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Sword, akinakes
Sword, Blade, Sidearm, Central Asia, Classical
Also acinaces. An ancient type of short sword, used by the Persians during the Classical period, who originally adopted them from the Scythians, Sarmatians, and other steppe peoples of central Asia who used them well back into the Bronze Age. An akinakes has a fairly wide, double-edged, parallel blade with a rounded or spatulate tip, usually 14"-18" in length (the entire weapon would be from 20"-24" long), it was also characterized by a unique two-lobed pommel and (nominal) hand guard. The akinakes is primarily a thrusting weapon, but also useful for slashing (draw cutting) and to a lesser degree, hacking and chopping.
This specific weapon was found in kurgans, tombs and other archeological sites dating from thousands of years BC through the classical period, its presence in a grave is used by archeologists to identify settlements or grave sites of these people.
A typical iron Akinakes with a short dagger-like blade
A princely Akinakes for a very high status warrior with gold inlayed hilt (this would be +1 AP, +4 Ehren)
Name | Size | Reach | Speed | Defense | Base Damage | Attack Types | Primary Attack Types | Armor Pierce | Grapple | Hardness | HP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sword, akinakes | S | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1-6 | SCP | SP | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |

