Epic Armoury: Nodachi
Your Elven ears hear the rustle of footsteps behind you. A smile crosses your delicate lips as you realize a stranger is attempting to sneak up on someone as lithe and alert as you. You are the kindred of the immortals, having honed your skills for hundreds ofa
Your Nodachi was handed to you by your master, many years ago. It had been a bittersweet moment for you, because while it meant you had overcome all obstacles in your training, it also meant that it was time to set out on your own.
You find the hard leather along the handle comforting, your hand finding its usual well-worn grip. As a traveling samurai--a ronin--your sword is your only consistent companion.
You look beyond the campfire where a fresh fish now cooks, sizzling in the heat, looking to the flickering shadows along the treeline. You have the sense that tonight you and your sword may once again be tested as you hear the unmistakable snap of a twig, your grip on its handle tightening in anticipation.
DETAILS
Epic Armoury’s Nodachi is a two-handed Japanese sword meant for elite samurai. The Nodachi is 140 cm long, with a 100 cm long single edged cutting-blade. It has a large oval crossguard and a small rounded pommel. The handle’s oval shape helps to steer the blade intuitively, and is adorned with menuki-bindings made from top-grain leather. The menuki-bind is twin-layered and made from contrasting colours, creating a diamond pattern.
Nodachi were large, but unwieldy weapons. With their long cutting edge, they were somewhat at odds with the bushido styles, and thus quickly became symbols of skill and status. Since they required extensive training to be used correctly, they were mostly used for duelling or in the hands of cavalrymen. While on the field of battle, they were made to look dangerous in the hands of elite troops with a fearsome reputation.
HISTORY
- Nodachi means “???, field sword” in Japanese
- Also referred to as an “Odachi,” which means “big sword”
- Typically used for ceremonies and calvarymen due to its long blade size
years. No normal mortal being can surprise you.
“Come out of hiding,” you call over your shoulder. “I know you are there.”
Again your Elven Ears pick up the faintest noise, and as you hear the ‘thwap!’ of an archer’s bow, you spin and dodge the incoming arrow. It appears some lesser creature is about to receive an important lesson about attacking an elf as powerful as you.
DETAILS
Epic Armoury’s slender Elven Dagger was made to match the Elven Sword series. Slim and simple, the weapon has a lean, slightly curved blade. It has no cross-guard, but does have a fine coreless pommel. The handle wrapped in durable split-leather accommodates a firm, comfortable grip while on the battlefield. Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your Elven-inspired kit.
INSPIRATION
- Elves were originally a creation of Germanic mythology and folklore
- Lean and elegant style of blade inspired by high-fantasy genre games such as Dungeons & Dragons and J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings series
- Curved design inspired by scimitars is especially effective for slashing (instead of stabbing) in combat