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ShortQuests -- Pocket Sized Adventures! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed for 1-2 game sessions.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fieari" data-source="post: 1740105" data-attributes="member: 16221">Just as flavor, and having nothing to do with the RAW or house rules at all, I thought I'd pass on a little anecdote thingy.The Maryland State Sport is Jousting.  I'm not certain if there are any public displays of said state sport outside of the rennfair, but I do go to the rennfair regularly to watch.  What's interesting about it though, is that they joust in several different styles.In previous years they would generally do it in (insert country name here that I've forgotten, probably French) style, which does not make use of the shield, but rather impacts the lance on the breastplate directly.  In RECENT years however, they switched to (some other name, which I've also forgotten) style, which DOES make use of the shield.In BOTH cases, the lance is always wielded in one hand only.Now, I made a few inquiries, and apparently, despite words used to ham it up to the crouds (the unshielded method "allows the full brunt of the lance to fall upon the jouster!") using a shield is CONSIDERABLY more difficult and dangerous.  Do you know why?  Because if you use the shield incorrectly, it's possible to deflect the other guy's lance into your face, the force of which could break your neck.  It's actually considerably easier and safer without the shield, but additionally, less interesting and requiring less skill on both sides.  And the shield, used correctly, DOES provide considerable benefit to the rider.Now, the person I was asking about this might have been full of a lot of crok, but his explanation did make sense to me.  Take that as you will.</blockquote>

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