Mazes & Mondays: The Weapon of Choice

A Reflection of Your Fantasy Character

When it comes to crafting a fantasy character, few choices carry as much weight as their weapon. It’s not just a tool for combat; it’s an extension of who they are, a symbol of their past, and a hint of their goals. A weapon can tell the story your character hasn’t spoken aloud yet, and in the right hands, it can deepen the immersion of any roleplaying experience. Whether you’re new to roleplaying or a seasoned adventurer, the key to choosing the perfect weapon lies in seeing it as far more than just stats and damage rolls.

Here’s the truth about fantasy weapons—they don’t just cut down foes; they build worlds. What will your weapon say about your character?

Choose a Weapon That Tells Their Story

Every weapon has a history—even the simplest iron blade. The wear in its handle might speak of battles long fought, or its pristine gleam might reveal a novice who’s never known conflict. But, more importantly, the weapon should connect to your character’s history.

• Who Were They Before? Consider your character’s upbringing and past experiences. A farmer’s scythe pressed into service as a makeshift halberd may reveal a background of desperation. A rusted ancestral sword, passed down from generations of fallen warriors, could represent a lineage they’re desperate to uphold—or escape from. Did they grow up in a vast desert, where their curved short blades mimic predatory claws, or did they hail from a monastery of warpriests, trained with ceremonial glaives?
• Their First Kill or First Defeat? How did they first come across their weapon of choice? Was their halberd the tool that downed a monster threatening their village? Did the mage’s delicate staff break in their last duel before bonding to a peculiar, gnarled wand in the woods? Sometimes, the “how” matters almost more than the “what.”

Thinking about where the weapon came from roots your character in their world while sharpening their connection to it.

Personality in the Blade (or Bow, or Hammer)

If their weapon is just an accessory, you’re missing an opportunity. A weapon should resonate with your character’s personality. Ask yourself, what type of weapon suits who they are?

• Are They Elegant or Brutal? A rapier or longbow might denote grace and precision, reflecting a character who prizes finesse and cunning. On the flip side, a warhammer or greataxe could reveal someone more direct, someone who isn’t afraid of close-quarters destruction.
• Practical or Extravagant? Is your character someone who views a weapon as a utilitarian tool—or do they see it as an art form? A ranger carrying a simple hunting knife may value survival over ceremony, while a noble duelist with an intricately gilded saber wears their weapon like a badge of honor.
• What Do They Fear? Fear shapes us—and our characters too. A paranoid survivor might carry multiple hidden daggers out of necessity, while a reckless brawler may wield an oversized weapon more as a statement of intimidation than strategy.

The weapon doesn’t just define the character—it reflects their temperament. It gives them a voice when words fail.

Aligned With Goals

What does your character want, and how does their weapon help them achieve it? A weapon isn’t just about conflict; it’s about purpose. Consider aligning it with their ambitions or the story they’re trying to tell.

• The Redeemer: A sword notched from battles gone wrong—wielded now as a tool to undo a lifetime of mistakes.
• The Avenger: A hunting spear infused with the cold rage of someone seeking vengeance.
• The Seeker: A rod or tome engraved with runes, a key to understanding hidden magic and ancient knowledge.

The weapon can symbolize where they’re heading. A longsword reforged after years of exile may show a desire to reclaim lost honor, while a trident found buried in the ocean’s depths could tie their destiny to something vast and unrelenting.

Form and Function (But Not Just Stats!)

Sure, a weapon’s mechanics are an important consideration for gameplay. Maybe your barbarian thrives with heavy weapons, or your thief needs something easy to conceal. But don’t discount the value of flavor in the weapon’s form—there’s no reason a short sword can’t be a ceremonial obsidian blade plundered from a lost temple, or why a staff can’t double as a weathered walking stick carried down the same path for eighty years.

When mechanics and story blend, a weapon can feel like an intrinsic part of the character. Work within functional limits, but don’t be afraid to get creative with the details.

Enhancing Roleplaying

A weapon opens up new possibilities for roleplaying. Think about how wielding their weapon affects the way your character interacts with the world.

• Does your warlock treat their eldritch blade like a sacred relic, whispering arcane secrets to it when no one’s looking?
• Is your berserker’s oversized maul physically exhausting to carry, forcing them to take breaks between battles just to catch their breath?
• Does your archer’s quiver contain keepsake arrows fletched with feathers from home, only used under dire circumstances?

What they wield, and how they wield it, can color every interaction. Use the weapon as a way to explore emotion, intent, and motivation beyond the character sheet.

Pushing the Narrative

Likewise, the weapon can be dynamic. A weapon that changes or evolves throughout the story can add depth and intrigue.

• The weapon could bear an enchantment tied to the overarching plot, like a longsword slowly awakening to its heritage as a key to unsealing a long-lost kingdom.
• Perhaps it carries a curse or secret—an eerie bow that whispers warnings of its true master.
• Or maybe it’s not magical at all, and its evolving importance is purely emotional—your character’s battered spear becomes their last connection to a comrade lost along the way.

A weapon with a narrative hook helps keep your character involved in the world and gives them personal stakes that make every dice roll feel meaningful.

Your Weapon, Your Reflection

Ultimately, what your character carries should be a reflection—not only of them, but of where they’ve been, and where they’re going. It should mean something beyond armor penetration or range—it should speak to who they are and what they stand for.

A paladin’s hammer can crush injustice as easily as it cleaves enemies. A rogue’s serrated stiletto doesn’t just cut—it whispers of dark deeds and secrets kept. Even the bow strapped to the quiet ranger’s back speaks volumes if it’s strung with endless hours of patience and persistence.

Your weapon isn’t just a piece of gear. It’s a character, a companion… maybe even the truest reflection of your adventurer’s soul. Choose wisely. It’s not just what you fight with—it’s who you are.