[OOC] The Library

[Alphakoka]

Kestrel said
Outside of the people on the roof, yeah.

'k....waiting for Valeric to post again.

So Mime likes to dress up like a little girl? ;)

I did say Mime is almost never seen in his actual form and most of the time took Arlette's form, didn't I?

[chukklehed]

Kestrel said
Outside of the people on the roof, yeah.Then I looked over it, my bad. But if the only requirement would be 'has to be one item' then we'd have every rook run around with chainsaw gunblades in armours that reflect magic, have wings and eight extra arms and also make them invisible ;p In the same way, I don't allow bishops 'water manipulation' because that's a ton of spells in one slot, or require an ability slot for flight because otherwise every knight with a winged spirit has a free power. Basically, it's very unfair towards other players.

The weapon is normal three section staff with a retractable blade. That is a lot different from having a piece of magical equipment that has multiple effects. In fact, the only reason it's not just a bladed three section staff is because I wanted the option to make it nonleathal. It's not like it's four entirely different weapons, it can just be used four different ways.

When the sections are joined and the blade is retracted, it's a Bo staff.
When the sections are joined and the blade is locked halfway, it's a scythe.
When the sections are joined and the blade is fully extended, it's a Naginata.
When the sections are separated, it's a three section staff.

If I had a crossbow with an extendable blade and a shield attached, i would understand the objection, but the Four Fold Staff never stops being a staff weapon.

[Kestrel]

The three-sectioned staff has a wildly different use from a naginata. The former is a highly unpredictable weapon, hard to defend against thanks to it's ability to strike in an arc, the latter especially deadly against mounted and larger opponents. The bo-staff is, in and by itself, one of the most versatile defensive weapons out there. The scythe... well, would totally be a non-issue because the naginata is superior to the scythe in about ever aspect outside of maybe a cool- or farming factor. However putting the other three together is a pretty big deal. You could even transform it into a makeshift kusarigama the way it's set up; adding yet another function to the equation (though I don't think the chain would stretch that far.)

The thing is that the way the Library works, it's safe to assume that every weapon is an epitome of craftsmanship which cannot break or dull unless specified otherwise. I mean, even bows don't run out of arrows. If your weapon doesn't break or succumb under force, and for some reason has perfect balance in spite of only one end having a blade, you're cancelling out all problems a real world counter-part might have, leaving you with, indeed, multiple weapons in one slot.

EDIT: Also to give you another example, we had two guys using cannons as weapons, but they took side-effects like having cooldowns or required to be mounted for a post to balance out the power, even though they could probably carry it around with ease thanks to their POW score.

[chukklehed]

Point made, what if i removed the three section?

Also the Naginata is not "Vastly superior" to the scythe. You can't judge that because Scythe combat and Naginata combat are completely different. That's like saying Karate is vastly superior to Jujitsu, or MMA. They were created for fighting against different situations.

[Kestrel]

The sharp side is on the inside; so you require two motions for the same result, the second being extremely predictable and using the same blade, less likely to pierce armour. Also pole-arms are generally best used to keep space between you and your opponent because they're most deadly on their outer ends; not to invite them to get closer before striking, at which point the weapon can be trapped leaving you defenceless ;p

Removing the sectioning would be good. Another thing I'd have to ask would be one side being heavier because it carries the blade, so that it's limited as a bo-staff (it's perfect balance is what makes it so versatile, after all.)

Also working on posts. Should be up by tomorrow.

[chukklehed]

The trade off you get for longer reach is shallower wounds and less force. Scythe combat consists of three basic parts: Stabbing, Disarming and Cutting.

Since it was originally used as a harvesting tool, the scythe's primary focus is cutting things off. It's an excellent weapon if you want nothing so much as to kill somebody, since it's most effective attack is almost always fatal. Secondly, unlike the Naginata with it's straight blade, when you use a scythe to pierce an enemy your blow has far more force, since you're swinging instead of thrusting, meaning that between the two a scythe is actually the more effective piercing weapon. Third, the scythe's unique shape makes it ideal for disarming your opponent, combining the long reach of a spear with the hooked blade.

One scythe in the hands of a well trained man is worth at least three Naginatas. The reason scythe combat has almost died out is because as a weapon it's made for killing, and can never be anything else. Even a sword can be used for sport, but not a scythe.

[chukklehed]

also you realize the weapon could be weighted on the other end, right?

[Kestrel]

You described the same blade being mounted sideways. War-scythes were effective at cutting, but for this purpose the blade was mounted completely different.from it's use as a farming tool. With a sideways blade, it's just impractical and unwieldy.

And yes, which is exactly why I asked that.

[chukklehed]

I don't know why you think I have a magic farming tool. The blade works like a switchblade with a second lock halfway. Why would it be mounted sideways?

[Kestrel]

Now I'm confused. A war-scythe, as far as I'm concerned, looks like this and was essentially used like a poor man's halberd, sort of like your description when it comes to cutting and piercing armour. However, that doesn't go with the visual image I have from your description. Something like this is highly impractical and I have no idea what you're going for anymore.

[chukklehed]

The second one is what I'm talking about, and the way I described using it had nothing to do with the first one, which is STILL a straight bladed weapon.

[Valeric]

As far as I know scythes are pretty terrible weapons? Too unwieldy, tiny slashing area, and I really do not think it is effective against armour at all. They appear often in works of fiction only because of how cool they are.

[Kestrel]

chukklehed said
The second one is what I'm talking about, and the way I described using it had nothing to do with the first one, which is STILL a straight bladed weapon.

Then I really wanna see your sources, because I have a really hard time taking your word for it's effectiveness. As far as I'm concerned, outside of mounting the blade straight like in the first one, scythes haven't seen much use in warfare at all.

[Alphakoka]

chukklehed said
I don't know why you think I have a magic farming tool. The blade works like a switchblade with a second lock halfway. Why would it be mounted sideways?

chukklehed said
The second one is what I'm talking about, and the way I described using it had nothing to do with the first one, which is STILL a straight bladed weapon.

Alright, I'm really confused now.


^That doesn't look mounted sideways to you?

[Valeric]

No, he's saying that it isn't mounted sideways, you can just lock it into that position? And his second sentence, while confusing, is just about the war scythe kestrel posted (that it is still a straight bladed weapon unlike the 2nd picture which is what he wants).

[chukklehed]

Kestral, "mounted sideways" is implying that the blade itself is rotated 90° like a small number of farming scythes are built. The way a normal scythe is built is typically refered to as a "perpendicular blade", which is why I didn't understand what you were saying.

[Alphakoka]

Ah, difference in used term.

[Kestrel]

chukklehed said
Kestral, "mounted sideways" is implying that the blade itself is rotated 90° like a small number of farming scythes are built. The way a normal scythe is built is typically refered to as a "perpendicular blade", which is why I didn't understand what you were saying.

Well, good that's cleared up. Though I'm still not sure how the scythe is viable as a weapon. Amusingly enough, though, if you do manage to convince me it is, the less likely I'll let you have it ;p

Also, Clayman and Free Billy are up... Which means I totally forgot about our dragon diplomatists... I'll get right to that.

[Fallenreaper]

Kestrel said
Well, good that's cleared up. Though I'm still not sure how the scythe is viable as a weapon. Amusingly enough, though, if you do manage to convince me it is, the less likely I'll let you have it ;pAlso, Clayman and Free Billy are up... Which means I totally forgot about our dragon diplomatists... I'll get right to that.

Lol, looks like Alpha gets his wish without lifting a finger because Quartz would have little options other then to hide so not to be seen. :p Damn it.

And just admit it Kest, you like to draw out the suspense that's why you forgot.

[Kestrel]

On an off-note, Fallen, hen is that RP of yours starting up? It's been months since I last heard of it.