http://games.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ImmoderateGloranthaQuest/photos/v
iew/44fa?b=9
D. Two drake* rebels (c. 1615). Given their stature and agility, durulz
often fight in teams of two or three, with one warrior seeking distract
or fix an opponent while a comrade manoeuvres to gain an advantage, and
deal a crippling or killing blow. This bears many similarities to the
heroic Orlanthi styles of combat, with the Four Winds/Storms -- though
durulz are less averse to piling in all at once.
The lefthand figure is a warrior of some repute in his society. Rather than wear a mollusc-helm, he possesses a bronze cap of Heortling style and manufacture, with a centaur-tail plume. A mail mantle covers his shoulders and upper torso, underlain with a thin layer of leather; the bag at his side simply holds his rations of grubs, mushrooms and herbs. The shield is of the distinctly leaf-shaped durulz pattern. This particular shield is of canvas-covered wood, though some are plated in bronze. It is tall (for a durulz) and angles away from a centre ridge. Notable is the presence of a sharp base-spike, used to either help secure a shield wall or pin an enemy's foot. The sword displays the thinking, manufacture and practice behind another school of durulz fighting. Straight and double-edged with a sharp point, it is manufactured from a single piece of bronze by accomplished redsmiths. Though it can be (and is) used in a manner similar to the single-edged falcata, striking at the legs, it is more often thrust up in to mansized creatures' groin areas -- to incapacitate the target and render it vulnerable to a killing blow.
The figure on the right is a speardrake. He is of lesser position and background, and accompanies the warrior in battle. His armour follows the same pattern as his comrade's -- protective headgear and a mantle across his upper body -- but is made from leather. The drake carries a longish 'groin-' or 'crotch-spear', with a wickedly serrated head. Weapons such as this are used to 'fix' an opponent in the groin or abdomen, to allow other warriors to hamstring the foe and then deliver a killing blow. Note the somewhat haphazard stuffing of reeds into the belt and mantle, forming a rudimentary element of disguise; a practice that would ultimately develop into the ghillie-style suits of later years.
*I apologise for the bias. It's just ducks start to go all Lana Clarkson/Brigitte Nielsen on me. I'll try some soon.
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