All magical weapons are banned, magic being the preserve of the bugus . If a warrior cannot kill his enemies with cold steel, he is no Tsereg . Anyone discovered using a magic blade, even if he has naught else, will be exiled. The only exception to this is silver, for this is not magic but efficacious against the not-dead. However, the silver must be free of further magical effects.
Poisoned weapons are likewise the preserve of the coward.
Since the long spear is a favoured weapon along with the bow, the use of a shield may seem pointless. Those Tseregs who choose to learn Parrying however, are greatly valued, especially against the vicious Rat-man archers now infesting Ilshenar. However, shields are restricted to round iron or wooden shields or bucklers. The Heater shield is for cowardly hans . Again, magically enhanced shields are prohibited.