Battle-Ax
The earliest stone axes were produced nearly 8,000 years ago, and since then, axes have been a common tool throughout the growth of civilization. Axes were (and are) used to fell trees and split wood, chop roots and vegetables and even to break stone. It’s hard to know at exactly what point someone recognized that an ax would be an excellent tool to fell and chop humans, but it might’ve been around the time when someone realized the ax’s potential in beheading livestock or other animals.
Regardless, the battle-ax was born. Smiths modified the felling axes for better balance in combat. Smiths no longer lashed the ax-head to the handle, but socketed it instead for greater sturdiness. Barbarian tribes used axes to attack the horses bearing down upon them, whereas riders used the axes’ momentum to swing hard and fast from the greater vantage point. The ax became a vicious tool in combat, certainly not as light as the sword or dagger, but with far greater power once it connected.
Curiously, the battle-ax has a place in religion and superstition, as well, starting all the way back in the Neolithic period. Axes were often “gifts” to the gods, and were left upon altars or buried so that the gods could use them as exalted weapons. Axes were also icons of protection: men placed them upon rooftops to thwart lightning strikes and hailstorms, left them in the middle of fields to ensure good crops and buried axes under houses or under beds to ward off witches and other monsters.
Battle-axes may be single or double-headed, and are generally light enough to be carried in one hand.
Regardless, the battle-ax was born. Smiths modified the felling axes for better balance in combat. Smiths no longer lashed the ax-head to the handle, but socketed it instead for greater sturdiness. Barbarian tribes used axes to attack the horses bearing down upon them, whereas riders used the axes’ momentum to swing hard and fast from the greater vantage point. The ax became a vicious tool in combat, certainly not as light as the sword or dagger, but with far greater power once it connected.
Curiously, the battle-ax has a place in religion and superstition, as well, starting all the way back in the Neolithic period. Axes were often “gifts” to the gods, and were left upon altars or buried so that the gods could use them as exalted weapons. Axes were also icons of protection: men placed them upon rooftops to thwart lightning strikes and hailstorms, left them in the middle of fields to ensure good crops and buried axes under houses or under beds to ward off witches and other monsters.
Battle-axes may be single or double-headed, and are generally light enough to be carried in one hand.
Item type
Weapon, Melee
Size: 3/N
Durability: 3
Cost: ••