Bearded Axe
Age Available	Imperial Age
Building	Castle
Cost	400 Food, 400 Gold
Stats	Throwing Axeman range +1
Available To	Franks

Bearded Axe is a technology unique to the Franks that can be researched at the Castle in the Imperial Age. Once researched, this technology will increase Throwing Axemen range by +1. Though its benefits seem insignificant, Bearded Axe will make Throwing Axemen more versatile in ranged combat, as the Franks are unable to train Arbalests and have a particularly poor archer tech tree.

HistoryEdit

The bearded axe got its name from the extended length added to the bottom of the blade, making the blade far longer than its connection to the haft. This axe was a further development of the Francisca, the throwing axe that gave the Franks their name. The bearded axe could be thrown or used hand-to-hand. Before the Franks discovered cavalry, they fought in massed formations. As they approached the enemy the front ranks threw axes. These disordered the enemy, caused some casualties, and stuck in shields, making them unwieldy. The Franks then closed quickly for hand-to-hand fighting with additional axes or swords.