Vanguard Mercenary Sword

He gripped his father’s sword tight, his fingers tightening around the long hilt like the desperate grasp of a drowning man holding to a branch. In front of him was his father’s killer. And now Matteo would have revenge. As he drew the sword, he had only a moment to regret it before the enemy was on him, and he was fighting for his life. Cut and thrust, parry and block. Back and forth the battle went, only ending when Matteo, covered in blood, most of it his own, managed a lucky hit, ending the man’s life forever. As he sank to his knees in complete exhaustion, Matteo felt the world’s weight leave his shoulders. He was finally free from his oath.

Epic Armoury's Mercenary Sword is part of the Vanguard line, and it takes its design cues from the longswords of mediaeval Europe, with a grip designed for both one and two-handed usage. The crossguard is smaller than most European swords, allowing for a greater range of movement when using the blade. The hilt is made from polyurethane and has a high degree of detailing, as it is sculpted to resemble wood reinforced with rivets and gold bands, while the hilt and pommel are steel coloured with gold detailing. The hilt guarantees a great grip for the wielder. The blade is made from closed-cell polyurethane foam and coloured to look as lifelike as possible. Unlike most LARP weapons, the Vanguard line requires virtually no maintenance beyond checking for wear and tear in the form of cuts or breaks.

There are stories being told about you amongst the soldiers. You are the mercenary who has slain over a thousand men. You put fear in your enemies with one sweep of your weapon. Your aura of darkness freezes the hearts of anyone who looks you in the eye. And your favorite? Someone is saying you made a deal with a devil so that you may never die.

You strap your armour over your Imperial Gambeson, preparing for battle. You will never tell them which stories might be true, but they can see for themselves your battle prowess once you step onto the field and dominate once more.

DETAILS

This Epic Armoury Imperial Gambeson is a padded long-sleeve coat covering the torso from neck, down over the hips on front and back. It can be worn on its own or serve as essential padding under mail or armour. The gambeson is donned like a jacket and closed on the front with a system of cotton cords, allowing the wearer to customize the tightness of the fit. The arms are easily detachable by untying its cotton cords on the shoulders and sleeves, each cord secured through long-lasting brass eyelets.

Thick enough to serve as its own armour, this sturdy gambeson is constructed with heavy layers of fluffed cotton canvas sandwiched between dyed wool on the outside and softer cotton lining on the inside. All these layers are stitched together in vertical lines, keeping the padding in place and mimicking a classic European high-medieval style.

Though of European cut, gambeson or quilted-style armours have seen world-wide use since antediluvian times, making the Imperial Gambeson a great basic armour with a range of possibilities regardless of time and place.

HISTORY

• Quilted armours have been around since at least 400 BCE
• Used as padding under chainmail or plate armour
• Historically, a high-medieval European gambeson was recorded as being capable of stopping sword blows from penetrating the skin
• Could stop heavy arrows and mace and axe impacts with the addition of overlaying chainmail
• Specific style often worn by freemen, mercenaries, and other independent warriors

Reaching out your arm, the falcon glides and lands upon your Falcon Glove. You offer it a gift and it gulps down the shrew before preening its feathers and looking noble upon your forearm.

You take great pride in this bird of prey and its ability to hunt for your pleasure. It is a sign of your status amongst the nobility, and you treasure the entertainment.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Epic Black Falcon Gloves are leather gloves with long cuffs to protect the forearm. They are made from black dyed leather with two suede fingers. All joints around the fingers, wrists and edges are stitched, improving the strength of the material by preventing it from deforming with heavy use or from exposure to the environment. The fit of the gloves can be adjusted with leather lacing along the side of the cuff.

These gloves are fully compatible with other Epic Armoury metal and leather items. Their low-fantasy look and moderate style can be used with a multitude of settings, allowing freedom to create your own unique costume.

HISTORY

• Leather has been used for gloves for thousands of years
• Leather is used for a better grip on tools and to protect the hands
• Falconry may have begun as early as 2000 B.C., and was a status symbol amongst nobles in medieval Europe

Oh no, you think, as a sword and a helmet are thrust into your farm-calloused hands. You’ve never been trained as a soldier, let alone asked to fight on a dangerous battlefield!

But here you are, suddenly standing in a row of your neighbors. You await the advancing orc raid said to be headed for your farms and your town, and you just hope that somehow you’ll make it through. At least your Helmet feels solid on your head. That’s something to be thankful for, at least...right?

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Ready for Battle Brawl Belt is a long slender belt made from black chrome-tanned, split-leather, providing a good anchor for swords and pouches. The belt is segmented, each segment twin-layered and interlocked with the next, reinforced by a thick leather cord that runs along the length of the belt. The belt is secured with a rounded iron buckle.

Ready for Battle Brawl Belt is simple, but functional. With its low-fantasy style, this is a good belt for almost any character you care to dream up.

HISTORY

• Belts have been documented for male clothing since the Bronze Age between 3200–600 B.C.
• More commonly a male fashion item, with the exception of the Middle Ages

HOODLUM OR HERO?

As an outlaw with your face on the wanted posters you cannot afford to be recognized; the price you pay if you get caught is simply too high. No matter if your lawless deeds are perceived to be of rightful reasons or of a more dubious motive, a hood will help you, when you must stay faceless. It is the perfect finishing touch when crafting your LARP-kit for your heroic woodsman or your cunning thief!

Epic Armoury’s Hood Adventurer is a hood with a short mantle and long hood tail. The mantle covers the shoulders, keeping the upper chest covered, while the roomy hood can be pulled down to cover part of the face. Made of a rougher fabric than our Basic Hood, this hood provides protection from the elements without being too warm in potential heat.

Wear this hood by simply slipping it over your head--it’s easy and comfortable. Hoods are great garments for rounding off your look, and the Hood Adventurer is a traditional layer that fits a wide variety of character types.

Affordable and interchangeable with all other Epic Armoury gear this garment allows you to personalize your own costume.

HISTORY

• One of the oldest garments known to humanity
• Common fashion in medieval Europe, and worn by all social classes in a huge variety of forms and shapes

One of your greatest lessons was learning never to be caught, and it is the person who is always moving who survives. You travel from tavern to barn to abandoned shack, never growing attached or creating ties. You are the wandering adventurer.

Your many travels require a pair of Traveler Boots designed to last. You rely on these boots to keep you on your feet! Along with your sword, armour and your skill, you expect that you may yet live to be a wisened old veteran. You certainly have the survival instinct.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Traveler Boots are tall leather boots with soft, split-leather on the inside. These knee-high boots have a flexible cuff at the knee which can be flipped up or down for a classic pirate look. The soles come to a sharp point inspired by 12th century medieval fashion, pointing up at a jaunty 45° angle. Secure these boots using the adjustable lacing up the calf, set with rounded leather cords through brass eyelets.

Made from chrome-tanned split-leather, a flexible top-grain insole, and a 7mm thick natural rubber outsole, Epic Armoury’s Traveler Boots are designed to complete your fantasy or historic costume. With reinforced stitching around the edges and reinforced leather at the heels, these boots are built to withstand extensive abuse with regular leather care.

Epic Armoury’s boots are measured in European sizes.

HISTORY

• Pointed shoes were considered popular throughout Europe on and off during the medieval period, finally falling out of fashion in the 1480s
• Crakow or poulaine are other terms for a pointed shoe particularly popular in the 15th century

This shoe size calculator link may also be useful in determining your size. It isn't brand-specific, but allows you to convert between international sizing charts. All shoes we sell use European sizing (e.g. size range 36-47). 
https://goodcalculators.com/shoe-size-converter/

Please note: due to the narrow and pointed toe, most people opt for a larger size than they usually wear.

The underdark is your domain. In the pitch blackness, the smell of damp earth all around, you wait with your raiding party. When night falls on the lands above, you will emerge.

The sun-lovers have come to fear you and the silence in which you strike. With your Bone Blade, you are able to maneuver in the shadows until your target is exactly where you want them. You are formidable. You are the assassin.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury's Bone Blade is a dark-themed, one-handed chopping sword. The 66 cm curved single-edged blade is sculpted to look like sharp bone-white plates riveted onto a brazen core, giving it a deathly appearance. With a horned crossguard and bone pommel protecting the 15 cm split-leather wrapped handle, this dark weapon is a malevolent addition to any villain’s armoury.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a solid fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your battlefield kit.

INSPIRATION

• Design is inspired by dark elves, which were first mentioned in Norse mythology as the Dökkálfar or Svartálfar written in the Prose Edda in the 13th century
• J.R.R. Tolkien mentions dark elves, the “Moriquendi” in The Silmarillion
• Have also been referred to as “Drow” in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, made famous by R.A. Salvatore’s The Dark Elf Trilogy

Wheher it is an epic sword of flame, or a Blade of Bacon, the Hellfire is a weapon that will strike fear and jealousy into the hearts of your enemies.

War is all that you know. For your clan, war is a permanent state of being. Just as you need meat to sustain you and leather armour to protect your leathery green skin, war keeps your thirst for chaos and violence sated.

Your clan now gathers to prepare for the war against the goblins. The creatures used to be your allies, but in the last battle they became cowardly and ran. Now there is nothing more to be done than to hunt down every one of them and serve them over your fire.

You begin by picking up Hellfire, the blade that burns alongside your rage.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Hellfire is a medium length sword designed as part of the Orc Universe collection. Carefully handpainted deep gradient reds and oranges, Hellfire appears to be burning from intense magic. The 60 cm double-edged blade is notched and worn, connected to a dark metal coloured crossguard which protects the 15 cm ergonomic handle. The handle is wrapped in split-leather for a secure and comfortable grip, and ends with a crudely gemmed pommel.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your Orc-inspired kit.

INSPIRATION

• Earliest references to orcs are found in Old English and Anglo-Saxon sources, such as in Beowulf and in 16th century Italian folktales
• The word itself stems from the Latin word Orcus, which was the name given to the Roman deity of the dead
• J.R.R. Tolkien’s 20th century The Lord of the Rings series describes orcs as brutish, aggressive beings with a taste for human flesh
• Tolkien’s writings influenced many role-playing games, and are now seen in such games as Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer and Warcraft

As an Adventurer, you never know who you might be working for or what beast you’ll be sent to dispatch next. There’s only one thing for certain: if there’s enough money or glory to be had, you’re the right person for the job.

Admittedly, when the farmer came running into town claiming his crops had been torched, you hadn’t anticipated a trap. By the time you realized that the farmer was luring you into a bandit ambush, they already had you captured. At least your Adventure Sword is safe in your swordholder! Now, if you can just wiggle out of those ropes enough to grab the hilt…A bandit notices and takes your sword for himself.

You really need to rethink trusting farmers.

DETAILS

This bestselling Epic Armoury Adventurer Sword is a medium-sized narrow sword with a broad cross-guard and distinct pommel. The blade is 65 cm long and 5 cm wide with a central ridge and ricasso near the cross-guard. The ornate guard is broad and sturdy, protecting the 13 cm long handle, ergonomically wrapped in split-leather for a better grip. The pommel is shaped in the form of a cut diamond.

Constructed to have an elven likeness, this blade is ideal for fast parries and quick, slashing ripostes, making it the first choice for the discerning adventurer. Made from durable closed cell foam around a solid fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your adventuring kit.

HISTORY

• Also referred to as a “Knightly sword” or “arming sword”
• Designed so that the center of mass was closer to the hilt, improving its maneuverability
• Typically used with a shield or buckler

You strike your Leonidas sword against your shield, shouting alongside your legionaries outside the gates of Syracuse. Inside, their people are filled with terror, deafened by your army’s trumpets and noise. Arrows rain down and you and your fellow soldiers form a barrier with your shields.

There is nothing that can stop you. The design of your shield allows you to stand in close formation, advancing on their defenders and dispatching them quickly with your weapon.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Sword of Leonidas is the perfect latex weapon for tackling one thousand descending nations and their armoured beasts all at once. Reminiscent of the modern bowie-knife, the Sword of Leonidas is a makhaira-type blade designed to effectively chop through your enemy. The 10 cm split-leather wrapped handle is protected by both the crossguard and pommel thanks to their hooked shape.

Made from durable closed cell foam around a fibreglass core and finished with a strong latex coating, you can feel confident that your LARP weapon will provide the safety and appeal you want when crafting your Spartan-inspired kit.

HISTORY

• Considered a makhaira-type blade, which is an ancient knife or sword with a single cutting edge
• Leaf design lent itself to both cutting and thrusting and has likely been around since the first swords created