Weapons differ in size and design based on the character who uses it.
- Axes - Shorter than a Polearm, an Axe has a thick blade on a shorter handle, specializing in hacking an opponent. There are Hatchets, Short Axes, and Long-Handled Battle-Axe
Fencing Weapons (Soft Swords) - Soft Swords use a different fighting style than "hard swords." Their light, flexible blades make them the superior parrying weapon. Fencing Swords are Soft Swords. There are Martial Swords and Scholarly/Female Swords Fighting Ropes - These weapons are uncommon and require a great deal of skill to use. Many of these weapons require the wielder to build up momentum by either swinging the item overhead or at the side in a circular motion. Some even require the users to wrap them around a body part, such as the knee, the back, or the arm to snap them at their opponent at a great velocity. Ropes can be made of silk, hemp, natural fibers, or even chain links. There are Double Headed Hammer, Plum Flower Claw, Rope Dart, Sectional Steel Whip, and the Soft Whip.
Fighting Wheels - With their large blades and strange prongs or tines, Fighting Wheels are excellent weapons to parry with. Many users fight with two - one in each hand. There are Cymbals (Nao), the Sun-Moon wheel and the Wheel.
Flails - Made of links of chain or even small blades, Flails wrap around at strange angles when swung at wide arcs. These include the Four-Section Staff, Iron-Chain-Link Club, Soft Hammer, Sweep / Broom, Three-Section Staff and the Steel Whip.
Iron Fans - Iron Fans are primarily used by Wizards or Erudite combatants. They resemble regular fans, only they are made of overlapping plates of iron instead of paper. There are Dart Fans and Shield Fans.
Maces - Large, unbalanced bludgeoning (concussion-inducing) weapons. They are brutal, but effective. This weapon family includes the Brass Monkey, Club, Hammer, Iron Ruler, Long Hammer, Long Rod, Pestle, and Iron Rod.
Polearms - Longer and more balanced than Axes, Polearms specialize in keeping opponents at a distance. Unlike a Spear (which is primarily a stabbing weapon), Polearms have longer blades or hooks for tripping or slicing opponents. This weapon family includes the Brush Polearm, Eyebrow Tip Broadsword, Fire Hook, Halberd, Heaven-Earth Sun-Moon Saber, Long Handled Claw, Long Handled-Broadsword, Nine-Dragon Trident, Rake, Shovel/Spade, and the Sky Halbred
Spears - Originally designed from a signle stalk of bamboo with its strikign end sharpened, the Spear is known as the "King of the Long Weapons" and is common throughout Zhonguo. Some spears can be thrown, but most are used for hand-to-hand combat. These include Double-Headed Spear, Flying Fork, Fork Staff, Heavy Spear, Lance Spear, Hook-Scythe Spear, Rod Spear, Steel Fork, Three-Tine Fork, Throwing Spear, White Wax Wood Spear, and the Wind Mouth Broadsword.
Staffs - Common weapons that come in many forms. They are normally a wooden pole soaked in oil, but can also be made of metal, or a combo of the two. Staffs always requires two hands. There are Lamp Staffs and the Rod (Gun). The Rod (Gun) is the basic staff.
Swords - The preferred weapon of the wealthy, the Sword comes in many forms, but all are hafted weapons with a cutting edge and many have stabbing points. These swords are often called "proper swords," "hard swords," or "sabers," to distinguish them from the Soft Swords used with fencing. This family includes Broadswords, Cave Broadswords, Large Chopping Broadsword, Nine-Ring Broadsword (but can have a different number of rings), Scrape Broadsword, Short Sword, and Sleeve Sword.
Bows - While there are quite the variety of bows in Zhongguo, most are designed to be fired while riding a lizard or chartiot. The Bow fires an arorw made of reed or rattan with a metal tip. There are many types of arrow tips that can be used from simple points to a whistle to signal others. Bows are two handed weapons, and include the Bow, Large Bow, and Sling Bow.
Crossbow - Different from a Bow, the crossbow attaches a bow to a cross bar upon which rests the bolt. A trigger is used to fire this weapon, releasing the string catch. The Crossbow traditionally delivers a more accurate shot with more power. The crossbow fires a short, heavy arrow, called a =bolt. Crossbows require two hands to load, but only one to shoot. These include the Arms-Open Crossbow, Foot-Open Crossbow, Sling Crossbow, and Waist-Open Crossbow.
Slings - The sling is a pouch with two strings attached to it, of hemp or leather. A rock or metal ball is placed in the pouch; the attacker swings the pouch until they get a great velocity, then they let go of one end, flinging the ball. Slings have poor ranged compared to other weapons, but they are cheap to make and to maintain, and many folks have nothing but time to practice using them. Slings are always concussion-inducing weapons.
I will not go over all the types of armor (I'm too lazy and, really, this RP isn't all about the fighting, it's just an added bonus). I'm also being lazy and don't want to type up 6-ish pages of equipment. Just know that this is set in a place based off of Ancient China - no guns (well, bayonets are okay), no computers, no TV, et cetera.
