Slasher

“Thirty feet of rope, hammocks, blankets, backpacks, some items that look like cooking utensils, two water flasks, bandages and other dressings, a large pot full of…Ugh! All-knowing Hesinde, that smells terrible! How is this supposed to protect us from mosquitos? Never mind. I just hope it works. We seem to be missing only provisions. Wait, where is your slasher? What do you mean, you don’t have one? That’s the most important thing to remember! There are no paths in the jungle! Let us hope the trading post is still open for business.”
— An experienced explorer to a new traveling companion, while outfitting a trip to the Rain Mountains, modern

The slasher, also known as a machete, is essential to every expedition to the jungle. Slashers are better than almost any other weapon at cutting a path through vines, scrubs, and undergrowth. Its short, sturdy, single-edged blade may not be pretty but it is exceptionally practical.

Despite its utilitarian purpose, the slasher is useful against dangerous creatures of the jungle, as well as against humanoid enemies, and its heavy blade can serve as an impact weapon at need. However, it is not possible to effectively wield the weapon two-handed due to its short grip.

People use slashers wherever they need to clear wilderness brush, meaning it can be found anywhere in Aventuria except in the steppes of the north and in the eternal ice. However, in terms of numbers alone, it is far more common in the south where explorers and adventurers frequently set out to explore the darkest jungles.

“This is more of a tool than a weapon, although I agree that you could inflict serious harm with this thing.”

— Tjalva Garheltsdottir, Hetja of Prem