I was wondering if there was a table online that gives alternate names for weapons in non-western settings, i.e. a katana is a masterwork bastard sword? I'm looking to invest a little more flavor into my character and use some different names for the same old weapons. And, hopefully, help distinguish them a bit from each other in the future.
Also, is there a similar list with armor and the like?
Thanks
I dont know of any website but here are a few for you.
longsword = broadsword (english think king author) or Qi jain (chinese)
shortsword = gladius (roman sword) or wakizashi (japanese)
Dagger = dirk or tanto (japanese)
greatsword = claymore or odachi (japanese)
Thats all I could think of off the top of my head. I will post more if I can think of any. I dont know oof any for armor.
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Crystal Keep has a pdf file that lists PC equipment and on one of the pages around the middle, there is a table that lists what the equivilents are(I think). If not, well, you can try and find the Arms and Equipment Guide that WotC put out some time back which definitely has such a table in it.
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Just checked the PDF and its not listed, so, I'll put down what they are according to the Arms and Equipment Guide.
PHB Name - Other Name(Culture)
Throwing Axe - Francisca(Celts)
Battleaxe - Ch'iang, chi fu, chi, chien, i huang, liu(China); tungi(India); masakari, ono(Japan); dao(Nepal)
Club - Shillellagh(Ireland); muton(Philippines)
Heavy Crossbow - Nu(China)
Light Crossbow - Nu(China)
Dagger - Jambija(Arabia); dhaw(Burma); Scramasax(Celts); phia-kaetta(Ceylon); bi shou, do-su(China); main-gauche(France); bich'wa, khanjarli(India); stiletto(Italy); aiguchi, kozuka, tanto(Japan); kard, pesh kabz(Persia); pugio(Rome); skean dhu(Scotland); hauswehr(Switzerland); mit(Thailand)
Punching Dagger - Katar(India) <As a side note, I'd only heard of this referred to as a Katar. When I saw "Punching Dagger" the first time I'd opened a D&D book, I was wondering what the hell they meant.>
Dart - Uchi-ne(Japan); plumbatum(Rome)
Gauntlet - Kote(Japan); cestus(Rome)
Spiked Gauntlet - spiked cestus(Rome)
Glaive - Chan, da dao(China); couteau de breche, fauchard(France)
Greatclub - Chang bang(China); gada(India); tetsubo(Japan)
Greatsword - Dalwel(Burma); flamberge(France); zweihander(Germany); no-dachi(Japan); claidheam mor[claymore](Scotland)
Guisarme - Guan dao(China); kamayari(Japan)
Halberd - Ch'i chi, ge, ko, pi chi, yue(China); bisento(Japan); bardiche(Russia); Lochaber axe, Jedburg axe(Scotland)
Handaxe - Bhuj, piso tonkeng, tabar(India); kapak(Indonesia)
Javelin - Mau(China); nage-yari(Japan); pilum(Rome); jarid(Turkey)
Kama - Lian(China); badik(Indonesia)
Heavy Lance - Uma-yari(Japan)
Composite Longbow - Dai-kyu(Japan)
Longspear - Craisech(Celts), mao, qiang(China), ahlspiess(German and Swiss); sarissa(Greece); lembing(Malaysia)
Longsword - Jian, tau-kien(China); gum(Korea); spatha(Rome)
Lucerne Hammer - Bec de corbin(France)
Light/Heavy Mace - Suan tou fung(China); gada(Indonesia)
Net - Jaculum(Rome)
Light/Heavy Pick - Zaghnal(India)
Quarterstaff - Bang, gun(China); lathi(India); toya(Indonesia); bo, rokushakubo(Japan); bong(Korea)
Ranseur - Patisthanaya(Ceylon); partisan(England); corseque, chauve-souris(France); runka(Germany); corsesca, spetum(Italy)
Scimitar - Saif(Arabia); dha(Burma); kastane(Ceylon); dao, da huan dao[nine-ring sword](China); adyakatti, tulwar(India); parang (Indonesia); kora(Nepal); shamshir(Persia); bolo(Philippines); kilij, yataghan(Turkey); Cutlass, saber(early modern Europe)
Composite Shortbow - Gong jian(China); yumi(Japan)
Shortspear - Yari(Japan); hasta(Rome)
Bastard Sword - Wo dao(China); Khandar(India); katana*, tachi(Japan); ram dao(Nepal)
Shortsword - Duan jian(China); katzbalger(Germany); choora, zagar takieh(India); kris, pedang(Indonesia); cinquedea(Italy); dan sang gum(Korea); barong(Philippines); drusus*, gladius(Rome)
Trident - San cha, tiger lance(China); magari yari(Japan); fuxina(Rome)
Warhammer - Chui(China); dai tsuchi(Japan)
Whip - Pi bian(China)
*The katana is considered a masterwork bastard sword. The Drusus is considered a masterwork shortsword.
That's what the guide lists, not counting any of the PHB weapons that don't show any names for culturally similar weapons(but that doesn't mean they don't exist). Take it for what you will, as there are some oddities, such as listing "tiger lance" as one of the Chinese names for a trident. Somehow, I think they would've named it in Mandarin, or Cantonese; not English. :P
wow. that's completely awsome and way beyond what i expected. thanks!