Among the most common incarnations of the sword it the Short Sword, also called a gladius or arming sword. Short swords are roughly two-feet long, double-edged for cutting and have a tapered point for stabbing during thrusting. A solid grip is provided by a knobbed hilt added on, possibly with ridges for the fingers. Blade strength is usually achieved by welding together strips, in which case the sword had a channel down the center, or by fashioning a single piece of iron or steel. The owner's name is often engraved or punched on the blade, especially in Ralstaa where the weapons are most popular. Stabbing is a very efficient technique, as stabbing wounds, especially in the abdominal area, can be deadly without an excess of force but the weight of the blade means a short sword is also useful for cutting or slashing.
| type | material | optimum attack | damage type | to hit | damage | reach | durability | weight | encumbrance | tech. code | ||
| Short Sword | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| special | maintain formatting | |||||||||||