Quote:
Originally posted by mad=dog:
I believe the original idea is "any weapon with sickle shaped blade" since this is a sacred thing for druids. In the most fundamental rules this would be sickles and scimitars, but since the weapon list have expanded it would also include the aforementioned weapons and katanas for that matter. In short terms the druid restriction on swords is based on the shape of the blade and not on a cultural name.
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Since the 'sickle' comparison only works if one disregards which edge of the blade is sharp, I must say that it feels rather hollow. Especially when one considers Daggers. You seem to be very versed in PnP D&D lore, mad=dog, so could you share with us the exact lowdown on precisely
what the Druid ethos has to say about weapons?
Personally, I prefer to look to ancient English history, to the actual Druids themselves, and the fair folk who came before them. The fair folk abhorred the touch, presence, and even
sight of iron--which goes a long way to support Baldur's Gate Druids (and Beast Masters) being unwilling to use things like warhammers, plate armor, crossbows, etc. Daggers and spears, however, are allowed, as the edge itself need not be metal at all: It can be made of such things as flint, obsidian, bone, or antler. So, this restriction would argue that Druids shouldn't even be using Scimitars, but that they
should be allowed to use Bows & Arrows.
There is also the rule mentioned in C.S. Lewis's
That Hideous Strength: Druids are not allowed to use any edged tool to cut any living thing. So a Druid could work as a butcher, using all the hooks, cleavers and meat-axes he wants, but he can't dig with a shovel for fear of cutting any worms or roots. This restriction would also rule out Scimitars (but allow all types of armor, as well as all Cleric weapons), but since Daggers and Spears do Piercing damage rather than Slashing, I don't know if they would strictly be allowed or not.