The Blunt Weapons: Maces

Maces are powerful one or two handed weapons use to strike and bludgeon an opponent. As with the axe or hammer, the mace is made of a bulbous head and shaft of varying length. The shaft serves as the handle and can be made from hard wood, metal or bone. The majority of the weight is concentrated in the head of the weapon and is designed for bludgeoning. Certain variations of the mace have been known to have spikes, flanges or knobs in the head to increase the damage the weapon inflicts. Some maces are used in a more ornamental fashion and have very intricate designs on the head using gold and silver and even precious gems. However even ornamental maces can be deadly. There are several types of maces: Light Maces, Medium Maces, and Heavy Maces. Currently we know the following kinds of maces in Caelereth (listed alphabetically):

VIRGE, THE
A tool for corporal punishment, use as a riding crop, and the torturing of criminals this light mace is well known amongst guards, city watches, criminals, holymen, and choristers alike. Made of a long length of wood and usually set with a copper, brass, or bronze bobble, the virge is a light weight weapon used by militia men, guards, and priests capable of carrying out punishments with the mace. Though this weapon can at times be used as a ceremonial tool, it is capable of serving as a powerful weapon to those with limited knowledge on how to wield a mace. Notably, the shaft is a great deal longer than that of other maces, and a cross is usually fixed onto the head of the mace for either effect or infliction of pain.

FLANGED MACE, THE
The flanged mace is an average mace made from a long shaft of metal or wood, with a bulbous end lined with flanges or protruding metal. The flanges focus the energy of the blow and may be blunt or sharp. With the invention of armour plating, and full bodied suits of armour, maces were designed to smash through, and crumple the obstacles that armour posed to foot soldiers, knights, and cavalry.

MORNINGSTAR, THE
The morningstar is a basic mace, the only difference being that it has a spiked head. The spikes on the head of this mace are such that they appear to be like the rays of sunlight. This weapon is meant to puncture through metal plates with incredible ease, and adds a more sadistic flavor to the average mace. More often than not, the shaft of the morningstar will be made of wood to increase the momentum when swinging the morningstar. Few people use this weapon, but certain powerful dwarves have been known to wield two of these weapons simultaneously. Style and flair are lost on this weapon, but none can deny that it is an incredibly powerful tool of war.

WAR MACE, THE
The war mace takes the concept of the mace, and is designed to amplify its destructive qualities. These maces come with many variations, the most common being an increase in the size of the weapon, particularly the head. These maces are usually spiked, or studded for added effect, and are generally used by more muscular or higher ranking individuals capable of making the purchase. Unlike regular maces, the spikes tend to cover the entire head of the weapon giving it a pincushion appearance. Humans, orcs, and dwarves have been known to employ the war mace in combat while most other races tend to shy away from such a heavy weapon. Though few use the war mace with relish, the destructive power of this weapon is unparalleled on the battlefield.