Steel is the final word in the Hyborian Age.
From gilded courts to bloodstained battlefields, blades decide the fate of kings and cutthroats alike. Each one bears the mark of the land that forged it and the blood it has spilled. These weapons carry scars, not ceremony.
This collection presents regional blades for my Shadowdark campaign, shaped by harsh terrain and harder lives. Each offers distinct tactical advantages rooted in the cultures that wield them.
They are not decorations. They are drawn when talk ends and killing begins.
Ghanata Knife
Damage: 1d6 Range: Close
Trait: Fear’s Edge – Deals +1 damage against humanoid targets.
Game Type: Shortsword
Lore: Wielded by ruthless tribesmen of the southern deserts, the Ghanata Knife is feared. Enemies who recognize the blade’s savage history often hesitate or falter, leaving openings the wielder exploits. This psychological edge turns every strike into a statement of dominance, cutting deeper into foes shaken by the weight of legend.
Stygian Blade
Damage: 1d4 Range: Close/Thrown
Trait: Silent Fang – Deals +1 damage on melee backstab attacks.
Game Type: Dagger
Lore: Forged in the shadowed temples of Stygia, the hooked blade is a whisper of death. Assassins who wield it move unseen, striking with lethal precision that unnerves even the most battle-hardened foes. The blade’s deadly efficiency is matched only by the cold certainty of those who carry it - a silent promise of swift, merciless judgment.
Poniard of Gunderland
Damage: 1d4 Range: Close/Thrown
Trait: Duelist’s Guard – Grants +1 AC against melee when wielded off-hand without a shield.
Game Type: Dagger
Lore: The Poniard of Gunderland is the weapon of choice for northern duelists, a companion as quick and sure as the fighter who wields it. In the heat of close combat, it serves as both shield and sword, allowing its master to deflect blows with practiced ease. Its presence on the battlefield marks a warrior refined in the art of survival and counterattack.
Zhaibar Knife
Damage: 1d8 Range: Close/Special
Trait: Mountain’s Reach – Can make Close ×2 attacks at DISADV.
Game Type: Longsword
Lore: As told in “People of the Black Circle,” this dangerous 1-yard-long blade is favored by the Afghuli mountain tribes. This brutal weapon is a symbol of tribal pride and deadly skill, its bone handle worn smooth by generations. Among the high passes, the Zhaibar is both a tool of survival and a mark of leadership.
