Mechanik’s Union

This was written up way back in 2003 or so by Clint Staples. Clint is a respected sculpter and writer. You can see his work on his website.

Swordcanes and brandestocks are the names for various sizes of weapon concealed in a walking stick or staff.

• Swordcanes can hold shorter, lighter weapons with smaller blades, flanges or spikes.
• Brandestocks do the same for larger weapons.

Axes cannot be so concealed, but picks, maces, swords, even chain weapons can be (remember this is a culture that produces clockwerks).

Ingeniously hidden, the lethal surfaces are deployed though the pressing of a stud or switch. Then a complex array of hinges, springs, and locking pins transform the stick into its martial counterpart.

Because this is a more dangerous world than our own, I have decided that both sizes of weapon are equally fashionable within the culture. It is a question of preference. They can be used as light or heavy maces respectively when the weapon is concealed. A swordcane or brandestock weights the same as a normal weapon of its type.

All Swordcanes and Brandestocks are masterwork weapons and confer +1 to hit in either weapon form or cane form.

Costs are:

Swordcane
500 gp + cost of the weapon; 30-42″ long.
Possible weapons: rapier, longsword, shortsword, sickle, half spear, light hammer, light pick, light springbow (as crossbow)

Brandestock
550 gp + cost of weapon; 40-50″ in length.
Possible weapons: heavy mace, morningstar, short spear, light flail, heavy pick, trident, warhammer, heavy flail, greatsword, scythe, bastard sword, two-bladed sword.