WINGBLADE

Manufacture: Cepn
Composition: Clocksteel
Cost: 600-1000 Coin (often more)          Availability: Restricted

The wingblade is the trademark weapon of the cepn Razors. Composed of an thinly-layered adamas alloy, the blade is both light and remarkably durable, with an edge sharp enough to slice through falling paper. The cepn stole the secrets of adamas from the Arcanar, and while unable to work the metal itself without their elemental forges, they were able to combine the black steel's filings with other metals to create the alloys used in the blade's construction. The wingblade is unique to the cepn, its mounting surgically implanted into the main wing joint of promising young assassins. Thin metal struts are pushed down into the hollow wing bones, and the joint guard is stapled into the leathery flesh and allowed to heal over. This process is agonizing to say the least, but the result is a weapon that is as much a part of the cepn as tooth or claw.

The truly fearsome aspect of this weapon is its speed. Most wingblades are actually concealed within a groove in the main outer wing bone, allowing a seemingly unarmed Razor to lash out much like a praying mantis, using paired blades to deliver deadly strikes on an unsuspecting foe. In effect, the cepn's outer wing bone becomes the weapon's sheath. As might be expected, this weapon cannot be disarmed, though it may be dismantled for sharpening, replacement, or upgrade.

SNUB BOW

Manufacture: Cepn (stolen from hoomiku)
Composition: Clocksteel, Wood
Cost: 2000 Coin (often more)          Availability: Restricted

The snub bow, much like the wingblade, is mounted on a permanent, surgically-attatched brace. It is the second most common weapon employed by the Razors, specifically designed for close-quarter assassinations. While it lacks the elegance and concealability of the wingblade, this small, compact crossbow is just as deadly. Unlike its conventional counterpart, the snub bow relies on a clocksteel spring to propel its dart, which is generally too small or light to inflict much damage at ranges over twenty feet. Rather, a powerful poison is typically applied to the darts within the weapon's rear-mounted magazine - a clever contraption stolen from the hoomiku. Each pull of the trigger causes the round magazine tube to be rotated one notch, positioning a new dart for immediate firing. The snub bow is cocked manually, almost like a sub-machinegun.

The snub bow is conasiderably faster than a standard crossbow, though the spring has only a fraction of the power and range. It is generally used as an assassination tool, when the target is unaware. The weapon is astoundingly quiet, emiting only a dull thump when fired, and a minute click when cocked. The magazine holds six darts, each of which brushes against a poison-soaked sponge (see poisons below) as it slides into firing position. When the magazine is empty, a full round is required to reload (no other actions possible).

MURDERSPIKE

Manufacture: Cepn
Composition: Steel
Cost: 50-100 Coin          Availability: Rare

The murderspike is yet another trademark tool of the Razors' guild. These ceremonial daggers are often employed in ritual combat among the cepn, or when stabbing people in the back. Some are flat-bladed and used for throwing, while others have a triangular blade which creates wounds that will not readily close. The main feature of the murderspike, however, is its brittle joining. With a sharp twist, the assassin can break off the dagger's handle and flee, leaving the fluted blade to finish off the victim. The murderspike's blood-channels are designed in such a way as to create an anchored, faucet-like opening that is nearly impossible to remove. Without a handle, the slick steel blade cannot be removed without considerable time and effort, especially if the wielder plants it somewhere out of reach (the back, for instance). Also, because the blade typically draws blood from deep within the body instead of at the surface, no clotting takes place.

Due to the complexity involved in the weapon's creation, namely the honeycombed steel and unusual grooving, murderspikes are quite expensive. Once broken, they cannot be repaired, though the hilts are often kept afterwards. In fact, most cepn have them made with a specific enemy in mind, often going so far as to have the name etched into the handle. It is considered a very ill omen when one of these weapons fails to kill its target.

WING SPURS

Manufacture: Cepn
Composition: Clocksteel
Cost: 250 Coin (often more)          Availability: Restricted

The wing spur is another example of exclusive Razor weaponry, used in conjuction with the wingblade. Like their larger cousins, these barbed spurs are permanently attatched, typically to the very tip of the wing as opposed to the main joint. As with the wingblade, they may be individually removed for cleaning, sharpening, or replacement. Wing spurs are used much like the wingblade, snapped out when ready for use. Most come in sets of three, though variations exist. Each individual spur is fluted like a snake's tooth, and fitted with a tiny capsule of venom. When agitated (snapped out), centrifugal force pushes the venom through a semi-porous cap and into the hollow channels in the spur, poisoning it.

The spurs are too small and awkwardly placed to make effective weapons on their own. Instead, they follow-up on any wingblade strike, adding a touch of poison. The spurs are only good for a few hits, at which point their venom is expended and they must be carefully refilled. They may not be employed in conjuction with any other weapon, or on their own.

POISONERS

Manufacture: Cepn
Composition: Clocksteel, Glass
Cost: 10-100 Coin          Availability: Rare

Cepn are great poison enthusiasts. So much so, in fact, that they don't trust ordinary food and drink anymore (eating is seen as a weakness). The real, sure-fire way of delivering a deadly dose of some foul venom is injection, and to these ends, a variety of ornamental fighting needles have been developed as the vessels of choice. Most of these poisoners are highly decorative, and endless variations exist. Most are long and thin, meant to slip through armor easily. Each is basically a hollow clocksteel spike connected to a poison-filled vial. Barbs near the hilt open the needle's hollow interior and deliver the deadly contents directly.

When fighting with poisoners, the idea is concealment. Often a shallow by painful dagger slash is used to distract the victim from the real deathblow, delivered in a subtle sleight of hand. Most of these needles are small enough to hide in the palm, though some may be larger and more obvious, used in ritualized duels where a single strike decides the victor. There is even a caltrop variation, which releases its poison when pressure is applied to the protruding tines.

KICK SPIKES

Manufacture: Koba
Composition: Wood, bone, leather
Cost: N/A          Availability: Uncommon

One of the few weapons employed by the unsophisticated koba, these foot bands are composed of simple materials such as wood, bone, and leather, and used to augment the impact of the reptillians' already-formidable kick. The spikes face out over the top of the foot, splayed by the curvature and wide enough at the base to sustain even heavy impacts. They are usually made from the fangs or sharpened bones of large animals, and while appearing quite crude compared to metal cesti, the spikes are capable of punching through plate armor. The heavy support band is made from thick, well-oiled hide, wrapping snugly around the middle of the foot and cinched tight with rawhide. These weapons are rare, however, as most koba prefer to fight until subdual or submission rather than to the death. Variants have also appeared in the Tamaran arenas, including spike bands for the tail, knees, and even forehead, allowing a charging koba to gore like a bull.

CATHODE GUN

Manufacture: Creator
Composition: Ceramics, Gold
Cost: N/A          Availability: Very Rare

The cathode gun is a nasty device designed by the City Mind to assist the Creators in their fight with the magic-wielding servants of the gods. Though quite fragile, the cathode gun was a popular weapon for high-ranking officers and specialized combat engines. The weapon builds a highly-focused charge of electromagnetic radiation, causing the bulb to flash brightly an instant before release. The crackling ray of energy is effective against both living and machine targets, frying synapses and circuits alike. One blast from a cathode gun is enough to reduce even the most brilliant mind to a state of catatonic vegetation in seconds. This brain-killing weapon is an example of the City Mind's cruel and efficient designs, meant to leave behind gibbering, drooling survivors to be collected by the enemy. These survivors would continue to consume resources, lower morale, and force other personel to care for them - the City Mind knew its enemy was a compassionate one. The cathode gun is especially effective against creatures with advanced minds, such as spell-casters. Ironically, it is just as effective against machine brains.

INCINERATOR

Manufacture: Creator
Composition: Ceramics, brass, fuel
Cost: N/A          Availability: Very Rare

Another popular weapon among the front-line combatants of the great war, the incinerator was designed as both a defoliant and a way of destroying small airborn targets such as faeries, which were too quick and agile for the more precise weaponry employed by the Machines. The incinerator's four rotary pipes spewed jets of fire nearly thirty feet long, twisting them into a flailing, destructive braid that could fill a much greater surface area a single burst of flame. The weapon was very heavy, and usually reserved for armored shock troops protected from the deadly heat. The incinerators were used primarily in the destruction of buildings and magical texts, as well as the execution of creatures with regenerative qualities. The flames generated by this device were far hotter than conventional fire, and had a way of completely saturating their targets instead of just consuming surface combustables.

PIECE

Manufacture: Creator
Composition: Ceramics, gold, steel
Cost: N/A          Availability: Rare

The piece is fairly small, light weapon that projects tiny metal darts at tremendous velocity, much like a crossbow. However, the shape and speed of the darts cause terrible wounds as they frquently blow clean through one side and out the other. Living beings of average size, even fully armored, can be killed outright with a single well-aimed shot to a vital area of the body, in particular the head area. This usually involves being relatively close to the target for the sake of accuracy. Unfortunately, larger beings suffer considerably less distress from such attacks, as do beings with nothing especially vital to destroy, such as undead. Another slight drawback is the rather loud bang that results when the weapon is discharged. Each piece contains an ammunition battery loaded with 2d6+1 rounds, as well as a short, curved knife blade for when opponents try to grapple the weapon away.

RAY GUN

Manufacture: Creator
Composition: Ceramics, gold, diamond
Cost: N/A          Availability: Rare

One of the most dangerous Creator sidearms was the fabled ray gun, which generated a highly-concentrated beam of atomic energy to vaporize its targets. This was a weapon used only by the elite Creator High Command, and as such was highly ceremonial despite its awesome capabilities. The ray gun was often simply used for summary executions, and later, for suicide. When fired, a brilliant red beam of light was emitted from the spherical lens at the tip of the barrel, disintigrating any solid matter it touched. In truth, the ray gun was far more effective against organic targets, vaporizing small or medium-sized beings utterly, while blowing giant holes in anything larger. Against inorganic matter, it merely carved a pencil-thin hole in a straight vector from the tip of the weapon. Some of the deadliest machines, including Nigh, are mounted with similar disintigration modules capable of decimating larger targets.

FLAME ROCKET

Manufacture: Creator
Composition: Brass, crystal, solid propellant, explosive fluid
Cost: N/A          Availability: Very Rare

Most common among the explosive missile weapons employed by Machines, the flame rocket was typically used to destroy structures and unprotected personel. When fired from its housing, the rocket would streak towards its target with a loud roar, trailing smoke and fire. Upon impact, it explode into a billowing cloud of flames, soaking everything in the immediate area with a mixture of flammable chemicals that burned far hotter than normal oil or pitch. Flame rockets were fairly volotile, however, and on occasion the Machines carrying them would explode if subjected to fire or electrical attack. Another drawback was the weapon's relatively short range (about 200 feet), as heat from the propellant would cause the flame solution to explode mere seconds after firing. Flame rockets are typically housed in hollow adamas blast tubes, which can be reloaded or discarded depending on the style of launcher. The ammunition is the same, regardless, and there is a 10% chance that any scavenged rockets will be duds.

HAMMERBLADE

Manufacture: Skole
Composition: Adamas alloy, diamond
Cost: 1000 - 1500 Coin (often more)          Availability: Rare

The skoles forge some of the greatest weapons on Rym, a tradition that dates back to ancient times, even before the Twilight War. One example of this masterwork is the great hammerblade - a sword capable of sundering any earthly thing. As is obvious from its graceless design, the weapon is designed for sheer power, meant to cleave through hide, armor, and even stone. Only the hottest of elemental forges can shape the black steel, making these blades very difficult to acquire, even for skoles. Most must be commissioned, crafted by a master blacksmith, and balanced for individual strength. Skoles may also receive one of these great blades upon completing a rite of passage, in which the sword in question is placed in the lair of some hideous beast, or at the top of some mountain, to be retrieved.

In the hands of a skilled warrior, the blade becomes a weapon of mass destruction. Six feet long and weighing as much as two hundred pounds, it requires a great deal of room to use effectively, but will just as readily smash through obstacles that constrict its deadly path. Far too heavy for effective thrusts, the weapon is instead based purely around a whirling, circular mode of attack, cleaving down anything in range. The only way to stop once velocity builds to deadly levels is to slam it into the ground - one of the reasons there's no trace of a point on the hammerblade. Even the handle is specially designed for this high-velocity combat, equipped with rows of bone 'thorns' which provide an excellent, if painful, grip. Skoles traditionally name their blades, though it is the weapon's maker who does the honors.

ELVEN ARROWS

Manufacture: Elven
Composition: Wood, feathers, metals
Cost: Varies          Availability: Rare

Elves craft masterful arrows, to go with their superior bows and archery skills. Many of these are a great investment of time and resources, but the result is a fearsome weapon, enabling the elven archer to perform a variety of tasks. It is not uncommon for snipers to carry five or six quivers all over their bodies, with each type of arrow identified by a coresponding color of flights. Most of these arrows aren't available on the open market, though some gorgish dealers have been known to aquire them from time to time, for sale to Tamaran sport-adventurers.

FISH SPEARS

Manufacture: Lutrai
Composition: Wood, bone
Cost: Trade          Availability: Common

Lutrai contruct a variety of spears to catch the main staple of of their diet. These spears are typically constructed of bone, wood, and leather bindings, and aren't especially suited to anything more than fishing. However, on more than one occasion, the otter-folk have used these spears to defend themselves from slavers and others who would prey upon them. They are easy to handle in the water, and range in size and purpose, from small forks meant to catch gobi and rass, to large tridents capable of fending off a vicious shark. The contruction of these spears is quite simple, but effective, and most young lutrai will learn to build several kinds by their tenth year.

Fish Spear: Despite the fact that the otter-folk have an easy time catching fish with their bare paws, many make use of long, bone-tipped spears to catch their dinner. These spears are very long and light, not suited to combat or hunting, and are shaped to keep an impaled fish where it is once the blow is struck. Many of these spears are also equipped with a light cord tipped with a bone hook or shiny bauble, allowing the fisher to bait the area closest to his striking range. Lutrai will also keep a long, curved shell knife with their fishing spears, to slice off anything inedible.

Gill Fork: Lutrai are exceptional shark-hunters - those that don't get eaten by sharks, anyway. This particular spear was designed exclusively to deal with sharks, specifically by slashing and destroying the gills. The trident-like weapon is often tipped with a shard of enchanted, glowing crystal meant to distract the charging animal, allowing the lutrai hunter to dig the sharp bone tines into the soft breathing flaps with a well-aimed thrust. A short perpendicular handle is another common feature, which ensures a good grip when trying to keep a forked shark at bay. The weapon's haft is extra thick and flexible, allowing it to absorb heavy impacts and thrashing without damage.

Kelp Saw: Not all of these tools are meant for fishing. The bone-bladed kelp saw is used to harvest various types of seaweed, as well as prying out stubborn shellfish. Most will also serve for self-defense in a pinch, and will saw through rope and netting just as readily as it will kelp. Harvesting of this sort is seen as a rather boring activity, and is often assigned as a chore. Most young lutrai despise boiled kelp, too, despite its nutritional value.

PEARL STAFF

Manufacture: Lutrai
Composition: Wood, pearl, feathers
Cost: Time          Availability: Restricted

The pearl staff is the trademark of any tribal healer, a construction of talismans able to contain the very life energy of the planet. These staves are passed on from one generation to the next, and some have endured for centuries. While most are highly individualized, they tend to share the common trait from which the staff derives its name. Each is topped with the pearl of a giant oyster, a symbol of patience and adaptation that contains the majority of the staff's power. The staves always glow with a soft white radiance, and an aura of comforting warmth. Only lutrai healers are able to use such staves, though their valuable decorations make them a popular prize for raiders or slavers.

The pearl staff is actually a magical focus, designed to fully purify the energy upon which it draws. When applied to living beings, this energy mends damaged tissue, purifies toxins, and restores vitality - the more experinced wielders being able to invoke more impressive results. Against undead, however, the pearl staff is a tremendous weapon, bringing its radiant energy to bear with brilliant explosive bursts. These quintessant pulses disrupt the energy upon which the undead sustain themselves, and even those that survive a blow or two will find themselves terribly weakened. As they have little voluntary contact with the undead, however, the lutrai are largely unaware of this fact.

Back...