Weapons of Gor


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Battle Axe {Kurii}
A huge axe wielded by the members of the Kurii race who have become native to Gor. It has a four inch thick round handle of green needlewood,about eight feet in length, and is equipped with a fixed double-bladed iron axe head, the blade of which is over two feet wide and razor sharp. It is typically used in conjunction with a wide round iron shield some four feet in diameter.

Battle Axe {TorvaldsLander}
This weapon is described as single bladed axe of hardened iron, with a blade of anywherfrom 8 to 14 inches in width. It is mounted on a thick wooden handle and also it usually has a wrist thong attached to the end of the handle, which enables it to be easily retained during combat.Used in conjunction with a round iron-bound shield wood and hardened leather.book 8

Bolo
consists of three long straps of leather, each about five feet long, each terminating in a leather sack which contains, sewn inside, a heavy round metal weight. Developed for hunting fleet-footed and flighted game it is also used as a weapon of war. Thrown low the long straps,with their approximate ten-footsweep, strike the victim and the weighted balls, as soon as resistance is met, whip about the victim's legs tangling and tightening the straps.... Thrown high it can pin a man's arms to his sides; thrown at the throat it can strangle him; thrown at the head the whipping weights can crush his skull. Once a victim is entangled with the bola, typically another weapon, usually a quiva, is then utilized to dispatch the victim if he or she still lives.

Crossbow {Cavalry}
Similar in most respects to the larger crossbow, though instead of possessing a heavy metal bow, it has a much lighter bow of layered wood and horn. It is slightly smaller in overall size than its heavy cousin and is equipped with a metal stirrup at the firing end, enabling it to be more quickly restrung and drawn from kailla or tarnback. see card two..... Though it is originally mentioned quite early in the series as a "light crossbow" or "sporting crossbow," it is finally described (somewhat) in book #17, Savages of Gor.

Crossbow
The standard infantry missle weapon of Gor. It consists of a heavy, flexible bow of tempered steel, perhaps 18" across (when bent), mounted on a heavy wooden stock about two feet long, with a trigger mechanism built into the shaped handle. It can fire several types of spiked, smooth tipped or broad bladed quarrels, with enough force to penetrate wooden walls, doors or human bodies with relative ease. an effective range of approximately 150 meters for aimed fire, and can strike a target at up to 200 meters when fired into a press of bodies.Slow to reload, it is commonly redrawn through use of a "goat's-foot" hook or a cranequin (bow crank). Quarrels,bolts," are carried by the user in a belt-case or quiver.

Dagger common
This is a very common weapon, a simple or ornate handle fitted with either a double or single-edged blade of sharpened steel. Daggers upon Gor take many forms depending upon the needs and whims of their users, and such weapons are the most common form of side-arm used Counter-Earth, used by persons of all ages and castes, disparaged by professional warriors as a "woman's weapon,"

gorean daggers
can range from four to eight inches in length, and can be found in every city in various forms. It is worn openly in a belt-sheath or concealed beneath one's clothing, often strapped to the wrist beneath the owner's sleeve, tucked into the collar daggersbehind the neck, or hidden in a boot. Used by many freewomen as a personal means of self-defence.

Great {Peasent} Bow
A long bow typically made from the wood of the ka-la-na tree or sometimes of temwood. Unstrung it is over six feet in length, and can require a pull of up to 120 lbs, depending upon the strength of the user. The bowstring itself is usually made of hemp or sinew lashed with silk thread

Harpoon
A long slender javelin-type spear, fitted with a barbed head and used with an attached line for retrieval. A similar weapon first appears in the brine pits of Klima in book #10, Tribesmen of Gor, and the actual harpoon itself is used extensively in book #12,

Hook knife
Though never described in detail, its usage seems to suggest that it is a short weapon, consisting of a thick, ridged fighting handle and a wide curved blade, sharpened on both sides. The blade is perhaps stubby and crescent shaped,like a modern Earth linoleum or grouting knife, though larger and sharper. Its hilt and pommel can be either fancy or plain and unadorned. The hook knife is often seen in duels and ritual combats, though in displays or sport it is kept sheathed and the sheath itself is coated with colored powder or pigment, a successful attack scored by the user can be easily detected for judging purposes.Very popular in the larger cities such as Ar.This weapon first appears in book #5, Assassin of Gor

Kaiila Lance
A long slender spear, eight to ten feet long,designed to be used from the saddle of a rider on kaillaback. These lances are not used couched, but rather carried in the right fist, easily, and are flexible and light.Used primarily for thrusting. They are black in color, cut from the poles of young tem trees, and so flexible that they may be bent almost double before they break.A loose loop of boskhide, wound twice about the right fist, helps the user to retain the weapon in mounted combat. It is seldom, if ever, thrown. First described in book #4,

Kaiila Lance {Red Savages}
designed to pierce deeply enough to strike a kailiauk's heart. The shaft is shaped temwood. The tip is either metal,carved bone or shaped stone, lashed to the shaft with boiled sinew or rawhide, or attached with metal trade rivets. Leather grips, hand loops, and decorations are often present also. Described in book #17
This weapon is almost identical to the kailla lance of the Wagon Peoples, though it is more heavily carved and decorated. First appears in book #17

Killing Knife
A throwing knife, typically used only in the larger cities such as Ar, and favored by those of the Caste of Assassins. It is much smaller than the quiva,approximately six to eight inches in length, and its blade is tapered on only one side. Such knives are often inscribed on the hilt or blade with such ritual phrases as "I have sought him. I have found him." Sometimes used in conjunction with poison kanda paste smeared upon the blade, though trained Assassins typically disdain the use of poison. It is rarely used in hand-to-hand combat, designed primarily to be thrown at the body of an unsuspecting victim Described in book #5, Assassin

Knife Gauntlets
A pair of thick leather gauntlets, upon which are mounted crescent shaped knife blades. Sometimes used by gladiators in arena combats.

Beam Projector
handheld device of some kind, big enough to fit comfortably in the hand of a Kur. This missle weapon fires a highly concussive heat blast, which strikes its target fiercely, often leaving a 3/4" hole at the point of impact, and an exit wound of upwards of ten inches across, where applicable. It is described as having only a limited number of charges, Priest King Weapon

Dart Thrower
A breech loading missle weapon which fires a six inch long conical gas propelled dart. Its configuration is similar to an Earth rifle. Kurii Dart Throwers have carved wooden stocks, upon which are incised eccentric designs. These tubular weapons discharge with a hiss, which is not particularly loud.Several types of darts may be fired from such a weapon including poison tipped, explosive tipped, and tranquilizer darts. These weapons are used exclusively by human agents of the Kurii. The actual firing button is on the forepart of the stock, and the weapon itself seems to be a one-shot weapon, requiring reloading after every firing. Used in book #12

Long Sword
The long sword is commonly used by the denizens of Torvaldsland and other such northern areas. It is about 36 inches in length, though they can be found in longer form, depending upon the reach and preference of the user.It is carried in a belt-scabbard or leather support loop on the wearer's off side, or strapped across the user's back. It is primarily used for slashing, to batter an enemy's shield to pieces, then followed with a killing stroke. Universally hand forged, these swords are "pattern blades"

Quiva
Quiva: A balanced saddle knife, usually part of a set of seven such weapons. consists of a narrow double-edged blade of between 9 and 12 inches in length mounted on a shaped handle of wood, bone, or horn, honed to razorsharpness,its blade tapers to a needle point. Designed for use primarily as a missile weapon, the quiva is also perfectly functional as a hand weapon and generalutility knife. It is mostly used by the nomadic Wagon Peoples of the southern hemisphere, who will carry matched sets of seven in special sheaths attached totheir kailla saddles. The best examples of these weapon are produced in the city of Ar. , they are shipped to the Wagon Peoples via traders,sharpened and fitted with distinctive handles. #4, Nomads of Gor.

Scimitar
A long curved sword, used either one-handed or with two-hands, depending upon the situation. It has a heavily curved, single-edged blade, honed to razor-sharpness. Even a light stroke of a Tahari scimitar will pass easily through flesh. The overall blade length is perhaps thirty inches or maybe longer, with a "false-edge" across the back of the tip for backhanded slashes. Used one handed from the back of a kailla it is extrememly deadly. Used two-handed upon the ground it is as equally potent.

Short Bow
This weapon is heavily used upon Gor for hunting, sport and warfare.Among its adherents are the warriors of the Wagon Peoples, the panther girls *Talunas, the Red Hunters and the Red Savages. It is much smaller in size than the great bow, and is best suited for use from the back of a kailla,tarn or tharlarionon.Often carved from a single, flexible piece of tem wood or ka-la-na wood, such peoples as the Wagon Peoples and the Red Savages can craft shortbows of layered wood and horn, which gives such bows greater strength and durability. Among the Red Hunters, it is a common practice to treat such bows against inclement weather by smearing them with liquified blubber taken from the carcass of the Hunjer whale.
The shortbow can fire as many different types of arrowheads as can its larger cousin, though with substantially less range and penetrating power. The arrows used by the shortbow are also much shorter than those employed by the great bow, due to the shorter range of the weapon's "pull." These bows come in all shapes and sizes, and are found throughout Gor.

Short Sword
The common Gorean short sword, designed to be used in conjunction with the round battle shield so often favored by Gorean warriors, is described as a leaf-shaped, double-edged blade with a short singlehanded grip. The grip is typically either of polished ka-la-na or temwood, either unadorned or wrapped in leather, cloth or cord. The blade of this weapon is between twenty and twenty-two inches in length worn either in a belt scabbard or in the same scabbard, slung over the shoulder for travel. It is also ideal for close-up in fighting. honed to razor sharpness. Such short swords are heavily employed in the city states that have a standing army, since its use is for being wielded by a standing formation of men in matched ranks, shield in one hand and sword in the other.

Silver Tube
This is a charged, cylindrical weapon, perhaps two feet in length, manually aimed and operated; it incorporates principles much like those of the Priest-King's Flame Death mechanism. When not in use, it is encased in a sealed plastic quiver for storage.When fired it generates a fierce blast of blue flame from . its tip, as the air within the path of its beam ignites into flame. It is effective at distances of up to 100 meters, and its use can be aurally detected by the audible hiss caused by the ignition of the air in the beam's path. Any living creature within the path of the beam, as well as any organic matter caught therein, will instantly erupt into a ball of bright blue flame as the target consumes itself from within. A silver tube will sputter and become inert once its charge is fully expended.

Sleen Knife
This is a broad bladed, flat, double edged utility knife equipped with a simple stubby crossguard and unadorned pommel. Much favored by hunters and woodsmen, it is equally suited for use as a camping and skinning knife, prying tool, and as a weapon in single combat. This weapon is first mentioned in book #8

Spiked Hand Wraps
Similar to the Earth Cestus, or heavy cloth or leather strips bound about the hand, with projecting spikes which cover the wearer's knuckles. book #14

Tarn Knife
This is a short bladed, single edged utility knife typically used by tarnsmen and generally included among their saddle equipment.Some versions of such knives are designed so that the blade... folds into the handle for safety when not in use often equipped with a lanyard so that it may be lashed to the tarnsman's saddle or belt, to prevent its loss while in flight. book #1, Tarnsman of Gor

Thorian Lance {Red Savages}
Similiar in most respects to the war lance, except that it is longer and more slender, to facilitate easier use from tarnback. Described in book #17

Thorian Lance
A thick spear, normally fashioned of ka-la-na or needle wood, approximately ten to fourteen feet long. It tapers from a lanceolate metal tip (either steel, iron or bronze) to a much thicker handguard type grip... at the thickest part it is four inches in width and is often fluted to lighten it while preserving its strength. Carried couched beneath the right arm of the user, the length of the lance itself crossing over and above the neck of the mount, to menace its target, often supported by a lance-rest which is either attached to the saddle or worn strapped to the user's chest. Can also be thrown, though not specifically designed for such use. First appears in book #1>br>
Tomahawk
This weapon consists of a shaped wooden handle up to two feet in length, capped with a narrow hatchet-type blade comprised either of sharpened metal, shaped stone or obsidian glass.Often carved with ceremonial inscriptions.A common war-arm in use by the Red Savages Can be used as a hand weapon often in conjunction with a shield of dried rawhide over a wood frame,or thrown as a missile weapon

Trident
The three-pronged spearing fork used by fishermen and sailors of the island Ubarates of Gor. Can be utilized both as a thrusting weapon and as a missle weapon. Also used, in conjunction with a hooked net, in gladitorial arenas throughout Gor.It is briefly described as being approximately seven feet in overall length, with prongs of 10" inches or more

Ulo {Womans Knife}
The ulo, or woman's knife, with its semicircular blade, customarily fixed to a wooden handle, is not well suited to carving. It is better at cutting meat and slicing sinew.

War Club {Red Savages}
A carved, shaped club of wood or bone, often mounted with a stone or metal head of some sort. This weapon is probably approximately two to three feet in length. This weapon is mentioned in book #18

War Spear {Kuri}
Made similarly to the common Gorean war spear, only much larger and heavier. The Kur war spear is some 12 feet in length, with a long,tapering bronze head. The shaft of the Kur war spear is 3" in diameter, and the bronze head weighs up to twenty pounds. First appears in book #17

Whip Knife
The use of this weapon is widely regarded as a difficult and delicate art to master. The whip knife consists of a twelve foot long braided leather whip of the "bullwhip" type commonly found on Earth, equipped with a lanyard to insure retention of the weapon in combat Set into the final eighteen inches of its length are twenty thin, narrow blades, woven into the leather .. and arranged in sets, four such blades to a set.. Each such weapon is tipped either with a double-edged knife blade approximately seven or eight inches long, or a "stunning tip," a lead weight which is designed to incapacitate the victim when he is struck. Possibly originally intended to be effective against an opponent with a shield.
..(the blade or weight, on its leather extension, would conceivably be able to flex in mid-air, passing around such a protective device to strike the target, similar to a medieval flail) or perhaps developed simply as an attempt to make the common whip more lethal.Rarely used in actual warfare, this weapon is said to be unique to the delta city of Port Kar often used in Duels