Woodcutter's Axe
Description
Setting out to create one of these great steel or mithril axes can be a daunting proposition given the sheer amount of materials required to create them. Their most common form is that of a great daneaxe wielded by a Varushkan or Wintermark warrior, although they are also popular in some parts of Marches. Woodcutter’s Axes are often engraved with Yoorn, the Rune of Ending or Kyrop, the Rune of Weakness.
In the the League, there is a tradition of making these weapons in the form of heavy, thick bladed greatswords colloquially called Butterknives - a waggish reference to the way the weapons cut through steel as if it was butter. For a similar reason, some Marcher or Navarri warriors refer to them as Hotknives. The greatsword incarnation of this weapon is often marked with the rune Hirmok, representing its dominance over other tools of war.
Finally, the Splintering Hammer is a version of this potent weapon popular in Dawn and among the Imperial Orcs. A heavy hammer or great mace, studded with tempest jade and inlaid with orichalcum and green iron, swung with a forceful two-handed blow can sometimes cause a poorly made barbarian shield to literally explode into wooden splinters. Denied their protection, the follow-up swing from a skilled warrior leaves the enemy crippled or bleeding out with shattered ribcage and pulverised internal organs. Knights who favour these potent weapons have a perhaps not undeserved reputation for brutality - especially if they choose to use a splintering hammer in a duel or tournament. By contrast, that very reputation for brutal, straightforward practicality that first disarms and then destroys an opponent makes them quite popular with the Orcs (and with more than a few who carry the briar lineage).
Rules
- Effect: You may spend a hero point to call SHATTER with this weapon.
- Materials: Crafting a Woodcutter's Axe requires nine ingots of orichalum, fifteen ingots of tempest jade, nine ingots of green iron, three measures of ambergelt, three measures of beggar's lye, and three measures of dragonbone. It takes one month to make one of these items.