Long Maces

William · 08-09-2023, 07:12 PM

I've finally found at least a little historical attestation for a mild GURPS curiosity I've had for years. On page 72 of the GURPS 3e Basic Set, Smif drew a picture of a man in studded armor holding what appears to be a knobbed mace with a long haft, i.e. halberd or staff length. As far as I could tell at the time, there was no historical record of such a weapon, nor was it given GURPS statistics.

Recently, I saw this picture, the primary interest of which for most people is the "Drunkard's Cloak" or "Spanish Mantle," but which drew my eye notably for the weapons the guards hold - similar long-mace type weapons, these with spikes.

So this has piqued my curiosity again - has anyone ever seen other evidence for such a weapon being in use anywhere, perhaps among city guards, jailors, or police forces? What GURPS statistics might it have? Practically by definition it would use Two-handed Axe/Mace. Perhaps it could be added to the Great Axe and the Warhammer to complete the trio of sw+3 damage weapons of similar statistics, with cr in lieu of cut or imp. But, if it's not quite as heavy as those weapons, and the head is centered on the haft, maybe it does a little less damage and could parry a bit better?

Which actually brings me to another variation on the same idea. In fantasy, staffs with extra weights on both ends are, if not a staple, at least an occasional trope for strong characters - see the weapon that Raijin in FF8 uses, for instance. Obviously, a quarterstaff is already crushing, and one of its primary benefits is its extra defensive ability in normal usage. One wonders if a balanced addition to the weights might add to damage without losing the maneuverability that gives it the defensive advantage, as long as one has the strength required to manhandle it around. (You're adding not only to its mass but also its moment of inertia - however, the fundamental use of it will still have you holding it near the center.)

08-09-2023, 07:12 PM	#1
William Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan	Long Maces I've finally found at least a little historical attestation for a mild GURPS curiosity I've had for years. On page 72 of the GURPS 3e Basic Set, Smif drew a picture of a man in studded armor holding what appears to be a knobbed mace with a long haft, i.e. halberd or staff length. As far as I could tell at the time, there was no historical record of such a weapon, nor was it given GURPS statistics. Recently, I saw this picture, the primary interest of which for most people is the "Drunkard's Cloak" or "Spanish Mantle," but which drew my eye notably for the weapons the guards hold - similar long-mace type weapons, these with spikes. So this has piqued my curiosity again - has anyone ever seen other evidence for such a weapon being in use anywhere, perhaps among city guards, jailors, or police forces? What GURPS statistics might it have? Practically by definition it would use Two-handed Axe/Mace. Perhaps it could be added to the Great Axe and the Warhammer to complete the trio of sw+3 damage weapons of similar statistics, with cr in lieu of cut or imp. But, if it's not quite as heavy as those weapons, and the head is centered on the haft, maybe it does a little less damage and could parry a bit better? Which actually brings me to another variation on the same idea. In fantasy, staffs with extra weights on both ends are, if not a staple, at least an occasional trope for strong characters - see the weapon that Raijin in FF8 uses, for instance. Obviously, a quarterstaff is already crushing, and one of its primary benefits is its extra defensive ability in normal usage. One wonders if a balanced addition to the weights might add to damage without losing the maneuverability that gives it the defensive advantage, as long as one has the strength required to manhandle it around. (You're adding not only to its mass but also its moment of inertia - however, the fundamental use of it will still have you holding it near the center.)