GUNBREAKER

NAME: Silver Thorn




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TYPE: Gunblade


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APPEARANCE: Much like its wielder, Silver Thorn is a rather large weapon. Not in terms of heft or width, but in terms of length. From tip to pommel, Silver Thorn could put the length of some spears to shame. This is primarily due to the fact that it was built with the proportions of it's owner in mind. Like all Gunblades, Silver Thorn is half sword, half firing mechanism. However, one could be forgiven for mistaking Silver Thorn for a normal sword at a glance. While many gunblades are known for ostentatious, bulky mechanisms being given pride of place in their design, Silver Thorn is much more streamlined.
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The handle of Silver Thorn is made of a high quality Walnut wood, wrapped in darkened leather. This handle curves subtly in the hand, allowing for greater control of the blade. Connected to this handle is what appears to be the body of a lever action rifle. This rifle's 'lever' extends down to the very pommel of the handle, at which point the pair conjoin. This gives the handle a proper guard where it would otherwise lack one. From here, a traditional gunblade will fall into one of three categories.
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Two of these types are Atypical: Manatrigger and Bayonet types. Silver Thorn does not fall into either of these categories, as both are characterized by a lack of one mechanism or the other. Manatriggers lack a 'break' system to access one's cartridge mechanism. Bayonets lack the ability to actually fire projectiles. Silver Thorn has both of these mechanisms.
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While the handle of Silver Thorn is connected in one solid piece to the body of the rifle, the same cannot be said for the barrel that extends out from the front. The entire front of Silver Thorn is capable of 'breaking' away in a manner not dissimilar to that of a typical scattergun. Within this break is the cartridge mechanism of the weapon.
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For the moment, the system can only hold three cartridges. However, thanks to the design of this mechanism the cartridge carrier itself can be replaced as needed, allowing for more cartridge slots to be added over time to keep up with Arengeim's needs. Extending out from the housing of this mechanism is a sturdily constructed rifle barrel that is cleverly concealed within the spine of a long, dark colored blade.
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Slender and straight in nature, Silver Thorn's blade bears a striking resemblance to that of one of the many types of blade that one would find in the hands of a Gladiator or Paladin in Ul'dah, bearing a particularly striking resemblance to the blade of a type of sword known as a Flyssa. However, this blade is not entirely plain. Running down the flat length of the blade is an engraved pattern, inlaid with silver. This pattern is that of a detailed knotwork pattern of thorns and brambles which stand out quite strikingly against the blackened backing of the blade. Along with these details, the weapon itself seems to almost..hum?




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ABILITIES/ENCHANTMENTS:





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Aetheric Resonance System: Thanks to certain steps taken during it's construction, Silver Thorn is capable of being outfitted with crystals. This allows the weapon to become attuned to the element of whatever crystal is outfitted in the weapon. Currently, Silver Thorn is outfitted with a Lightning Crystal. This presents itself in an odd way. Rather than charging the weapon with lightning, the blade itself seems to let out a low, almost imperceptible hum at all times, only releasing the energy flowing through the blade during successful strikes.
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Aetheric Overshot: Every gunblade has a trigger that activates their cartridge system. Some--like Silver Thorn--have additional, hidden triggers. Upon making a successful strike or triggering the Gunblade Barrage Job Trait, this additional trigger may be pulled. Doing so shatters the currently slotted crystal, flooding the weapon with elemental energy to add an impressive amount of extra damage to an attack. This can only be done once per topic, and doing so removes the effects of Aetheric Resonance until a new crystal is integrated into the weapon.
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BACKSTORY/ORIGIN: Many Gunbreakers owe the procurement of their weaponry to a patron who had the means to commission such a product. This is often prohibitively expensive, leaving the path of the Gunbreaker open to only the exceedingly wealthy. Arengeim is one of a handful of Gunbreakers who rejected this path. As part of her training, the man who led Arengeim down the path of the Gunbreaker started by drilling into her mind the skills and knowledge neccessary to create a Gunblade herself. Forged by her own hand under the guidance of her late master--a talented Gunbreaker named Eadric Taverner--Silver Thorn was made. The Aetheric Crystal System which powers the weapon's additional abilities was the shared brainchild of both individuals. In the wake of Eadric's passing this knowledge has given her some small comfort in the time that has passed since then.