Spring and Autumn Sword
It is called the Spring and Autumn sword because it brings new beginings and new endings.
This submission is part of the much maligned Interesting Weapons- Non-Magic scroll
These are a unique style of blades found in China. It is a specific weapon type, like Flambeau or Great Sword. So there are hundreds of thousands of these weapons. They are not magical, except in the means of the static magics inherient in the weapons due to culture.
Full Item Description
This is the largest of the conventional swords for the Chinese. It weights 7 lbs (3kgs) is 36" (90 cms) of solid combat steel blade - 2.5" x.5" at forte (6.3 x 1.2cm). The handle adds another 9" (22cms) to the length of the weapon.
The guard is tradionally of a demonic face cast in brass. This allows it to "scare away" bad luck and spirits, as well as make the weapon more fearsome.
History
Developed in the Han Era, this weapon became popular in the heavy infantry.
Magic/Cursed Properties
It is called the Spring and Autumn sword because it brings new beginings and new endings.
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? Responses (9)
Moonhunter, to me, some of these weapons feel more like scroll items than proper submissions. What do you think of, e.g. putting some in scrolls instead of as individual items (e.g. all the Oriental ones in 'Oriental Interesting Non-Magical Weapons)? I guess it depends on whether you want lots of 2.5-3.0 votes or a few 4.5 - 5.0 votes.
More seriously, it would also make them much easier to read together which would be useful if, for example, you were developing an Oriental (or Mediaeval or Classical) setting and wanted to really develop the weaponry for that setting and make it interesting.
While I agree with Iain here. I know the purpose behind these swords Moonhunter has been putting up. I did a search for them and found the history to be rather interesting.
Moon that is a good idea. Because of their size putting them in a scroll would probably benefit them a little more.
I have to admit, I went a little too historical for a while. I have been reading a great deal about Kung-Fu and The Martial Arts. I did not mean to fill up the Interesting Weapons's thread with Chinese Weapons.
They just met the criteria of being 'different from the normal weapons' you find. They also show how with a small edition, you can make a weapon more than just a set of stats. That is why we have the interesting weapons, non magical thread.
Of course, these kinds of weapons, with poetic elements, would be appropriate in Jorune (Skylands), Tekumel, or many Non-Tolkein Inspired, psuedo euro-medieval fantasy.
Ah, MoonHunter...
For long you have been our mentor and guiding star. From you I learnt that the players cannot enjoy the GMs work if all remains hidden behind his cardboard screen. The players have to be exposed to the full story, the twists and turns of the plot, the whole treat. No need to labour for 2 years on something the players will never experience.
I dare say that, in a way, the same goes here. We cannot appreciate your full intent without prior knowledge of these. You cannot take that for grantend. So... While I understand and appreciate the idea behind this, I cannot offer more than a 2.0. This post is as incomplete as incomplete come. If you rework this I hope you send me a private message. The score will certainly be updated if you do that, but right now this is but a stub.
AG, they are an interesting weapon, non magical. They are simply an example of a 'class of swords'. The Chinese name, and explanation behind it, is to remind people that weapons are not just 'equipment list items'. These items have a cultural details that can be examples for GMs to move away from simple utilitarian equipment list items.
Certain items in most cultures will have details and stories, rather than the simple utilitarian view that the Europeans took (with the exception of the Flambeau). This gives you an addition to add flavor to your world AND concepts to be applied.
For such a cool name, I was expecting more from this submission. From a historical perspective it has merit and perhaps there could be a mundane Oriental scroll/codex generated for this weapon and the others.
This must be one of your older submissions, Moonhunter.
Nov 17, 2005 21:03
Did you read the post?
I think a little injection of life, usage, associated heros, etc, would bring life to what is currently a fairly dry entry.
