Friday, May 12, 2017

Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!

"But a small dark figure that none had observed sprang out of the shadows and gave a hoarse shout: Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! An axe swung and swept back. Two Orcs fell headless. The rest fled." (Tolkien, The Two Towers)

A small selection of common dwarven melee weapons is presented below for your hewing pleasure. (These assume dwarves are SM 0, short for a human but broadly built, and serious melee combatants.  I can't bring myself to make dwarves SM -1, I think it makes them a little too comical.)
Dwarven Weapons
Melee Weapons
Weapon (Skill)DamageReachParryCostWeightSTNotes
Bearded Axe (Axe/Mace)sw+2 cut10$2504 lbs11Dwarven
Crow's Beak (Axe/Mace)sw+3 cr10$7006 lbs13Fine, Dwarven
sw+2 imp10---May get stuck (B405)
Dwarven Greataxe (Two-H Axe/Mace)sw+4 cut1,2*0$5008 lbs13Dwarven
Dwarven Warhammer (Two-H Axe/Mace)sw+4 cr1,2*0$8758 lbs13Fine, Dwarven
sw+5 imp1,2*0---May get stuck (B405)
Tunnel Spear (Spear)thr+3 imp2,3*0U$4205 lbs11Fine, Balanced (+1 to skill)
w/two handsthr+4 imp2,3*0--10

For the Dwarven modifier, see GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 1, p.26.

Bearded Axe - The head of this axe extends down towards the haft somewhat, making it especially suitable for the Hook technique (Martial Arts, p.74).  May also be used two-handed for +1 damage.

Crow's Beak - A one-handed hammer with a backspike, may be used two-handed for +1 damage.

Dwarven Warhammer - Built using Low-Tech Companion 2 rules as a Warhammer with a Hammer Head (p.14).

Tunnel Spear - Dwarves are experts in holding tactical chokepoints against hordes of foes.  Even a small settlement may have a rack of these placed near gates and bridges, to ensure an advancing intruder pays for every foot in blood.  Its lower Min ST requirement than the typical warrior axe also means that those too young or old for the front line can usefully contribute to defense, often All-Out Attacking from the third rank.



3 comments:

  1. I like the idea that a society famed for its smithing would have weapons stocked up at the gates for easy access. If you have a lot of a resource, it makes sense that you'd keep them handy.

    Hm, would it make sense to give the Dwarf Template a level of Gizmo specifically aimed at small knives, can-openers, other metal shop knickknacks?

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    Replies
    1. Gizmo seems better for occupational templates than something every Dwarf has in their racial template. D&D gnomes though...

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