Molecular-Ceramic Blade Technology
First Assistant Technocrat of Mars Slain
074-497THARSIS CITY, MARS - In a stunning development, the First Assistant Technocrat of Mars, Roin Tarkeesis, was found dead in a Tharsis City motel room late last night. Authorities are tight-lipped about the details, but SolarNet News Desk Mars has managed to uncover significant aspects of the tragic event.Sources close to the investigation reveal that Tarkeesis was found with his head removed and a molecular-ceramic sword buried in his chest in an apparent Hara Kiri style killing. Strikingly, the blade used was modeled after an ancient European longsword, adding a chilling layer to the scene. Both of Tarkeesis' bodyguards were discovered nearby, having been sliced into several pieces each, and the door to the room was sliced clean through. The men were both armed, but neither weapon was functional when recovered, apparently also having been damaged by the sword.In response to inquiries from SolarNet News, the manufacturer of the blade, Celestial Securities, issued a statement condemning the killing. They also took the opportunity to highlight the prowess of their molecular-ceramic blades, noting that the tip has a cross-section of just twelve molecules, enabling it to cut through nearly anything in skilled hands.Roin Tarkeesis had previously encountered trouble with Mars' criminal underworld, making it likely that the killer left the blade as a deliberate message. Authorities continue to investigate, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.Stay tuned to SolarNet News for further updates on this developing story.SolarNet News: All the News Fit for You!
War, War Never Changes
By the time firearms replaced bladed weapons on the battlefields of Earth, every possible principle had been applied to improve the weapons. As a result, the designs for bladed weapons - from hunting knives to daggers to longswords, axes and katanas - are roughly the same as they used to be. The techniques used to wield them are also generally the same.
Convergence Age Forging
Molecular-Ceramic Blades aren't really anything new. They take the ancient Bronze Age ideas of tempering the edge of a blade and simply do it better. The blade is condensed to increase hardness using a combination of nanotechnology, gravplating, and especially Atomic Restructuring. The edge of the blade is molocules thick, the hardness can scratch a diamond, and the flexibility of the spine can efficiently absorb shock, leading to a weapon that has been dubbed an 'immortal blade' by enthusiasts.
A New Bushido
The resurgence of such medieval weapons has brought the old philosophies that used to go with them roaring back, updated and sanitized by Convergence-Age philosophers. Most notably, the Seiokakeru Ronin, the Nouveau Palatine, and the Techno-Barbarians, though there are dozens of lesser known retrochronistic philosophies. Those who wield MC-Blades are often regarded as dangerous fanatics, more for what they MIGHT do rather than what they CAN do.
Armory
The Four major manufacturers of these blades are Spectra Genetics (Who primarily use the technology to make scalpels and other medical instruments), Eclipse Entertainment, Yute, Seneca, Lister Unified, and Gentleman's Creed Traditional.
Melee Weapon Tables
AXE/MACE (DX-5, Flail-4, or Two-Handed Axe/Mace-3)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE, YSLU | Axe | sw+2 cut (3) | 1 | 0U | $300 | 1.8 | 11 | 3 | |
| YSLU, GCT | Hatchet | sw cut (3) | 1 | 0 | $240 | 0.9 | 8 | 4 | Throwable |
| YSLU, GCT | Throwing Axe | sw+2 cut (3) | 1 | 0U | $360 | 0.9 | 10 | 4 | Throwable |
| SMC | Pick | sw+1 imp (4) | 1 | 0U | $420 | 1.8 | 10 | 4 | May get stuck |
BRAWLING or DX
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE, GCT, YSLU | Bite Harness | th-1 cut (2) | C | No | $260 | 0.01 | 4 | 3 |
BROADSWORD (DX-5, Force Sword-4, Rapier-4, Saber-4, Shortsword-2, or Two-Handed Sword-4)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE, YSLU, GCT | Broadsword | sw+1 cut (3) thr+1 cr | 11 1 | 0 | $3000 | 1.4 | 10 | 4 | |
| GCT, EE | Thrusting Broadsword | sw+1 cut (3) thr+1 imp (3) | 1 1 | 0 | $3600 | 1.4 | 10 | 3 | |
| GCT, EE, YSLU | Bastard Sword | sw+1 cut (4) thr+1 cr | 1,2 2 | 0 | $3700 | 2.26 | 11 | 3 | |
| GCT, EE, YSLU | Katana | sw+1 cut (4) thr+1 cr | 1,2 1 | 0 | $3700 | 2.26 | 10 | 3 | |
| GCT | Thrusting Bastard Sword | sw+1 cut (4) thr+2 imp (3) | 1,2 2 | 0 | $4500 | 2.26 | 11 | 3 | |
| GCT | Cavalry Saber | sw+1 cut (3) thr+1 imp (3) | 1 1 | 0 | $3000 | 1.4 | 10 | 2 |
KNIFE (DX-4, Force Sword-3, Main-Gauche-3, or Shortsword-3)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Large Knife | sw-2 cut (3) thr imp (2) | C, 1 C | -1 | $240 | 0.4 | 6 | 3 | |
| SG, YSLU | Small Knife | sw-3 cut (2) thr-1 imp (2 | C, 1 C | -1 | $180 | 0.22 | 5 | 4 | |
| SG, GCT | Dagger | thr-1 imp (4) | C | -1 | $120 | 0.11 | 5 | 2 |
POLEARM (DX-5, Spear-4, Staff-4, or Two-Handed Axe/Mace-4)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Glaive | sw+3 cut (5) thr+3 imp (5) | 2,3 103 | 0U | $600 | 3.6 | 11 | 2 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Naginata | sw+2 cut (5) thr+3 imp (5) | 1,2 2 | 0U | $600 | 2.7 | 9 | 2 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Halberd | sw+5 cut (5) sw+4 imp (5) thr+3 imp (5) | 2,3 2,3 1-3 | 0U | $900 | 5.4 | 13 | 1 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Poleaxe | sw+4 cut (5) sw+4 cr | 2,3 2,3 | 0U | $900 | 4.5 | 12 | 1 |
RAPIER (DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Saber-3, or Smallsword-3)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Rapier | thr+1 imp (5) | 1, 2 | +2F | 0F | 1.25 | 9 | 1 |
SABER (DX-5, Broadsword-4, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Shortsword-4, or Smallsword-3)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Saber | sw-1 cut (4) thr+1 imp | 1 1 | 0F | $4200 | 0.9 | 8 | 2 |
SHORTSWORD (DX-5, Broadsword-2, Force Sword-4, Jitte/Sai-3,
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Shortsword | sw cut (2) thr imp (3) | 1 1 | 0 | $2400 | 2 | 8 | 3 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Cutlass | sw cut (3) thr imp (2) | 1 1 | 0 | $1800 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
SMALLSWORD (DX-5, Main-Gauche-3, Rapier-3, Saber-3, or Shortsword-4)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE, GCT | Smallsword | thr+1 imp (5) | 1 | 0F | $2400 | 0.7 | 5 | 3 | Reaction + 1 |
SPEAR (DX-5, Polearm-4, or Staff-2)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Spear Two Hands | thr+2 imp (3) thr +3 imp (3) | 1 1, 2 | 0 | $240 | 1.8 | 9 | 3 | Throwable |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Javelin | thr +1 imp (2) | 1 | 0 | $180 | 0.9 | 6 | Throwable | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Long Spear two hands | thr+2 imp (3) thr+3 imp (3) | 2, 3 2, 3 | 0U | $360 | 2.3 | 10 |
TWO-HANDED AXE/MACE (DX-5, Axe/Mace-3, Polearm-4, or Two-Handed Flail-4)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Great Axe | sw+4 cut (3) | 1, 2* | 0U | $600 | 12 | 12 | 3 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Scythe | sw+2 cut (2) | 1 | 0U | $90 | 5 | 11 | 3 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, OD | Chainsaw | sw+1d cut (5) | 1 | 0U | $900 | 13 | 10 | 3 |
TWO-HANDED SWORD (DX-5, Broadsword-4, or Force Sword-4
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | LC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Naginata | sw+3 cut (3) | 2 | 0 | $600 | 2.7 | 6 | 3 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Bastard Sword | sw+2 cut (3) | 1, 2 | 0 | $3900 | 2.2 | 5 | 3 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Greatsword | sw+3 cut (3) | 2, 3 | 0 | $4800 | 3.1 | 7 | 3 | |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Katana | sw+2 cut (4) | 1, 2 | 0 | $4000 | 2.3 | 5 | 3 |
Muscle-Powered Ranged Weapon Tables
BOW (DX-5)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Acc | Range | Weight | RoF | Shots | Cost | ST | Bulk | LC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Longbow | thr+2 imp | 3 | x15/x20 | 3/0.1 | 1 | 1(2) | $200 | 11 | -8 | 4 |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Regular Bow | thr+1 imp | 2 | x15/x20 | 2/0.1 | 1 | 1(2) | $100 | 10 | -7 | 3 |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Shortbow | thr imp | 1 | x10/x15 | 2/0.1 | 1 | 1(2) | $50 | 7 | -6 | 3 |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Composite Bow | Composite Bow | 3 | x20/x25 | 4/0.1 | 1 | 1(2) | $900 | 10 | -7 | 2 |
CROSSBOW (DX-4)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Acc | Range | Weight | RoF | Shots | Cost | ST | Bulk | LC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Crossbow | thr+4 imp | 4 | x20/x25 | 2.7/0.03 | 1 | 1 | $150/$2.50 | 7 | -6 | 4 |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT | Pistol Crossbow | thr+2 imp | 1 | x15/x20 | 1.8/0.03 | 1 | 1 | $150/$2.50 | 6 | -4 | 3 |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT, VD | Wrist Crossbow | thr+1 pi | 1 | x10/x15 | 0.5/0.01 | 1 | 1 | $250/$0.5 | 4 | -1 | 1 |
THROWN WEAPON (SHURIKEN) (DX-4 or Throwing-2)
| Manufacturer(s) | Name | Damage | Acc | Range | Weight | RoF | Shots | Cost | ST | Bulk | LC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT, CS | MC Shuriken | thr-1(2) cut | 1 | x0.5/x1 | 0.1 | 1 | T(3) | $18 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| SG, EE, YSLU, GCT, VD, TSC | Gravity-Gliding Shuriken (Popper-bat) | thr(3) cut ex | 1 | x5/x10 | 0.5 | 1 | T(3) | $45 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
Utility
Molecular-Ceramic Weapons are sharp. They range from scalpels to claymores and daikatanas. Taking cues from ancient warfare, spears, halberds and naginatas are also not unheard of. MCWs cut through almost any mundane material, even Carbexene.
Manufacturing
Most MCWs are simply Carbexene blades formed at printing into an edge measured in molecules at the apex. It's possible to make them with lesser materials and equipment by focusing high-intensity lasers along the edges during heat treating of the ceramics, but these are much more fragile and wear out much quicker.
Social Impact
MCWs have a mostly unfair reputation as an assassin's weapon. While assassins do indeed like using it due to its ability to rapidly carve through armor, more legitimate uses include surgery and more legally acceptable combats such as home defense and elimination of HVTs by Corporate Raiders.
Parent Technologies
Access & Availability
Regulated in most places. Illegal on Luna without a medical license.
Discovery
SG, EE, YSLU, GCT
Related Species
Critical Tables
Critical Hit Table
| Roll | Effect |
|---|---|
| 3 | Mosquito's Bite: Deal an extra die of cutting damage, but the additional wound manifests one round later as blood loss causes tissue collapse. |
| 4, 5 | Surgical Sever: Cleanly severs a tendon, nerve, or small muscle group; target suffers a -2 penalty to attack rolls and DX-based actions with the struck limb. |
| 6, 7 | Blood Fountain: The slice opens a major artery or vein; target takes 1d6 additional HP loss per minute from bleeding unless properly treated. Bleeding rolls are at -4. |
| 8, 9 | Armor Ghost: Blade passes through a weak point or minor gap in armor perfectly; ignore all DR from armor (natural DR still applies if relevant). |
| 10, 11, 12 | Normal Hit |
| 13, 14 | Hamstring Cut: If hitting a leg, target must immediately roll HT or fall prone and be unable to stand until medical aid or proper rest. If hitting elsewhere, apply -1 to Move and DX. |
| 15, 16 | Whisper Through Bone: The blade carves cleanly through minor bones (e.g., ribs, clavicle, hand bones target must make a HT roll or suffer a -2 penalty to ST until healed. |
| 17 | Death by a Thousand Cuts: The precision of the wound causes lingering shock; target suffers an extra -1 penalty to all actions due to cumulative pain for the next 1d6 rounds. |
| 18 | Invisible Killer: The wound is so clean it goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Victim must make an immediate Perception roll to even realize they've been injured; otherwise, they take bleeding damage as normal without reacting defensively. |
Critical Miss Table
| Roll | Effect |
|---|---|
| 3 | Edge Misalignment: You struck slightly off true; reduce the damage of the blade by 1 until it's repaired. |
| 4 | Catch and Snag: The blade snags on armor, clothing, or bone; roll a Quick Contest of ST vs ST (or appropriate value) to free it. Failure means you spend your next action unsticking it. |
| 5, 6 | Surface Glance: The blade skitters harmlessly off the surface; you automatically miss any parry attempt this round as you recover. |
| 7 | Shiver Fracture: A visible microfracture forms along the blade. Damage is reduced by -1 per die until repaired or replaced. |
| 8 | Inside the Arc: You swung too close! Opponent may immediately attempt a grapple or disarm maneuver as a free action. |
| 9 | Vibration Feedback: Impact sets up painful resonance in the blade and handle; suffer -2 to attacks and parries for the next 1d3 rounds. |
| 10, 11, 12 | Normal Miss |
| 13 | Tip Snap: The blade's fine tip snaps off! Reduce reach by one category (e.g., Long → Short) and lose armor penetration bonuses. |
| 14 | Clean Miss, Dirty Landing: You overextended. Opponent gets a +2 bonus to attack you until your next turn. |
| 15 | Stress Crack: Hidden fracture forms deep inside the blade. On the next critical miss (or after 1d6 more attacks), the blade catastrophically shatters. |
| 16 | Stuck Fast: Your blade embeds deeply in the target (or terrain it requires a Ready action to yank it free. |
| 17 | Sweeping Exposure: A wide, flashy swing leaves your defenses wide open; you cannot Block or Parry until your next turn. |
| 18 | Catastrophic Shatter: If the blade already has a crack or flaw, it shatters violently! Take 1d6 cutting damage to your weapon hand and you are disarmed. |
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