Glaive

Introduction

Glaives are the elite warriors of the Ninth World, using weapons and armor to fight their enemies. Hunters, guardians, and soldiers could be Glaives. Sometimes scouts, warlords, bandits, and even athletes are Glaives. “Glaive” is a common slang term used almost everywhere in the Steadfast and the Beyond for any person skilled with weapons or a martial art, but in truth, it applies only to the best of the best. Glaives are warriors who command abilities far beyond those of a typical person with a sword.

Most Glaives are either strong (using the heaviest armor and weapons available and having a high Might) or fast (sticking with light weapons and armor and having a high Speed). A few attempt to use both Might and Speed and stay somewhere in the middle. Glaives also use ranged weapons such as bows or darts. Some don’t rely on weapons at all, preferring to use their bodies in hand-to-hand combat— punching, kicking, grabbing, throwing, and so on.

Glaives in Society:

In most cities and villages, people hold Glaives in great esteem. Although a Glaive could just as likely be a thug as a noble warrior, those who help protect their fellow humans from the dangers of the Ninth World are always treated with respect. There is no shame in getting paid for the use of one’s skills, so being a blade for hire is a perfectly acceptable profession. Restrictions on carrying weapons openly are rare, and most Glaives wear the tools of their trade with pride.

Not surprisingly, Glaives often get along best with other Glaives, or at least soldiers, guards, or similar comrades in arms. Nanos, scholars, and people who aren’t terribly physical are less likely to mix well with Glaives, but obviously not every Glaive is the same. They focus on their bodies, but that doesn’t mean they don’t value more cerebral pursuits as well. A Glaive need not follow the stereotype of the dumb bruiser with a sword or an axe.

Glaives in the Group:

In a group of explorers, Glaives typically take the lead. They’re usually the most physically capable, the most durable, and the most ready to meet danger head-on. Sometimes they act protectively toward their companions; other times, they’re more self-interested. Either way, a Glaive’s place is often in the middle of the fray.

Glaives and the Numenera:

When it comes to the numenera, most Glaives are interested in weapons, armor, or devices that aid them in combat. The ancients produced all sorts of incredibly durable substances, many of which can be made into armor that is lighter and more protective than steel. Sometimes, Glaives can scavenge a suit of armor composed of these advanced materials, but more often they find the materials and then ask a crafter or smith to make the armor. Of course, the problem is that a substance that is difficult to damage is also hard to work.

As varied as armoring materials might be, numenera weaponry is infinitely more so. These items include melee weapons that shock, stun, or burn whatever they touch; and ranged weapons that blast projectiles with incredible power or bursts of strange energies. There are also bombs, damaging energy fields, poisonous gases, and far stranger weaponry, but some Glaives find that such complex objects are better off in the hands of a Nano. Maneuverability is just as important as attack or defense, however, so an item that allows a Glaive to move quickly or negate gravity is a great prize.

As for cyphers, Glaives prefer physically enhancing or restorative objects, such as injections of chemicals that improve reaction time or pills with microscopic repair devices that heal wounds and restore fatigued muscle tissue. They use the nickname “boost” for any cypher that enhances their strength, stamina, reflexes, or other physical aspects, while one that repairs damage or alleviates fatigue is called a “treat.”

Advanced Glaives:

As they progress, Glaives become better combatants, often felling multiple foes in a single stroke. They gain special types of attacks and learn to use armor more efficiently to get the most out of the protection it offers.

Glaive Background:

Glaives are no mere bandits or town guards. They stand head and shoulders above ordinary soldiers and brawlers. Something in your background—whether intensive training, inborn traits, or biomechanical modification— has made you more than the others around you.