HazmatMedic

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

All right. I suppose that's fair. I could argue on, but that would be stupid AND wasteful. I was thinking entirely about looks and would have made them all the same strength anyway, but I can see that it's a dumb idea.

I liked this. I feel we kept things quite civil and came to logical, valid conclusion. Seriously, if there ever comes a debate like this again, we should talk it over like this. Hats off to you, gentlemen (or ladies. I don't know who is which.)

I can still have a Kukri though, right?

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

Alfhedil said
No. Just.... No. Honestly, if you truly believe that then there's really no reason for you to ban anything in the RP. By your logic there, since you've allowed crossbows, then someone could come in with compound crosswbows, since you know, they're both crossbows, and they both shoot bolts at thing to kill them. The only difference is the time periods, right? I mean, it's not like one is more efficient and just overall better than the other one, or that one utilizes materials that was previously unavailable when the other was made.Right, now that we're going to be looking at this with history and reality. There is a massive difference between Gladii and Wakizashis. First and most glaring of these differences is the purpose either blade is meant for. Gladii are meant for lunging and stabbing. Wakizashi are meant for cutting and slashing. While you can slash with a Gladii, and you can stab with a Wakizashi, that is not what either is meant to do and your strikes will be ineffectual at best, and probably show your fighter off as desperate. Second of differences here, and perhaps the thing that is truly the worst of this ruling, is the construction of the blades. Gladii can be made from bronze, iron, or steel with the material only affecting the durability of the blade and the cutting edge. Wakizashi on the other hand, are made of specially forged steel, using techniques that are beyond what our civilizations should be capable in this era. Without using this steel, a bronze or iron blade, even perhaps a steel blade of the era, would be incapable of sustaining the structural integrity of the blade, and result in a vastly shortened life-span of the weapon.There is also the point in which some weapons simply are better at killing than others, in that everyone should know that japanese blades were notorious for being sharp enough to cut into armor and many times through bone if enough power was put behind them. That is because of the construction of the blade and the quality of the material being used allowing the craftsmen to forge a cutting tool far superior to the weapon you have compared it to. This is because steel was very much a thing in the 14th century and later, allowing for the widespread use of this material in the creation of arms for the militaries of the time. Flashback to the 5th century, and steel is almost non-existent for how little it is used, since bloomeries were the only method of forging the metal.So yeah, the ruling needs reversed to 5th Century, and only 5th Century. That is what you advertised in your interest check, and that is what we are here for. I'm pretty sure no one joined the RP expecting to have their 5th Century nation go up against plate-wearing assholes with katanas. Seriously.

You'll have to forgive my admittedly poor comparison, it was about 2 in the morning where I am when I typed that. I was merely using it as an example. The differance between stabby weapons and slashy weapons is a huge one (because I'm 5 years old again.) : P

I mean in terms of aesthetics. If you were to say your soldier is carrying a Wakazishi, I would take it to mean he is carrying a Wakazishi-like blade, made of iron and without the fancy layering techniques the feudal Japanese used. If your pseudo-samurai went up against a pseudo-legionary, I would consider tactics and command way before I'd consider what weapons you were using.

I.e. Iron wakizashi - 1-2 foot blade, designed for slashing
Iron Gladius - 1.97 foot - 2.23 foot blade, designed for stabbing

That second part is the bit I'd consider. I'm merely saying if you want a blade to look a certain way (Like me with the Ghurka's Kukri) then it can look that way - but it will be just as strong as a blade that looks different. The difference we will practically apply is looks. Oh, and curved blades are better for cavalry, whereas straight blades are better for infantry.

So, to summarise - all "future weapons" are merely aesthetic. Having a Wakazishi will NOT mean you have access to all the fancy techniques and immense power that Japanese swords have - that's feudal, not Ancient. It WILL mean you have a very pretty sword, though.

Is that fair, Alf/Shimm?

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

Oh.
Well then, I guess they're perfectly acceptable.

As always, if anyone has a problem with any of the additions or rules, just say so.

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

ASTA said
Not exactly no, but I'm seriously going to be miffed if I see people walking about with 15th century suits of plate armor.

I know, I'm dead against that too. I'm limiting any "future tech" to cold weapons only. No plate armour, no holy hand grenades, no galleons and cannons, just swords and shields. You really need to worry about longbows and slings in terms of ranged weapons.

Of course, if we all agree, I may consider crossbows, but we'll leave them out for now.

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

Also, I was planning on my Nation's history including two major empires that collapsed somewhat recently. Their ruins would still be fresh, if anyone wants to go on a treasure hunt.

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

I'd presume all but the most basic education would be unavailable to peasants. By basic education, I mean it would be a stretch for a lower class citizen to count to ten, or write his name.
I suppose, however, it depends on ones job. Messengers and military scouts will have to read, write and count, as they cannot convey useful information otherwise.
As a general rule, higher class = higher education

Some hoplite spears were 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) long.

That's bigger than me, if that is your issue. Ancient weapons could be huge, and the Hoplite Spear would make an excellent polearm for the era.

I don't quite understand what you mean by "more sophisticated polearms". Could you explain, or give a comparison? I'm not trying to sound rude or ignorant, I genuinely don't understand.

I currently stand by my ruling that all cold weapons are acceptable, unless someone has a major problem with it.

I mean, it hardly makes a difference if my soldiers are wielding Gladii or Wakizashis does it? They're both swords, both bladed and both are designed to kill. The only differance that it practically has is the time periods, but they look dramatically different aesthetically.

And to return to the cinquedea, is it really that much of an issue if we have cinquedeas rather than, say, daggers? They do the same job equally well and have the same strengths and weaknesses, just one looks prettier than the other.

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

Ok, how about "pre-500 AD, but most melee weapons are allowed."?
For example, the cinquedea mentioned above is allowed, but we can't say "but I COULD build a cannon because ..." as that would be too risky.

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

The era IS pre-500 AD, but if anything could logically exist before then, it's okay.
For example, the Italian dagger, know as a cinquedea, was created roughly 1500 AD but as it is just a very long knife it is acceptable for someone in your army to have it.

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

Rare said
Is this still accepting people.

Yes, we are! Actually, we need more people...

A New Age - Ancient Era NRP

Would anyone mind if I was to join in, or would you rather I played the part of the impartial GM?