Force Blades
by Len Tracey
Background
Non-matter is a mysterious substance that came into this reality via wormholes in the fabric of time and space. In ancient times the technology existed that allowed the “mining” of this substance, but this has long been lost on Avernus. However, entropic damage caused during the Armageddon wars has meant that some wormholes, usually quite small, continue to exist on Avernus. It is through these openings that small amounts of non-matter continue to find their way onto the planet. By strange coincidence, the majority of these openings on Avernus are located in the area of the Shogunate. These locations are a closely guarded secret and have made the mega-city virtually the only nation now able to produce force weapons in any numbers. As it is, now only the Machine Gods of Prometheus and the master artisans of the Shogunate know what non-matter is, let alone retain the knowledge of how to construct, focus and calibrate the non-matter filters used in the making of force blades.
Force blades are produced by projecting a high intensity energy beam through a filter comprising of a substance known simply as “non-matter”. The energy pattern of the non-matter binds with the pattern of the energy projected through it and attempts to draw this projected energy back into the non-matter. This results in the beam of combined energy “stretching” forward like a rubber band until it reaches a limit determined by the calibration of the non-matter filter. The combination of the two energy patterns allows the resultant “blade of force” to separate other matter at the atomic level. This devastating effect makes most forms of armour useless against such weapons with the exception of force fields which, being pure energy themselves, are unaffected. Recently, the discovery of the disruptive properties of Phase Resonant crystals has enabled armourers to produce other forms of protection. Ordinary ceramic or other alloy armour, laced with PR crystals, is resistant to force blades and slows their penetration, allowing the person more time to dodge out of the way. Similarly, conventional close combat weapons containing a mix of PR crystals can be used to parry a force blade. This knowledge is only new so such equipment is still rare and expensive.
Force Blades on Avernus
Due to the limited amounts of non-matter available, force blades are not produced in great numbers in Prometheus. Consequently only selected Promethean officers and Special Forces are issued with force blades in that metro-zone. These personnel are taught a linear style of fighting with the weapon that focuses on thrusts and snap cuts from the wrist. Although this style does not fully exploit the capabilities of force blades, it is still very effective in combat and significantly reduces the risk of self-injury. The undoubted masters of using force blades though, are the samurai of the Shogunate. The greater availability of these weapons in this mega-city has meant that they have become the weapon of choice for these undying warriors. However, to the samurai the force blade is more than just a weapon, it is a defining symbol of their identity and an inherent part of their life. From the moment they are old enough to hold a blade, samurai train religiously to master this weapon. This total dedication combined with the spiritual awareness of their Tau means that they attain levels of proficiency with the force blade that far exceed any other warriors on Avernus.
As a result of the limited knowledge of their construction, nearly all force weapons on Avernus are of Promethean or Shogunate manufacture. Those found in the possession of beings from outside these metro-zones are usually ones that have been lost or stolen over the ages. A more common option carried by many is the power blade. Power blades work by using force field technology and conventional energy to produce a blade similar to a force blade. However these weapons lack the destructive ability of the force blade’s combined energy patterns and so do not have the ability to carve through matter without resistance. Consequently conventional armour provides undiminished protection against them. Despite being no more effective than the more common close combat weapons, power weapons have the advantage of being able to effectively parry force blades. This makes them highly desirable for those warriors who believe they will confront force blades in battle, especially those who must fight samurai. Given the market opening, it is no surprise that Janus is the major producer of power blades. There is also an underground version of the power blade, known colloquially as a “Demon blade”, that has the power regulator removed, allowing the energy to project at an unrestrained rate. Apart from causing the weapon to emit a loud, high-pitched whine, this gives the power blade the same qualities as a force blade, but is extremely dangerous. The unrestrained energy release places great strain on the containment field and makes the weapon unstable. This can cause it to explode catastrophically without warning.
Dangers of Force Blades
Although considered the most lethal close combat weapon available on Avernus, force blades can be just as deadly to a careless or unskilled user as they can to an opponent. Since these weapons have the ability to “cut” through almost any material substance without effort, a carelessly swung force blade can easily remove its wielder’s arm or leg, or cause serious damage to nearby vehicles and equipment, or even friends. More than any other weapon, force blades require considerable training and expertise to employ safely. Even skilled warriors, practiced in the use of these weapons, have been known to seriously injure themselves through a slip or fall in the heat of battle. Consequently their use by others who are not samurai or Promethean officers is usually regarded with dubious enthusiasm.
New Rules
With the exception of force weapons, all other weapons use D20 + Successes to determine Critical Hit results. Force weapons use D10 + 10 + Successes to determine any Critical Hit results. Remember, the targets armour (not force fields) does not reduce force blade damage.
Force blades automatically cause a Critical Hit on a dice roll of 19 or 20 for the To Hit roll, unless parried or dodged. This occurs regardless of how many LF the target has left.
The wielder of a force blade suffers a Critical Hit on a dice roll of 1 or 2 for the To Hit roll. Again this is regardless of how many LF they have remaining.
Exception:
- Promethean officers trained in their style of fighting with the force blade only suffer a Critical Hit from their weapon on a fumble result.
- Samurai warriors never suffer a Critical Hit from their own weapon, regardless of the dice roll. However, a fumble result may still cause them to trip or drop their weapon.
In addition to the above, a non-proficient user of a force blade looses LF every time they suffer failures on their To Hit roll with the weapon. The amount of LF lost is equal to the number of failures.
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