Category:Lance

LANCE (polearm)
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Weight: ~3-10 kg
Rank(s): 1st and 2nd row

        The term "lance" originally referred to spears 
wielded by footmen and cavalry. It eventually referred 
only to cavalry spears.
        Lance design varies between cultures and eras. 
Generally, the lance is a long shaft of tough wood, usually 
ash, with an iron head in the shape of a laurel or willow 
leaf, with cutting edges and a sharp point meant to penetrate
armor.
        Lances are meant to be gripped close to the bottom, 
putting a great distance between the wielder and his target.
As a rule, the lance is aimed diagonally above the horse's 
neck. The opponents face each other with their left sides 
oncoming.
        Along with almost any variety of sword, the lance is 
considered the best offensive weapon for mounted soldiers. 
Some knights carry a small fabric pennant affixed just below 
the lance head. These pennants are either triangular or 
square, and carry the colors or symbols of the knight's
family or liege.
        In parades, lances are held vertically, with the butt 
set in a stirrup or on the horseman's right thigh. On a march,
the lance is held across the shoulder, across the saddlebow, 
or horizontally alongside the horse.
        Through evolution, weaponsmiths sought to increase the
damage caused by the lance by making them heavier.
        One of the biggest problems with using a lance is the 
jarring impact on the user. In order to address this problem, 
a thick leather ring called a graper is fitted to the shaft 
just behind the wielder's hand. This acts as a stop against 
the armpit, halting the lance's rearward motion upon impact.
        Another important part of a lance is a rest. The rest 
is a small, sometimes folding bracket fixed to the right side 
of the knight's breastplate armor. The graper is leaned against 
this rest when the lance is in use. The rest enables the knight 
to get the maximum push from his lance, inflicting the most 
damage.

Some skill(s) usable with the weapon: 
  Battlecry, impale, lure, mangle and polearms.

See also:
  Javelin, short spear, harpoon, ranseur, boar spear, bardiche, 
  long spear, fauchard, trident, glaive, gisarme, pilum, pike, 
  voulge and halberd.