Darkstick
Exotic Weapon
Galaxy at War, page 36.
Cost: 165 Weight: 1.5kg Availability: Rare
Damage: 1d6 Stun: — Type: Slashing
The darkstick is a curved blade developed by the Kerestian species. Difficult to master, the weapon is deadly in the hands of a proficient wielder. Although they vary in size, a typical darkstick is about 20 cintimeters long with a handle designed to be gripped between the large knuckles of a Kerestian. Masters of the darkstick can hold two or even three of the blades in each hand, greatly increasing the damage they deal. Darksticks are named for the Kerestian belief of the Great Darkness that awaits all souls.
Later versions of the darkstick also incorporate special webs of light-absorbing cells, which shroud the wielder in darkness. Attacks from enemies who are immediately adjacent treat the wielder as if they were in total concealment. Creatures or characters with darkvision ifnore this penalty. The darkstick wielder must be able to see in the dark or take the penalty as well.
Any character proficient in the use of the darkstick can hold more than one in one hand, as Kerestians do. Wen wielding multiple darksticks in one hand, you are considered to be wielding only one weapon, but you increase the damage dice for the darkstick from 1d6 to 2d8. (The damage remains 2d8 for any number of darksticks ove two.)
A darkstick can be thrown. If your attack exceeds the target’s Reflex Defense by 5 or more, the darkstick also returns to your hand immediately after the attack.