big brawler backup weapon
 

For upcomming game I have this NPC "Big Mama" in mind.

"Big Mama" runs dwarven restaurant in wizard city. Her shop is fitted with no mana zone. "For those lausy, good for nothings"

"Big Mama" is human not dwarf, thats how she got her nickname.

She is almost legendary brawler. Think around ST 20, and DEX 16 ish. So most time she is fine, whit whatever or whomever she can grab to defend herself and her living from roudy adventures.

But "Big Mama" is also wise. I want her to carry something she can parry or block when some costumer pulls a sword on her. "You ain't ruining my pretty dress, darling."
Since this is just a back-up option for emergencies she quickly pulls from her belt. I am at a loss, what kind of weapon fits this bill?

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

What she needs is a Tonfa, or even a pair of them. This is a sturdy baton with a handle on the side. She can use it with her high Brawling skill to parry without penalties for parrying a weapon, and punch for full thrust/crushing damage plus Brawling bonuses.

It's in Martial Arts and Low-Tech. Learning Tonfa skill gives some extra options but is not actually necessary. Fast-Draw (Tonfa), on the other hand, would be a good idea.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

A cast-iron skillet. For those without Dungeon Fantasy 10: Taverns:

Frying Pan: Swing as small mace at -1 damage [Axe/Mace-3] or block as a light shield [Shield-2].

There are many other options on p. 12, all suited to bars and dining establishments. To avoid the skill penalties, take the Improvised Weapons (Kitchenware) perk on p. 8.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

I would go with cooking implements as improvised weapons, instead: meat fork, really big soup ladle, rolling pin, wet dish rag with a knot in the end, roasting spit, cleaver, the ever-popular cast iron skillet, etc. Give her the Improvised Weapons perk, and make part of her schtick that no one ever knows just what she will pull out each time (so it's harder to prepare).

(If one has to be ninja'ed, it's hard to complain when it was Kromm.)

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

Heh, Johndallman beat me to it -- tonfa being my instinctive thought -- but Thrash's notion is cooler. No one knows what Big Mama will pull out from beneath the counter, it's different every time, it's often seriously weird ("Why was she keeping a LIVE CHICKEN under the counter??"), and the regulars get enough of a kick out of the show that they egg strangers on to get into it with her.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

There's a hilarious scene in the first Powder Mage book where the Field Marshal's head chef is insulted and attacked by a high-ranking member of the clergy, who also happens to be one of the known world's best duelists. The chef completely trounces the duelist, expertly parrying the man's attack and knocking him out with a single blow to the head... using nothing but the large soup ladle he tended to carry with him everywhere.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

With ST 18 to 20, try to find weapon with Min ST 6, like a Short Staff, which conveniently can be used with Fencing Parries is she expects to be unencumbered. Per the Matter of Inches box in Martial Arts, she can make a second parry at only -1.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

If you want to combine this idea with the Improvised Weapons angle, a huge variety of smaller kitchen implements fit into this category.

If you want a handy improvised Blocking weapon, a large & sturdy mug or pitcher can double as a Buckler.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

It depends how actually dangerous is the place where the tavern is located. If sword-wielding uninvited guests are quite uncommon, I would say that a simple Quarterstaff would be sufficient for keeping them at bay. But if armed violence is common, better have at least a polearm or two near the counter as precaution. An elaborate polearm like a Dueling Bill ($100, 6 lbs.) with a round hilt (+1 to Parry, +$25, +0.25lbs) and a pointy butt spike (thr+2, +$20) kept in good sight behind the counter would be a scary "Don't do foolish things" for the average bad tempered swordsman.

Re: big brawler backup weapon
 

A polearm isn't going to be a good weapon for the close confines of a restaurant. It's also absolutely not a "backup weapon" that she "quickly pulls from her belt," or similar. I think a tonfa really is the best fit for a dedicated weapon, provided it's appropriate for the setting (otherwise, maybe a light club with a hilt - which gets Parry +1 over a sword with a hilt, Because Reasons, I guess?).