Shattered Kingdoms

Someone hasn't done much impact play~

I know where a sweet two handed cold-iron katana is.

*Chem picks up a broken slither of metal* "Now this here was a 刀, a katana made in the Maru style. Rare not so much in that it was folded in alternating axis - 8 times each - but that it was the sole surviving weapon created illegally by an apprentice who went on to graduate as Mukansa and eventually Juyo Mukei Bunkazai before the earlier transgressions were uncovered and all of swords produced were destroyed. Only after death was it discovered that the smith was in fact female.

*Chem points to a broken sword handle that appears as though it once sported a foil* "That competition foil belonged to Andrea Cassarà who smashed it while drunkenly fencing a Greek statue after winning the gold medal in Athens."


...sorry Chemmie. Couldn't resist.

I remember hearing a story about a swordsmith who was resting in his home and heard the smith next door, and heard the smith make too many hammerings to be etching his proper name... so he ran over there and caught him forging his own name on a blade.

The katana is a versatile weapon capable of being wielded either one handed or two handed as the situation permits. When wielded with one hand you lose control, but gain the versatility of using a offhanded defensive weapon or buckler if you prefer this fighting style. This method was only used against inferior opponents. When wielded with two hands, you gain considerable control over the blade allowing for more complex maneuvers and better reaction time. This method was used against equal or superior opponents.

You can find people today effectively using both methods. In this fantasy world who is to say that you don't consider everyone else inferior. But really, they should have permitted it to be wielded both ways.

What's that I hear?

When you swing both ways you never miss?

You don't only lose control, but grip and power over the Katana. The sword was never meant for one handed use. The blade is too long and thick. I own three, and just from playing with them you need some real arm strength to effectively swing and maneuver the weapon, and even more strength to not lose your grip on the sword when you strike or parry.

So...someone who can carry four hundred plus pounds doesn't "realistically" have enough hand strength. Don't these swords only weigh like...three pounds in real life?

Also...what about using this argument against long-swords and bastard swords. Were they not originally meant and used as two handed swords?

lol. good point. Human mercs can carry what, like 425lbs all day? They can SWIM with 425lbs!

Quiet about zomg, that's not a 1-handed weapon. And if I want to beat somebody to death with a german soldier or wthever, I'm damn well entitled to do it! Fantasy Game. Shush. Do you know what 'realism' has gotten us? Shovels.

Does sound like this discussion needs to be dead... and buried. Shovels indeed.