Obscure Weaponry: Created by FZ

[Manji]

Posted By: ForeverZero Nov 29, 2004 - 04:13 pm

Yeah, I love making obscure weaponry. Why use 'just a sword' or 'just a gun' when you can put in your own quirks and make them so much cooler? And I'm not talking enchanted weaponry either.

Allow me to share with you some of my favorite weaponry inventions. They are all for my Flickering Halo saga, so don't steal 'em!

Weapon One: The Zephyrus Custom
Basically, this set of weapons is a pair of pistols, but they're hardly your average pistol. They come equipped with two modes of fire, Core Mode and Fuse Mode.
In Core Mode the weapon fires from its base, or 'core' ammunition. This ammunition is in the form of "Ether Shells" (Ether is short for ethereal). These are basically bullets filled with the essence of Ether, the 'magic' of my Saga.
In Fuse Mode, things become nasty. The barrel of the pistols open up to look similar to a railgun of sorts, and the weapons begin to link, or 'fuse' with the user's Ether signature and draw energy from him to fuel the firepower. It amplifies the ether into concentrated blasts, but just like any magic, it won't work if the user is drained.

Weapon Two: The Naroch Custom
Probably my favorite so far. This set is basically a pair of black "battle gauntlets" (punching armor, essentially). A clip (as in gun clip) of four "Heat Shells" load into the wrist at mid-forearm. Then the user 'chambers' a grip on the side of the gauntlet to load a single shell into the ignition chamber. At this point, that particular Heat Shell is considered active. This means that the user can then choose to manually detonate the shell (With a certain wrist movement) or use the punch impact to let the shell detonate normally. When it does, it does not fire a bullet, rather it releases a burst of fire akin to a basketball-sized explosion. The empty shell is then stored in the back, and the user can then open the chamber to discharge the spent Heat Shell.
This weapon also comes with an upgrade that the character gets later on called the "Naroch II". This version uses Ether Shells instead of Heat Shells (pure energy instead of explosives), and has an option called Rage Mode. In Rage Mode, the user loads all four subsequent Ether Shells into the ignition chamber, requiring four subsequent chambering movements (Something the older Naroch could not do). Then, when the shells are detonated, they release a massive and highly concentrated explosion of Ether, however the drawback is that it also take a toll on the user.

Weapon Three: The Ater Angelus Custom
A sword made in a smiliar fasion to the Naroch and Naroch II, this weapon is able to use both Heat Shells and Ether Shells, but contains no alternate firing mode. When the shells are active, they automatically detonate, however instead of a short burst they ignite the blade of the sword with a sheath of the respective energies for a limited amount of time.


Yeah, thats pretty much it so far. I like the Naroch the best. There's a scene later on in my saga I'm going to have where the user of the Naroch gauntlets goes into a rage and stabs a warrior in the gut with his bare hand and starts emptying all of his Heat Shells into the warrior's innards. Massive chaos ensues.

Yes, I'm greusome. And I love it.



Posted By: ForeverZero Nov 29, 2004 - 04:29 pm

Needless to say the Naroch was made for a martial artist, by the way.



Posted By: Magus Nov 29, 2004 - 05:58 pm

I used to have pages of any unique weaponry I thought of. There were swords that would conduct electricity and others that would start fires. Others had unique arrangements of blades, hilts and other parts. I even got detailed in the blade width, leangth and best uses; as well as how it was made and its favored users. I got REALLY detailed. Unfortuantely I lost it. I really wish that I hadn't. I could have used it to show you all here, or use it for one of my stories that it was intended for. Oh, well.



Posted By: Gnollslayer Nov 29, 2004 - 09:53 pm

There's not much room for unique weaponry in my books, seeing as how most of the characters are dinosaurs and fight with their claws, teeth, and tails.

I guess my energy pistols are a little different from the usual fare in that they use solar energy to recharge, making them suboptimal at night.

I focus more on the culture and history than the weaponry anyways.

By the way, your Naroch thing sounds pretty cool.



Posted By: Magus Nov 30, 2004 - 11:57 am

In my epic, the weapons help to espress the history of the people. Certain peoples and lands will have different weaponry that reflect their attitudes and culture. Also, certain characters have their own personalized weaponry that help to symbolise or reflect them as a character.



Posted By: ForeverZero Nov 30, 2004 - 03:41 pm

Yeah, most of my saga's weaponry reflects the tecnology of the area.

For isntance, my main antagonist army, Aegis, has all kinds of technology available so they have things like guns and even Ether Machine technology, which is defined as the "artificial enhancement of ethereal energy through augmentation of technology". It comes in a variety of forms.

The other army, the Nepheraj, are somewhat lacking in their technological resources due to the act that they are a resistance force created from rebels of the nation allied with Aegis. Most warriors weild swords, and occasionally you'll find cool "modern industrial" type technology like the Naroch gauntlets or the Ater Angelus.



Posted By: Magus Nov 30, 2004 - 04:29 pm

I don't really introduce what could be considered the beginning of "modern" technology until the last three books of my series, taking place a few millenia after the last one.

This books deals with the loss of what was and the unfortunate realiy of what is. Magic becomes a forgotten art, either used only to entertain or used by the darkest and obscure assasins and mercenaries. In their place the beginnings of fire arms and such move in, virtually destroying the weapons of old and the society of old. And the proud and noble God-like dragons, the thirteen dragons created at the beginning of time, of them only three live on, and they are the focal point of the plot. My protagonist awakes from a magical imprisonment to this new and starnge environment.

I'd explain in complete detail, but this is neither the topic or time for such a discussion. I'm not sure of all the details myself, and don't want to give it all away.



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 01, 2004 - 04:52 am

I thought of a really kick-butt bad guy weapon for my next novel, but I've only told one person and the dog's not talking. hehe
Speaking of weaponry, there's a site I found with some really helpful information for anyone who's dealing with archery techniques. If you want it posted, let me know.



Posted By: Magus Dec 01, 2004 - 02:09 pm

I'd like you to post it, if you don't mind.

What weapon would that be?

OOOH! Could we make this a game? Give us a hint and let's see who can guess it first, only one guess per post and no double posting. What do you think?



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 02, 2004 - 02:44 am

First site: Archery Dictionary: http://members.aol.com/tradbowmd/archdict.htm
Second Site: Fencing Glossary http://www.fencing.net/drills/glossary.html

Guessing game it is!
First clue- This natural weapon is inspired by an extinct creature.
Yep, I said a creature. Since most of my fantasy story takes place on this planet, I thought using a natural type weapon would be much more interesting than a sias or sword.



Posted By: Magus Dec 02, 2004 - 01:03 pm

Thanks. I'll check those out.

hehe... my sister is into fencing.

Hmmmm... That's a difficult one. Ummmm... A lance?



Posted By: ForeverZero Dec 03, 2004 - 05:04 pm

Define "natural" weapon. I'm thinking stuff like sticks and vines and stuff that could be used as weaponry but aren't really meant to be. And besides, if its a natural weapon, how could it be inspired by an extinct creature?



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 04, 2004 - 03:12 am

Natural weapon- A weapon created by nature in any way, i.e. decomposition, growth, etc. Inspired isn't the right word really, but my brain wasn't functioning yesterday very good. What I should have said is this: This natural weapon is an extinct creature.

Second clue: This weapon stays in its natural form and requires no sharpening.



Posted By: Magus Dec 04, 2004 - 07:25 am

A whip.



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 04, 2004 - 10:11 am

Not even warm.
Third clue: It has built in 'blades'.
Fourth clue: It's so heavy and awkward that only someone of large stature can wield it.



Posted By: ForeverZero Dec 04, 2004 - 10:14 am

How about... the tooth of a really huge reptile. If you're counting Dragons, I'd say the tooth of a dragon made into a sword. Or the tusk of a Mammoth or something like that, perhaps?



Posted By: Aldan Dec 04, 2004 - 12:30 pm

I believe that it could be one of the old dinosaurs similar to the ankylosaurus. One had a tail that was lined along the length of it with those sorts of thin spikes with edges (basically, blades). I just cannot remember the name of the creature.



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 04, 2004 - 03:34 pm

Tusk of a wooly mammoth is very close, ForeverZero.

Aldan, I thought of that too but it's not a reptile.

Final Clue: This mammal was considered a ferocious predator of the Cenozoic (65 million years ago).

That last clue should do it for you.



Posted By: Magus Dec 04, 2004 - 05:38 pm

GAH! This is harder then I thought.

O.K... let's see...

wooly... awkward...blades...Cenozoic... anti-reptile...natural...no sharpening...not a whip or lance...

Is it some type of Axe or Halberd?



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 05, 2004 - 03:21 am

No. You must remember that I put blades in quote marks. Blades being plural. Come on now, I can't believe you can't get it after all that. Okay two final clues:
1. It evolved into a modern African Lion and is slightly larger in size.
2. It's part of the fossil remains of this animal.
Just guess the animal and which part of the animal it is. Last guess before I give you the answer.

[Manji]

Posted By: manji Dec 05, 2004 - 05:46 am

Wow. Reminds me kind of Nausica. Although i haven't seen it, i heard that the girl who's the main charater uses the shell of an ancient bug as a shield.



Posted By: Magus Dec 05, 2004 - 07:56 am

O.K.... I was thinkning more along other animals from that period...

Is it one of those claw weapons?



Posted By: cleasterwood Dec 06, 2004 - 05:38 am

Manji,
I like that, a bug fossil as a shield. Interesting idea.

Okay, Magus, it's time to just give it up. I don't think you'll get it as it is a challenge to sort through all the animals during that period of history.
Here's the answer:

*
*
*
*

The jaw bone of a saber toothed tiger! It's over-sized front teeth remain sharp, are serrated, and if you attach a strip of metal to each end you have a deadly demon weapon. It's almost like a primitive pair of brass knuckles with blades.



Posted By: Magus Dec 06, 2004 - 01:17 pm

You don't know how many times I've heard, "It's time you give up." or "You're done now." before. Things ois, you and they are right!



That was a tough one. Interesting concept for a weapon!



Posted By: Some Idiot Dec 21, 2004 - 01:39 pm

zero - those were great! thank you for sharing.



Posted By: Caegaraneva Dec 21, 2004 - 06:19 pm

WOW...if only i'd been around a month ago...COME ON GUYS!!! didn't you ever learn about saber toothed tigers in elementary school? or are you just phenomenally bad guessers?



Posted By: Magus Dec 22, 2004 - 07:04 am

Bad guessers. Or, at least, I am.



Posted By: stereobandito Mar 14, 2005 - 12:12 pm

Foreverzero, I just discovered this topic and loved it. I'm very interested in this sort of stuff. My Sci-Fi epic will involve a LOT of obscure weaponry. Perhaps not so obscure as all that, but you can be sure that each one of my characters will have their own preferences, devices and arsenals.

One question, are those weapons designed for your novel, Zero-One, or are they just general ideas, I'd be very interested to know.

In fact, your post has inspired me to come up with some of my own weaponry... I'll be at it for hours now

Sorry for joining the topic so long after it was first posted, but I just felt I had to... Your ideas are so... well, superb!

Thanks



Posted By: Magus Mar 14, 2005 - 02:51 pm

Ha. I remember this topic. It's from way back when... as in not too long ago. Ggood times...





Posted By: Forever Zero Apr 01, 2005 - 01:22 pm

Yeah, those weapons weren't for Zero-One... in fact I completely forgot about that story until you mentioned it! Heh. I guess I'm a little disorganized.

But no, all of those weapons are from my main saga that I'm working on and have been for the past two years.



Posted By: Magus Apr 04, 2005 - 06:30 pm

So, by the way, how is that coming along?



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 04, 2005 - 06:51 pm

You know what, obscure weaponry is an interesting idea. But, one thing that bothers me about most obscure (newly invented) weapons I see or read about is they don't make sense. Like I saw this bit on a fantasy conviniton and the guys who designes all these great weapons on Star Trek, like Caelas' sword (excuse spelling)had their own weapons on display. They showed one that looked amazing. Shiny baldes, like elegant yet fierce spikes riding up both sides of your arm, with a handle that you hold on. Ok, in war you tend to enjure people on your own side. That's bad. That's partly why weapons must be carefully designed. A weapon like that would slash people standing next to you, and in the heat of battle you'd dice YOURSELF to pieces!

And so, my only complaint in making up a weapon is that it is designed so that it nakes sense.



Posted By: aldan Apr 04, 2005 - 08:28 pm

...which is why it's so very difficult to do. What sort of fighting have they not had hundreds or thousands of years with to refine the weapons used for it? Thinking that because we have more knowledge than they did so we can do a better job is ridiculous. Do we have more knowledge? Yep. However, guess where we got that knowledge from? *nods* You got it. We got it from them. The katana was a VERY good weapon for the type of fighting it was used for. The broadsword as well. The rapier, too. The saber (sabre)? Yep.

However, if you send a man with a rapier up to fence with a person in full plate armor with a claymore, chances are that even though the rapier is really quick to use and can get through small holes in armor, the fencer will be diced by the knight due to the fact that other than the backs of knees and of elbows (what I call the elbow pits) and of course the helm visor, there ARE no real holes to speak of. Full plate armor isn't plate mail, and doesn't have the same vulnerabilities.

This example is one I use simply because you will often see authors who think they know of which they speak use such things to basically say that men in armor were turtles and were defenseless against men without, because the men without armor would be much quicker. To an extent, this was true, but only to an extent, since it depended upon what sort of fighting was done, how many participants, the skill of the fighters and so on...



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 05, 2005 - 08:07 am

But if you are an historical fellow, and say you are a war general, and some one presents you with two weapons that you can choose to supply your men with -- one a simple spear, the other this crazy blade contraption -- which would you choose? The spear is an ancient, ancient weapon. It makes good sense too. As armor changes, so must a spear to do damage against this advanced armor, and of course various minds will re-shape the spear to suit their own taste and perspective. But the basic weapon remains the same -- long handle, long blade on the end (or sharp bone.) It's a smart weapon, simple and effective. The blade contraption is not. Imagine an historical figure tying a sharp bear bone to a handle who then thinks it would be great to tie TWO handles to the spearhead instead of one. He presents this to his superiors. He gets a slap up side the head for it!

My points: A. People back then were not dumb, and were actually far smarted than we. They had to be. B. Yes, weapons developed, but this was mostly because of people creating new armor, new weapons, and new forms of combat to take their enemy off-guard. Thus, all weapons had to be "improved" -- changed -- to meet with the new changes. // If you look at an ancient spear design, you have to be impressed. If you look at an abstract blade thingy built by modern weapons makers who have studied all respected forms of ancient weaponry, that would just dice your own side you pieces, you have to say, “What the -- ??”



Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 05, 2005 - 10:07 am

You must also remember, Neuro, that in klingon society dueling is a big part of their image. The weapon was probably made to duel rather than fight in a melee.
And on your point about the chance of you harming yourself increasing . . . . It's like with a butterfuly knife. The weapon is very deadly, yet without some amount of practice and skill you may either 1) Hurt yourself or 2) not get the blade out fast enough to keep yourself from bewing skewered by a guy with a switchblade. What I would guess is that the warriors meant to wield those alien weapons were specialist in that weapon.
What I wanna know is how would one sharpen a Bat'leth.



Posted By: Forever Zero Apr 07, 2005 - 04:40 pm

See, the thing is, I design my weaponry based on style entirely, not practicality. And for another reason, these are the only three "obscure" weapons I've create dfor my story, the rest are just basic alterations of swords and other melee (And sometimes ranged) weapons.

When I thought of the Naroch Custom, I wasn't thinking, "I'll throw in a scene that depicts how exactly this gauntlet works and what efficiency is has in real combat". No way. I was thinking of a a scenario where a master martial artist, armed with these gauntlets, beats down a bunch of attackers with explosive punches, leaving trails of smoke, and finally discharging the spent shells after they all are defeated while releasing a calming breath of recovery. I made those gauntlets because a scene like that would be awesome, not because they would actually be useful.

The same goes for the other ones, as well.



Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 07, 2005 - 06:19 pm

Wow. I don't like to be punched in the face by a NORMAL punch. I'd hate to meet someone wearing those gauntlets.



Posted By: aldan Apr 07, 2005 - 11:20 pm

It sounds like you are a script writer-type rather than a historical fiction writer-type, FZ. I'm not dissing either side, as they each have a place, and in fantasy and science fiction, there is plenty of room for creative license. However, some here would require being seen by a proctologist for removal of undischarged building blocks after reading the sort of thing that you just mentioned, as they seem to be all about the realism in weaponry.

Personally, I tend to run somewhere inbetween with my realism, since I want my readers to experience immersion, to really feel and experience the world about which I write, and my creative license, since without some freedom, fantasy would be semi-historical fiction at best.



Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 08, 2005 - 08:50 am

It sounds like you are a script writer-type rather than a historical fiction writer-type, FZ.

Actually, Aldan, I've been preaching to him that he should turn his epic into a script rather than a book.



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 08, 2005 - 11:18 am

Manjionlaptop, the weapon I mentioned wasn't a Klingon weapon. And of course weapons can be mastered, but there still is no logic in a weapon clearly so dangerous to your own side.

And what I meant was a weapon both creative and somewhat logical.

[Manji]

Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 08, 2005 - 12:17 pm

Actually, you just gotta call me Manji. As you may have guessed, I'm on my laptop!
Well, if it wasn't a Klingon weapon, you should have worded it so we didn't believe it was a Klingon weapon. And, like I said, it's probably for dueling. Or maybe for a personal weapon. Not all adventurers/fighters end up standing with an army to conquer the powers of evil in a battle devoid of tactics.



Posted By: Forever Zero Apr 08, 2005 - 01:52 pm

Actually, it is a script. A script for a video game, more specifically. And people who play video games don't play them to know how weapons work, they play them for storyline, fun and amazing visuals.

Besides, explaining HOW thigns work is for Sci-Fi. I'm not a Sci-Fi writer.



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 08, 2005 - 05:15 pm

I doubt those guys hah any specific intentions for the weapon. It was just a neato weapon. I have no problem with that, just used it as an example of a weapon I would not respect in a fantasy story.



Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 08, 2005 - 07:02 pm

But what if it was used in dueling? Would you respect it then?



Posted By: aldan Apr 08, 2005 - 07:08 pm

"but there still is no logic in a weapon clearly so dangerous to your own side."

There is no logic to nuclear weapons, chemical weapons or to any sort of bomb or grenade or unguided missile. That doesn't mean that they don't exist, but it just means that it can be dangerous to both sides. The twohanded greatsword could be dangerous to those in battlelines as well. There was a use for it, however, and that use was quite effective. The shortsword or broadsword was the weapon of choice in large-scale close combat, sword-wise. Longswords, scimitars, katanas and other larger slashing swords weren't made for that type of combat, so would be dangerous in the hands of anyone but expert swordsman in a situation like that.



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 09, 2005 - 08:36 am

I don't disrespect it, only if it was used in a story. If it was, and as a dueling weapon, then I'd think it was pretty kool.

Alda, a missile is intended to shoot OUT at the enemy, like the sword is intended to POINT out at the enemy -- when used in large numbers. If some one proposed a missile-like weapon which blasts in all directions ... it would be resued, unless placed deep into enemy lines, and only then if the missiles would not reach the other side.

[Manji]

Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 08, 2005 - 12:17 pm

Actually, you just gotta call me Manji. As you may have guessed, I'm on my laptop!
Well, if it wasn't a Klingon weapon, you should have worded it so we didn't believe it was a Klingon weapon. And, like I said, it's probably for dueling. Or maybe for a personal weapon. Not all adventurers/fighters end up standing with an army to conquer the powers of evil in a battle devoid of tactics.



Posted By: Forever Zero Apr 08, 2005 - 01:52 pm

Actually, it is a script. A script for a video game, more specifically. And people who play video games don't play them to know how weapons work, they play them for storyline, fun and amazing visuals.

Besides, explaining HOW thigns work is for Sci-Fi. I'm not a Sci-Fi writer.



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 08, 2005 - 05:15 pm

I doubt those guys hah any specific intentions for the weapon. It was just a neato weapon. I have no problem with that, just used it as an example of a weapon I would not respect in a fantasy story.



Posted By: Manjionlaptop Apr 08, 2005 - 07:02 pm

But what if it was used in dueling? Would you respect it then?



Posted By: aldan Apr 08, 2005 - 07:08 pm

"but there still is no logic in a weapon clearly so dangerous to your own side."

There is no logic to nuclear weapons, chemical weapons or to any sort of bomb or grenade or unguided missile. That doesn't mean that they don't exist, but it just means that it can be dangerous to both sides. The twohanded greatsword could be dangerous to those in battlelines as well. There was a use for it, however, and that use was quite effective. The shortsword or broadsword was the weapon of choice in large-scale close combat, sword-wise. Longswords, scimitars, katanas and other larger slashing swords weren't made for that type of combat, so would be dangerous in the hands of anyone but expert swordsman in a situation like that.



Posted By: Neurolanis Apr 09, 2005 - 08:36 am

I don't disrespect it, only if it was used in a story. If it was, and as a dueling weapon, then I'd think it was pretty kool.

Alda, a missile is intended to shoot OUT at the enemy, like the sword is intended to POINT out at the enemy -- when used in large numbers. If some one proposed a missile-like weapon which blasts in all directions ... it would be resued, unless placed deep into enemy lines, and only then if the missiles would not reach the other side.

[Manji]

We're cookin' with fire, now! Lol. Okay, so it's starting to feel more like home. awwwww. . . the old site . . .

[Neurolanis]

Yeah, it's picking up! I'd just like to get us a good rating. Can you see that PageRank bar the top right? Is there a tiny sliver of green there, or is that just my imagination?

[Magus]

I've been busy all of last week and this week Comcast has been having nationwide problems, preventing me from posting a lot. But it seems to have rectified itself. So I'll be able to post more now too. Plus I've invited a friend of mine to join the other day and, after fixing a problem, should be around any time now.

Things really do seem to be picking up, which is good, because the other day Jimm2 was complaining to me about the complacency of the site. And here's the proof when I said it would pick up soon.

[Manji]

One of the coolest obscure weapons I've seen is 'The Flying Guillotine' from 'Master of the Flying Guillotine'. It's like a two stage head-chopping monstrosity!

[Forever Zero]

Yeah, awesome topic.

You know, I've always been a fan of making weapon hybrids. For isntance, the Naroch Custom is a hybrid of a really powerful gun and punching gloves. And the Ater Angelus is a hybrid of a sword and a gun.

Final Fantasy VIII, too. Your main character weilds a Gunblade. Basicaly a big Revolver handle with a sword blade instead of a firing shaft.

What I usually like to do is find a cool long-range weapon, and find a way to make it a melee weapon by mixing it with something else. Like, just as I'm writing this, I'm thinking of one. You could mix a spear with a shotgun, man. Have a section on the spear handle to chamber back, and then your spear gets enhanced or makes big shockwaves when you stab something. You could also throw in a switch to make the spear split into a gigantic wall of spears when you thrust forward, to mimic the spreadshot of an actual shotgun, and then they'd all connect back together when you pulled your spear back in.

Hey! I might use that idea, now that I think about it. I'm just too awesome sometimes.

[Magus]

I know that it isn't really obscure but I like the chain and scythe combo for long-range/short-range. And I also think that Jian's are cool, if you consider Chinese swords obscure.

[Forever Zero]

You know, now that I think about it, the only time you ever see any creative weapon is when it's in Sci-Fi. My epic is half sci-fi for instance, it has crazy technology concepts in it.

All fantasy gives you is like, enchanted swords, or swords made out of dragon teeth or something bland and unimaginative like that. But in Sci Fi, I mean, look at Star Wars. Swords made of pure energy, man. And when fantasy pretends its being creative, they give you an enchanted sword that's enchanted not just normally, but by a crystal. Or instead they make it an enchanted bow. Or a staff or something.

You mix melee weapons with technology and the possibilities are limitless. Absolutely limitless I say. None of this fantasy crap!

[Manji]

Fantasy: Regurgitating Tolkien for sixty years . . .

In the few fantasies I've written, I've put more emphasis on the skill of the sword smith to make the weapon all powerful.
Combine that with the strength and skill of the protagonist . . . .
Death! Death I say!