Steel bastard sword

Steel bastard sword Manufacturing Object type Weapons Skill used Manufacturing weapons Time 3 day(s) Objects steel bastard sword blade medium steel hilt Tools bronze or steel peen hammer Machines bronze or iron anvil Rot and repair Rot 4 points per day 20 points per day of use Repair 150 points per hour

Holdable object General properties Attack 37 Skillweight 60% Weight 140 grams Visible yes

Description and uses

The term "bastard" is used to indicate that a thing doesn't fit within any of the normal categories used for classification. In this case it indicates that the sword is neither a single-handed sword such as the gladius, spatha and short sword, nor is it a true two-handed sword such as the long-sword. The grip is longer than is necessary for one hand but is not really long enough for a full two-handed grip. For this reason the bastard sword is sometimes called the "hand-and-a-half" sword.

While it is not a great deal longer than the traditional single-handed swords, the extra leverage of a second hand-grip, and the additional power from the strength of a second arm, make it a very powerful weapon. The improved control of the two-hand grip also provides greater accuracy.

The bastard sword is better than the single-handed edged weapons while only weighing a few more grams. It is very much lighter than the two-handed weapons but causes very nearly as much damage.