed to take maximum advantage of the stature and quickness of the Halfling people. The blade is double edged and has a pronounced diamond cross-section. The hilt is sized to fit a small Halfling hand well, making it a difficult weapon for larger races to wield, with longer, forward-facing quillions which offer a +1 bonus to Parry maneuvers. The pommel is typically larger to offset the weight of the blade. The Ehravel is as finely balanced as a throwing dagger.
"The ehravel is the favored melee weapon
of my people. It is one of the few weapons in the world made
with our needs in mind. Good balance, light, and swift, it is
a weapon which mirrors the soul of us Small Folk."
-- Thallin Thistlehill, Halfling adventurer
The shiar'en, typically called the Elven rapier, is a swift, elegant, and deadly weapon in the hands of an Elven warrior. The hilt of the shiar'en always consists of either a curved knuckle guard or a full basket hilt; offering a +1 bonus to Parry maneuvers. In addition, most have spiked guards which are treated like a metal gauntlet (see the Player's Handbook, Chapter 9) when used for punching attacks. The blade of the shiar'en is singled-edged and resembles a slender katana with slightly less curve to the blade. It is primarily a slashing weapon, but the chisel point can also be used to penetrate armor.
While the rapier is a fasionable weapon of the nobility,
the shiar'en is the standard blade of the Elven warrior and nearly
all Elves can wield it with some degree of proficiency.
"I dance to the music of my shiar'en, bringing
death to the enemies of my people and my homeland. In my hands,
my shiar'en are instruments like no other. Fangs of the wolf,
claws of the lion, talons of the eagle; my shiar'en are these and
more."
-- Faonna'akai-Terralanamoradrianius, Silvaranethani
BladeDancer
| Item | |||||||||||
| Banurak | |||||||||||
| Bloodrose | |||||||||||
| Khuraath | |||||||||||
| Sword | |||||||||||
| Dhuraka2 | |||||||||||
| Ehravel2 | |||||||||||
| Shiar'en2 | |||||||||||
Return to Races page.