Changes in Prince Thrommels apearance

Shiningted beat me to it, but again, there is no logical reason why it wouldn't be. Two different pictures in the game notwithstanding, Fragarach is Thrommel's blade.

 

Agreed, though the sword in the movie is a bastard sword, which is what they made Frag in the game.

 

The sword Thrommel has in the opening movie is a Greatsword not a bastard sword. They made it to big.

[EDIT] look here for more info on some real life weapons

 

Here's another resource for the arms discussion:

http://www.armor.com/2000/index.html

To my way of thinking, a great sword can only be used with two hands, while a bastard sword gives you options. The katana is the most elegant example of this; one or two handed as the battle unfolds. A true great sword should have enough handle to allow the wielder a high and low grip (with space between) on the hilt to maximize leverage and power when being swung; rather like an axe. Bastard sword grip is more like hand next to hand, as one would use on a baseball bat.

Greatsword = two feet of handle, four feet of blade
Bastard sword = one foot of handle, 3.5 feet of blade

The styles are totally different, and they are wielded differently as well.

BTW, Fragarach and all of the swords of Answering patterned after it are broadswords...which was totally screwed up by the D&D system. Bastard sword fits it way better.

 

Broadsword or longsword, pretty much the same thing unless you're talking about this. Yes I know some longswords could have thiner blades, but still. Its all humanities fault for having so much choice in the way they want to kill those dirty bastards over the hill.

 

Ad. 1 It's sounds cool...

Ad. 2 Cool, too...

Ad. 3 Great - do it, do it now (however, As I remember, there is said that our beloved Prince, Defender Of Furyondy, Knight Of The Deer (corect me, if I wrong named it) etc., etc., was, well... "kidnapped" by The Scarlet Brotherhood - just as he woke up from bed in his tent - and I don't think he was sleeping in armour :zzz: - so in vault he had those gold scalearmor, probably a "gift" from TSC or some others evil dudes, who make this "vampire-like" ilusion. But we can say that if they stole Fragarah with him, they also could steal his Royal Armor at will (at last, they stole a whole Thrommel, too )

And about his sword - well, in the movie - it really looks like some real-world greatsword, but none living human being can't wield and strike two-handed sword with one hand - not even the Guardian Of Furyondy - so it must be a bastardsword... But mayby I'm wrong

 

Glad you like it, you can find him and his new look in Teds latest patch.

 

Ted's right...the origin of the red robed figures thought to be responsible for the abduction of the Prince is dubious at best, but everyone suspects the Brotherhood is behind it. Who else would do such a thing? Of course, those really behind aren't saying otherwise...and are probably even encouraging such speculation.

 

I dunno what Gygax & co. had in mind with their 'broadsword'; I always had trouble with understanding what it was really supposed to be. But to highlight your example (which I believe fits very well) check out the ending fight in the movie Rob Roy. Liam Neeson engages his nemesis 'broadsword' to rapier.

 

3 quick things, not to sound overly corrective...

He's a Knight of the 'Hart';

when found in the PnP dungeon, he's totally unarmed and un-armored, save that Fragarach is nearby (if the PC's can locate it);

and holding it up with one hand & making the 'follow me' gesture is different than actually engaging in an attack, which IIRC he does get a secure two handed grip on the weapon when striking Zuggy in the movie.

It's often been said that this game is based on the module because it isn't possible to account for all things therein. Kinda like a book vs. a movie.

 

I'm of the opinion that alot of the weapons in D&D are named wrong or designed by someone who's got no idea how weapons really work, but its not a big deal really. I could go into it but really does it matter, ok they got some stuf wrong when translating real life into a game world but whos to say that thats not how it works in D&D.

 

In the AD&D Arms and Equipment Guide each of the available weapons contains a short description based on real word historical facts. I don't know how valid they are or if the writers simply pulled them outta their ass, but they moreorless make sense to me. Like Shiningted said, there isn't always consistency in any of these resources. I just look at the dammage table and find the one that causes much pain...whatever it's called.