LucaCherstich
Mongoose
In "People of Black Circle" REH makes Conan an Afghuli chieftain using a 1-yard long knife called "Zhaibar Knife"
In "The Flame Knife" by De Camp there's an "Ilbars Knife" which is exactly like the Zhaibar knife by REH.
But what is the inspiration source of such Ghulistani knives?
I feel it is the "Khyber knife" an Afghan long knife which in reality is much shorter (c. 50 cm) than REH's Zhaibar knife (c. 100 cm).
Why do I say so?
1) the ending "Ber" in the Afghan Khyber knife recall the ending "Bar" of the Zhaibar knife.
2) The Khyber knife is called because of a pass (Khyber) and so it is the Zhaibar.
My idea is that REH knew that Afghans use very long knives....but he made them a bit too longer than normal.
If the Khyber knife is the inspiration of the Zhaibar, it means that the figure of the Zhaibar knife in Conan rpg is WRONG.
That illustration depicts a triangular blade which seems specialized for thrusting...while Khyber (and Zhaibar) knives should have a triangular blade specialised for chopping.
This is the image of a real Khyber knife.
Zhaibar (and Ilbars?) knife should be very similar....with a blade twice that long.
My idea is to introduce the Khyber knife TOGETHER with the Zhaibar knife by Himelian Tribesmen, maybe as an off-hand weapon.
Here are some possible stats:
Khyber Knife
Martial Light Weapon
Finesse
20 sp, dmg 1d8, crit x2, AP 2, hd 9, hp 3, weight 1 1/2 lb, Slashing & Piercing.
Compared to the Zhaibar I've made this weapon AP 2 instead of AP 1 since this is a shorter weapon, easier to use for thrusting rather than just for chopping.
In "The Flame Knife" by De Camp there's an "Ilbars Knife" which is exactly like the Zhaibar knife by REH.
But what is the inspiration source of such Ghulistani knives?
I feel it is the "Khyber knife" an Afghan long knife which in reality is much shorter (c. 50 cm) than REH's Zhaibar knife (c. 100 cm).
Why do I say so?
1) the ending "Ber" in the Afghan Khyber knife recall the ending "Bar" of the Zhaibar knife.
2) The Khyber knife is called because of a pass (Khyber) and so it is the Zhaibar.
My idea is that REH knew that Afghans use very long knives....but he made them a bit too longer than normal.
If the Khyber knife is the inspiration of the Zhaibar, it means that the figure of the Zhaibar knife in Conan rpg is WRONG.
That illustration depicts a triangular blade which seems specialized for thrusting...while Khyber (and Zhaibar) knives should have a triangular blade specialised for chopping.
This is the image of a real Khyber knife.
Zhaibar (and Ilbars?) knife should be very similar....with a blade twice that long.
My idea is to introduce the Khyber knife TOGETHER with the Zhaibar knife by Himelian Tribesmen, maybe as an off-hand weapon.
Here are some possible stats:
Khyber Knife
Martial Light Weapon
Finesse
20 sp, dmg 1d8, crit x2, AP 2, hd 9, hp 3, weight 1 1/2 lb, Slashing & Piercing.
Compared to the Zhaibar I've made this weapon AP 2 instead of AP 1 since this is a shorter weapon, easier to use for thrusting rather than just for chopping.
