Gorean Weapons - Spears



This is my narrative and relevant references from the Books about Spears.
It is not meant to be anything other than the facts of the matter. Arrive at your own conclusions.


I wish you well,
Fogaban


 


Spear		To The Index

The typical Gorean combat spear has a shaft of from six to over seven feet in length. The shaft ranges from an 1½ to 2 inches thick. This is topped by a socketed bronze blade measuring 14 to 20 inches, including the socket. The head is double-edged, begining about 2 inches from the bottom of the socket and tapering to a point. [c1] c1 "The spear, a Gorean war spear, its head tapered of bronze, some eighteen inches long, its shaft more than an inch and a half in thickness, more than six feet in length, sped from my grasp."
Hunters of Gor, Page 279

"It had a long, heavy shaft, some two inches in width, some seven feet in length; the head of the weapon, including its socket and penetrating rivets, was some twenty inches in length; the killing edges of the blade began about two inches from the bottom of the socket, which reinforced the blade, tapering with the blade, double-edged, to within eight inches of its point; the blade was bronze; it was broad at the bottom, tapering to its point. . ."
Slave Girl of Gor, Page 22

"The average Gorean spear is some seven feet in length, with a socketed bronze blade some fourteen to eighteen inches in length."
Swordsmen of Gor, Page 284

It is a terrible weapon and, when cast with considerable force, can pierce a shield at close quarters or bury its head a foot deep in solid wood. [c2] c2 "It is a terrible weapon and, abetted by the somewhat lighter gravity of Gor, when cast with considerable force, can pierce a shield at close quarters or bury its head a foot deep in solid wood."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 21

The thrust spear, of course, impelled by the force of a strong man, may penetrate a four-layered shield or a human body, but then the spear is lost until its retraction.
Mariners of Gor, Pages 352 - 353 If swung, it can cleave to the heart. [c3] c3 "a true spear whose blade might cleave easily, even through inches of hide, hair, and flesh to a heart."
Kur of Gor, Page 202

Actually, the spear is most often used as a stabbing weapon. In fact, the intention may be to render the shield of the oppent useless. [c3] c3 So deep a thrust, like the deep thrust of a blade, is foolish, unless intended to, say, encumber a shield, rendering it useless, preparatory to a blade attack.
Mariners of Gor, Pages 352 - 353 Once thrown, obviously, it is no longer available to its owner.

One is trained to take the cast spear obliquely on the shield, that it may carom away. In such a case he who throws the spear has lost his weapon and the intended target remains unencumbered. [c4] c4 "It is true the spear can be cast and with effect, but it is most often used as a stabbing weapon. Once a spear is cast, obviously, it is no longer available to its owner, and this is the case even if it strikes its intended target, one of perhaps dozens of advancing, threatening targets. Sometimes the spear, thrust or cast, is used to penetrate a shield, rendering it unwieldy, and a handicap to its bearer. This is particularly to one's advantage if one is faced with a given foe, as in single combat. The attack is then most often pressed with the blade, most commonly amongst Gorean warriors, a short sword, typically the gladius. One is trained to take the cast spear obliquely on the shield, that it may carom away. In such a case he who throws the spear has lost his weapon and the intended target remains unencumbered."
Kur of Gor, Page 376 Indeed, the Gorean spear is such that many warriors scorn lesser missile weapons, such as the longbow or crossbow. [c5] c5 "Indeed, the Gorean spear is such that many warriors scorn lesser missile weapons, such as the longbow or crossbow, both of which are not uncommonly found on Gor."
Outlaw of Gor, Page 21

Even though primarily an infantry weapon, it is also carried by tarnsmen. [c6] c6 "The tarnsman commonly carries, strapped to the saddle, a Gorean spear, a fearsome weapon, but primarily a missile weapon, and one more adopted to infantry."
Assassin of Gor, Page 366 The tarnsmem seldom use spear straps to better secure the weapon since, if the weapon became anchored in a shield or body, it might wrench him in the saddle, possibly breaking his back. [c7] c7 "Seldom, even, did he have a spear strap, to better secure the weapon. His thinking here was that such a strap might wrench him in the saddle, possibly breaking his back, if the weapon became anchored in a shield or body."
Swordsmen of Gor, Pages 322 - 323

Other spears mentioned are the short, long-bladed stabbing spears of Ukungu. [c8] c8 ". . .short, long-bladed stabbing spears. . ."
Explorers of Gor, Page 145 Small leather strips customarily sheath the blades of these spears. [c9] c9 "Small leather strips customarily sheath the blades of the spears of Ukungu. . ."
Explorers of Gor, Page 451 The Panther Girls of the northern forests carry light spears. [c10] c10 "Build up the fire," said the leader of the girls, a tall, blondish girl. How startling she seemed. She carried a light spear. She was dressed in skins."
Captive of Gor, Page 118 The rence growers of the Vosk Delta make use of a two or three pronged marsh spear. [c11] c11 ". . .two- or three-pronged marsh spear. . ."
Raiders of Gor, Page 12 However these spears of rence are no match for those of the mainland. [c12] c12 ". . .marsh spears were no match for the steel swords and the war spears of Gor."
Raiders of Gor, Page 52 At one point spears are described as having curved bronze heads. [c13] c13 "The spears were large, with curved bronze heads."
Captive of Gor, Page 49

And, for comparison, the Kur spear is around twelve feet in length with a shaft of some three inches in diameter. The bronze head alone might weigh twenty pounds. [c14] c14 "This time it brought forth a mighty spear, some twelve feet in length, with a long, tapering bronze head. . . . The shaft of the spear was some three inches in diameter. The bronze head might have weighed some twenty pounds."
Savages of Gor, Page 24


 


Lance		To The Index

The tharlarion lances are the longest and heaviest of the lances, being designed for use from tharlarionback. They are often used with a lance post [c15] c15 ". . .the longer, heavier tharlarion lances designed for use from tharlarionback, and often used with a lance post. . ."
Savages of Gor, Page 42 and are carried in a saddle sheath when not being used. [c16] c6 ". . .fastening his lance in its saddle sheath and slipping from the back of the tharlarion."
Tarnsmen of Gor, Page 117

There is the slender lance of the Wagon Peoples. [c17] c17 "Over his shoulder he, too, carried one of the slender lances."
Nomads of Gor, Page 14 Some of these have a rider hook under the point to dismount opponents. [c18] c18 "His lance had a rider hook under the point, with which he might dismount opponents."
Nomads of Gor Page 14 The blade of the lance, being more narrow than the war spear, is designed to minimize it getting caught in either a shield or a body. [c19] c19 "the narrowness of its blade, in the Tuchuk fashion, unlike the broader blade of the common war spear, was designed to minimize the danger of its anchoring in either a shield or body."
Swordsmen of Gor Page 323 The lances of the Wagon Peoples are not couched. They are carried in the right fist, easily, and are flexible and light, used for thrusting, not a battering-ram effect. They can be almost as swift and delicate in their address as a saber. The lances are black, cut from the poles of young tem trees. They may be bent almost double, like finely tempered steel, before they break. A loose loop of boskhide, wound twice about the right fist, helps to retain the weapon in hand-to-hand combat. It is seldom thrown. [c20] c20 "The lances of the Wagon Peoples are not couched. They are carried in the right fist, easily, and are flexible and light, used for thrusting, not the battering-ram effect of the heavy lances of Europe's High Middle Ages. Needless to say, they can be almost as swift and delicate in their address as a saber. The lances are black, cut from the poles of young tem trees. They may be bent almost double, like finely tempered steel, before they break. A loose loop of boskhide, wound twice about the right fist, helps to retain the weapon in hand-to-hand combat. It is seldom thrown."
Nomads of Gor, Page 15

A Tahari kaiila lance is long and slim, eight to nine [c21] c21 "Beside him lay the long lance, some nine feet in length."
Tribesmen of Gor, Page 255 feet in length, terminating in an extremely narrow point of razored steel in the shape of the flahdah leaf, some eleven inches long, [c22] c22 ". . .the long, slim lance, eight feet Gorean in length, marked with red and yellow swirling stripes, terminating in an extremely narrow point, razored, steel, some eleven inches in length, and lanceolate, as the leaf of the flahdah tree."
Tribesmen of Gor, Page 234 which is bound in the shaft by four rivets. [c23] c23 "He examined the long blade of the lance, running his finger along the edge of the blade. The blade was bound in the shaft by four rivets."
Tribesmen of Gor, Page 258

Red Savages use a kaiila lance for hunting kailiauk as well as in mounted warfare. It is called the kaiila lance because it is designed to be used from kaiilaback. There are two types of this lance. One is for hunting and the other for war. Hunting lances are commonly longer, heavier and thicker than war lances. They are often undecorated except for perhaps for a knot of feathers. The point of the hunting lance is usually longer and narrower than that of the war lance.
They both have heads of metal, bone or stone which are attached with sinew or rawhide, and also sometimes with metal trade rivets. The Red Savages who have mastered the tarn use a lance which is longer and more slender than the other two. [c24] c24 "The kaiila lance takes, on the whole, two forms, the hunting lance and the war lance. Hunting lances are commonly longer, heavier and thicker than war lances. Too, they are often undecorated, save perhaps for a knot of the feathers. . .The point of the hunting lance is usually longer and narrower than that of the war lance. . .The head, of metal, or of bone or stone, with sinew or rawhide, and also sometimes with metal trade rivets."
Savages of Gor, Page 42 - 43

The shafts are made of tem wood and are black, supple and strong. Staves for the lances are cut in the late winter, when the sap is down. They are then smoked and dried over a fire. This seasoning takes several weeks and kills any insects inside. [c25] c25 "The shafts of the kaiila lances are black, supple and strong; they are made of tem wood, a wood much favored on Gor for this type of purpose. Staves for the lances are cut in the late winter, when the sap is down. Such wood, in the long process of smoking and drying over the lodge fire, which consumes several weeks, seasoning the wood and killing any insects which might remain in it, seldom splits or cracks. Similarly, old-growth wood, or second-growth wood, which is tougher, is preferred over the fresher, less dense first-growth, or new-growth, wood."
Blood Brothers of Gor, Page 43

After drying, the shafts are rubbed with grease and straightened over the heat of a fire. With a small knife, they are trimmed and shaped. Finally, rubbing them with sandstone brings the lance shaft to a smooth finish. [c26] c26 "After drying, the shafts are rubbed with grease and straightened over the heat of a fire. Detailed trimming and shaping is accomplished with a small knife. A rubbing with sandstone supplies a smooth finish."
Blood Brothers of Gor, Page 43

The head of the lance is made of metal, bone or stone. It is secured with sinew or rawhide, or metal rivets. The sinew or rawhide soaked in hot water before being bound on the lance. This releases a natural glue. And water itself produces a natural shrinking and contraction as it dries. The head of the lance is therefore attached extremely solid and secure. [c27] c27 "The head, of metal, or of bone or stone, with sinew or rawhide, and also sometimes with metal trade rivets, is then mounted on the lance.
. . .
The sinew and rawhide, before being bound on the lance, are soaked with hot water. The heated water releases a natural glue in these substances, and the water itself, of course, produces a natural shrinking and contraction in drying. The mounting, thus, is extremely solid and secure."
Blood Brothers of Gor, Page 43

Finally, grips and loops are added. And some lances are decorated. [c28] c28 "Lastly, grips, and loops, and decorations, if desired, are added."
Savages of Gor, Page 43

"They carried feathered lances. . ."
Blood Brothers of Gor, Page 25

In use, one commonly thrusts one's wrist through the wrist loop, grasping the lance with the right hand, and anchors te lance beneath the right arm. This maximizes balance, control and impact. With the weight of a hurtling kaiila behind the thrust such a lance can be thrust through the body of a kailiauk. [c29] c29 "These lances are used in a great variety of ways, but the most common method is to thrust one's wrist through the wrist loop, grasp the lance with the right hand, and anchor it beneath the right arm. This maximizes balance, control and impact. With the weight of a hurtling kaiila behind the thrust such a lance can be thrust through the body of a kailiauk."
Savages of Gor, Page 43

Slightly different in construction is the Red Savage's tarn lance. But only because it is longer and more slender. [c30] c30 "The tarn lance, it might be mentioned, as is used by the red savages who have mastered the tarn, is, in size and shape, very similar to the kaiila lance. It differs primarily in being longer and more slender."
Savages of Gor, Page 43

One other type of lance mentioned is a smaller, thicker stabbing lance used by certain groups of pedestrian nomads. [c31] c31 ". . .the smaller, thicker stabbing lances used by certain groups of pedestrian nomads."
Savages of Gor, Page 42


 


Javelin		To The Index

While not described in detail, the javelin is used by infantrymen. [c32] c32 "Sometimes a passing army desires merely to amplify its forces, or replace losses, particularly among the lighter arms, such as bowmen, slingers and javelin men."
Mercenaries of Gor, Page 31

It had been a good cast, from twenty yards, the javelin into the heavy post set in the courtyard.
Mariners of Gor, Page 402 But it is mentioned much more often in ship-to-ship warfare. In this case, javelins are usually tarred and set afire and launched in sets from springals. [c33] c33 ". . .tarred javelins would be shaken out near the springals and light catapults. . ."
Raiders of Gor, Page 197

"A set of javelins, five of them, from a springal, struck from their guides by a forward-springing plank. . ."
Guardsman of Gor, Page 49


 


Harpoon		To The Index

The harpoon of the far north is some eight feet in length with a shaft some two and a half inches in diameter. Most of the shaft is wood, but it has a foreshaft of bone. In this foreshaft is set the head of the harpoon, of bone, drilled, with a point of sharpened slate. Through the drilled hole in the bone, some four inches below the slate point and some four inches above the base of the head, is passed a rawhide line. When in use, this line is laid coiled in the bottom of a boat. Due to the way the hole is drilled, when the line snaps taut it will turn the head of the harpoon in the wound, anchoring it. [c34] c34 "I grasped the long harpoon. It was some eight feet in length, some two and a half inches in diameter. Its major shaft was of wood, but it had a foreshaft of bone. In this foreshaft was set the head of the harpoon, of bone, drilled, with a point of sharpened slate. Through the drilled hole in the bone, some four inches below the slate point and some four inches above the base of the head, was passed a rawhide line, which lay coiled in the bottom of the boat. As the hole is drilled the line, when it snaps taut, will turn the head of the harpoon in the wound, anchoring it."
Beasts of Gor, Page 258

Interestingly, the harpoon is not throw by itself but instead a notched throwing board is used. Snapping the throwing board forward and downward, speeds the harpoon toward the intended target. [c35] c35 "I set the light harpoon into the notch on the throwing board and, even mittened, an instant before the beast turned toward me, grunted, snapping the throwing board forward and downward, speeding the shaft toward the enraged animal."
Beasts of Gor, Page 285


 


Trident		To The Index

The trident is used primarily as a weapon in arena combat and in conjunction with a net. [c36] c36 "The crowd is fond of seeing various types of weapons used against others, and styles of fighting. . . . the net and trident."
Assassin of Gor, Page 189

"A trident," said a man.
"Yes," I said. "The three-pronged fish spear."
"That is not a weapon," said a man.
"It may be used as such, obviously," I said.
"And in the arena, it is," said a fellow. He referred to one of the armaments well known in the arena, that of the "fisherman," he who fights with net and trident."
Vagabonds of Gor, Page 91
It is also used by fishermen [c37] c37 "My name is Clitus," he said. "I am a fisherman. I can guide ships by the stars. I know the net and trident."
Raiders of Gor, Page 85

"You are not dealing with Cosians," I said. "You are dealing with rencers."
"People of scaling knives, of throwing sticks, and fish spears!" laughed a fellow.
Vagabonds of Gor, Page 128 and as their traditional weapon. [c38] c38 "But it is by means of such weapons," I said, "that fishermen often fight."
Raiders of Gor, Page 85

"He had purchased the net in the morning, with a trident, the traditional weapons of the fisherman of the western shore and the western islands."
Raiders of Gor, Page 112


 


Pike		To The Index

Pikes, while not described in detail, are used by Counsel Guardsmen [c39] c39 "Four members of the Council Guard, beneath the two great braziers set at the entrance, leaped to attention, the butts of their pikes striking on the tiles."
Raiders of Gor, Page 255 and the infantry, which, with staggered lines and the butts of pikes anchored in the earth, can usually turn an attack of light cavalry. [c40] c40 "Gorean infantry, with staggered lines and fixed pikes, their butts anchored in the earth, could usually turn an attack of light cavalry."
Savages of Gor, Page 286 Sailors also use pikes for repelling boarders. These pikes are often greased near the blade end, making it harder for boarders to grasp them in order to wrench them away. [c41] c41 "Pikes for repelling boarders, it might be noted, are often greased near the blade end. This makes it harder for boarders to grasp them, wrenching them away, forcing gaps in the pike wall, and so on."
Renegades of Gor, Page 265

"He struck a defender's pike away from himself. Then he cut at the pirates to his left and right."
Guardsman of Gor, Page 41

I heard weapons being spilled on the deck, brought from below, and men seized up blades, spears, axes, and pikes.
Mariners of Gor, Page 255