Various designs of axes wielded by Beastmen as rendered for Total War: Warhammer.
Axes, of all the hand weapons, are the oldest, except for perhaps the club, having evolved from simple cutting tools with stone heads. Evidence of this fact persists to the present day, as Norscan berserkers still wield crude flint axes on occasion. The less civilised Greenskins also often use stone axes.[1a]
The modern axe is a long-hafted weapon with a wedge-shaped blade at one end. Usually, there is a leather wrap around the handle to improve the grip along with a thong to hang it from a weapon belt. The blade itself features a socket that fits tightly over the haft. There are many variations in axes. Some feature crescent-shaped blades or a spike opposite of the blade. Others have a cutting blade on either side of the socket, essentially providing a double head.[1a][1b]
Types of Axes[]
- Stone Axe - This is a simple tool that is also a suitable weapon. It features a wedge-shaped axe-head at the top of a wooden haft. It usually lacks the modern socket, and the stone head is instead wedged into the wood of the haft and bound with cord.[1b]
- Battle Axe - This weapon features a broad, iron cutting head and often has a spike on the backside. The haft is reinforced with steel, and there is usually a tightly wrapped leather grip around the handle. These axes sometimes have inscriptions of prayers to Ulric, the god of winter, war and wolves.[1b]
- Bearded Axe - Slightly larger than the normal axe, the bearded axe features a notched and curved head.[1b]
Notable Axes[]
- Axe of Dargo - This fearsome blade was forged from the shards of a shattered axe belonging to Baragor, first of the Slayer Kings. It was reforged with terrible oaths of vengeance and tempered in the blood of Dragons. The Dwarfs of Clan Drakebeard reckon it their most-prized heirloom, save only the Slayer Crown worn by their kin, Ungrim Ironfist.[2a]
- Axes of Grimnir - In all the Karaz Ankor there are no two axes as renowned as the twin blades of Grimnir, Ancestor God of war of the Dwarfs. Eventually Grimnir passed into legend, but not before he passed one of his axes to his son, Morgrim. That axe lies in the hands of High King Thorgrim Grudgebearer today, and is reckoned among the mightiest weapons of all time. There is much debate as to the location of his second axe, a topic that keeps Dwarf scholars very busy indeed. During the events of the End Times, the famed Dwarf Slayer Gotrek's axe, taken from the ruins of Karag Dum, was revealed to be one of the legendary Axes of Grimnir. It was Grimnir who gifted him the other twin blade held by Thorgrim Grudgebearer after his death. With an Axe of Grimnir in each hand, the Slayer became an unstoppable force, an avatar of bloody-minded vengeance, as Grimnir had once predicted he would be.[2a][3a]
- Destroyer of Khorne - A massive axe wielded by the infamous Champion of Khorne Arbaal the Undefeated. It blesses him with unrelenting energy and might.
- Gitsnik - The enchanted axe and choppa of the great Black Orc Warboss Grimgor Ironhide.
- Ol' Trustworthy - There are many rumours concerning the origins and name of Josef Bugman's magical axe, Ol' Trustworthy. He has carried it every day since his brewery was razed to the ground by Goblin raiders, and with it he has hewn countless Greenskin necks. Bugman will not speak the name of his blade, and if asked grows grim, referring to the precious rune-bound axe by the simple moniker Ol' Trustworthy.[2a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Armoury (RPG)
- 2: White Dwarf Weekly 2
- 2a: pp. 13-14
- 3: Slayer (Novel) by David Guymer
- 3a: Ch. 18
Gallery[]
