The javelin is a popular weapon in many Fantasy Role-Playing games, and was used widely in the real world for hunting and defense before the advent of gunpowder weapons.
Javelins are a type of light spear that are easily usable both on foot or while mounted. This was one of mankinds earliest weapons. It has the distinctive advantage of being usable both as a melee weapon, and at range. The javelin is usually 3 or more feet long with a small leaf shaped head. More primitive javelins may have a triangular stone head, or no head at all (the shaft itself will be sharpened in this case).
The javelin is most popular as a hunting and ceremonial weapon. In the modern age it has primarily become a piece of sporting equipment, as the javelin toss is now a rather popular Track and Field event.