|
The Alu martial arts teach a wide variety of weapons, but a Kel never without at least a handful of blades--typically a number of small throwing knives, a heavy utility machete, and a long sword for battle.
- Yin'ein
- The Alu have traditional blades with curved, blades shaped like a kukri, kopis or scythe. Collectively, the blades are called the Yin'ein. The hooked blades are used to cut Bladegrass while traveling through the Valley of the Wind as well as fighting duels. The blades can be used to strike with the convex side like a scimitar, with the concave side by hooking the opponent's arm or body, or to strike with the point around a corner or shield. The curved blades are extremely clumsy in the hands of most foreign fighters.
- as'en
- A small, sharp knife normally carried in multiples (called as'ei) thrown with great skill and blinding speed. Slowly touching the hilt of as as'en is a silent gesture of warning. There are many styles of as'ei knives comparable to daggers, punch daggers, kukri, tanto, and other small knife-like weapons. Many Alu use the blades for close-in work, or fight with the blades in pairs.
- av-tlen
- A sickle or machete used for utility, sparing the av-kel from abuse as a work-tool. The heavy, curved blade has incredible chopping power and is nearly indestructible. The av-tlen is normally only a backup or parrying weapon in combat, although some Alu have modified versions that are more combat-ready, particularly if wielded in pairs--these often resemble kama or sickles. The blade can be thrown in desparation.
- av-kel
- The long Kel sword, only carried by warriors. There are many styles of av-kel, which tend to follow clan and regional traditions. For example, there are tulwars and shotel on the desert plains, hook-bladed swords in the Bladegrass savanna, and katana (scimitar) in the mountains. In addition to their unusual blades, av-kel typically have enlongated hilts that are sometimes one-third the length of the weapon.
- av'en-kel
- The long war scythe, formed by mounting an av-kel on a pole or by adding additional weight to the blade. The av'en-kel is equivalent to a naginata-style glaive, scythe, or no-dachi.
- Zahen'ein
- The Zahen'ein are unorthodox weapons designed to defeat foes through cunning and surprise. It is dishonorable to use nontraditional weapons against Alu, so their use is only permitted in warfare against tsi'Alu (non-Alu) such as the Baal. Clans tend to have particular Zahen'ein that they prefer, and keep them secret in order to surprise foes. Honorable Alu must master the yin'ein before it is permissible to learn zahen'ein. Most of these weapons are constructed from braided Bladegrass, making them hard, light and sharp. Honorable Alu must master the yin'ein before it is permissible to learn zahen'ein. Most of these weapons are constructed from braided Bladegrass, making them hard, light and sharp.
Clans tend to have particular Zahen'ein that they prefer, and keep them secret in order to surprise foes. The Zahen'ein are designed to inflict not only vicious wounds but also a great deal of pain as well. "Glass" weapons made of splintering steel make even small wounds painful and deadly. Glass assassin's blades are thrust deep into the foe and twisted, splintering into a dozen sharp metal triangles. The central core of the weapon is a spike which remains usable.
- av'ein-kel
- The av'ein-kel is a double-bladed sword formed by combining two av-kel. This is equivalent to a double-sword or double-scimitar.
- av'islai
- The av'islai are long, whip-like weapons that can attack at a distance. Most of these weapons are constructed from braided Bladegrass, making them hard, light and sharp. These weapons are equivalent to the whip, whip-dagger, spiked chain, chain-and-dagger, kusari-gama, and nagaika.
| | yin'ein (top to bottom) paired as'ei, three av-tlen, three av-kel, three av'ein-kel, one av'en-kel
|
|
Login