How are weapons carried when not in use?

[Heathen72]

When not in use weapons disappear into a magical other dimension and hang out with lanterns and paladins mounts and so on.

The problem with a weapon across the back is that it's impossible to draw anything with a blade longer than your arm.

I seem to remember representations of bastard swords where the whole length of the blade isn't actually in the scabbard, only the bottom half. Still, that begs the question of weapon maintenance into question.

 

[Tetsubo]

The problem with a weapon across the back is that it's impossible to draw anything with a blade longer than your arm. Of course, in real life, this was solved by pulling off the whole sling and throwing it to the ground at the beginning of a fight, or just keeping the sword in hand while fighting was expected, and then stashing it with the horse/wagon/henchman when not fighting.

One thing you'll notice a lot in histortical records is the mention of sword-bearers, all the way back into biblical times. These were more or less guys that carried your sword for you while you weren't actively stabbing guys with it, because, as anyone who's ever done so will tell you, carrying a sword is mildly uncomfortable and awkward at best.

Another thing to consider is that you have no 'good' reason to be carrying a long, unwieldy, decidedly battle (as opposed to self-defense) oriented weapon other than expecting a fight. And if you expect fighting, it makes sense to just have the weapon in hand.

Of course, in a world of dungeons, and carrying multiple weapons, things change--you need to use a bow, or climb, or whatever--and you have to change your tactics. For 'realism' I would vote for using smaller, easier-to-handle weaponry, but, knowing all the players I've ever met, I'd opt for just ignoring the matter entirely.

In short, if you want to worry about carrying weapons, you should also be thinking about the logic of bringing halberds down into narrow mine corridors and tombs. And, of course, none of this is covered by the rules, so it's up to you to either ignore the obstacles in the name of fun, or make the judgement calls if 'realism' is what your players want.

I've seen a real world solution to the two-handed-sword-on-back issue. It was a sheath that was "open" on one edge for about half of the scabbards length. There was a strap with a snap at the top to retain the blades position. Release the snap and you only had to draw half of the actual blades length from the scabbard. I watched the wearer go from empty handed to holding a two-handed sword in about two seconds. It takes practice but that's what a Martial Weapons Prof. is all about...

 

[Tetsubo]

Spiked chains are carried in big sacks with the word "CHEESE" emblazoned on them.

Here, here, I place a second vote for this option...

 

[Tetsubo]

How are weapons carried when not in use? Specifically,
pole arms
mace
morningstar
battleaxe
spiked chain
other non-sword items

Are the "sheath" and "unsheath" rules the best for handling how long it takes?

jh

I think one option is the real world Spear Carrier or Shield Barer. A low ranking Warrior or Squire who's job it is to lug around a more important Warriors gear. I've used them in 2E as hirelings and followers. It would be a good low level option as a cohort. We even role-played the character hiring the young warrior-want-to-be.

As for carrying these weapons solo... over the shoulder, tucked into a belt or on the back, as others have said.

 

[Steverooo]

I've seen a real world solution to the two-handed-sword-on-back issue. It was a sheath that was "open" on one edge for about half of the scabbards length. There was a strap with a snap at the top to retain the blades position. Release the snap and you only had to draw half of the actual blades length from the scabbard. I watched the wearer go from empty handed to holding a two-handed sword in about two seconds. It takes practice but that's what a Martial Weapons Prof. is all about...

What year was the snap invented?

 

[Tinker Gnome]

What year was the snap invented?

Doesnt matter cause DnD is not historical.

 

[xnosipjpqmhd]

In my game, two-handed weapons (polearms, etc.) are assumed to be in your hand(s) unless you specifically say you're putting it down (or whatever). Carrying a big freakin' weapon is inconvenient at times (as it should be).

That said, I can't think of an instance off the top of my head when a PC in my game has had anything bad happen to them because they couldn't sheath their polearm.

However, every so often there'll be a situation where a player expects to do more than what he realistically can in one round:

DM: The creature is right at the limit of your lantern's light. What do you do?
PLAYER: On my turn, I'll shoot him!
DM: Wait a minute. Don't you have your sword drawn?
PLAYER: Yeah, you're right. On my turn, I sheath my sword, unsling my bow, nock an arrow, and shoot him!
DM: Wait a minute. Aren't you the one carrying the party's lantern?
PLAYER: Yeah, you're right. On my turn, I set down the lantern, sheath my sword, unsling my bow, nock an arrow, and shoot him!

;-)

 

[Galethorn]

Doesnt matter cause DnD is not historical.

Do the boots in your setting use velcro? Does the chainmail come with zippers?

Just playing Devil's Advocate, here.

 

[Asmor]

I forget where I saw it... Might have been the Spiked Chains thing put out by EN Publishing, maybe I just made it up for my own spiked chain character, but the way I've imagined them being carried is draped around your neck, like a shawl sort of. The two ends would be hanging down over your chest, and the center would be hanging down over your back.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

Do the boots in your setting use velcro? Does the chainmail come with zippers?

Just playing Devil's Advocate, here.

If the PCs wrote it in there clothing or armor description that they had an unusual piece on their armor, then we could come up with an explaination. Maybe velcro and zippers are new Dwarven innovations.