Umbrella as an Improvised Weapon

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by SRoach

I could see making an umbrella durable enough to use as a weapon, but the resulting thing would be heavy, which would probably discourage its use as an umbrella, or carrying it around on the chance of rain. Modern umbrellas, in my experience, are flimsy, but at least they're handy. Until they come apart, anyway.

The previously-linked "Unbreakable Umbrella" is a little over 1.5 lb, which is certainly heavier than a cheap telescoping one but seems within the range of a good-quality solid umbrella. It seems like it would work fine as an umbrella, despite being designed specifically to be used as a self-defense weapon. It's largely just made of more durable materials than a typical umbrella.

[acrosome]

What skill, though? Umbrellas are light and probably of the right length, so Smallsword? Or should it be Shortsword? Or are they unbalanced enough to need Axe/Mace? I could argue for any of them.

[Dalillama]

Depending on the size of the umbrella, treat it as a baton or cane, so you could use it with Shortsword/Smallsword or Broadsword/Rapier as appropriate. If it's reinforced for self-defense (such umbrellas can be had today and have existed at least since the 19th century), that's it. Otherwise it breaks like a Cheap or worse weapon, and probably has -1 damage on a swing

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by acrosome

What skill, though? Umbrellas are light and probably of the right length, so Smallsword? Or should it be Shortsword? Or are they unbalanced enough to need Axe/Mace? I could argue for any of them.

Shortsword is probably the closest fit, although personally I don't see much issue with allowing anything usable with that to be usable with Smallsword (a swing-heavy weapon like a falchion or machete might be a little questionable, but then I don't think Smallsword should be restricted to thrusts-only anyway). Depending on the design, flipping it around and whacking the target with the handle might use Axe/Mace, but only if said handle is relatively heavy. Larger umbrellas can probably use Broadsword/Rapier. Note the character will basically be "choking up" on the weapon above the release lever - trying to fight while holding it by the handle is just asking for it to open itself up, and an open umbrella is basically useless as a weapon (too much air resistance).

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by acrosome

What skill, though? Umbrellas are light and probably of the right length, so Smallsword? Or should it be Shortsword? Or are they unbalanced enough to need Axe/Mace? I could argue for any of them.

It depends on the brolly.

The one used by Jet Li in the linked YouTube clip is clearly being used as a Short Staff, using Smallsword skill, at least mostly, with quick grip changes to use it with Shortsword skill (swung by the handle or used to stab) or Axe/Mace (held by the tip and used to hook).

[Pursuivant]

I got intrigued by the OP's question and did some research. Here's my selection of historical and modern umbrellas and how they might be used in combat, cinematic or otherwise.

Weights and costs for TL5+ goods are based on actual fact-checking, with prices mostly courtesy of the Amazonopoly, but also the wonderful 1916 Montgomery Ward Catalog available at Archive.org. Weights and costs for pre-TL5 goods are based on data for comparable modern items, but are made up.

Weapon equivalents and skills used are mostly based on videos linked up-thread. Jet Li's cinematic take on Umbrella-Fu was particularly useful and fun, so that's where I started. The training videos for the Unbreakable Umbrella were depressingly pragmatic. You whomp people with the haft and poke them with the tip and that's it.

Info for umbrellas used to protect against pepper spray and surveillance videos came from the most-recent Hong Kong protests.

YMMV.

Spoiler:  

Bamboo Parasol (TL1): A folding Oriental-style parasol or umbrella with a 3-foot long bamboo handle and rod, a split bamboo frame and a 3-foot diameter lacquered, oiled or waxed silk or paper canopy. 17th to early 19th century wooden-frame European umbrellas were similar in function but differed in design. Treat it as a Cheap-Quality version of the Men’s Umbrella (below) with a -1 penalty to swing, crushing damage if used as a Light Baton. Umbrellas of this sort were probably invented in China before or during the 4th century B.C.E. and were used throughout East Asia. From the 17th century on, fashionable European women, and European men visiting tropical Asian locales, might also use them. $10 for a plain paper canopy, $50 for a plain silk canopy. Double costs for simple hand-painted canopies. Highly decorated parasols might cost even more. 1 lb. LC4.

Processional Umbrella (TL1): A large folding umbrella with a 6-foot long wooden or bamboo handle, a split wood or bamboo frame and a light fabric canopy. When the canopy is opened it is approximately 48 inches in diameter. These were the first umbrellas, invented before 2,300 B.C.E. used to protect high status people from sun and rain or just to indicate their importance. From the 7th century C.E. Chinese versions might be waxed or oiled to protect against rain, ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean versions were not. In China they were also used to protect charioteers from the elements. In Ancient Greece and Rome, they were primarily used by high status women. It can be used as a Cheap-Quality, Improvised (-2 to hit) Quarterstaff using Staff skill, but due to its weight it requires ST 12‡ to wield. It takes 2 hands and 5 seconds to open the canopy. Once open, it can be used two-handed as an Improvised (-2 to skill, -4 to hit with weapons) Large Shield using Shield skill. It has DB 3 if used in this role, but otherwise uses the same rules as the Men’s Umbrella, below. $150, 8 lbs., LC4.

Combat Umbrella (TL5): A heavy-duty cinematic umbrella, suitable for use by steampunk gadgeteers, superspies and supervillains. Treat it as the NTOI Unbreakable Umbrella, but with a sharp tip which can deliver thrust, impaling damage. The canopy is made of flameproof, corrosive-proof, ballistic fabric which provides DR 2 against all forms of damage (DR 4 against piercing damage at TL6, DR 8 at TL7, DR 16 at TL8, etc.). The frame can withstand repeated hits without being damaged. For extra cost, it can incorporate a Smallsword built into a Sword Cane (see Hidden Weapon, in GURPS Martial Arts, p. 218) or other small gadgets. $500, 2 lbs. LC3.

Men’s Umbrella (TL5): A heavy-duty crook-handled umbrella with a heavy steel rod and frame. It is 28” long with a 38” diameter canopy. Treat as a Improvised (-1 to Hit) Light Club (p. B271) if used with Broadsword skill. If the canopy is opened, it can be used two-handed as a Shield at -1 to skill. It takes 2 seconds, 2 hands and a DX roll to open the umbrella canopy. Once opened, it can be used two-handed as a Shield with DB2, but the canopy only protects against toxic or irritant liquids or low-temperature burning liquids like boiling water. It provides DR 3 (Ablative) against corrosive or high-temperature burn damage, DR 1 against crushing or cutting damage and DR 0 against other types of damage. Any corrosive, crushing or cutting damage, or high temperature burn damage to the canopy ruins the umbrella and destroys its usefulness as a shield. If the umbrella is reversed, it can be used to Hook using Axe/Mace skill. It can also be held in the middle and used with Smallsword skill, striking as an Improvised Short Staff. If used in this way, it can also be used to Hook but at -2 to skill. An umbrella can also give a bonus to Shadowing or Stealth skill equal to its DB, but only to conceal the bearer’s face. In a cinematic campaign, if the canopy is extended before the user jumps from a height the umbrella gives a +1 bonus to Jumping or Light Walk skill to land safely. $25, 2 lbs. LC4.

Whalebone Parasol (TL5):A folding European-style parasol with a wooden rod, a whalebone or light steel frame and a lace or light fabric canopy. These were carried by fashionable women from the 16th to 19th centuries. Versions made from Fine- or Very-Fine-Quality fabrics could be extremely expensive. Treat it as a Cheap-Quality, Improvised (-1 to hit) Short Staff which can be used with Smallsword skill. The canopy can be opened as described for the Men’s Umbrella (above), but the canopy isn’t waterproof, giving a -2 penalty to Block liquid or gas attacks. Any damage to the open canopy is likely completely ruin it. $35 or more, 0.7 lbs. LC4.

Women’s Umbrella (TL5): As for the Men’s Umbrella, above, but 26” long with a 28” canopy. Treat it as an Improvised (-1 to Hit) Baton (p. B271). Other methods of use are the same as above. $15, 1.75 lbs. LC4.

Beach Umbrella (TL6): A large, heavy-duty folding umbrella used to shade patio tables and beach visitors. It is 8.4 feet long with a sturdy 1.5” diameter rod and frame. The canopy is made of canvas (vinyl or nylon at TL7) and is 8 feet in diameter when extended. It can be used as an Improvised (-2 to hit) Long Staff using Staff skill, but it massive weight means that it requires ST 13‡ to use. It takes two hands, 5 seconds and a DX roll to open the canopy. Doing so turns the umbrella into the equivalent of a Pavise which provides Cover DR 1 for any target up to Size 1. If used as a Shield, treat it as an Improvised (-2 to skill) weapon which gives DB4 and -1 to the user’s Move and -3 to attack. $150, 12.2 lbs. LC4.

Telescoping Umbrella (TL6): Treat it as a Cheap-Quality, Improvised (-1 to hit) Short Baton (Martial Arts, p. 228) if used while folded. Telescoping the umbrella automatically opens the canopy. This takes 2 hands, 2 seconds and a DX roll. Once the canopy is opened, it can be used two-handed using Shield skill as described for the Men’s Umbrella, above. If the canopy and frame are removed, it can be used as a Cheap-Quality, Improvised Short Baton using Shortsword skill. $25, 1 lb. LC4.

Bulgarian Umbrella (TL7): A customized Men’s Umbrella (see above) with a sharpened tip with a recess which holds a tiny pellet of extremely deadly toxin, such as ricin, or a dangerous radioactive substance, such as polonium. Less lethal toxins, which require a larger dose can be used but potential victims get a +1 to +4 bonus to avoid or resist their effects. If used to thrust, it inflicts pi- damage instead of crushing damage. Any hit against bare skin which does at least 0 HP of damage is sufficient to transfer the poisoned pellet. In 1979, an umbrella of this type, loaded with ricin, was used by the Cold War-era Bulgarian assassins to assassinate a Bulgarian dissident living in London. $125, 2 lbs., LC2.

Golf Umbrella (TL7): An umbrella or parasol with a massive 62” diameter canopy. Treat it as a Cheap-Quality Men’s Umbrella (below), but if the canopy is extended it provides DB 3, but also gives -2 to attacks. $30, 1.5 lbs. LC4.

NTOI Unbreakable Telescoping Umbrella (TL8): As for the NTOI Unbreakable Umbrella (below), but can be telescoped to just 14” length. It is 21” long when extended with a 38” canopy diameter. It includes a car window breaker that screws into the base and a fabric carrying case. Treat it as a Telescoping Umbrella (below), but Good-Quality. The rod can be extended without opening the canopy, allowing it to be used as an Improvised Short Baton using Shortsword skill. Due to its heavier weight, it might not pass inspection as an ordinary folding umbrella. Replacement canopies are $70. $300, 1.7 lbs., LC4.

NTOI Unbreakable Umbrella (TL8): A weapon-quality, street-legal crook-handled umbrella for martial artists and bodyguards, with a proprietary heavy-duty resin shaft and frame. While the canopy is easily damaged, the rest of the umbrella is a functional weapon. It is 38” long, 48” diameter when opened. If used as a step or support it can support over 300 lbs. It will bend significantly when used in this fashion, but will spring back into shape. It is otherwise like the Men’s Umbrella, above. Replacement canopies are $30. $200, 1.7 lbs. LC4.

[SRoach]

That last bit is excellent.

I wanted to make two comments.
One, SOME telescoping umbrellas will telescope, if the canopy is bound, while others will not telescope UNLESS the canopy can also open. I've handled both.
Two, with your Bulgarian umbrella, I'm pretty sure it's heavy metal poisoning that kills the victim, rather than the radiation of the polonium pellet. That it is radioactive is probably a compromise, as it probably makes the umbrella easier to detect, and the nature of the "illness" easier to discern. I could be wrong on this. Perhaps they're also banking on the radioactivity to add to the psychological horror of the attack, or perhaps the radiation is actually significant enough in its own right.

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by SRoach

One, SOME telescoping umbrellas will telescope, if the canopy is bound, while others will not telescope UNLESS the canopy can also open. I've handled both.

True, but read "Your Mileage May Vary" as "Steal with both hands and adapt as you see fit."

Originally Posted by SRoach

Two, with your Bulgarian umbrella, I'm pretty sure it's heavy metal poisoning that kills the victim, rather than the radiation of the polonium pellet.

I think you're right, since I'm no toxicologist. Anyhow, the KGB-motivated Bulgarian assassins of Sergei Markov used ricin as their poison of choice. Polonium was speculation on my part, but it seems to be more of a 21st century FSB thing, when nerve agents aren't an option and "accidents" like airplane crashes or falls out of high windows can't be arranged.

While many (most?) radioactive elements are toxic in their own right, ingesting a strong alpha radiation emitter like polonium can still mess you up really good. It might not kill you immediately, but it will make you sick for a long time and massively boosts your chances of getting cancer in the long run. Also, as you pointed out, it's a fantastic method of sending a very pointed "from Russia with love" message. It might also seriously confuse doctors who aren't familiar with radiation poisoning and who don't think to order an x-ray. Even so, tea is the traditional delivery vehicle, not a pointy umbrella.

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by SRoach

I'm pretty sure it's heavy metal poisoning that kills the victim, rather than the radiation of the polonium pellet.

I'm not an expert to be sure, but my understanding is that polonium is an alpha-emitter. The radiation that it emits is short-ranged in air and will not penetrate the outermost layer of the human epidermis, and so it does not present a radiological hazard while it is outside the body. But when it is introduced into the body (usually by the ingestion of soluble salts, or inhaled with tobacco smoke) things are very different. It is not chemically toxic to a significant degree, but alpha particles from polonium decay inside living cells are devastating.

The LD₅₀ for polonium-210 is estimated as 0.089 micrograms ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, from radiological effects alone.