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-   -   He's not heavy, he's my sidearm (https://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=189476)

hcobb 03-21-2023 12:22 PM
He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
The "great sword" weight ITL 109 is from a fnording parade sword.

To rescale we'd have:
Knife (1d-2), ST 6, 0.25 pounds
Dagger (1d-1), ST 8, 0.5 pounds
Main Gauche (1d-1, stops 1 hit, no DX penalty if Fencer), ST 8, 1 pound
Rapier (actually Smallsword) 1.5 pounds
Sabre 2.0 pounds (US military is 23 oz, but of modern steel)
Shortsword (Gladius) 2.5 pounds is slightly heavy.
Broadsword 3 to 5 pounds historically, but anything above 3 should be considered another category.
Bastard sword 4 pounds
2-handed sword 6 pounds
Greatsword 8 pounds

phiwum 03-21-2023 03:04 PM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
If you change these weights, you'd better change the rule that says that one can wear only two 2lb. or heavier items on the belt, with no limit for those items weighing less than 2lbs. I guess it's not a huge deal, but your weights allow one to wear six rapiers on the belt.

David Bofinger 03-22-2023 10:24 PM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
I think it's important to remember what an encumbrance weight is. Yes, it's the weight of the sword. But it's also the weight of anything you're carrying because you're carrying a sword, starting with a scabbard, and also including a vial of oil to stop it rusting, a rag to wipe off excess oil, another one to wipe off the blood, a belt to hang it off (or at least a heavier belt), etc. OK, a lot of that doesn't add up to much, but the scabbard is quite likely significant.

Secondly, we need to apply the halberds and sofa cushions guideline from ITL 67. There's a big difference between carrying a sword in your hand, or dangling down around your legs where is can bump into things, and carrying it strapped onto a backpack. You will never see an olympic athlete running with a sword attached, even in the modern pentathlon. And a two-handed sword or polearm is just a pain to carry, even if it's not that heavy, partly because you've got nowhere to put it.

So I think all your weights should be a good deal larger than you have. Perhaps TFT isn't so far off.

David Bofinger 03-22-2023 10:33 PM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
Perhaps the rule should be: no more than your ST in pounds at your belt. Or something along those lines. Also the backpack-shedding rules are too harsh, and the advantages of a backpack over a bag or sack are neglected.

Bill_in_IN 03-23-2023 08:28 AM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Bofinger (Post 2475914)
I think it's important to remember what an encumbrance weight is. Yes, it's the weight of the sword. But it's also the weight of anything you're carrying because you're carrying a sword, starting with a scabbard, and also including a vial of oil to stop it rusting, a rag to wipe off excess oil, another one to wipe off the blood, a belt to hang it off (or at least a heavier belt), etc. OK, a lot of that doesn't add up to much, but the scabbard is quite likely significant.

Secondly, we need to apply the halberds and sofa cushions guideline from ITL 67. There's a big difference between carrying a sword in your hand, or dangling down around your legs where is can bump into things, and carrying it strapped onto a backpack. You will never see an olympic athlete running with a sword attached, even in the modern pentathlon. And a two-handed sword or polearm is just a pain to carry, even if it's not that heavy, partly because you've got nowhere to put it.

So I think all your weights should be a good deal larger than you have. Perhaps TFT isn't so far off.
That's a valid point that deserves verification. However, I think that the weights for the two-handed weapons are a bit high even if you take the weight of their holsters into account. However, in all fairness, I shouldn't dig my heels in on that one until the numbers are run. Based upon the robustness of the carrying apparatus, I'm certain that there will be much variance.

hcobb 03-23-2023 11:13 AM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
Note that I have increased weights on the low end.

JohnPaulB 03-26-2023 08:11 PM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Bofinger (Post 2475914)
.... polearm is just a pain to carry, even if it's not that heavy, partly because you've got nowhere to put it.
You need to get a 6 foot collapsible polearm. Wood very strong. 3 sections.
ITL p 67

hcobb 07-12-2023 11:46 AM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
The shield weights (and axe/mace above Hammer) are also insane.
A full Pavise is only 17 pounds.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/23333

David Bofinger 07-14-2023 12:57 PM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hcobb (Post 2495419)
The shield weights (and axe/mace above Hammer) are also insane.
A full Pavise is only 17 pounds.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/23333
Sometimes less. But again, an inconvenient shape.

hcobb 07-14-2023 09:34 PM
Re: He's not heavy, he's my sidearm
 
That (1d-1) damage suggests a full pound or more Pugio Dagger.


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