I love weapons. Swords, bows, knives, anything remotely fantasy connected. I love them all. It might have something to do with the fact that I love writing fantasy novels.
My fantasy characters are so lucky. Somehow they all seems to end up with amazing weapons, and all end up knowing how to use them. I am frankly envious of my characters, who learn how to fight with a sword, or shoot with a bow and arrow. It just seems so unfair!
The closest I can come to this however, is imagining I have these awesome weapons. Which then brings up another problem. Which weapon would I choose to have?
Swords are always dear to me, with their showy sounding fights. A good sword fight is always welcome in a book. Plus you can always have a legend involving a sword, or have one with fancy engraving on the blade. Knives are fun too, especially throwing knives. I'm not so sure about spears though. And axes are definitely not my style.
No, out of all the weapons, I think I'd be a bow-girl. These weapons are so graceful, and very practical. You can defend yourself long range, and pick up a roast for dinner at the same time. Plus, there's something very elfish about bows.
What weapon would you chose to have if you could have anything? Would you have an old fashioned weapon like a sword? Or a more modern weapon like a gun? Can you suggest any other weapons that could be used in a fantasy story?
Eek, I hope we're on the same side! Or, maybe, they're virtual weapons? Whatever - I want to be on your team!{{{}}}
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you'd definitely be on my side. I couldn't dream of fighting my own god-mother!
DeleteI like bows the best as well, though throwing knives would definitely be cool.
ReplyDeleteAs for suggesting weapons, I dunno, maybe a shuriken? (those little spiky things that get thrown)
I completely forgot about shuriken! And I love them so much too. They're so ninja-ish. I will definitely have to use them in my novel sometime soon.
DeleteI'm the same way. I love the weapons. My novels are set in a post-apocalyptic time, and people are back to using blades and bows for weapons. My girl is good with both, but prefers the bow too. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not half so much a fan of guns as I am of swords and bows. Post-apocalyptic worlds much be very good for using old weapons in. I was writing a story once which had a fantasy setting, fantasy weapons, and computers. It could have worked!
DeletePerhaps you're Abby from my novel. She's got a bow and knows how to use it, unlike Cholly who longs to acquire skill with blades or Daaron, who has the most power of them all and no clue how to wield it.
ReplyDeleteMy main character has great power too, and she's got no idea how to use it. Or how to fight. So I equipped her with some fighting friends, one sword, one bow. I think I'll have them disappear later though to give my MC a challenge.
DeleteI'm a swordsman, and a very aggressive one... Quarterstaffs are fun weapons too, but they're only for close combat because they're just extra long and thick walking sticks. But they're like a double-ended sword battle.;)
ReplyDeleteI never thought of quarterstaffs. Another weapon to add to my list. Thanks! You have a bow of your own, don't you?
DeleteI've got two bows of my own, like I said. Seriously, when i saw this post I thought that brought it up...:)
DeleteIt was definitely inspired by part by your post containing pictures of you with your bow. I guess I got a little confused when you said your favourite weapon was the sword, not the bow, when you own two bows. Do you own a sword as well?
Delete*giggle* I am an armory With 3 swords - two William Wallace Replicas (A little smaller than his) A musketeer-like sword, and then I have two heavy duty plastic combat swords like don't actually hit anyone over the head with it. :) I have a dagger and I just acquired a bow and arrows...but if I were to limit myself to one weapon, Hmmm it's hard. I like the distance that the arrow gives me, daggers are so personal, it's mortal combat close and lethal, swords are cool but that close I don't know I just don't like it but I do like bow and arrows but I am better with my sword. :P Maybe I need to practice more, and then I'd know.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun question!!!
Jessica
You really are an armoury! I think I need to go out and get myself some weapons. I've always wanted to try sword fighting too. But there's so much potential for getting injured in a sword fight. I guess that's why I like the range of the bow better. No one's going to cut your head off from that distance.
DeleteSwords can be dangerous, especially if it is sharpened. All of mine have a dull blade and are far from putting anyone at risk - I think. I only actually sword play with my black combat swords which where built with a sparring intent. But bow and arrows are very lovely.
DeleteSomeday I am going to spar with a sword. Only I think I'd go with a fencing sword. They're probably more my style than a broad sword. How heavy are your swords?
DeleteThey aren't too heavy they do give you a work out. On the packaging it says 3.3 pounds but I am not sure if it's for both or for one... tis' a puzzlement.
DeleteBut here is what they look like if you are interested, I have gotten all of my swords from their company :) I like shopping in the boy's section. :)
http://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/high-impact-medieval-long-sword-set/?search=sword
I've noticed that girls in fantasy seem to favor the bow. Narnia. Hunger Games. Brave. The list goes one. It's interesting, just like how short and stocky men always end up with axes.
ReplyDeleteI happen to favor the quarterstaff. :)
The short and stocky man with an axe seems to have turned into a stereotype. It could possibly stem from the idea that dwarves fight with axes, and they're short and stocky men.
DeleteI never really thought about the trend of girls with bows before, but now I do think, you're right. So many girls favourite the bow. I suppose it's a good thing one of the girls in my novel likes sword.
I almost forgot to say, the quarterstaff is a pretty cool weapon too. One of my sisters likes that. I'm firmly convinced I need a character to like quarterstaffs now.
DeleteGive me a blade! The Sword! I'll look my enemy in the eyes when I battle him! Lol. I own a single handed sword and know, fairly well, how to use it. I prefer hand-and-a-half swords though. I'm more of the Crusader type, not as much into with the quarterstaff or bow.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of fighting with a sword, and I'd love to learn how to fight. But I'd be too scared to fight for real. There's so much potential for getting killed! I'm too much of a coward for that.
DeleteYou have your own sword? Cool! Where do you get this kind of stuff? And do you have a hand-and-a-half sword as well?
I buy my stuff from a well renowned online store (www.kultofathena.com)I do not have a hand-and-a-half, but have many a good number of wooden replicas of many shapes and sizes. I believe JT can testify to the realism of my wooden blades as he owns one of my single-handed/hand-and-a-half blades (and had custom engraving put into the guard and blade).
DeleteI'll have to have a look at that online store. Any store that sells swords has got to be cool.
DeleteBow and arrows, all the way! And some incredible knives. The more elf-like, the better! :) God bless!
ReplyDeleteI think knives are awesome weapons. There's just so many places you can hide them, and so many to choose from. The only problem? I could never decide which knives I like best!
DeleteDaggers. Lots of them. Some up my sleeve for throwing, one tucked in my boot, maybe a few more here and there...
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of being ferociously armed and no one knowing about it. :)
Long range weapons. Bows, throwing knives, you name it! (As long as its not too heavy. :P)
ReplyDelete