Arms and Armour: Jousting

A subset of Polearms, jousting weapons are those specifically designed to be used from horseback. The practice originally developed as a means to use polearms in war, especially against mounted opponents who might cause trouble for foot soldiers.

Over time, however, a less violent form of the practice commonly known as the tilt developed. A more sporting practice, this was a tournament competition involving the least lethal of the lances and practiced largely by nobility. This is the popular joust, as practiced by nobility and cheered by the common folk. Both martial and tournament jousting are in practice today, though the term is more commonly known for tournaments.

Some jousting weapons can be used on the ground, but those that are are generally useless for defense. When doing this, the polearm skill should be used, and a dodging or shield skill used for defense.

Citizen Jousting Weapons
These are the lances, the simplest of the jousting weapons and commonly used by any citizens who wish to fight from horseback, or by anyone who competes in a jousting tournament.

Jousting Lance
Fashioned entirely from wood, this is the lance typically used in a tournament - indeed, in most tournaments the use of anything other than this is strictly prohibited. When used in a tournament, specially designed jousting lances are formed to strike against an opponents chest plate or shield, to knock them off their horse. These lances are cheap and easy to make, which is especially good, since they are intended to break upon impact to prevent injury. All forms of the jousting lance are held in one hand, behind the vamplate designed to protect the hand.

Other, more martial versions might be found in the field. Solid timber models exist that, when they strike an opponent, will not shatter, instead causing crushing damage with the blunt ends of the lance.

The jousting lance is very often painted in the colors of the competitor's House, or decorated in another manner.


 * In-Game Description:
 * A Jousting Lance, fabricated primarily from timber. It is a ten-foot long pole, tapering as it approaches the end before rounding off into a blunt end. A foot long hilt is attached at the broad back end of the lance, carved to permit easy grip on the weapon. To protect the hand, a conical metal vamplate twelve inches in diameter slides back over the handle partway, preventing any enemy strikes from injuring the fingers.

Can not be used on foot.