These texts first appeared in Hunt's Book of Weapons, an in-game collection of found documents curated by an unknown researcher. They are replicated here in their original format. This means that many of the stories are not presented chronologically, or in one grouping, and it is left to the reader to put together the puzzle pieces and determine to what extent they contain fact, fiction, or fable.

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Knife

KNIFE. (See also, BLADED WEAPONS, TOOLS) At its most basic, a knife is a sharpened length of metal attached to a wooden handle, and variations on this design number in the thousands. The knife pictured here is a simple, functional hunting knife, designed for butchering game in the field—that is to say, skinning and boning an animal carcass. Because hunting knives are designed for cutting, they usually have a single sharp edge, with a slight curve at the tip. It can also be used, provisionally, for whittling, stabbing, slicing, and carving.

Throwing Knives

THROWING KNIVES. (See also: BLADED WEAPONS) A set of blades designed and weighted so as to be thrown in sport, defense, or performance. Throwing knives are fashioned from a single piece of metal with a small grip and weighted towards the center to ensure the knife will follow a circular trajectory. The weight of the knife and throwing speed determine the power of impact. The heavier the knife, the more stable, though this requires more strength to throw for accuracy. Lighter knives can be thrown with ease, but are prone to bouncing back from their target.

Throwing knives began to grow in popularity in sport and performance in the late 1800s thanks to, for one, Barnum and Bailey Circus that featured knives thrown at a living target, often in motion.

Heavy Knife

HEAVY KNIFE. (See also, KNIFE) The Heavy Knife is a knife specialized for close-quarters combat. Since its notorious use in both backwoods gouging fights and on the Southwestern frontier, its eventual adoption by the armed forces enshrined its position as a quintessential symbol of America. With a solid cross-guard and heavy blade, it's a step up on conventional knives when it comes to close combat.

Throwing Axes

THROWING AXE. (See also, COMBAT AXE, TOOLS) The Throwing Axe can be dated back to antiquity, and to this day remains a reliable and an effective weapon. Thrown in an overhand motion, the resultant rotational velocity ensures that it retains high force on impact. A high level of skill is needed, however, as the turning motion necessitates that for maximum effect, the distance to the target must be accurately judged. Perhaps, the rise in the popularity of baseball in the United States gave some Hunters a familiarity with such a throw.

The majority of the Throwing Axes found in the bayou were calibrated carefully for balance, if that calibration was often of an improvisational nature—ad hoc field additions or removals made to finesse the performance of the weapon. Valued for their simplicity, power, and relative silence, those who could use them treasured their Throwing Axes as vital companions.

Throwing Spear

THROWING SPEAR. (See also, BOMB LANCE) A rock on the end of a stick is among the oldest weapons wielded by humans, though they are not limited to our species. Primitive by today's measure, this oak and iron spear is the product of technological advancements over the course of hundreds of thousands of years.

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