A partisan (also partizan) is a type of polearm that was used in Europe during medieval times. It consisted of a spear or lance head that was constructed as a small double headed axe built into the lower blade. Time showed this to not be the most effective design for war; however, the partisan stayed in 'use' for many years as a ceremonial weapon after it had become obsolete. Its design quickly changed from the practical to the foppish. Most partisans kept in museums today have extensively sculpted blades that may sport a great deal of gilding. In profile, the head of a partisan may look similar to that of a ranseur, ox tongue, or spetum. The Partisan is a recurring weapon in several RPGs, such as Final Fantasy, appearing as a mid-level spear-type weapon. It's also carried by the character Marcellus in the play Hamlet (he asks whether he should strike at the king's ghost with it.) A pole weapon or polearm is a close combat weapon with the main fighting part of the weapon placed on the end of a long shaft, typically of wood. ... The term lance (Greek: λόγχη, Latin: lancea, German: Lanze, French: lance, Spanish: lanza, Italian: lancia) has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapons based on the spear. ... Axe For other uses, see Axe (disambiguation). ... A ranseur(also called a runka or a rawcon) was a type of polearm used across Europe up to the 15th century. ... A spetum was a pole weapon of Europe during the 13th century. ... A role-playing game (RPG, often roleplaying game) is a type of game in which the participants assume the roles of fictional characters and collaboratively create or follow stories. ... For the first installment in the series, see Final Fantasy (video game). ... Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, and is one of his best-known and most-quoted plays. ...